'October 2009-chattering and on the run, our toddlers are such fun'

[HumphreysCorner]

Right ladies, off we trot into the next stage of our gorgeous toddlers lives.

HC
x

Scout enjoy.......

Sorry, I didn't mean that to sound flippant.

Sometimes I have to make jokes or look at positives to make light of my entire situation. The decision of having an only, in some ways, was taken from me. I had made the decision/come to peace with it but when I was given the news in January it felt like the chance to change my mind had been taken from me.

I look at my SiL with her brood (number 6/8 was just born a few weeks ago I say 6/8 because it was her sixth live birth but she miscarried one at 14 weeks-ish and she had a full-term still birth the same time last year as her sixth life birth this year). She's forever moaning about "can't do this, can't do that, have to get home to get this one in bed and think "stop having babies you can't afford and stop being a mummy-martyr & get your husband to help!" I just sit back with my one and think "Well, we can still do x, y, & z AND MrScout is as hands-on as he can be."

Sorry.

Scout and fidelma it's lovely to hear your news, it feels like it has been ages. And Scout you didn't sound flippant and I'm pretty sure fidelma won't think you did either.

littlepea Where are you?

Rain has not stopped here today, and the wind! Its like being back in Wales. I'm transforming the second (dull, weedy space) part of my garden into a sensory garden for J and am using every spare minute to clear it. Have lots of ideas and not enough money so will have to be creative! Currently trying to source an old wooden cartwheel and also some fab mini beast bugs that I've seen in our Children's Centre garden.

scout I really did mean enjoy. I am run off my feet at the moment and would love to just be me.....

All that said. I adore my brood, as I have said before I am an only one and love it. There are huge benefits to both.Neither is better or worse.

Great to see some activity on here.

I drank a diet coke at 9pm am so awake !!!!!

Both my boys have been quite ill over the last 10 days. So I have had very clingy children which I find tough.

Connor is now sleeping on a matteress in ds1 room.They seem to perfer it.Last night I went to lift him before I went to bed and he wasn't there ! I found him asleep in ds1 bed, cute.I am off to Connor's single bed as dh is snoring in our bed!

Leaving at 7.10 am for swimming.Will be home by 11 with everyone exhausted lol especially me.

I hope you avoid the rain.

DD did well at sports day and came 2nd in the 800m but they only give a prize to first place !!!!!!!! Competitive or what?

The senior school have just put on the whole of Cats (was there tonight) i was going to slate it but it was fantastic.Outstanding singers and costumes,interesting dancing.

sorry...... I am an only one and loved it !

I love the mess and stress of my 3 but worry that will all change when they become stroppy teenagers. We still get out and about and not once have I thought that we couldn't do something because of them Still doesn't stop me wanting another though.

Have a lovely weekend ladies.

HC
x

Im ill! Been for tests at hospital, and there is something wrong with my liver. Awaiting more tests now. Cant stay on internet long, as it makes me ill to look at anything. Hope you are all ok xxx

Oh no littlepea, I wondered where you were. When will you get the results? How worrying for you. Keep us updated if you are able to. ((xx))

Littlepea hope all is ok XXX {{{{{}}}}}

Evening all

fidelma I. Have. No. Words {am boggled by just how mad your life is! I'm DEFINITELY stopping at 2!!} However, your children sound fun and an interesting bunch, and you're doing an amazing job of raising them - as everyone is on here :)

Littlepea hope you're feeling better, do you have a better diagnosis yet? Hope your much better before your move home x

Scout lovely to hear from you :)

HT Your job sounds so full on, really when do you sleep / relax?! We're off to Coombe Mill on Saturday, yay and OMG WHEN AM I GOING TO PACK. Have a million things to do before including a funeral in Southampton on Friday afternoon, just sticking head in the sand, drinking wine and eating chocolate until someone else gets the wellies, beach chairs and suitcases out....! Did you have a fun trip?

HC Hope Sophie's party went well, and all else happy in your life :)

All fine here, Lyra and Annalise are both doing ok, Annalise has taken to running away from me, mostly towards the road, especially when I'm bf on a picnic blanket. Don't know what to do, if I start to go after her she laughs and runs even faster, the same if I just call her - can't just ignore her, she's oblivious to the danger! Have hauled her back to the pushchair and strapped her in (as time out / naughty step alternative) shouted at her, even smacked her once although it was so lame she laughed. ARGH so frightened for her, will have to put her back on the reigns although thats not a very practical solution. Any advice?

Best have a shower and get stuff ready for tomorrow
Bye for now, see you post holiday! xx

littlepea Oh love, that doesn't sound good. I hope they get it sorted (or at least find out what it is) soon. How are you managing with the dcs? I wish I was closer to help you out a bit. (((((Big Welsh cwtch))))

fidelma I was shattered reading your post-how do you fit it all in! I still want a houseful although dh does not seem to want any more I hope Connor and ds1 are feeling better now, they sound so sweet together.

Calypso Have you looked at LittleLife or Goldbug backpacks for A? Have a look on amazon. You can get them in all different animals (J has a LittleLife bee and the Goldbug lion). There is space in the back to put a drink, snack and nappy- J feels ever so grown up when he packs his. It has a long "lead" and a very handy grab handle at the top. Brilliant things, we've started using ours again as J is also bolting for the road/around supermarkets. We had to cancel out holiday to Coombe as money has been so tight this year, will go next year hopefully. You'll have a fab time though and A will love it. Take wellies, there is a stream to paddle in and the Cornish weather can be a bit unpredictable.

Job is full on but great-I really enjoy working with the residents and am developing a particular interest in working with service users with learning disabilities who also have dementia. Shift pattern is playing havoc with my sleep but I'm back to one day a week from next week so we'll get back to some kind of normality. Am finding all the training courses a bit of a challenge to get through but I'm getting there slowly! It is doing wonders for my fitness

Love to all x

How are you, littlepea?

Is anyone else thinking about their Toddler's 3rd birthdays and/or Christmas or am I the only weird overly-organized-when-it-comes-to-presents one?

Military men/men in uniform don't normally do much for me. But damn were there some very nice men in various stages of uniform at the 4th of July celebrations yesterday. And there was something very warming about seeing these big, fit, macho men on kiddie rides with their toddlers, having cuddles and giggles and grinning for their wives' cameras. It was lovely to see.

I do wonder, though, if the British military are as polite as the American ones -- everything was "yes ma'am, thank you ma'am, may I help you ma'am." Ahhh, I miss my Americans.

A belated Happy 4th July Scout! There is something about a man in uniform isn't there?

Hi all

How is everyone? Are you enjoying the tennis?

Have got an appointment through to see the HV about Matthew's speech (or lack of). She seems to think that speech therapy won't help but is going to do some tests and do some kind of progress chart. I'm seeing her on the 18th July.

Scout-sad as I am I buy Christmas presents all through the year as from previous experience when I go back for something I've seen nearer Christmas it won't be there. Think Matthew may get a train set for his birthday, not sure yet. Can't believe they are nearly 3.

Need to think about potty training soon, putting it off in the hope he will self train.

Big wave to all!

HC
x

Hi all, just testing my new name.

Having the most awful day,

Laters!

HC (HumphreysCorner)
x

Help! Any tips for teaching road sense/safety?

J has just gone out in the car with dh...but before doing so has legged it out the drive away from him and tried to make a run for the (very busy road) - only my screaming stopped him and allowed dh to catch up. I thought my heart literally stopped for a moment there. He never ever does this with me, partly, I think because we walk everywhere and partly because I'm quite strict about hand holding.

I had a lovely birthday yesterday and am now sat here shaking like a leaf. Am supposed to be asleep-J slept badly last night and by the time I got him back to sleep it was 4am and I had/still have the migraine from hell. 12 hour night shift is looming. On the plus side, someone put my age at 33 yesterday ad I've now lost 11lbs at Slimming World and people are starting to comment.

HC Sorry you had a rubbish day yesterday, hope your week improves. Your new name sounds very grand.

Calypso I thought about you last week and prayed you had some decent weather at Coombe - hope it wasn't a complete washout?

Big hugs to all x

Hi all

Where is everyone? HT-I have no ideas for you as Matthew often refuses to hold my hand so am permanently chasing him away from pavements.

On Wednesday we are seeing the HV to discuss his non talking. Can't wait to see what she says.

Been a nice sunny and dry day so have been outside gardening.

Am a little bereft as I have finished all 3 of the Fifty Shades Trilogy. No other book can match them methinks.

Big wave to you all!

AG
x

Hello!!!!!

Sorry I havent been about, everytime I try, a child cries lol.

HC I love your new name lol.....hope you havent been trying all her things lol

HT Faith has tried to do a runner out our driveway too, its scary. Hope your head is doing better.

How is everyone else???

Faith has just started getting out of her cot! It is terrible I think a big girls bed....and potty training are starting next month.....and maybe a drink problem for me??? lol xxx

Also finnished 50 shades

Just back from 2 weeks on the West cost (scotland)

Louis voutions visual director comming for coffee tomorrow. Nothing to wear !
(old family friend have seen once in 20 years) will try and find something without chocolate spread on the bum LOL!

HT there was a thing by the government called the childrens traffic club, great stories for 3 year olds.the company who made it are called DBDA in Harrow.it was free to all but not sure if it is still going, (the compay is still going,so you may be able to get them, they were like comics, with stickers etc a great programme.) I didn't get it for Connor.See if you can get hold of it.Let me know how you get on (my step mum wrote the programme, so could help if you can't get hold of it)

Laters .....

I haven't read 50 Shades and admit no desire (HA!) to.

Toddler and I have been out enjoying the weather and have gone duck feeding three days in a row (at three different duck spots). I'm supposed to be meeting up with a friend who's home in the UK on holiday but don't know what we're going to do. She has a school aged daughter so might suggest playground and ducks with the kids.

We went to one of the local playgrounds/duck ponds with Toddler's BFF (and her brother) yesterday and I got some great pictures. I have video of them running up to each other two weeks ago at swimming and the pure joy/excitement at seeing each other was priceless. Last week when she was crying he went and hugged her and then they hugged & kissed at the end of swimming, when we separated to go home. Yesterday they kept holding hands and running together or making up games/interacting more like older toddlers (one suggesting an activity/movement/game and the other following/joining in). It's so lovely to watch and we see a real friendship developing before our eyes.

scout it is lovely to see those friendships develope. We had a laugh 2 weeks ago when we went on holiday with friends. dd1 (12) and their ds1 (12) decided when they were 3 that they were going to marry and set up a strawberry farm on the Isle of Islay and make strawberry ice cream and jam.They were both horrified but laughed hard.

Afternoon ladies

How is everyone? Had a fab week away in the caravan going to the Beach Hut every day. The weather was fantastic. Back to the reality of masses of washing and grass cutting-boo hoo! Away again on the 11th August which is also our 11th weddding anniversary.

Hope you are all enjoying the holidays and the olympics.

AG
x

A drive-by wave to you all!

Coombe Mill / holiday in Cornwall was wet but lots of fun :) Both girls doing quite well, off to Spain in 2 days to see the in-laws and cousins so dashing about trying to pack. Had a horrible 2 weeks were I found out my mother has breast cancer and will soon be starting chemo, but latest test results show that it doesn't seem to have spread beyond initial tumour so thats a relief. Don't think she'll be able to come back to the UK though until next year, but will hopefully make it my brother's wedding in the Alps in Dec.

Hope you're all doing well, and not too down by the ceaselessly bad weather, and I completely empathise with the children-running-in-the-road nightmare, Annalise can walk really well for a long distance but daren't as she's so naughty, pft!

Kisses and adios to all for a couple of weeks xx