May 2008 bubbas: Walking, Talking (& climbing!) Little Monkeys

[monkeysmama]

Thought we deserved a new thread

It's working for a small company doing ethical research, would be so perfect! would mean nursery for Ds but only 3 days, leaving him will be hard but I am beyond ready for a days work! we'll see!

LM Mooncups can take more than you'd imagine! I use a washable sanitary towel on heavier days just for confidence but it's never necessary. Cotton washables are much nicer than pads too.

sho Ds would love that, he gets really excited by the binmen, a tractor would just be too much!

Baiyu That sounds great (the job!). You sound like you have the ethical lifestyle I would like to have but haven't quite got the willpower .

I used washables with DS1 but it was a laundry service, not organised with washing enough to make sure I had enough clean ones. And I'm so indecisive I couldn't make up my mind which brand to buy. DS2 has had naty nappies as a compromise.

I have thought of a mooncup but I find the whole thing so messy anyway I couldn't be without my tampons. Although there was a thread the other day on the mess and leaks etc and they all seem to be mooncup users and they said it lessened the cramps etc. I don't get heavy periods just frequent and long ones a right PITA.

HM It is very hard for you doing 2 all on your own day in day out, I would shorten the bathtime if you can if you want to get them into bed sooner. Saw you on the skiing threads , we're going March 6th. Did you get anyway with the meandering jacket?

No snow here today, all over for us I hope!

Mitchell Thanks for asking about the job it's going well. Bit quiet, which means I don't make as much money, but I get to read my book! It's good I'm not run off my feet, my confidence is building up again. I've got a bonus morning off tomorrow because I only had 2 patients booked in. Must go to the gym, too knackered for spinning last night.

Hope all the job searching is going well out there.

Thanks BWC... I just don't see how I could do it any quicker. Our current routine sees me get Haribo into the bath, then get Mimi undressed, into the bath, washed, out of the bath, dried, ,moisturised (she has bad dry skin if I don't put her cream on) and dressed again (and then far enough out of the way so she doesn't get drenched again... then wash haribo and get him out, dry, clean the bathroom up...

Yeah... hopefully we will go skiing - I really think Haribo would LOVE being on skis. I spoke to our friends in Cervinia, and they think he'll be fine for some private lessons - I know the chaps there well and I trust them!

No, I didn't even mention the jacket. I really can't be bothered. It's not going to get me anywhere. Was actually feeling OK about it and then DSD2 managed to really upset me (those of you on FB will no doubt know what I mean)... I know she possibly thought it was funny... but, well, I'm not too sure and I am actually quite sad about it.

We're stuck indoors today - can't get the car out and it's snowing really heavily here, so walking anywhere isn't much fun either! I'm going to have to face it at some point, as I have no milk, but I'm hoping it stops at some point today. Living alone really sucks sometimes!

Hm x

Forgot to ask, BWC - where are you going and are you going to try DS on skis?

From the distance they men didnt look the slightest bit hot LM {smile] and HM if I ever saw them again Id be asking begging them to come clear our pavements, then il send them down to you ok
Tbh baiyu dd was probably more interested in the birds in the trees than the tractor she is a girly girl and gets really excited at seeing handbags and babies oh and Upsy Daisy.

We dont have the telly on much during the day but we'r having problems with dd standing right infront of it to watch, im afraid for her eyes, both dp and I wear glasses as it is she doent need to encourage the bad eyesight.
Speaking of teeth again, does any of your lo's bite clothing at all? Since last month dd keeps biting, not pulling, on her clothes and blankets and any soft but not furry toys that she has. She has all her teeth except the 4 at the very back and 1 incisor (sp?) and we cant feel that one at all yet.

Sho x

HM LOL! Yes of course I will tell you my routine!
DD1 starts school at 12:30pm so we have to have lunch at 11:30pm at the latest, so they are ready for dinner at 4:30pm when we get in from school, although saying that it's often 5pm.
They don't get bathed every night, mainly cos DD1 started getting eczema patches all over and when we reduced bathing it cleared up. They get bathed twice a week and one of those times is usually a shower after swimming, so only really one actual bath a week.
So...
4:30-5pm Dinner
5:45pm tidy toys away and get PJ's on.
6pm watch DVD for 20 mins or so, have milk while watching DVD.
6:20pm- upstairs for teeth cleaning & toilet which DD1 does on her own while I do DD2's nappy & teeth.
Story and prayers and bed.
It's probably more like 6:40pm but it does sometimes work out at 6:30pm.

I know some people would think I am mean doing it all so soon after dinner, but my argument is, if I can get away with it and they happily go down, why not?!!
They both normally go to sleep straight away so they must be tired. Occasionally we hear them 'chatting' for a bit.

Food wise they eat what we eat (also good my for weight loss eating at 5pm every night!!!)
Lunch is sarnies or toast, or omlette or boiled eggs or beans on toast etc.
Dinner is salmon and veg & pots or pasta or prawns and rice or curry or meatballs etc.
Fruit & yog then a small 'treat'.
Neither of them have very big appetites tbh.

I think the main difference is that my youngest is your oldest! DD1 is almost 4 now and does a lot for herself and helps tidy up the toys (as does DD2 now!!).

I actually run quite a 'tight ship' and I tend to have them in bed sooner on the days I'm on my own than when DH is at home.

baiyu I will definitely look at mooncups. I think it would have to be as big as the actual moon to serve me well .

In pain today, had my waxing done and there were a few 'stubborn' ones in my bikini line so she went over the same patch a few times with the wax and I have lost skin ....ouch!! Right in the crease where yer knickers sit..... It hurts to walk!!!

Best go,

LM xxx

at LM going commando. I got myself in a pickle over that on a style and beauty thread yesterday. Well, not over going commando (I don't) but someone suggested wearing the same trousers every day for 5 days and I merely mentioned that the crotch area (of the trousers) maybe a bit icky. Many questions about my underwear ensued .

When I have more time later I'll post more.

MM

Well, I've finally got my two in bed (Mimi in her big cot in her own room!) Feeling a bit about that. How fast the baby stage goes by! Mind you, Haribo is still not asleep!!

There is NO WAY ON EARTH I could get away with bathing Haribo twice a week. I'd have Environmental services knocking on my door!! - that boy can CREATE filth from nowhere...

I'd like to think I run a tight ship, but truth be told, I'm too lax on them when they are happy / having fun... I laugh too easily when Haribo dashes off (we have quite a big house and Haribo runs as fast as possible around it for most of his waking hours!!) - you just think you've got him cornered when he spies a way out and he's gone again... I laugh when he does it and then, of course, it's impossible to tell him off. I'm also a sucker for 'more story' 'more story' - I often read the same book 3 or 4 times... Ho hum... they are happy.

I COULD NOT go commando (but might rethink that if I have bikini wax burns...) I have to say, LM, that sounds like one of the most PAINFUL things ever (and i'm guessing it is, given that your filling didn't even get a mention!)

MM - I saw the thread about wearing the same clothes 5 days running... EWwwww...

Ah well, that's all from me.

Hope you are all well..

HM x

HM I think boys are meant to create more grime than girls????!!! Slightly at my once weekly bath...(not mine, my kids). They do get a shower aswell after swimming. They just don't get dirty tbh. They are both very clean eaters, no food in hair etc. I bath them much more in the summer when they get sweaty and are covered in suncream everyday. DD1's skin is always worse in the summer because of the extra bathing.

I skidded twice on the ice yesterday, ended up on the other side of the road each time. So scary, thank God both times no-one coming the other way. Last night I managed a 180 degree spin going down a hill from the private hospital I work at. So shaken up I then drove at 15-20mph the rest of the way home. Never so glad to get home (apart from the time I travelled 2 hours from Superbro's 5 days before DD1 was born and she was sitting on my bladder the whole way.....).

BTW, loving how active and busy our thread is!!

Walking to work today.....ipod heaven!!

Talking of which....I'd better go.

Have a good day all and take care on the ice!

LM xx

Off to the gym my lard arse is getting ridiculous.

I do bathe mine daily, but don't use soap, sometimes use dermol in the bath if DS2 is a bit dry.

Going skiing to Les Gets with Ski Famille, so loads of childcare for me. But they do come to the chalet, so no rush to get them out the door so FIL can be 1st on the slopes. Going with ILs and MIL's sister who's like an extra Granny. DS2 not skiing, DS1 ski school in mornings which I know will not go down well but We'll use the 'you can ski with Daddy in the afternoon if you go' line.

No ice here now, only cold and damp, although I can see some blue sky trying to come through.

Have fun!

Got to confess my weight to the FMLs... Don't own a set of scales so can only weigh myself at the gym.....71KGS!!! I'm normally around 67, but like to be 64. Must go off to work

Very jealous of you skiiers, enjoy! Only ever skiied in Scotland, would love to ski abroad. Better save our pennies! Hope the conditions are wondeful for you.

LM at your skids, be careful! It's scary out there! I've been walking everywhere

DS has a bath every day despite his excema. He has oiliatum in the bath and dermol to wash with then epaderm afterwards to keep his moistuised. He does get so grubby he needs it most days and days that I try to skip it he is very insistent and will not leave the bathoom til I give in!

Impressed that you can eat with kids LM, if I did (and often I help out in an encouraging way) I'd still need another meal later!

Got DS down for a nap today after 3 days of no naps, need to get strict, afternoons are SO much better when he's had a wee sleep.

Meant to say I've been walking everywhere and getting v annoyed at cars going too fast! If a careful driver can slip then a boy racer, gah, doesn't bear thinking about!

I wouldn't call myself a Skier, I go for DH he really loves it. If it was my choice I'd be off for some sun!

You get sun in ski resorts!!

I def. call myself a skier - I skied for a week when 6MO PG with Haribo and then skied with haribo when pregnant (though I did not know it) with Mimi.

haribo just adores the snow. He's a real outdoorsy little boy, though... Would much prefer to be mucking around in the garden than watching TV!!!

I would LIVE in a ski resort if I could get away with it!!!

Baiyu - Couldn't agree more with you about the boy racers!! We've had more than a couple of clowns trying to get up the hill my house is on. How we laugh as they roll back down again!

Sho - We're largely through the biting phase, but Haribo is getting his last 4 back teeth and loves to bite clothes / mussies etc.,

We've had a good day here today. had a couple of playdates... One with a little boy who is VERY bad at sharing any toys I always bring a toy for Haribo and Mimi on playdates, so that haribo has something to 'share' (IYSWIM) and (IMHO) it backs up the 'you have to share your toys in order to share other children's toys' - it usually works well and most of my friends do that too, but this little boy just wanted Haribo's toys AND his own toys and just shouted AWAY AWAY at (a frankly bemused) Haribo!!

I know they are only little, but I do feel that social skills they learn now are vital to how they continue to develop / interact as they get older. I always make haribo share / give toys up..

OK, I know some of you will really disagree with this - so I'm ready for it - but IMHO, I treat haribo rather like Doof... I mean, the behaviours I will not tolerate, will NOT be tolerated.

I will NOT have aggression or pulling toys away, or demanding (or stealing) this that or the other... I expect Haribo to be considerate (age allowing) of others...

AIBU???? Haribo is far and away more considerate than the boy he spent time with today, but I don't want him to be targetted as a soft touch, IYSWIM...

Would appreciate views from FMLs!!

HM xx

Sorry, what I meant as 'a soft touch' is that he just gave up every toy to this other boy - he ended up with no toys and the other boy had them all.

not sure whether I should maybe let him get away with a bit more?

ta!! HM x

Hey girls

HM I reckon I am pretty like you describe with dd. I am generally happy if she is happy but I do have several absolute big no nos; hitting and kicking really. She is fascinated by kicking at the moment and we have a daily conversation about who/what she can and can't kick. She has some kickers shoes which I think is what started it but the conversations go "kick boys?", "kick mama?", 'kick table?", "kick ball?", "kick swimming?" She hardly ever actually kicks but does loads of pushing off tables etc which is very irritating and potentially very dangerous.

In terms of our evening routines. Food is very important in our family and I believe that good eating habits start young! Dd and I have a proper lunch together every day. We try and eat a family meal at the dinner table at least 6 nights a week if not every night and that means waiting until dp gets in. I try and cook for as soon as he gets home and he is getting in about 645 at the moment so we're done by 715 usually (we never have dessert) and save lingering dinners for the weekend when mealtime can last agggeeesss. Dd goes straight into a bath with dp and plays with her squirty toys for ten minutes before cream, one story and booboo (bf) then sleep. She is usually asleep by 7:45. She sleeps until about 2 usually then wakes up and depending who gets up with her wants milk (if it's dp) or to grab a handful of my hair (me, obviously) and goes back to sleep until around 630-7. She the has a proper breakfast and play for an hour, then 20 minutes tv before a nap which always starts 2 hours after she wakes up or she gets cranky. She sleeps for 1.5 hrs and has another hour around 230 but I can stall that to as late as we want really to suit our day. Sometimes she'll nap at 4:30ish and she can stay up and hour or two later in the evening. In Italy for example no one eats until 8-9ish so she had to stay up really late and it was no problem.

Did anyone see the programme about Magaluf (spg?) on tv last night? There was a woman on it I've been thinking about all day. I felt very sorry for her.

Dd is learning so much it is scary (in a good way). She can already put her own top and socks on and managed to put one (velcro strapped) trainer yesterday. I found her counting (well, 10-9-8-6-8-3-6-6 (her favourite number) today. I am not sure if I mentioned it but on Christmas Day she counted to 6 in English and then looked very coy as we sat back open mouthed and proceeded to count to 8 in Italian ! It has made me so much more aware of everything we do and say.

I realise I am rambling a bit now.

Night all.

MM {wink]

I just re-read my message and hope it isn't like I am showing off about dd which I am not and would never do.

Hello all,

MM you show off all you want about DD, she sounds like a little star! What impressive language skills. We have poo (a lot), baa for ball and then a word or two in Spanish, but not much else. There are various words he's said a couple of times but seems to store away and not say again.
HM I think you're right to try and teach some basic manners and good behaviour now, it's what we try to do as well. Might as well nip badness in the bud!!

Well, big news here is that translation work is going well and I got some funding for new business that I applied for! It's not a lot of money but with the combination of the work picking up it means I won't have to go back to my old employer in september. Sooooo....drum roll...that means we can ttc from any time after DS is 2. Obviously we could go for it any time but I would like more of a 3 year gap really, so realistically we'll probably stop using contraception in the summer, say June time and see what happens.

I'm applying for a subsidised nursery place for DS this spring, to start in september with the idea being that if I were pregnant it'd give me some time to lie retching next to the toilet get some work done. I also think DS would really really enjoy nursery by then (he'd be 2 and a half) as he's such an active little boy and really thrives on being out and about or meeting other children.

Having been a bit scared of the idea of another one I'm quite excited now!

Anyone else currently ttc or thinking about it?

I think we're leaving it at 2, but never say never!

HM I'm with you on the discipline.

Hello Macao - great news about the job and TTC. We've been talking a lot about number 2 recently and I'd like a 3 year gap too so we're thinking about the summer too. Tbh we're not actually trying but we're not using any contraception so if it happens it happens. I'd like to get rid of my tummy first and get a bit fitter but we'll see.

Woohoo! My provisional driving licence has just arrived and I am sooooooo pleased !

I've always been a bit anti cars and thought not being able to drive would force me to use public transport which is does but I now recognise that to be one of the major causes of stress in my life. I have also started spending a small fortune on taxis . Drivers watch out!

MM we're going to keep using contraception at least until the end of March when DS is 2 as you never know, it could take ages or you could get pregnant first time and I'm not ready just at the minute. I'd prefer 3 years or even a bit longer rather than under three years, so we'll keep on using protection til about June or July I reckon.

Ah.. .congratulations to all those TTC (and those who aren't adverse to a happy accident!!)

Actually, I think it's just me and LM who are absolutely definite about not having any more.

I know absolutely that I am happy with my two gorgeous children. I can't explain it, but I know I don't want any more.

Much I have enjoyed being pregnant and the baby stage, I want to be able to enjoy my kids and not be knackered constantly

So, def. no TTC here!!

Got an interview, weehee! week after next. Very pleased, now have to swot like mad! Have to research the ethical credentials of tesco as interview prep, tricky!

Career/TTC hmm, not using protection so will just wait and see!

macaco so pleased your business is taking off, well done! Hooray for independance and more babies! (actually not sure if they go together!)

mm i'm with you on driving. I'm now on the insurance, I've had my provisional for 9 years and I think it's ime to learn!

HM with you on discipline. DS has a rather 'boisterous' pal so now we're having to take action on sharing and playing nicely.