May 09 - Six months on. Sleepless nights, hen nights and a sexybuilder.

[HeadlessLadyH]

Over here!!!!

My family graciously offered to get groceries this morning. They left at 9.30 and still haven't returned. I ended up having just a crust of bread for lunch. The only thing I could find for C was some banana, so I let her have a play. She actually put it in her mouth and bit pieces off, but she seems to have spit everything back out. Still, it's a step forward.

Can anyone help me here?

Fi I'm sure G is fine. My DDs weight leveled off a bit before I started weaning her. She also slept through the night and it was the same time as when she became more active. She caught up again a few months later and it was fine. Also if you aren't using the same scales it could show different results. I'm not having R weighed anymore as he is clearly fine and happy, wetting, reaching milestones etc.
Your milk will be fine. It's special stuff.

Fi, what Belgian/Llare said .

about weaning: I'm sure there isn't a magic six month exactly line for weaning, it must just be a guide? I think if they have all the signs and start grabbing things it doesn't hurt to give a taste of things like veg or fruit or even a stick of toast before the Official Weaning date.

Harper turned 6 months to the date on the 2nd nov (i'm not sure how many weeks she is) but I started giving her a few hand held things a couple weeks ago as she seemed interested. she loves toast and a few other things but doesn't eat nearly enough food to constitute a full meal so I mainly BF. I hope figure she'll start taking less milk as she wants more solids.

I guess I just don't want to force things on her - a few times I've tried to shovel some fruit into her and she twisted away screaming. I'll try again today though. I suppose then I'm following the BLW route? still haven't bought/read the book.

C had a few unofficial plays with food last week, but seems to be more interested in the plate atm. I think she's not 100% ready compared to other babies, but now I'm going to do a little more active encouragement IYKWIM.

llare left you a long(ish) one

thanks everyone.. as you say she's happy and still gaining so will try to stop my self doubt and remember to go with the flow I might give her some veggies to play with tonight just to see what she does with them!

Thanks to those who left advice. I am going to read it all again later when I might be able to absorb it. I'm feeling a bit spaced out right now from sleepiness! DH is in charge tonight as I am off to a small business club seminar on e-marketing. Hopefully it will give me a nice rest!

Belgian have your groceries arrived yet?

Tummum very envious of your shopping trip. Is MK worth a trip for me? I usually to Solihull or Leamington but DH and I are going to take the day off together and brave Birmingham for the christmas market. Did you submit a formal flexible working application? There is a deadline for them to respond.

Febes your nephews look lovely. So cute!

I'm back and G isn't here. The house is so quiet, it's really horrible, but nice at the same time !

Llare I can't add to the advice you have already received, but wanted to add my support and sympathies for your lack of sleep situation.

Belgian at food shopping antics.

Febes your nephews are making me broody. Which is not good !

Fi I agree with Momi that the 6 week thing is not a hard and fast rule. Hope the play with veggies goes well

Llare yes I did put a formal application in. Is the deadline 6 weeks? I think there is something else going on, like an imminent restructure, which could be good if redundancies are up for grabs. Milton Keynes is good for Christmas shopping because everything is on one (very massive) level. It's not quite as classy as Brum because there is no Selfridges, and the John Lewis isn't quite as nice as Touchwood. And the parking is extortionate. And don't go on a weekend because it's rammed. But I still like it ! There's also a Brasserie Blanc if you fancy a nice lunch as part of your day out.

Hi all,
V quick post from me as A has just conked out for the night hopefully and I am going to get some sleep. Found out today that at least two other babies from the group I went to have had the samebug, one is in hospital with severe dehydration am so glad I woke A and fed her through the night the last two days as I think that's the only way she escaped hosp herself and is much better today. They think it's norovirus but might have to investigate in case it's something more serious.

Sorry for the me posts, will try to catch up properly tomorrow (or later if I'm up) night all x

running - well done for getting through the last few days. I had norovirus a few yers ago and it was really nasty and had me completely zonked.

Llare - hope you manage to relax at the seminar this evening. It's all a break, isn't it! Hope you start to get an improvement soon. Wish I had some advice but I'm pretty much in the same boat except I'm being a softie and still co-sleeping half the night.

Fi - did you try the veggies with G?

DH is away tonight in London on a posh knees up with work DS has been asleep about 20 mins now and I feel all lonely!! I'm still hoping he stays asleep though

Went to toddler group at church for the first time this morning. There was a nice little corner for under 1yrs and about 4 other babies. The 20-30 toddlers were off running around the rest of the hall. It was quite good and O seemed to enjoy it so we'll probably go again.
Tomorrow we've got Jo Jingles and then I'm going round to my parents' as my mum's asked me to go and change the dressing on her shoulder for her!

Right enough of my waffle!

Just a quickie as G still awake DS asleep though so not too bad. I did let G have a go with some steamed carrot batons at dinner. She had great fun picking them up, passing them from hand to hand and sucking them before dropping them etc. No actual eating but her face was a picture of what's this? & delight My fav bit was when she had a carrot baton gripped firmly in her hand while sucking her thumb at the same time... the carrot was wedged close up next to her nose!!

back to catch up ...

Dandy Your DS sounds like he's on a massive growth spurt. This too, shall pass!!!!

My rash has flared up again tonight so I think heat makes it worse. The GP has sent me for blood test so we shall see.

DD has woken crying so is now watching EE with me. I wonder what's wrong with her. Have given calpol so I'll let her sit up for a few minutes then back to bed.

Ses glad O enjoyed toddler group. Its nice for them to watch all the children running about.

Dandy- I've heard some babies have a mega growth spurt around 6 months. I hope S doesn't have one as he's feeding enough as it is . Sorry you've had a rough day. I get like you on days like that. In some ways I am looking forward to going back to work, as i don't feel cut out for being at home with DCs full-time. Today wasn't too bad as DH was at home as he's been suffering with a cold manflu so I had some help.

running- hope A continues to improve and that you and DH feel better soon.

hope you're all feeling better soon running dandy that's one helluva shift you've done... no wonder you were in need of me time. i'm like you.. i need some no speaking quiet time too... especially when i'm tired. I would retreat to the loo more often if i thought that would give me a minute or 2 but ds even follows me there to chatter non stop! So i make the most of the quiet (2-10mins) achieved by serving him lunch

better post this... my mum phoned and have been nattering for a while. I expect there's now lots more posts to catch up on!

evening all

apologies in advance for me, me, me post

I've found the new thread thanks to jennster altho I haven't a hope in hell of catching up with what's been going on

I've been going each day to the hospital to visit my mum. The good news is that she's feeling alot better - I just hope they don't send her home too soon tho . We're going to try and get her some help in the home as she now has limited mobility and is unable to wash herself and is incontinent (sp?), not sure how to do this yet but I have spoken to her doctor in the hope we can get a home assessment visit. Does anyone have any experience/advice about this?

Does anyone get childcare vouchers to help with nursery fees? I have no idea how to apply for these, is it true that your partner/husband can also apply for them? Is it worth trying to get them?

dandy running hope you have a better night and feel better soon

I went into work today to collect some money and saw my boss about going back - basically can he pay me when I go back so that I can afford to put M in nursery?

He asked me if I would be prepared to work 3 days a week not 5 as he couldn't really afford to pay me full-time and work was quiet. I only wanted to work 3 days anyway (he doesn't know that tho), he's asked me to think it over and go in next week to discuss hours etc.

Looby to get the childcare vouchers your employer needs to sign up to the scheme, and you take a salary sacrifice which is then paid to your nursery tax free. It true that your DP/H can also apply. Not all employers offer these as it does mean more admin for them, although I think they pay less NI to cover this. Your childcare provider also need to sign up to be able to accept the vouchers. HTH.

thanks tummum don't think there's much chance my boss will sign up for the scheme. My DH's company is alot larger tho so I'll get him to ask them.

Looby - glad your mum's feeling better. Definitely don't tell your boss you were hoping for 3 days a week

Dandy - does sound like a mega growth spurt. Febes is right - this too shall pass.

Febes - sorry about your rash. Hope it clears up but good to try and find out what's causing it. Hope DD settled in the end and is ok.

I've just let our dogs out for their evening wee wander round the garden and one of them could obviously smell, see or hear something and went mad barking really loudly. So much so that O woke up Bless him he'd been asleep for 2.5hrs. I tried just cuddling him back to sleep but his crying was getting more intense and his hands and mouth were searching for boob so I'm sat feeding him in bed. Hopefully he'll go back into his cot and I'll probably try and get some sleep then too.
G'night!

Hi there,

Thanks for new thread Headless. Running glad your lo is on the mend now and hope you don't come down with anything.

Dandy you have my sympathy, ds2 whinged and moaned and groaned most of the day and some days I wonder if I'm cut out for motherhood. In fact the only thing that seemed to raise a cheeky grin off ds2 is when I was dancing round to Madonna (for his enjoyment only you understand )

Looby the hospital should have social workers on site. Ask the nursing staff if your mother has been allocated a SW, if not then say you'd like to speak to them. They will organise all the paperwork and stuff for going to a home. Also all the people involved in your mums care, {in the hospital} should have a meeting to decide what is in her best interests.

My attempt at getting the ironing up to date went out of the window tonight when the iron went bang!!

Anyhow I'm off to bed - good night all!

I'm off to bed too

night all

Loobs yes, you'll need to speak to a Social Worker about arranging an assessment at home. There'll be SWs at the hospital or you can call Social Services for information. There should be a specialist community care team who can help your mother settle at home or a respite care home if she would prefer that.

Dandy I know exactly how you feel. I often have days like that and I feel guilty sometimes that I disappear to the bath as soon as DH gets home from work. I love spending time with the boys but it can be such hard work at times. I really have to be in the right frame of mind to get through it. When I am, it's great, and I love it, but when I haven't had a break for a while then I really struggle.

muddled I could not cope without my iron.
My sympathy for your plight!

Fi I don't get any peace in the loo either.

Tummum now Brasserie Blanc sounds tempting! I can't remember what the flexible working application deadline might be but for some reason I have 28 days in my head. I'm probably wrong though, I'm pretty rusty on that sort of thing. Fingers crossed you get what you want.

Ses glad you enjoyed that toddler group.

flippineck funnily enough we had a chat last night about potential baby no 3, and at the moment we've decided that we probably don't want to go through it all again.

I didn't make it to my seminar. I took the boys out for a walk this afternoon and when we got back we were cold and tired. My hair was a mess and I just didn't have time to transform myself from windswept scruff to presentable and capable businesswoman! So I decided to pull a sickie and had a nice warm bath instead. Bliss.

Christmas shopping tomorrow in Leamington, can't wait!

DS2 is really doing well on the weaning front. He has demonstrated a fondness for extra mature cheddar and loves chewing on bread. He's showing an independent streak and snatching the spoon from me.

Grr. He's just woken up again. I hope this is a growth spurt.

Very quick catch up, sorry!

dandy - long day, sympathy to you. It's hard. Do you have a sling? You'd be able to have DS in the sling and be able toget on with stuff and save your arms.

looby - no more info for you, just best wished for your mum, and I hope you get the information and care that is needed.

llaregub - shame about the seminar, but I am of your bath! Was going to have a bath this evening as DH goes to pilates on Monday nights, but DD1 wouldn't settle and then A woke up too and needed winding/feeding/cuddling.

Top potty day here! DD1 was at the CM's all day, and no accidents!!!! She came home in the same knickers and clothes as she went in, I'm really proud of her. Hopefully it will continue the same way at home.

Off to bed now - see you tomorrow!