January 2009 - Wiggly babies, wobbly mummies (well some of us) and never shall we all meet??

[LenniEd]

Reverse psychology...

Sorry, just previewed this post and its huge - even by my standards, but I'm in need of a bit of advice, so am going to post it anyway in the hope that some of you lovely ladies can help.

Dog/MissJThey're called Ashton and Parsons Teething Powders, not used them much as Nelson's Teetha seems to do the job nicely with dd. Apparently the Ashtons ones are better for settling tummies that have been upset by too much teething dribble as well as helping the teething pain.

Well, now I have two poorly little boys. DS1 is much better and has been out of bed playing in his bedroom this morning, but then DS2 woke up with a streaming nose, temperature and wobbly legs and has spent the day in bed so far. Doesn't seem to have the wheezing though, which is encouraging as we can't get hold of Tamiflu for him until Tuesday and with his flu/pneumonia episode last December I have been fretting about what would happen if he got swine flu.

Have been trying to work out what I want to do with my life. BIG question, especially as I don't currently seem to be very interested in anything. Trouble is, if I don't want to end up back in a boring administrative role working for peanuts and being treated like a monkey, I need to be working towards my future now.

Did the career service online assessment, twice, and both times it came out with medical/technical/scientific type roles. Which surprised me as I got a D in GCSE maths twice and although I got my Biology GCSE, I loathed science at school and went on to do English, Classics and Philosophy at A Level followed by an HE level diploma in Administrative Procedures (boooorrrrrring!).

I've tossed around the idea of training to become a Dietician a few times over the past couple of years. Possibly with a view to specialising in paediatrics, but the study is 4 years full time and as it is very scientific I would probably have to do a 1 year full time or 2 year part time foundation course to begin with. So 5/6 years in total and I ain't no spring chicken.

Did wonder if perhaps I should try a couple of Open University entry level modules first to ease myself back into learning and see how I get on. Maybe this one in the first instance and something scientific or mathamatical sp? (obviously not my strong points but very necessary for dietetics) and if it all seems to go well, either talk to them about entering as an adult learner with those courses as evidence of relevant prior learning or consider doing either a 2 year part time foundation course at Coventry University or a 1 year full time foundation type course at our local college.

Alternatively I could go the 'nutritionist' route which would mean working outside the NHS in private practice (not really what I want to do) or being employed in industry.

My biggest problem, if I'm honest, is fear of the unknown and a profound belief that I'm not actually up to it. I should know better. My Mum was told she was stupid her whole life, then was brave enough to go to university in her 40's and eventually came out with a Masters in Psychology from which she has never looked back.

Ahhh! Why does it all have to be so big, scary and complicated?

Anyone got any advice?

Moose - will come back later and reply for you when got time - babies calling - have quite a bit of study under my belt as a Mum so will give you my perspective.

MissJ Am def around on the 6th (had been wondering where you were - hope Nye not so grumpy soon) and would love to come and meet you and Pat. Very exciting about C B B - wish you could tell us more. I'm still feeding DS a lot - you are not alone! Also how do you get Nye to do proper crawling!! I had a couple of weeks of proper crawling and now we are back to commando and pulling himself up on things.

Fab about waving Pat and clapping. How cute! DS waved to me in the mirror the other day but I just thought it was a fluke, maybe not though. Am excited now that he might do it again.

Really must go now, back tonight.

hi we all had a great time

on no mm - hope they feel better soon and not sure what to suggestion regarding future. open university sounds like a good idea

Hey all!

Had a fantastic picnic/cricket match (in the rain!!) today. Bloody weather. Still DC's knackered and in bed, DD also went swimming this morning so she is cream-crackered.
Highlight of today, her doing a big poo in the bush as there were no toilet facilities, superb!!

Kittens look cute dog, can't believe you managed to wangle 2! What does DP think of that!

Tiger- The 6th looks good, whereabouts would be good to meet, somewhere close to the motorway? How funny the DS has reverted back to commando crawling, Z still crawling fast but pulling up LOADS and stood for a few seconds today on his own (I didn't realise he had let go). Hope he gives you another wave tonight.

Moose- I think the OU sounds fab, although it can take longer that way. If you go full-time it is quicker but then can you manage around the DC's?? It's a conundrum that only you will be able to work out, but either way, you MUST go, you will be more than up to the challenge and it will make such a difference to you if you feel admin work is a bit 'meaningless'. Thoroughly reserch the options and what sort of help you would get is all i can advise.

MissJ- Good to see you back, teething powders always worked well for us too. Well done to Nye for finally shifting his bulk. CBB sound V.exciting, you must spill all at the next meet-up!

Boden- Glad you and DD1 have had a great time, the cake looked lovely btw.

Oh and welcome back to heron. Hope you have worked out all the namechangers! Whats going on with your India plan?

We are also doing part BLW and part mush. Today DS has chomped his was through:

• 1.5 weetabix with strawberries and banana mashed in
• 2 rice cakes
• a massive bowl of mashed blueberries with natural yoghurt
• 2 slices of toast
• another bowl of natural yoghurt
• a banana
• a whole jacket potato
• 1/2 tin of whole earth baked beans
• 6 breastfeeds

and he's still hungry... am thinking of asking the doctor if she thinks he might have worms! Either that or he'll start building a cocoon sometime soon.

Pat Yes, DS is an odd one with going backwards in his crawling development! He was a lot slower at proper crawling than he is at commando - he's very quick at that - so I think he decided it was inefficient and he shouldn't bother. He sometimes does proper crawling, but not very often now. He also tries to let go all the time once he's standing, but no chance he'll stand, he bounces pretty much constantly so he just falls with the next bounce. I blame the jumperoo

Anywhere fine for the 6th but yes, close to you/the motorway would be good.

Hello Heron, stop in when you can and don't worry about catching up.

Dog Those little kitties are sooooo cute. I'm not a cat person, but melted at those two. Nice to have complete opposites too.

Moose You are definately up to it and should go for it imo - don't let any worries about that put you off.

From my experience there are a few things I'd think about, but of course will be different for you. If I could start again with my studying there are a couple of things I would do differently:

• opt for a course where the vast majority is done at the university rather than at home
• choose something that there is an end to reasonably quickly so that you aren't trapped into a very lengthy course.

It will probably be different for you as apart from DD your other two aren't at home during the day so you may get more chance to study but I find it very very hard to get the opportunity to work at home. By the time I sit down I only manage a couple of hours at most and I get to study so infrequently that I spend a lot of time covering the same ground to work out where I am up to with research etc. I also spend a lot of time finding research papers and reading them, only to find that I've forgotten what my notes mean by the time I get back to them. You do need regular chunks of time to avoid getting bogged down and missing deadlines. With going into uni I can't be distracted and there is opportunity to read on the journey too. Also I have been doing my MEd for 3 years now and at times it felt like I would never get there. A good option to avoid getting locked in to a long course is to do something like OU as you've suggested which is modular. Often bricks and mortar universities offer distance learning courses too so don't assume OU is your only option for this.

With regard to the foundation course - if you would be looking at 1 or 2 years part time would it not be quicker and easier for you to do a Biology A Level as an evening course? I'm sure there would be a community college or further ed college near you that offered A Levels? And I can think of a few online tutors available via MN Being as you already have A levels and a HE qual I'm not even certain that you would need another level 3 course to get onto a degree programme. To make life easier for yourself I would take the most direct and easiest route to the end point you can, don't do any extra courses you don't need as you'll lose out in terms of time, money and your own enthusiasm. You might find the uni runs a foundation programme as part of the first year of the degree - on my Physics undergrad it wasn't uncommon for students to take 'top up' courses in Science or Maths as part of their first year, especially if they didn't have traditional entry requirements. I'm waffling, I'll stop now, but please ask if you need anything. I would give the uni where you are thinking of doing the degree a call and see what they have to say as a starting point.

I didn't like the last one so much. I'm still Lenni to me too MissJ!

oooooooooooh Lenni- I like!

I'm on the case thinking of a meet place, DH has said he will spend the day clearing out the loft if I take the DC's out. What a bargain deal as far as I'm concerned

Thanks Lenni.

Its actually Chemistry I'd really need rather than Biology. Never done any, other than in Combined Science at school, so really don't know how I'd get on with it. Maybe a night school gcse would be a better starting point?

Unfortunately, as far as I can tell, there are no part-time courses for dietetics other than the odd short course from self-styled distance learning organisations which obviously aren't properly accredited. The alternative would be to do an 'alternative therapy' type accreditation to become a 'nutritionist' instead, but that's not really what I want.

I was thinking I probably wouldn't start the full-time degree course until dd was in school full-time, as having been a sahm to both boys prior to school, I feel a need to do the same for her. Not sure if this would cause a problem with getting a job afterwards though, as I would be almost 48 by the time I qualified and I know my Mum has come across a fair bit of age discrimination. It would give me the time to do some distance learning 'taster' type courses in the meantime, as well as gen up on maths and chemistry though.

Still have a nagging feeling it might be punching above my weight though.

Pat sounds like an unbelievably good deal! Take it, take it, take it before he sees sense!

Moose You wouldn't be punching above your weight I'm sure. I would still look into A Levels as well as GCSEs - I think you would cope, GCSE Science isn't all that hard did I say that?? Nooooooo, not me. Pat, slap me.

Forgot to say, DD eats like a sparrow compared to your DS! She is currently on 5 bf a day, fruit porridge for breakfast, something like avocado, cucumber, rice cakes or toast and some yoghurt for lunch and a bowl of whatever we are having for tea. She does have a penchant for my dropped scones, enjoys the odd bit of toast and has devoured the odd Ella's pouch as well though.

I've been worrying I'm not giving her enough to eat and am planning on expanding her repertoire a bit

Lenni- Science is easy, except the mathsy bits, even I hate them.
I have accepted the deal, I hate dark and cobwebby lofts and frankly......ITS A MANS JOB as is putting out the bins imo

Moose I think a GCSE in Chem would be a waste of time and straight AS level better if you already have science GCSE. I can help with biology and a bit of chem, although molar calculations always make my head spin!!!!!

Oh, I can also send you some revision guides from school if you want a quick look to see what you are supposed to know, that may help you make a decision??

Crikey yes, Lenni, your DS does have....erm....an appetite! Mind you Z isn't shy when it comes to food. today at dinner he fed himself 2 meatballs, 2 chunks of cheese, 2 sticks of cucumber, 3 plum tomatoes and then finished off DD's plate of spaghetti with creamy tomato and herb sauce (literally just shovelled it in). He then quite fancied a yoghurt , followed by a BF an hour later . And I wonder why he has such chunky legs!

Hi all, have only skimmed as am very tired and off to bed to close my sore eyes soon.

KITTENS! YEY!!!!! I love them!!!!!

moose foundation level OU is a really good idea, they are usually interesting and can ease you back into an academic way of thinking whilst brushing up your study skills.

heron

I've probably missed loads, many apologies.

Have just found out that my new friend that I met a couple of weeks ago has got a house on the same road as my best mate so will be staying in Sheffield! Am well chuffed!

Off now, will hopefully be able to chat properly tomorrow morning, DH is taking DD to Aquababes!

MOLAR CALCULATIONS!!!! [panicking moose emoticon] What the blazes is a molar calculation. See now you've scared me and I may have to hide under the bed!

To be honest I thought perhaps a gcse would ease me back in verrrry gently and teach me the real basics (like compound names etc). I seem to have very little brain left after 3 dcs and will need to get a really good grounding in the basics whilst starting my rusty cogs in motion.

Just read something about mature students and gcse's though and it pointed out that unless you do it by distance learning, you end up in a room full of 16 year old retakers. Don't think I fancy that. Alternatively you can do the course online but have to make your own examination arrangements.

Thanks for the offer of the revision guides. I think I will mull over my options for a bit longer first rather than waste your time and trouble though.

Oh dear. I think I'm just talking myself round in circles now. Think I will stop thinking about it for tonight at least.

Lol at Z and the spaghetti. I love watching dd eating porridge or lentil and vegetable stew etc with her hands, its like watching a baby shaped vacuum cleaner in action!

Bad news, she has a snotty nose and has sneezed several times. Really hope she doesn't get it as bad a ds1. Ds2 seems to have got a milder dose. Not entirely sure how it works, but was wondering whether the human element of SF might be the same one as the flu he had last Christmas and so might have afforded him a degree of immunity to at least one element. (Does that make sense?)

Aw thanks Dog was feeling a bit left out not being able to see the pics. They are gorgeous. I love kittens - just not so keen on cats.

Great names as well.

Thought you were only getting one though?

Oooh you big ol' soppy thing you.

That's why I never have only one dog. I can't bear to think of them not having someone to communicate with and cuddle up to. [daft old soppy mare emoticon]

Is the white one completely white all over? If so, might be worth getting the vet to check his/her hearing as pure white cats and dogs can often carry the deafness gene.

One other thought, they are a male and a female aren't they? Most female cats are mature enough to breed from about 5/6 months and males from around 10 months. Once they are able to breed, females come into heat for 2-4 days at a time every fortnight! Cats Protection League recommend that both males and females are neutered at 4 months, although some vets prefer to wait until 6 months.

Sorry, just remember my childminders cat having litter after litter so fast that she couldn't get her neutered in between litters. They were lovely, but it definitely got out of hand.

God listen to me, sorry. Perhaps I should go back to my original plan of working in animal resuce rather than thinking about all this dietician nonsense.

Gooooood morning ladies!

I'm in on my own, feet up, cup of tea in hand, Jeremy Kyle on the telly. Its so exciting!

DH went to take DD swimming but its closed so i think they are going to the farm cafe, i told him not to come home as I've been looking forward to an hour by myself.

Thanks for the link dog, they are very cute! When the white one starts going outside, you may need to put suncream on its nose and ears to stop them burning. Stuff for babies is the best as is waterproof and slightly edible! Two kittens are always better than one!

moose immunity thing makes sense to me but i am not wise on such matters. How are the mooselets today? I hope they are feeling moositastic.

(the being alone, feet up, cup of tea bit is exciting, not the Jeremy Kyle....that is just my guilty pleasure )

morning

Hi Furry. The boys are a lot brighter today thanks. They are both downstairs now and building huge megablok structures, which has scuppered my vaccuming plans somewhat. DD is still just a little snotty with the odd sneeze so keeping everything crossed that she's avoided the worst.

DH took ds2 and dd to the shops the other day while ds1 was asleep in bed and it felt really odd. The last time I was 'alone' in the house was before dd was born and I kept going to speak to her then remembering she wasn't there. Couldn't wait for them to get back - daft really, should've made the most of it.

Am grumpy today as have had to go back on my fat free yoghurt diet again due to increasing stomach pain. Everyone else has luverly sandwiches for lunch and I have had a fruits of the forest - bleugh, so sick of yoghurts.

Am glad to hear the little uns are feeling better moose fingers etc are crossed!!!
Sorry to hear you are feeling poo again. I can see how yoghurt would quickly become very dull.

I just put my gardening gloves on, went into the garden with chilli plant in one hand and a larger pot in the other. I approached the bag of compost, unwrapped the top, and was promptly accosted by several very large spiders, at which point I ran back into the house, making sure to lock the door so that the spiders couldn't get in.

Have asked DH to re-pot chilli!