October 08 - The race is on to be the first to walk!

[CantSleepWontSleep]

My money's on Q.

Short and sweet list this time.

10th Sept (Due 1st Oct) - loulou33 - Boy - Joe Louis David - 6lbs 12oz
16th Sept (Due 8th Oct) - Ksal - Girl - Emma Rae - 6lbs
21st Sept (Due 5th Oct) - myjobismum - Girl - Naomi Caitlin - 5lbs 10oz
22nd Sept (Due 10th Oct) - Lozza70 - Boy - Sander Gene - 7lbs 5oz
2nd Oct (Due 12th Oct) - star6 - Boy - Quinlan - 5lbs 15oz
3rd Oct (Due 6th Oct) - Bethoo - Girl - Maia - 7lbs -
3rd Oct (Due 26th Sept) - purpleflower - Girl - Rebecca Jill Erzsebet - 8lbs 10.5oz
4th Oct (Due 30th Sept) - Aubergenie - Boy - Stanley - 7lbs 12oz
8th Oct (Due 6th Oct) - ronshar - Boy - William Dexter - 7lbs 11oz
9th Oct (Due 17th) - Marthasmama - Girl - Martha - 7lbs 10oz - Elective c-sec
10th Oct (Due 1st Oct) - CantSleepWontSleep - Boy - Duncan Elliot - 8lbs 4oz
12th Oct (Due 4th Oct) - pistachio - Boy - Thomas Fraser - 10lbs 2oz
16th Oct (Due 11th Oct) - heather1980 - Boy - Alexander James - 9lbs 5oz
17th Oct (Due 10th Oct) - pepperrabbit - Girl - Jessica Rose - 7lbs 15.5oz
20th Oct (Due 16th Oct) - bigmouthstrikesagain - Girl - Polly - 8lbs 7oz
24th Oct (Due 29th Oct) - Ekka - Boy - Matthew - 7lbs 15oz - Home water birth with gas and air.
26th Oct (Due 20th Oct) - jenwa - Girl - Phoebe Jasmine - 9lbs 2.5oz
28th Oct (Due 23rd Oct) - RachieW - Boy - Jack - 7lbs 4oz
28th Oct (Due 31st Oct) - Jojay - Boy - Edward Alexander - 7lbs 7oz
31st Oct (Due 20th Oct) - KnickersOnMaHead - Boy - Samuel Paul - 9lbs 11oz
1st Nov (Due 22nd Oct) - SmudgeyDoodle - Girl - - 8lbs 2oz
5th Nov (Due 29th Oct) - Honeymoonmummy - Girl - Poppy Grace - 6lbs 15oz
5th Nov (Due 30th Oct) - MamaG - Boy - Harry James - 10lbs 9oz

Yay for M's teeth! S is like a shark now, they're so sharp. I've had to be really firm with him about biting while he's feeding as he thought it was a really funny game.

MM - S loved the outdoors, the trees, listening to the birds. He loved all the other children riding round on their bikes and the people walking their dogs. If he sees a dog now he squeals and says da da da. He also loved eating sand and pebbles andd rolling around on the airbeds in the bedroom of the tent, bouncing off the walls and generally going insane in his own personal soft play centre. One man I was chatting to said he was the happiest baby on the campsite. He refused to go to sleep until it was dark which was after ten, so any kind of routine has gone totally out of the window. I'm back at work next week so have got to try and restore some sort of order before then or I'll be going insane myself.

How are you feeling now?

Aww... that sounds lovely (the happiest baby bit, not the shark baby)! I think M would probably love camping too as she keeps trying to escape into the garden now that she's on the move. We all shared a room in a hotel on Saturday and Sunday night and M loved us all being together. She wouldn't sleep though...

I am feeling absolutely fine now! I managed hours of walking on Sunday and pushing M up-hill on grass! I have no pain anymore, I'm just a bit weaker which is to be expected really.

She seemed ok this afternoon MM, but then got all hysterical and wanted medicine (although still made a fuss about actually taking it!) tonight. We're going to see a chiropractor tomorrow who runs a children's clinic to get her to give her the once over (she's a good friend).

Awww poor little love. DS said he's going to make her a get well soon card when I told him she'd hurt herself. Clearly she made an impression!

Hi all, I have read up to date but I'm too exhausted to remember anything! Have finished sorting the photos so will put them on tmrw. If anyone doesn't like one of them let me know and I'll take it off, but I don't think there are any unflattering ones.

I went to the gym again today, that's twice in a week!!!

Oh Star, i meant to reply to your msg about MN hugs. I too thought it was weird at first, I think it's probably a "we're sensible parents not emotional wrecks, stiff upper lip" kind of thing, but I'm happy to be corrected...?

I'm off to bed anyway, night all! Big hugs to all!

Oh and in particular I have a wonderful photo of M and O MM. Plus a great one of D CSWS.

Great to hear you're feeling better MM. It must be such a relief!

CSWS - Hope your DD is OK. Has she hurt herself?

I'm off to school to set my classroom up today. I'm feeling quite excited that I've got a project to get my teeth into, i.e. going back to work. Dp on the other hand is utterly depressed at being back with no job etc.

I've ordered that cake book. Am ridiculously excited about it. A couple of my friends have joined the WI and are now busy swapping recipes and cooking tips. I caught myself thinking about jam making the other day so I may be going the same way.

Just a quickie as off to see a hearing therapist who is lovely.

Glad you had a lovely time aubergenie and that your DS enjoyed it too. Good luck setting up classroom.

ronshar yes nice to know not everyone things I am odd Glad you having nice holiday.

hm look forward to pics.

8csws* hope your DD is ok. DD1 has asked if she can see her again. When I said we had tickets to return to the castle she said she would like to go back to the princess tower with your dd

mm feel a bit bad I never chatted to you much on sunday.I wanted to ask you about your op etc but never got chance!

Right gotto go, kids at inlaws so sitting having cuppa and have to leave now.

Have a good day all.

Hi all

Yes, the cake was yummy Ryan's sunburn looks loads better now. Had a bad night last night, he kept waking and nothing was helping, I gave him calpol but even that was a bit traumatic as he doesn't like taking a spoon when he is sleepy and I couldn't find the syringe anywhere. It helped so think it was teething. I couldn't get him to take the full dose though.

I hope he isn't picking up on our stuff, things have been really strained between me and J. We went out on Monday and was supposed to be a nice dinner but it was just boring - like sitting in eating at home. We barely had a conversation or flirted or anything. I was feeling really sad and then we had a huge argument which I had wanted to avoid. We are trying to be nice to each other now - have said we will go on holiday (going for a week on Saturday) and enjoy it and see where we go from there.

I went to the Children's Centre yesterday to a closed group which is referral only, I am the only one who goes at the moment because all the other ladies have school age children as well, but it's nice as the organisers make a fuss of Ryan. I have referred myself for counselling through the CC and hopefully that will help me to decide what to do and also just generally, I have been feeling quite down and not sure whether it is situational, hormonal or what.

BB - I will be back later and will answer you, but I am in a mad rush to get DS out of the house before I kill him lose it completely!

My cake book arrived - I am stupidly excited..... Pistachio and chocolate cake

It's WEIRD pistachio. We put him down and if he's tired, he'll crawl but if he's awake, he'll just walk wherever he needs to go... it's SO STRANGE to see this little BABY walking around! I prefer it when he crawls. Sometimes he trips and when he does that, he just crawls instead unless he wants something up high, then he gets back up and walks! Surreal.
The chocolate cake sounds delicious. Did someone post a recipe for it on here yet? If not, can you do so? I'd like to make it and not tell DH what's in it until after I know he'd never try it if he knew!

Walking sounds fun Ryan is also walking on my hands a lot more now. I remember when he was really tiny he used to love being held up to put weight on his legs (the stepping reflex thing) and if I was doing it it just looked normal but one day J was doing it with him and I saw it from across the room and a tiny newborn baby standing up just looked wrong! Of course in my mind he hasn't grown an inch since he was born so I imagine it will be very strange.

Thanks for the offer of the FB group but I feel more anonymous here. I don't quite trust facebook and there are too many people I know in real life on there! So even though the group is private I feel more comfortable talking about stuff here. J goes through my emails given half a chance and all his work friends are "friends" of mine on facebook, but although he is suspicious of mumsnet he has never snooped on here as far as I can tell. (And it tends to be obvious) He hasn't found the "Threads I'm On" button so I think it is too big for him to find anything.

Sorry to hear that BB. Have you been to the docs about this? It might be PND. I get really irritable with the PND and always take it out on poor DH.

Can't be long, gotta get ready for lunch date with some other mums. Pics now on FB

Trying to arrange a date with DH. We've decided that since POps was ok on her debut solo visit to PIL last week that we will leave Pops with PIL one half day a week and take turns to arrange a date. First date is tomorrow. I was gonna take him horseriding, but that's more for me than him, so going to hire bikes in nearby forest instead with inevitable lunch/ cakes involved

BB, maybe you could do something like this? Maybe the meal didn't go well but if you were doing something rather than sitting round eating you might find something to talk about? I know DH and I can sometimes sit in silence when we go for meal.

Oh DH doesn't know what we're doing, we have to surprise each other, so mum's the word!

Where is everyone today?? I've just done Natalie Cassidy's workout DVD (Sonia) for first time. Davina is better IMO. Oh Rachie, I've just remembered!! Will chase DH to do it!

Off to wake Pops, there's a macaroni cheese in the oven for her

Right BB - all I was going to say is that you might find that your situation and hormonal issues are both feeding on each other and making things doubly bad. You might be feeling more hopeless about your relationship because you're feeling down generally and obviously the hopelessness you feel is probably making you feel down generally! Hmm is right that you should consider going to the gp about it, even if it is just to talk it through with someone who might be able to help. It's excellent that you have referred yourself for counseling. It will be good to have someone objective to discuss things with, it can help you gain some perspective on things. I often find that if I have issues with DH I need to talk to my mum to get an objective view as I can be a bit irrational at times!

Hmm - Just off to looks at pictures....

Star - Do you want me to post the pistachio & chocolate one or chocolate and peanut butter cupcakes? Mmmmmmmmmmmm.... I'm only doing one as it will take me ages!

Pistachio - Hee hee, I did think of you when I saw the recipe.

I've done the choc and peanut butter cupcakes too mm. Or was it the coconut cake (that people tried at the weekend) that you wanted? I've typed that out before somewhere, so will see if I can find it and C&P.

I would like the choc and pistachio one please!

It goes over two pages! Oh how I wish I had that audio typing thingy.

Serves 6 normal people 12:

100g pistachios (shelled)
3 medium free-range eggs
180g Muscovado sugar
300g topped, tailed, peeled and very finely grated courgette
120g white rice flour
60g good quality cocoa powder
2tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt (not for babies so it's all good!)

For the icing:
1 quantity Naughty Chocolate Icing (I'll put this recipe up too, fecking hell I must love you)
a handful of pistachios
plus another handful of whole nuts

You will need:
two 18cn diameter x 5 cm deep, loose-bottomed tins
a food processor

1. Pre-heat the oven to 180C/350F/gas mark 4. Line tins with baking parchment and brush a little vegetable oil around the base and sides.
2. Blitz the pistachios in the bowl of the food processor until they resemble powder. If they clog together ad a tablespoon of the flour. Take time to make sure you get to the powder stage, it will f* up the texture if you don't. 3)Whisk the eggs and sugar in a large mixing bowl for 2 mins until pale and fluffy. Beat in the courgette and pistachio dust, then the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt. Beat again to make sure they are all well mixed. 4)Pour evenly into tins and put in the middle of the oven for 30 mins. 5)Icing -

Bugger this. I'll scan it and send it to you Hmm. I will do the same for anyone else who wants it!!!

Sorry to hear that N is unwell.

Here is recipe for coconut cake:
200g dessicated coconut
3 medium eggs
180g caster sugar
250g topped, tailed, peeled and finely grated courgette
1 tbsp vanilla extract
120g white rice flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp bicarb
1/4 tsp salt

Filling - 1/2 jar sharp red jam (eg seedless raspberry)

Icing - 2 tbsp coconut milk and 100g icing sugar, sieved (though I didn't bother sieving)

1. Preheat oven to 160/325/gm3

Grease and line and grease again two 18cm diameter x 5cm deep loose bottomed cake tins.

1. Blitz the des coconut in a food processor for 2 mins to make it finer, which lifts the texture of the cake.

1. Whisk eggs and sugar till pale and fluffy (4 mins full blast with hand held whisk according to her, but I did in food processor for a few mins)

Beat in the grated courgette and vanilla extract.

1. Add coconut, flour, baking powder, bicarb and salt, and beat to combine. Pour it evenly into the two tins and place in middle of oven for 45 mins.

1. Remove from oven and unmould. Cool on wire rack for 15 mins whilst you make icing.

1. To make icing, pour coconut milk into icing sugar and combine to make loose paste with a spoon. Crush out any lumps with back of spoon.

1. When cake is cool enough to handle, spread the jam over one and sandwich them together. Pour the icing over the top to cover it and drip down the sides.

She recommends sprinkling toasted coconut shavings over the top before serving, but I went with fresh raspberries as I'd used raspberry jam inside.

Note that it's both gluten free and dairy free, so a good one to serve to allergicky guests too.

I'm beside myself with excitement about that book. I ordered it last night but I chose the free postage and now I'm wishing I paid for the postage to make it come faster. Gah!

Myjob - about N being ill again but a big about the crawling.

BB - Sorry you're having a tough time. Great that you've got some counselling sorted though. I hope it helps you to clear your head.

S has developed a really unappealing habit of putting food in his mouth, chewing it a bit and then sticking out his tongue and letting it all drop out down his front. He did it yesterday as well with loads of different foods, not just with something he doesn't like. I'm wondering if his teeth are hurting or if he just thinks it's fun.

I'm never sure how much different stuff to offer him if he won't eat much. I don't want to encourage him to be fussy but I also want him to eat a reasonable amount in the hope that he'll sleep.

What do other people do? Do you offer alternatives if they reject the first thing you give them?

Ah, that's usually just a phase aubergenie. A fun one too .
I don't normally offer something different if he doesn't eat much, but I might offer a more substantial portion of fruit for pudding, or the next milk feed a little earlier (milk only applies to lunchtime really, as I always save the evening feed for just before bed).