November 2009 Mums and Bubs Options

[*Simone*]

Ali- How old was Lily when you first tried peanut butter? I'd like to give Dan a go on it.
I suppose as long as she's getting calcium in other forms it doesn't matter if she's not having milk- some days Dan just won't take his too.

Janelle- Sounds like you had a great Christmas, Jayden sounds so cute.
Daniel has the same breakfast too, pretty much every day. Maybe try adding cows milk in his cereal in small amount and if he goes ok, increase the quantity there before you give it in a bottle? Daniel doesn't like cheese either, will only have tiny amounts in other stuff.
Daniel often now has a sandwich for lunch, though it is a struggle to get him to eat more than half of one, TBH I think he's so lazy he gets sick of chewing!
On them he has: vegemite and cream cheese; chicken finely chopped or chicken and avocade; finely mashed tuna; finely mashed egg. If he doesn't have a sandwich he might have a bit of leftovers from dinner the night before.
Dinners he often has a mince mixture I make with beef mince, diced tomatoes and various vegies (grated carrot, zucchini, mushrooms, peas, corn etc) as he is still fussy about what finger food he will eat. I've been trying to get him into eating family foods like Ali but there is a lot of stuff he still won't touch so for the moment it's easier to make him a batch of mince as I know he's getting a decent meal into him.
Every meal he still having a savoury course and sweet course, so after his main lunch or dinner he has things like a tub of yoghurt, mashed banana and custard, fruit or a plain biscuit.
Have been thinking of you Janelle, I hope everything is going to be ok.

Sara- Hope you had a great holiday. Was thinking of you also, how funny you were staying so close to where I live. Charlie will get there with the walking. Dan took his first step over a month ago but can't or won't really walk for any length of time yet either. In a way I wish he would as he is getting so heavy to carry around.

Cam- How cute about Emme's car. Good luck sorting out the sleep.

We are going well. On the 11th we are actually going on holiday ourselves, up to Brisbane and the Gold Coast. Two days visiting a family member and Brisbane and then off to the Gold Coast to do a few of the theme parks. I've never been to Queensland myself so am quite looking forward to it, I think Dan will love the water park and Sea World. It will also be his first time flying, so that's exciting. Then when I come back I have to go back to work at long last- looking hopefully to find something 2 days a week, might do 3 days for the right job. I'm really going to find it hard to leave Dan but it's the best thing for all of us and perhaps it might even be good for him in the long run, as he is so clingy with me to spend some one on one time with his two grandmothers. Especially as I have a bit of a strained relationship with my MIL, a bit on one on one time between them without me there might be beneficial.
DH and I will be TTC again this year so have to save up some money to do it all over again!

[Thelma]

Simone - Lily has been eating peanut butter for a few months now I think. We don't have a history of allergies in our family so wasn't too worried about starting it. A lot of info is now saying to introduce those kinds of foods earlier rather than later too.
As for the family dinner foods, Lily will often eat what we've had, but not everything. I also find it hard to get her to eat it herself, pretty much everything we have to feed to her otherwise she just plays with it and throws it off
So is your MIL going to look after Dan one day a week now? What happened to change her mind? Very exciting about your holiday! My parents live on the gold coast, but we're thinking we might take Lily to maybe Sea World later in the year, maybe once she's down to one day sleep. I think they would really enjoy it.

[*Simone*]

Ali- Thanks for that I've wanted to try for sometime but the official line is to hold off, but like you think that may change soon with some of the new info coming out. May give him a go tomorrow.

Well I don't think it's official until I actually get a job, but yes I think so. Her circumstances changed a bit so that helped, there was also a blow up between her and DH just before Christimas that maybe has altered her perspective a bit to hopefully be a bit more fair minded toward the children. Got to find a job first though!

I know, I am excited about the holiday. It would be ideal if I could find a job quickly and start when I return. I think D will love the animals at Sea World too.

[scasey77]

Simone - Charlie has had peanut butter a few times but like Ali we haven't had any allergies in the family. He was also eating egg, strawberries etc earlier too. Charlie is still having casserole type things for lunch and dinner to start with. But he also has a huge range of finger foods afterwards too so have no problems with still spoon feeding him the more "puree" type food. I am really trying to get him eating it a bit more chunky though as for some reason he hates having to chew stuff that comes from a spoon or fork. But will happily eat big bits of finger food - go figure.

Well - the time has come for Charlie to start daycare. We start with his first orientation day tomorrow which will just be a quick visit with me there. But over the next 2 weeks he will work up to having a few hours there each day until he starts full days on the 18th.

I actually can't wait to be going back to work on those 2 days a week. I have to go through my wardrobe and see what work clothes still fit and maybe buy some more.

[*Simone*]

Good luck with the daycare visit tomorrow Sara. I too feel much more ready to go back to work part time than I have up to now. It's just a matter of finding the right thing now.

[janelle84]

I never imagined i would love daycare as much as I do Actually when thinking about kids years gone, daycare never entered my mind!

Jayden just loves it, and its good for me too as I usually get 1 or 2 hours to myself after work those 2 days. Although Jaydens room leader finished up last week, and I dont know who will be replacing her. Its sucks when you get used to someone and they get used to your bub and how they work, then they leave

Sara good luck with the visit! Is he going to be there full time?

[scasey77]

Sara good luck with the visit! Is he going to be there full time?

Just 2 days a week - Tues and Wed. I usually drop off around 8am and pick up at 4:30ish. Cate absolutely loves it too so I am hoping Charlie will in time. I know we had about 6-8 weeks of Cate hating to be dropped off so I am bracing myself for that again. But overall she was pretty good so fingers crossed. I love my centre though so I know he will be OK.

[Rome]

Happy new year everyone! I've finally managed to pop my head in and see how you're all getting on (apart from FB obviously).

Janelle, so glad you saw a heartbeat . Hope the bleeding eases for you soon. Will Jayden eat Tuna or salmon? How about honey or humus? All good sandwich fillings.

Sara, hope Charlies first day at daycare goes well I'm sure he will be loving it in no time. Emily loves daycare as much as being at home now! She goes off without a backward glance!

Simone, how exciting about your holiday! I'm sure Dan will love Seaworld, we have taken Emily 3 times already (we have VIP passes) and she just squeals at everything all day. Good luck with the job hunting. I really enjoy being back at work now.

Hope everyone else is doing well.

Emily is great. Not quite walking, but getting there. It's such a relief after everything she went through with her hip. I was worried about her not saying any words, but in the last couple of weeks she now has four words. It's amazing how quickly they pick these things up.

This week we had friends over and they also have a 13 month old little girl. Emily was really jealous when the other child picked up any of her toys, even to the point of snatching them off her. We'd never seen her like that and I think it was just because the other child was at our house playing with Emily's toys, but it's hard to know how to react, is anyone else's child like this? What do you do?

[scasey77]

Emma - with the toy thing I think all you can really do is talk to her about sharing. It is a bit of a lost cause though as they really have no idea of the concept of sharing until a lot older. But with Cate I always spoke to her about waiting her turn and letting the other child have a play first. Even at the park etc I would speak to her about waiting her turn for the swing/slide etc etc. Distraction is handy too - give her another toy that she loves. It is really only in the last 6 months though that she understands properly. Of course she still doesn't like sharing sometimes but at least she knows what it means and why she needs to do it. I have actually been on both sides too as Cate was a lot more "submissive" when younger and would just let kids take whatever she was playing with - that is hard to watch sometimes. But as she got older she started standing up for herself but also taking things off other kids - also hard to watch and deal with. For the most part though all my friends/mothers group etc just let the kids sort it out themselves unless it is getting to the pushing/shoving/screaming point. Of course the kids are older now.

[Rome]

Thanks for the advice Sara. I tried to explain to Emily about sharing, but as you say they don't pay a lot of attention at this age, but I'll definitely perceiver. I think we were most shocked because she shares really well with us, even her food (which considering how much she likes food is a big thing !). I guess none of us want to think of our child being the one who snatches things off other children, but then it does seem to be a phase most children go through. I think we will invite other children around more often to help her get used to sharing her things more. I think daycare has definitely made her stand up for herself too, which isn't a bad thing necessarily, but I just want to respond to her behaviour in a positive way.

I'm all for intuitive parenting, but I am feeling the need for a bit of guidance when it comes to toddler behaviour. Does anyone have any recommendations for books?

[scasey77]

I remember starting to feel really out of my depth in terms of parenting a toddler when Cate reached about 18-20 months old. Up until then she had been really easy. I ended up buying The Mighty Toddler by Robin Barker which had some good info in it. I haven't opened it in ages because I think you just eventually get used to having to parent an older child. I do LOVE 1-2-3 Magic though but can't really be used as a behaviour technique until 2 and older. It works really well if done well though so maybe keep in mind for later on.

Really though - try not to worry about too much. Most things seem to be a phase and the one thing I have learned is that you really do need to just let some things go. I think most people tend to be harder on their first child because you want to be "on them" about everything and have a bit more of an expectation for both them and ourselves to be good kids/parents all the time. In reality they are just kids and are going to be "naughty" and not listen to what we say etc etc. My best piece of advice and something I wish I had learned to do earlier is to pick your battles. Sometimes you just need to let them get away with stuff because it is really not worth it. Putting your time and energy into the bigger things is far more beneficial.

I hope I don't sound preachy - it is just something that took me a long time to get the hang of and I would have spent a lot less time stressing about trying to fix all her behaviours if I'd taken it on board earlier.

[*Simone*]

Hi Emma Good to hear Emily is walking and her speech is progressing.

Yes Daniel is sometimes like that with toys, it depends what it is. If he sees another baby/child playing with something he likes the look of he will go over and try to take it off them. And I have seen it done to him many times as well. I think it's perfectly normal at this stage as long as they're not too vicious in their attempts to get it from another child (hitting/ biting etc).
If I catch Daniel at it I just pull his hand away and say no clearly, and try and distract him with another toy. Even though he doesn't understand I am in the habit of saying things like 'you must share, that's x's toy' while I stop him from doing it. He goes to Gymbaroo. playgroup, and with his cousins who are similar ages- most children do it.

A funny thing he does that my SIL tells me her son does also is that if he gets really frustrated or really excited, he tries to bite me. It's like he doesn't know how to express how strongly he is feeling- again I just tell him no and that he mustn't bite.

Another thing I would suggest is asking her carers if she is like that at daycare. Having little friends over to your house might help her also to get used to the idea of sharing.

The only two toddler books I have are The Mighty Toddler like Sara and also Kidwrangling by Kaz Cooke. To date I have read neither it's on my to-do list.

[Thelma]

Emma - Lily is like that playing with other kids (Jayden and Alannah!). But with them I think it's more that someone else is playing with it and it looks interesting, rather than nasty snatching which I have seen some older kids do. So I'm not too worried about that yet. If it gets to nasty snatching stage then I'm not sure what I will do, but will deal with that as it arises. Great to hear about the walking and speech.

Lily has started saying no but without the n part. Just great And she tries and copies speech intonation mostly. Things are still difficult with her hearing aids though and it's made me really slack as I'm so over it. I need a reward chart for me!

Sara - hope Charlie goes well with daycare. And I'm sure you're looking forward to those 2 days back at work!

[dee26au]

Hi every one!!!!
Sorry I havent been around, just been busy with Christmas/new year etc....

Can you believe our babies are 1????

I am still trying to get over that fact!!!! I look at Jye and think he is still too little to be one!!!!! we just had small party for him with family and friends, it was a great day....
And he is finally crawling!!!!! Happened 1 week after his birthday!!!! Thought he would be a comando crawler/bum shuffler but it happened.... No where interested in walking standing tho.... Is starting to get up on his knees tho, thats about it.
Christmas was good, got spoilt rotten, and loved the wrapping paper..... He was sick tho him and Renee had Tonsilitis (sp) and Jye had an ear infection in each ear....
New year was quiet, just spent it at a friends place... Other than that not much else has been happening....

Could every one please share their daily routine with there now 1 year old??? Since being sick Jye has just gone out of wack!!! He used to be such a good sleeper 2 sleeps a day, up at 7:30, breakfast, play, sleep at 10:30/11 up around 1:30/2 lunch,play then a short nap 3:30 to 4:30/5 tea, bath/ short play, bottle and bed at 7:30.....
Now it is up at 7:30 breakfast play try and put him down at 11, fights sleep will go down finally at 11:30/12pm after me going in there numerous of times laying him back down ( as he has just learnt he can get on his knees and rattle the side of the cot.... wakes up exactly an hr after he has gone down wont go back down to sleep no matter how hard i try so he gets up lunch, play and then we do the same thing all over again back down at 2/2:30 fights it finally goes to sleep then is up again an hour later.... cant get him back down again and then he is tired so i try putting him down at 7 and he fights it again.... finally going to sleep at 8/8:30... sometimes if he works himself up it is 9/9:30!!!!!! He is tired and i know he is tired, every time i lay him down his eyes droop but he fights it so much!!!! I did try to cut him down to one sleep and kept him up until just after lunch but he still fought it and was up after an hour and wouldnt go back down and then wouldnt go back down for a second sleep...... I am sure Renee was never this hard!!!! She cut out her morning sleep and went to a long day sleep just like that!!!!
If you could please share your routines, tips and advice for me that would be great as i am struggling at the moment!!!!!!!

Also if you have noticed my ticker i found out i am pg with no 3!!!!! Was a total shock, but a happy one!!!!!! We have struggled for so long and cant believe this happened so easily!!!! Renee was an IVF bub, took us 5 years, plus one m/c, we then tried Ivf for a second for 8 years I could get pg but kept m/c. I had 8 m/c when Hubby (we) decided it was enough. Of course I was devestated and lost alot of weight, started getting my periods back and 7 months later found out i was pg with Jye. Counted our blessings and decided not to use protection as i had only had one period since Jye was born and I have put on a bit of weight so didnt think any thing of it, but then I became very moody and tired etc and hubby kept asking what was wrong and i was in tears saying i didnt know, we decided to do a pg test and couldnt believe my eyes!!!!!!! Never ever thought i would be a mum of 3!!!!!! Had a bit of a scare on boxing day woke up covered in blood rushed to the A & E and they thought i lost the baby, but after an ultrasound detected a baby with a heart beat of 170 per minute but found i had a tear in my uterus so have been on bed rest for the last 2 weeks which has been hard but been good being home spending time with the kids... Back to work next week on light duties.... Hopefully it will be smooth sailing from now on!!!!!!


Some quick personals... i i have forgotten you then i am sorry, i just havent read back far enough.... promise i will be back on a more regular basis......

Sara- I hope Charlie goes well with day care, hopefully he sees Cate enjoying herself and he will too!!!

AliRo- Thats cute about Lily saying no.... Jye doesnt say it yet he just constantly shakes his head for no.....

Emma- Yay on Emily walking!!! How exciting!!! glad her speech is coming along too!!!!

Janelle- Congratulations on your pg!!!! Glad you have seen the heartbeat and the bleeding has eased. So scary isnt it....

Simone- Jye does the same time with the biting thing some times he with just blow raseberries on my shoulder etc but if he is worked up etc he will bite... he has only done it a couple of times so it is hard to tell if he will make a habit of it... i hope not!!!

Thats it from me... I hope you are all well and have got through my novel...lol..

PS please feel free to add me to face book.... search for deanna zealley... would love to have you as a friend!!!!

[scasey77]

Deanna - wow on pg # 3. Congratulations. Hope the bed rest has helped.

In terms of routine this is Charlie's. Has been on this one since just befre Xmas.

7am wake and milk
8:15/20 breakfast
9:30 morning tea
11:20 lunch
12pm bed - sleeps for 2-2.5 hours
2:30/3pm arvo tea
5:15 tea
6pm bath
6:30 milk
7pm bed

Charlie has been much easier than Cate was during that transition to 1 sleep. It certainly sounds like maybe he only needs the one sleep if he is fighting all sleeps. In terms of waking after an hour - Charlie started doing this when he needed more awake time but by the time I changed the sleep he had got into a bit of a habit of waking so in the end I just had to leave him to whinge and cry until going back to sleep. It took quite a few days but he started going back to sleep more quickly all the time and eventually just kept sleeping.

Will go and have a look for you on FB.