TTT.....

[AtLongLast]

OTT / self-indulgent I know, but Toddler Twin Tantrums..... aaargh! Just as well they're so cute too. Ds2 was v funny today wiggling his bum singing uh, uh Bobby' in response to me dancing round the kitchen to Bobby's girl'...

Just very quickly want to say loving your work on the controlled crying thread mucky. HEAR HEAR x

:) thanks... don't know why I bother but I'm a sucker for getting drawn into those discussions!

Now then Kate - saw these just now on the Boden website and thought you might like the look of them for your girls - no buckles!! :) here

ALL - I've tried the pullups before but didn't get on with them, found them annoying - are they meant to come apart or not? I guess so for taking them off...

My Sun-San sandals turned up yesterday but v annoyingly they sent me a 9 and a 8 instead of an 8 and a 7. Even 8/7 is prob too big for the moment and I also ordered a 6 (bored yet? ) but they are SO nice and the sole looks really comfortable, much more so than the different model but same brand ones we had last year.

Agree - they are annoying but we have 2 packs to get through now. I wondered about the point of having to put them on/off like nappies if they are pull ups. you're right tho, best for poo clean up as dp pointed out to me when I was dissing them.

Talking of which. Two nights been much too hot for the inside-out sleepsuit nappy lock. Two mornings we've had nappy off and poo in cot. so far easy clean ones but aaargh almost enough to make me wish it were cooler.

What a pain about the size cock-up. Just when you could do with them too!

We're not going to do Pull-ups either.. I don't see the point of them - they are just glorified nappies!
Children don't see them as pants, just as nappies, and then parents wonder why their children won't use the potty/toilet.
Totally confused my older girls, so we'll be going straight to 1000's of pairs of cheapy pants and leggings for our potty training!
One day this week we are going to hit the stores near us in search of loads of amazing pants and potties.
I've never seen the point of doing potties first, but for us I think that doing only toilets will be a nightmare as they will all decide to 'need a weee' at the same time!
As I'm feeling pretty crap this w/end, potty week has given me something to look forward to :)

Oh dear Kate - so bad you are looking forward to potty training? I hope things improve soon! We only have 1 (upstairs) toilet here otherwise I think I'd be tempted to skip the potty too. We do still have to trek upstairs at each potty event (what have I started?) because we do the whole waving bye-bye / hand-wash every time.

Ds2 stuck a pea up his nose at dinner . Had visions of hospitals but dp managed to squeeze it out. Lots of careful explanations about just putting things in your mouth. Poor ds2 was quite distressed so hopefully learned a lesson but who knows....

Sleepless. S has been grizzling for hours, think it's a combination of teeth and heat, but nothing much seems to be helping him as have tried nurofen, water and shushing. Meanwhile I have a cough that stops me dropping off in the intervals between him crying, so all in all not getting much rest. Figured I might as well come downstairs and surf as lie there fuming.

At least I managed to get back to work again yesterday. Conjunctivitis turned into 5.5 days off, thanks to tag team effect and a really resistant bout. I confess I don't deal with illness with very good grace - it pisses me off that what I think I'm doing for the day gets disrupted and of course the beauty of conjunctivitis is the social confinement too. Everyone seems to treat me as if I have some poxy little cake shop job as well - my parents, nursery, even DH, since it is always down to me to take the time off as "DH must be so busy!". Yeah well SO AM I! And I'm trying to do it all in 4 days rather than 5, with the great majority of childcare responsibility plus household running on top. All my emails at work seem to start "sorry to be late in responding" or not even having spotted the request until being chased for my response. Gah.

How's your ankle now ALL? And have you found a solution to the boys' nighttime attire in the warm weather?

Enjoy Petrus mucky. Sounds fab. Are you being wined and dined apropos anything in particular? Hope the after effects of the exercise weren't too bad.

Right, back upstairs to try and mollify a crying child again...

Me too Cerub although no idea why - Eve was awake at 4.55am this morning and ended up coming into our bed. Have been awake ever since

I so get you re. the illness and not having the grace to deal with it; me neither. I hate it, hate hate hate having to dump all plans and stay home.

Can also completely imagine the scenario re. not feeling as though your work is taken seriously. A friend in Switzerland started back at her job in banking, which was based in Zurich (20 miles from where we lived). Her husband worked in the same village as the nursery and yet she STILL had to leave her work to come back whenever there was a problem. It would be the same with me and DH, but in our case there will probably always be a clear split in terms of who's earning the majority of the $$$. I just don't know how it works when that isn't the case because it simply isn't FAIR for it to fall upon one person if they actually have a serious job which is a major part of the family's income. Had an interesting chat with a neighbour the other day who has an 8 yr old - she said that at various points in their lives since their DD was born, her and her husband have had to 'renegotiate the contract' in terms of how things operate at home, who does what, etc - because things change and it's not fixed in stone. I am yet to meet a woman who says her husband does all those things which I'm rapidly starting to think are just a 'woman's work' when it comes to kids - thinking ahead, stocking up all that is needed for the kids re. clothes/shoes, being on top of medical appointments and health, keeping an eye on what they eat and how things are progressing in general, thinking about whether they have books/toys that are the right level for them... () I just know that even if I worked full-time, all these things would still be my job and I barely feel like I get it right as it is!

Re. Petrus, it is a Godmothers' Lunch - I'm to be godmother to a friend's little girl so we're having a celebratory lunch sans children. Whenever I see said friend we seem to be over-run with demanding little darlings, so it will be nice to relax in nice surroundings...

On that subject - anyone have any ideas for stylish, classic, Christening type presents?! I haven't a clue.

Oh no Cerubina -rubbish stuff! Have to say I'm lucky in that dp is willing to take his share of sickies etc (tho yes - everything else on your lst falls to me too LadyM). Would dh be open to some negotiation on that? Dp's job does allow for a fair bit of flexiblity much of the time & he appreciates it has far less impact than if I need to leave early. Get you too about being unimpressed at the having to change plans etc (just having had to come back early from a glorious allotment day cos dd was wailing / needing cuddles cos she's got a cold). Ankle is still swollen/sore but getting better & not too bad if I'm careful, thanks.

No solution to nightwear but we've not had any more poo in cot. Neither boy likes mess so hopefully they'll learned a valuable lesson - certainly upset them. Anyway dp generally gets up with them while I have a lie in feed dd.

Ds2 fell out of his cot at nap time yesterday. Head first - huge lump / scrape. & I was in the room at the time! Changed his nappy & put him in the cot so he wouldn't run off while I changed ds1's nappy. He was stropping cos he didn't want to be in there & I looked up to see him mid-flight. Poor thing - yet another hard lesson for him this week!

The tradition in our family (dunno if it's a common thing) is for Godparents to buy a silver bangle for baby LadyM & I guess that could be as stylish & classic as you like. I think mine is inscribed with the date / names of GPs.

Poor DS2, ALL. Sounds like a heartstopping moment. Hopefully the upside will be that will be that that's the only time either of them tries it!

Thanks for the virtual strokes, you two. Nice to know it's not just me, and mucky you summed up perfectly how all those 'little' jobs (not worthy of a man's conscious thought) fall to a woman to do no matter what the situation. Holiday coming up and already it has been 100% at my instigation that they have passports, E111s applied for, suntan lotion, summer clothes and a cover for their car seats to stop them getting too sweaty... The bargain is, of course, that DH does all the lugging of heavy stuff and the driving, and will be praised for doing so, but the fact that we all have clothes to wear and the right paperwork will not even be spotted because it's a given. I am currently gently worrying about whether they will find it annoying (and hence be immense PITAs) to go around in a tandem buggy and therefore whether we should get a cheapo side-by-side buggy for hols. DH says no, but I reckon they are getting to an age where being out most of the day in a tandem will do their little heads in.

A godmothers' lunch sounds lovely, and you certainly shouldn't be bothered by kiddie distractions in Petrus. When we got the twins christened, we got a variety of stuff from the GPs including Premium Bonds, Swarowski crystal animals, lovely storybooks (Wind in the willows and Complete Beatrix Potter), a set of crockery and a little pull along suitcase. All good ideas we thought (with the possible exception of the crystal animals) so hopefully some useful ideas there. Would recommend against buying piggy banks (if that had crossed your mind) as they tend to be a bit of a popular choice on such occasions, and you really only need one so getting two or more is surplus to requirements.

For those looking for shoes, is Vertbaudet worth a look? I was browsing a bit today and they seemed to have some nice ones, relatively reasonable on cost.

Soooo tired today, I will definitely be up to bed as soon as is decent!

Do you think you'll use the buggy much Cerub? I guess at the age they are, you'll need it a fair bit? What's the issue with tandem buggies, do they have limited patience for it at the moment? I found from about 1yr to 18 mo the girls hated being in their buggy (we've always had a side-by-side) so it might be the buggy rather than the configuration. We took our cheapy s-by-s to the Greek islands last year and it really was useless on the non-existent road surfacing; we barely used it and drove almost everywhere, carrying them when necessary.

I've just started researching holidays - we're not going anywhere till September, I think. (Other Londoners - are you staying put during the Olympics?) I've just found a nice villa complex with childcare in Portugal which seems v highly regarded and now trying to persuade DH that we really should take a closer look.

Thanks for the present suggestions you two. Harrumphing at the fact I haven't got anything sorted and the lunch is tomorrow. Now worrying I should be turning up with a gift although it's just the girlies out; maybe I just need to have a present sorted by the Christening itself?

ALL - poo in cot sounds awful and I can just imagine them being upset by it. As does the falling out incident. I am see-sawing back and forth re. the 'bed' issue... are you holding back too or do you think you'll switch them over soon if they're climbing out?

I'd say definitely just show up with the present at the christening itself. Even if the others bring theirs tomorrow, it's a reasonable assumption to do it on the big day and better not to buy something in a crappy local shop in a panic!

Yes, I see us needing a buggy for a while and although our buggy is great, the lower/back seat has a restricted view and is a little bit narrower so in hot weather I see tempers getting frayed a bit, plus it's hard to get that child out if he/she is kicking off because of the upper seat. As they might have to spend a little while in it on a daily basis I reckon they might tire of it. It's also quite big when folded so although DH confidently claims we can get everything in the car no problem, I think an umbrella fold might be useful. My sister's unasked-for contribution to the debate was to get two single pushchairs! Yeah, that'll be useful in every situation on holiday and afterwards when there aren't two of us there?!?

The villa sounds nice. Definitely a good idea to have a holiday plan in the pipeline I say. We will be staying put for the Olympics and indeed going to a couple of events. I think it'll be wonderful, and can't wait for the people who are currently carping at the cost to start crowing about how only Britain could put on such a good show etc, as the great British public just loves to do. It probably helps that I don't expect our trains to be at all disrupted by things, mind you. Are you seeing any events mucky?

LOL, yes I've never really understood people recommending getting two singles. Good in the airport but other than that... ??

Thanks for your opinion re. the present, that's that settled.

Sounds like you might be in the market for a lightweight side by side then - it's not as cheap as a McLaren but I went for a 2nd hand Baby Jogger City Mini. Folds up so easily (not umbrella fold but can do it one handed and is SO SO easy to get in/out of cars). Also - not to be sniffed at - it has the best built-in sunshade of any buggy I've seen, which comes right down over their faces. They're about £300 new, I use mine all the time now and don't use the tank of a Mountain Buggy at all.

Right, mother is here (she's babysitting tomorrow) so it's non stop telly Since I've been up since 5am I'm going to try and get an early night!

Which buggy do you have Cerubina? We have the I candy peach blossom, but I bought a Maclaren side by side umbrella fold to go on holiday last year. We needed a foldable pram to fly. It's useful in the Sun, the girls are definitely happier both being able to look around, only problem is that we live in a Victorian terrace and it doesn't fit through the door if they fall asleep, which they often do.

LadyM we had some lovely Christening gifts, their godmothers bought them simple classic necklaces from Tiffany, we also had premium bonds although the minimum investment is £100 so was done between them, we used other money they were given to top it up do they could have a fund each, seemed a bit wrong to just have it in one name. Have you looked at these? I can't find the ones we were given but they are a lovely keepsake and by all accounts should increase in value

ALL yuck to the poo stories, hope DS2 is ok, I 'm still waiting for one of my two to finally fall of the tables, we have a breakfast table and a dining room table and they seem to be trying their best to drive me crazy by tandem climbing then standing on a table each, devil children I tell you [you]

Tarti have to say you are looking rather gorgeous in that FB photo with the cocktail! I am back on the wagon, day 4 of The Shred, trying to keep off the booze and eat better, I have a wedding where I'm a bridesmaid in 5 weeks.
I've been inspired by LadyM and the PT sessions

So what is everyone doing for the Jubilee weekend?

I sadly don't have any Olympic tickets , we are going to to Italy for 2 weeks in early July, so will be here for all of it.

We have the same one LVB and for the same reason! If I got a side by side it would only be for occasional use, or at least until they can walk reasonably well it would be. Sounds as though you would recommend it? I'll look at the City Mini, thanks muckypup.

I know your OH doesn't want pics of the girls on FB but I'd love to see what they look like - any way you can show us? Same with the trips, Kate. I think it's great to have a mental image of them for these stories we share on here. I agree you look lovely in that pic tarti.

For Jubilee I think nothing much is happening, other than MiL is staying and she will babysit on Sunday while we go to a pub quiz. My parents declined to join us for some reason, they're being rather obstinate about certain things at the moment. I'd like to see the pageant if it could be guaranteed that I could swoop in and out and not have to stand for hours with screaming twins and negotiate public transport. No chance, so I can't see a way to do it really. Looks as though it won't be particularly warm either so not sure we'll end up doing anything special.

That point about FB photos to LVBby the way, in case of confusion!

I'm still believing the falls were a one-off so no need to move up yet LadyM. I think that if they'd climbed with a view to actually getting out then I might be inclined to think a bit more about going for it but both have definitely fallen & been hurt & remember that falling out hurts. They've started going nuts before finally going to sleep recently too so that's adding to my reluctance.

We're (hopefully, car depending...) going to Wales for the weekend. Our allotment society are having a Jubilee party on Monday though so we're coming back for that. We've got a new committee & things are moving so well that they really deserve to be well-supported. & part of the reason we got an allotment was to get to know people, which hasn't really happened so far. & also I've suddenly gotten all sentimental about embracing such things to provide memories / pics etc for the littlies. The boys (and dd tbf) are loving all the bunting anging in shops and I'm seriously considering buying some.... what is happening to me. I was looking at the Royal Mint site earlier LaVita & really considering buying some memorabilia for our lot. But Jubilee or Olympics. I am quite excited about having the summer at home with so much stuff happening!

We seem to be on a health kick at the moment. Dunno what's happened with dp but I'm encouraging all the way! Which can only benefit me too.

Hello -can I come back and join in again. I've read pages 20-25 while DH was distracted by The Apprentice, have made notes (in washable felt tip) on topics up for discussion so, hampered only by a dodgy keyboard, I'm going to attempt to catch up.

Clothes/shoes - is this girls only? All the links seem to be to girls stuff and I need some nice, bright clothes suggestions.

Moving into beds - may have been a little smug on here about our ease of transition to beds. All great for 3 months, then 6 months of constant waking from M (I took to sleeping on his old cot mattress on the floor of their room just to keep him in bed). Astoundingly we are now on a full week of full sleeps. 6am waking, when I get into his (tiny) bed for an hour, but I no longer feel sick with tiredness anymore.

His sleeping problems seemed to co-incide with potty training. We tried at 2.5 as he was physically ready, but it upset him so we gave up after 4 days, then 3 months later he asked for pants one morning - a nursery morning, they were great, did 2 days of potty training, next day at my mums. I had him on Saturday pretty much sorted. A, however, may be off to college in nappies! Pirate Pete is a star here though. They will do almost anything for a Pirate Pete hooray!!

My biggest conundrum at the moment is the buggy. They are mostly walking everywhere, or I can manage them on the bus by myself if going somewhere further afield with parking issues, but will I need one again next winter when the weather is bad? Our nipper (3rd hand, no raincover) needs expensive work, or I could get a single and buggyboard (A is usually happy to sit) for speedy transporting to nursery and shops. They were 3 at the beginning of the month - I didn't envisage having nearly 4 year olds in a buggy, but they are not keen on "weather". We live in Scotland - wind and rain need dealt with. Two little boys stropping because their faces are getting wet (big boots/waterproof trousers/snow mittens/ski jacket/balaclava+hood - I can't deal with it with clothing any better) is not pretty.

Anyway. Longest post of my life - all about us. Hopefully moving soonish, so lots to discuss there. Comparing notes on how much all the children are talking. How to fit in exercise. My addiction to educating pre-schoolers blogs - love to read about messy play while they watch Cbeebies.

I'm now going to scan pages 1-19 in an attempt to work out who has what gender and age of children.

Hellooooo rattling! No time to write much today and whizzing off to pick the girls up. BUT - OMG, your beds experience sounds awful, you must have been shattered these past few months. A cautionary tale indeed. We've been having massive difficulty getting the girls to sleep, and in desperation a couple of days ago I went and bought some blackout blind stuff from JJMB, the kind of stuff you use temporarily (plastic sheets you cut out and stick on window using static) but my GOD, the difference - the room is pitch black even in daylight and for the past two nights the girls have gone almost straight to sleep rather than the inevitable 60-90 minutes of larking about which we had been having. They were not dropping off till 9pm, and then not wanting to wake up till 8am, and not wanting to nap at lunchtime till 2pm... all just WRONG. I must get onto ordering some proper curtains, probably looks like we're growing weed in their room or something from the outside...

Anyway must dash, but lovely to see you back here! :)

Hi rattling - don't think we've spoken before :)
I have GGG triplets who are 3 at the end of June - but still very much like big babies!

We're hoping to tackle potty training with 2 of ours in half-term next week - I just hope they pick it up quickly; and also hope they aren't like DD2 - she was a brilliant wee-er, but pooed her pants (sorry!) every day for about 6 months, she just couldn't seem to grasp it. It was worth it though, shes 4 now and once it clicked with her, she never went back.

With beds - we are hoping to do that this summer some time, after potty training but before the Dummy-Fairy visits.. Sorry to hear that you haven't had the best of times with the beds, but glad to hear that you're coming through the other side. It sounds like its taken a lot of perseverance (well done!) but that its worth it in the end :)

FWIW, with buggies, I definitely, 100% would not part with mine yet. I obviously try not to have to take DTrips to places like busy shopping centres etc - but sometimes it can't be helped, and at those times I definitely don't trust them to be walking on their own, and 3 sets of reigns isn't that easy if its somewhere busy and we need to look at things etc. I know its not good, but its so much easier for me to stick them in the buggy with a packet of raisins - it will keep them quiet for hours, and the girls are contained and in 1 place!
Also, one of our DTrips isn't as 'able' as the other 2 and gets tired much easier so she normally prefers being in the buggy anyway. Mine are really quite small for their age and do tend to get tired easily so will, reluctantly, give up and get in for a ride.

Hi rattling wb - home your washable felt tips lasted pges 1-19!

Have to admit that looking at girl clothes is much more fun than boys despite the pinkness. But then again I don't have anyone pointing me in the right direction for boystuff. I started looking at sewing patterns in the hope of having more interesting stuff for the boys but even then there's far more out there for girls. Or 70s dungarees.

How was Petrus LadyM? Are you feeling better now Kate?

Nursery appear to have accepted that ds2 may ready for the potty . Must be paperwork audit time or something because their keyworker was unusually keen to discuss their progress so she could update their learning journey'. Was a bit <img loading="lazy" class="inline-flex mumsnet-emoji" alt="Hmm" src="https://www.mumsnet.com/build/assets/hmm-PR4o6B1t.png"> <img loading="lazy" class="inline-flex mumsnet-emoji" alt="Confused" src="https://www.mumsnet.com/build/assets/confused-DVrVQwAF.png"> about the does ds1 talk more at home than here?'. Like I would know...

Right, taking deep breath here and, having purchased 15 pairs of Peppa Pig pants from Sainsburys this afternoon, am going to attempt to potty train Juliet this weekend. If Eve wants to follow suit, fine, but she shows little interest.

Have been thinking about your nursery situ ALL - I have the opposite thing going on at our place in that they are gently nudging the girls forwards with toilet training, removing dummy for naps, etc etc - and very proudly tell me that they sat J on the toilet and she liked it so maybe we should think about it at home, etc etc. I joked with them today that they're putting me to shame with their no dummy, no bottle at nap time nonsense... Anyway, am v glad your nursery is now more enthusiastic about potty training with DS2. Do you think you just caught the wrong person at the wrong time last time?

Sorry have been very lax about posting but have been vaguely keeping up

Seriously good luck with your jubilee mission mucky - will be thinking of you over the next few days!

What a stupid question ALL from your nursery. Also, as if you would potty train one and not the other!
That reminds me that I haven't spoken to anyone at ours about their progress or otherwise, for about ten months
Oh - re. diving out of cots - mine have each done it once and never again, so hopefully you're right and it's not the start of a trend.

Thank you for lovely comments lavita and cerub

Interesting chat about buggies... have been debating taking two singles on our holiday in the summer rather than the twin Nipper. Any thoughts anyone?
We aren't doing anything jubilee-ish, which I rather regret now. Centerparcs next week Mon-Fri. Weather looks shit!

How's it going with big girl pants LadyM?

Hmm, one of the things I liked about our nursery was the laid back approach so I'm relieved not to be told `it is time'. I keep imagining a bit of a kindly Dumbledore advice moment. But 10months Tarti - I thought ours was bad! Had the hv here to do the boys' 2yr review this week & she thinks the potty/moving rooms thing isn't acceptable. Good to hear I'm not totally overreacting. I'm not sure about being wrong person / time though since I did ask to speak to her she was defensive from the off. If we actually saw keyworkers on a regular basis (like at pick-up when they know you are def there) I could just have asked more casually.

Ds2 used the potty all day yesterday but seemed to be totally freaked at having to wee in his nappy through the night . He was up a few times before dropping off screaming for `wee wee in potty' having removed his pjs/nappy. Didn't really know how much was attention-seeking but explained to him how pleased we were with him but it was ok to wee in nappy at night & he eventually settled.

I hope you have a great time at cp next week regardless Tarti (oh, had a sneak peek at pic too - how glam are you!). We're over your way again next weekend but think it'll be mad busy & guess you'll be recovering from your hol anyway!

Have those of you thinking about using single buggies seen these buggy connectors? Not used/seen/researched them so no idea how good they are in reality.

ALL - I think getting upset about weeing in a nappy overnight is a very good sign! I found it a bit difficult to explain too - we used pullups and called them "night-time pants"

LadyM - hope the PP pants are doing their job. M was trained in dinosaur pants. Much searching to locate them, but strangely his favourites are now the plainish stripy ones that came in the pack. He calls them Daddy pants!

We have PP (well George, think he'd prefer Peppa) pants waiting for A. On a good day he'll wear them over his nappy .

Boys are moving up to pre-school class at nursery next week. I've loved this nursery so far, but I am worried that it is so big at pre-school level. They probably are ready though.

DH is away this weekend so I am up far too late watching channel 5. Must go and do a bit of washing up and go to bed. Hope everyone enjoys their Jubilee celebrations.