May 2008 Babies....food glorious food....hot sausage and mustard!!!

[LuckyPumpkin74]

New thread as it's Nov so our babies are all hitting 6 months!

I am most definitely NOT pregnant!!!!!

Agre with NikNak... DH is 44 NOW

That's why he's saying it's now or never, because he doesn't want to be too old.

He's in one of his less talkative moods today (and DH doesn't talk much at the best of times!) so DS and I are keeping a low profile.

We have friends over tonight, so that will be nice. Must get on... I have another deadline for tomorrow... Have got to get everything finished and right, as my proposals this week will really decide whether the job is longer term or not!!!

TSO xx

pina it's babies in sheeps clothing

GDABD yes au pairs are live in and do a max of 25 hours per week, generally not including weekends. they don't have any formal childcare qualifications and are not supposed to have sole charge of under 2's although most people judge for themselves what they are happy with after a while. my au pair has a lot of experience living with her nephew who is nearly 3 and her neice nearly 18 months while her brother was in the navy so is very good with our two. au pairs can do light housework as well (like dusting the boys rooms, changing their beds sorting their washing etc) but not full on cleaning. most au pairs also help out if you have 2 dcs taking one to a class while you have the other one or helping out like that (ours takes sam to his monkey music class while i have some time with jacob). also doing school run or taking to / picking up from nursery.

it's an extra pair of hands really, whereas a nanny has to have formal childcare qualifications, earns a lot more, may or may not live in, and you have to apy their tax and NI as well.

not much else to report here - it's cold!

Hi ladies

I'm feeling a bit better today after having the week from hell. Well, that's an exaggeration but it's been tough this week. I'm finding work really hard going with the crappy hours I'm doing and tiring teaching 3 lots of under 11s and then a high level class. Teh getting home at nearly 11 is really tiring me. Lately I've been having admin on Fridays to go in for as well and with DS teething and waking early and then not napping it's all been a bit much.
I've also had my period and this stage of the term always is a real low point for me, almost xmas but not quite so you're really tired but still have a month left. I'm sure any teachers can sympathise.
I got a bit down this week and really wanted to give up but with my notice period By the time I gave up it'd be xmas and then I get 3 weeks off so I thought I should just stick it out and anyway I need to earn and going freelance isn't a possibility just yet either.
DS finally slept well last night so I'm feeling a bit better.
OMG I can't believe anyone is ready for number 2 already! It would quite seriuosly KILL me. I can see why you are going for it but the thought horrifies me. Having said that I think the pregnancy almost worries me more as I had a terrible 1st 16 weeks with puking so badly I was signed off.
I'm planning a 3 year gap so I can go freelance next summer and be able to give it a year before I want another Mat leave.
Although I do get waves of broodiness from time to time. So serious are you planning to start TTC now or in a few months? You seem very capable, I'm sure you'd be great, but I think you'd def need some help what with DH being so useless busy with work. Nanny or au pair sounds good to me.

macoco so sorry to hear you have had a tough week. Both my parents are retired teachers so I know how hard you guys work. tbh, seeing them, as a child, it put me off the career!! although now I think I would like to be a teacher if I wasn't a physio.

The HV came to see me this morning and was very pleased that I was felling better. She doesn't think I am 'bad enough' for the group or even for ADs, so she wants me to hold fire on them, which I'm happy to do.

Actually, I just bought something called 5 HTP from a health food shop, which is a herbal AD, it's quite a strong one that boosts serotonin levels. I am going to give that a go first.

pina obviously I am all new to this, but if your meds aren't making a difference, should you not see your GP again? It must be very tough for you. I have been told mine is 'mild' and it's been hard enough to deal with, so I sympathise with you totally.

I'm going to see my boss from work in a bit to discuss my return to work. I still don't know what to do. I know work is good at the moment, good morale etc. I think it could be good for me. It seems silly to use all my savings to pay the mortgage when I'm not 100% happy being at home all the time anyway, IYSWIM. I think I would like the break from routine and using my brain and being an adult in adult company...
After seeing my boss I have an appt with the lovely 'Alan' for a pummel of my neck and back muscles.......

(before you ask, he's very sweet, 10 years younger than me, a lovely guy but talks like Joe Pasquale....!!!)

LM xxx

Hey GDABDs... I feel a change in you.... Check out how you signed off your last post!!! YOu are LM again I know (as other, much wiser people than me have said) it's a long process, but you WILL feel great again and I, personally, think that's a great sign!!!
Macaco - Also agree about the teaching thing... I really thought about it (have two chemistry degrees) but just couldn't face the stress... You have my sympathy...

Flick you still OK for Friday? No problems if not...

Yes, I do feel totally ready to consider TTC (though I won't do anything other than stop taking contraception (not that it helped last time ) and see what happens.) WHo knows???? I really don't mean to offend anyone as this is a personal opinion, but I wouldn't ever consider IVF or anything like that... if it happens, it happens, if it doesn't, then I believe it wasn't meant to be... (but, that IS just my opinion). Macaco - your comment about my busy useless DH made me laugh.. He is currently having a little sleep upstairs because he is tired and couldn't change or feed DS today because he is tired (just as well I don't suffer from that particular affliction!!!

GDABDs - hope Alan does wonders for your back!!!

DS likes to sit on my lap when I am working but has realised that hitting the key pad is good fun....

Gosh, look how happy I am

Pina check this out and see what you think.... 5HTP

Interesting how one poster says her normal ADs never did anything but these did...

TSO yes all still on - I emailed you about it - did it slip through the net??? we have M&T group at 10-12 which might be fun to go to depending on what time you are reckoning on getting to me. other than that our christmas tree is being delivered so pretty housebound... at least until it arrives!

am getting myself all riled about this ridiculous rear facing seat thing on buggies in AIBU - have resisted posting again on thread as too angry

anyway helped a friend sort out pictures for her christmas cards today - involved taking lots of pics of a 22 month old girl dressed in fairy outfit - v cute. almost made me want another one but at 2 boys and bad pg's each time we're not TTC again. (sounds like the end line of going on a bear hunt )

anyway, lots of work to do and done none all day so must away

PINA I took ADs after ds1 at this point (ie he was 6 mnths) I don't think they ever really worked so asked to come off them. Was having CBT counselling and all sorts. Depression/anxiety lifted when I got pregnant again. I would definitely go back to your GP if you think they're not working. There are loads of different sorts and maybe you need to try another....or the natural one just suggested?

Serious I am with you on the 'see what happens', both my pregnancies happened like that, but then I just don't like the expression 'trying' to conceive. I think let nature take it's course and what will be will be?? but good luck x

Pina Thankks for the message on FB. I would suggest whatever she likes and will eat keep giving those to her, rather have her eating and offer a different flavour every now and again. But rememeber milk is the main source of food and nutrition, so don't worry too much about the food. If you add babyrice to the food will she have more.
I am sure someone will come along with a different suggestion or opinion. But you must do whatever you feel comfortable with. I am sorry you are having a stressful time at the moment, hopefully DH starts being more supportive. I will msg you on FB maybe Mon will work, just need to speak to DH.

PINA Sorry for the shock you got and also the less than helpful reaction from your DH.

FWIW, I found DS wasn't at all interested in food I'd made or in quite a few brands, but one brand he does love is Ella's kitchen... that's what I am using now and we get through gallons of the stuff. I also find that I have to heat food so that it's quite hot.

TSO xx

Pina It's sounds like your HV overreacted and you're probably feeling unsure of the best thing to do anyway, without the panic GP opinion. Go with what you think is best. I would suggest if she doesn't spit out thicker food make it thicker. It sounds like she's just not interested. Those growth charts are rubbish anyway, both my boys have not followed one centile. DS2 went over the scale at 10 wks, and since has dropping right down. But I have greedy boys, you have a little girl who is not bothered about food IMO. Good luck

pina it sounds like your HV definitely over reacted which is particularly unhelpful as you are worried anyway. and although your DH's reaction seems unhelpful it was probably good intentions of trying to reassure you?

i would just continue with what yo uare doing - but make sure that milk is her main source of nutrition and you are not cutting back on milk at all. has she had an underlying cold etc? i only ask as ds1 was terrible at weaning - 3 spoonfuls was a huge success!!! he hada rotovirus that we thought he had got rid of and it made him suceptible to colds etc and it took a course of antbiotics to clear it all and then he was much better on the weaning.

if you have to have her weighed each week i would keep a really good diary of what she eats/drinks and when (i did this with ds1 when he wasn't eating much and it helped put my mind at rest when i saw the milk intake). don't worry about the looe sking - babies have so many folds of skin and crease etc that it's not a big deal and you're not a bad mummy for not spotting it.

if there is one thing that she seems to eat more of then tbh i'd stick to that for a few days at each meal, just to get her used to taking stuff in. or have you tried BLW?

hi everyone else hope you're all ok!

pina I echo what all the others say. Keep giving her her fav foods for a while. I had DS weighed this morning and he hasn't gained much in the last 5 weeks. He was 8.22kg 5 weeks ago and now is 8.4kg. He is 7 months old. He has dropped down from the 75th to nearly the 50th centile. I didn't get to see the HV, just the assistant, and she asked if DS was being more active (which he is - rolling and squiggling a lot with time on the floor every day) and she explained the slower gain might be being caused by that. I have to bring him back in 3 weeks to keep an eye on it. How active is DD2? If she is alert and contented then those are more accurate gauges of her wellbeing, aren't they? Hope you get the reassurance you need.

pina I am so sorry for what you are going through and I am really at your DH's respnse.....not exactly supportive. Let us be your support.

My suggestion is high fat foods, so if you make her potatoes, add lots of real butter or even cheese (if she can eat cheese? don't see why not). Avocado is good fat too. DD2 loves a mashed avocado with banana. I knwo the problem seems to be more getting the food in, but I just thougth high fat might help her gain weight.

Does anyone have any suggestions formy CM problem

All good here today. Went to soft play again, DH off so he came too and it was much more enjoyable for all concerned.

pina I will be thinking of you lots and will say a little prayer that Evie is OK (((hugs))). Hopefully it is just the HV overeacting.

sorry pina missed your dh laughing - i agree not very helpful or supportive at all

GDABD Sorry no helpful advice about your CM, maybe she should speak with the mother and see if baby is like that at home.

GDABD - Def. second what Mitchell says - if DS was crying all day, I would want to know.... It may be that he is just a crier, but should be mentioned.

Would also second what someone said on the thread: It is unusual for a CM to have two babies under 12 months... I looked at using two CMs that I met (both times walking the dog! ) but neither could have DS as they already had a young baby in their care respectively...

I suppose the only thing I would be tempted to do would be for you to ask your DD1 if she has noticed any real change... I don't know if she is really old enough, but I think if she had picked up on changes / stress levels etc., then that would be a big concern...

Mitchell - Am loving your FB updates on the number of days till your DH is home.. It's very heartwarming!

Pina - Glad you had a better day, I really do believe that, as your DD2 is so happy and active, it's a HV over reaction... I tried DS on a rusk today and he refused to even try it (but was very keen to knaw on a plastic bag full of plectrums and got SERIOUSLY naffed off with me when I took them off him!!!)

ANyway, big news here: We have a TOOTH ...

TSO Very exciting well done DS. DS2 loves to gnaw (sp) on my finger with his two front teeth, they are getting to big as it now hurts like hell.
You are obviously having a good week, with DH being home as you can hear you are happy.
And a plastic packet is far more exciting than a risk.
It might only be 8 nights or 9 nights, depending if he can get off the boat on time for the first flight. Yes still counting the days.