Fab Feb 2009: when they're good they are very very good, when they're bad they're todzillas...

[dinkystinky]

New thread for us to chat about our little jekyll & hydes...

Danny is currently stood next to me rearranging my DVD collection - I will be doing a work out to charlie & lola tonight apparently, while DS1 will be watching Billy Blanks Taebo with his pre-bedtime cup of milk and DH's history docu is hiding out with Diego in the city of lost toys...

MrsY We must have x-posted
You must be an emotional wreck with all this with M's tests. Jesus!
Am hoping it all comes out well and that things aren't as bad as originally thought.
Fingers crossed for J and his promotion too.

The studying is going well, I'm just about to complete Unit 4.
Dp will find out this week what is to happen re the crossing incident.

Welcome WAMF
My ds2 (WHO IS THE FEB BABY) is a little monkey, but like you, I feel he isn't quite ready for the naughty corner thing just yet, although ds1 was in the naughty corner when he was this age, I think it really does all depend on their individual personality as to what they will respond to.
I don't have any words of wisdom really.
I have found that with my ds2, he is better left to himself, so when he throws a tantrum, he will come out of it quicker if ignored rather than fussed over. But like I said, it all depends on what they will respond to. (how helpful am I? lol)

Dinky, thanks so much for the advice. I've been trying to avoid using the tv, I feel bad that she shouldn't really watch much but maybe I need to give myself the break.

She adores Peppa pig, so maybe two or three of those whilst I feed DD2 would give me a chance, then try some one on one play time with her whilst DD2 is on her play arch or something. I'm sure its all attention based.

She has just started walking and her talking has taken off too and she is left really tired which makes her even more grumpy, this coupled with DD2 having a growth spurt and its been an interesting few days!!

Will check in again later, need to go get DD2 up now. Thanks again.

Wispas Don't feel guilty about using the telly, God we all do it!
Maybe, if you're staying in the room, you could talk to her about it whilst you feed the baby, that way you are encouraging her communication as well?

Wispas - the telly is a life saver for mums with more than 1 kid (and even then for mums with only 1 kid lots of times too). Dont feel guilty about it - you're there too. DS1 loved re-enacting Pingu stories with me while Danny was sleeping (he was older though - 2.10 months when his brother arrived). Also - magazines and stickers are great for little ones. If you can, invest in a peppa pig magazine and give it to her from her little sister - bet she'll love it.

hello all and welcome wisper, like dinky says, we are a nice friendly bunch DC4 (boy) is my Feb baby (DS2) (I have to remind myself sometimes of their names and ages)

MrsY oh how frustrating about M's tests, that must be awful for you and J having to go through further tests and still not know. Fingers crossed for you.

SR that story about A and his book is so cute, bless him. I might do something like a book for H. I'm not sure yet if he has problems with his speech due to his TT. We play a game with the posters on the wall in my study/signing class where he points out all the things he knows so a book might be fun and practical.

SM fingers crossed for your DPs investigation.

Wispa I agree with dinky about the tv, it is a godsend. Not always ideal to have too much but if that is what it takes to keep her happy/quiet when you are feeding DD2 then go for it. Maybe look for some of the more education dvds so you feel you are doing something positive with her?

Thanks guys. Yes, it's been a bit of a tough time for us, we've certainly been up and down a few times on this one, but really focusing on the positives atm. Most unlike me, but I feel I owe it to M to send positive vibes out for her.

I have sent out a cosmin order of:

health, wealth and happiness

which is a bit vague, but covers the main issues for us!

ahem, cosmic order

So MS and swampy missing was what was grinding our thread to a halt! Glad to see you guys back, sorry about your disasterous day though MS

welcome Wispas... congrats on you new baby, I had 18 months between my oldest two and it really is tough going but so worth it in the long run [pretends not to see ds1 sitting on dd's head], just try not to stress yourself out, remember your eldest is still a baby too although she seems huge compared to the newborn. With A, my feb 2009 baby, i'm quite relaxed about dicipline... mostly because i've given up but also partly because he's well aware when he's doing something naughty and gives me the cheekiest smile which cracks me up completely so i lose any authority i had over the situation I totally agree with the others about the tv btw, we couldn't have survived either of the boys being born without copious amounts of tv

STW... google images is your new best friend, you google a brand name object (ie in A's case 'Tommee tippe bottle', 'Nuby cup' and 'Avent dummy' were useful) and then select the images tab and the exact item you want will be there somewhere, then right click on the picture you want, hit 'save target as' and save it to your PECS folder on the PC. You can just past it into a word documant from it's saved location and print it off.

Mrsy {{{hugs}}} and here's hoping the first test results were wrong and you don't have to worry

Quite like the sound of cosmin order MrsY

Is it just me or is anyone else experiencing horrible muggy weather today?

DS and I went to toddler group this morning, then he had a nap in the buggy and I decided to walk to Aldi (classy) 45 mins away. Then did shopping and started walking home, immediately regretting my choice of clothes/raincoat/amount of heavy shopping.

Arrived home knackered and sweating. Just had to eat some falafel to recover.

DS has got quite a few words now, he came into the kitchen last night and was pointing at the worktop saying 'beeps? beeps? mama- beeps?'

He meant grapes. Took me ages to work it out.

Blimey you lot - look at all the chatter!

MrsY gosh that sounds hopefull! Hope you find out good news about M very soon.

Hello Wispas - don't be too tough on yourself... a little bit of telly isn't going to hurt and it'll give you a breather now and again. I'd never get a chance to make the DCs dinner if it weren't for cbeebies though DD (18 months) has taken to pointing to the telly and shouting 'beebies' as soon as she gets back from nursery !!
I'm having trouble dealing with DS's tantrums at the mo - at 3.5 he is now strong enough to resist me sitting him on the naughty step and he can really pack a punch if he is very cross.....talking very, very quietly and gently to him seems to work at the moment as he has to stop thrashing about and shouting to hear what I am saying.

Calico - part of your DS's tantrums will be that pesky testosterone surge going on. Keep up with the talking quietly as it works - and try to get him to understand why he's tantrumming (upset about something - why, etc.) and acknowledge his right to be upset. DS1 had a spectacular tantrum a couple of months back - where he stomped up to his room, took all his clothes off and lay under his duvet on the floor tantrumming - because he'd spilt some milk from his breakfast cereal onto his pjs. When he finally calmed down, it turned out his tantrum was at his own frustration he cant always be tidy like a big boy. Bless.

MS at the 'beeps'!

Dinky - yes indeed, DS is generally such a gentle, kind child but gets very cross when he can't do something or if I ask him to do something he would rather not do (get dressed / help tidy up / stop snatching toys from his sister). He has started biting, pinching and kicking - but only me! Then when he has calmed down he is beside himself with remorse afterwards and tells me solemnly that he will never ever hurt me again.....
He throw a shoe at Lilian the other day and was horrified when it hit her on the head - he was in tears for ages. Lilian didn't bat an eyelid - tough cookie!

[shudders at mention of testosterone surges]

ds1 is an incredibly lovable child 99% of the time but every now and again he becomes possessed by the raging beast and becomes quite trying for want of a better word.

Hi guys, nice to see a new face and some old ones back again just a quick hello really, sorry my posts are boring atm!

still struggling with izzy, she has random tantrums and i am not coping very well so no useful advice. she is so lovely she just gets herself all upset.

I am really struggling with BF, she demands it more than i want to give it and im finding it too hard! don't really know what to do I am totally lost.

MS so nice to see you and yum falafel had some for my tea

hey swampy so good to see you too missed you! xxx

back soon for a proper catch up

Littlesez - it sounds like Izzy is going through abit of a difficult age - she's growing up but still a baby - and that's why she's tantrumming (because she wants to do what all the big kids do)and demanding extra bfs (bet they're really short - its for reassurance that she's still your baby). My sympathies - it is a really difficult stage - but it is just that, a stage, and it will pass. What will make it easier for you (and hopefully also for Izzy) is how you approach it - if she has random tantrums, do what you know calms her down (either ignore and leave her, hold her so she doesnt hurt herself or others, or distract her and cuddle her). Re bfing - it sounds like you might want to wind it down, is that right? If so, you could restrict it to morning and bedtime only and offer her drinks in a cup during the day time (make a big fuss of it and how she's such a clever big girl etc). If she wants reassurance, just give big hugs and cuddles. You may need to wear one of your dancing leotards for a few days so she gets the message that your boobs are out of bounds during the day time, and her sleep may be disrupted abit for a couple of weeks, but it will all be fine in the end. Just remain calm and consistent and loving and all will be fine.

SummerRain - how is DS1 enjoying being at big school? My DS1 cant wait - he's so excited!

Markstretch - lol at Beeps. Danny did have a good vocab but now EVERYTHING is "Daddy" - including Grapes. DH is very pleased

MoS - you have a thread for you in Chat from Riven...

SM- your post on the 'how weird are you?' thread made me cry with laughter. DH thought I had lost the plot as I hugged the laptop wiping my eyes with mirth. Genius.

I am making chutney today, my Dad and I are catering for 50 at Christmas for all the paramedics at his ambulance station. Starter is a coarse game pate with melba toast and my homemade chutney. Wish me luck!

dinky, he loves it He started full days this week and came home on Monday and told me 'It was fun Mommy but I'm very tired from all the work' though dd who's in the same room assures me they don't do much other than play with toys so I'm not too concerned that he's being overworked When's your ds1 starting? Are you all set or rushing around picking up loads of stuff last minute like i was?

MS... please come cook for me, that meal sounds delish!

littlesez, don't feel like you have to feed Izzy everytime she asks, it's as important a lesson at this age to learn that sometimes it's not convenient for Mommy and that you can't always get what you want when you want it. Before A learned to use his bottle I was feeling really horrible about bf-ing, it was constant and i felt as if my body wasn't my own anymore (6 years of pregnancy and bf-ing hadn't helped with that) Now he feeds in the morning, the odd time he wakes at night and occasionally during the day if he's ill or tired and I feel so much happier about it and really enjoy the feeds again.

Am mostly set SummerRain - uniform all bought. labels mostly sewn (discovered a pair of trousers last night I'd missed ), lunchbox and water bottle purchased and have been practising writing his name with him so he recognises it on all his stuff. He starts on 27 September. Mind you am having to be organised as have to sort out loads to do with the move and the build in the next couple of weeks too...

MS - how goes the chutneyfest?

Evening all! I am here, keep meaning to post but by the time I've caught up with everything I've run out of time.

Mrsy and STW sorry to hear about everything you're going through with your girls. I hope M's test results are good again and that it signals a new and positive phase in your lives. STW if you ever fancy meeting up let me know. Poor Mr T only seems to have girlfriends so I'm sure he'd love to meet up with Sam.

Dinky how are you feeling about DS1 startimg school? DS1 has just moved up to Year 1 but I was really teary watching all the tinies start in Reception this week! I take a peverse pleasure in sewing in name tapes. Have you shown your DS where to find them in his clothes and have you labelled his shoes?

Congrats on the job SM. I'm (fruitlessly) searching for some part-time work I can do from home. Finances not good and I am soooo sick of worrying about money. Also trying to think longer term about what I'd like to do when Mr T is at school. Definitely want to re-train but have no idea about what. Am 40 and still trying to decide what I want to be when I grow up...

Mr T is largely un-tantrummy but very, very cheeky and strong-willed (can't imagine where that comes from). Also unspeakably cute. He just came up to me and said "I love you Mummy", then "Here, hold this" and handed me his toy drill. So like his father! I think this is probably the loveliest age though. He is showing no signs of giving up BF but I am starting to get a bit naffed off with night feeds and can't believe I was still feeding DS1 at night when he was nearly 3!

Evening all! I am here, keep meaning to post but by the time I've caught up with everything I've run out of time.

Mrsy and STW sorry to hear about everything you're going through with your girls. I hope M's test results are good again and that it signals a new and positive phase in your lives. STW if you ever fancy meeting up let me know. Poor Mr T only seems to have girlfriends so I'm sure he'd love to meet up with Sam.

Dinky how are you feeling about DS1 startimg school? DS1 has just moved up to Year 1 but I was really teary watching all the tinies start in Reception this week! I take a peverse pleasure in sewing in name tapes. Have you shown your DS where to find them in his clothes and have you labelled his shoes?

Congrats on the job SM. I'm (fruitlessly) searching for some part-time work I can do from home. Finances not good and I am soooo sick of worrying about money. Also trying to think longer term about what I'd like to do when Mr T is at school. Definitely want to re-train but have no idea about what. Am 40 and still trying to decide what I want to be when I grow up...

Mr T is largely un-tantrummy but very, very cheeky and strong-willed (can't imagine where that comes from). Also unspeakably cute. He just came up to me and said "I love you Mummy", then "Here, hold this" and handed me his toy drill. So like his father! I think this is probably the loveliest age though. He is showing no signs of giving up BF but I am starting to get a bit naffed off with night feeds and can't believe I was still feeding DS1 at night when he was nearly 3!

See, my posts are like buses. You wait for ages for 1 then 2 come along at once.

Welcome back THOM - occasionally see you on Facebook (I dip in and out of there every so often) and sounds like you've been really busy so no wonder you havent been on here much. Am feeling ok about DS1 starting school (not often a teary kind of person) but still in shock that he's big enough to go to school already - think DH is actually more teary than me. Yep, shoes labelled (and even drawn half a smiley face on each shoe to help him remember which shoe is which) and will be helping him to stick stickers on his book bag to help him recognise it.

Wow at MrT's vocab. Danny has decided to extend his vocab from Daddy for everything to cheese and dank (for dank you) today. Sorry to hear finances are tight and job hunting not going great - will keep my fingers crossed you find something suitable soon.