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

Evening ,

Finally caught up reading this morning then had to go so have re-read as my goldfish brain cannot retain information for more than 5 minutes

Firstly Head - so sorry to hear you've been poorly too, its the pits isn't it? Bet you didn't feel as sorry arsed as I did. I just wanted my Mum to scoop me up and take me back to hers and tuck me under my old hollie hobbie duvet . God I am so the youngest child, its .

Bella like jumping - I found my own route to get Isaac to sleep and there were a few rods made and broken along the way. Isaac was a cripplingly early riser (5.30am) for months when he was a baby but did sleep well during the night having been shush patted and sang to sleep by me. Doing the same with Ben. To try and give an overarching view to reassure, as long as G is content during his 'awake' spells during the day he is getting plenty day time rest and as long as he is giving you at least a 3 hour stretch during the night then he is AOK.

Jumping - feeling for you being back at work. I've only 5 weeks left . Ffion sounded unfazed by her first big girl day out but now how it can tear you up inside.. Had a wee at her having her haircut and of course you kept it .

Agree with this stage and how edible they are . Ben has found his feet and lies on his back holding them with his hands in some sort of Ashtanga yoga position .

wasabi - still to watch last half of last LOST. Like you I cheated in that I watched firt two series, thought - naah - so DH watched it on his own. Joined him in the 5 series recap that precluded the final series and decided to watch it. I'm so behind with my sky + Glee/Ashes to Ashes/Grey's/Wham! special from TOTP2 as I've been going straight to bed.

Bella - 90210? I used to watch Katie and Peter the next chapter a couple of years ago and this from the girl who's favourite programme of all time was the superlative 'West Wing'.

Irish - been buying and baby things yet? It starts as a trickle then before you know it your house looks like Mothercare

Sunny - how is sunnygirl? How's the feeding going?

WEll its has been one hell of a week in the blue household. There have been tears, and tantrums and tears and pain and well long story short - Ben has been weaned off me and onto a bottle. I was so distressed over the weekend and feeding him when I was so ill I just had had enough. It was always my plan to have him on bottle for me going back to work but events have speeded it up. It was a battle of wills and he gave in at 5pm on Tuesday and scoffed 7oz from the old trusty tommee tippee bottle. I just feel relieved TBH, the whole lack of sleep of these past few weeks have just gotten to me and I was begining to lose it a bit.

Anyway, he is loving the bottles, literally grabs hold of them when we sit down together. during the night is tricky as he is so used to boob but has only been up once every night since tues so although it takes longer to feed and resettle I'm only having to do it once. I went to bed at 9pm last night and wasn't 'needed' until he fed at 2am which took him to 7am.. The first time since he was born that I have had 5 hurs sleep.

I have by b'day night out on Sat. with girls and see it as the start of a new era, one where I can maybe rediscover who I am a bit (I used to be a hoot - no honesetly laugh a bleeding minute me ). I've just been so flat and grey these past few weeks...

I'm rambling now but my mantra remains happy mummy = happy baby

Phew! need to lie down now and replenish my fluids

oh and boobs are v. v sore but think I'm over the worst. Need to wear my 'don't hug me' sign on Sat. night

Oh blue I am soooo pleased to hear things are on the up again in the sash household and amazingly brilliant that the bottle has made such a quick change to your nights. It must have been a very tough week on you all but at least you are now out the other side. You will feel like your old self again before you know it. Did you have fun with the girls last night? Did you feel very tipsy after one drink cos of all the excitement?! Do bottles feel like a big faff after the ease of bf? or is it just a relief to know exactly what he's having and when?

Funnily enough as I was just putting G to bed this evening for the first time I thought that I might be ready to start stopping soon too. Although I have had few issues with it, bf'ing is quite intense and all consuming and I just wonder if I might start being more with it again when I stop. I do feel very much in my own little world with all this oxytocin flooding my system the whole time. I loved it for a while but kind of need to get my arse in gear a bit. Having said that I know it will be very tough so will try to do it very gradually and see how that goes. DP is very gently offering him a bottle when he's around so that he can maybe learn for when I want him to take it that it is for sucking not for giggling.

My week has mainly consisted of my eternal quest to find the magic formula to good nights. I am coming close to sussing out the right times for things and when I get it right G sleeps well but it is tricky not to cock up a nap or rush the bedtime boob. I'll bloody get there though. By hook or by crook. probably just in time for him to get a huge cold that will take us back to square one! I know sleeping through the night isn't the most important thing in the world but if he goes down without a whimper til 4:30am then it does make me feel better . also, i am a stubborn old cow

I went out with the girls last night and had a cosmopolitan AND a thimble of a wine. I barely slept last night. Forgot that booze can have that affect. twas lots of fun though and i am so pleased i went seeing as i nearly bottled it. it was a proper 15 minutes away and everything!

Oh and blue we know that you're a right laff, silly. But lets face it, baby plus toddler plus multiple night wakings plus tummy bug - well - that's just norra lorra laffs is it?.

head are you through the worst of your illness? I really hope so. Are you shattered? Is everything ok? what news from your neck of the woods?

jumping i just saw that we crossed posts last time. HOW sweet that FFion has had a haircut! G's hair is exactly like his daddy's at the moment which makes me smile cos it looks like it's been styled that way.

Thanks to everyone for the views on the whole self settling thing. I have veered between being in the 'just go with the flow camp' and the 'it will come back to bite me camp' and change my mind on how soft to be everyday. Since he howls if we try it at nap time I think I will take that a lot slower and continue with lots of cuddling. Can't have my little man getting so upset! Bed time seems easier since he is so full on boob and just sort of knows I suppose...

I do feel for you jumping with dropping off F. Of course she will be fine but oh my goodness what a wrench. I am not sure how i will cope when our time comes. I just want to be with him all the time. Oh well. Tough unless i win the lottery very soon!

Right. off to bed now. Very tired from my one night out.

Hope you are all well xx

ps: wasabi and head when are you back to work and will it be part time?

head i just read on another thread that you hold Frankie's hand all night.

That is just too sweet. sigh. why do they have to grow up...(i know there is much fun to come but I am particularly in love with G at the moment and want to just freeze him at this age for a little bit - before he gets too wriggly)

I am a little bit of the cosy co sleeping. mind you g is in my bed every day from about 5.30 - but i just wouldn't sleep properly if he was in my bed from any earlier than that. sigh.

It is rather nice!

I'm just off to bed now, am feeling shattered but will be back tomorrow to chat further.

xx

Hello ladies,
Just a quick one from me on my lunch - have uploaded pics from my scan on Saturday to my profile -

Blue I'm afraid flavour is pink so all my feelings about her being a boy are completely misleading.

Hope evryoen is well and I'll write more later on.

oooh Irish - a pink one for you - lovely . Your pics are fantastic, especially the third one, you can see her wee face very clearly

Off to bed as still puggled. Not helped by B waking at 4am and not going back down . We are commencing pick up/put down tonight... He is only needing one during the night feed @ 1am but is waking at 4am and not settling. I'm worried it might be his tummy getting used to formula but he is definately not hungry then... Its always something isn't it? .

He is loving his bottles though, his wee legs go all kicky when he sees it and he is scoffing 9oz every 4 hours. Me thinks my boy is gearing up for some real food - only 3 weeks to go!

Bella - not finding bottles too faffy and it is lovely to see him enjoying them so. My boobs are still rock hard and sore and feel a bit weepy about all my 'wasted' milk still in there but someone said to me today, if I fed him until he was 5 there would still be 'wasted' milk..

Don't know if its just coincidence or me feeling relieved or what but he has comeon leaps and bounds developmentally this last week - is rolling all over the living room and saying 'mama' which I know is not him saying 'mummy' but its v. clear - no it is!!

We started playgroup babies today (it used to clash with my breast feeding support group so couldn't go..) and one of the mu's thought Ben was 8 months old!! Its the rolls of fat..

Right enough ramblings, sorry for lack of personas just pooped.

Catch up later x

Oh Blue, you sound so much happier and more chilled- well done you . It's such a tough decision but you are so right- a happy mummy = happy baby. You certainly gave b'feeding a good long hard go, and managed to successfully keep at it for ages when so many would have given up. I really know what you mean about trying to claw back a little bit of "you" from the blurriness of newborn/young baby feeding sleep deprived madness. I sometimes don't recognise myself anymore- personality wise or physcially!! Just hoping in a few years I'll get back to the things I used to love and made me "me", while still of course running the show at home

Irish - LOVE your scan pics! Wow! She looks so newborn like already! And another wee girl for our clan! Ben & George will have their pick How are you feeling? How much longer have you got until mat leave?

DH is dragging me off to bed, oh I wish Actually he's sending me to bed in the hope I'll glean a couple more hours sleep before F wakes, haven't been getting to bed until v v late recently and beginning to feel like I'm falling apart at the seams so need to get more...no way I can keep up with the DCs at existing on so little... so also beginning to wonder if it's time to start moving F onto the bottle properly...
Saying that like Head I hold F's hand most of the night, and just love co-sleeping at the moment, but also know we can't carry on like this forever!

Night all, hope wasabi, bella, sunny- well everyone & babes are well xxxxx

Hi guys, sorry I?ve been awol for the last few days. It?s all been a bit hectic here with visits for my Granny?s 91st birthday, in laws visits and a wedding. We?ve now got the house back and I have a few minutes to catch up (providing C stays asleep that is).

I?m completely knackered as C decided last night that she was going to refuse her bottle of expressed milk from DH. We reasoned that she wasn?t hungry and DH tried to settle her without milk. Worked for a couple of hours then up again at 3ish. Poor DH got up 5 times between about 11 and 3 and whilst I didn?t get up I was still awake. We threw in the towel at about 3.30am and I fed her for about 10 minutes and she slept until 7ish. Typically DS was up at 6.

DH and I had one of those hissed rows that you have at 3 o?clock in the morning when your children are driving you to insanity. I was in tears because all I could see was another 3 months of sleepless nights ahead if C continues to refuse bottles. I am still a bit down about it. Don?t know what to do tbh ? do we keep offering her a bottle or just not bother? I was thinking about giving formula at night to try and expedite a decent night?s sleep but it?s almost as if C knows what I am thinking and is distinctly unimpressed. ?Don?t even think about it Mummy. ? I have quite a bit of work on at the moment as well which is proving challenging. I can?t concentrate on anything for more than a few minutes. Not great when I have to write and have sensible corporate conversations with clients.

Blue I?m so happy for you that you and B have found a way to keep him fed and happy that doesn?t involve you being so exhausted and, well, blue. You sound so much more chipper than you have done of late. I think I am now entering the place that you?ve been for a few weeks. Any words of advice? How is the PUPD going? I hope it?s working and that B isn?t making you feel too guilty! The early morning wakings are hellish. DS went through a long phase of that and it used to kill me. In those days I could just sleep when he went back to bed but, as is the case with you also I would have thought, this is no longer an option. I hope your norks are returning to normal and aren?t too painful!

Irish Wow another pink one! So are you still going for Aoife? Your scan pics are so sweet. I always go mushy when I see scan pics and see a tiny little bundle so safe and peaceful.

Jumping I?m happy for you that handing over your DC?s to the childminder for a bit wasn?t perhaps as traumatic as it could have been. I feel for you though it still must have been difficult for you. I smiled when you mentioned F?s first haircut. Bless her little heart. Of course you kept the hair. . I still have the little curl that came from almost the nape of DS?s neck when he was about 10 months. I really have to get his hair cut again actually ? he looks like Boris Johnson at the moment. I tried doing it myself once ? disaster. Poor F was sporting the worst pudding bowl cut ever.

Bella How?s the sleep routine going? Your night out with the girls sounds great. A Cosmoplitan ? mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. I could manage that quite nicely. God I wish I could go out and get pie eyed. I just want to escape for a little while. But then I pick up my little girl and nuzzle her lovely soft little cheeks and I realise that I am the clingy one. In answer to your question I?m not going back to work as such as I?m freelance ? I haven?t actually officially stopped working! I am claiming maternity allowance but you can still do up to 10 ?keeping in touch? days so I have been doing the odd bit of work on this basis. That stops at the end of August. I pay myself a monthly salary from my company account and as this hasn?t been touched for ages there is enough for me to go another few months but I will need to start doing more work soon. It?s difficult though as I just don?t have the time to pro actively go and get work in the way I used to when I just had DS. I suspect I will continue doing what I am doing now and just working at evenings and weekends as much as I can. The only other way is to put C into nursery with DS and I just don't want to do that at this stage.

Head How are you getting on? It?s so sweet that you hold F?s hand all night. I wish I could co sleep with confidence but I just can?t sleep when C is in with us. I hope you are getting more sleep than I am at the moment!

Right, I?m off to tackle my ironing pile for a bit until I get DS from nursery. The fun never stops........x

oh wasabi I feel your pain and have so been there re: hissed arguments at 3am!

I would persevere with bottle as it will be harder nae impossible to reintroduce in a few weeks/months time - I have the scars to prove it!! Ben took EBM from @ week 3 but we got out the way of giving him it - too faffy, never expressed enough that he wasn't passed to me for top up anyway..

Fast forward to 4 months + and he quite simply refused any bottle - TT, Avent, Breastflow, Nuk... It was only when starvation was the alternative that he caved... Little Clara is getting more alert and intune with what she wants (Mum's boob) so bottle strike is the way to get that 24/7 .

I wanted to still feed B first/last thing but just knew if I offered boob again after he took bottle I would have to go through it all again and TBH I'd just had enough.

Some people recommend formula from a bottle as babies seem more willing to take that than breast milk . And if you do it at night feed then it may (fingers crossed) give you all more sleep.

We're 10 days in on the bottle feeding and Ben is thriving. He has self settled every night since I last posted and was waking @ midnight for a feed. He stirs at @ 4am/5am but has been putting himself back to sleep which is nothing short of miraculous. And last night he slept from 7pm to 6am!! He woke twice and I was busy ouring powder into preheated bottle and he fell asleep again... We can't quite believe it but he is downing 4 x 8oz bottles between 7am and 7pm...

My boobs are finally going soft which I'm a bit 'end of an era' about but just give myelf a wee shake and remind myself that BF is only one aspect of being a good Mummy and Ben has certainly had a much happier Mummy these past 10 days. He is just getting so full of beans, quite unlike his brother who was always v. laidback. Think Ben will be the son I have to hide the ornaments from .

Anyway, enough rambling. wasabi you have to do what feels right for family harmony and cerist we all need sleep its just impossible to function without it

Taling of which jumping - have you been getting anymore rest? Glad your DH has packed you off to bed as you have to look after yourself..

Head - hope you're feeling better now? Have such a lovely image of you and little F curled up together... I did that with Ben for first 12 weeks and really felt it helped him make sense of this scary world. He was of course then packed off to his own room after then but seems fine with it so far...

Bella - where are you?? How's things this week? Great to hear you got out for a sneaky cosmo...

Sunny - how are you doing too? In those early 'trenchwarefare' weeks!

Irish - still at your beautiful scan photo...

Its Isaac's 4th b'day on Sunday (my PFB!!) so I'm off to locate a Buzz Lighyear cake today . He is getting so grown up and I got my first shrug ('whatever!') off him the other day . Next he'll be asking me to walk 10 paces behind him .

hi everyone! Time is flying at the moment isn't it?! hadn't even realised I'd been awol as i have been reading the posts.

I am busy trying to pack up the house around playing with looking after G and so haven't quite found the time. Also I have been waiting for a pattern to emerge to write about but there ain't one! However since G has been mainly self settling for bedtime (don't really push it for naps for now as he isn't really feeling it so I decided to let him be) i am feeling much more bright eyed and bushy tailed. He can go til 3 or 4:30 (once) without a feed but equally will throw in a 10 or 11 'i just want a quick cuddle' wake up too and then feed at 1 and 4. Equally he can wake at 12 or 1 or 2 and go to 6...i am no closer to solving the complex algorithm but no longer care. Actually the only vaguely regular thing in the night is that he will tend to wake up at 4:30 or 5:30. He sometimes goes back to sleep if it's the earlier one but otherwise I just slap him on the boob and we both snooze like that for another couple of hours. I find that a very cosy time of day, but fear it might be a hard one to break for both of us. Having said, that everything is just a phase, right?!!!
He is down to 4 feeds a day all of which I conduct somewhere quiet so I am actually really enjoying as it is a nice chilled time and so i'm feeling a bit about stopping again. I do want to get him used to the bottle though as I can't really go anywhere or do anything like this, especially when it's hot and he might get thirstier earlier and I might have to feed on the tube... (fortunately there were only 3 other passengers in the carriage and they were all female!!!)
The other thing is that he only poos once a week and I fear that will all change once he's on the hard stuff!

My lovely PF and probably only B is being totally divine these days. This definitely is the funnest age so far. He is content to sit under his tiny love mobile and baby gym for long long stretches which is great and he is full of funny babbling noises and coos and giggles and smiles and squeals. He also looks genuinely pleased to se me now which is very rewarding too. He kicks his little legs and stretches out his arms and gives me the widest smiles. swoooooon.

Not much rolling action to speak of, but he loves standing and looks very proud of himself when he pulls himself up holding on to my hands. I think he is going to be one of those little kids that doesn't shut up talks alot. My mum said my sister was the same - constantly chuntering away even as a baby...

We are off to a wedding in the countryside tomorrow and i am wearing a black silky jumpsuit from Reiss and tres trendy shoes. Will either look ridiculous or fabulous. It could go either way! I have just felt such a frump in my over the shoulder bolder holders and jeans and tshirts that I thought it was about time I made a -fool-- out of myself an effort. Actually if he took a bottle he could have stayed with my mum. would have been nice to have been able to party a bit. never mind...

wasabi sorry about your bad night the other night and the terse words. I have avoided that because I am the only one that does nights but we have had slightly terse words over my lack of productivity during the day!! I have no defence either, although I do try to cook nice suppers at least

I hadn't realised you were working as well. Makes me feel like a wimp for complaining of fatigue when all you lot have so much more on your plates. Freelancing has its massive ups and annoying downs doesn't it.

sorry - got to go, the mobile has lost it's allure - tbc!!!

Hello all, did you miss me?!
Sorry not to post for ages but we've had the vomit bug / house guests / oh, and I lost the thread and couldn't find it . Seriously, I was looking in "Parenting". And when that didn't work, I started searching for all your names individually. And when that didn't work I had the brainwave to go to your homepage (Wasabi's, actually) / "Threads I'm On" and found it there.
How boring was that for you all to read??
Anyway, I need to catch up by reading your latest installments before posting properly. Have bookmarked the thread now so fingers crossed I won't lose you all again. Missed you! Love to all! Mwah! (Dunno why I'm acting like a thespian but it might have something to do with the BATAs being on BBC1)

Sunny - glad you found us again . you need to come back and update though..

Bella - how was the wedding? Did the jumpsuit work or was it camel toe central . Bet you were a picture of yummy mumminess . How did the boobs hold up?

We're off to summer house in Aviemore on Friday and I'm stressing about packing! We have a bloody Volvo estate but it looks tiny when I have to shoe horn a pram, suitcase, bike, scooter, toys etc. in it - eeek! gone are the day when my packing was a couple of Coast dresses, string biinis and high heels

I've started to wean Benjamin . Just did it on a whim last night as he has been totally eye balling my food and grabbing things off my plate when he is sitting on my knee at dinner. I gave him a yoghurt last night which he wolfed down and steamed some pears this morning which he scoffed after his 11am feed. Hot footed it to Tesco for rice, sweet potatoes and lots of apples. Blending and bib days are back .

Wasabi, Head, Irish and jumping - what's new with you all?

it's so quiet in here!

WEll we have moved out. It took about 3000 more time longer than I had envisaged but never mind. We are camping out at my parents' for a month in between houses and have remembered baby monitors, baby gym, clothes, nappies, but forgotten

THE COT!!! it has all be so exhausting and awful, We just let it be taken off with the other beds. so it's me and g together tonight. Lets see if either of us gets any sleep. i hope we get some cos i am Knackered now. Mind you one thing it has taught me is how much G is fine doing his own thing and how i could actually be more productive with my days - tho having said that it's always either nearly time for a nap or a feed. Anyway i will not be able to put off the job hunt for very much longer.

G rolled today which was exciting. NOt sure if he will ever do it again but here's hoping.

The wedding was great. No camel toe as was silk and not figure hugging like a catsuit! boobs were fine as wore a normal bra with very thin straps. Actually felt quite a fox

Exciting about weaning. Little B clearly is coming on leaps and bounds. I'm keen to start getting G on a bottle for his elevenses so that I can be freed up a bit to do useful things. Hopefully grandma will be able to assist with that.

Benjamin seems to flying along now what with full nights' sleep and rolling around. you must be so pleased and relieved. Have you got your mojo back? feeling ok about going back to work? Hope you have a lovely holiday.

Hope I am not talking to myself and that there are some others still around somewhere. Hope the no news is good news and everyone is enjoying their lovely littlies

bon weekend xx

Hello ladies

Sorry for the AWOL state I've been in for the past while - work has been mental and was in the UK visiting in laws and going to a 50th birthday. I also went to visit my friend and her daughter who I haven't seen in nearly 2 years - I loved that and had a great time catching up.

DH is out with work tonight on his last session - he has promised to not drink for the rest of the pregnancy - 30 weeks tomorrow and starting to get quite the bump now. I have some weird bruising around my belly button.

My house is starting to look like Mothercare alright. Have the little cot in my bedroom, need to wash the sheets and blankets from my sister. I'm going to sand the woodwork in the baby's room tomorrow as DH is off to the bog with my BIL.

Bella the jumpsuit sounds fabulous. Glad to hear the move is over for you for now and I'm sure you can still blame the cot incident on baby brain. Hope the job hunt isn't too daunting and the weaning goes well.

Blue well done on the weaning - hope the car packing wasn't too stressful and that you enjoy the holidays. Im not looking forward to having the packin nightmare ahead of me. I smiled at the "whatever" hrug from Isaac - it reminded me of my BIL being told "Daddy you just don't understand" by my 4yo Dniece.

Sunny welcome back I was just wondering where you were. Come back and update us when you get a chance.

wasabi I'm not looking forward to the sleepless nights because DH and I are both really really bad when we haven't gotten enough sleep. Kudos to you for working as well.

Jumping that was so sweet about F's first haircut - how cute.

HOpe i haven't forgotten anyone - it's not intentional I'm just knackered after the week I've had. I'm in the middle of clearing my house, helping my sister move (not doing any lifting just driving for her) and I do feel like my brain is gone on holidays.

OH to answer someone's question yes we'restill going for Aoife and thank you for the lovely comments re the pics. I love them obviously. She's kicking, rolling, squirming and all manner of movements and keeping her poor mammy awake all night. Had my hospital scan and she's in the right position, all looks good and apparently "baby's a good size" (not sure if they mean big or just right and was afraid to ask)

Anyway better go this is probably a massive post and I'll come back again really soon rather than my infrequent visitations

Hi Irish!
30 weeks - girl you're in the final countdown! So exciting xx

Hi everyone, I haven?t disappeared, just had a bit of a crazy week. DS has capped it all of a treat by coming down with sodding chicken pox. They?ve had it at nursery for a few weeks and yesterday night at bath time I noticed the first few spots on his back. Nightmare. He?s not properly ill, just spotty and highly contagious. It?s good of course that he isn?t suffering too much but it?s been hard work today entertaining a quarantined DS when he is functioning at his usual full on speed and volume.

Hey ho. We?ve stocked up on various anti itch preparations plus Piriton syrup so hopefully it will pass in a week or so. Its best to get it over with now but it/s not nice seeing his lovely skin covered in horrid weepy spots. I?m also concerned that C is cultivating it. Not much we can really do about, I?m just hoping that my bfing has given her some decent immunity. If it hasn?t I want my money back!

Blue So you?ve started weaning the little fella! Aw congratulations. Get ready to start wiping sweet potato off the walls! I?m getting quite excited about the prospect of weaning I have to say. C is not ready yet although she is starting to eye up my food and also is now putting everything in her mouth so she?s getting there. Thanks for the wise words on bottle, erm, persuasion! I have actually decided to put up with it at the moment as I will have to shut up the shop if I want her to take a bottle and I?m just not ready to do that yet. She?s down to 4 feeds a day now and seems to be doing one wake up before midnight and one at about 4ish which is just about manageable. It is a bit of a PITA but I can?t face a bottle battle when in a month or two we?re going to be thinking about cups. I decided that if she never takes a bottle it is a bit annoying but not the end of the world for me. At least I don?t have to pump every night which frankly I don?t miss. Enjoy your holiday. I am quite envious that you ever packed string bikinis ? even in my pre child days I was always a fan of more substantial swimwear! I am the sort of person that wears tights in a heatwave. Although I do still wear high heels!

Bella Wow ? a night out at a wedding and a black silky jump suit, you fox you! Isn?t it lovely to dress up? I wore a pretty floaty chiffony but utterly scarlet dress (with matching high heels, natch) to a wedding on Bank Holiday Monday and I loved it. I love impractical clothes. Glad you had a good time and that your little man is starting to rock and roll. It?s so fab when they do things for the first time isn?t it? Mind you if G is anything like DS (and so far C seems to be following suit) he will not perform again for ages. It?s almost as if they are saying ?look ok I?ll do it so you can write it in your book but I?m not making a habit of it.? Hope you get some sleep tonight and that the disruption doesn?t throw G and subsequently you out of kilter. Don?t be too hard on yourself re daytime productivity ? they do regress from time to time. C can be quite independent and chilled one day and quite clingy the next.

Irish Your little girl sounds like she is going to be a handful 30 weeks get you! You are entering the home stretch so try and enjoy it. Oh yes and don?t worry ? if it is a biggun they will let you know! It must have been lovely catching up with your old friend. Last weekend I saw my oldest friend who now lives in the US after marrying an American. They only get over once a year usually because they have virtually no holidays in the States so we hardly ever see each other properly. Nice when we do though.

Sunny I did miss you! Nice to know you have found us again! I am looking forward to seeing all your news soon and hope that it gets better than vomit bugs and house guests

Jumping and Head How goes it?

I meant DS capped it all off a treat. Sorry I can't let that go uncorrected. I think I'd better go to bed now.

Nighty night.

Greetings from the highlands of scotland! Posting from dh's phone so excuse punctuation. Wasabi my ds1 has chicken pox too. He had a spot on his neck on Thursday night but I thought it was a bite. They just kept appearing yesterday and he is now covered . Glad we're away as can keep him busy and go for walks round lochs etc. Have you tried barcarbonate of soda in bath? Hope f recovers soon and yes fingers crossed my five months of bf have protected b.

Bella glad your wedding went well and you were a vision of foxiness . Well done for getting moved out too. Any progress on finding new place?

Irish lovely to hear you're busy buying baby things. Loved your niece's comment

right signing off can't really do this phone thingy

be back on when I get home x

Hello all!
Sorry been awol a while. Lovely to read all your news- finding as the weeks go by I'm getting less rather than more free time to get online

blue how is your DS1? Hope you are having a beautiful time in Aviemore

wasabi how is your DS now? Did DD catch it? Heard bfing protects them well- chicken pox is also doing the rounds over here at the moment so hoping also that F avoids it though in a way would like DS & DD1 to get it sooner rather then later...

bella very impressed with your dressing up efforts for the wedding! I have to admit my figure is still a long way from what it was pre kids, quite depressing really- keep having ideas of diets and exercise but utter exhaustion still equates to extreme cravings for naughty foods and very little energy to exercise...vicious circle! One day...

Well it's been a busy couple of weeks chez Jumping. DD1 & DD2 both became pretty ill last week, running very high temperatures (39.7 etc) for 2-3 days, which resulted in a hospital trip for DD1 (with us all in tow, not fun as 1.5hrs to hospital), xrays etc. and more meds, nebulisers etc. as the virus left her with a nasty cough, but thankfully this week she's well on the mend. Ffion was a few days behind and has been really out of sorts. I was planning to move her out of our room, try to ease her away from cosleeping and reduce BFs, but that was somewhat scuppered by the lurgy. Indeed- my first week of supposedly working 20hrs I didn't make it in once!! She's back to good health now but her night sleeping has become horrendous. She's feeding at least 3 times a night, and doesn't want to settle in her cot, and still won't take much milk in the daytime in spite of frequent offerings of boob or bottle in quiet(ish) environments.
I've imposed no access to boobs between 8am and 2pm to try to get her used to taking a bottle every morning as now at work that time 4 morns a week but she is just going that time with very little milk- takes 3oz at most, and reluctantly. On my first full day at work (mondays only, thankfully!) she survived the whole day on just 3oz of milk. She just waits for me and the quiet of nighttimes and makes it up then. Am really getting exhausted now, so wondering if she is a bit like Ben Blue- one of those babies who can't combine breast and bottle well and it has to be one or the other in entirety. Like you I'm reluctant to quit bfing, especially as she seems to thrive on it, but can't carry on with nights like this - not fair on the other DCs when I'm grumpy because I'm so exhausted- and not fair on Ffion either as she goes so long on so little while I'm at work. Saying all that she's doing great with her purees and getting the hang of some finger foods too, and will take up to 1oz on water from a tommee tippee cup (beginning to consider using this instead of a bottle for milk feeds).

Any words of wisdom would be most welcome!
A friend suggested dropping one feed at night at a time- offering water if she seems v hungry- in the hope of forcing her to take more in the daytime- but I know this will result in lots of tears and I'll need lots of willpower to see it through, and in my blurry haze of sleep deprivation don't think I have it in my right now- even though I know this needs sorting. Babies eh!

Right. have done a good two weeks' worth of ranting here so will bid you all good night- tesco have just delivered the food so better get it put away- ah my friday nights are such fun these days!!

Love to you all xxx

Mean to add Irish congrats on reaching 30 weeks (or 31 now I imagine!)- time sure seems to be flying along! Hope you are enjoying your gorgeous bump and not yet at the really big & uncomfortable stage?! DS was born at 30 weeks so it's always a memorable stage of pregnancy for me- and always relieved to know others get past that! When do you plan to finish at work? Hope you're not to exhausted xxx

Sunny so glad you found us again- how is it all going?! Are you still managing to combine bottles and boob ok? Need tips from you!!

Bella well done on moving out- your comments re forgetting the cot made me chuckle- you sound a lot like me- remember all the important things except one! Hope you find a new place soon that you can be happy in and settle for a while. How's the job hunting?

Off to make DH a Father's Day brekkie with the DCs help...hmmm.... Have a lovely sunday all xxx

ach I killed the thread Hope everyone is busy enjoying the sunshine and all is well!

You haven"t killed it jumping! Sorry to hear about the all night snackathon - i have that from 4:30 - only way i can get g to stay asleep - his circadian rhythm is very much lark rather than owl. He goes down at 6:30 ish most nights and would happily start the day at 5 . DP and I do always get the whole evening which is great but oh for a lie in!!! Finally we are in a pattern of sorts though. 3 naps a day and then a long stretch from between 6:30-7:30ish til 1-3 (more often 1 than 3) then awake and clamped to one boob then the other, over and over, from 4:30-5 for as long as possible, frankly. Since we are co-sleeping from the first wake up the second part of the night is fine but i can't help but feel he should be in a cot really and that I should be rationing the boob a bit more but I am so barely awake that I can just about muster a long shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh which sometimes works.
We still can't put up the travel cot
I don't have any advice for you. I have read on Kellymom that what you describe is really common though. Why feed from this funny person with a bottle when I can have a long quiet snuggly feed with mummy allllll night long. It's a tough one, but mind you you have been bfing for ages now so there would be no shame in ditching it now - you would probably get much more sleep. But then you would lose the night time closeness which I guess you probably enjoy too in many ways? gosh it is tricky isn't it. My half arsed attempt to get G on to a bottle hasn't got very far yet. I am trying to do it gently to avoid tears but I should probably try a bit harder. I am in no desperate hurry to switch to formula but I don't want to find myself unable to when the time comes.
I know I always say it but how you are still standing is beyond me jumping! You're amazing!

wasabi needless to say there has not been much rolling action going on - not without help from me anyway lots of crazy noises though squeals and squeaks and grunts and boos and goos and ohhhhhhhhhhs quite funny but quite loud sometimes.
Has everyone's chicken pox cleared up yet? I'm not sure if it's because I now know people with kids of nursery school age but it really seems to be doing the rounds. I hope noone's lo's have been suffering too badly.

oh bugger - gotta go - sorry to post and run - i promise I will actually send a full and corrected one very soon xx hopefully this avo xx

Jumping - don't worry I think I kill this thread every other week as the tumbleweed blows round after my post . I'm on another long running thread and its the exact opposite, you have to post every day or you lag behind - it can be quite stressful!!

Feeling your pain re: feeding. Been there, have the scars etc. Yes unfortunately Ben just wouldn't do boob and bottle . I would echo what your friend has sugested in the night feeds, making them less appealing rather than withholding milk from day feeds as, as you know little Ffion will just make up for lost calories overnight leaving you wretched.. Its all down to you knowing when you are prepared to bite the bullet and not offer boob during the night. It may only take one night to 'reboot' her hunger into day time.. As bella says the kellymon site talks about babies prefering the night feeds as its quiet and they have Mum's undivided attention and that's all very well but you have to feel huma too, and look after your other DC's and work and aaargh! I don't need to go on, its bloody hard.. Sorry t hear your lo's all had the lurgy too and you had horrible wait at hospital...

One of the things I have taken from the various books is that once they get to 4 months really try and have them take most of their calories between 7am-7pm which is why they suggest stretching feeds out so they take in more at each feed. It was starting to work with Ben before he was switched to bottle but can't comment fully as he's been FF since 5 months. He is still up once a night but is only taking @ 3 oz from 7am bottle so think its time to gear up to trying to drop the night one. Going to hold off until weaning is more established and I'm more confident it isn't hunger that's wakening him...

jumping - I know you love BF and Ffion does too and I was so torn about giving up, and had lots of guilty feelings but TBH since I weaned Ben off me, I've been much happier, relieved, more energy with Isaac and DH. Its such a personal decision but Ffion has gotten the best ever start but remember, family harmony too.

I'll shut up now !

Bella - How are G' day time feeds doing? Are they stretching out at all? Ben often wakes at 5am but DH goes in to settle him. It does make it easier as boob is n longer an option and if I was still bf I'm sure I would be offering him it to settle, path of least resistance at 5am always works..

G and B's day sounds quite similar. Three naps a day intersperced by 2.5 hour wake times . Makes it easier when I hand him over ot Gannies on 5th July when I go back to work . Its only for 2 days per week until Sept. then back up to 3 but needs must and I got paid today, the first and thankfully last of stat pay only - £350 pound - doesn't evenr cover what I normally put into our joint account every month!

Chicken pox has left the building and thankfully Ben has avoided it so BF immunity must have passed through - yay! wasabi - how is your DS?

DH off this week too and its been glorious up here in jockland so we've had much fun in garden with Ben cooing in his pram eating his toes - they are so flexible at that age .

I'm off to gym tomorrow night - have to firm up tummy and arse big time. DH got me new trainers for my bday so have trainers will travel

Hey to wasabi, Sunny, Irish and Head

and cue tumbleweed...

no tumbleweed lovely lady - i WILL keep this thread alive i WILL!!

G has taken a bottle - big woops. it's a big relief and was easy in the end. 4 ozs in one go and i have to say even though i have enjoyed bfing i am pleased to know that the way out is available to me. I am going to keep going with the BF but am trying to get as much down him as poss before bedtime so will keep offering him a bottle and boob for this week and then at some point will give him the 10/11 am one in a bottle too because that one gets on my nerves frankly. Then i will just see how i go.

blue he goes about every 3 hours and a bit during the day. Since he has normally gorged himself in the early morning he is never very hungry at the first feed so only manages 3 til the one after that but then easily 4 til the evening one which I split trying to get most of it in before the bath so that one day i can sack off the one after the bath (yeah RIGHT) This week I have started to settle him at his first wake up instead of feeding him and he is going down again to awake to the jordanesque boobs. I settle him by either rigorous rocking the chair or dancing a midnight samba and shhing. cue bad lower back again so must watch that. This is helping G though as he seems to sleep better that way and also seems happier in the morning. Also he doesn't protest to much but then he doesn't really get the chance I would like to push that mid morning feed back as late as poss before weaning off the boob because i am too lazy to faff with a bottle in the dark. tbh i have only bought the cartons so far anyway! i will be sad when i give my last feed whenever that will be but i must say it really was quite a liberating feeling seeing him chow down on the nUK! so i realise that it will be ok and that there is life after boob tho there may not be life in the boob - i will be doing keepy uppies with them i just know it ,

I have been reading about BLW with interest. I love the idea that you do't have to think about anything, in theory, however in practice our food all has shit loads of salt in it so it won't be quite so straight forwards as offering G our food and i don't think all food is as nice when you add salt only at the end. maybe I will just have to get used to that though because much as I like to cook i do not want to be chained to the stove.

I'm loving the weather and G is managin ok with it too. I put him naked on the baby gym in the garden today thinking oh how nice to feel the breeze on your little botty. I went inside to make a sandwich which importantly contained ham and picallilli (sp) i heard G whinging a bit outside to find him and the baby gym COVERED and I mean covered, in picalilli coloured poo. He only last went 3 days ago which is no time at all for him but my God there was gallons. I nearly missed the beginning of the match it took so long to clear up. the unfortunately matching sandwich had to go in the bin i'm afraid. boak. my hippy days are over for the foreseeable!

I want this thread to be busier!! shall we just chat to each other and hope that the others return for the odd catch up here and there as and when?!

so interested to hear weaning stories and sleep stories and all stories actually.

how was the holiday blue it is lovely to hear you back on form. Sorry you have to go back to work but 2 days a week might be a nice break. I would LOVE to be able to go back part time. I think i might have a breakdown if I can't. I just can't imagine being parted 99% of the time from my lovely boy and living in London what with hour long commutes each way....god i can't even bear to think about it eeeeek. makes me feel sick.

good for you avec le gymming and HAPPY BIRTHDAY did you have a nice time? I am afraid i will wee myself if i run so am sticking to a weeny bit og yoga - it was fab having a home birth but my bladder may never recover - i will probably be wearing teenas in just a few short years....nice...thanks 10 pound baby.