june09 Weaning the babies and shifting the Mummy Tummy!!!

[Tee2072]

Here it is, Juners! New thread!!

Popping in extremely late again with no time to catch up Aaliyah went 8.30pm - 4.30am and then 5.30-7am last night - so much better but I need more than one night to feel more human - sadly DS has developed a cold today so it is only a matter of time before Aaluyah gets it hope you are all well and that I get time for a proper read back this weekend

Can't even spell my daughter's name tonight

Hi everyone...

Just a quick question... Caelan's Child Trust Fund voucher finally arrived yesterday (I only started getting child benefit two weeks ago!!)... what have people done with their LO's vouchers if you don't mind me asking??? I'm so confused by the whole thing, don't know what the best thing to do is. Any help would be much appreciated!!!

worriedamy I put mine (ds's...) into a shares account. It's a fairly long term investment (15 years before being moved into normal savings) so the likelihood IMHO is that the market will rise.

You're basically deciding if you think the same as me, or if you think it's not worth the risk, in which case go for more straightforward savings.

They'll send you a load of stuff about how you and grandparents can top it up. For myself, I chucked it all away. At 18 I was NO WAY responsible enough to be handed a big fat cheque on my birthday. Again, a personal choice...

Or - you can just do nothing and after a few months the govt will put it into an account for you. The second £250 - for lower income families - is paid in automatically at the end of the tax year.

worried we just took it to our bank (lloyds) thinking we could open some kind of account and drop it in the same day.
Stupid cow at the desk sent us back home with a whole bunch of leaflets to read which I have now lost and still got this £250 cheque sitting on my desk :S

Same as Lindsay though, we're not going to top this up as we too think she would be too young at 18 to get her hands on "free" money.
Instead we've opened a savings account under our account, called it her name and put the money she receives as gifts in there for her and set up a standing order so she gets money every month from us on top of the benefits. (it's not very much but it adds up.) We may or may not tell her about this and use it either for her further education or deposit on a place.

My parents were very matter of fact with money we received as gifts, it went to savings and that was that, we never questionned it and it was useful to me to see me through uni and when I moved to england.

right, this has now open a can of worms
I think dh's parents have been too liberal with dh's siblings (sod it, my turn to criticise ;0) hence why sil will spend £200 on clothes the minute her wages have hit her account and then has no shame asking us for £100 on the 20th of the month. She is completely irresponsible with money. Has borrowed from us many times before and only ever paid us back once.

Can you tell i'm still fuming about yesterday.
dh doesn't really see the problem and doesn't feel it's right to tell sil to come less often. His argument is that sometimes it is good timing as I need to do some work and she can look after the baby for a couple of hours. In all honesty that has come in handy twice about two months ago.
Everytime I bring it up I feel like I am the nasty sil being difficult about his relatives visiting.
This week: sil 3 times, mil once, (both unnannounced which to me is the main problem) fil once, (planned the same pm) and bil once, invited over by us as he is actually nice. The only days we did not see anyone was monday and wednesday.
And I hate having people round when the cleaner is here on Fridays as I just want her to get on with it. She does everything in 4 hours if she's uninterrupted and can do whatever room she wants in the order she wants as opposed to have to work around people. Last week mil, sil were both here as well as the godmother who I had invited to go over christening stuff.I jsut wanted it to be dh, her and me as I don't want people to give me unsolicited advice for the party as they'll only be offended when I don't choose to go their way.
Anyway it took the cleaner much longer as people kept coming and going, making tea etc. (sil and mil have no problem heping themselves from my cupboards for crisps, biscuits etc (?!).)
oooh, baby is up, probably better that way, I could go on ranting for hours. thanks for listening and sorry to be going on about this still.

Hello all!

June, oh dear... First of all I'm going to give you a big (((hug))), I think you need one with all this. I'm so sorry DH is not seeing the problem here. You're being really patient here, and not unreasonable at all. You just want some family time on your own (and your cleaner to be able to do her job in peace ) I understand how you feel and I really really hope it gets better. and go on and rant away whenever you need to

Lindsay, hi!

Amy, no advice on that front as we're not entitled to those things How's Caelan?

Mrsmc, glad the night was better, may that go on improving!

Skillbo, glad to hear Jazzy is feeling better Sorry for the silly question but are you packing for a holiday? If so, woo hoo!!!

bigcar, oh, I see... can't think of us having something similar at home... but now that you mentioned the sugar thing we'll stay clear from it

Are all june babies going through the same? Mila went off her "food" yesterday and today, only eating a few spoonfulls Is that something that usually happens?

Let me tell you, being in charge of Mila full time is hard... I'm quite tired and I'm working as well June, I tried to do what you suggested but couldn't get up before 6.30 oh well LOL. Tonight I have more work so I'd better stay awake or wake up early.

This post has taken me aaaaaaages! I'm one handed, so... Hope you all have a nice evening!! Waves!!!

Naat everyone gets the CTF money, it's not means tested...

HI everyone.
Just had quick catch up so lets see what I can remember with this scrambled brain of mine.

Naat - Big Congratulations on your MA. That is so brilliant. I don't know how you managed to work on that and mind a newborn I really don't. Well done Also really pleased you finally got out of that hell hole you were living in before. Hope the new place is nice.
You will be fine on your own whilst DH is away. The only times I find it hard is if baby doesn't stop crying and you need someone to hand over to but I am very lucky with Elina. She just doesn't cry.

June - Would you believe there are some great recipes in that Annabel Karmel book that you can cook for the whole family. I would highly recommend the Hungarian goulash once your lo is older. We eat it all the time.Yum.
As regards your DHs family always popping around - I think you are being too nice.It's a bit like when I was having neighbour problems. I ended up having to spell it out a number of times before the penny dropped for them.It is exhausting having people in and out of your house. You are a busy woman and they all need to back off a bit and give you some space.

Mrsmc - You poor thing. You are still having bad nights.How on earth do you cope with that and with having another lo?I hope you get some time off for r & r every week.

Skillbo - Glad Jazzy is better now. Its so horrible when they are ill.

HI Bigcar. How are you?

Elina is doing great here. She loves her food (sorry to those struggling). We have given her sweet potato, baby rice, carrots, pear, avocado, Banana and broccoli so far and she loves it all.Just remember that every child is different and they will only take food/milk etc when they want it.

Mustr get Elina weighed soon. She seems to be getting really big now. We moved her into her own room on Saturday night I miss her. She is only next door but it's such a milestone for us. Anyway, she sleeps great. Has last bottle about 8.30pm now and sleeps until we wake her around 7am Yes, I am very very lucky.

Well I had better get some chores done now. Kids are off school tomrrow due to teachers strike.

afternoon all

skillbo, when are you going? Hope you got the washing sorted, it's not exactly line drying outside weather is it?!

MrsMcJnr, hope you've managed a little more sleep and the dcs are ok

worried, I'm also stuck with what to do with the ctf stuff, I completely forgot dd3s and the government invested it for me, I'm determined to do better this time round lindsays advice sounds good!

june, very on your behalf! Your dh was obviously bought up differently to you in respect of family just dropping in as suited but if it's upsetting you (as it would me) he needs to find a compromise somewhere. Working from home round Cs sleeps must make it all incredibly difficult for you without family turning up unannounced! Can your dh suggest to them maybe a set arrangement for them to come over or maybe say no visitors on xyz days of the week due to you having to work. By the way, I'm very of your cleaner

naat, I'm sure you're doing great on your own Hope you got some work done in the end.

choccie, good to hear E is doing well! Big step moving her into her own room Hope the dcs have been on best behaviour today, the weather's awful here, certainly wouldn't want my lot off school today.

Better remember my waterproof for the school run, it's awful today, got wet at lunch time dropping dd3 off at nursery, dd2 is usually the last one out of school, she likes a bit of a gossip at the end of the day, wonder where she gets that from?

waves to all

Hi all!

Bigcar, hope you didn't get too we today, it was awful here as well... yesterday the wind was really really bad.

Choccie, oh yes, you're a lucky lucky mummy, I must say Elina is an absolute angel. Glad she's enjoying her food Hope having all three DC at home isn't too bad...

Lindsay, you got me thinking but we're not entitled to any sort of public funds (it always depends on your nationality and visa status so it varies) so when my MW and HV told me I had to apply for health in pg grant, child benefit, tax credits etc, I told them this but as they insisted I did and just got a letter saying "nope, you're not entitled" But I'll send an email to the immigration police and ask. I was there today reporting the new address and I completely forgot Mummy brain, of course...

It's quiet here, come Juners and post!! It's been a while since we last heard from so many... LittleS, Loouise, Bunny, Tee and many more

Right, working with Mila and DH away was really really hard... but well, I did what June suggested and woke up really early to work and I handed in everything this morning... I'm soooo tired, though, can't wait for DH to come back

Hope you have a good night!

Waves!!!

morning all!

i'm shattered again! just when i think isobel is better, she is up all night coughing again! at 3am i thought that she was maybe hungry so made her a bottle which she then drank very fast, coughed and threw up all over me!! what a night! glad its morning!

june - sorry to hear you are having trouble with your in-laws, agree with the others that you need to be firmer with them until they get the message! i know its much easier said than done though, we stayed over at mil's at the weekend and she totally took over with Isobel thinking she knew best even though she was screaming her head off!! i was soooo annoyed!

oh, she's awake again! sorry for the quick post, will try to come back later to catch up! hi to all!

Hi all,

Sorry it's long time no post, I make many valient promises to you all but fail dramatically every time. I have however caught up with all the action this time,

CFT- we've done the shares option for DD1 and 2 and will do the same for A, In my book it's free money we won't be adding to it in that account so it's good for a bit of risk. I put it in one of the F&C overseas funds (china and India as I figure.... just for something abit different... not sure that's a good basis for share choice but I figure it's all a gamble).

June you are a SAINT they're is absolutely NO WAY I would cope with the unannouced visits that are happening. I like the idea of 3 (or 4 if you can get away with it) days that are NON VISIT days.... then you could be at groups for acouple of the others! They are taking the p*ss!!! PS if she has 5 missed calls don't let it bother you.... it's another way of demanding that you're (or more importantly your LO is at her disposal). It's probably best to start with baby steps be strong and stay to the end of your groups and maybe grab a coffee or lunch on the way home. DON'T rush back to please them!!!! As for money in our family we have a rule, you can't borrow again til you paid the last lot back! (doesn't really apply any more but it worked well when we were younger).

Mrsmc Hope A gives you another good night, the sleep depravation is no fun is it!

Naat congrats on your MA and the move, hope this is a lovely home for the 3 of you.

So mauch more I wanted to say but I've lost track.

Quick update on us, A is now weaning and throughly enjoying it I wanted to take things slowly so we just have food in the evening, and my God she can tuck it away!!! she's had banana, avocado,broccoli carrot and baby rice so far I need to get my act together this weekend and batch up some stuff.

I am beginning to get prepared for Christmas now, going to write thankyou letters tonight (from all the girls bith(days) it kept getting put off!

I got my parents and il's presents sorted, we've done calendars for both from snapfish (they were recomended by which magazine) the IL's is just the dd's and my parents is all my nephews and nieces as well. I was up till midnight on sunday as they were half price till then. However I do feel some smug satisfaction

Don't know about you guys but I am begining to feel some of my old organisational abilities returning. As the 9 months I'm pregnant I just feel sick then the first few months post just sleep deprived. A is just beginning to be a little better with her sleep (she still wakes but does go back fairly quickly) so the old me is starting to return!!!! (and my old shape too!!! (I've started digging my old clothes out of the loft yeah a whole new wardrobe I'd forgotten!

Right enough blah blah, must go and be vvirtuous and start cards etc.

love to you all, I do think of you even when I'm not posting

Dorisx

Well hello Juners

I am posting from lovely Spain whilst visiting my parents... its lovely although only been a couple of days so will see how we go!

Worried - with regards the CTF, we were sent some bumpfh from Bounty who recommended the Childrens Mutual (I think), so we just went with that. Like Linds and June, we aren't topping this up - we have opened up a sepearate sabvings account linked to mine that present money and regular cash from mine and DP's parents goes into.. seems a better option at the moment for us.

June - Your SIL is out of order. Echo other posters who say you need to be strong although agree this is going to be tough, particularly if yoiur DH doesn't quite get it. However, she's your lo so, like Doris suggests, take your time getting back from groups and stuff - you need precious time with her too... she's only little for a small time!

Naat - hope weaning has improved although know what you mean re going off her food. Haven't tried Jazzy with anything since middle ofl ast week when she was ill but as I am at my parents and copntinuing to express to keep supply up, there si milk going spare (as can't freeze or store). Therefore, think might brave the rice again and see how we get on... perhaps some banana? However, the little solids she has had combined with teething has got her digestive tract working a treat - sorry if TMI, but she is non stop (including two poo explosions on the plane which, when the changing table in the toilet is the size of a napkin, proves a bit challenging when changing clothers ). Oh, and well done handing in your work - I am in awe!!

Choccie - we are moving Jazzy when I get back from here, so about ten more days! Not looking forward to it although sounds like its working really well for you. Th eonly problem is, there appears to be heating issues with the room we were planning on using and found mould on my new chair (the one I was so excited about using that I posted it on here !!)... not sure what the plan is but DP is dealing with the landlord whilst I'm here som ight be sorted...?

Bigcar - sympathis with the weather. When we left on MOnday it was tipping it down and horrid - I was wearing two jackets and Jazzy had about four layers on. Arrive in Spain and shedding clothes left right and centre, it is lovely here at tghe mo - sunny and everything!!! - sorry to rub it in!! MrsM, you are so lucky!

Lynnn - hope the nights are improving - sleep deprivation SUCKS!!

Doris - hats off to you for almost getting your Crimbo shopping done.... nowhere close yet although have got a couple of bits for lo and one thing for DP (although coming from Jazzy so doesn't really count!)

Looks like we are in for a bit of a roundabout of meets and greets over the next little while as my parents are very proud! Will be great and hoping to stock up on some nice lunches!!

Hope you're all well and speak again soon xx

Sorry for all the typos

Hi all!

It's quiet here these days

Skillbo, ohhh have a great time in warm Spain Mila fortunately went back on her food after two days and is enjoying banana, apple, sweet potato, carrots, parsnips and melon again Lots of dirty nappies here as well Glad to hear Jazzy is feeling better, hope she enjoys all the cooing she's going to get there

Doris, oh yes, we're really happy, our new place is lovely, in a nice area and our neighbours are bliss, really quiet, I haven't seen anyone yet LOL at "orgnisational abilities" returning, my brain is gone for good I think

Llynn, ouch, hope you had a better night last night, poor poor you! Hope Isobel's cough is better

After a great night on Mon night yesterday Mila was up every two hours! When she went back to bed at 8.30am and I was about to take a nap I got three phonecalls!! I need to take a nap

The weather is absolutely awful here, the wind is unbelievable! We went out for a walk yesterday and got quite wet so I think I'm going to stay in today

Tomorrow we're having our sofa delivered! Woo hoo!!!

Hope you have a good day, lovely Juners!

Waves!!!

afternoon all

naat, well done on finishing your work I did get wet but thankfully missed it today, I took E to get weighed (8.74kg, 19lb 2oz!) and it absolutely chucked it down but by the time we got outside it had stopped! My ears got so cold in the wind I've ended up with a headache, I blame those pesky kids that wanted collecting from school Ooooh, lovely new sofa AND quiet neighbours, what more could you ask for You sound so much happier!

llynnnn, hope I is on the mend, E has a rotten cough too, it's no fun for them. I'm so lucky, my mil generally isn't the interfering sort, her main job at the moment is to stop fil giving E chocolate!

doris, lovely to see you back Glad alls well with A, all our weaned babies seem to like their food now! I'm very of you getting your brain back, mine is still mush, although I did remember a couple of birthdays last week without being reminded so maybe there's hope If it isn't in my diary it doesn't happen!

skillbo, you rub away I just won't talk to you A clothes change on the plane doesn't sound fun, hopefully coming home won't be so bad. You'll need those layers when you get back, today was really cold, mainly because of the whole wind chill thing. J must be loving all the attention, it's lovely getting to show your new arrival around the family, especially when it's warm and sunny Enjoy the rest of your stay

I took E to be weighed today as he will be 6 months old in 3 days time!!!!!!!!!! Where has the time gone, it can't be possible. One of the mums at school bought her 2 week old in who now weighs just over 6lb, she looked so newborn and teeny, E looked like a sumo in comparison I've only recently heard that babies are supposed to double their birth weight by 6 months, so went to check, I couldn't believe it when he was 1 oz over doubling it, I honestly thought it wouldn't work! May be it was just a fluke but still made me think. Especially when I was pregnant and they said E was big just because of gd, I'm starting to think he would have been a good size whatever he wasn't that different from the others. Must get off the computer and go do something useful, doris is making me feel bad Waves to all

Naat I hadn't realised you aren't British citizen (if I'm understanding you right?), so no, you probably don't get the money. Sorry!

June Change the locks. Move house. Seriously, can you start going out a lot (or just not answering the door!) until they decided to call ahead for their own sakes 'cause you're never in?

Skillbo I am jealous of you being in Spain. Please tell us the weather is terrible. if it's not - please lie!

DS is sleeping, gathering his strength for another wakeful night... He's driving himself and me up the wall because he desperately wants to crawl, but can't do it yet. I've tried showing him how, but he doesn't get it... ;)

Hi girls isn?t it always the way that you can?t find the time to get on here when you most need to? I?ve been having a hell of a time with Aaliyah over the last few weeks, what with teeth and colds I can understand that she would be unsettled but the amount of sleep I am getting is pitiful and I can?t function properly plus I am full of the cold and can?t see how I can get well without having sleep to recharge! Generally she is fine from 8pm ? 10.30/11 and then she is up every hour until 7am when she wants to sleep she appears to be genuinely hungry a couple of times in the night but the rest of the time she is waking for cuddles and closeness. I am now giving her two small ?meals? a day as per Annabel Karmel but it doesn?t see to be making any difference. I have moved her cot to our room so she can sleep in that instead of the amby so she can move around and I am putting a hot water bottle in her cot so it?s warm when she goes into it. Nothing is working though Any ideas? We do have a nightly routine of a quiet play on my bed, followed by a story with DS and then a bath with DH and DS and then a massage before her milk from me and often she is so sleepy I have to wake her up a bit for her feed but she does always have a full feed before bed. She is also really clingy and whiney during the day, she will not sit or play on her mat happily at the moment, all she wants is for me to hold her. Much as I love her it is exhausting, especially as I have DS too.

Enough about me, going to try and catch up

Lindsayqii ? LOL at your trying to teach your DS to crawl have you tried a door bouncer?

Bigcar ? wow! 6 months seems like such an age for our little ones doesn?t it? Where has that time gone. I got pregnant with Aaliyah when DS was 7 months, can?t even think about having another at the moment (not that my body could even manage it)

Naat ? so glad to hear that you are so happy in the new place, long may it last. So far Aaliyah has tried baby rice, carrot, sweet potato, apple, pear and butternut squash. Apple was certainly a hit. Well done for getting your work done

Skillbo ? what part of Spain are you in? hope you are having a lovely time. We are on the Costa del Sol and in the last couple of days it has got cooler here which is very welcome as it was still like mid-summer and I was beginning to crave my jeans. Apparently it is going to rain tomorrow ? we?ll see! Hope you are getting some ?me? time with all the adoring relies about!

Doris ? those calendars sound good I used Snapfish a lot in the UK but the Spanish outfit are hopeless we had a photo session last Sat and I?m hoping there?ll be some decent snaps in there to give my parents, SIL and IL for Christmas. Can?t say I feel any more alert but that may be down to lack of sleep but I am enjoying wearing clothes that I haven?t worn for 3 years

llynnnn ? hope the nights and Isobel?s cough get better fast

Choccie ? I am very I wish Aaliyah didn?t cry but she does and very loudly! My DS was in his own room at 4 months and slept straight through from 8 weeks; guess I couldn?t have been that lucky twice. I daren?t move Aaliyah to her room, it?s opposite DS?s and she?d wake him up for sure, he?s a very light sleeper.

June ? I can understand that it will be hard to stop your ILs dropping by all the time but you have to put your foot down during cleaning time at the very least, that is crazy, they are wasting your money. Tell them she told you that it is hard to work when the house is full of people!

So what Christmas presents have you got for whom? inspire me

Heya! thank you allfor your kind words about ils situation. I really needed to let off some steam.
dh talked to sil and mil and sil has not come this week though I suspect this is because she now owes us money, she does this.
Not sure it worked with mil as it was dh's bday on tuesday so she had "excuses" for popping round, Monday she came to drop off a card for him, Tuesday she came to say happy bday and Wednesday called (as we were going out) to see how dinner out went. I can see she did call my mobile before coming both times but I missed her calls (I suspect she only let it ring once or twice so that I would miss it iyswim).
We'll see how the rest of the week pans out.
I will take my time at baby groups and I already generally don't answer the door unless I am expecting a delivery. The bell is cut off because of the various people who come knocking looking for work (roofers, window cleaners, students selling artwork etc)

naat what is the new sofa like? We wanted to get some before the baby was here and never got round to it.

mrsmc presents are going to be slightly boring this year and though it sounds organised I have bught nothing yet: bil gets a memory stick with new tunes loaded on, fil some hankerchieves, sil and bils' gf some Body Shop stuff, dad a fleece, brother a webcam&mike (and maybe a phone if we ever get it unlocked...), dh a bobdesign book if I ever get round to it...best friends a scarf and something from the white company.
Last year I got sil a very nice jewelry box, (she opens the present and says:"Oh I have loads of these.") the year before I got her a theatre ticket voucher (basically what she wanted) (she never used it). bil got some cookery books (jamie oliver and gordon ramsay), brother got an ipod.

sillbo Enjoy your holiday! In the plane we just changed C on the seat tablets in front of us (pulled both out). I never noticed that you could change the baby in the toilet until I saw someone take their baby in there.

Whoever was at the cleaner, she is a lifesaver, she does 4 hours a week and gets the bathroom & toilet cleaned, bedding changed, fridge & oven & cupboards if needed, hoovering from top to bottom, making hthe kitchen look amazing and generally putting things back where they belong.
It really helps keeping on top of it since dh is one of those who leaves everything out, milk, coffee, teabag in the sink, plates on the table, mayonnaise still out and open, shoes and socks in the living room etc you get the picture) He does however cook and put the toilet seat back ;). So anytime spare time I get for housework (hahaha what a joke) I pretty much spend clearing up after dh. It doesn't bother me as long as I can have £30 for her every week.
The cleaner has a tendency to dump stuff in the spare room though and my best friend is coming over to stay this weekend.

Anyway I have to go sorry I've not caught up with everyone properly, busy day, weigh-in clinic, baby rhymes, exchanging some shoes I bought that are too big and then visiting godmother. All this by 5pm :S....

Take care!

Hi all!

June, really hope you see some changes. Glad DH talked to them. Busy day for you today I'm waiting for the sofa, it arrives today, I'll let you know!!

Mrsmc, oh dear, poor poor you! You must be so exhausted I really hope A starts sleeping better. M has the odd night just like what you describe and the next day is a definite zombie day for me...

Lindsay, don't worry about it I'm from Argentina. We have the same here with M, she sits and when she wants to reach out for something just throws herself and of course lands face first She swears she can move but she can't.

Bigcar, ohhh great weight gain, E! I should take M soon, it's been weeks since I last had her weighed I can't believe 6 months have passed!

Hi to all Juners!

A lovely sunny day here but I'm stuck at home waiting for the sofa of course! Aaaanyway, not a bad night last night, M is enjoying her food. She tried the Ella's kitchen organic food the other day when we went out and she looooved it! Thanks bigcar for that tip.

Really looking forward to DH coming back on Saturday. Doing everything without any help is doable but quite tiring

Hope you're all having a bit of sunshine!

Waves!!!

afternoon all

lyndsay, E is also trying to crawl, he can get up on his knees or push right up on his arms but not both at the same time yet. He also does a bit of skydiving with just his belly on the floor and all limbs waving around, tis quite funny. He usually gets where he wants though, just by rolling or a bit of shuffling!

MrsMcJnr, sending you some ((((hugs)))) that sounds rough, it's hard to recover yourself when los aren't sleeping. I'm struggling for ideas for you, is A still snuffly, a couple of thick books under the head end of the cot could help if she is. An item of your clothing that you have worn in her cot somewhere so that she can smell you? Upping the amount of food she's getting, mixing fruit/veg with babyrice to make it a little more filling, I've been quite surprised at how much E can put away now! Or maybe try controlled crying if you can face it. I would have thought she's not happy during the day because she's having such a broken night! Failing all else, ask dh/family to have dd and ds for a day so you can get some sleep! Hope it's stayed nice for you today, it's cold here again and it's come over very grey just now, maybe we'll be getting the rain.

june, hope the ils have got the hint, doesn't sound like they'll get a chance to drop in today! I'm one of the ones of your cleaner although I think I'd probably need 4 hours per day someone to do the ironing too would be my absolute dream. I know it's incredibly dull, but if I won the lottery I would take us all on a holiday while the house was cleaned from top to bottom and the massive pile of ironing done

dd1 had a uni interview yesterday, she was really panicking about it, seems to have gone ok, fingers crossed she'll get an offer, she has 10 days to wait. Apparently there were about 1500 applications for 200 places at this uni, I know not everyone will want it as first choice but even so!

waves to all

Another awful night she was down 8-1.30 which was pretty promising but then we saw every hour until 7 I have now lost my voice and am feeling wretched. I am normally quite a positive person but I am feeling really low and as if everything is getting on top of me and I?m getting nothing done, I feel like I am a bad mother etc etc. So I dug out my various parenting books and am going to try a strict regime for a while and see if that makes any difference. I have a bottle of collected (rather than expressed) milk ready to give her when she wakes or at midnight and we?ll see if a) she?ll take it and b) if it makes a difference. I suspect that it won?t have the impact of an expressed bottle though as there won?t be much if any hind milk. So loathe to start expressing though.

June ? stick to your guns and don?t rush back from the fun things you do with your baby you do sound organised on the Christmas pressie front you must begrudge buying gifts for your SIl if she makes comments like that that said I went nuts last year when my MIL instead of buying me maternity clothes as requested just got me things 5 times larger than my usual size I am hoping to get a Bob?s Book done for my Dad but at this rate he?ll get it for his birthday in April instead! When I was working I had a cleaner too, she was a godsend! Somehow though when you become a SAHM you have to take on the role of cleaner too not really fair is it?

Naat ? hope the sofa arrived and is fab My DS loved Ella?s kitchen stuff too. Must be very tiring flying solo, roll on Saturday when your DH gets back

Bigcar ? Edward?s antics sound hilarious! thanks for the tips I am beginning to wonder if I can face ever having anymore kids things are so tough just now, how do you do it?? I had a blanker under the head end of the cot but have removed it today as she seems less snuffly, still have the karvol plug in on though (I need it too!) I put her down with a muslin because of the smell of me/milk as that seemed to work with DS but maybe I should try clothing instead she?s not eating much to be fair, she just pushes the spoon away after a bit but I am persevering. I may have to try controlled crying I think like your lottery win plan best of luck to your DD1, I remember that wait well!

Strawberrysam ? Starting solids made no difference to sleep here so you are right to wait, interesting about the cucumber and peppers. Can?t believe those chocolate stories! hope you get more sleep very soon too.

Hello Juners! Can I please join the thread? I hope that some of you might remember me.

DS2 was born on the 13th June and we have since moved back to the UK from the land down under.

Going to catch up with the thread but hope you and your bubbas are all doing well.

DS2 has started BLW with a few purees thrown in. pineapple and pear are the favourites so far.
He is great at rolling back to front but not the other way! Sitting for a few seconds too.
Sleep- well, i can't complain- off to bed by 730-8pm, up at 12, 2 (settles with patting) and wakes up at 5-530 (Could someone please tell him the clocks changed weeks ago )

MrsMcJnr sending you a big hug. How were things last night? Any joy with the bottle overnight??Any chance of DH holding the fort so you could get a daytime nap?

Strawberrysam solids has made no difference to sleep here either

whoops, abrupt end to post-DS2 just woken up and needs sorting.

Hope it is ok to join back in?
Wishing sleep to all babies and their tired mums