Dec 2008 - Hello 2011 the Year of the Toddler!

[DeidreBarlow]

Totally unispired but hope you all find it...

ZJ lovely news.

On our way to airport bit tearful leaving the wee ones. But whoop whoop NY here we come.

Not had a chance to read back properly but I dud snort at glass of wine Mummy.

See you all in a few days.

effie I kept forgetting to make a recommendation for trip to Derbyshire (if you've not already booked).I can't do links on the phone, but google the Devonshire Arms and they also have a place in Derbyshire. I've stayed at one of their Yorkshire spots and they are lovely, think a pub with rooms, but excellent food, roaring fires and v comfortable rooms. And they are owned by the Duchess of Devonshire, as in she who has Chatsworth

Happy hols jam

ZJ what good news about your friends.

jj glad you got the stuff. the beer was meant to be Summer Lightning, but predictably they didn't have it, what with it being winter and all. So I got you winter ale instead.
I found JL newborn stuff MASSIVE too.
Oh and I find it strange that all the girl toddlers are fascinated with breastfeeding but all the boys I know are just not interested at all. DS pointed at my nipples once when they were leaking and said "willy, milk" (at that stage he thought nipples were willies, strange boy) and that is the extent of his interest. Strange as he is very milk obsessed in general.

jam hooray have a good holiday. Bet you won't miss the monsters that much when you are there

trace thanks loads for the eating stuff. That is really useful. The problem with lots of this stuff is that DH thinks he should be getting table manners so we can disagree re playing with food. But I guess we can try letting him play with food but tell him off if he throws or drops it on the floor. The cooking stuff has really worked, even if he doesn't eat much of the result he is more likely to try it and he also gets very excited about the cooking.
His nursery worker asked again about his eating this morning. Agree ladyT that she is talking bolleaux re current thinking about food. I shall ignore her as I don't think she would listen to me telling her that she is misguided!

rubes 400 quid sounds a good price for a bike for general use. That is about how much my about town bike cost and it's not enough to make it super light or pimpy but enough that it has good enough bits that it doesn't fall to bits easily. Oh and none of my bikes are carbon!! They are still quite expensive though.

I did that turbo training video yesterday, veggie I would recommend it if you have a turbo trainer, very good fun, and very hard work.

effie re Derbyshbire, I also like Hope and Castleton. V pretty and very good mountain biking (so probably good walking too) We stay in cheapish accommodation when we go though so not sure on that.

Right had better go dd is complaining. Her first swimming lesson this morning.

SL - I love that "willy milk" story - made me howl! Brilliant.

JJ - yay! And the impending discharge (bleugh, hate that word) has also made me laugh a lot.

DD2 teething at moment, so had hideous night last night. Plus she is doing the most disgusting orange runny poos up her back at the moment. Makes me retch while I'm changing her.

Just want to say a v quick sweet thing that we did this morning - DD1 was given a shopping trolley by my mum for her birthday and we took it round the supermarket this morning. It was so sweet. I only had a bit of shopping to do, so she could carry it all in there and she was so proud! Then when we got home, she carried it all in in the plastic bag and put it up on the counter for me - going up onto tiptoes to put it there. So sweet. I do love this age. They can be hellish, but when they're not, they're just gorgeous. Like DS2, Vag, saying "It's just me mummy". That made me well up! Too cute.

Hey, hey - good news - I have broken the 11 stone barrier and was 10 stone 13 this morning. Marvellous! Mustn't eat too much in coming days...

Rubes - we use sitters.co.uk the whole time and you don't always know the babysitters and they're really good - and based all over the country. And considerably cheaper than anyone else I know!

Right, I must go and help DD1 with her lunch. Cheese omelette. I'm having one too. Yummy.

SL - glad the cooking is helping - I must get DD1 involved too.

Oh and Avo - I'm so sorry DD is having nightmares and things. It sounds awful. I'm trying to think what could be done, but as most things are, hopefully it's just a phase and will change as she gets more settled. Am thinking of you.

And Kiwi - you are having a total shocker, you poor love. Chin up.

And a quick final question - is anyone else scared of the dark? Not DCs, but actually you? I am terrified of it and am worried about passing it onto the girls. When DH goes away I lie awake at night worrying about the slightest noise. And the most embarrassing and ridiculous thing is, that I'm not scared of real threats like burglers, but of monsters and ghosts. I am so embarrassed by it, but it's a genuine terror!!!

Oh Beans you poor love, I'm not too bad with it, though I do get a bit nervous at home when DH not here, as a child I watched the exorcist and got quite afraid of being possessed. DH get a freaked out a little by ghosts because in Chinese culture they are considered to be definitely real not just a possibility. You could talk to someone about it. I'm not sure about passing it on. Ive heard of people passing the fear animals or water onto their children.

SL we have a tacX turbo trainer that you hook up to the computer, is that what you get the workout downloads for? Also carbon fibre was applied to bikes for a new selling point for boys. I have carbon fibre forks on my bianchi and it helps make a smoother ride, and tribars cos they looked less bulky. DH has a full carbon bike but I thinks its a bit wanky, the lovely guy I bought my bike from at a tri shop north of London said if you do a wee before a race you'll lose the same amount of weight as you'd save with a carbon bike. Funnily enough DH prefers the ride of my bike anyway. She is beautiful. Good components are what you want.

It's so sunny here, freezing but sunny. I'm going to take the boys to a little city farm that has a great bunny enclosure where the kids can go in and cuddle the guinea pigs.

Oh Beans that is too cute with the shopping trolley.

I've passed on my fear of flies to DD1. She is terrified of them - I dread the summer. And it's all my fault!!! EEK. She brought a dead one over to me in the summer and I reacted by going "EEEUGH" and shaking my hands a bit. And that's how she reacts now, but if she sees one, she's inconsolable and won't do anything!! Bugger.

well it's 2.55 and I'm not at work. consultant has signed me off . She has said one month. I asked if it could be shorter and she said she was already being generous with the month, because her gut instinct said 8 weeks. So that's that. Got to change meds too, so reduce Citalopram over next couple of weeks then start S-Citalopram and see how that is.
Can I off-load about a situation too? Well a couple of weeks ago at work I had to go on some in-house training, which we were told was 9 till 12. I arrived in good time (involving putting L in breakfast club). People arrived in dribs and drabs and so someone said to the peron running it "I thought we started at 9?", to which she replied "I know people are always late, so if I said 9 I knew we could get started by 9.15-9.30". I was a bit cross about this as I had made arrangements to be there for 9, and had I known, I would have not done that and turned up at 9.20 ish. Anyway in our team meeting last week I mentioned to my manager that I was a bit cross - not about the £2.70 breakfast club money - but that it was assumed people would be late so we were all treated as though we couldn't arrive on time. SHe said I should wait for the evaluation form then highlight it on that. The training itself was FAB! Anyway, I've not yet received an evaluation so haven't done anything about it. I went into work today to speak to my boss, and there was an envelope on my desk with £2.70 in it and a note saying "to reimburse you", from the course leader. I burst into tears (admittedly not entirely due to the note!) but feel awful that this has been dealt with without my input and she given me the money. All I wanted was for next time and honest start time to be given to everyone - not for money I feel like that lady probably thinks I'm a real trouble causer now which wasn't my intention. Am I getting upset over nothing? i'm now not allowed back in so can't email/ ring her to explain or even acknowledge her note.

Trace: please don't stress about the note. If the trainer gets in a huff over something like that, then she isn't worth it! If you're worried, can you give your boss/a sympathetic colleague a ring and ask them to smooth things over? I'm sorry you're not happy with being signed off. Get as much rest as you can and you can come hang out in here as much as you want . we can provide virtual nasty coffee if that would help...

Trace, if she takes it personally then she's a bit fact. I'm sure your boss just wanted to stand up for you and make a worthwhile point. I know what you mean, our training used to say starts at xxxxhrs sharp yet still people would dribble in. It used annoy me as I started work at 8am so I used to pop into the office first do some work and then go to the training for say 9, then it was just people having cups of tea until 9.30, I could have made lots of calls by then.

I'm sorry your not happy with the outcome Trace. Is it wrong that I'm happy you'll be able to pop on here more. I'm bad aren't I, and selfish. I'm sure your consultant thinks you need the time to recover Trace, maybe if your feeling better in a few weeks you could ask to go back on reduced hours, but for now take the time to look after yourself. You need to think about you now. Have you spoken to your boss?

Trace Lovely trace, I'm sorry that you have not got the result you were after. I'm positive your consultant knows what is best for you. Use the time wisely and take care of yourself, you can have some for YOU. But am in agreement with vag...it will be lovely to have you around a little more. Am thinking of you xx

trace lovey, I'm sorry your consultant felt the need to sign you off. Remember it is you time and use for you. Is it you who is a keen gardener? If so, get digging and watching those bulbs grow this month (I was thrilled to see daffodil shoots peeping through this weekend). And I would let training course pass, especially now you're not in the office

beans I know what mean about being alone in the dark, but fortunately mine isn't a phobia just an overactive imagination sometimes. I've been reading the last Harry Potter and last week I lay awake for a good hour convinced the death eaters were going to get me with one of the unforgiveable curses. I even considered going into DDs room for some company As your DDs don't see you when you're laid there, I doubt they'll pick up on anything

Trace - I'm so sorry it's not the outcome you wanted, but second everyone in saying it's time for YOU. And re the course person - try not to fret - do speak to sympathetic boss/colleague as also suggested - or maybe try to get course leader's number and call her directly to explain?

ZJ - relief to hear someone else in same boat. Mine is really overactive imagination as well, as I picture the most extraordinary situations! Exactly like you. It's so weird. And yet, I love supernatural books and scary films. I know I shouldn't watch them, but can't help myself!!! I would recommend that no one ever watches Paranormal Activity. Very very very scary. Worst I've ever seen!!

Lovely Trace, I am so sorry it's not the outcome you wanted but I think it's fair to say you have been soldiering on for the last few weeks when things have been so tough and it's probably a good thing to have a bit of time for you. A month is not that long and if it gives you time to get your strength back and start feeling more like your old self it can only be a good thing.

WRT the note, it is possible that it was not meant in a bad way, but it is of course so hard to gauge the tone from a note. I know I would stew over it for ages, so why not email your manager (the sympathetic one) and put your point across, then it's done and you can put it behind you and concentrate on getting back to your old self. It drives me CRAZY when people don't start things promptly, esp when I have bust a gut to get there, so I would be raging too. Take care my lovely and lots of love to you. XXXX

Aww, Trace, sorry you are feeling blue about being signed off. But the girls above are right. Presumably you will be paid whilst you are off? Right, well January is a crummy month and Feb ain't much better - a cracking time to be at home in my opinion! Have a lovely month and have proper time for YOU, get cosy and give your brain and your whole self a lovely rest, and when it's time to go back it will be coming towards spring, traditional time of fresh starts.

As to the note, I reckon two possibilities:
(1) the lady doesn't mean anything by it and was sorry and trying to make amends for wasting your time, in a clumsy way;
(2) she was making a point in a huffy sort of a way.

As Sybs says, it is near impossible to gauge the tone from a note, but hand on heart, I think (1) FAR more likely than (2) but who knows. But either way, I reckon she has forgotten it by now and so should you.

Now get those gloves up, my dear!

More later ladies. Oh, and Beans, I am not a big fan of the dark either! Seriously. But I will not watch horror films or anything like that. I hate them. I find them sadistic and they make me miserable. Put them in the bin!

Rubes, there's a great house down the road that would be right up your DH's street! Will FB you a link.

Anyhoo, back later as I said.

Aww trace sorry that the signing off work isn't what you wanted. I don't think your consultant would have done it unless he really thought it was the best thing though. Take some time for yourself and spend plenty of time talking to us lot. Oh and although I can see the note thing is one of those things that niggles you and preys on your mind, I think really it is probably not a big deal to the course running person and you should try and forget about it...

vag the turbo training videos are just vidoes that you watch while on the bike. I just uploaded it to my iphone and rode to it. They are quite entertaining as it flashes up silly messages like "this is really going to hurt", " you should be grovelling by now", "this is Contador you are chasing not your fat mate". I rode for the whole 1 hr session and usually turbo sessions I am bored after half an hour on my own. So you don't need a particular turbo trainer, do you have one of those fancy ones that connects up to the TV and stuff, mine is also a tacx but doesn't hook up to computer. My road bike has carbon forks too but the rest is aluminium.

Oh beans I totally agree with you about gorgeousness at this age. in particular DS has just realised that DD is quite cute, and DD has just learnt to do proper hearty laughs. It is just so lovely to hear them chuckling at each other. Also I was reading the very hungry caterpillar to them, one on each knee and it was lovely...awwww. Oh and I don't currently have too much trouble with scary stuff in the night, though I used too. DH was away last night though and I couldn't sleep. Got about 2-3hrs sleep, stupid insomnia. I did used to get scared in the night though, so I get where you are coming from! Oh bummer, I'm going to start thinking spooky thoughts now in the night aren't I? zj i did giggle at your unforgivable curses! And to think we will read our kids harry potter in a few years.

Right bed time I am tired.

Trace, hope you are feeling better about it all v soon. Good advice has already been given here so ditto and chin up.

Summer it is this bike and even cheaper than I said. Just for me to pootle on with the trailer.
DH has all those sufferfest one's downloaded too. Says they are quite good, but I think he has the older one's.

Beans those nappies sound vile. Know them well. DD hasn't had any since the solids started (all been really respectable) but it's so slow going feeding her solids. She's so nosey, I have to have the TV off. Tonight she didn't even drink her bottle properly as she was laughing too much at Waybuloo. V cute but a bit annoying when ds needs stuff done!

Lady got the link but it wouldn't open. Then I read your FB message. Bummer.

You are more than welcome JJ. I remembered when ds was born that all the apparently newborn stuff was way too big so with dd (especially since she was 6lb12) I got the mini babyggros / sleepsuits and when MiniLady was born almost exactly the same I knew they'd be just what she needed!
dd has just outgrown 3-6 mths and now a little swimmy in 6-9 but fits fine in the length.

Benas I think I will try sitters.co.uk, and I'm guessing you don't know as you are petless - no? But do I need to lock the dog away or what happens in the situation with animals - just check with them and go from there? The dog is harmless but I know some people are scared / allergic etc.

Right I'm sure I had more. I'm shattered.

Oh yes, guess what, DD is a fully fledged Aussie Citizen as of yesterday Now for the passport....
Oh and I got the fares slightly wrong and looked at a more expensive one, and a few other things happened and I think the trip is on.... we are going to the wedding I think!
I'm shattered.

Oh and Lady love dd1 offering you a glass of wine brilliant.

Great you think you might have made a decision on the hol Rubes, and haroo to the citizenship! DP never heard a dicky bird btw.

I wanted to do more of a catch up but I am so tired (two crappy sleepless nights, nothing to do with DD2) so I will do it tomorrow morn.

Oh, had DD1's 2yr check today but also, DD2 was weighed - she is now 75th centile and she was born on 25th. She is a complete Biffer Bacon. But absolutely lovely. I feel she is a very cheerful baby. Cheerfulness is such an underrated attribute, in my view.

Night night all.

Morning all. My lovely sleeping babies have disappeared to be replaced by screaming hell children. I have had 2 hours sleep and am feeling it. DD1 woke up every 45 mins from 2.15am. DD2 is doing the acid poos and now has the most awful nappy rash and screaming and screaming whenever I have to wipe her ass, which is about every 2 hours as the poos are so runny and frequent. It breaks my heart. Sudocrem being used in abundance and will move onto metanium as well. My sister recommended canesten - has anyone else heard of that?

Sorry to be me me, but feeling like a zombie!

Oh poor you Beans. Canestan cream is a thrush cream I think. Metanium is so good as it clears up the bott bott as well as protecting it from the acidy poos.

Pubie my head is spinning!

Well I shouldnt say as Beans had such a bad night, but, apart from a little murmur at 6am DS2 slept until 7.45am. We think he might be a bit unwell that's why he slept so long, but we'll take that. He is definitely waking earlier because of bad dreams though, and I think that's why he freaks out when I touch him. I think in some cases he's not even fully awake.

Where is Spot?

Lady, cheerfulness is lovely.

Oh Vag - I'm so pleased for you! Well done DS2 - hurray!

DD1 has just made my day a lot better. She requested a potty and then did a stonking great poo in it. Very proud. I didn't even have to bribe her! Hurray! She just sat there with a book and curled one off. What a legend. Hurray!

Will get cracking on the metanium. DD1 didn't really suffer with her teeth, so this is a bit of a shock for me! Karma, probably!

10 stone 12 this morning....

And Rubes - don't know about dogs, but if you let them know when you're booking, then I'm sure they'll find a sitter who likes dogs!

i am here vag, reporting for duty from house of ill and projectile voms. went to gp who prescribed gaviscon, but havent used yet as it's too thick with comfort milk and would have to swap back to regular stuff. rubes and lady, didn't you have the same conundrum? did the gaviscon help?

jj i saw from your fb you've been out to baby cinema, am so impressed you sound much more together than me and your dd is 2 weeks younger! is your dp still on pat leave? how are you feeling in general?

what a shocker of a night for you, beans, but hurrah for the potty poo!

and double hurrah for ds2's sleep, vag. do you feel better for it too?

coffee time.