March 2013 - we're gonna need a bigger wine rack

[Plonkysaurus]

Ta da!

Well Doli it looks like you made our weekends! Lots of happiness at your news among us marchers. Did you get the digital test? Did toddle go to sleep again? What is venture capital (dunce)?Are you looking after yourself: vitamins/no scary exercises/eating/resting? Pregnant ladies are goddesses in my mind and should be treated as such. I imagine you and dh have had a fun sort of day.

Plonky nice spa action. Good for the soul. A nice lot of nattering too I'd wager. Back home now feeling zen?

Stormy do you have your toddle back now? It must have been lovely to have all that space. Was the relaxing a suitable distraction from missing her? I'm going away for the weekend
soon with a girlfriend and I'm very excited but I do wonder if I'll miss my toddle and speed back up the motorway on the Sunday night.

Yummy poor you, by
now you must be flagging after that night. Is the diarrhoea any better? it's flipping well not here

We had paddling pool fun today after being inspired by a messy play session on Friday at toddler group. The initially rainy day gave way to some serious heat here. That's it really. Oh, except I got my first post pregnancy/feeding Underwired pretty bra today and when I get out of this bath I might put it on. Rock and roll here tonight. Could be worse I guess, I could be watching Britain's got talent right now instead
of lying in the bath listening to the geese.

Happy sexy Saturday indeed everyone.

Thankyou Rainbow

No big thunderstorms here today. I feel quite left out! I feel a small storm may be brewing upstairs though as it looks like the spectacular self settle of last night is not to be repeated. Ah well, it's not like I haven't had a good run so far this weekend.

Discovery of the day, the toddle loves playing dress up. I mean really loves it. She spent the entire evening wandering about with various items of my clothing tied round her, and a t-shirt on her head. What is more whenever the t-shirt fell off she toddled over to have it re-positioned. V v funny.

Cross post these Doli. It's good to hear that dressing up is already a fun thing to do. When I cleared out my wardrobe recently I kept some pieces to start a dressing up box. Things I think I'd have liked to twirl around in when I was younger. Things that might come in useful for school dress up days like victorians or world war two. Sentimental stuff that I couldn't get rid of. A dressing up box is the perfect solution.

And not a Disney Princess outfit in sight. Yet. I hear that it's inevitable. Sigh.

Eco I am very envious of your lovely new bra. I have a disturbing recollection of an awful stretchy slightly greying tank top style feeding bra from Boots that I really don't want to have to revisit. This time I will find something nicer kids self knowing full well bra shopping is something that never happens

Venture capital - well in a few words is financial backing provided to growth potential start ups, so DH was basically out there trying to persuade them that have capital to part with it, and give it to him and his business proposal. That's his retirement plan. Running his own start up. It's an unusual form of retirement, granted, and sadly doesn't mean he'll be at home, but I call it that because he won't be paid. He could make a packet, or lose a packet, it's a gamble, but then everything in life is a gamble isn't it. Marriage, babies, house moves... all a gamble.

Got a test, will pee tomorrow. I've had quite enough excitement for one day today. Actually, one thing that was weird that might be of relevance, today was a bit sad in a way. Both DH and I felt it. It's when the reality hits that the toddle, who is our everything, suddenly won't be our everything, and we'll have to share ourselves, and our lives, and our love with another one. It's kind of hard to comprehend how we could love another one as much. I know we will, and it will be wonderful, but there is certainly an adjustment to go through. Didn't see that one coming at all.

Stormy Has fartypants made her return? Hope you enjoyed your day.

Oh, that makes sense Doli now you explain it. Capital for new ventures. Brilliant, it sounds like it went well if retirement is still the plan. Good job he had his big presentation before news of the Doli II. That would have been distracting.

It's only theoretical here but I have explored the idea of the changing dynamic when another comes along. I too find it potentially sad and impossible. But then I think of my own mum. I am a second child and I felt totally and wholly loved and nurtured. Never felt like there wasn't enough to go around. Always felt special. I was her baby and my sister was her big girl. I think anything concerning envisioning children is virtually impossible. One just has to muddle through. I'd take it as a good sign that there is abundant love for toddleworse. You'll find more.

eco the diarrohea has settled here thank god. Dh kept calling home to see how ds was but he is fine. Quavers have helped ds stomach maybe you could try that too.

If I remember right yesterday you seemed a bit fed up with all the travelling. I take my hat off to you. You are amazing always travelling with a toddler in tow. Just think ecotoddle will grow up remembering lots of adventures with her wonderful mummy. You could also write your own book with travel advice with a toddler.

Ds has gone all quiet so he must have gone to sleep so I am having an early night. Rock on!

Dh is in my bad books. I am the one surviving on 4hrs sleep last night and he is the one that has had a nap for at least a couple of hours. He briefly woke up last night when ds was crying but went straight to sleep.

I am coming back as a man in a future life, you can get away with a lot of things just because you have a penis.

OMG OMG OMG. Apologies for the absence - wanted to catch up on a week's worth and just got to Doli's news.... Yeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

Eco still feeling poorly? Do you think it could be the stress of the back and forth with toddler in tow?

Yummy I'm definitely coming back as a bloke. My night off and day in the spa were fantastic, and dp enjoyed his time with ds. But we now have only three weekends together before the wedding because were just so busy, and he's already got alllllll his mates begging him to come over and watch the World Cup. And it's fine because plonky's there to pick up the slack. They just don't consider me and it makes me crazy!

Doli didja pee? Venture capitalism sounds like a business for an adrenaline junkie, lots of fun! I wouldn't worry about not having enough love for dolitod and babax. I've heard it just multiplies when you have more (I am also a youngest sibling, and very much my parents' baby). You're a pro now, this baby will just fit in with your family, and you get the joy of watching a sibling relationship. Nawww

Plonky 'babax', I love it . I think you have just officially named the poppy seed. As for peeing, tis done, 4-5 weeks pregnant, which means this time round I did actually have a clue. So proud

Sympathy and applesauce to all those still suffering from the dire rear. Really miserable. I prescribe rest and recuperation, which would of course be possible for men but less so for mums. Yummy glad the quavers helped ds, I'm marking that tip in the random facts sector of my brain. I suspect it will come in useful some time.

Coming back as a man? Nah, not for me. Might have agreed a few years back, but not now what with the Dolitoddle and the poppy seed in my life. Being a mum is just wonderful. Being a dad is pretty cool, but you miss out on some amazing stuff, like when the bump hiccups and kicks.

Thanks for the reassurance that two is just as much fun as one, and noone misses out. I know you are right. I also know that I ought to be a bit careful about getting carried away as it's all a bit early yet.

Dolitoddle probably ought to be woken now. This week she's turned into a sleep junkie. Really odd. I think she may be catching up on all the recent hours lost to molars.

doli i have heard having 2 babies are easier in that the entertainment doesn't fall solely on the parent siblings can entertain themselves. So you can sneak a coffee whilst they play.

We are off to Brighton today to enjoy the lovely weather. We are all a little sleep deprived. A rubbish night and a 5.30am start. Have a lovely day everyone.

Not always the case, yummy. Depends on the age gap. If I had another today, it would be hellish trying to supervise constantly, because if Fartypants's interactions with her cousin are anything to go by, if I had a newborn she would poke it in the eye and hit it over the head with a wooden block. But hopefully at nearly two dolitoddle (whom I still think of as the worselet) will hopefully have a bit more sense!

Stormy she's worselet to me too!

Absolutely nothing whatsoever of interest to report from here today. Probably a good thing! Hope you are all out having fun in the sun.

So now ds says 'uh-oh' whenever he drops something.

It might be the cutest thing I've ever witnessed.

I must say ds is very good with babies. He "talks" to them and strokes them saying ahhh but i am sure there will still be competition for cuddles.

plonky that is very cute. Soon he will deliberately drop things just to say uh oh.

Ds loved the pebbles but got a bit scared of the sea. A good day out overall. Im just having a nice strong coffee before I need to sort out the place and get ready for work tomorrow.

oh i nearly forgot... there was a naked sit in in Brighton today. It cause a lot of traffic as people wanted a good view.

Hope you all had a nice day.

Plonky it really doesn't get any cuter. Awwww.... Yummy can I borrow ds so he can give the toddle lessons? At the moment her preferred modus operandi is grabbing faces and twisting. Which is a bit ouch whatever age you are.

I am now remembering why everyone says the first trimester is tiring. I am tired. V v tired. I think I over did it. Started the day with an hour long walk, then a drive, then made lunch, followed by the ironing, a swim, some synchronised batch cooking and toddle entertaining, did the toddle bath, made her food and fed her, made our food and ate it. Burst into tears!!! I have no idea why I burst into tears!!! felt good though

My eye just caught the naked sit in. Well not literally. Fortunately. Just Yummy's comment. Only in Brighton!

Sounds like a sudden attack of HORMONES!

Doli That is too much for first tri. Good God woman! I didn't know you guys back then but if I had have known you you would know that I (sorry for that bonkers sentence) was unable to do much at all first tri. I would get in from work and glue immediately to sofa where I would remain all evening. Perhaps nibbling on ginger nuts and sipping bloody Belvoir cordials. I watched SO much bad TV. I remember being inside with blinds shut on a lovely July day and thinking I must go for a walk. I literally got to end of street and had to return. The tiredness is so consuming. Look after yourself and don't burn out too soon! You have a few more weeks before you settle perhaps so go the distance and try to do less. I think you might find that hard, and of course there is the small cute sized matter of Dolitoddle too, but you get what I mean?

Plonky, uh oh! Cute Lovely. I think yummy has a point. He may start causing havoc just to practice. We have footie related pulls here too. I foolishly got married mid June so on my honeymoon and every other anniversary we will have world/euro footie to contend with. He's such a sweetheart that I feel I must not grouch at it encroaching on our special time. But maybe he could take ds with him for the five o'clock match? You get some Plonky/wedmin time? Oh and I have had 'stressy bottom` in my time but this does feel different. I won't go into detail

Yummy you inspired us to go to the beach too today. Perfect day for it. We spent the morning there and were back for afternoon nap. That worked well because of the heat. Blimey it's been got here. And if I wrote a book yummy it would spawn a generation of nutcase vaguely irresponsible mothers. Not a good idea!

Gerry and Stormy what's the verdict on baby free nights?

Doli I just thought of another reason why number two is great for you. You have an excuse
to buy a different bloody high chair

Bath time is nearing an end so I ought to go and spend some
time with my man who is leaving at five in morning and won't be back until stupid o'clock on Saturday evening. It may be a long week.

The yurts are going up next weekend too. Downland in Berkshire. Not even sure they'll let Ecotod and I INTO Berkshire

Finally Plonky and something I have to say no to muderella It is the first weekend of the week dh is taking off to celebrate his (sshhh) thirtieth birthday so we will likely be heading away to a cottage somewhere on that day now. Bum it. Sorry girls. It seems you have a jolly band now though so you won't need extra company. Glad you mentioned it though plonk, it inspired intense work on the old pelvic floor.

The thing is though Eco last time round I had no clue at this stage, so I was still training for The Three Peaks, and an average day involved a 10km run, 2km swim, and a couple of walks with the dogs. Even when I did know the only thing I cut out was the running. However, I didn't have my own personal resident toddle back then which might go some way to explaining the huge amounts of surplus energy

Yurts in Berks has a certain ring. I'm sure they'll let you in, although a disguise may help . DM used to teach there, and one of her pupils had a rhyme about the place which was kind of funny:

Berkshire born, Berkshire bred, thick in the arm and thick in the head.....

Although obviously only people who are born there are allowed to say this.

Stormy yes, I think you may be onto something there. Pesky things, hormones.

Anyone else have an epically bad bedtime last night due to the heat? I had to get her up, and let her sit on my pillow in just her nappy to cool down for a while. Sitting on my pillow is apparently the most comfortable thing in the world. It was quite hard to get her off it! Remind me, when do tiny people reach the age where they can have their own pillow? Not for a while I assume.

They can have pillows now. Persuading them to keep their heads on said pillows can be tricky though.

How I earth did you manage all that training Doli? I'm amazed! I was either asleep or in tears for the first 8 weeks, and after that I could usually be found eating cornettos in the bath. Incidentally I've heard that rhyme applied to the folks of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Yorkshire too. It's a tri-county area of thick in t't head-ness, obvs

Eco how's the dire rear? I suffer stressy bum and wondered if it could be the same for you. And no worries about Mudderella. I think it's only me and Summert now, but that's cool - well just have to come dahn sahf in the winter/new year and do one down there. Week away for birthdays at the end of summer sounds lovely come to the peaks again and we can still meet you
I think we've got a friend up on Friday and dp going to brum to sort wedding music on Saturday. I quite enjoy the evenings alone (though usually too tired to get much done!), I just wish I could bugger off and leave the boys to it more often. Will resolve to do more buggering off in the future.

Ds has taken to his duvet and pillow quite well. Now he's used to it he sleeps better than he did in the grobag. He seems to be a snugly sleeper.

Ooh Doli you've set me off thinking about pregnancies. Admittedly it doesn't take much. I was very jealous of DSis's bump on Saturday (not the swollen ankles or heartburn) and how gorgeous it makes her look. Mmm babies

Plonky I have no idea. The only logical explanation is I was superhuman at the time and have since regressed to being a mere mortal. Needless to say I have not run anywhere today, although I did manage a swim not 2km

News for the day, Dolitoddle has learnt how to put the pieces of her jigsaw back in the right places. Not necessarily the right way up, or the right way round, but a fish is a fish, and a frog is a frog, and she's definitely recognising which goes where.

Happy not too manic Monday everyone.

Looks like we have another illness on the way. Ds has a fever. Temp 39.3c. I want to cry. I cant cope with ill toddler. We had a shit night again last night. My instinct is telling me its bloody teeth again. Dm looked after ds at home today while i went to work. Good job im off tomorrow.

doli i can't believe you did so much in the first trimester. All i did was sleep, cry and feel nauseous. Ds has had a pillow and duvet since 12months he rarely uses it though. He usually hugs the pillow to sleep. Hope you are taking it easy.

I spent the first trimester convinced the entire pregnancy was some great big cosmic joke because the only symptom I had was two little lines on a stick. The 12 week scan convinced me it was real for a day or so, but then the total lack of symptoms continued. At 16 weeks I threw up once. Then nothing. Feel free to send stabby thoughts my way!

Fartypants recently got some two-piece animal jigsaws. I don't know whether she quite grasps the concept yet, but everyone who sees her gets the front half of a horse and the front half of a cow thrust at them, and she will not be satisfied until the cowhorse is complete.

Oh god, the tiredness! I got home every day and collapsed for a nap to get me through dinner. I was fine for the first 6 weeks though, then I had 2 days of sore boobs before it hit me like a sledgehammer. Followed up by morning all day nausea only fixed by eating constantly . Thankfully it all cleared by around 12 weeks - when I went all Doli/Eco and did my first grade one scramble up a mountain in Italy!