Babies Born December 1st-15th 2010 #2

Hey girls, sorry I haven't been on in a few days, I had a few good but busy days and things took a turn for the worse yesterday. Jacob is really suffering with his reflux.. He is fussing during feeds, will fall asleep for a few mins but wake up crying and need me to pat his back while he burps then cries then burps then spews then swallows then screams. It's horrible. I'm a mess today. I cried most of today. I had two hours sleep last night in total and he would sleep for two mins max at a time.. I ended up bringing him onto the floor with me as my legs got sore getting up and down all the time. I rang his pediatrician today (thanks for the suggestion EJ) and he's now on 1.5ml twice a day. Let's hope it helps my sweet little boy come back to being comfortable again. Sorry for the selfish post, I'm thinking of you all. I'm writing this on my phone while I lay beside my little man and he's finally closing his eyes, I better do the same cause who knows how long it'll last. Will write soon. Xoxo take care

Hoep things settle down again girls :hug:

that really sux ladies :hug:

Will tonight is really unsettled, he's had feeds every 2hours since he woke up this morning, now he's all crying and sucking on his hand. really bad wind :( (hey Marcey, how about a butt blowing wind smiley?) and 2 pooey nappies today, he went 3 days without a decent poo :( poor little man.
but he went to his first funeral today, and he was very well behaved, and doled out hugs and snuggles like a trooper at the reception after.

Jules it's like our bubs are duplicates? Poor things. From both of our experiences it's reasuring to know the symptoms we describe are for a particular reson but so sad that our little ones have to go through it.

PP i hope Millie has settled down i hope she doesn't have to expereince it as well.

Thanks MadB :)

Kaz there has been a few occasions when Harper suffered from terrible wind, lots of really horrible screaming. She had been a little more regular but that may be been from the rotavirus and now it seems to have slowed down again. Just hope we don't get pain like that again for her. Snuggly Will sounds like he really made an impression, sorry i had to be at a funeral though, hope everyone is ok :hug:

Yesterday from about 12 onwards (when we had to go out) Harper barely slept and then kept just doing 40min cat naps after that. Got to go out this morning but hope for a better day some how.

DD did a thick poo yesterday. I emailed the ABA to find out if normal - never saw that with DS. It was almost like toothpaste. She wasn't in any distress over it :dunno:
She actually had a 4.5hr stretch last night! that was nice.
It's so hot and humid... still... and will be for a wihle. Over it!

DD pretty much won't sleep after 3pm... dozing only. then she'll finally have a pre-bedtime nap around 6-7. She only ever does 40 minutes max now anyway... sigh. so much less nappy-making time :)

wow MadB - that's a decent sleep! yay!!!! weird - we find the FF poos are like toothpaste ...

Vaccs today - poor little man ... and I'm off to the psych @ 1pm :)

How did you go with the immu Kaz??

MadB we've had the toothpaste type poo's since the zantac (maybe it's not such a zantac thing??). THen when she had her immu they became more frequent and not so thick. But now it's been a good few days since she's had a pooey bott again. I'm expecting one tomorrow she was a bit windy tonight.

Night girls :)

Hi all,

Thanks for your words of support ladies. It has been a helluva week.

MadB, we’ve had her on S26 original for about a month and she was doing really well on it. DH wanted to try her on S26 Gold (gave in to the marketing I guess) and bought a can on special, so I relented and gave it to her for a day. It stank and tasted awful and she clearly hated it, and when I gave it to DH to smell he refused to even taste it, so I said “if you’re not prepared to taste it I’m not prepared to give it to her.” So we switched back to the original. It was days after the switch back that she started getting the reflux, so I don’t know if that was it? God, I hope that wasn’t it… I should just stand my ground on things like that, my philosophy is “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”, but DH gets these bees in his bonnet and I have to pick up the pieces if there are consequences. Anyway, she’s now on S26 AR and is doing… okay. Hey, Miri and Millie are within 5mm of each other!

Georgi, all the best with your return to work! I hope it works out for you. One of the women in my mothers’ group had to go back this week – her replacement quit and she had to go train the replacement’s replacement!

EJ, sorry to hear Harper’s reflux is playing up again :( Millie’s awake time varies. She can be up anything from 45 min to 2 hours. She tends to sleep best when she’s been up for 90 minutes but every cycle is different. She generally does wake-feed-play-sleep, but she often wakes up before she’s hungry now and will happily sit and have a play, or a story or something before her feed. It’s nice, particularly given how wretched she’s been after feeds of late.

Jules, sorry Jacob has been refluxy again too. It has been the week for it, hasn’t it!? Hope you’ve had some sleep and he’s settled down again.

Kaz how was Will with his vaccs? Hope he was alright.

We only just submitted our online application for the baby bonus etc. Whoops.

Millie has had more frequent poos since the change in formula – it’s bizarre, everyone has cautioned us that the thickened formula could cause constipation, and she did go one day without pooing, her first no-poo day ever… DH freaked out and went and bought prune juice, but I really did hold my ground on that one, as of course I would have been the one changing the explosive nappies. I knew from you guys that a poo-free day does not a constipated baby make, and decided to wait, and sure enough… at least 2 poos daily since then. They are a bit firmer (which is actually good as I’m experimenting with cloth and they’re easier to shake off into the loo!) but she’s not straining at all.

So we’ve stopped giving her infant gaviscon – she took it for a couple of days but I then read the really fine print on the box and it said not to give it with thickened formula. Whoops! So took her off the gaviscon and the AR formula alone seems to be helping. The idea is that it thickens in the stomach (it’s got a bit of cornstarch in it) and holds it down. We just keep her upright after feeds and she’s doing fairly well.

She’s been in a right mood the last few days though, I guess because it has been a yucky week. She put on such a show at yoga yesterday that I had to leave. It was my one thing I wanted to do for myself this week, as I had missed Zumba, the mums and bubs movie etc because of her reflux, but noooo… I walked out in tears and this very kind lady (total stranger, she was just out to get coffee) walked with me back to my car and told me how she was exactly the same with her first, but it gets better etc. My yoga teacher called me later as well to make sure I was okay too. People can be so kind, it’s nice :) I’m doing okay, I’m just exhausted this week as Millie has also stopped sleeping through from 8pm – 2am – 6am - she now wakes at midnight, 4 and 5 also. And you know what gets me? DH had no idea until I told him about it last night. He does not hear her at all at night. It drives me crazy. Not that I want him to be exhausted as well, but I just wish he registered how difficult this is. He offered to take over today, which I HUGELY appreciate, and I got a bit of a sleep in as he did her breakfast feed. I feel quite a bit better for the extra sleep. I have a day off tomorrow – a friend is having a working bee in her garden as she bought a house with a huge yard near bushland in the north of Sydney and it is possessed by weeds! So DH is looking after Millie and I’m off in my raggies, sunhat and leather gloves to hack into a garden :)

A bit of a win today – I got the result for my first assignment (I’m doing a proofreading and copy editing course by correspondence) and I got a distinction! Pretty happy about that.

Better go, I need to check the RSVPs for Millie’s baptism next weekend. Take care, all!

xox

PP i really hope Millie settles and is a little happier when things sort themselves out. Just as you'd expect from us the uncomfortableness really does put them in a bad mood and they can get quite tricky to deal with.

*Hugs* you're doing so well, it's all trial and error (as your DH is learning too) and when it comes to bub i defiantely think 'if it ain't broke..." It's just a matter of finding what works and sticking to it. We were having troubles with Harper of an evening (you might remember me talking about them) when she was so tricky to get to sleep even when it was quite clear she wasn't refluxy or windy. I'd spend hours in her room trying to settle her when i'd just had a day of her going to sleep like an angel. So i was trying to figure out what it could possibly be and do you know what i think it was!?!? I think it was the sleeping bag!! What i was doing was wrapping Harper in a wrap during the day and putting her in her sleeping bag during the night and i think it was the sleeping bag that was effecting her going off to sleep. I think!?! It could all just be coincedence but she seems to be settling much easier. My idea of what i was doing was because i didn't want her to be only able to sleep in the sleeping bag but in doing that it looks as i may have creaated a sleep association where she'll only sleep wrapped. Which is fine with my but i loved that little sleeping bag!! She may grow out of that sleep association and i may get to use it again but for now i'm loving her evenings being a little less grumping and having her settle without out too much effort.

Yay on the distinction!! You're a clever little cookie :) And enjoy your gardening that sounds great!!

All is good here, i had a party here today. A lady who makes beautiful handmade nursery wear (which she sells at markets) also does a bit of a party plan and i had her come today and invited a few girlfriends over. I got Harper some beautiful things for her bedroom and i'm thinking i might have to have another one later in the year because i couldn't afford to buy everything i wanted. Then Harper and I are off to the Mathilda Market tomorrow. DH and the boys have gone away for the weekend i have had some quiet time with my little girl and some ever quieter time when she's sleeping

Hope you're enjoying your weekend ladies xo

If try nan formula. Not ha stuff just plain.

heys ladies -

EJ, that's sucky about the sleeping bag, she's still young. I put Will in his sleeping bag (with arms!) but then I tuck a sheet around him firmly so he has the comfort of the pressure, but not as firm as a wrap? That nursery wear sounds interesting, can you PM me a link?

PP - I'm so sorry your yoga didn't go as planned, but yay on the lovely stranger. Somehow this has reminded me of EJ's photo, of all 3 kids doing everything "wrong" with her and her hubby looking serene in the middle of it all. I do hope her reflux settles down for you - boo on DH buying a different formula!!!! My DH bought a different formula too (silver lid, not gold lid) and we had a very unsettled Will here! Mind you, some mothers in my old mothers' group just chopped & changed with whatever was on special, but then they were also jealous at my bub who slept long .. hmmm :thinking:
I also strongly recommend gardening - the satisfaction of pulling weeds and seeing the difference is great! I now take Will into the garden with me, him in his rocker, while I potter around relaxing. MEH on your DH sleeping through though, that sux.
Yay on the results!!! well done, that's a HUGE achievement!!!

AFM - well, he's very unsettled. have been having to rock and wear him to settle him. DH has been wanting to look at houses, so wore him while traipsing around the property etc, and it was the only feed that he settled nicely after. He's very engaged with us, big smiles. We're also seeing him wake up a bit before needing a feed too, and I swear he is recognising Pip!!! but his poor little legs have huge bruises from the injections, but no side-effects that I can see. I think it's a week until any reaction from the oral vaccine though?

Anyhows, I'd best get going, but before I do, is everyone feeling OK in themselves? I know it's a bit weird with either first bub or additional ones, but please, take that time to just be *you* for a little while. I did that today by baking (lactation cookies!) while doing loads of washing. So very nice to just take the time while Will was asleep to have silence ...

Hey girls.. My return to work was a little difficult, only due to the lack of sleep. Of course the two nights that I worked, Eden woke at 3.30 & 4.15am for a feed. I didn't work Friday night but he still woke at 4.40am. Thankfully he was back to 5.30am this morning. I have another appointment today at lunch time then I can't see clients at all next week cause DH is on night shift. I won't leave Eden with a babysitter, he's just too young. I have to go into the office a couple of days next week but they are happy for me to take the kids. I guess they have to be considering they've called me back prematurely.

Otherwise everything else is going fine. Eden doesn't sleep as well as he use to. He's getting into the habit of sleeping only one sleep cycle. He has his good days & his bad. I guess they all do. Unfortunately I haven't had the chance to read through so I'm not sure what you're babies are doing and if they're all the same.

Oh, and I have a woohoo... Eden is rolling! Just from front to back. It's making tummy time very difficult as he won't stay on his tummy. He just did it for the first time yesterday.

Wow on the rolling Georgi!!! Harper doesn't get a whole lot of tummy time as the second she's on the floor her brothers are all over her:lol: I'm finding that sometimes Harper sleeps a good few hours and others she's only doing 1 sleep cycle. Lately when i've gone in with the intention to try and resettle her she's so wide awake and looking around for me that i just know it's not going to happen. Yesterday she had about 3 little sleeps then we went out for about an hour and then i put her down for another sleep at 5:30pm. I considered doing her pj's and night nappy but thought it was too early but the cheeky girl ended up sleeping until about 10pm. So i very quickly without too much fuss changed her bott and put pj's on then and she fed and went back to bed fine. So what i was getting at is i always attempt a resettle from a short sleep but sometimes you just know it's not going to happen. I know she can do it when she wants so for now i'm going with that.

Yes Kaz with Aidan i used the sleeping bag with arms but Charlie boy was an angel wrapped bub and i couldn't get him out of that until after he was 12 months old. Which is what i'm doing with Harper right now. Kaz especially when Harper is only having a short sleep she is often not wanting a feed for some time after being up either. I think we've got to now settle into having a bub who wants to be a little more social and figuring out a new feeding and sleeping patter to fit in with that. Kaz i 'think' i'm ok within myself. When things are tough they are really tough but when they are good they are so amazingly fantastic. I handle the good much better (as you would) but when things aren't going the way i'd like i know i put a lot of unnecessary pressure on myself, as in i'm failing in my duties as a parent. I know i'm my own worst enemy at times and i'm constantly trying to analyse what went wrong and how to change it next time. This weekend has involved some much needed 'me' time which i know is so important but difficult to achieve. I'm living in jeans when out because my legs are so hairy as i've had not chance to get a wax (i like to go to my gf who has a business about 1/2 an hour from here) since Harper arrived. And same with my hair, it's desperate for some attention but it's trying to fit it in. They are the two 'me' things that i need to try and fit in in the next few weeks.

PP i forgot to mention to you the anger i also feel when i'm up feeding and DH is snoring away next to me. If he only knew the thoughts that were going through my head :lol: I make him get up and get Harper so i can feed her but he's back asleep within minutes and has no idea when she's back in bed.

Kaz i'll put a link to her website in fb for you :) She has a page which then takes you to Madeit where she has her items for sale but all of what you see can be made to order in the colours and styles you like.

It's a rainy sunday here :)

Thanks for the link EJ - I like the chocolate stuff!!!! Her website is very cool!

Georgi - Yay on the rolling over! We don't give Will enough tummy time (nor nappy-free time for that matter) cause of the same reason - Pip!!!!
sorry to hear you're back to short naps, and that your return to work wasn't as smooth as you'd like :hug:

EJ - I have a confession - Will dosn't have PJs, cause I *love* babies in Wondersuits, specially white ones! So he stays in them pretty much 24 hours!!!! I will try to put him in a little outfit if we're going out, but even then they tend to be white!!! Shame about the rainy Sunday, I was planning on taking Pip & Will to Healesville Sanctuary for a couple of hours while DH is working on renos.... I even packed lunches last night and put them in the freezer! Not many animals in the rain - although the platypus should be fine!! Lucky it's Pip's favourite exhibit.

EJ - I hope the time to yourself helps. Try not to judge yourself as a parent by how well your child fits the schedule (or doesn't) - I don't think we have much control over that most of the time.

Rolling already Georgi! Wow. Hope work remains manageable for you - glad to hear they're flexible about the kids.

How'd today go Kaz?

Pixie - if it seems to be doing the trick, then that's good! Congrats on your study. Are you planning on taking up different work? I work as an editor (when working) - it's pretty dull, but then I work for a stock broker so taht's probably why.

Weekends and public holidays = daddy's time to do more (I reckon anyway). With DS, DH and I split the nights between us. Then when I went back to work at 8 weeks, he stayed home for 5 months as carer (I also work from home). So it was totally different to this time round (and necessarily so, I would have gone absolutely bonkers if I'd had to care for DS full time, he was so demanding). The biggest upside, apart from DH's very strong relationship with DS, is that DH totally understands how hard it is to care for a young one all day. I do wonder how his relationship with DD will be since he doesn't spend anywhere near as much time with her...

I wish I could do gardening or anything but it's still so freaking hot. DD has a definite sleep association with the wrap me up suits - which is great except for the heat. She wakes up soaking with sweat. I've ordered another Lite one. She will only do 40 minutes sleeps during the day. Wont' resettle - oh well. I guess it's all relateive - at least she does sleep, which is more than I can say for some :p No rolling here, but Miri is laughing (sort of) - she had a couple of giggle fests today.
No pjs here either - too much wicking from the nappies :)
And no clothes at all, DD only wears a nappy (unless in her wrap me up) - it's just too hot for anything else. Poor love, she doesnt' know anything different.
And she hates tummy time. She'll try and hold herself up when I'm holding her, but on her tummy she just lies there and sucks her fist or cries. Speaking of crying. We stayed at my parents place last night and today went into town to get some food for lunch - I was away for 45 minutes and she was fine when I left, but was crying incolsolibly not long after. Poor mite. Calmed down and fell asleep in my arms once I got home.

Hey girls

I finally have some time!! Mum is holding Jacob at the moment, we're putting him into bed shortly.

I have missed so much, I'll try catch up.

Georgi - Welcome back!! Good luck with the new routine involving work, I hope things go as smooth as possible..wow on the rolling!!! Go Eden!! Jacob rolls onto his side so I've started putting him into the little rolls to keep him from rolling right over in his cot. They are all growing so fast!! Glad the trip away went well, Eden sounds like such a little treasure.

PP - I am SO sorry to hear you're dealing with reflux also, it really is no fun at all. It's so difficult to see the little ones go through it, and having them watch you to tell you to fix it.. :( Sounds like she's doing a little better on the new formula, I hope it continues for you! How did the garden work go? I hope you had a lovely day out, even if you did have to work your butt off!! :) What a lovely friend you are!!

Kaz - How's Will doing? has he settled a little?? I'm glad you had an appointment for yourself to talk things through, how are you feeling? I am sort of having a bit of 'me' time, I finally had a pedicure yesterday, BLISS!!! Mostly I'm too busy with housework and Jacob to get some time for me but I'm doing my best. No PJ's here for us either!!! I just dress him in a little bonds onesie :) I think they are so cute and easy..

EJ - How's Harper doing with her new dosage? From what I read and remember she's doing much better, I'm so relieved for you. I of all people know how hard it is to watch them go through it. I can't believe how alike her and Jacob are!!! :lol: it's unbelieveable. Thank goodness for you or I'd still be scratching my head trying to figure things out. How are the boys doing? Still doting on their beautiful baby sister? I can understand how you and PP feel about your DH's when you are up feeding and they are busy sleeping....my DH sleeps in a seperate room and I do ALLLLLL the feeds and settling etc. I love doing it cause I love being a mum but what annoys me is when he only works four or five days at a time and then has four or five days off and he complains HE'S tired and yet he will come home from afternoon shift at 10pm and wake me to tell me he's going out for a few beers and then come home and wake me at 12am to tell me he's home. I get so frustrated that it's just SO easy for him to do what he wants when he wants. Luckily Jacob is such a little sweetie and I love nothing more than being at home with him. But that's beside the point sometimes!

MadB - Gosh you poor thing with the heat!! I don't know how you deal with it. I bought Jacob a wrap me up and I find I'm adjusting the fan and a/c to keep him nice and cool as he is SUCH a hot baby. You are doing so well to be dealing with such heat... Hows the beautiful little Miri doing otherwise? that's gorgeous that she's starting to giggle/laugh, it's the best :)

Sorry for the short personals, I've been keeping up to date with reading about your little ones and I will get on here more often now that things are settling down again! Been thinking of you all though.

Things here have settled down as I said - Jacob got weighed on Friday and he weighs 6370 grams. He's doing so well! The dosage of zantac got increased the other day (I think I told you all) and that VERY night he had his best night ever. He only woke up once!! I was prepared for such a bad night but then I woke up and looked at the time and it was 2.45am!!! I needed to double take! We've had two more of those nights since and one night where he woke twice. He is definately doing so much better, zantac makes such an incredible difference. Jacob is also having only about 40 min naps through the day but has recently started having one nap a day that goes for about 2.5 hours which is very new for us. His day feeds are now between 2.5-4 hours which allows him to have such a lovely big sleep! We are up north at the moment with family, I'm home again on Tuesday so will catch up properly again then, just had to jump on mums computer and say hi to you all. Oh and thank you PP and MadB for the 'wrap me up' idea....best wrap ever!! He no longer struggles to get his arms up and he sleeps more soundly than ever! I'm off tomorrow to buy some more..I've been surviving on one!!

Take care girls! Hugs to all your beautiful bubs xoxo

Hi everyone,

Wow I have been sooo busy with 3 kids at school, homework, cooking dinner, twins at playgroup and the coffees with friends. The days go sooo quickly and Charlie is growing so fast I just want to stop him from growing and for him to stay a bubba for alittle bit longer because before you know it they are 15 and asking you if they can go out on a date. MMMMMM now let me think about that ALEX !!!!! Too young.....

EJ - It's funny how young babies accociate sleep with different things we do, Charlie knows that when I wrap him it's bed time he wiggles and squirms to get his arms out. And he will only sleep in his Hammock at night not during the day.
PP - Yay on your results great work ....
Georgi - I hope work is going well for you? Rolling already WOW...
Kaz - I just love it when the twins are alseep and Charlie. I do the housework without the TV on and just go OHHHHHH NO noise and I just love it.
MabB - charlie is smiling and I just love it when he sees me he just gives me the biggest smile, his also talking.
Jules - I hope your having a wonderful time with your family?

Better Go Charlie boy is awake.
Cathie

Hi all!

EJ, thanks for your support :) I’m glad you sorted out Harper’s sleep association! They’re funny little things… it amazes me that they can be so determined about things from such a young age. The party sounds lovely, and I’m so glad you had some girlie time with your DD :)

Mollycat, I was really happy how she was going on S26 original (d’oh!) and am hoping I can get her back onto it once the reflux settles down… but if that goes pearshaped I’ll give Nan a go!

Kaz, yeah, I’ve had people tell me they just buy whatever’s on special, which economically makes sense and initially I thought it would give her a bit of variety. I could always smell the difference in my BM depending on what I had been eating so I felt kinda sorry for the poor little chook suddenly having the same thing meal after meal when we went to fulltime ff. But switching it up doesn’t seem to work for her.
I’m glad Will is smiling and interacting with you guys more! I love plain suits too… I feel bad, Millie has so many cute outfits people gave her but she rarely wears anything but rompers or onesies, and then when I think “Oh, I’ll put her in that…” either the weather doesn’t suit or she’s outgrown it!

Georgi, awesome that Eden is rolling! How do they get to figure out to move their arm out of the way? Millie just gets so frustrated. On the one hand I want her to figure it out for herself, but then she gets very cranky and upset about it!

MadB I enrolled in the course because I wanted to start on something I can do from home if I need or want to stay out of teaching – it’s such a full-on, emotionally exhausting career, and I want to have something left for Millie when I get home! Being an English teacher and a bit of a grammar/punctuation nut it seemed a logical step. I’m enjoying the course :)

So glad the wrap me ups are working for everyone – I’ve converted pretty much my entire mother’s group too, heh heh heh :) perhaps my alternative career path could be salesperson for wrap me ups!

OMG Cathie, a DATE???!!! The mind boggles… I had a flick through Amelia’s baby book this morning and saw the picture of us coming home from the hospital… I can’t believe how tiny she was and how BIG she’s getting now!

The gardening on Sunday was awesome, we ripped into the weeds, my friend had been to a bushcare training course and knew which were weeds and which were natives… and get this, her 3.5 year old DD knew too! I had beautiful little Abby toddling along beside me pointing out which ones I should leave and which could be picked out! It looked sensational at the end of the day – such a sense of satisfaction. I was SO glad to get home to my girl though. I feel revived this week. Refreshed.

It helps a lot that Millie’s reflux is settling down, AND (drumroll please) she slept through the night last night!! DH asked this morning when she woke up and I said, “She didn’t.” “Well did you check on her?” “Nuh, I was sleeping.” He dashed out of bed so fast you could have sworn I’d set fire to him… *tsk* So it’s okay for HIM to sleep through the night but not me?! Naturally she was fine, and I feeeeeel sooooo goooood. Totally rejuvenated. Even made chicken and mushroom pie for dinner tonight :)

Best be off! DH will be home soon so I’ll get the pie into the oven like a good little wifey, hahahahahahahaaaaaaa!!

xox

Oh and Jules! What gets me with DHs also - he'll get home from work and not say a lot. Okay, fine, he's tired... he gets on the laptop etc, we talk a little bit over dinner but nothing too much is forthcoming... then we watch tv and he's wrapped up in soccer or whatever... then when we're in bed and I'm fit to pass out with fatigue, and he'll want to chat about his day!!! HOW'S ABOUT WE HAVE THIS CONVERSATION 3 HOURS AGO?!

Okay, off to be happy wifey with pie :)

PP, that's great news on the feeling refreshed!!!! It's such a difference getting sleep, and the gardening is just so different to what you're doing normally. Isn't it awful that they've grown out of stuff already! I have a little bag that I'm filling up with too much small stuff, so sad that I won't have another little bub to wear them. But I've chosen a couple of outfits to launder and store in memory boxes.

Jules - Yay on getting some sleep too! I hope it keeps up!!!!!

Cathie - how do you do it? I'm not really coping with just one.

Us - well, today got photos done, just at Myer, (did you know that Portrait Place is Pixie Foto?) and Will is absolutely adorable as always, got some really good shots. Of course, we spent far more than the $20 sitting fee with free 10x8!!! Lots more smiles and interactions, now grabbing at toys too. Time for tea, made lasagne last night, leftovers today!

Leftovers are awesome! None for us - power was out from 4pm yesterday to 1:30 today.... DH is bringing home curry.

Lucky you Pixie - a whole night!!! Because of the power cut, both kids were in bed early (got DS to go to bed early so there'd still be light to read his books) and we sat and had wine by candle light and talked... that was really nice. DH has suggested he sneak out and cut the power every evening...

We got a bit of rain at least, though some damange to the electricity grid as well... can't have everything I spose.

:tmi: cathie - I'm so not ready for talk of teenagers and dating....

Glad to hear that Jacob is doing better Jules.

Must dash...

Hello :hello:

PP - Millie sleeping through the night excellent :leap:
Kaz - What's up Kaz? you can pp me if you want. or facebook me.

Well we had chicken on the BBQ tonight and vegies. Yum YUm I want to lose 5 kgs before we go away. Yes we are going away to Hamilton Island in April we are all very excited. I don't know how I'm going to go on the plane with the 6 kids. :duh:

Cathie

Cathie - he just won't leave Will alone! I try to feed him and he's hanging on me and distracting Will while he feeds. Any ideas?

I wasn't getting notifications so i had a bit to catch up on.

Cathie i could only begin to imagine how busy you are. I don't know how i get through some days with 3. Dates???? Oh no how to approach that one without being the bad guy? Good luck i'm not looking forward to that either. Isn't it strange how the bubs even seem to have day and night sleep associations? They are already cleverer (is that a word?) than we give them credit for :lol: Very exciting about your holiday sounds wonderful.

PP the first night they sleep through is a strange one isn't it!? You wake up and you don't know if you should panic or throw a party.

Kazbah is sad that we're putting clothing away already isn't it? I have a SIL due in April and i'm keeping stuff for her. I know Harper isn't going to wear them again and i won't be having any more but they are still a little difficult to part with. THe photos sound wonderful and Will sounds like he is growing beautifuly.

Jules Harper is heaps better. I love it when she's as she is right now, she's so happy and content. No irritableness at all. I always get a little grumpy at DH when he can just up and go and i can't really do that without a fair bit of preperation. But at the same time when i get a little grumpy i never wish i was away from the kids anyway.

MadB i can not get over the weather you guys have been having. I wish you could send it our way a bit. Today was less than 20 (i think) and it rained, i haven't had enough of summer yet.

Well we are really good here, Harper is seeming to be really happy. She's having little sleeps still up until the late afternoon when she's finally tired and has a really big sleep. Tonight she woke up about 7pm just as we were getting the boys into bed. Her pooey botts are back to being a good few days apart also. We are also getting smiles and talking too, love it so much.

Yesterday i was meant to have the boys in day care but as the morning went on and we were getting ready Aidan started pleading with me to not go. Last week when i dropped him off i left him kicking and scareming and yesterday i wasn't going to let it get to that point again. It's a little tricky as the previous carer he had been with since he was 8 months old. She was so so so fantastic, the boys loved her i never ever had tears at drop off. She was training to be a kindergarten teacher so in a way it was like our kids were at kinder in her home, every day was different and she followed a program each day. I've never had reason to question what the carers are required to do with the kids as i was amazed by what our cared ddi with the kids each day. So now I have a feeling this new lady just doesn't engage the kids as much and it's more of just a bit of a play day for them and i think Aidan's over just going there to play. I think it's a bit to do with his age and he's a pretty busy boy now, always wanting me to do things with him and just being bored there. Charlie picked up on Aidan not wanting to stay and the lady didn't make much of an effort to encourage him to stay (i would have been happy for him to stay if he was happy, i paid for it anyway). Charlie is always happy because Aidan has always been by his side but he will have to get used to being independant also. So anyway i really am leaning towards not sending them back there, i don't think it's going to change. I am now wondering if i should book the boys into a child care centre. I think Aidan will be more stimulated and Charlie will have the opportunity to get used to Aidan not always being by his side. I loved my Mondays but i'm not going to send the boys to somewhere they aren't happy to go. ANyway thanks for listening girls, i think i'm going to go and check out a few places and see how we go.

Better get going i need an early night. Night girls xo

Kaz not sure if i have any ideas that you wouldn't have already tried. TV (it has it's place at times), or setting him up with somes games or toys. Put some toys away and then pull something out he hasn't played with for a week or two, that may keep his attention that little bit longer and allow you to feed in peace. Or sneak away to a different room without him realising that you are feeding Will. A few ideas there, i hope it gets easier xox

Hey

kaz - Lily was like that when the twins came along ( poor Lily her whole world changed sooo much) and that's the same for pip he had mum 24 seven and now there is this little person taking all of mums time. Lily was always wanting attention negative and positive she really didn't care how she got it so I ended up spending as much time as poss with her. I use to take her to the libary every wednesday as they would do craft and read books to the kids and than we would go out for lunch and a shop she would love the days we would spend together. BUT if she was a handful during the week she would not go
EJ - Ask your family day carer about her program ( she should have it up for all parents to see). Ask for your kids observations, have a look at what she is doing for them. Each child should have observations done on them so the carer can see what your child's need and strengths are. She should have a program up with music,language, gross motor, fine motor and Cognitive.

Cathie Night girls

PP - I have a little exercise routine that I do with Eden & a part of that is rolling him. I guess that's why he knows what to do. DS1 was rolling at the same age too.

Well girls I've just returned home from a couple of nights in hospital. I was admitted into emergency on Monday night as I had severe abdominal pain. I'd rather give birth any day! I was dosed up on Morphine. Lucky Eden had no problem taking formula. I only had enough for 2 feeds expressed in the freezer. I was so worried that he would like the formula & the bottle better. He went back on the breast this morning and all is fine. I had my appendix removed yesterday. So i'm feeling quite sore today. DH once again has taken the week off work. Boy i'm a handful. He always has to take time off to look after the kids cause I'm sick or something alike. He took a couple of nights as carers leave then took days that were owed to him. I'm not allowed to do any heaving lifting for 6 weeks. That's gonna be hard with DS1. I can't drive for a week and i'm not allowed to hang washing or vaccuum. What shame hey. They didn't state how long for though. So looks like i'm off work already.

Hope all mums & bubs are doing well....

Georgi - goodness, are you OK? Appendix! wow, you poor thing, I hope you're up and pain-free soon :hug: I'd be interested to hear about the exercises you do with Eden?

Cathie - we tend to spend days with each child - DH looks after Pip & I look after Will. But whenever I feed Will he jumps on me right away, or if I put Wil on the floor he'll jump on him. Part of it is wanting to share stuff with will / show him stuff and the other part is hugging / kissing him to death, and then when he's tired there's anger.

well tea's on - sausage casserole in the slow cooker - trev's taken Pip to Bunnings, and Will's just started crying. Again.

Bloody nora Georgi! What next? Glad they fixed you up - all the best with your recovery.

DD feeds pretty quickly (and only from breast so it's probably less complicated for us anyway) so that's not such an issue, but our 'pressure point' when I'm most vulnerable to DS is when I'm getting her to sleep. So that's when he acts out etc. I tried explaining that I can't do things with him if she's awake but that just seemed to make it worse (probably just confirming for him what an important lever it could be for him). 2 things that seemed to help - first, preempt it. Like Cathie, just need to get him set up soemwhere before she needs to sleep. second, don't make a fuss about it. So i've stopped harping on about how important it is to get DD to sleep and how he just has to be patient or helpful (actually this has helped me relax about it too). Also sometimes I can do things with him while I'm feeding or settling her. Does Pip have a toy or baby he could feed and settle as well?

ETA - oh but it's lovely that he loves his brother so much.

kaz - when I'm feeding Charlie I sit the twins down with an activity or put there fav TV on. Hana likes feeding her baby. I cage charlie when I put him on the ground the twins want to kiss him, play with him.

cathie

Hi all,

Oh Georgi... my goodness you have had a rough trot! All the best for a quick recovery. You poor thing! *hugs* I'd love to know about the exercises too - Millie loved her swimming lesson the other day (that's why she slept right through :)) and when she doesn't freak out during the lessons she loves the yoga stretches too.

Gosh, having more than one... I was packing up my maternity clothes the other day and said something to DH about packing them up "for next time" and he said, "Oh yeah, so when are we going to have the next one?" :ROFL: given how quickly we conceived Millie and the fact that she arrived early... I'm NOT up for 2 under 1!! 2 under 2... I think maybe I could go there...:o

EJ sorry to hear that Aidan isn't happy with his carer :( Cathie has wise words there - definitely ask about his program and switch carers if you're not satisfied.

DH is out at soccer training tonight... he's not playing this season due to his ankle injury - still has a plate and 7 screws in there - but he has been asked to coach his old team :) He's excited about it, printed off training plans and formation diagrams etc. I enjoy having control of the remote for once!

Off to the counselor tomorrow afternoon. I'm feeling great this week but will still go. Apart from anything else, my parents will be down this weekend for Millie's baptism and I'm a bit apprehensive about it... it went so badly last time they were down but I'm trying to look forward to having them here. Really looking forward to the baptism itself :)

I hope you're all well - take care :)

xox

Hey Girls!

Cathie - We're doing good here thanks :) Gosh, a date!! It has begun!! Jacob has started talking too, how cute is it!! Nothing beats that big smile they give you when they see you.

PP - Yay on Millie sleeping through the night!! :dance: that's awesome! Has she kept it up? Maybe swimming every day is looking like a new addition to the routine :lol: My DH does that too!! Good luck for your appointment tomorrow, I hope it all goes well. How exciting about Millie's baptism, we're going to get Jacob christened I just have to sort out a date with my brother and sister in law as they are the godparents and my brother works away every second week. We are probably going to wait until after April which is when one of my brothers gets married - I don't want to take any focus away from their plans :) I look forward to some photos of Millie's!

Kaz - How lovely that you got photos done!! I'm feeling so guilty that we haven't done any yet but my friend from school is currently doing a course and needs models from babies to elderly so she's going to do Jacob and the best part FOR FREE!!! I'm so excited. We'll get them done next week while I'm back visiting my family again (going back as my sister in law is having her tupperware bridal shower next saturday and I've waited nine years for them to finally get married! so I'm not missing this one...)

MadB - Sounds like a lovely night you had with DH!! That sounds divine...Maybe he COULD cut the power every once in a while :)

EJ - That's great that Harper is doing so much better!! Jacob had a very sooky day yesterday, he was happy when he woke up but all day he just got sookier and sookier...couldn't figure out what was wrong so it was just plenty of cuddles and sleeping beside him, he was probably tired from our trip away the poor little thing. He's doing much better today. How do you giving Harper her Zantac? Jacob kicks his little legs like mad and tries his best to spit it out...he ends up with spit bubbles everywhere and goes cross eyed...it's quite a mission... I wish I couldn't explain to him that it's for his own good, that it helps him! That's not good about the carer - I'd definately be taking Cathie's advice on board. Hope you can figure out a solution soon. x

Georgi - Far out!! You poor thing!! I hope you're feeling much better, I think that'll do for you this year!! Time you caught a break! That's lucky that DH could take the time off. Oh and I too would be interested to hear about the exercise you do with Eden :lol: you have a few of us intrigued by the sounds of it!

As for us...we're still doing ok, as I told EJ, bit of a fussy day yesterday but today he seems a little better - he's currently having a sleep in his portacot in the lounge. He sleeps so much better during the day if there is noise! He hasn't done any more night sleeps of waking once but he only wakes twice which is manageable... He's come a long way that's for sure!! Anyways, best be off while he's asleep, I've got so much house work to do...worst part about going away!! Hope you all have a lovely day!! :)

Hi all,

Stupid newbie question: how do you avoid giving your bub your horrible cold? Apart from the obvious handwashing/not sneezing on them thing... anything I can do? Millie seems okay, no fever or runny nose, but was quite grumpy just now and wanted to go to bed after an hour rather than 90 mins which is unusual for this time of day. I hope she doesn't get sick - I can just take codral and soldier on, but I don't think there's much you can do for a bub except panadol/nurofen and fess? Perfect bloody timing, too - I have so much to do this weekend leading up to her baptism and all I want to do is crawl into bed.

Jules, Millie hasn't kept sleeping through, but she's back to only one waking period around 3-4am for a feed - she feeds really quickly and goes straight back off to sleep, it's awesome! Even if she only does it after swimming, one full night's sleep a week is BLISS! Great news about the free photos :) I am probably going to take up the free Pixie photo vouchers in the bounty bag! But am also looking forward to some nice pictures on SUnday. We only have 2 pics of the three of us so far - one in hospital and one on Christmas day!

Yesterday's session was interesting, I'll give this lady a couple more weeks as she's very different in style to my previous counselor - she talks a LOT more rather than just letting me unravel my thoughts. It was interesting though, pretty much the entire hour was spent on the change in my relationship with my Mum and sister - that has obviously been bugging me more than I realised (I knew I was apprehensive about my parents coming down but obviously I've been upset about things with my sister too). At first I thought maybe I was blowing it out of proportion, but last night I called my sister to speak to her about the set up for the baptism, and she said something about having dinner on Saturday night. I know from experience that Millie is a grumpy bear the morning after a big night with the cousins, so I said, "You organise something with Mum and Dad, I want to stay home and get Millie into bed early so she's rested on Sunday." She got very shirty about it - she tended to take her kids anywhere, anytime as babies, which is fine, and any other weekend I'd go for dinner, but it's important to us that Millie be well-rested on Sunday. As DH pointed out, she's very much a "my way or the highway" type person. I just want to be able to parent my daughter the way I see fit without having judgement passed on me by those I thought would be most supportive.

Grumble over... Millie is doing well, she has started half rolling! From her tummy she pushes herself up really high on her hands, tips her self sideways then rolls onto her back. She thinks she's hilarious :) She did it yesterday for the first time, but also did it twice this morning so DH got to see it :)

Hope you're all well, ladies!

xox

PP - that's great on the counsellor. We do have a private support group for depression & anxiety, it's quite good to chat it out I find with people who really "get" where you're at. But making sure she has enough sleep before her baptism is a definate priority. Shame your sister can't understand you have a different approach. :hug:
I hope you're videoing all these movements of Millie!

Jules - the tupperware party sounds fun, enjoy yourself! 9 years - wow!!!!

as for us - we're about to head off to the booby club meeting. pip's now at kinder, and will very kindly not only did a huge poo in his sposie and not cloth, but he did it while i was dropping pip off, so DH got to change it!!! Did heaps of baking yesterday, well not heaps, just make lactation cookies and a coconut jam slice, will take some of each to the meeting, I haven't taken any food yet to share! quite slack! Had a bit of a cry last night over the thought of going back to work - but i do need to get back, suck it up. bit of anxiety over the new boss really. ah well. have a great day ladies.

Do you have to go back really soon Kaz?
DH calls it booby group :D

Pixie that sounds totally reasonable to me.

agh, toddler meltdown...

PP if i remember correctly Millie will actually still have some anti-bodies in her from pregnancy (i'm pretty sure i was told they tend to last up until about the 6 month mark). Then the whole time you were breastfeeding you were giving her even more. Chances are she may be able to fight the germs off herself if not hopefully she just gets something very slight in the way of a cold. There really isn't much else you can do other than what you mentioned also. When Charlie boy was 11 weeks old he got bronchiolitis (i think i spelt that right), so it's not to say that bubs can't get sick but nature has given them what they can to help.

Must go i'm actually going to get a wax this afternoon :dance:

MadB - yes, I'm the wage earner in our family, and we've been on half pay this long. So after April 11, if I want to take more time it's either long service leave or leave without pay. Ah well.

EJ - yay, leg wax!!! You time!!!!

PP - if you're concerned, you could offer her the breast again - your antibodies will pass through to her.

Will's been screaming most of the day, he's got really really HORRID wind. I ended up calling the ABA helpline, he just wouldn't latch - they suggested skin-2-skin with him, so I stripped down as did he. That didn't work either, so I went out and made a cuppa, had some cookies (and tablets) and returned to our room and he was gurgling happily. He's finally had a feed and then a bottle now is playing on the floor in front of the fire, just wearing a nappy. I seriously think we've used as much wood so far this year as we usually use in a winter!!!! And of course he's now happy, he's just thrown up over himself and cause he's nekkid, it went straight down to my leg.

oh, that's so soon. How do you feel about it? Was it the same with Pip?

I was the earner when we had DS and he was 8 weeks old when I went back to fulltime work and DH stayed home. It wasn't soooo bad since I work from home. For now, with DH's pay and baby bonus we can get by. We were thinking of flying MIL over for a month or so later in the year (aug-sep is very busy time for the company I work for) so she can see the kids and we can get a bit of cash, but FIL's sick now so not sure about that. Sigh. Money sucks.

I hope Millie doesn't get sick. Sometimes it's just the luck of the draw. DS wasn't sick till 11 months, when he got his first cold. Then he was in daycare for a while and was constantly sick for 3 months. We all had colds the other week but DD thankfully escaped.

PP - I hope you're feeling better and Millie didn't catch your cold. I'm thinking of you today with the baptism, hope it all went well!! Sounds like you and your sister are very different, I wish she'd just accept that without the attitude. But remember...we just have to let these opinions pass without taking it to heart.. you know what's best for Millie :)

Kaz - Ooooo the baking sounds nice! I've just finished baking a cake for DH to take to nightshift for the boys tonight. Hope booby club went well - love the nickname for it :) I'm sorry you have to go back to work so soon, money really sucks... Wow, it's so hard to imagine it being cold at the moment...we have had such hot weather here - not as hot as MadB though!! Weather is so crazy at the moment. One extreme to the next..

EJ - Yay!! A wax!! Glad you finally got to do something for yourself, even though I can think of soooooo many things better than a wax!! :lol: ouch.

MadB - Hope the weather has cooled for you?!

Thanks Jules - blame Mayaness for getting me in the habit of saying "booby club"!!! I'm not looking forward to missing it when I return to work, it's nice to have similar-minded ladies to meet every fortnight. But they also have a craft evening regularly, I have a crochet rug I've been working on for a few years and will take that along I can continue that after returning to work. And FWIW, today we're back up to 28 again! How bizarre!

PP - hoping all went well today and your Millie is now baptised and you can relax :hug:

Will has been to the zoo 3 times already - and tomorrow will make 4! would you believe we have a moth infestation, there are little grubs making their way across the ceiling and I've vacuumed the ceiling 3 times this weekend already :( I hate the idea of them falling onto Will when he's on the floor. And Fred (our huntsman) isn't much use at all!

PP - Looks like you had a gorgeous day, I was just looking at the photos - not a single dropped baby!!!