December 2006 - The sun has got his hat on, hip hip hip hooray, tshghho now let's keep these bugs at bay

[LenniEd]

I got all brave and made us a new bug free thread...

Been to the zoo and melted. Loved it though.

Must menu plan and do my tesco shop but will catch up with you all later - if you aren't still out making the most of the sunshine. Isn't it lush?

This is way too hot for me.

Been to a&e with DD2 tonight as DD1 spun her round on a chair and she fell off flat onto her face. She bit into her lip - blood everywhere, lip swollen. Very impressed with a&e as we were seen by a triage nurse within 5 mins and told it was fine, not to worry. Yay. Need to check teeth arent wobbly tomorrow and take her to dentist if needs be.

Hi all
Apologies for being MIA for so long but my new born baby bubble has burst After being on such a high after my wonderful C.Sec reality has well and truly kicked in.

DS2 has decided not to sleep anymore unless he´s attached to my boob that is, today he slept for 3 hours in a 12 hour period. Somebody remind me that´s not normal...? Could it be a growth spurt as he´s just past 6 weeks now? In any case I´ve started to tear my hair out, I can´t do this.

DH despite promising me he´d come home from work earlier has been getting in at 9pm and I just can´t cope with that. I feel so alone, no where to go, no one to talk to and the last week I felt I was sinking - quickly.

DS2 has been up to all sorts and Friday was the day from Hell. He´s decided to take his nappy off and poo wherever takes his fancy. Friday´s choice was on the rug and to make matters worse when I found it he had kindly placed several figurines, dinosaurs and cars in it Ìm trying to keep things in perspective but its hard. If only he´d give me some prior warning. This potty training lark I feel is going to go on forever!

Anyway MIL is here to help this week as DH working away all week. Don´t get me wrong she does help but she also makes me feel very inadequate and likes to remind me that DS1 should be potty trained by now and that old gem of "he didn´t so that when he stopped with us" Argh. My own Mum is even worse, its as though she never even had a child as her advice is worse than useless and when I tell her about DS1 all she ever says is "I´ve never heard of them doing that before"

To make matters worse DS1 burnt his hand on the iron today Totally my fault for not putting it away and I´ll never forgive myself as it was such a bloody stupid thing to do. He was distraught, I´ve never seen him cry so much, A huge blister came up so I took him to the Docs to be on the safe side as I have to confess I just didn´t know what to do. The Nurse dressed it and applied some ointment which I thought you shouldn´t do but if you question Medics here they go all defensive on you so I kept my mouth shut Anyway DS1 is fine and looks like a little boxer with his hand bandaged!!

Right enough of my self-indulgent wallow...just feeling very alone and in need of a hug

Will try and catch up properly soon but maybe I shouldn´t hold my breath...

Hope everybody is OK

awww. bebespain, Big hugs to you, sound like you really need one > just popped on v.quickly as I need to do 50 things before bed & sleep (hah!) but couldn't let that post go unanswered. It will ALL get better, absolutely promise it will and you know I know because I've been there. Babies start sleeping, toddlers get the hang of potty training, husbands do as they promise (well maybe not the last...) and you forget how bad it is merely weeks after it ends. It's just in the middle when you can't see a way out. Just survive, look for a tiny little ray of hope or a giggle/silver lining and it will all pass.

poor dd, maggie! Hope teeth alright in the morning.

aq waves at everyone else, wilts in heat and departs...

Tesco done.

Bebe - know just how hard it all is at first - you've brought it all back and made me realise that now is so much easier. It gets better. A good moan on here always does the world of good too. I remember 6wks being a growth spurt - and then by 8wks DS had settled into more of a routine and was sleeping quite well at night. Hopefully the same will come for you in a few nights. With the potty training - does it have to be done now? Or could you just delegate potty training to your MIL seeing as she seems to know how to do it?

You're an aussie - you shouldn't be wilting!

Sorry to hear about DD2 MT - hope she is ok in the morning.

wanted to post again to acknowledge all the helpful advice you guys have given lately. Castles, your point about my being bigger well made - I just have absolutely no confidence whatsoever in myself anymore and it's reflected in my parenting. I feel like a nobody, invisible, I'm too nervous now to say anything/do anything, even buying things causes me anxiety for fear of getting it wrong. DS1 picking up on it I think. And realised the reason I don't take all 4 out or even the dt's much on my own is confidence. Not sure what to do to fix, but feel a bit better that I've recognised what the prob is at least.

And thanks for all comments about ds2's speech as well. He has seen a SALT, meant to be seeing on again soon but haven't got appt yet. He is improving, it was more the combination of slow development in all areas that's bothering me. One area would be fine, but he's behind on all fronts to some degree. I do remember ds1 took off with language at 2.6 when he moved nurseries and ds2 is now too. Must just be my kids. Keep meaning to have a look in the library for signing books, a friend has done the course & her dd (SEN) signs so will ask her. Forgot completely to ask twin friend even though on the phone for an hour! She's an aussie too, we do tend to yap...

anyway, I do take it all in and appreciate it when you take the time to reply to me really really must go to bed now...

Hi everyone!

JUst noticed the thread in active convos - not going to apologise for being away...you've heard all the excuses before, just repeat eh?

Bebespain - you poor thing, can't imagine why your DS isn't sleeping any more but sounds like a (metaphorical) nightmare. hope things improve soon

On a lighter note, ROTFL @ all the Poo Drama

I have cowardly decided DD3 is not ready for full-on training yet...we moved only a few months ago and the carpets are still new.

I just can't face poo-stained carpets ok? Anyway, if i go by Gina Ford she isn't even at stage 1 yet.

bebe I remember that stage all too well. It does pass of course but it's hard to see it in the midst of it all. Especially in the zombie fog of no sleep.

And poor ds1. At our house frozen fruit pops work wonders for all kinds of boo-boos. On the serious side, do you have an aloe vera plant? The gel is best straight from the plant and is absolutely brilliant for burns.

maggie, glad to hear dd2 is OK. We had a run to the dentist last year to check teeth after a fall (ds1) It looked awful but they were fine in the long run.

Speaking of zombie no-sleep, we are in round 6 (or 7?) since January of ds2's mystery fever malady. No one seems to know what it is but his fever gets up to 104 or 105F adn it is getting harder to get under control. Finally today a doc prescribed an antibiotic as his ears look red and have fluid but apparently it's a result of the fever not the initial cause. He has written down a huge list of lab work to be done at the onset of the next round as it won't be valid this time several days into it all. Anyway, I am averaging about 2 hours sleep total a night since Friday, haven't had a shower in days and I am supposed to see at least a half day of patients tomorrow. Dh is sleeping in ds2's room tonight but I don't know that I'll be able to keep from going in there as the whole thing has my anxiety level going through the roof.

Thanks everyone for all your encouraging replies, it really helps a lot!

Jabber - yes I do have an Aloe Vera plant and I shall give that a go I kind of knew it was good for skin problems but didn´t realise about burns - thanks

Lenni - you´re right, it does help to have a good ole moan on here! I would love to abandon TT all together but sucombing to pressure. Leaving MIL to do it is a good idea being that she wrote the book and got the t-shirt!!!! I must say I felt disturbingly happy watching her clear up the messes yesterday - evil or what!!! Cackle, cackle

AQ - thanks for your kind words of encouragement and for taking the time to reply, I know how mega full your hands are! I hope its nothing serious with DS2....

Godzilla - one of the few good things about being in Spain is that most of the house is tiled! Thats why I was so miffed DS1 chose to poop on the rug. I-m with you on the carpet front and thats good enough reason to hold off in my opinion

Jabber, is it an ear thing with DS2? I read somewhere that read ears can be a sign of infection. Hope you get to the bottom of it and get some sleep soon.

MT, sorry about DD2

Bebe, sorry you feel lonely. Know that feeling well. It will get better

AQ, re the lack of confidence: I think you just have to take mini-steps i.e. tiny wee trip round the block or to park with all 4 on your own and build up from there. Pelang pelang (as they say in Indonesia). Don't ask, must be the heat! Know how you feel: I look and feel like a bag of *** and getting older and realising there is no going back to the babe I once was doesn't help. My confidence is at rock bottom too and some days I blub with the massive task ahead of me but I'm probably at the next stage from you whereby I just grit my teeth and get on with it. Keep going and keep posting

I feel like heading to the hills again. The world has gone mad round here in the heat. A guy over the road attacked DH at 5.45 when he left for work this am because he had parked outside his house. What a tosser! The builders next door are being absolutely vile and there is so much to do in the run up to the end of term. My little cherubs are keeping me going though

Castles, the doc said the red ears are a result of this bout of the fever not the initial cause. It could just be ideopathic recurrent fever - which means we'll never know why but he'll probably grow out of it - or something more rare like cyclic neutropenia. Hence the long list of lab work for the next bout. I'm just glad we finally found someone who will talk to us about it.

Castles, what is it with Brits and heat? Or snow...or weather generally...poor dh!

Bebe, am sending belated hugs and general sympathy - it has to be the most exhausting time possible. TT at this point would have been utterly beyond me, thankfully we got it done before dd2 arrived.

Speaking of TT...or PT...have finally succumbed to guilt, and heat, and stuck dd2 in pants yesterday. One total puddle, but since then she's amazingly got herself to the potty in time to get most of it in, and is very proud. Be even better when she learns to pull pants down first

Unlike dd1, though, she doens't like the idea of pooing in the potty and wants a nappy back on for that. I don't know if its because she's happier pooing standing up?? I'm going with it, its only once a day...does that sound ok?? I feel so de-skilled at this stage

Had a long LOL at all the pg peeing stories, and wish I'd known about potties and nappies before dd1 - have vivid memory of traffic jam on A3 and desperate need to pee. Managed to hold on, because all I could think of was to try and aim into a small plastic water bottle which - at nearly 9 months pg with a seat belt on, in broad daylight on a busy road - would have been memorable.

Thanks for the - can't find right word, but felt like warmth - re dd2; I have had some therapy since then, Oli, and its helped a lot to talk about it. I don't feel guilty or angst ridden anymore, and hardly ever htink about it since dd2's op in January, but just had a rush of feelings the other day. It felt sort of therapeutic though, iyswim.

Jabber, I must have missed the first part about ds's ears, but hope hard that it turns out to be the easier, grow-out-it option and am v v sorry he has to go through all the tests. How are you with it all?

Just to say the last couple of days have been better - thank the Lord!! DS2 has slept a lot more and what a difference that makes. I´m under no illusion that there´ll be plenty more bad days but it has helped me realise that for every bad day theres a good

Castles - you´re idea of heading to the hills is a good one, wish I could join you! The incident with the neighbour and your DH is awful - what a nutcase! What Eli says about the Brits and the heat is true but even in Spain (where youd think they be used to it...) when the temps soar the incidents of domestic violence always go up too - shocking

Eli - thanks for the good wishes and big CONGRATS to DD2 on the TT/PT well done! DS1 is having none of it so I have decided to very willingly put it on the back burner

MT - sorry to hear about DD2,its a shock isn´t it? After DS1 and the iron incident I realised that this is just the start of all the bumped heads, split lips, cuts and bruises etc to come - yikes! Lets just hope and pray its never anything too serious

Had to take DS1 to change his dressing today. His hand looks a mess but the Nurse assured me it wasn´t that bad but thinks it will probably leave a mark

bebe, glad things have improved.

eli, I am frankly starting to freak out over it all. The last two morning ds2 has woken up with major chills and only settled down after a warm bath. He had swollen glands this morning so it was off the the dr's office again. They took lots of blood this time and sent it off to the nearest Children's Hospital for testing. We are lucky to live near one of the best in the US. I am worried it's something serious, I'm worried that I shouldn't have believed them when they said it was OK for him to get the rubella vax last wednesday and I get panic attacks when he looks pale and drawn with dark circles under his eyes like he did this morning. This is day 5 of this round so it looks to be going on longer than the other times - again maybe due to the jab, I don't know. I'll probably never know. The new dr we are seeing said to bring him in on Friday if he had not shown improvement. I just want this all to be over It may take a week or more for all of the blood work to come back and I can't imagine how I'm going to manage the waiting. I guess you just manage somehow.

Oh jabber ((hug)) can any of the health professionals give you some sort of opinion? Have you posted in Health on here? Or is that like googling your health symptoms?! I hope you get some answers soon and DS2 is on the mend.

Has everyone melted??

sorry, 'your symptoms'!

Eli, thanks for posting on my thread. I needed to hear that. How are thing going with you and the sale?

Bebe, glad things are improving. Remember: it's good to share

Jabber. Sounds very worrying. Hope he;s on the mend already.

Hmm well ds appears to be back in nappies and we'll try again later. He was starting to look like he was getting the hang of it but then it all went wrong. Shall wait a few more weeks and also buy some stickers. Ds loves stickers

bebe you poor thing, glad things are looking up. I spent a lot of the first months weeks in tears. It is a big leap but it does improve. Growth spurts are evil and it really doesn't help when number 1 child starts acting up but it does get better. Really.

Was in Hull last weekend on a flying visit, was very tempted to try to swing by but not much time.

Good to see you Godzilla

Dd is looking very pretty today. She can now sit for hours on end so she's really showing off all her pretty dresses She also likes to throw herself forward and roll to ds's toys which means ds is now being a bit of a pain as he is getting very protective. That girl will be the death of me. She is reckless and fearless

argh sorry Jabber meant to snd you some good wishes. Darn ds and his demands for milk please mummy.

Not got time to stop in properly but Jabber I hope you get some answers soon. Poor DS2, will be thinking of you both.

Indith she sounds like she is at the gorgeous baby stage.

oh, jabber, poor ds2 and poor you! I'd feel precisely the same about it all & impossible to wait for blood tests. Hope they provide the solution.

castles, thank you again my wise friend, you're always a step ahead of me I think! I have taken all 4 to the crematorium (well it's quiet and cool!) at the top of the street, it was fine. Should set myself another goal now I guess. Am seeing an osteopath now, new set of stretches to do but she thinks I can do whatever I want exercise wise which is brilliant. I bought new shoes, pretty girly ones now I'm a size 8 instead of a 9 again. That's a confidence boost for me

I understand (sob) that you didn't come and see me...And stamps foot because dd can't wear dresses cos she trips over them when she crawls etc. She glared at me last time I put one on. She looked so purty. Reckless & fearless dd here too although ds3 giving her a run for her money at the mo! They both crawl over to me and pull at my lap wanting to be picked up at the same time, it's bliss cuddling both

glad you had a bit of respite from it all bebe, keep coming back for more reassurance. Every now and again I find it helps to post photos of the newborn (or newborn + toddler) so lots of people ooh and aahhh and you feel better for a few days

lennied, thanks for thinking of me, will respond soon!

AQ I love that you bought yourself pretty girly shoes. Very good for the soul.

Jabber, sounds stomach churning and upsetting and I wish I could hang out and wait with you to pass the time...nothing worse than LO health-worries. Poor little ds, hope he seems better tomorrow.

Castles, move still on - apparently - but all in suspended animation as we wait for engineering info from next door's construction company We're going to meet with our buyer next week, to talk time-frames, am now very much doubting we'll complete before end of August: has to be the longest drawn out sale in the history of conveyancing [grumpy emoticon] Glad your thread helped clarify things a bit, though sorry if it stopped you getting a house you wanted.

Indith, dd sounds gorgeous, especially as I am not responsible for stopping her lunging fearlessly - I do remeber that stage, and it added grey hairs to my collection!

dd2 is now pooing happily into potties - nay, toilets even - and announcing her pride in doing so to entire Pizza Express tonight. She's really enjoying not being in nappies, feels very important. I'm amazed, tbh, expected it to take weeks for some reason.