Nov '05 Toddlers and their baby brothers and sisters!

[Rodeo]

New thread for our new little bundles

Quiet day at home here, deliveries have all been and both boys sound asleep. Feeling as you do when full of the cold, gone are the days when you could take to bed with a good book or movie and plead 'I'm not feeling well, poor me!'.
DS1 was sick just the once during the night, managed to get it all over his hair and in his ear not to mention all over bed - he was showered (of course this was great fun and he was all ready for play!) and another bed made by which time DS2 wakes up hungry and so the night continued in such fashion - background music really kept me going though...oh yes...DH's harmonious snoring! And it's always because he has a blocked nose (yeah right! - lol)

Karma - Although i wasn't b/f DS1 when taken to hospital with SPD, i missed him so much it hurt. I was thrilled that he was happy and busy with grandma but gutted that i was missing so much of him. I enjoy b/f this little one a lot more than i did first time round, speaking of which Twinkle - can i ask what your conference was about, sounds interesting.

Better postpone todays MMR again, talk later x

Hiya, love hearing about all the sign reading, so amazing, what a bond of understanding you must have with your lo's KM and FH.
ChaCha, you poor things, sounds so exhausting. I hope you and the babies feel better really soon. So glad to hear you're enjoying the bf still, it will protect Y from this lurgy.
Rodeo, glad you're feeling better and hope your voice is healing or at least hope you're enjoying being huskylol. Wow, respect to you looking after 2 horses on top of 3 kids.....
Nova, sounds busy, hang in there!
Diege, hi, hope you get a resolution soon with your job, sounds like it's coming.
Hi BB, GG and all.
Busy is an understatement this spring I think, life in the fast lane- love it!

Hi Londoner, as you can see, still sat at PC while they sleep on, i'm sure i should be doing something more constructive with my time but....

Good to see you post, it is a definite Londoner type post when you are just checking in inbetween a million and one things going on..hope all is well on the home front, school front etc.. any more thoughts on c/m...? x

hey chacha. CM is out - had a trial for a few weeks and the strain was too much on me and on the kids, tooooo much. Other family were very happy, kids lovely etc, just didn't have enough oomph to go round in the end. Thanks.
How's the nappy situation this afternoon, any improvement? Am not surprised you're at computer when 'should be napping', sometimes you just need a little space to veg.

Evening .Really good to hear all your news girls . LONDONER, don't blame you one bit about the CM situation - phew, makes me tired just thinking about it! Re: job business, the deadline for them to sort it is the 30th, so should be hearing pretty soon..CHACHA: oh no, night-time sickness! It's the worst isn't it - that horrible dread, and the thought that you're going to (both) be wide awake by the end of it all (and it could happen again)...and the sicky smell never seems to go from their hair...not making you feel better here am I ... . Boo to the snoring too - join the club! RODEO: I had to snigger at vision of you with J over your shoulder I'm afraid - I know exactly what you mean about wishinhg you hadn't bothered, lol ; but they seem so pleased when they get a bit of freedom that it seems cruel to deny it, but then the screaming is just the worst!! Have fun with the horses - must be great getting some riding in now the weather is better . KARMA: good for you resuming the bf; sounds like you're both happier for it .
Well, I'm off to a 3-day conference at Cambridge University, which I was sooo looking forward to, but my friend/colleague who I was going with can't make it. Feel like about 12 and not 36, but am now feeling really nervous about going on my own/speaking to people/going to meals etc without a friend by my side...How pathetic is that!!! I've been to Conferences by myself before, and have always coped ok, but I'm starting to think about ways to get out of it...I'm not at all nervous about presenting my paper, just who to sit next to at breakfast ; am I mad????
Right, Easter egg to paint!!!

Quick one before the school run
Good luck at the conference Diege! You'll be fine! oe's this mean your getting 2 nights uninterrupted sleep?! And fingers crossed for good news before the 30th
Chacha, how's Z today? Hopefully sick free Did you catch up on any sleep last night after your hellish night before? And thanks for the MMR reminder, I cancelled J's a few weeks ago due to streaming cold, will re-book I suppose!
Hello Karma! 'Nice to have you back' 'It's nice to be back' 'It's nice to have you back' 'It's nice to be back', we could go on! Heehee! You get the picture, we are pleased
Londoner - Hello! Don't wear yourself out! Never mind about the CM thing, I don't think I could do it. I'm just about managing to keep on top of the horses, takes me about 2 or so hours a day, to muck out and ride, they're good fun and exercise though, feel really lucky to have that time away Nearly got attacked by some gypsy dogs yesterday, but that's a story for later! Bye! x

Thanks RODEO! One of those things (I hope!) that are worse in the lead-up, that the evennt itself! Yes, two unbroken nights sleep - just me, some choccy bars and my Martina Cole . Priceless!! Plus I think I'll get a bit of sightseeing in too . Tell us more about the gypsy dogs!!.
TWINKLE!!! Many thanks for the questionnaire!! I had to pick it up this morning from the sorting office as I had 'underpaid' the postage on the SAE . Still getting to grips with this newfangled postal thingy . Your responses were really useful, thanks .
Right, looking forward to the 'Apprentice' tonight!!!

Hello!! Not quite got round to posting pics on yahoo yet (need to remove the red eye cos we look like devil people!? ) but will try to do it before the weekend is out.....

Diege - good look with news on job, and also on the conference, know what you mean about irrational adult fear of who to sit by at breakfast, and who to talk too etc... odd isn't it!?

Rodeo - hope all is well with you, I haven't quite got round to finding a backpack yet - but at the moment the Vaude something-or-other is looking the favourite (guess that's what I'll be spending my bonus on then...)

Chacha - sounds like you are coping v. well. Hope Z is now on the mend.

Thomas appears to have the start of sticky eye again (bugger) have caught it early and satrted some drops, just hoping that he is ok for nursery tomorrow (wicked Mummy...)

Right, off to watch Prison Break, recorded from Monday.....

Hi to Londoner, GG, Karma, FH, Nova and all those I've not mentioned....

Brownie
x

Evening girls.

Just catching up whilst watching Grand Designs. Had a busy day today, caught up with my RL postnatal group. One has a newish baby who, (those of a nervous disposition may wish to look away) sleeps through already, age 2 months. Ella only started sleeping through a month ago. Another girl is 30wks PG & her DS is a right little monster, adorable but a monster nonetheless. All the LOs played very well together. Ella did her best 'biscuit' sign which made me proud. Oh, & after trying for ages to get her to sign 'cat' she eventually did it today when she saw one in a book. I've taken your advice, feetheart, I now use lots of signs whilst talking to her rather than just one per day. She definately 'gets it' now. I think having this time off work has made all the difference. I just need to teach the CM what they all mean.....!

chacha, poor you having to clean up night time sick. And listening to DH's snoring too! There is an operation he can have for that, you know. Failing that, a well-placed toe up his bum as you get into bed works a treat too. Well, it does in our house.

londoner, I'm amazed when anyone considers becoming a CM, what a tiring job it must be. I don't blame you for changing your mind. My CM has been doing it for 20 years & has 7 kid of her own (age 25 down to 2) God knows how she does it.

Rodeo, can't wait to hear about the gypsy dogs. How did you know they were gypsies? Were they selling sprigs of lavander?

Diege I sooo know how you feel. When I was in the Territorial Army, there were a few times I had to travel down to Aldershot, get settled into the Mess, sit with a load of total strangers during meals & I hated it. Just smile at everyone & pretend you're brimming with confidence. Good luck.

Brownie, hope Thomas' eye gets better soon. You feel like eveyone is staring at the Bad Mummy for bringing an infected child into the nursery!! Just keep your head down & run out.

Hi to everyone else. Hope you're getting some sleep Nova.

Karma

Hi everyone, not getting online much lately. Working 3 nights a week, the other 4 are spent catching up on TV. Daytimes I'm keeping myself busy, going to different groups, stopping me feeling sorry for myself.

Homestart have finally reopened their waiting list, so should hopefully hear from them very soon. [fingers crossed].

Oh NO! I'm turning blonde

Today I have phoned my friend, left a message on her answer phone saying "Heidi, hi..." Didn't realise what I was saying until I said it. Hope she doesn't notice.

Then this afternoon I've gone out to toddler group at school which starts at 2pm. Looked at the time, saw it was 13:45, so got Sean ready & went out, wandered around a bit as i could still hear the childrn out playing, checked my watch, it was just after 2pm, so checked my phone, it said 13:02. . Realised Sean has been playing with the clock on the cooker, as all the other clocs & my watch are analogue I hadn't taken any notice of the hour hand. So back home, and I'll try again in a bit.

There's got to be a third silly thing i do today.

LOL Just one of those days it seems! Speaking of which Rodeo - what about those dogs? Diege - Normal to feel like that but i'm sure that once you actually get there you'll wonder what you ever worried about, just think of all that unbroken sleep...

Nova - Are you out there? Was just thinking of you, how are you getting on and how is Noo taking to little bro'? Let us know how you are.

Still poorly here but yesterday was so gorgeous out i went for a long walk and braved a bus home - quite testing taking the Power Twin on bus, people can be either v.helpful or pig ignorant, but glad i've done it now. Have my DF coming to stay for a long while this weekend so we have another room to empty and rearrange - DH has had enough and has just had a massive shed erected in garden which is to be his second home - 'somewhere to study and get some peace'...must invest in one myself
DS2 has a horrible little cough

Hope everyone else is well

Afternoon!
I read that as your are going blonde this afternoon GG LOL at your Hi-de-hi moment! Have you been feeling low lately? I remember I did a bit last year, maybe a touch of late PND, being back with the horses has done me no end of good. How's the job? Are you enjoying it? I miss my bar job but the mornings after I was sooo tired.
Diege, SIL had week off work so she'll give them out next week, I'll stick an extra stamp on the all, do you think this will cover them? Just grab a paper at breakfast!
Karma, Awwww, what's the sign for biscuit? How sweet! Although do you think she'll be using it every 5 minutes?
Anyway, these dogs...... was riding bike going down to the horses, had just pedalled up the hill so was a bit puffed out and was approaching the 'temporary gypsy site' (they moved in last Sunday) and was in a world of my own, as normal, when 2 dogs came flying out barking and growling from between caravans really aggressively, and chased me up the road! It was pretty scary at the time but I'm laughing about it now. Called the police and they came round to my house in a riot van (slightly over the top)! But they had words and they haven't gone for me since.
Speak later, I've just found 28 Yorkshire tea tokens in the bottom of our tea caddy so I want to see if I can get a good free gift! Ooh the excitement x

Hi Chacha! Ooh you brave thing with your bus journey! Buses are something I try to avoid at all costs! I always feel 'in the way' and toddlers always feel the need to throw a mega tantrum on them! I'm sure I've built this bus anxiety into something it's not though
Hope little Y gets better soon, horrid when newborns are ill but with sniffling big brothers and sisters it's unavoidable.
Has DH got a bed in this shed of his?! My dad has always had a telly in his to watch cricket or final scores

Quick catch-up as A has fallen asleep and T has gone to the library for storytime with a friend.
Karma - I've done something really 'teachery' with the signs and made a 'book'. I did it for T initially (and she loved it) but it was helpful for the CM she went to once a week and is now a brilliant record of her language development. I am doing the same for A though we are on the 2nd book and its hard to keep up!!

Rodeo - what can you get then??
Sign for 'biscuit' involves tapping your elbow. I was mean and didn't teach it to T for AGES however Something Special has a lot to answer for and A knows the signs for both 'biscuit' and 'cake' as well as our made up sign for 'breadstick'

ChaCha - I'm very impressed with you and the bus too. T keeps asking to go on one again but I'm stalling
We had an extension built onto our garage last summer for DH to use as an office and I must admit that it has been brilliant - no more trying to keep quiet during work hours and everyone knows when Daddy is at work because it doesn't involve sitting around the house looking at a computer and drinking coffee - he just does the latter two in his office now!

Hope sticky eyes and coughing babies are on the mend.
Must go and do something constructive and boring (like housework!) for a while!

Oooh! Brave you ChaCha. I think I've been on a bus once since I passed my test. I can't stand the things.

Rodeo, I'm fine when I'm with other people, hence trying to get out as much as I can. When I'm on my own, however, can be a totally different story. it's good that you've got the horses, so you can get away from things if necessary & it's something you love doing. Work's goign OK. Better than I though it would TBH, feels like I never left! And the tips are good. I've definately been happier the alst couple of weeks since I've been back.

Sean had his 1st haircut today - one of the mums at school is a mobile hairdresser - he looks so different, so muh more grown up now.

GG - Really want to cut Z's hair too but am more reluctant than ever now. Met a guy in the registry office who said his son's curls never grew back after his wife cut his hair! Don't know what to do, his hair is just everywhere right now.
You sound happy with your job - that's what counts

Rodeo - Good that you called the police, don't know what i'd have done, probably have wet myself!

Feetheart - Lovely idea on the book and the signing is just fab. I started a scrapbook for Z's first year but being a bit of a perfectionist it never quite got finished - hopefully will get it altogether before 10th birthday. How is T by the way?
Shed almost up and running now, half way through insulation, DH is really chuffed with it - big boy's den i say, will have to run some sort of cable out so that i can still nag, scream, moan etc..

BB - Still no photo of this haircut of yours woman!!! Had to LOL at devil people btw, 'ewwww...why didn't anyone tell me who she was...' LOL

Beks - Are you still with us?

On a domestic note, i spent most of their nap time hanging out two big loads of washing, was very pleased with myself until it started to rain and so now i am stuck tumbledrying blasted piles of wet clothes. Maybe make point not to titter at MIL when she is darting in and out of back door muttering 'ooooh..now there's a cloud...ohhhh..now should we put another sheet out...ooooooh...maybe we'll just bring that in...'

Right, bath time for all. Shattered. x

One of the little boys at toddler group has lots of curls ChaCha. Maybe you could just get it trimmed a little, so that his curls are still there?

I sound like your MIL where washings concerned. DP just nods and agrees while I'm asking him which way he thinks that greyish cloud is moving.

ChaCha - IKWYM about the perfectionist streak, I was very fussy with T's signing book and its still not really finished. Think motherhood the 2nd time round has mellowed me as I've let T help with A's book (dodgily cut pictures stuck on at weird angles etc!) and its much nicer for it

GG - sorry to hear you are struggling a bit, we are good listeners if you need it. Glad the job is working out though, and that the tips are good. I always liked the tips more than the wages when I was working in a pub, felt like I'd really earnt them somehow!

Off to get A's 2nd haircut on Saturday as he looks like a scarecrow with a mohican-he has an amazingly thick middle bit that just looks mad! If its any help ChaCha a friend of mine still hasn't had her son's hair cut as he has such lovely curls and he's 3 1/2. She just snips bits off when they fall in his eyes.

Better get some sleep as we have a soft play party tomorrow and I'm going to be trying to keep up with a certain fearless small boy throughout the whole thing

Hi!
Chacha - will try and get the photos sorted and posted this weekend - promise.....

Well, T went to nursery, and was fine....told them "he appears to have a bit of a cold, and it is making his eyes water and stream..." The nursery manager, said..yes it affects a lot of them like that....so think I might have got away with that one although to be honest, they are tonnes better now, so it probably is just a heavy cold, cos there are so many aroudn at the moment.

Just got back from yoga, last one for 2 weeks, so we have all been given some postures to do at home....obviously I'll be doing them at elast twice a day.... But - I did manage to do a headstand tonight, which not many of the class did, so am feeling very proud of myself now...

Nova - hope you are doing okay....and that Noo is doing grand and gene is just munchy....

Diege - when is the conference? Oh and let us know what happens on the job front, you find out tomorrow yes?

Rodeo - ooh well done you calling the police on the gypsy dogs...

GG - make sure you look after yourself...

Might have to get T's hair trimmed soon (don't want to tho ) But not sure if anyone else has this - but it doesn't appear to grow much around the front temples, but the back is getting long and curly - weird!!

Right - off to bed now, forgot to sky+ Hotel Babylon tonight - buggeration, don't think it is repeated either is it?

Brownie
x

Seans new pushcair has just arrived. His other one is broken. I have rope tied round the brake to stop it going on every time I go over a bump. It just fell apart. Didn't realise it had to be put togeher. Doh!

BB - noo is also lacking hair around the temples, but has long curls at the back. I want to try and cut her a fringe as at the moment it's in a really bad comb-over, but I'm not sure she has enough hair to carry it off yet. Also not sure if she'd let me loose on her with scissors!

Diege - you've probably gone already, but I must say I'm a newspaper sitting by myself kind of girl if I'm faced with a room full of people I don't know at breakfast.

Rodeo - had a dream last night that it turned out you lived near me and that your stables were the ones based around the corner from me .

Chacha - You'll definitely have to get an intercom to the shed!

Feetheart - I think noo would have benefitted from signing, but I stopped when our teacher left and I got pg again .

HV came yesterday and is referring noo to a speech & language therapist because she's still not talking. She understands everything but just can't form words. We have to ditch the dummies, even though she only uses them for sleep, so this weekend is going to be hell. I don't think that the dummies alone are enough to stop her speaking, but I know the therapist is going to say ditch them, so we're going to get her to say goodbye to them tomorrow.

Gene is indeed yummy, and for some reason I find him very funny.

Nova, I'm interested to hear Noo has been referred to a SALT for not talking yet. When you say not talking is she babbling & making nonsense sounds with a vague conversational nature? Or is there nothing? Ella isn't really saying many recognisable words other than Hiya, That & Dada. DP is worried that by teaching her signing I'm impeding her desire to speak but I have the literature that says it won't. A friend of mine had a similar problem with her DD1. The SALT said that in households where the adults talk in an intelligent manner, using long words, avoiding 'baby words', the children take longer to learn the dialogue but once they do, they talk very well.

GG, Good luck with the new pushchair. Buying one is bad enough without having to get another!

BB, Ella's hair is like that. If she was a boy it could be cut into a reasonable style but we seem to be stuck with a whispy mullet!

Feetheart, I am soo at having a second haircut. We are such a long was off from our first haircut!

Chacha, My DS had lovely curls until he was 2 then they never grew back. I still have a lock of his curly blonde hair in a little envelope. Why don't you do a Romeo Beckham on Z & just let it grow really long?

Hello to everyone else, hope you all have a good weekend.

Morning
I'm surprised Noo's being referred too Nova Esp. when you say she understands loads. Sounds very similar to J who mainly babbles and squawks to get the message across HV probably had a quiet day yesterday...Would be nice if stables were round corner from you, would drop in for a cuppa! Don't think I'll be dropping in on the gypsies though after I snitched on the police to them! Oh and LOL at Noo's combover! J's is exactly the same! Think we'll go down the hairclip route!
We'll need a new pushchair for the summer, the Zapp has nearly had it's day! What have you got GG?
Chacha/Brownie, Joe was curly too and we cut his hair about 18mths. Looked so nice cut short, really different. I love the little napes of their necks when it's just been cut. But your right, there's no turning back when it's been done! Maybe you should enjoy their curls until they're really uncontrollable and messy
Feetheart, it's a tough choice I'm afraid.....teatowels, an apron or a mug! Oh decisions decisions! Enjoy your party!
Have to go and rescue our shoes, again, J's favourite current pasttime is lobbing them off the shoe rack into a pile Not funny when you've got 15 pairs on there and she's doing it 20 times a day. Oh and she loves emptying our clothes drawers and dumping them in similar piles. Any suggestions other thanm buying lots of mouse traps?!

Brownie - LOL at buggeration That's a new one on me! I'll try and use it today!