July 2009: Grinning, wolfing, rolling and puking! :)

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Hi thought I'd take the bull by the horns and start a new thread. Hope the weaning was covert enough! Fire away!

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Oh Christiana i'd die. We've got 2 traps down but they're traps in boxes so i wouldn't have to touch one, if we ever catch one anyway that is

furry creatures ugh! the thought of it - hope they go soon. We were plagued by ants one year and that was bad enough.

lydia would a mattress on the floor work? Then if he rolls off he's not going to hurt himself.

ali I going to hunt you down on FB too

Lydia Just be careful if you use a bed with rails, because once Bill starts to stand, he may topple over the rail.

Critters Ugh! Found a dead mouse in my basement a couple years back and almost had heart failure! Guess my 2 cats FINALLY made themselves useful . My neighbour across the street has had a couple of mice in her house lately, and comes running over to ask my DH to go catch them (her DH travels often on business). LOL. Its funny when its someone elses problem, but I would not be happy to find them in my home (both cats are gone now).

weaning So we hit a bit of a problem. Tried to puree last nights pasta and meat sauce, and Marco would not have any of it. He kept choking (and in the process scaring the crap out of me) on the chunkier texture. I pureed it as smooth as possible, but I guess ground beef stays grainy. So I am still stuck with giving him smoother purees. Have not tried finger foods, aside from the crust of Italian bread (he choked on it as well). Maybe I will try rice cakes as well...

sleeping Am going to try something different tonight, as Marco is waking 3 times a night again and I cant take it anymore! He usually gets sleepy at around 7 and takes a short nap. Tonight, I fed him his cereal and BF him and put him to bed by 7:45pm. Hopefully he will wake for his dream feed at around midnight and then sleep the rest of the night. I guess I take it for granted that the other DCs were all night owls and tended to go to sleep later. Guess will see if this works. Because right now, it looks like I am destined to have bags under my eyes FOREVER!!

Christiana How are you feeling? The DCs?? I hate being so sick that you cant care for yourself, let alone the children (DH included!). I remember when DD1 was sick and threw up all over me while I was trying to feed DS1 his poridge. Had to finish feeding him, THEN go clean up. And TBH, vomit is my achilles heel. Give me blood guts and gore and it wont faze me... but just the SOUND of someone vomiting sends me running to the loo!!!

Ali Thanks for the recipe... sounds very yummy (I LOVE lemon) and will have to give it a go soon! My muffins that I make can be found here. I cut back the sugar and they still turn out yummy! Made 2 batches and they were gone in 2 days!

MissP How are you feeling? Hope the bug has passed for you as well.

Off to bed for me. Am still trying to finish reading my novel that is now 4 days late (borrowed from library)

Hey all
Christiana sounds like life is a bit grey for you too. I think I may actually look into hiring a sitter if I have anything like this happen to me again. Yes the £ is an issue but sanity comes first. Right? How are your AD's working? Can I ask, how do you know if you need them (ie when does the feeling of blah and anxiety go from "a stage" to PND). Do the AD's make things "smoother"?

I think it has just hit me I "have 3". Also, I know this sounds vain, but I am hating my tummy, I hardly have time to do my hair/makeup and my fashion sense is very mumsy. I think I need a bit of feel good. Does anyone else get those feelings?

Apart from making a little money, the good thing about working (even if part time) it forces you to dress up a bit, talk about things other than babies etc. Maybe I need to see if that is viable once Tristan is a yr?

Lydia I use a cotbed anyway for Tristan (turns into a bed once rails off) so I can't imagine using a junior bed would be much different? I am assuming as long as no pillows/duvets are used and there is some sort of railing/barrier it will be ok?

Phoenix glad you don't have to come into contact with the critters (Christiana your story made me shudder...) Re weaning still not much progress here. We are doing mainly finger food (some carrot in his poo today) but due to bronchiolitis he is still mainly BF about 5/6 times a day. I have also got some Ella's kitchen and chop some bits of meat and potato into them on my lazier days.

Baby we are getting some choking/lots of gagging too. I hate this stage of weaning TBH. It suddenly clicks around 9/10m but until then it is a chore and scary at times.

Good News I am going out with DH tomorrow night w/some friends for drinks and food. I am going to get waxed during the day and tart myself up tomorrow night. I need to shake it up a bit I reckon.

Anyone else doing anything this weekend (bar Patchy - hope the christening goes well!)

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Phoenix - I cheat and give dd the Ellas Kitchen pouches as well I thought I would see what she likes then try and make it rather than spend ages cooking only for her to reject it.

Miss P - fab suggestion from Christiana to buy wax strips and have a massage instead although I could not inflict such pain on myself - or let anyone else do it come to think of it Hope you have a great night out with dh It's natural to be a bit self-conscious about your body after having a baby. They say it takes 9 months to make a baby and 9 months to get your body back. I'm not sure that mine will be back the way I want it in 2 months time but am hoping once I stop bf I will lose some weight.

dd has a cold and temperature. Doesn't seem to be bothering her much but it is bothering me because she is being sick every feed and she can't afford to lose weight.

I love the idea of a swim...always calms me down.

Christiana let us know how the job hunting goes. And getting into the therapy session. I think that is a great option. I think it is great that you are on top of the signs.

I do chat/meet w/friends but there is something that stops me from really letting people know how I am feeling (bar DH). My best friend can't have children and is too old for egg donation (and her DH stopped the adoption process halfway into it) so feels odd to "complain" to her.

Hopefully things will pick up and if they don't I know my options.

Love the zumba!

lady hope the cold gets better. Not what you need, eh?

spa I would much rather go for a massage than a wax... but I DESPERATELY needed some maintenance work so I had my bikini waxed yesterday, as well as my eyebrows. Feel soooo much more human again! Just need to get my hair trimmed and highlighted and I think I will feel whole again! I even went out for lunch with a friend today, which was a nice treat. She does not have DCs, so the conversation had very little to do with babies (even though I had my 2 with me).

swimming I agree that it is very relaxing. I am just too lazy to go because its a big deal to then wash my hair and bathing suit and have a shower there. The gym is quicker, and just as relaxing for me. I spend an hour there every morning (whether I run or do weight training) and its ME time. I get rid of my stress and have time to focus on myself, without anyone needing my attention. The fact that I am losing weight and getting some of my old shape back is a plus. I find I am feeling better about myself, which makes me a happier person, which in turn benefits the children as well. I dont have PND, but I can see how easy it could be to slip into it as a new mother. Christiana and MissP its good that you at least know what you are dealing with, recognize when its getting out of hand, and get help when you need it. I applaud you for your strength.

sleep Well... my sleep experiment was a complete failure last night. I put Marco down at 7:45 after being fed and he slept til about 11:15. I BF him and tried to put him back in his cot, but he would not settle. Finally I gave in and plunked him into his swing, at which point he was back to sleep. That lasted til about 2am when he woke and took a bottle from DH. After trying for half an hour or so, he finally went back to sleep, only to wake at 5 and then at 7. Sigh... I am soooo tired I am not sure how much more I can take before I snap! He cried everytime he woke up, so it was not a peaceful night at all. He seems on the cranky side today as well. All during my lunch date I had to hold him or he would cry. He is by far, my most challenging DC yet. Another reason why I will not be tempted to have more. Actually... DH is scheduled for his 'snip' next weekend... will see if the chicken actually goes through with it! Marco being such a grouch may actually give DH that added incentive to have it done!

So this weekend is actually a long one for us. Monday is a bank holiday (Family Day) and DH also took Tuesday off. We are pulling the older ones out of school on Tuesday so that we can go on a family getaway. We are going to Niagara Falls for the monday and Tuesday and staying in a themed hotel. Its great for the kids. Has a giant indoor waterpark, story time, crafts, and arcade. Will be lots of fun. Last time we went, I was 4 months prego with DD2, so I couldnt really do much. My mom and her boyfriend will be going as well... so plenty of adults to help out! See here.

Lady I cheat and give Marco jars as well. I have only had time to make a few purees for him. He has now tasted almost all the flavours they have in the 'beginner' jars. So at least I know what to make. I agree about not bothering to cook everything from the start, only to have him not like certain things and they go to waste.

Patchy Hope you are all organized for the christening and that everything goes well for you this weekend. Cant wait to see some pics So whats on the menu??

May have some time to poke my head in this weekend. If not... have a nice weekend. Since I have twice gotten pregnant around this time of the year I will need to behave, but the rest of you should certainly have a shagalicious Valentine's Day

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baby lol at you valetines conceptions. All 3 of mine were born approx 9 months after my wedding anniversary!

I would love to go swimming but by night time all I want to do is veg or drink wine with friends!

pnd looking back I had it after DS1 was born but partly because I was just soo tired. My utmost sypathies.

We have been having bad nights here with teething. Alfie won't go back to sleep till the calpol kicks in by which time he is wideawake and chatting at the top of his voice and waking the whole house

My DD (5) is driving me mad now she is crying and stropping over everything and won't listen until we are really yelling grrr.. just sorted out ds1s clinging and whining and another takes over
sigh

Evening all - v.quick post as DD is crying and it's bathtime. Have read all but not answered all yet. Will be back in an hour, baby permitting, however:

Antilop - Ikea high chair - cannot recommend it highly enough. We'd been given a different one which was a pig-and-a-half to clean. As it was a freebie and rusted to buggery and it had ended up with both me and DP having a black toe each I felt no remorse in binning the damn thing. We happened across the infamous Antilop at the local wine bar and it has zero nooks or crannies and is mega easy to clean and store with it's detachable legs. And at £14 including the play tray, well worth trying out. We've taken the plunge.

Unusual Weight Loss Techniques - little sis has such bad acid/heartburn at the minute, she can barely eat and she has lost 5lb in a week needless to say she's off to the Dr. but 5lb off would be nice . Having done just the one D&V with the baby, and DP leaving me at home to deal with it, I wouldn't wish it on anyone. You have my utmost sympathies Christiana and MissP, really, truly

QF - well I've never been on a TTC thread before. It's quite freaky

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jetli I know it is rather erm different isn't it

I have been doing voluntary work christiana with breastfeeding and I am hoping whenI return to work to get paid for it as the project is growing and some paid positions now coming up. I used to be a sales rep but don't feel like going back to the pressure and targets etc. Think I would miss my jeans too If you like cooking could you not find some work say working for a food co doing their books or something then an opportunity may arise to go into the more foodie side?
Before I had Alfie I started looking at a career plan as I couldn't just stay home all day (well I could but would feel guilty)

I think my prblem with DD is stemming from the fact DH is now at home because he is out of work and the change in circumstance may be unsettling her

ttc we were TTC until my DH suddenly paniced and changed him mind mid family crisis this morning so I guess it's on hold for a while

Sorry to hear of the D+V
Christiana there seems to be a growing market for online cookery like that dad who cooks with his son. Hours are good - can work from home. Perfect I also think maybe there is room for more baby food lines as if you feed your kids ready prepared stuff (like me ) it can get a bit samey iyswim. But baby food may not be that fulfilling for you? What about food to go like the company Cook? My friend bought me some of their stuff after we had dd and it was really handy. Anyway..........just some ideas. Do you prefer cooking or baking?
So proud of ds. He was really lacking confidence in swimming but suddenly in the past week has cracked it and jumping in the water without a swim aid and actually swimming He swam almost a width yesterday.
Hope everyone has a nice weekend

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You poor thing Hope you feel better soon.
Will try and find the dad and son site - it was on gmtv recently. Sounds like you have the credentials to make a success of that kind of thing. Nursery thing sounds like a great idea. Would you deliver frozen food?

just checked the gmtv website and found it under young chef at work. The dad's name is Nick Coffer and he cooks with his two year old son Archie.

AA glad you are feeling a bit better now. ADs take a minimum of 2 weeks to kick in but often longer. I think I have had a touch of PND as well (probably due to circumstances re. dd's birth) but think I'll be ok once the weather improves. Spending too much time indoors makes me feel worse iyswim. It's horrible when you feel anxious isn't it. I get that when my thyroid is playing up (hypothyroiditis) and it isn't too great atm. The treatment takes 4-6 weeks to work.

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hi all. read all posts but no time to reply.

christina sorry about d&v sounds horrendous.

stupid teeth Rebecca got ANOTHEr flippin cold caused by teeth. Honestly can count on one hand the number of days since nov when one of us hasn't been ill. She can't breathe so can't suck her thumb. Last 2 nights have been a write off. Heard her a few times already this evening. if anything like yesterday she'll wait till my head hits the pillow to crank it up!

food to schools sounds great but prob best loook into the idea of getting your hygiene certificates if you want to do it. Did a degree in microbiology in the days of ecoli 0157 scares and they are pretty strict about these things esp if serving to young people.

Food standards agency website a good place to find info: here

Morning
Just a quickie as need my coffee.

PND I am going to keep an eye on it but feeling loads better. I had my hair trimmed, was waxed and went out w/DH and friends for dinner and drinks and really helped.

Christiana what a shift from city employee to SAHM. I am not surprised you feel in limbo. Re cooking what is it you really like e.g. Baking? Dinners? Food industry itself? Once you narrow it down take it from there. Some thoughts are doing celebration cakes/desserts. My friend has gone from being an Ad Director to baking commissioned cakes (from home) after having 2nd DC. It IS possible to do. How exciting for you to get into something new.

Activity sorry to hear about the PND and thanks for sharing it with us.

baby hope break good.
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