(Dear IPOATthe Fourth, that a happy ending is altogether unlikely?

[Hullygully]

Or not?

C'mon ladies. Spill...

Hully enters London with Nigel at her side

Yes, I've got two boys - 6 and 9

They are sooooo different from each other - I tell everyone on MN to support my arguments against gender-stereotyping.

DS1 will always be more of a worry to me, being my first, but he is turning into a lovely boy, and will be a fine man. He's very empathic and sensible.

DS2 is really affectionate and socially skilled. And funny. A little sod too.

Both are gorgeous (although DS1 doesn't know it)

I found the early bit very hard with DS1. Enjoy it more and more as time goes on.

Yes, Charlie is apparently chavvy now. Became too popular after Charlie and Lola, damn them

DS's friends have voted me maddest, but nicest.

V proud.

I have nothing to spill. It is all pee and poo still.

I would like more (DCs, not pee or poo), but have no idea how it could possibly be afforded.

who put Nigel in a skirt

I found the early bit absolute hell. I can't stand playing (with children!!). The words "Let's pretend" make me lose all will to live. Did a lot of art stuff instead (tries to redeem self) and went to groups every morning and begged people to meet me in teh afternoons.

I liked it from four, once you can negotiate and they can start holding a semblance of a conversation.

at pee and pooh

we will have to sell Maiden juice so that umami can have a brood of Charlies and Nigels

( I want a Nigel now but Too Old)

< puts hand up >

10 months is lovely Umami - all standing up proudly and grinning with orange baby food all over their faces .....

Love me and Nige.

Do you have to go back to work Umami? (Re nursery bit)

"The words "Let's pretend" make me lose all will to live."

The irony

I couldn't stand the mess either...those faces and fingers..

Yes, me too Hully.

I work in a playgroup now, and am discovering a playful and creative side I never knew existed. It's sooo different with other people's children.

I am wonderful with toddlers now. Was an utter basket-case with my own

Indeed. But we're funny.

Yes, must work, sadly. I suppose there would always be the option of selling the house and moving to a bedsit so that my salary is not required, but I don't think I could persuade myself DH.

James, he is just standing up proudly (with help)! It is indeed wonderful watching him grow and learn new things. It is truly incredible how quickly it all happens.

I know lots of Charlies, but it isn't chavvy.

I have a friend with a toddler who forces me to look after him now and then (whenever she can catch me) I had to sit on a freezing park bench and drink pretend bowls of soup and cups of tea. Death had never been more attractive.

until you have had to play Thomas The Tank Engine for ten years straight , you don't understand the meaning of torture.

I was crap at the early bit too. one of DDs earliest complete sentences was 'is this 'nnoying you'

I have chosen to get her to share my interests.
DH caught me talking her through the Elle Collections edition. When he heard her saying how much nicer Erdem was than Prada this year he went off to find ways to kill himself.
But she is into gym and sport and stuff so she is mostly into sparly leotards really.

I did better with boys though I think. I love the whole rugby watching, smelly kit part of it..

It all starts happening really quickly from here Umami - walking, talking, calling you a poo-bum head, utterly humiliating you by having a mega-tantrum in the middle of a zebra crossing

I am fortunately still at the stage where 'fun' is putting a piece of broccoli into a cup and then taking it out again. It's amazing how much MN useful stuff you can get done while that's going on.

Pag, love dd's sentence.

Thomas was the only thing I could stand. I used to spend hours building elaborate tracks and staging fantastic crashes. Didn't mind the vids either. But as for Barney..

Da Da da da da da daaaa
Da da da da
da-da da da-da-da
da dadle- da
da - da
da daddle-da
da da

Thomas!

We still quote Thomas alarmingly regularly 'Rubbish! said the Foreman' (I think that's the one where the elephant's stuck in the tunnel.)