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November '09 and the months are flying by, our 3 month plus troop, and us, the knitted boob group!

979 replies

SirBoobAlot · 09/03/2010 16:39

New thread, we chat so much!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
Tamlin · 17/03/2010 18:01

We have Sophie the giraffe too. I'm probably going to hell for thinking this, but erm - does anyone else think she smelled a bit like condoms when new?

When it comes to the whole solids thing, I like the 'just for fun until they're one' idea. I got much, much too wound-up and worried about DS1's lack of interest in solids - he seemed very keen at first, and then refused to eat much of anything for months so I just threw out oceans of puree. This time around, I'm going to wait until DS 2 is actually grabbing at food and stuffing it into his mouth.

I made an Easter bonnet for DS 1 last year - I made a Welsh-style bonnet from cardboard, and let DS 1 paint it all over with yellow, blue and green paint. I then put yellow ribbons on the bottom so it tied under his neck, and then we made daffodils from tissue paper and put them all around the brim so they surrounded his face. (He was terribly pleased with himself.) We then won first prize because apparently our bonnet was the only one which looked as if the child had participated in making it.

I haven't done it at all this year, because lovingly coaxing your tot into making tissue-paper daffodils appears to be something that you do when you only have ONE child.

Naps - we are all over the place. Ideally, he should go down for a nap two hours after he wakes up, and have two long naps and one short nap a day. Unfortunately, he has different ideas and likes to have NO naps and then turn into a sad little wreck by mid-afternoon. He is also waking to feed all night long. I don't know where my good-sleeping baby went - the four-month sleep regression seems to have stuck, and he's five months tomorrow.

wook · 17/03/2010 18:18

Lol Tamlin so right about lovingly, painstakingly made costumes being only for PFBs, unless you want to have a nervous breakdown that is

Raggie Maxwell's Silver Hammer shudder shudder shudder. My dad had the 'Beatle's illustrated songbook' and I seem to remember thousands of hammerheads - scary. Also the mismatch of the jaunty innocuous tune and the horrid scary lyrics -aaaarrrrgghhh it's the stuff of nightmares! Golden Slumbers is much less sinister

wook · 17/03/2010 18:26

Ninja and anyone else a bit down, the 'other life envy' thread is certainly cheering me up at the moment. OK, I know the ailment it describes (envy, mild bitterness, sense you have gone in the wrong direction) is not the end of the world, and there are far worse things to get down about, but the spirit of the answers to the OP was generally quite wise I thought. And who hasn't ever looked on fb/at a blog/heard a friend's news/opened a magazine and thought 'BAH!'?!

Ursi your language class idea is a blinder!!

raggie · 17/03/2010 18:26

Oh yes I love Golden Slumbers wook. We have a Beatles songbook on the piano stand at the moment and I really like the soppiness of I Will. Played it before Rosa was born and it seemed very apt...'Who knows how long I've loved you'...?

How's that lesson plan going? I tied myself up in knots with my application and so now haven't looked at it for 24hrs. Has to get done tonight as DH needs the 'puter for his essay due in Friday, same day as application, and laptop's gone kaput. Argh!

Tamlin I have been wondering about where my lovely sleeping baby went too. Last night she woke up at 10pm - unheard of for her - then just before 2 and half 5. That's 3.5hr stretches - Newborn time-keeping!

wook · 17/03/2010 18:31

Well Raggie I am still procrastinating, as you can tell!!! Dh is in the kitchen with the two dcs and I can hear some squeaking from H. Mind you, I have just had the interview schedule and the lesson is the least of my worries now, there's just one hurdle after another- group tasks, student panels 'informal discussions' the dreaded 'LUNCH', you name it! I can see myself in the canteen at lunchtime, lettuce in my teeth, tomato on my shirt, breast pad migrating over my shoulder, pelvic floor under challenge, taking a huge mouthful just as someone asks me a question....

raggie · 17/03/2010 18:43

Bloody hell, wook that sounds like a full-on day. Is it a massive school then? They must be interviewing loads of people.

at 'pelvic floor under challenge'. I was SO uncomfortable in my skirt at the school I visited the other day and my heaving bosom was barely restrained by the top I was wearing...

I too am being naughty and MN-ing when should be working...to the strains of DH with LO in the bath. Honestly, he makes it sound like such fun. I just get a sore back from leaning over for so long. Well, boob will be calling v soon, better at least have a cursory glance over the app...

Fruitpastels · 17/03/2010 20:02

BBL Just seen your profile pic of Toby. Your poor little man. I've never seen chickenpox this bad before. How is he doing?

SirBoobAlot · 17/03/2010 20:10

Popping by - been a crazy evening! Had a lovely day with Scarlotti - Ioan has the sweetest chuckle!! - then met DP after for coffee which was really nice. But walking back up the road off the bus home some guy kept following me. He was walking in the opposite direction, then turned round and started walking behind me. Tried crossing to the other side of the road several times, but he kept crossing too. Was so scared, I walked as fast as I could home, and am now shattered. Its amazing how vulnerable one feels with a baby.

Anyway - need an early night now Hope you're all well!

OP posts:
PavlovtheCat · 17/03/2010 20:23

5 feeds in 7 hours between 1am and 7am so i am pooped. Sorry for not responding to all. My eyes are like stalks and I have not had a moment to myself yet. When I do, IF i do, later, i will try to respond. My little bear cub is still up. I am guessing he his upping my milk supply so shall expect it again tonight.

If I am not back on, sleep well everyone xx

PavlovtheCat · 17/03/2010 20:24

ok, so clearly that is not 7 hours, it is 6 hours i know there was a 7 in there somewhere, just cant remember where

Cadders1 · 17/03/2010 20:41

HI everyone. I agree HV and MN can be a bit militant at times.

Scarlotti you should not worry about giving top ups at the beginning we did exactly the same with Henry as he was little, you do whats best for you and the baby at the time. If I had to go straight to bottle feeding at the beginning I would have and I feel so sorry for some of my friends who really struggled but rather than encouraging support were really just made to feel like failures by some - which just hastened them onto the bottle. I had to use a nipple shield at the beginning and if it hadn't been for the support of my midwife I would probably would not be breastfeeding now as some of the other HV's and midwives at the hospital made me feel really babd a bout using them - but I know we would never have made it through the first few weeks without them.

I am glad its not just me that struggles with naps! Henry will generally have a 30 min nap 2hrs after he wakes (anywhere between 5.30 and 7am)Can almost set your clock by it - we have a 20 min wind down time beforehand. He will then have a 2 - 2.30hr nap over lunchtime. However he will only have this if he is in his car seat or pram. If he's in his cot he will only do 30 mins and then will need at least another 2 naps later in the day! I get nothing done! Going to try and persevere with a 2hr nap in his cot next week. Any tips gratefully received - think I will try a combination of baby whisperer and re-inserting his dummy.

wook I am a Secondary Geography teacher so I am not sure if I can help with descriptive writing! Good luck though - I really hate student interviews!

PavlovtheCat · 17/03/2010 21:25

broodzilla PhD question sorry - 1+3, is that ERSC funding? what is the difference between 1+3 and +3? is one Masters+PhD and the other PhD? Sorry for the non-baby related question...

scarlotti · 17/03/2010 22:21

Have just been out for dinner with a friend and had a lovely time she gets married in 2 weeks so lots of lovely wedding talk. Nice to think about something completely different for a while!

Have decided to just keep going with the weaning and will probably avoid the clinic and the bf and weaning boards for a bit!!

Cadders thanks for what you've said, I'd be saying the same to anyone who was asking me for advice. It is a shame that we're not applauded more for what we do do, instead of questioned about what we're not doing.

If anyone cracks the secret of 'encouraging' a longer lunchtime nap then can they please let me know! I'd love a 1.5 hour stretch around lunchtime to chill and mn get more done around the house

Laugs · 18/03/2010 08:04

Pavlov, Raggie did you get any sleep? My night last night was similar to yours the night before. James fed non-stop from 6pm-9.30pm, then again at 10.30-11, 12-1.30, 3-4.30, 6-6.30, 7... he's just gone to sleep but DD is up so no rest for me. It wouldn't have been so bad if they were just the normal quick feeds, but they seemed to go on forever. My nipples are killing!

Zzzzzzzzzzzzz

Wook at the breast pads migrating over your shoulder. I always seem to be rooting around in my bra for mine in the most inappropriate places.

scarlotti · 18/03/2010 08:46

Sorry to hear sleep is so elusive for some, Laugs hope your nips feel better later.

Ioan managed to hold out until 5 for a feed!!
He woke at 3 but went back off after I'd put his dummy in twice. He then fed on and off for 2 hours but I'm fine with that if it's laying in bed. Dare I hope to think we've turned a corner???

Just got the link to the photos my friend took of him the other week, they're gorgeous!! Will try and think of best way to share ... maybe fb as not sure I want them on www for all to see - or am I being too paranoid?

TOK · 18/03/2010 09:00

Laugs did DH and DD have good time last night? This frequent waking and feeding I'm hearing from you guys always worries me because it generally means that I have the same coming up in a week or so! Pav was last night any better for you? Hope so.

Hobnob you can find lots of ideas online. Netmums and dltk-kids.com have some simple ideas! Also, Paperchase have a sale on all their easter items- little chicks, egg shapes, stickers, paper grass etc.

wook that interview sounds intense! It is so long since I've had an interview and then it was just a small panel, no lesson or anything! I'm sure you'll do great!

Sirboob how scary with stalker man! I would have freaked out and phoned the police or something!

naps We really don't have any kind of a daytime nap routine-or any other kind of routine for that matter! Anya will generally get tired 2 hours after waking but, like you cadders she will onl have a 20-45 minute nap unless she is in her buggy or car seat.

Well I bit the bullet yesterday evening and went to the gym I am sooo going to be in pain tomorrow but am determined to get back in shape. I am just so sick of wearing the same things all the time because I only have a handful of clothes that fit me comfortably. I refuse to buy a bigger size, not gonna happen.

maman2tom · 18/03/2010 09:35

Hi all

I'm so so out of touch my life just seems to be one long mad rush at the moment. this whole working with 2 dc is totally insane and i wanted a third Might have to rethink, or possibly add more hours to the day...

Went to the UK for a week, which was totally fab. Took ds1 to a farm where he fed the animals it was so funny. Plus forme a trip around the shops...OMG Jeans at £6 in Primark...The UK is great!!! (Although i did spend a fortune buying all these bargain which is not so great)

I'm now in a mad panic packing as we're off to stay with the dread inlaws in brittany in approx 4hrs and nothings ready yet (should i really be on MN???) Should be a "fun" weekend!!

The only info I saw on the thread was that sophie the girafe seems to be very popular? I'm sorryto say I can't stand her (it?) Basically its THE toy in France. Dan got 3 when he was born! Not the nice cuddly toy but 3 rubber squeaky toys...they just make methink of dog toys???

Right I really really have to start packing now!! I think i'm starting to go slighly mad with all this dashing around Take care all

Ninjacat · 18/03/2010 09:45

Thank you all for your lovely words. Went too see dr. She said I could do with some councelling (sp?) but it's not available on the NHS

Maman You could make a roaring trade on Sophies!!!!

scarlotti · 18/03/2010 10:31

Ninja why is it not available on the nhs? Because of where you live? It might be worth speaking to your HV as there is counselling available through the nhs, might only be group based and you may have a little wait but it is there. Sorry to hear you're still blue.

maman sorry life is so hectic. Am not listening really though as I head back to work in about a month and am kidding myself it will all be fine and I won't return to my pre-maternity stressed out self.
[scarlotti wanders off with fingers in her ears singing la la la..]

BeckyBendyLegs · 18/03/2010 10:52

Ninja I hope you are ok. Do the GP think you have PND? I agree with Scarlotti ask the HV as I joined a free group run by health visitors called 'transition into motherhood' all about CBT and strategies for coping with anxiety and negative thoughts, etc. Sadly it has just finished but I found it invaluable.

I'm having a bad time with anxiety this week thanks to the chicken pox. I've put some photos of Toby on my profile here if you want to check him out. He looks like a baby alien today and he's just hot and grumpy and miserable and my stomach is in knots. I didn't sleep well last night and I am worried my problems are all going to start up again

I've got 6 weeks until I'm supposed to start up with work again. Not sure when I'll find the time to do any work!

maman2tom · 18/03/2010 10:53

Scarlotti Don't panic it might be totally chaotic but i'm actually enjoying it (insert she's crazy emoticon) I've come to the conclusion that basically career will have to take a back seat for the moment... so i don't stress about work. It's taken the pressure of if you seewhat i mean. And for the rest of the time i try to "go with the flow" Not really me but i'm working on it!!

Oh and on the plus front all the running about helps on the weightloss front!!

Breaktime over, packing done so now Time to fill the car!! What a way to spend my day off!

Trikken · 18/03/2010 11:23

hi all, have been on much for the past two days, have done two evenings back at work now, and it definitely wasn't as bad as I thought it was gonna be, but have been soo tired after each one. yesterday it took til nearly 3 in the afternoon to stop feeling like a zombie, (just in time to go back to work again.) Am currently waiting for mil to bring the littlens back as they had them last night whilst I worked. All your well-wishes (and hugs!) were gratefully received and meant a lot to me. thanks lovely ladies.

hobnob57 · 18/03/2010 13:11

Trikken and Maman I've been thinking of you back at work, and like scarlotti been ignoring the voices in my head reminding me of how tired, run down and ragged I was with only one DC. And yes, I still want 3.

DD1 gets her first report today - can't wait!

I made the elementary mistake of taking jam sandwiches to the park today for a picnic, but failing to take wipes. Doh. Cue one sticky mess of a child being presented to nursery this afternoon.

helips · 18/03/2010 13:35

Hi all,

ursi Thanks for the advice re living abroad. Dh officially gets made redundant for the second time in 18 months on Monday. This Singapore job is the only offer so far so am really going to have to consider the move, but I don't want to go! We are going to visit some friends this weekend who have lived out there and we are going to Singapore in a few weeks to check it out. I am trying to keep an open mind and be positive about the whole thing but keep thinking about how much I'll miss my friends and family. Also, am worried about dh working long hours and having to travel whilst I'm stuck at home with two kids in a foreign country with no friends and family. Its a toughie!

bbl your poor little man, hope he feels better soon and that you start getting some more sleep too. How do you feel about going back to work?

ninja hope you are ok, feel free to vent here!

maman glad you had a lovely time here, did it make you want to come back or do you love living in France? We have a Sophie Giraffe here too, Millie loves it (as does ds!)

sirboob hope you're not too shaken up after your stalker incident!

Hope everyone else is ok. We've all got coughs and colds here, can't wait for warmer weather to kill off all these germs, am sick of being ill/dealing with poorly babes!

hobnob57 · 18/03/2010 13:59

helips I'm in touch with a friend living out there ATM who had a baby (preemie) in Oct and has an older daughter too. I can ask her on FB for contacts etc. if that'll help. Jusding from her FB statuses she has lots of support out there.

BBL if you're feeling panicky and work is looming you know you can get signed off if that's an option you want to consider? My HV was worried about me when I was in an utter panic and stress having just worked out DD1 was reacting to gluten in my diet so my freezer full of expressed milk had to be chucked just before I went back to work. DD1 wasn't taking formula or bottles and I was in a mess. She offered to sign me off and I declined, which I shouldn't have done in hindsight.

ninja I hope that things get brighter for you soon.

TOK thanks for the ideas - will check them out.