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

[dinkystinky]

off we go again

glad you had a good time spotty, I can't remember the last time I laughed or when DH and I last went out. We'd planned to on holiday and to let DC1 and 2 babysit but it didn't happen and now we've got no one to babysit until the end of October when the brats/little darlings come out during half term.

baby sign sounds cheap there. DD and I went to one over the summer which was £4.50 pw. I hope it all works out as its the only thing keeping me (relatively) sane at the moment.

I just really lost it and stormed out of the house for 10 mins. DC1 and 2 back and instead of being helpful as hoped are being a couple of twats. Emptied out a weeks dirty washing for me and gave me loads more clothes to sew name tags on

Quick update - bottle battle not going well here. Danny amazed us by drinking 3 oz straight off this morning when I was still around - and has then refused every single bottle today. Will drink water from sippy cup (so not totally dehydrated yet) but will not drink milk from it - contrary child. Here's hoping we crack it. Think DS1 caved after about 8 hours - Danny is now on just about 12 hours... its going to be a looooooooooooong night.

MoS - dont blame you for storming out. Your DD1 and DS1 are old enough to sew - get them to sew their nametags in!! That's what my mum got us to do as a back to school project from when we were 8. The sing and sign plan sounds brilliant - its around £7 a session near me so sounds like a really good price you're quoting. Hope you get a good uptake on it.

MOS, good advice from Dinky there. Have you thought about teaching them to use the washing machine themselves? Your business idea sounds really interesting. Our baby group has got someone in a few times who runs her own classes to do a session, I quite like the idea but haven't got round to chasing it up.

Ooh Dinky - 12 hours . It's amazing what they're capable of! We're having a little battle here too. I think Sam has taken to solids a bit too much, because he's refusing most milk feeds - or just having a couple of oz's and then gorging on his "proper" food later. I'm having to mix all food with formula to boost his intake. He's another Ella's Kitchen fan! He won't eat my home purees, but will devour a whole pouch of hers! Will cost me a fortune. He's also enjoying finger foods though so I'm having to be brave with the rice cakes!

MOS - have come close to storming out myself a few times, but mist be so frustrating with older kids who can look after themselves. Signing thing sounds great - never done the classes before but sound like fun.

PSL good to have you back again! How's it all going at work? I was like you when I wnet bcak to work after DD. I was in tears for weeks beforehand and for the first couple of weeks, then I realised it was actually working out and we were all getting something out of it. Feeling positive about returning to work this time... at the moment!

DH had deserted me until Thursday ! He's gone mountain biking in Morzine in the Alps . A bit of a sore subject and feeling a bit put out - I'm so weak though and just give in as usual. Am determined to enjoy the evening so have invited the girls round for a glass of wine on Monday night and am going to do some internet shopping in a mo. Need to get some outdoor toys so we've got a bit more entertainment in site.

In fact, better dash as am getting the car packed up for a trip to Grandma's tomorrow.

Let us know how you get on Dinky and when Danny gives in to the bottle. Good luck .

mos Your sing and sign claases sound great. We've never been, but I do think that learning to sign is quite useful for all, especially when talking isn't great. Jacob gets so frustrated when he says "dissdit" and I give him a biscuit when he wants a dummy!
£4 sounds good. I'd prob pay £4 for something that we'd all gain from iyswim. There's a baby/toddler play centre near me that charges £4 entry which I think is a bit much, but we can just go to the park for a play, something like sing and sign, where you need proper instruction is a reasonable price.
spotty Glad you and dh had a nice evening. Always helps to be 'human' again rather than 'mum' doesn't it?

Cheers STW. DH has borne the brunt of bottle battle today (but been remarkably chipper about it all - and between crying bouts and bottle denial Danny has apparently been a delight - and DH even managed to bake a lovely lemon drizzle cake!) while I've been dealing with DS1 (who has thank god been an absolute sweetie today). I think Danny has inherited my stubborn streak so am fully expecting him to go on milk strike for the full 3 days. Isnt Sam on special formula? I've been told by other mums I've met whose babies are on nutrimigen or similar that their babies got onto solids v quickly and refused formula because it tastes so horrible compared to lovely solids - not that it helps you with ensuring they get their recommended daily milk intake of course. Good on you for having a shopathon and getting the girls round - if DH gets to have his fun, you definitely should do too!

dinky and STW Jacob was on Enfamil AR formula for his reflux and he came off milk very quickly. By 9 months he was prob having 14oz of milk a day. I just gave him lots of yogurts, custards, would mix a bit of extra cheese into things too.
I used to give him 1.5 weetabix for breakfast and was able to soak them in 4oz of milk, which brings it up to 18oz.......but the way I understood it was that if they have a strong appetite for solids, they will probably be getting everything they need from that as long as the diet contains enough calcium and proteins etc. so 1 yogurt would replace a certain amount of milk iyswim.
Luke is on a normal formula and is having far more milk than Jacob was at this age. I used to follow every meal for Jacob with a yogurt or custard because of the lack of milk, where Luke might just have a piece of fruit and some milk a bit later

That's interesting Dinky, about the formula. Yes, Sam's on Neocate, which I understand doesn't taste as bad as Nutramigen, but still smells bleurgh! I'm going to have to seek advice about getting more into his diet - I can't give him yoghurts and cheese etc, - maybe I'll have to make my own rice pudding with Neocate ro something....

Spotty mmmm, am dreaming of crayfish now....

Just spent £150 at Tesco Direct on toys . We have no outdoor toys so I think it's a bit overdue!!

STW Of course, I forgot about Sam's allergies.

X post LBB - haing to go dairy free limits the options really so not sure of the alternatives..

Right, dreamfeed and bed now!

We have bottle victory - of sorts. Danny didnt feed again last night but woke at 1.15 v hungry and crying lots - wouldnt feed from DH but fed from me (in an enormous fleece to hide the boobs) at 2.15 and took 9 oz, then took another 7 oz from me this morning. So he'll now take a bottle - but only from me Still am claiming a mini victory of sorts - now only need to get him to take a bottle from someone else and take formula instead of EBM and will be there!

morning all,
dinky well done on your mini victory. Little buggers aren't they boys. H sometimes just won't take a bottle but when we had the nanny for the few weeks before I left KSA he would take it from her but won't take it now from anyone else. Guess he's just a boob man like his dad
Good point about the nametags and washing. I did however let DS sew a few tags on a couple of weeks ago and he did it so badly they will probably fall off the first time the clothes are washed.

It just bugs me the way they think I've got all this spare time on my hands. They had a week at an activity centre in Devon and are 'tired' now. Tired, I'll give them bloody tired.

Feel bad about losing it as I really did lose it spectacularly. I ended up throwing the iron across the room (opposite direction from kids) and storming out I think they've got the message though as I came down this morning and between DC1 and 2 they had washed up, dried up and put away all the dishes

STW at your DH. So I hope you've booked yourself a little mini break for when he returns? I've found it very hard being apart from DH for so long, think this is the longest we've done, around 6 weeks. Sometimes it is nice, ie being able to watch what I want on tv etc but mostly its hard, particularly with G playing up and giving me 'I hate you' and 'I don't want to talk to you' as she stomps off. Hopefully now DC1 and 2 are back she will be better.

Ref signing classes, I'd been mooching on internet for some mums and tots classes in our area and found them. Literally 5 mins into the first one I thought that it was brilliant and perfect (I hope!) for in Saudi as so little to do there. Nursery only starts from 18 months and although there is a mums and tots group one morning a week that is it for the younger kids. I did a very extensive british sign language course years ago and have done a few other little courses and so the last few months have been brushing up my skills and practicing my signing so am really hoping it will take off.
I think if I don't do this I'll go mad back in tenko (our compound)Watch this space....

MOS your sing and sign plans sound great. it will be great for you to be doing something different when you get back to ksa.

as per a couple of others on here, i'm part dreading going back to work but part looking forward to it. the work thing itself i'm fine about as it worked out fine when i had dd and i enjoy my work (most of the time!) but i'm nervous about having a nanny start and the change in our lifestyles that it will entail. again, i tend to get my concerns out of the way before things happen and am then fine when the 'thing' happens. anyone with a nanny that can offer tips on making first few days go smoothly for nanny and us?

thom thanks for the morden hall park idea. have driven past it so many times but not been there so we're just packing a picnic and getting ready to go there today. i really have been put off wimbledon park for a while!

went to the play area near southside in wandsworth yesterday. there's a cycle path through a park that we can go on all the way from my house. it's about a mile so makes a great ride for dd. haven't been to that playground for a while and last time i did dd was very nervy about going on the bigger climbing frames etc. she's obviously had a 4 year old braveness spurt as she just climbed up, over, across, hanging off things, balancing etc. there are quite a few er, lets just say bigger kids who can be a bit pushy too. i was very proud of her and managed to stop myself being too much of an overprotective mum.

dinky good luck with the bottle and well done for not cracking. your dh sounds great, really don't think my dp could cope with that at all. he's brilliant in many ways but wouldn't have the patience for that sort of thing.

Hello all,

MOS We paid about £55 for the term. Prob about 12 weeks worth?

The music tots classes are a quid per family, and rhyme time is free (at local library). Think it's a great idea to do something in KSA - especially for little ones, they are so often overlooked.

Hello girlies.
Had a nice day here. Our children's centre held a beach party at the local football club. Was just paddling pools really and a bbq but was a good day.

Wonder if anyone can help........I want to do Shepherds Pie for dinner tomorrow, but the auce I normlly use has too much salt for Luke. Anyone got any good recipes?

Evening all. Am pleased to say that Danny has taken every single bottle given to him today - and we've even started putting a couple of ounces of formula in with the EBM and he's been draining those. And he took one from DH too - though I had to be in line of sight. Doing all bottles for one more day and night and then will move to boob morning and night and bottles during the day for the little fellow.

Had a really lovely day today - went to Parliament Hill Lido with the boys this morning which was lovely. Cant believe we used to live round the corner from it and never went! They have a tiny kiddie paddling pool as well as the lovely huge outdoor pool, so Danny was in the little pool for an hour or so too. DS1 loved it as did DH and I. Then this afternoon went to Swiss Cottage where there is a paddling pool with fountains and had a laze in the sun there with DH and Danny while DS1 had fun in the pool scootering around with the big boys. I love it when its all sunny

KBN - my top tips for starting having a nanny are be very clear about what her job entails from the outset and what you would and would not like done with your kids (for example, can she arrange playdates with other nannies and their charges at your house after DD's school - I dont have an issue with it but I know other people who do; do you expect her to do the laundry and/or light housework and to cook for the kids; is she allowed to use the phone/computer when I is asleep and DD is at school; how much tv are the kids allowed; should she ever leave a baby to cry it out - I say this because one of my friends in NZ came home to find her nanny watching tv and her baby hollering in her cot, purple in the face, and the nanny had unilaterally decided to try controlled crying on the baby - needless to say she was sacked on the spot). Also give her the emergency nos (you at work, DP, doctors, dentist) she may need and let her know where your first aid kit is. If possible, write down I's likes and dislikes and his routine (it will change I know but it gives your nanny an idea of what he is like) as well as DD's. If you're doing a settling in period with your nanny before you go to work, treat it as just that - have her as an extra pair of hands the first day, then leave the kids with her for an hour or two here or there the next day, get her to change I's nappies and play with him while you're doing stuff with DD or around the house, then get her to feed I the next day and by the time you go to work it will all be absolutely fine as you'll have made sure she's doing things the way you would like them done. It really will be all fine - its actually harder being around during the settling in period than going to work as I just felt totally redundant!

LBB - re shepherd's pie - can you search the recipes on MN?

Dinky thanks for that. we do have a couple of days settling in next week and i think i'm dreading them more than the work days. i know it will be fine but to begin with will feel like a spare part and a bit self conscious about how we do things, what our house is like etc. stupid as we're paying plenty of money for the pleasure!

so, so glad d has seen the light and realised that milk is good wherever it comes from. you having to be in his view is hilarious, he obviously so closely associates milk with you he can't believe it's the same stuff unless you're around. sounds like he's adapting well though so it won't be long before perhaps you can do something adventurous like be in a different room.

i love the sun too, it makes the days so easy. we went, on thom's recommendation, to morden hall park and dd loved paddling, splashing and walking in the streams. very swallows and amazons! dp and i lazed on a rug listening to the cricket and managed to get in the door of the house about 2 mins before england took the final wicket so a very good end to the weekend.

dd is off to my parents for 3 days tomorrow, they want to take her camping. really must check the weather reports.

what's the consensus on weetabix at 6 months? too much salt or ok?

dinky Glad you had a nice day. Sounds like good tips for a nanny too.
I started a thread for shepherd's pie and have been pointed in that direction.
KBN I was giving ds1 weetabix at 6 months. I always thought they were fine, but I should admit I was a bit slack at checking for salt, but that was mostly because he was on jars, so it didn't take much thinking.

sun

it rained here again all day, stormy nasty rain too... i was forced to clean my pit of a house as i couldn't go out. am going to cheer myself up with ben and jerry's, pringles an a movie now, i still know how to partay

fab news about the bottles dinky, you must be fairly relieved. pmsl at you having to be in sight though

KBN - Morden Hall Park sounds really lovely. Must check it out if we're over south west way. We've decided to try to make the most of our weekends by trying to do something new each weekend (this weekend it was the Lido, last weekend a new park in North West London) when we're in London. It is really odd having someone strange in your house to be honest - but you quickly get used to it and a good nanny is really respectful of the fact its your house and your space.

Re weetabix - I think its actually one of the lowest sugar, salt etc contents for cereals so should be ok. Your little man will probably only have half or so to start off with any way. My top tip is to mash some banana with it - DS1 loved it that way.

LBB - you're going great guns with the home cooked meals. Am most impressed.

Thanks dinky I actually feel so much better about myself knowing that I am actually doing the best I can for my family if that makes sense? Not that I think there's anything wrong with jars or fishfingers, but I am really enjoying cooking now and get lots of satisfaction watching everyone eat.
Maybe I enjoy it so much because the kitchen is the one room the boys aren't really allowed in (I am quite clumsy, plus Jacob likes to open the oven and try to climb in )

Morning. All your days out sound lovely and well done on the bottle front Dinky & Danny

Dont think I gave H shepherds pie until he was about 10mths and just used a low salt stock to make a gravy and put lots of herbs in.

There is a specific baby recipe here if you want it.

Thanks spotty I didn't know AK had a website. Might have a good look through that later

Morning all - was it sunny yesterday?! I spent my entire day with the curtains drawn watching the cricket !

Morning all hope you are all well. Sorry I havent got time to catch up with everyone but hope you are all doing ok...

DS is still up all night with his teeth grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr... apart from that we are all fine and doing well...