Dec 08 - The One where they take on the world (school)

[DeidreBarlow]

New thread

Hooray for mr beans! DH could never get my two out in that time of a morning. Super effort. Hope the norks have settled

Jam the instructor is a wanker. It must be karate instructors. When I was a kid mine was such an arse. I stopped going in the end

Supersorry ladies, I've had MIL here for a bit. She's still here so it always means more to do/no time (or rather - no time alone!) I cannot believe I've missed so much! I have come up to bed on the pretence of being tired but really I just wanted to escape and read up on here. I haven't tested yet - the test I had was out of date. I got DP to get me a test today as I haven't been near shops, but he bought an El Cheapo one so I don't think it will be up to snuff until the weekend. Might try it tomorrow. Not really convinced I'm pregnant any more - in fact I feel a bit crampy if anything.

Beans, I am glad DD3 is feeding so well. What a little treasure. Are you finding her gorgeous, apart from the knackeringness? Are your nether regions easing a bit? Great that DH is being fabulous. DP is a whizz at household tasks (less so the kid stuff) - far better and more efficient and thorough than me - which is all the more enraging when he barely lifts a finger.

Anyway - RUBES! Am trying to process all this! My gut reaction is that it's a lot of hassle for one year and only worth it if it's really going to help DH in his career. I am always lured by adventure and the new. But I think if you gave up work, you'd really miss the flights. Having said all that - if you do end up going of course it would be a cracking experience and I do know of v cheap storage.

Arti, I was so sad about your DD1 and her impetigo. DD2 will settle again at school - I am sure. I think you do need to have a chat with the au pair if you can bear it.

Jam, grown men who need to lord it over tiny children like that are complete Hamptons. Good for you, telling him.

Indith - it must be so tiring for you, everything you're doing. Nearly fainted when you said your wee lad is 18mths! Oh my! I'd have guessed at 8.

DP has followed me up to bed so better wind up for now

I gotta go to bed, I wrote a message earlier but my phone battery died. Will write more tomorrow but just wanted to say Rubes, we have looked into taking our cat back with us. The information I read said as long as we do all the blood tests and imms, has her passport and sorted etc, as it's a cat she will only need a 30 day quarantine. But I don't think that applied to dogs, I thought they were 3 months. . Also it is going to cost around €1800 to get her over there. €800 is to pay for the month in quarantine.

Arti you need to talk with the Au pair. Are you in touch with her family. Could you mention your concern about her naivity to her mum.

Ps that karate guy is an ass. When dh was at uni, he and a friend taught tai kwon doe to kids. I can imagine dh being a lovely teacher, but I can imagine his friend being like Jamboys instructor, he is a bit of an arrogant dick and a bully. So I imagine he would be like the guy you describe.

How was your night Beans?

Spoke to DH about karate last night he is not hp. Wants me to pull the boys out. Is on the verge of phoning bloke and having a go at him. TBH I don't mind not going we have after school activities every night so it would be lovely to not be rushing off. Just feel like that is letting him win.

Vag it's a 3 month process all up for dogs from the UK as it's a category 4 country, but 2 months can be done at home before departure. That is the rabies shot then the blood testing for the antibodies. Then it's 30 days in Sydney quarantine. There's talk of it being reduced to 10 but no plan as to when. The costs are for all the uk work (don't know £) then associated fees with the quarantine on arrival ( clearance and vet check fees etc) then accom is $39 / day so they estimate a dog needing 30 days is around AUD$1305 so plus the airfare and uk part.
Back later....

had a bit of a bad night. DH also v tired and in a fury this morning. DD1 was sick and has a temperature so is off school again. Not ideal. DD3 fed a lot. don't think it helps having her in with us as I jump up at every sound from her. I didn't at 6am and she kept sleeping til nearly 8!

mum is coming up today, which I'm looking forward to. She's off on a painting trip on Saturday for 3 weeks. booked before she knew I was pregnant. Will miss her terribly.

Exactly Lady, It is hassle for one year, but if it means his CV is bomb proof, it would be worth it. Not sure I'd miss the flights, as I spend forever swapping out of trips and do the bare minimum. I have to ask myself why. But then lots of people leave & regret too. If you mean the cheap travel - yes I would, but then I am not sure how often I can use them now anyway, as I'm limited to school hols really, so don't want to keep going just to keep my family in cheap airfares! tbh I'm probably also dreading my annual training which is in 2 weeks and I've done zero as I'm so consumed by all this, not to mention sort of 'checking out' of work which means I'm going to be scrambling and in a panic when i inevitably have to go to it.
If we stay, dh is probably a 6 mths to a year off needing me to work for him properly. Anyway, there's more info through in that it's not as cut and dry as first thought. the guy in Sydney has contacted several Deaneries, not just his, and all of them could have put someone forward for it. He will find out today how his annual (and final) assessment goes and have a better idea,but current boss said last night that it's not necessarily the bee all and end all for the career either. Anyway, I'm being way too self absorbed and monopolizing the thread with this, so will give you all a break from my woes!

Lady I'm so excited a test has been purchased! not so thrilled it's a cheapy though!

Deids, how is the foot today?

JJ how is S going and how about the microwave?

Jam I agree with your dh - I'd want to pull them out and I'd make a formal complaint. Let the other parent's know you've done as such too.

Beans, glad dh is being helpful. Sounds like it's all going swimmingly! You sound very relaxed.

cp Beans - sorry re the bad night. Has to be a few of them I suppose. Is dh on Paternity? When does he work again? Shame your Mum is going away. I didn't have much help with dd but I wanted it that way - and much easier with 2 than 3 I'd imagine! Hope dd1 gets well soon.

Ok girls, I've tested but both appear defective I followed all the instructions but no line has appeared in any window, even in the control window. They're both just...blank. Instructions say that can be because there is too much wee or not enough. Jeepers, I've used a pregnancy test before! Talk about buy cheap, buy twice! I still feel slightly crampy so think AF may be on its way anyway but I could get on a bus to Chipping Norton this afternoon, after MIL has gone, and buy a proper one. Hmmm. Might have AF by then!

Beans, sorry about the duff night. I remember that extreme tiredness, it makes you sicky and headachey and fumbly. How long is DH at home for?

Beans, sorry for a crap night. Hope DD1 feels better soon.

Jam, karate guy is a jerk. I'd take them out of the class.

LadyT, defective tests suck!

DD has started screaming at everything. She won't go in the highchair, buggy or car seat without causing a scene. Makes dinner time fun.

I guess she's just testing how it feels to try to exercise control over stuff Kayz...no comfort to you, obviously...

Are broken tests very common? I am struggling to believe it's user error! I used a Poundland test for DD1 and that was ok (although the first test was negative, the one I did two days later was positive).

It could be a rubbish batch of tests maybe?

DH takes her straight out of the highchair when she cries. So she knows that if she screams he'll get her out. I won't so I am the evil one currently.

Lady! Buy cheap, buy twice alright! Clear blue - pronto! Good luck

Clear blue is the only way forward. Anyone got a spare they can send first class?

Oh I see Rubes, that sounds right. Mainland europe is considered a reasonably high rabies risk compared to the UK so that makes sense that it would be longer for dogs from here. The change to 10 days sounds good. I wonder when that might come into effect? Also I'm finding your current dilemma quite interesting so please keep us informed (I clearly need a job or something).

Jam it may be letting him win but it's the best for the boys. This guy is not a good example of manhood for your boys.

Ds1 has been asked to attend a try out for an even higher level gymnastics team. I'm so proud of him, but feel a bit bad as he seems to be better at it than I thought. He's quite strong and incredibly flexible, but doesn't seem as clean with his routines as the other kids. I always thought this gymnastics would give him a solid base to go onto other sports or dance and even parkour (actually I quite fancy him following a career as a stunt man!) But they seem to think he has got something. Anyway he may not get in but it is just cool that he was asked as only 6 kids from his club where asked.

Ds2 actually just started at the gym club ds1 is in but in the normal age group classes. I got to watch his class,if im honest I tthink he is even better than ds2 at this age. Omg I've become one of those mums!

Netherlands is in the same category as the UK Vag (4) at least it is now - perhaps one of them changed since you checked for your move. Are you taking your cats for sure then?

Not a clear blue in sight here, otherwise I'd have sent it to the cotswolds express a week ago

Odd that both tests were faulty Shady. We're they from the same box? I always felt cramps in early pregnancy so that means nada. Are you still tired?

Veg, I live gymnastics so am super excited about your boys. Maybe they could represent Oz one day (or the UK, they wee born here after all).

Cripes, DS just but me as I'm feeding and typing. I screamed, he screamed, not good.

Sorry about the bad night Beans. I hope your DH has lost the rage and is back to his helpful self. It's so nice he wanted 3 girls, tbh my DH did too although obviously he loves DS to bits.

I've got a horrid sticky stomach ache. I keep getting ones like this. I'm starting to thinkni may have developed an intolerance to something, it's rather getting me down.

Update on the au pair: she was amazing with the girls when they were off school yesterday and she was super helpful around the house. Today she tidied everywhere while I did the school run and I returned to find it spotless. She is spending the evenings Skyping her friends so no intrusion into our life, all good really. And I had a brief chat re the man she met and although I think she thought I was being paranoid she did listen.

Glad to hear the au pair is settling down Arti.

Ds2 does gymnastics too. He loves it. The teacher chased after me last wk to tell me how fantastic he is on the vault.

Right have spent the last couple of hrs catching up on BB and RHONJ must go tackle the enormous ironing pile.

Jam, I keep meaning to ask, how is the spd? Does anything ease it? Is there any treatment?

Arti, you need to keep a food diary I reckon, to see if you can link the bouts to specific foods.

Maybe I used the wee sticks wrong somehow though I can't believe I did. DP is back so I can nip out on the bus later (I say nip, it takes ages with the hourly buses ) I don't feel tired so much now, but still vague cramps and felt briefly nauseous this morning...However, can't remember whether we did it near when ovulation might have been or a week later. Am a bear of Small Brain sometimes. I just don't think I am upduffed but who knows? Besides, AF not due until about tomorrow. I'd thought it was next weekend but had counted wrong.

Rubes, I am worried you have not made things up with your brother (or rather, he hasn't made it up with you). Will he contact you on your birthday do you think? I will buy a Clearblue today (or similar!) And maybe wait until tomorrow morning if nowt's happened.

Oh and Vag, good to see you are nurturing your inner Chinese Tiger Mum DS1 is a little star. What athletic little chaps you and Jam have. DD1 is really enjoying PE at school, which is lovely. As she's usually lying on a chaise longue in a silk dress reading a romantic novel. Not really, but the age appropriate equivalent. She needs to run about a bit more!

On children of one sex, I think a lot of people err towards whatever they've already got. I think I do but maybe that's partly because it's just easier to imagine. I am slightly curious about what it would be like to have a boy, but another girl would have to edge it for me. However, frankly, at my advanced age, were I to have another one I'd just so grateful for a healthy one.

Who had surprises in terms of the sex out of our Dec 08 lot? Obviously I did not.

I never had surprises. In fact we found out at 12 weeks for the last two.

I love the image of your DD reclining with a romantic novel Lady. I haven't seen her in years but I can see the little girl I met being just like that. How is her eating at school? Is she more adventurous now?

Two faulty tests! What are the chances? My DH likes to say you remember the quality long after you've forgotten the price!

We had a surprise each time. I wanted another dd because I'd always wanted a sister. Massive projection there!

Well done Vag's ds1! Both the dds do gymnastics. Dd1 has improved her balance and is very flexible but I don't think she'll be joining the competitive squad. She runs like I do which is a shame. Arms and legs flying everywhere.

Rubes It sounds like it would be very stressful especially for a year.

Jam Can you email the karate man's boss or is he a one man band? I don't think it is letting him win at all.