Are you on the wagon?

[largeginandtonic]

New thread taking an age to load.

Hope this is ok?

MMM - thank you. I really hope so too... Either that or I need to toughen up and stop crumbling at the signs of yet another bug!

Oh and forgot to answer the new thread title....Yes I am most certainly on the wagon.

still not got in the bath, not got the motivation to get up and run it, so may just jump into bed, haha lazy i know, but really dont htink ill be able to relax in a bath, will be in there 10 mins max - and will be rushing with expecting DS to wake screaming anytime soon.

Evening all.

I am lurking but trying to do this course. all this legal wording is frying my brain though

Playing - thinking of you, you are being fab.

Hi Cosmo! sorry to hear you're suffering with the poorlies too It must be so stressful. I hope things improve really quickly.

Ses - sorry that you are feeling I have been feeling like that a bit too. Obviously I have chosen not to go back to work but it is still pants as I keep thinking that I should be earning and getting ahead in my career etc etc, which ever youre doing SAHM or WM you just cannot win. There is always some sacrifice to be made. I guess you just have to look at the whole picture, weigh up what is important to you and do what you can to make the pieces fit.It might not fit completely right but all you can do is try and get close.

God sorry, that was my attempt to make sense of it all but think I jut confused things further

MMM - glad DS's rash is getting better, hope things get easier for you too. Im sorry you are feeling the way you are. I hope tomorrow DS improves and you get some respite.

Morning

Playing, hope you're OK? Well as OK as can be expected. I was thinking about you all night last night.

MMM, I agree with Diege, I know we've not met, but you've always come across as a brilliant mum to me. Everyone has down days, don't beat yourself up for it. You are doing one of the hardest jobs in the world (especially when they are poorly) on your own, and as far as I can see, doing a bloody good job of it as well, you should be proud of yourself. Is there no chance of getting someone to watch him for a few hours to give you a break? You 100% deserve it!

GBL and Cosmo, sorry for all the poorlies, it is one of the things I worry about most at the thought of starting to be a WM. Cosmo, is that declaration of deffo being on the wagon a hint at TTC-ing DC2?!

Ses, you don't need to feel guilty for wanting to get on at work! O is and always will be the centre of your life, but you are allowed to think about other things as well. I am sure now that your back at work, that the opportunities of promotions etc. will land at your feet again.

OMG, DH is going to kill me, have decided I need to buy an A3 photocopier (well printer-scanner-fax thingy all in one jobby) there is so much copying to do throughout the course, it would be a nightmare, and I think throughout the diploma, and then I am guessing there will be as much copying on the degree courses, it will pay for itself. Problem is you need to make copies at different points in the drawings, so I'd be in concentration mode doings scale drawings, stop, get them all in the car, go to library (that's even if they have an A3 colour photocopier) try and control the kids while trying to work a machine that I've not really a clue about, get them strapped back in the car, come home, get back in concentration mode, do a bit more scale drawing, stop, get them in the car, go to library...... and that's not taking into account: avoiding lunch time, school times, nap times, god even the thought of it makes my head hurt! It would just be an absolute PITA.

Am shattered was awake most of the night, didn't get to sleep till gone 2.30 - was too busy ordering free samples of materials and stuff, then just had one of those nights where you're dreaming constantly, can't remember exactly what I was dreaming, just little snippets that make no sense at all! At one point I woke up sobbing, I wasn't actually crying, no tears or anything just the sound of sobbing, and once I'd woke up enough to realise it was me making the noise I stopped, obviously, and I wasn't doing that jumpy breathing thing or anything, have no idea what I was dreaming about?! Bloody odd ball I am!

morning everyone. still not a better night here, but not because of DS waking up crying in pan or anything, because he decides at 2.30am its a good time to sit and talk aways (shouting at times) to his little teddy dog he takes to bed with him, so i was wide awake from him talking, didnt et to sleep till gone 4.30 as was just too awake to sleep so was tossing and turning, but then thinking too much about thing i need to buy whilst im in town today. was a nightmare, but finally got back to sleep, and as usual im awake before DS and cant sleep now haha.
hoping the talking at 2.30 am means hes better, and not feeling clingy or wingy today. so we may be on for a better day fingers crssed. decided on needing more nappies and wipes, which is a PITA when on my own n only can take his little pram with going on the bus these are the days i wish i drove.
morning NJ, there isnt really anyone that can have him, as my parents are away, one sisters at uni and obviously my other sister CANT has her own 3 to look after, with school runs etc she wont be able to manage that with her DD and my DS. DSs dad works in the week, and gathering the way he is he wouldnt take him anyway, then theres his bro is at college all the time and work, then his mum has a condition, so cant be left with him on her own for long periods of time, so its just the case of getting through it
by the sounds of things it sounds easier and more convenient to get your own A3 copier thingy, as it really does seem like it will be a PITA to do all the running to and from the library avoiding all the things which also NEED doing in a day, and also the cost of having to photocopy all that somewhere else, you may aswel. saves all the faffing with the DCs everytime
hope everyone is well, and had a good night.

Morning

Nat- sorry for the bad night but how exciting about the photocopier thing. Sounds like a necessity to me!

Playing- sorry to read about your bleeding yesterday. How are you today? I hope DH came home and looked after you. Thinking of you

Cosmo- great to have you back. Im sorry you are also suffering with baby-petri-dish issue. Think it wouldn?t be so bad if it was just them or just us- but its both that?s the killer. How are your work about taking time off? Are they understanding?

Star- happy birthday to Charlotte?. The photos on FB are sooo cute! She is gorgeous

Ses- sorry you are feeling a bit I know what you mean. Its really hard to balance it out isn?t it. I really need to think about whether Im focused on progressing to my next promotion.

Diege- sorry for sickness. I cant imagine having to waiting knowing that it will travel around the 6 of you! 3 is bad enough in the GBL household
Thanks for your comments about work etc. You really did confirm in my mind that 4 days wouldn?t be much better from a work perspective, but as Star says its an extra day to get better and then be with DD?..

Tink- car seat sounds good! We have the britax evolva in the rear facing model for DHs car and its really good for DD. I?ve been really pleased with its quality etc.

Sorry to have posted and run yesterday morning. Thanks for everyone?s nice comments. I love this thread Wasn?t in a great place yesterday morning - I do feel better today (mainly because DD was ok this morning) but like cosmo said I also feel ready to break at the next sign of illness. Mainly due to the combined issues that it causes (work, nursery guilt, getting it myself, DH getting it, , total vomit phobia!)

GBL sickness update is that its seems DDs chest infection is back- although her temp hasn?t been up again since yesterday morning so I might cut the antibiotics short if she doesn?t need them (since she just had a full course). I am now appearing to suffer with the same gastric thing DH had? have come to work anyway and fingers crossed! Im determined to do mind over matter on this one!!!

I?ve decided the solution to all this is to just learn to live with it and stop resisting it. will let you know how it goes!

MMM- xposts. Sorry to hear about a bad night.

You are doing an amazing job looking after DS on your own... I am not sure i'd manage as well as you. Glad you are sounding positive this morning despite the bad night.

GBL hope you manage to get through the day, and feel better soon. all these poorlies are a nightmare arent they.
anybody have any preference on reins? pros or cons? thinking about getting DS some, to break his falls when walking outside if you get me, its also the fact he keeps getting blue hands / feet more when pressure is put on them, but also can just happen when hes just sitting watching telly, so dont want to be holding his hand too tight, and making them worse hmm]

Morning!

Playing - thinking of you lots. Take care.

Nat - sorry for disturbed night. Dreams can be so annoying.

MMM- DS sounds v cute with his chatting but I know it wouldn't have been at that time. When are your parents back?

GBL - I love this thread too! I hate to sound all pharmacisty but I'd recommend DD having all of her second course of ABs. They v rarely cause SFX and she is still being exposed to new bugs. This would hopefully get rid of it once and for all. If she were a bit older and had had about 6 courses of ABs in the last 6 months, I'd maybe try and let her fight it off. Entirely up to you though as you can see her IYKWIM.

Thanks for everyone's lovely comments about me feeling I feel like I have two such distinct roles and personalities which are both great but they just don't meet. I have to be either workingSes or mumSes.
Gruff - your analogy did make sense!

Also DH and I both woke up coughing and with streaming noses in the night so I'm probably a bit under the weather which won't help.

Right, must get on! I'm sitting in the car park at nursery having dropped O off. Must drive down to Hove!

Hi

MMM- I don?t really have any experience either way on reins but I have got DD at littlelife back pack with a built in rein for when she can walk. I bought it ages ago as I thought it was so cute. Turns out lots of friends have used them too with success. Do a google search for them.

Ses- thanks for advice. Really appreciate it- good to get your view. We will finish the course. Hope you aren?t feeling too poorly, have a good day at work.

thanks GBL ill have a look.
and SES no not cute at that time in the morning haha, would have been any other time i suppose.

Just quickly popping on to check in.

I am ok. Still bleeding, no worse but no better and got period pains, so I am sure there can't be any good news.

DH did come home early and is working from home today and tomorrow so I am not alone and have support.

Not sure how much I'll be on today or tomorrow as DH will be using the laptop (his backward company doesn't provide staff with laptops so he'll need to use our home one). I will of course let you all know how it goes tomorrow.

hi ladies

lots of chat!!!

mm - agree you do a great job must be hard!!!

playing - take care and good luck for tomorrow

nat - photocopier defeniltey a great idea

ginger and ses - hi

dd2 had her first little walk on school run was leaving her in the car to take dd1 in and drop her off now she can do abit of walking

dh took aback booster last nite

off to sing and sign in a min

lovely sun here again

I will keep everything crossed for you Playing, take it as easy as you can, and really look after yourself, it can knock you for six

MMM, sorry no experience on reins except I tried them with DS2 but he was having none of it!

GBL, glad you're feeling a bit more together today, and hope you're not feeling too poorly?

Ses, I don't think (in my none experience!) that workSes and mumSes have to meet, I think you just need to learn to switch between the two. - Obviously I might just be talking nonsense!

DH is going to kill me even more (!), I've just ordered £150 worth of clothes, all for me! Sick of mine hanging off me, even with a belt on my jeans keep falling down, if I put the belt any tighter the material just gathers up uncomfortably and unflatteringly! And they are all baggy around my bum/thighs. And my tops are all bagging under my arms and around my belly. Have I convinced you all that I need new clothes? Will DH be as convinced?!!

Morning Tink Bless DD2, she sound's like she's doing really well with the walking

Morning . PLAYING, you are coping so well, and really good that dh can be at home today with you. Fingers crossed you can get through ok until tomorrow when at least you will know where you stand xx
MMM, I was going to mention the backpack with the strap attached too (KAYZ had a really cute one for ds1). Of course that could be better when he's a little steadier, as really for very confidetn walkers I think, more to stop them running away than falling over I think. If it's purely falling over, I'd go for a simple pair of nylon reins for now. I used them for dds, and they were invaluable as we walked everywhere (I don't drive) frequently along main roads. I had one snotty woman muttering that reins were for dogs but discounted that totally as the alternative would have been them running off into the road!
SES I am so with you on the work/home thing. I struggled for many years with this, feeling almost fraudulent at both - ie. couldn't do the whole mum thing properly (so I thought) and work too saw me differently (I felt) as not totally committed. I also use a different title and my maiden name at work, so feel very 'split'. A year or so ago though (cooinciding with a new job) I've decided that if I am working, I may as well make it as fulfilling and enjoyable as possible. I think I just got sick and tired of feeling so miserable, and really moved work up a gear in my mind - applying (and getting) promotions, new roles, new publications etc. So I now feel like I'm achieving what I set out to do (though at a slightly slower rate), and feel better and more fulfilled on the days I'm off work. Doesn't always work that way, and work can be a drag (as can home life) and I feel quite envious of those mums (and dads, there are a few round here) that can go to playgroups etc) but then that's why it's called work! We'd all give it up if we won the lottery BTW, perfectly normal to feel a bit peeved about the promotion situation - would be odd if you didn't, but remember how pleased you were when you boss gave you the extra responsibiltiies a few weeks ago?
GING, having said all that about the 4 day week, I have stuck at 4 days and think I will, as despite basically working (at least) full time hours, I do get that precious day at home! Makes me sound mad, but I suppose it's the only real way of ensuring that time at home - just don;t think of work as part time work or you'll feel forever resentful
NAT, that must have been one strange dream ; maybe it involved a postie who wouldn't let go of a certain parcel?
Go on then, spill...how much will the photocopier cost??? Is this going to be the purchase that puts me and tinks well and truly in the shade? Do we need links?
I also need some of your advice. What on earth is 'eggshell' finish? I'm thinking a ponchy version of satinwood? And which to buy for woodwork? acrylic or oil based?? I've ordered 3 sample pots from Greene thingy company, so on my way. Decorator coming end of month!!!

PLAYING take it easy, and get lots of rest, will be thinking about you.
may just wait for reins, as mum said she has some at hers, so could see if he likes them before going and buying some myself, there not back till sunday though.
TINK DD2 walking sounds really good glad she enjoys it too. enjoy sing and sign.

just gettin ready now, for going into town, DS is still fast aslepe, maybe due to being awake at 2.30

Stop showing off about how thin you are NAT
Hey, has anyone else read that pile --of bollocks new theory about so called 'blended lives' that women lead?? Ie, you don't have 'home' and 'work', but at home you do bits of work (ie answer e-mails), and at work you do bits of 'home' (ie, do shopping over the internet). So tell me, either I've been leading the way for years, or me thinks someone's getting a book out on a total rehash of how things have always been. So SES, you don;t have '2 SESs', you have 'BLENDED SES(s)'

sorry DIEGE x-posted. im at that lady, its the safer option as you say. cant win really can you.

Diege, copier thing is looking like £250-ish maybe slightly cheaper, they start at around £150 but the reviews on the cheaper ones are dire! This is the one I have my eye on. Eggshell, remember my mum doing something with it years ago, it was a matte rough finish, much like an egg shell really! But we used it in DS2's nursery and it was smooth and had a sheen to it, nothing like an egg shell! So, your guess is as good as mine (there is nothing in the course about different types of paint, so can only go off my experience). Oh and far from skinny, just skinnier

Blended Ses? Sound's like an aromatic candle!

LOL at BlendedSESes
Maybe that should be my new MN nickname!

Right, I've arrived in Hove now. Need to sort out a mess in one of the branches with their controlled drug records - eek!

Hmm...maybe aromaticSES then??!

Btw Nat, sounds like you definitely need new clothes &

Morning!

Had a lie in this morning as DH here so only just got on.

LOL at Blended Ses!

GBL - glad you are a bit happier this morning. hope things keep improving for you!so do you think you will go down to 4 days??

NJ - photocopier thing does sound like a necessity indeed. better get one

Diege - how are all your lot, any more poorlies?? how exciting doing up the house, are you going to do before and after shots on FB??

MMM - I bet you would find some cheap reins on ebay/amazon or the little rucksack thing should be on there too.if its cheap it doesn't matter if he ends up not liking them and you can always just stick them back on ebay then.

Playing - thinking of you. glad DH is at home giving you support.

Tink - enjoy sing and sign.

DH and DS are up from their naps now.

I keep trying to fathom what is the "right" thing to do for us as a family re:ttcing, jobs etc but I just end up going round in circles and ends up screwing up my head even more. I def want another baby, but just worried about not coping with pg and a toddler. we def want to move in the next year aswell. it wouldn't be so much of an issue if we didnt live up four flights of stairs with no lift.however I know that to get a better house in a nicer area it would be so much easier if I had an income, however small. (the house prices here are extortionate!our 2 bed flat was worth 157,950 when we bought it 3 years ago and think due to the credit crunch its worth about the same still)

my sister will go guarantor for us on the further mortgage we need but we would still be able to afford much more if I was working. However we both agreed that career wise if I am at home with GC I may aswell have another (and we wanted small gaps)as then it won't be that long before I can focus on my career when they are in school/nursery. Also not forgetting that I am doing this volunteer work which would hopefully lead to a job afterwards.

ahh sorry for big post, am just umming and ahhing about everything and it's doing my head in. I know if we were in a bigger house I would just go for it. very

GRUFF, whatever decision you make, something will always have to 'give' and whatever decision you make, you'll always wonder what iff..tis life. FWIW I think you've got to weight up what's the most important thing to you (at the moment), a close gap, a bigger house, going back to work? You could probably do 2 out of the 3 easily, 3 not so easily perhaps, but I have a feeling that you will reach a decision that suits you all best...this 'going round in a circle business' does the trcik sometimes of making you reach an answer, as sooner or later you realise which one you feel happier going with!
SES love 'blendedSES' as a new name
Hi TINKS! Enjoy your morning and the sunshine.
MMM, there are always people that that woman - me and dh call then 'Greys', referring to their aura (based on what a clairvoent said once - 'greys are all arund us apparently' )Not nice people at all..
NAT, one other (vastly inferior) option would be to travel say one day a month to the uni (is it staffs?) and take advantage of their student photocopying rates (think it's 2p a copy). Having said that, you will probably spend the price of the phtocopier in one month at the rate you're going at!.

Good luck sorting it out BlendedSes/AromaticSes/whoever you are!

Morning Gruff Hmmm, you have some tough choices to make. What does DH think? You know, the practicalities always work themselves out...

Just been onto Brabantia's site, we've had one of their bins for yonks, the inner bucket thing has broken so went to order a new one under the warentee thing, it was the most odd layout of questions, and the most odd lot of questions I've ever answered in my life, it wanted my date of birth, why? My initials and my first and middle name, then whether I was male or female, all for a bin?! And when it comes to filling the address instead of the usual house number, street name, town/city, etc. it was street name, house number, country, post code town/city, county, and even the email is set out in the same way... was really strange