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!!

DB - that is very impressive and something I must do. I will bite the bullet this weekend if I can and press on further. I only managed 3.5k today as it was so hot and I've got a sore throat and a headache, which aren't that bad, but seemed amplified while I was running. I also find pushing the running buggy quite irritating and would rather do it without. Saturday beckons.

Just been to a friend's sale of her posh mates' interior decor stuff and jewellery and delicious looking jams. It was all rather lovely and twee. I felt very out of place not wearing Boden or designer. In fact, was wearing my rather fetching Asda t-shirt, which I love. My friend sells this beautiful fake Links jewellery, which I've bought 2 of for my sisters and she gave me one for my bday. They are JUST like this, but in different colours and for £15, not £130!!! Feeling rather pleased with myself!

Have just stuffed my face with leftover birthday cake. Yuck.

The going to bed thing is a bit of a nightmare. I am, I'm afraid, a bit of a terrifying Mummy at that stage. I am usually at the end of my patience, so will read a story, sing her 3 favourite songs and then we have 3 hugs, a kiss and that's it. If she doesn't then go quiet, I shout at her, or ignore her. Luckily, she still doesn't get out of bed unless we tell her to, which is a relief. But I know time is wearing out for that! Now she doesn't sleep in the day so much, she tends to be exhausted and is often asleep by 6.30, which is great!!!

Oh gosh, we're going to need a new thread soon - any suggestions?

hello, just running on as friend is on her way with her newbie baby girl P is asleep in the car . She refused to sleep in her cot so I put her in the car and she shouted "My not leep my not leep my not leep" for about 10 minutes, then fell asleep
JJ you have my sympathy on the bedtime antics - no solutions here I'm afraid. P just gets out over and over - if dh is here it's short lived, but if he's out then it can be from 6.30 until 11pm...It's very wearing and getting me down rather . Have tried ignoring (hard when she comes and clings on to me!), sitting with her, lying with her, holding door closed (too hard for me, emotionally, though so that didn't last long!) and are now on a sticker chart, which helps a little but not a lot. DH keeps telling me a phase and she'll grow out of it, and until then...
urbs sorry to hear of all the ills in your family. Hope everyone is on the mend soon. I always think of you when L's asthma plays up, which it is doing at the moment. Does pollen affect your asthma?
zj/vag similar toddler frustration going on here too. Like you ZJ I feel like I'm talking to a brick wall and she just does not do as she's told! Infuriating!
Beans and deidre I'm very impressed by all your running. Like spot I don't think my pelvic floor could handle it! I'm a bit down about my flab at the moment.
Sorry not to do more personals but really must dash.
Oh but wg you legend! You and Rubs are our travel idols!

Bleurgh, well I think I will lose my title due to illness. Had a lovely friend & her family over from.London which was wonderful. But I think we ate some dodgy cheese and I've been really ill the last few days. Really shattered, painful muscles and vomity. I've slept most of today but still feel a bit crap. Have made some cabbage soup to try to eat.

Urbs poor you. Does DH play rugby regularly, rugby scares me as there are so many bad injuries. Hope he is ok, did he manage to remember it was his birthday. Have you had the chicken pox?

Happy birthday for yesteday sorry I'm so late with it. On the running you need to try without the jogger to get a real idea of how you are going. They add a surprising amount of weight & make it difficult to get into a stride. Then after that plot out 10km and even if you have to walk it try to do the whole thing once a week. Other days just run as far as you can but if you can once a week. Most importantly make sure you have at least one rest day after a run, maybe 2 after a big one. Muscle will only grow when your body is resting.

Gotta go dinner is ready will try to catch up more later but DH is chatty so may not get a chance.

Hello Ladies

I've just come home from a LOVELY afternoon at Buckingham Palace. We were invited to a Royal Garden Party and I thought it might be a bit dull but it was really rather fab. Spectacular cakes and little posh sandwiches, stunning gardens and the best people watching ever. Some people were chosen to be presented to The Queen, DH and I were presented to the Duchess of Gloucester (??). I had a good giggle thanks to this thread. DH and I were taking a turn around the lake and I needed a wee. I suddenly thought what a great post it would be if I could tell you all that I had indulged in alfresco weeing in Buck Pal. I tried to explain this to DH who pretty much physically restrained me. Spoil sport.

It was the seventh anniversary of my mother's death today and it was nice to have such a treat to distract me. I know my Mum would have loved me remembering her from inside such a venue.

Urbs - how is your DH now? Recovering I hope. How on earth did he get such an injury playing sport? What was he doing?

Beans - Happy Birthday for yesterday. I cannot believe what your FiL said to your Mum. Truly, amazingly awful. I would be really interested to know what your DH thought of his father behaving like that.

JJ - I have oodles of sympathy on the bedtime antics. We have the same here. In fact its 9.40pm now and DD2 only stopped calling for me 20 minutes ago. And that was after several full on tantrums, me moving DD1 into our bed and her insisting on sleeping in DD1's bed. Exhausting. I have no magic bullets but I do find playing hard ball most effective. Tonight I ended up letting her cry and refusing to go back in. After 15 mins she was asleep.

Veggie - So sorry that you are ill. Did others get ill from your cheese? Didn't you say that your friend also threw-up the other morning? Is your DH able to help you out with the boys while you are ill?

Dieds - You have done so well with your running. I have much respect. Good on you. That wedding sounded fab by the way.

Damn, got to go. Laptop flashing a battery warning signal at me.

Asparagus that is hilarious on the potential alfresco wee. Should we now try to out do each other by doing the most daring toileting. DH always says he fell in love with me the night I did a wee along the banks of the Seine. I was desperate and had a short skirt on so pulled it up pulled my undies down a little then sat on a park bench, looking like I was enjoying the view whilst doing a little tinkle through the bench slats. DH thought it was ingenious. Bless him.

Yes she did throw up at the beach, at the time we thought it was sunstroke but I've had something similar and we'd been eating this cheese we bought which we may have left out too long.

Trudy I had something to say to you but cannot remember at all will have to read back.

JJ we play it by ear with the boys on bed times. We used to lay with DS1 to get him off to sleep, we did that until I was pregnant with DS2, these days he quite happily takes himself off to sleep. We used to lay with DS2 but because he has DS1 as an example he just follows him off to bed and they often go off to sleep next to each other. Most nights I feed DS2 but more often these days he is wanting a beaker of cows milk and off to sleep with his brother. What I'm saying is do what you have to do, whatever style you use she will eventually learn to get herself off to sleep. I think with all the stress you've had lately you need to do what gets you the most time to yourself in the evening. I have to say I love the image of Rubes DS calling out from his gate, and then carefully closing the door & toddling off to his bed.

Hello girls, I haven't forsaken you but am all at sixes and sevens with the move and still no broadband. I haven't even been reading for a few days (until now) which is most unlike me, and am a bit shattered now to type much on my phone, but all is ok here. DP has barely been around because of a busy spell and so I've been trying to sort out the house on my own. Anyway, I am going to my Mum's on Saturday night for quite a few days, so that'll be a nice break. DD2 is nine mths today! Now we're in the new house her cot is next to my bed (instead of up on a mezzazine) and I must admit, I love it. WG, she has landed on her head TWICE in one week (once off the sofa, once off the bed) and though seemingly unhurt bar a graze on her head, I feel awful and can't forgive myself. So...glad to hear of another baby who is ok after similar.

Urbs, you've had a shocking week! How is DH?

So much more I want to say but my thumbs are giving up the ghost. Will do proper catch up when the b-band comes on tap. Happy hols Jam. And sounds like your toast to your lovely Mum was in a grand setting, Arti. Much love to all.

Oh poor Vag - are you feeling any better? How rank for you. And thank you so much for those running tips. You are a star. DH is really pushing me to get under 30mins on my 5k on Monday. I'm aiming for under 32 mins, as have never got below that before. Another 2 mins to knock off is quite hard. It's ok for him to say as he is SO fit and has the opportunity to go out running on his own the whole time. I am jealous!

Arti - that sounds like such fun at Buck Pal - god, would love to be asked to one of those, just for the sheer joy of looking at the chinless people - how do you get invited??!! My FIL didn't actually say it to my Mum, but to me about my Mum. DH was suitably horrified. But I am wondering whether I ought to say something to FIL about it being unacceptable. I have written MIL a thank you letter for the birthday present for DD2, but haven't mentioned the champagne. Think I am probably being a bit small about it, but I am pissed off. AND they didn't give DD2 a christening present, but they did give DD1 a family Bible. Am a bit grumpy about that!

Lady - you deserve the break at your Mum's - how lovely. Sounds like the house is coming together beautifully - well done!

Both my DDs took a few tumbles onto their heads at wiggly age. They're both a bit odd, but I think that's more genetic than due to any head injury!!! Hee hee!

Beans, I think it is all right for anyone who isn't tied to kids - I mean, I look at my pre child self and wonder how i filled the time! DH gets lots of time to exercise (well, cycle to work and back, which is something he chooses to do rather than has to, IYSWIM) but i have to get up at 6 if I want to run before he goes. Needless to say, I haven't been for awhile. Must get back into it. But not this week as my Scottish pal is down tonight and we are off to see Take That at Wembley! Hurray! It'll be hormone patches and Tena Ladies a go-go.

Right, we are off school as it's shut for the strike and only half of us are dressed. Must do better. Have a good day, girls.

Effie, you are a genius - that CBeebies mag with the Justin CD is brilliant. S spent hours going through all the stickers very carefully over the last week, and now demands to sing along every morning - has become a very handy bribe tool (Dressed first then Justin singing).

AND we had a minor bedtime miracle, showed her the C&L book again and made her a big chart to say 5 nights in a row of no calling, you get the book. Spent 5 mins giving her lots of cuddles to store up in case she needed them in the night, DH did the end of bedtime, and she didn't get up and shout. Huzzah! One night down, rest of toddler years to go She used to be able to put herself to sleep no problem so just hoping she remembers again soon. oh and she does have the sides back on the bed until she stops the shouting [jailer mum]

Arti that party sounds sooo swank! I suspect that weeing in the Buck house gardens is treason and thus a capital offence. Though an old boyfriend and I once did the deed al fresco in the outer reaches of the Sandringham estate, and didn't get arrested

beans, totally with you on the random christening pressies and unfairness to dd2, it seems very unjust. Given how hypocritical devout MIL is (got v cross when SIL had a humanist wedding and always going on about the importance of the church, but never goes to mass ) you'd think she might have sent either dd a christening card. In fact must just have a rant about her - people on FB will have seen the pics of E's baptism, bearing in mind that it happened on a very hot day in May MIL very bizzarely spent the whole time buttoned into her high neck winter coat and leather gloves, never took it off even at the party and basically gave the impression that she was about to up and leave at any moment. People, eh?!

sybs, enjoy your day of fun, got any plans?

SPOT yy to meeting next week! Ely not far from cam by train so I could bring E to you or see you here - you could come for tea and cakes :)

vag hope you feel better soon. Cabbage soup as healing goodness sounds very virtuous! I usually go for plain white rice with lots of salt on.

Beans, I meant to say - I read about the christening shenanigans with considerable horror. Taking back your own drinks? Bad form! Going on and on about your donation to the feast? Crashing bad form. Being so gleefully rude about your Mum like that - psychotic bad form! I would want to yell at him about it BUT I don't think it would do any good. Think it's better coming from your DH.

Vag, I do hope you are groping your way back to health, sounds vile.

JJ, you will finally get your package from me in the next few days. Glad bedtimes with S have improved. I didn't used to read to DD1 at night, because she has lots of wake up stories and stories in the day. However, since we moved I have started reading to her in her bunk which is an el biggo mistake as she never wants them to end. We need to make a big thing of the wake up stories again.

DB, that wedding sounds IMMENSE! What were the flowers LIKE?

Hopefully more later. Hope you have a nice day, Sybs.

hello - g fine. barely a scratch - just 5 mins of solid screaming. feeling a bit glum. saw asparagus's fb post about your mum and that it is your birthday today. the two events so close - poor you. glad you were able to remember your mum with joy in buck house this year.

feeling pretty weepy here myself. and probably about my mum, too. wimbledon always does it to me. she was diagnosed at the beginning of june with inoperable cancer, and i remember us watching a lot of wimbledon after that. we watched the rafter/ivanisevic final together. it felt rather magical.

g is now 4 months and 15lb. bless her. still waking up about 3x a night, but that's pretty usual for a breastfed baby, isn't it? have friends whose babies seem to be waking once a night. grrrr.

am a little lack lustre, so will leave until i have something more interesting to say. love to all.

Aw, WG, huge hugs to you. I know some things must be very resonant for you just now. Can you take the girls out for a cheering walk this pm and get yourself a mag or a wee treat? You must be knackered as well, which always puts my emotions on the brink. With my lot (all BF), DD1 didn't sleep through til about 3y, DD2 8 weeks, DS probably still feeding in the night 2 or 3 times til about 9 months. I was definitely back at work with him still doing substantial night feeds but we co slept so not so bad.

Lovely LadyT, could you be a poppet and text me your new address please? SO excited you are in. When are you up for a summer visitor?

Kids now vegging in front of TV whilst I craft dippy eggs. So far, we have done drawing, painting, cooking, out to Post office, shopping, shouting and sulking. No wonder we need to veg out with TV. DVD this pm for a bit so I can fold some laundry. Life in the fast lane in SE London.

Have a great day

Arghhhhhh MN has eaten my post twice now!

Hello all, and WG big hugs. Sleep deprevation is a bitch.

That worked!

JJ horay for bedtime bribes!

Arti palace sounded Fab. What a lovely day to remember your mum

Lady glad you are getting settled. BTW Wedding pics on FB of flowers, they were tropical, big and plentiful!!

chuffin eck deids, just looked at the wedding photos and it's like a tropical jungle in there! I'm guessing the B&G support a red and white football team...? Love the way the pics get more blurry as the evening wears on

Ha ha JK they do get a bit blurry don't they. The groom owns the football club hence the overkill.

JK?? I meant JJ bloody predictive text.

Right need to get psyched up for a run.

Got to share the funniest story then I hopefully back later.
Just back from a day with my friend sorting my feral hair in Sth London.
Was doing a Peppa Pig Puzzle with ds whilst dd sat next to me and she was playing with the dog (pulling her collar / ears whiskers etc - poor dog just sitting there taking it) I turned to help ds with puzzle piece for all of about 10 seconds, then turned back and dd was gone!!!! found her almost in the kitchen (there's a whole room in between) sat there giggling (she doesn't even crawl yet!!!) without her tights on, and the dog at the back door trying to play with dd's tights in her mouth!!!! The dog has a fetish for stealing socks and must have tugged at her tights then dragged dd through 2 rooms trying to get them off!! DD was still giggling when i found her and must not have made a sound while she was dragged by the dog (sitting up) all that way!!!!!!

RUBES! I love that - hilarious! What a gorgeous little thing your DD is!

lol Rubes! Thank god he got them off her there or who knows where they might have ended up??

So far, we have done drawing, painting, cooking, out to Post office, shopping, shouting and sulking - and that was just by LUNCHTIME!! My god sybs you make me feel a lightweight - that would be good going in a 12 hour day for us.

Vag hope you're feeling better. Sorry to hear that there are mixed emotions for people at this time of year.

I had a phone consultation with a mad nurse this morning. I know think I just need some stress-management techniques and maybe a proper Mindfulness course to help me break the cycle between my instinctive reaction to events and the usual swing of emotions that follow. It's like dominoes - once one thing gets me I over-react to everything for the next couple of hours. I'd like that first domino to fall well away from all the others. All the local MH services can offer is a sledgehammer to crack a nut, but none the less I've agreed to go along to a course that tackles anxiety (which I don't have), panic (which I don't have) and stress (which I have in spades). They seem reluctant to let me go even though they can't really offer me what I need. When I feel my reactions go, though, I know I'm not controlling them properly and I feel I do want some help, so I don't want to cut myself off from the help completely while it's on offer in some form. Today hasn't been the best day for all that but I know I'm due in the next two or three days, which never helps anything.

Trudes, is it a form of CBT? If so, I would heartily endorse, even if you don't quite fit the profile as it were. I had some CBT a few years back when I was really struggling and still use some of the techniques now. I think CMH is so poorly funded that they sometimes have a "one size fits all" policy but it is worth seeing what is on offer.

My friend is here, we have made welcome cakes and lots of mess, and she is now reading while I have a quick respray. Then tapas and wine for us, with a pork chop for DH. Does anyone else find them leaving supper for DH when they go out? He NEVER leaves any for me if I am in and he is out. Oh well, a small niggle. Better not get started.

Deids, I am impressed by the run. I ahve not been for 3 weeks. Monday for sure.

See you later.

Run done. But legs hurt am about to order new trainers I think the gel in my asics has run out so to speak. They never normally hurt like this.

Subs have a lovely evening. And yes I always seem to leave supper for DH if I'm out.

Rubes that is so funny. Bless DD and your dog how cute.

Truly I would day go for whatever they are offering you. It certainly can't do any harm x

So true about the exercise if you do or don't have kids. It's not just about finding the time to exercise but then the time to recover from it.

WG I remember that game very clearly because I really wanted Rafter to win and I thought the other man was just a good acer with no talent for actually playing the game. Sad to think while was enjoying the game (kind of) you were experiencing such a difficult time in your life.

I'm feeling much better still haven't eaten much but am finally feeling hungry to tonight and less queazy. I had to do a lot of running around today but DS2 was a little star and very patient and we enjoyed a nice little cafe lunch together. Often he can grate but other times its like having a day out with a little mate.

Deids I wandered why they had the reception there, I thought the club must do some wedding packages and they had done the top package that entitled them to the marchee on the field. I did love the flurries as the night went on. Also can't remember if I replied to your class dilemma. We have the same worries with DS1 as he is going up to the next group with only one boy he knows. He will also be quite young as he won't quite be six and he is going unto the 6-9 year group. But his teacher who is lovely reassured us he'll be fine, she said he already plays with some kids in the new class at lunchtime and she thinks he is.more than ready for more work as he is getting a bit bored.

Beans I get more & more miffed with your in laws. On the running Beans, do a little time trial of 5 km. First run for about 10mins really slowly to warm up then run 5km all out as fast as you can, don't sprint, but just run as fast as you can tolerate for as much as the 5km as you can, try to run all out for as long as you can, but if you find it is getting too much drop back.a teeny bit. If you can work out a half way point that would be good to work out how you are going. Do your best to get to that point in 15mins, you will have an idea of how fast you need to go in the second half. After the 5 km have a nice 10mins slow jog cool down.

Sybs I often leave us all in PJs.

JJ what's a humanist wedding.

Lady glad house stuff is settling down but time at your mums will be nice.

DH is going to a festival for the weekend, he leaves very early tomorrow and is back Sunday so I've stocked up on pizza and easy food for the weekend.