The Wagon rolls on, complete with whinging, winding and teething and ever more chocolate brownies!

[Sparklytwinkletoes]

Over here ladies - will post the list in a second...

THanks guys- have given her 2.5mls.

Thanks for the info Lightening. Really handy- I've no idea about temperatures or calpol etc.

It did get me wondering- what did we have when little? Im sure Calpol wasnt around 30 odd years ago. Did we just get the cold flannel treatment...

I have to say Calpol is rather revolting- bright pink, full of fake sweeteners etc. Am sure the colour and flavour is helpful when they are older- but is there any alternative with sugar rather than sweeteners? I always hated liquid meds so find it hard to see that DD will like it... having said that she swallowed it straight down!

Tink - clothes sound good.

Bedrest - check
No exercise - check
No heavy lifting - check
No sex for a week - check

Am going to be pissed off though, my next period is due the week before, that'll be two weeks off. He might just have to get better quicker!!

Tink, I aim for a weeks worth of play clothes, and 3/4 'smarter' outfits, but I make DS1 get changed if he's playing out after school, and then there are all of the holidays to consider. (And I am fairly crap at getting things washed on time, which is why he has five sets of uniforms so he has a clean one to put on everyday and I don't have to worry about getting things dried etc.!)

GYo, I'm fairly certain you can still get the full sugar calpol, but only in bottle form (I always get the sachets, so much easier and less sticky!) and if the doc ever gives a 'script for "children's paracetamol suspension" it will always be sugar free (so full of all those nasty sweeteners) and I have actually got to the point where DS1 refuses to take the doc's one. TBH for the number of times they have calpol I don't really worry about it being full of crap, if they had to have it over a sustained period I suppose I'd be a bit more bothered though.

I've never known a kid who didn't like calpol!

Her body will be able to manage without the calpol, it's just when her temp gets too high as McQueen says it places her at risk of fitting.
My first port of call is strip them off and check the temp 20mins later. If it rises give calpol

just a quickie about flannelling, make the flannel lukewarm, it should never be cool or cold as this will cause the blood vessels in the skin to constrict and keep the core temp high/higher.

Hi everyone, been really busy here trying to get house in order - it descended into chaos last week after being poorly at the back end of it.

Re Calpol, DS was a real bugger for taking it when he was a baby, he hated it with a vengeance and would spit it out, even when very tiny. A couple of times we ended up at A&E with a floppy DS only for him to politely open wide and down anything they offered - on both occasions a healthy dose of calpol and calprofen.

My HV recommended switching to the non-sugar free version and since then we've had no problems at all.

The artificial pink is done on purpose as most kids (boys and girls) naturally like the colour pink so will usually take it. We call Calpol 'pink medicine' and calprofen 'strawberry medicine' so that he knows the difference.

Oh those were the days....

The other thing the HV got us to do which helped loads, was to 'play' with a medicine syringe but fill it with water and give it to him at mealtimes etc - so that he got used to having it put in his mouth - it did help quite a lot. It was also good for getting water in when he was pushing towards dehydration after stomach bugs.

My HV was fab [wistful emoticon] but she's moved areas and now I'm left with the potty one. Not looking forward to 2nd time around - think I know now not to be intimidated by them (I used to worry about them taking DS away because of my depression!).

We've been swimming this morning, its only the third time I've been able to take DS, due to illnesses, holidays etc but he's gaining in confidence massively. I managed to get him to let go of me today (OK, so I peeled his vice like gripping fingers off my arm and then walked away ) and he 'swam' (read: ran though the water) to get back to me quite happily! (He did have a buoyancy jacket on - he's not a baby dolphin, honest!) So pleased to see him enjoying the water and not being intimidated by it like I was as a kid.

DS' favourite film at the moment is Ice Age 2 - he keeps seeing posters for Ice Age 3 and asking if we can watch it, hopefully it will be out on DVD in time for his birthday / Christmas.

Well, I must be on for a fair bit of competition with Lightning for the 'rambliest' post - sorry about that !

STT, the DDs love Ice Age 2 too, but DH took DD1 to the cinema to see Ice Age 3 and had to leave after about an hour as it was too scary! He said the storyline's not so good either.

DB's baby was born this morning SiL's waters broke yesterday morning but nothing happened all day, then she had some bleeding and went to hosp (leaving a lovely pool at home unused ) where she was stuck on a bed by a shouty MW and nothing still happened. At 3am the shift changed and she had a lovely young MW who let her get up and move around and my little nephew (first boy on my side on the family!) was born at 4.49am - just goes to show what gravity can do!

Hi all,

I remember getting pink calpol as a child and loved it. It was the only good thing about being ill.

Good to see you back Lightening - looking forward to hearing how your DPs suffering compares with sorky's .

Dp and I went out to a home birth support meeting last night. It was okay - we got to speak to a few people who had babies at home and ask about any tips they had. To be honest I'm not sure we learnt much but it was good to hear positive stories anyway and we got a contact number for cheap TENS rental.

I'm exhausted today again - it's becoming my war cry . It's a combination of not sleeping well and a couple of busy days at work. I only have 4.5 weeks left here and soooooo much to do before I finish . Roll on the 4th September and maternity leave.

Also found out my dad was made redundant yesterday . It's crap, neither of my parents earn very much and they work really hard. I have been quite worried about my dad recently as he is constantly worn out from his long shifts (he's a chef and caters weddings etc and his bosses were just piling jobs on) but this wasn't the way he wanted to get a break. Just keeping my fingers crossed something turns up soon. They don't really have savings and can't manage on just mum's wage but they won't take any help from me or DB unless it's a last resort.

Right, break over, back to work so I can hopefully get out of here by 7.

hi

cheers for clothes advice - lightning
will prob buy dd1 leggings and plain tops for putting on after school.

the boden bits will be all of her clothes for winter

where do other people buy clothes from?
usually go with next fancy a change!!
boden clothes look lush

we have plenty of uniform bits

calpol - dd1 loves it and dd2

moosy - congrats great news

Tink, I get most of mine from New Look, H&M and Dorothy Perkins.

IDOB, Not sure if you are working or not on Monday 10th August, but I'm meeting Diege in Whitby. Would love to see you if you can come.

cheers for offer will be busy

meant where do you buy kids clothes from

Gap do some lovely stuff Tink have you looked there?
Also the White Co

Evening!

Poor old DHs, Sorky and Lightning! Interesting though....!

I totally overdid it at the weekend and have a really sore back now. We went down to London to get some more baby things from my sister (I now have more little blue clothes than I now what to do with !) Went to IKEA to get a replacement matress for the cot only to waddle all the way round to discover it wasn't in stock. Grrrr!

GYO - hope DD is feeling better and her temp as come down.

Tink - I love Primark for cheap and cheerful, which I usually mix with better quality stuff like Next/Monsoon (sale!) bits.

Moosy - congrats on your new nephoo!

IDOB - sorry to hear about your folks. Must be a worry.

She is stunning just stunning.... And i dont mean dd i mean my car...... he he he he he he he he

Just quickly popping on.

A really good MN friend has found out her DH has been having an affair. I am so devastated for her. She is pg, due Xmas day. He started seeing the ow when she got pg. Just trying to be there for her at the minute.

Kayz, so for your friend. What a tosser.

kooky - sorry you have hurt your back!! shopping sounds good

kay - your poor friend!!

just about to go to next so that atlanta can chose and try on coats for school then ordering from next book

what size tights should i get dd1 she is 95cms tall :-

age 3-4 years - 98-104 cms
age 5-6 years - 110-116cms

she was in age 3-4 year old tights last winter
they shrink in the wash
she grows heights ways quickly

Kay - I am working on the 10th unfortunately and I'm so busy I can't afford to take any time off before my ML starts. I finish on the 4th though so if you are free any day the following week maybe I could drive over to Pickering and meet you and the boys for lunch. Probably better to do it that first week if poss while I can still fit behind the wheel . and for your friend, what a tosser!

KK - take it easy lady. We tried to put all our little pink clothes in the drawers we bought last weekend and they didn't all fit, at least we won't have to rush to get things washed and dried.

GYO - hope DD is feeling better and her temp as come down.

Tink - enjoy coat shopping. How exciting that she is starting school.

Bump - yah for new car. What did you go for?

Good news for my folks, dad has already been for 1 interview and may have another lined up. Not bad as he only found out he was being made redundant on Monday. His boss let some of his friends in catering know that they were shutting the business down so dad was out of work and he has a good reputation as a chef so a couple of people have approached him which is great .

IDOB, that would be lovely. I will be working Mon, Tues and Weds so any other day will be brilliant.

How about Thursday 10th then Kay? I think my SIL may be coming over on the Friday afternoon. We could meet in York if you would prefer that but I figure, since I have the car and no LOs to organise, it would be easier to get together in Pickering.

Yeah that would be fine. I don't mind coming to York if you don't feel up to driving.

Updating the meet ups list. I can't do Reigate on 25th anymore.
Gruff, Bumps (anyone else!) would you be able to do Reigate on either 18th or 20th?
Star - great that you hope to join us. I can post directions later but is v easy and only 5 mons off J8 of M25 if you come that way. The park we're planning on meeting at has a recently renovated playground which I'm sure your DS and Bumps DD would love

York
Fri 18th Sept - Ses, Kayz, IDOB
Sat 19th Sept - Ses, Kayz, IDOB

Reigate
Tues 18th August - Ses, GYo, Star
Wed 19th August - Ses, Star
Thurs 20th August - Ses, Gyo, Star
Mon 24th August - Ses
Tues 25th August - GYo, Star

Kay - how awful for your friend

GYo - how is the SG today? Hope her temperature went down quickly.

tink - enjoy shopping. From what you've said, I'd go for the larger size tights.

IDOB - that's great news for your dad. Hope it works out.

Bumps - you'll have to post a photo of your car!!

Kooky - do take it easy!! Hope your back is starting to feel better.

Right DS is stirring but I must come back later and offload about my mum...

hello- way too much to catch up on!!

Tink- i love buying the DC's clothes from.... (shouldn't have started but will finish) next, monsoon, debenhams, john lewis, adams online, GAP, verbaudet, uttam kids.... thats about it actually... will buy designer bits in TKMaxx when i see them- have got a lot of cakewalk, oilily, dior stuff etc from there. I buy cheap bits and bobs from asda & tesco for after school/nursery for DS- and have at least 6 uniforms for him.

Lightening- good name- nice to see you on here again!!

DH is tidying the living room now with the DC's and i feel guilty not helping so i'm off to help...

Hi

KAyz- poor friend

Thanks for asking, DD is better today. Temp went down after the calpol.

Ses- really sorry but cant do 18th now. Only 20th. Sorry- my mixup.

York
Fri 18th Sept - Ses, Kayz, IDOB
Sat 19th Sept - Ses, Kayz, IDOB

Reigate
Tues 18th August - Ses, Star
Wed 19th August - Ses, Star
Thurs 20th August - Ses, Gyo, Star
Mon 24th August - Ses
Tues 25th August - GYo, Star

hi

ordered dd1s winter coat thrugh next,white school socks,grey tights and some leggings and tops for after school.

planning on taking dd1 to paultons park for her 4th bday instead of london zoo abit pricey

evening all. Been a tiring day today. Every job i started got interupted by dd or ds crying so I had lots of jobs half way through... i have just finished them all bar the ironing so will have to do that at the weekend now.....

I am enjoying a glass of strawberry infused cava (very nice if I do say so myself) and dp is down the pub.... DC's are in bed and I will be joining them shortly...

Moosy I posted your support belt today but missed the last post so you should get it on Friday... (just in time for the weekend.) When you get it if you have any problems fitting it just let me know as I couldn't find the instructions..... sorry

Feeling bit down this evening. Not really sure why. Maybe combination of tiredness and frustration at not getting jobs around the house done. Also our phone line is down so no proper Internet and am posting via my phone. We had ADT round to move our house alarm from the back door to the front door and I think they've damaged it somehow.

GYo - that's fine about 20th.
Bumps, Gruff - can you make 20th?

Bumps - sounds like a frustrating day but well done for catching up!

As for my mum, lots of little things recently. For example, I commented the other day that DS had done a good fart and she told me not to use that word! I said "what do you want me to say instead?" and she said "rude noise".
The biggy though was that I was round at mum&dad's on Sunday afternoon. I told mum I was going into town on Monday and she suggested I popped round on my way home as I practically go past the door.
On Monday I did exactly that and got to mum's about 3.30pm. Dad was out at the pub, as he often is in the afternoon. I was about to leave at about 4.45pm when DS filled his nappy so I said I'd change him and then go home. Mum said " Well your father will probably be home soon and I didn't tell him you were coming. He would probably have stayed in if he'd known so he won't be v happy"
WHAT??!
As it turned out, we still left before Dad got home but what planet is my mother in? Was she purposely trying to exclude my dad? I don't get it!