FEB 2010 No longer newborns!!

[InmaculadaConcepcion]

Three months and counting, everyone! Our babies are gradually getting the hang of the world...and we are gradually getting the hang of them...

Thanks for the compliments! [proud mum emoticon]

Why Madrid, BG? Well, DH and I both quit our jobs when we got married to go on a mega honeymoon travelling around Europe. I say quit, but both were left open to us if we wanted to return in a year or less. We decided we preferred to stay abroad and after our travels, decided we would like to live in Spain because we had enjoyed ourselves so much there and made a few friends. We invested in doing one month intensive TEFL courses (CELTA), which we completed in Barcelona. We were tempted to stay there, but changed our minds after taking part in an English residential course (as native speakers, we got a free holiday at a posh hotel in return for speaking English with Spanish people for a week). We made a bunch of friends there, most of whom were from Madrid. That, plus the fact that there are a lot of jobs in Madrid for English teachers decided us.

Madrid is a cool city with a great vibe. Not as good-looking as, say, Barcelona or Salamanca, but a generally fun place to be. Reasonably family-friendly for a big city, too (but the Spanish are very good at making sure there is provision for families).

DD didn't do too badly last night. Irritatingly, my cough woke me a couple of times and sent me scuttling into another room to avoid waking up DD and DH, so a precious chunk of sleep lost . Anyway, from 18.50 - 06.30 she woke up I think only four-ish times (needed a second resettle a couple of times, but that only took a minute or two). REALLY want this bloody cough to go, though. I have enough trouble getting the Zzzs as it is...

IC what an amazing thing to do!
Hope your cough gets better soon.

DS got a bronchiolitis! So back on antibiotics and steroids for 5 days and back to the GP on Thursday to check he's better. So no nursery for the next 48 hours.

DS is getting more interested in food and had a spoon of fruit puree yesterday, he was looking quite proud of himself.

Time to go and cook a salmon risotto

Oh GF poor you and DS . Hope he gets better soon.

Our nights have been a little better, feeds around 1 and 5. Normally a few stirrings but dummy magic to the rescue, but last nite no stirring between 1 and 5 . I had to stay up for a few nights in order to make some calls to the UK during business hours, so now I'm going to have to learn to sleep earlier again. Something that I am always fighting.

The feeding has also been going better, far from perfect but alot less stressful. Am now 90% convinced that she is actually teething. It seems though you can't get infant painkillers over the counter here, so we'll have to wait a few weeks until she's signed up with a pead. We've been testing our new buugy which I lurve. It is a bassinet and buggy all in one and you can spin it 180degrees in both formats. We only brought a really cheap one in the UK. Also for the first time in weeks, LO's skin is pretty much clear. Atm i'm sure she only has normal infant ezcema, apparently mine didn't manifest itself until I was about 1. She is loving her jumperoo

Off to trial the pumps at work today and submit our health insurance forms (think I upset one of the workers by my incessant questions so will have to be on uber suck-up duty)

CC I can't believe the jumperoo is so cheap in US grrr It's twice the price in UK, but am consoling myself with the thought at least we can sell it on ebay 2nd hand and recoup close to purchase price. Even more likely now that next year VAT will be 20%. Gah. No wonder retailers call the UK "treasure island".

first tooth through! will be 18 weeks on thursday?

IC hope that cough gets better soon!

GF good news on the food, bad news on the bronchiwotsists

CC sounds like you're getting settled - good luck with the health stuff - NZ was pretty good, but it's all SO different to the UK and everything we were used to!

Hi all,
A lot of unsettled night here too, at least 4 or 5 whinges. I know I am lucky she just goes in 2 sec if I put the dummy back on! . But still, I was v. lucky 1st time, as DD1 never got up during the night (unless sick, off course!) re . But hoping it will settle soon, as we have a first tooth and it is probably due to the 2nd taking a bit more time.
For those with older children, do you deal with them exactely the same? I found out I am far less strict with DD2. She doesn't have a bedtime yet, can be up till 22h. Is put to bed half asleep after me carrying her, has a dummy, doesn't have to nap in her cot. Am I spoiling her or am I just dealing with a much easier child?
DD1 was crying to get to sleep and fighting me, so she was left to cry by herself in her cot (not long and with constant returning back to her and calming her down but DD2 takes 5 min of me walking up and down with her snuggling, which is nice). During the night patting her on the belly was usually enough, unless really sick. And I would have let her cry if she had been waking for no reason as often as DD2
Or is this normal for a 2nd time mum? One of my older freind told me you get all the energy raising the 1st one, and the others mimic the eldest so you don't have to do the job.
oups morning nap over

Poor DS, GF, hope he gets better soon.

Better nights, CC! Lucky you! Good luck settling in and getting organised.

I suspect you're just more relaxed this time round, mamaloco!

Teeth already, by golly!! No sign of any here yet. DD loves gumming our fingers, but I haven't detected anything hard in there.

My cough only sent me out of the bedroom once last night. I kipped for a bit on the sofa (which is very comfy) and still woke up before DH when DD awoke and started whimpering (in fact, he didn't wake up at all - but that's more because I think I'm very tuned into her now and got there very quickly, rather than him being deaf to her needs!!) Another not-too-bad night for DD - only about 4 wake-ups plus a few false start resettles and one that took a little longer, but was still okayish time-wise.

We're taking DD to the specialist infant hospital today to have her hearing tested. One of her ears didn't work when she was born, but we were told 80% of such cases are down to immaturity and sort themselves out. Fingers crossed. DD doesn't seem to have any problems hearing, but it's hard to tell with a baby!

napping again!
GF hope the bronchiolite isn't too bad and get solved soon.
IC same goes for your cough! Don't worry about your DD's hearing. If they are only concerned with one hear she will be fine. (OK I admit I am half-deaf from birth so I am biased ). As you said it is really difficult to know with babies, my parents didn't realised that there was something 'wrong' before I was 4 yo. Good luck. Hope it has matured though.
CC I am quite short temper with DH as well

Bronchiolitis, coughs and teething - hope all those are on the mend.

Mamaloco, I think I'm doing much the same with DD2 as I did with DD1, but I was pretty relaxed then as well. DD2 goes to bed at the same time as DD1 and never naps in her cot (neither did DD1). The only thing I am aware of being significantly different is that with DD1 I tended to do things around her, so if she feel asleep in the car, I'd wait until she woke up etc. DD2 has no such luxury, and gets hoiked out because we have to be somewhere!

Climberchick and Stoof, very admiring of your ability to move halfway across the world with small children in tow!

A couple of comments on things that were mentioned earlier on in this thread - we are using a Bumbo seat for weaning (supports her well and is wipe clean!), and although I'm Indian and DH is English, we only speak one language (the shame). In fact, the other night I had some of my mum chums around for dinner (DH had gone on a three day stag do and they came round to break up the lonely evenings after the DDs have gone to bed), and I bought some ready made curries from the supermarket. The Indian lady who served me on the checkout was clearly thinking "Didn't your mother teach you to cook?" and I kept my head down to avoid making lots of excuses and sounding like a madwoman!

Small moan please? Had an awful day yesterday...DD2 is teething and has been quite clingy the last fews days. She's only really happy on my arm (which is fine except she's now over 7kg (over 15lbs)and my arm gets tired, and I can't get a thing done in the house). Yesterday dd1 had enough of the attention the baby was getting and started behaving really badly and being agressive(unlike her), even at one point flicking a soft toy into dd2's face just to see what would happen. By late afternoon I was at my wits end and ended up with both of them crying. Obviously on a day like that dh had to work late... Ok, moan over. Nothing compared to some of you with coughs and things, but I felt knackered last night and very sorry for myself.
As for treating dd2 differently, I am definitely more relaxed, but so is she. I've now solved a feeding problem, too. She thought I was just not quick enough to get the spoons into her mouth when she likes something and got very very cross with me. Now she gets her own spoon and 'feeds' herself in between spoonfuls. I now have a much happier, if messier, baby!!

Hiya everyone.
Where does the time go
Mummybrain is still in full swing and I can't remember anything I've read, how embarassing. Great to hear we're all in the same boat coping with weaning/sleep/work etc. It's tough at times but I wouldn't change it.

BG have you thought of a babycarrier, I'm getting addicted but the easiest is by far the connecta

www.mumsnet.com/Reviews/BabySlings/90-connecta/

Got to go and help DS unwedge his arm, he can nearly roll over but not quite and gets very frustrated.

Bummer, BG, not surprised you felt fed up yesterday - who wouldn't?

Well, the good news is both DD's ears are working fine now (yes, she would have managed fine with one, but I'm very pleased she's got both...)

My cough seems to be easing off too, thanks for all the good wishes! Fingers crossed I won't have to make any swift exits with face suffused from the bedroom tonight!

Could be an interesting night. What with a Metro strike and us having to take DD for her hearing check, her naps have been pretty screwed up - much shorter than usual. We shall see what (if any) impact it has on her overnight sleep...

Yes, I've heard good things about the Connecta, SunnyMummy - must admit I'm tempted, although we have two perfectly good wrap slings. I like the idea of the Solarweave one for sun protection, because it's cooler and will also be easier for back carries.... DH is a bit about us getting another, though...

BabyGiraffes poor you, sounds awful. I'm impressed that you weren't crying as well as the DDs! I've definitely had days like that, and I'm just so grateful when they go to bed (and then the familiar guilt kicks in).

Hope the tooth comes through soon.

I'd second the support for a baby carrier if you haven't got one. I've got a Baby Bjorn Air - I bought it for DD1 but have lent it to several people in between the DDs - and wouldn't be without it. It's also great going round the supermarket as it saves me having to get the right type of trolley, and leaves me hands-free (though I do have to remember that she's strapped to me when I see something on one of the lower shelves...)

IC, glad to hear that Rosie's hearing is fine. What a relief! And good luck with the sleeping tonight (DD2 has just started doing 7:30pm until 7:30am, which has only deepened my already deep deep love for her) - I've always thought that daytime and nighttime sleep are compeltely different entities, so hopefully it won't be affected by the short nap today.

Thanks for the good wishes.

DS has been very active and chatty with DH today, just with coughing, vomtting and dirhea (sp) been an indication that he's not well.

No teeth yet but a lot of drooling and fists eating... It'll come soon enough I guess

Thanks for the sympathy . So nice to get some feedback from other mums (dh is lovely but really has no idea how my days can pan out!). I've got a baby bjoern carrier but dd2 seems quite long, so we bump head/chin.. . I do use it for shopping but keep getting into trouble if I take a normal trolley (they are surprisingly deep...). I also have a backpack carrier which should be okay for 6 mths plus (just in time for holiday in the Lake District in September). Mind you dd2 would just end up eating my hair if I put her in that now. She's at the grabbing stage and myself and dd1, both with longish hair, really have to suffer . Guess I could still use the backpack one to do the cooking??
I'm getting resourceful me! Last night we had chips and beans because there simply was no way to cook with two crying children. Wanted to make pizza tonight and of course dd2 did her 'Oh no, not the bouncy chair' face. I ended up putting her in the garden to look at the washing on the line - worked a treat. (Before I get comments esp with the fox attacks recently, large open kitchen windows, so dd2 in sight the entire time, and not a fox been seen ever in Cardiff). By the time she got bored with listening to seagulls etc. I only had to grate some cheese and put the pizza in the oven. DH very impressed when he came home
IC glad your cough is better and Rosie's hearing is fine. DD1 had a dodgy hearing test at birth but they just decided it was gunk in her ear... and she's fine, too.
watercress had to at your buying curry post... Also quite impressed on you doing a OU thingy. Feel like maybe I should revive my brain...
GF hope your LO carries on recovering well and you don't feel too bad yourself. Know just how you feel because when dd1 started nursery she kept getting coughs and colds and usually gave them straight to me. I have quite severe asthma, so I ended up on antibiotics pretty much permanently... It does get better once they go through the usual infections in nursery!!

Long post... dd2 asleep and dd1 playing with her dolls house with dh..

BG we put LO out to sleep on the back porch so if you get slayed, I'll be there with you.

Flying in - DH turned the XBox on before I got on here so no guilt there tonight!

Sorry to hear about the bronchiowatsits (love the term!) and coughs/teeth/lack of sleep etc.. but happy re both working ears!

I'm very different with DS2 - much more relaxed and happier baby too. He does nap in his cot most of the time (now I'm brave enough to put him up there with his moevement sensor on) but gets woken to accommodate DS1 which I always tried to avoid last time round. Also sleeps through live bands (at a wedding)/DS1 screeching/various noisy toys etc..

BG I totally know what you mean about both DCs having a meltdown at the same time. I also have what I have termed 'bodily fluid days' when all I do is clean wet pants from DS1 and vomit and poo from DS2 - it can really change my day! On such days I also fail to do any playing etc.. as spend the whole day chasing my tail. I also have to administer 14 sets of medicine to the DSs at the moment - it's a miracle that I remember them all and the sterilising of syringes that goes with it - no wonder I have no time to play! Other days go smoothly and I feel like I can do this job blindfolded - no idea till the day starts what it will hold!!

Irritable baby here too - teething I suspect. He managed to leave his mark on the carpet in my office today when I popped in to say hi! I'm hoping it doesn't smell too much of sick in their office in the next few days in all this heat!!

BG, GF, IC commiserations and good to hear you guys are coping admirably.
CC reading through the ante-natal threads just struck home to me how far we've come. This time last year we had absolutely no clue the new skills we would need to learn, whether to handle 1 LO or more... it's understandable that we're feeling a little poleaxed!
Wanted to report some positive developments yesterday and today which is making life easier:

1. Realised that I can bring DD around with me and place her on the bed while I change, make phone calls, laundry etc instead of leaving her in play-gym or jumperoo - she likes watching me do things and even stays on her tummy for ages while watching.

Sounds promising, sunangel! Shows she can do it! I've noticed my DD will nod off if tired enough with only minimal intervention from me, too. Still have to feed her to sleep in most cases, but it holds a certain promise that she'll no longer need that in time...
Don't worry, btw, my DD's not a big fan of being on her tummy, although she spends a little time each day in that position. She's getting more tolerant of it and is excellent at holding her head up now.

I also at watercress and buying ready-made curry! Which part of India is your family from, out of interest?

CC, surely it's only cougars to watch out for in California..?!

Thanks for the good wishes re DD's hearing!

Also the good wishes re the cough. They must have worked, because it's almost gone now and I stayed in my own bed all last night, hooray! I think DD only woke 4 times last night (I may have forgotten one, but if so I must have practically slept through it, so it doesn't count!!) and apart from one hour-long resettle, went back down pretty quickly, finally waking up for the day at 07.40, which is entirely acceptable. I feel like I almost had a good night's sleep

at bethylou's DS leaving his mark at the office!

Hi All,

Amazingly sleep has got a lot better this week (19 or 14 corrected) - he goes to sleep without a fuss at some time between 6.30 and 9 (ususally about 7) and then sleeps for 6 or 7 hours straight then wakes every two hours-ish after that and we've not been getting up until 8 or even 9am one day.

I feel so much more able to concentrate - it is great. He's been napping longer during the day too.

I am under no illusions though, and I fully expect this to be another stage and he'll have more disturbed sleep in the future but for now I am just revelling in it for as long as it lasts.

Also DH and I are making sure we have dinner together at the table while this good sleep is going on. It gives me a chance to cook properly now that DS is going to sleep quickly. Such a change from last week (but IC you said week 19 was meant to be good, didnt you?).

That said I had a real weepy morning yesterday as I was so sad that he's not a tiny baby any more and I can hardly remember what it was like to hold him when he was 5 or 6 pounds. I remember being very tired and scared and wishing he was bigger but now that he is I miss the littleness... but I love all the new skills and way he interacts. It's a shame you can't rewind time and take a quick visit to three months ago.

GF I am so sorry to hear about the Bronchiolitis. I wish your little boy a quick recovery and hope those antibiotics do the trick.

mamaloco I really don't think you are spoiling her at all. It sounds like she is fitting in well to your existing family.

watercress Haha re. the curries. You don't have to explain yourself to a checkout person but I'd be exactly the same.

IC So sorry about your cough, hope it gets better. I would also love to have a read of what you've written - I will put my email address as a comment on your blog. I am very impressed that you are finding the time to do something creative.

I have to say I am impressed with all of you who are dealing with toddlers as well as 4-5 month old babies. I really take my hat off to you, I have no idea how I would cope.

So my DH has a meeting today about a possible job that would pay pretty well and as I'm staying at home for the next couple of years it would be a real weight off if he gets it, so if you can spare a moment please wish him luck this afternoon.

Finally, time to catch up! Well good luck to bearcrumble's DH with the job interview. Fingers very much crossed for you. We're in the same boat, in that if DP could get a better-paying job then I wouldn't have to go back to work until after DC2(to be) is old enough. it would be sooooooooooo nice. Hope he gets it bc!

I'm so far behind I can't comment on everyone individually but GF hope your DS gets well soon, it seems he's been ill for ages.

Good luck to all with sleep progress. For the first time today, DD went down for a nap with no protestations and no dummy. It was her first nap, which is generally the easiest anyway, but still...!

I'm missing yoga this morning though . I just could not get out of bed on time this morning. We had a hectic weekend and then on Monday I went to see my mum by train. She picked me up from a station and her car promptly broke down. Twice. We spent the whole afternoon in the furnace-heat with poor DD, trying to find some shade but having to stay with the car. Not the afternoon I'd planned! Then yesterday I came back through London to pop into my office. It was nice to catch up with colleagues.... but oh, I SO don't want to go back to work. DD was an absolute angel this time (after screaming the office down last time).

At least having an unexpected morning at home means I can try to catch up on emails and admin stuff, i.e. the dreaded and ever-growing To Do list...

Hope everyone has a lovely day in the sun . I suppose I'd better feed my daughter!

That's nice of you bc! Hope it won't disappoint...
Great news also on the sleep! Yes, week 19ish (18-20) is the developmental spurt which is responsible for the 4moSR. Sounds like your baby's got through it now. Look out for the next one at week 26!! (which is why the 4moSR can last a while...some babies have only just got past the first spurt when they're getting ready for the next one a few weeks later). Yes, ENJOY, ENJOY, ENJOY the more settled sleep while it lasts!! (and hey, it MAY last...)

GOOD LUCK TO YOUR DH!!

Don't envy you with the car probs, fizi! DD was cross enough being in a hot car for 20 mins yesterday. Luckily I had my abanico (Spanish fan) with me and after initially entertaining her by opening and closing it a few times, she fell asleep while I fanned her.

Bearcrumble I keep my finger crossed for your DH.
I agree with your hat off for those of you with a toddler and a baby. I have a 5 yo, very mature for her age, much easier! I don't think I would have been able to do it any earlier (nature decided anyway, no choice there )

IC glad your DD hearing is OK. Must be a relief.

On the sling/baby carrier thing I want that mei tai www.coreanne.com/en/babylonia_bb_tai.html.
I used to type mai tai though and have loads of cocktails reciepes
I wish I could find one cheaper though, as we are tight. DD1 school is expensive but we don't have any other option (and it is one of the cheapest here) still I am sure it is cheap compare to going private in the UK, but we would never dream (or want) to put her in private school if we were still in the UK. And the medical is not free, and our house in the UK won't sell, (buying was a huge mistake, bad advice from familly grrr). Rant over.

BG I used to do the same with DD1, she had a spoon and I had one. DD2 is completly uninterested by that method. She just want to eat directly from the bowl . I would break down too with a day like yours.
Actually I did last night with DD1 refusing to go to the bath, DD@ shrieking and DH having disappeared (with his mobile at home, so no way to reach him! )

DD2 follows the rules of nature very well though, no way I would have been able to forget her behind a bush. Everytime she is alone in a room she yell untill somebody reappears, no crying, just yelling very loud to be heard far far away... when does it stop, I don't remember that from last time my surviving ear is not going to make it (my sanity neither)!

Yepee I'm not working tomorrow. I need to go back to the doctor in the morning for DS bronchiolitis to be checked (this was planned since Monday).

DS has enjoyed few spoon of pureed fruit after his bottle this evening. He moves his head forward to eat the spoon and a bit of its content He's so funny