June 08 - 42 days til Christmas, and Deb is coming home!!

[KnittingisbetterthanTherapy]

The old one was taking too long to load!

trying out my new name for the new year.

Yes it was me telling Penguin that I had finally put photos up following her request weeks ago.

Good luck this week Amber.

I am counting to 10 (metaphorically speaking) as DH having just spent 4 hours converting P's cot into a bed has just broken the bed at the final stage....He is so impractical. This is after he couldn't find the fittings whilst I was at Tescos and of course I found them in the cupboard I told him to look in.

The few days at the PILs were good thankfully. I feel we have moved on.

Better go crying baby.

Hi Biscuits, good to hear from you! I shouldn't be on here - should be knitting, but I just did a stint, honest Amber!

Spider DH is rather bad as well (just forced him to spend 1/2 hour cleaning the letterbox of the new door with white spirit because he painted the new door, when I wasn't around, and used...sellotape, yes sellotape, around the letterbox rather than masking tape). But he and his dad are as bad as each other - they jointly put up the easel the other day, and it was nowhere near right.

Thanks for the sympathies - m/s is annoying but nowhere near as bad as with Iestyn. It really is just in the mornings although I do have 24hr nausea 3 days out of 4... but I mustn't moan!
New year resolutions - well, my first one was to stop being sick!
I have three. 1. sort out finances. 2. sort out all the photos on flickr and add them all. 3. Get a pg fitness DVD and do it!! I was too sick to exercise when I was expecting Iestyn but I'm convinced it will be better in the long term...

Biscuits nursing bras: my advice would be buy pricey ones! I got one Hot Milk one, and within a week had bought 3 more. They're supportive, attractive and give a good shape - and they're comfy.
Actually, resolution no. 4 - get maternity bras...

I'm staying in London a couple of days longer than planned. A friend at church is a sonographer and has offered me a nuchal fold scan (don't get them in n. Wales) and I'm quite paranoid so I'm having that on Tues. But DH is at work so gawd knows how I can get childcare for Iestyn for a short time. MIL has said she can come but she's often more hassle than she's worth...(Also, though, it's really putting her out - a 2 hour journey both ways for half an hour max, although of course she'll not just go immediately, but I'll have to Entertain, and that's stressful, and she can't handle the fact that Iestyn can't speak English. She and FIL kept trying to 'teach' him by repeating English words for things over and over, which annoyed me majorly, and also annoyed Iestyn who wanted to play in a normal way...)

Dewin, hot milk bras look lovely, but I looked at them last time and they don't go up to my size. I am a 32 or 34g/gg pre pregnancy. They only make horrible granny nursing bras that cost a fortune in my size, even in bravissimo. Grrr.

Happy new year everyone .

Amber very exciting that it's your last week. I'm glad the pregnancy will soon be over for you - it's been really hard hasn't it?

Dewin hope you're ok, sorry you're still suffering from m/s. Could I go to the scan with you or do you think he'd rampage?

Biscuits I'm that size too and I agree, it's v difficult to get nursing bras. I bought some flowery ones from Bravissimo and they were ok but I reckon when a bra has such a humungous weight to support no bra will last for long.

Spider I loved those photos on fb. I v rarely actually put anything on fb but do look at the photos from time to time.

Deb at your freezing Christmas. I hope you're all lovely and warm now.

T's nursery is staying closed for an extra week as they had a burst pipe. The others go back on Wednesday . It's been especially lovely to have DD1 at home as she's been brilliant. I'd forgotten what a lovely little girl she is. She just finds school such a trial and it's very disheartening at every pick up to expect either a meltdown from her, or a "just a quick word, Mrs Rolf" from her teacher. We've taken them to parties, to church, concerts - it's been a lovely sociable Christmas, and she's been great. I saw her teacher in church yesterday and really want to stick my nose in her face and say "look at my lovely child you unimaginative moose". But I didn't.

Biscuits didn't realise they're limited - I'm a 32 as well, and that limits things already (everything seems to start at 34...). When I was bfing I got my 32G bras from Tesco - actually rather good, and cheap enough as well so as Rolf says, you get through them.
Have you tried the delighfully named bras 4 mums? There's one Hotmilk bra there in 32GG and 32H! (They have stupid names!)
I just got one (bn, obv) on e-bay.

Rolf my mum was a primary school teacher for years - very experienced, but seen as 'old fashioned' and 'not trendy' a lot of the time! But, she would really fight for her children, especially any with 'problems' or stuff. Sounds like the problem is with the teacher. Mum would always consider the home situation first - and with a parent who does pick up her child every day, who is there for the 'quick word', the problem isn't really at home is it? It must be very hard to know what to do though. Because clearly in a supportive, loving environment there's no problem with your DD.

Also thanks for the offer of help for the scan - Iestyn probably would act up, but nothing you can't handle! I might have failed to mention that it's in London though - you'd be putting yourself out even more than my MIL!!

Same here Rolf, ds has been lovely all Christmas, really really extra specially lovely - and he is dreading going back to school this week . But we have his appointment with the child development centre in a few weeks so that's something; not that I am hoping for a dx of anything in particular beyond his very obvious sensory issues, but hoping that they will be able to come up with some strategies to help make it easier for him that can go to school with the weight of 'professionals' being them. Teacher seems open to such things so we'll see.

I LOVE bras 4 mums, they started in our local area and TJ who runs it came out and measured me both times and gave me fab advice and service. It's well worth giving them a ring to talk through specific requirements - if the bra you need exists, they will know!

Oh and my new year's resolution is to get back on my controlled-carb diet, for good this time, for energy and depression control as well as control over binge-eating - weight loss should be a nice side-effect but it's not the reason I do it. I have got back on and slipped back off several times since having Caitlin - sleep deprivation and lack of time - but I think, by focusing and prioritising food over all else for a while, I can get back on it now.

And in case I'm not on again before Friday, good luck Amber!

SA we're going to take DD1 to a neuropsychologist asap and, like you, hope that having a professional report to back us up will help us negotiate with her teachers. I think I tried the carb addicts thing on your recommendation and found it great for the 2 weeks that is my invariable maximum with these things (refuse to use the d word). But I am very stout right now- even my super-tactful DH (ha!) has noticed and commented on it. I'm putting a great big novel (The Count of Monte Cristo - 50 hours) on my IPod and that will encourage me to go on big walks.

This is for Knitting (where is she?): DS1 got some dragon books for Christmas and is banging on about dragons, to DS1's looks of distain and insistence that dragons don't exist (as no-one's ever seen one). DH's helpful way of defusing the row was to remind DS1 that he had spent the last hour in church worshiping something we've never seen . So he's managed to tie up the RC church with DS2's dragon obsessions

Biscuits hope your poor poorly girls are feeling better.

Rolf gotta love your DH for that one . Thanks for the nice comments on the photos too. I rarely put photos on and had been justifying at as too hard, then spotted the bit on the iPhone app for it, and had it done in 10 mins.

Dewin DH's fix for the bed involved Sellotape and a pile of old games magazines.

Excited today as have ordered my belated Xmas present. DH had bought me a Barbour jacket but without getting me to try any first. Whilst it was a lovely jacket it was too small. An eBay purchase too, so no returns. Having scoured the Internet for a bigger version (they no longer make them) we found something similar and bought it today. I am hoping it will keep me toasty when tramping around with a pushchair.

In fact if anyone is in the market for a size 14, black non-waxed jacket (so not too horsey) it's on ebay and I can post a link?

Oh and Rolf did anyone ever suggest Anastasia for your five syllable girl's name? Neighbour's daughter is called this and I thought of your quest.

Spider I broke my bed at my parents' house bouncing on it as a teenager. Fixed it with toilet rolls on their ends holding the slats up and it wasn't discovered till after I left home. So, if your dh needs any more DIY tips, send him this way, we clearly think alike!

Just marking spot and thought I'd mention that Knitting has flu Rolf and Biscuits has been to her local children's hospital with D today. She should be fine in a couple of days according to Biscuits' post on fb.

Not much to report from here - stuck indoors for a couple of days while S gets over cold/head-to-toe rash, so we'e all going a bit stir crazy.

DH and I both shattered too - both woken at around 3am by some very loud scrabbling around in our loft, so ended up sleeping the spare room (as the noise was giving me the heebie jeebies). It seemed confined to one corner (ish) of the room, so I suspect that there's a gap and maybe a bird got trapped for a while? Surely any mice would scrabble about everywhere? DH has been up for a look today but couldn't see anything, but two patches of insulation are quite damaged. Not sure whether to call a roofer or pest control...

Spider Anastasia is lovely. We decided on Evangelina or Ozymandias but Anastasia would definitely be in with a chance...

Yes, but when I say it Anastasia is only four syllables!! Ann-na-stay-zha, rather than An-na-stay-zea-zha.

Spider You must have been so disappointed about the jacket - glad you've found something else!

I saw knittings fb post but not biscuits - hoping d is on the mend, she's so little to be that sick. :(

Has anyone got their kids the flu jab this year? We've booked an appointment for the boys at a private clinic that dh and I use (he's self employed so it's an investment in preventing unpaid time off rather than a panic thing) but we don't know whether we're being ridiculous or not. The pharmacist normally doesn't recommend that kids get them but with swine flu it's a bit different so we're really torn about it. I don't want them to be overly protected so they never build immunity but then I don't want them in the hospital either.

Keepcalm - could it be mice? Put down a few traditional traps just in case? We have some permanently set up and caught a mouse a month ago.

Keepcalm (apt name under the circumstances) another suggestion which may/may not make you feel better - my parents had a bat in the house last week, for the second time! They're usually babies which get in somehow.

I have a Barbour. I love it - I hope you're able to get it sorted out, Spider.

Poor little D. I saw Biscuits post on fb but didn't realise she was referring to a hospital.

Abdn - it's difficult about swine flu isn't it? I've not been very anxious about it really until I saw all these press reports about children picking it up when they go back to school. My lot have been pretty well so far this winter so I'm sure it's their turn for something, and there have been so many bugs going round that I'm sure everyone's immunity is low.

Dewin forgot to thank you for your comments about DD1 and school. Sadly she does have a diagnosed neurological problem which, it is reasonable to assume, causes some of the issues with her behaviour. We're lucky in that we had a diagnosis when I was pregnant so any medical help we seek now will be based on looking for solutions/strategies, rather than a quest for a diagnosis. And whilst she is very young, and her brain is still very elastic, is the best time to get stuck in. I'm quite concerned about how the school will be about it - I've got really pissed off with them over the last term - so need to gird my loins for battle.

Your pronunciation of Anastasia is pretty but yes, only 4 syllables. So maybe it's off the list now...

The children go back to school on Wednesday. Some holidays we're all ready for them to go back but this time I really really don't want them to go back. DH has been around all Christmas and it's been lovely to have everyone together. V sad it's coming to an end

Keepcalm eeww to mice but nothing helpful to add, sorry.

Lovely to see so many of you posting, sorry no time to reply at the moment as Asda online grocery shopping are giving me grief as their site keeps crashing as I have nearly got to the checkout, I thought Id saved my basket but ended up saving 2, went and deleted half the order then the site went down again, am currently waiting to speak to someone in customer services

Also another plea to those with legal connections - when we moved we got our removers through a broker, paid up front for a set cubic capacity , removal firm saw the stuff, loaded, asked for more as there was more than we'd been quoted for so we paid 211 euros extra in Austria. When they arrived here, we helped them unpack, and when it was all in the house they then asked for another 1100 euros. We didn't pay as we obviously didn't have the money and we were so shocked that they could ask for this after everything had been delivered. They have asked once again for the money and we asked for an invoice , today we finally got an invoice from them.But now we don't know what to do, do we just accept it and pay or do we have any rights as we thought we paid the agreed price in Austria? Anyone got any ideas?

Thanks, sorry for the me me post

ps, scratchings in the attic here too, ignoring it at the moment, too much else to think about.

Deb DH's hunch is it sounds odd, and something you shouldn't need to pay. (The 1100, but the one in Austria sounds more like something they could get away with.)
Have they specified what it's for? If not, ask.

If the explanation is that you were over capacity, you'd already paid for it (211 eu) so you can fight that one. Because stuff doesn't expand...and they also should have noticed as they packed - which they did, and charged you for.
Who asked for the money? The driver = unofficial. They've managed to get an invoice, but you need to know exactly what it's for. And even if it seems legit, full explanation is needed, in minute detail.

That's from DH who obv hasn't seen the invoice, knows nothing about the clients or the case, and knows nothing about Austrian law either. So as free legal advice goes you can't depend on it at all due to its casual internet nature. (The disclaimer is for his insurers!)

Deb - our movers asked for more money while packing up too and we did agree to that as the loft was jammed but asking for money now seems a bit odd. Can you confirm things with the broker? How crap though that you need to do this now. Moving is so hard. At least you're moving home though. When we moved here and stuff d
Like this happened it coloured our whole initial impressions of the uk which wasn't fair. But we moved prekids so it was much easier.

Again I'm just marking my spot. Feel too dreadful to say anything interesting other than get well soon dorothy. Luke back to nursery this morning but he was very naughty and wouldn't get dressed /brush teeth etc. Up before 6 again too :-(