November 2012 - The run up to our babies' first 'proper' Christmas

[StuntNun]

Previous thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/postnatal_clubs/1927883-November-2012-Oh-Christmas-tree-oh-Christmas-tree-your-ornaments-are-history

I hope you have a lovely day with the little ones Lily. You are doing a fab job raising O x

Evil, drinking spirits tends to be more of a concern as they are so high in alcohol, and home measures are so easy to underestimate.

I agree PR, but in the UK people are only just beginning to realise the hidden harm that can be caused by drinking. Just 5 short years ago I was reporting parents who were binge drinking to Social Services, as per our policy, and they did nothing as it did no harm apparently. There has been a major turn-around recently with huge funding from government.

The safe drinking recommendations are max 14 units a week for a female, max 21 for a male. The problem is many folk think it is then ok to drink them all at the weekend. Over 6 units at a time is now considered potentially harmful, especially if twice or more a week. Alcohol is becoming increasingly popular in females.

Evil, these things are just meant to help healthcare professionals to care for us. Having recently left an abusive relationship you will be deemed as vulnerable, so worthy of extra care and attention. Unfortunately not all are able to convey it in a caring manner.

PR France has a very different view to alcohol, indeed I believe nobody thinks anything of a smallish child having a drop of wine with dinner, and in pregnancy alcohol is fine so long as it is not spirits. It is cultural.

In my line of work, alcohol is a drug. It is a more socially accepted drug than others, more widely available. But it is still a drug. After working with Alcohol I barely touch a drop now, as the effect it can have is utterly dreadful.

Anyhow, I need to grab a few zzz

Oh and Lily, afaik the chickenpox vaccination is only recommended for high risk children here. It is encouraged for all in many countries though. The concern is it does not cover for life, and the older you get the more potentially dangerous it can be. There are sadly rare but serious complications with it at any age. I would not vaccinate mine, but also would not go to chicken pox parties either. I leave it up to fate, so to speak. DD1 was pretty ok with it, DD2 really suffered and I was very worried about her. No doubt J will have it bad as he seems that way inclined, bless him. There are some interesting debates on MN if you do a search. Also some horror stories.

I have a car seat emergency - my mum has asked me to get a forward-facing car seat for her car for when we go over on Friday. I had planned to use the rear-facing one she already has but she has got a bee in her bonnet about J hating rear-facing in the car and I don't want her to go out and buy any random car seat just to have one. I was looking at a Britax Prince Car Seat from Kiddicare, does anyone know whether this is a good seat? I don't want to spend too much money as it will only be used every few months.

Stunt, funny you say that I ordered that car seat for my sister in law's car. It has good reviews but slightly narrower than normal car seats . It still has a good crash result.

I only bought this as it had a very good price on amazon and that I know that they only drive her around in the city max once a week. Our main car seat is a britax as well but different type.

Thanks Lily narrower is good as it has to fit in my mum's old Volvo.

Lily my sister was advised to get the chicken pox jag for her prem daughter at one - she wouldn't again. Her DD screamed every night for a fortnight and reacted really badly to it. With hindsight she would just have let her catch it.

We have the chicken pox jab. It's combined with mmr. Didn't really question it it was just offered like that.

YW poor little W! That must have been horrible.

It is very hard to make decisions about such things Lily, but I prefer to go with what is advised by the medics, so if they advised J had it, then I would let him have it. I would rather be angry with the medics if there were complications following their advice, than blame myself for not. Not very scientific I know. I felt like that over the SF jags.

Stunt I think that is a good choice and you are limited with an old Volvo as I had one. Do check it fits first. It is a good brand, a good price.

I have just had three hours sleep all in a row. DH got up with J and the girls. Woken by the phone. They sent MIL home last night. No assessment, no adaptation to the home, no care going in. She can barely walk and lives 200 miles away. SIL works full time, and is understandably panicking.

vq that's appalling.

VQ that's so .

I feel like shit. DH undercooked pork we had for tea (bless him he did follow the recipe perfectly) last night and I spent 3 hours last night projectile vomming in the upstairs loo whilst he sat, with the trots on the downstairs loo. The only complication arose when the bear woke for his feed at 3.30 and had to be passed between us as we ran off to the loo! I've woken up with awful tummy cramps and can barely lift the bear . Hope I'm feeling better tomorrow when DH flies off. I honestly think I'm put off green olives and artichokes for life.

Being sick brought back memories of labour when I vommed on every contraction for the last eight hours!!! My throat is proper sore from it

VQ I can not believe your luck. Really hope it turns around soon and the good luck rains down on your family by the bucket loads.

Lily and of course its understandable that I is attached to you.

Today during their nap. 1.5hours at same time I ate. And wrapped gifts. So another productive day.

They now have care going in 4 times a day. And a commode. Macmillan nurses may make an appearance at some point. Hope they hurry up. We have heard for definite today that chemo is not an option. She called us this morning from her own phone in her own bed and was remarkably chirpy. She is desperate to see the kids so hopefully we can get down there at Christmas. Have no idea what to tell The kids. Thank you for your kind words.

GT funny you should mention luck - I was saying to DH earlier that wouldn't such and such be great, and the postie brought a parcel from the MN nomination thingy wotsit, containing just what we needed. Lots of tears and snot (me, not the parcel) So, if it was any of you guys that nominated me, thank you so so much x

YW that sounds hideous. I do hope you and DH are soon well. I guess the bear did not have any?

No thankfully it was a special meal DH cooked for the pair of us. Jonas didn't have any and was quite confused and then delighted at seeing both of us for fleeting moments in the wee small hours.

DH has just done a big shop with J at the new massive Morrison's which has just opened in town. The 'free from' range is amazing. Jonas has just demolished a dairy free treacle tart in milliseconds. I didn't get a look in

The bear's very cuddly today. Whenever I've been lying around moaning and shivering he's climbed up on me to give big cuddles and open mouthed snogs and pull my hair hooting excitedly. I might feel rough but I am feeling very loved. I think he's like his Dad was as a boy - mischievous but very affectionate. I feel sorry for DH for being apart from him for a week.

Ooh what was it vq ? Glad MIL has the care she needs but be a relief.

Are you feeling any better yw ? LO was delighted at all the nighttime activity the other night when I was puking.

It has been a very pukey week in the quiche.

PR I'm just achy and shivery now. Still got tummy cramps but have stopped vomming. Bleurgh..â?¦

There was a lovely candle, and a card, and another envelope containing a M&S voucher for a rather generous amount. I was bowled over. I would have been delighted with the candle only. The voucher was just so kind, and it said on it to buy something you want or need for your family.

That's lovely :)

That's lovely VQ

Sorry to hear I fouling YW but thank goodness J didn't have any!

DH has lost his voice due to a v sore throat he's had all week. He's just had a little tantrum because I suggested the all day hockey tournament he is due to play in tomorrow is a ridiculous idea.

Xmas tree is up. On a little table for now. S is drawn to it, we will see how long it lasts!

Testing out my new festive name. Took a lot of thought I can tell you !

We went to get the girls' photos done today. Proper pro ones. LO screamed there is one shot of her not screaming and it's more of a face. DD1 just point blank refused to go in shot. Sat there saying non non non non NON!

Oh well, there'll always be another time... They love posing for pictures for me.