October 2010- now they're chomping, next they'll be stomping

[HarrietJones]

Eek it's going so fast!

Well my night out has been cancelled so it's not an urgent rush round the shops but we are going to have z look for some summery clothes anyway.

I see what you mean silver. It'd be pointless trying one in another village, I found out that these attendees go to all the other ones, so basically they're at a playgroup every day. On the plus side it tired DD out and she had a super nap when she got back.

I've got some olympic tickets! I do not know what yet, but its either men's gymnastics, swimming, diving or the velodrome. I'm hoping for diving.

Ive been going to SS groups but they are being pushed to focus & I feel a bit patronised. I've spent that much time working with kids & running groups!
I go because I need to meet people & get out of the house!

Have I missed much? We've been away this week. Was a epic fail of epic proportions, we went and looked after a friends house and ended up marking their table with some wet washing that we'd popped on there for a bit. I mean the table had paint on it from their own children so it's not a family heirloom but still I feel so mortified. We've offered to replace it and all, but some part of me wonders why a table would mark so quickly from wet washing.

Also DH was offered an interview for a fantastic job, it would have been brilliant for him. But the day after the offer they rang back and told him that the job had been given to someone who used to work for them.

Oh well.

HJ I go to a group thats run by a woman who hated toddler groups, it's very informal and I like it.

Personally I can't be in my house at the moment, we have zero space and it drives me up the wall so the more I'm out the better.

tribble I like the sound of a toddler group run by a woman who hated them wish there was one like that here!
I only go to one group now, on my day off, its a 'music' group but the woman who runs it is fantastically odd and the babies think she's amazing. I prefer hanging out with pre-baby friends though as I get bored of the competitive parenting going on at a lot of the groups round here

Sorry about your dh and the job, especially as I recall you saying he had been struggling to think of a job he would love to do. Don't let him give up looking - it might be just round the corner!

I can't imagine being upset with a friend for putting wet washing on my table, even if it did leave a mark. Sorry it turned into sucha stress

What are you all doing for fathers day (if anything!) Ds is going to 'help' me make him breakfast in bed and he made a card (glittery footprint) at nursery and we made another one at home, then we're out for brunch with friends and maybe a walk.

My dh is working all day, wont be back till 10.40pm. So fathers day is a bit crap here
The dc have made a card, just need to put Sophie's footprint on it.

We don't do Fathers /Mothers day. Xh loves it so big dds went armed with presents/cards but we haven't bothered. I nearly did dh a card but he wouldn't have appreciated it.

DH got a card with a hand and footprint on it and 2 photos of DD at Baby PEEP inside with the rest of it randomly decorated by me. He also got a box of hotel chocolat chocolates which I am really hoping he opens later! .

Chocolates was a good move mocking, hope he shared them

ty dh was meant to be working, so you have my sympathies.

DH had a card with a picture of him and DD on and a book for fathers day, we went out for lunch but other than that had a quiet day.
Despite my best intentions I have never made it to a toddler group it doesn't really appeal to me. But I am going to find something to do on one of my days off from work with DD but I would rather it be a group where they do something such as sign or swimming.
I got a call from work to ask me if I wanted to apply for a promotion. I have taken a demotion for when I go back as I didn't feel that I could put the time in it required now DD is my priority. This role isn't as senior but will still take time but then on the other hand it is in an area that I am interested and they have gone out of my way to make me aware of it. Decisions decisions.

Ooh BP thats a tough one. I'm currently doing the find a post dance with work at the moment as well. Someone in the High Wycombe area has said he really wants me to go and work for him and the job is tempting, but if I could get something in Lincolnshire, that would be soo much better as DH is going away for 6 months in August and the last thing I want to be doing is moving house again when he's not here and commuting back to Lincs every weekend.

I too am looking at baby groups in the area. I like ones with a specific activity too. So far I've found Music Bugs and Baby Signing. Not sure whether they run in the school holidays though and we'll be intermittant attendees until Aug as we're off on holiday next week and we go to London to see DH.

Good luck on the job conundrums! I'm still job hunting but resigned to returning to my new one for now. I've got to earn similar to now + permanent which isn't easy to come by!

I've just had a flap. I have been to a new group that's just set up & meeting in a ( v underused & at risk of closure due to lack of use) public space.sorry trying to be vague! It was having a publicity photo done there today.I got there earlier & the photographer had been/ phoned and I over heard the staff bitching about how it should have been arranged with them. I actually agree on that part but I got stressed about feeling unwanted there so wandered into town but couldn't get myself to go back. I've been crying in frustration because I couldn't go through with it after psyching myself up this morning. Now I need excuses for people to why I wasn't there.

JHJ ust say you got there, it appeared disorganised and unwelcoming so you decided to forgo it, have a nice coffee in town with DD3 and perhaps you'll try again next week. Next week, go and don't be early! I know how you feel I often feel the same. Last week at the local mother and baby group I went to on Friday which I will have to go back to this Friday as I owe them £1, I actually told DD that I felt like crying. Everyone was pleasant, it just seriously isn't my scene, but then I think that it would be nice to make some friends....but I don't wait to be friends with any of the women at this group . Snap judgement I know.

When we go to baby PEEP on Thursday I might ask the others if they go to anything else, as the mothers at that group seem nice. I'm considering trying another group today but don't know if I have the energy to be sociable. Its meant to be more structured though and has good reviews.

I was early because I'd been helping at dd1s trip first& had 20 mins to kill ( it's the sort of place you can hang around). I really need to see people today & just went to get dd3 weighed out of desperation then I saw some children I know through work & was a bit close to home & it got me down again.
I need some friends but I haven't met many people that have potential IYSWIM. A couple of mums at dds school but we don't get beyond a pick up/ drop off chat. One mum at baby group I thought would be ok but she didn't turn up to meet me:( I have one friend but she works f/t.dh friends all live away.

Oh hj > walk in with a"oh dd was I'll last week" and try again, they are ok. I hate that unwanted feelingbthough, I kow it's in my head but I still can't stop it!

I'm a grouchy cow bag at the moment. No idea why but dh is gettingbthe brunt of it which he doesn't deserve. Possibly returning to work stressing me out I don't kw. Had some unhelpful hv comments last week regarding sleep and feeding at night etc-it was a group discussion but I came away feeling a crap mum as both dc don't sleep brilliantly and in my sleep deprived state I must have felt vulnerable. Why that's still affecting me I don't knw!

Oh well, Wimbledon is on so I can neglet the kids for 2 weeks

Ooh I forgot about Wimbledon....

HJ Sorry, I did not mean to be rude about the turning up early bit. I wish you lived near me. I'd meet up with you! You're in Cumbria aren't you? We're going to the Lake District next week for a holiday.

On the off chance we turned up at Music Bugs today in town. It was all very nice and the other children were fascinated with DD. She laughed at the instructor during a song about wriggling. We shall go again. We've also signed up for a taster session at Gym Babes which is part of Tumble Tots and our first session is 6 Jul so I'll let you know how that goes. Both MB and TT are nationwide.

Where abouts are you going?

I say Lake District- I mean Whinfell to the Centerparcs, but thats our base and we'll be sightseeing too.

Whinfell forest has a new play park. Bit big for dd I'd think but sounds good ( never been though!)

Oooo mock, HJ I'd be interested , obviously only if you want to.

I got my haircut today by my friend, I can't really complain as the haircut was free and she did make sure I was ok with it all. Only thing is I have a wonky fringe. I'm going to go at it later myself, but the downside is that I'll have a very short non wonky fringe.

HJ Thats not good at all, some people are just full of their own importance. You'd think they'd be grateful for the publicity.

Mock Me and DS are off to tumble tots tomorrow. I'm quite looking forward to it, if only for the fact that the woman I'm going with has twins who I swear will one day take over the world.

Well have chopped into wonky fringe, it looks better if a tad short, but, well hair grows doesn't it. It's not the end of the world.

DS has started to pivot on his tummy and draw himself up on his knees, I don't think it will be long for him to start moving.

HJ it is really hard meeting friends. Don't worry about today and try again next week.

I know of a lot of the people who go to our local toddler groups because SIL goes to them and I must admit that half of the reason I haven't made the effort is because I know that I don't want to be friends with them I'm really not a judgy pants but they make me DH calls me a snob because I want to move from here. I know that all the mums locally aren't like that which is why I am looking for a group with something to do to try and meet the ones who are more on my wavelength if that makes sense. All my friends have either got no dcs or older ones and so it would be nice to meet some with the same age for DD as well.

Mock hope you get your work sorted. It must be a big stress when it involves moving about. I still haven't decided about this promotion and am runnning out of time.

Hope your hair grows back quickly tribble
DD is now pulling herself up to standing so having to watch her every second as some things she uses aren't stable and she doesn't really get that she has to keep holding on to stay up.

FIL and BIL came round today to dig up a tree stump for us. DH has injured his arm doing it and we can't get on with the rest of the garden until it is done. They spent ten minutes out there and then decided it was too big a job and went, not before they dragged mud all through the house. It will take me longer to clean it than they spent out there. I am leaving it till DH gets home from work to show him. I know I should be grateful but whilst we have renovated this house we have spent a LOT of time fixing up FIL's 'help'. If it wasn't my house it would be funny!

DD starts nursery tomorrow for her settling in session It isn't looking good as they can't even get her name right

busy I wouldn't worry too much about the name thing, my mum had four of us and was constantly confusing our names, but she was wonderful about treating us all as individuals. I hope settling in goes well

Am tired today, life feels non stop! But I had my one month review at work and they were really positive so that was a good boost

seashells spend less time with health visitors and more on mumsnet I gave up on my health visitor after she gave useless breastfeeding advice. All babies are different and you know yours better than anyone.

Tribble- fine by me. :)

Seashells- stick to MN!

BP- we are currently fastening everything down but dd3 keeps find more unsuitable stuff to use.

Her favourite game currently is hiding behind the curtains & giggling!

BP were you Floozie? If so, I cannot believe people cannot pronounce your DD's name right- to me its obvious!

HJ when you say Whinfell Forest do you mean the Centerparcs bit or a separate area? I'd need to check the schedule and see which day works (which it would have to do for all of us!) Trib the more the merrier.

Ooh, meant to say, got notified of the olympic tickets we have and its for diving! Really looking forward to it.

Bloody HV gatecrashed our under ones group withher advice-she provides asleep clinic. Her helpful advice included "no babies in bed before 6am" ummm-if they share a room and the baby is up and screaming at 4am, ahe will end up in my bed grrrrr

Any hoo, yes yes you lot meet up in the lakes! We've "known" each other for 18mths now, it would be fun! It's so gorgeous up there :)

Dd is now a speedy crawler argh