May 2009 - A new start. Mine's a large gin please.

[runningmonkey]

Here you go ladies.

ses about your friend and her baby. I don't like doing stairs with C in my arms at all at the best of times, but at least with carpet it's OK. My parents have polished wooden stairs and those are dreadful.

jenn Thanks for the knitting tip. I'm getting to grips with crochetting 1st I think. I've been itching to get back to my boring little square today, because I'm actually enjoying it Ds is actually not doing too bad with the meds. He had 2 wet (of which only 1 very) and 3 dry nights which is better than he's ever had in his life. He's feeling quite happy about that too. DH on the other hand isn't too happy about ds being on meds for it.

younger great news about the better potty training day.

I've had a horrible day at work. Busy busy busy, lots of emergencies. I ended up leaving at 4, instead of 3.15 and didn't get any lunch either, so I was starving. (I had breakfast at 6 and nothing after that until a cereal bar in the car on the way home ) The ap said that I should just take it, but it's not as simple as that in my job. You can't just leave a pushing mum to it.

Belgina - sorry for rubbish day. I know what you mean about lunch breaks not always being that simple but must be even more so if you're with someone in full throws of labour. Have you caught any more babies?!

Evening ladies,

Sorry for the me me me post, but i would appreciate your views.

Apart from the lovely day out in York with younger and hinny and their delightful DDs, this week has been hard for me so I'm not sure if that's why i'm feeling down, or whether it's more serious that that (ie depression). DH has been working away Weds-Fri so leaving early and getting back later than usual so I've had to cope with school/nursery runs/bathtime on my own (although he has been home just before the DCs went to bed). S is on abx and has been super clingy and super whiny as he's not been well. DD is whiny and stroppy (although to be fair hasn't been well either). DS1 is just hyper. DS1/DD either just bounce of each other, getting super giddy, or they bicker/fight. Today I felt like I just wanted to walk out of the house and leave them . I had to fight the urge to hit DS1 when he was just laughing at me getting cross with him. I shouted at S loads for crying/being clingy, even though he's poorly . I guess I should see how things are once S is feeling better, and DH is around more. DH just thinks it's tiredness - what i would give for an unbroken night's sleep, but i'm getting worried about myself again .

Pula I'm on my way to bed, but didn't want leave your post unanswered. I only have 2 children, but could have written most of this post. I'm exhausted and have been very shouty with the ds's over the past few days. It maybe depression for you, but could well be sleep deprivation. Sorry I can't offer anything more constructive...

Hope you have a good nights sleep and a restful weekend. I'm working this weekend, so feeling sorry for myself at the moment!!

thanks muddled - hopefully the weekend will be easier - DH mentioned last night that i should have some DC-free time as I've had the DCs a lot, so I've booked a hair appointment for tomorrow . Hope that will cheer me up. I think I am also worrying about depression, as I had my review with my manager on Thursday and she had depression herself and recognises a lot of the signs and thought i seemed a bit down. She suggested evening primrose as a natural supplement which helps her, but not sure I can take it if i'm BF (will have to google it)... night night.

Pula had to answer your post. I think muddled is right, sleep deprivation and stress can cause anyone to lose it. But I do think if you are worrying about yourself it is a sure sign that something is not right. You know yourself best, but these urges are something I would worry about. Are you able to speak to your lovely HV about it? Please take care of yourself.x

Belgina take care of yourself vibes to you too. What a day.x

X Posts Pula.. Enjoy the time away from the DCs tomorrow.

tummum- thanks for the advice. i think i will arrange to see my GP again. Unfortunately my lovely HV has now left the local team and is working in another area, and I don't feel comfortable talking to my new HV about it. Right, must get some Zzzzzs.

Pula - sounds like a particularly tough few days. Hope you benefit from a bit of DC free time tomorrow. Kellymom website says that evening primrose is fine whilst BFing. Take it easy.

Hello Muddled & Tummum

evening.

pula - I recognise a lot of your post, and I've only got two. As you know, I'm having counselling for my PND, but one of the things that has become apparent is that the sleep deprivation is having an enormous impact on my (mental) health, that and the total lack of space for me. Sorry, that turned into a mememem moment, but it was in an I understand kind of way. I really hope you can find the right person to talk to get it all out and work on solutions.

belgina - sorry to hear about your rubbish day.

Sorry for lack of NCing, I keep forgetting who ahs said what! Should do the fancy split creen thing.

Inlaws here, it's ok so far but they are starting to annoy me slightly. Nothing major, bit lots of little bits. Aaargh. DH home lunch time tomorrow.

Good potty vibes to you all. An ok day here, a couple of accidents but nothing too big.

A is still snotty and coughing. Didn't take her to the dr in the end because she seemed better, but she's not sleeping well at all and looks shattered. But you can't give babies cough stuff, can you?

pula - forgot to say, hope you enjoy your haircut tomorrow. Are you going out for coffee with yourself afterwards? Or hot chocolate with cream and a flake and sprinkles and lots of newspapers to read?

pula just read your post. Hope you had a reasonable night last night. Your DH sounds lovely and supportive. Enjoy your hair appointment and LOL at flip's suggestion at going out with yourself for coffee afterwards, or perhaps a nice glass of wine?

flip is A any better this morning? How are the In Laws? Do they give you any time off or are they extra bods to look after?

Out last night at DS1's school. They had a curry and quiz night for parents. I may have had one glass of wine too many! Packing today, party for DS1 later and an early night tonight as its a 4am departure in the morning. The hotel has Wifi so the laptop is coming on holiday too!

Headless - lol at taking the laptop on holiday! Have another for good measure.

A seems quite bright this morning, but still very snotty. Miraculously we had a fab night (well, relatively speaking!) - A coughed all night but didn't wake, she woke at 5:15 for the first time . Sadly she hasn't been back to sleep since then, and DD1 got up at 6.

The inlaws are only very slightly helpful in that although they are extra bods, they will at least entertain the girls for short periods of time so that I can cook them dinner etc. MIL will probably clear the ironing pile at some point, which I do like. But the rest of the time? [hmmm]. When I saw the counsellor last, she suggested asking the ILs to look after the girls overnight while they're here so that DH and I could have a break. DH and I laughed very much at the preposterousness of the suggestion.

Flip I was also half thinking about having a night away with DH while ILs are here as it is our 7th anniversary in 2 weeks. Really not sure though. R still BFing although he does take a bottle so I think we'll decide when we see how confident MIL is with the DCs.

Pula Sounds like a really long week for you. Hope you enjoy the hair appointment and the coffee . Get to the gp about how you are feeling as it would be worth having a chat even if it turns out not to be a return of PND. Evening primrose sounds like a good idea.

Personalspace I am really missing mine . Sometimes I just want to be able to do stuff or sit and have a coffee without being touched by DCs . No serious they are both all over me at the moment and they don't want DH just me. Sigh.

Saus Hope you are ok. Are you at your mum now. Bet M was pleased to have you back.

Belgian what a day!!!

Morning all.

pula I'm not surprised you're feeling down, what a week. I hope you do get some 'you' time today, IKWYM about feeling down. I'm swinging violently from happy to completely down at the mo. I'm so bloody tired, S is now waking at least 5 times in the night and is ultra-clingy during the day. I would like some 'me' time but DH is at work, fannying about with his car. He'll be there all day. Then he'll be cross about the state of the house tomorrow and spend the day cleaning and bitching.

Sorry I turned a sympathy post into a me post there.

saus hope you're ok.

flip I can't believe you're managing your ILs yourself, I hope it goes ok for you and the potty-training keeps improving

belgina I hope you catch some more babies and have some better days at work

headless @ holiday

ses how is your friend? How utterly terifying for her.

So, what to do today? It's raining and DH is, as mentioned earlier, at work. Again.

Think I need to N/C back to grumpyold.........

Bloody Hell pula just looked at my post, could I have swept your problems aside more rapidly to take centre stage myself?

Anyhow, I hope that you can get back to normal soon. It must be so hard for you, looking after all 3 DCs by yourself, your DH sounds sensible in suggesting you get some alone time though. I agree with flip about the sleep deprivation. It's just completely draining.

pula, you ok today? hope your hair appt makes you feel better. Defn go see the GP for his/her opinion. what a rough week. doing the bedtime thing on your own with 3 is really, really tough. can you get some sleep this weekend?

today dd's are favouring DH because he's so easy-going with them, Fun Daddy. well, that's because he's not with them 24 hrs and knows what it's like to constantly shout/scream/reprimand. etc. yesterday I was out with dd1&2 on scooters, H in a buggy and collie on a lead (what was I thinking?). we were at a busy road waiting for the Green Man and dd1 started a tantrum because the buggy wasn't facing the 'right way'. i ended up grabbing her arm so roughly she started crying for real. then i felt and as I felt all eyes looking down on me as i was being horrible to my DD. i was just afraid she'd push the buggy with H into the road. I explained to DD1 why I was rough. i don't know if these stories make you feel better, that you're not alone.

flippin and muddled, 'only' two... 2 can be a handful as well !

ladyH, have a grand time skiing.

all others not name checked, i hope you're all well. just a quickish post right now. going to pick up a few tel messages for work.

younger febes flip singin headless ses tummum muddled- thanks for all the support last night and today - it does help to know I'm not alone. singin- IKWYM about going from one extreme to another. I was so happy pushing DS1&2 around in the buggy yesterday as it was so lovely and sunny. Then i got home to a pigsty, with a LO who would not be put down so I just got angry because I couldn't do anything to make the house nicer. I shut myself in the kitchen to keep DS1 out as I just wanted to get some control back on the mess of the kitchen. I then went into the lounge to find that he had made a mess there . Anyway, I should try and forget about yesterday.

Today was a much better day . DH took the DCs downstairs this morning so I got to lie in until 9am . It was much needed and lovely even if i came round every 20 mins or so to the sound of fighting DCs or DH shouting at them. Haircut went well, and I took your advice flip and went for a mocha and scone with myself afterwards. I bought some evening primrose too. The abx which S started yesterday are now starting to work so he is much better- eating again, not so clingy, went to bed without a struggle.

flip- glad the ILs are a little help. I have started being more assertive with my mum when she comes to stay as otherwise it seems like more effort than not having her there to "help".

younger- sorry you had a difficult walk with your DDs. Try not to feel too and - I get so stressed when I am out with the DCs near busy roads. I have been known to shout and grab DS1 when he's run off.

headless- hope you are all packed and ready for your early start- have a lovely holiday. Are you at the end of your 2WW yet? I remember you saying that you might find out if you were pg before you went (you don't have to answer of course- just being nosey).

belgian- hope you have recovered after your shift with no lunchbreak. Can't be much fun.

muddled- i see from FB that your DH and DS1/2 were fine whilst you were at work although not much fun for you to be working on the weekend.

Just a quick post to say...

Pula - glad today was so much better. Amazing the difference a lie in and a bit of time to yourself can make.

Headless - have a great holiday!!!!

Right, with DH away, I have a friend round and we're having curry and it's just arrived

evening all

we've had a couple of particularly bad days here with M

she finished her antibiotics on Mon and seemed to have perked up until thur when her cough returned with a vengeance. Her breathing was getting more difficult too and she struggled to sleep thur night due to the cough so I ended up taking her downstairs with me to comfort her on the sofa at 4am. She was very hot but after calpol seemed a little better and managed to get a sleep then - everytime she woke herself up I shushed her to sleep so she had a couple of hours.

she woke at 7am and was really not herself, grumpy, wheezy and hot so managed to get a doc appointment for 12 noon. The doc said it was just the tailend of a cold and to just give her calpol so I did but wasn't happy with the diagnosis so popped into a baby group I go to where my HV is on a fri afternoon. HV took one look and told me to ring the doc back and get a new appointment or failing that go to A&E.

Managed to get another appointment (same doc) who then checked her over again then told me to wait in the waiting room while he rang paeds at the hospital. He then gave me a letter to pass on to them when we got there. Didn't explain anything else but did say that if they wanted to admit her there were no beds and we'd have to drive to worcester.

So went home to grab some things for her and tell DH. When I got there I looked at the letter which said he suspected pneumonia - so glad I didn't look before I drove home - I wouldn't have been able to stop shaking.

Got to the hospital and they were very good, assessed quickly in A&E (temp 39.7 oxygen 90) then they did manage to find us a bed on the childrens ward.
They gave her some calpol and we stripped her off and thankfully within an hour she started to pick up and when the paeds doc saw her he was alot happier with her temp and told us he thought it was a virus not pneumonia. We had to hang around for another couple of hours to check she was definetly okay to go home but were allowed to go on the proviso that any worse we'd go back in. We had quite a disturbed night but she did sleep better than the night before - think she was exhausted poor love.

She seems much better today altho still off her food she is drinking so think she's def on the mend.

I have never been so scared. Sorry me, me, me

looby - glad M is on the mend - must have been very scary for you. Being a parent is such a responsibility and when they get ill, it's terrifying sometimes.

Blimey Looby how terrifying for you. Glad that M is now OK, and hope you can relax this evening and you all get some sleep. As Pula said, being a parent when they are ill and you can't do anything is just horrible. My worst time was when G had croup and I watched his every breath because I was sure he would stop breathing at any moment. I rang NHS direct / the GP every 3 hours on average ! I am so glad it all worked out OK for you. Oh, and well done for trusting your instinct and seeking a second opinion.

thanks tummum

think the GP thought I was a paranoid first-time mum

altho I probably am one I just wasn't happy

looby, hope you can relax a little now (how scary!) and M is better. Agree with Pula - very scary being a parent! I now know why my mum waited up for us on the sofa every night for us to come home even when we were 'grown up'.

at "waiting on the sofa" younger

I've already told Matilda she's not allowed out till she's 30 and no boys till at least 35 and they've passed police checks/questions from me