Dec 2008 - Hello 2011 the Year of the Toddler!

[DeidreBarlow]

Totally unispired but hope you all find it...

JB fingers crossed for you and the baby. When do you go on mat leave?

trace take it easy. Sorry you got signed off when you didn't want to but hopefully you & the girls will feel the benefit. As for the trainer, as LadyT said probably just a clumsy attempt at sorry and nothing more - not worth tying yourself in knots about.

jj self-settling sounds promising. Both mine have always been rubbish at that, at night anyway - I still have to lie down in bed with DD and turn the light out before she will drop. Mind you I am a weed and have never been able to bring myself to just leave them to it.

Beans hope DD's bum is feeling better soon.

LadyT whereabouts in Egypt are you going again?

Vag & Rubes you are exhausting me with all your tales of workouts even though I haven't got a clue what you're on about! I've become even more lardy now that my office is a 3 minute walk from my house - at least I used to bike the last 10 minutes or so to my last job. I think it's only a matter of time before I have to face that age old existential question - when is baby fat just fat? Hmm, maybe I'll make a new year's resolution next year...

On the potty front, well she's done a couple of random poos on it but that's it. We potty trained DS at this age and he took to it fine (in fact he was out of nappies even at night a few weeks later), but I was on mat leave then and we didn't have carpets! I know if I leave it to DP she'll be in nappies at 4 so I think I'm just gonna have to muster up the enthusiasm myself somehow.

What's happening on the 11th? Ordinarily I'd be well up for Jam's as it's near me but I'm going to London anyway that evening so was planning on making a day of it. Can I tempt any of you London ladies? I could always go to Jam's & then on to London at a push but it seems a waste of a trip to London somehow.

Oh Avo, I want to go to that night. Was it at Koko or the Electric? I used to go to the Electric with DH (talk about the oldest swingers in town...)

I can't do the 11th at poor old Jammy's because I will be at Mum's.

Egypt - yeeeeeees, we are supposed to be going to Sharm on the 20th Feb. The Foreign Office are still saying the Red Sea resorts are ok, but I will also take the precaution of checking it out with mate who's the deputy Ambassador of another African country. He will give me the heads up, I know. If we can't go I'll be cross, as travel insurance doesn't tend to cover riots/civil unrest. I just wish they could have saved their revolting for later in the year.

That sounds like a nice, chilled SUnday, Vag. We are off to the supermarket and to get DD1 a potty and a step up to the loo. She is wearing a mask of snot and is not happy. I know damn well she'll have picked it up from the doctor's surgery and all those manky toys in reception

DO hope you can catch up on a bit of sleep, Beans... is your Dad starting his treatment next week?

Hi PD!

Afternoon everyone,

beans Glad DD2 got the all clear on thrush. Hopefully it will start to clear soon and you'll be able to catch up on some sleep.

ladyT Glad you got to meet zoe, isn't she lovely?! What a pain your insurance doesn't cover the riots. Can you change the booking without loosing money and go elsewhere?

JJ Fantastic news on the self-settling. Long may it continue!

arti I did chuckle at you having to deal with a poo on the floor with a hangover! Hope you are having a lovely time in the coffee shop with a cake to aid your recovery.

Thanks for your thoughts on the weight loss, I'll weigh myself again tomorrow before I go to the hospital to doublecheck. It might be water as JJ suggested. I'm 30 weeks on Wednesday and am just hoping I can hold out as long as possible. 32 or 34 weeks would be much better. PD I'm not booked to start mat leave till 36 weeks but looks like I'll have to change that.

I'm just in denial about the prospect of an early delivery. I've not bought or sorted anything out for me or the baby. After DD was born, DH was too embarassed to ask for breast pads in Sainsburys so I ended up having to cut a sanitary pad in half and stick it down my bra . God knows how he'd get on asking for maternity sanitary towels. I'd better pull myself together next week and pack my own hospital bag.

JB I could send you some Dutch breast pads!

Lady a friend had booked a week in Tunisia at the end of Feb, it was cancelled by the travel agent because of the Dutch government banning travel to Tunis from Amsterdam so she just got completely refunded. So if the UK govt advises against travel I think you just get a refund because all the travel companies have to pull out their flights.

hi all.
Please forgive my rubbishness at taking in what's going on for everyone and doing personals. I just wanted to say to jb that I'm really hoping you can stay well and keep MiniJollyBear inside a little longer. I don't want to sound all "been there", because that's so annoying (!) but if there's anything you want to ask then please do, either on here or email or ring me. L was delivered at just under 30 weeks so quite similar where you are. We were completely unprepared (didn't even have a cot or a buggy, never mind clothes or nappies!),but being on Special Care gave us time to get things ready for her coming home. Nothing is vital immediately so please don't feel panicked and pressured now. I guess it was easier for us as L was our first, but you will be given so much support. I've given all our prem stuff to our SCBU otherwise I'd have handed it over to you. Anyway I'm waffling but I just wanted to say please try not to be frightened and if I can help at all, just shout xxx

So sorry I forgot to say thank you all for all the words of reassurance/ encouragement So much appreciated.

I have been keeping up, honest, but I never seem to post!

Jolly: good to hear you're home and OK. I'm glad the hossie is keeping a strict eye on you. Sending 'stay put' vibes to that babe.

Lady: I haven't forgotten about the music, I'm putting together a list snd will send you a CD shortly :). If you hate country music or Billy Joel, this might be a good time to say so . If anyone else would like one, let me know.

We are going to have to consider the (shudder) big bed: DH and I had settled down to watch telly last night and there was a knock knockknock at the door - DS2 has got out of hissleeping bag, climbed out of his cot and come downstairs.

Oh and this is Week 1 of me having the boys Mon-Wed. Eek. Need to get a list of activities sorted. Playgroup this morning.

Effie - I don't know if this would be any help on getting DS2 into his big bed, but... With DD1 we started moving her across to it when we went to bed and then when she was used to it after about 4 days, we put her in it at bedtime. It's quite a high bed, just a normal single, so we put a cushion down the side of it to stop her falling out. Think we could take that away now. She hasn't yet worked out that she can get out of it when I'm not there. Quite astonishing. Not sure she's going to be a nuclear physicist!!!

Oh, WHY did I buy that potty yesterday? In a mere 24 hours it has become the biggest thing in DD1's life. She wanted to sit on it this morning but it was too late and she had already done a poo in her nappy. The hysteria that ensued was something to behold. Her cold is awful (radioactive slime all over her face however I try to wipe it away) so she is having a bad time at the mo. As am I I just wanted to ease into potty training, keep it all quite laissez-faire, just get her used to the sight of the darn thing but DD1 is determined that it should be intense, visceral, full on.

Yes, must send you that CD, Effie! I am prepared to listen to anything.

RIght, off to grope my way to the kitchen to make another coffee.

Oh Lady, I'm very sorry. Due to my stressful experience with toilet training I feel very very sad when I hear of others having troubles but then ridiculously over joyed when I hear of friends having an easy time of it. I therefore either have friends who are thankful for my sympathy or freaked out by my enthusiasm. In your case though Lady I think it just shows the determination to succeed that O has, just keep chanting "this will be good for her later in life", it helps calm you :)

I swear I am double spacing after full stops but it's not coming up with a double space.

Hey Trace are you around this morning?

Well Vag, I am hoping it is just excitement that it is a new 'toy' and she will chill down about it in a day or two. I am in no rush whatsoever to potty train her and am slightly shocked to have been catapulted into this world where she is running around with a poo smeared potty like it is a Ming dish. The temptation to hide it for a few weeks more is overwhelming

I bet she surprises you with being brilliantly quick at it. Don't forget, the potty is brand new and v exciting! WE've got one upstairs and one downstairs - it's great. Saves much hassle. But I rarely put Whizz on it - only if she requests it! I am rubbish!

I'm about to make Jamie Oliver's mushroom soup recipe. It sounds bloody lovely, but I went to Waitrose to get the ingredients. That place is a total rip off. But wow it's like shopping with the landed gentry. I could get used to it!! Felt very rich while I was there and ended up spending £90!!! I don't have £90 in my bank account. Shit on a stick!

Lady - we bought one a couple of months ago because dd1 spotted it in boots and insisted on sitting on it in the middle of the shop - they have them at nursery for the ones that are trained/training - and she was obsessed for a couple of days then got bored. So if you're not quite sure that now's the time, you can always keep it for later. She occasionally tries to sit on it fully clothed which is kind of missing the point, but since so far her accuracy on knowing when she's done a poo is pretty minimal (or she's just a dreadful liar) we're not even trying anythingmore active yet.

Well, the first time she went on it yesterday she did a poo. Just a lucky hole in one, I think, but because we praised her and I think she was also pleased with herself she is keen to recreate the magic I think I will keep it hanging around for a few more days and if this intensity continues it might have to go on a high shelf for a bit...

Oh bumholes, it looks like my trip to EGypt is going tits up. I know that's selfish and Western but I was really looking forward to it. Red Sea resorts are still safe, but...

Definite bumholes Lady, I'm assuming you posted this after you posted to my FB status. They have basically bought all dutch nationals back and those travelling with Dutch based tour operators. Tui which is the same as Thomson travel and Arke which is the same as some other tour operator in the UK is flying loads of Dutchies back from Hurghada. The Dutch & German govts do seem to be the first to put out warnings against countries though so maybe UK won't. I know they have to be careful but it is unfair to these resorts, the local people will literally lose out big time on this. I know It's better to be safe but those resorts are no where near the trouble and the tourist industry is everything to that area. Sorry Lady you really need this break, I have a few friends who have bit the bullet and booked to go to the Canaries now that Tunisia and Egypt are out. Apparently it 27 degrees.

Rubes, the soup is on!

Brought all Dutch people back! Clearly they would not buy all the Dutch people back from Egypt.

Wowsers on little O and her potty mission! O is nearly exactly the same age as DS and he is a million miles away from potty training. However DD at this age was fully trained and virtually dry at night. I think your just going to have to let her guide you and see where she is at in a couple of days.

jb Glad that you are still at home. Am praying baby stays inside for a few more weeks yet.

Lady on the news this morning they said there had been reports of people being told to stay in their hotels in the Red Sea resorts. But I then did the school run so didn't hear exactly what the situ was. Do you fly to Cairo?? The airport looks chaotic...I'm hope you do get there but only as long as its safe for you all.

Jolly is it another trip to the hospital today? We will be thinking of you and hoping your little one stays put til Wednesday, or better still the Wednesday after. It sounds to be doing ok in there if it's on the 97th centile, doing better than you are at any rate. Did you have high BP with L? I assume you've been signed off work and not squeezing that in between appointments? On top of all this, is there any progress on the move, or are you putting that on the back burner? Sorry, I've asked a ton of questions, probably not good for the BP! I have one last question though - I'm going to Boots myself tomorrow with a list, can I add anything for you and post it on? I have loads of points on my card so it won't cost a thing.

effie that's quite scary that ds2 can climb out of his cot. We're considering the Big Bed, but not until we get a gate for the bedroom door first.

I'm sure O will pick up potty training quickly LadyT, as she grasps everything else exceedingly well. I do hope so, for your sake! Thank you so much for letting me steal half an hour of your weekend, it was lovely to meet you. I think DH enjoyed his first meet up too as he's been pestering me ever since to log on and see what you're all doing. However he is complaining that Mr ZJ is not a good enough nickname and he'd prefer the dashing Mr ZJ, which makes him sound too Mr Darcy like and that he definitely isn't!

Beans how is the teething and nappy rash?

Jam welcome home, I hope you've had a lovely time?

We've had a lovely weekend, we think it has been the first time we've been for a meal as a couple for almost 18 months, as we tend to use our babysitting favours to catch up with friends. And we went to the cinema for the first time since before DD was born - good god it's expensive. I hope that is London prices and not nationwide cinema inflation, or we won't be going back!

Now we are almost into February, how are WG an Mom keeping?

I know there's more I wanted to say but my memory is failing me. I'll post and scroll back to remind myself. Back in a tick

Jolly hope you are relaxing right now. Fingers crossed here that minijolly stays put a bit longer.

Lady Bugger about Egypt - what bad luck. I know Aust has put a travel ban out. Are you covered at all? I may have missed that part if you already said.... Hope O gets over her cold soon. I think ds might be getting sick again as he's off his food and has started coughing.... again... please no. Well done O on the Potty situation! I'd keep going with it I think - since she's so keen and has a great vocab. ds sits on the toilet fully clothed on top of the lid and screams if you attempt it. He's going to be ages no doubt. We have had a potty for ages and a step thing and he just uses the step to look out the window of our room to watch the cars
I have just been handed dd's British passport! they emailed yesterday and said within 5 days, and voila, it's here now! Thanks again to LordG. Not sure what to do about the Aust one. Mil can't do the Monday (well she can but will have to be home by 5 which won't work as it's 320pm, and the gaurantor dh was going to use hasn't and might not be able to meet dd so can't do it and the other one is away I do NOT want to bother the good Lord again, and doesn't really matter I suppose, as I could leave it till after our trip. I just wanted the back up of being able to go on Emerites out of Auckland via BNE if we need to, but dd won't be allowed without it. I doubt we'll have to anyway. That puts our plans for the 7th tits skyward as well
I will FB you after I have a think.

Trace hope you are going OK?

Vaggie, that's very kind however I have the spare tyre around the gut to prove I do need it!

Vag, the Yanks and Aussies seem to be pulling people out. It's actually just the Brits who seem to be saying that the Red Sea resorts are still ok but a foreign office minister is making a statement at 1530, which sounds slightly ominous.

DB, we fly to Sharm. Until the Foreign Office deem it unsafe to travel there and travel operators start cancelling hols it's a case of braving it or losing our money. Of course, I wouldn't take a risk with the girls but we will just have to see.

If Egypt gets cancelled I imagine there will be a massive rush to book elsewhere, so I doubt we'll be lucky.

Hi Zoe, glad you had a nice time, and got to meet lovely Lady - and yer, I think it's just London prices....

ZJ: I think of your DH as King of the Brussel Sprouts, but if he wants to be the dashing Mr ZJ... it was sprouts he won a prize for, or is my memory playing up?

Playgroup was great this morning, it's the first time we've been in over a year but the boys loved it.