March 2010- Group Therapy on the cheap

[ValiumtheConqueror]

And cupcakes

not at all P&P

Well Miles slept 10.30 till 4.30 last night with a slight grizzle at 2.30. He woke around 6 again when dh did a bit snorty snore!

I would have slept very well but was periodically woken by dh's somewhat prolific snoring throughout the night

Pacific - So pleased you got a good nights sleep!

Miles is still asleep now btw, i've had to get up with Dylan so we're sat watching Something Special (which we have to watch on repeat all day atm ). Have the monitor on so I can hear if Miles wakes upstairs...

Valuim - Congratulations on the birth of your niece!

Smac - Thanks for the muslin tip

Not sure if Mlies has doubled his birthweight yet, haven't had him weighed since about 6 weeks (trying to wean myself of the weighing obsession I had with poor weight gainer ds1) He is growing and when I tried to weigh myself holding him on the bathroom scales (how very accurate!) he seemed to come up about 12lb after my calculations. That was about a week ago and he was 6lb 14 and a half so can't be far off. Not sure about the theory though as Dylan slept through quite early and as I say he was slow to gain weight, in fact he didn't double his birth weight till he was 26 weeks old. You know what though, he's absolutely fine, couldn't be more full of energy and fun, those of you worrying about weight gain, try not to worry too much . Pics on my profile of the little imp, he's 2.7 now and still only weighs about 10kg!

I'm starting to panick about how much packing we have to do for our holiday. We're setting off on fri, will be staying with my eldest bro in Peterborough for 2 nights on the way down and back as about half way. Plus, good to visit both my bros in one trip Currently have the washing maching and tumble dryer on constantly and stuff drying on the radiators too...

Ah, he wakes! Back soon

Rinders, you made me but also . It perked up my day no end reading that - thank you.

Congratulations on your new niece, P&P. Will you get to meet her soon? I am excitedly anticipating the birth of my nephew this autumn - sis and I will then each have a DS and a DD, and all within 2 1/2 years of each other, so hoping they'll be good friends.

Scooby - I know what you mean about activities getting booked up. I have a baby massage class starting in August and swimming in September. Both were the earliest I could get. I had to estimate DD's weight in September, which was tricky as I don't know what she weighs now... I guessed 11lbs (she was 10 a couple of weeks' ago). Nowhere near double her birth weight, that's for sure. Suspect she won't be sleeping through for a while yet but I do hope she doesn't leave it as long as her brother did. I reckon he had tripled his birth weight before he began to sleep through - but every baby is different, hey! Perhaps the fact that DD is turning into a confirmed thumbsucker will help her in the sleeping through stakes!

Thanks for all the shouts, Alex has settled better the last couple of nights and fingers crossed that will continue. He still wants 2 feeds between 7 and 7 tho, so like I said his 11 hour stretches were clearly a blip. I'm confident he can settle himself if not hungry/other so I guess it will come. He put on 7 oz last week but we're still a way shy of the double weight miracle.

Thanks too for the KellyMom link (have forgotten who it was, so sorry, think it was Heckle?) which was really useful. Alex just seems to be a typical boy (would like to spend all day playing with boobs) and I'm prepared to indulge that for a while longer. I'll face the bottle weaning battle later. But Valium def no judging for bottles; in fact in a way I'm quite jealous.

Rinders you are a marvel and hurrah for DH's recovery. Hurrah for Joe, Pacific, and for you for sheer strength.

We survived both Alex and DD having jabs yesterday. DD was brilliant and didn't even flinch as she watched the needles go in, all without knowing that I'd brought a Smarties bribe!

Finally got my legs waxed this morning, they've been bugging me for weeks. In fact they were probably harbouring bugs they were so bad. Just in time to show off at EuroDisney, I'm sure Mickey will be very impressed.

Dalrymps, where are you off to?

Right, off to continue the battle of the contraceptives - latest from the surgery is that I can't see the relevant doctor even to discuss fitting until July. Grrrrrrrr, why tell me to get swabs done then?

Ooo- we had 12 week jabs (a bit late) last week and I had to take DD1. I found it very stressful but had to hide the tears. DD1 just said 'Don't cry baby' lots [swoon in pool of unadulterated motherly love] DD2 , who is 16 weeks today (WTF?) was not best pleasewd and made me suffer for 48 hours. She was weighed by evilHV's sidekick yestarday and is now.....

.....11lbs 6oz. She weighed 7lbs 15 when born and is still under 9th Centile but has fallen no further so EHVS is going to speak with EHV and "see is she needs to see me". I bloody hope not.

dalrymps you have my sympathies- we're going on Saturday (but at stupid o'cklock so counts as Fri) and I have not begun to plan to pack. Eeeeek.

Glad cakes are going down well- there will be more later as making a cake for a friend for tomorrow. Have started some petty cake-off at church playgroup (story for another day) and now have to keep up appearances Thanks to for good wishes re: niece. i hope to meet her at brother's wedding (he of complicated visa issues) in September.

Bluey* that you have time for waxing (the hair-free leg bit rather than ouchy waxing bit) Even Anna had hairy legs when she came to my house

Oh God. Just realised if we are going to apartment where girls have different bedroom for two weeks, DH might expect full-service-holiday and I will have to do it

Bluey, We are staying at my brothers in Cornwall (well, Hayle) for 5 nights sandwiched in between 2 visits to my olest brother in Peterborough.

Valium, where was it you are going again?

Would write more but one handed...

Morning all,

valium (ace name by the way- do you share them?!) We had jabs and weigh in today. DS is on the 25th percentile and at 14.5 wks has come in at 13lb 9oz. Why would they be bothered if your gorgeous LO hasn't lost/dropped down? Surely she is just petite?? Send them packing!!! And many congrats on thew new arrival|!!!

bluey maybe the crap service re contraception is in the hope you will accidentally fall PG again - perhaps they get a bonus pymt per baby!! Still crap though.

rindercella really pleased for you that you have an easy baby - she must know that she has to be good with all that you have going on!!

pacific has joe's sleep continued? - pray for you that it has.

pixie your brood all well this week?

xx

[rolls eyes]

Also one-handed typing here but I just had to share the genius piece of kit I've discovered. A friend has lent me one of these for the bath and dd2 seems to love it! As soon as she's sitting in it she gets a mad look in her eye and starts thrashing her wee arms and legs - just delighted to be having a splash! It's really funny . I tried other supports with dd1 - fabric and sponge - but they were fairly useless. This one really supports her, and although I still keep a hand on her, it leaves you much more free to wash hair, reach for the sponge etc etc. So there you go, if you're looking for a good piece of bathtime kit!

I second that heckle., although babyV is currently trying to sit up and get off the bloody thing making bathtimes a tad tricky a la moment!

I'm assuming that babies are in bed/strapped to various boobs/chests and that it's safe to approach and top up the cake supplies. They're Valium-flavoured

scooby- given that babyV downed 6oz before bed, I'm not that worried. The HV just pisses me off. I tried to get a different one when babyV was born but the HV system doesn't allow that......

Dalrymps- mallorca-bound for our two weeks. DH and I haven't had more than a week's holiday since our honeymoon so very much looking forward to it. Just have to get through the flight with two young'uns. And the flight back.....

Hello to everyone else; trying to do 58 jobs at once so skim reading. Doesn't mean I don't care though- I did lace the cakes after all

And thanks for compliments on name- i'm quite proud of it (as in I-am-a-sad-individual rather than I-am-sad)

Let's face it, you're going to need the valium if you're flying with a toddler and a tiny baby!!

Seriously, have a fab time Valium and enjoy your DH's, err, servicing

And huge congratulations on your new niece. Howe exciting.

Quick update from me, my parents and brother (plus his nutty other half) came up today. Lovely to see them and I showed them the new house. They were blown away by it - I haven't seen it in the last couple of weeks, and it just felt right. Am really excited now. Due to exchange next week, but doubtless there will be some heartstopping moments between now and then. OMG. We are really moving!

My brother & his OH are going to come up to help out when we move. DB will be really helpful with the hard labour (basically doing the stuff that Richard won't be able to do) and his OH will be very helpful with DD1, who adores her. She is totally, totally bonkers though

It is madness, but I am genuinely happy, and not just about the house move. I am blessed with two utterly beautiful daughters, I have a wonderful husband and live a lovely life in a beautiful part of the country. xxx

delighted to see that the cake supply has been topped up as mummyelk seems to have snaffled the last one of the last batch.
I can't remember half of the shout outs that I wanted to do but hurray for Joe and the improved sleeping. I'm so pleased he has turned that corner.
heckle we have also been lent that support from Mothercare, we used it a lot for DD1 and have it back again for DD2. I wouldn't even contemplate bathtime for 2 girls without it!
Dalrymps we shall also be going to Hayle but not til July!
manda manda where aaaaarrrrreeeeeee you???? you promied!
I was thinking about db the other day too pixie she is on FB but hasn't been seen here for ages.
There seems to be a lot quite a few of us with 2 DDs, one toddler and one newborn and db was one of them. I am quite [green] of the successful potty training tales going on a la FB. We aren't doing so well but I'm not trying very hard putting pressure on.
scooby I had to google that babycook thingy as I'd never heard of it before. I didn't do purees just BLW so seems like a lot of money to spend IMHO
valium I am of the foreign holiday, DH won't entertain the idea of foreign travel until the girls are older
oh pants have to go to needy child

oh here you are how is everyone?

this is to remind me to catch up on all your news and then actually post properly - a bit ambitious but I will try, I will I will - how on earth do you all manage to post so often???

Hi everyone, I've had a short mumsnet absence due to extensive baby groups & essential coffee shop meetings. Pleeeese let me win the lottery so I never have to go to work again!
Sadly I'm due back in July so I can get paid over the summer holidays (the joy of teaching)but just wanted to say....
Rebecca before I went on maternity leave my boss told me I was entitled to 10 'back to work days' which mean you can just go in for a meeting or whatever but get paid without it affecting your maternity benefits. I don't know if it applies everywhere but might be worh an enquiry if you have to go in anyway, might aswell get paid for it.
Ooh it's dream feed time, I've just started trying it, works like a dream.... slept til 7 this morning. Yeh

Pixie gosh, hope DS gets better soon. PS lovely story of meeting your DH

Yes, I was also thinking about DB recently. I miss her long and lovely posts...

Smac I name changed because I thought my MN name was a bit too easy for anyone who knows me in RL. I've kind of avoided other parts of MN (except for the Feeding section) since DS was born as just don't have time. But troll accusations seem to be a sport and I do find it a bit yawnsome some of the bitchiness. But some of it is also so funny...

So am feeling a bit frazzled as DS just wouldn't settle tonight. 3 hours I tried before DH made it home from work (armed with a pizza) and took over. DS is now asleep on DH and we're sitting watching TV (quietly). His nighttime sleeping has been a bit off recently and it's been taking anywhere from an hour to two to settle him to sleep. But this is the first time he wouldn't sleep in his cot for ages and ages...

On the plus side, had a lovely day as went to see SATC2 at the utterly lovely Screen on the Green in Islington. Comfy sofa seats plus a hot drink and a slice of cake included in the price. To be honest, we could have watched anything and I'd have enjoyed it (the cheesecake was so yummy and the seat so comfy!). The film was grand, quite rubbish but also quite entertaining (bits of it were well but I guess the show was like that too).

OK, off to sleep a little before DS wakes up (again). Just when his daytime sleeps get better his nighttime sleep goes out the window [sigh]

flip sorry to hear DS's sleeping's gone a bit wonky. Don't worry, I'm sure he'll settle down again very soon. I have to keep reminding myself they're still pretty small and it's unlikely they're going to settle into a solid routine for day or nighttime sleep quite yet. (although if anyone already has a baby like this I'm !)

I can empathise - I have been making a concerted effort to get DD2 settled in her crib at night but to no avail, so we're still cuddling up in front of the telly at night. Still, I got her to sleep in it for about an hour and a half from 9pm last night. Waited til she was sound asleep then put her down...cheating, I know, but it got me an hour and a half of freedom! Whatever Works - that's my motto!

Oh yes and I'm rather of your SATC cinema trip - sounds fab! STILL haven't made it to the movies yet - not even a parent and baby screening...I'm getting withdrawal symptoms AND quite worried I'm going to miss out on seeing the beautiful Jake Gyllenhaal all hunky in Prince of Persia .

Uh-oh, the beast awakes...better go!

OK, although I kept my promie to come back the next day (if not to post more comprehensively) it seems someone is whining wanting to see me!

Oh heck, sainsburys delivery just turned up.

So the freezer and fridge stuff is put away - the rest will have to wait or else I'll never post.

Wow. Gu brownies are quite something, eh? They were on special offer and as I'd never tried them before I included them in my order. Seemed the thing to do, to munch on a brownie, with coffee, as I post...

Right, so first off I need to apologise for the non-shout-outness of this post. I really do have every intention to get back to my 'former glory' with posting but as monster child ds2 is still feeding every two hours (including through the night - can't believe how desperate I am for a full nights sleep) I'm just... on pause. Anything that is 'me' or (it seems) remotely human is on hold. I know other people manage to carry on regardless but I don't do well sleep deprived. And, this time around, I'm kinder to myself and just recognise that. I'm sleep deprived and I'm not some sort of super being. This WILL pass. I'm pretty sure I would have been in a dark place by now if I wasn't able to think this way this time (my 'wobble' seems to have been just that - I'm not full of the joys of spring at all times, but I'm ok. I'm muddling through).

What news from HugNKissing towers? Nothing terribly exciting. A couple of confessions, I guess:

I've started James on solids.

I waited until 12 weeks. He LOVES it, is tolerating it well, and frankly I needed to do it for my mental health. Despite what I just said in the previous paragraph, if I thought this state of play was going to continue for another solid three months - that's really difficult to get a rgasp on when I'm already delirious with exhaustion at times.

Being contacted by the EAT study also swayed me. weening at 3 months could be the key to preventing allergy I didn't sign up because if I was put in the control... well, I'd already decided to start weening.

Not to mention that when DD and DS1 were babies, the advice was 3 and 3-4 months respectively. They were both started at 3 months and are fine! DP's mum tells me the advice when DP was a baby was 'three months or when the child reaches 14lb - whichever comes first'

I'm not tryin to justify it, really, just... following my instincts. I know that if I was goin to follow current advice I would probably give up on breastfeeding.

I also had a look through DD and DS1's health booklet thingy. Both of them piled on weight like fiends from birth. Whilst from my own weighing efforts it seems DS2 is continuing on the 91st (which is great weight gain for a breastfed baby) he hasn't jumped up two centiles the way they did. They also didn't feed every two hours and didn't get green poos. I'd noticed he had a very slight tongue tie when he was less than a week old but never mentioned it to anyone as, well, it was slight. But now I'm convinced it prevents him feeding 'properly'. He can't milk the hindmilk properly after the gush of letdown which means he's hungry again pretty soon and he's not getting the amount of high calorie feed he might have which would have led to a similar weight gain as the other two. Do I sound like I'm overthinking it? I can't imagine why he would feed SO OFTEN and yet only maintain his centile, y'know? I don't really feel the need to involve a heath professional because I've struggled this long and decided to start weening so I see light at the end of the tunnel - as more of his calories start coming from food hopefully he'll sleep longer at night as he has more sustenence to keep him going. Eh. In some ways I can't believe I've gone this long feeding night and day so much

Only other news is I got my 'pushing present' last week. Yes, it took three months but DP had to save up for it and... I love it. It's not really a pushing present in the sense of the american way 'I've done this for you, I should get something!'. BUt DP did say 'thank you for my amazing son' as he gave it to me. He also laughed that he knows I would give it back for the chance to sleep all night, so its really not a 'grasping' thing at all. He also tells me he thinks I'm amazing all the time (and recognises how demanding/difficult ds2 is - he also still does the washing up every day, mops the floors, dusts, etc and he technically doesn't live here (although spends most nights here since the birth)). I'm lucky.

Also, I've clearly missed something - I'm normally ok with acronyms but what is a MMMM?

On arcadie's prediction that I'll be first pregnant - well, we still aren't using contraception. DP has offered to have the snip as, in his words, he intends to be with me for the rest of his life so if I'm sure we're done then he's happy to do it so I don't have to mess with my hormones with contraception. And as much as I really can't imagine going 'back' to a toddler and a newborn, that I think I might struggle, I also keep looking at DS2, overwhelmed with love for him, not able to comprehend he is really me last. But I'm 37 this year. IF I want another, I really don't want to delay it much longer.

I suppose not sorting contraception is a way of leavin it to 'fate' - kinda 'not trying, not preventing'. But then, with my intense bf schedule still, I'd be surrised if I ovulate. Periods didn't return for 8 months with ds and he didn't feed this much!

Ah, 40 mins, and James awakes. Yup, that 45min thing must be true. Toodle pip, I really am gonna try and be more 'regular'!

hey everyone, i went to a friends with a bottle of wine last night and i am suffering today!

ds has another throat infection too, been back to the docs and they are now talking about refering him to have his tonsils removed as the has had 12 throat infections since 2009!

dont know what to do- the prospect of another child under theknife in 2010 is scary

what would u do?

Hope your ds is on the mend Pixie x

Hey manda! Great to "see" you and glad that you're working your way through these first few months of madness (oh, and MMMM is Mad March Mums' Meetup - think I got that right). And, yes, I'm with you; I think Gu brownies are lush.

Anyone struggling with sleep issues might be interested in next Tuesday's webchat (1pm) with a sleep guru from Durham university, Dr Helen Ball. Can't link as on phone but it appears near the top of the active conversations' list.

here we are MMMM

pixie sorry to hear about DS that is nOT nice
and also to snowflake (do you think you should break out the sunshine sarah at some point my darling?? I haven't seen a flurry of snow for some time....)

45minuteintruder i don't know Who He Is but if he's the bastard that keeps coming in and waking my baby up then, frankly.... >

Last night (at about 3am) I found myself doing a mental Risk Assessment of Gaffer Taping The Dummy To DD2. obviously it did NOT pass said health and safety rules, but, still....

manda at the weaning but ABSOLUTELY no judgement at all, you've absolutely justified it and if i were perfectly honest I've glanced at the calendar myself to work out how many weeks i have till i can start the weaning process! More importantly, what was the pushing present?!! Or are we not supposed to know?!! (Elk imagination runs rife)

smac honestly i do feel your pain on the potty front. we had a TERRIBLE weekend of it with DD1 crying either because she refused the potty full stop or because her ears were hurting her SO MUCH and by sunday night i was ready to jack it all in. Anyway luckily monday morning she started, on her own terms, to use the potty, occasionally. so it's better NOW but if you'd asked me on sunday night i'd have been a quivering mess.

right I have one hot cup of tea here, and i plan on drinking it.

Crud, what was I thinking, spelling weaning weening? Like I said, deliriuosly tired at times.

Well, they have a use by date of the 20th and there's 16 of 'em! Ok, 15 since I already ate one...

Ha ha Melk! What on earth could you be imagining?! Actually maybe I don't want to know . Buuuuuut, if you guessed a rolex, then you're correct! I've had my eye on a particular one (stainlss steel jubilee strap, mother of pearl face, diamonds instead of numbers - it's really not as bling! as it sounds, honest) for a few years and it seems all I had to do was produce a son and heir . No, I jest, DP didn't even know I wanted one until I was pregnant - I'm really not the type to say/mention things I want (which as I understand it makes me tricky to buy for )

Now to click the MMMM link - thanks!

Hi Manda - my hairdresser told me that in her country (Egypt) they start feeding the babs solids at 2 months and at 3 months they eat everything so i wouldn't worry!! I'm just too lazy to start cooking baby stuff.

DD slept from 9 - 7 last night!!!! Really from 7 to 7 but there was a brief squall due to a wet nappy at 7:30 and another brief squall for a small top-up feed at around 8:45pm. The pay off though is she wouldn't go back to sleep after the feed at 7 (would normally get another hour or hour or two).

Thanks Sariska I'll def be checking out the sleep chat

donttry Cooking? Oh, yes, absolutely cooking!