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

Hi girls Feel so bad that I haven't had chance to catch up with what's been going on - have been ill, and working, and preparing to go away thia afternoon, plus giving hourly meds to the dog... Has been nightmare couple of weeks and feel like my head is spinning!

I really hope you're all okay, am thinking of you all lots and hope to come back on soon and do a mammoth post. We're away now til Thursday night, and then immediately have in-laws staying . Also is my birthday on Monday, which I'm not really looking forward to Am worried I shall have a melt down

Anyway, lots of love to you all, and hope you are all well xxx

We're on the way to the zoo for the day so I'm going to try and do a post on my phone en route....

lbm so glad babybelle is back with you and on the mend. Hope you have a lovely time at Center Parcs

blue at that pic of Ben in his Halloween outfit! As a star wars fanatic i am very impressed with DS1's outfit too (especially the girls boots) [hgrin] First week back at work has been ok thanks, its harder being at home with the boys TBH. Haven't been very productive though. I'm just so tired. I swear I could sleep 24 hrs a day and still feel tired.

neeko what a lovely idea for M to go as the tooth fairy. Hope she had a good time. Yay to H sleeping for 7hrs. Are you feeling like a new woman today??

BQ how are you doing?? Are you going to have another scan before 12wks?

barbie thank you so much for the list. Will put you all in my phone. How was the sleep last night??

vjay I guess guising is the scottish name for trick or treating? I'm not sure we are going to go this year. Our road is full of old people, although our immediate neighours would probably be happy to see them. Went and bought literally the last 2 outfits in tescos in their size but they are quite cute. I think we may end up just doing a little party at home in the afternoon. They had a party already at the childminders and she has given them pumpkins. Just need to carve them (although I've never done it before - it will probably be more like a massacre.)

cupcake lovely to hear from you. Yay to Baby Noah. Hope you get to see him soon. Belated happy wedding anniversary to you and DH. Hope you had lovely night out last night.

4ever summer is going to look so cute as a pumpkin. Can't wait to see pics. Hope you have a lovely weekend - sounds like you've got a lot on.

Sorry I've probably missed someone out but we're nearly there and I have 2 children trying to spot elephant signs [hgrin]

Evening [hsmile]

neeko a big fat [hbiscuit] where my diet is concerned [hgrin]

cupcake have a lovely date tonight, and Noah is such a lovely name [hsmile], go and get your fill of new baby smell [hsmile]

blue your description of wee B is the same as wee A, our little halloween monsters [hgrin]

barbie I did have a laugh at Ajay reading [hgrin], he loves looking at his books, and chewing them [hsmile] your Halloween treats sound fab, what a good idea putting them into little bin bag sacks, I might have a go myself.

Not sure if we're going 'guising' yet, Cjay is not sure, one minute he wants to go the next he doesn't, will just go with the flow [hsmile]

Hi ladies! so sorry couldn't get on all day, she had baby Noah this morning at 6am, 48hrs after her first show & contractions bless her. she did so amazingly well & im just welling with pride! dh and i are off to meet the little man in an hour then out for our anniversary date! happy weekend all x x x

Hey 4ever and Neeko You have both got me salavating about Christmas [hgrin] [hgrin]. Top of my list is personalied crimbo stockings for the fireplace oh and the whole of 'The White Company' interiors and clothes shipped over [hgrin] I will settle for their 'Winter' candles they smell divine all mulberry and cinnamon..

Neeko - the tooth fairy - what a great fancy dress outfit [hsmile] especially the sweeties DS1 is off to nursery as Luke Skywalker from Return of the Jedi - all black with big biker boots (from girls dept of ASDA but don't tell him that [hwink]

Ben went as a spider to his party yesterday and he was just the cutest thing ever to sport eight legs [hgrin]. 4ever - I'm sure S will elicit lots of awwws in her pumkin get up at the weekend. Ih and meant to say loved your christening photo and the red dress/shoes combo - va va voom.

I even carved a pumpkin yesterday . If you put a lit one in your window its code for "guisers welcome"

I love this time of year - Halloween to Christmas [hsmile].

Anyhoo back to business.

LBM - have fun in Centre Parcs, so glad babybelle is better x

Louey - how are you after your first week back at work post-BFP? So about your sister and what a great support you are. My heart just goes out to all Mums-in-waiting who are struggling tc .

BQ - hope you're having a quiet weekend cosied up and being waite don hand and foot.

Vjay - at Ajay on the couch with a book [hsmile].

mermaid - yes its smelly and yes you can just have your legs done but unless you're wearing a long sleeved dress your collar and cuffs won't match [hwink]. The smell goes after first shower so go on get in that booth [hgrin]

barbie - you sounded much better in your last post [hsmile]. Great to hear your DMum is coming over soon. Neeko has a good point about trying the bottle again when your Mum is over so you can clear out... That book seems to have struck a cord with you and neeks so yay!

Sabs - feeling for you being back to work and missing Saara. At least you have your Monday off so have three quality days in a row x

cupcake so.... are you an Auntie and did he/she come on St Jude's day [hsmile]?

Well Benjamin has turned into a MINX over the past few days. Bum shuffling everywhere, taking coals out the fire, playing with remotes/PS3/sky box, emptying cupboards/drawers, pincing his brothers food all with a cheeky smile and a "OK I'm covered in soot but how cute do I look"? He's a spirited child for sure and the stair gates are going up at 1900 hours tonight [hsmile].

Have a great weekend, Happy Halloween and remember and turn the clocks back (eek so all babies who previously work at 6.30am will wake at 5.30am on Monday...)

Morning Afternoon Neeko! Great to hear H has turned that sleep corner! Yay! Bless M and her party too! Yep, i also spent £80 on toys at sainsburys yesterday, thats most of family & friends sorted, what a fab deal, so nice to know the majority of xmas is sorted! Like you, just wanna enjoy the festivities come december, also i go down to just smp next month so am purging now! Another trip to smyths and mothercare today to get personalised 1st christmas stuff! I love christmas!

Belated Happy Anniversary to you and your hubby cupcake! Yay for your friend!

Heard from Lbm, baby Jo jo now on the mend & home from hospital, yay! They are now on the way to centre parcs!

Sorry folks must dash, much to do today then a weekend of chilling out and puree making after hecticness of the last 2 weekends i cant wait, however we are doing a few surprise doorstop visits to mums and a few others on sunday to trick or treat as we have got Summer a cute pumpkin outfit!

So many typos. Sorry!

Morning!

Barbie So glad you're making progress and the book makes sense to you too. It's defnitely one that I'd hand out to family and friends. H had a wake up after 3 hours last night because she got stuck in her cot and I did feed her because i have a blocked duct and I knew she could help but she then slept for another 7 hours [hsmile] Re bottle. If you want to do it, go cold turkey when your mum comes. H resisted for 11 hopurs but was only crying when we were trying to feed her. It took longer because I was here so if your mum's game try to get out and leave her too it. You might even manage to mix feed after if you want to. It is the best of both worlds for me.

Louey thanks for your support re sleep. You are so thoughtful. Very pleased to hear you doing positive things and having daydreams over names etc. Hope is a hard hurdle to cross for ladies like us so huge gold star to you [hsmile]. about your sister. Really hope she gets her happy ending.

Iggy Sorry to hear piglet is being a monkey (thanks for the update Louey) Hope she behaves herself soon.

Cupcake Well? get back on here and tell us what she had! Happy belated anniversary BTW.

Vjay What a lovely dentist you have. Dare I ask how the diet is going. My mum made tablet yeaterday [hshock] [hconfused] so [hbiscuit] for me!

Do you all know sainsbury's have a half price toy sale? I spent £212 [hblush] and then went to the Boots event so have now made a big dent in my Xmas shopping. Yay! I'm planning to buy and write my cards soon so I can enjoy my last month of mat kleave without that hanging over me.

M has her Hallowe'en party today at nursey. She's going as the tooth fairy complete with a bag of jelly teeth and chocolate coins and is beside herself with excitement [hsmile]

Have a great and spooky weekend all

Where have all the SSSSSSSSSSSS's gone [hgrin]

LBM - hope babybelle is on the mend, what a worrying awful time you must have had xx

Back tomorrow sneakily at work...

cupcake - how exciting!!!!

Ha ha cupcake I wondered if anyone else had noticed [hwink], how's your bf doing?

barbie you have my number and I've saved you into my mobile, I just hope no-one nicks it as there are some very strange names in there [hgrin], there's a blue a barbie a neeko a cupcake a mermaid to name but a few [hgrin]

Hooray finally getting a chance to post- dh at supermarket & baby asleep.

Firstly to our good news ladies- louey just so so happy for you, and bq- just indescribably relieved. Must have been such an emotional moment for you. This has really been a long time coming- you were on this thread before I was..I'm just so happy the first hurdle is past. Onwards and upwards :)

4ever the pics are gorgeous; she's so beautiful! Love your shoes too! I've tried on a dress for J's baptism and need dh's opinion this weekend! Well done on the weight loss. 10st is my aim too. Also pleased weaning has started well. J is eating at lightening speed now!

louey so glad your hol was good; sounds v relaxing. :( about your sis, but at least you will know to be sensitive to her. The nights are improving here thanks for asking :)

jools massive hugs to you for big decisions but I'm with the others that it ain't over yet!

qa hugs for your edd. The op will come round quickly I'm sure. Hope you're all ready for ttc battle!

lbm poor poor mouse (loving that nn!) really hope she's ok. Sorry to make you with weight loss but if it makes you feel any better I still have 13lbs to target weight, and it's torture not eating sweet things as I used to just eat so many

Neeko so glad the book is helping with your diva thanks for the update on mls so glad she's doing ok but I too had a chuckle at her still having time to stalk louey

mermaid sounds like a very wise doc not letting you have too much all at once..(this isn't the same one who gave the wrong ad prescription though is it ) hope you are ok behind all that timber

sabs loved the story of hope about your sil. So sorry you're finding work and slimming tough...I'm sure it will start to get easier with time and getting into better routine. Hugs to you.

barbie so sorry you've been so down :( I too completely echo the girls about you time. So glad your Mum is coming out soon for that. Loved the Barbie moment oh and cheeky Vjay did tell us to come to 'Emmy's' on the old thread

Vjay soooo melting at the image of Ajay just sitting with his book

Well, my news is that my bf is in labour!!! I'm indescribably excitedscaredhappyworriedoverwhelmed! Have been gettingdates from her dh as they've been in hospital all day. Latest was that she was 4cms and off to delivery at 5pm so I'm just on tenterhooks now!! Eeeek. Hospital is just round corner from us so I'm hoping I can visit tomorrow if she's ok! I have SIL staying at the mo too so good timing for her to look after babycake.

Today is mine and dh's wedding anniversary, AND the feast of St Jude so what a great day for baby to be born :) (if it arrives before midnight obviously...)

Oop, dh back...must dash. Loads of love to you wonderful ladies xxx

barbie glad that your mum is coming out, that will give you a huge break. Please take advantage as much as you can. Dolly is getting there with her sleep and you are doing wonderfully well. I don't have anyone's mobile numbers either. Will pm you mine in a minute x

vjay your dentist sounds fab. I'm sure cjay will be fine at the appointment to have the fillings done.

I have done next to no work today but have discovered that decaf coffee is just PANTS. Trying to limit myself to one good cup of proper coffee and had bought some ground decaf (ie not instant stuff) but it is still yuck yuck yuck. Oh and I've been browsing through the top 100 names for 2009..nothing like getting ahead of yourself

louey [hsmile] at Isaac regocnising his brothers distress. Cjay can recognise the obvious like when someone is crying, but he finds it hard with sarcasm and other harder to read emotions.

The dentist went well, Cjay has to have 2 appointments to get 2 teeth filled, the enamel hasn't formed properly. He will have gas and air to make him drowsy and the lovely dentist gave him the mask thing to take home to practise on. He had lots of questions and they answered them all for him, so so far so good. The appointments aren't untl December, so lots of time to drip feed him information in preperation [hsmile]

Thanks 4ever just wondered cos' I have a friend who had 5 mcs at around 5 wks and she also had the immunotherapy treatment (she also had clotting probs as well). She did it through ARGC and had IVF to have her first DD. Not sure now of the reasons, but thought you might have had the same thing done. (BTW she went on to have her 2nd naturally).

Poppin in quick, Lou your poor sis, we all empathise here.. Such a hard difficult situation, so lovely of you to consider egg donation.. In answer to your question, we luckily didnt have any problem conceiving, i had 4 pregnancies in very quick succession, just couldnt keep them, turns out (after tons of tests & then going private) that my bodys immune system was rejecting my dh cells, hence the lymphocyte immunotherapy treatment with my 5th and thankfully succesful pregnancy with Summer! Im really sorry i cant offer any words of wisdom, we have a few friends going through it with ivf too, such a rollercoaster..

vjay sorry missed you off my last post. Meant to say I can't believe ajay is climbing already!!! Hope the hospital appointment goes ok, we still haven't got to the dentist. With all the other appts we have, that seems to have been forgotten. My FB comment - yesterday morning was trying to get the boys out of the house to the childminders and Luke was crying loudly because he was hungry (his own bloody fault as he refused to eat the previous day, stubborn bugger that he is). Isaac walked up to him, looking all concerned and said "what's the matter Luke?" You will know from cjay that the fact that he can recognise emotions and emphathise is a big thing that lots of ASD kids can't do. Plus its practically the longest spontaneous sentence he's ever said. He can say longer sentences but they are usually things he has parrotted back from tv/games.

Am having a very hard time trying to concentrate on any work today...

Oh lbm I hope babybelle is ok, what a scary time for you all [hsad]

4ever thanks for keeping us updated [hsmile]

blue I did snort at DS1 taking the lego catalogue into the bathroom with him, Cjay hasn't realised he can do that yet [hgrin], also echo what neeko said, is Christmas on your mind [hwink]??[hgrin]
Oh and I agree with what you said about babies and stopping feeding, Ajay was a lot more settled during the day once he went onto the bottle.

louey your poor sis, life is so bloody infair sometimes [hsad], and I imagine you are dreading telling her about your pg. I had my step sis and sil announce their pg's, one of them on the day I started to miscarry the second time, there is no easy way to do it unfortunatly, you are well aware of her situation, and I'm sure she'll be happy for you. What was your fb status, if you don't mind me asking, I am a non facebooker [hgrin]

mermaid what a lovely mum you've got and what a lovely feast you had last night, yummy yum [hsmile]

Right off to the hospital in a mo with Cjay, another appointment but this time for his teeth!!!

Poor little baby J, LBM really hope she gets better soon and you are all back home (and then get to go to center parcs). Must be very scary for you all. 4ever thanks for update x

neeko I'm sorry you were up so early but she is getting there. If you think back to where you were it is a massive improvement. Two teeth coming through is always going to upset her sleep and if she's had a good chunk of sleep already then the pain may be stopping her getting back to sleep.

MLS yay for Kitty taking bottle. Boo for lack of naps. I wonder if its a boy/girl thing? Most of the people I know with girls find them much harder to get them to sleep (and stay asleep) and there are lots of girls on here. I know Iggy is having a hard time too with piglet. My 2 were always good sleepers apart from during teething and even then, they weren't really that bad. Am that your were stalking my chart when you had a newborn to cope with

Barbie I never did get to respond to your post with some practical advice. Blue and mermaid have done a very good job I think. Was going to suggest a night out, and also staying away for an evening/night without DH to get him to have to cope on his own. Also Dolly may realise that you are not there and give in. Re the weaning, at this stage I would also give solids first and then bf. You definitely need some me time and it is difficult when you are tied to bf'ing. Am I right in thinking she won't take a bottle?

blue [hgrin] at DS1 and lego catalogue [hgrin]. My DS1's mag of choice would be What Car!!

mermaid timber to jump over??? Is that another cornish phrase?? Hope your kitchen gets done by xmas, otherwise your DH is not going to be popular...

jules loving gym o'clock. How is the diet going?

BQ still smiling for you

Waves to 4ever and Moon

Life is a rollercoaster isn't it. Have been feeling about my little sis. Can't remember if I've said on here but she has been ttc for the last 18 months. Came off the pill, no periods. Got referred and did initial tests/scans and gave her something to bring on AF which it did but then they stopped again. Then she was waiting ages for an appt (postcode lottery sucks) and it was cancelled. Finally got seen a couple of weeks ago and they wanted to repeat some of the tests. Long and short of it is that she has got v v low ovarian reserve, almost at the bottom of the range. Her only chance is IVF and they've said that she needs to do it asap. NHS waiting list in her area is 2 yrs. Fortunately my lovely parents have offered to pay so she is going private and we've been investigating clinics. 4ever am I right in thinking you went down that route to get pg with summer?? Apologies if I'm wrong, it was before my time but I saw on your profile you had the immune treatment.

It so unfair. She's only 33 and healthy, fit etc. Just shows you can't tell how long you have got. She should have a good chance at IVF if they can get some eggs out of her. I would be prepared to donate my eggs to her if it came to it. Haven't told her that, or DH but its been playing on my mind. She doesn't know I'm pg as we haven't told anyone and I'm dreading telling her this time, even though she knows I'm ttc.

Yay to BQ So pleased for you [hgrin] [hgrin]

LBM poor baby J. Hope she is better soon. Thanks for the update 4ever

Blue Is xmas playing on your mind, hence the attempts at Xmas smileys? [hsmile]

Barbie Clearly things did not go so well here last night. H slept for 7 hours (miraculous compared to 2 weeks ago) up for 1.5 hours, slept for 1.5 hours and here we are [hhmm]I can see two teeth trying to make their way through the top gum though so I am clutching at using that excuse. FWIW I think Blue has a point but I know I'm scared to stop feeding as it can often be the only thing that settles H and it seems to scary to give that up. I sway constantly between wanting to stop and enjoying that before bed feed.
re sleep I've just been settling her as normal (bf at night, pram and fan ) at naps but making sure she is still quite awake before into cot at night and not shoogling the pram so much. Small, but important, steps.

Loved the poo talk but M likes to show hers too or at least shout through while you're at dinner about size and consistency {yuk!) so it's not just a boy thing!

Baby Kitty is doing well. She's now 7lbs 6oz. MLS is managing to express and Kitty is taking the bottle well. She is not that keen on naps though (Oh no, not another one!)

Been tryin to post for a couple of hrs but had a restless biscuit! Well done Barbie on the new thread, echo all the wise words spoken by our wise women!

Posting on behalf of Lovelylbm who asked me to say huge congrats to Bq!

Poor Lbm tx me to find out how bq got on from hospital, as our darling cyber niece baby belle has pneumonia.. Thankfully mummy says she is recovering well & will hopefully be home within the next couple of days.. Sounds very brave, (both of them) but jeez i went cold reading her tx having dd the same age, what a worry & iv such admiration for lbm being so strong & still thinking of others.. Lets all send prayers & get well wishes to our little cyber niece, bless her cos she is such a dainty lil thing... All being well they have a weekend at centre parcs planned so she wont be posting for a bit but wanted me to update you all.. X

Just marking my spot and claiming beanbag in the corner [hsmile] We've had two power cuts tonight, second whilst trying to put tesco.com order away!

BQ - utterly delighted and relieved for you honey, we will continue to squeeze those hands of yours until next July

Ah, boys and poos. DS1 takes his LEGO catalogue for his - ahem - sit down session, such a bloke

louey - also had a lump reading your FB statement about Isaac, go IJ . How's the nausea?

barbie, you deserve a medal and I mean that sincerely for coping with D. You don't have anything to compare it to but most new Mum's have their own Mum//MIL, friends and familiar surroundings to take comfort in when they are trying to bring up a newborn and you have had none of the aboe PLUS a very spirited baby PLU a hot country with all that that entails. You have coped amazingly well but you MUST try and take some time for you. Mermaid;s suggestion was good re: checking into B&B for uninterupted sleep..

My practical solution (copyright Louey) is thus. I can only go on my experience with both boys but - and I have said this before so excuse me hammering on - things got so so much easier once I stoppd breast feeding. DH could feed them, get up during the night, they were more settled, slept longer, the whole nine yars.. Even if your DH tries to settle D because you're still BF she can smell your milk which is an instant comfort to her (like a teddy is to an older child). Having spoken to my friends over the years they all agreed that once BF stopped their babies were more accomodating to others settling them. You can't be super woman and D is eight months old, eight months of gold top mummy milk. Is it perhaps time you took your body back for you? Every one of the Mums I met through the BF support group, who have now graduated to our playgroup agree that things got easier and more enjoyable once they had made the switch.

There that's my tuppence worth HTH x