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.

Lady Are you using the master phone socket? When I first connected ours in the new house I used the extension and it didn't work. My in laws are coming today too so just having a cleaning frenzy!

PD so sorry to hear about your dad. Am thinking of you and your family. Big hugs and a large glass of cheerfulness raised in a toast to him.

Lady am glad you had a nice time at your mum's, it's so nice to hear you get on so well. Hope MIL visit goes well and you get reconnected soon.

Trace that sounds vv hard re-bedtimes. I hope it's just a phase, but still, really tough.

T has become a proper telly addict - the first thing he said when he woke this morning at 6 was "I wonder what's on telly" . I realise we have to massively cut down and he only gets to watch a few bits a day (current favourites are Grandpa in my Pocket and Gigglebiz on iplayer) but he seems to view playing as just filling time in between the really interesting stuff - i.e what's on the screen. Feel v guilty and his time's already hugely cut down from what it was, but I hadn't realised how addicted he is.

Oh, and I realised that before, when I mentioned how he said his bottom hurt when he woke up and I assumed it was because of his morning glory. Well it was actually threadworms . Oops.

I feel moved to start writing a blog but maybe I'm just missing work. The nearest nursery in the village we're moving to is mornings and term-time only and only takes kids from 2.5 years old so will need to get a childminder to have Billy (once T is 3 and gets sessions free) mornings only too. Will mean I can only work half days but better than nowt. Feel guilty for wanting to work, like I'm resenting these 'golden years', but I can't help feeling this way.

Fuck, looks like sellers of house pulling out

Oh Spot, bad luck, what a bummer. When will you know for definite? Is there anywhere else which is a possibility? So sorry.

Fuckers spot.

Thanks for all the kind words. JB I know what you mean but there wasn't even time to wonder if he'd pull through again this time, so I was spared that agony at least. ZJ yes I did make it up to see him last weekend (impressive memory!) thanks for asking. So I was pleased about that, even though I left abruptly and could tell he wanted me to stay longer. I know it's pointless dwelling on these things but normally when I see him I focus on saying goodbye as I've been conscious for a while that every time could be the last. But this time I didn't - just a quick peck and out the door. He seemed quite well actually. Then he phoned me up an hour or 2 later to tell me he wanted a mobile phone battery for his birthday (he would have been 70 in September) but I was in the park, his phone was playing up, he wasn't speaking clearly, I didn't have a pen etc etc and I just fobbed him off and said look just tell my sis when you see her. And that was the last time I spoke to him. Which is fine but it turns out he made lots of similar phone calls to other family members in the last week or 2, which was very out of character. It just makes me so sad to think he knew it was coming and wanted to speak to everyone for the last time and nobody was listening.

Oh spot that's shite. Is it definitely off?

PD, are you sure your ok? You weren't to know that would be the last time you would speak to him. I know DH always expected his last words to his mum to be something memorable. As it was it was something totally ordinary and unimportant. How are the DC's about it all? Thinking of you all xx

Oh PD. I'm so so sorry to hear your news. Don't dwell on last conversation. He knew you loved him and he obviously loved you too. Better to have a normal chat than to make every cobversation a possible last one. Not normal, which I'm sure he wouldn't appreciate. Do you mind if I ask what was wrong?

All well here. Zero chance of catching up tonight. Just back from wonderful long weekend in Cumbria just us 4. I loved it and DDs had so much fresh air. They slept through every night without waking and didn't once wake before 8am, which is a miracle!! I slept amazingly. Although v long drive late last night.

Slightly worryingly, DD2 wouldn't settle tonight, so gave her a final cuddle about half an hour ago and was stroking the back of her head with my finger and found a little nodule that was loose under the skin. I'm sure its nothing, but am wondering if I should take her to doctor?? Sorry to be wet willy.

Must go, DH finishing phone call and will want to "talk". Spare me. Am too tired, just want to goggle!!!

PD - so sorry to hear about your dad. Thinking of you and your family.

Have been a-lurking on the phone. Saw turnip last week looking fab with L. They are v well. Will get to a laptop soon. Hate thisphone thing. Wanted to say sorry to PD.

PD am really sorry to hear about your Dad. And that you feel bad about not getting there to see him. Do take care. Am sorry had loads more to say but on stupid phone and just saw this and wanted to say that I was sorry, and thinking of you.

Morning all

PD - I am also very sorry to hear about your Dad. Try not to dwell on "what ifs" regarding your last conversation. I think it is very natural to do that after a death, there is always something better, more caring, more engaged, kinder that we could have done. Look at your relationship in its entirity - that is what counts and I bet that will show a long history of love and support.

WG - Nice to hear news of Turnip. Could you persaude her to drop by here one day? I follow her on Twitter and she is uber active there but we miss her here! How is the sleeping going?

Spot - So sorry to hear that the house purchase is looking dodgy. I ssee from FB that JJ is also having difficulties with her purchase. I wish you both all the luck in the world. I refuse to beleive that the house buying process could not be reformed in some way that makes it slightly less ghastly and full of nugatory expenditure. I am sure the Strasbourg courts could be persuaded to hold that the current process contravenes are human rights.

Beans - I am sure that the nodule on DD2's head is nothing but do get it checked out to set your mind at rest. Your weekend away sounded fab.

Trace - P's bedtime antics sound really challenging. What happens if you leave her to cry? Could you consider sending your DH out at bedtime every night for a week? It would be a hard week but eventually she would have to crack and hopefully that would be the start of a new era.

LadyT - I am glad you are feeling more positive about your new home. Who is your broadband with? Sky messed up on our set-up date too.

Right better go as at work. Quick news from here is that DD2 is on the mend from the terrible chicken pox. She had 70 spots on her face and neck alone so I fear scarring is inevitable. I am rubbing bio-oil on her. Any other tips? Other than that life is good but dull except that I have put 7lbs on in one month... I am the heaviest I have been in a year and therefore really rather depressed. I blame it on my current work project which is overwhelming and requires a mid-afternoon snack almost every day. That snack is often a cookie. Idiot me.

very quickly as I am supposed to be mummying - Arti, don't worry about the spots. Poor DD2 had lots on her face (over 200) and now has only a couple of marks in her hairline. She has a few on her body but they are just pale and don'[t look unsightly.

Sympathies on the weight. I am over at the moment as well. Could you try a bit of low carbing as that's quite easy and very result tastic.

Sorry to hear about the house purchases too. The English system is a bugger.

Back later XX

Beans am sure nodule is just fatty tissue if it moves rather than is part of her skull. I'd advise the GP (or Dr Vag) if poss though. Will text you darling DXX

Yah, have appointment this arvo to get it checked out. Sure it's nothing. Just a fat-headed baby, comme moi! Hee hee.

My sister was also covered in spots at the age of 11 and she is virtually scar-free. I had a few little poxes when I was 6 and have more scars than her, because I was/am a picker! And my friend from NCT's little girl had the worst case her doctor had ever seen when she was 10 months old, and now has no scars at all. It's amazing! But DD1, who scratched her own face when she was a baby, has a little scar there - and it was the smallest scratch ever. How odd.

xx

Beans how did you get on with DD2 this aft?

I'm feeling dreadful. Absolutely exhausted even though I've not done much. I slept 12 hours last night and DH had to wake me when he left for work! Hope I'm not coming down with something.

Hello everyone, this maybe a quickie, as DH has bagsied the computer once he?s put DD to bed. Although that rarely takes him less than an hour (seriously, I don?t know what he does, or doesn?t do, to make it drag out for so long), so I should have plenty of time

Absolute pants about your house Spot, is it definite? Have you given notice on your flat yet? DD was heading towards telly addiction (closely followed by DH), but that seems to have sorted itself out with the nicer weather and she just wants to be outside now. I?ll have to think of more fun stuff to do this winter to stop us going down that route again

How are you doing PD? FWIW I agree with Beans that normal is the best way for it to end, although of course we are all different. This might sound crackers, but I visited my Grandad in hospital just before he died and he was on wretched form and it was upsetting for him to be seen like that, and for me to see him too (I was only just 20). A month before, my sister and I went for tea to my grandparents and although physically he was frail, his mind was razor sharp and he had the most wicked sense of humour and we had so much fun that night. In some ways I regret seeing him in hospital, as I wish my last memory was of the normal and fun Grandad that he was all of his life

Your holiday sounds fab Beans, especially all the zzzz?s

Hope you?re not coming down with something Deids, keep on sleeping to fight it off

We are having to some good toilet successes at the moment, wees on there every morning when I sit her on it, and last night while I was getting her ready for bed I took the opportunity for a quick wee myself and DD asked to sit on the loo. As I was mid flow and thought she just wanted to copy me, I dismissed her, and she promptly weed on the floor, so maybe she does know best. I?m reluctant to go for pants just yet, as we?re going away in 10 days and there?s no way she?ll last an 8 hour car journey, so until then I?m just going to plonk her on the loo when she asks and I have a huge bag of sweets in the cupboard for bribery rewards. Now she?s looking compliant I?m looking forward to the end of nappies a little bit, rather than dreading it

DD made a cracking comment this morning and really made me laugh. DD was scribbling a picture and showed me it and told me it was ?both mines Daddies? . I hope Daddy2 is better at DIY than Daddy1!

I met the MW for the first time this morning, just a quick intro ahead of booking in next week. It was really nice actually, as because of a mix up of where I wanted to give birth last time (I live on the boundary between 2 PCT?s) I didn?t see a MW until a late booking in at 15 weeks as they both thought the other PCT was seeing me. Nice to know this time they?ve got their act together and taking an interest. I still feel completely normal and don?t believe it?s happening though, apart from being knackered and snappy (but that is normal ). I won?t be going onto the AN thread, at least until the 1st trimester is over ? they are so whingy over there about sickness and stuff. I know it?s grim and I know I?m having an easy ride, but I really don?t remember us lot being whingers, and definitely the preggos since weren?t whingers. Thank goodness we?re made of sterner stuff on here!

Hello everyone,

asp I was another one who had LOADS of scabby pox marks but they faded beautifully and now have no scars. I picked the tops of mine too!

spot Awful news about the house. I hope it turns out to be something and nothing and it still goes ahead. Starting a blog sounds like a great idea. It would give a tangible link with the 'old' you. Would you do it on the new MN blogs?

ladyT Any luck with the broadband?

beans Hope you got on OK at the GP. I've a little thing a bit like you descibe on my neck which I've had for Donkey's years. Where abouts were you in Cumbria? We're very close to the Lakes, 'tis a beautiful part of the world.

PD Agree wholeheartedly with what arti said. Please don't dwell on your last conversation.

ZJ at DD's picture! Have you a scan date? I'm sure we never whinged at all . My overwelming memory of our AN thread was the Wheat Crunchie obsession that swept through. Can't bear them myself but I always think of us lot when I see them in the shops. Have you told DD yet? DH told DD as soon as I showed him the test.

trace I've been thinking of your bedtimes problems. I know you said that P's room can't fit a stair gate, was it too narrow or wide? I thought maybe you could ask around, perhaps at church, and borrow a playpen that can be opened out, you could them sub-divide her room. That way you can leave her without her being able to get into mischief and follow.

My in-law visit was OK. My MIL is lovely but does have much higher housekeeping standards and any visit is anticipated by a flurry of mopping and dusting. I even tidied the airing cupboard in case she looked inside!

Had a lovely day with the girls, didn't do anything special. Went to DD's music class this morning and then into town for coffee and a bit of shopping. I bought three items of clothing for ME! I can't remember the last time I bought anything for my own wardrobe. One of my purchases was a new waterproof coat but still! We came home, had a play in the garden, got a Tesco delivery, lunch, nap, dug up potatoes for tea, painted, tea (yummy potatoes!), CBeebies, bed. I think it was just that DD1 was in a cheerful mood and things are much better since we started a sticker chart for good behaviour. E.g. Not waking her sister up. Having a baby that has napped makes life much easier all round. Anyway, I can see that the luxury of the laptop has made me drone on!

JB - we were in Caldbeck. V tiny village between Penrith and Carlisle. Was lovely! DH's parents have a little cottage there, which is sweet, if a little erm, grubby.

DD2's lump on her head is apparently a lymph node. Should all be fine. If it's still there in 2 weeks or gets bigger, then I will have to take her back. Collected DD1 from nursery. Massive meltdown in car, then DD2 slipped in the bath and clonked her chin on the side and her bottom teeth went into the roof of her mouth - cue tears and blood everywhere. Then she fell off the sofa later. More tears. What a treat.

That idea about playpen is a really good idea. Would you consider it, Trace?

ZJ, glad you're not deserting us for AN other thread (see what I've done there??!). I remember wheat crunchie obsession. I'm afraid I think I started that as they had them in our vending machine at work!!

I bought 5 new books today. Am v excited. They are all crime or horror, which is heaven for me. Not everyone's cup of tea, but am v happy with weeks ahead of reading. Yay!

Just cooked Nigella Express poussin and sweet potato recipe. Absolutely delicious!!

Lovely girls, still no broadband. It's those dicks at BT. Thanks for your suggestion, JB, but it's definitely them as they have admitted they've cocked up our order. We have a landline but they are saying we won't have b/b until the 18th. However, DP has been so hysterical with them we may get it sooner (he really needs it for work).

Outlaws still here. It hasn't been a good visit. MIL's first remark on seeing DD2 was "Oooh, she's lost weight, don't you think?" In a pleased way. She has a thing about DD2 being fat and it makes me furious. DD2 is a little pink piglet, it's true. But she is gorgeous. I don't mind a jolly joke about it, we make them all the time. But anyone who feels the need to feel pleased that a 9mth old baby has slightly slimmed is sick in the head.

There's loads more but I'm on my phone and also don't want to wind myself up before sleep.

Are we allowed to be a tiny bit more audibly excited now, ZJ? And I would say DO join an AN thread - because you will soon realise that you are FAR better off here, hanging with us

Sorry for crapola post. Normal service will be resumed when BT pull their fingers out of their wazoo.

Morning girls

Posted too soon.

I must say that I did of course go to a new AN thread, which is how I found you all! I was on a March 2007 but it rather fizzled, plus my head was all over the place in terms of being pregnant so I needed the support from people who were enthusiastic and excited when I was rather, er, ambivalent. I cannot believe I felt like that and still feel guilty sometimes that I didn't have the same pregnancy excitement with M that I did with the others. All fab now of course, but sometimes the love takes a while to develop.

I do of course want you to stay here ZJ though - I love reading about all the stages, plus we get lovely new babies. Where will you be having the baby? Talking of babies, how are our other preggos, Urbs and Kiwi?

Lady, that is just ridiculous about D. Babies are supposed to be warm and cuddly. One of my favourite things about the kids was the huge, pillowy thighs - perfect for squidging! When does MIL go? Are you up for a visitor or 2 over the summer? I'd love to see the new place and spend some time with you all? WIll have to bring the entourage of course but they are generally well behaved.

Beans, big phew about P's head. Great stuff. The Nigella poussin recipe is fab, though I use normal potatoes not sweet. Yummers. I am actually off potatoes altogether though at the moment as I am low carbing in an attempt to shift a bit of weight. I've only got a stone to go, and appreciate that past 40 it's a choice between face and arse, and I don't want a face like a bag of spanners, but couuld do with losing some wobble round my tum.

Off to see Neil Diamond tonight at th O2 - supper first, concert, then thames clipper back to London Bridge. Sounds v romantic except it's with my friend Sarah. I went a few years back and every time he said "here's a song from my new album" the O2 thinned and everyone went to the bar, rushing back for Sweet Caroline, You don't bring me flowers etc. Poor fellow.

Have a great day. It's DD1's school assembly today. She is a deep see diver. Should be interesting.

Hey all. I am having issues with erotic dreams at the moment. They are very nice, but I wake up all confused. ho hum. And always about someone I know, but not DH. Feel quite guilty. Although I am furious with him, for a change. Just about us moving out of town and somehow he's a victim because he's going to have to commute and I don't. V odd, as I am happy to stay in London if he wants to, but he's insistent on moving out of town, yet seems miserable at the prospect of a commute. Not sure how I can change it really. Then last night he was looking at houses to buy online and I suggested perhaps we look at 4 rather than 3 bedroom houses as then we can have people to stay and maybe even another child and he called me a dementor, sucking the life out of him. Nice.

Hey ho. Erotic dream was well timed!!!

Ooh, Sybs - Neil Diamond sounds GREAT! I am envious.

Lady - your MIL is a tit, isn't she? Silly old bat.

PS Good luck to DD1, Sybs! x

PD lovely so sorry about your dad. Don't feel bad about the phone conversation, you can never know what's going to happen. Sending you big hugs.

beans, was going to say E often gets little bobbles on her head when she has a cold, so keep an eye out for temperature just in case. Give your DH a biff from me, dementor

spot gives a good report of our lovely mini-meet, unfortunately because I am a bad mummy S got home with the most horrendously sun burned shoulders :( also sorry for the vile pair of poo-accident knickers we left in your bin . For all his pains, B is the cheeriest little darling and a chubby delight, and T remains a little charmer. And Spot was lovely too hope the rest of the week was ok once you'd got the cot sorted. Boo to house buying.

Well ours is still being a bit of a bugger, 6 weeks after making the offer they still hadn't returned fixtures and fittings forms etc, so we called the agent and gave them a deadline (next week) by which they had to get it all to our solicitor or we'd withdraw offer. Magically they've found at least some of it, but the most important stuff (electrical safety certificate, buildings regs etc) they've not got yet. Given that Mr Vendor did the extension, and the survey points our that lots of it is fairly crappily done and unfinished, we really need to see the evidence that the house won't fall down round our ears... Best of all, given that they only finished the work 2 years ago, they've lost the building regs completion certificate so I'm back on rightmove looking for alternatives in case this one isn't a goer.

Someone asked about the bedtime bribery - hurrah, it have worked. We took the sides off S's cot last night, and she didn't get out of bed :) BUT oh my heart broke for her, DH was reading her Mr Busy the other night ans he said "Do you know what busy means?" and she said "It means that if I call our Mummy cuddle Daddy cuddle nobody will come" :( :( so we've been giving her loads of cuddles to store up for overnight.

E still a sleep doomster, off to bed last night at 7.30 then up at 9, 11, 12.30-2, 4-5, 6.30- and finally got her to have a nap at 9. Have a mattress arriving today for her cot so we're going to move her into it, though still in our room, and hope that having a bit more space means that when she does her flailing around she won't hit the sides and wake herself up. Fingers crossed...

right, am going to try and have a catch up nod on the sofa and hope if the mattress delivery man arrives he knocks loudly!

Thanks for all your thoughts.

Beans my dad was an alcoholic. He'd been killing himself for a long time and has been in and out of hospital loads of times in the last couple of years - it was only a matter of time before they wouldn't be able to patch him up any more. Incredible he lasted as long as he did really.

The reason I'm sad about the last conversation and visit is not because I was hoping for something profound or a proper goodbye or anything. It was because they typified how much our relationship had deteriorated over the last couple of years, with it being virtually impossible to hold a conversation with him and with it becoming increasingly difficult for me to spend very long in his company. It was hard watching him destroy himself and hard to come to terms with the fact that when it came down to it nothing mattered to him more than drink (although he did love us).

The funeral is on Friday and it's opening up family-sized cans of worms left right & centre. And then there's the wake, or should I say wakes. There will be 2 happening in different pubs at the same time, and I don't think my dad's wife is going to either. Madness!

Sorry I'm ignoring everyone else's conversation by the way. I know you understand but still.