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

[dinkystinky]

off we go again

It is too hot isn't it!

Maybe I've made Luke sound better than he's doing! He eats like a baby, he holds food inhis fist, rubs it over his face until he finds his mouth and then has a good old suck!
But I do think he is a born self-feeder.
He is also loving the organix carrot sticks and sweetcorn rings for snacks when we're out.

it is raining here.

and cold.

i hate this arsing stupid part of the world.

it looks like the depths of winter outside and ds1 cried this morning as he was too cold with just one top on and 'need warm top mommy'

(angry, not hot face)

wow, i go away for a while and things have really picked up! hope all have been well since i've been on here.

where to start...i went to wales to stay with my sister for a week. she has a 9 month old puppy which is lovely and affectionate but meant it was a bit stressful at times as dd wanted to be her best friend but got upset when she climbed up at her. there was a lot of keeping puppy in the kitchen whilst trying to bring food etc to kids in the living room. fine when my sister or her stepson were up but a bit boring when i was on my own in the mornings. however, we had loads of brilliant days out and had a thoroughly good time.

whilst we'd been there i'd seen something 'stuck' on dd's neck, tried to scratch it off but that made her scream blue murder so i thought it was a scab so she must have cut herself at some point. didn't try to look at it again until i remembered a few days later when we were home. i got dp to have a look and he said 'it looks like an insect' so took a photo so we could have a closer look. oh yes, that will be a tick then burrowing into her neck that i had left there for 3 days!!! we got instructions from the net as to how to remove them, i held her down and dp got to work with the tweezers. the bugger didn't want to come out (was still alive) but he amazingly managed to get the thing out whole. the worry with ticks is a risk of lyme disease so took dd to the gp but she knew as much as we did so the decision still remains as to whether it's worth taking her for a blood test or not. she's fine in herself and no rash so hopefully she was just a comfy home and no disease was left.

it was dd's 4th birthday on monday so we had big party on sat, family do on sun and just the 4 of us day out at the horniman museum on monday. spoilt child?

as i suspected the advent of her birthday has started making me feel emotional as i now only have the 3 week countdown to (a) dd starting school (b) me going back to work and (c) nanny starting.

i shall try and make the meet up next week but have some complicated parent arrangements to sort first and it was meant to be dd's last day at nursery. would love to come though. i was going to go today as dp was working at itv and he thought he might be finished in time for us to go to the water rooms together. he finished later than expected so i've spent the afternoon at the PACKED water park at wimbledon park instead.

ivor is moaning so better dash. more later...

KBN Glad you had a good time in Wales.
Remembering something I saw on The One Show a while ago about ticks, I think that if your dd had caught lyme disease, it would be apparent by now as am sure it's very quick acting, but that's IIRC.
But I Think the results of lymes can be quite serious, so IMO it might be worth getting a blood test done just to make sure.
I would.

unfortunately if lyme disease decides to reveal itself it can be up to a month after infection. and an early blood test showing negative doesn't mean it's negative! it's all pretty clear and helpful isn't it?

Oh. Listen to me talking rubbish then
Shocking.
Well, fingers crossed for her then

What a nice thought from your DH MOS. I hope you enjoy that day.

Hi KBN - DH got a tick in his leg when we were hiking in Scottish highlands pre DS1 and went into the local hospital A&E to get it dealt with - they had every nurse, doctor and medical student in A&E gawping at his leg for a good hour or so before pulling it out and smothering where it was in vaseline. He never went for a test for lyme disease - and am pretty sure it had been there for a good few days - and seems fine several years later so am rather hoping your dd will be fine. Sounds like your dd had a wonderful extended birthday celebration, lucky girl. I too have the back to school feeling - probably because we're starting the transition to mix feeding this weekend in preparation for me going back to work. Oh well, as Danny seems to be delighted to stick most things in his mouth (tenderstem broccoli was a particular favourite this evening - even managed to tempt DS1 ino trying it too ) fingers crossed he'll enjoy the bottle of EBM eventually..

Pink - sorry the weather in Ireland is crap. Am sure the sunny weather will hit you guys eventually.

Still hot
and babies are still wowwy, grisly and very awake. Long night ahead Is it wrong to want your rain right now Pink?? Would probably moan if I had it though!

I missed that before MOS - lovely! Very jealous

KBN - Tick! OMG Hope your DD is ok.

Are you looking forward to work again Dinky? (cant believe how quickly this pregnancy/baby growth thing has gone this time!)

Right, off to try and feed Sammy to sleep, he's currently rolling the length of the living room squealing a la 12 NOON not 12 MIDNIGHT. Can someone please tell him the difference??!!

Spotty Hope SAm settled quickly.
Wanted to ask, that pasta sauce you shared with us the other day, can I freeze it if I made a big batch?

YES! I always make double. It is my main freezer staple

I dont know what to do about DC's sleeping. Sam has now gone from getting up 6+ times to getting up twice but for long periods. Last night he was up 11-2 then up again 4-6. Harry is getting up in between too so between them I am back to the early weeks, getting an hour a night.

I've tried giving Sam more solids at dinner time, no solids, teething powders before bed, no teething powder, calpol before bed, no calpol....you get the drift! Nothing seems to be altering his crap sleep. I'm beginning to wonder if the sleeping through was a phase and this is just what nights will be like now

Harry is also having nightmares. I have looked on BabyCentre and they aren't Night Terrors, just nightmares, but he is up screaming 2-4 times a night. He even wakes from his daytime nap screaming so I'm wondering if it something in his room?

Any thoughts or advice appreciated on both boys issues. I think I might start a thread actually....

Morning all - hope you are all ok

Morning!

KBN sorry to hear about DD's tick trauma. We found the streams in Morden Hall park are a great alternative to the packing Wimbledon Park paddling pool!

Mr T also seems to be going through some horrid sleep pattern change. For the past week he has woken around 3.30am. Last night it was just for an hour but the night before was much longer. He just seems to lie there grunting, groaning and wriggling. I think it's one of those developmental things - he hates lying down at the moment and I wonder if he wakes up and gets cross about that. Can't put it down to separation anxiety as he's in bed with me! Just hope he doesn't the same way as DS1 who by 9 months was waking every 45 minutes...

Sorry you're having crap nights ladies.

I have no suggestions as have been really lucky sleep wise with my 2.
Although ds1 has not got up in the night since we moved his bedroom around. His bed is now in a different place and he has slept better. Luke too! Not sure if that has anything to do with it or not, but if you're willing to try anything..........

I'm meeting a friend in Pizza Hut for lunch today, so Luke will have his first taste at the buffet.

Morning. Spotty and THOM sorry to hear about the crap sleep - Danny went through a long phase like that with the long time night waking - not upset but just awake and chuntering away. The only thing that seemed to work was ignoring him until he either started crying for boob or put himself to sleep - that way he got the message - eventually - it was night time. Though I think it was a developmental thing as coincided with him finding his feet and learning to roll over and move all around his cot. Went on for weeks though and coincided with a growth spurt - hope your boys settle down soon. Spotty - re Harry: does he have a night light? Maybe if he wakes up and sees a light he wont be so afraid. And a cuddly toy in bed to scare off the bad dreams? And spritz some water around his bedtime pre-bed to scare away monsters? My sympathies - DS1 went through a couple of weeks of having bad dreams just after he turned 2 and just wanted a cuddle then would go back to sleep - all of these things helped abit.

And not really sure how I feel about going back to work (not back till Sept 16th) - will be nice to use my brain again I think but willl massively miss my boys and am really sad about giving up the day time breastfeeds as I do love the snuggly time with Danny (though know logically I will still have that snuggly time giving him bottles - its probably more the faff of expressing for a couple of weeks I'm dreading).

My sister is coming over today to spend it with me and the boys - think we might brave London Zoo and Primrose Hill today as the rain isnt forecast to hit us till tomorrow.

spotty, you can have some of our rain if you want, we've plenty to spare. We're in denger of having to row to the shops rather than drive.

As soon as everyone is settled in a routine back at school/playschool we're moving A into ds1's room as he's waking every night as we go to bed and it's driving me nuts... i actually slept for 2 hours on the couch last night to avoid going up as i knew he'd wake as soon as i lay down and he did exactly that when i stumbled up at 1am I could cope if he just wanted in the bed like he used to but he's taken it into his head he can't sleep without boob in his mouth and my back is throbbing from lying in awkward positions all night. DS1 is quite excited about having him in his room so think that will go well.

Enjoy your day out dinky, London Zoo sounds great... Dublin Zoo has tiger cubs atm so i'm determined to haul the kids up there asap.

Yawn - Kids have just had a nap and I did the washing and ironing - so not fair

Thanks for the rain Pink - you sent me a quick shower just as I had put the washing out. Not really what I wanted but at least it's cooler now thank goodness.

Zoo plans sound great Dinky and Pink. Enjoy Pizza hut LBB

Oh and DS1 does have a nightlight Dinky but I'm going to give the spray a go, I think that is something he would really enjoy. Thanks

hello all, just marking my place really as in danger of dropping of my 'threads i'm on'
had a crap few days. DD being a complete cow and its taking forever to get her to bed, some nights as late as 10pm and then she often comes in and wakes me. This morning she came in at 5am and woke H and I then she promptly went back to sleep in the middle of the bed.

She really upset me yesterday when she was crying for daddy and DS1 and DD1 and didn't want me and shouted 'I hate you mummy' which really hurt.

Sorry some of you are also having a crap time and sorry about the rain PT.

mos she doesn't hate you. I imagine it's hard to hear though. I have all this to look forward to!
Sorry you've had rough few days.

On my 2nd glass of wine already this evening .... another one of those days .... mostly due to DD's refusal to nap at lunchtime.

We had a massive power cut on Monday and this is the first time I've managed to get on internet as there were loads of probs afterwards. Have only caught up with the last page of postings so far. Power cut happened when we were at soft play nr the World of Adventures - we counted at least 7 fire engines going to rescue people stuck on rides when the power failed !

MOS sorry to hear you are having a hard time from DD - as LBB says, she doesn't mean it but it can't make it any easier to hear. Hope you have a better day tomorrow.

Spotty - it's not fair that the washing and ironing loom during nap times..... Re sleeping, I think I would second what others say about development. My Sam was waking at 4.30am all week last week just shouting - I think he really found his voice last week and realised he could control it. Hope it gets better soon. You need more sleep!

Dinky - hope you had a lovely day at the Zoo! I've also got my back to work date - 8th October. If I'm honest, I'm almost looking forward to it, but I'm sure it'll be a different story as the time approaches. I just can't think how I'm going to get all the domestic stuff done, washing and ironing, cooking nutritious, delicious meals for the children, being a wife etc.

LBB - how was the Hut? Hope you all made good use of the buffet!!!

KBN - hope DD is ok following the tick incident?

PT sorry about the rain, but "yum" at your freezer contents!!

I'm still up for the meet up next Friday so will try to keep an eye on Facebook.

Am off to see my friend's new baby boy tomorrow - he was born on Sunday weighing .... 10lb 15oz - ouch!

Nothing too much to report here. Sam's follow up appointment with the Paediatrician on Monday went well - we will continue to see the dietitian, but don't need to see the Paed again 'til he's 1 year.

Weanin gis going reasonably well, but he's a lot fussier than Orlena, and you have to get your timing just right otherwise it's a complete refusal.

Better dash as dinner beckons....

STW Gosh, those poor people stuck on rides. This is why I don't go on fast or high ones. Knowing my luck I'd be on one that broke while I was hanging upside down.

Re going back to work, you'll manage because you'll have to. Can you batch cook a load of meals on a sunday and freeze them for the coming week?

I completely forgot what I was going to say.........

Zoo was fun thanks Spotty and STW (and they have lion cubs there so worth a trip anyone in the vicinity - so cute!) but Danny barely slept at lunchtime and DS1 didnt sleep at all so the 5-7 slot tonight was rather fraught. Am sad to say Danny also thinks that avocado is the food of the devil (maybe DS1 has been having words with him about it) so dinner was NOT a success tonight. Though on the plus side, the taste of avocado inspired Danny to finally figure out how to use his sippy cup to wash his mouth out

STW - sorry you had a stressy day. Hope the wine is helping I have to admit, I texted DH at 6 saying I need a stiff gin tonight - reminds me, must go get that..

LBB - did you have fun at the hut?

MoS - sorry DD2 is really acting up at the moment. She knows just what to say and do to press your buttons. Remember the mantra - this is just a phase and this too will pass - and repeat ad infinitum. Who knows, maybe the chanting will encourage her to go to sleep?

Took the boys to the "Playing the building" installation at the Roundhouse with my sister before going to the zoo today - v odd concept, a piano in the middle of the room you can play which makes noises ring out in different parts of the building. All 4 of us had a tinkle and made a total racket - then some classical pianists went on after us and made beautiful music

yawn..... We are still getting no sleep. DP is sleeping in dd's room during the week as he is still working 14 hour days and so needs his sleep....

I have got all our ironing down today so I feel I have achieved something at last....

weaning is going great ds loves his food but is already cutting down on his milk... I am offering it every two hours but he is only having 3 large feeds a day and little feeds the rest of the time...

hope you are all well...

ironing done... I got it down yesterday and ironed it today

Oh, that was it.....bumps I was in the library yesterday and saw a few books on dairy free cooking for babies and toddlers, maybe you could look in your local one, borrow it, photocopy some stuff?

dinky I saw the lion cubs on the news the other day. Very cute, but have heard in general London Zoo is a bit crap now for the entry fee? Is that true or is it worth going?
I remember the last time I went. I was 3, and the gorilla jumped up at the cage and I screamed so loud!!!!
I must have only been about 3 because my brother who is 2 years younger than me was still in a proper pram.

The hut was ok.......ds1 walked to the bus stop, and sat on the bus like a big boy. It was his first ride on the bus not in the pushchair. He was very good and stayed on the seat for the journey. Then we walked through town and he went upto a man in the queue in WHSmiths and said "hello Daddy" The man was about 50 and everyone was laughing.
But then because I'd allowed him to do so much walking, he was very tired by the time we got to the hut so screamed through the whole meal. I also had to put him in a highchair because he kept running off.
Luke enjoyed it though, had a little bit to eat.

For dinner, Luke had lemon chicken stir fry! So funny watching him trying to eat a noodle