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!

Gosh Urbs, congratulations. I too have everything crossed for you. I'm also slightly amazed that you have twice got pregnant on the pill. You & LadyT are two extraordinarily fertile women!

I'm so pleased that all the big siblings have been allocated decent schools. What a weight off everyone's shoulders. It will not be long before the Dec 08 contingent have to apply for their state nursery places. Do you all know where you want? DD2 will go to the nursery at DD1's school. I'm slightly nervous about it actually. She has never been in group childcare before and she is so disobedient & can be quite violent to other kids. What if she spends her life on the naughty bench?

Good news on our DIY. It turns out we didn't nail through a pipe. The leak was from the waste pipe running out of the dishwasher. It was untwisted to our work on the floorboards and the brilliant Polish builders/plumbers/electricians/jacks of all trades sorted it without destroying the floor. The living room is now done and looking fab so we are really pleased.

How is your place looking LadyT? Has it all come together in a way you are pleased with?

No update on DD2's health. We await the paed appointment and in the mean time make detailed diary entries of all she eats, drinks and poos.

Rubes, you are a Grey's fan aren't you? I missed the first half of this series and am confused. Who is Lexie with now? And how come Callie is pregnant with Mark's baby?

Might we have an Easter meet-up girls? Who would be around? I'm off work for two and a half weeks from Thurs & would love to see you all.

I'm amazed too Arti. But I'm even more worried that Urbs you were on my recommendation of Yasmin and got clackered
Yep big Greys fan - Update: Callie's girlfriend took the job in Africa and left so callie was devestated and slept with Mark. mark decided he still loves Lexie and begged and got her back, then Arizona came back and begged Callie to take her back at the same time as Callie found out she was pregnant with Marks baby Mark has just told Lexie (who is very angry obviously) and Callie wants to raise the baby as a "family" with Arizona but Mark wants big involvment too. All a bit messed up

I'm around for potential meet ups

Arti that is wonderful news, what a relief. Maybe you should buy that thingy that Lady mentioned. What a great buildery person you have.

hi Invisible, that's terrible that you didn't get your 6 possibly choices. I don't quite understand about the free school, did they just put you in it, or was it another choice? I just don't think I could cope with the whole school choice thing, we are so lucky we got DS1 into the school we got him into here.

speaking of which DH went to DS1's parent teacher night last night and he got a glowing report. She said he still has trouble with more complicated Dutch but otherwise he is a smart but more importantly lovely little cookie. as he turns 6 in August he can go up to the next group, but sometimes they hold them back if they need a little more time (montessori has an over lap at 6 & 9). however she said he is definitely ready but she is a bit sad as she is going to miss him. we also go a provisional ok for taking him out of school around the Christmas holidays so we can go home for Christmas and go to a friends wedding in Malaysia, Woohoo!

Sorry had to post as my phone was having a seizure, skipping letters and refusing to write capitols.

Now after DS1's glowing report, Arti I have to say I have similar fears for DS2 as you do for your DD2, I think I'm going to put off sending him until he is at least 3, he can start at DS1's school when he is 4, but they have a feeder nursery so will look into that. We were watching 'Timmy Time', the other day and DS2 asked why the mummy sheep was crying when she said goodbye to Timmy (its at the beginning when all the little animals are going to school). I said she was sad because she will miss her little boy while he's at school. I asked would he like to go to school, he said yes, so I said when you go to school you will say goodbye to mummy. oh my goodness you should have seen his little face, his bottom lip stuck out and started quivering. Then he just wailed. I felt terrible and had to tell him it wasn't until he was a big boy.

good morning
urbs that is such good news. I'm praying for you and teeny-bub to stay well. Maybe that's part of why your boobs have been so sore?
Vag I'm ignornant on these matters, but is there any truth in the 'muscle weighs more than fat' theory? Because you are surely made of tough stuff with all your exercise - your buns of steel must weigh more than my blobs of wobble!
And that is so lovely about your ds' school report - well done AK
Lady so sorry about your continued money woes. When it finally gets resolved, is there any chance of compensation?
Arti I'm very relieved for you that your living room floor is not ruined. Phew!
ZJ E is such a poppet! Any chance of some pics of the fashion show? And well done you on braving the coast!
JB how are things? Hope all is well xxx
We've not heard from kiwi for a while - are you lurking? Hope you're ok x
I really must clean my house now. I've been avoiding it for some time Then I'm taking P for her hearing test to see if she still has some hearing loss or whether it has righted itself. I feel like she can hear fine, but then again, I thought that last time!
ok, back later xxx
ta ra rubes

ah vag how sweet and how sensitive little ds2 is. I have to admit that it makes me think- P goes to nursery 4 days a week (and loves it) and if all stays as it is in my work, she'll propbably carry on like that until she starts school - but now I feel a bit guilty that she's not at home as much as some of the LOs on the thread. I think there's probably guilt either way. hmm.

That's exactly it Trace, I feel guilty that I have somehow made him completely dependant on me. Even if I leave him with DH and I go to the gym he gets upset. When I took him to the gym creche that time all the other kids were quite happily playing while he was screaming at the door.

Mornin' all

It's quite cold, dank and windy here now. Pooh, what happened to the spring?

A big yay for AK's smashing report. And another yay for Malaysia at Christmas, vv nice. How long for? And where are you visiting?

ZJ - wow, the fashion show sounded fab. We're renting DP's flat out once we've moved (well, assuming someone wants to rent it. Others here seem to rent out ok but don't want to count our chickens). It needs decorating before we can do that. The potential rent may not cover the mortgage, or only just, but the flat is effectively DP's pension, as my London flat is mine...when they are paid off they will provide for us adequately in old age. To ask a slightly boring but nosey question, what are everyone else's pension plans? I guess a lot of people will have company pensions but sadly I have never had a job which has offered anything like that (nor has DP).

Effie - I do hope you are feeling better this morn.

Dear Urbane - calmly crossing fingers for you.

Rubes - ok, you are convincing me that it's acceptable to wear my FitFlops now and then I wish I'd got some black ones now instead of white/silver sequins. But I bought them at the airport when I was going away to Italy with my Mum when DD1 was 7mths and they were an impulse buy. Pink champs in bed - like it. I love that and we only do it at Christmas or sometimes on birthdays. Oh, and yes, puzzling my head about dates and will be in touch.

Invis - it's good that you have been given that new faith school, at least. And you haven't got the tyranny of choice, I suppose! Sounds like you are flaying yourself into the ground as usual. Will you have any time off over that big Easter/Royal Wedding break?

Arti - am v relieved to hear that your floor is ok, blimey. What's next to do? As to our house, well, I have gone snow blind with it now. It's been so long, and we have worked so hard and there have been so many ups and downs and long gaps where we haven't been able to do stuff, that it still looks a bit of a mess to me, which sounds crazy. I still have that feeling of 'it will look nice one far-off day'...But the things that will make it look significantly better are quite small, in a way (finish tiling in downstairs bathroom, get pipes and messy corner boxed off in kitchen, finish floor and woodwork in main bathroom, light fittings on the walls here and there, paint main window ledge and window in living room, paint kitchen a proper colour (it's just been messily painted white now to cover up the ghastly green, but needs to be something different), get a proper fire surround for living room, get CURTAINS etc for everywhere...I could go on but you get the idea). Nurseries - oh gosh, do you have to apply? I didn't know this. I just assumed DD1 would go to the nursery over the road, attached to the school. Meet up over Easter - yes please.

WG - sorry you are still going through the mill. Did you go back to the docs, by the way/get Dioralyte to replace lost salts/buy a probiotic?

Trace - continuing my series of MN dreams, I dreamed about YOU last night! It was a bit misty, but something like - you were showing me a big scrapbook of your life, with photos and postcards stuck in it. You had once rescued a couple of people from a car which had fallen in a river near to where you lived and you also used to be a top-flight accountant before you were a nurse. So, now you know Hope P's hearing test goes ok. And Vag is right - it's guilt either way with kids at home/nursery!

Oooh, this is quite long.

Lady: Pink champ wasn't in bed, but still good.
Fitflops arrived today. I like most of the designs. Still in my PJ's and barely left the couch but wearing them so I will have toned thighs and arse in no time
This weather is depressing, and both kids have colds.
Must get dressed
Trace, I'm no Northerner, but pretty sure you have to say hello before you can say ta ra
Bye for a while ladies, until I cheer up some......

well rubs my 'good morning' was all-embracing, so that was kind of my 'hello'! I laughed at you getting toned by just wearing your fit flops while lounging on the couch!
Phoebe was such a wriggle-bottom at her hearing test that they could only get a result on one ear. The one they tested showed hearing loss again so she has been referred to ENT for further investigation.
Vag we also have major upset when I leave the room - daring to have a shower in the morning is quite unacceptable! But once I'm gone she soon gets used to the idea and is fine with dh until I return, then she sticks to me like glue again!
ladyT your dreams are very funny I wasn't aware I'd led such a full life - how brave of me to rescue those people

I love the term all-embracing, it feels like an enormous hug!

WG that's a very long time for a gastro bug, even taking into account post bug bowel inflammation. I really cannot think of anything post CS complication that it could be, (baring in mind I'm a paediatric nurse though) but it is still major abdominal surgery. What does your GP think. Do you have any follow up after a CS?

Well we will be expecting the UN weapons inspectors here any day now as I am sure their satellite spy photo thingy will be flagging up DS2 as a weapon of mass destruction. He has been completely manic today. He has basically managed to find anything to do which causes chaos and destruction as well as maximum annoyance to his mother he notice me pick up a flattened box from the ground and lean it against a wall. He watched me do it then walked straight over and knocked it back down onto the floor. If DS1 is playing 'just dance 2' on the wii he casually walks past a switches the Wii off. He has been doing so many annoying things today there are too many to mention. A friend invited us over for coffee this morning but the thought I having to wrestle him into his jacket and shoes, fight him into the bike seat and then worry that he would he a menace to my friends daughter just felt too much to be bothered with. I have to say generally DS2 plays beautifully with other kids, but today I just didn't trust him.

I went for a great swim session today though which restored my belief in my fitness. I haven't lost much swim fitness and my technique is still good. I'm going to get some swim paddles to improve my strength, but otherwise it was good.

Right I think these boys are nearly asleep. DH us making a yummy dinner, so I'm orf.

Oh Trace, and sorry to hear they couldn't do both ears. You've got me worried now, maybe all those times I think the boys are ignoring me they are actually not hearing me. maybe I should organ a hearing test.

Sorry Vag the whole schools thing is a bit confusing. Because the free school didn't know it had to go ahead to open at the applications deadline we could make a separate application to the main six. So got none of the 6 and was offered a dive, but also got an offer of a place at the free school, which looks like a much better bet.

Your DS sounds like a lovely chap - you must be glowing with pride!

Trace - sorry to hear about P's hearing, hope the ent can help. But v nice to see you on here more lately.

On the whole parental guilt thing, apparently DS thinks he as "lost mummy on train". I wonder what goes on in his head, maybe he has visions of me chugging my way up and down the northern line all night...

Ladyt - hope things start to come good for you soon - that cheque for one. You have plenty on and it is draining, but at some point you'll be installed in your gorgeous house with your gorgeous girls and DP and it will make sense.

hello all, sorry for absence but E is startong to make S look like quite a good sleeper... I have been averaging about 3 hours sleep a night and then she screams from wind all day, on the boob all night. Napped a total of 2 hours yesterday, have not been managing to be a very sympathetic mummy. my bro and his family are here from canada :) and visiting today (due any moment) so I really hope she'll stop hucking yelling just for a bit.

urbs, whispering congratulations from over here :)

Quiet congrats urbane. Fingers will remain crossed here.

Sorry I've no time really, I just wanted to say hello and that the packers come in tomorrow so I prob won't be back till we're in the new house. No idea when we'll have the internet though. Even with the packers coming in this is all very exhausing. I've also developed a cold.

Our window cleaner came to be paid yesterday and he said how he did all the feeds and nappies for his little boy in the night - he 'really enjoyed' them. I know due to BFing that isn't an option but wow, it made him suddenly the most desirable man in the world!

JJ WIsh I could help, does she settle in the sling? How about a vibrating seat thing, some people swear by them.

Right, literally a million things to do.

Hello all! Sorry for prolonged absence, have been busy with domestic tasks such as decluttering the house preparing to sell it, looking at new houses etc etc. Hope everyone is well - Urbane a very whispered and muted congrats with fingers crossed all goes well.

And, err, on that note, have some news myself. Yes, am clackered. Had 12 week scan yesterday. Was strangely superstitious about telling anyone, even you guys, before after the m/c last time so have kept it to myself (well, obviously i let DH in on the news... . Also have been rather sick which is MOST unlike DD who was a morning-sickness free zone.

So, that's my big news. I also have big changes at work - they've decided to sort of separate off most of my job and make it a separate job, and make me apply for it. I'm very angry because essentially they are making me apply for a job I already do (whereas at a senior level in my company, people seem to get jobs which weren't even advertised...) so I am talking to our (very strong) union about it, but it's all a bit unsettling as either way things are changing. Then there's the clackered issue - at what point during this process do I tell them? On the one hand, they are totally not supposed to dlscriminate against anyone applying for a job on grounds of pregnancy, but on the other.. seems like a weird time to bring it up... Any advice!?

oh and ps - no mentions of it on facebook please, not that anyone was necessarily going to - but am friends with lots of work people who I don't want to know yet!

Just a quickie as off to house to (hopefully) finish painting entrance hall (am doing the fiddly bits so it's taking yonks). Kiwi, that is such lovely news, am so pleased for you! Not so about work though, obviously...When to tell them is a tricky one. I am slightly jaundiced about this matter, having been junked after my maternity leave but I would point you towards the employment section of MN which can have some really cracking advice (in amongst the inevitable tut merchants, but you can ignore them). All things being equal I think I would prob tell them at 20wks, depending on where you were in the reapplying for your job stage.

Good luck for the move, Jolly - I bet it seems like a a mountain to climb but once you are in you will be over the summit!

JJ - poor you. Could you borrow a vibrating seat to see if she likes it, and then buy a cheap one on Ebay? I can't think of anything other than continually carting her around in the sling but it's tiring and you are prob doing it anyway. At least with your visitors you will have someone else to jiggle her....

lovely news Kiwi.

Congratulations, Kiwi! And a one to Urbane. Wow, does that mean an October and a December baby?

Kiwi I second Lady's advice about asking on the boards, why do you think they're doing that with your job? Is it a widescale job evaluation throughout the company or just a few selected posts? If you're in the union I think you are they should be pretty supportive. What stage have you got to with them?

JJ, I feel for you and Ms windybottom's antics. Have a horrid feeling it might just be one of those things to grin and bear, esp if you're already doing all the gripe water/infacol stuff. Wish I had not given our vibrating chair away, I bought it when I thought B had wind but it was really the reflux and a bouncy chair is the worst thing for his poor tummy.

No real change on the B front, he seems pretty much the same, some feeds better than others and I think is on a growth spurt at the mo as he's waking up more in the night again. We've got a pre-op appointment this Friday for an endoscopy that I don't think we'll have in the end. But will maybe try and put it off, rather than cancel all together.

T is ill with virus and temp and bright green snotty nose - first one since December so a bit of a result but means he can't go to nursery. Major buggery.

WG the night/day thing is a cock, isn't it. If you're trying to keep her awake more in the day, tanking her up with milk etc and she's still nocturnal it'll probably be a thing that will change in time, I would guess.

Arti so glad the house is shaping up and the DIY disaster averted.

Had an underwhelming mothers' day but occasions like that are par for the course with DP. It's just not his thing and he does show appreciation in other ways so I must try not to be too crushed when my expectations aren't met.
Someone asked how things were with him a while back. Well, they're always pretty rocky but not been too much on the argument front recently, possibly because we're too tired and busy to talk. Though we do need to take action on the housing front, can't stay on in this expensive rental, which brings up the perennial question of where we live. And so the cycle begins again.

Vag am so impressed with your fitness drive, and the swimming and everything. You have so much energy, I'd kill for a tenth of it!Maybe I should invest in some of Rubes's magic fitflops and sit on the couch and get toned that way...

Lady you are sounding most productive right now, I bet the place will be looking amazing when you're done. I know it's been a labour of love, but I'm sure will be well worth it.

Lots more to say but I've forgotten most of it and need to do a couple more things while both smalls are asleep at the same time.

Oh, kiwi, lovely news. No advice on job front, sorry.

Spot, lovely to hear from you, too.

And I can't bear posting on iPhone so no more personals. Missy is sleeping from 12 midnight onwards, even when I keep her up from 4 p. As I did yesterday. Am GRINNING AND BEARING IT. not.

Woohoo Kiwi that is wonderful news. Gefeliciteerd! As the dutchies say. Bit crapols on the work thing, (esp if its making Lady jaundiced). How can you have to apply to be F S you ARE F s for FS!

Sorry about sleep ishoos, WG and JJ maybe you need to get JB's window cleaner over.

JB its so exciting, did you manage to have a bit of a clear out before the packers come. Also make sure you get rid of any rubbish bags as you'll be unpacking them at the other end. And make sure you tell them what you are not packing even if its a pair if shoes that you are going to put on as you walk out the door or DD2's muslin. If they see it they will pack it.

My goodness I'm tired, DS1 convinced me to let him have two of his friends over to play today so I had 4 hours with 4 noisy boys. Def the next time I think about having more kids I'm gonna just have his friends over. One was a real sweety but the other was load and just mental. DH got home at 6 so I jumped on my bike and went for a ride to destress which was nice. Spot, you have reason to be tired, I am still tired but I'm also happiest when I'm fit and exercising (& not afraid to look in the mirror).

Right boys asleep, dinner time.

congrats kiwi that is lovely news. but deeply about what's happening to you at work. really hope the union help. and i would hold out telling them for as long as you can. LadyT is right (of course) that the boards have lots of helpful advice.

I am procrastinating as I have a presentation to do for the board tomorrow and I have done nothing about it. Has got to the stage that it's so late it's beyond a joke. Oh well. At least I get to hang about in the O l y m p i c park before hand.

I put DS to bed tonight and he had a complete strop because I wouldn't let him have a snack in bed. Apparently DH has been allowing this .

Veggie I second what Rubes says about the Bfding. I am much bigger when bfding - no relation to how much I eat or exercise. Those hormones make a big difference. Even at this stage of pg (about 6 weeks) I have suddenly put on weight - my body is just different with them. Also in case am panicking you all about pill - last year was genuinely perplexing - this time I had an upset stomach and didn't think about it. So more my failure than lovely yasmin.

Wishing good nights to those of you with non sleeping babies. Is rapidly approaching 8:30 so I can start work then

Wow Urbs is going to the Olympic park!! Cool. Has anyone else applied for tickets. We've applied for a football game and basketball game, we had to find a trade off between something we liked and what the boys might sit through. I would love to watch the triathlon and cycling events and of course the swimming, but don't think it would be much chop for the boys. We wanted to apply for a few more things but we were worried that choosing obligated you to buy, so would rather end up with one or nothing than several events.

DS2 is turning into a mean pushy boy. He pushed his best friend this morning and made him cry. It was quite sad and he refused to apologise. Does anyone have tips on what to do. I had the opposite problem with DS1 he was the one being hit.

Thanks guys! Union being hugely supportive so far and seem to think company haven't got a leg to stand on (and that's it's crap thoughtlessness rather than malice IYSWIM) so well, we'll see.

Not sure I can keep it quiet till 20 wks mind, suspect it will be rather visibly obvious before then!!