The Zoo!

[WinomoreTheFruitbat]

Is it feeding time yet?

pull up a rock or patch of grass and get comfy in our new enclosure!

Oh Ei! I could really do with some obsessing . The less you try and think about TTC the more it crosses your mind. Try and hold off for a few days before testing and hopefully the wait will be worth the while. Keeping all crossed for you xxx

afternoon everyone.

Well, everything is back to normal Wedding was amazing! It was everything I could have hoped for and I can't believe it's all over (yeah yeah, I know it's only the beginning but ye know)

There are hundreds of pics of FB that my friends have put up.

There is so much to say but basically I'm a very lucky girl

I can't tell you how beautiful the area is, you must stay up there - it's the Cotswold Water Park, the lodges on the lakes are amazing, each with their own rowing boat.
The wedding was such a lot of fun - dragon boat racing was especially fun, if a little scary balancing on a wobbly seat with just a drum to grip onto (with my thighs) in my wedding dress! We lost too
We were so lucky with the weather too

Anyway, I'm back now and am Mrs Broughton-Harris!

Now for a catch up........

Bella - You know where I am if you need me, I hope you are ok.
Hyena - Wow, you look amazing! Beautiful bump still How's L doing now? Impetigo not nice I hope you didn't get it
Giraffe - sounds like N is having a great time swimming. I've started taking J and C to a pool in Kingston which is a graduated wave pool. This gives C the confidence he really needs and often finds himself up to his neck without batting an eyelid! J seems to love the water so it's just a case of keeping it up.
Is N interested in food yet?
I hope you are feeling a bit brighter today
Panda - good plan re the putting ttc on back burner but I agree, it can make you obsess more about it - it's bloody difficult to forget about it!
Penguin - Hope you are enjoying your holiday! Like the pram, let me know how you get on with it - you know how I love pram talk
Turkleton - not long now! How are you feeling?
Hippo - Any news from you lately? How's E doing? Did you put any protector on your Lin and Leo bag? Mine's gone a bit grubby and faded.....
Wovlerine - how's the build going now? any closer to finishing? Or shouldn't I ask?
Nemo - How's motherhood treating you? How is the beautiful T?
Mamafox - everything ok down under?

Has anyone else had a tummy bug recently? It's spreading like wild fie round here, it claimed a lot of my wedding guests (before, not after so it wasn't the food ok!)
I had a dodgy tummy all week befoe the day - it was quite handy really because it meant less of a tummy

I forgot to tell you the best news of all - ou mortgage has finally come right down now our three year fixed rate is up. We were paying £712, it will go down to £325 in Oct - wooohoooooo! I can't believe it, it's the break we've needed for ages! We're gonna put the spare cash towards a honeymoon

morning, just wanted to say hi and thank you for your kind words x

So sorry to read about Bella on FB Meeow, hope you're feeling better soon
Stunning pictures on FB Fruitbat dress was amazing! Why was there a clown there?
Can't believe I'm turning 39 tomorrow But this time last year I wasn't pregnant and was desperate to be, so I'm counting my blessings
Had a lovely childfree dinner with friends on Tuesday night and tonight went out for dinner with a girlfriend, so doing well socially this week Also it's school holidays here so dd1 home for 2wks. dd2 has been in nursery for Wed/Thurs so dd1, ds and I have done some fun things together the last 2 days, and not having dd2 around has meant I'm not so distracted and can focus on dd1 a little more. Nice for her as dd2 gets this focus more during term time, with her still being at home during the day with me.
ds still being a little darling, sleeping really well and full of smiles. He's our little charmer, wraps everyone around his finger when we go visiting

Hello lovely ladies,

Mrs Fruit How is married life treating ya? I'm literally obsessed with looking at your wedding pics. You must be so pleased with the ones that you've seen so far. Impetigo all clear (thank godness). No idea where it came from but glad to see the back of it. There's lots of sickness in schools at the mo - hope yours has eased. Excellent news about your mortgage - that money will really come in handy. How is J weaning and C enjoying school?
Meeeow Hope you're starting to feel a little better. How is I doing?
Mamafox Is it tomorrow today in Oz I mean.....if so, happy birthday to you! Glad to see you're taking time out from the kiddies. I really need some tips on how to get LO sleeping (when he arrives) - do you think it's luck - did C and M sleep well?

It's still the 24th here which means it's still Giraffe's birthday. Hope you're having a great eve lovely.

Nothing much to report here. Have been getting lots of BH today - never had them with DD so hopefully this one won't be as stubborn to vacate my womb.,,,(famous last words!)

SWI
Tigger Cycle 24 (CP/MC april, june08 & april 09)

Infanticipating
Turkleton 35 weeks pg TWINS!! EDD 16 - 23 October
Hyena 35 weeks pg EDD 30th October
PenguinPoo 28 weeks pg EDD 16 Dec

Yummy Mummies
E GIRL! A. born 7th October 08 5lbs 12oz
Impala GIRL! E. at 0630am 4th November 08, 7lbs 15oz
Hippopotamum BOY! E. born 3rd December 08, 6lbs 5oz
WinomoreTheFruitbat! J. born 18th March 09, 8lbs 5oz
Havingagiraffe BOY! N. born 13th April 09, 6lbs 12oz
MamaFox BOY! C. Born 11th July 09, 7lb 13oz
WolvernineInMarigolds GIRL! F. Born 18th July 09, 9.24am, 8lbs 7oz
Meeeow GIRL! I. born 6th August 09, 3.09pm 8lbs 9oz
CaptainNemo GIRL! T born 28th August 09, 5.19am, 8lb 9oz

Hyena - I am also obsessed with the wedding pics I can't wait to see the professional ones. I'm glad impetigo has cleared. MIL now has the sickness bug, so weird. It really is getting everyone here!
J's weaning is going really well, he doesn't eat much but he's having a good go at it! He had sausages, mashed potato and sugar snap peas this afternoon . Weetabix for breakfast is a huge mess but he loves it C seems to be loving school, he gets to have lunch there now so taking his packed lunch is quite a novelty at the moment.

Giraffe - Happy Birthday lovely, what are you up to?

Mamafox - thanks, dress was alright wasn't it The clown was there to entertain all the kids (and most of the grown-ups!)

DH (I can finally say that now!) is out tonight so I've been eating crappola all evening. A whole box of toffee was polished off by yours truly and for dinner I had beans and cheese in a wrap then a packet of beef hula hoops - I really shouldn't be left alone..........

Hello animals - apologies for absence.

Firstly massive congrats to the absolutely stunning Mrs Fruitbat, I have had a nosey at some of the pics on FB and you look absolutely amazing . The wedding sounds absolutely fabulous fun and your dress was simply beautiful !! Don't worry about eating crap, you need to pig out after getting back into shape so quickly - you must have been very good at the diet malarky

Meeow so sorry to hear about Bella

Hyena you look positively glowing with such a cute wee bump LOL at baby 'vacating the womb' !!

giraffe definitely think about fitting in some regular 'me-time'. I started a weekly yoga class when E was 9 weeks old and it has been a Godsend - es
p. the bit where we get to sleep at the end !!!

Panda some TTC obsessing is just what we need you have a whole zoo full of animals crossing their various paws and claws for you xx

maamfox your DS sounds lovely - he is a real cutie. Happy Birthday

Oh and Fruitbat I got the City Mini and I LOVE IT !! I got it in black and red and it is a dream . I didn't put protector on the lin and leo, it is a wee bit faded but not badly. I think it actually looks better with a bit of wear and tear. And yes I currently have a bad tummy bug which is why I haven't been around. E has it too now but not too badly. I have been unable to leave the house as I have to be close to the bathroom at all times

Busy busy busy!! Just catching some internet time quietly as DS is asleep next to me in the bed! (at last ) I now have no room.

Fruitbat You eat like a teenager however you have been on a dress diet so there's bound to be some backlash. N is definitely interested in food. Have just got his highchair and he sits with me when I eat. I gave him a slice of banana the other morning and it went in in ONE which I panicked and then came back out. Just need a wipeable table cloth and I will start giving him some bits. He's also chewed on tomato and swallowed some - I could tell the next day!

Hippo Lovely to 'see' you. Stomach bugs are sooo horrible - you just can't carry on at all can you? What is E up to these days, I like to know what's to come.

Penguin Welcome back from hols. How are you feeling? Hope you had a lovely time.

Hyena Lovely bump and lovely DD in background. Are you missing her now she's back to school? Have you heard much from Nemo Is she OK?

Panda Ooooooh everything crossed. Love your non-TTC plan which lasted all of ummmm 24 hours.

Mamafox What did you get up to for your birthday? Did you manage to escape for the evening?

I had a lovely birthday. Did a Macmillan Coffee Morning for the NCT group and raised £100 and had a lovely chinese takeaway and last night DP had booked a meal at 'Delia's' restaurant without my knowledge and my SIL turned up to babysit

Got some vouchers for spa so will be working hard to get this 'me' time. Also a friend from NCT group who also has a 'pickley' sleeper is in need of a break so we are planning a weekend/daytime glass of wine when we can safely leave the babies with their Dads.

Will be back before the end of the weekend - promise.

Had a lovely birthday this week

Hello!! Oh crap she's crying, thought I was actually going to get to post! Will go and get her and try to come back...

Meeeow I know I've contacted you on FB, but just wanted to say sorry here too I can appreciate how you feel hun, take it easy
MrsFruitBat Love the pics!! Looks as if you had an amazing time! Did J behave himself? No-one would believe you had a baby 6 mths ago, you look fantastic and the dress was gorgeous Good news on the mortgage
Giraffe Sorry to hear you have been feeling a little but sounds as if you had a wonderful birthday so really pleased about that I can't remember if you are returning to work or not? Do you still feel as if you need a break? Have you considered nursery/playgroup for a few hours? Oh and what's a "pickley" sleeper
Impala Where has the time gone?? Can't believe E is going to be one in just over a week! Are you having a party? Can I come if there is jelly and ice-cream?
Hyena Love the bump pic, especially L in the background, I bet she asked what you were up to?? Hope the BH turn into something more positive in the next two weeks I think this one might surprise you and not be late you know.
Panda I love the non-ttc attitude obsessing over tests on the first month - i love it!! Really hope the relaxing you have done over the last few weeks will do the trick, when is AF due? Will you test early? I'm excited
Mamafox Hope you had a wonderful birthday, from your pictures of C I can see how he winds people round his little finger, he's so cute!
Hippo Sorry to hear you have been feeling poorly, hope you and E are getting better now

Well got back off hols yesterday, lovely weather, lots of relaxing and breaks as I couldn't walk too far, but we still had a great time. Only thing is reality hits when we get home, got 6 weeks of DH's redundancy money and then the sh*t hits the fan, the temporary xmas job he thought he had has been withdrawn by the company's head office so no work on the horizon Anyone got a tent and garden we can pitch in? Oh and brought a lovely present back with me - a water infection But baby is kicking and moving lots which is very reassuring. Just trying to pin our plasterer down so we can start on the nursery, got to put DH to some use whilst he's at home!

Nemo Hope you get back sometime today

hello again, she's with her daddy. Phew! So sorry have been awol for soooooooooo long, haven't even managed to lurk, just don't seem to have ANY time. Am loving it though. She's a pretty good baby (most of the time, touch wood etc etc...) but I'm still bf with sheilds and expressing, which takes up A LOT of time. Still happy to carry on for now but not sure it'll be a long term solution. We'll see... just HATE giving her formula which is silly as I know it won't do her any harm.

Fruity what FABULOUS wedding photos! You looked so beautiful!! And the dress was fab! Can't believe how lucky you were with the weather!

Ok, need to go and try to settle T, J off for shower. hopefully back soon!

Sorry, not had chance to post this week!
Fruity Your wedding pics are wonderful and you looked absolutely fantastic. What a gorgeous dress! It sounds as though you had a lovely day and the weather certainly cooperated. Hard to come back down to earth now I should imagine! Glad J is getting on well with eating and C at school.
Giraffe Hope you're OK. I think I know what you mean with a "pickley" sleeper because I've got one of my own! It is very hard at times. E is still in our bed at night and still waking 2-3 times a night for a feed. However, I don't want to do controlled crying so I'm hoping she'll just grow out of it. It is vital to make time for yourself (although I'm rubbish at it too ). However, I've always made sure that I go to the gym every week since E was 6 weeks old and she goes in the creche for 1.5 hours. It gives me a break. The creche actually allows you to leave the premises too - do you have anything similar near you? Happy belated birthday too by the way!
Meeow Hope you're OK, thinking of you
Nemo Lovely to see you, even briefly! The early days are very time consuming, even without the bf problems you've been having. It will settled down soon hopefully!
Hyena Love the bump pics on FB You look great!
Hippo Sorry you're ill atm, hope it clears up soon.
Penguin Glad you had a lovely holiday. Sorry you're coming back to yet more worries, fingers crossed your DH finds some work soon.
Panda Fingers crossed for some good news from you soon
Wolverine Where are you??? Hope everything is OK.
Turkelton Hope everything is OK with you and your two beans too
Mamafox Lovely to see you and happy belated birthday
All OK here except E has a bit of a cold. She woke during the night with a temperature but a dose of Calpol soon fixed that. She's a bit sniffly but still tearing around the place. She's determined to stand up soon - keeps pulling herself up on the furniture! DH and I enjoyed our first meal out without E last night - it's only taken us 11 months My sister babysat - we were gone 1.5 hours but E still managed to wake up and was being read to when we got back as Dsis had managed to settle her once but not twice!
Nursery went really well. It was a settling in day yesterday and she ended up staying for the whole day and the staff said she was fine. She didn't even seem particularly bothered to see me when I arrived I got lots of work done, which means I don't need to work this weekend for the first time in ages!
Busy sorting out things for her naming ceremony on 1 November, just before her 1st birthday. We're going to combine the two by having a little party at home the day before the ceremony for family and people who have travelled a long way and then we'll have a very small party on the actual day with just family. I can't believe she's nearly one!
Hope everybody is having a good weekend

Morning all. It's DH's birthday today so we have agreed to put the grieving on hold for the day. Hope you are all well. Lovely to see you back Nemo x

Back again can you believe it?!?

Meeow I was so sorry to hear about Bella, we don't have cats but I can't imagine how I'll feel/cope when something happens to one of the dogs, especially Nemo Hope you and your DH have managed to get some enjoyment out of today.

Lovely to catch up with everyone else's news, I've missed you all, I just haven't had a moment. Quite wish I had an iphone or a blueberry so I could email and mn that way, just can't type on the laptop at the same time as feeding, and if I'm not feeding then I seem to be running around at 100mph trying to get everything done. Apart from never being able to catch up with myself am loving it

We're off for our first night away in 3 weeks' time DH has been asked to be godfather to the son of some friends of ours who live in Ipswich... she should still be in the moses basket which is something but am a bit scared anyway! Will prob be fine. Have been out and about with her a lot which will hopefully help. Giraffe are you about that weekend or maybe on the friday? Not sure how far Ipswich is from you but would be lovely to see you and N if you're free. What on earth am I going to wear to the christening?!?! Am hoping to borrow something from a friend. Am out of maternity stuff but nowhere near my old clothes and don't really want to spend money on something nice in this size... tricky...

T was officially discharged from the osteopath yesterday, she's really pleased with her which is great, although having said that she's been a grumpy little wotnot this afternoon so I better not speak too soon!

Right. Off to look at Hyena's bump pic on fb before my "me-time" window closes. Love to all, hope to be back soon! Sorry for lack of personal messages, it's not cos I'm not thinking of you all xx

PS Happy Belated Birthday to Giraffe Foxy and Happy almost birthday to TheYoungImpala!

Just a quickie to say a big welcome back to Nemo and belated happy birthday to giraffe

Evening all,
DP is encouraging me to order a Lin and Leo bag but only if I order one in chocolate - I think I'll mix chocolate up with tan..what do you think?
I still need to buy a breast pump. I used a manual with DD but really fancy an electric one this time. Any suggestions?
Nemo Lovely to have you back. Night away will be fine. Don't think about it too much or you'll worry yourself sick. Shame I'm not closer to Ipswich . Can't wait to meet T.
Meeeow Hope you managed to enjoy your DH's birthday.
Impala It's all sounding very busy with you. Can't believe E will soon turn one. Time flies. So pleased she's settling in well at nursery. It's so difficult to leave them but def made easier when you see that they're happy to stay.
Penguin Hope you're not spending too much time worrying. I just know that everything will work out for you. It's about time you were both given a break.
Giraffe Glad you had a good birthday. I love DD being back at nursery. It's so nice to have some time to clean .
Fruit When will the prof wedding pics be back? Will you have them on CD too?

Hello to everyone else. Not much going on here. Took DD to the park on her bike this pm. Pretty tiring work trying to stop her ending up in a lake/being attacked by geese/riding into legs.
Also had an attempt at shaving legs and bikini line. Such a waste of time when I can't see past my belly button. I'd better book in somewhere or I'll be mistaken for a monkey when D-day arrives.

Lots of love to all xxx

Hyena I love the chocolate, prefer it to the tan actually. Chocolate's the one with the green lining isn't it?
re breast pumps - well I'd say they are all a pile of poo having sat for about an hour and only getting about 5mls out but that's just my dumb arse malfunctioning boobs so I can't give you any suggestions I'm afraid (I am trying my best to get over this shitty feeling but it's not quite working ). I've got an electric Medela which I've lent to Meeeow I think she gets on well with it . They are supposed to be one of the better ones.

I've no idea when the prof pics will be back, must contact photographer to find out. I don't think I will get them on CD unless we pay as huge amount of money on top. Perhaps I can scan them of take pics of them

Nemo great to see you remind me again why T went to an osteopath? Is she ok?

I'm struggling a bit with feeling crappy and tired at the moment - probably post wedding blues or something. I just wish we could have afforded for me to go on a proper maternity leave, I think it's all catching up with me, I can't seem to shake the breast feeding issue either - constant reminders everywhere I go. Had another massive row with DH yesterday, I'm just exhausted. I thought I could do it all but I don't think I can.

I will catch up properly when I'm feeling a bit brighter xx

Aw Fruit. Sounds like you're having a tough time of it at the mo. I know you're still gutted about the feeding but you must keep telling yourself that both J and C have turned out perfectly despite being FF...they are both healthy and gorgeous little boys. Don't give yourself a hard time about it .
As for feeling tired - you've had a manic few weeks. Any chance of you getting some time to yourself this week and just having a quiet time with mags, crap tv and lots of chocolate?
Yes the chocolate L&L does have green lining...I'm just wondering...grey quinny/midnight blue carrycot and cositoes and chocolate bag?

hi ladies
still nowt to report here AF was due betwen friday just gone and this coming wednesday (going by my last day of EWCM) so who knows we will see! i doubt anything has happened as it never does for me but hey ho i guess TTC obsession has yet to vacate my head even though i might aswell stop trying im not a happy bunny today for some reason
hi to everyone else x

xx ei xx

DS is asleep and we are off swimming in about an hour so I really should not be on MN [wink.

Hyena I think I really liked the tan when Hippo was deciding and it would go really well with blue carrycot.

Fruitbat Probably just post wedding blues, you spent so much time organising and now it's over. With regards to the BF - it wasn't your fault. It's not like you just couldn't be bothered to try- you tried for ages. Please try to let it go, you can't change it and they are both such beautiful healthy boys and you are such a great Mummy. Please be kind to yourself.

Impala & Penguin Yes a 'pickly sleeper' is our way of saying a baby who struggles with sleep, it sound so much nicer than a bloody awful sleeper! Impala You've not made me feel better as hope N will improve soon - I can't take another 6 months of this - well I probably can and will if necessary.

Nemo Great to see you. Ipswich is only an hour on the train/car and would love to see you and T if you have time. N and I will clear our schedule. I admire your perseverance with the feeding. I would've given up by now. Do you still try her straight on the breast?

Hippo A yoga class would be great but I just can't be arsed in the evening and my daytime babysitting options are a bit slim at m. My mum is doing up her house that she rents and my Dad is in Spain until middle of October, but I am looking at other options and once Dad is back I might find a weekly thing to commit to.

DS has his first cold although he seems to be coping OK during the day. Saturday night he was very unsettled and in the end would sleep nowhere except my arms! I ended up embracing it and watching Greys Anatomy on my laptop in bed with headphones just so DH and DS could sleep. I felt OK in the morning but crashed and burned by lunchtime though.

Hello to all - Panda any news?. I really much go now - kitchen a state

Fruity Sorry you're feeling As you say, it's probably all catching up with you now after a hectic few months since J's birth. I've had similar feelings re lack of mat leave as like you I've been working since E was 6 weeks old. That's one of the downsides of being self-employed. On the other hand I tell myself that I'm lucky to be able to plan my own schedule and be with E when I want. But I've definitely found the past couple of months tougher than before, mainly because I'm struggling to make time for myself. I'm sorry, that's probably not much help to you but I just wanted to say that I sympathise. Hope you can make some time for yourself. I also echo what Hyena says about the bf, please don't give yourself a hard time over it. You tried so hard to make it work and sometimes it just doesn't for some reason C and J are lovely little boys, happy and healthy
Hyena I have a Medela swing breat pump and have found it brilliant. I have nothing to compare it to but it's relatively quiet and although I struggled to pump anything at the beginning, after a few weeks it was fine.
Nemo When are you coming to Ipswich exactly? It's 15 minutes up the road from me - I'd love to come and see you and meet T if you and Giraffe don't mind me gate-crashing your meet-up
Giraffe Hope N feels better soon. E's cold has cleared up quickly. DH and I are coming down with it now instead
Glad I didn't scare you with E's sleep problems - I did wonder after I'd posted. Hope N overcomes them quicker than E has. But you do cope, somehow. Last night was really good - she only woke once between 7.30pm and 7am, which is the best yet. Makes up for all the rubbish nights of sleeping last week, almost!
Panda Fingers crossed for you. Sorry you're feeling blue