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!

Happy Mothers' Day everyone. Hope you're having lovely day. I had best start to day ever as DS ran in with the cards he's been keeping safe and gave me a huge cuddle. He'd drawn a picture of me and him at the park and made a lovely card at nursery. They'd also made chocolates with the nanny and I had to stay in bed for an age while they got me breakfast. Was really lovely. And we've just had the first BBQ of the year for lunch . Keen or what.

Afternoon tea later. My DH is a legend

It's been good here. Farmers' market, run and then making 36 cakes for school and one big one for DD1 tomorrow. She is 6. This time 6 years ago, I was in hell waiting for my epidural to be sited. It was another 12 hours before she was born though.

Hope you all have had a lovely day.

Lovely Mothers Day yesterday. Did spend alot of it at the MIL then a garden centre then B&Q finished off by begining my garden furniture restoration. But a really nice day. Oh and got a lovely handbag. So my day was complete. Shallow person that I am.

Got the email this morning to say DS1 is in to our first choice primary school.

Right the day beckons. Have a lovely one everyone.

Hello! Well done, Jam! That's great on the primary school. Yeehah!
We got back from Brussels last night, after a whistlestop, one night tour. It was great fun. Thankfully the hotel had a pool and after spending the day outside sightseeing on Saturday in beautiful sunshine, we then did swimming in the freezing pool. Then yesterday wasn't very nice, so we swam a lot. It was smashing. Girls behaved beautifully and I was very proud. We were sharing a room with them and DD1 wouldn't go to sleep until 10pm on Saturday night. Luckily we hadn't organised a babysitter, so we just had candlelit pizza from Pizza Hut, which she joined us for! Then we all went to sleep at the same time at 10ish. Perfect! DD2 conked out at 9pm. Then all up at 7am on Sunday, after being up 6 times in the night! I'd forgotten that hell! But apart from that, it was amazing. DD1 became obsessed with the Manneken Pis - "Wee Wee Man". We bought a tiny model one to play with. Now can't find it. Shit.

Was very glad to be home, though.

Everyone sounds very upbeat on here - how lovely! We're doing nothing this week, literally have an empty diary, so would be nice to see anyone if anyone's around? I am trying to organise to see my Dad at some point, as his op is next Tuesday and would like to see him before it. Mum is acting like a gaoler and limiting all visits. I can kind of understand, but by the same token, would also like to see him, but it seems to be a bit difficult! I'd like the girls to see him too. Just in case. Doesn't bear thinking about, but you do have to a bit. He has a pacemaker and is on a billion pills, so I am a teeny weeny bit worried about it, but trying not to let on!!! Anyway, the tumour has come loose, so hopefully taking it out of his leg shouldn't be too difficult.

Mother's Day was a bit of a non event for us as we were in Brussels. Shouldn't complain, but I'd have loved a card... Whinge whinge.

Urbs - so jealous of BBQ - I hope we have one soon. I love em!

As of Weds, the weather is going to be great - yeehah!

Rubes - loving the poo stories. Poor lamb. Sounds heinous with one kicking off and the other shitting everywhere! Nice work!

These are the fitflops I'm hoping to get - am thinking pewter or bronze. I would go silver, but apparently they get v dirty under your feet. What would you all recommend??!

xxxx

And does anyone think this swimming cozzie is nice? I'm quite keen...

Jam: thanks for reminding me! Checked mail and DS1 has got into his 1st choice too.

Hope you all had lovely days yesterday. dH had to work (boo) but cooked breakfast and then I lazed in the garden with the boys.

It's another beautiful day so we are skiving off playgroup and heading to the park for a picnic instead :).

Those cossies look nice Beans. I'm really having trouble shifting this weight so have been thinking something more concealing like this for our Sardinia trip at Easter.

The best laid plans... am confined to sofa having caught the boys' sickness bug. DS1's tummy is dodgy too though he is chirpier than me. DS2 has been climbing over me, chanting 'cuggle Mummy me vewwy kind' which is sweet but a little wearing. Hoping DH returns soon so I can drag myself to bed.

And DH has to work late. Whinge whinge. The boys have been brilliant. Jam: your DS1 is now the model for perserverence chez nous. DS1 to me as I was dragging myself (or rather bum shuffling) down the stairs: 'You can do it Mummy! Just try hard like A climbing the bandstand!'.

Sorry you are feeling crook, Effie. Ugh, hope it goes away.

I like that cossie, Beans. There's an E. Hurley one I love, is leopard print and looks v flattering but is £84 even in her sale so will not be buying (current finances obv will not allow anyway). Vag, I did laugh at your cossie. Why AREN'T those available?

Well, I had a DIY sort of weekend so spent most of it dusty, annoyed etc. We tested the heating and hot water and the radiators still weren't working on Sat despite new pump, so massive gloom ensued, but they miraculously began to work on Sunday, so who knows. Sybs, you asked when we'll be in - errrrrr....highly dependent on DP but I am guessing Easterish... I hope your DD1's birthday was lovely, btw. 6 sounds so grown up!

Oh Arti, did you solve your probs on Friday? SO sorry for you. There is a device which costs about a tenner which beeps when you're near a nail or a pipe or an electrical wire, but I guess that's no use to you now...What stage are you at?

Liking the new moniker, LadyRubes But I do warn you that you might get used to it. Years of the cricket team calling me LadyT and the same on here has given me delusions of grandeur I hope you haven't been deluged with baby effluent today. Your washing machine must be busy!

ZJ - how did the fashion show go, oh glamour puss?

Urbane - sorry about the funeral...and are you feeling well now? I wonder if you were near my neck of the woods? My train goes west from London, in the direction of Hereford and or Worcester...

Jam - v glad about your school choice. Heavens, bet that's a load off.

Beans, your Brussels trip sounds lovely. I like Belgium. And I do love a mini-break. I want one...

Talking of wanting, I want your weather, Vag, if it's 22 degrees!

So, no cheque and the Revenue computer systems are down today and tomorrow, so it can't be cancelled until Wednesday. From whence I have to wait up to 6wks. It is a real pisser. But I am just going to have to manage. They have also managed to send me two separate letters informing me of my tax code for the coming - each with a different tax code. They really are a class act. Not. Also, weight loss has stalled. So, all a bit annoying.

In other news, my Mothering Sunday gift was an apron bearing the legend "I Kiss Better Than I Cook" Almost certainly true, but then, I do pretty much everything better than I cook

I am quite annoyed with everything at the moment. But am enjoying Mad Men box set and am reading a PG Wodehouse to keep me chipper.

Effie, so sorry your feeling rotten. I remember having the squits once and DS2 insisted on sitting on top of my belly bouncing while I lay dying on the couch. Then DH rang at 5.45 (when I was expecting him home) to tell me he was just leaving Amsterdam which at that hour meant a 1.5 hr+ trip home. I burst into tears on the phone and rambled incoherantly about not being able to handle another minute etc.

Lady I am getting quite miffed about this weight loss business I am running at least an hour twice a week and cycling the boys plus violins/shopping/beach toys all over town and usually at high speed as we are always running late. But I still haven't lost even a gram. I know I would probably fare better on LadyPubus' cabbage soup diet but I really want to up my exercise for this race in June. DH is around most of this week so I'm going to try to do something everyday. I so wish I was one of those people who could wake up early and go running as I would def be out everyday. Also been wandering about what LadyPubes said a while ago about BF & weightloss, but I'm only feeding 2-3 times a day and not heaps so Im not sure if it would effect it, but could do I suppose. I didn't have that last time though so that's whats confusing me. Anyway will have to wait to find out as I'm not really going to stop for that.

Arti how are things in HuisArtichokes?

And LadyT, at first I was a bit about your present, but actually I think its sweet. I think I would rather get something thoughtful, but cheeky, than something meaningless but 'nice'.

Pleased to hear there were many lie ins gifted yesterday, although I am sad Veg didn't celebrate, did you get an extra cuddle at least? I got a lovely lie in and 2 gifts because DH forgot that I'd already chosen a peony for myself, so he and DD bought me a Jamie Oliver mug that says 'top mum'. It's a good mug, but even better is the Useful Tin For Keeping Things In that it came in. I love a Useful Tin

It's birthday-tactic in your house this week Sybs, happy birthday to your DH and DD1

Excellent news about the schools Jam and Effie, when do they both start?

I was quite of your picnic in the park Effie, as DD and I spent an hour freezing to death on the beach (my own stupid fault for suggesting it when I looked out of the window without actually going outside to assess the temperature). I'm sorry to hear your day has been spoilt, stomach bugs are awful. I hope DH has got home

Brussels sounds lovely Beans. If your Mum is concerned about exhausting your Dad (I assume that us the worry), could you pop over and ask her to take the girls to the park or something for an hour so you can have quiet time with your Dad? The girls can give him a big cuddle before you nip off, bur won't spend all day jumping on him. Hope it goes ok, I'll be thinking of you

What a cock up with the IR LadyT, you'd think that there would be one competent person there to sort it out. Probably the cleaner! Good news about the heating in the new house. I'm sure you've said before, so sorry for asking, but what are you doing with DPs flat once you move?

The fashion show was a hit, DD is destined to be either a supermodel or on the stage as she LOVED it. She and I went down the catwalk together, along with a 4 yr old. She chose to hopscotch down the catwalk and DD tried to copy her, and they both stood at the end grinning and waving at the audience and lapping up the applause. I was gobsmacked as more often than not she's really shy. The girls modelled 4 outfits, didn't complain at the quick outfit changes and stood back stage yelling 'my turn next' when the proper models were slow to vacate the catwalk. I was the proudest mummy in the world, and just hope the event raised lots of money

Tonight she's reverted to being an odd bod again - she pulled my top down tonight while I was getting her ready for bed and said 'ooh, look, daddy's sweetcorn' strange child, don't have a clue what that was about

at daddy's sweetcorn
zj am impressed at your tenacity with sticking with the beach. Ds also got into our first choice primary. Which is fantastic. I thought he would though so am not as relieved as dh who has lost about 5 years in a day. Have to say my therapy really helped me with not worrying about things I couldn't control ( and this is major thing for me - I nearly had heart failure about him getting into nursery).
Am going to catch up properly later but turns out I am pg. But so so early not really counting it. Am crossing things that this one stays.

Congrats on the school Urbs, and being cool and calm! And I have my fingers crossed for your little bundle of cells. Lots of good news from the Warrior family today

Vag, loving Ladypubes if you are doing that much exercise (brilliant by the way) then there is something wrong. I reckon one of 3 things. (Not trying to be know-it-all-y but I was married to a self absorbed Part time wanker Personal Trainer for a few years ) and am now married to a nice guy who stands by the more scientific side of things

Anyway, in most cases you would have to be either 1-consuming more calories than you think - as it's a basic energy in / energy out thing this weight loss palava - have you ever written down what you eat in a week? or 2- some other medical situation working against you, or 3- it really could be a lot to do with BF which I think is to do with it anyway. I didn't know you were still BF! hats off to you - what a brilliant effort and if that is still working for you, I really thinks that's great and amazing! One feed a day was enough to hang on to an extra FIVE uckin kg's in my case, so don't kill yourself exercising if you are eating right etc as it may well be just that, and too hard to sort until you and ds are ready to stop.

Gotta go but just wanted to write that down after skimming since I was mentioned! Oh and Zoe, LOVE the reins story too. You and I need to get together so I feel normal! Beans I like the fitflops you are getting. I ordered a plain Jane black suede pair as I went with dh and he hated all the blingy ones plus they were half price Sybs yes I may well join you!

Back later....

Oh and Mothers Day was loverly here too. Got a sleep in till 900am ish then Coffee, Eggs Benedict with Salmon and pink champagne then I had mil and Gmil plus bil and bil partner over for the first BBQ of the season too! - It was really nice. I got flowers which I bought for myself (but to be fair he has no time) and a lovely card from dh and one from the kids. DH reluctantly agreed to the fitflops too with a bit of a look. Glad you hall had nice one's too.

but that's all I will contribute to that subject Urbs.

That is so lovely that she enjoyed it so much ZJ. Funny about the sweetcorn

Have just found out my cousin back home is pregnant. She lost a baby at around 20 weeks a few years back and has been trying to get pregnant (after a bit of a break). I'm so pleased for her.

Thanks Pubes. Yeah I've not written down food but I have a calorie counter app thingy on my phone and for my weight etc I am eating way under my caloric need and that's before I take into account my training calorie use. That's interesting about the last 5kg. It may well be that. I did wander about a thyroid imbalance esp, after two pregnancies, but I'm sure I would have other symptoms. Anyhoo I'll keep at it and on weeks were DH is away and I can't get as much exercise I'll hit the soup.

Urbs how lovely. Quiet little cheer and a high 5.

Sorry Urbs Totally forgot (though I was SO excited when I read! Brilliant news! Will quietly sending positive healthy bub forming vibes your way x

Great news about your cousin too Vagola!

Lady - you sound down. I must admit I've had a feeling of weird anxiety which I can't pin point. I prescribe a get together soon so we can nut it all out!
Beans - you too whenever you are free.

Had more, but I can hear dh sorting baby milk and generally making the transition upstairs. My is still half full - this can't be good if I can't sleep / read / watch Celebrity Juice I might get on the Ipad which is nicely tucked under the bed up there

Quiet and gentle congratulations to Urbs. Fingers crossed all is well my darling XXXX

Urbs-great and wonderful and v quiet congrats. Will wait with digits crossed. Feeling better but still shitting for Britain. It's been nigh on 4 weeks.

The baby sleeps most of the day and is then awake from 6pm until... Well still not asleep. Any tips/advice/experience. I'm near tearing my hair out.

Hello lovelies. How nice to log on to good news. Quiet, but heartfelt congrats urbs

Glad to see schools day seems to have brought good news to all with older DCs. We're OK I think - got a place at the new faith free school. Very relieved about that though as got none of our (6!) choices off the regular list and got allocated something far and a bit rubbish.

Knackered here, all a bit relentless. Hopefully will surface in a couple of weeks. Mother's day in our house went like this:

Friend I was speaking to: "So invis, did you get any nice cards?"
Me: "Cards what cards?"
Friend: "You know, the ones the DCs make, at nursery or wherever"
DH, next to me: "Sorry, bad daddy, I forgot to give them to you..."

Oh well, there is always next year.