Jan 2009, baby D0Gs and bumps galore.. lets make room for many more...

[120]

here we are. am going to start a bet on who is next to get broody!

Dog Wow. go Joss!

Tree, hope you are feeling a bit better.

Dog, that is amazing.. it will go soon enough if he carries on like that!

Ray, I love the clips. Think you should put coco-rose where the brand is, rather than home-made. I think it would be fab if you could put a few little bundles of clips on too, gift wrapped as they make a great little girls gift. Will defo be getting some once DD has chosen.

Ray Nice little hair clips. Are you making them... I missed that part I think. I've been making them as well. Just had some ribbon laying about and started farting about with it. I like it because it is an easy clean up. Even my cross stitch work is difficult to do with DD around because of the counting stitches... too much re-counting makes this mummy, nutty. lol How brilliant that DD nursery is practically next door. I would love that. I have found a daycare here that finally has some openings for their drop off spots so DD will be going as well for one day a week... Mommy really needs to get some work done before the next one comes because I reckon I won't have any time by then to make art.

Moose Glad to hear you have plans without the DC. And the next morning is always the better option for better perspective.

Dog What a little porker NOT!

Tree Hope you are feeling better today.

Well, we chatted last night at dinner about the Betty saga, and I said, look, I'm 38 and I don't have time or the energy to make huge efforts to be friends with people. We are old enough to just accept that we are not going to get along with every adult we meet in social situations and that's OK. This woman feels she isn't included, isn't comfortable and doesn't feel much of a connection with anyone but is putting the onus on us to be her friend... its all rather absurd. She won't let her child share her toys, snacks, nothing, when she comes to playdates. She leaves parties without saying thank you/goodbye to the hosts. I've just decided that I can't be bothered. I've tried chatting with her at our get together's but man, she is socially inept. One of our mums knows her from before as well and says she hasn't changed in the last 10 years... she got cornered in a medical closet by Betty and had to listen to her go on about not having any friends or boyfriends etc... so I'm thinking that its not worth the trouble. Its not a bad thing. The thing is, is that if/when I feel I don't mesh with people, I don't torture myself by hanging out with them. I just find that bizarre. Anyhow... the Betty saga fizzled out. She's made her usual passive-aggressive remarks on FB so I'm blocking her today... Hmm, may as well do it now.

120 Good idea about the gift bundle set, i have had quite a few order of a few, and i guess if they were all together it'd make that easier.

Chef Yes, have been making them, just so hard to find ones which aren't for much bigger girls, and those i did were very heavy for their fine little hair so just made sense to make them for her. Then i begun to get people asking where i'd got them from, so thought, well i should make a few extra and see if it takes off! Esme's nursery is great, definately go with your instinct, i walked in and loved it. Its a lovely old house, so has a really homey feel, and its run by a couple, and their daughter works there, and grandaughter attends the nursery, so a real family affair. They also have a GIANT garden. 1/2 an Acre.... which has recently been done out with areas for toy ride on cars etc, a big oak tree with winnie the pooh characters on, an old reclaimed boat given a new life as a play on boat, and a big veggie patch where they grow all their own veggies. As you can see, i adore this nursery!

rray - clips r sweet

sorry for sending rain your way

wow go joss - i have had a piggy wig here today dd2 hasnt stopped eating

hi to everyone else

received next bits lovely

Hi all

Thought I'd pop on and post some good news for a change.

The inclusion lady called me this afternoon, after carrying out an observation on ds1 this morning.

She was lovely, is totally on board, has made a big list of recommendations to be implemented straight away and is writing a report, including lots of additional recommendations, which will be with the school by next Wednesday at the latest. (We have to request a copy off the school, but are entitled to receive a copy. I have of course already put in our request! ) They are going to implement the recommendations and observe their impact for a fortnight, then officially refer him to their ASD inclusion team.

So that's one battle down 999 thousand to go!

Strange feeling - most odd being pleased that a professional bod has just told you that your child definitely has Special Educational Needs and requires a lot more help than he is getting. Such a relief to know I'm not just pushy and/or paranoid. I swear I felt about two stone lighter afterwards - oh and slightly less bonkers!

Really pleased for you Moose, that is great news. I can't imagine what it must be like to fight all the time simply to help him have a normal life at school. You are an amazing mum!

Well, we've just had roast chicken for dinner, followed by a baked rice pudding with my strawberry jam. The jar is already nearly empty so am thinking of snaffling any of the last English strawbs I can find and doing a big batch! Must be crazy.

The flat stuff is still ticking along. Of the last three viewings we had, two were just starting out looking and sorting their mortgage, and one (who had asked to view at ruddy 6.30pm last night) cancelled at the last minute (well 5.55, but that's feck all use to me once I've carted them round to a friends for kiddy tea). Anyway. Apparently we have 3 real buyers booked in for Saturday so fingers crossed!

Thanks 120. No doubt about it, its very draining, but days like today make the fighting worthwhile.

We have just had chips from the chippy. In my defence I have had a limpet baby clamped to me all afternoon and couldn't peel her off to cook tea.

The Co-ops around here are still doing some lovely English strawberries (really dark red and super sweet) They are on a 3 for £5.00 deal, along with their blueberries and blackberries. We are getting through tonnes of them. Yum!

Good luck with the viewings at the weekend. You flat is lovely, I'm sure you will sell it really soon.

Dh and I just investigated a strange mark that has suddenly appeared just below the ceiling, above the fireplace in our living room ...

... It was blood! Must have been from when the dog freaked out last night.

at how far she managed to fling it!

Wondering where else I'm going to find some now. (That's not an envious face by the way!)

Moose that's great news about DS. Hope DD sleeps better tonight, the poor wee thing. I think the chippy was a good plan.

Ray those hair clips are lovely.

Hope Tree slept well before night shift.

DOG - Wow your boy is gaining weight well, what a great feeder and sleeper he is!

Chef - Good plan on blocking betty. Probably the best bet.

The hernia Noah has is closer to the groin and is common in prem babies. They'll need to operate and sew muscle back together. Not sure when.

I've read everything and caught up, but I'm sorry if I've missed something, feeling very tired.

Chippy backfired Ds1 was just violently sick - think it was caused by his reflux as its the first time he's eaten anything fatty since his symptoms intensified. Poor kid, as if he hasn't got enough to deal with.

120, are you still around? Dh found this recipe for Cream Drop Biscuits today and wants me to try making them. I was wondering whether I could do a low-fat version, using creme fraiche. What do you think? Do you think creme fraiche would be too light if they are saying 'heavy cream' (which I assume is double/whipping cream)?

Moose If he is celiac/gluten/wheat sensitivity, then it explains why the chips made him sick. They cook everything in those vats so he won't be able to eat them anymore unless it is clean oil. This is something I know from working in the food industry and having every other person (albeit most are just on a gluten free diet or Atkins) with a these types of food allergies always ask if its just chips fried in it or everything. Just a thought why he was sick so fast.

Oooo 120 sounds devine.

DOG - was it related to wind perhaps and being fed on top of it? Try not to worry my lovely, maybe it's a tummy bug but I'm sure being the strong healthy chap he is he'll be ok ((hugs))

Sorry to hear about your DS also being sick Moose

I cannot get into fb tonight, that's my drama in my house! LOL

PS... Cream Drop Cookies!!!! Use the cream Girl! lololol

Dog ds1 did that, just the once. Managed to hit the wall from the other side of the living room and then shoot it under the sofa - which was also on the other side of the room.

We called the emergency gp out (terrible pfb syndrome). He was lovely and said ds1 was plainly a little piggy who had stuffed himself until his stomach simply couldn't hold any more!

That said, follow your instincts. If you feel he is in anyway under the weather or is acting out of character, go ahead and call the out of hours service. They'll either calm you down or tell you to bring him in.

If you are really worried, it can't do any harm to make a phonecall.

Chef - thanks for the idea, but we go to a local chip shop that has a separate fryer especially for coeliacs. They cost a bit more, but we think its worth it. They also have all the gluten free vinegar etc. I've never seen a gluten free chippy before, I think its something to do with coeliacs in the owners family. They opened when ds1 was on his completely gluten free period - which was brilliant timing for us. Since he got the negative result for coeliacs we try to keep him wheat, but not gluten free as much as possible.

I baked gluten free shortbread and gf fairy cakes this afternoon. Substituted 2oz of flour for ground almonds in the cakes and it made all the difference. Completely eliminated that horrible grainy texture you get with nearly all gf food. (Dh just scoffed one and was gobsmacked when I told him they were gf, so I'm feeling very pleased with myself.)

I would love to go ahead and use the cream, but know I will eat far too many of them so the lower fat option would be preferable. Really have to get back into my healthy eating now. Managed to stick with it all through my holiday, then lost it when I came home and have ended up re-gaining nearly all the weight I'd lost.

Jacob when he had a tummy ache from trapped wind, used to think he was hungry and feed more and more, all on top of the wind, eventually due to this, it all came up.

Wouldn't be surprised if he does masses of farting later

Glad he's conked out, maybe you should get some rest too lovely x

oo er, have confused myself now posting on both threads.

If he is storing up the wind and its forcing the milk back out, you could try Infacol and see if that helps.

With Jacob I found gripe water worked better, as he was rubbish at actually burping it up, (despite my best efforts) I found infacol coalesced the bubbles into one big one, that still went down, but hurt more IYSWIM? Gripe water really soothed his tummy, along with massage and warm baths.

I used infacol with DD though.

However before you panic anymore DOG, I am sure all will be well with your lovely boy and you can try either option if needed ((Hugs))

Just realised all my talk might panic you about Mr J and the days to come. I am sure all will be fine

Moose I hope you didn't feel um, oh I don't know,,, a little lost for words... um... I hope you didn't find my post off putting or anything. It was just something I thought of... not the I think you wouldn't have thought of it... oh, i'm digging a hole here. I should've known that you would have thought of that. Very cool to have a chippy near you for that caters to that specificity.

No, no, no, Chef

I wasn't offended in the slightest, I genuinely wanted to thank you for remembering his gluten/wheat problem and offering a plausible suggestion. There's so much chat on our threads and my family have so many ailments, that I'm impressed at your memory. Not many people have a coeliac friendly chip-shop round the corner really do they? (In fact I've never heard of another one anywhere at all.) How on earth could you have know he'd eaten gluten free chips.

Ah! Offended... that was the word I was looking for. Baby brain already?

The west coast of Canada is extremely into a multitude of necessary diets. I know a little too much about our food chain also from being involved with SlowFood cult philosophy as a server and chef's wife . Its not past people to walk into a restaurant here with a list of food requirements/dietary needs. I probably remembered his allergy because it was food/art related... two of my fave things.