November 2012- Jingle Bells tantrums smell mummy needs some wine...

[Pikz]

Just to start us off..

I think someone is pulling your leg Isla. I have spent £10 in the Thorntons outlet when mine were in childcare. And that is for two kids and the whole nursery. No way could I afford a £400 gift. Having said that, I am amazed you are not being charged for next week. I have always had to pay 52 weeks a year. I think a bottle of wine and perhaps a gift voucher for £20? That would be much appreciated by anyone IMO.

I have not caught up, but wanted to meet GG I will try to keep up

Isles it is a lot to spend lovely. Sometimes the gesture is more than the expense.

Wine time

QM lovely to see you! Our CM doesn't charge for Christmas hols, or any of her hols. Isles I think its very sweet but you don't need to spend a fortune - in fact spending too much might make her uncomfy or left feeling beholden.

Today I revelled in small victories and the simple things. The double buggy fit on the train wahoo! I wasn't convinced it would (despite measuring train doors before I bid on it on eBay - how to look like a total oddball!!!!). And Jonas walked all the way to and from the station. The walk home was lovely actually, we weren't in a rush so he could walk on every wall, nose in every garden gate, admire Christmas trees, point out birds, cats, dogs, cars, buses and planes, and just chat together whilst Lil snoozed. I'm normally in such a rush that he doesn't get chance to dawdle. OK the 15 minute walk took 40 minutes at his pace.

Ooh yw I love dawdly walks. Me and DD1 have one every day. When I pick her up from school LO is still having mid afternoon snack at nursery so we go for a wander, or play in the school playground, for 35 mins. Sometimes when it is raining too hard she sits on my knee in the car (parked) and we talk and listen to the rain. It is a lovely unhurried part of the day which we both love.

kyz your baby rats are vvv cute. I love rats. Domestic ones that is. Though I was glad the cat got our woodpile rat and didn't have to poison him myself.

I remember your nights awake last year with the baby rat you were awesome x

Hmm maybe I've got it seriously wrong then.

I honestly think £40/50 (absolute tops) would be a very nice, generous extra gesture to show your appreciation for the extra effort she has put in to help you this year. Something you think she would love and wouldn't buy for herself. I'd be a lot cheaper than that but if you want to go the extra mile for her extra mile, then yes, be generous. But 40/50 is more than enough.

I worked in a bonus culture for a long time but I was working in rich companies. When I worked in training companies our bonuses were a bottle of champagne or a €50 voucher. Which was a lovely gesture from a company making v little profit.

isles I agree with others. I think for £40/£50 you could get something lovely and thoughtful and she'll really appreciate the gesture. This year I have really cut down on what I've spent on adults but am really pleased with the gifts I've bought my MIL, DSIS and BF. I've only spent around £20 on them but they are thoughtful gifts that I know hope they'll like so I feel they will be appreciated more.

I'm jealous of talks of dawdly walks and chilling time. I feel like I'm always rushing and I get very irritated when I'm late so tend to get quite shouty. Poor E never gets time to meander. I used to walk with DD1 a lot at that age but E is always getting shoved in the pushchair. Sometimes I'll drive to pick up DD1 from school and E gets to walk a bit of a way. She really enjoys it and I think it does her good as it helps her learn about road saftey etc. I'm going to make an effort to do it more. Will help when I don't have to do the school run. Am looking forward to the break. I think we all need some chilling out time as a family before DC3 throws things into disarray again.

Oh and yes kyz I too remember your baby rat and how you were up all hours caring for him. Bless. I hope these ones thrive for you.

eliza I have done the same. I have cut down loads, I have shopped mainly in local Independant shops and thought more. I think they are the best gifts ever!

I have cut down too.

Have finished work til 5th jam now but due to operations L still in nursery so until I have to go for pre op at 3pm have the whole time to myself. Not sure this has happened since I went back to work!!

When is your actual op pikz?

Thursday. Hopefully time to recover before Xmas

What exactly are they going to do? Is it key hole? And, make sure you do nothing over the weekend please. Shut yourself
In Your room with some trash novels and let them wait on you.

Hysteroscopy and laproscopy so an attack from both ways due to csection scar. Adhesion removal and anything else they find!

Hysteroscopy and laproscopy so an attack from both ways due to csection scar. Adhesion removal and anything else they find!

pikz good luck. make sure you take it easy after.

just back from bluewater. I'm exhausted. I thought I'd let E walk as only had a couple of shops to go in. She was fine when in toy shops but the rest of the time she wanted to be carried and moaned she was hungry/thirsty etc. I get shopping isn't fun but I thought with a couple of trips on the moving stairs (as she calls them) and a few toy shops she'd be fine. Never mind. I got what I went for and had a cheeky breakfast in JL so not all bad.

Oh and she had a major tantrum in JL when I wouldn't let her go through the revolving doors for the millionith time. I did think of getting my phone out to video it but there were too many people looking at us and I just wanted out of there.

Best of luck for tomorrow pikz will be thinking of you. Will you be staying in overnight? Make sure you rest x

You are v brave eliza taking E to a shopping centre with no pram or trolley.

I got inspired by chat of walks and meandering but in bluewater whilst 38wks pregnant was not the time or place to start.

In Bluewater a week before Christmas :o and 38 weeks pregnant. 38 weeks already? Due date sweepstake anyone?

Number three. Hmm.

One week late I think. Number threes always seem to be buggers

Will too be thinking of you tomorrow pikz keep us posted. Xx

My number three was a week late Wanda. Number four will be a week early although I'm hoping they'll schedule the section for St George's Day since his middle name will be George. I wanted to use that for his first name but my mum said she couldn't have two grandsons called George.

Quiche newsflash, J had half a Scotch pancake on Monday, so egg and dairy, and it hasn't affected his sleep! He did have a bit of a disastrous nappy this morning but egg seems to do that to him and he didn't have any pain so I'm not too worried. Fingers crossed he'll be able to have most foods by this time next year.

I'll say Boxing Day. Have fun on the 25th and have a baby on 26th.