March 2013- the one where plonk gets married!

[Gerrythetootallgiraffeswife]

Perilously close to filling the old thread suddenly!

Any I don't have the stomach or skill for such a thing. They didn't want anyone else to be there for delivery or to see him.

Arlo was born at 11.40 last night, with the cord around his neck.

Rip Arlo. Lovely name.

Worse, just wanted to say: a boy! Brilliant... Well in my experience brilliant . One of each is very balanced . So glad all looking good.

Your news feels a bit like how wonderful it is to have babies at older people's funerals - a reminder of the cycle of life and a reason to smile. In all Trump's family's terrible time it's nice to think of your good news too. (He's still the Babax though, right?!)

Wotta you're completely right. Worse's news is incredibly good, and such a lovely thing to hear at this otherwise fucking awful time.

By the same token I think once we're finally in a home of our own dh and I are keen to try for another baby. No more mucking about delaying our family. It's the most important thing. Dsis and I are close now but there's four years between us and that's a lot when you're 9 and she's 13. I was 14 when she went to university 300 miles away, and it wasn't until then that our relationship blossomed - probably because we'd both grown up a bit. I don't want ds to have to wait 18 years before his sibling relationship is good. So closer in age it is. We anticipate being in a position to buy in the new year.

I hardly cried yesterday but now I'm in floods of tears. Ds is watching CBeebies and mooing whilst eating a jammy crumpet. I feel sick. I feel relieved that it wasn't some crazy unheard of genetic defect, but bewildered that something so commonplace happened and a baby died. Ds had the cord around his neck too, but it wasn't a problem until I had to push. I feel sick that my baby is stood here making animal noises and hers never will.

Have barricaded myself in the kitchen for a full on snot faced pantry session,

Someone please tell me something normal. Bitchy bosses, old interfering ladies on buses and builders making sexist comments please. Eco how short are your skirts these days? Do you have an eclair I could borrow? Stormy does the man still leave tobacco all over the side? Something when did your dp last get the steam mop out?

My cleaner got the steam mop out yesterday. DS undid it all at tea time.

I am in to work prepping for my marathon 5 meetings and 500miles in two days session. Ugh.

I am also running late... Love.

I have steam mop envy Wotta, I've no idea why though. In my head it's the answer to a sparkling home but in reality every time I clean the kitchen floor it has a muddy paw trail within half an hour so I don't think the steam mop will magically prevent that.

Last night I told DH it was time he grew up and manned up to be the person we deserve and otherwise he was welcome to leave and lead the bachelor life he craves. I have very significant eye bags today. Fingers crossed he chooses option 1 because he may be a lazy, selfish, grumpy knob but I am secretly quite fond!

Trumpy I'm glad Arlo is delivered and hope your DSis gets a bit of time with him to say goodbye. Love to you all. You're so right about not delaying life though, there's never an ideal time and if you're sure you want something then go for it. Arlo has taught us that life is fragile and fleeing so we need to live it to our best every day that was a bit philosophical for a morning where I'm sat on the kitchen floor sporting a weetabix crust

In other news I've got DDs swimming session today that she's growing to dislike greatly so is an ordeal at the moment but I'm loathe to stop because then the negative connections with swimming will remain, I'm hoping we can power through it! If we both get through it with nerves and tempers intact there might be an urban farm visit as reward! Moo.

Floor steam mop fab Betty as dries almost instantly. Makes it easy to do. I also have a handheld and never use it.

Moments of reflection here too Trumpy.

I hope you're out of the pantry. What's your plan today?

I wore quite a short skirt last week but over leggings so doesn't count really. I went to jazzercise last night and had to sit one song out because my legs wouldn't go the right way. I'm making cookies right now to take to my first play date (sorry to use that horrible phrase) in the village. They have oodles of butter, chocolate and sugar. These babies are not 'free from' anything. Except calories

Today I am going to sort my house out, tackle trouser mountain and gt on top of my ironing, and do a bit of normal work. Keep buggering on, I suppose. I may make some cookies too, it sounds like the perfect remedy for my tired mind. I will be sure to cram butter and chocolate into them too.

Steam mops are brilliant. In fact, I think I may do my carpets today. Thanks to ds they've become rather biscuit infused.

Ds is at nursery today so I have some time to process the last 2 days at least. Dh is in the dog house for sleepily agreeing to take him to nursery then denying all knowledge of this at 10 past 8, when he cheerily picked up his keys and waved bye bye to us both.

You want normality? I can't remember the last time DP picked up the steam mop and that's surprising considering that we've got the week off, you'd think it'd be out every day. I'm quite disappointed in him.

DS hasn't pooped for 2 days. Assuming it's something to do with the calpol and nurofen for his throat, so he woke up in agony at 10pm and midnight last night. And for the first time in 18 months, he came into bed with us and stayed there til 8am. With it being a novelty, we bloody loved it.

I'm now on my way to a hair consultation and I'm obviously late, then a fun morning out at Dunelm Mill followed by a trip to Hooters this afternoon. We know how to live.

trump it's been said before but you and your DSis are very strong ladies and you're lucky to have each other. If you fancy another pantry trip I'd like to offer you mine so you don't pantry alone.

eco those cookies sound delicious and something that I'd eat on a daily basis.

betty you mentioned that you hope we all meet up soon...is everyone still on board for White Post Farm?

I can't wait for the group outing. I want to give you all bloody good smooch for the support you've shown me.

Something I'll happily occupy your pantry and let your puppy lick me to death. I think puppy cuddles would be good. And what do you mean, he's not used the steam mop?! Woah. The nighttime cuddles are lovely aren't they? To get things moving in the nappy dept I'd buy some Ella's fruit pouches and let him suck away on a couple. Hopefully he'll go soon enough, but yeah, medicine can have that effect.

Have just realised I've not eaten a thing since my delicious dirty burger last night. Best start looking after myself again, my tummy's going bonkers.

Morning all.

Betty a lazy, selfish, grumpy knob, eh? Sounds dreadfully familiar, I expect the man would describe me in a similar fashion at times. Thank God for the fondness. I hope for your sake he mans up a bit.

I feel a bit left out of the steam mop conversation. I have a normal mop that I have never used. No idea what a steam one is. Is it something I need?

We're still up for White Post Farm, though the man's complaining that it'll be freezing. Pah! Still not sure precisely when we'll be in the area, but I see Christmas is a Thursday this year, so probably for a few days either side. Will talk to MIL about it next time I see her (in three weeks, when I get another few days off).

Trumpy sending more hugs. You are amazing supporting your sister through this. And I know what you mean about four year age gaps - same between me and my sister. She buggered off to uni when I was fourteen, though didn't stay there long, and finally left Hull when I was seventeen. Strange to think it's been so long. Mind you, only fifteen months between me and my brother, and we weren't close until we'd grown up either. So you never can tell how it'll go with siblings.

Normality: the sideboard is no longer covered in tobacco! This is because I bought a tobacco tray. It's brown. He's complaining that he can't see what he's doing on it. And in other news, my day is going to involve a marvellously exciting trip to the PDSA with one scabby cat and one UTI-ridden cat. Appointment's at eleven so I've got about an hour before I need to find the cat boxes and the full suit of plate armour.

Stormy we found putting an item of our clothing in the cat box for her to sit on helped. Obviously not something you're too attached to because it'll get covered in hair pretty quickly. Was very funny pulling a reluctant dcat out of her box when she last needed eye drops. Her claws were clutching an old pair of DH's boxers

The scabby cat won't put up much fight. The UTI cat, though... We deflead the other day, and made the mistake of not doing her first, so she realised something was up, and we had to trap her in a bedroom then spend quite a few minutes chasing her around in circles. And catching her is the easy part. She does a mean starfish impression when you try to lower her into the box. And then at the other end she'll refuse to come out, the daft creature. But I'm prepared, I have many ointments and plasters, so as long as the blood loss isn't too severe I should be able to patch myself up afterwards.

Arlo. Lovely name. The thing that seems wrong trump is of she had gone into labour when you thought all might have been ok. Still thinking of you.

Right, normal stuff. yummy we may be having 14 for Christmas!! depends if mine and DH's family descend. I may have to delegate the turkey!!

Just been for a nice swim and there's always an annoying slow woman in the fast lane. I'm aware this is a first world problem but it does get my goat!!!

eco cookies sound yum. Feel free to post me some. I've eaten 3 egg sandwiches since yesterday lunch. Is that weird? Haven't had one for months before that!! Is that boring enough??

Betty hope DH is manning up for you. Does he do shift work also? I hope things get sorted - ASAP.
Hope everyone else well

I'm a dinosaur once more. I toyed with becoming a trumpysaurus but I'm Plonky by name, and Plonky by nature.

Shattered yes if things had started up earlier things would be very different, but it's too painful to dwell on that. Last night I was still hoping the doctors were somehow wrong, and Arlo would be a screaming pink bundle to take home and cherish. We have to face facts, sad as it is. It's fucking shit.

Betty can I give you an extra special big hug? I think you're fantastic.

My ironing pile is reduced but my cookies taste a bit meh. They're rather worthy, with no added sugar or butter or chocolate, but they do have Chinese 5 spice. Rather an own goal there, I think.

The sun is shining and I have just received my insurance payout. So I think I'll go for a little walk into town, buy some actual cookies and enjoy my windfall.

Oh and Rainbow your advice has been absolutely superb. Thank you for explaining how you felt. That must have been really hard for you to do. I feel I have a good understanding of what DSis and BIL are enduring, without her having to say much. We had a little text chat earlier and without your explaining that it's important to acknowledge the child etc, I would have focused on my discomfort, and cowardly I would have deliberated over what to say before saying nothing at all, or some useless platitude. Instead I feel ok to talk about Arlo, and to ask questions. So thank you, you've provided me with so much

Trumps , thinking of you all and baby Arlo. It's probably good to remember there is no time limit on grieving. Arlo will stay in your thoughts forever, and it will take time to come to terms with everything and say goodbye. Thinking of you.

Steam mops you say. I have heard of these amazing things, but like Stormy have yet to acquire one. Perhaps I should, especially now I am doing all the cleaning myself. My lovely cleaner hasn't been here for about 2 months due to holidays and ill health, and has now decided to retire. I'm missing not only the amazing improvement she made to my house but her happy sunny personality. You know how some people just make you smile? she's one of them. I'm not convinced a steam mop will have quite the same effect, but it's worth a try.

Eco DH is slightly at a loss as to how to feel about babax being a boy. Me, I'm thrilled, as I would have been with a girl, but's he's got a daft worry in his mind about not being able to be quite so huggy and kissy and cuddly with a boy.... because that would be less manly or something . Daft bloke. I'm fairly sure the only difference will be he will no longer be able to avoid dirty nappies on the basis he 'doesn't know how to clean girl bits'... and babax will occasionally pee in his eye

Random toddle fact for the day. They learn all manner of strange things just by watching. Todays little revelation, she knows how to fill the dogs' water bowls. Usually I change the water in the outside bowls using the watering can, because that's more logical than carrying them to the tap. Now every time we go outside she picks up the (heavy) watering can, drags it over to the dog bowl, and tried her best to tip water into it. I have to say I'm impressed.

Betty hopefully your chat with DH will have had the desired effect. Issues are always better aired, although it may not feel that way at the time. I'm sure he'll get the message and shape up. He doesn't sound like a git, merely yet another career focussed man who doesn't quite get the concept of shared responsibilities at home. The very first things babax is going to have to learn when he is old enough.... how to clean his own room, cook dinner, and be a domestic god!

2 hour nap this afternoon.... must be some kind of record!

Oh cross post Plonky not Trumpy! Good to see you back

Yes plonk. Sorry it that wasn't a very helpful thing to write . I think I say things better than I write sometimes.

Babax is a boy!! sure you would have been equally happy with either but a lovely surprise. DH will work it out!!

Quick dip in to raise a smile. I'm sure many of the toddles make 'sippy' noises when pretending to drink tea set cups of tea. Anyhow, this morning as I fed Ecotod her morning milk she popped off, grabbed her cuddly dog, put him to my boob and made the sippy noise

It's ok Shattered, I know what you meant. It's one of the first things we all thought, but important we move beyond that.

Eco that's fantastic! There was a toddler having a good boob sesh at Knutsford services last night and he kept coming off the boob and making 'yum' sounds with a big grin on his face. Bfing toddles sounds quite entertaining in a way!

Ah Eco that's lovely. I do miss BFing some of the time. DD has replaced her evening BF with a cuddle in front of evil Peppa with her hand tucked inside my bra.

Has anyone else's toddle rediscovered the joys of separation anxiety? It's awful here! If I'm the only one in the house with her she's fine but if anyone else is here, including DH, or we're out anywhere and I move more than a metre away from her all hell breaks loose. The only exception to this is when she's engrossed in playing with other toddles, then she'll happily run off and have fun. She's gorgeous in so many ways at the moment but utterly exhausting! It has come at the same time as a huge surge in words though so I wonder if the sudden increase in knowledge and understanding has given her the wobbles in a wonder week style.

Plonky did you find a less worthy cookie alternative?

Worse it must be exciting and unnerving in equal measure having a boy. It's just all of a sudden hard to imagine now that you have a girl is it? That's how I feel about having another anyway not that that's something I plan on thinking about anytime soon if ever

Ah bf-ing. That's something I'm going to have to start thinking about again isn't it only this time with nice nursing bras?!

Betty the boy thing came as a bit of a surprise, but a good one. I thought I was having a girl, and I really wanted a girl, but I was terrified of the sibling rivalry that goes hand in hand with two girls so close in age. I can't speak for the masses but my sister genuinely hated me as a child (she's mellowed with age, thank god), and my friend's girls are just as bad. The other upside is it has restored the excitement of the unknown. Second pregnancies are a bit meh. You kind of feel you know it all. You don't bother reading books, you don't really care what you eat, and you can't be arsed with midwives. Now I've re-engaged. It's a boy FFS!!! I have NO clue about boys. I don't even have any clothes for one (unless he particularly likes pink). All of a sudden it's got that little bit more exciting, and I'm feeling less tired and run down because of that.

Day up in London tomorrow for the heart scan.... that's nearly a whole day off. I feels strangely like skiving. What on earth will I do with such freedom?! DH has told me to go early and do some shopping, which is nice of him. i guess I could hit John Lewis and stock up on all things blue.

Disclaimer: I know boys can wear pink and girls can wear blue, but I'm a simple soul, I plan to make things easy for myself by colour coding my kids

I have a daddy long legs dive bombing my head. Ugh. That's enough to send me running upstairs to bed.

Night all. Sweet dreams. Un-MNy Hugs Plonky x

Very sorry to hear about your nephew Plonky-you sound like a great sister. Arlo is a beautiful name, x

Congrats Worse on your little boy, how exciting for you all. Fun times ahead ;)