July 2010: now they're all 1, some me-time has begun [huge feck-off sarcasm emoticon]

[CakeandRoses]

am bf A and telling F off and have still come to the rescue.

lol wss

thanks, will have a look at that!

fwiw i thing veg chilli and chicken curry, the wedges will go well with the chilli and if you can do nann and cut it into strips or something equally hand size, it all needs to be easily eaten standing up with one hand, i hate trying to eat when its really awqward or trying to perch it on ur knee. It all sounds rather yummy though, shame we are not all closer!!!
Shite night here, he woke at 3.10am and was unhappy so i gave him some dreaded calpol and some ambersol but he just couldnt settle so he just chatted and moaned a bit in his cot for well over an hour. It was one of those times when he would go quiet for 5mins and you would think, thank god hes gone off, then he would start again, even though i wasnt up with him its exhausting.
DH has a list of jobs he wants to do today so i guess its all up to me again. We just had a few words about it, him complaining he works 5 days a week and never gets any time to himself and me saying he doesnt appreciate that i work 3 days, then look after D solo for 2 days then get up with him in the night and when he wakes early like this morning, all i want him to do is take him up the park for an hour on his own, i can count on one hand how many times he's been on his own with him. I think he thinks because he baths him almost every night thats him vindicated, job done so to speak. If im here he never puts him down for a sleep, never feeds him, never offeres to do anything apart from the occasional nappy and his bath. I know i shouldnt moan and some of you guys have it a lot worse and i love him dearly i just find him very selfish at times.

viksam my dh works a minimum of 55 hours a week, usuially nearer 70, still gets up to help with nights, lets me lie in every weekend, takes him for a walk most days, does all baths if he is here and I still had him hoovering the house, mopping the floor and clearing the garden this morning oh and he has pegged out two loads of washing!
mlic could you do a veg mince chilli, meat eaters wouldnt know, my dh cant tell in a chilli, for L's birthday we had 45 inc kids but it was at least 2 adults per kid, we had for desert 40 cupcakes, a pavlova, a cheesecake, trifle and I also did paper cups with jelly in so people didnt have to have a bowl just a spoon and we went through about 30 of them, we only had 2 bits of pavlova left which the dog ate :( our buffet was massive too so it wasnt like we left them hungry!
Just been for a massive walk and got caught in a storm L was so good but I was nearly crying as I was so cold!

big post

crashed

try later

:(

mlic i'd just do curry and no other type of buffet food but i'm a bit purist like that so: a veg curry, chicken curry, nan and maybe some other sundries like samosas. that's what i did for F's last birthday come to think of it. you could always do some dry stuff like tandoori chicken for those that don't like curry.

we had the same at our wedding too come to think of it.

vik it does sound like you could do with more of a break, esp being pg. altho work is tiring at least when you come home it's different whereas being at home with children is constant. if your dh gets into the habit of taking d out on his own he'll build a great bond with him and it'll be their thing. my dh loves doing his sat morning breakfast thing with F and A - could your dh do similar?

been to the new stratford westfield shopping centre today. man, it was heaving. bought 2 tops and a cardi and ate a super-yum vietnamese tho.

spending a fortune on clothes since i had that colours and image thing done but i feel as tho i have several years of shopping to catch up on so i'm not feeling guilty yet.

any plans tomo everyone?

we're going for a curry with friends but not much else planned.

mlic I'd just do the hot food too (mince chilli & a veg curry with rice & nice bread, naan or garlic bread) with maybe one plate if sandwiches for any fussy children/adults. I would do more desserts - can you ask anyone to bring one. We had home made banoffee pie & pavlova as well as apple pie (from local bakers) and fairy cakes. We did have a christening cake too which my sil made.

Don't get me started on what dh does and doesn't do! Needless to say with him at home for 2 weeks unable to do anything much for himself, I could rant on this subject next for hours.

mini survey
No of milk feeds 2 or 3
Times 7am when wakes (im theory, if wakes earlier and I want to try to.get him back to sleep I may feed him. He will then have a top up before.breakfast. Usually he then goes until bedtime before feeding again, so 6.30pm.
Type bf - do keep offering a cup of cows but he isn't bothered about it. Does drinks lots of water and his sister's juice during the day from a variety of cups. He now wants to drink from a proper glass like everyone else!

No plans for today. Dh v grumpy yesterday so we.ended up stuck.in all day - didnt even get out into the garden due to the rain, so we have to go out for.some fresh air today. Oh and I hiss I.need some sleep as been awake since 3.30 :(

Hmm - I guess I need some sleep

My spelling proves the point

Just caught up, S trying to 'help' so will post later.

cake I was at the new westfield yesterday too! it was a bit of a nightmare really, we drove the direct route (only about 3 miles from home, should have walked!) but the traffic was solid all.the.way. Then we had to queue for ages to get into the parking. DH was practically shaking with rage by the time we got out of the car. Then when we got inside it was just a nightmare. Couldn't get near the lifts or escalators. Couldn't even push the pushchair along. We didn't even venture into any shops. The plan was to get some lunch but every restaurant had a massive queue, and this was at about 2.30-3pm. Luckily J was so so good, happy and chirpy all afternoon. We did go to John Lewis and chose a new dining table which we're going to order online. We wanted to go to Waitrose but couldn't find any way to get down to it. Then we went back to the car, getting SOAKED on the way (we were parked in the overflow parking outside). Then there was a massive queue to get out of the car park.

We got home, gave J some food and decided to head out to the pub for a bit (our local pub is v child friendly, has toys and all sorts, and also had a beer festival on). While we were there my mum called to say John Lewis customer service had called to say my purse had been handed in. It must have come out of the changing bag when DH was going through it looking for J's water.

So I had to go all the way back again (chose to do that rather than do J's tea and bath), but luckily this time I went the better route and it only took 20 minutes. All my cards and cash were still in my purse, and this time I found Waitrose and bought treats for our dinner. Plus I was very impressed with how smiley and welcoming all the staff everywhere still were - it must have been a very long day for them.

J is so frustrated at the moment. He gets really cross with his toys and screams and lies on the floor and kicks his legs. Tantrums starting already... I'm hoping he'll be happier when (if he ever) gets walking.

can't believe we were both there woodlands - at the same time of day too!

i'm obv a more committed shopper than you woodlands as i managed to buy a top from Hobbs and 2 from River Island even amongst all that chaos and with a dh, baby and toddler in tow

bloody mare leaving your purse there - really good you got it all back.

you're lucky to live so close to it. i don't even like shopping malls usually but it's so bright and well-designed and the food places are amazing. the vietnamese we had was one of the best things i've eaten out in ages (and i eat out loads)

we drove to epping and took the tube. pleased we didn't drive all the way after hearing your tale.

welcome back chul!

You, me and pretty much the entire population of south-east England were there yesterday, I'd say...

That is very committed! DH has got a bonus and was going to buy himself a new winter coat and some new clothes for me. Oh well, never mind.

We got selected for random security screening on the way in, too. They did give us a goody bag containing sweets/water though.

Morning people,
I made DH get up with D this morning, thank god, and i had over an hour in bed, not really sleeping though as dh stationed D with his toys right underneath our room so i could hear every babble and squeak they both made, they just dont have the same consideration that we do, still, nice to just lie in bed though!
woods sounds horrific, my dh would have flipped with the traffic and how busy it was. Nice that you complimented the staff at waitrose, did you say anything to them, as a store manager we rarely get compliments but a customer said something nice about the store and the staff the other day and it was so lovely and raised all of our moral. Good about ur purse though.
chu hope things are ok ur end, post when u can.
mylife dont post, i know u will make me feel guilty for my moaning!
memp im impressed with the amount of stuff ur dh does, is he scared of u?? do u have to tell him or does he do it off his own back?
cake yeah ur right regarding dh taking D out, i will suggest (implant and idea) for something like that, i think dh would enjoy soft play with D and theres two here so that might be an idea.
Well i dont think i have seen rain like this for a long time, its a veritable monsoon out there so looks like we will be staying in today, although i did fancy a pop to the local garden center for pankakes and syrup!!!! Hmmmmmm we'll see.

viksam no he isnt scared of me, he does it all without me asking, he sees it as we should both do half as L is half his too, the walks and the bath and bed is his bonding time, I cook so he washes up, I iron so he does the pegging out I obviously do a lot more in the week as he is at work but he doesnt see it like cleaning skirtings, plinths and cupboards, his mum wasnt around so he wasnt mothered growing up which maybe helps. He takes him to dad and baby group once a month too.
We have just had a massive orw, we were supposed to be going to a festival today, we will still go but just later but he has pissed off out on his bike, he kept coming back into house and everytime L screamed so I told him he was a selfish dad to leave him scream like that so he called me idle and a lazy mother, im so upset I know it was heat of the moment but that horrid.
oh and the dog has chewed my strap off of my £100 watch, I am secretly wondering if this is why dh started a row as he didnt know how much it cost!
mlic good luck to your DH running today.

woodlands and cakes sounds like my idea of hell!

chulita wecome back.

memp thats a horrid thing to say but as you said we all say stupid untrue things in the heat of the moment. I have to say he sounds like a star regarding housework and jobs etc, for you not to have to ask him, thats pretty good.
Have left D to sleep for a bit longer this morning as he has a terrible cold bless him and it took him ages to settle, dh put him down for his sleep........maybe hes spying on me on here, coz he got up to him in the night too........hmmm weird.
Shower then pancakes here i come!!!

I haven't ventured to Westfield yet, I might do when the initial excitement dies down. My friend who works for mn was there on the day it opened, she's a hardcore shopper! She said it's been a v busy time working for mn recently, people posting horrible pics and things :(

I'm going to my mums later for a catch up then onto fil house for dinner.

mlic the buffet sounds delicious I'd be v happy with that spread if I was a guest.

Cheers for the good luck wishes memph

And thanks dh - I think I'll stick to my ideas about the food, I have some vegetarians, hardcore meat eaters and a very good (vegetarian) friend who hates anything even remotely spicey to cater for. I think I've covered all bases with my menu plan :)

Heat of the moment stuff memph, you are far from idle and lazy!

Vik, I get up everyday so when you say 'they don't have the same consideration as us' - erm, I have no consideration The kids do what they want and I don't keep them quiet just so he can get more sleep, fuck that

I used to love shopping. Unfortunately I have no money these days, dh wouldn't step food in a shopping mall and I have two kids to lug about. No chance.

Well that's dh dropped off in Sunderland (he got the metro in the rest of the way), food shopping done and fitness dvd. Off to make some lunch for the boys and prepare a Sunday dinner for the husband getting home

woods Gosh, that sounds like a truly horrible day. Nice idea to end it in the pub though

viks I think your DH should step up and do a lot more. Especially with you being pregnant. It is so, so tiring. And rather than him being stupid thinking about joining a band, he should help make family life run smoother. There. That's him told
My DP does so much, I'm really lucky. I don't have to ask him either, he sees housework as well as stuff to do with M. When it comes to cleaning and tidying he sometimes is even more OCD thorough than me.

Appointment on Friday was OK. Baby is head down now. Good boy
However, my doctor said that he is very low down already because all my tissue and pelvic area is still very loose and flexible from the last pregnancy, so she gave me again strict instructions to not carry M so much. I got a bit scared and am making a big effort now. I just feel so bad having to call DP for everything. It's very easy since he's in the house, but it does interrupt his work everytime. Luckily M is very keen on walking now with me holding her hands, which is easier for me.

Since she's started to walk like that she seems much happier. We had such a nice day yesterday. We went for Tapas and she sat nicely at the table and munched on all the bits and pieces. Before and after one of us walked around with her (we could still sit outside) and she was so proud. Then we walked to the playground, then for coffee and ice cream. It was super. She seems to have turned a corner and doesn't scream as much anymore either, which is a big relief. She still has her moments, but I think that is just perfectly normal. But it's not constant anymore!

Had some terrible news on the October antenatal thread. One woman gave birth and they told her straight away, that her baby daughter has something called Edwards syndrom and is going to die. I couldn't stop crying when I read that last night. Poor, poor girl and her family.

Sorry for my epic post and for getting the mood down.

It's raining here today, so we stayed inside but will have a Sunday roast and then go to the play cafe later. It turned out to be a really nice place with friendly staff. Hooray.

Have a good Sunday all.

Poor lady :( How awful

Glad M is picking up though Trud. Have you decided on your little boy's name yet? My friend had her lo on Wednesday and they still can't decide on a name! They knew they were having a boy too, they just don't think he looks like any of the names they'd picked before he was born.

Well I know dh is in one piece becuase he's text me but all it said was 'done x x x' so I have no idea what his time was or how he's feeling!

Well I decided yesterday to either put the boys in one room together or move the beds/bedrooms around. I'm doing a trial of putting baby in bigboy's room for a few nights to see what happens - starting tonight. Hopefully dh will be too tired to whinge hear any commotion in the night. He's napping in there now and seems happy enough so fingers crossed. Wish me luck!

trude ur post was so lovely and positive, so pleased for you that M has turned a corner, i expect she will be really happy when she can walk alone! Thats just horrid about the baby though, it really makes you think doesnt it. Poor family.
mylife i think i am way too considerate, i think its because he really struggles with lack of sleep. He has decided not to join the band in the end, im glad i left him to make the decision himself, he chose right in the end.
Why are u changing the boys around? Hope it goes ok!

Hiya, how are you all?

trudy I'm so glad M is better must be lovely doing things together. The poor woman on your thread, my friend was tested for that luckily it was negative.

mlisc well done to dh for doing the run today. Hope babyboy settles with toddler boy. Is baby still with you?

memphis hope you and dh sorted things out. Heat of the moment is terrible for making you say shitty things.

viks is your dh maybe not thinking because he's used to you doing it all? Dp wasn't great until I got the spd with R then and since he's been brilliant, really does loads.

melissa you must be demented with dh off work. Has E started school?

cakes and. woods your shopping trips don't half sound different. Good someone handed your purse in woods

How was dinner at your mums dh?

ph how's things your end? kk how you?

chulita where you away?

No Stac - he was always supposed to share with his brother but due to noisiness never has. So as an interim measure I bought a travel cot and put him in that next to the bed in the spare room (which is actually full of things it's not exactly 'spare' iyswim) I hated that fact he didn't have a proper matress etc so I need to either dismantle the bed in the spare room and put his cot in there, or get them to share.

Tonight went horribly, horribly wrong at bedtime. He screamed and screamed (his brother slept through it ) until I gave him another bottle of milk and he's been quiet since. But that's only 20 minutes so I won't hold my breath. So we'll just have to see how it goes but I've left the travel cot in situ so he can just go back in there if he disturbs his brother too much.

mlic glad he survived it, fingers crossed for you tonight.
trudyla how awful for that lady, makes you realise how lucky we all our to have healthy babies, whens your due date?

We are fine, I have had a headache for a few days and after this morning I ended up in bed being sick with it but by sitting in the dark I got rid before it turned into a major migraine, felt all washed out though since, we went to the family day, L loved the alpacas and tortoises, he was having a boogie to the music and had his first real taste of chocolate today, in style fruit on belgian waffles smothered in belgian choc (that was mine) I gave him a tiny taste it ended up everywhere with him saying yak yak and shuddering! oh well more for me!
Ive felt rubbish all day but like I have had things to do so Ive kept on my feet ironing etc, I have 8 tops with stains on from dh not bothering to get a bib (who is the lazy one now!) so im attempting to soak them out, lets hope they do

memph i have that all the time from the child minders, i brought a very cheap stain remover spray from the supermarket and its brilliant. Only about three tshirts absolutly ruined. My childminder is so sweet really, i have a friend who has just gone back to work 3 days a week, grandparents are having her 11 month old for two days and she needs child care for the other day, he hasnt settled well at nursery or two other childminders so she has asked mine and she went round to my friends house on friday to meet the baby on his own ground and get to know him a bit, thats really nice of her i think. Only a day a week somewhere is going to be really hard for him to settle, its a shame really.
Anyway, how u feeling now memph?
mylife was W screamimg in the same room as E? And he slept through it? wow! We are planning to move D into what is now the spare room and do it up for him and put the baby in D's room now otherwise we would have two nurserys. Those of you with older children, did the crying of the new baby wake the older child? i do wish this house was situated differently though as our room is right between the two rooms so we will be getting it from both sides, not good.

Yes, he is in the bed next to him and slept straight through it

Yes, the crying woke the older one, but tbh I think he just got used to it as it wakes him less and less often now. You tend to find you jump up lot quicker when one of them wakes though as you don't want them to wake the other one.

Still not a peep from babyboy but I seriously don't expect it to last.

stac we went to wales for a week with my family, 'twas really fun to meet up with everyone and go digging on the beach etc.

memphis I can't believe L had to wait so long for chocolate I must be a very bad mother!

mlic I tried S in L's room the night before we went on holiday in the vain hope they'd share while we were away. It was a bloody nightmare, L kept S awake, then S got his second wind and kept her awake til S was absolutely shattered and even though we gave up and moved him back into his room he was up all night crying. He'll have to go in there eventually but obviously just not yet!

We're off to our other house again, early doors...grr. I can't wait to have it rented out, it's costing us a fortune at the moment and I'm so bored of driving up there. Just need to paint a bit and fix some taps and it should be good to go...we shall see.
Catch up with you all when I get back properly.