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!

hi.
ZJ what about little things to make up a christmas scene? eg a snowman, christmas tree, etc, or a nativity scene with wise men and shepherds and sheep and presents...not sure where you'd get them from - you could maybe get your DH to fashion some out of wood Re the physio, is your sister older than you? Is there a chance that a 4 year old physio-boy could have seen a naked little ZJ? If so I think I'd keep my identity hidden!
Kayz I'm glad all is well with your LO.
Lady so sorry you have a longer wait for the funeral, and that such joy and sadness are now linked by that date. Both things are so very special though and I hope, on the day, that little O will bring you joy. When I was pregnant with P, both my grandad and my nanna died. I felt so sad that they hadn't got to meet her, but at the same time I feel like they're linked somehow because P was in my tummy when I said goodbye to them. Now P can remind me of my lovely lost ones. Sorry if that sounds ridiculous or horridly unhelpful.
beans glad you're feeling a bit better and that you got to see your dad. I can't imagine how hard it is. I'm feel privileged that you are so open with us and hope you carry on being real so we can cry and laugh with you xxx

Just quickly to ZJ there is a thread on the Christmas topic with suggestions. Basically you fill each pocket with notes - Snuggle up and watch The Snowman, or Go choose Christmas tree, you get the idea. I think it is rather sweet.

Thread is called 'help me think of 24 Christmassy things to do'. Can't link on phone!

JB your DHs DIY mess up made me laugh out loud. That is priceless.

Trace that is so true what you said about Beans sharing all this with us.

Effie, DS1 is left handed too. His school in the UK were always a bit down on him because of his cutting and pre writing skills. His friends were all able to write a birthday card to him at 4 but he could barely write the initials of his name. Over here they picked up on the cutting thing but said it would happen eventually, they did find that trying to get him to do it made him cry (made us wander what his UK school had done to him) and they just left him to it. Now he can cut around even the tiniest picture and detail. The writing was fine as they don't do formal writing and reading here until they are 6, and the workbooks are easily usable for right & lefthanded kids. No side of the page tick boxes or writing areas. He seems to be fine with it now and has quite neat handwriting.

I was thinking of doing the fill it yourself advent calendar because we are leaving for Australia on the 6th so can't put up Christmas decorations etc so I thought it would be nice to take that with them. But the Sintaklaas thing means they get a little gift or lolly from now until the 5th December so I think they will have had enough. The little note idea sounds nice though.

DS2 is poorly today so its a duvet day for us.

That's shocking Vag: DS1's school seems content to let him go at his own pace. One of the things I like about it is that they do lots of non-reading and writing activities, and not just in Reception. This week they baked bread rolls and had an afternoon doing Forest School in our local woods. They often mix year groups for activities too.

ZJ: hope your back gets fixed soon.

Advent calendars: no ideas but I was thinking of getting a Playmobil one. Only it might well cause fights. So I would need two which gets very pricey. Hmm.

ZJ - I've bought this for the DC which would solve your what do I put in the drawers problem. Hope the physio can help with your back.

Effie, I think the one drawback of montessori in the UK is that they get a lot of pressure to achieve the NC. As a result they don't always get to stick by their usual style of teaching. That said it is also a surprisingly strict style of teaching which does attract very strict teachers. Anyway I can't complain they were brilliant in most respects, but I do see a better standard here where montessori is seen as a more mainstream education method. They still have the govt onto them to adhere to the NC for NL but the govt is more aware of the need to make allowances and it has a good belief in them due to Montessori's track record in NL. I love the forest school that sounds awesome. Once a season they do a similar thing here, but only the four times a year.

ZJ I forgot to comment on your physio dilemma. I have to say I can't really give you an opinion until you give me a little more information :o why, for instance would he treat you differently if he knew who you are, do you have something over him, OR does he have something over you?

Hey chaps - how are you all doing? Nolda - I love the look of that little tree! I might suggest it to DH.

First day at work today. Really enjoyed it. It's not exactly taxing, but it's something that isn't childcare, if you know what I mean. Really nice lady I'm working for and she's taking her remote team out for dinner on 1st December, which is great!

My middle sister went to see Dad today and apparently he was on much better form and was very positive and upbeat. Mum's much lower, though. Oh dear. It's going to be a really tough year or so.

I was thinking doctor's kit or doll's crib for DD1 for her birthday, then a doll's house for Xmas, but I just am not sure. Any other ideas???

I love that Christmas tree too, that would be perfect to take to Australia with us, a little decoration and advent calendar in one though don't think they deliver here. I think I'm going to go for the little notes advent idea. I think my boys need to experience fun from something that isn't edible or paid for. On the birthday present thing, DS2 wants a Finn McMissile car with all the whistles & bells. We also need to get him a present for sintaklaas which will be a big present as he will need something small for Christmas as we have to take it to Malaysia & Thailand, and then back here. I think we might give him DS1's old bike, with a few changes to personalize it to him for sintaklaas.

Vag - no! That isn't allowed with the cat internationally! I think I remember a case years ago, when a woman took a cat on 3 long haul flights until finally reaching LHR - think it was KLM! Cat was quarantined and she was fined or something..... You must be excited about your trip!
Lady, hope you are feeling better - geez you've been through it all this year - shame about funeral and O's birthday. I remember when dh's grandad died they couldn't get the funeral for AGES and although his son had flown from the US when he died, he ended up having to go back and then fly here again for it - just wrong. What happened with the job you applied for?
Deids, how are things?
Kayz - glad it was all fine with bub
Beans excellent news about your new job - just what you need I reckon. Tough year ahead yes but glad you sound positive.
Sybs so glad you have joined us on FB! I resisted for AGES then when I joined I felt like I had been left behind! - it seems everyone will join eventually......
Cat - tis hard moving (5th move in 6 years for us) but so much harder with two little one's isn't it. Not only that you are going from town to village which adds to it all. it takes a god 3-6 months for everyone to feel settled they say. Well if nothing else, i'm not moving far, but it's 5 miles closer to you!
Flat out here with the packing. V hard with the two littles but I'm determined
to do as much of it as I can to cut the costs. The mover guys have quoted as such. Can't wait though.
Also quite pleased as I got my request to have Christmas off. Also got new Year as I'm on leave and just happened to end up with DS's birthday off, although DH might be swapping to work ON ds's b'day as he may have no choice - but hey 3 year olds don't know which day the actual birthday is!

it would appear I've killed the thread with my drivel.... I'll add to it. Still packing, but managed to spend a small fortune on a sofa at noon, then got attacked by enormous swans driving back. Last time I'll be stopping to feed the "lovely ducks" on the way home

rubes That is funny although not for you I expect. Is it swans that can break your arm or is that geese? What is your new sofa like?

Vag How long will you be in Australia for? Quite different from NL for your boys season wise. Have you dug out your sun hats and flip flops? Re the bike, I got my older brothers old BMX one year for my birthday and he resprayed it for me using car spray paint. It looked, as my 10year old self would have said, MEGA COOL. It was silver and blue.

beans Presents wise the girls are sharing a doll's house for their main present. For birthday/Christmas DD1 is getting a Peppa Pig hide and seek toy, puzzle, sylvanian rabbits, a couple of books, safety scissors, I Can Cook book, farm play mat, animals and I'm considering a till as she is enjoying playing shops at the moment. DD2 is getting some of DD1's old toys wrapped up and then a couple of things to keep. A box set of Peter Rabbit books and a nice breakfast set thing. Stocking always to contain a new toothbrush and a satsuma .

ladyT Hope you are feeling better a bit better in yourself health wise. Lots of love to you for tomorrow. Happy birthday to O too.

ZJ How is your back now? Hope the physio sorted it out. Have you got SPD or is that something else?

nolda Love the little tree. My younger brother has already bought DD1 a Chocolate Peppa Pig one. Uncle of the year!

I made a lovely vegetable pie yesterday which I was hugely proud of . DD1 pushed it away . DD2 loved it but there was lots left over and I have eaten about a quarter for tea and I'm horribly full now.

What happened with the swans, Rubes? Did they attack your car ?!!

Oh watch out Rubes they'll break yer legs soon as look at ya. I thought that women shouldn't have been allowed. It was probably KLM, they are a bit crap anyway. A friend has a flight booked to NZ over 4 flights and they just went and cancelled one of the flights and are being very unhelpful with sorting her out.

Poor DS2 is really sick, he has a high temp (I think, I don't actually have a thermometer, bad nurse) and a terrible barking cough which hurts him everytime he coughs. Poor little man. We have some friends from London arriving for the weekend who have a little girl who is 14 months old. I'm hoping he will be loads better by tomorrow arvo. I'm really excited about my friend coming, she was DS1's midwife, we stayed friends after I was discharged from the birth center and we lived near each other when we lived in the docklands. I always hoped she could have been my midwife for DS2 but we moved well before I got up the duff.

I?m so pleased work went well Beans, how many hours/day are you working?

Rubes I am impressed at your sterling efforts of packing. I have 3 boxes that need sorting and putting in the loft, and they?ve been sat there for a month while I avoid looking at them

Sending get well soon vibes over the North Sea to littlest Vajster

Thanks for all the advent calendar ideas ? I love that tree Nolda, but it is really bugging me as I?m sure I?ve seen it in a shop somewhere but can?t remember which one and have trawled round several trying to find it again! But it has reminded me that we have a little nativity set my Gran gave me last year when she was clearing out, so I could put each of the pieces in a drawer. Balloons are a great idea Kayz, and I also thought hair clips and bobbles (as DD needs some new ones) and I wonder if I could squeeze a pair of socks in? (as she needs more of those too!). And I could put 3 candles in on her birthday, to go on her cake. I think I might see if I can get one ... I bet I?ll curse myself in a couple of years time when I can?t find anything to go in it! On pressies for DD, I?ve bought so far a pair of pyjamas ... and that?s it . For her ?main? pressie we?re torn between a little shop (as she?s loving shops, like little Jolly, or a farmyard set. I?m also thinking some books, some fancy dress outfits (I have my eye on a nurses one, so she can play at being my midwife) and a Christmas tree decoration (I?ve bought one every year so far, so she has her own little collection). For her birthday I think we?ll probably get a keyboard from ELC, as she loves the one her friend has and it is half price at the moment

Physio appointment is on Monday, but typically the last couple of days my back has been feeling a bit better. It?s not SPD, as it is definitely my back not my pelvis. I think baby is just in a funny position, maybe pressing on a nerve, and then I?m over compensating and my poor old muscles are getting tired. Hopefully he will be able to give me some exercises to keep me staggering on. Trace he is younger than me, so it is likely to be the other way round and he was the little naked one! And what I know of him now, he?s quite a private person, so I?m worried he might be the one who is embarrassed and hurt me to make me keep quiet . Oh, and it is possible that I snogged his brother on a drunken teenage night out, but then so did every other girl in a 20 mile radius, so he?d have a lot of people to hurt if there was any bad feeling there!

Ooh, Jolly, I'll have some veggie pie. I could really fancy a piece of that. Actually, Dad's funeral and O's birthday are next Fri, the 25th, but thank you for your kind thoughts. As people have suggested, we are celebrating her birthday on the Saturday or Sunday - she won't know. She is aware her birthday is soon but obviously doesn't know precisely. I did snort about what your MIL said about your bust Wot a nerve. No participating in Movember here. A Sniffy Frency Waiter sounds quite nice!

Well, I've been knocked off my feet. I ended up getting a secondary bacterial sinus infection as well as the bronchitis, and my face and jaw hurt so much. I got antibiotics for that and then yesterday my joints were hurting, I was shivering and then sweating all through the night. I have just been good for nothing, could barely lift the kids or climb the stairs. However, I do feel a bit better today so I think it has bottomed out. Ugh. I hate enforced sitting about.

I do actually have notes for a catch up but I am following The Slap and it's on in a mo so more tomorrow.

It's nice to be back. I would like to put November 2011 in the bin, all in all, but I can't with DP's birthday on the 21st and O's on the 25th. Onward and upward....and see you tomorrow for my catch up. Love to all, and thanks again for your support, which gives me a real boost.

Ooops - saw I crossposted with a few people - sorry my lovelies, more tomorrow xxx

Blimey ladyt, that sounds awful. Have you had any help with the girls? Wish I could pop over with a slice of pie. Sorry for getting the dates mixed up with the funeral.

LadyT that sounds grim, put yourself first this weekend, get lots of rest and get well soon x

Oh poor LadyT. I'm not as bad as you, but am very tired of my ceaseless cough for the last 4-5 weeks, headache for a week, snot upon snot and now toothace to top it all off. Not to mention feeling constantly wrung out and exhausted. Whinge whinge. Sorry. But would join Lady in writing off November 2011. I don't have any important birthdays this month, just the dreaded brother in law and his vile son, so that's ok!

ZJ - thanks for asking re work - it's 5 hours a week to do mostly on Tues and Weds mornings, then a bit of adhoc here and there. I am delighted to do it. And the girls are at nursery all day on Tues and Weds, so I have the afternoons to myself to treat myself do the cleaning, ironing, cooking, shopping and sometimes maybe have a hairdo or go to dentist or doctor. Or go and see Dad if I can. Hopefully when this coldiness has gone.

ZJ - I really hope your back gets sorted. I have long term sciatica since falling onto a treestump whilst drunk at the age of about 24. It is bloody awful and really flares up in the early stages of pregnancy for me.

Right, DDs fighting over their dollies. DD1 has Dolly Parton and DD2 has Kenny Rogers. Unfortunately they are both in love with Dolly Parton, which causes terrible fights! Refereeing is my new job.

PS I forgot to bore you all with something very important! I am off to BRIGHTON tomorrow with a load of girlie friends for a weekend with NO KIDS! DH in charge. Bliss bliss bliss. Staying at The Grand Hotel - got a deal. Very happy and very excited. Imagine the sleeeeep!

Oh Beans, that sounds lovely. Have a brillo time. I feel quite a lot better today, actually. Magic! But when I got DD2 down from her afternoon nap, her face and lips were all swollen up so she'd had a reaction to something. However, she'd not been exposed to any of her allergens that I know of so it's very worrying. We had some chestnuts yesterday and thought we'd been careful, but she still reacted so maybe somehow a trace was left in the air or something. I do wonder whether we are going to have to have a blanket ban on nuts in the house. The prof we saw said there was no need if we were careful but that's obv not the case.

ZJ, your poor back. Hope the physio gives you some relief. How funny that you used to know him!

SL - so your MIL is finally moving close by? How close? It would finish me off if mine did though I suppose it would mean we could have the occasional night out.

Rubes - hope the prep for the move is going really well (knowing your legendary organisational skills it is well in hand I'm sure!)

Sorry your Dad has had some health worries, Kayz. And how are you feeling in general, now? Are you about 8wks now? And I would love to join the group.

Spot - dear girl, don't be glum. It takes time. I never really liked my last village but if I had tried harder I think I could have found at least one person to be pals with. I think it was more that I couldn't really accept where I was. I feel differently about here. All you need to find is one kindred spirit and it will build from there. Don't beat yourself up about the frequent trips back to Brighton either. Who's counting?! Do whatever you need. It's early doors!

Trace, how are you doing this week, lady? You sound pretty chipper. I hope you are not putting on a face for us and genuinely feel a bit brighter. I suppose everything comes in waves. Any more thoughts on the house move? Your house looked very nice so I am sure you will find the perfect buyer eventually.

Effie - a full beard! That's committed! How do you feel about it?

Vag, how is the prep going for your trip? Bet you can't wait. I am madly envious. How is DS2 feeling now?

Oh Nolda, I love that Museums Selection stuff, it's so nice.

DB - hope you have some better news re: your Nan.

I am glad I feel better, as last weekend we collected most of the stuff from my flat and the remnants from DP's flat. It was a bit crowded before but now it looks like Paddy's Market. It's a little depressing. But now I can tackle it a bit.

The speech my stepmother wants read at Dad's funeral arrived today because she wants DP to read it. It's a very simple but nice tribute. My sister has got the hump a bit because she thinks one of us or her DH should read it as DP has only known Dad quite a short time, but SM's rationale is that DP is used to public speaking (very true) and will be less likely to be overcome with emotion. I think this is true. However, there's also Dad's favourite Browning poem to be read and I will coach DP because it's not an easy one to read somehow.

I am so glad I feel a bit more human today! Hurrah!

Beans Have a fab weekend!

Lady I was an allergic child, milk mostly but woke up boxing day when I was about 10 and couldn't open my eyes they were so swollen. Never found out what caused it. So it might not be the chestnuts. Actually is that more worrying? Not sure if that is helpful. Sorry.

Have good weekends all.

Lady: the beard rather suits DH, I got him a militaryish coat today and, combined with his favourite peaked cap, he looks rather like a Russian naval captain. Certainly better than a moustache! The women on reception think he looks very dashing . I got a vintage sheepskin coat, a la Adrian Mole. Warm but probably terribly unstylish.

Furrin food alert for Jam and PD: newish Turkish cafe in Colchester. Nice food and very cheap.

Rubes: hope the packing is going well .

Ladies

I have been too busy to even lurk which is a first. As a result I can do no catch-up and therefore I keep putting of posting. If I carry on like this I will disappear forever so I am quickly saying hi.

My thoughts are still with LadyT in the run up to the funeral, Beans and her Dad and DB in the hope her Nan can come home soon.

I always knew this period at work would be busy but never knew it would be like this. I'm working 13/14 hour days in the office and then getting home and failing to sleep with the stress of it all. Yesterday I had my much longed for day at home with the girls but I was so tired, anxious and distracted that I made a horrible mummy and then didn't sleep last night partly due to guilt.

Have been up since 6 working. Girls & DH still asleep. Am going to start baking blueberry muffins to atone for being worst wife/mother in the world.

Sorry. Horrible post. And my troubles aren't in the same league as Lady, Beans and DB. I shall try and end on a bright note: I have lost Lbs despite scoffing uncontrollabley, it must be thanks to constant adrenilin (sp?).

Have a fab trip to Oz Veg.