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.

evening all.
Nice to see you back, those who have been on a summer break!
Separation anxiety certainly seems to be happening here. P cries if I walk away from her and will not be held by anyone other than DH or I. She yelled and pulled the most distraught looking face when my ILs tried to hold her today This doesn't bode well for her session at nursery without us tomorrow. eek. She's also in general less of a happy-go-lucky thing now too - quite a lot of moaning for no apparent reason - but I guess it's all developmental. She's actually been a grizzlepot today to the extent that I think she might be teething or coming down with something. She doesn't have any teeth yet so maybe this is it? Anyway I've left dh at the inlaws and brought the girls home to bed because I couldn't bear trying to pacify P all evening when all she wanted was her cot - so we came home!
LadyT my sister and I made a time capsule (blue Peter stylee) and buried it up the road from where we lived! Our plan was to open it in the year 2000 because that sounded like light years away! We never did go back for it because we don't live there any more and it just an old bucket with a magazine, a crisp packet and some coins in it!

Sorry I?ve not been on for a couple of days, I got distracted by that housekeeping tips thread Veggie mentioned and now have a headache from laughing! Poor little DD didn?t find it amusing ? everytime I laughed too loudly, she burst into very loud screams, like she was mortally injured, followed by body heaving sobs Don?t know what was so upsetting about my laughter, I don?t think it?s an evil witch type cackle

Will start with a big HURRAH for Arti?s neice?s wee , that is fantastic. I hope she improves in leaps and bounds now. And I love the cake, I would like to put an order in for DD?s birthday cake please!

I?ve been looking at nurseries this week ? one just made me sad, one would be ok and one was lovely. Typically, the lovely one that I?d be more than happy to send DD to only has a few afternoons free, so do we take what we can for now and hope that once we?re in we?ll get the vacancies that arise, or do we look elsewhere? I?m also going to look at a couple of childminders too, to see how they differ from nurseries. I?m being very practical about it at the moment and not thinking about the fact that I?ll be leaving DD with someone who isn?t family, but DH has gone very wobbly about it ? both last night and tonight he?s said he doesn?t like the idea of someone else looking after DD and he?s really upset by it. So we?re going to sit down and do some sums and see if there?s a chance I could be a SAHM . Trying not to get excited though, in case the sums don?t add up right

We also have some separation anxiety going on (a la the problem with my Mum, but she doesn?t believe in separation anxiety) ? the strange thing is DD is generally fine if I?m not around, but inconsolable if she can see me but isn?t with me. We went out for tea with friends at the weekend, and once DD had got bored of the high chair we had to take it in turns to eat. I?d sit with DD on my knee and when my friend had eaten, she took DD off and hid behind a wall so I could eat . And returning to my Mum, LadyT asked if things have improved ? DD was slightly better last Friday and Mum was heaps better and didn?t make any negative comments, although I get the impression my sis is teasing her about needing to bond with her granddaughter, but then my sis teases her about a lot of things as she?s an easy target, bless her. And she rang tonight to arrange to see us on Thursday and Sunday this week, so she?s really making an effort

Kiwi you can sign up to the Telephone Preference Service http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/ here, if you haven?t already found it. I work in market research, so really try to be tolerant with cold callers, but some are just horrendous. I think around a half of households are either signed up to this or ex directory now, so those who aren?t get far more than their fair share of telesales calls

Waitinggirl hope you?re ok, your post at the weekend sounded a bit down? I?d be v interested to hear what the sleep specialist has to say, as DD still wakes once a night more often than not and I don?t find it (too much of) a problem, although doubtless my HV would disagree if I told her. Fortunately I?m not struggling with insomnia as well, or back at work, either of which would make it a problem I?m sure. My DD also normally only naps for about 30 to 45 minutes in the morning or afternoon, barely enough time for me to have a cuppa!

Daisy wedding drunkenness is the best drunkenness IMO

Only one more day at work for this week Kayz!

Great to hear from you Reban. I?ve been thinking of you, mainly when I?m finding things difficult and I think ?don?t moan, Reban has 4 DC?s?!

Your poor DS Lal/urbane, I hope he picks up soon. And at your MIL, can?t believe that!

NJAN Harry Potter, sleeping, BBQs, wine and biscuits sounds like my idea of heaven!

LadyT I second Jolly?s suggestion to take someone else in with you if you can. At my place you are invited to bring ?support? with you, but don?t know if that?s their policy only, or general policy in these matters. Your DP sounds ideal, but surely any friend who looks the part and can take notes would be perfect? (if I was closer I?d offer to do it, as I just dug my suit out of the wardrobe yesterday to get it dry cleaned) (BTW Jolly I thought the same about adult colouring books )

Veggie all the best with the bike ride. Let us know how you get on. How long will it take?

Tonight I had baby food for my tea . I was cooking this afternoon and made a load of food to puree and freeze, but hadn?t got round to pureeing so half of it is in my belly now instead of the freezer. It was tasty . And talking of which, I must get it pureed now or I might find myself eating if for breakfast too ...

LadyT I still am... yep, and I'm deeply disturbed at how stupid that Sophie is....

Morning,

Work was just as boring yesterday. Seriously tempted to find out what our tax credits would be if I stopped working. If we get more for me to not work I am going to leave. I'm in 4-8 tonight, so DS1 will be in bed when I get home and it's heartbreaking really.

I had an awful headache yesterday and just went to bed when I got home from work.

Hope everyone is well.

kayz definitely check your tax credits, its worth working out the sums.

zj I'm glad your mum's making an effort, long may it continue

trace I know you'll be worried about P at the nursery today but the staff will have seen this before and I'm sure they will give her lots of cuddles .

Another 5am start for me today, plus ds1 ended up in our bed last night which meant he was tossing & turning for about 1hr before finally dropping back off to sleep.

Morning all,

ladyT How about you ask to tape record the meeting to make notes later? I do think you really need to get a record of the meeting somehow. I can understand why you wouldn't want DP there being a legal brain, but ZJs suggestion of a friend in a suit is good. Hope you get it sorted. I'm quite happy with a non crawler too! I need to do some babyproofing before DD gets mobile.

Trace How did P go on with the visits where you stayed in? DD was really happy and smiley and as I sat weeping. I really hate the idea of leaving her . The staff were all lovely though and DD did seem really happy playing with the toys and watching the other, mobile, babies.

ZJ How did the sums work out? Are you still faced with a huge commute if you go back to work or can you work from home? I'm currently hoping that when my contract ends next June I can be a SAHM.

Hello tilly I've noticed I often post after you in the mornings, we must both like to MN during DC nap times! Poor you on the early starts. Can you catch up with an afternoon nap or does DS1 need entertaining?

It is really autumny here today. The sky is dark, winds are howling and the rain is pouring down. I hope this isn't the end of the summer! Must go tidy, BIL returning from Australia this weekend, just for a visit. I was just pregnant with DD when he left but we hadn't told anyone yet. Lots of changes here since he went!

Hello!!!!!!

I have tinterweb!!!!!!

Oh how I have missed MN

Anyone have a summary of the recent thread action handy? Any of those crazy folks preggers yet?

DD is crawling and teething and probably has a bug of some sort too as she is NOT sleeping (well ok nothing new but I mean really not sleeping), keeps crying in her sleep, has been doing the most amazing green slurry instead of poo and has come out in a rash today. Dontcha just love babies. Hmmm. At least the tooth will be out by the time she is over the bug

The new house is wonderful, ds has been sleeping like a dream ever since we got here, there is so much space it is amazing! We are almost all unpacked, for once I am not surrounded by crap, there is no dumping ground, there is actual space for our things and proper storage and I don't have all the baby stuff, camping gear and random Guiding crap all shoved into whatever storage there happens to be in the rental of the time. LAst weekend I pretty much dumped the dcs on dh and attacked it all and now all the baby stuff and camping gear is in boxes int he loft, properly organised etc anbd it feels amazing.

Both dcs are now addicted to blackberries. It's a hard life the country living malarky when you have to guzzle wild raspberries and blackberries on your way to buy bread and milk

Can't believe it is almost the end of August already. Our wedding anniversary at the weekend then dh has his knee op on the 3rd. My mission is to finish the last few bits of unpacking and organising by then overwise it will be months before it gets done!

Hello ladies, no time to catch up I'm afraid trying to sort out things for our holiday to Miorca on Friday but I'm just having 5 minutes before I start the ironing DS all better, wakes once in the night not for milk just so he can get in our bed!!

pmk we don't do lumps here either, and I have tried everything! But I will persevere.

kayz Boo about work, definately investigate the tax credits as ours has increased a fair bit since I was made redundant.

Can't remember much else, oh trace hope P gets on okay at nursery and for everyone else with childcare hassles hope they are soon sorted. And lady can't beleive the way your work are treating you very very bad!

Oh and before I go just to let yiu know that mI tackeled some ASBO youths yesterday! I was at a local prk with skate park attached. My nephews were up visiting with my sis and wanted to go and take their skateboards as they have nothing like it near them. Anyhow, after about half an hour of playing a few youths arrived and then a few more. They all congregated on the tops of these ramps thus making it impossible for my nephews to skate. My mum asked them to move first - met with some vile tosh. Then one tried to kick my 8 year old nephew as he skated, so my sis went over - more verbal insults and very intimidating as a few gathered around her. So I waded over, asked them to move they swore at me and told me to 'f*ck off'. So I rang the police but as I was on the phone about 8 of them were stood in front of me saying 'your not phoning the police balh blah blah' Anyway about 15 mins later the police arrived and most of them ran off but a few stayed to argue the toss. As we left a two were being escorted home in police car. It was all a bit intimidating but I'm so glad I rang the police. Children like that are a blight on society! Right rant over, ironing won't do itself.

How did P's nursery session go today Trace? I'm sure she was fine, but how were you! Is the nursery you've had her name down for a while at? And dare I ask if you've managed to get anymore info on your 4th day at work?

Jolly I have a meeting with work in a fortnight to discuss possible flexible working - both the HR and operations director are new since I've been on maternity leave and I've not met either of them before, so I hope they're nice. And my immediate boss has left, so there's not familiar faces in there - eek! I'm not sure whether I should request a 'back up' person, a la LadyT or just go with it myself. It was autumny here too this morning, quite a chilly start to the day. So I went out and picked sloes for sloe gin, which got me thinking that it'll be ready for christmas, by which time DD will be 1 , I still think of her as newborn, but she's quite a grown up little girl now

And whilst in shock at time passing, Indith's wedding anniversary , it doesn't seem 5 minutes since your wedding. Congratulations! Your house sounds fab Indith, when you've finished sorting would you like to come and do mine? I hope DD gets better quickly, but its good to hear your DS is sleeping so well there

Daisy well done you for standing your ground with the ASBO youths , I think I'd have just cried. Hopefully its taught them a lesson and they're not too feral already to be past caring. Have a great holiday, how long are you going away for?

Hi.

Dylan woke at 2 and I just can't get too sleep. Dh is driving me mad and keeps trying to cuddle me, massage me etc despite me asking him not too. Might kill him in a minute!!

kayz did you get back to sleep in the end? Hope you managed some more rest. Dh is like that as well, I don't know why they don't seem to hear us when we say 'get off me'!

zj ikwym I can't believe they'll be 1 in a matter of months

daisy how did the packing go? Hope you have a lovely time!

jolly yes I do MN during ds2's nap but only after I've tidied up otherwise nothing will get done . Re resting I can sometimes get an hour on the sofa, fortunately ds1 is pretty good at entertaining himself!

But it was a lie-in this morning, 6am

I got back to sleep at about half 3 4ish. To be woken up at half 5.

Morning all

kayz about your insomnia. Any chance of some rest today?

Packing all done (well almost). However, I was suppossed to be getting paid my redundancy money today and it hasn't gone in. Not that it actually surprises me, they really are incompetent! So will no doubt spend the rest of today trying to find out what is happening!

good morning!
Phoebe slept from 7 till 6.30 with not so much as a whimper! And so did I! (well from 10.30, not 7!) I usually wake up at 1 and 4 as well as with P's noises, but last night I didn't! Tra la la la la

JB/ ZJ - P's nursery visit went really well. I left her at 11 (she was fine, distracted by the other babies and exciting toys)> I made a point of saying bye and waving because I've never been a 'sneak out while they're not looking' type - just worked better like that with Lucy. ANyway, she didn't cry (very odd as she normally wails when I leave the room or try to hand her to anyone other than dh!) I left her with some shepherd's pie and was told to come back at 1 but that they would ring me sooner if she was upset. I cried in the car on the way home but was soon distracted by Lucy, then at 1 we went to get her, she had eaten all her lunch and was happily sleeping in the sleep room with her new baby pals So very good all round. We're doing the same again next wednesday.
I still have no answer on what my 4th day will be at work, so I've made an executive decision and booked her into another nursery (the organic one) for Thursdays and if there's a problem with it when I start work then I'll have to deal with it then. Anyway she has 2 settling in days there next Thursday and Friday so we'll see how that goes. I'm still not altogether happy about her going to 2 nurseries but it seems like the best option out of what we've got.

P is little miss grump today - her eczema has really flared up so she's perhaps a bit under the weather. Got an appointment to take her to GP tomorrow to check her sore skin and see if we need any other creams. Poor thing. It's quite red and hot

lovely sunny day today so I think we'll be off to the park later. I'm trying to teach L to ride without stabilisers, but after reading the 'hot topic' thread on that very thing last night, the poor original poster was nearly shot down in flames for being too pushy, so I'll try not to put pressure on Lucy to learn if she's not ready!

right, L has turned into a dog called Daisy and is barking at me to play fetch with her so I'd better go....

see you later xxx

Oh trace that's lovely, clever P. I'm leaving DD today but it is just a 'leave the room and read a book in the waiting area' leaving. Next week I get sent away for a few hours . P sounds like she has settled in really well. Napping is the only thing I'm bothered about really, in case she can't sleep in the new environment. Oh well, we'll see.

Good luck with the bike riding. I can remember riding without stabilisers for the first time, I was so proud .

daisy Well done you, how scary. Glad the police turned up, it is a bit hit and miss round here. Have a lovely holiday.

tilly and kayz Hats off to you with managing on so little sleep. I can't bear early starts, I get very grouchy . DH got up at 5.30 this morning and banged about looking for his stuff. Why didn't he organise it all last night??!!!!!!

LadyT Any news from work?

Nearly time to set off to nursery. Got my book and pack of tissues . I bought a playpen yesterday so will spend afternoon nap time trying to put it up. Should be fun .

Morning everyone,
Ow ow ow my boobs are in agony, I have stopped bfing properly now, as DS was just drinking a bit in the morning, and they are soooo sore. Lsat time I fed him was Monday morning, anyone any idea when they are likely to stop hurting?

Also does anyone know what happens when you stop feeding...in that they are quite hard, but they are not really leaking much like they did when i was dropping single feeds. What I am worried about is that a load of milk will come out in a sudden gush?! Tell me it won't? Presumably the milk in there has got to come out somehow.

Kayz sorry about the insomnia and early mornings. That sounds rubbish.

arti glad your niece is doing so well.

veggie good luck on the bike trip!

trace good luck with the no stabilisers! DH and I have already had disagreements about who will teach DS to ride a bike. Apparently it is a man's job. Huh. To be fair DH is a better and more patient teacher than I am. The nursery stuff sounds like it is going well!

hellooooo just popping quickly to keep myslef on the 'threads I'm on' thing. I saw my friends baby yesterday, he is soooooo teeny, he was a couple of pounds lighter than DS but still he is about DS2's birthweight now but i cannot remember DS2 being that small. Time really has flown, an it was strange seeing DS2 look so able next to her tiny DS. I think he was bit surprised too, he kept staring at her DS looking a little baffled at being the big boy. It was lovely to meet her son. She is doing really well with feeding and everything i'm really proud of her. She is coping with the bad days too and accepting that they happen which is i guess half the battle isn't it. oh dear i'm on my friends laptop that doesnt correct my grammer, so sorry about the lower case I's etc.

DH has had an interview this morning, his old boss is now director at another company so they have asked to see him. This afternoon, on our way to Bristol, he is going to drop in on an old friend who is the big boss of another company and is interested in taking DH on, on a contract basis, which is what he is wanting so should be good. He has a lot of respect and affection for both men but the second guy i spoke of is someone he has always looked up to professionally so i think he is most keen to work for him.

then it is off on this bike ride tomorrow, i've had to buy some new cycling gloves because i forgot to bring mine, but they are quite cool so will be ok having 2 pairs now. i'm quite looking forward to starting this ride now, and we are really close to our fundraising target, thanks in a large part to the generosity of you guys. If i hadn't joined this thread our charity would be over £150 less well off. Thank you all so much.

oh and your talking about childcare has made me remember when i used to drop DS1 to nursery, i found the whole experience quite traumatic, it def effected our decision to have one of us SAH. Good luck with that JB and loving white light cuddles to you guys dealing with it now.

Lady, i hate to think of it in this way but i think they will take any opportunity to jib you and are probably hoping you wont want to make a fuss, in fact they are depending on it. For them the birth of your DD is an inconvenience which is just a horrible way to be thinking. They will have each others spouse as support so damn straight you should have DP there. This thing effects him as well and i'm sure he is chaffing at the bitt to come along. please consider it, do you really want to do this alone, he may not be romantic but this is something he can really help you with, thats his style of romance.

Veggie I missed your sponsorship thing - can you link it again? Really hope your DH gets the outcome he wants.

First day of proper potty training here and I'm not coping so well. Combination of potty and crawling baby slightly hair raising. Feel like I will cover about 10 miles today running between the two of them. Which is me getting my justification in for this evening. Am meeting up with a group of us who were involved in the Olympic bid - most of us doing different things now but will be very nice to see them/drink lots of wine. Was really fun job.

Daisy I hope your pay gets sorted before you go on holiday and that you have a really lovely time in the sun.

pmk I hope your packing is going well....

SL with DS I fed him for about as long as you have and it took a couple of weeks for the milk to go completely. It got less sore as time went on. If it is really painful and your worried about it just give him another feed - that's what the GP suggested to me when I was worried about my one enormous boob. Turned out he had only really been feeding from one side and I had to put a pair of socks in the other side to match up

ZJ am glad things are getting better with your Mum. I have to confess that I've also eaten DD's food - I just add milk and call it soup. Shameful.

Trace am so pleased the nursery visit went well, and sounds like you've done the sensible thing with booking P in for Thursdays. Can't believe we're all going back to work now. Am less than enthusiastic...

Hope it went ok JB - I don't think anyone finds it easy at the beginning so go easy on yourself if you get upset.

Right. Am actually supposed to be doing stuff. Have just remembered I wanted to thank PD for saying that the BLW gagging wasn't that bad. Gave me the confidence to try a bit more and DD absolutely loves feeding herself - in fact gets quite narky if she can't. So thanks.

Oh it's still Lal by the way, I just haven't changed my name back...

Good afternoon Ladies.

LadyT - I've just seen your other thread. I wish I had advice to add but not much experience with that sort of thing and they've given you great help. Try not to be too down about it. I think it's outrageous that they can get away with treating you like this.

Veggie - Good luck with the ride and I hope DH's interviews go well.
PMK - hope you've started the packing.
Daisy - have a great holiday! You were very brave in the park but good on you!

DS doing well with his crawling all round the living room. He's so cute when he gets to the doorway and always hesitates before heading off to explore the hallway. He often looks back at me, changes direction a few times and then legs it out the door.
I've occupied him with baby mozart so my time on here is limited. I cleaned the kitchen during his earlier nap and tesco should be arriving soon.

Arti - nearly forgot - how is your niece now? So glad about the wee.

Better go - DS trying to escape his little chair - he would obviously prefer to be crawling!

Indith I meant to say earlier that your new house sounds utterly idyllic. I keep thinking of you picking blackberries. Only nature we are exposed to at the moment is frickin mosquitos from some dead pond at the bottom of the railway embankment. Nice.

LadyT I can't believe what's happening to you with your work. So unfair. Come and rant at us if it would make you feel better.

Woohoo!!! Driving lesson went really well! I loved it, still making mistakes obviously but I really enjoy it now. Drove home from the town where I'll do my test. Only about 8/9 miles but a huge roundabout and a main 60mph road. It was great, roll on next week.

Off to chippy now for driving lesson treat.

Evening all, hope you are all well. Kayzr great news re driving fun! I am so glad I passed my test at the end of last year, really makes a difference. I really like driving now, I think it's something to do with the fact that I feel entirely in control (that's clearly an illusion with all the other drivers and so on but still..) whereas the rest of the time it's all DD-caused-chaos!

Anyway just popped in to wave bye bye really - we're off to Berlin on Saturday (thanks for the walking tour tip Jollybear would love to know details if you do get a moment to look for them?) - I'll have internet there but not sure how often I'll check MN. Well.. who I am kidding.. I'll probably be on every day as per usual

Right ladies,

Off for a week in the sun as of first thing tomorrow. I hope all the Dec 08 babies behave themselves while I'm gone. Pay still not sorted but I'm having some pre holiday cheerfulness so I won't let it get me down.

kiwi have a lovely time & kayz well done on the driving!

Have lovely hols Daisy and Kiwi. Great about the driving, Kayz - think you are taking to it better than I did!

Trace and Jolly - I am really interested to hear about your nursery experiences...

Sorry not to say more, so sorry to sound so horribly wrapped up in myself but now work have said that it's full time or nothing (and been pretty nasty with me to boot). They are only allowed to do this if they have 'good business reasons' but the trouble is, what they have cooked up might just pass as that. So I am *ucked.

I don't want DD to go to full time child care but I can't afford not to work

I am off to Suffolk for the weekend to hook up with my sister and her family so won't be on. Forgive me for the lack of personals, I don't want to be a selfish cowbag just harping on about my own woes but it's just such a kick in the teeth after 12 years.

Normal service will be resumed, just need a couple of days to get my mojo back Thanks a million for all the support, you are all ace....but you knew that anyway!

LadyT, that is just rubbish!! They are just being pathetic! Are you going to look for a new job or try and find childcare? Hope you have a nice time with your sister.