Nov '05 Toddlers plus baby bro's (& sis)

[Rodeo]

Here we are!

Hi all I'm back. Got back about 1130 last night. I'll post some pics on Yahoo later, I won't bore you with all the details, you'll be here all week reading about it. Needless to say we had a fantastic time, I spent far too much money, took tons of photos & loved every minute!

Some progress here, I had the homestart co-ordinator round today, and she's sorted me out with a volunteer who will be here to see me on Monday.

Speak to you later, just off to get the boys from the ferry, then need to find some space for all the bits I've bought back with me. (Boring DP wouldn't let me have the beautiful princess staircase snowglobe that I wanted!)

Hi all,
Greedygecko I work for homestart its fab i only do one day a week but think it makes a difference for the people i see,hope it works well for you
Diege must meet up soon. Still trying to pack like a mad woman!!! should have everything including the kitchen sink by monday
twinkle

Hi girls,

GG - Welcome back Glad you had a great time, what was the best part for you?

Londoner - Paddling pool bath sounds great, wouldn't have minded that myself, what a cool idea! Last year's massive paddling pool was thrown out as I'd left it out in the garden a bit too long so I picked up a small baby-friendly one courtesy of good old Wilkinsons - yet to be filled of course!

Rodeo - 4 hours sleep! Oh No!! It was the first time to take J camping wasn't it? Wouldn't she settle? Hope daylight hours were spent well to make up for it!

BB - Have decided to get the weekly calendar, i like the space for lists etc. on either side, do i type in a code on your behalf, i'm sorry i've forgotten!

Twinkle - Hope you have a fantastic holiday. Impressed at the countries you have visited, how did you find Tunisia? And what did you think of Egypt?

Everything here is okay, boys are over their colds and things are back to normal. DS2 - couldn't ask for a happier, content baby, eating very well and now goes to sleep from 7-6, something that DS1 never did - is like clockwork and gives me some time alone with DS1 for bath/bed routine etc. and the usual tidy up [yawn]. DS1 can be a real handful right now, he doesn't listen to no and will just fling himself around when i take something from him or stop him doing something. I was really going to lose it today (he was doing something v.dangerous) so I just took him upstairs and told him to go to bed and that there was no bedtime hour (on TV) and i'd be back. I closed the door (took a deep breath, went to the loo)came back, he was sat on the top bunk looking very pleased with himself (despite the fact that we removed the first two steps - how he managed i do not know), anyway I had to laugh, all was forgiven and we came back down - God knows if that was the right thing to do but that seemed the better option at the time. How do you discipline a 20 month old who will not listen? He honestly doesn't care.
I actually have a few questions for you all but i feel this post is going to be long enough, perhaps i'll try to post over the next few evenings.
I am taking them to Jamboray tomorrow as DS1 cannot spend a whole day indoors, it did my head in today and every room is a bomb site.
DH needs laptop, see you tomorrow.
Waves to Nova (where are you?), Diege, L&S, and everyone else x

Afternoon! You know when you have really great days asnd you think 'hey, I'm really good at this parenting lark, maybe I should write a book/go on the TV...' and the next your children turn into the spawn of the devil????!!!! . Arghhh!!!!!! DD2 is a NIGHTMARE!!! one minute hysterical giddy laughter, the next screaming tantrum...and I've got the joy of the postoffice queue later on, on pension day...Run out of rooms for 'time out', you can even hear her outside the house (I would imagine, not that she's been put there yet...).
Welcome back GG!! Couldn't access your photos for some reason, will try later. Sounds like you had a great time anyway! Welcome back! Hi CHACHA!! Hold on on there with the cool, calm parenting - you're doing a lot better than me!
Right, will be back later but thumping noise from upstairs sounds ominous...

Hi Diege, how did your day go? How do you manage with 3? Your oldest two are only 16mths apart aren't they? Day was good today only because we were out from 11 until 5. It seems DS1 is at his best when we are outdoors, we went to a lovely park where DS spent ages and didn't seem to tire and then to the other side of town to Jamboray where I got told off for running up the slide with DS

Both children look ready to sleep, hurray!

Hello back

I've been enjoying the sunshine by getting out and about with noo and miniman. We're off for an impromtu weekend away in Brighton tomorrow, going to do a recce of places for future house buying as well as meeting up with DH's family on saturday. DH very excited at the prospect of taking noo to the beach and the pier.

Chacha, miniman suddenly got the hang of weaning this weekend (after 2 weeks) and is now eating much more. He had 3 courses yesterday courtesy of noo feeding him her yogurt (I feed them both at the table, although miniman needs a little propping up in his high chair). I must confess he's getting Plum baby and Ella's kitchen as I can't be arsed to puree this time round.

Miniman has discovered the joy of rolling and regularly flips himself onto his back in his cot, usually waking himself up and jamming his arms in the bars.

DH needs the computer - boo!

That is not a link by the way I was doing waves back ha ha ha

Hi NOVA! Ooh Brighton, one of my favourite places in the world. Are you thinking of moving there yourself, or buy to rent type thing? [nosey emoticon].
Hi CHACHA!!! Well, survived the day, and that was with just the two of them! Think it started badly with us trecking across town, taking two buses, just to realise that the supposed birthday party was actually a month away . Cue much embarrassment on my behalf, and confusion for dds, and lots of 'compensation' in the form of bowling (that's where the 'party' was) - HOW expensive is bowling these days . Crazy screaming continued well into the evening, but they were in bed for 7, so all OK. LOL at you and the slide ; did you protest and go up anyway?
Going into work with dd1 tommorrow to start the mass exodus of c*ap from my office , something that dd1 should enjoy with a binsack of her own! Still feels really odd to be leaving there after 14 years!!!
BTW GG have been looking for Sept PP with no luck. Can you enlighten us?

Nova, good to see you post, weekend sounds fab - hope you have good weather and a great time. Where do you like going best with the children? Any favourite places? I think there's a lot to do in your part of the city.

Oh Diege! What a day, and I complain, you must be glad that the day is over. I must have missed something, you're leaving? I think i must read posts half heartedly sometimes or am v.forgetful, fill me in! You better treat yourself to one of those calendars me dear... isn't it lovely when they're all asleep, ahhh....

LOL CHACHA, leaving old office for new office at new place of work Really excited actually, as I'll be able to work one day from home, plus have a 0.8 contract, so only physically in work Monday-Wednesday .
While I'm on was a bit at a friend's comments the other day, and not sure what you all think? As you know I'm sure, I don't drive, and have sort of given up on the whole thing at least for now. It doesn't stop me getting out and about with the dds (dab hand at buses, trams and trains), and I figure that the price of a taxi (when needed) is less than the £22 a week lesson fee. So I'm happy. She implied however that people who don't drive can't be good parents, as they are depriving their LOs of opportunities etc... Just sort of mumbled, like you do, but it's been on my mind ever since ...

Diege,
Tell her to take a hike!!!!! you dont need frinds like that!!!!! Makes no difference if you can drive or not as you have lots of public transport you can access.If you lived up a mountain with nothing then it might be a bit of a struggle but stil.... she needs to get a grip.
Still trying to pack like a mad woman and the kids r trying to help AAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHH........will be taking no clothes but lots of pony's and soldiers!!!
twinkle

Hi TWINKLE!!! Thanks for the support This particular 'friend' is well known for her 'tact' (remember one such comment to me, when I'm waiting in downpour at school gates in bright coloured wellies and waterproof (Cath Kidson doncha know , albeit 'for Millets' )...'gosh you're brave, I wouldn't be seen dead in that, but then I'm boring...'. Known as 'passive aggressive' in psychology 101 . Seriously.
Feel tired just reading about your packing . You will have a great time! Agree, kids are useless at it, and add at least 3 hours onto the task. DH is taking dds1 &2 for a short break to Cricieth in N.W Wales for a few days at the end of August, while I'm at work - still means me packing though (I couldn't risk it, for their sakes)...and I'll have the 5.45 wakings with L, and no 'take it in turns' lie-in!!! Not seeming such a good idea now! Right, up to watch TV in bedroom as TV has finally packed in. Arghhh!!!!

Morning,
Ooh these bright sunny mornings are lovely aren't they
Oh Diege, had to LOL at your day the other day, you poor woman! And as for your 'friend' , my friend said something similar to me last night, making out it's a huge problem 'We survive' I think I managed while screaming 'Oh just f"*£ off' inside! And this is from the woman who has just taken her adulterous husband back for the 3rd time after he left her with a 2yo and a 6mth old! Oops, sorry for the mini-rant!
Had a big clear out yesterday and now have a pile of things to try and sell (might do it on here, any tips Diege?!) and a bag for charity, want to tackle 'under the bed' at some point too, gulp!
J had a funny half hour last night - my mum, sister and her bf came round and all she did was show off - twirling, posing, singing, dancing, which we all thought was hilarious, but when our attention wained, she got on the coffee table to do more of the same!
Ds being challenging at the moment too (think it must be a 2nd children thing!) fighting, antagonising, breaking things - typing it down I know I should be ignoring this and praising the good, but it's soooo hard!
Hello Chacha, Nova, Twinkle, Londoner & GG!
Better go, have house to tidy and horses to ride, they're being shod this morning, thank goodness, this wet then sunny weather has taken it's toll on their feet, Echo has been losing a shoe a week and Shadow's are really loose!
Bye for now x

Hi all,

Rodeo, lol at J and her show-dancing, so sweet! Can't beliiiiiieve you manage to look after those horses as well as 3 kids and your other half, where do you get your motivation from? Also how's the running going, blimey I'm tired just asking!
Diege, and at your friend, WHAT a cow.
Oh, got to go, Baby reeking havoc with cat food, again.
Hi to everyone else too...

Hello [waves]

Just a semi-quick one from me, as off on hols tomorrow!
Still haven't managed to do anything about the photos on yahoo - but will try to get it all sorted after hols!

Chacha - the link should sort the code out automatically, (if not, think my code is 277)

Diege - you sound very restrained at your friends comments - Who made it her business to stick her beak into your life? It's none of her business that you don't drive - you still take the kids places (and let them experience the joys of different types of transport and the inclement weather - a far better education so there!)

Rodeo - hello - glad you are ok.

Nova - you sound like you are having a blast with 2, ooh Brighton, is this a permanent move, or a holiday home type thing?

Right, off to try and finish the packing - thought we might be taking less this year (as no bottles, sterilisers or SMA tins - but NO - I still haven't mastered the packing light concept!)

Right - Cases, then sleep beckons, before Wales tomorrow......

B
x

Hi all

BB & Twinkle hope you have great hols, both of you.

GG glad you had a fab time in disney, bet the boys loved it. Saw your magazine article, not sure i'm talking to you now I know your 1st birth was pain free

Diege tell your friend "to go and play with the traffic" oh no my mistake she's the one who'll be stuck on the motorway for hours and hours trying to take her kids out for the day this weekend if the weathers nice As for the clothes comment you should have smiled sweetly and said "I was just thinking the same about yours" or if you're feeling really nasty, "I was just thinking how much better that looks on my elderly mother than it does on you" [miaow] Send her to london we'll soon sort her out

Rodeo, ahh J's dancing sounds really sweet, hope you caught it all on video.
Am with you on stroppy boy syndrome, B is being particularly lary at the moment and is pushing my buttons, hence lack of posts as have been out everyday of the hols so far [knackered] emoticon

Chacha I remember you asked why boys lash out and tantrum, it's generally frustration that they can't express themselves fully and they have so much pent up energy all the time that they just go for it when they are having a paddy. I was told to treat my boys like over exuberant puppies and to ensure that I took them both for a good long walk everyday - and boy does it work, a day in the house spells disaster, a run round the park however, makes for a quiet life

Think I jinxed myself in my last post about T not crying when he hurts himself. My little stuntman has managed to have an accident everyday this week and is limping around covered in bruises and on each accident he sobbed and cried "muuummmmyyyy" and wouldn't be consoled by anyone else.

Roll on next week when B's away at a day camp all week and life can get back to sum semblence of normality.

Hope everyone is enjoying the great weather, will catch up with shorter posts soon. Beks

Beks - Am glad i logged in! Am at home today (the fool that i am) and the day has gone from bad to worse. DS1 has been hitting DS2 at every given opportunity, totally won't listen to me at all! Even garden play was a disaster today. We have had a great week, very early bedtimes and time for ourselves at night as i've been going out from morning till teatime and he's had parks, softplay and other kids company all week - you are so right, this seems to be the only way to keep my sanity right now. Problem with that though is that Jack Diddly gets done at home and am shattered by the time we get in. I am constantly being told that once we hit DS2's first milestone of being 1 that things will start to be much better with both of them able to play etc..I sure hope so!

Anyway, thanks for the rant, DH is working again this weekend so it's been a long week for me and i'm just feeling tired and all 'parked' out today. DS2 is in need of a drink so will go.

My apologies for self centred post,will post to you all later, happy holidays to those travelling and a big hello to everyone else. x dance....]

That wasn't meant to be a link, sorry!

Feeling much better now, DS2 is fast asleep and DS1 in bath with DH and will soon be in bed. Just sat in the garden with a drink and listened to the silence for a while and could think!

Rodeo - J, how cute! Did you capture the moment?

Evening!
Well we're riding out the storm tonight - baby bottle's have been banished (and binned so no turning back!)! She's now with her anyway up cup in bed but she's lobbing it out and screaming her little head off!
Chacha - glad all is quiet in your house Sorry to hear about Z's happy slapping! I'm sure he'll grow out of it pretty fast, just try to ignore him and take baby away. Y won't remember anyway and I'm sure no serious damage will be done!
Brownie - enjoy your hols! (I know you've gone already though!)
Nova - good luck with the holiday home hunting! I was listening at least
Beks - Hi! Well ds has been great today! But he has been horse-riding this morning and bike-riding this afternoon! Keeping him v.busy too!
Londoner - Thanks for the praise, but you should see my house - it's a bombsite! Oh bum, which reminds me, I put a wash in earlier to go on the line but it's still in the blooming machine! Argh!
Just ordered a few t-shirts for the kids from the No Added Sugar website, they've got a clearance sale on if any of you are interested! I was given the password Hoppityhop to access it.
Oh BTW, didn't record the showing off! She always stops when the camera comes out, she'll never make an actress! I've been trying to take some pictures of her but can only manage the back of her head in most of them
Right, the screamer has gone quiet, just off to check she's still breathing Bye for now x

Evening

Chacha glad to be of some help. Don't worry about Z hitting Y, I can assure you that Y will more than get his own back in the coming months and years. I don't tell the boys off individually now if I'm not in the room to see what happened as they are both as bad as each other and at times T can be worse than B.

It is very exhausting being out with them all day and you're so right about getting diddly squat done at home but your sanity is more important than a clean house. Enjoy the peace and quiet this evening and gear yourself up tomorrows onslaught.

Nova hope the family meet up went well and the house hunting. We were going to go to Brighton today too but dh was on call so we had to scrap that idea. If I had the choice of somewhere to move to it would be Brighton, dh's cousin lives in Hove and it's lovely, although the gardens are all very small where she is, but with the beach on your doorstep I don't suppose it really matters.

Took the boys to the local farm today, T loved it and was mooing like mad and saying hello to every animal he saw - all very sweet.

Right off to look at steam generator irons as am thinking of starting an ironing service - how much ironing would you expect to have done and would you pay half hourly, hourly or by the bag?

Hope you're all having great weekends Beks

Rodeo - Impressed, have you been trying gradually or did you just decide enough was enough? I hand DS1 anyone of his many cups/beakers/straw thingies and he shakes his head and gets all stroppy, much prefers little brother's bottle Any tips are gratefully received, i think i have bought every toddler drinking vessel available but to no avail. He will use certain Avent cups if the teat replaces the sip part.

Beks - Is good to know others are in the same boat, the early days of a sleeping/feeding newborn alongside DS1 seem like plain sailing now. I'm managing to relax a lot more about the house these days but it's things like bill payment/filing/organising that are getting neglected, I manage to prepared DH's lunch/dinner at 6am when up with DS2 and get the bulk of things to do done then before DS1 wakes, as soon as he is awake is all systems go and he screams blue murder if you try to escape, he no longer likes to feel the prisoner feeling enclosed by the gates and so everything takes triple the time cause you got 2 followers everywhere.
I'm sorry, i'm rambling away, DH has too much on for me to be going on about the joys of motherhood and my poor mum is having a tumour removed next week, as for RL friends, they have much of the same so we avoid such conversations and enjoy adult company etc.. I'm constantly being told to have someone help clean etc.. but i'm one of those people who seem to enjoy sitting back admiring the fruits of my own labour... can't help it.

Well, both boys are asleep and well, the fridge is full and we have clean clothes to wear tomorrow...can't be all bad eh?

Thank you so much for listening. Absolutely shattered, finish my tea and off to bed
p.s. Beks - is a good idea, have you researched the prices in your area yet?

will be on next when i get a chance x

well sometimes drink is the blame of late night waffle...what's my excuse?

Shattered, honest!

well im packed!!! I should now be able to supply most of turkey with clothing and baby equipment.So much for packing light eh
We fly at 11am so will not be around for a fortnight.Hope you all continue to get nice weather, and have a peaceful holiday
Twinkle and Co.

Have a great holiday TWINKLE!!!, and BB too! Oh CHACHA are you OK? Sounds one heck of a full-on early start you have there; do you get any respite at the weekends (ie,does dh do the early shift?)Hope your mum is alright too - must be a stressful time for you all - lots of hugs
BEKS: I hold you responsible for the rice crispies lodged in my computer keys after reading your suggested comments to my 'friend' re: 'elderly mother', pmsl!!!. Unfortuantely I am a classic conflict avoider, and will instead seeth quietly at 2am thinking about exactly how I should have handled things .Oh and re: ironing, I'd say by the bag (they quote binsack full round here,between 10-15£)RODEO: agree about second child syndrome, lol - dd2 is being, how shall we say, 'challenging' these past few weeks, lots of laughing at any attempts at discipline, and taking a very long time to settle at night. I've always been confused about the 'ignore bad behaviour' advice - how does that fit in with naughty step etc?? Have always interpreted it as ignore the silly stuff but discipline the socially unacceptable/really unpleasant behaviour. Oh I don't know!!! . Oh and your washing being left in the washer reminded me that mine was too!!
Well have had a rather fraught weekend here - bad start on Fri night with L screamiong on and off for 3 hours between midnight and 3.Managed a bike ride out to pick berries on Sat, but I have been sooo short-tempered, esp. with DH (though he has been an arse I must say), and then losing it with dds today over silly things . I think I'm finding it hard being on holiday if that makes sense! Being at home all week is such hard work compared with paid work - I'm not used to no time by myself!
Well hoping you all had better weekends! I'm looking forward to taking dd1 to my mums for a few days end of next week (sleeeeep!!!)

Beks - Have been looking at some of the local services here online, have a look at Friday Ad, lots to look at and compare there.

Diege - When do you return to work? I guess you're looking fwd to it. Is hard in the holidays for you all i guess with more than one and trying to entertain them each day. Did i mention that i'm going to home school the children? God help me.

Thank you all for the long moan this weekend, DH was home at 7 and bathed DS1 again which was a good help as i managed to settle DS2 who was all grizzly for some reason, we all feel asleep it seems in different rooms and i have now finished the mess that was my kitchen. A busy week here with my mum in hospital and a trip up north later in the week. Thanks once again, talk soon and as always look fwd to catching up x