Dec 08 mums - from rolling to sitting and everything inbetwean

[waitinggirl]

there i've done it - hope that is ok.

Bookmarking from phone so i don't fall off the thread. At a lovely park in Leamington

PMK Not sure, I think some postnatal hairloss is normal, but mine is everywhere and really visibly thinning on my temples and crown. Last time after a few months it went back to normal without treatment. I think its really common, but most women arent told/dont realise that it they feel a bit tired and stressed its down to your thyroid trying to return to normal. I've lost about 2.5 stone since middle of Feb, I have been WW, but still, some weeks I would lose 4lb with no explanation and I am not strict with it.

I may be a lot thinner than I was, but no-one will fancy me soon anyway as I will be a badly.

Sorry for all those typos - I mean it may be your thyroid being dodgy, and I will be a baldy not badly.

Just chucking myself on will read back in a bit but noticed hair loss has been mentioned mine is coming out in the bucket load it happened lat time too really really thin fringe and temple area but it does stop eventually and it will grow back.

Hello Everyone!

I haven't been on in over a week and have not properly caught up but I am doing my best!

We are in Devon and have been here since last weekend. We are staying in a lovely farmhouse owned by my friend's parents who are away. DD1 is loving it. She is telling everyone that she is living on a "city farm". I have tried explaining that she does not need to add the city prefix given we are three miles from the next building, but there is no telling a two year old - "it is a city farm Mummy, there are cows". Anyway we are having a fab week with lovely weather and lots of trips to the beach and the moor. In keeping with our surroundings I have faithfully promised to be TV and PC free so I am sneaking on while DH has an evening walk. Might have to flee suddenly. DH wants us to be TV free all summer, even when at home, he reckons we spend too much of our lives mindlessly staring at screens and that we will both be much more productive and happy without the TV. Hmmmmm , he may be right but I am pretty sure I have an incurable addiction.

Lal - thank you for your advice and indignation over my work situation. Ours is a very, very small department so I can understand that (a) they have little experience of women at SCS, and (b) there is less flexibility when you have few staff and few positions, but nevertheless I had hoped that they would try a little harder. I like the fire solution but as you say it might have constitutional implications and it would also impact on the tourist revenue for London at a bad time for the economy... DH and I have in fact stopped telling people we meet this week where we work. I will scream if one more person gives me their opinion as if it is me that ordered the duck house and had my moat cleaning. Oh well.

LadyT - DH read that book and raved about it at the time. I might track it down on our shelves.

NJAN - my hair is falling out all over the place. It happened to me last time as well. Thankfully it does not seem to look any thinner but it is a nightmare. I also wanted to say that it sounds like you have been through an awful lot this year. I lost my mum five years ago and it is still raw so I am amazed at how well you sound like you are coping.

JJ - at your DD's antics around her cot. She sounds incredible. N is still yet to roll over, or even partially sit (she can't even manage when propped in a semi-reclining high chair). I reckon she is her father's daughter. Apparently he was very physically inept as a child...

Kayz - I have had puncture after puncture with the Phil and Teds. It is driving me crazy. I can't wait to get DD2 into the old MacLaren and use a buggy-board for DD1.

PMK - I am glad Sainsburys was good but if you want to experiment do try Ocado. We have used it for years and it has never been late and we have never had a replacement. The veg and meat is always fresh and never stingy. They have even started doing a value range.

Right, I better go, I can hear DH approaching up the drive. I must hide all evidence of technology and locate my book before assuming a reclining pose on the sofa.

Morning,

Arti Have a lovely time! I am slightly tempted to get rid of the P&T but when it doesn't have a puncture it is brilliant.

My poor little DS1 has got conjuntivitis. His eye is really watering and gunky. He also has a big patch of red on his eye. Getting drops in is proving difficult. He has also developed an overnight love for cricket after seeing it on an advert. Instead of Tom and Jerry or In the night garden he wants to watch cricket all day.

Hope everyone is ok!!

wow another lovely day! And another great sleeping baby last night! Not a peep until 630 this morning - not sure if it's the introduction of solids, or just that he's back on track since the trip, or just growing past the waking up phase - who knows but i'm not complaining!
Finished off the cleaning up of the back garden yesterday.
NJAN, yeah my hair is shedding a lot but I just looked it up and i'm sure i've just got the normal post pregnancy shedding etc, however, i'm down another half kg thismorning!! It's def coming off faster since stopping BF / and or Aunt Flo arrival?? Strange....
Where is everyone?? I see lots of Face Book activity everyone!!!
Anyway, must get up now and enjoy lovely weather.... B let me go back to sleep again until 0900!

Hi Arti!! - Had such a chuckle at your hiding all evidence of technology!! is he serious about the TV thing? I couldn't do it!

Arti with you on that. Must watch TV less !
Hope you have a nice tme, what lovely weather to be away.

Yes, I wonder if there will be a day when I don't feel my mothers loss. When I was a kid I somehow thouht adults didnt feel grief as I would as they didn't show it and carried on. Now I know this is just what you have to do as an adult. But having 2 brilliant children really helps you carry on doesnt it !

Kayz Bet you get lots of gossip at the deli And not too much stress, hopefully. If you could have a dream job what would it be ? Would you be interested in cash or fulfilment ? I have a very fulfilling job, but I wonder how common it is to have one you really enjoy ?

It's been very quiet on here!

Another gorgeous day. DH has been up since 0650 painting the garden fence. Luckily DS let me lie in til 0920 (had been up at midnight and 4am so pretty good).

Arti - glad you are having a great time. It sounds lovely. I think I would struggle without any technology for a week although do quite like the idea of it.

NJAN - I knew my hair was going to fall out after the pregnancy but hadn't realised just how much would fal out. My DH keeps asking if we should save it incase I need a wig at some point!!

Well we're off to the garden centre soon - I must not buy any more plants though - I have loads in the garden I have not yet planted so must get that done today.

Sadly I went to our postnatal group yesterday and it was at the house of the lady I have previsouly mentioned on here - no-one else turned up! Most had texted an excuse but I felt bad for her.

PMK - I also pureed and froze some food for DS this week - he will be six months at the end of next week and I still haven't fully decided whether to give the purees or try blw. Is it possible to do a mixture of both I wonder? Probably not as once I've fed him purees it's not baby led at all.

Right DS wants some attention and DH still painting! Oh dear - DS just picked up my crust from toast and tried to put it in his mouth - he does not look happy!Must go!

Morning all no doubt your all out in the sunshine gorgeous isn't it. I'm not quite caught up yet DH has gone to pick up some parcel that's at the post office and I'm introducing DS1 to David Bowie on TV on demand. We're going out later but we've been outdoors the last 3 days so thought we'd have a break this morning. Though we have done a spot of gardening this morning. Leamington spa was great we loved Warwick castle spent way too much money, though it was fun to be accompanied by a small Knight for the remainder of the trip. Also took the boys to a car museum which was surprisingly fun. If your ever in Leanington spa got to Jephson gardens really lovely and has a good kids play area, next to the boat lake. DH finished work early yesterday and met us there and took DS1 on a pedelo on the lake. Looked quite sweet with DS1 riding around with his dad in a suit.

NJAN you've had a nightmare time with your mum and other family dramas and now with this thyroid thing. My hair is falling out but not like your describing, and trying to cope with everything is loads harder with thyroid probs because stress is really difficult to control with thyroid problems. Are you on medication for it. I wish I could pop over and make you a cup of tea, or an miraculous energy boosting drink of some sort.

I love ocado I've only ever tried Tesco but they always delivered stuff that was either expired or one day before expiry. I figured I wanted a company who would deliver what I would choose off the shelf. Also my friend and old flat mate was the brand manager when ocado started up and designed the funky delivery truck designs, so it's nice to be reminded of her when I get my delivery. Plus the big thing is waitrose and ocado have a very good ethic for looking after their staff which I quite like. When I lived in wapping we had a safeway that changed to a morrisons under both names the staff always looked a bit despondant and over worked and kinda like they didn't really care about their jobs or the customers. It got taken over by waitrose who retained all the staff and the difference was amazing the staff were all the same people but they were so happy and friendly and actually recognized me when I came back to shop even though I had been seeing them for years. After working for the NHS under very different managers, I believe everyone should be appreciated.

With the P&T tyres, have you checked the inner tyre wall of the tyre that keeps going down? If you can get a finger in there and run it around the inside part of the tyre lightly to check if there is a bit of glass or whatever sharp object in there that was the original culprit it may be repiecing the inner tube. The other thing that maybe happening is after you have repaired the puncture when you are putting the tyre back in you may not push it back in properly and pinching it between the rim and the tyre. Always check the punture is fixed by inflating the inner tube before you put it back the deflat and put in back in. Once it's back in before you pump it up run your fingers around the inner rim to check the inner tube is fully in. Does that make sense???

Modern good on you for going to that ladies house, sounds like she needs support rather than judgement poor lady must be difficult and quite lonely with three.

I meant to post this when Tilly's little one was having eye drops to try to increase the chances of it getting somewhere near there eye when you drop it in try to kind of get it near the inner tear duct then quickly run a cotton ball from the tear duct across the (usually now closed) eye. If this is impossible due to wiggly children just drop some drops onto a cotton ball and wipe that across the eye from the tear duct across (obviously when the eye is closed). It will catch the drops in the eye lashes and keep enough of it near the tear ducts to sort out the infection it's not optimal but with kids you have to improvise.

NJAN I do get to hear a lot of gossip. I do actually miss the gossip but my best friend is also my supervisor so she pops round with gossip!! I am not sure what my dream job is. I would like to be a MW, a historian, a park ranger in the Lake District loads of things. I would like to earn enough money so we have enough to pay all our bills, buy our food shopping and then have enough to either save some or treat the boys. At the minute it is a struggle to be able to afford to get the boys new clothes etc. DS1 needs his feet measuring but because nowhere will measure them without us having to buy shoes it is a PITA.

veggie nice to see you back, good tips on the eye drops. I ended up having to do it with his eye closed & then wiping it across.

arti hope you're having a nice time. I agree I also need to watch less tv, not sure its going to happen though!

Hope everyone else is ok. Dh & I have had another argument today, ruining what was a nice family day . Seems to be all we do lately

Will take my self-pity away now, ds2 has woken up anyway

On the subject of weaned babies losing weight, I think it helps to not think of it as "solids" vs "liquid", rather (for example) veg puree vs double cream. If you think of it like that it makes sense that they might lose a bit of weight when first being weaned as they don't always keep up with their milk intake with the novelty of food providing a distraction!

Tilly what happened? Will it seem better tomorrow? I feel for you. DH and I have had some really really strained times - quite difficult to believe when things are going well - but I do think some tension and friction is normal, particularly with being parents. (That book someone recommended AGES ago, "How to Babyproof your Marriage" is fab, btw. Doesn't have all the answers but might make you smile.)

Had a lovely day today - and now about to go and get the bbq on. Hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine .

Tilly: arguments and tension make you feel crap, don't they? DH and are having more then our fair share of tiffs at the moment, partly cos we are both a bit oversensitive due to broken nights, lots of work and worries over cash and all those other things that stress us in everyday life. So he'll say 'god this place looks like a bomb site' and I will take it as a personal affront on my capabilities as Mother and Homemaker and make a nasty sarcastic comment back. And so it goes . I think both of you making an effort to be nice to each other goes a long way. Anyway, DH is away tonight so I have a bit of space to appreciate his good qualities. Do you get a break by yourself at all? Saying that, I've managed, ooh, an hour without either of the DSs once in the last 6 months (haircut)!

Lovely sunny day here, had friend down and we pottered around town and picnicked and generally set the world to rights. She's a primary school teacher and is (tactfully) giving me a few pointers on how to not bring up the school pupil from hell . And we had a good old gimmers moan about declining standards...

Thanks veggie. Thats why I didnt want you all to go somewhere else when I was lurking ! Even when things were difficult it was good to see that life was carrying on as normal for everyone else IYKWIM.

Kayzr Were you going to train to be a MW ? I also wanted to be a park ranger, off roading around in a Landy and drinking tea from a flask, hauling around and cutting logs (!). I like the idea of an outdoor life I did an archeology degree and I loved the digs - the dirt, the camaraderie, munching on dirty sandwiches, the campsites...Before I had DS's I did some voluntary work in the local wood, and I really enjoyed it - they taught me how to saw and chop, and coppicing, and how to ID trees. Forgotten it all now though

Tilly Hope things have defrosted between you and DH. Its hard when the kids are around to get a moment isnt it, just to get a word in, that doesnt sound like an accusation....

BTW, by boobs have turned into spaniels ears. I was bending down earlier on and they were hanging down to my knees...

Oh do tell what are the secrets. I'm with you all on the snappy snaps relationships. DH & I and I at DS1 has been an issue today. So DH let me go out for a long cycle around my favourite route and then when I got back DH went out for a bit of mountain biking. We both feel loads better now. I'm finding it esp difficult lately coping with DS1 as he just want so much attention lots of mummy look at me...driving me a bit mental. Verso I'm glad things are better for you and your DH.

I messed up a bit tonight I sent DH out for his ride, did some gardening then started making DS1's dinner of veggie soup (I think he was feeling a bit starved of vitamins after our trip away living on the usual holiday crap) then I suddenly wanted to cook pea and roast sweet potato risotto for DH & I. I started it all off buy then DS2 had a sleepy hungry melt down it was a bit after his usual bathtime so I tried cuddling him while I cooked but that was tricky so I ran up upstairs and ran his bath then quickly washed him and took him our served DS1's soup and got him to eat it at his little table and chairs in his bedroom which he thought was very exciting. Then quickly fed and out DS2 to bed. The poor little fella he always seems to get the raw end of the deal esp when DS1 is on holidays. He always gets kind of pushed to one side. DS1 has football tomorrow and then is back to school in the in the morning on Monday so will try to give him more attention and cuddle time.

Arti weird that you get people having a go at you for what the MPs are up to. Though did remind me when we were on holidays in Belize, we met a couple who were both magistrates in Sicilly. The poor things they looked quite nervous and stressed all the time, and everytime they told people what they did everyone laughed and made comments about their holiday being a payoff from the Mafiosa...including us.

Kayz I miss work gossip too. I love meeting up with the girl who is in my old job to get all the goss. The best bit of goss was that my old boss has left her husband after he found out she was having an affair with her sons scout master!!! Cheeky.

Kayz maybe your HV can do something useful for once and measure DS1's feet. Or you could always look online to see if you can measure them and correlate the length with UK sizes?

Kayzr that sucks about the shoes. And they are so expensive as well ! I thought they were supposed to be VAT free or something ?

Morning all, dh & I had a truce last night. Still some stuff to work out but hopefully getting better.

effie we have some of that as well, dh moaning that I don't put his clothes away, I comment that I did wash & iron them etc etc.

verso glad things are better for you & dh.

veggie ikwym about ds2 getting pushed to the side. Its the same here as well, ds2 just gets plonked down whereever while I deal with ds1. Fortunately, he's a happy little chap! Btw, I meant to tell you, ds1 had sausages the other night & said 'A likes sausages, we did rascally things together'. I was trying to work out who he meant & after a bit of gentle probing realised he was talking about ds1!

kayz where do you go for ds1's shoes? We got to an independent shop & they're really good about measuring even if we don't buy anything. Clark's I've found are rubbish. How's ds1's eye?

Morning,

NJAN The MW course is full for this year so I have to re apply next year. Unless I win the lottery!!

Tilly We usually go to Clark's but have just found an independent shop that do kids shoes. So I'm going to take him there one day this week. Sorry for your row with DH. We've had a few recently. DS1's eye is a bit better but it is a real struggle to get him to let us put his drops in. We saw the GP yesterday as we went to see the trains and the GP is a volunteer there. Of course DS1 saw him and start pointing at his eye!! So GP said that we can put the drop in the corner of his eye and then when he opens it, the drop will go in.

Veggie We have asked HV if they can measure his feet but they don't have the equipment. I am dreading Tuesday TBH. I just don't see what it will acheive(sp)

Hope everyone is well.

Kayz just tell them you don't want to start the solids for another 2 weeks he isn't immediately unwell so they should be fine with that plus as verso has said initial solids are not as high calorie as milk so it won't be really helping much with his weight. Say you have allergies in the family or something. Better still tell them you haven't had much luck going against your instincts and listening to health professionals with DS2 and you can mention your complaint, so you would rather wait.

Tilly maybe he's been having sausages with my DS1 he'd be up for rascally things.

Hello fabulous girls,

I have missed you all! Hope everyone's got glorious sun, even as far North as Indith! Not sure who is the most Southerly - perhaps Nolda. Anyway, I was at my Mum's for a few days then yesterday was all a bit hectic and social - a couple of friends came up from London (Arti, if you are on, it was D & E, I did text you) then we went to other friends in the evening and ended up staying the night. We had no food for this morning for DD (what bad parents) but we left early and she was none the wiser! Cricket today, but just snatching a few minutes before I get ready to chat to you. Can I just say thank you for all the lovely things people have said about DH's book? Means a lot

Kayz, your HV is a pain in the bum. Veggie had some really good advice, I think. I was really shocked about shops not measuring feet unless you buy shoes I think that is absolutely disgraceful....

PD - wow, how did you know we play at Hindhead? Amazing. Sunday 12 July is the answer! Do come if you have some link with the place! Same goes for anybody. The only other Londonish fixture is Sun 14 June at Raynes Park, though there is a possibility of a Battersea one on 21 June.

Modern - I am so sad for that lady. Good on you for going. I hate hate hate to hear of anyone out in the cold Anyone watch the Apprentice? I only caught the end and saw my beloved Howard was gone but I have to watch the whole thing on iPlayer and find out what happened. I haven't been watching Britain's Got Talent but I saw the final last night at our friends'. I nearly fell off my chair to see Julian Smith - I was in bands and orchestras with him as a teenager, though he's three years older than me.

Tilly, I am sorry to hear things have been a little tricky with your DH. I feel for you. There are too many rows round here too for my liking, but that's because we are quite different emotionally, more than anything. It's so easy to end up having the same rows (we do) but be kind to yourself, and take a step back to think how you can both stop going down that same bad groove. Hope things improve.

Isn't this sunshine just completely wonderful? I loved being in the garden at my Mum's. I saw tons of my aunties (Mum has got lots of sisters) and my soon to be 17 year old nephew was home alone (he is revising whilst the rest of the family are on hols in Suffolk) and even he texted me as he wanted to come round and see me (amazing - I think it is the first text he has ever sent me in my life). He came to stay with me for a week a couple of years ago, to do his work experience. I whirled him about London to this place and that and I don't think he has ever got over the shock Mind you, he doesn't have to be forced into drinking a spot of cheerfulness now the way he did back then.

Right, must dash! Have lovely days, girls.

Evening everyone, gosh it's been quiet. Well we're really really hoping that DD has turned a bit of a corner in her sleep [touch wood icon], since the wedding trip we've had almost all good nights. Not that she's sleeping through or anything, but manages to be put back to sleep really quite easily when she does wake up. And last night we went out for dinner without her for the first time, left my dad in charge. She went to sleep at 7 having not napped very well during the day so we were worried she'd wake up earlier than usual. Instead when we got in at quarter to 1 [dirty stop-out] and she hadn't peeped! And then after a couple of feeds during the night, stayed alseep til 7am!!!

Now I know this is bound to bite me on the bum, but it really does feel as if things might be settling down at last. We've also been giving her little bits of food, hilarious to see her tackling a slice of melon this afternoon and then trying to grab at my ham sarnie!

ladyT - I think the only person in the right part of the country, do you and DP ever go to Henley? I've got badges for the stewards' which I can't use as we'll be in Canada, if you fancied swanking around a bit you'd be very welcome to them - only problem is no under 12s allowed but we're thinking of doing shifts in the future!

arti that farm sounds lovely, do you have baby lambs to play with? The work situation sounds tricky, is there no precedent in other departments at a similar level?

Right - Cambridge meet up! Let's see if we can get together before the end of June then, before the streets get really rammed full of orange-rucksack-toting language students. Personally I'd prefer Tuesday, Thursday or Friday, NJAN how does that fit with you? SL? Anyone else fancy making the trip up? Kayz when is your visit over this way? Essex ladies, Cambridge isn't far How would the third week of the month look - so 15th-19th June? There's the botanic gardens to go and sit in which are lovely and very near the train station, we could picnic maybe? Perfect for letting the nippers drop bits of food everywhere without feeling guilty about it!