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!

Hello Mom - that's the sort of thing I would do! For what it's worth I'm glad you stayed v v v quiet here Got so used to Mum being around when DH working. Looks like she will be stuck in HKG for a bit. I have a mountain of work to do an won't even start until I know they are home ok
Urgh, I really want see everyone on 14th. Will have to play by ear if it's that day, as will have to drive home in rush hour, then get changed and back out so not sure and will depend if my work load under control which at this point isn't looking good.
DS didn't cry and happily went off to nursery today too which makes me feel even er (but really v happy he was ok today! ) Sorry no personals and very self centred post, plus many saddy faces - Must buck up. Have only been able to read snippets over the last few weeks, but have basically forgotton all - except OMG Lady, to the Rats Oh and had a fab b'day on Sun - Loads of fam plus my Aunt n Uncle were over in France & London briefly so came over too for a big BBQ.

Catch up is scheduled for later today but just wanted to say to Mom - jeepers! That's some about turn! I remember you said you went back once before and then returned to London - I do actually admire your ability to pull back having made the decision to leave, as that would have taken real guts. And DS2 sounds gorgeous but 4 wakes a night? You must be shattered, you poor thing.

Rubes, I am sorry you are feeling blue after your Mum has returned and I hope her journey back is smoother than expected. I can't do a lot this week but if you have some time next week, maybe we can fix up a cheer up lunch or something, if your work is progressing. You need to get some things to look forward to in the diary! It would be such a shame not to see you on the 14th.

More later

14 meet up - is this daytime or evening? Would soooo love to catch up with you ladies

Grrr to friends who post on fb about not having a very good nights sleep because their 4 month old baby woke up twice. Oh do eff off.

It's evening, young JJ. Be lovely to see you. And bum to the tactless FB friends.

Where does suit everyone for the meet up? London Bridge? Waterloo? Victoria? Where where?

Rubes - chin up. Hope you don't miss her too much. I know that feeling, though. Come down.

Was v proud of myself as yesterday I did a big post with lots of personals, which isn't like me as I'm very selfish, but DD2 then switched off my computer. Brilliant. Apologies as I can't face trying to re-type it!!!

But Trace, I think Centre Parcs sounds bloody brilliant. We're going for FIL's 70th in June next year. Can't wait.

DH and I are off to Woburn Safari Park this weekend. Am actively excited about it. DDs coming too, obviously. And we've got a family room booked on the Saturday night, with dinner in the hotel, while we have the monitor, which reaches from room to restaurant. Marvellous. AND it's Peppa Pig day on the Sunday at the park, so DD1 will be beside herself.

Off swimming with DD2 this pm, although with the sun shining like this (finally), I'm tempted just to go for a walk rather than an indoor swim. Hmmmm. But it's only £2 today for a swim.

JJ - are you ok? How are you feeling now?

DH and I fell asleep before 10pm last night. And we woke up naturally at 7.15 as he'd forgotten to set his alarm and the DDs were still asleep. Unheard of! Although I have discounted them both being up in the night. But I don't think I really notice any more. Just do it in a sort of fog of sleepiness!

Trudy - dress was £1100 new. Off the peg size 12, so easy to sell on. Although took the nearly woman 2 years!!

Mom - lovely to see you (in a manner of speaking) - what a brave decision!

Lady - to the rats. Bleugh.

Sybs - how are the building works?

I have just squeezed a spot right on the tip of my nose. I look like the <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=star+nosed+mole&hl=en&biw=1920&bih=886&gbv=2&tbm=isch&tbnid=3xR9s_34GWdHOM:&imgrefurl=scienceblogs.com/neurophilosophy/2009/08/the_star_nosed_moles_amazing_appendages.php&docid=UKNs9dOyNlPYtM&w=461&h=228&ei=d8aBTueeHc3NswaH7JCDDg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=162&vpy=213&dur=2134&hovh=158&hovw=319&tx=160&ty=82&page=1&tbnh=100&tbnw=203&start=0&ndsp=35&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">star-nosed mole now.

DH told me I look like the <a class="break-all" href="http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=naked+mole+rat&hl=en&gbv=2&biw=1920&bih=886&tbm=isch&tbnid=OtN0OKMF8ykfxM:&imgrefurl=www.scientificamerican.com/blog/post.cfm%3Fid%3Ddoes-fountain-of-youth-lie-in-the-n-2009-03-12&docid=JU2eKkPWVUys_M&w=300&h=181&ei=rcaBTo-NBdCRswaH3cyxDg&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=825&vpy=543&dur=896&hovh=144&hovw=240&tx=86&ty=61&page=1&tbnh=125&tbnw=207&start=0&ndsp=32&ved=1t:429,r:19,s:0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">naked mole rat the other day. Kind man!!!

Beans - How charming of your DH! Naked mole rat was one of the many horrid names DH and I gave to FIL's girl friend. It was a shared hobby that we have had to discontinue post-DC as we don't want DD telling on us!

Hee hee! It is cruel. Fortunately my teeth are inside my lips in real life.

Evening all,

nolda I laughed so much at the idea of your DCs plotting at night!

JJ That is very annoying. My friend's DH did something similar the other week. Absolutely crazy to try CC in the middle of the night if you haven't decided on it as a strategy. Middle of the night arguments are the worst though, all perspective goes out the window. Hope all is well now.

ladyT Rats . How horrendous. Do you want to borrow our cat? We regularly find bits of mice scattered across the garden. Lucy was told me she'd found a snail in the yard but when I looked it was a mouse's head . I was green trying to brush it into my dustpan.

spot Wow on the making B cry with botty wind!

DD2 went to the Paedriatrician on Monday and has been discharged, hurrah! I was so proud of her, I was all tearful leaving the hospital.

DD1 was touching my face yesterday and exclaimed 'ooh look mummy a lovely long hair coming from your mole' . I must keep on top of my personal grooming!

I have personal teeny tiny shadow. DD2 follows me round the house saying Mummy Mummy Mummy. If I disappear from view she wanders around shouting it til I appear again. Quite sweet, but bit annoying when trying to go to the loo! But she is heavenly.

Hurray for discharge from paediatrician. Brillo!

Beans, I would have set about DP with a giant frying pan if he'd liked me to something so unflattering I don't take myself all that seriously in general but am notoriously humourless about any sort of negative remarks from anyone who is supposed to see me as a kind of goddess ....I was v interested in what you were saying about getting a job. Put like that, it sounds appealing. But don't lose your social confidence, missy! Can you put your finger on what has caused it? Being a lot fatter than I used to be bothers me (I have bored you all ad nauseam about this I know) but not doing the job I used to...doesn't really. I suppose because I still do a tiny amount of freelance work I can cling to that if I need to. Like I said, some of the assumptions of certain of DP's colleagues bother me. But I don't feel cowed by them. In fact, I feel scornful of them. However, I DO miss the social aspects of work, the actual getting out of the house/autonomy, and the being valued for things other than kid-related. Oh, and the blimmin' money!

ZJ, did you have a scan today? Hope it went well.

DB - how is it panning out for DD at school?

DP has been away since Sunday. He probably won't be back until Thurs, which is DD2's birthday. I do actually think our relationship benefits from these little times apart. Hmm. Not sure that's a good thing really. I do feel there is scant romance in my life. However, I do have other things instead and I am not moaning. Much.

Effie - how lovely for your sister. How old is she, 40s?

JB, that is great news on DD2's sign off. Hurrah! As for borrowing the cat I am ready to spew as it is at the prospect of furry poisoned bodies in the woodshed. I think entrails would finish me off! Oh dear, I am a poor country lady. I looked at the rotten windfall plums skewered by my kitten heels as I tripped off to collect DD1 from pre-school this morn, and thought - maybe I need some boots...

Spot, I second Trace's enjoyment of the PND blog. I think it's really interesting reading for any mother, even those who have been lucky enough not to have been touched by PND issues.

Right, am just going to post this before I lose it and will then carry on.

Hi Ladies
Just a flying visit...
JB I'm so pleased for you and dd2 being discharged! Hurrah for Little J And very funny about your hairy mole
mom so good to hear from you again.
Rubes don't apologize for your post or your sad faces. It must be so hard every time your mum goes, and we know it's tough for you, so please just be yourself. I think Ladyt's idea of getting things in the diary to look forward to is a very good one!

Well ladies, I have made a decision, which you have to hold me to...next year I am doing the Great North Run. ha ha ha ha ha. I know! I spend too many evenings on my lazy bum so need something to motivate me. I've put on some weight, so it'll be good for me, and also I need to do something proactive about my mood (see below), so that's my aim! I went for my first run tonight and had a crippling stitch after about 8 seconds - how do I avoid that? The sky was beautiful though and I think it did me some good.
So last week was not a good one for me. Too many tears and nasty thoughts. I told my CPN it was probably a blip and that I expected to feel better this week (which I do a bit) and she phoned me today to tell me that my consultant wants to see me next Thursday to discuss adding in some other medication. I asked what kind, and she said mood stabilisers. This fills me with all sorts of questions and fears, but as my CPN said, the doc wants to discuss it with me, not force something on me, so I guess I'll wait and see how it goes next week. Hence a renewed motivation to boost my endorphins with a bit of exercise!

Anyway, I can't spend long on here tonight because I'm soooooooooo tired. P was mega clingy last night and kept crying and calling for me, even saying "mummy my need cuggle because my not happy" , so I didn't get to sleep until gone 4.30am. But during the day she often says "mummy my happy" which makes me happy too!

Jolly what lovely news.

Lady I noticed the other day before I went away that you were talking about your DD2. Such a sweet thing to hear you say about how fabulous she is. You are so good at remembering and mentioning all of our children and yet so modest about your own.

SPOt I did snort when I heard your trumping had caused some tears. No tears for a poot in our house just huge hilarity.

Beans great news about your frock. Even better news to get a fabbo piece of jewellery.

AAA what did you decide on the diary front?

Vag love you beating that young whippersnapper on the bike.

Effie what nice news about your sister.

MOM wowzers thats quite some turn around.

JUmp you poor poor girl. I dont know if you remember but DH and I had many middle of the night stand offs and hissed arguments while we were going through the lack of sleep with DS2. I think when it got to the point where we just dreaded going to bed and were really not in a happy place because of the lack of sleep. We made a plan and decided to stick to it for a wk. DH had to help and not do the 5 mins I cant do it and wait for me to calm DS2 down. Its so so hard and I really feel for you. Sending you calming vibes and if all else fails. Lump your DH over the head with a rolling pin and make him sleep on the sofa and then bring DD2 into bed with you whop your boob out and let her have an all night caff while you snooze. DId this many a time with DS2.

Trudy sorry you are having a tricky time with M at the mo.

Bugger me am watching Great British Bake Off I love this program although I think I have gained half a stone just watching.

Oh Rubes when do you go back to work?

Berlin was fab. Although rather pasta filled. DH did brilliantly there was a bit of a random heatwave so was running in 25degrees. He also got really bad cramp 10k before the end and had to stop for 10 mins. But he did it in 4 hrs 10mins. He is determined to do it sub 4hrs so is applying for Chicago next Oct, and is going to do triathlon training for his race in June. Nutter.

I do have stuff I want to talk to you all about regarding the inlaws and them having the boys this wkend. But and I have chatted all evening about so am a little bored will bore you all tom.

Berlin itself is a super city. With amazing museums and so much culture. What surprised us the most is how open and friendly all the Berliners were. They couldn't have been more smiley or helpful. We really enjoyed going to Checkpoint Charlie and the Jewish museum and just learning about the Belrin Wall. Its a strange one really because although we both new (of course) about the wall neither of us new any of the stories surrounding it. I think because we were at school and I guess we were just unaware/uneducated. But what a time that city has been through. So much of the history and the stories around the wall were just heartbreaking. As a country we felt that they have achieved so much through huge adversity. And ultimately must feel immensely proud of what they have now achieved as a nation.

Any am going to post before this goes poof.

Oh and dont think I can do the 14th unless I can get DH to work from home or come home early. If he gets in at his usual time I wouldnt get up to town until nearly 9 which would be a bit daft. So put me down as a no show. Saturdays or Sundays are best for me in the eve.

Hey, I only got about halfway through my list and still managed to x-post!

Berlin sounds absolutely riveting, Jam. I agree it's so easy to sort of gloss over in our minds the troublesome, very recent history of our quite near neighbours. I felt this very strongly when I was in Dubrovnik a few years ago, re: the wars in former Yugoslavia. Your DH did so well. As for DD2... Thank you. And sorry not to see you on the 14th, boooo.

Trace, I really do strongly endorse the exercise thing. Sorry you've been having a tough time this last week. I know I am not a shining exercise example but when I used to walk 3 miles to work every morning (and sometimes back) I got really addicted to it. It made me feel positive and energised, and if I couldn't do it for some reason I felt all grumpy and sluggish!

ZJ, I am scared that you have got all the London ladies thinking I have been scrutinising their figures I honestly didn't! You have got killer pins though, AAA, am tres jealous

JJ, are the girls any more settled in the new abode? It takes a while (well, it did with DD1). I may be being sexist here, but it does seem that blokes are more able to let babies cry. I hope things get better for you soon. Moving is so stressful, and with tinies who aren't sleeping, just about off the scale.

Sybs, did I say I was a deffo for the 14th? I guess you knew. Central is always preferable for me but don't mind really. Waterloo is good for me but I don't know anywhere. What was that hotel that some of us met in one evening? It was me, AAA, Invis, Effie and Turnip.

SL - the end to your last post made me laugh. How is DS's eating these days? DD1's lunchboxes are so necessarily eccentric

Nolda, your Sunday in town sounded really lovely

Sorry you've got money worries, Trudy, it sounds so awfully stressful. Horrid horrid horrid. Is there anything else you can Ebay apart from the ring, do you think?

There is so much I could actually tell you all, and in fact would enjoy telling you all, but I am running out of time. I don't mean anything of import. Just stuff I would like to chat on about. But I have probably gabbled enough already.

Quick update, dh sent me an apologetic email and we agreed we'll go back to the old ways until E's separation anxiety is over (ish). She's such a cutie when she's in the right mood, giggly and smiley and playfu, must cling to this in the middle of the night! Jam you made me laugh with your rolling pin idea - it will be in a box somewhere...

Mom, wow what a rollercoaster ride you've been on. Ending up back at the same spot just like a rollercoaster too. Has this confirmed for you that the UK is your permanent home now? Do you & DH have British citizenship then?

Rubes I picked up the boys Aussie passports and they all new, black with a silver coat of arms and the pictures inside are hilarious they alternate between Australian animals and scenes from Australian life, like a bunch of kids playing netball and the obligatory surf life savers. Sorry your feeling so blue, do you find the homesickness is getting harder to cope with? We are using this next trip home to gauge if we will decide to go home or not.

I'm easy for venues as I'm staying fairly central. Those who are traveling in, is there somewhere that would be better for transport links? The only place I know near Waterloo is a pub with 'mill' in the title, and the Marriott bar, which is quite nice with a lovely view of the houses of parliament.

Trace I think that's brilliant, I actually wander if I might catch the overnight to Hull and join you. I think as you are just starting out some long walks would be a good idea initially then start making them brisker walks. Then after maybe a week or two of walking regularly and if you don't feel too out of breath from walking start with a fifteen minute run walk routine. Start with 1min run followed by a 1 min walk and so on up to fifteen if you can. Then slowly build up the runs to two then three, four, five and so on. As best you can keep the walk interval at 1 min but its ok if you need a little longer, just take it slow. You've got ages to train, and if you start now there is no pressure to rush in. The slower you ease into it the less likely you are to get an injury & the more likely you are to keep it going in the long-term.

JB that is amazing that she has been discharged, I'm a little teary. I know the paediatritian would be too. I have been to a lot of discharge appointments with my post premmie patients and it was always a bit emotional afterwards. You've done amazingly well both of you, and still going strong with the BF.

I have decided to bite the bullet and get a personal trainer. I had my second of three taster sessions with this guy today and. I am sure that if I see him two days a week over the next 2 months I will be buff central come time to don my bikini in Oz. It's pretty expensive, but I was going to do a course in Public health in January but I'll put it of for 6 months or so and use the money for this instead.

Spot did you watch the Stephen Fry show on the evolution of language, quite interesting, even with all Mr Fry's flourishes. The episode was the first in a series.

Right must go I'm writing on my phone whilst lying in bed and the effort of holding the phone up in bed is quite painful after this session I had today.

Night night.

Oh and JJ sorry about the sleep, it does get better, you are doing a great job sticking to your resolve with settling. It will happen eventually and you will get through it the way you want to (says she who generally gets a slightly decent nights sleep).

Vag, I think it was the Marriott, come to think of it. It was a hotel bar, anyhoo. I KNEW you'd end up keeping the personal trainer If he has any pearls of wisdom, I am all ears (seriously).

Oh bugger, I meant to watch that wordy prog.

The prog was quite interesting, (I use those words advisedly apropos Mr Fry) - I linked to it on my other (and much neglected) blog. It's on iplayer, Lady. And thanks again for your kind words about my blog.

It was our turn to have a middle of the night row about dealing with wakeful babies. Has of course meant that both have been up since half five. Tedio. THink a lot connected to not eating in the day, I remember Rubes' DD had that issue. How is her eating now, Rubes?

Lady were you thinking about the Heights Bar at the top of St George's hotel at Oxford Circus? Was where we met when we saw BE being recorded. So wish I could be there.

Jam so glad you had a good break. Berlin is fab.

Trace, sorry you've been having a wobbly time of it. Think you are v brave to go for the Great North Run, good on you! Glad your CPN is on top of things, at least you are able to see the doc and make a judgement on what they might want to prescribe.

Hooray for the discharge, JB (eugh, that sounds rank, but you know what I mean).

And forgot to say ya for Effie's sister!

Morning!

JB Hooray for being discharged.

Trace Sorry that you are still a bit wobbly. As for running the GNR good on ya! I would love to do it but have chickened out of signing up for a few runs at the last minute. A friend of mine did it a good few years back, but she was dating a marine at the time who's idea of showing her a good time was doing the GNR .

Rubes Sorry you are sad now your mum has gone back. When do you go back to work...its soon isn't it? Hope your feeling okay about it.

Vag Well done on the personal trainer. There would be no point me having one as I loathe going to the gym. So I'd have to have one that did home visits.

JJ Glad you and DH have sorted things out.

Spot Arse about the night time row. They are the pits.

Jam Sounds like you had a great time in Berlin. And well done to your DH, I'm still in awe of anyone who can finish a marathon, trying to get sub 4 hrs actually makes me feel a bit nauseous. Good for him though.

DD LOVES her new class, so glad she has moved now. I am now the subject of a little playground gossip (mainly the mums whose DC's are in DD's old class). They are all desperate to know 'why' she moved class. I have been vague and said the HT and I thought DD would be better off in a new class. I know it will pass over and don't actually give an arse what they think, it will be someone else next week!

Apologies if I've missed anyone out x

I love it when there are lots of posts to catch-up on.

Rubes - so sorry that you are feeling down after the departure of your mum. I'm glad it was a good visit though. Wld your DH ever consider a year or two doctoring in Oz? I know you said it would not be good for his career long term but a short stint might be nice. My cousin, who is a GP, just emigrated to Perth and is loving it.

Trace - what a great idea to train for a run. I would highly recommend starting with the Couch to 5k programme (if you have a smart phone you can download it as a free app). It tells you when to run and when to walk. In week one it's about 1 min run to 90 second walk for 20 mins and when I started ten weeks ago I found even that hard. I amnion on week 10 and can run 5k without stopping (although unlike Super Beans it takes me 33 mins). I think regular exercise really boosts my mood and my sense of achievement (although sadly I have not lost a single pound despite running 3 times a week).

JJ - That night time run in sounds horrid. I am glad DH apologised. Can you have a rational day time chat about how he feels he would like to approach DD2's sleep? He obviously has criticisms of the parenting books but has he thought what he would like to do differently?

Summer - it's nice to gear you are enjoying being a working mum. I agree it does help ensure the dads step up.

Jam - Berlin sounds great. Your DH sounds like an exercise junkie. Will you join him in Boston? My friend did the Las Vegas marathon last year and despite 40 degree temps managed 3 hrs 40 min. I bet you cld be tempted to a Las Vegas mini break.

Beans - I had never heard about Naked Mole Rats but googled and spent most of last night reading out fascinating mole rat facts to DH. They can't feel pain, get cancer or sweat. And they are one of only two mammals with a formal social structure (having had DH's kids you would be a Queen Naked Mole Rat with 100 workers serving your ever whim, so although you'd be ugly you would also be happy).

Lady - I am enjoying the image of you stomping through windfalls in kitten heels and only beginning to think of buying boots three years into your country life. Oh, and I cannot believe DD2 is about to turn one! That went quick. Does DP still hanker for three?

South Londoners (& those willing to travel). My oldest, bestest friend is holding a festival of children's literature in Dulwich during the first weekend of Ictober half term. It should be amazing with workshops, parades, and lots of story telling for all ages. Google 'WordUp'. I am going on the Saturday and promised to spread the word.

Back after a safety push of the post button.

And I am back having x-posted with Deids and Spot.

Deids - good on you not caring about the play ground gossip. And I am so glad your DD is happy in her new class. Has the playground meanies stopped picking on her?

Spot - Lots of sympathy on further sleep deprivation. How close are you to moving now?

An update on the diaries. I read a bit of one. I didn't want DH to read them as I knew they would contain intimate details and while my Mum often talked openly about that stuff with me she would have been mortified to mention it to DH. So if he had read them it would have felt like a massive intrusion of her privacy. The diary I read covered 1974-78 (I was born in 78). There was no one truly shocking event, and I knew my mum lead a pretty "free" lifestyle but nevertheless reading the details was odd. Lots of sex, infidelity, pot, more pot, crazily intense psychoanalytic group therapy, more pot, introspection, more sex, broken hearts examIned in the way only a psychoanalyst could.

Two main things struck me: first I am so very conventional given my background and I think that is probably good and healthy but also a little boring. I feel life a lot less intensely than my Mum did and I question things less. Maybe I am missing out on a truly colourful and all embracing life or maybe it's a gift, I am really not sure. Second my Mum and Dad had a hugely troubled relationship and I must let go of the idea that my life would have been idyllic had he lived. Oh and third, pot smoking is to be avoided at all costs. I don't think I will read anymore for now. The mother I knew was a lot happier than the one in the diaries and I need to remember her as she was with me. I will keep them though.

I think that sounds like a healthy and rational reponse, AAA. I would say this, though. I think I am right in saying I am a cheerful, sane sort of person, generally able to see the positives in life. However, if I kept a diary I would explore the things which trouble me or get me down (in my heart) and it would be a torrid soup of rants about people who have let me down (sadly quite a little band, specifically relating to DH), my feelings of failure re: my career, perhaps a healthy dollop of concerns about my relationship with DP...What I am saying is that I reckon people dwell on the negative in diaries. Those things I have just mentioned are all present in me, but in actual fact, the positive things far outweigh the negatives (yeah, some people let me down horribly, eg DH's former wife, a couple of his former colleagues) but I have tons of lovely friends, there are lots of pluses about my relationship with DP and so on. So, I wouldn't let your brief glimpse into your Mum's inner life change your essential view of her as a happy person. I am sure she was, just as I am. As for pot - I am not a fan, as you know, mainly because it tends to blunt the wit

Let the playground mums gossip, DB. Just do as you're doing and bat it away.

Nah, Spot, I wasn't thinking about the Heights (a fave of mine) but a few of us met on the South Bank once.

Right, must press orn.

Keep meaning to catch up but find it difficult to do other than speed reading through.....
I have the most disorganised DH ever, and as a result had to drive him to VV important work thing in Hammersmith so he wasn't late. Bugger me traffic was bad and still had to get out at H'Smith Bridge and sprint the last half mile He's so professional.
Arti? - not sure what to call you these days! Fellowship for 12 mths back home was on the cards but now it's looking like a better idea to stay here. Besides, my parents travel so much I'd probably not see them much more anyway, and I'd also find it hard leaving again after 12 months. Not so great to go back later either, as the Aust system screws over anyone who hasn't study there in this field, so tbh, the short answer is it's unlikely, and I'm ok with that for now. Just picking up snippets of the diary sich - sounds tricky, but like you are dealing well.
Thanks for all the nice comments. I love it when the family visit and it's always hard the first week or so but I've been very busy fortunately (or not) with stuff to do for my return to work - which is the 10th Jam / Deids and I'm feeling fine about it - but will wait and see I suppose.....
By the way Berlin sounded fab Jam!
Spot her eating is still rubbish, but slightly better. She's fussy fussy fussy. Gets excited when the blender comes out. We have graduated to not ALL fruit now, and she will eat Spag Bol (particular fav) and Mac n Cheese, Carbonara etc, but ALL has to be pureed. She also eats little and often, and if she doesn't get filled up, then sleeping suffers..... on it goes....little minx.
Hmm, what else, great news JB so happy to hear that.
Beans and more alfresco toileting at house viewings? Did you put in another offer on the house near you? I may have missed that update.
Saw your FB post - that place looks and sounds fab. Might have to book us all in before their special runs out end of Oct. But with dh these days, spare weekends are RARE.
Vag - yes I saw on FB when you wrote about the passport colours - I read it out to Mum - wonder why they changed them! TBH I've always been REALLY bad at saying goodbye to family since I've lived overseas since '99 but I actually think it's getting easier - mainly I think since having my own family here. It was hard when I lived in the USA, especially hard after divorcing the Ex and staying over there. Are you leaning one way or the other? I have two friends that lived in the UK for years - one is sort of happier back in Aus now and the other (In NZ) is borderline regretting it. I think she had built it up too much in her mind, and after 6 years it wasn't the same. All fun the first 2 weeks, then the novelty wore off and she actually got quite depressed, but then again, that was NZ!
Right, better post - get me and my big entry....

Rubes I'd get depressed if I had to go to live InZid. It's funny as I was reading your post I was thinking "yeah but it is NZ" and then you wrote almost the same as I was thinking. It would compare to living in London then moving to the outer hebrides.

All this talk of pot smoking, I'd better not tell you I'm going on girls weekend in Amsterdam this Saturday.