Due June 08 - Creme egg season is over, summer is now here, so time to tidy the ladygarden before the big day

[bitofadramaqueen]

I wonder how quickly we'll get through this thread?!?!?!?!

DQ IKEA not particuarly new, at least 5 years if not a bit longer. we live pretty near to it too, so have no idea how we once ended up there on a Sunday, very silly mistake!

Gawd - have just had the office manager corner me and complain about one of my colleagues who has the management skills of a donkey. They are all about to come out on strike as a result of her and want me to do something about it because I sit next to her (and I'm the softest touch). She's one of these people who is inclined to bark instructions at people rather than ask nicely, criticise others in public and when we worked together at my last place of work, was the bane of my life too. Thank God I am leaving at the end of today.

What can you do with people who really don't care whether people like them or not, and treat others like rubbish. Any HR / phsycologists - your input would be appreciated.

Afternoon everyone,

Agree with the comments about linen trousers resembling dishcloths. I think it must be genetic - some people seem to be able to do linen, it's just that I'm not one of them.

Rolf thank you for making me laugh over the garlic incident - you have brightened my morning. Hope that it sorts itself out so to speak.

Gem sensible idea about keeping the diary. You never know with things like this when you might need some evidence of what has gone on. Years ago my Mum was bullied at work and she kept a diary then. Keeping the diary made her feel better at the time and it was useful when things came to a head.

I did a bit too much yesterday, but it meant that I was so tired that I slept pretty well last night. Still feeling shattered today though so taking it easy - reading, Mnetting, with the washing going on in the background .

LauraT - where are the years going; I remember Glasgow Ikea opening!!!

mellymell - cant believe that this has landed on your desk today of all days!

Your colleague's behaviour can be tackled but not in a day! I would recommend passing it on to her manager or someone in HR (whoever more likely to deal with it). I definitely wouldn't just 'have a word with her about it' before you go - you dont need the stress, and its not necessarily the best way to go about it.

If this issue has never been tackled with her before, your colleague may not actually appreciate the negative impact that her behaviour has on your organisation (that may seem hard to believe but I've seen it before!). Very often, people get promoted to management positions but dont have the skills (or get the training) on how to manage people.

If we had the problem here, I'd recommend that her manager spoke to her informally in the first instance to establish whether she understands what aspects of her management skills are problematic. They could also offer some development training/support in improving those skills. We have a coaching programme wich is expensive but effective in helping people change behaviours.

If your colleague doesn't take up the offer of support or recognise that she'd doing anything wrong her manager should then treat it a bit more formally. Set out expectations, improvements required etc and consider a capability process if improvements aren't made.

HTH's in some way - try not to let it take over your last afternoon!

alipalli - you're so right about linen and genetics!! I cant do linen well, but I think it will be the only thing I'll be able to wear for a while (when I fancy a change from yoga pants) so I think I'll just avoid full lenth mirrors!!

How exciting G43 - good luck

Hasn't the Ikea in Warrington been spruced up? We don't go very often but DH is strangely drawn to it and often pops in on the way home from Manchester for Ikea food .

Essie - didn't realise Anglesey was so close to Manchester.

back from Ikea, totally knackered. Only 20 mins away, in theory, but road works meant my exit was closed, so had to drive half way to Salzburg (waves at Deb), then back again so took ages. Then they woulkdn't let ds in the play bit cos I didn't have my passport (ironically, until yesterday I still had it in the car and only took it out to register, so he and I were both pissed off about that. Then they were clearly not as organised as the Swiss ikea, cos after dithering in pg induced slow motion and finaly coming to a choice, found out they were out of stock - so ended up with 4th choice curtains as I couldn't face going back. But otherwise, shop nice, cool, empty and new, so not croydon-esque hell. And only took a few minutes to get back, thank God.

But now have a mere few minutes to recover before heading off to school to beg someone to be my friend.

g43, good luck. I thought I was going into labour this am on way to Ikea. I guess I'm the only 1 not looking forward to it? I could do with another couple of months.

mellymel - be warned from Josey's experience - one thing is you will come to cherish your big bed space, then some bloke turns up and starts hogging the duvet and snoring again!

Monitors - was looking at the Avent/Philips one, but it got very mixed reviews on Amazon, so was unsure... Do you rate it? Not sure if I can get Tomme Tippee here - Nevr bothered with ds1 & 3, got one for ds2 and it was total crap )and v. expemsive) so keen to know what features/signs to look for or pointers in the right direction.

So hot here. Poor ds1 came home from school yesterday really burnt round his neck And he's got pe again today, followed by football soon after school.

rolf that is truly very funny. hope you don't discover it a week or 2 down the road in the crack of the couch or something.

midwife's just been here for home assessment which has made it seem a lot more real. there are 8 home births in the area at the moment so equipment won't be delivered until next monday. she kept asking if i had any questions or concerns but i didn't (started to think i should have!) and she said, you're just so easy! hope the birth goes that way!!!

i think tea drinkers all hate rasp leaf tea but i don't drink tea [all english begin to mistrust dylansmum] and i LOVE the stuff.

g43 fingers crossed it's all happening and well for you. x

I did enjoy your story this morning ROLF, very funny.

I went to Ikea once about 10 years ago.

Yeah, Anglesey not so remote with the new A55 (depends where in M'cester you're coming from, obviously).
Mind you, I used to live in Aberystwyth so my idea of remote, convenient is a bit skewed
But it's several hours, I imagine, if you're leaving on a Sunday afternoon because all the second homers are going back...

bitofa - thanks for the very sage advice. work for a small firm, so no HR dept to rely on. This girl's a director, so more difficult to reprimand than usual. I haven't been the best example for underlings either, becuase am inclined to ignore her attitude and just get on with things in my own way. However, have promised the office manager that I will be having a word wtih a couple of the other Directors about the issue.

Ernest - very good point about bed sharing. Feel very guilty that when I heard the Manchester news, there was a small voice celebrating that I would be able to sleep like a star fish in our ginormous bed! I know I am a heartless woman .

Ikea Croydon - for those who live Sarf London - is hellish. The only way to deal with it is to go either very early in the morning or last thing at night to minimise crowds.

Ah, I see, mellymell. Are there any Directors more 'senior' than her that can deal with it? Dont be too hard on yourself though - its your last day!

Hello all, not much to time to comment on all your posts so sorry but hope you are all ok.

Quick update on me: BP not stabilising and still high at times so going into hospital now. ALthough no protein in urine at latest tests they did say next time BP was high and i went in I would probably be kept in.

So packing a bag now, doubt if they have wi fi in hospital but ill try and speak soon. If you dont hear from me im in hospital and you never know next time i post i may be a "real" mum!!! (as could be induced as now 36weeks)

Speak soon and take care xxx

I think I'm the only defender of Ikea Croydon. It's really not that bad - but then I live in a rural area and Sainsbury's is thrilling for me... (especially the Collier's Wood giant store!)

I am desperate for a flake 99 and would do anything for it. So I'm going to get one.

p.s. Neenz must be having her babies!! Paro next??

For anyone is the North West the new Ikea in Ashton is fine - its probably only 2 years old so everything's still relatively new!

Well I am back home - with the twins!!
.

Th ey are just perfect - sleeping soundly now. Feeding brilliantly.

I had them on Tuesday - Theo at 10pm and Esther at 10.09. I had pretty much exactly the birth I wanted, except Theo had to be delivered with forceps because I just couldn't push him out!! I was glad of it in the end though cos i just wantes it to be over, and the stitches are not too sore. Esther delivered normally - she is a lot smaller. Theo was 6lb, Esther 4lb 7oz, but both are healthy, no need for special care and we were discharged from the hospital less than 48 hours after they were born. Got home at 5pm yesterday.

The birth/labour experience was nothing like I expected - much more painful than I had anticipated (but apparently it is more painful if your waters break early cos there is nothing cushioning the head of the baby - and I had my waters broken to start labour - which it did within 30 mins). I only had gas and air but I was ready for an epidural by about two hours into it cos I was on antenatal ward, no gas and air, just a tens machine which was quite useful but not that effective! I was is so much pain I didn;t think I could possibly manage hours and hours of it.

But then I got in the bath with gas and air and as soon as I started breathing deeply on the gas I really relaxed. It was still painful but much easier to manage. I was pretty out of it and DH was amazing. Said all the right things (basically 'breathe' and 'you're doing so well'). I was 3cm dilated when I had my waters broke and when I got out of the bath after three hours I was 9cm!

The MW said I had to get out of the bath and said 'if you are still only 3cm dilated...' I said 'I'M HAVING AND EPIDURAL IF I AM STILL ONLY 3CM!!!'. But she said all her women get out of the bath at least 7cm... and I was so chuffed to be 9cm.

That was at 5.30pm and I thought I was nearly there but the last 1cm took three hours!! I was still on the gas and air and on the heart monitors because I really didn't want to move around at that stage, just wanted to sit up. So I didn't mind them putting the belts on. But there was never any problem with the heartbeats, they were both very content in there!

So at 8.30pm I was ready to push but I just didn't feel the sensation to push. I was off the gas and air then so the contractions can't have been strong cos I spent an hour pushing without any pain relief. I pushed but I could feel he just wasn't moving down (I was even on my knees at one point but still nothing) and after an hour the consultant (the one who had looked after us all the way through the pregnancy and the one who gave us the Clomid which made the twins) came in saved me! The forceps delivery was quite painful, I was back on the gas and air by then, but I was just glad it was nearly over. It was quite quick so a bit of pain was OK. After Theo was delivered Esther just slid out really!!!

Everyone at the hospital (Ormskirk) was amazing, they really worked hard to give me the birth I wanted even though lots of things were against protocol for a twin birth (eg letting me stay in the bath so long). They kept telling me how amazing I was to be giving birth to twins with just gas and air - but it was just like giving birth to one baby really as Esther came out so quick)

And the babies are just WOW!!! They are so good, a bit restless and hungry in the night, but I got them to tandem feed today and they have each had 30mins at 6am, 20mins at 10am and then 45mins at noon so hopefully they will continue on that little pattern and I won't be awake half the night feeding! I don;t mind though - they are worth it and I am really not feeling too tired. It's the hormones!!! My mum is here as well helping and she has been great. She took them both at 7am this morning and looked after them while me and DH had two hours sleep. Godsend!!!

I haven't had chance to check through the thread - has anyone else popped? What about makecakes??? Any other news???

I am going to post some pics of the twins on my profile in a few minutes...

Laura, I agree, Glasgow Ikea not too scruffy, but the meanderers do get on my tits as well. We only ever go when there is no alternative.

Ooooh, the babies are definitely starting to appear now! Just been chatting with a work colleague, hope mine hangs on til he's properly cooked, have some treats lined up for my mat leave, and DP is away some of the time in the two weeks before I'm due. He could probably get back in time (assuming the rasp leaf doesn't result in a 3.5 hour labour) but let's hope it doesn't come to that!

Dentist not too bad, have to wait until after the baby is born to see if there's any long term gum problems though.

Essie, enjoy your ice cream, it's not sunny here, but I've just had a chocolate mini roll

congratulations Neenz

we've all beeen holding our breath waiting to hear from you! you're officially the first, well done! So glad you got the birth you wanted and everything went well, how fantastic!

Welcome to the world Esther and Theo!

June 08 Birth Announcements:

6th May Neenzandhertwinbeans: Esther 4lb 7oz and Theo 6lb

who's next!?

Wooooo hooooooo GO NEENZ!!!

Fabulous news, well done that woman!!!!!

Go neenz!! So exciting and can't wait to see the pics!!!

they're gorgeous Neenz, love the orange blanket btw!

Oh, and also gorgeous names.

And also (again, I'll stop now!) change your profile, Neenz - 'does not have children'? I think you do!!

Wow Neenz! Congratulations! They are both beautiful.

Paro- Good luck, hopefully you will be the next!