November 09, new skills are fun - look what I can do now, Mum!

[DontWorryBaby]

New thread for our little handfuls!

Hello ladies, good to see some old faces. We've had both Ds' birthdays this week. It's been hectic but a happy time. I love this time of year. Now the lead up to xmas. I won't be able to enjoy it as much this year with the worry of my Dad who will be receiving radiotherapy for his prostate cancer. It will be an endurance for him as it's for 8 weeks, every day, apart from weekends. We won't see my parents over Xmas as there not in the UK and Xmas clashes with his treatment. Anyway, I've also decided to take the plunge and have a breast enhancement a few days before Xmas. I'm a little scared but feel more excited than anything. It's been 6 years in the waiting for this and I can't wait to go out and buy a new wardrobe of clothes and undies! My poor DH's wallet . Can't believe we are celebrating 2nd birthdays already. C is doing well and talking a lot. He is a true mummies boy. Sleep still hard at times. He likes to wake at 4am but mostly 5am. Have tried everything and we've admitted defeat. I keep telling myself it will get better, it has to! Sending out lots of birthday wishes xx

Hello all, finally found you all again. (with a little help)

Huge Belated Congratulations to Ursi and Skorpion, I hope your little ones are well.
DWB sorry to hear about your dh I hope he is well on the mend and that Ethan has settled down a bit.

Not alot to report really, Hen is adorable and love spending my days with him. He is a really busy boy and loves doing "jobs" with me. He is also full of chatter!

Happy Birthday to all our November babies I can't believe they are 2!

Good to hear your news Tigger and Fruit.

Fruit - really sorry to hear about your Dad. I hope the treatment is not too gruelling. Do you have any relatives out there with him? Wow - bet you can't wait to go shopping after the breast enlargement! I am also in need of a new wardrobe - after what feels like being pregnant for two years, I can't find/don't like my old clothes and want some new things! If only we had some spare cash somewhere...

Tigger S also loves to do jobs! This is such a nice age. I am actually finding the strops are lessening, I think as he can communicate more effectively.

Hi All! Happy second birthdays!! One more month to go for us.

Not much to report here either, I feel like I have fallen off the face of Earth, time goes sooo much quicker second time round! I remember feeling like the first six weeks would never end with Lucy and Frederika is nearly seven already. I can finally drive!

Freddie is a joy, getting chubbier every day. She sleeps well and seems to be such a chilled child compared to her older sister who is just a big bouncy ball of energy and noise! Lucy getting more and more stroppy at times, Katster, I hope it will be the same with her when she can talk and is understood better, I can imagine it must be frustrating repeating the same simple thing over and over to a stupid parent who replies with a vacant stare and 'I don't know what you mean, baby...'

We had a fantastic run of six weeks when Lucy would just go to bed at night, be left on her own to fall asleep and we wouldn't hear a peep until late at night when she'd come in with us... Seems that she's regressed - delayed reaction to Fred perhaps? - and demands to stay in our bed after stories and not go to hers. We've had about an hour of horrible crying for three nights running. Sigh... Feel horrible but don't really want to give in.

Fruit, all the best to your Dad, hope the course goes well. And good luck with your op, too. God, I don't know when I'll get to think about myself again, I haven't managed to have a bath yet since Fred's birth... (disclaimer: I do shower. Occasionally)

Going away from the subject of kids - I am currently reading 'How To Be A Woman' by Caitlin Moran. I absolutely love the woman.

Hello everyone!

Just popping in to say happy birthday to all the babies, 2 years old already, doesn't time fly!!! Millie's birthday was on the 1st Nov and she was most excited by her Mickey Mouse balloon! I made an igglepiggle cake for her as she is mad about him and she got lots of presents, one very spoilt little girl!

Hope everyone is ok, Fruit I hope your dad is ok, fingers crossed for him. Good luck with your op too, I quite fancy having a tummy tuck but not brave enough! I still have a lot of loose skin and my tummy pokes out a lot. I have slim arms and legs but my tummy sticks out so I'm always getting 'when are you due' comments. I would love to get rid of my tummy. Oh well, exercise will have to do for now!

Love to you all xxx

Hello everyone, I can't believe it is two years since we were on here just about to / having just had our lovely November babies. Toby / Mr Toes is two on Monday, and DS1 is eight on Wednesday so tomorrow we are having a joint party for them, along with a friend's little boy who will be five, in the local scout hut. The theme is Star Wars and we've got two storm troopers coming over to sing happy birthday (my friend's husband 'knows' these storm troopers so they are coming over for free!). I'm quite excited. Toby won't know what has hit him - a room of 33 little boys and girls aged 0-8 and then these scary men in white suits!

Happy birthday to all the other babies :)

Hi everyone,

I keep seeing all the cake and party updates on fb, they make me smile... Time flies...

Just thought I'd pop in and see what's happening... do you realize this thread has been going for nearly all of 2011? Remember when one lasted less than a month? :)

DWB How's your DH?
Fruit fingers crossed for your dad, things like this always seem extra horrible when they coincide with the holidays :(

Skorpion glad to hear you're doing well, I bet the first weeks fly by the second time around - you haven't got time to just sit and gaze at the tiny little miracle... Lukas went through a similar stage a couple of months back where he'd actually want to go to bed, but then had trouble falling asleep and would just scream the place down... it was so bad that when we visited my mum (who lives in a flat) on the second night I actually packed him in the car and drove home because I just felt so embarrassed at what all the neighbours must've been thinking (of course, he wouldn't scream "I can't sleep" but rather "I want mama! Mama, I need a cuddle! Mama, I need covers!" despite me sitting right there, with my arm around him and him tucked in under said covers...) anyway, maybe it's a developmental stage or something, he grew out of it as suddenly as it had started, so hang in there.

Nearly 31 weeks. I'm starting to feel like there's light at the end of the tunnel. :)

Argh, I just wrote a long message and it disappeared!

This thread had dropped on my threads i'm On list because I hadn't posted for so long Naughty MsI. No excuse other than hectic at work of course. boring but true.

Happy birthday for today Mr Toes!

Nice to see you Brood - was just wondering how you were getting along.

Helips - you have inspired me with the cake ideas. I might try a Bagpuss...! Any other tips for a really easy good one?

Skorpion we also have troublesome bedtimes. S has stories on our bed too, and then getting him in his cot is a nightmare sometimes. He used to be fine really, from about 12 months until a couple of months ago. And the past week from 11pm ish he has ended up in the spare bed with DH. While I am co sleeping with H who just WON'T sleep longer than 30 minutes in one go, EVER. He is 8.5 months now....Trying to just go with it and co-sleeping definitely helps, but it is hard dealing with them both all day when I feel utterly exhausted. Anyway, shouldn't moan, they are gorgeous little boys, just need to double the coffee order on my tesco shop.

BBL how was the star wars party? Love seeing your pics on FB. Can't believe your eldest is 8 now!! Crikey.

Sam's birthday is on Thurs. Am getting excited. So is he, although I don't know what he's expecting. He is obviously bored of telling everyone he will be two, (he's been excited for a while, bad mummy bringing it up ages ago!) and has now moved on to telling people he'll be three.

MsI are you working full time? I have just started at a tutoring school, only doing saturday mornings at min, the 'break' did me good as I have no time away from the beasties normally. I have no idea how anyone is organised enough to work FT to be honest!! Really really missing the buzz of being in a school, I love this time of year. Although, I do know it is totally manic and stressful really.

Skorpion - going to look up your book recommendation now. Really need something to read, I used to get through a novel a week. The last thing I read took me 6 months

Hi ladies

Hope the second birthdays have gone/are going well! I can't believe Ethan is only two, it seems like he has always been here. He's an absolute delight at the moment, his speech is really developing and the tones he copies from us are so comical. The weather has been "tellybole" (said in a low tone with a serious expression) here and we even have some snow ("snow, evrywhere!") today.

Struggling a little with the potty training. I think we started too soon (a month ago). He's wearing pants at home, usually successful, and pull ups when out, which can be a bit hit & miss. Saturday the four of us went to gymboree then round the shops and he was dry when we got home, after using two different public toilets with no fuss. Sunday we visited my parents and he wet two pairs of pullups, despite having a potty and two bathrooms in an environment which he is very comfortable in. Will persevere and hope he gets it soon and next time round we'll start later!!

My maternity leave this time is almost over, I'm back to work in January but only three days a week so both boys will be in nursery one day a week, my MIL one day and my mum one day. I'm a little concerned about Luke as he is a bit less independent than I remember Ethan being at this stage. Partly, I think, from the fact that when he arrived and Ethan was 18months, DH and I agreed that I would deal with the baby mainly and he would deal with the toddler. I've got a few afternoons out in December so hopefully these will help him get used to being away from me.

Luke also has his two bottom teeth! They came through when he was 6 months and 3 days old. Ethan was a week or two away from his first birthday before a tooth arrived. So breastfeeding is currently unaffected but I'm a little concerned about feeding him when his top teeth come through. Also thinking of expressing at work on the three days so that I can avoid using formula but not sure about this. Anyone any experience?

Thanks for those asking after DH - he is absolutely fine. With it being nerve damage, it could have been very serious, a complete cure or anywhere inbetween. He does still have some numbness but the concerns were control of his bladder & bowels or erectile dysfunction and I'm pleased to report all of these areas are well!

I'm really looking forward to Christmas this year now that our 2 year olds are more able to enjoy the festivities. Love to all your families, hope all is well x

Hi All

Been so long since I've posted, but have been lurking and keeping up with all your news.

DWB am so glad your DH is on the mend and that it wasn't anything more serious. Well done on starting the potty training this early! DS1 was 2 3/4 so I wasn't thinking of that any time soon!! I would just go with the flow re the expressing - that was what I'd planned with Ioan but he refused to take a bottle of anything at the childminders so he decided it for me in the end.

Fruit Hope you are coping with what's happening to your Dad ok, it's hard at any time but this time of year amplifies the difficulty I'm sure. Think of you often and wonder how your DS' are - and whether they're as daft as mine to make me feel better!!

Life here is good. DD has passed her driving test and now has 2 offers from Uni in the bag It makes me feel strange to feel old enough to have a child heading to University whilst still having one in nappies at home! Things have been tough with the age gaps over the last few years (think hormonal teen, toddler and newborn and you get the idea) but I'm glad to say that I feel the tide is now turning and they are all at an age where I am enjoying them more.

DS1 turned 6 in early November and is just so funny. He's also started to play football, much to DH's delight, and loves it. Thankfully he's also not completely rubbish, as he doesn't have huge amounts of patience and gets frustrated when he can't do things, so I'm glad each Saturday morning ends up with at least one goal scored! It's his xmas play at school tomorrow so looking forward to that.

Ioan is just wonderful, his happy disposition has remained and he (mostly) is a very easy child. His speech is very good, which thankfully means we get few tantrums from lack of understanding, and makes my life simpler as working out what he wants doesn't take that long these days - not to say he gets it ... and then we get a tantrum!! He plays really well with DS1 (when DS1 lets him ) and in the main the house is fairly harmonious .... noisy, but harmonious I do feel like a referee at times though it has to be said...

DH and I are back on track and looking forward to spending xmas together. We're hoping that he will hand in his notice on the flat soon and move back permanently (procrastination is his forte!) but he stays most weekends and the odd evening so heading in the right direction.

As for me, I feel more positive than I have in a long time which is a very welcome feeling indeed. I have been seeing a therapist for the last few months who's helped enormously and exorcised a few demons. I feel hopeful about the future now, and feel like next year will be the start of some good times for us. Work is good, and still at 4 days which is a great balance. I will get another 6 month contract at the end of the year which is brilliant as it means I can continue to work down the road and keep the work-life balance I've finally managed to find!

Well, that was a ramble and a half! Am enjoying hearing all your news and also the fb updates.
Love to you all and happy birthday to all our fabulous 2 year olds!!!

Just popping my head in. Glad all seems well on here.

A is on his second chest infection in 6 weeks. Really hoping for a well household soon.

Happy 2nd Birthdays to one and all.

Now roll on christmas.

Scarlotti I am so pleased to read your post and hear that things are back on track with you and DH, aswell as other things. That's fantastic! What a lovely post to read.

Ninja I hope A is better. I hate the autumn/winter of bugs. We had a couple , combined with teeth issues and I feel sleep has totally regressed. Ah well. Keep telling myself everything is just a ohase.

Just popped on really to wish you all a Merry Christmas - can't believe it's our babies' third already!

Thanks katster, it is good news. DH got a year secondment yesterday too which means he's been promoted two grades so we're all delighted. Its looking to be a good Xmas this year.

Hope everyone has a brilliant Xmas and a wonderful 2012 x

Happy New Year to you all. wishing you all love joy and happiness in the upcoming year. Also health and well-being. just thought id add this as am very tired and in bed already. hope you are all having a fantastic night. x

Happy new year everyone!

Great to hear all the news, even wee snippets. We had a lovely Christmas with Rosa getting it enough to be cute but not so obsessed with Santa that it was wearing. The perfect balance!

Back to the grind now, grumble, grumble...

Happy New Year November ladies!

I hope you are all well. Just curious: how many of your babies are out of nappies yet? I'm dithering about Toby - he is kind of ready but he still seems quite young given that DS1 was 3 1/2 and DS2 was 2 1/2.

hey bbl, we are about to make the transition here from pull up to pants. she already demands to use the toilet so thats a good sign I think. have only just got round to sorting out playgroup tho, bad mummy!

Hello everyone! Its been a while but hope everyone had a fab xmas and New Year! I was actually in the UK over Christmas and had a lovely time. It was so nice catching up with friends and seeing my family, I really didn't want to come back to Singapore and am still feeling a little home sick now. However, I don't think the jet lag has helped! Dh's contract is up in April and unless he finds another job out here we will be moving back to good old Essex in the summer, I am trying not to get my hopes up that we will be coming home though as dh really wants to stay here. It's so hard as I want to go home and dh wants to stay here, we'll just have to see what happens.

Millie is still in nappies. Ive tried sitting her on the toilet but she won't do a wee or pooh so Ive given up for now. Ds was 2.10 when he finally got the hang after 3 attempts of training so I'm being quite relaxed about it this time round!

Hope everyone is ok and enjoying the new year!

Happy New Year xxx

[bgrin]

Happy Burns' Night everyone! Especially DWB [bwink]

Ooo I forgot about the tam-o-shantered smileys! Thanks MsI, same to you!

Must post a longer catch up soon, back at work 3days a week now and have no time whatsoever. Hope everyone is well.

Have gone back to my original name. My it's quiet. I suppose most of are on fb now and is sometimes easier to keep up that way.

I lost the thread so had to search for it again, which brought up quite a few old threads. Interesting how many of us there used to be on here and how quickly we could go through a thread!

Had a rather stressful day today. Nothing seemed to keep both dc occupied today. I can see half term being long. Finding dh being on night shifts very difficult to deal with, cannot sleep and feel very lonely at the moment.

Hi trikken, it's very quiet on here now. I'm guessing our toddlers are keeping us far too busy. I know both my two keep me very exhausted most days. Sorry the night shifts with your DH aren't helping you. My DH does shifts and I'm used to it now, but some nights I do wish for him to be home. How is half term treating you? Nearly time for the older ones to go back. X

Wow not been on the thread for ages, thought i might've missed something. I suppose most of us are on fb and use the fb mumsnet page these days!