May 09 - Pumpkin (or champagne) anyone? We're doing the Monster Mash!

[ScarySpangleMaker]

In honour of sausage's forthcoming nuptials, with a nod to imminent weaning.

afternoon all.
blotted, good to see you. glad you're feeling better. Hope the counsellor will help.

PND - I'm nowhere near as bad as I was last year. For me, counselling helped a great deal as did talking to my GP about 10x a month . i nearly went on ADs recently but feel better now. I wouldn't hesitate next time if I felt I really needed them.

I do feel short of fuse most of the time and hate how I yell at the children so much but hoping this is a normal thing for mum of 3 LOs under 4yrs. flippin, i also feel lethargic and uninterested in things. i agree with the others that it would be worth taking the questionnaire again.

well H is finished feeding. naps - she sleeps like pula's S - 2-3 hours in the day usually one/2 short ones and a long one at lunchtime.

MIL here so have to go make a cuppa tea. hope everyone is well.

daytime sleeps same here too 2-3hrs between 7am and 8pm broken up into chunks around pre school runs and a longer one around lunch or bit later depending on what we've been doing. although if ds wakes her shortly after she's fallen asleep it'll generally be another 2hrs before she gives in and nods off again.

Thanks all for the stuff about PND. It's really hard to work out whether I'm imagining a problem and this is normal for parents of a baby and a toddler, or whether there really is more. I managed to find the questionnaire online, and my score is higher than before though .

Thanks also for the sleep stuff - sounds like A's day time sleeping pattern isn't really all that different to others out there. She's asleep again now! Slept for 2.5 hours this morning, and has been asleep for an hour so far this afternoon. Last night was so disturbed though it's not surprising she's slept so much today. Poor snotty little thing.

flippin, I would def talk to your GP or HV about PND. it will help you move forward instead of thinking 'do I/don't I'. you'll feel better about it, imo and experience. take care, it's not easy.

Evening everyone,

A quick check in before I go off and do some other stuff, such as replying to prospective ap e-mails etc...

flippin Hope you're feeling better soon. I think momi has got great advice. It's definitely worth talking to your GP if you're not quite feeling yourself. I suppose it's one of these things that all mums have days where their fuse is a little short and they're feeling a bit lethargic (especially with broken nights etc...), but if it's an every day thing then it's worth talking to someone.

Re sleep. C's a good night sleeper, but only seems to take 1 successful long nap a day of about 2.5h generally from 10.30-11ish to 1-2ish, she might do half an hour around 4-5 o'clock if she's had a short nap. IMO she just sleeps so much at night (often 6.30/7-8.30/9) that she needs less in the day. So all in all I think she must have the same hours of sleep in 24h as most babies.

We've had one of those days where nothing went right. It started with getting up too late, normally when C feeds at 6 I don't go back to sleep (she does), but today I did and woke up late. Then I got lost on my way to an appt with occupational health for my new job and had to rearrange it because it made me extremely late. Then I got to another town where I had to collect a John Lewis order from Waitrose and go to a sling meet as it was all on the same day. C had done a massive poo in the car and it had leaked all over. I didn't have any spare clothes. It was raining, so I ended up running to the shop with C dangling in front of me so I wouldn't have poo all over me. I got funny looks because poor thing was bare legged and it was freezing. So I got her undressed and then she was in just her jacket and nappy. Back to the car to get the buggy so I could cover her with a blanket, resulting in more funny looks. Then I had to find somewhere to buy C some clothes and there was nowhere. After asking and looking for about an hour I finally found a Mothercare and I got her some clothes. What a pallaver that was. It wasn't as if it was a tiny village, but the high street where I was, was full of restaurants, hairdressers,souvenir shops, a handful of other shops but nowhere to buy children's clothes

salem what a nightmare trip! I'm sure our LO's know exactly when it's the most inconvenient time and place to do the most explosive of poos I have on occasion had to unexpectedly buy clothes for the same reeason!

salem, sounds like quite an adventure afternoon. glad you found some clothes in the end.

Oh no Salem that's my idea of hell! I am very grateful that Greer doesn't really poo like that.

Flippin I'd echo what everyone else said, definitely speak to your HV or Dr (or, if you can't talk to them do what I did - print out a journal entry or post from here that explains what's going on with you). The anger is a classic depression sign apparently - I had no idea until I mentioned it to the GP.

Have any of you enrolled in the Waterbabies classes? I was thinking about it, but at £10-odd a class it's a bit pricey for me My paid maternity leave runs out at the end of the month so I'm really having to be careful.

blotted, £10 a class sounds expensive but I imagine swimming lessons are expensive.

Sorry, another flying in on my broomstick and flying out again kind of visit!

Thanks all. I do need to speak to someone, but I have failed at the first hurdle, I can't even talk to DH [rollseyes]. Will try again tomorrow.

Off to bed now. Hope everyone has a good night. Will try to catch up again tomorrow.

just popping in before dream feeding and bed.... am totally cream crackered after just 2days of ds & G on my own... 4 to go and counting!

blotted i signed up for waterbabies classes with ds... unfortunately he hated (understatement) them. we never figured out why and he was the only one as far as i we were told who reacted so strongly against them?! A friend of mine whose son was the same age adored it... This time I'm not doing proper classes with G but will probably go for a float around when we get round to it

Have a good night everyone night night xoxox

Hello everyone. Late night post from me.

Blotted glad to see you on here. Just to let you know I had counselling / CBT for the AND I suffered with, and I did find it helpful. Some of it seemed basic and patronising, but I found that the activities worked and helped me feel in control of myself and my behaviour. I hope that it works for you too.

Fi have you concluded that it wasn't CP? Hope that the next 4 days go flying by for you

Flippin hope you get to speak to your DH and hope he is a good listener to you tomorrow

Salem what a terrible situation for you. One to mark down to experience. These things always happen to me on the one occasion when I haven't packed the spare change of clothes.

Momi hope you are well

Jael good to see you back too

All good here. G is sleeping through the night most nights now. He is also wolfing down his solids, and I have given up Bfing too so I don't know whether the sleeping is down to sleep training, solids, Formula or simply his age. I'm just happy to be feeling a bit more human again. Although my norks are blimmin painful still. I'd forgotten how much it hurts to stop feeding and keep on thinking it's my body punishing me for giving up !!

Night all, sweet dreams.

Morning. well, H up at 4.30 but we both fell asleep again until 7. now feeding happily.

toffeemum, fingers crossed G continues with the sleeping. I'm contemplating moving to FF soon as H is nearly 6 mos and think i'll feel more human as well. just putting it off as BF is free and can't be bothered with faff of making up bottles (should be saying i'm sticking to BF for best interest of baby [).

so CBT helped? my counsellor did a bit of it though wasn't fully qualified for cbt. i was thinking of doing an online course but waste spend too much computer time on MN, FB, ebay. i need some good tools to have when depresseion/anxiety rears it's ugly head.

flippn, hope you're ok today.

Fi, hope the next days are ok until your DH comes home.

time to go. see if i can express before dd1&2 get up. hope all are rested.

Morning!

Fi - nearly halfway through the week. Hope the rest flies by.

Blotted - good to hear from you. Sounds like you've not had an easy time but also you're coming through.

Flippin - definitely worth speaking to your GP/HV. Hope you feel better soon.

BFtoFF - I agree with momi that half the reason I haven't switched is just the organisation that would be needed. Don't think I'd know where to start!

Kuwait - DH had a phonecall yesterday from the headhunters asking for his CV and to set up a meeting. DH asked which company the job was with and he's now not following it up as he doesn't want to work for them as they're "too commercial". I'd never heard of the company! Anyway, we're not moving to Kuwait!!

DS has brought up almost his entire feed 3 times in the last 24hrs. He seems fine in every other way so I don't know why. Maybe he's just guzzling too quickly or maybe now he's going longer between feeds maybe my milk's coming out too fast for him? Any ideas??

Tomorrow we're off to Ireland. Lots of relatives for Owen to meet - 8 cousins, 4 aunts, 3 uncles, great granny as well as DH's parents who have already met him. It's going to be chaos!!
I'm not looking forward to the journey - 6hrs to Holyhead, over an hour on the ferry and then over an hour's drive the other end!

Anyway, I think this is a mega post now and O's finished feeding (and not regurgitated yet!)

tummum hope the boobs feel less painful soon.. I hadn't realised it would be painful to stop is it engorgment that's causing it?

I too momino am only continuing bf to avoid faffing with bottles!

ds was awake early.. v early.. I listened to him play happily in his room & eventually he went back to sleep. G woke at 7.30am doing a massive noisy poo. she's had 2 feeds since and is happily playing with her feet and practising her newly acquired raspberry blowing skill while in her cot. We're hiding in my bedroom atm as ds is still asleep

how were everyones nights?

ses have a lovely time in Ireland. Sounds like it will be a blast. Lots of babysitters though! No idea on the being sick thing though. Are you giving him solids yet? Sorry I forget.

flippineck to hear you not feeling so good. You've had some excellent advice on here and so hope you feel better soon.

salem what a day you had yesterday. Why do they always poo at the most inconvenient times? Its like they have it programmed in to them.

Name check amnesty for the rest. Sorry.

Have the builders in this morning doing nice things to our hallway. We had our kitchen extended last year and it looks so lovely and new that everything else looks so tatty now, so the hall is having new flooring and we have new carpet for the staira and landing on order. One of the builders is rather easy on the eye which would make it nice to stay around all day, but think I need to get out the house really. So off for a coffee and aerobics for me and R in a bit.

Happy Tuesday everyone.

ses oh well about kuwait.. your dh must have been chuffed to be head hunted and nice to be in the position where the ball is in your court. I don't envy your journey but exciting to be able to show off introduce O to lots of his family
Bringing up feeds.. 3 possible ideas from me..
wind.. trapped during feeding that suddenly rises and brings the milk that came after up with it?
over feeding/guzzling.. for whatever reason o decided to keep eating .. the excess coming back up as not needed.
brewing illness.. like sore throat causing over feeding or some other bug causing vomiting

ladyh hope your hall looks absolutely fabulous for its transformation

Hi everyone,

Ses Good news about Kuwait? It's one of those countries where you're not sure whether you do or don't want to live there I think. But at least the option has gone now. Have a nice time in Ireland.

ladyh Have a nice time at the aerobics. Hope your hallway will be finished soo and that there wont be too much mess/inconvenience.

Tummum Hope your boobs settle soon. Did you go cold turkey or did you gradually wean him off?

Personally I love love love bf. Not just for the convenience, but I also love the feeling of closeness, the cuddles and so on that it allows me to give C. I never feel that I get that with a bottle, which is probably one of the reasons that I'm dragging my feet a bit with giving C her weekly bottle. It wasnt successful last week and somehow I haven't got round to try her a bit more. Basically I can't be bothered, but I know I should to be ready for Jan. I hate doing it though.

We're not going anywhere today. It was supposed to be M&T day, but dd1 woke up with a temp and a cough, so I've decided to keep her home. DS didn't think it was fair. He said he'd felt her forehead and didn't think she felt warm Oh and DS also gave me a fright this morning, by carrying C downstairs on his own. He just turned up with her in his arms, I nearly had a heart attack. I know he wanted to help, but at nearly 8 he's a tadd to young to go carrying 20lbs babies down a flight of stairs.

Anyway, back to the ironing and trying to get C down for a nap.

hello all, my halloween username very apprpriate today in my sleep deprived state- Jake has had tummy bug and was projectile vomiting last night.
He seems fine today though- back to his usual cheeky self

sorry for not namechecking but too tired atm to catch up - hope you are all well

Hi All,

Been a bit busy and A has a rotten cold (which I think I'm getting too ) but have been trying to read so as A is finally napping and we're having to miss swimming, I will attempt a catch up.

blotted good to see you back here. Also loving your DS' photo with your camera!

Fi glad ds isn't too poorly/itchy I think it is poss to have a really mild dose of cp. Still not nice tho. Hope you are not missing your DH too much too.

saus lol at the lost shoe, am really looking forward to hearing all about your hen do.

bf I must say that mix feeding A has made me wish I could have exclusively bf for a bit longer, almost purely for the convenience. If I can I am going to keep going with just 2 bottles a day until after we've been on a break to scotland so we don't have to carry too much paraphenalia (sp?) and A will be almost 6 months too.

PND I have had moments where I have wondered if I am suffering a bit too, mentioning the anger is interested as I didn't realise that was an indicator. I think I am just about bubbling under on the questionnaire score. Personally I think the main cause for me is the sleep deprivation as I know I always feel pants if I don't get enough sleep, so almost 5months of no more than 3 hours sleep in one go is bound to take its toll!

ses have a fab time in Ireland, wave to my brother as you drive past snowdonia won't you I am so looking forward to going to visit him next weekend.

Headless hope the ogling tasty builders building work goes well.

salem hope you have a calmer day today

waves to everyone else sorry if I've missed anything major

Knew I'd forget some!

zombie hope you have a nice quite day to become a little less zombielike

Toffee/tum well done on the sleep to G, long may it continue!

Afternoon!

Lots of chat and I will catch up later but I'm waiting for the GP to ring and have DS2 asleep on my lap. I noticed earlier that his penis balloons when he wees and I don't think it looks right. He also has a very tiny penis which I guess could be normal but looks very different to DS1. I consulted the oracle that is mumsnet and consensus seems to be a tight foreskin which can lead to UTIs. Am now waiting for the duty GP to ring me for a telephone consultation. I did ring the HV and she told me off for even thinking about googling!

CP glad to see that it isn't too bad. I have heard that it is possible to have just one spot. I had CP very mildly too as a child.

No other news apart from being very cold and very lethargic. I've actually started and deleted several posts because they took too long to type and then I decided that about 50 x-posts would have occurred!

blotted good to see you back!

AND I've no official experience at all, only I suspect in hindsight I did have it mildly with DS1. I did have other stuff going on which might have made my feelings unrelated to AND but I feel so much happier this time. I guess what I am trying to say is that getting it once doesn't make a repeat performance a dead cert. Anyway, I hope all that are suffering get a speedy recovery.

Work coming along nicely. Feel like am about 18 years old. Builder is sooo good looking I actually can't speak to him without sounding like a huge burbling idiot. Should be finished tomorrow.

llare hope the willie situation is ok. I remember with ds1, while changing his nappy at about 6 months, all this white stuff came out the end. I know what you're thinking but babies don't have any (ahem) sperm! We have no idea what it was to this day. We did take him to the GP but of course all was ok by then. Funny old things willies!

Work coming along nicely. Feel like am about 18 years old. Builder is sooo good looking I actually can't speak to him without sounding like a huge burbling idiot. Should be finished tomorrow.

llare hope the willie situation is ok. I remember with ds1, while changing his nappy at about 6 months, all this white stuff came out the end. I know what you're thinking but babies don't have any (ahem) sperm! We have no idea what it was to this day. We did take him to the GP but of course all was ok by then. Funny old things willies!