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

Am struggling to cope with everything at the mo, so busy and so much crap and stress. Nothing that doesn't pale into insignificance compared to Plonk it Leni but still... But today DS said 'mummeee... Tuddle!' And launched himself at my neck for a hug. Twice. Made it all a little more do-able.

Hope you're all finding a silver lining in there somewhere today.

Whata welcome! You can be as late as you like on here. There are no rules. This is probably just as well, as we are quite a characterful bunch

I'm Worse, dd (Worselet or more recently the toddle) is one of the earlier ones, born 4 March, and ds is due 6 Feb 2015. So I am currently fat... and hormonal... and tired... and an absolute pleasure to be around.

Plonky today is much better than yesterday, thankfully, as I've reached the end of a 48 hour unbroken solo shift, and DH is not only back, he's at home. He's away again tomorrow, but I'm glossing over that for now.

The toddle is also being very sweet, in a toddle like way, and up to all sorts and into everything. I have to confess at times I struggle as given her climbing skills, and lack of child safe space anywhere in the house I have literally nowhere I can leave her for even 5 seconds. She can even get out of the straps on her high chair, and push chair. I mean, 10 out of 10 for ingenuity and all, but..... Arrrrrgggghhhhhh So we go everywhere together. Even the bathroom. Privacy is an outdated notion

Question, how do you guys find a good babysitter? Those without nearby family that is. It's DH's leaving do next Friday, I plan to go, but it'd mean leaving madam from about 5pm until late late late. That's longer than I'd be happy for her to be with a local teenager, as she would need to be fed, and put to bed. Tis a dilemma as I really do need to show my face at this. I guess I could ask the nursery staff???

Plonky I think nature has a way of making us want whatever we are given. When first pregnant with dd I was adamant I wanted a boy. Couldn't see me with a dd at all. At the first scan I was a bit , but then almost immediately decided a girl was an excellent plan. This time, I thought I wanted a girl, because I know all about girls, and nothing about boys, and a boy seemed, well, a bit complicated. Only he's a boy, and my brain has simply done a 180 degree turn, and I couldn't be more excited about it. Although I do blame him for the morning sickness and the hairy chin

Betty Ooowww! how are you feeling today. It's easy to forget that you doctors have a petty gruelling time of it at the birth as well as the mum. The lovely Melanie who hauled dd out with a cone on her head (on dd's head that is) was certainly putting a fair amount of welly into it. I was very grateful. By that stage in proceedings I was all out of welly myself.

SIL's due date today. I'm nervous for her. I'm also sitting on my hands as I really really want to just check up she is ok, but she doesn't need my worries on top of her own.

About an hour left of nap time now... so that's a whole stack of ironing, or a swim, shower, and cup of tea. Now, hmmm, I wonder...

Wotta awwww that's adorable. Nothing beats a toddle hug

eco you're right, in a way, there are fewer opportunities to look at my phone, but I'm in a position where I don't get shouted at if I do. So, that's exciting. It's going...well. The job is fine, the place is fine, I just found myself having a breakdown about it. And I'm annoyed at myself for doing it.

Basically, I was so desperate to get out of my old job that I hadn't considered the impact of a new job. I'm disappointed in myself for going from a job in one place, to the same job in another place. I feel like I should be doing more, but I don't know what. And it kind of all overwhelmed me. And I'm struggling with the change of hours, which is stupid because they're fine. It just means I'm in 5 days instead of 2.5 but 4 hours a day, and I'm home an hour later than I was before, and I feel that I'm missing out on DS and DP time. I need to shake/slap myself and remind myself that I'm actually not missing out, and it's brilliant that they now get daddy/son time together. I'm feeling more positive today after a long chat with my sister last night, and a big bar of chocolate from DP. All my friends and family (including you lot) have been so excited and supportive that I felt I was letting them down for being miserable. So I've decided I need to step up, look at all the positives and enjoy this cushy job where I get school holidays off with my beautiful boy!

Phew. Thanks for letting me rant.

Hi whata nice to see a new face. Tell us about your littlebigun.

Also eco really good news about the course. I think you've made a good decision

Sorry this post was all me me me. I have made a mental note to pop back for all those delicious recipes. DP made jambalaya the other day. Chorizo, chicken, prawns, rice, much more deliciousness. I've just realised I haven't eaten since yesterday breakfast! Hunters chicken is waiting for me when I get home, I might just gobble it in one bite!

x post with Wotta and Worse there.

wotta that cuddle request sounds amazing!

wotta that is sooooo cute. Can you delegate any tasks to make you feel stressed.

plonky I am with you on in the broody camp. Dh is worried I will trick him into getting pregnant. I am a bit he isn't broody. If I do have baby 2 there is no way I can go back to work in my current job.

worse awww please keep us updated on the baby news please. I am soooo nosey.

eco I am happy you booked that course. You may be emotional when you leave her but I am sure you will enjoy it. I get excited just doing a supermarket shop without ds.

something maybe you should have had a bit of a break between the 2 jobs just to get your head around ending one and beginning the other. You will get through this. Its very hard starting a new work place. New colleagues, new ways of working and trying to fit into the organisation is all a bit daunting but give your time to settle. Have you begun organising the Christmas play yet?

I am cooking korma this evening. According to nursery he loves it. Lets see if he will eat mine.

Wotta that's very heart melty. I love those moments. Our silver lining today has been provided by the landlord. He's not got time for house-market-putting-on until spring. It means we can relax, and actually have a Christmas. That and ds is just a proper darling right now.

Worse glad to hear the high spirits have been restored. I dread ds becoming such an effective escape artist, so have no tips but lots of, erm, hope for you again no tips on babysitters but I think nursery's probably a good a place as any to start. At the very least I'd imagine they have some 6th formers keen to gain experience.

Yummy do you think dh feels his family is complete? Or does he maybe just need more time to get broody again? I guess I'm lucky in that dh is the type to go for it again tomorrow, although we have to be patient and get a few more ducks in a row first. It's so frustrating, isn't it! I hope the korma is good. We're also having curry.

Something I'd like to give you a big cuddle. But you had jambalaya! You lucky devil! The work thing is a bummer. I think patience and chocolate will help. How long until half term?

Right I have a cuppa and a new baking book. It's rainy outside but warm inside and the small person keeps attacking me with cuddles. I've got that cosy autumny feeling.

Toddler cuddles are amazing. I had my first proper one a few days and nearly cried, motherhood has turned me into such an overemotional sap.

The inevitable has happened: Fartypants is developing a bit of a Hull accent. Today's new word (well, one of them) is water. I've never heard such an overemphasised glottal stop before. Dunno where she's got it from either, because I'm usually really careful about talking proper when she's around. Silver linings: at least she's talking! Three words together today! Dum om peees!" or, in real words, Mr Tumble on please.

Yes worse ask nursery - the girls from ours are all happy to babysit, and at least they know the toddle.

eco brave move, I'm sure it will go well. Ecotod will probably love some daddy time. Interesting what you say about having one child. The thing that makes me sad about number 2 is that DS will have to learnt he's not the only centre of my world, and he's such a mummy's boy. He hates it when I hold another baby!!! But I think long term having a sibling would be very good for him, not least so that he don't be alone in dealing with me and DH when we are old!

wotta hope you're ok. It sounds like work is so busy for you. Can you /do you want to cut down?

betty hope the shoulder is better soon. I'm off for an early night soon!!

Shattered I go through that emotion daily - guilt that the toddle will no longer have the unlimited one one one time she has with me at the moment, and more guilt that the new baby will never have the complete undivided attention she had. It's really hard. I naively thought that when I fell pregnant again I'd be over the moon, happy, excited, just plain unbelieving at being so lucky, but the first 3 months were so not like that. Guilt, worry over have I done the right thing, worry as to how I will cope with two, when frankly being pregnant with a toddler is hard enough. My brain has been a complete maelstrom of emotions.

It settles down though. I think it is a case of over thinking things. My mantra for keeping sane is other people cope, and other people's children are happy, even those with siblings! So it must work out in the end. Plus the sad events Plonky's family, and Leni's friend's family have lived through have given me a bit of a reality check. Every day is precious, all our children are precious, and family life is precious.

I'll ask the nursery staff tomorrow about baby sitting, as I'd really like to go to the leaving do. Fingers crossed.

Wotta, Something hugs, both of you. Here's hoping you have lovely relaxed weekends planned to look forward to.

Have I missed something what happened to Leni's friend?

shattered ds is a mummys boy too. If ds sees dh kiss or cuddle me he comes inbetween us and gives us both a hug. Sharing your love with another child is scary but having a sibling is better than without having one (in my opinion). Growing up, dbro and I fought a lot but we are now best buddies.

plonky Just after I posted dh tells me we need to have baby 2. He isn't completely broody but we both know our family is not complete. I think one of dh's worry is that because I was so unwell during my last pregnancy and wonders how we will all cope with a toddler to care for. Like you we still have a few things to sort out too.

Well done fartypants on your speech! A little chatterbox.

Ds is still not asleep. He just is rubbish at sleeping at night. He is 18months and we still don't have a consistent bed time. 2 nights ago he stayed up until 11:30pm and still woke a 6.30am. Moments like this I feel like a failure.

yummy her friend just died in childbirth, she posted about it on facebook (which you have still yet to join us on!). It is rather a good reminder that pregnancy is dangerous.

You lot have (OK, just Worse and eco, admittedly) have set me on a baking path. Damn you! I've just made delicious smelling rye digestives that are taking FAR too long to cool.

eco when's the night/s away?

Worse you're right to cherish each day. To me there are two options : cower under the weight of sad events and waste your life, or just bloody get on with it and be glad. It really is that simple. Your DC will be fine. DSis and I have birthdays ten days apart, we often had joint parties during primary school and I don't remember a single moment of resentment from either of us. I had a very brief grumble at my mum once that she was a SAHM for my sister's first three years but was back at work when I was 3 months old. Turns out I'll likely be doing the same because needs must! I certainly don't hold it against her in any way now. Guilt is everywhere in motherhood. Recognise it, do your mental exercises to work through it, but never let it own you. Remember, every day is something to cherish.

Yummy blokes eh?! Sounds like you and me are in the same boat.

I've just had all my ironmongery removed in preparation for tomorrow's general anaesthetic. I feel like I've got someone else's tongue...

Awww good luck for tomorrow stormy.

Facebook is where everything happens. I feel very sad for Leni's friend.

I reallllly can't be bothered with facebook politics. I may do what someone else did on here and just open a new account just for the marchers group. What is the group called?

Ds hasn't napped today. Hope he hasn't stopped his daytime naps, they keep me sane. Today we went to bounce and rhyme at our library. Eco that is something else for you to try. I quite enjoy may be a teeny bit more than ds does.

Yummy if you PM me your name (whatever name you choose to use!) I shall find you and invite your to our group. It's closed, so invitation only, and none of your RL facebook friends can see your posts on there.

Stormy I swallowed my tongue bar yonks ago. Either that or I, um, absorbed it. Strange feeling, isn't it!

I've swallowed several over the years, including a glow in the dark red one which is either prize jewel for the rat king of the sewers, or else lodged in my intestines somewhere. Slightly weird thought. Did the most recent one up so tightly I haven't been able to undo it for about eight years. I hadn't realised just how much I idly chew the thing, and now it's gone. Along with one other barbell, three segment rings, a bcr and a flesh tunnel. I never could do the no makeup selfie, what with no makeup being my default state, but now considering a no piercings selfie...

As a child I remember putting a button up my nose and couldn't get it out. I was too scared to tell dmum. I told her when I was an adult.

Sorry Stormy I've obv missed something... What's with the ga? Hope all goes well whatever .
Just got home rather tipsy from first proper night out with friends for v long time. My lovely mum played taxi and I am home with DS tomorrow (though may wish I was at work!)

wotta. Hope DS behaves for you! Bet the night out was worth it though.
yummy I agree re Facebook! I do have an account but don't use it much.

plonk I meant to say thanks for the clothes tip. H&M is one of those places that I know has nice, inexpensive, clothes, but I can never be bothered to go in! Like TK Maxx. There's just Too Much Stuff.

worse and plonk you are right. I remember a friend getting pregnant with #2 when I was TTC DS, and just not being excited. I couldn't understand that then, but I do now. However as you say, you just get on with it.
Does anyone else have a very verygrumpy toddler post nap? The only way I can resolve it is to get out the house ASAP but sometimes I'm not ready. Any tips welcome!
eco when's the course? How is the business going?

Yummy your button story really made me laugh. I wonder which of us will be the first to a&e with a similar problem!

Shattered my tactic with h&m is to buy a crapload all at once. If I can stand to wait for it I'll go online but if a trip to the shops is needed I go in but never at the weekend. Most of ds' clothes are from there, I just tend to get several outfits at once and everything else is piecemeal.

I actually think I prefer shopping for him than for me. But am now trying to focus on as much unisex stuff as possible, just in case.

Friend from school posted newborn baby girl pics on Facebook. I need me one of those, she looks so delicious!

Stormy at the end of 6th form we had a joke prize giving. Others won prizes like 'the George Best award for services to alcohol' and 'the Peggy Mitchell award for pint sized aggression'. Me, I won the Spongebob Squarepants award for Most Porous Person, I was pretty freakin pierced. I suppose by many peoples standards I still am, but the workplace dictated and they're acceptable ones now. Am in the market for a gret big eff off tattoo though.

yummy I mean to ask, how's ds at night now? We're managing to get ds to stay in his cot until 6.30, so very pleased with that, but he's still having 7 flozzes of cow juice at 2.30. I'd like very much for this to stop but I don't know how!

Stormy, Plonky you have just succeeded in making me feel very old and very square. Piercings? Shudder. I used to have pierced ears, until the op after I had the toddle, after which I couldn't be bothered to put the studs back in. Everywhere else is as it was, no holes, no tatts, nothing. Face it, you'd be forced to disown me in RL

Stormy good luck. I assume this is the private hospital that so impressed you before. Not. Hope the receptionist is a little more with it today.

Plonky my only tip on night wake ups is to make sure he is well fed before bed. We started getting a few again recently, and the solution is half a slice of toast immediately before bed (unless she has eaten a massive tea, in which case she doesn't want it). That is as well as her milk. I also water any night feeds down so as not to mess up her meals during the day.

Shattered I think that's a developmental leap phase thing. We went through it quite recently as well, but you will be relieved to know it was just a phase. The first time it happened the screaming was so bad I nearly took her to A&E! Can you imagine..... 'Madam, your dd is fine.... She is just having a tantrum '

Yummy come and join us on FB. I'm the one with a Marchers group only listing, and it works for me. Settings are such that no one else can see, friend or message me. The best of both worlds!

I have a tiny confession.... I cheated with bed time last night! Home alone, again, and just couldn't face the usual 1-2 hour settle, so I cuddled her to sleep. Took 20 mins. Was lovely. She smells lovely, is lovely, and gives the best hugs ever. She didn't even bite me! Rod for own back and all, but what's that phrase? 'You do what you have to to survive' (and I was really tired).

SIL 2 days overdue now. DH saw her yesterday as he was in her neck of the woods on business. She looks fab, feels fab, and is apparently glowing like a redy brek ad. Just need junior to arrive, soon.

As for the business he was looking at another opportunity for us, but this one would mean selling up, everything, house, cars, savings, the works, and putting it all into one place. After the years of pain we've been through renovating this place. Sigh. Not sure how I feel about that. Don't know if I have the mental stamina to do it all again.

Wotta it's nothing major, just slicing off a skin tag, but a very awkwardly placed one. I'll be fine, so long as the anaesthetist is more competent than the receptionist...

yummy my sister shoved a stone up her nose once. Dad gave her a bollocking, hoicked it out with a pair of tweezers, and told her not to do it again. She took no notice, and he couldn't reach the next stone with the tweezers, so they ended up in A&E. Whoops.

So Plonk, which bits have you had stabbed? I would have got more but I'm running out of face, and tattoos are more fun.

Worse avert your gaze, it's about to get queasy.

I've had 2 lip piercings, and one monroe - made me look awful, both eyebrows done horizontally (no east 17 for me ta), tongue, nose, a brief septum piercing that rejected, one nipple , navel, and multiple ear cartilage ones. I had both loves stretched to 8mm, one has gone back done to 2 and remains free of jewellery, and the other is currently at 4mm. At the moment I have the 4mm plug, a rook and two conches, and my navel, so not too adventurous. I think I'll be getting another tatt before ttc again.

Now you!

Sorry I got so wrapped up in myself I forgot to talk about the other points peoples posts.

Worse he eats well during the day and manages a good snack at about 6. Usually a banana or some soreen. Will keep on with that and start watering down night time feeds. He's absolutely ravenous at 6.30 when he does get up, he often has 2 breakfasts!

That business opportunity sounds like a headache waiting to happen. Remember the glazers this summer? The screed? That plus baby and toddler and new location. Good luck to you if you do decide to go for it, but it sounds like a bloody lot.