dec 2008- Who will stonk it in & be crown queen of the thread?

[HRHvagolaJahooli]

He we are ladies though I may need to change my name as royal title may be stripped.

Vag the whole scary Dutch woman thing is funny and terrifying by turns! I knew someone a bit like that - she didn't turn up unannounced (but then not did anyone else where we used to live, half way up a remote hill that demanded gravity-defying properties of any visitor) but if ever I bumped into her she was all over me and desperate to buddy up her rather etiolated daughter with DD. The thing I really objected to was that I knew she was the sort of person she would never have bothered with if she hadn't been 'stranded' in the countryside having had to give up her high-octane career while her new husband (she had an affair with him at work then left her husband for him and they ran away from London!) stayed on in the same company flying all over the world - suffice to say I don't think things were working out quite as she had expected Anyway, she was super woman (that's how a friend and I rather bitchily referred to her) and I found her competitive, exhausting and a little bit odd. I do bump into her occasionally but I think she's picked up my total lack of interest and we're reduced to polite running hellos now, thank god.

Hope mini-Vag copes well tomorrow, or is it today now?? DD hasn't had masses of change, but we have moved twice in her lifetime, well, twice that she remembers, and she has moved primary schools, but it's all been quite local change and she's continued to see old friends etc. Ultimately they do just have to get used to it, but I've found that focussing on small positives helps as does marking new situations with things like the new bag, or finding a new toy/gadget/bit of kit they're going to need now they're living/going to school etc at the new place. One advantage of moving here is that now I take DD to school and often DS stays here with DH, so DD gets 10 mins on her own with me first thing to chat - you have to take the positives wherever they crop up! DD goes into Year 5 in Sept and she's nervous because she's picked up that school's expectations of her rise gradually as she goes through the years and she's concerned she won't measure up. In a way she's right to be concerned because her personal organisation is hopeless, so that's where I focus my efforts to help by giving her systems and techniques - I know that sounds bollocky but it's what helps with her. She wanted hot lunches next term but we simply can't afford it (works out to about £40 a month, whereas it costs me less than a quarter of that to make a packed lunch) so I've devised an 'ordering' system where DD and I work out all sorts of things that we both agree are good packed lunch items, and she can place her order each week. It gives her some control and brings in a bit of fun to effectively refusing her request for hot lunches!

Deids wouldn't it be great to think it gets better?? lol! Here's hoping. I know I can't be peed off with her for the next 10 years so I have to find an approach that works - I'll let you know when I find one

Duh - I knew I was the sort of person she would never have bothered with...

Sodding laptop ate my post. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRrrrrrr!

Need to be quick as my bed is calling me in for an early night.

trace Loved the sound of your weekend in the big smoke. Hope it was enjoyed by all.

ZJ You are very welcome. DD1 really enjoyed reading it but we felt it was time to pass it on to someone with a baby in their tummy!

vag Loved the idea of you all hiding the the freezer section from the scary dutch woman!

effie Lovely about the stabalisers . I can remember when mine came off. I fell straight into my nanna's rose bushes. Ouch.

deids Your friends are naughty. You should provide silly hats or false beards for those who haven't made an effort. It is your DD's party she decides the dress code.

I'm sure I had lots more to say but my brain, once again, fails me. Made a rhubarb crumble with DD1 today with our own fresh from the garden. I felt like a hybrid mix of Nigella Lawson and Alan Titchmarsh for a few moments. It was really nice too. Right, to bed.

Had a lovely day off which I got to spend with DD. Well it wasn't too lovely to start with as spent the morning hoping she'd outgrown dairy allergy, but she fell at the first hurdle. But then nice lunch out and a wander down the south bank fixed it. London ladies - if you are at a loss for something to do, I'd heartily reccommend it - lots to do over the summer, including fake beach, fountains (DD insisted on stripping off and running though - had to dry her with a packet of tissues), the usual music, entertainment etc etc.

PD - nice to see you on here! Kind of you to ask after DS. The finger thing is not as bad as it might be - he has lost pretty much the first joint, but on the ring finger on his left hand. So it shouldn't get in the way of doing most day to day things, but might mean he needs to think twice about picking musical instruments or that kind of stuff.

Vag and Deids - those parties sound fab! But definitely calls for big glass of at the end.

Welcome back Effie and Pd, and happy hols to Beans and Waiting

PD I'm afraid I've got bank holiday plans and then work that week, but if you're still around at the weekend (3rd/4th Sept) I'd love to meet you and your DC's

I was sorry to hear about your shitty row Beans, but good on DH for apologising quickly - he needed to. I know it was about ishoos other than ironing, but all as all our rows start with ironing (we both hate it more than any other chore so it inevitably puts the ironer in a filthy mood and up for picking a fight, oh for the days when we were free to splash our cash on a wonderful ironing lady). Anyways, if you're lurking while on hols, here are our laws to avoid ironing themed rows (leaving the catalyst for rows open to any other number of petty niggles). 1) all clothes must be in the laundry basket on Friday night, ready for the weekend washing marathon. 2) any clothes that particularly want to be worn in the coming week need to be in the ironing basket by Sunday evening. 3) I will iron these items for an hour on Sunday night, and I get to chose what we watch on tv while I'm doing it. 4) if the Sunday ironing session is missed, tough, DIY. It is the only area we have 'laws', but then nothing else in the house drives us quite so mad

Vaj that woman is still scary now she's taken the hint. Think I would have hidden IN the freezer to avoid her!

Ooh Spot, my fingers are crossed for the house, 4th time lucky?

LadyT is your trip oop North booked yet? Can't wait to see you. Valentines baby is possible, DD was 2 days early if that has an bearing? I'm impressed with your resolve to volunteer, which has reminded me that my feeble efforts have ground to a halt. I got a huge amount out of Young Farmers when I was a teenager, not least my wonderful friends and my DH, and as a result I've always made myself available to my old club as support to make sure the current members get the same. I used to spend quite a bit of time taxi-ing them around, organising fund raisers, writing quizzes etc, but DD means I can't always help out at convenient times - leaving me on paperwork duty recently, nice! And having had the accounts since Easter, you've reminded me it is their year end on 31st August

How lovely that you've booked the wedding Kayz, are you getting married where you live?

Oh Trace, I missed seeing you on Saturday. Glad you liked Driff, I'm very fond of it (but then I didn't spend my teenage years there, with nowt to do). Have a fab time in London with L, and good luck to DH with the sleep

Hi Pingu, how's that hospital bag coming along?

Hurrah to biggest Effieboy on the bike riding

Ok Vaj, here is your geography teacher - one who was born in Humberside, no less. It is Hull (gold star for that) plus rural areas north and south of the Humber, stretching from north of Bridlington in the north, in land as far as Goole, and on the south bank it includes Scunthorpe and Grimsby. It was abolished in the mid 90s (only created in the 70s) and is now 4 separate authority areas - Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire (the best bit) and North and North East Lincolnshire. You've learnt something new today!

DD has shown some impressive bladder control this week. She's not quite got the hang of staying dry at nursery and despite trying to wee on the potty every half hour didn't manage a drip all day (from her 7am wee at home) until she spectacularly wet herself at 5pm. Wowzer, I wish my pelvic floor was that good! She obviously didn't want to wet herself but must have performance anxiety or something on the potty. She's pretty much clean and dry at home now, so hopefully it'll click at nursery soon (and if she doesn't, I don't mop up there anyway ... [lazy, not bothered face])

My poorly friend has had her baby at last, phew. A strapping lad of 8lb, he really did take everything from her, didn't he? She was induced, gave birth, got checked over and and was back home again less than 3 hours after leaving the house that morning . Don't like the sound of that much!

I feel oddly anxious tonight, for no good reason. Maybe because I've spent a couple of hundred quid online on mat clothes . DH's treat, although he doesn't know yet! I've tried, and failed, to lose myself in a film so now I'm soaking in the bath and still not relaxed and it's nearly midnight, which is making me more anxious about sleeping. This is so unlike me. Maybe a stiff drink will knock me out? Drat that baby only wanting pissy weak booze. Right will go and count sheep to see if it helps. Night all

Invis I was so sorry to hear about DS' finger. It's all horrible, but it's good to hear the effect on him won't be great on a day to day basis. How does he feel about it? I had a friend who lost all the fingers on one hand and part of several fingers on his other hand (industrial accident) but because he had his thumbs he could do, with practice, 99% of what he'd done before. Of course it helped that he got compensation so could afford any tweaks he needed. A wire came twanging out of a piece of machinery at high speed and took his fingers with it, just awful.

ZJ when DS was first TT he was great at home but refused to use nursery's loos or potties so had loads of accidents. At their suggestion we sent in his potty from home for a few days, which got him nicely over the hump and then he started using their facilities without batting an eyelid. He's been great now since the end of March, but I must admit when I pick him up I always look immediately to see if he's in the same trousers - I just can't quite believe our luck that it's all gone so smoothly after the living hel that was TT DD.

Slightly that I used the phrase 'on a day to day basis' without my cringe-o-meter clanging - too many meetings lately.

Invis Your day with DD sounded great. I'm also pleased to hear that DS is doing okay.

ZJ Good news on the TT. DS is also doing well, although his poo's are a bit hit and miss. He only seems to realise once he's started it. But then goes tothe potty to finish it off. Lovely!

Oh and great news on your friend. So is she okay now? I'm surprised they didn't keep her in a bit longer.

Right off to work, this week to get through and then off for two weeks, woohoo!!!

TV I hear you on the easy 2nd offspring TT. We keep expecting something to go wrong with DS2's toiletting because of the nightmare that was DS1's TT but so far no. It's funny, generally DS1 is a much more placid sweet child, easy to handle, great for taking places, very user friendly if you will. DS2 on the other hand never stays near me at the shops, constantly flaunts with running out on the road and throws stuff at anyone who annoys him. However, he has been a dream to toilet train and will eat anything put in front of him. If all their good bits combined into one child it would be perfection.

ZJ you crack me up, you even have a list to ensure marital harmony. My friends and I had a name for people in our group like you 'the organ'. It's was short for the organizer, and it was for those people who always make sure things are sorted and booked. They know the closing time for all the pubs, book the restaurants we would go to (having first ensured the menu catered for all dietary requirements) and organise car hire etc for weekends away. ZJ you are 'the Organ!'

Invis I don't know what happened as I was away for that incident but your poor little man. My friend married a wonderful man who had lost most of his ring finger on his left hand and half of the finger next to it. It happened when he was a teenager and he broke down when he was giving his wedding speech as he talked about the many years he had worried that no women would want to put a ring on "this" meaning his lost finger. Every one was in tears about it, I'm teary thinking about it now.

DH & I went with DS2 to the montessori nursery where we have been wanting to send him. It started out badly, he is not coping with DS1 being back at school and was screaming at the back door when DH & his brother left for school (right below where the Ramadan neighbour would be sleeping). He continued being screamy all the way to his new nursery and wouldn't look at the nursery ladies. But then he saw the cars. They had a load of cars in one corner and he just took off and loved it. We also saw two of his little friends there and a mum I know was settling her child into the class so I saw her too. The room he is ihf n is so nicely set out and the two staff are lovely. The kids all seemed so happy and busy playing it seemed perfect for DS2. So he is now enrolled and will go Tuesday & Friday, starting this Friday. I stay for the first day and then that's it from next week he's on his own. I told him he will go to school without me, and he said "that makes me sad, because I need mummy", which really tore at my heart strings, but then I added that I would drop him off & pick him up which got him quite excited as his brother gets dropped & picked up and he always finds that quite fun so hopefully that will help make him feel ok.

Vag, I can't believe the Scary Dutch Lady made an appearance again. But thank Heavens she's got the message now. Good luck for DS2 for Friday, DD1 starts on Wed 7th Sep for her two mornings a week.

I think I am actually going to leave the potty training again. She just refuses to use the loo or potty (and we have loads dotted around) and just cries and says she doesn't want to. And she won't be bribed by anything. I left her nappy off this morning and she just did a poo on the stairs (one of the few carpeted areas in the house, of course) so I give in for now.

Going back a bit, good to see you, Spot. Sorry T is cutting up rough. How is B now? And how are YOU? - Working any?

Pingu - that sounds a bit hectic - two weeks to sell your house with a baby due imminently! The best of British with all that.

Trace - hope you are having a lovely day in London!

Invis, I am so sorry about DS1's finger. What a brave soldier.

ZJ - as far as I know it's booked but I haven't heard from your colleague for a while so ought to check! As far as I know it's Friday 16th-Sunday18th Sept. Still really hoping to see you!

This is quite a feeble post but I am feeling a bit drained today and daunted by all the stuff I have to do. Normal service will be resumed soon!

Vag I hope DS is okay at his new nursery on Friday. I just can't believe how quickly they seem to be growing up. I wonder if we'll still be here in 14 years time discussing how they got on in their GCSE's? I hope so.

My mum has had the DC's all day and they will be home soon but I have had such a lazy few hours since I got in from work. Coffee, cake & old episodes of SATC, it's been heavenly! However, I was so caught up in it I completely forgot to make supper for us all. So its going to be cereal for the DC's if they ever get home and chippy for me and DH on his way home from work at 8pm I am such a lazy arse!

Oh & lady about the TT I couldn't agree more with you thats its better to leave it. When I tried with DS a couple of months ago he cried in the morning when I took his nappy off. I so knew in my heart of hearts he wasn't ready. This time he just had a few afternoons where he put himself on the potty,so we went for it and he was ready as he is doing very well. I think you get a gut feeling,and tbh its so much easier trying with a willing child rather than creating a battleground over a potty.

Thanks DB. It's been quite a day - DD1 has been so naughty - pulling flowers off plants when told not to, grabbing her sister's head and shaking it (ditto) and various other things. All this after the bloody poo on the stairs! And she said "I hate myself" this morning as well, which is just really depressing. She shouldn't be saying stuff like that at two and a half! So I think she must be feeling the pressure. Therefore...the potty and mention of it must go for now. If she has to go to pre-school in nappies, so be it.

I like the idea of putting your feet up like that That is ace, I am crap at relaxing. In fact...must zazz off and sort out three loads of washing that have come out of the machine and are still in the basket....

Hello lovely ladies

My home broadband is broken. No idea why. Very annoying.

Anyway, we had a fabby weekend camping in gorgeous Sussex. We went with two other families and it was a great site, a field in a forest clearing with a green oak barn for housing the toilets etc. It just happened to be only 3 miles from my favourite pub of all time so that was nice. I am afraid you may have disapproved of our approach though Effie, the kids were awake til dark each night. They were just having such fun frollicking about that we let them just get on with it. They were soooo tired when we got home.

We are off to Brighton tomorrow to celebrate DD1's fifth birthday. It should be great: Sea Life Centre, the Pier, dinner out with the girls, then all bundle back to our hotel room at the Marina. Just got to get wrapping now so DD has a nice pile of pressure awaiting her wake-up.

I cannot believe I have been a parent for five years. I am enjoying it so much this summer. There is something so civilised about family life when your youngest reliably sleeps, doesn't use nappies and can engage in a bit of conversation. Keep hope all of you still struggling with sleep deprivation and pokey carpets - it is soooo worth it (can you hear my two glasses of Rose talking?).

Evening all,

ladyT If it helps I am also abandoning all attempts to coax DD1 onto the potty/toilet. She just doesn't want to. One day I am hoping that she will just suggest she wears knickers or sits on the potty . I've never given it a proper go. She has had a bare bottom in the garden a few times and had a few sucessfull wees in the potty but when I suggest not putting her nappy on in the morning she gets very upset. I'm going to leave it for a few months, not mention it and hope she takes the initiative at some point!

My mum keeps telling me that I was TT at 18 months day and night. I find that very annoying!!!!I'm not sure what the point is in telling me that every time I see her. I apparently could produce wee the size of a 5p peice for a Smartie.

Oh and DD1 also pulls the heads off flowers all the time. It is so annoying! Hope you both feel more chipper soon.

asp Your hols sound idylic!

DB I hope we are all here in however many years time! I would work it out but it would upset me the idea of the years flying by.

vag I'm slightly confused by your neighbour needing quiet during ramadan. The folks I used to work with just used to carry on working as normal. Does she go nocturnal for the duration?

ZJ Good on you for helping out at the young farmers. Lots of people I went to school with went to lots of YF events. Hope you nodded off ok in the end.

I think DD2 was trying to wave today. It may of been a coincidence though! She doesn't even roll yet .

LadyT - putting off TT sounds perfectly reasonable. Absolutely no point in pitched battles over it - trick is to figure out what will make her want to, could be pre-school peer pressure, or in DS's case thomas the tank engine underpants. She sounds like a young lady who wants to do things on her terms. Wouldn't put too much store by a precocious "I hate myself" - DD has come out with some slightly shocking stuff in her time but not sure that it amounts to much meaningful other than a degree of emotional literacy.

We certainly have our frustrating days, mostly when DS is careering round the house like a deranged out of control cannonball. Vag - I've probably bored on enough here about DS's finger, but for vag's benefit, he managed to cut a chunk off in an accident with DD's bike chain. The story of your friend's DH brought a tear to my eye - lovely thoug. Trudy - am slightly concerned what he will make of it all when the bandages come off and he realises a bit has gone - you see he is taking it all in his stride because he mashed up the finger in his right hand about a month before, but that only ended up with a slightly wonky nail which will grow back. I'm not sure he's twigged this is any different.

Asparagus - lovely to hear you enjoying your girls!

Vag - Sounds like your DS will love the montessori. Change is always tricky though, and I think they are a bit mummy centric at this age. DS is certainly calling on me more than usual and I seem to come home each evening to be literally tugged apart by my two, who are each trying to claim me. I try to take it as a complement.

Hello just quickly as posting on phone .. We are not tt here either - tried a few days ago and he will wee on potty but doesn't take himself or have any awareness really of when about to go - he went through 8 pairs of pants!
So have given up should I have done or would he maybe have got the idea if I'd persevered? I am thinking he is probably toilet trainable at the mo but will be easier in a couple of months. jolly met some woman in the park who was withering on about her 1 yr 9 months daughter who is toilet trained and was telling me all about how she did it and frankly it sounded a pain in the ass - she was even showing the girl YouTube videos of potties and stuff - hopefully unnecessary at this late age - they know exactly what the potty is for!!

To put the whole TT thing in perspective - had an irritatingly smug friend who claimed to have trained her boys by 1 - I think it mostly involved tediously guessing when they were going to go and having them sat on potties for big chunks of the day. Life is too short unless you have a pathalogical horror of nappies.

Lady life sounds a bit hard going atm. The things you're saying remind me of how I felt a few months ago, when I first popped up on here and was stressed to the eyeballs. I'm probably talking rubbish and things are fine, but I would deffo be avoiding unnecessary battled like TT. I'm not sure you can TT a child who's not up for it and as Deids said, it's a completely different experience with a willing child.

Deids I had a whole day like that yesterday, just forgetting all about anything productive and having a duvet day while up and dressed. I didn't feel guilty one bit, I was very tired and it made for a much less grizzly day all round. DD had a friend round, DS napped for two hours having been a bit up and down on naps lately, and I just enjoyed slowing the pace. I couldn't stand that level of idleness every day though, I'd be bored stupid. Today, despite a 6.30 wake up with DS, I'm looking forward to a busy day and not counting the minutes til I can shut my eyes again.

Asp your holiday sounds lovely, and you sound so happy I agree, parenting is a whole other experience when you're through the all-consuming baby days. DS is still full-on, and from seeing friends' little boys I'm sure he will be for some while yet, but he's great company and a real chatterbox, generally sleeps well and I love it. If only I could get past my angst over DD everything would be perfect! DH and I were talking last night and realise we have to adjust our expectations or we'll all be miserable for the next few years. I don't adjust my expectations very well so this should be interesting!

Invis can the hospital give you any advice about helping DS relax with his 'new' hand? Maybe you could make up wild and exciting stories about losing it in a fight with sharks or helping out Spiderman or something? How long before the bandages come off?

My dad has DS today so I can work. SD (nearly 18) is taking DD to the cinema later. This involves a train journey, navigating at the other end, doing it all in reverse afterwards and getting a taxi back home. Her friend who has a little sister the same age is going with them, and I admit I'm nervous. I'm concerned SD will get too carried away with her friend to keep a proper eye on DD, who will in turn get very silly with the other nine year old. Add in the scope to fall under a train/wander off at the station and I'm more than a bit about the whole thing, esp as things went a bit wonky when SD took DD over to these girls' house a few months ago. It doesn't help that we're not keen on the family. DH has impressed on both SD and DD that they have to be sensible blah blah and if there are any problems this won't be permitted again, but IMO not much has any effect when girls start getting carried away. Oh well, will just have to keep myself busy. I know DD will love it, and SD needs her mind taking off getting her half-way-through-A-levels results tomorrow.

One more thing - I've set myself the goal of losing a stone by Christmas, must be doable. My diet isn't bad and I'm not a big snacker, but I over-eat. Portions are too big and I'll cheerfully eat a meal whether I'm hungry or not. Wish me luck!

Best of British, Trudy, that's a good long-term goal.
When is DD dur back from the cinema? Can you get her to text you every couple of hours or something to say she's ok (if she has a phone, of course)?

Not TT here, not even going there for a while. Peer pressure seems to have no effect (his bestie mate is TT) so I'm just waiting in a lazy, passive manner.

Asp that's really lovely about the camping, and to hear how well things are going. It does indeed give me hope as I am in sleep hell with no obvious prospect of change for a while. Added to that T is getting his back molars so waking at 5.30 when B does and being tired and cranky all day. I can get another 45 mins in the morning while DP has them, but he's off abroad for 10 days soon, and the prospect of getting up 3+ times per night, then up for the day at 5.30 does not fill me with joy.

Lady your DD1 sounds like T at the moment (though a lot more articulate). Must be horrible to hear her say that about herself, though as others have said it's probably not meant in the way we think it. She has only known love in her life so far, so she is probably just trying out the words (and seeing the effect they have on you). How is her eating nowadays, btw?

Thanks for asking about me. I veer between fine and happy as larry, to despairing, and a lot of it is sleep related. Am still on the lowest dose of ADs, and not keen to increase it unless I have to, but at least I have the option. I have started a blog, but am also thinking of doing an anonymous one about PND. I suspect mine is tapped into a more existential angst as well, about the loss of identity that comes with motherhood. I am reading A Life's Work by Rachel Cusk at the moment, which is quite interesting on all of that, and vey well written, but doesn't resonate as much with my experience as I'd hoped.

How is France, JJ? Hope you're getting some singing time if you're lurking.

Vag that's great about nursery for DS2, I bet he'll love it and he can talk about school like his brother can. And you can have some guilt-free time to yourself.

ZJ, I'm sure that baby would like a glass of fine wine. I always found what when I couldn't drink as much as I wanted it helped if it was very nice!
And great news about your friend's DS, and a great weight!

Spot Good to hear from you but am sorry to hear that your sleep is still crap. When does DP go away? Maybe T's molars will be through by then? [hopeful emotion!] Failing that is there anyone that will be able to help out when DP is away to give you a little bit of respite?

Trudy I like your Christmas weight goal. I could do to lose a stone, in fact I have been saying it for weeks and have lost about 3lb . I haven't been for a run for almost 2 weeks either as I strained my calf muscle and its been to pigging painful tbh. But now I feel I have got out of the routine. So yesterday instead of having a run I watched TV!!

Re: DD & SD cinema jaunt, agree with Spot get her to txt every now and again.

Tonight DH and I have to put an 8ft trampoline together for DD's birthday tomorrow. I can see us sat in the garden at 2am, in the dark with the security light and camping lanterns on rowing in hushed tones. Has anyone put one together please tell me they are easy? DD won't go to bed before 8 so goodness knows how its going to go up!

Oh summer the woman with the TT 1 yr old is either a nutter or a liar! Although someone I knew TT'd both her children at 18 mths without fail. Her daughter was okay but her son was a nightmare and took forever to 'get it'. I remember her once saying that he had been put on the naughty step as "he knows better by now". I remember feeling so for the poor boy. She remained housebound for weeks!

Summer your choices are persist and may take months (DS2 took 3 months) or wait a few months and will probably take a week. In the end he will probably be dry around the same age whatever time you start. With DS1 I started when he was 2 and he was definitely completely sorted (as in I could stray more than a km from a toilet and break out in a cold sweat) by 2.5. DS2 I started at 2.5 and he was sorted a couple of weeks later. Chances are by the time they are in their 20's I won't remember what age they were.

Lady, I don't believe you will actually be toilet training DD1. I imagine her announcing one day that she no longer requires her disposable urinary absorbancy system, and will required several suitably fabulous pairs of nickers.

People whose children TT under 18months are just strange. I was still so busy with everything else at that age, how on earth could I have been faffed TTing.

It's DS1's birthday today too Asp, I think we've been here before haven't we. He is having a great day, its a half day at school so he has a friend over and I was going to cook hid favourite meal tonight but instead I might suggest tea on the beach, maybe fish & chips for the boys. I have baked a simple cake as he will have two cakes this weekend.

DS2 was supposed to be started in a little gymnastics class that starts today literally in the next block from our house but he skipped his nap and has now completely crashed so not sure if I should bother waking him for it or just take him next week. Argh DS1's friends mum arrived to pick him up and all the ruckus woke DS2 who was on the couch. Trying to resettle him in the hope that we can still do the beach without him losing it from tiredness.

db the TT woman's girl was 19 months. And she was there and in knickers and I didn't see her peeing everywhere. However, this woman was Romanian, and I get the impression that they TT earlier in some bits of europe. (My polish friend has been under pressure from family since her DS was about 1, also my friend married to a Serbian says in Serbia nappies are twice the price, and salaries are about 300 euros a month average so no shit (pun not intended) they want to get them out of nappies asap). however said Romanian woman clearly thought i was a lazy arse when i told her "oh DS does know what a potty is for and he will do a wee on it"! So I decided she was a bit annoying which is unfair of me, the conversation just came at a bad time.

vag I want the easy option thanks. He is moving up room at nursery in Sept so hoping as more of his little friends are TTed he will want to more. Also main problem seems to be he does so many little wees, will they stop doing that of their own accord or will I have to "train" that part out of him?

lady I am with vag on this, can imagine DD1 regally announcing no more requirements for nappies one day, just like she suddenly decided to walk.

Oh whoever was asking, DD's party went really well actually, it was chaos but good chaos and I think everyone had a good time, kids were exhausted which was excellent. Cake looked good too, shall put pics on facebook when I get chance, they are not on here. Oh and DD started walking
properly at her party, lovely and she is now proudly tottering everywhere.

I need to lose weight too. Oh nolda i have the 30 day shred, it is really good, though I think the commentary will start to get annoying in a while so may turn the voices off and put my own music on. It is very good for exercise if you can't get out of the house, am now trying to do lots more exercise so it is handy for those days DH isn't around so I can go for a run or bike ride. Also it really makes me ache, and exercise stuff that I wouldn't through just running or biking. Hoping to look like the woman who does it very soon . I am also thinking of joining swanky local gym with childcare as my work apparently offers discount.

Hello spot argh, sleep situation sounds crappy. Hope it gets better soon, how old is B now? Is he hungry 3 times a night or unsettled? Or both? And dare I ask how is house situation?

vag I loved the scary dutch lady story! Haha can just picture you hiding in the freezer aisle.

I had loads to say a few days ago and now I have forgotten it all. Oh apart from zj you totally crack me up with your lists and organisational skills. And i love "the organ" from vag, that made me giggle . Shall make notes on phone when i read in future so I know what I meant to say. (or is that too organised!)

SL I can't remember with DS1 ( have blocked that whole period of my life from memory so can only be accessed through hypnotherapy) but DS2 was a bit frequent at first, not sure if it was the novelty or just getting used to not peeing as soon as the urge takes him. Now he has a bladder of steel and can go hours between wees.

Seriously with the competitive TT, they are just weeing and pooing, its not like they are quoting Shakespeare or accepted into Mensa.

I think I need to do the shred, with DS2 going to nursery I will be able to get to the gym more but still DH is needing to be away a bit more so it might be helpful for the evenings. Is it a DVD? I've gotten back into the cabbage soup which I love and am slowly dropping the grams, just grams for now but the scales are going in the right direction.

I took DS2 to gymnastics in the end and he loved it. I think after one more session I don't go in with him which will give DS1 & I 45mins to chill out together which will be nice. As its literally 100meters from our house I can pop back home between sessions I think. I was quite proud of myself. It seems silly to confess but I get very nervous of having to do stuff like this for things that are in Dutch as I get very self conscious if my lack of the language. I as much as possible get DH to take the kids to any stuff they have I'm Dutch but I have sorted this out now, and in Monday DS2 & I are starting in a little music & movement group. I met a French mum today, who speaks English but not much dutch and she lives close by so that is nice. I am very embarrassed by my current shyness, I used to be really outgoing with this sort of thing, but I've found the locals attitudes here a little disheartening. It's made me really self conscious. Anyway I have finally signed up for dutch lessons and I start in October. Which reminds me I'd better pay for them.