Oct 2007; This little piggie had loads of roast beef and ^This^ little piggie would have none of it!

[Dalrymps]

Psst over here!

Hello everyone!
Just a quick post as the sun is shining for the second day in a row here, so I'm going to persuade DH that we should take DS to the park (went to the seaside for a walk along the prom yesterday)
Alicet - have emailed you about the secret santa thing
Inzi - good luck for the house
Dal - well done for talking to the doc, and for getting Dylan to sleep in his own room ? I still haven?t sorted that out here!
Stefka ? I?m glad the audition went ok, and sorry that your BIL was so thoughtless. I try not to think about what DS is doing while I?m at work ? thankfully I?ve been so busy over the last two weeks that I haven?t had time to really miss him!
Muppet ? good luck with starting your courses
Hello to everyone else! Hope you are all ok

Wow. I might look into that. No way we can do it right now mind you - our finances are so awful. But if I am lucky enough to get a job we might be able to do that one day. Sounds like it takes a lot of the stress out of it.

Dareh has started to pull himself up to standing. He's fallen three times today so I feel like a very bad mum!

Don't sweat it, Mairwen is absolutely covered in bruises at the mo' - including a fat lip she got this morning when she toppled over in church ... she absolutely wailed!

Stefka - am also about your insensitive BiL ... some people just don't think!

Well, the problems have started up again with the PiLs ... they came over yesterday - dh needed some help with a curtain rail, and I was going to have my waxing done.

I came back to find that Rhydian was being a little sh!t ... cheeky, rude, and generally badly behaved ... DH was (for some unknown reason) ignoring the behaviour, so I felt like a real nag, as I was on his back the whole time.
Mairwen was getting all of the attention from PiLs ... they were barely acknowledging Rhydian's prescence - so he was acting up to try to get them to notice him - now that Mairwen is becoming more interesting, and less screamy, then they seem to have forgotten that Rhydian exists.
Also, I persuaded FiL to come away from Rhydian and to go and push him on the swing, which he did, somewhat begrudgingly ... but then, when we called them in for tea (several times), FiL completely ignored me calling them, and made some derogatory comment to Rhydian about me going on again ... I lost my rag t that point, and shouted at FiL.

Tea was a quiet affair, as you can imagine, and thankfully they left after Strictly Come Dancing ... but Mairwen was so unbelievably wired and over-stimulated from being played with constantly all day, and not being allowed to just be, that she hardly slept last night ... and I spent most of the night sat in a chair with her.

DH is refusing to say anything to them. I have threatened to phone them (which, given how I feel about the phone, shows how bl00dy furious I am!) - but he doesn't want to upset them ... I've tried to explain that their behaviour hasn't just p!ssed me off, that this time it's had a negative impact on both children.

What to do next?

Sorry for that, am a tad frustrated!

Inzi - really hope your house goes through quickly!

alice - have emailed you about the pressie thing.

love to all! E x

oh, and p.s. ... does anybody fancy doing an actual Secret Santa? - for us, not the kids - they'll get plenty for Christmas!

crochetdiva - sounds like you're in a bit of a difficult situation if you're dh is not prepared to day anything to his parents. He doesn;t have to be rude or confrontational about it, just firm.... i.e don't wind up the baby and can you please play with DS !!!

Its D day for me tomorrow.. i go back to work after a year off on maternity leave. I'm feeling unbelievably sad and emotional about it today. I've barely spent a day away from DS since he was born and i just can;t get my head around the fact i won't be there for him every minute of the day.
I know i'm not the first or the last mum to have to go to work but it bloomin well feels like it!
I'm sure it'll all be fine after a few days but i just simply don't want to go back.

Hey everyone,

Felt awful yesterday, side effects from the AD's were bad. Had a terrible headache and felt lke I was going to throw up any minute for most of the day.

Thankfully I feel quite good today.

We went to a place not far from here today by the sea called St Abbs. It was to have a little naming ceremony for our lovely little niece Ebba. It was just dh and I, bil and sil and our nephew Bailey, other bil and sil and Ebba then both sets of Ebbas grandparents so thats my pil and sils pil.

Ebbas mum and dad (dh's bro and sil) each read a poem to Ebba that they had both chosen for the occasion whilst we all stood on the viewing platform overlooking the sea.

I made them a card and we gave them a book of Beatrix Potter stories which they seemed to like. It was a lovely, touching occasion. We all had some cake and a drink to toast her (I had fizzy apple juice).

Strawberry - nice to hear from you, hope you managed to get to the park and hadd a nice time.

Inzi - both my brothers have recently done the same sort of deal you are doing with their houses. One got about £3,000 less than asking price and the other got about £10,000 less but got some money knocked off the price of the house he was buying. They both got a good deal. My eldest brother had to haggle a bit with them to get what he wanted so if they don't make you an offer you want first time maybe play hardball , remember, they're just as desperate to sell as anyone at the moment with the market moving so slow.

Crochet - sory you are having problems with pils, they just don't sound very considerate . I'm not sure what to suggest, I would say that it doesn't help that dh isn't backing you up much. Maybe you should just try to not let them wind you up (I know a lot easier said than done) and think along the lines of - you can't change their behaviour but you can change your reaction. For instance, if they're playing with M and winding her up, maybe just take her away and sit with her quietly for a while and just calmly explain she's tired.

Sorry I knwo thats not much help, I think maybe you need to discuss it with dh some more and decide on a tactic and present a united front.

I fancy doing secret santa by the way!

Mine - I'm sorry you're feeling so down and emotional about starting back at work tomorrow. I totally understand how you feel. I guess the only thing to do is to bite the bullet and give it a few days and see how you feel then. Are you going back full time or part time? Is there any option to change the arrangement slightly so you can work less and see ds more? You never know, you might suprise yourself and actually quite enjoy it. Let us know how it goes anyway, will be thinking of you (((hugs)))

Looking forward to finding out who i'm buying a pressy for tomorrow

Hi to everyone i've missed, bye for now x

I like the secret santa idea too
need to do some food shopping so will catch up later

Hi Honeys I'm Home!!!!!!!

Cornwall was lovely..the log cabin we rented was gorgeous, idyllic village setting, equipped with everything you could want, lovely stream running through thte bottom of the garden (though could have done with more sound proofing...I slept worse than ever waiting for Alex to wake so he didnt disturb my Mum and brother in the bedrooms downstairs)and the weather wasn't so bad that we couldn't enjoy good days out and fabulous food(5 mins from Padstow and just landed fish). Alex however now thinks his name is Alex,no! A quick scan through and I'm relieved to find mine isn't the only stair mountaineering baby,... fortunately the house was equipped with a stair gate as, living in a bungalow, Alex hasnt had much experience of stairs, the frightening thing is that he wont crawl down again, he wants to turn round and step down like an adult!And he looks like a battered child because the house had a slate chimney breast with razor sharp corners which he wouldnt stay away from, and he has started trying to spin on the spot, turning his head suddenly and trying to get his body to follow just as fast..needless to say he is covered in cuts and bruises. Dh and bro swear Alex repeated "cheeky peacock" when I was trying to chase the sandwich snatcher away, he has developed a taste for the dregs of cider his Dad hadnt tidied away and he sadly thinks sand is edible...Oh and he has got his 3rd tooth!!!

Got to go replenish the cupboards now but before I go just want to say Inzi; excited for you for the possible house move. Muppet; hope your Dh gets the job it sounds like a fabulous opportunity for you all. Mine; I hope today wasn't half as bad as you dreaded.Crochet;deep sympathy on the ils situation, I'm not in the least surprised you were frustrated....hi everyone else...I'll be back later I hope.

Hi all ... Mine, I hope that today was ok for you both - Mairwen took about 10 days to settle properly with the CM - this morning was the first time she'd not cried at all when DH took her round.

FT - glad cornwall was lovely!

Dal - the side-effects from the ADs can be horrendous to start with ... I had a headache from hell for the 1st week, and then for about a week every time they've upped the dose.
The naming ceremony sounds wonderful!

LLL & Dal - I shall add you to the Secret Santa list ...

The issue of the PiLs has become an elephant in the room - I don't want to mention it, as I fee like I'm nagging, and I know dh doesn't want to mention it, as he knows that I'll ask him to talk to them about it.

Right, off to slob in front of the tv.

night all! x

Hello lovely ladies - just a real quickie from me!

I have done the secret santa thing and emailed you all... As to how secret it should be (some of you have asked) I think it's entirely up to you if you want the person you are buying for to know who it is from. Obviously I know who is Adam's so your call.

And I too am up for one for us for Christmas!

Sorry though no time to catch up again... We had a lovely weekend but I'm totally and utterly shattered so need to go crash. I'll try to get back on tomorrow night.

A couple of things stood out on my very brief skim...

COngrats inzi! We might be looking at some thing similar...

Crochet at your pil's and also for your dh's lack of support

Mine hopw you first day back went ok...

Floria glad to hear you had fun in Cornwall

Hello everyone else - hope I haven't missed anything too monumental but I have literally skimmed all posts in about 2 mins

Chat soon...

Hey everyone,

Floria - glad you're back safe and had a lovely time.

Crochet - thanks for the advice re the AD's. I have felt a lot better the past few days so am hoping the side affects are wearing off already. Sorry you haven't got the pil issue sorted yet. Maybe leave it a bit and then choose a time when you're both relaxed to discuss it.

Alice - got my email, am very excited about who i'm buying for! Looking for ideas now on the net

Mine - hope your first day back was bearable, hope to hear from you about it soon x

Well, dh has gone swimming and Dylan is in bed so i'm just chilling here

Hi to everyone i've missed, chat soon x

Got your email alicet - Thanks

Are we setting a limit for pressies, or just doing what we like/think/can afford?

i hate it.
I just want to be home with my son

Hi all

Thanks Alice for the birthday present to buy for x

Floria - your holiday sounds fab -it's good to have you back x

Mine - for you x Inzi -fab fab fab news on the house. Am keep all things crossable crossed for you xxxx

Crochet -can you add me to the secret Santa list xx

Henry and I went to the baby and mummy's swimming group today and then had lunch with friends which was lovely. He's asleep now but I will have to wake him to collect Ollie from school.

We heard about the job and the recruitment consultant has said to dh that 'they want you' but it still has to go through many committees before a formal offer is made!!! We are very excited and dh has even said if we go then he would be more than happy to have dc3!!!!!!!! So I am made up by the whole thing as you can imagine. It's good timing as dh would go in March and I would follow with the children in early July after Ollie had finished reception. This gives us time to fly over and look at schools rather than finding the first one and putting him in it iyswim. It also gives me time to finish the house as we've still not finished the kitchen or the downstairs flooring and our ensuite needs ripping out as various bits have broken and the bathroom needs a new carpet. (did I ever tell you about the time Ollie found the blue food colouring we used to make the bath water turn blue so he could pretend to be in the sea? He found it and spilled it on the carpet and made handprints on the wall!!! Cute but not what we'd wanted so the carpet needs replacing but I've never got round to doing it!!) Plus the house needs totally re painting as we've been here for 3 years and the builders used very cheap, watered down paint that rubs off if you clean it too hard This would give me time to organise all of that and not feel rushed.

speak later, love to all
xxx

oh Mine ... .. hugs for you - I hope it gets better soon!

muppetgirl - sounds fab news on the job!

Right - Secret Santa for Christmas list is:

• me (have to put me on list as I might forget to add me!)
• alice
• muppetgirl
• Dal
• LLL

any more? FT, can I interest you?

Going to have tea now ... speak to you again!

E x

p.s. can't access this thread at work - the filter spots our occasional cussing!

Crochet - count me in for the secret santa as well - I love buying presents

Mine - I hope things get better for you - it's such a shock to not be with the LOs isn't it?

Muppet - sounds great about DH's job!

Poor DS is all bunged up at the moment and all wheezy - think he's teething again. He keeps waking at 1am for mummy cuddles, which is fine, but I have to get up for work at 6, so feel like a zombie now. Not used to the sleepless nights and having to sound efficient and effective during the day...

Hello to everyone!

Hi everyone,

I finally dragged my ass to the gym tonight woo hoo. I felt a bit after my workout though cause of the side affects from the anti depressants I keep thinking they've gone then I come over all sicky again, it is getting less each time though.

Strawberry - sorry ds has the cold and that you're being woken, hope he's better soon.

Mine - So sorry you're hating work Is it full time or part time? Is there any flexibility with how many hours you have to work? Just trying to find ways round it for you. Hope it gets earier (((hugs))). We're always here any time you want to talk.

Crochet - Ooh excited about the secret santa for christmas, wonder who i'll get?!

Muppet - exciting aobut dh's job, fingers crossed he gets it. How long before you get a definate answer?

LLL - I believe it's roughly £5 for the birthday secret santa

Floria - hope you're unpacke and settling back in well. I might pick your brains about the AD's again at some point if you don't mind?

Hi to everyone else i've missed, off to chill with dh and my achey legs, catch ya soon

Alice - place in Derbyshire is Standlow Farm. Website is here.

Dal - glad you saw somebody sympathetic - hope you feel better on the ads. Naming ceremony for your niece sounds lovely.

Oooh secret santa - bugger, I missed it. Serves me right for not being on here often enough. Can I join in the Christmas one?

Inzi - good luck with the house exchange, fingers crossed for you.

Crochet - at your pils, what a nightmare. Agree that you should probably say something as it's affecting the lo's.

Mine - lots of hugs to you - it will get easier on you both.

FT - your holiday sounds fab - glad Alex enjoyed it, even if he is covered in cuts and bruises!

Muppet - how exciting, I am so pleased for you. Fingers crossed it all goes to plan.

Nothing new here. Anya's enjoying the new floor - she wants to play chase all the time (I crawl after her until she wants to be caught). Bedtime is now 9pm but she's dropped her dreamfeed and sleeps until 7 - that's providing we make sure her bedroom is light enough, it turns out she's afraid of the dark. We've also joined the 21st century and had a Virgin V+ box installed today (like Sky+ but cable) - it's soooo good! - if only I had time to watch tv!

Mine; oh honey! so for you ((((big hugs))))) It isnt any consolation that you are the first Mum returning to work that I have heard hated it....everyone else says they dreaded it but the fear was worse than the fact and they actually enjoy being "themselves" again and are much more attentive Mummies for not being sahms. Is it just that you miss your ds or do you have any little concerns about his child care that are making you anxious and unable to relax and enjoy working again? I sincerely hope, whatever the cause, it gets easier for you quickly.

Alice; Thank you, got the message and am now eagerly hunting for appropriate gift

Crotchet; yes please, you can sign me up too.

Dal;Pick my brains (not that there are many) as much as you like. I'm sorry you are suffering side effects...personally Citalopram didnt give me any...I'm sure as Crochet said they will diminish quickly. Like you I started on 10mg and I went up to 20mg after 2 weeks because I still had the urge to drive off the high level bridge...20mg seemed to quell that impulse adequately and I stayed on that quite low level for 3 months, reduced to 10mg for 2 weeks when I decided to ttc again and stopped them the second I ovulated (even though I knew they were "safe" in pregnancy). Feel free to ask all the questions you like...I'm just glad you are getting appropriate help.

Well I'm off to bed...I'm exhausted (would like to cuss a little there to express the level of my exhaustion but dont want Crochets filter to pick it up and ban us again)We had Talkfirst class this morning, swimming early this afternoon, shopping for Alexs new shoes in the Trafford centre late this afternoon, dinner with my Mum and then I had my dog training class to take....The new shoes are half a size bigger than the last pair which we bought only 5 weeks ago!, this child is going to cost me a fortune in shoe leather! Oh [excited emoticon] Alex has started using his first sign at last ...it is a sort of Fagin like open handed shrug meaning "all gone"...he used it after every mouthful of Mums butternut sqush and mushroom risotto...at first I thought he meant he didnt like it and didnt want any more, but, as he demolished a huge bowl full, it now looks like he was telling me he mouth was empty and needed another spoonful quickly!
night night all!!

WWAJC! good to see you. Glad Anya is enjoying the new floor. Alex loves "chase me" too..he squeals with excitement if you say "I'm coming to get you", starts to run away then drops to the floor as if the game is "tig" and sitting is "safe" (he still gets a thorough tickling anyway!!!). Hope the reason you are such a stranger these days is because you are wonderfully busy and being tremendously sucessfull in the new job.

hi all

bad mood today as the pesky Jack Russell ate a baby photo of my dad RIGHT NEXT TO ME!!!! (I don't even know how he got hold of it)

2 walks a day, numerous dog toys for him to chew and he still wees/poos/chews

really don't know what to do with him.

Morning all.

Tried to get on here all day yesterday but it as one of those days!

No dog advice for you muppet - DH is allergic to animals so no pets. That would drive me nuts!

Hope work is getting easier mine. I am dreading when I have to go back. If I can ever get a job that is.

Secret santa sounds lovely but not in a position to participate right now unfortunately. Our finances are scarily bad. Yesterday DH did the last job that he has lined up. Now there is no work for either of us and we are already living off the credit card. Never been in this situation before. We planned to get Dareh a trike for his birthday but now there is no money for it. Luckily someone on here - can't remember who - pointed us in the direction of a bargain just after Christmas last year. It was for some kind of little truck thing which I bought for Dareh's Christmas. Think that will have to be birthday now in the hope that by Christmas we will have some money for something else.

Why are babies in constant trouble! Dareh just pulled the washing on his head.

Aww Muppet Is the photo unsalvagable? I hope someone has a copy somewhere for you. As to your naughty JR, the best advice I can give it to go back to basics and treat him as a puppy, restrict his movement round the house (we only let ours loose unattended in the kitchen)only allow access to the family room on a lead to sit quitely (no playing, ever)take him outside to toilet and stay with him until he performs (I say "be quick" until he goes)and praise lavishly for going outside and despite the 2 walks he sounds over active, are his walks on the lead or free running? I find my dogs have always been more exhausted from lead work (especially if I'm doing obedience training at the same time)and try to do a 50/50 balance...or...is there anywhere you can get him to swim nearby? 10 mins swimming is the equivalent of 40 mins walk ...or... do you have a treadmill/running machine at home? My dog does 20 mins fast trotting on ours if it is wet outside to save me 2hrs of waiting for him to dry if we go out.I'm sure 2 weeks of a strict regime should cure the problem..if not you need Dog Borstal

Fab advice Floria xxxx
He's a nutter, nothing like my last Jack (I was living on the boat then and having a much more outdoorsy life where she caught rabbits and had a wail of a time with her sister)

We go straight out in the morning (6.30am) after I've got Ollie ready and the 2 or us with the dogs go out for a 20 min walk. They're then in the study till I get back from the school run. I open the kitchen door and they have free run of the house + garden but I will still find poos around the house which drives me nuts when I'm at home more than most owners and the access to the garden is always there. They are only shut away when I have to go out. They have another walk -longer this time generally about an hour) when I get home with Ollie.

Stanley's never been completely house trained and still wees in his bed and then sits in it -he absolutely stinks as a result and I could wash him twice a day...

I will try the restricting of movements and put a gate on the kitchen so he has the kitchen, utility and the garden and see how that goes. He's already chewed the kitchen table legs so I'm not worried about that and also he's had a go at the skirting boards though I do actually think he's past that stage. He has lots of toys which I buy weekly for him to destroy!

As to the photo, the bottom part is completely chewed but my dad is okay iyswim, it'll just mean dh will have to scan it and crop it. I suppose it's just one of those things that doesn't seem large but coupled with all the other chewing it was the thing that broke the camels back!

xxx

got to go H is crying so sorry I haven't spell checked it!