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!

uh-oh urbaneski.

I hope the 2K isn't all kids clothes and you buy some real stuff for you!
jj excellent news on the house. I love the second one you linked to to buy. I like that area too. I think you should get it . Liked the other one too but not so much, what schools is it in the catchment for is it Milton Road? My uni boyfriend used to live on that street (Holland Street), ah, those were the days.

jolly still use our double loads. Like you DS often wants to walk but has the habit of deicidng that he's had enough just when you are furthest from home. he usually says he wants to be carried, and at this point I force him into the pushchair!

arti how is dd2 and when is the referral? I love your lounge by the way,going to look great!

Oh I have a boring furniture related question. I am trying to find a chest of drawers for DS's room, one that is preassembled as every time I do a flat pack on the stupid drawer bottoms fall out. The ones in his room now are knackered they are the cheapest of the cheap from argos though. I was looking at these, but they are quiet pricy for a kids room. His room has a cotbed in similar colour to this so that sort of colour and ideally somewhere I can see it, as I want to check the drawers are quite roomy and sturdy before buying. Sorry that was really boring but there you go. oh and no more than 90cm wide.

urbs my DS couldn't care less what he wears! Takes after his dad in his 10 year old boxers (yuk)

Oooh those are lovely SL. Always worth looking in junk shops too as you can get some really nice old pine ones for not too much £££. But if you get ones like the JL one they will last for ages - he could have those all the time he's at home. Much better than buying something you have to replace. DS has DH's old drawers in his room. Which is quite cute. DS similarly doesn't give a hoot what he looks like - only insists on wearing "comfy" trousers. at the moment he would wear his shark t-shirt every day, so am buying him more shark t-shirts. not sure this is A1 parenting, but as I spent most of my childhood in hand me downs/clothkits/70s nylon I am a bit weak and waste lots of money buy them lots of nice things.

I was going to buy some white jeans but I can't imagine a world in which I'll be able to get to the end of the street without them being covered in crap. I'm also really coveting a sarah lund jumper because I am a sheep. £££ though. maybe my mum will knit one for me.

I am here, Urbane! But I fear I will not be a fun companion as NO CHEQUE again and I have a bit of a one track mind about it. Sorry you are feeling so rough and you should DEFINITELY take proper time off. How is your sister getting on?

Also, freehold purchase on flat in London is slipping through our fingers and I am working hard trying to keep it together. Also DP is v busy with work again, this delaying our move, and the girls both have colds, so all in all feeling a bit sorry for self. (Oh, and Rubes - can't rent London flat out yet as it needs work done to it/redecoration/I would have to find somewhere to put all the stuff and it's just too much to cope with all that whilst the house stuff is ongoing...However, I think I have my head round the idea in general of renting it out now). How did the discussion about DH's fellowship end?

Beans, I have Fitflops (silver sequins) and I must say I don't really like the way they look (on me) and I don't know if they do any good but I wear them anyway...Might nick your idea of buying them for Mum though!

ZJ, I have some of that Perfect and Protect. If you use it for several nights on the trot it definitely smoothes skin but isn't massively dramatic. Did you get some?

DB - are you still feeling flat? I hope not but I know the feeling. How is your Nan getting on?

WG - did you get yourself checked out again?

Arti - any further news on your DD2? And how is your DH getting on with the boards? DP had loads of advice on it and said he's happy to chat to your DH about it on the phone if he wants.

JB - yay to getting out for lunch. As to your DD1, well, when we take DD1 out for lunch I would describe it as 'behaviour roulette'. When we were out with DP's godmother yesterday, she was very good. But other times...

Trace, is it this week you're back at work?

Oh, how I hate the Inland Revenue. I know it sounds ridiculous but the stress of waiting for this money is really overshadowing everything at the moment.

X-posted with you, SL. Which reminds me, I meant to say to JJ, if you can do a quick move, always worth putting in a cheeky offer.

Urbane - the answer to the dirt problem with white jeans is to buy more than one pair I have several pairs (all illfitting, which ruins the effect somewhat)

SL - the gigantic John Lewis is in Bucks but you could probably see those drawers on Oxford St - otherwise, have you looked at Laura Ashley? Just as pricey though.

Oh, and another thing - anyone got a DC with a flat head? Beans, I think you mentioned your DD2 has this? DD2's is a bit flat at the back...and she is nearly 6 months old. DP is on about helmets and all sorts but I think I'd better take her to the GP. She has not been on her back or in a carseat more than DD1, who hasn't got a flat head, in fact probably considerably less, but I guess all kids are different and some are more susceptible. Has anyone any thoughts/advice?

Oh LadyT am really sorry about the cheque. How thoroughly annoying. Is it actually costing you money? Can you bill them for it? Previously I have got on the phone and stayed on it (for hours) until they have shaped up - all being terribly polite and speaking to a more and more senior person. But you've probably tried all that. Am crossing fingers for you.

On flat heads DD had a bit of a flattie and I talked to a paediatrician about it when she was about 8 months. She went nuts about those people who sell the helmets - she said it pretty much always sorted itself out and people are made to worry/spend ££ that they didn't need to. I was a bit because it's one of those things that is easy to say if it's not your kid. I think taking her to the GP is a good idea - can't do any harm and they might be able to tell you what to really worry about. As far as I understand it the skull is quite malleable for a long time so you would still have time to do something. With DD I didn't really notice it changing but her head is perfectly round now.

She is being super cute at the moment. I'd forgotten how lovely they are at this age. She's so busy doing stuff and absolutely loves being out in the garden. She and our nanny made a cake earlier and it was hilarious watching her just chucking all the ingredients in. So nice to see them together - DD really loves her.

Have just sorted out my clothes. Am really rubbish at being ill. But feeling much better than yesterday when I couldn't even get out of bed. Think I will venture into garden in a bit. I know, scintillating chat, bet you wish I was around all day every day.

And 2 pairs of white jeans it is. Also what do you think of this bag?. I've decided I really need a grown up handbag rather than the canvas thing I drag around at the weekend.

It's a gorgeous bag. I have one in a similar colour and it's so useful and although it was £££ I know I will get years and years and years of use out of it.

That's reassuring about your DD and her head so I guess I will still take her to the GP. It's funny, she has plenty of tummy time (unlike DD1 who wouldn't stand for it) so it's so odd that her head is a bit flat.

The cheque is causing severe hardship and costing me money in overdraft and credit card charges, yes, but have got short shrift from them so far. Just about to ring again but they have been so very unhelpful. Oh, I could weep...DP has got to pay his VAT bill this week so he hasn't got any spare.

ordered the bag. woo hoo. and inspired by SL have bought myself a couple of pairs of trousers too. Am going to try that on DH - "I was inspired by Summer Lightening" he'll either think I was pissed or have gone completely over to the hippie side . And my sister a new dressing gown. She's doing ok but I think it's really wearing her down. Understandably.

How was the show trace?

And Wg how are you feeling?

Sorry you are ill Urbs. At least you are putting your resting time to good use. I am sure shopping actually has a healing effect so you should be right as rain in no time. It's nice you are thinking of your sister too. Is her ex still being totally unreasonable?

I think I might text you later LadyT. I would love to know how your DP filled the gaps between your boards. DH is on late duty at work tonight and has instructed ne to spend the evening stuffing newspaper and PVA glue between the cracks and then covering that with silicone mixed with sawdust. Surely there is a better way? We have a lot of gaps.

Congratulations on getting out and about Jolly. I think you should get a P&T. I relied on mine so much and only stopped using it when DD1 turned 4.

Thanks for all your reassuring words about DD2. A few posters on my other thread mentioned coeliacs disease which I hadn't thought of before. The symptoms fit and it runs in DH's family. While it would be a lot better than some of the alternatives I still hope it's not that. There is no cure and poor DD2 would have to be gluten free for life. For some reason I keep feeling sad that she might never get to drink beer at uni. How ridiculous is that? I don't even like beer so I am not sure why I even thought of it. Anyway, hopefully it's nothing.

arti we have big gaps in our floors and filled them with a tape called gapseal. it works fine. Although for our forever house I would probably get them done properly - if you get someone to sand the floors they basically do that silicone and sawdust thing. Do be careful about damp though - am not sure you'd want newspaper that could get damp and hold it next to wood. I am beyond paranoid about this sort of thing though as we had dry rot.

also on coeliacs my Dad has it - and you can get wheat free beer. so problem solved . Actually there is so much wheat free stuff these days that I think it's much easier than it was. but still, not something you'd wish for.

my sister's ex is still being a total prat - and mean to the girls. i can't bear to think about it to be honest. horrible.

DH home now. Could totally get used to mooching around house with someone else here to look after DCs. Some people actually have this (our nanny's last job was for a SAHM). Amazing. And loving the lighter evening. joyous.

Lady: Oh dear, what a nightmare with the cheque. I'd be livid, did you try calling them again? That's a lot of money to muck you around with. Sorry to hear the girls are sick. I haven't much experience with the flat head thing although my old neighbour's ds had one and were talking helmets etc but I think it sorted itself out without the need. I must say though, I haven't noticed it with D? My neighbours ds was really noticable, so I don't think it's going to be a problem.
I do rememeber you saying now that your flat needed work before renting it out. What on earth is going on with the freehold then? Is it because of the money you are waiting on? Oh no I really hope it gets sorted v v soon.
Oh the fellowship conversation - well it's kind of up in the air but at least we aren't arguing! Just hard when we don't really knw yet if we will be going to Australia for 12 months or staying in the UK for it and along with each option brings a multitude of what if's and not sure's And we've just realised that a couple of things won't be as easy as first thought - whole other story though really that I won't bore you with as it's trivial compared to your current worries!

JJ: I did chuckle at your weak bladder story - that would be me for sure (even pre pregnancies too!) Pics of FB of dd2 gorgeous.

Beans: when are you viewing the house? Can't wait to hear if you go for it.

Hope all the sore boobs and wot not gets sorted.

Jolly: you are doing really well with little J and Spot so glad things are looking up for you - how is it all going since B de-tubed himself?

Arti, dh knows all about that floorboard stuff, and I can ask his opinion but I'm sure you are well into the job now! He is currently

moving the outside tap (in the dark) as you do on a Monday after work And wow your living room is going to be amazing. So glad you are going with that with the floor.

Had a lovely weekend, been very overindulgent and ate out about 3 times. Had a fire alarm during dinner on Sat night at Carluccio's which was odd! Everyone stood outside wondering who was going to do a runner! there were about 6 restaurants in the block and everyone grabbed their cheerfulness and stood on the footpath!

I've been gardening all day today and both kids and I ate Alfresco again. Loving this weather. DS wants a new BBQ so looks like that's next purchase - well our current one is a bit crap and well used. He also wants a hot tub but a friend of mine said we will look like swingers - that we are NOT!

Urbs I know what you mean about the clothes buying (I'm terrible) although I do get a lot of eBay since mosof the nice stuff has only been worn once or twice and it's as new. DD has some lovely dresses that she has really grown out of. Lady, that Little White Co dress I bought for D and the same for A is 3-3 months and she still fits the top of it so i have decided it's a tunic however the poor girl was dragged to the pub yesterday in a dress which was a little short without any jeans or skirt and she did look like a bit of a tart - won't do that again

Jolly : I still use my P&T LOADS for the same reasons Summer said! I got mine 2nd hand and it's been fab. DD getting too heavy to cart around for long stints in the Bjorn now.

Summer: That chest of drawers does look nice, but I must say that is a lot of money for one which isn't solid wood. My two have really cheap pine one's I got on eBay which are doing the job for now. I am actually selling another solid pine one which is brand new and better than the one's they are using, although it's flat packed! but although it's only pine, it is solid and well made with dovetail joints etc.

Right better post this and sort dinner as dh still doing the tap and I've been waffling on for ages

Obviously meant DH not ds wants a new bbq and a hot tub! Although I bet ds wants those too

ha ha pubes I was thinking how advanced your ds was, having an opinion on BBQs
urbs how are you feeling now, post retail therapy? I love the bag. It's nice having you around more Is work still horribly hectic?
Arti when you described dd, I thought of coeliac too. Do you remember my dd1 had very similar symptoms last year? She saw a paediatrician as she was tired, pale, lots of tummy aches and loose poo, and hadn't put any weight on in over a year. Anyway, coeliac was amongst the many blood tests they did - and everything came back negative - and her troubles all seemed to resolve themselves. So I hope that your dd perks up very soon - but I'm glad you're getting her checked because it will either put your mind at rest or give you something to actually tackle, rather than imagining a whole range of scary possibilities. Are you feeling any more settled in your new home yet?
lady I'm so sorry your money has not arrived I really hope it comes very soon indeed. It is no wonder it's in the forefront of your mind.

jolly well done on the outing I have another piece of advice for you (feel free to ignore my ramblings!) - that is - it's ok to lie to people you don't know. I might have told you this before, but when L was about 4 months old (so only about 1 month corrected age) we were in a cafe and a lady asked me how old she was. I told her she was 4 months and the lady almost recoiled in horror and said "oh! She can't hold her head up very well can she?" I was so upset and my HV told me it was ok to lie and say she's younger that she is, to avoid thoughtless people's insensitive comments upsetting me!

I'm off to bed in a mo. Yes I'm going back to work tomorrow, and feeling a little nervous. Also I've been struck with a horrid cold and croaky voice, which is typical after 2 months off, and I also think I might have (TMI alert) thrush, as my fanjo feels like it's on fire. So I'm hoping that a good night's sleep will soothe all my ills and prepare me for my big day
nighty night xxx

Gearing up here for OBEM. Agree with Zoe re last week, The Ones With The Teeth were really nice, one of the best couples so far. Am placating DH by putting Sherlock Holmes on first.

Lady: hope that wretched cheque arrives soon.

Urbane: I am the last person to try white jeans, but am v pleased at getting 2 pairs of curvy fit jeans + denim skirt + top from Gap in the sale. And I bought some red Converses. Such a product of the 90s.

DS2 is veering between being adorable and screeching like a lunatic. He was clambering up the slide today and shouting 'Maxie rocket!' before sliding down. He's getting so independent - I still think of him as a barely toddling boy, but DS1 was his age when DS2 was born. Need to give him a bit more independence (and stop toting him about!)

Good luck for tomorrow Trace :)

Ooh Effie I'm going to get some red converses tomorrow. Same generation clearly. are you watching obem? Did you hear that girl say she was going to have a "chuff like a wizard's sleeve"
I nearly fell off the sofa.

arti, we had our floorboards done and they filled the gaps with the sawdust mix.All I'd say is be warned that if you have any squeaky boards that move a lot, the stuff can crack and fall through leaving big holes. Unless the silicone stops that by being bendy, wouldn't surprise me if ours were done with copydex After sanding down, they put on some varnish that is basically rubbish, meant to be super hard wearing but it's worn away very quickly so a lot of the boards are dirty again (eg in the hallway). Als it's water soluble which means every time I mop the floor, I'm sure it's washing off!

Best of luck for tomorrow trace. Will be thinking of you.

Just checking in been to my dsis today in MK. Saw talk if floorboards expensive handbags and P&Ts. I can relate to P&Ts and posho handbags. We are selling our P&T vibe if you are interested. I keep trying to get rid if it to one of you ladies ad can't be faffed to eBay. Am hankering after new ££ handbag for mothers day. I live my bags such a saddo. .

Right back tom when on the laptop. Sleep well lovelies. Oh and Effie & Urbs. I too love converse want some pink or lemon ones this summer.

Right to bed I go.

Even just the thought of Red converses cheers me up. I have knackered pink, knackered white and dirty blue.

A "chuff like a wizard's sleeve"?? I haven't seen OBEM for ages. I do like it though.

Very best of British for tomorrow, Trace. Hope the wouldbe thrush vanishes.

Yeah, Rubes, I did call HMRC again but the trouble is they just don't care, however I rant/cry/plead. I can hang on for another couple of days in the hope that it comes, or I can cancel it and wait up to 6wks for a replacement cheque. The choice is stark. I am going to fall on the mercy of my bank, I think, in the morning, and ask if they will temporarily extend my overdraft. I mean, the money is COMING, it's just when. I can probably get a letter to prove to the bank that this is so, that might help. Freehold - basically, no one seems to be able to agree how to split the cost of the freehold between the various flats in the building (of differing size, value and paying differnt sums of ground rent) - different ways have been explored and we'd just got it all agreed when someone acting in bad faith chucked a spanner in the works. Prior to that, the freeholder who is selling it to us was being difficult. Yes, I do need the money for that but I reckon that I won't have to pay that out for perhaps a couple of months so it may all work out. Your weekend sounded really lovely. Totally agree about the weather though it's been a bit duff here today. Flat head on D - maybe it's not as noticeable as I thought...it's definitely there though, so off to the GP go we.

Has anyone used a hot tub here? DP's sister wanted to hire us one for DP's (November!) birthday but as we haven't moved yet it's not been possible. Funny about the swingers remark - I didn't know it was a byword for swingers either but have read a few threads on here to this effect - but I think as long as you don't throw a 'Hot Tub Party' you will be ok

Must go as need to fill in the three flippin' census forms that we're late on.

Lady if you have private banking, just call your manager and cry. I have done that and it worked once! Everything crossed for you that it arrives in the next couple of days.....
Bugger, and nobody showed interest in a MN BBQ at mine, so I was thinking of spicing it up with a MN hot tub party!

Just finished that Census malarky.... Crikey, the questions they ask even for the littles!!

We are watching Sarah Booby's (as referred to by dh ) Restoration nightmare, and now dh is looking at a 60 room Georgian mansion in Devon for sale which needs complete restoration for 1 million, and yes he's quite serious probably need more than him and his bro on that project....

Good luck tomorrow Trace, you'll be a star x

Oh and hello Jammy - nighty night....

Can't sleep - urgh!
spot fab news on the feeding. So glad things seem to have turned a corner for you.
jb yay to you and the tiny too!
trace good luck for tomorrow, although I'm sure you'll be fine.
beans good news on the test results for MIL and your dad. The house looks fab, you should definitely go for it.
JJ brilliant news on your house selling too.
lady boo hiss to HMRC . Have you thought about one of those 0% on purchases credit cards to see you through just in case it takes another 6 weeks to arrive? DH and I used to use them all the time when were strapped for cash!
rubes I would love to come to yours for a BBQ although I don't think I'll be going near any hot tubs for quite some time!
urbs hope you're feeling better and the retail therapy did the trick. I have been trying to justify the purchase of another handbag since I saw the one you linked to so thanks for that!
sl the drawers we have for dd are from feather and black. They are pricey but came ready made, are solid and have catch things at the back of the drawers so littlies can't pull them out. They quite often have 20% off which is when we got them.
db hope ds's ear is on the mend.
arti sorry you are so worried about dd2 but fingers crossed you can get to the bottom of it soon.
WG don't go to the IL's over Easter. Stay at home and rest. Hope you start to feel better soon too.
vag that woman is a loon!
Phew, that was a bit epic. Sorry to anyone I missed.
Our house hunting is not going so well. Everything seems to be going to sealed bids. Last one we tried for went for £35k above asking! Needless to say we did not get it....
Question for those of you ladies with 2 - I was planning on muddling through with a combination of sling and buggy board. Am I insane given that dc2 is due start of September (so coming into winter) and we quite often spend long periods traipsing round London. Should I be considering a phil and teds? Reason I'm resisting is because we don't really have anywhere to put it and I already have a maclaren and an icandy cherry! All advice gratefully received.

Good luck for today Trace.