F(l)ab Feb 2009: Primark pants and teething rants

[dinkystinky]

A brand new sparkling thread to mark the four month mark for our bubs

MOS.. glad that the day went as well as it could, and that your children made you so proud..lots of hugs to you..

Corams fields is great for me...

Hello everyone - sorry I'm being useless but I've not had chance to catch up on the 8 days of pages after my mammoth post holiday washing fest. The final load has just come off the line.

That said, did read your post MOS about your mums funeral. They are never easy but I'm glad for you that it went as well as it could do and lovely that your children could get involved in the way they did. You did well to do some reading.

Anway, all good here in the herb house. Fab holiday and great warm weather so the days felt long and lazy. I felt like we all had a really good break and DH and I tried out beginners windsurfing which I really enjoyed although have some hideous bruises on my legs to show for it. DD as usual was no trouble (she's going to be a horrible teenager I know I'm going to get my come uppance at some point ) and just spent the week smiling at everyone. DS was a bit more tricky and then got laryngitis - we had to call the doctor out but he's fine and nothing that a few anti-b's won't sort out. He did have a great week though and did some amazing things and even made himself a couple of little girlfriends bless 'im.

Back to earth with a bump now. I'm off to work again in 6 weeks so am making the most of my last few weeks. Sisters wedding is also looming so it's all busy here.

I'm going to start weaning DD in a week or so - not looking forward to that stage. She's rolling to one side and almost over - she did go over in the bathroom tonight but I think that's because she was on the changing mat on the floor so she sort of built up momentum on her way over . Not sure.

Don't know if I'll make next weeks meet up....we'll see !

Promise I'll keep up from this page onwards !

mos Glad today went smoothly. Can't even begin to imagine what the past few weeks have been like. Although today must have been one of the worst, it sounds like it was lovely and I'm sure your mum is very pleased and proud of all of you.
herb Hello! Nice to see you.

Really hope everyone makes the meet-up. I'm bringing ds1 this time too, so will be spending most of the day running after him and picking him off the floor when he falls over. Luke must hate it when we go to the park, the poor little mite is normally left grizzling in his pushchair whilst I soend the majority of the time chasing ds1 when he runs out the gates. The little so and so. I've started trying to teach him consiquences (sp??) of his actions, so when we arrive at the park, I take a moment to tell him how I expect him to behave and that he has to stay within the fence and not go out the gate etc. When he does, I tell him if he does it again he'll have to have a time out and when he goes again, I sit him behind the bench that I'm sitting on facing out for a minute, then tell him again that he has to stay in the park. If he does it again twice, I tell him one more time and we'll go home, so we came home. I'm not sure if he understood or maybe he just didn't care ! Not sure what else i should/could do for things like this?

Luke has been on hungry formula from yesterday, but still wants o feed every 3 hours. I have been trying to give him water, but he won't take any. My friend said maybe I should put a drop of squash in to flavour it a bit. Maybe I should, I'd hate to have to insert capsules into another aby's rectum......

Luke and ds1 are really bonding now, is very sweet. They seem to have their own secret little looks, they look at each other, move their heads in mirror of the other one and then really laugh at each other! Ds1 also blows raspberries at Luke and tries to tickle him which Luke is loving.

Guess what? Everyone that was supposed to give up smoking today hasn't sods.

I got Luke weighed today, he's 18 weeks and weighs 18lbs 2oz. I thought he'd be bigger than that, but is still on the 91st line so all is ok there.

MOS what a difficult and emotional day. It sounds as though the reading went well, and said goodbye to your mum in a really lovely way. And you must be so proud of your kids.

MOS sounds like you had a very full and emotional day yesterday, but that your mum was laid to rest with lots of love and fond memories. Good on your DS for the parachute jump. will take a look at teh link later today. The GOSH advert on the TV always makes me cry .

LBB rotten sods not sticking to their words re. the no smoking. Are they postponing the start date, or do you thin they're chickening out? You've got a great headstart though!

Herb welcome home! Holiday washing is horrible though - I can't imagine how much stuff you had with two children!!

Dinky you've reminded me about the bumbo we have in the loft - must get up there to retrieve. It's a fetching pink, though I'm sure sam won't mind.

I think we will wait for a while on the weaning. Sam's only taking about 5oz a feed, although is feeding every couple of hours. It's a pain, but maybe it's because of his reflux/dairy intolerance, what ever it is. We have our paed appointment tomorrow, which I can't wait for!!!

Sam gave me a lie in this morning, managed to wait until 5.45am before sqwawking. He looks like he's been savaged by a wild animal the poor thing - scratch marks all over his head and face and blood on the pillow. He must have sucked off the socks we put on his hands. I thought I'd cut his nails properly, but there's always a bit I miss.

Regarding going back to work, I'd love to leave DD in nursery and really want sam to go there too, but don't think I can afford it. Was thinking of maybe nursery two days a week, then a childminder/nanny share for the other two. Has anyone else split childcare like this? I really need to sart looking into it - I haven't a clue how much a childminder or nanny is per day - maybe the nursery isn't that much more expensive...

Right, DD is getting bored in her cot - she's been talking about Suzy Sheep and Candy Cat for the past 30 mins but I can now hear "Nina milk" which means she's wants a drink... better dash.

Morning STW They're all taking Champix(sp?) which is a drug to get you off, it has an 80% success rate and I think the idea is you carry on smoking whilst taking them and gradually they make you feel so sick that you can't face having a fag! They all said they'd stop today regardless, but we will see. The important thing is I'm doing really well
I didn't want to go on the champix because one of the side effects is possible suicidal thoughts!! I know unlikely, but one of dp's friends was on them for a while and he went slightly mental (started plotting his wife's death and everything!)
Poor Sam scratching himself. I always miss bits on their nails too and Luke wakes up sometimes looking like he lost a fight with a big cat!

I have dentist today. Having a tooth pulled. I don't want to go. It's going to hurt.

Really bad night last night. I went to bed at 10pm and 15 minutes later ds1 came running in crying. He climbed into my bed and was fidgeting around, then kept getting up and walking around the flat crying. Gave him a drink and got him back into bed but he was up and down all night. Soooo tired now, want to die!

Morning !
Suicidal thoughts - maybe not then ?! And not nice to have your teeth pulled - I'd be terrified - you'll def need a fag before that (sorry I'm supposed to be encouraging you to give up).

I've got a blocked ear. Saw the doctor yesterday and he thought it might be swimmers ear from getting in and out of the water on holiday but apparently it's completely blocked with wax (sorry hope you're not eating your breakfast) and I have to have it syringed later on in the week. I've been using sodium bicarb drops to loosen it and even though my hearing was limited yesterday today I can't hear a thing through it. It's really weird when one of your senses doesn't work properly - it makes everything so difficult - I feel completely unco-ordinated.

DD is sitting in front of me in her bouncy chair pulling up her toes to her mouth - she just found them on holiday -

Might do some weeding this morning . Washing's finished !

Morning all. When ever i lay ds on his back I turn around and he is on his tummy kicking away....

He is 16 weeks now and only 14lb. he has dropped from the 75th to the 25th centile... Her we have the new breast fed centiles as well!! Still we have 4 weeks to get him porked out until the next hospital appointment.

I am back on the dairy this week to see if his sickness comes back... Because if it is dairy then i dont want him on meds iyswim...

MOS what a stresful day hope you are recovering now..

LBB well done on not smoking. I gave up when found out I was pg with dd but have to say I smoked when out with smokers once I gave up bf. Stopped again when I got pg with Owen.. I dont plan to smoke ever again but struggle when out with people that do if not bf or pg... Maybe i should bf until he leaves home what do you think?

MOS your post about your mums funeral was lovely - what fantastic children you have to give you such support. Good luck to your son for his sky- diving!

LBB you've reminded me that it been a long time since I visited the dentist - bit of a phobia about them but since it is free at the moment I ought to go. Not sure when to take DS for his first appointment - I think it is supposed to be at about 2.5 years but not sure?...can't imagine that he'd sit there and let a stranger prod about in his mouth.

Calico - I keep thinking I need to take DS (3 next month) but the I have the same problem in that I can't see for one moment he'd allow a stranger to come near him let alone prod around in his mouth. We'd have to restrain him I reckon . I really need to go too for a general check up and the hygienist (although I dread the hygienist more than the dentist these days - they're so mean !).

Lovely sunny day here...

herb I have trouble with ears and wax build up sometimes. I've never been syringed though, too much of a wuss! I use extra virgin olive oil to help soften it all though. Works a treat. Hope you get better soon.
bumps Have images in my mind of Little Britain sketch where David Walliams is being bf! Nice!!
Calico ds1 is 22 months and has been to dentist twice. I took him when his first 4 came through, and again a few weeks ago now his back teeth are coming down.
Like you and herb say, he isn't keen on letting the dentist look in his mouth, so the dentist puts him in the chair, makes a little fuss of ds1, lets him play with the mirror and the overhead light, then has a look in my mouth, then a little look in ds's mouth, but just hoping that going reg will get him used to it, he doesn't really need to be checked, just get used to the idea of it all iyswim.

Syringing is fine, the word sounds awful, but they just swill your ears out with warm water really, using a kind of high-pressure hose thing. I had it done last year!

we took DS1 to the dentist a few months ago and he loved it because they gave him loads of stickers.

We waited until he was nearly 4 (a bit late maybe) and I wished we'd gone before because the dentist got DS1 to throw away the dummy which he'd been clinging on to at night times.
Also gave me ammunition to cut back on fruit juice, which DS1 whines for all the time - and to offer much more water/milk.

Any decent dentist will be used to kids and know how to deal with them, so I say go for it.

We haven't really dared look in DS1's mouth since he had more than about 8 teeth (quite early) - he went to the dentist in February or March I think, at under 2, and he did allow the dentist to look in his mouth. I wasn't there, dp took him, but he seemed to be happy to see it as a positive and entertaining experience. Actually, my main worry would have been him considering the surgery as a place full of toys for him to play with, all that gadgetry, the taps, etc etc.

Thanks for dentist advice - I'll book us both in. Though will have to take DD along too so it'll be an interesting outing.....

I do try to get DS to brush his teeth but it is a bit of a battle - he said he wanted teeth like a gruffulo

All this dentist talk and a free afternoon -I'm off to visit a new NHS dentist that my dad saw recently to make an appointment - and they have NHS spaces - yay ! Do you think he'll take a look at DD's two newly popped up gnashers - may as well start her early .

I've been mushing up left over veggies this morning and popping them in the freezer ready for the big wean. I even bought some pink spoons this morning. I tried DS on BLW but he choked on most things so I'll prob do a mixture of both this time to see how DD gets on.

calico lol @ teeth like a gruffulo!
With ds1 and teeth cleaning, I give him my tooth brush and I have his and we brush each others iyswim? Once I open my mouth, he copies and when I let him put the tooth brush in my mouth he copies. Works pretty well here.

Well, I've just had 2 roots pulled and can't feel my face!

Ouch LBB - that sounds painful! Hope the painkillers help numb the pain and the boys let you have a good night's sleep tonight. Cant beleive the other smokers have chickened out of quitting - makes what you're doing with the giving up doubly impressive! I'm with you on the shattered front - Danny woke up at 10.50 last night and then stayed up till 2 and then was awake every 1.5 hours thereafter. Still managed to make it out today to have a nice walk and meet a friend for lunch at a pub garden in Primrose Hill. Was v sweet - the waiter and waitress were all cooing over Danny and his blue eyes which kept him entertained for most of the time we were having lunch. We saw Billie Piper there with her little boy too - celebrity spotting appears to be my thing on maternity leave as also bumped (literally) into a comedian from the Fast Show in our Sainsburys this morning and DS1 was flirting with the little girl of the man who plays Lucius Malfoy in Harry Potter at the playground yesterday. Normally am crap at spotting semi-famous people...

Welcome back Herbgarden - glad you had a good holiday. And re dentists Calico - I took DS1 (3) to our dentist a month or so ago and he was really good at climbing on the magic chair and opening his mouth to let her count his teeth. Our practice advises to start check ups from 18 months. As someone else said, good dentists know how to deal with kids - and DS1 was delighted with his mini dentist mask and dentist mirror(he likes pretending to be a dentist and having me be the patient) and bag of toys the dentist gave him (probably helps that she's the mum of one of his little friends too).

Having your ears waxed is brilliant, like the best spot squeezing you can imagine and the sounds you can hear afterwards are quite amazing too...or am i weird?!

Ivor decided sleep was for the weak all day today, he stayed in a fairly good mood but i just couldn't get him to stay awake to feed for anything like he normally has before bed. the easiest bedtime in a while but god only knows when he'll wake up expecting food now.

lbb i've always found it easier to give up for myself rather than joining in with a group effort, it makes it far more likely you'll stop for longer (or, hopefully, forever) as you've done it for yourself not on someone else's timetable.

dinky hope you get a better night's sleep tonight, not sure how you were still standing never mind managing a pub lunch.

i had a lovely day, went to visit a friend who's just started her maternity leave and then went for a long walk in the sun in battersea park. shame it's going to be rubbish weather again tomorrow.

LBB hope you are not in too much pain now....

Dinky must've been a long day for you today - hope you will be able to get an early night tonight.... Am impressed with the celebrity spotting! DH once stood next to claudia Schiffer in Starbucks in Notting Hill and I was heartened (if not a bit ) when he said that she wasn't "all that" in real life. Yeah, right!

Just been making a list of questions for the paeditrician tomorrow - I'm actually quite excited about it . I just hope we get Sam sorted.

Neither child would sleep at lunchtime so I bundled them in the pushchair to go for a "power" walk (every walk is a power one with the double) and got talking to a lady at the bottom of the road who has just bought a house and has converted it specifically for childminding. She asked if I wanted to come in for a look round etc so I did and I was dead impressed. She seemed really nice so I'm just about to send her an email to arrange a formal meeting. I'm quite excited about that too! Must get out more....

In fact, I'd better be off cos lots to do tonight. Hope are all okay.

KBN you've made me want to get my ears waxed now! I'm terrible for spot squeezing, scab picking etc.

The ear wax is booked for Monday - I can't wait (I'm weird too and love a good spot squeeze). I do have to go through 5 days of partial deafness though- Dh has turned the telly down as it was a bit like being round at his grannies and poor DS must think I'm going bonkers as I have to keep asking him to repeat himself.

LBB glad the teeth are out. I'm a complete wuss re teeth but have booked my check up appointment now for next week...
STW hope paed goes well. Childminder sounds promising.
dinky - hope Danny decides to sleep tonight. DS woke up at midnight last night and was a pain in the arse until about 2ish whingeing on and off for a cuddle and telling us there was a thunderstorm. I think he's always going to be my troublesome one that one !

STW, good luck with Sam's appt tomorrow

LBB, well done for sticking to your no smoking, hope your teeth aren't too painful. I had major dental work (implant) done a couple of years ago and it was sooooo painful that I dread going to the dentists now. Have been brave though and booked appointments for a few weeks time. DD (2.8) has been going since she was 4 months for check ups when we go.

dinky hope Danny gives you some sleep tonight

herby welcome home, glad you had a good holiday and well done on the windsurfing. My dad tried teaching me years ago and I was rubbish.

DS flew back to KSA this evening which is a pain as he has finished all his exams and is only going back to finish his D of E award and is flying to Cyprus silly o'clock on Thursday and is then flying back here on 28th June. DH flies back to KSA tomorrow morning, leaving here around 7am and then comes back 10th July so I'm dreading being on my own with DS2 and DD2 until then. Think I might also feel very lonely. I can't believe the number of times I've almost picked the phone up to phone mum

I got of my arse and joined the local weight watchers today. It is only a 5 min walk from my house and I figured as I'm here for 3 months it is worth it and hopefully I might make some local friends. Had a bit of a shock on the scales as I am 3 STONE over my maximum weight for my height
Any more plans for meet up? Can it be somewhere where there are no nice cakes

I am so tired. Owen woke at half one for a feed and we are still up...... He has been so sick and very upset. I am going dairy free again it obviously helped big time!!! I think I will still give the meds aswell what do you think???

I need sleep but he isnt going to let me..... little poo poo....

Hope you are all enjoying your Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz (bitches )

Oh Bumps - hope you got some more sleep . Another early morning here. I'd really recommend going dairy free and continuing the meds too - although that's one of my questions for the paediatrician this morning. Sam went on hunger strike yesterday morning - I thought he might have gone off the soya formula, so mixed some with the normal cow's milk formula. After a couple of feeds he went violently red and itchy again. Dairy free is a bit more of a sacrifice when you're breastfeeding, but maybe worth it for a happier baby and a bit of sleep . Not sure I could live without my cup of tea though!

Catch you later - will let you knwo how we get on.