June 2008: the One Show (almost)

[Essie3]

Libra - if you need to be in th office by 7 am then you need children that sleep well. How is Five? We were all wondering how she was the other day. Do you still see her?

Rolf - lol at your dh's reasoning. 1 more wouldn't make that much difference , I bet there's a spare seat in your car for a little one!

Rolf your DH is very brave.

Deb I am going to have to leave the house at 7am with my boys every day and Fraser is not a good sleeper - but we did this with DS1 too when he was still waking regularly and we survived.

x posted Abdn -how are you feeling about going back to work?

deb not too bad, but we're worried about how Fraser will settle into nursery. I know he'll be fine in a couple weeks, but I'm not looking forward to it!

Thinking of you Abdn- it's tough leaving the familiar stay-at-home to going back to work, but hopefully once you are all used to it, you won't remember hat it used to be like before.

Libra- VERY impressed with your kids' sleeping. Babypearls does well, but not that well!

Josey- as ever, I am speechless that life keeps dealing you blows. Big hugs to you and your precious girl. Oh, and seriously impressed with the tyre-changing. I'd have called the RAC as I wouldn't have even known where to look for the spare tyre.

Pppy- how was the wine?

Essie- hope that Iestyn gets over the rash soon. As you know, we've always had success with Bepanthen. DH bought Metanium by mistake the other day- I can see why you call it Metanium.

Re: MMR. I'd like to say I pay no attantion to the hype, but a small part of me has concerned so have made DH take the time off to come with us. That having been said I am much more scared of her getting measles.

Watching Maury as baypearls has gone back to bed (woke up tired, I don't know why.)

Morning all.

Josey nothing helpful to say really but hugs and thinking of you.

Essie you should get sent an appt for the MMR automatically I think even if your HV is off, it's all centrally computerised (unless Wales has a different system). Also Morten Harket is not only gorgeous, he is a well-known intellectual in Norway and appears on culture programmes discussing complex philosophical issues. What would our equivalent be - Robbie Williams? ...

abdn you've had lots of input already, my thoughts: you say the strain on your body is a trivial point but it's not necessarily, if I ever ponder about having a third the memory of shuffling around with SPD for months and the effect it had on our family is enough to put me right off. In fact it is only now that I feel I'm starting to get my body back to normal. But, having said that, I'm not coping brilliantly with 2 and I know we wouldn't cope with 3, and we all feel this is exactly the right number for our family. You can be as rational as you like but at the end of the day it's a gut decision, isn't it? (on the twins thing, I read an article about one family who went for an 'easy third' and got triplets ...)

Ups and downs here, Caitlin is mobile and extremely self-destructive, and I feel torn apart trying to get anything done at home and keep them both safe and happy - even making meals seems to be becoming impossible. She can even hurt herself flinging herself about the travel cot which I have resorted to using as a playpen. It is exhausting and I am feeling like a really crap mum and considering going back to work full time - the days I have both of them on my own just seem completely unamangeable. I hope it gets easier.

Josey, if you're lurking, I'm sending you a big hug. Tyre stealing - in Aberdeen - flip!

MMR - according to the immunisation booklet I was given, it's 13 months, but at the same time as something else pneumococcal I think? Anyway, I think I'm in favour of MMR, but I don't want it given at the same time as anything else, so I'll be checking on that one.

Aberdeen - glad New Lanark was good the other day - it's a nice day out there. I can't help on the question of three, I am definitely stopping at one. I can't imagine having two, I couldn't go through this level of knackeredness and sleep deprivation again. Also - I have an older brother, and our relationship has caused me a lot of misery. We sort of get on now, but it's not great, and he has made me desperately sad in the past. I wouldn't want to risk my children having that sibling relationship. Saying that, if we'd had another sibling, it might have lessened the impact.

Systems, sorry you're feeling like that, you are not a crap mum. I am using the travel cot as a playpen too, and it's saving my sanity. B wants to throw himself around, pull things over, etc etc, and we have nowhere safe or babyproof for him. Luckily he is quite happy to sit in it and play with his toys for a while.

Can I just say I LOVED A-ha first time around - my crush was on the keyboard player, Mags. Swoon.

I feel that I should 'fess up that we are not having the mmr and never have had. Both ds1 and dd have had the single jabs though and Jamie will too. Lots of results why, which I'm sure you're not interested in, but we felt it was the right choice for us. I do think it is up to every parent to make the choice and that the one you make is the right one for you, iyswim.

Right, feel better for having admitted that. I'm trusting you all not to out me to the mn mummy mafia.

systems yes, it's a gut decision and having two can be hard! Do you have a network of friends or playgroups for your days at home? It can be hell to have no social options with over-active children. My friend who has two days off a week has scheduled in things for each day and it seems to work well for her.

and as for the strain on my body with pregnancy, fortunately I wasn't too wrecked until the last three weeks. I think I'd be feeling very differently if I had been in that state for longer.

whinegums DH and his brother have a crap relationship and I think that makes him keener to have a third kid. Not that my two wont love each other right? Personally I love my brother but he still drives me mad sometimes. It's hard to believe we're blood relatives (except for the family resemblance).

sybil As a scientist, I'm not at all concerned by the MMR, but if you are, I don't think it does any harm to pay for the separate jabs. Same end result, just slightly different way to get there.

systems - sorry to hear things are tough, I remember those days well, I can't remember the age gap you have. I have 23 months between ds1 ad ds2 and there were some days when things were really crap. DS2 wasn't a good sleeper either which didn't help. Which is why we have such a huge gap between ds2 and ds3!

MMR - both mine had it, and Ethan will.

Hi guys, briefly ducked into read the AIBU on measles but the thread is already full! Good to see that LeonieSoSmugly is getting a pasting - she thinks that breastfeeding vaccinates against measles. A very very stupid woman .

Had a bit of a measles scare this week actually, hence why I was interested when sybil said it was being discussed. Alex's temperature spiked on Monday and we couldn't get it down no matter what we tried, he then came out in a rash all over his trunk. Very scary . A quick trip to the emergency doctor confirmed a virus but it was a frightening couple of hours.

They have first MMR at 13 mths, although it's not essential to get it that early and I know some people who do wait a few months so the LOs are that much older.

Libra, I was thinking of embracing my grey hair as have had enough of paying for it to be dyed, but you've put me off now!!

SA, can totally sympathise on the SPD - we would still love to have three but I'm only 14 weeks pg and in tears with the pain most days so god knows how I'd cope with No 3. Sorry you're finding it so hard - do you have any mummy friends with only one who can come round and entertain the kids and give you a break? I have all this to look forward to .

josey, I'm so sorry to hear your news - we'll all be thinking of you and wishing you well til you're ready to come back. Big hugs x

Hi to everyone else.

@ 12 months we have the booster for Hib & Menengitis and at 13 months we have the MMR. Will be having it with DS2 as well. MIL works at our baby clinic and has been ther since DH was a baby and he's 43. She has never come across any problems in all these years so it's good enough for us.

Last two days have been hectic. At work for 6.30 at the latest. Last evening I left at 5.50 and headed straight for a Governor's meeting at DS1's school. By the time I got home at 7.30 both the boys were in bed and I didn't get to see them.

Made sure I left work early tonight after the early start & DS1 was playing up as he was tired and her went to bed at 5.30, so haven't had a chance to spend any quality time with him at all. Made worse as had to go in yesterday on my day off so feel like a really bad Mum.

I work a compressed week so I can have a day off during the week but work is shit at the moment. Can't wait for my redundancy later on in the year, but it even looks like that date is going to slide at this rate.

5 is fine. Saw her last week when we met up at our local farm park. Her & the children also came to DS1's birthday outing a couple of weeks ago at Paulton's Park near Southampton.

Libra, your job sounds seriously full on - had a friend who did a compressed week so he could spend a day a week with his son but he found it very tough.

ah I was really worried re edie but she seems fine - don't even seem to miss me at all. also he'll be going with your eldest wont he - I have a friend who reckons taht helped. And as all you wise people said I found it much worse thinking about it than going back.

And sybil whatever works for you - as ah says sounds like same result.

libra I'm sorry work has been so pants - I was 20 minutes home later and I felt awful so its so much worse if you have a day like yesterday. I'm now reconsidering all my work optons- someone today asked me about getting involved in something but i'm not sure I want to given it'll mean being on call all the time potentially.

sponge sorry you're feeling pants -off to look at my shared pethate on mumsnet - glad she is getting a pasting..she hasn't referred to breast milk as yummies on this thread has she?

ah I was really worried re edie but she seems fine - don't even seem to miss me at all. also he'll be going with your eldest wont he - I have a friend who reckons taht helped. And as all you wise people said I found it much worse thinking about it than going back.

And sybil whatever works for you - as ah says sounds like same result.

libra I'm sorry work has been so pants - I was 20 minutes home later and I felt awful so its so much worse if you have a day like yesterday. I'm now reconsidering all my work optons- someone today asked me about getting involved in something but i'm not sure I want to given it'll mean being on call all the time potentially.

sponge sorry you're feeling pants -off to look at my shared pethate on mumsnet - glad she is getting a pasting..she hasn't referred to breast milk as yummies on this thread has she?

Josey Sorry to hear things aren't going so well with Oli. WIll be thinking about you.

Re three I'm really pleased I have ds and love the age gap as both girls like to help out and really enjoy having a brother. I have found having three much harder than 2 but it's worth it.

Re mmr DS will have it but not for a while. Me and the girls had measles a couple of years ago and it was nasty, dd1 also had rubella when she was 11 months old. A sibling of a child in DD2's class has mumps at the moment so I am glad the girls finally had the mmr.

Meant to say DS has three teeth and is already grinding them- Horrible!!!!!!!!

Timodene is fab for nappy rash, was great when dd2 had it very badly but should only be used when really needed as it's a steroid and can damage the skin in the long term.

Libra - do you enjoy being a school governor? I am one but have struggled to get to meetings recently, and I'm finding it rather frustrating at the moment.

Morning everyone, May Day holiday here and rubbish weather, snow on the tops again. Hoping dh is finally on the mend, boys are like caged animals - need to get out today!

Morning all - 5.45am start this morning so feeling a bit knackered!

going, do you mind me asking how long you're going to wait til you give DS the MMR. I am also thinking of waiting a little but not sure how long .

Hope you have a good day Deb, sounds like you could do with one.

Peter just shut his thumb in a cupboard door. All fine I think but it was probably the first time that he has done something like that and I think he frightened himself as well as it hurting.

We went swimming yesterday for the first time in 6 months. Had a brilliant time. We went to toddler splash in the leisure pool so they could crawl around in the shallows, plus fountains, waterfalls and a wave machine! Much more fun than lessons in the learning pool.

I jinxed myself by posting about the sleep. It's been worse for the last two nights. I don't know how to crack this excessively early waking.

sponge I think I will wait until he is around three. The girls were 4 and 7.

Hello all from sunny Cyprus! Have read most bits on here and Josey - thinking of you loads, MMR - Luke will have it although i'Dd rather he had a swine flu injection and Glad everyone (well almost) agreed wit me on Morton Harket woof woof!

It#s lovely on holiday - anyone who has some spare quids lying around come to The Almyra hotel Paphos. It is the most child freiendly hotel on earth - every single person has kids all ranging from 4 months to about 3 years. Luke's in teh creche, daddy's at the pool and saddo here is on the laptop as i is burnt.

I think I have decided to give up work - big decision. Somehow I can't bear the thought of going back. Something has weirdly clicked in me. Nowt to do with tiredness. How to tell work though. i wonder if they would make me work my nbotice or not.

Anyway, no baby making occured here yet as we're too knackered (2 hours of crying last night fro 1-3 - nice).

So glad you're having a good time
Amber, you sound so much more relaxed! Work is another gut reaction thing in the end I think - and if you feel it's right for you then go for it. I have been one throughout saying 'don't give up because of the sleep', because you sounded so much happier when you went back to work; but if it's something you are actively choosing from a clear head, rather than being forced into, that's a different matter entirely. Glad you're feeling more peaceful.

sponge so sorry the SPD is so bad. I can't remember if you've seen anyone for it yet? My chiropractor got me from hobbling to mobile, and I couldn't have survived without the physio belt.

abdn I have just cancelled all the groups we go to on days off! It was just adding to the stress trying to fit something planned in around the naps - they are still sleeping in shifts so my days work better if I leave things open. But I have just stopped feeding Caitlin at lunchtimes on work days and have enjoyed a lunch with a mummy friend (and no children around at all!) this week and that made me feel much better - I think planning in a few gaps like that in the week will really help enormously. And am having a not-too-fraught afternoon with them both so far today (hope that doesn't jinx it) so feel less swamped.