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 P is such a bright little button, I?m sure she?ll pick up speaking in no time now you?ve got her down for therapy. In a few years time she?ll be the narrator in the nativity (but hopefully no scratching )

I?m gutted I missed the secret santa ? I demand to know what everyone gets! Talking of secret santa, I think it was LadyT who asked which booked I?d bought for my work SS ? I?ve got this one, www.waterstones.com/waterstonesweb/products/carol+ann+duffy/another+night+before+christmas/7813988/ (which I?ve read carefully before wrapping , its lovely)

Happy birthdays to Lily, Nina and Whizz (sorry I missed them) and to Ben and Phoebe later this week

Poor DD is a pukey pukster ? I?ve been up since 3am, mopping up and changing endless bedding. And then poor MIL has spent much of today mopping. Poor little mite. She?s so rarely ill, and despite all the puke she?s still cheerful today and smiley and cute, my heart goes out to her. I?m probably going to have to take the day off tomorrow, and even though it?s the first day I?ve had off for DD in 13 months it?s typical that it?s just a week after lots of snow days. But at least it means lots of snuggles between pukes

Sorry, a useless link there try again

Dear Spot, I am very sorry but I didn't get an email from you to my gmail address and I only forwarded the gmail emails to DH for him to do the picking. I didn't have time to trawl through the thread, so sorry.

If anyone else wants to email me to join the second round of SS, please do so at [email protected] and I'll do a second round. Can I have anyone who wants to be in the second round by close of play this Friday.

Sorry again.

Try Tony Blairs residence not the Apprentice's oh well, the guards were exciting anyway...
Just watched The Apprentice...... Didn't see that coming!

Ah good, that's two at least in the second wave of SS.

Hope DD feels better soon, ZJ. It's so horrid to see them hurling, isn't it? (Oh, and nice choice of book for the SS work colleague). Sybs, how are your sickly gang?

Ah, I know where you were Rubes - Connaught Square. (I would like to kno where the Apprentice house is, I keep peering at it) If you could ask your chimney man, that would be great. The quote is basically to supply and install and 904 Grade Flue liner, with insulation, and to sweep the chimney through. (It includes all the stuff that goes with the liner - chinwrap insulation, connecting pipes, superlux board (register plate) with angle irons, top and bottom fixing kit...) However, I am puzzled because we have two chimneys and this only mentions one, and he was supposed to be clarifying this with us tonight but didn't ring, which isn't good. I think it's because he thinks only one needs doing (which isn't what the sweep thought). Sounds like a lovely day in town - look forward to the pics.

DD2 was due a feed at 11. She's still asleep, which is slightly annoying as I want to go to bed. Hmm, to dreamfeed or not to dreamfeed?

Just a quicky - after watching tonights Apprentice Lady, DH has identified the house as number 52 Bedford Square he reckons he does seem to know London pretty well. but yes that's where we were!
Right I will ask the chimney guy on fri and make a note of what yo've said and see what he says.
tricky one that dream feed option. I never know either, like tonight, we were back later than their bedtime and after the grotto, mil fed dd in Selfridges and she downed 7 oz which she never does for me!! Then I gave her another 6 when she went to bed at about 8 so I'm wondering what to do now..... She barely wakes much when i feed her so I might see what she thinks when I go up now since it's 12.
12, great. And I have to drive to Croydon via Guildford in the morning!
Hope Vaggie is well entrenched in a nice soft bed with a long sleep in awaiting

Oh and I don't know if there's more than one but he said the one off Tottenham Crt Rd.
he used to work at a GPs for a short time in C-Square when he was a youngen!

Ooh, how funny Rubes - i know that GP practice!

Morning all :). We have been holed up with nasty colds and coughs - finally dragging myself into work for the first time this week. Glad to see I'm not the only disorganised one on the thread - have just emailed Sybs re secret Santa.

Nothing really to report here, the boys have been watching far too much telly and DS1 has been bored out of his box and understandably playing up. We're off again to MIL's at the weekend, which shd be interesting as BIL and wife are splitting up. Long and sordid story, suffice to say that DH is boiling mad at his brother (they have a one yo little girl) and inclined to kick his spine through his hat when they meet.

Lady: if you need a third opinion on the chimney, we use a local firm with the splendid name of ChimTech Solutions. I need to get them in to sweep the chimney next week, so can ask if that would be helpful.

Veggie: sounds like you are having a lovely break, which you thoroughly deserve. Taking Lady's advice, I had a hot choc with brandy last night and it did me no end of good.

Spot: is your DP having a break over Xmas? I hope you can get some peace and quiet before boy 2 arrives. I found some of DS2's baby clothes the other day - a few warm cardigans and so on. If you want them, give me a shout.

Apprentice House is Bedford Square. It#s round the corner from my office. Most of the houses are offices now so nice to have a nosey in an actual house, although it's way out of my means.

Get well soon Effie. Drive safely Rubes.

Sybs thank you for organising not one, but two rounds of Secret Santa! Have just emailed you as I am very disorganised.

Sorry to hear about all the pukers out there. We have a non-sleeping DS but at least he is also a non-puking DS so far! Poor guy and his teeth. These 2-year molars are massive! He now knows how to say "teeth hurting" so at least I don't feel bad about drugging him. He slept with me last night, which is lovely when DH is away as we both get lots of space and I get lots of cuddles in the morning. But DH is back tonight, so I'm hoping DS sticks to his own patch as I have enough pregnancy woes to keep me awake without him kicking me.

I am starting to panic about the amount of space this play kitchen is going to take up and REALLY hoping that DS actually plays with it! It is going to have to live in front of our lovely Victorian fireplace and will have to be shifted out of the way every time we want a fire. But if it keeps him busy, it will be worth it.

Really boring ME post. Apols!

Invis I have just ordered the new Franzen book and am happy to pass it along when I'm done. Right now I am reading Decline and Fall, which is quite hilarious. I still can't figure out if I've read it before, but enjoying it anyway.

Jealous of your gallavanting Vag!

Take note of the special episode of the Apprentice tonight - just happened to see it in the TV listings, otherwise would have assumed nothing until next Wednesday.

Really must work.....

rubes Thanks for the offer of a bed for the night, it is really lovely of you. But I don't finish work until the 23rd Dec, so I'd never be able to fit it in. However, who knows another time maybe!

mom thanks for the reminder about tonights Apprentice. Was quite shocked about last nights result.

Who's watching Corrie? I cried at the end of last nights episode. How sad is that?

effie Sorry about the ills at yours but good to hear you are feeling marginally better.

sybs & zj how's the vomming? Hope that its easing a little.

Have just spent 2 hours wrapping pressies, can't stand it. Most of them look like DS has done it. On a happier note I'm off to a Garden centre later that does a lovely selection of Christmas table runners

just eaten half a chocolate orange - mint flavoured. Now feeling rather sick. But smug.

Sybs - thanks so much for doing 2nd round of SS - I have emailed you as was v remiss at doing it earlier! Crap me.

What a beauiful cold day it is. Took both DDs for a walk this morning, but DD2 screamed the whole bloody time, so had to come home pretty quickly. They are now both asleep, which is blissful. Although only got 15 mins then I'll wake them.

Lady - re that dreamfeed thing... We always wake DD2 for her 10.30 feed. I feel so mean doing it, but she does tend to drink most of it, most nights - although not always!! And now she's on solids twice a day, am thinking about dropping it - foolish??! I am terrified of dropping it as she sleeps from 11 - 7.30am now and what if she starts waking up in the night - aaagh! But we do wake her up and change her nappy, so that she's awake enough to take the bottle...

Wisdom tooth that went so smoothly - am now having aching gums and a headache, which isn't so great.

Lady - also, are you going to get that ear looked at?

Rubes - trip into central london sounds brilliant - I'm quite jealous. We're thinking about going to Bocketts Farm in the next week or 2, which is meant to be brilliant.

golly it's quiet on here today. beans well done on the chocolate orange - I've managed too many maltesers tonight
Is JB around? Hope all is ok with the kidneys.
lady how's the ear?
I've just watched last night's Apprentice whilst cleaning the old fisher price garage from the loft, so it's all shiny and ready to be P's pressie on Saturday!
I've just started a thread in AIBU but I'm already wondering if I should have just kept it to myself. It's cathartic writing stuff down, but not sure I could take a pasting if one comes my way...

Morning! Where is everyone??
I cut DD1's fringe yesterday. Disaster. She looks terrible and I've got a photographer coming on Monday to take photos as a surprise for DH's Xmas present. He told me I've made her look extraordinary. Am taking her to hairdresser today to address the mullet. Bugger!!!

PS Does anyone else think Chris off Show Me is marvellous?

Sorry Beans but at your DD1's hair disaster. I think extraordinary could be taken in several ways, I'd just choose to see the most complimentary one. And I lurve Chris off SMSM (or see wee see wee as T calls it). I could turn him, I'm sure.
How is your tooth this morning?

In other tooth news DP has to either have a tooth extracted or root canal work done in the next few days. Timing. Not.

Happy birthday to P for tomorrow trace, bet she'll love it. Sorry nothing to add to your other thread as haven't been there but when I looked last night it seemed like you'd got some good support and ideas there.

Effie hope you're feeling better. DP is currently working like a demon to get his magazine out to deadline, but should all be wrapped up by end up this eve so hopefully he can slow it down a bit before Xmas. I'm 37 weeks today so can officially have my HB, hurrah! (Though pick up the pool tomorrow so would rather wait a week or so).

WG, I was listening to BE in the bath just now and DS2 did some kind of new dance move that involved superman arms and legs, I've never seen a tummy look that weird before. And all because I was laughing like a drain. Your DH may or may not want to know that.

Sysb did you get my email re-SS? I used the same address as before so hoping it got through this time!

Gonna work this morning and then officially stop - got confirmation that I'll be getting my mat allowance so much relief on that score.

SMSM is amazing, dd absolutely loves it. Chris is wonderful.

I do love the Apprentice. I want a good poke around that house. It looks massive yet they share bedrooms

MOM I am with you on the molars front. Evil things. Dd has been teething for absolutely ages yet still only has one of the feckers. Ds had all of his teeth by this age, I want a break!

Vag sounds blissful.

Beans I cocked up a haircut for ds a few weeks ago, I had to take him to the hairdresser and the only way they could even it out properly was to do a grade 3 all over. I was so upset, all those golden ringlets gone . It has already grown enough to not seem quite so "I've just signed up for the army" though.

Dd just turned the TV off at teh end of teh programme they were watching (well trained that girl) and ds went into meltdown. Pretty much 12 hours a day of TV here at the moment, mixed with a few dvds. Chicken pox is hell. Ds is just hot and itchy, grumpy and sleepy. He looks like he has a medieval plague, spots all over, big red blotches all over his torso and spots on his lips, eyelids, on his willy, everywhere. Dd in contrast just has a scattering of 10 or so spots and I think is more grumpy at being stuck indoors. Trouble is if I take her away from the TV to do something ds will follow and within 5 mins will be in a puddle on the floor.

My marbles are very close to being lost.

Well the Racing Ramps garage is quite a success, however dh's typical male assembling technique without looking at instructions, resulted in forcing things and using his own tools
Deids you are right that talking toolbox is bloody annoying but he seems to like it!
G'ma, great nan and maybe Aunty and Uncle coming today, but we are having cake etc tomorrow with other uncle and G'ma again.have to wait for Chimney sweep man so hoping these keep ds entertained when that happens, otherwise may have to pull out the back up presents
There's a small chance I'm going to be a bit pissed off with my parents later, so may have an AIBU question, but might not. Must go and sort self out before people arrive.

Yay at stopping work Spot
Bugger about your work until the 23rd Deids.

Right got a million things to do....

Oooh and had a nice day yest with my friend and her ds and they all played nicely while I got my hair done. Her (just turned) 2 y/o asked me if I'd like a cup of tea when I arrived and called me darling again

that is the sort of thing dd would do. She is very polite."Oh hello, how are you? You alright? Would you like a cake?"

By the way does anyone have achild who still doesn't sleep? Dd slept all night through once a few weeks back but in general she doesn't sleep. Sometimes we have 2 or 3 days of her waking once or twice but the rest of the time it is more like 4 times. She just needs to be untangled from wherever she has managed to get herself and she goes back off but !

Happy Birthday minirubes

DS ill. Coming out of both ends in the night, bleurgh! I'm already on my 4th coffee at work, poor little man was left withDaddy this morning looking totally washed out. Hopefully just a 24 hour bug, and teh rest of us don't get it as we are at the Panto tomorrow afternoon.

Oh and spot I find SMSM really irritating, although Chris himself is not as bad as others.

Back later....

Yes we still have the random sleeping here Indith. Just did a record 4wks with only the occasional waking then last night up for 4 hrs in the night. JUst wide awake. Hows the pox? Poor W it is so hard whent hey are just so miserable.

Rubes that is very sweet and a big Happy Cake day to your DS.

I too have an AIBU but am actually going to do a rant on FB about it just so that all those I am pissed off with see it. I dont care. I am throwinf caution to the wind Have had enough of bollocky nonsense.

SPot how lovely at the stopping work. How is T this wk?

Will be back later for more personals but have to go pick up DS2 bday cake and get DS1 and do a gazzilion other things. Need to fit time in to have a poo too.

Hello Ladies

I know I've been AWOL since Paris. Sorry about that. Work, kids and house buying all keep getting in the way of MN. That and a shoulder that I can barely move which I fear is due to tapping away on my iPhone all day.

I know I have missed loads of the littles' birthdays. I hope a good time has been had by all. And gabby birthday to Ben for today.

Trace, I did see your news about P's hearing and have been wanting to get on to wish you the best. One of my close friends has two children with quite severe hearing impairment but they are both chattering away now thanks to good speech therapy. P's sounds mild and I am sure it will be addressed easily.

Spot, I can't believe you are 37 weeks today. How exciting. Was T early or late? I love the new photos of him on FB.

Veggie, it sounds like you were having a great break. Cone and tell us all about the scone half. Is DS2 all better now.

Urbane, did you decide whether to make The Decision?

LadyT, nightmare about the chimney. Not what you needed at all. When do you think you'll be moving now?

Indith, sorry to hear about the pox. And the poor sleep. If it's tangled covers that are the prob could you put DD in a gro bag? DD2 is still in one that fits up to four years.

Huge life decisions have been made here:

1. we are buying the house
2. we are stopping having a nanny next July
3. next July I am moving to 30 hours work compressed into 3 days
4. no au pair but for the 3 days I will work DD1 will be in wrap around care at her school and DD2 will go to a nursery
5. no third child for the forseeable.

Phew! It's been a tiring couple of weeks getting to this point (hence the absence) but feel liberated to be here.

Beter get going. This afternoon is our beighbourhood's annual street carols and mulled wine with a visit from FC (our local councillor who is v odd man with a foot long brown beard which he covers in talc for the occassion). Then tonight we are having a local mums' Christmas night out at a restaurant and bar. Must pluck eyebrows in preparation.