March 2010- Group Therapy on the cheap

[ValiumtheConqueror]

And cupcakes

Hey, as long as MummyElk doesn't wee on the cupcakes

I need a cupcake please - one with gin in if poss!

Sleep is going wrong for us at night. after 9 weeks of going down easily and back down after night feeds she's screaming every time I put her down, waking more, not settling in the night, not settling in my bed. Gah!

So...am calling in a sleep consultant. Met a woman at a party a week ago who'd used a woman to sort her son's sleep. She'd been amazing, come over, put him to lseep in 15 mins when it took them 2 hours normally and then told them how to do it, supported them on the phone etc. We can't afford it (it's £125) but if it gets her to sleep anywhere but the sling in the day and helps with this new nighttime madness I don't give a monkey's.

Will keep you posted...

Pacific - amazing at your super fast conception of your second. I've decided to stop taking the mini-pill - too much bleeding and making me fee like a bit of a nutter I think. It's not as if we're having lots of sex so condoms it is. Here's hoping that and BFing works as soooo not ready for another.

Oh, and work have asked me to come in to the office for my annual review. With a woman I've never met as my boss also on maternity leave. They are an American org so don't understand Uk mat leave, but I can't be bothered to argue about it so am doing it even though it's a PITA as DH having to find a way to take time off to come with me, take baby while I go in etc. Grrrrrrr.

Hope everyone else's days are brighter and less rainy!

love the new thred title ladie, xx

have had a bit of a read and must say i missed you!

Any cupcakes left????

rebecca, I used a sleep consultant for my DS when he was around four and a half months old and I was still averaging only 2 hours' sleep a night. It wasn't quite the quick fix I'd have liked but was worth the money IMO - and I especially appreciated the handholding (had almost lost the plot by that stage).

Kudos to you for agreeing to go in for your annual review. I'd have told them where to go and accompanied my message with some info on maternity rights. But you are so right about Americans not understanding UK maternity rights - in fact UK/EU employment rights full stop. Some of my most frustrating incidents at work have involved US clients who want to e.g. make 100 people redundant tomorrow.

Miseable weather here today. Kitchen floor needs cleaning and outgrown baby clothes need sorting but it's far preferable to sit on the sofa and eat cupcakes.....

Ooh, shiney new thread. But who needs therapy when you've got cupcakes? at Valium, love the new name!

Sariska, 2 hours' sleep a night at four and a half months? I'm not surprised you were losing the plot! I get grumpy if Isobel wakes up before 6am these days, but we're very spoiled lucky where sleep is concerned.

I forgot to mention in my last post, Isobel has started laughing more, but it's not the cute baby giggle I was hoping for. She sounds more like Muttley! She does a proper giggle very occasionally, so I'm still hoping it may develop. Or maybe I'm just not funny enough

Rubbish weather here too, and DH is off out after work so I have to entertain Isobel till bedtime.

pacific at 10 - 7! As there is a day between Joe and Charlotte maybe Ill get that tonight...?

It has been some of the worse sleeping here - like Rebeccacad - after weeks and weeks of perfect feed and settle, she decided to not settle at night and nap badly too. (because I wrote it down, I know) Last night I slept on the nursery floor I could be arsed getting up and down for her. It seemed to settle her a bit though having me in the room,, perhaps.. maybe we pushed her out moved her too soon..? She wouldnt go to bed at her usual 7pm and decided to watch Glee with me instead. SHe has never done this before. Am frantically looking through 'no cry sleep solution' for this evening..
Part of DD's sleep problem is that she has started sucking her hand which has had the opposite effect to ICWAS's DS - it keeps her awake..

And Heckle Im so glad you are growth spurting for gold too, the 3 weeks one was 2 days, I dont think we had a 6 week one, but this has been nearly a week! (but my inexpert weighing method seems to indicate it has paid off - reckon 1.5 pounds in 2 weeks)

I read a theory that babys are more likely to sleep through (5 hrs) if they have doubled their birthweight. Any agreement?

Valium love the name, nice to have you back (and you might find that Im actually jealous that you formula feed, for all the reasons you outlined..)

Pixie lovely meeting DH story. (am hopeless romantic)

Bluey you always make me laugh

Cant remember who asked about my cat problem - we are ignoring it right now. I cant face the alternative. Mainecoons - how to I get the valerium in to the bedding? I have sugar coated pills - is there a tincture?

Flip video thing - think Im going to invest next child benefit SMP pay day..

Weather sucks here. Arcadie did you buy suncream?

You ladies are all so funny/nutty/weirdos! I'll miss English people if/when we move to the States. But of course I'll still keep in touch with you lot.

I'm on another message board website re living in the US and immigration and stuff. And guess what, people are very nasty there too! Don't people have anything better to do than be nasty? Grrr. So far I have refrained from getting down to their level. And I hardly ever look at other MN thread, just if I need specific info.

Might need to search for threads on how to get a baby to take a bottle, this one just refuses 90% of the time. I only pump a tiny amount of milk at the moment as I know it will be wasted...

Quite busy here, juggling many balls... But not trying to arrange the snip for those balls just yet. We've "done it" one more time and were very good, used a condom, the whole time, Dalrymps!

Yes the Aston Martin was our non-buyers'. Our new buyers are coming again tomorrow so we gotta clean the house again. They want to talk about if the curtains are staying etc. Yeah everything is bloody staying! Except the kids, I think.

American maternity leave is ridiculous. So is their holiday. I'm not getting a permanent job there, no way. Need to do contract/temp if I work.

Great to see you back Valium! Mmm, gimme some of that too please.

Here we're making do with the odd glass of wine to calm our nerves. DH bought some vintage white wine from a little wine shop the other day, but it was undrinkable. Yuk! Or maybe I'm just not a wine connaiseur...

Sleep... not sure how many naps Isabelle has and how long, I just never look at the time, just go with the flow. It varies from day to day though.

Hope everyone with any kind of problem with themselves or LOs sorts it out soon! Sending positive vibes to all...

I'm off to library now with the girls, laters.

Siamese I bought Simeon a sunhat. Yes the weather is entirely my fault. I apologise unreservedly.

at Arcadie for ruining the weather. I'm heading out to the shops this afternoon, maybe if I buy Izzy a raincoat and wellies the sun will come back?

Morning all- ace thread name and soo true!!

Can I have a cup cake purlease???????????

I have been trying to get us booked on some activities now we are finally getting into some degree of normality - I am shocked to find that lots of things are full up and I'm stryggling to get him on to some things before I have to go back to work. Is it the same country wide?? I would never have thought I would have to have booked a place the day he was born for a 6 week little course!!! Still, managing to get a few things sorted by travelling a bit. I don't know how you all do its sometimes!!

Pacific I am sooooooo pleased for you. I'm sure Joe will also be far less grumpy after sleeping like a trouper. Enjoy xx

PD Yay!!! Well done woman - you must be walking on air. Today DD fell asleep easily a couple of times and fell asleep in the vibrator chair so fingers crossed....She is 12 weeks on Thursday. Yesterday she WOULD NOT SLEEP though so it might just be the rough after the smooth.

Pixie your meeting DH story is like something from a film - you need to write your biography and contact Richard Curtis to sell he rights. My own life would be more Mike Leigh..

For those of you feeding EBM (especially Bluey) I found this link - kook at Claire's post half way down the page - last night. Basically it explains how bf babies can overfeed on bottles, and more importantly it shows you how to stop them doing this. Basically it says they should only be taking 3-4 ounces. DD was taking at least 5 and one night about 8 so I'm hoping this helps DH control her and stop her being as big fattie and her mam being plugged into the breast pump non-stop!!

It's probably obvious but it wasn't to me!!

Flip how are you getting on with the NCSS? I have the nap book but think it might be more useful when she is a little older. She says her advice isn't really for newborns and newborn sleep behaviour can last 9 months.

Nice to see manda and valium back and everyone else who was lurking (sorry, sleep deprived can't think of names!!).

Anna jealous of America. Tried to perseade DH to rent out the house for next winter and rent a place in Mexico to just chill, but he's having none of it. In fairness I probably wouldn't have the balls. Which leads me onto Arcadie.....waves..hope I didn't upset you with babywise comments. i should have kept it zipped. Soz.

Hello everyone else.

And I don't think I'll be the first one preggers. A little bird told me you have to actually have sex for that to happen.

Meant look at PAULA's post on that link...baby brain.

Again sorry for all the typos too.

Tested just in case, not pg, haha. I won't be the first. I reckon Pixie already is, what with the wedding anniversary and all...

Ooh, lovely new thread Love the thread name and love your new name Valium Anna great news about the house sale - very exciting about the Stateside move And don'try, what a fab sounding plan you have. Sure you could persuade your DH to do that!!

Arcadie ouch to your DH (that's an 'ow!' face, not a shocked one!) Hope he's recovering well.

Sariska, probably an odd thing to say, but can I just say you sound just about the nicest person around Reading your posts you are just so thoughtful and lovely.

Rebecca what a pain you having to go in for your review. Hope they recognise the effort you have taken to do that (although that's probably unlikely ime).
No experience of a sleep consultant, but if you have found someone on personal recommendation then I would go for it. Sleep deprivation is just bloody 'orrible.

Pacific yay re Joe! What a result!

Pixie, loved your meeting DH story, very romantic.

All's going well here. Jasmine is still such a joy. She is sooooo sweet and calm and beautiful and looks just like DH! She sleeps beautifully - usually an hour every morning and 3 hours ( ) every afternoon. Night times now involve her sleeping 12 hours with one feed about 3am. Just wish DD1 was quite so easy! She is still being a very demanding toddler. Which I guess won't stop until she's, err, no longer a toddler (or beyond!).

DH is doing well, getting a little stronger each day. He's able to sit with DD1 at bathtime now (all she needs), which frees up a little of my time for Jas. He's continuing to work and try and build up his local network (he's always had global jobs working for multinationals, so knows very few business people locally). Think his business will be a success and it's a blessing he's doing this rather than a job where, whatever his condition, there would be the expectation to do conference calls with the States and Bangalore at 2am

Am so excited about the upcoming house move! We have several people lined up to help as DH really shouldn't lift a thing and I am starting to get myself organised (at least in my thoughts if not physically!) by thinking about what needs to be done. We've only been in this house for 4 years, but it's amazing how much crap you collect, especially with DC.

Hello all. Check this out - DD2 is currently having her main sleep of the day. When she SHOULD be going down for her big night-time sleep. Yep, sleeping habits just get better in the heckle household! I have NO idea whether to wake her to try and get her back on track or if I should leave her to it - but I fear her waking for the day at 3am!

In any case, it's giving me a few mins to catch up on MN and that's the main thing...!

Thanks for the cupcakes Valium and good name btw. And good on ya for choosing the feeding habit which suits you and baby the best. (no judgey pants here)

PD yay for little Joe turning the proverbial corner!

contraception we tried condoms the last time - rubbish. Hate 'em. But I'm putting off going for coil/implant because I'm enjoying having my hormones to myself tbh. I'm concerned that doing the contraception thing will mess up my emotions and libido (not that there's much to mess with currently ). I'm wondering if I can put it off til we're doing 'it' a little more, erm, regularly?!

RInders glad to hear your DH is doing ok and good luck with the house move!

DD1 seems a bit better today - think we may have avoided the pox...for now anyway.

been lurking but been busy with dh birthday sportsdays ,trips to zoo deep sea world etc and trying to oranise dd3 first communion party .
after 12 weeks dd4's name finally seems to suit her .

on nap front very random tends to be on the way to and from school etc but sleeping through fom 10pm till 5 or 6am she wakes but settles sucking her thumbfist .tend to wake her to feed her as her weight gain has been slow and has definitely not doubled her birth weight. was asked today had she been premature because she's so petite. she is a wee gem very happy and smiley and her giggles are adorable.her temperament doesn't seem to match her red hair.

ds4 is very gentle and sweet with her. if she cries he pats her saying it's ok baby. although i think he now realises she's here to stay and now she's developing a personality he feels slightly threatened. he is playing up mainly at bedtime ,he now keeps coming out of his bed when he used to be no bother.
having never been able to fall pregnant while ebf we're playing with fire i reckon at my age and bf the chances of conceiving again are so slim as to be worth the risk ( secretly would be quite pleased if no 9 put i an appearance feeling very broody already )18th wedding anniversary on the 27th so maybe baby!.dh has been planning the snip since dc3 but never manages to organise it . word of warning though a close friend had her "final" dc4 whom she ebf only to fall pregnant quickly with dc5 and dc6 who arrived 2 weeks early when dc4 was 11months old.

bf in public i find it relatively easy to be discreet and don't really worry about it but in church a blanket or muslin over my shoulder and felicity seems to hide everything and catch any milk showers .

phil&tedsnot sure but i think smaller child is meant to go in the back/lower seat as otherwise it can be too heavy at the back and topple but your not meant to put a baby in this seat until their 6 months so if baby is long and no longer fits underneath seat on top it can be a problem.

pd delighted jo is more settled really felt for you . its heartbreaking / frustrating when you're unable ease their distress . don't know how you stayed sane you must be a very strong lady.

that would be 22lb 2oz in baby G's case!

Right still don't have time to name check but will try and find the time prioritise tomorrow.
Today we met up with my cousin and his family. His wife had their son 6 weeks early and their baby and my baby had roughly the same due date so anyway baby C is 6 weeks older than baby G but baby G is about twice the size! I did have a wee cuddle of him and he is much less floppy than baby G but just so dinky!
Dalrymps I'll try and get over to your BF thread too - I am also a sprayer - regularly have to rub down the brown leather sofa as it gets spattered frequently. I found that Bambino Mio muslins were XL - I got some from Kiddicare to make up an order to get free delivery one time. . . . I struggled to BF discreetly today in public. I had a nice new linen top on which just didn't have any stretch in, I now realise why I favour stretchy t-shirt material as it's much easier to access the boobies!
Right have to go, will be back tomorrow I promie ( a la manda )
Love the new thread title BTW and I love that this group (antenatal and post natal is so supportive) for ages I didn't really have the time to check active convos but I had a boring adult free weekend so spent far too much time on MN and was really at a lot of the bitchiness elsewhere on the site.

future sil in labour two weeks early, so my poor brother has missed out on the birth by a few days- he's been on skype all day i think. Waiting to hear of the arrival of my niece

yet another selfish post (for those of you who haven't had to trawl through all my FB comments on the subject)...my new niece is here is it wrong that I am more excited about my brother's baby than my brother-in-law's???