Next time...

She's done it already!!! Too slow....phew!

new post ... click here!

Oh - x-posted there. HKZ please do it

Now that looks terrible - please jump before everyone sees it!

I vote you do it Pat - all you have to do is go into the post-natal topic and create a new thread and then link us to it. Easy peasy. Then you get the pleasure of seeing your post at the top of every page for the next couple of months! Go on, you know you want to...

Right , I'll attempt to do it...hold on a mo....I am busy procrastinating..too much work to do...

Err, is somebody (better than me who knows what they are doing) starting a new thread?? HKZ, what was that title?

x-posts Eppm, have a great day at Legoland. I loved it and I'm sure your DD will to .

Know what you mean moose I keep coming across those, isn't it time to call it a day comments/looks. People do forget that essentially we are mammals and nobody has told babies about all the pressures/culture of the modern world. They just want to be fed don't they!!!

Gosh, all these boys are large and porky aren't they! Zach is getting on well with the doidy cup, although only likes to hold one handle so I do help a bit. He aslo goes CRAZY when one of us has a drink, bit scared to have a cup of tea in front of him at the moment actually!

Lenni Hope the pupil thing is fine, sounds like its better to check but you are probably right and its just an oddity. Went to Dick Whittington farm park in the forest of Dean. A nice place with lots of animals etc and good soft-play. DD enjoyed the soft-play then clearly had no energy. Didn't eat much lunch or have any dinner to speak of. It's her sports day tomorrow so I really hope she is well enough to go. Come to think of it 2 of the boy babies there today were also bruisers, 91st and 98th percentile I think .

Re hand painting. My SIL used to be a childminder, she got all the children in her charge to do their prints on a massive piece of lining paper then when it was full they somehow had it transferred onto a huge canvas. Its amazing, always makes my eyes well up when I see it. (Mind you I'm the soppy old bird that was crying my eyes out whilst reading the birth stories in Mother and Baby magazine yesterday! )

Am a bit with my Mum today. I haven't been too well this week and today was right off my feet, really exhausted and achey so she says "isn't it about time you stopped breastfeeding dd now - you've done your bit and its obviously too much for you"!!!!! Personally, I am not finding the feeding a problem and was thinking of trying to keep it up until she is one (had a few disapproving faces and noises made about that when we were at PILs at the weekend as well.) What's wrong with people, it seems that bf beyond 6 months is frowned upon and seen as self indulgent these days - its all just so twisted when natural childrearing is seen as unnatural fgs.

tink I love the rosebud camper!

Dunno about DS... he seems quite small... maybe it's his intolerances? He is in proportion though- fairly slender, but mahoosive cheeks! But DD asked to be measured today, and we were astonished... she is 1m tall now on 75th.... I thought she had grown but WOW!

We're going to Legoland tomorrow! Haven't told dd yet, or she wouldn't sleep... not sure I will

Whhoooooaaaah nearly had to send dh to shop for a pregnancy test then - till I remembered I had a scan as part of eggy giving prep, and no jiggy jiggy since.

<<faints in relief>>

Good to hear about all these babies trying to crawl too - DS making plenty of attempts. He gets beached on his generous stomach though!

More (((hugs))) for Tree <<glances round to check the anti-MNhuggers weren't watching >> no sign - (((hugs)))

You aren't pregnant are you? Probably post-viral like you say. But make sure you watch your mood, you've had a lot on.

No progress on using the doidy cup here but DS also drinking all my drinks now. He grabs for everything now but still not feeding himself. 20lbs 9oz today - he can join the porkers club!

He's been referred by HV though as one of his pupils dilates slightly more slowly than the other. Hopefully it's nothing and just a little oddity about him but got to be checked out just in case.

Canvases sound lovely Ray we've one I forgot about, must do it. Feet are much easier than hands btw. We have some lovely pictures (just on sugar paper) that we've made out of DD and DS's footprints and DD's handprints. Butterflies and elephants and things! I just use poster paint and have a washing up bowl of water on the table ready to dip their hands/feet straight in once we've finished. DD and I do a lot of finger painting!

Pat Sorry about your day - where did you go? Sounds like people were nice though. Hope DD is better in the morning.

Ray - good luck with the paints, sounds great! Fab dd is using the cup too. Our babies are getting less babyish! It's both and

Thanks Moose and Pat.

DD2 now decided not to bother eating after a few days enjoying it. Hey Ho.

Will cheer up soon and get some energy. Wonder if have some sort of post viral thing as have been struggling since sore throat/tonsil attack a few weeks ago.

ELC it is for the paints then. Going to do 3, one for our house, and both sets of grandparents! Should be fun!

Esme is now officially drinking out of her doidy cup herself. She has been trying to drink anything i have too... so let her have a sip of water from my glass today, and she slurped it down. Funny little girl.

tink Glad Bracken is getting on well with her food. I read Gina Ford's CLB books & have taken the Odd tip here and there from them. Think am going more with the BLW idea myself though.

Qumps i have no experience with transferring to beds i'm afraid. But surely its a waste of money to get a toddler bed, and it would make more sense to go to a single? Either way- Good luck!

Pat have signed up for Twitter, but don't really use it, or really get it. It seems rather pointless when you have facebook. Hmm. I think alot of people use it to 'follow' celebrities, as they post on theirs. Strange.

Missj Yes, Esme has jumped up the Centiles. She was born just below the 25th as was only 6 lb 6, dinky dot, and is now on the 75th & my chunky little monkey! Wow! I must be producing some kind of Super milk! :-)

Wow, these baby girls certainly sound so sweet and dinky compared to all the big chunky boys!!!.

Poor you tree come and have a moan later.

We had the night from hell last night and both DC's in with me from 1.30am and DH evicted to the sofa. DD has been brewing for something all day. Drove 30 mins to a farm park for a MN meet-up and paid £10.50 to get in and she just whinged and cried the whole time. Really not herself, slept for over an hour on the sofa when we got back. Has had nurofen and an early night as she was warm again and didn't want much dinner . The MN girls were all really nice and alll had similarly aged DC's so they totally understood! There was a fair amount of whinging going on actually . Just feel like thats my one day with them this week a bit ruined, nevermind!

ray ELC paints are good. Crayola also do baby fingerpaints which you can buy off amazon.

moose Zach is also on his hands and knees and rocking. He has just about mastered backward motion and can get across the floor to somewhere he wants......say.....the bookcase! He has also managed forward bunny-hops and commando crawling. It's a nightmare as alll DD's 'small' bits and pieces are now highly dangerous and I am constantly vigilant. He also gets constantly frustrated that he can't go fast enough or in the right direction, bless him!

Tink Birthday pressies sound cute. I LOVED sylvanian families although shamefully was probably too old for them and played with my little sisters .

Zach enjoyed Bolagnese tonight.....carnage!!!!!

Tree sorry to hear things are still so bad, really wish I could do something to help. Sending huge very un MN hugs and a giant virtual dairy free chocolate cake your way.

I know its no consolation, but there seems to be a lot of it about at the moment. Mum reckons its down to the full moon and lunar eclipse - but then she's bonkers.

Hi all

Dropping in to say miss you all and still crappy here. Had a corking bad day today. Nothing terrible just hard and tear filled [mostly dd1, but a sprinkling from myself]

DD2 is 12lb 11oz bless her little self. 6 months today. Wow.

canvases sound great fun ray
i would say elc to they are great for paints etc

forgot to answer when you asked about weaning she is luving it i am following gf weaning book so she has tried alsorts of different veg and fruit

buying dd1s 4th bday pressies soon going to get her rosebud camper van to go with her dolls house and some sylvanian family bits

bbg set with cat,seaside set with 2 dogs and toy shop look so cute

Ray, Early Learning Centre do finger paints for toddlers, that's what we used when we did ds1 and 2. They say from 2-6 years, but I would think they are ok as long as she doesn't eat any.

standard colours
bright colours

Hi all.

you chat so much

Can anyone help me.... i've got some blank Canvases to make a mess on with bubba.... hands feet, some splashes, lots of fun....But... i don't have any paint.

Does anyone know what is the most *baby friendly paint*/ where i can get it?

morning

very busy on here

dd1 only watchs cbeebies number jacks,kerwhuizz mostly

Morning

Just thought I'd add dd's stats, have just weighed and lengthed her (at home so not 100% accurate though) she is 15lb 5oz and is 66cm long. Still bang on both her curves (slightly over 25th for weight and slightly over 50th for height). She looked so cute sitting there on the scales trying to grab the digital display and getting cross when it went off.

Have way too much work to get through today ready for window men coming tomorrow, but am so ridiculously exhausted. I didn't even wake up when dd woke in her crib this morning. According to DH she was singing and smiling at me. <bad, neglectful Mummy emoticon>

When I did wake though I caught site of the little darling up on her knees and rocking back and forth again - she really is raring to go. I'm just hoping she takes a while longer to figure out how it all fits together for forward motion!

HKZ neighbours is my guilty secret too. Its my half an hour down time when I eat my lunch and allow myself to stop for a while before the fetching the boys from school.

Oh, it looks soooooooo hard though and I truly feel like I won't have enough evidence. Plus all my stuff is in boxes as my room is being decorated.Hmmmmmmmmmmm, may give it a go. Did you fill yours in online?

LOL at the neighbours! I also love Despo housewives, although not as much as greys anatomy. How fabulously trashy it is!

MissJ How exciting...the pitter patter of more tiny feet or just exhaustion....do a test do a test!

Just popping in before I go to bed...PAT apply now, I was going to leave it again, but round 9 (2008-9 applications) are the last lot of the old ones so as long as you get your application in before 31st Aug you can do it. For round 10 the system changes and you have to do it over two school years through performance management, not sure if you get back paid once you have done it either. I thought it would be a nightmare but have managed to cobble something together in a few days, it will probably be rejected though! Need to type it up now but am procrastinating...hence spending an entire evening on the internet!
Am humming an dharring about MA thinking I will have to much on my plate but my line manager just says do it now! Strike whilst the iron is hot etc...We shall see!
Soaps are my weakness, (Eastenders...and..this is really sad...neighbours!) but have stopped watching them all now. Desperate Housewives is my fave!
My neighbours are having a right old humdinger next door, very dramatic, who needs a tv when you live in Hackney?!

Oh, ray don't have twitter. Only just manage to keep up with FB and MN! Lots of friends rave about it though. Any good?

qumps hope you had a good takeaway. How stressful about the nursery. We now have confirmed cases at the local primary to the school I work at, where many of our pupils have brothers and sisters. Great, all I need!

x-posts missJ 21lbs!!!!! What a buster! Bigger than Zach at that stage, and thats saying something .
Still deffo up for next thursday!

Exciting that you could be the first to be pg again! Or not obviously, from what you say

Woah......lot of posts, only popped out for a qucik swim!

HKZ Good luck with MA, also thinking of similar but thought I would start next year when things have settled down a bit. RE the Threshold, I probably should have applied last year but aren't they changing it so it is done through performance management? i am so not sure how it works so I was going to leave till september but I could be wrong. I know I will lose out on pay but not bothered about that, more bothered about hassle of putting stuff together and it is more difficult as I have been part-time since DD was born and out of the game compleely with DS. Fridays off is fab! I also have thursdays off and start late on a weds and friday. Can't bloody wait for no lessons on a friday period 5 though (or the twilight zone as its also known!).
Oh, title excellent, Zach also has a bib with that .

moose book sounds great, hope it helps ds1. Bless your DD with her 'music'. My nephew is 6 and a huge power rangers and Ben 10 fan. It is wholly inappropriate imo, so violent! DH's cousin is 7 and has watched Dr who and primeval for about 3 years!!! .

qumps Go for full size single with a bed guard. We have had a Lindam one and its worked fine. DD was in cot bed for abot 2 months but didn't really like it. Funnily enough she NEVER got out of bed without permission (she went in at about 21 months) for about 9 months, strange girl!! She still hardly ever does and we have never really made an issue of it, maybe she just loves her bed . Yes, live in gloucestershire. Lived in Chelt (Bath parade) for the first year I lived here as I was a student. Then when got a job we moved to the Stroud area. It's such a lovely part of the world and not too cut of from civilisation if you like that too. Cheltenham was just too expensive to buy in although all DH's relatives still live there as that was where he was bought up.

sparkle What a horrid situation, can't believe it! I must say that I wouldn't have the guts to confront someone like that from my family so good on you! Think it is shitty of FIL to give you an ultimatum. DH's step-mum is grandma, but that was our decision not hers and although she can be odd she dearly loves the Dc's.

Re: telly......feel very bad now that I may be frying DD's brain . But she didn't start that young and I do not allow adverts. I prefer stuff like super-why and little einsteins that has educational value. She has got over her obsession with Peppa (DVD's on A LOT) and even Handy Manny is starting to wane. Even at its peek I would say she only watched maximum of 4 HM episodes a day (equivalent to DVD?????). Arggh, just making myself feel better I suppose! We do read and own LOTS of books and do lots of other stuff though so I guess its all in a balance. Now she is at pre-school she seems less bothered with it anyway!
It is on a lot in our house though. DH is an addict, particularly with sports and comedies and I do have a few things I really like. Mainly 'The Wire' at the moment, how amazing is it?? Only on series 3. Record most stuff though on sky plus and watch it later. Oh, and DO NOT watch soaps....dreadful!

Oh, I do like the little bedtime story and songs they do on some channels. They were useful for helping set a routine as we watched them together and then went upstairs to do our own stories

Hi everyone - have started about 5 posts over the past few days and never got to finish them because of various distractions (friends staying over the weekend, and now my Dad here).. so this time I am determined.

Great guns on Esme's growth ray - has she changed centile? At 23 weeks according to our non-medical calculations Nye is a whopping 21lbs, so I think he is probably almost off the scale ! My MIL keeps making bitchy jokes about how fat he is but I am certain that breastfed babies can't be too fat, and I am sure he will grow into himself once he starts crawling - but he really is a podger !

eppm so do you get away without a tv licence then? Good on you. And hkz and lenniEd you sound like you have sound tv policies too. I now feel bad for already letting Nye watch 'in the night garden' sometimes (he only manages about 10 mins) - and he loves baby einstein dvds. I know what you mean about that 'glazed look' and sometimes I do feel slightly guilty when I see him so zoned out, but it does give me a chance for a shower or to make a cup of tea, and I suppose I think it's real life. I still remember the brilliant shows I used to watch as a kid - bagpuss and magic roundabout and sesame street - and they were also very educational. I think it's okay in moderation - but of course only cbeebies; never a channel with adverts.

pat wow, Zach's dinner sounds better than mine! He really is looking very advanced, love your recent fb pics - and am all for meeting up next Thurs if you are still on for it - let's fb.

sparkle sorry about ILs - brave of you to speak up; I am very much of the 'smile thru gritted teeth' approach but nothing will ever change that way.

hkz what a great title suggestion!

kitty boo for tonsilitis - lots of ice-cream I believe is the official recommendation!

lenni LOL at 222 months....

Hi qumps, MM, Stripey, tink and everyone else....

Have been feeling super tired today, the kind of sleepy you get in v early pregnancy, and so have been suddenly very scared that I am pg again - I don't think for a second I am as I have been ferociously breast-feeding and comfort-suckling, but just thinking about it has made me do a bit of a double-take about risking pregnancy again so soon - I just couldn't bear the being pregnant part again I think. I am knackered as OH has been working every day for ages now, and N is such an easy baby, but it's still so relentless. I just don't know how I would cope if I was pregnant too . Anyway, apart from extreme tiredness (probably just too many guests recently), Nye gets more fun and more smiley by the day - what a truly heavenly baby he is! Sometimes I have to pinch myself...

Yes - we get a lot of TV related things given, especially ITNG and Peppa Pig. Clothes and bedding I just about suffer but toys and books I tend to put in my squirrelling cupboard and give away to others for party gifts. Other parents probably curse me "Why on earth does she always give TV stuff?!" .

Oops huge post! Sorry.

Evening

Sparkle your PILs sound like a nightmare. I know how it feels having to be the one that backs down in order to keep the peace or else be seen as the bad guy by all concerned. We have a similar thing with my PILs, in fact we had a huge row about it only last weekend where I ended up livid because although DH agrees with me he wont back me up where they are concerned. Its so frustrating.

TV - ds1 never watched any tv at all until we moved in here (abouth 18 months old) as we only had a tiny portable that we hardly ever watched. When we moved in the house had cable and we ended up letting him watch a bit of cbeebies. When ds2 was born and I got PND cbeebies was somewhat over utilised in our house, then when ds1 started nursery I just used to let ds2 watch it for half an hour in the morning. I went through a phase last year of letting them watch other childrens' channels, as ds1 has a phobia 'thing' about tv and it was good that he was being brave enough to challenge his fear and try watching other things. (Also helped me out a bit while I was feeling so bleugh when I was pregnant.) He still can't cope with any sort of feature film or Disney type thing though - complete meltdown every time. Both boys seem to have almost completely lost interest in the tv now though, they just don't seem to put it on any more and if ds1 ever does switch it on he chooses nature or science programmes from the on demand menus.

That said, they do own A LOT of dvds, most of which are ones we chose for them so, Bagpuss, they love Trumpton, Chigley and Camberwick Green, Mr Benn, the Clangers, The Raggy Dolls, and Thomas the Tank Engine and some ancient Mr Men, Postman Pat and Fireman Sam. However, they do have a penchant for retro cartoons and I have to confess to letting them watch Tom and Jerry <waits for the flaming to commence> Dastardly and Muttley, Top Cat and The Flintstones. They don't really watch many dvd's anymore either though, unless they are poorly or exhausted.

I think tv, as long as under parental guidance and within reasonable boundaries is ok. I don't really like it for pre-schoolers but will admit to letting dd watch two half episodes of in the night garden. I also said I would never have tv related toys in the house, then other people kept buying him flippin Bob the Builder and Postman Pat stuff! Its almost impossible to keep it up once they are at school full time.

In my defence though, we absolutely do not EVER have programmes like Power Rangers, Ben 10, Scooby Doo and a million and one other wholeheartedly unsuitable programmes on in this house, despite almost all the other boys at school watching them all at will. Fortunately my boys agree with me and don't want to watch them anyway.

I was horrified when I found out how many of ds1's classmates watched Dr Who and Torchwood last year when they were still 5/6 years old! What are their parents on fgs?!

Anyhoo, in other news, dd has discovered that if she gets one of her stacking boxes in her mitt she can make a lovely echoey banging noise by smacking it against her breathing monitor on her nappy band. She is so pleased with herself when she does it. Very musical it is too!

The Talkability book has arrived and ds1 has started reading it to me! We have so far worked out that he is a verbal learner (very, very, very much so in fact) and that, according the the first questionnaire, the book should definitely be able to help him improve his social and communication skills. He is so excited and keen to do it that he didn't want to put it down and go to bed tonight.

lenni if you are horrendous, then so am I!
The vacant stare on some childrens' faces who I have watched watching television just scares me, and it isn't what I want for my dc. [pious cow emoticon]

The thing is, by rationing it, DD has been really interested in it when she has watched DVDs- she is really into the story and wants to discuss it... oh- and I could never use it as a babysitter- she will only watch if someone sits with her to answer the unending questions

qumps so sorry DS is suffering... blood tests must be very traumatic thank goodness DD's reflux was never that bad.
I presume water softening s for hard water areas?

MsS what a vile situation! How horrid, but I would be at DH not stepping in tbh.

x-posted with everyone.

And DD was 22 months obviously. God help me if I'm still counting in months when she's 18.

Good luck with threshold application HKZ and the MA too. A module at work would be a good option I think - and help out with travelling too.

Not sure on the bunkbeds or not bunkbeds - DD has one of those beds that has an extra mattress stowed underneath so she'll have a bed for visitors and DS has his own room. I slept in bunkbeds with my sister for many years and we loved it. I had top bunk since I was oldest - oh the privilages!

<<Peers around looking for Dog who has been on fb earlier so must be close to back>>

MsSparkle - that sounds tough, I have no good advice but I think you were right to back down, definitely an impossible situation.

EPPM - Good on you with the tv. I hate ours with a passion. I don't watch any television per se - DVDs occasionally (also a prison break fan!) and DH watches a tonne of sport, which I don't object to that much but I hate the flicking through channels looking for the least worst thing that people get inclined towards sometimes. I'll watch the news if I not read the paper lately or caught up online but I never turn the tv on. I also hate it when we have people over or go to friends and the tv is on. I have a rule that visitors don't watch tv, and will extend that to the DCs once they are watching tv - time with friends is more important. The way TV zombifies preschoolers is quite scary, they just completely zone out. That said I do allow DD to watch DVDs in the car - she is an appauling traveller and it is the only way to get anywhere without screaming. She just hates being trapped in the car seat.

I've established some groundrules for DD at home - only DVDs so no adverts and no more than 30 mins in a go unless they (DD and DH) are watching a film. I also only let DD watch tv every other day and not at all at weekends when there is so much else to do. I also don't let her have tv character toys or books since I don't like the way it leaks into all aspects of their lives. She didn't watch anything at all until she was about 222 months, just before DS arrived I let her have a few DVDs as I wasn't up to much. Actually when I write all this down I sound horrendous! Most of my close friends allow their DCs to watch quite a bit of tv - and tbh I don't see much difference development wise. It's one of those personal choise things. We are a book loving family so spend a lot of time with books.

Glad meeting went well Moose.

Well done on the weight gain Esme and Bracken - have reminded me to go and get DS weighed.

Qumps I was wandering about bunkbeds too. DD is in cot bed at the moment, but am going to move her to a proper single shortly as Jude needs the cot. I bought a side bar thing that you stick on the side of the bed to stop her falling out when we go to PILs and it works well...I also recommend a babygate on the bedroom door as DD spent the first few days quite happily getting out of bed and running around when we took the cot sides off Posh looking one Less posh looking one !

Right...must get on with work...

X posts, *MS Sparkle* Sorry your PILs are being so unkind. Your MIL sounds really manipulative. I would be very if DP didn't stick up for me, how unfair of PIL to put you in such an awful position. What has DP said about it? Anyway, here << Passes large glass of fine wine, giant slap of chocolate cake and voddoo doll of MIL with a plentiful supply of pins>>

Forgot to say DS1 managed to jump out of his cot so think its time for a bed. Any recommendadtions? Toddler or single? Someone else suggested a bunk bed as we have 2 boys and just putting one up now. Anyone else done this?
Sparkle that sounds horrid and to your dh for not defending you.
HKZ good thread title. peas on my list for tonight.

Hey all. Sorry for the lack of posts here. Hardly seen DH so been trying to spend some quality time with him in the evening. This has usually resulted in us falling asleep on the sofa but hey the thought was there. S STILL not sleeping and had a week of little disasters from temp cleaner doing a runner with my money to mil being a pita. Still work was ok and did 2 very short days which was fine by me! Bloody nursery has got swine flu with 1 def and 2 suspected cases. Luckily we have been away for 3 weeks due to hols but means no DS1 free day for me. I have cancelled it from July as well as felt bad to not see him for a day when I was working 2 others, even though he will be with granparents. What was I thinking??!
Hi stephfry and welcome back.
Pat glad work was ok for you too. Do you live in Glos? We lived in Chelt for 4 years and I loved it so much. We still have a house there so hoping we might return one day. The perfect place to have kids I think.
Kitty poor you, what a fright. Hope you are ok, you sound very calm about it all. Is it a new condition or something you have always had?
HK yep I am a teacher too and also milking the system by going back before the hols! Great news about your dad and glad you had good parties.
Moose yay to good report. Teacher does indeed sound like a mentalist. I promise we are not all like that. How did SN review go?
EPPM poor you, eczema sounds horrid. Have done lots of research for S' reflux and eczema comes up alot too as they are quite often linked. the main thing I have seem lately is the water softner and the big trial they are doing. Sorry can't remember what the project is called but could find out if you are interested? No dairy here either and had a phonecall yesterday to say they hae to do S blood tests again as they had insufficient blood to get a result. I cried as it was so traumatic the first time as they struggled to fidn a vein and can't bear the thought of putting him through it again. Choosing between you dc's is horrid. I have had a few occasiions where S has been screaming with his reflux for half an hour and DS1 as been sat at the bottom of the stairs crying cuddle me mummy. Oh its brought a tear just writing it. But what do you do? You just can't put them both first. More guilt to add to our mother shoulders.
Tree hi and hang in there x

we are supposed to be off carbs in the evening and I am also supposed to be cooking and pureeing a mountain of food. However I am going to ring my dad, ask him to come help me tomrorow and put on the tv and order a takeaway. Very bad mummy!

EPPM I wonder about tv and small children too. When DD was born we didn't have a TV so she didn't really see it until we moved back to the uk when she was about one. After Jude was born I used Cbeebies to keep her busy quite a lot and pretty quickly she was watching 1-2 hours a day, so we've cut it out again and she just gets to watch DVDs every now and then (i.e. If I am exhausted/hungover/stuck indoor cos its been raining all day..) In France they have banned all TV programming aimed at children under 3 as they claim it slows down development especially in language. I have to say that the TV does save my sanity every now and then!

Moose Great news about senco and DS's achievments in surpassing all his targets.

EPPM Sorry to hear about the eczema.
Apparently I had it as a small child, I don't remember though,but it cleared up when I was still very little.

Ray Go Esme! Haven't had DS weighed since his last lot of jabs but he's into 6-9 month clothes, is rather round and makes my arms ache, so think he's doing well. I signed up for Twitter but have no idea how to use it [confused technophobe emoticon]...must have a look at it again

Pat Zach's doing well on the tooth front, sounds like he's got the hang of eating too. No teeth here yet. I've got fridays off next year...hooray!

Lenni Good luck with the job, sounds interesting... I am frantically putting together my threshold application, then onto MA application, I can get a small amount of funding from my LA and there is a tutor from Goldsmiths coming in next year teaching a module a term in an education based MA (teaching and learning or something or other...) So can do one module at work and oput it towards MA at IOE....am slightly terrified by all the work! Having a good time back, and learning the ropes for next year.

My MN looks all new and shiny too. Haven't had time to read the whole thread since last time... How about 'All we are saying, is give peas a chance...' for a thread title (DD had it written on one of her bibs!)

Get well soon Kitty, tonsilitus is a bugger...eat lots of ice cream, I've heard it helps

Hello,

Moose glad the meeting went well.

Tink she sounds so small and sweet!

Pat maybe you should change your name to poshpatthehammer with your salmon

Not been so good here. Had a big run in with dps dad and step mum last night. I have had had loads of gripes about her over the last two/three years since dd was born (she is an ex "old skool" style teacher so very dominant/patronising/intimmidating.) A month ago i snapped and said i didn't want her to be called grandma to dd anymore but to call her by her name instead. I know that seems harsh but the woman has really pushed me to the edge. She said some nasty things to me a month ago but spent last night denying it infront of my dp and fil. I ended up coming out with all my grievences about her and fil stood up, raised his voice and said "If she isn't called grandma, we will walk out the door right now and i mean WALK OUT for good."

This would mean dp would loose his father and the children would loose out too. So i was put in an impossible situation, i personally thought of it as blackmail, so i ended up having to agree step will be called grandma just so dp didn't loose his father

I am really peed off with dp for sitting there saying nothing whist fil stands up, raises his voice and has a go at me giving me an impossible altermatam

Other than that the kids are all fine and happy.

I am on mn classic, so maybe thats why mine hasn't changed?

kitty thank you for that- makes me feel better, and is pretty much what DH said. We have got Aveeno, and I use it when we're out and about, as his emollients are in HUGE great pump dispensers, but tbh its no better than diprobase etc on him. The piriton helped last night, so I have given him another dose this evening before bed.

moose glad meeting went well I 'wasted' my day cleaning (!) as I won't have chance once dd is off... and feeding ds- who for some reason decided he wanted feeding every 2 hours today but he also napped a lot, so not all bad!

Wow rrayray cannot believe dd's weight! I think that is more than DS and he started heavier than her. Must have v good milk

Pat/elkie we don't watch television, so I don't miss it IYSWIM... dd has never watched it, though now she is older I do let her watch DVDs occasionally- Bod, Mr Benn, and Trumpton/Camberwick Green/Chigley which I loved as a child, and are very gentle- she watches a 10 minute episode once or twice a week, when she remembers to ask for it. I have strong views an aversion to young children watching television- studies in the US suggest children under 2 years of age should not be exposed to television at all, so whilst my children are little, we will keep it off. I have watched some childrens (cbeebies) programmes with DH on iplayer to see what dd was missing, but tbh I found them loud, garish, too fast-cut [fuddy duddy emoticon] I seriously wonder about the effect television has on very young minds.

We moved house when I was 8mo pg with dd, and our new home is a completely refurbished victorian house, but part of the refurb was to take out the television connexion- the aerial is still on the roof, but the wire was cut . But as we only ever watched Newsnight and CSI (classy, I know!) we just didn't bother to get a new one put in. 3.5 years on we don't miss it at all... DH and I are about as far removed from popular culture that you can imagine so trust me there's very little on television we'd actually watch. Sometimes we borrow DVDs of series such as House, or Heroes, or (secret vice) Prison Break.

When the children are older, I realise there will be more peer pressure on them if they have no television access at home, so I'm sure we'll have an aerial connected,(I would hate them to be picked on for something they have no control over) but at the moment it's nice that they don't have access.

Tink What a little poppet Bracken is! Esme was born at 6 lb 6, so she is rocketing now! How is Bracken getting on with Weaning, loving it?

Pat How much of a proper little person and not a baby does Zach sound having Salmon and veg for his dinner! So when do they go to second stage Car seat? When they can sit unaided? Enjoy swimming!

Any suggestions for thread titles, something about half a year since they are all at or rapidly approaching 6 months ?

Zach had Salmon and roasted veg for dinner. Salmon was NOT well received, courgette and aubergine were . He had pineapple for afters and his face was a classic, ate it though!

3rd tooth through, 4th just about there. Lucky he has stopped with the biting really.

Off Swimming now so just bookmarking really. 3rd day at work not bad, actually did some teaching (yay) and got my timetable (double yay). Friday afternoons free, bliss........

Bracken and Esme sound like they are doing well. Tink, at least you are not thinking about the second stage carseat yet like we are!!!!

EPPM- how do you manage without telly????? We try not to use it much but it saves my sanity between 3pm and 4pm most days

moose- yay to meeting and ahhhh for DS2 cuddle in the school hall, how sweet!

Kitty-boo to tonsillitis, my DH had it severely just before xmas and it was a bugger to shift . Hope better soon.

BTW: my mumsnet layout is different too!

wow esme is doing well

bracken started @ 8lbs7ozs got her weighed today she is 25wks on mon weighs 12lbs15ozs
she doesnt look that big

mm - glad it went well @ school

my mumsnet screen is very different 2

ps, its nearly new thread time guys!!!!!!

kitty Glad its not my Mumsnet only thats changed. not massively, just looks a bit more....hmm... streamline?! Sorry to hear your poorly!

Moose yay for meeting going well!

Feeling VERY full after a lovely lunch. Will only need a small dinner thats for sure.

Thanks MOOSE, I'm glad that the meeting went well. So cute that DS2 had a cuddle. Its good that his teacher would do that, I know some are too scared nowadays which is a real shame.

EPPM forgot to say earlier, its quite possible that the eczema is nothing to do with what you are eating, especially as it sounds like you have been so careful. I'm so sorry that you have been feeling so guilty and upset. It does sound like you are doing your best and that is all you can do. A lot of babies grow out of eczema, I hope yours does soon. My doctor told me that there is not a lot of evidence to support dairy etc affecting eczema but I'm not really sure.

Ds2s learning support meeting went well. Teacher and SENCO really pleased with him. He has met and then exceeded all his targets. Such a relief. Apparently he was fine after a quick cuddle with his teacher this morning.

DH and I had to walk through the dining hall on the way home - the look on my boys' faces when they saw us was priceless. Big hugs and kisses all round.

Way to go with the weight gain Ray.

Sorry to hear you are ill Kitty. Hope you feel better soon.

rrrayray my mumsnet looks different too. Not sure why.

Hi all, sorry to hear some of you are having a tough time.

EPPM We had a tricky time with DD's eczema, but have got it sorted (touch wood) with a combination of Aveeno cream which is made from oatmeal as DD is allergic to things like diprobase. Hydracortisone for inflamed bits and Oilatum for in her bath. She had a short course of anti-biotics as well but I'm not sure that did any good really.
Also we bought some fabric conditioner from Boots which is specially for people with eczema.

I woke up with tonsilitis today I'm so worried about passing it on to DD although she still gets some breastmilk which will have antibodies.

rrrayray Yey to weight gain, thats impressive!

anyone got twitter?

am i the only one whos mumsnet looks different this morning? i havent changed a thing!!!

Esme has gained soooooo much weight recently little chunk. is 24 weeks fri & 17b lb 13!!!! go esme!!

we are off here for lunch as OH has day off

morning

off for lunch and to watch tv

Good luck with the job applications Lenni

EPPM, do you have broadband? Iplayer?

I know I don't have any school age kids I'm a bit nervous about what to do when the groups close down during the summer. Fortunately most are only closing for a couple of weeks and we're going to my mum's for one of those.

Just popping in quickly to say I hope you have a good last day of freedom Peach.

Off to meet with ds2's teacher about his SN status in a short while. Not good as he screamed and wailed all the way to school this morning after falling out with Daddy. He was still wailing when his teacher took him in. Everyone in the playground was staring at us and he was clinging to my leg as if someone had tried to beat him or something. I would have felt bad for him, but it was more temper and tantrum than being upset and it was all because Daddy wouldn't let him leave his cuddly shark in the living room while he was a school fgs.

new look? have you changed your configuration rray?

This is getting silly now, i skip one day and there is 3 pages to catch up on!!!!!!

Welcome back stephanie at MIL hunting you down!

stripey Esme is having great fun with doidy cup. Loves it. Is doing well now, gets much more in her mouth than down her bib.

peach have you tried balmbalm? for Eczema?

Off to get Esme weighed in a bit. She has REALLY chunked out!

ps, when did mumsnet get its new look?

Yes- it was a good one!

ceebeebies not possible without a television signal

Sorry, got a bit distracted for a while there, was reading the Henry Winkler web chat from last night - what a smooth guy he is.

CBeebies?

It is a scary thought.... have no idea how I am going to cope...

Gawd, don't remind me - 3 kids for 6 weeks, all day EVERY day!

no problem I am just planning to enjoy utilise my last dd-free day until september!

Peach I'd love to meet up sometime, but I have a meeting with ds2's teacher tomorrow morning, DH is home for the meeting and lunch and I'm out with Mum in the afternoon - so tomorrow's a bad day. Bad week actually as I have to completely reorganise and move all the furniture in the boys' room on Thursday in time for the guy to come and fix their window on Friday and have to be home all day Friday for the window repair man and surveyor.

Keep in touch though and we'll definitely get something organised.

I just <gulp> wondered if you'd like to meet up at JL tomorrow... (or another time if thats too short notice.. or never if you think I'm a weirdo internet stalker- your choice )

Hi Peach am here, just quiet this evening. What did you want to ask me?

Pat not had much time, but had a quick shufftey at buggysnuggles for you. I reckon the best value funky looking ones are probably the Cosyosko ones, which have some lovely bright colours and all their designs are less than £40. They do normal buggysnuggles or reversible buggybags. This site has most of the range I think, but not sure if they are the absolute cheapest. You can often get them new on ebay and there are other sites that sell them if you google.

melons may be healthier, but cake is definitely neater...

eppm and lenni, about los' clashing needs.

lenni, think full on career change with tiny kids would be very hard work (admittedly, i have sloped off on a career break for three years in the face of my one very small child, so perhaps i speak from the perspective of one totally lacking in fortitude...). job sounds interesting, if you can wait that long.

tree, yeurgh to cervical swabs (like a smear test? god, i hate smear tests). really sorry about dh.

elkie, hope visit to dp's mum goes well.

pat, have impression from teaching sister that all heads are twunts. (unless somebody on this thread is a head teacher and i've forgotten. noone on this thread is a twunt...)

eppm, poor ds. i hope it looks worse than it is, iykwim, and that it resolves soon.

tink, hope dd1 enjoyed school induction.

melons may be healthier, but cake is definitely neater...

eppm and lenni, about los' clashing needs.

lenni, think full on career change with tiny kids would be very hard work (admittedly, i have sloped off on a career break for three years in the face of my one very small child, so perhaps i speak from the perspective of one totally lacking in fortitude...). job sounds interesting, if you can wait that long.

tree, yeurgh to cervical swabs (like a smear test? god, i hate smear tests). really sorry about dh.

elkie, hope visit to dp's mum goes well.

pat, have impression from teaching sister that all heads are twunts. (unless somebody on this thread is a head teacher and i've forgotten. noone on this thread is a twunt...)

eppm, poor ds. i hope it looks worse than it is, iykwim, and that it resolves soon.

tink, hope dd1 enjoyed school induction.

lenni, don't worry about it, please. have just put up a thread offering my small ittis for sale, wouldn't have thought of it, so actually am more than compensated (supposing anyone wants to buy them of course).

pat, glad to hear z coming through the teething. outrageous design fault, i call it. hoping c will have bottom incisor no. 2 by the day after tomorrow, as she is obviously quite sore and exceedingly grouchy. by the look of it, i don't think tomorrow (using my vast previous experience ie. incisor no. 1, as a guide)

am getting melon juice all over laptop. will finish post in a mo

hard work even when not pregnant/had no sleep

So sorry for putting a downer on the thread earlier... I feel so guilty all the time re DS... DH was v reassuring when he got home this evening, as I was almost in tears... after being fine at the gps, DS was livid and inflamed at bedtime- horrifically so he also had a disgusting nappy, so I am thinking something I ate earlier did not agree with him (coconut???<clutches at straws>) DH has weird skin though- sometimes he comes out in weals/welts when he touches himself- eg if he puts his hand on his chin etc... so he thinks DS may not have any intolerances, just have dodgy skin (dh has no intolerances, just allergy to codeine)... it's just hard to see him scratching and rolling around the cot like a maniac.


Elkie- mistake was not yours- I did say I was tired too! just that I don't usually nap in the day as I feel worse after a short nap than I did before usually.

tree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! thank you! I had forgotten GP said give him piriton in the evening if he is bad... oh I am a rubbish mummy today
How on EARTH did you survive no naps from 10mo?

(My dd didn't nap until 9mo... but after that was fine, napped in day until 2.6 or so.)

SaS glad interviews were better today

Pat glad DC enjoyed themselves, even if work isn't thrilling

Lenni I haven't tried the pure potions thing... simply because pure olive oil and pure hemp oil haven't actually made any difference [glum]

Stripey <growl> for teething... it is no fun whatsoever.

tink (you know, you were always tink to me!) hope dd1 enjoyed herself at school... such exciting times!

Moose where are you this evening? Hope you're okay... um, have a big Q to ask you...

Pat I don't think men really ever get what it is like to be pregnant/a new mother and have a job too. There is so much emotion involved, especially guilt, not to mention the tiredness. I hope it wasn't said with any implications that you weren't doing things you should have previously - what does he expect?! I'm sure you do a fantastic job and it's bloody hard work when not pregnant/had no sleep! Try to forget it if you can - you've got enough with trying to get through the next two weeks of leaving Zach for the first time. By September he'll be a lot bigger and you'll feel more ready for work challenges. Probably just a "welcome back" kind of comment gone typically man shaped. Know exactly what you mean about the favoured few though! [Grrr]

tree Ouch for swabs! One waking at 3am sounds heaven at the moment. Zach still waking at 2am till about 2.30 regardless of whether he has a dream-feed/ big nap in the day/ whatever! then he got up at 6am this morning, not good, grrrrrrrr.

sparkle glad your interviews went well this time. LOL at windy bum, Zach frequently has this problem .

Lenni Job sounds good, wishing you best of luck. Think you are right to ease in with some part-time first before a big career job. Also scared about DS at nursery, it is so much easier at the moment with MIL having him at home, oh if I could only afford a nanny! I'm sure he will love nursery its just uncharted territory for me. DD had a CM when I went back and she thrived. It alll went a bit pear-shaped towards the end, hence trying nursery this time, but I can't deny that she came on leaps and bounds there due to the mixed ages of the other children there.
Yes, feel like I am being put upon already! Apologies for moaning too much but firstly he is making me do stuff next week for activities week, which is fair enough. However, when another member of staff returned from maternity last year at a similar time she was NOT made to do anything and spent time getting ready for the new term. Oh the luxury of the favoured few! Secondly he has put a load of pressure on me that next year I will be 'firing on all cylinders' and helping out the department more. This was said good-naturedly but afterwards I felt this was an unfair dig at my performance last year (when I was hugely pregnant and left in november so did not get involved in too much for obvious reasons) and the year before (when I had a very young child). FFS I'm not even HOD or second in dept but just feel he seems to be asking a lot of me, by taking 'the pressure' of others in the dept for some reason. I then spoke to others in the dept who said this was not the case and nobody feels pressured!! Was fuming a bit actually, as I feel like he was implying I haven't been doing my job properly when I have!

Must have an early night and calm down methinks

10 months I thought I was hard done by when DD dropped hers at 15mo. I now feel blessed.

EPPM - what about an antihistamine? Least we will be dairy free weaning together! Am thinking of gluten free here too, till all is settled

Hi all. Still glum.

Had better night - only up at 3am, so easy really.

No solids today, she didn't want any. Too grumpy bless. Will get her weighed tomorrow hopefully.

Had cervical swabs today for eggy donation, bloody ouch!

Hats has had 2 40 min sleeps during the day since Friday. Not great! DD1 dropped all naps at about 10 months so can see where this is going.

God I'm grumpy!

evening

been interviewing again today... good this time thank goodness.

typing with windy baby on knee - all coming from the bottom end! lovely

if anyone is feeling down or depressed please do talk on here 'cos I was there with DS1 and it does help

I'm having major issues with daytime naps and DD's routine too. Up until now DS has catnapped if we're out in the car or the buggy and gone in his cot if we're home. If he goes in the cot he'll sleep 1.5-2hrs in the morning and the same in the afternoon, if we're out then he's lucky to get a hour total through the day, usually in 20min slots between places. That makes him cranky and he ends up crying himself to sleep in the evening as he's so overtired. I've tried to compromise this week and take DD to her morning things and do any of my jobs then and bring them home for the afternoon but DD has missed two things this week that she loves - her library visit and her swimming and she's not happy. It's hard to get a balance between their needs. So far DD has had it all her way, and so it's even harder to redress the balance without breeding resentment.

Tree and Moose I'm sorry you are both struggling right now. We're hear to listen if things are getting you down, will be thinking of you both. Moose was thrilled to hear about your DS1s report, and his results. Fantastic. What a boost for you all, and also at his teacher.

EPPM I also think pushing for a referral would help - did you ever try that emollient Olihan recommends? Poor you though, it is so hard to see our babies under the weather. Know what you mean about yoghurt. I haven't been giving it yet, but I'm weakening as is such an easy option when DD eats loads of them.

Pat Glad I finally managed to sort out numbers with Dog - what a clutz! I need shooting! We have a cowprint buggy snuggle from DD - I'm glad I went with it as using same one for DS but her gorgeous strawberry shortcake one will have to be an ebay job 4 teeth already - well done Zach! None here yet. What's gone on at work? Hope you've not been put on.

Stripey Hope you get a better night tonight. Teeth are the root of all evil iirc from DD. No teething at all yet here. DD was dreadful with her first few but okay after that so am assuming DS will be the complete opposite as that seems to be the pattern with my two so far. Keeping me guessing. I owe you £4.00 for postage btw - will refund it on paypal now.

Tink Also hope induction visit went well. It must be exciting and sad too. I'm when I think of DD starting preschool in January, won't be long and she'll be ready for big school. Scary thought.

Elkie Good luck with your plans for visiting DP's Mum.

HKZ Trip away sounds lovely. I am longing for a holiday after reading about yours! Hope work carries on being ok and am looking forward to hearing how your new role goes.

I've applied for another job - this time with the hospital education service working with children with brain injuries and mental health problems. It is 4 days a week so would really suit me. Won't hear until Sept if got an interview though and have 2 others closing before then which are both more money, more responsibility and better conditions but don't interest me so much. I have decided to try and find something as an interim post for a couple of years before going for a career move type job just to get me back to work and to broaden my experience. I'd like part time, a better balance for me I think. Will need to think about nursery for DS though - am totally unsure where to even start since DD never been.

Sorry Peach not to have understood, that makes sense now. C has only just started to have some longer daytime naps but he has them in his buggy anyway. Which is fine if driving isn't necessary or even an option in my case as I don't and can't drive, so I just leave him until he wakes up.

Oh moose buggysnuggle wise, not fussy on make. We have a 'proper' one for DD but bit poorer now so price a factor! Funky sounds good, does not have to be waterproof, just cosy!

tink What a big girl! Hope she has enjoyed her induction visits. I bet you will be more nervous than her

EPPM, tree and moose hope you have all had an improving day. Eppm, really feel for your DS, my little sis had chronic eczema as a child (still has it to a degree) and she really used to suffer. I used to share a bedroom with her and would hear her scratching all night, especially in the heat. Hope it gets better soon, just a slight improvement can make all the difference. My best mate is suffering similarly with her 2.5 yo, has cut LOADS of things from his diet but to no avail currently .
Tree, so sorry for your DH. Hope it all sorts it self out soon. When are you due to return to work?

stripey It all goes out of the window when teething. I suddenly thought yesterday that I couldn't remeber the last time Zach smiled/chuckled because he has seemed so solemn for days. He seems better today and a quick check of the mouth shows the 2 top incisors just about to make a bid for freedom. Hopefully happy, smiley babe back soon. no need to feel awful for letting her sleep when tired!!!

Work ok, bit depressing and LOUD as working next to a building site. Head being an absolute twunt already but thats par for the course with him. Came home at lunch and IL's had taken DC's to soft-play this morning so they had a great time without me!

hi

poor you each peach and tree hope things get better

stripey - sounds tough

have just had dd1s last school visit before starting in sept.

she finishes nursery next fri

swapped her pink clarks shoes for white and pink clarks trainers

?????
dunno what happened there... I just refreshed!

Thank you for kindness though...

She's already at nursery... we just won't be joining her. Unfortunately DH is working on site this week, otherwise it would have been fine.
We have a good health food shop near us, so I shall see what they have- if anyone has rice milk yoghurt, it will be them!

sorry to hear about general crappiness, tree, moose, eppm. hope it picks up soon.

tiredness reigns in my house today, much waking in the night - suspect tooth number 2 is on its way. have just let her rant her way to sleep as she was rubbing her eyes so hard it looked like it hurt, one of those feeling like a bad mum whichever decision you take moments... oh well.

pat, no need for postage. one less thing in the piles of stuff that need rehoming... i should do the ebay thing, really.

Just bookmarking.....be back soon.

Day 2 at work done and dusted, all went well at home in my absence.

Dog missing everyone too, she will be back in a few days!

Big hugs to EPPM tree and moose

gawd that didn't really make sense did it? you know what I mean..

tree & moose hope your days are getting better?

that'll teach me to not read properly..

She's already at nursery... we just won't be joining her. Unfortunately DH is working on site this week, otherwise it would have been fine.
We have a good health food shop near us, so I shall see what they have- if anyone has rice milk yoghurt, it will be them!

EPPM is there something special you can do with dd to make the staying-at-home not such a bad thing? like baking some fairy cakes or getting dressed up in mummy's clothes or summat?
I know what you mean about the no dairy, it is a PITA especially when you have another dc who eats it.. but there are some yummy soya yogs around, which by the book, would be ok from 9 months? and rice milk is good from 6 months, dunno if there are any rice-milk based yoghurts in the world?!?

spink thankyou- that is very useful. Feel very at no dairy for DS until 12 mo... dd lived on plain yoghurt with fruit... she didn't eat much of anything except youghurt tbh and cheese, she always adored cheese.

elkie it's not my tiredness that is the issue- I've been much worse its ds... the back-up plan is sports hall, and I won't be able to walk him round in the pram to get him to sleep, and tbh he is so tired this morning he is at meltdown point (just screamed through his nappy change as he just wanted to be in bed). Have just phoned school to let them know I won't make it, but feel utterly guilty on dd's behalf

How are you supposed to choose between your children like this? It's never going to get any easier on that front, is it?

EPPM oh, that sounds tough. don't know if this helps, but I've got a really good weaning book (recommended by my nutritionist friend) - it gives information about introducing foods in order to minimise allergies - doesn't say whether this applies when bfing but maybe if you can spot links between any of them and the flare up it could help you to manage it??

Anyway, the list goes:

At 6/9 months, introduce
Fresh vegetables (except potato, tomato, aubergine, peppers)
Fresh fruits (except citrus & strawberries)
Dried fruits (unsulphured)
Gluten free grains (rice, millet, quinoa & buckwheat)
Beans & Pulses
Poultry & meat
Fish* (except shellfish)

9-12 months
Gluten grains (oats, rye, barley)
Corn
Potato, tomato, aubergine, peppers
Soya Products *
Ground nuts & seeds *

12-24 months
Wheat
Dairy products (milk, cheese, yoghurt)
Citrus fruit
Eggs*

24+ months
shellfish *
strawberries *

5+ years
Whole nuts *

* foods marked with a star are those that are most likely to cause an allergic reaction

It is taken from a book by Lucy Burney called 'Optimum nutrition for babies & young children'..
HTH x

I'm really sad to hear so many of you are having such a tough time, Moose, Tree, EPPM.

EPPM, I can understand totally why you feel like not going. Do they have a bad weather back up plan? I think in your position I would try to make it and struggle through the tiredness, but I'm not you.

Hi moose and tree thank you so much for your lovely messages... made me feel warm and fuzzy
I took him to GPs this morning, but of course his skin is looking more like normal eczema levels
We have a different emollient to try, and a different cream to try on his impetigo, which looks like it might finally be clearing up.
I am supposed to go to a teddy bear's picnic at dd's school today- in an hour it is chucking it down, ds has been in the car all morning since 8... he has just got to sleep bless him after dashing around everywhere... why do I feel like not going? But then I feel terrible as DD is so excited about it, and a lot of other mummies will be there so she'll want hers
Just want to sleep too- DS had 3 wakings last night- scratching like mad... <yawn>

tree that is so crappy for DH, I am so sorry

moose <big squeezy hug> for you, sorry things are so hard atm.

Tree sorry things are still so tough. I know its cold comfort when you are feeling so low, but you are in my thoughts. Hope dd2 gets better quickly.

Life's not going to well this end either, have just been in floods of tears on the phone to my Mum. Trying to hold onto the old counting my blessings chestnut, but failing miserably. Am going to try and get stuck into the housework so I don't think about the crap.

HKZ, good news about your dad. I know several teachers going back about now so they get paid over the summer holidays. I feel sorry for my stepsister though, it seems she's missed out a bit - also a teacher - by having babies in March and June. Maybe we can try for another park meet up when you're off work.

We need to take C to meet dp's mum for the first time - I'm trying to remember when we finally took D to see her again, think it might have been just before Christmas. She's now 78, and was living in Kings Lynn when D was born but went into hospital 3 times that year and we met her in Cambridge twice and took her up to Ilkley for Christmas. She had deteriorated in the fortnight before that as we'd seen her quite soon before, and after that she went into residential care in rural Norfolk (Jan 2008). dp is an only child she was thrilled to finally get a grandson, I'm anxious that she gets to meet no 2 - it takes a lot longer, costs more and is harder to get there by public transport than Ilkley though, and will be a day trip.

EPPM - Oh no! Gluten? Citrus? Strawberries a no go here.

Do you/can you face steroids? They have pro's and con's I know. When I was way to stressed to cope we gave in and it did magic the worst of it away.

I miss dog too.

Hello to all, and great great news on the cancer front.

Challenging times in tree's orchard - dh didn't get on the police support officer thing programme, he got to 4th tier of interviews and roleplays etc, took physical and everything so we were quite confident. The shit rolls on.

DD2 has massive snotty cold - she is miserable bless. I have to email work and negotiate return to work. I don't want to di any of it. I can't face rl, it's spikey and bright and loud.

Haven't read much, am too pap.

<<waves>>

Oh Peach poor you and poor DS. Only logging on quickly for a quick check, wasn't going to post as far too mardy this morning but read your post and really felt for you both.

I don't have any experience of eczema, sorry, so I'm not much help really. Just wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you and am hear to listen if you need to talk.

One thing I would say, if you haven't already done it, insist your GP refers you to a paed that specialises in skin. I found GPs are really reluctant to refer, but if you ask/insist directly they will usually give in. GPs aren't specialists and if they haven't been able to help, its time to call in the big guns.

hi

hong kong time away sounds good

mm - well done

kittypink wow 2 teeth
it is fun making all the purees!! i made loads on sunday today she is having her first try of cauliflower

Oh and Pat glad work went fine, and DS was great.

And I miss dog

hkz great news about your dad!

kittypink I have a heart condition, diagnosed a couple of years ago... hope the 24 hour tape goes well... it took ages to catch mine as it's v intermittent, except in pg...grr

If you have any questions let me know- MIL works in cardiology (V handy when you have heart problems! )

Hi stepheniefry, and everyone else of course

moose lovely news about DS1... yes, I am thinking about teacher too.

Ds' eczema is horrific today his whole head is livid red, and his skin is all puckered as if it has been burnt I don't know what to do any more... am dairy free, but it isn't improving, it's getting worse <sob>

HKZ Hia! great news about your Dad. sleeping through is still an unknown for us, hopefully soon. Shame about BF. I think I'm in danger of the same thing happening. DD has been refusing feeds and I'm awful at expressing nowadays. At least they have had this long though.

DD's face is less swollen. We definatly have two teeth now!

She ate vegetables for the first time! Last time i gave her carrots she cried.

Have made sweet potato, kol rabi and pea mush for tomorrow.

Off to bed now. hoping tonight will be more settled and I can stop stressing! Goodnight ladies!

Hmm not sure about the discount off the sale. Its usually discount of full price items with these deals.

Buggysnuggles? What type are you looking for, practical, funky, actual Buggysnuggle company one and what sort of price range?

Moose Do you still get mumsnet discount on sale items? Also, do you know where I can get a nice (boys) buggysnuggle online? Bought DD's from a posh baby shop in Bristol that I have no intention of going back to as it was just far too tempting and all totally out of my price range now!

Lenni just got text from Dog so your message worked!

Thanks HKZ yes, am a very proud Mummy.

Interestingly a distant cousin of mine popped round to drop something off to Mum today while I was out and it turns out she has been doing her teaching assistant placement in ds1's class. She said he is a lovely lovely boy and was shocked to hear what the teacher had said, as she said, in her experience of him, 'butter wouldn't melt' and she has never seen or heard him be rude to anyone. In fact she said he is a really sweet little boy who is fascinating to talk to and really enthusiastic about learning. (I really am starting to think his teacher must be completely bonkers or something.)

Lenni say hi to Dog for us and tell her we are missing her as well.

By the way, Boden has a 50% sale on folks, if anyone is interested.

Just waving as am "working" but heard from Dog today - she is really loving new house but no internet. Says she is missing everyone. Read up later

HkZ Sounds like a lovely holiday. Good news about your dad . Shame about feeding, Zach seems to be keeping up my milk supply by feeding all night! Guess it will work out better for you though and you don't have the paranoia that I had ALL day that I was going to leak everywhere (even took a spare set of clothes!). Congrats on the sleeping through, we aim for that one day .

moose Glad your trip went well and DD well behaved. Zach loves avocado but it's very messy!!

kitty sounds just like teething to me, expect that second one any time soon.

stripey Did you want some money for the postage, meant to ask earlier. Let me know on FB.

I am off to bed soon, this working lark has tired me right out

Moose Hooray for DS 1. In that case I'm probably a 2 for listening aswell He sounds like a lovely lad, you must be a proud Mummy.

Hi HKZ good news about your Dad. Glad you had a good break. Ds1 is doing ok thanks. Got 3's across the board in his SATs except speaking and listening (which he was marked down to a 2 for because he's not good at listening to what he doesn't want to hear ) Teacher said on his report that he is kind and considerate towards his peers and a lovely boy, so what she was on about before is beyond me!

My catching up failed miserably, managed 1 and 1/2 pages, so am giving up.

pat Glad work went well...I did the same, looked loingly at my rather empty timetable for next year, found out I have fridays off (yes!) and generally sat around gossiping and eating biscuits. It was good to be back, felt a bit wierd not having my enormous boy attached to my hip though!

Hello kitty!

ray Awww, baby uggs! Jude has some cute little brown suede booties from Greenbaby, I bought them the other day for him to wear at our wedding here

MissJ Stripey Ray Haven't started weaning here either. DS only started rolling the last week or so and is sitting up but only just and not for very long. He won't be six months for a few more weeks, so will wait until the summer hols...however I did make a load of babyfood the other day and freeze it.

Qumps Are you back at work too? Hope it went well. Are you a teacher?

Moose Haven't had tome to read through what I have missed, but how is DS doing? I hope the school have got thier act together and he is having a good end of term.

Sparkle I have a PandT buggy and its pretty good, especially if you go on buses, to the shops etc as it fits in door easily. I hated it to begin with (I am a Mclaren girl) but now couldn't live without it. DD is a pita on the buggy board (she's 2.3 now and doesn't stand still) but likes the P and T. I picked it up quite cheaply on ebay and as Elki said, they resell quite well.

Big waves to tree Elki Moose Jules Stephanie MissJ Eppm Stripey Chef Lenni and everyone else too!

Have had a lovely few weeks, went to Wales/Shropshire for a week and it was great, the DCs enjoyed being with thier Gps and the house we hired was beautiful, in the middle of nowhere overlooking a valley with views of 20 miles or so.
Was meant to be going to see Blur last week, but had to sell my ticket as forgot it was dad's 84th! He got the all clear on the cancer fornt which was a relief. Then it was my sister's birthday at the weekend and quite a biggy, so she hired a huge house near Aldeburgh and had a great party. All her friends Dcs are slight older and entertained Jude and Lily so we had a nice relaxing time.
Then work today, but only 10 days to get paid over the 7 week hols so completely worht it.
Have stopped BF too, as tried to cut down to two FFs while I was at work and BF morning and evening...but my milk disappeared.
Jude managed to sleep through for the first time(well from after his dream feed at 11 til 6.30 on Friday)So there was much joy and celebration on Saturday morning.Hasn't done it again though. He's going in with his sister in a few weeks once I reclaim the cot bed and stick her in the proper bed.

Evening

Pat and HKZ glad first day back went ok. I left dd for 6 hours today as well, had my hands full supervising 3 5 year old boys on a school trip though, so didn't have time to miss her until this afternoon. Mum says she was really well behaved, no tears or problems. Am both happy it went ok and sad that she didn't miss me all at the same time. Am typing now with her schnuggled up asleep against my chest though - so cute I could just eat her!

Kitty sorry to hear about hospital trip. Hope all is ok and you get it sorted quickly.

Welcome back Stephanie.

Ray we struggle with shoe sizes too. Lots of 0-3 are still too big for dd, she has some lovely ones to match 3-6 month dresses that won't fit her until long after she has outgrown the dresses iyswim.

We have some doidy cups. The boys never got on with them and haven't tried them with dd yet. She is getting really desperate to eat something now and regularly having a go at swiping food out of people's hands. Only 1 week and a day to go though. Thought I would get some sweet potato in as roasted wedges sound like an easy option, also thinking of lightly steamed carrot and some cucumber batons to help with her teeth as well. Other than that she will just be getting a bit of whatever we are having. Ds1 is desperate for her to eat avocado so she can be like avocado baby from the book Will probably lean off the gluten and dairy at first (did with the boys as well) but not intending to keep her off it until 12 months.

Sparkle have heard good things about the Baby Jogger City Mini Double, have the single myself and love it. It is flat fold rather than umbrella but you literally just pull up the strap on the seat and the whole thing folds up - so easy. A good place to get advice on double buggies is on some of the sites for parents of twins.

Kitty, I agree with Tink, that's teething.

also, hi hkz, was wondering where you'd got off to...

hi stephanie, welcome back. the doidy cup is working pretty well here, c is very enthusiastic about it and is learning to hold it herself already, which i think after about four tries is pretty good. definitely worth a try, i'd say.

pat, glad to hear work wasn't too traumatic and that z held his own

welcome, kittypink

c calling - back later...

hello....have been away for about two weeks and suffered severe in ternet witdrawal...went back to work today and twas like I never left. Hope all is good here, am book marking and attempting to catch up...

thank you tink - and thank you for the comments on fb!

pat, glad to hear your first day back went well - must be strange but really quite nice once you get over the initial sadness and start enjoying being 'you' again. i'm quite looking forward to it really!

hi stepanie great to hear from you

kitty does sound like teething

bracken is nearly sitting to rray

Does anyone know whether teething can make babies have puffy cheeks? DD is really bad with her 2nd tooth today and she has bright red, swollen looking cheeks. Poor mite

patTheHammer Aaah I see, I do actually have one of those that a friend gave us. I thought DD would be too young to try it yet so tried the one with a spout. Maybe I underestimated her?

I'm glad work went well for you today, hope meeting tomorrow isn't too much of a drag.

Am jealous of dress wearing!

ooops, pennies obviously, making a few pennines would be a mammoth achievement!

Well, day 1 at work........not too bad! Bit boring as no actual teaching and just chasing round my timetable for september and catching up with gossip .
Felt AWFUL this morning as I left Zach sucking on a crumpet. But got back at 2pm to find him asleep and PIL say he has been a dream so very relieved as we had an awful night. Took DD to playschool at 9am and she gave me a big kiss and said 'have fun at work mummy'. I then turned up the radio and enjoyed feeling 'free' on the way to work. Was very strange not having a child present! So alll ok today, but tomorrow I have to be at work for a meeting with the head at 9am, that will be another matter!

kitty hospital sounds scary and no fun at all, hope you can sort it out. A doindy cup is open at the top and kind of on an angle. Zach has a blue one which he loves, very messy though! Can't master a spout, unlike DD who could manage perfectly well at 4.5 months.

Elkie thanks for advice, will get on the pink place netmums site asap to offload and hopefully make a few pennines!

MissJ Can't manage this week either but next thursday is fine and dandy. Desperate for a trip to cribbs as am running out of make-up and just using the dregs at the moment......yeuch!

ray Just thought you may have been staying that week, never mind, next time hopefully! LOL at the Uggs! Zach has about 5000 pairs of shoes and has never worn ANY as he has impossibly fat feet and hardly ever wears socks either! Barefoot is best for babies until they are walking well and then only outside is necessary. DD had some cute leather shoo-shoos to stop her slipping on the laminate floor!

stripey got the book thanks. Its fantastic and really giving me an insight as to whats going on in his little brain. Wish I had seen it with DD, would have saved me much fretting!

EPPM wore a dress to work today, woo-hoo! Hastily took it off when returned home in case I need to feed sonn

Hi to Qumps and HKZ too, hope your first days back went smoothly.

Hi to Stephaniefry, I joined about 6mths ago so just missed you. Hope you are enjoying BLW its fab isn't it!

Hia stephaniefry glad weaning is going well!

hello everyone - i hope you don't mind me returning and joining in after a seven month absence... i've changed my name because of certain people (mil) finding me on here - nightmare! my own fault for having a username practically the same as my one!

anyway, i was (whisper) looweeza and am friends with some of you on fb. even managed to upload pics of my ds today. not quite sure where my mind has been this year...!

anyway, i've popped in from time to time and saw a discussion on giving up breastfeeding/associated feelings of guilt on here a week or so ago. it really helped me, so thank you for discussing it while i lurked!

weaning going well here too - mixing BLW with mush, shopbought and home made. ds not fussy..

looking forward to keeping up with how you're all doing - also contemplating a doidy cup right now. is it wiser to head straight for that from the bottle i wonder...

DD has used her sippy cup, is that the same as a doidy cup? she loved it too! it had a lovely cup of chamomile tea in it!

Be careful with banana, I gave DD a piece and she tried to suck the whole bit into her mouth! She then proceded to squash it in her fist and smear it on and up her nose!

rrrayray DD has same nap pattern now, I get nothing done any more.

missj, we are leaving weaning for another week or so too; c is 24 weeks. she did manage to grab a banana dp was eating this morning and have a lick, and dp reckons she would have eaten it if she'd let her, so i guess she'll be ready... at the moment we are teaching her to use her doidy cup - to say she is enjoying it would be an understatement, i think. will post a photo on fb

bracken has loads of shoes fits into 0-3 mnths most are ones that dd1 had she doesnt wear any

missJ don't think your the only one not weaning- we aren't weaning yet either. Esme is 23 weeks, and is ALMOST sitting, but not quite, so will be holding off for just now. Relieved to find i'm not the ONLY one buying UGG boots... and i justified the price to myself thinking just HOW much she'd wear them.......or NOT!

kitty Wow that sounds Scary. Hope the Trace goes OK!

Better run, Esme has cut RIGHT back on her day time naps, has 3 of about 30-40 mins. Just enough to recharge her batteries!!!

Hi all, how long have I been away? So much chat!

Didnt end up in pub garden, was in A&E on a heart monitor with palpitations and a very tired and bored baby The monitor didnt record though so of course the palpitations only happened when the nurses etc were elsewhere and they didnt find what was wrong, so was a massive waste of a day! Bum!

Have got to do a 24hr trace monitor thingy. Bit scary.

EPPM thats amazing! you must be so proud!

Qumps was going back to work not so good?

DD's 2nd tooth has fully emerged! what a night! She is out with DH at mo and I'm gonna clean the bathroom!

ps ray we fell for the ugg boots too; how embarrasing! I really thought as he was a winter baby he would need something to keep his feet warm. He would barely fit into them now he's such a whopper, so there is no hope for the autumn - oh well!

pat are you still up for a meet-up? This week a bit hectic with my Dad staying, but week after looks lovely and free!

Hi everyone!

Like ray I am going to have to admit defeat on keeping up with the thread; it's been a very busy couple of days as we've had friends staying, and before that I was over in Bristol staying with friends. But have had quick read thru while bf-ing last thing at night, and everyone seems to be going great guns with weaning etc.

eppm I am also not weaning yet - Nye is only just about sitting up (can sit up leaning on his hands but hasn't quite got the straight back yet - looks like he's doing yoga!) so we are going to wait another couple of weeks until he is closer to 6 months (he is also one of the youngest on the thread I think).

stripey sorry to hear about your general holiday stress- I think 'holidays' as we knew them won't make a reappearance until the kids are 18, or at least until the grandparents take them off our hands for a week!

Just got back from swimming, and have waved friends off back to London, and am now confronted with a house in a total tip, my Dad coming into the station in an hour, and luckily, for now, a sleeping baby.... had better get busy ... [waves] to the rest of you!

Hi all

Sparkle, re double buggy for a toddler and baby I think one behind the other is better than side by side unless the oldest is very small and/or the age gap is tiny (sounds like neither is the case) because of the weight imbalance. I've bought an old secondhand Phil and Ted's because everyone else seems to do so. They sell very well secondhand - I paid £200 for mine but it's an older version - the E3 - similar to the Sport but the Sport might well sell for more. Ebay prices seem to go up close to £300.

If you're buying new, the Oxford Pram Centre seem to do quite good prices online mail order and I met someone who got hers from there and seemed happy with the service.

Local classified ads might be worth looking for secondhand and for easier selling than ebay, plus you get to keep your money and not pay ebay/paypal cut.

Pat, trying to sell on netmums local seems like a great idea, then offer things through freecycle if they don't sell. Most freecycle runs through yahoogroups I think - you sign up for emails, but if you're looking to offer more than to get things you could use digest or no mail - you send an email listing stuff according to the rules set out in a message when you join, but the responses should come straight to you - I tend to do email until I've offered someone something to collect when I give the full address and a phone number - before that I describe the approximate part of the area I live in eg first part of postcode/area name/near big main road or local park.

I'd give nicer/better condition stuff to charity shops but don't have a car and most such places here are in places where parking in opening hours is impossible. I wouldn't donate stuff with stains or very well worn to charity shops generally, but I would offer the well worn stuff with a truthful description on freecycle (I've thrown away a couple of very stained things) - I wouldn't "donate" stuff that I'd not want to receive or even buy because of its condition.

wow. i officially give up on trying to keep up!!!

Pat I'm sorry but i'm not in Sussex then!!! I don't LIVE in Sussex anymore - only my parents do. Thanks for thinking of me though!

kittypink First timer here too!

tink i totally agree on the shoe front, i went SO OTT when i was pregnant with Esme, Esme has over 20 pairs of shoes.... of which about 1 pair fit her! 0-3 months are HUGE!!!! That, or she has dinky feet. She actually has cringe a pair of UGG boots....... they are SOooooo cute. But 0-8 months, and GIANT.... can't see them fitting her anytime soon. prob JUST fit her by Autumn! Silly Sizes!

Got to run, Esme waking from morning nap.

Sorry the rest of you <waves>

morning

mm - glad day was ok sea life sounds good

excatly pat never have 2 many shoes she has doodles sandals, clarks white leather sandals, new pink clarks shoes and doodle red trainers.

eppm - wow! are you expecting a verbose little boy, then? that is amazing.

pat - no sign of a period here yet, thankfully. though i suppose that weaning is just around the corner, so i guess i won't get away with it forever. hope work not too much of a shock to the system. did the book turn up?

elkie - i've been resisting my sentimental streak with the baby stuff, have kept the first thing she wore and a couple of other tiny clothes, but everything else is going to friends/charity when done with.

thanks all for the support - i think we are just both exhausted, little sis is insisting on coming over for the night the minute we think c can handle it so we can have a whole night's sleep. i think we may take her up on it very soon...

Hah! It was 17mo because she absolutely refused to bottle feed (I went back to work when she was 12mo)... and she is one so stubborn, she would have had no milk whatsoever and I was worried about her weight (because she wasn't all that bothered about food for a long time either)...
she was a milkaholic, but I had had enough by 17mo (and obviously wasn't going to damage her by stopping then )
I just wanted to wear a dress FFS!

No period yet here either, though DS does have 1 night feed still (hence typing at this hour)

here too Pat.
Boo to work.

17mths desreves respect! It is hard to know when to stop if they seem to be doing ok and still want it.

Should I be concerned that I still have had no period yet? Is this normal as I am not exbf (he has a piddling amount of formula twice a day). I'm sure I had had one by now with DD. Mind you it didn't come back till I totally stopped, even when I was only doing 2 feeds a day.

Pat - even better then! Honestly though, I do feel for you - I'm still applying for jobs and every time I send off an application I do a little prayer that I won't get it! It is heart-wrenching at first, but then you get used to leaving them and it is nice to have your own life too. You'll be there for all the important times anyway, when he really needs his Mummy.

17months - wow. My target is now 12 months, although I have given him 2 formula feeds in the last 2 weeks and will probably give him the occasional one now so won't be entirely exclusive. My original target was 1 week! Then I wanted to make it to 6 months, and now I'm there I've shifted the goalposts, I'd imagine this will happen again when I get close to 12 months, if I do.

Eppm We put DD to bed at 7pm and thankfully she is never a monkey at bedtime. I then feed Zach either downstairs or on our bed, wait for her to fall asleep and then put him in cot, awake with the mobile on very quietly. He has been fine and when he wakes at night, has only woken her up a few times and she goes straight back. I take him into our room and then half the time pop him back and the other half of the time fall asleep and forget to and he stays in with us .

8 days work Lenni, I don't work thursdays
And I am only doing 10-1.30 on some days. You are, of course, right and they won't remember but I do feel as if Zach is my extra limb at the moment and it will feel dinstinctly odd not having him attached to me !

Pat am laughing at 'some judgy parental types'
A big un-mn hug for tomorrow...
Can't help on the bf/nights out thing... dd was ebf until 17mo... but we never went out... [old fart emoticon]

SaS we dont have a double I'm afraid... but I think I am going to look for a lightweight umbrella fold for the car- recommendations welcome!

Those with 2 children in the same room... HOW do you do it? What happens at bedtime? (esp when toddler decides to be a monkey) what happens about feeding in the night?...
Am thinking we should move ds soon (dd went in her own room at 5.5 mo) but have no idea on the practicalities...
I think DH is getting fed up of sleeping on the sofa too...

Pat - just 10 days, for 8 weeks pay. Zach won't even remember it, and neither will your DD. You'll be better once you are there and have something to do rather than dwelling on leaving them. I took a photo of DD into work with me for on my desk when I went back and it got me through that term I had to work. Whenever the other staff kids were driving me crazy I'd just look at it and relax.

Know what you mean about the "have you stopped feeding" thing - am getting that off my Mum and Gran already. Am sure the fire will spread.

Lenni-we really need to do a will as well, have not got anything in place on paper, only what we jave discussed with relatives about who will be guardian etc.

Sparkle- could you make do with a buggy board? I have not purchased a double and make DD walk everywhere (bad mummy!). Borrowed a board for a while though and they are really good for tired toddlers. If you need a double though then I would ask some of the knowledgeable people on the pushchair/products threads or something?
Also have you tried your local nearly new websites, some good deals on there?

No experience Sparkle as have side-stepped that one, although know it would make our lives easier too. Have you tried the pushchair thread in products? They are experts there, they live for prams!

Elkie-I need to get shot of a load of baby stuff before we move. Have passed most clothes onto family and friends but for bulky stuff do you recommend freecycle? How do you join? i was going to list my breastpump, travel system, baby bath and a few others on Netmums local (whispers) nearly new in the hope of a few quid. Really can't be doing with ebay!

Eppm at the talking baby!!! Zach just gurgles and says ba-ba-ba or da-da-da but not in DH's direction! Thats so sweet .

sparkle glad James enjoyed his potato, we didn't make it to six months either, 24/25 weeks really but I think if they can handle it and he enjoys it then its fine! Can't believe the dining table BTW, what a cheek

Zach had brocolli, sweet potato,strip of turkey and carrot baton for dinner. Witnessed by MIL who was highly impressed and not at all 'judgey' as some parental types have been about BLW (ie my mum!).

moose enjoy the sealife centre. 17 years is some going! You had a fair bit of married time before the DC's then. Sometimes wish we had but DD was a honeymoon baby . At other times I'm glad we didn't wait! Family party sounds fun!

stripey sorry about your holiday and congrats on the new tooth!! Expect no.2 very shortly if mine are anything to go by. I think we are expecting 2 more very soon. Zach is a lot less 'bitey' now. Thabk god, or that would be it on the BFing front! Myself and DH are at each other a lot lately, I think the 6mths of no sleep is finally taking its toll. I am having to be very patient and sometimes want to scream at his selfishness, although in retrospect I realise it's just him not thinking rather than putting himself first.

I got very emotional again today when he kind of implied it was time forr me to stop feeding! I ranted at him that was the last thing I needed and wasn't he supportive that I had done it for this long!!! I think he is just using DD as an example and back then we were having nights out and stuff by 6mths because I had finished feeding and she was sleeping through. I pointed out we can't AFFORD nights out this time and I will carry on BFing as long as Zach wants it! I just feel that every reaction I am getting is negative at the moment. Everybody is like 'Oh, but we really want you to come on this and you can't if your feeding the baby......etc, etc'. Has anyone who has fed past 6mths also experienced this? I guess soon people will be outright asking me when I am stopping, as if it is their business!

Sorry, just feeling a bit down I guess about going back to work tomorrow. It's like my life has to start again without baby and I guess I'm not really ready. Also really enjoyed this time with DD and worried she will miss me more as she is older and she can't remember me working before (7mths ago). Anyway, its only 2 weeks and then 6 more weeks to enjoy!

Stripey - got your fb message, thank you. Will post first thing tomorrow. Sorry about the holiday. DH and I had an extremely difficult patch when DD was about 5mo - I even looked at rentals at one point, it was close to over. The thing that made the difference was a trip to Eureka in Halifax of all things. That one day was the turning point and we made our relationship work again after that - we agreed like you have to move DD into her own room and work on our sex life a little more, and DD started to sleep a little better, although still not great. It was a turning point for us. Now if things get bad we take a day out as a family and it eases the pressure. Having a baby puts so much strain on since you no longer have time to dedicate to each other or yourself, and your needs are bottom of the list all the time. It breeds resentment imo - but we keep on talking and bickering and laughing and at least know this time that things get so much easier once bubba is walking and talking and sleeping.

quick question for any of you with double buggys - have realised I need one for a few months (am actually kicking self for not realising is sooner anyway)

My inclination was to buy a twin maclaren stroller but looking at Mumsnet recommends :

out and about nipper
mountain buggy as the top two

If my requirements are as follows what would you do/buy:

20lb baby and 3.5 yr old biggish toddler. Side by side buggy.

Good to push and steer as this is for the benefit of me exercising(!) so want to be able to walk easily with it.

Don't instinctively want anything very big and heavy as may want to put it in the car boot occasionally, but mostly to walk out of the house with and can put it in the garage, so size not too much of an issue.

Not short of money but will probably buy second hand and move on towards the end of the year. Will only buy new if I can get a good second hand value. This is a short term fix buggy

EPPM - that is AMAZING wow! I'm going to be listening closely to DS's noises now. Not expecting that though!

Elkie - I'm sentimental about clothes especially. I have kept a few bits of both of our DCs from when they were first born and special occasions. I have told myself I'll pass them on to grandchildren if I'm so lucky as to see them.

I really do need to start writing a list of things I intend for the kids, just in case I pop my clogs in the interim. I had a chat about guardians with my sister again this week as we've added to our broods since we last agreed to be guardians to each other's children. Must get around to re-writing our wills now DS on the scene.

Moose - I have a feeling it is because we are well established now whereas at 4 months and before your supply is still easily adjustable. Hence why each growth spurt is more difficult to navigate than the one before it perhaps? I don't leak at all anymore, where I used to be a walking tap. Can't remember the last time I used breastpads, and yet I used to soak through them and have to change at lunchtime. Have a lovely day out tomorrow.

I must confess I'm very sentimental about baby stuff, and would probably only pass on stuff I'm happy to give away and not get back. I've given away some things on Freecycle, some were in great condition and could have been sold on ebay though I hope they weren't (not the spirit of Freecycle!), others were quite well worn. But I've kept the clothes I really enjoyed seeing my babies wearing, and most of our baby equipment probably won't get a break in use, or will be worn out totally.

ok have given in, James has 'eaten' a new potato... he's 5 months so not too bad as he is over 18lbs... totally ready for it, I wonder if the 6 month guideline is too long.

will get carrot for him tomorrow...poor soul loved it, he cried when we got down from the table

This may sound crazy (not to mention pushy mother ) but DS said 'Papa'
He said it yesterday, a few times which I just dismissed as him trying new sounds, but he did it today when DH came up to him on his changing table whilst I was giving him nappy-free time... he said "Papa" and reached out his hand to DH then gave the hugest grin... he is such a Daddy's boy! (which is cool, because DD is a complete Mummy's girl)

(We use "Papa" as DD would never say "Daddy", but when we switched to using 'Papa' she said it immediately- DH has French/Italian roots, so it's common in his family, and his father was 'Papa'. I am mostly 'Mama')

Hi

Been at PILs for a family do today. It was stressful and full of underlying fueds (sp?) and resentments but the kids had fun as PILs had hired a bouncy castle and there were loads of children to play with.

Dd's rash has all but gone, just a bit of dry skin left and no redness at all. Which is a relief, as she was the only baby today so very much the centre of attention. She is at the not wanting to be held by anyone but me and dh stage though, so there were a few 'moments' but for the most part she charmed the pants off everyone.

stripey sorry about the holiday, but congratulations on C's first tooth! Dh and I have been snappy with each other for a couple of weeks as well, think its a combination of exhaustion, the heat, money worries and a manic life. I keep trying to focus on the future and tell myself 'this too shall pass' but when I try and look into the future I can't seem to get a clear picture of where we are headed. I feel the need for us both to talk about what we want and where we want to be, he is most definitely in avoidance mode.

Lenni weird, I've been having expressing problems as well. Used to get a good 9oz morning and evening in a matter of minutes, now I struggle to get 4oz and sometimes hardly get anything at all. I was wondering if its something to do with her requirements being higher (as have never exclusively bf this long because both boys were weaned at 4 months) but not exactly sure how. Am going to try and be religeous about timing expressing at the same time every day and see if it improves after a few days. Desperately need to rebuild my stock thanks to dh's freezer accident.

Am a bit at all the inconsiderate 'borrowers' we have had between us. I can't imagine giving someone their belongings back in less than perfect condition, think I'd probably end up going and buying a replacement one rather than give back something that I'd damaged. I lent SIL an as new condition Mamas and Papas Prima Pappa, I got back a chair with mouldy food in every crevice, split/ripped plastic all over the seat so that dd can't sit directly on it or it will cut her legs and a folding mechanism that no longer works properly. I was so upset as (daft as it may seem) I really loved that highchair, it was a funky design and slightly more expensive than some of the other designs available at the time and I also had lovely memories of ds2 in it (he used to love it and fell asleep in it after his lunch every day without fail).

Pat its our 17th wedding anniversary on the 25th! We've been together for 22 years.

Hope it all goes ok with work tomorrow. Mum is fine so I am off to the Sea Life Centre with ds2. I'm a bit apprehensive about leaving dd for so long after how clingy she was today, but keep telling myself she'll be fine, she loves my Mum and its something I have to do at some point so might as well get it over with.

stripey sorry holiday wasn't so good... it can be a real strain... a toddler (who can get out of bed!) is worse....
I don't think I'll bother with holidays again until they're old enough to go in kids club do something decent- it isn't a break really tbh.

SaS that is a step too far!

Lenni I may try the association thing- my letdown on one side is really slow, and ds gets annoyed frequently, but as it's the side he doesn't favour, I always try to put him on that one first so it gets drained properly IYSWIM

hi all - back from clare and look at all the posts... will never catch up.

on the subject of borrowing baby stuff, though, we have a nursing chair which some friends of ours insisted that we borrow, which we never used but now have to thoroughly clean, even though it has been draped in towels since we got it, because of the cats, and i am really worried that it won't clean up alright and we'll have to buy them a new one. didn't even want it, but was impossible to say no. so i may fall into the category of bad baby stuff borrower...

lenni have fbed address. i'm blaming catherine, she ate my brain while in utero and it doesn't seem like it's regenerated yet...

clare was lovely, but we didn't really get to see much of it, total failure to get the babies to synchronise their naps (dsis, bil and niece came too) and c slept really badly, did a lot of screaming and cut her first tooth in the car on the way home yesterday! i think poor sis and bil had a rubbish holiday, since dp and i were both really knackered and crotchety and i think had a distinct air of imminent divorce about us... niece is 11 months and a complete angel of a child, so i think they were a bit shell shocked all round. however, i have now forced dp to wear earplugs in bed so she is better rested and we are going to move c into her own room in the middle of this week, so perhaps the lawyers need not be called in ....

did i see that flf rejoined us? welcome back!

I don't lend baby stuff either ....particularly after the dining table experience. I'm also the same I buy better stuff and trade it in to buy more....which isn't really compatible with lending

i lent a dining table and chairs to bil and sil (and was quite clear that it was a loan) only to find out about 6 months later accidentally from MIL that they had sold it wtf!!! I then naughtily asked for it back (just to check) and was told it was "under a load of stuff in the garage" - that was 8 years ago....

DD still goes on about 'what time do cows get up....'. Bfing her penguin, thats so sweet .

EPPM That's terrible! Mind you we have had some liberties taken such as lending our M&P bouncy chair to DH's cousin and NEVER getting it back and having to get a new one for Zach . Gave the ruddy useless baby bath that I never really wanted back though! We have just borrowed a buggy and need to return it this week and I have spent 30mins cleaning it on saturday, and it was a charity shop one originally!

EPPM - That would drive me crazy too - definitely not petty.

Noise association is where you are meant to make some kind of noise (e.g. playing certain music or clicking yoru tongue or something) when letdown happens when feeding and then when expressing the same thing is meant to help you express it's to do with milk letdown being a psychological as well as physiological response, hence bf being more efficient if you are relaxed etc. Didn't work for me though. But think I am having pump issues as much as anything as tried expressing while DS was feeding yesterday and that didn't work either which is just cruel. So have concluded its the tools and I am a poor workman!

Ick Pat! They have put me off expressing for life! Looked horrible. I'm still having to answer a gazillion questions from DD about them, and now when she pretends to bf her penguin she goes on about getting the milk out [squirm] [gag]

Lenni- it is terrible though isn't it? I (and I'm gueesing you too) would never return something in a terrible condition- dirty, stained, broken, whatever, but some people think that is okay. I know baby clothes get ruined- that is fine (and I didn't lend anything I would have been truly gutted about) but buggies and highchairs? there is no excuse.
Especially, as you say, these days most people need to sell them on, in order to buy bigger sizes etc. Grrrr...
the worst was we lent some things to DH's ex-employee, who he has known for years, we went to their wedding etc etc, but when they returned them the nicest thing (imo) -a Peter Rabbit towel and washmitt set, that had been a gift from BIL and SIL... was returned with a different towel- a primark one... I was so annoyed, especially as I had to make all the effort- they wanted to borrow things- fine, no problem, but I had to drive over to theirs, drop everything off, and when I needed it all back for DS, I had to do the requesting, begging, and go and fetch it all too.... <and breathe>
Oh dear- it sounds really petty, but I was so annoyed at the time!
I will only 'lend' things I don't want back now.

Just got back from Ikea- was quite quiet, but DD had a nosebleed on the way round... and DS' skin is appalling today, so we cut it short, as he needs lathering up and loads of nappy-free time

Whatever is 'noise association' for expressing? Have never heard of that... I did express once so far this baby, and got a decent amount, but I just don't have time....

x-posts Lenni, I'm with you on the expressing. If only we were as efficient as those cows at holly farm eh!

Argh sparkle . hate it when that happens!!!!!!!!!! Wow, 16 years! I feel quite pleased that we have nearly made it to 4!

Tink a girl can never have too many shoes!

tree phew, thought you were some sort of big bucks entrepeneur or something! I'm sure we all should have saved for a rainy day but actually, enjoying a social life then created some good memories which you can look back on fondly now (if, like me, you have no life except kids!).

eppm good luck with the expressing. I like Plum baby porridge, we have that.

moose Sounds like a good plan with the money. DD has her own little purse but strangely she never wants to spend that either!
It is a 4-bed but because its a townhouse we are going to use one of the bedrooms as a playroom/2nd reception with our sofa-bed in there for guests. Can't wait for a downstairs loo and utility room, it will be heaven!!! Garden a bit on the small side but we reasoned that neither of us are keen gardeners and we just need a child-friendly bit of space for the kids to run around in and very low maintenance. Anyway, musn't get too carried away......it could still go horribly wrong!
Was thinking robots for zachs room and DD has said she would like hearts/butterflies/fairies and ballerinas. Quite a lot to choose from then! Obviously gets her indecision from her mother!

kitty hope you enjoyed the pub garden and have not got caught in the rain we have here!

ray are you up for meet-up in sussex too, the week of the 19th July? Let me and Spink know if you are around.

Speaking of meet-ups, off to another Gloucester one on thursday. Oh and missJ are you around for a Cribbs meet-up next thursday. Quite busy this week with going back to work and all .

Ho-hum, off to iron some clothes that fit me for tomorrow, not an easy job [sad.

Lending even - leanding? wtf? I'll carry on with my Masters dissertation then better learn to spell first.

Aarggghhh indeed Sparkle - I love ikea but their online store drives me crazy, it is so utterly impossible to navigate and then sometimes you get what you want only to find they won't deliver anyway. for you.

Oh and please no one mention expressing ... I am so unbelievably crap at it now. Just doesn't work at all... have tried all that noise association rubbish, same time of day and everything and no letdown. I'm comforting myself with the fact that I never expected to get this far with bf, but still don't like giving formula when I could (in theory) express. I used to be able to get 12oz in about 5 mins, now I'm lucky to get 3oz in half an hour

Nice to have you back Tink

EPPM/Moose - I will sound hideously tight for this but I've stopped leanding baby things now. I've made it policy to gift things or sell them since I've had my fingers burnt too. I lent someone our old M&P pramette to try out and it came back filthy with dog poo stuck to the wheels so I cleaned it up and sold it. It is so unfuriating since I saved them a fortune by lending it (they didn't like it and went for a Maclaren instead) and you'd of thought they could have washed the covers. My sister is after a few of my bits now like DS's carrycot and I'm dreading it since I would feel dreadful for charging her for them, but on the other hand I bought reputable brands so I could sell on afterwards. Not sure what I'll do when she gets pg again and asks for them.

Tree - sorry about money worries. Also been there in the past and it gets you down. I know you say writing it all down makes you see how shit it is, but when things were looking bad we started meticulously budgeting down to the last £1 and stuck to it and that really helped us see how much money we were just wasting. My best investment has been a decent flask and drinks bottle - DD and I save a fortune on drinks out and about now.

agggghhhhhh ikea agggghhhhhh......

no sooner did i decide to buy online than everything I wanted to order disappeared

went back to clarks and got dd1 some big hich backed shoes didnt feel that one pairs of hoes was enough

Welcome Kittypink.

ROFl at my disposable income!! I meant a month, that would be heaven wouldn't it?

Did rather enjoy my income though - I spent it! All of it! On cocktails and nice lunches. Sigh. It seemed to get you sooooo much 8 years ago! It's not so much really I suppose, but when you have no outgoings and no concerns - it really gets you a good few nights out. OUght to have saved for rainy day when had kids and no earning potential.....

Lying low today. DH away. Mum coming to help out for 2 days before we all explode or implode.

Thanks for your support and ear - I wont vent because I can't. If I rwite it down I'll see how shit it all is and wallow!

have bottled ikea am going to order online and pay the £35 delivery thinkit'll be cheaper and easier in the long run

moose am <heave>ing@ highchair some people are so rude (have had nice items of baby stuff ruined or just simply not returned and even substituted for really crappy replacements)

SaS think we may do Ikea today actually!

hi

wow chatty ones

hi kittypink you are most welcome we are a friendly bunch

we got plates done lovely. dd1s has her hand print in centre and she painted rest
dd2s has her footprints

Morning all...

welcome kittypink - just join in with all the chat (if you can keep up with it LOL)

Moose thank you so much for those eBay links to Christening cake toppers! You've sorted us out for a cake... Mum is great at cakes but not icing.

tree pg on the first date mind you like pat not one to judge Been with DH 16 years now..

now someone talk me out of this - I feel like going to Ikea....

EPPM/Tree, I also wondered about your old disposable income figure.

I'm waiting until 26 weeks, which will be August - one month. I'm not really in a rush, and want to do BLW.

Welcome kittypink

Blimey, took me so long to write that post, I completely got left behind!

I had chocolate tonight - can highly recommend Nigella's choc chip cookie recipe here they are lush (although I made them triple choc by adding milk dark and white in huge chunks to the recipe ).

Peach we aren't weaning yet, dd is 25 weeks next Thursday, am holding out for 26 weeks and can't wait. I'm getting quite jealous of all the weaning talk on here. Bought a bibetta bib which arrived today, but its huge, dd is not going to be in it for months, am going to Mothercare tomorrow for the one we mentioned a while back and have ordered a couple of others off ebay. Also thinking of ditching our Mamas and Papas highchair that was ruined by sil (I had to take a toothbrush and medical tweezers to it to get out all the manky food after my nephew had finished with it) for a nice easy to clean ikea one.

pat pmsl at George Dawes and singing 'he's a baby' to your ds! We used to do that to ds2!

Congratulations on the house btw, am so of your 4 bedrooms. We are wedged in like kippers in our tiny house as despite having three bedrooms the downstairs is tiny and the bathroom and toilet are both downstairs as well. Yay for doing a both a boys room and a girls room! No good coming to me for interior design advice though, (although as you know I'm always more than happy to help with online searches etc). I keep backpedalling so often that dd still hasn't got a room as I can't make a final decision on how I want it to look. As a result her room has now become a general dumping ground for homeless items and needs sorting out all over again. Not a total disaster though as we are having the windows at the back of the house replaced in a couple of weeks, which would have been a proper pita if we'd just decorated.

Got away without bringing home the tat by telling the boys they were free to spend their own money on it but we weren't buying for them. That put them off, as ds1 is saving for a nintendo game and ds2 wants another UB funkey. We have a little purse for each of them and any money they are given (or find down the back of the sofa etc) goes in there, then if they want something like crazy bones etc or want to spend money on silly stuff in museum gift shops etc they can use that money. They are both incredibly tight actually, more than happy to waste mummy and daddy's money, but a whole different board game when it comes to their own - learning a valuable lesson there methings!

Welcome aboard Kittypink and congratulations on your dd. You will be able to instantly recognise my posts on here - they are always huge.

Peach definitely not impetigo - ds2 had that once, its a totally different looking rash and the canestan is doing its work, all the angry redness has almost gone out of it now.

Spink I know what you mean about admiring your DH's sense of honour and morals. My DH is also a man of very strong beliefs and convictions and I am very proud of him for being so socially/morally aware and standing up for what he believes in. I do however live in dread of doing something that puts me on the receiving end of his disapproval, he is a hard act to follow/live up to.

Tree sorry to hear things are so tough, we had a financial tremor this week as well and it really shook me up. Have been where you are now in the past and its an awful feeling. Hope things get sorted for you really soon. Please don't feel you have to stay away, come on here, moan, vent - whatever you need, we are here to lend and ear and support you.

Thanks for that spink, I always like a laugh before bed!

Hello rrrayray, She is indeed my first. All is new and exciting and terrifying and odd!

I must go to bed! I think I'l try moving DD's last feed up to midnight instead of 1am because she has quite a lot of food nowadays during the day so she will hopefully stay asleep. <hopeful>

Thankyou for making me feel welcome.

pub garden tomorrow (weather permitting!)

DS is quite serious looking a lot of the time, so he does look like Putin frequently!

Congratulations on the house Pat

Hi kittypink

tree how on earth does a midwife have £1500 a week net? I thought they earned nurse's salary equivalent?
(£1500 a month I can believe!)

Can't remember who asked, but I am going to keep dairy out of DS' food once we start, as his eczema is still terrible. Gluten is okay after 6mo isn't it? I actually bought some porridgey stuff for him today- was very excited! (its quinoa, millet, and something, Plum baby Porridge) BUT I haven't actually expressed any milk yet (urk) because I stopped when we had thrush (because I would have had to bin it all) and never had chance to start again (always doing school run in the morning).
Am going to try expressing soon though- DD finishes nursery school on Thursday, so I won't be dashing out at 8 every morning... should work <fingers crossed> that will give me 3 weeks to build up a little in the freezer... I don't dare give him formula- they're all cows milk based aren't they?

Is anyone else not weaning yet? I know DS is 2nd youngest (I think)...

Whoa ladies you do chat some!!!!!! I can't keep up!!!

kittypink welcome!!!! Is DD your first?

Tree.........And BREEEEATHE!!!! Hugs so sorry your having money worries!!! I know you live in the middle of nowhere (your words not mine ) but is it worth researching to see if there is a beauty school Nr. you? Often they will do hair/treatments (pedicure) for next to nothing, as their students need someone to practice on. Obviously its over seen by their tutor, so you shouldn't be able to go TOO wrong. Just an idea.

Got to run, hopefully catch up tomorrow.....

oh, and tree i think (don't quote me!) that dog is moving house. If you are Dog... hope its going smoothly & we hear from you soon!

Les Dennis in extras no less! Quality! Managed to hold on......just.

that, Pat, was a call to arms
Rosie

Trre-Enjoy the ready meal!
Yes you have had a year of it, hopefully better things on the horizon .

LOL at the kebab, I'm sure it has some sort of affect on fertility maybe the elephants leg meat induces ovulation!

I think I was lucky NOT to get pg the first night I met DH . Ahhhhh, memories!

Pat - strictly speaking it was next day - as was 4am following a kebab

Don't worry! It's pretty shocking and hugely entertaining. All worked out in the end though <<hides voodoo doll of dh under a cushion>> He's going through spome heavy shit at the mo, and driving me up the wall and down the other side. Been a tough year.

It all went Pete Tong at end of November. Redundancy. Shame I was 32 weeks and this whole having a baby mallarky has been totally overshadowed.

Have found ready meal in freezer - Hurrah!!

ROFL at Les Dennis .

Please don't put a picture of him up, I will lose control of my bladder!

Thanks spink, I've put her new sea noises cd on and that seems to have settled her. I would recommend it to all. I guess its a bit like white noise.

maybe Dh is having a hard time seeing the situation from your friends point of view and is thinking how he would feel if he were her husband.

It sounds like you are being a supportive and loyal friend to her.

Wish I had chocolate!

eppm just pissed myself a s a very large photo of Vladimir Putin engulfed my screen, don't know why but it made DH look over and he was VERY confused

Oh, Tree hope it gets better soon. My finances are shot to shit too. thats why I must return to work so soon. Did you really get pg the night you met DH!!! You saucy minx! By the way, I am in no way judging sleeping together on first date......I could never take the moral high ground on THAT issue .

Spink- i think men do have a more black and white moralistic view. Funny really as it's usually men doing the cheatin (ooops, huge generalisation ).

in an early photo of dd, she looked like Les Dennis

Welcome kittypink, hope you mange to keep up on this thread, I often fail miserably! Your DD sounds like she is doing well, I remember dummy duty well from my own DD (now 3)She had it till she was 2! DS won't take one though, mores the pity .

Lenni Feel free to distribute my number to dog if she still has no internet next week. Would be great if she can come to meet-up too. Yes you can go back for me on monday . I am dreading leaving Zach, he is really clingy at the moment. Not dreading getting a minutes peace and .....joy of joys.....enjoying a hot cuppa and some adult chit-chat. Been smelling Zach's head a lot today, trying to drink him all in .
I must admit I am surprised how well he has taken to BLW, but judging by his size he was never going to dislike food ! Seeing 2 whole raspberries disappear without trace today was amazing. Also had a small slice of pizza! (I am not doing dairy free he is having small amounts of cheese/philly/butter and organic yoghurt as I reasoned that he had been having 1/2 bottles of formula for a while now which is cows-milk based). Bread wise he is having a bit and has had a few bits of pasta. Trying to make it mainly fruit and veg though. He loves it all and no signs of discomfort yet.

Oh, sooooooooooooooooo excited about the house, was even picking out my new sofa today . And I can do a boys room and a girls room at last, hurrah!!!!! Moose and Tink, I'll be on to you soon for some home decorating advice and web shopping!

EPPM Lol at your DS's hair and william hague! I sometimes feel guilty as I think Zach reminds me of Matt Lucas and I sing 'he's a baby, he's a baby' a la George Dawes at him! .

{blush] took me ages to write that. cheers EPPM, I know, I think DH is really feeling for her husband and can't accept that she couldn't have waited to sleep with her new partner and at least talked to her husband first. any explanations sound like cliche's, it is hard.

Lenni really wouldn't worry about a little glut/dairy - I'm not really sure why I am planning to hold back tbh..

Hi all.

Can't stop - as ever these days.

Is dog on holiday? Haven't read posts so so sorry.

Having financial meltdown, up to od limit and dd getting returned. Cash point refused me ££ I haven't had that happen since I was a student.

Before I met dh and got pregnant that night I was single, rent free and had £1500 disposable income a week. Now I can't get money from a cashpoint and have a mortgage and 2 kids!! .

Am hanging on by fingertips, will weather it I guess. Fecking knackered however.

Guess there went the hair nad nails/jumperoo. Although did find a ped-egg for £3 off dodgy stall in town, cheers for tip Pat!

Will be back when am more cheerful and less worried!

Harriet has been a little whatsit last 3-5 days - so have introduced one meal of roasted sweet potato. She is having 3 teaspoons and it's going o.k! No massive colic return etc. But no poo since so going veeeerrrrrrrrrryyyyyyyy sloooooooowly. Much to Harriets despair who looks like she fancies a carvery.

I saw you linked into a jumperoo Ray - cheers love.

Moose - hope your mum and dh are symptom free?

Pat - gutted about house for you, but there will be another. We missed the dream house prior to this, but am happy here. Its a bugger though, so stressfull and heart breaking. Good luck!

Apologies to all the news I have missed, I will catch up promise. Off to find food <<starving marving here>>

hiya kitty! hope dummy duty is short and you get to put your feet up soon! welcome to the thread

moose YAY for the canesten cream, Pat YAY for the house! and a random YAY for chocolate, for anyone else making liberal use of it tonight.

Thanks for Godmother opinions, reassuring for me that my feelings are much the same. I guess I not only think that it is human to be imperfect, having thought about it, my idea of a good role model for dd is someone who has made mistakes but moved on from them with integrity, compassion and strength, all of which I think my friend is doing. tbh, dh's reaction unsettles me because I wonder how he would react if I or the dc's ever did anything that offended his moral code. I've always known (and loved) his sense of honour and ethics but it is a hard stance I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of. I suppose in this situation, I respect his opinion even though I disagree with it. What i am having a hard time with is that he would tell her how badly he thinks of her at a time when she is shaken and lost. His view is that her husband is much worse off, and that she brought it on herself (and so deserves it).

Thanks LenniEd! I keep missing work but i reakon as soon as I got there I'd want to be back here again! I may have to go sooner than planned anyway as not much work available for DH. 2 years does sound like a long time to be off, I bet its gone quickly though.

Hope pat and qumps are looking forward to going back. Must seem wierd!

wow qumps don't think dd ate that much until she was about 14 months glad holiday was good.

Spink that is a dilemma... if you've known her a long time though, you know her through and through I'm sure. At the end of the day one can't choose who one falls in love with (though personally, I hope I'd try to end a relationship first before I did anything else, but I can't judge that until I've been there, which I haven't)

moose no chance rash is impetigo? (hoping not, of course!)

DS hasn't much hair yet, though he has got mid-brown hair, so it is noticeable (and of course, it's plastered to his head, Hitler-style, due to his emollient.) Am I a terrible mother to think he looks quite like Vladimir Putin? and sometimes William Hague... though he has more hair than Hague

Oooo, and congratulations on the house. Will have my fingers crossed for the 8 weeks.

Oops x-posted with you Kittypink and Pat.

Welcome Kittypink and congratulations on your DD. Know what you mean about less to do at work, but am sure those going back on Monday would swap places with us - you would wouldn't you Pat/Qumps??! Please! <begs> I think I'd like to go back to work now. It'll be 2 years off come September for me, starting to miss it like crazy.

So sweet of your DH Pat, Zach is so advanced with everything, he sounds like he is doing a great job with the BLW.

Qumps that's exactly how I feel with DS, he is so different to DD that it's like being a new Mum all over again sometimes. That said, can I confess to having almost entirely forgotten a lot of things even though it was only 2 years ago?

On Dog - I have her mob no - while I don't think I should pass it on without her consent I could text her one of your numbers Pat/Spink and she could get in touch with you I have your no. Pat - would it be ok for me to send it to Dog?

Lots of food going down here, wasn't going to do gluten/dairy for the first month Spink but DH gave DS ready brek and he loves it so have let him have it. I was going to insist it was made with breastmilk but not sure I could convince DH to eat his with breastmilk and he makes it altogether. I kind of feel like I need to get my standards back on track with DS but have restricted him just to fruit and veg apart from his morning ready brek and a tiny bit of natural yoghurt now and again to help out his gut so don't think that is too bad. Oh heck, now I'm worried.

Hia all, can i join your thread please? DD was born 31st jan 2009 and is thriving ( she is huge!) I am making the most of maternity leave, definatly would have less to do at work though! DH is at work at the mo, wont be back till 4am.

We have been weening DD and she has her last feed around 1am, I've tried to move it forward but she hasn't accepted it. I may try again tonight. She is really unsettled tonight, I'm running up and down the stairs doing dummy duty!.

Moose-glad your fair went well and DD's rash starting to clear. Amazing that you didn't manage to come home with loads of tat, we always do!

qumps- They are certainly all different. At this age DD was not really bothered with milk, she liked a morning and bedtime bottle but was not really fussed in the day. Zach is different! He is eating loads (as evident in his nappy) but still seems to be all about the booby. He humours me by taking two 3oz feeds in the day but will have 2 lots of boob in the morning (7am and 9ish usually) and then 2/3 lots before bed. Then a dreamfeed (which is an awake feed if I leave him till 10.30). Then a few times in the night at the moment! S sounds like he is eating well but moose is right that most of their calories still come from milk. I am also back to work on monday . Very part-time as most days this week have only one lesson and next week have NO lessons as its activity week and I can do what I please, yay! Sad to go back though, although yay to another 6 weeks off and I REALLY need the money!

Spink- Please do FB me your phone no and I will text you when down. I am looking to go down for a week starting sunday 19th July. Twill just be me and the kids as DH is working and I hope to have the car. Have no real plans although will probably spend the mon and tues visiting my sis and friends. End of week no plans though! Hope your move goes well and the packing not too stressful. I will need some advice soon.....as........offer accepted!!!!!!!!! YAY! Not our first choice obviously, but a nice 4-bed townhouse so loads more space than our 2-bed shoebox. They think they can get it through in 8 weeks, I believe that when I see it!

Oh, godmother dilemma. I think moose and qumps have given sound advice. these things happen to inherently good people all the time. Will not indulge the details in case of prying eyes but my beloved sis ended her relationship with her DS's dad last year and left him for the person she had been seeing (unbeknowst to us). It was all very stressful and lots of bad things happened but actually she was in an abusive relationship and is now far happier. As is her ex-p. Her current partners, ex-p less so, but thats another story! Anyway, I would not hesitate in making my sis guardian of my DC's or anything because of this. Hope this makes sense!

Tink- glad you are back to tink! Bargain with the shoes!

Anyway, today been to Gloucester docks for a lovely afternoon. DD went on giant ferris wheel with DH and had a whale of a time. I got some lovely stuff in the Gap outlet clearance sale (though sadly none for DS as they didn't seem to have much baby boy stuff that I liked).
Zach has enjoyed 3 meals today. Including a selection of fruits bought by DH. Rather touching as he was not at all into this BLW when we started but this morning he came back from tesco with lots of stuff for him and was really enthusiastic (even bought some finger pieces of melon/mango/pineapple...how sweet).

Isn't it funny? You have one child, think you know what you are doing, then along comes the next one who is completely different and throws your confidence in being a mother. Think I will see how he goes tonight as he really has eaten an incredible amount of food today and then if he wakes I will try a dream feed tomorrow. Could he be growth spurting around now? Also I gave him a lot of water on holiday as it was so hot so maybe he is missing that. Thanks for the input everyone.
Spink I agree with Moose. You know your friend and you love your baby the most so if she is good enough in your eyes then she is definitely good enough. A marriage can break down for lots of reasons and does not make her a bad or unworthy person.
tink saw your lovely pictures of Bracken. S will have hair envy!

qumps remember, most of the food he is eating is very low in calories and fat so he will still be needing a lot of milk to fill him up and keep him feeling full. If he still seems hungry giving him a dream feed might just help you get a better nights sleep. All the advice seems to be that feeding should continue to be on demand, as led by the baby, alongside weaning.

Dd still has a 10.00/10.30 pm feed, which is practically a dreamfeed as she is barely awake after sleeping from her 7.00/7.30 feed. We did try to drop it but she didn't settle as well. If we give her that feed she sleeps from then until 7.30/8.00 am which means we get a nice straight block of sleep.

qumps - sounds like he is definetly having enough in the day not to need a dream feed
bracken has 5-6ozs of milk before her food
she dropped dreamfeed a while ago and is now eating more

spink - not sure what i can advise re godmother dilemma mm gives great advise

mm - glad rash is clearing up

Dd's rash is responding to the canestan so looks like it is thrush. Hopefully we've caught it early. She has no signs of oral or nappy thrush so its not systemic.

Blimey qumps thats some appetite your little lad's got!

spink fair was ok - I'm not really into fairs and fetes, I get intimidated going up to the stalls. Pathetic for a 39 year old woman, but then thats me. Boys did a couple of tombolas, hooked a duck, pulled a string, bought a cake and went on the bouncy castle - and did a lot of whingeing.

Not sure about your Godmother dilemma to be honest. If it was me, I tend to think that noone is perfect, being human makes us fallable but that doesn't mean we are bad people. It depends how much influence/involvement you expect dd's godparents to have in her life. I understand why, if she is going to fully take on an active role as godmother, your DH might feel she wouldn't be a great role model, but personally I wouldn't think one mistake/problem is representative of the person as a whole or precludes them from having a lot to offer as a godparent. What would your DH have done if this had come out after the christening?

Not being very helpful am I? Sorry. Its a tough call though. I think you are right, he does need to talk it through with her, she may be able to help him understand her situation and reassure him that she will always do her best for your dd. If not, I guess as its a joint decision, if he still isn't entirely happy with her being a godparent then you will probably have go with his decision. Its awful when friends split up or have marital problems as its often nigh on impossible to stay impartial and not judge, but at the end of the day, its never worth falling out yourselves over it.

qumps lol at telling him they were sausage.. ds calls all meaty things he doesn't recognise 'sausages' which is fine with me as he loves them!!
so exciting to read about everyone's food adventures. We'll be BLWing properly once we move house on Fri, Rosie will be 6 months and 3 days tho I have given her the odd ricecake / slice of cucumber when she has looked especially tortured by us all tucking in.. I'm going to stay off wheat and dairy with her to start - anyone else doing this? I know you are tree cause of Hatt's tum, but wondered if anyone else was too? We did with ds because I followed the lead of a lovely friend who is really into nutrition and immunity, the penny is only now dropping that this isn't really the norm...

Moose hope the SF stays away and you get to go on the trip. How's the fair been?

Pat "I like the feel of his soft bald head" aww. that just made me smile.
hey, we should sort out meeting up later this month, if you can still do it - I might be off the internet for a bit, once we move on Fri, can give you my phone no on FB if you want? Not sure how we can contact Dog tho? ANy news on your other house offer?

Wanted to ask your opinions. One of my closest friends is/was going to be dd's Godmother. She has just told us she is having an affair and isn't sure she wants to stay in her marriage. DH has said he isn't sure he still wants her to be a Godparent. I disagree with him, but have said that if he takes some time to think about it, and still feels really strongly that she shouldn't be, it is something he needs to talk to her about. It is not the religious aspect that bothers him so much as his sense that her betrayal of her husband reflects significant flaws in her character. I disagree with this too, love her hugely and want to support her however I can. dh and I are kind of agreeing to disagree but I'm not sure if that is working very well..

Sorry not shouting. Must have leant on caps button...

Ok S is 6.5 months and has 4oz milk then whole bowl of ready brek with fruit for breakfast. Then 4oz milk with at least 6 cubes of veg for lunch. 7oz milk at 2ish. 2 cubes of fruit an 4 heaped tsp of rice for tea with water and 7oz at bedtime. He woke at 4am starving. I refused to believe this but then DH gave in at 5 when he took 5oz milk and went back to sleep. DH wants to give him a dream feed but surely he can't need it on that amount of food? Sorry an appetite is new to me as DS1 doesn't have one and I hae to shovel it in when he is not looking - unless its a sausage. Actually he ate squid, prawns and scallops on holiday as I told him they were sausage. Didn't bat an EYELID!
oNLY CAME BACK TO TURN COMPUTER OFF. gO lIONS GO!

mm - shame you got wrong items hate it when that happens
have fun @ the fair

qumps - bracken is 5.5 mnths she is having 3 meals a day has 3tsp of heinz cereal after her milk in the morning
milk then 1 cube of potatoe, 2 cubes of different veg
before bed baby rice plus one cube of fruit puree

went into town dds feet have grown got her doodle trainers in sale for £8 really pleased

Well at tennis. Also DH saw the score when he went to put night garden on for ds1 which completely ruined it so I said just tell me. Also knew if it was finished by then that Murray must have lost. Lets hope the Lions do better today. A few friends are playing today so very excited to watch and the grandparents here after not seeing the boys since before hols so are happy to look after them.
Well mil and I survived but only just. My thoughts of her taking the boys while I sunbathed just didn't happen. Forget she is nearly 60 and found 2 kids hard wrk for 9 days. The boys loved it though, especially the beach, and I have a golden glow so all good.
S threw me by doing 4 nights of sleeping from 7pm to 6am. Back to normal last night though and awake at 12 and 4, when he wanted to start his day. He is LOVING his food though. Tell me do people stop or just keep feeding if they appear hungry still? He had 4oz milk, a whole Ella's kitchen pouch (lazy mummy but excuse is haven't had chance to puree post hol) and then I let him hold and eat half a banana. He would have kept going for more but I thought he might be sick? He is already on 3 meals a day too. Infact he eats more than DS1 .
S got a little hair but dare I say it it has taken on a slightly ginger tinge in the sun. DS1 has gone white blonde and looks so cute with his little baby tan despite the uv suit and factor 50. Mil got camera but will try to upload a pic on Monday.
Oh and talking of Monday I am going back to work! Only 2 days a week and only 3 weeks untilt he summer hols but means I get paid over the 6 weeks off.
Oh s being a monkey for granny - best go.

Morning

If DH got a doctors note he would only get statutory sick pay which is hardly worth having and nothing like his salary would be.

Dd has come out in a nasty rash all around her mouth. At first I thought it might be related to her chomping on my silver locket, as I thought it may have been cleaned with metal polish before we bought it so have cleaned it carefully and kept reapplying Kamillosan all day yesterday. Rash looks slightly smaller this morning but a bit sort of dry in patches. Looked up some info on line and am now thinking it could be thrush, although she definitely doesn't have any signs of oral thrush inside her mouth. So have applied some 1% canestan and will see how it reacts to that. It doesn't seem to be bothering her but if its no better by Monday I will take her to see the GP.

We have the school summer fair today and dd is going to look 'lovely' in her pretty sundress with a big red clown smile all around her mouth!

My new clothes arrived yesterday, they have sent me the wrong t-shirt and the wrong sized cropped trousers - am just about to fire off a complaint email.

Chef obviously I wouldn't let Mum look after dd if she was ill, I spent a good proportion of yesterday afternoon trying to find out if you are contagious 'before' you show symptoms or only once you actually come down with the illness. If Mum so much as has a sniff, needless to say I won't be going on the trip.

Right, need to get moving if we are going to mobilise the troops and get down to the school.

cheers sparkle she didnt start off with much

bracken is 98th 91st for length is 68cms and weight is 2nd centile. she is in 9-12 mnth clothes.

mm - do what you think best regarding school trip!

pat - shame about house

off to shops

Yes, Bracken does have nice hair, she looks so grown up! In fact, most of your babies with hair look very grown up compared to Zach, although I do like the feel of his soft bald head .

Wow. you ladies have been busy!

Will catch up later!!

x-x-x

ah hah!

its bracken with the lovely hair tink!

moosemama thanks for the link. that stuff would go over amazingly here with all the yuppy hippies that live out here in suburbia. I don't think i would send my kid around someone who was sick.

actually, since not getting the house, I've become a wee bit excited at the prospect of getting brand new furniture and stuff and saving money. I may be going to LA in August on my friends dad's company's private jet. (tres chiq) We just have to get 10 people together and pay taxes. not too bad. i would take Violet with me. I hope it works out. I'm putting out the good vibe.

I think the reason Violet's hair looks lighter is because her head finally grew and it all spread out. My friend's DS finally has eyebrows at 8 months. He was baldy.

mssparkle my favorite phrase is 'Thoughts become things... choose the good ones.' Its why i believe we didn't get the house because my initial response was no and that went out there and set things in motion.

what's on the agenda for tomorrow... shopping for bed sheets, plant pots and spray foam, oh my.

no not black - I'llgo and work it out in the morning... think it is dog or books....

Sparkle- it could be Stripey, C has got lovely black hair. It certainly ain't me!

Lenni- you seem to have the right attitude, aslong as they get fed I suppose it doesn't matter At least he is entertaining the idea of finger food and you are not having to have the hassle of purees! I am a bit spiritual as well, just not religious. Got married in church though to please DH and his side of family. Felt highly hypocritical at the time and swore to never do that sort of thing again. Perhaps I might have some hippyish kinda ceremony thing, in my mind it sounds lovely

Books- have fun with IL's tomorrow

moose- that sounds highly illegal. Surely sick pay is sick pay, regardless of what you are sick with? Especailly if he has doctors cert like lenni says. Anyway, really hope he and the rest of you guys stays healthy!

Qumps-welcome back, hope you are not too disappointed by the tennis!

lenni - I much prefer the itti to the other two. The bum genius is a bit odd with the poppers at the front to shorten it, may just be my nappy technique but they all come unpopped every time I put it on him.

The blueberry is nice but not £8 more nice than the itti and it is a little more bulky. Plus like the fact I can change the pads on the itti without washing the whole thing.

lenni and Pat 6-9months here too!

Baldie baby here. One of you has a baby with lovely hair on facebook but can never remember who is who

<waves back to Lenni>

right am gonna have to log off and go to bed. Have been reading funny threads about what toddlers do.

The pen came out of DS arm ok the other day else would have been going to tots time at the library an array of very pretty colours .

even

for qumps when you come back from your sky+ed tennis but [happy] to have you back.

<waves> to Books

Missed loads, sorry. Mind full of rubbish tonight.

Oh and loads of hair here - don't seem to do baldies, DS had his first haircut last week. That said I adore baldie babies, in fact I adore all babies that look babyish, as mine don't for long. DS is a chubby cheeked cutie though even if I do say so myself. <preens>

Yep, our dogs love BLW too. Unfortunately DS not so keen. He wants to be fed. The irony of it given DD refused to be spoon fed and so was unintentionally BLWed, now DS is being intentionally BLWed but unintentionally spoon fed . Oh well. I've resorted to mashing for him (not pureeing) and giving him finger food at the same time to look at. He doesn't want to pick it up until he has been fed and then he'll try and eat it. Have tried a milk feed beforehand so he isn't hungry to try and encourage him straight to the finger food but doesn't work. The minute his buttocks hit that highchair he wants grub. He is so funny though, he dives for the spoon. Tried loaded spoons but he just looked at me as if to say "Come on Mummy, I'm not having that, FEED ME NOW" So for the second time in my parenting career I think I'm going to conceed defeat on my weaning intentions. He's sleeping so well since I started that I daren't argue. Sleep is far better for Mummy.

Good luck with the second choice Pat - hope you get it.

Moose - if DH does get it can't he get signed off by GP and then he would have to be paid? Not sure about the trip - would see on Sunday and use your motherly judgement.

FLF and MsSparkle Welcome back. Glad ADs working MsSparkle. You sound a lot brighter.

SparkleAS How are the nappies treating you now? Hope you are still loving them. You've almost tempted me to try a BumGenius, I don't think I can justify any more nappies though, unless I start wearing them

Pat our lives seem to run in parallel. DS also in 9-12mo rompers and sleepsuits. Totally with you on the christenings, I would have liked ours to be christened for the ceremony and because I am very spiritual but not religious in a worshippy way iyswim, but felt was a bit hypocritical really to do it when not a churchgoer, and don't believe in creationism so christening a baby as God's child a bit to me <rambles on at length, realising religion is one of those topics that shouldn't discuss on t'internet> Anyhow, must go, wine calling. Have to consume by 10pm

Hi everyone

Again I am just popping in..have the outlaws here so quickly on internet to MN check what we are doing tomorrow.

I have quickly skim read and I'm sorry if I miss anyone.

Hi to FLF and Sparkle. Sparkle glad your meds are kicking in and FLF quite agree that 2 are hard work!

Tree: Pampering def. That is so desperately wretched about the lady on the July 09 thread. Words cannot express it can they? I hope she has some fantastic support around her.
Pat: about 1st choice house, fingers crossed for 2nd choice.

I'm sorry my mind has shut down and I can't remember anything else.

Doing ok here. DD is another baldie baby. She is 22 wks and weighs 14lb 5oz - she is quite little. She almost got onto her hands and knees tonight but her arms gave way just before she did it. I don't want my baby to move! I am with Moose on this one.

Seems like its a moot point now anyway. DH's company have today announced several SF cases in the office he works in - and they have air conditioning so it will have been circulated round the whole office. They have also said that as SF is here for the long term they aren't going to allow working from home or pay anyone that is off sick with it! They are a horrible employer, wish he'd hurry up and find something better. That's why he won't throw a sicky, not only does he not get paid for it, they treat him like dirt afterwards and he has to have an interrogation interview about why he was off on the day he goes back!

Sorry to hear about the house Pat its so stressful and emotional buying a new home. Good luck with your second choice.

Moose, if your mum seems a bit unwell on sunday then get DH to throw a sicky. If he is a good boy and doesn't do it much then it will look better than if he does it all the time, IYSWIM.

Not looking forward to the pig flu making down this way, must be complete paranoia all the time! LOL at your dogs eating food before it reaches the floor, I could be doing with a few dogs here after the mess on my floor this week!

In over news, just missed out on my no.1 house , , , . They wouldn't budge on asking price!!! Put an offer in on our number 2 tonight, fingers crossed.

Hey all I'm back!
Just a quickie to bookmark and say we had a lovely time. Hope you are all well.
Have sky + the tennis so off to watch and have dinner with DH. Go Murray!

OK ladies, I have a dilemma I need you to help me with.

Ds2 is going on a school trip on Monday, I put my name down to help and arranged for Mum to have dd just in case. Now I have NEVER been asked to help on a trip before as it is usually always the same group of Mums that get to go. This afternoon when I went to pick up ds2 his teacher called me over and asked if I could go on the trip, I of course said yes it was fine.

Just got home and text Mum to say I was definitely going on the trip and she told me one of her clients who had a therapy session last Wednesday and was feeling 'a bit under the weather' has just been in touch to say she has got swine flu.

NOW the incubation period for swine flu is 2-5 days in adults so in theory if she is going to get it she should have it by Sunday.

SO is it still OK for her to have dd on Monday or am I exposing her to unnecessary risk?

The reason I wanted to go on this trip is because I have an uneasy feeling about it. Probably due to it being at the Sea Life Centre, which is not only open to the public but also consists of lots of dark, little corridors which are easy to lose children in (I speak from experience - my nephew disappeared last time we all went there).

So do I call the school now and say I can't go or do I assume all its OK and leave things as they are?

We don't have anyone else who could babysit, so the only other option would be for DH to take a day off, but I know what he would say about that and he would need to have already booked for approval to go through anyway. (If I were him I would probably chuck a sicky, but he's a good boy and wouldn't dream of doing that.)

Pat yes was reading about loaded spoons the other night in my BLW book. Judging by her current activites she's going to take to it like a duck to water. Zach sounds like he is going great guns - I'm really impatient to get started now - just ordered some bibs, not bothering with messy mat as the dogs will see to anything that falls before it even hits the floor!

Someone asked me in a shop the other week whether dd has always been small and I was shocked, never thought of her as small myself she's just a tad above the 25th centile for weight and is on the 50th for height. DH's mum is only 4' 11" and my nanny was 4' 10" (as were all 3 of her sisters) though. Ds1 has always been on the 9th centile for weight and height and ds2 is on the 50th for both.

Dd has been up on her hands and knees and rocking this morning - ! She even managed a couple of individual knee lifts as well. Noooooo! I want her to stay in one place for as long as possible. Hoping she takes a long time to work it out but she is very single minded and getting more and more frustrated by her lack of forward motion at the moment. That said, she seems to have forgotten how to roll onto her back, either that or she's just decided its easier to yell and get me to do it for her.

She is currently rolling around on her playmat and she keeps stopping, looking at me and giggling - don't know why I am so funny this morning.

Wow MsS can't believe how tall DS is! nice to 'see' you, too.

Jules my 2 are the other way round- DD is blonde and blue-eyed... DS has been a real shock- his eyes are very dark, and hair is brown. Slate would be the best description of his eyes- they have blue/grey underneath, but are brown mostly- never seen eyes like them!

Went back to the gps this morning- DS' impetigo hasn't cleared up at all, so we're trying a different cream now

Raining today, and feels a bit fresher... trying to get the house all aired out now- was getting a bit smelly with the stillness- very stale- yuck. All the windows are open, but it is too humid to dry my washing ... grr

Hi MsSparkle, hope you feel better soon. Finlay sounds the opposite of Zach (98th for weight/75th for height!) He sounds gorgeous too! Zach also has stunning blue eyes, I just melt when I look at them!

moose I am very much a supporter of 'bald is best' since DD had no hair to speak of until 18mths really. Got a right wild litlle curly mop now though! Elizabeth sounds quite dinky, Zach is just about busting out of 6-9mth, some of his rompers and his swim nappy is 9-12mth . I find 6-12mth fits him best from certain stores. I have been using some 'loaded' spoons with Zach (yoghurt etc) and I think this is fine. Initailly I just put them on the table in front of him, he got the idea so I just hand them to him now. It's not cheating as ultimately he is the one putting it in his gob (which invariably he does). I see others on the BLW thread do the same and some use a combination of mashed food. Haven't done mashing yet as he seems quite happy with finger-sized chunks. He ate half a lamb meatball last night. 3 bits of pasta, cheese, half a baby plum tomato and 2 loaded spoons of yoghurt!

Thanks Moose. He is on the 98th centile line for height and the just below the 75th for weight. He is all tall and lean bless him I hope the BLW goes ok for you, she sounds adorable!

Hi MissSparkle am so glad you are feeling better and the ADs are working. I was on them for 12 months as well. Poor you with the sinuses though, they are so painful when they get blocked.

Finley sounds gorgeous - and huge.

Elizabeth was 24 weeks yesterday and weighs 15lb 3oz. Haven't had her measured, but according to the chart she's probably about 65 cm, which seems to fit with the fact that she's only just going into a lot of the 3-6 month clothing ranges.

Can't wait to start weaning in a couple of weeks. She is very interested in our food now and seems to have become very attached to a melamine spoon with Upsy Daisy on that came free with a baby magazine. A bit really as I'm going to do BLW so she won't be needing it. She sits in her high chair sticking it in and out of her mouth at every mealtime - she even uses the right end - I reckon she's trying to tell me something.

Morning,

Well it sounds like most are getting on well with weaning! moose you sound like the childrens book queen!

I feel like i have missed so much!

Finley is doing fine. He is almost 6 months old now, can't believe it! I started weaning "first tastes" a couple of weeks ago. I was hoping he would hold out until 6 months but he was just so ready for weaning i couldn't really hold out.

He weighs 18lb and is 72cm long! A tall boy! He has his last milk feed at 7.15-7.30pm and goes down until about 7.30-8am!

Saw the doctos this morning, will be on the postnatal depression tablets for another 6 months or so even though they are working and i feel much better. Something to do with training your mind to think positive rather than negative. I also have a blocked synus (sp?) which has given me headaches all week and i have been coughing up phlegm every morning so am on antibiotics too.

Overall, Finley is a happy, smiley little boy with blue eyes and white blond hair. He also goes "da da da" Sooooo cute

brackens hair is blonde is going curly too
and she has really blue eyes
atlantas hair is dark borwn always has been and has brown eyes.

not sure where her blonde hair comes from i have brown hair and brown eyes dh has black hair and brown eyes, is family are all dark haired and mine!!

Both dss were little baldies as well Pat, I think its cute seeing a little baldy baby head and the skin is always so soft and kissable on their heads.

In fact, come to think of it, ds1 was still practically bald at 1 year old! Its taken literally years for both their hair to grow in properly, which made it seem all the more unfair when ds2's started falling out.

Dd only has a thin covering of hair, but its still loads compared to her brothers at that age.

Ok, bit jealous of all this hair talk, be able to join you in about 9 months or so when Zach finally gets some

Glad you got all the stuff to school ok Moose, sounds a bit of a mission!

Morning,

Well, cakes, teddies, jam jars and children all successfully delivered to school in the pouring rain. Phew! Am now officially going to collapse.

I think dd is appreciating the drop in temperature that the rain has brought. She conked out in her pushchair on the way back from school and she hasn't done that for a couple of months. She is now sleeping in the middle of the living room in a huge, dripping wet 3-wheeler - doh, apparently I should've put her in the car seat attachment this morning.

Dd's hair seems a different colour practially every time I look at it. She still has startling blue eyes and did have dark brunette hair like mine, but it seems a bit lighter now and as her eyebrows are lighter I reckon she's going to end up a sort of mid-blonde like her brothers (hope she gets their golden lights as well). Weird though, as the boys and their daddy all had white blonde hair that turned darker as they got older. Would be great if she had dark hair and blue eyes, such a gorgeous combination and entirely possible with all the irish ancestry we have.

Chef have you seen this book I know they are vegan recipes, but I've heard rave reviews about it. Keep meaning to buy it for myself but always seem to end up buying for the children instead.

Morning, just woke up hideously late and had to phone my friend to ask if she could take DD to playschool this morning, thankfully she could, how embarassing

Welcome back to FLF, I remember your name from when I first joined, hope all is well and your DS enjoying his first tastes. Think myself, Lenni and Spink? have all just started BLW so we are all in the same boat. Going well with Zach, he is loving it and only ahd one bit of gagging. Seemed quite natural though and not at all scary (like when DD inhaled a piece of apple a few years ago ).

moose those cakes are adorable, really wish I could be bothered to get my 2 christened sometimes but then I remember that I would have to be done first and , well, hey I teach science so you get the picture on where I might stand belief wise! Might just have a nice party when we move to new house, naming day or whatever it is.

Eppm go for it with the hair, why not? It will always grow back! I would love a pixie crop but not slim enough and have impossible frizzy hair that takes huge amouts of taming to look presentable each morning!

Right, must do housework!

Chef Violet's hair really has lightened, but it may well be the fact it was out in the sunshine. Esme's original head of hair had an aurburn tinge to it, but that all fell out, and the new hair growth is white blonde!!! Just like her daddy had!

FLF Welcome back!

Morning *jules & Sparkle*

*Pat Funny, i was going to say the ped-egg for tree too!! i haven't used one... but my best friend swears by it!!!

Tree Oh, sorry that you don't have NCT :-( Well the Jumperoos are good... but i second whoever said your more use to H happy and re-energised than any toy. That said, Argos had the jumperoos on Sale for a while... maybe they still are?

Oh... i'm afraid it isn't. this is the cheapest i could find it

Better go.... need to shower & tidy Etc. xxxx

MORNING

moose those are great caje toppers aren't they! we have James' christening booked for end September so will be using these I think!
Mum did SIL and BIL's cake and then chickend out and had it professionally iced

morning

just book marking

will catch up later

morning

quick hello befre nuursery

ray I just saw the price of those teethers... They are half that price here and in Canadian dollars.

feet Nice to have you back.

moose I've been going a bit crazy in the cupcake department... fairy cakes. I want to try to fondant and do up some super fancy ones. I loved the edible baby one for Christening.

rrayray Violet's hair has thinned out a bit I think. It is a bit fairer too and even has a hint of red in it at certain angles. Boots will have homeopathic teething remedy. I found that finding the perfect teether was the key. we got these ones

Hi flf! lovely to hear from you

moose don't think I could do pixie crop... that is just a step too far...

Actually now I come to think of it we have the flowers from dd1's christening cake so I could do something with those I think. Moose as always you inspire and tempt!

We have a cake shop at the top of our road almost. Rather tempting. So far we have had a 3 tier castle in baby blue with icing dd1 sat on a turret, and an icing train track running around the base [for a metalic take along Thomas, part of birthday pressie], and a picnic scene with all dd1's fav bears and shnugglers at the picnic eating jam tarts and gingerbread men.

Such fun!

I spotted one in window yesterday covered in icing buttons, and washing lines with baby clothes on. OOooooh!

oh tree, sounds like you've really been through it. Nice to see you though! Makes me think of all those sleepless pregnancy nights .

speaking of which, I have to go to bed in a minute. was feeding Hugo his first real food today (ok, so he's had a few little tastes but today he actually munched away half an apricot, skin and all ...the little blighter.. I was petrified and wanted to run here to ask what to do when he started choking!). Honestly, the delights of BLW. It was fine and no incident but it made me think I should be checking back in, so here I am! see you all soon, though will be asking whats what as I don't think I can get through 5 months of posts x

Hi flf good to have you back. Hope all is well with you and yours.

Nice to see you flf

Evening,

I'd be no good at running a training course on these schooly competitive mummy type things, I get far too worried about it all, do too much then resent it.

Fancies didn't work too well, cake rose too much and was beautifully light so almost impossible to coat with icing. Ended up making buns anyway and just icing the tops with glace and the little 4th July rice paper decs. Thank god its finished. We now have a dozen huge star cakes and a dozen triple choc cookies to eat, so much for my sugar free diet!

Tree I would do whatever you need to make yourself feel better. A happy mummy is a happy(ier) baby after all and if not you will cope better with a grumpy baby if you give yourself a lift.

Christening cake, all you need is a nice fruitcake and buy one of the lovely toppers you can get on ebay. They do some really lovely ones and they are not too prices. I got some for my neices baby shower.

How about:

butterflies
or
pink flowers
or
daisies
with a little baby like this even has the right hair colour.

Alternatively, some of the more cartoony ones are cute
or buy the whole cake
or this one

I don't do cakes for other people anymore, I get waaay too stressed about it. The last one I did (other than family) was for one of our uni friends' wedding, I got so paranoid about it having to be perfect, I agonised over it for weeks and then she cracked the top on the morning of the wedding - broke my heart it did, I was more upset than she was!

Peach the problem is the kids love it. They are all so excited about going to the fair on Saturday, its quite cute really.

I once went from hair down to my waist to a pixie cut in one fell swoop. Ended up with the whole salon watching me, even the people who had finished having their hair cut waited to see the end product. They said afterwards that they were sure I would burst into tears, but I loved it, it felt so liberating. Mind you that was many, many moons ago in the days when I was a size 8 with delicate facial features, as opposed to a size 14 plus with jowls and a double chin.

Ray agree with Teetha and Ashtons and Parsons. Teetha is Chamomila so great for relaxing them when they are really fretful. Ashtons and Parsons is herbal and also helps settle the upset tum they sometimes get with teething due to all the saliva they swallow.

Yeah - ok. Sort of. It's been hard here, dh redundant, then work, then redundant, back at work Monday. DD2 colic, now dairy intolerant. Plus worries about having to go back to work due to finances, and all that jazz.

Harriet really settling down now, so am starting to enjoy her a bit.

How you? It's just crazy busy isn't it?

thank you ! what can I say. two is VERY time consuming! How are you?

OMG fourlitttlefeet!!

I asked about you not a fortnight or so ago! Welcome back

um. well. hello all. am trying to get time for this.. we shall see! just glad I still recognise a few faces after 5 months. 5 MONTHS OMG!!!!

On a totally different note - if anyone wants a free box of little nibbles through the letter box, go here and use code 67RLMZVA for a free trial box of nibbles, and I think I get a pound off too. I get one on a Tuesday, as dd1 is all day preschool so I have this as a treat. Yum.

Pat we actually have a song for Smartest Giant... I sank it once to DD (as I was soooo bored with reading it- I hate it, but dd loves it <sigh>) and unfortunately she demanded it every single time...

Moose school stuff sounds crazy... why not cut out the middle man and all the faff and just get parents to give a donation to the school?

I need a hair cut... am thinking of a drastic chop ... eek.
I want to give my hair to one of those children's wig charities though, so need to leave it a few weeks (think they need 6 inches clear). It is just so <blah> though... I have really boring hair... what can I do?
I hate hairdressers btw- complete phobia- how do you find one that is really tip top?

Ped-egg tree, they look great, I want one. Get your hair done and cheer yourself up x

My bit of planet hasn't got an NCT. It's really not that type of area. And there isn't that type of area for miles

Oh for a city. Glum.

Painting own nails good idea - but need Black and Decker sander for heels

tree / Pat Thanks will pick some of those up in town tomorrow.

tree ... thats a HARD one!!! I think its important to make yourself feel good, a down in the dumps mummy isn't good, but then the jumperoos are great fun. Maybe come to a compromise - get your hair done, but paint your own toe nails, and then see if maybe you can get a jumperoo at an NCT sale or something with the money you'd save on a pedicure?? As the jumperoos are REALLY are good!!

Has anyone mentioned The Snail and the Whale as a book must have? Though for older kids.

Poll please - do I get hair done and a pedicure to look better and cheer self up, or buy jumperoo so I can wee alone without dd2 having a melt down at being left? Am assuming it would work obviously!

Nelsons Teetha. Marvellous. We use it for any stress in dd2 - it chills her out in no time.

Might have a few sachets myself!

Nelsons teetha powders or Ashton and Pearsons powders are both good. Zach likes a chew on a crust of french bread

Can anyone recommend a good natural teething remedy?

Tree i am naturally blonde!!!! :-) I only went brunette last summer!!!!!!

Oh Lord I misread that.

I need to lie down <<wanders off dribbling and bumping into stuff>>

I want to change my hair colour - I had long blonde surf hair. Then I cut it all off and am natural reddy sort of thing now. DD was mortified. She says my short hair makes me look serious and cross.

Might go blonde again. Hmmm.....

tree just read the thread and bawling my eyes out here. How terribly, terribly sad for the poor girl and her family. Just can't comprehend it. Have already been upstairs to give mine an extra kiss and a squeeze. God, we are so lucky . Not in the slightest bit bothered if Z keeps me a wake all night tonight.

ray hope hair went well

moose this school fete must have cost you a fortune!!! What about children of poorer families, how do they cope? This competitive jam-jar stuff sounds terrifying!! Will deffo be asking for tips in a few years .

spink offers going in tomorrow after DH has viewed:
1) 3 bed in lurvely area near v.nice school, immaculate throughout, lovely garden and 2 receptions.
2) 4 bed detached just down the road from where we are now. Conservatory and nice garden. House a bit tired and needs updating soon but very liveable
3) (back-up plan) 4 bed townhouse in same town we are in now. Nice throughout but garden a bit small. OR 3 bed lovely house, excellent state of decor, in nearby village, gorgeous gardens and backs onto Cotswold way, just a leetle bit too small downstairs for us.

Hair on head?... Thats tomorrow!!!

today was picnic with Nct girls. Thank goodness for the shade- today was Toasty. Poor OH - today was first day back at pre season!

to glorious? Two glorious....

Dear me!

Apologies for various typos.

Hi Ray - how's the hair?

Tree Lol at you sneaking off to Mc.Donalds for the aircon... Sorry your having one of THOSE days. Don't worry, we ALL have them.... tomorrow will be much better (and hopefully cooler?!) Oh, no i hadn't checked out July 09 thread, so sad that someone lost their baby!!

Hope everyone else isn't too hot and bothered. poor Esme thinks her room is hot, and its only 26c, its the hottest its been, but doesn't seem like its a patch on some of your babies bedrooms! :-( Problem is England just isn't geared up for this weather, one of my best friends lives in Texas, so thinks the whole "heatwave" thing is rather funny... but although they have constant REAL REAL heat, everywhere is air conditioned- so bit of a difference!

<waves to everyone>

My hormones are taking over. Have that tired sad emotional feeling where you feel fat, failing and frumpy. Pap.

Had dd1's school induction afternoon - she wasn't impressed so am really shocked. I also felt really out of it, I don't respond well to being 'farmed' and it felt like that tbh. I'm going to have to do alot of adjusting.

ROFL at babies taking bites of magnums - sensible! Mine ate her prescription for thrush cream, better than eating the cream I guess.

Ray - hope your hair rocks! I MUST get mine done and loose 2 stone. Want to be a yummy mummy for dd at the school gates..... likely??

Elkie - if I visit or think about West Yorks I cry, I miss it sooooo much. I miss city life 100% Feel terribly isolated and closed in in my bit of Britain, so I can offer you sympathy. Hope you are ok, big hugs.

Moose kicking ass in the kitchen, excellent! Wanna make dd2 Christening cake?

Hello to all and sorry for not making more personal replies - am a lazy tart. Have had a mega day, t'was MacDonals for tea as needed the aircon! Had to dash from school induction to gym class which was a boiler room. oO mcFlurry was clearly the way to go. Poor dd collapsed into bed ready for full day preschool tomorrow - bless her.

We had big arguments this am though - grumpy pair we are. Been having the bay sash windows refurbished by step dad [saort of] too today, so its all go and all covered in dust. Joy. Nice to have them working though, they are old and lovely.

Did anyone see the July 09 thread, one of the mums lost her baby. Imagine. Must cheer the hell up and be bloody glad I have to glorious dd's to be grumpy with.

lol on the monitor, can now hear ds <whispering> YEE HAH

moose sounds terrifying!! a bit of me gets kind of excited about competitive jam-jar-offs (I know, I know ) but I will be so so rubbish at that kind of thing. Can you run a training course for those of us who'll need the extra help???

Spink I don't think I am. Its so competitive round here there will be some proper fancy baking and people pushing wheelbarrow loads of filled jam jars down to the school in the morning.

We have already had to donate smellies, wine and/or chocolates in order for the ds's to wear non-uniform (the child that brought in the most items in each class won a prize - ds2 took in 5 items and won nada!). We have also bought ten pounds worth of raffle tickets and you can't get away with not doing the jam jar thing as they give each child a merit mark for each jam jar they bring in (that is sooo wrong - merit marks should be given on the basis of child effort or success not on parents effort of expenditure - bl**dy school!).

Not to mention of course actually going to the fair on Saturday and parting with a hefty sum of cash only to come home with a load of old tat. (Last year DH insisted on buying my own cakes back as I wouldn't let him eat them the night before. )

Still I shouldn't moan, its all extra money for the school to spend on equipment for the children.

Just popping in while I eat my tea.

Baking still not finished. Have several jam jars now though containing, half a jar of sparkly hama beads with a small bag of more fancy sparkly beads and a packet containing several threads and closing whassamagigs, small packets of play doh with a three cutters in the shape of a heart, butterfly and star, loads of packets of mini wham bars. Have cut some sparkly material into circles for the top and they look quite good, even if I do say so myself.

Dd very unsettled and hating the heat today, (not really compatible with mummy baking). Not even our living room is cool and you can usually rely on it being a good few degrees cooler in here than elsewhere, have all the windows open and the fan on full blast and its still 27 degrees in here - phew!

Elkie sorry to hear you are feeling sad. You have my sympathy, I feel like that about Lancashire, well we both do really. We miss it as if it is home even though we only lived there for just under 6 years. I tend to console myself with daydreams of retiring there and having a bit of land and space somewhere near the coast. Can't see us moving back before then realistically.

Pat am so of your picnic it sounds like a lovely day out. <stamps foot> I want to go on a picnic and not to any more baking until winter!

Right, finished eating so no more excuses, back to work in the boiler room kitchen.

any chance you'll be able to get out of London any time soon, Elk? I can relate to the feeling of not feeling at home, at home.

pat your day sounds divine! is it tomorrow that you're thinking of putting some offers in? What is your fav house so far?

moose you are marvellous, baking up a storm - I am such a wimp, haven't turned as much as a hob on today, picnic food all round here. Think I will have brekkie cereal for dinner (dh isn't here, so only myself to please!). I bet you're the mum all the other mums wish they were like at the school gates

books lol at ds colouring in his arms. How lovely and creative of him!!

Chef really sorry to hear about the house, sounds like it was a real shock as well as disappointment. good on you for already making plans to do up the place you're in.. you will find your lovely home in the not too distant future...

oh, have to go, ds supposed to be asleep but I can hear him shouting 'yee-hah', he does love to help Rosie get to sleep

Wow thanks for all the posts expressing concern. There's nothing really wrong but I do feel very sad today (and much too hot). I've been looking forward for weeks to our first trip to Ilkley with two children, we got there and back fine, but those few days went by so fast.

Coming back to London just reminds me that this is not where I want to be.

moose baking sounds no fun in this weather! Sounds delicious though, you can come and bake for me anytime! How about little mini packets of Haribou? Or bouncy balls?

Elk good to hear from you, hoping all ok x

Jules: DD was 3 last month, but months of the year is one of her 'things' along with counting all the time. Hence the love of Kipper's year. You will love the smartest giant, we have had it out 3 times from the library. It's so catchy, 'My tie is a scarf for a cold giraffe......' You'll be reciting it in your sleep! Giraffes can't dance always brings a lump to my throat, I'm such a wuss!

Picnic gorgeous, too bloody hot though! Strolled up the canal and watched the narrowboats, so exciting for littlys when the bridge opens! Then had well earned drink in the pub garden with a nice play area and farm animals. Total cost of day £1.40 for my lime and soda, bargain!

Gah! Wrong! Not doing uniform labels. Forgot had to do baking all day for school fete on Saturday. Its too hot for baking!

First batch I made were triple choc cookies, then I noticed the chocolate had ground hazlenuts in it even though it was marketed as milk chocolate. Can't send anything with nuts in as there are a few children with severe nut allergy in the school, so looks like we will we have to eat them ourselves.

Am now baking two batches of fancies after realising my sister 'borrowed' my bun tins and I haven't had them back. Have then got to ice them and add the 4th of July toppers I bought as the fete has an Independence Day Theme.

Also have to fill some jam jars with little prizes but am at a loss as to know what to put in them. Did lollies last year, was going to do crazy bones in one, but they have sold out in the village shop - anyone got any better ideas?

Hope you are OK Elkie please don't feel down on your own, we are all here to support each other, maybe we can help?

hi

bracken slept in a nappy and summer gro bag to last night her room was 31 c !!! would sleep without gro bag either!!

pth - how old is your dd mine will be 4 on aug 29th

have just ordered - smartest giant in town.mixed up fairy tales and giraffes cant dance.

elk - r u ok?

mm - good luck with labels

Morning,

29 degrees in our bedroom last night and only fell to 27 overnight!! Still dd wouldn't sleep without her grobag, ended up in half tog bag and just a nappy.

All overslept this morning, literally had to run to the school without feeding dd and feed her when we got back. She is such a sweetheart, not so much as a whimper from her and she usually has a feed between 7.30 and 8.00. Am really angry with myself though, I have never been that late before in the last 4 years of school runs.

Right, taggits arrived today, so I am going to label up the boys uniform ready for next year then I won't have to think about it again. Just need new lunch bags and a new school bag and pencil case for ds1 (he is very excited that he doesn't have to have a book bag now hes going into the juniors).

Hi Elkie- are things any better? You sound unhappy...

Chef, sorry you didn't get that house.

I bought lots of books soon after DS1 was born - I also found the Book People sets great. We lost the routine of reading to him every night last summer when he learned to walk as at that point he wouldn't lie still to listen, but he's started to love having stories read to him again.

We have a lot of the favourites mentioned, and DS1 seems to particularly like Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler right now, especially Gruffalo, Gruffalo's Child, The Smartest Giant in Town and Monkey Puzzle. I found their latest one, Stick Man, in a bargain bookshop in Ilkley the other day and he's really taken to that too. The other books he likes most at the moment are Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are and Jan Fearnley's A Very Proper Fox - originally found in the library but then it was an end of line book from the Book People. Jan Fearnley has some other quite funny ones as well. And I bought a lovely story called The Library Lion a while back, will have to find it to try out on him again, together with The Tiger Who Came to Tea.

Quick wave hello then off again. Sorry just really busy at the mo. Looked at latest post and then down to find Moose's. for your boys! for the teachers though for making you fret.

Right I have to go as DS meant to be colouring in his book but have just looked up and he is colouring in his arms!!

Boys!

Bit behind on posts but saying hello, home from a few days at my mum's celebrating my birthday, very sad to have to leave.

Think Dog is moving Ray, so she may not have t'internet at the moment. Oh, pray that will be me soon!

Also off for a picnic in a mo.

Jules-DD loves 'year with kipper' too!

...hang on... am i imagining it, or has dog not been around for a while? is she on holiday??

thats great news mm - well done

tree - hope dd2 is better

my dd1 love -

sharing a shell - julia donaldson
snail and a whale - ""
hippo has a hat - ""
crazy mixups - nick sharrat
dont put you finger in the jelly nelly - ns
elephamt welliphant - ns
kipper a-z - mick inkpen
a year with kipper - mi

Peach i have been waxing for years.... and you know what made me get lazer. having my lady garden waxed at 8 1/2 months pregnant. it was absolute AGONY!!!!!!!

Tree Thought you might not be too pleased with the heat once it arrived! was a much cooler night last night and even managed to get Esme's room as low as 22c! Wow! She kept waking last night, but think it might be teething pain, as she wasn't full on crying, so i just left her to grizzle, waiting for the big cry, only for her to settle herself back off to sleep. Did this 3 times!

You know whats funny Tree i am in DIRE need of hair (on head) needing doing. I think if it wasn't for the fact with the laser appointments i book them when i finish the previous one (so 6 weeks in advance) i wouldn't get around to doing that either. Have coaxed a friend of mine into coming to Hairdressers with me tomorrow to play with Esme while i have my hair done- yay!

Esme has suddenly become VERY attached to one of her toys...a Giraffe we name Gerry!

Off to meet NCT girls for a picnic later!!

morning

tree I think they should be well ready for weaning, was eating a mini magnum yesterday and James took a bite he looked very pleased with himself

moose your boys sound lovely! I'm always a when people are telling you how ill they are - I want to take a step backwards...

lenni there's some good books there!

nappies going well, like the itti best so far, the blueberry is very good but at £20 isn't really any better than the itti (£12). the bumgenius is a little bulky, but no leaks yet from any of them and he poo'd in the bumgenius. am very impressed tree.

Ooops sorry Lenni got my moon books all mixed up!

'Bringing down the moon' by Jonathan Emmett
'I took the moon for a walk' by Carolyn Curtis

Both great though!

Oh and,
'I love you, blue kangaroo' by Emma Chichester Clark

Hope you had a good night, despite the no comment on your outfit. Sometimes I seriously think they would not notice if we wore a paper bag! The one exception being if you want to go out in something slightly revealing, THEN they comment

Thanks for the books lists, really helpful am compiling here - please add more if you think of anything. Are for DD in the main EPPM - although once I'm getting some reliable sleep I can't wait to start reading myself again, just too tired at night at the moment though.

Peepo and (obv) EPPP by Allen Ahlberg
Night Pirates- Peter Harris
Animal Bop- Jan Omerod
(are these for your eldest, or youngest????)
Cleo Cat series - Caroline Mockford
'Bringing down the moon' carolyn curtis?
'ABC' by Alison Jay
'Mister Magnolia' by Quentin Blake
'rumble in the jungle' by Giles Andreae
'faster. faster, nice and slow' by Nick Sharrat and Sue Heap
'Ravenous Beast' by Niamh Sharkey
'Whatever next' by Jill Murphy
'You do' by Kes Gray
'Duck in a truck' by Jez Alborough
Anything Ahlberg but in particular 'Baby's catalogue'
'The elephant and the bad baby' Raymond Briggs.
Anything Maisy related

We have Alison Jay's ABC Pat - it is a lovely book. Have you seen her "Welcome to the zoo"? It is a picture book - brilliant, very witty.

Moose Great news on the reports - well done your two DSs.

Must invest in some latex gloves (ooh-er) - thanks everyone.

Went shopping today and bought a few bits of clothes and make up in the sales. Got all dressed up to go out tonight and DH never said anything. [Grrr} Men! Why do we bother. I wouldn't mind but I've lost over a stone now since we came back from our holiday and he hasn't even passed comment.

rray I am thinking it didn't hurt so much because you're used to the waxing then... [v squeamish emoticon]

Moose great reports!

Pat -hope offers go well on friday.

Hello people,

It finally got warm here. Now melting and a bit grumpy!

Had weaning talk today to remind me what to do, now have freezer full of mushed up sweet potato, squash, and carrots. Yum! I figured as weaning will be happening when dd1 has left [sab] preschool I better get ahead of self.

Yay Moose!! You have lovely boys - I'm glad the teachers get that!

Ray - Much respect for having the bravery, and indeed motivation, to have extensive lady garden pruning. I need a head hair cut, never mind anywhere else!

Ohhhhh dd2 awake. Got to go - couldn't ask about her feet, still peeling away bless her. Armpit up and down really, pink one min, red and weepy next.

Love to all - she won't wait!

ray you are far braver than me! I used to have a tidy up wax regularly, far too bloody painful (strangely childbirth is fine though!). Fraid I let it go with a quick trimmage at the moment, so, so, so sint and no time with 2 kiddlywinks .

First evening out without Z, left DH in charge and went swimmjing with a friend. Came home at 9.25pm and pulled up on the drive to the sound of wailing. He had spent an hour being completely inconsolable (despite going to sleep at 7pm!). Was asleep in 5 minutes after a bit of boob, the complete monkey! DH unfazed though and says he is looking forward to next week

Lenni we have a cheapie small fan from argos, does the job and surprisingly quiet. was something silly like £7.

peach Esme doesn't have Eczema, but, i had it as a child, so freaked out when i saw v. dry skin on her. I used the skin creme by Burt's Bee's Baby Bee. A friend of mine recommends this her baby had Eczema.

Moose Well done-- you SHOULD be a proud mummy!

Peach (again ) well, since you ask... yep... all off. I've always had the whole thing waxed off, just easier (i know not everyones cup of tea, but each to their own!) No, i wouldn't say it HURT. It feel like, Well elastic bands being pinged or something. The first session he used a lower amount, but by the second he whacked it up to full power. He said i'm either very brave or have a high pain threshold. Now, i thought i was whimp, i always have been with cuts, etc....

Had Esme's photos taken this morning. SO cute!!! 3 weeks before we pick them up! :-(

sorry x-posts moose! Fab reports you must be so proud and pleased. Hope my DC's are as good when they get to school

sparkle yay for your nappies. i bet he looks as cute as a button. Pictures on fb group?? You know you want to!

moose glad all is well with DD. eek to the swine flu, like you said though, probably best now rather than autumn. I have been wearing linen trousers/skirt and cheescloth tops these past few days. Put on jeans on monday and was sweltering.

Lenni

Some more that DD loves/loved are:
'Bringing down the moon' carolyn curtis?
'ABC' by Alison Jay
'Mister Magnolia' by Quentin Blake
'rumble in the jungle' by Giles Andreae
'faster. faster, nice and slow' by Nick Sharrat and Sue Heap
'Ravenous Beast' by Niamh Sharkey
'Whatever next' by Jill Murphy
'You do' by Kes Gray
'Duck in a truck' by Jez Alborough
Anything Ahlberg but in particular 'Baby's catalogue'
'The elephant and the bad baby' Raymond Briggs.
Anything Maisy related

Zach is having a whale of a time this afternoon playing with DD's musical instruments, so cute!
Nights have been horrendous sleeping wise but on the brightside for 4 days in a row now he has been able to fall asleep on his own for daytime naps. And seems happier taking the bottle, so no booby between 9.30 and about 4pm at the moment.
Lunch is going down a treat at the moment, enjoying a bit of houmous on his pitta bread now, as is dinner. Last night he indulged in pork stir-fry. Well, ate some babycorns and carrot, sucked the pork and noodles to death

At night I have him in some of those open-ended gown thingys from blooming marvellous. 2 were DD's but neutral and 2 I bought from NCT nearly new. They are really for easy nappy changing but I find are very light and airy without letting his arms get cold.

House news......we now have 3 that we like and are trying to squeeze an extra few grand somehow out of ours so we can afford to borrow a bit more (HSBC bit strict at the moment and will only lend up to 90% max). Will be making offers friday hopefully after DH has seen them all.

Right better do dinner cos off swimming at 7.30 in my new exercise resolution. Just praying that Zach doesn't wake up once he is asleep or DH won't let me go again....

Hi, me again!

Just had to come on and tell you all. Had the boys reports this afternoon and I am sooo relieved and proud.

Ds1's report only made a small allusion to the fact that he needs to work on accepting decisions made by the staff! After all that worry he teacher said he gets on well with the other children, is kind and considerate to his peers and is well liked!

What is that teacher on fgs, here we've been fretting for a fortnight about him not being able to get on with other children etc etc and now it appears there isn't a problem at all. This is the second time this year that particular teacher has done this to us.

AND

He got Level 3s for all his SATs except Speaking and Listening for which he got a 2 which is the average! (Probably because of the not listening and arguing back thing.) No wonder he said he enjoyed his SATs, he sailed through them. I'm now wondering whether or not boredom at school has played a part in his behaviour over the past month or so.

Ds2's report was lovely. It says he is doing really well in spite of a difficult year, is a lovely, kind little boy who is loved by all the children and the teachers, who particularly enjoy their conversations with him, as they are often both interesting and challenging. Was a bit at some of the things they said he needs more practice at, as they are things he can do easily at home, but will cover those at his review meeting.

All in all <proud mummy emoticon>

Morning all,

Dd back to her usual self this morning, thank goodness, but tears from both ds as they were so tired after not being able to sleep last night.

Walked back from the school with a mum from round the corner and she told me her daugher (who is at the same school and whose brother in the same class as and plays with ds1 every day) has a really nasty flu virus, raging temperature, sore throat, cough! I was walking a few feet away from her but sounds like SF to me. Noticed two other children from ds1's class were off sick today and two from ds2's class were away yesterday. Don't suppose there is anything we can do about it anyway seeing as we live in the plague ridden Midlands, am hoping if they get it now we will have at least some immunity come the autumn/winter.

Have been online trying to buy some cooler clothes, only seem to have jeans and combats and they are way too hot, put a fair few things in my shopping basket then forgot and closed the window - doh!

Gosh missed a lot, still trekking round houses, have a few distinct possibilities now. Second viewings aplenty this weekend. Sorry bout yours chef , something better will come up, I have no doubt.

Thanks for book stripey arrived yesterday, do you want some money for the postage? Let me know. Looks fab, have read a bit of the 22-26 week bit and its all starting to make sense.

Be back later with a list for you lenni

Think DS may have thrush on his inner thigh too tree. Must be the heat as I'm so fastidious about drying all his rolls.

at your DH for not noticing moose, mines exactly the same!

Must shoot off, be back soon!

hi - no a/c leave her vent open on window she wouldnt sleep without sleeping bag on

mm - hair sounds good

books sound good

must gpo

tree dd had the peeling toes thing, it just went by itself...she had a lot of ear/throat infections though... just check her sleepsuit isn't tight too
My eye thing- optician thinks I have a hole in the retina- I have a floater, in same place for over a month now, referred to eye hospital.
Urgh for thrush.. poor H, but you know isn't lots of bappy rash thrush related? armpits are very hot and enclosed, especially in this weather.

rray I have to ask- is it all off, or just shaped/styled?
More importantly Did It Hurt??? (am considering... but a pain wimp)

Lenni- boots do boxes of gloves, but usually need a largish store.
Peepo and (obv) EPPP by Allen Ahlberg
Night Pirates- Peter Harris
Animal Bop- Jan Omerod
(are these for your eldest, or youngest????)
Cleo Cat series - Caroline Mockford

rrayray at hair removal. as for the poo thing, now that Violet uses the potty, she pretty much goes there. its great. once a day, in the late morning. so far it is predictable but we all know that can change real quick.

lennied i always have a box of latex gloves on hand for cooking... a box of 100 costs about £6 at the Do It Centre... (i don't remember what the name of the big DIY store).

today was lovely. Violet and i spent it at the Whiffen Spit, waiting for DH as he went in to work on his day off to do inventory. i'll load up a couple of photos to the facebook group. thanks for the sympathies for not getting the house. we are going to do some painting around here to brighten up the place.

Been checking it out Moose and sounds very like it - except it says unusual in under 1's, but why not, she seems the unusual type! Thanks Moose, will get opinion of hv tomorrow at weaning class. Sad to think of her with sore throat.

Come live here Moose, 16 degress today. Am jelous of your weather big style!

Yep tis true Tree although it sounds a bit weird. It is lesser form of the peeling you can get with Scarlet Fever which is in essence a really bad Strep Throat Infection.

Oooohhhh I am soooo tired, I reeeally want to go to bed, but it is just too hot in our room. Dd is sleeping in her swing in the living room which is the coolest room in the house at the moment, boys are sweating it out in their beds after being awake until nearly 9.00 with all the outside noise disturbing them cos the windows are open and they say its going to be even hotter tomorrow. Bah, grump, grumble ....

Really Moose? I will research that, she has been a bit miserable bless her. Will maybe use the cream on her toes too in the ,eantime..

Letting her sleep on boob for now.

Poor little H, she must be so uncomfortable, especially in this heat. Hope she is feeling better soon.

Just had a thought though. You just had a throat thing (tonsillitis?). Peeling toes can be related to strep throat infection. Suppose its difficult for babies to tell us if they've got a sore throat though.

Dd gets very dry shiny skin between her toes, I use Weleda Calendula Oil in them, seems to do the trick.

tree could the feet also be thrush? or athletes foot?

30 degrees here in both DS's rooms very hot and sweaty

The itti bitti was very good, but no wee in the hour it was on - can reuse tomorrow