dec 2008- the one where they all turn 2...probably.

[VagolaJahooli]

Sorry bit boring I know but I didn't want to make any reference to spot as I don't want to jinx her and have her baby come early, then it would be my fault. Also didn't want the mad rush at the end of the thread. This way we've had plenty of time.

Bloody hell ladies how cold is it? Not much snow round here but really cold, and the roads will resemble ice rinks by the morning!

Happy birthday to Matthew & Sarah. DS has developed a real attitude since turning 2, an inabilty to eat (literally nothing) and the ability to talk. Favourite saying being "I no ike it" at EVERYTHING!

lady That is a complete PITA about the chimneys. And the money situ, we are completely El Skinto yet I seem to spend money constantly no matter how much I try and budget.

JB such news about your friend. What a horible situation for them to be in.

Really need to sort the DC's out for bed. Back later...

DH is doing bathtime tonight and I've just heard 'uh oh, Mummy's tena lady's' from him. So I've just been to stick my head around the bathroom door, to see what on earth is happening, to find DD has dug my sanitary towels out of the cupboard and chucked the whole blooming pack in the bath. I have to say, Always are remarkably absorbant . Think I need to have a chat with DH about tena lady though, before he mentions it in public

Sorry to hear about the chimney LadyT, but good on you for looking on the bright side. I don't normally find that til much longer down the line.

Kiwi have you tried socks instead of gloves? DD finds it hysterical to put her socks on her hands at the moment, so maybe a bit of silliness would do the trick? Otherwise get a coat with very long sleeves

Snow has been beyond a joke today - I can't believe how badly everywhere has coped. All the buses were taken off the roads in York this morning (I hope Trace didn't venture far today?) and I heard on the news that Grimsby hospital were appealing for 4x4 drivers to offer their services as taxis drivers to get doctors and nurses into work as otherwise the hopsital would have to close . I needed a tow from a very kind man, and I am hugely grateful to him (and have learnt my lesson about setting out with false bravado). His 2yo daughter was in the car and very patient with me for interrupting the journey (well actually she thought I was very amusing ). I have his contact details, so think I'll send a small christmas present to his DD to thank him for his efforts.

Yep def chillworth here, DH has gone out for a run and was stressing a bit over what to wear.

Feeling very bad mothery tonight, poor DS2 has the most horrific nappy rash its all over his little balls and on his bott bott and even the tops of his thighs at the back. In some places, on his balls and thigh its actually so bad its broken the skin and is bleeding. He screams when having his nappy changed. I think its a combination of his five a day poo habit at the moment and they are really loose, even watery, and the cotton nappies I use are getting quite old and I'm wondering I'd they are rubbing. Also, and this is the worst, when we go out I put him in a disposable and where I change the cloth nappy every 2 hours, the disposable I leave him in for ages. Poor little guy, I went out to get metanium yesterday but they didnt sell it anywhere so I got some more bepanthemun but he really needs metanium. I'm going to a specialist baby shop tomorrow to see if they have it otherwise I might mix the bepanthemun, with some zinc&castor oil cream and betadine, because that's kind of what it is anyway.

We have our Christmas tree and window decorations up. DS1 was beside himself when he picked the tree. Sadly its just a small one. I thought because it was in a pot with soil that it was a live tree, but its just a big branch of a tree stuck in a pot of soil. But the boys love it and it was half the price of the big trees they sell here at the Christmas tree stalls, and they don't start until a few weeks time. As we are in London for Christmas we are actually going to give the boys their big main presents this weekend when the Netherlands celebrates Sinta Klaas' birthday and then a few little pressies in Christmas day.

I know I can't believe we've been here over a year, this is our 2nd tree here.

Lady sorry about the chimney, that is really annoying for you. Would it be too much to have us at DPs place, no problem. Pubes, I could possibly pop by yours on the 19th on our way through to oxford, or on our way back into London on the 22nd. My only concern is getting back into London before the peak hour traffic. Maybe we could to get to yours for a 1pm lunch. I could bring bread rolls and cheese.

It all could go.horribly wrong anyway and we could get caught in bad weather and snow. There have already been some problems with the ferries.

Gotta go these boys asleep and I think DH is back.

Gotta run - OMG bloody cold - I got a Christmas tree today!!!! It's FREEEEZING but it's a bloody beautiful tree. it's undressed at the moment as I'm off out for a couple of hours, but will be back with more - no time to read - except deids VVVV Funny - I LOLed and dh was asking what? - I won't tell him..... gotta go

Thank you to everyone for the kind birthday wishes. We've had a low key day as I was working and M was at nursery, but he's thrilled with his Peppa Pig stuff, his fire engine and his new cars. He's such a boy.

Love to Sarah, all the babies who've been 2 and to you all.

Stay warm everyone. It's like an ice rink out here. Am dreading the school runs already.

PS Rubes am impressed with - and envious of - the Christmas tree. I am trying to get ours this weekend but DH holding out for a bit longer. Spoilsport!

So now I hear 'off off off, no no no' and have had another peak into the bathroom and DH has been told to take all his clothes off and now DD won't let him jump in the bath with her. Actually her attitude is very amusing when I'm not the one dealing with it

hello hello.
happy birthdays to everyone I've missed. I too can't believe they're turning 2 (not Deids!).
ZJ E is such a card! Tena Lady and demanding your dh removes his clothes! He he he .
Beans with the snow-fear - how about getting a tray or washing up bowl full of snow and playing with it inside? P has played with snow trays at nursery before and loved it.
I'm impressed with veg and rubes getting your decorations ready. I can't get my head round Christmas yet! It's coming too quickly - I think we'll get P's birthday out of the way first then focus on Christmas!
WG how is dd? It's so scary when they do something unusual, and, like you, I'd have been a bit nervous about the lie-in, but I'm sure she was sleeping off her bug, as others have said.
vag don't feel like a bad mummy. You're an amazing, inspiring mummy, always out and about and doing fun stuff with the boys and with your friends and your dh. A nappy rash doesn't take away from any of your awesome mumminess. Do you want some metanium sending over? If so email me your address
lady I am gutted for you about the house, but as usual so impressed by your positive attitude.
Well it's jolly snowy here! I don't remember it ever being so snowy! Lucy's school closed early today, as did DH's and pretty much all the schools in York, so it's been a long afternoon indoors! I feel like I should want to be out enjoying the snow, but I'd rather stay in . I took the girls out on the sledge at the weekend, but today was just so cold and hasn't really stopped snowing. I'm such a wuss! Don't know what I'll do if her school is closed tomorrow because I can't take the day off work and our usual stand-by people are our parents (ILs in Leeds, my parents in Manchester) so none of them would be able to travel to us. Oh well - nothing I can do about it until we know the facts in the morning. They will announce whether school is closed at 8, and I have to be in work for 9! It will be fine if DH's school is closed too - fingers crossed!
Now is this really bad...when L was about 2 we got her a play garage thing from a car boot sale, which she loved, and which has been in the loft for about 3 years. DH and I thought we would give it to P for her birthday. I know she'l love it - is that really mean or an ok thing to do?
I've eaten way too many Minstrels this evening
Oh and I went to the GP on Friday and because I've perked up a bit, we've decided I'll stay on the pill for another 2 months then review it, but if I feel as bad as I did the other week, then I can just stop it without asking her first. Feel ok so far. I got stressed this evening because DH went out at 5 to help a friend in the snow (he had already helped dig the postman and his van out of a ditch today!), so I put P to bed but she just SCREAMED and wouldn't stop, and I was trying to ignore her and get L some tea ready, but it was horrible. he got home about 6.30 and went straight up and managed to settle P straight away, then I got L off to bed and dh made tea, so the evening got better, but I found it so hard when she was yelling . |Don't know what to do with her sometimes. ANyway, better go,
xxx

Just got in (lucky) and snowing again!
I went this afternoon to get a tree thinking it best that dh stay home with the kids and I'll pick one that he can go back and collect. Hands actually froze about 10 mins in and I thought fingers would snap off! it was mad cold. Bundles all up in about 15 layers and went back in. Got the loveliest tree it's sitting here looking so green and perfectly shaped and my plans have fallen through for tomorrow as my friend is snowed in and can't get home so I have all day to decorate with the littles
Its late, had a nice night but glad I got home ok (despite only having to drive half a mile in the snow ) Glad Matthew had a nice day Sybs, and Sarah too? Trace - it's not mean at all - if you know she'll love it whats the harm in that? had more but shattered now, so till next x

Veggie: do you want me to post you some metanium? I can pick some up today and post it off if you can fb me your address.

Actually maybe not today as it is snowing heavily again - boys dropped off at cm's but picking them up at lunchtime. Got a tree :). I dragged it back (literally) from asda through the snow - felt v hunter gatherish.

Hello all,
Steam train fun yesterday but steam train obsessed ds was scared of them! And struck dumb when not crying in fear. Then when we left he cried and said "more steam trains". Got to love toddler logic.
He's learnt the word scared now, last night he was scared in the bath apparently there was a crocodile!
The little monkey has finally got in trouble at nursery and was given a time out for pushing the other children. naughty

Trace ds is getting some second hand brio for Xmas from us! Plus balance bike for birthday.

Not too much snow here a bit overnight though. Am worried that dh has taken ds to nursery on the bike, via the roads too as the off road paths were lethal the other day. Just a bit nervous about it! Vag liked the idea of getting a balaclava to go under helmet , think I will get one for ds, am worried about him getting cold.

Getting tree on Sunday! Excited!

Bleaugh. I have man flu. Feel awful, sore throat, pounding head, shakes,aches, sweats.

Am going to do my very self indulgent post about mum.

A few months ago DH asked my parents if they would look after the boys over a long wkend so he could take me to NY for our 1st wedding anniversary. Mum said she would check with Dad if he had any court dates other important stuff in Jan etc. DH never heard back from her but wrongly assumed she was ok wit it all. She apparantly has no way of contacting him apart form our phone number his email Now at this point I was supposedly in the dark about it. Even though DH had told me. Last wkend when we were at their house celebrating an early Christmas with the rest of the family DH half mentioned it. I then spoke to mum on Monday and she basically said no cant do it. As DH never got back to her and she said she cant cope with the boys blah blah blah. Basically she lied about it then was stumbling over her lies then told me DH was lying and of course put me in the awful situation where she was asking me to choose between my husband and my mother. The conversation ended badly. I told her to forget about it and she got all arsey with me. I know there is no resolution to this. But I just needed to rant about how unfair that I was meant to have a wkend in NY with my husband and now its not happening. BTW she almost always changes her mind on having the kids. Each time causing maximum stress. Oh also she often has my sisters 3 children and one of my other sisters child. Overnight at short notice and is expected to drive up to 4 hrs to go and pick up said children up. But my boys she cancels babysitting arrangements and I always take them to her provide food etc etc. Just so pissed off. So if anyone fancies having 2 delightful boys at the end of Jan so I can go away on a jolly please get in touch.

Right posting then going back to catch up on everyone elses news.

Having standoff with DP re-snow. I have cabin fever and am desperate to at least attempt to get to playgroup if I can reach end of road. DP convinced I will slip in snow and go into labour with only T to help. Tesco unsurprisingly cancelled delivery so we are foodless. So if nothing else I need to try and reach end of road to get to local shop. Feel really sorry for those trapped in the country with nearest shops miles away.

Liking talk of trees. We have a plastic one from Wilkinsons that I bought as a student in 1994 and is still going strong. It's small but as I only ever put on chocolate decorations and fairy lights there doesn't need to be much room.

Trace am with you on the staying in thing, but T is a nightmare if he doesn't get out. I had to smile when I saw you were trying to get P off to bed at 6.30 when I am lucky if T conks out at 9pm!
As for the presents, we aren't really getting T anything (unless some books from Tesco for a fiver counts) - I figure Christmas is pricey enough as it is and it's the last year T won't really understand so would def go with your idea.

Vag poor you and poor lil DS. HOw was your improvised metanium? Hope you got a later morning today.

ZJ re-tena lady. And agree it's much funnier when you hear other people dealing with toddler strops - you can see the other side. When it's you it's just frustrating!

That is rubbish, Jam. Is there anyone else who can look after them? It sounds like she has behaved very badly over it all. I'd volunteer only we sadly don't have space for two more! But I could give glowing references to any potential babysitters (beautiful children, no problem at all) :).

Spot: I can kind of see your DP's point. Can you ring some of the other mums and see if you can do a walking convoy? You could rope yourselves together and carry torches and emergency biscuits...

Is you DP home or coming back later? Cos at the very least he could pick up some essentials.

Sorry I can't get to you today, but we have heavy snow here so I doubt I could have got through on the train.

I hear you with the cabin fever Spot I personally would trundle on put T in the buggy then you have something to hold on to.

SUmmer how funny that he didnt like the train.

Kiwi no tip on the glove thing my 2 are rubbish at it and invariably after 10mins start screaming about being freezing.

Boys are in DVD heaven cant be arsed today. Going to go soak in the bath. DH has gone to work again today (can you tell he is a contractor) the trains are suprisingly working and on time. But we have had loads more snow cant sea his footprints from when he left earlier. About 1-2 foot.

Jam that is rubbish. I would say it's just one of those things and a misunderstanding if it was just a one off but if she does it all the time that's just mean. Is it all booked already and can you think of anyone else to have them?
Spot I would go to toddler group too, as long as the route isn't remote. But i am quite gung-ho about these things too and i can see your dps point. Is he around? Can't he walk you some of the way if so, and if he's not what he doesnt know won't hurt him

A www dd is roaring and trying to roll over. So cute. Her bum is making ominous sounds though

It's very slippy here, Spot, and I would have gone for a burton several times the last couple of days if I hadn't had the buggy. So, I would say unless you can get T in the buggy, stay in the cosy.

Jam, I am gutted for you about your weekend but surely you can find someone to have them between now and end of Jan? I really hope you feel better soon.

ZJ, I laughed so much about Tena Lady I nearly needed a Tena Lady (Actually I jest, the old pelvic floor isn't too bad).

Have a lovely day decorating your tree, Rubes! Am envious of all those of you with trees.

Right, will be back later on as I have to do masses of tidying today....

Just settling DS2 off for his nap then I've got to go out into the snowstorm which is Den Haag. Minus 8! That is just wrong. Yesterday the weather people said while it was only minus 6 the wind chill factor actually made it minus 16, no wonder I was bloody cold.

Still giggling about out tena lady though.

Trace, I'm glad your feeling a bit more 'up'. Maybe snow helps the mood .

Spot, I'm not sure which is worse cabin fever or slipping over. I think he could just walk you there surely.

Was supposed to be going toy shopping with a friend today but snowed in so not going to risk it. They are pretty good with salting the roads and cycle paths here but still don't want to risk the drive with the kids so the local toy place round the corner will do. As we're doing their big presents this weekend from Sinta Klaas we are getting a playmobil castle between them, a horse head on a stick each, you know the ones with wheels and then a random little present each. I think for DS2's birthday present the week after next we'll get him a little kitchen or tool table thing, not sure which. And the jury is still out on Christmas presents, but they'll be small after the big stuff this weekend.

Just really quickly as I am WAY over excited about tree decorating
DH was a twat the other day about getting up 15 mins earlier to take ds downstairs and I had had no sleep and I gave him a royal serving about what a difference it makes to me if I can sleep while he's getting ready for work if he gets up when ds does (again 15 mins earlier) and takes him down with him instead of letting him try and drag me out of bed for the next 30 mins, and he must've felt bad (add to that I'd bought him £225 handlebars for Xmas which he wanted) so he came home with a card, flowers, and this morning whisked ds out of the bedroom and got him fed, clothed and made me coffee to say sorry!! He also..... agreed to the wood burner and has decided it will save us money!! Royal Result!
Right - back soon.... Jam, you don't know me at all I know - but I may be able to have them for a weekend depending which one? Right more later....

vag - did you get my FB message with my address??

Lucky you rubes. I have similar with dh in that I feel like I constantly have to get up with DS as well as DD as DH sleeps like the dead and never hears anything. Which kind of would be ok, but they both sleep well so I think he should bloody be able to get up at 7am with DS. He regularly gets 9 straight hours sleep the lazy bastard! I can't really have a go though as he doesn't moan about doing stuff, he just sleeps too heavily. I should probably boot him in the side and make him get up, but I feel like that will be more hassle than it's worth, especially as he'll say "in a bit" roll over and go back to sleep.
225 quid handlebars - nice. I am getting some new brakes for xmas i hope!

bloody hell just changed dds nappy and shes done another poo!

Yes Summer and he never even woke up when ds was coughing so hard he vomited all over my pillow just on my side of the bed!!
Oh and he got a bargain too as the handle bars WERE £450 but they had 50% off!

Apols I haven't read back but will do later.... oh no ds thinks these baubles are balls!!