March 2005 Part 7 - Welly Boots and Toddler Tantrums!

[JoPG]

Here is the new thread

Hi everyone - have just managed to catch up with everybody's news. It's great to hear how everyone is doing, and sorry I've not posted here for ages.

To be honest, I just don't seem to have the time to post these days - I'd made the decision to spend less time on Mumsnet, and am now getting much more done in the house! I whizz round while Grace has her afternoon sleep and resist the temptation to sit down at the computer . When she is awake I get no chance and in the evenings I'd rather spend time with dh (no offence ladies ). I used to have much more time to "surf" before I became a SAHM!

Glad to hear the pregnancy's going well Leo, and great news from Popsy about Harry finally sleeping through.

All is good in the BonyM household at the moment! Grace is fab - talking nineteen to the dozen and has probably over 200 words. She repeats almost everything we say and is so funny sometimes. One of her latest things is to call anyone who doesn't comply with her wishes "naughty" and although I know we shouldn't really encourage it is is just so comical when she pronounces "Daddy naughty" just because he's sitting in the wrong place for example! .

We had a few fireworks tonight which Grace was transfixed by - kept saying "pretty". There have been loads going off around here the last couple of nights. The first time she heard some a few nights ago I was putting her to bed and she said "bang - drum". Bless her - she must have had visions of someone banging a huge drum outside!

Good to hear from you BonyM - glad you are all ok. Grace sounds to be doing well, great talking!

Freya is now over her chicken pox, hooray! She still has a few scabs, unfortunately quite a few on her face, but they are clearing well and I have been using VitE oil on them to help avoid any scarring.

Pidge - have yet to make pumpkin cheesecake. Freya was really bad with her chicken pox the day I was due to make it, so I didn't get round to it. I whipped up some brownies instead cos I think I could make them with my eyes closed! Have a dinner I am going to soon and I have offered to make dessert, so will prob be the cheesecake then.

Jambot - your holiday sounds lovely, am very -

At present Freya seems to spend to whole day shouting 'Mine' at anybody who even looks vaguely interested in something that she is holding. Sharing is def not her strong point. Ethan sometime teases her by taking something away from her, and them all hell breaks loose! Such sibling love is a pleasure to witness

BoneyM - Great to hear from you. I know what you mean about time disappearing whilst surfing! I mostly do my mumsnetting whilst I grab a sandwich during my lunchhour at work. Ok and first thing in the morning over my 8.30am cup of tea!!

Jo - if it's any encouragement I have tested the pumpkin recipe to destruction this weekend. First dp bought too little cream cheese by 200g, so I had to juggle quantities furiously. And then I got distracted watching West Wing on DVD and left the thing in the oven 40 minutes too long! And it survived and still got compliments from my friends!

Iris is also keen on "MINE". We had a little friend round yesterday and every time she went near the toys Iris would wail "Noooooooooooo"!

Hello everyone, especially BonyM - good to hear from you. Haven't been around myself much recently as I've been really busy at work and decorating at home. We now have a super stylish bedroom (well I think so) but I'm so glad it's finished. How many times we dragged our bed in and out of our room I just don't know.

Harrison is lovely although has been a bit under the weather with a horrid nose and chesty cough. He keeps telling me 'nose' whenever he has green slime running down his face, although usually wipes it with the back of his hand into his hair before I get to him with a tissue. Uurrgghh.

He also copies every word we say and looks at us very intently when he's saying something that he wants us to understand. The other day I was getting him out of the car having been shopping in Tescos and he put his hands on my face and said 'dow'. I had no idea what he was on about so carried on chatting to him but he kept on looking at me and saying 'dow'. Eventually he got fed up and said 'Mama, moooo' and I realised he was saying 'cow'. Not quite sure why he felt the need to say that right at that moment but I thought he was very clever anyway

'Mine' has just started to be a favourite word in our household too and it's quite a competition sometimes to see whether Hannah or Harrison can keep the firmest grip on whatever is being grappled over whilst shouting 'mine' as loudly as possible.

Found a food today that Harri doesn't like - melon. Everything else continues to get shovelled in like he might never get fed again Hannah's having a growing spurt at the moment too and I can't get enough food in either of them. We had to go shopping last weekend as Hannah literally had nothing to wear that fitted her. So, a wardrobe full of clothes for her, coat for Harri, shoes for both of them and four long hours later, we staggered home to watch Hannah's fashion show. I'm so glad I got a boy this time

Hope everyone is well.

Hope everyone had a good weekend.
We went swimming on Saturday, which was lovely. Freya hasn't been for a couple of weeks because of her chicken pox, so it was lovely to see her splashing around again.
We went to Bedgebury on Sunday, see here which was fab. It is an area that is owned by The Forestry Commission and is lovely for a day out. There are lots of cycle trails from family trails up to mountain bike trails for experienced cyclists. Ethan had a great time bombing round on his bike. There are also some great adventure playgrounds, and both Ethan and Freya enjoyed playing there. We will definitely be going again.
Off to watch Ethan at football after school. Freya stomps round and gets filthy, and Ethan slides all over the pitch so he is also covered in mud every week. Ethan has a new football shirt to wear and is very excited, it was parent's evening last week and he got such a good report that he got a football shirt (he has wanted one for ages, but I keep sending him off in a normal t-shirt). Perhaps he'll make an effort to keep it clean, but I doubt it!

A couple of very cute moments today:

Earlier today I sneezed and Grace said "Bess oo" (bless you), and then after her bath, dh said "Night night darling, love you lots" and Grace replied "I uv oo" .

I could just eat her up she's so gorgeous . Just as well she is gorgeous, as the last two nights have been terrible. Think she is teething again as if we ask her if her tooth is hurting she says yes and points to where I think one is coming through. Anyway, we've dosed her up tonight so hope she sleeps better.

Hope everyone had a good weekend.

awwww - boneym - that is unbelievably cute - i uv oo - I read that at work and it brought a huge smile to my face. Then got interrupted with a tedious work question so didn't get a chance to respond!

Only saw the kids for about 5 minutes this eve as I donated blood on the way home. Dp said Iris was ok until the point he started getting them ready for bed and she realised I still wasn't there. Anyway, after a bit of copious weeping she recovered herself on my arrival!

v quick hello = will be back soon i promise

Hi guys. I do not believe that I have been away that long. I even got lost , I went to April 2005 thread and there were all these strange names and I got so confused and panicked that you had all disappeared.

I do hope at least some of you remember me. It's so good to see all your toddlers doing so well.

Kieran is doing well. I hope to be seing you all more often now. I will make a point of it.

Hi guys. I do not believe that I have been away that long. I even got lost , I went to April 2005 thread and there were all these strange names and I got so confused and panicked that you had all disappeared.

I do hope at least some of you remember me. It's so good to see all your toddlers doing so well.

Kieran is doing well. I hope to be seing you all more often now. I will make a point of it.

Oops. Sorry bit rusty

Hi Norash so lovely to hear from you and glad Kieran is well.

I think the little ones are just adorable at the moment. All lovely words and big smiles. Harrison always comes charging up to me when I arrive at the childminders shouting 'my mummy' with a huge smile and flings himself around my legs.

He's also started saying 'kiss kiss' which is very cute. Not so cute is the way he's started shouting 'go way' when he doesn't want to hear what you've got to say like time for bed, get down or don't touch that hot radiator !!!

We have teeth coming through as well and although the nights have been OK, we've had a few 6.30am starts, which have almost killed me. Can't believe I ever thought I'd be happy that he slept until that time

How's Leo and the bump?

Hi busywissy, you are lucky you've just had a few wake up calls before 6.30.

Kieran is yet to settle into an all night sleep routine . Kieran wakes up most night and is out of bed at around 4 and even though he settles back down. I can honestly say that the nights that he does not wake up and come to our room before 5am are and have been an exception.

I long for the time when he will sleep until 6.30am oh well that's my lot.

So on account of this it is a wonder I still function at all. How are all the other little ones sleeping?

Kieran is also shouting "go go go" alot and he has made "no" his word of the year but he is otherwise very sweet and when he upsets me he kisses my legs which always makes me smile.

He is also very cuddly now and loves to give and receive hugs. I went away for a couple of weeks a while ago and when I came back he was really upset with me and into Daddy so now everytime the door opens he shouts Daddy and runs to the door.

Welcome back Norash. Saw you on another thread so knew you had surfaced.
Lauren has finally started to say something, although not much. We've had 'me got', 'me go', 'out dere', 'bye Gordon' (uncle). Not many nouns though.
Just been for a facial and pedicure. Was wonderful. Lots of massaging which nearly put me to sleep.
Still gyming 5 times a week and really starting to see some changes in my body shape, thank God. Also feeling a lot fitter too.
Lovely warm evening tonight. Have all the doors and windows open. DH is fast asleep on the couch. He had a deadline on at work and didn't sleep at all last night. Don't know how he does it - I moan if I'm short an hour of sleep.
What are all the darling one's getting for Christmas? So far Lauren is getting a dolly sized travel cot, and a toy aeroplane. She is obsessed with aeroplanes for some reason and very into her soft toys and dolls.
Wonder if Tamula has had her baby?

Great to hear from you again Norash. Would love to see some up to date photos of Kieran - can you put some on the photobucket?

Grace is another early waker - she had been sleeping through until about 5am most mornings (at which point we would bring her into bed with us, I'd give her a feed and she'd usually drop off again for another hour or two) but for almost a week now we've had very disturbed nights. A few 1am wakings and not settling for a couple of hours, and this morning she was awake at 4am and then again at 6.15am, demanding to go "'stairs" (downstairs). When I told her it was still night-time and she should go back to sleep she said "Mummy naughty, Mummy naughty, Daddy help!" Bless him, he did "help" and took her downstairs so I could get another hour's sleep!

Jambot, I am v. impressed at your regular gym sessions! I don't think I would have the staying power, so my tummy will just have to remain a bit squidgy for the time being!

For Christmas we have bought Grace an Aquadraw and a Fisher Price Laugh and Learn Piano (she adores music and loves to bash on our real piano). We may get some other bits and pieces as well, but not sure what yet.

Oh, on the subject of Christmas, has everyone seen Soapbox's thread \link(www.mumsnet.com/Talk?topicid=2652&threadid=240112&stamp=061116204144\here}?

Drat!

try again

Wow Norash, how do you cope. I'd be a complete grump (understatement of the decade) if I had to regularly surface at 4am - it's still dark !!!!

Isn't it amazing how we learn to cope and still love our little ones even though they do such hideous things.

Harrison managed to get hold of a packet of (uhum) sanny towels today whilst I was brushing my teeth in the other bathroom. Came into the bedroom and he had one stuck on his head, one on his tummy and a few more stuck to the walls. I'd have screamed at the waste if I hadn't been laughing so much at how proud he looked with himself.

No ideas about Xmas yet as I've given the few suggestions I had to family members. Keep posting here so I can get some ideas - and any suggestions for an 8 year old would be good too as Hannah keeps saying she doesn't know what she wants yet !!! I know what's going to happen - a week before Xmas she'll announce that she's really hoping Santa brings her XXXXX and I won't even know what it is never mind where to buy it.

Jambot, seriously impressed by you doing 5 times a week at the gym. In a moment of madness yesterday, I agreed to run a half marathon with a load of others from work. I struggled with 5K this summer so I'm expecting to do a time of about 3 days

Meant to add that Harrison got a new book yesterday called 'Chocolate Mousse for the Hungry Goose' and he looooooooves it so maybe that's an idea for a gift for some of your little ones.

Just typed a longish message telling you guys thanks for welcoming me back and some stuff about Kieran and lost it all .

Ok here goes.

Jambot congrats on your staying power. And at the pampering.

BonyM - I will put some photos in the photo bucket. Kieran is also shouting naughty alot and wanting to go downstairs in the middle of the night. The other day he made his way there and then started screeming for us to come and get him (3am).

Busy - I am so used to it now I worry when he does not wake up.

So what have I been up to the last few months, Finished Uni "YYYYYYYYyyyyeeeeeeeeyyyyyyy" , got a job, played rugby, left my job, went on holiday and all the while I have been working on this .

Please have a look and give me some feedback.

Hi Norash, good to hear from you again. Looking forward to checking out those photos.

Have posted a Halloween piccie of Freya, she looks very cute in her witch's costume.

Having got over chicken pox Freya has now come down with an awful cold. I think it is just that time of year really, hopefully she will be back on top form soon.

Sorry, very rushed message, I will pop back soon.

OMG had a very bad mummy moment and the most scary moment of my life as a mum so far.

Kieran's Au pair was just leaving and we aved her off. Kieran got on he's wellys and stood outside the door waving.

When she drove off I asked Kieran to please come back indoors and he refused, was shouting no and naughty mummy. I turned my back to walk into the leaving room to pick up the house keys thinking that he would follow me like he usually does.

So I thought I heard him come in and followed his Dad up the stairs. I had just come in from work and was wearing just a pair of trousers and a shirt had already taken off my shoes.

Anyway I went to lock the door and shouted up at Kieran's dad whether he was up there with him, he wasn't I nearly passed out. I halfway down the street before I saw him and I have vowed never to take my eyes off my child ever again.

I feel so bad even now for having don so, I don't usually, I din't know what just happened there. For that split second I thought I had lost him, this after having a really horrible dream about him the other night.

Sorry to go on guys just needed to share with someone.

Norash - welcome back from me too. And what a ghastly moment with Kieran. Thank goodness he was ok. We lost our dd1 (then age 3) for 15 minutes on a Spanish beach, so I know all too well that indescribably awful feeling that they've gone and you'll never see them again.

Busywizzy - well done you on the running - come and join me and jopg and others on the running thread . Assuming I'm not in the London marathon (waiting to hear if I'll get a place through my club) I'm going to be lining myself up for anther half marathon and hopefully a 20miler in March next year.

Must dash - am supposed to be getting the kids and me dressed!

Norash - congrats on your new business venture - looks great. Is this something you've been involved in before or did you see a gap in the market. Sorry to hear about Kieran's little escape drama - can just imagine how you must have felt. When you hear terrible stories all the time about things happening to children, you can't help but panic.
Waiting for Lauren to wake up and then we are off to the beach. It's a lovely day, although a little windy, which is pretty normal for Cape Town.
Freya looks very cute Jo. Huge grin. Still wish we could have all our little ones in the same room. Would be lovely to see them all together.