Nov 05 Babies, cryin', talkin', sleepin', walkin', livin' dolls

[babyonboard]

Ladies, babies, and bumps, welcome to the new thread!

Should we start this off with an update from us all like last time? I thought that was nice, especially for those who get little chance to catch up.

Evening!! yes, really excited about the 8th - pleased too in a shallow sort of way that (by pure coincidence you understand!!) I am getting my roots and nails done on the 7th . Ooh a new tattoo BROWNIE .I've just got the one (discretly placed!) but have been in two minds about another (thinking on my foot, thoughn have heard it's really painful by anywhere bony! (sp??)Let us know how you get on!!
RODEO: unfortunately, yes, the evening work stint is after a full day at the pit face , so not even the thought of Eastenders to get me through!! Really determined to find something else asap, as not the best arrangement with a family!!! (for me, at least)Once or twice a week at the moment, though will get some weeks 'off' .
Hi to everyone else! Haven't heard from BOB for a while; not put off by that horrid stuff about our thread I hope???

What do you all do with baby while you're cleaing & tidying?

My house looks like an absolute tip and I don't know what to do with Sean while I'm doing it.

And Rodeo, I think I own an iron, but has only been used about 20 times in 10 years!

I'm not surprised you're Diege and looking for something else, you can't really get much more family unfriendly.

Like the idea of a tattoo Brownie, mine's not that discreet though!! I want another one done in honour of noo, but DH has banned me from getting any more (boo hoo). A good place I think is the top of the thigh, but if you want to flash it then maybe ankle/back of leg, hip. I personally would steer clear of anything on the arms/hands/wrists as it's not so easy to cover up. And believe me, having them removed is painful and expensive (1 year and £700 to get a £20 tattoo removed from my tummy!)

Got some cool stuff from H&M today for noo, it's whoops Gap's arse when it comes to kids clothes. I got her a leopard print track suit which is fab!

Londoner, pushchair swap was great, and I'm so happy with the maclaren. It's now taken the place of the loola which has been banished to storage.

Hmm, can't help with the cleaning question as I have a cleaner . You'll have to wait until he's old enough to run around with a toy hoover

Londoner, we have a stuffed dog on wheels, it was a gift. It looks fab but noo just strokes it and kisses it's nose.

Noo stood for the first time on monday - hoorah. And today and gym she stood for about 1 second not holding on to me or me holding on to her .

Hhm - very true Nova. Am still toying (need to make a decision by tomorrow!!!) if went for wrist, it would only be a small outline star, so thought could perhaps cover with bracelet/cuff type thing if necessary. Currently have one on base of my back, so can sort of flash it if I want too.
My cousin (young and still slim!!) is having hers on her pelvis type area - so she can show off when young and wearing hipster low slung trousers and cover with big pants and high waisted stuff later! Don't think I am going with that one, so sticking to ankle or wrist!

GG Thomas now hates the hoover! so it is becoming difficult. He never used to mind it, but now he screams as soon as it goes on! Sometimes do bits when he's asleep, or my Mum often does loads of stuff for me when we're at work ( am soo lucky!).

Need to start thinking about the 8th - how many definites are there?
Me, Diege, Rodeo, GG(?) Beks - anymore?

What sort of time might you arrive? Need to start planning!!

Off to get some tea - am ravenous!

Diege - what about getting into training? Not sure I could teach (too many rules and regs about what you can and can't do/say!) prefer to yell and swear at my delegates!!!!!!

B
xx

Well, we've just got back from holidaying in France, and yesterday was my 1st day back at work so it's all rather busy here! The holiday went well - I'm not sure whether it's because J's so blonde or what, but the French people were all over him like a rash! And on the ferry there were people queueing (literally) beside us to hold him!!!! (At one point DH leant over and whispered to me "Shall we sell him?" He was joking - I hope!)

Apart from that, J is experiencing massive separation anxiety - for DH not me, obviously, as he is the main carer. Which initially upset me, but frankly, it's now so bad that DH can't stand up without J screaming in case he loses sight of him, that I'm glad it's for DH not me!!

I haven't had a chance to read much of this thread that I haven't seen for a couple of weeks, but I hope you all have a lovely time when you meet up. And good luck to those getting (more) tatoos!

Hi ya

I'd be keen to come to the meet up, so is the 8th a definite???
I don't remember where it is and if you might remember (well my name is a help!) I've just arrived from downunder!
Would be great to meet you all...whoever is there an d have a face to a name, plus of course meet the wee ones and have a good old chat!
Beksmum....I think it was, metioned awhile ago, that some of you often walk around greenwich park......
Anyone up for that???
Good luck with the tatt....Hope you all have a great friday and fab weekend

Hi girls
Have had a horrid past few days but I'll tell you about that later!
I'm also really looking forward to the 8th We're a definite and the word 'Stratford' is emblazoned on my calender on the appropriate date! I would love a tattoo! Although I'm so bloody indecisive it would take me forever to decide on a design/body part! My bf has a huge water dragon on her shoulder and I think it looks ace, and it attracts lots of attention (although the worst was bumping into a burly guy who had the exact same tattoo in the same place! )
Nova, LOVE H&M too We don't have one in Derby but have a big shop there when I go to Nottingham, haven't been there for ages and dp's feeling sorry for me at the mo, hmmm, may use this to my advantage! Wow at Nat standing and then standing unaided a few days later!
Jess's current new things are 'washing her hair', kisses on demand (although they are of the open mouthed snog type variety!) and she has this self applause thing going on too.
GG, yes cleaning with baby in tow is a nightmare! How about highchair and a BIG biscuit?!
Diege, I don't know how you do it all I am in awe Are you seriously considering a career change? And are you watching the smacking programme?! They're some psychos on there Their poor children And I'm not particularly anti smacking...
Any way back to my crap past few days....

• I fell out with my sister which was really upsetting (we've made up now thankfully)
• My dad had a heart attack at 4am yesterday AND me and my sister weren't told until 10pm last night (yes, a whole 18 hours later!) by my step-mother AND he was only down the corridor to where my sister works!!
• My step-mother (from above) 'collapsed' (yay, I've used the face in context!) and rang herself an ambulance this morning and has been wasting valuble NHS resources as doctors tried to the bottom of her 'illness'. They've put it down to food-poisoning. Have you ever heard anything so pathetic?!
• It would have been my granma's 83rd birthday today
• I found a lump in an intimate place and have to get it checked out on Monday
• And a daddy-long-legs has been terrorising me tonight. Thankfully I've just managed to suck the creepy b**tard up the hoover

So things haven't been great here, but when it rains it pours they say. So hopefully things can only get better! Sorry post is soooo long! Speak tomorrow after I've had a good night's sleep x x x

Hi Chully and Kiwicath! I knew they'd be some crossed posts after the essay, or dissertation rather, from me
Chully hope you had a brill holiday. Poor dh! I'm sure it will pass soon, think reassurance is the key (or so it says in Toddler Taming!)
Kiwi, would be great if you could make it too, hopefully we'll sort the details out soon

OMG RODEO you poor thing!! . Awful run of things, you must be feeling terrible you poor thing. Sending lots of good vibes your way - you always seem so positive too, even when faced with dire things. Good on you for getting an appointment for your health scare - sure everything willl be fine. Think you def. need an H&M Nottingham splurge after this!!
No didn't see the smacking programme, as we were watching that comedy thing on 2 (and can't work the video . When pushed to real extremes (and I mean extreme situations like you wouldn't believe) I do smack, though it's never had the desired effect!
Re: career change, probably soemthing still based around teaching/research, though my real dream would be to open a children's clothes shop . BROWNIE: re: 'training', don;t think I have skills that would be relevant here sadly, as I'm principally an academic - usually looking on very densely at trainers who come in to try and teach me things Really looking forward to the 8th - any ideas where we can meet? I will have all 3 dds, and dh, and I'm sure others will have toddlers as well as babies? so maybe a playground/playbarn type place? Or maybe your front room !!
Hi CHULLY: glad you had a good holiday ; I'm no expert, but have had all 3 dds forming attachment to dh over me at some point (fools!!!), but then it always reverts back, and then back the other way!! KIWIKATH: will be good to meet you at Stratford!!
Well, back to the grindstone, getting stuff ready for students next week!
Speak later,
Diege

Hello!
Rodeo - you poor chick, sending you hugs and positive vibes and the like. Lots of love, and again well done ont he appt, let us know how it goes. (oh, and if you don't get to Nottingham - we have a H&M in Stratford!!!! so don't worry, we can all have a shopping extavaganza!!!!)
Diege - don't sell yourself short hun, am sure you have lots of skills and would make a fab trainer - come and work with me!!! we'd love to have you.
Think meeting place will depend on weather! There is a large (outdoor) playground which is by the river (not literally!) which might be good, or there is an indoor place (never been myself!) called Stomps - so will have to have a think and then sort details on Yahoo (to stop lurkers and shirkers turning up!!!)
Kiwi - it would be cool if you did come, it is an open invitation - for all babies, toddlers or offsprin, and partners/husband and the like (as some of the other girls don't drive, so need dh's to bring them) hence why it is a Sunday!
Also - it is Stratford-upon-Avon (not Stratford London). VEry picturesque, and full of history and that sort of rubbish! Ooh - if it is a lovely day, there is a gorgeous place we could have a picnic, which not many people know about!!

Oooh am getting excited!

Must go, have day off work, as worked Monday this week! and am drinking tea(hot for a change!!) and relaxing, going out for lunch with parents, then into town with cousin for tattoo!!!!!

B
xx

Hi all,

Rodeo , I'm so sorry. Things sound really tough. Thinking of you, and sending lots of strength and hugs your way [[[[[]]]]]. Have you a special picture of your granma you could put in prominent place for the day with some pretty flowers? You can see her picture and think of her and maybe the children can ask about her and also it might help as they can understand why you're sad? Hth. I really hope your dad is okay, what a shock for you all. As others have said, well done on getting your lump investigated, picking up the phone for that appointment took a lot of courage. Let us know.
Diege, hmm, that's a toughie. Like the sound of your childrens' clothes shop, people would buy in truck loads with your infectious enthusiasm for shopping and clothes.... would you seriously consider starting your own business? Wow, would be amazing. Anita Roddick and Jane Asher did it didn't they?

Brownie, wow, tatto today? Can't wait to hear all!

Nova, yes Mclaren pushchairs are so light and easy aren't they! Congrats to N on standing up.

Welcome back Chully! Yes, have exp separation anxiety with all kids at this age and it's been really intense over the last month or so, dh and other kids could hardly hold E at all. Has improved now but she still gets v.cross if dh picks her up at night waking.... Usually they get upset at dh going to work around the 18 months mark. V.interesting to hear the flip side with your ds and SAHD.

Kiwicath, would love to meet up for walks in park, are you member of Yahoo yet where we can email finer details for meeting times/phone numbers etc, or do we need ChaCha to invite you onto it when she returns from hols?

Right, must go , love to all I haven't mentioned too, L.x

Oh, and thanks for tips on wheely bugs/dog on wheels, love cute image of Natalie kissing her DOW, but what do the cats think?or is it.

Hello.

Rodeo ((((((((((((hugs)))))))))))) babe. So sorry to hear about your dads heart attack. How is he doing now? And yes, well done on getting the appointment straight away, must be a scary thing to just do that. Keep us posted, and you know we're all here for you xxxxx

I think Stratford is a no for me . I'm gutted I won't be able to come. TBH I think DP would be OK with it, but unfortunately have sat down recently and worked out our finances since DP went back to work, and we have £6 a week to ourselves!

Diege, hope you manage to sort something out for work, or find something that suits you.

Brownie, what did you get? Where did you get it?

Met up today with a few mums from MN, had a good morning in soft play place round the corner from me. Got some cleanign done with Sean asleep in his pushchair! Got to knock down loads of concrete tomorrow, so no more bumped heads (well not at home anyway!) Owen is fine, thanks for asking Rodeo, one of his friedns had his head glued yesterday after falling off his bike (no helemt, tut tut!), so thy had glue to compare!

Oh GG - whata shame, was looking forward to meeting you for real! Maybe next time!

Ok, I had it done (and it was not painful at all! so am well chuffed!)
I had it done on my ankle, it is about 2-3 inches long/tall and is a butterfly on a leafy vine thing! (looks much better than I just described!) no colour, just outline.
Naomi (my cousin) had a very small outlined butterfly too, but no vine or leaves or tendrils - just above her knicker line, and is also suitably pleased (not so her Mum though!!!!)
Oh well.....

off to watch Rebus now - will speak more tomorrow - and try to post some stuff on yahoo - pics and the like.

Brownie
xxxxx

Evening

Rodeo, sending hugs your way, sorry to hear about your dad, hope he's feeling a lot better soon. Snap on your sister situation I'm caught up in one with my brother at the moment, family can't choose them or shoot them . Yay on sucking up the flying creature I hate those flaming things and Ben is terrified of them. Hope the dr can reassure you on Monday, will be thinking of you.

Londoner, think one of your kids was playing with your phone yesterday, as you called my mobile but I could only hear background noise, called your name a few times but you couldn't hear me, hope the call didn't cost you too much! Thought oh cool when I saw your name as fancied a catch up - never mind next time! How are the kids doing now?

GG shame about the 8th, are you still up for meeting up at half term? Finances sound incredibly tough, hope things pick up for you soon and that your dp's firm start treating him better.

Brownie I started watching the Rebus thing but it's the exact story I'm reading at the moment but in the book Gregor Jack is an MP, so had to turn it over or spoil the ending

Chully good to have you back, glad you had a great holiday, lol at the image of your husband selling J - he wouldn't know what to do with his spare time now even if he did sell him

Kiwicath, I'm planning on trying to get the girls together the week after next so keep posting and we'll work something out. I have my parents over from Spain for another week so Ben wants to spend every second he can with them, but after that we're free.

Right girls get your thinking caps on I need haloween party games as we're making Tom's B'day party coincide with our normal haloween gathering.

Right best go and rouse a part puddles dh from the sofa, although god knows why as he'll only snore the house down when he comes to bed. Hope veryone has a great weekend Beks

Sory should have said part puddled or to be blunt about it p*ed dh

Hi everyone . Getting my fix of MN before afternoon out with dds and dh . What a shame you can't make meet up GG - had been looking forward to meeting you . Totally understand your situation though - been there many times. BROWNIE - yes, tell us what you chose in the end!!! BEKSMUM: one good halloween game is the one where you blindfold them in a cirle, sitting down, and pass round 'scary' objects (they have to guess what they are). For eg, peeled grapes (eyeballs), cooked spaghetti (witches hair). Good for quietening them down too
Right, just a quickie, ho to everyone else
Diege

That should be 'hi'

Morning . Gosh, quiet on here this weekend, just me really!! Nice day yesterday at friend's house, with L making everyone laugh by copying sound of the squeaky swing she was on ; the sort of thing that must be fascinating to babies, but we don't really notice! Off to MILs today, so trying to make the best of it , as usually a fraught experience!! Hope you are all having fun-packed weekends. Are you OK RODEO?

Hi Diege!!!

Just waiting for DP to get home from work. Finally given him some o/t, and Yippee! a Sunday, so he'll get about £100 for this morning. Also they've put him back on his proper shift, so more opportunity for o/t during the week. Phew!

So, BEKs, money will hopefuly start building back up, and we'll be able to get together at 1/2 term. DP has also shredded his credit cards. He's terrible for getting cash out. Wouldn;t bother me of he actually bought someting! Grrrr!

Thinking of games for Owens party on Sat. Have bought a bubble machine, hat should keep them 'quiet' for 1/2 an hour, loads of balloons, thats another 1/2 hour until theyre all burst!

Hope its not too fraught for you at MILs today Diege.

Rodeo, how are you doing? Hope your appt goes well tomorrow.

Hope everyones having good weekends, guess you all must be.

Rodeo, I'm so sorry to hear you've been having such a bad time of things! I hope your father is recovering well now - at least he's in the best place. And at your step-mother! Good luck for getting the lump checked out tomorrow!

GarfieldsGirl, how many people are at the party? I hope the weather holds up - I can't imagine that having a bubble machine indoors would do your carpets any good!

Diege, lol at the squeaky swing imitation! That's pretty clever, I think!

Londoner, good idea on the birthday/haloween party!

Brownie, you're a lot braver than I am!

Well, J is finally trying to walk. He takes an actual step between things now, and as far as I can tell, he holds on for comfort rather than necessity most of the time when he's cruising. Not long now...

Oh well, time to go and make up bottles/organise all of his meals etc for tomorrow. Hope everyone has a good week.

Hi,
Quick sign in before bed, don't want you thinking I've topped myself Thanks for all your thoughts, you're all so kind! Weekend has been nice, dp has been trying to distract me, he tok us to Monsal Head yesterday for a picnic which was lovely, and today we went to Splash Landings, a water park in one of the Alton Towers Hotels which was great fun too (which was also a treat for Joe getting through the week after his school morning tears)
Dad's ok, thanks for asking he's bored to tears in hospital, but he'l have to get used to that with not working or driving for 3 months! He's got to pass a treadmill test tomorrow and then he can go home.
Brownie tattoo sounds fab! You can show it off on the 8th! (and I've got a cousin called Naomi too!)
Diege, Aww at Libby's squeaky swing! I bet she's changed so much since April! Can't wait to see her again!
Hello Beks, Chully, GG, Londoner & Nova Catch up more tomorrow! Really not looking forward to appointment, why is it always me with the gynae probs?! Night! x x x

Hi everyone
Rodeo - sorry to hear your having such a crappy time.that your step mother is being awkward but glad you've made up with your sister.
Are you at the doctors today with your lump? will be thinking of you.

Browinie, good luck with the tatoo! I was going to have one once but chickened out ( that was after DH had got his though!)

Am at work this afternoon for some computer training. Its only 5 weeks till I go back can't believe it and am starting to dread it now. I love being at home just wish we could comfortably afford for me not to go back.

Anyway must go as loads to do as not here this afternoon. I was hoping to come to stratford but the 8th is DH birthday so don't think i'd be too popular! xxxx

Hey. Hope everyone 'old and young' are doing well?

Sorry i havent posted this month but its been a bit crazy getting ds settled back into a school routine etc, you prob know the drill.

But i can't believe the change in my lil dd in that time. She now crawling (and at some speed, got 6 teeth, walks round the furniture (ocassionally letting go with both hands), she dances and babbles and claps and gives kisses.

I bought her first pair of 'proper' shoes on fri from clarks she is a 2 1/2 F. Grandparents said 'ohh hasen't she got big feet', i didnt think so. What size are your lil ones in if in shoes?

Sorry to go off on a rant just wanted to update. Hopefully speak again soon. have to go as dd is removing the sky viewing card .
Take care all

Evening .Good to hear from you mum2jc . Your lo sounds like she will be walking soon . Size wise, L is a 3f (at nearly 11 months).
L&sMUM: you will be FINE at work!!! It's true that it does feel worse going back after a longer break though; I know I felt it this time after 6 months, compared wioth 4 months for dds 1&2. Do you go back full-time or part?
More noises from L today - at nursery they said she has been making car noises when piushing cars along ; dh says he hopes she won't be the next presenter of top gear!! (sorry, not in good taste!!
Hoping your appointment went OK today RODEO, was thinking of you today