May '09 - We've had our first tooth!!

[Grumpyoldcaaaaaaaa]

Here we are, in honour of baby O and the first tooth through.

Febes- glad to here your DS is sleeping better. Let's hope you have a good night too.

My DS2 has been a grouch for 3 days (it felt like the bad old days where nothing you did would make him happy ) but was back to normal today, and also slept well again. I don't think it was a growth spurt as when i offered more milk he wasn't interested - I think it was tummy trouble. After his big poo this morning he has been very smiley.

ses - I can SO empathise re poo dp/h's..... I was studying (sort of) this afternoon and dp was 'looking after' M.... which consisted of him putting her on her dinosaur mat thingy and him painting the kitchen.... Anyhoo, have a hug to cheer yourself up. At least you don't have a squintyteddyclock to contend with

Thanks saus. Why do they just not get it??! Maybe they think the same thing about us though!

looby- we had a naming party for our DD when she was 8 months old. We just had it at home/in the garden as it was the August bank holiday weekend, and we asked 2 friends to be sort of "godparents" for her. It was just an excuse for a big party and a chance for people to meet her if they hadn't already. Unfortunately the "godparents" we chose separated not long after - we worried that we would jinx another relationship if we chose some more "godparents" for DS1 so we never bothered. I used to have faith but lost it, so I don't feel i could have my DCs christened - I do take my DCs to church now and again and my DD loves going but that's as far as it goes for now.

looby - meant to say that my "godaughter" didn't have a christening. Instead, her parents had a "Bubbles & Bounce" party for her (champagne and bouncy castle). I was formally asked to be godmother as I am a regular church goer and they wanted someone to be able to teach her about christianity when questions arose. She also had two other people who were asked to be "special people". She's now nearly 4yo and she knows that I am her godmother and that the other two are "special people." She asked me the other week who my "special people" are

reebee You feeling better now. I had to smile at you and your DH having a party. Can't remember last time DH and I did anything like it

naming ceremonies I've only ever attended real christenings. The most different christening was a friend of mine who had her ds christened in her backgarden by a "rent-a-rev". She also planted a tree in his name at the same time. The christening bit was for her DH and the tree planting for herself . All this reminds me that I really need to make work of getting in touch with the church and organise C's baptism. Ds and dd1 were baptised a bit late (at nearly 2 and 4 ). I really got to remember to do it earlier this time.

sausage I agree about the separate nights. Even though you already live together etc... it is still tradition not to see the bride/groom on the night before, so why not insist on continuing with the tradition. DH and I did it last year too. I think a lot of people are bad at RSVP-ing. It all makes it very stressfull. Even more stressfull than it already is.

We had a good day. Just relaxing at home really. DH came home. It was his b'day yesterday so I made him a cake with a ridiculous amount of candles on it. He's also practicing a more hands off method of caring for a baby. He usually just plonks her on the mat, without even giving her any toys or anything . He then picks her up when she starts complaining and then gives her to me because that obviously means she's hungry

DS was being a bit difficult tonight. Dd1 and him got under the duvet in his bed together for the bedtime story. Anyway, when she went into her own bed he refused to lie where she'd been because her germs were now in his bed and he would die. I tried reasoning with him, but it didn't work. So now he's as sleep squashed into a corner of his bed

Sausage definitely do the separate pre-wedding night thing.

muddled so sorry to hear about your friend

Ses my DH is pretty good with H now (after some training ) but does tend to do the 'right, I'm off to do the garden/paint something' thing on Sundays. I keep trying to think of things I could do by myself, but they would have to be out of earshot of H grumbling or it wouldn't count.

Grumpy hope your DH is with you by now. DH has an Alfa but it hasn't broken down (yet).

We took H to visit MIL in hospital this afternoon. He was on good form, smiling and being jolly in spite of the fact he'd refused to feed or sleep for several hours. Phew.

I can't believe MIL. She is the most stoical, non-fuss-making person I have ever met. She told me today that she realised she couldn't do a wee on the Saturday morning. Did she go to hospital? Call out-of-hours doctor? NHS Direct? No, she waited until Monday to see her GP! She has seen her GP 4 times and 3 of them have resulted in the Dr sending her straight to hospital immediately for life-saving treatment. The only times I have ever seen her get stressed are when someone puts a cup or glass too close to the edge of a table. Honestly, parents!!

Spangle - bet MIL was pleased to see H

Belgian - happy birthday to your DH

rENT A REV PMSL . Oops shouting, sorry. I've only been to one Christening (exclusing my own which I don't remember) and it was a bit dull . But I bet mine was too.

SES yup blokes are officially rubbish although dh got miles better as dd got older. I find he needs to be specifically asked to do things / given direct responsibilities. They seem to have to "do things" whilst looking after babies e.g. watching sport on in background whilst aimlessly shaking a rattle; cleaning bathroom cabinet whilst bathing etc etc.

SAUS if it's any consolation, I am really enjoying your mil stories . Do what you want for evening before wedding. I have such fond memories of the night before our wedding with a lovely meal out with dh and our close friends / family (did include the inlaws though who are fortunately for me, great).

REEBEE / FEBES hangovers . You are brave . Hope you have both recovered. I love those impromptu evenings, but always end up thinking I'm a fab singer hence belting out such great classics like BArry Manilow .

GRUMPY am so dreading the recorder stage. Lol out your playing of it to Ree. Dd got a Numberjacks comic today with a free plastic tat recorder whistle thing which I have attempted to stand on a million times but just don't have the heart to (yet). Phhheeeeeeee......gah..............

MOMI do you do "stuff" for Halloween then? I know it's v big in the US. Was in total at the floor space dedicated to Halloween stuff at Tescos when I nipped in there this week. Would quite like a spider outfit for dd (and obviously a bandage-esque sleepsuit which says "I love my mummy" for B). Have got in a big tin of Roses for me trick or treaters. If it lasts til then...

DAIZY glad you had a good holiday. Seems like loads of us have been on hols of late. We're heading off to CenterParcs tomorrow .

SPANGLE hope mil continues to improve. I'd have no worries taking lo to hospital.

DANDY you feeling any better today? Ah, the old "aching limbs". Just your age I'm afraid......

Right, need a third glass of vino.

morning all. just a quick one as dd1 has just run into the room, climbed into bed and we're cuddling and having a coffee/warm milk together.

went to sleep last night at 9pm! DH was hoping for action but in the end, i just couldn't get 'into it'. i couldn't make myself for some reason, just felt annoyed. bless him. i apologised and gave him a hj as consolation .

had a good, long sleep anyway. Harper slept through till 5.45. don't know how to get her to sleep later but am just grateful she didn't wake at 1am or 3 like usual.

grumpy, hope dh and dog have arrived safely by now.

saus, agree with the others about separate things. reebee we did the pizza and kebabs night before as well .

reebee, how's the head by the way?

reg, we don't do much for halloween but now that dd's 1&2 are older, we may do a trick or treat with a group of friends. i have fond memories of dressing up and trick or treating in a big group. have fun at centre parcs!

belgian at your DS sleeping scrunched up.
ses, hope you're not feeling so down today and dandy hope you're feeling better as well.

to all others, hope everyone is well.

Morning!

Momino - what a lovely image of you and DD1 this morning! Did you start using the jar method? How's it going?

Think me feeling low the last few days is predominantly linked to tiredness and have decided that our sleep arrangements need to change. I really don't think it's going to be easy. Started a thread on it yesterday here if anyone's got a spare hour to read my lengthy OP and comment.

Ses only had time for a quick read & H now getting bored in his jumperoo so no time to comment properly. Just wondered if you have read No Cry Sleep Solution as it might have a few tips? It's a lot gentler than the other books' methods. You can have my copy if you like - if you want it just FB me your address.

Morning all,

Hope all had a good weekend. I managed a late night on Sat at some friends. Was lovely to have some adult convo and a beer! Didn't quite go to the lengths of Reebee tho - hope your hangover is better now.

We didn't sell the camper, the guy is v interested but is looking at another one today and will make his decision tonight. Its on one hand but on the other because it means £££

The most exciting thing tho is that A slept from 8pm-1am in her cot! YAY! I had to resettle her twice at 9pm and 10pm but that is the single longest sleep she's had since birth. I woke up at 11.30 and then just before her as my boobs were like melons! Lets hope this is the shape of things to come.

grumpy hope DH and dog ahve now arrived safely.

saus another who agrees re the seperate night before activities - it solved a lot of 'issues' for me and DH re family too.

belgian at your DS. Maybe try telling him that there are lots of 'good' germs too?!

ses sorry to hear you're feeling down. Hope you are in a better mood today. My DH can be a bit dense re childcare too, I agree with Reg - he can't seem to just look after A, he feels the need to do stuff at the same time which usually involves me looking after A!!

daizy sorry about your friend. v sad.

spangle wow at your MIL. My Nan was a bit like that, never wanted to trouble anyone at all. Hope she continues to improve.

No experience of naming ceremonies or christenings really but DH and I have started thinking about wills and who we would want to be A's guardian should the worst happen. Its a really difficult one.

Hi to everyone else, hope you are all ok xx

ses x posts. Have read your other thread and not sure whether to reply there or here!

I second the NCSS book it has some good tips. TBH it sounds like you are in exactly the same place as me and A. We decided that going from cosleeping to pick-up/put down was a bit extreme and we didn't want nights of screaming so have been doing a strict bedtime routine now and A starts the night in the cot then comes back in with us. It has been as little as 40mins to 5 hours last night. The other thing was that everytime A woke I was feeding her back to sleep. Now I try to settle her if its been less than 2-3 hours since last feed.

Our bedtime routine, if it helps is as follows. Timings are approx!!

7pm - bathtime with dad. Post bath massage and songs while getting ready for bed.
7.15-7.30ish - A has her bedtime bottle (she is mix fed)
7.45-8 - in cot, dummy in, musical mobile on and I sit with her until she sleeps if a bit restless.

Sometimes she doesn't settle immediately and I give her a bit of a cuddle and then put her back in the cot. Occaisionally I have had to resort to a bit of a bf as well as her bottle but only once or twice.

If she stirs, I go back in, put mobile back on, dummy in, give her a bit of a stroke on the cheek/forehead and tell I I love her, will see her in the morning etc etc. I don't sing songs as that seems to wake her up!

Hth xx

Sorry forgot to add. Our reasoning is that hopefully this first bit of the night will get longer and longer until she sleeps through entirely, and avoids us having too many difficult nights of crying/shushing/etc (I too do not function well on v little sleep!)

Sorry for the billion posts but keep remembering things - we've been doing this for almost 3 weeks and A does seem to know the routine now - in fact Sat night when we stayed at friends' she got v confused and was unsettled as a result.

Thanks Spangle & Running . I do actually have the NCSS book but struggling to get chance to read it. It is where I got the idea of thinking about the end point I wanted and having a plan in black & white.
Will endeavour to try and read some more instead of doing so much MNing...

afternoon all...

M was unsettled last night - think its the combo of teething and yet another cold

after sleeping 8pm till 7am!! on sat night, last night she slept 7.30-10.30, bf, then 11pm-12.30am, bf, then 1am- 5am, then slept 5.40 till 7am.

Think her restless night has worn her out tho as she fell asleep on me whilst bfding at 11am and is only just stirring now

looby- sorry to hear you were up a lot last night. At least you have had a nice rest whilst M slept on you .

I just have to report (sorry) that S slept the best he has ever done - so i had the longest continuous sleep for 5+ months . I fed him at 10.45pm, went to bed, and then he didn't stir til 5am , had one boob (I didn't offer more as it was so close to morning) and then slept til nearly 8 and woke up all smiley. I feel like a new woman. Usually i don't get more than 3 hour chunks of sleep. I know I shouldn't get carried away, but i can at least see the light at the end of the tunnel, where we can feed him before we go to bed, and he gradually moves towards not feeding until morning. But i guess it may all change tonight as no 2 nights are the same .

Unfortunately just as DS2 is sleeping better, day and night, DS1 is I think dropping his daytime nap. He has been having them on alternate days, but hasn't had one now since nursery last Wednesday . DD carrried on until she was 3+ so it's a bit of a shock as he is only 2.4

Hello all.
Just catching up. Back later!
Bit tired tho today. R up at 1 and 5 last night. Where did my sleeping baby go?? But also had a friends DS here too for a sleepover. DS and his pal also up at 5am. Now, where are those matchsticks?

Hiya

I hope your hangovers reebee & febes are completely gone now but I sounds like you had fun making them!

sausage I think you're coping amazingly in the circumstances... sometimes I think the various family members forget who's day it really is and get carried away with their day. Stay strong and firm and they'll just have to respect your wishes as after all it is your day

pula DS was 2yrs when he dropped his daytime nap.. although because he was up at 5am this am he has now fallen asleep on the lounge floor with his blankie. I daren't try to move him as he really does need to catch up on his sleep... he was very teary going off to pre-school this am and I knew it was plain tiredness. I've just put another blanket on top of him to keep him warm . G is awake & playing with her feet while intermittently stuffing her fists into her mouth. I think she might be starting to teethe. Somehow i've managed to

also meant to say sorry about not name checking everyone else... so waving madly instead!

How's everyone today?

pula, dd2 is 25 mos and has skipped her nap a few times. the last time she didn't seem to be affected but then needs a double-time nap the next day. I think she's just on the verge of giving it up and I'm not ready either! dd1 gave up her nap at 2.5 like dandy's.

I still force encourage my dd1 3.7 yrs to have Quiet time either with a book or usually cbeebies .

Ahh, the Lovely Harper is looking sweet on her playmat as she noisily fills her nappy. endearing.

and the smell hits... time to get up, quiet time over for me!