March 2010- Group Therapy on the cheap

[ValiumtheConqueror]

And cupcakes

How are all you lovely ladies and babies this gorgeous afternoon?

Shroomer DD hates tummy time too. She just gives up and lies down after a bit, usually in a patch of dribble.

annamama summer house in Sweden? How lovely, have a fab time!

DD slept 11-6 last night, when I woke up I lay there trying to remember the 4am bottle until it dawned on me she'd not had it. She took 7ozs at 7am though, and has drained 7oz bottles all day too No wonder she's been a bit grouchy the last few days, she's probably been starving!

Busy don't beat yourself up, we all have days like this. I do anyway. Even the easiest baby is going to be hard work sometimes, you're capable and certainly not useless.

Take DD out, stick a big pair of sunnies on - by the bottom of the street Isobel will probably be fast asleep and you won't be crying anymore.

Hi bmi don't worry, we all have days like that when we feel like nothing's working and we're being really rubbish at being a mum - it's completely natural and absolutely normal. I regularly feel overwhelmed by it all, even when things are actually going fairly well! I guarantee tomorrow you'll already feel better, things will start to click again and you'll feel much more able to cope. It's amazing how quickly things can change in the early days-literally from one day to the next. It also helps to have a good cry and get it out of your system. I hope you have a good night and feel better tomorrow.

Erm, flisspaps are you a regular in disguise? A name-changer? I feel a bit asking in case I've missed something...?!

henrietta don't leave us! We don't mind if you're only an occasional visitor!

pixie I had a good feel of her gums and no sign of anything yet, but we'll see!

She managed to find her thumb this afternoon and lay there for ages sucking it and watching the andy Murray match - so cute!

Oh BMI. I'm sure we've all had days like that. I have. Ben's been the same as yours today - I've put it down to the heat. I've also been tempted to ring my partner to ask him to 'at least come home on time for a change'. And he's not been working as late as he used to pre-Ben. I'm glad I'm not the only one thinking I might be lazy. I feel guilty for not spending much time with him on the play mat (or just staring at each other, or talking to him, etc). I frantically get on with stuff around the house (or shower myself, or brush my teeth) when he is (pre)occupied with his mobile in his cot. The truth is, I (and perhaps other women) beat ourselves up about this sort of stuff, and if we were to take a hard look at what we do, we'd see that we do actually do an amazing job.

You are not useless.

Flisspaps 'patch of dribble'

BMI big hugs for you - we've all been there. Shroomer says it so well about how, if we really look at what we're doing, we're doing an amazing thing.

Sorry for being a bit absent - have been super busy in RL and have been lurking but never get time to post (man, MN needs an iphone app!). As I lurk in stages, I'll try and remember what I can (as don't have time to reread!).

Very of Melk and IWCAS meeting! Bet it was fun

Anna had to laugh at your rolling thing - so bloody true . They'll all learn what they need to learn eventually . Enjoy Sweden!

Sarah love the summer name. Sorry for all the tonsil problems but am well of your weight loss. I really need to stop scoffing cake and chocolate start eating more healthily...

Pixie yay for the ttc! Even without periods you can get lucky (didn't Pacific conceive DS2 a week or two after she stopped BFing DS1?)

Pacific good luck for Joe's paed appointment tomorrow. I know you're an old friend of the TTSP mantra, but I was with some friends in the park today and one of them had a 15 month old, so born March 2009. The baby stage will soon be over for us...but in the meantime, I hope you get some answers about Joe.

Sariska poor DS - hope the nappy rash clears soon.

Smac sounds like your girls had a productive night - at least DD1 knew how to communicate it

Scooby sorry about your grandmother. It sounds like she was ready, but still, it's a painful time.

Siamese oops on Fathers' Day! TBH I didn't think it was as well advertised as Mothers' Day...I probably would have forgotten too if it weren't for my NCT friends! My hair is also coming out in clumps...I have thick hair, which has always come out in fairly thick clumps pre-pregnancy. So during pregnancy I had loved not having to clear the plughole and clean the hair brush every day!

Rebecca so sorry to hear of your cousin's DS - heartbreakingly unfair - but I hope the treatment goes well.

Melk hope you splashed out! I'm waiting for some Hot Milk bras to arrive...I'm so sick of my sensible Bravado ones that I just have to have something nicer to wear (am still way too heavy...and have no weddings..to justify a dress!).

OK, sorry for scatter gun approach but this is a rather hurried post (apologies in advance for any typos!).

Nothing major to report here. DS is 14 weeks today and just adorable. Totally charming, a real smiler who's rolling a fair bit and doing the coolest noises (sometimes almost like shrieks...and then seems surprised by the sounds he's making ). He's also a finger/knucker sucker so lots of drool...I had him in just his nappy today and I watched streams of drool run down his chest and back...he also seems to just love standing. Off to Ireland for the first time this weekend and am hugely excited. DH coming for just the weekend and I'll stay on next week.

We've also upgraded from the Close sling to an Ergo - just got it on Sunday and I'm hearting it majorly.

Anyway, am loving this hot weather! Tomorrow's our 3 year wedding anniversary (and one year anniversary of a positive HPT) so me and DS are off into the City to meet my DH for a picnic lunch by the Thames .

Right, got to head to bed. Am cream crackered (as DS is a charmer but doesn't tend to sleep much more than 2-3 hours at a time. Or more than 1-1.5 hours at a time some nights!). Night ladies.

henrietta don't leave, just lurk and shout when you get a chance.
BMI the other ladies have covered it all I think, I hope tomorrow is a better day.
pacific must be socialising with her parents instead of avidly MNing
Yes arcadie is quiet too - how are DH's bollies?
flisspaps nice to have you back!
IWCAS peeing in the cupcakes is very naughty but did make me smile! DD2 gets left a lot too - just the way it has to be as I have DD1 to look after too and you know a bit of peace and quiet is no bad thing, you can't be stimulating them all the time. Don't be too hard on yourself.
Hope the next size nappies do the trick.
annamama have a lovely time at your summer house. Sounds lovely and so nice that DH is going with you too this time. I'm sure it will make the travelling a lot less daunting.
at the broodiness passing!
Just wondering about pixie and TTC. You are still BF the twins aren't you? If BFing one baby is supposed to be adequate contraception do you not think that Bfing twins will make ovulation unlikely?
Not much to report here today. Quiet day and made a stab at sorting out Baby G's room this afternoon at nap time but kept getting interupted by DD2. I am determined to have a big clear out and ebay/freecycle/charity shop a lot of our junk no longer required items including the baby stuff baby G has grown out of. She is in 6-9m stuff and a lot of the gifts we were given for that size are more autumnal and she has outgrown most of DD1's summer collection (3-6m). I thought having 2 DD's with March birthdays was going to save me lots of money as DD1's clothes could be passed down and they would be the right season and everything but alas no I didn't take into consideration DD2 was going to be a giant.
I get sad folding away the little clothes and thinking that she won't wear them again, but not sad enough to think I'll have another.

enjoy your picnic flip and your trip home!

hecklephone Yes, I'm a namechanger, was too easily recognisable from my old name as I used it on lots of other forums where I'm known in RL...used to be a blonde... Was on the ante-natal thread, towards the end!

Nice to see that DD isn't alone in her sports-watching hobby!

henrietta - don't go

IWCAS - It's a possibility...I grew up in Wellington and now live in Hadley...

Siamese/Flip Add me to the list of baldies, everything is covered in hair here. If only my leg hair was the same, would save a fortune on razors Flip, you've also reminded me that today is the anniversary of our +HPT

Smac I moved DD's clothes on to the next size up yesterday...she still has 0-3 month stuff unworn, but she's got such long legs that the babygros and trousers just do not fit, but the 3-6 month stuff flaps around her belly like a little flag on a pole

Not much happening here today, DD has been very chatty this afternoon and very this evening, bedtime is out of the window and she is currently spark out on DH's chest. She's not built for the heat bless her, just like her Daddy!

Sorry - was internet fasting. Will return. V busy with poorly DH.

Nappy rash and constipation saga still ongoing here. Camomile tea, cotton pads, canestan and metanium are at least improving the rash but lactulose has so far had no effect on the constipation. Think he's holding it in deliberately because of the pain associated with the rash. It's becoming a vicious circle .

DD's sleeping is going somewhat to pot so I'm very tired. We had one night where she was awake - all charm and smiles - for a couple of hours from 2am ish and she's also started waking very early: 4am this morning. I'd just managed to persuade her to drop off again at 6 when her brother woke up. Of course she then woke up again and has only just gone back to sleep again after several very miserable hours of wakefulness and failed nap attempts. Had to resort to the sodding sling again.

Needless to say there are no broody feelings here right now. Pixie I think you're mad you have my deepest respect.

How are you feeling today, BMI? Those days are horrid, aren't they? But the advice from FP (and I think I know who you are, too) seemed spot on to me. Even if they don't stop crying when you take them out, you're likely to feel better just for getting away from your own four walls.

IWCAS, sorry to hear about DS's nighttime leakages. My DS used to do that a lot. 'tis a real pain. Are you using Pampers Babydry? They're the only Pampers that have not been "improved". I had a puzzling couple of weeks recently spent wondering why Active Fit and Newborn both leaked copiously as soon as anything happened.

Hello to everyone else. Sorry for the paucity of shout outs but am a bit befuddled today.

BMI How are you today?

Sariska at you sleepless night, at least the sodding sling works. I am currently sitting with the hoover on, as it's the only thing that stops DD crying sometimes, thank god for subtitles, and at least it's only in the day.

How's everyone else?

Afternoon everyone. I'm feeling much better today, thanks. As much as I hate to admit to being at the mercy of my hormones, I think that may have been the cause. PMT or just some kind of hormone fluctuation. Anyway. Thanks for all the lovely comments and sympathy

Sariska, your poor DS, that sounds really awful. Hope the rash continues to clear up. Sorry about you sleep troubles too, I don't mind a quick night-time feed but it's so frustrating when they're wide awake and grinning at you at silly o'clock!

IWCAS Can you tell if the leakage is out the legs or up the back/front? We had a week or so of leaky poos (out the legs); there seemed to be baby clothes soaking in the sink constantly. I have to make sure we pull the nappies up high enough and fasten them as tightly as possibly, but you said you're doing that too... nothing useful to suggest, sorry, but I hope you get it sorted soon. at the weeing in the cupcakes too; brilliant.

Pixie I saw your hayfever thread, sorry you're having a rough time with it. Glad to hear the DTs aren't rolling joints

Smac it is sad putting away all the teeny clothes, isn't it? I remember when I used to look at 3-6m clothes and couldn't imagine Isobel ever being that big!

Scooby sorry to hear about your Grandmother. As other have said, she may have been ready to go, but that doesn't mean you won't miss her. My Gran died last April and it still makes me sad; she would have loved to have met her great granddaughter.

Flip Happy Anniversary! Picnic sounds lovely, and you've got fabulous weather for it. Hope you have a great time back home too.

Shroomer I often feel guilty for not playing/interacting with Isobel as often as I could/should. It's difficult though; when she's asleep I'm quickly showering, eating, doing housework etc, so when she's awake I'm tired and want to read MN sit down. I think as long as they get some stimulation each day, it's fine. I tend to tell DH off when he plonks her in her bouncy chair and plays computer games though, which is probably transference of my own guilt

Pacific I hope the paeds appointment goes well and they are able to help, for your sake and poor wee Joe's.

Arcadie Three mwahs for you (it's a Belgian thing). Internet fast sounds like a good idea, sometimes I feel I'm on here way too much. We miss you though!

I'm meeting my only friend for a coffee today; she has a DD born the day after Isobel, so we tend to be going through the same things baby-wise. Hope everyone else is enjoying the weather (and the football, if you like that kind of thing.)

Forgot to say, Isobel's passport arrived! So the photos were obviously fine, and we can now plan our visit to Belgium to see the in-laws. It may be the last time we visit them there, as they're moving to Montenegro in August and might not move back. DH is also excited about introducing Isobel to the family dog

Pixie

Ha! I just saw a lesser-spotted-Arcadie! Internet fast indeed, that means having to do stuff if I don't sit on the net all day!

Paeds appointment a bit of a let down, but hey ho! Joe now on Losec.
Still no sleep.

You are not forgotten but now cannot even lurk, never mind post.

Soooo tired. And a little bit frustrated. DD2 has been using me for a bed for the past two evenings, refusing to go into her crib at all, so I feel like I've been permanently attached to her for about 48 hours...(DH has finally taken her off my hands - he's been out until a short while ago). I'm really hoping this is just a blip, but it's really challenging my easygoing, go-with-the-flow mentality . Wow,. I'm wrecked. Am trying to type more but the last brain cell is on the verge of shutting down. Sorry for the moany nature of this quick post. Just one shout - pacific sorry to hear your paeds appointment was disappointing and that you're still up to your eyes with everything. Hang on in there, woman, you're doing great.

Good morning all,

what is happening with these babies that don't want so sleep through the nigh? We also had a difficult one. hecklephone/IWCAS my sympathies

Anna - enjoy Sweden

Pacific - just continue to do what you have been doing: to be a great mum. I believe that is all he needs. Enjoy the good weather in Scotland, this might be the only summer we'll have ;)

Sariska - hope the nappy rash and constipation are better today

BusyMissIzzy - it's good to have in-laws living in different places. Montenegro sounds nice

Hope everyone else is well
xx

IWCAS are you using pampers active fit? Are they the 'new' thinner ones? Apparantly they are terrible for leaking. Sadly I only found this out after I bough a new box and I've gotta start them today as no others left. If they leak - I'm gonna ditch them. I don't care the cost - sleep is far more important!!! Try another brand to whatever you are using though- Ramsay looks lean like Ben and I found Huggies were a better fit for him until he got to size 3's so I keep changing as his shape changes.

pacific really sorry that you aren't sorted. You must be really frustrated. Is Joe the magical 3 mths yet?

Can babies get hayfever? I get is terribly and Ben has has been snotty on and off for weeks and weeks now.

How would a baby get diagnosed with downs? A friend has a little girl who is v v unsettled and has a certain 'look' about her. Would a HV not spot it and say something?

Are all your babies coping ok with this heat?

Grans funeral was yesterday - went ok. Her ashes beijg buried today

Scooby Hugs

Am on iPhone so excuse the lack of shouts. The great thing about this thread is always finding out I'm not alone; we're still working on evening settling and he varies between sleeping 11 hours and 3 hours between overnight feeds. I feel terrible if I leave him in his cot in the dark if he's awake after a feed but what else to do? He does usually go back to sleep quickly. And then I feel guilty for not spending enough time with him, or with DD [beating self up emoticon]. sigh. thinking of everyone and their traumas. Hope it passes soon for all of us.

On the plus side we all survived EuroDisney. DD and her cousin had an amazing time and are completely princessed out. Parents are completely frazzled and broke. Also stupid loyalty card scheme through which we booked the train tickets messed up the booking so we nearly didn't get on the train at all. Someone's going to die and it won't be me.

Back to the laundry and trying to make DS eat...