March 2013- the one where plonk gets married!

[Gerrythetootallgiraffeswife]

Perilously close to filling the old thread suddenly!

Good luck, Betty! Let us know what (if any) tricks work for keeping a calm and happy airborne toddler, won't you? Because one of these days we will have to visit FIL again, and the thought of the plane makes me want to hide in a corner (stupid house is too small for a pantry) and weep.

Also, anyone got any ideas how I can persuade Fartypants that the spoon works better with the scoopy bit the right way up? She's determined to have it upside down, which results in quite a lot of weetabix being catapulted across the (thankfully brown) carpet.

Ooh off anywhere nice, Betty? Did you manage to source baby headphones? My tip for the plane : wine.

Eco, a pig light pull? I bet your landlords are 'hilarious'. Yes thank you, I am less trumpy. I was a bit perplexed earlier in the week, but potentially was just suffering IBS brought on by MIL (oops) and forrin water.

Your worthy muffins actually sound delicious, and definitely something I'd bake. DH would snort at the suggestion, complain there's not enough 'real' (IE junk sugar laden) food, and reluctantly eat a good sized portion. I take it your DH is rather more supportive of hippy food than mine and Doli's?
Aw I do feel sorry for MIL though. I think she regrets her marriage and packing in work at the grand old age of 25. She's on a cocktail of different meds for conditions that I'm not sure are real, and hardly sleeps. She's aged a lot in the 5 years I've known her, poor love. But yes, very easily upset by my assertions over food - even though I cooked for 6 adults and a toddler every night of the holiday.

Doli glad to hear positive vibes from the spreadsheet. How remote is remote? How far away are you from the nearest village? Obviously your kids will at some point need school, and I'd wager trips to town etc would help alleviate an otherwise pantry based existence? On the other hand growing up in a field is nice.

And yes! I'm not sure if our Wonder Week led in to sleep regression or what, but we had nearly a whole month of less than normal sleep. On holiday we had to spend 45 minutes rocking him to sleep every night, and I hate to say it, but we're doing CC again now we're home and the results speak for themselves. 5 minutes of grumbling with one resettle last night, and slept 12 hours. Though I suspect I'm about to eat my words because the canines are beginning to put in an appearance.

Today we're off to an Abbey to feed the ducks. Much needed after a very stressful moment yesterday which I daren't share with DH. We got a court summons for non payment of council tax (which is bull, I've just been a bit late but every payment thus far has been made). Anyway, I'm not £800 less and trying not to crap myself.

Happy holidays Betty! Good luck with the plane. After our epic drive up north all things travel scare me. Just think of the wreck I'll be with two . Speaking of which I might be after you for your names short list when the time comes. I honestly have no clue. Neither has DH. At this rate the poor child is destined to be called 'It'.

Trumps that court summons is bollox if you have actually paid. Gather evidence of payments made against amounts due, showing nil owing, and get back to them in writing, next day signed for delivery, and follow up with a phone call. They can't haul you through court for no reason.

Sorry to hear MIL stress has been getting to your gut. M stress is doing the same to me. Why is it family are such hard work? The latest, mine has just invited extended family to stay here this weekend. It's one thing them inviting themselves to stay without asking, but other people as well? It kind of annoys me, but hey ho, there are worse things to worry about.

Remote, means v remote, but it is beautiful. DH is going to make an offer. If it all works out I'll share on FB, but right now it's just a pie in the sky possibility.

Stormy same problem here! I'd love to know how to fix this too, as anything other than sticky mash ends up down her bib.

What has happened to the weather? It is hot! Random, but not completely unappreciated.

Hi just a quickie for Trumpy and Doli...the recipe for the worthy muffins. I should add that my terrible sweet tooth dictates that these are strictly toddle fare in this house except the regurgitated bits she feeds me

275g mashed banana (that's about 3, and I use brown ones - bleurghhh)
1 egg
125ml whole milk
125ml sunflower oil
250g wholemeal flour
1tsp bicarb
2.25tsp baking powder
150g blackberries (I shoved them in frozen straight from freezer)
125g oats

mix banana, egg, milk, oil and oats.
mix flour, bicarb and baking powder.
combine wet with dry.
fold in blackberries.

makes 16-18, bake 20 mins ish at 180. Ecotod loves them. "cake cake cake" They're pretty packed with good stuff so I'm all for it.

Eco thank you! I'll copy that down and definitely try it. They look like perfect pregnancy food. I'm always hungry, but can never find anything that actually appeals, and those appeal. You are a star. The toddle might like them too.... if there are any left

Ooh good recipe eco, will jot it down.

Doli no movement on the summons. I paid the balance off to not have to deal with it, but otherwise yes I'd definitely take your advice.

Well no ducks have been fed here. I think I may have written my car off.

trump how?! Are you ok?

eco something might want to steal that too. something needs to stop making two-tiered peanut butter and nutella cakes

Bit bashed about and sore, Something, but essentially fine and no whiplash.

I was doing 70 on the inside lane of a dual carriageway, checked my blind spot to move back over and as I did, my inside wheels mounted the kerb of the central reservation. Massive lapse in concentration. Came off the kerb but swerved massively, couldn't hold it and ended up doing a 180 and ended up on a slip road. Slammed the drivers side into a barrier - dread to think what'd have happened if that wasn't there. Scary stuff, but DS slept through it. There were no other vehicles involved.

We're lucky motherhubbards. DH has bought a lottery ticket.

Just a thought Stormy could you give DD a teaspoon to feed herself with? Only one end big enough for food then.

Very quickly passing through with no time to post properly but just had to say Trump! So glad you and DS are fundamentally ok. Big hugs.

OMG Trumpy I'm so glad it was just the car that was written off. Sounds terrifying.

Something needs to visit Doli. Doli is hosting a birthday party tomorrow and has been too wiped out to bake a cake . I'm hoping the massive cheesecake I have bought will look sufficiently convincing with a candle stuck on top. Please say it will...

Lots of kicks this evening. Not felt a thing in days, then all of a sudden a proper salvo. Cheered me up no end that.

Bloody hell Trumpy! I bet you're aching like crazy today. You poor things the lot of you.

I did indeed get the headphones and they're fab, thanks for the recommendation.

We're sat at the airport and all gone well so far. We're off to Italy to stay on a farm in the middle of nowhere during a week of forecast thunderstorms! Oh well! I'll feel much better once we've survived Rome airport and I've negotiated the driving on the hideous windy roads.

Doli great news on the new project and on the many movements!

Oh and Eco I'll be making the worthy muffins on my return. They sound yummy and much better than the usual sugar filled crap DD wants and the resulting tantrums when bad Mummy limits the sugar

trumpy wow that sounds terrifiying. I hope you are all ok. A big hug from me. It may take a while to get over the shock. Try to get back to driving asap so you don't be fearful about driving. As long as you and ds are ok that's the main thing f* the car.

betty enjoy your holiday. Even if the weather may be rubbish the farm sounds idylic.

eco thanks for the receipe. I suppose it is better to make banana muffins than a loaf because it can get quiet stodgy in the middle or that may be the way I bake.

I am going to whisper that we have had no milk feeds during the night this week. Result! until the bottom canines come through

I took ds to his first dentist visit and it went very well.

Hope you all enjoy the weekend!

Thanks everyone. It's the only crash I've ever had, hoping to get back behind the wheel at some point this weekend.

On the other hand, if we do get told the car is a write off (my dad's certain it is) then we'll take a payout instead of replacing it. We were planning to sell it anyway. Will be interesting living in the arse end of nowhere without a car, I've been so spoiled.

Betty enjoy your trip, sounds heavenly. Rome airport is fine if you don't mind a bit of chaos, it's the roads that are a nightmare! Farm sounds lovely though, and a perfect retreat.

Yummy wahey on the milk! We're pushing ours back and usually having it around 4-5, which means sleeping til 7. I can live with that! I take it ds just dropped it of his own accord?

Doli let's hope your pie in the sky becomes pie on your plate :)

Eco what are your favourite baking books? I feel I must avail myself of them.

Glad you didn't expire in a fireball of doom, Trumps. Please try not to repeat the experience!

We haven't had regular night feeds for ages, but we do still have milk news - we ran out of formula so have entirely switched to cows' milk. Caused no bedtime issues last night, thankfully.

Eco thank you for the trousers! Fartypants took one look and was overcome by the urge to poo, which I'm interpreting as a sign she also approves.

Shirebrook posse are descending again today. It's a bit nippy to sit outside, so we're going to have the fun of entertaining DD without letting her run around. This could be challenging...

Trumpy that's scary time. Glad you're ok though and yes, get back on the horse asap.

Yep ds dropped the milk feed all of a sudden and has been a habit since. He will even sometimes settle without a dummy during the night. We have sleep news too. Ds slept at mums today without any fuss and with all of us in the room. Usually we go home for naps and if he slept at mums we had to leave the sitting room and be absolutely quiet. We have turned a corner. Its amazing.

Eighteen months seems to involve a lot of turning corners, doesn't it? Fartypants has demonstrated an astonishing and hitherto entirely unimaginable ability to sit still today. Went to our usual place for lunch, got her out the pushchair, sat her on a chair, and she stayed there! No fuss, no wanting to get down, no throwing things. Haven't had such an easy meal with her since she was a newborn.

God I hope we reach that point soon Stormy!

Maybe the last wonder week is the most difficult to timetable. By my reckoning it actually last nigh on a month, and crescendoed beautifully on out holiday, complete with hourly tantrums, lack of appetite and bedtime settling sessions that lasted a whole hour (small fry to some, I know, but a big deal for ds). Out the other side and he's assimilating language at an incredible pace. It's amazing to witness, and so joyous.

My favourite is when he sees me running a bath and declares 'batbo!' trans. bathtime. He then puts a bubble beard on his face and squeals to me about 'bubboos'. Ok it's not language as we know it, but it's comprehensible speech and so exciting.

trump hope you are not too shaken up. Kudos to DS for sleeping through it!!

eco recipe looks yum. I have a low sugar carrot/pineapple/raisin muffin one but the no sugar sounds better.

doli 6th feb!! that's soon. Excited for you. I love thinking of names (that might sound odd!!) so happy to send suggestions if you give us an idea what you're looking for. And trump I agree much better to be associated with royalty than someone less...deadly? I do like George, and old fashioned names generally.

Best go, bedtime story to read but hope everyone enjoying their weekends.

Trumpy, that sounds horrible. Did you get back in saddle this weekend? And did you win the lottery? The tweet tweet cookies recipe was from gaias kitchen: www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/1900322250?pc_redir=1410327914&robot_redir=1 (no idea how to make that a link, sorry) which is fairly hippy! It's the recipe book from Dartington. College. I love their almond sesame cookies too.

Shattered, your muffins sound fruitiliscious. Maybe you'd share when you get a moment!
Can anyone's offspring have an attempt at saying their own name yet? Ecotod has a go at lots of words if we say 'can you say .....' but just says 'baby' when we ask if she can say her name. It must be one of the words she hears most so it's a bit puzzling.
Not been massively well so taking it easy today. Park, waitrose, bacon sandwich, papers. We only went to waitrose so dh could get free coffee and newspaper. That's not normal around here usually. Am also browsing cook books as have friend coming to stay later in week and want to create seasonal lovliness.

Oh dear eco, not a return of the dire rear I hope? Waitrose bacon sarnies are the best, must've done you some good. How are you feeling mentally these days?

Will check out the book. I just received a copy of Lighter by Hugh F-W, it's all dairy and wheat free and has filled me with inspiration.

I did get back in the saddle, yes. Did a quick nip to the shops in DH's precious car. He's such a bloody Honda driver sometimes.

I'm off to swing the Hoover round and have a shower before enjoying a nice cold cider. Having done a huge not-Spring clean today followed by a 5k run, I should think I've bloody well bloody earned bloody it.

Ooh trump just seen that Hugh F-W is doing a we chat on Friday about his book. Let me know if you think it's worth it, I might ask for it for Christmas if it's a good 'un.

Will do eco when I'm back home next weekend

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