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.

Trace: it's good that they've picked the hearing issue up. Did they give you any pointers on how to help her? The group sounds great - don't know what it's like in your area but finding decent SALT support can be tricky, so it's good to get her in the system as early as possible.

Finally got on a train this morning - lots of delays but also bagged a seat on the fast train cos people are sensibly staying at home.

We had a lovely afternoon decorating the tree yesterday - we don't have a colour scheme, just lots of shiny stuff flung on. I also brought out the toy nativity set which the boys made for with a cry of 'Farm!'. At least they now know what a camel looks like.

Morning.
I'm loving hearing about the Xmas trees and decorations ! We probably wont put ours up till a bit later (the tree at least), but we have a wooden and a lego advent calendar (well recommended!) and we will probably make some decorations (salt dough and paper) later this week.I so so love this time of year.

I've done most of my Xmas shopping online and DH did one tat shop at a huge tesco nearby. I think my presents are better :) The boys are getting quite a lot of shared presents, such as walkie talkies and duplo that they will both play with but also I love the stocking fillers,wierd random stuff like magnifying glasses, marbles, and inflatable globes of the earth.

I am so struggling being a working mum at the moment. I had to work till after 11 last night, then had to get up at 3 and 5 for one or other child respectively. I have to try to finish what I was doing before tonight some how. TBH it doesnt really work, doing what I do and family life. I'd like to tell my manager the workload is too much but then I'm frightened of doing that. In a months time it probably wont be so bad but I really feel like I need someone to look after me right now as I dont have time to do it. I had a massive rant at some work collegaues last week about it, that even having to work so hard, the fact that I have two at nursery means I have no money for myself at all, so consequently I feel about 500 years old, fat, frumpy, exhausted and working for nothing.

So I decided to pay myself for cleaning the house which I have done so far "for free". Except I do it on wednesday night and everyone takes a turn. So I did the kitchen and Dh did the bathrooms and DS1 the hoovering and DS2 waved a broom around....Seems to make more sense than paying someone else 25 quid to do it, I mean to train my boys to be useful about the house.

Happy birthday to all the babies (and belated to Deids).

Is there still a WW meetup before Xmas ? I'm planning to take the week before Xmas off so I can just have break so might be able to make it.

Hi njan that is hard you sound frazzled. If it doesnt' get easier soon then you should definitely talk to your manager. What is your job, I know it is somethign academic? Do you do lab work? My friend is having a lot of problems with a similar job, she is basically being harangued out of her lab by some shit head who has taken a dislike to her and saying she is not doing enough hours (she is always bloody in on weekends ffs!)

I think you should treat yourself to something. If it's any consolation I feel fat frumpy and exhausted and I am not working!

Can you believe I have lost NO WEIGHT since 2 weeks after DD was born. I am not dieting but I was hoping it would inch off with me bfing (I am not pigging out either but I am generally quite hungry)

DD no longer being dream sleeper. She doesn't like going to sleep at night (past 11 last night) and is waking up more and early. Oh joy, 4 months sleep troubles begin. Just in time for party season too. I think I am going to put her in her own room, as sometimes she's not crying, e.g this morning she woke at 6 and was making little noises and was obviously not going back to sleep before being fed. But if she was in her own room the little noises might not have woken me.

I don't actually think she's more hungry, she just got worse at settling herself to sleep and she's loving life at the moment, she's so massively pleased with herself, it is lovely

Oh trace meant to say sorry to hear about P's ear trouble. I hope it turns out to be nothing serious. She is such a bright little cutie I am sure her speaking will catch up soon.

Hello lovely ladies

I am in a tearing rush as I am off to London until Sunday night - ALONE - as I have some drinks and parties to go to (and a new mattress to take delivery of). I have no energy, not much money and nothing to wear, but I am looking forward to it anyway.

Will do a catch up on Sun but in the meantime - NJAN, you do sound low and from what you have described I am not surprised, it sounds very gruelling. I know money is tight but I really think you need to buy yourself a new something or just anything to make you feel a bit glam.

Trace, I am very sorry to hear about P's hearing issues but the good thing is, you have a PLAN to get it all sorted/monitored.

Secret Santa is drifting so Sybs, as you volunteered twice, I am voting you to administer it. Sorry! When I come back on Sunday I will trawl the thread and see who is in and list them for you. Or something.

Have to dash, love to all!

ok so woke at 4am with wet feet - water dripping through the ceiling. It's a dorma bungalow so has flat roof. Put a plastic box there to catch it all. DH gone to work. I'm home coz P's nursery is closed. Just went in and found huge puddle on floor c=and water dripping all along the door frame. Eek! What do you do with a leaky roof? No way we can climb up to get rid of the snow.

Actually I am back Sunday morning. NJAN, there is a WW thread but haven't got time to link it (it's in meet ups) but we are supposed to be going on Monday - are people still on?

Gosh you are right, I did volunteer. Ok, can everyone who wants to be email [email protected] by Monday night? I'll get Andrew to do the draw then email you with your giftee on Wed. Please email your MN name, your RL name, the address to send it to, and any preference for gift by then. I am assuming we all want gifts for ourselves not for our children? £10 limit please.

If you would email me your mob nos as well, I can text people too. My mob has just died taking all my numbres with it so any numbers would be great.

Back later. Ho Ho ho.

Lady gorgeous photo's on FB!
Well after waiting for this darn plumber to new up our central heating, I chased them up and his van had broken down so wants to reschedule to next week - nice thanks for letting me know promptly Mr plumber. Raced to toddler group to squeeze in an hour. Not as cold as I thought despite the fact that it said -4C on the weather report but perhaps cause I practically jogged the whole way it helped!DS has taken to saying "Oh sure" instead of "yes" for everything. It's quite funny as I don't think he's got that from either DH or myself so we are quite confused! I'm just glad he's added a word. I'm hoping I'm not mistaken as he could well be saying a modified version of "oh shit" which is more likely to be the case nice. Must watch what I say from now on.

I'm a bit worried everyone might think I'm a bit over the top with a colour scheme or Christmas "theme" I'm totally not - I sort of said that half joking - granted I'm slightly OCD about the tree, but not decking the whole house out in only the same colours to match the tree or anything well maybe all little as I'm quite liking that idea now......

Summer - last time when I was BF I hardly lost any weight except in the first month (half the weight had dropped then) and then I remained stagnet with 5kg to lose, and it didn't come off until I stopped BF completely which the GP confirmed happens quite a lot since you body will hold onto a bit of fat for just that. I bet you will see it melt off then. Then at that time, do my modified version of the Atkins - it works!

DD did the same thing - at 2 months she was going 6-7 hours at night and she has been in her own room since then, but at 4 months she has started waking every 4 hours for feeds, however I think I've just pinpointed the problem. She is really hard to wake at around 7am and wants to sleep from 3-4am ish (her last feed) until about 11am if I let her, and even when I wake her she doesn't want to have a feed at ALL so i think I need to force feeds down her somehow in the mornings and properly wake her up and she will then hopefully take less or drop the night ones. She's back to front and on Aussie time at the moment!

Lady I think I'm still on for Monday's WW -weather permitting - oh crap and I just told the Mum from toddlers I'd meet her on the corner and walk up to the group on Monday (Idiot!) Right must go and change this smelly baby.....

Crossed with you Sybs - I'll email you now. I'd like a present for ds I think.

NJAN Just to send sympathy to you. I only have one to deal with, and as a full time working mum seem to spend my entire time either rushing too or from nursery and stressing and being woken up at night and being exhausted and cleaning the house and all that stuff. DD has woken up at 4.30am the last two mornings which has not helped!

Anyway is there any way you can give yourself a treat? Whether that's a shopping trip, or a massage, or just an afternoon off. I think you both deserve, and need it.

NJAN hope you get some time for yourself v soon. Sorry to hear about the struggles.
the WW link is Here

Hello all. Am in black mood today, sorry. Just utterly fed up with work, and really not sure whether I am up for doing the job that i'm applying for. gah....just all too stressful. But have decided I will make a decision this weekend at deciding to make a decision. I don't feel like I'm doing anything well at the moment.

Avo I think I'm in love with your romanian.

I love the christmas decorations chat.

In lovely news my DSIL is pregnant. Which is v exciting. although baby will be born around same time ours was due which is a bit hard.

Trace am sorry to hear about P's hearing. But good to know what it is. Has prodded me into taking DD for a check up - she's still hardly saying anything whereas by this age DS had sentences. Does worry me (and also make me think that it's because we were around with DS and haven't been with DD which is clearly rubbish but makes me feel guilty).

Right. Must pull self together and do some more blardy work. Back later.

Hello Urbs.
Congrats to your sil. I'm sure it's a bit hard hearing that although you're happy for her at the same time. Did you and dh decided what you might do re a 3rd? DS is hardly saying a thing still either, and he IS around us all the time, and I ramble and waffle on a lot as you know I'm not sure whether to take him to a 2 yr check or not. Mums at the toddler groups all say their elder dc's barely said a thing at 2 but I still worry as he's only added 2 words since about the last 3 months ('oh sure' and he said 'trishtra chee' I think? )
I'm loving your decision to make a decision too - that's nearly as funny as lady's tena lady! I nearly needed a tena lady, laughing at Lady's comment about needing a tena lady when she heard Deids original tena lady story!

Trace Sorry about P's hearing. But you have found out while she is still so young, so I'm certain that this is a good thing for helping her. Yikes about the roof, we have dormas too. I think if they are leaking the only way to stop it is to have them re-roofed.

urbs that is lovely news about your SIL, but must still be hard on you all too.

NJAN Can you get some time to yourself this weekend? It all sounds so hectic for you.

avo I swooned reading about your Romanian!

rubes I have a colour coded tree. Red and silver with white lights. I am completely anal about it too. Watch out anyone who comes near my Christmas tree with a green bauble!!

Proud Mummy alert! DD got her first Merit Certificate in assemble this morning fromthe HT for 'The one more, one less game' ie, adding and subtraction. Dis someone say Mensa

Oh and lady have a lovely time this weekend.

Phew Deids, I'm so glad someone else has a tree of certain colours was starting to get a complex! Mines Blue and silver with white snow flakes and blue and white lights.
Well done minideids!

I believe it's babykaties b'day today but where is katie these days? Happy B'day L!

Deids photo's on FB of mine - do you have any?

rubes Your tree is beaut! I love blue and silver. We have blue & white icicle lights outside at the front. No photos of mine yet, I've not put it up as DH hasn't been in the attic for it. But I can't wait to get everything sorted.

Haha just looked at rubes photo and was thinking
"hmmm very subtle low key decorations"
then realised it was the "before" shot!!

NJAN you sound really frazzled sweetie, wish there was something I could say to help but no idea. Please know that I'm thinking of you, and do think your a little bit amazing for coping so well. I'm feeling like a lightweight today, I met up with a girl today who has 3 kids under 6 and her DH has been away in Africa for 2 weeks! And she's been baking! I have it so easy but still get impatient, over it and shouty at the DS's.

Oh gotta go DH wants to talk Bugger.

Ladies thankyou for your kind words and the link, Rubes, they are really helpful, I appreciate it, it makes me feel like there are people who are looking out for me :)

Veg you are in no way a lightweight ! I cant believe the stuff that you do, and how you've moved around the world, I dont think I could manage that.

I wont be able to make the WW meetup as I have important stuff on till Wednesday. But after that only 5 more days of work - hurrah! SL you are right I work in a big charitably funded Institute, no doubt you know the one. I feel very privelged and I love the work I do, and I shlepped myself through postgrads etc to it. I'm not big cheese there at all but I feel even so there would be people queueing up to take my place so I need to keep on top if it, we are expected to work hard because we are supposed to generate world-leading research, blah blah. But I didnt know it would be like this when i made the choice to pursue it 15 years or so ago, oh no. I thought it would be "interesting".

Trace I'm glad you are feeling Ok, sorry to hear about P, I hope you she gets the best help possible.

Anyway, DH working late tonight so am umming over what to watch on TV :)

Alright fobbed him off.

Trace sorry about the hearing thing, thank goodness you took her. Again I'm shamed by your actions. DS1 didn't really speak until he was over 2 and I never thought anything of it.

Rubes I do understand the colour scheme thing. I used to do silver & gold decs only and only posh up market stuff but then when DS1 went to nursery at 2.5 and started making decorations at school and 'helping' me decorate the tree I had to give up my beautiful tree. So now its a bit messy and very different colours but the boys love it and I just keep reminding myself who Christmas is for.

Had a great afternoon went tabogganing with the boys and DH & we picked up a friend of DS1's, a girl he is very much in love with, her mum is a good friend of mine. We went back to my friends house after for coffee, (she was looking after the girl I spoke about earlier's kids as with her DH is away for 2 weeks she needed a break) ended up staying for the boys tea which was nice.

Erm, Christmas is for me too Vag and I do have a couple of kiddie decs on the tree that my nieces made - granted they are not front and centre, but they are not here to witness that. They are on the tree which is what counts, and they have a photo of them on the tree and are chuffed that I still have them from the Xmas they came over here for when ds was born, so I'm not that bad!

You're welcome Njan. Hope you feel better soon.

Well that was fun. A visit to Santa, quick trip round the Disney store. I almost cried on the pharmacist shoulder when she told me I need to see a GP and to take some parabloodycetamol. The dinner in pizza express. Drive home it's minus 7 and we had to push the car onto the drive it's so icey.

Are we still on for WW on Monday?

Urbs like your decision to make a decision.

Happy Birthday to Evan & lily.

Rubes gorgeous tree. I am trying to persuade DH to let us have 2 trees one for all the boys tat and one which just has loveliness on.

Invis you do sound at the end of your tether.

Trace sorry about the hearing loss. That's great that there is something so close to you that could help.

Avo I think I might like to marry Mr Romania. How has DD2 been this wk.

I know I have missed loads not easy to check back and post from my phone. Will go check back. Oh and how does mumsnet mobile work. In words of one syllabub please am struggling with man flu. Simple instructions only.