Dec 08 Ladies - Waiting for BabyLady & the usual grumpy tots with stinky bots

[DeidreBarlow]

Hope this is ok...

Monday Vag. And I've got to take BOTH dc's with me![eek]

Right. Both little slept through the night last night. I was asleep by 10.30 and only woke up at 6.30 when DD2 did. So why oh why oh why am I so bloody tired and very very grumpy today? Poor DD1, I am shouting at her and it's not fair. I've put her to bed for fear of biting her head off!

Avo have you returned to being a full time avocado now? I loved the ladybird tale - especially her going round and telling complete strangers about it
beans I think I often feel more tired after a good sleep than a bad one. Maybe the adrenaline doesn't need to kick in so your body's trying to do it alone! Hope you get another good night from the girls.
You know I said about my work friend who had to go onto coronory care? Well she's still there. it seems she had some kind of cardiac event but not a full blown heart attack. She's having an angiogram today then might need a stent She's always so well and has such a healthy lifestyle - much more so than mine.
I've caught the sticky eye from whoever it was - was it Deidre? Well my L eye is all gooey and red and small, but my right one is fine! It's not a good look.
Right must dash to pick up L from school.
Hopefully back later x
Ooh and am off to see my new niece tomorrow [broody]

Trace I'm stupidly excited for you seeing your niece tomorrow, I love nieces.

Pubes I really feel for you having to take both of them to the consultant. I have one word for you 'lollipops'. For DS obviously not DD. They are my secret weapon on special occasions. He tends to get about 1 a fortnight.

We have just viewed 4 places, one was a def possibility, 3 beds, big garden, nice clean placed, small but we are expecting that for our price range. But its more than adequate. And it is literally next door to DS1's school, well on the corner of his schools street. It has a canal across the road and is parallel with a great shopping street.

Vag - yeah I tried to get dh to pop over for it, but he has something majorly important which is really bad form to miss, at work the same time and he's only been there 3 days.
Will get lollipop but I have a feeling he won't care for it as he doesn't really like sweet stuff .
House sounds good.

Anything Avo?

B&Sil coming tonight - not cooking though as had not enough warning! F&C I think for us...

How's Lady / Lord and the princesses today?

Nup, no nap Spot... but some cleaning
I think you are next - when are you due again?

Beans feeling any better? Sleep debt probably... built up after loads of no sleep nights....

Due NYE. Hahahahaha.
Ooh, sounds exciting about the houses, Veg, what's stopping you snapping it up?

We made an offer on one of the houses we like, they've rejected it but we're going to play pretty hardball as don't think it's worth any more. Thing is they're in a chain and moving town so could be a while before they find somewhere.

Sorry about the virtual (well real, but you caught it virtually) sticky eye, Trace, that's v thoughtless of DB to give it to you like that. And about your friend,do they know what's behind it?

Rubes, what's F&C?

Happy Birthday Effie's DS1! How did the cake go?

F&C, fudge & chocolate cake?

I wish I could help with the kids Pubes, would MIL be around.

There is no great rush Spot. Over here places,have been on the market so long and there are so few buyers that we can afford to have a look at a few more places before we decide. Tomorrow there is a big open day for loads of houses across the Hague so we are going to go for a little wander around a have a nosey at loads of them, then choose some we'd like another look at then go back with our Makklar dude. I think I've spelt that wrong. The one reservation I have about this house is they are selling because of a divorce. I'm a bit superstitious about buying houses with a bad vibe.

Trace I'm sending white light to your friend.

[http://www.funda.nl/koop/s-gravenhage/appartement-47676539-valkenboskade-573/ this] is through place we liked.

Oops try this link

Looks nice, Veg, and overlooking the water...

FWIW I'm pretty sure bad things have happened in most houses. Your happy vibes and lovely family would more than chase any bad luck away.

Evening girls

An uncharacteristic quickie from me (no, really mean it ) but I will be on properly tomorrow as DP has to play a gig in the evening and so will have a spot of time to myself (hum, well hopefully) - it doesn't seem fair to MN when he is buzzing around and anyway I have been pretty hectic myself. I feel really frazzled with two! Mind you, it's early days and we have to watch O like a hawk when D is around. I am still barely touching DD2 and putting in heaps of time with DD1, but it seems to be paying off a bit now.

Terrible night last night, DD2 wouldn't settle, but again, such early days - she is a newborn after all, bless her. To be honest, it was mayhem - DD2 woke up DD1, DP woke me up accidentally and then when I was talking to him I then woke up DD1 again upstairs, then DP woke me up sleep talking...it was a total farce. But I am not worrying about it. Still on the painkillers but get a bit better every day.

Rubes, I wish I could have the kids for you on Mon whilst you have your appt, but I guess it's not practical (and we are all up in the air at the mo).

I will do a proper catch up tomorrow but just wanted to send love to all.

Just dashing in WG has the most hilarious FB updates tonight.

quickie as we have guests...
F&C = Fish & Chips! WE had curry though.....

Thanks for child minding offers. mil has contractor at her house that day so can't leave. sil reckons he needs to learn to behave if I've got stuff to do, and she is right, and he might well behave (after all I took him to hospital while I tried to get a clear catch urine sample off dd for well over an hour and waited around for the registrar to have her tongue tie snipped)sil will be on vacation, but my only concern is if they DO decide to actually do the injection on Monday and then If I actually DID pass out, as the staff would have to manage the two of them until I "came to"

Right ds really kicking off this morning... and dh is taking him to swimming ha, probably be an angel for him!

i meant to say when I took him to the hospital that day he was very good..... I'm not worried, I have no choice, I will arm him with stuff to do , milk, and a lollipop and cross fingers.

Dog just vomited up breakfast - too many poppadoms last night

Rubs its not so much him behaving, its more you bring able to completely concentrate on yourself for the appt and be examined. I'm having all my moles checked next Thursday and it would be difficult with just DS2 as even at his very best he is curious of everything, and at worst he is a screaming demon from the 5th dimension. Wouldn't it be nice to be able to go to the doctor without having to worry how they'll handle it, or having to organise help to watch the kids. I shouldnt judge your SIL as I'm sure she's lovely but I find her statement a bit bloody rude.

Well we looked at 3 houses at the open house thing today and crossed them all off our list. 1 was ok but we didn't like the configuration of the kitchen bathroom, and they had a sauna in the bedroom which DH found a bit . The 2nd had no bathroom which we both found . The 3rd was actually lovely, a nice sunny garden lots of storage space a nice kitchen and living space. But tiny bedrooms like really tiny. A bed would fit only, no room for cupboards etc. As it was in a prime location it was also at the top end of our budget.

So will plug away and try to see some other places over gte next week.

You're right Vag, she doesn't have any kids, doesn't want any kids and doesn't have any idea. She's also older than dh and should know better.
Veggiedaddy's lookin good on the beach woohoo!

My shoulders been a state thisarvy. Really really sore and sorry for myself today. I've been really tired, and feeling really nauseas, so had a nap for almost 3 hours and feel slightly better. Fortunately dh has not only been working at home today but dealing with the kids as well. DD is all snotty again and gone off food a bit. Hardly wanted anything and only taking half her usual in a feed. She's all bunged up. Seems a bit brighter tonight though.

Must go, feeling rather ordinary.

It's been a hard ol' day - DP left at 3pm and won't be back until the small hours. He wished he hadn't agreed to this gig but months ago when he did, we thought we'd be in the house and I could have had someone to stay. Sigh. One or other of the girls has been pooing or crying or needing something since then, I've been run ragged, and I had awful chest pain at 7.30. God knows what that was, but I think it could be the Voltarol which I am still taking as it seems a fairly prominent side effect. I bet I sound like a right hypochondriac with all my moaning! I can't take DD1 up to her cot as it's up very steep metal stairs and she needs to be carried, so we thought she could nap in our bed. Anyway, she won't, so she is still up with me and getting crosser by the minute. And she just took a big slurp of my cheerfulness and then had hysterics when I wouldn't let her have any more

Rubes - I meant to say, you probably can't see on the photos but DD2 has a stork mark above her lip like a Hitler 'tache (DD1 had one in the same place) - not sure if it is the same thing as it is a naevus simplex, but DD1's has gone. Sorry you are feeling a bit crummy today, I hope you are curled up with X Factor. Don't worry about Monday. I have every faith in your DS! Anyway, if you did pass out of COURSE the staff would look after the kids. All will be well, bet you any money.

ZJ - no, we've not moved, sadly, but I don't think it will be long. I love the idea of you choosing us over depilation

Spot - how are you doing today? And yes, be tough over the price if you don't think it's worth it - dead right. You are the next mother of two but everyone will look after you on here, they certainly have me

DB, there seem to be a lot of sticky eyes on here! So glad your Grandpa seems better.

JB - yes, I have now listened to the Ben Folds and I like it. I love him, though. Do you know, I have never seen him live, but have been prevented from seeing him twice - once when DH was ill and once when I mixed up the dates of the concert

Avo - that story about the ladybird is v funny. How horrid for your DD2 though. When I was about 7 I had a pet caterpillar which escaped and which I found squashed flat on my sock. My sister laughed so hard I thought she would wet her pants.

Veggie, that house looks lovely, I think. Oh, I had my moles checked about 18 months ago. Really glad I did. There was one I thought was dodgy and it had scared me for years (it was fine, they all were) and the peace of mind was so worth the cost.

In the writing of this, DD1 crashed out on the carpet and I had to sort of lead her into my bed. I have had to remove DD2 into here though, as DD1 is hellbent on shaking the moses basket or being too rough with her. It's quite a worry. I know I sound like I am moaning, but actually I am thrilled with the two of them and love them so much. It IS so hard with two though, but I am hoping I will get into the swing of things more. I remember finding DD1 hard at first, and now the thought of one seems like a breeze !

Is anyone watching Downton Abbey? I have caught up with the first couple of episodes. I do like Julian Fellowes.

Hey Lady -hope you got some sleep. I hated the first few weeks with 2, but at about 6 weeks, I suddenly wouldn't have had it any other way! I don't think I really loved DD2 til then. Which should awful, but now I adore her totally!

We went for our anniversary (actually on Weds) walk yesterday - trip to south downs and a long walk with them both - Pru in baby bjorn and Whizz in a borrowed LittleLife backpack. And you know what, it was bloody brilliant! I had to feed Pru 3 times - definitely not enough milk in my boobs! But she was so happy between times and even had a half hour sleep while I walked along. Whizzy loved it too and was so excited about the sheep we say - they're now called Peeps or Heepsh, depending on what she decided to say!

I've been for a 5km run this morning. Only managed to do it in 38mins, but hoping to get down to 35 by the time of 30th October. Going for another one tomorrow as MIL coming to babysit. Yay!

DH has taken the girls for a potter to the common and I'm having a rest. Treat. Have horrible cold starting as well. Ming!

I dreamt about you all last night, in a really nice way. That instead of chatting on here, we could actually sit around with coffees and wine and things and natter together. It was smashing. Am I a weirdo??!

Right, feet up with a book, while I can!

Beans you're not a weirdo . That would be nice.

Am feeling dreadful. Had been trying to pretend I wasn't ill all week and then was basically sent home on Friday and have spent entire weekend in bed. Which makes me triply resentful because I've missed spending time with my lovely DCs.

I know I'm like a stuck record at the moment but work is so dire it's sort of hard to believe. Ho Hum. Am going to take some time off at half term and think about what I want to do. Keep thinking that this is DS's last year before he starts school and that I can't possibly keep working like this through it or I'll miss it. Not so much the hours - although they are an arse it doesn't usually impinge on the time I have with them (because I work more when they are in bed) - but the stress that means that I'm not really present when we do have time together. Sigh.

Wg I have both DCs signed up to dance at the laban. DH thinks it's a bit poncey (see earlier concern about us having lost the plot) but I think it will be lovely. Am not sure DS is much of a dancer though. DD on the other hand absolutely loves to dance and at any opportunity stands so close to the speaker she can feel the music and dances like a demon .

LadyT it does get better - Beans is right. In a few weeks time you'll be feeling better and you'll all be much more settled. And your DD1 is too small to be able to remember anything different. From memory (and our gap is exactly the same) DS was a bit interested in DD but generally ignored her/tried to climb on my knee if I had her etc. for the first few weeks and then there was a point - when she was about 8 weeks old when we were out somewhere and I had given her to someone else to cuddle and he got really upset and thought we were leaving her behind. I think it takes a while for them to identify the new baby as part of the family. But once they do it makes a difference. And they are fab together now. Mostly. Although turning into partners in crime which is a bit worrying. Apparently DS had to get the stool from the kitchen and climb up to get the crayons down because DD was asking for them...

Anyway. I'm sure you don't need breezy words from me saying it will all be ok. Just be kind to yourself, and remember in all of this worrying about whether DD1 or DD2 are ok that it matters - a lot - that you are.

Have just downloaded 30 rock to watch this afternoon while DH has taken the DCs to his sister's. Has anyone watched it? Any good? I am also very much enjoying the X-factor and hauled my sorry self downstairs to watch it last night. Some massively entertaining acts this year. And downton abbey yes but am a sucker for that sort of thing. And loved the JF film that I can't remember the name of but that it's presumably an extension of. Have a terrible memory at the moment, which is hopefully just sign of stress rather than early on set...

Hope you're enjoying this lovely sunshine. Avo any news on the house? A friend of mine bought a couple of houses by just putting letters through the door of ones she liked the look of that weren't on the market - you don't know whether someone might be thinking of moving and if you can offer them quick sale they might be up for? Especially in current climate. Takes a lot of the drama out of it for them (and saves estate agents fees etc.). Am also vicariously enjoying Veggie's house hunt...and spot - more pictures .

oh, lady, it sounds so hard, but as beans and urbane have said, the light must be around the corner. it will get better, it will (think pollyanna without wanting to kick her head in).

beans - so impressed on the running! i don't think 38 mins is that bad at all, especially as you've got 2 tiny ones. at the height of my fitness i got under 30 mins, but only under race conditions - i have to say i got a real kick out of that.

urbane - sorry for the work situation being so ghastly. please do as you recommend to lady - be kind to yourself. and 30 rock is about the funniest thing (apart from dh's radio series, of course) i have ever ever seen - oh, apart from arrested development.

i have a favour to ask from our london ladies... you may remember me talking about my best friend who lives in new york, whose marriage was falling apart while she was pregnant with number 2. well, ds2 was born in august, twat husband (th) has now admitted to having had an affair while she was preggers, so she's thrown him out. she really wants to come back to london to sort herself out and bring the kids with her, although that has all sorts of legal implications to do with new york law and the removal of children. so - favours: does anyone know of a stupendously good divorce lawyer who has dealt with international situations? also, does anyone live/know anyone who lives in kensington and chelsea who could recommend local nannies/babysitters/playgroups etc for her. she'll be living with her mum between the fulham and kings road (yeah, nice, i know), but needs to get some idea of what is available and good in the area, so she can hit the ground running when she gets back.

many thanks

WG I can't help with any of those things but will put the white light out for her. Hope she can get back, & manages to take TH to the cleaners.

Urbane, WG knows her comedy, 30 rock is hilarious. Im a little bit addicted to it actually & get withdrawal symptoms if I don't get to watch it. Currently on the comedy channel here, they have 2 episodes each weeknight, a new one & an old one. It's one of those shows that can be watched several times per episode.

I'm sorry to hear your work is so stressful Urbane, how is DS. I love remembering he & my DS1 playing together.

We've had amazing weather here this weekend. We managed to get to the beach with DS2 in the afternoon while DS1 was at a birthday party. Then today we visited the most brilliant park & farm which has a bee farm (sorry not sure the proper term), so we bought some local honey. Fed the goats, moved and the cows and eeeaaawed at the Donkeys and caused a commotion with the geese. Then we went to a dim sum restaurant for lunch. We left my parents to there own devises & took the boys to another birthday party. This was a parents stay party which had lots of coffee & chatting involved. Was great fun as now DH knows a lot of the dads so we both had a nice little socialize.

Last night DH & I went to dinner at a friends house and had a lovely time. They made a delicious meal & a tummy pre dinner cocktails. Unfortunately, DS2 had other ideas about his mummy & daddy staying out late and summoned us back at 10.45. He made up for it though by sleeping through until 7am so can't be too annoyed with him.

Beans, I am v glad of the encouragement, so thank you. You have seemed to take it all in your stride so amazingly and I just don't feel anything like that yet but I suppose I have to be patient and I guess I am not up to full strength either, yet. But I love DD2 amazingly (as I do DD1, obviously). I don't resent the struggle one bit, I just feel a bit crap at it all at the mo. Mind you, I felt like that with DD1 for a while. Of course it's not daft to have dreams about drinking coffee and wine with the rest of us! If you only knew how many times I would have loved to teleport everyone to my living room Our merry band is such a comfort to me. I cannot BELIEVE you ran 5km this morn. You and Deirdre B are making my eyes pop with your running.

Urbane...every time you come on it makes me fret, actually, about how stressed out you sound about work. I know you do a worthwhile job, a special job. But you are flaying yourself. I am not saying that is wrong - sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't. But...if you do take some time off at half term, could you go somewhere? It's just that I have always found it so much easier to find true clarity of mind when I'm away away away. If anyone should be kind to themselves, it is you, as I have told you before 30 Rock - have only seen it once and it was funny and I keep meaning to order the box set.

WG, I know two family lawyers who are friends but I think your pal would need someone conversant with NY law, as you say. I could ask them for advice or to recommend someone? Let me know. To assist, is she English? Is her DH American? And the nationality of the kids?

Sounds like a lovely day, Veggie! We saw some pals for lunch. Oooh, hang on, Downton Abbey is on - back later.

Is downtown abbey on BBC?

thanks - ladyt - she has dual uk/us nationality - th is a mexican/us national (only got his green card because he married her - had been there illegally for years). presume the kids are us citizens. any advice most appreciated. thank you.

Hello everyone, so sorry to have been AWOL for so long but it's all a bit hectic round these parts. I have caught some horrible infection which means I am totally without voice so cannot even shout at DH. Children fab, though L seems to be struggling again, T is a bit of a pain, and yet my first born son is a wee darling. The girls are fabuloso too of course but such hard work which is the last thing one needs when the plague strikes....

There was so much I wanted to say, but I need to pack school bags and sort out my work clothes in case I am well enough to go in tomorrow. That sounds hopeless but sadly I am not sure I could cope with 5 hours of talking on the trot, even though it is my most treasured activity! hope you are all well and lots of love XXX