December 2006 - Terrible Two's here we come!

[Olihan]

Here we go. I thought the title was apt as ds2 has morhed into a stroppy little horror overnight. His favourite expression at the moment is 'I cwoss with you, I sceam at you AAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH' .

Happy Birthday ToddlerJabber and ToddlerEli .

DD is poorly again. I swear every bug in the vicinity has some kind of magnetic attraction to her . She has a bit of a temp, headache and earache today. I need to buy shares in Calpol and Medised I think.

Aoa, hotel is a very good idea - go for a posh one so you can have a vvvv hot, deep bath!

Hee hee!

Agree on steroid reducing weirdness. Also agree on the ADs.

Right, DD is demanding "Quick quick, breakfast" not sure she can differentiate meals yet but get impression she's hungry.

Have called in the reinforcements, had a jippy tum all day and bouts of contractions so thought we better have someone here NYE just in case. Mother en route. Can't decide whether I am relieved or not.

Ooer, LenniEd good luck!

Ooh, looking good to go, LenniEd - told you he would share with ds1 (if you keep your legs crossed til midnight ). How are you feeling about your mum coming? IIRC you're not close, are you?

BP, I agree about the ADs, they might just take enough of the edge off things to allow you to sleep and recover - it sounds as though your body needs a complete break and ADs may help that process. Alternatively, there are loads of herbally stuff that would also help if you want to placate your inner lentil weaver .

Right, I'm off to finish a power ranger cake, I may be sometime!

Ooh, LenniEd, how exciting!

Am going to ignore the pig ears in favour of a yay! at Lennied. Go on you know you want to squeeze another Dec baby in, it is the best month

AQ name calling really not on. Hope the stress eases and the blow ups with it. Good sleep though! Hope they keep it up. As for ds and bf sometimes a few good relaxed skin to skin feeds can get you through a tricky period. Not too practical though.

Right. Dd is called Daisy. She will be Margaret on her birth certificate but she is very much being known by the diminutive at the moment. According to my gran Daisy is ghastly and Margaret is common. Excellent

Anyway. Around 12.30am I started waking up, tossing about and going to the loo lots, by 2.30 the niggles were too much to sleep through so I got up, paced around, booted up the computer thinking smeone on MN would be up to chat to but by the time I got the page up rocking hips wasn't getting me through contractions any more and also I realised I'd had several contractions in just a gew mins. Got dh up who kept trying to massage my back so set him off getting towels and the pool ready as I just wanted to pace around. He decided to time contractions which was amusing as he couldn't tell when one was starting (erm the bit where I start huffing dear) and kept missing them as he was doing the pool (asked me if one was the first I'd had since the last on he timed when it was about the 5th). Called MW, he started filling the pool, pacing wasn't working any more so I was bending over sofa with each one wishing the pool was ready. Told me pool was full, went through. MW arrived so examined me before I got in, I was already 8cm! First contraction in water amazing, felt so much easier. Then of course they just bloody hurt again as I lost my reference point Ordered dh to put more water in and keep it coming, I sat in the pool back to the edge rocking hips upwards with conractions. Wonderful MW just told me to follow the contractions and my body. Asked for gas to be set up as was feeling a bit out of depth but after a couple of contractions it got shoved out of the way as roaring was far more effective Waters went with a pop, bowls emptied and my body said push. Pushed and panted as felt right, again MW fab just kept reminding me to breathe back down each time, head appeared and paused just before the widest bit which was good as it meant I stretched slowly and didn't tear (but she was quite bruised around the eyes). So strange watching her come out, like suspended animation just watching the head slide out and gently turn then feeling each little bit of the body come out. MW lifted her towards me and I got to see what I'd had Cord very short so we got out quickly as it was uncomfortable keeping her above water. Went to the sofa and wrapped up, she latched on and fed, and fed, and fed. Cord cut when it stopped pulsating. Ds woke just before this so was snuggling dh as he cut it. Eventually delived placenta. Ds had some cereal then went back to bed and I had a shower then lay down with dd who kept feeding causing horrible afterpains!

Spent next couple of days having bad afterpains each time she fed, then having waves of pain when not feeding. Then shivering and sweating, blacking out for a few seconds at a time randomly and passing huge clots, but the MWs seemed to think it was just shock, the cramps were so bad because she fed lots and uterus was just contracting down quickly. Felt much better Christmas morning so hoped was over it but by afternoon started again. MW on boxing day took one look at me, realised how many jumpers I was wearing and that I couldn't have moved off the sofa if I'd tried and took my temp and called the hospital. Got there, sat around a lot (nice private rooms though), got seem by Dr who took swabs etc. Dh took ds home and left dd and I to stay overnight. Got started on wonderful painkillers (got to love it they bring you them whenever you press the button) and ABs. Woke in the morning feeling clear headed for first time since birth, they let me go home that evening after maintaining a stable temp. I have super strong ABs to take, dd has a low dose too to make sure she is ok.

DD totally different to her brother. Feeding a bit fussy now, think ABs affecting her, but genereally feeds every 3-4 hours for a good long feed. As a result seems to sleep more, be more put downable and have nicer awake times than ds did. She also seems to drop off around 9 for the night and not wake til 1 or so

Ds is ok, was giving her kisses today Has had a happier day. Food still an issue but with me feeling better we are more on top of the house and getting back in to a bit of a routine which I think is def going to help him as he is a routine led boy despite my best efforts!

Hope all keeping well.

Oh, how lovely to hear your story at last, Indith Aside from the post-birth infection (exactly the same thing I had with ds1, in hospital a night too which was quite disconcerting having just got home), wonderful birth and sounds so different from the hospital experiences. Glad you got to do that and ds could share at the end. Good that he's a bit better (how are night terrors?) and dd fab feeder and sleeper already. Didn't know Daisy was short for Margaret but think both are very nice indeed. I love flower names but drat dp doesn't. Important question: do you want any pink (or purple) clothes for dd as I have a pile in my bottom drawer I hung onto in case you had a girl. All bright colours I think and great condition, happy to pass a bundle to your mum or say if you don't need anything

DP sounding like complete and utter prat I think, he's not, but yes Eli having trouble controlling anger and stress and I have suggested he needs to learn how to do so, get short shrift. He often blames me in fact arggh.At the moment I am chief peacemaker. If the dt's keep sleeping well I can manage just about (although dd got up at 1am and 5am last night I'm hoping it's just a glitch as she's so good normally). DP at work 2 days this week which I'm quite pleased about, will give us some space.

Reflux, hmmm. I did just look it up and perhaps you're all right, he did match a lot of the symptoms. Shall take him to the dr's as don't want to give up bf if problem can be solved although still not sure how to fit 12+ separate feeds into my day with the school run.

BP, you do sound v.v.run down. Are there other options with the job, I do remember you do a lot of commuting don't you which is v.tiring. Has gp suggested counselling, a chance to sound off about it all to someone (other than us?)? As an alternative to ads if you don't want to take them. Hugs all the while

Lennied, right must email you right now I think with mob number. Eeeeek, you could have baby v.v.soon couldn't you (dawns on aq that 38 weeks is really quite far along...)?

Indith - that sounds lovely (apart from the infection). Well done Daisy!

BP - you sound knackered. Some more time off will do you good.

Jabber and AQ - sorry about the bickering DHs. Try and take some time out for yourself. Not easy with work/4 kids I know.

A lovely story Indith , and I too like the name. If this one turns out to be a girl then she'll be Lily. DH keeps harping on about trying for a Lily... have told him he's got 2 chances, and think we all know what they are! Hope you are well and truly over the infection, and lovely to hear that DD is already feeding and sleeping well. Gives me hope.

AQ, was just about to email you my number just in case I didn't get back on the internet, but all gone quiet again so not sure whether baby is coming or staying put. Had pains all day and was about to get DH to take DD to a friends at about 5pm but I got in bed after a bath and slept for an hour and now everything seems to have stopped again. Niggles but nothing more. Will email it anyway, so you've got it. Definately get yourself to the GP about the potential reflux and be persistant. I saw about 4 different HVs with DD when she was having problems with feeding/vomiting and not one mentioned reflux. I took her to my GP at my wits end and she took one look at her and couldn't believe no one had picked it up sooner. Meds made a difference, but just knowing what it was made an even bigger difference, amazing how different you feel when you can explain something.

Have told my Mum not to leave just yet and will let her know in the morning how I am. And you're right Oli, we're not close, have a very difficult relationship. She has issues, and we were somewhat left to bring ourselves up, there are a lot of things that went on that shouldn't have done and perhaps if we'd arrived 20 years later we wouldn't have been left with her, but we all turned out relatively ok for the experience, which is the main thing. Am trying to encourage her to be part of DD's life though, I want to give her the chance to build a relationship while DD is still young enough not to take umbridge over anything. And I like to see her too, I have just learnt not to rely on her for anything.

Wow, Indith, what a birth I'm glad the infection is under control (and that you hd the bonus of nice painkillers. Daisy is a gorgeous name, and annoying grandparents is probably a good way to start life (my db called his son Joseph, which totally horrified Mamie...which in turn endears him to everyone else in the family ). And well done Daisy for being such a good feeder.

AQ, I'm sorry...I'm sure you've tried all the obvious routes, and being the dd of a counsellor you're probably more aware than most of how to go about it. I find dh is usually better able to hear how I feel about specific behaviour (ie not so defensively!) when we're not in midst argument, and also if I tell him how I feel rather than focussing on him in any way...but thats probably also obvious. Just wish I could help, really - hate to think of you being exploded at, and equally sure your dp is lovely and doesn't feel great when he explodes. Mind you, babies plus rubbish economy plus time of year is sure to = overload. And two out of three of those are bound to change

Have just put both dds to bed, dd2 snotty but happy, dd1 with red cheeks, tearful, not herself . Oh please don't let her have caught my DM's bug, whatever it was - we've managed not to let any peaky LOs into our home, as per HV instructions, but failed utterly in keeping peaky GPs out...

x-post with LenniEd (because I started mine ages ago, got interrupted by dds!) - don't trust dying down niggles, LenniEd, I have a feeling its a good thing your Mum is there regardless

Though I can relate about liking seeing her, but not relying on her for anything. I sometimes feel fine about that, and sometimes not

Also, I agree about being persisitent re reflux: my GP was totally dismissive when I asked about meds. Took a hospitalization (due to larynx, not reflux) for the paediatrician to spot the problem and help us out with it. Squeaky wheel it, I would!

Indith, that sounds like such a nice birth! I love the name Daisy - I never knew that it was short for Margaret. Too bad about the infection but I found painkillers (from c-section) to be really helpful when nipples started feeling sore from initial bfing

bp and oli, ds2 would have happily nursed until he started school I think. I was only able to wean him last month b/c I had to be gone for 5 days on business. Dh was very good about getting up with him and soothing him while I was gone. When I got back I just told him that Mommy had run out of milk. It was a bit for both of us I think but I really felt that it was a good time to give it a try. I have been amazed at what a good sleeper he has turned out to be now

eli, here;s hoping that dd1 doesn't have anything too contagious.

I feel just like that, Solo!

(DD1 is currently doing the can-can behind me and keeps exposing her bottom at the end of the music. Methinks she has misinterpreted something )

Indith, I adore both names. What a birth! I remain amazed by drug- and intervention-free births.

Eli, hope you got a good night's sleep.

Thanks for the tip, Jabber. I should maybe book myself into a spa for 5 days and let them all get on with it !

LenniEd - how are you?

Worst night in ages dd2 coughing and gasping endlessly and only wants mummy, aargh.

BP, can I come with you please? Massages, thick towelling robes, bubbly water, nice smells....

Though failing a spa, you still put a on my face with the cancan story....not sure she's misinterpreted all that much, either, given the original aim of the dance

Eli, so sorry she had a bad night. You're more than welcome to join me at the spa - even if it is a virtual one!

I don't think the original end of the cancan included for the pulling down of pyjama bottoms. I think it may have been a little more flirtatious than that, even if exposure was the over-riding aim

Hee Hee at pulling down pyjama bottoms! I got out of bed yesterday to find ds had pulled his top and bottoms off and was trying to take his nappy ogg , I guess that's the price I pay for staying in bed with dd bf'ing and expecting him to entertain himself for a bit! For some reason he won't come into my bedroom, even though I have toys in there for him, but he will at the weekend if dh is in bed .

AQ, congrats on the sleeping front and fingers crossed it continues for you. I'm not jealous, I'm not jealous... and Oli, totally agree with the 3/4 month built up sleep deprivation thing - even though I'm getting more sleep than the early days 5 hours/night IS NOT ENOUGH! (and no, it's not in one go.) Luckily dh does one nightduty at the weekends with a bottle (sometimes 2 if I'm lucky) and I express whilst feeding dd at 5/6am, giving me a solid night 'till that time.

Right, time to wake up dd and change her nappy and force more milk down her gullet! So nice having J at nursery for the day!

Oh and Indith, lovely birth story. The afterpains are a bit of a suprise with no.2 aren't they! (Don't worry LenniEd, paracetemol and use the excuse to stay in bed). Hope you are putting yourself to bed at 9 as well and maximising that sleep? and that ABs did the trick.

Hi all, still here.

Eli, sorry to hear about your night, and I know it must be daunting to have the op looming but it really will make a difference, I feel sure of it.

Minus 7 here at 10am this morning so have told my Mum not to come. Think it would be worrying me to have her travelling so far in icy weather. Have seen the midwife this morning and my blood pressure is right up, so got to keep a close eye on things. Still getting pains on and off but nothing like yesterday and think it's all ground to a halt. Baby in excellent position though which is good news after DD being back to back. Have always had very low BP so a bit concerned about it going high, but midwife seemed ok about it.

Can I join you at the spa?

fingers crossed for you Lennied.

I hope you can see the new year in with a baby bang.

lol at the cancan story!

eli, so sorry about your night. Poor little dd... At least by getting things fixed now she won't have long-lasting memories of all the breathing problems.

sacha, last night ds2 took off his pajama bottoms and his diaper and announced he wanted a change Did the same thing this morning. I'm thinking maybe it's time to start potty training?

Am feeling most un-celebratory (don't tell the rest of the Scots!) I've just managed to convince DH to move a telly and DVD player into our room for the night so that we can watch films and eat chocolate until the bells.

I'll celebrate properly tomorrow The spa will be serving champagne cocktails at noon, if anyone's interested. And there's trifle for pudding as well.

Enjoy your evenings, whatever you do.

Spa tomorrow? I'll be there if they're serving haddock cocktails, I don't care, as long as its feet up and no responsibilities

Thanks all, she's got a streamy nose today so explains the additional gasping etc. Nothing worrying, thank god, just tiring. But I'm in good company with Sacha and probably Indith, and at least mine will be sleeping through (she'd better be) a month from now

LenniEd, whats 'up', for you? I had high bp at the end with both, and in my case went higher after birth (unusual), so learnt a bit about whats ok and what to look out for. I'm sure MW has told you, and if she's not worried its probably ok - there's quite a margin for bp going up during labour, which is very normal. Wonder if you'll be having a baby in 2008 or 2009?!? Good luck tonight, either way

Am also feeling bit unfestive, had friend with small kids here and have just finished clearing up post-fishfinger etc debris and just want to sleep or at least hang out with dh, in PJs, with chocolate a la BP. Tomorrow, though, am going to make nice lunch and do our traditional new yearish things with friends in the afternoon....and then, if I get my way, take down the very dead Xmas tree and make way for Spring

Jabber, have stuck my fingers in my ears and head in the sand: potty training? I'm still mourning the loss of the sleeping bag, nap, and highchair

Though dd does now tell me when she's peeing or pooing, unless she's 'busy' in which case she'll deny pooey nappies with huge innocent eyes....

Eli my BP isusually around 110/60 or 110/54, occasionally as high as 120/72. Today it was 145/96 on first measurement and then 130/85 when she did it again. She looked quite panicky at first and then seemed to relax a bit when she got the second measurement. She made me do another urine sample there and then just in case but both were fine. Assuming no protein means all ok does it?? Am feeling a bit worried about it now.

I had pre-natal hypertension with both of mine LenniEd. They just watch you closely. I did have to take bp meds for a week or two after I had ds2 as it stubbornly would not go down. All is fine now though.