Jan 09 - weaning,smiling,laughing and chatting and loads more fun to come:)

[stripeywoollenhat]

there.

Hi all

Dog, second moose, established feeders don't feel full unless a feed was missed or bubbs took less, or you express like mad. Sign of a well balenced supply and demand. Hurrah!

Lenni - glad that blockage popped. Mabe one of your ducts is shaped so as to encourage blockage? That is thought to happen.

Back from Dr's. Was ok. He said he didn't want to declare her milk intolerant, and didn't seem to feel my 2 exclusion and then dairy challenges were wprthy of a diagnosis. But when I asked how the diagnosis would be made, it would be by exclusion and challenge - so was a bit confused by that.

He asked me to take baseline pics of Hatts poo. By the end he added to challenge her myself and take pics of the poo that results. I had some with me, which I took out and showed him, he agreed it was mucousy and not 'normal' so I felt that was a bit of a victory for the 'I'm not a mad mother' campaign I seem to be fighting.

I think the upshot was that it is such a major deal to declare her milk intolerant [he says 18 months before milk can be re-introduced] that he wants to give her another try and give it till 6 months as she is young.

So there we have it. He gave me the hypo allergenic formula in case there is a need.

hi

glad dr gave you something for hatty tree

off to have spinach and ricotta canolloni dh out till tom nite

lenni pat Hope your DSs are feeling better today.

Tree Hope the hospital has gone ok and shed some light on DD2's horrible colic. You are doing a grand job......head butt away!

EPPM Am a fan of Hegley poems...got chatted up by him once, back in the day, at The Edinburgh festival, before I became a mother and waved good by to my social skills life.

stripey Believe me..I am much more of a hotel sorta girl than a tent one...however I think DD will love it, we went last year, just for a few days and she had the best time. The campsite is in the woods and you are allowed proper campfires etc..so should be bloody freezing good for a few days.

Lenni Hope boobs are ok and hospital appointment /check up went well. My boobs feel really empty now I am FF DS twice a day.

Books I did the same as you, just took DS into work with me as was too paranoid about DD throwing a wobbley... I do a lot of work with kids with behavioural problems...so didn't want to be publically humiliated defeated by a two year old

Dog How's quarantine? Hope you're all doing ok. Glad you are liking having 3. DP and I both come from families of 3 so it just seems like the right number. He's 15 years older than me and so at 45 reckons if we are going to have another we might as well get on with it...think I want a year of not being up the stick though

I am a shouty grumpy wreck after two days of a completely unsettled boy, and very at all of you whose DC's will happily sit in a bumboo/ door bouncer... DS is just soo unsettled at the moment, he's really hard work...he's so sweet and smiley and a complete grouch all at the same time Am also a bit at phasing out BF. I ff dd, but have really enjoyed BF ds, but there is no way i will get round to expressing at work, so am going to try mix feeding, but now I am doing two ffs a day my milk seems to be dwindling...hmm

ouch - blocked duct today, forgot how painful it is . James fortunately cleared it at his 6.30 feed, still tender though.

rray - well done your DP!!

just flying in. Hope all well. OH's day off today so lovely family day.

Off home to stay with parents this weekend. Esme stays in cot i had as baby at my parents (new matress of course) how cute!!!

Will catch up then!!!

Hope all well. xx

DS still not right... am posting in the dark from the bedroom... he is very wakeful bless him... keeps having dummy malfunctions.

(at least my touch-typing is improving! )

dog DH and I don't swear in front of the children... (we used to swear like troopers ) ... so we use "BSC" when talking about her when she is around!

Tree Yay for some progress at hospital, seems like there is a way to go though, you'll get there!

Sparkle and Lenni Ouch to blocked ducts! Don't think I've have ever had one but I can imagine the pain, glad to see they are resolving themselves.

Dog-thinking of you guys, as someone else said at least the weather is meant to be shocking so you won't be missing any nice days. Do you have a large garden or anything? Hope you don't feel too cooped up. My boobs also feel pretty empty mostly, unless I miss a feed. But seeing as though Zach is such a blimp don't think there are any worries about milk supply.

HKZ - Hope you get some more sleep soon. I too feel like this after a run of bad nights and then, when I think I've reached the edge he will go through for a few nights and I'll feel human again. When are you giving formula? I need to start substituting a feed soon and I was thinking the lunchtime feed when he was at his hungriest. Also less likely to affect my supply if in the middle of the day. Such a pain in the arse and hate doing it but like you I have no way of expressing at work. When I do go back I am very part-time in July though so should be able to slope off in the afternoon and maybe start late most days (do not have a t.group) so could keep the morning and afternoon feeds normal till september.

Ray Weekend sounds good, I'm also going to my mum's this weekend shame about the rain she was going to do a BBQ, don't think that will happen though . Just being nosey but are your parents near Brighton?

Quiet day today, housework in the morning then went to a friends this afternoon. DD impeccably behaved till DH got home and then had a meltdown. Kind of thinking it may be a getting my attention thing as she seems to kick off when he's talking to me. Anyway, both in bed by 7.30 so enjoyed a lush dinner cooked by DH and watched The Wire, chilled out and forgetting about the little madam till the morning

EPPM- 'BSC', love it . I too really need to watch my mouth. She has already repeated various obscenities curtesy of DH (one-offs thankfully) and her favourite expletive at the moment is 'bloody'. I just cringe and ignore at the moment and hope she won't use it at pre-school!

Yep Sparkle, they are horrid aren't they - I've got a great big bruise now where it was from excessive attempts to remove it.

Tree - can understand your frustration, I can understand him holding off until 6mo in terms of weaning as her diet wouldn't be so influenced then by your diet iyswim but he obviously realises there is a fair chance of it if he's given you prescription. I'd look on it as a first step toward a diagnosis rather than a defeat to your medical/parenting skills. Ime medical people ignore pretty much everything the patient says and go ahead and make their own plans to find out exactly what they were told in the first place. It must be in their nature or their training.

HKZ - I spoke to HV today about DS who is also unsettled (and also very smiley!) and she wasn't surprised by my woes. She said some babies tend to go through a bad patch from 4-5mo when they need more food and can just generally seem unsatisfied (hence many getting weaned around now). Also she said all babies tend to get fed up of being babies around now and are ready for moving about so get frustrated. It has given me hope, but I've had 3 very unsettled weeks now and am starting to get fed up. BF and mummying is bloody hard, just when you think you've sorted it something else makes it hard again.

Hospital appointment went well for odd reasons. I thought my arthritis was getting bad but turns out I've got carpel tunnel syndrome! Got to have injections in my wrists next month to see if that solves it and if not a minor operation to widen the canal around the squished nerve. Is related to my arthritis but prob brought on by pregnancy. Arthritis is pretty well under control - yay!

DS had his jabs - hope he is ok, was hoarse this pm, making little crying noises with a lost voice. Poor soul.

Pat she is crazy in that loopy toddler way! mental!

Lenni My HV said similar about night-waking. They also may start having feeding frenzies more commonly as they are tanking up and developing new brain connections and stuff in readiness to do 'stuff' like crwaling, sitting, rolling etc. I did try weaning Evie at 18 weeks last time cos nobody told me this. Anyway she didn't like it and I tried again later at about 22 weeks and she was then ready. Could also sit well and had tons of teeth. Will be trying to leave till 26 weeks or thereabouts this time though, if only to save the hassle!

Oh and ouch for the CTS. My friend at work had this really bad and had to have a similar op. Hope the injections resolve it soon!

Lenni - glad the arthritis is ok but less glad about the injections. Steroids?
You are dead right in your evaluation of the consultation. I think I wanted a pat on the back for getting so far on my own. Bit silly really!

REALLY hope we all get a more settled night tonight people. I think this is a funny time for babies, their circadian what nots are forming into a day/night routine too, which must be weird for them. I've just given up and given in to some extent. I never know what time she fed or how long it's been since a feed. I never check in the night. If she's hungry I feed her, if she isn't I sleep. I have no energy for anything else at the mo. a wry and a big sigh from tree and her sapling. DD1 one was totally routine by now. oh those were the days!

Consultant referred to weaning at 6 months as 'delayed weaning'. In fairness to my calm karma I didn't growl at him .

I have no issue with anyone weaning or feeding or doing whatever whenever - but delayed weaning. That is really bad use of language, it sends a message. I think anyway. I'd never say to a mum are you 'still' breastfeeding or anything like that. And if I did I'd be cool at being growled at. It would be fair enough.

Am probably hyper sensitive cos I'm knackered and worried sick about bubba. Ah well. I didn't growl at him, so retained wafty aura of cool calm parenting. Yeah Right!

Lenni - I had carpel tunnel syndrome as well for about 10 weeks after the birth - mine has fortunately resolved itself. However have now developed a lump on my wrist... need to get it checked out.

lenni and Pat I think this is what must be going on with DS...he just doesn't seem satisified at the moment and is sooooo hungry...all the time.

Pat Am planning to do as little as possible when I go back. have taken on a promotion for next year, so the lady doing my maternity cover is taking my old job, so I will just have a few weeks of preparation so I can bag that summer holiday pay! So am giving a bottle at lunchtime and have just introduced one at 4pm too...my boobs have gone very strange as a consequence All squishy and a shadow of thier former selves

TreeGlad you got to see the consultant, well done for not growling, definite karma points! Do you feel reassured after seeing him? It sounds like you know your stuff and are doing all the right things.

Leeni that your arthritis is under control. Sorry about the CTS. My Mum used to have treatment for both. I know she found the injections painful but they provided a lot of relief.

I should really go to bed...at the moment I am kind of thinking what's the point? I'll be up again soon. Arghhhhh (Tried posting this last night but the site crashed...so here goes)

morning

dd1 @ nursery

oh dear for all unsettled babies
bracken is abit more grumpy sure it is due to injections on wed she always seems abit off for a few days after them!!

me and dh off to cinema ton to hopefully see angles and demons and a meal

Morning.

Unsetles and pukey. Great!

Was meant to be going to a farm cafe and all that today. Still in pj's. Such is life.

HongKongZoe - I do love your name. I type it in time with the origional music. I don''t feel reassured, I feel like they think I can't deal with a high needs baby and that I am looking for an explanation rather than accepting it. But that is probably me projecting my insecurities on to the situation. In reality the consultant won't have thought anything at all except 'hmm maybe intolerance, see in 2 months, when will I get a cuppa around here'.

Still feel judged though y'know? If she doesn't have it then I have munchousens [sp] aand am an anxious mum [the most obnoxious phrase on the planet] and if she does then I am......I dunno. Overreacting? Vindicated? Right? It's very confusing.
Guess I'll keep whopping the boob out and see how we go.

Poor Dog. Have an easy day counting hours till bedtime [my life].

She'll be better soon.

Hi

Another unsettled bubs over here. Another middle of the night shouting/singing/yodelling session from 3 till 5.00 then back to sleep to be woken by mummy and fed for the school run, awake on for the whole school run then asleep until 12.00. Dunno what's up with her, she's all over the place at the moment.

Tree you are her mum and you know best, you have great instincts - trust yourself. To the consultant she is just another baby on the conveyor belt for him to ponder on for 10 minutes - to you she is your life and heart and you are the one with her 24/7 so are much better placed to 'know' what is going on with her. It must've been really frustrating to not get any definitive answers, however, if he gave you the prescription formula my feeling is that he thinks you are right, but you know how they hate us parents to be right!

I too have had far too many pj days of late, am actually up and dressed today, which is quite a novelty - but then I had no choice as DH couldn't do the school run this morning.

DDs bedroom has ground to a halt as I am over-anxiously agonising over every tiny decision and am now stuck between going with the lovely baby wallpaper I chose or going completely shabby chic/cottagey which would last her longer. To be honest the house is quite cottagey and that room in particular would really suit it, as it has a little original cast iron fireplace and a small square, deep window with a quarry tile window ledge. I think I know I should do the cottage thing but part of me wants to do the baby paper - just once.

Ignore me - just thinking out loud!

EPPM pmsl at 'BSC' never heard that one before - DH seems to have adopted it now though!

We try really hard not to swear in front of the dcs. DH is really good at it, but I'm hopeless and have been known to lose my temper within earshot of them and let a few choice phrases slip. (Not good when DS1 has, coincidentally, the ears of a bat, and doesn't miss a trick!)

Lennied Glad the blocked duct cleared and sorry to hear ds is so unsettled, hope he settles down soon.

Dog poor you with the chicken pox hope you aren't going too crazy in quarantine.

Hongkongzoe having 3 is great, but from my point of view I'm glad I waited till the other two were at school full time to have number three as it means she gets my full attention when they are at school and then I don't have to feel guilty that she has to occupy herself for a time in the evenings so I can spend time with the other two. Also helps that the older two adore the baby - don't think that would have been the case as much had they been younger.

Am currently being badgered to choose something from Mum and DH for my birthday. I have asked DH for the Perform and Protect skin care range from Boots as I want to test it out and see if their claims are true (god knows my skin needs it at the moment). Hoping it does the job as its much cheaper than my usual dermalogica stuff. I would really like a nice changing bag from Mum as I am currently using DS2s little red backpack which is not a good look. I want something that looks more like a handbag than a changebag and really like the storksak range with my favourites being claire because it can be a bag, backpack or attach to the buggy and emily. Thing is they are really expensive, mum said up to £70, but I could add to it. Anyone know of any similar bags that don't cost quite so much?

Dog oh poor little Beth, I still remember when I had chicken pox as a child, that itching drives you crazy - no wonder she is grumpy. I've had it 3 times now (I seem to be a pox magnet. ) but the dcs haven't had it - scarlett fever yes - but not chicken pox - yet! Apparently your body never maintains complete immunity to it and that's why you can catch it several times - DH had it for the third time at the beginning of last year and the doctors gave him anti viral meds to slow it down.

If you don't mind me asking, what type of rug cleaner did you hire and roughly how much would we be looking at if we did the same? Our living room carpet is desperate for a clean and its been on our to do list for ages.

Anyone else got a baby teradactyl? DD is soooo loud I'm thinking of investing in ear plugs, lol. She is currently lying on her playmat squealing and squawking at full voice - and boy is she loud! DH reckons she is copying me - cheeky moo!

Moose- Cath Kitson do vintage baby/kids wallpaper. DD is after the stars, I am after roses for bathroom!

afternoon

tree sorry things r hard

dog sound like you r having a hard time 2

mm -
bracken was waking up chatting in week to for an hour or so would go up and tuck her back under covers she would stop and go back to sleep. she has stopped that now.
it is hard making decisions on babys rooms etc isnt it. my mum is doing 2nd coat of paint on brackens walls tomorrow and ordering carpet for her room going for a light beige, carpet in there is horrid!!
my mum is going to put up pics that i bought from vertbaudet have animals on and are blue, pink and green. have put her new bedside light in her room is a pink umbrella and got her crayola clock radio today
carpet takes 2 weeks to order once it has been fitted putting putting up her new bedside table is grey and pink, her shelf which is pink,blue and green,white book case and pink toy cart
bracken is doing a good impression of a baby dinosaur 2 it is amazing how loud they get

cant wait till tomorrow me and dh are going out for a meal and then cinema. have booked gourmet burger kitchen and angels and demons
it is dhs bday on sun. we dont get to go out on our own much

tomorrow sounds lush JuliewasTink.

Always be Tink to me