Dec 08 it's time for sippy, tippy and doidy cups (& wee sticks!?!)

[Veggiemummy]

sorry could think of much and these where discuss on last page.

Five points behind the winners is good IMHO.

These babies are funny little creatures, aren't they? For some reason, DD likes to shuffle around on her back like an upside down caterpillar up the cot, until the top of her head is touching the wooden bars at the head end. Sometimes she goes too high and her head is squashed at an angle, which she likes even more. The more I bring her back down, the more she shuffles back.

ladyt - same here, only she likes to be squashed in the corner. strange child...

Morning all.

Solids: DD eats porridge with dried apricots (or sometimes toast) and fresh fruit for breakfast then whatever is around for tea and bits throughout the day. She loves the sippy cup. Still mostly bf, though I have to say her poos are getting to be most unbecoming of such a dainty little thing.

Teeth: none here either. DS didn't get any till 14 months (and at 2.4 still hasn't got a full set) so not expecting any action in that department any time soon with DD. A rub with a flannel is a good alternative when they are babies. For DS we use toothpaste from the health shop as the normal stuff has tons of sweeteners in it.

Meet ups: up for Cambridge and/or London. First 2 or 3 weeks of August best for me, though there will be the odd day towards the end of August I can do as well. Has to be daytime for me as I would have to bring DD along and I'm coming from out of town. Should I start a thread for London 1st 3 weeks in August? As for Paris, well I'd be very tempted if it cost less than £100 - not sure how realistic that is (bearing in mind I'm outside London). Would have to have a bit of notice though as I don't have a current passport and neither does DD. Actually I'd appreciate some tips on bagging cheap Eurostar tickets in any case if anyone is in the know - my birthday is in November and I'm thinking of going there then. LadyT is the £59 for a day return? Are there conditions attached?

wg sorry you're having a shitty time.

SL crash sounds scary - travelling by car takes on a whole new dimension with babies in the back, don't you think? I avoid driving wherever possible (mind you I did that pre-DCs anyway, being of a lazy disposition).

kayz I know nowt about it but I've heard many times that Asics are very good for running. Surprised your HV is recommending jam on toast for a baby. If you are looking for something dense in calories I would have thought nut butter would be more nutritious, being full of fats and protein (unless you're avoiding nuts of course).

Veggie good for you on the letter writing.

LadyT great news on the money & house. Hope you can sleep a bit easier now. DP was thrilled to receive your late DH's book for his birthday btw, particularly when I explained its origin. Still hasn't started bloody reading it though! So annoying, as I keep sneaking peeks at it myself but it would be a bit out of order for me to read it first. Perhaps I need to get my own copy!

trace knock 'em dead in your interview.

Turnip lovely to see you back briefly. Meant to say ages ago, sorry to hear about your DH's job. How's he getting on looking for a new one? Hope you're managing to make the most of the (hopefully brief) job-free window.

There was more but as usual am out of time. Will post later if I can.

Ooh PD, I don't know but I don't think it was just day returns. It's on the Eurostar website. But whenever I have booked, I have booked through lastminute.com as it seems to have been cheaper than through Eurostar itself.

Yay about the book.

Cheers for the tip. When you say lastminute.com has that been a package or just the train?

Just the train. Although it might not be cheaper if specific offers are on. To get a real cheapie, of course, it's the age old thing of going at the more unusual times of the day or week!

Indith haven't a clue what you are talking about re FB so definitely not me involved I've just been avoiding the computer as the job I have hankered after for years has been advertised and I'm attempting write the essay and presentation required. Now with 1 day to go they have said that the word limit has increased and the deadline extended so I can have a break and sneak on MN. Feeling a bit bad about applying as the advert says it may require overnight travel which I can't do while bfing but the boss (who is very supportive of bfing even though she can't stand children!) has told me to apply and discuss it negotiate tell them it is a problem if they offer me the job. I know it isn't hollow words from her as she has supported me when I've had probs with certain people at work and their attitudes to bfing/working mothers etc etc. So am crossing my fingers and applying.

trace hope your interview went well. I'm sure you've done fabulously. how long til you find out the result?

sl hope you've recovered from the crash- some drivers are just so unbelievably stupid. cars scare the life out of me after my family were nearly killed by an idiot who crashed into their car while overtaking on a blind bend.

Bum, DD squeaking so better go and get her. She's started sleeping better at night but only if she's with DP instead of me. That's fine with me but don't think he's a fan

Just posting as I forgot to tell you that DS2 now weighs 18lb 8.5oz. HV weighed him yesterday.

Now have to rescue DS2 as DS1 keeps putting a bucket on his head.

Hello,
Went for a nice walk in Richmond Park yesterday (evening) while dh did some laps... ddog decided to jump into the stagnet pond which was absolutely rank then came out and shook all over me and ds as had ds in the Bjorn - nice. Full bath for me, ds and the dog got a hosing too....

Lady did you see my post ages ago when I spotted your late dh book on a friends shelf. All I asked was what that book was like and he raved and raved about it - and then about the Author Oh and DS is the same with the cot - always find him squished right up in the corner of the cot - I move him to spread him out and he's back there in minutes - very odd.

I thought it would be a big saving if I took a few with me on the Eurostar but it's really not that much cheaper.... Can do £49 return, subject to availablitiy... not that much cheaper but I guess a tenner is a tenner!

Can't get ds to eat chunky bits either.... pulls a massive face and then the little carrot or other veggie chunk pops right back out - even rice! can any of you get the lo's to hold the bottle? Can't get him to do that one either.... Even putting handles on, putting his milk in the little bottle... he will occasionally hold the sippy cup with water in it but once he drops it that's it - no picking it up again himself. And toast - gave him toast finger again today... showed him me eating one for breakfast - he put it too his mouth, licked a bit of it then squished it all up, dropped it, then examined the crumbs on his hand from on all angles for the next half an hour! Waste of time - and bread!

Poison Hi! Can do London meet up whenever it suits.... except last weekend in August and 1st week of Sept, as I'll be busy F-ing and Blinding at packing.... again....!

Spiggy. Great news on job too, fingers crossed for you.

Kayz you reminded me, dd was weighed for the tamiflu and the little porker is 19lb!

Since it isn't Spiggy, I may just say, if it is someone who is still lurking then I hope you are ok. Basically I had a friend request, I could see they were my area, I sent a message to check who it was before confirming (asking who they were on MN) and they sent one back saying that they were from MN but not anymore and to ignore the request. I have respected that but part of me worries that one of our missing ones may not be doing great. Hopefully they are fine and just don't want to know.

Cats pmk, it's all about cats, they never soak you like that

Am ordering packing boxes as a break from sorting my crap stuff in preparation for packing.

...........
Interview went quite well and they seemed to like me and were positive about the presentation. They said I should know by Friday, then rang me last night to ask for the mobile number of one of my referees to chase it up....then rang this morning to offer me the job!!!!!!!!! I have accepted Woo hoo. The team leader who rang this morning said I scored very highly and there was quite a gap between me and the other candidates, and that she thinks I'll be great. She has spoken to my 2 referees who are both really sad that I'll be leaving the ward. Right. enough of own trumpet blowing
Sorry for large number of s!
And excess of exclamation marks!!!!

Been to GP today too (not my normal lovely lady) and he said my BP is fine, as are eyes, glands etc. Pulse is quite fast but he thinks it's all cumulative lack of sleep. He asked me when I was going to stop BF and I said I had no idea. Have asked HV to come round next week to talk about sleep tactics because I can't carry on like this. That sounded far more dramatic than I meant! I just mean I think my body is crying out for more zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzs! ANyway, GP ordered a load of blood tests so we'll see what they show.

Must go as dd1 wants me (again...this is going to be a long 7 weeks!)

might not be on for a few days. Off up North to BIL's wedding tomorrow and staying overnight. It just struck me that as we're staying in a hotel near the reception (Alnick castle!) I will have to stay there with the girls when they're in bed and let DH go to the evening reception on his own! But the thought of me alone with 2 (hopefully) sleeping girls and a good book in a hotel room is really very appealing

Spiggy hope all goes well with your job prospects
Daisy any news on the redundancy yet?
jj - did you apply for that job?

Really must go.
thanks all again for all the good
wishes/white light/prayers/Granny Murrayisms!

That is fantastic Trace! Congratulations

yay well done trace- you must have really impressed them!

Have you thought about taking the girls to the evening do? We went to a wedding a few weeks ago and both kids had a fab time even though I'd worried about getting them to bed. M just ran round/danced with the other kids and DD lay in the carrycot liner bit from her pram. She was wide awake but not howling like I thought she would have been. I really enjoyed it and even managed to have a glass or seven of wine. We left at 11pm but that was cos we were tired not them! They are both usually in bed by 7 so don't know how they kept going.
On the other hand the good book and peace and quiet sounds attractive as well.

Aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh Trace that's wonderful, i've got tears in my eyes I'm so happy and excited for you!!!!! I've now forgotten all the other things I was going to write!!!

Oh yeah shoes for running best to go to a specialist running shop to get your gait observed and they will recommend done shoes. In London run and become at victoria is good. Yorkshire no idea sorry!!!

Oh will have to find the BBC story, they did say they would be releasing the result to the media under embargo yesterday.

Ah I've got so much packing still today but getting distracted by MN, the tour and the gorgeouss J, gotta pick DS1 up in half an hour so really should get wriggle on!

is this the link? Veg's complaint result

I'm really not a cat person Indith - don't see the point of them, however I'm sure there are some lovely one's

Well done Trace!

or Here

Woo hoo Trace! That is so great, really really pleased. And hooray for Veggie* .
And in other news... T just slept for an hour and a half in his cot! I refused to walk round the park any more and told him as much and he has been v nice about it. Course, could well be one off, but even if so, I know he can do it.

Trace I am so pleased for you!!!! . You must have been great!!

Wow trace congratulations - I knew you would be amazing

pmk my DS is just the same, no lumps, spits them out, and then refuses to feed in case I am tricking him. Can't hold a bottle put can sort of hold his sippy cup.

Re: cats never been a fan. I love a big stupid old dog that has no sense whatsoever but loads of loyalty

No news on redundancy, I'm really pee-ed off. I rang about 20 minutes ago and was told there had been no announcemets as yet they would let me know. I asked when..I was met with a 'I'm not sure maybe tomorrow'. Which was what they said yesterday....piss up and brewery spring to mind ehn I think about my management team!

Fantastic, Trace! - but may I say that I am not remotely surprised? Thought you'd wow 'em.

Hooray for trace!!! very pleased for you!

daisy that is really annoying.

spot yes I would recommend the mei tai for larger babies. DS is small but is on the small side of the sort of size the sling is good for. There are loads of different makes, mine is a Joey slings one that I got second hand from the naturalmamas forum. Bit hippy on there with lots of sling obsessed mummies (who have signoffs like "mum to Fluffy, 10 yrs, Mopsy 5 yrs Flopsy 10 months, babywearing, BFing, co-sleeping, BLWing, homebirthed" which make me laugh! It cost me about 35 quid I think. I also have a soft structured carrier called a Manduca which is like an Ergo, and was somewhat more expensive as i got it new, and we use the mei tai loads more. Ergo/Manduca would be more "blokey" though in general. Also in principle easier than the Mei Tai as it's just buckles but both DH and I prefer the Mei Tai. We do put him on our back as well.

Oh, the beginning of the end has come. DS is going forwards!!! After at least a month of trying, and everyone saying "He'll be crawling soon", he finally seems to have it cracked.

Hello to poison!! Yes driving is a bit scary with DS in the back. I had kind of got used to it though before the accident, but now a bit nervous when driving! We got confirmation that the car is written off though (good news) and a good valuation for it as well so we are happy and will be getting a new car!

Cats - I am firmly in the dog camp...I know people love 'em and all, and I wouldn't like to see one hurt or anything but they aren't for me. My late DH's dad has got it in his will that if anything happens to him I have to have his cats...They are only 6yo and he is nearly 76 and his health isn't fabulous. Mind you, I wouldn't like anything to happen to them whilst he is here because it would break his heart. I don't know how long cats live (these are pedigrees and I don't think they live as long) but I am resigned to having one or both of them at some stage...Sorry for rather morbid topic!

What car are you getting, SL? We got an old Audi when DP wrote off the car in Jan, it was either £3k or £3.5k and it's super, though I guess you need one that can contain the bikes.

Thanks for the link PMK I'm still so pleased about it all. I'll be the star of my BF helpers group. A bit miffed I didn't get interviewed, though I'm sure I was one of many complainers. I was pleased they had a comment from Mike from Baby milk action they are great because like many of they groups they are just pushing safe and informed choices for parents, but they get a lot of hassle from the formula companies so it's nice they get to stick one back at them.

Right DS2 asleep again back to packing (and the tour).

Oh and I love all animals but have a cat. I have to say we love him but will be getting a dog when back in Oz.

Oh I wear babies, BF, homebirth, co-sleep, but clearly have given my children far too conventional names. I know what you mean about those sign off things, FFS get over yourself. Mine would be 'mum to a sausagatarian and a stinky poobum baby and a firm believer in leaving mothers and their choices the hell alone!'