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.

Oh Rubs right now I would quite happily fly off to Oz, I really feeling the fear for this cold weather. They said in the news here last week that there is a 75% chance of the same winter as last year, so -5 and lower temps and snow on the ground for 2 months straight. Argh. However, while DS1 would show a great example of behaviour on a plane, DS2 would undo it all by screaming like a banshee. Believe me you would not want him anywhere near your lovelies.

Rubs from what I can gather on here it is made for the bobike seats. We have our old weeride so I can dig it out and see if it fits.

I've been doing some dutch lessons, waarom gaan je nu? I just need to keep it up.

Right that's drained my brain more coffee and need to make a vague effort at some house work. I know I'll clean the kitchen while I make coffee.

Can't see it on their website vag. No biggy, and not urgent just looks good.

Sainsbo's just came - new driver, hilarious. Instead of 20 single mushrooms they brought 20 family packs!!! A whole crate - must have thought we were nutters. And they forgot to do a 3 for 10 on 3 bottles of wine so instead of discounting it he just said he'll refund it and I can keep them as a Christmas present [result] merry christmas to you too Mr Sainsbo. Don't you just love the holiday spirit
Right two nippers in bed and I need to pay council tax - fun.
Trunki's arrived - bloody quick service! I won't be opening until ds in bed tonight then I will wrap the first of my Chrissy presents
Oh and about a month ago we ordered these chest of drawers for ds and dd but they were out of stock for ages so i cancelled, got a refund, and they just showed up yesterday with night freight have called them to advise but they haven't got back to me about when they will collect - perhaps they will forget

Hello peeps,

Well remembered veggie, it was me keen on buying my parent's house. When we looked into it properly it would have been at the top end of our budget so we'd be left without any money to get someone in, or handyman skills to do the work ourselves. It is a fantastic house but needs more money and time than we have available.

spot I'm a bit daunted by how we are going to move before DC2 makes an appearance! I remember thinking Beans and Summer were really brave moving so late in pregnancy but I'll probably end up doing the same! If the house sells in time. Eek, all a bit of a worry! How are your plans shaping up move-wise?

rubes Hope you feel better soon. Two children and a cold must be grim. Wrapping presents already! Blimey I must get a move on. DD only has two things for her birthday so far. Poor deprived child!

Thanks Jolly. Now dd has conjunctivitis from ds. he has a cold, I feel fluey. Grimness all round.
dh coming home now yay so don't have to do bank with these two.

Rubes, I am so sorry you feel ill. Sounds vile. Lots of meds, fluids, rest and telly I say! Not that it is possible to rest with two littlies but as much as you can. Heavens, what are you going to do with all those mushrooms? Mushroom soup? Garlic mushroom pate is nice on toast, you basically chop and boil the mushrooms and blend them with low fat cream cheese and a clove of garlic plus salt and pepper to taste.

That's exciting about your move, JB. I hope your house sells. What's the market like near you? You asked whether DD1 ate the posh food on Sunday - we had to order off menu for her She had crudites cut into fancy shapes, followed by chips, peas and a whole chicken breast cut into cubes (and she didn't touch the latter), followed by ice cream. The chef was very kind.

Vag, I bet if you had a coffee before 9 you wouldn't necessarily drink more, you'd probably fancy less. Oh and Beans, there are stimulants other than caffeine in coffee so decaff will indeed still give you a (small) buzz, you aren't mad. That's a sad story about your DH's sister.

Spot, good on the pool. I watched the first episode of the new series of Peep Show last night, available before it's on the telly on 4oD, and the whole episode is devoted to Sophie having a baby. She wanted a pool, but she was in hospital not at home. But I won't spoil it in case anyone watches it.

If we are talking cocktails, my votes are for a Mojito, a Caipirinha, and a Gin Sling (a Singapore Sling is too sickly for me).

Summer, it sounds like a thoroughly stressful stay that your MIL had. Oh lawks. Bet you feel so relieved she has gone. At least your DH is a bit more on side now. Garrow's Law is a BBC Drama about a famous barrister of the C18th who was quite a reformer, who introduced the idea of 'innocent until proven guilty'. The drama draws on real cases from the Old Bailey at the time. He has a sort of a relationship with the wife of a politician of the time, so all in all quite an irregular fellow. It's the second series but very watchable and you could certainly pick it up with what I have said above.

It's so hard trying to sort out the house with a toddler and a small baby (not that DD2 is any trouble). Sigh. I can't remember the last time I sat down with a book. I always feel behind with everything. Ho hum. Am feeling quite Christmassy though, it's nice.

That sounds like a delightful lunch for DD1 ladyT. My DD would have eaten the chicken only if it was covered in gravy. She has her father's taste buds. He gives her all sorts of strong unchildlike things to try and she loves it. She won't eat plain pasta but offer her some black pudding or strong, smelly cheese and she is thrilled.

Oh my goodness, TMI here I'm afraid but what do I do about suddenly very painful piles . I woke up in agony this morning and it has got worse all day. I've been using anusol for a few weeks but stopped over the last few days as they were feeling better. Stupid me. Can I get anything stronger without visiting my GP? Anyone willing to share please do say. It hurts to stand! I had them with DD but not till much later on.

Just a quickie for me...just finished wrapping DS birthday pressies for tomorrow and put some balloons up. Despite saying I wasn't going to get him too much I have. But fear not I didn't buy him a table runner Poor sod is full of snot too and feeling pretty sorry for himself. I think he has only eaten two yoghurts all day.

I'm desperately in need of some cheerfulness both of mine have been unbearably whingy all evening. So glad to have them in bed! Got a curry cooking which smells yummy, just waiting for DH to get home from work.

JB No idea about your piles but they sound horrid.

Jolly - in great haste as I am going out - pretend you are french and get the anusol suppositories. Use them as often as you are allowed plus cream in between. Gallons of water. Fybogel. And if it gets too much, tell GP and they will usually prescribe something fab without looking at your bum. Por you. Soon better darling.XXXX

Have you tried Germaloids JB? I had a palm tree poking out of my arse after DD2 arrived. TBH nothing really worked, which wad depressing. I have one left now, which I keep pushing back in.

Poor Rubes, your flu sounds miserable. I hate feeling that rank. Do you think some free vino will help? V jealous of that. I got a bonus with Tesco today - 9 kiwis when I ordered 4. Hmmm.

DH back last night and was lovely to seehim, but my bleeding is back so no rumpy pumpy for me. BUT he has gone out again tonight. Seriously, we lead separate lives!

Lady, that lunch sounds fab!

Thanks so much sybil, I'll get to the chemist first thing for some suppositories - it is such a relief to know I can get something more effective than just cream without having to battle for a GP appointment tomorrow. DH isn't home yet or else I'd be grabbing my coat and finding a late opening chemist. Actually I wonder if DH would go to the chemist on his way home .

DB Hope DS has a super day tomorrow.

Fortunately I've never had those Jolly [touches wood] but hope they go away soon.

Lady you are funny! All your mushroom recipe idea's! I didn't accept them though! -They were meant to send 2 packs. it was v funny when they came out with a crate £30 worth of mushrooms!!

Yes Beans I'm guessing the freebie wine has helped tremendously Where's dh off to tonight? Hope the bleeding stops for you.

Deids your day sounds like mine. DS has been whining all afternoon. He's got a cold though so is a bit miserable but kept riding his trike into the dog on purpose and when she wouldn't move he just would scream.He went to bed ok though but insisted on only eating his dinner if his pink truck (lorry) (courtesy of Mrlady) was at the table too then would only have a bath if his other truck came in too.... it always seems ten times worse when I'm ill myself
Might actually take a Night Nurse and watch Im a Celeb in bed well probably not if I'm honest.

Ouch JB, sorry its not an area I'm familiar with, so to speak. Kids don't tend to get cheeky bottom grapes, and I was lucky (touches Rubes' wood) not to get the beggers with either pregnancy. But Sybs advise sounds excellent, straight to the source and all that. All ways best to have a poke locally.

Rubes, seriously a good strong hot toddy with a little dunk of a tea bag will sort you right out.

I've discovered something about DS2 today. he needs to be able to express himself. like his mother if he is angry he needs to let everyone know and be left to rant. and like his mother, if left to do this without intervention, or people trying to make him feel better and sooth him, he will eventually settle down...and nobody gets hurt. he was angry as all buggery tonight for no obvious reason. we tried soothing him, cuddling, talking calmly, then yelling and getting cranky ourselves. he just kicked us away. so I left him and he calmed down, requested a 'duddle" and everything was fine again. so there you go.

we are on our way into yet another mortgage, the wheels are in motion.

Where are all my capitols? I double clicked after the full stops, should they just happen?

Lady, your cocktail list is my perfect night out. Just swap the gin sling with a vodka martini, for a bit of old skool bar action and I'm a happy Veggie. Oh and I need to go back to that Alexander cocktail recipe. Going to a girls night out on Thursday and there WILL be cocktails.

hi girls.
JB sorry about the piles . I have them since dd2 and found creams all to be much of a muchness really. I think mine are here to stay, but ar enot too painful. I've not tried the suppositories but Syb sounds like she's speaking from experience. Hope you get sorted soon.
Rubs sorry you're feeling so rubbish. Hope your LOs give you a good night's sleep.
P wouldn't settle at all tonight and ended up back downstairs having cuddles until about 8.30, which is really unlike her. She doesn't seem unwell, but just sad and needy, so I just thought I'd go with the flow and indulge myself her with big hugs. DH said that nursery said today they acted out the Bear Hunt story, but that P went absolutely beside herself when they reached the cave, and was inconsolable for ages, so I wonder whether she was having scarry beary thoughts that were unsettling her. Hope not.
DH is being OFSTEDed this week so he's a bit stressy and I'm tryin to be extra nice and helpful, but I'm not sure it's helping! He'd probably be better off if I moved out for the week!
veg that is so sweet about ds2's need to vent his anger! And fab that you recognise it and allow him to do what he needs to do. Yet more fab mummy points for you
Hope ZJ is ok...are you there?

Oh thinking calming thought to your DH Trace, ofsted is evil.

Good morning all. Slept through but yet again up at a sparrows fart.

Oh poor P. DS2 was awake much of last night too - maybe they've been talking to each other again. Up till about 10 then kicking and wriggling till 2. Finally put him in his bed where he screeched himself to sleep. Yawn.

Happy birthday to DB's DS! We haven't thought about Xmas or birthday pressies yet. I'm leaning towards a toy kitchen for DS2 though. And maybe some trains of his very own :).

By Gosh DD2 is out to break my heart. I need advice Ladies, I am currently standing in the Tube struggling to hold back tears over how she reacts to my working.

This has been bad for abt 2 weeks now. Basically DD2 has always found it hard to cope with my leaving at the beginning of the day and the nanny leaving at the end, but now she is impossible. In the mornings she gets up abt 7.15 and I have to leave at 7.45. That half hour is chaotic as I get her up, dress myself while DH gives her brekkie, then I dress her and the nanny arrives and we run out the door. DD2 starts getting upset as soon as I don my work clothes and she starts whining "No work mummy, I uv oo very much". My heart simultaneously melts and tenses. Then when the nanny arrives the whining escalates to sobbs and clinging to me like a baby koala screaming "No work mummy, want cuddles". I have to peel her off me and run.

The irony is that in the eve it's the other way round. I get home at 6.45 and the nanny has got her all bathed and pajamed. She seems happy to see me but immediatly starts shouting for the nanny to stay. When the nanny goes she throws herself on the floor screaming and nothing can distract her. As it's so late I have to take her up to bed quickish and story and song time is on a knife edge as the littlest thing can send her off again. By 7.20 she is usually in her cot begging for me and her dad to stay and cuddle her and repeatedly asking where her nanny is.

I feel I am harming her by working. I feel so bad I chose to stick to these ours four days a week just to buy the big house. I feel wretched.

Can anyone think of anything I can try to help DD2 be happier Mon - Thurs?

Oh Avo that is so hard. It sounds like it is more the changeover that's distressing her rather than you working per se. A bit lentilly but what about doing a kind of storyboard so she knows what happens at different times of the day? With a pic of you at work and the DDs having fun with the nanny, and a pic of her nanny tucked up in bed at the same time as DD? Or a clock face without numbers but different colours for different times of day?

I suspect it might just be lots of cuddles and reassurance till she realises that people leave and come back. Poor bean (and poor you).

Oh Avo - my heart breaks for you. You poor love. Must be so tough - awful to make those decisions. Could you leave her undressed in the mornings and get yourself up and ready before she wakes up, then spend that half hour just playing with her and having "Quality time" (sorry, makes me want to puke, but can't think of any other way to phrase it!) with her?

I think Effie's suggestion is a good one too.

Effie - how's your knitting coming along? If I paid you, would you be able to bear knitting something else for my DDs? And could you point me in a direction of a good website for ideas for clothes? The jumper you knitted DD2 was just beautiful and now too small, so have given it to a friend of mine, with instructions to LOOK AFTER IT as it's precious!!! I love it!

xxxx

And meant to say, Avo - maybe the nanny could then dress her on her arrival?

Rubes -are you feeling any better?

It is so parky outside. Took DD1 to nursery this morning and had to pour hot water on car windscreens to de-ice it. Got swimming with DD2 today and it's so damn cold, I'm tempted to give it a miss. But I won't.

Avo that's a horrible situation - can only echo what Effie says about it being about transitions - and the fact that your DD2 is so eloquent that must make things a whole load worse. T has a breakdown every time I leave the room at the moment (not that it's comparable) but I was reading about the whole transition thing and apparently this is a very tricky age for it - they almost regress with the whole separation anxiety thing. Esp as they are now more aware, but not totally aware enough of time to know when you'll be coming back. Something about the change in states, they get so engrossed in one way of doing things that it's quite traumatic to suddenly have to change. And the fact that you do this 4 days a week means on the one hand it's reassuringly predictable for DD but, because she's bright as a button, it's also something to anticipate. I think Beans suggestion about having that rushed morning time as a quieter one is great.

I spent my second night in the last three sleeping on the couch. All DP and I do is argue all the time, it's so not what I want to be happening when I'm about to have a second baby and a terrible atmosphere for T. Asked the other day about seeing a counsellor but he is determined not to, wanting to do it all ourselves (as if we've been so damn successful in the past). He seems to think that you can say anything to the other person, however hurtful or critical, as it's 'honest'. I disagree, and that is only one area where we are polar opposites. He also brought up our lack of sex life, and of course it's all my fault. BEcause I'm only 34 weeks PG and anyway, I can think of nothing more attractive than a sulking, critical resentful partner. Yup, that gets me going .
Sorry, this could turn into an epic rant if I get going so best not.

Avo, sorry you are feeling down. It would do the same to me, but don't blame yourself about the house, you are investing in a much better place for dd to live in if you think about it that way I would try (as hard as it is to do) get up half an hour earlier like Beans suggests and be ready yourself before she wakes so you can pay her all your attention until you leave the house. Effie's suggestions also good. Surely the nanny can dress her and all that too?

Spot, poor you. You've had /having it really tough. Why is it YOU on the couch - especially at 34 weeks pregnant? That's absurd. I there anyone around or can you get some family down to stay with you or take T out for a bit for more than just a day so you and DP can get a break and talk things out a bit better? I know if ever I even raise my voice at DH around DS, DS gets really upset. he even gets upset if I yell at the dog
DS has been grumpy in the mornings all this week and he also has a cold. this morning he is a pleasure and I just found out dh gave him Ibuprofen first thing so I know it completely changes his mood. If T is always sick this can't be helping his mood and it's just causing so much more stress so if there is any way at all to have some time with DP without T I think you need to grab it.

Beans, thanks for asking. I had the most awful night (due to ME not kids) I got major restless legs when I went to bed. I took 2 night nurse and went to bed at about 11pm but couldn't get to sleep until nearly 3am it's the first night in AGES though, that I had a coffee before bed - I wonder if that set me off. Im still very congested but feel better with 2 day nurse's! DH on a half day so said I can sleep when he gets home but I bet I can't.
Be careful with your windscreen - I did that once with hot water and DH said I could've cracked the glass.

Effie I've been meaning to ask you and beans just reminded me. AGES ago you poted a link to a knitting pattern book and I loved it and showed MIL who then got the book and knitted dd loads or berets and jumpers and things. All so cute. Someone at toddler group wants to know what the website was and I can't remember!! Can you post it again if you still have it? Failing that I can ask mil as she has the hard copy of it but I'd like to text the toddler group mum today with it as I said I would on Monday.

Poor DD still has a gunky eye but not congested or sneezing at all like ds and I are.

Avo you poor thing, your situation really pulls on my.heart strings. But as others have said sounds more like it is things happening around her that she has no control over that she is getting upset about rather than you actually leaving her. I think def leave the dressing and even the breakfast until the nanny comes, and I'm racking my brain to think of something to make her feel in control, maybe choose a book she would like the nanny to read, or the clothes she would like the nanny to dress her in. You see what I mean, its that lentally thing of letting them have a little bit of control. I think Effie's ideas of the pictures is a good one too. I do feel for you, it was painful to me when I used to have to leave DS1.

Spot, I think if you are compromising and going to London the least DP can do is give counselling a go. If he ever wants sex again, counselling maybe his best shot.

Trace, DS1 gets very frightened by scary bits in movies and books too, I think it him having a very vivid imagination that does it, which in the end is a good thing but we do have to sit and watch movies with him for the first time to make sure they don't freak him out too much.