Dec 08 mums - from rolling to sitting and everything inbetwean

[waitinggirl]

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

The Great Who, please??? have i missed something?

madam woke up 5 times in the night, but i changed my attitude towards it and her, so feeling way better. i have decided that i will just feed her as much as she wants/needs and she then goes straight back to sleep with no fuss. she got more sleep during the day yesterday, the red eyes and bags disappeared, she seemed much more herself. at bedtime i put her (very) awake into her cot and despite my fears, she went down without a peep, so hurrah for her. the fact she is waking lots (every 2-3 hours) is, i am sure, due to the fact she is hungry. she does feed during the day, but not much as life is too exciting. i can't blame her for stuffing herself at night.

but my gut instinct says don't start solids until a couple of weeks time (bang on 6 months and we will come back from portugal). and anyway, if we were to start solids now in a hope that would help her sleep through, how disappointed would we be if she didn't?

so while there was lots of waking last night, there were no tears, neither hers nor mine and i am feeling decidedly perky at the moment.

apart from about mil, but that is another story.

oh, and thanks to spot for looking after me yesterday when we went swimming together j- lovely to see her!

morning everyone, quick one here before heading off to bumps and babes. WG am vvvv glad you're feeling cheerier this morning, sometimes it seems like just accepting it is the answer and acknowledging that this too shall pass. 6 month growth spurt and all.

dd was up at 4.45 this morning [yawn] so I fed her a bit, changed her (leaked through nappy, vest and grobag onto mummy's side of the bed... ) then popped her back in her crib with the mobile at 5.30 and sodded off to back bedroom with dh, by 6 she'd evidently either gone back to sleep or stopped chirping. I was just too tired to do battle so like you say, just going with it for a bit seems to be the answer.

veggie that sounds like a great plan for dh, if he's so much in demand then definitely make the most of it.

Will catch up with everyone later on

Good morning ladies. WG lovely to hear you feeling better. It sounds like you are on the right track to me. DH and I were saying the other day how we wished we hadn't been so hung up on not feeding DS1 to sleep and having him in bed with us. We would have got a lot more sleep and had a lot less stress. It took us til about 7 months to realize it wasn't the wrong thing to do and to just enjoy him. I miss him so much in our bed now, but am glad I'm more relaxed about DS2 being in with us. I think it's one of those things you have to work our yourself but it doesn't help when the world and his wife are telling you your forming bad habits etc. Well done WG. Now what is this about your MIL come on you can share it with us will make you feel better...oh come on I love MIL stories.

DS1 is going to a friends for a play after nursery so I'm with DS2 waiting in for a parcel and getting this house into some semblance of order before DH comes home. Not that he expects a spotless house on his return but it needs to be at least vaguely tidy because 4 of us make a lot of mess so I need to start with a clean canvas at least.

But first coffee anyone else having one?

whoops forgot to change my name back!

if you have a few hours to kill have a look:

www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-emb1.htm

Hey Effie that's really interseting! I love stuff like that
What a morning...there was an incident in the playground which I'm only just recovering from! Just as most of the children were going in, a guy marched up to one of the reception kids' mums and started yelling at her really aggressively. The reception kids were all standing there in their line, able to see and hear everything going on. I've no idea what the guy and the lady were raving about but it was not at all appropriate for the playground with an audience of 4 and 5 year olds. Anyway this guy was getting worse and worse and started pushing the mum around. Loads of people just stood and watched, horrified, and one lady rang the police. Well it seems my body reacted way before my brain went into gear...I went over to the guy and stood right in front of him (probably quite amusing as I'm only just 5 foot!) and said "excuse me but this is not the place to have this discussion. There are children watching". He carried on so I did too..."not in front of the children....stop it!" while the class teacher tried to hurry all the children inside Anyway, once the children were inside I went too because I have no interest in their argument - I just knew I didn't want my child or anyone else's witnessing a very aggressive domestic! Don't know how it resolved or if the police came...but once I got home I started shaking. I think if I'd stopped and thought, there is no way I'd have gone and put myself in front of this guy - I HATE confrontation and do anything to avoid it! - but my legs took me there before my brain had time to stop me. I think it was a stupid thing to do but I just felt so strongly! Still a bit shaky now so am tucking into chocolate to calm my nerves
WG glad to hear you sounding perky! I think I deal with P's nights by having an attitude that says 'this is Phoebe. She is not trying to irritate/exhaust/kill me. She is a baby and is not the only baby who doesn't sleep well. She is happy and healthy. I am on maternity leave for her. This is my job at the moment.' and it helps me keep things in perspective.
I am now wondering whether to idle around while P naps (meaning she'll sleep for ages and I'll achieve nothing) or to go out and mow the lawns (meaning she'll wake up in 5 minutes and I'll achieve nothing)! She always seems to know the worst time to wake up!
Hmmm. Sun is out..think I'll go for the lawns option. If she wakes up she can always sit in the swing and watch me!
see you later (unless the playground man is there again tonight and is after me...!)

Go Supertrace !!

Protector of innocent children and mower of lawns.

It does make me ache to know that there are people like that though. And how much worse it must be behind closed doors if it's like that in public

More in a minute... just catching up.

Good on you Trace, I think those other mums should have thanked you. No wonder you were shaking with all the adrenaline. I'm glad he didn't do anything to hurt you though.

Ok, here goes! Apols in advance for any X posts...

Jump I've looked for the Chamomilla powder but haven't found it as yet, but we've tried some homeopathic liquid mix to no avail. I'll have a look for it online. DS has also started waking up at 5-5.30am but we're leaving him for a bit as he's not 'grizzling' and this morning he fell back asleep again on his own. Not so easy to do that if you're co-sleeping though, I feel for you there.

Veggie DS only EVER sleeps 30-40mins during the day, 3-4 times a day. He's done this for months, am very at anyone's LO that sleeps for longer than an hour. Although he does usually sleep from 6-6 (albeit with 2 feeds during that time) so I can't complain really. I figure as long as he's happy after his nap then he's had enough. Now missy, you are of course a great mummy too, and we all very much appreciate your BF and alternative remedies advice (along with all the other pearls of wisdom you impart). So none of that 'breaking DS' stuff please cause we all know you are awesome. And so does your DS who tells you he loves you all the time!

GO VERSO! Chookas for your interview (that's what we say in the theatre for good luck). Hope it goes well and they see what a great person you are

zoejeanne how are you feeling honey? I'm so sorry DD is resisting her naps. I must confess we feed to sleep as it is the only thing that DS wants when he is tired and I too am worried about this 'bad habit' stuff you read about in all the books that someone else mentioned, but TBH if it works for now I think bugger it, he's happy and that's all that matters to me. Has anyone else with an older DC fed to sleep and found it to be fine and not a problem later on? Anyway sorry I know that probably doesn't help you but I just hope you find something that works for both of you soon, and it sounds like you've got exactly the right attitude for it all. Ooooh wait I just thought of something else we do, although at night more than during the day. We have one of these which was a gift from some of my cousins. It's really good because it distracts him when he's just gone down in the cot and starts to get a bit grumpy that he's not cuddling mummy/daddy anymore. It plays music and lights up and as soon as it starts he rolls towards it and gives it the biggest smile. It's very sweet.

NJAN wow your DH as a SAHD. My DH is one, and when I asked him if he missed his work he said "No, but when I agreed to be a house-dad I had NO IDEA what I was signing myself up for!" And this from a man who has always done all his own laundry, and more than his fair share of the housework. LOL

Kayz - bunny pictures please!!! You know I ADORE rabbits and had one as a house pet in London before we left. They are by nature very timid little things, especially when transferred to a new home. They can sadly turn grumpy and aggressive too easily though if not handled delicately and quietly, so do make sure you instill in the DSs that they need to be very gentle with her There is a FANTASTIC website all about bunnies, and everything you should ever need to know about them here - this is where we got our rabbit from. Watch out for the music it can be a bit loud.

Arti sorry you too have a babe waking all the time in the night. Sounds very much like DS, who also seems to be feeding less in the day and more at night now. We were down to one night feed now it's up again to two. I still give him a bit of water if he wakes up less than 3-4 hours, and he pretty much just sucks for a few seconds, then rolls over and resettles. I think it must be a comfort thing, he just wants to suck the bottle for a little bit? So at the moment I'm only giving him proper milk feeds at about 11pm, and then again any time between 2-3am. And then a bit later I might see if I can push both of them later with a view to hopefully getting back to just 1 feed a night. He's a big boy though, and I'm not going to deny him at least 1-2 feeds during the night till he's properly on solids/is a bit older. It's annoying though isn't it when if they'd just drink enough during the day... maybe they'd not need so much at night. Gah!

WG and how are you today? I'm so glad you can talk to us about how you're feeling, and you know we're all here for you whenever you need us. Even though we can be far away in physical distance, in virtual distance we're very close. And of course sometimes I'm online during your night as it's our day here in Auz. I like the sound of your plan about feeding, and don't forget Nanny Anne's mantra for the tough times xxx

ML if you find any good tips and/or threads in your sleep searching do let us know!

BTW - does anyone else's baby only want to be put down on their side? DS will only go down on his right side when I put him in his cot, and he even twists that way as I'm lowering him in! Putting him flat on his back results in much face pulling and complaining till I turn him on to his side. Weird.

pmk I thought you could 'opt out' of substitutions? When I shopped online with Tesco I always made sure it said 'no substitutions' at the checkout page. We had a couple of wrong things or things missing a couple of times, but I just emailed them about it and they re-credited me the money. So no complaints there. However I definitely would have shopped with Ocado had they been available to my area (they are now of course but weren't at the time) because I luuuuurve Waitrose!!! And M&S... do they do home delivery yet? That would be just heaven. Waitrose and M&S are two of the things I miss about the UK, we just don't have the equivalent here. Mind you, produce at our ordinary supermarkets is pretty good usually.

JB - SIX TEETH??? That is some super kid you've got there For those doing BLW what do you let them chew on? DS has such a strong chomp that anything he bites on breaks up. Today I was letting him suck on a bit of apple and he ended up biting a bit off and coughing to get it out! It was a bit scary actually as I'm so worried he'll choke. I might stick to the harder things for now that I know he can't gnaw off (carrot stick, cucumber, remote control etc)

Veggie we buy long life milk now here as we can get organic long life and it keeps for blimmin ages in the cupboard. It tastes the same to me, and is cheaper too than fresh. Might be worth thinking about if you're already freezing milk, as it'd free up some space in your freezer? More room for icecream in there then methinks I don't think I'll go as far as using powdered milk like my grandparents do though! I think they've been using it since the world war 2 (!) I am so, so lucky to still have them.

Effie LOL at 'embuggerance'. Yeah I use it all the time;

"Strike the crows that broken dunny's a bit of an embuggerance aint' it? Cripes which one of you drongos just opened up ya lunch?!" translation here

Righto... had better get back to work. Wouldn't it be great if we could get paid for being on MN? We'd be zillionaires!!!!!!!

They do have organic long life here but only in semi skimmed, not whole milk. Only DS1 uses whole milk, DH and I have rice milk on our cereal and skimmed milk for our coffee (for some reason it froths better with the frother thing) but I have to admit to buying powdered milk, as we only use lite cows milk for our coffee we don't need lots so I just make it up in the jug we use for frothing then off we go.

DH is home and we spent the afternoon researching slings for me to use around the house with DS2. My poor left arm is very painful from holding DS1 and now made worse as DS2 gets heavier and my relaxin wears off. So I was going to get a ring sling to hold him on my hip then slip around the back when cooking etc. Then we discovered the rucksac tie that just needs a big length of fabric. We popped into town and bought some from the markets and used it and it's great. The length we got is not quite long enough but was enough to experiment and only cost £4.50 so we will get some more tomorrow and then next week I will go to a friends who has a sewing machine to do the seems. I am also going to take DS1's school trousers over as well to make into summer shorts. They'll all be too short as trousers by winter so may as well make some into shorts. I'm feeling quite frugel. Bisou I make things now too!

Oh and bisou we have found that DS2 is better with round foods. So strawberries and bananas. Or I also peeled a peach and the sliced it so it was rounded. He can hold rounded things but seems to have trouble getting to long things like carrot sticks. Also made him done polenta today which he lived lightly fried it like a round chip. DH also discovered that the apple core is easier for him to handle than apple slices. DH had cut the outer apple off for DS2 intending to eat the bit around the core himself. But as usually happens DS2 wanted what DH was having so DH handed it over and he was able to hold it and knaw on it but there were no knobbly bits to accidentally bite off. Because DH has taken a couple of bites it was rough so easy to hold a knaw.

evening! I've recovered from my morning playground events now When I went to get Lu after school the headteacher and deputy head were out in the playground and they told us that the guy was safely in the police station now! After I had left this morning and all the children were inside the school was locked to keep them all safe, but the guy apparently started to climb over the railings into where the reception children are (and, it turns out, his daughter, who he seems to be having access issues with) and the headteacher had to grab his legs to stop him climbing over. He ran away when the police came but they got him. Hurray! The little girl was apparently taken out of school and went home with her mum. HOw very sad that this is how some families function. You're right Bisou - if that's what we're 'allowed' to see in public what on earth must their home life be like? Well it's all over now and Lu hasn't mentioned anything so I'm hoping she'll forget the morning scene. I really feel for the mum and daughter because no doubt for them it is far from over
I've discovered that cooking, mushing, freezing then defrosting pasta doesn't really work! I wanted to put a little mushed pasta in with P's veg so got all excited and froze lots of cubes of cooked pasta. When I defrosted it it was all a big sticky blob and I had to mix it with milk before I could mix it with the veg. It mixed in ok and P ate it but I don't think I'll do it again! I'll put that down to experience and cook pasta at the time I want to give it next time!
DO you know, I'd never heard of Ocado before you lot started mentioning it, then today I saw an Ocado delivery lorry! Maybe it's new round here?
DH has gone to a friend's to play bored board games for the evening so it's just me, the TV, the lap top and a bar of chocolate

Wow trace well done for saying something. I'd have been too scared I think. I can't imagine how the man thought it would improve the situation if he is having access problems. It's a shame for everyone involved.

Sounds like a lovely evening you have planned .

bisou Not sure about super child, scary child more like! Re the BLW, I'm only giving DD soft things because I fear her biting off something like apple or raw carrot and choking on it. She's had steamed carrot, broccili, banana, rice cakes and melon which she can bite but then they go mushy in the mouth. Good for neurotic mothers .

I gave DD baby porridge for breakfast this morning and she loved it. She took the spoon off me half the time and put it clumsily in her mouth (or nose). Perhaps I have a puree baby and not a BLW one!

By the way is anyone who is doing BLW or lots of finger foods having difficulty with parents or in-laws who don't 'get' the concept? My MIL keeps making comments about mushing and pureeing etc and I've said that foods that need a spoon then she'll be spoon fed but I'm not mushing things that she can feed herself. Perhaps she just needs to see it in action .

We're away for the weekend so back on Monday. Have good weekends all!

veggie In the BLW book they recommend cutting carrot sticks etc using a crinkle cutter utensil, they were v fashionable in the 70s for making crinkle cut chips. My dad got me one from the kitchen shop in the town where I'm from. They've probably had it in stock since the 70s! It seemed to help DD hold onto the slippery sticks as it created little grooves for her fingers.

Good evening ladies!

How are you all? Hope everyone is doing well. I'm going to go back and have a scan over the thread shortly to see what you have been up to.

Heidi is doing great. She is just slightly over 5 months now (as the baby of the babies) and has had a week of pear mush. I pureed some carrot today and that will be tomorrows delight. I have however been much more adventurous than I ever was with DS and she has had numerous nibbles of bits such as squished pea, pineapple, banana and .... erm ... a tiny bit of chocolate muffin! I was a sucker for the longing looks! She is a great laugh and smiles loads. Big brother is still in love with her and she has fitted in to the gang very very nicely!

OOOhhh I have just scanned back a bit and LadyT missed me!!!! Thank you! It's so nice to be remembered.

I too am an awfully embarrasing Twilight groupie having read all the books and seen the film (including the extras bonus disc) and have just finished The Host. Go on, give into your inner 14 year old!

Glad you are all surviving (if on minimal sleep).

Hello Oli! Lovely to hear from you - do keep popping on when you get the chance - you don't have to keep up! Glad Heidi is doing so well - I really love that name too!
Well some cheeky milky buttons and a Lion bar both just jumped down my throat before I had chance to stop them

Thanks Trace! I know the feeling. Some icecream just leapt out of the freezer and was consumed absolutely by accident!
I can see a shifty looking bottle of rose too and might have to watch out incase it has the same idea. It's all grimly limited by still feeding Heidi but I deserve a sneaky sip!

do you remember I said someone gave us a highchair but it was really big and chunky and heavy? Well we've used it for the last week or so but it's driving us mad! It's so cumbersome and is just too big for our ickle dining room so I've decided to feed her in the Bumbo instead for the time being and have been thinking about getting this Has anyone ever used one?

oops try again!

oli I'm quite sure my breast milk must be choco milk - no wonder Phoebe won't drink anything else!

That looks nice Trace. I have just bought a Bumbo but Heidi isn't too chuffed with it. I think that that seat looks ideal if you don't want to have to take a chair out of the dining room. We had an inflatable seat thing that was great for out and about but I think maybe for quite a bit older.
I have swapped my baby walker for one of those play seat things with all the toys around. Heidi seems to quite like that. I can't leave her on the floor so easily at the moment as she is at that tricky stage of rolling onto her front and then getting upset as she is stuck.

Phoebe is still asleep! It's a long time since she's slept this long - nearly 3 hours! Maybe the sticky pasta has filled her little tummy a bit more? So do I stay up assuming she's bound to wake any minute, or go to bed on the basis that this could be an amazing miracle stint?!!
Hmm. Bed me thinks Night night xxx

Trace this is probably a bit cheeky but if you start shopping at Ocado and say I recommended you I think we get a £25 voucher each.

JB that crinckle cut thing sounds good. Oh and pretty much everything we do to raise our children my mother does not understand or approve of, I'm used to it and just ignore her comments.

Lovely to hear from you Oli, and Trace I'm so glad your ok after the school drama and you DD1 doesn't seem affected. I feel quite sad for the broken family though.

I really must go to bed.

I just have to say, where on earth did Hazel Blears get a broach that says 'rocking the boat' from?

Have been reading in between Big Brother been meaning to say for awhile now, I am absolutely amazed at the amount of chocolate you lot consume! Thankfully I'm not much of a sweet tooth, and never really want chocolate (my vice is cheerfulnes ) as if I had that much chocolate I'd be the size of a house!
Go Trace!! Bisou yeah I know you can opt out of substitutions, but it was the products I really needed and then didn't get, and with the one's I opted for the subs, I got something I didn't want at all. I've only heard "Stone" the crows? (rather than "strike") Perhaps thats a Qld variation!
Anyway, next time Veg I will do Ocado, and if you let me know how, I'll get you some kick back!
Hello Oli!!
I must say B is a little angel - so user friendly! Took him shopping all day today and I was trying on clothes, and then sunglasses for ever and he just lay there giggling at me! He really is a good little fella and I'm desperately hoping he doesn't turn into a nightmare toddler!
Right v. v. late now......

Morning!

Here are some rabbit pictures.

I have sprained my wrist hence the not being here yesterday as GP said to try and avoid using the computer. He thinks it has been caused by the wii, but I haven't been playing tennis or anything on it. Just wii fit and animal crossing.

I hope you are all well. DS2 has slept the past 2 nights so fingers crossed everyone else's babies will too.

Oh and yes I probably am ttc again this year.