June09: First birthdays coming up, we're on the move!

[June2009]

Happy Mother's day Juners ;)

It would be nice to be in jamaica right now wouldn't it, very We never went on a honeymoon and really owe ourselves a nice holiday at some point! Hope you had a great wedding day and are enjoying yourself in the sun now skies!

gauchita don't worry about failing your mock test, they're there so you get used to an "exam" environment. There is a lot to remember at first and the more you drive the more you get used to it, good luck with the rest of the tests. How's M now, did you go to the dr?
ils-wise, it seems every week there's another mini-drama. I'm trying to be too busy to care iyswim. .

lynn hope you're ok, how did the gp app go? I hope the problem can be fixed and you can resume "normal" life soon, it must be hard on you. how's work?

Today RL friends and I were working out that if you want a two years gap between your june 2009 baby and the next one then you should start ttc now. mrsmc I admire your focus. I don't know if I'm ready to put myself through it again yet even though I did originally "plan" a 2 year gap (ideally) and dh mentionned today he wished I was pregnant already. .

C went to bed without too much fuss which is great. I've started packing for France, we're leaving Friday morning for 10 days and I can't wait!
right, dinner time, speak to you soon!

2 year gap imo, totally overrated june

From what I have heard from other mummies over the past five years, there is a risk they will either love each other or hate each other - they can be quite competitive when the gap is close. Three years between mine and I love the gap - dd was so settled and capable when ds came along that she helped out and I could rationalise with her - also she slept well and was out of nappies.

My dp's best relationship is with his sister 8 years younger, not the one 2 years older. I've talked to families with children with gaps of up to 7 years who say what a 'caring relationship' their children have, in comparison to some of their friends who have the smaller gap between siblings etc etc etc.

Just don't think a close gap is worth factoring in to such an important decision. They may be buddies, they may not. So put your sanity first and decide what's best for your relationship/family. If you've had a difficult first pregnancy, a bit of a break can make you feel human again, just spend a year enjoying sleep if you it makes you feel good - that's my thoughts anyway.

I know some people just feel an overwhelming compulsion to get on with it and keep going, and hey, if that's what you want/feel deep down, then you have that focus and the mental reserves to take you through it....but if you've had a tough time, then don't do it just because 'we want a two year gap'.

In my opinion, obviously

Well said Venetian. The gap is more important for us than for the kids. I have a sister 23m younger and one 9 years younger and I don't think my relationship with either is that different. My kids get on really well (at the mo) but I think it is a personality thing. I know people the same age gap apart who can't stand each other.

Home tomorrow, need to go home now am shattered and both children are very clingy and tired.

afternoon all

june, your weight loss is fantastic! Never done the traditional age gap personally, it's what suits you family best that's important. Did you manage to get your notes from Cs birth in the end? Hope all goes well on your trip.

MrsMcJnr, wow for A sleeping through that must have been lovely, fingers crossed she does it again a bit more often!

ineed, how are you feeling now, did you manage to get an appointment?

llynnn, hope the appointment yesterday was productive and you have a plan to move forwards

gauchita, hope Ms ok now, poor thing. I remember just about that far back being very nervous about my test and wondering if I would ever leave the house not feeling scared ((((hugs)))) but it does get a lot easier after you pass, honestly

strawberry, dd1 is off to Canterbury Christchurch so not too far and will be doing teacher training, lower primary. Given she completely buggered up her first year of A levels and had to redo the year, she's done well! So she'll be getting her first teaching job when all our lo's are about to start school, might need to check where she's working first

venetian, think you're right there, I don't think any age gaps will guarantee a good relationship.

weather today is a bit strange, lovely bright blue skies to absolutely chucking it down in an instant.

waves to all

Hi all

Thanks for the well wishes for dh. I think the appointment went well! dh has definitely slipped a disk but they are reluctant to operate again because of the risks and his young age (29) so they want to try a cortisone injection into his spine which should reduce the inflamation on the disk and numb the nerve which is causing the pain. if this works it will be brilliant and really quick, if it doesnt then we a4re back to square one and probably waiting around for an operation to remove the entire disk. just hoping and praying this works!

bigcar - congrats to your dd1! hope she settles into her course really well

june - we have a 3 year gap between our 2 and i founbd that worked well for us and dd1 was out of nappies, sleeping well, quite independat and understanding and also we were entitled to free childcare when she turned 3 so helped us financially and with work too. every family is different though, its a tough decision when to find the 'right' time for another one!

mrsmc - hope youve had a great time away, bet you are looking forward to seeing the Spanish sunshine again though!

Gauchita - I feel for you doing your driving test, it is one of the most nerve wracking things I've ever done!! its well worth it in the end though, hope it goes well/quickly for you!

Hi to everyone else, lunch hour over now, best get back to work!

llynnnn, that sounds good, hope the injection works wonders Is there much of a wait?

Hello everyone :)

Llynnn- hope DH appointment went well.

Bigcar - congrats to your DD on her Uni acceptance!

Ineed - definitely get those dizzy spells checked out with GP.

Gauchita - Hope M is ok, N had one of these viruses recently, GP said so long as she was bfing, drinking lots (I gave very diluted juice some of the time to keep up her blood sugars and homemade fruit ice lollies) and having wet nappies it would be ok for a few days even if she vomited up every meal. The test was only a mock so don't worry too much as the more you worry the less you will concentrate - book a few extra lessons if you can to regain your confidence, you will be fine :)

Mrsmc - How is it going with A and the constant feeding? Can completely understand that the lack of sleep would be getting you down. Hope it improves when you get home. In the day now I give DD one cup of milk, a freeflowing one so it comes out fast enough, but I/DH still hold her for comfort and to stop her watering the carpet with it! :) Plus she has yoghurts/cheese etc.. to top up in her meals. BF at bedtime and up to 11pm if she wakes. I have decided to not give N bf between 11pm and 6am, last night she woke once at 1pm DH went in changed her and put cream on her (she has eczema which has been worse since she has been teething and gets itchy at night) and then offered her a bottle. DD refused and went back to sleep until 8am! The most hours of unbroken sleep I have had since I was 2 months pregnant. My DH sleeps like a log too so I wake him or he stays up until DD wakes at 1pm (he is SAHD though), but she is less keen to take a bottle from him so seems now to not be bothering to wake up as much. She will also take bottle from me now at night after much complaining as we introduced it in the day previously (from 7 months when I returned to work then later switched to cup) so maybe you could try the cup of milk in the day first? You could express milk if she doesn't take cows milk or keep trying with warmed cows milk, it did take N a while to get used to it. You can mix with EBM and reduce % EBM over time to transition. Also if she is teething they could be waking her, N has settled down much more now all the points of her molars are through, so it could just be a phase that will pass.

June - second what Venetian said about not doing two year gap if you are not ready, two years between me and my brother fought like cat and dog until he was 16 now get on well most of the time. Two of my nieces who fight loads are two years apart, but second oldest gets on well with second youngest and there is 7 years gap. I personally won't consider DC2 until N's night time sleeping pattern is more established as I feel I need to recharge my batteries first :)

Only one week to go until I start work FT, excited and slightly emotional at the same time as it will be hard to leave DD again even though DH is a great SAHD.

Hello all.

Got stupid system at GPs for appointments so will have to run the gaunlet of the 8.30am phone call to get into the 5 min window when appointments are available for the next day. It's bloody ridiculous and they're changing it from the 1st Sep, thank God. Anyway, will make sure I get an appointment.

We have 2.5 years between our two and this worked well for us. DS was still having an afternoon kip so I had chance to catch and hour or so snooze in those early days. He was old enough to know what was going on etc, but young enough for it not to be a major upheaval. I think whatever works for your family is best. There's only 16 months between me and my sister and we don't really get on. There's 5 years between me and my brother and we're the best of friends....

Off to brave Ikea this evening. We need to stock up on Trofast for the kids' bedrooms. Wish me luck! Went to a family do this morning and they were all putting in their orders..... Whether we'll fit it all in the car is another thing...

Hi all!

Ineed, what a strange system Hope you manage to get an appointment soon Did you survive the IKEA trip? Hope you managed to get what you were looking for. It's been ages since I last went, which is good for the wallet I can't help but spend more than what I plan in the first place

Bigcar, loopy weather here too, sun, torrential rain, clouds, sun, cold, etc etc I guess autumn is closer, huh?

Allsheep, you're right, the doctor yesterday told us babies can have these things for weeks on end, poor them. Apparently M caught each of these when she was about to recover from the previous one. He said she has a sore throat, that it's very red and told us to hydrate her, give her jelly, liquids in general and basically whatever she feels like eating. He also said what you mentioned, not to worry if she's sick, as long as there are enough wet nappies. Hope N is over her cold/cough now I can imagine the transition for you this week and next will give you a mix of feelings. It's great that your DH can stay with N, though, and I'm sure you're really happy about that. Any news about the house and the repairs? Will you have to move in the end?

June, I agree with what the rest have said, I guess gaps between babies are very personal. You have to take into account your own situation/experiences/etc and make the decision that is best for your family

Strawberry, hi! I know, nerves nerves nerves! How are things?

Llynn, glad to hear the appointment went well and fingers crossed for the injection to work and give him some relief.

Vene, hi! Have the visitors left now? Hope things are back to normal and you can find more time for yourself and the family How are things?

Hi to all Juners!

Right, we took M to the doc last night (midnight). She had woken up with no temperature and looked OK so DH suggested not making an appointment after all At night she was sick again so off we went. men should listen I hope she feels better soon, poor little thing.

I had a lesson today. After all my frustration, fear and overall panic due to my last mock my instructor decided to take me for a drive without "testing" me so that I could "enjoy driving again" (his words ). Guess what, I would have passed today had I been tested by him. So why does my brain play these twisted tricks on me? And above all, what on earth do I do so that it doesn't happen next Wednesday?

Hope you have a good night!

I had to sit mine 3 times gauchita - considering I had driven since I was 12 years old (on the farm) it was fairly ridiculous. The first time I was nervous and made mistakes, the second time I got the hardest tester in the whole area and the third time they just gave it to me after a very quick and cursory test because my instructor assured them I was a fine driver!!!

....yes, don't follow my example...the expensive route to getting your license.

Maybe if you are anxious that morning take a long walk beforehand to get the stress out of your body or go for a run. Lots of deep breaths and stuff.

Vene, I think you're right, we get sucked up in the fear/anxiety and we stop thinking straight. Thanks for those tips, I'll definitely need some deep breaths and maybe even a walk before the test (I don't think I can handle a run ). On top of all I'm scared of one specific examiner... they call her "the terminator" apparently she's meany mean mean, hence the name. To be honest I need it to be Thursday next week, I just need it to be over. See? I'm not thinking straight again

Waves to all!

evening all

allsheep, are you in education? Just your work dates fall in with the start of term Shame skillbo doesn't still post her dh is a sahd too. Will he be taking over your mning duties he'd be most welcome

ineed, did you get your appointment? Sympathies, our gps run the same system, they recently introduced a queueing system which made life a lot easier, at least you're not sat there constantly hitting redial, beeping is pretty annoying but it's a little fairer and not quite so frustrating. How was ikea, did you manage to get it all in the car?

gauchita, that's the whole point of ikea Ahh yes, that'll be autumn creeping up on us while we are still thinking it's summer please can we have a little more sun first though?! What you need to do is imagine us all sitting in the car with you, holding your hand and willing you on. And if you get that examiner we'll be throwing her daggers like that A bottle of something nice chilling in the fridge for whichever way it goes It's only annoying and frustrating if you don't pass, not the end of the world, you can always do it again, it doesn't matter. Much used conversation with dd1 and her results nerves there just in case you hadn't guessed

venetian, my grandads advice was always to have a nip of something strong before a driving test, purely medicinal you understand Long walk is much better advice!

dd2 has been to visit her new school taday and had a great time, she's going again tomorrow. Funnily enough today was quieter at home, wonder why

waves to all

Anyone else's little ones not walking. F is highy capable in other ways, but just not coordinated in the same way that DD was when it comes to walking. I keep thinking he will 'next month' but it could easily be another 2-3 months before he does.

His feet stick way out sideways and he can't tolerate being up for too long.

I don't mind at all, and have no great expectations, but just find it odd to watch how much he struggles with it. Even holding both his hands he labours to take steps at 14 months - whereas DD could do this from 9 months.

He is light years away from the mobility that Lizzie obviously has (love that chair picture!).

Molar number 4 breaking through just now. Heading down to London for a break tomorrow morning (umm did I say break....I think I meant to say 'hard work') - a holiday to me, is a long lazy day at home when the kids play happily with their toys!!!

heya,

Thank you all for your input on the age gap. I have 8/9 years difference between both my older and little brother and though it was hell with my older brother when I was little (mainly arguments over the remote control mind you) we had a great relationship from 16yo onwards. I also get on really really well with my 25yo brother.
I hope I don't have to wait 9y to have the next one.

vene They really all do different things at different stages, it's amazing. A friend of mine's little boy is almost 16 mo and just started walking, he has lots of teeth too.
C can walk, but she still cannot crawl which I find weird. She does bum shuffle is she really has to, for short distances. She also only has 6 teeth.
I'm not trying to say that there is a correlation between teeth and walking .
We're off for a "break" as well, like you said, it is more hard work than it should be judging on our last break, constantly having to follow the baby to stop her touching the clutter 1000s of things my dad keeps at just the right height for her to grab and swallow/break. It's frutrating for all three of us to always be seing "no, don't touch that" "put it back" and have to be watching her like a hawk. (and then when dad goes "she's not settled/not happy/crying a lot" when she's such a happy little girl at home.

Luckily we're escaping a few days to the seaside in a lovely house which is fairly child proof. Can't wait!
There won't be any internet there so I'm properly "off" for a while :D

Take care juners, I'll be back shortly before the meet up. whenskies said on fb she would bring some pics with her .

ineed did you go running? :D

Hiya the latest from me is that my circle of friends have deduced that our kids are continually passing hand, foot and mouth disease between them and they think is started from the toddler group that we go to as the toys are filthy. We have now volunteered to go in one evening a month and clean all the toys but in the meantime, I have Miltoned and Anti-baced every single toy and book in the household this afternoon, tiring stuff! Since we got home DH has been going in to A when she cries at night. She is generally unsettled from 1 am onwards. He got a phone call today to tell him that his knee op which he has been waiting for for 3 months is on Monday. Bang goes sleep for me. What is new with you??

morning all

strawberry, lovely photos of L there she looks so grown up, a proper little girl! Sorry, can't help with thrush, hope Ls ok now.

venetian, I'm sure there's another juner not quite walking yet but can't for the life of me think who it is!

june, hope you're having a good trip, not too stressfull

MrsMcJnr, that sounds mank, where's a [yuk] emoticon when when you need it! Hope dhs op goes well.

well, we're trying to get back into the whole school way of thinking again. Ds1 and dd3 go back on thursday, dd2 goes back the following monday, she is over the moon with this. So we will be going throught the whole performance of naming everything in sight for three of them. And of course getting everything ready for dd1 going off to uni in about 3 weeks. Looks like her boyfriend will take her on the day with all her junk, I was looking forward to a bit of a nosey but it's her choice.

waves to all

Morning!

Bigcar, oooh not long now freedom is near Glad to hear things are going well. How far will DD1 be from home? We've had lovely sunshine these past few days but it's on the cold-ish side anyway I'll cram you all in that car on Wednesday, thanks for the evil stare

Mrsmc, yuck indeed. I seem to have given up on the fact that M will without a doubt catch bug after bug now that she's in nursery, but when you can see grime in toys then that's a bit too much Sorry to hear A is waking often, M's teething badly so we have the same here.

Strawberry, lovely pictures, I especially liked the one with her by the window, such a nice picture No experience on thrush here either. Is L any better?

June, Vene, hope you're having a nice break I think Snow is on holiday as well. Enjoy!

Right, HORRIBLE mock test number 2 on Thursday. Awful, I made only 2 or 3 serious mistakes but it all became too much as I mounted a kerb and did more stupid things I ended up crying my eyes out in front of my instructor before even finishing the mock Oh the shame. I was very close to cancelling it, if I'm honest.

Yesterday mock number 3 went better and I would have passed had it not been for the fact that I tried to go on reverse gear without going on the clutch Why oh why! I had never done that before, which these days doesn't seem to guarantee anything

That's that now, I can't change it or cancel it anymore so... we'll see!

Hope you have a lovely weekend!

Waves!

Hello everyone :o

Bigcar - yes I am in education, good guess :) Hope the start of term goes well for you and your DC's.

Mrsmc - Hope DH's op goes well, maybe A will have pushed through her teeth by then or have got into a better sleeping pattern so that you won't have such sleepless nights .

Strawberry - Lovely photos. Thrush being yeast likes sugar so cut back on foods containing too much sugar, fruit, biscuits, sweetened yoghurts and other puds. If you are still bfing you will need to treat your nipples too as you can re-infect each other. You can give her plain bio-yoghurt with no fruit added as the acid in the fruit kills the good bacteria (banana ok, but sugary so not too much. You can take acidophillus to help you get rid of it (tablets or yakult type drinks good). Also you can get a natural extract of grapefruit seed (see here) which you can take and give to L very diluted in water which will reduce the oral thrush (also bathe nipples in a dilute solution if bfing). This is good if you do not want to go down the route of antibiotics as they can upset the stomach.

Gauchita - take a deep breath, have a glass of wine and try to take your mind off it for a while :) A friend of mine took her test nine times before she passed and most people pass second time around so try not worry too much. Maybe some of the breathing techniques they taught in ante-natal might help to keep you calm in the car when you feel yourself getting stressed out.

Hope everyone on hols is having a great time :o

All N's molars are fully through and her eczema flare-up is going down (must have been the teething). We are finally getting more sleep at night. We got N a wooden rocking horse yesterday, she sits on it, pats it on the head and says neeeeee :)

heya from sunny france :D
gauchita good luck wiht your test, it is quite normal to make mistakes, when you think you'll probably be driving for 50 years still then you haven't really been learning that long in comparison iyswim, it gets better the more you practice. I'm glad you can't cancel because it is scary and you just have to get through it and do it. It took me 3 goes btw, i think it really depends on who is examining you. I still get bad days where I think "I probably shouldn't be driving today" so you're just extra careful or don't drive on that day.

bigcar so far so good, the weekend has been very nice, dh is much more relaxed so it helps a lot. good luck with the school starts.
See this is what breaks my heart about our little ones, one day they grow up and they want their boyfriend to take them to their first day at uni ;) Take care!

mrsmc this is when it would be great to have a clone on stand-by. hope the op goes well and A miraculously starts sleeping through...

allsheep the first time C saw a big pink horse in the toy shop she cried her eyes out, we're working on this one!

well, it's 9am here and C & dh are still sleeping (bed v. late last night) so I'd better make the most of it!

Morning all!

June, glad to hear the holiday is going well and relaxed I know what you mean re. driving, if only examiners looked at your ability to drive overall and not specific mistakes ANYONE can make. Aw poor C being scared of the pink horse, bless her.

Allsheep, glad to hear N's molars have cut through and her eczema is getting better. Hope you have a great start of term this week (apologies if I'm getting the weeks wrong and it's next week ). Deep breaths are definitely a good idea, to oxygenate my paralysed brain

DH has bought me some rescue remedy spray, it's supposed to be made of Bach flowers so it's BF-friendly and it'll help me to calm down

I have mastitis again I went to see the out-of-hours doctor on Saturday and I'm taking ABs now. Hope they kick in soon, it's quite painful.

Happy bank holiday Monday, hope you have a nice restful day

Waves!