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.

Sleeping with Justin?! I say, that's taking it a bit far! Gives a whole new meaning to the song, "I say goodbye, I'm happy that you came....". Hm. Beans, you are overthinking this vis the knobbage.

Rubes, both my littlies have had huge tumbles down the stairs. The only place I have a stairgate is across th eloft stairs to stop them touching my v expensive wallpaper. I would keep it off if I were you. Once they fall, they naturally become more vigilant for a while, so they will get the hang of it.

Jolly, I am very sorry to hear about your friends. That is so sad for them. I hope that they are as well as can be expected in the circumstances. I am glad you are getting the kidney referral for you as well.

Thanks for asking after things with DH girls. Hugely comforting to know the basket is here for me. Things prickly but a little better. I was busy at work today and it took my mind right off things. Hurray! We'll see how we get on once he's home about 9.

I have supper to start before Miranda. Back later ladies. Take care.

XXXX

hello
i have to say I'm a bit freaked by the Justin talk!
Just nipping on because I have soooo much ironing to do (what a thrilling life). JB so sorry to hear your friends' news.
db hope the magic metanium does the trick. Poor little thing.
I've decided to stop the pill. feeling rather rubbish, mood and physically, so am going to give up on it. Think it perhaps just doesn't suit me. Tried to ring GP today - she wasn't 'on' phonecalls but I left my number and heard nothing. Then my phone went mad at about 3pm and suddenly received loads of messages and voicemails, 3 of which were from the GP saying she was trying to get hold of me but I wasn't answering. Doh. She must think I'm so rude but the phone must have been playing up. I rang the surgery to explain and apologize to her, but she'd left and is now on leave. Feel so bad. What must she think of me, asking for a phonecall then not responding when she rang? I rang the surgery back to see if I could get in with any doc because my pukey headaches and flashy lights are getting more freequent, and I feel like i might be anaemic again, but there are no gp appointments until Jan 4th !!! Guess I'll wait then!
Anyway, sorry that was all about me again.
ok must iron..and I'll try to do more personals next time i'm on.

Shit shit, I forgot to watch Miranda. BUGGER!

it's not started yet Beans - you've got 2 more minutes!

Oh FFS, T has 40 degree temp again and croupy cough, will have to rethink emergency cover as I can't send him to friends' house in this state, would have to ask mum to come up. And really don't want her around at the birth, but hey, might not be here anyway as DP has gaping hole in his gum that bleeds if he lifts anything so he can't set the pool up yet. And it's my birthday tomorrow (plays world's tiniest violin). Sorry, will snap out of it just fed up with the constant illness and needed to rant on here.

Oh PHEW! thanks Trace! I've only seen the first one in this series, despite being in the whole bloody time!
Right, will bog off x

Oh spot that's rubbish. Rant away. Make sure you get yourself some cake. Birthday cake will make things look brighter.

trace Don't be anxious about the GP phonecall. It was a genuine phone malfunction and there is nothing you could have done. Make sure you ring for an emergency appointment if you feel worse - that is what they are there for. Hopefully stopping the pill might help you feel better.

Thanks for your kind words about my friends. They are coping amazingly well at the moment, it seems to be bringing them closer together, I'm sure it can do the opposite for some couples.

Happy Birthday Spot! I hope everything is more cheery in the Spot Household today and that T is feeling better.

Trace - I hope stopping the pill makes you feel better. That is really rubbish about the earliest appointment now being in January .

DD was off school yesterday with a nasty cold and I was hoping to send her in this morning as it is her nativity play but, sadly, her temperature is higher than it was yesterday, so I've had to tell her she'll have to stay at home. She's so upset. She didn't have a special role or anything just one of the many angels.

Spot Happy Birthday!

Jolly what dreadfully sad news.

Super busy here will catch up tonight DH out at one of his many Christmas doos.

Oh does anyone fancy the scissor sister at the O2 tom eve we have 2 spare tixs? Can meet you at the O2 to pass them over?

Jam - We're seeing the Scissor Sisters in Bournemouth on Thursday. They get around don't they?!

Happy birthday to yooo
Happy birthday to yooooo
Happy birthday dear Spo-ot
Happy birthday to you :)

(and not on the phone so I have a fighting chance of spelling 'birthday' right)

Sending you best birthday wishes and a stern instruction to DS2 to hang on for a bit until you can get the pool set up.

Spot do you want us to swing by on Sunday after we'be gotten off the boat and pop the pool up? Wish I was close by I'd love to have T while you sort DS2 out.

Oh Bugger sorry and Happy Birthday Spot!

Thanks folks . Have ended up asking mum to come as T and I much worse today and will just make things easier if I can get upstairs to rest. Got M/W appt this afternoon too so maybe she can give me some indication as to whether this baby has engaged or not.

I'm sure this has been done to death but in my phlegm-ridden state I can't remember - for those of you who have had 2 DCs, what did you find the most helpful immediately leading up to and after the birth of your 2nd, both for you and DC1? Is there anything you'd wished you'd had/known at the time?

X posts Vag, would v much love to see you if you're in the area but don't go out of your way, I know you have a packed schedule. If you did find yourselves around these parts though there will surely be some birthday cake with your collective names on it!

Nolda am v for your DD, bet you're gutted too. Could you re-enact the play at home with DS???

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SPOT!

I hope I'm not being bossy etc, but these are a couple of things I found useful!

I found having DH there for the 2 weeks after on his paternity leave, so he could look after DC1. And then when he'd gone back to work, my mum came to stay for a few days. Just so I could get some rest and she helped out with Izzy then too.

Also, Jam or JB (sorry not to remember, I was in baby haze!), I think, gave me some cracking advice about bathtime, which I am still using. Lay all their pjs and vests and nappies that you want them to wear that night out in the bathroom during the day. Then when you do the bath, pop the newbie in their little chair next to the bath, pop the big one in and then put in the 2nd, give them a quick wash, take them out and then dress them and pop them back in their chair in the room with you. Then wash the bigger one and get him out and dressed and TA DA! Bathtime done with less fuss. I used to get so shouty at that time of day until this method was suggested to me!

Expect the first 6 weeks to be pretty hideous, then it gets easier and easier. Hopefully that applies to most people - check with Lady and Rubes! And Sybs (I think) said to me that I would find myself getting much more impatient and shouty with DC1 and that you'll feel really guilty about it. And it's true. But it's just how it is, unfortunately. As long as you still give them loads of love and attention. And while the little one is sleeping, make sure you have some lovely time with the older one.

Hope that's of a little bit of use.

xxxx

Happy Birthday Spot!! tell minispot2 to hold on a bit longer.
I would say get them to check ds2 for tongue tie immediately then get it snipped no matter how small.... It was the root of all my feeding problems and not dealt with until 4 weeks when it was too late.
With baths, I put ds in the bath first while dd is laying on a towel in the bathroom or on the bed, then soap him up wash his hair etc, then put dd in and out as she only take a micro second to wash her cracks and bits plus she has no hair then get ds out -that's when the negoatiating and bribery happens so he does it all fast-ish - nappy on, Iggle Piggle and milk! Job done.
if dh home he sometimes does ds as ds seems to do things faster for him

Gotta go - dd is really congested and unhappy.....

Oh and thanks for the stair falling comments (particularly Sybs) I won't put the bottom gate back up (there is still one on the top) The fall hasn't made him any more cautious though, in fact he seems to be thinking it's funny to walk down no hands just to irritate me as I tell him to hold on I have put a crash pad at the bottom today (which the dog thinks is her new bed) as it's just impossible to watch him and / or help him down as he won't let me and just screams as he wants to go down himself but if he falls again at least he'll have a soft landing of a dog whatever, I will try not to worry.

Spot: I think Beans has summed it up very well :). I would add that there will be a time (a few days or a few weeks in) when you collapse in a puddle and wail that you can't possibly manage with two and that you are ruining DS1's/DS2's/DP's/your life and nothing will ever be right again. It will pass sooner than you think and you will be expertly juggling them before you know it. It doesn't mean you are a bad mother (even if you get irritated at DS1 for being a toddler and Near Your Baby), it makes you normal :).

Oh, and I found having a little toy/book/other thing to distract DS1 near the key points (changing mat, sofa, bed) was helpful, as was having a changing mat upstairs and down.

Oh and IME second children are actually quite keen to sit in their seat/carseat/playnest and watch what is going on. When they get older, you will realise all that time you thought they were bored and understimulated has been spent in plotting .

Ooh I've thought of more things Spot after Effie's post.

Start collecting a little (or big) box of toys that DS1 hasn't seen before so you can pull them out when you are feeding ds2, and also if possible have some kind of chair / bed / mat / bouncer etc in each room - in other words somewhere you can plonk ds2 when you move about the house.

I agree - I reckon it takes about 6 weeks (but after you're on your own and all the help is gone) to get into a routine, and yes you will feel like you can't cope at times and then it gets much easier.

Ladies have a look at this 2nd one down. They've stolen my name. Very funny page and I think most of us here can relate. link

Sorry lovely ladies, not ignoring you, just stupendously busy. Just in Shropshire picking up a chair and table, was in Brum yesterday, and haring round London in a van tomorrow...just wanted to say Many Happy Returns to Spot and very briefly, though DD2 was gorgeous I felt mad for the first 6 weeks, but quite good by 8. At ten weeks, I'm good. More practical tips when I have time and big love to all xxx

Hi ladies I'm caught up now and have just been on the website I just posted and am literally in tears with laughter. If you need a good laugh please go to link I posted about it is so funny.

Rubes I loved your photos and seriously that tree is amazing. DS2 got that fisher price car thing with the lift from SIL for chrissie we let him open it in his birthday as we don't want to take it to london, too big.

Spot make sure you have lots of food in esp easy cook stuff for you guys and T. Saves having to go out too much after DS2 is born. I'm not sure how big your freezer is but anything you cook for dinner cook extra if and freeze it then you can just heat it up for a meal after DS2 born. Also milk can be frozen so pop a few bottles in so you've got some spares. T understands a lot now so use him, if you sit down to feed and you left the muslin/dummy/remote control on the other side of the room ask him to get it for you and praise him as really helpful when he does, makes him feel like he's needed and he's mummys special helper. Also lollipops and cbeebies are your friends.

I'm shattered today, DS2 is now sleeping until after 6 but its still too early. Took him to the local international toddler groups Christmas party. He froze when Santa called his name to give him a present. Quite funny. Then went to a friends for lunch, DS2 had his nap there so that was nice. Cooked leek & potato soup for tea from the mumsnet recipe, very yummy, highly recommend it. Both boys inhaled it.

Hello, Happy birthday to spot, hope you got some rest !

Just wanted to say thanks for the support a week or two back. I DID go and spend some money on myself, as H pointed out as long as its hundreds and not thousands its a drop in the ocean. Got myself some new tops to hide the still slightly flabby belly, and a new coat. Now I just need some new smellies :) Feel much better. Also told DH to pull his socks up, seemed to work too. Especially as I only have 2 days left at work before 2.5 weeks off. Some of my friends think I'm a bit odd to take the kids out with me as well but i do miss them and I dont find looking after them too stressful, its working and caring for them at the same time that I find difficult. For just a few weeks, I play at being a SAHM and I love it.

Bit distrurbed by the Justin talk as well, I find him a bit unpalatable, but perhaps thats because you cant escape from him on Cbeebies :) The Boys love Come Outside and the sewage farm one got DS1 all excited and building sewage pipes out of lego. The one where Pippin got lost in the removal van made him cry.....

Spot, we bought a present for DS1 from DS2. And we also tried to keep to the some kind of routine that he was used to, I moved a baby chair around the house so DS2 could "eat" meals with us etc. It seems to zip by the second time round, I hardly remember.

Going to nurse a horrible headache...