May 07 - The Terriffic Twos. (No harm in being optimistic, I say.)

[twelveyeargap]

Morning ladies. Sorry I have been AWOL. You'd think with DH having been at home for a full month that I'd have had time for MN. Actually no, if any of you have ever had a DH at home for a full month you'd know exactly why I haven't had time. Get your mind out of the gutter Gin, it's not that.

Thought I'd start a new thread since MKG's lovely girl arrived such a long time ago!

April, am very sorry about your friend. How sad.

Have only had a skim through I'm afraid, but Scoot; you obviously have the patience of a saint dealing with all those tantrums, so I think you'd make a great driving instructor. Is it really what you want to do or are you trying to think of jobs to fit in with family life? Is it a reaction to the current job do you think?

Congratulations on the wedding plans SKY.

Belated birthday greetings to everyone I've missed and happy birthday in advance to all the rest. Seriously, if I go off to find the birthday thread it might be weeks before I get back!

LG&T, is there any way you can channel B's energy into activity? A gets quite naughty when she's bored or hasn't been "out". "Out" can just mean the garden and "out" means she doesn't sound so loud to me, thus killing two birds with one stone. I'm wondering if you being (understandably) afraid to leave the house with him is actually making things worse? Something like a trampoline in the garden could be great because all the bouncing up and down would use up tons of energy and wear him out, whilst also being "fun" for him and "quiet" for you.
Also, re B's nappy rash. Remember A had a hideous rash that needed anti-biotics etc? Well it went away and then was back a couple of weeks later. I thought it couldn't possibly be teeth again as she seems to have all her teeth. Took her off milk and hey presto, the rash was gone in 18 hours. Plus her soft, foul-smelling poos have turned into normal firm not-awful smelling poos. She's fine with butter or the occasional bit of cheese, but any more lactose sets her off. I wonder could B have a similar problem? A's excema also got worse on milk and is now clearing up. I think it's probably temporary, she had a similar problem last year, but for now she's on rice milk or the Lactofree products when I can get hold of them.

I was at the doctor on Weds to get my Mirena removed and replaced with a copper coil to see if my libido would come back. GP couldn't "find" the Mirena. I have to go for a scan to find it, then to a family planning clinic to have it removed if they do find it. She said it's probably just lost, rather than come out, but it's kind of put me off using coils altogether now.

DH still not redundant yet. It's been a month since he was put "at risk". He's seeing HR today and I suspect this will be the final meeting and they actually sack him. His manager admitted they were hiring new people for the desk, but not for "his role", which is just a load of crap. You can't make a position redundant on the basis you want to hire someone "more senior". That's just a staff upgrade. Hopefully they'll make a settlement offer today, otherwise he'll have to appeal and start sending solicitors letters. However, he's had loads of interviews, lots of callbacks and good feedback.

Oh god the peer pressure got to me, I took his nappy off, put some pants on. He said he didn't want to pee in the toilet (he has done several times before when he wants to) He peed in the garden, in his pants and shorts. That's it, nappy back on. Abby let's try again in a month.

Titter Sky at the window sill antics.

That daughter in law of mine is a genius child for sure, at the very least she is super observant . Not that I would know obviously.....

What are you two up too? Yes, you two, you know who you are with all your hand sitting.

I want a house of my own, after 12 years of living in other people's houses, come drought, political instability, power cuts, the works, I must have a house of my own. Everyone thinks we are bonkers. Oh well too late now as we have paid a 10% deposit. Our Somerset cottage has gone on the market today. I hope someone buys it soon.

Jam, I've been thinking -as SOH said, developmental milestones like sitting, crawling etc all disrupt sleep patterns, which sounds more likely if he was doing so well last week. What do you do when he wakes?

If he went down better after a bottle, is there any harm in mix feeding? Giving him one bottle before bed? That way if he wakes in the night and wants booby you bfeeding him may be more satisfying for him because you have had longer for your milk supply to replenish so to speak.

Well wonders will never cease. R had been in bed about half an hour when she started shouting me. I went up and when I opened her bedroom door she was so excited saying "I've done one, I've done one". She had taken off her pyjama bottoms and pull up, got the potty (which was in her room anyway) and done a wee on it. I was gobsmacked. She just said, "I needed a wee Mummy"!! Heaven help us, where next? I swear she does know, and is possibly ready, it's just her stubborness that's holding her back. She has only ever done things on her terms. I made a big fuss of her, brought her down for her Smartie and put her back in bed. Let's see what tomorrow brings!!!

Oh Abby B is the same. He can be playing in the garden and dash up the stairs to the front room for a wee and the next minute sit on the couch and wee. I despair i really do.

I would keep on if i were you, just keep your cool. Impossible i know.

God it's depressing.

TMAM i know what you mean, keep positive and hopefully it will all be ok. I magine walls you can paint,carpets you can change!

On a brighter note i have just had my hair done! Am super blonde... not sure tbh. I look different

No i am not linking a pic, you can see some wedding pics next week probably.

The weeny baby still has no name, we are lobying for Christopher Robin (Kit)

Ooh I like that LG&T nice name. am sure your hair looks fabbie.

TMAM they say the maket is picking up again so fingers crossed. How exciting about the new gaff no carpets!

Abbey thaTs brill news maybe just let her get on with it in her own time. I am still not doing anything for a couple of months.

Well he slept through last night ruddy child never know what he is going to do.

SO have decided to keep BF at least until we get back from holiday cant be arsed carrying loads of formula and bottles with me. We do already give him formula as a DF and if I do anymore mixed feeding I think it would defo spell the end of the BF.

I do think you are right SOH & TMAM he is really speeding along with crawling and I am sure he is crawling in his sleep and getting stuck hence the bad sleeping.

I also made a huge effort to feed him in a quiet room away from as many distractions as possible and it did make a difference. Unfortunatley it means Archie runs rampant throughout the house.

Thanks gain everyone thankgod for mumsnet and you lot. I would be a jibbering wreck unable to complete a single mothering task if I wasnt able to witter on to you all.

Sorry you're strugggling Jam but well done for getting to 7/8 months BF (I can't remember when in December he was born, sorry!) The image of him crawling in his sleep and getting stuck made me giggle though, as I thought, ah, that's what's happening to C. He isn't crawling but he's been trying to for about 7 weeks now, he's gradually getting more mobile. He's teething as well, I don't know if that's affecting L.

Jam you are a picture of motherly serenity I am telling you.

Well done Ruby, that's amazing! J has decided he doesn't want the nappy on anymore after all grrrrrrrrrr. So far this morning, one large poo in his shorts, in the garden (thank god) while Nancy (I have stolen a classroom assistant for 2 weeks to 'help' ) extricated him and the dog looked on longingly.

I need to see the hair, I can't wait til next week. I have decided to go longer, I can't do this short business anymore, I feel like a bloke.

Christopher is a lovely name, I wanted one of the ds' to be Kit, after their father who is not Kit but a shortened version of the above. He wouldn't have it.

Oops J is causing havoc, his poor big brother is suffering...

So interesting reading about everyone's progress with potty training. We haven't started C yet. I don't think that he's ready to be honest. I talk to him all the time about what happens when you need a wee or a poo and he has a potty but he's yet to tell me when he needs to go (although E broke wind the other day and C said "Diddy pumped! I think Diddy needs a poo!"). I'll pop him on it at regular times and he'll happily sit there without doing anything. He starts at nursery in a couple of weeks - he's only going for a couple of mornings a week in the run up to starting pre-school there - and I asked the manager whether she thought. She suggested not starting training at all until he's started nursery properly and is all settled in. Then we can do it together. I see the sense in waiting as I don't think he's ready and there's no good in starting lots of new things at once (nursery and potty training) but I also feel a bit guilty that he hasn't even started yet. Oh the pressure!!

So far so good this morning, one poo and several wees on the toilet. However, she has just had her mid-morning snack and (small) drink and it's here that it all went wrong yesterday. She seems to be fine, telling me herself, until she has a drink. Let's wait and see....

Ella started thinking about the potty after Pink & Scoot came here last September. Scoot was training L and i got the potty out, didnt put it back as couldnt be arsed forgot. E would sit on it whilst wearing her nappy and from time to time would try and do a wee on it. No pressure from us as we were happy for her to be in nappies.

All in all it has taken almost a year - am sure i could have done it sooner but i wanted her to be ready for it. Personally i would prefer that she were still in nappies

JAM, well done on the feeding front and also yay that L slept for you. It is such a hard decision to make and only you will know when the 'right' time is.

TMAM, your hair is gorgeous and does not make you look like a man!

LG&T, we need to see pics sooner than next week i'm afraid!

Well done R

Creena, i'm sure that nursery are to thank for E getting on so well with the potty training. I think if you can hang out a few more weeks and do it as a team it will be much less stressful for you all. Also C will have other children to copy and that might just egg him on to do it

Two big wees on the potty so far. Nappy back on to go and fetch DD2s friend. He said he would put pants on when we got back in but he doesn't want to now so nappy off again. Nothing yet but just had a big drink.

Your hair looks lovely TMAM.

Looking forward to seeing a very blond LG&T.

Printed off some CM stuff today. Just need to get DP behind me on it so I can go ahead.

Jam - congrats on the sleep. Lewis has always been awful but he has slept through for 4 nights now!!

Hello everyone else.

Jam and Sky, congrats on the sleep. I'll keep my fingers crossed. Sky, good luck with dp and the cm stuff. A good cm is so valuable, it's something I would consider if I wasn't doing what I am. Let me know if you want any info from the other side - what parents look for etc
Well a little better on the potty front today. We have been out in the garden enjoying the sunshine today and she has only had 2 accidents. We took the potty out and she did 1 wee in it and 2 on the floor. I much prefer doing it outside - no clearing up except her legs and the clothes!!

It was so nice to meet you all and put proper faces to names as opposed to photos from profiles and facebook pics. The journey home wasn't half as bad, we were home by 20:30 obviously via the chip shop.

DD slept all the way home (not like her) and looked a bit puffy so had her to the Drs on Monday and he suspected tonsillitis although she wouldn't let him look down her throat. Went back on Tuesday and she has a rash and it is viral. Keep up the antibiotics. She has gone back to nursery now but was not herself at all last week (week before). I thought she was quiet at the party but put t down to being tired (from unfamiliar bed) and all new people.

Just panicking now that my shyness was seen as rudeness by anybody, I tend to worry afterwards when I can do nothing about it. So hope I didn't say the wrong thing or generally put my huge feet in my mouth with anyone, if I did I am sorry.

AM thanks for a lovely afternoon and being the hostess with the mostest. Hope we did not leave you in too much of a mess. I forgot to give you the preggies pops and roll on. Will put them in the post to you. Blame pregnancy brain. DOH. Ooh a nice manicure and pedicure how lovely, we have just joined a gym health club-- fitness centre whatever you call them and I have a 50% discount card to use in the beauty/spa area for August. Shall be getting my use out of that methinks. Woohoo team sunshine. I think we should get babygros in our size I am so tempted to stop in my PJs all day. Think I may get funny looks at work though. Oh AM I'm sure DH didn't mean anything by it, they just don't think the same as us. Glad you are getting some coping mechanisms sorted out for J. I am hoping school will be a big settler for our spirited little ones.

MJB you little minx you confusing me when I arrived, you know you do look different with only the one head. The more the merrier, yours would have been lovely also. I think it is like the Kevin and Perry sketch yours are always the nightmare and everyone else?s seem to be so polite and well behaved. Really they are pretty much all the same. Glad you had a nice time at the wedding. Sorry to hear J is unwell, hope she is feeling better.

TSM glad you had a good holiday. My feet don't feel any different I am probably doing it wrong. Woo hoo on a boy! Echo what DTD suggests I had STOP training sessions with DD. I raise my arm in manner of Barbara Woodhouse and shout STOP and whatever she is doing she has to stop and not move. Turn it into a game and then instil again and again ad infinitum. Hope you are feeling better, it just gives you a nasty turn doesn?t it. Are you getting kept awake with wriggling baby yet?

PM do you have pic of the flashing glasses?
MV how are you doing?

LG&T it was lovely to meet you at last. I had the most beautiful hug from Hugs. I have twin envy obviously. DH was well impressed how you manage your brood and likes boys who are what he calls "proper" boys. Sleepover how brave. Sorry ex is being a numpty. Glad DD had a good birthday. Congrats on being selected for the ads even if you don't do them, is it your sis wedding this month? Yes you have answered that and I have admired your dress and shoes, will DH be here for the wedding? Any pics of the hair yet? I need to get mine coloured only had time for a cut before the meetup and in desperate need of a colour.

Hi Scoot, Glad Blackpool was a good time for you. Bored at work oh yes. Echo Jams suggestion of fastening it to the ceiling.

TMAM LOL ha ha ha my tiny bump. I also have the shoe envy. DH is really quite keen on the idea of the marathon (half), once he gets an idea in his head, heaven help us.

Good Lord!!! That must have taken you all day to write!! Honestly, i dont know how you do it - mentioning everyone - do you make notes as you read... Do we all have our our section so you have a running history of what we have been up to ??

AM I started last week just forgot to post so please excuse if some things are out of date.

Pink do you have a note from your Mum?
Hope you are feeling well and the sickness has abated. I had a sausage and mushroom sarnie for breaklfast this morning yummy.
Pink/TSM/Abby/Scoot any ideas re a mini Northern/Midlandsish meetup?

CM Would love too! Not sure where everyone is! Are you somewhere near Center Parcs? I'm between Nottingham and Derby!

Hey all. I am rubbish compared to CM but.... errrmmm.... hope everyone is ok .

My bump is huge Pic at 19 weeks. Not too much wriggling yet though so not keeping me awake.

CM - totally understandable about your friend. I'm sure she understands how difficult it must be for you

I think Pink struggles to get on to this thread from her phone because its too big and keeps crashing (not that I'm her mum or anything)

Can't remember who mentioned it but I'm also too lazy scared to start potty training yet. I genuinely don't think Tils is ready yet and I'd rather make my life as easy as possible and wait until she is. Having said that, it would be nice if she was sorted well in time for new one's arrival. She starts at nursery for 2 mornings from September so maybe I'll wait for her to get settled in and take it from there (copyright Creena for that excuse )

LG&T - looking forward to seeing pics. I've gone short and blonder as well. How are you feeling about the wedding ? Have things settled down at all ?

CM - most definitely up for a Midlands/North meet. PJ did suggest maybe a pamper day somewhere or I'm happy to meet up with the dc's somewhere. Should we get something sorted before the hols are finished or is that a bit too ambitious ?

CM you do take notes don't you... i am not surprised you feel a bit sad about your friend, i am sure she knows you care I didn't think you came across as shy, lovely but not shy. Fret not.

Till that bump looks incredible, you look great! Believe me potty training is deffo not my blimmin choice. I hate it! God damn the bloody stupid carpets.

Dh will be here for the wedding (this Saturday) he is thrilled i am planning to avoid all confrontation and speak to the family. I may have to sit on dh...

Blardy hell is boiling here, i'm melting.

Both babies asleep though... >

Impressive bump for 19 weeks Tilly.

All wees on potty today, only slight problem was a trickle in the pants I eventually persuaded him to put on.

DP chickened out after tea when I popped to Tesco as C hadn't done a poo all day and DP kept saying to him to tell Daddy when he wanted a poo and he said no repeatedly and DP got a bit scared and put a nappy on him and he did a poo!

Dh home tomorrow

OMG thats so exciting!!! Try and stay calm otherwise you wont have any energy left for tomorrow

So.... I have a question......

Been having tightenings - fairly painful and all over bump -since 20.43 (approx 7 of them) not in any particular pattern or lasting for set times (20-35 secs). How long do i time them for?? I know it sounds daft given this is number 3, BUT with J i just knew as i dont think i had bh's and with E my waters went..

Do i call CDS and ask them or do i just sit it out? I am only 15mins from the hosp and everything is ready to go if this is it.... arrggghhh feel totally unsure..

I spoke to AM on MSN and told her to call CDS and go in to be monitored. It is probably a false alarm but with her history and my friend recently scaring the crap out of me with her quick 35 week vaginal breech delivery i couldn't take it

Have asked for text updates...

Oooooooooooooh the excitement

Oh and other news, i have a spot. Middle of my chin. I never get spots. Why? Just before he comes home. Bugger it.