Dec 08 Ladies - We're fat, we're thin, we're nearly 3 years in!!

[DeidreBarlow]

Sorry for the shocking title - couldn't think of anything else and our babies little people will be 3 in the next few months!

Aaah. Mini adventure. Apparently 3 key members of staff have gone on holiday so the manager is spreading other staff out for 3 weeks. Fingers crossed she's not just pacifying me! Sorry for bleat x

Hello everyone,

beans Love the new poo story! I did a wee on L's potty while DH was using the loo the other day . Very exciting about the house. Is the big garden one a possibilty or is it too far out?

kiwi Congrats!!! I hope vag can come out and help. I can't imagine a more reassuring and wonderful person to have visit you and try and help. I struggled with a painful latch with DD2 but I think, as JJ said was the case for her and her DD2, it was due to her very small mouth. One thing I realised quite late on is that although all the bf info says with a good latch bf doesn't hurt. If your nipple is cracked ALL feeds hurt until the crack is better. It may have been a one off bad latch, or a couple of poor feeds but your latch may generally be ok. Hope that makes sense.

lady I did chuckle at my 'steak and kidneys'. No problems at all day to day. You'd never know there was anything wrong.

AAA Thanks for sharing about your kidney thing. Can you remember when your kidneys stopped leaking protein?

So sad for your DD1. There must be books about friendships, making, breaking etc. Would sharing a book with her help? I can see myself in the same position in a few years, my heart will break.

kayz Congratulations! Sorry to hear about the bug. Hope you feel better soon.

ZJ How are you feeling? I thought of your DH yesterday when I saw sprouts in Booths. Is he going to be crowned King of Sprouts again this year?

JJ Really annoyed for you about DD1 and nursery. Isn't it illegal to put them up to pre-school ratios too early?

beans I used to get really angry that DD1's old nursery used to do that. They do get confused when they move rooms.

Is it too early to ask what we are getting the children for christmas ? DD2 will mainly be getting some of DD1's old toys and books wrapped up . Is that very mean?! I am struggling with DD1. Was it effie who got her boys a big castle to share last year? Did that go well? I was thinking about getting a wooden dolls house for the girls to share, although DD2 wouldn't get much play out of it yet! I need more ideas please!

Just popping on quickly to say Kiwi, I'm in St Katherine Docks and taking the boys to the natural history museum tomorrow. Are you far from a tube station?

Just settling down with Kirstie A and her crafts, doing the rounds of the agricultural shows. I aspire to be her. I have served my time doing some livestock judging but was atrocious and can never spot the winner

How was DD1 today, and Doris, AAA? There is a baby name thread asking what people thought about giving their baby the initials AAA

Was today back to work day Rubes? If so, I hope it wasn't too much of a shock to the system and the childcare logistics all worked out?

A relief that the nursery swapping is only temporary Beans, but still unsettling for DD. E really bonded with a summer student this summer, who has since gone back to uni. She still talks about her, and named the hedgehog we found last week after her

I've been starting to think about Christmas Jolly, but feeling uninspired. I'm wondering about a little keyboard that I've seen at a friends house as DD loves music and singing and dancing - but maybe not such a good idea if I want the new one to stand a chance of napping ... Of course DH is king of sprouts . He's been busy for the last few weeks, so if anyone has bought sprouts from Morrisons or Sainsburys recently, chances are my DH has had a hand in them . of you having Booths, the best of the supermarket IMO, but they don't reach this far

Ooh, I was thinking doll's house too. Have found a few online that are quite a good price. DH still muttering about making one, but I can see that happening when they go to university (if they can afford it!)

I love sprouts, ZJ, and get them often from Sainsbos or Mozzas. They make me fart. But then so does anythind edible, so, in the words of the great Tom Jones, it's not unusual. It used to be just sprouts and broccoli, but these days, my stomach is some kind of chemical plant and turns everything into noxious gas. Even if I lived of cardboard I think I would still fart repulsively.

I have news.... A friend sent me through a job spec today working as "Mrs Moneypenny" (I think she means assistant!) to a lawyer. 4-5 hours a week, 2 of which need to be with her, but the rest can be from home. I had a phone interview with her this evening and am meeting her on Tuesday. How good would that be? If I got it at, say £15p/h, then we could afford to send DD2 to nursery two days a week and get a cleaner! Although, to be honest, I don't think we'd then get a cleaner, as I'd have the time to do the cleaning myself, plus the shopping, washing, ironing and meet friends for coffee and even do a run or two. Blinking marvellous! I am inspired to do it. I really hope I get it. Even if we move house early next year, I'll have had a few months of earning some of my own money. MARVELLOUS!!

Me me me. Although am feeling continental, so MOI MOI MOI. Which also sounds like kisses. On which note, I will leave you as I trundle bedwards.

Hello hello hello? Echo!

Hello! Oh darn sorry I missed you Vag - am near a tube but don't worry, I've got a lactation consultant coming round tonight
Recommended by a friend of my sister (who is training to be La Leche league leader) - probably a costly exercise but hey, I am determined to try and do what I can to sort this ASAP rather than suffering for months like last time!

Just had dd2 weighed -'she's lost a bit (about 4.5% at 6 days) but as far as I recall that's fairly normal, right? She was 3.53, now 3.38.

Beans job news sounds v exciting! We must catch up soon IRL!

Ps though Vag huge thank you for your lovely offer, worried that last one didn't sound grateful enough - you are lovely x

Beans The job sounds very good, I hope you get it.

ZJ When is the new baby due? I must have missed it when I was awol. We had sprouts from the morrisons in Malton. Your DH must have had something to do with them as it's not too far from you really.

Kiwi I hope you get BF sorted out quickly. [hsmile]

I still feel like rubbish. I am so so sick of not being able to eat anything. I'm starving [hsad]

Oh Kiwi I'm glad you've got someone coming over. We are still here tomorrow and we're supposed to be seeing a friend (after popping up to the Arsenal stadium to see the plaque we bought for the boys) but it doesn't look like that will be happening so could happily pop over to see you, and the fact that I want to squeeze your second born has nothing to do with it. I have to warn though my DH will be with me so if your DH was home my DH might get all silly and starstruck. That weightloss is fine, esp if they weighed her before she had expelled all her meconium poo.

Oh poor Kayz that's no fun. I remember that feeling though mine felt better if I had cake or hot chips. I always wonder why I put on so much weight in the 1st trimester.

Jolly I think I might get me some Brussels before we leave.

Evening all,

I have to come on and give kayz some morning sickness advice based on having hyperemesis twice! The first time I just stopped eating and that made things much worse.

Do not starve yourself. I know it is horrible eating but having an empty tummy makes you feel worse, plus you have less energy. Have regular carby snacks. Toast, ritz crackers, digestives. Graze as much as possible.

Drink. Dehydration is horrendous as you end up in hospital on a drip. That is not fun. Fizzy drinks are easier to stomach and usually I'm not a fan!

I came to realise certain foods made me feel worse/vomit. Anything with garlic in and anything processed ready meals, baked beans etc. If you know what is a trigger avoid until the baby is born!

Finally if you get to the stage of vomiting everything and unable to keep anything down then go to your GP. I had to take anti-sickness tablets from 9ish/10 weeks to the end of both pregnancies. Anyway, very much hope it doesn't come to that kayz!

beans That job sounds ideal. Hope you get it!

kiwi Good luck with the lactation person. More than 10% weight loss is where the health professionals start to worry.

ZJ I love that you did livestock judging! I've been to a fair few shows and always wondered what qualification those prodding the beasts in their pristine white coats have. Do you think Kirstie won those comps fair and square?!

Beans - job sounds fantastic! Go for it!
Kayz - sorry you're so poorly, good advice from JB
Kiwi - hope the lactation consultqnt can help.

Quick survey of opinion - as I mentioned before, S has gone v backwards on loo activity. Had been absolutely perfect, dry at night. Last few weeks since house move she's been having loads of accidents, today we had a poo and a wee at nursery and two more wees since getting home. She's ruined a new pair of shoes that now are unwearably stinky and i can hardly keep up with all the washing. She doesn't seem to care that she is wet and smelly, nursy think it may be part of the whole attention seeking thing and don't have enough staff to remin d her every hour to go for a wee.
Do we put her back into nappies/pull ups? I know it would be going backwards, but i just don't know if/when she is going to get the hang of it again.

Jolly Thanks ever so much. I am living on toast or crumpets at the minute. I have managed to keep some supernoodles down this evening. I just want to be able to eat normally again. I don't think the stomach bug I've had has helped matters. Before I had that I just felt sick but now I'm being sick.

JJ - I say pull ups for a while and try again. She can then still use the loo if she feels like it but it would take the pressure off/not give her the negative attention (if that is what it is). The fact that I have had to put E back in pull ups has nothing to do with this view .

Beans - Job sounds good, fingers crossed.

Beans - your poo stories are priceless! Good luck with the next viewing. Also fantastic news about the chance of a job.

ZJ - judging livestock??? wow

Kiwi - congrats, congrats, congrats and lovely name. Sorry the BF is tricky, but you are doing the right thing getting help quickly and hopefully will all be much smoother soon.

Kayz - sorry you're having a hard time.

Vag - I hope you and your boys enjoyed the museum, my two ended up there as well and it sounded like they had a great time.

AAA - how is the Doris situation? Your poor DD. All of that stuff is the thing I really dread about DD being in school. There's already been a bit of talk back home about who will or won't play with her and apparently one of the girls called her a boy (DD has short hair) which is obviously a henious insult. I guess its part of classroom life, but it gives me the shivers just thinking about it.

JJ - not sure what I would do on the TT. It sounds like it is related to all the change in her life rather than anything else. I guess depends how she would feel about it - taking one more stress out of her life seems kind - unless she sees it as some kind of punishment.

I can't believe its almost a week since our meet up (and I've only just managed to get on here!). It was really lovely actually meeting so many of you lovely ladies.

One more work day and then off to devon with the DCs for a week. I expect it will be cold and raining, but I can't wait. Neither can the DCs by the look of things, they;ve been busy "packing"

JJ - I would definitely go back to pull-ups for a while. She WILL crack it again, but just let her have a bit of a rest from the pressure for a while. And I'm sure she'll come to it in her own time. With pull-ups she can still go for a wee on her own if she needs to, but it saves you so much washing and shoes!!

Invis - enjoy your holiday! It does sound heavenly. It's so nice to have a change of scene!

We're off on second viewing of house on Sunday. The most pricey one with the lovely garden. I'm so sure DH will love it too. Hoping we'll put in an offer next week. Bliss. Although so typical that I'm finally hoping to be in gainful employment, then buggering off. But could do with the cash, to be honest. Will be so nice to have some of my own dosh!

Had a dinner party last night and am feeling a little fragile today. My eyes are red-rimmed! Made a delicious (if I do say so myself!) Delia recipe of Beef in Beer. I'd really recommend it if you're a carnivore. And very very easy to do. We polished off 6 bottles of wine between 7 of us. YAWN! And ate like hogs. My lovely 10 stone 12 that I'd managed to hit is back up to 11 stone this morning. A whole 2lbs in one night!!! Cheesecake, cheese, the works. Yummy!

JB - wow, you know your stuff on the old morning sickness thing! I just ate loads of ginger biscuits. But I only had it very very mildly. It must be hellish to be that ill with it, poor you Kayz.

Tweenies is on. Heinous. I loathe it. But we're off to Fruity Tunes shortly, where DD1 loves to dance and DD2 just wants to sit on the teacher's knee the whole time. She just gazes at him adoringly. It's hilarious!

Ok. Seriously. Where would DD2 have put the TV remote??? I'm home alone tonight. I need the telly!

In the garden. Of course.

Hello, 2 weeks of Adult only time but back to full time kidlets today - man this is hard work, but also lovely! ZJ I had to do a bit of torture a training refresher, and a few things to sort out now before I choof off in Nov - MIL is great with the kids but has stitched me up slightly in forgetting a couple of dates and booking 1) a holiday for the most inconvenient week ever, and 2) her own work commitments of which were not suppose to ever be any problem and Might have to have a chat with DS's nursery I reckon, as well as change their regular swimming day
It would appear ds is slightly lacking a little discipline of late too......
I other news, our house is subsiding so we are not buying it - and will be moving again I think [sigh]
Kiwi we had the TT with DD - glad yours got picked up earlier than ours at FOUR weeks in...... Hope it's all fine.
Vag when are you back?
Beans Good luck with the second viewing and glad you found the remote - nothing worse than losing that.

Yo! DH away until tomorrow night. Am strangely very excited about it! Loving telly and beer and chicken tikka massala meal for one from sainsbos. I am truly excited about stuffing face. Bliss. Nippers out for count. Scoffing then early bed for me and absolutely no pressure to have a shag. YEEEEHAH!

I am dominating this at the moment. But HURRAY! My parents are about to arrive and take us all out for a yummy lunch. Yay! Bad luck, DH!

Vag - sorry to hear about poor Emily the hamster! Remind me to tell you about the passing of Betty, my first hamster. It was not a pretty way to go.

Hello lovely Beans and lovely girls! I'm here.

Gosh, I am hungover today. We made our first celebratory roast chicken last night in new oven, and I had stupidly forgotten onions and garlic, so we asked a neighbour if we could borrow some. She said she'd pop them over and ended up staying til 11.25pm! God knows how much we got through but I feel crap now. DH and I are going out again this evening, which is the last thing I need but I am sure I will perk up. I hope so.

LT, our / my kitchen is in and I love it! I keep opening and closing things as well as stroking the worktops. Glorious. I may try to post a photo.

Vag I hope you have had a good time. When are you back to Den Haag?

How are the boobs, Kiwi?

Lots more to day but I am thinking I should probably pop out to get a bit of fresh air. I could do with a kip to be honest. Have a lovely evening everyone and I'll pop back a bit later.

XXXXX

Hello ladies back in the Hague. Got in at 12.30 last night after a sleepy & almost fruitless wander around the Calais Carrefour. We did buy a large quantity of Cassis so not completely fruitless.

Had a lovely week in London. The boys loved it too, esp DS1 who had a blast visiting old haunts and little friends. As usual he expressed his desire to move back to London. DS2, also loved it, but often told us (in a screamy voice) that he wanted to go back to the "neverlands". I had such a great night with the crowd that came on the Friday. Def do that again next time I'm in town. Really enjoyed visiting Spot, and the Spotlets. Her boys are really so sweet, and I could just eat B, for all he's been through he's the most chilled out happy little pumpkin. Spot next time I'm in town I'm going to stay with my Hove friend so we can have more time for a proper catch up. Looking to try out your village pub. Can't stop thinking of those chips we had at your current local.

Sybs, I'm excited by proxy for your oven. Really loved meeting you the other night.

Invis, I'm bored already of the current book club book I'm reading, but will plow through then read the two you recommended. I was thinking of suggesting to my book club that we read both the winner & runner up and discuss if we agree. My pick is for January and I think we skip the December one as people are away so would have time.

I'm going to paint our living room so going to look at some colours tomorrow. Anyone got any ideas for colours to warm a room up a bit?

Kiwi, glad you got things sorted. Would love to catch up next time. Though really not sure about bringing DH, he would talk Mr Kiwis ear clean off.

Yes Beans, Emily the Hamster has passed on, I won't go into the details but she looked peaceful. I maybe within reach of fulfilling my dream of getting a Hamster named Abul. However, DS1 is set on a goldfish so may have my plan foiled. Can't think of any controversial names for a goldfish.

Right boys are asleep and our babysitter will be arriving shortly, we are off out to a friends for dinner.

Vag I am now going to spend far too much time trying to think of controversial goldfish names Osama Fin Laden, maybe ?

Boob are definitely on the mend now the Tongue tie has been snipped (random aside - why does my iPhone always capitalise the T in Tongue??) - still slightly ouchy but given the damage that not surprising, and they are visibly healing by the day

Bit sad tho cos my sister - who was supposed to be visiting / meeting dD2 today - has has a miscarriage - poor thing it was a missed one so she thought she was 12 weeks when really it all stopped at 6 just wihout any bleeding until now. Seems to have had excellent care at hospital at least.

Beans I love a night in alone now and then! Can watch what you want, eat what you want and go to bed when you want..

Gosh Kiwi that is so sad, I'm glad she is getting looked after well by the healthcare services, there have been a lot of criticisms of that area of care recently so nice to hear of improvements. Still very sad though esp hard for her to know things had stopped so early on and not to know. Is it her first pregnancy?

Hooray for comfortable boobs.