Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Living overseas

Whether you're considering emigrating or an expat abroad, you'll find likeminds on this forum.

Original poster

All those online for NZ timezone!

880 replies

buzzybee · 28/04/2007 05:17

Hi all. Used to be a regular on MN when I lived in London but since moving back to NZ have found it harder to make the connections due to all the brits being asleep when us down under are online! So if anyone is keen to start a thread for those of us in this predicament please reply! My DD has just turned 5 and started school last week (scary). Have just found out I'm expecting number 2 - due roughly Xmas day...

OP posts:
AnnainNZ · 18/05/2008 08:28

Oh I meant to say congratulations Welliemum - did you decide what to do with the jam and marmite sandwich? When is your EDD? Hopefully the ms will tail off soon.

Must admit I'm getting very broody myself, keep "forgetting" to take the pill...

MrsJohnCusack · 18/05/2008 09:20

I'm a bit broody ]
I need slapping about the face with a wet kipper to stop me entertaining any thoughts of another for a good while yet (if ever)

welliemum · 18/05/2008 11:36

Go on, you 2, go on, go on, go on (if I have to suffer I want company!)

Well done on the orchestra, MrsJC! That's great!

I didn't do a proper announcement, sorry. Meant to but forgot. Also, I'm never sure if anyone actually knows who I am on MN (apart from this thread).

Anna, the jam and marmite sandwich came to a sad end. While dd1's attention was elsewhere, I unfortunately dropped it on the floor and the dog ate it. (With a bit of encouragement - she didn't seem very keen at first).

I too find the Kahui trial very awful - perhaps especially because they died just a couple of days before dd2 was born. (I think that if they'd been born at term, they'd have been a roughly similar age.) The details of the family lifestyle and the sort of life the twins must have had are hard to think about.

Sibble · 18/05/2008 19:55

congrats welliemum, missed that one too. Fortunately dh is absolutely not budging on the 'shall we have another one' talk as I know I don't want one really - 2 is my limit - but ds2 is 3 and I love 3 year olds such a fun age but he's getting older and not my baby any more. Plus he'll be starting school next year etc etc. I can now understand how my SIL had 7 up until now I couldn't. The good thing about them getting slightly older too is ds1 did a sleep over at his friends on Sat evening, we took ds2 out for dinner then had a quiet evening in front of the fore. ds2 wants to do a sleep over at his friends soon so could be in for our first child free night since we moved here nearly 6 years ago - woo hoo.

Shells · 18/05/2008 22:59

Welliemum - you are FAMOUS on MN. Loads of people know who you are!
Anna - yes, get pregnant (and you Mrs JC). Despite all the hassle, as you know, babies are just lovely. I am completely in love with mine at the moment.
Anna - my dp is a bookie person. Worked in publishing in London and runs the NZ Book Council here.

Original poster
buzzybee · 19/05/2008 09:19

Hi you all!! Turn my back for 2 secs...
Hope you managed to survive OK Shells, did you make any progress on the sleeping front with DH away? I suspect I've been a lot more ruthless with DD2 poor wee mite because I've simply had to to survive. 2nd tooth through now and she seems a bit happier albeit still with bright red apple cheeks! We've tried to Weleda powder without much success - I just used Calpol when it got REALLY bad.
Formal MN congratulations Welliemum!! Looking forward to hearing things are improving for you soon on the MS front.
Hi Anna [waves] sorry havn't been on here much recently - meant to thank you so much again for ferrying us to Auckland zoo. It was a lovely little break generally and I think will stick in DD1's memory.
I know what you mean Shells about just LOVING this baby stage - she's sooooo gorgeous. EVERYONE needs at least 1 baby on the go!!!
Sibble did I hear somewhere that you might be moving?
Good on you MrsJC. I was thinking about coming to Chch for a couple of days the first week of July school hols but that is now DD2's first week at creche so have canned that plan as want to focus on getting her settled. Have booked DD1 into a school hol programme at Wellington Zoo on Wed and Fri which I think she'll enjoy!

OP posts:
Sibble · 19/05/2008 19:38

hi buzzybee - still not sure what we are up to. dh has had 2 verbal job offers here, 1 in dubai and is still waiting for interviews in Perth and Brisbane. Am hoping something comes through in writing this week. He's half way through his 3 months notice after that we start paddling up the creek without paddle! It's very unsettling all round.

At least I have my trip home to concentrate on. Only 6 weeks. As always not looking forward to the flight but very much looking forward to being there.

Keep well everybody.

WhatSheSaid · 20/05/2008 00:41

You must be flying just after me Sibble, I go in 5 weeks (23rd June).
Glad you enjoyed the Auckland trip, Buzzy.

Better go, dd is yelling at me from her Exersaucer thingy. Time for her lunch I think

WhatSheSaid · 20/05/2008 00:44

Oops wrong name, that last mesage was me!

AnnainNZ · 20/05/2008 00:47

Bugger, that should have worked. Try again.

Shells · 20/05/2008 01:25

how many alias's Anna?

AnnainNZ · 20/05/2008 01:31

Only one! Cos I decided on "AnnainNZ" in a particularly unimaginative moment and decided it was a bit too non-confidential i.e. if people who knew me in UK were on MN I would be pretty easily identifiable. So I thought I'd go for something a bit more anonymous...but not on this thread as I'm called Anna by people on it...but I'm obviously rubbish at namechanging! Think I'll stick to one name...much easier.

Shells · 20/05/2008 04:45

I know - we're all terribly identifiable aren't we, because of this thread. An acquaintance found out that I MNet and I thought - it would be really easy for her to figure out who I am but just searching a bit, and I don't really want her to....

Sibble - sounds like a hard time. Hope its sorted soon.

ninedragons · 20/05/2008 05:33

Just skating in to say congratulations, Wellie! Do they tell you the sex in NZ?

And yes, you are famous as one of the voices of reason. I always end up not posting on threads because either you or madamez has said exactly what I would have said anyway.

welliemum · 22/05/2008 11:40

Thanks all!

Am LOL at the thought of being a Voice of Reason. My family would never buy that!

Ninedragons, you can find out the sex if you want to. We didn't find out for the other 2 - haven't decided about this one. I suppose if it's a boy we could start chucking out the pink babygros...

Anna, if you'd rather use your alias here, go ahead. I should remember not to call you Anna after being reminded for the millionth time . Am terrible at cloak-and-dagger stuff.

Hope you get some decisions soon, Sibble.

Sibble · 22/05/2008 20:40

well good news dh has accepted a job here in Auckland. ds1 VERY happy not to have to leave his friends.

Whatshesaid - I'm flying on 4th so yes just after you. WHere is home for you. Family all now in deepest darkest Essex so better dust off the white stiletos and lop a few inches off my skirts and tops . Going through Korea for first time (usually Hong Kong). A bit nervous as stopping over in both directions on own with boys but hoping will be 'different'. IN Hong Kong boys being fair get touched all the time - interesting to see what Korea will be like.

WhatSheSaid · 22/05/2008 22:44

Sibble, glad it's good news that you're staying, you seem more settled in Auckland now!

(I'm sticking with this new name now, not Anna inNZ anymore, though y'can all still call me Anna if you want!)

I'm flying with Singapore as they are the only ones who fly direct to Manchester (most of my family are near(ish) there). Staying mostly at my mum's house in south Cumbria which has just gone on the market, hopefully it won't sell before then (doubt it would all go through that quickly even if it did). Am actually v apprehensive about being in the house without her there but will just have to get on with it I suppose. Have been looking at it online (on property website) to prepare myself a bit (it is still furnished but all the personal stuff is gone now)

On a happier note I'm a huge Man U fan so it's big celebrations round our house as they won the European Cup. Was all v dramatic. Dd was trying to have morning sleep and kept getting disturbed by us roaring at the screen during the penalties.

Shells · 22/05/2008 23:09

Sibble - thats great. Relief not to have to move the kids.

What do you all think about the Kahui case? I haven't followed it very closely but it does seem like the whole family were appalling. It makes me incredibly sad that some kids have to grow up with violence being the norm in their lives.

WhatSheSaid · 22/05/2008 23:20

I think part of what got to me in the Kahui case is that they had so many old injuries - and they had only been home for about 5 weeks. I just feel they never had a chance - whoever did it was doing it right from the start. And all that time in NICU being looked after because they were prem, then a few weeks later they were dead.

I see the police have said the case is closed. I can't believe someone has just got away with it.

MrsJohnCusack · 23/05/2008 00:44

The Kahui case is just too depressing for words - what a bloody horrible life they had. I said to DH, horrible as it sounds, maybe they're almost better off now rather than having to grow up in such a vile family. How long til they have more children as well? I can't talk about it properly, I get incoherent and tearful.

anyway, great you're staying in Auckland sibble, and you lucky people heading back the the UK. My sister is on a visit back to London at the moment, she is under instruction to tell me all about it, and the shops, and how it seems after a break from living there

Shells · 23/05/2008 05:35

I know -it completely baffles me how no-one is now responsible. Unbelievable. I think they both have other kids too. Are they allowed custody of them?

Yes- I'm dead jealous of you travellers. It will be lovely and Springlike too.

WhatSheSaid · 23/05/2008 08:00

They have an older son who was taken into care after the twins died. Both parents initially tried to blame him for the twins deaths (he was aged one). I think I heard today that Chris Kahui is saying he will be trying to get custody of him again.

I know there are abuse cases all over the world but the ones here lately just seem to have been especially horrific.

Shells · 23/05/2008 09:54

The media do jump on these stories but I agree, there does seem to have been an awful lot of them lately.

I can't believe they tried to blame the one year old. Its just too too dreadful.

welliemum · 23/05/2008 11:17

It makes horrible reading doesn't it. I'm finding it really upsetting.

What struck me was the chaotic lifestyle of the family and how normal it seemed to the witnesses describing it - which made me think that there must be other children living similar (even if not quite as deadly dangerous) lives.

Sibble · 23/05/2008 20:00

I think the whole family should have been rounded up instantly and all charged if they didn't reveal who did it. It's unbelievable that in an apparantly civilised society babies can be murdered and nobody held accountable. At least one person knows who killed them and they are as accountable in my eyes. It really does feel as though there is one poor child every day (I know that's an exageration and that the court cases happen to have fallen at the same time.) I heard yesterday that the 2 guys who had pleaded guilty in the drive by shooting where they toddler was shot (gang related) have now changed their plea to not guilty. May be unrelated but I think the Kahui case really has set a precedent and the law needs to be reviewed over the 'right to silence'.

Not that I'm angry or anything!!!