Feb 2010 They're all walking and talking....and some are even sleeping. The babies are doing okay too.

[InmaculadaConcepcion]

Pull up a comfy chair, grab a cuppa and a piece of cake, switch the monitors on low and let's PARTY.....!!!

PA I haven't yet as our visit is not before 9th Janaury 2012 I am not cooking any DC2 yet

However, once DS reaches pre-school , the kids have 3 times a week some French lessons which will be an additional input for him.

Managed to get dd1 to school and myself to the GP for my 'fasting' blood test all without breakfast or even coffee... This is more impressive than it sounds . I think my metabolism is ridiculously fast because I wake up very hungry even if I had a snack (cereal/bread) at 11ish the previous night . (When I hadn't known him long dh once famously went from breakfast one day to dinner the NEXT day without eating because he was stressed at/after work! He got quite a telling off from me and has had breakfast ever since but often skips lunch. If I'd ever tried something like that I wouldn't have been conscious much after lunch the first day...)

IC dd2 says hello to your dd She remembers Rosie ate pizza (Food and shoes are very important in dd2's life )

BG I hope the blood test will not show anything to worry about.

So how do you keep a LO busy inside when you are not allowed to leave the house? My weekend is going to be fun

SB do you have a garden/backyard? I usually open the kitchen door and chuck dd2 out with a doll's buggy... Other ideas: making dens with blankets etc, painting with finger paints, free reign with stickers, baking christmas cookies, getting LO to 'help' with dustpan and brush/hoover, 'washing' toys in a bowl with plenty of bubbles... Just a few off the top of my head. And then there is always TV/DVD if desperate

Thanks for this BG i have the fingers paintt, the back garden, biscuits ingredients and lots of DVDs (I always have one in French to hand)

dd2 seems surprisingly aware of the pecking order and her place in it... She's spent mornings this week when we were home trying on and parading around in dd1's shoes, but wont' touch them in the afternoons when dd1 is back! I think she knows she'd be in BIG trouble if her sister saw her
Does make me wonder whether a third child would actually be a good thing to mix things up a bit and give dd2 the chance to boss around a younger sibling

well DD woke up at 8:30 this morning, came into my bedroom, laid down on the floor and went back to sleep . Obviously I'm very thankful that although ill she's not distressed but my heart did break a little for her. She got at 9 due to ILs crashing in and has been sleeping since 11:50. this is all her body needs to get through it.

BG feeling broody??

PA ILs again today? Count to 10, node and smile swear in your head rant when needed on here

they're here until tomorrow lunch time

DS keeps trying to smile :)

how come u have 2 stay in this weekend?

PA Awwwww... (at your ds, not your ILs!)

What are you all getting your LOs for christmas? I am really struggling to think of something for dd2 because she's inherited so much from her sister (and has spent the time since dd1 started school quietly transferring as many things as she can get away with from dd1's room into her own! ).

We're getting Duplo to DS, normal bricks and themed boxes. We guesses that it'll be easier for the families to buy things and also there's so many things, it'll keep him busy.

PA I'm stuck at home because I'm on sick leave and over here you're supposed to stay home. So cute that your DS is trying to smile

erm we're not getting anything again

will do a clothes order in the new year and if I see a gap after she has presents from family then I might fill it then.

Stocking fillers are going to be a cutlery set and some weighted/rubber-bottomed plates and bowls (plus a clementine and a couple of chocolate coins, probably!). Main present (from us) will be some posters to put up in DD's bedrooms.
I've asked PILs to see if they can find a reasonably-priced indoor trampoline as DD loves bouncing and she's not going to be able to do it in her Baby Bjorn chair (ahem!) for much longer......

Actually DD only has one bedroom. (But she does have an ennsuite shower room...!!)

en suite

dd2 has just been busted! dd1 was looking for something specific in dd2's room and appeared with an armful of stuff saying indignantly 'That's mine!!!!' .

I would love to go with no presents but somehow don't think a 4 1/2 year old would find that remotely funny... although bless her, she doesn't expect much (I asked her earlier and she came up with some new shoes, some chocolate, and a cushion with flowers on (?). I think I can manage that).
dd2 has to get a few things to unpack to make it look 'fair'

We bought DS a mini drum kit for Christmas - I cant' wait to see him play with it (although it will probably have driven me mad by boxing day). He loevd playing on that one at Camp Bestival (there's a video on my facebook) so much we thought we'd get one.

Mum is getting him a clock puzzle, you know the wooden ones with the removable numbers - she's already bought and given him his main present which was a load of winter clothes and we've asked the inlaws to get him an easel for painting.

I have been so happy to see people today. It was the first day for a week he's been well enough from the HFM to be with other kids. I saw one friend and her little girl in the park this morning and then after nap we went to see a friend and her little boy on my street.

bc glad to hear your DS is getting better and that you're doing well too.

BG at your DD1 discovering your DD2 actions for the last few months.

well DD slept for three hours in the end but almost her old self by night time

bc I'd have been near crazy

PA good luck for tonight.

Just thought I'll share this one with you. You earn Boots points while shopping on others websites

I'll have a look... I need a present that comes in a large box and preferably costs less than 10 pounds (okay, 15 pounds).

some ikea ideas one, two and three