Dec 2008 - Hello 2011 the Year of the Toddler!

[DeidreBarlow]

Totally unispired but hope you all find it...

Spot - thaks for the details! So glad you had a nice experience. Hope you are getting good rest.

Lady, can't thank you and DP enough for this extended passport cock up on my behalf. Hope it's not too much trouble, and no hurry if DP is busy. Hope the phone call / passport photo thing made sense?
Is dd1 still swearing in song?
I did at your thoughts on Australia/ns - exactly the same as dh's when I met him - albeit Home and Away based!

Deids, yes, flip flops are thongs!! And thongs are G-strings are they here thongs? or am I confusing the UK with the US?
Hows the head? No, you are just getting old

Well I was able to get in and do some sale shopping today. Nearly cried in the change rooms, and ended up only buying workout bottoms

How are you doing JJ? Hows the littlest?

Vaggie, although that article is talking about when to stop BF etc. the sentence in there "Breastfeeding is not just a way of nourishing your baby ? it's also about a relationship, it's about security, and it's about loving" is bound to upset the FF-ers. The article also states more than once that "BF-ing works" well, in actual fact, it doesn't always, and it's inevitable that this is going to touch a nerve with someone who can't or has trouble BF for very long, for whatever reason.
Let it wash over you, I see where you are coming from but it's one of those things, if you post an article like that to such a broad audience, you're going to get some grief. Don't worry about it, have yourself a glass of cheerfulness and call it good. You did and are doing a great job with your boys, and that's what you should focus on. As Invis said, you'd make a great Doula! (if in fact I fully understand what the heck one is!) Actually my friend in the US is one.

DS is much better this afternoon and mil and gmil had them for the afternoon. I think he had tummy pains due to the A/B's and he was really grumpy then did a big poo and was a different child.
DD is being as lovely as ever and had her first swimming lesson today - she loved it but was knackered as it was around the time she usually naps so was asleep within a minute of getting home!
DS didn't go to his due to being sick and GP orders, but they asked me if I would mind if he leveled up for this term as they think he's quite advanced! (Well I keep telling myself that but he's also a bit older and stronger than some and I think they had issue's with number's balancing in their classes this term too)

Right, some exceptionally good left over from Christmas cheerfulness to finish in an attempt to drown my sorrows after seeing the size of my arse in the shop change room today, so must go....
Yay and DH has the day off tomorrow!! First day off since New Years Eve!

Aww, that's a really lovely story, Spot, thanks so much for sharing it. Is T settling down at all? You sound pleasingly chipper given that it's only, what, two and a half weeks ago? Good for you! At that stage, whilst very happy with DD2 I felt grumpy and unable to cope. I guess the recovery from the section was part of that though. Mind you, I saw Rubes only a couple of weeks after she had her DD and she looked impeccable (Rubes, do you remember that lunch?)

Happy Birthday for tomorrow, Invis! I thought of you today, actually, as I was reading how the last Philip Roth was one of the 'books of the year' of 2010 (have you read it?) and I also read a thread on here about the Howard Jacobson - people moaning about it and saying it was impossible to read. I know you liked it and I will be reading it later in the year.

Avo, I am sorry poor little DD2 is unwell again. When is the move? Are you getting rid of the nanny then? I seem to remember you were talking of an au pair.

Vag, I have got wound up on threads on here too often (not this one obviously). The only thing that changes is your own blood pressure...I think (hope) we all wish each other well on here, with our different choices and there's a nice atmosphere of vive le difference. The slagfests on the wider board make my eyes bleed, though, particularly if people are sanctimonious about the particular choices they have made (drug free birth/bf/stay at home mum/no telly/no sweets/no disposables - whatever the controversy is. I am all for discussing these topics, but in a respectful fashion, befitting the fact that these are decisions we have all made about our own precious children, and when those decisions are belittled, whatever 'side' you are on, it hurts! But I know you know all that anyway. Which is why you'll be a great doula.

As a result of the discussion about sad, scraggy undies I am wearing a matching cerise bra and thing to cheer myself up. What a pity I am a full cup size bigger than when I bought it...

Night all. It hasn't been a vintage Saturday. I did only have soup for supper though (ok, washed down with some bubbles...)

Rubes, I KNEW I was going to x-post with you! I just knew it! Totally clear about the passport. As for size of arse, I have five weeks before I am dragging my sorry one on hols. It's got to be five weeks of drastic action....

Hope you have a good day with DH tomorrow.

Oh, and I am wearing a THONG not a THING. Which, for my antipodean pals, does not mean I am wearing one flipflop for pants

Lady of course - def do remember that lunch, and it needs to be repeated! Dp's friend comment (albeit slightly weird) really cheered me up as although you said I looked well, I'm very good at faking it! As much as you are down on yourself, you had so many troubles yet again with your epi/spinals and wot not, but looked bloody good plus you handled two young kiddies darn well when we had lunch and I met the brand new dd2 at Westfield, and handled dd1's meltdowns with so much more grace than I do ds's

Speaking of meeting up, I recall PD enquiring about a possible Friday? I'm up for it.

Right, dh is actioning moving camp upstairs.... hmmm if he thinks there is a spot of action ahead, he should have paid attention to the birth control discussion The Yasmin cannot commence until the new cycle starts, a tarp is not at hand and the withdrawl method is proven unreliable from a good source it's action negative I'm afraid MrRubes.... back to your bike pimping research

@ one flipflop for pants!
Right, attempt to sleep.....

Gosh, there has been so much conversation this week I have tons to catch up on. It's been fascinating reading. I have to say it's been quite a bit deeper than our normal chitchat

very quick one from me as am in bed with lurgie. Huge congratulations to JJ. How fabulous.

And beans I'm very sorry to hear about your Dad. How are you doing? And did you get news about your MIL?

ZJ that story about your DD is very sweet. What a smasher.

Rubes that your DH hasn't had a day off since NYE - that's a long time to do every day on your own.

Avo hope your DD2 is feeling better. Loads more to catch up on - will be back later

spot That is a brilliant birth story, so lovely the thought of you all snuggled up.

ZJ How sweet of your DD!

urbs Hope your feeling better soon.

Great birth story Spot. Well done to family spot!

Vag ignore any nonsense and hold your head up high there is nothing wrong with having an opinion. Oh and doula yourself up you would be fab.

Did your matching undies get you anywhere last night LADY or are they like mine would be stuck to the inside of my jeans lying on the bedroom floor?

Rubes no day off since NYE, crikey that s along time hope you have a lovely day together.

Happy Birthday Invis.

Boo to the lurgy Urbs.

God feel so rubbish DH and I keep looking at poor Louis like he has a death sentence and I swear the lump on his muzzle is getting bigger. Keep crying about it too. He is only 3 this sort of thing should happen to old dogs not stupid nutty young dogs. Am sure he is aware something is wrong. He went up to sleep on DS1 bed last night he never does this, and even more strange DS1 was quite happy to have him there which is unlike him. SOrry so stupid to be waffling about an animal like this. I know its a bit irrational.

Congratulations jj! Hope you are all able to get home and snuggled up soon :)

wg all the best on the VBAC discussion, hope the doula is helpful in making your monitoring choices.

sybs pjs and sex in the city sounds like heaven.

Spot what a great birth story :)

zj bless your dd, all grown up at nursery :)

I am so tired. There just seems to be a huge list of things wrong with dd it feels as though we'll never get to the end of it. Current list includes a molar coming in(and dd can take months over just one tooth), a cough with lots of gunk in her throat, constantly itching and trying ot get to her skin tag (middle of her back, she scratches until she bleeds, Dr said we have to wait and see as removal would need a GA at her age. Don't get me started on that one), seemingly doing lots of wee at night when before had been pretty much dry and then being bothered about her nappy being wet). All of this results in 10 or more night wakings, thrashing around in her bed,screaming and crying. ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh yes, one more, she has been shovelling loads of food in and putting on some chub and we commented that she was probably due a growth spurt and last night she was fidgetting her leg around the exact same way ds does when he has growing pains.

Can I please have my dd who sort of sleeps and only wakes 2 or 3 times a night back please?

spot - somehow managed to delete half my message thanks for sharing lovely story. at mummy singing very badly

Ooh not caught up yet & visitors on their way round but just wanted to say huge congrats to jj and welcome to the latest addition to the Dec 08 family - wonderful news! Hope all is well x

Thanks Rubes and other ladies. I guess I can't second guess what others will think from something I post. I was happy that someone was sticking up for me as a longterm feeder. The other area to me felt like she was trying to point out to the doctors that there is more to feeding a baby than just getting nutrition into them. But I was also a bit miffed because the girl who to offence to it made a remark about SAHMs a few weeks before. Maybe though instead of taking offence and jumping up and down I should just listen. And your right Lady, no good comes from wandering off this thread. I was just on a light hearted thread and even on that someone had managed to come on abs have a go at the posters. What is wrong with people. Oh and Lady I made the mistake of going into a cloth nappy thread once, scary, and I use cloth nappies!

Pubus! I refuse to believe that you would be anything but taut and gorgeous with a pert little behind. However, I will say, I became quite depressed when trying on some gym gear the other day. I looked more chavtastic than gym babe (the look I was going for obviously). I know I'm very much out of condition but I looked really horrendous in the changing room mirror. Anyway a couple of days later I was doing my squats while balancing on one of those half fit ball things (maybe balancing isn't the best word to describe what I was doing), when I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror. Now there were definitely rolls on me, but I was not the Michelin man that the other mirror portrayed. So anyway, maybe it was just the mirror at those shops. It wasn't Zara, by any chance?

WG I contacted a friend of mine who knows a fair bit about what's needed during vbac birth and your rights etc, but she is not a right on, stick up for your women's right to nurture and be wholemeal etc, type. She said you are welcome to contact her by email if you have any questions.

Jam I don't think being so sad is silly, have you thought about what you might tell the kids.

That was meant to be scientists not doctors.

Hi PD.

Hiya Vag. Sorry this is v old now but I had to just say you really made me giggle with your Usain Bolt thing the other day. Was still giggling when I went to bed and woke DP up.

Invis happy birthday you spring chicken you. Hope you're having a lovely day.

Jam sorry to hear about your dog - must be so upsetting for all of you.

Rubes I'm still up for a Friday meet-up - can do pretty much any week. Anybody else up for it? I'm happy to meet up even if it's just us as I fancy a trip into London anyway, but I know it's quite a hassle for you so if you want to wait till there are a few of us we can do that. Up to you.

spot ta for birth story.

Bugger I forgot to say happy birthday Invis.

ZJ I also meant to say to you I had a 2nd degree tear with DS1, and was given the option of sutures but decided against it mainly because the MWs said it would heal itself as long as I kept my legs together. However, a friend had an episiotomy so therefore def needed sutures and apart from needing to sit on a pillow for a couple of days, she was ok.

Lady, also meant to add earlier I was intrigued as to what 'thing' you were wearing to cheer yourself up.

PD I've racked my brains and all I can remember is Lady saying I was Usain Bolt.

You were saying you can't imagine Usain Bolt cringing down the stairs with his arse chafing or something. Am still giggling at the image now. But then I am a bit simple.

Speaking of giggling can I just say wg that gigglebiz's popularity rating has soared in this house of late so your DH is obviously doing something right.

Oh yeah I remember now. That chaffing is severely hampering my feeling of becoming a fit buff gym bunny. What size does your butt need to be to stop chaffing? Sorry is that a bit much?

hello ladies, amssill stucck in hosp boo so using dodgy bedsid computer,please excuse typos... so, dd2 no name yet sorry, i have a fave and in fac on thursnight we edited the list from35 too 13 oh the irony... will deecide soon! how it happened - things all sloowed down but hadto go in anywya because of waters gone. got examined at 11, cervix still totally shut and cx all abut 15 mins. was told to go to ante natal for obs, see what hapenes. so we went to get lunch, cx came back with a vengeance every 5-6 mins. got back too ante natal, every 2 mins and strong, ushered up to labour ward. was told gestation meant continuous monioring but still able to stand up, move about within reason etc - went from leaning over beed to kneeking on floor, then up on bed leaning over the end to push her out. the actual pushing part took about 10 mins ouch ouch nearly squeezed dhs hand to a crisp and hurrah baby was fine so able to have skin to skin, paed didn't need to take her away at all as big and apgar 10 straigh away - she did two huge sneezes then a big yell :). Am quite glad she didn't mak it to ful term, would have been huge!

since then have been having sugar checked everry 3 hours and topping up through tube as she's not quite strong enough to take all the milk she needs, have been expressing and giving her that as well and if she manages two decent bfs by tomorrow morning they'll let us go home. dd came to visit yday, v excited and wanted t lick her head??! really want o get out of here tho, so big strong vibes needed for the baby pleasee. alsoo stfu vibes for shouty bloody staff! i'm sure that it is important for valerie to join the union but there are mums trying t sleep...

hi all,
Sorry I've been off for a bit - the dog ate my homework.
Massive congratulations to JJ Hope you are all well and having some family snuggle times.
spot you sound on good form - thanks for posting your birth story which makes me want another baby
zj I had stitches and my experience was like yours! Crying and biting on a towel every time I did a wee, salty baths, bare bottom time... all of which make me not want another baby!
WG I had a VBAC. I was monitored thoughout, so I guess I was mainly on my back or side, but was generally vomiting and having contractions anyway, so not sure i would have wanted to wander round. I think because I didn't have a labour with dd1 I just did what I was told - and that seemed fine to me - but I think I'm right that you went through labour before having your CS, so I guess you'll have more idea of what you want to be doing. Please don't let others' opinions get you down - it's your body and your baby, so you get to make the choices. There is no shame or failure in choosing a CS or a VBAC, and (as you know from last time) things don't always go to plan, so you just need to put your fingers in your ears when people say things which you don't need to hear, and focus on meeting your LO, however she comes. How is your DH? I only ask as he was quite low after Madam's birth.
Pubes I've never seen you but according to the image in my head you don't need to worry about the size of your bum! I've put on quite a few pounds so my clothes aren't fitting nicely at all - so I did 4 minutes on the Wii fit on Friday, which wore me out
I found the ff/bf discussion really interesting - although my conflict-phobia was starting to kick in and I kept dreading the bit where someone offended someone and it all ended in tears - but I was forgetting the fact that we are all lovely and this is our safe threas, not a scary wider MN thread! Phew
kiwi that's fab that you're interviewing Justin the Snowman! P is another Mr Tumble fan, especially the episode with the large carrot stick in the ground. DH also likes that episode, as it is the one where Justin proclaims "yes! I need help!"
. P's word for Mr Tumble is "Dodum", but that is also her word for Humpty Dumpty, so we can get a bit confused!
Going back to 2 year checks...they don't do them round here anymore. We got a leaflet posted to us which said 'your child should be able to do a,b,c...let us know if you're concerned about anything".
ZJ little E sounds adorable and clearly feels happy and secure in her nursery. She sounds so caring. You have every right to be a Very Proud Mummy. Oh and I love your new year's resolution...keep us posted!
DH is finally better from his chest infection and swine flu, so finally went back to work on Thursday, so for the last 2 days last week he was able to take P to nursery, instead of me - and he said she was fine and didn't cry at all, so it seems she's settled in her new room now
Oh ladyT your swearing dd mademe laugh a lot - bloody dark! I think I should appreciate P's lack of words while it lasts!
Someone asked recently (was it Deidre?) how things are going with L - well we're definitely doing better She still seems to have her emotions very close to the surface, and appears to have reached a new level of ability to ignore anyone talking to her, but I do feel like it's going better than a few months ago. On the whole I've been struggling again unfortunately. Physically I'm not on top form, but bloods have shown I'm anaemic again so a bit of iron should sort that out. But the other stuff is not great so I've had to restart the CPN visits, and last week she discussed me with the consultant, who now wants to see me to assess me herself and to talk about changing or increasing my meds and having some time off work I'm dreading going because I (obviously) associate the consultant with me being more unwell, so the fact that I have to see her again feels like proof that I'm not doing well. Anyway. Worse things happen at sea.
I am once again a snooker widow - and Hazel Irvine appears to be wearing a bronze velour dress

ooh cross posted JJ Thanks for the update. Really hope she guzzles some milk for you so you can go home tomorrow. I love that dd1 wanted to lick her

JJ - fab story and lots of get out of hospital fast vibes to you - I remember the feeling well. Glad DD made it out strong and healthy.

On the whole Mr Tumble thing - I am afraid its the only thing on ceebies that dd insists on turning the TV off for. For some inscrutable toddler reason she can't abide him.

Vag - your gym talk is scaring me. I really need to do something, but I'm afraid the mirror will crack....

LadyT - I am failing to do much proper reading lately, so no Roth for me yet, though I would like to read it. Reactions to Jacobson are interesting - I def think it is misleading to bill him as a comic writer, that's just not what it's about for me. The other thing is that I come to it with so much of my own subjective background and experience (I think MIL even went to school with him) its hard to figure out how it all reads cold. As I say, not sure that the new one is my fave, but still worth a read if you like his other stuff.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes. Started the day with "I don't want to go swimming" meltdown from both DCs (not helped by DH trapping DS's finger in a door on the way in and on the out of the pool!?). But it did get better. Time to crash though as I have to get gone at some ridiculous hour tomorrow morning.

Hello JJ :). Hope DD2 gets the hang of it and you can get out soon. And if any of the nurses are listening: SHURRUP!