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

996 replies

ecofreckle · 28/09/2014 14:04

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

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
StormyBrid · 19/11/2014 20:11

Similar? Nah. I looked at the photos. I'd have to rub coal on them to make them look like Zebra! By the way, if anyone has any suggestions about how to shift seriously ingrained grubbiness, do let me know. He comes out the machine as grey as he went in, but at least it gets rid of the smell.

littledonkeysaurus · 19/11/2014 20:24

Stormy try a tablespoon of bicarb in your wash. You can buy it in 500g packs from Wilkos for a quid.

I haaaate nosebleeds. They're so tedious, and I have been known to fill a terry tea towel with a single bleed. Although the nose blowing afterwards is satisfying, if disgusting.

StormyBrid · 19/11/2014 21:48

I like leaning over the bathroom sink and gently blowing air through the afflicted nostril to make interesting patterns. A rare treat! Will add bicarb to the shopping list forthwith.

WottaMess · 20/11/2014 10:42

Well barring incident we have lost the house wanted. They've accepted an offer this morning Hmm

littledonkeysaurus · 20/11/2014 11:07

Oh Wotta that's poo. Any chance of being philosophical about it all in a kind of 'it wasn't meant to be' way?

Our conveyancing is causing me headaches. Within 20m of the property boundary there are not one but two mine entries. We kind of expected this, but it means a further search to find out about the state of them. And in the mean time hope the house doesn't become consumed by a sinkhole. And that our insurance and lenders are still happy.

yummychocolate · 20/11/2014 11:11

Oh no sorry to hear that wotta. I believe in the motto everything happens for a reason.

plonky It's just too rude to call a lovely lady like you a donkey. Re: work. My manager said it was going to get even busier so they are not really doing much to help us. I am actually stuck in a contract for a car lease until May and will need to pay just under a grand to get out of it. Question is do I pay out or do I go. If I leave I would be going back to full time and I am dreading full time tbh. I don't know what to do.
Are you feeling better? I have a cold sympathies from me. Is dh back? I am very proud of you for surviving going solo.

Ds, me and dm are off to see santa today.Woohoo. You can guess who is more excited.

littledonkeysaurus · 20/11/2014 13:24

Yummy I'm feeling much better, thanks for asking. Still dosed up in order to function, but at least functioning is a realistic option today. How are you? The work stress sound thoroughly shitty all round. May is six months away - honestly how do you feel about carrying on for that long, and then reevaluating?

DH is back in about 24 hours. Hooray! Say hello to Santa for me (I've been quite a good girl this year so I deserve that pony he's been denying me for 20 years).

yummychocolate · 20/11/2014 15:55

Ds cried when he saw santa. A bit of a disaster really. I managed to get a pic of santa with ds on my lap. I didn't sit on santa's lap though just next to him.

In some way I am looking forward to ds stopping his naps. He didn't sleep in the car so he's having his nap now.

littledonkey I really don't know how I feel and keep looking for signs to help make a decision. A part of me says I have to leave now as I can't take the stress any more then on some days I think if I know I have an end date I can cope.

Hope you manage to get some duty free gifts from dh.

littledonkeysaurus · 21/11/2014 06:56

Uggggh ds woke up at 4. Thank god for iPads. I am not ashamed to say that I sat him in my bed with the iPad, some Heinz biscotti, and a cup of milk and left him to it for 2 hours. We're off to buy some new furniture today, it's going to go very well...

Yummy could you possibly retrain? You've been struggling for nearly a year. Is it worth it?

littledonkeysaurus · 21/11/2014 17:24

i found a fox hounded by dogs, he let me hold him in my haaands. His little heart it beat so fast that I'm ashamed to be running awaaaaay....doot do do do doot...

Aw, c'mon guys. I suspect I have sinusitis and I'm singing on my own here! Hardly a surprise considering.

Oh! I set up as self employed months ago. Bit preemptive, never made a penny, and today receive a demand for £22 in tax from hmrc. Because that makes sense.

ecofreckle · 21/11/2014 22:54

Donkey, we were listening to bad radio today when we heard the chakka khan song 'ain't nobody' and Ecotod merrily rang 'no birdies, no birdies, no birdies' so that is my song to you.

Do you have your husband back? I think yes and that up a tree k i s s i n g Grin

OP posts:
littledonkeysaurus · 22/11/2014 06:42

Haha, loving ain't no birdies. Ds has finally learnt to say caaaaake! But only in references to rice cakes Hmm I thought I'd taught him better than that.
Sadly I went to bed at 9 last night with a very thick head, so no k I s s i n g here. But there's always tonight! Wink

BettyBitesBums · 22/11/2014 10:19

Morning all! It's a bit hectic here. We're off on our holiday tomorrow and I'm a bit wobbly about leaving DD, what will DH and I talk argue about? Grin

I applied for my car tax this morning and it reliably informed that I couldn't be taxed because I didn't have a valid MOT. It turns out it expired a few weeks ago Blush so it's been driven very carefully to Quik Fit this morning and I'm keeping everything crossed!!!

Yummy have some Flowers, it sounds rubbish at work for you.

Eco I'm now singing Chakka Khan and I have only you to blame!!!

DonkeyPlonky I find it's always best to remember than HMRC are morons. I have to fight with them about my tax code twice a year, August and April. It is not fun for anyone involved.

Happy weekend everyone!

worserevived · 23/11/2014 14:48

Afternoon everyone, and isn't it a rubbish rainy one at that? At least it is here. If I was an ecofreckley type I might have such as thing as a rain gauge, which would be interesting in a scientific sort of way as I'm fairly sure we must have had about a month's worth of water in the last 2 hours.

But back to the banal, so sorry I've been rubbish and absent and otherwise awol so much of late. It's that time thing again. I have been kind of lurking, but never long enough to add anything of interest so have been kind of quiet... which is admittedly unusual. Admin mainly, as boy did I have no clue what-so-ever as to how much work buying a business would be. In additional to the usual survey and solicitor type rubbish, there are accounts, and tax returns to review, capital allowance schedules to agree, contracts to read, staff issues to address, renovations to plan, purchases to budget... the whole schebang (made up spelling of made up word) basically. DH has been doing most of it, but me, I'm supposed to be the financial guru (ahem) here so I'm doing some. At least trying to do some, in-between trying to do an awful lot of other stuff, and actually doing virtually nothing of anything because I'm knackered!

For knackered I blame babax who is showing his personality early, and at a guess I'd say that was big, brash, hyperactive and obstreperous. I have never been kicked so hard in my life, and I thought worselet was an active little bablet. It's like my whole middle has taken on a life of its own, which I guess in a way it has. Plus the reflux has kicked in with some style, so sleep is an interesting if unattainable concept. I've tried the many pillow trick, the not eating anything after 5pm trick, the avoiding all meat and veg after lunch trick, and have now courtesy of DH been put on the nothing but porridge after about 3pm regime (in a nutshell inverting all meals to finish up with breakfast), but I'm thinking that nothing short of a trip to the GP for some ranitidine will stop me puking at night. The joy.

As for the toddle, she has changed so much in the past couple of weeks it's astounding. Outgrown her recent growth spurt so no longer eating nearly as much as DH, and talking away like a proper little person. Taking is so sweet, I had no clue. The 'ba-bye' when I close the car door after strapping her into the carseat nearly breaks my heart every time. Awwww. She has also started being really car sick again, even on an empty stomach, so the morning run to nursery on nursery days has become a lesson in vomit management and the quick clothes change. Poor little thing. Poor little me!

Oh, and now I can't scroll back and name check everyone, so from memory Wotta so sorry about the house. They'll be something better out there. Promise! There always is. Usually you see it after you've bought somewhere else though, so perhaps, in a warped way, this might be a good thing. No?

Plonks/Donks get better soon!

Stormy so glad zebra returned from his adventures. No favourite toy here thankfully, the toddle is remarkably fickle in her affections as it would be fair to say any cuddly toy will do. Especially if it is someone else's. Last trip to PILs saw us return with a jellycat lamb that we most definitely didn't arrive with. Not sure where this thieving instinct comes from, but may I just say she most definitely didn't get it from me!

BettyBitesBums · 23/11/2014 16:27

I'm having a sneaky soak in the bath for necessary hair removal during packing but popped in to say Worse, if you can't squeeze in a GP visit you can buy ranitidine in any supermarket or chemist. It comes as 75mg whereas we'd usually prescribe 150mg twice daily but 75 might be all you need anyway. I had to take it the whole way through! Thanks

littledonkeysaurus · 23/11/2014 17:09

Ranitidine is a total life saver. At one point i remember the thought of gaviscon turning my stomach and ranitidine saved my sanity. Just buy some until you can get to a gp.

The hotel sounds like so much work! I'm glad to hear Babax is a rambunctious wee lad, but sad to also hear of dd and the vomitty car. I hope she grows out of it soon, sounds v knackering to be constantly wary of taking the car anywhere.

Ooh wish I was in the tub, Betty. I seem to be recovering but ds is struggling. He's been quite coughy and I assume sore throaty for a few days, no real interest in food and now the gagging has started even on smooth pouches. Fun. So I'm currently perched on the spare bed MNing sorting out the spare room for dh to sleep in. It's like a jumble sale in here with 4 years of accumulated junk and some packed belongings.

At least there's pig in the oven.

worserevived · 23/11/2014 18:33

You mean I can buy said wonder drug without a prescription?! I had no idea. Cheered me up no end that Smile

littledonkeysaurus · 23/11/2014 18:44

An over zealous pharmacist might tell you otherwise, but you can buy it off the shelf in any supermarket

yummychocolate · 23/11/2014 22:23

How comes I weren't aware if this wonder drug. Hmm...

Littled ds is coughing too. It is really horrible when they are ill. Hope he gets better soon.

I have a day off tomorrow. I really hope ds is ok for nursery tomorrow. I planned to buy dh's xmas present tomorrow and just have a look at a couple of Christmas shops.

worse Starting up a business is hard work, never mind with a toddler and a baby on the way. You are a superwoman. Don't forget to look after yourself though.

yummychocolate · 24/11/2014 08:40

Good morning all. Selfish post alert. Ds is too ill to go nursery so I can't have a me day. Maybe dm will look after him at the end of the week so I can do what I need to do to.

So today we will be having lots of cuddles with doses of calpol and tixylix.

Happy Monday everyone?

littledonkeysaurus · 24/11/2014 09:44

Yummy that sucks, I hope he's better soon.

We had a fantastic night with DS. The royal we, obviously, as DH gets to go to work today so I coped All By Myself. It was so much fun. DS fell asleep on my at 5.30 yesterday evening. We got him into bed and had dinner. He appeared at the top of the stairs at 8pm (note to self : start using the stair gates) and was full of beans, so stayed up with us until I went to bed. He was most perplexed by this, and tried to get into the bath at 11pm. I didn't even try to persevere getting him into his own bed, I just couldn't be bothered. Woke twice for calpol and tixylix, and food (surely a good sign), then decided at 7 am to grab the pint of water on my side of the bed and pour it all over him, me and my kindle. Am praying kindle still works. DS is a bit too poorly to really do anything today, but I am venturing a walk to the local green grocer for a bit of fresh air for us both. It looks a nice crisp autumn day, and I do like that red cheeked look on a toddle.

His cheeky streak is daring to develop into outright naughtiness, so we've had to be a bit strict with moving him away from us for a short while. If we tell him something he doesn't like he tries to hit us. Thankfully he's little enough that it doesn't hurt, but I hear it's abusive to bandage them up and keep them little, so we've opted for the discipline route. He's obviously just asserting his independence and learning where boundaries are. Anyone else finding this?

I asked DH what he thought about when to have baby no.2 again just to be sure. Sometimes I find myself thinking 'screw it, let's have one now' and then sometimes I think 'noooo, I won't ever have another'. DH reckons we should start trying in January. I think I was the one guiding us first time round and I'm still a bit shocked by the lack of sleep and the EVERYTHING that comes with a baby. Maybe baby no2 won't be so much of a shock and I should embrace it a bit more. Hmm. Worse, thoughts?

yummychocolate · 24/11/2014 10:37

littled obviously it is too early for me I didn't quite understand what was fantastic about your night until I realised you may have been sarcastic. Smile

I have heard baby2 can be a bit easier because both will keep each occupied while you have a quick coffee until they start arguing about toys. I think it will be harder the bigger the age gap. When ds is out of nappies I think it will be even harder to go back to the baby stage.

Ds doesn't his us but he bites and it bloody hurts. For the past couple of days I have noticed when ds gets something that isn't his we say it is mummy's or daddy's and he gives it to us without a fuss. Of course I know this is just a phase and we will get the full on tantrums back very soon.

DM is coming over later so I can go food shopping for dinner. Hopefully dm can stay a little later so me and dh can go to ds' parents evening. I am so excited. I have no idea what they will tell us though. They give us daily updates on what they do and we have a quick chat during drop offs and pick ups. Anyone else had nursery parents evening yet?

SomethingBeginningWith · 24/11/2014 16:37

Right, I have less than an hour to go at work and the after school football club is letting out so I might not have much time due to needy and unruly ladsladslads but I'll attempt a post.

worse I've never even heard of the wonderdrug of which you speak but I hope you can get it and it makes you feel better Smile it's nice to hear that babax is showing you his personality. I'm sure it's not so nice being kicked in all your organs in the middle of the night but it sounds sweet as sugar to me.

plonkydonkey we also have a hitter (as you may well be aware). We've had to start removing him from us, so sitting him in a different place, for a while until he's ready to stop. Usually when we do this, he'll get really upset and come to us for a cuddle to say sorry, so it seems to be working. The worst is when he really hurts us but it's clearly an accident. Like this morning when he full on headbutted DP at 5:30am. There were nearly tears from both of them.

yummy sorry that DS is poorly. I hope you get chance to do your you-things. Let us know how parents evening goes.

betty hope you're having a wonderful holiday. I'm oh so jealous.

DS is being lovely at the moment. He comes out with so many sounds and words, and has us all in the palm of his hand copying him. I can really see his cheeky personality coming through. He's developed a fondness of painting too, so we have a little gallery in our dining room.

Ok, now I'm off to spend the night oogling at Black Friday deals Grin

worserevived · 24/11/2014 20:52

Donks thanks for the tip... I am now fully stocked thanks to Morrisons, and looking forward to an indigestion free night. I hope!

As for all things baby2, well personally I'm of the view there is never a right time to have a baby. If I had sat down in my youth and done a chart of the perfect time to have a family I sure as hell wouldn't have coincided my first pregnancy with a divorce, and my second with the big life change of a new business venture on the other side of the country. But there you have it.... that's exactly what I've done, and strangely life has been none the worse for it.

The thing about babies is they don't stay babies, so base your decision on how you see your family in 5 or 10 years time. From the very second I had the toddle I saw life with 2, holidays with two, everything with two. Two for me felt like a family. For other people one feels right, and for some insane nutters 5 feels better. It's kind of personal.

As for timing, well the difficulties I'm facing having the second so quickly:

  1. My body hasn't really recovered, so my core is completely shot, and what was left of my stomach muscles has been totally ripped apart by a combination of pregnancy and lifting a heavy toddler. Net effect, I'm carrying very low, and it's very uncomfortable.
  2. There is no way of preparing dd for the arrival of a sibling as she has no concept of what my bump means, and not enough language for it to be explained.
  3. Exhaustion - I'm combining pregnancy related tiredness, insomnia, and night time indigestion and vomiting with the normal broken nights associated with a 20 month old. I have in all honesty never been this sleep deprived, not even in the new born cluster feeding days.
  4. Bending, lifting and having to sit on the floor are really difficult when pregnant, but pretty much 90% of your day when you are home alone with a toddler. On days when I get a break from this I feel a million times better.
  5. For all everyone says about it being great to get the nappy stage over and done with all at once, I'd actually find it easier if dd was potty trained. Lifting her onto the bed to change her (forget the floor, the bump doesn't like it), and wrestling her into a clean nappy while she kicks me in the stomach is not fun. It's another explanation for the torn stomach muscles!

Now the advantages:

  1. Although daytime naps are reducing, she does still nap at times, and when she does I can rest.
  2. Having two close in age will make life easier later on when they will enjoy similar activities. Waiting until no1 is at full time nursery or school would make the early days much much easier, but planning a day out to suit both a 10 year old and a five year old, well that would be a challenge.

So that's my potted summary of stuff to consider. Or you could just so what I did and really not over think it. I've had more than a few 'oh f**k what have I done moments', but I've had those about pretty much every life decision I've ever made. So far, so normal then.

Not much else to say for myself this evening, other than pants. That's it, just pants. They're the latest fashion accessory apparently... or they are according to the toddle.... who every evening after her bath goes to my knicker drawer, selects her self a pair of pants, sticks her head through one of the leg holes and spends the rest of the evening wearing them as a necklace Grin. I guess this is something I should probably stop, but at the moment it just cracks me up, and frankly isn't worth the tantrum of taking them off her.

yummychocolate · 24/11/2014 21:40

worse the disadvantages list has scared me for life. Maybe I will go back to my plan of having a 4 year gap. I think having a baby 2 now would break me. Ds doesn't sleep through and he is just non-stop. However, the cute babygros and scrumptious cute babies get the better of me and I ignore reality.

something have you settled into work now? Toddlers are cute aren't they. Even their cheekiness is cute. I told ds to come over and he says "wait". Ds seems to say words when I am least expecting when I don't have my phone to hand to record him.

Parents evening went well. They should me a big fat book of observations, photos of him and tables of targets etc. I cannot believe how much paperwork is involved for a toddler who is not even 2 yet. gerry I feel so bad for you. So many plans, targets and needing to evidence what they achieved. Nursery is working on speech with ds. They know he is bilingual and they were confident that he would be able to develop both languages.