New, bright and shiny MARCH 2005 thread

[ZoeC]

Thought this was about due, hope that's okay

Well, no solids here (forget who asked that, sorry) - except she licked my finger when I was pureeing some apple but I don't think that really counts ). I have icecubes of carrot, apple and pear ready in the freezer though but really she's fine on milk and I'm in no rush.

She's now all formula fed though - we did mix feed for a bit but she quickly forgot how to draw the hind milk so was getting less and less from me, plus we got thrush again so I really wasn't sorry to finish to be honest. I much prefer the routine we can have now and am just pleased she got 4 months of breast first. It really was as much as I could do and stay sane.

She is such a smiley baby it's untrue - you only have to glance her way and she beams, it's so nice to see. She naps better too - 2/3 hours in the afternoon plus a small nap in the morning - and that helps her be happier I'm sure. She was 15lb a couple of weeks ago by the way.

She's 4 months, 1 week and 3 days old today.

Cristina well done and good luck misdee with the driving.

I keep meaning to take rebecca swimming as I'm sure she'd love it but I haven't figured out how I'd manage two of them in the pool and changing room yet, maybe I'll talk dh into going with us at the weekend - that'd help. Dd1 is so lively and into everything I'd probably lose her while looking after dd2.

Hi everyone,

Kieran has now given up on craing and is rolling around the room , it is so funny. He gets frustarated trying to lift himself up to crawl and cries, but he likes his walker. Maybe he will go straight to walking.

Shalaa, nice to hear your first night went well .

boneym - Iris looks like she's nearly crawling too. I can't believe it as dd1 didn't crawl until 9 or 10 months. Iris can get up on just hands and feet (not knees!) and sort of launch herself forwards. Not that she gets far before doing an enormous belly flop. She also loves rolling, and spins round in a circle using her hands to push herself round. Far more energetic than big sister.

shalaa - brilliant news on the working hours, that sounds more sociable. And you simply can't overindulge on the photo front.

I'm beginning to look into rear carriers, as Iris is now 20lbs and frankly front carrying her in the wilkinet is proving a challenge. I know you can stick the wilkinet on your back, but I think a back carrier with frame will be more flexible in the long run. We inherited one which we used with dd1 but it was soooooooo uncomfortable. I really don't want to spend much, as we have rather little money at the moment, so need to do some careful thinking ....

Leogaela - maybe we should inspire each other on the marathon front. I used to run a fair bit many years ago, and got up to half marathon distance, though never ran a race, and have always dreamed of doing a full marathon ..... I'll restrict my goals to another 15-20 minute run tonight for starters!

Hi All.
Lauren had her 6 month check-up at the peadiatrician yesterday. All A.1, although he says she really must try to spend more time on her tummy. Oh dear! She really does hate it and won't do more than a minute and even that is with much grumbling and groaning. So much for rolling and pulling up and nearly crawling like most of your lot. I'm not too concerned as she loves to stand and I can even let go of her if she is holding onto something. She is in the 97th percentile for weight and height. Thought that was big but one of the ladies who works for dh has a granddaughter who is 5 months and is already 22 pounds and 30.7 inches! Makes Lauren look like a midget!
Had our first hot Spring day yesterday and I have no Summer clothes for Lauren. Must go and get that sorted as our hot weather will be here pretty soon. Must also get myself sorted out. Can't spend my Summer in tracksuits - like I have been until now. Hey, they're comfortable! And that's all I'm really cared about at the moment! Slack I know.

Hey Jambot, nice to hear that Lauren is doing well. I bet she'll be one of those babys that walk by 1yr .

Glad to know that I am not the only one who lives in tracksuits, they are more confortable .

You can never have too many tracksuits! I just about live in them. Must try to smarten myself up a bit.
Met DS1's Reception teacher today, he starts on the 26th September (I must not cry, I must not cry......)
Bought Freya a Grobag today for the colder nights that are coming, hopefully she will like it. SHe moves around so much in her cot it would be impossible to keep blankets on her.

JpPG - we love our Grobags! Grace has been in them since birth and they are really fab - she can kick to her heart's content and never get cold .

for me its sloppy jeans and a t-shirt, but yesterday I had a meeting with my boss so had to dress up a bit, it felt really strange!

Pidge - did you go out for your run yesterday? I didn't, but will go when dh gets home tonight (without the push chair). If you run with one you need one that is especially designed for running, they are much more stable and shouldn't tip over so easily. I'm not going to decide about a marathon until I get back ot work and see how much training I can manage to do.

Jambot - great to hear Lauren is doing so well! Its funny how some babies love being on their front and others don't. Just keep on trying.

Niklas is driving himself (and me) mad with trying to crawl. He has been up on hands and knees and up on his feet with his bum in the air for weeks now but just can't get the hands moving properly. He either goes backwards and gets mad or pushes forward on his legs with his head on the ground and gets mad. I've been walking around on hands and knees trying ot show him how to do it properly ¨!

Next on my shopping list - a back carrier for Niklas !

we have a commando crawler!!
serena moved about 30cm forwards last night. not much, but she is getting there! she can now roll across he rug, swivel round on her tummy, push backwards and now pull forwards.

Leogaela - trying to picture you teaching Niklas how to crawl I was reading somewhere that adults don't do it efficiently, they do arm and leg on same side together, whereas babies figure out early that best for balance and advancing is opposite arm and leg.

Sylvia is I think the other extreme to Niklas. Commando crawling early (or combat crawling, in case you think she runs around naked) but seems pleased enough with this now and not trying anymore to do "proper" crawling.

There'll be no stopping her now, Misdee. Enjoy the exercise!

Another grobag fan!

I managed 3 posts without mentioning sleep ... but inevitably I remain obsessed! Not much change really at nighttime, though Iris does seem to be waking at midnight for her first feed rather than 11, and just sometimes will push beyond 2.30am for the second feed. Am waiting for that baby rice to work its magic, but have never believed that solids have much impact on sleep, wouldn't I love to be proven wrong!

But daytimes, we seem to have finally cracked the half an hour limit to naps. She's regularly doing 1 - 1.5 hours for one of her naps. Hoorah. So that means I actually get stuff done ... err like checking mumsnet!

Did another run last night and it felt fantastic, 20 minutes of very slow jogging, almost got overtaken by a pedestrian at one point, but feeling very pleased with myself.

Also it's my birthday today, so really enjoying having a chilled out time at home. Am about to engage in my current passion - knitting a cardy for a friend's baby. Then lunch with a friend.

Happy birthday, Pidge! Have a lovely day. Home, computer, knitting, lunching with friends - yep, sounds just right for a nice, relaxed birthday. You must look at your babes and think you've done alright this past year.

Happy birthday Pidge! Hope you have a good day .
We are off to baby signing classes later - have been trying to teach dh hte signs we have learnt so far but he's a bit rubbish at it ! Dd1 is better!
Didn't sleep too well last night - dh is away at a conference and I always find it hard to sleep when he's not here, plus Grace woke at 12.15 (just as I was dropping off) and then again at 3.30.
She's wriggling and getting grumpy now so will have to go!

Happy Birthday Pidge , have a lovely day.

Happy Birthday Pidge

Read this mornings posts and was reminded again why I enjoy being part of MN so much. The thought of babies with their bottoms in the air, Leogalea with her bottom in the air and Pidge being overtaken by a pedestrian all made me LOL

Took Harrison into work yesterday for the first time (only taken me five months to get my act together) and he was soooooo good. He smiled at everyone and never moaned once even though he was passed around about a hundred people (I exaggerate but it was a lot). I was so very proud of my little boy.

Had a goodish night. He went to bed at 6.30pm as usual, good as gold and slept until 3.30am. I tucked him in and stroked his face for about 5 minutes and he went back to sleep until 6.30am. What a star Now gone down for his usual 2 hour lunchtime nap so mummy is off to tidy up, get tea prepared, have some lunch and most importantly, catch up on Coronation Street

Hope everyone has a good day

JoPG, cry away when DS1 starts school, I did with DD. It's a huge milestone for them and for you and marks a major turning point in their little lifes. Hope it goes OK and take some piccies in his school uniform so we can see how smart he looks

Hello everyone,

Happy birthday Pidge, hope you have had a good day so far and that it stays nice. Hapy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Piidge, happy birthday to you . Have a drink on me, I know I have an excuse to have one today .

bonym, hope you have a better night today .

Kieran and I went to our first play group today, he took ownership of the walker and was whizzing aroung the room. Everyone was saying "he must be about 9 or 10 months old", I told them he just turned 5 months old and they could not believe it. He really enjoyed himself but cried alot towards the end as he got tired and it was nap time. Definately going back next week

LOL at Leogaela's bum in the air

...and a very nice bum it is too !

I had visions of Pidge running around with her knitting needles! Very impressed - by the knitting - I learned to knit when I was a child but not sure I know how to anymore!

Happy Birthday Pidge!

Norash - what a little star Kieran is!

I've been going through turmoil over the last few days about going back to work. I am not happy with Niklas's introduction to his daycare. I took him once and stayed with him for an hour. Monday I took him again and left him for an hour, next Wednesday they want me to leave him for half a day so he eats and sleeps there. Then the following week I am supposed to leave him there the whole day! I am not at all happy about leaving him so long with people he doesn't know yet, i am sure he will forget them after not seeing them for a whole week. I think he should be building it up more slowly so he gets to know the people and feels confident with them. I wasn't sure if I was just being emotional about it, but I am so worried about making him insecure, I think I know him well enough to know its not right to drop him in the deep end. What do you all think?

Leogaela - I think you need to dictate the arrangements for settling Niklas into nursery. If you are not comfortable with their proposal then you don't have to go along with it. I was trying to think back to when I first left dd1 at nursery (it was nearly 7 years ago so the old grey matter is being stretched a bit ) and the first time I left her alone I just went off to the nearby shops and had my mobile phone with me in case of emergencies. I went back after a couple of hours and she had been absolutely fine. Can't you take him on consecutive days rather than once a week, so that he has more of a chance of remembering the place and people? Or can't you take him for a couple of hours every day for a week and stay with him? Whatever, you MUST be comfortable with it, it is so hard, I know, leaving your precious baby with people you don't know well.

Shucks thanks for the birthday greetings folks! Have had a wonderful day - both my girls seem to have been super smiley and charming today.

I've been left to my own devices this evening, as dp had an orchestral rehearsal. Norash you'll be delighted to hear I indulged in a generous glass of wine. Have also been doing my knitting, I can manage the multitasking required to sip wine and knit, LOL at the thought of running AND knitting though!

It's dp's birthday tomorrow, so must slope off and actually wrap up his present, whilst he's out!

Leogaela - you should definitely dictate the pace with nursery introductions. At the end of the day you've got to be happy with the setup and if you think it's going too fast ask for a slower ramp up. I remember that stage so well and I found it really really hard, but it's lovely when it works out and you know that they have a fun happy time doing stuff you'd never do with them at home.

Oh, forgot to say, I ordered some cloth nappies yesterday - one each of 4 different makes to see how I get on. Have been thinking about taking the plunge since before Grace was born and have finally got my act together. Will let you know how I get on!

Glad you had a good day Pidge .

Hello everyone, hope you all had a good night and are having a nice day.

Leogalea, go with your instincts about the nursery as IME you'll always be right. I wasn't sure about the first nursery I settled DD in when I last went back to work but thought 'they knew best' as they were the experts. I ended up moving her within 6 weeks as I wasn't happy. Hope it works out OK.

I'm feeling very emotional today (roughly translated means I haven't stopped crying) for no reason I can think of except that maybe going into work this week to see everyone has brought it home to me that I'll be going back there after Xmas .... and I really don't want to

I keep thinking that when I go and see my boss in October to talk about my contract, he'll offer me a huge redundancy package which will enable me to stay at home with my beautiful children. I know that's not likely to happen and as I'm the main earner in our family, there is no way I can leave without a sizeable pay-off to cover our mortgage etc.

Spoke to DH once before about this but he won't even go there Says we can't manage on his salary alone and that I knew this when I got pregnant again (which is true, I just didn't realise how badly I'd feel this time). So instead I must make the most of the time I have (oh yes, and stop crying )

Sorry to unload this on you but have just been reading a thread about has life delivered what you wanted and the tears started again.

Ho hum, back to the washing up now. Can't imagine why I want this exciting life on a permanent basis

On BonyM, good luck with the cloth nappies, you're a braver mummy than I am

busywizzy - so sorry you're feeling so bad today . I can really empathise as I was exactly the same before I went back to work after having dd1. It will get easier I'm sure, but i know how hard it is when you don't want to go back, but have no choice. Try not to think about it too much and enjoy the next few months as much as you can.

Busywizzy - Sorry to hear that you are feeling low today. I'm sure that work will not seem so bad once you have faced all the issues and got back into it. You might even enjoy it (!!!) - (though that might be overstating it a little).
Happy Birthday Pidge for yesterday - are you going to share you age with us? DS1 told everyone I was 43 the other day, I know that having 2 children has added to the wrinkles, but I didn't think it had added 10 years to me!

Freya snug as a bug in a rug tonight - her grobag is great. Also the countdown is on to her eviction from our room (we haven't really told her about this yet, so we'll see how it goes). The decorating of her room will be complete on Tuesday, so off she goes into the big wide world on her own (well, next door anyway!). Her cot and stuff will be the same so hopefully it will not be too traumatic for her.

Hope everyone has a great weekend. I'm having my hair cut for the first time tomorrow since Freya was born so I am hoping to look hip and stylish! Can hairdressers perform such miracles???