December 2006- where they've grown so much we spend more time talking about our lives than our children

[Indith]

Well that and our pregnancies and other non-dec '06 children

Tis a good thing I feel.

Aw, thanks Margo I'll remember that as I'm nearly always feeding at 3am!
It is Milo, btw, I grew up on the stuff in Oz yum yum and I think you deserve some Lennied! Although I did overeat all through pg and am paying the price now. I'm finding hard to care though and still overeating!
So sorry bout the house, Eli, but hopefully a less stressful birthday/xmas season as a result? We're toying with the idea of buying next year as we're simply too many for our house now but I hate the thought of moving eeeek.
What are you all getting your soon to be 2 year olds? I bought a doll for ds2 yesterday, going to get a crib for him too but not sure what else to buy. Perhaps a bean bag chair?

I'm getting an upsy-daisy - I've bought less for her than I've got for dd1 Xmas presents. (Although I'm intending on buying birthday presents for dd2 in June)

Ah yes, Milo how could I forget?!

Castles, I meant to ask how your ds was getting on with appointments, sorry...it does sound nerve wracking. Good luck tomorrow, will be thinking of you.

Totally agree, Xmas without moving far better - though as for relaxing and letting go of it all, fat chance as yet: we're back to scurrying madly around tidying house for viewings! Probably a waste of time, but have to try, eh?

I know what you mean about the markets, Castles, and its happening to 50% of sales apparently...but still think buyer's father is beyond the pale: he owns several properties, is a wealthy businessman with Jersey bank account, and should have thought of his investment needs before letting his very pg dd go as far as hiring an architect for extension plans on the house she's set her heart on...she's in bits, apparently. Though who knows, we don't have the full story of course...

2 yr olds - waah, next monday, and Jabber you're first arent' you?

dd2 is getting a transporter with cars, a Thomas train set, and various other small bits. She's got girly stuff up to her ears, with dd1 around, and craves boy toys

My mum is giving her an ELC piano thingy, she loves dd1's; rest of family are dividing up Peppa Pig toys and T'choupi (French) DVDs between them. dd1 is giving her a Glow-e Bear (her idea entirely).

So far I have bought a huge tomy draw with wet pen thing (sorry can't remember name), an in the night garden puzzle, set of little ITNG books & something else ITNG related (can't remember again), some Baby Annabel accessories/clothes, got a free polar bear from Tchibo today ... er not much ... though not nearly as much as DS & DD1 so far. She does have Christmas and birthday to consider. As do all our wee ones.

Oh and - my excuse - for giving her so much (as with all the DCs) is that she won't get anything from any of her millions of relatives.

Yes, ds2 is two on Saturday So far I've gotten him two sets of kids k'nex - the toddler versions - and a set of dinosaurs. We've got so many toys from ds1 at that age and with Christmas coming up I may leave it at that. He's getting a few other gifts at his party but I think all the relatives will be combining Christmas and birthday

Presents for DD's birthday/xmas - hmmm - got her a rocking sheep off ebay for £20 - it is a life size sheep with a sheepskin . Will live to regret it. A balance bike and one of those little tykes cars also off ebay - thought by the summer she might be big enough for the bike and 'tis so hard with having all her present receiving within 3 days as you know, have to think to the future. She loves those cars when we go to groups and thought it would last a few years. I have also got a few pretend kitchen type bits - a little plastic tea set and a little wooden stove (managed to find one with a screw missing for half price which was quickly repaired) - don't really want a full size kitchen in the living room but she always plays nicely on the ones at playgroup so thought that would go down well. Other than that mainly stocking filler type things like wind up toys which always entertain her when we are out and are tiny so can fit in my bag, play dough cutters, dolls clothes (another ebay/NCT sale purchase) a couple of cheepy musical instruments and bath toys. Hawkins Bazaar is good for little odds and ends.

Same excuse here Castles not sure my relatives know when her birthday is

DD2 is getting a Peppa playset for her birthday. For xmas she is getting a dolls pushchair (i think it is too big for her but she'll love it) and also a singing diamond castle barbie (dd1 is getting the matching one) and a barbie flying horse which lights up and plays music Spot the girly girl.

Just putting you on my 'Threads I'm on' for later.........

I rang about getting a valuation for our house today, feels like a big step really and now I have to think about keeping it tidy for viewings like Elibean, yikes! I hated that bit when ds1 was 4 months urgggh.

Interesting to see what pressies your dc's are all getting, I did see a car transporter thing that he might love the other day! He's got an ELC emergency vehicles set already wrapped up, we already have a little tikes car (and yes, Lennied it's a great present!), might look at some building-type present.He doesn't watch tv (though I do try) so nothing related to that will have any appeal. Given how obsessed his brother is, it surely can't last though.Every day ds1 quizzes me on what I've recorded on the hard disk recorder!

AQ, yet another at you, girl - new DTs, four kids, and viewings? Right, I have renewed energy, you are my role model and mentor from now on

Actually, one good side effect: tidy house. Otherwise a rare sight at the Elibean household, usually once weekly if lucky...

Love seeing lists of pressies for lucky toddlers! Feels very birthday-ish. I'm up to my ears in pink Barbie-esque invites for dd1's Disco party in December, and am realising I've invited four toddlers, their larger siblings and parents, to tea on Monday for dd2's birthday and haven't given it any thought at all

Jabber, have fun on Saturday!

LenniEd, my sister gave me one of those rocking sheep many years ago, I still have it and the dds love it (she gave me a black one, cheeky mare, as a comment on my family role - but I swapped it for an ordinary white one as I no longer fit the profile )

Blimey, AQ, what are you on?

I've also got DD2 an Upsy Daisy stacking doll (like the Russian Dolls).

Lennied, sad, isn't it? The only one that probably "remembers" DD2's birthday treats it like a major nuisance

Upsy Daisy stacking doll would be dd2's idea of going to heaven, where did you find it, Castles?

Its very re relatives that don't want to, or can't, celebrate the anniversary of lovely small family members' arrival. FWIW, at least I remember not caring about those sort of relatives' reactions to my own birthday, as a child - the only ones that mattered were the reactions of those I felt loved and surrounded by in the first place.

Still though.

Very about family, I can't imagine that. I know how lucky I and the dc's are. DP's mum posted me back ds1's homemade Capt Hook outfit freshly cleaned with all stains removed this morning after I asked how to clean it at the weekend. Bless her.
We're only thinking about selling! Be in six months to a year, but what else can we do, 3 bed house with 4 children doesn't really work and no room for a study for dp who really needs one. Still urgh on the keeping tidy front .
You lot do remember that I have a cleaner and a nanny don't you, as well as the most helpful mum in the world round the corner??

Well everyone - I've had over an hour of contractions this evening painful ones, lasting a couple of minutes each seem to have gone off again now. Should I be worried? I really don't think this baby is staying put to 41 weeks as planned Am 32.5 weeks now - not really far enough along to be having contractions is it? Think they must be BHs, just painful ones. Oooh, advice please experienced ones

Castles - no its not nice. I try to go with Eli's approach and if they are interested then I'm interested but despite coming to terms with the lack of interest in my life I still find it hard to deal with their lack of interest in DD. I wonder how I will explain to her when she is older, which makes me but I guess they just won't figure as part of her life really, where as I was stuck with them.

Oli!!! You're back!

Well you've made me feel good with my present choices now Eli and AQ - perhaps I won't live to regret them after all . And AQ I don't know how you do it, but I wish I could manage half of what you do. I'd live in a spotless house and be serene with it.

Lennied - I think I'd throw that question out to the main board. Being a bit abnormal myself, I haven't a clue what is normal and what is not. My advice is to keep your fingers and legs crossed and hope that your little one likes it's surroundings for just a little while longer.

You made me laugh Margo you're not abnormal!

Legs firmly crossed!

Think it is painful BHs combined with the pain from the SPD making me feel crampy. I am going to go to bed and see how I feel in the morning and ring the hospital if it doesn't go. Am still having BHs quite regularly but not painful now so hopefully all is well. And I've had words with baby and told him he has to stay put 'cos his dad has had 3 pints tonight and can't possibly take us to hospital. That should cover it...

I'm in awe of your buying (and presumably wrapping?) all those pressies, Lennied! I have about 11 birthdays from now until New Year and haven't bought a thing yet nor for Xmas, yikes! We're going for a day out in York tomorrow for my birthday though so perhaps will pick up a few things then.

re: contractions, I had very similar with the dt's although 32 weeks seems rather early for it hmmm. I definitely found bh's to be stronger 2nd/3rd time round, though. Let us know in the morning!

Hello everyone. Don't know if anyone remembers me . i've been crappo at keeping on MN.

I'm flicking through to try to catch up ,but there's so much stuff happening. You've been busy everyone!

So hands up who's pg at moment. And AQ, FOUR children! Weren't we both brewing Number TWO back in 2006. I remember you were pg last time I was on here.Did you have twins or have I mis-remembered?
I've finally convinced DH to have dc3, but "not just yet".

Was working my way through thread to catch up with gossip, but i've got to disappear again as Spina-almost-2-yr-old has woken up screaming his head off and my five yr old has just joined mr on the sofa. AGGGGHHH kids!

Back soon

Spin XXX

I remember you Spina!

Okay - a quick round up...

Indith is now spliced and has a bun in the oven due Dec.

Baby due for Lennied and she's wrapped all of her Xmas pressies.

AQ had twins and was looking for a bigger car.

Castles said no to living in my cupboard under the stairs.

Jabber has moved and is liking her new and improved dh

Oli is baking cakes and they are lovely looking!

AofA is namechanging. Her cat had an accident and was in a cast but is (I think) better now.

Eli isn't moving anymore but is quite happy where she is. She'd like a cup of Milo, thank you very much.

And last, but not least, I am heading for a good dose of RSI

Margo, you should do my writing course, my tutor would love you

Hello Spina, of course I remember you!

LenniEd, I hardly had any contractions of any sort with either dd, but my BF had loads of very painful ones from very early on with her second baby...who ended up being overdue. Time them if they're regular, will give you better idea? Hope they ease off and let you get some kip!

Do you hold it against me Margo?

Hello Spina. Yes we remember you! Don't disappear again!

Eli, I got it here Upsy Daisy Just re-read the blurb and it's not a Russian Doll thing but magnetic and all the pieces fit together then you push a button and it collapses then springs back up again. Can just see DD2 giggling now. Yours and mine

Oh btw, DS's bonce is fine I nearly keeled over with relief.

Sorry Lennied, I had false labour with DS when I was about 32 weeks. Sound's like BH to me though. Keep yer legs crossed and go and see your GP/MW in the morning if you are still worried

Something to add to Margo's list for Spina: Castles is the emoticon queen

Eli - I'm afraid I'm not too good at stringing a lot of words together and writing essays and stories, maybe a few one liners here and there. (Although I wasn't being intentionally funny Lennied WRT being abnormal, but heck, I'll take a chuckle wherever I get one. )

Castles - good to know your DS has got the all clear. Yay! (yes, I'm holding a grudge )