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!

Trace. I should have added in my post "if it would make you feel better". Personally, if I was your boss I would be more concerned about the mamogram result than you needing an hour off. She wouldn't be human if she wasn't more concerned for your welfare. Also you've made me suddenly desperate for an.afternoon cup of tea, but I'm in the departure lounge and they'll probably charge me ?10 for a brew.

Rubes I knew you'd understand my cat hair concern

Hello ladies, tis ZJ testing out my shiny new name. With thanks to Effie for the suggestion of Zuleika, which I think makes me sounds very exotic and sophisticated and nothing like I really am, and my old French dictionary for Jambiere. For those without a dog eared French dictionary at their side, it means legging or elastic stocking, which I think is very appropriate given my revalation of gardening attire and envy of Effie's sock with knee pads sewn in

I wanted to do a better catch up tonight, but have been trying to register for olympic tickets and have given up cause it keeps crashing. That'll teach me to leave things to the last minute. So back tomorrow, but for now love to all, from ZuleikaJambiere x

[csmile]

Very quick to say that Fridays work for me for a meet up. Like Spot it would just be me and the small one, though I could keep DS home from the childminder I suppose.

All is okay here. Ups and downs. Someone described having two as being 80% much easier than I expected and 20% much harder and that is exactly how I feel. Lots of the day is lovely but there are some rough patches. Haven't had to do bedtime by myself in a while but will have to next week. Deep breathing.

DS1 is back at the childminder tomorrow after two weeks off for Easter hols. I will miss him actually but also excited for a quiet day with DS2.

Night feed completed so better get back to sleep myself!

Yo yo ladies!

ZJ - I like it! Good name!

Mom - agreed on the percentages. It's the rage I sometimes get with DD1 that I hate. Never used to have that with just one. Makes me feel very sad.

We had the most AMAZING Easter at the inlaws. We were never out of the garden, and consequently, both DDs were totally knackered and even DD1 slept every day. Was marvellous. I ate my body weight most days and hadn't even started on the easter eggs by then!! I have put on about 4lbs. Sob. Even had a BBQ and the inlaws have a pool, so they put the heating on and DD1 swam twice every day and even DD2 went in a couple of times and loved it! Was idyllic. They shared a room and were actually ok. I've kind of got used to be up 3-4 times a night, although could really do with a night off.

The houses we went to see on Friday weren't really right. Unfortunately they were both on fairly main roads and although beautiful, they just didn't tick all the boxes for us. Gutted. DH loved the second one, because it was a project (the expensive one), but it was WAY over our budget for starters, and we'd have to spend at least another £100k on it - erm. HOW??! So that was a no no. Sob. But never mind, we will continue with our search...

DD2 is crawling around every where now and is as happy as I've ever seen her. It's gorgeous. And DD1 is being heavenly, so life is going well. I even like DH at the moment! We had the inevitable driving row on Friday with two grumpy children in the car and me trying to map read and him going ballistic. I actually told him that he scares me when he's like that and he was so apologetic. It was great.

So lovely to hear you all on such good form - so sorry not to do more personals and catch ups, but want to say hi.

Dad on good form - having his stitches out today and finding out the date for his scan to see if the cancer has spread today too. I am sure it hasn't for some reason!

x

Right Rubes, spot, are we on for 20th May for a Brighton meet-up? Anyone else for a seaside extravanganza?

Does anyone want to suggest a date for a London meet-up? Also like the idea of a weekend picnic - would anyone fancy late July/early August or is that too far away? Can also do Thursday evenings but I'm afraid booze is non-negotiable - don't worry urbane, I'd be happy to drink your share.

trace HRH is spot on - your boss should be more concerned about your welfare than making up your hours. Hope your mammogram goes well.

zj like the fancy new name

Beans good to hear your Dad's on form

Effie yes to courgettes, although I have managed to murder one of those "foolproof" grow your own rocket on the windowsill pots so I don't fancy their chances much. We've also recently gone for the blackout blinds - what a difference! Mind you, DS can't find his lamp now so he often wakes me up to switch it on.

Which brings me to a very boring question I've been meaning to ask for ages - anyone know where you can get a night light that switches itself off again?

Right, gotta go buy a hat for Friday.

Hello everyone,

Got broadband fixed up now at the new house, whooopeeeee!!

So what have I missed? I've managed the last two pages but haven't a cat in hells chance of managing to read everything I've missed.

trace Thanks for missing me .

WG Love your MIL comment, what a charmer! Mine hacked at DD1's hair with kitchen scissors without asking us. That breaks every grandparenting rule in the book, does it not?!

mom I'm with you on the 80% easier 20% harder thing. I'm finding DD1 much more challenging. Not sure if it is her age or me being less patient.

Well the move went OK, although the packers didn't label the boxes particularly well and some stuff is still 'missing' in the pile of boxes in the spare room. DD1 had a vomitting bug just after we moved in so I was thrown into the deep end of being in a new town where we know noone and don't have any help on hand! We went to our first new toddler group this morning and everyone was really friendly. I was proud of myself for being chatty when I actually wanted to hide in the corner and be shy. I need to make DD and I some friends! DD2 is doing fantastically well and is now 7lb 8. She is still keeping, touch wood, mainly to the 3/4 hourly neo natal feeding schedule and my nipples are no longer in agony. Hurrah for that. The house is great with a gorgeous garden, the challenge is to keep it that way. We have had such lovely weather too which has been very cheerful. Oh and there is a pond which is heaving with tadpoles and frogs which DD1 loves. I think we've got to get rid of it though. Too scary to have a toddler and a pond.

Sorry for being all me me me and not doing more personals . I've a million things to do but may have a sneaky nap before one of the girls wakes up!

JB good to hear from you! great news about dd2 doing so well and feeding going much better. Ponds - lawks. Well we went to look at a house yesterday, agent opened up the patio doors and encouraged S to head out while DH and I took a look at the kitchen. Next thing we know is dd's up to her neck in pondweed and absolutely terrified, having walked into a pond she didn't know was there. Fortunately she's a brave little thing and within a couple of minutes was happy again, but did go on about for ages (reasonably enough!). I am wondering who was BU here - us for letting a toddler go out unsupervised, or the agent for not warning us? On the one hand, we shouldn't have let her out on her own - after all who knows if there might be a huge pothole or massive dog out there. On the other hand, the agent surely could have warned us, it's the guy who sold our house for us so he knows we have a toddler and specifically said this house was perfect for us... (which it was, nearly, but not quite...)

yikes am using library computer and E has just woken up loudly - time to head out :( hope everyone's still enjoying the sunshine

am finally on a proper computer (HATE HATE HATE posting on phone), but no hope in catching up, sorry

i feel i just need to defend my mil [SHOCK HORROR]: mil wasn't being intentionally catty in her remark to LF - she really is too uptight to wear anything but one of the gazillion strings of pearls she owns (all look identical to me), because she is so stuck up her ass that she wouldn't consider wearing anything else. her remark was unintentionally mean. but very funny. will dig out some more when i get my brain in gear.

jolly - how you have managed a move and a newborn and a toddler is beyond me. i faint in your presence. 7lb 8 is GREAT!

jj - how scary!

beans - news?

today is the first day i've felt like a good and proper mum of 2. G is nigh on 9 weeks old. blinking heck, that's taken a while. rest of the time i've been a screaming banshee on the verge of tears. ugh.

our new evening routine for dd2 (as the screamy one won't go to sleep until the late evening/early morning on her own) is give G a bath at 6.30, boob at 7, then i shove her in the sling, get her to sleep that way (because nothing else works), wear her while i drop my supper on her and watch tv, then boob her again when she stirs between 9&10 and then she'll go in her basket for the night. so i am both carrying her to sleep, feeding her to sleep and probably rocking her to sleep - all things which i'm not supposed to do. oh well. i'm sure the older generation will say something like rod and own back.

but the good news is the other daughter is now POTTY TRAINED! bless LF for basically doing it for me the other week while i was staying with them. and bless madam for doing it so well. fingers crossed she carries on and i haven't jinxed it.

WG - We have nearly the exact same schedule here in the evening now. Different than Ds1 who went down easily at 6:30 from tiny but I actually like it better this way I think because Ds2 cluster feeds through the evening while kipping on and off in the sling/buggy and then has just started doing a bit of a longer stretch from 9:30 to 2:30 or 3:00. Much better than Ds1 who went down easily but then was up at 12:00 for feeding for months and months. Am sure it will all change and go tits up again here soon of course!

Jolly - great news re: weight and settling in to your new house!

Beans - fingers crossed for your Dad's scan results. Up 3-4 times each night sounds grim. You do it with grace though! I'd be moaning like crazy.

I might be able to join Brighton meet up as trains are easy from here.

Missed loads of people but Ds2 now back to sleep grunting away in the hammock so what am I doing up??

Right - selfish post coming up...

DAD HAS GOT THE ALL CLEAR! Hurray! WEEEEEPING with delight! So relieved! Phew.

So lovely to hear from y ou JB YOu are amazing to move with teeny tiny baby and toddler etc. Well done you!

And I start potty training a week today. Nothing in diary from Thurs - Mon, so am going to blitz it. Fingers crossed....

BEANS! Awesome news, so happy for you and your family.

Back from parents, off to MILs, pack pack pack. Such a pita.

Helly jolly and waiting (full version due to bolding issues) lovely to hear from you. jolly glad move has gone well and j is doing well. waiting hurrah for potty training. Not going there yet round here!

Right gotta go.

oh jj YANBU (in mumsnet speak) about the pond. I hope the agent was apologetic. Are his initials AB? If so we can't figure out if we like him or not. he did a good job selling our house though. He charmed MIL as well, v funny.

Oh Beans, that is such terrific news, hurrah.

I haven't fallen off the edge of the world, was just at MIL's over the weekend and since then both girls have been poorly so I have just haven't had a minute. O had a cough and D has had a really high temp for days and was just generally unwell, but she has turned a corner this morn. Anyway, back later for a mega-catch up.

I say, I do like these [csmile]

Brilliant news Beans. So relieved for you and family [csmile] You too Jolly great news. Lady, same here, sorry to hear the girls have been unwell.
PD - as far as I can see 20th is fine as long as Spot is OK for all of us to be there? I am quite crap at planning ahead but will tentatively say I'm free. I feel like a bit of a case now, as I moaned and now everyone is rallying to meet up. Please don't on my account, I'm seriously not bothered!
DD has been quite bad so went to GP and he was a locum and no joke about 80. Listened to her chest and said no, nothing there, but he was more interested in where dh works, and went on to tell me about his 2nd hip op if that gives any idea how old the bloke was [chmm] anyway, she then had a good night, but the following (last night) hideous again. back to the cry, feed, cough, vomit cycle. Her cough sounds horrendous. And me, still got awful stomach cramps ever since a v spicy hot Chinese almost a WEEK ago. dh says I've got Gut Rot (I'm sure that's the technical term and says I need a good fart and crap - nice. Well I have done that and although milder, the cramps remain. I have been only able to eat toast this morning and tried a salad at lunch but I just get nauseas.... And I have a BBQ to sort for Sat and HAVE to get to the farm shop today. Oh and the dog rugby tackled a dove that was already a bit sick and hobbling around the garden made it's broken wing more broken, then this morning, nothing but feathers so I think a fox finished it off Right dd asleep in her bouncy chair unsurprising since she was up cough all night - must get her to bed.

Right, here we go...all is ok here, the proposed move this weekend isn't coming off then next Sat I am, can you believe, going to see Barry Manilow. Most unlikely. I have always considered my taste in music rather cool but I did mention to DP once that BM is a Guilty Pleasure and he evidently took me at my word and bought tickets to see him live [cshock] I guess I was really imagining seeing him in Vegas or something [cgrin] Anyway, am going to go with the flow. Anyway, back to the house - I found a list that I made last August of all the things we had to do then, and it has made me realise how much we have done - all that's left is half a dozen window frames to be overhauled and painted, some tiling in the downstairs bathroom, some woodwork in the upstairs bathroom, a few light fittings and some curtains etc to get. The water in the tank seems quite hot, so maybe my inaugural bath in my giant roll top bath will be a thing of pleasure after all. Still, mustn't get ahead of myself - the packing and moving is going to be a right *ucker.

I am going to watch the Royal Wedding tomorrow even though I didn't think I was going to - my excuse is that I am interested in the outfits everyone wears (this is absolutely true). DP is on about opening champagne. He is not a Royalist by any stretch of the imagination, but I think he is looking for an excuse for a spot of morning cheerfulness [cgrin]

Rubes, how is DD's cough? I would love to know if you think the house has changed since you last saw it! What is happening with buying yours - any news on that? Oh gosh, isn't this weather just the tops? Sorry to be so lame abou meeting up and hope to see you soon.

Speaking of meeting up - am supposed to be at Battersea Pk on Sun 22 May for a cricket match, though as I could potentially be movin' that weekend may not be. Am very up for summer picnic/evening drinks. We need to get solid dates. Can't manage Brighton, even though I would love to. Arti, Sybs - you have both previously mentioned toddling over this way in the summer hols. Blenheim is v nice of course.

Arti, did you make it to Corfe whilst in Dorset? That's where the Enid Blyton shop (it's called The Ginger Pop Shop and is a sweet little toy shop) and the fairy garden in the model village are. Just heaven.

JB, 7lb 8 is smashing. Glad to hear you are on the right side of the move!

Mom, you sound more chipper as well. What did you decide about DS1 and Canada?

Spot, if you want to tone rather than lose weight you might be better with weights or a gym ball. You can get cheap weights from Argos. So how lies the land currently with DP?

Kiwi, how is DD getting on without having bm? Not the same but we have finally taken away DD1's dummy. She has only had it at night for ages, but DP has insisted it goes, which is right as it is so bad for her teeth. I hate it when she asks for it. I feel like a meanie.

PD - I am going to have a veggie patch at the top of the garden but maybe not this year, as the relevant area is currently waist high in nettles. Anyway, apparently, spuds, kale, radishes and garlic are easy to grow and hardy. With herbs - mint and lemon balm are hard to kill, you can start them in pots and they grow quickly. Thyme also spreads well on its own.

JJ, that is so scary about DD1 ending up in the pond! I hope the EA was very very sorry.

DB - you made me laugh re: kneeling pads. Do it, I say! I haven't done any DIY which has required kneeling WITHOUT some sort of padding to kneel on and DP has gone through two sets of knee pads. Mind you, we are old.

ZJ, I like your new name. Effie, your suggestions were very literary. Zuleika flitted across my mind as a potential middle name for DD2 [cgrin] but of course DP was on middle name duty.

Trace - was it your mammogram today? How was it?

WG - my MIL also does a great line in Unintentional Rudeness. I had a bit of a contretemps with MIL before we left on Sunday (something of a storm in a tea cup) but DP really stuck up for me, which was wonderful. How did your Dad's LF do the potty training? I feel like I ought to start but not really sure how to begin. Beans, how are you doing it?

Vag, are you drinking much local wine? Sardinian wine is so often delicious. I like the subtle almond flavours you sometimes get in Sardinian food. I bet the blossom there is heavenly at the moment.

Hope you are having a lovely hol as well, Urbaneski.

We haven't heard from NJAN for ages, or Nolda, or Indith. And several more! Are you lurking, ladies?

Right, lunch and 1,000,001 tasks.

X-posted, Rubes. Sorry about poor little DD. We got some Benylin Children's Cough Mixture for DD1 but it wasn't that good (obviously, as it is essentially glycerin and syrup) but it does work short term. Mind you though, it is a sort of a claret colour so might not be great with the vomitting. And the Gut Rot! Sounds like something from the seventeenth century - 'I have been latterly strucke by the Gutte Rotte' - I know you are carbs averse but they really are the tops when you are feeling like that - mashed potato, rice...

Crossed lady - I LOVE Barry Manilow! [cblush] I bet I notice a big difference in your house. dh still goes on about coming up to finish the bathroom wood work. He's just been working like mad, but we should sort out a day and come up. He's been going on about taking ds on a row boat at Battersea. Maybe we could make it the 22nd. Re our house, we are just waiting to see if we can organise finances to buy it as well as keep the flat. our option #1 looks like a no-go (will explain in RL) but also looking at other options. No issues with selling the flat - just rather not if we don't have to as it's paying for itself now... finally... re tomorrow, I can't wait to see her dress. I will be watching I think as dh working. Perhaps I'll get some cheerfulness and have a Royal virtual toast with you [cgrin]

crossed again! Oh I'm usually only no carbs after lunch - really an evening thing. yes I've realised I have only been able to tolerate really plain stuff since the incident with the pepped up Chinese. Oh we have benelyn and Tixylix both of which are rubbish. Sometimes they work and settle her but she's still chucked a few of them back too even waiting half an hour after giving it before feeding her [cconfused] I feel for dh today as she vommed all over her cot at 3am and I was so tired and didn't have spare sheets (all being washed from previous vomits) so I stripped her off and dragged her into our bed. thing is, she's pretty happy after she coughs and vomits so bounces up and down and squarks away in our bed between the 2 of us [cgrin] and she finally nodded off at 5 ish and then ds woke at 530 - oh and that's another problem. Must do Arti's crackden bedroom again for the Summer.

Lady - dh just texted and said "your gut is still settling, you're gonna have to eat really bland stuff.... yes carbs.... rice and potatoes etc...." [cshock]

Yes Rubes, I think I am going to enjoy Baz M. It's not cool to worry about being cool, after all [cgrin] Anyway, I actually slightly fancy him. I have never been able to work out quite what attracts, but there we are.

That sounds really awful about the vomits!

As to the bathroom, DP has left your DH's bits, just in case [cgrin] It looks pretty different though in that room alone, with the floor, panelling and walls all painted. DP also wants to pick your DH's brains about a couple of matters at some point. When you come, or possibly another time, we must go to the Feathered Nest because the food is A1, there are grassy miles (but safe ones) within view where your DS can run his legs off. The views are lovely and you can eat outside.

I do want to see the Bride's dress tomorrow (and if she wears her hair up or not) but I also want to see what Victoria Beckham, Elton John etc are wearing, ha ha. DP bought me a Royal Wedding issue of Hello yesterday (actually I prefer the trashier OK) plus a Harper's Bazaar. We have been getting on well for months now. I have probably jinxed it now, mind you [cgrin]

DD2 seems to have a third tooth that's cut through, on the top this time. She is such a happy little pudding. She didn't even moan when she was ill. Her head is less flat now, due to lots of Bumbo and lying on her side. And weirdly, since she's been ill her eczema has cleared up for the first time since she was born (it was quite bad, especially on her face).

Right, MUST press on, I had stupid amounts of stuff to do...

Hello all, just a quick one as I'm balancing a baby and a laptop on my knee....

JJ Your EA was being VERY unreasonable! Our pond is like the one you describe, you can just step off the path straight in. We've got takers for the pond water and plants so it is going asap. DD is going to be very sad about the frogs so I might have to buy her a slide to go in its place to compensate!

beans Fantastic news on your dad!!!!

ladyT This move wasn't too awful thanks to the packers. It was only £250 on top off the moving fee so very reasonable I think. Prob more expensive down South mind!! Although they were really good, they missed a cupboard in the kitchen which I guess they thought was part of the extractor fan which had my blender and kenwood chef attachments in it. I'll have to raid ebay as the K chef is from the 70s.

We need to go cold turkey on the dummy soon but with the move and DD2 I'd feel too mean at the moment. Ditto potty training! I'm sure we could do the potty training as she gives me warning of the approach but refuses my gentle offer to sit on the toilet.

rubes Hope you feel better soon. White toast is the best thing for a icky tummy, add a scrape of marmite when you feel a bit better. Not no carb friendly!

Hats off to WG and mom for having something approaching a routine! DD2 has a bath about twice a week .

Yes, Jolly, DD1 knows she is doing it but when I ask her if she wants to sit on the potty or the loo she gets really angry. I am wondering if bribing her with Big Girl's Pants might work. I only have to prefix something with a "Big Girl's..." and it has immediate appeal. Just to be stingy for a moment, two lots of nappies aren't cheap and DD1 is still on formula as well, at the behest of the medicos.

I love ponds. But I see that they ain't toddler friendly...

Hello there, have been lurking but failing to post all week. I promise to catch up tonight, as I need to get the laptop out to sort my car tax

Actually I wasn't lurking yesterday as my phone went mental and wouldn't let me on mn, fb or other dodgy websites, like the BBC, apparently it was unable to verify I was over 18. First time I've been id'd for years

A quick hurrah [csmile] for Beans Dad and for the return of Jolly in her new home, and lots of love to everyone else

I have purchased a souvenir mug today, to drink my tea out of tomorrow while drooling over celebs and their outfits wishing the future king and queen well. Just hope DD can survive with neglectful parenting AND no cbeebies tomorrow ...

Hurray for Beans' dad!

I will also be watching tomorrow, DH is going to the office in protest. When can we start nosing at the guests? BBC coverage starts at about 7am which I think is a bit much. I have a new teapot and matching mug (not a wedding one) and a box of jam tarts.

I have found a large, brand new bottle of Pimms! (I think it was given to me last summer and I didn't have it cos of being clackered) AND we have fresh mint, cucumber and orange, and diet lemonade! (No strawberries though, but I may have to let that pass...) I mean, that is a totally festive drink for Royal Wedding Eve, right?

Mmmmm, Piiiiiiiiimmmmms. Or is it Pimm's? Or even Pimms'? Who is Pimm or Pimms?