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

[KnittingisbetterthanTherapy]

The old one was taking too long to load!

Hello - just trying out my new name. It's DGIT btw.

We've been watching a lot of West Wing recently so I thought it was fitting. I've even got a Christmas name lined up, but I'll leave that till the Christmas smileys are up! Can you tell I'm bored?

Not seen any new pox today Rolf, we'll do an inspection at bathtime, fingers crossed they are in the healing phase.

Had my term appointment today and ended up at day care getting a CTG as I have had slightly less movement - all fine though, probably noticing them less because of the distraction of the pox! plus side was I saw a less rulebook midwife today, so she did a sweep despite the policy that the last one was spouting. Going to see consultant tomorrow to discuss dates for induction.

easels anyone who was thinking about an easel for Christmas, they are offer of the week in IKEA, only £8.99, and seem to have changed since deb got hers as there is definitely a shelf under the blackboard side to catch dust. Was particularly pleased, as I had said I'd get one for a friend's daughter's birthday next week and saved a fiver!

DGIT I too have a Christmas name picked out - am feeling quite festive as I am currently making this so far I've dome Mary and I've nearly finished the ox - the people are hilariously phallic until you make their clothes though, DH was in hysterics when Mary was awaiting her robe!

I am so envious of your knitting skills. I particularly want to knit a nativity scene (and now there's the added bonus of phallic Holy Family as well!) but I can't knit. Can anyone recommend a way of learning to knit so I can knit a nativity scene?

I have had each child melting down/fighting this evening. I was met at school by a welcoming committee of 3 to tell me about DD1's wrongdoings today and when I phoned DH for some sympathy/moral support he was a tosser unhelpful. The boys have fought all evening. T has wound up DD1. DD1 has got upset about T winding her up and been very vocal about her legitimate grievances.

One final rant and then I'll stop. DD1's teacher told me that DD1 is also difficult when DH collects her from school. And when DH does collect her (which is very occasionally), the teacher doesn't tell him about her behaviour. She tells him that she'll speak to me . What's with the infantilising of DH? I know he calls for it sometimes but he is not my responsibility . I can endure daily playground meltdowns without a whisper of sympathy, and DH gets it once and it has to be reported to me.

After avoiding it for years I've become hooked on Strictly Come Dancing. Even the boys quite like it, although they don't admit it.

Wrote a long post and it has disappeared into computer mist

but I hope everyone is feeling better, and that Biscuits is holding on.

Rolf did you mention to the teacher that your dh is also a parent and shares joint responsibility for your child? I definitely would have done.

Rolf there are some youtube videos on learning to knit which you could try. Otherwise you have to find someone who can kint and is able to teach you - sometimes craft/art shops do classes, maybe you could get some for christmas?

Am geting a bit concerned about J's lack of talking. ds1 was very delayed so I expected it but it would have been really nice not to have to see a speech therapist for this one

Ah, Rolf, here I come to the rescue! I only learnt to knit last Christmas, so I'm new to it - but it strikes me that it's not very hard, and you get surprisingly good results quite quickly. And there's experts on this very thread...
OK, so I learnt to cast on by being shown how to - it's the only way I could manage. Some of the youtube videos are useful.
Plain knitting - pretty easy; and HardandSleazy explained it on here to me, and thus I learnt!
I struggled with purl for a while until a friend sent me a text message telling me how to do it - do plain in reverse!

I gained confidence by knitting little korknisse which Biscuits posted last year. It meant I was casting on and off regularly, so I was able to remember it, and they were v. small but cute projects, and had some useful skill bits and pieces (decreasing, rib etc).

Then dive in with something you want to do. I was given the Debbie Bliss (expensive big name in knitting) baby knits for beginners book which is great, but why not get the Nativity book - here it is dead cheap (sorry Biscuits) and give it a go? It does say though that it's 'challenging' - but Biscuits might be able to explain that a bit better: is it really complex?
My goddaughter desperately wants me to teach her to knit, so I've got her this for Christmas, and also this or this as well. Kids' books are useful, but I find you need to want to make the project - I wouldn't want to make a bag, say, so I wouldn't learn to knit!

Oh, and clearly I've become some sort of knitting nerd now.

Leo like the new name! And Biscuits fingers crossed, and great news about the midwife.

I'm being booked in tomorrow.

Rolf still on the knitting business: the description of the Knitivity on Amazon is more helpful. It's graded and designed for all levels.
Mind boggles about the optional designs for Mary and Jesus, though.

Sybil sorry you have this worry about J's speech. Are you living in the same area as when DS1 was referred - is it going to be a system you've learned to navigate? And are you going to seek a referral now or wait a bit longer? And are your injuries better?

I become very inarticulate in these school-door conversations, and generally don't say much other than "oh my goodness, I'm very sorry" . Which is very unlike how I am in any other situation. I feel that I need my child to see that I support the teacher and in fact part of the strategy we are using with DD1 is that she sees the school and parents are working together to help her. So when DD1 is there I find it very difficult to say anything other than echo the teacher. Indeed, I suppose that is my role in those conversations - to show DD1 that I support her teacher. If I'm in a meeting with the teacher and my child isn't there, I am more articulate and comfortable and it's more productive.

So I agree that I need to make the point that, despite appearances to the contrary, DH is her parent and can spare a few brain cells for his daughter . But I think I should say that when DD1 isn't there.

Actually, I hadn't realised that was why these conversations were so difficult, Typing it out has really helped to clarify my thinking, so thanks .

Biscuits I hope C isn't too uncomfortable and that her blisters will start to crust over now.

Dewin thanks for the knitting information. That's really helpful. I remember the korknisse from last year - they were very sweet. And there are mini stockings for bunting on the poncetastic thread (on which I lurk!) which look lovely. Which would be the easiest to start with, do you think?

dg love the new name. Although when I read Leo I thought of Tony Blair's son

Rolf, the teacher is out of order saying that to your DH, but she may have felt continuity was better as you are working together already. Although she could have told your DH and you! Is it a good thing or not that T has decided she likes knickers?

I have been reading the AIBU thread about waiting to potty train and loads of people are saying 'just wait - one day they'll just say: "I want big girl knickers on!"' and I thought why would they say that out of the blue? Having older siblings probably helps tho. I didnt know whether to carry on with Theo cos he seemed reluctant to sit on the potty, was holding onto wees until the very last minute, was having poo accidents or holding onto poos until his lunch nap (when he had nappy on). So today I didn't put them down for a sleep so they had no nappies on all day and they both did all their wees and poos in the potty and mostly asked to go rather than have me put them on . It seems theo doesn't like the potty chair, he only wants to go in the 'purple' or 'grey' potties (just regular potties). But I don't care obviously. He said 'grey potty' at bathtime so we came downstairs to use the grey potty and he did a poo . Really hoping we have cracked it now.

Sorry for being a potty bore!

Amber have you got a buggy board for the pram as well? One twin in a sling and the other 2 in pram may only work well for a while just cos of the weight of the sling plus the weight of the pram (plus the logistics of getting the kids in the pram then the baby in the sling - and then finding one of the babies has filled its nappy etc!).

Sorry Rolf I think my response was abrupt - I wasn't suggesting you were doing anything wrong/letting yourself be walked over, I was commenting more on how annoying that the teacher did not address this with your dh but waited to dump it on you.

As it happens, I think from your response that you are doing exactly the right thing. And I think that the school probably feel that it is because you are working so positively with them that they would rather deal with you than the 'unknown' dh, iyswim.

I do still live in the same place as when ds1 had speech therapy. He was working with them for 3-4 years but hardly had any actual sessions in that time as they are so under-staffed. I would expect that that has not changed given the current financial climate. We paid for him to have private speech therapy in the end and I suspect we will have to do that again. J is too young to actually do any work on his speech yet I just feel a bit depressed at what's ahead given how long a slog it was with ds1. I think J is just really lazy. He would rather act out something than say it and usually only provides half a word. If I try to get him to repeat it he just gives me a 'yeah, whatever' look and goes off to do something else.

ARRGGHH just lost a big post in which I was witty and insightful and replied to everyone individually. gah.

in summary - Rolf if you learn to knit I will give you my two different knitivity patterns. I think dewin altered the korknisse pattern to knit on 2 neeedles instead of in the round which made it easier. If you have a yarn shop locally, they will help you with starting off, as will John Lewis in most places!

dewin I bought it from the book people so no need for apologies!

sybil my cousin has a June 08 boy who is not talking at all yet, he will sing along with songs though, apparently. Does J like music, will he try singing?

I thought my childcare crisis was going to be averted when the PILs texted DH to see if there was anything they could do to help - when DH suggested that perhaps they could put him and C up if they needed to be in insolation from a newborn, it turns out that StepMIL hasn't had chicken pox, so there offer of help is somewhat of a chocolate teapot! Luckily my aunt who lives about 45 minutes away has offered to come and look after C if necessary over the next few days, until my Mum can get here from Cheshire!

Rolf thanks for asking after C - she is absolutely fine, adores smothering herself in calamine cream and doesn't seem itchy at all yet - there is crusting going on and no new crops today so fingers crossed we're on the way out! She has clearly developed my flair for dramatics though!

In other news, I have been having regular twinges all evening, but they aren't getting any more frequent or severe - these are going to go away aren't they and are just a post sweep thing?

Biscuits possibly your stepmum is one of those people who is naturally immune to chicken pox and will never get it? My dad has never had it and has 5 siblings and 6 children who have all had it at least once.

J does not sing really, no. He hums beautifully though

Try to go to sleep. Probably your twinges will go away then, if they get worse you will have least have had some rest. Are they the kind that make your stomach look square? This was always my sign that things were starting...

Sybil not at all, it really helped clear things up in my own mind. I think we're about to go the private route with DD1, at least initially. It's a journey I'd much rather not go on, so you have my sympathy. One doesn't want to be needlessly interventionist, but on the other hand not to seek help soon, when their brains are so elastic, could do them a disservice.

Neenz well done on the potty success! I don't mind T wanting knickers but I'd like to get it over with. I think she's holding in her poos and she's not sure what to do, as she seems to find wearing a nappy a bit unsettling. I don't mind if the potty training doesn't take off, but I really don't want her to develop a poo problem. So we'll go for a poo-led approach .

Dewin that's exciting about being booked in. It gets a bit more real then doesn't it?

Biscuits forgot to say that I'm pleased your appointment went well. That seems to be much more reassuring advice than you had last time.

cross-posted...
I love all this almost-labour stuff .
Biscuits, I bet it will all calm down until C is fully crusty! I am convinced that anxiety delayed my labour with T - with builders in the house and a deadline for the in-laws, my uterus just froze . Actually, isn't there evidence that army wives hold off labour until their husbands get home? Is she Private Charlotte or Corporal Charlotte?

Spider how was today?

must go to bed...

Rolf Major-General Charlotte I think!

sybil my StepMIL is more likely to be one of those people who decide they haven't had it out of convenience, but that's a whole different story!

Aaarrrrggghhhh, no hot water! Biscuits (if you're not in labour), did you use British gas when yours broke down or did you find someone in the phone book?

Anyone up and around?

Have just spoken to British Gas re our lack of hot water. If I take out a £20 per month homecare policy, they can have an engineer out today who'll fix whatever the problem is for £99 and do a service. The homecare policy covers all the usual stuff, central heating etc.

If I don't take out a policy, they don't have an available engineer till Monday and it could cost between £69 and £349.

Not sure whether to take the first option or try a local independent firm. I'm a bit scared of taking pot luck with finding someone to fix my boiler though. And, tbh, we should really get it serviced anyway if we're going to sell next year.

The first option seems reasonably sensible in that situation, but I can't help but feel British Gas are fleecing me . WWYD? I wonder what Leo would do?

They're calling me back at 9am...

(I will come back and post properly later - still off work!)

Just marking my spot as off to teach a lesson on homophones now but just to say I couldn't recommend lactulose highly enough for those with LOs with constipation. Just had to use it on M as he was badly constipated for two weeks and it's sorted him out in a matter of hours - he's now a happy boy again .

Knitting how do you use it? Is it a suppository ?
Glad it's not just me who giggles at homophones

Leo (like the name!) I would get into a strop at BG pushing you into buying their policy, and end up making a series of bad decisions which would probably culminate in crawling back to BG and doing everything they wanted. We have a good plumber who I would call but if you don't have someone you have faith in, who can come out asap, then I guess BG are the only option. It's very frustrating though. We have our first hard frost here and I wouldn't like to be without heating.

Thanks Rolf. I've gone with BG, although still a bit cross. I got some local recommendations for another company which charge £67 plus VAT and parts, so on the basis that we should get a service done we decided just to go with the BG option which will cost us £240 in total over the 12 months. I think a service would have cost us at least 80 quid or so anyway. The last thing we can really afford this winter is the heating to go bust, so I guess in the grand scheme of things it's worth paying.

We have heating (just now anyway) - but no hot water. Annoyingly, only one of our two showers is electric and isn't working at the moment!

Right, he's going to be here before 1pm and the house is a tip so need to go and do a very quick blitz! Am quite grateful to be off ill today!

Not caught up but Rolf, Lactulose is just a sugary medicine (basically a form of sugar that absorbs more water in the stools and softens them) they just take it off a spoon. You should probably get her checked over by a GP first but you can buy it over the counter. It takes a couple of days to work if they have a build-up but is definitely worth doing if they're in pain as you really really don't want a scared of poo - witholding child to deal with, L was still soiling when he started school and this was why. The book 'Constipation, Witholding and your child' was recommended to me on MN and is great.

Thanks SA. I'll go to the chemist today

Abdn if you're around, what is the name of the bike that you've recommended for children? Our boys need new bikes. Thanks

Gosh it's been very busy on here quite early! I'm working from home but accidentally spent an hour playing the piano.

Sybil do you think J is actually only lazy and therefore doesn't need a speech therapist? I'm not trying to make light of the problem or anything - rather trying to be hopeful - but not all children talk lots at this age, and some don't until they're around 4.

Biscuits nah, 2 weeks overdue right? It would be typical though - you could be the only woman who ever wanted to go overdue and your baby will come on time... And Rolf yes, Biscuits is right, I did do the Korknisse on 2 needles, not circular. Makes it easier.

Leo don't know what I would do. Probably try to get a tradesman? But if it's a big problem/complex or whatever, then BG isn't that expensive after all. What an awful thing to happen on such a cold day though.

Sorry about the constipation. My cousin's little girl had a big problem - she started withholding, because it hurt. She's ok now though. (Actually it was Karen's little girl - Karen is finishing the Chemo now and is hoping that she'll be fighting fit for Christmas. ) I didn't want to mention that we have the reverse problem here - Iestyn has had diarrhoea all week. And I sent him to nursery yesterday and acted innocent.

I heartily recommend 'which local' but you do have to sign up to 'which'. We get all our tradesmen from there and they are all recommended by people who have used them. We have the BG deal though and they were great when they came to replace our boiler system - really friendly and professional. They kept the place spotless - better than I do!

PS Had a scan yesterday and the babies are within the higher ranges of normal now rather than off the end like before - thankfully!! Both 4lbs though so still bigguns.