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

Plonky off coffee sounds very suspect. POAS! Babax needs a friend

My news seems very mundane in comparison, but I really must tell someone.... we have heat! I am beyond thrilled by this, as although it has been a lovely day, and I've had all the windows open to air the horrible dank feeling out of the house, there is nothing like a dry towel when you get out of the shower in the morning. Plus it was so cold the other night the poor little toddle had to resort to fetching her coat and to put over her lap. That made me feel a bit

Only fix required now is digging up the entire back porch to replace the pipe that got blocked when the digger dinged it further down the line. Super. Almost as super as the fine layer of brick dust currently adorning my kitchen (the very kitchen I spent ages cleaning this morning) after the guys drilled through an exterior wall to fit a temporary botch substitute gas pipe.

Plonky are you sure you want to own a house? It's so much easier when you can delegate all this crap to a land lord!

By midcycle do you mean halfway between periods? Because yes, Plonk, you can easily! Unless you ovulate weirdly early.

Sorry for no namechecks - haven't got time. Stopped off at home for a poo between pubs and got on MN while I have the chance. Fartypants is in the playpen shouting, "Poo!" Such a charming child.

Worse yay for heating! That must feel so nice. I know it's a bit scary, isn't it, this stepping off the rental chain thing? If our boiler breaks we actually have to deal with it. Eek!

Stormy My period's not due for 10 daysish. Therefore it's a bit early for symptoms and I'm thinking I'm probably just having a shitty ovulation.

Home again for another poo. Not that anyone really needs to know, it's just my excuse for brevity again. Yay for warmth in the house of worse! And yes Plonk, is probably ovulation.

I would make a terrible man - I just can't stretch a poo to half an hour! Must dash and be sociable.

Wow, quiet!

How is everyone today? I can't believe how warm it is, lovely! We've just been for a traipse around IKEA, then came out into glorious sunshine. Probably should have gone to the park instead, so I've decided that's what we're doing this afternoon.

All pain/nausea gone - that was the quickest pregnancy ever

Stress maybe Plonky? What with the house buying and everything. Such things put me right off my food as well. Speaking of such things, guess what I discovered last night? The reason DH told me 'I didn't want to know' why there was a load of water outside (I naively assumed it was new driveway related), was because when fixing the gas pipe the morons work men cut through the mains water pipe ! I despair, I honestly do.... and DH wants to renovate a hotel??? Using the same crew????? Am I allowed valium in my current condition? I feel the need to zone out.

Stormy on that basis I'd make a terrible man too. DH has a stack of car magazines in the smallest room. Why, just why?

Beautiful, gorgeous day and I spent my precious free time today getting my hair done. What a waste. Ok, so it was necessary. I've been growing out the over frazzled went wrong highlights of 6 months ago, and the resultant mess was really not flattering. I now look young(ish) again. This is pleasing. The old hag look was getting me down.

Ever feel you have stepped into a parallel universe? I kind of do right now. Next week we're going up to Cumbria for an overnight stay, but it's half business so we'll be in meetings part of the time. I vetoed DH's plan of taking the toddle into the meetings with us, because I know exactly how that would end up. Me having to step out to entertain her after she got bored and kicked off, that's how. So now the plan is to take a child minder with us. I'm not the kind of person who travels with staff. It feels awfully Victoria Beckham. Aside from anything else it means no bickering in the car

On the toddle front are we in growth spurt territory at the moment? Madam had seconds at nursery both days this week and was still starving for her tea. In fact one of the staff said to me 'it must be nice to have such a good eater'! I nearly fell over. Can this be the same child who refused any solids until nearly a year, and even then lived almost exclusively on fish pie and crackers? Oh, and she's also talking, kind off... and I've worked out where the beep beep comes from. If you leave the fridge open it beeps at you. DH does, every single time he opens it. It used to wind me up, but now she's starting beeping too it has become kind of funny.

Plagued here. Is it possible to drown in one's own shot? Add in the hangover and it's been a quiet day, with no sudden movements, and lots of crisps.

Plonk I've just seen your posts on a thread In The News. Had no idea you felt so strongly about it. Would advise not returning to it though, because you'll end up with a mighty bruise from banging your head on your desk.

worse that is some quite impressively incompetent digging going on round your way. Surely one can liaise with the utility companies and acquire a map showing where all pipes are? And by one I of course mean DH, because you're supposed to be putting your feet up.

Worse it's not the Chuckle Brothers doing building works round your way is it? Blimey. You do sound rather jet set with your travelling nanny and new hair! I love projects, me, and wish you every success with not cutting off Cumbria's power supply

Stormy I'm not really that opinionated - until I come up against an absolute twerp, that is. But it is an issue I feel strongly about, having seen friends lives affected by heroin and cocaine.

I'm stood in the kitchen trying to stem a nose flood. So maybe it is stress after all. Hey ho. Worse I'm also currently living a parallel life : bought and house last week and a car this week. Considering I'm usually the kind of person who agonises over buying arborio rice because it's a bit pricey, you can see why I've had a bit of a noseflood. It's like the dire rear of the face.

With that mental image, I say adieu!

Betty still no pointy pups! FFS.

I know Plonky, I'm checking obsessively! I'm getting a bit worried about her. I do keep having to resist offering to home a pup too.

Worse it's amazing the difference a decent haircut makes isn't it, I always find it very therapeutic. I'd love to get mine chopped before we go away because it's been 6 months but I don't think I've got a spare baby-free moment that's not accounted for unless I take a sneaky day of AL without telling

Stormy snot and hangover is a dreadful combination! I haven't had a full on hangover since I was 4 weeks pregnant and unaware pre-DD because it hasn't been worth the risk, I usually vom for about 36hrs

How is everyone else? Is it just me or does this thread seem to be shrinking in members? It might be that my memory only goes back as far as the few posts I can scroll to though!

Has anyone else started Christmas shopping ? I've never started before December before but I've really got into the Christmas MN page and bargain thread and have already bought loads! Nothing useful though like a present for DH or my parents other than stocking fillers! I fear madam will be getting far too much once everything is together. My parents have just 'picked up a few bits' which I think may translate to the whole of John Lewis.

Nice idea Stormy but I think the reality is utilities companies do not give a monkeys about anything over your side of the property border. Anywhere built within recent memory would have the original plans, but one of the joys of period property living is nothing at all documented and everything has been turned a complex illogical mess through various random extensions and additions over the years. You kind of learn as you go along, and we have now learnt not to allow cutters anywhere near the back porch!

Plonky not quite the chuckle brothers but perhaps their amiable twins. I'm quite fond of them. As builders go I have seen much worse. Plus they get terribly woebegone when the tea tray runs out of sugar. It's sweet

I'm off now to erase the mental image of a streaming nosed Plonky stamping her feet in an opinionated dance. Opinions are good. I respect anyone who has them. I have however learnt to keep off AIBU, where opinions are shut down, and all are made to toe the party line.

Betty my initial thought when I read about Mabli was "I'll have a puppy!" Restraint is hard. I'm beginning to feel festive too but lack your organisation. Trying not to buy anything until we've moved.

Our numbers do seem to be dwindling somewhat. I hope it's a temporary thing due to work/Christmas/life and the missing posters return.

Worse your home sounds absolutely beautiful. Lots of work, but worth it I hope! At least you won't be going into the hotel trade utterly blind I did look a bit bonkers with kitchen towel stuffed up my hooter, but it worked and I'm clear as a whistle again.

Ds went to bed at 6.25! And we now have trick or treaters ringing the doorbell, which is great seeing as it's right beneath his room. They are getting ignored. Ds was quite shivery when he got out the bath and has a very red ear but no temp so we've given calpol and are keeping vigil.

Well this feels a little odd. I'm a bit butterfly-y, you know like when you realise you've been a shitty friend for months then you take the first step to rekindle and you're worried you'll be shunned? I'm not sure why I've been so long absent. Busy I guess. Then kept promising I'd give myself an hour or so to catch up before I posted. Then it was suddenly 3 months and no chance of catching up. I've not even been lurking. Stormy, can I have a summary since July ish?

I've missed you all. I'm so terrifyingly busy now I'm full time and juggling two different roles, but I'm loving it. I think. Difficult to know when there's still always crippling guilt. I'm just so scared of fucking her up. Gerrytoddle is really tricky at the moment. For a little girl who has been not far from perfect since birth, she's hit the terrible twos bloody early and it's hard to not convince myself it's all somehow my fault.

Other than work, I'm not sure anything important has happened in my life recently. But I'm going to try really hard to stay back now I'm back. It's funny, in July I felt like a proper mumsnetter, but I don't even know any of the in jokes any more. Are we still not allowed to hug unless we proclaim the hugs to be unmumsnetty? I hate that, so you can all just have hugs instead xxx

I'm here too albeit a little quiet. I lurk daily and catch up but by the time I can post it's all moved on and my input no longer seems necessary. It's been a mix of busyness, tiredness and an increasingly demanding DD. She started using the word 'na na' (banana - she's so cockney) today and that was literally all she kept saying. Plus all 4 incisors are coming through together so she's suddenly off anything but biscuits and 'na nas', and is throwing missiles at me to show her distaste at bangers and mash. She clocked me on the eyebrow yesterday with her fork. I ran to the pantry for a bit

Plonky you asked ages ago how long it took to sort out my photo business? Honest answer, a while. I set it all up in April but didn't get a booking until June and things have picked up slowly since then. Had a great September with several bookings from recommendations but I seem to have hit a lull. I need to markey myself better and maybe do a baby show or two. You should look at what sort of publicity you could give yourself.

Can't remember anything else much so happy Halloween y'all

Gerry! oh how we've missed you. I don't know about hugs but it's late on a Friday night and I'm jovial, so yes have a bloody great big dino hug.

I doubt very much you're fucking dd up. How could you possibly be?

I'll attempt a recap before I call it a night. Ummm.
Something now has a puppy.
Worse is worse once more, and having a boy in February, though I assume you already know this.
Any is off taking lots of photos of gorgeous babies.
Stormy is still pestering The Man for baby no 2.
Yummy is being a hero in general, both at home and at work.
Eco is doing a lot of carrying on and making do in Bloody Bedfordshire - and I hope she's feeling a wee bit perkier.
I hope that's everyone? I'm sure others will be along to catch you up a bit more. Oh and I've somehow written my car off and bought a house with the payout

So good to see you around here again.

I'm now going to attempt to get some sleep if ds will allow, he's been up for the last hour!

Facebook has just told me it's worse's birthday. Happy birthday!

If this rumour is true then HAPPY BIRTHDAY WORSE!!!

Welcome back Gerry, it's been far too long! Just dive back in from here and don't worry about what you've missed! I see my life is far too dull to feature in Plonky's round up ! She's got a point though, not much changed in the House of Betty!

Good to see you too Any! You've been hiding!

Madam and I are abandoning ship to my parents for the weekend to be stuffed with food and make them their Christmas cake. DH has got a huge exam on Tuesday so we're staying out of the way.

It's not that your life is dull, Betty, quite the opposite in fact. You've been so busy you've barely had time to post. And no one's had exciting news recently except for all the house buying. Gerry and Any, you're not alone in finding these small people a bit trying at the moment. The wonder week around eighteen months involved a hell of a mental leap. Tantrums galore here, over the silliest and most inconsequential things.

Stupidest thing that currently makes Fartypants cry is when Scout the dog stops talking or singing. She waves and says bye Scout, and then the bottom lip starts to wobble, and the next thing you know, she's weeping and crying oh dear, oh dear. I have yet to make her understand that Scout will start singing again if she just squeezes a paw.

Gerry I forgot to mention that Betty's still busy being awesome

Any thanks for the insight. Happily the job I currently do used to involve a lot of online marketing so I have resources to pull on there. I think facebooks the way forward, and wom recommendations. I'm imagining my "office" (a corner of the spare room) in the new house and getting excited.

Annnnnnd Happy Birthday Worse! Have and .

So....it's November! where did the time go?

Thanks guys! the rumour is indeed correct. I am it would appear another year older, and of course another year wiser , and so far today has been everything I could wish for. Started with the very best and most lovely hug from the toddle, who patted my back, stroked my arm, and generally made me feel very appreciated. Then the sun came out, DH appeared with a present, my mum rang. It'll end with dinner out tonight and I didn't even have to organise a baby sitter! I did wonder why everyone at the nursery kept wishing me a good weekend yesterday. Now I know. DH asked if someone would toddle sit, but swore them all to secrecy. Fatherhood has changed him. In a good way,

Gerry good to see you back, and of course it's allowed to dip in and out as life, stuff, and general business permit. I hope it is anyway, as come Feb I suspect I will have less time for everything, internet included.

Betty happy baking. It can't be xmas cake time already, can it? Where has the year gone??! I'm guessing you are one of those organised people who makes, and feeds their cake, to make it extra delicious and ever so slightly lethal . I rely on MIL to do that for me. It's an annual tradition, the feeding up of her sons. One I hope not to continue. I'm hoping for a culinary wizard of a DIL instead.

Speaking of house buying, Wotta how's it all going? Our recent purchase has inspired me to pick up Hotel Babylon in the local charity shop. OK so it is trash, but it is funny... and remarkably informative on what to watch for.

Happy birthday Worse. Glad they're looking after you. Enjoy!

We have instructed agents and are just trying to finish bits to allow the photos to be done for details. Got the decision in principal from the mortgage company yesterday so slowly things falling into place. Just all seems to be taking forever!

Birthday sounds fabulous Worse, let us know just how special the treats are. We want a full debrief.

Wotta hope it doesn't take you too long to sell up. Are you on a loose timetable, looking to sell soonish or are you happy for things to plod on?

We had a nice walk at Carsington earlier. Stunning in the Autumn. I heartily recommend it to any Peak walker-y types, or for a nice gentle bike ride by the res. DS has been a bit off colour though, but the fresh air seems to have done him good. It was porridge for dinner here, and I know he's teething but he's also regressed a bit and it's reminding me of the Wonder Weeks. Obviously the book ends at 18 months but our toddles don't, so I'm now on the look out for any big leaps in speech etc. His fine motor skills are coming on superbly, and he clipped himself into his booster earlier. Anyone else finding their DCs excel in one particular behaviour?

I'm settling down with a pint and a pile of data entry to wile away this chilly Saturday evening.

Happy birthday worse. Hope you have a lovely birthday.

wotta good luck with the house buying.

Anyone been to any fireworks display this weekend? I missed out tonight. I knew ds would've been miserable and want to sleep so we didn't go.

I am exhausted. Plonky and Any I know how you feel with toddlers feeling not themselves. I know ds is teething and has another cough/cold but he is hard work. He has to moan at everything and drag his pillow with him everywhere we go. Saying that I am looking forward to new skills. I know this may sound odd but Ds has a good memory and is good with technology. He knows how to open youtube on the phone or tablet. He is also very good at getting your attention. He falls on the floor and pretends to cry. We are slowly getting there with speech. Ds knows how to say mummy in English. It feels fab when he says mummy.

A rather eleventh hour happy birthday to worse. Good work that man! How was your night out?

Plonky what a beautiful and day it was! We headed out too this morning. Belton House National Trust place so it was run around gardens and cream tea tastic. We're still at my sister/dad's. We made ten Christmas cakes today too. Five are still in the oven and not due out until gone half eleven. Yawn! Today Ecotod started putting her hand out and calling the name of my sisters dog with the same intonation they do. Super cute. We also spent some time on the big trampoline bouncing around like mad things and running into the safety mesh and then falling over

Gerry hello love! We have been asking after you regularly so that's another thing you missed whilst you were away! Feel loved! Glad your job is working out. I'm only working one day a week really and Ecotod is still exhibiting some dodgy behaviour on occasion so I'm sure it's nothing you've done to her.

Stormy do you always need to poo at home? No one else has mentioned that to you. People are either polite or only pooing at home is more common than I believed

Am in bath listening to what sounds like wildly autumnal weather outside. Good! About time.

Is it sexy Saturday? If so, happy sexy Saturday. I'm off to plan Christmas holiday menus with my sister!

It's taken me all day, but I've finally caught up on this thread. I've not bothered with the last one - that way madness lies.

Plonk. You are amazing. Your poor sister. Poor you. I wish I'd been here to be completely unhelpful and babbling and wait desperately for people who are better with words than me.

Worse. I can't believe how much you've been struggling, although glad to see you seem a tad chirpier now. I'm also secretly glad you've revived the name. The other was very clever, but I just couldn't link it up in my head.

Others who are crazy with work and toddlers. Thank you. I think for the last 3 months I'd kind of convinced myself I was the only one in the world.

Stormy, I'm not sure I can talk to you just yet. I'm too jealous of your child prodigy. We have 'cat' and other words that sound like cat. So quack quack (cak cak) And catch. And Cath (my step mum). In desperation, I've introduced some signing. I was very proud of 'please' (which only gets said when she wants to eat my food), until I heard that fartypants can bloody count!!! And read?!? But in all seriousness, that's incredible, it's doesn't surprise me at all with your wonderful way with words. and I'm really not jealous, as DH always points out, the longer she takes to talk, the longer until she tells us to fuck off!

Eco- pnd? I think last time I was here we suspected but there was no diagnosis? I'm hoping knowledge is proving to be power and that you're on the road to recovery? Your doc sounds great.

Just climbed into bed, last night of holiday in our usual spot in Suffolk. I do love it up here but it's been far from blissful. I think we average 15 tantrums a day of varying severity. Today, the following things have made dd cross:
Wanted wheatabix
Was given wheatabix
Mummy took wheatabix away
Turned off cbeebies
Wanted cbeebies on
Mummy didn't cuddle lambs exactly the right way
Dolly wouldn't go to sleep (yep- actual fury that, even though beautifully cuddled, fed milk, given dummy, put to bed and covered with a blanket, her doll wouldn't sleep I know the effing feeling)
Couldn't feed the donkey (a real one at a petting zoo. Last time she tried it bit her finger...)
Didn't want her toothbrush
Didn't want to stop brushing her teeth

And this was a good day! Of you haven't already, I urge you all to read 'reasons my kid is crying'. It's hilarious.

I don't know why I'm so convinced I'm going to mess her up. Because, working in schools, you realise how many kids are messed up by their parents. What's that sweary poem? Dr google doesn't help. Most recent thing of hers is whacking herself in the head repeatedly every time a stern 'no' is sent in her direction. Also often does it mid tantrum. Ask google about that and you basically get told it's a very worrying trait and probably learned behaviour from harsh punishments. WTF?!? At the moment I'm going with 'she does it cos she's a toddler, and toddlers are weird'.