Dec 08 Mums - still biffing on

[LadyThompson]

Yes, yes, it's a bit lame. I wanted to say: "Still fucking on!" but wary of causing offence....

I know 'biffing' is a bit PG Wodehouse, as well. You'll just have to humour me

Just marking my place. We've been on rainy Devonian hols, first day back at work today. Back later!

Vag if we change meet up to Wednesday could it be afternoon please? I can't do the morning, though of course I could come along later if you start earlier ;)

I'm taking the girls to watch the Olympic torch relay this afternoon, since I just realised it basically passes the end of our road. I suspect it will be somewhat underwhelming spectacle. However DD1 will be happy as I have made ridiculous amounts of puddings/ ice creams. And the way to DD1's heart is via cake.

Oh dear me i made the mistake of going to the shops in the car this afternoon, just 20 mins each way. Dd bloody well slept BOTH ways! I'm going to have her bouncing off the ceiling until midnight.

I'm so tired my body feels like it will fall apart if someone pokes me. ds had better get over this sleep regression soon! On the plus side dh being away tonight means ds and I get a whole king size bed to ourselves so as long as the big ones sleep I should get a decent night.

Caught the tail end of some back poo chat and still have the odd dd one but am too pleased to be over that stage for the most part! Thought I had recovered fully by Fri so went to work, nice pampering on arrival, long sleep then woke to complete carnage in the other 'good' eye. No pain though, just looked horrendous. Thought a 9 hour flight home may have done me in, but still holding up. So fed up of eye issues! Big week ahead so bloody hope eye issue resolves quick smart! Bloody lovely weather though!!!!
Must think about bed after Big Brother now, so more later.

Sorry for over usage of 'bloody'

Oh and I meant I got the all clear from the GP and felt fine by Fri but didn't go to work until Sat (late eve) so at least TWO days seemingly fully recovered - how does that then suddenly jump to the other eye? Anyway, DH reckons cross contamination, but I felt fine for a solid 2 days!!
Am rambling... sorry

Ouch Rubes, that's annoying. It isn't that long, to have a contamination, bloody annoying though. Poor you, that is all just poo. I'm interested in your work though, you go to work and get a pampering and a long sleep. I love being a SAHM but I'd give it up in a heartbeat if that was my job.

A friend very kindly came and got the boys so I could sort the house out and gave them tea. But then after they got back DS2 demanded a movie, to which I said no. He proceeded to scream at me for ages, and ages!! I really don't know what to do with him sometimes.

Kiwi, I can do Wednesday afternoon. What are everyone else's thoughts.

Oh dear Rubes.

To add to poo talk at 2.15am I went into dd who was crying "I've lost my lions". The girl will never get out of bed she just calls out and gets louder and louder and more and more cross. Anyway as I went in the door the stench hit me. She must have done a poo in her sleep/just before she went to sleep. Lovely. Then when i had finished sorting her out and got back to cryings ds2 i had to change his nappy, pjs and sleeping bag.

Been up since sparrow's fart yet again but I kind of linke this time without the big ones. It is bright and sunny, I have one wash load out and another in the machine as the electrician is coming again today so I need to get it all done before he turns th epower off!

Morning all. Our trip to watch the torch relay yesterday was somewhat marred by an absolutely epic strop by DD1 (first one in ages, she's really chilled out recently) - massively overtired I think since she's been getting up earlier and earlier. Culminated in her weeing all over herself in the street - fortunately just around the corner from our house - and then me putting her to bed at 6.15pm. Ah well, she did say sorry to me this morning for being so grumpy.

I have hideous hayfever today. It must be incredibly high pollen from something or other as I never normally get it - which makes me think people who normally do get it must be absolutely in bits today. ugh.

Kiwi must have been the day for it yesterday. DS2 went bananas when we had to go pick up DH from the station took 20 mins of brute force to get him into his carseat then he climbed out while I was driving. Another 20 mins of force again then he calmed down and went to bed immediately we got home and slept for 12 hrs strait [double

Rubes sorry your eyes are still buggered. I know you work v hard on your flights but I am soooo jealous of your spa time.

Indith I too love that little bit of time before the boys wake. Its just so peaceful.

Another day in the garden today wanted to take the boys to the beach but their new waterslide has won. So that means today I will be touching up the paintwork on the garden tables and chairs. Exciting life I lead. Although I do have a little excitement in a couple of wks. My DSIL is taking the fellas for the weekend and DH and I are going to go to Paris. So fab have never been before so if any of you have I need Paris recommendations of things to do places to eat at hidden gems.

L'orangerie!!! Most amazing Monets and lots of other important artists of the impressionist era. Eating I'm not much good on as it has been years since I've been there without children, the places we went to are a distant memory. These days it tends to be crepes on the Champs-Elysee. There is an area around the George Pompideau(sp) gallery that we stayed at that had lovely little restaurants. Can't remember any names though.

Wow I can't believe DD1 apologised the next day. DS2 barely remembers screeching at me 5mins after he has done it.

Oh and drink Kir royals until they are coming out ya ears!

I think the heat makes these kids tantrum more than usual. DH collected kids from nursery yesterday and said they went into total meltdown when he stopped at Sainsburys. I was home shortly thereafter and they went to bed not long after - out like lights.
Yes but I must admit, I still don't always love going to work, but once I'm on my way and I know the kids are sorted I quite like it. I'm cutting back as much as possible though these days! I only actually went to get an eyebrow threading at the salon (from the pro's themselves) but when you see the prices in even a 5 star hotel (plus a big discount in our contract) over there it's very hard to leave the spa at all and ended up with the threading, a 1 hour 'royal' pedicure and 30 min Indian head massage plus shampoo and treatment all for about £20 including a tip! I feel very lucky.

Thanks Vag that's good to know it can last longer. I'm fed up - actually looks like both eyes are a little cloudy and red today.

Spot - YES! I cannot believe this turning 2 already thing either! Madness. Would love to sort out a day to come your way def - will get back with some dates but I think Aug is a bit busy - I think I am around that day Vag mentioned though - the 31st was it? What is the plan for that?

I'm loving this weather! Must go as I have to collect my friend from the station for a kiddie play / hair and some bubbly in the sun day
We have a tree surgeon chopping down a massive one outside dd's window which is proving great entertainment! Hope they stay all day

We went to Paris when I was pg with ds1. I don't actually like it much, I don't really do big cities and it feels so hard to escape the traffic in Paris. Anyway, one night we were looking for somewhere to eat, we had just taken the metro to an area that the guidebook said there were lots of restaurants in and we walked around. There were not lots of restaurants, I got hungry and grumpy in the way a pregnant woman deprived of her dinner does and dh carried on marching around looking at places and rejecting them all (he is a food snob, wrong table cloths, pictures on menus and various other things make him reject places). Finally, walking down rue des pyrénées (metro of the same name) we came accross a place that does couscous and pizza and decided to sit down. A guy came out and explained that they cook one thing each night and everyone eats the same. We shrugged and went for it. That night was couscous night.

Amazing

He brought out a whole load of drinks and when I said I was pg he came back with an armful of non alcoholic drinks left over from a cousin's wedding or something. First up were lovely parcels of filo pastry stuffed full of yummy things. Then several different bowls of couscous, sauces and a platter full of sausages, kebabs, chops and so on. Then as we rested our stuffed bellies came a massive bowl of iced water filled with cherries and a whole fruit crate full of dates. As the evening progressed the place filled, everyone seemed to know each other it was real local place.

I almost don't want to know if it is still there or not, I'd hate to ruin the magic. It really was one of the best and most memorable meals of my life.

Jam To add to Vag's cultural tips, the Rodin Museum is lovely as well. It's in his old house and has really lovely gardens. Am no good for restaurant recommendations as Paris is pretty grim for vegetarians but if want cheap and cheerful food on the go, the Felafel from the Rue des Roisiers ( L'As du Fallafel) is great. That area (the Marais) is pretty good for cafes, people watching and generally wondering around too.

I have to admit when in Paris we often eat in Chinese or italian restaurants, DH finds french food quite bland (ie not enough chilli for his burnt taste buds) and we often found that frenchwaiter s flately rused ti o understand the french for vegetarian. At least at Chinese places DH could basically tell them what we wanted so no need for menus and we got loads of yummily cook veg. However, we have often come across some lovely studenty looking crepe houses and have never gone hungry in those. I do love Paris, don't try to rush around and see everything in one foul swoop, maybe take a seine river cruise, or decide what you want to focus on, art, or shopping or just plain old site seeing. Also the number 25 bus from gare le'est train station goes past the bit where you can walk up to sacre coere (I've spelt that wrong but is thbig church on a hill and it is worth a visit), it also passes moulin rouge and le chat noir, (abn tnn take aoto fro from the bus) it goes around the arch de triomph and then terminates at the museum which is on the other side of the river from the Eiffel tower. It's a cheap way to do a city tour of Paris. I don't know if your DH is into cars but there are severams amos elyseepson champs Elysée which can be worth a look. Though we mainly use tjem to keep the boys happy on the champs. There is a big cemetary that has some famous people buried in it but I can't remember the name of it, it's near the catacombs. I'm also desperately trying to remember an area I went clubbing in with some friends once because it was quite fun, but the name eludes me.There is a big cemetary

Vag Pere LaChaise? (sorry can't do accents on iPhone )

Hello - very quickly just marking my place. Indith was it you who did the back poo or one of your children?

Been to a friend's down in Winchester, which was lovely. Spent yesterday picnicing by river and paddling, then onto PYO strawberry place and after home. Girls knackered with no sleep for either. Still tired today for DD1, who had a sleepover with her friend and they didn't go to sleep til 9pm. YAWN! I was asleep by 10. Was heavenly.

Got back this morning and I've set up the paddling pool at the end of the slide in the garden. The girls are loving it! Brilliant! Was my Dad's idea. What will I ever do without him?

He's seeing the radiologist today. Fingers crossed the new tumour is treatable.

Right, must bog off. Am v jealous of child-free time, NOlda - sounds lovely!

xx

Oi! I have not pooed myself for many years I'll have you know. Labour doesn't count right?

Hello ladies! Have been hopelessly absent but trying to keep up on FB just about. Am still at work, booo. DH just sent me a photo of the DDs in ice cream heaven, v jealous.

So from a quick catch up skim there are lots of people thinking about #3?! And good news from Beans's dad :) And Kayz has massive waps

News from us - not much really. I have a new nephew in Scotland :) but SIL very much not in touch - keep sending her messages to say how's it all going, but no reply. Hope she's just busy adoring the new baby rather than utterly knackered all the time.

DH off to Germany end of next week so my first full-on one-parent experience

oh and how come so many of you are amazing runners?! And more to the point, how do you ever find the time?

fab day of lovely company, bubbly & hair ended up in quick dash to GP with eye situation suddenly worsening. GP did dye and all the rest. No abrasion. Thinks infection from insect or something gone in eye and def bacterial plus second drops ineffective and original not used long enough (reckons locum doc should have not given second drops) typical. It's angry angry red and sore now. Urgh.
Alcohol currently numbing it.
Have ordered dd this for her b'day as had 25% off coupon.
Hi JJ - no number three in a month of Sundays here.
Hmm Paris - love it. That said, have only been when very young and did all the obvious things, then in recent times visited family who were there so can't really advise, but I do love it.
Beans I've had that idea with the paddling pool - do you have a soft sided one? We just had a have a hard one which doesn't really work for that. Had it out today and both the boys just ganged up on DD and kept squirting her with the hose reducing her to tears poor thing. She has recovered though.

was thinking at the time when GP mentioned insect that I was out (ahem) slowly shuffling running and do remember a bug flying in my eye awhile back then rubbing it a lot and the time kind of coincides - duh.

Rubs I've just been running and fairly sure I swallowed a fly or two. I seem to recall this did not end well for the lady in the song. AND I'm a vegetarian . Hope the eye will now improve with proper treatment.

Hello JJ! I run when DH gets home from work or at the weekend. When I'm back at work will be mostly at lunchtime though, plus running club on sat am (is 5 mins from my house which helps)

Ugh I have rotten head cold now. Started as allergy this morning and now just streaming and all cotton woolly in head. Boring!

And of course, I have NO time and haven't done catch up and we are going away tomorrow (off to Kent to stay with DP's uncle then getting Eurotunnel to go off to Belgium).

Good to see you poking your head around the door, JJ! Rubes - the eye thing sounds frightful. Hope this is the last of it.

We did get some work done/clearing out done on the house - the kitchen and the living room look considerably better and this is good as they were amongst the worst and of course also the ones we use the most. The girls were basically ok at MIL's although she has been grating my nerves a bit as usual...(but I feel ungrateful to think those thoughts)...

Well, it's going to have to be an epic catch up on my return! Back on Sun night. Ciao ciao lovely ladies.

... And so almost another week has passed since I promised to catch up, but better late than never. I will start with my top tip on solo parenting as requested by Kiwi, which is don't take my advice, if I was any good at it I'd be on here every evening and not trying to meet myself coming backwards!

Lots of good news - tinyKayz is clearly thriving, Beans' Dad's arthritis (if arthritis is good news?) and B Spot sleeping through

Sorry to hear that Rubes' eyes are still sore, ouch, and Spot's holiday , you couldn't make it up! And Trace, how very, very annoying about the house, but hurrah to your wonderful parents

Vag I'm not far from Hull at all, a Northern meet up would be great. Do come over!

A late entry into Jam's wall gate poll - we hardly seem to have walls in this village, but if we did DD1 would no doubt ignore me completely and do the opposite of what I wanted. I like to think I'd say no, but in reality I'd probably just sigh and puck another battle. On the road to pre school, the houses have their numbers on their front gates and DD likes to count as we go passed each gate. But if any gates are open she takes it upon herself to shut them, while I just flap uselessly and/or pretend she's not mine.

Nolda I feel about DD1 as you do about your DD, I love her but often I don't like her - which is terrible. I think we are too alike and we can definitely spend too much time in each other's company, like last week -DH did take her out for the day on Saturday and it's done us the world of good. I don't know if it's just a 3 year old thing (if so, I dread my peaceful, happy, lovely baby turning into a 3 year old) or a personality thing (if so, I dread getting to the point where I feel I'm getting a favourite). No answers for you, but I'm happier knowing I'm not alone

Lots of talk of no 3, which is exciting. I'd love another, but not sure DH would agree. It's a mark of how easy DD2 is that I'd go for another right now if I could - it took 2 years for us to contemplate another after DD1!

Marvellous tip about cutting a vest for BF Indith, I had never thought of that but will be getting my scissors out now

How is the house looking after your hard working weekend LadyT?

Happy hols (and shagging!) to Obes

Have you tracked down your chocolate yet Kiwi?

I did lurk on the end of the old thread, but can't remember that far back now, in the busy fog of what has been my sisters wedding (fab, fab day and DD1 was the most beautifully behaved bridesmaid) and holiday (equally fab - DD1 said today 'I miss our holiday house', so do I).

DD1 had her jabs today and was very brave and made me proud of her, although I'd promised her an ice cream afterwards and she declined so I missed out as well, unfair! Last week we got a school report from pre school, which seems far too grown up. All was good and it said how well she's settled and is starting to make friends and immerse herself in activities, so I was really happy as that's all I wanted to hear. Actually, when I read this paragraph back I realise DD1 is great and it's just in the moment I often want to tear my hair out!

In DD2 news, we've started offering her food this week, since we felt she was trying to tell us something when she took a great chomp of my ham and mustard sandwich last week! We've decided to go down the BLW route this time as I'm lazy and can't be arsed with separate cooking and pureeing and she seems to be enjoying it. So far she's sucked on new potato, carrot, avocado, banana and pepper - any suggestions for other good things to offer? But bless her, she's such a dot she can't see over the tray on her high hair, even with a cushion, so she has this great technique of holding down the food so it's half on, half off the tray, then flinging her head forward with mouth open wide, its very cute!

Right, must be time for bed. Night all