Dec 08 - tears, tantrums, giggles and piddles - and that's just the mums!

[traceface]

Or maybe piddling whilst giggling is just me?
It's so sunny here I feel Spring has sprung - where's that daffodil emoticon gone? Had a friend round this morning for a natter and cake - muchos snot and tears but all good. Think I might go for a little bike ride now to blow the cobwebs away.
And no vag - not a chance!
rubs don't you dare spend all your time tweeting - your first loyalty is here!

WG that all sounds just horrible. What a nightmare. Sorry to be a killjoy but go easy on the immodium, you could end up needing minispots glycerin suppositries. This couldn't possibly be due to the CS could it, it must just be coincidental. Gosh but you've had a hard time, hopefully DH can be off to look after you. I know the prospect of being at outlaws for Easter isn't fun, at least you will have someone looking after you all and no house work?!?

Lady I didn't get a chance to say, from experience flat head shape is rarely to do with positioning and in extreme cases (usually associated with other developmental problems which would by now be apparent)investigation & intervention is required, but otherwise it usually rights itself. One of the girls in DS1's NCT group had a very asymmetrical shaped head but it righted itself and looks completely fine now.

Jolly, I'm sure I'm way less busy than you, but I just don't get much time on MN these days as DS2 really likes my undivided attention. He is becoming quite a force to be reckoned with. I have to say in general I quite like it, but it is trying. What Beans and Arti said really rings true. Gosh and Arti as always our LOs seem so similar. DS1 is just such a pleaser, whereas DS2 couldn't care less about anyone.

Right dinner, takeaway!

Hello quick one from me, 8Vag* GP prescribed something called Movicol which has got things going. Had hoped it would cure his pain a bit too but he's still screaming like crazy due to reflux. We're booked in to have endoscopy on 14 April, i had thought of cancelling but having read up a fair bit about GORD I feel we need to see the damage done to the oesophegus. But want to avoid being back on tube at all costs.

Pingu we have a P&T, it's a bit pointless at the mo as B can't lie flat so no good for him to be in the cocoon but hopefully when he can sit up a bit it'll come into its own. I do quite like it as a single anyway, the steering's pretty good on ours.

JJ, sympathies on the willful toddler front. Bribery no longer works here so I use teh Effie approach and manhandle him whenever possible. However, when I have B on me it's not so easy and he knows it so I just hear myself sounding like ineffectual middle class mother.

Oh, T went to respiratory clinic yesterday and they're saying that a lot of his wheezing and ear infections and poor sleeping etc are down to his reflux that I thought had gone away! Bloody hell, two with it. They want us to give him meds again for it, but am really not keen, I feel like our life is one medical appointment after another. Still, we have the domperidone and ranitidine in a little brown bag to dip into when we need.

WG am so sorry you're feeling so crap, I wish I could suggest something but I do second ladyT's suggestion of probiotic powder.

Lady am glad the bank have agreed to extend your overdraft, even if it only gives you a month's breathing space. I don't support a letter to the money pages of the observer or similar might help? They sometimes seem to get institutions moving in a way no others can.

Sybs you sound knackered, poor love. Any hope of some recharging time this weekend? And with all the strain of both Ps and ILs. You are doing bloody well to not be totally breaking down.

More to say but pizza beckons.

Oh Trace, sorry missed your post, Hello! Sleep well tonight.

And Rubes, I love the idea of a classy Aussie chick like yourself being lady of the manor.

Hello everyone

Congratulations on the house sale Jump, that was super speedy. The first of the houses you linked to had the most beautiful light flooding into the kitchen, how much would I love to have windows like that. Lovely news about C

Good luck with the move Jolly, very good plan to get movers in for you. Does your new house need any work, or is it ready to settle in to straight away? Talking of which, how are your renovations Arti? The pics on fb are looking good

Yay for a good day at work Trace, I hope tomorrow goes well. How many days will you be working next week? Sleep well tonight

Urbs are you feeling better? Don?t rush back to work because it will only set you back, and I?ve enjoyed having you around. Ahhh, the memories of clothkits clothes . In fact my Mum has just unearthed a clothkits coat she made for me, and DD looks super cute in it ? I bet it?s the only clothkits in the cloakroom at nursery

What an absolute arse about the cheque LadyT, but at least your bank are being understanding. I am sending get a darned move on vibes to useless HMRC for you, I hope they pull their finger out

Rubes Sarah Booby?s house is just a hop and a skip from the village I grew up in and several of my friends went to school there (when it was a school). What the series didn?t make clear is they got their bargain price on it in the late nineties, when the average price for a 2 bed semi starter home type thing round here was about 20 grand. And that it was in fairly habitable condition then (just out of date, rather than any serious problems), but naughty Sarah Booby was too busy breeding to look after it and it fell into the awful state then. Before she bought it Robbie Williams apparently looked at it, I was gutted as I?d have loved him as my neighbour

Happy birthday to the eldest Fawlty girl. I hope you get some you time soon Sybs, you deserve it

WG have a huge hug from me, you poor thing, you must get back to your Dr until you are fully better. Is there any chance your Dad and LF can stay a while longer?

Hope you enjoyed your take aways, Vag and Spot?

Nap news ? last week was just a blip and the naps are back on ? phew. I was lost without my me time in the afternoon. She?s only having about an hour (listen to me, only, 6 months ago I?d have killed for that!) but better than nothing. I?m now waiting for the pox to strike, as it is doing the rounds at nursery, but so far no spots or other symptoms so maybe we?ll get lucky.

I?ve had a mixed weekend of good and bad news. Sadly my friends baby with the hole in the heart has had to go back into high dependency this weekend , so can I ask for lots of white light on her behalf please? She is due to have her heart op next month and was supposed to see the consultant in Leeds today, but is in hospital in Hull. My friend was very concerned that they?d miss the appointment with the consultant due to not getting DD to Leeds and would therefore have to postpone her op, which she obviously needs. I hope they?ve sorted out the difficulty of being in 2 places at once and she can get strong and healthy very soon

But on the other hand, my best friend told me she is pregnant . I?m thrilled, and surprised, as she?s not the most maternal of people and delayed getting married for 4 years because she was worried her DH would want children straight away. But they?re really excited, as am I. Since having DD I?ve always felt sort of guilty that I?ve altered the balance of our relationship, as conversations always seem to be ?you?ll never guess what so and so said? Stop it, Mummy says no, oh I have to go? although my friend is fab with DD. I?m so excited we?re going to be back on even footing again, even if it means conversations won?t even be one sided but none sided now! In my excitement I promised her all my maternity clothes and newborn hand me downs, so may have to put TTC plans on hold for a bit

Ok, night all xx

Zoe: am thinking of your friend and her little girl.

Trace: do take it easy at the weekend. Going back to work is hard - not only the actual time at work but all the preparation and the worrying! I hope DH steps in to give you a decent break before you get back to it on Monday.

LadyT: glad the bank have been helpful.

WG: I'm sorry you're still suffering. Hope everything clears up soon.

Spot: lovely to hear from you - you always sound so positive and on the ball despite the endless round of doctors and meds. Are you staying in Brighton for the forseeable? And are things with DP any easier?

Work today (bah) but I got a Kindle for my birthday and it is great! So easy to read and the battery lasts for yonks (for those if us who have to put up with Apple and their battery isshoes).

Zoe - sending prayers to your friend and her baby. Hope the operation is confirmed soon, it's amazing how strong babies can be - mircal baby M is the evidence of this!

Well S is a cheeky little thing - after yesterday's getting dressed/biscuit comment, I was in the bath with her last night and she said "Mummy's legs all scratchy, make my hands sore"

off to work today to a) brief my maternity cover on various things and b) discuss with HoD when I'll be coming back! Seems so harsh to be doing this when E is barely born, but given the confusion that happened last time, best to get it sorted now.

More house porn - have been looking further afield since the lovely houses in town have teeny gardens, will be viewing this place tomorrow. Note the 'sold' sign in the garden...? They had a sale fell through and are keen to move, so if it's nice we'll be making an extraordinarily cheeky offer! as even the agent said, nothing ventured, nothing gained!

Spot - DD1 on Movicol - she has one sachet in her drink a day and has done for the last 5 months. I know she's over 2, but it works absolute wonders. Having always strained and cried and bled while doing poos, she now has totally normal ones. It's amazing. I love it. The doctor reckoned she'd be on it for at least a year, and you know what? I'm delighted for her to be. It has changed her life - and mine as a result. I don't cry with her every time she does/tries to do a poo. It used to break my heart. Feeling a bit weepy thinking about it! And poor T. How miserable for him to still be suffering with reflux. God, you have really been through the mill.

Sybs - are in laws/parents ok? Have you got time to come on here and tell us? I will text you as well.

DH working so very hard at the moment - he's not getting home til midnight from work. Last night we had his cousin and girlfriend round for dinner, so he had to be home by 7, but then he got up at some ungodly hour this morning to get to work early and won't be home til late tonight. Poor chap.

WG - go back to GP. I don't know what you've got, but it sounds terrible. You poor love. And diaoralyte is great stuff. Tastes horrid, but makes you feel better. And second going easy on the immodium. Great in short term for a bit, then stops you pooing for ages, I find. I really hope you pick up soon, you poor love.

Trace - so glad your first day back went well. Sounds like you are doing admirably. Well done you!

We have WotWots on here. I love it. Channel 5 in the mornings is the best thing ever.

Did anyone who already has 2nd DCs find that their second one was a bit slower to develop than the first? DD1 wasn't exactly speedy on the old crawling front (nearly 10 months), but DD2 is even further off it than her. She is throwing herself onto her front and trying, but she's 9.5 months and really not close yet. Trying, but failing! Plus she still only has 2 teeth, where DD1 had about 8 by this age! Mind you, she was unusually toothsome!

Oh dear, poor in nappy of DD1, must go. I know I should probably be potty training, but I can't quite face it yet. Has anyone else succeeded yet???! Anyone else waiting for a bit longer like me??!

Jj that's lovely and spacious - and what a massive garden!

JJ - crossed with you! Oooh, love a bit of house porn!! Looks gorgeous.

ZJ - meant to say am thinking of your friend and her baby.

Also, am reading a book called "The Blasphemer" at the moment - by Nigel Farndale. Has anyone read it? I'm rather loving it - nearly finished it now. It is the first book ever that has made me doubt my own atheism. Very strange. And I think perhaps it has something to do with having two children, but am starting to think that maybe there is something out there! I don't think I'm ever going to be very religious, but less atheistic/disinterested could be interesting for me!!

Hello, quick one from me as got to take dd to swimming lesson and need to pack....

spot nice to hear from you, you sound pretty cheerful considering all you are up against!
jj like the house. Also like that area and not too far from you atm.
beans my dd isn't crawling yet, but she is trying. DS was crawling by now but he was v early at 7 months. I don't really want her to crawl yet she's enough trouble rolling all round the floor. She also has no teeth. I don't think there's much in it re first and second DC, reckon it's probably just chance here, oh also DS slept on his front which I think helped him crawl early, plus he seemed stronger at bith than DD, I think she needs a bit more strength to get upon her hands and knees well. And well as for eating, my second is definitely better than my first. Though having said that DD is hardly eating at the mo, not for the last week or so. She has a cold so hoping it is that.
Does your DD2 sleep through beans and rubes does your DD? Mine still is waking up, I want to give up bfing soon but not sure whether to while she's still waking in the night as can't be arsed to go downstairs!

zj thinking of your friend. And what good news about your best friend! Does she live near you? If you get clackered you would be on mat leave together (fingers crossed on that front)! And jj what fab news about your friend C too.

zj I love the Sarah Booby gossip. Also liked Vagola referring to rubes as lady of the manor. Haha!

Oh wg wanted to send you my love and hope you are feeling better soon. Hope it all clears up soon.

Right gotta go laptop battery on critical!

bollocks to my crap bolding.
zj testing testing zj what's going on?

It won't bold ZJ properly! Stupid thing!

weird jj sdfsdf zj

oops sorry meant to preview that rather than post. Sorry. Will shut up now.

Yes, DD2 sleeping through, SL. Thankfully. She has the odd moment when she wakes up yowling because she's managed to shift onto her front and upside down in her cot. God knows how! It's hilarious. I gave up BF at about 4-5 months. Just didn't enjoy it with 2nd as I did with DD1.

I gave up bf when she started to sleep through the night, although still had quite a few nights of going down to make up a bottle. I don't heat hers up any more though, so didn't have to wait for that! She seems to prefer it cooler.

House porn - mmmmmm

Hello all,

zJ hurray for re-napping!!! Sorry to hear about your friend's baby. Lots of white light from us. She should be able to be transferred to the other hospital for the appointment.

trace Really glad your first day went well .

Must try and tidy before DD1 returns. J has decided she wants to be held while sleeping, not very handy when I've tons to do. I love the snuggles though.

Wow, amazing gardens on both those houses Jump and Beans, I have acute garden at the moment as ours is a dump. I'm trying, but failing, to make anything of it

Effie I saw a kindle for the first time yesterday and was quite impressed, I didn't think it would be for me but can see myself getting tempted now. Although it's sad to think of no more browsing in book shops

I'll have to give channel 5 a go after your recommendation beans. I am cross with cbeebies for moving the tweenies (which is the worst) to 7, just as I use tv to bribe DD to keep still for breakfast and getting dressed. 730 was a much better time for it (leaving the house time)

I hadn't realised my friends little one could be moved just for a consultant appt, thanks Jolly. Hopefully they worked it out. My friend has been out off contact since the weekend, presumably in hospital, so I'll hope they worked it out

Having got so excited about my best friends pregnancy, she had her scan this morning and there's a baby but no heartbeat [Sad] so she is waiting to miscarry. I want to give her a hug, but she is 50 miles away

Oh Zoe that is so sad :(.

Oh ZJ that is so sad, how painful for her. will be thinking of her. for your other friends baby, the surgery required is far from elective so the operation would not be put off due to missing an appointment. if the distances aren't too far, as Jolly said they can organize interhospital transport. however, it maybe that the bub is too unwell for the trip. Either way the consultant will be informed of the admission by the team looking after her. One thing that may delay the surgery is her condition, if she is too unwell it may be too risky to undertake the surgery so soon, so that may put it off.

Loving the house porn, Beans, wow a house that has an aerial view shot, that is posh.

SL your bold ishoos made me laugh so much I needed to do a wee.

JB very jealous of your snuggles, I get very few of them from DS2 anymore, yesterday I looked after a friends 21month old while she took her daughter to an appointment. He was a bit sad and so I gave him a cuddle and put Nemo on the TV. He snuggled right in and it was so lovely. However, DS2 got a bit jealous and decided he'd better show me a bit of affection, so I got a bit of a cuddle from him then. I hope he's not going to be one of those men whose partners have to make them jealous to get any emotion from them!

veg I laughed at Summer's bold issues too , but it sometimes happens to me when I say something to WG, its odd. Your snuggle with the two littles sounds gorgeous Veg, I find it really touching when someone elses child cuddles, it's so trusting. Jolly do you have a sling for J? cuddles are so sweet but you have one or two things to do this week (btw my phone just corrected sling to Ali g, iPhones and Ali G aren't even from the same decade!)

How has work been today Trace? And you didn't report back on L's show, was she a star?

And that just proves my point about WG!

DD has taken her jingle bells to bed and I can hear lots of jingle jingle down the monitor, I'm not sure if she's awake or doing it in her sleep. I'll have to pride them of her when she's definitely asleep, I dont fancy that all night!

Oh ZJ, I'm so sorry about your friend. So sad.

There is nothing on telly tonight and DH working late again. Boohoo!

I have a lovely friend, who I have known all my life, but she is USELESS at getting in touch. She knows my family really well too. She was the first friend I told about Dad having a tumour and was a v tearful conversation. And you know what? She hasn't rung me since. That was in January. Hmmm. Bit if a crap mate. Whinge. Me me me. Just feeling a bit pissed off with her.

Right. Finished The Blasphemer. Am about to start One Day. Yay!

Zj I have been doing some investigating and it's if you try and bold two words in a sentence and one of them is only one or two letters long. Then it bolds all the stuff between it too. So wg, zj, sl and jj will all suffer from this affliction! I have even started a thread about it in site stuff but I don't think mumsnet are taking my bolding crisis seriously enough.

So sorry to hear about your friend

We have the same thing with noises from cot. He used to have a laptop but is a bit bored of it now and it used to make all these random noises when he rolled on it. It would go "I LIKE MUSIC!" in the middle of the night.

I didn't get to come back yesterday to finish off and fuuuurrrrrthermore I haven't got time now either as have been embroiled in DP's work stuff that he needed my brains for and now I am knackered! So I will be back tomoz. But I did want to say to ZJ - that is so sad about your friend, how crushing for her

Beans, to be frank (and this is going to sound terrible) I do slightly despair sometimes because I know I am a better friend to some of my friends than they are to me, in terms of being thoughtful. 98% of the time I roll with it cos I love them, and I am not a particularly resentful person. And 2% of the time I think - come on ratfinks, spare me a hucking thought for once in your lives...So, I know precisely where you are coming from.

DD1 made up a song this morning. I am going to share it with you, because I think it's funny, though a little shocking. It was...[brace yourselves]

Man is dead
Man is worried
Man is crying
Man is dead

She is generally a cheerful child and this is a cheerful household. The gloomiest stories she has ever encountered are The Snowman and Puff the Magic Dragon. Why she thinks these are nice lyrics for a song is beyond me and if we submitted these lyrics to a child psychologist they'd probably clap us in irons.

Big garden envy, JJ and Beans, of those deeply super houses. I think ZJ said her garden is a dump - well, mine at the new house literally is as it has a pile of stuff like...old loos, broken sinks, er, and lumps of old house. We've got a Hippo bag for it all to go in but neither of us can quite summon the mental strength as yet as some of it is months old and stinking dirty. But it's a really nice cottage, honest

Good luck with the move, JB, you are a superwoman.

Oh Spot, sorry about T's reflux on top of everything else! It really does wreak painful havoc, doesn't it? You are being a bloody Trojan with those poor boys.

Liking the Sarah Booby goss greatly. I know it's mean but even though I liike her I am actually heartened to hear how her massive house fell into disrepair, because her bionic-ness makes me feel useless (dozens of children, about 4 careers...)

Will pick up the tings I have missed from the past few days in the morn. I hardly need add that there's no cheque and no news.