Dec 08 Mums - Introducing our new joiners, TrudyV and Al Fresco...

[Beans33]

Hope this is ok? Thought it was subtle enough for the wider MN and not offensive!!

Hello Kiwi: what is a kinderhotel? Is it like soft play on a grand scale?

ladyT I have bought this bra for running in - its fabbo, seriously no movement at all...wish the same could be said for my gut mind

beans Get that lump looked at soon please and thank you. I'm trying to find a local 10K to sign up for, it'll give me reason to keep on with the running.

kiwi A kinderhotel sounds great, what is it??

Kinderhotels are basically toddler heaven. Huge playgrounds, bouncy castles, paddling pools, nursery/daycare if you want to use it (or play in it with your child if she refuses to be left there for 2 mins in DD's case). Face painting, art time, petting zoo etc etc. Also constant food, baby monitors built into the rooms (so you can go downstairs for dinner/table tennis/the bar and it calls you on the mobile phone if they make a sound). Brilliant!!

www.kinderhotels.com/uk-index.htm

Am going to try to get an emergency appointment tomorrow morning as they're booked up til next Tuesday and feel like I'd like to be seen before then, for peace of mind. Sure it's just gristle or a lymph node or some such, but better to be safe than sorry.

Meant to say hello Kiwi - those kinderhotels sound brilliant for kids. Thank god for the day care too - marvellous! And monitors. I think I shall investigate!

xx

Hello everyone!

Peppa Pig is on but is about to finish so can't stay long. Daddy Pig is about to go and jump in a big muddy puddle .

kiwi Very jealous of the Kinder Hotel!

ZJ What a nightmare leaving the undies behind. Chuckled a lot at the going commando suggestions. Still baffled by the hammer thing. Did you find out what they wanted one for?

Is anyone leaving their DC in a cot bed until later? I'm planning on keeping DD in hers until we get bunk beds. We can take the sides off and it becomes a junior bed.

vag Poor you with the nits. It makes me want to scratch!

ladyT Using child labour to brush your hair is perfectly acceptable. DH is trying to train DD to tickle his feet!

Peppa Pig over, naptime now. Byeeeeeee.

Hi girls

I keep trying to catch up but have had a busy weekend and an awful day at work so no time alas. Am going to try once kids in bed. DD1 being very trying. It's hard being 6. Not hugely easy being 41 but never mind.

Back shortly.

Oh no sybs what is up with work? What is the deal on redundancy?

Hi jolly. You dont actually say how you are doing?

Kiwi also v jealous of the kinderhotel. My only worry would be it would be a bit overrun with kids ( obviously other peoples kids are horrid and mine are great. Actually who am i kidding? Mine are better in small doses too). Yikes on the 3 months notice!

Had a nice day with the tinies despite insomnia meaning about 2 hrs kip last night so a bit more pro them now

Jolly we are also keeping ds in his toddler bed. We havent even taken the side off yet - after hols as we are hoping he wikl sleep in travel cot still while we are away.

Summer, I have just had the busiest day with people pestering me right, left and centre. Have a deadline looming but can't start on the work til Friday and have a trip[ to Paris and Lucy's birhtday party at the weekend so no chance of doing anything there. The redundancy cloud looms. I am trying to be positive and a friend said I could freelance for him if I got the push but I hate the uncertainty and the worry. Plus DD1 is being a &$"T% nightmare and I am not really coping. She saves her entire repertoire of bad behaviour just for me and is vile to me. Shouting, screaming, hitting, hissing - the works. Often ends with me in tears and her saying "don't cry, mummy," but it's a bit late. I am trying not to shout, but it doesn't always work.

I am so tired. Off the booze this week as a gesture to my diet so at least I should be firing on all cylinders tomorrow.

I'll try to read and catch up a bit now. Sorry for the doom and gloom.

SL, Still teething nightmare with dd. She's off and on every other day. One day awful then sleeps ok, the next sleeps awful screaming in pain and then tired and upset all day.
Long lovely boozy lunch with the lady family. Didn't take any photo's but I can confirm the little lady's are still gorgeous!
Lady, we remembered after you left that DH had better not ride home after my alcohol consumption!So nice and long over due seeing you all x
Thanks all for the stomach cramp input. I haven't had another attack for a bit but am going to write down everthing I ate the day before when the next one occurs.
Beans crikey, your DH! Taking the girls off for ONE hour for you to rest hardly makes up for that remark.
Keep us updated on the lump (you and your dad) - I'm sure it's nothing.

Hi just popping in quickly as need to start booking travel stuff. DH delayed with sorting his annual leave approval for Australia and the price has gone up by ?300!

SL still can't run comfortably which reminds me I need to sort a physio appointment.

Sybs, you ok, nice to 'see' you.

Lady you'll have to drop map of tassie into the conversation with some of your Aussie cricketers.

Beans & SL I'm always shouty with the boys & I have the advantage of 3.5 years between them. I'm a bit grumpy with that DH comment Beans.

Those kinder hotels sound lovely Kiwi, take care of yourself over the coming months things will fall into place with a place to live & nursery.

argh gotta go.

Oh Sybs that sounds crap, i;m so sorry . I have no real idea about six year old girls but i guess yours is pressing all the buttons, maybe esp as she sees you're under stress about so many other things. Could she be worrying about you and pushing to make sure you're still there for her? Even trying not to shout is pretty amazing, you are a great mum and an inspiration to a lot of us on here. Don't worry if you're not "up" to come and post. Hope the booze free night helps the morning. I know it's paltry good news in the circs but that is good that your friend will give you a hand. It means others probably will too.

Kiwi that holiday sounded fab . Good luck with the scan. Are you going to find out the sex? What is the latest on your work sitch?

Summer T is still in a cot let alone toddler bed. How many sleeps til Canada?

Rubes I?m sorry I haven?t commented about your stomach pains before, they sound horrible. From your description of the symptoms alone it sounds like it could be IBS but has your DH ruled that out?

Beans you must have that weekend away, I think it would do you both the world of good. And about your worry about eating 2 croissants. Isn?t the rule that you eat 2 pastries at least for brekkie?

Awww no, Sybs, I am so sorry to hear things are so tough. That hassled sort of feeling is really nasty, never mind the work worries and Lucy pushing all the buttons. Sod the lot of it. Hope you can find a bit of peace/peace of mind. Is Paris work, pleasure or neither?

SL, I know I have been lax on putting up photos of DD2. Life has seemed so busy lately. In fact, putting up new photos on FB is on my vv long list of things I need to do! However, I will give you a preview in words. DD1 looks the same except with really long hair down her back, and DD2 has lost all her dark hair and grown some fair hair, has two teeth on the top and two on the bottom in varying degrees of coming through and is as pudgy as can be (and quite tall). She looks like something from the Third Reich. In fact, DP thinks she looks like a tubby little boy called Helmut, or possibly Johann

Had a crap start to the day in that I woke at 4am and was awake until 7, mulling every stupid thing over and getting myself into a right state. I haven't done that for ages. Somehow, at that time of day any faint problems become insurmountable obstacles dogging my pitiful life Anyway, the rest of the day was totally magnificent because I popped off to Reading to have lunch with the entire Rubes clan, and we had a really really lovely time. (Well, I did, anyway - they may not have done ) We sat outside drinking wine and coffee and her DS and my DD1 chased each other around, gurned at each other, jumped in puddles etc whilst we jawed on and it was just smashing. I reluctantly went to get the train I needed and missed it, which meant DP couldn't collect me as he is out tonight, so had pooey 1hr bus journey home from Oxford, but it was well worth it! Hope you all got home ok, Rubes, and thanks again.

Loads more to say to tons more folk but need to get the nipperettes off to bed. Bak later.

Cross post tastic. Lady so sorry you missed your train. We are rubbish at getting you off to the train you need to get! Had a wonderful afternoon. I feel I talked way too much about me and not enough about you, and your concerns but will make up for that next time which will hopefully be soon! Thank DP for my present won't you - I love it and had to prise it off DS so he didn't take it to bed DS confirmed he had a lovely day with O!
Spot they are horrible pains when they happen, but just so random - weird, and never had anything like it before after eating anything. DH has mentioned IBS but says he always though that starts from a younger age [getting on you know]
Sybs sorry things are a bit rough. Hope it picks up soon.
Vag, I see you are still Royal. Yes those tix can go up in a heartbeat - it's uusally automated and dependant on the number sold on a particular website.
I'm getting pressured from the girls to go home for the school reunion and sharing hotel rooms etc I don't know, but I know I can't commit to these things so far in advance. I'd been meaning to ask you - I sometimes get jealous of my group of friends from school that are still so close, but then again, i suppose they haven't had the same experiences. Do you ever feel likie you are missing out? If I do it doesn't last long - just wondered.

Right, back now. Not going to have my usual late night, the very rims of my eyes feel sore after last night. But I know I have no right to feel sorry for myself when others are having shockers night after night. JJ, if you are reading, I still as promised have a few house mags to send you, which I am going to put in the post later in the week. How's it going? And Mom?

Rubes, no dramas about the train. I didn't mind really, 'twas my own fault. You didn't talk too much - there is never enough time, I find - I felt like none of us had the chance to say much! I am fine, anyway. Just frustrated at not moving (plus the ever present twin spectres of not losing weight and not doing any work at the mo/feeling out of loop with things). But shouldn't moan, and things will get easier once we have moved and then got the tarting up of DP's and my flats out of the way. I will feel more settled and have more time. But realistically, I suppose all that could take a few more months.

Beans, I find looking after two smalls pretty taxing. I find it mentally and physically tiring. Sometimes I wonder whether I 'ought' to feel like this, and if I was more 'organised' I would be more on top of things. However, I am pretty sure it must be the same for everyone. Also, the lack of adult company etc adds to this. DP tries to understand, but he doesn't properly get it. Also, he is envious. But much as he loves the DDs, I think I think is envious because he would rather be at home, rather than because he would actively like to look after two small children.

Glad you had a nice hol, Kiwi. I know you are worried about the move but don't forget, selling your own place is the worst bit and you have that bit done.

Spot, how is the forthcoming move sitting with you now? Any date set or is it all just going through?

JB, DD1 is still in a cot but her bunk arrives later this week. However, without the whole moving thing I think we may have delayed it a while, for no other reason than laziness really! So glad, by the way, that your DD2 is doing so well- hurrah to that.

Is it next week you are off, SL? Bet you're looking forward to that.

Yes, Vag, will be trying 'Map of Tassie' with my Aussie cricketers, though they are a bit thin on the ground at the mo (our S. Hemisphere players are mainly Saafas). Plus I am slightly fearful that if I say it to certain players they will take me literally and flash me

An exciting day in the ZJ household today, as DD did 2 wees on the toilet. The first took us both by surprise, but the second time she was in the bath and asked to sit on the loo so I scooped her up and she promptly performed. We are both very proud girls. Maybe it?s time for me to start taking her requests to sit on the loo a bit more seriously. So does anyone want 2 unused potties? It looks like they were a waste of money

You should go away this weekend Beans, not least because of everything your family has gone through this year, you deserve some quality time. But your DH definitely deserves some full on time with the girls. Lazy day . Fingers crossed for both your lump and your Dads

My DH did quite a good job this weekend. Ok, so he worked both mornings so MIL had E, and every afternoon he spent a fortune taking her to exciting places, showered her with new toys and gave her a ton of junk food, but he was genuinely mortified that she didn?t nap for long enough for him to load the dishwasher with 2 days worth of mucky pots on Sunday before I got home and even hoovered round whilst I gave her extra cuddles at bedtime

Summer I thought the same as you about the kinderhotel, too many kids

Good luck with the scan Kiwi. I forget when your due date is, is it October ish?

Oh Sybs, I?m really sorry everything seems against you at the moment. Your comments on L remind me very much of Trace?s L a few months ago, hopefully she?ll be along soon to reassure you that this too shall pass

Rubes I think I?m the opposite of you, in that I live less than 20 miles from where I grew up and my closest friends are those who have been in my life for most of it. I do get envious when I hear tales from those who have moved away and drool over travel pics on facebook, but I wouldn?t swap with any of them. I guess the grass is always that little bit greener ...

Vaj there is an excellent photo of hammer boy on facebook, but it?s not one of mine so I doubt you?ll be able to see it to appreciate it. If he hasn?t sorted out any privacy settings, he is my only friend with the initials GS. The photo is worth a bit of FB stalking . And Jolly, the hammer is still a mystery, he was the only person asked to bring one, just very odd

Ta for the app tip Jam, I?ve downloaded it but yet to try it out. Tonight might be the night as DD is still grumbling, I think her back teeth are on the move as she?s having the odd bad night. She?s just told me her ears hurt, so have dosed her up with calpol, but I don?t like to rush in with it if she?s not in pain as it seems to constipate her and then the next day is a whole other set of problems. Hopefully it will kick in soon and I can go to bed. Night everyone x

Hurray ZJ, good news about the TT. M is sorted with that these days but still allows himself the odd sneaky pee in the bath from time to time

sybs sorry to hear work is nasty. It's comforting that people are making offers but not much of a stress-reliever just now I should imagine. It was by being offered freelance work 11 years ago that I ended up pregnant and living with my now DH, so take care Girls get more hard work from here on in - sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

Oh grrr, M is being a pest this morning, don't think I'm going to get to finish this. I am so fed up with crappy nights and stupidly early mornings. Am a bit narked with him this morning, which I know isn't fair. And now he's having tantrums over nothing. He seems to need/want me so ridiculously much - is this normal for boys? DD's insouciance has its appeal. Makes me feel I've gone about things all wrong with him as DD was sleeping fine by now and never had tantrums. Oh good, he's gone quiet >cue armageddon<

Lady and Rubes sounds like a fine time you had, and Kiwi the holiday sounds blissful. We didn't stray beyond the Bullring Lady, didn't have time really.

Taking DS off to the doc later to have his eczema peered at. The backs of his legs just aren't getting better and he's scratching them a lot. He said earlier he was "scratching them better" which really rang alarm bells. Did anyone see that programme Poor Kids last week? It was shocking on lots of fronts, but that little girl's legs were horrifying.

Oh well, must go and pretend to be nice, calm, sunny Mummy when really I look 103 and feel grumpy and worn out and with not much desire to humour a testy two year old

Spot: I meant to say a while back that we are nowhere near TT - we have the odd nappy off session but DS2 just wees everywhere and is refusing to sit on the potty. It's odd cos he's pretty coordinated, but obv not quite ready yet.

Hi Everyone,

Quick post as v low phone battery. I am lurking every day but typing on my phone is such a pain, and I have no time to MN when near a big 'puter, so I'm not posting much at the mo.

Sybs - sorry work and L are testing you at the mo. Did L have a tendency to lash out before or is this very new? Maybe a big girls (I.e Mummy and L) trip to a local cafe would enable you to coax any worries out of her. I do hope that both home and work improve soon.

Rubes - to add my two pence to the tummy pain mystery: I had crippling pains in my actual stomach (as opposed to lower down) & it turned out to be a pre-ulcer (in my case due to over use of ibuprofen on an empty stomach). Omperazole sorted me out. You can get it over the counter now so you could try having some on standby to see if it helps next time. If it does go to the GP and get a big prescription.

Spot and Beans - sorry you are finding two littles hard. It is hard. There are days I kicked myself for not having a bigger age gap. But then they both grow-up and suddenly they are little pals and it is so nice to see and much easier because they amuse themselves. This weekend we had a lazy time at home and for almost the first time ever I felt they were totally happy without planned activities, me actively giving them lots of attention or having the tv on. DH and I just pottered and they played and played and played. It was all do relaxed and natural. So it DOES get easier.

Lady - not nice to be worrying. Have you got a move date now?

ZJ - yay to the TT success. It's great to skip potties, potties are rank! And good on your DH for being such a star this weekend.

Trudi - I'm uber jealous that you fit into your teenage skid's jeans. I am such a chubster since kids. It's really getting me down actually. Anyway, good on you.

Where is Trace? Have I missed a post or is she AWOL? I hope you are OK Trace.

Right, off to look at Tesco site. We have 26 people coming for a BBQ on Saturday and only £80 left in our account to cater. Hmmmm. And I promised the DDs a trampoline for the garden. I'd seen them for £80 but apparently the decent ones are closer to £200.

Hello all!

Sybs - you sound like you're having a total shocker at the moment. Thinking of you. Really hope things get better sooooon.

I do find my two littles hard work, but since posting my woes, I am actually finding it so much easier. Might be something to do with DD2 now sleeping through the night til at least 6.30am, without all the wakes in the middle. She does usually wowdle at about 5.30, whereupon, I lie her back down and she snoozes til 6.30-7, so I can't really complain. And they're starting to play really well together, which is brilliant. DD1 provides the entertainment, while DD2 laughs. Then attacks. One or other of them always hurting the other. I feel like an umpire. But for now, it's great. And I think I can't complain when Sybs is having such a hard time with L. I really hope things get easier - I'm sure it will. I think little girls are such complicated little bears.

Rubes and Lady - sounds like you've had a lovely day. How smashing.

I'm off for another run with the buggy this morning with a friend and her little boy. He is very sweet, and only 9 days younger than DD2. As yet, no sign of crawling or movement at all from him. She's a bit worried. Can you believe, my DD2 is 1 on Monday! I can't at all. Quite extraordinary!! She has an absolutely filthy laugh.

Arti am with you on money - I have just £15 left til the end of the month but don't have to cater for 100s this weekend. Can people bring things along - puds, salad etc?

SD is actually rather large - she cast off these size 14s because she can't get into them any more. I'm still pleased I can fit into SD's cast-offs, but I'm far chubbier than I'd like

Oh today is going to be a chore - M is melting down over every single little thing and we have nothing to distract ourselves with, everyone's busy. Hey ho.

1 on Monday beans good grief! Your two sound super cute together. They are super super cute in their photos too. I alwasy think your DD2 looks loads older than my DD but there's not that much difference in age. I think mine needs to grow some hair! My DD just trashes DS's toy set ups and he gets angry at the moment. But they do have moments of laughing at each other, and the other morning he said "H, do you want to play toys?" which I thought was rather sweet, if a little optimistic.

Hi arti! Maybe the wider mumsnet could help you on the cheap barbeque, everytime I see a thread about spending money on food there are people on there who say that the amount we spend (at least 80 quid a week, probably more) is excessive and that you can feed a family of 6 for 50 quid or something. Food is sooo expensive these days!
Oh and you are not a chubster!

sybs sorry L is playing up. I don't have any suggestions either really not having experience of 6 year old girls. Though I suspect it is probably a sign of how close and happy she feels to you that she can save the real playing just for you - mmmm....right not much consolation! Hope it gets etter soon.

(small whisper at the end of post.....DD slept til 7am! And I went to sleep before 10 so I have had the most consecutive sleep in about 3 years)

Ooh, ooh! Got a couple of class moments over the weekend from DD1! Sorry to be dull, but they were bloody funny. She spilt a large cup of ribena on the floor and there was silence as DH, DD1 and I looked at the mess. Then she looked up at DH and nodding, asked him "You got a willy?". HA! DH and I were literally weeping with laughter. Then as she sat on the potty yesterday, she did an almighty fart, looked at me shocked and said "What's that noise??". Oh my god, I laughed and laughed.

Trudy - so sorry you're struggling so much with M at the moment. What a pain in the neck for you. I don't really know what to suggest. My Mum always says to ignore tantrums, but I never do. I find it too hard.

Oh shit, have left iron on and haven't done ironing! EEEEEK!

On the money for shopping. God, I find it hard to get shopping under £100 a week - and I look for all the bargains at Sainsburys! Need to get me to Asda. I just hate doing it with the girls. Think will do a weekly shop online and then hopefully won't need to go again in the week. God, my budgeting skills are appalling.

Ooh, SL - good work on the sleeping! That's ace. The last 2 nights, DD2 has slept through and I am starting to feel human again. Brilliant! Please god I'm not speaking tooooo sooooooooooon!

Yeah hoping I am not speaking to soon as well!
Hehe, we had a similar one....
"What's that funny noise?" "oh....it my poo poo". And it was too, an almighty massive shit (I didn't hear the noise though)

On that front, this is probably something I could look up but, how to I get DS to do less spodgy disgusting poos? I am terrified of toilet training as they are bad enough when contained in a nappy. He eats fruit, bread and pasta mainly. Oh and cheese dairy. Hardly any meat. Would just less fruit do it? (obvoiusly don't reallY want to restrict fruit as is one of the few things that's healthy that he eats but could cut down a bit)

Made moussaka this morning. As per typical this is cos DH decided he wanted to cook, suggested moussaka then informs me he's out most evenings this week. So I end up doing it. Yumm yum though. Chances of DS eating it slim though.

Gotta go DD trying to eat laptop cable, the monkey.