Emmsy's ladies lets roll into spring together! Bring on some sunshine!

[4everhopeful]

About time I start a thread! Pom poms still shaking, bumps growing, babies and toddlers talk a plenty, while the support, laughs, hand holds and weebling continues...

Love the new thread title 4ever
Just marking my place.

Big hugs to 4ever and Moon.

Get well soon to Ajay and Dolly

Happy new house to Sabs

Hi to everyone else

Buddha pops head round door and drags in a comfy beanbag and some flapjacks

vjay comes in trailing snot infested hankies and bags a beanbag.

Just been to register Ajay for his funded preschool places, they don't start til jan next year but enrolment is this week. blue are you doing this for B too?

Lovely new thread 4ever thanks

Here's the list, it helps me to keep track of birthdays and the like . Please update and edit as required

smallpants
4ever
Curly
Moon
Monkey
Buddha

mediumpants

Gracie
Cupcake
MLS

bigpants

saggypants
Vjay 01/09/09 BOY Ajay 8lb 6oz
Lionstar 27/09/09 BOY Arlo Bryn 9lb 5oz
Sabs 30/09/09 GIRL Saara 9lb 1oz
Buddhabelly 25/11/09 BOY Ewan James
Annie 25/11/09 BOY Ellis Charles 8lb 11oz
Bluesatinsash 23/12/09 BOY Benjamin Charles 8lb 3oz
MM 30/12/09 GIRL Nieve Ellen 8lb 6oz
Curly 05/02/10 GIRL Grace Eliza 8lb 4oz
Graciegirl 05/02/10 GIRL Isabelle Clare 7lb 1oz
Barbie 21/02/10 GIRL Devon Nimah 5lb 15oz
MrsKate 09/03/10 BOY Jack David 6lb 13oz
Neeko 29/03/10 GIRL Hannah Denise 8lb 15oz
Littlebellsmum 18/05/10 GIRL Joanna Emily 7lb 7oz
4everhopeful 26/05/10 GIRL Summer Clementine Hope 9lb 5oz
Cupcakefairy 05/06/10 BOY Jude 8lb
Iggypiggy 25/07/10 GIRL 6lb 14oz
MLS 11/10/10 GIRL Kitty Violet 7lb 1oz
Loueytbg 02/06/11 BOY Oscar Joseph 4lb 8oz
Bakingqueen BOY Luca
QA
Barbie BOY Ralph Henry James

LBM arrives, dragging a very heavy suitcase and a list of jobs she needs to do before leaving for the sandpit on Friday morning
4ever good to hear that Summer liked the snow - BB loved the idea of it and enjoyed being pulled on the sledge on her sisters knee but got very fed up really quickly and had to be brought home to bed! older dc's were out in the snow before 7 !!

Feel monumentally at my lack of postings of late. No reason other than life getting in the way and my new 'no internet of an evening' rule and that includes my i-phone. I've gone all analogue and am trying to finally get Harry Potter books 6 and 7 finished. Struggle to post at work due to new open plan office and, well heavy workload doesn't help.

So to make up for it, I've broken my 'no internet' rule for tonight.

Thanks for starting a new thread 4ever - you broke your thread cherry . Loving all your Summer posts especially her bonding with the snowman . Really hope things are OK with your Mum for the far foreseeable future. Like you I am mega close to my Mum, her shoulders are often sodden with my tears and she has a wide pair to hold me up too. She's 73 this year and I can't think of life without her. Have you seen the books you get that accompany the 'Do you know who you are' series? You can get them for Mum/Dad/Gran/sister etc. I gave one to my Mum for Xmas and its her life record to write down and pass to me for future generations. Her school memories, favourtie books, her first job, dating etc. Just a way of keeping her with me always...

Vjay - I've already handed my form in for Benjy's ante-pre school year. He will do it at our local playgroup as they're in partnership with the council and he's been going there with me since he was 5 months old. As he is a December baby he will do six months there then one year full pre-school. GULP. Have you attmpted potty training again? We are no where near ready for that (still total denial of pooing even when smell could fell a shire horse) and I'm in no rush as have lots of lovely summer dungarees lined up for B that once the potty training starts you have to abandon all restrictive clothing - pfft. What is Cjay wnating to do for his 10th birthday? What a mega milestone! How's he doing at school? Have you had your letterhead printed with your new professional initiasl after your name yet ?

re: PTA/Parent Council. PC is all about school issues, from curriculum to playground surface etc. PTA is fundraising, Xmas fayres etc. It's my kind of thing as I like to know what's happening and help out whenever I can. Like any committee there are the moaners and the do-ers - I am the latter. Just want my boys to know their Mum cares about their school and will help to enhance their time there. Headteacher already knows me

Barbie - Henry is beautiful!!! You just can't beat a baby with lots of dark hair . Sorry to hear Dolly's been unwell. Remember she may regress and be clingy for a bit. my 3.5 year old was when his little brother arrived. I just tried to make a point of spending some time every day just me and him in a different room from baby and remind him how much we loved him. did Henry buy Dolly a 'big sister' present?

LBM enjoy Dubai! From snow to sand in one fell swoop

cupcake - hope your blooming and busy debating names.

Louey - how;s the school year pannig out? Are you savouring your Oscar only time? I bet!

neeko - fellow plate spinner, big wave and shout out as always honey xxx

Jools - if you're stil lurking, so sorry to hear you cycle was giving you false hope.

Moon hope your proceeding with some form of PLAN? Happy birthday too x

Buddha - this month? Fingers crossed and then some. Can you and your DH nip away for a couple of nights r & R at the right time? Sometimes a wee break/rest can do the trick as so many post-holidays pregnancies will testify to!

Mind gone blank now, apologies for everyone not mentioned.

Will not leave it as long next time, I promise xx

Hi blue cjays birthday isn't until October but he's already planning it, he wants to see his nanny and grandad on his birthday . We are actually thinking of going away as its our 10 year anniversary this year, so we thought we'd combine it all and celebrate it at cjays birthday. He has also earmarked in the Argos catalogue what he wants . Nothing like forward planning!

We've not started potty training yet either, though he is starting to show signs, so may give it a go when the weather warms up and the washing will be easier to dry. No rush really.

The PC sounds like it lucky to have you, you can put your fab organising skills to full use there

Need to go and mop up more snot, so glam

Well done 4ever for new thread, love the title :)

Hi blue! Good to see you. You're v good with your no internet rule I am terrible, on my phone every five mins Think we have chosen our names now
Do you watch Desperate Housewives? Storyline with Gabby being the PTA president at the mo, very funny but I'm sure you're nothing like her!!

buddha I second the break away...this pregnancy and my last both conceived on holiday

Vjay can't believe we're talking school for Ajay already ...know it's almost a year away but still, wow!

Hi neeko, lbm and moon :)

Seeing that list made me realise I got gracie and curly's dds birthdays wrong really sorry everyone! For some reason I always think it's 6th but can see now it's actually 5th..same day as you moon?

Right gotta dash, cake to make for our church group tonight

Coming into get comfortable...thanks 4ever!

Lots to say, no time to say it. Thinking of you moon and 4ever with horrible anniversaries coming up

I will email you all pictures of Henry as soon as the mil goes...I feel I'm having a breakdown with her here. More trouble than it's worth, but I'll tell you about it another day. Struggling with dolly being so ill. Henry has been sneezing so we have been keeping a close eye on him, I'm constantly armed with a thermometer, taking both babies temperatures hourly.

Sending you all my love, speak soon x

Just marking my place love to you all xxx

Popping in quick to ask blue for a link to that book you were talking about if poss please? I googled but didnt find anything, was it 'who do you think you are'? Its my mums birthday in march so perfect ...

Been a bit all over the place, as i said in previous posts, emotions running kind of high, my edd is 2wks tomorrow as we all know its the build up that's worse than the day itself.. Sad also that this is also a loss of a potential brother or sister for Summer, as well as a child for us... Pmt making me more emotional i think, just need to talk about it to people that understand what its like...

Hi 4ever it is going to be hard the next couple of weeks, just come on here and talk it out, and try and be as busy as you can, which I imagine isn't too hard with your little whirlwind. It's a shame I don't live closer cos Ajay and S together would take the queens mind of her jubilee!!!
I think I've seen blues book mentioned on mn before, it's a lovely idea . I might have a look myself, see if it would mend a few bridges

Hello! Lovely new thread, thanks 4ever

I am going to try to catch up if O allows me too (he's asleep but who knows how long that is going to last

4ever (((hugs))), I know it must be really rough at the moment and as vjay said, please come on here when you want to offload. Give that little whirlwind of yours lots of cuddles and try and keep as busy as you can.

(((hugs))) to moon too, lovely to hear from you. Its crap enough to have a mc (or several) without it being on your birthday too . I hope you managed to have a nice day and as always, you kno you are welcome to pop in when you feel able to. Really hoping and wishing for that bfp for you.

barbie hope Dolly is on the mend (and Ralph Henry hasn't got it), must be very hard with a poorly little girl to deal with as well as Henry and recovering from a cs. Hope you get rid of MIL too!!! I know they (usually) mean well, but I can only tolerate them in small doses. The pics of the three of you on FB are just GORGEOUS. I was at your birth story, that will be one to tell him when he's older (actually not just the birth, the whole pg).

vjay did you ever tell cjay about his ASD? Its looming here, mainly because Luke is so astute that he realises that Isaac is different and he is very nosey and overhears things. It is getting to the stage where we are having to explain to strangers that Isaac has SN (cos he's doing something stupid) and while Isaac seems oblivious to this, Luke isn't. Potty training definitely leave as long as possible blocks out of memory

blue I should take a leaf out of your book and stay away from computers/phones in the evening as I'm dreadful. Admittedly at the moment I am researching lots of things but DH does get cross with me at times. I take my hat off to you re the PTA - sounds like my idea of political hell. But you most definitely are a do-er Love the sound of the memory books too - can you post a link?

cupcake you domestic goddess how are you feeling?? Does DS understand that he will be getting a brother or sister How exciting that you have names too (so organised!!)

buddha I second the holiday idea. At worst you have a nice holiday, at best you come back with a bfp

LBM have loads of fun in the sandpit. You are most definitely going at the right time especially as we are likely to have snow tonight. My heating is pretty much permanently on at the moment.

Hope our pg ladies curly and gracie are ok and not suffering too much. There must be some scans coming up???

Waves to BQ - hope Luca is sleeping a bit better and work is ok. The FB group has been wondering where you are.

sabs hope your new house is just lovely and you are enjoying more space.

neeks hope you are coping with work and childcare, tis tough I know.

jools if you are still lurking, I am that you have had to come to that decision. Is it possible that your DH might change his mind in a few months?? I know DH wasn't keen on having kids (at all) and then not keen on having no 3 and after my mc he was adamant that was it but he did change his mind in the end. It is tough though when you haven't got the support. I'm glad you are at least able to give cuddles and be a lovely auntie to your niece and I still have my fingers crossed for you.

Will post this before I lose it and then do a me-update

So in news from here....

Stamps are catalogued and were picked up yesterday for valuation (hoorah!) Think we will get less than we had originally thought but just glad to have got rid of them (at least for now). And for my next project, we are hoping to have a orangery poncy conservatory built on the back of the house cos I am fed up of falling over toys. We were originally going to wait until I went back to work but DH has decided there is no reason to wait so I've got people coming round next week to give us a proper quotation. We've had an guide from them already so we roughly know how much it will cost but we will get plans drawn up after next week. Quite exciting (apart from the fact that its going to cost ££££).

Oscar is just divine (actually not so much today, but normally he is). The really interesting thing is comparing what he is doing to what Isaac was doing (or not doing) at the same stage. We can see in hindsight how different Isaac's development was. He is trying very hard to reach things out of his reach (Isaac never did) and trying to communicate. He's already clapping - Isaac didn't do that until he was 2.5, he has a pincer grip which Isaac still struggles with. He is however teething (again) and we have nappies that should be condemned and random nighttime wakeups.

Isaac is being a PITA getting dressed/undressed which is causing us all stress in the mornings particularly. Am going to post on the SN board when I get a chance to see if anyone has any suggestions. Everything we've tried is not working. He is however doing very well at school.

We had a parents evening for Luke - he has the teacher wrapped around his little finger. He hadn't told us that he had got a certificate/achievement in assembly the previous day for doing beautiful writing He is a total bright spark. This morning when negotiating how many spoonfuls of his cornflakes he had to eat, DH said 5, he said "no Daddy, I don't want to eat a quintet, I want to eat a trio."

Got to go, I can hear O whimpering. Bloody teeth!!

Hi louey yes we did tell cjay about his autism, but it's an going discussion, he doesn't really understand, but as with everything with him, we just drip feed him. I was glad to get the word autism out there, so to speak, so I don't feel we have to whisper it anymore. At out last visit to the paediatrician he asked her what it is and why does he have it, she explained it like i did, but I still don't think he understands, but one day he will.
Like you I can now see how different cjay was now seeing Ajay in action, hindsight is a wonderful thing!
Cjay has just got his morning routine sorted and he's 9. Me and dh were aware that puberty and smelly pits is just round the corner so have introduced a morning routine of a shower in the mornings, he now gets up at 7 and gets himself into the shower and gets dressed. I got him his own shower gel like his dads. This is a major achievement for him and makes the mornings so much easier. He hasn't mastered teeth cleaning yet, but one step at a time.
Hopefully someone on the SN boards might help, but i do sympathise xx

Hi guys,

louey and Vjay your boys are so blessed to have you as Mums . I won't be trite and pretend to know how challenging it must be dealing with the boys's autism but you are both an inspiration ensuring every step and challenge they face is filled with support and guidance..

louey - an orangey ooooohhhh

4ever - a very hard and sad couple of weeks coming up and I know even though Summer is your world and life and you feel utterly blessed to have her, you also should be nesting right now and preparing her to be a big sister . There are two children I see who have birthdays around both my EDDs and when I see them (at B's nursery) I can't help but imagine my ghost children, would they have been girls or boys?... Just so

On a brighter note I too found it hard to track down the book but did . Here is the link Dear Mum From You To Me

Your Mum I'm sure would love it xx

Barbie hope everyone is on the mend, your FB photos have been delightful, you ned to get some on here x

Right, off for cuppa x

Thanks blue , and thanks for the link to the book, I've just ordered one for my nan

Vjay, Blue, Louey bless your hearts for being lovely, you are right in the fact that being busy is a great remedy and it is my wonderful whirlwind that ensures i am permanently on my toes! Lovely cupcake tx me earlier too, and as i said to her, I'm just having fleeting moments, although its in my subconsciousness... Its the spiritual side of a tiny lost soul that makes me sad moreso than beating myself up with the 'could of beens'...

Vjay & Louey, I echo Blue and absolutely salute you and take my hat off to you both in awe, you are such strong women and fantastic mothers to cope so wonderfully, and the fact you are also juggling other children, and inVjays case a degree no less, is something to be incredibly proud of...

Blue thank you soooo much for that link! What an amazing thoughtful gift! Shows your caring kind nature that you would find such a great meaningful and special gift! Have just ordered one for my Dmum, and actually also for DHs birthday next saturday, from Summer! I. know its more of an adult thing but figure he can take several yrs doing it! I'm loving the concept and will buy for as much family as appropriate for all upcoming birthdays!

Thanks 4ever but don't be in awe, anyone of us would do it if in the same position and I didn't really know any different until ajay came along, I just thought I was a crap mum because I found it SO hard and was in total awe of anyone wanting more kids, I just didn't get it, which is one of the reasons there is such a big age gap. We started trying for ajay about a year after we were told there was a possible asd dx for cjay as it sank in there was a reason it was so hard. We were still anxious incase the same happened again, and I have had a few panicky moments since he arrived, but I'm so glad we've got him, he helps his brother so much.

Wow that was an outpouring

Aw bless 4ever but TBH you really would not be in awe of my parenting skills if you had seen me this morning. I could happily have murdered Isaac by 9am. He's off school today (bloody inset day) but Luke isn't so I had to get all 3 of them down to Luke's school by 8.45 in the snow. Decided to drive as I thought it would be easier than walking as Isaac is bambi on ice at the best of times. However, he is driving me mad playing with the car doors/boot and getting into the drivers seat and playing with the gears and lights while I'm trying to get Oscar in his buggy. Nothing I can say will stop him and shouting just makes him laugh. I know its worse because his routine is all over the place, but still. And in a little while I'm off to baby signing with them both and I am dreading it. Large glass of wine or ten tonight I think.

vjay I think we will have the same thing, it won't sink in with Isaac for some time but Luke will get it. Hence the dilemma. I'm not sure if I told you that I signed Oscar up for a study where they are monitoring siblings of children with autism, we will get the first visit next month I think. But I can see such clear differences already. Someone on the SN board said to me a while ago that she thought one of the clear warning signs was a baby that wasn't reaching/grabbing for things out of reach. Isaac never did that, it had to fall in his lap IYSWIM. Oscar on the other hand is going to be into EVERYTHING once he can properly crawl. He is already rolling around the lounge to get things he wants. Glad cjay's morning routine is sorted, although I hope we haven't got to wait until I is 9 before we get his done.

blue that is a fab book - have wishlisted it for mothers day to give to my mum. Would like to do one for my nan but I want to speak to my mum about it first. She is 92 and having trouble writing so my mum would have to do the hard work.

Right, must go and try and round the troops. Back later

Just a quick hello, hectic here...been informed we are relocating to Paris in a few weeks.

Dh back to work tomorrow so I'm going solo, mum and sis arrive on Wednesday, dollys 2nd birthday party on fri so it's all go! I'll be back soon to do a proper post x

Wow barbie that sounds exciting and a bit mad too!!! When ate you going and will you have help. I sound like a right old hen don't I

Hope everyone has had good weekends. Ajay has dissapeared twice today only to reappear naked!!! Not a stitch on, just a big grin on his face

A very quick one from me to say hi and barbie I am SO excited you will be moving to Paris It's an hour and a half for me by train, so any time you'd like a visitor just let me know!! It's a big change for you though, just hope it's warmed up slightly by the time you get here! If you need help this end please do let me know, I'd love to have an excuse to visit Paris

Lots of love to everyone else, afraid I've only read Barbie's post - things manic here, work is a nightmare, IL's arriving Wed, got gynae procedure Thursday, and off on holiday on Fri. God knows who is going to pack

Hope everyone is okay? Louey I saw Luke's award on FB, you must be so proud, and I loved O's recent pic - so cute!

Better dash, lots of love xxx

Wow barbie never a dull moment! Where did Paris come from??? In all the places you've mentioned that DH might be sent to, that one hasn't come up unless I wasn't paying attention Hope you are ok with it, at least its an easy train ride/flight from the UK, and monkey will be there like a shot . How long are you going to be there for? Hope Dolly is better, and flying solo today went ok.

monkey aww thank you for the comments on my pics. Yes am v proud of Luke. Oscar is just so smiley that I love taking pics of him and showing him off. He beams at everyone. Hope it lasts! You've got quite a week. Don't like the sound of the gynae procedure - is this related to IVF/TTC? Hope it goes ok. At least you have a holiday to look forward too - sounds like you need it!

vjay love the picture of ajay stripping off! So funny when they do that. He sounds like a lot of fun at the moment.

Hope everyone else is ok and have had good weekends. Was treated to Isaac waking up at 5am having wet his bed (again). He did at least go to sleep afterwards which is unusual. But he manages to wet his sheet, his quilt and his pillow. Three loads of washing before I've even started the week . At least the snow is starting to melt finally, managed to get out for a run this morning for the first time in a couple of weeks.

louey I totally sympathise with the wet bed, it baffles me how they manage to soak EVERYTHING, thankfully full on soaks are a lot fewer now, he tends to just wet himself, bless him.

monkey good luck with the gynae procedure, and have a happy hols come Friday, are you off to anywhere nice?