May09 - Christmas is on it's way and Grumpycaaa is comin' to town!!

[essenceofSES]

Hope that works!

Cocktail anyone?!

Morning all.
ses hope your dog is ok. Sympathy vibes coming your way from Casa Headless as my folks had to put their dog ( our family dog of 15 years ) to sleep just before new year. I shed a few tears over him.

No more snow here overnight sadly although it is forecast. Blue sky at the mo.

sleep R woke at 1.43am this morning. DS1 had climbed into our bed so I thought time to try and be tough with R. So I spent an hour and half up, patting, cuddling and trying to get him back to sleep. At 3.19am he finally gave in. I was determined not togive him a bottle and to resist bringing him to our bed. (He'd had a bottle at 10pm so I was pretty sure he didn't need another one). WOnder if he will get the message now?

Off to the panto this afternoon. DS1 is onlydoing mornings at school this week so have to fill the afternoons. So my folks are coming up to join us. I've not been tothe panto for 30 year (yikes!).

He's behind you. .

It's just started snowing here, again. So glad I didn't go out swimming. But the forecast was for cold sunshine all day today, so something's gone wrong there

headless Oh no he's not Enjoy the panto I think you'll have a few more nights like it before the message gets through. But each night should be better

Morning!

Having a bad day here. Lots of tears from both me and O
He's been up half the night screaming in pain. He seems to be teething really badly and now his bum is really sore and bright red and it was bleeding in one place. His scrotum is also really red. I've dosed him up with Calpol, ibuprofen, teething granules and teething gel. Hoping he may have a nice long sleep in a bit.

Also the vet has phoned this morning and Jessie isn't improving as they would like. They're prepared to give her another 48hr treatment but DH is considering letting her out of her suffering sooner. I really hate the idea of putting animals down. I know it's not nice for her to suffer but I just can't reconcile this with putting her to sleep. Feel like I could have a good cry but everytime I have a little cry, O starts to scream even more!

Running - definitely next time you're down, let me know

Headless - enjoy the panto. We never went as small children, just as teenagers when I felt a bit too self conscious to join in. I'm looking forward to taking O in a couple of years and enjoying it properly.

Pula - well done for tackling sleep. Am sure it will pay off.

Belgina - great news on the sleep!

Fi - I get the "where are my boobs?" look too.

Oh ses poor you. Its horrible when you can't seem to make them happy no matter what you try and as well as dealing with the dog too I found A loves chewing on anything cold when she has been teething, bits of cucumber or cold spoons (thanks to fi for that suggestion a while back. Might that help? Other than that is there anyone who could pop around for a cuppa with you to give you some support?

Belgina woo hoo on the sleep. Long may it continue

pula sounds like a good plan re sleep. I am chickening out of tackling naps so still rock A to sleep in the pushchair

Headless enjoy the panto. We used to go every year when I was little. Always wanted to be one of the kids picked to go up on stage but we were always sat too far back in the cheap seats

Thanks for the reassurance re feeding. Its difficult to know what's enough besides the pint of milk thing.

Right off to a friends for a cuppa this afternoon if I can shove the buggy through the snow

Hi everyone!!

Ses I'm so sorry about your Jessie Dog. I watched Marley and me last weekend and cried my eyes out. My friend had to put down her beloved dog Sawyer a few years ago and she whipped some cream and gave him a big bowl in the morning .

Pula Hope you are enjoying your day of freedom!

Well last night was not too bad for us. R went to sleep at 6.30pm and then woke at 8 and was awake for an hour so I feed him a few times and he got back up. He went back to bed happily about 9pm and chatted to himself for a few minutes before going to sleep. He then woke at 3.30am and I fed him but put him back in his cot (I normally just leave him in our bed) and he slept until 7.20am!!

DH said it was nice waking up and not having a DC in the bed. It would have been a good sleep if the neighbours car alarm didn't go off at 5am .

R is also teething and has a new front tooth through and 2 more on the way!! DD didn't have any until 9 months so he is well ahead of her.

We haven't been anywhere in 2 days as I have my friends DS as well so don't fancy being out in the icy snow with 2 toddlers and a baby. Getting major cabin fever today though so will try to get out tomorrow when I am back down to just my 2.

headless- I agree with Belgina - it might take a few nights- with S the first time we tried the "no milk" thing it took 2 hours, and then the same the following night, and then still an hour the third and fourth nights and then DH got fed up so we gave in.

better go- think S is getting tired and is ready for his afternoon nap...

febes- my day of freedom was yesterday, and it was nice thanks- a bit of housework, lunch out, a potter round the shops then afternoon tea and cake before picking up the DCs . Can't wait for my next day of freedom with Reggiee Momino and grumpy next Wednesday, and my spa day on Thursday .

Well the panto was brilliant. I don't know what I was expecting but it was great fun. Even R joined in. Seriously! At the bits all the kids were shouting hes behind you, he was having a good old shout too. DS1 was a bit wary of the baddie, but eventually got it and enjoyed it. The Dame was brilliantly funny too.

I am fully expecting another disturbed night here. I think we must try and stick at what I was doing last night. We'll see.......

ses so sorry about your dog. Pets are members of the family so do take time to grieve for jessie. Poor you.

febes hope you manage another good night and to get out the house tomorrow!! I know what your DH means about waking up with out a DC in the bed. I can't remember the last time that happened!

Sorry not to name check everyone. Have good nights all.

Ses just seen your FB. Sorry about your dog

Not being a Brit I just don't get panto

ses Thinking of you. I know how upsetting it is to lose a dog having had 2 myself

headless great to hear you enjoyed the panto. I've never been to one myself yet. I'd love to though, they sound like fun.

DH just phoned to say he's on his way. He didn't come home yesterday due to the weather and the dcs have been missing him, so it will be nice to have him back. It's a bit odd that they're saying that they're missing him, because they're used to having him away all the time and they never complain. Maybe it's having him around so much during the holidays. I spent quite a bit of time outside with ds today. I had C on my back when I went out for a walk out there with him and then he decided to make a snowman. C had fallen asleep by then and she stayed asleep the whole time we were building the snowman! Dd1 didn't want to help because she found it too cold so she just watched me and ds playing outside. Pics on fb of our beautiful snowy village btw.

I don't really get pantos either, and I used to appear in them . But Headless, glad you had a great time!

ses - hugs to you x

Rubbish night last night, A slep beautifully until 11:15 then was up for a couple of hours, and DD1 was up at 6 . And the worst bit was the DD1 came into bed with me ina desperate bid for a little bit more sleep, but her nappy leaked massively in my bed so I had to get up and strip the bed. She's in disposables at night while I catch up with all the holiday washing, but they just can't cope with her massive first-thing-in-the-morning wee. I know I should work on getting her to the toilet before it happens but no energy for that yet.

Whine alert. Our day was ok really (quick play in snow, soft play place with friends), but I'm feeling really down. I'm missing DH, shouting at DD1 too much, feel fat and unhealthy (I'm a terrible boredom/comfort eater) and generally feeling like a rubbish person and a rubbish parent. And to make it worse, the counsellor phoned today to say that I have made it to the top of the list, but logistically I can't work out how I am going to be able to get to any sessions - they recommend not taking children with you but I have no one to look after A. The counsellors only do appointments on Thursdays and Fridays, during the day. I might be able to change DD1's day with the childminder to Thursday, but just don't know what to do with A. The separation anxiety isn't going to make it easy for anyone, all my friends have 2 or more children the same age so won't be able to look after A anyway, DH probably won't be able to get the time off work. The counsellor said that in theory I could take A with me, but she wouldn't recommend it at all. Sorry, I'm moaning.

Help me find a new name to cheer me up please.

Where do you live Flip? You can not miss out on your counselling, we will find a way. I'm sure someone even if they have DCs wouldn't mind having yours for 2 hours. It is a priority!

Hi all. finding it tough to do any MNing but stopping in to say a quick hello.

ses, so sorry about your dog. I can't bear to imagine a similar situation with ours. Thoughts are with you.

Flip, I brought H with me for 2 sessions though she was much younger at the time (just a couple of months). Ask your DH anyway or see if he has ideas.. if you do get stuck, just take A along with you and try your best not to worry about it. I think it's important you go no matter what.

no name ideas, sorry . have to change mine as well.

it's very cold here. Boiler engineer came today so heat functioning ok now, thankfully. however, our house is just too drafty so it feels cold as ever.

hope everyone is keeping warm. I'm off to put an extra blanket on all the girls. night!

Just off to bed but wanted to say flip can't remember where you are but if you are stuck I would happily come and sit with A if you are anywhere near me - I'm even crb checked

ses so sorry about your dog.

flip please go and see your counsellor. You must must must. Even if you have to take A with you. And you are not a rubbish parent!! I would hazard a guess that we are all shouting a bit more at our other DCs, after all the highs of Christmas and having the other halves and family around. Its such a come down to have to get back to normal. You are nothing if not normal!! And feeling tired ain't going to help either after your disturbed night. Hope you are feeling better today.

A truly awful night here. R up at 11.15pm, an hour later and again at 2am with a massive poo, and hysterics as he needed a complete change of clothes. So we ended up giving him a bottle to calm him down and he slept then till just after 6am when both Dss were then up! Grr.

DS is having his pal round later after school this morning. They were absolute monkeys last time he came and I'm not sure I "like" the way he plays with this pal. Its all Transformers and guns. Its totally different to the way he plays with other friends. I'll just keep an eye I think.

Hoping for some more snow here (am I mad? I love it!!!)

Hi everyone,

School got cancelled today at the last minute. It's snowing a lot at the moment. I'd love to get out there, but dd1 is still saying that she doesn't like snow I cant find her ski trousers anywhere either. I'm going to have got have a good look again later on. I had been hoping for a quite birthday though, but that's not going to happen now.

I'm just sitting here looking out and I notice ds is outside in the park across the road. He never said he was going out! He must have gone out without telling me while I was putting C to bed. Better go now.

Just want to say to flippin Do go to the councillor. Take A if you can't find anyone to look after her. It wont be ideal, but still better than no councelling. I hope you'll feel better soon.

Happy birthday Belgina!! Maybe you could get DD1 to bake you a cake!!

I have a poorly R here. He has cold and is producing loads of snot and has a terible cough. I am giving calpol, steaming him everyday, rubbing vapour rub on, propped up cot, giving lots of BFs and water and a bit of soilds but he isn't very interested. Anything else I haven't thought of?? He also has diahorrea and has had a few days now. DD also had it but she seems better now. R has 2 new front teeth pushing through so I haven't taken him to the GP. If he is still bad on Monday I think I should though.

Oh and I got on the Childminders course that I was hoping to so I'll be going ahead with that in the next few months.

Flippin Hon, you really really need to go to the counsellor. Take A if you have to. I have had some counselling with DD2 and DD1 there at the same time. It was a bit tricky, but needs must, and it is more important that you go with A than not go at all.

Belgia at schools being closed on your birthday. Very restful not ! And LOL at DS going out without you knowing !

LadyH you are mad for wishing for more snow

Ses more un-MNty hugs from me too.

Momi glad the heating is now fixed

Febes hope you feel better soon

Winge alert here. I am feeling really and at working at the moment. Today, DD2 is unwell and i have been really impatient with her and worried about not being able to get to work on Monday because of the snow, so I am managing to annoy myself. I feel like I am being a crap Mummy and a crap person at work too. I need to cut myself some slack otherwise I am going to drive myself up the wall. Work !

Forgot to say great news on the course Febes

Happy Birthday belgina! have a wonderful day, what's left. anything nice planned tonight?
Febes, glad you got on the CM course. HOpe R is better, too.

ladyH, i know what you mean by wanting more snow - i like it mainly when I'm indoors watching it falling softly outside (and as long as our boiler's working).

tumm, listen to your advice and cut yourself some slack. like ladyH said, post holiday we're all a bit shouty at this time. you're not crap, you're just being incredibly hard on yourself. hope you just concentrate on cuddles with dc this afternoon.

Harper has pulled herself up to standing today by herself on the 'activity table'! i was surprised and she looked pleased. still not crawling but am happy about that, i'm not attentive enough for a crawling baby - will have to change that someday soon.

Happy New Year!

Gosh, it has taken be aaaagggesss to read everything, I havn't logged on for a couple of weeks

We still have not had our damp room sorted, which is really gross, and stinks with 2 walls now covered in patches of mould. We have the landlord coming to view the room on Sunday apparently...then I wonder what will get done? Weve been living in a 2 bed house, with extra toys, j still in with us, it is not on!!

Apart from that, we had a lovely Christmas and New Year, just DP, DD, baby J and me My mother didn't contact the children at all over Christmas...I'm not bothering anymore to make any effort when she can't, so she's missing out. J stayed in his routine over the Christmas period, and both DC didn't awake until 8:30 Christmas morning which was

I can't leave J for 5 seconds now, I used to be able to leave him in his sitting position, because he couldn't work out how to move, but now, he's off crawling around the move, pulling himself so he's standing against the sofa, and even crawling off the sofa! He's sleeping 7pm til 7am generally every night, wakes up has his morning milk, and then his breakfast He loves his food! I'm spoon feeding him, but he's feeding himself with his hands too sandwiches/toast/breadsticks/crumpet/orange/banana/sausage etc, he'll just feed himself his favourite dinner is my maccaroni cheese, he almost eats the same as DD! He's now tried fish and loved it, but didn't like scrambled eggs lol

Right off to sort tea out and poorly DD. And it was her 4th bday Wednesday too, and she was ill last year she broke her thumb, I don't think she likes bday's

Jael X

just dropping in to say happy birthday Belgina Will be back to catch up later

Thanks everyone for wishing me a happy birthday In rl it's mainly been a forgotten event, except by DH of course. He sent ds off this am to wrap my present and he didn't too bad a job He just got me a book. He knows I like crime/thriller type novels, so he generally gets me a random one of those, lol. It was nice that he remembered my b'day without prompting this year though, no last minute dashing out in the morning for a card and present. The postman brought 1 card from my PIL. Nothing from Belgium, but that might be the weather's fault. However I'm a bit dissapointed that my mum hasn't phoned me today . I did get my present early when I was there (my long lusted after purple iPod nano! ) Now DH is away, so I think I'll have a quiet celebratory glass of wine or something and watch the 2nd half of Silent Witness.

cherry I tried the dipper thing yesterday and C loved it. I mashed up some banana and gave her breadsticks dipped in it. Every time she'd sucked off the banana she'd drop it and take the freshly dipped one I was handing her after a few times she got the idea and nearly handed me the 'empty' breadsticks! Definitely one to do again.

jael How annoying about your bedroom. If it's any consolation: dd1 was in our bedroom for 2 years due to lack of space (an ap took up the spare bedroom) and with C we're in the same situation. Well done for J cracking the mobility thing. C still likes just sitting, though I'm pretty sure she's thinking about moving. She keeps throwing herself forward reaching for things and landing on her belly.

febes Congrats on getting on the CM course. I did it 9 years ago and back then it was a doddle compared to the A-levels I did the year before (I took French and German for 'fun' as a mature student)

tumm Breathe in... and relaxxxx... You're good at being a mum AND at being an employee. It's not your fault that the weather is keeping everyone cooped up together at home and unable to travel to work. In this weather a good snowball fight might help in getting rid of stress and tension I think

ses Still thinking of you. Hope you're OK.

Those of you wishing for -more snow: I can send you some. It just keeps snowing here in Kent. We've made 3 snowmen here now (1 a day) and the lawn is still covered in snow!