oct/nov babies

[Tracii]

Hi all - sorry I have been a little mia...life is so chaotic right now..will explain someday..i need to catch up on all the news so i will write personals later this week..sorry...all is ok with Isabella..we have joined a play group which is really nice...there is another 'crazy girl' (ie. very active as well)..so me and the other mother can sympathize with each other. Still only 2 teeth..but TONS of drool! We are getting ready for the trip to the US...mentally I need to be prepared to get on the plane with Isabella. still going jogging but this weight does not want to come off..in fact i may be gaining more weight! Hope all is well with everyone!

[Cla]

Hi all!

Loved the piccies on photobucket - and Tracii the video clip was fantastic! I'd do the same if I was technically minded but it takes me forever just to get the digital camera to work!!!!

Caught Charlie trying to climb the stairs the past couple of days - he managed two before I pulled him back down! Would put up a stairgate but the straight ones won't work on our stairs as we have no wall on one side to fix it to. Have found some "flexi" ones that may work but £45 each! We have THREE staircases!!!!!!! (sounds like we live in a very large house but honestly we don't! The house used to be 3 tiny cottages which were knocked into one, so each bedroom has it's own staircase!).

His other new trick is to climb UP the slide at the swingpark. I do give him a bit of a hand and then when he gets to the top he slides down frontways! Usually I hold onto him but yesterday he turned round and was too quick for me and did it by himself! Gave me a heart attack but he thought it was so cool! I think he's going to be a stuntman!

Tracii your comment about "crazy" girl made me laugh! I look at friends who have quiet, serene babies and think "you're so lucky" but then remember the joy I get watching him diving into everything and investigating everything. Just means I don't get to sit down very often! In fact we were at the local pub on Sunday and a friend leaned over and said "does Charlie EVER sit still?!" NO!

Hope all is well with everyone. Have a good day!

Cla
xx

[bella-s]

Can I join the crazy baby club???!!! You're right Cla, the joy of watching them run amok is great, but at times I would love to have a baby baby!!! Oh well, maybe number 2 (if it ever happens) will be the placid one!!

[kristiA]

OH my gosh....we have some cute kids! I love all the new pics on photobucket. Isabella, Colin, Hendricks, Charlie & Jessica all are gorgeous! Great pictures!

Has anyone thought about teaching their babies baby sign language? I was looking at books online today and thought maybe I'd give it a try. It would be neat for them to be able to communicate before they can actually talk.

[EYCI]

Hi All -
Glad to hear everyone is doing fine. I agree with KristiA... what a cute bunch of kids!!

Well, no crawling for us still. He just rolls if he wants to get somewhere. My niece did this and never crawled, but walked at 11 months so maybe Hendricks will do the same. People have this look of horror on their faces when I tell them he is not crawling yet... but I am not worried (yet!) and I just think of all of you chasing your kids and feel a little lucky for the moment.

KristiA - We have been doing sign language since about 7 months. Just a few signs for "drink" "more" "all done" and "eat". He hasn't done any of them yet but we'll see. He's still at the point where he just grabs for the glass or spoon, or pushes his food away. Oh well

Any of you have hair pullers? I am trying to figure out the best way to nicely modify this behavior, but H just loves to grab a handful and pull as hard as he can or yank it in multiple directions. He just laughs hysterically (as does DH) while I calmly try to detangle his little fingers. OUCH!!

What kind of stuff are your wee ones into these days. We're in a book phase. I think his toys are getting a little boring for him so lately he will sit for 20 minutes at a time while I read. He also LOVES to play peakaboo while in his crib. I'll duck down and jump up and he just screeches with laughter. Or, he'll pull himself to standing in the crib and try to reach over to get me. One thing I found is that he doesn't resist his crib anymore like he used to do on an occasion. Its like he doesn't know if he's being put in to play or sleep, so he doesn't protest.

Well -- can hardly believe we are approaching 1 year birthday parties already. How exciting! High School graduation seems just around the corner. HAHAHA... although I'm sure I'll look back in 18 years and wonder where the time has gone

take care...

--Julie

[Cla]

Hi all

Was half way through a nice upbeat post when dp called with bad news from the vets. My poor cat has been unwell for some time now with one thing or another. Hardly suprising at 19 but we've been doing what we can (vitamin injections, shaving - professionally of course!). anyhow she went in yesterday as her teeth have got so bad that she just can't eat or drink. The vet had said they didn't want to operate unless absolutley necc as they weren't sure she would survive the anaesthetic (spell?). They wanted to check liver, kidneys etc. first. Anyhow they have just called to say they have found she has cancer of the throat and there really isn't anything they can do for her. Letting nature take it's course is not an option so they will put her to sleep. It's very sad that only a few months ago we had two cats and now we don't have any. But at 19 and 23 (yes, the other cat was 23!) it's really no great suprise. Doesn't make it any easier though.

sorry - will try and return to the upbeat post

KristiiA - charlie's nursery do baby signing - they learn a new word every week. Although if I'm honest I can't really say I've ever seen Charlie do anything remotely like the words he's learnt. Maybe though this would change if we did it more at home?

Julie - we have a hair puller! In fact I have only worn my hair down once in the past 7 months (that was because I'd just been to the hairdresser!). It just hurts too much when he does it and wearing it down is too tempting for him! I am quite strict if he does get hold of my hair - I do tell him off and walk away from him. Not that it has stopped him so far!

Oh - we had a falling off the bed incident last night. backwards. It just happened so quickly - I was sat right there next to him and I still wasn't quick enough. Anyhow apart from being very shocked (both of us!) he was fine. A quick walk down the alley to see the horses did the trick - he forgot all about it (which is more than could be said for me. It took a glass of wine before I calmed down!).

Right it's actually taken me ages to finish this post for one reason or another. sorry it was a depressing one!

Cla
xx

[Tracii]

Ahhh...finally a moment to reply

Cla - I am so sorry about your cat. I am not sure what I will do when my dogs get older...they are so much a part of the family. When Isabella gets hurt we always show her the dogs...amazing how they forget the pain with a little entertainment. The video I took of Isabella is with a webcam (so grandparents can see her)..so quality is not great.

EYCI - I wouldn't worry about the non-crawling - there are some children that just skip this phase. We are having a phase of doors and pulling things out of the basket...I wish Isabella would sit still for more then 2 seconds so I could read to her. I have wrapped towels around the door handles so she can't slam her fingers in the door. And we have a basket where I throw toys and stuff so she can investigate what is in there.

KristiA - I can't believe your boys are about to be 1! Are you still going swimming?

Bella - Number 2! Geez I can't even think about number 2...Isabella keeps my attention all day...there is no number 2 for us. If I got accidentaly pregnant then it is ok..but not trying and definitely no IVF.

Sue - Jessica is a real cutie! Let us know how you are doing as well. We miss you.

Any word from Charlie??

Isabella is as active as ever - and starting to get cranky even sitting in her stroller. I have started to use pull-up diapers because it is a real fight getting her dressed and putting normal diapers on. Still 2 teeth. Isabella is also not doing great on nap time...the past weeks only 1 nap per day She is really enjoying feeding herself. I give her chunks of banana, cooked carrots and potatoe -whatever is soft enough. She is also starting to stand by herself for milliseconds. Off for a cup of tea in silence

[Cla]

So have we all developed eyes in the back of our heads?!!!
Was doing the washing up yesterday - Charlie was sat on the floor besides me playing with some plastic tubs (his favourites?!!!! Why bother with expensive toys!). anyhow after about 3 mins I thought "Hmm he's gone very quiet!" I looked down and he was gone - I found him half way up the stairs!!! What a sausage!
Tracii - we've also had the standing up on his own - it started with milliseconds but the past few days it's been for around 20 seconds each time. Not attempted to walk alone (still needs to hold onto one finger!) but I think it is just a matter of time!

Just wondered if we could start a birthday list as I've forgotten who was born when. Can't believe our little ones are approaching the end of one year - frightening! Anyhow I'll start things off with Charlie:

Charlie (Cla) - 13th October

Have a good week!

cla
xx

[Tracii]

I am reading the best book - if you are worried about bringing up your child to avoid the issues now facing us with the young ones (instant gratification, selfishness, ...) it is a must read...it is called 'The Toxic Childhood'....it is not a parenting book per se but has some very scary statistics about the way children are growing up today in the 'civilized' world...for instance the percentage of 8 year old who know how to use a fork and knife (hamburgers and hot dogs have helped this deterioration).

There are things which were brought to life for me as well which I was doing wrong...anyway I really, really suggest this read.

[EYCI]

Hi All -

Just a quick moment to say hi.

We went to the fair this weekend. Hendricks LOVED the animals. He didn't stop smiling and laughing. Got some pretty cute pics, so I'll put some up on photobucket.

Great idea on the birthday list, CLA. I've updated it

Hendricks (Julie/EYCI) - 4th October
Charlie (Cla) - 13th October

Hope you are all doing well!

--Julie

[Tracii]

EYCI - Hendricks is the cutest! He totally has your eyes! How did you manage to have him sit on the tractor to get his picture taken?

How is everyone? Where is everyone??

OK - I am totally hyperventilating about our plane ride. I seriously don't know what to do with Isabella for 10+ hours. DH actually recommended we cancel - but my family would be devastated (my dad - Poppsy- hasn't seen Isabella since she was 5 weeks old). She is ALL over the place - she won't even stay in the same room for more then 2 minutes. She doesn't like 'normal' toys..so would be a complete waste of money. For the past month she played with the dogs leashes (now no longer interested) now she likes this long shoe horn.(don't ask)...but I seriously can't take it on the plane (I am hoping some old guy has a cane we can borrow ). Crazy kids any suggestions???

[madiva]

WOW finaly time to post. Colin is growing so fast. He is defenitly a handfull. He started walking and now I feel I have to be right over him all the time. Scared he might fall and hit the head. He is saying byebye, ish for fish, mama, dada, up for puppy. It is soooooo cute. He has been on 5 vacations and was so good for the rides. Oh and he also has a little (big) temper. He points and fusses at the dog. Well glad to hear all is doing well. Talk with yall later.

P.S. Does anyone have any idea what they are going to do for the 1st B-day party? Are you having it at home or at a kids place? I am still undecided. At home I have to clean and decorate. At a kids place they do all the work. I know that sounds lazy but I am not sure what the easiest will be.


Colin D.O.B. October-20-2006

[kristiA]

Madiva, I am torn about the same thing...1st b-day party at home or at a child's place...and for the same reasons you mentioned. It's 1 month and 1 day away for me. I have to decide quick!

I can't believe Colin is walking! Isn't he the first to walk in our group?

Tracii, I can imagine your worries about a plane ride since Isabella is so active. We're taking a flight this coming month. And we are thinking about going to Hawaii in 4 months, which is more than 10 hours and worried about that too.

Ok, I guess I have to cut this short. Two boys are pulling on my legs and crying. Birthday list updated....

Brady & Tyler (Kristi) - 30th September
Hendricks (Julie/EYCI) - 4th October
Charlie (Cla) - 13th October
Colin (Madiva) 20 October

[EYCI]

Hi all -

Have to admit I'm a little down right now. My company announced on tuesday that they are going to layoff at least 30% of us in the next 2 months. I am very fearful for my job. I love it, and the company I work for and it is devastating to think about starting over new somewhere else. Not to mention that DH stays home so it really puts a financial crimp on us too.

Arrrggghhh... what a start to a long weekend. Plus, DH has a fishing trip this weekend so it's just me and the boy and frankly, Hendricks isn't that great at listening and consoling me

Hope you are all doing well. Keep posting... I love reading about what your little ones are up to

--Julie

[Tracii]

Off to the US tomorrow Isabella has been great - she is such a funny child with a great sense of humour. No new news..still no top teeth! Last night she woke up around 9pm crying...everytime I left the room she started again so I just sat next to her until she fell asleep. I think it has to do with all the changes and going back and forth between Munich and Vienna. I have updated the list:

Brady & Tyler (Kristi) - 30th September
Hendricks (Julie/EYCI) - 4th October
Charlie (Cla) - 13th October
Colin (Madiva) 20 October
Isabella (Tracii/Traci) - 17 November