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.

Nice to hear all your LOs phone conversations, clearly way ahead of dd2 who is still in phone-novelty mode. She asked to phone my DM this morning, and very seriously repeated exactly the same convo as last night: 'eyo Mamie; yeth, yeth; bye bye Mamie'.

This is a gorgeous age, isn't it? Didn't I say that a few months ago too?

EV good luck to your dd1, and you - will be thinking of you in morning!

Thanks Elibean. I have added photos of DD1 onto facebook. No tears, hurrah!

Oh EV, she looks so sweet in her pinafore. I can't wait to be able to put Dd in one. There's something about teeny reception girls in pinafores that makes me melt . Yippee for no tears, long may it last!

Ev - she looks so grown up (excited too!)

AQ - he's so tall!

Oli- I had a peek at your photos on fb too. Your garden is lovely. I spent far too much money in my garden. I'm hoping I'll see the fruits of my labour next year.

I have dropped dd1 at new pre-school, dd2 is at my mums house (they ask the parents to stay with the children on their first day)

All is quiet in the Margo household.

Absolute bliss!

Keep safe Jabber. I hope the sessions with the counsellor will help you both find common ground to work from.

AQ you look amazing! They certainly have sprouted since I saw you

Shall attempt an album on FB soon, still collecting pictures from people as we didn't have any "proper" ones.

Thanks ladies. DD1 has practially bounced home from school (as much as she could in the car) Day 1 = success.

Very cute EV. Not to be outdone, have added pics of DD1's first day at school too!

On FB that is!

Gorgeous, Castles

They all look very cute! You must all be very proud and happy and sad all together.

AQ, you look incredible! Can't believe how well you look, you should see me right now!

Had had a stomach bug here over the weekend, am feeling really washed out but slept from 7pm to 7am last night so a bit better now and DD dancing along with Iggle Piggle at the moment so should get a bit more peace before the mad rush of tea and baths starts.

Have started wrapping the presents for Christmas and writing the cards, and bought birthday cards for DSis, DH and DD before the Xmas ones arrive in the shops next month and the choice goes down. Can't believe I am going to have a 2 year old in a few months! How time flies. Am feeling a bit better about the next one now that I have started getting organised. MIL brought a few bits for him (how strange to say him!) and that has set me off on being excited again. Such a roller coaster this being pregnant business.

Trying to think of a birthday present for my sister now. She's due same time as me so was trying to think of something that would be nice before LO arrives - any suggestions?

Wrapping presents?! What! Lennied you are far too organised! I remember with ds saying I was going to get the shopping done early but still ended up waddling around Durham last minute. Shall take a leaf from your book and get going!

What is your budget for sister? Is it her first I can't remember? DVD box sets of TV things she likes? I went through loads of those when I was too tired to watch a whole film in the evenings. Also good for bf. Or a massage? You can get some good mum to be packages. Erm...Tis tough isn't it? Clothes are useless and depressing as you just think about how you can't wear them (that isn't just me is it?), bubble bath and stuff is all very nice but there comes a point where lying down in the bath is far too much effort and then you can't get up again.....Books? Nice easy reads while she is able to relax and finish a page without being needed.

Can't think of any more now.

Agree with Indith on both counts Lennied. You are shockingly though admirably organised with your wrapping of christmas presents. Also think DVD box sets are a great idea. Those very long and lonely night-time bfs are a great time for catching up on viewing. I still can't manage to read properly so it would have to be year's supply of Heat, Hello or similar if it was me

p.s. meant to say AQ you do look rather scrumptious ... and all bump which is effing big if you don't mind me saying

It's the teacher in me ladies, it gets out sometimes and starts organising! Seriously though, DD is a terrible shopper, the worst of the worst, so anything that needs getting is an internet job or requires a well planned in advance shopping trip. There is no way I am shopping with her when anymore pregnant than I am now. It just isn't happening. She won't sit in her buggy and she won't walk more than about 500 yards. And if a strange person talks to her she collapses on the floor sobbing (paying is tricky). Plus she has been known to sit down on the floor in shops and refuse to budge. Try to pick her up and she just goes limp and slides through your fingers whilst giggling. Took me 20mins to get her out of H&M the other day - she was sat at the top of the escalator, causing great hilarity to passers by . She is usually such an amicable child too, shops just turn her into a monster.

I love TV box sets cos I never have the patience or energy to watch more than about 40 minutes of tv without falling asleep or losing interest. And Indith, am with you 100% on the clothes front, and the bath front. Actually I cannot remember the last bath I had (I do shower before you wonder ) yet before I was pregnant with DD I would have at least 3 or 4 a week, and be in for about 3/4 hour! Where did I find the time!

No reading here either Castles, other than for uni. Of all of the things that have changed in my life in the last 3 years, books and lazy mornings in bed chatting with DH are what I miss most.

Oh, and yes it is her first, usually spend about £40 on her and she is my favourite sibling - is that morally ok to admit? - so usually try hard to think of something she'd like, but all out of ideas this time.

Aww, you're too kind, everyone I am pleased at least that boobs not as huuuuuge as always. Lennied & Indith, time for proper bump photos for you two as well, I think!

Loving the school photos, I'll find out where dp's put the ones of ds1 (still scruffy with no haircut) and post to fb.

Lennied, you should be resting NOT wrapping!! But quietly v.v.impressed!

If your dsis is having bday just before baby due, definitely massage or pedicure. I would die for one just now.

Oli, sleepsuits will be wonderful, thank you so much!

I am reading Kate Atkinson's newest at the mo, I thought I would need something at the hospital but it will be finished by tonight! I will go without sleep to read, dp gets v.annoyed with me staying up late sometimes. I too miss the morning chats with dp, we just tend to stay up late & go without sleep to chat now.

AQ, I do that. It drives DH mad when I start a new book and stay up reading til daft o'clock but I'm incapable of putting a good book down unless I'm falling asleep and it's hitting me in the face .

Lennied, I'd agree about a Pedicure at this stage, it's bliss to have beautifully painted toes (unless she's having a ElCS as they'll make her take it off!) and soft feet when you can't reach them yourself.

Castles, Dd1 looks so sweet too, I can't wait to be able to put Dd in all the cute girly schoo uniform!

Had a wry snigger at wrapping christmas presents, I'm not organised enough to have even thought about what to buy yet, but then I'm not pg and will only have to farm out ds2 if I need a morning shopping - whoopee .

Olli....until what is hitting you in the face?

DH .

Nah, the book (although dh would probablly like to some nights when it's 2am and he's getting up in the morning!).

Oh i wasn't meaning violently, Olli Nudge nudge, ,

Why have i added an extra 'l'?

Whizzing by to wave goodnight and tell EV and Castles how cute their dds are (I made FB, thank you EV) in their uniforms

dd1 was hugely excited, then tried v hard not to cry when in line waiting to go into classroom, waving goodbye to me She was so brave, but ended up sobbing at all the drama of it, more than anything else, so I walked with her as far as the classroom - she was fine then. And came out with a balloon and a lollipop at lunchtime, and a certificate saying 'E just had her first day at Big School'. None of that in my day

I haven't posted any photos, and have hardly had time to read posts, let alone take my time enjoying others' on FB (just a quick peek!), but I will, I will....

Oh, ladies, I wanna see the pictures too [whinge] Still can't get into Facebook, though.

I'm so impressed by your organisational skills, LenniEd. If you have any spare time , do feel free to sort out my life.

How are things, Jabber? Thoughts of hurricanes very scary.

DD2 has just sat bolt upright in her cot, broken wind copiously, and then decided to lie down with her head at the wrong end of the cot. Why does it feel that it's going to be a long night with her?!