June 2008: the One Show (almost)

[Essie3]

Amber, so sorry to hear further sad news .

whinegums, great news about the night feed - I'll be listening out for the cheers!

going, lol at being asked about the MMR jab at your booking in appt - talk about premature!

Morning everyone, how are you all? Doing anything nice today?

It's not a holiday here so I was going to do gardening whilst Ethan slept this morning - but it was raining so I thought OK I'll have to clean bathrooms, then miraculously as I sat down to feed Ethan a film came on in English , American slushy thing. So instead I ironed in front of the TV, and Ethan is still sleeping! 2 hours later. That means he'll be wide awake for Nigel this afternoon when I take Tristan back to have his stitches out - I'm not looking forward to that one!

Any news Amber?

Not really Deb, she has a little bleeding now so it's still waiting for the inevitable. I spoke to my sister's husband this morning who just broke down crying worried that the babies would be in pain. Fucking killed me.

On the job front - another mind change - I have decided to ask if there is a part time role for me and if not then resign.My manager did mention it before (maybe she now wishes she hadn't) but I have a feeling that they'll get rid to be honest.

God - what do I do if I get pregnant - what an awful kick in the teeth for my sister.

Amber I will pray for your sister and hope for once someone will bloody answer.

Waves to GF.

I feel like I have been run over cant pick myself up. These nasty drugs and seizures have taken my baby away from me,its like going through the process of daily life with a dolly.

Top it off we ALL have the cold and DD1 has an ear infection.

Meet with Olis consultant tomorrow hoping she will give me some answers!

Got this on email today, if you have time to read its very sweet xxx

Big Mud Puddles and Sunny Yellow Dandelions
Author Unknown

When I look at a patch of dandelions, I see a bunch of weeds that are going to take over my yard.
My kids see flowers for Mom and blowing white fluff you can wish on.

When I look at an old drunk and he smiles at me, I see a smelly, dirty person who probably wants money and I look away.
My kids see someone smiling at them and they smile back.

When I hear music I love, I know I can't carry a tune and don't have much rhythm so I sit self-consciously and listen.
My kids feel the beat and move to it. They sing out the words. If they don't know them, they make up their own.

When I feel wind on my face, I brace myself against it. I feel it messing up my hair and pulling me back when I walk.
My kids close their eyes, spread their arms and fly with it, until they fall to the ground laughing.

When I pray, I say thee and thou and grant me this, give me that.
My kids say, "Hi God! Thanks for my toys and my friends. Please keep the bad dreams away tonight. Sorry, I don't want to go to Heaven yet. I would miss my Mommy and Daddy."

When I see a mud puddle I step around it. I see muddy shoes and dirty carpets.

My kids sit in it. They see dams to build, rivers to cross, and worms to play with.

I wonder if we are given kids to teach or to learn from? No wonder God loves the little children!
Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.

I wish you Big Mud Puddles and Sunny Yellow Dandelions!!!

that's lovely Josey, I particularly liked the bit about dancing to the beat - Charlotte loves to dance! I hope you get some answers from Oli's consultant.

Amber so sorry to hear about your sister, what sad news. I'm sure though, if you do get pregnant, your sister will be thrilled for you, even if she is sad for herself.

whinegums yay for no night feeds - I'm sure I'll hear some cheering soon

Deb was the film good, or is any film in English a treat?

in other news, Charlotte is destined for the stage - she is wowing the crowds with her jazz hands, does a sitting down dance, then applauds herself. If only she would get off her backside and work on some independent movement across the room, there'd be no stopping her!

Hi everyone,

Am taking a quick break skiving from the studying (exams) next week so I thought I'd pop on and say a quick hello!

So sorry to come on and read your news though Amber.

All well here (apart from my insufficient revision). S is at nursery and I still have lots of doubts about his nursery, but I'll maybe save that chat for after the exams.

He's eating and sleeping ok, crawling and pulling himself up and generally quite happy (although quite a wee thing now, his weight gain really slowed down at 6 months and he's still falling down the centiles I think).

Anyway, need to get back to the books so will pop in again for a proper catch up once my exams are over! When's the first first birthday btw?

Oh forgot to say am loving being back at work and have you already started having some chat about 1st birthday presents?

Deb - did I miss your programme completely? I seem to ask you that everytime I post now - if it's not been on will you put on fb when its on?

Amber I lost a baby at 19 weeks. If there is anything I can do or answer just ask.

josey hugs... I hope DD1 gets over her ear infection soon and I'll keep O in my prayers and am hoping that the consultant will be able to provide some positive information.

Amber I'm so sorry for your sister. I hope that your manager might be able to find something part time for you to - that might be a nice solution if it's possible.

My first day back at work is tomorrow, we've spent the past 48 hours making plans for me to quit, although I know it might not be as bad as we're expecting. It's just that I've loved being home this time...

Yikes- just checked in. Seems like it's not been the greatest few days for people.

Amber- I don't have the words. I send love to you and to your sister.

Abdn- good luck tomorrow. Hoping it's not too bad but at least you have a plan.

Josey- love as ever to you and Oli. Great poem!

Hello to GF, and Viva, and all others. Hope you had as lovely a weekend as I did! Off to bed now though. 2 weeks until I have a ONE YEAR OLD!!!

Amber-thinking of your sister and her husband.Part time might be ideal - so fingers crossed for that.

Viva - yes more or less any film in English is good especially when it's unexpected!

Abdn - good luck tomorrow

DQ - no it's still not on yet, but there was one of the pilot shows on today.Good luck for exams. No idea about birthday presents here.

Josey - good to see you again, hope consultant is positive tomorrow.

Hi Puree

Tristan had his stitches out - not nearly so traumatic as the operation, and he got Apple strudel as a treat afterwards!

Those puree fans - are you still spoon feeding, or is it all finger foods , or is your baby feeding themselves with a spoon? I do a mix, and Ethan has ofetn had a spoon to hold, now he can usually get it into his mouth, I have given him loaded spoons(BLW style)Just wondered how the other babies were doing. And what's your babies fave foods? Ethan loves bananas, grapes, sweetcorn and peas!

I'm really struggling giving Cecily a spoon- turns out that I'm a control freak! She tends mostly to tip it upside down immediately and then shove it in her mouth. The upshot is now that unless it's anything I'm having or her beloved yoggies, she refuses to be fed so I'm all about the finger food. I'm running out of ideas too, so if anyone has any suggestions, bring it on!!

Fave foods- yoggies, banana, baked potato, sausages and chocolate

So sorry Amber, your sister has had a hell of a time. So unfair.

Josey thinking of you and Oli and hoping the consultant will be able to say something helpful. I loved the poem, I'm sniffling at my desk here!

Greenfairy lovely to hear your news, I was wondering how you've been getting on. Also nice to hear from you BDQ, good luck with the exams!

Good luck today Abdn, hope it all goes well. How long do you have to work for to get to keep mat. pay? And on travel, I'm excited - just found out my professional association conference in 2010 is in Aberdeen! I have missed the last few so am determined to go to that one - fancy meeting up in a year and a bit? and josey and oli too?

Glad Tristan's stitches came out easy Deb, these kids are tough aren't they!

Whinegums good on you, I made a pathetic attempt to substitute water for Caitlin's 2.30 am feed last night but I gave in very quickly. She has a cold, I'm too soft ... Will be watching with great interest to see whether this leads to sleeping through.

Things are really looking up here. After a good few days back on my normal eating plan I am feeling energised and the depression has lifted completely, for now. It's a virtuous circle, because I'm feeling better I can get back on top of things, then feel better again. I feel like I'm getting my life back after several years of (mostly lovely and well worth it) chaos! Caitlin is loving clapping and crawling this week. I've got her travel cot stocked up with her favourite toys and a treasure basket for those moments when I need to leave her somewhere safe. And Liam is loving his new mobile sister, this morning he was Cyberman and she was Cyberdoggie

Hi all, just caught up from a week off! Went camping this weekend to Winsford in Cheshire which was fab, even better than Wales (sorry Essie ). It was just a bit cold in Wales but the weather was glorious in Winsford and the DTs seemed more happy.

I am so sad to hear about your sister Amber. Yes I will pray for her and her DH and babies. It is just awful, I feel so much for her cos I know how I would have felt at 18 wks. Any news?

Josey, your posts about Oli are breaking my heart too - it is so so sad, I just don't have the words... I am so so sorry . You are all in my prayers too of course.

Great to hear from Greenfairy (what was your previous MN name?) Glad work is going OK. Still 3mths till I go back

My two are one tomorrow! My mum and sis are coming over for a little party. I was going to go meet DH in town for lunch but he has a big rape trial on starting today so he will be too busy (this might hit the nationals as it is a 13yo abuse victim, after the Baby P girl giving evidence and all the bad publicity etc. DH has to x-examine her ).

Esther is standing without holding on now (as you will see from the vid on my FB profile) but Theo doesn't let go. E seems a bit ahead of him in terms of posting objects in the sorting toys or putting those rings on the post IYSWIM. E tries to do it but T just puts the toys in his mouth! I think girls are usually more advanced than boys in these things tho aren't they? Not that I am bothered!!

Re food, I am still spoonfeeding them but they also have toast/rice cakes/fruit etc as snacks. With them being one I thought they should be feeding themselves more now so last night I tried them with potatoes, broccolli, cauli and cheese sandwiches for tea but they hardly ate anything so I whizzed it all up (not the sandwiches!) and spoonfed them it. Maybe try again next month.

We have some more teeth too which is very exciting and they are sleeping really well too although E seems to be unsettled when we get back from camping, she woke at 8.30pm last night and screamed for 90mins on and off, was OK when I went in a gave her a pat but was awake again minutes later screaming. But after she went to sleep at 10 she slept till 8 this morn. I gave her Calpol and then gripe water (sometimes she writhes around which makes me think maybe something to do with her digestion or soemthing she has eaten) but it didn't seem to work, it just seemed to be something that just needed to pass.

We are having the MMR here as well!

Oh and on 3 kids - go for it!!!! I am one of four and will def have at least one more myself. Although TBH when all my family is together now (with all 8 grandkids too) it is well hectic and not even that enjoyable (you can't get a word in edgeways!!). I don;t think I'll have four, but you never know. Rolf, your DH must be mad contemplating another!!

Hello all, thought it's time I posted although I've been keeping up!

Sorry to hear about Oli, and also Amber's sister. It's almost unbearable (and I cried a bit thinking of the babies in pain). And I just went to see a friend of mine who had been trying to get pg when I was pg (no issues, really, just it wasn't immediate for her). Went to ask about her baby because she was due last month. It's the most shocking thing in the world - her mother was running the shop, and said she had been fielding questions from happy people for weeks - the baby died after birth. You kind of expect good news, and it's such a shock when it's something horrific like this.

But good to hear happy news too - Neenz, happy birthday to the twins tomorrow! The first birthdays on the thread!
Greenfairy I was pleased to see you back and often wondered about Storm and you!

Not much to report here. Iestyn's diarrhoea is ongoing (sorry all! ) and we ironically spent the whole of real nappies week in...disposables! He's fine in himself, but the nappies are nasty. He's almost there on the crawling too - he does cover ground but mainly backwards (!) - but STILL NO TEETH! I'm really worried that they're going to be a nightmare when they come, because he's been sleeping so well...

Oh Essie that is so sad.

Systems lol in a year and a bits time I will look forward to meeting you

AH hope today goes well.

Amber any news?

The plan with Oli is they are stepping up one of her meds, she is currently on 2mls twice a day and she can be on 4.5mls for her weight, it has side effects to her liver and other organs though so can only be upped 0.5mls every 3-5days. On which I have to judge if she is coping with the increase. What a Fkn responsibility that is GULP! If this med doesnt work then its back to square one. Screams quietly at the laptop!!

God Essie- how awful about your friend. It maes me just want to hug babypearls harder! (Did LMAO at Real Nappies Week in disposables though!)

Josey- you are obviously getting good at responsibility if they've given you this task. Not sure you can scream quietly though

Oh, meant to say earlier to BDQ- GET BACK TO WORK!

The sun is out just briefly- off to hang out the washing [muses on how Abdn's day will seem much more grown up than mine!]

hi Neenz- loved the video- it's always so impressive when you actually manage to catch your LO doing something cool. I've been trying for weeks to get babypearls kissing her reflection on camera.

cancel my excitement - the Aberdeen conference dates are 9th-11th Sept 2010 - and my little boy will start school something like 6th Sept 2010 - aged 4 yrs 1 week. Don't think I'm going to spend that particular weekend away from home! we'll have to postpone the meetup - ah well, at least I've given you lots of notice

Essie awful news about your friend.

Amber I feel so sad for your sister and her husband. Waiting for things to happen is awful. I remember with my first mc I hled on to the thought until the very last second that maybe my labour would stop even tohugh I knew relalistically it wasn't going to stop. I still have a really vivd image of the scan I had where I could see the baby being squashed because my amniotic sac was hanging out of my cervix but he was still in my uterus and thinking how much it must have hurt him. I didn't look at the scan I had with my second mc.
With regards to you having another baby, you just have to think about yourselves as I'm sure your sister wouldn't want you to put your life on hold for her.

systems that's too bad about the meet-up - maybe our paths will cross another time. I have to work for one month to keep my mat pay (the beauty of the civil service) and I've over two months worth of holidays. The catch is I can't quit until we see if DH is getting a permanent job and if the salary is enough to cover the bills indefinitely (ie pay for a new car in a couple years) and we wont find that out until the end of the summer. So I have to stick this out for a while yet.

My first day back at work was the pits. Not worth going into detail about, but just nowhere near a good day (and I'm sure they'll come - there's just a bunch of messes to sort out). I really could have used a better start... and both boys cried off and on all morning in nursery. I felt so relieved to get them home.

josey are these side effects to do with the medication being upped or will they continue being an issue for as long as she's on it? Sending hugs!

essie not sure how close you are with this friend, but I know there's a lovely online community that supports each other (glowinthewoods.com)

Essie, sorry to hear about your friend. I was wondering if you were around (after I'd shared my wallpaper advice on your other thread!).

Josey, hope the meds get sorted asap, scream away.

Abdn, surely your second day back can only be better? I do hope you can have a nice chilled out night tonight and the messes get sorted sooner rather than later.

Neenz - wow, our first birthdays!! Happy Birthday to T&E for tomorrow.

We have managed three nights now without feeds (well, feeds at 11pm and 5.30am, but that's a hell of an improvement). So no more night feeding from now on. Systems, no great improvement on sleeping through yet, but it is getting better, and we are getting longer stretches.

Deb, I'm still spoonfeeding - B has little interest in using cutlery, but he is good with finger foods. His favourites are blueberries, chunks of baguette and clementines. He also likes fish pie, cottage pie, chicken dinner, pasta, toast, but has gone right off breakfast cereal. He's not interested in drinking from a cup either - maybe a bit of water sometimes, but refuses milk of all kinds.

Had a bit of a ruck with DP this morning, not worth going into on here, but we are long overdue a 'talk' so might be back to rant about what a tosser he is later!

Evening all

puree I'm only on for five minutes I promise I've been in the library all day [saintly].

Sorry to hear about your friend Essie. Amber how are you feeling today?

On the food front, I'm still spoonfeeding S (10 months tomorrow) but he gets some finger food type thing at nearly every meal (except breakfast, because we just dont have the time during the week!). For finger foods he'll have strawberries, grapes, raisins, chunks of bread, pitta bread with houmous, toast with mashed banana and avocado, sticks/slices of roast/steamed veg, eggy bread, sandwiches (tuna's a favourite), and of course the favourite organix carrot sticks! Sunday lunch is now a good self-feeding dinner - he has a little of whatever meat we're having, finger-feeding friendly veg and his favourite - yorkshire pudding!

I also got this recipe book recently. As you may recall, I'm far from a domestic goddess in the kitchen and I was needing some new inspiration. I feel AK et al a bit overly cautious in progressing through the weaning stages and wish I'd found this book a bit earlier.

aberdeen - sorry to hear about your day (was the 'aberdeen' always abbreviated btw or is that just a new thing?)

Deb - glad I didn't miss your programme - but a bit rubbish that its so delayed!!!

Neenz happy birthday for the twins tomorrow.

Right, come on you lot, someone else must have been drooling over potential first birthday toys...

whinegums - hope the talk goes well!

Essie - so sorry to hear about your friend, that happened to a friend of mine, I phoned her a few days after she was due to see if there was any news, and she answered the phone and told me the awful news that her little boy had died. I hope your friend is OK.

Going2 - it was heartbreaking to read about your scan. ((hugs))

Josey - thanks for the update, sounds like a better diagnosis than you thought but like you say what a responsibility.

Whinegums - look forward to hearing about your rant later

Abdn - tomorrow must be better - for you and the boys.

Systems - 4 years and 1 week is too early for big school, move to Austria and keep him in Kindergarten until age 6!(says she who's moving back)And what's in your treasure basket, CM used to have one, I haven't yet.

Thanks everyone for the feeding updates, and Puree - I need finger food ideas too.

Neenz - HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your dt's for tomorrow. Have a lovely day.