Dec 08 Ladies welcome to the new Bean, next stop, Summer.

[Veggiemummy]

Sorry very boring had to think quickly, not my best feature

Sorry I don't have time to catch up so will need a recap Vaggie style bullet points at some point soon but just wanted to say the postman just came and thank you so much for the nice bath stuff Effie and a lovely card from ZJ you are all very kind x
Thanks again Ladies xox

Gosh lady watch your back with all the bending down to hold her hands. It's lovely when they start the whole trying to move about & go upwards thing, they are always so pleased with themselves. Well done O, also she seems to be following her Daddy, didn't you say he started walking around 2, I bet he was quite eloquent like Ms O too.

The weather is horrid here, I'm getting worried about camping on the weekend now.

Beans how are you feeling now?

There seems to be a beautiful baby in my FB news feed . She is lovely .

I have read I promise, it just all seeps out of my mind when I try to make a coherent post.

We all sending our spare oxytocin to Summer yet?

Well I have stopped feeding dd. Still a bit as I so wanted to be able to let her self wean but it really wasn't helping me. After a night spent sitting by her cot she hasn't been that bothered. Not quite sleeping all night yet but a big improvement.

great news on the moving, ladyt!

and rubes - you are being so active, i'm almost tired just reading about what you're up to.

questions for anyone who has gone glamping before... or indeed just simply camping... we are off to a featherdown farm with friends this weekend. any advice on what to take? i'm no expert at camping by any means.

Oooooo WG, we love Featherdown Farms. which one are you going to? Take fire lighters! The wood burning stove is key to your enjoyment but it usually took DH hours to get it going. And take warm clothes and PJs as it's suprisingly cold at night, even in hot weather. And wellies so R can go into the animal enclosures without getting muddy. And anti bac gel for her hands after the animals have licked them. And a well charged camera. And lots of wine.

How are you feeling now Beans? That sounded a very traumatic morning. Poor you.

And what about you LadyT? Have the middle of the night blues lifted? I am sorry you feel so isolated out there. I hadn't really realised as you always seem so busy and chipper. Can the DDs and I visit you one day at the end of august?

Oh and sorry you had to give up feeding earlier than you hoped Indith. Is this so you can take medication or just to grab more sleep. Either way I really hope it helps.

Just baked a large tray of super gooey Nigella brownies with DD1. So yummy. So bad for my waist line. I have lost all motivation since I gained those 3 lbs back.

Syb - we were in Slapton, so on the south devon side. New to me and great with the kids. We had an outing to the riverford farm (tractor rides, picking tomatoes, that kind of thing)followed by early dinner - my 3 year old was quite interested in the whole thing and even J enjoyed it once he got over an inexplicable strop. Would recommend if you fancy it and its not too far.

kiwi - I went on a 3 day trip to Washington when DD was about 5 months old and still more or less feeding exclusively. It was a bit traumatic as she wasn't really weaned, but we all survived. Left lots of EBM in the freezer. Your DD is much older, so I'd have thought much less of a concern that she'll starve. I'd have thought you'd need to express though if you are still feeding quite a bit - I ended up pumping about 3 times a day, first thing, last thing and at some point in the middle of the day when I could slope off.

On the whole soya milk thing - advice we had from dietician was that if DD was not allergic to soya (which is not uncommon) it was nutritionally a better drink for a child than the alternatives. We find ourselves hunting around for the full fat, sweetened, calcium enriched version for her. In fact, I was reading somewhere that Alpro had just launched an enriched soya milk intended for toddlers. But having said that, I totally understand having reservations about too much soya. DD is not a milk monster at all, so I don't worry too much about it.

LadyT - if O is taking a few tottering steps, then won't be long at all I'd have thought - how very exciting! Totally agree about Time Travellers Wife btw - only got suckered into reading the new one because of the setting. And it probably wasn't worth the effort.

Beans - these things happen, don't feel bad - sounds like you behaved very decently in the circumstances and its good no one was hurt.

I'd be grateful for advice on the whole sleeping covers thing. DS ingeniously figured out how to undo his grobag a while ago and basically won't stay in it. We did try a duvet on him, but he kicks it off immediately. So basically he has been sleeping uncovered for the last month or so [irresponsible mother face]. That's fine for summer, but not sure about when it gets colder. There is some grobag thing which is basically a base sheet with a zip on duvet cover (I guess like a giant sleeping bag) but I think he'll figure his way out of that one too.

DD has taken to calling me "mother". No idea why and I don't think I like it. I feel faintly victorian. She'll be calling me mater next or some such.

Summer your very quiet, are you napping?

I'm a little bluergh this afternoon. No idea why just feel a bit down. I always seem to be a bit grumpy & annoying lately. I wanted to go for a run this afternoon but DS2 suddenly became really clingy and because it was his dinner time I didn't want to upset him enough not to eat so I went upstairs & did some yoga instead but I only got about halfway through as I just didn't feel like it. I think we might try to go for a ride tomorrow all together that might perk me up. I'm also starting to worry about camping as the weather is not looking nice at all. Where has summer gone bloody rainy yuk yuk weather.

Incis I love your being referred to as 'mother' & Avo can I have a brownie?

Oh & indith. How much was DD having? When DS1 stopped feeding he was having one feed a day at bedtime and it was for about 5 min then he would have a beaker of milk to go to bed with. One night I just didn't offer him the boob & he didn't seem bothered and didn't ask for it. Even though I kind of initiated the end of feeding I think of it as him weaning as he went down to such a low amount & then didn't ask for it.

Oh & indith. How much was DD having? When DS1 stopped feeding he was having one feed a day at bedtime and it was for about 5 min then he would have a beaker of milk to go to bed with. One night I just didn't offer him the boob & he didn't seem bothered and didn't ask for it. Even though I kind of initiated the end of feeding I think of it as him weaning as he went down to such a low amount & then didn't ask for it.

veggie you have my sympathies about the rubbish weather & camping. Its fab as long as its dry...we are supposed to be going in a couple of weeks; weather permitting!

WG My only tip for camping is plenty of cheerfulness, warm clothes, cheerfulness and err...more cheerfulness.

ladyt its wonderful to hear that little O is really finding her feet.

beans thats a horrid thing that happened to you this morning. But it was an accident, try notto worry too much I'm sure the cyclist will be just fine xx

Where is summer??

Oh and DD wants to know if she can have coffee once she turns 4. Apparently your allowed to drink it at Nanny's house

Ooooh Brownies. Gimme gimme gimme

at "mother". I get called all sorts including Fifi

Dd has a duvet, she usually ends up on top of it, I suppose in the winter I'll just layer her up . Ds frequently ends up on top of his too so goodness knows when they grow out of it!

Veggie dd was pretty much constantly asking so I have led all the cut downs. She was on and off all bloody day, having a couple of sucks and running off then asking again 5 mins later so I started saying no in the day and got her down to morning, naptime and bedtime plus overnight then I started taking her straight down for breakfast in the morning rather than feeding in bed and stopped feeding at naptime. Then I got dh to put her to bed. They both had stories on the sofa then I used to feed her upstairs so I sent her up with dh instead and he read her another story. Finally I stopped feeding when she woke at night. Phew!

Just waiting for breasts to deflate now so I can wear my old bras, still in nursing bras as I'm about twice the size as pre preg!

The acupuncturist has got Summer's womb contracting. You mark my words. I can just feel it in my waters.

Sorry you are feeling down Vegmeister. Is it the screaming that's getting to you? Or more general post holiday blues? I wish I could send you a brownie to cheer you up.

Sorry am still here nothing happening.
Today I have had acupuncture, a bath with clary sage, some action, cycled 10 miles and walked about 2! Think I have to accept that the baby doesn't want to come out just yet!
Veggie the tour sounded ace. Very jealous.
Beans sorry about your accident. Surer the cyclist will be fine. Probably just a bit stiff.
Right gotta go as dh wants me to watch telly with him.

DB is your mum feeding her coffee?! I went to a shop on the Gold coast in Australia with my cousin and DS1 & her DS. There was a sign in the shop that warned "unsupervised children will be given a shot of espresso & a puppy of their choice" we thought it was hilarious.

Summer posted a response to something JJ said on FB an hour ago so possibly not in labour.

Avo i really want some Brownies. What recipe do you follow, I think I need to make some.

Hello lovely ladies. I am feeling much better now. I rang my insurance company and they will cover everything, without losing my no claims discount. To be honest, that wasn't a concern I had, but they mentioned it to me, so an added relief. BIGGEST relief is that the girl called me and she has mild whiplash - she went to A&E because her back was hurting and they gave her some anti-inflammatories and told her to see a chiropractor, which she is doing, but she's ok, which is great. I'm so so relieved. Phew.

Invis - I love the mother thing! My friend's daughter calls her "auntie lucy", which really makes me laugh! A lot. For some reason.

Veggie, I'm so sorry you're feeling so down and grumpy. I wonder (now I'm a very experienced mother of two - snorts coffee at own arrogance and presumption!) if it's the lack of adult company. I know that's the thing I find quite demoralising about being a SAHM (all 3 months of it - ha!). I love love love my children, but I kind of slather over other adults when I get to see them. My inlaws came over this afternoon and I almost wept with joy when they arrived because I was so tired of chatting to a little girl who doesn't really understand all I say and I definitely don't understand all hers. Added to that, when they're screamy, it's so grating on your nerves. I feel so raw when it happens. You keep your chin up and stay positive - like you always do!

Lady - I'm so glad O is getting more mobile - I bet she walks solo before too long! And when she does, WOW life gets so much easier!!!

I miss DH so much. He has been going to work really early of late and not getting home til about 9ish, so missing DD1 at both ends of the day (not DD2 as he does late feed usually). They are missing eachother. And tonight, he's in Germany. I so wish he was here. Could do with snuggling up on the sofa with a glass of wine and goggling. Instead am staying up with Masterchef and going to do the 10pm feed myself - wooooo! I somehow feel that having 2 children has really "completed" our family, if that doesn't sound too cheesy. And he has come into his own as a father. I feel so much closer to him than ever before. Obviously, he's still a cock a lot of the time, but I love him terribly and it's made me appreciate him a lot - he's just so hands on and does cooking and cleaning and baby stuff. It's great!

Blimey, you can tell Veggie?s back ? the thread has grown by 3 pages since Monday, and I don?t think we filled 3 pages all last week . I don?t like it that you?re down though, you?re always the one to pull us all up, so I really want to give you some G&B righ now. Post holiday blues perhaps? I hope tomorrow brings you some more happiness

Am I right in assuming from JJ?s fb post earlier that she?s had the scan today? And she really confused me with some reference to Cyril and someone ? there can?t be 2 in there, can there? Glad its all gone well though JJ, its a good week to have a birthday. So I?m getting all in a knot about these lovely little foetuses (feotii??) ? Spot is due in Jan, then JJ, then Mom and WG at a similar time, and then Katie. Is that everyone for next year (so far)? And is there anyone due between LadyT and Spot? You are all rampant shaggers!

And talking of rampant shaggers, at Beans, the mostest rampantest ? enjoying a pleasant shag at the weekend, you cheeky thing. I didn?t even think of shagging until at least 6 months after DD was born, not 6 weeks! And I don?t think it could be described as pleasant for another 6 months. Have a big hug from me today, about the cyclist ? I know exactly how shocking it is, after my meeting with the motorcyclist a few weeks ago I shook like a leaf and could barely speak for about an hour. So scary for you both ? if it had been me you?d hit, I would?ve been delighted about how helpful and kind and thoughtful you were

LadyT a friend recommended wrapping a scarf under DD?s arms and holding the scarf, rather than her hands, so you don?t have to bend down to walk her round. We didn?t get round to trying it as DD just set off on her own, when she finally went, but it sounded like a good idea. Although I?d bet on O running around at high speed before Summer goes in labour

Trace I took DH to the Stone Trough for his birthday a couple of years ago, it was amazing. Mmmm, might have to find a reason to go back again now

Sleeping bags ? I?ve heard TK Maxx do them v reasonably priced, but I don?t know about their sizes. Gro bag do them up to 8 years or something equally huge

I saw that sleep programme last night, and made DH watch it too. Interesting, but I don?t think the methods were all that different ? just one went cold turkey and the other was more gradual ? and I really wanted to see something really different. I was impressed by the parents persistence, especially the Dad who spent 2 hours cajoling the little boy into bed in the night, 3 times in one night! So when DD woke last night it gave me some strength to convince her to stay in her cot, and the 1 ½ hours it took me seemed a doddle in comparison (and in comparison to poor Jam, I hope all is peaceful in your house now and stays that way til morning)

Thanks for all the travel tips ? I will definitely be buying some mags. I have already bulk bought sticker books and snacks in packets (DD loves to help herself), so all will be a dream . Though I?m not sure she deserves all these nice things ? tonight she?s worked out that she can pull my t-shirt up and wobble my belly . She finds it a lot more amusing than I do ?

Woohoo everyone slept last night!

Beans what a fright you had. Good job your insurance company are on the ball. You do sound lovely quite sure not many other drivers would be that kind.

Ladyt how did you sleep. Do you think your body is now waking at that time out of habit?

Summer I hope you are contracting. That is quite some busy day for someone who is 40wks. I would contact the hospital and get booked in for some sweeps. Keep up the accupuncture. I am convinced it's what got me going with DS2.

Zoo today hope it stays dry.

Just a super quickie to say that O has got a cancellation at the private dietician (thanks for the recommendation, Invis, they seem great) so am having to rush off to London now and then I'm staying as we are off to Belgium in the morning, then we're off to Staffordshire to see DP's sis who is over from Bermuda, then London again to see my consultant...so will only be on my Blackberry.

Thanks Jam, I woke at 3 last night, which is a change from the usual 4.40, but I was still awake over an hour driving myself potty. I was just the same last time, it's horrid.

Will post a bit more on the train but have to run run run! Bon chance Summer!

Flipping heck summer that is a good list! Personally I would just relax. With ds I spent all my time bouncing around and going for walks, using clary sage etc until I was term+13 then I just relaxed, packed my bag for induction the next day and accepted it. I went to aquanatal and generally chilled out. He arrived the next morning all by himself With dd I just ate a while lot of chocolate and she was only 3 days late.

why did I press post? I had more to say!

Veggie I love the coffee shop sign

Beans you made me all weepy with your thoughts about your family. Lovely . So pleased the girl rang you and your mind is more at rest. these things happen but everyone is ok.

Yay for sleep Jam!

LadyT hope things go well with the dietician.

Dd is teething and also very snotty again. She didn't do too badly last night because I drugged her at midnight but she has been up since 5

Morning All! Lady - you're so busy! Well done you!

I've just had a bit of a strange and rather pleasant thing happen... Put DD2 on her tummy for neck strengthening stuff. Used to do it every day with DD1, but rarely do it with 2. But she's just over 6 weeks, and she rolled over onto her back! Quite extraordinary. DD1 did it early at 8 weeks, but this is really early! Mind you, DD1 then stopped doing it from 12 weeks until about 5 months!!!

Still, am pleasantly surprised and a bit excited!

Thanks for all kind words re cyclist. Hoping she doesn't now take the piss and call in Injury Lawyers 4 You or something as I admitted it was entirely my fault. Fingers crossed. Sure she won't, but you know how you sometimes worry!!!

Sorry I made you weepy, Indith! Wasn't meant to, just felt all glowy and happy. DD2 slept from 7-10.30 last night, then did a dream feed. Then til 4.30. Then til 7. Bliss! Feeling quite perky today!

she did it again, so not a fluke!

It was a good weepy Clever girl onthe rolling over.

I discovered ds half way up a tree yesterday, they grow up so fast!

Well everyone gone and now am a bit sad. They nearly didn't as their plane went tech and they sat on the tarmac till midnight Not ideal before a 14 hour flight! Although there is peace it's still Strangely BF has gone a little tits skyward. It seems to be really hurting when she is latching on (it was a little at first but last night and today was unbearable) it is only for the first 10 seconds or so but it is really painful and putting me off. She also would not settle at ALL last night - perhaps she doesn't like the peace I have a feeling she can sense I am a little sad that the fam have gone and it is the reason she is unsettled? Might be way off, but she keeps wanting to feed constantly like every hour and a half and then gets hiccups and or voms a bit of it up but only a tiny bit. I think she thinks she's hungry for every problem even if it's wind etc, and she even looks for the boob when she has a dirty nappy. The boobs are completely deflated now and I feel like they are not giving her much since she's drained them!
Anyway, the midwife is coming for the 10 day check today and another weigh in etc so I will run it all by her.
Will update what she says.
Have skimmed - Lady great news on the appt but get some rest!! (I know I can hardly talk!)
Summer - get on with it! Sorry about the acupuncture incident - I'd be a mess in fact I'd not even contemplate that!
Beans oops about cyclist mishap. Hope you are feeling better and glad all are ok - could have happened to anyone. Great news that dh is being a star.
dh has pulled his head out of arse here too, and is currently stripping guest beds and doing laundry at the same time as looking after ds who'd have known he can multitask!
Going to weed out some more distant friends on FB then will post some photos

LadyT - glad you got the appt, good luck with it, hope they give you some tips and set your mind at rest. Enjoy Bxls - must confess to a little nostalgic envy for that one.

Beans - wow! That is a very clever stunt for a 6 week old. She'll be zooming round the house before you know it!

Jam - hooray for sleep! Fingers crossed it carries on....

Summer - that's an impressive attempt to move things along! Your hospital sounds much more laid back than mine - they were very keen to fix a back stop c-section date in case DS didn't come on time. I guess it will happen when it happens. My sis is due on Sunday and she is still rushing around like a mad thing doing work stuff. She obviously has PG brain though as she managed to send an e-mail having a bit of a moan about someone and then cc'd them in.