Dec 08 - three is the new two.

[Vagolajahooli]

Well it seems appropriate you cheeky breeders.

DDs haven't been asleep before 9pm for days and are exhausted. But we're finally here in Wales. Had a lovely couple of days seeing DH on his way up the country. He was so pleased to see the girls and is doing very well. Against my better judgement, I am feeling rather proud of him!

Sybs, love the idea of Pimms in the cinema. Something I may also have to do!

Watching Sherlock. Love Moriarty!

Vag, meant to say, are you having a wonderful time?? X

DD1 having yet another meltdown. I just don't know what to do. Fear a going to be driven to violence!

Are you ok Beans. So far I've not been too mean with ds2 this trip but I think it is because we are always with other people so I have to not freak out like I would at home. I feel for you Beans did she settle down.

Having a nice time beans but it is a bit hard being with my family constantly. My brother has flown back down south, it was brilliant to see him and the boys loved him but he can be a bit intense. We are going to my sisters tomorrow she lives close and has loads of cats and two dogs. We are having a little Australian birthday party for ds1 while we are here and he wants it at my sister's. I think the animals have a lot to do with why he wants to go there but also because she & her girlfriend live in a massive block with loads of rocks and bush. They had a great time running around it the other day.

I didn't get to show them the southern cross because I mowed into my assignment tonight and they watched a movie and went to bed so I missed the opportunity. Will try tomorrow. We did see some more kangaroos tonight which was fun and as always mums lawn is full of beautiful, colourful native birds. But my assignment us finished yay. I haven't been able to put the time in I would like to so will just cross fingers for a pass, but happy it is done as next week is quite busy up in brisbane and I don't want it hanging over me.

Have any of you ever been so worried, upset, disappointed, angry, and sad about a multitude of events. Some related, some not, that although you want to moan about it all you don't have the energy to re tell it all? That's where I'm at right now. So really not trying to be cryptic or dramatic, just at end of tether, wanted to vent but realised Dont have energy!
Have just got home, put running gear on and plonked on the couch, waiting for it to cool down slightly. Although, I have enough adrenalin I should just go now.
Hopefully back later. And can catch up too.
I'm fine lol.

As you were.....

Oh beans hope DD1 has calmed down for you

Vag glad the hols is going well

Rubes I know exactly what you mean! Are you ok, you sound really fed up at the mo? Really hope things pick up for you and you feel a bit better. Get out for that run it will help clear your head and give you a bit if 'you' time x

So DD had her ears pierced today. She is 7 in 2 weeks, so it's an early birthday treat. Her 2 best friends both have pierced ears and I admit I caved to peer (hers) pressure. My mum is not happy with me! I know it's quite young but it's not that young is it

Oh Rubes that does not sound good. Are you OK? I saw on Twitter that you have had some family stresses (I'm not a stalker, I lurk but never tweet, I worry how Twitter shows my real name and is easily google able).

And are you ok Beans? Remember you are solo parenting while heavily preggers so whatever is happening cut yourself a lot of slack.

Deids, I don't think it's that young,DD1 is the same age and has never mentioned ear piercing but I would listen to her arguments if she really wanted it. Is your DD more settled with friendships now? I remember that in Y1 she has similar issues to my DD1 with a manipulative friend.

Glad you are having a nice trip. It's a shame you have to study while on hols.

I an shattered, I ache with tiredness. DS has done some amazing nights recently so I'm not sure why I feel more tired than I did when he was waking every three hours. I think it's looking after the other two with no school or childcare DD2 is particularly exhausting at the mo, that girl needs to start school and be challenged by someone else). Did others find breastfeeding physically exhausting? I remember having more energy after I stopped with the DDs. Thing us I probably won't stop before he is 12 months and I need more energy RIGHT NOW!

Hello everyone,

Rubes How are you feeling today? It sounded as though everything collided to create a horrible day. Heat doesn't help either.

Arti Do you think you could be low on iron? Try upping your red meat and see if you feel any improvement. Wash it down with orange juice to help absorption.

Beans I watched Sherlock last night too. I was on the edge of my seat even though I've seen that episode at least 3 times! Can't wait for the new series.

I realised what a saddo I've become when I was genuinely excited to find our new tumble dryer has a light that comes on when you open it like a fridge. What would my 16 year old self think of me?!

Hons, I had a conversation tonight I was genuinely interested in about which was the best online supermarket experience. Ocado won, in case anyone is interested!

Rubes, are you ok, lovey? Can you give us a potted history? I know exactly how you feel and was in same situation yesterday with stress here with sister and her dreaded DH.

Arti, I do remember that feeling. Think when you do start getting some decent sleep the exhaustion catches up with you.

DD1 did eventually calm down. I had to go and breathe deeply in another room for a bit so I didn't act violently! Anyway, she caved in, so I didn't have to back down and lose face! This is a 4 year old I'm talking about. Aargh! And whole thing was over a bloody splinter, it was ridiculous. Anyway, we had a most lovely pm on the beach and we're all a few shades darker redder in my case
Don't faint, I even swam in the sea. In north Wales. I hardly swam in the sea in Oman, for heaven's sake! I was bursting for a wee, which was part of the spur to do it, but it was really rather warm (not just around where I did my wee!) and the girls loved it!

Am now exhausted and ready for a good sleep. Phew.

I had the worst cramp of my life last night. Went on for about an hour and my muscles are actually aching today. Horrible. Never had that before. I know it can be a side effect of pregnancy, but heavens!

Saw a friend of mine on the beach yesterday, who is 4 weeks ahead of me. She was wearing a bikini and looked amazing. I am stuck in my enormous tankini, which keeps rising up, which isn't nice! Hairy belly alert!

just a crap week. Will summarize. Massive fall out with db (mainly) & his dp (she's trying to make amends) as they claim to have overheard a convo I had, and said I was bitching about them (may have thrown in the odd comment I didn't mean) which was all stemming from feeling really upset that they don't make much time for us - ie whole trip always revolves around their agenda, their op and her friends - so they have it wrong House purchase unknown as owner has decided he wants exchange by mid Sept (flex on completion though) otherwise formal 2 months notice as he wants it sold with vacant possession. Nice, will pull money out of arse as need a lot by mid Sept. Still haven't got the car back. 2.5 weeks now. Gearbox /transmission specialist decided to go in blindly and pull apart gearbox based on a passing comment that Volvo said that was the problem. Keeps stalling and taking forever then found perfectly good gearbox and wants to charge us 1k labour just for that part he did in error. Discovers transfer box is the issue. Only one left in country (dh sourced) got it to him same day. Promised car would be ready Sat. Planned to go and get it (It's in London) as dh only day to do so, then dd decides to help herself to some Benadryl which my neice had used when here, (after getting childproof lock off). Cue massive panic and trip to A&E. Released to care of dh after several hours, several tests and monitoring. High tail it up to London and have lunch then wait around in a pub. Decide to call the guy and dh opens with "do you think the car will be ready today?" WTF??? "DO YOU THINK"??? No dh that should be WHAT time today!!! The guy says "no the boys knocked off at 3pm and I'm at home now. it's almost done but will more likely be Monday" DH pissed off the guy didn't call to say that it wouldn't be ready. I'm majorly pissed off as I know dh doesn't communicate and did confirm WHAT time Saturday. All round shitty week.

Sorry will come back to read up of everyone else's news!

Oh and Beans - Ocado by far the best

That should be dh DIDN'T confirm.

Bloody hell Rubes, what a week.

Oh my Rubes, I think I'd have EXPLODED at the garage man.

Is DD ok now? God, that is a hideous week. You poor love. Thinking of you. Grim. And it probably feels like its been about a month of it.

Chin up xx

Blimey Rubes what a week. I would have gone mad at the garage guy. He sounds useless.

I hope DD is feeling better now.

A thousand squids! Sorry for the language but that deserves a 'get the fuck outta here'. Isn't there some sort of ombudsman or checker person people can go to it they are unhappy with services like this. Like if you feel ripped off. Sorry about the family stuff. We are getting all a bit dramatic here too. Love seeing fam but it can also be a bit exhausting. I agree with you though Rubes, why can't they make a bit more time. It's not like you see them all the time. Plus they do pretty well out of your flight deals.

Beans I swim in the North sea, at this time of year I find it quite warm.

Hons I want your tumble dryer, what genuis thought of that! I'm constantly flailing around in there looking for one thing that I want to pull out but leave the rest, (usually ds1's gym kit, poor thing hates wearing it a bit damp but it's either that or nothing) a light would be awesome.

Looked at the gorgeous night sky here tonight soooo many stars. Ds1 was quite taken by the southern cross, made me a bit emotional. We saw a few shooting stars too so that was cool. Tried to explain to them that by seeing the stars we were actually looking back in time. Confused them ccompletely and now ds2 thinks that stars are tiny time portals to another universe. Bless him & his early entry into quantum physics.

Gotta go I think my battery is about to go on my phone.

Bloody hell Rubes!! What a shitty week! I cannot believe how much they are charging for the car. Daylight robbery!

Arti DD is much better with the friend thing thanks for asking. As she's got older shed matured and us less obsessive about that one girl. Which oddly enough has made them better friends now. They are also in different classes from Sept, which will help the situation too. How is your DD getting on?

We had friends round last night. I was drinking till 2am. I'm too old for it. I'm still hungover. Shocking behaviour!

Decide! Well done! Still a youth!

Deids. Now you lot are the type I need round ere. Just had friends over night on Wed. Last time I saw them for about 2 hours at their wedding we flew all the way to NZ for. Every other time we've been preg. Could barely get her to have a glass of wine with me. And oh he's an ironman. 1 glass and bed after we bought them a curry. Disappointed. Again. Two nights later at other friends house I see her slaughtered on FB with a drink each hand on the go.... I guess it's me.... Never mind. They brought wine with them

I would LOVE a dryer with a light!!!!!

Vag, that was just labour for the gearbox investigation. We paid direct for the transfer box £1200 already! I understand a bit of labour putting the part in, but cocking around with the unnecessary removal and re installation of a perfectly good part for 1k - well that will be taken up with Volvo and / or watchdog!

Nice day today at the water slides and late lunch!

Deids your holiday pics are fab!

Oh and yes thanks she was fine. Was good actually as the act of whisking her off to hospital frightened the life out of her and she'll not touch anything again. I think she didn't have much at all really. She later confessed the orange thing (syringe) "didn't reach"(so I knew there wasn't much in bottle) and when tried to put it in syringe she dropped the lot, then tried to clean it up, so although they based it on her having quite a bit, was prob not much at all plus no symptoms except quite sleepy later. Was more worried about the dog later as she had a go licking it up.

Rubes I suspect if we ever get together with a bottle (or several) of wine it would get very messy

Without a doubt! Our Shady is quite good value too!

Just went upstairs after almighty thud. Dd walked off our bed with a pull up on her head (ie blindfolded). Dh is doing baths. Guess I should be grateful

That's hilarious Rubes (the blindfold pull-up thing, not the family thing which sounds grim ).

I'm glad your DD is happier now Deids. DD1 is pretty good too, she's still friends with the girl and I still worry about the girls's manipulative tendencies but they are in a bigger circle of friends now so that is good.

Veg, I'm pretty jealous of the star gazing, it sounds gorgeous. I want to see the Southern Cross!

Still so tired. The girls had friends sleeping over last night and they got up at 6am and I had been up from 4-5.30 with DS who was in some kind if pain. So basically I've been up since 4am and looked after 5 kids all day (with a LOT of help from DH). Am going to bed as soon as DS us settled.