To TTC or not to TTC, that is one of the many questions...

Can you do us a HP SP definition of a Babyometer too....?

Dither: vb. def. The act of procrastination and delaying of coming to a decision regarding reproduction due to an attachment to lie-ins, working bowels and cheap holidays in term time.

Ditherer: n. def. One who is in a permanent state of flux regarding whether to procreate or not (see def. of babyometer). On the flick of a coin, may ultimately not reproduce, or bear triplets. Whatever. pl. A confusion of ditherers.

Dithering

Evening okay - no major frustrations. Went to pub and all sat there sipping drinks and politely eating crisps. Due for another evening the same tonight. I, as usual, seemed to drink far more than everyone else but thankfully wasn't too drunk - always a risk when sat with polite sippers making dull small talk, it can drive you to quaffing large amounts very quickly!

Back later as at work now

What is the definition of dithering?

That's great news Fancy - how does that affect your deliberations? Surely you're not going to start dithering properly? lol

Confused, glad to hear it didn't go too badly and you all (presumably) got through the evening without any bloodshed! My own MIL can be a bit like that - she's not deaf but she takes everything absolutely literally.

I can't decide whether I'm a ditherer or not. I was doing really well progressing steadily towards my TTC date of December, saving my pennies as per the plan - but then recently I've started thinking "ooh but x, y and z about my career..." which, even if I think it's justified, is actually dithering isn't it? Oh dear.

Very quick post.

Evening ok. That's it - ok.

Fancy - whaddya mean re your stomach?! Is this good or bad?

Oh gawd, they sound like a nightmare! Just normal enough to be beyond criticism but ever so grating, it seems. At least my MIL is out-and-out weird. On my wedding day (yes, just a few weeks ago) my MIL told me "If you ever hurt my baby I'll **ing smack you in the mouth". Urgh.

Found out today I've been offered a permanent contract with a substantial pay rise. YAY! Now of course that throws a whole new set of considerations into play.

And my stomach has been all crampy and painful all day. Boo.

Cripes Confused, you have my sympathies. Christmas with my in-laws was like Christmas with the grinch so I really sympathise. Have some G&T's to get you through! xx

Mini rant here as it may be unlikely that I am able to post much this evening as PIL's are coming.

PIL's, especially MIL, drive me round the bend with their constant fretting over ridiculous things. Also, MIL cannot hear well so mishears about 50% of what is said and always then translates whatever she has misheard as something negative. For example, when we sit down for dinner and I say 'this looks lovely' MIL assumes I have just announced that I don't like something and starts fussing and being anxious. It's very draining.

Incidently, nobody has ever pointed out that she needs a hearing test on the basis that she has been like that for years and they also don't want to offend. Clearly, having her mis-hear 50% of every conversation and naturally assume something is always wrong is preferable to suggesting she has a hearing test. Weirdo's.

She also worries continually about what the neighbours think, offending people, doing something wrong and so on and ON and the thing that really REALLY pisses me off about this is that DH is a bit that way inclined too! He is aware of how ridiculous it is, and has said numerous times he tries and tries to not be like that but 'it's very ingrained.'

Lastly, it's always hard work when they come as not only does his mother exude nerves (she's always saying the dog looks like she is about to bite, which is stupid and also the dog picks up on the nerves and it makes her jumpy) but his dad, who is not as nervy simply sits there wanting to talk about nothing but roads. Oh yes, we shall undoubtably have to discuss the pro's and con's of various routes (motorways, A Roads, B roads, coastal roads - the list is as long as it is dull).

I can't bloody wait!

Had to get that off my chest as obviously I can't say similar to DH as it's not fair.

If anyone takes the plunge and sets up another thread please don't forget me!

LST how's things on the Western Front? And the exam front? Both okay I hope.

YTD how was the EPU scan?

HP SP has your DH checked his balls yet...?!

Everyone else - hello! Enjoy your PIL-free evenings!

Younger definately - I worked with 2.5 to 4 year olds and they were fab! Bloody hard work, but incredibly rewarding. Every single magazine feature I have ever written put together couldn't surpass the pride I felt when Finn Whittaker finally managed to write the number 5!

eek!

Love how you have adopted another name!

Confused - I prob couldnt afford to not work and study FT which is why I am on a mission to find a new job/ career before I go back from maternity leave. I figure i have until about September 2011, i really hope I can make a decision by then.

I really love the idea of working with children, the day I actually got my BFP i went to a open day at the science museum all about becoming a teacher. I like the idea of working with younger rather than older ones.

I know - shall we jump the gun and start another? Or shall we eke this one out for a bit more yet...? (I vote for the latter)

Thanks for the link - looks better than the links I have found so far. Just been looking at some other one's which was a bit depressing (for basic level, which I presume is 'don't let toddlers play with knives' basic) you need to be working in an environment with children; catch 22 as you surely need some child related qualifications to work in a nursery or similar...?

Montessori is brilliant and I would certainly recommend sending a child to one. I worked in my friends one on and off for a while and LOVED it. However, I don't want to try and fit in a 3 year intensive degree course with everything else we have going on, hence I'm not opting for something that full on.

Off to browse your link proper LQ

It's always been my Internet name, Amanda Cooper and I go back years! It was one of the girls from the other forum who got me on MN.

We're almost out of thread here, ladies!

I am not that fab with links so here's hoping but there is this too www.ncma.org.uk/

Know what you mean about the decision making...I have been finally tipped over the edge today by something fairly minor as oppose to having nearly 2 months off with stress.

So the montessori courses (and i will of course check out your lovely link, are they to work in a Montessori nursery?

Ps - check me out its nearly 11pm and I am still awake!

Ah! Thats buggered that theory then!

Why have you chosen such a namey-name?

Ha ha no that's not my name in RL!

Glad to know I am not that weird then!

I do feel like you lot are my friends, even if I don't all know your names in real life (although I think I can hazard a guess at AmandaCoopers...)

LQ have a look into it! I am now perusing Montessori courses here but think I might go for the softer options and maybe build up to something that requires far more commitment (but who knows as I am, after all, not good when it comes to the ol' decision making!)

AC thats lovely, really sweet

DH and I were on another forum for years - in fact two of my friends from the forum whom I'd never met in RL came to our wedding with their babies.

Wow I look away for 2 mins (actually I went to reply then mother called!)

Welcome along fancy, so sorry to hear what your DH and you have had to go through recently and mighty pleased you have had good news since. Thanks for the news flash, will actually ask my DH now... he is stomping up the stairs...ok he needs to get checking a bit more.

HP & Confused v interested in the lookerafter course. In case its gone unnoticed i effing hate work at the moment and am not really that thrilled about the prospect of returning after the bean (apparently now the size of a naval orange - whatever that is) is born.

HP love the way that you write, love the thing about checking your teeth & puffing up the cushions!

Have to do loads of research first as there appear to be 100's of courses out there and need to find one that would lead to more advanced and interesting stuff as well as being useful in itself.

Night!

Mine knows I am on here too as told him when drunk (ooops) but thankfully he has shown no interest. I think he thinks it's a bit weird really. I told him LST's news today and he looked non-plussed - I think he can't get his head around the idea of being 'friends' with someone who you don't actually know in real life.

Suppose he has a point, now I think about it!

Ha ha haa haa!! That's made me smile....imagine if it were true!!!!! X