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

Oh yes - house overlaps. It will massively reduce the stress if you have an overlap, Plonk. We had a five day overlap when moving two doors down in 2012 and it was a very leisurely affair (particularly for me, as I was pregnant so did no heavy lifting).

Worse I'll clean your house for fifteen quid an hour!

Sir has found his driving license.

"Well Plonky I was too ruined to look in my own pocket."

That's exactly it Stormy. If I was offering some insulting derisory wage I'd understand why it was so difficult, but I'm being fair.... so why is it so hard?

Back to the drawing board, and in the meantime back to the cleaning cupboard!

Donks TFFT! I'd say typical man, only that would be sexist typical man

Very sad poorly toddle managed one dry crust for dinner, and a sip of milk. DH has taken her up to bed, where I fully expect her to sleep for a whole nano second, given she must be hungry. Total food consumed and retained in the last 24 hours must amount to the equivalent of half a piece of toast.

Too right Worse, bloomin' men.

Are you feeling better after a good bit of sleep and the right stuff for your thyroid issue? I hope DD feels better soon, tonsillitis in toddlers sounds thoroughly miserable.

Am slapping myself a little bit. Dad has a large van which he's allowing us to borrow for the move, so we haven't hired movers. Offer has been slightly rescinded due to communication error on both parts. We thought he meant for the whole move - he thought we meant just for the bits and bobs we've had delivered to their garage for storage (big fridge, tumble dryer). So now I've got that to fix! Oh it's never dull...

Good thing about ds being ill is dm comes over to mine to look after him meaning my house is clean and tidy

Ds is still coughing. Not sure what to do really so maybe I will take a trip to the GP with him.

stormy I would love an immune system for ds. I think he would love it to. Nursery has been great for ds development and lets say its been better for him immune system. Watch out when dd picks up a variety of bugs in Easter. Don't fret we are here for you.

plonky I am going to continue calling you plonky because everyone else is. lol. great news on getting a completion date. My fave bit of moving is surrounded by boxes sitting on boxes munching on take away and feeling exhausted.

worse If you was closer to me I would send my mum she is a clean freak. I can't believe the hospital messed up. Hope dd gets better soon.

Yummy if he's just coughing but hasn't got a temperature the doctor won't really do anything other than make sympathetic noises and advise you to keep him warm, and keep his fluids up. That's about all they can do really. If he has a temp and an obvious infection that's different. We took the toddle in today as a precaution, and that's kind of what they said to us. Her throat is very very sore, and she's coughing horribly, but calpol is keeping her temp normal so they aren't worried. She's also finally gone to sleep! The 6pm sleep lasted an hour, then she decided to get up and get upset. Cuddles and waybuloo were the answer. Too tired to manage I think. She's not the only one!

Plonky (by name although not by nature) could you bribe your dad with a bottle of whiskey or something to extend the van loan? Tis xmas after all. Season of good will and all that.

Yummy someone should start a borrow a mum website. It would be very handy. I could borrow a neat freak mum to keep my house in order, and a maternal minded mum to toddle mind when I am in labour . I can't believe the hospital messed up either. You'd think they'd have a big note on my file 'Do not mess up this woman's thyroid results. She will sue us. She is that pi55ed off!'. Simpler answer to my dilemma of keeping things on track - every time I come on here and whinge that I'm having a crisis, can't cope, and the rest of it, someone please give me a virtual and kick and tell me to get my bloods done! I'm a naturally up beat kind of person. I only get depressed when I need thyroxine!

I should really go to bed, given I can guarantee I will be up again in an hour or two with a very sad little person.

Yummy and Worse, how did the night go? Very much hoping you're both rested and your small people had reasonable nights too.

Oh god worse! It's all on at yours at the mo isn't it? Will you stoop to such classy parenting the toddle eat those fruit pouches by sucking straight out of the pouch? It's the only thing that keeps DS going when really toothy or ill, and I figure food is better than stress about feeding skills (which he's not bad at now normally).

Will give you virtual boot BUT you have to promise to post when you're not coping. Two days hiding in the pantry while we shout Worse where are you delays this .

Eyes are settling. Still bloodshot eyeballs but otherwise pretty good. Not much discomfort - think occasional feeling like contacts at the end of the day if you wear them. So far so good!

I have the day off. I brought DS into town, got his hair slightly cut, bought him yet another pair of new shoes and dropped him at nursery so now I am having hot choc and pastry in a cafe and mn-ing. Bliss! Off to tackle Christmas shopping now...

Plonk, crossover = good. Can you ask for the van for more or are you worried that comes with too many strings attached? Removers are amazing - generally fast and efficient to an unbelievable degree compared with doing it yourself. Could be worth it anyway?

Phew! I finally have time to catch up with you all while I'm supposed to be working

worse you tire me out just by reading your posts. I honestly don't know how you do it. I hope you find a suitable cleaner and soon. It's time you put your feet up! I wish I could send DP to you, I'm sure he'd do a sterling job.

wotta Good news for the eyes!! And just think, the bloodshot look will make you look particularly badass. Speaking of, has DS noticed that they're bloodshot? Would be interested to know what he thought.

plonkydonk I'd suggest sweet talking your pop into seeing if you could have the van for the whole move rather than hire someone. Although helpful, it'll more likely be excess cost you'd rather not pay and family and friends can help with the lifting and moving. And toddle watching

betty it sounds like the holiday was a success for getting you both talking. As we all know, relationships do take a lot of work and a common mistake is lack of communication so it's brilliant that you have and that hopefully you're both on the up.

eco do you have time to chill out after your busy days working now?

yummy you sound a little down too. But how lovely to have your DM on hand to help with yummytod and the cleaning

As for me, thank you for all your congrats I've been very excited. And eco after my mum told me that coral was a Spring colour and therefore not appropriate for a Winter wedding, I am now considering plum and gold. I've also written an approximate guest list and have an idea of the venue. And the centerpieces.

And the toddle. Well, after waking up with a horrible cough on Friday, we ended up in urgent care at 8pm on Saturday, stayed in the children's ward until 4am, sent home with an inhaler which he hated, spent the next two days pretty much asleep and when he was awake, just spluttering. The doctor said after the inhaler had cleared his wheeze, he was left with an infection in his trachea making it painful for him to breathe. He's barely eaten a thing since Saturday except satsumas and grapes, but he seems a bit perkier today so I'm back at work and he's probably crashed out at the childminders. Seems that we're all struggling with poorly ones at the moment, I hope everyone else is feeling better too

something poor ds. Since having ds I have heard so many new infections and illness. Hope he gets better soon.

wotta your morning sounded lovely. You definitely deserved it. I am sure ds enjoyed mummy time.

Actually despite ds being poorly and feeling sleep deprived I am feeling content. I am really excited about Christmas, me and dh are getting on really well and I got a compliment from my manager today. So all is good. Ds slept surprisingly well last night and I got a solid 6 hours sleep which was amazing. Haven't slept that long in ages.

Glad things on the up Yummy!
Worse a few posts ago I did think Thyroxine but didn't say anything for fear of offending. I will next time, but glad they've sorted it for now.

Something plum and gold for a winter wedding??? When is this wedding? how long I have I got?
Plonky how much stuff have you got? If not masses then sweettalking your Pa may be the way but if you've got a proper house full with white goods and large pieces of furntiture I'd suggest removal company.
Wotta can you see all the sparkly lights as soon as you wake up now? HOw lovely!
So, Ecotod and I just got back from an epic drive back from my Aunt's funeral. We had to go alone as Dh's uni have an open day today. We made it through them bringing in the coffin (to the music Mum came into which made me a bit inappropriately sad) the initial prayers, all things bright and beautiful and the address. We even made it into the main prayers section. There was a silent moment in between prayers when Ecotod shouted "poo poo" and we made a swift exit. Pretty embarrassing!
Shes scribbling on the pine table with a biro right now so I'd best skidaddle.

Worse next time you feel glum I'll yell thyroxine at you.

Wotta your day sounds lovely. Can I be really cheesy and say for Christmas youve been given the gift of sight? (by given I of course mean paid through the nose for).

Something plum and gold eh? Sounds fantastic for a winter wedding. But you do realise I have a hideous affliction thanks to my place of birth - I cannot say gold. I prefer gode.

Oh Eco you've got to love a well timed poo. These toddles really know how to completely alter the tone wherever they may be!

House deposit has been transferred to my solicitor and were signing our contract tomorrow. I have a date with Mr Laurent Perrier.

Stormy last night was bad, half hourly wakes until 1.30am, finally got her to sleep properly about 3am and then up for the day at 5.30am. It was my shift as well, so I'm crossing my fingers for something a little more restful tonight. Unlikely though, given she's eaten very little and drunk no milk at all. Sore throats take the prize for the most disruptive illness in this house.

As for cleaners, I officially gave up. Tried an agency this time, having given up with the idea of finding anyone independent. £51ph for a team of two, and they think my house needs at least 3 hours a week. £153 a week on cleaning ???? Do they think I'm stupid? I wouldn't pay that even if we could afford it, which we can't. Who could? I ask that seriously, as someone must be paying it if that's the going rate. You know what I am so sick of this now. Anyone have any ideas as to how I go about finding affordable trustworthy help, as I'm all out of them myself?

Something plum and gold sounds wonderful. Very medieval. I am now imagining an amazing medieval winter wedding with blazing log fires, mulled wine, and wenches . Well maybe not the wenches.

Poor ds, hope he's feeling a bit better now. Sounds like a really horrible experience for all of you.

Eco you couldn't offend me if you tried. You are far too lovely and considered in your posts. If I'm slowly losing the plot and you have an inkling as to why, believe me I could only be grateful for some pointers.

As for the poo. . Small children and animals huh. You can rely on them every time.

Have you thought of approaching the local job centre or a normal agency for manual type jobs?

Worse for that sort of cash you'd probably be better with an au pair. Help with cleaning and with the toddle. Was last night any better?

We had one of those parenting milestones last night. Fartypants did a poo in the bath! She did announce it beforehand: "Oh dear, poo, sorry Daddy." He fished it out with his bare hand!

Haha stormy that is funny. When ds did that I was grateful he was doing bathtime. Tell the man he can tick that off the parenting list now.

worse have you tried looking on gumtree? We found cleaners through that route. Although we struggled too for months after our fabulous cleaner had to stop working. Hope you get some respite soon.

Hello to everyone generally - still so busy with the new job and house move. Can't believe we are moving again after the experience of moving when DD was 4 months but needs must!

Our recent funny toddle moment was DD poking DH's nipples in the bath for a while with a serious face then looking up and saying "daddy no milkies, mummy's boobies are better!"

Worse that's an obscene amount for a cleaner! In fact, that's about our weekly rent. So it costs me about 92p an hour to live in a 3 bed detached house, and it costs £51 an hour to clean your house? I hope you laughed a lot at them, that's obscene!!

How's the ToddleWorse today? I hope the tonsillitis has buggered off, or calmed down at least.

Stormy ewwww bath poos. I've yet to fall prey to one and we have (hopefully) just five nights left with a bath. Four actually, because my mum's having DS on Friday night so we can go out. But well done The Man for dealing with it like a boss.

Yummy how's the poorly toddler? And how are you?

Rainbow Daddy's boobies we have a great picture of DS at about 3 weeks old lying on DH's chest in bed together. DS is looking at DH's nipples with incredible disdain.

I'm just having a bit of lunch (curry soup, yum!) inbetween cleaning spurges. Our house is the end plot of a 'modern' (read: built in the 90s, so absolute shite) estate with an alleyway going down one side. Since Bonfire Night we have had three eggs thrown at our living room window. So off I popped to navigate the sizeable buddleia that was preventing me getting right up to the window to clean the egg off, and stepped in dog poo. From the dog we don't have. So it appears that people have been throwing eggs and poo at our house then scarpering down the alley. To add, I had just deep cleaned the ensuite and noticed that most of the lino tiles (WTF) aren't even secured down, and the wooden trim around the toilet and sink crumbled clean away as soon as I went near them with a flimsy J-cloth.

I cannot wait to sign this afternoon. We skipped the champagne last night but by golly it's getting liberated tonight!

Right best go find something else to disintegrate with cleaning products.

Ah, Plonk, if only you'd said sooner! I could have sent you my mug. It's due for its annual clean, the crust is starting to flake off. So I've just filled it with soda crystals and hot water.

Fartypants keeps telling me when she needs a poo. Is anyone else really apprehensive about potty training? And how weird are these toddlers going to look without nappy-padded bums?

Good morning all.

Amazingly ds has recovered quiet quickly this time round. He just has the ocassional mucussy cough. plonk thank you very much for the snufflebabe recommendation. He slept brilliantly. stormy add that to your shopping list come Easter you may need it for dd.

We had a lovely day yesterday catching with my cousins dd. There's 5 months between. Ds would not share toys at first but loved her enough to give her chocolate by the end of the afternoon.

plonky Hope you haven't still got a hangover from last night's celebrations.

rainbow good luck with the move. Hope it all goes well.

shattered where are you? Has santa kidnapped you?

stormy I forgot to say that yes I am dreading potty training but we are far from it. Ds doesn't tell me when he is doing a poo. So we will stick to nappies for a little longer.

Can you believe we are now talking about potty training when it only feels like yesterday we were posting in the middle of the night feeding what felt like every hour? I still look at ds in amazement to think this clever and funny toddler is mine.

It's mad, isn't it? We're going to have two year olds soon. How the hell did that happen?

And in other news, just had an utterly useless chat with the doctor. "If I come off the pill but keep taking amitriptyline, what are my chances of producing an unviable mutant?" "Sorry to be so vague, but... we don't know." I can understand why they don't (v. hard to get a drug trial in pregnant women past an ethics committee) but still. Annoyingly unhelpful!

Can I make an evil confession..... I have such a lovely morning, on my own, having persuaded DH to go into work . I mean, it's lovely that he can be at home to help, but it is also very claustrophobic at times, and I have been going a little nuts for want of personal space. Plus there's the other factor of extra bodies creating extra work. A friend of my mum has a good phrase for it. 'For richer, for poorer, for better, for worse... but not for lunch!' Sums it up quite well. Lunch on your own = a five minute job. Lunch for two is always more effort. I have no idea why. It just is.

Bit of a nightmare week so far, although it is improving. The toddle's bad throat progressed into a chest infection, so sleep has been a theoretical rather than a actual concept. Different antibiotics this time, better ones. 2.5ml twice a day instead of 5 ml 3 times a day. Less is definitely more.

Oh d*mn, he's back, and hovering at my shoulder. I am so unappreciative I know, but grrr

Before I forget, Stormy if coming off it would be difficult, may I sensitively suggest leaving it a while? Two close together is much harder than I envisaged, and whilst I am usually the robust type has really rung me out. Wait until dd is well past the toddler stage. Your MH will thank you. Everyone tells you how lovely it is to have to close in age, but if you continue the conversation they also say the first two years of that are complete and utter hell unless you have a lot of support, especially at night.

Thanks everyone for the cleaning advice. I am tentatively hopeful as I have found a local company that sources cleaners, and gets references. Rates are sensible. Whether or not they ever get back to me is another matter. Once bitten and all that!

Rainbow, Plonky good luck with the moves. House warmings expected. . Not really.

Not much else to report, other than apparently the kitchen wall into the conservatory is going to be knocked down next week. Oh super. Oh joy. I can hardly wait. it makes sense to put french doors in, but sighhhhhh, I know all about wall knocking down and it never ends well. It ends usually with someone (me) removing brick dust from every surface in the entire house for several weeks after. That stuff really travels. It even comes up through the cracks in floor boards. How??? That's my question. Oh ok, I do actually know, air circulation, blah de blah, it just seems so, well, infeasible. Rainbow and Plonky if you are planning big internal renovations my first bit of advice is 'don't', and second is if you must go and stay in a holiday let and leave DH and the builders to it. Some experiences are best not shared.

Hi, thought it would be nice to have a chat with some online mumsnetters with a child (I still call mine baby ) Same age as mine.

Anyway having read some of the threads I realise that I probably wouldn't be able to give the time that you guys do so best to withdraw before even begun! It's having two children, it does tend to limit time to yourself quite drastically!

One thing that did strike me is that you all seem lovely mums! The other thing is that worse.... your age gap really isn't that small. It's very average actually. Sometimes if you get into the frame of thinking something, in this case, "i am going to have a really small age gap between my two and it's going to be so hard" it will make things even tougher. Myself and almost all friends in RL that have more than one child have an age gap of two years or less. It's fine. Not exceptional at all. There will be very tough whirlwind like times bit an extra six months age gap would not have changed that. Only when he age gaps approach 4 years and beyond if there a tangible difference.