Due Fab Feb 2009 - here comes the easy peasy (?!) wee-wee sneezy third trimester (if you please, no baby arrivals on this thread)

[dinkystinky]

Here's our sparkling new thread and the latest list - have stuck Munteria at the end (Munteria, just put in your details)

TinkerbellesMum DC3 (3rd baby. Lily-Hope born 20 weeks 28-29/9/05, Tink born 31 weeks 17/7/06, age 27, Birmingham) Official due date 01/02/09 but expected from early December
florrieandme DC2 26/01/2009
laidback DC4 27/01/2009 (age 34, North Devon)
nkweto DC2 30/01/2009 (age 34, West London)
oooggs DC4 30/01/2009 (age 34, Cornwall)
MamaGoose DC3 30/01/2009 (age 32, Spain)
MissMitford 31/01/2009
Plethora 31/01/2009 (age 37, East London but moving soon)
Ethelredtheunready (age 40, 2nd Baby, Tilly born 19/2/06, DC2 01/02/2009- Currently Chichester, soon to be Epping)
AngelDoll DC1 01/02/2009 (age 31, Sheffield)
Supersteph DC2 01/02/2009 (age 24, Torbay)
jenandbean DC2 02/02/2009
ruthmollymummy 02/02/2009
plantsitter 02/02/2009
idontbelieveit DC2 02/02/2009 (age 31, Leeds)
Tummytrouble 03/02/2009
Questionkid DC1 3/2/09 (age 33, living in Wallington, Surrey)
jamescagney 03/02/2009 (aged 33,Clare, Rep of Ireland)
Pregnantpopcornprincess DC3 04/02/2009 (pregnant with twins)(age 31, West Sussex)
MsLucy Boy 04/02/2009 (age 38, North London)
PinkTulips DC3 04/02/2009 (age 24, Roscommon, Ireland)
Davidsmom DC2 04/02/2009 (age 39, Cheshire)
MissDelighted DC1 05/02/2009
m2alyssa DC2 05/02/2009 (age 30, Isle of Man)
Jelliebelly DC2 06/02/2009 (age 37)
Swampster (HasAWarmFuzzy) 06/02/09 (age 40, south London)
Gettingbigger 06/02/08
Guitargirl DC2 07/02/2009
Aila DC2 07/02/2009
Littlemissnorty DC2 08/02/09 (age 39, Kent)
Biscuitytrousers 08/02/2009 (age 31, Thames Ditton)
MarkStretch DC2 07/02/2009 (age 29, Norfolk)
KT1983 09/02/2009
Tinasan DC2 09/02/2009
Herbgarden 09-11/02/09 (age 38 Berkshire)
Ewemoo 07/02/2009
Singingintherain DC3 10/02/2009
KazzaL DC2 10/02/2009 approx (age 34, Ciren, Gloucs)
littleboyblue DC2 due early-mid Feb (age 27, Surrey)
Jenniferturkington DC2 11/02/2009
thehouseofmirth DC2 11/02/09 (age 38, Wimbledon)
Clarabumps DC2 12/02/2009 (age 27, Glasgow)
BumpVLump 12/02/09 (age 29, Surrey)
Louisebunny 13-15/02/09
Mapleleaf 13/02/2009 (age 38, Cambridge)
Nadssss 13/2/9 (age 29, living w. london)
Jelliebaby DC2 14/02/2009 (AGE 29, Cheshire)
Loopylula DC2 14/02/2009 (age 28, Sussex)
Dinkymum DC2 14/02/2009 (age 28, Notts)
Francesrivis 15/02/2009 (age 38, Devon)
onwardandupward DC2 second week of Feb (age 35, south west)
Americas 16/02/2009 (age 32, London)
MrsThreads DC1 16/02/2009 (age 36, Cheshire)
shubiedoo DC3 17/02/2009 (age 37, Canada)
Pluto DC2 18/02/09 (age 38, Kent)
CassandraB DC1 18/02/09 (age 35, Hampshire)
Catstar DC2 18/02/09 (age 35, Surrey)
Ugg first baby due 18/02/09 (32, Cheshire)
Fruitstick DC2 19/02/2009 (age 32, London)
Imaginewittynamehere DC2 19/02/2009 (age 32, Cambs)
McDreamy DC3 19/02/2009 (age 37, Cyprus but will give birth in Bucks)
Dinkystinky DS2 19/2/09 (age 31, London)
DizzyBrummie DC2 17/02/2009 (age 36, Berks)
Rachrox DC3 20/02/2009 (age 28, Glos also!)
Calico1 DC2 21/02/2009 (age 40, West Herts)
Mentalpup DC2 21/02/09 (age 30, Glos)
Rosieposey DC4 21/02/09 (age 36, Wilts)
mrsy first baby due 22/02/09 (24, Maidstone, Kent)
scubagroover 22/02/09 (31, London)
Winemakesmummyclever 23/0/09 (age 34, Lancs)
Neeerly3 DC3 23/02/09 (age 32, Mansfield)
Mirry71 DC1 23/02/09 (london)
LardyBump 24/02/09
Spottyshoes DC2 24/02/09 (aged 28)
Chilledmama DC2 25/02/2009 (age 31, Hampshire
dd1ofcolandgerry DC2 25/02/2009
Cocodrillo DC3 26/02/2009 (age 34, south london)
MrsBick DC2 26/02/2009 (Age 25, living in Surrey)
charlie7 DC2 28/02/2009 (Age 33, living in the Inner Hebrides)
Babyignoramus DC1 27/02/2009 (age 27, Brighton)
Mumoverseas DC4 28/2/2009 (age 40, Saudi Arabia/West Sussex)
Blinamouse
Elkiedee
Nellstar TBC
zikel DC2 TBC (23, Coventry)
theSuburbanDryad DC2 (age 26, living in South Bucks)
Munteria DC2 (38,London)

THOM was it a lie down, ahem

I have had a lovely day, took dd dancing this morning (sofa, tea and paper reading for me with the ocassional encouraging nod) then went to my mum's this afternoon and chatted and ate lovely food while dd played. Then went to see my brother in his little cottage and made soup on his woodburning stove.

Home now with DH and dd is tucked up in bed ready for school tomorrow.

I DON'T WANT TO GO BACK TO WORK!

haven't managed to catch up - hope all is well

MS, it was indeed. My hormones seem to be rampant at the moment. Your day sounds very cosy!

I think I am going to start a topic on FB about stuff we need to have/buy for these babies. Although I didn't want to tempt fate with DS1 by buying much in advance I did have a whole Excel Workbook devoted to everything we'd need and was super-organised. This time I think I am in denial and have just realised that although they are both boys this DS will be born at a totally different time of year so will have to buy some clothes though this did fall into my basket yesterday.

Morning all - hope everyone had a good weekend. I too am now a member of the Fab Feb car crash club! Coming home on Saturday afternoon,in pooring rain from toddlers birthday party - driving in partial bus lane on busy road in central london - and a woman in a new black car (reg meant she'd only had it a maximum of 8 weeks) in the far side lane basically just cut us up to go into a petrol station (she didnt even indicate until she was turning) and despite emergency stop we crashed into her! Fortunately my husband was driving, we were going quite slowly and the damage to her car was much more extensive than to ours (which was still drivable) and DS was distracted in back seat with the party bag and some food - DH pulled into the petrol station behind her, turned off engine and lights (and then the silly cow told us "You were driving without your lights on - I didnt see you" - A - it is IMPOSSIBLE to drive a mini cooper in the dark without your lights on as the dashboard wont work and - B - it was a blatant lie as DH had just turned off the car and taken the keys out to go wait outside the car to speak to her. Was v impressed at DH keeping his temper, saying she was wrong and insurance will need to sort it out (though she didnt have her insurance details) - it was horrible having our precious Mini (which we've had 5 years now) hurt for the first time ever...

Other than that had a lovely weekend - looked at new cars Saturday morning (though am loathe to part with our much loved mini even I can admit that fitting toddler baby 2 adults and all the baby gumph in there to go anywhere is going to be a bit of a squeeze), then toddler party on Saturday afternoon at soft play centre (DS was in his element though did have his enormously pregnant mummy climbing through stuff and going down slides too - was worried I'd get stuck somewhere) and huge indian wedding reception on Saturday night (which was Bollywood-tastic - DS LOVED it and spent the whole night dancing: my folks were there and a whole host of aunties and uncles and their kids I hadnt seen in about 10 years) and parents over Sunday morning, lunch with old uni friends and their broods on Sunday lunchtime/afternoon (DS loved that too as their kids are similar ages though managed to give himself a stunning blackeye falling over onto the toddler lunch table when trying to escape) and then dinner with my sister and her boyfriend exchanging birthday presents last night (as DH's birthday and mine this week and my sister's next week).

oh no dinky! glad you are ok though. Sounds like your DH was very calm, I wouldn't have been!
I've had a bad couple of days too, having real problems with my DS's school and just can't wait for June to come around so he can leave. Last straw was I got a really horrible email from one of the senior members of staff (who has always been so nice to myself and DH) basically saying I was a very unpleasant person, had an inferiority complex and had a distorted view of my son's character and abilities! Clearly, this was not meant to have been sent to me but another teacher but for some strange/stupid reason he sent it to me instead! Was devestated at first and even now am so gutted but go from crying and laughing (when I think of the look on his face when he realised what he had done and how much shit he is in!) Also, there were 6 spelling mistakes in a 4 line email! (very smug superior look on face!) I forwarded it to the vice principal of the school (no principal at moment!) and to the board of governors who are now dealing with it. BTW, I don't think I'm (that!) unpleasant, I don't think I have an inferiority complex, in fact, I'm far more superior to him and my son, has already obtained 2 A grades at GCSE, French at age 13 and Law at age 14 and is doing his Maths GCSE in 2 days. Doesn't that mean he has ability???????? As for my son's character, well, at least he is not 2 faced like the teacher! Sorry, ranting but explains why I've been hibernating the last few days wallowing in the self pity of my inferiority complex.
Hope everyone else has a 'pleasant' (my new favourite word) day!

Ooooooooh mumoverseas! That really must have been MOST UNpleasant!!!

Glad you all came out of the Fab Feb crash unscathed, dinky.

I have a streaming cold and very disgusting upset tummy.

AND we didn't realise DS1 was due back at school today because the (printed school) calendar says Wednesday... This morning has been a rush...

...and breath.

About to waddle off to the park with DS2 to meet some friends.

Oh MOS - am so sorry to hear that you've been down. How thoroughly unprofessional (in every possible respect) of your son's teacher - please try not to take to heart his stupid and irresponsibly sent email. Glad you've referred it on to his bosses - he will definitely pay for it.

Swampster - try and take it easy lady!

Think i've got SAD (that seasonal thingy!) its POURING with rain here in the middle of the desert! Didn't order this! What makes it really annoying is I'm organising a christmas coffee morning tomorrow to raise money for charity (very satisfying as it is totally against the law here - christmas that is, not coffee!) and have to now walk to the coffee shop where we are holding it as I'm not allowed to drive! (mind you, still haven't got car back anyway from repair shop) I long my my lovely volvo in the uk with heated seats as it is so cold here today.
Am cheering myself up ref school crap by drafting lots of lovely letters in my mind to send to the teacher involved which of course I won't send....
swampster, hope you feel better soon, no doubt I'll have a cold by tomorrow too!

Having real trouble today motivating myself...I'm ssssoooo tired [tired emoticon]

Please motivate me...I need to do loads of work and I'm struggling to even type this!!!!!!!!!

I cried in Greggs (classy) when ds told me he hated me because I wouldn't buy him a donut.

What made it worse was that a passer by who said she was a nursery teacher stopped me and suggested I take him to a child psychologist.

We had a terrible night with him yesterday where he refused to go to bed until I sat him on the naughty step and said he could either sit there all night or go to bed. Fortunately he chose to go to bed. It was really nasty stuff and his eyes were quite literally flashing with hatred.

I think I am going to call the health visitor as his behaviour has got so bad that I am really worried about what he'll be like in Feb.

I also had to stop myself from screaming blue murder at this guy I am doing some freelance work for.

I spent yesterday afternoon writing a very complex document for him - based almost word for word on a meeting we had last week and he emailed me to say it was "wrong".

Not my day today. . Sorry to hear lots of you are having a bad time too.

I've decided...Monday's are rubbish!!!!

just called the health visitor and she's going to come and give me a few tips next week.

It may sound a bit OTT but if the help is there, why not.

She says she sees 3 or 4 desperate mums every week so I know I am not alone!

Mslucy - it WILL get better hon, hold on in there! Hope your health visitor's tips help. And you know deep down that your son really loves you - he's doing what all people do and lashing out at the people he really cares about when things are going on with him that he really cant process/compute just now. It will be better soon. Make sure you get some nice treats for you/DH to enjoy when you've had a hard day/night/etc with DS...

Chilledmama - know what you mean about mondays. Always such a come down from the weekends...

mslucy, choose your battles with your DS carefully, HEAPS of praise whenever possible.

And practise this mantra for interfering strangers: "You know what? When I want your opinion, I'll ask for it."

How old is he? he sounds a bit like my DS1 about two years ago. He terrorised me quite effectively. Now, At four, he is a bit of a dream.

Hello all

Dinky.....accident sounds scary but it sounds like you have a very calm DH....I wouldn't have been quite so calm...stupid bloody woman.

MOS - am gobsmacked about that e-mail....good on you for forwarding it around....I would definately do the same. Have you heard anything back?

Agree with Swampster re mantra for interfering women....someone told me in the park the other day that her child "never goes out in this sort of weather without hat and gloves and he knows the rules"....I don't know about saying what Swampster suggested, I felt like telling her to f* off!

I'm also feeling really knackered...despite sleeping from 9.30pm till 6am

Hi all
at MOS irresponsible e-mail from school and dinkys horrible car crash and mslucy's interfering third party who should learn to keep out of other peoples business........ goodness me ! and at Swampsters poorly tummy/sickness thingy....sorry Monday isn't being good to you.

I'll just add to it.....nothing major. Went to bed at 9pm...slept til 2.30am - ping wide awake, tossed/turned, spare room, cheerios at 4am - DS woke at 5.30am. Me v,tired and have to go to work - told him to quiet & go to sleep 5 times between then and getting him up (at about 6.20am). He then clung (literally - at one point he was sitting on my knee while I did a pee)...wouldn't let me go. Needed to get dressed for work - DH being useless, screamed at both of them, burst into tears and locked myself in the bathroom so that I could get some PEACE !!......Think I'm losing my marbles. Told DH he has to help more in the mornings otherwise I just can't get ready to go to work. He just doesn't offer to help til it's too late.

Am v.tired- again- now can't wait to leave work so that at least if velcro child is playing up I can lie in bed with him til he calms down.

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.......
Have a ton of work to do and can't be arsed. Am trying to negotiate some boring boring document and do I give a toss whether they have any rights to air conditioning - NO NO NO.

Ranting over - calm, calm,calm - dinky what was that meditation cd you were suggesting - do you have any titles - maybe I could take my ipod to bed and try to drift off to that when I wake up ??

blimey I sound bonkers

Hi all - sorry everyone is having such a crappy monday.

Herb - I symapathise totally with you about the sleepless nights. Have had a lot of them recently...and my DH sounds exactly the same as yours in the mornings......he seems to think that DS gets miraculously washed, dressed and fed by himself, meanwhile DH spends at least 30mins in the bathroom then 15 mins pottering around getting dressed whilst I try to wash and dress in 5 mins flat whilst managing a stroppy toddler at the same time......rant, rant, rant in sympathy

Herbgarden - you have to put your foot down with DH and make sure he helps with DS in the morning to preserve your sanity. Hopefully this morning will make him realise that. DH and I have struck this deal (even though DS is being velcro child around me in the mornings too) and is amazing how much difference it makes being able to brush your hair while someone else is dealing with tetchy toddler.

The meditation CD I have is "A time to sleep" from Naturally Nurturing sleep clinic (used them when having sleep problems - both for me and DS - when he was 4 months old). Dont know if you can get it separately but is just very gentle music and a rhythmic voice encouraging you to relax. There are always loads of meditation cds available on amazon and itunes so may be worth going on itunes and listening to a few snippets of some to see which one takes your fancy. I found that if I couldnt sleep but could at least meditate and relax my mind it made a huge difference.

dinky - thanks - I'm going to have a surf and a download later. I'll try anything right now...even just something to switch my mind off looking at that sodding clock thinking at 3.30am - "I have to get to sleep as I have to work and ds is going to be awake at 5am".....DH is going to get the shock of his life when no 2 arrives and I go back after mat leave (if I have a job to go back too !) and suddenly I really can't get a stroppy 3 year old and small baby ready myself - he is so flipping focussed (and stressed) about work that if he doesn't leave by 7.20 he's getting all wound up - he only works 20 mins away so he's hardly going to be "late" by normal people's standards. I really need to leave by 7.30 but he hasn't quite got that yet....

DH used to go and get ds up and get him dressed and give him his milk whilst I got myself dressed - or when he slept longer I could do all that stuff and then get him out....things have changed a bit now.

We're having a chat tonight about it all. His only comment this am was "can your mum help out a bit on your days off this week" - why is that always his answer - they're his kids not hers !!!!

Hello Everyone,
hope some of your Mondays are getting a little bit better as the afternoon passes

Just a question for you all - Im wanting to try a pilates DVD - has anyone tried a pregnancy one at all? any reccommendations?

Help me lovely people:

I have a 1-2-1 with my new service manager tomorrow. We have agreed that I will cut down my caseload completely, not take on any new clients and sign off any existing ones I have. I am also stopping all home visits. However, she is new and still learning the ropes and will probably not give me anything else to do.

My quandry is- do I email my area business mananger (herself a mum of 2) and say 'really appreciate not having a caseload, don't want to do
visits thank you, but can I have some designated tasks for the next 8 weeks please, stuff I can do at home ideally?'

I don't want to be bored but at the same time I don't want to be seen to be being paid for doing sod all.

Or do I say nothing?

mrslucy - oh my god! did you say anything to the interfering nosy cow/nursery nurse or where you too gobsmacked? You might actually find that a visit to the HV or child phsy(can spell it so won't try) may be useful. When my DS (now 15 - god I feel old!) was about 3 he was really naughty and hyper. Got referred to child phsych who diagnosed him as being really bright and suggested we educate him privately as he needed constant stimulation or he would get bored (and play up!) 12 years later, I think he is really bright (although clearly his current shite school disagree) so maybe you have a really bright one there too!

LMN - got a brief reply from chairman of board of governors saying he met the vice principal yesterday and they are investigating. watch this space....

KT - not tried a specific pilates dvd but during my last pregnancy I did a few classes as it was recommended as I have a really bad back and its supposed to help. Not tried it this time as I just can't find the energy/enthusiasm etc. Just take it easy if you do it.

MS - difficult one, not really knowing what you do but your suggesting about emailing and asking for designated stuff to do sounds sensible. Obviously you won't want to be doing house visits in this crap weather (thunderstorms in saudi now too!) You are obviously an intelligent woman and will probably get bored like you say sitting doing nothing and also it makes you look keen on work (even if you are not!) which will look good if you are wanting to return after maternity leave. I'm an expert on boredom! good luck with that.

TBM - have been wondering how everything is with you, your bad back and little one? Still hanging in there which is fab news, the title in this thread must have worked! Also, how is Tinks asthma, all cleared up?

MS, I am going to be in a similar position in the next few weeks as can't take on any new clients for therpy due to time constraints. I have asked for a few projects to do until xmas.... redesigning forms, updating policies, reviewing stuff etc. I will still go into work to do it, as I think that my colleagues will be less pissed off about it and I can still be supportive to the team in terms of answering the phone/duty etc. Is there anything similar you could do ?

Thanks for your replies- we do have an admin office which is fully staffed but I am down to cover absences and meetings etc.

It's hard because everyone works from home managing their own caseload so if you suddenly don't have a caseload, you tend to sit about a bit twiddling your thumbs....