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.

Lordy Lordy, you should see what SIL got for DS1's birthday. You know those little running shorts that 1970's athletes used to wear, a 2 pair of those in bright yellow and red! I have to sort out a photo. Poor DS1's response was 'but I can't play with these' who gets a 4 year old clothes only and no toys, and he is the easiest 4 year old to buy for, Thomas, Lego or lightening macqueen, simples!

Daisy was your DD's party today, how did the cake go? I'm just starting DS's now have already broken 2 eggs on the floor, hope it's not an omen. Also DH is at the shops getting more chocolate because I snuck some last night.

Hiya

Back from dropping the DC's at my parents house for the night. We are at a wedding tonight so I need to start getting ready soon!

Yes veggie it was DD's party today. The cakes went down a treat, none left and a few unhappy grpwn up's as they didn't get the chance tp taste them. DD had a lovely day as it was at an animal petting farm, and the weather has been absolutely glorious! DD gots lots of lovely pressies, esp Pepa Pig - a firm fav in our house. Veggie, I can't believe your SIL buying your DS shorts! Ridiculous, poor little chap.

I am also very excited today as my sister and my 3 lovely nephews are coming 'up north' from Plymouth tomorrow for a few days. Right best get in the shower, no kids and I still won't be ready on time!!

Hi, how are all the cakes and birthday parties? I hope there's lots & lots of fun being had
How's the phone Kayz? I heard if you put it in a bowl of rice the rice will draw out all the water

Yay for the good sleeping Jump. Talking of which, Trace how is P doing?

Spot T sounds fab at the moment, it was so lovely to read your post

Its all quietfrom LadyT, are the outlaws still there? Are you surviving?

Kiwi my DD is a similar size to yours, the best things come in small packages I think

DD has been on sparkling form today, DH & I have done nothing but watch her as she's been so entertaining, she's just delicious. And this is despite her being on the verge of crawling & getting another tooth. She obviously didn't read the bit in the book about being grumpy when learning a new skill, she's a little darling [SMILE]

Oh that's lovely ZJ DH and I were looking at both our boys today and feeling just so in love with them both. BIL has gone and been replaced by some lovely friends of ours and their son who have come for DS1's party. Their DS & ours were born a day apart and just love each other they are going mental at the moment with excitement, think it will be a late night

Also things not looking good on the cake front, might be rushing out to sainsburys for cake mix.

GRRRR. I just wrote a huge (or 'thuge' as dd1 insists the word is) post and it vanished. Doh.

ho hum. I'll summarize

Thursday - finally relented and agreed to go camping! it was sooooooooooooooo windy and P was so unhappy (probably cold) and I was freezing so I ended up getting about 3 minutes sleep with one arm stiffly round P in my sleeping bag and the tent rattling. Lucy is such a happy camper she slept like a log while I lay there getting crosser and crosser and planning how I could worm out of the second night of camping. Friday we went to an otter and owl sanctuary then due to my intense grumpiness and dread at the thought of another night under canvas, and the fact that it was still mega windy, we packed up and went to my parents' house instead for the night! Was lovely to see them so it was worth the trip...just loads of washing to do now!
ZJ you asked about P's sleep. Well despite us dragging her around on mini travels every few days she's coped very well and no longer has any milk through the night. She usually goes down between 6.30 and 7 and sleeps until about 3, wakes for a good old cry but settles with a few pats on the bum (I love patting her massive nappy-clad bum!) then sleeps till 6ish. She actually gets more upset at first when we go in and calms down properly when we leave the room, as though when we're in there she thinks there's a chance of some cuddles, and when we've gone she gives up and goes back to sleep! But last night she slept through until 6.15 without a peep all night
So who knows - I guess out next step is to try to not even go into her when she wakes (IF she wakes! Ha ha!) to see if she can learn to go back to sleep without having to have the reassurance that we're there. I'll keep you posted though!

BF - when I saw the GP recently he asked me when I intended stopping BF. I was a bit stumped really because I've no idea! With dd1 she wouldn't feed properly after only a few weeks after coming out of SCBU and she'd always taken a bottle as well, so she stopped herself really at about 3 or 4 months. P now usually only feeds at 6am ish and 6pm ish, and sometimes mid afternoon of she's niggly. She has no other milk but will now drink water from a beaker and has a few yogurts a day! I've no idea how long I'll keep up those 2 feeds but for now neither of us seem to want to stop o I guess we'll go on!

oh I read so much and have forgotten what to write!

Oh!Spot!!!! How lovely to hear you sounding so much happier and relaxed. You are so right about hanging on to a label. We spent a long time making allowances for Lucy because she was so early, and it wasn't until she was about 2 that we though we need to stop this, otherwise we'll be treating her differently and she'll be aware of it, and she'll end up being someone different from who she would be - IYSWIM?!!! The new MrT IS a happy, chilled out baby! Hurrah for him!

zj I think it's brilliant that you stood up to your mum and I really hope she puts the effort in to make things more positive for her and E. Well done you. It's not easy is it, especially if you're not really a confrontation type person

Kayz I hope your head is feeling better now. Are you worrying about going back to work? Could that be causing your insomnia?

Arti so sorry to hear about your niece. I really hope she makes a good recovery very soon.

Dasiy glad to hear that DD's party went well and that DS is bouncing back. Enjoy the wedding!

Now a question for you sporty types who are still BF...have you bought sports bras to fit feedy boobs? Or do your pre-preg ones fit? I used to run a bit (nothing spectaular at all) and havge decided to start again because I've got a bit podgy these past few months - anyway I went out this evening but ended up with 2 bras on My old sports bra doesn't hold everything in anymore but my nursing doesn't stop them jigging up and down enough - so I wore both! I guess as P doesn't often feed in the day now I don't need to wear a nursing bra, but none of my old ones fit me - if I'm only doing 2 feeds now will they get much smaller when I stop altogether or will they be like this for good now? They're smaller than they were a month ago but still bigger than my bras!

right I'm going to post this before i lose it all again but am sure I've still got more to say....

oh yes how could I forget - Kiwi swimming in your undies!!!! That's hilarious! You're very brave! It reminded me of primary school doing 'musical movement' in my vest and pants!

JJ i'm so pleased for you with the NCSS - sounds like it was the right thing for you.

syb - yes please could you solve my child care probs too?
Have spoken to someone about my days at my new job but she said she couldn't really help and that I had to wait for my team leader to get back from hols on the 4th September - I'm due to start on the 7th - which leaves me the weekend to sort it out. Just not possible! Someone mentioned asking HR about it - maybe I ought to - although I don't want to be seen to be causing trouble before I even start.

Actually I've not had Occ Health clearance for my new job yet . After they sent my form back asking all about my PND, I returned it with more info on and now they've made an appointment for me to see their doctor next week I hope they see I'm fine and tick me off - otherwise I won't have any child care problems because I won't have a job!

veggie lol at you verbally abusing the call centre people! I'm usually a bit of a woos with things like that but I actually stood up to the person who rang and tried to sell me a new kitchen on EASTER SUNDAY MORNING! I know Easter Sunday is not significant for everyone, but when I said I'd appreciate not being called on a sunday, especially not easter sunday, he was really confused and just kept on trying to sell me the kitchen! In the end I just had to say "I'm going to put the phone down now" and hang up on him!

Now where is Lal? And is PMK away? Jolly is away isn't she? ANd has anyone heard from Verso lately? Hope she's doing alright.

right I ought to go.

nighty night

Trace sorry about bad camping experience, esp lack of sleep. Your new work is actually being quite unfair I don't think that is at all right what they as doing. And sports bras I got a big boob one as generally the bigger your boobs the stronger they are, ie the more they hold your boobs down. Also get one that unhooks at the back as opposed to a pull over the head style non clip one. If you are going to be feeding it will most likely be at home just before or just after the run so you just unclip and lift the bra fully over your boob then pop the young child on. Also why are GPs obsessed with when we will finish BFing no one asks FFers when they will stop giving formula (do they?).

And finally the cake looks great I just need to add some bits tomorrow, icing highlights really and the sail and candles. I've a feeling the middle might not be quite right but I have a back up round cake as I had extra mixture that I cab cut up for them if needs be. Will pop up photos. Better sleep now as have 18 3-5 year olds to contend with tomorrow, though thankfully the softplay center staff will do most of the contending!

veggie you'll have to post piccies of the cake!

trace sorry to hear about the bad camping experience. Dh & I have toyed with camping but decided we're at least SC people! At least you got to have a lovely time with your parents. And yay on P's sleeping, hope it continues!

Spot its so nice to hear how happy you & T are

Ds1 got his first bike today, with that & his new haircut he seemed quite grown up

Thanks folks that's really nice of you all .

Morning,

I am going to kill DS1. DS2 woke just before 6 and went back to sleep. Then I decided that as I was awake I would get up and do some wii fit. But no DS1 decided to get up too and I can't do wii fit with him around as he just tries to jump on it all the time.

I'm going to get him one of those clocks that says when he can get up. Not sure if they work but I am so sick of being up at 6.

Veggie I forgot to say yesterday that you can register your phone number with the telephone preference system (you do it online) which will stop all annoying sales calls. So many households are registered no, those that aren't get bombarded. Can't wait to see the cake pics

You're brave even camping for 1 night Trace, its 1 night more than I'd cope with. Although my experience of camping is limited to drunkly putting tents up in friends gardens cause their parents won't let teenagers in the house, and then someone (never me, of course) finding it amusing to drop the guy ropes about an hour later

My nephew adores his bike Tilly, and more time cleaning it than riding it! (he's a bit odd though, his favourite game is hoovering, with a real hoover not a toy one!)

On Friday DD and I met my Mum, for a bonding session. All was going well, no negative comments from Mum, DD tolerating Mum playing with her ... Until Mum lifted her up and bashed her head! Oops, better luck this week

I love camping, haven't been in ages though. We're looking at tents at the minutes so that when I pass my driving test, we can go off whenever we have time off work.

Veggie, Hope the party goes well and DS1 has a fab time.

Wedding went well, best man speech was a shambles though but it was hilarious to watch. I got very drunk and did a rather dubious dance to 'Lola the showgirl'. However, DH's friends think I am fantastic fun and should go out more often! It has taken me till now to recover so perhaps I won't be out more

Define dubious please Daisy?

Think jazz hands and lots of cha-cha-cha type movements

How was the party?

Brilliant DS1 had such a great time. The softplay staff were so wonderful and just ran the whole thing so smoothly, there where 19 kids in the end so quite busy but as it was sunny we pretty much had the run of the place as not many other kids were there. The cake turned out really well and the other parents were quite impressed. They are a really nice lot and DH and I felt a bit like it was our party chatting and catching up with people. The kids were funny, most were from DS1's Montessori class and they were all very Montessori. Impeccably well behaved and surprisingly quiet.

Afterwards we went to Markeaton park as there was a big fair on and our London friends didn't need to leave until late so we went there and the boys went on some rides and had a great time. A lovely lady came up and a chat to me when I was feeding DS2 on a park bench she was very sweet and encouraging about BF, very nice. Then we came home DS1 opened a few of his presents but has left the rest til tomorrow. Unfortunately the house looks like a bomb hit it but shouldn't take too long if DH & I attack it together.

I like your style Dais, I bet your DH was proud of his 'entertaining' wife.

Evening all

Zoejeanne must do that telephone preference thing, I'm so fed up with robot voices calling me! Is it obvious/easy to find if you google it?

Had a lovely weekend catching up with friends, and DD has gone from not sitting and mainly just rolling over, to sitting well and basically crawling in a week! Bless her, she never does anything "normally". She occasionally flops onto her tummy mid crawl but she's pretty much there now. Very exciting. Now to baby-proof the house...

We're off to Germany for a month next Saturday, has really crept up on us and am completely unprepared, must start making lists. Eek!

kiwi - why germany? do you have relatives there? i am half kraut btw.

hello all - not much to report here - madam is still waking twice a night - i feed her without thinking now - being referred to a sleep specialist by the hv, so we'll see what he/she has to say. that makes it sound like it is a massive problem (only when accompanied by my insomnia, that is). i'm slightly pissed off by being asked "is she sleeping through?" and when i say no, people seem to suck their teeth as though i have a "naughty" baby or we've been molly-coddling her. sleep really is an emotive issue for us.

i had a bit of a wobble the other day when i spoke to my cousin who has had 3 dds in 3 years, 2 months - i asked her about sleep and basically she gina fords her kids (with 3 of them, i would imagine you have to). her youngest is 3 weeks younger than madam and sleeps SO MUCH. from 6pm - 7.30am, then 9-10.30am, then 12-2.30pm. i basically laughed hysterically - sometimes we only get 2 x 30 mins a day. dh pointed out that madam is a much more interesting baby, full of expression and excitement and smiles. anyway - must not commit the cardinal sin of comparing babies.

hello ladies just popped on to wave and ask how you all are doing? I posted on another hilarious thread the other day and veggie reminded me about postnatal club! Been so busy with all the children have barely looked at mumsnet recently but will endeavour to keep up in future!!
xx

Just had to share with you the completely barmy thing I just said to DH. Our 3rd wedding anniversary is coming up soon which is apparently Leather so he was asking if I had any ideas for pressies.

And I said I think I probably have enough shoes already

WG have a big hug, and a kiss for your lovely madam, all I can say is we've been there too and it will get better.

evening all,
veggie glad the party was a success, can we have some pirate cake piccies please?
jj snigger at the enough shoes!!
wg people always ask whether babies are sleeping through, and do that teeth sucking thing. People have been with me since DS was about 2 weeks old. However, maybe the sleep specialist will help. You are right 2 times isn't so bad, but insomnia is a killer, i had it too, and I think the fact that feeding them is the easiest thing so you don't get insomnia contradicts any other plan if you see what I mean to stop the waking (ie shush patting or whatever). Wowee to the Gina baby. That is loads of sleep (more than the gina routine says at this stage which is max 3 hrs a day and then 7-7 at night). My friend has a gina baby who sleeps pretty much like Gina says but not quite a much as 3 hrs in the day. She is also not a very active baby, maybe quiet babies fit easier into the routine?? I can't believe the routine makes them quiet.
Hi reban! kiwi well done to crazy mini-kiwi on the crawling and sitting!! That is some fast learning!

Hey Reban, nice to see you over here.

WG I imagine the sleep specialist will say your madam doesn't have a problem but I'm sure will have some good tips. Also I'm sure madam is not only more interesting than those other babies, but better looking also. As Lady often says a lot comes down to the babies. DS2 generally sleeps through (except on occasions which I will tell you of in a mo) but DS1 didn't sleep through until he was 18 months old. Apart from the dummy (which basically just replaced the boob) I can't see that I'm doing that much differently. Maybe as a friend suggested I'm more relaxed this time so that helps, or I'm doing something that I learnt from the first time around that I don't realize. But basically I think it's just 2 different little people who are still equaly lovely. In the end your dealing with enough through lack of sleep, ignore the boring teeth suckers, they just want a chance to harp on about their own parenting abilities, which they clearly feel inadequate about so have to reduce your self esteem to try to boost their own. Best thing to do is just say 'yes, has been since she was -2 weeks old'.

Oh and the thing I was going to mention in a mo, I think it was Kiwi who said that her DD had started randomly waking an hour after a feed or at 3.30 or something like that anyway DS2 does have funny random waking and wigglings in the wee hours if he has a big poo to do. It used to really effect him and be would wiggle for several hours until about 7am when he would finally do a big poo. Now it only happens occasionally but when it does he wakes at 3-4ish then about every hour until 7 when he finally releases a big poo, with much straining and grunting.

Morning,

Back to work at 10 today. I am dreading it and just want to cry really. I don't want to leave my boys at all. We're also going to be losing about £70 a month as I get paid less to work than I do on maternity leave.

I suppose it's only 3 days a week.

Hope everyone is well!!