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.

Trace - I don't know much about it, but the mood stabilizers do sound like a good idea if they'll help and, as you say, you can always stop if it's not working out.

I feel ok about Mum saying that, in fact, I quite understand. It's v hard for Dad to have visitors, even when it's family, as he was so debilitated last time, that I think he found it mortifying for us to see him so low. Although I think sometimes that a change of scene, even if it's just new people in your normal bedroom, can be a good thing! So I do hope to go down once or twice in the next few months.

Must go DD2 screeching in her room. Please don't let her be dropping her afternoon sleep already!

PS Your day sounds lovely, Trace, and I'm very impressed by your running. You are very good to be doing it! I haven't started again yet this year!

Trace hope you get a place! GNR sounds brilliant, I want to do it the following year (I think this September would be pushing it a bit!). A friend of mine did it last year. She started couch to 5K around April not too regularly due to her dh being away for work a lot so not being able to get out and run but she did it in a very respectable time. Bet all the exercise and fresh air will work wonders for your mood too :)

well I couldn't get my bloods done because I turned up and they'd gone to lunch! Oh well, that'll have to wait for another day. Otherwise the day is as planned - and now I'm back on my bum as L is at French club so I have a bit more time
I've had a bit of a wobble though - I went for my ECG, which was absolutely fine, and I looked round at the screen while the nurse was entering the info, and saw that my records now say 'bipolar affective disorder' . I wasn't aware that I'd been given that label, so I'm not quite sure whether the GP has written it or whether that has come from the consultant, but either way it shocked me a bit and I had to fight the urge to cry. I know it's just words...
Anyway, while I was out I had a look round New look and found nothing that I wanted to even try on! That was a cheap outing

Oh trace. I'd try to muster the courage to get the GP to call you and ask how/when/why that is on your notes. Surely something like that cannot just appear on your notes without you having been told. Not to ask your permission but because it is a diagnosis and shouldn't be kept from you!

I remember they were discussing changing your 'label' from PND at one of your appointments trace. I must have been a bit of a shock to see it had been changed without confirmation with you. You are right though. It is only words but words which might help you access the right care. Wow, go you with the running!

rubes Hope your DD settles in well. I'm sure she will with her big brother checking up on her. DD1 is really excited that her sister is going to be joining nursery too. She is also able to pop in to see her in the baby room too. I think it is lovely that they do that.

yes JB I thought it was being changed to 'recurrent depression', which comes under the umbrella of bipolar disorder, but I didn't think the bipolar thing would be on my notes. Hmm. Oh well.
It's great that your dds will be able to see each other at nursery

Ask them about it during your next consulatant appointment then trace as it wasn't what you were expecting. It might have been chosen from a drop down box of options by your GP with no real thought put into it. I do think any medical information sounds much worse written down though!

Just watched 'One Born Every Minute'. It makes me broody .

Just popping on to comment that I have picked the most enormous bogie out of DD1's nose this morning and am still feeling very satisfied by it. Yay!

Happy new year to you all, and thanks for the new thread Sybs. And happy birthday to Trace, I hope you've had a lovely day?

LadyT my fingers are crossed for a publisher picking up your book. How frustrating about the tenant. Have a great time in Oslo

Indith when is your EDD? I think I will join you in some post birth body recovery. I let BF do it all last time, but my sis is getting married in June so I'd like to try some gentle toning to make sure I don't wobble in all of the wrong places

Beans I do hope this chemo course doesn't take too much of a toll on your Dad. I can understand him wanting to be left alone if he's feeling rough, as I'm just the same. However colds and flu do not compare to a life limiting illness, so it must be so hard wanting to fill every last minute with loved ones, yet still get some peace and quiet when he needs it

How is your ear doing now Arti ? I hate earache, miserable

Jump for the last couple of years we've just bought a token something for DD for her birthday, and then had family over on her christening anniversary (in July) and bought her something big for the garden and unveiled it then. This year she was much more aware of her birthday though so we couldn't have got away with postponing it, so I hope the gifts we've bought will last her

We would have loved to watch the Gruffalo and his child Summer, but DD refused and said she was scared, despite loving the books and being able to recite the stories upside down and back to front. DH and I resorted to watching on our own in the evening! The Strictly panto though has been watched to death

Hurrah for the heartbeat kayz, little beggar hiding like that and giving you a scare!

As others have said Trace, it is all just labels - but still tough to be labelled as such. Did you ask the nurse about it? If you can brave it, I think it is something to be discussed with your GP. Could it be as simple as needing to be diagnosed as bipolar to be able to get the new meds, and so it's been changed to make sure you get them? I'm impressed with the running, Even the thought of driving that far makes me feel weak!

I watched OBEM too Jolly, and sobbed from start to finish. Looking forward to next week already!

New years resolutions - mine are to set a good example to DD, especially table manners (I resolve not to read at the table, or to keep jumping up and down for stuff, but will stay seated) and not being too busy to pay attention (I think it is too telling that every time I ask Dd to do something she replies "in 2 minutes, I'm just busy" ). And I'm aiming for a well stocked freezer, plus an arsenal of easy recipes, so we don't live on toast once no 2 arrives. Can I be your organiser please Jolly? Just reading your plans for lists and folders is getting me a little bit excited

We had a lovely new year, we went away with friends for 3 nights - 3 families with 4 lovely girls between us with just 2 years between the oldest and youngest. DD is the youngest but determined not to be left behind and got herself dressed everyday, ate without help etc (it's not lasted since we got home though, and she wants it doing for her again). I had a great rest, the others cooked and the girls all entertained each other, I'm still feeling super chilled out now

How are the new schoolies getting on? DD went this morning and hasn't shut up since "I had a lovely morning" "school is lots of fun" etc etc. I think we can call it a success! She's just going for 2 mornings at the moment, as she's still in nursery 1 day a week to keep her place open. I think we might pay for another session later in the year, to give me a bit of time with baby. DH said it was very strange to be taking her into his old classroom, and finding it full of his old classmates also doing the school run!

As this has taken me days to write, I will post now, before the thread moves on again!

Trace the running is fantastic! I hope you get a place in the Great North Run!! I wish I could run but I've decided I'll never be a runner. I would ask your GP about the change from PND to the bipolar. I think they should have said when it would be changed and what to before they changed it.

ZJ I'm due towards the end of Feb, when is yours? I'd def be up for some motivational fitness companionship. Bf worked pretty well for getting back into shape after ds but not so much after dd! I will be running with couch to 5K to help me back into the swing of things (I had started running again before I got pg this time round) but I also need to find something to help with the old tummy separation as even trousers that fitted were very uncomforable when sitting down. Stuff that is really great for exercise and easy to do at home such as Peak Energy has so much abdominal work in it but I was finding that I just couldn't do it without putting strain in the wrong places so need to sort that out first.

Thanks Trace and Jolly

Hello lovelies

Have about two seconds so no time for personals, I am hoping to come on and do a session early next week...I do wish our pregnant ladies a nice restful weekend in particular.

Trace, I think you should deffo at least ask about what you saw on your notes. I would.

Rubes, am thrilled to hear DS is settling in, and I think a day a week will be nice for DD and give you a break too. I will come back to you with some dates towards the end of the month, depending on your work. What's up with MIL?

DP still has a really sore foot. It just seems as if it's going to take a long time to clear up unless he just rests it, and he can't because he does have to go to work...

I have FINALLY got tenants for my flat, but not before I thought someone was moving in on Friday and so DP and I had to hare up on Thursday night as she wanted a short let and therefore we needed to provide bedding, crockery etc...only for her to say she didn't want it. This has happened more than once now but a couple have actually signed and transferred money now so it seems for real. I have to go over there in a bit to do some last minute things, hence my rush. One last night there!

Went out with the mums from the pre-school to the local pub last night. It was lovely. Very cheering. Spot, if you're reading this - villages can be nice. I promise!

Oslo is next Fri so I will be on properly before then, love to all.

I've had a scan this morning. I have a un cooperative baby as all we really saw was the back. But they are 80% certain it's a girl. They want me to go back next week but not sure if I can get there as DP will be at work then.

Right ladies, I finally have a chance to catch up properly - girls in bed, coat of paint applied to bathroom floor, DH happily reading a magazine :)

Firstly, thanks for the ideas re E's pressies. Have snuck away some of the more baby-like of S's toys and will wrap them for her to open, and get her one new thing that can be just hers. It's tough, trying to work out what to do! We may go for joint christmas pressies more in the future, eg my dad gave us some cash to put towards buying them a swing set for the new garden, but E's birthday being after Christmas does make it more tricky to find stuff for her. I'm sure as they get older and develop their own interests it's easier too.

Jolly, I like the idea of putting money aside for activities as present - we have some good zoos near here, and we're trying dd with gym club soon so that could always be something for future years. And ZJ keeping the Christening anniversary is a good idea too as an alternative - though S was done in February so still v close to Christmas...!

Re Peppa, well I'm sorry this will sound dead snooty but we don't put commercial telly on for the girls, just Beebies, and it seems to have helped in that S didn't spend weeks up to Christmas demanding XYZ branded plastic toys as we have discovered are advertised all the time. Also I once saw a show called 5 alive (or similar) and man it was just crap compared to the lovely Andy, Sid, Cerrie and the gang! I think they just figure since small girls in general like Peppa she will too. Comes home from nursery able to identify all the disney princesses, and singing tv theme tunes for things we've never seen, so I guess they just soak it all up...

And as far as pink itself, it's a vexed subject... The ILs know I'm a bit of a feminist and would rather S was running about in a pair of boy's trousers that she could actually move in than in a pretty dress that she can't move properly in, but because SIL was always a very girly girl, they find it very hard to understand. I think really it's more the sudden 'branding' of my child I feel uneasy about - she wears all sorts of random stuff but never anything which has a name on it, and suddenly she's got this clothing with a person she has no interest in. It would be like giving me an Arsenal top [no offence to Arsenal fans, I just have no interest in football at all!] and being surprised when I didn't show great enthusiasm for wearing it as a form of advertising.

Oh and wellies, have never actually bought a pair new, they've all been ones I've spotted for 50p in charity shops so have been utterly random patterns and colours, but S's feet are growing so fast I can hardly bring myself to pay for new, esp as they insist she has a pair at nursery as well.

Aaaaargh that pastel lego with barbie-style figures makes my eyes hurt. Surely to goodness if there's a gender-neutral toy it shoudl be bloody lego

Kayz - I saw you had a thread on deciding between two houses, any progress? DP's new job sounds exciting, though a lot of time away - will he be back for the birth do you know? Great that MW found the heartbeat :)

Indith/Deids/Arti/Rubes, hope all the nursery/pre-school adventures are going well :)

Lady - how is DD1 doing with her eating and general recovery from bugs? Sending her big strong get-well vibes.

Hmmmm new year's resolutions. I may have forgotten to make any Is it too late? "Be less shouty" seems like one we can all work on together!

Robobeans! Am v of your party and having lots of fun with DH. Haven't heard the terms shedded in absolutely ages! It's great that your dad is feeling up to playing golf and doing a bit of enjoying life. I can see his point about not wanting to see people during the chemo, perhaps he just wants to get it done without too much fuss as he'll be feeling grotty (to say the least :( ) and then can get back to enjoying life with his family afterwards.

Arti - how is your ear now? Are you sure the wobbliness wasn't just too much cheefulness over Christmas...?

Indith - wind up caterpillars?! Explain...!

Loving the tales of Little Tykes carjacking - they're so massively cool though, can quite understand the appeal :)

Trace - glad you're feeling positive about making a big decision re meds. Hope they start working soon and you feel more settled. Massive running excitement too - you are all so impressive on this thread! Re the label, definitely worth asking about the diagnosis and if it will make any difference to your treatment.

Lady - poor DP and his foot, that's been troublesome for a long time :(

Summer - hope DS had a lovely party and you had enough people to make it good fun :) Gruffalo cake pics look truly awesome, especially made with tons of chocolate :)

Just have to say, DH currently on the phone to his mum, she asked what we were getting E for her birthday and he explained we would be wrapping up some of the stuff she'll inherit from S, then get her maybe one or two other things. Could hear from the other side of the room her saying "ooooooh no you can't possibly!"

Jump why pick on Arsenal?
We aren't sure about moving yet. I think we might leave it a while so DP can settle into new job without house stuff to worry about. It's looking unlikely that he'll be home for the due date. But he's due home day after so hopefully baby will be late.

caterpillar before I go to bed. Seriously, sort of thing that costs about 50p in Hawkins (RIP Hawkins :() and they collapse into fits of giggles over and over and over again. Helps if you have a 5 year old who can wind it up otherwise you have a 3 year old handing it to you every 30 seconds for an encore. We have a box with all those pocket money tatt type toys in. Wind up stuff, bouncy balls, spinning tops. I love them. When all else fails I get that box out and it keeps them busy for ages!

Thank the LORD for Christmas! So many new presents for the girls that I can just sit back and watch them play. And go on MN! Hee hee! Not that I didn't anyway, but now they don't bug me while I'm on here! Hurrah! Happy little bears all round. It's actually gorgeous listening and watching them play. DD1 immersed in DD2's new toy garage and DD2 playing with DD1's dolly in the high chair and feeding her etc. Marvellous.

DD1 has wet herself 3 times in the last 24hrs. I am about to get angry on her - I can't keep saying it doesn't matter, when actually it does. Any tips??!

Kayz - so glad your MW found the heartbeat and amazing if it is a little girl! But don't count your chickens, as they weren't 100% sure!!!

What a lovely day I've had generally. Girls didn't wake til 8.10am, DH then got up with them while I had an extra half hour just lounging in bed. Then he took them swimming. I got a few jobs out of the way, then read my book (Catching Fire - sequel to Hunger Games - whoooooo was my Secret Santa genius???!) for an hour. Then DH had to go into work, so girls had lunch, then DD1 goggled while DD2 slept, then a lovely walk/scooter in the park and a bit of choc cake for the girls while I had a coke. Pottered slowly home and now they're self-entertaining. I'm loving it!

Oh yes, another resolution - much less telly for both of them! I'm not going to just resort to putting it on. Have found if I don't, they get on with playing. Was elementary really.

DH away this week. Is it bad that I'm excited? Apart from Tues night when he's home.

I need tips. I have 2 kids staying on Weds night for a friend. Hers tend to get up at 6am, which is a bind. However, I need advice on room-sharing. Her little girl is DD1's best friend (bossy little thing!) and they would LOVE to share a room. However, DDs are now so good at sleeping in, I don't want DD1 getting up at 6 with her mate. So was thinking about putting the two siblings in with eachother, so I can just deal with two children at a time, rather than all of them being up at 6am!!! Or is that mean adn I just have to get on with it! My friend is going to come over at 7.30 to do breakfast with us all, which is good. What do you all think? Heart says sleepover, head says separate rooms!!

Ah let her have the sleepover and put her to bed early the following night. It is only one night and she will love it.

Dd sometimes goes through phases of weeing everywhere and not caring. I can find her sitting on the sofa in a puddle and she won't have told me, she jsut doesn't care. I find the only thing to get through it is to be strict for a while like back in the early stages. Don't ask her if she needs to go but tell her to go so I sned her to the loo after breakfast, at snack time, before lunch etc. Basically before anything happens she has to go to the loo.

hi ladies
off to bed shortly but wanted to say hi!
beans would yours not wake up when the others got up anyway? Or can they sleep through noise? I think I would resign myself to an early start!
We went to see this house yesterday and loved it It's got bags of space, needs a little cosmetic work doing but is £50 000 cheaper than the 'perfect' house we have our eye on. It's nearer to my work, but further from dh's work, but that's fine. We also had someone come to see ours yesterday too - a first tyime buyer with a (very cute) 18 month old. Her mum came with her as her husband was away. She seemed really positive and said she would get her husband to come and view it....fingers crossed (we've been here before!)
Thanks for your thoughts on my 'label'! I'm seein my CPN on Wednesday so think I'll ask her about it.
I just had my friend round for the evening - she has just been through a whirlwind dianosis and surgery to remove thyroid cancer. She found a lump a few months ago, had it removed a couple of weeks ago and has been given the results which showed it was cancer, but that it was contained and has therefore all been removed and needs no further treatment. So she is relieved and really shocked that she had cancer and didn't know it, but has now had it removed. A lot to take in - she's in a bit of a bad way Anyway at least it's gone now so hopefully she can deal with the emotional side and come to terms with it.
Had a bit of a busy weekend - few girlfriends round on Friday for a natter, then a couple round for Chinese last night It's been lovely to see friends - in fact I've enjoyed it so much that I think I probably don't need to start the new meds! Anyway today I'm quite pooped (and rather of Beans' girls entertaining themselves!) so will go to bed now.
Hopefully back soon. Night Night xxx

where's vag?

I agree with indith beans let the older ones sleep together. We tried to make ds's best friend stay in a room with dd and she was having none of it anyway so you might find they kick off anyhow if separated
I love the hunger games too. Wish they had been around when I was a teenager as would have totally loved them then.

Ds party was good. Only three kids of his age plus siblings was perfect. Especially as he knows all three very well. Gruffalo cake went down well! For those of you who saw on Facebook somehow it looked really good in photo in real life it looked quite amateur but it was still yummy!

Oh and finally we seem to have toilet trained ds well ish. Still having odd accident but going well.

Hi trace! Fingers crossed on house. Isn't vag still in aus?