December 2011- <Haddocks> are in the deep freeze as we won't be needing them, no, siree! Grab a <cuppa>.......

[Aethelfleda]

Shiny new thread: we forgot to discuss the title this time!

Thanks all. It's because it's silver and takes 24hrs to set apparently. When does eating or it being in your head tooth feel normal? You forget it's there type thing?! It's bugging me makes eating feel weird/difficult.

EEk just booked Figgyboys 1st birthday party at the local softplay it was £42 for the hour If any of you are in the bristol area that day you are very welcome!!

I have seen an amazing bday cake in M+S it is shaped like a pirate ship but think that might be a bit much ......and another £40+. Ooh party planning i love it just booked the works xmas party today too.

I like the idea of a pirate ship... But I am planning an octopus:o

That'll be a marvellous cake LMF, we'll want photos a la aethel!

Well, pretty sure it is norovirus, as MiL AND SiL have come down with it now, yesterday and today, so that's six of us in total. Not good for MiL as she's 71 and disabled. I knew it spread quickly but have never actually seen it in action, iyswim. DP drove us back last night, and I dragged myself into work today. Felt a bit grim but survived.
That has to count as the worst birthday celebrations ever !

Don't think we'll do anything for DS's birthday- it's a Wednesday and I'm away on a long weekend from Friday, and the weekend after we'll be up North for the week or so with family. May all go out for meal the weekend before!

AWCH, how can you not love snot mining?! If it didn't distress DS (so I only do it when absolutely necessary) it'd be my favourite hobby...isn't the point of parenthood to discuss poo and revel in the grimness of babies' bodily productions? Thanks for posting that list by the way.

Hope you're not being run too ragged MissRee?

Can't believe you'll be having your scan in four weeks seven, that's crazy, and so exciting.

Bob, it is sooooooooooo nice to be flopped at home!

I'm asleep, but have at least done some of the Chrimbo shopping thanks to a small splurge on Ebay, Amazon and some nifty item reserving at my local Argos (heading out tomorrow so can squirrel proceeds in the attic away from the DDs). Will get a dent in the to-do list anyway.

Octocake ought to be awesome, as it's going to have tentacles made out of decapityed jelly snakes:o

Excellent effort Aethel, I have made a dent in the stash for the elder minion. I'm needing a new case for her baritone and some stocking fillers then she's done! The other minion I'm just going to go buy as much playmobil/lego as I can with his budget and he'll be very impressed. Octoboy is getting stickle bricks and his own packet of printer paper to eat >_<

Then I just have to buy small bits for my parents, one niece, three nephews and my two best friends. Gah! Don't like the festives much:(

Right.

Get better soon!

Glad you're home northern, sorry to hear its still doing the rounds through your families.

LMF deffo need to see pics of the cake, it sounds awesome. I confess I stick to boring round easy cakes for the first couple of years, until they're old enough to ask for castles and space shuttles!

aethel I just need a few more stocking fillers for DS then his is done. We got him a hornby train set in the January sales so may get a few accessories for it. We've got DD a walker which converts into a ride on but no idea what else to buy her. Not done families yet but my local boots have a Christmas event on 1st November, £12 of points for every £50, so will hope to get some stuff then.

MW went well, I'm consultant led due to both DCs being prem, but consultant was lovely last time so I don't mind.

Meant to ask who was it that said (I think last week) that LO was fine during the day but being sick at bedtime? Did you find out what caused it and how long did it last? My friends DS (4) has been sick last 2 nights at bedtime but fine all day today.

It might have been me seven - DS seems to be a lot worse at bedtime with coughing/snotting/fever. I haven't actually put him to bed the last two nights though as I had to work late so I don't know if it's still happening. I mentioned it to the GP on Monday and he just nodded and said "oh yes, that's normal" without telling me why it's normal.

You guys and your organised Christmases!! I have done nothing at all.

I just watched the GBBO final and now I seem have something in my eye I told DH and now he thinks I've really lost it (this from the man who blubs every time at the end of the Railway Children when Bobby shouts "Oh! My Daddy, my Daddy!").

Could be my DS1 (3) seven will check back in after the school run

I'm getting DS his smart trike for Xmas completely wrong time of year will order it today as mothercare have another toy sale on. Other than that no clue about any presents for anyone....

We do kriskindl in my family, one person each and one present worth not more than 50 euro. My parents get my nieces presents but we (aunts and uncles) only get them birthday presents, nothing at Christmas. It makes life a lot easier and we all appreciate it. I have a large family and buying presents for all used to be v stressful and expensive. My husbands family used to all buy each other presents, aunts, uncles, cousins etc but now we have stopped that too. My husband's mum buys her nieces pressure and his aunt buys him and his brother and me a present but the cousins don't buy for each other or for their aunts/uncles anymore (I think that was my influence!). Much nicer. My family was never into piles of gifts anyway. One 'big' Santa present as a child (e.g. Sindy doll or my little pony or Lego) and lots of stocking pressure, mostly necessaries e.g. knickers, socks, pyjamas, stationary and a few nice bits like lip balm, or makeup when we were older. I am glad now and going to continue that way for minimopsy. I don't want to raise a materialistic child. But I know every family is different so I'm not trying to criticise or be a snob to anyone else! That's just what suits us. I hate shopping so it's just as well :)

Pressure=present!!!

I'm at a total loss for DD2s birthday/Christmas, think I'll just make her a cake for her birthday and possibly re-wrap some things she already has, She's very different from DD1 as by this point, DD1 had already shown that she loves dolls so it was easy, rather than DD2 seems to just love the cat and I think he'd object to being wrapped.

Regarding talking, I remember DD could say mama, vava, puppet (doll in french), banana by now, and she was by no way an early talker, DD2 seems to only say vavavavavavavava and screams (happily) alot - can I ask what other DCs are like? Anyone else's not said anything yet? Occasionally if she's very upset she'll go 'mamamamamama' but no proper mama, more just noise.

This week has been rather interesting on the running ragged front, Nortgern. DP has been on a first aid course and so not starting until 9am. I've been able to get up, get myself sorted and out the door at a much more leisurely pace, leaving DP to get Freya up and dressed Of course I've still had to lay her clothes out ready for him to dress her otherwise god knows what she would end up wearing!

I think I'm going to get Freya a soft doll for her birthday or Christmas. The Manhattan Stella dolls look like a good choice.

I've bought DNieces an animal neck pillow each (savvy mummy deal) so will just get them a toy each to go with it. Probably Lego Friends as they love it!

mopsy I love the idea of lots of stocking pressure. Like, this stocking better be GREAT OR ELSE!

Bee DS just goes "deh-dee....deh-dee. deh-dee? deh-dee!" seemingly at random - DH think's he's saying Daddy, I think he's either saying teddy or baby. He also blows raspberries, a lot.

Octoboy just makes random noise, unless he's feeling victorious then we get a 'HA!' at volume:o

Figgy are you having a 1st birthday party for Figgyboy as he shares a birthday with Sky and I'm not sure what to do? X

Christmas presents for Darcie is almost done just her Uggs to buy & she is done. She has Willy Wonka on DVD (the original), The BFG on DVD, some impulse body sprays, nail polish & hello kitty walkie talkies - just her ugg boots and she is done.

Sky so far has nothing for Xmas but has an activity centre for her birthday.

Darcie has got Leona Lewis concert tickets for her birthday next yr. her birthday is end of march, concert beginning of may.

DH will have Optimus prime transformer to put together and some clothes or something along those lines.

My nephew has an activity centre, some Lamaze toys & a new outfit for Xmas.

The extended family get whatever I buy, which is usually pjs, fluffy socks & smelly's.

Always buy a new family game which we use on kinect.

Xmas day we are at my parents and Boxing Day DH!

Oo forgot to add Darcie also has 3 Jacqueline Wilson books but may buy a couple more as only £3.49 in Asda.

dsm we having a soft play party at the local centre all my friends kids have had theirs there and 3 of the 4 antenatal babies doing 1 there too. we are having it on the 15th though rather than his actual birthday as some of our friends have already gone off to see family for Christmas on the 22nd so figured more people would be able to attend if we did it the week earlier. Also because his bday is the last Saturday before Christmas thought people will be busy on his actual day goin to see PIL and sil on his birthday as we off to my family on 23rd yay!!

dsm that is impressive shopping there.

Right figgy family are away for the first weekend away in a hotel tomorrow does anyone have any tips about taking food taking milk and generally stopping babies and screaming the hotel down. He's such a screamer

That made me laugh Bee, I'm imagining a ball of angry fur cocooned in wrapping paper waiting to burst out! DS occasionally does the mamamamam sound, but nothing approaching words yet. The fact that he's mobile shocks me, as I didn't speak or move til 18 months, so I certainly won't worry over the verbals for a while yet...

I've got a present for DP, and know what I'm getting for Mum, step Mum, Dad, so will write up my list. Got a few things for DS too, but only clothes and so on for him to unwrap. Kriskindl sounds lovely mopsy; enjoy the celebrations more than the stress of present buying!

DS finally, finally seems to be on the mend, and actually ate a small dinner tonight, his first proper meal in about 5 days. We're all now merely 'under the weather' as opposed to ill although going to Bristol and back in 24 hours for this conference may not help.

It's lovely having your DP do the child bit isn't it MissRee? DP does it here as he has more time of a morning; I generally just do first feed (bf, don't think DP's going to do that) and the morning wash, and he does the rest. PS- You are going to dress Freya in something suitably Hallowe'en-y and Christmas-y and put photos up aren't you ?

Bangers and mash is ready...

northern when u hitting Bristol? Where u going? Bring nosey!!

The hilarious thing about Halloween costumes Northern is that my aunt bought it for her when she was just a week old my family are a bit nutty...

I have been eyeing up the Christmas outfits already but DP has put the dampers on it... for now

Going to a conference at one of the big city centre hotels (don't know which one, the paperwork's in the office )! Think it might be the Marriott? Landing tomorrow night, conference Saturday and then coming back.