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.

ZJ that is hilarious about the massage, cheeky.

Lady I get that, 'I think I want a 3rd' still but I think actually I just want bits of a third. I'd like to give birth again, but without the pregnancy. I want to BF a newborn but I don't want to change nappies with weird orange poos. I want to have snuggles & cosleep but I couldn't be faffed weaning again. And I definitely have had enough of being screeched at and never ever want to have to start sending another child to nursery.

Beans what's going on with the house? & Trace have you made a decision between those two houses?

Trace, I never thought of that with the insurance, but I think the code & nmc covers us if we are out of our workplace. I used to be a special school nurse so I think it was ok for me to respond to seizures etc but I wasnt in a clinical setting. I'm looking at getting into occupational health nursing over here if we stay much longer. all the international organisations employ English speaking nurses for there employees. Its is just like school nursing but with bigger people, less nits & no child protection issues!

Rubes I have to say I find australian footpaths a nightmare, they are either non existent or the cars on the road next to them fly past at such a great speed and so dangerously that I fear they are going to mount the curb. I feel much safer on or next to the roads here than in Australia. Aussie road death & injury statistics are terrible. No wander your mum worries she's applying English footpaths to Aussie drivers.

Hi Vag, I agree sort of - I think that it's more about where Mum lives back in Aust. (V V quiet) as she's not used to even Bris or Syd traffic. Thing is though, it's me that worries as well after even living in San Francisco, and London, and still find my current address a bit nerve wracking to walk along the footpath. For eg, I lived in Wimbledon before here, and although very busy even compared to here, it was congested, so the traffic was slow or practically standing still most of the time! I think on my road now, they fly past, and because the footpath is quite close to the edge of the road, you can almost touch the cars / trucks. I hate it and am now going to double check with mil to make sure she holds ds's hand if he's not in the buggy (I'm sure she does but I'm just feeling paranoid)
I sometimes like the idea of another baby - good example Vag, I would only want bits of one too!) Not the preg AT ALL, could do without the birth, would like the little teeny baby cuddles, but not the BF, not the weaning either, and the first days at nursery not fun either. DS was talking about nursery all afternoon then todays hour visit he melted down when I turned the car into the Nursery carpark. "Don't drop me off Don't drop me off" then threw himself on the floor face down again but this time before I even got him to the toddler room! Anyway, he was apparently fine 3 mins after I left. They think he is fine now unless I want to take him for one more settling session, but I think I'm just going to throw him into his 5 hour session on Tues as not sure another settling hour would make much difference.
Lady, so funny - I can just hear dd1 saying that! So observant!

Rubes at DH earning new scalectrix!

I think we have the potential to job share on babies - I'll happily do pregnancy over and over, but will leave birth (and post birth recovery) to someone else, BF again fine, as long as it is free from cracked nipples, thrush, mastitis and growth spurts. I'll even take an extra get up at night in exchange for at least 1 good daytime nap. I'll take weaning and leave potty training, and I'll deal with abandoning taking to nursery if you guys will take baby (and me) on some long haul hols. Actually I shouldn't play this game, it's messing with my expectations right now!

Hi all. Have been lurking and am crap as can't remember who said what, but do love reading all your chat.

Just recovering from the most boring day ever for my poor DD2. DD1 was at nursery while she stayed here and I just couldn't be bothered to do anythign this afternoon. Mean me. Went for a short walk - literally to the end of the road and back, but it took 20 mins as DD2 walked it herself.

Think we're going to offer on that house tomorrow. Very exciting! Have informed our solicitor and everything. Haven't heard back from the builder on how much it's likely to cost, but suspect rather a lot from look on builder's face. Hmmm. So low offer here we come... Also, have sold the blinds from my old house for £100, which is great. Although have kept 2 as they fit the windows in the new gaffe. Trying not to get excited, but DH and I have been looking on the internet at kitchens and things. Ooops!

I agree with the idea of a new baby. I'd Love to be pregnant again. Not so mad on the birth bit as hate the piles (one of which still lingers irritatingly) afterwards and I don't like the newborn bit, but I can handle from 6 months onwards. Problem is the money thing, it's just not going to happen until we're minted, which means it's not going to happen full stop. Sob. But actually, two is a lovely number and these two are good little birds. DD2 is getting more and more words, it's smashing. We now have "cat, more, gone, no, hello, byebye, nighnigh, mom and dada" And she's trying for doggy and Izzy, which is sweet too.

Rubes - sounds like DS doesn't need his next settling session, you're right. DD1 still often cries when I leave her, but she's fine within moments of me leaving - out of sight out of mind. I remember into primary school thinking that when Mum wasn't with me, she just sort of stopped being, somehow. And that revelation that when you weren't at school, teachers had a life and did something else, was extraordinary! I thought they existed purely to teach my friends and me. Self-centred or what!!??

Anyway, off to a dinner party tonight. Within walking distance, so must plan my footwear carefully. It's with two friends from school and their husbands. They're very nice, but very very thin and rich and glam. I am a bit podgy, poor and wearing make up is something I do rarely. I mustn't feel inferior!!!! But I know I will. Oh and they are also supermums. Ho hum. I wonder if they actually do poos. Although I bet they lack my alfresco skills! Hee hee. They're also incredibly nice and sweet and quite funny. BUT, if I'm really honest and let my arrogance take over, I think I'm more intelligent than them both. But somehow, less successful. Bummer.

Wow Beans, clearly DD2 is very advanced. Success depends on how ti

Oops sorry accidental post...I was saying, success depends on how you measure it.

Rubes I think you have to be comfortable where you live, otherwise it causes way too much stress.

beans excitement on the house.

Am shattered so just a quickie for now, but lots of interesting things I want to reply to tomorrow.

DD1's first day at pre-school went well - too well. She was a little wan when I handed her over and a bit sulky saying bye but when I collected her she erupted into operatic sobs and cries of "No! I'm not coming with you! I don't want to come home! Let me come baaaaaaaaaack" as if I was taking her back to the workhouse, and I had to virtually drag her out of the place whilst the other five little girls watched in shock with their mouths in perfect 'o' shapes. The preschool asked me if I wanted to increase her booked sessions

That is super about the house, Beans, woo. Hanging with people richer and thinner is always a downer, I hear you there. Even if you love them

Rubes, I do get what you mean about general road worry. I can't really remember what the road's like outside your house, I don't remember it being busy but you know what the one outside my house is like and when we walk to the bus stop, my heart is in my mouth. In fact, my heart is in my mouth when DD1 is walking on the pavement anywhere, even if she is gripping my hand.

More tomorrow, my loves.

Oh Lady, that's priceless, and I can just see it! Little independant one that she is! We went for a walk again today around the village? Anyway, as I loaded them into the buggy, DS shouted "we are NOT going to nursery school, no no no" But thanks Beans, glad to hear he sounds quite normal. I'm not going to sweat it. He's in for a half day on Tues no matter how much he tantrums, as he's been fine at max 3 mins after I leave him there.... and then he doesn't want to leave.
Vag, yes I agree, and infact, I think as long as I keep him in the buggy when we cross roads etc I feel fine about it here for now - besides, it's not our forever house, and we'd never buy to live long term on such a busy road. To be honest it's not really that bad - just happens to have a footpath rather close to the road. right around our house, plus it's less built up so the cars tend to hammer it after they get off the roundabout. Mum - as only she can since she's a chatterbox (hence Rambling Rubes) has already met a nice woman a few houses down who does (mobile) nails, and so I met her on our walk today, and secured "mates rates" for being a local crikey how sad.
Lady, your village is quiet, but still they tend to fly along that road to the pub. Good of dp to watch my ds and make him hold the buggy the whole way back. Fortunately, recently, ds has wanted to be in the buggy a bit more, which makes me relax about it!
Beans, hope the dinner party was nice, and waiting for the latest alfresco poo update
Struth, Mumsnet-tastic or what

Guess who I am. Too close to Vegola's name? Just call me AAA. I am obsessed with name changing to reduce traceability.

HUGE congrats to Pingu. Your girls look gorgeous on FB.

Soooo 3rd babies. My feelings are hard to explain. On the one hand I do not feel we are finished. It's not that I long for a baby, it's just I feel unfinished. I am not at all clear why I feel this so strongly. Maybe it's because I always imagined having a big family. Maybe it's because so many of my relatives are dead and I feel the need to create a larger, less destroyable family. I also find it weird to think I might be done with babies already. Did I really do it all in my 20s and that was that?

However, the idea of actually having a baby fills me with fear. I fear another nausea filled and uncomfy pregnancy; I fear further damage to be body and pelvic floor; I fear the terribly reduced immune system I had after DD2; I fear a hard to settle baby; I fear sleep deprivation; I fear DD2's screechy reaction to having to share attention; I fear spending even less time with DD1; I fear not being able to join in with all my friends with two who will remain baby free; I fear losing my temper more; I fear not having enough money ESP if we decide to privately educate for secondary. I fear something being wrong with the baby.

So basically my rational mind has many good reasons to stop at two but the unfinished feeling haunts me. Then about once a month, usually after a fun wine-filled night out, or a hard day at work when maternity leave would be a blessed relief, I take a stupid chance. And that is MADNESS as I would be so scared if it resulted in anything. I am not sure why DH agrees to these chances as he says he has the same fears as me and normally I can 100% rely on him to behave sanely.

And having dumped all that out there I must get off this Tube and elbow my way to the front of the coffee queue.

Have been buried in new school prep here - DS1's first day was today . He's really excited and completely ignored me when I left him in the classroom! He's on half days at first so we pick him up at lunchtime, then off to Pizza Hut for lunch. Feeling a bit sad so DS2 and I are cuddling in front of CBeebies.

Congrats to Pingu on new baby and Beans on new house!

Third babies - funnily enough was thinking about this the other day. Prob cos DS1 is starting school and DS2 gradually getting potty trained. But we don't have room in house or car for three. Still, I miss the tiny baby stage.

Last night was fun, but it was clear that the two of them see a lot of eachother, so know eachother really well. One of their husbands is a bit of a twonk, but the other is just lovely. A fun night, but because I felt a bit awkward, clearly I drank too much and am very tired this morning. A bit emotional. Just read "Minty & Tink" to DD1 and cried at the end. Has anyone read that one? It's really good!

I have also just had a bit of a touching moment with DD1, while I picked a huge hard bogie out of her nose. It was most satisfying and afterwards, she took it to the bin then came over and hugged me and said Fank You. So gorgeous. Then stroked my hair for me. What a brilliant little bird. Sometimes I just want to eat her.

Offer on house going in at 09hundred hours tomorrow. EEEEK!

Right ladies, I think I need to bang some of your heads together. Too many of you have said this week that you feel too fat/frumpy/dull to go out with friends . What tosh. I'd love to have a night out with all of you and would be proud to have you in my group of friends. I know it would be lots of fun with you around, and (unless your fb photos are not really you) you are blooming gorgeous creatures and your glow would reflect nicely onto me. Ok? I hope you're all sorry for what you've said

AAA which feeling would be worse to live with in the long run? I'm wondering if you (and DH) are subconsciously trying to let mother nature make the decision for you, meaning no 3 wouldn't be the worst thing that could happen?

Has Ds1 had a good day Effie? And good to hear that pre school is a hit with O LadyT

Ooh, good luck with the house Beans!

Oh ZJ - you are very very kind and I'd love to meet you. But you're miles away, aren't you??! Sob. What a kind person you are. Weirdly, the outfit I feel most attractive in is my running kit, which is skinners tight. I feel like a tub of lard most of the time, but for some reason wearing that makes me feel attractive. Maybe it's because it holds me in a bit, but is loose enough to stop me from getting muffin top! Unlike jeans! How odd.

I'm trying to find a surveyor to do a report on the house for us. It's really hard work trying to find one. Might post on FB.

Wow, you have all been busy while I've been otherwise engaged.

Congrats Pingu, all lovely.

spot we have a similarish dilemma in that we need a bit of extra childcare as I just can't keep on top of work on 1 and 2/3 days a week, esp now M has dropped his nap and I don't get catch-up time each day. M's current nursery can't offer anything now, but in a month's time might be able to offer us the one day of the week I don't want The alternative is to wait til he turns three then put him in P's school's nursery/pre-school, which takes them from three. I don't mind that, in many ways it's the ideal, but it means struggling on as now until Jan, which isn't appealing. Oh well. In your sitch I'd go with the nursery that was nicest. We've always had long drives to nursery as we will insist on living in the arse-end of nowhere. If you were further away could you do a run with anyone? When P was little I shared a run with a friend and it worked like a dream. lol at pants outside trousers!!! I've gone out in my slippers a couple of times by accident, does that make me a superhero?!

Vag without being naughty and advertising, we do open source consulting and hosting, so security is intrinsic rather than a separate issue being as open source is so secure'n'all. We're always open to ideas and getting involved inb new areas, so let us know if there's anything we can do The whole fine thing sounds a real pain in the pinny, gits.

ZJ I love chopping too! I also like ironing, so am obviously a card-carrying weirdo. I have a love of preserving autumn fruits to enjoy through the year, it taps into something very deep within me, which sounds like pseud bollocks but it actually true! Love the wallpaper, but won't advise on colours as am totally crap with interior design. Comes from never having owned a house!

Rubes we live by a busy road, a complete contrast to the last place which was on an incredibly steep single track lane. We get big traffic like juggernauts and combine harvesters going along it (though not fast and not constantly), which is brilliant distraction potential for M. We're on a corner with a big 5-bar gate to the road as well as a small one by the front door (we never use the front door) and a little gate to the lane and M has never really shown much interest though I know he can open the small gates. When I'm in the kitchen and he wants to be outside he has to stay in the part of the garden I can see, that's been the biggest bugbear, but so far >touches wood< it hasn't been a problem. No-one walks along this road, we drive everywhere, it's the curse of the countryside.

Definitely no 3rd for us - or 5th for DH as it would be. Apart from the fact that I'm 71 (well 40, but it feels like it some days), I really don't like the newborn stage. I got all weird and had anxiety attacks when M was tiny, it was horrible. I coped better with P (but then I didn't have two skids living with us too then) but it really puts me off having any more. I really hate the broken sleep, and I want to put my energy into growing the company with DH. On top of all that I have no desire for a 3rd, though my desire for a 2nd was huge. No, very happy to be all done with all that. I do like being pregnant though.

Lady Effie and others with new school starters, glad to hear Day 1 went well.

Beans good luck on the house!

Right, having ignored my poor daughter for the hour since DS went down, I'm now going to send her to bed - evil mummy :(

We've offered. £70k below asking, but it's done. EEK! The quote was £40k higher than DH expected. It was about £10k higher than I expected. But then I've done this before and he hasn't. Anyway, will wait to hear. We're willing to go up another £20k, but that's it.

I'm with you, Trudy on not enjoying the newborn stage. They're just so useless somehow - you get nothing back for the first couple of months. In fact, 6 months is when I start to really enjoy it! Broken sleep is still going on here, so I guess I could cope with that.

DD1 has squits today, which is nice. DH is off to Cumbria on a cycling weekend this weekend, so I'm heading down to Mum and Dad's, which I'm really looking forward to. My friend from the village (yes, I only had one!) is also going to be there this weekend, so we've arranged to go out for a curry tomorrow night and are getting a cab back, so we're off the leash while our parents babysit. Marvellous. Suspect I'll be hungover on Saturday. Yeeehah!

Am also in process of organising a weekend away with some friends in November. No husbands or children allowed. And DH not allowed to go to his parents' for the weekend, as keen for him to do it all on his own for a couple of days. If I could, it would be for a week or 2! HAHAHAH!

Anyway, off to bed shortly. Hangover hasn't really lifted today.

Night all.

xx

Just marking my place from our hols! Will lurk and catch up properly on my return.

Aaaaargh, I am pretending it's still Thursday but really it's Friday now, and I didn't get the chance to come back on and respond to various things. We are off to Cornwall tomorrow and I have a stack to do before we go, so I fear I may not be back on hear for a few days as going straight off to London.

Arti, I know what you mean about not feeling 'finished', though it's quite a vague feeling with me - obviously much stronger with you. Big put offs for me are - money (we too hope to educate privately for secondary), feeling too 'thinly spread', both from mine and my current DDs points-of-view (and DP would say from his pov too) - that actually worries me far more than the money aspect, and the recovery from my last cs was a bit of a downer. Plus - I'm 39. Chance of things going wrong more likely. Also, let's face it, the broken nights at the beginning are hell-on-wheels, just monstrous. And I say that as someone who was fortunate to have two really good sleepers. However...I love newborns, I love babies and indeed, kids of all ages, really; I am beyond dotty about my DDs and the thought of having another like them (though who is to say I would??) does tempt me. And I do tend to think one regrets the things one doesn't do, rather that the things one does.....However, I would say it's more UNlikely than not that we we will for a DC3. 80-20? Maybe more like 90-10.

Good luck with the house, Beans. Being clear about what you will and won't spend is deffo the key to happiness with these things. Bet the hangover is a distant memory tomorrow.

Welcome back JB!

And you are lovely, ZJ. My head is well and truly banged

How are you entertaining your Mum, Rubes? Is she enjoying herself?

Right, must get up to bed. I have so many things to do, my head feels like it's going to explode every day. It is not a good feeling. Yet another reason why 3 would be madness!

Drunk again Hooray! Hey I.mentioned a few posts back that I will be in London from the 13th - 16th October but got no responses, does no one want a night out with the Vag!!. If I get no further responses I'll take that as a nay.

Right must go fall over, night night.

Hello.

Sorry I've been AWOL! I've been having awful migraines and struggled to look the computer. The dr thinks it's stress. But he always seems to say it's stress when I go about my headaches. Even though I don't feel stressed

I'll try to catch up soon

Wayhey for drunkness Vag.

First wk of school here, lordy this getting up and out the house by 8.40 is a struggle. How do those of you that work manage it, hats off to you all.

Am in the car for hours tonight on the way to yet another wedding so will catch up properly then.

mwah mwah

Seedy, very seedy, poor DS2 at nursery, very much against his will, and I should be at the gym but I'm really not feeling it this morning. AF just arrived so I blame her.

Right more coffee then, anyone else having one.

I'm here Veg. Big coffee in hand. Watching Balamory. V grouchy this morning. Trying to make it up to DD2 as I shouted at her twice before 9am.

Sorry DS2 is still resisting nursery. Is he like little Rubes who settles as soon as you have gone?

How do people without clothes driers cope? This house doesn't have one which was fine all summer but now my entire indoors is strewn with damp clothes and it does not look good.

Coffee here. It's the only thing stopping me from hurling my boring cottage cheese breakfast at the wall. Also, staying up until 1 cos there aren't enough hours in the day is taking its toll, and I have to pack for Cornwall/London now.

Vag, I will see you in London! Even if I have to leave at 9 to get the train home. I mised when you said you were coming over before. Am hoping for a holiday the first week of Oct but will be back by the time you're here.

Have you got a clothes horse, AAA? You can get ones which fit loads of clothes on but takes up a small amount of space. Or wooden ones which look a bit better.

Right.must.shift.arse

Good Morning all,

ZJ Thanks for the head bang. I am still not going on my night out but, that is mainly because DH is now working late and I've got no-one to have the DC's, I could catch up with them when he is home but it will be a very late one and DH is working the next day. Me + hangover + DC + tired does not a happy Sunday make. But on the diet front I have lost 3lb - Woo-hoo, only about another 21 to go

vag I live nowhere near London but if I did I'd love to catch up with you! Sorry DS2 is still not into nursery.

AAA I second clothes horse, oh and on no. 3, its a no-no for me but if you keep taking a chance maybe deep down its something you both want more than you think? Having said that I know nothing!

Jam Is DS1 enjoying his new school?

lady Hope Cornwall goes okay.

JB Welcome home, did you have a good time/

I went to the library this morning for the first time in about 10 years! DS was a star, picked himself some books and then helped me pick some out. An old dear commented on how gorgeous he was and on his impeccable behavior! She said it must be me being a good mum. Aww bless her, if only she saw him the other 95% of the time...still defo feel good factor for me.

Which leads me to me asking for some good recommendations? I like pretty much anything but have a tendency to fall back to the easy crime/thriller genre.

Oh and I have a very dull important question re: packed lunches for school? What do you put in them, if anything,to make them a bit more exciting?

DD has only been back 4 days and even I'm getting bored of Cheese sandwich, carton of juice, fruit, crisps or yogurt! The exiting part is whether or not it will be apple/pear or banana