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.

Crikey Moses you lot have been busy this afternoon, meet up sounds fun, wish I could come.

JJ we have had two melt downs at the till at the supermarket in the last week and I take the same view, if I give him.attention for it and give in to what he wants (today it was a strange green fridge magnet that came with some skin care products if purchased) he will think he just needs to scream & carry on and he can get what he wants. I actually walked out of the shop today without him, which I think scared the staff more than it did him. He stood screaming next to the coveted item for a good 30 seconds more. To be honest I was kind of hoping one of them would just give him the fridge magnet and he'd be on his way. But he did leave the shop eventually, but continued his auditory assault for several more minutes until I got him into his bike seat, then he carried on screaming halfway home. Bless him though he is now lying in bed next to me now with a scorching hot forehead and breathing rapidly. Poor little thing, he was obviously a bit unwell earlier and that was the beginning. But still I need to be consistent with the tantrums no matter what state he is in.

That sounds all good with the no induction thing Kayz and your 30 weeks so plenty of time to turn. I've no idea when either of mine turned, but I've known friends to turn quite late.

Oh & Rubs & Aubs invest in a couple of running tops I can't train in anything else otherwise I feel too hot and my bingo wings get all chaffed. Ouch.

Ive got a lovely Nike one that was reduced to £12 in tk maxx. Genius.

Good evening fine ladies. After making such a fuss about how depressing it is that people keep vanishing, off I bugger for another chunk of time without so much as a by yer leave! I am going to read back when I have typed this and do a catch up NOW. Otherwise it won't get done again!

The wedding was lovely, thanks, such a happy day and the girls were so brilliant and O was a super bridesmaid and I was mega proud. And yes, I did wear my white dress But I had my pink things on the top for the entire day anyway. (DB, the reason why you couldn't see what I was wearing in the one pic that featured me was that I only had another couple of me full length and I decided the angle was unflattering as it looked like I was pregnant...DP is the worst person ever at taking photos of me, bless him. Mind you, we both screwed up on the taking photos front....too busy having a good time).

Rubes - you do know that Oxford is basically halfway between London and Birmingham (about 60 miles from each) ? I know you aren't in London but that must roughly be similar - is it for you for work?

Spent Sunday with my FIL and Monday with my Stepmother. She had had her hair done and looked really well. But it has really set me off about my Dad again and I have been in quite a gloom ever since. I am definitely going through a gloomy spell. It's all the usual things. Even my birthday celebrations kicking off tomorrow are failing to put a smile on me face....

Right, now let me read back and do this catch up

Right, here we go.

A random question first - does anyone get PMS? I have never really had the emotional aspects, just sore boobs and water retention. But this month and last (at my advanced age I have finally started having regular periods) I noticed that I felt particularly bleak before AF. Mind you, got it yesterday and have still felt unusually negative today...so could be coincidence. I read that PMS can be exacerbated by coffee and I must admit I have started drinking more that I used to.

McKayz - I hope you get the birth you want. You've done it before, that has to go in your favour...I thought your wedding dress was beautiful, by the way. I am so glad you had a lovely day.

ZJ - have you decided whether to put DD2 to bed before or after DD1? We used to put DD2 to bed after DD1 when she was little, it was so much less hassle (for us, anyway). DD1 suffers from night terrors too! She hasn't had any for a few weeks, but sometime she goes through phases of having them every night. We can't see a pattern, especially, but we find just reassuring her and trying to get her to have a drink of water (she also fights ans struggles sometimes) works - as soon as she has a few sips of water she snaps out of it. It's horrible, I know.

Rubes - was very sorry that yesterday at yours got canned. Hope to see you soon, I know we keep saying it. Well, I am in Essex from Monday to Wednesday although I know that's a dashed long way from you... So who is coming to see me on Tuesday? Who who who who? And how come you are running when surely your DH thinks pavement pounding is bad for joints? And how is A's finger and how is the dog after her tumble down the stairs?

Well done on the 7.5, Aubi. I am still vacillating on the 20 mile sponsored walk thingy...let alone contemplating a run. Your hol sounds blissful, by the way. I bet Crete in April was so nice.

KP - sorry about the gastro (but I would be happy if I lost 5lb I must say). Going back a bit, that does sound strange about your sister and not touching DD2 but maybe she is really struggling. Sad all round, really. My sister is peeing me off at the moment. She doesn't seem bothered about my stepmother and how she is coping without my Dad - all she has done is send a Christmas card. I think this is selfish, I don't care how busy she is. She works in the NHS and I realise it is stressful but also she never, ever talks about anything else! Grrr.

Went off piste a bit there, sorry!

JJ, I think I would try to get her to learn to have the drink at the proper time - ie withhold it. I am a massively lax parent on the whole but I do not think this is unreasonable. They've got to learn a few boundaries, haven't they? I thought of you on Fri (in particular), listening to various seasonal choral works...Do you still see that loopy woman who tried to keep the sex of her child under wraps? And the Boat Race shenanigans...?

Spot, how is it going with DP at home? My DP has been very kind and thoughtful lately. Last time I said that on here, we had a row almost the very next day but I refuse to believe in jinxes! Are you moving back to town, do you think? I am out with 'the villagers' tomorrow night. They are lovely but the mood I am in, I just feel like pulling the duvet over my head.

Beans, how is the new house? Is there anything left to do? There was a programme on CH4 tonight about people whose houses are full of crap and experts come in to help them pare it down and flog it then makeover their home. I looked on, longingly...

Are you still training a lot, Vag? When is your next proper trip to Blighty?

I was pottering around in the kitchen the other day and DD2 was in her high chair. I opened the door to one cupboard and she piped up "Buttons in there". Also, she had a Thomas the Tank Easter egg (Kinnertons are nut free, hurrah) and the next day she asked for "Thomas chocolate". I didn't know she knew either word. She is very focussed when it comes to confectionery She can now officially eat (in small quantities) macademia nuts, pine nuts and coconuts as her bloods came back as having only minor allergies to those. All other nuts are out though.

Well, still more I wanted to say but it's nearly midnight - yikes!

Hi Lady, some months I find I am more anxious before my period. It's not consistent but often when I question why I am suddenly feeling anxious and question why I realise it's nearly that time of the month. I think evening primrose oil capsules are said to help. Or you could just got for number three and avoid periods for a year or so... Any more thought on number three. We are going to go for it! Not trying before late August though as there is no way I want morning sickness for our California trip. It's been a huge decision, more discussed than anything I have ever had to decide before. But the question just won't go away so I we decided that probably meant the answer was to go for it.

Anyone have any tips for how I can amuse two 5 year olds and 2 three year olds on my own all day today? We have our friend's two DDs for 72 hours while the parents go to Oman. Last night nobody slept til 9ish & all were awake by 6.45am. Now it's 8.30 on a rainy day and I have already run out of ideas and put everyone in front of Beebies. I would bake but they have all had so much chocolate this week. Please inspire me before I panic.

Aubs get them making something? Check out RedTedArt blog for lovely things to make (from stuff you have anyway usually). Playing dolly hospitals seems to occupy DD1 and friends but that's very girly, not sure what gender they are!

Rubes there was a thing on radio 4 the other day on whether running really is bad for joints. Consensus was its fine. Tho obviously up to a point. I think it's acknowledged that marathons are not great for you..! Hoping to do a jog tonight after a few days out of action with the dreaded tummy bug. Though on plus side I now weigh less than I did before I had DD1 ... Do get new shoes though, you are supposed to replace running shoes fairly regularly as they obviously get more stresses and strains than your average pair of shoes.. Go to one of the places that analyse your run!

Oh and I'm in sw18 now. But have car and up for meeting wherever!

Gosh Aubs that's hardcore, I'm thinking DVDs but if you must bake I have a really simple recipe for biscuits using porridge oats, honey, bananas, egg & butter/marg. Very simple the older kids can crack the eggs & the younger ones can mix it, you just have to melt the butter. I think it's 8oz of oats, a couple of bananas whizzed up then weigh them, if the almost weigh 6 oz then add enough honey to make up the difference. 1 egg and I think its 4oz of marg or a combination of butter & veg oil. Mix it all together and then spoon out into biscuit sizes on a baking tray, you might need to manipulate them into biscuit shapes and then cook for 25 mins at 175 C . You can't really get it wrong. Oh I think you also put a teaspoon of baking powder & a pinch of salt. I'm not quite sure why the baking powder is used.

Beans Nike is my favourite, I know they have had questionable ethics in the past but they really do the best women's specific running gear. I find some running shorts rub my bott bott a little, but Nike have designed their shorts & tights with sympathetically placed seams. They seems to avoid the blobby bits of ladies that are susceptible to chaffing.

Speaking of training, I had a long awaited session with my trainer today, he has had to cancel a few sessions due to his own childcare issues, but DS2 is quite poorly so instead I'm slabbed out with him on the couch watching nemo.

Aubs, I like that, the question wouldn't go away, I don't think that will change DHs mind. So exciting though woo woo another baby to look forward too. I was a little worried we were going to have a baby Veg on the way, but DH assures me he..erm...pulled out in time.

Lady I def get PMS, mine manifests with lonely feelings, and being paranoid that I have no friends and nobody likes me. It usually lasts a day or two (often with DH & I having a raging row) then I realise I'm being silly, then suddenly bang aunt flo arrives.

Aub - Playdoh? Is there a softplay near you? Wow, that is above and beyond the call - you are a lovely friend. Dollies always take up a fair bit of time here. Or empty loo roll orchestra also a good one.

That's v exciting about number 3, well done! I think we've pretty much decided against it now, as it would mean doing the loft extension and not sure if we can really commit to spending that kind of money at the moment. AND then we couldn't afford to go on holiday at all, if we wanted to send them to private secondary. Ho hum.

Lady - your pic of O on FB was so sweet! She looked just gorgeous. Was it RH that got married? Also, I get very anxious and generally vile just before AF. Although DH would probably argue that I'm usually like that anyway!

Looking forward to seeing Summer, Rubes and Jam later. Wellies definitely needed for a walk. Grimbo weather.

Off to softplay in a minute myself!

DD2 up 4 times last night, I am exhausted! DH didn't get back from work til midnight and I didn't hear him at all. Then his alarm went off at 6. I vaguely heard it and meant to say goodbye to him, but I went back to sleep til 6.45, by which time he'd gone! Oops!

Aubi Baking & craft are my two rainy day ideas. If you don't want to make cakes how about something savoury for lunch...pizzas, sausage rolls...put a DVD on and have a carpet picnic inside. My DD just loves anything involving 'picnic'. Or the other day I gave DD a load of old magazines. She spent hours cutting stuff out & sticking them to make collages of various themes...the littlies might need help with the cutting though. Or build a den from chairs and blankets let them eat their picnic in there.

I hope you all have fun at your meet up. I can a little that I live so far away.

My weight loss seems to have come to a halt. I seem to lose a pound or just stay the same. I have lost about a stone since January but the reality is I need to shift another one too, ideally before June as we are away to Anglesey and then have a wedding to go to.

Beans I like Nike too but best running rights I have are Pearl Izumi ones. They are ace.

LadyT having not had a period for errr, I guess 15 months or so I'm no expert but definitely get very glum before. When I was younger I used to get awful cramps but after DD1 they pretty much left and was just the glooms.

What shall I do today?? Usually on Fridays (DD1 at nursery) I volunteer at NCT playgroup and do rhyme time at local library with DD2. Can't do either cos of pox. BORED. Help!

lady Yes I get dreadful PMS. I can go from weepy to screaming at DH/DC's within seconds. Generally though I am just very short tempered. Then when AF arrives I get crippling stomach ache for the first 48 hrs. My sis swears by Evening Primrose Oil, although I haven't tried it yet and I really should

You are cheering me up about the PMS. Well, not that I am glad that you lot get it but at least I am not alone! Apart from caffeine exacerbating it I have also read that deficiencies in certain vits and minerals can also do so, so I need to look at that, perhaps. I have heard that Starflower Oil is even better than Evening Primrose as it has a higher concentration of GLAs, the 'active' ingredient. I used to get awful cramps when I was younger as well - those agonising ones. At least they are long gone.

Have a lovely meet up As for Kiwi and Aubi, a bit stuck for things to do - hmmmm, I am not exactly the queen of these matters but O enjoyed making jelly the other day (breaking up the cubes, choosing fruit to mix in etc. As long as an adult does the boiling water thing it's ok). That's more sugar though...What about planting seeds in pots, or just watering? That's also big here.

Aubs, I am very excited about you going for No. 3. Yay! I have come to the conclusion that we would if money wasn't such a crippling issue at the mo. Though I would dread the broken nights, I must admit. Beans, we too hope to do private secondary and much as I would love three I fear that, even potential school fees aside, another would stretch all our already scarce resources to breaking point. But I do fear the regret of NOT doing it. Vag - are you sure DH could never be persuaded?

Beans - yes, it was RH who got hitched. I did feel for the best man cos when two comedians get married and you aren't one and you have to give a speech with a smattering of other comedians in the crowd....it must be more than a little nervewracking.

I would like to lose a stone as well, DB, but I would settle for half a stone now. I have also atrophied the last week or two but once my birthday's over it's back to it.

Some positive talk after yesterday's moaning. I finally sold my first ever thing on Ebay the other week (money finally in my account today ) and so I am going to Ebay like crazy until the house is clear. We cannot carry on living in a cottage with the contents of three properties, it's no wonder I feel depressed. AND I still have stuff in storage that is costing me a fortune and is partly the cause of some financial woes. So, time to try to scale down. It's going to be boring, and difficult. But it has to be done.

Finally, I must force myself to exercise every single day. Nothing to do with trying to lose weight (it doesn't seem to help me that much with that) though the health benefits would be nice - it is actually because I think exercise peps and brightens you up. Would you exercising ladies agree?

Right, time to do stuff!

Aubs how exciting about #3! More babies for our thread

PMS - well I think not, but then realise when it arrives that I've been even less patient than usual with the girls.

LadyT - I've not seen mad lady recently, though her partner* helps DH run his choir so will be bound to come across her plenty. Partner, because she 'oh so subversively' proposed to him on FB. Nothing has come of this of course. Interestingly she had also done a blog post about her "self diagnosed bipolar", which rather suspiciously disappeared around the time of the media furore. Boat race! Well there's a thing. Makes me glad I was only the reserve cox and didn't have to do the real thing. Still, I won £60 having bet that Cam would win by more than 3 lengths

LadyT Totally helps my mood to exercise. I get a bit obsessive actually, because it improves my mood so much that when I don't it feels worse IFYSIM. I've not run since Monday cos of stomach thing and am desperate to go out again (probably also cos of being quarantined with DD2 again mind). But it definitely releases endorphins etc.

Aubs seconded with the third baby excitement! I was adamant before DD2 that I only wanted two. But since she was born oddly I'm much more keen on the idea (probably because unlike DD1, bless her, she's a pretty easy and happy baby, pox-notwithstanding!) but also would need to win the lottery first. Ditto with private secondary (state ones near us have police permanently stationed outside.. no thanks...) and of course also another year or so off work, etc etc. Of course, we've planned exactly how we'll do it when we win the lottery, because we like to be realistic like that. I'll have a night nanny, a day nanny, a cook, a chaffeur, someone whose sole job it is to jiggle the new baby in the approved manner. Etc.

ps I've just started watching Downton Abbey. Series one, episode one. Confused by entail thing already. Must pay attention!

Was a lovely lovely meet up. What lovely nippers we all have. I am, I confess, totally knackered now. And I was a useless hostess! I imagined myself being really organised and flitting about with lovely lunches and turned out that Summer provided lunch, basically, so THANK YOU Summer!

Thanks so much to all of you for coming - was brilliant to see you and your lovely littles.

Now going for a lie down.
xxx

Kiwi - what a great craft site you linked to. Thanks! The four girls and I just mad Easter bunny collages from there and they were absorbed for about 45 minutes. Perfect. I love the look of some of the other projects too but will save them til I have just my own girls to contend with.

Veg - I might make your recipe tomorrow. Sounds yummy and healthyish.

Glad the meet up went well. I would live to see everyone one day. Maybe a Friday.

Am exhausted. Four girls can whine an awful lot unless given constant attention. At least the weather peeked up, we had some fun in the park, did a lot of bouncing on our trampoline, re-hid some Easter eggs and hunted them, did the craft project I mentioned from Kiwi's blog and I have made a massive bolognaise for dinner. Am meant to try my 10 k circuit again when DH gets home but I am not sure I have an iota of energy left.

Aubs Glad it was useful, it's a really lovely blog. Run by the best friend of a friend of mine, if that makes sense.

Well one advantage of spending the entire day at home with a 6 month old who is currently sleeping quite a lot is that I have won three competitions on twitter or online! Nothing major, just some chocs, a loaf of Gails bread and a Mini Boden T-shirt from one of those Little Yeo packs. But still! Cheered me up!

Aubs don't plan to hit the whole ten km but plan to just go for a fifteen minute jog, chances are you might extend that to longer or you might just do ten minutes but the fresh air and movement will boost you a little.

I am raring to go for my session tomorrow, a friend who was personal trainer before she had kids has started up a little bootcamp three days a week with a bunch of us laydeez. I only go to two of the sessions (1 is at 6 am on a Monday, so not me). She is very good and really gets us doing some hard stuff. There is a little steep slope in the dunes here and she had us sprinting up and down it last Tuesday, hardcore.

Kiwi that red Ted page is brilliant I want to try the racing cars with balloons.

I have plumbs the depths of bad mothering today, I really lost it with ds2 today twice, and i mean really badly, at one point I smacked him three times. Poor thing he is not well and was just digging in his heels, but we needed to go pick ds1 from school. I think I really scared him, you should have seen the way he looked at me. I feel like I've really messed up with him I just lose it so easily, I don't know what comes over me. The thing that hurts the most is that ds1 sees me treat him like this and i worry that both boys are going to end up being aggressive short tempered men, that's not a good thing to be as a man surely.

Lovely to see everyone today, the tinies are all so cute. Great last minute plan that came together well - thanks for the invite Beans, you are not a crap host by any stretch! Very calm to have 8 littles running wild - sorry about the state we left your house in - and what a fab house, well done! Got stuck in a bit of traffic coming home, but back ok, and will certainly volunteer to have the next meet up - hoping I'm not too far away.
Lady, A's finger is fine - thanks - it was really nothing in the end just looked horrific and I was having a particularly bad day with little's and accidents AND I was PMT-ing which brings me to my next topic - yes I get it randomly like Aubi, and have only noticed it since having the kids. The dog was fine too - we have the non slip stuff on now which is brilliant however a bit abrasive and DD shreds her tights, or her legs but I'd rather that than a broken limb!
Yes it was DH that is against running for the joints and I just asked him your question and it was funny as I already had in my head what I thought he might say (which he didn't) but his answer was, "because it's better than no exercise" but then he followed up with saying its more a problem with overweight people as more impact and stress on the joints, and I guess if I had any problems arriving from my new found athleticism, he would have a look and tell me to stop. I thought he would say that he didn't think I would stick at it! Well, I have already been out for my run light jog / walk tonight although I did cut it short as there were hills involved the way I went today!
Oh and Lady, yes I know you are half way to B'ham! I thought you were worried that the house needed sorting some more otherwise I'd love to stay - not sure really we will go until the following day now though. It's just a plan to go to Thomas Land, which we want to do on a Monday and since dh is working the Sat we won't go up until Sunday but I initially had a thought of getting a head start and going half way up on the Sat night (not that it's far!) but we may just go the Sunday now. it's our wedding anniversary too that day (I know happy anniversary at Drayton Manor!) but with the super duper blue tooth baby listening I want to buy, we may actually get a night out!
Aubi I'm v excited you have finally decided one way or the other - can't wait to follow your number 3 experience! We to are DONE! many reasons - I need SLEEP! is one, but we are exactly the same with the private secondary school thing we want to do, plus the amount of activities that the kids already do it overwhelming! We can also finally see the opportunity to take somewhat civilized family holidays together which we have wanted to do more often and they are all round more manageable. Except at 2am when DD is still a freakin nightmare most times! However, am so thrilled for you.
Right, DH is putting these kids to bed - thank God as they are shattered from today!
let me know if anyone is interested in coming over to mine at some point and I can try and sort a date. I know Spot and Lady are up for it. I wish some of you northern ladies were closer

Vag no boy of yours is going to be an aggressive chap. Never in a million years. We all have bad days - I told DD2 to shut up today - she's 6 months old and has chicken pox, how mean is that? Still at least she won't remember... But your boys will be like you and therefore lovely

Just back from a 5km - fortunately dont seem to have lost too much fitness with the gastro-yucky-itis as I actually felt quite good and even did a little sprint finish. So long one tomorrow am before DH goes to work is beckoning. I hate his working Satirdays though - tomorrow is a particular bugger as had to cancel playdates for DD1 due to the poxybaby.

Blimey I have posted more today than in about the last 6 months combined!

Kiwi you attendance here is outstanding! - yes dh is working tomorrow too - I only wish I wanted the kids to get it but can't cope with that until DD sleeps better - just watch, she will get it from nursery now!
I use to live in SW20 so I know where you are - we are straight down the A3 just on the other side of the M25 so not far.
I second the Vag babies are not the aggressive types - not in the slightest - from what I've seen.

Aubs yay for number 3!!! I'll let you know in a few months how good it is

I'm at the in laws again this weekend. They are doing their annual ship show and I'm now regretting not having a lazy weekend alone at home.

If anyone is near Portishead tomorrow and wants to visit me in my stunning orange t-shirt feel free