March/April Thread #3

[sophieandhannah]

Ankie,
Yeah for the better night!  I think go with your gut.  I don't think there is anything you can do about the night crawling except wait it out.  It won't last long. 
We keep waiting for the (what I think of a the "Cole problem" ) night standings...holding on the the side of the crib not sure how to get back down.
That will be fun too eh?
Anyhow, just my opinion.

Have a great day.
Hannah

[Nikki~Nathan&Danielle]

Bianca, we also have problems with the 11 and 3 BFeeds.  D's been fighting them and my supply is really suffering because of it, so hopefully I can keep things going ok.  I've been through the lumpy boob stage and now onto soft ones.  :?

Judy, LMAO at being too fat to crawl.  I know I need to just not worry with D not moving, she has a lot of strength in her back and will honestly sit like that for an hour if I let her!  :shock:  It also doesn't help that all the enticing toys get taken away from her or actually offered to her so there's no motivation to move!

Cathy, D will also occasionally lean so far forward that she ends up on her belly but face plants at the same time. LOL

Karen, thanks for the PM with rice porridge recipe, might do some up today.

Ankie, I think our night waking problem is D sticking her legs out through the bars of the cot, since she's been sleeping on her tummy in the last week she moves around the cot and gets stuck.  But when I try to resettle her she gets grumpy about it and takes ages to resettle.  Although last night I only tried for 20mins the gave up and fed her.  I suspect though if I remained with her the entire time and after she's asleep she might be better at settling. 

Who was talking about the moon?  I'm affected by the moon, I actually get kind of witty and crazy! LMAO  :lol:  Well I think I'm occasionally witty.  :wink: 

Richelle, love the butt pic!

[Richelle]

I can't believe I forgot to post earlier re. Traci and your ducts. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE GOT TO THE DOCTOR IF YOU FEEL SICK B/C OF IT.

Sorry for yelling  :oops:  but my SIL got soooooooo sick from mastitis and that is why when I felt like you do Traci I went directly to the doctor and got on antibiotics, knocked it right out of there!  So, I hope you feel better and even if you don't feel super bad it still is better to be safe than sorry!

Please let us know how you are feeling.....

I know exactly what you mean about the moon Judy and Ankie and I cannot imagine dealing with multiple children for extended periods of time during the loony lunar cycle!

Cathy - Sophie has been grabbing our faces/eyelids/ears/lips/noses for awhile now.  DH and I both have battle wounds (multiple scratches on our face), I just ignore her which is soooo hard as it takes me by surprise sometimes, especially when she needs her nails cut.  I just make sure to let anyone know that gets near her to watch out for the claws!

Ankie - That is great news about your night, WOOHOO!!  I say that it is developmental and she will stop crawling when the 'novelty' wears off. 

Bec - I meant to say earlier that is so great that you sponsor a child, makes me think I really should.  Namely as it is Christmas and whenevr I hear that 'there won't be snow in Africa this Christmas...' song I tear up and get all disallusioned as to what all the presents and over excess is really about...

Must keep decorating cookies and get started on the Nanaimo Bars (yummy eh? Canadians!!)

[Judy]

It was me talking about the moon - it affects me too but I'm more grouchy and short on patience during a new moon.  Interestingly, I was born during a new moon!!  (shhh don't tell my mom I talk about this stuff - she'll think I'm loopy - don't want to prove grandpa right!!)

Ankie she should eventually get used to banging around in her crib and be able to move out of the corners.  Zoe and Sarah used to just bash their little heads off the side.  Heck they still do this with their headboards! :shock:  Hannah's funny in that if she rolls onto her back at night she will cry out sometimes for me to roll her back.  She rolls all the time on the floor and I've seen her do it in her crib/sleep - but sometimes she expects me to help out.

Gotta scoot, I hear loud sucking noises coming from the couch -which means Sarah is falling asleep (couldn't be Zoe - she's ALREADY asleep!!)

Oh here's our family pic...

[Nikki~Nathan&Danielle]

Wow, Judy, no wonder you and DH make beautiful kids!  :wink:

OK, vent ahead, hope you girls don't mind, I don't really want to post it in the main forums.  It's about my mum & stepdad and discipline.  Grrrr, it's been building and I can see it's going to blow!  My mum's pretty laid back and actually hates being controlled by SD as well, and I think I kind of resent her for not stepping in more when we were kids to protect us (we weren't smacked or anything, although I guess the odd being dragged by my hair or kicked up the butt DO count - but oh well, it definitely wasn't a standard response, it was the controlling etc).

Anyway, SD "popped in" the other day and Nathan woke from his nap and he can tend to be a bit grumpy/clingy - of course this is around 3pm when D wakes from her nap so I'm a bit short on hands/knees etc.  Anyway, SD took it on himself to sort Nathan out by saying "Grampy's giving you a choice (see the L&L coming out here  :roll: ) - you either sit on my knee or you go to your room, anyway Nathan screams - why would he want to do either of those things  :roll: , SD marches him off to his room and I'm thinking SH!T what do I do to cool this down - anyway it worked out well, SD didn't leave him in there, he sat down, distracted him and they read stories happily.  Phew!  But of course the message to me is that he felt HE needed to deal with the situation becausee I was sitting on my butt not sorting it out.  Meanwhile I'd been explaining to SD that if Nathan wants a cuddle, well yes, there is a need (SD had just been lecturing me that there is a difference between wants and needs blah blah). 

Needless to say I felt crappy that that had all happened I knew he'd go home and tell my mum, anyway, here's the crunch - I went out shopping last night and my mum phoned and DH spoke to her, she started on at him about how I need to get Nathan sorted out since he's being very attention seeking lately and it needs to be stopped (well yeah, he's got a baby sister he's competing with and actually needs love, not shut in his room surely???!!!).  The attention thing to me is more the result and I need to figure out the trigger and work backwards on a solution, ie give more attention elsewhere, NOT denying it while he's needing it. 

I didn't know she'd been bleating on at DH until after I'd phoned her and spoken to her and she never mentioned it to me - even said "oh I forgot why I phoned".  And apparently for Christmas she's brought me a "light hearted" "funny" book that I'm not meant to take offense to and I gather it's to do with parenting.  Hmmm, I'm thinking that's going to go down like a lead balloon.  She told me I should be able to go shopping and stand in a bookshop and read for 5mins and expect Nathan to sit on the floor quietly while I do so, and that now is the time I should be teaching him to do that. WTF?  Why should he have to sit on the floor for 5mins?

Anyway, sorry for this being long, I just wanted to vent otherwise it's going to keep playing on my mind.

[Little Bear's Mum]

Judy - lovely photo, we don't have any nice family portraits like this and we've only got 1 baby to organise!

Traci - look after yourself little lady! Go to the dr! If you're not wanting to 'make a fuss' think of Cole, he needs you well. Good to hear you're dad's getting better.

Richelle - great photo. 

Holly - welcome back. Sounds like you've had a busy busy time, I hope things are ok with Brady. Let us know when you've got a minute....

Nikki - I love Danielle's hair, those little curls are just adorable. And she's so talented already.

Ankie - I have also been known to go in and reposition Daniel when he's still sleeping so he doesn't wake up when I'm asleep.  :oops: He stays sleeping and then I can too.

Hi to everyone else. At least with this busy season we haven't all been on as much so not as many pages to catch up on when you miss a day. Phew.

We had a good day yesterday. I had our coffee group in town so after Daniel's morning nap (1 hour) ending at 10.30 off we went. On the way home he fell asleep 5 mins before getting home. Fine, no problem, he'll just go back to sleep when we put him in his cot. YEAH RIGHT!!! Even after a buggy walk and cuddles on the couch with mum still no sleep. So we put him down at 6.30pm instead. He slept all night until 6.30am! I only went in once to cover him up about 3.15am. Oh and about 8.30pm he started crying, too hot, so I stripped him down to singlet and s/bag instead of long sleeve body suit. So you heard it hear, 1 hour and 5 mins sleep and he was fine! Wouldn't want to do that too often though.

I'm off to lunch with my work girls today. They finish up and all the bosses have gone already, so I got a 'leave pass' from DH. He's going to look after Daniel while I enjoy a yummy grown up lunch without Daniel. Yay!!! I can't wait.

Well, better go and finish getting ready for the day and for my parents arriving today. I won't be on as much for the next week or so with my parents here and Christmas and stuff. But I'll catch up with you all when I can.

On a serious note.....

Keep smiling everyone, and remember Christmas is only 1 day of the year, so enjoy whatever it brings! (hopefully great presents from our DH's!  :lol: ) Just kidding, enjoy the celebrations for whatever they mean to you, spiritual, a time for family or a time for reflection. And remember how blessed/lucky we are to have such wonderful friends, family and LO's we have to share it with.

[Olivia's Mommy]

Whew! I'm back after another marathon afternoon. I just had to brag on my little girl. After a rough/clingy/whiny day yesterday, I was really worried about taking her out again today. But she seemed to be feeling good this morning, and the weather is a bit warmer, so we braved it. First, went to my old workplace for lunch with some friends. She was a hit, and everyone enjoyed seeing her and making her laugh. She was doing so well, I decided to brave the store and get the last couple gifts I needed to buy. She had only a 10 minute nap in the car, and was soooo sweet and pleasant in the store. She stayed awake the whole way home (I was shocked!), and took a little bit to unwind, b/c she was soooo tired! I eventually just laid her in her crib where she coooed and talked for about 5 minutes, then fell asleep. That was 1 hr ago...I'm hoping for another 30 minutes!!

My shopping is now done, so all I have to do is get my house and my family ready to leave on FRiday morning. My brain is a little fried, so I don't remember what everyone said, but here's what I did want to comment on:

CATHY--Liv has been poking/biting/grabbing/banging, etc. anything in sight (including me and DH). I usually just try to distract her since I know she doesn't really know what she's doing and isn't being malicious. When she tries to "suck" on my face, I say "Oh, thank you for the kisses." But if she starts to chomp down, then I say, "OK, don't bite, that hurts Mommy."

HANNAH--you're too funny avoiding all your family and friends for the BW site. You know you're addicted when...!

NIKKI--I'm soooo sorry for the situaton with your mom and SD. I hope you can resolve things and it gets better. We've been lucky that my parents and ILs both have not tried to "teach" us to discipline yet. I'm sure the day will come!

OK, off to do some more work...only 3 more days, girls!!!

[Olivia's Mommy]

Hayley--I forgot to mention you...thank you so much for the reminder to enjoy the holiday and all it brings with it. It's easy to lose sight of that in the midst of all the last-minute preparations!

[Erin M]

Nikki - (((hugs))) to you on your crappy afternoon.  I'm with you that I can't really see that a 2.5 year old looking for attention is a bad thing.  You're meeting his needs, not trying to force him to conform to what you need.  And why should he want to go to his room or sit on Grandpa's lap? - seems like a stupid set of choices to me.  Anyway, I'd been in need of a good vent if I had that sort of afternoon.  Frustrating - can't wait to see what exciting book they got you (sarcasm!). 

Full moons - you can TOTALLY tell when you're a teacher when the moon is full.  Some nights I'd be driving home after a super crazy day and I'd look up and there would be that full moon hanging up there. 

Cathy - we get the poking here too.  Katie's favorite places for her fingers these days are in my mouth and up my nose (ouch!).  I just try to move them and distract her.  I figure it's her (and Carter's) way of exploring and finding out more and at some point she'll find out all she wants to and move on.  Katie was also 18.5 pounds at her nine month visit and 28 inches I think, so he's bigger than her! 

Judy - DH is a hottie (hope you don't mind me saying).  You have such a beautiful family! 

Nancy - yeah for getting out!

Hayley - thanks for the lovely sentiment!

Have to run - we were out and about this afternoon and have totally missed Katie's PM nap - poor little miss crankypants is in desperate need of some attention!

[Olivia's Mommy]

Oh yeah...I also forgot...(told you, my brain is mush!)

JUDY--what a beautiful family. You must be so proud! And what a great picture! How in the world did you get a shot of ALL 4 kids in a peaceful state of mind. It was hard enough for us to get our 1!!!

[Little Bear's Mum]

Oh poop. Just posted a reply and lost it before I sent it. Nikki it was my comment re the book. 2 thoughts for you, either make some really sarcastic comment about how you'll really benefit from reading from it and it will help a lot - yeah right! Or just totally ignore it. Then there's the option of giving your mum and SD a copy of the books you base your discipline strategy around and suggest they may like to learn a little about how you're raising Nathan and Danielle.

I'm still a little unsure of what we'll be doing in this household, so who knows I may yet have to implement my own suggestions one day!

[Nikki~Nathan&Danielle]

Thanks girls, you always make me feel better.  Hayley, I have just ordered the UP book online, so that will hopefully help me formulate some sort of explanation to them about it.  What they don't see is the fact that we have almost zero tantrams these days since we're not entering into battles of wills (they only hear him "performing" in their words when we're speaking on the phone) - yes it's a pain that he does it, but even Tracy in the Toddler book says not to talk on the phone unless necessary at this stage if this is an issue.

Erin, they were crappy choices and I know I wouldn't have been happy about either, so why would he want to stop crying for except out of fear of the outcome (not saying .he fears grampy, but he just didn't want to be ripped off his mothers knee and told to sit there).

Right, off to get these two down for a nap.

[Judy]

... I went out shopping last night and my mum phoned and DH spoke to her, she started on at him about how I need to get Nathan sorted out since he's being very attention seeking lately and it needs to be stopped ...

Seriously - she called and felt she had the right to tell your dh how you need to parent Nathan?  Bad enough if she felt she had the right to call and tell you - all based on a situation she wasn't even involved in... but to tell your dh?  Nervy.

Ok - so, you need to get Nathan sorted out - uh, why?  Everyone of us is attention seeking - he!! if a child's parent(s) aren't going to give him attention who is?  What is wrong with wanting one's parent's attention?  Who is she to say it needs to be stopped?  Is this criminal behaviour?  Would he turn out a better human being by being taught that he isn't always deserving of mom's love and attention?  Sure there are going to be times it can't come as quickly but that's hardly the same as not entitled?  Gosh imagine the next time one of us wanted a hug from dh and he was busy and we pouted and he said "fine go to your room"  (ok - I'm gonna admit that I might be tempted to be pleased to be sent to my room, alone for 37minutes but YKWIM!)

This would tick me off!!!!!!!  (well, as I've already told you...)

I didn't know she'd been bleating on at DH until after I'd phoned her and spoken to her and she never mentioned it to me - even said "oh I forgot why I phoned".  And apparently for Christmas she's brought me a "light hearted" "funny" book that I'm not meant to take offense to and I gather it's to do with parenting.  Hmmm, I'm thinking that's going to go down like a lead balloon.  She told me I should be able to go shopping and stand in a bookshop and read for 5mins and expect Nathan to sit on the floor quietly while I do so, and that now is the time I should be teaching him to do that. WTF?  Why should he have to sit on the floor for 5mins?

Boy I'm interested in hearing what this book is.  You know, when you have to say "here's a gift but please don't take offense to it" well - that's precisely when you really do KNOW it's not a gift to be giving.  So when you open it can you say "gee, you were right... this really wasn't worth looking forward to".  Gosh wouldn't it be hillarious if it was the Supernanny book!!  HA!!  I'd laugh.  Do you have a fireplace?  We heat by woodstove only so I've been known to comment about the need for kindling before

Honestly I hate when parents think you need guidance in being a parent. :roll:  And WTF is up with going to a book store and expecting him to sit quietly on the floor for 5min.  I would say that's expecting a lot.. sure I know of kids who would do it... but I don't want those to be my kids.  I want my kids to know that if they don't want to be there they have every right to voice their opinion.  I'm not looking to have perfectly behaved marionettes... I want children who can think and reason and problem solve for themselves.  I want them to one day say to me "hey mom, how about while you're looking at that book we go over and check out the music over there"  Obviously depending on age that may or may not be a good idea but it's problem solving.  I think if a child doesn't want to look at books and you don't want to be at the park any longer then maybe there's something you'd BOTH like as much or better.  Maybe go for icecream or go home and make cookies or go take our bikes out for a ride or go to the  bookstore and get books for everyone.  I think it's just plain controlling to expect a child to sit quietly while you shop.  If they're happy to hang out great.  They're people too right?

Can you say to her "you might think so mom, but we don't"  This of course coming from someone who just had it out with their own mom over this type of thing so I'm prolly still a bit hot headed about it all.... but really if you didn't ask for their input.. Grrrrrrrrrr

Ok so how soon can you post to us which book she got?    And hey, many bookstores here will take returns no problem - maybe you can exchange it for something worthwhile.

Anyway, sorry for this being long, I just wanted to vent otherwise it's going to keep playing on my mind.[/quote]

[Colesmom]

okay girlies, i REALLY gotta move this PC back downstairs.  this once or twice a day thing is killing me

love the pics-Judy, Holly, Richelle, Karen, Nikki...hmmm was that all?

Cathy-Cole is totally grabby/pokey too, drives me nuts.  soooo determined to rip our glasses off at every opportunity.  His 4th tooth is nearly through and I think it's bothering him more than the others...it's all swollen and red and I don't remember the first 3 being like that.

Hannah- the "cole" problem is funny.  that reminds me to spend some A time helping him get down.  He can do it from the couch etc. At night though I really think he's often standing before he wakes and then freaks out!

Judy-

(shhh don't tell my mom I talk about this stuff - she'll think I'm loopy - don't want to prove grandpa right!!)

ROFLMAO.  You really do crack me up.

Nikki-Sorry about the SD situation.  How frustrating!  My parents won't be watching Cole much because of my dad but I can tell my mom bites her tongue on a few things.  I told her once not to ring the bell and she said they need noise when they sleep.  Really?  That's good for them is it? Anyhoo, thankfully MIL will do as I say and I think maybe I'll get her BW so she can read up.  Again, sorry-I hope you can get them on your side.

Hayley-Thanks for the reminder

Holly-great new avatar, love the poem!

Ankie-woo hoo on the good night.  glad you figured out the problem. maybe as she becomes more proficient in the day she'll get better at night with the crawling thing?

Bianca-Cole has also started only taking one side!  For a while I was pumping the other side but now I don't.  I think my supply might be adjusting for it and my friend reminded me that our milk is fattier now I think.  Thankfully Cole only clamped down a couple of times before teeth and I did the "ouch, that hurts mommy". Hasn't done it with teeth.  He'll come off, bite my thumb, then go back on, my smart little guy :wink:

k, now about us.  I am feeling MUCH better.  thank you all for your concern.  I went to sleep at 8:35 pm last night.  Cole's night was so so.  woke at 1:15, settled on and off several times, sometimes holding my hand, sometimes not but wouldn't go back down until 3:45.  I fed him at 3:15 as it had been 8 hours and because he wouldn't settle I figured it was hunger :?  I had given teething stuff, gas stuff, and gripe water.  He then slept until 6:30.  Funny how I now think that's an okay night.  1:15 seems to be habitual, do I dare try wake to sleep tonight.  I would HATE it if he was then up from 12:15-4 or so!

Today he was a STAR!  Had first and second naps in the car and I went to the dentist 45 minutes away.  Was great for my SIL who watched him.  Didn't even cry when I left I think.  Wouldn't eat when we got there, too interested in the dog...so he didn't eat from 6:30-11:30...well, had 3 mum mums with SIL.  His first car nap was 40 min, second one 1:10, ending at 2:10 sooooooooooo no catnap today.  I went to the mall since he was still asleep and grabbed 10 min. of shut eye myself in the parking lot.  AND finished my shopping.  WAHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!  I was holding the last gift in the air at the department store saying "it's the last gift, it's the last gift". people must have thought ME loopey Judy.

Anyhoo, he fed to sleep at 6:35pm.  That was as far as I could stretch him.  I totally expected him to wake at the 45 min and hour marks...but he hasn't yet....no jinx, no jinx, no jinx.

okay, gotta go get dinner ready, but I'll be BACK!  I am not done with my BW fix for the day. phew.

oh yes, there is a chat tonight isn't there!!  YAY!!!

[sophieandhannah]

Just returned from cookie day...loads of gingerbread to eat here now.  Dare I give some to Sophie?? Unfrosted of course...I know it has sugar but it could be fun?

Nikki hugs to you...I live thousands of miles away from my family...for a reason.  I love them in very small doses.  I feel for you.  And everything else Judy said!!!   I think the main thing is stand up for your right to parent your children the way you want to.  I have been having to do this since day 1 with Sophie (and it's NOT easy!) and I am sure it will only get worse at which point I hope you'll still be around for me to rant to and get advice from.

Judy gorgeous family picture.   
I can't remember anything else I read..brain dead. 
Dh ranted at/with me last night because of major stress at work and my head is still spinning a little, I'll try to elaborate later.
Anybody chatting tonight?  If not, I'll see you all tomorrow.
Traci--hope you're feeling better.
Naomi...good job with the phones btw!
Hannah