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!!

Argh, have missed so much. MN seems to come alive when I go to bed!

V interesting about the murder rate, medical advances etc. I suppose it's a long-standing thing given FNightingale's discoveries about hygiene etc.

Sorry to hear about ill DC. Hope everyone is puke-free today and has had some sleep. I've gone to bed at 9.30 the last two nights and of course DS has slept through which is fab, but I do wonder if this is the deal! I don't mind though, I feel I have a couple of years' sleep to catch up on.

Good news about the move Lady - will be thinking of you as we moved ourselves with a van six months ago. The good thing is you go at your own pace but it's hard work - DH's back complained.

I do a 'big' shop when we get paid, then mentally divvy up what's left into the remaining threeish weeks of the month, withdraw it in cash (nothing like seeing dwindling stash of notes in your purse to focus your mind on what you really need) and just try to stay within it. We don't buy wine (but always have a few bottles knocking around) - as much as anything DH often has to go out mid-evg to collect a skid, plus he's keeping an eye out for client emails which are best replied to when sober, and I go to bed fairly early so there's not much time for a bottle of wine. We rarely entertain as we're so anti social bloody busy or if we do it tends to be small-friendly daytime stuff and not involve a lot of alcohol. Anyway, believe me, when our income rises I will gladly spend twice what I do now. I get as much as poss at Aldi, some stuff at Msons (veggie sausages etc) and sacks of flour, peanuts etc from the wholefood warehouse in Leominster. DH makes delicious peanut butter which we get through by the ton for breakfast.

Oh dear, have hardly caught up but it's 7.30 and I need to start pulling myself together. Hope everyone has a good day.

I've missed the bit about anniversaries but Spot sorry to hear it was hard. Lady showing my newness here but you've obviously had some tough times.

Trace that sounds very logical. What you're therapist is talking about has some overlap with Mindfulness and I too have found the hardest part is not reacting in the heat of the moment. I've been very disappointed with myself this morning as I've been grumpy with both DC but as the doc said, Mindfulness won't make me a saint. DH was doing the calm dad thing (which can be really annoying) but having been outside with DS for a few minutes he's now gettin ratty too - ha!

Btw can sympathise about sicky smells. DS had a bug a few weeks ago and I could not get the smell out of his carpet. I bought a big bag of bicarb so sprinkle, leave and hoover, but then it just went of its own accord. Still, I'm armed for next time

Oh no - "you're therapist" - how embarrassing

Morning all. A strange thing happened last night. DD2 had 3 sleeps in the day for 1.5 hours, 2 hours and 45 mins. So I thought she wouldn't sleep at night. She conked out at 6.30 and didn't wake up til 7am! And I only think she was awake then because I went in at 7.15 and she was sitting up having a happy sniff of Ducky and sucking her thumb. DD1 also slept through. This is unheard of in this house. I didn't go to sleep til 11, but had one of the best sleeps I've had for years. I reckon this weekend might be a breeze for DH. Damn!!! So I feel really refreshed and Saturday and Sunday mornings I can sleep as late as I want to as no kids! Crikey!

Is it normal for the day after a sicky thing for DD2 not to really want anything to eat apart from her milk? And to still be quite sleepy. Honestly, I can't remember it at all!

Trace - so nice to see you back. You sound like you're doing brilliantly. Hurrah!

Trudy - am going to try to clean the carpet again this morning as can still smell the pungent odour of yack. Nice.

Jam - I hope my post doesn't sound horribly smug when you've had such a shit night. My sympathies. I SO know what you're going through.

ps is Puy on Show Me Show Me pregnant, or just wearing unflattering tops?

DD1 now counts to ten, then declares "Shop's Open"!! EEK! Too much telly????

Preggers Beans I had the same discussion with DH the other day. I do wish she would wear some better fitting trousers though. Oh and not smug at all. My children watch so many movies that when a song from a movie comes on the radio DS1 tells me which film its from and then sings along. It was a slade song yesterday from Chicken Little.

Have still missed loads of peeps I seem to manage a couple of dash and run posts and only ever respond to one or two people. Sorry lovely ladies. Off on holiday next week so no idea when I wil get the chance to post properly. will do more past and runs prob.

Glad you are ok Trace. The point about letting kids have an emotional reaction really struck me. I often deny DD1 any negative emotional reaction by immediately threatening withdrawal of treats. Yet I myself am terrible at controlling or hiding negative reactions in the heat of the moment.

I hope you had some nice moments thinking about your dad yesterday Spot.

Trudi, I've never heard of homemade peanut butter, yum.

I have a story that illustrates (a) you need to be careful what you discuss in front of kids and (b) how sweet my DD1 is. Last night I was telling Dh about my plan for getting through this month financially. DD1 asked what we were talking about. DH said rather flippantly: "We've run out of money". DD1 immediately broke into desolate crying. I scooped her up and tried to explain that Daddy didnt really mean it, and we hadn't run out but just needed to not buy treats for a few days. DD1 clung to me and said "What will we do, we don't even have a cow to sell" (I assume this was a reference to Jack & The Bean Stalk".). Ten mins later DD1 comes downstairs with her piggy bank and says "It's only coins, but it's all I have, and you need it more than me."She looked so serious and sweet and I was torn between feelings of terrible guilt at worrying her and fierce pride over her reaction. This morning we had another chat to ensure she understands there is nothing to worry about.

Arti - tears in my eyes at how lovely your DD1 is! xxxx

How lovely Art what a gorgeous girl your DD1 is growing up to be.

Was busy thinking DD2 much better. Went to get her from morning nap to be greeted by stench from hell. Shit everywhere. Literally have had to change her bedding, shower her, think her sleepsuit may have to be binned, although it's in the washing machine at the moment, so will see. But seriously. It was extraordinary. No wonder she isn't hungry if that's the result. I wonder if it might also be her teeth coming through, which probably doesn't help. That was rank. I feel a bit sick. Poor little bird. But she's v perky!

Gosh, not only is it raining, but with DD2 not 100% I don't really want to spread it, so am housebound today. How very boring. Think we will go and feed the ducks later as it's a bit of fresh air. That's what rain covers are for. And DD2 has a pink all in one rain outfit. V cool!
But I am going a little stircrazy. Our excitment this morning was going to the postbox. Literally about 100 yards away. LORD. DD2 eating apple and ginger baby biscuits. Good sign I think.

Vimto - yum. We were sitting on a wall in Norfolk t'other weekend eating fish and chips and drinking cans of Vimto. Great. Can't stand diet drink though, I hate the taste of sweeteners.

Trace: that's really interesting, maybe why time out works quite well? I find it so anyway. DS1 def needs plenty of time to come down from a tantrum before we can get anywhere.

Jam: I hope you're having a nice quiet day after your shocking nights. I keep meaning to say that you should try the new playground in Highwoods (not that I'm trying to drag you to Colchester) as it's dog friendly. Plenty of families seem to come with dogs either pre or post walkies.

Ds1 has now had both settling in sessions at his school and loved them both :). Phew. DH also amused to spot Head this morning beetling out with a large sticker to censor a parent's offensive t-shirt. Good Thing Too sniffs and hoists bosoms

Beans: that is a LOT of poo. Goodness me. No wonder she's sleepy!

Arti: your DD is so lovely. What a grand job you're doing in raising a really nice little girl.

Hello all,

Beans L always just wants milk after a bug and takes a while to eat normally again.

arti That is sweet. No cow to sell made me chuckle!

Trace. that's really interesting.

Putting J to bed at 7 rather than keeping her up with us worked well. Slept till 5, dined and slept again till 8. Wowsers! A one off I'm sure but lovely all the same.

JB - that's ace. I've just been to one o'clock club here and it pissed with rain regularly, but DD1 loved it. DD2 not so much. Although think she was feeling better as she did another big old crap before we left. I've had to change her bedding again. What a lovely day for it!

Right, going to do early supper here as DD1 knackered and screamy after no sleep and DD2 v tired and will be putting her to bed at 6.00 again today. Then having a large glass of something cold with grapes in.

Oh shit. DD1 asleep on sofa. Bedtime = no fun. She'll be up for fun and games. Bugger bugger.

So, woke up DD1 and she's now asleep. Phew. DD2 meantime had her milk and a bit of yoghurt for supper. After her bedtime milk she started retching and poor little bear did four projectile pukes in a row. I got covered, the floor and coffee table engulfed and she was a mess of cottage cheese puke. Quite rank. Cleaned and dettolled, but I still stink. Anyway, both now in bed with DD2 calpol-dosed to the hilt. Poor little bird.

Beans Two huge vomits from my DD2. Must be something in the air. She wants feeding again now but if she goes again I've no bedding left. Bugger. Hope your Dd stops now.

Beans I love how you say "poor little bird" for DD2 it is such a sweat term of endearment. Sorry about all that spew, not nice for either of you. As Jolly said stick with the milk if she wants it. She will crave what she knows will give a bit of nourishment and for her that's her milk. Also you mentioned giving her crisps, these are also good as they are light but give her a bit of salt and fat. Is she having wet nappies, or is it hard to tell from the excessive poos?

I want to try Vimto now, I'm also adverse to aspartamene Effie, I don't like the taste and am a bit suspicious of it. Also, with a bit of Aussie farming patriotism, I blame it for the downturn in the sugar cane business.

Arti your DD1 is so sweet, no cow to sell. I think I have chosen her to wed my DS1, I think they deserve each other with their gentle little souls.

I went to a baby shower this morning which was nice, but there was a women there who seems to have taken my toilet training my DS2 as some kind if personal affront, because I have done it before she has started her DS. I really don't know why as her son, I pretty sure is several months younger, but she has continuously told me DS2 is too young. Anyway, in the last 2 weeks DS2 has only had 2 accidents, once at a friends house and once at home. This morning he added another to that total, and who did he choose to wee in front of??? Yes her! I was pleased with him as he did try to stop himself, and stood up so it would all go on what looked like a very expensive rug. But as I whisked him off to the toilet I heard her wittering on about how she would be waiting until later in the summer to TT her DS. Thankfully everyone else was quite sympathetic and piping up with accidental wee stories. But argh, he could have wee'd anywhere but in front of her! Of course he was fine the rest of the day, even at a play date with his little friend this afternoon.

Sorry about your sleep Jam, how was the rest of your day.

I'm glad beans & jolly had better sleeps.

Where is Rubes.

Oh God, Vag - so many people have opinion on potty training. It drives me insane. Why can't they just let people get on with it when they want to, not when they think is right. Surely we all know our own children well enough to know when they are or are not ready. And if we start and it doesn't work, who cares! I think your DS2 has got it in the bag, pretty much. DD1 definitely does, but she did a wee on the sofa yesterday. But it just happens when she's engrossed in something. My lovely nephew is 9 and still wets the bed sometimes. It's just how it is. She can eff off. Oooh, touched a nerve!!

I think she is having wet nappies. Not massively, but there is wee. Should I take her to the doctor tomorrow if it's still going on? God, I am in fear of my weekend away... Selfish, moi??! Of course am worried about DD2, but am so looking forward to some time off. And to DH finding out about my "lazy days" that I spend with the girls. HAHAHAHA!

Beans and JB sorry to hear about your poor DDs. DS always very sleepy when he's ill and wants only milk, but dairy is such bad news for puking that I have to deny the poor little soul I give crisps too, I think they're ideal for that sort of thing. Running out of bedding is a nightmare - I'd be sprinting down the road to my parents' tumble dryer! Wet naps are a good sign, but if you can get an emergency appt for tomorrow it does at least remove that whole oh-god-it's-the-weekend-is-it-serious-enough-to-go-through-the-whole-rigmarole thing.

Arti that is so sweet. We try to shield DD from our financial problems too but inevitably she knows we're fairly hard up and sometimes offers too. They just want to make things better, don't they?

Vag and Effie we're anti-aspartame too. It gives DH headaches (but then so does thin air, Tuesdays, water etc) and I just think it tastes bleeurgh. Btw Effie my great-grandmother was called Effie. No idea if it's your real name but I like it. We considered it for DD until we were smacked between the eyes with Polly and knew it was The One.

I'm sitting here with wet, rinsed but un-shampooed hair - it's my latest hair experiment. I have what should be good hair: it's long, wavy, thick and I have only two grey hairs (which are of course right on top and very obvious ) but most days I do a Crystaltips so it gets tied back. Over the years I've tried every hair style imaginable but always end up growing it long and putting it up. In a bid to banish the frizz I'm seeing if I can stand the process of the natural oils reaching the tips. I don't really get what you'd call greasy hair, but it does look a bit lacklustre three or four days after a wash. Previously I've always thrown the towel in around then, but today I thought I'd see how it responded to rinsing. We'll see.

JB I missed your post. So sorry youve been going through the yack as well. It's grim.
Trudy, I wash my hair every other day maximum, but it should be good hair too. It's thick and fairly curly, but tends to be fuzzy or lank. And it's very grey. Damn it. But at make up college, I was always used as hair model because it holds any style brilliantly. Particularly a beehive when it's long. Unfortunately I had a haircut a few days ago, which is horrid. Too short. V sad. But hair grows, eh??!

I will go to bed soon.

Trudy there is a thread on style and beauty at the moment about using no shampoo. here it is Apparently its all about bicarb and vinegar

Vag bloody cheeky cow TT is such a competitive sport. We are still going for the no pressure naked option at home.

Thanks for the kind words about my shitty night I know lots of us are having sleep issues. Hate the 3am awake thing.

Had a busy day dashing about getting bits and bobs for Fathers Day. Have bought a box frame thing and am going to put Dh's marathon medal, runners number and a photo of him and the monsters from when he completed it.

Beans and JB hope the vom and poo get better soon. For what is worth when the boys had a hideous V&D bug last yr I ended up calling NHS direct after about 5 days they said to keep offering little and often also to give them diarolyte tis vile tasting but is excellent at getting essential salts and sugars back in there. Ended up at the GP after 10 days he said as long as they are still eating a little and drinking not getting dehydrated then it just has to work its way out of their tummys.

Effie lets defo get a date in the diary for a playdate. A often talks about the big boy with the skipping rope. Will text you when we get home from holiday.

Thanks Jam, will go and have a look. In the meantime I'll be wearing a headscarf and ringing a little bell as I go, "Unclean! Unclean!"

Hey Trace , that emotional/rational thing is so interesting and so obvious now you mention it. You sound like a proper uber-Mum, keeping everything in separate boxes, and your post was a pleasure to read, you sound so positive at the moment. Hurrah!

And also fascinating about the murder survival/war thing LadyT, wow. Good luck with the move, are we having a virtual house warming with much next week? Btw, ask your new shop keeper to stock diet vimto, our shop will get most things in he's asked for, and it sounds like you'll be a regular if he does stock it! Do they sell big bottles of diet vimto in more populous areas of the country. I get annoyed that our (teeny tiny Tesco) only stock small bottles, so I have to buy loads at a time

Arti your dd1 is such a poppet, so thoughtful. Does she want to lend me anything by any chance? My account is at the very end of the overdraft, so I've just been to 'borrow' £20 from the joint account to see me through bus fares etc til payday next week. But I put the wrong card in the cash machine and took the money out of my own account, which means I'll get a big fat fee for going over. Argghhh, so cross with myself

Poor little Pru and her poo and vom Beans. Don't change your weekend plans just yet, littles can get better in a flash. It's not selfish at all, my first thought when DD got chicken pox was that I'd have to cancel my hair appt, illness is always so inconvenient. And little Jolly too. Get well soon all the babes

Lovely to hear ds1 enjoyed his school taster sessions Effie. Does he start this half term or in September? And I love that there is a real life Effie - I imagine her to hoick her bosoms as you did at school

I daren't even try to tot up what all the little extras I buy for meals come to, but I think meal planning could be the key to spending a bit less for us. And a freezer list like Summer, I used to have one and it worked well, but I was too lazy to write a new one when we got a new freezer. Like Trudy I do one supermarket shop a month for things we can't get elsewhere, and then use cash for the fresh stuff each week. How on earth do you make peanut butter? (please don't just say peanuts and butter)

TT pressure - argh. I have 2 friends who think I should crack on. Friend 1 has only just TT'd her daughter a month ago, and she's 6 months older than E and friend 2's never wet herself once from the age of 2, but pooed her pants everyday for TEN WHOLE MONTHS. Fortunately I've known them both forever so regularly tell to bog off and leave me alone (although friend 2 is having E this weekend, so if she wants to try she's welcome to [evil]

I hope you thought fondly of your Dad yesterday Spot. You and your boys would have made him proud

Beans can you even get into your house for all the buggies?

I didn't even notice arse belt Vag, I just assumed you were talking about those lap straps you used to get in the middle back seat

Do you have a wedding dress Arti for Buck Palace? Not your wedding dress obviously, but a wedding outfit. You've been to a few recently I think. Then you only need to get a hat. I'm sure that would be perfectly appropriate. Unless of course you often socialise with Liz and Phil and they've seen your outfits before. I was lucky enough to go to a garden party at the palace when I was about 20 and it was fab. Kick started my obsession with love for a good hat I'm sure

I can't believe I was so daft the other night to post the wrong link, that makes me double daft! I'd heard you can cook rice in a microwave but wasn't sure how, so I posted on food. I got the (very tactful) reply to read the packet. She was right