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

Helllooo

Sorry, really suffering and to boot brown bleeding re-started yesterday. Seems to have stopped again. Have decided not to bug bother with EPU unless it turns red. Did violently chuck up this morning so think things are ok still.

Will try and catch up, have just consumed a pret christmas lunch sandwich (yum) so hoping I can get through at least another 30 minutes without food and finish this post.

curly fab long post lovely. Any walk should definitely not lead you away from cake. You have the right idea . Did you get a good price for your buggy in the end? Re being just mum and dad - we found date nights were good - organising a babysitter and going out for a meal or drink where we could just talk. Also if you can persuade grandparents to look after DCs overnight then a night away in a hotel is fab (or even just a lie-in without kids as blue has said). It gets easier the older they are (IME) or perhaps that was partly due to going back to work and having other non-kids things to talk about?

barbie woohoo walking Dolly!! I do sympathise - its not always great having an early walker - one of my sisters walked at 9 months and they just don't have any sense at that point. Glad you have had a nice time with your mum and you got some me-time in. I know the next 2 weeks are going to be hard without DH. How is the not-feeding Dolly at night going? Fab pics from the top of the Burj btw - I was impressed even if you weren't

vjay your poor boys and a big clap to pjay for clearing it all up. Hope everyone is on the mend now. Strictly - Felicity and Vincent got voted out (not really a surprise). X-factor - major drama as Katie wasn't in the bottom 2 for a change and nor was Wagner (despite murdering 3 beatles songs). So it was between Cher and Paije and Paije went. I still don't know who is voting for Wagner. Your night in edinburgh sounds lovely

monkey hope you haven't succumbed to a horrible bug and something else is making you feel sick (sorry - couldn't resist). How did your trip out go?

blue sounded like you had a wonderful night and an even better lie-in. I need ebay advice - what do you use for packaging things and how do you work out postage costs before you list the item?? I don't want to spend loads on jiffy bags but not sure how other people do it? Want to take pics etc now so I can list next time they have a "free weekend". Also have buggies to sell but think I will probably try on the local netmums board first as ours is really active. Really want an ipad for christmas but DH is being sensible mean and saying we can't afford it. Not that I'm going to raise that much selling on ebay...

neeko what happened about the jobshare?? I'm sorry it doesn't seem to have gone to plan. I'm sure it will be fine once you're back and I know what you mean about having a job in this climate. Well done on losing 5lbs - nice that you can see the difference now as well.

mls am at your birth story ouch ouch ouch - well done for posting it. Hope you are ok in amongst the sleep deprivation. And you know you can come on here to moan whenever you want. Thank you for saying you were in maternity clothes at 8 weeks (you too blue). That makes me feel a bit better - I've got my maternity clothes out of the loft but the problem is that all my trousers are too big (as I was bigger before I got pg with DTs). I bought a load of smaller stuff at around 11wks last time and then of course had the mc and took it all back. So I'm feeling a bit superstitious about buying anything before we've had the 12wk scan. I think I will have to though everything is so uncomfortable.

BQ how are you doing? I can't remember whether you are 2 or 3 weeks ahead of me but have you got a date for your 12wk scan yet cos I know you must be getting close??

Waves to mermaid, 4ever, buddha, iggy, moon, cupcake and sabs - hope you are all ok.

Hey Neeko that was the slowest post writing ever as I was guffawing at Miranda on tv and xposted!

Can you do my shopping too?

Haha VJ and MLS I'm going to have to do it... especially now that blue has put some BAD thoughts into my mind of wearing nothing underneath!! Where does one find these slankets??

So glad you had a good night and morning with DH blue. I do worry a bit about the impact having a baby has had on me and DH. A lot of the time it seems that we are just focused on her and aren't really so much a couple as mum and dad! How do you keep it normal?

barbie I'm in total shock at your clever devon. Happy birthday to her too!! curlygirl has no balance standing up but keeps letting go anyway and then looks surprised when she lands on her bum. Hope it's going well tonight hon x

vj The pennywalk was great but had to be stopped prematurely as it was leading me away from cake
I sold the pram YOO HOO and so now I have money for new boots :)

Hi all

Barbie So pleased to hear that you had a lovely time with your mum and that Dolly rewarded her by walking. Bought H one of these yesterday and thought of you. Remember we're only a text away if you need some support over the next two weeks. Oh and 1 to 2 is the hardest and best thing I've ever done.

MLS Great birth story and about bloody time. Hope you get some sleep tonight.

Curly Great to see you back at your posting best Very that you're not back to work until Feb but I've decided just to count my blessings that I have a job to go to.

Vjay Hope your boys are al back to full health.

Blue Lol at girls names thread and Sophie being a token girl. Is it really good as a toy? Are you making plans for the big birthday now? I still remember your text about you clutching onto a chest of drawers with your contractions.

Monkey Hello busy lady. How's things with you?

Off to browse for more Christmas presents.

Thanks for the text barbie

curly hope you enjoyed your pennywalk today

blue you lucky lady sleeping in on Sunday, if only, but I suppose I was lucky with Pjay (loving that ) clearing up all the mess for me. DH is down your way tomorrow, it'll be a looong day for him, I'll tell him to give you a little wave, and he'll look at me like this .

Lunchtime at blueworktowers (tomato soup and crusty bread - yuuum).

Firstly LOL at curly and MLS. Not on your nelly

Morning ,
What a weekend!!!!!, at one point we had Cjay pooing and Ajay being sick at the same time, I was so glad dh was off to help, AND he cleaned it ALL up , amazing, I know!!!

I didn't get to watch any x-factor or strictly, so if someone would kindly post who went out for me I would be most grateful.

Both boys are a lot better now, I think Cjays was down to him over eating crap, and Ajay is just him coughing up rubbish from his cold and then being sick.

This is turning into a lovely post isn't it

Thankyou for all your kind words to me, you are all so lovely

mls thankyou for posting your birth story, loved the bit when they sent in the bossy doctor, I take it you did as you were told then

Hi curly lovely long post,why don't you buy you and dh matching slankets? then he'll have to wear it so as not to hurt your feelings

Right I'm off to shop now, laters xxx

This is the bit where I catch-up with one & two line posts!

Curly love your huuuge posts. Lol at your dh's worst nightmare being seeing you in a slanket when he gets home from work! My dh would hate it too but I'd do it just to piss him off!

Blue girls names to go with Ben hey??? Go on spill!

Louey I was in maternity clothes this time abound by 8 weeks.

Ooh mls ouch ouch ouch. brave lady I would be screaming epidural. Great birth story :) I'm really happy with what I got for the pram. I'm dying to meet up again so that I can grill you on your ebay technique. I stalked some prof pram sellers on ebay to figure out how they got more... and it's worked!

Big waves to Monkey :) The results are definitely not predictable are they? I really like Cher, though she's a strange little thing! How did the big trip go? I hope things calm down for you soon lovely and that your dog is okay. So cute of your clever ds to be speaking french :) I promise not to get too excited about you feeling sick (I am such a liar )

lbm my heart nearly fell out my mouth reading about babybelle's pneumonia. You must have been so worried :( I'm so glad she's doing well now and is such a happy little thing. Amazing weight loss - is that your target? You didn't seem to have much weight on when I saw you despite how new Jo was :)

moon my lovely, there will be no life without babies for you. Hang on in there, I agree with psychic barbie. It's not surprising you would feel empty. You are still grieving and I know it feels like forever (and is) but we will be celebrating your bfp very soon. You are so lovely being there for everyone else in the meantime. Have a massive hug from me xxx

4ever How is gorgeous Summer? I can't believe that your miracle bean will be 6 months old on Friday :) I loved the image of you wandering around mermaids garden scratching your head at all this new-fangled MN technology

neeko How is baby H? The thought of going back to work is rubbish - not till Feb for me thankfully. I am so in awe (but not surprised ) at how organised you are for christmas. I have not bought one present yet!

barbie you are doing so well... don't think of it as giving in. You are adapting the plan to make it bearable for your spirited little monkey. Have you tried giving her yogurt to up her dairy intake? Goodness knows how I would cope in the same situation. I cheated recently by giving curlygirl diluted fruit juice (just a tiny bit in her water, honest!) to persuade her of the merits of a sippy cup :) And it worked, so do whatever you feel is best. And keep note of it because things are definitely improving, thanks to your persistance I haven't seen any of the harry potter movies ever, but I'd do it just for a night out!

iggy How are you and mini-igg doing? I hope you are getting more sleep x

mermaid I'm liking the they definitely need a one . I'm also loving how cosy the greenhouse is this winter. Have you seen the john lewis advert that has caused so much contraversy because of the poor deerhound all cold in his kennel. That's how I picture where you live - all pretty and by the sea. But the kennel is replaced by a greenhouse

louey I can't tell you how happy I am at your news :) though sad for your little sister :( I'm glad she took the news well. Nice to hear you are getting a tummy already. It makes it seem much more real :) As for life without wipes, I refuse to believe it

So excited for baking too. Finally you get some good news. When are you planning your next scan?

blue How did DH's birthday dinner and the lie-in go? I am loving your new room. I went to check out your photos and one of the threads you are on caught my eye ... girls names to go with Ben!!!! Is there something you haven't told us Don't mention the slankets to DH... his worst fear is coming home to find me on the couch in a slanket. Could be a lot worse I say

VJ You are a brave lady, but we always knew that :) CJ sounds like such a wonderful little boy and I love hearing about him. Btw I love the pennywalking you talked about. I'm going to go on a penny walk tomorrow :) Well done on weight loss too you skinny minnie How is AJ doing with his cold?

cupcake you all look so lovely at the Christening. I'm glad you had a good day. Any news on DH's job?

sabs another great weight loss. Can't wait to meet up again and see the new you! A belated happy Eid to you :)

jools It sounds like you need a holiday hon. Hope you are doing okay?

qa thinking of you lovely xxx

A massive happy birthday to buddha's and Annie's big boys Ewan and Ellis on Thursday and big waves to MM, lion, hoping, gracie, mrskate, pfj and chocciechip

Phew, that's me sorta caught up I think. Hope I haven't missed anyone xxx

Monkey the results smell very fishy to me!

Hi guys, someone reminded me tonight (mentioning no names Neeko!) that I've neglected to write my birth story . So, I thought I'd do it now whist the girls are in bed hopefully until 7am .

Woke up at 6am on Sunday 10th with contractions 8 mins apart. Yippee I thought, a baby on 10/10/10! I alerted my neighbour to come over & look after dd1 & made some sandwiches to take with us to the hospital. Meanwhile contractions slowed right down & started coming every half an hour so put next-door-neighbour back on amber alert & went for a walk.

The rest of the day was pretty much full of contractions every half an hour so did lots of bouncing on my ball & pacing round the house. Put dd to bed & read her a story & when I got to the last page, had a really strong contraction & dh had to take over.

Phoned neighbour again & left for hospital, arrived about 9pm. I was examined & told I was only 1cm dilated but my bp was high so had to stay in. They took me right to a delivery room & told me to settle down for the night. The contractions were about every 4 mins but as I wasn't in 'established labour' I was refused gas & air. They did give me a shot of pethadine though which was fabulous! Got to 6am listening to my music & some woman in the room next door sounding like she was being stabbed & tortured! I was then 4cm dilated so could have gas & air & another shot of pethedine - cue lots of trippy texts to Neeko! The next 7 hours were spent in lots of pain & at one point near the end I had an hour of non-stop contractions so I was puffing on the gas & air, stamping on the floor & repeating over & over "no no no no no no no no no.....", you get the picture!

My midwife kept trying to move me onto the bed "NO", she wanted to break my waters "NO" & wanted to give me an internal examination "NOOOOOO"! Dh was getting cross with me because I wasn't doing as I was told & in the end a shouty doctor was called to boss me around! I was examined & the midwife said "Are you sure you don't want to push yet?", "NO"! My waters then broke all over the floor but I still didn't get the urge to push. Anyway I was told to push as I was fully dilated so I was hauled onto the bed on all fours but the pushing wasn't working. They then flipped me over & I had to push on my back which was something I hadn't wanted to do. It took about 20 mins of hard pushing until dd2 finally made her entrance & the reason it had been so painful, the contractions had come without a break in-between, I hadn't had the urge to push & it had been so difficult getting her out at the end was because she was back-to-back. The bony part of her face was facing the bony part of my pelvis instead of the back of her head, & she was looking up instead of having her head tucked in. My midwife said that it's rare to not have to have an episiotomy or an epidural when the baby is in this position so I was very smug happy about that!

So dh cut the cord & dd2 shat all over my chest! Was so so relieved that it all went well & dc2 was a beautiful, bonnie, healthy GIRL!

Curly when does the bidding on your pram run out? We sold our old Quinny on Ebay earlier this year & I managed to get £100 for it.

ps hope you get a good price for the pram curly x

Evening curly What did you think of the results? I've not had chance to catch up either

Off to bed now as feeling sick and no getting excited anyone, dh is feeling sick too...

Hope you're all okay xxx

Still catching up... one bid on pram

Hey there lovelies

I'm watching the xfactor results and monitoring my pram which I'm selling on ebay :) It's taking up so much space in the living room now that we've got an umbrella stroller so I'll be happy when it goes.

It's very quiet this weekend so I may just be able to catch up after all

Hello. Hoping I'll manage a longer post this time

Barbie What a few days you've had! The relief you feel about feeding again is palpable. That's exactly how I felt. This won't be forever. Dolly's changing every day and one day the time will be right to completely give up. We now only offer the bottle once a day and as long as H willingly takes an ounce or so I'm happy. I know when I go back to work she'll take it if she's hungry enough. We have also started using this cup which she likes much better. (although I see there's a smaller version which would be better.)As soon as she can drink plenty from it, I think I'll ditch the bottles altogether, which is what my HV told me to do in the
first place

Vjay Well done again on your weight loss this week. I'm pleased with my progress too. I have started on the No Diet Diet so we'll see what difference that makes. I'm glad you have a car again as I did worry bout you on the bikes if we got snow again like last year. Oh and huge gold star for plucking up the courage over Cjay. i think you're a fab mum.

Louey so pleased that the symptoms are staying strong. Bet you have to actively prevent yourself from nipping to the loo to knicker check! The diet is going fine. I've now lost 5lbs and I'm starting to see a difference. I lost 7lbs during the August attempt so combined it's quite a lot. Hope the DTs are giving you some time to rest.

Mermaid Lol at the emoticon. I could almost hear your disappointment! We need that for the greenhouse! Hope everything is good with you and you have something nice planned for Christmas.

Blue Hello. Feel like I've not been in touch with you for ages. Hope your boys are well. I'm impressed by your Ebaying. My brother likes Gumtree and I'm going to try to sell some baby stuff on it including my close carrier as I can't see me using it anymore.
Hope your festive preparations are in full swing. I have all my cards written and most of my presents bought and wrapped. Have told DH that anything that's not done by next weekend is his job so i can totally immerse myself in my girls until I go back to work.

Speaking of work, I went in on Thurs for a meeting about the jobshare. Did not go well and I'm looking forward to my return even less now (if that were possible.)

Cupcake any more news on DH's job? Hope it's not getting you down too much. How's your diet going?

Monkey hello busy lady Hope everything is good with you.

LBM are you into the swing of things back at work now? Hope baby J is fully recovered from her illness.

MLS Know you're right in the thick of it at the moment. It's horrendous at the time,but it DOES get better, I promise (and i speak as the mum of H!) You're doing a fab job and your girls adore you.

I'm afraid the girls want breakfast. How inconsiderate! Hope everyone else is doing well and Moon give yourself an early Christmas present of a doc's appt. I'm sure the reality is a lot less scary than what you're imagining.

barbie you are doing so well Dolly is getting a good diet and it doesn't matter if it's the same old thing all the time as long as it's balanced. I went through 12 months of Cjay just eating the same thing, but he has a lovely varied diet now, there is plenty of time to introduce new foods, school dinners helped a lot for Cjay. A nice snuggly feed at night sounds good for both of you, so if she has water and food throughout the day plus as blue says dairy in her diet, she'll be fine. It's so crap you don't have a health visitor you can just pick up the phone and chat to. Books are good only so far, but that's what I suppose we are all here for Oh and you've not been crap lately

blue I'm with you on almost looking forward to the lie in more , have a fabby night out and following lie in , and a big happy birthday to mrblue for Sunday.

louey so pleased that your telling your sister went well, and it sounds like she has a good plan to focus on too, let there be two bundles of joy in the loueyfamily soon

Thanks for you well wishes re me making forward steps with Cjay, it's more about me personally having the 'balls' to get out there and ask!!!

Have just booked a night in Edinburgh in December, we are meeting the in-laws there so they can give the boys their Christmas presents, plus it will MIL's birthday on the Sunday, so give us something else to look forward to

Barbie - what's D's day like solid food wise? She may just be a baby who doesn't like milk as BF is more about the comfort and snuggles than calories after they are on three meals a day...

How was her sleep after refusing her bedtime bottle?

I know friend's lo's who gave up their milk completely after they were weaned and HV advised then that was OK as long as they were getting enough dairy via yoghurts, cheese etc.

Just a thought...

Louey - just sneaked on MN classics, some snort out louds on there . Godd news about your sis, all guns blazing now and she took your news well.