The One and Only Tea Room - Now Hanging in Babylon

[ComeIntoTheGardenMaud]

Well folks, here we are, transported through time and space to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.

Golden couches and the distressed chintz sofa are arranged on a terrace overlooking the Euphrates and, as we recline on the exquisitely-soft cushions eating peeled grapes, we can enjoy the warm fragrance of the gardens' many exotic blooms. The garden is tended by the indefatigable Mellors, with occasional help from the bishops, rabbis and any passing world leaders. Somewhere behind the terrace there is an aga and a priest's hole, with optional massage table.

Please come and join us for a celebratory drink and conversation ranging from the profound to the profoundly silly.

[beanandspud]

Mmmmmmmmmm... Can't believe I've never come across them. May try a version on the barbecue, I know at least one small person in our house who would love that!

[LeLapinSecret]

mmm - save some for me. Off to bed now, night all

[ComeIntoTheGardenMaud]

Ah Bryan. My sentiments exactly. .

They're addictive, Bean!

[Tee2072]

Another broken night, this time thanks to someone burning a grill pan at 11pm and setting off the fire alarm! We had to evacuate, waking a small boy and carrying him down 6 flights of stairs. And then back up as we were given the all clear but the lifts weren't activated yet because there was still a lot of smoke. LCT was very scared and confused, being waken like that and so he slept in with me after that. Up at 6 was better than up at 5, though!

Scout, sounds like they are in a bit of denial. I wonder if the doctors might tell them that 6 is a bad idea? And at 38 weeks it would be a stillbirth, not a MC.

S'mores? Yum!!

[Scout19075]

Oh dear, Tee. Sorry you had such a rough night. But very glad you're not burned out and were able to get back in/home and to bed!

I had a night of broken sleep thanks to weird dreams. I kept dreaming about the end of my pregnancy with TS, about being told about my latest medical issue and how they wanted to get TS out sooner rather than later. Was mostly still asleep on my stomach and panicked "must get off my stomach, I'm squashing TS!" And the creepiest of all, I kept dreaming about holding TS as he looked in my 3D scans around 25 weeks (I participated in a training session for new doctors and as a thank you, besides parking paid for and snacks, because TS was a good age and in a good position, I got loads of 3D scan photos).

Tee, I had a good ol' rant in the other place when BiL announced this latest pregnancy. But yes, lots of denial. But they listen to no one, most especially the medical profession as they're all quacks and out to poison/get him/them.

[amberlight]

(Scout, God's right there whether you have the strength or not. And so are we...keeping prayers going for you...)

Tee and Scout, arrgh re broken night's sleep. Not quite what you need. Me also.

Do have a

[Scout19075]

Thanks amber. Deep down I know that, but as I'm sure you know/can appreciate, some days it just feels harder to remember that/feel the embrace.

What should TS and I do today?

[Tee2072]

If you think of something, Scout, let me know. I am trying to figure out what LCT and I should do today!

I'm not surprised about your dreams after yesterday's news.

[Scout19075]

I'm considering going to the Garden Center that has the big aquatic area so TS can play with the pond fish. We haven't done that in ages.

[amberlight]

What a good plan. Beats updating the rent database here. Sigh.

Who's for cake?

[DutchOma]

Who rent the database?

[amberlight]

no-one yet but I'm prepared to take offers!

[Tee2072]

Well, LCT and I went to the lawn at City Hall and got rained on. So then we went shopping. I hope you had more luck, Scout!

[Scout19075]

We ended up going to the village toddlers group in the village where I do Guides. Thought about going to the park but the sky was black so didn't risk it and I realized I didn't have any cash (and waiting for new card) so didn't want to go to the garden center (like to stop for a drink/snack when we go to the GC since it's a bit of a trek). So we went for a bit of play with new/different toys/kids. Now I have a sleeping toddler and I should be doing jobs but I'm shattered so I'm sitting playing computer games.

[Scout19075]

Oh, good news!

When we went outside this morning we saw two of TS's sunflower seeds have become sprouts. And on our way back in from tots we saw a third one had popped through. YAY!

[mistlethrush]

Scout - I'm sorry about all the issues. I should have had a brother - but he was still born because of the rhesus neg issue - can't imagine how awful it must be to get to that stage. Its bad enough earlier on.

I am feeling rather today having had to spend £88 on two pairs of shoes for MC. He's in a SIZE ONE I can't believe my just 6yo is wearing SIZE ONE shoes!!! Had to pay more for trainers than I wanted to because the less expensive (lets be realistic hear and not say 'cheaper') version wasn't deep enough for him and was too tight. However, it did mean that he got the green ones that had immediately caught his eye. He is wearing them all day today as they have a sponsored walk - 35 laps of the playing field (4.5 miles). Hopefully they avoided the shower and were done by then already.

Fresh Asparagus soup anyone? Served with some of MC's speciality rolls....

[beanandspud]

Scout/Tee - it must have been the night for unbroken sleep. Small Bean woke twice crying which is very unusual for him, both times absolutely inconsolable and complaining of sore legs. Eventually managed to get him back to sleep with Calpol and cuddles and spent the next hour googling symptoms (bad idea at 1am). The only conclusion I came to was that it might be 'growing pains' which, I have to admit, I always thought was a bit of an old-wives' tale. He was right as rain this morning - very odd. Just hoping we don't have a repeat tonight.

MC - I still can't get over how expensive children's shoes are. Hope MC enjoyed his walk (are they supposed to enjoy it?) Asparagus soup sounds lovely though and beats the fish and salad we're having for dinner here.

[Scout19075]

[UniS]

nigh night

[Tee2072]

Morning all. Could really use a full fry up, who's with me? And lots of .

LCT's nappy leaked at 2am so that woke him up, as it would. So another broken night and me with a client meeting at 1130.

I hope everyone else had more sleep. Did I mention ?

[amberlight]

A bucket of and all the fry-up you can spare, please.

[Tee2072]

Coming right up, Amber. Black pudding?

[amberlight]

Could I swap it for extra fried egg please?

[mistlethrush]

Mushrooms, tomatoes and eggs for me please! And yes please

MC had growing pains too - I'm sure of it. We also found that we knew when a spurt was coming as he would bulk out for a bit - then shoot up. Now he's at school he tends to grow more in the holidays - and he always needs more sleep when he's growing more too. Its very peculiar!

I went back to work when MC was 6 months - and was often getting woken 3 times a night still at that stage - certainly at least once a night. In fact, I'm not sure I've had an unbroken or at least unbroken and decent length sleep since before I was pregnant I think I've just got used to being sleep deprived!

[Scout19075]

Why is it that no matter what I do it's wrong in the eyes of one branch of the family?

I need .