To dummy or not to dummy, the debate rolls on.
I really have no idea...
... you stick a dummy in, the kid calms down and doesn't get half a feed on mummy's tired booby. Instead he works his chompers off getting proper hungry for the next time and tires himself out enough for a proper sleep in the process.
But then again, he becomes reliant on it, may communicate less and as a result and could become addicted to cigars later on in life.
If one chooses not to dummy then casual grazing continues with no real patterns and routines being shaped, the baby's always tired, mummy's always tired and he may take to sucking his thumb anyway.
What do we do people ?
I know, we can ask a really clever person to come on the show tonight and tell us once and for all.
In the meantime, in my new status as kitchen goddess, I am worried about the state of our dischcloths. They stink to high heaven, they reek of something akin to a dead animal and these are the things we "clean" the rest of the kitchen with !
I was so distressed I went to wash them last night, we currently have three. The dirt that came out instantly turned the fresh soapy water death grey.
Any dishcloth tips whilst you're at it.
CLP.
2009.
X.
P.S. Tash Day every Friday - not bad idea.
X.X.X.
© MMIX~RS~q~RS~~RS~z~RS~52~RS~)
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I can't be the first surely?? Wow!
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Nowt wrong with dummies - my kids are all in their 20s and gave up using them years ago. One regrettably smokes but dont think that is cos he had a dummy as a kid.
Dishclothes - soak in a little bleach ;-)
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Bleach 'em or bin 'em Chris. The dishcloths. Not the dummy. That would be wrong on many levels and not for here. Or anywhere.
Personally, I bin 'em when they begin to get whiffy. Just over a quid for a pack of 4 - one can afford to be decadent and bin bin bin.
Did you get me Q for U2? Good one!! I await your Production Team's phone call!
As for the dummy debate ..... when my niece was a baybeeee she had a "sucky" - a piece of tablecloth, I think. Anyhoooo, long story short ..... she won't give it up for anything. And she's now 12. Very worrying indeed.
Will miss the start of the show tonight - bus home with iPod for company. Bit of Ramones called for, I think!
TTFN
Deev xxx
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It seems I am.
Then let me say on the dummy front, that I think they are fine. My son had one and although as a toddler there was the nightly dummy-hunt ready for settling down for a story, he loved it. When he was able to understand, We had a chat about how he was a big boy now and needed to put it in the bin as only babies had dummies.
Far easier to do that than stop a child sucking their thumb. Can't throw that away can you? and I hate to see a teenager or heaven forbid an adult still stuffing their thumb in their mouth!
On the dishcloth front, chuck 'em!
They are cheap enough - if they are the flimsy kind, or use what I do which is face flannels - then they can go in the washing machine when I do my hot towel wash.
Then of course theirs always paper towels - recycled variety - but not much good for cleaning the top of the cooker!
Crumpy xx
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Really have no idea about dummies but put your dishcloths in one of those net bag things and when you put your washing machine on wash them with your clothes.
Tash day on a Friday sounds good.
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Dishcloths can go in the washing machine Chris.
That keeps them nice and clean!
Also, make sure you rinse and wring them out well after you use them as its the stale water that makes them smell.
Oh, and if you can store them on some kind of a rack or peg so that they aren't sitting on the drainer thats good too.
All the best,
Mary
x
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I watched an old episode recently of 'How Clean is Your House' and the tip they gave to keep your dishcloths clean was to put them in the sink last thing at night, then just cover them in hot water and add a capful of bleach and a squirt of washing-up liquid. Leave them overnight and by morning your cloths will be disinfected by the bleach, cleaned by the w-u liquid, and your sink will be sparkling clean into the bargain.
On the subject of dummies, my sister-in-law's four children each had dummies for the first 3-4 months only, after which they were gradually - and successfully - withdrawn from service.
Tash Day every Friday - great idea!!
jillygoat xx
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Our first one refused a dummy, the second can't live without it. They maybe small Christoph but they can sure make up their own minds :-)
Missing the show since my car stereo died. Thank the Lord for blogs to my mobile!!!!
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I think you need to bleach your dishclothes with boiling water. It should bring them up a treat.
I personally don't like dummies as it is distressing for the child when the time comes to part with them. Also, when they are a bit older and start to laugh and smile, you can't see their mouth properly! I can see the "for" argument though.
Looking forward to ARF - not wanting to wish my life away but it has been a tough week.
xxx
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Afternoon all.
The great dummy debate. For the first few weeks of her life my daughter fed almost constantly. she would only settle when feeding and I was exhausted!! I was so anti-dummy - I thought it was a 'lazy' way to comfort a child. Then my mum (sometimes mum does know best!!) said - she gets comfort from sucking, not feeding - just try a dummy and see.
It changed my life! The dummy was the best thing ever as far as I'm concerned and I would highly recommend them.
The dirty dishcloth debate. Chuck 'em and use new ones on a regular basis. Too many horrid germs lurking on dishcloths.
Phew - all this opinionating has left me exhausted!!!
T xxx
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Hi Chris
I think it very much depends on your baby. If they are the sort of child who feeds and sleeps, then you don't need one. If, however, they are the sort of baby that just can't settle and can't come to terms with what he is supposed to do, but gets fractious through the night etc... then I would use one.
The rule we had was that the dummy did not leave the baby's bedroom.
It was more difficult but it worked for us.
I would say, put the dishcloth in the washing machine regularly or as my old granny did, bleach it overnight.
Hells x
P.S. It's calendar photo time shortly, any ideas of who we should ask?
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Re: dummies - my health visitor pointed out that kids without dummies can always suck their thumbs instead. You can take dummies off a child later, but you can't remove thumbs......
Both my kids had dummies, both lost the habit by 3 years, they don't have speech impediments, funny teeth, malformed mouths, and I am still sane thanks to getting a little more rest between feed.
Re: dishcloths - I agree with the bleach brigade - it kills the germs and makes the cloths brightey white.
xx
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Afternoon,
My friends little girl had a dummy for a while, then the dummy fairy came to take it away and neither of them have looked back. I used to suck my fingers and I have perectly straight teeth and no bad habits (well not that I can share on here anyway!)
As for dishcloths. I buy a big pack of the blue or pink flimsy ones, cut them in half cause they are massive and then chuck them away at the end of each week. I hang them on the washing up bowl at night to dry out. Bit OCD when it comes to hygeine in the kitchen, must admit.
AliB
x
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Oh and if it's Tash day every Friday, does that mean Noah will help present the show every Friday *grins*
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Hi Chris,
My 1st ever post on a blog but, listen to your show always... You keep me sane!
A dummy is a real comfort and gives mum a chance to rest/heal. Ohhh! It hurts when baby just nibbles and grazes for comfort.
I have four children 2 had dummies, 2 didn't. I could take the dummies away BUT, the others sucked thumbs & fingers and still do!(one is 18yrs and he still does it when asleep) LOL!
I boil dishcloths in a saucepan with a bit of washing powder. They are super clean and kills all germs too.
xxx
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I was very anti-dummies before I had kids, then both of my sons had them when they were newborns as they were v v 'sucky'! I was told that anything a baby learns in the first 3 months is not habit forming and lo and behold it got to 3 months and I started using them less and they also started wanting them less.
Anything at all that gets you through the early months can't be a bad thing!
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Hmm.......to dummy or not to dummy. My wee boy had a dummy.
When he was small crying was never his forte, screaming was! I took him to the Doctor who after telling me that my boy was perfectly healthy suggested - whilst hollering over my son's screaming - that we plug the hole with a dummy. Plug or Pluggy then became a valued member of our family.
My boy has beautiful teeth, didn't suck his thumb, doesn't smoke - he is only 11 so I guess there could still be time for that - and getting him to give up Pluggy was surprising easily.
One of my most endearing memories of him as a wee man though was, when Pluggy was banished to under the pillow during the day, him running up stairs to give Pluggy a wee chew cos he was lonely!
Go with your heart and your gut feelings Chris - listen to advice, digest it then do your own thing. It's the best way!!
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To thumb or to dummy? That really is the question Christoff. Our son 12 months and 1 week has definitely thumbed (like medalled!!!) and it is the BEST thing ever!!!! He fed like a dream and never dropped it. Thumb and blankie are a dynamic duo - which especially at the moment when he is teething and the slightest thing upsets him, are just magic. he never loses it in the night causing him to wake up either!!
I dont want to think of how we wean him off - cant throw thumb in the canal!!! But hopefully he will 'just grow out of it - dont see many 10 year old boys sucking their thumbs!!!
Dishcloths - evil things - kettle of boiling water and bleach each night sorts them out a treat and into the weekly wash.
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I guess I am just a bit anti-dummy as the MiL keeps going on about them!! I'm determined to resist as long as I can.... But to be honest the jumpybean prefers his fingers and thumbs, or our knuckles, or me :) Or the antennae on his caterpillar toy. For now I'm happy to let him feed when he wants, the first couple of months ARE going to make Tash feel like a feeding machine, but then that's what babies do. They don't stay like that forever :) and personally I quite like the fact that it's only me that gets to be this close to my little one so often :)
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Hi Chris
My son had a dummy & it was a god send!! We were worried when it was time to say goodbye to it, but the 'dummy fairy' came one night, and swapped it for some really cool Hotwheels cars!
Definately either bleach or wash the dishcloths in the washing machine - it will leave them smelling really fresh!!
Love to you all.
xx
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Hi Chris,
I didn't get to read yesterday's blog at all, so I am slotting in today and may get it all wrong!
However, I have to say I don't think it does any harm for a baby to have a dummy. My daughter didn't want one, absolutely refused it, no matter what tricks we tried! But I know loads of people who gave their babies dummies. These same babies are now adults and unless they have some really weird secrets, I don't see any of them with dummies now!
When we tried to get MsS off her bottle (which she adored) I told her that "another little baby" needed her bottle. She was exactly two years old, we said bye bye to the bottle in the afternoon and she never asked for it again - she was just ready to give it up.
Chris, you and Tash do what's right for the both of you, and don't give a fig what anyone else thinks. If Noah gets comfort, that's all that matters!
And .... you will never get kitchen cloths cleaned properly unless they go in the washing machine - in with the towels, job done!!
C xx
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Yo, Christoph,
Every night, before you go to bed, put the kettle on and, when it boils, fill the sink with veh hot water, put in a squirt of fairy liquid and a squirt of bleach, and leave dishcloths overnight. In the morning, wring them out (no need to rinse) and they'll be superclean. Remember:
- You must do this every night
- You still need to replace them fairly regularly (say monthly).
Congratulations to you and Mrs E on your lovely little baby, btw, on behalf of all those who wish you well but just don't get round to sending you a personal email.
Let Noah decide whether he wants a dummy or not -- my little boy didn't, and many don't. I think the best advice I've heard is that they're fine to be used, but not to be abused!
Lotsa love
Geko xxx
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Hi all
This is my first post because I usually only get to lurk at lunchtime - I just have time for a quick read and then have to get my nose back to the grindstone. I don't know what's gone right today but I've been waiting for a chance to join in and this seems to be it!
Whatever decision you make about dummies there will always be someone to suggest you do the opposite, so you need to do whatever you,Tash and Noah feel most comfortable with.
Dishcloths go into the top basket of the dishwasher every time I turn it on - simple but effective.
Back to the grindstone
X
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Chris
When you ask for child rearing advice you will always get different points of view - there are fewer things more judgemental than a parent who thinks you are doing it 'wrong'.
I was very anti dummy until I had my second and out of desperation gave her one - which she gave up at about 2. Genuinely forgot to take it on holiday and that was that! Must admit I kept for sleep time only. I become judgemental when I see older children plugged with a dummy when they are not even crying! Surely it only affects speech if its always in their mouth?
Basically do what you think is right for Noah - he may hate a dummy- question answered!
Am also OCD with kitchens and bathrooms - change my discloth everyday and wash them.
Diddy
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HI CLP!
Dummy or no dummy... no idea as I have no kids but I can tell you that whatever you and Tash decide for ickle-pickle someone will tell you why youre wrong!
Dishcloths have to be
a- disposable
b- soaked in bleach and hot water
Luv
Lyndyloo
-x-x-
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Can I just add that if you do use a dummy, please, please, please don't get novelty ones i.e. that look like teeth. They are hideous beyond belief - yuck.
AliB
x
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All suggestions re cleaning the cloths are the ones I was going to mention so I will only add - PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE don't just throw away. We need to always think about reusing everything as much as possible so that Noah and all his new born chums have a world to still live in when they get to be our age.
Completely agree with the pro dummy arguements. Seriously how many kids do you actually see still sucking thumbs and/or dummies. A few maybe but it's not really going to be an issue. You say you'll be talking properly to Noah from day one, so just have a proper chat with him about it when the time is right.
Tashday, Friday, Grand day...
jx
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oh flip!! there i was doing a lovely post, thinking hard about what i was trying to say and hit the wrong key and lost the lot!! aargh!
anyway - dummy or not dummy? i have tried to analyse why i am anti and give a measured view!!
1. thumb/fingers/soft toy - they are all things that the child chooses to suck or have as a comforter. however, the dummy is presented to the child and usually there is no choice. Child cries - dummy in. Mostly, it seems to me.
2. feeding - doesn't always stay like this!! initially you do feel like you are feeding constantly, but after a while, when you start going out and about, and the child does more (even at a few weeks old!) the feeds start spacing out and before you know it you have gone 4 hours without a feed - how did that happen?! i wouldn't think there is any rush yet - he is only very tiny still - plenty of time for routines and all that stuff to develop in their own time! Natasha - just think of it as a perfect opportunity to sit down for a bit - read, do the xword, watch tv whatever!!
3. For the last 9 months Noah has been fed constantly till he was born, so his tummy needs to adjust to only being fed sometimes. as he gets bigger he can take more at each feed which will space out the feeds too. that is also going to take time. Certainly no-one that i know who breast fed their kids was constantly sitting there feeding by the time their child was a month or so old.
4. for me the worst of all is seeing toddlers going round with a dummy in their mouth. the guys who have posted on here about keeping it in the bedroom etc or taking it away after a very short time may have the answer! nothing worse than a 3 yr old trying to talk around a dummy!! (except maybe a 3 yr old with a bottle!)
(goodness, nothing worse than an opinionated parent is there?!)
If you are getting an expert on the show Chris, why not get one who knows about breastfeeding as that seems to be part of the reason for possibly using the dummy? maybe they can reassure you both that it won't always be like this!!
but despite my prejudices against them, i think the best advice has to be that you do what works for you all as a family. just don't rush it and let Noah be the guide!!
right off now - more work to do!
cornishgirlie
x
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Dummies....
you should hear the midwives' staff room on this hot pertater!!!
Some babies are simply 'sucky' babies. They NEED to suck on something almost all the time and it's not because they are actually hungry. Freud called them 'orally fixated' and it seems like their world focuses on their mouths. Others are less so. If your baby is suck-obsessed (I can see it now... "I'm Noah and I'm suck-obsessed.... ") then a CLEAN INTACT dummy is probably a good idea. Use one with a small, shaped 'teat' and not the old lightbulb style. Use it only when needed and put it away at other times.
If the issue is nightwaking and crying, would you prefer to scrabble around on the floor in the dark at 3 a.m. searching for a dropped pacifier or teach your child to help themselves to get back to sleep?
Dishcloths..... I throw mine in the washing machine and every now and again give them a good bleach. Nasty germs need a wet atmosphere to multiply in so leave the cloth open in an airy place to dry between uses. Don't use a cloth for raw stuff; use kitchen paper.
I think all of us who have had babies would say that if your major concern is how to keep your dishcloths virgin white.... you're doing a fantastic job with the little man!!
Can you remember LBN? Life Before Noah? Seems like he's been there since....oh...forever...yes?
aA
"President and Founder Member of the Tash Blog Friday campaign"
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Beckbo66- re Pluggy - that's so cute!!
That's what my daughter used to do when she was upset or had been told off - go into her bedroom and sneak a suck of dummy!! I'd forgotten that!!!!
T xxx
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Hi Chris,I think a dummy is better then a chid sucking his thumb, you go throw a dummy away!!!!if it makes Noah more settled then give him a dummy.
As for the dish cloths just throw them away and get new ones when they get smelly.
love to all. x
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The big dummy debate. I did dummy my son when he was born and whilst he did rely on it for a while, taking it off him wasnt that bad either. It is a personal decision whether you want to do it or not, but I never really gave it that much thought. I might add that his teeth are straight and he does not smoke. So each child is different.
On the subject of dishclothes, you have two options, good old fashioned bleach will bring them back to life or even steralising tablets. Alternatively throw them away and buy new ones. Lifes too short!
Good luck with your decision.
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I put dishcloths in the dishwasher - water much hotter than washing by hand
As they say up North 'they come out lovely!'
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Hi again Chris,
Meant to say earlier be great to hear from Tash on a friday.Loved her first blogg.
x
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Morning/Afternoon everyone from sunny upstate NY......
I agree with the earlier comments, do what's right for your family. There will always be folks that agree/disagree....
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Hello! I'm home! Work was fine thanks guys, felt good to get stuck in. Will mention it at my probationary interview tomorrow.
Dummies. Now LM didn't have one, simply because he didn't need one not because I am 'anti' them.
Being a parent is hard enough without people making you feel guilty about things so if it works, and junior is happy..why not. The do grow out of it with help or simply in their own time.
I couldn't breastfeed. Had terrible trouble, he simply did not want to know. I remember those first few days in hospital feeling like a total failure because it wasn't happening. I know that 'breast is best' and totally support that but at the time, there was so much pressure from people it made me feel awful.
He is now a lump of a child, not too severly damaged by formula milk either.
I think go with your instincts and trust them. They don't come with a manual and you have to do what you feel is best. Afterall nobody loves him like you and Tash.
Debbie x
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I still can't get over being on air on Friday!!
My Dad was so chuffed to hear me on the radio that I thought he was going to explode or something!!!
We managed to get Wi-Fi in one of the pubs so that my friends could listen to it on the fab iPlayer!
Dummies: I didn't have a dummie. Neither did my brother. Apparently thumbs, fingers or dolls hands work just as well.
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Hi Chris
If the dishcloths are the white cotton variety, then put them in washing machine or put them in a bowl of soapy hot water with some bleach. All will keep them fresh and hygienic! Otherwise, why not buy J Cloths and throw them away once they start looking a bit tired?
Glad Natasha and Noah doing well.
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Exactly what I do jannieb. Get the disposable ones, far easier. And I think more hygienic too.
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Hiya Bond
I agree (I think)? ;-)
Debs, glad your day went well - every time you do something new you'll grow in confidence!!
T xx
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Greetings Ter The CLP And......... Family, Greetings Ter ALL Computer Writers And Their...... Families.........
Bingo Star ere,
CLP - A used ter ave a dummy and never touched a cigar or ciggy in me life!!!!!!
Also loved candy ciggies..... and the above still applies in full!!!!!
So all a can say iz ignore these expert numpties who say the above will result in the bit below the above!!!!!
Noah ain't gonna smoke.... only visit The BIG Smoke aka 'ome of dad's place of work.... occasionaly - know what am sayin'!!!!!!!
As for dishclothes that are inoperatative through smell and INDEED colour.... buy new ones!!!!!!!!
Don't Selfridges sell em... aye????? A?
I don't know, I don't know but whatta do know iz yer can't go on with inoperatative dishclothes!!!!!!!!!
Cleanse yer cloths..... thus cleansing yer Thai Chee..... thus cleansing you mind and INDEED kitchen too - know what am sayin'!!!!!
Sorry mean't Feng Schway noot Thai Chee!!!!!!
Now all this baby talk iz all very well.... all very well..... but can't we get onter more important things ere..... aka cars........
Take a loook at this baby.... this iz a real baby.... if a could afford an F430 like CLP (well could last year until a blew 100k+ on the stockmarket - don't ask too much for me mind)..... This iz one baby of an F430..... take a look with full bodykit and awesome sports exhausts........ A can almost 'ear the growl.... the noise of this baby....... Take a look all >>>>
http://www.icoches.com/ferrari-f430
A RAW PIECE OF POWER.... Soz Tash And Noah gotta take a back seat ere.... well actually can't..... no rear seats in an F430..... well noot this one anyway!!!!!!!!!
GOURANGA Ter Each!!!!!!
PS Penny-Forem - Forgotten whatta waz gonna say now.... Ello for starters.... back in mo........
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Hi sparkle, how's things?
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Penny-Forem - Just remebered... EGGS!!!!!!
Maybe yer eggs are still white at 3 minutes 11 seconds az yer coooker ain't goot az much kick az mine or yer on a leckie coooker!!!!!!
All a can say iz keep increasing yer seconds by abit til perfection 'appens!!!!!!
B's Mum - Ello.... errr yeah am 90% sure a can come te rthe London.... sure a will be there though!!!!!!!
Maybe we should ave made it the 1st April noot the 4th???? 1st being CLP's birthdee!!!!
Lookin' forward ter meeting yer too B's!!!!!
Chow!
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If you can start the day without caffeine,
If you can get going without pep pills,
If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,
If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,
If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it,
If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you any time,
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment,
If you can conquer tension without medical help,
If you can relax without liquor,
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,
...Then You Are Probably The Family Dog!
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Christophe
Discloths. Try Mabu from Waitrose - they are made of wood fibre and are very hygienic. Don't stink at all and last ages.
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007..
LOL......not sure I agree tho, my mutt is very good at complaining, and still looks put out at not being number one anymore!!
I'm having to cope with de-caf tea at work, and it's just not the same...roll on hometime!
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dishcloths
bleaching them may be a little more 'green' - however, I have ruined loads of good clothing getting splashed with the stuff!
So if you are going to use it every night to soak your cloths - do it after you are undresssed for bed! Otherwise - bin and buy new!!
Dummies - I thought long and hard about giving my daughter one to have a break from her sucking at the breast - however when I finaly decided to give in - she spat it out!
She never had a dummy - but adopted a piece of cloth I had put next to my skin, which she took to bed with her to settle for years.
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LOL, my puppy is the same..... She has that, "it all about me" attitude.....
de-caf...... that's not really tea then eb....LOL
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Hi I'm back again!
Not often I post twice in one day, but, as you will see from previous blog, the dummy subject is one I feel strongly about! I really believe, if Noah will take a dummy, then let him. Don't listen to what anyone says, there is no one person who can tell you whether it is a good or bad thing. You have to trust your judgement (and Tash's), and there will always someone who will tell you you are making the wrong decision. Mum and Dad know best, end of story.
Welcome to the guilt-ridden world of parenting!
Dishcloths - I don't use them, I think they get full of germs.
Off to school now,
Em xx
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LOL Bond - my doggy is pretty much like that except for the food bit. She gets bored, and as she's a greyhound I feel I have to keep tempting her with diff foods cos she's such a skinny minnie!!
Obviously she'd prefer human food. A daily roastie would do nicely.
What kind of puppy have you got?
Re de-caf tea - I always drink it at home and have no trouble staying awake - but at work I've started having caf again, otherwise I'm ready for a nap at 2.30ish!!
T xxx
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Sparkle, I have a 4 month old yorkshire terrier......
I know what you mean about the 2:30PM slump...... I drink lots of water, when the need arises, it's regular tea or coffee
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Hi all,
I DID IT!!
Made it to interview and back without getting lost, or losing car in Eeeenormouse car park, So I Win!
Interview semed to go really well, now it's that horrid waiting to hear time.
Dishcloths: Bleach or the bin
Dummies: My knowlege of them could be written on the head of a pin, so I can't say either way.
Bondy, loved your dog tale (tail)
Well, the police seem to have caught the bad guys and gone home, so I'm going to venture out, seem to have run out of vino.
Will try to pop back later, just behave yourselves, don't touch anything, and take that nasty rubber thing out of your gob!
Yes you!
Nicki
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I prob need to drink more water but I find it soooooooo boooooooooorrrrrrrrrriiiiiiing
T x
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YAY Nicki, well done!!!! Fingers crossed now that you get the job!
And yes, no matter how dangerous the great outdoors is, one must always venture out for wine!!
T xxx
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Weldone Nicki! Yep waiting is the horrible bit, remember it well. Can't believe that I've been in this job for 3 months now.
Don't know whether to mention any of my anxiety issues in probationary interview tomorrow maybe best not what do you think? Actually no, I shouldn't.
Debbie x
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Water is boring Tinsel, so I normally drink sparkling water throughout the day.
Who mentioned wine? What a good idea...bit too early for me though :-)
x x x
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My Mum never gave my sister or I dummies. Our eating patterns are fine...
And I always use boiling water from the kettle on the scouring pad or dishcloths if I suspect my icky flatmates have failed to do so. They generally look cleaner afterwards... just make sure you don't scaled your fingers!
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tinsel....
feeling really stresed today - not sure if the lack of caffine or the big meeting coming up next week....but know what you mean about the 2.30 slump, I find a flapjack helps.....
007....
puppy sounds cute......ours is a grumpy retiever cross (she's 9 and puts up the boy very well - he likes pushing her over at the moment) who speaks volumes with her eyes and height of her ears.....who says they don't communicate with us?!!
Whoo Hoo......20 mins to hometime and cuddle from my boy
ebx
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Well done Nicki......specially for not losing car in car park, fingers crossed till you hear
ebx
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Thanks Tinsel,
I actually love drinking water long as it's really cold, I get through gallons of it, not posh stuff just from the tap, I think maybe I like it as much as the red medicine.........Aw who am I kidding!
Debbie-C, I guess it depends on what the anxiety issues are, dont want to jepordise your job, so maybe best to keep shtum for the time being.
And Tins, its never too early IMHO! hic
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Dishcloths - throw out regularly or boil in the washing machine.
Dummies - oldest didn't have one (used me as a dummy), youngest did (wasn't going down that road again!), oldest bites her nails youngest doesn't! If you give dummies it's easier to break the habit (usually about the age of 5) if you don't it's harder to break the thumb sucking etc and it wrecks the nails.
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Afternoon all
Dummy or no dummy, that is the question. But it's a question that doesn't really have an answer, it's a personal thing and having experienced both dummy and non dummy it doesn't make a jolt of difference in how babies develop and I wouldn't bother even asking a 'very clever person'!! But the one thing my children and grandchildren loved was their 'blankie' especially if it had a label on!!
Dishcloths - definitely disposable the only way to go.
Bingo - I'm cooking with gas man!!!
Penny
x
ps oops a bit opinionated there, lol
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Yo gang - just a quickie
I havea note from the Absent But Lovely Ms Hazel Love.
The move went well but she is quite literally up to her preiddy liddle neck in it at the place of workage.
Sends her lovely Love love and says howdie!
Deev x x x x
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Hi Chris, my little cherub had a dummy for a while for much the same reasons - she was just sucking on me for fun?!
However, at 4 months old when her teeth started to come through she went off it completely preferring to have hard items in her mouth.
As for the dishcloths, a little bleach goes a long way and if that doesn't work, bin them and start afresh.
Good luck on both fronts !
Gill ~ The Wigan Lass
(hey I joined facebook ! - finally)
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Plug, Yeah, Defo, the Plug.
It disappears when they hit their second birthday didn't ya know.
Pre-fix this removal with much reading of Peter Pan.
On the eve of their Second Birthday, Tinkerbell comes thru the night and removes the Plug to go and comfort one of the littler lost boys, who don't have mummys or daddys, or plugs of their own.
Plug Gone. Never Asked for again. And tinkerbell never even asked for anything in return.
plud, blanket, duice.... all staple basics for babes!
dwnb
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Oh and another thing !!
We used an orthodontic shaped dummy which is less likely to hinder the development of teeth in the gums.
Just so you know, there the "weird" looking ones.
Gill ~ The Wigan Lass
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True Nicki. Work is one of the few places where I can be 'normal' so why spoil it eh? If I have a full blown meltdown one day they'll find out then won't they.
Hello Wigan Lass, have you joined CLP Bloggers?
x x x
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Nicki, well done and good luck!!!!
eb, lucky you, going home in 20 mins.......
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CtD,
Thanks for the update of HL, glad the move went well.
Am I the only one on the blog without a pet and a child?!?!?
AliB
x
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well my puppy thinks she's both......
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Well done Nikki. All possible appendages crossed.
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AliB - nope, I don't have a pet or a child either, so you're not alone here !!
jillygoat x
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I don't think there is anything wrong in dummies to help get little ones to sleep. My kids all had a dummy but only when in their cot and never to just keep them quiet. Just keeping it as part of their bedtime routine didn't seem to make it so traumatic when it was time to give the dummy up. I remember with my daughter we put it on the barbeque to burn and told her something stupid like it was going to the fairies. So we had this big ceremony of the burning of the dummy. Anyway it worked and she was never traumatised by it - actually that is debatable!
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That's good to know gillygoat, otherwise I was off to the pet shop tonight to buy a goldfish. Live in a flat so I can't have any other pets!
Actually I might seriously consider getting a couple of goldfish, at least it would be someone to talk to when I get home and not myself, and with their short attention span they wouldn't know what I'd said to them :)
AliB
x
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Hi Chris,
First time on the blog - Congratulations to you and Natasha and of course to baby Noah!
The dummy debate....our baby daughter is now 3 months old (and is absolutely fab!) and we had the same debate about the whole dummy thing. Like all the bloggers have said, you can take a dummy away later on, (apparently best to try this at 6 months, before they start crawling around in order that you don't have the whole problem with dummy on floor being picked up by baby and put back in mouth..) which is infinitely better than having a dependency on thumbs etc. Also, we have found that it really helps with wind etc in the evenings. This was definitely a solution for us.
The other thing that is really helpful at night is a light thing that plays images on the ceiling with music....we have one and it's brilliant - works really well at helping to settle the little one down!
Noah will find his own pattern to life, but it does take a while...it will suddenly all slot into place one day (in the very near future)!
Re Dishcloths - bin and buy the thin blue ones. Suggest purchase of sterlising solution for kitchen worktops...or antibac spray....
Best of luck with it all,
Jane
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#62 even a 'jot' of difference. That'll teach me to read back before posting lol
x
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I remember when I was 1 and I still had a dummy.. threw it in the bin (when I say remember I was told I did...) never did me any harm. I mean I'm 19 and listening to radio 2! I'm years ahead of my time...
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Hi Chris
On the subject of dummies, as a mother to 5 month old now I definitely advise to continue with dummy. My daughter loves her dummy and especially since she has recently started teething. She gets great enjoyment pulling her dummy out of her mouth and then putting it back in. Why make things harder for us as parents and if it gives Noah a bit of comfort then what the heck ( don't think this is the right spelling for heck, but you know what I mean).
On the subject of dish clothes, I put mine in the washing machine or dish washer and they come out spotless. At night I soak them also with a bit of bleach just to take the stains out of them.
What a great idea for tash to blog us on a friday - it would be great to get a different outlook on things from tash's end.
Was watching gary barlow on this morning yesterday and he said that he was invited to chris martin's party after the brits. Apparently he got up on stage and did 2 tracks with bono, brandon flowers and chris martin. Think he said it was a cold play song and killers song. Is there any way we can get a hold of it.
What about playing free falling on request friday by tom petty.
Olwen
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Hi Chris,
On dummies:
As previous bloggers have said do what you both think is best for Noah. If he is feeling secure and comfortable I'm sure you will feel comfortable with your decision and able to handle it later on (it being removing the dummy or finding solution to thumb sucking).
On goldfish:
This may sound way off, but had a goldfish for very long time and he (aka Toby) would come up to the edge of the bowl to mouth bubbles at me when I came in!
Nicki - fingers crossed during the waiting period.
TTFN
Bye for now,
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Margot - how sweet, re the Goldfish. You've convinced me even more to get one or two.
A
x
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A - kept Toby on his lonesome because he was a certain species of fish (cant remember the name now) and when I put him in with another goldfish he headbutted it and it turned over and floated to the surface - a gonna!!!!
Can be dangerous this goldfish lark!
CLP - forgot to mention earlier that Tash Friday is a great idea.
Mx
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Margot, fantastic story. Fish with attitude. Wasn't one of those siamese fighting fish was he?
I wouldn't mind a fish tank but the thought of cleaning it out puts me off a bit.
Debbie x
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I had to look after a neighbour's tropical fish once when they were away for the week. They were is pride and joy. Of course one of them died while he was away......
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Bond - that is the worst scenario! Did they ever trust you with the responsibility again?
Debbie-C - it might easily have been one of those fighting fish. Really can't remember. Like you am not into heavy maintenance and just had a simple standard cold water goldfish bowl that only needed cleaning out now and again.
Even the cat kept its distance from Toby!
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Can a just take this opportunity ter comeinter the blog again.......
IN.....
Penny- For them, wow... sorry Forem.... errrr a think the root of the problem ere might be yer using the wrong type of gas - know what am sayin'!!!!!!!!!
CLP/ ALL @ R2 - keep forgetting things a wanter wreet, music talk....
A tell yer there's some brilliant tunes in the charts at present.....
Really like the brand new Lamar tune... Weight Of The World... very good 'armony!!!!
Also Alesha Dixon's new tune 'Breathe Slow'.... AWESOME... MEGA.... TUNE..... JUST BRILL!!!!!!!
Also Kings Of Leon... 'Love Somebody' all the above applies.... MEGA TUNE!!!!!
Also Taylor Swift and 'Love Story' another totally BRILLIANT TUNE.... just perfectly put tergether!!!!!
Love the words, the guitar work... and the way the song starts from minor builds then totally stops before building, slowing then a finale of a large outgoing major.... could be me fav tune of 2009 except for an even better tune.......
The best of the lot..... iz Pink and 'er AWESOME WROCK TUNE... 'Sober'... absolutely RAW WROCK.... love the guitar, 'er strong vocals..... just MEGA and Pink 'erself 'as said this iz one of 'er fav songs if noot 'er fav!!!!!!!
Yet outta all the above why iz this the only one R2 are noot playing this MEGA, MEGA, MEGA TUNE???@?@@?@@@@??????
It's all too much!!!!!!!
CLP - Talk ter the controller..... talllllkkkkkk ter 'im...... R2 needs this Pink tune even though it's now drifting lower in the charts.... maybe the very reason for this az the UK's #1 station aka R2 ain't playing this!!!!!!!
'ope this 'epls the playlist!!!!!!!
Chow!
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Margot, no but after fretting about it until they returned home he then informs me that the fish had been sick anyway and didn't expect it to survive...... he could have told be that!!!!!
The thing that we all laughed about was I left them a note that said, "One of your fish died.... I have the body"...... it sounded like a note from the godfather or something..... still laugh about it.....
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Also Gabrielle - Don't 'ear much of 'er music lately.... 'er tunes are brill and always make me feel a little 'motional.... they get me deep.... Sunshine and Rise both awesome!!!!!!
Also remember 'er duet with East 17.... another good band!!!
Some will disagree but dig deep inter their tunes.... some really brill tunes there!!!!!
CLP - We need more Gabrielle/ East 17!!!!!
The Gambo dude would play them!!!!!!
'ope this 'elps too!!!!!!!
Chow again!!
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Hi Chris,
I was firmly against a dummy before i had my son, but thank god for all night supermarkets, after a paticularly bad evening we gave in at 1.40am drove to the shop, son screaming and my husband bought the dummy.
Heaven, as long as you dont over use them i think they are marvelous, we decided at 2 that dummy time was over and as with all things as long as you let them know what is happening it wasnt too bad, just a couple of days of asking for it.
As for dishclothes i change them after using them and just have a stack in the drawer
Tracy Mostynhousemummy
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Also The Darkness..... and Pet Shop Boys 80's stuff.... all MEGA!!!!!!!
REM too!!!!!!
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AliB - I used to have two goldfish - Nelson and Winnie - and I have to say, they were very easy to look after. I lived on my own at the time and althoguh it probably sounds daft, when I got home from work each day I knew that at least Nelson & Winnie would be pleased to see me!
jillygoat x
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Jillygoat
I had two fish when I first moved into the flat 8 years ago. I called them Cage and Fish from Ally McBeal.
Between you and Margot you've persuaded me. I just need to find a friendly neighbour to look after them when I'm on holiday.
AliB
x
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Bond - love the godfather note - that has cracked me up. Its only after an experience like that, that you know the sort of questions to ask before taking on fish duty responsibilities!
When Toby finally left the marine world (after one last bubble to me) we had a burial in the garden, near the very small pond so he was close to the other fish. All of this for the benefit of the kids who were upset. Am still sure the cat probably had the last laugh and discovered the burial site!
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Nelson and Winnie, great names by the way.
A
x
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Bond- I was reading that post thinking.... sounds like Boo to me.... well whaddaya know! xx
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Oh bless Margot. I don't get how people can flush them down the loo...it's just wrong!
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Also forgot ter say too.......
nyet, actually i'll leave it ter next week..... some VERY excting news ter share with all!!!!!!
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JLFB007 - #83 - Yer could ave gone ter yer local supermarket and bought a Birds Eye Fillet and banged that in their pond... maybe then they wouldn't notice???
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As for gold fish .... never had any of those... had dogs, chickens, ducks, a goose, a goat, a mynah bird, a rabbit but no goldfish... did I have a deprived childhood? xx
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Margot.......that's really nice to do for the kids...but you're probably right about the cat...oh well
Lyndy, LOL...... the one thing I would add to the list would be: If you think the house revolves around you.......
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Thanks AliB. Go for it and if you live in Kent, I'll gladly feed the fish when you're on your hols ....... !
jillygoat
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Bingo - #97 - I can't stop laughing at picture of neighbour coming back to the vision of floating fillet in tropical tank!!
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LOL Bingo....... Actually I did think of replacing it, but as he was supposedly so attached to his fish, I thought he would have probably noticed.....
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Tash, Chris and all you luvverly parents out there....
PLEASE don't get sucked into the sales hype about 'antibacterial' cleansers. Many studies have shown that ordinary washing up liquid is just as effective as a wipe down for surfaces and there may even be some dangers in using 'antibacterial' cleansers incorrectly. Kids NEED exposure to all the bugs, especially when they have the protection of mum's antibodies through the milk. That way they develop their own resistance.
Be sensible. Wash AND DRY your hands carefully after handling food. Never handle raw meat or fish then cooked food or use the same utensils on them.
As a relief from all this intensity, I recommend a quick blast of Bill Cosby on childbirth and parenting!! Hilarious!!!
aA
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Margot, battered, breaded or in a parsley sauce...LOL
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A waz gonna say 'ow ave we goot from CLP's old dishcloth ere ter talkin' about fish??????
Or iz that we've 'it it on the 'ead and that's what iz old dishcloths stink of????
CLP - Yer noot been coooking off oysters ave yer.... courtesey of The Yesterdee Foxed Fox who did a runner ASAP after giving a dud answer before it could be found 'er answer waz dud???????
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Hi Chris,
This is my first time on a blog anywhere!
Love the page, love the comments and now feel part of the fun! Huge congrats on baby Noah and hope Mrs CLP is feeling better each day
First of all dummies. Used one for my daughter to huge success - she spat it out at 5 months and I threw it away. A simple transition that she seemd to instigate herself. Result!
Next, dishcloths. There is an easy answer. Use good microfibres and wash and rotate them every day or two. They give great cleaning results (without using yucky chemical products) and by washing them often you avoid the smell without throwing yet more stuff into landfill. Another result!
J x
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Hi aA. I agree that a little bit of dirt does no harm. Goes back to the 5 second rule when LM drops food on the floor. Actually it does depend on what floor to be honest, but you know what I mean.
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Welcome magicjaneyp,
I hope you keep posting to the blog.....
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Hi Debbie-C,
We have a 5 second rule too.
If it drops on the floor and no dog has eaten it within 5 seconds....
...it wasn't edible in the first place.
aA
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Bingo, I've said it before and I'll say it again, you're just a tease!!
Penny
x
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JLFB007 - A waz once very attached ter a fish..... it waz in me net!!!
A let it go again un'armed.... actually that sounds bad noot that fishes ave a arm..... put an aych in.... a released it unharmed!!!!
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Penny - Maybe but am totally serious on the egg issue!!!!!!
Get yer gas checked out!!!!!
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aA.....LOL
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Hi Chris and Tash - my youngest son, who is now 35, had a dummy for his first 3 years and he gave it up without much of a problem.
I would say dummy if he likes it.
Soak your dishcloths by adding a little bleach to some cold water - soak for min 10 mins - then rinse in soapy water.
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re #111....Good one bingo
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Hi and welcome magicjaneyp. Microfibre dishcloths - excellent idea.
Debbie-C - I agree a little dirt will do no harm.
Mx
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Margot - JLFB007 could ave blamed the floating fillet on the local cats or foxes!!!
Job sorted and JLFB007..... OFF THE 'OOK!!!!!!!
Get it.... 'Off The 'ook'!!!!!!!!
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Bingo - #111 and #117 - what a way with words you have!
Bond - next time you have fishy problems clearly Bingo needs consulting. He has the solutions.
M
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first time to this have been a fan since toothbrush days through virgin and never miss your show.hi all.
On the dummy front I have four children two had dummies two wouldn't, the two that did slept through the night from four weeks.the others didn't. None of them had them past the age of 3..
luv.
Anniehump
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on the dishcloth front mine goues in a mesh bag in the back of the dish washer
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Margot - Ahhhhhh it's all too much stress for me!!!!!!
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Bingo - apologies for landing you in the ..... fish tank.
Have to go now.
Mx
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LOL Margot....
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Oh my goodness the state me peoples dishcloths keep my mum up at night! She has instilled this in me too! She is also bothered about the size of the cloth also and will only use a certain one that about the size of a bedsheet! So to keep it whiter than white and pong free soak it in some very hot water with a good old glug me bleach in it! It will be heavenly from then on! Oh and im talking every other day you have to do this! You have too!
TTFN
Dx
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evening all, hope you're well?
dummies are not for planning I reckon, each of my children have taken/not taken to them without warning, all got spat out quite young too. Eldest went for the thumb which still gets used on occasions. Go with the flow mate, take advice but you'll know what's best at the right time I reckon.
I have a grumble, well actually a rant if I may.
Now this may come from the fact that I've been ill now for 4 days, not eaten much and generally feel rough as *** but what on earth is the point of Jade Goody raising all this money for her children when her new husband then sits one of them on his lap in the front of a car without a seatbelt on???
What a tool.
Poor child wont really have much of a future should they crash, believe me I've seen the aftermath of what that does to a human being, even at 20mph.
sorry to go on, but non-seatbelt wearers wind me up, let alone doing it to an unwitting child
bonnet de douche
KWx
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aA...#109.....so funny and so true! Just finished tea with the boy, he ate all his spag bol and the dog looked very upset!!
What's this about fish, we had goldfish when I was little..and I swear one of them lived for about 12 years...is that a record or was I easily duped by the folks?
ebx
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oh, dishcloths, need to be replaced with those yellow sponges that have a green scourer on them, and replaced weekly IMHO x
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Dummies - on a visit to Santa in Finland we saw HUNDREDS of discarded dummies. Apparently the trick is to tell your child Santa's baby reindeer need them. Sounds like a good wheeze - not sure if it works or causes kids to resent reindeer for life!!
C
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I had to join the blog as i feel so strongly about this dummy debate...I know exactly what Tash is going through as both my boys thought their mum was a dummy as well!! I gave both of them dummies after going through weeks of torment with the "dummy or not debate". All I can say is take it off them before they are old enough to question it (say about 2 years old) and you will have no trouble at all.
It's a lot easier to take a dummy from them that take a thumb which is what he will end up putting in his mouth !!!!!
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Good Evening,
Thought I had better keep it formal as I am new here.
As to the dummy scenario
Firstly there is nothing quite so appalling as a five year old with a dummy in public .. Oh hold on yes there is, silly me.
poorly made pork pies
Secondly
Never let them know that there is more than one dummy in the world. If they find another it will mean 2 everynight and either you will have to purchase the EU dummy mountain ( not heard much about it recently so somebody may have already done so, or you will spend an hour grovelling on the floor in the dark looking for the lost second dummy...
Bonne chance
Have a look at my blog, it might just be able to shed some light on the dilemma.
http://damonsitrep.blogspot.com/
But it is highly unlikely as it is about me dealing with cancer and not much about dummies.... at all
I find your show most entertaining. Thank you.
Yours
Damon
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Hi Chris
I'm the mother of 5month old twins (Ben & Grace). It was recommended to me that we use a dummy as the Foundation for Sudden Infant Death (FSID) have discovered that it keeps the airways open, therefore reducing the risk of cot death. I think this outweighs any risk of speech problems in the future!!!
All our love to Noah
Karen
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Gingembre very true, I totally agree. I feel like shouting at people when they let kids bounce around in the car. Complete numbnuts.
I saw a woman with a convertable had two small dogs jumping around the car last weekend, how dangerous was that?
Just got off the phone from somebody and need to vent badly....over to fb it is then!
Debbie x
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eb...... re #126 that sounds like that episode of the Vicar of Dibbley when Alice is talking about the budgie she had as a child that kept coming back to life........
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Hello Chris and Tash,
I felt quite strongly about dummies until I had a little girl who took to sucking me for comfort - the dummy has been brilliant and for those who comment on dummies getting lost at night - Just buy a clip, the dummy never gets lost and my daughter can pop it in her mouth at night without us helping her(well most of the time!).
love the show Chris!
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Dummy....deffo a yes.
My nephew had one and used to take it out of his mouth when he didn't need it. That or I'd stick my little finger in his mouth.
Oh and stick to one dummy and one back up!
When he was older (about 2 or there abouts) , he bit into the dummy and my brother told him it was "broken" and it went to dummy heaven. Easy!
Dish cloths?? Just be green and chuck them in the washing machine with a bio washing liquid. I do this with my tea towels, dishcloths and even J-cloths....
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please please save us all from the rubbish that is u2. quest. for them on friday please will you all pack it in on saturday and give the world a brake B B
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Dummies and Dish Clothes one and all
I don't know, but I was thrilled the BBC website has a compo on to win a Blue Peter Badge,
Now then, my Blue Peter Badge was stolen at school along with my tartan purse with a lucky rabbits foot. So I sign in as Prof Plum and immediately the website tells me I'm too old... how did it know???
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Prof- Doesn't one have to enter one's DOB when setting up the sign in.
Perhaps a junior alter ego is called for?
AK (aged 7)
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PS Barry Bass gosh sounds like the name of a Fish Shop.
This one is for you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6FwEJwwYcQ
You this this my question. Are they really on the runway as they are not wearing airside passes.
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No Aunty Karen I just thought it might be easier than University Challenge and I could win back what was rightly mine.
For suggesting to have a Parot on the program that died anyway.
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I never coverted a Blue Peter Badge, but I would have killed for Crackerjack Pencil!
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139#
(you this this) should read you see this
I was not shouting.
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Hi all,
just seeing if this posts as none of them have for the last 2 days!! techno failure
BG x
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Crackerjack pencil ooer. Well of course that show was ok apart from the little guy with glasses doing slapstick, it's behind you sort of routine.
Still think of a cabbage as a sort of crackercrack prop.
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Evening All and Thank's for a lovely welcome yesterday, Can't really comment on the dummy debate today as no kids in the RJH Household! But can i just say The Paul Anka Tracks this week have been suuuupppeeerrbbb!! I've just downloaded the album! My money for Thursday is Smells like Teen Spirit come on CLP you know you want to!!!
Really looking forward to U2 Friday making sure i plan a long tea to prepare so i can listen to the whole show in the kitchen with a glass of vino or two!!
Thanks again everyone
xx
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RJH - I've had the Paul Anka for a while, great to wash up to when you've dug out the best china that can't go in the dishwasher after a DP!
Take a look at the Glen Campbell covers aswell - great
BG
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Peter Glaze was a God amoungst men!
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Does anyone know why if I type mor than 50 words it's not posting??!!!!
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Hi All,
Ah Chris the great dummy debate!
It really is a tough one, with what I know about breast feeding when we're talking to parents we suggest that baby's are established at breastfeeding and not causing any nipple trauma to the mum before any type of teat is introduced to the baby.
My 3 were all offered a dummy at some stage, but the only one who really took to it was my son but that still didn't stop him from wanting to breastfeed all the time as well, it was either my breast or a dummy in his mouth, he just had to be sucking! He gave up his dummy when he stopped breastfeeding at 18 months.
I think like others have said you have to take the lead from Noah!
#131 Karen with regard to the study about sudden infant death and dummy use, the study found that using a dummy reduces the risk of cot death BUT if you give your baby a dummy you must use it EVERY night as on the night that you don't give the baby a dummy it is at a greater risk of cot death than if you didn't use the dummy in the 1st place, I assume that that is only for the 1st six months as the risk reduces after that anyway.
I think that study was good for giving parents a reassurance that using a dummy is a good thing rather than a bad thing but I feel it should be more widely stated that the dummy should be given to the baby every night and also at daytime sleeps as well. (sorry for going on!)
Thanks everyone for your messages for me for today, it all went well (better than I'd worried!), 4 weeks wait for results now but hopefully everything will be ok! I'm going to be having an early night tonight as I haven't slept properly in weeks!
007-What did you think of the ABBA song on monday evening?
Much love MCM xx
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MCM...... it was depressing!!!!!
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My daughter Andrea (yes you Darling) had
3 dummies, one in her mouth and one in each hand and she just used to swap them around!
No problem when we tried to wean her off them, we just told her that Santa had them and he would bring them back next year!
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MCM - hope all goes well & after lack of sleep before tests,don't do the same before the results!!
Bond - I feel the same about that song - but it sounds like my life !
BG x
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BG.....oh dear........
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Well Chris, I hope you are now clear on the dummy situation. Yes, no or maybe.
It would appear however that lying to your children to stop them using a dummy is fine.
Just off to bleach my dishclothes before I boil them in washing up liquid, put them in the dishwasher and then throw them in the bin.
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Bond - said with a smile on my face ! I wish I'd thought of writing it first - shorter than a book!!!
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Aunty - LOL
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Masterchef calls maybe back later
Take care all - enjoy your evening!
BG xx
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LOL bredgirl......... but then the book became a film and then a stage show...... and finally an American TV sitcom...LOL
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Goodnight BG.......
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LOL Bond, & how much like the song would my life be then!!
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Exactly!!!!!!! LOL
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You can always get rid of a dummy but you can't cut a thumb off - go for the dummy but use wisely
Get into the habit of throwing the dishcloth in with the washing every day (and you WILL have washing everyday!)and use a clean one, soon you will do it automatically.
Love to you all from NZ
Norma
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Hello lovelies - just a real quickie. If anyone has enjoyed listening to the sublime John Martyn tonight, please give a listen to Nick Drake. I remember the first time I heard him sing - it was on a John Peel programme, and I always say a little prayer of thanks to John Peel every time I listen to Nick Drake because his music and voice - just divine.
If you don't know any of his music I can recommend An introduction to Nick Drake, which has lots of classics on it.
Enjoy!!
T xxxx
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Evening Chaps,
Blimey Chris, if you think the dummy one's difficult, wait until to reach the MMR age...Much like the dummy decision, I can't help.
Our two had them, they worked well for us and they gave them up, without much fuss at three using a reward system.
I reckon the best person to ask is Noah...if you see what I mean, that of course means you decide between you, which is really the only way to get past all of these questions as they arise.
Failing that.....
Ask your Mum, I bet she knows...they just do!
Gingembre - could not agree more!
What also winds me up are those with the Baby on Board stickers. Q - lots of argument!
I followed one once...baby was indeed on board - all the windows were closed - driver was smoking!
He did eventually wind down the window as he drove round a fairly sharp bend, to chuck the fag out of the window.
Incredible...he had to take a test to drive the car...but parenthood?....not a thing!
Have you taken him for some Father/Son 'Tinkering time' yet?
I have no trouble acting like a child if you'd like to practice with me.
Toodles
Ripples x
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I think you'll find it's alright to cut the thumb off so long as you tell the child a lie, preferably involving Santa or The Thumb Fairy.
NB I do not really condone the amputation of children's digits, the above is for humorous purposes only.
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My internet connection is playing up tonight, it cut off after my last message and has only now come back.
007 So you now agree with us that its a bad song, I assuming it didn't send you to sleep on your way home!
Thanks BG, I wont worry about the results until I get the envelope in 4 weeks time which, going by past experience if it takes 4 weeks they'll be fine and if they arrive sooner its bad!
MCM
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Sorry, one more thing.
Not sure if anyone has mentioned this earlier or not.
But doesn't your heart go out to the Camerons?
I was driving when I heard the news and having met him and also picked up on bits and pieces over the years about how hands on he was, and how much love he so rightly had for that poor little boy.
It just got to me, I must have blubbed for about ten minutes!
God bless them and all
Rips x
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165 karen, that made me laugh out loud.
thank you
Rips, yes, very sad indeed. He was very loved.
Hells
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Ripples, there are two things that really wind me up, they are people smoking around their children, especially in cars when they can't escape the smoke and children not being strapped in in the car.
On the way into the hospital this morning I walked past a pregnant woman who was obviously an inpatient on the anti-natal ward who was smoking and I had to stop myself from saying to her didn't she realise what damage she was doing to her baby. It gets me soo cross, the worse one is people saying that they're smoking because they want an easier birth and don't want to have a big baby!
Sorry for going off on one!
MCM
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Some clarification on #164
The last bit was addressed to CLP not Gingembre (No offence).
And is a reference to the time that I think Tash referred to, where Chris goes and plays with his cars.
Just looked a bit weird that's all!
Rips
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LOL cornishmum...... no I didn't fall asleep but I need to put on some upbeat music...... Right now I am listening to the Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy for the umpteenth time..... great stuff......
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No arguments here MCM!
You go off on one...does you good every now and again, I find
Rips x
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Hi again all,
Just wanted to say fish are great, I am sadly without at the moment and don't think I will be replacing any time soon since we have a new kid on the block in the form of a heron.
I have a real old very pretty rock pool-come-pond that used to have 3 gold fish in residence, they were great all had personalities and all very different.......until the Heron.
I also had 2 golfish that lived in a very expensive (thats another story) lead crystal vase in the kitchen, they lived for years and years. I think they propably thought they were drunk as the vase was like a large ball that had been cut in half with one flat side, if you looked through it wow there was some strange images.
They were quite musical, my fish the 2 indoor fishies were named The Brothers Finn whereas the pond lads (I don't know if they were lads, how do you tell)
were known as The Water Boys.
I do miss 'em........maybe try again one day.
That it for me, nearly time for Grand Designs, sleep tight, catch up tomorrow.
Nicki
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Cornishmum re 169........ I think that falls under the category of "What the........"
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Goodnight Nicki
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Aunty Karen you are on form tonight!
Peter Glaze yes that was the name of that strangely unfunny person the likes of which produced hundreds of Pantomimes which never fooled me or I found funny. Later known as Eric and Ernie.
And yes how very sad for the Camerons.
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Evening!
Wowser. What a lovely evening.
Got the skanky bus homev from work and d'ya know what - I had simply the loveliest journey. It was cool to let someone else take the strain for a change and watch the countryside pass me by from the top deck as dusk descended.
Lovely indeed. ;-)
Got home and car was there. All mended.
Mr Deev not got round to starting dinner so I was despatched round to the Chinese. Tomorrow's lunch will ergo be reheated duck with pineapple and ginger.
Tasty.
Only downside - West Ham are a goal down. Booooo.
Bus. Lovely. Oodles of noodles!
Chowser
Deev x x x
timing. it's everything!
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Hi CtD.....
Please don't mention the champ league scores as I am watching them when I get home.....
Thanks.
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Dummy's are def a good thing. my daughter wouldn't take one despite my best efforts. she is now 6 and an obsessibe thumbsucker and her teeth are suffering. i gave my son one as soon as he was born, (found the nuby ones the best as they have a tiny teat that turns up - superdrug among other places sell them) after suffering with my first child breastfeeding day and night for 14mths, (she only made it through the night the day after she was 1 year old) i was determined to teach my baby son to space out his feeds. the dummy def made this possible, he was able to be comforted without being fed. i now know that the constant feeding made my daughter v colicky and unsettled. since i didn't know what i was doing i thought every time she cried it meant she was hungry so she must have suffered with a permanent tummy ache! my son was the perfect baby, naturally following the 'gina ford' routines without me trying. he slept well and ate anything (still does at 4yrs old) although not so placid anymore! we went cold turkey with the dummy at 6 months old as he was on solids then and i knew he could get through the night. it took 2 nights and he survived without it, but did find his thumb. he still sucks his thumb now but only at night. i wish in a way i hadn't taken his dummy away so early, i didn't like the idea of a child of 2/3yrs old relying on a dummy. the thumb is worse though, can't take it away! sorry have rambled on a bit but i know i learnt by my mistakes with my daughter that i am still paying for 6 yrs later!!! i breast fed Gene, my son for 10 months (until he found it funny to bite me!) and i wouldn't have lasted that long if i had to go through permanent on demand feeding as i did with Evie. good luck with everything, i never miss the show as i prepare and share my monkeys supper, enjoy it hugely. am delighted for you becoming a daddy too, it really is the best job in the world! lots of love, katie xxx ps, the babywhisper book really saved me, it teaches you to learn to read your baby's language, ie ear pulling = tired, watch for 3 yawns = time for a nap etc. its so good to hear the joy in your voice, thanks for working through the traditional 'paternity' leave and sharing everything with us!
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ok Bondy. Not watching it anyway - last night was my night!
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The Man Utd game.....LOL
What was the deal with starting the second half with only 9 men on the field.... How stupid was that!!!
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Oh dear I think I have read enough Baby postings Breast feeding etc. I think I might join Mr Fry Mule riding State side.
good evening.
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The dummy issue - I have two daughters and neither of them had dummies. They managed (and so did we) very well.
The dishcloth issue - buy the ones with coloured stripes for dishes and worktops and the white ones for floors and other grubby places. Chuck them in the was every night and get a new one out in the morning - all will be ok and not smelly.
Enjoy your time with Noah - they grow up very fast...
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Evening everyone
Busy and long day today, so I've only just caught up on today's blog and all the posts.
I tend to agree with the majority of bloggers re dummies - I was always completely anti-dummy until my child got colicky and it was my GP who suggested it.
I found it helped at night, on long car journeys and especially when we flew a lot when the youngest was just over a year old - as she was too young for the boiled sweets trick it seemed to help with equalising the air pressure. But they were never used all the time.
I also have pet hates about thumb suckers and nail biters! I used to work with a woman of almost 30 who sucked her thumb (yes - in a big office!) when she felt under pressure and it made me feel really sick. My nephew did it at least until his mid teens - and bites his nails really badly too. I can't remember for sure but think he had no dummy.
I also agree about stupid people who don't strap their kids in cars. I saw a man on a busy London main road not long ago with 2 tiny kids standing up in the back - one was right between the front seats and could have been fired through the windscreen like a cannonball if they'd crashed. I assume that if police see it they can stop and charge them but that's easier said than done?
And as for pregnant smokers (or heavy drinkers, or drug-takers) - selfish scum IMHO. I'd better stop there I think!
df
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Ctd - how're the renovations going on Deev towers. Hope lunch isn't going to be duck with ginge,pineapple & assorted plaster bits!
BG x
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lol bredgirl. All under control. We're having the fascias / drain pipes / soffits etc done. Meant to take 2 days tops. They're back tomorrow for day 4 ....!!! Can't complain tho - a friend is doing it so can forgive the mess and chaos!
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That's a great word................soffits! It was years before I knew what it meant!!
df
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I'm still not sure Derbyfi, but they don't appear to come cheap!! xx
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Ctd/derby - you don't know what a soffit is until you've had a builder in!! hehe
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oh sof-fits.........!!!!! LOL I thought my eyes were deceiving me.......
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Actually, I'm wrong there. I still don't know what the soffit is, but Mr BG told me we had to pay for it............!!
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Bond - what did you think you were reading??!!
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Behave Bondy!! Or I'll tell you scores ..
We've got a lovely water-butt to go in too. Being the tree-hugger that I am .......
;-)
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I think if I post that I might get censored.....LOL
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oooooo CtD, you've got to stop feeding me these lines..... A water-butt......
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to collect rain water in Bondyboos.
Really - bromide in your tea young man!
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ooooooh
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Evening each
Chris: Give Noah a dummy if he needs it. Our local Heritage Centre has a place for redundant dummies, where children can leave them with a message - some of them are hilarious: like 'I don't need this any more so I'm leaving it for the little lambs'.
If Noah starts sucking his fingers, he'll have soggy fingers for years. Our middle grandson Matthew, who's now 6, sucked 2 fingers on his left hand and even yet, when he's tired they hover around his mouth. If he'd had a dummy, it would have been long gone by now.
And as for dishcloths - buy j-cloths. Use them and bin them.
Right, off to read posts.
xxxxx
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I think James must not have enough work to do - you naughty boy! Tote that barge, lift that bale.........
Nothing ever comes cheap where builders are concerned, in my experience. And family members can be the worst for having too-frequent tea breaks!
I see Desperate Housewives is back on tonight after an odd mid-winter pause so will go now and get myself snuggled under the duvet before it starts.
Night all
df
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Ctd/Bond - I'm throwing the water .....now!!!
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This is more like it, no dummies, no dishclothes, just good old fashioned puerile smut, just like the blog used to be before junior came along.
Never mind All Tash Friday, let's have All Puerile Smut Wednesday.
Come on let's be having you (in the stylee of the blessed Deliah)
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nite df. i'll see you in Wisteria Lane in a bit ...
BG - he started it!!
Can you throw gin instead ..... please!?!?
xx
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Put your dishcloths in the microwave for 2 minutes on high - kills everything and makes them all nice and clean until next time - the world's best timesaver - and not a hint of bleach!
incidentally both my kids had dummies - now teenagers and haven't used them for years - not so with their friends who sucked their thumbs!!
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Just about to go to bed but AK
http://proffessorplum.blogspot.com/
No nappy talk or smutty talk here.
Chris as the only DJ on radio 2 with a blog lot's of fans here.
However radio2 is not really for 20 somethings wanting to read about sick wee and breast feeding or wives posting sorry mate.
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If you use a 'bleach based' spray kitchen cleaner then your dish-cloths get cleaned/disinfected every time you clean your work tops ect.
Your dish-cloths never become grey or smelly.
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Well that's me done for tonight. See you all tomorrow.
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Ctd- you fed him the lines!! & wait 'til friday for the gin!!
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Right, I'm off for the night. Maybe see you all for FNWC. Might be a bit late as we are having a leaving do at work, but will look in later.
And, I really don't mind if we are talking babies. That's what makes the world go round, eh? And we don't need sour people, do we?
xxxx
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Prof - Your own blog. I am impressed, there is another amoungst us , however, who has, or at least had, her own blog.
I wonder if you can guess who it is?
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Night Bond.
xxx
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Joseph Mc Crumble , Moose, Hazel and Missy as far as I can possibly remember, I think I would put you in the Mc Crumble variety some how.
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Hi Chris,
My eldest daughter sucked her thumb until she was 6 and so i decided to use a dummy with my second daughter.It was great! She used it to get off to sleep and of course it gives u extra time between feeds. At the age of 3 we decided that it was time for the dummy to go and so my husband and i devised a plan whereby Father Christmas would come and take it and in its place leave a present (even though it was only march!). So one nite before putting her to bed she left the dummy out for santa.Low and behold he came and left a pair of Dora the Explorer roller skates in its place! The dummy was missed for about 2 days but then the excitement of the roller skates kicked in and all was fine! At the age of 5 she now laughs at the thought that she ever used a dummy!Good luck with it , u can listen to all of this advice but remember that u know best!
englyshducky x
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Night all, I seem to have lost my post link again! Ctd,Bond we've had a laugh between #200-2006 although mine haven't shown!!
BGxx
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Prof don't know the work on those people, but google the name of a regular poster and see what comes up.
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Bees the night owl hello!I'm off now but while it posts make hay!!
Take care everyone & have a good thirsty Thursday
BG xx
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Hi Annie and Bond and night night both of you! I'm with you Annie by the way. The blog has never been so busy since little Noah arrived, it's lovely to share all the details and brings back great memories for me at least!!
My heart goes out to the Camerons tonight. At least Ivan's little spirit is free from pain now.
On a lighter note - did anyone see Grand Designs? If you like the idea of that house, watch Garbage Warrior - he's the original 'earth ship' bloke in the States, amazing.
Anyway, night night all.
T xxx
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Now what name should I google AK go on give us a clue who did it and what weapon etc
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Cripes it's Ken Bruce.
Oh my I've had it now.
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Evening - more to catch up on tonight ! and determined to be in bed before 12!
Christoph - dummys not a clue - dish cloths bleach - plus most nights whack in dishwasher. Microwave also works apparently.
The rest - could go on forever ! Have a good thirsty Thursday all - other fish to fry (not in tank - although did have an angel fish with attitude once - head butted the tank if you got too close!!)
Night owl gone xxx
Tash tomorrow?
Beesmum xxx smiling - of course!!
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Not going to make it am I ? before 12! Sigh ....
Beez xx
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evening all,
I apologise for my absence - I was hoping my new phone would allow me to blog but alas it has a content lock on it which I need to get removed as I am definitely over 18 or I was the last time I looked at my driving licence.
So much to catch up on - I didn't have a dummy when I was lickle but I did suck my thumb it didn't harm me but I do think the modern orthodonic dummies are better.
All the best will be lurking still trying to catch up on all the comments over the last two days.
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Dishcloths - whenever you use then, even to wipe up a little bit of food you must always rinse them in hot water, wring them out and leave them where the can dry out. If you don't want to keep binning them (although that's fine) you can bleach them regularly - at least once a week. They should never really smell and if they do it's a sign that the cloth has not been looked after properly and is teeming with bacteria. If you then use this to wipe other areas - well, get ready for the runs!
So all in all - wash after each use, wring out as much water as you can and leave to dry. You don't need to be a microbiologist to know this, but I am one.
Dummies - like the very nice lady that was on your show tonight said - see what your baby needs. My first son needed one when he was very young to help with his feeding pattern. After that was sorted (at about 3 months) he wasn't bothered with it.
All the best to you and Tash, enjoy every minute - these first few months seem like they'll last forever but they don't and before you know it he'll be at school.
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I have one who didn't have a dummy and one who did have a dummy. They're both fine :) The one who did have a dummy doesn't any more. Do what works for you and don't worry about everyone else.
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morning all, hope you're well?
great results last night in Europe, well done.
Feeling a bit better today, had some food yesterday too. Have to say that the weight loss has been welcomed!!!
PP - I googled my own log-in name and found a personal blog by someone of the same moniker...hmmm, they love their food!!!!!
CLP - I believe that name started on The Big Breakfast, can't remember how though?
Baby on Board stickers - I believe they originated in France and were initially designed for emergency services and road collisions. The search for any possible casualties could then be widened?? I think they were born from a time when all the debris was cleared and no-one had noticed the poor bebe that had been thrown clear? Now this could be wrong but I'm sure I've read that somewhere!
One other thing - does anybody else miss the prescence of Danny Baker on tv/radio? I do!
bonnet de douche
KWx
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Good morning all,
Hi Ginge,
glad you're feeling a bit better, re the food, start gentle, nothing spicy or may start the rumbling thunder stuff again!
I think you're right about the baby on board stickers, I'm sure I've read that somplace too.
I personally love the signs in supermatket car parks 'Parent with child parking' I'm sure it's not legal to let a child park the car, but I for one would love to see it!!
Nicki
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Thats supermarket
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Hi Tinsel,
Grand Designs, I loved that house. Mr N and myself were having one of our more odd conversations, and we are convinced (after a couple of glasses) that if we had only thought of it, we could have done the same using all the empty washed up yogurt pots etc. we found at my beloved mum's!
too late now they all gone to the dump.
Still we did titter
Nicki
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Hi Chris
On the subject of pacifying babies
Both of our children when babies could be calmed by putting them in front of certain paintings!
So much so infact that I did some research and painted a series of paintings designed specifically for babies developing eyesight.
All the best
Dianne
http://www.diannevince.co.uk/art-for-babies.htm
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Morning
Happy Thirsty Thursday
Before I start wittering on can I go back to #100 Gillygoat I do live in Kent, so I might hold you to looking after my goldfish - when I get some.
Lovely day today, the sun is shining and the birds are singing. Life is for living - it's amazing what a bit of sunshine does to the soul.
Agree about seatbelts, but I guess they think that nothing will happen to them. Also these loons who cut people up and drive just too darn fast - they might be tired of living but I'm not! Slow down you fools.
Be back later
AliB
xx
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Morning Blogpeeps! I'm having problems posting again.... ah well not to worry.... 2 sleeps to skiing!!! Yay!! Luv Lyndyloo xx
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Dummies - just do it, have a go !! If if calms your baby and gives you a moment to catch your breath, go for it !! I have a 4 year old little boy who LOVED his Dummy until i decided enough was enough and Father Christmas "took it away" to give to someone else. He of course left some pressies as compensation !! My 4 year old now sucks his thumb anyway when he's tierd. I think its OK. They like the comfort and security. A dummy saved my life during that first year, so dont beat yourselves up about it. Try it ! He'll either like it or not - simple !
Re dishclothes - chuck them and buy new, job done !!
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Dummies, have had three children, all breast fed, never used a dummy, they soon find their thumb after a while, and they've all grown out of sucking thumbs long ago, youngest is 4 and I don't think he was that bothered with his thumb.
In the beginning you find it all chaotic, I found if they cried just pop them on boob no matter what time of the night or day. Gradually they find a routine.
With dishcloths, wash out in suddy liquid to remove majority of dirt etc. I usually steep them in a sterilizing liquid/cold water like milton. Don't waste the mixture after your done, I find it an excellent surface cleaner around the kitchen. If your going to use dummies you'll probably have the sterilizing liquid anyway for the dummies.
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"Baby on Board" signs!!
If you think the subject of dummies causes debate amongst midwives, try "Baby on Board" signs amongst firefighters!!
They started in Europe in the early 80s where a brand of nappy sold on the continent had a voucher system on their packs which you could collect and exchange for items like toy boxes or changing bags or a "BoB" sign. The wife of a US serviceman in Germany saw them on European cars and, when they went back to the US, went into partnership with a friend and created the Safety 1st brand.
So why are they controversial amongst firefighters? Have a look when you're out and about today. How many 'spoof' or witty (supposedly) signs do you see? "Sex symbol on board". "Mummy's Taxi". Lots, I bet. Then of those that are actually the plain "BoB" sign, how many ACTUALLY have a baby or child IN the car? The 'inventors' said that the original idea was to make other drivers more aware of vehicles with children in them but do YOU make any allowances for a car with that sign in the window?
That's what frustrates firefighters. They attend a crash site, see one of these signs and put themselves at additional risk, searching for a baby seat that doesn't exist. Yes, of course they would search anyway, but they have their protocols in these situations and the sign can be misleading.
There....that's that off my chest today before I go out and brave the idiots driving unbelted, using their mobiles and paying absolutely no attention to me and my vehicle. Let's keep safe out there. people.
aA
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dummies - definitely a good plan. I was so worried that using a dummy on my tot would mean dentistry for years to come, but I've found these NUK 'soothers' which were designed by orthodontists and have the recommendation of the British Dental Health Foundation - and they come in 3 sizes so grow as he gets bigger. Finally I can get some time off - it's the only way he'll settle!
As the veritable housewife, top tip on dish clothes, got to get one of those microfibre ones - they last for ages before taking on a life of their own - and then you stick them in the washing machine...think they're called Kitchen Wonder (no surprise there!)
Me thinks perhaps I need to get out more...
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AliB - well I'll be!!! That's that sorted then ........ look forward to hearing about your new housemates when you get them!
I'm on the coast - how about you?
jillygoat
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Morning all
re baby on board stickers. Has anyone else noticed that a lot of drivers who display these signs appear to drive more erratic ie overtaking and putting their foot down....madness!!!
Back later
pfx
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Can a just ave permission ter jump inter the blog again?????
Tarr!
Whhhhhhaaaaaaaaaa....................
Bingo Star ere.....
CLP - A 'eard on yer show yesterdee the bacterial expert say DON'T throw away dirty dishcloths.... but recycle..... recycle maybe even cut up old clothes!!!!
So from know, sorry now on am gonna cut up me old underpants inter mini dishcloths!!!!
Just 'ope any dinner guests a ave arooound ain't mind their plates being prepared with me old undies - know what am sayin'!!!!!!!
Az for the dummy issue.... A once tryed speaking with a dummy in me gob, and it did impare me speech!!!!!!!!!
'ope this 'elps!!!!!!!
GOURANGA 2U AND INDEED....... U2!!!!!!!!!!!
Jump outta the blog..........
..............................'uuuuuuuuuggggggggggggppppppp!
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I have three girls, all of whom were breastfed for six months! My eldest, who is now 16, had a dummy and was an excellent sleeper at night, she slept through from being 12 weeks, but being a first time mum and not liking the thought of my child being seen with a dummy outside the house, i took it off her at 18months. She then started sucking her thumb and sadly still does to this day!! My other two daughters were not given a dummy and have never sucked their
thumbs.
In heinsight, i think i should have left my daughter with her dummy longer and as previous bloggers have said leave it for Father Christmas.
I am not anti-dummy's but i have to say in my opinion, there is nothing worse than seeing a toddler walking about in public sucking a dummy. I also think it effects their development and speach, not being encourage to talk about things they can see.
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Ello Penny Forem - Ave noticed that but the reason why people with 'Baby On Board' stickers drive more erratically is.....
1 - They are in a bad way do ter the following.....
2 - They are in debt due ter the added expense of the littlen!!!
3 - They are aving sleepless neets... 'ence concentration down and leading ter feeling of extra stress!!!!
4 - They goot a boy when they wanted a girl or a girl when they wanted a boy!!!!
5 - They've 'ad twins... double trouble!!!
6 - They've goot poo and sick on their back seats and are trying ter get ter the nearest garage ter 'oover it off.... ASAP!!!!!
7 - If it's a bloke 'e iz feeling ANGER az 'e iz no longer #1 in the eyes of the mother!!!!
8 - They're getting no jig whatsoever!!!!!!!
'ope this 'elps!!!!
PS - Also ever noticed.... there's never a baby actually on board!!!!!!!!
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Bingo......you're a tonic!!!
pfx
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To add to the Dummy debate, I've got two daughters one loved her dummy the other wouldn't take one. But I only let number one daughter have her dummy for naps and at bedtime, this stops them wandering around with it constantly attached to their mouth - yuck! And when the time was right she gave it to Santa!
If a baby wants to suck on something, they'll find their thumb - and thumb sucking is a much harder habit to break, as my sister knows!
Dishcloths - stick them in the washing machine!
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Chris
A new blog please, there surely can't be any more that can be said on the subject of dummies and dishclothes.
What about the Great Nappy Debate or how to keep your net curtains white and bright.
In fact anything really to bring an end to D & D.
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No Aunty Karen please one last entry
Now then I did not like being a Mummy it did nothing to enhance my Roll and Roll jet setting life style
I had a baby that never stopped crying so anytime I wanted to go the shops I had to take not just a dummy but a pot of honey.
I had one of those big sort BMW prams and one day the wheel came off. I had to continue my journey multitasking. Dipping dummy in the honey into mouth and kicking back on the wheel every few yards.
AK is it Lyndyloo?
Gingembre reckon your alto ego has eaten too many Ginger Nuts then?
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ooh blimey a-k - you don't want to start the great nappy debate!! that will go on longer than the dummy one!!
should be new blog any minute i reckon!!
is it time for ARF suggestions yet??!! is it, is it??
cg x
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Morning all,
Am in a flat panic as I am having a Year 2 lesson observed tomorrow by the powers that be aaaaargh.
Now, it may be because I am a little delirious but here is a startling confession.
I like early U2 but am not exactly a fan of their latest stuff. And I know everyone is very excited about it and I'm sure it will be great fun etc etc but d'you know what? I'm really going to miss ARF this week! I am very much a creature of habit, most of them bad.
Hey ho.
A x
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Pssssssst Boleyngirl -
I'm with you - I'd rather have a normal ARF!! (Unless it was 2 hours of Jose Mourinho of course ...)
Ahem.
T x
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Hello
New blog is bound to appear whilst I write this.
Boleyngirl and Tins - am with you 100 per cent. I don't like anything more recent than the Joshua Tree - which I still love. But each to their own eh?
I'm off now to pacify my dishwashing sponge and disinfect...............no, that can't be right??!
Oh well, might catch you all this evening. Have another late shift to do so will miss the show - again! Still haven't heard most of last night's one.
Thirsty Thursday - oh yes, definitely!
df
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A and T.....and me!!
Pennyx
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Cheers Tinsel and Derbyfi!
Me, I'm off with me dummy to bathe in bleach, might calm me down!
A x
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Oh blimey, what have I started????
A x
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LOL Boleyngirl -
Maybe us reprobates should go and stand in the corner tomorrow night muttering ...
Or we could spend the time bleaching our dummies and sucking our dishcloths ...
T xxx
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Morning all!
I'm also going to miss ARF!
I've been trying to find car insurance all morning and it's driving me mad!
You get a quote and then by the time you've added on all the things they don't include it's nearly doubled!
AK we don't want to get into the great nappy debate, it'll go on forever!
MCM xx
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really don't worry about the continual feeding, my little Paddy wanted my milk all the time - everyone thought I was mad to just feed on demand - but he was happy. He got himself into his own routine as soon as he was ready and the feeds just fell into a regular pattern at a healthy distance apart and we were all happy. Make the most of the feeding when you can - I used to think the night feeds sat in the nursery just the two of us were our own special cuddle time and actaully shed a tear when he stopped needing them - sad I know.
Another thing on the dummy front is that my friends used to spend all their time up in the night putting the dummy back in their babies mouths!!
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MCM - I think that's their trick, by the time you get there they are hoping you get fed up and take their insurance!!
pfx
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Pf I had one phone me back this morning like that after 1/2 hour on the phone I was about ready to just hang up!
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Boleyngirl and Tins
I think there will be a lot of us in that there corner!!
I'm with you on Jose!!
Md xxx
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so have i missed something (i have these moments - scarily often really!) - is there no ARF at all this week then? not even a starter record? will it be all U2? hmm :-(
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Hi Chris
Best tip I got, was to wash them in the washing machine. I do mine everytime I do a 'white wash' and it works really well.
Good luck!
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I watched Last nights episode of Waterloo Road and as usual it was Brilliant. This has been and still is an outstanding series. Once again the BBC have done a great job with their dramas.
I hope there are many more like it. All of the cast work so well together and it comes across in the acting. Once again well done Waterloo Road
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Dummies were not for my 4 kids. However I used a soothing cassette for one of them and it was fantastic. (it was a cassette, shows you how long ago it was).
My daughter used the same one for her baby only in CD form and on iPod.
Jaygee soothing Cd. It was great for getting baby soothed.
Dishcloths get used once then go in the washing machine. Yucky things!
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ps I breast fed for many, many months of my life and often felt like I was used as a dummy for the first 6 weeks!!!
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Hi Chris - my two boys both had dummies. I had no trouble getting rid of them and they haven't affected their teeth at all. Easier to throw away a dummy than a finger or thumb!!
As to dishclothes - use J clothes and chuck them away when they start to get worn - easy.
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Hi Chris,
On the topic of dirty dishcloths - Disposable wipes are expensive and bad for the environment!!
Put them in the washing machine or better still look out for something which doesn't use chemicals. Just discovered
E-cloth - it just uses water to clean!!!! Bargain!
btw, I hate dummies!!!
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Finally Why bother with dish clothes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_P49q6VodY
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Dish cloths - Quentin Crisp said that there is no need to wash up - you just use the plates over and over again! until they have been used for egg and then they will need washing!! (not sure what he did with a gravy covered plate but there you are!)
he also said that dusting the house is a waste of time as it doesn't get any worse after 3 years!
i am sometimes tempted to adopt him as my house hold guru!!
CG xx
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super_bagpuss
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7910631.stm
enjoy!
Deev x x
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Am on my third child (not third dishcloth). Dummies for first two and I am now adamant I will resist the temptation to do so again.
Spent so many nights hunting for a lost dummy in middle of the night and found they could not get to sleep without one.
My daughter at 6 months is a joy at bedtime - no rocking - no dummy, she falls asleep unaided and if and when she wakes at night she just coos a while before nodding back off. She slept through at 6 weeks and now has a solid 12 hours every night.
I did soothe her as a newborn by giving her my little finger occasionally between breastfeeds and I still do this on her many obligatory travels (She will take her 20th flight tomorrow). I could write a travel guide on flying with children if you ever need advice there!
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CG - I'm with you and Quentin on the 3 year rule!!
T xx
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tins - LOL!!!
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U2 ALLLL Friday oh no!! Wot no new blog?
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NEW BLOG!! I think that's twice this week I've been first!
T xxx
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Hi Chris,
Have enjoyed following the dummy debate and just wanted to add my thoughts/experiences. I am a qualified childcare worker and have taken care of under 5's for nearly 20 years as a nanny, maternity nurse and childminder. All babies are different, some are 'Sucky' babies and need that added comfort, as your expert pointed out yesterday. The great thing about adummy is that you can choose when the child has it, ie sleep times, to sooth when the child isn't due a feed but still wants to suck. the majority of the children I have taken care of have had dummies and as the baby gets to about 6 months old I have reduced the times when I give them the dummy, ie limited it to when they were going down for a sleep and have then tried to get rid of it around a year old, at this age you may have a night or 2 where they take a little longer to settle but they soon get over it and before you know it they are dummy free, I have to say I don't like to see children over the age of 12-18 months walking around with dummies in their mouths.
Congratualtions on the birth of Noah and enjoy.
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Dish cloths.
Before using, stick them in the microwave for a couple of minutes. Kills all the bacteria and stuff.
Warning: make sure the dishcloth is damp or else the cloth will catch fire and burn the place down.
Second warning: it'll be blimmin hot so avoid burns by taking it out with a pair of tongs.
Dummies.
Only give a dummy to get the child off to sleep. Remove as soon as the child has nodded off.
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Hi Chris,
Have 2 sons - eldest had dummy but when I went to change it for a new one when he was 3 months old, he spat it out and that was that (old one had been binned)! Youngest refused a dummy but sucked his thumb (and still does age 9). It hasn't done either of them any harm at all.
With regards to dishclothes - wash them and put them in microwave for couple of minutes to kill bacteria/germs.
Great Show. xx
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Hello Chris and everyone
My daughter only had a dummy at night, never during the day as we just comforted her in other ways. She knew a dummy was only for at night. When she got to 2 we started telly her that the dummy fairy wanted her dummies to give to new babies and that when she was ready she could tell us and we'd call the dummy fairy. One day she said she was ready so we took the dummy and said the dummy fairy would leave her something so she could buy something nice. In the morning, there was a little silver tin with a note from the dummy fairy saying thank you so much and here was some money for her to buy something wonderful. Little H was overjoyed and wanted a crocodile! Never asked for the dummy again as she had a crocodile instead.
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p.s We've also had the New Bed Fairy to help with the changeover from cot to big girl's bed.
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Hi Chris and family / team,
Why don't you ask Noah what his opinion about this debate is? - if you let him try a dummy and then wait and see if he settles with it ...... mind you, there are dummies and dummies, ..... my son Mikey liked a particular make of dummy (please don't ask me what it was now, he's 15!!!), but he wouldn't settle if all we could find was an inferior brand.
And as for weaning off the dummy, yes, the dummy fairy worked for us too! I suspect she is quite a busy girl!
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With regards to the dummy I'd say go for it but get rid once they get a bit older - short term pain (a few days) for long term gain (not having a dummy at 3).
I've got a 6 week old who is a super sucker - not a fan of the dummy & can't keep ger hand in her mouth either :-( at least with a dummy you can take it away or limit its use ... thumb suckers can do it whenever they like so harder to break the habit!
On the subject of dishclothes I use milton which also cleans out the sink and the drain and is safer than bleach but still kills all the bugs, I also pop them on the kitchen radiator to stop the bugs. When they have had their day they are demoted to floorcloth but to make sure there is no confusion I tie a red elastic band (kindly left by the postie) on one corner.
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Chris, don't use a dummy - they are a hard habit to kick! As for dishcloths, just put them in the dishwasher whenever they need it or everytime you put it on, they come out sweet! Good luck for the next twenty years!!!!!
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Chris,
Your son will decide if he wants a dummy or not, I tried to give our son one as I had been a thumb sucker until my teens and I though it would be easier to throw away a dummy & they recommended for the first 6 months to help prevent SIDS, but our darling boy kept spitting his out so he could put his thumb in! oh well, thumb sucking must run in the family.
As for dish cloths - BIN THEM at about 36p each it's not worth the bother trying to keep them clean once they start to stink.
JLS.
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Hi Chris! I have never posted on here before so very excited!
I would say go with the dummy, and thumb sucking is a much harder habit to give up! My sister in law is 30 and still sucks her thumb when watching television! Not a good look.
As for dishcloths, I put mine in an old pan with some wash powder and boil for 15 mins. The cloth comes out brilliant white again - good as new.
Loving the pictures of little Noah, he is adorable! Hope you are all well?
x
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Hi Chris, my first time on here! Congrats on your little bundle.
Not keen on Dummy's, especially if you have animals in the house, say no more.
I had a 'diddy,' a ribbon i would thread through my hand and pull along my cheek while sucking my thumb.
My son sucked the corner of a small quilt cover and called it his 'beddy'. Kids are weird,lol.
Dish cloths- eek, get a packet of 20 J Cloths and use one a day.
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Re: dummies. Like everything, the key point to make here is everything in moderation. Yes, dummies can be really useful as a comforter but overuse can cause problems.
Like thumb-sucking, the dummy can put pressure on the soft palate (the roof of the mouth) and can cause speech problems. It also introduces bacteria into the mouth, which could cause infections.
Use of a dummy after teeth have started to come through can push the teeth forward and could cause them to become crooked over time.
And with such a lovely little face, you wouldn't want big ole buck teeth spoiling it, now would you?
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Oooh this is so exciting, this is my first time on a blog. Yes, I'm a blog virgin so be gentle with me!
Just have to add my twopennyworth to the dummy debate. My first child definitely wanted something to help her relax and chill out, which the dummy did. My second was not interested in dummies and once she discovered her thumb she too became much more relaxed. My third loved the dummy. They all decide for themselves what works for them.
In reply to those who hate to see a toddler with a dummy in their mouth, I agree, which is why I quickly restricted the dummy to bed time or traveling long distance in the car. by the age of 9 months the only people to see them with a dummy in their mouth were mummy and daddy!
I have to say I prefer dummies as we have successfully stopped the dummy at night by giving them to Father Christmas in return for a special present. The thumb cannot be exchanged. I have now resorted to painting her nail with 'Stop n' grow', which she hates. She has also been the one to suffer with worms, not the 2 dummy suckers!
Ok I think I'm done now, my one piece of advice for any parent is to do what keeps you and your family sane!
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My wife and I have 6 children and none of them have had dummies. If you can cope without I would say that is the best option
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Hi Chris, re. to dummy or not to dummy. With our first child we did not dummy, she sucked her fingers until she was 10/11 which caused protruding teeth which had to be sorted with teeth braces. Our second child was given a dummy. It was given to the fairies in the garden on his 3rd birthday and never looked back. It did not affect his speech and he has now got a first class honours degree in Chemical Engineering. I don't see any problem with dummies as long as their use is controlled.
regards
Claire Bailey
Colchester
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its my first post! love your blogs, and noah is just gorgeousx fab show and I wasn't a fan of U2 .
By the way chris,, bicarbonate of soda to soak your dishcloths. its the best thing in the world for cleaning just about anything.
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The dummy debate
My son had a dummy from birth to 6 months at which stage I cruelly threw it away! Be warned, they might be helpful for the first 3 months or so but when they're a little older and more active they tend to knock them out of their mouths during the night, usually out of their own reach, resulting in waking up and crying until you pop it back in baby's mouth. And then guess what? You've guessed - repeat every hour until morning when he's sleeping like a baby and you look like......
ps it may sound cruel to remove the dummy when he clearly loved it, but it only took 2 nights of grizzling a bit - on and off - and then he'd forgotten about it. I did replace it with a very small, soft, flat, elephant cuddly so when he was grizzling for his dummy, I gave him the elephant. Until the age of about 2 he slept with the elephant on his face! Now he's a strapping 6 foot student showing no unusual behaviour as a result of premature dummy deprivation!
Have fun! x
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Dishcloths
forgot to mention this. Here's the best tip you'll receive. Simply throw your dishcloth away every 2 days and replace with a new one. That well-known low-cost supermarket currently being promoted by Fern's hubby sell packs of 5 quality ones for under a £ so it's a no brainer.
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as i was reading this blog i was surprised and sorely shocked by the wastefull attitude of the listeners. a good dishcloth can last for years if washed.
it is a shocking measure of the wastefull 'chav' throw away society we find ourselves living in.
hows the chair by the way/?
is it big enough?
Yes i joined the bbc just as you left in 97. I saw the size of your chair compared to the others....
do i have to wait 4 you to leave , zoe to return? before i can have my job? back?
or can i have a better job?
i am no longer zoe's stalker - it was revealed that she regards me now as a superfan. as printed by thomas whitaker of the sun in the bizzare seection some time in 2003 (dont know the exact date - ask whitaker about it. at the same time tell him to sort out the mess on the net cause i cant find it anywhere and neither can anyone else i try to tell. )
4 now regards.
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Dummy question > answer:-
A dummy is only OK when newly sterilized and used to substitute over feeding after a feed. Once it has fallen anywhere and gets replaced without re sterilizing you have a lead to big problems, especially if there is a cat or dog in the house.
The way the baby is fed makes all the difference. If it is just routine or hurried in any way and the child does not feel emotionally satisfied and contented as well as full of food, it will have the desire to carry on sucking either its finger or dummy until it feels content. Too much sucking means it does not feel loved enough no matter how much you know you do love it in your own way. Try and find what pleases it most by gentler handling, less noise to cause fear in this huge great big unknown place, and the feeling of security. Then it won't have the need to continually suck on a dummy or thumb.
It's tragic to see mums pick a dropped dummy from the pavement or floor of a bus and replace it in the baby's mouth and you daren't say anything to the young mums today 'cos they get offended so quickly at any criticism at all even though you were a midwife thirty five years ago. God, that makes me feel old just saying it!
Dishcloth question > answer:-
I lived before disposable anythings or plastic!
The dishcloth can be made out of anything - old towelling, tea towels, home crocheted ones are really good and fun to make, and anything else made of cotton.
Why cotton? because there is a special boiling saucepan in the cupboard used for only cloths. Two thirds fill with water and boil with a little soap or powder (not too much or you have the cooker covered in bubbles).
Use a pair of wooden or barbeque tongs and place the cloths into the soapy water. Boil for a short while until brilliant white and rinse two or three times in cold water. Hang on the line to dry and bingo no disposables and a clean sink.
Incidentally before the age of paper tissues which is not so long ago in my life, everyone had to use handkerchiefs which were given the same treatment before being immaculately ironed to go back in dad's pocket.
Have fun and always have all the handles of saucepans on the cooker and tables pointing away from the edges and never overhanging.
Happy baby managing. He looks a little alarmed in his eyes but such a gorgeous little lad. Needs reassurance and calm moments in this scary world with loads of loving comfort with not too much handling which will make him too active later.
Make the most of the precious moments, they stay with you always.
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I don't really have an opinion on whether to dummy or not to dummy, I am not a mummy, but I have a great tip for getting rid of it when the time comes (I have been a nanny and have done this!).......
You wait until Noah's 2nd Christmas (or 3rd depending on your instinct) and when the time comes for putting up the christmas tree you simply explain to Noah that you have to hang the dummy (I advise to only have 1 available!) on the christmas tree for Santa to collect when he leaves his presents on Christmas eve! If there is no dummy on the tree that tells Santa that there is no child in the house so therefore he leaves no presents!!!
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My first post to you, dear CLP. This is an issue close to many parents' hearts!
As far as speech is concerned, it is important never to let a child speak with a dummy in its mouth. If they are allowed to, they will either say all their words at the front of their mouth or the back, which leads to problems which are quite difficult to remedy.
As far as teeth as concerned, make sure the child has stopped using the dummy (or thumb or fingers for that matter) by the time their adult teeth start coming through (between 5 and 7). Then no dental ugliness should arise!
Now get that dummy in and let poor Tash have a rest!!!!
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There's some reasonably new research available which says that due to the natural sucking reflex of a newborn baby, using a dummy reduces the risk of cot death by up to 50%. If you google it or try the search on the BBC news site, you should find some further information on the subject. Two of my three babies have had dummies and as long as you are prepared to stand your ground when they are older (which isn't too hard and always has to be done over some matter or another anyway!) then the dummy is great. It's fairly easy to use it just at sleep times when they are 6 months plus. My middle child did not have a dummy and surprise surprise he sucked his thumb for comfort anyway. And trying to get him to stop thumb sucking is worse as you can't physically remove the thumb!!
Enjoy the bubba!
XX
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