Dec 08 babies are nearly one - PARTY TIME!

[EffiePerine]

As I accidentally filled up the old thread I thought I'd better start a new one

oh, trace - please don't stop posting - the basket is here for you, precisely because you are feeling so low. i am guilty (although i don't want to use that term) of only posting when something a bit rubbish happens to me, and i feel i am all me me me. but i know from hearing how other people are doing and reading about their difficulties, how interested and deeply we can feel for people whom, let's face it, we haven't even met (most of the time).

you may have noticed i've not been on in a while - no real reason why not - been lurking and really interested in everyone's news, but haven't had much to say.

daisy - am also thinking of you and your family.

oh, and ladyt - of you and your late dh.

oh, and jj, you too!

i have just fbooked urbane and aubergine to ask about nannies. i have now accepted next term's work at the drama school (! long story involving me realising this hell is actually going to be worth it in the end and i've just got to get through it and learn how to do it) and have to find a way of not letting the preparation get on top of me. an nct friend lives around the corner and also needs cover when she goes back to work 2 days a week next year. we were thinking of doing a nanny share for 2 days a week (and i'd use one day for being at work, and a second day for lesson planning). i have, however, no idea how to go about finding one. nor how much it would cost. i suspect i will end up forking out the same amount in wage i will be getting for one day's teaching, for the nanny. ugh ugh ugh. but i want to try to find some way through this. any tips???

madam's night times are eerily good at the mo - she now goes to sleep WITHOUT A PEEP, and generally (8 times out of 10), doesn't wake or need our help until 6.15 (although now i've written that i've got some bad karma feelings it's all going to go tits up again). and even this morning she woke up and stood up screaming at 5.20 - i went in, laid her back down, said "it's too early madam, go back to sleep" and she then woke up at 6.45. honestly, this is a miracle. you all remember how awful things were for us 5 weeks ago (when we started the new regime), and honestly i cannot tell you how different we all feel. daytime naps are a complete mystery, however, so don't think it's all plain sailing.

veggie - hope you are settling in well - a really good friend had her first two babies (out of 4 (!!!!?!!!!)) in amsterdam - i know she had a great time there - am sure you will too!

oh, and dh has been nominated for the same award as last year for his radio series, so we get to go to a (not very) swanky award ceremony at the end of november.

oh, and, the most important news: dh and i are going on a WEEKEND AWAY not this weekend, but next. so so so excited! hope we don't miss madam too much, nor that she will miss us too much, but v v v excited!

love to all and sorry for having been absent for so long

Oh Trace please don't stop posting, this is really selfish of me I know and I don't want to make you feel more guilty, but if you don't post I'll just worry. So even if you just lurk and occassionally just tell us your still alive, but something offloading would be better. Sweetie you've got so much on your plate at the moment. I remember your church had that thing where if someone had a baby or illness they would cook food for them, well you've got a lot of serious stress right now, do you think they would help out. Also is it possible for L to have school dinners, or are they a bit dire? Just to help out?

Oh and forgot to say yesterday but DS1 ate peas!!! It's a miracle.

Hooray for weekend away and sleep and award nominations for MrWaiting, have I completely missed it's airing on radio 4? And effie what was the name of Mr Effies programme, have I missed it on play again. I only just worked our why the audio wasn't working on our laptop to finally can get to BBC radio listen again.

VG - it's on thursdays at 6.30pm. 3rd episode was on tonight (we also have yet to listen to it)

Trace please don't stop posting. You are always so lovely to everyone and have such good advice. We honestly don't mind if you post me, me, me posts. It's what we are here for.

Have a good weekend everyone. I am so excited about having a night away, I feel like a small kid.

Hi everyone, so sorry I?ve not been on for a while, I?ve been lurking and will try to catch up from some of things from the last thread as well as this one, but a big hug now to anyone I?ve inadvertently missed off.

Jolly 11 teeth! Wow. Although your DD did start early! And 8 teeth for MOM. E?s 3rd tooth appeared yesterday and I think (hope) 4 might be imminent as she?s still pink cheeked, whingy and chewing. She?s looks rather funny as her first 2 came through 3 ½ months ago and are almost full size, but there?s nothing else around them

Jump hope the full day at nursery goes well tomorrow. I?ve been thinking about practising a morning routine too ? currently its rare that we?re both fed and dressed by 10am , so I need to sort that. However the last 2 days she?s woken at 6 and come into bed with me and then dropped off again for another blissful 2 hours and we?ve had the loveliest snuggle. And then after breakfast she loves to roam around in the buff so getting dressed takes an age as I hate to interrupt her fun.

Daisy the second interview sounds scary, I think I?d have crumbled at being asked to role play! I?m a big believer that something that is meant to be will come to you, so this might be the one for you. And best wishes to all your family too

LadyT I hope you got through the anniversary ok? And so close to your DD?s birthday ? really is the happiest of times and the saddest, such a huge difference in emotions must be very draining for you. On a lighter note, a friend of mine trained as a mole catcher when he was a student and it is a pretty lucrative job . Heinz do a pesto pouch for babies, which DD loves and has no salt

Glad you?ve got moved and found a house Veggie and are starting to immerse yourself into life over there. You seem so calm about the fact that first flat was horrendous, I know I wouldn?t have dealt with it quite so well. Yay for the peas!

DD is another one who will be having the MMR ? one of my Mum?s school friends died from measles, and I know things have moved on since she was a child, but I just don?t want to risk it.

Trace you have so much on your plate, but please find a minute to keep posting ? no need for personals, just let us know how you?re doing. If L is so tired then I?m not surprised that her behaviour isn?t perfect ? I?m a horrible person when tired. And can you see your CPN or someone, as Sybil suggested? You will know much better than me about how you feel, but I don?t want you near any slippery slopes if it is at all possible to avoid them. Lots of love

WG I love the thought that you went into your DD and called her Madam ? I guess you used her proper name, but Madam made me chuckle!

Have lots of fun in London Kayz

Lots of news from the ZJ house, but will try to keep it brief. Last week DD and I went to stay at my parents new house and DD and my Mum got on like a house on fire ? phew! It was Mum?s birthday and DD behaved perfectly when we went out for lunch although that is probably because she was enjoyed her chips and brownie too much to make a squeak (meals out are normally a nightmare, as she gets terrible food envy). And on the job front, I had an interview yesterday for a maternity cover and got the impression that its mine if I want it ? I have a 2nd interview next week but think I?m the only one and I?ve been asked if I can start a week on Monday ? eek, so soon! (I hope I?m not being cocky by writing this, but I think its a very similar situation to when we recruited for my cover, targeted the person we wanted and humoured the other applicants ? I know the people there well, so think that is the case). My only reservations about it are that it is just for a year, and I have an application in for another job that is a 3 year contract, although I am much less of a dead cert for that one and don?t know yet if I?ve even been shortlisted. So do I go with my heart and do this job that I know I will enjoy, or my head and go for some longer term job security? Oh, and the maternity cover will be 4 days a week (they?ve kindly agreed to that, even though they wanted full time), and the other one is 3 days, which would be my preference. I hope I only get offered one, then I don?t have to make any decisions! And my favourite moment of the week ? DD was playing with her hairbrush at the weekend and I brushed DH?s hair, she then copied and brushed his hair, and then her own without any prompting. Such a clever girl!

PS WG I?ve been listening to Bleak Expectations for the first time whilst writing this, your DH has another fan, I?ve really enjoyed it. Great news on the nomination, we will all have our fingers crossed for him

Am really just looking in to see how you are today Trace? I hope you had a better night with P and that you have a calm day at work today. How is your DH - better I hope, so that he can share the load with you over the weekend. I am going to put my Lucy thinking cap on and try to come up with some suggestions for you, as my Lucy is nearly the same age and, though in an angelic phase just now,has been so very trying in the past. Lots of love to you all

Happy Friday everyone. Will be back to post later and catch up with others.

v v quick post to say please don't feel you have to stop posting Trace - we always love to hear from you swhatever the circs. Lots of love to you and the girls

Trace, no wonder you are fed up, darling. That is a heck of a lot to have on your plate. The sleep deprivation is bad enough WITHOUT Lucy playing up, running the house AND doing a job. At least your DH being poorly is temporary - when he is better you won't feel like you are carrying the entire household on your own. And please come on here even if it's only to let off steam. No one minds, and frankly Hercules' knees would wobble with what you're trying to carry round alone. You're not alone! We all need to put our heads together and come up with suggestions that might help L behave and P sleep. But even if we can't, be assured of a stack of sympathy. This too will pass, remember?

ZJ - smashing about the job. For my money I'd go with the mat cover one that you are really keen about. They might keep you on but even if they don't, a few months happiness is worth it.

WG - v pleased about the nom for BE. Yay!

Veggie - that really is good news about the house, sounds wonderful. And your views/info on MMR is really, really helpful - thank you. I will probably ask you about it some more on FB.

Northern ladies - have some friends in Sheffield and am probably visiting them in Dec. Vaguely wondered if anyone wanted a coffee in Sheffield before I go over there ALTHOUGH I suspect it is too far South for most of you and furthermore, anyone nearby will probably be at work midweek!

Have to crack on now. More anon.

LadyT, If I am not at work then I will see if I can make it. Sheffield isn't that far on the train.

Trace - hope you are feeling better.... I can assure you nobody minds when we do "me posts" otherwise I'd have been booted off MN about 18 months ago It's what the thread is here for - support, and we have a great bunch of people here I hope you check in today if you have time?

I asked dh about MMR last night as I was a bit ignorant to it all and anyway dh fired right up and said that Autism crap is all a load of bollocks (well he used a different phrase) and mumbled something about the guy who invented the single one basically made up this load of rubbish about a link to Autism etc so his would take off...? ds will be having it without hesitation.

Kayz, have a lovely time in the big smoke!

JJ - thinking of little S at nursery - hope she has a nice day

Trace - I'll add to the chorus! We're all happier for hearing from you, even if you are not in the happiest state of mind. All of us really appreciate the support we get on here and not only do we not mind if others look for it, are genuinely eager to offer it we can help. You have plenty on your plate and should keep reminding yourself how well you are doing juggling it all. L being out of sorts is difficult, but I think even with older children its still true to say "this too will pass".

WG - Congrats to you and your DH! As for the nanny thing (another norf London nanny user here), best bet is word of mouth - just ask everyone you know if they know if anyone who might be interested! Happy to chat more on FB if its any help.

ZJ - congrats on the job! Lovely to have choices, but yes, it does make life a bit more complicated! Glad to hear that DD and your parents are getting more comfortable with each other.

Veggie - the house and set up sounds fabulous and love the way you and your delightful family have charmed everyone there already!

Things looking up a bit here too. DS had a thoroughly miserable day yesterday and woke up at 2.30am wailing and hot, but this morning it was like the sun coming out - back to his lovely, cheery, mischievous self. Really felt like I had my baby back. As predicted yesterday, just fine in time for his docs appt this morning!

Madam is being quite sweet as well - I headed off this morning with a "Bye bye Miss T" and got back "Bye bye Mrs Mummy". Goes from being completely delicious to a cheeky monkey, but I can't resist her.

Other good news is that I have a job interview - won't be for a couple of weeks as the person interviewing is based in Brussels, but am cautiously excited. Been a bit frustrating the last few weeks as quite a few leads have fallen through for reasons outside my control.

Oh my gosh - a couple of days off and I've missed so much! Guys, so sorry, I can't really do a full response to everyone. But LT hope you're doing ok and Trace - post away!

Veggie - sounds like you're settling in well - I'm actually quite jealous - especially looking out of the window at the weather here in London. Plus would be so nice to get some fresh air and be somewhere new!

We're having a typical Friday 13th - Izz is really sick. Throwing up everywhere. This is my first experience of ill baby (apart from colds etc) and it's awful. so worried about her - she can'teven keep down the sips of water I'm giving her. She's been asleep for most of the day so far. But when up, I try to give her a bit of liquid, but she can't handle it at all. Spoke to the doctor who wasn't really much use. Am thinking about going in there this afternoon for an emergency appointment if it's still bad. What does everyone think? Any tips? Poor little bear. I've had to change my clothes once due to being covered and puke and hers 3 times. That's with a towel on her while she's on my knee!

Invisible - well done on the interview - that's smashing!

x

Beans - when big people are throwing up and get dehydrated they are supposed to suck ice cubes as little drips of water get through but not enough to irritate the tummy and cause vomiting. If you smashed up an ice cube and gave her chips of it to suck, would that work?

trace hope you are feeling better today and I so hope that P slept well for you. I know you don't like to hear her cry it out at night. But as you know DS has had me on my knees in the past few weeks. I snapped the other night and put in ear plugs, he really never cried for more than about 8 minutes - MAX! It was heartbreaking but last night not a peep, all night. I think that like DS P is so used to waking up in the night she might need some 'persuassion' to go back off on her own. No advice about L but you have much love and sympathies.

beans do you have an injection syringe that you give calpol in ? Fill it with water and drip little bits in. We did that with DS a few months back when he had a raging temp and wouldn't drink anything.

Re: MMR. DD had it as will DS. My nephew was diagnosed Autistic about 3 months ago after a very long process (hes 8). My sister was concerned it may be linked to the MMR but the specialist said that it was very, very unlikely and that there was serious flaws in the research that led to the link to autism.

Beans, I would take her if you are concerned - for peace of mind. Try the ice thing lady said too... Hope she feels better soon. Lucky you aren't also throwing up!

DS usually gets on his walker and sort of does really slow wobbly steps, but yesterday he got up and zoomed across the room and crashed into the raditor! He keeps pushing it when he's at the wall, and today he is practically running and will run anyone or anything down in his way! Must have been due to his massive lunch! he has discovered a huge liking to mashed sweet potato, and kale!! the kale even had massive chunky bits and he wolfed down a whole lot!! Waiting for disasterous nappy now.....!

daisy - yeah thats basically what dh said re mmr. Good idea about the syringe.... Will file that

Brilliant ideas - thanks guys. I will smash an ice cube. And I do have a syringe, so will try that. Thanks so much. Appreciate all advice. She's still asleep at the moment. She's stirred a couple of times, but I think bed is best place for her. I know i definitely prefer being in bed when I'm feeling that rotten.

I've heard that the links to autism from MMR are untrue as well. That the research was flawed, but that was never publicised.

I have one sleeper, one playing in cot and one watching the little mermaid - so 10 mins to myself beckons.

MMR - I have had both DDs done and will have M done in time. I had a wobble about DD1 being done but eventually went through with it. DD2 has only had the first dose as she got a measles type reaction to it and so I am biding my time for the booster until I can better cope with her being out of sorts. There is a lot of measles round in S Lond and it is a nasty disease. I remember kids at school who had hearing aids as they had become deaf as a result. It isn't easy offering your child up for a vaccine, esp one as controversial as this but it's right for me on balance.

LT - your positive attitude is amazing. November is such a roller coaster month for you darling and yet you are so relentlessly upbeat and glass half full (esp if of cheerfulness!) Am very excited re the house for you. When is the housewarming? Have you now exchanged? How lovely too for you and DP to have a house tog which is new for you both.

Rubes - I'm in SE London off the S circular in Dulwich. You are very welcome to swing by. There are a few of us in the area. THink Lal, MoM and Kiwi are not too far, and the lovely Verso is but a short train hop away. When are you back to work? And full or part time? I am around every day apart from Mondays. Sounds like a monster lunch BTW, so perhaps see if DH is around for that nappy.

Beans - sorry to hear re illness. I have just BF mine when sick, but whatever you can do to drip fluid in is fine I think. How is she now? Did you go to the GP? Thinking of you.

Invis- job prospects sounds exciting. It's a hard time for lawyers isn't it at the moment as lots of people aren't recruiting. Fingers crossed it comes off. In which area do you specialise?

Veggie, glad the house is lovely and you are settling well. Dare I ask what the food is like in Amsterdam?

Daisy, so sorry to hear that your gran is finding the chemo hard. Are you able to see much of her? Sorry, I can't remember where you and she both are. Am thinking of you.

JJ, hope your day is going well and little S is having fun at nursery. Am sure she will be fine.

WG - fab news on the award nomination, well done Mr Waiting. The job thing sounds interesting too. Round here, people do put ads for shares up in the window of the toy shop and the wholemeal chemist as well as asking, so that might be worth a thought. I also know of people who have used simply childcare online and gumtree to find someone.

ZJ, good news on teh job and I agree that choice is sometimes a spanner in the works. When will you hear? Baby ZJ sounds very advanced and lovely though - clever girl to be titivating at such a young age! M likes to wave at himslef in the mirror but alas has no hair to brush.

Trace, things that help to calm my lovely Lucy down and are good strategies for me when she is just being too much:

• tickling her
• Saying "normal voice please" if she is whining
• Getting down to her level and making my voice really low to calm her if she is yelling. Often just saying "lucy darling" again and again is enough to quell the anger and get her calm enough to tell me what's wrong

-nail painting goes down well and provides chatting opportunities

• cake making also good

Last year when she was sleeping badly and I was struggling with it (and my own lack of sleep) I found her very shouty and hard work. I probably shouted at her too mcuh and it didn't really work, but sometimes you can't help it. This too will pass. Lots of love to you.

syb - Not the easiest time to look, no! Am specialist in a fairly niche area (the Brussels connection gives you the clue...). Hard as well as I'm trying to get the trade up to partner - could have been done much more easily about 2 yrs ago, but was busy having children. So yes, really hope this comes off. Have an interview date, am seeing 2 senior people once of whom is making the trip to London especially to see me so really hope this comes off. Cue frantic research for the next 2 weeks.

I got the job!!!!! Can't quite believe it but I am very happy.

trace syb has some great tips there for L. I am going to make a note for when DD starts playing up.

sybil my nan lives in Fleetwood and me just outside of Preston, so its not far. But DS has seemed a bit sniffly and I just daren't take the risk of a visit with her immune system being low. We have spoke lots on the phone, and I'm hoping to go this weekend if the kids stay well!

Right DH off to shops for some champers to celebrate!! Plus I've got redundancy money left...maybe time to think about next years holidays

Oh I want a girl so I can paint nails!

Lovely Trace if your lurking hello and big hugs.

hands Syb some chips with a huge dollop of full fat (plus some extra fat) mayo< get a load of these Syb, they are lovely and seem to be the national dish. Have also been indulging in cheese and sate sauce. We aren't actually in Amsterdam, we are living in the Hague. DH is currently working between Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Arnhem.

I met a lovely lady I met on MN she had 2 boys one DS1's age so was good for him too. We are going to meet up again next week.

I'm glad it's the weekend now, I want to take my niece across to Germany. I can't remember who said they were jealous as they looked out their window at the grey weather. Believe me it us just as bad here, really rainy and grey.

Sintaklaas arrives in the Netherlands. It's their kind of equivalent of Santa and Christmas. But instead of elves he has little black men, and he lives in Spain not the North Pole. If you've got 5 mins to read about it on wikipedia, do it's funny.

Yeah the MMR research was incredibly flawed, i'm still baffled as to why the lancet published the findings. Basically Wakefield and some collegues where looking at bowel biopsies of Autistic children who also had IBS to see if there was a link as a lot of Autistic children also have IBS. They found in a statistically significant amount of the biopsies that measles antibodies where present. From this Wakefield hypothesiesed that MMR causes austism. He did no further research the study uncluded only 12 children, 4 of which had the antibody (not many but in research terms is a significant percentage) and more significantly didn't have a control group. He was also found to have taken the biopsies while doing endoscopies on these children but the childrens parents had not given consent for the biopsies to be taken got research purposes during the investigative endoscopies. Using vulnerable children in this way is basically illegal.

I must add that I'm not completely anti Wakefield he did spark more interest in Autism and more research money for that area. But he has also made many parents with Autism feel they are to blame for their childrens condition. He also made my job quite difficult at times, I have been abused and told that I am part of some conspiracy by the government to offload cheap vaccinations on the nation.

Hooray Daisy, that is just brilliant!!!! Hooray hooray.

Oh and good luck invis, and ZJ I'd go for the job you want to do, who knows what might happen after a year, the mat leave lady might not want to return to work. How is Urbane's interviews going?

Hey where is Spot? And can I just say it's lovely having Beans back, you were such a fresh friendly happy addition while we were preggers (esp in contrast to how I was feeling blurgh) and it's so nice to have you back.

Oops I meant colonoscopies back there.