December 2008 Coven - white light and basket cases

[EffiePerine]

Seeing as LadyT broke the thread...

Zoe Just read about job problems. By law they have got to give you the job you had before your mat leave started back. My friend at work has just had this problem as they tried to give her 28 hours less a week then she used to do.

We need a new thread. Any ideas?

Very quick weigh-in re: toys...my friend has the Jumperoo and it is hilarious. Her daughter was shrieking she was so excited about it. But it is ENORMOUS and would take up half my sitting room.

I got a plain old door bouncer instead and it is definitely DS's favourite spot at the moment. He will hang there for ages. He is starting to get the hang of bouncing and he loves it!

Other than the door bouncer, a faded old play mat I inherited from someone, and a bouncy chair that he has grown out of, we have nothing. I worry that I am depriving him too - what do you mean you don't think it's fun to lie on your back staring at the ceiling while I'm on the computer?!

On another topic, my DS is lately much more whingey in the buggy (when he is awake). But today I discovered that if I dangle and clink my keys in his face he instantly stops whingeing and smiles.

Partly due to his increased moaning in the buggy, and partly due to the fact that he is a portly fellow and coming up to 20 lbs, I bought a new baby carrier today. The Ergo Sport. Very excited! I tried it at a Sling Swap and it is so comfortable.

I have a sling addiction. And a cloth nappy addiction. Need. To. Stop. Spending. Money.

Mom I'm a cloth nappy addict too, I have sooooooo many different types of cloth nappy from DS1 I have more than enough nappies for DS2 but I just know I'm gonna want to try more. I didn't get any bamboo nappies last time.

Veggie, you may not want me to tell you this but Baby Beehind bamboo nappies have changed my life, if you don't have any bamboo yet. Not had a leak at night since I started using them. And oooohhh are they cute!

Oh they do look cute and from australia so I would be supporting the mother country might have to look into a little investment, good for the environment and the economy.

Ds1 and DH are going down to London on Saturday overnight for our nephews birthday, I told ds1 today that I will be staying home with ds2 and he said he would miss me and would dream about giving me kisses, I love him so much. Do you guys ever wonder how you got on for so long before these wonderful little beans came along. Oh I'm getting all soppy, time to go to bed for cuddles with ds2 and DH. Night night.

Morning,

Hope everyone is well.

I need clothes advice please. We checked with the railway and the dress code is smart casual. What the hell is smart casual???

We haven't used our cloth nappies in ages. They leak so badly and we were changing DS2 every hour and having to do 2-3 washes a day so not really that environmently friendly.

I also love slings!! I would have about 10 if DH would let me!!

Hmmm - smart casual in my book is not jeans or trainers but anything else goes. Some people would say that jeans and a smart jacket and boots would pass as smart casual but I'd avoid denim to be safe. And no suits or cocktail dresses as I guess that would be going too far the opposite way!
Well, another night of capery here, it seems the new pattern is to wake at 2 or 3 screaming when a dummy will calm down, then again at 5, where will feed, vomit up entire feed then shout loudly for an hour or so before going back to sleep. DP has been doing middle of the night feeds recently bt has had so little sleep the ;ast few days with T's shenanigans that I think I may be seeing an end to that soon if he carries on like this. Am hoping the cough gets better soon (I didn't take him to GP yesterday in the end, DP convinced me I was being a bit of a worry wart and that it wasn't getting worse so I should just leave it til next week) as that def wakes him up in the night when he would otherwise be sleeping.
Am really not convinced about this new formula - he seems to like it more but the walls/carpet are seeing a lot more of it and the only poo he's done in 3 days has come out and is roughly the size and texture of a malteser .
On the toys front, I've also been wondering what - oh my god just as I was typing that he did a triple roll off the mat and under the dishwasher . - actually, I don't think he needs any more toys right now as his own body seems to be providing enough stimulation! Think the gym has become a little passe now though...
Got a friend coming round tonight for some interview practice (I do careers coaching as well as writing) and am really looking forward to it .
Sorry, what a totally self-indulgent me post, back later for some proper interaction, better go and rescue a stranded baby.

I'm a bit annoyed because I wanted a really nice dress. But I don't want to look too dressed up. Would DH be ok in like suit trousers and a nice shirt?

kayz, wear the nice dress, and sounds like DH's getup would be perfect. I imagine what they're after is to avoid being too scruffy but you should def wear what makes you feel good .

Kayz, your DH will be fine in trousers and a shirt, but no tie. And you can still wear a dress, I am sure! I think smart casual really means you don't have to wear a suit but indicates not to wear jeans or shorts or something! Oh, and as to those awful women in your group, just ignore them. They are just jealous because you had a lovely big baby and at home too (I am way not brave enough to contemplate any of that) and probably because you are young. Put them out of your mind.

Anyway, more from me in a minute as I have to feed DD.

Just looking at what we would spend our £110 million on and there are some amazingly beautiful big old houses in London.

Morning All - I am agape at all these rolling and sitting babies? Can I ask whether everyone's babes are rolling now? Dd2 is not a physical girl. She won't even attempt a half roll and just smiles lazily at any toy I put near her to encourage movement. She makes no effort to sit either and slumps in any semi upright chair. Even her grabbing is still very rudimentary and rarely successful. She basically just likes to loll around in my arms or a bouncy chair smiling at me and her sister and doing as little else as possible!

DS2 starting rolling about a week ago. No attempt at sitting up yet. If I prop him up he tends to fall over.

Arti - maybe it's a girl/boy thing? Probably way oversimplifying but of all the babies I know who are T's age, the boys are more physical so far. But then supposedly the girls are much more verbal much sooner.

Arti - maybe it's a girl/boy thing? Probably way oversimplifying but of all the babies I know who are T's age, the boys are more physical so far. But then supposedly the girls are much more verbal much sooner.

oops . Also means he's a nap refusenik right now as v tired but just want to roll and hit me.
Oh, and finished last episode of season 5 of THe Wire last night and am utterly bereft.

DS can't roll or sit up yet. He also hasn't shown much interest. Well until yesterday when I put him on the play mat on in the nuddie. He was really consciously trying then but still couldn't manage it poor little tyke. He's only really got interested in playing recently. Until then he liked looking at people and smiling and giggling (though he still likes that!)
spot, you should see jj's dd - super early roller and a right wriggle pants! Just to blow your theory!
THe little bugger darling woke 2 hrly last night. What has happened to my little dream sleeping baby?? I may have to send him back for a refund.

morning
Another wakeful night here - worsened a little by the fact that P has a bit of a cold. Lots of wakings as usual but not feeding too well and not settling inbetween either. poor lamb . I think she feels a bit warm today.

Can I ask a daft question? For those who co-sleep - how do you do it?!!! Last night I brought P into our bed because she was so upset and would only settle with cuddles and I was too pooped to sit up with her all night. She's in a gro-bag so I lay on my back with duvet over me then put her on my right but on top of the duvet with my right arm round her so she couldn't fall. I was worried that she'd get too hot or fall out or than I'd roll on her or she'd get her face muffled or something, so I basically lay stiff as a board in this position from 3 till 7. She slept ok and I dozed a little but am feeling it now! How do you do it? What do they wear to be the right temperature if they're in with you?

Arti - P has rolled a few times from her front to her back - she sleeps on her front then I've gone to retrieve her after a nap and she's been on her back, but that's all that's happened. She can't go the other way. She is always straining to sit up so gets cross in her laid back bouncy chair, but if I sit her she flops in any direction! I think she's just nosey. In fact her ideal day would involve an awful lot of row row row your boating, some Baby Beethoven, chewing my fingers for several hours or being held facing outwards watching the world! And feeding lots .

Kayz - was thinking about your problem with ds1 waking ds2. I'm sure you've tried all this so feel free to skip, but sticker charts work wonders with Lucy. If he let ds2 have a nap undisturbed he could get a sticker on a chart, then if he did a whole day perhaps a treat? 5 stickers = bonus trip to the park? Hope things get better

spot sorry about the coughing...still...you're not being a worry wart. If it's disturbing his sleep (and yours) then it's an important issue for you all. Was wondering if you ever give T water? He could have cooled boiled water between his feeds which might help the poo scenario? Veggie would probably have more advice. Enjoy your spot (!) of work tonight!

We were thinking if trying that Trace but weren't sure if he was too young.

DS2 is now sleeping on his front as he rolls over straight away.

trace I put a pillow on the edge of the bed that he is on, so he doesnt fall off, leave him in his growbag, and move myself, all the pillows and the quilt completely away to the other side of the bed. This way he ends up with all the space and me with very little but then I dont have to worry about him getting uder the quilt ir whatever. So half the quilt is dangling on the floor on my side of the bed IYSWIM. I usually do this in the mornings now, so I am only dozing, as I dont want to get up at 5:30 ! If I moved him back into his own bed he would wake. When he was born I did it all night as he was feeding so much. I do breastfeed lying down at night though....

how old is he Kayz? I think we started charts quite early with Lucy but she is sticker mad which helps! You could always try bribery and offer, say, a chocolate button if he lets him have a nap - we've done that before with success! A friend of mine is toilet training her twins at the mo and they both get a chocolate button if either of them wees on the toilet so they try really hard and encourage each other too!

my mind is blank on thread titles... someone suggested something a while back but I can't remember who or what! Flippin' baby brain

NJAN - is there a Mr NJAN? Is he in the bed too? I've never tried BF lying down either. I guess I'd have to sleep sans PJ top then to allow booby access?!!!

Right, I'm back!

No rolling here, Arti, and she is nearly 6 months. The thing she shows the most interest in is trying to shove her fist in her mouth and gnawing at it. She much prefers this to any teething ring. She can't really sit up either - she can sort of sit bent right forward like Quasimodo, but I don't think that counts. Ah well. Did you have a better night? And you, Trace?

Jump - apart from the playmat and the bouncy swing, DD's absolute favourite thing is a bunch of plastic chains. They are made by Baby Einstein and I got them in John Lewis, are all different colours and cost about £4. They are totally brilliant. Other that that I think you can't beat talking to them at this age! DP jokes that she is a backward baby and at this rate she won't be rolling until she is 21 but she does definitely respond to rhythm, rhyme and melody so lots of singing and poems here.

Spot - I still haven't watched The Wire, keep meaning to get the dvd of Series 1. Also, 30 Rock.

WG - I think posting on porno chat sites is grim but I don't honestly think it equates with the deceit/intimacy of an actual RL affair. I know that not everyone will agree with this. I mean, I am no expert but it is quite random isn't it, compared to a full on, one to one with someone? It sounds like they are still at a stage when all is not lost so do tell your friend not to give up hope. Pregnancy is hard for some blokes I guess - my DP found pregnancy a bit of a turn off, which sounds harsh but he couldn't help it. It didn't mean he didn't love me. As it happened he didn't feel the need to find another outlet, but I think it all needs careful handling. But I am very sorry for her. Incidentally, my Mum still calls DD Tuppence occasionally and I always think of you! She used to call me that too. I don't really mind, despite the modern and dubious connotations! But your MiL harping on about things she bought is very tedious behaviour.

Veggie, interesting you talk about lovely life is with kids. I agree, wholeheartedly, but if I hadn't had kids I still would have enjoyed my life. I had dinner with a gay mate the other week and he was asking me whether he was missing out not having kids, and I was torn between evangelising about my lovely DD and thinking that it's wrong that people are made to feel like their live are empty without kids in them. Ooh, I watched first couple of eps of Conchords last night, I thought the first one was a bit below par but the second one was better.

Well, I feel a tiny bit...jaded today. Yesterday I had the heaviest, most painful period start and I was going to London on my own to work quietly in my flat and then have an appointment about my insulin resistance, but from going the shortist distance from my lat to Harley St, I had soaked through a tampon, a thick pad, knickers and jeans! Sorry for the TMI. It is still carrying on. I will monitor it. Anyway, I am now back on the pills which increase my sensitivity to insulin so perhaps I will be persuaded back on the fatties thread! I was so tired when I got back to the country, and in a right mess as well, and to make things worse, there is some sort of mess up relating to my DH's estate (which still isn't properly sorted out after four years) I may have to pay some money back, which means I will have to pull out of my house purchase. It is a nightmare and I won't know anything until I hear from the Revenue And the cricket captain has doublebooked yet another fixture so I have now got to make an embarassing, crawling phone call to one of the teams, and it is really going to mess them about. Sigh.

Well, I am off up to stay with MiL for one night as we want to see DP's sister and her family before they go back overseas, then I am off to Badminton Horse Trials tomorrow and staying at my sister's (whilst DP goes to his school reunion, heaven help us) - then first cricket fixture on Sunday. At least being busy will stop me worrying about money/the house.....Have great weekends, y'll...

oh an re toys - we have got this and P LOVES it! she can hold it really easily and chomps on it for ages.

Never done a link before - I'm getting brave!

The above post has quite a few typing errors I think but you probably get the drift...