FEB 2010 First birthdays beckon and toddlerdom approacheth...uh-oh!

[InmaculadaConcepcion]

It's humbling to look back at the last year and see how our LO's have gone from helpless newborns to action-packed pre-toddlers.

BRING IT ON!!!

BG Who are you telling to pass off??!

We didnt go for a meal last night. I didnt feel like it and DD didn't do her afternoon nap too well and was paranoid at her waking whilst we were out. Cue massive sulk from DP. Even when I suggested wine and a take out.

He came out his sulk this morning - I found a fab soft play place which is suitable for babies and toddlers. We had a great time in the little ball pit with DD. She had so much fun. They had foam stairs and giant lego blocks for her to climb. We have booked it for her 1st birthday party, which will enable all our friends children who range from 6 months to 8 years to enjiy it too without it being too young or girly.

We also went out for a late afternoon pub lunch.

No rows or sarky comments from either of us.

Have also not cried for a week.

Back later to comment on you all.

:)

Back later.

BG you should try what they think is hot curry here . Nottingham was not too bad on the curry front! miam miam.

Coffee is fine if BF, it made DD1 bonkers so I didn't even try with DD2. But for most it makes no change.

BC please please take me if you go to tokyo! I don't take that much place , I speak japanese a bit and know the place and the food.... miam miam miam real cravings, and home sickness starting... I was really good at orientating myself in the tokyo subway if the baby brain didn't do too much damages . PA, babysitter, shoe polishing, umbrella holder... (anything!)
I was 500 km north of Tokyo, fishermen, steel company and one research institute in the middle of nowhere (the best sushi ever, and miso soba... hmmmmm)

Thanks for the dong quai, I might try! I have started multivits to see if it helps.

Xpost with LBH that is good to hear

Can I come to Tokyo as well if I ask nicely???

You could show me off as a curiosity (nearly 6 foot tall and gangly)

BC Thanks for the tip about the restaurant - I'll put it on my list. The one we went to was in Tooting - v v authentic. I love it there - full of gorgeous sari shops and proper Indian sweet shops.

BG I have a good friend who lives in Leicester and when I visit him we always go for a nice curry and some of those strange packets of leaves that you chew.

LBH I'm pleased today is going well for you. I've given up trying to think of doing something good/interesting for DD's birthday next week and have opted for a piss up at mine with friends and assorted ankle biters. I may buy a cake.

Stangirl Dp wanted to hire a room in a pub...tempting but he is a very sociable creature and once the beer flows I end up looking after DD and then she gets overtired as it will go on far too long. Then he moans I have a face on and dont leave DD alone. This way no beer restricted to a two hour slot and I am happy.

Must admit since DD he thinks I have changed. I used to be a party girl but that was then and DD has to come first. Probably a bit too much if I am honest.

I am going to make DDs cake. I am going to make it so it looks like a stack of building blocks with her name on. I used to be good at cake decorating, I hope I havent lost my touch! I dont want it to look too home made. Will maybe have a practice run!

Love the idea of Japan - mainly the food!

BG My dad lives in Thailand and he wants me to visit. I will stick out like a sore thumb, 5ft 8 with very dark hair and pale skin. They are all tiny. Dad says the women will be envious, they all aim to be pale. My late stepmum was malaysian, they are similar. Her SIL couldnt stop staring at me when she vistited, called me a goddess due to my height and my skin!! I have always hated it!! If there is one thing I hate is standing out and being stared at. (is that two things?!)

Before I forget, Stan happy birthday for tomorrow, and BG good luck with the interview.

DH due back tonight (he went skiing with two friends for a long weekend). I've had my parents here but DD2 has been super-clingy and I had a terrible day with DD1 yesterday (she lost her bedtime stories - that's serious in our house), so it's not been the easiest. DD2 has also been a bit disturbed at night as she has another cold.

Bit tired. I don't know how single mums do it.

Aw, CS, hope you get a bit of a rest soon...

LOL Stangirl at your DD's birthday party plan
-it's more of an effort than me and DH have made though for our DD's (next week). No party planned (DH working earlier than usual on the day and also on the following weekend) and we've talked vaguely about making a cake. Or something.
We have got her a Xylophone though, that's got to count for something!

Glad you managed to salvage some fun with your DP, LBH

Curry, mmm....
Apart from tofu, I've never been much grabbed by Japanese food - too much fish for my liking (nothing to do with being veggie - never could stand eating it. And I grew up in a fishing/seaside town!)
Amazing place to visit, I should think.

GREAT idea: What about a Feb 10 meeting up in Japan {grin} ? It's on of the country on my to-visit list, but at the present it'll be France in June and US in September 2012.

LBH glad you had a good day and sorted your DD's birthday's party.

It's also my birthday in 3 weeks. Reaching 32!!!

We have a few Indian restaurants over here but I won't be able to say if there are any good!

We've decided on where we're going to go after DS christening in May! Yepee! Sunday lunch for 30 people (ish) anybody?

DS is at the moment 'working' on tooth 8 but I don't know where it'll come out! My guess is bottom left, next to the front on as the right one is out but you can see teeth through the top gum so who knows!?

DH is cooking tonight: ham and cheese toasties!! Our staple Sunday dinner

Stan let me know when you are in Leicester next... . We could go for a curry!! Haven't lived there for over 10 years now but we go back all the time. Someone called it the 'Leicester elastic..' people seem to return.

LBH Really pleased you've had a good week. Keeping fingers crossed it's much better from now on . They do say the first year is the hardest, so we are all nearly there!!
LOVE the idea of the cake you plan to make - I can just see it in front of me! Mine will be just a boring old chocolate cake but in a heart shaped tin (Awwww...).
Know what you mean about being stared at... I also have a Thai friend who is quite a long way short of 5 foot... I prefer to sit down chatting to her

CS hope you have a better night. dd2 also has a shocking cold but seems fine now it's out and oozing (after the night of screaming just before it 'erupted')

IC with you on the fish [shudder] As for birthdays, nice candle and a cake and a present is pretty much all ... oh and singing happy birthday, filming their expression, and also a good picture of their face covered in chocolate cake? Here's dd1 on her 1st birthday

LBH Very impressed with your cake making abilities.

IC My DD loves her xylophone - hope you have the same success. We've bought DD 2 cuddly dinosaurs for her birthday.

BG Actually my Leicester friend started there, came to London where I met him, then returned to Leicester - so that lends further weight to your Leicester elastic theory. Love, love, love that pic of your DD - blimey she had a lot of hair for a 1 year old - looks lovely.

DP's rustling up a roast chicken dinner as a desperate attempt to make up for the lack of birthday planning he's done. Only a few hours till I'm the answer to Life, the Universe and Everything.......

PiLs got DS a xylophone for Christmas, he loves it - I'm sure your DD will too.

Yes ok you can all come in my suitcase (I don't even know if I'm going!).

BG nice pix.

Does reins help LO to stand up by themself?

I'm thinking of chocolate cake for DS's birthday especially as I konw that he'll go head 1st into it!

IC we're not doing present for DS's birthday, just giving them some of the xmas ones that we put away

I actually like fish and any raw (steak tartare is my favourite )

Ok I know this is way TMI (had 3 glasses of wine) but me and DP have finally done the deed. After a 20 month drought. I felt like a bloody virgin and was very nervous. It was fine though and DP is over the moon

End to a great day.

LBH Really pleased for you! I think it does wonders for a relationship when things have been stressful (and having a baby is on the list of major stress factors!)!

SB the reigns were to stop her climbing out of her highchair. I'm also strapping dd2 in now because I caught her kneeling in her highchair
Btw I have also rewrapped a few Christmas presents for dd2's birthday...

bear I can fold myself quite small for your suitcase... . Used to be very athletic before I became a couch potato . Still pretty bendy (apparently)

Ok, I'll shut up now... also had some wine

LBH Hurrah!

Putting this here because I just feel I need to tell someone and my parents and ILs will just worry as it's so late.

DH not back yet but DD2 seems quite unwell. Temperature, cough (she's been sick in her sleep) and very fast breathing. I've used DD1's salbutamol for her (did someone else do this a while ago?) but I'm quite worried and am prepared to sit by her cot all night until the GP opens in the morning and I can get her checked out. I can't go to the on-call because of DD1 and the wait is always horrific round here (at least an hour for a doctor to phone, at least an hour for an "appointment", then usually at least a two hour wait at the centre even though you turn up at your alloted time).

If anyone is reading, think of us.

CS thinking of you!! How high is her temperature? To me things always seem worse when I am alone in the house. Please, if in doubt and getting very very worried, call an ambulance! They will take you very seriously and you would not have to wait for hours. Big hug!!

CS I hope your DD is better and will agree with BG advice.

DS woke up at 5.30am this morning! It's going to be a long day...

CS hope DD2 is fine. and you are not too worried

CS I hope things are better. I realise I'm too late with this but if in doubt I always call NHS Direct.

Ah, CS, that's hard - I hope your LO is improving today.

Happy Birthday, Stangirl!
Have a big dollop of Nutella on me(!)

Good news, LBH - it's a bit like riding a bike, isn't it?!