Fab Feb 2009 - hey ho, hey ho, its off to babyproof we go...

[dinkystinky]

off we go again

[littleboyblue]

Good morning.
I'm not going to make the meet-up either. Money a bit tight this month, so just want to cut back and just spend on essentials iyswim.
Shame, would be lovely to see everyone, next time though.

Last night went well, they both had a good night. Ds1 was up once, but that's because he had a dirty nappy so that's ok.

[yummyspottyblueberry]

My neighbour has just had her little girl this morning @ 37wks. Newborn cuddles again

[yummyspottyblueberry]

Actually not so broody

[thehouseofmirth]

*Spotty can't say if it will specifically work on sweet pot but I have got pretty much everything out of our carpet with a spray called Carpet Power by OzKleen. Can get it in supermarket and it is amazing stuff!

Nkweto that's for the aloe vera tip have got some in bathroom so will try that though having looked at him today I think we're over the worst. The last crop of spots seem to have stayed really small so I'm hoping that's it!

[thehouseofmirth]

*Spotty can't say if it will specifically work on sweet pot but I have got pretty much everything out of our carpet with a spray called Carpet Power by OzKleen. Can get it in supermarket and it is amazing stuff!

Nkweto that's for the aloe vera tip have got some in bathroom so will try that though having looked at him today I think we're over the worst. The last crop of spots seem to have stayed really small so I'm hoping that's it!

[mumoverseas]

bugger, just typed a long post and it vanished!

LBB are you saying you don't consider meeting us girlies essential? sorry you won't be able to make it but hopefully we'll meet up next time I'm back in the UK

spotty hope your stain comes out. H did a (sweet potato ) sick on the carpet last week and I foolishly believed DS1 when he said he'd cleaned it up but now have a dubious orange stain. I tried using a foam you spray on and hoover off but its not got it all off. Hope you have better luck

feeling really low today. Just nipped down to post office to pick up a parcel and left little ones at home with big ones and just burst into tears sitting in the car. Maybe because its the first time I've actually been on my own for more than 2 minutes I felt able to cry. Feel I can't do it in front of kids. Doesn't help that I had two awful days back to back.
I'm starting to feel really resentful and angry about losing mum and it makes me so sad that H will never know his grandparents and G only vaguely remembers nannie but I'm scared she will forget.
Although DH still has his parents they really don't give a shit and twice last month when he was home he suggested going up to take the kids to see them but they made excuse. Makes me so angry as my mum would have crawled over broken glass to meet H just once and DH's parents just aren't interested. I'm finding very hard to concel my anger.
Sorry, had to vent. Will go and cheer myself and kids up by making them bacon & sausage sandwiches.

[littleboyblue]

Mos I'm so sorry you're feeling like this, but I think it's ok to be angry and resentful towards a loved one when they die. Although it doesn't make much sense, it's part of the grieving proccess. Try not to feel too bad about how you feel, I'm sure it is all normal.
As for your in-laws, mine are a bit like that. Like your mum, my parents would walk through fire for their grandchildren, and dp's parents don't seem to give a hoot. But it's their loss, I know that doesn't help, but we ave wonderful children and if they don't want to realise how blessed they could be by having them in their lives, I'm not going to waste much time thinking about it.

If poss, try and do something for YOU later. Maybe get a glass of wine and soak in a hot buble bath with a book or mag? Always makes me feel better. Sundays is ook and bath day for me

[elkiedee]

MOS, I'm very sorry that you're feeling so bad, it must be very hard.

I'm feeling very low and I don't know why. DP and I had a big fight the night before last and I ended up with about 3 hours sleep by the time we stopped fighting, I'd had some time to calm down and then feeding Conor. Last night we had another argument late, because he shouted at me for nothing more offensive than chivvying him very gently to start taking things up to bed. He sort of apologised in the end but then went to sleep while I was feeding Conor and I still feel really upset by everything. This morning I woke up still feeling rubbish at about 6, and while I was in the bathroom ds1 got up, quickly followed by a wakeful hungry baby.

I don't think it's his fault I'm feeling so low but I could do with a bit of understanding, cuddles and smiles, not scowling, sighing and snapping at everything.

[littleboyblue]

elkie Poor you. It can get hard can't it? Me and dp don't really argue because we are both sulkers (mature, I know) but it canget similar here.
Yesterday, everytime I asked him to do something, I ended up doing it myself half an hour or more later. It's a complete joke sometimes isn't it?
It annoys me because he thinks the answer to Luke's crying, is to just ignore him, so yesterday I'm changing bed sheets, while trying to cook dinner, keep ds1 out of my way, comfort Luke and so on while dp is sat on laptop saying he'll do it in a minute.

Maybe we should all take 1 hour today to do something nice just for us. Get away from the dc's for a whole hour. Whether it's going for a walk, having a nap or geeting in the bath, going to cinema, anything. On our own. Let's all tell those men to give us an hour off. bet we'll all feel a bitbetter.

[mumoverseas]

I'd love an hour off but have to wait 3 weeks til DH is back in the UK
We've got so much planned for when he gets back, so much to try to squeeze in but he did actually offer to have the kids for one whole day whilst I had a pamper. I said no initially but am actually thinking about it now. Not had a proper nights sleep (more than around 4 hours) since before mum died in May and haven't had more than 2 hours to myself since June.
Am wondering if it would be selfish to go to a spa or something

elkie sorry about you and DP, its so difficult when we argue with them and I think the tiredness makes it worse.

LBB have to say, you seem to be getting on much better with your DP recently, well, you don't call him lots of names on a regular basis anymore

[littleboyblue]

mos Yeah, it's all going good here. I'm ignoring the things that annoy me about him the most and trying to work through my anger issues
I think the AD's have made a huge difference to my whole life actually and now Im scared to come off them.
I'm also making more of an effort in the kitchen and trying to provide proper dinners more often which is making me feel better as I feel I'm doing more for my family iyswim.

Then again, the kids annoy me too much for me to even bother with what dp's doing

Re the spa, I think it's quite important that we all get some time to unwind. It isn't selfish at all. If we spent every single second of everysingle day doing things for other people and neglecting our own needs, we'd crash and burn. I'd say it's in the whole family's best interest that you get a pampering. That is serious too, I'm not making light of it. Do it. I don't like stuff like that or I'd book a day.

[PinkTulips]

lol spotty, about the only advantage of A's bunged upness is not having poo all over everything every time i take his nappy off. Hope you find something that works... afraid i'm no expert, things in this house tend to stay poo stained due to my lack of housewifey skills

Speaking of his weird pooing habits he exploded 2 nappies worth last night, first time we'd had poo since monday Am starting to wonder if i should ask the doctor about it as i don't think it should still be this long between poos now he's weaned.

mos {{{hugs}}} I can't imagine how heartrending it must be for you that you 2 smallest won't know your parents... difficult as my parents can be i'm still glad my kids have the opportunity to have lots of contact with them and know them well. As for your dh's parents you have my deepest empathy, dp's folks are the same... A is 6 months now and they haven't met him.... dp has even offered to drive down and collect them but it's just too difficult. His brother and sister haven't met either of the boys and have only met dd 3 times Doubly as heartbreaking as they're the only aunt and uncle the kids have due to me being an only child.

Go to the spa and get pampered for a day, nothing refreshes the soul like family free time, it's true what they say, absence makes the heart grow fonder

[dinkystinky]

Hello all. I have 2 snoozing boys and a semi-crippled DH (did something to his neck getting out the shower today) has taken himself for a neck, shoulder and back massage to sort himself out - fingers crossed it works as otherwise it is going to be a very long dull weekend...

Spotty - shame you're going to be in Jersey at meet up time. Hope your pushchair goes through this holiday unscathed.

MoS - sending you a big hug. I find that when you've been mad busy it is when you stop for a moment that things catch up with you and get on top of you - so its no wonder you felt down and weepy all of a sudden after such a hectic few days and months! I second LBB, you should take up DH on his offer and go treat yourself to some enforced pamper time - you've had a really hard few months and its always go go go for you with four kids so please do make some you time.

Elkie - sending you a big hug too. Sorry to hear you and DP are having arguments at the moment - I find having kids, and the accompanying lack of sleep, has caused many more arguments in our household than we'd normally have and we tend to snap at each other especially when we havent had much us time. I'd try and make some you time for you and DP to sit down and have a nice meal together once the boys are asleep if you can - it always helps DH and I clear the air.

Spotty - good luck with the poo stain. If all else fails I can recommend stain devil - god only knows what is in it but it does the trick - though you have to shampoo it out of the carpet to ensure it doesnt bleach it. And enjoy your newborn cuddles

Pink - Danny used to be a poo every 5 or 6 days baby. Since starting on solids he does a poo every day or every other day - though yesterday he surpassed himself with 3 in one day. If you're worried its definitely worth checking with the good GP. When DS1 was little I found that a tiny bit of expressed orange juice (heavily diluted of course) was good for loosening their bowels up.

Markstretch - what no baking! You've changed lady Re pitta bread - I just rip off a strip and give it to Danny - he then sucks it to death (no teeth) and crumbles the bit in his hands to nothing at all. If he gnaws off too much with his gums he will spit it out - same as with anything else. We discovered today that spaghetti is not a hit - though he loves noodles oddly...

LBB - glad DS1 enjoyed his bed last night and you fitted everything into the room. Sorry you wont make the next meet up though - but understand things being tight moneywise with it being DS1's birthday month...

Nkweto - lovely to see you on. Sorry things are a bit fraught at work - hope all will be ok. And sorry you'll miss the meet up too - will be thinking of you. Glad A is enjoying her food!

[MarkStretch]

MOS and ELkie- sorry you're having a tough time at the moment. Sending you both {{{hugs}}} and MOS I would be more than happy to suggest a few places. When are you over this way?

DD back from her sleepover, she had a brilliant time and din't really want to come home. My Dad came over earlier and he is helping us board out the loft tomorrow so we went to B&Q to buy 72 pieces of wood to board it out with. That took some carrying!

So as a consequence of that Dinky, DD and I are going to do some BAKING!

After all, two men working hard up in the loft will need a bit of cake and a cup of tea won't they?! We're making banana, cherry and white chocolate muffins. Well as soon as DS wakes up, he's having another mammoth nap and we need to go to the shop...

I am going to try some pitta bread. I have been letting him put his hands in his dinners and get some into his mouth and he can almost get a cup in for a quick sip of water. He loves getting messy.

[dinkystinky]

Phew, Markstretch is baking again - I feel all is right with the world

Impressed at Frank managing to almost drink out of a cup - Danny just waves his sippy cup around until he drops it or concusses himself with it - or most usually does both!

[PinkTulips]

I accidently left an open top cup on A's highchair earlier as ds1 was having a toilet emergancy and i was flustered.

Just as i was coming back from the toilet there was a big crash and A was sat there looking very surprised and wet

We gave him a sippy cut the other night and as soon as he realised water came out the top he decided sprinkling water on the cats who were sitting below his highchair was more fun, then he made a big puddle and smeared it all over the highchair and tried to lick it

[elkiedee]

Hi all, C's just been tucking into pita bread and various things - he was much admired and cuddled by all - our friends celebrated their son's 20th birthday party by having various family and friends round. dp took ds1 home before we left, as he was tired and running around causing chaos, but C and I stayed a little longer. My friend also sent us home with lots of cake, mmmm.

Dinky, PMSL at your Danny concussing himnself with his sippy cup. No doubt he'll work it out soon.

[PinkTulips]

forgot to say, we bought this today to keep the soon to be mobile one contained whilst i'm busy with the other two/dinner/loo/etc. He seems to like it, dp keeps referring to it as 'the baby cage'

The party sounds lovely elkie, must have been nice to have a bit of time with just you and C too.

[yummyspottyblueberry]

Morning all. Sorry to hear a few of you are feeling low. Can I ask if any of you are on the mini-pill? I have been taking it for 8wks now and can pinpoint my change in self to virtually the day I started it. It was fine with DS1 but this time I feel soooo low, very shouty and like i've got permanent PMT. Several other people have mentioned feeling the same on it so I'm going to have a word to the Dr and see about changing.

Stopped giving Sam food yesterday. We had been giving him Melon since Sat for his gums but he has obviously eaten some, and Sweet Pot Thurs and Fri. Since Sat he has stopped sleeping and been up loads and for long periods in the night. Thought it was teeth but he seemed in pain with his tummy so stopped the food to experiment and he was only up at 4 and settled quickly. Will leave it until he is actually 26wks now I think. He was very cold and clammy last night though so maybe he has just had a bug. Kids eh - who knows???

Poo stain out the carpet thanks to 3 doses of vanish power foam

[MarkStretch]

Pink- we have put the travel cot up in the dining room to house the small one. It is affectionately known as 'the baby prison'!

It's a godsend but a pain in the arse because it's massive in our tiny house and we all fall over it. Good thing is I can even put DD in it and she can't get out!

Muuuuhahahahahahahahahaha!

[littleboyblue]

spotty I'm on microgynon.
Poor Sam. Hope he's ok.

I'm very tired. I want to go back to bed. Only another 11 or so hours to go!

[thehouseofmirth]

Spotty I'm also suffering a personality transplant since being on mini pill. Which one are you taking?

[yummyspottyblueberry]

Cerazette

@ MS's multi prisoner cot

[PinkTulips]

MS, we used to use a travel cot for the other two but found it was a bit of a pain when we actualy needed it as a travel cot and it was filthy and had to be taken down to bring each time. It never seemed big enough either and killed my back when they were heavier. This play pen is light too so it means we can bring it with us to my parents when we stay over and we can keep him contained there as it was a nightmare with ds1 and dd as their stairs is easily accesssible by crawlers and we used to spend all day pulling them back from it. It has a door too so once he's walking we can just open the gate to release him, no bending double over the side and lifting. (can you tell i'm justifying the price to myself )

am pmsl at you caging dd in your 'prison'

spotty, sorry the pill is having a rotten affect on you, i've never taken the pill as i get hormonal migraines so i know it wouldn't agree with me.

[elkiedee]

I had a cage for ds1 (otherwise known as a babydan playpen) but I'm not sure we'll actually be able to use it for ds2 - we have limited space and it means we can only see the sitting room TV through bars - ds1 might have a problem with that.