Dec 08 - 9 months in, 9 months out!

[jumpjockey]

Hope you don't mind the dodgy thread name but all our babies are 9 months old now or in the next few weeks

Daisydora My DD finally has her first tooth too! Mind you she won't let me look, just feel, but she had an in-car meltdown today and DH climbed into the back to try and calm her and got a full on tonsil-view and said he could see it, hooray!

Veggie Thanks, I dont know what it can be. We realised the other day that washing nappies is so much nicer from DS2 and the reason is he actually does solid poos. DS1 never does, and he is being diffcult to potty train as a result. He has quite a poorly bottom at the moment as he goes a couple of times a day

I should take him to the docs but its so awful to get an appointment withe the "ring in" system, engaged for 15 mins, then everything taken but emergencies !

Funnily NJAN it's the same here we are amazed that already we have firm formed poo poos from DS2 when it was ages before DS1 did them, like well after TT I think. With DS1 we never used the nappy liners because there was no point with his wet squishy ones. We hardly ever have stained nappies now. I thought it was because DS1 wasn't so good with solids and had BF for ages and had loads of milk.

DH is down in London at a proper party. One were everyone drinks cocktails, possible naughty substances are available and no one has to check everything is ok with the babysitter. It's so unfair I want to go too.

We had a nice night out last night except that DS2 woke twice and I had to pop back and sort him out. It made for a late night we got home after 12, woohoo.

mm Veggie Thats interesting to hear -perhaps its nothing to worry about - different digestive systems perhaps (they tend to eat the same food now, but DS2 is still breastfed) - DS1 has no other symptoms than runny bum.

I apologise to everyone else for discussing bowel movements on a saturday night

Hehehe I was thinking it might be a bit icky for everyone NJAN. I would still have a chat to your GP though I don't want you not to look into it on my child having something similar. Oh has he had any bouts of diarrhoea in the past. After tummy bugs kids can become temporarily lactose intolerant for a bit.

Morning all! DD slept from 7 to 6.15 had a quick feed then went back to sleep tll 7.30! Think it was my birthday present from her!

Oh happy birthday kiwi and hooray for sleep. Got anything nice planned for your birthday?

Kiwi and some of the other lovely new ladies are you on facebook? There are a bunch of us on there to make it easier I'll give you my email but I'll spell it out so it's not too obvious to the casual lurker n e r i d a f at y a h o o dot c o m let me know who your MN name in a little message and I'll accept you then point the way to our little private group where if you knock correctly Kayz will let you in.

Thanks Veggie! Yes we're off shopping and DH is taking me out to dinner at Chez Bruce this evening which is supposed to be amazing. Thoroughly spoiled me with pressies too!

I'm already in the FB group so I must find you and befriend properly!

Kayz where are you?!?!! I've decided I'm gonna go to north london seduce cesc and have his baby. It's the least I can do!

Kiwi my initials are NK. Hope you have a lovely shop!

DH is home he's been watching the football and the boys while Ive gotten busy tidying and doing some early decluttering we have the real estate here in the morning to have a look to give us an idea of what we can rent the place out at. It's not going to be particularly tidy but I'm sure they can see past the mess to give us a quote. He had a great time at the party and ran into an old friend who is working in Amsterdam with the company he is going to which is cool. He also spent half the night showing young sexy things pictures of the boys. Bless him, I know he does it partially to get some young lady attention, but I know he could never cheat he's too much of a sop. He actually had a conversation with a women whose a doctor and is scared of having a baby because of her fear of giving birth so of course my experienced birth partner gave her a lesson on birth hormones and em... how not to tear. I swear I should put him forward as some sort of mascot for homebirth!

kiwi is that Chez Bruce in Wandsworth? I'm very if so. We've never managed to make a booking (you have to be hot off the mark at the right time each month) but I've heard it's lovely.

Verso they've just changed the booking policy at Chez Bruce so you can book as far ahead as you want now - get yourself a booking! It is very very lovely indeed. Wonderful food, incredible wines and just really lovely service. Just thinking about the cheese board is making me drool...

Hi Verso!! Kiwi happy birthday - and v jealous of your visit to Chez Bruce. We have been meaning to got for the last 10 years!!

Veggie your DH is so sweet helping the girl with fear of labour! Hope all goes well with the estate agents.

NJAN sorry for DS1 has bottom problems. My eldest always had loose BMs - but in fact she did turn out to be allergic to egg milk and kiwi - but in saying that, even when we found this out and they were excluded, her BMs were still loose. I raised it with her dietician and she said for a lot of toddlers it takes a long time for the gut to mature. All kids different - as some people have mentioned, my other two do the little solid "triagular poos" - sorry for the tmi!

Off to watch a film!

Crazycatlady? Are you a crazy cat, lady or a crazy, cat lady?

Hi everyone, back again as promised, and so much to catch up on and to say ...

Firstly I am and very impressed to hear that O is talking and recognising animals and that J is standing on his own ? LadyT and Veggie I bet you?re very proud of your LOs.

And LadyT I?m a Strictly addict, a fact which DD recognised even when in the womb and kindly waited until the day after the final last year to be born so that I wouldn?t miss any of it! I agree totally with you about Tess, but my sister pointed out that she has a slightly lazy eye, so I make myself feel better with the thought that my eyes are nicer than hers

I am so pleased to hear that Madam has responded well to the sleep programme, WG do you feel like you?ve won the lottery with all the shut eye she?s allowing you?! I love your analogy to the vaccinations, such a great and true way of looking at it. And I do hope that Daisy?s DS?s teeth and Trace?s DD?s ears mean that in no time at all those two little ones will also be sleeping well again

Welcome back Kiwi, and happy birthday. What a treasure of a DH you have. My DH earned lots of brownie points this morning, not only for bringing DD down but also for setting the dishwasher off. However he needed to earn them, as yesterday I asked him to take the recycling bin out and he said ?which bin is that??

Its great to hear from you Verso, and that your DH is thriving with his work/life balance and that you?re happy in your new job. And wohoo for the ?closure? on the old one ? I hope they?ve learnt a big lesson on that one

Jump isn?t it amazing how everything worked out perfectly with the childcare? Are you looking forward to going back to work now, now you know that DD is in the best place?

Veggie your words on my work situation are so wise, thank you. DH and I have worked out that although I do need to go back at some point, we can manage for now and therefore I will only apply for jobs that I know will give me a lot of satisfaction and allow me plenty of time to spend with E, so I feel better that I don?t have to rush into getting a job for the sake of it. I had an interview this week to be assistant manager in a bakery working 5 mornings a week, which I think I?d have loved ? surrounded by cake! ? but sadly I didn?t get that one. So exciting to think that in a month?s time you?ll living in Amsterdam ? I am so envious of your adventuring spirit. And on favourite things (such a lovely thing to think of, I enjoyed this one!), my favourite thing that E does is give me really big squeezy cuddles, she?s just started doing that and I love it. And now she?s crawling, I love it that she comes to find me.

You mentioned teaching Daisy. I was talking to a friend just last week is considering becoming a teaching assistant ? would that be something that would give you the necessary experience without having to study for the PGCE? (I don?t know if you need to study for this, so sorry if you also need a PGCE and I?m making pointless suggestions).

PMK I love the photos, especially the ones of your DS sticking his tongue out ? so cute! How scary for your friends, losing everything, we are so lucky in such a mild country where natural disasters don?t touch us

at your packing priorities Spot

How did L?s dance show go Trace? I bet she was fab, do you have any photos?

I was very impressed to hear that DS1 was star of the week Tilly

We?ve had a lovely week ? DH and I braved a night away on Tuesday and left E with MIL on Tuesday and overnight and then with my Mum on Wednesday. The excellent news is that E and my Mum got on like a house on fire ? hurrah! And Mum?s been texting me all week since to tell me what a lovely day she had. And I enjoyed out night away from DD more than I thought I would (although we went for a meal with wine tasting, so I think the 7 glasses of cheerfulness helped! ) And the cuddles I got when we got home on Wednesday, they made it worthwhile going away

Having worked up the courage to hand in my notice last week, I have had no acknowledgement at all from them and its starting to pee me off. How long do I leave it before getting in contact to check they?ve actually received it? I need to sort out with them redundancy (I?m eligible to some because of the move), holiday pay and if I need to pay any of my maternity pay back and would like it sorted and ticked off so I can move on.

I have a winter coat dilemma for E ? I don?t know whether an all in one snowsuit like she had last year or a proper coat would be more practical for her, bearing in mind she?s only just started to crawl, but maybe toddling around by the time its spring. What have you all gone for?

Phew, that?s all I wanted to say (thank you all sigh) so will sign off and promise not to lurk next week. Night everyone x

Morning!

Veggie I am so so proud of DS2!! When Arsenal scored the first goal I cheered and he put his arms in the air!! Then he did the same for the other 5 goals!! I am so annoyed I didn't manage to get a picture of him doing it.

I've got to ask my manager for an extra 4 hours a week today. With me only working 12 hours Tax Credits have said they don't count me as working so we lose £250 a month. But we can't afford to lose my wage so I can't just stop working. I am not holding out much hope so keep your fingers crossed.

Hope everyone is well!

Morning Ladies,
Shocking weather here to accompany a shocking night.... Def a teeth thing here. ds rosy cheeked and irritable all day (not his usual self at all) Asleep at 7 after a bit of crying. Awake at 830pm. Refused milk, refused water, Calpol accepted + teething powder and asleep until 3am - more calpol and frantic chewing on Muslin poor boy was in so much pain. Woke as normal at 7am and still has appetite, but is shattered and happily gone back to bed. Already got 5 teeth, seems like another 5 coming at once!

WG so pleased to hear about your dd sleeping. Your mil - good God! I DO have a cumb tray on my toaster, but I rarely remember to clean it and never on a Saturday!

Daisy well done on the sleep situation too.

Thanks for nice comments re my photos

Kiwi Happy belated - well done having the well trained dh!

Kayz - for you about work - fingers crossed here

Veggie Hows the packing going? What's dh's party for?

I'm so tired.... I feel so sorry for those who have regular sleep probs

who is Crazycatlady?

Hello everyone,

I'll have to be quick as we have to go to baby signing in a minute...

Zoe I'd email or ring and ask for confirmation they received the letter. They need to get it sorted out with you moneywise. Have you decided whether to take a career break or look for something else?

DD has got some chunky cardies that my nanna knitted and a snowsuit my mum got when woolies was closing down! A snowsuit is useful if your DD will be in a carrier but otherwise a coat and a cosytoes on your pram should be enough. Glad your night away was fun!

kayz Good luck with your request for more hours.

WG I did chuckle at the crumb tray!

I'm off on my overnight work trip tomorrow. It is extra poor timing as DD's teeth started up again on Saturday. She has very red hot cheeks and sometimes bursts into tears whilst eating . She's with her grandparents all day tomorrow and at nursery on Wednesday. DH is working from home though so can always take the day off if DD is really unsettled. I'm trying not to worry about it because there's nothing I can do.

Right, hope you all have good days.

Anyone else have a dc who is obsessed with standing 6 inches in front of the TV? As soon as I turn around, he is back there again! Is this bad for his eyes or not a prob at this age?
I will have to rearrange the furniture I think!

ZJ that was a bit of an epic!!! So glad your night away went well and that the bonding sessions obviously paid off . No idea about the coat thing. We have a stroller, not a pram, so no cosy toes thing, so I think an all in one might be best. Hard if you're in an out of shops though because they might get warm and then it's not so easy to whip off...oh the planning involved!
Kayz hope you get your hours.
pmk poor little ds with his teeth Hope he feels better soon and lets you have more sleep. As for TV P doesn't seem at all interested - even Baby Beethoven has lost its appeal it seems!
verso nice to see you again!
crazycatlady hello! Are you a december 08 lady? Are you joining us? Or just a quick pop in to tell Verso about the restaurant?! Stay and be our friend!!
Veggie how did you get on with the estate agent?
I've spent the day offering sixth formers free chlamydia screening! We got a good response actually - more because they wanted the freebies for doing the test I think - they got a round condo on a stick (like a lollypop!), a sperm shaped key ring, a condom wallet, a pen, sweeties and leaflets/ postcards.
P is still not sleeping well at all. and now she's started holding her other ear. She finished her ABs today so I'm tempted to go back in case it hasn't cleared it up, but I don't want to pester the GP.
Right must dash and pick up L from school.
see you later xxx

WOOO!!! I got my extra hours!! I am having to do every 3rd Sunday morning but that is fine with me!!

Trace Hope P is better soon. The condom lollipop sounds quite funny!

Pmk Both of my boys sit really close to the tv. I have to keep telling DS1 to move and picking DS2 up and moving him.

Great news Kayz!! Glad it worked out for you
Re the TV - I think I will put the TV on something different as I turned the TV off and he still stands there looking at a blank screen! I suspect the table being the right height for him to hold on to is part of the problem. Oops no - now he's had enough since there's no tv to watch - back to the computer lead....
He has started doing this one handed holding on while standing and then looking around for me to clap! very funny and thinks he's really clever, then falls over and laughs at himself.

I have pureed up a storm today.
Oh and I have discovered ds loves Promite (similar to Vegemite / Marmite) He ate a small piece of toast so fast that coughed when a bit too big got stuck then vomited it up, which the dog ate - charming. it prompted me to do a spot of cleaning. I have washed the dog, the floors and done 3 loads of washing so housewifey today!

Ok, must go do some ironing and prepare dinner.... pmsl! kidding - I don't iron!

Hello well it's day one of 'operation chuck stuff out that we really don't need and will never use again even if we think we might' (prob need to rethink that name). So far we haven't done nearly as much as we thought we would I was sure I'd be through all DS1's toys by now. But I've only done a couple of boxes. Also I was going to be so harsh and get rid of so many toys and give them to charity (aka the kids on that other island who don't have any mummies and daddies), leaving him with some Thomas stuff and maybe a few cars, but I've gone all soft and sentimental and want to keep everything! Everyone is like all 'yeah young kids are easy to relocate to another country they cope really well' yeah they might but the 5 truck loads of stuff that comes with them makes it a logistical pain.

pmk it was a friend in Londons birthday party.

ZJ you kind of need little jackets and a snowsuit as in the pushchair as JB said the footmuff and clothes do the trick but in the car or if your at outdoor things where she'll be out of the pushchair a bit you'll need the extra warmth.

Well DH is a little stressed because there is a bit of a gap between what we pay in our mortgage and what we'll get in rent. But hey ho what can you do. It's an investment property and long term investment required done short term spending. I think we've been spoiled with our London flat as it's twice the cost per month but get 3 times more rent. I think he's starting to regret swapping both the places from interest only to capital repayment. Does anyone know about these things? I know we will lose out a little per month because we will break even with the London place and have to top up a fair bit on the derby place but I'm sure in the long run it's better. N the end we are lucky to be in a postion to be concerned about topping up on a rental property rather then some people who are worrying about how they will pay next months mortgage/rent!

Oh I think I'm suddenly getting a little sad about leaving old blighty. I'm looking out at the lovely tree across the street with is leaves turning and thinking I won't look out of it for much longer. I also keep looking at the spot where DS2 was born and getting a little sentimental.

I'm not sure who crazycatlady is I thought maybe Kiwi had changed her name.

Hello all!

trace hope P is okay and that her infection has cleared up.

kayz well done on getting the extra hours that is great news!

pmk DS loves standing in front of the TV, although he is usually attached to DD and annoying her!

veggie and kayz I support Blackburn so was very about yesterday! A disaster....

veggie I went through all our toys the other day in the hope to make some room for the pile we have in the attic that DS will be getting ready for soon and the pile we will no doubt get from Christmas. It took hours and I got rid of about 1 bag of stuff! Its so hard to get rid of things isn't it?

ZJ I have thought of doing a teaching assistant course, and trying that while DS is still small and then maybe doing the PGCE in another couple of years...I am so crap at making my mind up!!

Have not had a great weekend tbh. DS sleeping not back to as bad as last week, but still not too great and to top it all off we have all be struck down with a vomming bug. Well everyone except DS who has been in fine spirits and eating me out of house and home!

Spoke to my nan today, and it seems that they have 'forgotten' to refer her for an MRI so it could be a few more weeks before she gets a prognosis. i am so at how incompetent some bloody people are. She was quite upset herself as she is going to see the consultant tomorrow and basically they should have been discussing her treatment but I guess as they have f*cked up, he won't have much to tell her. And then Nan rang to chase my G'dad's scan results and they have 'gone missing'. Its beyond a joke. He has a skin cancer that is rapidly spreading (and has been told it is very aggresive) and its so dangerously close to his eye. He is worried that he will go blind.

And breath.....

pmk - dd does that thing with going right up to the TV too. Don't know why she does it, drives me mad!

WG - so delighted to see how well things are going for you on the sleep front! Didn't have a chance to post, but was avidly following your updates on the thead.

Daisydora - glad to hear its going better for you as well!

trace - sorry to hear P is still not too well.

JB - hope your work trip is going well. Such a shame its coincided with DD not being on top form, but it sounds like she will be in good hands while you are away.

spot and veggie - the moving efforts sound epic (even if it mostly the bottles)! It is exciting to think about the new lives ahead of you once the hassle of getting there is over.

Had a night out for a friend's birthday on Friday - it was a real novelty to be out together with DH, in Soho on a Friday night! I'd forgotten the world that was out there and the agony of an early start on Sat morning after a big night out...More seriously, I think it did both DH and I good to be out like that together and be on good bantering form. Lately all we seem to talk about is the kids and worky stuff and you forget what its like to have fun together.