Gardening in the winter sun. 40-something mums Christmas thread

[somewherebecomingrain]

40-something mums with babies of all ages - please join us. The 20-something and 30-something mums will never satisfy you like this thread.

Evening all

So glad it's nearly the end of the week - for those of you who aren't in the FB group, DD didn't get any better after I last posted on here, and has now been tested for scarlet fever and put on antibiotics. Still don't know if she's got it or not, but thankfully getting better now and went back to nursery yesterday to save my sanity She's still coughing a lot and gets tired easily but she wasn't eating at home and was very up and down in mood. At nursery she's been eating like a horse and enjoying every minute of it!

Love the DD quote Scarecrow - I think we need to know the explanation though Hope poor little T recovers soon - I live in constant fear of tonsillitis during winter as I get it so badly (ended up unconscious on the floor with it one year, which was terrifying).

How is your back now DrSpouse? Hope you are recovering.

Very impressed with the tail handiwork BBD and Drspouse!

BBD the constant party thing would drive me nuts! Weekends go so quickly and have no idea how you're supposed to commit to endless children's parties... I guess I shall deal with it when it happens, along with all the other things I'm dreading (potty training, school gate politics, playdates etc)

Seaside - so lovely to read your postings on here - I think about you a lot as know how much you've had to cope with recently and I miss you! I will visit the cafe again soon and have a nice cup of tea and cake in your honour. Hurrah for Shreddies as emergency dinner - it can be quite hard to do inspiring dinners for one at the best of times. I was thinking about your teeth cleaning dilemma and wondered if you could ask the nursery to try it with her? It's just that I've noticed that DD is compliant with nursery staff on certain things, but not with me! It was a nightmare getting her to eat anything when she was at home this week, but as soon as she's at nursery, she eats everything she's given! Although having said that, I was told today that she didn't really want her banana at lunchtime and so started feeding it to the neighbouring baby. As soon as she was busted, she started passing it under the table

Knicky lovely to see you back here! Returning to work is so tough, and it's awful that you have a bad atmosphere to deal with. As you say, best to keep your head down and make plans...

Rosie I love your description of the family dinner with the baby shield! I do understand what you mean though about feeling 'different', especially with people you don't know. I expect they found you incredibly interesting and a strong, confident woman! I've been to social events with friends of friends in that part of the city you describe too, and at the time felt v intimidated and a bit inferior, but then later found out they were a lot more dysfunctional than they appeared! I will tell you all about it when I see you

PS - when I collected DD from nursery this afternoon, I was trying to get her to wave goodbye to her very sweet keyworker. Out of the blue, she poked out her tongue and blew a big raspberry at her! We were both

Eagleray, I too find that my kids eat more at nursery, it must be something to do with copying peers... Hope docs will find out what baby Eaglet has. Fx you won't get a call from nursery tomorrow. Wishing you a restful week end, to you and baby E.
Scarecrow, pub in pj ? Never heard that before :) Poor DS, tonsilitis is so painful. Hope antibiotics kick in quickly.
DrSpouse how are you today ? Can DS go to nursery tomorrow to give your back a break ? Any news on the adoption front ?

Going to see nursery tomorrow to ask for a break in fees during summertime. It has worked previous years with previous management teams, fx it works this year too, planning to spend 6/7 weeks in France.

Organising my Mum's 80th birthday this August. 70/80 guests. Need to find a good Asian catering company, not too expensive but providing food as well as reception service and equipment. Funny to do it from abroad...
My sister has already warned me it will be a headache to get all my 9 siblings to agree. Well, we shall see

What a week! Can't believe it's Friday again tomorrow.
Struggling to post as struggling trying to stay positive. Missing the beach. This is a great country, I'm thankful for so much we have here but i crave the simple life we had. Not long now though, there is a plan.

Eagle thank you for your kind words, it's so easy to forget that I do have a brain, options, and a wealth of life experiences to fall back on. :) even when everything is covered in baby goo of some sort
I braved a breastfeeding group today.... why do I do it too myself? ?? In our introduction we were asked (as it was world book day last week ) to talk about our favourite child care book! !! I had to admit I'd never read ANY but as i have successfully brought up 2 amazing children in a time before amazon i felt I'd probably be ok! ! Some of them had REALLY read some serious shit books that said if you cuddle your baby it will feel loved! Wow how did i not need a pretentiously titled work of literature to know that? ??
I must stop thinking that these groups are a) a necessary part of parenting
B) something i should enjoy.
Rosebud however does seem to love the company of other small people and i enjoy watching her smile.

Bbd, drspouae love the book day costumes :)
Scarecrow, huge hugs to T :( I prescribe ice cream :)

Big waves to everyone, including our lurkers :) struggling to scroll back and mymmemory has already switched off for the night
Sprinkles sleep dust xx

Hi all, my back is quite a bit better following some exercises and making sure I don't sit down for tooo long, the main problem is really that I work 4 days a week, but mainly at a desk so that part is hard! Day off today so I'll do a bit of walking around which should help too.

On the adoption front, the UK end is now almost all tied up! We get a report that they have written and have to check any errors (just a couple of minor ones) and then we have a date for our approval panel which is early April.

I think I said we're going for the same country as last time and we've got things rolling with the agency there but that part is not going very smoothly but we're just hoping it sorts itself out. There aren't very many agencies that will work with us unfortunately and we know they are doing their best!

evening all,
hope everyone has had a good weekend, enjoyed the sunshine, and got plenty of sleep. :)
weekend feedathon here, i'm thinking another groth spurt?
My parents are back from their travels and the 'you still feeding that baby?' comments were relentless the best being.... ' you'll be sticking ya boob through the school gates if you don't stop soon!!! FFS LOL. coupled with ' so no job yet then, i told you that you'd blown it. have you tried Tescos?' just as well i'm SOOO used to it.

had a weird situation today, we were in Eagle town, pulled into a car park and as dh parked the guy who had parked in the space next to the one we were pulling into turned to his wife and said ' stand there and make sure he doesn't hit the car!!! (he had parked right on the line) The man was i would say in his 50's, had a huge fat belly (really huge) driving a big newish vauxhall. had that ' i sit behind a desk and be important when i'm not playing golf look. TWAT!!
we had the windows down so heard quite clearly, Dh just laughed. as we were returning to the car they were arriving back at theirs so i said to DH (loudly) lets just stand here and make sure he doesent hit our car (a 13 year old skoda LOL)
Well... he went BALISTIC, made worse by the fact that DH & I kept laughing. we had a full on shouting match in the street (just next to the police station) during which DH was told to ' fuck of back to your own country' and my baby was called somthing i'm not prepared to repeat. I held my own..... i'm very proud of ALL my responses to his horrid racist shite. including to his very distressed wife who kept saying ' stop, you've got a baby' to which i replyed ' having a baby has not taken my right to speak my mind away. i'm hoping that by mixing it up a bit we will breed the likes of HIM out of this country. I could see this guys blood presure rising to boiling point.
oh i was SOO hoping the police would come.... what fun that would have been!
we've had some racist remarks over the passed 3 years but really not many and NEVER on this level.... DH and i are still laughing.

in other news, ive just booked the bus to go and spent next week with my best friend. :) I will be at victoria bus station from 13.00 till 14.30 if anyone is in town and fancy a coffeee???

Rosie, Somewhere and I should set a trap to your parents with our ideas of extensive BF ! I get the same with my Mum actually, only one of my SIL and my pediatrician are supportive.
So sorry too you had the racist bs. I am gobsmacked for you.
Which day will you be in town ?

Tuesday, doh!!! Sorry.

Rosie that's awful! Good for you for letting them have a piece of your mind!

I did some actual gardening today - just a bit of pruning and planting out a few bedding plants in some window boxes. Now I have to remember to water them... We don't really have a garden either, just a paved yard with a couple of beds.

DS has been really tired all weekend, falling asleep at lunch both days, and having a mega nap. He's at the CM tomorrow and I get to work from home (which feels like such a treat, to be honest - I don't have to put on my smart clothes, do my makeup etc. and it can go into town at lunchtime - my normal work is on an out of town site - pre-DS I used to work at home quite a bit but it's difficult to do that when nursery is on site).

Rosie that story about the racist idiot is astonishing - though sadly believable in spades. It sounds like you and dp handled.it really well. I'm proud for you.

Rosie, I will do my best to meet up with you, I have a client meeting in London bridge at 11am, if I finish early, I will come to you and then run to pick up DS. Could you PM your mobile ? No promise but if I can, I will.

Nothing to report on my side. Little A can now fall asleep by herself with me or DH in the room for naps and night. Bottle or Doidi cup slowly in progress. Oh, her first recognisable words are undoubtedly English "look" "mummy" "daddy" "shoes" "baby" "here" DS keeps on asking questions on religion and I am still as useless ....

Yay Bbd :) that would be lovely :) I will pm you. No stress and completely understand if it doesn't work out. I hate getting anywhere on a time frame in London! !

Anyone see one born? ?? The amazing Egyptain doctor who delivered rosebud delivered the last baby. ... it wasn't the drugs and i seriously propose he be granted residency in the snug
the bitch midwife was on there too. .. less said the better

I have never been able to watch this program, I just can't, I don't know why...

I don't often, dh would usually turn it off straight away but he was fascinated that it was the same hospital and kept saying. ... i remember her, i remember that room etc. I was packing and tidying so only half watching. I did wonder how i would feel if i saw it as it was being filmed whilst we were there. was strange to look at someone on the tv and think 'your incompetence robbed me of my beautiful birth exprtence' grrrrrr

My best friend has just admitted to having 7 years of unsorted paperwork in various draws, cupboards and 'filling systems' I have 3 days to sort it!! Lol

Could you come and sort mine next Rosie?

BBD glad A is ok now - what a worrying time for you

Having slightly eventful week here - struggled to get DD off to sleep last night as she was constipated and crying in pain. Then finally when I get her to bed the bloody smoke alarm starts beeping! Ended up with electrician here til midnight trying to sort it (it was complicated) and I didn't get to sleep til 1am, then woken up at 6am.

Oh, and I have sticky, sore eyes - no doubt caught from nursery.

I am done with whinging now and will go to bed.

In other news, I have had my contract renewed for another month so will have work until mid May - perfect for me.

And I have lost HALF A STONE!!!!!!

Good luck Rosie, be tough, I always have 3 bags: bin, donate, find the correct house for this item. This morning I cleared a bit of 12/18 months clothes and took out 23 months/2 y. It helps me visualise how much I have and help me not to buy compulsively !
Eagle, yeah to weight loss, yeah to renewal of contract ! Hope you get some rest tonight.
Little A was seen for heavy nose bleeds yesterday but she was cleared. I lost an afternoon but DH picked up DS so we had a nice family evening, it is very unusual for a week day.

hello everyone. as usual have been lurking. Blundering through life at the moment a bit but we are ok and young BG is a wonder and a delight.

Just came on really quickly to say that rosie I could meet you too if that was ok...

oh. and those who have skinny tall kids. How do you solve the problem of getting trousers that are long enough but don't fall off/aren't easy for the little stripper to remove?

more later.

Goat, dungarees or all in one are your friend for now, Petit Bateau,
POP Gap, I found these brands good for tall slim toddlers, a bit expensive but nice longlasting fabric, comfy, unisex and trendy without being too over the top, trousers with adjustable waist rather (elastic and button inside the waist) than elastic band waist at Vert baudet are not bad either.

Slim fit looks nicer on DS as his height compares to size 6/7yo whereas his weight is more skinny 5yo .... 119cm and 20kg

In bed with an almost constant pain in the upper back, house is a tip but can't face cleaning right now

bbd, sorry to hear you are in pain. Back pain is so awful. Don't worry about the house, just yourself.

Haven't ever tried Petit Bateau or POP, I feel some shopping coming on!

Goat, hope you won't curse me after the shopping :)

Well, things are not going spectacularly well with our adoption. We've had a slight delay in the UK end of the approval, which is not the end of the world, but the overseas end has gone well and truly pear shaped. I can't go into details on here, but it seems like what we were hoping for isn't going to happen, and that it is going to mean a really long wait.

Sorry to be cryptic, we are very sad at the moment and no doubt some day I'll feel able to explain all, but not right now.

So sorry DrSpouse to hear. Have faith