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

[Beans33]

Here we are x

Brilliant Deids!
DS got out of the bath tonight and stood there and peed so I grabbed the potty and tried to catch it and he kicked it away Long way to go with that I'd say, but it'll be my mission before going back to work (I think)

Hello all, happy belated Valentines to you all. It?s not something we do much about in this house, but DH did bring home some yummy chocs and we scoffed them whilst watching Episodes (is anyone else watching it? We think its brill and are a little sad that it?s ending next week. Nevermind, Masterchef starts this week so we?ll fill the gap)

Invis how is your MIL doing? Has your DH come back yet or is he still with them?

How are you this week Trace? Like your DH, my sister is being OFSTED?d this week ? her response to the news was to go straight to Asda and fill the trolley with ready meals. When I asked why she wasn?t sorting out paperwork like normal teachers she told me that if she wasn?t well fed she would kill the OFSTED folks and then fail anyway. She does make me chuckle

Well done on the potty training Avo, and well done to little Avo on her excellent aim! . And yay to little boy Deids on the wee. Yesterday DD was stood with her legs wrapped round each other, clearly desperate for a wee so we offered her the potty and she sat on it for a while, before eventually asking for her nappy and doing the biggest wee ever in there. Don?t think I?ll try tackling that one yet

I love your cats and dogs theory Urbs. DD is very affectionate at the moment, but it is entirely on her own terms ? if I try to snatch a kiss I get STOP IT shouted very loudly. However she is very free with hugs and kisses with anyone else, so maybe more labradorish with anyone but me

Vag I hope you?re feeling better today and you got lots of hugs from your boys yesterday. Remember, whatever goes around comes around, so they have something nasty coming to them (I hope it involved dog poo, or something similarly gross)

On the school talk, can I be a proper divvy and ask what WASP stands for?

Thanks for your email Sybs, I?m very pleased to here things are slowly improving between DH and you

Spot I?m thinking of you and hoping someone is getting somewhere with B this week. T sounds like a star, a model son, at the moment (injuries not included, bless him)

WG nursery charge us half price for any time we book off, but then they are open year round, so not the same situation I don?t think?

I?ve had a lovely couple of days, thanks to your white light. I met my friends little girl yesterday, the one with downs who is facing a heart op in a few months time. She is adorable and I got a lovely cuddle. She?s putting on weight (almost a lb in 4 weeks), which is brill when you think how hard that little heart is having to work, and she?s already looking pink and rosy and chubby round the wrists. My friend was on great form and we had a lovely afternoon, but she admitted she has as many bad days as good. She is getting good support from the medics (who are all fuming that the LO has as large a hole in the heart as you can get, yet no one spotted it at ante natal checks) and has been offered contacts from groups supporting families with children with downs. Understandably she isn?t ready to start meeting others yet, as some days she is still able to pretend that her DD is ?normal? ? all she needs is milk, sleep and cuddles like any other newborn. However she has only seen her MW and HV once in the last month, as they?ve both panicked at the LO?s needs and signed her off to the medical types and no one is offering my friend support and checking she?s doing ok. In fact the HV told her that she doesn?t think any of the groups at the Surestart are suitable , my friend only wants somewhere to go for a natter and a cuppa ? and she is afraid that this is the way everything will be, with people closing doors to her. But I will stop ranting and go all gooey again at the thought of such a beautiful little baby

And the other good news ? I had an email from my Swedish friends today, who had their DS 2 months early. They are back home with him now (his due date was last week) and he already weighs 8.5 lbs and he is proving to be super strong. Hurrahs all round!

And in bed news ? it really has been a dream. She loves it and loves bedtime and naptime and just lying on it and reading (like mother, like daughter then ?). We went for the duvet, and apart from a couple of wakings when it has come off it has all been astonishly smooth. I get v embarrassed with myself that I ever doubted her ability to cope and behave

Night ladies, a love poem for a belated valentines day for you all (especially Vag and Rubes) to follow

I got this on the email and work and think it is fab. Love to you all xx

AN AUSTRAILIAN LOVE POEM

Of course I love ya darling
You?re a bloody top notch bird
And when I say you?re gorgeous
I mean every single word

So ya bum is on the big side
I don?t mind a bit of flab
It means that when I?m ready
There?s something there to grab

So your belly isn?t flat no more
I tell ya, I don?t care
So long as when I cuddle ya
I can get my arms round there

No Sheila who is your age
Has nice round perky breasts
They just gave into gravity
But I know ya did ya best

I?m telling ya the truth now
I never tell ya lies
I think it?s very sexy
That you?ve got dimples on ya thighs

I swear on me nana?s grave now
The moment that we met
I thought you was as good as I
Was ever gonna get

No matter what you look like
I?ll always love ya dear
Now shut up while the footy?s on
and fetch another beer!

The poem sounds like some of my cricketers ZJ, your friend's HV sounds awful. You do start to womder whether a pre-requisite for the job is to be devoid of tact, sense and information. Good your friend has got you to offer support. Oh, WASP is White Anglo Saxon Protestant. It's used more frequently in the US than here, and has become a bit of a catch all term for the white middle classes, I guess. It makes me think of a Ralph Lauren advert or summat. I love Episodes but missed last night's being at Mum's. DP is still in Bristol, he may not be able to collect us until Friday night. Which is fine as it's great being here but I have stuff to do before the hol. Which presumably is still on. Are you all set for your hol, Rubes?

Can't manage much more due to my hands feeling the strain (honest) but to WG, I have heard about childminders on here charging in holidays, I think it's routine so have a peruse of the boards.

I do hope Mom is ok. It's been ages since she's been on.

Sorry for another paltry post!

Morning ladies, I'm feeling a lot more positive. I had a good run yesterday, felt crap doing it but did a reasonable time so that's good. Also DS2 is being so completely adorable at the moment so that's been nice, he really is a lovely kid and watching he and his brother get on so well is wonderful. Thankfully they have inherited many traits from their dad.

Love the poem ZJ, very Aussie. WASP is used in Australia, but it kind of brings up negative connotations

Oops accidentally posted...Anyhoo, WASP feel negative because the 'white Australia' types seem to love using the term.

ZJ the HV's treatment of your friend is just terrible but sadly not unusual. Where I worked in North London we used to take on special needs children as the HV used to hold up there hands. However, there may be a special needs HV in her area. Half the area we covered (north camden) was covered by a wonderful lady who was the HV for special needs kids so if the children fell under her area they were under her care. We took on the south barnet children. Unfortunately the medics may not be aware of these services for her because they are not really aware of community support. What area is she in, I could see if I can locate something for her as I can ask people and I also know some of the terms to look for. I would be happy to do a little search.

Oh gotta go Ds2 has music this morning

sorry to have caused possible offence - I was being a bit lazy, when all I meant was that my village had very few ethnic minorities and people were basically protestant in the default way of a lot of Brits. Sorry

anyway ZJ that poem is brilliant!

Oh not at all don't be silly JJ, its just interesting the way its sadly changed its connotation back home. I think part of it is to do with a nasty shooting incident that happened at an old gaol in Tasmania. The man who was involved used the term just before he went postal. Don't really want to go into it as its a bit yukky. Gosh have I brought the thread down. I soooo need more coffee, Im up to no.5. DS1 is at a party and DS2 is napping, I think I might join him.

Oh and on top of everything a pigeon pooed on me while I was out cycling DS1 to his party! Oh well, at least its sunny and warming up.

Lady & Rubes when are you off?

That's supposed to be good luck Vag, I think. Your fortunes will change after your next coffee

Vag thank you for your kind offer to find out about support, I've sent you a fb message with my friends location. I don't expect you spend any time on it, but if you just let me know what terms to search for I'd be v grateful. One of the reasons she's keen to get out is because she has a 2.5 yr old too who is a social butterfly, and they've only just moved to that town. They were only 5 miles away before, but it's still nice to meet people within your community.

You must try to catch up on episodes LadyT, there was quite a twist at the end - although DH claims he saw it coming. I saw restrictions on travel to Egypt are lifting, which is a relief

Jump your village sounds just like mine. I love it as it is so friendly, but diverse it definitely isn't

ZJ I have answered your email (several times) apologies for the ramble I was looking up stuff while yelling at DS2 to go to sleep.

I have managed to book a supercheap beachfront holiday in northern Sardinia. So happy, I love Italy, and esp. Sardinia. Hooray!

Hello everyone,

zoe at the midwifes and HV. The mums needs are the same no matter what her DD's heart/potential learning difficulties are. Her DD does have the same needs as any baby her age!! Is there a baby signing class near her? There is research to say that the earlier a special needs baby is exposed to signing or makaton the easier they find it to pick up. Although when she feels able contacting parents in a similar situation might be really helpful for her, at the moment just getting out and being with other mums at any old baby and toddler group sounds like the best plan. Her HV or Sure Start Centre should keep a list. I find it very sad that she is already feeling closed off and isolated. I hope she finds the strength to just go along to a few toddler groups, there is no reason at all for her to feel restricted to special needs groups.

ZJ what did you think of the twist on Episodes I was dissapointed.

I seriously have 2 children for sale. Today DS1 laid down in the supermarket carpark while DS1 sat screaming in the trolley. Happy Days.

Veg whoop whoop to holidays, will it be hot there yet?

ZJ that is tragic bloody HCP who dont know there arse from their elbow. Really glad you had a lovely squidge with the baby. Also thats super news about your Swiss friends.

It'll be anything from 19-23 degrees. Not much for a beach holiday but it'll be warmer than here which is around 12 at that time. DS1 has plans to go snorkling, which may be a little ambitious.

Bloody hell, the universe is making me pay for my good fortune now. Arsenal are failing miserably and DS2 who had a late nap (which I let go on too long as I was deep in holiday booking mode) is up and wide awake with us. It's 10pm here!

JJ - I think I was the guilty party with that phrase - too many american influences, so sorry if it confused and/or offended.

ZJ - DH is back and MIL is sort of fine, thanks for asking. She is still mostly in bed - I think the trick will be to get her confidence up a bit so she is not scared to be up and about. SIL is going up tomorrow. Also really about your friend's midwife/HV. Actually no reason why she shouldn't mix with others. DDs nursery had a boy with Downs a couple of years ago and I think everyone felt it really enriched the life of the nursery. They had all the children learning makaton and have kept it up even after he went on to school.

LadyT - glad you got the Finkler question, do let me know what you make of it. Be really interested to know how on earth it reads to a non-Jewish audience.

Aaahhh now that's better, my beloved Arsenal won 2-1 against Barca. DS2 is well and truely wired after celebrating 2 goals then the victory with DH & I.

Seriously I'm not offended just putting the Aussie take on it, I'm not feeling any cultural sensitivity

Vag - maybe the universe is smiling at you after all - just saw the fulltime score!

Excellent vag.

Now homebuying decorating type people. Think we are going to bin the idea of doing our Lounge until we do the whole shebang sofas etc. So have persuaded DH that we can do our bedroom and it can be girly. I am drowning in testosterone here. So your challenge find me a shabby vintage esq wide chest of drawers. I have looked at approx 5million chest of drawers online and all I can find that is wide ie double reg chest of drawer width are huge really dark or horrible pine ones with nasty huge metal handles.

Jam - We've bought stuff from this place in Crouch End (not very convenient for you but still) www.ofsi.co.uk/portfolio.html. There is another place with similar stuff in Camden whose name I can't quite remember

I told you that bird poo was good luck Vag!

Jam I agree on the dissappointment about the twist, and I was dissapointed in the character too. I'm still keen to see how they end it next week though, I will be hopping mad if its a let down as it has been very entertaining. Well done you on winning DH over for a girly bedroom

Another week ticked off Jolly, have you been poked and prodded yet this week or are you getting a bit more time between appointments? My friend is already looking into makaton - we have a mutual friend who is a speech therapist so she has had her brain thoroughly picked. We also have a mutual friend who is a special needs coordinator in schools and her cousin is a physio, so she's fortunate to have lots of people in the know around her. She'll turn into the pushiest of parents at this rate

I am rather worried about DH's sanity - the other day he said to me (completely seriously) "I think Kerry and Alex have fallen out, they hardly ever hang out together anymore", and today he repeated this concern. Maybe that's what too much CBeebies does to you?!

Hi Ladies,

On my way home from work and shattered. It's late but worth it as I am now on holiday until a week on Monday. Yay! Although boo that DH is away all next week. Me and the girls will just have to amuse ourselves.

Jam - I'm very up for a meet next week. Are you still available? What day works?

Zoe - I too am sad that your friend already feels isolated/unsupported. I hope Veg's contacts can help.

WG - I have no real knowledge of childminders but nannies expect to be paid for holidays. Childcare is their full-time job so they need annual leave pay. Maybe test opinion on the childcare topic on here? When's yr due date? Have you had your massage etc? Is it OK if the baby comes now?

Veg - I agree with the others that the road rage lady was a loon, but sadly not a type of loon confined to Holland. I am glad you have a nice holiday to look forward to. You sound like you deserve treats right now.

Rubes - loved the FB photo! DD2 definitely has molar issues right now. She is not eating which is exceptionally rare for her and she wakes crying every night. It's the age for it.

Urbs - good on your sister for looking fab and being strong. Has she told her exH to f*ck off with regards to nabbing the family home?

LadyT - My neighbour leaves for Sharm on Friday and reckons it's all safe now. I hope you get to go.

Deids - glad you had a fun weekend last weekend. Hangovers sometimes plague me for 48 hours nowadays. It sucks!

I am reading with DD1's class tomorrow. I'm so excited to be able to volunteer a few hours. I am v interested to observe DD1 in the school environment. She never tells me anything about school but occasionally insinuated she has no friends. Her teacher assures me she has lots of friends. Tomorrow I might get to see. I do hope she seems happy. It will break my heart if she doesn't.

just a quicky ladies. We are off tomorrow. Wish us luck. 5 long haul flights within 2 weeks with 2 kids - kill me now. I will possibly be slashing my wrists somewhere over Scotland tomorrow afteroon Actually ds has been a lot better this last 2 days and has eaten an extraordinary amount of food He has been dosed up though so I suspect it is teeth. I have downloaded every teletubbie, ITNG, Waybuloo and peppa pig episode ever made, have a bag full of crap he's never seen and one very tired dh (still working currently from home) I will be checking in when I can, but it will be busy!
Sorry not many personals but a very big good luck wish to katie for the 22nd if you are lurking, and WG for whenever DC2 should appear! You are in my thoughts. Jolly you too and hoping for DC to hang in there as long as possible.
Jam we will get together on my return and the ds's can lay down together at the shopping centre while we get a wine coffee
Lady fabbo trip for you to Egypt please.... Hope to see you when we get back!
Vag glad you are feeling better - I will say hi to the homeland for you!

Might get on in the morning but bed for now... x

PS - sorry you weren't in bold Vag, and Zoe -loved the poem and have even forwarded it