January 08 Shiny New-Year Babies, not quite so shiny they are nearly one!!

[Lilyloo]

is this ok didn't want to loose everyone courtesy of Lucky!!

Mad ? I had a colleague once who aged 17 did not know she was pg until she went in to labour! That said, she admits now that she thought she might be pg but was so scared of the consequences that she just ignored it until she couldn?t anymore! Oh the worries of having a daughter hey! being nosey here buy why don?t you do pressies?

Lucky ? glad you applied for the job, fingers crossed! I think you DH sounds like he could do with taking some responsibility for Aaliyah from time to time. If it were me I?d be up front about the hours at the first interview, lay your cards on the table, if they want you, they?ll accommodate you if they are able to our men just have it so easy sometimes I reckon. My DH has had a tummy bug for the last 24 hours and has lain in bed whilst I do everything for him and DS. It?s not that I mind but he?s cut me no slack for the last 6 weeks when I have been feeling lousy! The double standards are amazing! on the subject of pressies, I got all the pressies out that I?d bought for DS and was trying to decide what to give him for Christmas and what to give him for his birthday, I guess we will always have this dilemma with January babies won?t we!? I feel bad as I haven?t bought him any activity pressies, like ride on things, just books, an Iggle Piggle, some clothes and some small v-Tech toys, am I missing the mark? DH and I never had pressies from Santa, just stockings and then all the rest came from our parents so that is how we are going to work things with our DC?s too love that St Bernard toy! We can?t get anything like that here unless we pay 3x what you would in the UK Layla looks quite like my Mum?s dog Sadie congrats on Aaliyah walking!

Hey Lily we got our tree up at the weekend, DS loves it and shrieks whenever he sees it! DS would love that musical table but would be a liability on the rocker, he goes head first over everything DS will have the following in his stocking: Night Garden book, small snow globe (my Mum insisted!), balloons, 3 plastic cars that stack into each other, V tech camera (both those 2 are from eBay), some socks, some squashy bath toys, hot water bottle and obligatory mandarin I would like to wrap stocking presses too but we are at Meds and they don?t do that [fad] in future we will though, far more fun! [Grin] ash! How cute your DS must have been in his play, my 5 yr old nephew is Joseph in his, wish I could see it!

JKS ? I think you are incredible to still be BFing now wow, you wear no make up at all? I?m vain I won?t even look at myself unless I have mascara on and have combed my eyebrows (not bushy really, just an obsession) and I won?t leave the house without lipstick, ever. These days I simply can?t go anywhere without concealer either, I am so spotty perfume is a weakness too; I like to wear a little everyday. Re your other thread, some people on MN amaze me with their venom they really do! log fires over Christmas ? lovely

Hey Simpson ? how come you are going back to the Cow & Gate with DD? Also, with your DS, did you go from formula to cow?s milk in bottles gradually or how did you do it? That formula smells so rank (and costs so much here) can?t wait for DS to be on cow?s milk! I reads that 10 months can be a time when babies love their dummies the most as they are discovering the big world about them and need extra comfort to take it all on board and the only way they can comfort themselves is by sucking? just when I wanted to phase it out too! What?s with your Grandma? Is it all because of her youth etc?? I read your post wrong and thought that you hadn?t done a stocking for DS because he hadn?t been good realise what you mean now though! Love the sound of the heat up teddy bear, can you tell me more? DS would love one, believe it or not, his cot is really cold, we don?t have central heating and it?s only about 17c in there! How unsupportive they are being about your DH at work that said, it sounds like they have taken some advice when it comes to the style of the letters etc. I think he needs to get some representation just in case talk about kick him when he is down! Sorry to hear you don?t feel well

LaT ? love the festive name! That?s amazing about your friend?s sister, I often think about just having this baby at home and then I don?t have to be scared of Spanish Drs with God complexes and love of instruments but I?d be scared for the baby! I found with DS that when I started giving him bottles myself (always let DH do that before so he didn?t get confused) he then decided to self-wean as it was indeed easier (and cooler!) from a bottle. Good luck with TTC bit confused, why do you feel ?sick towards pampers?? I think it?s great that they are trying to help those children, and I?m sure that?s part of what you are saying, I?m just confused

Gingeme ? must have missed something about the neighbour? Sorry! sorry to hear your boys aren?t well, hope they are all on the mend! LOL don?t you just love the absent minded way babies wipe their snotty noses on your clothes?! Ds loves tickling his tassel

Angechica ? happy belated birthday! I am 35 in 20 days

LaT, I boycot Pampers for exactly that reason. If you look on the pack they give all of 1.2 pence from the fiver the pack costs. The jabs are just very cheap. They make more money out of it than it costs them and I do not like that.

Besides, if they gave 1% of their annual profits (they being Proctor and Gamble) they could sort it all out and a lot more besides . manipulative marketing. They also use the Unicef name and logo because they give the money to unicef, but unicef doe snot endorse pampers

(madmouse climbs off soapbox, wipes it clean and stores for future use )

MrsMc I am still breastfeeding too , it is so nice and easy now he is also eating solids. will stop once he is on cows milk though.

why no pressies? well, for us Christmas is first and foremost the celebration of the birth of Jesus and so (and this is going to sound sooooo snooty and self-righteous) the material aspects of Christmas were always a bit less important. Besides dh used to have a very very demanding long hours job miles from any shops and always got terribly worked up about finding me the perfect little present somehow. so I stopped the whole present thing. we now have nice chocolates, smoked salmon and may do a bit of shpping in the sales (ie just as materialistic as everyone else teehee

and Nathan is already a favourite in so many peoples' lives that I worry about him getting terribly spoiled with stuff. It happened to my friend's daughter who was a real blessing after seven years of mc, ivf, mc following ivf . lots of people had prayed for it to happen and they all feel kind of involved. She gets such mountains of presents that she does not appreciate any of it. With Nathan it is ten times worse still. And that is still apart from the fact that he likes nothing better than his stacking cups, a fresh church notice sheet (yum and the tv remote

Also beiDutch, there are not many traditions to pass on, as all Dutch traditions are tied in with the feat of StNicolas on 5 December

gosh, what a lecture, sorry

that should read being Dutch and the feast of StNicolas.

sloping off to iron now

Mad - I do understand where you are coming from

MM - DH and I don't really buy each other presents either. I suppose we do birthdays but not Christmas / Valentines / anniversaries. It all just seems like too much pressure and often missing the point.

MrsMc - it's because it's manitpulative marketing, as MM says.

You guys me feel like a skinflint over Sabela's christmas / birhtday presents. So far she has two books and if my ebaying ventur eof the night comes off, some finger puppets. We've got a stuffed animal or two that she hasn't seen for a few months too. We left them at Dad's and we're just going to package them up.

I am trying to think of toys to pack for Spain though - thanks for your ideas on my other thread guys.

Anyone have any experience of those baby einstein DVDs? My Auntis says they're fab, but Sabela generally ignores the TV. What do you all think?

LaT - We were going to get one but unless there is "bopping" music on DD ignores the TV as well so I'm thinking next year instead - might be cheaper then too

Morning all

better morning here thank goodness - both boys were coughing from 5.20 so i was awake but they didn't get up.
By 6 i was freezing - thermostat said 14, brr. reset boiler, made tea and got ds1's juice, was able to open ds1's gate, wake the bunny clock, & feed H before T wandered in, lovely .
now getting morning dose of Peppa Pig before breakfast.
I'm dressed already as it's so cold!!

T at pre-school later and i have more wrapping paper, so all systems go!

MrsMc - love the name
really, no makeup, lip balm and moisturiser and that's it. I own some lipstick that the lady who tried to do wedding makeup for me insisted i get which i try and put on if i'm out somewhere formal but i haven't a clue what i'm doing so better to leave it i think!
friend's have tried to 'do' me but i hate the feeling of makeup on my face and i thought i looked like i had been in a fight !
great catch-up!

Lily - thanks! will not reply on that thread hoping it will fade into obscurity.....amazing how people can react, venom is the right word. but i didn't give all the facts it's true.

dh & I either just get more token gifts, little somethings or we ask for something specific beforehand (which we could just get ourselves i guess as the pot of money is the same). i asked for a new hairdryer for my birthday, and for an ipod speaker dock thing for Christmas. DH asked for the West Wing DVD series this year but normally doesn't ask for anything.

anyone who thinks they are under-giving to their LOs - don't worry!!
a) they won't remember anyway
b) they will inevitably end up with too much from other people
c) they are happy with such simple things, as MM said

caveat - when there are older siblings as Simpson said, you have to make more of an effort or the older ones will be a bit !

H is getting:
a push along dog (half price in debenhams ages ago)
a Thomas aquadraw (more for T really for now)
a tractor (75p from charity shop)
some stocking bits (same as T but fewer things)
um, can't remember what else, wrapped them so long ago, lol!

breakfast demands, best go!

Morning ladies. Well I take it all back re Georges extra bottle. He had his usual bed time bottle then woke at 4.18 for his morning bottle then slept till 6.45 but would have slept longer except some a*hole pressed our door buzzer . We live in flats and have an entry system which you have to press the button for people to get in. So annoying.
Anyway off to look for a carpet for uor hallway now.
Take care all and keep warm.

Mornign all

Glad you had a good night JKS. Can I ask, where did you get your aquadraw from. It looks like a good 'suitcase' present although she's really too young as yet. I find them quite expensive though, so if you've found a cheapie I'd love to know!

Reasonable night here. Down at 7.30 up at 5. She's a bit whingey at the moment though. Perhaps another tooth. I'm busy putting together a 'first year' photo album for her but keep having to take everything out as I think of new things. Grrr at me.

So, we can add finger puppets and a Baby Einstein book to Sabela's Christmas bag! Hooray for ebay!

Gingeme - how's boys?

JKS - just actually read the whole thread. Blimey some of them are so po-faced. The obviously don't get the idea of venting. Do it here! Be as unreasonable as you like! All you needed was a wee blow up as we all do at times.

Hi all

Feeling a bit better today but still got bad cough which DD now has, but at least we have doc's today...

Lilyloo - Managed to do that Santa thing today and Ds's little face was a picture!!! Well done on your DS!!

LaT - Not going into town today as don't feel up to it but am definately going tomorrow so will check out toddler lap tops then

JKS - Another one here like you...no makeup either just lip balm and moisturiser too. Can't be bothered with the hassle and don't have time!!

Lucky - Wow shoes already!! My RL friend was here this morning and she was saying how long a pair of school shoes lasts her 5yr old and I was totally The latest pair didn't even last a half term!!

Mrs Mc - Love the name!! DD back on cow & gate as its the lesser of 2 evils!! But have docs today...With DS I just swapped ff for cows milk, didn't do it gradually at all. I also chucked his bottles at the same time and gave him cows milk in a cup. He seemed ok with it DD does quite like the dummy but think its because she pops it in and out of mouth herself, but if it keeps her quiet its ok by me

Gingeme - at buzzer going so early!!I would be fuming!!

Madmouse - I don't buy pampers here either for the same reason...didn't realise it was as little as 1.2p they give though

LaTurkey much better today thankyou for asking. George still snotty and still didn't eat any breakfast. Edward is much better today. I think the anti biotics are kicking in . David is still coughing but well in himself too.
Just been to carpet right and ordered a carpet for our hall way and vinyl covering, got told off for clling it lino , for our kitchen. I have wanted new flooring for the kitchen for years.
Its all being done next Wednesday and the stuff from Ikea is being delivered too then. Can't wait!!
We also went to Smyths and finnished the boys Christmas shopping. Luckily they are a bit too young to know whats going on for sure. David is at school so that saved trying to ask any awkward questions.
Just my sis and niece and nephews to buy for now and thats everyone. Phew I'm normally done by now
Little ones are sleeping so might take this oppertunity to wrap the toys up now.
Actualy maybe a cup of tea first he he xx

ooh Gingeme all nice and new for xmas then! Wish we ha dasmythis near here seems really reasonable.

makeup i have clinique moisturiser too JKS love it my one luxury and always have mascara and concealer.

Another pressie for those looking for ideas Lat, Lucky (music and lights) what about the early learning centre funky footprints , loads on ebay cheap. DD was crawling on dd1 today and was chuckling her head off at setting lights off.

Simpson hope you get on ok at doc today and get dd sorted.

MM agree with a lot of your sentiments for xmas pressies.

Just been to dd pre school xmas party and she saw father xmas. Love their little faces
Going to do some ironing before dancing and ds has to go back to school for his xmas play tonight , seems non stop this week.
And dp moans he doesn't have a shirt ironed this morning

P.S I don't wear make up except on very special occasions

Gingeme - the Spoka thing sounds good - do you think if they wake up and can't see it (after the 4 hours) that would be bad?
Would like a mooch about in Ikea (minus DCs) one day soon - don't need it as such though!
Henry found his bits the other day too - T had undescended testicles (had op last year) so there was a lot less to grab hold off & play with!
V annoying about this morning, grr.
Well done on carpet & LINO shopping i've only done it a few times and found it remarkably stressful

Lily - well done to your ds for the other day

LaT - can i first confess to hardly noticing the Pampers thing?
I think manipulative marketing is a perfect phrase, really we aren't making a difference buying the Pampers but get to kid ourselves that we are, but as MM said, Proctor & Gamble could sort it by themselves much more easily. I think Corporate Responsibility may have slipped recently...I still use Pampers though - have experimented with other brands and Tom ended up with terrible nappy rash.
I'm meant to be using my FuzziBunz reusables of course
Re the Aquadraw - I got it off Ebay think i paid about £17 for it, can't remember exactly, but friends did say that they were on sale somewhere, but at Woolies I think, hmm. Any aquadraw would do for a first one though, and a perfect suitcase present. We have one of those crawl mats footprint thingies for H too for Christmas (off Ebay of course!).

Madmouse - so we missed celebrating with you on the 5th? Sorry about that
Sure the whole congregation will want to spoil Nathan rotten - better watch out for the flood of gifts!!

Simpson - good luck at the docs today

Done lots of wrapping of presents this morning - think we are nearly ready for weekend at PIL. And made a huge risotto (the butternut squash one from Annabel Karmels book, it's yum!) so need to portion it out and get in the freezer.
Tom knackered from pre-school so chilling with the tv, i may go and sort some laundry out...

sorry another mammoth post!

aah i hate it when people specifically comment on how you spell something on a thread i didn't realise it was an english lesson.

Great my dad just rung

Oh lilly what a bummer
We worked it out it wasn't 4 hours because I put it on at 7.30 when the boys went to bed and DH said he turned it off about 12 when he came to bed. I still had the plug in one turned on anyway. I used to hate Ikea. Always got lost and hot and slightly panicked by the place. Now I love it especialy the cooked breakfast for 89p!
Oh dear you know what I was saying about ds3 not being with us to ask any awkward question re Smyths? Well he just spotted the bag in our room and asked 'did you go to Smyths today? I saw the Ben10 thing?'

Oh DON'T send me to ebay PLEASE ladies. I've just bought about a tonne of clothes for Sabela 12-18. Totally cute but I'm getting at how many things I'm buying.

oh well.... might take a peak.

Lily .

Am watching a couple of mats to see what they go for . Have spent £44 on 12-18 month clothes and little Christmas presents. I just added it up.

Lilyloo - I really feel for you!!What is it about men and Xmas shopping? DH only started his today as I have nagged him...and he hasn't got to get anything for the kids!!

LaT - I love ebay too!! When are you going to Spain BTW?

JKS - DD has found her bits too and fiddles ALL the time when nappy is changed...just thought baby girls did it too like boys but GP says DD's bum is itchy thats why she won't leave herself alone!!

Gingeme - I love Ikea too but don't drive so don't get there that often, which is probably a good thing as I would spent a fortune!! Very of your new floor!!

Just got back from doc's:

DS has been referred to hosp as since his ear infection I don't think he can hear that well GP thinks it will clear up and ear looks ok but better to be safe than sorry.

DH got yet more drugs Same ones just repeat prescription.

I don't have chest infection just bad cough.

GP refused point blank to prescribe DD a new milk am and as its all about saving money. However I complained about pead and she will write a strongly worded letter saying DD needs to be seen before Xmas and preferably by someone else. Her bum is very RED (due to lots of runny poo) so have now got (yet more) cream for that.

Madmouse - DH went to see someone from HR yesterday and they have personally said they will help him with what he needs. He has to email her (so its official I guess) which he has done.
What type of things do you normally do on Dec 5th?

Simpson - i guess that's progress, of a sort, lol slightly at family appointment

Gingeme - i'm still at the slightly panicking stage!! have only been once!

Lily - argh re present buying by men! I have given in this year and sorted out most of DH's family (his family, his problem and v.v. normally) as his high points over the last few years have been a) a santa costume for his Yorkshire uncle, in his 60's & b) a men's cosmetic/shaving set from Lush for his mum last year....
I feel i've taken the flak for the crap presents so have taken charge this year - though drawn a blank at his bro and he should be giving it to him this weekend...no sign as yet of anything.....
Oh and last year he didn't get one of his cousins anything admittedly we weren't seeing her over Christmas and she lives a long way away and we aren't close but really!?!

(and there are lot's of apostrophes all over the place in that post )

right, dinner....

Very sad about this ladies as I have fond memories of spending my pocket money on sweets and singles in Woolies (when they cost 49p - showing my age!) but they are having their closing down sale from tomorrow so there will be bargains.

Really tired ATM (work albeit part time and baby not sleeping doesn't mix) and can't catch up but hope all is well.