Issy's graduates (Bella, Blue, Head, Jumping, Irish, Wasabi, Girl, Sunny) here to give advice and swap tips

[bluesatinsash]

Ta da!

Hope this shakes a few of us out of where we're languishing these days .

Let this be the one-stop shop into everything that is the crazy, wonderful, sleep and sanity deprived world of bringing up baby

mais oui oui, Sophie La Giraffe est une presence permenant dans notre pushchair... run out of French, sorry (and me with a French name too - tut, the shame!) I was given Francesca's Sophie as a present when she was born, she loves it, sometimes it's the only thing that helps her sleep, she chews the feet and it sends her right off...

Anyway, can't stay long, just popping in between glasses of rose :o I'm being mega lazy with Francesca and she generally gets what Luca's getting for tea (mostly because we haven't got teeny tiny storage pots here like I do at home, and making teeny tiny portions is such a pain, I usually bulk cook). She loves omelettes. I used to do scrambled eggs for her quite a lot but she really really wants to feed herself. Lots of variety that can go in to those so that's all good. Tonight she had four cheese ravioli, just a little drizzle of olive oil and a teeny bit of parmesan and she loved them. She had a piece of Luca's left over pizza at lunchtime (home made I might add!). She really will eat anything so long as she can do it herself! We're doing a bbq tomorrow night so I might try giving her a chicken drumstick :o

Ok, bon nuit mes cheres xx

sophie La Girafe

but oh la la, look how much cheaper they are in France!

I might have to buy a lorry load and bring them back with me!!

excellent ideas for food mes cheries keep em coming :)
Someone commented on how well G was doing with his food after my 'at home' (he just had mamma's tomato sauce with grateed cheese and chunks of bread) but he as mainly feeding himself and i think to the uninitiated these things can look impressive. I was just embarrassed about the fact that he looked like he was trying to rub into his face and body like it was sun lotion. ANYHOO I felt bizarrely proud of my boy. My first real feeling of maternal pride! So pathetic but quite funny. God help the little dude when the time comes for school assemblies and concerts, i'll probably give him a standing ovation, or start a mexican wave...

I have realised with his eating that basically he is like my aunty brenda and not at all continental. he wants it in his gob asap and then he wants to get down from the table asap,

Do any of you find that you end up eating revolting things in the name of not wasting stuff? cold lentils mixed with ellas indian sauce on the back of some rice pudding anyone? have yet to stoop to gummed bread but it's only a matter of time.

blue i stood with G in the pitch black for what must have been an hour last night. He clearly wasn't hungry but after 10 hours sleep he clearly wasn't that sleepy either cos each time I tried to put him down he just wasn't having any of it so in the end i caved just for some kip. We're in bristol for his other gpa's birthday this week so will start again in earnest on monday. joy of joys. the late night milk bar is definitely shutting up shop though. He doesn't need it and the coral like nibbling of the nipple is just irritating me now.

Sorry Monsieur Benjy is feeling rough but bet it's been nice having extra cuddles. Hope he makes a speedy recovery.

head i was too scared to open that link too! though given that G is pretty , lets say relaxed about reaching devlopmental milestones, i can't imagine his brain going into overdrive any time soon ...

sweet dreams

Bella at you starting a mexican wave for little G. Just you wait he'll be asking you to walk 20 paces behind him soon enough - noooo!

Just popped on to say 'merci' to Head - one Sophie the giraffe duly ordered (in pounds not Euros unfort. - meh). Can't believe I've missed this trend always thought I had le finger sur le pulse..

Night xx

Good news Blue, and the best thing is they're so easy to keep clean too, Francesca's is always getting really grubby, so I just scrub it in some hot water and washing up liquid and it comes up like new. Not like her soggy dumbo the elephant which is hideous but I can't seem to prise from her grubby little hand to wash.

The sleep regression continues apace... last night she was awake from 1.30am to 5am Not crying, not in pain, not miserable but wide awake and wired! Her brain must be going bonkers. Every time I put her in her cot she screamed, but every time I got her out she was really hyper. I very nearly took her out in the car but I realised dh had shut the gate last night and I didn't fancy creeping down in the pitch dark and opening it. Tonight we've brought the pushchair indoors so I can walk her around in that if we have a repeat performance. It's the only thing that would get her to sleep today.

Hi everyone, what?s been happening here then? Just a quick catch up as, amazingly, both children are snoozing which surely can?t last ? I can?t remember the last time Freddie had a daytime sleep. I?m a bit worried he?s going down with something actually.

Well, my little boy was 3 years old yesterday! I was such a proud Mummy and he had such a lovely day. DH took the day off and Freddie was surrounded by grandparents, friends, balloons and cake so he was a very happy little boy. I have to admit I loved it too. I love throwing parties, even ones for little people. I made a pyramid of cupcakes decorated with mountains of soft buttercream and loads of old school sweeties like flying saucers, candy necklaces, love hearts, dolly mixtures, marshmallows etc. Subtle it wasn?t but the children (and indeed the mummies) loved them. Everyone seemed to have a very nice time and DH and I collapsed about 8pm with a big glass of wine each!
Some quick personals!

Oh Irish Aoife is just, just beautiful. I hope that you are loving every day of being a new family and that you are getting a bit of sleep too! Agree that you are due a name change!

Bella I wouldn?t be too in awe of my jam making if I were you. The last batch was a little stiffer than it should be because I don?t do it the proper old fashioned way! I am still a bit of a novice. The concept with jam and chutney is pretty easy though ? bung lots of stuff in a pan and boil to death for X amount of time. The skill with jam is boiling it just until setting point but no longer ? this is a skill I am still working on. Once I made some blackberry jam that you needed a knife and fork to eat.

If it?s any comfort Clara is also uber messy. It barely seems worth clearing her eating area between meals. She makes grabs for bowls and spoon and rubs everything in her face and hair. She is getting really good with finger food though ? sweet potato chips are a big fave which is handy as it is also one of Fred?s. No signs of teeth yet here either. I think your food ideas sound great. I have been looking out for Ellas Indian pouches since you and head mentioned them but they clearly haven?t hit the provinces yet.

Am in awe of you entertaining 10 mums and babes ? must have been pretty full on! My NCT meet ups got a lot more hectic when they all got mobile. Then the 2nd (and in one case 2nd & 3rd) babies came along! We do still meet but can barely hold conversations these days.

I laughed at your predictions of future Mexican waves. Those feelings of pride are just the best. All mummies feel it so don?t be embarrassed when you lead the ovation for G when he turns in a lifetime best performance in the Nativity in a few years time I nearly cried with happiness when I got F?s nursery ?report? and under his social and emotional skills bit said what a caring, sunny natured child he was. And the fact that he apparently painted a semi recognizable dog.

Sunny Aw you must be so proud, happy and a bit sad about DD starting school. That feeling of where did the time go is one common to just about all parents I think. I can?t believe that Fred has been with us for 3 whole years ? seems like yesterday that I held him in my arms for the first time. I loved your gin making comment. Now that is a sideline I could manage. Gin and cupcakes? Now there?s a thought! BTW I love Colin Firth too. He has aged beautifully. Did you see that movie he in recently ?A single man? was it? The Tom Ford one? I didn?t (cinema not exactly a regular occurrence these days) but am looking out for the DVD.

Blue Oooh bronze and pink I like ? very sophis! We actually have quite a lot of pink in our house in various places ? quite dark pinks and pink in patterns. There is a very dark pink (used to be red but really faded) armchair in the corner of the family room with a red and purple union jack cushion on it. Think ?faded vintage? and that?s pretty much our family room. I think pink and green is my favourite all time colour combo and is what we are going for in our bedroom (one day).

I think you can probably guess the answer to the ?have I got strict with Clara?s night wake up?? No I have not. I am completely rubbish. I keep setting deadlines then not sticking to them. 6 months? Gone. When established on 3 good meals a day? Gone. Maybe the next one will be 10 months after 8/9 month regressions have passed. I remember Fred going utterly haywire at around 8 months after being quite consistent for a while so am not holding out hopes just yet.

Hope Ben (and therefore you) aren?t having too much grief with teeth. I hate giving medicines as well.

Head Bonjour mon amie! Well I don?t blame you for being lazy with F?s food (although it all sounds lovely, lazy or non) given how little sleep you must be getting. Poor F and poor you, you must both be knackered. Mind you being in gorgeous sunny France must take the edge off a bit. You all looked lovely and very happy in your Facebook pics!

Right I?m off to do a load of blackberry & apple for Clara (poor girl due to the amount of apples in the garden she is having apple in one form or another virtually every day. Apple & pear/blackberry/raspberry ? you get the picture. She will soon start refusing it I?m sure. Fred loves picking his own apples but can?t reach anymore as he?s had all the low hanging ones!

Then I?m going to buy a Sofie the Giraffe. .

Hello all
Blimey, I'm glad I wasn't alone, then, in not having a Sophie the Giraffe for Tubba! After reading this thread, I am now picturing our various babes furiously chewing on a set of rubber hooves. TBH Tubba hasn't seemed too keen on chewing them yet, though she does enjoy the squeaking (which admittedly is one mother of a squeak). Perhaps predictably, her older sister has now decided that Sophie is THE MOST EXCITING toy in the house, so Tubba hasn't had much of a look-in.

So Wasabi, let's talk a bit more about the boiling point of jam. DH is a keen jam (and indeed pickle) maker, but has grave trouble getting the boiling point right. He went through a phase of droning on about pectin for a while (truly our lives are so exciting) then went off the whole process after one too many failures. Congrats on your DS turning three! Your party sounds idyllic. Classic sweets are unbeatable, and my mouth is watering at the sound of your cupcakes [drool emoticon]

Blue, sorry to hear your Benjy was poorly - haven't heard of that malady but hope he is on the mend. What's the weather like in Scotland? My mum was saying it was nice, which I was pleased about as she's found the long wet "summer" quite hard (she is 76).

Head hope you are coping with the lack of sleep. God, it hurts, doesn't it. And then you have a good night and you realise just how knackered you really are. I wonder what is causing it? I love that photo of F with her first passport. What a lovely girl.

Bella no shame in being a proud mummy. It's a lovely feeling, one that is impossible to describe, I think, to friends who don't have kids.

Irish, hope all is going well and that you're too in love to type, and who can blame you.

Hello to Jumping

Can I ask a personal q? (is there such a thing on MN?!) When did your dear friend AF return? I am sat here with what can only be described as period pains, but it feels so strange and alien after such a long absence that I'm wondering if it's something else. Tubba is five months today (!) and I'm only breastfeeding 50% of the feeds so it would certainly be feasible for AF to be making an appearance. And yet I seem to remember from DD1 that the first AF after a pregnancy can be a bit... unusual? Hey ho; we'll see what tomorrow brings. Am having a glass of wine for medicinal reasons

Mad Men is back tomorrow - am quite tragically excited.

Right, am off to friend those whose names I know on Facebook. So if you get a request from someone with a wanky pic of an a t h e n a p o s t e r then that's me. Apologies for the pic - it's a long story

I have Sophie in my sweaty little hands squeaking away . Had to pick her up from Post Office on my way to work as we were out yesterday so Ben hasn't met her yet but I am uber excited . Setting myself up for indifference from le Ben me thinks..

Anyway, back to business.

Sunny - did AF return this morning? Mine came back when Ben was 6 months which was 4 weeks to the day practically after I stopped bf. I've had them twice bang on 28 days since then and v. v heavy which has been a bit alarming. No cramping or anything but just had to up to super when I'm normally a regular girl... Loving your photos on fb, such gorgeous girls and you are a yummy mummy for sure. Its gorgeous up here today but the rain was bouncing off the ground yesterday - just your typical Scottish weather there then. I've actually thought we had a pretty good summer this year, been able to go to park at least once a week and in the garden most days...

Wasabi - Happy b'day Freddie! He sounds like such a lovely wee boy. Having a sunny disposition will serve him well in life . You would like my living room as it has pale green walls with deep pink curtains and turquoise/green/pink cushions! Faded vintage sounds lovely and I can just imagine it . I can't really do that whole shtick as I live in a new build house which doesn't have the character to pull off shabby chic although I do have touches of Cath Kidston in the kitchen.

Tackling C's night waking?

Head - at F being awake during the night? It couldn't just be due to her being in France? Sleeping in different surroundings? She is so beautiful with that flaxen blonde hair

Bella - DS1 used to wake at 5.30am every day betwen the age of 7 months and one year. Nothing would put him back to sleep so we all had to start our day then and I was done in. He gradually slept longer as he became more active but it was hard going as he went for his morning nap when most babies were getting up for the first time . I've not heard of ella pouches either.. Keen to try B with curry as being a bloke I'm sure he'll love it .

jumping - how has F been this week? Did you DD1 get off to school OK?

We ended up in Out of Hours on Monday night as Ben's rash came back but doc reassured me and said it was probably a reaction to his anti-bs. He was better yeaterday, just needing more cuddles and a resettle during the night but it takes alot to come between him and sleep, he is a star that way..

He has four top teeth now and two bottom so sophie should be getting a good chew on

Better go, at work and always feel a little shameful posting even though it is my lunch...

Best hop on before there are too many posts to catch up on again!

blue Ella's kitchen pouches are all the rage down souf. Basically they are organic purees and mushed up stews n stuff with nothing added. tbh they have probably been boiled so fiercely that any nutrients are in fact negligible but the label 'organic' always sells doesn't it! I am sure it won't be long before they migrate north of the border - hey maybe you should jump in there with Ben's Kitchen first. You'd get rich quick I tell ya!

Sorry to hear that little Ben has been crook but pleased that the sleep just isn't an issue.

I hope he likes his Sophie. I'm sure he will.

So far for us, operation crack le sleep has gone thus:

Sunday night pupd 20 mins - then knocked something over - another 20 mins

Monday night - 7-7 YAY
Tuesday night - a night terror type awakening - quick cuddle and down - a genuine hunger awakening (at not sure o clock) and then a big poo awakening - quite tiring basically. Anyway he has had lots in his tummy today so hopefully will be ok. to be continued
Half my problem with PUPD is the PD. Once i have PU he just feels so scrumptious I just want to keep cuddling [loser][mug]

sunny i made a very runny bright green spinachy saucey thing. Think it will go down well with lots of cheese, which is basically what i have been adding to everything...I probably shouldn't do that should i :)

Shit man - now you are all facebook bezzies. I'm going to have to break my drought. I should actually put some photos up or I will just be a voyeur which would be creepy

I'm such a technophobe. It will take me ages to work out how to get the photos on there from my desktop won't it. it's so tragic

look at you goddesses of interiors. I love a bit of vintage me.

lol at the jam chat. It must be so satisfying to make jams and chutneys from your own fruit, even if they are a little tricky to spread. I would love that. I am feeling guilty because I used to pride myself on cooking yummy suppers for DP pre weaning but now all my thoughts are given over to what G is eating and standards have slipped. nothing has been said but I am sure it has been noted :( I need to step up.

wasabi happy birthday to little Freddie! I think 3 is such an adorable age. His nursery school report nearly made ME sob. that is so lovely. If G were to get a report like that I think I may even throw in some breakdancing moves (I can actually swan dive. For some reason

As for le dreaded AF. How nice not to even think about that for so long. She has not been yet but I have had a massive spot to the left of my chin and below my lip which for me is classic hormone patch and I have had the odd weird twinge so I wouldn't be surprised if it was sooner rather than later. Also for the first time last night I lay in bed wishing I had a little baby squiggling about in my tummy. I suddenly had a real craving for that feeling of having a little buddy there with me all the time. I don't know if it is just hormonal or the fact that G is now 7 and a bit months and therefore obviously about to leave home and get married and basically not need me any more NOOOOOO
but seriously it just seem like the lovely and magical bubble of pregnancy and teensy baby is over and that I am now back in the real world again with no more excuses to be lazy

I am looking forwards to Mad Men too but first I must catch up with Britain's Next Top model shhhhhh don't tell

head are you still en vacances? any sign of Frankie sleeping again? Thank GOD you have been in the lap of luxury. I am sure that must have helped a bit.

jumping are you all right? Really hope you are not buckling under the weight of multiple night wakings and teething pains xxx

Hello lovely ladies - well as you can see I've changed my name. (Somehow I've been inspired by various spy novels and thrillers that I've read in the past few months)

Anyway just having some quiet time chez irish as babbalou is being very commodious today and sleeping more than she has been in the past few days.

We are doing really well - she is a dream baby. Eats, sleeps, barely cries. She was 7lb 2 oz when she was born, on her last weight check on Friday she was up to 7lb9oz. Apparently that is brilliant considering she isn't being FF and the nurse is a bit suspicious that I'm topping up the BFing but I'mnot. It's just that I have supermilk.

DH and I are so in love with her, she is so small and perfect and adorable. I've become so much more relaxed about things now - I used to be a control freak but now that isn't an option. We get lots of sleep though well more than I was expecting - she wakes about twice a night and that's after 3/4 hours of sleep. She's brilliant.

Ok so enough about the new mammy vibes - back to you guys.

Blue I hope the teething isn't too bad - 6 teeth already. I hope Ben is feeling a little better after your out of hours dash the other night. How's he taken to Sophie?
I am really liking the idea of bronze and pink - DH would never let me though I would have to do it by stealth.

Sunny I have a whole series of mad men reoorded to watch but have to wait until DH is around. I too am going to start baby massage - Aoife has a lot of wind so hoping it's going to help with that.

Jumping hope everything is going ok for you and the teething/wake ups aren't taking too much of a toll. Am still amazed at how you ladies with more than one manage.

Bella wow ten sets of mamas and babas - fair play to you. You are dead right to be proud of G bless his little socks. Hope operation crack sleep still going strong? I did at you being broody - I'm amazed at the number of people who have asked me (17 days after the event) when I'm going to have my next one.

Head at rose in the South of France. Pics on FB look fab and Luca's party looked cool too. Hope Frankie settling down and it's not sleep regression but just sleeping in a different place that causes her to be unsettled.

Wasabi very impressed with the jam making - my dsis is hard at it herself with apple sauce, chutney etc. I loved Freddie's report - so sweet. Also very jealous of his birthday party - retro sweets are brill. There's a new shop here in town that has all the old sweets - and they are always busy. Fear not I am the latecomer to the Sophie trend - will have to go and buy me one of them just to make sure I keep up with you all.

Right, better go and make some lunch for me before babbalou wakes up and demands more food Talk to you all soon

Hi ROGUE cool name!
Man I just knew you'd get one of those magic babies!! not at all

All good here though Mr G is teething too. I know this because I gave him calpol and he cheered right up. Has anyone else tried that baby coke stuff? it comes in a little wrap and everything...doesn't seem to do much although i did catch G out of the corner of my eye doing big fish little fish and making boxes

operation crack le sleep has had its ups and downs but seems on an up since he's back in his proper cot and not the uneven awfulness of his travelcot. However I'm definitely not counting any chickens at all, hatched or otherwise...

Doesn't it make you feel so proud when they gain so well off BM alone? I always liked blue's 'mamma's gold top phrase'.
I have nicked it and passed it off as my own actually sorry

The parents are back so it is like being in the Waltons again. Best go n cook some supps for them now.

Adios

oh and sunny AF came back today. gutted.

Oh and I have gone off the name George. Bored of it. woops?!:)

over and out

Hey Rogue and Bella. Rogue - can I add my at your dream baby... Lviely to read you and your DH are bang smack in the middle of your babymoon, long may it continue!

Bella - I had to re-read your line about 'baby coke' I take it you mean Teetha granules . Ben's had them and does try to chew my finger off when I'm rubbing them on his gums.. No raving from him though . How can you be bored with George's name ? Have you given him any middle ones you can mix it up with?

It does sound like you're getting there with his sleeping . Know what you mean about the PD bit of PU/PD. I try to remember cuddle them when they need it not when you need them but its hard when they are so spudgy and soft and warm and made from you .

Sorry to hear AF has returned, harrumph I'm three cycles in and still having mega heavy ones..

Benjy has recovered from his viral/rash/out of hours flit. He was standing up holding on to the chair tonight, his wee chubby feet buckling under his thunder thighs but standing nonetheless. Can't crawl for toffee (too heavy me thinks) but can pull himself up if I hold onto his arms and sing my "benjamin's standing, benjamin's standing look at him, look at him, he's standing nice and tall, he's standing nice and tall, clever boy, clever boy" song (to the tune of "Frerajaca").

He loves Sophie and she is in situ in his pram for out and about chewing.

wasabi, Head , Sunny and Jumping - what is new with you?

HI blue

The PD isn't always just the cuddliness - it's also the fear of hearing a waa Waa WAAAA
yawn.

Pleased to hear that Sophie has been well received. She's a corker.

The baby coke is basically white powder in a little wrap . seriously. not even granules. And it makes the gums go numb Ashtons?? Can't remember the name now...

I'm pleased to hear that Benjy is well again, and standing! Is he doing any funny ministry of silly walks type steps too? nada de nada from G but he does love to stand and bounce.

Thanks for the shoulder punch. :)

Hi to jumping (hope you're ok and waving not drowning) wasabi and head
And Hi again to sunny and Rogue lest you feel left out

I should really read a book shouldn't I...Or get a job...

Actually have been really productive today, honest mum

Hey girls, am grabbing a quick catch up moment while DH does the ironing for once. I kid you not. He is doing a duvet cover as I type. He is a good man.

Thank you for all your birthday greetings for the Fredster. He has a lovely week bouncing incessantly on the trampoline that granny and grandad gave him for his birthday. Not much else to report here really. Had a nice weekend with all the usual house renovation activity (this weekend?s tasks were painting and staining the banister and spindles on the staircase at the front of the house) and general hanging out with the kids. It was nice waking up on Saturday and just chilling out rather than dashing off to do something. The only downer was that C has been a bit poorly and still is. She started to get a bit ratty on Friday afternoon and started to feel really hot. We were at a regular Friday afternoon NCT meet up so we came home early and I gave her some Calprufen. That bought the temp down and she had an early night and slept really well. Then on Sat and Sun she was okish but just a bit moody and sleepier than usual. She?s usually pretty amenable provided she?s well fed and well rested but she was just grumpy. She?s also had quite grim nappies since Friday which, despite my best efforts at giving lots of, erm, binding foods, is not letting up. Then today I noticed a red rash on her tummy so we?re off to the gp tomorrow as soon as I can an appt. Bar chicken pox which barely touched her it?s the first time she?s really been ill :( so I?m rather worried now. I?m sure it?s nothing much but I?d rather be safe than sorry given that it?s hung around for a few days now.

Sunny Lets talk jam! Your DH sounds like he made the same mistakes as me with regards to cooking jam for waaaaay too long. Pectin (the stuff that makes it set) levels vary massively depending on which fruit you are using, and, indeed, the ripeness of said fruit. I now swear by my MIL?s method which is to use jam sugar not preserving sugar (jam sugar has added pectin, preserving sugar doesn?t) and boil for about 3 minutes. Then bottle straight away into a hot, sterile jar. Because it?s a bit of a ?cheaty? way the jam won?t keep for as long but should still manage about 3 months so don?t make monster batches. The ?correct? way is to use preserving sugar and adjust boiling time according to the fruit your doing but really, it?s too hit and miss and I can?t be arsed.

Re your personal question AF visited me the weekend before last but left within 48 hours. Very odd. More of a periodette really. I have started temping again because we want to use it as contraception but my temps are very inconsistent at the moment, not helped by my recent cold and C?s night wakings I?m sure.

Blue So glad to hear that Ben has recovered from his virus and that he is STANDING! Wow, he?s getting dangerously close to being a toddler. How has Isaac settled in at his infant school? Is all going well? By the way, spudgy is splendid word.

Bella How can you be bored with the name George? It is such a fab name and will be lovely as little boy/teenager/grown up etc. I do understand your feelings about that pregnancy and newborn bubble. I have to say I?m not super keen to feel another little peanut wriggling away again as I didn?t find the experience of sharing my body with another human being that much fun a lot of the time. Having said that I do love feeling that I am in a bubble by being (effectively even though I freelance) a SAHM with 2 small children. I love the whole coffee morning, playground, feeding the ducks gig although obviously I have days where I get fed up with how bloody relentless the work can be at times.

Your PU/PD thing seems to be going well. I am so impressed at you having the strength of mind to actually do it. Strength which frankly eludes me at 3am when I just want to go back to bed again. I did laugh when you said you knocked something over after 20 minutes. That is exactly that sort of thing I would do. I will do PU/PD soon, perhaps when C gets over this illness. Maybe. I?m rubbish. I?m crap at putting her down as well. She smells sooooo nice. Well, most of the time anyway. I tried the Ashton & Parsons powders on Fred when he was a baby and it sort of seemed to work sometimes but I have never bothered with C, - mainly because she isn?t teething yet and isn?t as temperamental as he used to be. As Fred didn?t get his first tooth until he was precisely one year old I?m sort of assuming she will follow the same path.

Rogue Loving the name! Glad to see that you are savouring that lovely babymoon and that Aoife is being a lovely angel baby for you. Make sure you check out the retro sweet shop while you are still bfing and need lots of lovely, sugary delicious retro calories It?s a fab feeling when you know that your milk has really done the business for weight gain. You can?t help but feel proud.

Head How goes it? Happy 3rd birthday to Luca! He is such a handsome little fella and Francesca looks so lovely. I am loving the fire engine cake.

Right am off to get a top up before settling down with ?Jamie Oliver tries to save really fat peoplefrom themselves in some middle American backwater? or whatever it?s called.

I'm waving but on edge of drowning.
Will be back on soon I really hope to read properly and catch up and post- not had a moment for well over a week. Work super busy :( & Ffion not sleeping at all well as wants to crawl and pull up all night, definitely well in the 9 month sleep regression, oh joy... But she is super cute with it so that helps! Finding now DS is back at school and DD1 at preschool mornings are really stressful getting us all out and me to work :( Trying to get more organised/efficient but 3 little people to get ready on my own and physio to do for DD1 is just madness. Right, enough moaning. Will post soon I promise and join back in.

Love to you all xxx

Bella: Hope the teething isn't going too
badly for you all chez balloon. My sister used to swear by the teetha granules - she called it baby cocaine too until my nephew went to creche and told them that she was feeding her daughter cocaine.
Have you gotten back to liking George (the name) again?
How long are the parents there for? And sorry to hear that AF came back - hope it wasn't too bad.

Blue - yay at Ben standing and glad to hear he's taken to Sophie too.

Jumping - hope you are getting on ok? Glad to see on FB that the damsons are ready for the gin and jam. I am so in awe of you with 3 getting ready for leaving the house at a set time - I can barely
manage to get out of bed by a set time these days. Moan away - that's what this thread is for.

wasabi - how is Clara now? I hope the doc managed to reassure you and it's nothing too serious. Very
of your domestic godess jam making skills.

Aoife is still a little dote and we're still in love. On Sunday she will be a month
old - I can't believe how quickly it's gone. At this rate I'll be back in work before I know it. . We have been out and about showing her off to various people and
everyone loves her. I am meeting some mums from another Irish website on Thursday just so we have some more (rl)friends with little babies to talk to.

My only complaint at the mo is leakiness - no one told me that I would be constantly changing my clothes. If it's not Aoife spitting up it's me leaking everywhere.
Sure if that's my only complaint I'm blessed. My Dsis is very jealous of my angel baby as well - her DS was a nightmare - had colic for 6 months and didn't sleep very well.

Anyway better go and get some washing done - I'll have no clothes left at this rate.

Hello to all the rest of you lovely ladies - hope you are all keeping well. Talk soon

Hey All - I have the lurgy full of cold and throat full of razor blades... Contemplating taking tomorrow off work as boys are at grannies on a Wed...

All fine here apart from above! Bought Benj his new winter hat today, pale blue with enormous pom pom on top, almost as big as his head but sooo cute . He is so adorable just now, and he is absolutely calling out for me - "Mumma" . when I'm playing with him and go out the room he calls "Mumma" ..

Our dining room/snug is finished! painters left on friday, corner sofa in, dining table and chairs in situ, pictures up on walls. Only blinds, curtains, small side unit and teeny tv to go now but $$$ so some of that will have to wait - hurrumph.

rogue - so lovely to read about your new family . Hey someone has to have an angel baby and you were chosen so savour it . I can relate to the leaking, always leaked, always had to wear breast pads, used to spurt out in shower and yet I struggled to express more than 3oz - Hope your RL meet up goes well. One of the great things about having children is it opens you up to a whole new set of friends which is so lovely after years of having the same school/Uni/work ones . Cherish it all!

wasabi - how is Clara this week? Did you go to Docs? What have you bene up to house wise this week? BTW I have the same cook book (Neris and India) it was serialised in the Sunday Times Jan 2008 when I was trying to shift the last half stone of DS1 weight! Loved their Aubergine and feta cheese bake .

Bella - what's new with you this week? How many teeth does G have now? I've put a new photo of Ben up on my profile as he has 6 teeth!

Head - see you're back from France mon amie, come bakc and update us on all things Frankie

Sunny - you've disappeared again too!

Last but by no means least, Jumping Really hope Ffion is sleeping better. I have so much respect and feel in awe of you for getting four peope out in the morning, having been up half the night. You are made of strong stuff but please be kind to yourself too.

Hello all
Sorry to disappear! Just looked for my last post and it was 7th Sept! What have I been doing in the interim? Since DD started school on 16th life has all been a bit of a blur. She is only going mornings until January, so no sooner have I dropped her off than I'm picking her up again, and since we don't have a car that's a lorra, lorra walking. I'm still not used to the school run (or school walk-very-fast, in my case). Have posted a pic of DD's first day on FB if anyone is innerested. I don't seem to have as much time to bond / hang out with / play with Tubba as I'd have liked - does / did anyone else lament this with their second / third babies? Hey ho.
Rogue, love the name change and love that Aoife is a dream baby. You sound so happpy and I'm so made up for you and Mr Irish - I mean, Mr Rogue.
Blue, sorry to hear you have the lurgy - first cold of the winter sucks, doesn't it. I just had it too - still have, though past the "can't get out of bed it hurts" phase. Get well soon
Bella, George is a lovely name and I'm sure it will re-grow on you again. It'll have to . If it's any consolation, I got bored of a marginally less momentous thing - my engagement ring - about a month after I had it on my finger. Can never tell DH, though. Kids' names and engagement rings are two things in life it's pretty hard to change, eh-no (as they say in Scotland) That said, a friend of mine did change her DD's name from Sophie to Francesca after about five months. Legally, you can change the name on the birth certificate for up to a year. I think - I may be wrong.
Oh dear, my window of opportunity has ended as a screaming Tubba has just entered the building after a late perambulation round the block with DH. Sorry no more personals, gotta go, hope everyone else is well xx

Hello everyone - hope you are all ok.

Blue hope you are feeling better - doesn't sound nice at all you poor love. HOw cute that Ben is aying Mumma fo ryou - it must be so sweet. [heart melt] Sounds like your house is coming along nicely - it must be lovely to have the dining room finished.

Sunny that pic is gorgeous your DD1 is too cute. Hope the school run is getting easier for you

Well had my RL meet up - it was great fun - loads of new mammies there and we all had a good chat. There was a mum to be there as well and she was absolutely in awe of Aoife (Aoife is the smallest baby there at the mo) so when I asked her if she wanted to hold her she was made up. Was over in one of the mums houses then on Friday for an hour after that - so i's all looking o rosy onthe social front.

Angel baby is still here - but she has colic. We spent three nights walking the floors with her and then tried Infacol- it's like a wonder drug for her so we've gone back to normal leeping and eating and she is really good. DH was really worried about me because by the third night I was nearly crying with tiredness but then when the infacol worked I was delirious with happiness.

Feeding every three hours now. It was so weird yesterday - my breast was really full and getting quite hard and then Aoife had her feed - it was the first time I actually realised that she had emptied the boob completely in one sitting. and in about ten minutes as well which was good.

I have a man coming ot my house soon to quote me for sanding and varnishing my hall and sitting room floors. Cannot wait to get them done, then painting, carpeting the stairs and the hall will finally lose it's "looks like a dingy stairwell in a student house" feel.

Right dogs are going mental - better go check out what's bothering them so much. Also have to organise a christening for the middle of November.

Hope everyone is doing well and you'll all come back soon.

gah! I keep trying to post but F is being terrible at the moment, waking hourly during the night,ewaaly struggling with sleep. I've resorted to typing in the dark tonight while I hold her AGAIN! Anyway, I haven't abandoned you, I will be back when I can finally persuade Francesca to sleep. I'm back in work in 4 weeks so I'll be able to post loads more then hahahahaha!

Gosh it?s been quiet in here. Clearly the Peanut family are not the only ones having a somewhat challenging time of late. Yep, to reuse a Bella comment it?s been like the san around our way. The temperature I posted about the last time I posted was roseola (3 day fever followed by a rash) which we gave to EVERYONE that had been to Fred?s birthday party. How bad did I feel? This has been swiftly followed up with streaming colds, coughs and, to top it all off, a hideous vomiting bug. Cracking. Fred actually puked all over me on Sunday night after I foolishly refused DH?s offer to carry him upstairs because he was being all poorly and pathetic. That?ll learn me.

I came down with it on Tuesday but still had to look after the children as it is end of quarter (kind of a big deal in sales) so DH couldn?t just work from home. Tuesday was a very, very long day.

Anyway, DH hit his number so we?re all happy and Mummy gets to go shopping ? yay!

Other news from me ? I have started to wean Clara from the boob. A couple of weeks ago all of a sudden I just felt like I?d had enough. It wasn?t gradual at all, I just woke up one morning and decided I wanted my body back. I feel a bit bad about it because I don?t feel guilty about it either which I almost feel I should do. Jeez, only a mother could feel guilty about not feeling guilty. Anyway she has a bottle mid morning and mid afternoon which sometimes she drains and other times really can?t be bothered. I still breast feed first thing and last thing which is nice. I am just happy to be wearing decent bras again. I only had about 4 or 5 bfing bras and they?d been washed so much that I?m sure the elastic was starting to go. It was only the 2 foot wide straps that gave me any support I?m sure.

I?ve also started to get a bit tougher at nights. Yes, even I have my limits and we sort of reached when one night about two weeks ago she was up about 3 times and I just thought ?right, that?s it.? Actually it?s been ok. She still needs a cuddle sometimes (DH mainly attends to this as I?ve been exclusively on duty for the last few months) but basically she adapted to the new arrangement without too much fuss. I did feed her last night as she didn?t have any tea (well she did she just chundered it all up again) but illness aside ? no night feeds. We?ll see what happens. She?s a funny one. She doesn?t cry properly but she just sort of fusses occasionally. It still wakes me up but she settles herself. I?m still not getting unbroken sleep but it?s an improvement. It would be easier if her room was closer because if it was we could just do what we did with DS when he was little which was switch off the monitor when we went to bed as he was just next door and we heard him cry but not every little snuffle. That?s not really an option in this house as it?s long rather than square and her room is too far away ? we just don?t hear without the monitor on.

Blimey, as I type I am watching Nigella make a choc peanut butter cheesecake in her black silk jim jams. Christ there must be about 3000 calories per serving.

Sorry I?m digressing ? personals!

Blue Am so at Ben starting to call you Mumma! That?s sooooooo cute. I am training Clara buy saying mamamamamamaa at every opportunity but she just isn?t taking the hint yet. I?m sure he looks utterly adorable in his new hat. I love your new photo of him, such a handsome little fella. Good to hear your snug is finished. You are obviously a good project manager as it seemed to take you around 3 weeks as opposed to, um, a year. House wise our next big project is the family bathroom. We are lucky enough to have a really big bathroom but it is really outdated and needs some serious work. DH has had a rush of blood to the head and reckons we can do a lot ourself and even paying for tiling, plumbing etc. will be a lot cheaper than going somewhere and having them do the lot. He has a point. I?ve got a basic design down now so just need to look at floors, tiles etc. The actual suite is alright ? it?s just everything else that looks cack. Mind you I also want to paint the spare room as well so need to crack on with that really. Then its the playroom. On and then our bedroom & ensuite. Funny how that comes last.

Glad you liked the Neris & India book too ? must try the feta & aubergine bake.

Rogue So happy to read that you are just so in love with little Aoife. I sympathise big time on the leakiness. Like Blue I also leaked constantly and Clara (more so than Freddie actually) was a nightmare for spitting up. I actually started a thread on it as I was worried there was something wrong as she seemed to regurgitate so much but no, all entirely within the range if normal. A laundry issue not a baby issue. I did get a bit fed up with having a permanently we shoulder I have to say. Hope the colic stays under control. It?s very difficult when nothing you do can pacify them. I remember with Freddie that at times he just wouldn?t be comforted ? wouldn?t take a feed just screamed and screamed. Clara was relatively easy to pacify.

Hope the quote for the sanding is reasonable. I don?t know if you?ve done this sort of work before but it isn?t difficult to do (although it is quite physical work) and you can hire sanders reasonably cheaply ? DH and I did it in our last house (and indeed my little flat beforehand). You may want to compare costs. Having said that I understand that time may be an issue at the moment! Beware ? it?s unbelievably noisy. You will want to leave the house when work is taking place.

Good to hear you are making new Mummy friends ? you can never have too many.

Jumping Hope you are managing to keep your head above water. How is the morning routine bedding in? I hope F?s sleep has settled a bit and that the 9 month regression is over. Looking forward to that one. How is your new kitten settling in? 

Sunny I saw your FB pic of your DD1 starting school. So sweet! Like you I also lament the lack of time we have with our second baby. I remember sitting Freddie down on my knee and ?reading? at various times of day. Poor Clara doesn?t get much of that. I started taking her to Monkey Music this term because I felt we should so something together one to one, and at the time of the class Fred is at nursery so it was about our only chance! She really loves it ? squeals and claps and waves her fat little hands in delight.

Head Oh poor you I hope F starts to sleep for you again soon and that you get to post more!

Bella Helloooooo?

Right, I am going to catch up on some of my favourite telly as DH is on his end of quarter booze up.

Laters lovelies xx

wasabi - I do like to log on to a post chezpeanut and LOL at your two foot wide feeding bra straps comment.

Sorry you've all had the lurgy, that's the same bug that Benj had (Roseola). Isn't it mad how these things literally sweep the nation! Glad your DH made his quarter. I can imagine sales is a hard sector at the moment, God help us all after this spending review on 20th October....

So you're winding down the boob. I was like you but much sooner. Just had had enough, made worse that Ben would just not take a bottle and I just felt utterly knackered and resentful in the end. Like his brother before him, I was just so much happier in myself and with them the day I stopped bf. What that says about me I'm not sure but its like the bf months were my 'work months' and once I stopped I was able to earn my 'play' time? God I'm so Prestbeterian.

Glad your nights are getting easier too .

Sunny - loved your photo of your DD1. We do school diffeently up here in Scotland. They start at 5 and the intake goes from 1 March to 28th Feb so the oldest you are is 5.5 and the youngest 4.6 so everyone wants a March-August baby! Isaac is June so will be one of the oldest but Ben is Dec so I have the option to defer. Age 3-4 is ante-pre school and 4-5 pre-school which is what Isaac is at. England seems to start a year earlier? I always remember watching Grange Hill and they started High School at 11 whereas we are 12 up here.

Rogue - so lovely to hear you are making Mum chums and filling your days. How's the Infacol? I had mixed sucess with it and the granules.. TBH I just think colicky symptoms and fretting/wind is due to their digestive systems maturing as so many of the symptoms disappear after @ 14-16 weeks..

Head - looking forward to more posts when you get back to work! Am I right in thinking there is going to be strike action at BBC? How's the sleep going?

Jumping - how are things? Loved your new fringe. I'm seriously thinking of getting mine cut in again as we have a wedding in a few weeks and I just have an overgrown nothing hairdon't at the mo'.. Had a fringe 2008 but it was my mc year so grew it out. Really liked it too...

Bella - where are you???

All good here, I just LOVE the 9-12 month stage. Ben is simply adorable with his soft spiky hair and chubbiness. He continues to sleep like a log and you can set your clock to him nap wise during the day - a Gina baby if you like (arrgh, the smug police are after me!). I watched him and his big brother playing together yesterday and I though my heart was going to burst out my chest . I am savouring every day as he will be a toddler before I know it..

a Bientot xx

Sorry all for having gone awol too... Like Head Ffion just is not sleeping well at all, I really feel your pain... teething, colds, crawling/pulling up/standing etc.- you name it we have the excuse for the poor sleeping, but I do believe deep down she is just not naturally a great sleeper, and no doubt I've compounded that by cosleeping/offering boob at night to settle her more quickly... arghh. anyhow am going to tackle sleep in a few weeks when work calms down as it's been manic and I've been having to work in eves too...

Anyhoo wanted to send my love to you all- I am reading though still being rubbish at personals sorry. Wasabi I am in a similar boat with the b'feeding, though now barely doing one proper feed per 24hours. I am in dire need of a well fitted bra too- haven't been fitted for a while and they ain't the shape or size they once were!! So sorry you've all been poorly, I hate this time of year for the endless viruses in their miriad forms- especially when you get one and have to try to hold it together while looking after the kids.

sunny also loved your photo of your DD starting school. Don't they just grow up so fast. Good on you walking the school run too! I'd love to walk to places more but where we live it's just that bit too far and the roads are not great for walking beside so it's car driving all the way... Joys of country living- not so eco friendly!

blue glad you are back in full health. Isn't the 9-12 months stage fabulous, their little personalities really start to shine through and they make such huge advancements as well at this age. Ben is soooo scrumptious! Glad one of ours is a good sleeper too! :)

Bella how are things with you? Hope the name George has grown back on you?! I love it, I think it's a super little boys name as well as working perfectly for an adult.

rogue so so glad Aoife is being an angel baby for you :) Though sorry to read the colic is rearing it's ugly head- but it's great that infacol is helping. I found it a bit hit and miss with our DCs- but anything that eases colic even just a bit is well worth it IMO! I ended up resorting to using cranial sacral therapy with DS...which worked wonders though I don't know how it worked!

Well not much more news here, DH is making headway with our kitchen rennovation, though really he's turning it into a utility room which is what we want eventually when we have the money for an extension to build a new bigger better kitchen! hmmm...so lots of white goods and not much cupboard space anymore! But I now have a dishwasher!! yippeeeee!! Ffion is a delight at the moment, very mischievous and getting into everything, but quite hard work too as doens't particularly like being restricted in any way, e.g. car seat, high chair etc etc. She's started to stand solo and cruising a little- so already getting a tonne more bumps and bruises- not good for my nerves! Sleep is eluding us but I'm giving her until one year old and then going to probably have to try controlled crying- the gentler methods just don't seem to work with her as if I stay in the room at all she just wants to play or snuggle on me, and if I put her in the cot she screeches awfully :( It's going to be tough but I know we can't cosleep half our nighttimes every day for another year or more, as I'm just not getting enough rest and finding the daytime demands tough. Also I have to go to sea for work only for 48 hours but need to make sure she'll settle without me at night- so far if I ever have to leave at bedtime and she isn't sound asleep she refuses to settle for DH... I know this is a tricky phase and I do think we're still mid 9 month sleep regression antics but I need to start the process of her becoming less dependent on me at night. It's doubly hard though as her crying etc. wakes the others and so I think the only solution might be for them to stay with their Nana one weekend when I start the sleep training...

Right, it's late and I've been online far too long, and am getting less and less articulate or coherent- apologies all... But nice to have a moment finally! Hope everyone is ok and will try to post more often soon! xx

Lovely ladies!

Sorry for radio silence. Have done a speed read and seems like Chez Balloon is most similar to chez Peanut at the moment. Sleep got better then worse then better then worse. I too have really had it with the boob and was all but down to the early morning shift when little G

(Yes I do like the name again but still not convinced its very him...but whatevs...more important concerns etc)

came down with a lurgy thanks to my goddaughter who was snotting all over him. Anyway I think he is teething too and has had only boob today. Quite frustrating but we'll gear it up again. It just soothes him so well that I can't refuse it and deal with the tears when he is already under the weather. little man :( God but the green snot is pretty disgusting isn't it!

rogue hope that Aoife's (love that name) tummy is better. G used to suffer with it in the middle of the night and I remember getting clumsy with the gripe water after I had given up with infacol and the room stinking of dill for a while. I think infacol was good for his burps but he was fine with those, it was his tummy that got sore, hence the wind that shook the moses basket :)

G is really starting to be quite funny but I am a bit frustrated with the teething and colds throwing things out. Just as we start to get into a routine it goes out the window again, Having said that naps are good and he still settles easily.

His eating has gone really bad though but hopefully that's the gums too because he will have cold sweet potato, very liquid porridge (slurped out of a mug) and fruit...basically nearly entirely BLW now which was unintentional. He will eat from a spoon but only if he is grabbing onto it hard himself, and only if it contains baby crack pear stuff

He is standing and doing funny little steps (holding on obvs) and nearly crawling but not quite. I feel a bit like I am his corner man, constantly rooting (sp) for him. CMON, you CAN do it...

jumping I am bloody over the moon that you have got a dishwasher. Enjoy! It's good that you have a plan to tackle the sleep thing. I can see why people never talk about starting it at this age. Having said that I am going to give it another go anyway once this cold has passed. I hope he doesn't resist the pre 7am boob ban toooooo vocally. I am so over it though now.

Confession time. Me and DP had unprotected nooky. Haven't told anyone in rl but I am feeling a bit . Can't can't can't be preg right now but don't want to take the morning after pill when bf'ing. What a fool i am. I'm sure it's fine. I can't believe that this soon after being obsessed with getting knocked up I am already desperately hoping I'm not! Such a donut. Gulp.

blue what a scrumptious pic! and lucky you with the cracked sleep. You are the only person I know who hasn't suffered with broken nights at this stage. This little man clearly really really likes his sleep! I hope your snug type room is feeling snuggly.

I am so pleased for all the comments and advice you all give because otherwise I think I would have had major confidence wobbles with this whole baby malarkey. Fortunately I am managing to keep my cool. The no eating thing is the trickiest though. I just have to keep offering don't I. It is better in between the suffering it's easy to forget that though.

Right I am cream crackered so will sign off for tonight but will finish off asap. Not tomorrow night as off out. Hooray

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

normal apologies for lack of punctuation etc
Get scared that one day the mumsnet police will come and get me for my inelegant turn of phrase...

Just popping on quickly to say Bella don't worry toooo much about the unprotected sex. The chances really are minimal- have your periods returned yet? I bet you feel torn about going for a morning after pill option, I'm not sure if taking it would be that bad while b'feeding- I know it's not recommended but surely so long as you don't start taking it frequently it might be ok? Other option is of course to get an IUD fitted within 5 days of the deed...but that's not the most pleasant option either!

Also don't you dare feel at all bad about G's eating antics- you are doing GREAT! Ffion has been through so many fussy phases already with eating, sometimes completely refusing pureed food, othertimes loving it and not wanting to try any finger foods- and similarly what food she hates one day she'll love the next. No rhyme or reason. Though definitely altogether made worse by teething and colds- which are now both constant here. I remember getting super stressed by similar episodes with DS, but have learnt to let go now with F, you can't (and shouldn't) force them to like anything or any particular method of being fed- you just have to chill and go with the flow, hard as that can be (especially for a control freak like me ). A couple of weeks ago I was beginning to really worry about the lack of solids that Ffion seemed to want- then she got hold of DS's popcorn and to my shock munched a tonne of it (even without any teeth)- and didn't so much as gag once! Have also discovered that she loves being fed by hand- i.e. picking up little pieces of avocado, or boiled egg, and feeding her by my fingers- and she'll manage a whole avocado/egg/houmous sarnie! Try mashing it onto a spoon and no such luck, or leaving her to it and she'll only nibble a fraction...

Oops tears upstairs gotta run. Have faith, you're doing just fine :) Try hard not to fall into that oh-so-open-chasm of maternal guilt!! (repeats to self) :)
Nighty night all xxxx