JUNE 2008- tantrums, shrieking and lashings of Gin (and that's just the mums!)

[pureeandpearls]

Thread number 123 or something like that

that's better, i've just had half an hour nap myself.

Being one of the bigger babies Ethan is still commando/leopard crawling with a little help from pushing with his feet, looks a bit like he's swimming butterfly style!

AH sorry you had a bad night, and work stress on top of that. Bad night here too - is it me or are there always three of us? - and Whinegums you'll be glad to hear I didn't even bother with anything, just bfed Iestyn immediately. And he was happy straight afterwards - finger pointing, happy to go back in the cot. (The TY book, btw, is good - quite sensible, and I found it useful on the whole feeding at night thing, but it wasn't giving timetables or anything. I can't say we followed it to the letter, though, because we took our cues from Iestyn.) Plus DH and I had a huge row on the phone about his stupid friend and her being mean about my epidural. (He claims she wasn't, but I claim the point is hurt was caused whether intended or not.) Her baby isn't breach after all, and I feel shockingly guilty for the tiny part of me that wished she would have to have a c-section and not find me and my epidural so pathetic after all.

Abdn on your question 'How on earth do people manage to work with two kids and no family support? ', ask me at the end of next week! I'm single parenting every day (and night ) next week, and my parents are away. I will be in total isolation... That's a warning to everyone on the thread - I might come on here and be all weird!

Fraser is so cute! I love the way they look like little teletubbies with their little fat nappy bottoms, and the standing up! Alas, I would have to disagree about strength because Iestyn appears to be a disaster on meeting all these markers. No teeth, no standing, no pulling up, no crawling and definitely no walking... He rolls everywhere, though. Nursery claim that's partly it - he's not frustrated enough in not reaching toys or whatever to feel the need to develop further. He can pull himself up on his knees in the cot, and does that at bathtime, but not otherwise. Obviously, brain development and literacy is way, way ahead of all the other babies.
How small is Fraser? Iestyn is slowly edging towards the 20lb mark (yes, I said lb, and Sponge and Ali no sniggering at the back, please! ) and came in at 15.9. I carry the bfing weight chart with me as a supplement in the red book and insist on using that at all times because otherwise he's on the 0.4th centile. (What does that mean? Is he minus now?)

Sponge - Durr from me on the Alex/Lee thing. You are right. Strange that I remembered the better looking one though (with the nice name I should add) .

Deb/Abdn you both sound as though you need big hugs and some help. Hope your days improve.

Deb regarding your website do you have any web abalytics software installed on it? Google Analytics is free to download and install and it would tell you which sites people are coming to you from and how they navigate through the site. I am not a techie person, I just know a little about analysing the data but it might prove interesting. It would also tell you what other search terms people are using to find your site other than "Austrian family holidays". Sounds as though you and N have far too much on your plates already, but just thought so would mention it.

Am I allowed to mention that we had a good night last night? 7 till 5 with some grumbling after DH was noisy coming to bed. Then 5.15 till 6.45 in his own cot.

That is a good night, Ali! Well done Peter!

abdn sorry you're feeling overwhelmed, been thinking about your 'how on earth' question and I guess we are in the thick of the hardest bit of it now. Before having Caitlin I knew rationally that the first year would be the hardest. Now I know it experientially. Of course we will always have family crises, but the first year with baby and toddler is just going to be one ongoing crisis, after which it will surely calm down. I remember a point where Liam was about 18 months where I suddenly thought, oh right, life is calmer, there are gaps - of course I was very pregnant by then so the calm didn't last long! But hopefully once Fraser and Caitlin are both a bit older and the older boys are past the toddler tantrum stage it will all become possible again. Till then - Keep Calm and Carry On I guess! I am with you though, it sucks at times.

sorry blathering a bit but you know what I mean!

I did read a comment in the Grauniad the other day, a dad of 2 saying 'it's a no-brainer having the second one, it's rock hard till they're 5 but after that they entertain each other'. Tis true I think, and the entertaining each other is starting already.

Agree having 2 is hard, DD is at an age now that I can get on and clean rooms, do books or ironing or gardening and she can help with some or entertain herself while I do the other but Sebastian you cannot leave on his own now as he is into everything, so am going to see how many more mornings they can fit him in in nursery so I can get stuff done.

Right break over onto August.

Deb glad you got a nap. I've just taken my car to the garage for its service and MOT, fingers crossed no major repairs needed.

Apprentice was hilarious. Glad Anita went, couldn't bear looking at her twisty face for another 11 weeks. That other girl (not the team leader, but can't remember her name) was a cow though! Bunch of muppets I think, so far anyway.

Essie, cheers for that. Let's wait and see how your DH's 'friend' copes with natural birth shall we?? And then see if she's eating a little postnatal humble pie.

Ali, that's great about last night.

I wish we had some family support too. However, I have found a babysitter I'm really happy with, so I feel a lot better knowing there is someone I can turn to.

B really seems to be having a development spurt, if there is such a thing. He started crawling properly and very quickly on Monday, and since then he is beginning to pull himself up, walking with us holding his hands, his co-ordination suddenly seems a lot better, etc. I can't believe almost 9 months has gone by so quickly!

No sniggering from me Essie! I would kill from a light baby at the moment - my bloody back is killing me! (23 1/2 lbs when weighed this morning!)

Ali, fab night!

SA, Keep Calm and Carry On! That's the first time I've seen someone use that slogan - saw an article about it in the paper the other day and apparently it has reached cult status .

Guardian article

merchandise

whinegums, lol at Anita's twisty face - think the other one was called Debbie?

for a light baby!

it is my computer wallpaper, dp found it a while back, he is often ahead of the cultural curve

I think I might get the t-shirt ready for October - or have it tattooed in mirror writing on my forehead!

abdn Glad to see that my DS isn't the only climbing baby. He climbs on top of anything he can, he really knows no fear!

We had a better nights sleep last night but perhaps I was too exhausted to notice. The girls are both doing 5 ballet shows this week, the first was last night so it will be a long few days. DD1 has her kidney and bladder scan today, a dr is doing it so I hope we get the results staight away - I don't think they will find anything though but if they do at least we will be able to fix her problems.

Debs I hope you have a btter day today and have a fab time with your MIL.

Sponge, Systems, is that the title of the next thread, then? Keep calm and carry on! I've fancied getting a poster of that for a while but I hadn't seen the other merchandise. A mug for work, perhaps...

Ali - Well done Peter

Whinegums - how was the car?

Goingto - let us know how your dd gets on at the scan

I bet someone else gets to it first Essie now it's all over the press. Am tempted by mug too ...

Essie for a second there I thought you said Iestyn was at 20lbs! Fraser's pushing 16 lbs now...

yeah Ali! good nights give me hope!

systems yeah, it's already getting easier with the boys entertaining each other. I'm just feeling sorry for myself needlessly - I saw my NCT group today and they all have grandparents in town and more money than us and go on about how tough things are and sometimes I forget that actually we're doing great.

howies t-shirt of the week last week was a play on the slogan www.howies.co.uk/section.php/84/0.

going hugs and good luck for your DD's scan

I could do with the "Peter lite" version TBH Essie. At the start of February he was 25lb so who knows what he is now. I don't think I have mentioned that I have a heavy baby/weaning injury. I bought a squash at the start of January and strained my wrist trying to cut through the skin. Since then my wrist hasn't been able to get better because of lifting and carrying P all day. Actually the only time it got better was last week when I spent half of each day skiing. Turns out winter sports are easier on my body than being a SAHM!

Wow, 25lb!! . Hope the wrist gets better soon Ali. Are you going back to work?

Butternut squash are a nightmare to cut.

Aberdeen - that photo cheered me up no end after a horrific day at work and no sleep ever (how it feels anyway). I agree with Essie - I love their little bottoms in babygrows!

Aberdeen, just looked at that pic of Fraser - eeeek!!! It did make me smile.

Garage has just called - brakes needed work, and some other bits and pieces - but it is all done, MOT and service, ready to pick up in the morning and all for £250 so am pleased and relieved! Phew.

Just had a strange thing - I was using my hand blender on some bean and veg concoction, and B got really upset, real tears and everything! It's never bothered him uptil now. Saying that, I don't think he's quite 100%, I've still got a bit of cold, so he probably has too, and he's been a little bit off his food.

Amber, why such a bad day? Being knackered can't make it any better. Would it be naughty to suggest you have a duvet day tomorrow...??

Ali, ouch. I feel that babies ruin our bodies in all sorts of ways, not just during pregnancy and birth. My neck and back feel permanently knackered now, I was thinking it's time I went to see an osteo or chiropractor soon.

pureecot bumpers can be a useful addition to sticking your legs through as you can put one leg each side..

essie I don't think edie 20Ib yet etiher if that makes you feel better. ANd feel free to come here and vent as

systems according to dh (and his experience with dsc) it is hard in terms of you don't get any let up as can't do much for themselves til there about 4 - they are tehn lovely til about 12 (as think their parents are great) then they go off you .

ali I've got dodgy hips now from using sling to much - whinegums I agree need osteopath on speed dial...

whoops -deb hope things ease up and nanny was good. Bit of a rocky start as edie crying/didn't want to be held by her and generally unsetlled but by mid morning playing with her, letting her hold her and seemed to be firm friends by end of day. Don't pretend that won't have our moments but proves that not fundametntally unhappy with her (and I think she is lovely -very calm and sensible).

Whats more even got edie sitting up by herself with cushions.. was doing it really well - of course now she has left edie back to her old lolling ways in her chair watching baby einstein.

Hi Quick post while Dp bathes Fleur
Still ill here me that is on inhalers now for a chest infection hopefully it will go soon

Deb Sorry you are feeling down hope the house etc sells soon xxx

Puree- How did it go at work today

Abn - Loving Frasers trick hehe!

Ali Yeah on good night

Essie - Fleur is one of the oldest babies on here and in terms of physical milestones she is no way near some babies but intellectually she is far ahead and speaking too her repetorie now includes Hiya!! and upa to be picked up

On walking etc Fleur now rocks on all fours but goes nowhere but she pulls herself up with everything and anything she is sooo desperate to walk too

Check out the blog by the way think we have new member for Coldplay

soz cant catch up on more duty calls will check in later

Lovely pic Aberdeen

Sorry for all the knackered and broke mummies. I'm sticking my head in the sand about both as I'm off to Costco tomorrow to buy everything I need for Thea's baptism party.