AUG08 - Sunshine, Friends, Food, & Fun

[TwilightSurfer]

Aw sweetie, you hang on in there for another week or so, ok?

OK, now I officially feel very old as I just had to explain to DS1 what a record was...

Oh well I stand by my prediction then, out by Sunday Oops. Or at least close enough to warrant a steroid shot anyway. I had one of those with DS1 during a false alarm at about 35wks. Because of my labour phobia (at the time) they were quite prepared to do me a caesarean then and there if things progressed but it did eventually peter out.

Way to go on the holiday front Ataraxis, a working mum's dream, no?

I want to reply to everyone!!!! Maybe later.

May I say I LOVE all the pregnancy tales. I totally loved being pregnant with Reese and miss that so very much. You ladies keep talking because I'm hanging on every word.

Oops are you prepared to post throughout the labour?? We'd like a play by play. Might I suggest Skype Mobile. Just loaded it today but haven't used it yet.

Doctor gave me steriod/vitamin B12 shot today to jump start my recovery. Seems if I'd waited another day she'd have sent me to an Ear/Nose/Throat professional to have my sinuses vacuumed. B12 is good. I've laughed at my own jokes all afternoon. Kinda makes me feel tipsy. She said the steroid will kick in around 6pm and to be prepared to remodel the house. Apparently it turns you into SUPERMOM for a few hours. great

Be back later when I have more time to properly chat to all. (((hugs)))

Hi cyteen, QoD, Red, GG and anyone else who said Hi!

Just had a really nice evening with my friend who came over with her DH for a visit. DD provided the entertainment for the evening by shouting 'mummy farted' when the guy next door started up his drill to finish his DIY! Even if I did, don't shout about it!! When do I get to start embarrassing her??

Glad the funeral went okay Oops, the burial place sounds like a lovely idea. Hope things are going okay now with bump, although a bit scary if it's happening before you're prepared! I remember being terrified by some scary BH contractions at about 35wks and crying my head off as not only was my bag not packed, it wasn't even purchased! Had a big shopping spree the next day though and was all sorted. Although DD then kept me waiting another 7wks! Little monkey!

Your night last night sounds like it was great fun buckets! And your steampunk outfit sounds interesting! What does that consist of?

I'm right behind TS when she says that everyone should carry on talking about their pregnancies! I don't think I've ever gotten over being pregnant, is that weird? I was completely convinced that I was pg this month, I felt really weird, but AF was 2 days early in the end so I sulked for about a week. We haven't officially started ttc yet but stressed about it already! I thought I'd be more relaxed about it this time.

Hello everyone,

Tired snotmonsters here today.

Thoughts for everyone - and cyteen - were you heading off to the GP a little while back about feeling depressed (really sorry if I got completely the wrong end of the stick here) - but lots of thoughts for you, and hope that things are looking more positive and manageable.

I just tell everyone about mumsnet straight off. I also met my baby group on the internet (on a much more hairy trucker forum than this ...) and tell everyone this straight away as well. I kind of figure that if there is no shame in meeting your husband online then I don't need to be embarassed that I had to advertise for friends .

Really shattered. The babies are sleeping appallingly, and I'm not sure that I am doing the best that I can for them. DS also doesn't eat very well (Miamla, you posted that your Ds eats fish fingers, scrambled eggs and fruit - sounds like you have a pretty good balance and range to me). Am waiting for my mum to arrive in a couple of weeks time (volcanic ash permitting) so that we can have a routine of eating together - as it is it's just me and DS and I'm not good at cooking something for just the two of us. Hopefully easier with a routine (we finally have a good nap routine in the last few months, so hopefully a meal routine will come soon). Also easier in a couple of months or so when I can sit both the DC down to eat together.

My ILs look after DS two afternoons a week so that I can work. Not going brilliantly for work (and doesn't help the eating routine either as they feed him completely differently) but you know, they are really good people and they really love DS (and DD) and it gives me a bit of a break so I do know how lucky I am.

Well maybe you can help me with the meal routine.

When would you put meals into this:

6am Breakfast:

a banana, toast and cream cheese and sometimes a yoghurt

9-10am snack:

cup of milk and apple

11am:

nap

1am:

wake up

offer lunch, will sometimes eat. Usually reheated leftovers from the night before.

if not:

snacks during the afternoon (generally milk, raisins, crackers, biscuits, fruit).

We go out in the afternoon and tend not to get in until 6pm.

All pretty tired by then so DS usually watches telly, and I usually give him his dinner in front of the TV. Often cornflakes.

7pm:

start bedtime routine

You know, haviong put all this down in writing I think that the key is to make sure that he eats his lunch - and to make sure that I have something in the house and have cooked him something that he likes. If this happens I am more chilled about a sandwich conflake tea. It's just on days like today when he doesn't eat his lunch it feels like he has had pretty rubbishy food all day.

hmmm, maybe the issue is the he doesn't eat lunch when we go to my ILs.

But lunch before his nap wouln't work as he is too tired, and if I give him lunch at home before we set out for my ILs then we use up loads of the afternoon.

Maybe I will ask my ILs to feed us both on work days and hopefully DS will eat better if I am eating too.

littlenut don't be fearful. embrace ttc and enjoy the idea of it's outcome. (please not pun!) it wasn't until the last few months of the 13 i tried to get reese in that i started having fun. hindsight THAT could have been the issue. just saying enjoy it because it's natural. totally will add that privately temping was cool for me because i'm really not a completely relaxed chica and NEED something to stat about.

longway could just be a phase. reese is in a phase now where she's SUPER picky. i think she'd eat only apples and bananas all day long if you let her.

sazzles i'm feeling a bit let down...literally. my giggles have ended and i'm totally wanting to crawl into bed to sleep. which i think i'll do. night.

Oops hope it has stopped now although a St George's baby would be nice Georgina maybe? . Also what playhouse did you get for soon to be not so mini-oops? Am thinking of buying one for DS for the garden.

QoD twas I who offered DH's tux - from Miamla's wedding photos I think her DH maybe taller than mine or maybe mine just stockier. His tux is also pre-marathon days so guessing waist could be nearer 36 . He has a 34 leg but not sure it would get to you in time in any case (ash clouds permitting etc).

LWFH DS is a truly shocking eater and always has been and his weight and height are now on the low side. I am slowly learning not to panic about what he eats and try to be led more by him but it is difficult not to worry. What I would say is try to look at what he has eaten over the whole week rather than any individual day as quite often they are eating more than you think. He is teething at the moment and always eats much less then and certain foods he won't eat as I suppose they are causing him pain. He's also incredibly contrary (not just with food) - Wednesday for example he had lasagne that I'd put carrots and courgette in to try to get him to eat some veggies and he had lots (manage to convince him that the courgette was cucumber which he quite likes) but yesterday he had spaghetti with stir-fried chicken, carrots and broccoli and he would only eat the spaghetti.

I also noticed that when we were in England (particularly the second week when he was eating with his cousin who eats anything and everything) that he ate much better. So I think it does help if you are able to try and eat with them or maybe you can invite a friend with a DC who eats well sometimes?

Also I think the hot weather doesn't help - know you're not in summer yet but DS diet did seem to change in England and now we're back he's eating slightly less and drinking much more - it's amazing how they know what's right for them when I quite often realise a little too late that I am probably just dehydrated.

It also helps sometimes (I think Sazz mentioned this before) to let them eat from your plate - DS often finds my food much more interesting than his own even if it's the same.

morning [yawn].. passes around vat of strong coffee/tea...

oops hope all was ok last night and pains have left you alone...

lwfh...really feel for you as it must be so difficult trying to get two routines going for your dcs.. dd2 lived off mash and something for about 6 months as i am also not a great cook.. i used to make some up every morning as as soon as i suspected she was hungry used to give it to her with whatever veg/meat i had on the go... not sure if your ds likes pasta but my dd2 loves picking up each individual piece by herself its like a game??

i also used to feed dd2 in front of the tv but now have the tv and read her, her favourite books whilst she eats.. find it much more relaxing, she eats more because she is concentrating on her food/books as apposed to staring at the tv.. not sure if any of that helps... hope you get it sorted as you sound completely shattered [hugs]..

hope you have a fantastic weekend in gay paris sazz ..

Ataraxis fantastic news re three week holiday.. will definitely take you up on your lovely offer when we next head down your way..

dd2 awake at 6, told dh to go and settle her.. he brought her straight into us where she proceeeded to bounce on my head and turn the light switch on and off!! dh buried his head in his pillow so no choice but to get up .. possibility of night out tonight... choices of poker/beer with the lads or casino .. with offers like that it no wondered i never go out!!!

Back to work, boo

you know what this is for!

woke at 2:15am in a panic thinking i hadn't paid a bill (due the 21st). as if waking early on the 23rd was going fix it. seems i paid it. obviously the paranoia is a byproduct of my meds. back to bed since EVERYONE else in my house is sleeping soundly.

Oops how are you this morning? I woke up in the night and thought about you!

Should have done this ages ago as feet are prob all too big now but does anyone want some barely worn 3 and a half H of these just seems such a waste, got them for ds and he grew out of them in about a month.

TS you and I so do not inhabit the same financial universe... but I wish I lived in yours where bills were paid on time and things were organised. Hope you are still full of va-va-voom today .

dizzy bonjour

Re food I still swear by the muffin pan thing copyright cyteen, basically a tiny amount of lots of different things rather than a whole heap of e.g. rice or pasta or whatever - works at keeping my ds's interest.

My other top tips are feed them before they show hunger signs - I really ought to get to mine at 12.15 for lunch but usually it occurs around 12.45 when he is shrieking for food. AND to have an idea of what you are going to make before this point, too - otherwise you lurch around grabbing whatever is going to be fastest instead of whatever is likely to be successful.

Having said that my ds doesn't eat specially well.

He still does better e.g. if eating a sandwich to have it cut into strips (or cut into a star if I am feeling energetic) but then we have a dog for crusts, cookie cutter sandwiches bit wasteful if you have to chuck the wastage. I forget sometimes that though he can manage e.g. an adult-size half sandwich, small things are still more fun. Likewise with fruit, he can handle an apple and sometimes that's fun, but actually eats more if it's sliced into thin boats.

Agree re. distractions - I put him in his chair and even if I'm not eating I sit at the table and have a cup of tea, I think it's nice to be sociable round food. I was in the dreaded Mothercare (or Masterchef as ds1 calls it, based on logo similarities) yesterday & considering a booster seat for a normal chair instead of the highchair as ds2 recently expressing preference for normal chair. That chair is 16.99 in euros! Bloody hell.

Actually you have reminded me to put more thought into my meals for both the boys.

French toast / eggy bread is a good un.

They both eat this Somerset rarebit: nice cheddar & v thinly chopped apple & bit of apple juice (cider substitute) and sometimes a little milk and a little mustard depending on your children's tastes - whisk/melt in a saucepan and let them spread it on strips of nice knobbly toast.

Actually eggs are amazing. I had people for lunch the other day and made a quiche from scratch (just thought I would drop that in YES I MADE THE PASTRY TOO) and ds2 ate about a quarter of a quiche, no joke.

I too woke to worry/think of oops last night and rather than bill-paying . So, how are you lady?? Hope things have settled down and you got a good night of rest.

I too am shockingly shut my eyes and hope it'll go away about my finances. I have DDs set up for credit card etc. and I just assume that takes care of it all . I am equally suprised, impressed and scared by your cheque-book balancing antics TS.

I'm another one who's getting tons of vicarious pleasure from the pregnancies. I know I won't have another DC but, like ataraxis, would do the pregnancy and birth - even the new born bit - again at the drop of a hat. 'Tis the next 18 years I couldn't manage .

Must admit that I don't tend to admit how I know you ladies. I don't hide it, so some people do know, but I don't tend to draw attention to it 'My friend from the internet says....'. Does A know how we know each other dizzy? I've tended just to airily say that we met while we were expecting D and E. Flip side is that I recently discovered that a good RL friend is an avid MNetter - slightly unnerving not knowing who she is or where she is...

Lucky perhaps collar dh and say no ta to the poker game and suggest an alternative - if you have the opportunity to go out would be nice for it to be something you really want to do! Perhaps you should steal Miamla's Cushions in the Courtyard plan .

Poppy thank God you arrived.

LOL I thought you had your DDs set up with credit cards that would be extreme.

On food I have to admit I'm v. lucky as both DDs are really good. (I have that expensive mothercare booster seat btw GG and it is actually good - DD2 has been in it for ages already and it's great - just feels as though she's at the table like the rest of us). I really do second GG's point about sitting together. If I can I eat with them (lunchtime) and if not, (teatime) I make an effort to sit at the table with them to chat. We make sure we all sit together for meals at the weekend and DD1 absolutely loves this. There is a small element of selfish pleasure here too as my favourite thing is sitting round sharing a great meal and chatting with friends/family so hopefully we're setting up something good for the future.

In terms of food that works, I do a lot of things like fish pie, shepherd's pie, casseroles etc. - make a big one and reheat in no time the next day. I second all that is good with mashed potato. Sweetcorn a massive hit here and SO easy to prepare as I just have frozen bag in the freezer, 60 secs in the microwave and onto the plate. Eggs also brill - omelettes with all manner of fillings seem different every time to them. Red pepper, cucumber, carrot, cherry toms with houmous dip also a massive fave chez nous - finger food-ness of it seems to trump the virtuous veg-ness.

God forbid GG. I can't really be trusted with one let alone a child .

Ooh I'll take that endorsement of the booster and maybe get it at the weekend. Was in the queue with it yesterday but rubbishy Masterchef staff were faffing about texting their mates while ds was doing some very athletic back arching and doing opera impressions so I ditched it, all cat's bummy.

Oh we are going to a toddler music and play thing this morning I hate it it's so blardy jolly and children's-television-presentery but my friend and her baby are going too so there will be fun too.

Oh dear reading that I really am a miserable bitch aren't I?

Morning Ladies

Thanks for all those thoughts and wakings - I have had 4ish hours in 10-20 minute sections. Still going here but not as intense as a t some points early this morning - I thought I was going to explode! Just spoke to MW who was a little that delivery didn't want to see me but said to carry on as normal this morning and see if they carry on. So hopefully no Georgina here . DD off to Cotswold Wildlife park with the IL today as was orginally planned and I am going to Ikea although DH would rather we stayed home - so I threatened to go alone and he could stay home if he prefered, we are going.

DD awake at 4 am asking very nicely for cuppa milk, sandwich and a nana please. She got the milk! she finished it asked me to fill it up, drank that and went back to sleep until 8.30 So I think she didn't eat enough yesterday, it always seems to affect how lat she sleeps.

LWFH - DD eats:

7ish am weetabix toast and fruit

8.30 whatever I am eating so a bit more toast or fruit

10.30 she has a fruit bar, banana, water and cracker

12/12.45 lunch - alomst a whole adult sarnie of tuna/ham/cheese/pate with slice cucumber and tomato, yogurt and water

3.00ish snack of crackers/smoothie/anything I can find

5.30-6ish supper which is pasta/rice/leftovers from our lastnight meal or some of our dinner if I have been organised then fruit or cheese

7pmish bedtime milk - she has 5-6oz and then into bed.

I need tea - back later