Dec 08 Mums - Happy New Thread, You Beauties!

[beans37]

Come join me....

Beans lovey please don't get yourself all upset. Having just come out of 3months of solo parenting I completely understand where you are coming from.

Have a glass of wine and chocolate and watch some trashy telly and go to bed. If they are the same tom. I prescribe a telly day. Seriously chuck on the brain rot and leave them to it.

Chin up chick.

THanks kind people. Sorry to be a bit of a wetty about it. Normally just crack on. I just feel like a bit of a bitch. Poor DD1 is normally so good and I just snapped at her!

Sybs, yes, the girls did just pretty much fall out. Bucket fanny here. Although my piles would prove there was at least a little pushing! And we're only 15 mins from hospital if something does go tits up. Yes, I think I'll go for it. DH also in favour.

Am about to tuck into chocolate. Don't really feel like vino, strangely! Off to see Croods tomorrow then McDonalds after. Classy! Cannot wait! A new friend from here says she's going to try to match me pound for pound as I beef up. She's already behind as I've put on just over a stone!

Ooh and on a happy note, the wriggler inside wriggled for the first time last night! Unless it was just wind.

PS just re-read your post, Sybs... Shouting so hard some wee came out has made me laugh so hard I did the same!
DH texted to say he was going to be home by 8.30. Then had to text again 5 mins later to say he'd been caught up and no idea when home! Balls.

Just coming out of the worst flu/sinusitis/eye infection ever. Complete upper respiratory disaster. Worst timing ever with school hols. Codeine & steaming only just saw me through. Hope I'm ok as first trip in 8 weeks tomorrow.
Also off to Spain for some much needed family time in the sunshine in Summer so cannot wait!
Arti glad all was ok and the little hol was lovely.
Vag well done on the assignment - totally get the roomba thing. I heart ours. Really want the scuba now.
Beans don't you worry. Dd has been a proper cow too. If I had more energy I'd have lost it I reckon. Whining and whining about anything and everything. This morning at 7am it was her milk wasn't poured high enough ( there was surface tension practically) cue massive screamy meltdown. You just have to look at her the wrong way. Ds been pretty good. I've also been doing the single parenting for months and I'm not pregnant and its TOUGH. Give yourself a break x yes I remember that top. Mine was H&M. Lived in it. I actually think my mum took it home. It was wearable even not preg. So comfy. Home birth - no comment
Sybs - hilarious! A Wee shout!
Yes Spot to a meet up! And yes Lady will see you soon. Hope you enjoyed your Mums.
Kayz you sent me a message on twitter it may have been spam so I didn't read it!? Let me know if it is/ isn't. Glad you had a nice time in Cornwall
Deids I miss you. Glad you're a tweeter.
Hi Jam, glad Florida was lovely. It's not my favourite place, but prob more to do with the Disneyland express flights! Anywhere with sunshine would be fab though.

Rubes glad you are coming out the end of all the illness. Sounds hideous.

I do agree on the Florida Disney thing. That is why we stay well clear spending most of our time in Clearwater only venturing towards that area to take the boys to legoland.

Beans how are things today?

Oh poor you Rubes. Miserable.

DDs much better today. Went to see Croods. Think I enjoyed it more than them even! Playing more happily together and was good to get out of house.

Am actually quite looking forward to our road trip tomorrow! Is that a bit weird? Have downloaded loads of films onto iPad and think it'll be ok.

Google maps says 6hrs 10. Satnav says 5hrs 20. Choosing to believe the latter! Just hoping the girls sleep through the night tonight. Some hope!!

Hope your journey goes well Beans . And I reckon you are doing brilliantly for not losing it more often - a few days on my own with the boys and I am ready to tear someone's head off. They know exactly how to wind their mums up, especially in that post-illness grumpy phase.

Sibling fights: I try to keep an eye on things, mainly cos they do lash out at each other when tempers flare. They do enjoy playing together most of the time, which is nice.

I think we get schools results around the 15th? Not sure. Lazy mummy .

Arti: how are things going now?

Work is ok but manic as am currently doing 2 jobs plus some tricky management issues. People. Huh.

Vag: your assignment sounds really interesting. Sometimes I get a wild idea to go back and study, mainly because I love writing essays. Maybe I should hire myself out to cheating students ;).

I think we might be getting a bit of spring weather: I flung the boys out into the garden for most of the weekend which was lovely. They've been cooped in so much over Easter. DS1 also went to his first dance class - he is really into dancing so thought we'd try him on a fairly informal street dance type class. He was the only boy that week, but loved it so we'll be going back. Came out to find all the boys doing football coaching in the field next door and wondered if I was being a right on parent and getting him to be expressive against his will . But he likes dancing and has shown no interest if football or rugby, so ner.

DH came home last night and ranted at me about the NUT and non gender specific books in school. Thank goodness he isn't a teacher any more. Would drive me nuts.

Reason %23358854689512 not to venture on the wider MN boards: MMR thread. Yikes.

Hello, hello

I have just got back from the antenatal clinic. All OK. I still have some protein leaking from my kidneys but my BP is fine so they are relaxed. The baby is still breech. I am 35 weeks so there is time for movement. Being the contrary person I am I really want it to move. When I thought I could not have a c-section I wanted one, now it looks like I will have to have one I am not so sure. My main reservation is that the hospital is closed to all child visitors due to norovirus, if I have a c-section the girls could not come and visit us, so for three days they would not meet their little brother. That seems really harsh.

Rubes - did you get to go on your work trip? I hope you are still feeling better. You have had a bad winter of it.

Beans - I hope the road trip was OK. How long did it take in the end? Sorry to hear of your hideous day, but rest assured that we do all lose it sometimes. I have found pregnancy hormones really diminish my patience.

Effie - I would LOVE it if the girls would do street dancing but they are all about namby-pamby ballet. There is a great street dancing class near us and it is male dominated so I am surprised your DS was the only boy. On the whole men are better at street dancing I think.

Jam - Has your DH finished at the BoE? Have you got him home for a while? And did you try for DC3 on your Florida break or was it only SA that got you all broody?

Hons - disaster about DD2 dropping her nap! Not what you want at all. How are your kidneys/BP now? Have they settled down?

Veg - I really enjoyed reading the outline of your essay. I find public health fascinating and the management of malaria, as such a mass killer, is so important and controversial. When do you get your marks back?

Gosh I am bored with the Thatcher coverage. How long can every channel eek out interviews with 1980s politicians and activists? I am pretty interested in politics and I am soooooooo bored. Did I ever tell you all that she complemented by shoes once? She said she wanted a pair just like them. It rather put me off them as I was about 24 and the Thatcher look was not my desired style. I told her they were from Russell and Bromley and she told me that was her favourite shoe shop. So there, I have added to the boring anecdotes.

I meant to add that we find out about schools on April 17th. So it seems we all find out at different times. How odd. I am regretting my first choice, it is a new free school and will not open until Sept and I now have real reservations about the approach of its governors who already run a secondary free school near us. I wish we had put DD1's school first although the chances are that is what we will get anyway so it probably does not matter.

Jump - did you end up opting for the local state catholic school or the private place you were considering? I know you were in a real dilemma.

Right, three in a row, over and out.

Hello hello! Sorry for the absence, no good reason apart from the girls taking up all my time, how dare they?! I too am finding it tough at the moment, so was pleased to see I'm not the only one. DD2 can't walk or talk yet, and is just frustrated at her inabilities. I remember finding this stage tough with DD1, so I know it'll pass, but isn't doing so quick enough. Adding to her frustrations, she's dropped down to one nap but finding the rest of the day a bit too long, she reacted badly to her jabs and was very out of sorts for 2 whole weeks and has cut her first molar despite having only a couple of front teeth . Grumpy central!

Arti did you decide about your pampering weekend? I'd go for it, like many others suggested

Yay for wriggles, Beans . Hope your road trip had been ok?

Well done on the assignment Vag. How long does your course last?

How's your pelvic floor Spot? Do you mind me asking, how bad it is? With hay fever season just around the corner, I'm wondering whether mine will hold up this year - and what is normal and to be accepted, vs what isn't

My good news is I'm going to be an auntie! I'm not sure if it'll cure my broodiness or make it worse, but who cares when there's a snuggly little niece/nephew to cuddle

Bus stop fast approaching, so hello to everyone else.

Hello all, been lurking but ZJ's question about the state of my fanny has prompted a reply. I went to the leak ladies' clinic and turns out I need to have a little surgical procedure called a TVT. Not sure when it'll happen but v much looking forward to not worrying about weeing myself when running around after the boys.

Another hand up here from the shouty and impatient mum corner, and I don't even have your solo parenting excuse, Beans! I'm just fed up with the constant illness - both boys have had 39+ fevers for a couple of weeks now. Was sent up to A&E from B's routine clinical gastro appointment the other day as he was breathing so fast and was so hot, but they wouldn't prescribe antibiotics without a chest X-ray and it was already evening so we decided to trust Calpol and go home. Might make a GP appointment tomorrow though. I'm reluctant to go as I suspect it's just viral, but such long-running fevers (while common with them both) are not ideal.

Also have to get them ready for Friday morning - we're off to see the Chris n Pui Roadshow! Yup, that's how we roll in West Sussex...

Congrats on becoming (a future) auntie. ZJ!

Arti, that sounds a bit extreme re-the girls not being able to visit you in hosp. Do they think the ban on children in maternity wards will last indefinitely, then?
The school thing is a real headache - I guess esp with the newness of the free school. DO you mean that you'll probably get the same school as DD1, or the one you have reservations about? We find out on 19th April.
Another bored with Thatcher vote. And recalling parliament for the tributes seemed way OTT IMO.

I didn't know your DH used to be a teacher, Effie. What made him leave? Sorry work's a bit stressful, are you getting extra pay/potential promotion for the extra workload you've taken on?

BEans, hope you're ensconced safely at your destination and not stuck in some hideous service station. Have a nice time (and another vote here for a HB - they're fab ).

Rubes, you poor, poor thing . You are a trooper with all your bugs. Hope the flight is ok and you don't end up with something else.

Sybs i love that although i have never met you, I have a wonderful mental image of you shouting so hard your pelvic floor breaks down. When we do finally meet (one day, i hope) I will endeavour not to have that image uppermost in my mind.

If you think your life is exciting, Spot, I've been piecing together a quilt block while DH was out at a parish council meeting. The jury is out on pay/promotion as they haven't got round to sending me any paperwork yet!

Has anyone else been watching the Gt British Sewing Bee? I like that Patrick. D'you think he'd come round and do my ironing?

I can add to the exciting life. I have spent the last 3 hrs doing the ironing. Rock n roll in the jammy house!

Arti we are going with a flagrant disregard for any sort of contraception and just going to see what happens. eek.

With regard to schools, we already know DS is in as the head teacher told us at the last parents night. I think we officially find out in a wk.

Right DH out at the local for pie and a pint I am going to head to bed and watch some Breaking Bad. Those of you that enjoy watching American drama. This is an excellent series to download.

Congrats Auntie ZJ!
Yes I did Arti - am in Joberg now. Ears were fine tho I did have a headache after takeoff and though here we go again, but couple of ibuprofen sorted that.
We find out 15th on schools. Am quite nervous as its been over subscription galore round us. 2nd choice ok but not keen on third. That said its closer to dds nursery.
Off for much overdue steak and creamed spinach now yum.

Kayz I've just had another tweet. Looks like spam! Let me know x

Happy anniversary Kayz! (Belatedly)

How is the course going Indith? Is DH looking after the DCs while you study, or did he take the job? I forget the conclusion of that one

Hons I thought of you the other day, when I saw some catnip in a health food shop - did you ever track any down?

Sending Rubes some healthy vibes, all the way to SA- surely after all these illnesses you deserve a whole lot of robust health. Steak and creamed spinach sounds YUM

Hi to the Essex ladies, Effie, Poison and Jam. V exciting about letting nature take its course Jam

I hope you're enjoying a relaxing week at your Mum's, LadyT?

Have you finished work yet Pingu? If so, how are you finding it? I'm pleased to hear that DD1 is managing well with her hearing aids, and I hope you get some answers soon

Jump your memory box sounds lovely. I do feel sad that I don't write letters anymore, apart from thank you cards, I used to write to a lot of my friends. Re-reading emails isn't the same

I'm pleased my fanny enquiries prompted you to de-lurk Spot . I hope your TVT works a treat. My pelvic floor isn't that bad, but I did sneeze last week and afterwards realised I'd actually stopped walking and squeeeezed, without thinking. (And was in public, wonder how many others on the street noticed!). I did laugh about Sybs shouting so much a bit of wee came out

We also find out about schools on the 16th, although I already know DD has her place at the village school as they are undersubscribed this year (which is the only one we applied to). I'm very pleased that we don't have the headaches and worry some of you are having

I'm finding all the Thatcher stuff quite interesting - I was 10 weeks old when she was elected and had just started secondary school when she resigned. Therefore she was always 'there' but I wasn't old enough to actually be aware of the politics. I do remember all the coverage when she resigned about her being the first female prime minister in a developed country, and thinking at that point 'hang on, aren't those jobs normally filled by women'. That was a bit of a shocker to me and so I've always had respect for her for that achievement. And as I was too young to have much of a view, I'm now looking at the politics quite neutrally and finding it fascinating - I certainly don't think any PM since has aroused such passions by either side. Arti's shoe story is ace though!

Dearest girls

Am slightly squiffy (only round the edges) after coming into town for the book launch of a friend whom I just never see any more (last time I saw him I only had DD1). I get so sad sometimes when I flit in and out of London. Still! Even though I like my village now.

Mrs Thatcher - loved your shoes story, Arti. Brilliant. ZJ (congrats on the Auntiedom!) you put me to shame, being 10 wks old when she came to power. I was 7 and remember it v clearly - in fact...I wrote A POLITICAL SKETCH on the eve on the General Election which my Mum got me to perform with my sister (who would have been about 12 or 13) for some relatives. What a precocious little oik I really was. I must have been hideous. Kayz and Indith, I know you were born eons later

Hope you've perked up a bit for your trip, Rubes. Will look fwd to seeing you soon.

Beans, are you having a lovely time in Wales? I hope so. Don't fret, we all get to the end of our rope with the nippers at times - trust me. Hey, I couldn't contemplate having sex at 7.30pm (largely cos the girls aren't in bed until 8). I still don't feel massively in the mood for it. It's very sad. I never used to be like that and feel it's hormonal somehow. However, getting DD2 out of our room is a big plus, even though she was silent/didn't wake until late. She's been in with her sister a few months now and it's good all round.

Arti, if you do have a cs I'd be surprised if they keep you in 3 days. Two nights tops. Rubes, weren't you out the next day? I'm not sure what the current thinking is but it all seems to have got pared down. I am so excited about your new baby. A local friend had a little boy just over a month ago and he is gorge. I know you aren't so sure about Welsh names but I thought of one I like the other day - Taliesin. I know one of the people who runs the secondary free school near you (very very vaguely) - is it not panning out too well?

I keep meaning to tune in to the Sewing Bee, Effie. I'm a terrible sewer myself mind you. Or should I say 'seamstress'

Do you have to have a GA for this op, Spot? When my sister had a repair of some kind (think it was a lot more involved than what you're having) she said she'd wished she'd done it years ago.

I love your flagrant disregard for contraception, Jam That makes it sound fun.

Well, I was starting to think a third might really be a goer if we can sort the money out but with the changes to legal aid this week, DP is thinking he might basically be out of a job by the end of the year. So, all in all the future is looking uncertain......

Had such a lovely time at Mum's. DD1 didn't want to leave and said that her heart was melting because she wouldn't be able to see my Mum every day. Awww. Mind you, I feel pretty much the same.

I wonder if we can manage a London meet up BEFORE Arti's baby is born??

Right, time to shut up and drink my Badoit.

Hi lady yes I was out 26 hrs after ds and 23 hrs after dd. wasn't trying to be a hero just hate hospitals for laying around but love them for their Theatres. Was told to get active quick and all will be better fast. Did that and good as gold walked out quite soon.

Thanks ZJ & Lady. Had a lovely dinner and eyes bigger than tummy so couldn't eat all but lovely. In bed for enormous sleep now. Quite excited about the Nespresso machine in my hotel room for morning. Night all x

Hello

Rubes, yes it'll be spam! Sorry, stupid twitter.

We're now heading home I'll try to catch up tomorrow.

Oh Lady T, I found it very sad that you would like a DC3 and that your DP's career is standing in your way. Is it really impossible? Would a DC3 cost so much more given you have the house and will send them to the local school? By secondary your financial situation could be very different. Who do you know that it involved with our local free school? Is it TY himself? If so I would love to know your views on him. The secondary is very popular (two years into its existence) but TY is a huge fan of Gove's emphasis on a classic education and I have heard several parents say that although the core subjects are taught well they are concerned that, for example, there is absolutely no ICT teaching (!), no drama, design etc. While I think its important to concentrate on the core subjects I do think ICT is essential in this day and age and I also would like the girls to be able to explore other talents during their education.

Jam - its exciting that you have pulled the goalie. Are you a little excited?

ZJ, congratulations on becoming an aunt! So you are broody too then! Would you ever consider acting on that broodiness? How is your DH's farm coping with the prolonged winter? I hope he has not been hit as badly as some farmers.

Kayz - Happy anniversary and I hope Cornwall was great.

Rubes - I do get jealous of your short breaks to sunny climes. God I could do with a bit of exposure to the sun right now. Good luck with your school results, it sounds stressful where you are.

Re c-section - the consultant told me 3 nights was the norm for an inpatient stay but 2 is possible. The maternity ward has been closed to all non-partner visitors since christmas so although it could change its not a short term rule. We will see. DH pointed out that he could wheel me and the baby down to the central atrium which has a coffee shop and children are allowed. Then the girls could meet the baby.

On the subject of sex drives (we were slightly on that subject were we not LadyT???) did others find their sex drive really changed when pregnant with a boy? I hardly entertained the thought of sex when pregnant before but this time I think I have got a glimpse of what it might be like to be a testosterone filled male, its almost been alarming.... Its tailed off now I am huge and uncomfy though. Sorry, that was probably way TMI.

Right, better go, DDs both slept over after a play date yesterday but I am meant to pick them up my 9.15 and I am still lying in bed. Its odd being in such a quiet house.

Good morning all! Sorry for the prolonged absence, I really need to do a good catch up but I seem to be ever busy doing not very much! Also totally fed up of life passing me by, feel line I'm stuck in a rut. I do hope you are all well though, promise to try and pop back later x

Very quickly as croods about to start.

Arti, for 1st 24 hours approx you will have a catheter after a spinal or epi so moving etc hard as have to take bag of wee with you. They encourage you to get up and walk around as soon as poss so you could walk down to coffee shop with dh and baby.

I left after 48 h with dd2 and 72h with dd1 and ds. With dd1 I was both insane and incontinent so I stayed an extra day and ds I needed the rest! Dd2 was only 18m when ds born do lots if lifting etc required and I thought an extra day would be better. Plus I was at Tommys where pn ward is ok.

Right. Croods now.

Evening all, well here we are on Friday night and DH has just gone off to spend an hour standing in the rain handing out flyers for his concert next weekend. He will spend all of tomorrow and sun rehearsing, and has spent at least 2 hours every evening for the last 2 months either editing music, fixing singers or writing programme notes. It's great that it's going so well, but man it takes up a lot of time.
And just had a phone call from a mate who is "in the pub, sorry it's quite loud I can't hear you very well" This friend has ILs just down the road who come twice a week so she and husband can go out, "but you know it just never really feels like enough does it?" Argh feck off you know that me and Dh hardly ever get out together.

Anyway, rant over I have wine. [cheers]
ZJ hurrah for being an aunty! :) is this your first neice/nephew?

Spot, hope the procedure goes well and wee problems are all sorted soon.

Jam, hurrah for letting things happen, that's how E arrived. Not trying, but not really not trying either.

Beans how was the journey? Everyone still in one piece? Don't stress about the shouting, lord knows we all do it when they push our buttons. And man they know how to - clever little blighters!

LadyT how lovely about Dd1 and your mum :) that's just gorgeous. And good news that the DDs sleeping in together is working.

Arti, do you still have your nanny? Would that make any difference in terms of getting home after a CS if you had that extra pair of hands to help?

Spot, yikes about the temperatures - running hot is one thing but 39+ is pretty warm. Have you taken them to the doc?

So how come everyone else gets their school results 2 weeks earlier than us?! We applied for S for the catholic school first choice, have also accepted a place at the private one as a backup (!) so if she doesn't get offered the RC one, we'll have to do some hard thinking. On the one hand yes the catchment school is very good, but it's 10 mins cycle in the wrong direction for work so she would prob end up in breakfast club and after school club. They also said at the open day that last year everyone on the waiting list did get a place at the Rc one by the start of the school year - but would it be horribly disruptive to tell her she's going to one school then go to another? We have to cough up a term's fees for the private one even if we don't take up the place (scam-tastic!) but then one term's fees is considerably less than 6 years... Fingers crossed that this year the non-catchment is a big one, it varies from under 1 mile to over 3 dpending on siblings etc.

Oh and can I just say, thanks to any of you who voted for me in the Easter name change contest (I was temporarily JumpChoccy), how chuffed was I to even be shortlisted that it didn't matter coming last