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!

Rubes - I've just spent over an hour in the car trying to get into Putney and back. The traffic is HIDEOUS. I would seriously recommend not coming. I'm so sorry to put a damper on things, but we've had the journey from hell. By the time we got to Putney, I knew we'd only be able to spend about 10 mins in Eddie Catz because the traffic home was worse than the way there, so no point in wasting my tenner on it. Turned around and came home and it was heinous.

Maybe you don't come that way, but the girls were miserable and DD1 even fell asleep on the way back and is now in bed! I was in tears too with the noise!!!

Yeah Beans, I would have gone A3 and peeled off at Putney Hill and gone through Putney (maybe Barnes) Hammersmith and onto W'Field. I used to go that way when I used to drop DH off at Charing X hospital Wed afternoons and carry on to W'Field. Putney High St was ALWAYS a horrific nightmare so I know EXACTLY what you mean. London traffic does my head in now that I'm not in Wimbledon anymore and not used to it. But then again, I hate public transport even MORE!!
I would have to have gone really already to make it worthwhile as I would need to leave by 4pm to come back and haven't seen the ladies on here so looks like a no go anyway.
Sorry about your journey. I know EXACTLY what you went through.....

Don't do it! God, end of tether was reached by all on the way there, let alone the way back!

I thought DD2 had conjunctivitis, but on closer inspection, it looks like a little burst blood vessle in her eye. I've got a prescription over the phone from the GP for conjunctivitis, that I can go and collect for anti-biotic drops, but I'm not sure if she needs them. Any tips? Should I ask the pharmacist when I go to collect the prescription??

Ask the pharmasist Beans.

Feel like death warmed up, had a chippy tea last night and think I have food poisoning been (sorry TMI) pooing all morning and am really stiff because I did a body pump and hardcore spinning last night. Oh and the dog vommed all over my deep pile rug in the lounge this morning and have run out of vanish. WHinge whinge whinge.

Rubes, Arti Westfield is a ridonculously long way for me to come at least 2 hrs in the car.

Beans glad to hear your dad is doing well. Sorry about the barney with DH it is a common complaint in this household.

Sorry am being a bit rubbish with personals at the mo will get back to it properly later.

Oh Jam - you poor poor thing. Hideous to be squitty. Yucky.

DD1 still asleep from nodding off in the car at 11. Think will wake her or she won't sleep tonight.

Just a quickie as am on train and juggling small children - not seeing Arti until 330 so wouldn't be worth your while Rubes - hope you feel better soon. Glad your Dad had a good night Beans.

Consider it not done Beans.
Ask the p'cist yeah. My dog had an eye infection and dh got Brolene (for kids and adults) from the chemist. Gone in 1 day - brilliant. Not sure how young for the kids to use but it's over the counter stuff.

Jam of course yes it is a long way. Gosh, sorry to expect that. I will drive to you when you are feeling better. Need me to bring my carpet washer? Actually I used it the other day and wasn't working properly so may need dh to troubleshoot. My dog has done that, and so have the kids and I have now put all rugs into storage except one particularly hardy vomit / poo / wine friendly seagrass mat which is hard as nails but easy to maintain.
Hope you feel better soon, and well done on the spinning - not so much on the chippy tea

Hi Lady - crossed - good to know. def not worth it. Have a nice day though and you too Arti

dd just fell off couch onto the (hard as nails) seagrass mat. Landed on her head / shoulder Not ideal. Seems ok but she's not too thrilled with me.

Hi ladies sorry for traffic mares Beans, we went to that Eddie katz once for my nephews b'day and one of the other mums, who is also their neighbour had driven so offered to take my nephews presents home after the party. So myself DH Ds1 SIL BIL and their birthday boy all went to waga mamas and had a leisurely lunch. Then they headed home on the tube to barons court then a walk to queens club gardens and they managed to get home about 10mins after their neighbour with the gifts!

Thanks for asking after my health, feeling loads better still a bit snotty but managed a long ride to the Hoek van Holland, where the boats come in from Harwich and a good swim session today. If this weight doesn't start coming off over the next few weeks I don't know what will get it off. I'm certainly not going to look stunning in a bikini for Sardinia but I'm definite I will look better than I would have had I not started exercising.

Beans the chemist has good over the counter stuff (as Rubes said) but of course its free on persciption. If when she wakes in the morning the eye is really mukky (or at anytime of day) you can bath the eye with some cooled boiled water. Just only let it cool until its warm as the warmer water will remove the muck a little easier and it feels nicer on her eyelid than cold or room temp. Use a cotton ball or those cotton pads that remove makeup. When you wipe, start from the inner part of the eye and wipe out and only use each cotton ball or side of the cotton pad once don't rewipe. Oh and don't wipe just after you've applied the ointment. If they give you eye drops drop it as close to that inner tear duct as you can and then use a dry cotton ball to wipe it as best you can across her eye, eyelid. Its hard with kids but as long as you cover as much as the general area as possible it'll do the job. If they give you the ointment that is a lot easier to apply as you can just squeeze it onto a dry cotton ball and wipe that across her closed eye lid, so basically covering the bit where the eyelids meet. Does that make sense. You probably knew all that.

WG Woohoo for poo! I'm glad things are settling down. How are you enjoying being a mum of two? How is DH? What are you doing about Easter. Will there be toaster cleaning involved?

I'm very up for an autumn midlands meetup festival extraordinare!! I have been thinking of coming over with just DS2 to see my friend who had the 28 week prem bub (all good now), so could try to work them in together. I could either drive over via Hull or Harwich, or I could fly into east midlands.

Mom do not, I repeat do not TT until you are completely ready. I still can't believe that by this age DS1 was toilet trained. However in an effort to save myself several months, yes MONTHS, of stress I am leaving it until DS2 is removing his nappy himself and sitting on the potty of his own will. If he is 21 when he starts that, then so be it.

DS1 had his little 5.5year check up today, all good he's healthy and the doc said getting him up at 10pm to do a wee in an effort to stop him wetting the bed was completely fine. Hooray!

Trace you should come over, its a quick trip on the boat from Hull.

I think I'm going to get some fitflops.

I'm sure there was more I had to say but can't remember

Oh Rubes I've developed your obsession with cleaning up hair, but cat hair obviously. Our poor robot vacuum cleaner gets a big workout everyday keeping up with marshmellows locks. Does your dog shed a winter coat. I'm sure that is what this cat is doing, its losing a massive amount of hair everyday.

Vag - my sister still lifts my nephew for last wee of the night when she goes to bed and he's 9, so don't worry. He has issues with wetting his bed, unfortunately, but purely because he sleeps so heavily that when he needs the loo he just doesn't wake up. He is mortified when it happens. I feel so sorry for him, poor little chap. He's old enough to really really care now.

Thanks so much for those tips on eye drops/ointment. The doctor is due to be ringing me again re her eye, because of the burst blood vessel. I haven't been to collect the prescription in case they want to see her and decide it's not conjunctivitis after all. Will go tomorrow instead.

Am off to see Dad tomorrow as well. He's coming out on Saturday, which is good, so will be helping her with that as well as there's no parking. Which is nuts in my opinion. But hey ho. So I will drive around while mum helps him down to the car. Perfect.

PS To combat my mumsy fitflops I have also bought these - they are so comfy too. I have had a lot of luck with summer shoes this year!

I'm thinking of joining the get fit while I watch Tele walk crowd by buying something like these

Oh dear have i upset everyone by saying fit flops are fugly? Sorry.

Still poo tastic here, the boys have been so great today but they have watched an extraordinary amount of telly today.

Arti LAdy hope you had a lovely cwaffe.

Vag glad to hear you are on the mend. I still want one of those robot hoovers.

WG i missed your poo alert. Glad its getting better.

Trace that house looks super.

ZJ i would come ot the same conclusion re the hen do.

Am going to attempt some brown rice with a little soy sauce for some salts.

Poor dh has it also although not as bad not really the carb loading fest he is meant to be having in preperation for SUndays marathon. On that he went to pick his runners pack up yesterday and went on one of those scales which measure your metabolic age and lots of other fancy shmancy things. Turns out he now has the metabolic age of 22! He is now going on about being a 22yr old. I finally have a toyboy.

Hi everyone, just been reading over the last few pages, it's really picked up over the past few days and I'm struggling to keep up!

Beans wanted to say I'm so glad things are looking up re your dad, (poos and otherwise). Sorry about the DH comment though, I have to say you do way more than me and I have a sharper line in self pity so he doesn't know how lucky he is. I think I've said this before, but I do fear he takes you for granted. Does he know how you feel?

WG great news you're finally feeling better. Have the docs decided it was just a v v long virus?

I am feeling v mumsy right now. Would love to have a decent hairstyle as I think it makes a lot of difference but I still resemble Wurzel Gummidge on a good day. But not much around for fine, curly hair like mine. Would love to wear it shorter but mike make me look even mumsier. Right, for those fitflops...

Wish I could come to a meetup, would love to see you all again.

DS2 has no routine to speak of as it's hard when he sleeps randomly and you can't put him down for a long time after feeds. He's doing a lot better now and we've managed to postpone the endoscopy until we've started him on solids and see how he goes. Actually going to start on baby rice, simple purees at 17 weeks on the advice of dietician, but makes me feel better they've changed the official line. Feel less like I'm damaging him still further. HE is v sweet and smily, feeding still v painful (and for a long time after) but there are also periods where he's calm. Thing is, it takes at least 2 hours to settle him after a feed, so night feeds are a bit hellish. have been really feeling the rage, as JJ and WG were talking about before. Even though T was hard work, at least at this age he was going to bed at 7. B struggles to sleep before 8.30 and even then it has to be in the sling, then put in the cot when he's fast asleep.

It's quite funny, his cot is on a very steep angle (about 45 degrees) so he has to be velcroed into place to stop him sliding down. It's amazing the gear you can get for reflux babies!

Been at my mum's for the last few days, wasn't as bad as I'd feared. DP and I are planning on going to Ibiza June for 2 nights for a wedding of a close friend, and my mum and her sister will be coming here to look after the nippers. Am now wondering if it's wise to go for that length of time, esp as DS2 is so clingy to me. Part of me is gagging for some kid free time, but I don't want to traumatise the little sausage. Would you go?

Spot so good to hear from you. I was just thinking about you tonight as dh wants to do some bike race in Hove and I thought I could come and see you if you were up for it. I can't remember what he said (kind of glazed over) but I think it might be the Royal wedding Sunday? Will check.
How funny dh and I are going to a wedding in Ibiza, for 2 nights, but next month! MIL is going to stay at ours with the dc's - I finally convinced her that it would be easier for her to be here rather than drop them at hers etc since I've NEVER stayed away from either of them overnight before! RE your situation, I think it will be fine and you should go... you NEED a break and you NEED it to be able to care for the littles.... You have been through so much and I am so glad things are getting better for you. I know you're busy and can't get on here much, but I'll text you if I def end up coming down your way.

Jam - GREAT news on the toy boy! Hope you feel better soon. @ you upsetting the fitfloppers! I'm still wearing them religiously (except I'm far from Religious) but I won't wear them at any meetups (can't promise if the meetup is your house Jam - in that case I will totally Mumsy you out!!)
Strangely the thought of being "mumsy" would ordinarly put me in to a flat spin..... a total panic.... but in this case I'm not bothered.... Clearly way too fixated on the 1% chance they may do something to de-mumsy my arse

Have a nice visit with your dad tomorrow Beans x

Hope the Lady / Arti meet was fun - you two know each other anyway!

We got a heater for our parasol and had dinner outside - so nice!

Vag - join the mumsy club! Except I really am planning on going running in the AM as soon as DD sleeps through (whispers, no hurry dd )
You reminded me I want to get one of those robot vac's!! they have the new one's now that work from a laser - dog hair drives me nuts!!! Yes our dog sheds - actually it's normal for labs to shed twice a year - I really need the robot, spent ages today vaccing the stairs. The dog isn't allowed upstairs but it's from us trekking it up there I suppose.

Right probably should put a cap on the rambling..... God you can tell the days I'm home all day and bored...... feel much better tonight but ds has the runs bet it's molars..... and dd seems fine since her tumble but has a lovely herringbone pattern on her head and a slight graze on her cheek had to fess up to dh as I wanted him to check her over (normally he would give me the "if that happened while I was looking after her, you'd rip me a new arsehole speech" but he didn't, and she was fine, just a bit whiney due to teething and perhaps a bruise

Beans and Effie I am in complete agreement that DH would be a great SAHD but the worst house husband ever. I am fortunate though, because DH has DD for one afternoon a week, so he gets a small insight into it ? DD rarely gets more than beans on toast for tea, and I still have to make tea for us when I get home rather than having it on the table, and by god the house is an absolute tip. But at least he admits he hasn?t achieved anything other than entertaining DD and so doesn?t moan when I don?t achieve anything either (anymore). Beans you have every right to vent to us ? being a Mum is a fab job, but it is also relentless and repetitive. You don?t get holiday, you far exceed the European working limit of 48 hours a week (or whatever it is), and if you were a lorry driver you?d be forced to take a rest on such little sleep rather than soldier on. At work people ask you nicely (most of the time) if you can do something, or book some time in your diary, rather than whinge whinge whinge, they give you a whole hour for lunch and no one steals your food and you don?t get followed to the toilet and offered a running commentary on what you are doing. Your DH definitely needs to do what you do for a whole weekend so he understands why you need a change of scenery. Excellent news that your Dad is coming home so quickly ? sounds like a resounding success

How did the house viewing go Trace? And any news from Leeds lady on yours?

Sorry to hear of the ongoing ills Rubes, Vag and Jam. Especially hope Mr Jam the toyboy has a speedy recovery for the marathon. Pleased to hear DD has nothing more than a bruise and a slight grudge Rubes

Veggie you must come into Hull and then you, me and Trace can have a road trip to the meet up. We could get a convertible car and drive with the top down, wearing glamorous scarves to protect our hair and ginormous shades

Lovely to hear from you Spot, especially that B is slowly improving. How many weeks is he now? Fingers crossed that he?s just the sort of baby who loves solids and it sorts all his problems. I?d be tempted to go to the wedding, especially if your Mum and her sister are willing and able to take T and B. Yes, he may cry, but he?ll still be loved by his Grandma and it is only for 2 days, not 2 weeks. And how much do you remember about being 6 months old? He?s not going to look back in years to come and say ?I was abandoned for 2 whole days? because he simply won?t recall it once you?re back and cuddling him again. How funny to velcro him into bed! But such a simple idea

Summer and LadyT I am very flattered that you?re enjoying my posts, but also I?m concerned you?re both a sandwich short of a picnic. I waffle far too much when DH is away and I?m constantly surprised I?ve not bored you all to tears and that you?ve not crept off to start up and new and secret thread without all my ramblings. BTW LadyT, I?ve sent you a message on FB.

DD, the poor love, has come home tonight and sprouted chicken pox before my eyes. She had a little blister by her ear when I picked her up from nursery and from then on the spots were appearing so fast, she must have developed 30 more whilst in the bath (thanks for the oats tip Jam, we have a big stock already so will make the most of them). I can?t believe how quickly it takes hold. It did the rounds at nursery 3 or 4 weeks ago and I was just thinking ?phew, missed it this time?, but there we go. She has to get it sometime. I?m just miffed because I?ve got tomorrow off work and supposed to be getting my hair cut and coloured, which it is desperately in need of, and now I?ll have to cancel and it?ll be another 6 weeks before I can get an appointment. Bad Mummy, for thinking only of myself. But still, drat.

Zoe: I swear children have radar when it comes to days off. I had my birthday off last year and DS1 promptly came down with chicken pox. Hope she has a mild case. I love the idea of a Dec 08 road trip!

Rubes: hope DD is none the worse and that DS's tummy settles down soon. How's the cold?

Spot: I would def go to the wedding. You need the break! Glad to hear B is improving slowly. I now have a great mental image of him velcroed like a starfish to a vertical bed!

Jam: how are you feeling? I forgot the marathon was this w/end - are you and the boys heading in to cheer DH on?

I realised this morning that I left the Kindle at home - nothing to read on the train (grump grump). Will have to stick to reading on the phone. I've downloaded some Dorothy L Sayers and am really enjoying it.

Hey Effie, I hope the battery on your phone held out for lots of reading today

Wonder MIL stepped into the breach today and I still got my haircut, so it hasn't been too bad a day after all. DD is in good spirits and not too itchy yet, how lovely would it be if this is as bad as it gets? DD was napping when I got home and when she woke up she said to me 'Mummys hair new, Mummy's hair nice'. How adorable! So I told DH this and he said 'yes, I meant to say the same'

I popped into the library while I was in town and the Fay Ripley book that Beans recommended was staring me in the face from the shelf, so I've taken it out and it really looks like a Very Useful Book, even though I've only flicked through it so far. Thanks Beans

Happy birthday LadyT for tomorrow, and happy weekends everyone

Evening all, quiet today. Effie hope your commute was ok sans kindle.

Did a meet up occur today.

Beans I meant to say yesty, I would definitely have to throttle your hubby if he were mine. you have so many talents, chef, make up artist and didn't you do an English degree at Uni? You do everything at home to a level way beyond what most sahm's do. Your girls are gorgeous, well adjusted little people and your hubby has had no blips in his social life or training routine. All he does is earn a bit if money. Bugger him with his snide comments.

Rubes, I'm fascinated by the robot vacuum with the lazer. DH and now have images of a roomba that vaporizers dog hair with a lazer beam! We can get an attachment now for ours that sorts out dog hair and we have just ordered one that turns it into a mop for our floors. We couldn't get the scuba floor mopping robot because our floors need to be mop with only a teeny bit of water. But this new attachment means I get set him off mopping the floor too. Woohoo. They really are the best. And unlike other machines that if one bit burns out the whole thing is dead, the roombas are compartmentalized so if a say the brushes wear out or the motor dies your just get the part to replace that section sent to you and you just click the old bit out and then the new bit in. So simple its perfect. Oh and on the dryer in summer front. We just bought a dryer a few weeks ago and I haven't hung washing out since. I maintain its because the dryer removes all the cat which is all over our clothes.

Veg, it sounds like your roomba does a far better job than I could ever do!

My friend who had the missed mc had an op to remove the foetus etc today, as she still hadn't started to miscarry. She lost quite a bit of blood so is staying in overnight. And guess where the only available bed is? Maternity!!! She is surrounded by newborns, I am so for her

Your poor friend Zoe hope they conceive a healthy one v soon.

@ Vag apparently instead of bouncing off stuff they use a lazer to guide themselves and can see up to 4m? I dunno, I'm only just starting to research them, but I really think it's the answer to my OCD cleaning & dog hair concerns I agree re tumble dryer and hair.

Zoe / Effie thanks - dd still not feeling great - woke to leaky nappy and total snot fest plus changed 6 runny nappies (yes six) in the space of about 7 hours today -not sure if it's from her cold or teething or the teething is causing the illness she also has (very minor) white gunk from her eyes - great.

DS is a state too. total meltdown when out to do some (essential) banking then only to find I was too late to make the bank

Oh and I think I will be going into that flat spin re the Mumsyness. I actually replied to a recipe exchange email today [crikey] washed up at 36 & 3/4's

Never mind, kiddies asleep a long time ago and American Idol is on to keep me young and trashy spritely plus take away arriving imminently!

Beans how is your Dad?

Heck could I use any more emoticons?

Crikey I just read back my last post. Sorry about grammar I was typing whilst settling DS2, so was typing whilst lying on my side.

Oh that sounds good Rubes. The bumping into things isn't too bad for most furniture but it means I have to move the cats food and water because it can bump and spill it. It does slow down when it gets close but mapping out obstacles would be even better. I sent one of the recipes chain emails (sent to me by a MNer whose name starts with SummerLightening) but I didn't get any recipes back!

Mmmm we had yummy Indonesian takeaway tonight yum yum. Ate with no guilt as I went for a 40 minute run on the beach. I can finally report I have lost a KG. It's been hard faught I've had only 1 day off from training in 2 weeks but I feel really good and I'm sure I look less wobbly. However, I tried on my triathlon suit the other day and I've still got a long way to go before I don't look like an Easter egg in it. I'm wandering if anyone has ever done a triathlon in spanx! [Blush]

ZJ glad you got your haircut. Speaking of hair I saw a proper mullet cut today, nasty.