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!!

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Am on fb & so is Rubes - not sure about MoM. Happy to do whatever Friday. Wish you could come too Your Vajesty. When are you next in the UK?

Hmm, Apprentice a bit under par this week I thought (although I missed the first bit wittering on here). That Vincent's a right cock isn't he?

Bed time disaster this evening. Got back around 8 just as DH was putting DCs to bed. Cue manic running about. DD decided she was going to be me and I had to be her. Kind of horrifying and hilarious at the same time - she was doing my slightly frantic go to bed routine and dragging me by the hand to her bed. DS didn't like it all as he wanted everyone and everything where they are supposed to be. Will have to be stupid oclock start tomorrow to do the things I was going to do this evening. SL - I got sent that book too. In some ways annoyingly american but so spot on about the whole experience.

Vag - I completely get the sense of losing who you are post kids and the no time to just get stuff done. I just feel like I don't have any time that belongs to me these days - I always seem to owe it to someone, be it work, DCs or DH! Hope all healing well though and do get the x-ray.

Deirdre - sorry for the hit at the dentist - seems doubly unfair to have such a bash and then pay for the privilege

Spot - hope DS confounds you - sometimes you brace yourself for a crap night and are pleasantly surprised.

LadyT - phew for solvency, just sorry it was such a trial. Book recommendations gratefully received if you have them. On the ones you mention, I am pretty sure I have read Invitation to the Waltz by Rosamund Lehmmann, but it was probably 20 odd years ago, so can't really remember what I made of it. I have read the Colm Toibin, partly because I like Henry James. But for some reason I don't get on with Toibin terribly well. I did mean to mention - was mildly excited to discover that one of the nursery dads is literary agent for quite a few writers I really like, including HJ. Feel like a sad bookish groupie!

Trudy - hello - nice to see new people here! (And glad you are enjoying ICTC - I do have a soft spot for that book)

Beans - great thread initiatives - and the poo stories are hilarious. Nothing to match here I'm afraid.

And so to bed.

Oh, did mean to say, interested in all the bunk bed chat. DD and DS quite keen on the idea, but don't know how they'd be when it came to it. Will be bunk beds on hols, so we'll see I guess. If its a disaster, mattress on the floor should be OK

Spot et al I'm on Facebook. Will send you a message. Anytime is fine. I'm just going to bring DS2 (who has been wide awake since 5 despite my attempts to stick my boob or a dummy in his gob) so am very flexible about timing.

I love spring but does it have to be so darn bright at these ungodly hours??

Morning. DH hAd to leave for Germany at 5am. Didnt hear a thing. What a hero. Probably because our TT has caused DD1 to wake up when she needs a wee and I had to take her to potty at 4am. I am amazed. Her nappy has been dry after naps and in the morning, but extraordinary she's waking up when needs a wee. And a bit of a pain!
Dentist was ok. No filling in the end, just something put over exposed root of my tooth on one side because of overvigorous brushing. What a relief. Filling may have to happen soon. Plus got a tooth guard fitted because of clenching. Free because of maternity exemption, usually £250!!
Deids, sorry yours wasn't! Are you ok?
Right, DD2 up. Have to shower before getting her up. Back later xxx

Vag: now we have water back, I should go back to no nappies at home. Am a bit paranoid about puddles on the carpet, but at least we have a shampooer. I may get a shiny new potty too.

PD: thanks for the offer :). Boiler has conked out, but thankfully the new immersion heater is providing hot water.

Trudy: love the cake!

Spot / PD/ Mom I will have both with me. That's fine re time Spot. I just want to drive both ways avoiding rush hour. I think I still have your address. Park always nice, is it far? House often easier for catching up though, otherwise I will have to chase ds a lot, but not too fussed either way. You don't need to go to trouble.

Great result with the Potty and the dentist Beans. How long is DH away? Can you come to see Spot tmr?

As predicted dd starving at 330 due to her vomtastic afternoon. And crack of dawn boy showed his face at 530 and now wants me to dance between completing a jigsaw with him - I've only had one coffee - joy

Ouch, Rubes, that's early. Hate to say it, but DD1 is still fast asleep! Although DD2 gets up from 5.45 onwards, but can be ignored til 6.30-7ish if you go and lie her down on occasion! She is obsessed with the crayons in DD1's easel and won't stop pulling them out and eating them. It's really irritating.

Are you going tomorrow to see Spot? I thought it was next Friday, which I'm afraid I definitely can't do. Nor tomorrow, I'm afraid. Oh dear. Sorry!!! I am rubbish. And next Friday was my suggestion. Eeek.

Invis I love Henry James too, and lots of other dead old authors - Trollope, EF Benson, Dorothy L Sayers.

I agree about not nagging DC about TT. It's when they realise they need to go and ask or toddle off to the loo that it's really working. As I always say -putting my old bore hat on-- - once they're at school you'd never know who walked/talked/crapped on the loo first, it only seems important now. Once they're at school you're into a whole other realm of who did what when and how well And can I just say DD got 4A in her SATs last week

Right, off to ensure teeth are gleaming, shoes are on feet and bag is sorted, then must get the kids ready...

Must try harder with formatting

Tired 5.30am for the third day running with DS2. Need fat coke.

SPot sorry for your crappy night and you Rubes.

Vag how is your ankle you really should go get it checked out. Stern wagging of finger.

Dieds what an arse about your teeth are you feeling a bit better now though no more of the awful squits.

Back later loveys

Wow, 5.30am is tooooo early. Poor you lot. Grim. I start stirring then because of DD2, but can doze for a while, which makes it copable with.

Does anyone else LOVE Small Potatoes on CBeebies? I think it's the sweetest thing. And I quite like Third & Bird as well!

PS Well done to you DD in her SATs - what are they, Trudy?? See me, no children at school!

I like the small potatoes too Beans, as does DD, but it really sticks in my head. I'll be humming it round the office now you've mentioned it!

All those early starts sounds grim, although DD has been waking earlier this for no reason. However earlier for her is 630 rather than 7, so manageable. I have to be up at 5 tomorrow, yuck, but at least will get to finish early. Can't decide whether to make the most of the extra family time in the evening or have some me time wandering round York.

Spot has got me longing for fish and chips, with her seaside talk. Mom, lots of vinegar ...

I like 3rd n Bird. DS a bit keen on Dora today
What have you got planned for tmr Beans? Do you often go places with both girls?
I feel your pain Jam

ZJ - me time me time! Think how much you long for it when you're with DC!! Hee hee. Naughty me.

Meeting up with a friend tomorrow and then 3 friends in the afternoon. I do go with both girls, but only really locally or to grandparents. DH and I go more places with them together as it makes life easier with both of us.

Ello
Zj I would go for skipton castle if ok weather. Ds had loads of fun there exploring. It's a good castle!
Vag hows the ankle?
Deids sorry teeth so pricey but glad they were fixable!

Rubes can you give dd finger foods to play with. Just a rice cake or something - she might freak out less if she's in control

Ds woke at 5 this morning too! He had no nap and crashed out at 730 actually asleep ( usually 9-930 that he actually falls asleep). They are conspiring against us!

Quite the social one Beans! I know what u mean re having the DH to help. Much easier. I'm watching small potatoes now.

SL I do give her stuff like that but she only ever bashes it around then loses her grip on it pretty fast and cries becase she can't reach it!
I can remember ds being the same but not for this long. Someone asked her age - she is 9 mths 3 wks

DD2 is 11 months tomorrow. I really can't believe it. Terrifying how fast it's going. Off for her 8 month check now. Well done NHS!!

I am quite social at the moment, but that's because my friends live locally in London. Unfortunately when we move out of London, in September, I think I am going to be a bit lonely. I love the DDs, but will crave other people's company! Will need to get involved in local toddler scene!

Yeah I know what you mean. When I lived in Wimbledon I had a friend living right next door with littles. My neighbour here is a bit older, but lovely so I'm going to really make the effort this Summer.

I'm still feeling a bit anxious I guess - well that's not really the word, about where we will be next Spring. I hate not knowing.

Must be more productive today. farm shop then cooking a big roast lamb for dinner [yum]

dear all - sorry have lurked for so long. i do read up, almost every day, but i don't get my laptop out for weeks at a time, and i HATE posting on my phone, so it just doesn't get done. needless to say personals are somewhat beyond me right now - although al fresco poos do linger in the memory.

all is well here, although i think i may be going slightly mad. i am finding myself obsessed with house details - cleaning, tidying, organising. when i say obsessed, not htat i am doing any of those things, but i am fretting about them. i feel like i'm in a state of paralysis, seeing all the things which need doing, but not actually doing the sodding things.

i think i need to get out and about a bit. with madam i had to get out because that is the only way she would sleep, but little madam sleeps fine in the pram in the house or on the sofa, so i just don't go out that much. i think exercise is in order, but i don't know how to get round to that. the paralysis is leading to laziness. which is leading to a bad mental state. and i know i take it out on dh - poor thing. ugh.

good news: dh has now as near as dammit been commissioned to write a christmas special of a spin-off of his radio show with 3 more half hour episodes of a sort of mini-series to follow. this is great great news. means he will be busy, but it is a fantastic step up for him. stephen fry has committed to the christmas special which should be (fingers crossed) broadcast on christmas eve on bbc2, which again is seriously fab. you've probably heard me moan on about this before, but it was sort of commissioned before, and then the bbc reneged on the deal, but now we think it has gone through. so hurrumble for dh.

i cannot imagine how those of you work do it. i am full of admiration. and sort of jealousy. i don't feel i have a proper career to go back to and sometimes being a ftm seems like an easy option out of knowing what to do with my life. i was an actress, but work is hard and i don't think i had the brutal ambition nor the luck to get that far (although did some splendid work on radio and in the theatre). i don't think i would be going "back" to work, but forging ahead in something relatively new (i retrained as a voice coach/teacher) and that scares me. everything scares me at the moment. blah blah blah.

sorry not to have been more interactive and have just dumped troubles on you. love to all.

just read last 2 pages - oh, and hello trudy - yes, lots of literary types on here, so you're in the right place. how wonderful to have been spotted at uni, but how frustrating it all went to pot. never forget mary wesley and her late fame. and as for ictc (can't remember who is reading that) - the film is WONDERFUL, too. saw film first, read book second. book delightful too. and as for rosamund lehmann - dusty answer was the big thing to read at my all girls' school where many were flirting with lesbianism. i know i read it (didn't flirt with lesbianism), but can't remember itin the slightest. is it about lesbians?

see, the laptop is out so i am posting.

and the baby has been asleep for over 2 hours now. it's treading that borderline -between yay, the baby's asleep, i've got time to myself, and shit, the baby's still asleep, is she going to sleep later/tonight?

blah blah blah

Huzzah WG, that's wonderful news. In fact I'm a little bit teary about it. It's wonderful when talented people get properly recognised for their work and with all the cuts & changes to the BBC financing...oh I'm going to get on my high horse about this better stop now. But anyway, I'm pleased for you & DH & I'm also pleased for me cos I get to see his work, after enjoying listening to it. Well I've seen some, but you know what I mean. Will it be filmed in front of a live audience????

Also WG I know what you mean about the cleaning obsession. When DH was stuck in Barcelona during the ash cloud debacle I became obsessed with cleaning the floors I would sweep several times a day & mopped everyday. A friend told me its a form of control, or gainjng control. It did make sense at the time. Luckily it passed.

Has anyone heard this latest thing about the women getting kicked out of a cafe for BFing, because some male customers complained about her revealing too much. Of course its outrageous but I can't help thinking that the cafe owner is crazy, surely she should be encouraging BFing women, they would eat way more muffins than the average male customer. (Lady I am in no way implying that as a FFeeder your would eat less muffins .).

WG: it is really hard work with two little ones and I think harder when you're home full-time. Getting out of the house certainly helps. Though unlicensed having more time with the boys when I'm only working two days, I do get more anxious and (I'm sorry to say) angrier than when I was working four days. It's just never-ending sometimes, and mine are older and can at least be (partly) reasoned with. Do you have something you can do for yourself, by yourself? It does sound like things are getting on top of you and making you unhappy.

Unlicensed?? That should be 'I like'

Can see why you don't want to post on the phone!