November 09 - Autumnal times are drawing near, soon our babes will be one year!

[MsInterpret]

Hello ladies, hope no one minds me taking the liberty of creating a new thread and approves of the name choice. We've been moving a bit slower than antenatal so though we'd most certainly have some year-olds by the time we finished this one!

Blimey it's all going on in here!

Congrats Katster and DWB!!!!!! Hello everyone else.

My baby is 1, weighs about 2 stone and is very tall and getting bigger by the day! We celebrated Isaac's bday with a family lunch. I got a little birthday cake with a picture of Isaac on it, tacky I know, but it looked quite sweet. He got lots of toys and our living room has become a monument to plastic tat. I think I'll do something a bit bigger next year. it's so weird that a whole year has passed already.

I just wondered how people, particularly other teachers, who've gone back to work are coping? I'm really struggling at work. I've been forced to teach a class of teenagers who are really rude, aggressive, swear all the time, etc..I think having a baby has turned me into a bit of a wuss because I probably could've handled them before. I keep begging my managers to take me off the class and have even been to see the doc to be treated for stress. I hate that work can make me feel this bad and am so tempted to resign but too worried about how we'd cope etc. I just want to stay at home and cuddle my little boy!

I hope you all enjoy your first birthday celebrationas. I must admit I was a bit emotional on the day. It's quite a milestone!

Happy Birthday Isaac! how fantastic! it was two weeks go wasn't it? or am i getting it all muddled? would not surprise me !

How are we all today? Lemontop at your plastic tat mountain. We are scratching our heads trying to think of what to get dd2 for birthday/Xmas since dd1 had hers at the same time of year and we still have all the stuff. I even resorted to looking at replacement car seat covers but they are uber pricey - as much as we paid for the seat second hand! Any ideas for birthday pressies welcome, for 4 year old girls too!

I'm a teacher but thankfully I don't have kids like yours at my school to deal with. But I used to. It is incredibly stressful and really affects your quality of life. I remember well how my blood boiled and I still get out-of-control dreams from that school when I am stressed, 6 years down the line! I'm afraid I don't have any magic answers. I moved area and moved into the private sector (not intentional, but it was the first job I got). It was when we couldn't even play tennis at the municipal courts without being stoned because I was a teacher that we decided there was a better life to be had elsewhere. After dd1 I found goign back to work very difficult for different reasons. I had no working memory and so felt totally at a loss all the time because I had to do everything last minute. Things are better this time. 3 days a week has helped a lot and I now have my strategies for remembering things. But I agree with you - having kids and having so much brain space devoted to them means that you are less likely to deal with unsavoury situations as well when they arise. I really hope that your managers do something about it. They are obliged to if your GP is involved, aren't they?

Can I have a wee moan?
It's day 2 of the holidays and I am struggling with being back at home full time . I have SO much to do - my house is a shrine to clutter and needs gutted and cleaned. I'm almost feeling nesty in my urge to sort it out. I have school work to do too. But the whole day is devoted to fielding dd1's demands and getting the basics done. So nobody gets to play with mum, the house is still a state and we are all clean and fed. Just about. Today we have had breakfast, cleaned up, got dressed, girls played whilst I showered, we went to clinic, got back and they played/whined whilst I sorted washing and made lunch. After cleaning up lunch we did the weekly shop. I had to out away the shopping when we got home, make dd2's milk and try unsuccessfully to get her to nap, and by that stage I just needed to sit down with a cup of tea. Which is now. All along I have been saying "no, it's not storytime now. And you can't have snack we've already had it. No you can't have/we can't do Y. Because I just told you why. Please don't ask again. I'm BUSY! Stop asking now. I don't know when I'm not busy. Go and play".

When do we get the chance to be mummies? I've got half an hour before I need to start the tea and I still have the washing up to do from lunch...

Can't help with ideas hobnob but tesco direct have HALF PRICE TOYS!!! Looks fab, it includes the little people toys that my nieces all love... Might start Christmas shopping.

Fruit - C 31/10
Helips - Amelia 1/11
scarlotti - Ioan 8/11
thewook - Hedy 9/11
SirBoob - Bryn 11/11
tigger32 - Henry 11/11
JuicyLips/Trikken - Annabelle 14/11
BeckyBendyLegs - Toby 14/11
Weston - Lexi 16/11
GreaterFence - Lottie 19/11
Hobnob57 - Isla 22/11
Katster - Sam - 24/11
longwayaway - Maeve 25/11
Pavlov - Reuben 28/11
DWB - Ethan 29/11
MsInterpret - Rosa 3/12
Ninjacat - Alfred 4/12

SirB what a load of rot! There is 11 years between DD and DS1 then another 4 before DS2 came along. We are what we are, and they all rub along quite well. She gets annoyed at DS1 as he's irritatingly 5 and that would be no different if she was just a few years older!

lemontop sorry to hear work is so stressful, not what you need at all. Hope it improves soon.

hobnob moan away! I feel the same on my two days off.. it would be so nice to just think what the heck and just spend the day playing with them.

Ok - need your thoughts again ladies - have had through my pre-op appt for getting my tubes tied. Now things with DH are looking ropey, and so none of that is going on, and I guess that I'm now starting to think of the possibility that I might end up single again ... I'm starting to wonder if I should be getting this done.
I don't want any more dc's really, but I think I am getting seduced by the notion of babies. I think it's probably nature throwing me a curve ball as Ioan's now almost 1. Is is just pre-op jitters because the appointment has come through, or should I not have it done and see what life brings my way? I'm 36 and have been parenting since I was 20 so I have no desire to stretch it out any further than the 35 years I'm committed to!

Scarlotti how final is it for women? I know men can have vasectomy's reversed... If it's final and you're in any doubt whatsoever, I'd put it off. Chances are it's just jitters but if it's a forever after decision, you need to be sure x

Scarlotti never say never! I am still wrangling with dh over his vasectomy, he is still withholding his services until I back down- what an absurd state of affairs, it's making me really cross! Don't like doing anything final, whoever know what is down the road??

Lemontop what do you teach? I have taught in some exceptionally troubled schools and know exactly how much a sweary and difficult class can get you down, especially when you're feeling not great- after ds when I went back I had a MAD yr 9 class and had to call in behaviour advisors left right and centre, despite supposedly being an AST- I used to stand amidst the chaos and just think ??????!!!!! HOW can this be happening to me?! It did get much, much better in the end. What support is available in your school? Are the managers putting in measures to help, especially if they know you are not feeling good? It is a big shock to the system to be back in the thick of things- I have a tricky class again this year and I know I will crack them, plus they are pussycats compared to the kids in my previous school, but I still felt very very wibbly after a couple of lessons where they pushed all the buttons. Don't take any shit, stick to the behaviour policy, stay positive in your mind, stick to your guns- you'll get there in the end.

i would just like to say

i cant ever get a lie-in, or go to bed early without being woken a million times. even going to bed at 7:30pm does not bloody guarantee me 3 hours straight sleeping.

scarlotti i agree with the wise words of dwb. If there is any vague desire for more babies even if you think it might just be because your 'last' is growing up, wait. There is no rush. Once it is done, it is done. Be 100% sure.

I am loving this age of both the children. DD is running around in the front room hiding from bear cub and he is laughing and following her. He is almost walking and doing this sort of walking/crawling thing, and then standing/cruising as often as he comes across something to hold, screeching 'ADAYEEEee' for some reason . He also loves doing this wiggling of his done, like pronouncing the 'l' sound, over and over, tongue going in and out. It is his 'word' for everything, particular 'hello' which he does with a wave. He laughs most of the time.

sirboob - i also wanted to echo what others said about having your second when you are ready. I know several people with children very close together. The children get on great, and its a wonderful thing, its hard, but having two children is. And then on the other hand, i know several people with gaps of 5 years or more between their children, and that is also fab. It brings its own difficulties and its own rewards. I also know several people with only one child. And those children are also very happy, and bringing one child up has its own rewards and challenges. There is no right way, or right age gap. And you will not damage your child by having one/a small gap/a large gap.

Fruit - C 31/10
Helips - Amelia 1/11
ursigurke - Paula 4/11
scarlotti - Ioan 8/11
thewook - Hedy 9/11
SirBoob - Bryn 11/11
tigger32 - Henry 11/11
JuicyLips/Trikken - Annabelle 14/11
BeckyBendyLegs - Toby 14/11
Weston - Lexi 16/11
GreaterFence - Lottie 19/11
Hobnob57 - Isla 22/11
Katster - Sam - 24/11
longwayaway - Maeve 25/11
Pavlov - Reuben 28/11
DWB - Ethan 29/11
MsInterpret - Rosa 3/12
Ninjacat - Alfred 4/12

scarlotti, if you are not sure you shouldn't do it I think. It's a lifetime decision.

Nice to see that so many seem to come back at least for a quick hello!
I have been quite busy with my sister and her two children visiting. It was fun but so exhausting.
Paula has done her first steps about 10 days ago and we get almost daily a set of about 5 steps all by herself but she definitely prefers holding on to someone or something.

Hello all!

`Scarlotti I agree with what others have said - I have no idea how final the operation is for women, but if you did end up wanting another baby, it would be terrible to be unable to. Has DH moved out? HOw are things now?

Ninjacat wow the feature film work sounds exciting! But definitely absolutely knackering. 12 hour days for 6 days a week would quite possibly kill me at the minute.

Happy birthday Isaac!!! It sounds like the celebrations were lovely. We (I) are (am) planning S's at the minute, I think he is going to have two - one up north with all the grandparents and family, and one down here with friends and babies.No advice here really about teaching, but I just wanted to sympathise. Teaching is such a hard job. I am finding it difficult going back and I only work two days a week, and my class is relatively well-behaved. BUt I am so exhausted by the end of those two days and I miss S terribly. I hate leaving him at nursery. I can't wait to go on maternity leave again - maybe you should have another baby perfect excuse to leave work!

Hobnob I am glad it is not just me that finds being at home hardowrk! And I only have one baby to contend with! I never seem to get a thing done. It has just taken me half an hour to get the washing on, and there are still dirty pots from lunch. Our flat is up for sale and I am finding myself having mad tidy-fests every time there is a viewing. EG dirty washing in the car.... Wet washing shoved in the wardrobe only to be found a day later smelling delightful...

S is still choking on the slightest lump, despite being fine with lumpy food last week. I have just phoned nursery for tomorrow and said he MUST only have extremely sloppy food. Any ideas?? I wondered if it could be a sore throat.

Hello everyone

A v quicky message before I go to bed. Am SO tired. Periods coming back sucks. Work sucks. Naughty Challenging children suck. AV equipment which doesn't work sucks. No flaming TEA left in the staffroom after all the above really SUCKS!!

A nice husband who is able to come home and make me lunch when I leave a hormonal, teary message on his answerphone msg is worth his weight in gold.

To business:
scarlotti agree you should not do it if not 100% sure.

pav bear cub and big sis sound adorable. Making me broody for two!

hi ursi! Go Paula and her first steps. None here yet but she does have a weird crawl/step hybrid going on

OK, nighty night xxx

Scarlotti I agree with what has already been said. Its a big thing, and if you're not entirely certain its the best choice for you, then maybe put it off for a bit.

Ursi go Paula :)

No TEA Ms ? Even when the chips are down, a staffroom must never run out of tea!

Thanks all, have delayed the pre-op assessment for a while so I can mull it over. I'm 99% sure I don't want any more so this gives me some space to work out what the last 1% is doing!
3 dc's is enough, money wise, brain space wise, energy wise etc. I just get seduced by cute little babies and people around me getting pg (my best friend has just found out she's expecting ) but committing to bringing up another child for 20 years is a big thing, much bigger than seeing babies and thinking 'ooh how cute'!!
And I can always get some kittens!!!

DS1 has his first harvest festival assembly this morning and I got to go as it was my day at home. Was so lovey, and he was thrilled to see me there. They all sang a song and I got misty eyed - what a sop!

Also, managed to get some laminate flooring from freecycle today - enough to do the whole dining room! It's not quite the right colour, but as it's free it will do. The white carpet which is minging can finally go - hoorah!

lemontop - Isaac 30/9
Fruit - C 31/10
Helips - Amelia 1/11
thewook - Hedy 9/11
SirBoob - Bryn 11/11
tigger32 - Henry 11/11
JuicyLips/Trikken - Annabelle 14/11
BeckyBendyLegs - Toby 14/11
Weston - Lexi 16/11
GreaterFence - Lottie 19/11
Hobnob57 - Isla 22/11
Katster - Sam - 24/11
longwayaway - Maeve 25/11
Pavlov - Reuben 28/11
DWB - Ethan 29/11
MsInterpret - Rosa 3/12
Ninjacat - Alfred 4/12

pavlov yes it was two weeks ago. Have added him on the list.

Thanks for the work advice and support. I had a bit of a meltdown this week and basically emailed all my bosses and said 'Sort this out or I will resign!' and they did. I guess sometimes it pays to go a bit crazy. wook I teach in an FE college (16+) but my job changed a lot while I was on maternity leave.

lemontop good for you, well done for standing your ground

I'm so glad things are sorted lemontop and that you've given yourself time to think about things scarlotti.

Today is the day of the micronaps. Literally 30 seconds. Rocking in the chair, they eyes blink slow, slower, even slower...shut. PING! Open and ready for a whole new game.

Sigh.

we have the same here hobnob. Its frustrating. Have put her in the cot hoping she'd settle but I can still here her grumbling away.

hobnob and juicy, do you think that they might just need less sleep or less often? We had similar problems a couple of weeks ago and since I reduced her two naps to only one at lunch time things are much better again. Almost better than ever. On the 24 hours she doesn't sleep less but the routine has changed as she could (all of a sudden) be awake for much longer.

I am so tired... virus and teething has hit here so the last few nights I've been up between about 3 and 5am. Desperately hoping it passes soon as I need some sleep.
Poor lad looks ill though, that heavy lidded with purple bags look. He just wants to be held and is miserable. Calpol is helping which regains his spirits a bit but he soon fades again. Poor wee chicken.

Scarlotti exact same here- bright red cheeks, temperature, runny nose, glossy eyed look- and hardly any sleep at all two nights running. Poor little mites!

Evening all.

I'm a married woman now! Had an amazing day, my mum surprised me in the morning with my gran's watch - it's around 50yrs old and my gran gave it to my mum on her wedding day so there were some tears when mum passed it onto me. Mum also arranged a string quartet for arrival at the hotel, they were brilliant! I was half an hour late arriving at the church but other than that, everything went according to plan.

There are some photos here if anyone would like to see.

I'm absolutely exhausted so heading to bed shortly. Hope all the poorly babies sleep well tonight x

Congratulations! You look so gorgeous in the pics. Aww, how nice of your mum, and that sounds like a lovely thing to pass down with the watch-giving. Am glad you had an amazing day!

oh yh forgot I name-changed slightly for halloween! lol