It's the Christmas party at Mugabe nights, pull up a bar stool and order your shots! August 2015

[FattyNinjaOwl]

New thread for all the regulars at the bar, and the not so regulars too.

Haha Fanby!!! Oopsy! I do feel your pain though I think I'd murder mine if he had more than a couple of days off this Xmas how horrid is that for me to think when its baby's first Xmas!! To get you through I can recommend 1. Biting your tongue, 2. Muttering under your breath 3. Going in the bathroom and breathing slowly ten times and 4. My favourite- saying something like 'your driving me mental today honey' with a forced smile as if it's a joke when really you want to throttle the buggar!!

That said he's off the first week of January so couple with the post Xmas lull and new year blues I probably will actually murder him won't I!?!! Damn!!

Bar seems quiet tonight yay hope you ladies are sleeping not slumped in the shadows where I can't see you I can't tell....

Don't worry lily we are here ! Haven't really got anything to say other than yawn...

Hello hello, sorry not posted in a few days, been bloody busy but have been lurking away so am just about up to date.

I think I might be first back to work - official start date is 1st Feb, trying not to think about it while I enjoy the festive season but it's creeping up fast

Fab to hear about the rolling, sitting and toothy babies. DS can only roll front to back, I'm desperate for him to go the other way so I can stop worrying about him sleeping on his front, but he doesn't seem bothered. His new favourite thing to do is stick out his tongue and blow raspberries - extremely cute.

I took DS back to my parents for a night so I could go out for a Christmas meal with my friends from home. He was a little darling and went to bed fine for my mum. But returned to the news of a mouse in the house I'm normally pretty pragmatic about things like this but the evidence was found in the bedroom and the idea of the little critters running about in there while DS is asleep grosses me out. Now up feeding him and expecting to see one out the corner of my eye... Bleurgh, stupid mice.

Still shocked by those talking about having another already - you go ladies! Definitely not on the horizon here.

Can't remember who said it but I can't stop eating either... I always pig out in December, will go on a health kick in January, in the meantime it's all about the mulled wine and chocolate

Hope the bar stays quiet till morning now, how about a Sunday lie in please babies?

Just arrived! What promised to be a crap evening actually went ok. Fed J to sleep downstairs and took him up later on. He was having an utter meltdown on DH, so had to eat dinner in shifts, which we hadn't done in ages. I think I probably could settle him upstairs, I just cba to sit upstairs in the dark on my own for 20 minutes.

DH has already been off work for a week and has another fortnight off over Christmas, as he didn't take any extra leave when J was born, as his work schedule was thrown out by J being so early. While it's been lovely having an extra pair of hands, it has thrown us out of sync a bit. DH is a bit of a faffer, so we've been leaving late to get to things and requests to take J are often met with "hang on, I just need to [insert random task]" - no, he's crying and I need you to take him now, not in 5 minutes! Bless him, he is trying and I think it's made him realise it can be quite tough. I did get really annoyed with him today, but ranted in my head at him when J and I were out, so had calmed down when we got back home.

J is now awake post feed and smiling at me, which is cute, if frustrating. Go to sleep baby, especially if you're having another feed tonight.

He's wriggling about more when laid down, I think we might be getting closer to rolling over! Not sure how long he will stay in the Moses basket, the cot might have to come into our room sooner than planned.

On my god! Ds slept 9-6!!!! In his crib! Praise the Lord! I woke up loads of course. He's just trying to decide weather to go back to sleep or not. For once I don't mind what he does.

It is indeed my dh that makes breakfast in bed lily. It started to help my morning sickness, and he seems to have forgotten to stop. We are very food orientated in this house! He gets on my nerves aplenty, but is generally a very good man.
Your in laws yesterday sounds a bit of a nightmare. I can't stand it when Ds smells of other people's perfume.

I hope your throat is ok magrat.

fanby 💐 Velcro babies and annoying husbands are a tough combo. I hope you got some sleep.

Balls slow - has no one told grumpy 2 that the fashion for sleep regression is over? Maybe she's saving sleep as a Christmas present?

I hope you didn't see any mice clstow!

I hear you on the 'hang on, I just need to .....' tindel. It's getting better, but can be a bit frustrating at times!

I hope the rest of you are asleep!

The couple who won were my favourites but they absolutely didn't deserve it. The other couple were far, far better on the night. How disappointing for them. Thought the winners looked really shocked and surprised! Dd1 was in her special dancing dress and twirling along with them. She had a special late bedtime too. Wee soul was desperate to stay up but totally shattered!

Leave the daddies to it, I say. My Dh got really good when he became the part time sahp and I went back to work ft. He's fab with the kids and I know it's because he's had to step up and get on with it. He still does things "wrong" but they aren't really. Just not what I would do. The only way to learn is by doing. Reckon it's time to plan some baby free time over Christmas!

Had a mega clean of the house yesterday. Feeling a bit calmer now. You know when it just gets to that stage where you think you might go mad?! Anyway now my mother can come for Christmas and I know she won't be horrified!

Must start wrapping presents now. Mil sent the girls homemade stockings to hang out but they're quite small so need to wrap up some of the small things too. The stockings are very lovely though. There's a ribbon for each Christmas. Dd1 is on her third ribbon. This is her first one of really knowing anything. She liked the lights and paper before but other than that it's not meant much. Dd2 seems very taken by the lights too.

That party sounds pretty full on. I hate it when the baby smells of other people. I get irrationally annoyed by it! Good job babies are so adaptable.

Grr to mice! Hate them. We're in the country so it's a fact of life but they are horrible. Have you tried peanut butter or Nutella on the traps? Ours love that.

Ok ladies - I have news. No amazingly so but news nonetheless. I think we are out of sleep bastarding regression at week 20. Whilst some of you may cringe that mini mzzzf is back to her 3.5hr sleeps I'm rather ok with that as that's her normal - yay! She's been pretty consistent with it this week, and it's slowly been more solid as the week has progressed so I'm hoping that we're back to situation normal! Hang on for week 20 ladies!!!

The skill acquisition comes thick and fast during the regression though - she mastered sitting unaided, better hand/eye coordination, starting to get up onto knees and yesterday has discovered she can shuffle backwards on her tummy and was ridiculously pleased with herself! Nowhere is now safe I reckon, even if she can't see where she's going!!!

Yes to annoying DHs. I love him to bits but ffs man it doesn't take 10 actual minutes to change a nappy but I'm trying to be all zen about it and think "well that's 10 more minutes I have to finish my coffee" etc I have to force myself from jumping in every time as DD and DH have to work stuff out for themselves. But I do relent after a bit if she's howling!

Also found this!

www.buzzfeed.com/patricksmith/its-evolution-baby#.efXDZoOgX

So does this mean I'm super in tune with mini mzzzf and she's Einstein reborn?! 😁😁

Morning

Lily you were very patient with the ILs, sometimes grandparents drive me mad! When any of them visit they seem to insist on holding dd and grinning at her constantly, ignoring my requests that they let her nap. Eventually I take her and let her nap myself I hate outdated advice too!

Mice, eeek!!! Can you borrow a cat? My neighbours always get mice and rats, but none here thanks to the four cats and their mouse patrol no spiders or bugs either as the elderly cat catches those.

Agreed on the annoying dh thing. I love having company and he takes the dc for an hour while I read my book at the weekend and have a break, but often I find it harder with him around as during the week I organise my time better and have playgroups to go to, whereas at the weekend they end op watching lots of TV as neither parent takes the lead on entertaining them.

On the talk of age gaps, I like a big gap. Ideally five or six years, so that the older one is fairly independent. I've got 3.5 years between mine, I think I've had it easier than my friends with a smaller gap as by age 3 I've been able to reason with dd1, she can dress herself, out of nappies etc. the downside is that they probably won't play together as much as if they were closer in age. Fatty you're doing amazingly to have two so close together and be loving it!

Nearly Christmas! I haven't bought much for either dc this year, dh doesn't want more 'plastic tat' filling the house, so both have got a rag doll (dd1 wants one desperately, she saw them in m&s and loved them) and lots of books that I'll wrap individually so there's more to open

Btw M&S have all their toys and gifts half price now, some of their stuff is lovely.

Morning!

Definitely something in the air last night as DS was up at 2, 2.45, 3.30, 5 & 6.30 last night. Wtf is that about??? I only went to bed at 1 as well as had been wrapping presents.

Dozy, I remember that feeling when coming home to a baby who is beside themselves. It is so heartbreaking. Hopefully next time he'll know a few of her cues and it will go smoother.

Fatty, we love the Sea life centre. It is brilliant for kids. Sorry the light show was shit though.

Oh Random I could not cut out dairy. Hope the HV has some good advice.

Slow, I can't wait until my DD is in school plays etc. I'm going to be a blubbering wreck! Enjoy Santa at Dunham. We went to Quarry Bank and he was brilliant but DD still hated him!

Lily, I can't believe your DH went out and you were left with his rellies! Well done on ignoring their "advice". I'm not sure I could have bitten my tongue! Well done to your DS too on being a star!

Fanby, I find I get things done quicker without DH's "help" too! I have also called DS DD on here too and in real life I'm always getting their names mixed up!

Clstow, eek! Mice in the bedroom. How did you sleep at all??? Don't think about work until it's closer.

Tindel, you have my sympathy. I married into a family of faffers!

Frolic, that is some incredible sleep! Huge congrats!

Joskar, I'm laughing about cleaning so your mum won't be horrified! I'm the same...it's the only time the skirting boards get a look in!

Mzzf, week 20 on Weds for us so maybe some sleep in time for Christmas. Sitting unaided and shuffling backwards sounds amazing!

Giraffes, I can see the benefits of having a bigger age gap while I sit here breastfeeding DS just as DD announces she needs a poo!

Re. Strictly, my favourites won but they were not the best on the night. I actually thought the middle couple should have won.

Got friends coming for mulled wine and mince pies this afternoon. Enjoy your Sundays ladies.

Argh Clstow hope the mice didn't make an appearance! I know what you mean about trying not to think about going back to work, only a month behind you but also trying to ignore it!

Tindel- yes yes to 'hang on I need to...' Yesterday I also got 'I can't feed him I've just ironed my shirt and it will crease!'

Frolic- amazing big sleep again! You seem to have cracked it! The last 2 nights DS has only woken for feeds so I've had some nice 3/ 4 hour chunks- and Mzzf I know what you mean when you've been getting no where near these are amazing! Frolic I thought it was your DH what a superstar!

Joksar- I get really irritated too when he smells of other people o thought it was just me! We're having the big Xmas clean tommorrow- I think I'll crack and hoover today though as our house is also at 'that' stage!!

I was patient wasn't I giraffes thank you and I totally deserved all those choc orange segments too didn't I?!

No longer- I want to do mulled wine for Xmas eve but never done it before- is the easy way just getting a bottle of the stuff and throwing in orange juice and extra spices/fruit?

Just had my hair cut finally thank god! DH has had DS all morning and has only just admitted he feels rough but is 'masking it well'- a step in the right direction!

Lily, I just bought red wine and a few sachets of pre-prepared spices etc that you put in the pan to infuse as you heat it up. Nice and simple! I think the only thing is not to boil it so the flavour isn't spoilt (and the alcohol boiled off!).

Just finished my big clean - DH looked after the kids and I ploughed though it all so am ready for guests this afternoon now.

frolic that is an amazing sleep - hope it continues for you. nolonger our sleep or rather no sleep sounds a bit like yours - think we saw every hour of the clock, with constant feeding and then crying if I laid her down on her own - keep repeating my mantra "this will not last"........

Took DDs age 2, 5 and 7 to see Santa today whilst DH looked after baby, DS and DD1. DD age 2 was sobbing at the gift she was given - a tambourine (bloody noise!) - said she has asked for Doc McStuffins toys and he has given her the wrong stuff - hard explaining that this isn't her Xmas present - just a little gift from Santa until he delivers proper presents on Xmas eve!! Then DD2 got fairy wings (she is a tomboy!) - not the most successful Santa visit we've ever had

Oh loveandsmiles - what a Santa visit!! That must be tough to explain about the gifts! I can just imagine her little face and her being a bit wtf lol. Too cute!

Wow lily you are hardcore with the inlaws, I'm going to remember you over Christmas when I'm with you and biting my tongue :) we're another house who just uses sachets of mulled wine and makes it that way. You can get some good premade stuff too from supermarkets!

I'm hiding out in the bedroom whilst DH sorts out a screaming baby. He wants to do it by himself so I'm letting him. Think he knows he was a bit of a Sod yesterday.

Loving the PPS

Oops wanted to finish by saying loving the positive sleep stories-maybe I won't see you in mugabes later....HAHAHAHA fat chance, going to need a liver transplant at this rate x

I'm back from watching star wars. It was pretty awesome.

Evening mugabes!
I finally feel festive having been to a Christmas party at a friends house this afternoon. Ds was a little star. All the little girls were very taken with him and he charmed quite a few adults as well.
I took a bottle of ebm with me to try. He literally laughed in mine and dh's face when we tried to give it to him! He was starving, but seems to have lost the ability to such a bottle teat. Hmmmm. Something to work on in the new year.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who washes their child when they smell like other people.

Yes to feeling calm in a clean house jockstar. My standards aren't massively high, but there is a point where I can no longer relax.

Wow! Mini mzzf has been really busy! Well done - that's loads of skillz 🙌🏻. So far Ds can only roll on his side and get stuck.
That was an Interesting article - thanks for linking. If intelligence and sleep are linked , Maybe Dd will become a super rich inventor or something and look after her lovely mum in style to make up for all these sleepless nights.

Thanks for the m&s sale tip giraffes. I've done all my shopping, but there are so many cute toys I may have to get.

I happen you had a lovely mulled wine and mince pie afternoon nolonger.

lily, for mulled wine you can go as basic as a bottle of red and a spice tea bag thing, or you can add stuff like orange juice, fruit, spices or more booze. All options usually taste fine. I love a bit of cherry brandy in mine. Mulled cider is made the same and very yummy. We have a massive slow cooker and it's perfect for keeping it warm without boiling all the alcohol off.

That sounds like an interesting Santa visit loves! Poor wee things, thinking that was their proper Christmas presents. I bet they were very relieved when you explained 🎅🏻

I hope your dh stops the screaming quickly fanby! It's so hard not to intervene, but they need to learn.

Right, time to attempt the transfer off me and into the sleepyhead. He's not had very long naps today, so hopefully he's exhausted and will do another great sleep. I hope none of us meet at the bar later!

Evening everyone. we had a pretty good night ds2 went down at 12.30 till 6. There were a couple of wake ups before then but I don't mind that.

We get mice occasionally but only because the bloody cat brings them in. Usually I will find a head and some organs but the other night she let one go alive and it had hid behind the sofa so she was frantically trying to get it. Not what I need to be dealing with whilst doing night feeds. Thanks Peach.

My dh is pretty good with the boys. He compressed his hours so is home every Tuesday and is used to looking after ds1 alone. Once I stop feeding ds2 I think he will enjoy getting a longer stretch with ds2. On the housework front he is less good. We have totally different views on what needs doing so last year we got a cleaner. She has saved my marriage.

I watch strictly too. My favourite won but I also liked the middle couple. Their final dance was amazing.

I like this mulled wine recipe

<a class="break-all" href="https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2010/dec/09/how-to-make-perfect-mulled-wine&ved=0ahUKEwjWwPCXpOvJAhXiKnIKHSd9BIQQFggnMAI&usg=AFQjCNH3P1ZK4RPqjYUOL2F8fq0er_Vh4w" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2010/dec/09/how-to-make-perfect-mulled-wine&ved=0ahUKEwjWwPCXpOvJAhXiKnIKHSd9BIQQFggnMAI&usg=AFQjCNH3P1ZK4RPqjYUOL2F8fq0er_Vh4w

But the lidl ready made one is pretty good too.

We had an epic card making session this morning. I did rudolfs with the Ds feet and red noses. Very cute.

We are going to see star wars tomorrow and leaving ds2 with my mum for the first time. Hopefully he will sleep but might have to do some expressing tomorrow just in case.

Right off to wrap some presents. Its feeling very festive here!

Excellent Sleepies frolic and peachy, crossing my fingers you (and everyone) get more of the same tonight!!

You both sound very christmassy. The three of us snuggled on the sofa this afternoon and watched home alone so I'm starting to feel it a bit!! :) really wanted to try the reindeer feet cards but think I'll be saving it for next year when I feel less like a mombie!

Forgot to add earlier - dozy, thanks for having my back on the fb group - not sure if it was soley directed at me but nice to know not everyone thinks I'm starving my daughter over night by not feeding her all 6/7 times she's currently waking ;) Xx

Oh god me again, sorry this feed is taking a while, so as I remember. Molls has started to enjoy throwing herself off the angel care bath support thing we have. Thinking of getting a bath seat - any good recommendations? I was looking at this one - http://m.johnlewis.com/mt/www.johnlewis.com/safety-1st-swivel-baby-bath-seat-pastel/p415312?unjtttvpdp=yes&unnjttvvfromproduct=unnproduct1#pagee_loaded

Do people even bother with these things or is it just another piece of plastic? She does currently still need support sitting up and is pretty wobbly so I doubt she'll be ready for it yet....

i will be hated by you all and kicked out of mugabes but ds sleeps very well and has done since 10 weeks. he is usually asleep for 7 and doesnt wake until around 5 for a feed and will then go bk to sleep for an hour or two altho he does need 1 or 2 dummys popping in before this. but then again he pretty much fights any sleep in yhe afternoon even tho hes tired

Oh man I totally forget there's a Facebook group with peeps of old! Although I'm so glad you didn't all run off and leave the thread, would've been madness making otherwise!

Mini mzzzf has again stuck two fingers up to napping today, 20min power naps max. She's also taken to scratching my face! 😕 So now my fear of putting her into the cot and her not sleeping is pretty null and void now as she's not napping on me anyway so might as well try it I guess as she'll not be losing any sleep! Hoping for another 3hr stretch tonight at least, she blooming owes me! 😀 I can't really hope for more than that, wonder what I'll get..,

You guys getting all crafty are brilliant. I'm such a dud at stuff like that, I've not even baked anything Christmassy yet - such a slattern!! I am however, looking forward to making my Christmas food shopping list, goodness I love a list!! Let's have a run down of top crimbo eats/drinks that you cannot be without!!

Lidl premade gluhwein is on my list
Stinky cheese
Gingerbread
Ooooh and I might go wild and get a yule log - or I'll cover a mini roll in Nutella 😁

Oh Fanby I'm had the same chat with DH today. We're going for this

www.kiddicare.com/p/Safety_1st_Swivel_Bath_Seat_Pastel_blue.htm

Damn pressed send to prematurely!!
Can't see you're JL one Fanby as the link is broken.

Da

Evening All

Fanby and mzzf your babies are more skilled that mine baby giraffe just lays idly on her bath support despite being one of the older ones. I'll probably buy a rubber bath mat for her to sit on once she can sit up, that's what I did with dd1 but she was lazy too. Those swivel seats are popular for busy babies I think.

Fatty glad you enjoyed Star Wars!

I had a funny evening as mentioned to dh that I may be up for dtd (first time since childbirth). I said a few things needed to be done, like put baby to bed etc. I've never seen a man move so fast, he was like roadrunner tidying up the house and getting dc to bed poor sod doesn't get much romance as you can tell.

Fingers crossed for good sleeping on Christmas week!