Dec 08 Mums - Snot Beards, Farty Boos and Willy Milk (not how it sounds!) - let the fun continue!

[Beans33]

Here we are x

Morning ladies,

Right, a catch up before I go to Mum's tonight. I am really looking forward to it as it has been unusually long since I last went. I have a lot to do here and at the house but it will just have to go hang for a few days.

Avo, I like Faz&Baz as well, as we stupidly call it, and we did use a F&B pink for DD1's room but in retrospect it just looks like any old pink. I thoroughly recommend B&Q's pretend vintage paint range (well, they stock it anyway, don't think it's a make of theirs) called '1829'. Was impressed with colour range and quality. We've used it in the living room. I have a giant stack of house porn interiors mags that I have accumulated over the last 18 months, wish I could somehow get them to you. If you've got furniture or cupboards to paint, I also rate Annie Sloan paints. Check out her website.

WG - you sound v chipper for the last days of pregnancy! Great! Katie is having her cs on 22 Feb. I have got DD2 on the sofa next to me and once the first few difficult weeks are out the way it is just soooo lovely to have a baby to snuggle. DD2 is just such a sweet little soul.

Jam, I am sorry that I won't see you tomorrow when you so kindly invited everyone to yours. I will be at Mum's but I think it may have been a little too far for me, though maybe it would be easier towards summmer? How have the last few nights been?

Rubes, DP was in Kingston this morn so I could have come to see you if we'd been organised and you were around. Trouble is, we only found this out yesterday evening as his trial in Reading changed and he suddenly had to do this! This is the trouble with his job, it is so hard to plan. I mentioned a gite to him and of course he thought it would be lovely but as money is so tight we can't commit to anything this year (barring a sudden change in fortunes...) However, if we are invited by friends with Toulouse house maybe we can tie something in. I think we will be able to borrow the house in future years but they only bought it recently and are still doing things to it. How did it go with PIL?

Beans, I am so with you about Show Me Show Me. I can't believe it's gone off, it was one of the few decent ones. There was a webchat on MN the other week with the Controller of Beebies. Sad to say, she came off as brainwashed/a bit dim. How did your DH's second interview go?

Very sorry about your BIL, Urbane How disgraceful. I have been in your shoes actually - my BIL had an affair when my DN1 was about 18 months. He moved out and everything and my sister started divorce proceedings. I didn't hold back on what I thought. Er...and then they got back together and had DN2. My nephews are 18 and 14 now so it was ages ago but I still cringe. Do you think there is any chance they will patch it up? I do hope she can a) stay in the house and also b) find a good lawyer.

Trace, I hope you are doing ok. I know the time can easily be taken up with household chores, are you getting any time for yourself?

Effie, I need to get a smear done as well. I had to wait until at least 3 months after the cs (don't ask me why - I don't think I wanna know!) but I need to sort that and the contraception all in one. Still need to send you your cd - must do that vefore the hol!

SL - I am so up for a Midlands night out/sleepover. I do wonder whether Backpacking Boris from Dusseldorf would want to share a dorm with us lot. Hey. there's always a Travel Lodge or an Ibis or summat. Coventry is actually the centre of England but not sure I recommend a night there. Nottingham fine with me. Or Brum. Towards the summer would be good. The dates in March you mention - I have a house meeting the week beginning 7 March and not sure when it is yet - likely to be 10 March but not certain - but other dates fine, wven if I have to get the 2148 train home! Sorry about DS's eating. Same here. But I refuse to worry about it for now as off to Mum's then off on hols, so two breaks from the routine.

ZJ, I did laugh at pussy. Wow. Don't even like it as a name for a cat Has your DH mentioned MN since? DD1 is a big fan of medicine as well - Calpol especially.

Glad your tests and tinkerings were ok yesterday, JB. We are hoping to move in when we return from hol - some time in week of 7 March, but who knows. Which reminds me - need to speak to the plumber. The coal dust is finally lifting and I think I have got away with just touching up the paint in parts (need to check what it looks like, though).

How's your job going, PD? I wish we had booked to go to somewhere in the Canaries now, with all the hoohaa in Egypt. However, it's looking like we will probably go.

Oh, and Invis, so are you taking a week off at half term, then? I read Never Let Me Go, btw, and found it most absorbing, if depressing. I do admire his writing, it is so deceptively simple, with so much lying beneath. I must read more of his as I haven't read them all. Reading Stewart Lee's memoir about his return to stand up now.

Vag, does bogan rhyme with toboggan, or with logan(berry)? Oh, and if you are doing lots of exercise it is prob better to measure yourself than weigh yourself (so I am told).

Right, must get myself ready. Tons to do, as ever.

X-posted with you, Jam. I am never very impressed with GPs who make you feel small, it ain't the idea. If one of my kids had a lingering cough as you describe, I'd be down there. Maybe JJ will know what to say? Could you write a letter of complaint? Get an appointment with the good lady GP? I do think you should keep your appt about your leg, though. I don't want to be at all dramatic but when DH got ill, his symptoms were quite vague and it made me realise that symptoms should not be neglected, because in 99.5% of cases it's nothing, but you just never know.

And now I am going to have a little lie down: I feel a bit achy and rubbish. I know smear tests are supposed to be painless, but this certainly wasn't and I'm bleeding a bit. Which is probably normal but I'm scaring myself with googling so will wimp out for a bit .

Jam I've never heard the ear infection cough thing but it may have been something this female GP has noticed with her kiddie patients. It is less crapola than assertion that a cough in under 5's is nothing. That age group has a proportionally smaller airway so they will cough more easily than an adult, so the smallest inflammation in their airways can cause them to cough. Anyway, we have had a similar thing for the past 2 winters with DS1 and had one useless GP here say it was nothing and one really good one told us after really thoroughly assessing DS1 that's it a reactive cough. Basically he coughs when there are sudden changes in temperature ie is he goes from cold outdoors to warm indoors and vis versa. It's basically his body over reacting to a stimuli. He prescribed a cough medicine for him to have just at bedtime, and I was dubious but his cough literally disappeared overnight. Did the male GP listen to his chest? Either way I would take him back.

On the breastfeeding thing don't even get me started. I have been told so many times about the after 6 months thing. It's comes from the fact that the government will only accept the WHO regulations up to 6 months so it gives the impression that BFing is important up to 6 months. Whereas the WHO gives benefits up to and even beyond 2 years. This again brings up my 'its not normal to long term breastfeed' perception grievances. But don't get me going off on that.

Lady a friend has just gotten back from Hurghada with her daughter and it was fine. There were protests there and a few govt supporters (paid by the govt apparently) caused some trouble but.otherwise fine. Bogan rhymes with Logan.

Right gotta go DS1 was sent home from school early because he is quite tired in school still so need to get him lunch. DS2 is napping

Oh but first Urbs, your sister needs to take that man to the cleaners!

SL there is a holiday inn express in central Notts.

Oh and lady I was given a smear at my six week check up after DS1, he came out of my bits, why on earth couldn't you have one after a CS. Seriously I think they make it up as they go along.

Poor DS1 vag.

Thanks for that. It is so difficult to keep perspective when you feel you are being fobbed off. I will still go tom and I will query when there about the cough ear thing.

Effie poor old you I have yearly smears so am quite used to getting my bits out. But TBH if you are feeling really rotton I would take a coupe of paracetemol and some biscuits and go to bed for a while.

Oh and on the smear thing. I was told by my gynea when I got some pre cancerous cells , that you should wait until 4 months post birth for all your bits to get back to normal before you have a smear.

Jam - almost identicle to the last 2 months with ds. GP looked in his ears saw the infection and first thing she asked was if he has had a persistant cough. Quite common to get one after a lingering cough apparently. DH says it's all the gunk back there that they are hacking up causes the infection. We had same A/B's then it all cleared but cough came back a little. Took him back - ears clear so was told to just monitor the cough and if he gets worse, give him calpol and bring him back. Cough seems to be getting better but now has this viral rash and I was up until nearly 4 am with him. Just crying and saying oh no oh no over and over. He's a bit happier today but must have vomited after I thought he went to sleep. Nap time very soon.
Another GP might be best as the 6 week thing is weird.
FIL visit was fine Lady - thanks. Not awkward at all. Have a nice time at your Mums. Bogan rhymes with Logan
jam it sounds like both our dc's are a bit ill and I'm not sure who would infect who but might have to make it another time. I wouldn't want to pass anything to summerboy either and perhaps more could come if we do that.

Effie - that smear sounds odd. Hope it's ok. I never even have pain with mine? Just a bit uncomfortable but sometimes not even?

Effie, I always have a bit of contact bleeding when they do my paps. Infact one practice sister asked if I'd had rough sex recently!!! When I told DH this, he made a comment about his member that need not be repeated. Oh and the 4 month thing makes sense, I was due another one whilst duffed up with DS2 and they offered to do it again at the 6 week check, but I asked to wait so they made an appointment for 3 months after.

Jam the ear inf makes sense the more I think about it, because its all so connected that area. Even DH, when I clean his ears out with a cotton bud coughs or gags.

Right so shall we form a posse to go after Jam's GP and Urbs bil.

Oh and I was def recommend not catching up with ,just getting over an illness, DCs. Poor little DS1 just keeps picking up new infections, I guess taking him swimming at the big centerparcs pool was a bad idea, but still its,easy to get another infection when they are not well.

Speaking of infections, DH is lying on the livingroom floor, dying. He's got what DS1 had last week.

WG what have you cleaned/cooked/mended today?

Rubes, when I said PIL I meant FIL. Sometimes I read PIL as Pa-in-Law, I don't know why. The trial that DP has been worrying about, the whole reason he was bundling us off to Mum's, has now come out of the diary on Monday and he is off to Bristol for three or four days instead. It really is nutty. Oh, v pleased that DD has now got both of her passports, btw.

Effie, monitor it. It sounds like they have been a bit rough. If it's still funny tomorrow, ring them. Have never heard of that before.

DId anyone know that Pui off Show Me Show Me used to be Po in the Tellytubbies?

Lady - DS probably knows that, the amount of TV he watches and his obsession with Teletubbies

Vag, Hope your DH feels better soon and ds. By the way - you don't really clean your dh's ears out do you?

DS asleep. I'm going to take dd to bed with me now.

Totally fine to give tom a miss guys.

Think I need to go back to bed and start the day again. DS1 has just unzipped his bean bag all over his bedroom floor. DS2 climbed the kitchen windowsill while I was out the room and spread dairlylee all over the windows.

Is it time for yet

It's not too early for chocolate at least, Jam. Hope your day perked up.

Lady & Rubes: I've had this reaction before, I think it's not uncommon. If there are any real issues they should be picked up by the test, so just need to wait.

Yes I do Rubes, his ears get really waxy and I can see it in there. He also gets a bit deaf with it. It's gross i know but also very satisfying.

We met marshmellow the ragdoll cat tonight and she is just gorgeous, shes so chilled out, she let DS1 just cuddle her for ages. We will pick her up just after we move in to our house. I'm so happy as she is such a great cat for DS1. I hope the 2 cats get on ok. Will have to post on the pet MN now.

Is it ever not time.

Argh I need to catch up!

Again

I should be made to write lines or something "I shall not leave the Dec thread for more than 2 days in a row".

Bathtime now though. Just another half hour or so I and I shall have peace!

Peace will be good. dd got a pulled elbow last night (If anyone knows what teh difference between that and a dislocated one is then do enlighten me), it was bedtiem though and dh wans't home yet so had no car. Shoved her to bed with ibuprofen but clearly wasn't right this morning so managed ot get us all ready in time for dh to take us to the hospital on the way to work and spent all fecking morning entertaining both dcs in A&E while various people manipulated dd's arm, waited a bit to see the result, tried again, gave painkillers, tried again, waited a bit until they were satisfied and let us out.

Poor mouselet though.

Right, bathtime.

jam will get dh to have a read ofd your post and see what he thinks

can I just burden the basket a bit? I will keep up better once dh goes back to work and not just come in to moan i promise! well we've had a grand old day, first dh was trying to put up some shelves and managed to drill through the ring main that has all the house plug sockets on it... handy electrician came and fixed it but had to dig a big hole in the platser which we'll need to get fixed.
dd1 has been a little shite at nursery - pulling hair, throwing things, refusing to sleep, not listening. It's so hard to reconcile this with the way she is at home (hard work but not violent ever) and their main form of discipline is putting kids in the sad spot ie naughty step, we;ve not been doing that form of discipline so it's hard to get any kind of consistency. At handover the staff say "Oh yes she's had a fine day, no problems" and then a minute later "except for when she shoved a kid over, ran outside when we told her not to and threw blocks about". I don't know if her behaviour is much worse than any of the other kids or much the same, will go in tomorrow and try to talk to someone to find out.

and dd2 has been doing this mental kind of cluster feed where she latches on, sucks for about 3 mins and falls asleep, impossible to wake her and persuade her to have a decent feed and actually fill her tum. she then wakes up again about 10 mins later demanding more milk, so have knackered nips, no idea which boob to put her on, and dreading the thought of trying to do dd1 bedtime on my own next week when dh back at work.

Nothing serious compared to a lot of the troubles people are having but you all know how it is... feel so sad for dd1 as the other kids got to make cakes and she had to sit and watch because of not listening to someone telling her something. I know it's her fault, but she's so much less awful at home than they make her sound at nursery.:(

oh and the IL's have been here too, FIL fine as usual but MIL is a batty old loon. dd was doing some drawing and she was saying "is that a house? is that the garden? Is that the chimney?" and then suggested that dd draw a picture of dd2, "although I suppose it would just look like a load of squiggles again" and laughs this nasty supercilious kind of laugh. Grrrrr. And dd1 is also "ever so heavy, it's so hard to lify you, it's a real dead weight" No she's a perfectly healthy little girl, don't you dare start making her have any kind of issues

Bugger me JJ - that's harsh. I dd used to do exactly that, but I put it down to her tongue tie and all that. Feel for you.

Jam, it's never too early for

Vaggie is there a pic of the puddy tats? I guess wax out of ears is no more unsavoury than my likeness to squeezing spots

Indith: Pulled Elbow : raial head is pulled out of position through the annular ligament
Dislocated Elbow: it dislocates posteriorly (apparently)

Radial not raial

Hello girls! Hope everyone got their PMs OK. Sorry to post and run, but I'm off out in a minute. I was supposed to be running, but sadly my babysitter didn't make it and so I'm off drinking instead (DH will be back so the minkers won't be home alone, though it is quite tempting at times....)

I'll catch up properly le weekend. Big love to all XXXX

Jam - DH says Is there any history or family history of asthma, eczema or hayfever? Because frequent coughing often a presentation of asthma, esp if at night. Does he start coughing if he goes out into the cold/when he runs around? Coughing anything up (eg gunk)? Does he have a good appetite? Is he otherwise well? ABs a good idea for persistent coughs as long as it's the right one, some are better than others. May be worthwhile getting a second course of ABs but needs to be a different one. Need to check temp, respiratory rate, pulse, listen to chest.

Long and short is that 6-8 weeks of that kind of coughing is not uncommon, but needs to be addressed. He's not aware of any direct link between cough and an ear infection.

Thanks JJ and Dr JJ. There is a family history of asthma, my sister but reckon thats too distant a link? He does cough when running around and this morning there was a delightful lump of green gunk in his bed. Am seeing anothr Dr tom for myself should get a season ticket and I know he specialises in peads so will ask about the whole shebang. Thankyou. xx

Oh and poor old you on the DD2 feeding and the DD1 thing at nursery. I would be inclined to go in and ask to speak to her key worker and the head of room. Especially if this is behaviour you do not see at home.

Rubes check you out Mrs Medical pants.

Indith poor DD she clearly needs chocolate and lots of it. How is your DS getting on with the poo training?

Vag noooo not manful!

Yeah exactly Jam! Clearly came straight from me oh well, But, but, but, I can make you a really crap coffee in the air and get you out of a plane really fast

JJ: sorry you're having a tough time. Has DD changed rooms or key worker? It might be something at nursery, or she might just be acting out a bit cos you're at home with DD2. Sometimes it seems to take a few weeks/months for them to realise the baby is staying. She sounds like a normal toddler, ie infuriating and unreasonable! Mine are the opposite: angels in public/at childcare, demons at home.

Jam: the coughing when running sounds a bit asthma-ish - I'm mildly asthmatic and exercise/cold weather sets me off. Good luck for your appt tomorrow.

Indith: DS pulled either his elbow or his shoulder, I can't quite remember. She. He was fine in a day or two.