March 2013- the one where plonk gets married!

[Gerrythetootallgiraffeswife]

Perilously close to filling the old thread suddenly!

What's the harmony thing, doli? Good luck with the scan. I will keep my ginger self crossed for you.

Sleep is now happening. I think. Hard to tell with the monitor off. Two weeks until the next Shirebrook trip, so at least I have a date for when I can catch up on sleep...

Harmony is a relatively new blood test that is a non-invasive alternative to amnio or CVs. It wasn't around when we were all expecting our toddles. Pretty amazing really what medicine can do these days.

Not something you need to worry about unless you are ancient....!

Gingers crossed? An interesting instruction indeed. If you don't have a ginger to hand, fingers would do

Crossing ginger fingers for extra luck.

I'm sure it'll all be tickety boo Doli. I hope you get the joyous skipping out of the hospital after the scan feeling. Incredible to think things have already come on in the last two years, medical-wise.
The muslin bag sounds interesting, I may have to invest after all. And the trike! I'm so tempted, but I've also seen that sainsbos are doing an offer on Scuttlebugs at the moment. At £17 I may have to splurge so ds can have a proper outdoor toy.

Yummy what did the dr say?

Stormy long may the sleep last. It's odd to think that Fartypants will be in mine and Something's neck of the woods soon, tis a small world.

Eco excellent unpacking. Can my sister borrow you? She's moving house at 36 weeks, the loon. Piriton is great isn't it? We keep a bottle in the house for ds's eczema. It was great for the chicken pox. The sleepiness is such a good bonus.

Clothes wise ds is rocking the shorts and tee look, no vest. If we just in the house it's nappy and tee, which just looks adorable.

What on earth was I thinking doing all this DIY 3 days before the wedding?! I'm knackered. But the gardens were a state. The gravel path has only a bare surface of stones with no plastic liner underneath, so as you can imagine, the combination we've had of weeks of good weather with the odd bit of rain has turned a slightly weedy path into a jungle. I ripped a lot of it out with my bare hands before giving up and getting the lawnmower on it, as well as doing a bit of general gardening. I've fixed the shower and done lots of cleaning, so we will return from our honeymoon to a slightly delapidated shack, rather than a full on hovel. And we can actually use the back garden now. But I'm pooped.

Eco my old thing is my mother tbc, my new thing is my dress, my something borrowed is also tbc and my whole theme is blue. Blue ribbon on my dress, blue flowers in the bouquet and my groom will also be wearing a blue suit.

I almost spelled bouquet as Bookay. I am that tired.

Stormy!

If I were going too I'd say let's meet up. Maybe around Christmas? Whether I accompany Fartypants to Shirebrook for Christmas is entirely dependent on whether FIL is planning to be there though. Now go and sleep!

doli ds scratches his head in the heat too. It is worse when it is sweaty. Good luck with the scan tomorrow.

Considering ds had a tantrum because he didn't want to come indoors at 9pm tonight we are on the road to recovery. Yay until the next timedoctor said it is probably a virus. She did do a urine test but I never got a call back. Will chase up tomorrow.

I am a bit sad I have used up 2 precious annual leave days looking after a poorly baby. I always see annual leave as a time to have fun away from work. Something else to add to the list of things that change when you are a mum.

eco in this hot weather I have left ds in his vest. He loves it and is a lot more comfortable. I didn't realise toddlers can get hayfever. Hope it is something she will grow out of.

stormy I hope tonight is an easier night.

plonk ...TWO DAYS

I envy all you natural beauties with your no make up and your no cleanser. Unless I have foundation, concealer, mascara and eye liner at least, I feel, and look, like a pale corpse. At least this sunshine has gone some way to helping me look less pasty. It does, however, also mean that I have every face wash, cleanser, toner, moisturiser, etc going. Pain in the arse!

DP has already confirmed that he will be driving to the wedding of the century, but has also stated that if needs be, we will be getting a taxi home. I suspect this will be the case what with all Plonk's plonk!

doli Pupster has been appropriately wormed I did fish a snail shell out of his mouth the other day. Bloody dog. Enjoy seeing Babapax (?) today! I'm very excited for you. I'm also very excited about the trike. I'm desperate to get DS one.

stormy how did the sleep go last night?

eco work is rubbish at the mo because the only person I like here has been wrongly accused of doing something (and I know it's wrongly because I was there) and so is being relocated. I really, REALLY, hate the job anyway and now seeing how they treat their employees has just made it all the worse. Plus, I won't have a buddy anymore, which was the only thing keeping me sane. The job is boring, mindnumbing, and I'm deemed as the lowest of the low. I get told that when important directors enter the building, I must sit up straight and make sure there is no food or drink near me, and look alert...I DON'T CARE. It doesn't sound like it's too bad, I know, but I was not designed to wear uniforms and sit behind a desk and stare at a computer. I want to be running through fields in shorts with pink hair or something. Anyone know any job that would let me do that?

DS is also living in shorts and tees at the mo. I love seeing his little big tummy poking out when he throws himself on the floor or something. He also points to his tummy when I ask where it is, which is my new favourite.

Right, back to drinking coffee and job hunting work...

Oh, I probably look like a corpse with my un made up face. The difference is, I don't care.

Dreadful screamy bedtime last night. Still coughing and crying a bit but less than previous nights. Big coughing fit at half five in the morning, whereupon I supplied milk and calpol. She's still asleep. We'll not get a nap out of her today, I suspect.

haha something I didn't say I was naturally beautiful it is that I cannot be bothered with make up and terrible for not removing make up before bed.

just back from gp again. Ds was screaming in pain since 4 but of course he stops crying when we get to the gp. GP thinks it is a stomach ache related to the virus.

I am soooo tired. Coffee then a quick snooze while ds is sleeping.

something I am joining you in the I hate my job club and I need to do something about it.

yummy if I were you I'd be tempted to run away and live on a desert island. No horrible job for you, and no germ ridden other children to make DS ill.

eco I dreamed you and I were going on a road trip. In our matching vintage Bentleys. No idea where that came from, but it sounds fun.

Plonk, are there any particularly good child friendly places down your way? Like, farms where you can pet goats, or similar? Thinking ahead to Fartypants's next big adventure.

stormy White Post Farm is always a big hit with DS. They have petting stations. Also, totally missed the whole Christmas idea. We could take the fartypants, toddleplonk and toddlesome to White Post Farm to cuddle chicks and bunnies in the snow!

Ah but Stormy when you hit 40 you'll have the skin of a 30 year old because you've let your pores breathe!

Yummy poor ds and poor you. I'm sending you get well soon vibes.

Just got back from scan and am supposed to be cooking lunch, but just wanted to share that babax is ok! Harmony takes two weeks as apparently they have to send your blood to California. Really! Utter madness. The scan though showed a healthy little maggot with all things in the right places and everything as it should be.... and 70% guessimate of another girl. DH is panicking already. Girl power!

Proud mummy alert. There is a pic of ds in the nursery newsletter doing messy play last week. My baby is famous.

stormy that idea is tempting. I think we all deserve a holiday.

doli I am very happy for you that all went well. I thought it would be too soon to tell the sex of babax but I guess depending on the position of the baby you can usually get a good view.

I vaguely recall reading somewhere that older fathers are more likely to father girls than boys. So if he's worried about being outnumbered, doli, he's only himself to blame! Very glad everything went well, must be a mighty relief.

Yummy they go by the nub theory at this stage, so it's a bit of a guess, he puts the odds at about 70%, but he's been doing this for 20 plus years and has only been wrong a handful of times.... The harmony test will give a 100% result, so I'll know for sure in 2 weeks.

Fame already. He's started young?!

Stormy I think boy sperm is a bit feeble in general, so old men, stressed men, and men who only get lucky a few days before their partner ovulates all have a greater chance of girls. All his mates have 2 girls. Make of that what you will!

Me I love girls. I'm thrilled with another. A boy would be lovely too, but would require more shopping for non-pink stuff

I'll admit I am relieved. I've been secretly very stressed about this. My age puts my risk of Downes at 1 in 49. That's not a nice ratio to think about. The NHS would push me to have an amnio, which has a miscarriage risk. The obstetrician I saw was able to revise my risk to nearer 1 in 1000. I may still have to go the amnio route if the Harmony result is dodgy, but for now I can stop snapping at DH people and relax again.

Officially too hot. Plonky have you mentioned to SIL that she will be on fan duty all day on Saturday? Waving palm leaves to cool the bride... Oh to be a fly on the wall if you suggested that

Just a quickie to say yay Doli on the Babax-possibly-ette! So pleased all went well.

yummy glad ds has perked up a bit. Famous eh? Well done that boy.

Doli so pleased your scan was good. I can't believe the risk of Downes is 1 in 50! Well, could be but thankfully isn't. And yes I think SIL will be on fan duty ;)

Stormy of course I'm up for a meet up around Christmas! White Post is great, I've not been there for yonks. There's a rather scary bat house that must be investigated, and they have really interesting animals like chinchillas as well as the usual farm ones.

Something ugh that job is not for you. You're capable of much more (but you know that). If I see any pink hair, meadow-based work I'll let you know.

I'm sat in the garden enjoying some peace. Mmm.

Plonky I know, ageing is rubbish!

I'm having the worst evening ever. You know how proud I was that the toddle had learnt how to self settle? It was brilliant. I say was because that was up until I hit the morning, noon and night morning sickness phase, and DH took over bedtimes...

H in his wisdom (note the lack of a D) decided to rock her to sleep because it was quicker and he liked the cuddle . I asked him not to. I even told him not to. He ignored me. I could bloody kill him. Now every night he goes out, which has been twice this week, I have an inconsolable screaming hyperventilating mess to deal with because she is just too heavy for me to pace with, and DH has bloody moved the arm chair out of her room because it looks better downstairs so I can't even sit and cuddle her. I'm beyond livid. I could string him up.

I've just left her to cry herself to sleep for the first time ever, and it really sucks. I'm so upset. I could actually divorce him over this. I may well do. If anyone of you are in London and see him (pictures on facebook) lamp him one from me.

Doli excellent news!

Something there's not a bloody chance you're going to White Post without me! It's only 20mins from my parents and I haven't been there since I was little. I'm in!!!

Stormy I look so much better in make up but would love to not give a toss and not wear it because it makes life so much easier without. Unfortunately I'm secretly pretty vain and love an expensive cleanser that smells like a spa so wear a minimum of concealer, mascara and blusher and usually a few other bits every day.

Plonk oh my word it's so close! You're so bloody close to the bit where you don't give a shit what's been organised because the happy and nervous zen feeling hits. I spent that day having my nails done and soaking in long baths while everyone else panicked about the implications of the snowstorm that was forecast! Good times!

Yummy I hope DS is feeling a bit better.

I've only got 2 days left at my current work, DD's cast has come off and she's fine and I've just made a yummy dinner and had a large volume of wine while cooking. Today is a good day!

Shitty cross post Doli! Oh no!!! What a fool he is!!! I can say that because my Idiot H has done the same and I can't do the prolonged pacing either so now dread him going out. Leaving them to cry is usually where I end up too which I hate but it works and doesn't feel the same as when they were tiny. Give him a thump when he gets in and pack him off to the boiling hot upstairs spare room with the monitor!

I have simmered down considerably now Betty so I think he may get away with his life after all. The restorative powers of a large pork pie with pickle cannot be underestimated. Neither can the indigestion

Looking on the bright side I don't think she'll wake again as she's exhausted. DH's other little effort today was waking her from her nap after less than an hour by bellowing into his phone. That was after a really late night the previous night where we couldn't get her to bed until 11pm. She's running on just about the biggest sleep deficit anyone under the age of two could tolerate.

Wishing everyone else long wake free nights.

Oh my word Doli, all that hard work and he does that! Too damn right he drove you to pork pie and pickle. I think it's even fair to blame the heartburn on him! And moving the chair, why?! What is it that goes through a mans brain that causes him to decide a pregnant lady looking after a toddler does not require a chair? However I did smile at the fact that he's choosing this time to savour cuddles with dd. So sweet, but so unhelpful!

Betty yay for castless babies. What's chaining with your work now?

I'm swinging between zen and headless chicken. I cant believe how close it is. We've been engaged for 3 years and now it's upon us. There's still a lot to do but the cavalry has arrived so I think there's six of us working at it tomorrow (would be seven but someone needs to watch the toddlersaurus). The toilet delivery man attempted to scupper things but we've fixed that, my old work delivered yet more booze and a buttload of glassware earlier (standard industry measurement) and they tried very hard to fuck that up. Remember the arsehole assistant manager who was there when I briefly returned? Well yesterday I was yet again telling him how to do his job, and he arrived this morning very much with his tail between his legs.
We made one cake today (well, two, we need ample cake in reserve) and DSis and SIL are making two more tomorrow. I have to fix all the pretty things in place and fill various fridges with tasty beverages, and my lovely stbh is erecting a sound system. Phew!

I have a feeling the cats just had a birthday. Poor neglected kitty.

Yowsers Doli, that was a rollercoaster of posts! What a day for your pregnant mind and body to deal with. Brilliant to have had a good scan. I can't recall what sibling arrangement you have but I can vouch for having an older sister. Yours will be close together so the potential for mischief is high Sorry about your husband. They don't get the bigger picture sometimes really do they. Don't thump him though. Suggest that you like the garage to look empty so you've parked his car in the sun or some such other thing designed to hit him where it hurts most.

Something that sounds poo. What is your meadow escape plan? How can you unleash your talents on the world in a way that makes you happier? Could you cut down the poo job and do other hours in the industry you're interested in?

Oh Doli I just remembered.....was it Dickenson and Morris pork pie? My home hood is Melton Mowbray and they knows their pies round those parts. Yummy. All that lardy pastry lining and lumps of fat in the pie. How come they're so irresistible? I struggle to keep a large one in the fridge for multiple days.

Well done that boy yummy! Art was it? Or water? Tell us more about your media superstar.

Plonky have you hit the Betty zen stage yet? The day after tomorrow!! Does your mum have any old jewellery you could borrow? I wore my nan's pearl ring.

I had a nice pedicure this evening, sat in a light and airy room with the lowering sun and the incessant chat of a carefree, childless twenty something. Very good for the soul. I chose a different colour to normal, maybe one shade lighter and a tiny bit more sparkly and dh noticed. Brownie points. I most often look like a sack of potatoes but without mascara and under eye concealer I look like a sack of potatoes with a horrible illness so can't recall last time I ventured out without either. You can't beat a deep cleanse with Neal's yard wild rose beauty balm. It smells lush and like bees have gently wiped their bums on your face. Lovely.

I took Ecotod to the (air conditioned) ikea today. She was mostly entertained by the masses of people and she loved ordering from the kid menu for the first time ever. Very grown up. And I've had a flat pack tastic evening so that we now have somewhere to put our shoes.

Stormy, that road trip sounds great. Me driving a gas guzzler Can we plan a route via lots of pubs with sunny gardens and maybe factor in chauffeurs please?