March '13 - packing up our troubles and getting excited about the new babies

[ecofreckle]

It's that time again. This thread is going to explode with squishy babies. Which is nice.

Suddenly feeling nostalgic about my over-bump Next maternity jeans. Comfiest jeans I've ever had. I'd still be wearing them now if I hadn't managed to stick my finger through the elasticated bit.

Ah I've defected to my under-bumps. And massive pants. It all kind of "pops" a bit earlier second time round doesn't it Gerry?

Good to hear they're going to miss you! That must be good for the ego . And all sounds very supportive too. Do you continue to pay for dd's nursery place during the six week holidays? I can't remember if you said. And I liked the end of your post. Ending on a random word is v intriguing, the sort of thing is expect to see in a Margaret Atwood novel.

I think my mat leave is going to start from the first week in November. Feels blinking ages away but it really isn't, and we have an awful lot to do before then. I think ds is perilously close to demanding potty training. Either that or obsessed with his todger in typical male fashion.

We're off this morning. A week of moderate temperatures by the seaside awaits, and I think we all need it. I was up at 2.30 for an hour watching the biggest electrical storm I've ever seen in this country. It was amazing but quite terrifying too! Bungle and the cat were both going crazy but the males of the house slept through.

Ah yes, over the bump maternity jeans. I remember them well. In fact they would probably still fit me, if I hadn't chucked them, and resorted to extra high waisted super tight spanx style jeans to hold everything in. Diastasis leaves you looking 5 months pregnant. I hope no one else falls victim, because at 40 odd it's kind of ok, but I would have been distraught if this had happened in my 20s/early 30s.

Hands up who's with me that right now it is officially too hot. I am fed up, and exhausted as too hot means one or other child is pretty much always awake whatever the hour. Ugh.

Bungle 5 months is peak cuteness territory, Babax is just adorable, interested in everything, and fascinated by Worselet. Everything she does is hilarious, and cracks him up, and we all know just how cute a baby's laugh is.

I think your storm headed northeast. It woke us at 4am. Very impressive lightning flashes. And it's so marvellously not humid!

I fear the constant rummaging in the downstairs region transcends all barriers. I am getting so bored of saying, "Stop poking your bum please," and, "We don't generally play with our bits with an audience." I had thought learning to remove own clothes was a handy life skill acquired. Now I'm not so sure.

worse is babax really 5months? Blimey that he has grown quick.

something your pay cheque may counteract the tiredness and guilt of going back to work full time. I appreciate ds and my weekends more. You will be fine. If I can manage you can too.

shattered my lovely. Hope you are getting some sleep.

gerry you bought back memories of my maternity trousers. The most comfy maternity clothing ever. I wore them for quite a while after birth too.

Yummy household was so tired last night we slept through the storm. I saw a flash but went back to sleep.

Southern Marchers which coast do you recommend for us to visit tomorrow? We have done Margate, Brighton, Southend, clacton and Herne bay. Sandy beach is a must,can't stand stones.

Bournemouth and Poole both have lovely sandy beaches yummy. I'd that too far? If not maybe Weston super mare (donkeys there for DS!!) or burnham on sea?
Pics please worse

Worse ah he just sounds like a lovely bundle of cute. The sibling relationship sounds absolutely gorgeous too.
You're right in the weather. Turns out ds is a viking like me and tops out around 24 degrees. Any hotter and it's grumpy max.

Yummy I don't know thevsouth coast at all but we're in Dorset at the moment and the beaches here are proper sandy ones. Glad the ft work is off to a good start, long may it continue.

It took us almost five hours to get here yesterday. Somehow ds coped fine with the journey and even napped for over an hour. We reintroduced him to the sea which he loved, except for sandy nappy. Best go, I mistakenly introduced him to Nutella on toast half an hour ago and is now saying "come on mummy" and trying to pull me kitchenwards.

Shattered done, although such is my technical ineptitude I have managed to do so twice . Oops...

Today it is raining. In fact it is pouring. This is slightly ironic as after what feels like weeks of baking heat it is the day that DH has set off on a classic car run. Unfortunate one might say.... or perhaps a wee tiny bit funny

Personally I'm happy though, not least because with the rain comes the possibility of a little more sleep.

May possibly have mentioned before Worselet's refusal to wear anything on her feet other than pink wellies. She has now added a straw hat and cord dress to her list. I'm trying to work out in my mind whether she is going for the cow girl or Glastonbury look....

Madam and I have popped down to London to surprise my DM on her birthday and yesterday all went well and today is a total fail! It was a 9.30 bedtime last night in a hotel that is hotter than hell sharing a bed with the monkey, we both woke every 30 mins and then gave up for the day at 4.45 and now it's peeing down and we have dresses, sandals and no coats. Fail.

Sounds character building, Betty, and also an excellent introduction to that curious beast we call the English summer.

Welcome to London betty. Yep London is grim today. When it is hot in London it really is hot and stuffy.

We gave up on the seaside trip. Maybe next weekend. Thank you for the suggestions shattered and bungle. If we decide to do the full weekend trip we would consider the SW or Dorset.

worse babax is such a cutie. All this baby talk is making me broody.

This rain and cool weather is a welcome relief.

Yummy was going to suggest camber sands, although get there early because it does get quite busy.

Oh the babax is so lovely, I'd forgotten how much I loved that age.

Oh I'm feeling sad today. My wonderful grandmother was diagnosed with dementia in autumn and had been in a home since. Last week she broke her hip, and the decline since then has been terrifying. She's now not really eating or drinking, I think she's forgotten how. Her lips are seollen and chapped, and she can't get her head around the fact she's got a catheter so is in a right old state every time she thinks she needs the loo. I know that after a broken hip and with dementia, at the age of 82, it really is the beginning of the end. We took dd to visit today, and they love each other so much, I think my gran still gets some joy from her.

I'm more worried about how my mum is coping. She keeps saying things like 'it makes you wonder what the point is when good people like gran end up dying like this'. I think mum is convinced that she's going to end up the same one day, and she doesn't seem to be able to see any other future or see the positives in life.

Dementia is a wanker.

Mega hugs Gerry. It sounds very similar to what's going on with dh's nan and is so hard for family. FIL is convinced he will end up the same way. No wise words to share but lots of hugs and understanding.

Babax is a serious cutie. If I weren't already pregnant I'd definitely be getting a strong case of the unshakeable broodinesses.

Betty trust the bday surprise was worth the rotten nights sleep. That sort of stuff is my worst nightmare. Huge city plus heat plus toddler! Trust you have gin at home?

Less than 24 hours in the sun wearing factor 50 and I've turned into one ginormous freckle. Hurrah.

Hugs from me too, Gerry, dementia sucks great big donkey dick. If it's any comfort, a quick decline is a lot easier all round than a lengthy and drawn out one.

In other news. Potty training seems to be sort of working. This is weird.

gerry I'm sorry. Dementia is just horrible. Hope you're ok.
plonk I've got a parcel waiting for me to open which I think is from you- so thank you for being so helpful. Will let you know how I get on with it. And of course let me know when you need it back!! Hope you enjoy the beach- it is lovely down there.
betty that's worse than our nights!! Hope you and worse get some good sleep tonight. Sleep is definitely under rated!

Gerry life is so very unfair at times (((hugs)))

Yummy Babax makes me broody too! He's such a happy little chap, and everything in his world is sunny. Although he does have the odd inexplicable random screamy fit... but with a smile like his, one forgives. Extra cuteness points were awarded tonight for laughing all evening at with DH, and then laughing in his sleep as well.

Shattered ds2 looks pretty pleased with the world too. Us Marchers produce lovely babies don't we

Stormy yay! The potty is still an item of interest here, but yet to be properly used. I wish she'd hurry up, the strawberry season makes for fairly grim nappies.

The cool air here is doing its thing as both dcs were asleep by 9.30pm. Result!

So what's everyone's excuses for being so quiet? I've got a good one: I have heroically endured three days of FIL with no bloodshed. And he's being sent back to the US, so we'll not have to go over there for a good few years - Fartypants would be a nightmare on a transatlantic flight. She still hasn't mastered the art of sitting quietly engrossed in a book. No, sitting down is for boring lazy grown ups. Who'd want to sit down when there's RUNNING and JUMPING to be done? It's just too exciting!

With that in mind, we went on a trampoline hunt today. Pottering around in Mothercare, I turn around to see FP whizzing past on a scooter. She's been hankering for one for months. There was no way she was letting us leave the shop without it. Persuading her to put the display model back was fraught to say the least. She spent the rest of the afternoon doing circuits of the house.

Stormy looks like you've only got me to talk to. Sorry... !

As for me I have nothing what so ever to say of value, I'm just here to ask where everyone is? Was the budget so bad you all emigrated? Has my rhapsody on babies sent you all running for the hills?! Or has the hot weather simply melted your mainframes? I need to know.....

Stormy have you thought of an exit strategy for when FIL offers to pay for your flights to the US? Because he will...

God, don't get me started on the budget. One could tell it was going to be bad when they chucked out the accepted measure of child poverty last week. For me it's not immediately horrific, but the closing down of viable options for funding my life in the future is increasingly depressing. But then I suppose that's the idea - further entrenching the divide.

Anyway, enough of political doom and gloom. FIL will simply be told that FP is not up for the flight yet. Now we just have to hope that by the time she is, he'll have been transferred to the moon.

Don't you suffer terrible air sickness/fear of heights/cabin pressure induced projectile vomiting, Stormy?

We've been busy enjoying the wilds of Dorset. Ds has fully recovered from his virus and merrily spread it first to me and now dh. DH is doing the "you don't know how bad this is" routine while popping decongestants and ibuprofen. You know, all the yummy things I can't have.

Although we did go out for a slightly posh lunch at one of Hugh Fearnley-whittingstall's "canteens" yesterday (my arse is it a canteen). Highlight of the meal was a lady next to us ordering curried split peas (which was delicious) then having a paddy because she doesn't like split peas . Meanwhile my two year old ate his fish and chips with a big smile on his face.

So not much to report except 1. We're mostly having a nice time, when dh forgets he's dying anyway; 2. There are thickos down south too. I never realised this.

Alas, no flight terrors for me, and I'm a terrible liar. I love the height from planes though, the view is ace. FIL's wife got some lovely shots of Spurn when they were circling in to land. And the first glimpse of New Zealand through the clouds after twenty four hours in the air is one of the most welcome sights I've ever seen.

Is it piddling down for everyone else? Insert obligatory grumbling about English summers here. We went to Bridlington on Monday. "Ahhh," said FIL's wife, looking out at the sea, "this must be such a beautiful place in summer!"

Hi everyone, I feel like I've been semi-absent for ages!

Bungle, Dorset sounds good! I love a bit of H.F.W so it sounds right up my street.

I've had a week of disasters. I left my purse in Starbucks in London, rang and was told it had gone, cancelled all my cards and then DF went back and it was there all along. DH is away until Sunday and I've already burnt through the cash he left me in an unexpected trip to the vets, a supermarket shop, an emergency call out to remove a wasps nest the guys doing some work on the house found and my car being in the bloody garage again. I'm wondering what's next and which thing will tip me over the edge into crazy!

Gerry how are you doing?

Well I'm feeling pants the last few days. Although betty sounds like you've had a rubbish week!! Hope you last until DH back. I hate cancelling cards etc- such a hassle.

2nd night feed despite DH doing a bottle around 11. Fun hey. A friend told me to enjoy it today (in general, not the constant feeding) and I know that I will miss this stage but it's fecking exhausting. I think babies are designed incorrectly- very cute but almost too tiring to enjoy sometimes. I'll post again when feeling more cheery!

Nah, Shattered, they're very well designed, are babies - they have just enough cuteness to keep down the likelihood of being thrown out of a window or left on a bus.

Anyone else looking at their small's behaviour and communication and thinking, "Hmm, have we just had another of those mental leaps?"

Also, do I have any competition for the Shittiest Looking Day Ahead for today? In two hours I will be in the dentist's chair, having my first filling.

Shattered hang in there.... it may take a while, but when you hit that first 8 hour sleep stretch, you'll know it was all worthwhile. I had a slightly better night than you last night, scuppered only by Worselet, who woke at 4am, and took a long time to persuade back to sleep again. Pointing out that Babax, who had a reasonable excuse to be awake, wasn't, didn't expedite matters.

Betty purse losing is tedious in the extreme, and always panics me. Looking on the bright side, no one had pinched it. That's almost unheard of in London coffee shops.

I'm having a bizarrely quiet evening as both small people were in bed at 8.30pm . The penance for this peace is Babax will probably wake at 4am, and the advance payment was 3 hours outside with Worselet and no nap to make sure she was tired!

Stormy how was the dentist? I've got to go in a couple of weeks to get a filling that has fallen out put back in again. It fell out about a year ago and I've been ignoring it.... My dentist was not impressed.

It was my wedding anniversary yesterday. 15 years. Should be a happy day, but for me it's a low point as the sad reality is only I kept the vows we made. The rest of the year I can live with that as life is good, and the last 3 years have been perfect, but the anniversary hurts . We had a nice day though - pub lunch with Babax, who didn't cry despite being overdue a nap. He's such a mellow baby. Can't possibly be mine !