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

[SirBoobAlot]

New thread, we chat so much!

Also just realised that can check the school application online as I did the online application rather than paper, but it seems like they haven't done it yet. I am being obsessive and keep pressing 'refresh' in the vain hope it will change in a minute.

Trikken Ioan has the same amount of sleep, just in 4 stints rather than 2

its good to know others sleep the same amount.

just checked application site and ds has been offered our first choice so am happy with that.

Trikken great news re your DS' school I'm hopeful that we'll get a decent school, our first choice is a C of E school with 30 pupil intake but our second choice is a state one with 90 pupil intake and I'm sure we're close enough that we should get that if the first is a no go. Ruddy hope so anyway!!

Well my meeting went well, looks like I might be able to wangle some sort of scenario where I get a retainer every month and hopefully more work than that. The retainer isn't quite enough so will have to work elsewhere too, there is something in the offing but it's a fair old commute but it would only be 3 days max, and after a few weeks would probably be 2 days and one at home.

What do you think is the best idea if I had to have a large commute (we're talking 1.5 hrs around the M25 ) go in a little later and work later, or do an early start? Am wondering if the later option might be better given that Ioan is at his best then.. You ladies that freelance - how do you organise your time?

Scarlotti that's great news- weight off your mind?
As for me, did not get job
think some chocolate is in order!

just got enough time to say that I've tried Isla with formula the past 2 afternoons. She took 1oz yesterday and 3oz today, but followed that with a full bf. Still, small steps.

Anyone use tommee tippee bottles? She sucks and sucks as on the breast but the valve doesn't seem to work well and the teat inverts and I have to take her off. This seems to be her cue to lose interest, start playing with it and spit out the milk.

sorry wook

Ah wook sorry to hear that.

hobnob we use tommee tippee closer to nature, only had that problem with one teat so presumed it was a duff one. I have 4 spare size 1 teats I was about to bin which you're welcome to if you want?

Job potential is a weight off, although now throws up all sorts of other questions about commuting, hours, what days to book childcare, can I carry on bf, etc. etc. I know though that once I get it sorted, and get into the swing of work I'll enjoy it - it's the military organisation before it all that's brain draining!

hobnob we use tommee tippee bottles and the same thing happens, even using the next size up for his age group. Need to keep pausing until it rights itself but it allows our little guzzler a rest so we're not too bothered.

Thinking of all of you re school places. It's so hard. I'm usually on the other end of it, as a teacher, but I remember how heart breaking it was for my Y6s when they didn't get their schools, or even any school at all . Such a lot of awful stress for everyone.

Well, she slept the same as the night before. Dream fed at 11 and she woke in the night babbling and wanting food, which I tried not to give her, but she was screaming blue murder! She did wake again and babbled but settled herself, then we had to wake her at quarter past 8!

I think some of my problem might be lack of 'routine', especially re feeding. The thing is, our lives do not have much routine, esp at the moment with mat leave and DH studying. We have a bedtime chillout routine and she usually goes down well, but as for feeding...I am still feeding on demand, which I remember the HV saying, 'Yes, that's fine...for the time being.' when she was tiny. When is it 'not fine'? Or is that a matter of opinion? So today I have tried to be strict and fed only every 3ish hours, with a longer gap til last bedtime feed. She just get so...manic when she wants food, clawing at me, grabbing anything (usually my hair), sucking whatever comes near her mouth, the poor wee thing, it's heartbreaking, but I am thinking it's because I always usually feed her whenver she wants. She should be able to go a longer between feeds...shouldn't she?

Good news about job scarlotti! I think starting earlier is better, although I think a LOT of people have the same idea and the M25 is busy whenever, unfortunately. But coming home late will be miserable.

Sorry about not getting the job wook, bad luck. It wasn't the right one for you is how I should think of it. Easy to say though...

Just dropping in. I feel like I've been hit by a baseball bat . School offer wasn't good. Have been given the worst school in the area. It's been under supervision by Ofsted in 2009. It's got a poor Ofsted report even though they've made improvements. It has a terrible reputation, including a stabbing in the playground involving 2 parents DH is away, so have to wait until Sunday to talk it through. Going to appeal and fight this. The bottom line is, DS is NOT going to that school.

Sorry for not responding to any posts. I'm shattered and need my bed.

Fruit am so sorry for you and your family. When you've had a chance to rest then feel free to fb me and I can go through the appeals process if you're not aware of what's involved. Primary school appeals are specific in what you can appeal on.

hobnob and DWB do you have the little valve on the top of the teat (i.e. facing up when feeding) so that the air can be pulled into the teat? You'll hear it working.

raggie how old is your DD now? She should be able to go 3 hours when not in a growth spurt. Does she take a dummy? That can be a way to satisfy her need to suck without having to feed. DS1 was such a sucky baby I couldn't have got through it without a dummy!

Think I'm inclined to agree that early mornings might be the way to go. Probably a 7am leaving time at least

Oh fruit, you poor thing. The school sounds horrendous. What a shame. Good idea to get some sleep and try not to think about it for a bit or you will just wear yourself out. Good night.

Thanks for the idea scarlotti. She sometimes takes a dummy but not entirely sold on it. Might give it a bit more of a push now since you've reminded me. DD is now 3 and a half months. She definitely CAN go 3 hrs, she just doesn't want to! How do you know the difference between that and a growth spurt..?

Ah well, she is sleeping now. I don't think I'm going to wake her for the last night feed, unless she does because if she will at least zonk out for those hours, I don't mind feeding her in the middle of the night. Eventually as she grows that feed will go too I suppose.

FIngers crosseD!

raggie If Ioan's on a growth spurt he'll demand milk more often than every 3 hours. Non growth spurt times he is happy for the 3 hour gap. If she takes a dummy and she's soothed by it then it's probably comfort. If she's hungry then she'll soon cry again after you've given the dummy so don't worry about that!

fruit oh i am so sorry. What a horrible position to be in i really hope you are able to sort something out when DH gets back, find a way to get DS into a better school. I am dreading our options. trikken i am pleased you got your choice, must be such a relief.

tok here in Devon the presumption is that you choose the school in your catchment area (you should be able to get a map of that on line) they select on the following bands 1) children in catchment area with siblings in the shool 2) other children in catchment area 3) children out of catchment with siblings 4) all other children. This means that if you are in an oversubscribed catchment area it is hard to get in. For example one of the best schools in the area take all their intake from 1) and sometimes a little of 2). As scarlotti says, you select choices 1/2/3 and they go through each choice and offer you those which match spaces. If they do not match, they offer you the closest to your area but this might be miles away, or a school you don't want.

Well done all the napping and sleeping babies! I am off to bed, and hope that i have a better night than the last 3. Doubtful though .

Thank you for all your support. It's such an unfair system. The two schools nearest to us are faith schools. They choose their own intake of children under their own criteria. The school DS has been given is further away than the 3 school choices I gave, but it's all down to catchment. I expect the chosen school has a larger catchment, and more places on offer I'm visiting the school ASAP. I have printed the Ofsted reports, they don't make for good reading. There are a few reports to go through as they have been under special supervision. I'm so sad for my DS. He has no idea what is going on and we won't discuss it with him until we know the outcome. I could hold out sending him to school until Jan 2011 when the 2nd intake of kids start school, this might buy some more time. We will have to sell our home and rent somewhere if it comes to it Nothing more to add. I need to put this to back of my mind and let my DH take some control when he gets back. Looking after 2 kids and hardly any sleep doesn't doesn't mix well when you have so much to think about. Scarlotti I wil FB you, So kind, thank you.

Trikken That's great news

Fruit A firned of mine's dd was in the same situation last year. She had to go to the rubbish school but it's turned out ok. The intake of the rubbish school has picked up, and also she shines as she in the minority of being a good bright child. My dd went to a rubbish primary due to location and did well, because she was nice and bright (in comparison) she stood out and the teachers enjoyed teaching her. Just saying this in case he end's up with no other option to show it can be ok. Ime, secondary school is far more important in terms of peer group etc.

My day started at 6am yawn. I think his 4am feed isn't needed as much now as he doesn't take as much then when he wakes. How do you reduce a bf baby's feeds at night? Am thinking of offering water instead - what do you think?

Thanks Scarlotti I will be speaking with the Head of the school and need some answers to what is bothering us from the Ofsted report. For example, the Early Years framework only got a satisfactory. Amongst all the other poor gradings. My DS is bright and social, I'm sure he would fit in with most schools. I'm feeling calmer today as DH is back tomorrow. I will do anything in my power to start him off on the right footing

fruit remember that if the school is lacking in educational input you can enhance this yourselves by doing more work with your DS. Not ideal but worth remembering. DH and I said we would consider the school if it lacks in their stats etc as long as their pastoral care was good and they had good opportunities for social integration with a good mix of children. I do not want her to be socialised with just 'riffraff' but also neither do we want her to be socialised with just 'welltodo' people. We want her to get a good balance and we can supplement her learning outside if needs be. But obviously there are serious things for you to consider. Could you consider renting your home if the market is not ideal and renting, then selling when it picks up again? We are going to try this in the next year or two or if DD does not get in to school. Anyway, i shall stop going on about it now and let you try to think of something else for the day. x

fruit sorry about the school outcome. I'm sure something can be done. I do agree with scarlotti that if the child is bright and has supportive parents they will do well anywhere. However I also understand where you are coming from, wanting to give dcs the best start possible. Fingers crossed for you.

scarlotti I will look into those cushions for the highchair, might mean I get her into it earlier.

pav thanks for the info about school choices. I think because I've been living in a "church school" bubble for the past 8 years I was unaware of all this going on in state schools!

hobnob it is perfectly normal for the teats to do that. They have a normal sucking strength if that makes sense and if that is strong then it causes the teat to invert. If you keep pulling it out each time it does this, then putting it back in Isla will adjust and it will stop happening. We had this with ds and Anya. It also happens when you change up to the next teat size.

Trikken congrats on the school front, must be such a relief!

Fruit I'm sorry to hear you didn't get any of the schools you selected. It makes me cross that there is such a difference between school performance.
My ds went to a very middle class and very white primary. It was a Beacon School and really pushed the children academically but he hated it. He's very bright but not very conventional and questions EVERYTHING.
He now goes to a big multicultural state school and I have never seen him so happy and doing so well academically.

If you do appeal just remember you have to prove why the school you want is the ONLY one that will meet your ds's needs. Maybe he has asthma and has to go to the closest school to your home..... etc.

Wook Grrr. They obviously don't know what they are missing.

Oh my god. This morning I dropped Rosa.

Please tell me this has happened to other people

It was more like she actually bounced out of my arms. She is so STRONG. I was getting up out of the chair tnad the momentum of that plus her pushing off with her legs caused her to bounce up and out of my arms and it seemed like she flew across the room. Although it wasn't far really i suppose. Need to keep reality checking as it flashes through my mind getting worse and worse each time. She landed on her back with the most sickening thud which brought DH running (also my wailing I expect). I don't think she hurt her head but I am keeping a close eye on her. She cried immediately for about 10 minutes but now seems absolutely back to normal. It's just awful imagining anything that could be wrong with her inside. I think I just need to watch out for her and check she's not napping overly long or being sick, because the doctor couldn't do anymore than tell me to do that, right?

Sorry, still can't think of anything else even though it happened over two hours ago now.

Raggie poor thing, hope you are both ok. I haven't dropped either of mine, but ds has slipped off the sofa onto hard floor and I know how awful it makes you feel and how sickening it is when it happens. Just keep an eye on her for anything unusual. Accidents happen, they're not nice when they do but there is nothing you can really do except comforting and making sure they are ok. try not to dwell on it too much, it happens to everyone x

raggie something happened to DD as a baby, I can't even remember now if I dropped her or she fell but she landed on her head anyway. I took her to the drop-in centre but like you say they just checked she was behaving normally and gave me leaflet about what to look out for in terms of changes. I'll see if I can have a look for something online.

She was absolutely fine by the way and I'm sure Rosa is too. What a horrible shock for you.

Have to go, James is crying. Will look when I can xx

Raggie Don't beat yourself up about it, it happens to us all at some point. Just keep an eye on her but chances are she's fine. A lot of the time it's the shock that makes them scream so much, including seeing mummy look so horrified. Both of my older two have fallen down the stairs before now and were fine. I wasn't at the time. I didn't take either of them to the doctor as there's nothing they can do.