First year nearly done , our October 2010 babies will soon be one

[MonsterBookOfTysons]

Welcome to our cosy, new thread.

I don't think I was stuck so much as struggling a bit to get out. I was only thinking 'this time last year' a short while ago. Now look at us! :)

Work, schmerk!

Just been to toddler group at the children's centre. We've moved up a group &dd3 is loving the bigger ones to copy. Spent more time walking than crawling for once. Loved story time & singing time. Really knackered now. She's asleep in the pram & imsat on the doorstep hoping it doesn't rain as we are locked out!

[Grin] thanks for that reminder trib, what a year!

Dh and ds went to choose his birthday present today- a trike. I suspect we will be weak willed and let him play with it early. Might save the box for his birthday though!
Dh also texted me to say he (ds not dh) took four steps on his own today. Up till now two was his most. Feels like he's becoming a toddler very quickly!

Hope you made it in before the rain came hj

mock we have some special soap and bath soak on prescription, it definitely helps to use something. Will look up the balneum too though. Although his eczema pretty good at the minute, just the odd little patch from time to time.

Yup HJ but my work is a bit of a lifestyle so when I say work's getting me down its the whole thang. Ater seeking help from a support federation, I have been given accommodation this morning. Away from where I would normally be put- its at a station nearby. Thats fine. The disadvantage is that the house is not available until 4 days after I start work so I'm doing the most complicated planning to get DD down to join me and have some settling in periods with the childminder whilst staying in what they call the Contact House which is a facility set up to allow estranged parents living in single living accommodation to see their children for access visits. She won't be there full time for the first week so my parents will be coming down to be with her. I then need to get time off work on the 4th day of my handover to move into the new house; my future boss does not know yet as I cannot get hold of anyone in the office I shall be working in at the moment. I am hoping I can get removals to collect my furniture on the Friday before up in Lincolnshire and store it until the following Thursday. I will do an online shop to stock the new house and arrange for that delivery to be on the move in day and I shall also order a washing machine and tumble dryer to be delivered on that day too. I also need to get the dogs down south, put them into a kennels until we can move into the house as they cannot go into the Contact House and I also need to find a dog walker. Oh and as I am only meant to be there for 6 months I need a 3G dongle as I cannot get a land telephone contract for such a short period. And I need to set up with some utilities companies. I was hoping to do all this the week before I had to start work, not in the same week! I have a feeling I have missed something major...

NoHun why let the truth get in the way of a good story?! .

Trib Those nappies look v.cute .

TF That pressie sounds great. We're thinking of getting DD a walker and also an engraved locket with photos in for posterity.

Flaming heck, mock WHAT a palaver! I don't know how you do it.

My mum is keen to get DS some wheels for his birthday. We're so restricted with where he can ride though; we live on a main road, so I'd have to lug it a fair way to somewhere safe for him to ride. Plus storage is a bit of an issue in our home.
We've got him some wooden alphabet blocks, a toy car, and a little trampoline - though we ordered the trampoline last week, and it's not arrived, and I am starting to wonder if it will ever turn up or if I've given my money to some dodgy online scammer!

We are off to Scotland tomorrow for a couple of weeks (in-laws). So I may not be online much. Really looking forward to getting away, chilling out with my boys, and breathing in some nice fresh air.

mock!
Checklist- dd,food,Internet, washing machine.. Yeah that'll do

Complicated day here. I'm at work all day, dh working this evening, dd1 starts secondary, dd2 back to school& after school clubs.

NoHun-have a look at a scuttlebug-John Lewis do them. They are a little ride on that collapses and fits under pushachair etc. Was the best 1st birthday pressie we gave Ds and dd2 already lovels it!

Mock sounds horrendous. Re dog walkers I know petsitters is nationwide and may e able to help or ask your local vets as the nurses sometimes do it, or they may recommend someone...I hope it gets sorted soon.

Tribs I hope your return to work goes well.

Eeek at all these precious LO going off to preschools and big schools-where has the time gone?!!

We've worked out that until I get ds1's free childcare hours I'm bringing in less than mat leave pay after tax an childers-makes it all
Worthwhile I'm enjoying it though and ds1enjoyed preschool yesterday phew!

Dh away ATM-sleep deprivation really kicking in now without him giving me my sneaky hour in the morning! (I donall the nights so he era up at 6 to collapse and watch cbeebies!)

Thats annoying re pay Seashells. You've just reminded me to ad dog jabs to my list and finding local vets and nearest GP surgery for DD......Oh and when do I need to start thinking about finding her a dentist?

mock what a nightmare you are going to be crazy busy hope you managed to get everything sorted. We just got dd into a dentist- we had a letter telling us to!
nohun will have to get started on those books then- if I ever get time.
Work is back in full swing now am so glad I've gone part time although I think I'll be in the same position as you re pay sea it's crazy!
Dd had her first swimming lesson yesterday and we've just got back from sign class. I'm glad I've finally got her into things as I think she will really benefit from them.

DH told me by email yesterday how proud he is of me and how well I am coping with the current situation and moving etc. Realised this morning that perhaps I am not coping that well when we missed Gymbabes as I got the timings wrong and I nearly cried. Not something that should normally make you cry....

mock you should be really proud off yourself, it is a huge amount to take on aat anytime, let alone with your dh away. I know that even when dh is away for a few days how much that adds to the pressure. I hope it all comes together for you and we are all here to listen and support when you need it

nohun I second seashells re the scuttlebug, dn has one at my parents house and ds loves it (see pics on facebook) and it folds down really well.

mock you should be really proud off yourself, it is a huge amount to take on aat anytime, let alone with your dh away. I know that even when dh is away for a few days how much that adds to the pressure. I hope it all comes together for you and we are all here to listen and support when you need it

nohun I second seashells re the scuttlebug, dn has one at my parents house and ds loves it (see pics on facebook) and it folds down really well.

Hj Oh pants, thats not good.

NoHun Have fun!!!

Mock You should be proud of yourself, you're on your own, dealing with a house move and a new job. Thats an incredible amount of stress, I hope things just sort of 'click' into place for you and it is less horrid than you think.

I've just had a text off of the Nanny, she's saying she's got some more work which may interfere with looking after DS. I really hope it isn't the case, I have the perfect solution in her for my sporadic Fridays. Oh Flipping eck! I'm speaking to her tomorrow, so it should become clearer then. Don't know what I'll do otherwise.

Mock- you're doing really well.Re dentist , dd3 had one because I took the chance of an NHS one for all of us but it's usually 2 ish when they can start following instructions

I'm not coping with the basics with dh around. Ended up sobbing & feeding dd3 this am, 20 mins after I should have set off for work.

My milk came in on a home visit this afternoon(with 2 more to follow) and my top two buttons opened. Thank goodness for vests.

Oh & tribble I'm at work on Fridays but I'll send dh & dd3. Ds would be safe & well entertained but your house will look like a herd of elephants has gone through it!

Mock-I'm sure you are coping, but it must be really tough for you. I hope you feel better this evening.

Re pay vs childcare-it's not that my hourly rate is bad, but for 2 children it's £8.50/HR, so if you add childcare extra time either side of my work time for commute, tax NI contributions and student loan repayment I literally get less than my MA and we fear, less than my job seekers allowance-it's interesting considering the report out today from Save the Children! In Norway there is a cap on £200/month full time childcare costs-it just doesn't compare :(

Any hoo...it is good to be back, and the dc are really enjoying themselves with the CM :)

Seashells I was going to say that there should be a cap on childcare yesterday but thought that might make me look a bit unreasonable. Funny how we're conditioned in this country.

Thank you all for your supportive words and the advice re dentists!

Trib could you explain the situation to work and get them to formalise which Fridays you work so the nanny can fit you in properly or is that a pie in the sky idea?!

Oh, did anyone see that news thing about the dogs left for 14 days ate their owner on his return?! Karma I say....

Mock They are formalised and I know them in advance, I just don't work them enough to justify the cost of a day in Nursery every Friday IYSWIM. The Nanny is a friends Nanny who can't do every Friday anyway so it kind of works out perfectly for me and her. It would be such a shame if she can't do it as DS loves her. I think she's had some more work come her way (she's a jack of all trades) and it may be more regular than me.

HJ My place already looks like that anyway, wouldn't be much difference tbh. I carry Breastpads around with me at work in my bag, I also carry babywipes. Though to be honest, I carried those around with me before I had DS. Can you leave a spare top at work?

Seashells Mines like that as well, I'm going to try and time no.2 so that DS gets his nursery vouchers or is at least on the verge of them.

Mock-you wouldn't be unreasonable at all to suggest a cap! Makes my leftie blood boil to hear hameron say "work pays"

Re dentists-I've got us a nhs dentist finally, and just stuck the kids down too although they haven't been seen. Id love to see them try to get ds1 cooperate in the dentist's chair!!

Xpost tribble-yup, in Jan we get he free hours! Counting down the months, and have booked spa day and hair cut for after jan's pay day

Seashells. I was thinking as I was puttin DD to bed about treating myself when I get my first post mat leave pay packet. I already need a tonne of new winter clothes, but was thinking of getting a Kitchenaid to have with me down south. I have one already but am loving the idea of a flame red one or something......

I have a top & packet of breast pads in my handbag. It's the let down that's letting me down.

Dd3 has seen the dentist. She cut her first tooth the next week.