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.

so much ironing to do. so little interest. bleugh.

Enjoying the decorative chat, I am so behind you lot in my Christmas preparations it's not true. Haven't even done cards this year let alone contrasting plates.

Thanks so much for the birthday wishes and the tips for the smalls, I am cutting and pasting into a word doc that I will keep at my side for the coming months.

Had to go into hossie this morning for a growth scan as was measuring small for dates, but apparently he's just fine (although his head is on the lower end of 'normal' range. Will be taking after his dad and granny then, not football head mummy and T). Am feeling really crap, got major deja vu from 2 years ago when I had a nasty chest infection that didn't go until well into Feb. T is still pretty poorly so my mum is staying an extra night while DP puts up the pool. i hate our local hospital so much, really really hope the HB comes off.

Vag that is a hideously early morning, my deepest sympathies. Sounds like he is sickening for something as sleep is often the first thing to go IME.

Invis that is sooooo annoying, esp with the birthday party situation. How disappointing for you all .

JJ, do you think maybe you could give it a few weeks or so to see if the stuttering develops or if she'd just playing around with the words? Have nursery mentioned any concerns?

Have a good afternoon Rubes, you are v brave to be hitting major retail emporia the week before Christmas. But at least you're not attempting to do it with the smalls, that would be madness.

I didn't see anything of interest, Vag . Oh and watch out for Sid, according to DS1 he is 'really good at killing chickens'. Must have missed that bit.

We haven't done our cards yet, Spot. The boys and I painted a few this afternoon so I'm hoping to get some posted tomorrow.

Glad the photos turned out well Beans.

The Aussies may be amused to hear that I have bought DH a jaffle iron for Xmas. Along with other stuff. Hoping for some toasted cheese sandwiches made on the fire :).

Oohh Effie I love proper jaffle irons you can fit a decent amount of cheese or baked beans In them without it all getting squished flat.

Had a giggle at DS1's estimation of Sids chicken killing skills Effie.

jj I meant to say when I suggested mentioning to the HV I didn't mean actually go see them, I meant ask when you have your first home visit with no.2.

I'm glad you will get the pool up Spot, and hope you don't have to do the hossie. I know what you mean, I felt the same after DS2's, and Derby General is quite a nice looking hospital, but its just all so, cold and smelly.

And Rubes how were the shops? Any chargers?

spot I loathe writing Xmas cards. I find it such a joyless task. So this year we have given some money to our local Children's Hospice instead of buying cards and stamps. Have text/emailed/FB everyone and no-one seems offended...hooray! Good to hear the pool is goining up asap.

vag Your early starts are killers. Hope tomorrow is better.

jj No advice about the stutter. although i suspect its probably just a developmental phase. I do seem to remember my nephew stuttering from nowhere, and then a couple of months later it just stopped

rubes Personally I'd go with red chargers, I like a splash of colour (we have red leather dining chairs!). Can't post a link to the runner as I just happened upon it at our local garden centre. Its red, and has sequinned flowers on it, ponsettas?? Sounds horrid but it is nice.

Apprentice tonight yeah!!

Do I sound really un-classy if I say I've never really seen the point of chargers - just an extra thing to wash up? but yes, when we've dined out and they've been there it does look v smart. Rubes do let us know how DS gets on on his bike, I reckon he'll speed off much like BabyVagola on his scooter :)

spot good luck getting the pool sorted, will you have a practice run in it? Sooooo relaxing when you just feel like a massive hefalump! Can you save your special word doc and let the rest of us steal borrow it? Looks like lots of very good hints from the experienced laydeez.

re the scans - I'm getting increasingly sceptical tbh, we all know so many people who've been told Oh your baby is a whopper, and turned out at 7lbs, and vice versa.

Stuttering - she may just be playing with words I guess. Has also developed the odd habit of calling me and DH Mummyah and Daddyah. No suggestion of any speech issues from nursery, but then they're a bit hopeless from time to time, handover girl today said "She was absolutely fine today". I ask about the bruise on her eyebrow "Oh yes I've got an accident form for you. And when she had her nappy changed she grabbed a handful of poo . And she's been pushing over some of her little friends and not using her listening ears". So, absolutely fine?

beans hope the ironing is out of the way. Such a cute pic of Pru!

seem to have missed the Justin talk, please God don't say someone has a thing for him? He's a lovely guy, but really, wanting a roll in the sheets with Mr Tumble?

SL E's little trick is probably like all that stuff you read about them playing up most with mummy because they know she'll still love them - he doesn't have to say love you mummy because you're just meant to know...

Jam hope you're feeling better and the throat's less sore.

veggie am very interested in the success of the reverse psychology - might have to give that a try when it comes to pyjama time tomorrow. Not sure what to suggest re early starts, is it still dark at 7.30 in Holland like it is here? Is there something waking him up eg noise of street cleaners or some such?

invis poor you and your patients, hope the pox aren't too horrid.

OP yes one final thing - am I missing some massive pop culture ref with Veggie's new name? Am so not hip with the kids

Stuttering - I read somewhere that it often happens because they're so keen to get the words out that they can't. They get too over-excited and words fail them. It actually happens to me sometimes!! How sad am I?

Apprentice me up baby. Like Joanne and Stella. Boys Uninspiring.

Back from the shops and it wasn't that busy either! It's a-mazing how much you can get done without small people whining to push the buggy around and screaming blue murder at every shop entered!
Negative on the chargers Vag - however I didn't actually look for any. I'll be getting the basic Tesco jobs if at all (and if any left) But it was a very productive trip and even got to squeeze in a Yo Sushi visit with dh after work [yum]

Spot - seriously, I did ZERO the Christmas when ds was born, and I had my entire family coming. Well I decorated the tree etc (almost as anally) but that was about it apart from a big shop at Tesco - the rest was online shopping and slowly wrapping stuff. i was knackered. And our table was t tables shoved together and a single blue fitted sheet for a table cloth - classy. So you shouldn't be doing anything at all!! You are about to give birth and should only be concentrating on that. let everyone else do everything else!
Right, don't think I will last watching a delayed Apprentice so no spoilers please!!

Lady, how was the Chambers do and the lovely shoes?

JJ - I thought Chargers / Under plates were instead of placemats? Oh I don't know - I need a lesson myself! But also, I don't think they get dirty? Do they? Well dh's will no doubt

yep will let you know about the bike - His little eye's are going to pop out of his head when he see's it Christmas Day!

Oh and was there anything confirmed for Christmas drinks one night next week? 22nd? 23rd?
dh has his Christmas do and it's staff only not partners, so I really want a festive night out.... Any takers? Vagooli when was good for you?

Pool is up and I've been in it! It's one of those rented ones where you can keep the water in for a week before you change it and the temp is kept constant so I can go in every day and relax. T came home from visiting a friend and saw me in it and burst into tears - I think it really freaked him out. Also apparently he made grunting noises and kept saying 'baby' - weird as I don't know where he's got that from but I think he understands more than I've given credit for and need to be v careful what I say in front of him. He still has a crazy temperature when the calpol isn't working but I think this is a virus not infection. Not that that makes any difference to the fact he's up ALL NIGHT.
Gonna go for an early one myself now. DP has asked me to wait 5 days before I go into labour, am doing what I can to oblige but am actually a bit worried about it happenening when this fresh wave of snow hits. The MW said they definitely wouldn't be able to come out to me in the snow so should make the most of the pool in case I can't use to give birth in anyway.
Hoping DS2 has a better night, Vag. Or, rather, a longer one.

can i second jj's suggestion of stealing spot's cribsheet for those of us approaching number 2?

can i also recommend this website: this i think it is hilarious and very true in many ways. a perfect antidote to pregnant and baby smugness everywhere.

good luck with the pool, spot - and let's hope the snow disappears before ds2 appears. fingers crossed, lady!

ps no idea about chargers, either.

Charger virgins! Actually I had no idea until I say them in the shop. I asked DH and he thought I was talking about those plate / dish warmer things

Apprentice - Ha! My prediction for the final 2!

So hungover. Am feeling rank. Remind me not to have friends over til 2.45 am!!!

How is everyone else today?

Tired. DD1 up 4 times in night. Grrr. DH did 1 as he'd just got in from work do at midnight!

Silly season is in full swing here - DH out every night this week. He was meant to be in last night, but had to go to a work do. He is knackered, but my heart isn't really bleeding as I'd love to go out one night!!! Sob!

Sybs - poor you. Blinding headache? How are the kids? What are you doing today?

DD1 meant to have MMR booster, but am going to change it til after Xmas - can't bear it if she has a reaction over Christmas. Selfish me!

We too have the ridiculous work christmas do thing. DH out at Christmas dos Mon, Tues. tonight and lunch tom. grr.

Some rather sad news here, my poor friend has been told her baby is too ill to carry on. So this afternoon at 2pm her baby is going to be put to sleep and she will then give birth to him. He will be 28wk. So this afternoon can you all take a moment to send loving thoughts her way.

oh my goodness Jam your poor poor friend. Will be keeping her and her baby very firmly in my thoughts and prayers. :(

So sorry Jam .

Jam that is incredibly sad for your friend. I can't even imagine. Thoughts are with her, and hoping good things happen to her fast.

Sybs sorry about the head. ok reminding you not to have friends over till 245am, but instead to meet up with MN friends for Christmas drinks at some point

Beans - you CAN have a night out - see above - make DH stay home for one night! Job done!

OK won't mention it again after this as I'm starting to feel like I'm flogging a dead horse, but Vag if you are free you seem to have all the pull around here! Let us know!

Argh, we'd probably end up all ditching it anyway, so perhaps forget it.

DH is shattered so has last minute taken the car to work. He's ditching his work Christmas do tonight as he's too tired which I'm quite pleased about as I don't get to go - well I could go to my own, but I'm not keen on hauling my caboose down to Crawley for an eve

Jam: such sad news :(. Thinking about your friend and her little baby.

Sorry Rubes I'm not much good as I can't do 22nd due to DH having a thing on and 23rd I'm going to a farewell party, however I could maybe meet up before it. I would really like to. Otherwise if pre Christmas is too hectic we could have a post Christmas thing.

Jam, I have shed a tear for your friends poor little baby and for her parents. I have always found the idea of going through birthing a 'sleeping' baby so unbearably sad. Sending string vibes to her & her DH/P.

DH & I had a major row last night. I think I'm getting the winter wobbles and finding certain cultural & language stuff over here quite difficult at the moment. Somehow it manifested itself in me being cross at him for not putting the rice on.

oh, jam, that is awful. thinking of your friend and her family. we are so lucky, aren't we?