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 since you ask... Started by throwing myself in at the needle deep end, and got my tongue done the day before my fifteenth. Then went on to a lip ring, two nose rings (left nostril), and labrette. Decided I'd like a stretched earlobe, so had my right ear pierced with a 1.6mm bcr, but by the time the obligatory six months' healing had passed, I'd got too used to it. So my final piercing was the left earlobe aged twenty one, and I spent six months feeling slightly off balance because my ears matched. Now have a 14mm flesh tunnel in the left lobe. Then I ran out of face, so I got the Summoning Dark on my left arm, then the Grim Squeaker, and finally Mog (from the Meg and Mog books which I loved as a child) on my left shoulder. Currently debating what to get next, because I may be winning the pierced competition but my siblings are kicking my arse on tattoos.

plonky we have taken 2 steps back with bedtime. Ds refused a nap all day. Then by 4pm he crashed out and fell asleep on the floor! He slept until 7pm then didn't get back to sleep until 10.30pm. He woke at 12.30am for milk then woke again at 4.30am then up for the day at 6.30am. We have gone back to milk feeds at night for the past couple of weeks. He will have 9ozs. He gets straight back to sleep after his milk.

I don't think it matters to ds whether he eats well during the day/evening, he still wants his milk.

worse anything for a quiet life. I would've done the same. Enjoy the cuddles now. There will come a day when she will scrunch her nose up and screech "get off".

Re: new business I would rather have some financial security with 2 children. It is a bit of a risk for you to put all your finances in the business. Good luck.

I have done a fb account. So I should be on there very soon. Once I have joined I will change my setting so I can't be found by friends and family.

I am a wimp I have no tattoos and only ears pierced. To the shock of mn dmum pierced my ears when I was 2months.

plonky did you get my pm? Random people are trying to add me on fb.

PM me too if you like, yummy, I'm on fb right now. And here is an obligatory disapproving face for your DM:

Invitation to Marchers group sent, and yummy your DS is adorable.

Thank you stormy.

I am so excited I am on fb. I have missed a lot. All the toddlers are gorgeous. I don't quite know who is who yet. I know eco, plonky, something, leni and stormy. I am sure I will figure out who is who soon.

This sounds like a good excuse for us all to post recent pictures of the toddlers!

As one of the elders I have to say I have no clue what you're even chatting about plonk and Stormy. You are using a different language! I win the square award Worse, I don't even have my ears pierced. Dh's family look at me with pity and disbelief when they realised.

Hello all. Ecotod asleep so off to do some work that needs attention but wanted to say quick hello. I'm keen to wish Stormy well with her op and I hope you have someone with you?

Plonky how did those biscuits go down? Every morning after breakfast this week I have baked. That's how it's going to be now until the daffodils are nodding in the hedgerows.

Shattered things are going ok. All income received so far has been spent on business expenses so it's at that frustrating stage where you work hard but don't get to go and buy a new jumper. How are things with you? We miss you on Facebook! But understand that it's a bit sapping on occasion.

Worse I was wondering about how things panned out with the business proposal and offer. Tricky decisions. You said you wanted a challenge. Who is keener, dh or you? And geographically would any of us marchers gain from the move?

Something how are you love? Sounds like you're going through the cycle of change. never easy! But good will come. Are you feeling any more settled in your new routine yet?

Best away to the laptop to tinker with prezzi

It's actually prezi. That's how cool and down with the kids I am. I can't even spell it!

Stormy you scare me . If someone approached those parts of my anatomy with a piercing gun I would be forced to take evasive action. Or in other words I'd run a mile.

Hope you've been in and out of GA by now and are being looked after by DP.

Eco the move would bring me nearer you. The hotel nearer Stormy. How lucky do you feel now . I'm up for a challenge, as I think we both as a couple would benefit from a joint project. I'm not entirely sure I'm up for a major life upheaval, new baby, terrible twos, and investment of our entire security blanket all at once though. We'll see. I have yet to view either opportunity, so until I do haven't a scooby.

Oh, must dander over to FB to meet Yummy. I'm the one with the mug shot that looks like a passport photo yummy. Probably because it is a passport photo. I'm slugging it out with Eco for the Square of the year award you know.

Prezi? . I'm going to have to google aren't I....

Oh no Worse, piercing guns are strictly verboten. Cannula needles all the way, or the buggers would never heal.
Come on worse, move oop narth! It's not so grim up (t)here.

Eco on the piercing front that basically means I've had the bit between my nostrils done and some other bits I'd never get done now, and currently wear bars through the fiddly bits of my ears. I got them all done in fits of teenage rage, and most had gone by the time I turned 20.

How much do you accomplish during nap time? I need to become way more efficient than I currently am, I seem to spend half of nap time tidying instead of working.
Biscuits are delicious, they're a recipe by ruby from last years GBBO. Next for me to bake from her book is an orange and white choc loaf cake. Mmmmmmmm .
What is a prezi? Presentation?

We've got two of DH's schoolmates over tonight. Reckon we can force two smelly 28 year old blokes to share a rather small bed? I don't fancy tiptoeing around my own living room at 6.30 tomorrow morning.

I survived! I'll say this for private hospitals: the food's better. Been awake for an hour and I'm on my second cuppa, and someone just brought me some jammy dodgers. Jammy dodgers! Such luxury. Also there is a wine list. In hospital. Is it just me or is that a bit WTF?

Given what people pay Stormy you'd hope it was. I don't mind sh*t NHS food, as they have tight budgets and I'd rather they spent what little they have on treatment. Private though costs a fortune, so you kind of expect something edible. That said the steak and kidney pie I got on the post natal ward was absolutely delicious. DH said it looked like dog food, but I disagree. It was the best pie I have ever eaten

Wine list? That is a little and what did you order

Glad you're ok, and hopefully not too sore.

Plonky so needles are the answer are they? Now if I'd known that I'd have tried all kinds of ironmongery she lies

As for what do I do in nap times, well it depends. Some days I go mega over board and get stacks of housework and admin done. Other days I have a swim, a shower, and a little sit down. As I get progressively bigger I suspect the little sit down will extend to a wee nap, until the point where I just collapse in a heap for the entire duration.

Two 28 year old blokes in one bed? I'd hazard a guess not. Unless they are forces or public school. Most blokes I know would rather sleep on a bed of nails that cuddle up to a mate overnight. I'd just show them the room, the bed, a heap of cushions, a spare duvet and the floor and let them work it out themselves. Or failing that tell them the one on the sofa gets up at 6.30am to baby sit ....

Good news for the day, I have a baby sitter for next week. A lovely nursery assistant from the toddle's nursery. In fact all the trainees at the nursery seem really keen for baby sitting work so perhaps we will get to go out more often now!

Wishing you all good nights, and relaxed weekends. Apparently it's going to pour, so that'll be nice

Evening all, I've been on call again so sorry for the radio silence!

Piercings. I'm in Eco's camp and have not a single one. I did have my ears pierced when young but they got infected and manky and healed up again after a couple of weeks and that was my lot. I do often wish I had them done though as I convince myself that's I'd wear earrings when in reality I don't wear any jewellery so why would that be any different?

Wors, excellent work on the babysitting front. You should just book one for a random evening and then pretend to go out but just hide in bed with a book, a flask and a plate of cheese and biscuits. Heaven!

Yummy your DS is scrummy! He looks about a year older than DD with all that hair compared to her little bald head. It's so nice to see how they all are. I tried to put pics of DD up earlier but the signal at work is awful so I don't think they worked.

I can't remember any more than that so am off to bed!

Night all.

Agree on how grown up Yummytod looks. (All the better for getting into mischief my dear).

I would have made then share plonk. DH has been out drinking- woke me up when he got in at a ridiculous time, then again at 6 when he crawled into our bed. DS is still sleeping so I am not happy to have been awake since 6!! When his mates have been drinking they sleep anywhere- one of them slept in his car recently as he'd been locked out!

Anyway. Thanks eco, hearing you all talk about Facebook I'm now intrigued. Only thing is I don't have any public photos of DS so I guess I couldn't join. Bet all the toddles are cute .

Glad you've found a babysitter worse. Make the most of having one and go out with DH a few times!!

Oh- toddle up. Have a good day all. What am I going to do with DS in the pouring rain? I've been used to good weather recently!!

Shattered you could join, but not post photos? We'd not mind.

Soooo tired. I seem to have lost the ability to sleep. Honestly, it's ridiculous, I spent the night drifting about the house, reading, drinking hot milk, you name it. Not sleeping though

worse you have hit the nail on the head re funding. I've only two hospital experiences, this minor OP and giving birth, which was NHS. The ways in which the private place did better can all be attributed to better funding and staffing levels. I had four sandwiches, six cups of tea, and nine biscuits, and they were bloody prompt about getting paperwork and prescription sorted.

Fartypants has woken up in a very loud mood today. Delivery of nappies and wipes came in a great big box yesterday. She's loving it. The man's trying to get a good video of her unexpectedly bursting forth from it. Note to self - decorate outside of box to look like John Hurt in Alien.

Ds has definitely grown up too fast. I am getting sooo broody.

stormy glad your op went all ok. I am sure your pleased to have your piercings back again. I feel so sad for our NHS. It is so underfunded for a service that is needed. Who needs fancy toys when there is a big cardboard box to play with.

Betty how is your shoulder? Does dd sleep through now?

worse I remember the insomnia in pregnancy. I feel for you. You might need to arrange a few childminder sessions so you can have a snooze during the day.

shattered fb is good. You don't need to post any pics. It is really nice to put a mn nickname to a face. At least I know and everyone else knows we are not trolls and feel a bit better if we arranged a meet up. lol.

Today is Eid so maybe we will go out for a meal this evening and we are having a barbecue tomorrow. Hope it doesn't rain. Nothing else to report from here.

yummy gosh, your DS is scrummy! He looks so grown up, what a cutie.

stormy glad your op went well. How was the wine? We all know you got bladdered, just admit it

Piercings! I love piercings, but I'm an ear kinda girl. I have 7 in my ears and 1 in belly button but would love more in my ears. I say I have all them but I only have jewellery in my bottom 2 so I'm just holey! I'd love a tattoo, and I know exactly what I want but I always seem to lack courage. They're forever, you know?!

shattered come and join us on Facebook! You don't need to put pics on.

eco I'm alright now, thank you. My week gradually got better, I think I just needed a slap from myself. Routine is now playtime in the mornings, get dinner in the slow cooker, do bits and bobs while DS naps and then whizz off to work and deal with even bigger children who are all crazy and dramatic and somewhat daft. Teenagers, eh? and then back home for dinner as a family, more playtime, and then lovely evenings with DP. I don't have much to complain about when I realise all that

plonk I fully support your new found love of baking. Why don't you do it on Sunday nights? On a completely separate note, are you free on Monday?

As I type to you, I'm sitting in a salon with my hair in a towel. I've decided to ditch the bright blonde and go goldeny, more natural. I haven't ever had my hair done in a salon as we have a mobile hairdresser so this is a treat! Have lovely weekends all!

Happy Eid Yummy! I hope you have a fantastic time celebrating with lots of yummy food. I always associate both Eid celebrations with amazing food as usually people in work bring in tasty leftovers!

I've just broken my toe and it's absolute bastarding agony! So much worse than when I've done it before. I'm really hoping I'm not a complete moron and haven't broken my foot too.

Yummy my shoulder is just a bit stiff now but much better and as for DDs sleep, it's much improved. She probably sleeps through 4 nights a week which is amazing! How are all the other toddles doing with sleep? We are cuddling to sleep again and I'm not quite sure how we got there but oh well.

I'm jealous of all the baking. I need to pull my finger out as there's some fab recipes floating around. I have rediscovered my love of the slow cooker though. Perfect timing for autumnal feasting!

Betty Ow! How on earth did you do that? Can you walk/hobble ok? I broke my big toe years ago, and I can still remember how much it hurt so you have my sympathy.

Sleep is going better than it was but not as good as it could be here. Settling takes ages, hours in fact, unless we cuddle her in which case it is minutes. It also depends on how tired she is I guess. A boring at home day with not a lot happening, and she'll probably be up until 11pm. Exciting tripping about days when the afternoon nap doesn't happen, and she might settle at 7.30pm. As for sleeping through, provided she isn't too hot, too cold, thirsty, or hungry she sleeps, and given it is our fault if she is any of the above it kind of follows it is our fault if she wakes. So we do our best!

Something are you feeling golden now? I have't had my hair dyed in so long I could easily be mistaken for a hag. Must rectify that. I've been letting the last disastrous effort grow out, as I think the hairdresser left the highlights on too long. Hair looked like straw when she was done... and I still tipped her! How terribly British

Stormy funding is a perennial problem isn't it, but here's a statistic that will make your eyes water. The government wastes approx £200bn of public money per annum. You did read that right. Not just the current one, they all do, the entire structure is rife with inefficiency, over spending on the wrong things, and chronic underfunding on the right things. DH was working on a project based on government spending data, and met with a big player in government to discuss it. Then he had to can the project, as it was something he was doing in his own time, and he sadly just didn't have enough of that. I'd like him to re-open it. I'd like him to use his skills to really help. Not in a political this party is better than that party way, but to help us, the general populace.

Had a look at that opportunity today, and I am surprisingly positive about it. I can see potential. I can also see that there is no way on earth that I am moving into it unless the necessary work is done first. I've lived through 2 long drawn out renovation projects. I have loathed every minute of them. I am not doing it again, with a newborn, and a toddler. No f-ing way.

Oh dear Betty you sound like Mr Bump at the moment. Glad to hear the shoulders improving, but still - any opportunity to pop that sore toe up while you nibble on an eclair?

Yummy happy Eid! Enjoy your feast I'm not the slightest bit jealous

Worse yes put your foot down on the deal. Sounds perfectly reasonable to me, especially as you're feeling positive and clearly your objections are reasonable.

I knew waste was rife in govt but jeez, £2bn?!? give me that money, and I'll make sure no one has to ever suffer the indignity of food banks or live in hostels. Actually, no, I'd probably buy lots of tiny ponies and wile away the hours plaiting their tails....your dh is obviously more qualified to deal with that. Two BILLION?! Considering the scale of the current deficit, that's got to be the very meaning of pissing money up the wall.

I'm feeling most smug. I'm very full of homemade chorizo stew, which was delicious. I love hot food I can eat from a bowl with a spoon. And I went one further and made my own buckwheat chapatis. If you need me I'll probably be busy knitting my own butter.

Not two billion, Plonk. Two HUNDRED billion.

First post op poo just happened. That was a lot worse than the first post birth poo!

Yowch Stormy! And I thought £2bn was bad but TWO HUNDRED BILLION? Think of how many ponies you could buy with that much money!

I'm off for a run to clear my head a bit. Dh and I are off to the PILs again because it's Arlo's funeral in the morning and they live considerably closer. We need to have a long discussion about the current set up we have at home. It seems like every time we head over there we're bickering over something! Needless to say, dh has had two nights of playstation until silly o'clock plus lots of beer, and it feels like we're almost back to him helping as opposed to, y'know, parenting. There's also a full time job I've seen advertised that I'm very interested in, but incredibly conflicted over.

Right, best run this one off for a bit.