Nov 05 - Where the hell did those 6 months go?!

[Rodeo]

Here we go :)

Chacha, I don't know if you've had any other responses yet but I don't think there's really much you can do to avoid wee in the pool at this age. Even a swim nappy really just catches the poos, wees can be absorbed a bit but when I used them with Tobes I noticed a yellow trail in the water more than once!

Thanks Tex, I'll just take him in without anything on then. I'm really excited, first time to take him into pool and he was really beating me and chuckling when he saw the water coming out of hose pipe.

Have a lovely afternoon with your little ones, if i remember correctly your DH is away - hope you're not missing him too mcuh and enjoying weather x

chacha- i'm here..delaying cleaning the bathroom!lol
I'd say he'll be fine even if he does wee a litle!?

I'd be more worried about poos though!

sounds like fun anyway, have a lovely afternoon!
oooh ..we need to move to a place with a garden!

Hmm, feeling very jealous of you lot out there with your gardens and swimming pools . I have a window to look out of, but it has bars on it, which doesn't really add to the ambience!!
So sorry to hear about your gran RODEO ; fingers crossed though that it might not be as bad as you think. You're certainly having one of those weeks . To cheer you up, Scarlett woke me up with her singing last night 'Joe Owen, Joe Owen...' a constant stream, for about 5 mins!! Ahhh, bless them!!
DH back tonight, phew!!! Don't think I could handle the 'school/nursery run' on my own one more day!! Really stressed this morning, and ended up shouting over absolutely nothing!! . They are such good girls too .
Anyway, lots to be grateful for, including chicken pox no show as yet Hope you are all enjoying the sunshine . Oh, and absolutely GUTTED that the badge didn't win !!!! In fact I have a hunch Sir Alan thinks he made the wrong decision from after-show chat. Bet she'll do well though (she looks the spit of my sister btw, but there the similarities end!).
Right, essays to mark!
Diege

Aw Diege..bet you can't wait for him to be back!
you have coped magnificently though!and thank god you didn't end up with chickenpox to contend with!

I will definitly be around for m.hall..my mum can take me on her lunch break so I can meet you sometime between 12 and 1, don't know what your plans are?
My train back to london is at 5.25pm ,so good excuse to do some shopping too..hehe

Just heard great news about our newsagents premature baby...they reckon her dating could have been up to 2 months out,due to his weight, and as he has begun trying to suck, and is relying on ventilation much less now. She was there today with her two dds and seemed remarkably cheerful! I'm really pleased forthem.

oh yes..the apprentice..I was dissapointed too!but not surprised really!

argh....my friend has taken O out for the day (she's about to have her first baby and wanted 'practice' lol))

and instead of going out shopping, to the park for lunch, maybe go get a massage etc, I've been doing random d.i.y bits,buying stuff online, posting on mumsnet and drinking a lot of coffee..
I'm kind of liking being 'home alone' iykwim.

I've even put full make up on and donemy hair....just to sit around..lol.. as it's something I used to , but rarely can be bothered/have time to do now..

I really should go out..

it's inconceivable how much I miss O, even only for a couple of hours..
right now he's sleeping and I so wish he wasn't..

been watching tomorrows Hollyoaks on E4 and now can't stop crying and had to go straight upstairs to check on Nat . For anyone who doesn't watch it a baby dies of cot death (and I'm awful for crying at things on TV).

Evening :)

Thanks for wishes about my gran, I suppose grandparents have to go sometime don't they - that sounds a bit mercenary, sorry She is 82 though and not a young 82 yr old IYKWIM.
It really hasn't been one of my good weeks Chacha! Just found out one of our regulars at the pub died in a motorbike accident yesterday, please let that be it now!!
Nova, no Hollyoaks here then! Who's baby was it? Don't watch it very often but I can only think of Mandy's baby??
Diege, you did make me LOL at the image of your barred window! And little Scarlett, how funny! Must get some letters off to the girls :) Good to hear no spots at your house! Joe got chicken pox at 7 months - not fun!
Bob, sounds like you've been a bit lost without O today, awww! Great news about your newsagent's baby :) but how could the hospital get their dates so wrong?!
Chacha, LOL about getting baby wee in the pool! You share baths with him don't you? Oooh dear, if you think that's bad you just wait Hope you and Z had a lovely afternoon anyway
Dp wants to look on Autotrader - again, not sure how many times you need to look before buying a car - ah well, cars aren't my department :)
x x x

Sorry, sounds like I've got a right bag on in that post , will be back to my cheery self soon!!

Rodeo, Nova thanks so much for the compliments. Old BF rang today and we had a little chat. He'll be back in London in a few months so maybe we can meet up then, if I manage to lose the weight or buy a girdle.

Nova, thanks for the info on Nat's milk. Are you still boiling water for her formula? I stopped doing that at six months with Toby but, because of Rosie's tummy troubles I haven't stopped yet with her. Ahh, Petit Filous. Tobes used to love those. I am missing them this time what with Rosie's milk problems. Apparently there are non-dairy yoghurts out there but I haven't seen them at Sainsbury's.

ChaCha, hope you enjoyed your day in the pool and avoided any Caddyshacks. Does anyone else remember the scene with the candy bar in that film? A friend used to work as a lifeguard at a waterpark and 'Caddyshack' was the code word when some child pooped in the pool. You'd be swimming and hear over the intercom - "Caddyshack in the kiddy pool. Clean up please." Then some lifeguard would go running over with a pool net. So funny when you knew what was happening.

BoB, hope you enjoyed your day pottering around. That's basically what I'm doing tonight. It's one of the joys when DH is away to have the evenings to myself. Already watched a DVD and read a magazine. G&T next, I think.

Brownie, how is T doing?

Rodeo, crossed posts! Forgot to send best wishes for your nan. It is hard to see them getting so frail. DH and I are both going through it with our grandmothers too. And the pub regular on top of everything else! My goodness. That is three bad things now isn't it? Hopefully no more.

Diege, I keep forgetting to tell you. Weren't you talking about children singing inappropriate sone lyrics? The other day Toby was walking around singing '...my hump, my hump, my lovely lady lumps..' Must stop listening to the Black Eyed Peas in the car.

Evening!! Thought you sounding really chirpy actually RODEO!! , esp. considering your week . Wasn't sure whose turn it was writing-wise (did postcards count?); yeah ok, you've twisted my arm, your turn ..honestly though, whenever you get the time; hardly a priority at the mo' I'm sure!
NOVA: hmm yes, I'll be giving HOs a miss too; hate anything like that; imagine it's Mandy's?
BOB: sounds like you had a lovely relaxing day; I always feel like you're just around the corner when I read your posts, and you always do the sorts of things I think would be good to do, but I make excuses not to do .
CHACHA: yep, agree with Rodeo, wait till they poo in the bath!! Sorry to lower the tone ladies!!!
BTW, re: operation MH, think me and TWINKLE will be getting there 11ish, maybe a little after? Should we use yahoo for more precise details? (here I go again!!)
Diege

Hi all!!
Rodeo - sorry your week has been so horrid, best wishes to your gran !!
Yes Diege get on to yahoo re; operation meadowhall. Think i read further down that BoB will be coming and I imagine 11 am will be ok for me and Rodeo too!!

LOL Tex at Black eyed peas!! Is one of Layla's favourites to sing, along with " Don't ya wish your girlfriend was hot like me" etc.. xxxx

god I'm soooo tragic! Also finding Home & Away really sad at the moment with Flynn dying - I really must get out more!!!! Esp. when you Rodeo are going through RL things.

DH came to sing and sign today before heading off to NY. He was there for 5 mins, looked at all the older babes causing chaos, looked at me and said 'we've got so much work to do on the house - we have to get rid of the bar'. It's just kicking in to him that she's not going to be happy sitting where we put her for much longer.

Tex - I do still boil the water, mainly because I'm not sure when we can stop, but also because I don't steralize the bottles I like to fill them with boiling water. I prepare them all the night before though, so it doesn't take any longer to fill it from a kettle than from the tap.

Also Tex, Gwynnie talked about using Spanx after the birth of Apple, so I got some and they're great if you feel the need for some super sucky in underwear. Not very high on sex appeal, but they leave you feeling hugged in all the right places. Figleaves do them online.

Does anyone know if twinkle is still around? I really need her help/advice re: UWE application, do I apply now for sept 07 intake? Ive hard that several places have alreay been allocated to people for 07 gotta get me scates on methinks.....

I feel sick-just found out there have been 500 people apply for this year, for 49 places, so thats over 10 people applying for EACH placeomg.....

Hi everyone :)

Thanks for all the advice. Rodeo, you're right! I sometimes do take him into the bath with me and there's really no difference at all, I should have thought of that, duh! We both really enjoyed it however, DH took him in on his return home and he got quite upset at being 'dunked' in and out of the water. He did some really funny baby talk like he was telling him off inbetween tears. We were in hysterics, poor baby.

Rodeo - Hopefully no more bad news for you! They say it comes in threes. I think you've had your share. You deserve a good weekend :)

Diege - LOL at imagery of behind bars! Poor Diege. Just think it's almost the weekend and hopefully plenty of sunshine to go around :)

BoB - Although you missed O sounds like you had a nice 'YOU' day. Good news on newsagent baby (we really must think of an alias for them) and you sound v.happy, glad all's well.

Busy - Fingers crossed for you.

Nova - Counting down till holiday time yet? I would be. Lovely weather has put me in mood for some sun, sea and sand. Crete is not too far from Alexandria!

Hope I've not forgotten anyone, going on memory and it's quite late, oh dear. Going to pic up Z's pics tomorrow then lunch at friend's place. Hopefully they are worth the horrific prices quoted on list.

I've just posted some pics of my LO that I took today! He's yumsy, I love 'im.

Best get some sleep. Will be a different story in the morning. p.s. Beks - Posting parcel tomorrow when down that way. Hope you're well x

Morning everyone

Rodeo - sorry you are having such a rotten time. Best wishes to you and your Gran
Thanks for the camping link. ATM we are planning to go over to the Isle of Man for a week in the summer to see my brother and his motley crew of 6 kids and to do our usual 10 day trip to Bristol mid-September. However we want to do a few shorter trips too, preferably before a long one just to sort out the practicalities of camping with 2.
ChaCha - we first took Tessa camping at 5 months and she has loved it ever since. Ash will be a little older but only because of the time of year he was born. It is a great holiday with children, especially the freedom and all the fresh air. If you want any tips just ask as we have learnt a few things the hard way
Saying that Nova's hotel in Crete looks amazing and I'd like to sneak into the suitcase too please.

Nova - if you haven't got a paddling pool by now its worth getting something that doubles as a ballpool. I think we got ours from Woolies a few years ago, 100 balls and a little pool to put them in. The pool is small enough to fill easily and the balls provide a good yucky weather alternative inside. However DO NOT use the balls outside as you will be fishing the damn things out of flowerbeds/bushes/etc all year
LOl at your 'going to pounce' comment. Bet she will be really glad that you do. Its also worth remembering that even if you feel like you won't be good company because you are tired I bet the other mummies are feeling exactly the same. Believe me, I can class myself as an expert in sleep deprivation now
Also LOL at your Dh's realisation that Nat may soon be into everything. We actually put the playpen together at the w/e but we may have left it a bit too late as Ash can really get himself around and he may not appreciate a 'cage' He also may not appreciate having his big sister land on him as she tries to get in to join him Another few trips to the 'naughty step' methinks.
IKWYM about crying at things on TV. I have cried at every birth I have watched on TV (and I watched a lot in the lead-up to Tessa's birth) but I didn't cry at the only 2 real-life births I have been involved in, far too amazed by it all I think.

Busy - good to hear from you, glad you are living up to your name

ChaCha - cheap blender sounds perfect, mouli NOT necessary at all. Agree on the yuck value of baby rice but some babies seem to love it. This time I started with very diluted mashed potato and gradually thickened it up over a few days.

We are now having fun with finger foods too though he has been getting frustrated as he can pick stuff up in his fist but is only just starting to work out how to get it from his tight little fist into his mouth.
Has anyone heard/read anything about not giving grapes till later? Just because a friend with 2 children was a bit shocked that I was giving them to Ash the other day.

Tex - a friend used Apro (?) soya yogurts with her 2 lactose intolerant children. They were both so bad that she had to cut out all dairy food when breastfeeding but they grew out it by about 17 months so there is hope.

I really must try and post a bit more regularly as I always end up with an epic!
Hope the sun is shining where you are and you get the chance to enjoy it.

Ball pool sounds like a good idea Tessasmum, i will investigate.

I heard that you should peel grapes as the skins are quite tough and therefore a choking hazard, but who can be arsed to do that? Other than that I suppose as they're quite small they're also a choking hazard, but after dislodging a piece of breadstick from Nats throat yesterday, I suppose anything could be classed as that.

Morning

Nova bet that made your heart beat a bit faster Your hotel looks amazing, hope you have a great holiday, you deserve it with your dh being away so much. Good luck 'pouncing' on your new friend, she'll be pleased you did.

Rodeo sorry to hear your having such a rough time, sending best wishes to you and your gran.

Tex what are you like I've seen more extra weight on a sparrow You look great & you ex will be gutted at what he missed when you do finally meet up.

Advice please from those with older ones - Ben is doing my head in at the moment as he is having major screaming tantrums which sound like he is being murdered to anyone outside the house over really stupid things including hairwashing & having suncream put on his face. I am at the end of my tether with him & don't know how to get past this without him getting a smack, it's horrendous and had us both in tears yesterday

Right best go as Tom is wriggling in my arms & Ben's in the bath. Meant to say Tom's mastered rolling over & over - darn there goes my easy life

Hope everyone is enjoying the sunshine & that it manages to brighten your cell Diege Beks

Morning! On parole today, away from cell till Monday!! Am bring 'naughty' though on my 'working from home day' and am 'popping out' to beauty salon for eyebrow tint/shape. Not the most glam of things to have done, but hey little 'treats' like that keep me going . Driving lesson at 11 (gulp). Newly motivated to pass now after dragging them up and down hills all week! And you should see my feet - covered in blisters and I was only wearing flat thong sandels .
BEKS, you have my sympathy 100% on the toddler front. We are just coming out of it with dd2, after having mega tantrums since she turned 1. I know the advice is to stay calm/naughty step etc, but I only managed that about 6 out of 10 times, the rest I admit to losing it and screaming back at her (even the odd smack when being kicked in shins in middle of supermarket - wrong I know, but I defy anyone to keep control 100% of the time. We too ended up (both of us) in tears. Looking back, I suppose the only (useless) advice is to reconcile yourself to the fact that it's all perfectly normal, that getting angry makes it worse, and if it really gets too much, remove them from the vicinity (into bedroom say) and let them scream it out. One other tactic is to hold them close, but hey no way would I have tried that one!!!
NOVA: am soooo jealous of you and your holiday!! You will have the BEST time, and deserve a break after your time apart from DH. Agree on the grpaes front; too much of a faff to peel (never bothered with dds), and as you say you've got to watch them with everything anyway! We are moving on from fruit to veggies this weekend - sweet pots I think .
Meant to say BOB, loved your links to FC clothes; did you buy? Have to admit to a few recent splurges on their website, though have had to reorder a few items as overambitious on sizing!!!
Agree TESSA, those moulis are abit of a con; I just use a regular sieve Will pick your brains for camping trip tips, as we used to camp all the time pre-kids - too scared with the 3 of them at this age just yet, but the time is coming!
Have a nice lunch at your friend's CHACHA, off to see your piccies .
Hi everyone else!!! Enjoy sunshine as the rains are a coming!!! (well, up North anyway!)
Diege

Thanks Diege, it really helps when someone else can put it into persepctive for you - managed to get all jobs done this morning without any screaming - thank goodness - thought I'd be hearing from social services the way we were carrying on Beks

Thanks for all the sympathy guys :) Feeling much better today!

Beks/Diege, snap with tantruming children, I usually just remove offending child to bedroom for a cooldown, sometimes just to stop me battering them! (Ok, not batter but you get the jist) Or if we're out then I take him (yes, it's usually him!) back to the car, a right PITA, esp if I've got a baby under one arm) but it usually works. They'll grow out of it soon!!

Diege, enjoy your little treat, and YES - take the plunge with the camping

Nova, LOL at dh's reaction to older babies getting into everything, I wouldn't say it was harder work, it just evolves. And it's really exciting, I love the just-toddling stage (or maybe I'm remembering it with rose-tinted specs, ask me in 6 months!)

Busy we'll keep everything crossed for you. Are you doing midwifery? Or have I got that totally wrong?

Tessa, read all of your epic post and loved it :)

Right, might have a peek at Nova's link now I'm in a better mood, have been holding off as I can be quite a envious person! Have lovely days all, sun still blazing here but think it might change this afternoon so better get washing out now...bye! x

Blue Palace?? A royal experience?? I can't look Only got the title bar - took to long to load on my rubbish laptop - that's my excuse anyway