November 09 babies are growing up quick, and mummy's getting used to getting covered in sick!

[PreggoK8]

Hope this has worked...

so it is for keeps?!! it makes me want to eat more food!

Talking of which...anyone else finding their appetite hard to satisfy? i am hungry ALL the time. Still. I thought i would be putting on weight, but i weighed myself today at a friend's house and i am less than pre-pregnancy, and that was after my friend got out the st agur and biscuits after making me a lovely lunch, as I was still hungry. I only stopped eating as i felt rude to eat all her cheese!

Me too! I'm like some kind of bottomless pit. I'm making an effort not to bake so much as I was eating 12 cakes in one sitting, and was still hungry.

am off to get a couple of slices of bread and jam, then bed for hopefully a couple of hours sleep before my happier little man wakes me for food. He has slept most of today, fever down thankfully. Thanks for the thoughts about him and my court case, you ladies are, as always, very supportive.

Sleep well everyone, i hope we all get a good couple of hours at least. x

Ninja sorry to hear Alfie isn't well, hope he's on the mend soon. Ioan is now around the 16lb mark, might take him to be weighed later just to see. He also has started sticking his tongue out for no apparent reason other than he can!

skorpion we definitely have the most gorgeous babies around

Wizzy glad to hear you're in a routine with Daniel's skin and that your operation went well. Ioan is 14.5 weeks - he's been holding his head up for a long while and can now hold his back and neck up too. The bumbo comes up to about halfway up his back and so supports the rest of him. He gets a bit grumpy at first as they do grip their legs, but then Ioan is also a bit of a bruiser so maybe Daniel doesn't have the rugger thighs my boy has!
We seem to get the feeding frenzy from 4pm to 7pm and so bedtime is still manageable.

Pav go girl!! Glad it went well and sounds like you'll get the result you want. It's never too late you know - my Mum retrained at 40 to become a teacher and then had a good career. I'm guessing you probably have at least 30 years left of work so follow your dream!!
How far are you from the M4? I am heading to see my mum again in a few weeks in West Wales but am always on the look out for a way to break up the journey - can you get to Bristol?

TOK sounds like a fun trip to the shops ... not!

Trikken also up for a south coast meet here you're probably halfway between me and Pav. Or maybe we could all do Bristol ish?

Another one here feeling the need for more food. Felt quite faint yesterday as hadn't eaten lunch. Ioan seems a bit cranky today so am presuming that's down to his jabs yesterday, poor lad is normally so chirpy it's sad to see him grumpy. DS1 is fine though, just a sore arm.
Things with dh are still a bit pants, we're waiting for the relate appointments to come through. Hard to talk things through at home as both of us get defensive and also DD is up with us most of the evening as she's 15. Doesn't help that I'm so tired either I'm sure [poor me emoticon] must stop feeling sorry for myself
Off to get Ioan's name added to my tattoo this morning, the other two are there so has to be done!

Oh Wizzy, am so sorry to hear your news (am catching up late). There really aren't words.

Scarlotti, have always wondered about baby name tattoos and what you do when extra children show up?! A mother in my tots group got her first child's name tattooed in really big letters with curlicues at the base of her neck, and I'm wondering where she's going to put the second - underneath, I suppose?! She's now planning four in all, so I imagine she'll be covered down to her spine by the time she's done.

I tried a Bumbo with both of mine, and gosh, what a waste of money for us. They love it for about a minute, and then they start wriggling about and shouting because they want to be over there, no, over there... WAAAH. Arthur is currently flipping over to his tummy and gamely shoving himself forward with his toes, so I think he'll be commando-crawling in a bit - so much for my hopes of having a more sedentary child this time around. He's already propelled himself off the edge of the futon in my study, daft chook.

I'm hungry all the time as well. Apparently they did a study of bf'ing mums vs. non-bf'ing that found that the bfers did, indeed, lose weight more slowly - breastfeeding stimulates the appetite so you eat more calories than the baby burns. Am trying to eat a lot of soup and jacket potatoes to fill up the corners.

Morning All. Hope you had a good night's sleep.

Another one permanently hungry here. Me I mean, not the baby... My weight is stuck at three kg over what it was pre-preg and it won't budge. Probably not helped by the constant craving for sweet things, either

butterpie that is a lovely new name. Are you all busy with the wedding preparations then?

pavlov good one on the ass-whooping! And I agree with scarlotti - go for it. I always admired people who knew what they wanted in professional life. I was never that determined or sure of myself and never really focussed on a career. I think if you know what you want and have the opportunities, use it or you may find yourself regretting it down the line.

There was conversation about a meet-up a few pages back, I definitely think it's a fab idea. A picnic or a camping weekend, anything, I'm in!

Lucy refused two bottles of my milk yesterday. Bit of a shock, as she never had a problem with bottles... DH said she may find the teats frustratingly slow now so will get some more today. Anyone know if this may be the case?

Morning everyone

Skorpion that could be a good theory. We're using the tommee tippee bottles and a health visitor told us at the beginning to use the 3m+ medium flow teats straight away. At almost 12 weeks we've just moved onto the 6m+ fast flow teats. He still ends up sucking them so hard they turn inside out.

Re the weight issue, I don't have scales but weighed myself at my mum's at the weekend and I've lost around 10lbs in 7 or 8 weeks. I'm happy enough with my weight but surprised by it as I still have a flabby belly... what's everyone doing to tone up? I think I will struggle with motivation as we're hoping to have another baby fairly soon so don't really see the point in working off my baby fat.

Ethan's quite happy in his Bumbo... has anyone tried those bouncy swings that go in doorways? Just wondering what stage they're usually ready for them.

Raggie Hope you're feeling better now. Norovirus is Winter Vomiting Bug isn't it? I've had that before, it's nasty.

Pav Well done with the court case and it's never too late to change your career path. Is there any studying you could try to do part-time? On top of parenting two children and returning to work?

Wizzy I'm glad Daniel's skin condition is manageable. We have evening feeding frenzies here as well. Makes it difficult to instill a routine. The last two nights we've had a restless baby around 6am. I almost picked him up and fed him while I was half asleep until I realised I'd fed him about 90 minutes beforehand. I think it might be the brighter mornings but he doesn't seem to wake up entirely, just gets a bit noisy. Starting to consider moving him into his own room but I think at 12 weeks it's still a bit early. Anyone else at this stage yet?

morning all,

Skorpion Annabelle had to go straight onto medium flow teats, so agreeing this could be the problem.

I am still nine kg over my pre-baby weight, and I'm further postpartum than most of you. Gaaaaaaah.

Tamlin lol at that girl I had mine when DD was born (I was only 20) so had to add on the others really. It's a heart with each name around the edge, so still fairly subtle. There won't be any more now though, just as well as there's no more room

skorpion I've read somewhere that if you mix feed then to try and stay with the slow flow teats. Think it was to do with not making the bottle easier than the breast. Although as with all these things, I tend to take them with a pinch of salt if it's not indicitive of my baby. Just thought I'd mention though.

Claire we tend to have a few feeds in the early morning. He will wake at 5 and feed, then have a snack if offered at 6 then again at about 7:30. I've now given in and take him into bed with me at 5 as he then settles without any noise and I get to sleep. Tried putting him back into bed this morning at 6 but it woke him up enough to fuss for the next hour Have learnt my lesson for tonight. Only did it too as I thought I 'should' be putting him back into his own bed. Think I might wait until the early morning/2am feeds have settled or gone until he goes in his own room. Moved DS1 at 4 months and spent another 4 months doing midnight feeds on the stairs in the cold

Emmeline tends to fuss and have loads of milk in the evening, then DP puts her in her basket (she seems to take him more seriously somehow ) at about midnight when we go to bed, and she wakes up about6 or 7am and just stays in bed with me, feeding from one side then the other as I doze, until I get up, which is either 8am if I get up with DD1, or if DP is being kind, he gets up with DD1 and I continue dozing until about 9am, by which point I am starving and want a brew so I get up DP only has to leave for work at mid-day now, which is brilliant. One of us entertains children and one does bits and bobs of housework, then we make lunch and DP leaves us eating. When we have finished eating (I feed Emmeline at the same time) both girls will generally go for a nap (although DD1 is starting to just have quiet time in her room instead) until 2 ish, then we all have a snack (Emmeline included) and then do some kind of activity like baking or painting or learning reading, then at 4.30pm I have a mad panic about tea and get something together, get everyone fed again at 5ish, then about every two to three nights it is bathtime for both girls, then Emmeline is nice and settled so DD1 can have hot chocolate, a story and a cuddle and be in bed by 7 ready for Emmeline to start her mad feeding frenzy until DP gets home about 10pm.

..that's the idea anyway. In reality, by about 5.30, I have a baby crying, a toddler climbing over everything and having tantrums, the tea is burned and I am counting down the hours until I can have a g+t without feeling guilty

Tamlin you are not the only one 9kg over, in fact I think I can beat you with 25lbs to go, arrrgh. Happened with ds too, put on well over 3st. Lost it all though, and will again!!! (determined to eschew all bread and cakes emoticon)

ButterPie that sounds quite idyllic. My life is nothing like that! Occasionally I have the odd day of being what I consider to be a really good mum, but the next day it all goes to pot.

Oh, if anyone can make it to ButterPie's wedding, it is about 5 minutes away from my flat! Anyone is welcome to kip on the sofa-bed/floor, as long as you don't mind slumming it! I will get you drunk first...

Ninja I am not even accepting payment for the work, just doing it to keep my hand in. [mug] It's quite nice to have something else to think about though, even if the looming deadline is stressing me out.

Pavlov would you consider re-training? I think about becoming a proper journalist all the time. Non-stop. But I'd have to study, then work full-time, at least for a few years. DH is studying too (and working FT). The gentle pace of our lives would change completely, and I kind of like it how it is. It sounds awful to say, but I wish we'd had DD a bit later in life when we'd had time to get our careers up and running. Not that I would change her for the world, of course.

Thanks for the advice - I have bought some medium flow teats to try out but will keep an eye on not making it too easy on her

claire I'm in the same camp - want to start TTC in the summer so sort of not bothered about the flab. Just need to avoid going shopping...

Laugs you do well to have days where you feel like a good mum, mine tend to be more moments!!

Just thought I'd share - read it on MN some time ago and it's true: baby wipes are magic on greasy yucky dirty surfaces, not only bottoms. I've just whizzed my neglected kitchen with some freebie wipes I didn't want to use on Lucy and they worked a treat! Does it make me sad to get excited about housework...? I don't get to do it much these days. It felt good. I'll go now...

I too am struggling to tone up. I keep telling myself I can't do exercise yet because I had a cs , but seeing as its been 3 months now, that excuse isn't going to hold out much longer. Just need to get motivated!

Butterpie your routine sounds great !

We moved ds into his own room at around 8 weeks and he slept a hell of alot better. Anya is about an inch away from filling the moses basket. Problem is, she will be going into same room as ds and as she is still waking in the night we don't want to disturb ds. Going to have to bite the bullet at some point though.

scarlotti it's really good that you and dh are seeking help from Relate. A friend of mine found them brilliant when her and dh were having problems. Hope the tatoo wasn't too painful!

I was in Next today (sounds like I do alot of shopping ) to get myself an outfit for the Christening this weekend and while I was in there this gorgeous little girl came up to me and said "I want my mummy and brother" She was lost so I took her to a member of staff at the door but the little girl didn't want to go with her, she wanted to stay with me so I started to walk with her around the store. She was a lovely little thing, chatting away and peeping in at Anya. So we were just walking along looking around and the next thing I see this mentalist woman rushing towards the little girl. She grabbed her by the arm and started roaring at her and smacking her bum. The girl was squealing. I felt so sorry for her, hope she's OK. Surely you would be relieved, maybe a bit cross, but not to that extent. At least she had the sense to go and tell someone she was lost. Made me feel quite .

Skorpion I use baby wipes for everything! They are great for cleaning leather sofa!

HI ALL!!!
skorpion I some times use baby wipes to do a bit of cleaning they are good at collecting dust ( which i have lots of)
Bit of a strange one but does anyone know if here is a buggy umbrella that fits a stokke pram?? I checked out buggy brollys but they don't fit on
Who is going to butterpie wedding? I live in london but use to live in newcastle , it would be lovely if we could all go and soo nice to meet everyone in person and the LO's!!
Sorry I haven't been on much I find it rather hard to keep up with , I'm better with facebook!
I still need to lose a stone but the weight doesn't seem to want to come off and its hard to ignore the biscuits calling me!Been doing a bit of wii fit when i can be bothered hehe
Very jealous of all of you who can eat what you like - breastfeeding isn't having the same effect for me. Hopefully will happen when i stop , but plan to carry on for a while yet! How long does everyone plan to BF for?

TOK glad the little girl felt she could go to you. It's scary when a child gets lost. It happended to us when I was in early weeks of pg. It was the worst few moments of my life. We lost DS in House of Fraser. He hid under a clothing rail where we were initially standing. Instantly security were on the job and I was almost screaming DS's name. He didn't appear for a few mins but it felt like a life time. When he was found I was so angry but couldn't punish him as all I wanted was a cuddle. The silly women should have been thankful to have found her DD not smack her

Scarlotti I've heard that Relate are a great support. Sorry you are both having issues. It's good you are seeking some outside help. Wishing you all the best to get things sorted out.

Sorry I've forgotten who asked if I had a CS regarding my tummy pains. No CS thankfully. But spoke to a friend who had a baby recently and she is also having an upset tummy often. I feel more more in tune today. Having a chinese meal shortly, hoping it doesn't have a bad effect.

Pav Glad court went well for you yesterday. Must be a load of your mind. Be good to get this whole situation behind you. What a stressful time its been for you.

Talking of baby flab. I was lucky with DS1 that my tummy pinged back in shape very quickly. Not so lucky this time around. I'm not too bothered as I've gained a bit of weight which I wanted to, but may have to invest in some support knickers. I'm a bridesmaid in Oct so plenty of time for some situps!

Hi misssese, good to see you back. I'm hoping to bf exclusively for as long as she's OK with it and then do baby led weaning and breastfeed for as long as I can. I heard that kids usually let you know when they've had enough of the boob: my sister's youngest said no the day before his first birthday.

tok they're great, aren't they? I'll try them out on my sofa, too.

Meant to say earlier, scarlotti, sorry to hear it got to a point where third party needs to get involved, but I think it's important that you both agree that help is needed and are willing to go down that route. In so many relationships one side just doesn't see there's a problem, so said problem just grows and grows until it's too difficult and overwhelming to try to sort out. Talking on a neutral ground should do you a world of good. I wish both you all the best and hope this process is short and successful.

As for the wedding, boo-hoo we got an invite to our friend's wedding on the same date. What are the odds?! I would really love a meet-up, though. Must work on it this summer, eh ladies?

Misssese good to see you back. Where in London are you?

Not sure how long I'll bf for. I work from home so could in theory last out for a year.

We use wipes for everything spag bol stains on carpets, jammy hands, you name it!

TOK thanks, am hoping that it will give us a change to get everything off our chests and get sorted. DH isn't that bad in the grand scheme of things but I would like more support and to feel as though I matter. At present I feel as though you could swap me out for someone else who does everything I do and it wouldn't matter. Not good for the self esteem.
If it doesn't work out then at least we will have tried our best and then hopefully could sort things out amicably.

I have the same dilemma with Ioan and rooms. He's going in with DS1 but I don't want to put him in until he's sleeping better. He doesn't seem disturbed being in with me at the moment but then I'm still waking him for a dream feed when I go up. It is nice too to be able to just swing my legs out of bed and lift him in for a feed at 3am as opposed to padding downstairs and sitting on the stairs in the cold.

Oh meant to ask, when are people thinking of weaning? Went to clinic today and the HV said as he was so big to do it early at around 19 weeks. Doubt I'd have lasted until 26 weeks anyway

Oh, and tattoo was a breeze compared to delivering a 9.5 pounder!!!!

Scarlotti I'm intersted in this baby led feeding thing. I've not read up on it yet. I'm hoping to last until his 6 months but he's a big boy and I'm not sure if he'll be happy with just bf until then. How much does Ioan weigh now?

gosh I'm tired... I meant baby led weaning. I was up at 4am as it's a new routine Cruz has got himself into and it's doing me in!!