Dec 2008 - Hello 2011 the Year of the Toddler!

[DeidreBarlow]

Totally unispired but hope you all find it...

Yes vag I do find it tiring. The other night I went for a run, had a shower and fell asleep about 8.30pm....rock & roll

May I join the exercise club - just been to boxing class for first time in ages. Benefits of working at same place as your DH = you get to beat him up of a lunchbreak. Entirely legally.

Am deep in the midst of the massive cleanathon for when the outlaws come to stay. So far the garage is done, the dresser has been decluttered and toys sorted. The kitchen cupboards have all been scrubbed and tidied out. Why cant she be a slattern like me? But must be grateful they are looking after the evil twins for 4 days and my kitchen does look all sparkly.

Will be back tonight for a proper catch up DH out eating a cow.

AM back on the programme of swimming and running. For someone who had a baby TWO whole years ago, I am in appalling nick.

Had to clear out a load of old stuff from my parents today. Found some photos of me at 20 looking so young snd fresh. Children did not recognise me. I look old and haggard now. As the oldest bird on this thread, I need everyone's top tips on (re)capturing one's youth. Lucy just smashed 3 wine glasses by accident. Maybe she's trying to tell me something.

I also chucked a lot of letters from old boyfriends and now rather regret it. Can't think what I was going to do with them but they are in Sainsbury's recycling bins now so no going back.

I feel my swim tonight might be rather maudlin. On the plus side, I am taking my dentist pal who has offered me whitening, botox and fillers. Is this another omen? Perhaps i should take her up on it.

Me, me, me, sorry. Hope you are all well.

Sybs dental botox???

Deids that's exactly how I feel. It feels a bit like when I was marathon training....mmmm the distances I'm running are a teeny bit different.

Kiwi, how long is the class, is it like boxercise. They have loads of different classes at my gym but I honestly don't think I would get through one. Hey, is the guardian the one based at Wapping?

Jam when do you go to NY, is it next weekend?

Scary dutch lady came, but was painless as could only stay and hour and a half and other nice brummy friend came.

Urbs have you booked somewhere already? We are looking as are the friends who are coming over from UK we are consolidating our finds tonight. So many places are already booked, its only January!!! Who are these ridiculously organised people. Maybe we should get more over and have a MN Dec08 holiday.

vag nah it's in Kings Cross. It's more sparring based than boxercise - it's in a proper old school boxing gym. Theres a beginners class which I think you can do more fitness and less actual sparring in ring - but that's the bit I like best... Specially when sparring with the guys - some of the girls are a bit feeble [adopts scary come and have a go stance]

Oh and it's an hour w/ 10 min warm up and 10 mins crunches/squats/push ups etc at the end

Did the single Mum thing AGAIN tonight as dh still not home! (any minute apparently) 3 are bathed and fed (including the dog!)
The dog knows she's not allowed on the couch (anymore) and has taken it upon herself to curl up on it just now perhaps she thinks because she is clean it's ok, plus dh not home and she's only scared of him - not me - typical. Now ds is sitting with her, nice.
dd went to bed at 645 - she was knackered.

Hi Sybs. I have some tips. Buy new wine glasses, meet up with your MN friends soon, and yes I'd get the whitening (I have no idea about your teeth but I'm huge on teeth whitening despite the fact I haven't done mine in ages, you have reminded me!) eek to the botox - you hardly need it from what i remember, and quite frankly, the last time I saw you, you looked very svelte, at that was AGES ago.

Jam when you say out eating a cow, do you mean at a nice steak restaurant? I love steak, but sadly don't have any for tonight.

Vag, am I correct that you said a bit ago that you are NOT a veg? But your dh is? Or am I mistaken? Not sure why I am wondering this - not like you're coming over for dinner tonight.

Must sort dinner now....

Hello Ladeez

I see from FB that JJ is home - hurrah! Need to read what else has happened!

I have a massive catch up to do but am only just back from an unscheduled trip to town. The car, which was being fixed in SE London, was suddenly and finally ready so DP was going to go when he finished at court yesterday lunchtime. So I took the girls in to Oxford on the bus, and then we all went on the train (that is, to my flat), had dinner out and then went and got the car today. We were quite a procession on public transport with two small children and two car seats in tow But it was all worth it because I LOVE it when I can get DP to come to London and we stay in my flat, as I can play that we actually live there. We went to a gastro pub last night within walking distance from my flat (DD2 was asleep and DD1 was having a late night - ok, she doesn't tend to go to bed until 8.30 anyway, but so what, she sleeps in late) and the waitress actually pulled a face when we walked in so DP told them we wouldn't be dining there...so we went up the road to a Gordon Ramsay owned pub, and the dining room is upstairs so we had to walk the gauntlet of the downstairs with a pub quiz in full flow, with two pushchairs, with 100 pairs of eyes burning into our backs...Anyway, both DDs were impeccably behaved, so I think we had the last laugh.

Why am I telling you all this?? I obviously don't get out much

I am going to have a jolly good read now.

But I must apologise profusely to Rubes as your passport stuff came minutes before I ran out the door yesterday. If I'd been thinking I'd have taken it with me, but I didn't so won't be taking it to the Post Office until tomorrow morn However, will do guaranteed delivery again.

Indith your sleep sounds rotten at the moment. How is DSs sleep? I seem to remember he used to have bad nightmares

Mom have you seen the chiropractor yet? Do they think the baby is breech and they can do anything to turn it? I can?t remember your birth experience with DS ? was he breech? And was he CS or vaginal?

Trace I had completely forgotten about the salty baths and bare bottom time. Urgh, was awful, I?m crossing my legs just thinking about it. I hope your appointment goes well with the CPN next week

Beans how was your Dads birthday meal? (Is it tonight? I don?t know what day it is anymore) I hope you managed to have fun together, despite the cloud hanging over you

Summer I can?t believe I didn?t even think to look at the numbers or charts whilst being monitored, I really missed out there. I will insist on monitoring if I have a DC2, so I can enjoy the graphs properly . It is a boring story about the monitoring, but as you asked ? the week before DD was born the MW was concerned she wasn?t growing, so I was referred to the Dr and to get another scan, both of whom said all was fine. MW wasn?t convinced so referred me to a consultant, who I never saw as DD arrived before the appt did. As my notes had been lost in all the to-ing and fro-ing in that week, it was up to me to inform the MWs at the hospital about me, so I told them I was under consultant care, which apparently means you have to be continuously monitored. It was explained to me afterwards that I wasn't actually under consultant care until you I saw a consultant, so therefore the monitoring shouldn't have been required

Jolly did you give up on the idea of moving into your ILs old house? Sorry if I missed that tale. Good luck with the move!

I used to love boxercise, when I was young and fit. I actually had sculpted arms back in those days, and could do 30+ full on press ups (not the kneeling, girly variety) ? I loved the sparring best, I used to go for it a bit too much sometimes and pass out, oops

Yeehah for the little Ladies perfect behaviour, I hope you stuck your head round the door of gastro pub on your way back and stuck your tongue out at the grumpy waitress

WG was your DH responsible for any of the new characters in Gigglebiz? DD and I watched it tonight, but the big test will be DH, as it is his favourite programme (on any channel, not just Cbeebies)

Two of my friends have had new babies last week ? on Tuesday and Thursday.

The strange thing is DD and another friends baby were also 2 days apart, and 2 other friends had their babies 2 days apart 4 years ago. The world is very weird how it works, isn?t it?

Hello ZJ, I meant to say how darling and kind your DD sounds. That is such an achievement for a toddler to be thoughtful and caring, I think. I've been interested in all this monitoring malarkey as I am an ignoramus about all that. (That's to say, all cses are monitored, obviously!) Oh and for what it's worth, I agree that it's total bolleaux that your Surestart centre can't offer bf support because they can't offer ff support! Dear oh dear oh dear! Now that IS wrongheaded.

Indith, sorry you have been having some really wrecked nights. I hope last night was better.

Beans, I think tonight was your night out with your Dad. I hope he managed to enjoy it. I know it's scary and I think I said before, but sometimes the faster growing tumours respond better to treatment.

Sybs, you do NOT look old and haggard. Well, I say you last in the summer and you didn't then. No one is going to compare all that well with pics of their 20 yr old selves, but I bet you are more interesting and much more wise now than then (I am!) If you want to pep yourself up - haircut somewhere posh, eyebrown overhaul (can't remember what your brows are like, they may be peerless but it can take years off one!), facial, new clothes?

Rubes, I am very interested to hear about the bike DH is putting together for you. It sounds like Frankenstein's monster (in a good way - bit of this, bit of that). I demand that it is henceforth known as 'Frankenstein'. I am going to sell DH's bike as it is not one that I or DP will ever use and is just sitting in my storage - Summer, it's a Cannondale 500 (I think) so probably quite old. No clue what it's worth - probably naff all.

Oh, and glad you had a better night, SL.

Blimey JB, I feel hectic for you re: the house! But so exciting, a new baby in a new house. Good luck! What's it like?

Trace, I say this to you every time. But you are so kind to everyone else and so flippin' hard on yourself...

DB, how are your folks doing in Sri Lanka? They had quite bad floods there (though not as bas as Aust). Well done on the fitness drive. It seems like the whole thread is in training - apart from moi. This really was my last hurrah, this trip to London, as I am off on hols on 20 Feb and franchement, even a modicum less flab would be an improvement. I am a flubbery disgrace

Rubes, Urbaneski, PD et all - looks like a Friday for sure then! Happy to go for 7th Feb if that's half term...When people know when half term is I will start a thread.

Vag, you DO need a hol, you know. Put yourself first for a change. I am off to Bordeaux at end of May - probably - as I am supposed to be organising the next cricket tour there.

Right, going to sink into bed in a fug of regret for all I have eaten and drunk the last couple of days.

X-posted with you JJ, that is a really beautiful name Extremely elegant. Loving Athene, how sweet that her sister chipped in.

Love the name JJ - love it. It was on our long list at one point. Let me know if it's ok to send you a bundle of teeny clothes -Don't want to inundate you if you have loads left from dd1.

Lady no probs re passport. Thanks again so much. Sounds like a busy couple of days but glad you had a nice time and nice dinner (know that pub vaguely) with the 2 very well behaved girls and so glad you got to shove two fingers to the silly pub patrons

Why am I up at some silly hour still? Just off the phone to parents after reading email that the midgee count has quadrupled at their house due to lovely swamp like breeding grounds thanks to the floods not sure if it will dry out in time but they would still be bad. Nervous to take 2 littles from 5 degree temp here, to 30 deg temps, to then get eaten alive so plans totally up in the air again Then, in the same hour, got an email from my now ecstatic friend (bride in question of wedding trip will revolve around) as she wasn't sure if we were coming but thrilled to get our rsvp affirmative the other day (double bugger in case of letting her down now) Oh boy what to do.... I shall no doubt toss and turn over holiday plans now all night. I can get parent's to NZ very cheaply for a fam meet up - but is it worth it? the hassle? Thoughts? Oh dear God, somebody tell me what to do!
Fri 7th works for me but depending on venue etc as I can't rely on my two angels to be BabyLadyT-esqu in their behaviour, so no Michelin stars or even slightly posh pubs please!
Right, 0053 - bout bed time I'd say

You dirty stopout, Rubes! On the hol front I would def want to check out the midge situation and reassess, even if it means disappointing your friend as you want it to be enjoyable for you, rather than stressful. What is your instinct telling you right now?

Lady am so glad you had a nice night out and chose the right establishment in the end. You are reminding me why I will actually be fine with moving back to Lahndon, we even looked at flats last night. This will be the downer as we will only be able to afford a flat having got used to a house but so long as it has a garden I guess it should be manageable.

Or of course there's Essex. Oh please will someone just find me somewhere to live and I'll go there!

JJ, love the name, it's beautiful, and so glad you'll have some time with DD2 at nursery to get everything a bit more settled. I love the FB photo.

Kiwi, remind me not to cross you! Nah, am seriously impressed with your commitment to the fighting cause. Do you have fewer rows with your DH as a result of being able to get all your frustrations out in the boxing ring?

Oh and where did you go for lunch in Brighton t'other day? Could do with some recommendations.

Sybs sorry you are feeling low. What prompted you to throw out the letters? How are things with you and DH atm?

Jam the very fact that you have cleaned to that extent proves you are no slattern. I have never undertaken some of the cleaning tasks you describe.

Maybe that is why T is ill so often

DS2 is 3 weeks today, can't work out if it feels longer or shorter. He is very sweet, still desperately farty and squawky but am getting used to the noise now. DP has only been back at work 2 days though so am still v new to the whole dealing with 2 scenario. THank god for playgroups though, at least T can run around in a contained environment.

Am theoretically up for a 7th meetup in London as T is at nursery on a Fri so if it was late morning/ lunchtime I could make it and still collect him from nursery by 4.

Wow loads since last night and I have a birthday coffee morning for a friend so must go but just very quickly,

JJ I love the names,

Zj I'm sure the MW meant well but REALLY with a week to go!!

Rubes, I think I'd be going for the parents trip to IN ZID myself (sorry can't help taking the piss out of that accent it in my blood)

Lady I love your DP god bless him. Also is it hard to sell DHs bike? I mean emotionally.

Right gotta go.

A quick post to say welcome home JJ and a beautiful name :). DS1 would have been Eleanor if a girl and I love Athene.

Beautiful name JJ, my godmothers daughter is called Honor and when I was at school none of my friends believed me that I had a friend called that, so I'm thrilled there's another Honor in the world. Is it Athene as in Athens, or rhyming with teeny weeny?

Lovely to hear that you are home JJ. I love the name! Very pretty.

zoe and ladyT Buying my parents house has fallen through as it is too far from DH's new work and I'm not sure we could afford to do it up properly. The house we want to buy is not that much bigger than what we have now - we just gain a third bedroom, but it is 10 minutes walk to DH's work, 20 min bus to my work, and has a lovely garden! I'm a bit scared of moving to a new area but I'm just going to have to throw myself into as many playgroups as possible and force myself to make an effort to make friends. The estate agent SOLD sign has just gone up outside, so that's progress!

zoe Your DD sounds so sweet helping the other girl. My DD isn't keen on the big room at all. She looked so lost when I dropped her off today - I nearly cried. She was so brave and let me kiss her goodbye but was standing watching me leave amongst all the bigger ones. Oh dear, I'm setting myself off again.

jam You cleaned the garage for a MIL visit! Wow that is committment! Gold Domestic Goddess star to you.

Sorry not to do more personals. Back later on.

Oh JJ I love those names, very elegant.

Still not caught up properly.

Domestic goddess I am not. The garage you could barely get into and my father in law is a tinkerer so will be in the garage looking for things so he can do random fixing up jobs.

Gotta dash boys at nursery, loving using the plural. Then its the docs for me and the vets for the shmoo poo.

Oh dear don't have n effing clue now about hols. After talking to parents, midgee count plus humidity factor and rain has put us right off going there. That leaves them coming to NZ but we would be paying for them which could add up. Most of the decent accom is booked already so that's not easy to start. I'm about ready to ditch the whole Sthn hemi idea and park up at a Club med ski resort with a kids club in Europe as it's possibly cheaper.... Or perhaps an extended stay in California instead and see some old US friends. Why is this so complicated? I want to do what dh and I will enjoy the most but at the same time would love to go to friends wedding. That said, I wouldn't be going to NZ if it wasn't for her wedding so is it really worth it? Sounds like she's not coming on her once planned trip over here to other friends wedding in Spain later on dues to funds which is slightly a shame as she took redundancy package from work and got a pay out plus 2 years of free flight allowences which she still can't afford to use due to taking necessary unpaid time off work to do it
Sorry about me me me. vag love your In Zid (sounds like dh whenever we see these friends!) get's worse - her dh to be is Sth African!
DS is delightful today - and 100% better.

Jam please let us know about your poor dog asap x

She's marrying a Saffa, oh dear, imagine their children, they'll be all mixed up. It should not be allowed

Really I would ditch it. Sure she'll be disappointed, but her wedding will go on and she will have plenty of people there to help. Maybe if funds are tight you could be a bit generous with the wedding gift list instead or just give cash towards spending money for their honeymoon. We got married in Italy and when we invited people we said we completely understood if they couldn't come. Imagine how you would feel. I have to admit when I looked at our possible flights to Oz, I was thinking we could do 2 weeks in the Caribbean for a similar price.

I think we've found a place to say for our summer break. It'll be about ?600 per family and had a private pool. this place

Thank you to my Secret Santa: an unexpected parcel and some lovely hand' stuff :). My hands are a disaster area so much appreciated.

Vag and other w knowledge of da Midlands: any ideas where we could have a nice child-free break somewhere in Derbyshire or surrounds? We are considering leaving the boys with MiL in Kettering and tsking off for the weekend. I don't want to be too far off in case of probs but we do have wheels so were thinking of the Peak District.

Rubes: Cslifornia sounds lots of fun

Gorgeous name jj.

If we are talking about Friday 11th Feb for a meet-up I'm in. Have arranged to get drunk with a friend later so perfect. Just need to figure out how to bring the DCs to the meet-up then somehow get rid of them for the evening sesh. I'm up for the usual venue but as always am happy to go anywhere they serve alcohol the DCs are not expected to behave.

spot come to Essex! But don't bother with pretty villages and all that (sorry Jam). Come and live where Effie & I are. Seriously, after 18 months of "rural idyll" I am a born again townie. Loving it.