October 09 - rolling, crawling, laughing into summer time (pass mum the wine!)

[Igglybuff]

New thread!

Love the new thread title!

Sorry haven't been around much - aback to work next week, and i have been feeling very emotional

Also had ds's party on sunday for 19 kids and parents so was all go

Will catch Up later and hope everyone is well

X

Morning

ht do you have any RL friends near you that you could visit for a grown up chat?? I need to talk to people in RL, I am not good being by myself for too long. I think it's because I'm a twin. Luckily I have a lot of friends near me who I can meet here or at theirs for a cuppa/chat while the dc's play.

You must be tired too after a night like that.

ruby hi!
How's the blender scout ?

We're seeing dc's friends (my friend is their mum) today, it's half term. Might go to a country park that has play areas, mini farm , lake etc.
Sun is shining! Yay!!!

Iggly Now he's worked out what to use for leverage, Joe is far more interested in standing (and scaring the crap out of me than crawling at the moment. When he commando crawls he can crawl around something or backwards away from it but not forwards and he gets SO frustrated. He pulls himself up on all fours easily enough then wiggles back and forth. He did his first topple onto the floor sideways (from sitting) and I didn't catch him in time . He bumped his head but was ok after a little cry, more shock I think. I, however was in bits, felt like a v bad mummy.I spoke to dh about getting a Thudguard and he thought I was overeacting initially

princessmel I've not made one friend in this sodding unfriendly town, am v much an outsider as was not born here. I think you're classed as local if you've been here 10 yrs+. No church groups on this week so no small talk either. We'll potter round the shops and go to the park, day is getting quite sunny . I did try and make conversation with some of the mums at my neice's party a few months ago but they kind of collectively blanked me whilst one was quite unpleasant-they are, after all SIL's friends. Life was v different when I was down South, all my friends are there and all my family in Wales. Am very sociable so it's hard but we chose to come here, just didn't think it would turn out this way. Never mind, back home this weekend

ruby Happy Birthday to your ds

Oops, that was a bit long, sorry

lol HT at Joe scaring you. Why do they choose the most unstable or dangerous thing to pull up on William has tried the tv, gas fire and dustbins... As for head bumps - I know what you mean. But my friend has two boys and says it gets worse. Many trips to A&E! Oh dear. Boo to the rude mums. I would swear but that would be impolite . Are there any mum & baby groups near you?

I've just been hearing about the Cumbria shootings. We go every year to the Lakes so really sad to hear that such a horrible thing could happen in such a beautiful place

Another very random question before I go hose down get Seb ready for bed. How much water a day to you think your LOs drink?

Joe asleep by 7pm! I wore him out. Stunning day here, we've spent most of it in the park after MANY Battles of the Sunscreen.(I won them all but my God did he yell). Mum and baby groups all off as it's half term, they start again next week.We will also start the "Wobble to Toddle" group in 3weeks.

Iggly My cousin has a 4yo son who is constantly at A & E, he's into everything. She keeps posting "guess where I am?" updates on fb and has become quite adept at butterfly stitches now!. I don't mind the rough and tumble, I grew up with older brothers so am a bit of a tomboy. Its just head injuries that scare me after what happened to me as a bambino. After a chat w my mum, dh has come round to the idea of a Thudguard so I am and Joe can happily keep exploring!

I caught the unfolding Cumbria news at lunchtime and started trying to contact friends of ours holidaying in Whitehaven (they are fine). We spend a lot of time in the Lakes particularly Egremont and Ambleside (it's the place I feel most at home in England) so I was so at what these lovely people have had to go through.

Scout It depends on the weather but I make up 4x TT 6m cup/beakers of cool boiled water each day, each to about halfway level so Joe can lift it ok w both hands. He drinks half-3/4 of the mealtime ones, tipping the rest out to splash/make patterns with . He'll drink most, if not all of the 4th one-I offer sips throughout the day in addition to his usual bf.

Thanks HT. I realized today I'm starting to question Seb's water intake. I offer it at lunch and dinner and through the day, especially if we're out and about in the sun, but the cup's water level never seems to go down! I know sometimes he's playing with it but I don't see a lot of drinking action going on. I've tried several different cups and thought I found one he could use happily/easily but I'm starting to reconsider.

HT I feel the same way over here. I am the token foreigner and, before Seb, knew no one here (in my town) other than the immediate neighbors on both sides. I do Guides in a village 7 miles down the road and all of the people I know are from there or other little villages around there. It's hard moving to a new place (I did it, too, when I moved to Minnesota). If I lived closer I'd invite you 'round for cakes! (Passes you virtual cake anyway!)

Iggly and HT I agree about the trial run/s, but they are about 80-90 miles and an average of two hours away. They wouldn't make it a day trip and it would be awkward to try. I have, however, emailed them this morning asking if they'd watch Seb (get him to bed) while I go to dinner in The City with my husband for work. I haven't heard back yet but fingers crossed.

princessmel Dug out the KitchenAid attachment today and as soon as I clean up the dinner I'll give it a whirl.

Cakes to all!

I haven't given F any water atall , ever.

I just bf him. He feeds at least once every 2 hours or so and has wet nappies....

Back in a bit

I just used my KitchenAid grinder attachment for the first time. That was the weirdest, and strangely enough, one of the coolest things I've done in AGES. I need to get out more.

Lol scout! kitchen gadgets, when they work, are great!

Water - I give William water or EBM with every solid meal. If we're out in the heat I give water. But I try not to have him out in the heat of the day as the first time we did (despite being in the shade) he got lethargic! Also he gets a bitbunged up poo wise if I don't give enough water.

HT talk of thudguards has reminded me I need to do more baby proofing. The house looks so dangerous now. I'm even thinking of changing the knobs on our chest of drawers as they're metal and look scary.
I'm glad your friends in Cumbria are ok - it must have been terrifying.

Today I'll prob pop to park and shops for a potter. Looks like a nice one

Morning all

So, i am in denial about going back to work - can't face it

My nanny has been with me all week and the kids are enjoying being with her ... I just feel sick ( silly i know)

Weather amazing here although it makes rubes cranky as she was up twice in the night

She does drink some water - she prefers it from a regular open cup and she likes fizzy water the best!

Can't believe the babies are already on the move - rubes goes from sitting to her tummy and makes like she is trying to crawl ... Don't think it will be too long

Am lucky where i live that although i have only lived here 5 years i made good friends whey had DS so I don't feel lonely

Am hoping when DS is in school this may widen his and my circle of friends ....

Hope everyone has a lovely day x

Hugs to ruby. I can't even begin to imagine how you're feeling.

iggly I'm a bit of kitchen gadget geek. I LOVE kitchen gadget stores. Also love stationary stores. I'm a sad, sad soul.

New stroller seat arrived yesterday and we took it out for it's maiden spin around town today. LOVE it! It's a "big boy seat" and it makes Sebby look so tiny. Unfortunately forgot a couple of bits at the grocery store so might have to go back out when Seb gets up from his nap. Will be posting some pics on FB later.

Significant water drainage from his cup today between the walk and lunch. I know some of it went down him but am convinced a lot went in, too. Seb also seemed facinated with the cup holder I bought in the States and was able to put his cup and my bottle in.

(I realize I don't know exactly how old everyone on this thread is, so I hope I don't offend anyone, but I just have to say this: The number of teenage mothers in this town never ceases to amaze me!)

Joe's 8m decelopment check is next Friday, any ideas what I should expect? I'm a little concerned that his leg creases don't match up on his thighs so will bring that up. It doesn't seem to affect his crawling or standing, could he just have chubby thighs I wonder?

Ruby I really feel for you, this must be so tough. It's going to take a while to adjust. What is it that you do?

Scout Good news about the water.
re the teenage mothers: oh no offence (am 36)- in the small area of Wales I come from, teenage mothers abound, it's a sort of career choice (council have to give a house/flat if there is a baby]hmm]). I was considered to be a bit odd/dim because a) I wanted a career b) I didn't want children until I could afford them and c) Even when I was made redundant one time, I was too proud to claim any benefits! Then I got out and forged a great career in publishing so had the last laughgrin]

Iggly I know what you mean about the babyproofing, you look at everything with new eyes don't you?! Joe is the same if I don't give him water, gets v bunged up.I always try keep him indoors between 11am and 3pm, he's so fair and ginger that he's a magnet for easy sunburn.

Joe asleep at 7pm again so I am sitting here with a huge donught and series 2 of Mistresses. I should be studying...

HT great news on Joe's early bedtime! 8m check - we don't have one. I think the next one is 12 months. I've not noticed whether William's leg creases match (there are a few as he has very fat thighs!). I'll check tomorrow! Also I just had a nose at your profile as I remembered reading the publishing thing and saw you are a LFC fan. Thoughts on Rafa?? I am an Arsenal fan and I'm already mourning the possible loss of Fabregas (noooooo)

Ruby agree, it must be so hard. Are you going back part time or full time? Also can I ask, any tips about finding a nanny? We're seeing an agency next week...

scout I love stationery... I used to love starting a new year at school as meant I could restock. Now, I have no excuses to buy stuff but I love raiding the stationery cupboard at work and when I'm in paperchase I have to avoid looking at all the shiney pens.

On teenage mums, I watched a really sad BBC show called underage and pregnant. Most of the girls had mistakenly got pregnant but there was one who deliberately started trying at 14 (??!!) and her parents didn't seem fussed that she was at it with her boyfriend. I was and
Also I'm not a teenager. Alas.

HT Yay sleeping! We love sleeping babies over here.

iggly I was the same way with school (and uni)! I try to avoid PaperChase cuz I always end up spending lots of money (love cards as well as stationary so that store is dangerous to the wallet!). At my old job in the States I was in charge of supply shopping for my team (we were a team of two) and it was BRILLIANT.

I remember when I first moved here and I wasn't allowed to work (the type of visa I came over on forbade me working and receiving public funds), I would walk into town to run errands or catch the bus and was shocked at the number of young mums. But now that I have my own PFB, I'm MORTIFIED at the number of >16 that have not just one but two babies that are walking around town! I want to shout "Babies are not fashion accessories!" Our SureStart has a play group geared at young mums under 18! Though, I guess, they need their own sort of support. What scares me, though, is I'm old enough to be their mum (36 in August) which means I would be a grandma. Also scares me that these babies will be Sebby's peers at school....

Nice thread name!

Your holiday sounded nice if a bit eventful princessmel I think we tried to do too much on ours, would have been better doing what you've done and chilled out at a nice villa

iggly bravo William crawling, how exciting!

scout Empathising with dropping bf, I've started too as Annalise starts at the childminder next week but not quite getting the amounts right and end up topping her up with the boob. I thought that she'd be a bit funny about ME giving her a bottle (DH has given her odd bottles of expressed BM since birth) but she was ok if a bit puzzled... feel very sad about it and wonder now how long I'll be able to mix feed or if this is the end for me too Hard isn't it {hugs}

Ruby It makes me feel a bit better that I'm not the only starting back - its gone so fast in some ways but feels like forever too. x

HT Annalise has her 8m check tomorrow afternoon, I'll let you know what's covered.

Annalise has been really unwell, high temp again, and of course vomitting. I was really hopeful that she would stop around now, but looks to continue until she is a year at least. Poor thing was soooo sick last night, right after her evening bf, DH thought it looked like someone had thrown a bucket of sick over both of us Seems much better today, took her for a swim this afternoon to get out of the house which she really enjoyed, but meant that she missed her afternoon nap and took her over 2hrs to get to sleep tonight. Feel totally popped by looking after her when she's ill, its a 24hr job isn't it. Hope she's on good form for the childminder, otherwise it'll be really tough.

meetup end June is good for me.

Waves to all, long time since we've heard from littlepea and HC is absent? Newbies haven't continued either? Well hello to all the silent lurkers!

hi everyone.

HT yay for early bedtime.Am still co-sleeping and finding it hard at moment,as he only ever sleeps on me or in buggy during day and then needs to be fed/rocked to sleep for evening,he wakes up between 2-3 times at night still.Last week he managed one night with just one feed at 11pm so know he can do it,just not sure why he managed it that night.
He`s also very clingy baby so seems to be on me all the time.Just not getting a break at moment.
Picked up a toy table thing,where he sits in the middle and can turn around to play with all the toys,from a friend today.He seems to like it so hopefully will get more of a break in future.

HT its hard when you dont know many people I knew noone when I had ds1 and found it so lonely,but just kept going to playgroups and made more friends as he got older.It helps once they start nursery/school as you make friends with some mums and I have a lovely group of friends now.

Scout I dont really give any water as BM is enough and he still drinks 2-3 hours,definitely more when hes hot.He loves drinking fruit smoothie that we make with banana,strawberry and milk ,I just give it in an open plastic cup.

Ooh,love stationery too and always thought I was odd with that.Paperchase such a great shop and dangerous. Love pens and such shame not going to school to have an excuse buying stuff for.

Big hugs to you ruby.

Cant believe how many babies are already on the move and trying to stand up,Nathaniel is not even sitting properly yet and nowhere near pulling himself up on anything or crawling. DDs been having lots of tantrums this week such a nightmare,can`t wait for nursery to start again.I do feel sorry for her though as she hardly ever gets time with me alone as am always holding the baby,poor thing.

Having a picnic tomorrow with some friends have a good day all xxx

Sorry life is a bit full on.Have a Friday cake on me when it comes !!!

Littlepea I think you are in the middle of your move.Hope all is well.

Waves to you all

I added a message this morning but then lost it

Suffice to say there have been lots of tears last night and this morning

DH is also away most of next week as well which is a PITA

Just to say a huge thanks to you all for all the support through all the sleepless nights and breastfeeding traumas

Will deffo keep posting on here and may even make the meet up

Bigs hugs to calypso for next week foo xxx

I am in a fabulous mood considering I have had v little sleep! Joe woke up as midnight and decided he wanted to play, feed and crawl for 4 hours, slept 4-6 then woke for good at 6am. Dh like a zombie and promptly took day off at short notice. We may try and do the Wales journey late tonight and hope Joe sleeps through.Food wise he has discovered cheese and fallen in love with the really rich mature cheddars. Gets more and more like his dad every day

Calypso Poor Annalise, I do hope she is on the mend soon, its so hard to see them ill and such a worry

ruby and Calypso thinking of you both and sending hugs for next week. It will get better x

Bella Aa another mum of a klingon baby, can I just say that you are doing BRILLIANTLY. Not only are you coping with a baby on you all the tie, you are also a great mum to your DD as well-I struggle jut with Joe and the way he is so I am a little in awe of you! He is also still rocked to sleep and will only sleep on me for naps....and like you we are still co-sleeping which I am finding bloody tough at the moment. I bet we both have fab triceps and biceps from all the carrying now . Just tell yourself this this too will pass and it's is a preclude to a happy, independant toddler.

Scout and Iggly I am another lover of stationery and I have a card draw which drives dh nuts! When in the States I fell in love with the ordinary lined notepads people can get with YELLOW paper-so much better than boring old white we have here. I think they are called legal pads? I love them.

HC Good luck for christening this weekend, weather should stay nice!

waves to fidelma* and everyone else

Gotta go-Joe is trying to eat IgglePiggle's blanket...

Hello all

Had a HOT day today which was also a bit disasterous! Everything I do ends up a bit of a disaster!!
We were going to the splash park with my friend and her 3 dd's.
We had decided to go on the train as a treat for the kids.... It is only 10 mins in the car but on a day like this the parking is a nightmare so we thought the train would be a good idea and fun for the dc's.
So...I packed a picnic..and we went after F's 2 hour nap. So far so good. Then when I was unloading the car at my friends house , ready to walk to the station (yes I know this sounds mad..on a roasting day too!)I discovered the pram had a puncture!!!
So on to plan B, I put F in the car seat that can go on wheels and loaded up the basket with towels, picnic, swim stuff etc etc.
Friend all ready, 6 kids all ready, off we go to the station....walk along and when we get there we discover that the train has broken!!! Broken! How unlucky is that!???!

So we all walked back to the cars and came back here. Kids had the paddling pool and one of those hosepipe flower things that twists around and splashes them all !!
We ate our picnic in the garden and at least we had the kettle for tea
The kids played dolly adoptions too and had a fab time.

I wanted to go to Brighton tomorow but dh wants to stay here and do jobs, jetwash patio, mow lawn etc. I suppose they need doing...

RUBY I have no idea how you must be feeling. But if it's any consolation I was a nanny for years and I loved my job. I loved the children and put my heart into my job. I'm sure your nanny will be the same. Think of all the fab things you can do as a family when you're home too xxx ((hugs)))

ht Joe still naps on you? That is tough. Did he like pupd I can't remember if you tried it... I am so grateful for F'S naps. Just so my mind/arms are free for a while.
F likes cheese too

Ruby and caylapso Good luck for next week.I will be thinking of you.

I have the Royal Ballet comming up to the Gleneagles Hotel (where I work)next weekend so I am working next weekend although the Conster can be with me and my mum will also help.

Just to say to the clingon babies m y first was a clingon and Connor would be if I let him (he is often on my hip)However all of mine have responded to pupd within 2 days so worth a go if you can face it.Connor has 2 naps a day one of 2 hours and a shorter one and goes to bed at 7pm wakes at 5 when I give him a feed and back to bed until 7am .I despratly need this time to manage the rest of my life !

Princess what a day but sounds like great fun in the end.We used to have one of thoes crazy daisy things lol

DD1 has been at her first disco tonight I want to be 10 !!!(and have her legs lol)

Sent her to bed with camomile tea at 10pm !!!!!

Think I need a whiskey (only kidding but a pimms would be nice)

I'll have a cake, thanks Scout! However I will be naughty and take it to bed with me as I am tired (it's the heat)

ruby and calypso I hope you're both ok and return to work isn't too hard.

princess what an eventful day! It seems that everything happens to you, what with your holiday too

HT those notepads sound ace! We get boring ones at work and I still insist on buying my own funky ones. Crazy.

fidelma, go on have a whiskey...!

Bella I hope N's sleep gets better. Would you try gentle sleep training - maybe get N used to the cot at night then makes it easier to transition for naps? I coaxed William out of our bed by having his cot flush with ours (side dropped), slowly moved it away and now we sleep in the spare room (as we're waiting for the builders to move out before putting W in his nursery)

Today DH and I got excited as William has started to wave purposefully! He waved back at us a few times this morning. Bless him he was waving his arm up and down manically most of this morning until we twigged what he was up to It makes up for his bizarre night where he decided he didn't want to sleep between 2.30am and 4am He hasn't done that since he was a newborn - most odd. He seemed happy enough, not crying or anything, although wouldn't settle on his tummy. It might be a sore tummy as he hasn't pooed in three days I think the heat has affected him - I've been trying to give plenty of water, milk and apricots to no effect (yet)

HT Let me know if you want some legal pads next time I go home. I often get goodies for people and smuggle them through customs bring them back. Took me AGES to get used to paper sizes here. And my shelves look funny with binders of 8 1/2" x 11" and A4 next to each other. Oh well.

ruby and Calypso Hugs for Monday. Good wishes for both you and babies to be happy and comfortable as you settle into your new routine.

Calypso The HV I talked to about weaning had told me to get someone else to give Seb the milk (formula) the first few times and to not be surprised if he didn't take more than on ounce or two the first few days. HA! Thirsty/hungry boy drank the entire ready-made carton (7 oz) in one go (from me!). It's hard and sad but we've given our babies the bast start we could. hugs to you.

In the States portions were done in 2 oz increments but here it seems to be done by single ounce. I've found I just make 7 oz bottles each time and let hime take what he wants. There's usually one feed a day where he doesn't want all of it and will take about half. An average day we get through five bottles but some days he wants a sixth. I find those are the days he's not as interested in solids.

princess Did you go to Brighton or stay home in the end?

HC Hope the Christianing is wonderful tomorrow!

Had such a weird day yesterday and last night got even weirder. Think Seb had a night terror. Usually, if he wakes in the night there's wimpering then a cry but he "woke" up screaming. I mean, full on SCREAMING like he was being attacked. Scared the crap life out of DH and I (Seb is still in the bedroom with us). He was trying to get away from me and from DH when I passed him over and none of our efforts to calm him worked. I had to turn on the light and that seemed to wake him up and then he started to sob and I ended up feeding him and having a cuddle to calm him back to sleep.

DH is out doing a photography commission tonight and Sebby's in bed. I was all set to go to bed when I remembered Seb's bottles. Still getting used to them in some ways. Now I got hooked on watching the end bit of BGT.