June 08: All we want for Christmas is a good night's sleep!

[bitofasnowqueen]

New thread!

Ooh, I'm first on!

Alipalli - poor Peter having brussel sproouts! .

My mum is ridiculously excited that S can sit in his high chair and have Christmas dinner with us. No turkey for him though, just carrot and parsnip!

Sponge what makes the bumgenius easier than the flexitot? Glad they're good with containment etc. Re: nappy changes - its hard isn't it? I usually chuck the dirty nappy on top of the nappy bucket, and I use washable wipes, so I normally have a few dry ones to hand to put under his bum if need be. I usually whisk the wrap right away before taking the nappy off to avoid it getting dirty.

alipalli so sorry about your handbag.

Oh, S awake so got to run, apols for not saying hello to anyone else.

Ali - sorry about your handbag... I am totally anal about my bag, I need to be able to touch it all times so I know it is still there . But I have got less anal since the twins were born - better stuff to worry about now, hey?

BSQ, I was skimming posts just then to catch up and saw 'I got pregnant!' from you and had to re-read it very carefully - I thought you were sharing some news!!

We had a lovely weekend at BIL and SIL's, for food I blasted lunch in the microwave before we went and it was still warm-ish 2 hours later when I gave it to them and they ate it all I (and didn't get food poisoning) so that's good.

They haven't been sleeping well at all - on Friday night I was up at 1am with E, then 1,30, 2.30 and 3.15 with T, then 4.30 with E then 6.30 with T! I think it is teeth so last night they had the full does of Calpol and only woke once each at 3.30 and 4.30. Much better! (But can't believe that now constitutes a good night )

Right, go to get DTs up from their nap.

Thanks Deb, that's sweet of you. We had my friend round yesterday to do a Christmas photo shoot and he took some gorgeous shots. We're very lucky to have a photographer as a friend - it's going to save us a fortune!

As for last night, no better unfortunately . Dh is really struggling with the tiredness now bless him, but Mini Sponge is really struggling to shake this tummy bug - had to get him up at 4.30am because he had pooed all over his babygro, sheet and blanket. Poor little mite. Dh then fed him and he slept for . . . two hours! Could at least have done with a lie in til about 8am!

Ali, well impressed that Peter ate a brussel sprout - I'm one of the strange people that actually likes them but dh hates them so we never have them for Christmas dinner!

Bugger about your handbag - nice of someone to help themselves to £100 before returning the bag .

snowqueen, the bumgenius are all-in-one pocket nappies so much more like a disposable. Fab, convenient and really easy to change. Definitely my favourite!

Neenz, glad you had a better night last night. KWYM about thinking two wake ups now constitute a good night!

Right off to see my NCT mummies one more time before Christmas .

Hi all - I'm off to my parents this eve and probably won't have a chance to post before xmas, so just wanted to say Happy Christmas to everybody! Hope you all have a lovely first Christmas with your little ones, and I'll try to catch up as soon as I can

Have a good one, allnew

I am having a little rest while the DTs have their lunch sleep then I am going to have to go to Tesco - last year I waited 45 mins at the checkout and that was three days before Christmas Day! Everyone goes bonkers at Christmas round here. And i think I am going to have to take the DTs with me cos can't get hold of PILs!

Sponge, hope Alex is better soon! I really think it is just teething that is waking my two. I always feed them when they wake but this morn they didn;t want a bf first thing poss cos they'd had one in the night so tonight I am going to offer them water.

Ah, I see Sponge! I've only used two parters so am quite used to it now. I might try some pockets next year. I bought 15 flexitots so room to increase my stash.

Sorry to those of you having bad nights.

Weaning still going ok so far here. He's been having lunch for a week, and had his first breakfast today.

Neenz - too late for an online shop? DH took S and did the Christmas shop yesterday .

Right back to the great Christmas clean up. It's going slowly, but I'm getting there. Life is soooooo much easier when DH is on leave.

Yes, it's too late to shop online! All tesco and Asda delivery slots are taken till Saturday . But at least PILs have turned up so they will have DTs. Don't mind going food shopping for an hour or so now

Oh, that sounds like a winning plan! Does your tesco have a coffee shop .

glad you've found the in-laws Neenz.

I order our food from [http://www.northernharvest.com] so hopefully the turkey etc will arrive tomorrow. And our greengrocer is delivering the veggies later on today. Any other last minute bits and bobs (which usually end up being quite a lot) I'll either manage without, get DH to pick up or get my brother to bring with him on Christmas Day. One of the advantages of doing lunch for everyone is that I can make demands! And one of the advantages of not having wheels is that I can get DH to do it . I can't bear crowded shops so do anything I can to avoid them.

Sorry about the bag Alipalli. That's really upsetting.

DS1 was reading over my shoulder and I'd originally typed "crap" and he told me off

Most of my shopping arrived yesterday from tesco, will have to brave town xmas eve for veggies etc. Hope you get back in one piece Neenz, with cranberry sauce which seems in short supply this year.

First day of xmas holidays today. DD spent all morning at friend's house and both have spent all afternoon shopping with momma. I feel like it is eerily quiet (even though it is normally me and Jamie at this time), I think because I was expecting them to be loud and over-excited all week, and now I feel a bit let down that they aren't here and being loud. I know, I know, there is just no pleasing some people.

Hi all! Got the whole Xmas dinner today from Waitrose and took a cab home. Am just needing an Xmas pud now. I tried to get online delivery but they were all taken as of course they would be. Got mine all pre cut, basted, stuffed etc. Also bought loads of nibbles as we might fgo to the baby's great grandmother's on boxing day if she's up to it (she's got flu).

We have squillions of presents under our tree and 99% of them are for Luke. I am definitely taking all teddies/stuffed animals down to the local hospital. He has so many that are just sitting around for decoration. He'll be bought a load more for his birthday. I don't know at what age they get interested in playing with them instead of just eating their legs/ears.

Still no major success with eating. Luke does have some sometimes but I think he needs to be in the right mood. He needs to hurry up! He cries now after a FULL bottle of milk as he's not full up but hasn't equated food with filling his tummy, he just wants more milk. Do you think I should try to feed him after a bottle instead of between feeds? He also seems to be pooing at every opportunity - must be all that milk - he drinks gallons. Definitely no mummy and baby bathtime till that settles down .

Starting to get a bit panic stricken about work myself now wondering if I have done the right thing. Also my 7am baby wakings were clearly a blip! He's back at 5.45 again (not too bad and manageable) but he does also grumble in the night. Mark takes a view that his job brings in more money than mine so I should do the night grumbles even when I'm back at work - that doesn't seem fair does it? His job does bring in about 10 times my salary.

Amberc that Mark thinks that because he earns more money you should get up in the middle of the night. No matter how much you earn, you both need rest to function both at home and at work.

Re: teddies etc, what a lovely idea to take them to the local hospital. While S does tend to just stuff them in his mouth too, teddies/stuffed animals are the best thing for me to play with him with. I'm always putting on silly voices etc for the stuffed animals and he loves it.

Re: eating, I would probably try just about everything to see what works. S has been weaning for about a week and so far we're feeding him at the same time as his bottle. I give him about 2/3 of his bottle, feed his purees, then let him finish his bottle.

On the sleep front... just remember there WILL come a time when he sleeps through the night and this will all be a distant memory...

Back to the chores...

Amber, when you say you don't know if you have done the right thing about work, do you mean about going back? What have you decided? I'm not sure it should come down to how much you both earn, more how much you both do outside the home. eg my DH works quite long hours and brings some work home plus his job is quite stressful. My job is a desk job, very easy, fun etc, I turn up at 10 and go home at 6 (well, I would if I was working, I'm not going back till July). So if I was working full-time, I think I'd still do the majority of the getting up in the night but I would reserve the right to give DH a kick any time I wanted and get him to get up instead. But if it makes you so tired that you can't function and your relationship suffers (which it would in this house) then that won't work. You've got to do what works for you but I think a blanket 'you can get up cos I earn more' is a bit much!

Amber, when you say you don't know if you have done the right thing about work, do you mean about going back? What have you decided? I'm not sure it should come down to how much you both earn, more how much you both do outside the home. eg my DH works quite long hours and brings some work home plus his job is quite stressful. My job is a desk job, very easy, fun etc, I turn up at 10 and go home at 6 (well, I would if I was working, I'm not going back till July). So if I was working full-time, I think I'd still do the majority of the getting up in the night but I would reserve the right to give DH a kick any time I wanted and get him to get up instead. But if it makes you so tired that you can't function and your relationship suffers (which it would in this house) then that won't work. You've got to do what works for you but I think a blanket 'you can get up cos I earn more' is a bit much!

Hi all- been having a mare trying to sign in for some reasonm this weekend, so have been following Neenz's Tesco adventures on FB!! Had to leave babypearls for her second settling-in session today....a whole two hours! Fortunately I had Nigella's new book and so spent the time making christmas puddini bonbons!!

Will now catch up but just wanted to check in. Send you all Christmas hugs xxx

Just quickly saying HI we got home today. I had discharge papers in my hand yesterday, and Olivia started being sick, sick like you wouldnt believe for hours so hohum got kept in and told we werent likely to be home for Xmas

Sponge he is playing Captin Hook in the Panto, we had Stephan Denis last year lol, please tell me no-one has had a crush on him.

5gomad glad S seems to be eating better.

Have just skimmed for forgive me for being rude.

I have heard from AH they are all settled but no Internet till after NewYear due to a certain telephone company cock up!! sure she will be having the shakes by Boxing Day xx

Hello all, just realised I haven't posted for ages! All is well but I'm dead tired for some reason. (Er, no sleep since June...?!) Also stressing with Christmas - inlaws coming, no oven just a hob and a grill. Plus a run in: AIBU, folks?
We decided on a casserole, bought all the stuff and everything. Got a phone call last night and MIL said FIL wants meat, and she'll bring a venison casserole for them. I hit the roof: I was hurt, but also angry - they're basically coming to ours but bringing their own food! Tim refused to get involved, so I phoned to complain. They are no longer bringing their own food. Feeling a little , but also glad I haven't let them get away with this one. Oh, my reasons:

1. I've agreed to host Christmas. It won't be a traditional meal due to the oven situation, but that's that.
2. I'm veggie, and whilst I'm not trying to change everyone else into being one, I do think that everyone can do one day without meat. Surely?
3. Yes, Christmas is a 'special' meal. But again, oven situation. And also, FIL is atheist!! He doesn't feast at Eid, Diwali or Hannukah. He's not celebrating the birth of Our Lord. I am, as it happens, and I feel no need to have a special meal - a sandwich would do.

I just felt bullied really. Can you tell I'm feeling guilty now, though?

But we've just been to Magnet today, and they have lots of lovely special offers. I think I've persuaded Scrooge Tim that it's worth spending the money (and we're not talking tens of thousands here!) and it looks like we'll have a spanking new kitchen. Soon - they can do it by the end of January! We just need to confirm. Watch this space.

What else? Iestyn eats a bit for us now - mainly pear and apple, and we've just failed dismally again with carrot. Failed, but not defeated!

Ooh, all me me me. But I did get Jesus in there!

Amber, Tim earns at least 5 times what I earn, and has long hours too. But I make him get up in the night just the same. Oh, is that a little bit of Satan too?

And I just told Tim Mark's argument. He reckons Mark is brave to try that line. He secretly wishes he could try it...!

Neenz, glad you got your shopping done without having to take the twins - I hate Christmas grocery shopping, but luckily Matt always insists on doing it cos he's so much quicker than me (and knows what to buy cos he does all the cooking!) !

Rolf, lol at your dh telling you off for using the word 'crap' - hope he never reads any of my posts cos that's quite mild for me!

Talking of which, Amber, Mark is talking shite saying that you should do all the night feeds cos he earns more than you! I just asked Matt what he thought (who's a fairly high earning IT consultant) and he said that if you took that argument to it's logical conclusion then if he was married to a nurse then he could tell her to do all the night feeds and she might go into work and kill someone cos she was so tired!! A fairly dramatic example, but I think he was making the point that it's a stupid argument! I always do all the night feeds when Matt has to drive the next day cos that's obviously dangerous when tired, but if he's just in the office he helps out too. After all, takes two to make a baby!

As for the feed, I give Mini Sponge his milk feed with his solids. Don't know if that would help?

josey, that's wonderful news that you're home - I got a bit confused by your post, but I assume you mean that Oli's home too? Fab news!

Essie, good for you for sticking up to your in laws, although that Tim didn't do it for you. I wish I'd stood up to my MIL years ago - she might not speak to me the way she does now if I had done . You're not being remotely unreasonable expecting them not to bring their own food. And fab news about the kitchen - you'll get some amazing bargains in January cos all the shops will have had a shocking Christmas .

Well, big news here is that Mini Sponge has mastered commando crawling ! He can move at quite a speed too! Made for quite a tiring afternoon at a friend's house, retrieving him from their sky box and under their Christmas tree where he was trying to open their DS's presents!

Right, Matt is out tonight so off to forage from the fridge - told you I can't cook Essie!

Josey it's sooooo crap that Oli might be in hospital for Xmas. Let's hope that she gets better really quickly and can come home poor lamb. I expect there are lots if nippers in hospital for Xmas. I do feel desperately sorry for them and their mummies and daddies. What will you do if she is in on Xmas Day? I know you have other LOs to consider. Big Hugs x

Re night wakings - I think I am going to make a proper agreement with Mark as to you do X days and I'll do Y otherwise yes you are right it isn't fair as I still need my wits about me to work too even though he does have a more stressful job with longer hours than I do as well as earning more.

Neenz - I meant second thoughts as I am going back full time and will hardly see my son. I don't want him to think his mummy is the lady at the nursery. He was in today for the day and I picked him up, took him home, bathed him, fed him and put him to bed. He was too tired for any playtime and that's how it'll be every night. I have thought about timings for the morning and factored in 30 mins of mummy time but it's not much is it?

Essie - it's incredibly rude to bring your own food when someone is taking the time to prepare a meal unless you have some kind of allergy. If he wants meat can't you do some meat nibbles for beforehand that are ready cooked?

PS Sponge - way to go mini Sponge!! Lookign forward to that vid! Luke can go round in a circle (learned I think from Ryder) but spends most of his time on his feet trying to walk (which clearly he can't do!).

Well done Alex - very impressed that he is our first proper crawler (I think?)

No, Essie YANBU about the PILs but you know I don't think meat eaters understand about veggies... my mum is a veggie and she just doesn't like to have meat in the house. She does do for my dad and us who eat meat but she can't stand the smell or anything, hates to touch meat and hates any of her pots, pans and utensils from touching it. Venison casserole is hardly festive food anyway! I would say they probably didn't think but PILs can be toxic so she might just be beig difficult cos that's what MILs do. Tim should have rung her tho I think. Very brave you doing it! Top marks for mentioning Jesus .

Amber, can you change your mind about work if you are not sure? Would you get reduced hours if you ask? I agree 30mins is not much and it's the rest of the stuff (washing, cooking, cleaning etc) that needs doing on top of that.. it must be very hard to have a full-time job and young kids too.

Josey, so sorry Oli has to stay in hospital... that is really hard going. God bless you all.

Essie I agree with Neenz that us meat eaters arent always very good at understanding veggies. I'm a bit of a carnivore I'm afraid, and would do all that I could to avoid going anywhere on Christmas day if I couldn't get turkey . However, I would always respect someone's vegetarianism, and my carnivore status doesn't need to be respected in the same way IYSWIM. If we have a veggie over for dinner we would always serve an entirely veggie meal, and not just give the vegetarian a 2nd class dinner.

Josey thinking of you over the festive period - hope you manage to enjoy yourselves despite everything that you and your family have to cope with.

Still doing my Christmas chores so better get back to them... Actually, the next one is fun, because it involves putting Christmas presents under the tree .