Hi all, its been a long couple of weeks here. All of us have been poorly one way or another. DS1 missed the last couple of days of term with a fever, DS2 had a huge wart which fell off but wouldn't stop bleeding (queue trip to A&E) DH has had tonsilitis and a fever, I had a fever and I think tonsilitis although I have no tonsils... DD has been the worst though and poorly on and off for a couple of weeks. Her temperature was really high in the week and she was covered in a red viral rash and listless with cold cold hands and feet, her right eye was swollen shut too I ended up spending a night in hospital with her as they were concerned about her temperature and thought she had a bacterial infection in her eye and wanted to treat her with IV anti-biotics. Turns out she had celulitis in the skin under her eye (presceptual celulitis) We had another trip to the hospital at the weekend too as she had a purple/brown rash on the back of her neck which wouldn't fade...luckily it turned out to be tiny burst blood vessels where she had been screaming in protest at the oral anti-biotics she's on (she says they "don't taste nice Mummy"). Things are thankfully (touch wood) returning to normal routine now.
DrSkid, how is your DS1 now? Hope he's on the mend. I'm not sure I exactly manage to MN successfully with 3 DCs (hence the sporadic posting) but life with them gets much easier even if it doesn't get any less busy I don't get the guilt thing about dummies, if it gives a baby comfort then what's wrong with that? I actively gave DS2 one to try and stop him from sucking his thumb, it worked and he had it for naps until he was 3 and he gave it up when he was ready. DD wouldn't take the dummy and sucks her thumb, the trouble with a thumb is that its always there, you can't put it under the pillow between naps. I sucked mine until I was 12 or so and only stopped because it wouldn't fit in my mouth with the braces I had...
Buzzy, still waiting for my appointment... Ouch for your trip over, are you okay?! DD is definitely agressive, she too is baited by her older siblings. Her brothers use her as a weapon when fighting each other too... "Evie, go pull DS1's hair"..."Evie, go and bite DS2"... unfortunately she now bites them quite often and also does the same to my friend's DS. She is fiercly independant and shouts a lot to assert herself (much like everyone else's DCs are seeming to at the moment). It can be very wearing but luckily she is so lovely the rest of the time
Clara, I remember the short burst things when learning shorthand! I never quite got the hang of it beyond 80 wpm though as although I could take it down I then struggled to transcribe it. My shorthand is like my fast handwriting - scruffy! Hope you have a fab time in Disneyland!
Cazzy, your hols sounded fab, I love the Lake District! How is Evie's poor rib now? Hope she's feeling a bit less sore, have you tried giving her some arnica tablets to help with any bruising she might have?
Clairey, at your H for behaving that way to your poor poorly DD as for suggesting a reward for looking after his own child... Hard as it may be to deal with him though at least it is not an everyday thing like when you were living together. I guess thats small comfort at times.
BT that you've had no viewings but that you're thinking of trying for DC2! As for potty training, I'm not even thinking of it at the moment even though I did the boys at this age. Although Evie will tell me when she's done a wee or poo (or farts - that's what having older brothers does to a girl) I'm not convinced she's ready yet, she won't sit on the potty without a nappy on for starters! I'm waiting for summer...
Dundee, I love your DD's favourite phrase!
Arcadie, at toddler/newborn kisses!
Insy, I can't believe Bear is 10 months old! Glad you got your mortgage approved, when are you putting an offer in on the house? The scan was interesting thanks, I don't know when/if I'll get to hear any results as it was mostly for research purposes but still it was an experience! The MRI machines are much smaller and noisier than you see on TV. You did mention the coil before, the bleeding you are having could be due to the hormones they emit. I have had a lot of problems with on/off bleeding since stopping BFing DD and I think that's mainly due to the mini-pill messing up the hormones, if it doesn't settle down then go see your GP. How are Bear's spots now? FWIW, DD had chicken pox at 10 months and she came through it soooo much easier than her brothers did when they had it. Have the other 2 boys had it? When is DH home?