Hi Connie

Things are much better now, thanks. We've had a couple of days where DH has been called to work late and I've managed fine. Thankfully DS is quite chilled and relaxed so I'm able to put him down when I need to without him screaming the place down. He just waits, and when he does grizzle its quiet and he takes a long time to get sick of being there and cries out. I'm usually back by then.

DD is completely in love with him and now that he's bigger and smiling at her she's even more interested in him. The times we have jealousy are generally when she's tired and sooky. He'll be on his mat and she'll be off playing, but as soon as he makes a noise or needs a feed, she starts to whine and runs over, trying to get on me before I can pick him up. She's generally happy with a little chat about how DS needs me, and sits next to me to read books etc.

The only times that are still 'bad' are days like today when I have a huge list of things to do and he just wants to feed and catnap, then at night DD won't have Daddy put her to sleep and DS won't sleep at all. He finally conked out at 10:20, but it leaves me feeling frustrated that now everything on todays list goes onto tomorrows with everything that was already on there, and the two days of the week that DD are at daycare and I can potentially relax will be anything but relaxing.

I'm much much less stressed about it now than with DD though. With her I took note of exactly when and how long she slept, and it was never enough. Now, if he sleeps he sleeps. I go and do things til he wakes up, or snuggle him. If he doesn't want to sleep then I play with him, put him in the swing, have floor time. I'm more relaxed about it all and I'm not putting unrealistic expectations and pressure on myself, so where by 7 weeks with DD I'd have days where I felt like I couldn't handle it, now it all just feels normal.

I hope that helps you a little, I can imagine the nights are tough when DH isn't there. I take DS to her room with me and feed him while I read books to her. I can't do too many though cos it's a juggling act, she knows I do three small books then I'll sing to her. If that goes on too long she's ok with just snuggling uo til she's asleep. I've been lucky that the times I've had to do this DS has just fed and slept nicely.