APRIL 2008 - The One Where We Step Away From The Psycho Pill and Try Not To Need Pregnancy Tests!!!

[VictorianSqualor]

Our Babies

07 March: Ashton, a fourth child for gemprincess, 5lb 13oz @ 34+6
09 March: Ted, a second DS for Daftmoo, 7lb 14oz @ 36+0
21 March: George William, a first baby for KnitterintheNW, 7lb 2.5oz @ 37+3
25 March: Olivia, a second baby for TheMaskedPoster, 7lb 2oz @ 38+4
28 March: Pablo, a third baby and first DS for vacaloca, 7lb 14oz @ 39+4
28 March: Matteo Alexander, a first baby for Gangle @ 38+0 (?)
30 March: A baby girl, a second child for PortAndLemon, 8lb 15oz @ 39+5
02 April: Jak, a baby boy for rainbowdays, 9lb @ 39+1
02 April: A baby boy, a second child for bunyanvillas, 6lb 14oz @ 37+5
02April: Struan, a baby boy for Donnabels, 6lbs 15oz
02 April: A baby boy for mummyofaprincess @39 weeks
03 April: A baby girl for PippiCalzelunghe @38+2weeks
03 April: Aeryn Daisy, a baby girl for Denny185, 9lb 8oz @ 39+3
03 April: Benjamin, a baby boy for Micegg, 8lb 3oz @ 39+4
03 April: Roelof Grové, a first DS for SalLikesCoffee, 7lb 5oz @ 38+5
03 April: A baby boy for siikibam, 6lb 8.5oz @39+1wks
04 April: Matilda, a baby girl for AprilsFoolsBaby 7lb @
05 April: Ellis, a baby girl for MadameOvary
06 April: Henry Peter, a baby boy for Sheds, 7lb 130z @ 40+4
07 April: Sebastian George, a fourth DS for Peachy, 8lb 4oz @ 41+1
07 April: Jack, a first baby for ThePFJ, 7lb 5.5oz @ 41+1
07 April: Lexie Bea, a fourth baby for babywhiting, 8lb 1oz @ 39+4
08 April: Alasdair, a second DS for bunnyrabbit, 8lb 5.5oz @ 40+3
08 April: James Samuel, a third baby for honeybee10, 6lb 7oz @ 37+2
09 April: Zara Mia Martin, a first baby for V1KK1M, 7lb 10oz @ 41+0
09 April: Jasmine, a baby gilr for Niceychops
11 April: Kyran for rdk, 7lb 13oz @ 38+3weeks
11 April: Sebastian James, a second baby for Fleecy, 10lb 2oz @ 40+4
11 April: A baby girl, a first baby for CeylonSapphire, 7lb 12oz @ 41+1
11th April: Florence, a baby girl for LouMoose
12 April: Maya Alice, a first baby for egyptianprincess, 8lb 15.5oz @ 40+3
12 April: Sophia Viviana, a second DD for AussieDivaonaBreak, 6lb 12oz @ 39+3
15 April: Alexander Oliver, a third baby for VictorianSqualor, 10lb 3oz @ 41+0
16 April: Ailish, a first baby for Mollyfloss, 6lb 11oz @ 40+3
16 April: A baby girl, a second baby for elfsmummy, 7lb 13oz @ 41+1
16 April: Zoe, a baby girl, a first baby for ToastAddict, 6lb 10oz @ 39+3
16 April: Jasmin, a baby girl, a first baby for Eggandketchup, 9lb 3oz @ 41+4
17 April: A baby boy for paranoidmumy, 8lb 9oz @ 41+4
17 April: A baby boy, a second son for lorisparkle, 7lb 12.5oz @ 41+6
17 April: Benedict, first baby for LadyBee 9 lb 3oz @ 41 +2
18 April: Millie, a baby girl for scorpio1 8lb 9oz @ 41+?
18 April: Cameron, a second baby for munchkinmum @ 39+5
19 April: Oliver Michael, first baby for bashboid, 7 lb 4 oz at 41 +3
20 April: Samuel, a first baby for Velbels. 8lb15oz at 41+1weeks.
20 April: Angharad Mai, 8lb 4oz, 40+6, first for 7monthsplus
20 April: Emilia, 7lb15oz, a first baby for SuzeM, 40+6
20 April: A baby girl for SushiMama
21 April: Eve, a second baby for OMaLittle, 8lb 4oz @ 39+3
21 April: A second DD for Monmoo
22 April: Sam, a second son for Soph73 @ 40+0
22 April: Molly, a first baby for EllieG, 8lb 8oz? @ 40+5
22 April: Daisy, second baby for AttilaTheHan @ 40 +3
22 April: Zoe Olivia, second daughter for Piccallilli2 7lb 1oz @42+1
22 April: A second DD for blinks.
23 April: Jessica Elizabeth, first baby for BabyBratt @ 40+1 7lb 12oz.
24 April: A baby girl, a second daughter for christmaspixie, 9lb 2oz @ 40+6/41+5
24 April: Miya Jade, baby girl for ShelleySare at 39+4
25 April: Amelie, a first baby for Dondons, 9lb, 41+3 (i think!)
25 April: Aisha, a second baby for Jaq39 7lb 14oz @ 41+4
26 April: Hope Olivia, a second dd for northeastmummy, 7lb 11oz at 41 .
26 April: Gabriel, a third child for Bainmarie @ 41+5
26 April: Eli Michael, a baby boy for LittleMissTurquoise, 7lb 15.5oz @ 40+5
27 April: a baby girl for Ayomi, 6lb 1oz @ 41+0
28 April: Jacob Andrew, a 2nd DS for Kaybeeand2boys, 8lb 4oz @ 41+5
29 April: Thomas Henry, a 2nd DS for TLSM, 7lb 8oz 40+3
30 April: Harry Samuel, a fourth ds for Chipmonkey, 9lb 5oz @ 39+2
30 April: Ellie, a baby girl for Annamama
30 April: A second DD for luckymummy74
01 May: Sophie May, a baby grl for Annieroo, 6lb 5oz @ 41+4
01 May: Euan George, a baby boy for Jenniejennie, 8lb @ 40+4
02 May: Robyn Olivia, a baby girl for soph28, 8lb 1oz @ 42+1
05 May: Nora Martina, a first baby for Eva07, 7lb 8oz @ 41+2
05 May: A baby boy for Beeper, 8lb 10oz @ 41+0
05 May: Gabriella Summer, a first baby for MommyHasAHeadache, 8lb 4oz @ 40+6
06 May: Wilf, 8lb 60z for bigbadmom @ 41+6
07 May: James Andrew, a second ds for Moominsmummy, 8lb 13oz @ 41+5
08 May: Ellie Isabella, a first baby for Carey87, 7 lb 8oz @ 42+1
08 May: Robin David, a 2nd baby for Woollymummy, 8lb 11 oz @ 41+3
09 May: 4 kittens for scorpio's cat!
10 May: Astrid Mary, a second dd for sagitta, 8lb 8oz @ 42+0

oh btw, Healthy Sleep advocates crying only for babies older than 4 months, it's clear on reasons - not just sleep nazi - just that as baby gets older and more sociable, prolonged contact with us trying soothe seems more like another game, so more likely to fight sleep (which would fit your experience OMa and mine, of it taking longer to soothe to sleep now).

Also it does say to do some soothing, just a limited amount as part of sleep routine. I haven't got to the part which describes how to transition from soothing to sleep to soothing to drowsy, but I'm pretty sure it does say something about it later on so will post when I reach it.

I feel quite ambivalent towards this book (as is probably clear)...it says to leave crying for up to an hour!!!!!!
AN HOUR!!!!
I just couldn't.

Peachy, hope you get news. It's horrible but some people do use dramatic situations to make themselves feel important, controlling information etc. Or they could just genuinely think you've already got too much on your plate to need to be 'involved'. Hope it's all ok.

Well, for all the night wakings that Roelof treats us to, at least there's one thing that I should be grateful for - from the first yawn to fast asleep takes about 15 minutes. So the nighttime routine varies from 15 minutes to 45 minutes (if we have a bath first and dh and myself treats him to our singing, poor sod )

Peachy, hope you're feeling better already and that you've had some good news by now.

Hope everyone's having a nice and quiet evening. I should log off now - watching a dvd (Kite Runner) with dh, glass of wine ready!

I'm waiting for DP to get home..DS went down fine, I fed him and he slept. I put him down and he stayed asleep. This doesn't happen very often so am feeling quite happy, but still sort of waiting for the wail when he realises he is no longer attached to nipple and next to nice warm mum.

OOp, I hear the front gate! Hooray, crack open that bottle of wine

bugger. DS heard the gate too. WAIL..

\apparently dad is ok, has discarged himself () as food is crap. has a hole in his chest which is plugged with gauze . tyhey were due to fly out tomorrow to celebrate their 40th, but at least theyre insured

Peachy, so relieved to hear that. at your dad's take on hospital food, hehe.

Ladybee, hope the wine's well and truly open now.

I can't actually see out of my eyes properly. I've stopped bothering with tiny tissues and have a roll of toilet paper next to me... The wine probably didn't help, but I've sobbed for the last hour. The Kite Runner. It's beautiful but utterly heart breaking. Sob sob sob. Life is so cruel. Oh dear, I'm starting again... Maybe a warm bath will help.

Peachy, so relieved to hear that. at your dad's take on hospital food, hehe.

Ladybee, hope the wine's well and truly open now.

I can't actually see out of my eyes properly. I've stopped bothering with tiny tissues and have a roll of toilet paper next to me... The wine probably didn't help, but I've sobbed for the last hour. The Kite Runner. It's beautiful but utterly heart breaking. Sob sob sob. Life is so cruel. Oh dear, I'm starting again... Maybe a warm bath will help.

oh dear Sal, still at least it's the film and not R making you cry.
I am eating my dinner by myself while DP tries to calm ds has woken screaming for the third time since waking when dp came home.
Have given him calpol. Hope that helps.

Hey all! Just a quick scan cos I wanted to tell you all about this really amazing offer on PhotoBox.Large Collages for £1.

Sorry to hear about your Dad Peachy. Hope you've got more news now.

Sal, so would you recommend that book then? Currently going through a Jodi Piccoult phase. But it's been on my reading list since I read My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Piccoult.

Poor Oma and LadyBee- No I deffo couldn't leave up to an hour. In fact, about 4 weeks ago I left her for half an hour, and I kind of wish I hadn't. Although DD definitely is getting more playful around bedtime now and I will want to nip any potential problems in the bud. We have just moved her into her own room 2 nights ago. It's gone ok so far which is good. We have also been transitioning in at a nursery all week. But we don't think it's going to work for us, and luckily I have managed to find another nursery which seems really great. So am looking forward to this one! Really really chuffed. Hope it all works out with the keycarers.

Hello ! Holiday was fab, will tell more later. Ferry was [vom] emoticon. Seriously.

Back to it here. DH is out already. I don't think im happy.

Peachy - sorry to hear of your troubles. Keep strong

Hey Scorpio, welcome back! Glad to hear you've had such a great time!

Thanks for tip, Sushimama. Will have a look now. Re Kite Runner - I saw the film version (dvd), but find that the book is usually better than the dvd (which was very good) anyway, so I'd highly recommend it. Keep tissues at ready and wine away would be my tip though.

Can't remember if I've told you guys already, but I took Roelof to "his" nursery (planning to use it properly from Jan, with gradual introduction from Dec) last week, and he seemed to love it, so I'm pretty happy that we'll be ok if I need it. I have to go back to the dentist this Thursday morning, and have booked him in again for the morning session.

Our cleaning lady has started her new job, and as I'm at home anyway I've decided to stop this laziness and not get a replacement. Dh and I have come to the conclusion though that we don't spend couple time together anymore, as between playing with R before his bed, attention at weekends to his son, and work in the evenings and possibly more trips away soon, we have to do something together without neglecting R. So we've now got a set date every Friday night, and from 7 to 10 we're getting a babysitter (this lady, who always sits for us). We probably won't do much - the occasional movie or just going out for a drink or cheap meal or whatever, but "our" time. I'm strangely excited.

We bought takeaway Chinese (well, have to use the opportunity before we have to start eating "properly" when R joins us!) yesterday afternoon, took a sleeping bag, R's toys and had a picnic in the park. It was lovely.

Hey ladies, long time no talk. We went to Dublin for a while.

DD is doing well, almost 5 months old and getting big, despite losing interest in her milk. She still sleeps pretty well. I have the highchair, bib, etc at the ready but am still holding off on the solids.

Sal, a regular babysitter sounds like a great idea.

Glad you had a good holiday, Scorpio.

We are a bit nervous here, the bank my dh works for is facing bankruptcy.

I wasn't going to go back to work for a while but in light of this, may look for a contract in the spring. Anyone else going back soon or working already? There is a good creche nearby, I should probably put DD's name down soon.

Hope all the mums and babies are well.

Hi Suze Sorry i am a lazy SAHM so no return to work for me. Sorry you are facing this, though. It's scary isn't it, when they get made redundant.

Hey all. Suze, forgot your DH worked there, what a nightmare. Fingers crossed for you.

I feel like crying. I'm so f*cking tired, I really needed a chance to recover from last week but DH's work is so crazy that we used nap time today to do some of that, am still doing it now in spite of holding my eyes open with matchsticks. Doing a midnight feed last night I literally couldn't stay awake (I can't feed lying down as I fall asleep and then she doesn't get burped, and that's a disaster...). Have woken up this morning with a totally fcked shoulder - both girls have colds and I just don't feel I can face another week of DH never being home before 9. On top of it all DH is feeling really stressed and angry that his family time is getting imposed on so badly so guess what, he manifests that by being really ratty and horrible in the time we do have together .

Oh yeah, I was going to wait until I was more upbeat to post. Sorry. Need to vent somewhere, though. Now need to stay up until DH gets back (had to drive to a colleague's house to pick up his suit the colleague brought back from the office) to explain the spreadsheet I have done as I won't get a chance in the morning.

I NEED TO SLEEP FOR A WEEK.

Great, DD2 waking up.

Scorpio, glad you had a good holiday. We missed you!

OMa. Sorry i'm not nearer, really! Can you get a person in to help? nanny, parent, even a good friend? You cannot function on no sleep, lovely. Does dd1 go to a nursery or anything? (trying to think when you will get sleep time). I guesss DH's work thing is not forever, is there light at the end of the tunnel?

I missed you all too! Was lovely, but DH has gone straight back to normal. He is in the pub now, has been out twice this afternoon (once training, once to rescue the boat lol). Am in the process of having words again!

but, have come home to find R's dad is now living with his now fiancee, which is better for everyone. His df is lovely, really nice girl. (she is 19!)

Suze, fingers crossed for your dh. It is such a horrible time not knowing.

Well, re going back to work... The plan was for January, but I'm not convinced I'll find contracts as easily as before in this climate, so will see how it goes.

Oma, sounds rough. Not sure if this is something that you'd want to do with dd2 being so young, but would it be possible for her to attend nursery one morning a week when dd1 is there as well so that you could have a block of sleep? Or would it be too difficult with expressing?

hey Scorpio, welcome back!! grrr DH taking off so quickly..do you think he needs some 'space' to recover from a week with the family unit? (not that you don't??)

Sal, I keep meaning to get signed up with a babysitting agency, hoping to get a regular-ish one sorted out, but I have a feeling we're going to be conserving funds so much over the next few months I'll be lucky to get DP out of the house. Good idea to try to plan regular couple-time though, it's always the last thing on our agenda, even though whenever we do do something we always say 'we should do this sort of thing more often'. Had a lovely day today though, into London to have brunch, then joined the masses walking down by the river (some festival was on), and then to the O2 as neither of us had been there. (It's odd, isn't it? Every chain restaurant under the sun...but good transport and some good acts coming up, might bear it in mind for an easy night out).
DS was pretty good but didn't feed or sleep much so was wired by the time he came home. Cue much desperate crying when it came to bedtime.

Suze, sorry to hear about possibility of redundancy, that's always worrying (unless of course you know there's an enormous payment due, increasingly rare ). I'm probably going to go back to work in December rather than next year as planned, mainly because I was expecting my holiday pay to be paid this month and it's not actually going to be paid until I officially return to work. Which is going to make things all a bit tight. Sushimama have you started again then? or still in preparation?

OMa, hope you get some more sleep soon.

Scorpio, I hope you get things sorted.

I have joined your late-night club, DD has her first cold/cough, as do DH and I. All I can do is give her Calpol, raise her cot, right? Poor little thing.

I decided to log on and see if there was any rescue deal for Lehman but nothing yet ... if they go bankrupt, I assume there won't be any redundancy payments. DH is good at what he does, I am sure he'll find another job soon (if any banks are hiring after all this!).

Sal, not sure about contracts for me either.

Maybe we should emigrate to Australia!

Hello all! I'm back too! Had a lovely holiday and am now slightly depressed to be back. Lake Como is really beautiful and now I want to live there (as I do whereever I go!) Gigi was a dream baby the whole holiday - all my fears about travelling with her were unfounded. She seemed to love it! She stuck to her routines and slept really well - maybe all the fresh air that helped and of course being out everyday doing something new. She loved all the attention she got from almost every Italian that set eyes on her. The majority of which didn't speak English - and of course we don't speak Italian, but somehow we managed to talk about her to all of them. We explored Lake Como by car and boat and even went to Switzerland (Lugano and St Moritz) twice! We did rather a lot, so we have decided the next time we go anywhere in Europe we will go for at leat 10 days to 2 weeks as because we love exploring we never give ourselves chill time. Will post a few pics now!

Suze - sorry to hear your news (both the cold and the fear of redundancy.) Never a nice time - always worrying. I hope things come right for you. We are also thinking of emigrating to Australia btw.

OMa (yes I do think of you as Oma and in fact struggled to remember your original name!) - I do feel for you - and my offer of babysitting while you snooze still stands!

TSC (Saggita) - I still think of you as Saggita! It's a cool name!

Sal - I love your idea of date time - DH and I occasionally have a date night (when my mom can babysit) but we also, like LadyBee, need to sort out a regular baby sitter - someone we can trust.

Suze, yeah I should have realised what the situation was, flicked over to the news thread after this one and saw what had happened, it must be shocking to see that in the news. Doesn't look like the US govt are going to rescue it as they did for those other two.
You can get child/baby version of Olbas oil which I find quite good to put on a muslin and drape that next to him while he's feeding and trying to sleep, helps with the congestion.

OMa does DD1's nursery do emergency care? Could you book DD2 in for a couple of mornings and catch up on some sleep that way?
Sorry to hear all the work stress is getting to your DH and coming out on you.
Oh BTW, have you ever tried floatation? If you could book a babysitter and book in for the morning, it might be one way to let your body get some intense recovery in a short amount of time. It sounds a bit kooky, but my DP and I went when I was in 2nd trimester and we both came out feeling like we'd had a week's holiday. I've been to the one I linked to and it's easy to get to from London Bridge.
OTOH It might just remind you how much more sleep you want .

Hi MommyHAH! your holiday sounds wonderful...nice to have you back