Emmy's weebles are taking over mermaid's greenhouse!

yeah flip flop friday

just a quicky in and out cos I am out off for a girlie nite out eating pasta and oggling Italian waiters bottoms

barbie lovely image of you and dolly waddling along. Hope you are both ok without granny and dh. I smothered ds in vicks last night, such a childhood smell - bloody colds.

bq huge gold star for getting through another week, pop in and let us know you are ok.x

louey so sorry that they are not providing ds with his therapy. I am worried about all the slashing and burning that is sure to happen throughout the services and it was bloody dire in alot of areas before.
Glad you are still feeling puckilisious.

4ever what is a candy shop party? Is this another thing like that chicken place that I will forever miss out on? Half a year blimey, it almost seems like a distant dream thinking back to getting you through each week this time last year. Makes me when I think of it.

blue whilst having a rare and fab soak in the bath pre going out blissathon I happened upon a glow in the dark light sabre toothbrush in the boots christmas catalogue and thought of your ds1.

vjay also thought of you up in the north but am comforted by knowing that pjay will be able to get out his trusty snow spade
How was harry potter, hope ds1 enjoyed it we are going tomorrow, can't wait.

mrskate you poor love. What is it like can't have a baby and we get depressed. Can have one we get pnd. Someone is just out to get us one way or the other. Thinking of you lots and well done for being brave cos I know it's not an easy step.x

curly I just love your posts i want one of those slankys, maybe we could getthem in cashmere so they are a bit more posher like

neeko impressive loss is everything better with work, so hope so.

Missed some of you lovelies out and sorry but my Italian beaus will be smoothing those nice white tablecloths down. Especial hello to qa I am crap at posting at mo, but thinking of you.

mls hope you get ac wink or 2 this weekend.

oh and sabsxx

Oh goodness, a belated Happy birthday Ewan and Ellis . Hope you both had lovely days

Happy half Summer

Well done neeko on your weight loss, I've stayed the same

Gotta dash my mum is flying up today and I've got a list of at least 10 things to do by lunch time, that should help shift a pound

Night time lurk! Been a few wakings of late! Still here Vjay! Had to pop head round door to say Happy Birthday to Ewan and Ellis too! Big waves to lovely proud mummys Annie and Buddha dear ladies who supported my pregnancy weebles greatly! Cant believe its a whole year! Miss you! Thought of you today as its also my nieces birthday, she had a candy shop party, too cute, remembered being in scary early days of my preg this time last year and hearing your news was ace!

Big hugs and much love to all of you lovely Emmsys, sorry to be a stranger, have been lurking on my phone still, just not got to my pc to do worthy and proper personals catch up... All good in 4everworld apart from erratic sleep of late, im enjoying the cuddles in bed though, do find it hard to complain about anything, even lack of sleep! My beautiful girl has her half a year birthday tomorrow, well today now actually! Cant quite believe it!

Mega quick post # 2

Happy Birthday to Ellis and Ewan!!!!! - one year old today

Hope you are all having a fabulous day, its been quite a year I'm sure Buddha and Annie

Vjay - oh stop with all the mentions . Enjoy HP, I can't go as still trying to finish half blood prince and being stubborn about finishing books before films - meh.

Helloooooo, the snow did not settle where I live, probably because I am right by the sea, but I doubt I could travel very far.

Like blue I brush Ajays teeth in the bath, he quite likes it.

blue the stone is lost since last year, so has taken a long time, and I've still a way to go, but slow and steady should hopefully keep it off.

mrskate I've been thinking about you. Try blues book suggestion, I have tried another of her books before and it was very good

Goodness I've mentioned blue a lot in my post

barbie how are you today?

mermaid where are you my lovely? and you too 4ever????

There's a few of you MIA at the mo, hope you're all ok and big waves to everyone.

Me and dh have been into Inverness today and have finished the boys Christmas shopping, we've only got each other to buy for now, so like neeks I can relax throughout December, I hope

I'm off to watch Harry Potter after school with Cjay, he doesn't know yet, it's going to be a suprise because he has being doing so well lately

A month til Christmas!!! I think I'll Christmas namechange this year, and girlies we'll need to dust down our 'love actually' DVD's

Quick flying visit whilst B naps...

No snow here yet! But Vjayland is covered. Hope you're OK up there honey x Well done on losing a stone, that is tremendous . you will be all swish on your night out .

We brush b's teeth in the bath, DH holds the toothbrush and he munches on it in a winching type way, gets him used to it. He has eight teeth so we finish off with quick up and down and hey presto, sparklig nashers

mrskate - hope things start to get easier for you. Having a baby is the hardest thing and for us who have had one after loss its even harder in a way as we're so amazed to have a healthy baby we feel guilty for having any negative feelings which can actually make PND more likely to happen.. If it wasn't for my Mum this time around I would have been off to the docs myself, just felt I was drowning in lack of control back in those early months.. Brooke Sheilds wrote a great book on her experience of PND "down came the rain"

cupcake - I have sky+ Miranda for Monday. There is a lack of good comedy on the tv these days. Find myself watching old friends, frasier and S&tC to have a chuckle.. REally hope things work out job wise but that Jude the gorgeous is making you . I had same problem as you in that I worried my evening supply wasn't satisfying Benjamin as he was up at least three times during the night. They do say you supply lessens as the day goes on. Would second curly's suggestion of formula at bedtime? I would have bf longer with B if the little sod lamb had taken even one bottle of formula off me whilst bf..

louey - meant to say have you thought about getting your DT's the Millennium Falcon for Xmas? WE got it for Isaac last year and it is most treasured toy ever. It holds all his Star War figures, has quote form the movie if you press a button "she might not look like much, but she's go it where it counts" .

barbie - thinking about you slying solo. Hope you're getting some sleep, by any means at your disposal..

Time's ran out, need to wake B and collect DS1..

Back later x

Snow...ooh VJ, I loves snow!!!!

barbie at the moment I'm trying giving curlygirl her toothbrush without toothpaste to chew while I brush my teeth (and do the teethbrushing dance ). It seems to be working as she's trying to copy me. I'll start using the toothpaste when she gets the hang of it :)

louey good suggestion thanks, I have been very proactive today and asked around and have now found two new babysitters, both really good apparently, so cinderella will go to the ball (at least once a fortnight ). Sounds like you have had a tough day. I hope you get some good advice on the other thread but if you need one, the best hugs are in our greenhouse xxx

waves to neeko hope you get some sleep tonight

Where is everyone? We should be talking 2ww and dtd and opks and scans I have a new white coat that needs to be christened. Hope everyone is doing ok xxx

vjay oooh I'm a teensy bit jealous about your snow. Its just flipping cold here. Glad you found the remote in the end....was going to suggest looking in the toy box or down the sofa. I think losing a stone is a very good reason to buy a new dress (not that I need an excuse)

barbie teeth brushing is difficult at that age. I remember having to prise open their mouths because they wouldn't open them although we didn't start until they were older than Dolly as they didn't get teeth until later. Remember that even if she gets a bit of toothpaste in her mouth that will help. Will she try and do it herself if you give her the brush (she is miss-independent after all)??? Am very of your beach trip today. Hope you get some more sleep tonight.

cupcake fingers crossed that DH gets an extension until at least after Christmas. At least looking for work in the New Year should be a better time than just before Christmas. So glad J is being a cutie to keep your spirits up in amongst the stress I don't have any ideas about his waking but its possible your supply is less in the evening?? If you can get DH to give him EBM every evening that would be a good plan because then you can go out if you want and drink wine

curly what is this Miranda everyone keeps talking about?? I am totally oblivious...we have just been watching I'm a celebrity every night. Your drinks night sounds good. I have cried off my xmas party this year as a) I'm knackered by 7.30 and b) I can't drink so it will be instantly obvious to all my colleagues that I'm pg. (I have something of a reputation on the drinking front....) Will only be 10ish wks so too early to tell them. I normally love them though - fancy dress too so last year I dressed up as Marilyn Monroe (complete with blonde wig - I'm dark haired). Previously I've done Cruella de Vil as well (think I have a wig fetish actually). Love the whole getting dolled up. We have got a night away on the 11th and I was going to get very glammed up but now have no idea what I'm going to wear.

curly and cupcake we also have no relatives near us so are in a similar boat to you re babysitters. I appreciate that you may not want to do this (yet) but one thing we have done is to advertise on the local netmums board (in the childcare section) for babysitters who are CRB checked. There are lots of nannies/childminders/nursery staff who are looking for extra money and when we put on an ad we were inundated. You can ask to see their CRB certificates and get references by speaking to people they have worked for/babysat for and its a good way of finding someone with experience. I know I didn't want to leave my two with a 15 year old. We have found a really good babysitter this way although she is now pg so we will need to find another one soon.

Waves to neeko and blue - are you getting snow too??

Had a mad day - trip to visit a speech and language school this morning for Isaac and then a meeting with the Special Educational Needs team about his statement. I'm fuming with his speech therapist but that's a whole new post. And I haven't done a lot of work in amongst all that. Off to post on the SN board for more advice....

curly I've just found it, I started looking for the flippin thing last night, and it's taken me til now to find it. It was in Ajays Noah's Ark!!!!!

The other news up here is that it's SNOWING!!!!!

Hey cupcake total melt at you being a proud mum :) He is such a gorgeous boy. Night wakeups are so hard to deal with especially as time goes on. Are you doing a dream feed and would you consider giving formula just for that feed? It really worked with curlygirl though I know they are all different

vjay are you sure that YOU lost it?! Could it perhaps have been a little monkey who wandered away with it. In which case, I'd suggest crawling around and looking under everything . I bet your outfit is lovely and besides, if you are a stone lighter it will look completely different

Any word from monkey? hope you and dh are feeling better :)

Hello

curly I am going to wear what I wore last year, I know that sounds really boring, but I always buy something every year and then never wear it again, the good thing it will be a totally different set of people so no one will notice, and I'm a stone lighter so I'm looking forward to getting all dolled up

cupcake Strictly is the countdown to Christmas for me, I love the sparkle , I love Kara too, the dance she did, not last week but the week before was sooooo good, I also like Jack from Enders, but I can't remember his name just now.

neeko thanks for yesterday

I need help, I have lost the TV remote and I have turned the house upside down today but no luck, it's doing my head in now, so any helpful tips will be much appreciated .
Big waves to everyone

Ooh and forgot to say- curly dh and I LOVE Miranda too...we always have to rewind bits cos we're laughing too much to hear it all

Hello ladies :)
Have been reading every night on my phone but never have time to get on laptop and reply properly but here I am... baby in bed, dh out...catch up time.

Firstly, kate massive hugs to you. Thanks so much for telling us lovely and just hope we can support you in whatever way possible. But know you have already crossed the biggest hurdle- asking for help. Onwards and upwards.

Next most important thing Vjay I did not know you were a Strictly fan! Yaaaaay I adore it and am also obsessed with the BBC 2 Claudia Winkleman show Who's your fave? I'm loving Matt and Kara.

Hi Curly :) So hear you on it being difficult to do a date night. I never realised how flipping hard it would be doing this baby thing without family nearby. I feel guilty asking friends to babysit and often find myself wishing I could just call my Mum to come over so we can have a night out. When we went out for our anniversary when SIL was staying it was AMAZING...it's nice to be able to appreciate it a lot more now.

On that note, blue I am massively of your night out/lie in. When you described getting up to make a fry up then going back to bed with papers I could have cried.. I can't wait til we can do that one day!! So glad you had a good time though.

Neeko so sorry the work meeting made you feel :( but I love how organised you are about xmas so you can just soak up time with your girls til you go back...that's so lovely. (I have bought one gift )
Diet's good thanks...half a pound away from pre-preg weight :)...(but still a few pounds off my target weight. Just over 4 months til the wedding! I have my dress now though so can't lose too much weight

MLS yay, a birth story! I also loved the bit about the shouty doctor and you most definitely have my sympathies re back to back labour! I'm spending my next pregnancy (God willing) just crawling on all fours the whole 9 months in an attempt to avoid it!! I echo what others have said that you must rant on here if you're having a hard time! We've all done it.

barbie so sorry you've been going through it this last week...but glad you seem to have reached a happy compromise. Really hope the night weaning works- I'll be asking for tips on it in a couple of months!! Jude's sleep is still all over the place and I am beyond shattered. Though last night dh gave him a bottle of ebm at bedtime and he didn't wake til 4am (previously totally unheard of, its usually 11, 1, 3 or various other times in between) so I'm wondering if he's not getting enough from me at bedtime

lbm have you started weaning now? I'm finding it quite a hassle now ds is on 3 meals a day...takes a lot of planning! He's very much enjoying his food though.

QA was so so pleased about your news. Hope to see you back again soon ready for battle :)

Hope our medium pants ladies are doing ok :)

moon our resident lurker... thinking of you

iggy if you're lurking, we miss you!

And where is the lovely 4ever? Hope you're ok :)

mermaid have you started the mulled wine yet? Time to brew up a pot in the greenhouse I think; it's getting chilly in here!

louey fab news about your sis, fingers firmly crossed that it's a smooth journey for her to a sticky bean.

sabs thinking of you...I know you can't post as much now you're at work but hope you're reading...hello :)

Not much news on dh's job. We're waiting for them to confirm whether they can extend his notice cos there's still so much to be done on his project...so at least that would mean he wouldn't be jobless at Christmas but the outlook is still pretty bleak :(

At least ds is being ridiculously cute. He's been in such a happy mood today and just chattered to me all day. He kicked his legs loads at swimming today too and got a well done from the teacher Love him! :)

Ooh VJ what are you going to wear? I've got some christmas drinks coming up too and there is more prep (hair nails outfit etc) going into that than for my wedding

Hi curly me and dh have been meaning to do 'date night', but like you our familes are hundreds of miles away too, so it does take a bit of organising, and then we find we're too tired, it needs a bit of effort, but worth it I'm sure. Me and dh are out next month for his works do and although lots of other people will be there I'm really looking forward to it

mrskate I am so sorry to hear about the PND. you are a wonderful mum. Anyone who has known you as long as we have knows that. PND is so cruel as it puts all these thoughts in your head. My friend was diagnosed a few weeks ago too and she is only just starting to feel normal again. She really couldn't handle talking to people either until she felt more herself again. I just want to give you the most massive hug and tell you that I am so proud of you for dealing with this illness. It is not your fault, you are a lovely mum and obviously crazy about Jack, and it will get better :) Are the AD's working yet? If not make sure you get back to your GP as sometimes they need to change the dose. Hang in there lovely and pop in the greenhouse whenever you need to chat xxx

louey you are being so brave - glad the nausea is still strong though. Always a good sign :) Are you anywhere near a topshop? I did a big shop in the their maternity section when I first started busting out of my clothes and I'm still wearing some stuff because it's so cool. Date night is a great idea - unfortunately our families are hundreds of miles away but I need to organise a babysitter!

barbie a friend of mine stopped off in Burj for the last night of her honeymoon and brought me back one of the chocolates they put on your pillow. I;ve never seen so much gold ribbon and packaging in all my life Hang in there with Dolly, you are doing great x

waves to the lovely vj :)

Hi. Having a quick lurk but had to post to MrsKate. Being a mum is a lot harder than anyone ever tells you and we all struggle daily a lot. Well done for seeking help. I'm sure the anti-ds will kick in soon and the world will seem a little brighter. It's especially hard to cope with being so down when you've fought so hard for your baby.
I'm sure you're doing brilliantly with Jack and that you love each other very much. I hope you're getting plenty of RL help, but come back whenever you need us. Always room for one more in the greenhouse. Take care.

Hi mrskate you are not a failure at all, and you've done the most brave thing, you've got help. I know where you're coming from, infact I have had a low day today.
Remember you are not alone, you are not the only mummy feeling like this, and with the help you will now start getting better. Please stay in touch, and post about how you're feeling and what's up and down, we are all here to listen.

mrskate poor you - but well done for getting help and I really hope the anti-depressants work. You are NOT a failure, PND is very common and please do not feel ashamed. I think some of the other emmsys may have had experience of PND and so may be able to give you advice if you need it. I just wanted to quickly post and give you my hand if you want it and a few hugs too x

hi girls

im so sorry i havent been on for ages and ages . ive not been too good

ive been suffering from post natal depression and was put on anti depressant about 3 weeks ago . i have been feeling like im a rubbish mum and jack can do better than me and i said i didnt want to live anymore as jack didnt love me . so enough was enough off to gp i went . i have been fighting these feelings since july . when i went back to work in oct i felt i didnt see him .

sorry about the me post i just feel now i can talk to poeple about it as i felt a faliure and ashamed about feeling like this .