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

see i DID post again

but i didn't proof

soz

writing surreptitiously (sp?) at work- thank you for replying bella and blue! Where is everyone else? Anyone seen Head about? Hope it's just that RL is keeping them all busy in a good way.

Bella your account of G's al fresco pooing had me in fits! They always have a way of doing that. When DS was 14 months we bought a new carpet for our living room - we were about to sell our house and decided to get rid of the brown 70s stylee carpet and replace with a light beige one. New carpet went down, next day I decided to give DS a few mins nappy free time, popped outside for 2 secs and of course came in to find poo all over new carpet. Arghh! Ended up putting a plant pot over the stain as nothing could get it out!!!

Blue everything you say is so true re. getting the nights sorted. I think I just have this insane guilt thing that because I'm working 20 hrs a week, and DS & DD1 demand so much attention during waking hours, that perhaps I owe it to Ffion to allow her the undivided mummy time and feeding cuddles at night. We're still cosleeping from around 1am most nights, and part of me loves it and part of me knows I need to (a) get back into bed with DH!! (i'm now in the spare room/Ffion's room, which has both a cot and double bed in) and (b) get more sleep of the decent uninterrupted variety. Some days I cope with it ok and other days not so well- end up with a lot less patience than I need to cope with 3 DCs, especially at the mad trying to get out of the house for school & work time!
She's now taking 4-6oz formula in the morns but that's still not really a full feed, and she won't feed from me til around 4pm after that (even though I seem to be offering all the time from the moment I collect DS from school at 2pm), even if we don't let her have too much solids at lunchtime she doesn't seem to want to feed much in the afternoons, so she's very much switched to nighttime feeding. I know the best thing is to start refusing the night feeds but I also know from experience the trauma of that, and I feel bad doing that to her on top of all the recent changes of me increasing work hours etc. Ah the joys of maternal guilt. But I do have to keep the bigger picture in mind too you're right. At the moments I don't even get much evening time (F takes 2 long feeds between 7.30pm and 10pm- then wakes again around midnight for more) so running behind on all the domestic chores as well

Right, ranted a lot longer than I meant to!
Blue so glad Ben avoided the chicken pox and all is back to normal now. Sounds like he's doing really well with night feeds- how is he liking the solids now? 2 days a week is just right I reckon, and 3 just about manageable. More than that with more than 1 DC can get an awful juggling act IME! But it's hard in so many jobs to get decent PT work- I certainly know my career has stalled since I went PT. I worked FT for 10 months after DS and found it just too hard on us all, so was fortunate to get PT role, but work is sporadic now and contracts short and seem to change hours every six months which can be a nightmare for getting childcare sorted and keeping kids in some sort of routine.

OK enough ranting from me!!

Bella did you get the travel cot up? They are a right royal PITA to put up til you've done it lots of times, and even now I still have times where I just can't do it!

Hope everyone else is ok and come visit us here soon! xx

Oh hello hello everyone. This thread is very much alive I hope. I would love to post more often but it?s been mad here lately with poor DS being quarantined with the pox, plus house decorating, my Dads birthday so he and Mum were house guests over weekend, plus I?ve had work on is addition to all the usual housework and and C still isn?t sleeping nights.
Well its lovely to see some news from some of you!

Bella I laughed out load at the picallili poo! As a bit of a hippy I would love to let C go naked more often as she seems to love kicking about in the buff after bath times but there are always consequences! *Jumping? is right ? NOTHING gets baby poo stains out of carpet. Considering they only take in milk it really is quite stunning that turmeric colour poo comes out. C has about 15 mins a day sans nappy when DS is in the bath but after that I?m afraid we nappy up! Well done on G taking a bottle. I do understand that whilst bfing is lovely it?s also nice to know that they aren?t reliant on you for every single calorie they take in. And, indeed, that someone else can feed them.

Jumping Oh it sounds like you are still suffering in more ways than one. So sorry to hear that DD1 and F have been so poorly. I would tell you that you to try and lose the guilt about not spending enough time with F during the day hence night feeds are something you owe to her but we both know there?s no point don?t we? Maternal guilt is as hard wired in as the love we have for them. It sounds like the only way is to try and cold turkey F off the night feeds but I can completly understand your reluctance. I have seen somewhere on MN reference to Dr. Jay Gordons approach to night weaning. I don?t know what it actually is but I get the impression it is quite gentle. Might be worth a google?

Blue Hope you had a lovely holiday and that I is well and truly over the pox! F is much better now and so far, fingers crossed, C has missed it this time round. I hope that you are having a great week with DH at home. I am a little envious as I have barely seen my DH for weeks on end with his work. I smiled at your reference to B trying to nibble his toes. C does that too, it?s so nice that they can just kick around in a nappy and vest at the moment. Good to hear that B is settled into a nice routine now although you sound pretty ambivalent about returning to work. It?s hard isn?t it? I couldn?t quite make it work 3 days a week. I think if I had had a job closer to home (I was commuting to London) it would have been ok but the commute, or more specifically the length of time it added to F?s day in nursery) was what pushed me to find another way.

Well as you may have gathered I am a bit knackered. C is in a reasonable day time routine, tends to do longish morning and early afternoon sleeps plus a late pl half hour catnap. Feeding every 4 hours or so with a dream feed and one night time wake up about 2-3ish which takes her through until 6-7 or so. She?s turning into a dream Baby Whisperer baby ? apart from that pesky night wake up! I could probably get her through if she had a good bottle of formula at 10pm but I haven?t tried a bottle recently. I have been getting her to take an ounce or so of EBM out of a Doidy cup the last few days though so we are progressing! I have to say though I am still happy bfing and I can manage just one night waking ok ? I am only up about 15 mins. I sit in the dark with my lovely soft, sleepy gently burping baby and actually quite like it. I am still so intoxicated by my baby girl. Knowing she is likely to be my last makes me rather clingy I think.

Having said that DH and I are still having the third baby conversation! I am slowly, very slowly wearing him down I think Jumping did you have to ?sell? having a third to your DH or was he as keen as you?
Hello to Head, Sunny and Irish wherever you are!

being naughty and popping on before madness of picking up DCs- wasabi hello! Sending you lots of comiserating exhausted hugs. Glad the chicken pox has finally gone, but so with you on the juggling of visitors, work, housework, DCs! It is mind-numbingly exhausting. Was quite teary and grumpy with DH this morn as was all getting on top of me- but ironically a few hours at work have let me get my head recharged ready for the rest of the madness.
Read about the Dr Jay Gordon's method- but he really doesn't recommend it until a year old; he's of the opinion cosleeping/night feeds, especially if mum is working or busy during the daytime, is actually very good psychologically for the baby if mum is still bfing. Which has added to my maternal guilt! So basically I feel like either I have to quit bfing altogether or "suck it up"- F is a night feeder and will be til at least a year old! argh. As she's my last I didn't want to stop bfing yet, especially as I fed DD1 til 13 months, although she did combine feed well with bottles so wasn't quite so dependent on night feeds (but I wasn't working as much and days were less hectic).

RE 3rd baby- DH wanted 4!! And I did too originally, before we discovered I get pre-eclampsia every time and too badly to risk it again, plus of course the cystic fibrosis issue We are considering adopting in 5 years or so if we can manage financially and DH's job is stable, which at the moment it isn't, as I wouldn't want to work for at least a year after adopting. Plus we'd need to do the house extension we have no money for yet!!!
I do love the idea of a bigger family though, and so far 3 has been brilliant, bloomin hard work but if you just accept no sleep for a few years and no social life then I'm sure it'll be worth it in the long run. I like the idea of DCs having each other when they're older...especially for us in a way because DD1 having CF I think she'll need them in extra ways... saying all that they could hate each other when they're older, but so far seem to get on pretty well (crosses fingers it stays that way).

Gotta run- love to all again! xxx

Hello just popping on quickly to say hello - have to head out again in about ten mins so sorry for no personals.

All's good with me - 32 weeks on Saturday so we're getting there slowly but surely. Have painted baby's room and found material for curtains so it#s all coming together

Will pop back on tomorrow to post more - that's a firm promise.

Sorry for rubbish posting record so far - talk to you all soon

Hello again - wow, 2 days running get me!

Jumping Sorry I didn't realise that Dr Jay Gordon recommended continung the night feeds for a year. That's helpful - not. You can tell he is a man can't you ? I'm afraid in that case I am fresh out of ideas. Having said that When C was waking at 10, 1 and 4 I sort of decided enough was enough and that I would feed her at 10 and 3 but not 1 as well so when she woke then DH went in, gave her a cuddle and put her back down and whilst she fussed for a few mins she did settler herself back and that only happenned for 2 nights so might be worth maybe trying to cut out one feed? I find just the one wake up manageable although would obviously prefer her not to!

I am impressed at your desire for a fourth child. Your comments about accepting no sleep and no social life made me smile. I kind of feel like that now and we only have 2. I do wonder if my being so besotted with C is making me go a bit funny. We all know that we can make bad decisions when intoxicated!

Also wanted to ask Blue how is the weaning going with B?

Ahhh, 'tis the weekend .

Soaking up the last of DH's fortnight off although he is downstairs watching footie and I'm up in spare room on MN . I will join him after and there is a cheeky wee Rioja with my name on it warming downstairs..

Lovely to log on and see your posts !

Bella - Picallilli - PMSL you will leave him unnappied and al fresco . Glad to hear g's settling back sans boob at his early wake up AND is taking the bottle with no protests

Wasabi - the love you have for little C just oozes out the page . You do have a textbook BW baby avec dream feed and one night waking . My Isaac was like that but Ben has been a different kettle of fish in more ways than one! I just so wish that B hadn't needed so many night feeds as it just did me in and I was fasttracking to PND... You dropping the 1am feed reminded me of something DH and me started with Ben the last week he was BF (jumping - note*) which was, as he was happy to go 4-hourly during the day, if he woke before a 4 hour space between 12am and 7am he was settled by DH and not fed. It worked the few nights we tried it but I then got Gastroent and all bets were off.

Irish - 32 weeks - yay! What's the nursery like? Have you chosen your pram yet? oooh, sooo exciting

Jumping - I'm actually looking forward to going back to work. Met my boss for lunch today (I treated her - madness as am skint!) but she is lovely and bought me a lovely watch for my b'day! Anway my work is only 5 mins drive from house and very flexible with hours etc. (NHS at its best) and TBH I'm looking forward to sharpening up my brain and going to meetings and having a cup of tea when I want. Plus, if its anything like going back after Isaac, it makes me cherish my days off rather than being 24/7 7 days per week Mummy. i do feel that I'm not a natural round the clock enthusiastic Mummy and wish I was more but its just not my make up.. We're v. lucky that Grannies will look after boys other than Fridays when they go to nursery although Ben not starting nursery until January..

wasabi I've been a bit slow on the weaning front. Having holiday and chicken pox and Ben's had a cold and eye infection so just taking it slowly. He has had baby rice with either pear or apple (blended but not totally smooth as he is older) after his 11am feed and yoghurt @ 5.30pm. Going to up the ante next week and start introducing sweet potato and more savoury items as they do say if you start at 6 months you have to run through the early weeks quite fast.

I didn't really do BLW to date as like Bella says although its good in theory, in practical terms I just can't see how Ben can munch on a pasta spiral when he can barely get his wee tongue around pureed apple! You also forget how damned messy it is and he hates getting his face wiped - the look I get from him .

Had to and at your extending your family chats . We're stopping at two for lots of reasons but it hasn't stopped me feeling a little wistful .

We only ever wanted two, emotioanlly, financially, I come from three and have posted here before about the family dyynamics that entailed although it was in the days before people carriers! I think it ties in with my lack of being able to give 24/7. The more children I had the less I feel I would be able to give to them in terms of time. I'm already feeling it with Isaac as we very rarely have him and me time which makes me .

I also had 2 sections so would have to have section if we had another. I'm also 40 next year and no guarantee I wouldn't misscarry again and then fear of something being wrong with baby.

BUT I would so love a DD... I'm just not going to get one and it does make me which makes me guilty as I love my boys and think its fantastic they have each other and works out well from a family harmony point of view..

I am somewhat rambling now and that's wthout wine!

Hi all
Can you believe this weather?! I love it.

So nice to have everyone posting again too well nearly everyone - hi to head and sunny if you're lurking,

jumping that's so amazing that you would like a fourth and are thinking of adopting.You clearly enjoy a busy life I always thought I would have at least three - in fact my first thoughts when holding G as a teensy newborn were that I just wanted to do it all over again, however I really don't think that I will be able to for reasons too complicated to go into here and that is a bit sad as I do think siblings are important and I would love to get another maternity leave . In fact to be honest despite my years and years in higher education and a strong feminist mother I could happily be a SAHM for a bit I reckon. Not sure how long my ego could take it and I would have to live in a nice big house with a cleaner but... I just love the family thing and would love to be able to bake and play and be cosy o and did i also mention that i would need a summer house in italy...

and...back in the room

blue i can completely imagine your slight heartache at not getting a girl. It is hard accepting that things aren't the way you imagined them to be even when you couldn't now imagine not having Ben etc

wasabi lucky you for contemplating 3. My ideal was to have two relatively close together and then a happy accident a few years down the line. I will be very interested to see what you decide. I just lurked for the first time on the Jan 2010 thread and there is a preg lady on there! and someone else trying. I have got my mojo back now - thanks to the sunshine and a gorgeous DP of course, but TTC??? er je pense pas. STill horses for courses and all that jazz.

Back to the issue of several children - Lots of my friends say that their relationships really suffered going from one to two initially. You all seem to be so happy with your DHs which is so nice to see. blue i have always been touched by the way you talk about your DH. You clearly have a very close and strong bond sorry
i get a bit hallmark at the best of times...

Did you get a bit tipsy on Friday? Hope so. It's great that you are looking forwards to going back to work. I think I would be too in fact at some point if I had a job i liked and could go part time. I haven't actually started looking yet as the weather is too nicei wanted to get the move out the way first, but will really have to start soon. I think I am putting it off because I hold little hope in finding something part time. You have all done really well in finding good working solutions. If I have to go back to my old job, full time, with the hour journey both ways - well i fear for my sanity really. It won't be fair on George or my relationship with DP It is the only shadow hanging over my mat leave. The rest of it has been amazing. Perhaps I have enjoyed it so much because I have escaped the clutches of my evil boss and the other awful people in that office.

I do feel though like I have done my cacking about now and have no excuses left not to start pulling my finger out.

jumping how is the feeding situation going? I, like wasabi at some point last week settled G at 1 or 2 instead of feeding him and it only took two nights. now he wakes between 3 and 4. once or twice he has only woken again once, at 6, otherwise I am keeping him asleep by switching him from boob to boob. Today I managed it til 8am!! I really needed a lie in It is great having him sleep so much better but unfortunately I am still waking as before because I think I must sleep much more lightly as I am on duty for him and therefore I wake up when he stirs and hear him put himself back to sleep. Hopefully he will stay sleeping 7 or 8 hours in a go and then I will be able to switch off properly. It's a shame that I am an owl as I should be going to sleep at 9 then the early wakes wouldn't be so painful. I hate getting up at 6. I look like a example of an early type of homo sapiens until 8 at the earliest

I have sacked the bottle again partly because i am so lazy on the third day he just wasn't feeling it and also because it makes him poo and I want to savour my last month of seriously infrequent poos. So now I am really not sure when I will wean him from the boob. I am sure at some point I will want to know how much he has consumed in a day and when he's pooing from food anyway perhaps I won't mind. I just can't actaully imagine not doing it yet. I hadn't anticipated feeling like this so am thrown. Today he has fed loads - like the 6 week growth spurt. every two hours I am assuming it's because of the weather. My mum suggested giving him water but you don't do that til they're eating do you? not sure. not sure how i would give it to him anyway. He might just be getting super hungy. Each feed felt like he meant it. It will be 'interesting' to see what time he wakes this evening.

How are your boobs now blue? I am dreading the droop. already all the fullness from the top has gone and my nipples are seriously outsize i am dreading the sight of them when they are a milk free zone. I have loved having good boobs! sob. I'll just keep a bra on 24/7 til they regain some shape.

irish well done you for being so organised. you won't have any jobs to do when you finish work which means you'll be able to catch up on box sets when the time comes. i meant to do that but had it all to do at the end as i was so sure it was all a big hoax and i wasn't really having a baby.

How big are everyone's babies now? G is so ma HOO sive. I must get him weighed because I reckon he's up there on the centile chart. He is very tall too. Can't believe my milk sustains him. THank GOD for ice cream and chocolate or perhaps it wouldn't

oh my goodness what a post. sorry if it is all a bit moi moi moi

wasabi how did you get C to take longer naps and do the whole 4 hr routine? did she fall into it? Did you nudge her into it? force her into it? G is still resolutely a short nap man.

Question to the group - what should I read before weaning?i really don't have a scooby. My knowledge is very very patchy. I love the ethos behind BLW but i think i would be too impatient to be a purest with it. Not sure I could wait til 8 or 9 months for G to start eating properly. Therefore not sure what times of day to offer food whether to do rice, if so what consistency etc Sorry I know all these are questions for the weaning thread but I am shy of raising my head on too many other threads and it's easier to ask you lot whose opinions I respect ...

ph my goodness - i's so LATE
anyone still reading?
n night xxx

Hello, coooeee! Remember me?

So sorry to go missing for so long, my chest infection got pretty serious and they thought I had pneumonia. It was actually just a chest infection (just?) but I needed serious antibiotics to shift it, and now I've lost 20% of my lung capacity and I've permanently damaged my voice. Dh rather sweetly says I sound like Mariella Frostrupp now, but I think I sound like Pat Butcher and Dot Cotton rolled in to one.

And then, just as I was getting better I had to take over doing a tea party for 90 children from my neighbour as she's just found out she's pregnant and has terrible hyperemesis. Every year in our street we have a street party, a key part of which is the children's tea party, so I couldn't let them down. I had a hectic week making 90 party boxes and filling them all, and then last weekend I had to make all the sandwiches which meant I missed most of the street party

And finally, I've got my MIL coming over from Cyprus tomorrow for two weeks. It's Francesca's christening this weekend, and I've been scrubbing my house to make it fit for a.... well.... mother in law

Dh and I have been really lazy and decided to order everything for the Christening, I can't be doing making more sandwiches! We've got 50 people coming, the most we've ever had in our house.

Francesca's doing really well, we've started weaning too. I ummed and ahhed about it, I started ds at 24 weeks and he didn't take to it at all, and we struggled for a few weeks really, but Francesca has been brilliant. She was so ready and loves food. She even sits there with her mouth wide open waiting for the next spoonful. She's good on the finger food too, she had half an apricot this afternoon and loved it. I do hope she's going to be my good eater, because ds sure ain't!

Sleeping is going well too, I made the executive decision to start putting her down on her front. She can roll now anyway, and she's really windy still so I think being on her front helps her tummy. We had a few weeks of hellishness when she woke every 30 mins during the early evening, and was really wakeful at night too, but putting her on her tummy has made all the difference. I'm nervous about the whole thing, but as she can roll now anyway I feel the risks aren't so great any more.

She starts off in her bed, has a dream feed at about 10.30 and then goes back in to her cot and then at about 3am she'll have another feed when I bring her in to bed with me because I'm too lazy to get up! My MIL is going to be staying in what will be Francesca's room, so once she's gone back to Cyprus we'll move her in there and see how things go. I'll miss having my baby girl next to me, we do like a nice cuddle at night. But I felt exactly the same about ds and it was so marvellous the first night he was in his own room, we all slept so well!

The upshot of all of this is I've been rubbish at keeping up with the news, I'm going to go off and read up in a mo, forgive me if I don't come back tonight, but I will come back. I've had a quick scan to check nothing drastic had happened - no new babies on the way or anything bonkers like that Anyone thinking about the next one? hahahahahahahaha

Righty, I'm off to read all your news.... back soon (ish)

BTW I've just uploaded a piccie I took today of Francesca, she got her passport through and is looking rather pleased with herself!

HI Head
just popping on very quickly to say
at you horrific illness at still cooking for 90
and at your beautiful photos of your dc. Makes me realise that taking them on a phone is NOT actually the same thing. Both Franky and Luca look totally scrumptious

by the way did you see that wasabi has got the itch for the next one already

Glad you're feeling better and everyone sleeping better xx

Evening all

Just out of shower after my first proper gym session in over a year! Cross trainer was a bit huffy looking as I approached him but we're all friends now . I've had terrible sciatica these past few weeks so it was time to get some strength in my back again...

Anyway, back to business and delighted to see Head back posting. What an awful time you have had with your chest . Will you get your lung capacity back? Well done thought for organising your street party - get out the bunting . Francesca is adorable, all chubbed out now - lovely. Does she get stuck in the BUMBO? Ben's thighs are so fat that when I lift him the seat come with him and I have to shoogle it off . We actually dusted down (literally) the high chair tonight and had tea en famille. Its just easier for me to eat and feed B and he can look at us from his lofty position and play on the tray too.

Bella - I too dream of a house in Italy... and home baking. I do have a Cath Kidston pinnie (apron - is pinnie a Scottish word ?) and peg bag! re: weaning...

...I introduced Ben's first feed at 11am after his bottle. This will be pushed back and become his lunch feed and milk will be dropped from this feed once he is on protein, He also gets food at 5.30pm at the moment.

in a few weeks his day will be

waking: 8oz milk (in your case both boobs)
@8am cereal and fruit
11am 4oz milk + rice/veggies or fruit
3pm 8oz milk
5.30pm rice/veggies/fruit or yoghurt
7pm 8oz milk

In a month or so it will look more like

waking: 8oz milk
8am as above
12pm lunch of protein + sippy cup with cooled boiled water
3pm 8oz milk
5.30pm more adventurous dinner
7pm 8oz milk

The 3pm milk feed will drop off at some point if Ben's anything like his brother as he just went off it.

HTH!

BTW my boobs are not bad... They were only 34B to begin with so pretty much just the same just a wee bit 'lower' (I know this as I lined nipples up with freckle on my arm when I fell pregnant with DS1 to see if they would droop ).

How's the house hunting going?

Its been a bit of a week as Ben caught the dreaded pox . 14 days to the day after his brother. So much for my immunity although I did have shingles last summer so maybe my immunity was shot to pieces anyway... He had @ 30 spots mostly on his scalp and groin and was grizzly all weekend. Slept in with me and needed lots of cuddles. BUT he bounced back really quickly and in amongst it all has cut a tooth . Bottom left, no bother at all! He's also started to crawl insomuch that he kicks his feet trying to get some purchase. I think he has my temper but sense of humour too so he should be OK .

Also managed some quality time with my precious first born today as my Mum was getting some practice at the old nap and bottle routine with Ben so Isaac and me went swimming. It was really lovely to spend some time just him and me .

AF has also returned, very heavily and was paranoid at the pool today but OK.

Anyway, feel like I'm gripping the talking stick (Ab Fab quote there...) a bit too tightly so will log off and hope to see some catch up posts from you all - laters!

Hello all, it's me again, sorry for such a long absence. I've just caught up on all your news (speed reading, I must admit) and am hoping to reply in full before Tubba wakes up.
Wasabi, sorry about your hissed argument and that the sleeping is so challenging. I feel your pain too. Hope things are better in that respect.
Blue am so envious of you being in the beautiful highlands! Hope you're having a fab time. So impressed you've weaned Ben - what is his favourite food so far? Aren't they just so cute when they start eating...
Bella, v brave of you to move house, and completely sympathise with your inability to erect the travel cot. Those things are b***ds. Who designed them?! So impressed with your fabulous breastfeeding, and how easy you find it. LOve your description of you "growing this little thing all by yourself". What a lovely image, and so true and admirable.
Irish, can't believe you are 30 + weeks already (how many now?) How are you feeling? Hope not too tired. Aoife is a beautiful name.
Head, hope you are most well - love the image of you holding Frankie's hand.
Jumping sorry to hear about your breast / bottle issues. I think the only reason Tubba takes both happily is because I've done it from the off - well, since about 5w - so she has never known any different and is still too young to figure it out. There is no question she enjoys the breast more than the bottle, but by being canny with both (bottle during the day to give me some freedom: bottle last thing at night to keep her tummy full longer so that she sleeps for longer)I feel I'm more on top of things, less tired and less strung out. I'm willing to sacrifice her being 100% bottle fed because, by the sounds of it, I'm way more selfish than you (indeed, than all of you on this thread). Seriously, I don't know how any of you with older children manage to BF exclusively - for me it is just not an option. Tubba would happily feed for an hour at a time, and it's often an hour I just don't have with a 4 year old in tow. Anyway, that's by the by. Jumping, I'm not sure what to say other than "persevere" - if your baba gets hungry enough, she will take the bottle eventually I'm sure. But you are AMAZING even to be dealing with three DCs, and I feel dumb even giving you advice when you are far more experienced than me. I so, so SO ADMIRE YOU for even attempting to BF with all that on your plate. Sorry for the capital letters!
All fine chez Sunnydale. Tubba is 10w now and an absolute joy. I adore her and am so happy, all the more so for how hard-won she was. She is so easy compared to DD1, like if Carlsberg made babies, they'd make babies like Tubba. I'm sure everyone thinks that of their babies but I just mean in comparison to DD1, who was a tricky little blighter and still is. Am following Gina's feeding times but not her sleeping routines. At the mo Tubba takes her last feed at 10.30pm and sleeps through till 5am, save for stirring around 3.30pm when I give her a dummy. So I'm getting around 6 hours sleep a night, which I guess isn't too bad for her age but still means I'm pretty nackered. I really feel I'm being boring here and that this post is too long already and nobody will read it. So now I've broken the ice (as it were) I'm gonna go now and try to post again tomorrow when I feel less like I have one brain cell. Sorry if I've missed anybody out and love to all

Hi Sunny - I'm here and have read your post . God we're like red bloody buses, you don't get a post for days then two come along back to back .

Great to hear all well in the sunny house and tubba is doing well . Think you've got it sussed with the bottle/boob thing..

Really must get to bed... x

Posted this morning at work and the darn thing hasn't come on here .... ah well, have 3 more lovely posts to read now thanks to Blue & Sunny! Thanks girls!

Sorry will have to be brief now as F about to wake- will try to do personals soon though as very appreciative of the lovely replies from you all, and lovely to hear from Head & Sunny again! Head you poor love, sounds like your chest has been through the mill- like Blue said will you get the lung capacity back? Know a bit these days about lung issues thanks to DD1, so really hope you are on the mend v soon. Respect to you for the street party effort too! Hope you all have a v lovely christening for F this weekend- and MIL appreciates the superclean house too!

OK F awake...DH gone up to distract her for 2 mins... Things still a bit tough here with the sleeping/feeding but I'm still putting off deciding what to do for one more week til I get past my bday as don't want to rock the boat too much and risk a grumpy F then! She is though now finally taking more from the bottle- 7oz at her morning feed. Feeds from me rest of time and still 2-3 times at night and she's still very much wanting to cosleep...

RE weaning we did a combination of Annabel Karmel, Lucy Burney and BLW... Now at 7 months F is starting to take lumpier foods but I 'fess up to using some Ella's kitchen pouches or Plum baby stuff and not making all her grub myself- probably 70% is homemade- unlike DD1 & DS who had 100% mine and never would even tolerate non home-cooked food which actually became a bit tricky at times! Her routine is 5am b'feed (short one), Plum baby cereal mixed with fruit at 7.15am, 7oz bottle at 9.30am, lunch at 12noon (e.g. carrot/sweet potato/chicken followed by greek yogurt), b'feed at 2.30pm, dinner at 5pm (similar to lunch, plus finger foods), b'feed at 7.30pm, b'feed at 11pm (NOW!!!) and usually one more feed snuck in (wee monkey). I find baby rice = constipation for all our DCs so I steer well away from it (Plum make a good alternative using quinoa etc.).

Right, F is now looking over my shoulder. DH has no patience so must go!!!
More soon xxxxxxxx

Hi all Lots of lovely posts to read from everyone. Friday is becoming my official catch up time as by this time in the week all the chores are as done as they ever will be and DS is at nursery in the morning.

Well, like little Ben my Clara also came down with chicken pox this week ? 14 days to the day after her brother got his first spots. Luckily she got off pretty lightly, 15 or so spots and it all passed without bothering her too much. We have however been quarantined for a few days so that?s been fun. It feels like we?ve been the sicky house for weeks on end. No other real news really. We?ve had the painters in (no, really not in the metaphorical sense! ) and now have a lovely freshly painted hall and landing. It looks fab ? so pleased with it. We figured that if we did it ourselves we would complete it sometime around 2011 given that it has taken us 6 months to do one room ? which we haven?t actually finished yet. Actually that isn?t strictly true. It?s taken us 6 months to do one of ?our? rooms (the snug ? just have to touch up the paintwork after all the sanding now and then I get to have fun with soft furnishings) but we have managed to make both of the children?s rooms lovely.

I?m almost embarrassed that I have no more news to impart. My week has, as usual, passed in a blur of baby and toddler entertaining, cleaning, cooking, tidying, hovering, dusting, endless laundry, ironing and a piece of paid work. I got a bit fed up on Tuesday. F had a particularly high maintenance day. Every 2 seconds it was ?Mummy I want a drink,? ?Mummy can I have a snack?? ?Mummy, I?d like to do painting,? ?Mummy I want to do sticking,? ?When?s lunch Mummy?? ?Can we go to the swings Mummy?? ?Mummy I?ve wet myself? ??Mummy I need a poo? etc etc. Plus 2 changes of clothes due to a little accident and then covering himself in tomato sauce at lunch. Then of course there was the small matter of his sister to keep happy and she also excelled herself in terms of poo explosions necessitating more clothes and also she weed the minute her nappy was off at virtually every change thus creating even more laundry. I know this is just the way it is when you have 2 small children but this day was particularly trying. At about 3pm I sat, feeding Clara while F had a quick snooze in his buggy, surrounded by crap trying very hard not to weep. Oh yes, and an hour later DH sent me a text saying he was feeling frisky and did I fancy some sauciness upon his arrival at home?
I had to explain when he got home full of expectations that all I wanted was a shower, a cuddle and maybe a bit of a cry. He was lovely about it and very sweet and we agreed that we both had to make a bit more of an effort to go to bed early rather than fall asleep in front of the telly. So far it?s working It?s just nice to feel like a woman occasionally rather than just a mummy.

Thanks for your comments re the third child question! I can?t BELIEVE there are people who were on the due in Jan 10 thread who are pg again. Goodness me. I think it if I was pg again now it might actually kill me. Blue I totally get your thoughts about fear of further miscarriages and lack of time with the children you have. I think you are being very honest to admit your sadness at having to let go of the idea of having a daughter. Respect and huge hugs to you. One of DH?s biggest objections, finances aside, is that he is concerned that a third child wouldn?t get a look in. I do manage a reasonable amount of time on my own with F but only by being quite hard on myself and doing boring house work stuff when he is otherwise occupied or asleep. It means less time for me but I get some proper play time in with him which I know he really wants. Every now and again if I am going to stick a load of washing on or something he?ll say ?no stay here and play with me.? Guilt trip central. I get some one on one time with Clara when DS is at my parents on a Wednesday and when he?s at nursery on a Thurs and Fri morning.

So sorry to hear little Ben got the pox too but it sounds like he didn?t get it too badly thank goodness ? he would still have a lot of immunity from you as it was only a few weeks ago you stopped bfing. Well done on braving the gym! I think it will be a while before I do the same but I am going to start making an effort to fit a bit more exercise in. Not quite sure where yet. I bought a book that teaches you do 5 and 10 minute slots so you build up to 30 mins a day without really realising it. I?ll let you know how that one goes! I chuckled at your comment about Ben getting stuck in the Bumbo ? Fred used to do that too. Good to hear you are feeling so positive about your return to work. A flexible employer certainly helps.

Bella Interesting what you mention about your friends struggling a bit after going from 1 to 2. I have to say that DH and I had a harder time going from none to one! I reckon it took about a year to get our relationship back to normal if there is any such thing. It was never really bad and there were never any real question marks but we did have to work hard to get used being 3 not 2. We?ve found the 2nd a lot easier although there have been moments as you know. Only moments though, most of the time it?s lovely. DH spent his paternity leave keeping Fred entertained (by letting him help build a greenhouse) and doing all the house work and cooking so I could basically spend 2 weeks laying on the sofa feeding a cuddling Clara. That fact alone built him up some serious brownie points.
When is your mat leave due to end? Also, what did you do prior to G? Is it an absolute necessity that you go back or could you find a way to make it work if you stayed at home if that is what you want? There are loads of ways to work at home I think - can you do what you do freelance? A friend of mine is quitting her job and going into business making blinds and curtains and stuff. Any skill can be sold! Er, within reason of course.

Re the longer naps, C just fell into it I?m afraid. I wish I could say I did something but no. She?ll probably start doing something else next week. Re weaning I bought an Annabel Karmel book with DS and religiously pureed! He is a good eater and was from the off although he rejected spoons at about 8 months (unless they had something sweet on them ) so then it was finger food all the way. Like you I worry that BLW will just take too long if following a completely purist approach. I will prob do a combination of both tbh. I have given Clara a stick of very ripe pear to see what she does and she licked it like a little cat! She looked pretty pleased with herself actually although when a piece broke off in her mouth she spat it out straight away. I think she?s happy just licking and sucking stuff for the time being! I will prob start off doing a bit of fruit or veg at lunchtime when I give DS his lunch and seeing what happens. I have to say I don?t really like baby rice. I used it with DS to thicken stuff or make creamy fruit purees but on its own I think it looks like gruel. Try not to worry about things like consistency. Just follow the directions on the pack and if G doesn?t like it he?ll let you know!

Jumping Is it your birthday yet? Happy Birthday!!! I hope you have a lovely day whenever it is. I?m sorry to hear that F is still giving you a hard time at night. It is good news about her taking more from the bottle. Maybe thats the slow start of greater independence.

Sunny Lovely to see you back again. It?s great to hear that you are so happy and little Tubba is a Carlsberg baby! Perhaps she could have a word with several of ours to explain how to sleep at nights?

Head Helloooooo! So sorry to have you have been so ill. Your poor thing that just sucks totally. Kudos for the street party catering and entertaining MIL. I think you can be forgiven for ordering in for F?s christening ? you must have nightmares where you have to butter a never ending stack of sliced bread. Good to hear weaning is going well. I think re the sleeping that as soon as they start rolling all the back to sleep stuff becomes less relevant. As soon as I put C down on her back she rolls on to her side. Not a lot you can do really! Have a fabulous weekend and enjoy the christening!!

Irish What news? Are you enjoying your last few weeks of freedom?

Wow. Now that really was grabbing the talking stick and whacking everyone over the head with it!

oops. I really am rubbish aren't I? Sorry my MIL is over from Cyprus so I can't spend much time on the computer this week.

So sorry to hear about everyone coming down with the pox... Luca had it at 8 months and he was miserable. Still, probably good to get it over with. It's just about the last thing they don't vaccinate for these days. I went to lots of pox parties in my youth Oh and measles parties

Glad to hear everyone's weaning is going well. Poor Francesca got a bit bunged up the last couple of days so she's had a bottle of orange juice and cooled boiled water today and it's like rocket fuel for her bowel, the spinach I gave her at lunch time came rocketting out at tea time!

Gotta dash now, my poor MIL is sitting with dh watching the football! Back soon xxx

Hi again,

Ok so only has head has been on since I last posted but since both of my little darlings have decided to sleep at the same time for once I thought I'd make the most of it. If I was being sensible I would sleep - Clara was up 3 times last night but if I have even half an hour to myself I kind of want to make the most of it by being conscious.

Had some more thoughts that I didn't put on my last post - these are mainly for Bella. I posted a thread in the breast/bottle section the other day about a run in I had with my HV. Long story short when I said I was still bfing she looked quite surprised and said that if I was still bfing at 6 months then Clara would need vitamin d drops. News to me and there are some interesting posts on the thread about it.We then also had confusion over weaning with her telling me that if I left it until 26 weeks to really get a move on with it because extra nutrients are required at that point. I said "fine, I'll start earlier then" and she said "no the guidelines are 26 weeks." I am still a bit confused tbh as she made it sound like instead of starting them slowly with a bit of fruit and veg they should basically be scoffing meat, potatoes and 2 veg by 26+2.

I have decided to start at 24 weeks as I am getting the distinct impresssion that it is time. I know the 26 week thing is meant to be sacred but a couple of weeks of an ice cube of pear or banana at lunch isn't going to cause too much damage I don't think. Then at 26 weeks I'll introduce dairy and stuff and see what happens. Still planning on giving finger food from the off as well though. She keeps staring at food and trying to snatch stuff out of my hand and off plates (including a piece of quite pink lamb of DH's plate at the weekend!) This when combined with the the recently revised night time schedule is making me think she is trying to tell me something.

Bella I just wanted to say to you when I said I had an Annabel K book if you choose that route don't pay too much attention to the amount she says they should be eating! I remember looking at it even when Fred was a about 10 months old thinking that he never ate half of what she said they should, quantity wise. He was never fussy and is still a good eater but my goodness if I had taken it too literally I would have worried he wasn't eating enough which he evidently was (he looked like a little barrel for a couple of months until he started walking properly).

Head I hope you and the family had a lovely day at F's christening and that you haven't worked yourself into the ground being the perfect hostess! Lovely description of F's digestive issues! Lol. I actually have the opposite issue at the mo - Clara is just a poo machine. I had to break out the Metanium for the first time today as her little botty is rather red from all the action!

Just thought I'd share that with the group.

So how is everyone? Did you all have a nice weekend?

Hey All,

wasabi - Health Visitors - grrr.

Ben is now 28 weeks (I think ) no he is and I started weaning him three weeks ago although it was a bit hap hazard to begin with due to hols and chicken pox. I'm still only doing fruit or veg with baby rice at 11am and 5.30pm (no problems with constipation but did read that mixing rice with fruit/veg stops this) and only at the weekend did I introduce a second course at 5.30pm in the form of yoghurt.

Tonight I gave him some macaroni cheese as that's our Monday dinner and he cope with it well (I put it on his tray and he helped himself .

From what I've read (oodles) most weaning is still geared towards introducing it slowly at 4 months but did find the Gina Ford book v. useful as the edition I bought was just after they upped it to 6 months and she breaks it down so you can follow her guidance for weaning at 4/5/6 months. The basic difference at 6 months is you (a) drop the milk quicker before food and (b) introduce new food every 2-3 days rather than 5-6..

I've still to introduce meat but am thinking about doing the Anabel Karmel chicken with sweet potato and apple for Ben next week (using salt free stock)

Do you use the AK ice cubes? I find one of them is a perfect portion.

wasabi your post about some 'afternoon delight' with your DH inspired me and I surprised DH on Sat as probably the only time ever both boys were napping (Isaac never naps anymore but he flaked out on couch @ 1pm). I have amassed a gazillion brownie points I can tell you . As you say we were women before we were Mummies!

Head - how was the christening? Piccies please! Hope your surviving the MIL and F's nappies . did you let your MIL change a few?

Bella - all quiet on the Bella front... We need news and updates on you and G.

Jumping - can relate to DC's not tolerating non home cooked. Isaac could sniff a shop bought meal at 10 paces and just refused it. Of course he is now four and his favourite food is wee willie winkie sausages with tomato ketchup - aaargh! did I miss your b'day? Bet you're younger than me . What did you get??

Sunny - how's your Carlsberg baby this week ?

Irish - bump update please! Getting lots of kicks I hope.

Well I went back to work today and made it in for 8.57am . Not bad considering I had to prepare both lunches for boys, cup of tea for my Mum, my lunch, clothes looked out, itinerary handed over. Nearly scuppered from word go as Ben decided to sleep until 7.45am! So whole routine was one hour later - my Mum was fantastic though and had them at the park and into town for cake. Go Mum!

I'm just loving Ben just now, he is a ball of energy and just loves life. He finds his big brither hilareous and I get a wee lump in my throat when I peek at them sometimes and Isaac is entertaining him. He has both bottom teeth through and has started to sleep on his tummy which is soo cute to look at. The last two nights he has sttled himself to sleep something his brother never did. I just put him down drowsy and he sucks his thumb, rolls around flips over onto his tummy and ZZZZZZ

Talking of which I have apples to peel and steam before I can get some ZZZZ

Later ladies x

Hey all!

Trying to catch up, been lovely and busy on here!

Blue your description of Ben made me smile, it is such a gorgeous stage. So glad your first day at work went well and your Mum coped fine! Hope you enjoyed an uninterrupted cup of tea at some point!

How long did the chicken pox last (Blue and wasabi)? It's doing the rounds here and waiting nervously for ours to get it, in a way would like DS & DD1 to get it but feel F is too young... but would also like to know they've all got through it...

Blue very impressed you've made it to the gym! I really need to get exercising but not finding a minute at all at the moment. Bought a Davina McCall dvd 3 months ago and it's still in its packet! Would like to lose a bit more weight and tone up a lot as finding my body image is making me quite self conscious even with DH

Had a lovely birthday thank you (Saturday) and we even managed a meal out thanks to a friend babysitting! However at 4am Sunday Ffion started a nasty tummy bug, with both ends going She ran very high temps Sunday (39.7 eek) so took lots of meds and cooling to stop the shakes and had me quite worried Thankfully yesterday her temps came down and she's not vomiting anymore but everything is still exploding out t'other end She's also been completely off her solids since Saturday, and won't take a bottle from me so I just gave in and b'fed her exclusively for the past 48hrs. However I'm in work for a few hours now so hoping she'll take a bottle ok for MIL... Didn't want to come in but MIL reassured me she'd cope and F is fine in herself again just still not right in the exit section...
My PhD graduation is tomorrow so really hoping we all are ok then, especially as my Mum and stepdad arrive this afternoon for it. All go as ever! And as for sleep, well it's just like we've gone backwards since F became poorly, but I can't expect anything else really... so plan to start tackling it all next weekend, somehow!

wasabi your description of the frantic days is so true. I am constantly running just to stand still it seems (or even seem to go backwards!). I honetly despair of laundry- I never seem to get on top it it all- there's always either washing to put away, or hang out, or wash. Yesterday was pretty horrendous as got through some 15 nappies and endless sheets/clothes etc. while struggling to amuse DS & DD1 and feed them meals on time. By the end of the day the house seemed upsidedown- half painted/gluey pasta all over the floor, grass from outside throughout, washing up from lunch still not done, wet towels all over bathroom. Ah well tis the nature of small people. At least they all went to sleep eventually and we got some time to straighten things out before the tornadoes hit again today!

Bella am very curious about what your job used to be?! But so true about not wanting to do a long commute on top of full time hours. I worked full time after DS and in rush hour only took 30 mins tops to get there via nursery but still found the juggling very hard, so after just over a year managed to go part-time. Like you I sometimes struggle with the fact I've spent a rediculous amount of time and energy in higher education and feel sometimes I let myself down (as well as those who've supported me- though thankfully no one did financially, just emotionally which is of course just as significant...) by not persuing my career "properly". But there is no way of doing that and having DCs, especially more than one DC. Since I switched to part-time work I effectively stalled my career progression, and will be very lucky if I can ever get it booted up again even once DCs are older and I could work full-time. It's tough being a woman.

Right, am making a mess of eating my sandwich while typing! And have the sleep deprived ranting waffle going on again

oooo i love an active thread me!!! THought i should let others have the talky stick for a change Have just had to reread everything so as to avoid missing stuff out - about 3 times!

Well everything is going brilliantly here I am tres pleased to report. G is now sleeping 6:30 - 5 in one go (actually til 4:49 but who's counting ). Hurrah. I give him lots of boob in bed at that point and force an hour or two more out of him. 5am is definitely still night time in my house!

ps wasabi i had never heard that about vitamin D - noone has ever mentioned it to me at my surgery - or that i might need to give vitamin drops . It's very confusing. Does that mean that in fact formula IS better after 6 months because it has all the necessary vits added? In which case why the WHO recommendation?

Evening

Firstly huge congratulations, well done and wowser to Jumping for completing your PhD and graduating today . What an amazing achievement. I hope you were rightly proud as punch and your family ditto . Did you get bopped on the head with the mortar board or is that something they just do up in Scotland ?

Sorry to hear little F had a high temp. That must be so worrying . I've got a digi thermometer but thankfully haven't had to use it yet. re: chicken pox. Ben's first spots appeard on the Friday, he was fine during the day sat/Sun but in with me at night as grizzly, fine day AND night on Monday and they had started to disappear by the Tuesday . He really took it in his stride and spouted two teeth in the process . From what I've gathered the younger they are the milder and add BF immunity into the mix fingers crossed if F gets it it will be mild and pass quickly.

Hey Bella - I ROFL at you ROFL thinking I had a personal trainer when I was referring to the metal x-trainer second row furthest right at my gym . We're good mates him and me, well we used to be pre-Ben . Your trip to Devon sounded bliss and at G's farmer's tan. Lovely image of him kicking his legs and enjoying all that sea air!

I knew you were a lawyer but a criminal one - yowser. Are your clients the crims as in the Bond Street bank robber types?? I'm thinking North Square? Did you ever watch that? Or were you more Anna from This Life ?

Great to hear weaning going well with G and your following your natural instinct I gave Ben fish, peas and mashed potatoes tonight (sieved them to ensure no bones) and he scoffed it AND sucked on some toast AND yoghurt . Bella I'm just adhereing to my GF weaning book re: breakfast last. Think its just getting them used to one then two then finally three meals a day. Not sure why breakfast is last though . Ben's now had most veg and fruit and all OK so going to introduce breakfast on Monday and push 11am feed back to 12pm and drop milk from that as it will be meat and milk can hinder absorption of iron. I feed him in his Bumbo for morning and high chair at dinner time as we're sitting down then too but TBH the high chair is much easier and less messy and you can put toys on it to distract when you are cleaning up. We have a three spoon system going on: first spoon is on floor, second in his mouth third in my hand and we rotate .

Never heard of BF Mums being asked to administer Vit D drops ? Surely if you are introducing a good range of solids by 6 months then they're fine? Its not as if they're going to run out of iron at midnight on their 26 week! Or maybe they are I really don't know... If I was still bf I wouldn't be using them as B is a good 60 percentile and not going to run out of energy reserves any time soon. Maybe its different if you have a slight, dainty baby who is prone to colds and stuff...

Bella re: travel cot. We can never get all four sides up either! Its all in the wrist action . Have you thought of getting small cot instead? It would probably take up less room than travel cot and you wouldn't have to bend down as far to put G in?

Second day back at work today and so far so good. MIL had the boys and other than her not being able to fold pram everything went well . That's me until Monday - yay!

Right off to couch with cuppa and chocoloate ball made by Isaac and me yesterday - delic!

Big waves to wasabi, Head, Sunny and *Irish x

Hey there,

I am logging in for my Friday catch up. I have peace, 6 music and a large, coffee. Just thought I?d draw you a picture there. I?m looking forward to a lovely sunny weekend. DH is off with the boys for a curry night tonight (and is staying out as frankly after lots of beer and a lamb bum burner I really don?t want to share a bed with him) so I have an evening alone to savour.

Big news of the week ? C has started on solids. I decided her constant pooing (sorry for TMI but really, it?s just non-stop) was a sign that she was making the digestive enzymes she needed for solids. Could be utter bollocks of course but she is nearly 24 weeks and I doubt a little fruit and veg will do too much harm. Am doing a bit of mashed and a bit of a finger food and it seems fine. She can get a spoon to her mouth well and loved slurping pear off it yesterday She looks so proud when she?s finished as well. Amazingly she has also started sleeping a bit better. She has a bit of boob at about 11ish and then goes through until about 7.30. She always seems to wake up bang on 5am but settles herself again with a little chattering to herself. It?s the first time I?ve had 6 hours of unbroken sleep in months and I could almost weep with gratitude.

Dr. Jumping I hope you had a wonderful day at your PHD ceremony. I hope you had a truly fab time and felt very proud of yourself. It?s such a huge achievement all that study and I?m sure your lovely family were extremely proud of you. So sorry to hear that F has been under the weather again and that has caused some regression sleep wise. I was tearing my hair out the other day as C has started pooing at night which obviously means changing her which wakes us both up a lot more than a quick feed. While she can settler herself back fine I lay awake for bloody ages listening to DH snoring. Which is just great when you know you will be up again in about 4 hours. I can understand why you sometimes get frustrated with your career stalling for the time being when you have worked so hard. It?s so unfair that men don?t have to choose. I am positively uneducated compared to you and Bella (I hold a mere 2:1 in Ecomomics & Politics) but when I?m cleaning up wee when DS has missed the loo again because he wasn?t concentrating I do sometimes wonder why I bothered. I try to remember that learning for its own sake is a good thing. It also means that I still have a strong interest in politics, current affairs and social history (I am the saddo who watches all thise BBC4 documentaries) which I like to think keeps me interesting. And interested.

Bella Wow a criminal lawyer ? that?s a very glam job although I suspect the expectation of 24x7 availability might be a bit of a bugger. Doesn?t really sound like the sort of job that lends itself to part time work. Having said that a friend of mine is at a well known law firm (second name Smith) and works 3 days a week after having children although I think they leaned on her to go to 4 days after her she went back after her second. Good to hear that G is taking to the weaning well! You are so besotted with your little boy it?s lovely to read. Not sure how long I am planning to continue with bfing. The vitamin D thing is all still being researched I think and policy seems to vary from one NHS trust to another ? (doesn?t it always?) I think I will carry on until I really have had enough and tbh I find it easier now than I have done for ages. I don?t tend to leak or engorge as much now and tbh I find it easier than the thought of using bottles especially as new faff is inevitably introduced now she?s weaning. I am planning on using formula to mix up mushy stuff as I want to check there are no allergies but apart from that I am happy to carry on as is, especially as she is waking less at the moment. By the way the reason for not introducing more then 1 new food a day is that if a bad reaction occurs you won?t know what caused it. I think the advice to introduce new foods every 3-4 days is probably a bit over cautious, I do consecutive days.

Blue Yes I came to much the same conclusion as you re vitamin D and also iron stores. Breast milk has less iron than formula but given that C will be picking up more iron rich food then we shouldn?t have an issue. As for vitamin D apparently there are studies linking deficiency to onset of MS later in life but its all very sketchy at the moment. I may take the drops as a precaution as I was pg in winter which apparently has a lot to do with it. I tend to try and keep Clara out of the sun as it?s so hot but apparently that can have an effect too. I don?t make her wear a burka or anything (although her father may do when she?s older bit obviously don?t want her to get burned so keep her out of the sun in the hottest part of the day and make sure she wears a hat. I don?t know. It makes my head spin tbh ? I thought keeping them out of the sun was the right thing to do but a side effect may be vit D deficiency. Anyway, glad your return to work has gone well and that your boys are happy It took my mum and dad about a year to figure out our buggy!

Head , Irish and Sunny I hope you are all good and enjoying the sunshine.
Have a lovely weekend everyone x

Hello there lovely ladies - how are you all this evening? I am so ashamed of my posting record - and I don't even have a wee one to distract me unlike you with your little babbas. I'm not even going to try and make any excuses but will warn you this is more likely to be a marathon - I might do personals in this one and then update you all on my news in the next one. (I'm still pregnant so it's not as exciting as it might be. )

So starting with Bella ...
Your job sounds very impressive but I can see how it wouldn't fit in with a bubba in tow. Congrats on the 6:30 to 5 sleeping - sounds lovely. Your holiday sounded great too - I'm hoping we'll get a little holiday like that when I'm on mat leave.

wasabi I'm glad the health visitor's advice didn't dissuade you from starting Clara on solids. I did LOL at the "poo machine" comment. Your DH must have been happy with the "afternoon delight" I know my DH would be.

Re the burka story I think DH has one on order. --He- was We were doing some DIY last weekend involving an axe and at the end of it he was delighted that the axe looked used now - for when his dd has little boyfriends coming over.

Head my word you have had a time of it haven't you? Glad to hear your chest infection has cleared up. Well done on organising the street party and the christening. After all your work you deserved to call in the caterers. I at cleaning the house for the MIL - DH doesn't understand why I am scrubbing an already clean house at midnight before she gets here. It's a compulsion isn't it?
Your DC are so gorgeous.

Blue wow you have been busy - back in work , back at the gym. I'm glad to hear going back to work is going well. Sounds like the weaning is going well as well. To answer your questions, the nursery is green and purple. Nice neutral colours because a friend of mine was told she was having a girl but ended up with a boy so better safe than sorry. We went for the Graco Quattro tour deluxe travel system in the end - DH was enamoured with it and I was happy enough so we got it.

Jumping well done - I have so much respect for you having done your Phd and now you've graduated it's amazing. I'm not surprised that you haven't go time to go to the gym given how much you have going on every day. So sorry to hear Ffion has been ill - at least she has passed the worst part now.

Sunny loving the carlsberg baby comment - can I order one of them do you think? Hope all things are going well for you.

Right I am going to leave this post now and then I'll post again with an update on my news for you all. It's mad I am so far behind you all but I'm sure reading about all of your experiences will stand me in good stead.