March '13 - The One With The Babax

[Plonkysaurus]

New thread , and I can assure you all, it'll be a corker.

I'm sitting on the floor with a numb leg and a bladder about to burst. For the first time since she was about Babax's age, she's fallen asleep on my knee.

Aww Stormy! Not surprised you don't have the heart to wake her .

Eco hope things improving.

We're off house hunting later, trying to see if there's any realistic options in some that have come on the market recently.

Ah stormy that is cute.

wotta good luck with the house hunting. We should be ready to start at the end of the year. I am looking forward to it but I can see it is sooo stressful.

eco how is dd?

I am baking a cake now that my oven is working. Met with a friend and had a lovely lunch and I am still full to think about dinner.

I can't remember - whose birthday is first? Toddlepants' is on the 25th.

And where is everyone today? Worse - are you finally getting some sleep??

Morning! Monday again?! Where does the time go?

Hope worse had had some sleep, and everyone else frankly.

We tried to find Chinese dragons but failed do just went into town and back again in the freezing cold .

House was a proper wreck. Amazing potential but you'd need the purchase price again to do it up and we don't have that. Further appointments next weekend on my birthday so wish us luck.

Wotta the joys of house hunting. I hope you had a nice treat afterwards to ease the pain!

Any we're in the middle for birthdays I think. If I recall right I think miniBetty's is very soon.

Worse how's it all going? Has DH gone up to Cumbria yet? hope all are well.

Oh Any I need to pick your brain. I have my first newborn shoot this week (actually two on consecutive days, eek). Quite nervous! Don't suppose you have any tips?

Morning all. Well, yes, I've had some sleep. Not much, 3 hours maybe, but that's better than usual, and all down to DH. He took Babax after the 11pm feed, and then sat up with him until his next feed at 2.30am so I could get some rest. It'd be easy if we didn't also have a sleep refusing toddle, as it was 10.30pm before she was in bed, so neither of us could crash out early. I keep repeating the MN mantra 'this too shall pass'

Actually, to be honest, sleep issues aside we're both on cloud nine, and feel very lucky. We have two gorgeous, healthy, happy children, at an age when biology doesn't always grant you these things. Putting both of them in the car, or going for a walk with two.... feels like our family is complete. Love it.

Wotta good luck with the house hunting. It can be a depressing process, until you find the right place, and then it isn't depressing at all. Your right place is out there somewhere. Just a case of finding it.

Plonky good luck with the photo shoots. I have no tips other than exclude confidence! DH is good at this. Doesn't matter what he is doing, he gives the impression he is the world's greatest expert. Winds me up no end when it's something like feeding a baby he has no clue, but works well in a business setting.

Speaking of DH he isn't in Cumbria yet, although he really does need to go. Trying to find childcare/nanny. There is no way I can manage the bedtime dramas by myself, so I either need a night nanny, or he needs to take the toddler with him, and a sitter to mind her while he is working.

Not sure whether that'd be best for the Worslet, worse, but letting DH take her for a few days would give you more opportunity to sleep. Definitely worth considering.

We've had a busy weekend. My brother's birthday yesterday. Birthday curry was excellent as ever, but urgh, hangover.

Plonky did I really tell you to exclude confidence???!!! . I meant exude

Stormy you're right, the idea of a toddler and DH free week has a certain appeal as I would certainly get more sleep. Not sure it'd be the best option for dd though. We'll see. At the end of the day he'll probably decide she'd be too much of a handful on the journey he'd be right

Fry up for the hangover? Or maybe just a pint of water and a sachet of Resolve!

Am having one of those 'never do a favour for friends' moments. Have let our coach house to a good friend who has left her husband, as obviously living with him after she has left him hasn't been working out. Mates rates, doing her a favour, no contract kind of deal. All good, or so I thought, but she's only gone and moved the bloke she'd been having an affair with in. Super. Just super. Her DH lives two doors up, and is also a friend of ours, so talk about rubbing his nose in it. Plus we don't want him here, we don't usually rent the place out as it is part of our house, we don't know him, and I sure as hell don't like him. Weasel. Grrr.

But that I accept is a first world problem, and I should probably just put up, shut up, and try to make amends with her ex.

Oh Worse I'd be more than a bit miffed too if a friend took advantage of a helping hand like that.

I'm sure you'll come to a solution to keep dd gappy while DH is away. Could you do a mix of mil and night nanny? Am I right in thinking that a night nanny's would allow you to crack onwith dd and just bring Babax to you for feeds then deal with nappies and winding themselves? Sounds like heaven.

And yes, I shall exclude confidence a-munro

Of course i meant a-MUNDO. As in lots. God I hate this phone sometimes.

And dd will be happy, not gappy.

Hello ladies
Happy birthday in advance wotta. Were you looking for something with a granny annexe too? Hope you find something soon...we kept getting outbid when we moved recently!
worse I second the night nanny. Definitely the way forward if you have the money. Just think- you could get more sleep than you are now !! Best of luck . Your post did make me feel warm inside though - when you said how your family felt complete. How lovely

eco are you back in the land of the living? Is DD ok?
plonk good luck for the photos shoots!! Sure you will be grand.

something have been wondering how the dress shopping went? I loved wedding dress shopping, very jealous!! Couldn't afford my dress now though!!

long day at work today. Dashed back and just managed to put DS to bed but will probably miss him again tomorrow as I tend to leave before he wakes and I left loads of paperwork in order to get home. wotta you have this too don't you? Do you work full time? Hard work.

Mid march here for birthday. So betty was DD a bit early then if she's a February baby? Anyone doing parties...??
Off for a now. Hope everyone ok.

Sorry for absences of late. Life is very much getting in the way. It's just so unbelievably hectic at the moment.

It's Miss Madam's birthday on Friday but no party this year. The ILs are coming down for the actual day and at the moment I've no idea what we're going to do and need to set to work on cake thoughts and then we're going to have a family day on Sunday, maybe repeat last years trip to Whitby.

Shattered yes she was a bit early, only a week or so though, she was due on 7th March I think. She stopped moving and it turned out pre-eclampsia had crept up on me when I wasn't looking!

Plonky good look with the shoots, I hope we'll get a sneak at some of the results on the website!

Worse, I hope you get a bit more sleep than that soon! I think DD going with DH sounds like a smashing idea. It might not be her number 1 ideal choice but she'll be fine and you need the rest and time!

Yes shattered I'm rather more than full time. Tis hard sometimes. I leave for work at 7:30am and I tend to work late tues and thurs and some fris so I can do nursery pick ups mon and wed. By late I mean leaving at 8pm. But there are days I miss him totally which isn't ideal. Feels slightly better now he's bigger and can tell me he still knows who I am !

Haircut time again for DS tomorrow, think I might finally go a very tiny bit shorter now he's damn nearly at uni moving into the toddler room at nursery.

So we've got the first second birthday? I've made a cake. It's one of Peppa Pig's friends.... I'll pop it on FB. Quite proud

Plonky as worse said confidence is key. Have you got a beanbag? Lots of blankets and cute hats? Whatever style you're going with, take your time. Set up while mum or dad get baby asleep and then be patient. Work methodically - write down a list of shots you want to get and in what order so you can transition easily i.e. lying on back, lying on side then roll onto front etc. Don't forget details - ears, eyelashes, hands and feet (with wedding rings?) and I always ask if there's a special blanket/toy/keepsake that they want to include in one of the pics. Otherwise, go with the flow and always, ALWAYS check your camera settings as you go along. Good luck - can't wait to see your results!

Oh help - birthdays. DD's is coming up on the 4th, and I have put no thought what so ever to it. I must. We didn't really do anything for her first, as she was, well, one, and had no clue. This time however, I probably ought to organise something. I'm already feeling a bit bad as she missed her first ever party invite as it fell on my due date, so I declined on her behalf. As it was I was still waddling around and perfectly capable of taking her to soft play so she could have gone. Parenting fail!

Small amount of success on the sleep front last night... Babax went in his moses basket for a couple of hours! The secret, he will only sleep on his front. I wouldn't have dared put the toddle on her front, was with her being pfb and all, but this time I'm a little more relaxed, so if that is the only way he'll sleep, then sometimes we're going to have to go with it. He can lift and turn his head though. He can also roll over. He's 2 weeks old ???? I kept telling people he was strong when he was swimming about trying to wreck my innards.

So DH is off to Cumbria next week, and having thought through the reality won't be taking the toddle. Can't say as I blame him. She'd be a nightmare! That leaves me home alone with two, so a temporary nanny it's going to have to be. Much as I like the idea of a night nanny, realistically I need help in the day, so it'll have to be a more conventional one. Agency has sent one CV through. 31 year old Chez lady. Excellent. Just what I need when I'm feeling saggy, haggard, and grey. Where's Nanny McPhee when you need her??!!

Wotta it must be hard working those hours. On the upside though, when you get home you must be favoured one. Certainly worked that way when DH was doing the London hours thing. The second he got home I was history, and the toddle had eyes for only him all evening the rat. Hasn't changed to be honest. She's definitely Dadda's girl, and woe betide us all if he dares to cuddle Babax. If I cuddle Babax, well that's just fine, I am superfluous!

Thanks everyone, you lot are so lovely and supportive :) Hopefully there should be some very sweet photos on Facebook tonight.

Any no I don't actually have a beanbag, but I do have a large comfy floor cushion that'll do the job. I've got blankets and cute hats up the wazoo, thanks to DS. I also have a room heater and a big wicker basket for posing, if I'm feeling brave. Thanks for the tip about list of shots - I hadn't thought of that so I'll get on it. So much kit to pack! I didn't realise I have so much.

Worse We're doing a party because I completely crapped out last year between his scarlet fever and a big bust up with my family. So this year I'm making a big ole pot of chilli, a wheelbarrow full of cake pops and having family over. And the Somethings, of course. But that's it. No hiring anywhere, no friends from nursery, just the people he's already used to seeing all together.

I think DD in Cumbria would've been a bit of a disaster tbh. Maybe if she was 3 or 4 and could settle for short periods with low key activities while DH cracks on. I bet the nanny you get is fab though, and I'd love to see DH's face upon returning to a clean Babax, a happy toddle and a relaxed mum. Cos you know you can do it!

Betty hang in there chuck. Think of Friday and CAKE. Ahhh cake.

Stormy how are you feeling today?

Frazzled and windswept, Plonk! Just been on a mission to find a nursery with spaces. The nursery I had in mind has no free funded two year old places left, so no go there unless we want to wait until September, effectively beating the summer born two year olds to a place. Found one a bit further away with Thursday and Friday mornings free, but only for this year - they're full up with three year olds. So may end up moving her in a year. But they're a feeder preschool for my first choice primary, which is a bonus.

So that's it then. Tomorrow, I have a two-year-old. Where's the flippin' time gone?

Worse - hope you find a good 'un. If it's windy tomorrow maybe send a note up the chimney?

And Plonky - i'm impressed. Lovely pics - you captured him very well. Well done you! Good luck for tomorrow's

Happy Birthday ToddlePants! I hope you all have a lovely day. Your cake was so good lady year, will you be doing another showstopper this year?

wow, two! Still quite little but so, so big too. I hope you get a drop of something bubbly and a pat on the back!

Newborns are lovely to photograph. It was lovely to get to see them at this time. Another one today, and I already feel like my ovaries exploded with all the cuteness yesterday, so I'm going to be incorrigible now.

Stormy personally I'd be tempted to put her in the feeder nursery and hope a place past three becomes available. We're going to be facing the same conundrum next year - put ds in preschool down the road or keep him at the private nursery 4 miles away. It's so tricky but I think ds will cope with bring moved better than I imagine.

Happy birthday toddlepants!

I am at work so will catch up with you all later.

Happy birthday ToddlePants! She looks very grown up!

We're having a party at a leisure centre (small studio room) with a bouncy castle and soft play, this year. As it turns out, DS has about 10 friends so if they all bring parents, plus our own families, there's no way I want it at our house. DM paid for it as his birthday present so we're quite lucky. Very much looking forward to sampling devouring Plonk's cakepops!

Speaking of you, plonk, I know I've already told you but I want others to know, it was my nephew who was photographed yesterday and SiL had such lovely things to say about our Plonk, and after seeing a sneak peek, girl's got talent!!!

shattered I found THE dress! It happened to be the first one I tried on. Went to other places and tried other dresses after, but I couldn't stop thinking about the first. We're going back on Sunday to put the deposit down and try on again, and my maid of honour is coming with to try a bridesmaid dress on so we can play dress up for a bit!

worse I'm sure the nanny will be brilliant! It sounds quite nice to have that help while DH is away.

And now I can't remember what anyone else has said so I'm going to go back to watching Lost. One day I will finish it!

I have just had a nosey on fb and plonk your photos are fab. I am so proud of you. Your photos and Babax's photos are making me very broody.

worse I have a feeling your hotel business will do great. I love the location.

something so you have found your dress. How exciting. When you bring it home I am sure you will want to do the housework in your dress. I remember trying it on soo many times before the big day. I wished I could wear it everyday. I have seen Downtown abbey too now. Obviously I have no life and keep having these marathons of box sets.

stormy I would go for the feeder nursery too. We have a dilemma with nursery too. I would rather ds go to a feeder nursery but it doesn't fit in with my work hours.

I really should stop mn and do some house work. I only work 3 days a week and my place has turned upside down.