Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

Please or to access all these features

Post-natal clubs

Join our Postnatal Clubs forum to find parenting advice for newborns.

March 2008: New thread as they come up to 1!!!

273 replies

turtle23 · 27/01/2009 06:36

New thread so that mobiles can cope...

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
turtle23 · 19/02/2009 06:10

Happy birthday S!

OP posts:
JFly · 19/02/2009 09:47

Happy Birthday, Sanam!

Our NCT group had our first first birthday yesterday. It is indeed amazing how the year has gone.

Keen for a meet up, and I think March 1st is the only w/e day free until April....

HolidaysQueen · 19/02/2009 10:06

Happy Birthday Sanam! Hope you enjoy your cake

MB - I couldn't have put it better myself. I look at my baby and wonder where the time went while being acutely aware of how much it did drag (and still does) at times. Like MNFM, I am so looking forward to the next year, particularly the talking. He has recently started to form what are clearly real words as opposed to babbling - "doos" for drink (even though he never has juice so no idea where that came from!), "dat" for everything (can only guess that he is saying "what's that?") and "dad-dee" but never actually directed at daddy. Also he is finally crawling although his gammy leg means he actually crawls with a limp

turtle23 · 19/02/2009 10:14

Just to add on the word front...P is obsessed with saying baby. He roams up and down the hall shouting BAY-BEEEEE. Is he looking for one or what?

OP posts:
ilovegreenbeans · 19/02/2009 11:30

Happy birthday S!

Girls, I am starting to hate being at work. I hate being away from dd like this. And have just checked my t&c and it says I have to give 3 months notice!! I could cry. Does it get better? Do I want it to?

FfreckleFface · 19/02/2009 13:32

Happy Birthday, Sanam!

I cannot believe how fast this year has gone. It is a year today since my waters broke, so I imagine I will spend the next couple of days boring Bloke to death telling him exactly what we were doing this time a year ago!

ilgb - is it just that you are missing her at the moment, or do you think that you really want to give up your job? I can't offer any useful advice I'm afraid, but am thinking of you.

Turtle - laughed out loud at the thought of P roamin your hall shouting BABY. Bless him. Ff's only clear word is Dad-dee, used fairly indiscriminately, and she says something that sounds a bit like 'doooeee', which we think means doggy. However, she is an awesome singer. Bloke worked out that if he shouted 'Aaaaaaah' she would join in, so they form a noisy little choir, that occasionally Girldog joins in with too.

I probably won't be able to make a meet up before the middle of March. Bloke goes away on the 15th, and I know I am being stupid, but I want to spend as much time as possible with him before he goes. But, after that I'll be there.

Hope everyone is having a good week.

FfreckleFface · 19/02/2009 13:56

Forgot to ask, does anyone else have a child who is obsessed with the toilet? Ff has taken to crawling at top speed towards it, then standing next to it rattling the seat until either Bloke or I becomes more appalled than amused and snatches her away.

HolidaysQueen · 19/02/2009 17:24

ilgb - big hug. is it mainly because you are missing DD or because you don't think she is happy with CM so you therefore worry about her IYSWIM. If it could be the latter then maybe a change of childcare could be what you need. If the former then it may just be the adjustment. You've gone from having a year off with your fascinating, wonderful baby and now you're back in an adult world and not with her. It will take you more than a few weeks to get used to it. I have to go back to work for 6mths (3 days a week so similar part time to you) otherwise I owe them back for my enhanced mat bens, and I sort of think that is good as it gives me time to get over the initial trauma (i'm sure it will be), and see if I do actually like being a working mum. Could you set yourself a goal (say end of March) and see if you still feel the same way then?

pantshavenames · 19/02/2009 20:09

Not obsessed with the toilet, no. DD has gone for DS's hair (at the peak of his Art Garfunkel cycle I grant you).Today was spotted chuckling triumphantly with an entire curl in her mouth.
elgb- horrible to feel unhappy at work. I stupidly decided to go back to work on DS's actual birthday (only mornings) and when I got home had hysterics while emptying the dishwasher because I hadn't made him a cake. On the plus side, when he had settled in and I settled in felt it was much the best for both of us. Do you have the kind of career where you can take more time off (even if not in that job) without it mattering too much? If you stay miserable that is. Which you might not when the birthday season is over.

Happy birthday, Sanam.

MarchNowFebMum · 19/02/2009 22:30

Thanks for the birthday wishes!

FF, I did indeed bore bloke with what we were doing at this time last year - he played along until this morning, then I could see him shutting off.

We had a good day. Bloke stayed home in the AM and we did presents and cake (disaster taste but hey the icing was a hit!). She hated the balloons, ripped off her hat and was a bit scared of the cake at first. Made me glad about my decision not to have a party.

This afternoon we went to one of our NCT mates party - born the same day as her - and she played like mad then crashed tonight. As I was changing her for bed was singing happy birthday in funny voice and she was laughing. And I thought I love her more than ever today! (Guess it just keeps getting better :.)

The poured myself a big glass of wine to congratulate myself on making it through the year!

HQ speaks the truth ILGB, you should (and I guess you have to) give it a few months to see but the sad news is I hate it every day -not so much in terms of what I am missing athough that's part of it. The nanny is great although I can imagine it would unbearable if that was troubling me. I actually really like my job but I just HATE the sheer chaos of it all and in comparison to raising my/our child, it just seems wrong.
(not saying working mothers wrong, saying I feel it's wrong for me/my family/right now.)

But I am glad I tried it (my contract ends in March and I am not renewing, will go back to consultant status and work on ad hoc basis). Not sure if that helps, just some things I've been thinking about recently.

MarchNowFebMum · 19/02/2009 22:30

ps no words but OBSESSED with toilet!

Dontpanic · 19/02/2009 23:40

hi all, still a bit jetlagged - NEVER fly with a teething baby longhaul....

Had a food breakthrough on the hol though, averted a few tantrums by allowing LO to sample my icecream sundae, some choc fudge cake, omelettes, pizza and nachos. He looked so chuffed at eating grown up food it was lovely to see
Also progressed from commando crawling to proper sprint crawling on knees, though more because he likes the slapping sound it makes. Am having major probs with his love of violence however - nothing gives him greater pleasure than to slap me/DH/whoever in the face, shove fingers up nostrils and grab at eyeballs etc. Got a nosebleed one day when he hooked his finger onto a particularly sensitive bit up my nose! No idea how to break him out of this as he laughs in the face of "No".
No words yet apart from lots of babbling gahs and mum-mum-mums.
My have another prob now with the dog and I don't want to face that one just yet...he's very very jealous and we had a near miss tonight

ilgb 3 month contracts are generally negotiable if you really want to resign, given the current climate, you can sell the financial savings to the company. Very few firms will hold you to the full term.

MNFM happy birthday to Sanam!

monthlymayhem · 20/02/2009 00:10

Happy Birthday Sanam [looks at the clock in case I should add in 'belated' ]

I'm really enjoying being back at work, but do get moments when I wonder why on earth I'm not spending it with my baby, and do find myself getting a bit when I hear about the lovely day DH has had with LO at toddlers group/swimming/park etc, etc I'm trying to make sure that I make up for it at weekends, and get home early so I can spend a couple of hours in the evening, but definitely feel a bit guilty that I'm not with him all the time..

LO has a few 'nearly' words - mama, dada and baba are favourites. 'Dat' and this morning we definitely heard 'upup' with his arms raised to be picked up so I'm counting that as a real word

LO also has a real obsession with our bathroom, and unfortunately with the toilet brush holder and the bin in particular. In fact anything that gets a loud 'NO' is generally a favourite....

turtle23 · 20/02/2009 06:23

Oh yes...P also obsessed with brushes. Any kind. Dustpan brush is the fave, followed by hairbrush, washing up brush, toothbrush...anything brush-like. weirdo.

OP posts:
ilovegreenbeans · 20/02/2009 09:23

Thanks girls for the thoughts.

I think MNFM has summed it up for me, so I will quote, "I actually really like my job but I just HATE the sheer chaos of it all and in comparison to raising my/our child, it just seems wrong."

That's how I feel.

I don't know if I can get back into this if I leave. Maybe. But that might be ok. (And I think I can negotiate the 3 months too, but we'll see. It might ba advantageous for boss to have some funding released.) I guess now I have to figure out how long I leave it before giving in my notice. I am obliged to do 3 months here or else I'll owe back lots of ££, and I'm about halfway through.

The funny thing is, I thought I'd love working just 2 days a week! You never know.

If dd could move, she might discover the bathroom, and then the toilet, but we still have that to come! (Does anyone else have a non-mover?)

Happy Friday!

merryberry · 20/02/2009 09:25

gg says dada for daddy, ds1 and me. not heard mama from him. took him about 40 minutes to pick up nana though this week when she came to stay, lovely for her but my word i want to hear that mama now! he can also manage a good 'nooooo' for nose, while touching mine. don't think he realises he has one yet. and hasn't made mine bleed, ouch.

also obsessed with loos, we have locks, but ds1 needs free access so its a bit of a chore managing it all. luckily, has learnt the meaning of no, so i use it sparingly and he obeys. also 'sit'. so very much feeling the boys are like dogs thing at present.

i went back to work 3/5 days with ds1 with a nanny to do childcare. was ok, though i never felt i was doing either work or home properly. i didn't like the split of energy/attention. i actually resigned over something called agenda for change, when the nhs was regraded. i got a good grade, but going upwards looked like a daft prospect as it was only possible with more managerial work, which is very hard i find part time, both managing all the staff i already had and being in place to push the politics towards getting stuff done. AfC made it harder to go up grades easily for innovation and scientific competencies. but what really broke this camel's back was when i found out that the PR twinkies with 1 degree and 10 years less experience than me were graded higher! no disrespect to PR per se, but it made me furious, especially as muggins here was usually first port of call for them to take their line from! escape was easy for me, as dh's company does fascinating work and i consulted for them.

currently am pretty bleak about when/if i can really work again, even consulting, as the fatigue of the RA, patchy periods of proper pain and drug side effects have really knocked my confidence about stepping back into work commitments. i did a term of an OU course before xmas, and had to stop as it was exhausting.

RA treatment has just changed, so its more waiting and seeing. fingers NOT crossed, as that hurts

HolidaysQueen · 20/02/2009 10:27

turtle - how is it going? hope you are doing okay.

JFly · 20/02/2009 10:41

Argh, now need to find something to do in the am as G seems to be dropping his morning nap. Noooooooooo!

We do have a couple mornings sorted, but today I'm twiddling my thumbs. Guess we could go for a walk. Not enough options around here, really. I wish our Gymboree had more reasonable times for their open play - they are all at lunchtime.

Anyone have any ideas?

turtle23 · 20/02/2009 10:52

Jfly-Take him swimming? Indoor soft play? Meet up witha lcal MNer?

OP posts:
turtle23 · 20/02/2009 10:52

a local

OP posts:
ilovegreenbeans · 20/02/2009 11:27

pop to the shops? Feed the ducks? make a fort? meet someone for coffee? have an early lunch out at a cafe?

merryberry · 20/02/2009 13:55

am now wandering around thinking i could make ducks or feed a fort. teach me to speed read.

JFly · 20/02/2009 14:18

Making ducks? Now that would be an entertaining activity!

Thanks for ideas. Swimming is one thing I have a hard time getting my head round. I really hate it: hate swimsuits, gettin' nekkid in communal areas, chlorine in my eyes (contacts), etc. So, I have told DH that swimming will be his activity. BUT, saying that, I should probably take him. Sigh.

Soft play is good in theory, except he just gets trampled since he doesn't really move. Gymboree is better though since there's lots of space.

I will have to make more of an effort to get friends together. And of course I'm always up for SW meet-ups!!

CricketsMum · 20/02/2009 14:51

hello all
we're back from 2 weeks in the snow which was fabulous, but am glad to be home - there is such as thing as too much snow! haven't had time to catch up yet so hope everyone is doing well. have come back to find out that I may be moving house next week (assumed exchange next week, completion late march, but apparently the chain want to move a little quicker than that) and work have found me a role and I start back a week on Monday. OMG. Have been running round like a blue-arsed fly all morning trying to sort childcare etc etc etc. Am waiting for confirmation from work but hoping to work a 4 day week (but get paid for full time - using accrued holiday to go to 4 days... wasn't my first choice but they couldn't do me anything part time)... and do 2 days from home. LO will go to a childminder 2 days and nursery 2 days. Will have to work 2 days a week for the first month to help her settle in (has barely been apart from me in the last year! - longest time was for 6 hours one day last week while her daddy babysat!) so am a little apprehensive about that, but fingers crossed it will all work out. not letting myself think about being apart from her too much.
Have started cutting back on breastfeeding - lunch milk is now formula and we were working on going to formula for the evening feed until flying yesterday kyboshed it - choice of letting her scream on a full plane for an hour or giving in and breastfeeding. I am weak. i gave in. But we'll get there!
hope all is well with everyone and babies...

Jfly - you live w'don way don't you??? can you recommend anywhere I can get a facial voucher for my SIL?? missed her birthday... Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated!

CricketsMum · 20/02/2009 14:52

just read that and realised that it barely makes sense and sounds a little like i am on speed! i'm not - just adrenalin !