March 2013 - by the time we finish this one we'll be shopping for elf outfits. Eek!

[ecofreckle]

Here we go again then ladies. Plenty more shiny new space to fill up with ramblings :-) Link to last thread

Plonk it's your life. Live it how you need to be happy.

Wise property birds I need some help. We are aiming to instruct an agent on Monday to sell our house so we can offer on this one we love. We had 3 valuations, 2 of which said 'shame you're hit by the stamp duty threshold at £250k. The house is prob worth £10-15k more but no one will pay it'. One said 'I can get you 250k any day of the week, but it might be worth trying for 275 and seeing how you go'. They all came from the town where we are the edge of the catchment area. Today we had the agent who has sold our house twice before round. He's from the nearby village which is very sought after and knows our village well. He's quoted 325 with an eye to settling at 300! This is big money for us but I don't want to sit on the market having priced ourselves wildly off. So now and no clue what to do. I had always hoped we'd pushed through to the 300 level (we've done sooooo much work) but market has been shit so wasn't confident. Wwyd?

Wotta I'd get on Primelocation and check out sold prices rather than asking prices of everything local to you. I'd be a bit myself at a valuation that far off the average. Anything priced above market just sits. There is a beautiful house just down the road from me that has been on the market for 2 years, because the asking price is way off. At a third less it'd be sold in a week. That said, if the sold price data supports his valuation, go with it. The market finds its own level.

As for the stamp duty threshold issue, price above, to get offers at. If you price at, you'll get offers below.

Plonky There will be other jobs. Go with your gut, and ignore us lot. You know what works for you better than anyone.

Question - why do toddles bite when they are tired ... and when do they grow out of it?!

Worse it's good that the rash and temperature are gone. Do her ears seem to be better too despite the shorter course of antibiotics? It's just so hard to tell what's going on with these small people who can't explain how they're feeling. I wonder what proportion of antibiotics prescribed are necessary. I guess it's best to err on the side of caution. We have some antibiotic medicine unopened prescribed when Ecotod had an infected thumb wound. The doctor herself was 'she might need it, she might not'. I guess that's where out instincts and vigilance come in and sounds like you were right. Is the gas sorted? What a drama. And
remind me what flooring you went for in
your conservatory, I may need tips.

Something we have the no no no no no no no no yes vicar of dibley style here too. Would you like more milk? No. Cue me putting my boob away and her wailing. Sigh!

Plonky, was your four hour sleep due to extreme excitement or some other rubbish reason? Hoping you get to catch up. After my silly two hour night I slept alone the
next night with dh on the sofa and on baby alert. I woke up at 0718 in exactly the position I fell asleep in at 2245 ish and that was brilliant I'd like a few more of those.

Wotta I am afraid I can't help with your dilemma as am clueless myself. Have you called agents and been honest about the variability in valuations and asked them to justify their suggestions. I hope it works out for you.

Rubbish wheezing cough here and a toddle who is really starting to enjoy actually
playing with her kitchen; making things and putting them on plates, serving me tea etc. That's our only
news really. And, oh, how expensive are bloody nappies? I couldn't bring myself to put them in the trolley earlier on (dh usually
does shopping and I remain blissfully unaware). Our reusable nappies are leaking now so suspect they're now too small and we've decided not to go further overdrawn to purchase the next size up. We'll just go further overdrawn to buy the disposables

Wotta I have no advice, having never sold a house, but I'd listen to Worse. The house we just bought was listed for five months and he reduced it 2 weeks ago to the stamp duty threshold. Boom, sold. I guess it depends how quickly you need to sell.

Worse ds bites due to teething. It's horrid isn't it? He finds it hilarious of course. And you're right, there will be other jobs. Specifically a photography job that I've created for myself and can throw myself into in the new year. Oh yeah and we'll likely ttc next year too.

Eco you've done 19 months of reusables. I think that's commendable, and you're right, restashing to get bigger nappies now would cost £££. Dunno if you're already on it but there's a good Facebook preloved nappy group, I sold my entire stash within 4 hours of listing on there. So you can recoup something.
Dd making tea etc sounds adorable! Yep the four hour sleep was down to excitement. Such a big decision isn't it? I was awake from 2.30-5 and mainly looking at home decor ideas on Pinterest.

Ds must be aware of the clock thing. He's still asleep on me. So that bodes well. I treated myself to a 3 course dinner with a friend last night and we have best man no.1 visiting tonight. But I shall be at my mothers wolfing down fish pie as my sisters there and wants some company, so it's a two men and a baby situation in our house. Everything feels like it's going nicely right now. It's strange

The problem is that we are in a tiny village with hugely varied housing stock which doesn't change hands much. Prime location has 4 entries before you hit us buying this place 8 years ago tomorrow three of which are only two bed and tiny but detached and in varying states of dilapidation but detached - and went for between 208 (required gutting to the four walls and rebuilding) and 289 (total modernisation required but roof probably sound) except for the one which went for 659 (also a 2 bed but the ultimate in chocolate box cottage (we aren't one of those). We have three beds and a good garden but are semi detached. Oh I don't know. Sigh. Thanks for the input anyway.

I best get a down me before the sleepy singing turns to shouting. Then off to buy shed paint and weed killer for dh to get on with today while I amuse the toddle this morning and sort internal paintwork when granny arrives this afternoon... Oh the glamour!

Sorry wotta I have no advice. I am still a property selling and buying virgin. Sounds mind boggling.

worse I have a new career idea for you. How about becoming a life coach? You have great wisdom.

plonky good luck with whatever you decide to do. Going back full time is a very difficult decision to make. When I feel energised I feel confident about working full time. Days like today when I am exhausted I think no way.

We went wellington boots shopping today for ds. He screamed the place down when trying them on. I hope he will get used to them. No other news here other than I am brain dead. I long for unbroken sleep.

Happy weekend everyone!

That does make is difficult Wotta. Only thing I can think of is going back to the agent with the highest quote, and pinning him down as to whether he has current clients on his books looking for property like yours, at that price. As Eco suggested, get him to justify his valuation. Also what's his reputation like as an agent? Is he known for slightly pushy tactics, or is he old school? My only other suggestion is allowing some pre-market viewings before the details hit rightmove. Buyers love being the first in there, and if they want it move quickly. If you don't get any interest, that would indicate his guide price is a little optimistic.

Eco rash and sickness are gone, and she's eating again, so I figure all must be well with the ear as well. It's hard to tell, as she doesn't poke at her ears even when they are sore. The boiler however is less positive. The general upset of being rudely cut off would appear to have upsettled it, so it's now properly broken. Getting it fixed is proving a trial. Our usual company gave us a repair date of 10 Nov ???!!! British Gas got their knickers in a knot over the size of it - too big for their domestic department, but too small for the commercial, and I had to practically cry to get anyone to even think about scheduling an engineer. Then they put me on hold for half an hour, so I hung up. Another local firm can do next week... but I have little faith. Last time they came out they did the whole teeth sucky routine and failed to service it. So we're heatless. Fortunately not hot waterless as there is the immersion. At least the weather is mild, and the coldest it has been inside is 16C, which is fine. We've survived here with indoor temperatures as low as 7C before, although admittedly that was pre dd, and I wasn't pregnant.

Yummy A life coach you say? Well, I'd love it, but I'm not sure how I'd get clients. Qualifications....: age, and solid track record of fking up my own life. Nothing teaches like experience

Plonky two men and a baby.... Chaos awaits you . Enjoy your evening, and your fish pie. The toddle enjoyed hers. Fish pie that is. After several days of being bribed with baked beans and omelettes she's finally back on proper food with veg and everything. Discovery of the day: tinned pears... food of the gods apparently. This is one step up from fruit puree, but one down from fresh. Baby steps...

Me, I've had a restful day, as last week was chaotic and stressful, and I had a teeny tiny bleed this morning, probably as a result. Not enough to bother midwives about, especially given babax has been trampolining this evening, but enough to have DH take over. Tomorrow however will be tough. He's out from 6am - 10pm, so that'll be me knackered.

what time, new time, did you get woken this morning. 0615 here. And there we were hoping for a lovely bit of sleep after a silly late night. It's no longer BST

5am by DH showering. I was not amused. The toddle slept until 8am.

I should probably clarify that is 8am old time, 7am new. The 5am bit, that was new time. Confused? I am

omfg. I turned my back for 2 minutes, and she was up on the kitchen table. Lesson learned. I actually feel sick. We have a tiled floor, if she'd fallen off she's have broken something.

Worse Ecotod did this on the garden furniture and that made me a bit wobbly. When do they learn about risk and looking after themselves? You have your hands full don't you. Did you manage to get a dog gate to help you fashion a toddle free space?

Five am is bloody antisocial on a Sunday. A long day ahead. Anything planned to mix it up a bit? If you were closer we'd love to hop in the car and hook up and see your bump for real Good luck with it. The good thing is he'll owe you upon his return.

6am new time for us. I am counting it as a victory because I was expecting a 5am start.

Worse I hope they manage to sort the boiler before the cold weather really comes. Sounds vey stressful, and with a bleed, however small, I hope you're managing to put your feet up. Although best to pop dd in a padded cell first? Ds has a habit of climbing onto the dining table, which is also my workspace so covered in paper clips and ink pads.

Looks like I'm going to the assessment day for that job after all! If I get it it's going to be a family effort to make it work, so ill have to tap up Gerry for some tips. My dad and I had a ridiculous argument in which he declared that he's bank rolling us. Fair enough, they've helped us a lot lately with the wedding, and given us about 3k towards our deposit. I'm very grateful for those things, but it feels like they have strings attached. Mortgage advisor is confident in a quick turn around of our application, and the interviews nt until 5th November, so we'd be looking at a December start date. Clearly it's time to stand on my own feet and make it work.

I should've listened to you a year ago, Worse. You warned me of the perils of working for family back then.

So, anyone got anything nice planned today? We have a say of house clearing out with perhaps a nice walk if the weather holds.

Managed 6:30 new time here which is actually normal weekday wake up and technically a lie in so not too bad.

Mad rush of DIY continues although I got a pre-migraine this morning so had to opt out of everything and lie in a dark room while the drugs kicked in. Thankfully i have learned not to muck around and to bomb it the second I think one might be lurking so am ok now. Off to sort the rest of the bathroom titivation when mum gets here in a mo for boy wrangling while we then stare at our bedroom ceiling and work out how best to hide the damp patch (I should point out leak has been fixed).

Phew, that was a long day. I'm exhausted. I had hoped that the toddle would stick to old for for bed time, but no, it was 9pm as usual this evening. Although that might have been because she was a bit hungry. Words may not be her thing, but nom nom nom definitely means food, and yummy food at that. I blame the nursery!

DH should be home in an hour... having driven to Cumbria and back in one day. He's insane. But I guess I already knew that.

Wotta migraines suck. You have my sympathy. DIY sucks too, so . Damp patches are my forte however.... just call it the joys of period house living. You need stain block. Several coats.

Plonky good luck with the assessment day. Parents huh, they're the same the world over. Nothing ever comes without strings... be they guilt or financial. We borrowed from mine when we moved here, and put it this way, paying them back was the biggest priority in our lives... above food!

Eco we had a fun, if exhausting day, doing all the usual, so dogs, park, walk, shops, books, toys, and climbing on tables. Keep this to yourself like, but it's actually a lot less stressful when DH isn't here . I seem to get more done, in less time, the toddle naps for longer, and meals are so much easier. Speaking of meals, they really are so much easier now she feeds herself. Messier mind, but at least I get to eat at the same time!

Oh and the conservatory tiles.... I think you mentioned these. Well they aren't down yet. Bit of a sore point with DH that, as the roof needs to come off, and whole thing redone from scratch. By a different company. I could cry. It's going to cost us 3 times what we have already spent, and short of an acrimonious court case we won't be able to recoup anything. Lesson learned - if you have a specialist job, stuff supporting local tradesmen. They won't have the skills but will refrain from mentioning that to you. The actual tiles when they do eventually go down next spring are large slabs, 1m by 0.5m, stone coloured, porcelain I think. They kind of merge well with the patio outside.

Oh I remember, I knew there was something else. Braxton Hicks. I was getting them literally every 3 minutes at one point today. Is that weird? I don't remember that many this early last time round. That said, everything about this pregnancy has been different from last time round, so you could say it's bang on trend.

I have had such a rubbish day with ds. It all started last night when all ds did was whinge whinge whinge. All bloody day was whinge whinge whinge. I am exhausted and could cry. To top it off tomorrow is a work day. Sweet dreams all.

Yummy have a and a good night.

Stain block purchased Worse. Wish me luck...

Self indulgent rant follows

What a few days - Worse your DH isn't the only barmy one. We drove to Torquay and back with MIL to visit her brother, who has just gone into god's waiting room a home and she hadn't seen him for 20 years. We left at 7am and were home at 10pm. Add to that DD having a tummy bug on Thursday night so I was at A&E until 3am, but was fine by yesterday, and DH coming down with said bug when we got there yesterday, twas the longest day ever. MIL was not a good travelling companion and I may never talk to her again after her quip about knowing her son better than I do when I told her to stop with the non stop questions about how he felt, because he gets very irritated when ill (like all men). And she wanted to stop every half hour because it was exhausting sitting doing nothing.

Rant over.

Jeez Any I bet you couldn't wait to get out of that car, that sounds like the shittest day trip ever.

Yummy those days are tough, hope you had chocs and tea on standby. What's your coping strategy for days like that? Is there a nice park nearby where you can go and let him run about in the cold air? It's easier if they're not right in your face when they're screaming.

Worse I never had a BH at all, DSis had them from about 15 weeks. Anything in particular bring them on? Conservatory sounds a nightmare!

And yes, parents!! I realise my last post is a bit, erm, princessy... Basically the bankrolling he speaks of is him forcing money on us, then clearly resenting it when I disagree with him over something rather unrelated. It's a difficult one to deal with, because he's the type to give dh money if he knows we're out for a meal and tell us where to go. Then if we don't go there he tells us we must've had a bad meal so, working for a different organisation will help me to minimise the crazy bastard in him.

Speaking of, the assessment day requires a bit of prep. Firstly there's documents to read and understand, then an online Belbin survey, but then I also have to make a 3 min video detailing why I'm the perfect candidate. Don't suppose any of you have any ideas? Deadline is Thursday.

I was just going to suggest that everyone who feels a bit down or grumpy reads this thread about a lurcher about to have puppies, but Betty's already there

Plonky could you do a series of interviews with your fiends, family and current colleagues to give a broad range of evidence about how fabulous you are?

Worse, I never had Braxton hicks I'm afraid so no wisdom. When is your next midwife appointment?

Any oh love, sounds miserable. Have you recovered a bit now? That's a bloody long way. Was she at all grateful? Hope it's a kicking leaves and cups of tea kind of day.

Yummy petal I second what plonk says, get outside, the acoustics are so much better out there. Sending strength?

Eco I plumped for something a bit different, and may share it on the Facebook because Something expressed a desire to see it - and I don't have the cajones to post it on my own wall

Today ds did not nap. And will not eat properly either. Worse I feel like I've had a brief taster of how dd could be. How do you have strength? I'm exhausted by it!

Plonky we go to the park. It's the only solution, because her favourite thing ever is sitting on the swing. I like the swing. It allows me to either zone out for 20 mins, or chat to another mum. Either way she isn't trying to break her neck and gives me a break from lifting, bending and sitting on the floor, none of which are easy when you are weeble shaped.

How come you guys escaped the dreaded BH?! S'not fair. I had a black belt in them by 40 weeks last time round. So much so in fact I dismissed early labour as merely another bout. Yesterday was a bit scary if I'm honest. I thought it might be labour. Probably because that's the kind of thing that happens when one's DH is a 5 hour drive away. Today has been better, although I have learned that it is very unwise to attempt doing anything if I even slightly need a wee. Sets them off beautifully.

Big day today, it would appear we have bought a hotel. I am simultaneously excited and scared sh*tless. I am also hugely relieved DH pulled out of the alternative project. The gearing on that was just too high for my blood pressure. It's in the Lakes, it's beautiful, and a huge loss maker. I reckon we can do something with it. Actually scrap that, I know we can says small prayer!

Oh cr*p I now can't scroll back to name check, so I will hold my hands up to being rubbish? I'll just have to wave to you all, and apologise.

Wow Worse congrats on becoming hoteliers! Does this mean you bought the loss-making hotel in the Lakes? My brain is a bit addled! And if so, does it mean a relocation? Can you smash the conservatory up in a pregnant rage?

The park would've been my go to toddle-calming destination, but I had to do this video. I don't have another opportunity to do it this week, as I've got paid work to be getting on with until I'm hopefully able to hand in my notice. But yes, as eco said before, the acoustics are better outside than in!

worse whoop whoop congratulations. A whole new chapter is about to begin for you and beautiful little family. Can't wait for a stay at your new hotel in the Lakes.

plonky if it is on fb I will check it out. I have never heard of employers wanting a video as part of the recruitment process. I can't even find the time more importantly the head space to complete my 2 outstanding applications. I have had a tough day in work today and a tough week ahead but definitely need to do it by Friday.

eco I don't know about coping strategy. I try a couple of things. Going out for a walk or just sitting and cuddling him. He is a mummy's boy and loves his cuddles. Dh was around yesterday so he saved me.

Even though ds has been miserable and snotty he is still amazing and developing new skills. He now knows to take empty dishes to the sink. He will make a fab partner one day.