"D'y ever wonder what Paolo would look like in my shower?" <<because I do>> For FG xxx

[largeginandtonic]

How are the pox today HM???

I forgot to add that the seats are all suitable for new borns.

1becomes3, have you actually tried the buggy pod yet? I've heard some terrible things about it.
Jane do a couple of tandems, which can be used as travel systems from birth. I had the powertwin, which was soo handy havign them both in car seats until they were big enough for the seats.
Once they got bigger they decided they hated the tandem and we now have an emmaljunga twin. I would really recomend the emmaljunga prams, and you could get a toddler roller or possibly the emmaljunga toddler seat for your 2yo. It says it fits all emmaljungas but I'm not absolutely certain that includes the twin.
The other one that might be worth a look is the adventure buggy company who produce a side by side 3 wheeler which you can add a toddler seat onto the top of.

rosmerrin - loud enough so that we got funny looks!

ok so we went shoe shopping andsurvived DTs were loveliness personified, couldn't believe it, I will go to john lewis on a friday morning next time

how are you all? anything nice planned for the weekend?

It's been up and down here.
DS nursery was closed last week due to a vermin problem and not re-opening till the middle of this week. His behaviour hasn't improved and he's even taken to misbehaving away from home so I don't think it's to do with the twins.
My volunteer who comes once a week for two hours cancelled on me.
DD vomited everywhere this morning, we're talking the sofa, the rug, the hall, the bathroom, me and her all covered. Cheerios are not quite so cheery looking when they come back out in force! I think the worst bit was on the unsealed wooden floors. Trying to scrap puke out of the gaps with cotton buds was not my idea of sunday entertainment.
The twins are doing well. Girl twin has taken to sleeping for four to five hour stretches which is lovely at night. Her brother however is still waking every two to three hours and seems much less settled.
Thanks for the name suggestions. I still haven't decided and have to register them on Tues!!! DS has taken to calling the girl Mitten which I think is a cute nickname however he calls the boy Tractor Tom which definatly won't be lasting.
Emotionally I'm feeling dreadfully guilty for more or less giving up breast feeding. I'm not happy with my decision although everyone else seems to be.
I'm also feeling awful because a few weeks ago my neighbour of 26 years died and I hadn't seen him since before xmas. He was elderly and alone and had a really hard life. Last year (well the one before) I invited him for xmas and new year's dinner so I knew he had at least a few happy hours over the season. This year we kept things so low key we didn't invite anyone and I feel so guilty about it.
On top of everything else, next week is Valentines Day which is also DS 4th birthday and I haven't yet got anything arranged. The card shops are just full of valentine cards so I can't find a nice birthday one and I have no idea where to take him on the day, bearing in mind the twins will be 6 weeks.

Great DD has just vomited all over my bedroom carpet...the joys of parenthood. How the hell do you clean vomit out of a carpet?

Pixi - even though it sounds like things are tough, it sounds like you are coping admirably!! Not sure I have any tips on vomit on the carpet though. If you get down to ground level in my lounge it smells of rotten milk so I just try to avoid going down there!

Names for the twins, hmmmmmmmmm difficult isnt it, have you done a search on some of the name threads on here? There are soooo many suggestions. I love Scottish names personally, one of my twins is Finlay and the other one is Alexander. My DD is Madeleine. I quite fancied Isla for DD as well and also looooved Elsie (a bit old lady chic) but DH wasnt keen on it. Also fancied MAtilda as DH is an Aussie but a friend has always wanted it if she has a girl so left it well alone! Other boys names I liked were Cameron, Benedict and Fraser......

Right gotta go, today we have moved the baby into her own room aged 9.5 weeks and so have done a lot of lifting and shifting. Am now cooking roast beef, roast spuds and yorkshires with asparagus to start....yum, mouth watering..

And as ever, got a glass of vino on the go now that the kids are in bed, anyone joining me!

Pixi so sorry things are tough right now. I found it hard enough managing with new-born twins and one toddler, so I take my hat off to you with 2 toddlers. We've had a few vomit on the carpet episodes and I can recommend lots of scrubbing with vanish carpet stain remover, although it does take a day or two for the smell to disappear completely.

For your DS's birthday, how about inviting two or three of his friends round for a DVD and tea - I know it's not over-special, but if you bought a cake (I think Overrun mentioned Tescos do a Thomas one?) and did a sausage and chips tea, would that work? Might be easier than trying to go out somewhere and you might manage a quick pass the parcel or hide and seek game? Just a thought.

On the breastfeeding front, please don't beat yourself up. I breastfed DD1 for 9 months and loved it and had fully intended to do the same with the DTs, but after 5 weeks, exhausted from trying to keep up with their daily and nightly demands, no time to eat or rest and still trying to spend time with DD1 as well I gave up - it didn't help that DT1 got oral thrush, which then infected me and then DT2...v. painful for all. Anyway, I gave up reluctantly at 5 weeks and felt very guilty and emotional about it for a few days, but then realised the advantages - I could leave the DTs with my mum/OH for a couple of hours to spend some quality time with DD1 and OH could help with the night feeds. They have had the best start you could possibly give them and a happy, rested and more relaxed (?!) mother is what they really need.

FG - can't believe I missed your birthday. Have had MIL here last few days, so haven't been around...must have been why I had that dream on Thursday morning though .

HM - still not found that letter, but OH has an archive disc to look through...will let you know when I find it.

Pixi - I cried my eyes out when I decided to pack in trying to breastfeed. It was only at about 5 days, but the boys wouldnt suck and were being fed with tubes as the midwives said if we gave them bottles at that stage they wouldnt then swop back to breast. I decided to go ahead with the bottles as I hated seeing the tubes in them and I really was on my last legs anyway after a rotten pregnancy and bloold loss from the birth. At the time I felt completely wretched, like I had failed, even though I had always said I would give it a try but not worry if it didnt work out! Hormones!!!. Anyway, to cut a long story short(ish!) it was one of the best decisions I ever made. I was able to give them to other people to feed when I needed to, especially if I needed to sleep. I could see exactly how much they were drinking and that really helped me know whether they were fretting because they were hungry or for some other reason. They are now 3 and a half and are completely gorgeous and healthy, in fact for the first year they were always on or above the 90% centile. I know it feels really rotten but in the whole scheme of things it will all be fine and they will be absolutely ok!

Much love and vibes of support being sent your way!

Thanks for all the tips on prams, still don't really know what to do but I'm sure I will work something out soon.

Only 9 weeks to go till they arrive, can't believe how close it is now.

Thank you for the positive vibes ladies. I need them.
DS now has the bug and redecorated his carpet and the stairs at 2am this morning. At a more sociable hour he redecorated the downstairs toilet walls. I just wish it wasn't on the wallpaper.
I'm struggling on as best I can and seeing to whomever needs me on a minute by minute basis. Really wish I wasn't alone.
DH has to take tomorrow afternoon off for registering the twins and a day off next week for DS birthday so can't really spare the days.
I hate that all my posts lately have been downers. It's just that I've mostly been posting on the bad days and just enjoying the good ones too much to come on here.
I'm so grateful for my not so little family and am totally smitten with my new additions. I'm still in shock at how different they are. The girl twin is small, very pale with a full head of dark hair and dark eyelashes, the boy twin is much bigger and has golden skin, the little hair he has is much much lighter and blond eyelashes!
I thought being so much smaller she'd be waking for feeds more often but she does enjoy her sleep (well during daylight hours anyway!) but he's a little and often sort of chap.

Pixi, I just ran in here to have a quick peek, I can't stop........just wanted to say that it took me until now (DTs are 2.5) to start posting happier stuff. I moaned, cried and dragged my way through the previous 3 threads. You just use us when you can honey, its all we can do to listen but you know that we really do understand. AND know that our children are well and happy even if they were dragged up through that first spell. No matter what happens and how hard it is, the DTs won't remember, feed them, change them and don't feel bad if some days thats is and they don't get that much of a cuddle or anything else from you. That bit will come. Stay strong lovely girl. You are doing your best xxxxx.

pixi - hang in there - it will get better. And we are here to listen when times are tough - we have all been there at some stage.

One comment - try and get yours into feeding and sleeping at the same time - eg if one is hungry feed them both (the only time I would ever recommend wakig a sleeping baby !) - and put them down to sleep at the same time. Getting them in sync really helps your sanity.

Am feeling mortified at the moment. Just picked the DTs from preschool. Had DS3 in the buggy and usually DT2 pushes the buggy (screams blue murder if you help him) and DT1 holds my hand. Usually this is the only method of getting all 3 to the car. Today DT2 let go of the buggy on the disabled ramp (not very steep thank goodness) and the buggy and DS3 hurtle off and tip over, me running behind, in full view of other mums of course. DS3 crying with shock but completely unhurt, but mummy feeling really ashamed and embarrassed. Back to the reins tomorrow.

that's life with 3 ! Stick with what you have been doing but make sure you remind DT to be careful when he is pushing (or maybe put the rein on the pushchair)

Never thought of putting a rein on the pushchair, it might just work! I'll try it tomorrow.

rosmerrin, you poor thing, its that feeling that everyone thinks you are responsible isn't it!! Take heart, when I see things like that i only think "poor woman, bet she feels crap"

Mars, get your sweaty body back in here, whatever state its in...........and share your weekend with us.

pixi, it sounds like your are coping really well, keep going and it does get better.

rosmerrin, I had to smile a bit when I read that, I guess it's like my dt2's jumping out of the window incident, you will smile when you look back on it, and it will be a great story to tell dt2 when he gets older.

FWIW I once managed to somersault dd out of her pram when I forgot to strap her in once. She must have been about 6 months old, because it was winter and she had her snowsuit on. She jsut sort of somersaulted and landed on her back, which was very well padded so she didn't even cry, jsut looked at me as if to say 'how the hell did I end up down here?!'

Okay.................

Left home on Friday at about 10.15am. Met up with my two comrade in arms. We got a taxi to Euston and caught the 11.46am train to Blackpool, change at Preston viola! Oh no!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lol (but only now).

I'm so glad that we wanted a lazy day and didn't to rush up at the end of the day.

The train was going along quite nicely until just before Crewe. Power lines from above had come down. Took us over an hour to get into Crewe (which was about 5 mins away). Then they told us that our train was terminating there and we would have to change trains. Got onto the platform, sent to another platform.. waiting ages, got sent back to original platform, waited ages got on train the few stops to Preston. Got to Preston to change trains. Got sent to another platform, waited ages then 2 minutes before the train came in were sent back to.... that's right... you guessed it... the original platform. Got on train, finally booked into the hotel at 6.45pm instead of 3pm. Sigh...............

Then it got good!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We ate out each evening at the Australian Walkabout Bar (lovely steak). We shared a triple room which had a shower. We changed, dance shoes in bags, went and ate then off to the Winter Gardens.

We danced till 4am each morning. Back to the hotel to sleep. Completely missed breakfast which was at the ungodly 6.45am til 10am so when we finally arose (about 11.30am) we went across to the greasy spoon and had full breakfasts. Then we went to workshops where we danced the dance of the Puerto Rican brothels. Then back to the hotel for a quick snooze (or to read... I'm doing a literature course after all lol). Shower, change, dance shoes in bag, back to the Walkabout for dinner. Back to the Winter Gardens to dance till 4am.

Had some lovely dancing... had some crap dancing but stayed away from those blokes after that..... had even more lovely dancing and then more of the same on Sunday.

Had hotel breakfast on Monday morning as greasy spoon was closed. Breakfast was awful... still........... Then we caught the 10.11am train, transferred smoothly at Preston and arrived in Euston at 1.26pm. Taxi home in time to check post, dump case and do the school run. Ah... the joys of reality.

Now I have a shedload of French to catch up on and some email to work through. I have a Literature Tutorial tomorrow evening and a French one tonight.

But I'm home. It was wonderful

Thanks for the support ladies. I was almost in tears yesterday but am starting to see the funny side today. Especially picturing the amazing catapulting snow suit baby! At tea I asked DT2 why he let go of the buggy and he said he was looking round to see where I was - great, so he thinks its my fault too!! And this is after we got home and DT1 pushes up his sleeve, looks at his wrist (which doesnt have a watch on) and says "my time says you should be cooking tea now" - thanks little buddy.

Mars - it sounds great, I dont know where you find the energy - is there a secret ingredient we should all know about?! and if there is where can I get some.

your dts sound reat fun, rosmerrin!

I'm having probs with dd atm, if anyone can offer any suggestions I'd really appreciate it. She keeps stealing money from us. It's been taken from my purse, odd amounts laying around and a few days ago dp left some money on the side in our bedroom and she snuck in there after she was supposed to be in bed and took it. I found out because dt2 brought some of it down from the bedroom. She says she likes money, I'm pretty sure it isn't jsut attention seeking.

She has then lied about where it comes from, which wound me up even more. We had a Big Serious Talk before Christmas and some of her things were confiscated and I thought we had sorted it, but evidently not. I really don't knwo what to do with her. She's happy as larry cos she's off on a playdate 2n, since I didn't want to let her friend and her friend's mother down.

Who is paolo?

paolo nutini , a singer and love of fg's life.

oh kelly that sounds like a tricky situation, how old is DD?

rosmerrin if its any consolation I had DTs at a neighbour's son's birthday party when they were 14 months, at a soft play place, in the double buggy on my own DT1 wasn't walking at that stage...put them in the buggy to take them upstairs to the food place, DT1 fell straight back out again in front of all the other parents, all strangers to me so my sympathies to you

My 2 are driving me nuts at the moment. Since I've been back at work (a month now) they seem so tetchy, tired and grumpy - not all the time, just when they're with me, they're lovely at nursery apparently I'm hoping its just a settling in thing but I had hoped they might have adjusted by now

Kelly, I think you're right that at six years old, it will just be attention more than anything else. Have you tried giving her play money? (Or will she give you a withering teenager-tyoe look?)

What about getting her a piggy bank and giving her ways to earn money, like doing little jobs round the house for 20p, but then put temporary holds on it everytime she steals some? You could have a chart to show her how much money she is raising, which will give her a focus and the apparently wanted attention, but also then you can keep an eye on how much she's supposed to have!

thanks for that Kelly, I needed that.

Kelly, what a shame about your dd. Whats her explanation? I like estars suggestion about earning some money. Also, would she understand an explanation along the lines of.......if she takes the money you won't have enough to buy her blah blah. I occassionally tell my dd about police and prison (usually when she makes a fuss about seatbelts and I explain I could be sent to prison if she doesn't wear one). The thought kind of shocks her......

rosmerrin, the energy Mars has for dancing . Picture the staff quarters dance bit in Dirty Dancing.........I'd find the energy if it meant shoving chicken wire under my eyelids

Mars it sounds perfectly blissful, equal measures of music, dancing, sweaty up close bodies and greasy fry ups . As we say up here gaun yersel hen!

I have a toilet duck-esque story to tell but it has left me so worn out that I can't tell it tonight. Suffice to say, it was bloody messy and took nearly 2 hours to clean up

Ok, I'm getting the idea now. How about all those who haven't tipped your children out of buggys/pushchairs raise your right hand!!!

Many thanks.

Dingdong, mine are also a complete joy for all the staff at nursery who seem to think the sun shines out of the DTs backsides. However, as soon as I enter the premises all hell breaks loose and they are usually killing each other and DS3 before we reach the door. Why is that? Is it me? Is it some kind of chemical reaction? Pheremones (is that how you spell it?) perhaps? Answers on a postcard.