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

Hi Everyone

Have only skimmed but I did see Trace's post and want to join the chorus chanting "stay Trace, stay". I mean obviously you can have a break if you need it but do not even think of doing so on our behalf. We would really miss you. I so hope things improve for you soon. L's behaviour must be a real worry and that on its own would have been down in the dumps. You are coping with a lot and if there is any chance we can be of support to you then let us be.

I have been reading the MMR posts with interest. I got DD1 the single jabs (although Veggie is right that you can't get a single mumps jab at the moment - so DD1 is not vaccinated against mumps). There were very specific reasons that I opted for single jabs in DD1's case and they do not apply to DD2 so I think she may have the MMR. Basically I read an article by a very distinguished American doctor (Head of the US National Institute for Health). In that article he said that the backlash against the Wakefield research meant that no credible doctor wanted to go near research into MMR. He also said many family doctors were resisting reporting reactions to MMR in the way they would with other jabs, because they did not want to add to the hysteria. This doctor went onto say that he believed there was a tiny cohort of children, those with severe allergies, where anecdotal evidence suggested there could be grounds for further study into the MMR/autism link, but for the reasons above nobody was doing the research. He then explained the reason why very allergic children may be at greater risk. Now my DD1 had a very severe reaction to Cow's Milk Protein so having read that article I decided to get her the single jabs. DD2 has no allergies (touch wood).

On more personal news - I am STILL ill. I have a horrid tummy bug and its been going on for four days. DH is away and I am alone with the girls. I am wracked with nausea and other symptoms and am not coping well. I used to have a terrible phobia of vomitting (I am sure I have bored you all about that before). I had some therapy for it and I do cope better now but TBH I am coping pretty badly at the moment. I feel inundated with bugs and totally unsupported as DH is abroad and I have no family to call on. I am tired and stressed and anxious and tonight I took it out of DD1 in a way that makes me thoroughly ashamed. I was about to puke and desperate to get her out of the bathroom and she would not leave and was being cheeky and rude (sticking her tongue out etc) and I really screamed. I mean top of the lungs screaming with the f-word thrown in. I have never done that before and am mortified. The child is only three. I was taking out my anger on her and my situation is not her fault. We have had lots of cuddles since then but I can't take back what I did and I know how bad it was because my throat still aches from the shouting .

Gosh I hope I feel better tomorrow.

Oh, poor you Aub. I hate that sore throat from screaming thing. It is like a constant reminder that you lost your cool. It happens to me all the time, including from yelling at my boss last year (oops). I cannot even fathom being ill like that with two kids on my own. I am such a wimp when I am sick, I just fall to pieces. I have had a fever a few times since DS was born and I end up a weeping mess begging DH to take over. Had one day of vomitting (but self induced due to over consumption ) and if DH hadn't been here, I honestly can't even imagine what I would have done. Anything you do under these circumstances is purely about survival, so try not to feel bad about it. I hope the DDs are tucked up in bed and so are you?

Yay for the job Daisy, and for the possible holiday next year ? well done, you deserve it after that very scary second interview. And lots of luck to Invisible too, 2 weeks is great, loads of time to prepare.

LadyT depending on when you come to Sheffield and if I get a job, I?d love to meet up and as Kayz says, not too bad a train journey. Do let us know when its likely to be.

I hope that babyBeans and Aubi feel better soon and the vomiting stops ? yuck, so draining. Aubi I remember getting a bad cold about this time last year and curling up in bed and actually crying because it was the last time I would be able to wallow in an illness and not have to soldier on. I?m sure your little girl will have forgotten all about the shouting long before you have.

My Mum is staying tonight and tomorrow and DH isn?t working, so I have a whole day to myself with 2 people to look after DD before me. I think I will paint my toenails and enjoy some baking, I am quite excited about the prospect. Night everyone x

Hello girls,

I have been for a birthday dinner in Oxford and we took DD. As DP was there he couldn't bear to put her in the pushchair to sleep sp she has been showing off all night but was the belle of the ball.

Well done Daisy! That is really great news.

Aubi, I am so sorry for you wish I could come over and help. Lots and lots of sympathy and hope you feel better soon. Don't worry about DD1 - you were in extremis and personally I think it's good for kids to learn that grown ups have a snapping point. Don't beat yourself up about it. Your DD won't hold it against you.

ZJ, depending on my mates I imagine I will be up the second week of December, something like that. Will firm it up.

Still appreciating all the info on MMR.

Anyway, must go to bed!

We went to the new house this afternoon. Phew, there's a lot to do but it's nice to have the keys....

Woo hoo for Daisy and her new job! How lovely to have some good news. You rock!

Aubs, I have said some TERRIBLE things to my DDs in the heat of the moment, and have felt like a total swine for days. We are only human and it is so very hard when ou are ill. If you still feel mortified today, then have a chat with DD1, say you are sorry that you lost your temper and you will try not to do it again. I don't think it hurts children to see that mummy doesn't always get it right either and if you go wrong you apologise, just as you expect her to. Sorry your DH is not there to help you when you feel so unwell. If it's any consolation, last time my DH witnessed the red mist descend on me, he told me to stand in the corner for 39 mins, just like we do for the girls, a min for every year of my age!! Lots of love to you.

Still thinking of you Trace.

Congratulations on the new house LadyT. So glad all the waiting and uncertainty was worth it.

It is absolutely blowing a gale here, pouring with rain and freezing cold. I have to go to work today which I could do without. Am going to wear wellies to avoid ruining decent shoes. Hope you all have a lovely (and dry) day.

Sorry Zoe, hope you have a wonderful day on your richly deserved day off. What are you going to bake - I am reading chutney recipes at the moment to make some christmas presents. 10 years ago I would have been reading cocktail recipes and working out which friends to invite on which night. How things have changed

hi all.
Thanks for your lovely messages. I'm due to see my CPN in 2 weeks but I could always ring her before if i felt i needed to. Which I'm starting to think I might.
DH has got up with the girls this morning so I was trying to sleep but can't.
daisy well done on the job and am still praying for you and your family
Aub I want to give you a big hug. Don't beat yourself up. Hope you recover very very soon from this illness and stay well...
Syb thanks for the tips. I have read 'how to talk' (thanks LAL) but when it comes down to it she is so fired up I can't get through. One thing which she is responding to sometimes is when she's kicking off, I give her a piece of paper and pens and tell her to draw how cross she is, and she just scribbles frantically, which then often makes her laugh, so then we can calm down and try to start over with whatever the issue was.
Sorry not to do more personals.

Wasn't that your old name, sybs? chutneymary? Or am I hallucinating?

Trace hope things are turning a corner for you. Everyone is so supportive on here, please don't feel you have to stop posting.

There has been some discussion on the MMR jab and I just wanted to add my four penn'orth. I completely agree with Veggiemummy about its safety.

The "research" (quotation marks used deliberately) that showed a possible link with autism has since been completely discredited and the journal which published it ended up with some serious egg on its face. Unfortunately, all everyone ever remembers is the suggestion of a possible link - which was never proven.

Unfortunately, this means that we're losing our "herd" immunity as a result (the number of immunised children needs to be above a certain percentage or you start to get the diseases reappearing again). Measles, mumps and rubella are all serious diseases - and people forget because it's so long since they were common.

gets off soapbox now< Sorry. I just feel very strongly about this.

Hey there so good to hear from you Trace and that drawing idea is inspired, did you come up with that.

Aubi, sunshine that's just horrible for you. I have no where near your level of phobia and I don't want to even assume I know what it's like for you but I do have a real fear of vomiting in front of people or even knowing that someone can hear me vomiting. The very thought of vomiting in front of the boys fills me with dread. I can completely understand your emotions and the way that you felt that led you to scream and swear. I know that doesn't make you feel better about it happening but please know that it's not some horrendous parental abmination. I think I mentioned before that once I got so angry and frustrated with DS1 that I slapped his leg! (probably should have sworn at him) I think it was imagination but I swear I could feel my hand smarting for hours afterwards. I think it's a good idea to talk about it. When I was little occasionally my mum would fly off the handle at me. Now I'm starting to understand why but at the time she would go off and that was it I would left wondering what I'd done to upset her so badly. I think if she'd come back to me afterwards and talked to me about it and just told me at least what was wrong or that it wasn't my fault it would have helped that confusion.

Verso in some areas herd immunity is as low as 60% the sad fact is if this whole thing hadn't kicked off measles would have been irradicated by 2007 and we wouldn't even need to discuss whether to have it or not.

Oh and Syb just about your DS2 and the measles reaction this is called mini measles. It's not rare (but as Aubi says is not often reported cos GP's are a bit nervous) but can occur for any of the MMR diseases (ie mini mumps, mini rubella). It's a harmless version of the disease which occurs because the child is very effectively making the antibodies to such an extent that they exhibit some of the symptoms. This in itself may make you think 'well that's not very harmless' but it's harmless in the sense that it will not lead to fatal or damaging symptoms or latent dangerous symptoms. It is incredibly rare that it occurs with subsequent jabs. However, I would say Syb that the 2nd MMR jab is not a booster it is given because approx 15% of babies who recieve the MMR don't create antibodies so they give of again at 3-4 to try to pick up those kids. Obviously they don't know which ones take it up so they give it to all as for the ones who did create them will just have their antibodies tested and will boost their immunity. If your worried you can get a blood test to check DS2's immunity or you could just assume he took up the immunity well. Does that make any sense?

trace I like the drawing idea for L. I really am racking up some great panting tips on here

aubi I have been there shouting at DD too. Its so hard, especially as you are on your own and so unwell. You are doing great just to keep going at the moment. I hope you are feeling a bit better today.

Went to see my Grandad today and had to double take to make sure it was him. He looks like he's been hit with a lorry. But they think they have removed all the cancer, he just has to have some radiotherapy to make sure. My nan turned up while I was there (not sure it was such a good idea given low immunity and hospital). I said to her Nan you look great, she said why wouldn't I? I'm not ill! That just about sums her up.

'Panting tips'???

That would be 'parenting' tips, however if anyone has tips on how to pant be sure to let me know

PMSL at your 'panting tips' Dais.

veggie the paper idea is in 'how to talk'. Can't claim the credit for that one.

Oh dear I have that book and yet again I have missed out on good advice because I read a couple of chapters and tried out what I read then get bored. I must read on. I started reading a book called, letting go as children grow when DS1 was about 4 months old and it was good but I stopped (rather read trashy mags/mn with my spare time) I'm scared now that I will start it up and fine something that would have been helpful in the intervening years make him an amazingly soleful, respectable, high achieving, beautiful human being but I needed to implement it by age 2!

I have a concern which I have been worrying about for sometime now, but it's a bit...erm...personal. I don't know how to put this...but I'm worried that DS2 has a...um...small willy. I know this seems odd to worry about at this age but it is really tiny, DH doesn't seem bothered, but I'm sure DS1 had a much bigger one at this age and it got bigger as he got bigger but DS2's hasn't grown at all. Is that a really bizarre thing to worry about? I mostly worry because after he was born I ate loads of Tofu and it has loads of phytoestrogen in it. Apparently during pregnancy if you consume loads of tofu it can cause hypospadius (incomplete willy that needs surgery) so I worried that because I ate loads afterwards (I was careful not to consume it during his pregnancy)and BF him that it's effected him. Is that just a really bizarre thing to worry about. I feel a bit stupid even bringing it up and now your probably going to think I'm a bit mental.

Hello!!

We had a great time in London. Though I don't relly feel like I have been in London at all. We didn't see Big Ben, Trafaglger Square or any real landmarks. We didn't go to Westfield in the end as I had an awful headache so we just went to Pizza Express at Fulham Broadway.

Yesterday morning we said we would go to the Troubadour. But I couldn't remember where it was at all. So as we walked past Earl's Court for the 2nd time I said let's just go in any old cafe. As DH pointed out this little cafe I notice we were just over the road from the Troubadour. We had walked past it twice but I was just not looking. It was lovely and would certainly go back there again so thanks for reccomending it!

Hope everyone is ok!

Glad you had a great time Kayz. Although sorry to hear you had a headache. What else did you do?

Veggie - my godson had a tiny willy as a baby. His mum was worried and would point it out to everyone asking for opinions! As a result I saw it many a time and I admit it was tiny. However when he was two it just started to grow and now he is five and when we were at the beach last summer the poor lad had it pointed out again my his mum (to be fair he had no idea) - it is perfectly proportioned now! Maybe they all grow at different rates?

Thanks for everyone's lovely words after my freak out on Friday. It really did help to read all your words. I was feeling very isolated and low so friendly words were just what I needed. Thankfully I felt quite a bit better yesterday so I took DD1 on a playdate to a lovely local Mum's house and a bit of social contact did me the world of good. However, DD1 is now ill with a high fever . I am seriously beginning to wonder if there is something wrong with this house and it breeds germs. Poor DD1 is meant to go to a friend's birthday this afternoon and so keeps telling me she is fine and "not too poorly for the party" but her temp is 101F. She will be heartbroken if I do not let her go and I will get cabin fever again. It would be very wrong to dose her up with calpol and get on with it, wouldn't it? Don't worry, I know it would.

Only 72 hours until DH returns... He has five other foreign trips planned in the next six months: 10 days in Afghanistan, 2 x 5 days in Mozambique, 8 says in Helsinki and 2 nights in Paris. All are work related but all are also optional (except Paris). I am seriously contemplating asking him to drop a couple given this experience.

Aubs - if it were me, I would give her a dose of Calpol and a quiet morning and see how she is. They often rally for parties and things and a bit of social interaction can often take their minds off things. Obv, if she has other symptoms you should rethink but I would not turn down a party invitation for a temp alone.

Willies - DS's is not big either, though I haven't seen that many baby ones to compare it to. I expect Arti is right and they grow at different rates. Sorry, that's not much help, but I suppose there is nothing one can do about it anyway. Don't worry too much darling.

Glad you enjoyed the big smoke Kayz, but sorry for your headache. Has it gone now?

Off to take the younger ones out to buy ingredients for my famous chutney. I was indeed Chutney Mary, Verso, back in the day. I love the stuff and have been known to eat it from the jar with a spoon

Happy Sundays everyone.

Aub I really hope things feel a bit better for you. So hard when you're on your own - especially at the weekend. If I were you I would definitely be asking DH to stay at home a bit. For me it's not that I can't cope (although sometimes I barely can cope TBH) more that it's just no fun and a bit relentless when you're on your own. None of which will be cheering you up. But at least you can count it in hours. Thinking of you - and hope you're feeling better.

And Trace am hoping that your DH is better and you got something of a break this weekend. Drawing idea is a great one. I'm going to ask my sister what she did with her youngest - who sounds a bit similar. She got spectacularly cross for a period. But did then grow out of it.

Daisy your Nan sounds fantastic. And I'm really sorry about your Grandad. I always think that just being in hospital makes people look about 10x worse. I hope he improves soon.

Syb I like to think that it was in your honour that I cracked open some of my niece's peach chutney this afternoon. Although could have just been greed. Yum.

Eek. Am supposed to be working. Am iindustriously typing away on the laptop (as is DH) only I suspect he is actually working and not on dadsnet.

Hope you had good weekends

Hi all, just popping on quickly before I hit the pillow. I have been specatacularly bad at keeping to my promise of posting once a week despite the best intentions, sorry.
I have skim read the last coupleofpages but just wanted to say:
Trace keep up the good work, and keep posting on here. Hope things improve for you soon.
Aubs I consistently freak outon my kids, I am short tempered at the best of times , but they don't seem to love me any the less for it. And you are amazing for coping so well without your DH. I go into meltdown if I have to do more than 2 days on my own.
Veggie on willies, DS had a massive wanger as a baby, which was often commented on, but is now much more 'in proportion'. DH is a bit perturbed by this and thinks it has actually shrunk!
Rubena no ttc news here yet this month, I'm not even sure when AF is due to be honest. Hardly went near DH at the appropriate times this month, so think any result is highly unlikely.
Re MMR I am very pro for all the reasons mentioned above. After alot of research my final decision with DS was made by asking a few GP mates whether they would/ had vaccinated their kids, the answer was a resounding yes.
News here is not much, DD still not doing any moving about, although she is still such a delightful baby. I can't believe that our LO's are almost one, where did the time go? Quick question, I know that you are not supposed to give them cows milk before 1, she is only 3 weeks off, and still drinking 18oz of formula day, would it be a problem to replace formula with cows milk now, or should I wait? I can't remember what I did with DS.
I got my award on Thursday which was quite an amusing affair and DH and I have our first big night out together in over a year coming up this Saturday.
Thanks for all your advice on shoes to go with the dress. I have borrowed some very high, very strappy gold ones from my SIL, which is actually a bit irrelevant at the moment as the dress still hasn't turned up. I bought it off a company on Ebay who said it would take 10 days to arrive and that they were a UK company. 3 weeks later it's still not here and turns out it's being sent from Hong Kong. I feel a complaint coming on, but will wait until the dress arrives/ I get a refund first! If it doesn't arrive by Saturday I'll be going in the noddy as I have FA else to wear!
Right, off to watch 'I'm a celeb...' in bed now. Sleep tight everyone.

at typos and lack of spaces, my spacebar hasn't been the same since DS ripped it off.
And Daisy well done!

Just quickly popping as I really should be going to bed. We drove over to Cologne today (mainly chosen due to memories of high school german language video about an English speaking couple going on Holidays to Koln and doing lots of asking for directions in their learn-from-us german and lots of Unt gerarda ous (sp)) and because my mum used to use the ol' 4711! It has the most amazing cathedral! And a very nice pub braunaus thing, well several but we only went to one.

Thanks so much for all the reassurance on willies. It's been on my mind for a while but as you said Syb nothing can be done for it so I felt silly bringing it up. But I just felt that I needed to get some sort of reassurance because I didn't want to be like your friend Aub because I worried that on some level he might be able to pick up on it. Thanks so much.

Also Aub I think it's reasonable to ask him to drop at least one trip. But when is the Paris trip, could you accompany him on that one? It would be a nice romantic interlude...and well I could pop down and meet you for a coffee!

Hello Katie, your wanger story made me giggle esp your DH being worried.

Chutney/syb I wish I could have given you a jar of my recent foray into chutney production, I would have liked your opinion on my homebrew.

WG how long does the radio 4 listen again thing last for. I never seem to get a minute to listen to BE I'm desperate to and worried I'll miss it. I'm gonna ask Santa for the previous series for Christmas.

Kayz I'm glad you had a nice time in London, was it nice having time together? I bet it was lovely. DH and I are having some severe lack of time together at the moment and it showing.

Oh Aub I meant to say when I was reading your post about your sick DD I was thinking that I would just dose her up, then you said you wouldn't am I bad. I mean if she is very obviously unwell but the main infectious period for colds are just before the symptoms start and the first couple of days. So if she is well enough to jump around and play I think it's fine. I would be worried about her passing it on though.

Oh and Katie hooray on collecting your award (that took ages) is the thing this Saturday connected (sorry you have probably already said this but I was a while ago now.

Right off to bed Amsterdam tomorrow and we are going in with DH as he drives in but he'll be leaving at 6.30!

Hello Lal, hello Katie. Am not even pretending to work but just thought I'd look in.

Veg - I'm with you tomorrow for your trip to Amsterdam. I'd love to go. I bet there won't be tulips and clogs though. Rest well my lovely, see you tomorrow.

Love to all.

Hello hello!

Not posted for ages, not since before the meet-up (which was lovely btw, especially meeting Veggie & MoM for the first time).

trace how you doing at the moment? Hope things are improving.

Aub hope things are getting better for you too. I rarely have to cope on my own and when I do I get exceedingly grumpy. I'd probably ask DH to cut down on the trips if I were you, if it's not going to do him any harm. What are the benefits of him doing so many?

Veggie glad to hear your move has gone well so far and jealous of your trip to the Dam today.

daisy congrats on your new job. Is it something similar to what you were doing before?

beans how is DD atm?

katie well done on your award.

kayz is your water back on?

Effie meant to say ages ago that I listened to your DH on the wireless and my doesn't he sound grown up? Very impressive. Can't comment on the actual content of what he said mind, as the mere mention of the word twitter sends my mind into shopping list mode I have to say.

MMR - nothing to add to the discussion particularly but will be doing MMR for DD same as DS.

Have been enjoying the wanger chat. DP and I have often wondered about DS (actually would it be too too cruel of me to point out that there is a pic of our pride and joy on my profile?). I must confess I am in the habit of taking a sneaky peek during nappy changes - one particular friend's baby DS has what can only be described as a schlong. I mean it is quite frightening. When you mention it to his dad he just kind of smiles smugly and nods to himself. Anyway, if my DS ends up taking after his dad then we have no worries obviously but what if he takes after my side of the family? I mean I can hardly ask my brothers' girlfriends or my mum how they measure up. Can I??

Some of you might remember me banging on at the meet-up about what fabulously glam location I was going to choose for my hols to "celebrate" turning 40. Well that went out of the window as I decided that long haul and city destinations were going to be a PITA with a baby & toddler so we finally decided on Lanzarote. So LadyT you can do the glam hol bit for me - from Thursday I will be sipping cocktails on the banks of the Nile in spirit but in reality I will be watching DS doing the hokie cokey at the evening disco with a pitcher of sangria and a packet of crisps. So, anybody been to Lanzarote? Any recommendations?

Damn was going to do more personals but can hear whingeing upstairs.

Hi All

DD is a lot better today. She wasn't sick on Saturday at all, but had v high temperature and was rather floppy and slept all day. Yesterday she was much better and almost perky. Slept quite a bit, but seemed fine. I gave her some plain bread, banana and a few biscuits yesterday. And today she's on cracking form, but gave her milk and fruit for breakfast (not in combo!) and she threw up. But is absolutely fine and chatty and grinning away. So I guess I'm just going to give her banana and plain biscuits all day. And maybe some proper baby baby food from Ella's kitchen - you know the pureed veg ones. She ate one last night and it stayed down.

It's horrible when they're ill isn't it? Luckily I haven't caught it - hurrah! Now am just wondering whether to take her to her swimming lesson. She absolutely loves it and it's the last one of term, so I'm quite keen to as she seems really perky. Might see how she is after this sleep. Sorry, rambling nonsense I'm writing!

Anyway, Katie - did your dress arrive in the end? Hope so!

I've got 2 weddings in December, and I have no idea what to wear. I'd just got myself back into my nice dresses and now I'm up the duff again (hurray!) and I can't fit anything! But can't afford to buy anything new. By the end of the day, I have a sticky out tummy - already! Is that normal for 2nd pregnancy? I'm only 8 weeks!!! Oh what to wear. Ho hum.

I had terrible tears last night on DH about going back to work. So weedy. But I just suddenly felt so bloody guilty. Izz loves me so much and trusts me implicitly and I feel like I'm betraying her by leaving her! I know it's something loads of people feel, but I guess the reality of 2 weeks to go is setting in and I am dreading it! But as DH pointed out to me, it's only for 5-6 months at 3 days a week, so it'll be ok!

Veggie - re the Ironman - you asked ages ago if DH has experience of doing these things - he does. He does about 4 triathlons a year and last year did a half Ironman and wasn't totally wiped out at the end of it! Plus he is doing the Paris marathon in April and a few warm up triathlons pre the Ironman. God, I'm not going to see him at all am I???! Think I might have to insist on help at weekends. I also might, sneakily, have a word with his sisters about it. He seems to listen to them! Just not me, damn it!

Wow, ramble ramble. Sorry! x