Dec 08 Mums - happy new year, happy new thread and soon some happy new babies!

[sybilfaulty]

Happy new year!

Sorry for the rubbish title but wanted to get the new thread underway. Let's close the door on some of the sad events of 2011 and look forward to a better year in 2012.

My sister was obsessed with star wars when we were children, I must have watched the empire strikes back about a 1000 times on loong school holidays - she must have been about 6/7 at the time. I guess she became a doctor, that needs some kind of desensitisation....sorry, I shouldn't be flippant. My two are complete cowards and would be terrified by star wars so I can't imagine showing it to them now. DS bawled his eyes out at a winnie the pooh movie.

Indith - best of for tomorrow

Kayz - yay yay yay for a girl. Lovely.

Probably more that I should post but am tired and confused and rambling

ZJ If you Google Nigella Devil's food cake it comes up with the recipe on her website.

I just remembered watching the empire strikes back as a five year old so I guess it can't be that bad.

Jolly sorry the recipe link was meant for ZJ. I love devils food, though I cheat and use a packet.

Sorry for the quick post re the cake earlier ZJ I remembered I'd offered to post it for you about 5 mins before I had someone coming round this morning. It looked like I just told you to sort yourself out! Sorry.

Vag Any link with chocolate is of interest to me too! I watched Star Wars quite recently and could still remember when the scary bits were! I've always been a bit of a film wimp though. I had the most awful nightmares after watching 'Return to Oz'.

Talking of scary stuff. DD1 has always been cautious. She could cruise and walk holding hands for ages before she let go. She often wants me to hold her hand when she goes down a slide. Gets a bit frightened at soft play. A programme with even the tiniest bit of peril in it can have her in tears - 'Pingu has lost his daddy'. I think I said how I'd taken her to watch Arthur Christmas as a birthday treat and we had to leave the cinema!

Anyway, she is getting worse. I was talking to her about the importance of stop, look and listen when you cross roads - all very relaxed, I didn't say anything scary I don't think . She then started almost running across the road, dragging me across shouting 'I can hear a car'. She seems too sensitive compared with other children we know her age. I'm rather afraid and it is DH and I who do remind her to be careful on the stairs and things like that. In our defence, they are wooden and she has fallen down them once.

Anyone watch One Born last night? My goodness I don't know why I watch it. I felt like I've been through a mangle by the end.

Thanks for the links Jolly and Vaj' both droolsome. Fortunately I have been shopping today and G&Bs was on offer so I am well stocked with chocolate now!

How is DS1 today Vaj? Back on form I hope. I haven't seen any Star Wars films, so no idea on that

DD is also quite cautious Jolly, she wept and wept for no reason today because of something on Justin's House and she has developed a real phobia of balloons, she refuses to go to parties at the moment unless I promise there won't be any. I try to just reassure her and demonstrate how Justin's House/balloons can't actually hurt her. But obviously cars can hurt L, so you can't take that approach. I saw One Born, really shouldn't have watched it. It terrified me last night,when normally it makes me super broody and ready for giving birth

Talking of midwives, how was the interview Indith? I hope all went well and there was no interruptions?

Blimey ZJ You shouldn't have watched it. Indith, don't watch it either! And you Kayz. Everyone pregnant step away from OBEM.

That is reassuring, thanks. There is a picture of my older brother aged about 3 with two black eyes caused by a balloon bursting in his face. They can be surprisingly dangerous! That is exactly the sort of thing she does though. She cried at Mr Bloom the other day because compo was beeping. Something to do with them not planting seeds properly. Another good example is how Dh had to get in the bath and demonstrate that even if you stay in the bath till the end you can't get sucked down the plughole .

Hope the interview went to plan Indith.

Past my bedtime, night all.

I know I should be asleep but I popped on to see how Indith had gotten on. Now I'm nervous as she hasn't posted. I'm hoping she is just really exhausted as she had such a great interview.

Ladies with sensitive ones, just enjoy them, ds1 was really sensitive with movies sobbed uncontrollably during the bit in Cars where sally remembers the town before the bypass, we had to walk out of Horton hears a who, and Nemo was just a nightmare (seriously the writers of that movie need a good talking too). He is still more sensitive than kids his age but it is going away and I miss it a bit, he starting to get tougher and less inclined to need a hug.

Ds1 is better but still not 100% I was hoping to get to my PT session tomorrow but he threw up big style tonight so have cancelled. Ds2 has nursery but as ds1 is at home I'll just keep them both off and save the ride out in the cold.

JB - I have a wetty in DD1 as well. Although she's getting better recently. She loves films that are a bit scary, but is terrified of Big Gad (sic) Wolves and Mr Fox and Monsters. But LOVES playing games involving them. I fear she is going to have my propensity for horror films, despite them giving her nightmares. And I took her to see Arthur Xmas for her birthday treat. We left the cinema before the film had even started! Got a refund too. It was too dark in the auditorium and it was too loud for her. That was just the trailers! V funny, but a bit disappointing!

Right, I ought to go and get them dressed. Having a lazy morning with the snow. Just need to go and get some milk and bread today. Got 8 for lunch tomorrow, with 5 children. Joy. Will need to get cheese as well, I think. Ho hum. Then we're out in the evening for drinks. YAWN. I am going to be SO tired.

PS Can't believe I just shared my shopping list with you all. I am very dull.

Haha that made me giggle Beans. You are not dull.

DD1 came into our bedroom this morning, for the first time ever. Usually we go to get her, but DH's alarm had just gone off and we were dozing listening to headlines on LBC (got to love a bit of Nick Ferrari in the mornings), when I felt a little hand worming its way into my side of the bed, followed by a wiggly person. Was rather lovely. But hope it never happens earlier than when the alarm goes off. She has NEVER got out of bed without being asked to before! HA! Total geek!

Ohhh I hope Indith kept her baby in for her interview and that it went well. Where are you Indith???

I am another one with very cautious children. DD1 has always been very physically cautious: scared to go on a scooter until she was 4, scared to try a forward role even now, won't try to ride a proper bike etc. DD2 is physically brave but can't even watch Happy Feet without me holding her hand. She is scared of Soren Lorenson in Charlie and Lola because she thinks he is a ghost. The other day DH growled and acted out being a bear and she cried for 15 minutes even though he stopped as soon as he saw her reaction. She thinks the hair dryer is a monster and screams when it is on... Maybe these reactions are not unusual in children.

Gosh OBEM was hard to watch this week. I was in tears. It brought back memories of DD1's forceps delivery. Our experience was nowhere near as bad, no shoulders were stuck, DD1 was fine, but still it was hard to watch.

I'm here. Still pregnant . Interview was OK I think. First rejections by the end of next week, final selection 20th March .

Feeling pretty dead. Been battling with tummy cramps and toilet explosions all week, 99% sure it is all stress so hopefully it will calm down now interview is over. Been eating nothing but toast and a bit of rice all week though and none of it stays in for long. Got to go pick dd up soon. Urgh.

Glad the interview's behind you, Indith. ZJ, stay off the OBEM I did happen to watch it this week as DP was away. Cor blimey.

Sensitive kids - DD1 is full of fears and worries, as some of you describe. To the extent that she worries that Cinderella's glass slippers are "too dangerous - they'll smash!" So when she is pretending to be Cinderella, she has "Plastic Slippers". What a fantasy To her, the world is full of hazards. DD2 seems to the opposite. I suspect that is probably quite common. Like your DD1, JB, being "sucked down the pipe" is a major fear (plughole, loo etc).

Too busy here, yawn. Off to Mum's on Sunday or Monday though, won't be back until next Fri.

That is funny, Beans. DD1 has never got out of bed on her own - I think she thinks she has to be collected and I am not going to disillusion her

Good golly, Vaj, the teachers aren't very tactful in the Netherlands are they? There seems to be a sort of national bluntness in Holland And Belgium.

Ok, lost another 0.5kg this week - 3kg to go to my Easter target. Won't be losing any next week at Mum's.

Gosh blunt is an understatement, I do miss the politeness and the over apologizing of the British. There is something to be said for looking out for other peoples feelings.

Ds1 was off again today but I think he is getting better and he has actually enjoyed doing some school work at home and he did really well with it. I'm looking forward to having a chat to his teacher about how well he has done.

Dh got offered a job in Singapore, I don't think we are going to g for it though. He is also meeting with a guy tonight who has been wanting to talk to him in person but has been very secretive as to what he wanted to discuss. He works in the same company and division but a different team. Will be interesting to see what he wants. Oh how I'd love to be sort after. I was once headhunted but I was very pregnant and didn't want to commit to something that would be very full time.

Your DH sounds like the man to know, Vag! Wish my DH would be headhunted, then he'd get a payrise.
The vendors of our house have offered us completion a week earlier. Think we're going to go for it.

I have an embarrassing poo story. I just went to let out a cheeky parp while putting girls on sofa and some poo came out!! Luckily DH gone for a run and girls didn't notice. I now have squits, but just feel a bit uncomfortable rather than ill. Hope it stays like this as have 8 adults and 5 littles for lunch today.

Sorry to hear about your follow through, Beans. Both M and I have had dodgy tummies yesterday. I am still not feeling great today. M is back in pull ups. Wish they would make some for me! Good luck for your lunch. We have people coming over tonight which I absolutely don't feel like, but needs must etc.

Happy Saturday everyone.

Thanks Sybs. So sorry you feel crappy too. We're meant to be out for drinks tonight, but having survived lunch, am not sure I have the energy for a night out too!!!

Urgh Beans, deepest sympathy. I too have shat myself when having the squits.

Mine seem to be calming down now finally. I even had a small amount of chicken with my rice at lunch.

Poor you. Hope you feel better soon. I've stayed in while DH has gone out. Feel bad as we're getting on really well at moment.
I am feeling crap and want to go to bed but am watching Take Me Out The Gossip. What's wrong with me? Had a bacon sandwich for supper. V nice. Not sitting that comfortably in my gut.

So, was asleep on the nose of 10pm. DH got in at 1.30am - didn't hear a squeak. This morning, DD1 came in for a snuggle (grrr) at 6.54am. I am deeply in love with DH as he got up with her and DD2 and let me sleep til 8.30am. And that was just when I naturally woke up. Was heavenly. I feel SO much better now. He has now taken the girls swimming and is going to do some DIY at his sister's flat for her, with the girls and doing their lunch there. I have changed our sheets, hoovered and mopped the whole of downstairs, done an hour of work and am about to do the ironing. It's amazing. I am feeling SO on top of the world. What a star!

PS Forgot to say that DD1 has definitely got into the playgroup at our new pad. It's not the one in our village, but the nextdoor village, where the school is outstanding and we're trying to get her in there. The head of the governors showed me round the school and said that DD1 is almost 100% sure to get into the nursery there as the intake for her year is fairly small this year. Which means, when we apply for the reception year at the school a year later, then the chances are she'll get in as the nursery generally indicates who will be starting at the school, so there should be room, if that makes any sense. V pleased.

AND the vendors have asked us if we want to move our completion date forward by a week! Erm, eek! DH v keen. Me not so much. Just nervous of no childcare and not knowing the area etc. AND what will I do about my work!!!

Hope you sort it out about the house, Beans. Glad you are feeling a bit better. That sounds v good about the nursery/school situation.

How are you now, Sybs?

I am off to Mum's tomorrow - was going to be today but she had a problem with her boiler (all fixed now). Had the usual busy weekend (where I still never seem to get anything done, running to stand still) but must admit have spent the evening watching the Baftas. Reached a peak of worrying about money yesterday and then starting thinking about people who were sleeping rough in these biting sub-zero temps and feeling awful for them and just getting a bit of perspective, really. A donation to a homeless charity is in order, I reckon.

DD1 is being so demanding at the moment. Maybe it's normal. She just wants my attention almost all the time. She's lovely but it gets a bit wearing. Even DP has noticed that she has become even more full on with it. Also, she is a massive control freak and is always flipping out because the most minute thing isn't precisely how she wants it - it's wrong, or dirty, or ruined. Mind you, the control freakery thing has been around for a while (and I suspect is linked to the eating probs, lack of willingness to be toilet trained etc). Poor little complicated kid.

Right, better go and do some stuff. When I get back from Mum's I am going to be asking for your help in getting my life/house organised - ha! Good luck to our nearly ready ladies - ZJ and Indith. Will be eagerly lurking and nosing for news!

Pop, splash, waters gone! Just loitering for MIL to come babysitting and then we're off to the MLU. Wish me contracting vibes x

Blimey I seem to have popped on at an interesting moment! How exciting, good luck zj!