Due May 2009 We're Nesting and Napping, Squeezing and Holding

[FiKelly]

here we go

Crickey i went to bed early last night and its taken me ages to catch up with you chatty ladies today.

fikelly My 2 year old is exactly the same at the moment. My theory is that his little life has been rocked by talk of new baby, my growing tummy and a nursery appearing in what used to be our junk spare room. I think he has picked up on the changes ahead far more than we've realised.

I also think that he is getting ready to drop his afternoon nap (eek!) but he isn't quite there yet. So his sleep patterns are all over the place. We've tried everything too, from cuddles to outright bribery. Nothing has worked yet.

Yesterday we timed a "tire him out" trip to soft play to ensure that he'd fall asleep on the way home at the early time of 12 noon, meaning his nap would be over nice and early as he has a habit of falling asleep at 2.30pm and sleeping until 4.30pm. He didn't sleep at all, and crashed out at 5pm only to wake up at 9pm. It took a drive around the Warwickshire countryside to get him back off to sleep, and even then he woke up at midnight. He woke up again at 6am, but poor old DH had to sleep in the same bed as him.

It has been a real shock for us because up until a few months ago we could put him to bed at 7.30pm with no protest. We wouldn't hear a peep from him until 6.30am.

So if something does work for you, please let me know!

I had the shock of my life this morning.

I finally got the (very dusty) scales out and weighed myself and it said 24 stone! I think I let out a bit of a squeak! Anyway, I got off, then I realised that the '0' setting was at 14 stone - PHEW!!! Tried to reverse it, but its stuck, so they're for the bin. Must mean I shouldn't weigh myself...

Well! It's not even 11am, husband is at work, babies are at nursery, son is at school and I'm back in bed with a family sized galaxy, my knitting and season 7 of The West Wing. Ahhh I love Mondays!

If anyone is desperate to see me and my bump, I posted a pic on my craft blog last night. Don't look at my triple chin!!

oooh, another West Wing fan! I started watching season 1 when I started maternity leave with DS1, and have just finished my box set! I restricted myself to one episode a week at More 4 pace, as they started re-showing it from season 1. The evil sods cancelled it over the christmas period just before the last season, so I had to buy the box-set (Amazon bargain) to keep me going.

I don't know what show I'm going to get into with this baby, but I'll need something for those marathon breastfeeding sessions.

I love the west wing! I'm actually watching it for the second time, just about to watch the last episode of season 7 (sniff sniff!) I took my laptop and the first half of season 7 into hospital with me when I was pregnant last time and it got me through the induction process.

TV show wise, we download and watch a fair few US tv shows. If you liked The West Wing you'll probably like Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip but there was only one season. Jericho was pretty good but again, only had two seasons. Brothers and Sisters is alright and has the lovely Rob Lowe to feast your eyes upon (yum yum!) Greys Anatomy is one of my favourites but can be a bit on the gruesome side - it also has a spinoff called Private Practice but I wouldn't start watching that until you've caught up on Greys Anatomy to the point where Addison leaves.

That should keep you busy ;)

Polony thanks for cheering me up... feeling very sleep deprived today! although mostly all my fault for going to bed so late... re norks... DH loves them & i've only gone up 2 cup sizes so far this time.. but seriously i'm still a bit concerned about the size they will expand to when the milk comes in

I have been meaning to crochet up some girly things for #2 but have been so worn out after a day with ds i've not managed to motivate myself... blotted well done on keeping up your blog (it's lovely.. i peeked) I've been a really bad crafty blogger since december. I have a pattern i designed for some really cute crocheted wrap over baby booties somewhere... i should find it and type it up & upload it as would be a really good blog post.

re ds and his early starts... maybe it is just the rapidly approaching baby? the baby/our book/dvd room was organised early january so no changes to the house over the last 2 wks but he must be picking up on the fact there's not long to go? will try the stair gate across his doorway tonight and let you all know how it goes tomorrow.

On a mixed feeling note we've just had an offer on our flat... only problem is that it is a totally daft one... we were already priced for a quick sale at £180,000 and they've come in with an offer of £160,000!!!! Somehow I don't think persimmon will be willing to drop their house price from £180,000 to £149,000 which is what we'd need them to do to just move (cover costs carpets/replacing integral kitchen appliances we'd be leaving/lawyers/removal etc).... we need to fund our house move out of our sale as we can't increase our mortgage without incurring huge penalties which make it pointless even considering. [sigh] of course dh is in meetings all day today and not able to discuss it properly with him until tonight. keep your fingers crossed all parties can come to some agreement!

how much can you ladies chat in a day?? I had 4 pages to catch up with since yesterday afternoon!

fi I think the stairgate on your ds's door is a good idea. We had to ban TV in the mornings at one stage, because DS was waking himself on purpose to catch the start of milk shake at 5.30! If he doesn't get attention + has nothing fun to do in the morning, he might realise that he's better off staying asleep. It worked with my ds anyway.

re: H&M sizing. They're definitely random in their mat section. I've got a pair of (really nice) black skinny jeans in size 18 from them. I'm normally a 10-12!

We've had all our ds's b'day parties at home. Some paper cups and plates and tidying is easy peasy. We found that it wasn't all that messy really. We only do about 2-3 games too, because the children seem to loose interest after any more than that.

My M&P Skate has arrived today. I'm going to have a play with it today. Can't wait.

Re: eBay. I suppose if you had a refund there's not all that much you can do. I've had the same as Fi in the past, where I miscalculate postage or something and end up selling for a loss. That's my fault and not the buyer, so I never charge them extra or something.

I'm a Gray's Anatomy fan too, unfortunately due to my job I keep missing episodes and stuff. I'll be happy to get back into it now I'm on mat leave. The only thing is that any childbirth things on there are so unrealistic. I always end up screaming at the telly! Actually my DH and I watched 'Children of Men' on DVD on sat and I did some screaming there too about how the birth scene in it just wasn't right!!

Hello all and thankyou Fi for the lovely new thread!

I'm afraid I haven't posted for weeks - we've rearranged our bedrooms, moving the study into the spare room to make a nursery. so were disconnected for a while - and it's taken me an age to catch up. You can TALK!

I'm very relieved to still be on the May list - it must've been close and I know Dandy is ruthless! I promise to keep up in future.

We have also been nesting frantically and potty training DD which was stressful for a day or so but she's been brilliant. But then I suppose at 2 and 8 months she is definitely 'ready'. We used the Gina Ford book, and it was fab.

Belgian have fun with your new pushchair - I'm a huge fan and LOVED mine!

Fi fingers crossed for you.

Quick question for those of you who already have LOs - if you are using the same cot for the new arrival, are you replacing the mattress? (Sorry if you've already covered this chat but I've done various bits of research and can't work out what current thinking is). We bought an anti-bacterial M&P mattress with a removable, washable cover which DH thinks will be fine to use again, once little one has spend first few weeks in a new moses basket. Would really appreciate your thoughts.

Hope everyone is doing well, not waddling too much. I'm feeling surprisingly chipper apart from terrible heartburn.

hi all.
I'm a West Wing fan as well. Always wanted to do a write in vote for Martin Sheen on my ballot for the past US elections that included GW bush .

i too am looking for a good tv program to get into but am failing to find anything. I still watch heroes on a Monday but finding it losing momentum.

i also miss Lost which is now on Sky so need to get the dvds when they arrive.

Fi, good luck on your house decision. doesn't sound like an easy situation. let us know.

girls back today and DH back tomorrow so the peace will be gone as of 4pm. I've enjoyed the lie-ins but need DDs back to lift my days; time is so empty without them. Even our dog misses their energy (but not them pulling his ears/tail).

hope all are well today.

emmalina, we bought DD1 a new sprung mattress for her toddler bed and let dd2 use the 'old' cot mattress which was only 18 mos old and in good condition.

llareggub - how about Dexter or Californication they're my fav US shows - never seen the West Wing, maybe I'll treat myself to series 1 and give it a whirl (and if I'm feeling flush maybe buy one of the shows blottedcopybook recommends as well- after all I might have a lot of time to kill once I start Mat leave and am waiting for baby to arrive!)
Blottedcopybook and FiKelly both your craft blogs are lovely - I'm a bit obsessed with craft blogs and have one of my own- I'll add you to my blogroll sewphietom.blogspot.com/

Dandy you are right to be ruthless but it's nice to know I'm still welcome!

Will have a think about the mattress but will probably stick with the one we've got. It's all set up but we won't be using it for a few months so we've plenty of time to decide.

Any of you started maternity leave yet? I've got two more weeks to go and I can't wait!

ooo a new mattress for the bugaboo is a great idea.. didn't think of that. adding it to my to buy list

ooh great excitement (for me) - I've just assembled the Amby Hammock that got delivered for my new little bab the other day - bought it on ebay with 2 mattresses, 2 fitted sheets and the newborn snuggler plus toys for the cross bar for just over £100 which I thought was a bargain. It is in immaculate condition and I'm so pleased with it. Am even more pleased that I managed to follow the instructions and assemble it without screaming, swearing or crying (as this is what usually happens to me). It's fab, just hope the baby likes sleeping in it. (I think I would, it looks so lovely and cosy).

Although it came with an original mattress and a spare (which I believe has been slightly used) I am considering getting a new mattress - they're only about £20 and might be worth it for peace of mind........am a bit neurotic about things like that. Will probably get a new cotbed mattress for the cot bed too (once DD2 vacates it) - is this a step too far or is it recommended? I just worry that although I've cleaned the mattress when DD2 has been sick or spilled milk there might be bugs lingering that might damage DC3. (actually even writing this makes me think I'm being mega-cautious...)- maybe it's fine to leave it?
Feeling tired and a bit rubbish now though so might go and have a lie down. Have a cold and feel like I'm running a bit of a temp [boo]. I should be working but have decided to award myself a 'day off' today as am so preoccupied with feeling ill and wanting to nest.
Byee

oh, sorry meant to say re: programmes to get addicted to - what about 'The Riches' - the last 2 series were on the Virgin channel (or was it Virgin1?). Eddie Izzard and Minnie Driver were fab, and I love, love it. Hustle is also a good one (when it's back on).

fi have you tried the 'wake to sleep' thing with your DS? I've not done it but I believe it goes along the principal of rousing them almost awake in the middle of the night (eg at 2am) then let them fall back to sleep and the theory is that this disrupts their sleep pattern so they will sleep longer. (or something like that). I'm sure there must be threads about it on here somewhere if you're interested. It does kind of make sense I think?
Oh, and also fi from what I've heard recently on the grapevine, Persimmon are in financial dire straits (as so many house builders are these days) - did you negotiate on the purchase price in the first place with them? If not (depending on the stage you are at with your contract to buy) you could go back and re-negotiate (or get your solicitor to) and get them to either drop the price, pay your stamp duty and/or give you a whole load of extras like carpets, blinds, kitchen applicances, upgrades etc to encourage you to complete on the deal. The LAST thing a builder will want at this stage is for you to pull out of the purchase so you may have some power there. Worth a try IMO. They can only say no, and in the current climate I'd certainly be giving it a go. (I should add that I am on the other side of the fence, as a developer and am quite used to people wanting all sorts of discounts, things paid for and extras thrown in. It's not ideal but sometimes worth it to do the deal). Good luck.

fi how about going to Persimmon and asking for £20K discount, stamp duty paid plus carpets in your new house. You won't get all of it but I reckon there's a good chance you'd get some if that helps!

blottedcopybook thanks for those recommendations, but I'm rather afraid to admit that I'm already addicted to or seen all of those. I blame sky+ and a rather empty social calendar these days!

sophietom I've not seen dexter or californifcation so I might try those. I'm looking forward to watching Dirty Sexy Money tonight if I ever get DS off to bed.

I've spent the morning sorting through DS's old clothes. I've got a line full of white baby clothes and another load waiting to go in. DS got rather possessive about his old clothes so I definitely think he is bothered about the arrival of his baby brother. His favourite word at the moment is "why?" and he must have said it 100 times already today. It is driving me insane! I am trying to answer each question patiently but I really do feel like saying "just because!"

Fi,

I have tried "wake to sleep" with DD but she was a lot younger and it seemed to rouse her too much (and she'd end up waking earlier).

I think the stairgate across the door is a good idea- we used to have this with DD but mainly as a safety thing as we had stairs up and down so it was easiest just to have the one gate to her room.

DS is younger, but if he wakes early we go into him (luckily still in a cot so he can't get up) and say its still night time. He would protest and stay awake anyway, but eventually after a few days he realises we wont be getting him up then, so he rolls over and goes back to sleep (I assume). We may have to go in every 10 mins to tell him again, and therefore be laying there awake anyway, but its worth it after a few days. So the stairgate would work in the same way (hopefully).

frazzle we haven't entered into a serious contract with persimmon yet just their sale seeker.. which is a fully refundable laughably small £150 deposit! we were going to try and knock them down from their listed price when we got an offer anyway... at least by 10% so we could afford to pay them for the carpets etc. If our current kitchen didn't have so many fully integral appliances we could have saved some £ and taken them with us... but only our fridge is free standing. We'll definitely push them for all we can esp if we're having to compromise so much on ours... can but try! Interesting about persimmons financial state... if you hear any other titbits through the grapevine do shout!

pulapula i think i'll use the wake to sleep as a final final resort... our ds was exactly the same in his cot and his bed when he started sleeping in it at first january time as he didn't realise he could get out... wasn't used to it. He discovered he could climb out about a month ago but still slept till 7am ish so there was no problem.

I watch most (if not all) of the telly programs you've all mentioned and can't wait for the next series of grey's anatomy etc to start again... we only have freeview not sky so restricted to fiveUS/virgin 1 etc

ooh ooh is 'Dirty Sexy Money' back on? I didn't know (and had forgotten its existance). I love that programme.

It was on E4 last night, frazzled. I'm sure it'll be repeated this week.

fikelly good luck with your house sale deliberations!

thanks llare - will set my sky plus to make sure [brain like a sieve emoticon]