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!!

Lilyloo - ((hugs)) poor you. Hope car doesn't cost too much either. How long will it be before everything is back to normal? 18,000 homes OMG

Lucky - Any sign yet??

Nicky - Woo hoo!! Big congratulations Was wondering where you had got to....

DD seems a bit better today, she is still asleep. Normally is awake by now but she was up a lot in the night so needs the sleep. Just wish I could do the same thing...and go back to bed!!

Oh well, made the most of her sleeping and had nice bath while DS watched LazyTown.

On gmtv this am the woman from United Utilities said they are doing all they can to get the gas back for xmas and some homes might have it for xmas but it's too early to say!
My cousin works right by where the gas leak was they were fixing and it was first reported to them in Oct!
The woman on tv said they had to wait for the right equipment and specialists what a good idea to tackle it 3 days before xmas

Suppose should be greatful we have electric after yesterday!
And we pay £150 per month for this and doubt they will be offering rebates

Sorry to hear of dd and to be all doom and gloom on here.
Hope she better for xmas day!
Think Martha used the cold as an excuse to sleep even less than normal ended up in our bed in the end!
Oh well come what may we will have xmas and the dc will enjoy it, good job i got dp and me a jumper for a little xmas pressie
Haven't wrapped a single thing for the dc yet!

Lucky hope washer arrives bet you will be the only one doing washing on xmas day

Ladies might be somw good birthday pressies for your lo's here money off and free delivery here doll , pram and accessories for £1.74

nicky congratulations gal how are you feeling?

lily just saw it on the news

lucky is it here yet?

Just back from big tesco. Don't want to go back now until saturday horrible

Funny old night we had. Nathan went to sleep 8.30 but wanted milk again 11.10, then at 2am after which he proceeded to not sleep and we decided to let him cry, reassuring at intervals. Well, he did not cry that much, lots of muttering and complaining and numerous times when he nearly slept then shouted again. took a good hour, but then - total peace until 8.10 . will be doing that again! And I am going to ban nightfeeding before midnight and then push it further and further back. I hope it will make him hungrier and thirstier during the day too.

Woohoo my washing machine is here its all plumbed in. But the water company are doing "essential maintenance" so I can't use it yet!!

Lily - I hope they manage to sort it out for you before xmas. Otherwise can you go somewhere for actual xmas day? - Even if its just a restaurant?

MM - We've gotta go tomorrow morning to tesco's. I am NOT looking forward to it.

It's working and it's sooo nice. Really quiet so far!

That's one load done

Ladies - have any of you had your LO's christened? Do you plan to?
I'm asking cos me and DP are NOT religious but I don't know whether we should christen DD anyway. It kinda feels as though we're doing it cos it's the done thing.
We would like to have some sort of "christening" but without the religious stuff so everyone can get together to celebrate her but I dont know whether we should just christen her anyway. IYKWIM

Anyways... back to the madness

A naming ceremony ????????

Well the 'gas' man has come round to TURN THE METER OFF Said it unlikely to be back on tom either.

Have told dp to get some electri heaters on way home and trying to scrounge xmas dinner from family.
Given there has been a leak since Oct why would you fix it on 23rd Dec and be surprised when it blows up

I know I was so worried when the water men delivered this note to say they were doing stuff on the water. I mean its the 23rd Dec - what we would have done with no water I dont know so I can't imagine how you are coping.

I'm not sure if I even want a naming ceremony as that seems to "formal" for me - I think I just want a party where DD can play with ALL her relatives and have a jolly good time. Maybe i'll just make her 1st birthday a hell of a party.

Madmouse - Just got back from sainsburys (was Hell) Had a bad night here too as DD was awake most of the evening then then awake at 11pm then started the day at 5am

Lilyloo - What are you going to do for Xmas dinner?...Cheers for the link for toy buggy etc. Have just bought one for £1.74 Did you buy one?

Lucky - we got DD christened in ireland which was a bit of a cop out for me as i didn't have to do anything

Is nice to think of who would be God parents though. Even if its not in a religious way, just someone you want to be part of DD's life iyswim.

Lilyloo - My heart goes out to you ((hugs)) Any news on car yet?

DP has just gone to garage as they haven't rung him so finished work early.

He has had a nightmare at work the promotion he was hoping he was on course for in Feb hasn't even begun to be sorted as his boss hasn't bothered signing anything off or getting his exams sorted as he left today
So that won't happen until mid year now!

Am hoping we can have xmas lunch with my dad as he has all electric so it hasn't affected him. But he was saying he doesn't want to do xmas and has been all maudling about my mum these last few weeks so not sure what he will say!

Bargain that set was , i didn't as have got dd1 pretty much the same for xmas but a lot more expensive and we just don't have the room for anymore dollies , prams , accessories!
I got a peppa pig bath set with £10.00 off so was £4 for dd1 birthday.

OMG Have just managed to heave the old double mattress out of our room, down the stairs, through the living room and out in to the yard - I DO NOT KNOW HOW... I'm a weakling normally but I was so peed off about it being there. lol

Lilyloo - Am well chuffed with the pram set. It will be delivered on 5th Jan and will just store it in attic till DD old enough.

Also bought a pink (DD better like pink LOL) toy kitchen from the Entertainer last week reduced to £20 from £65 So that is in attic too.

Also got a "stephanie" dress for £8 in woolies.

Attic totally full now and was hoping to get some bargains for DS in the sale!!

Hope you can go round to your dad's fingers X.

My money still hasn't gone in to my a/c and they have promised it will be tomorrow. Will see

Lucky - You go girl!!

Good news I went to doc today and have got DD a months worth of neocate

Lots of good news

nicky - congratulations

lucky - yay

good shopping tips, am almost convinceing myself i need to buy that doll's set

off out for dinner with DH and then to a quiz night - was meant to be with parents but they are not coming until tomorrow (have i said this already? sorry if repeating myself!)
as my mum feels too ill to drive. my dad can't drive yet after his hip op.
hope they do come tomorrow
they really better make the effort as their 4 children & all their 4 gc will be in the same place at once - has never happened yet!
waiting till tomorrow to see what she says.
sometimes my mum plays up a bit to being ill (after having v serious cancer and she gets every infection going so it's not all play-acting) so we tend to be less sympathetic than we prob should.

anyway, best go really, more jobs calling. at least we don't have house guests for one more day

JKS - enjoy your night out. You can use that discount code to buy something for the boys BTW

Lucky - How is washing machine?

HI guys. Just wanted to post in to let you know I'm reading up on you.

Lucky - have you had a go yet?

Nicky - congratulations!

Simpson - glad DD is better.

MM - are you going to start the after midnight feeding tonight? I hope it goes well.

Lily - sorry to hear about car and DHs hassles. ANd SO sorry to hear of the heating problems. That's miserable.

JKS - how was your night out? You seem very good at that sort of thing, music etc..

Gingeme - have you fallen in a pile of tinsel? Hope everything is ok.

MrsMc - hello!

If I've missed anyone, sorry.

Things here are just s**t. My brother will be in hospital over Christmas, still very ill. And he will be on his own as my Dad is ill, my other brother is being an arse and we've nowhere to stay. I've argued with my brother over his arsiness. My DHs sister has a thrombosis in her leg and will need an operation on the 26th. DH has rowed with his mother because she was being a right drama queen about it (MIL doesn't really know HOIW ill my brother is). DH has not got the funding we were hoping for for his trip to SPain even though his application was rated 'alpha'. Ususally all alphas get funding but this year there was a bumper load of applications. So we're going to be skint (although we'll manage) A very bad day and we're down which is unusual for us. We're going NOW for some serious cuddling on the sofa.

Sorry sorry sorry.

We're decorating the house together tomorrow so promise to be much more festive!

Lucky if you find a naming ceremony too formal don't even start about a baptism. You and the godparents will be making promises about bringing Aaliyah up in the faith etc that you may not feel you can keep.

In our church, and I assume in all Church of Englad parishes, you can say 'thank you' for a baby. It is very informal, you go up front on a normal Sunday, and tell the world how grateful you are for the gift of Aaliyah. Some prayers will be said and that is that. You are not asked to make promises and there are no ties. You can have 'supporting friends', like godparents.

In our church we use it as a first step towards baptism and for people who do not really believe in a living God it is often enough and they do not proceed with baptism.

But nothing stops you from throwing a massive We Love Aaliyah party without any ceremony at all, or maybe with a three minute speech telling your friends how special she is

Having Nathan baptised 18 January btw, you may have seen that on facebook.

LaT - sorry today has been a pile of poo

Sorry to hear about your brother.

Hope things improve soon ((hugs))

Yes Gingeme - Where are you?

x-post LaT

Hope the cuddling is working, it does sound seriously shite.

Is there any improvement in your brother's situation at all? Last thing you need is people being an arse. And to refuse funding which is the same thing really.

Well, Nathan is asleep. As usual I failed to rouse him when putting him in his cot after his feed. He may get a shock when he tries to feed at 11. we will see.

ps gingeme posted on my facebook so seems ok, probably hands full with poorly kids again, or just very christmas busy

Madmouse - good luck with the new routine tonight.

Glad Gingeme ok

Evening ladies and thankyou for missing me
As MM said I have been busy with poorly kids again took ds3 and 4 to the docs as ds3 still has his horrid cough and ds4 nearly lost his voice again and she basicaly loaded us up with more Calpol and Neurofen and said carry on with what were doing
ds3 and I went to see Peter Pan on ice at our local rink on Sunday. My RL friends son was in it. It was fantastic. ds3 keeps pretending to be Peter and ds4 has to be Tinkerbell, er I think not lol
George is going to bed without a bottle now since he was sick those couple of times last week which has been fab and dare I put the mockers on it but he slept through last night . Just hope against hope its not a one off but we will see.
Simpson yay for the milk
LaTurkey so sorry things are so pants re your brother
JKS I hope your parents can make it tomorrow.
Oh before I forget George stood for about 8 seconds unaided yesterday. Keeps trying to do it agin now but pretends he can't remember what he did lol.
Right well off to bed soon.
Have a good night all xxx

oh, I am not a morning person!

makes you doubt the sense of going out - and i was driving so no hangover, just sleep deprivation, again!
got to bed about 11.30 (night out was good thanks, Chinese, yum & a quiz. Just DH & I so didn't do very well but was a fun atmosphere. Normally on a tues when dh is in london.)
and woke about 5.15, ds1 refused to go beack to bed, screaming, shouting, crying, etc.
so brought him down and refused to turn tv on until 6. not a fun half hour!
there was some shenanigans in the night too, lost track.
now watching tikkabilla, again, making Christmas things.
{anyone else find it slightly mad that CBeebies have Christmas Special programmes?!}

Lily - sorry, meant to say yesterday, have been thinking of you and hoping for good gas news, but doesn't sound hopeful with your meter being turned off
sure the kids will still have a magical time, regardless of food. can you freeze most things (assuming power supply is reliable!) and do Christmas food another day?
really dumb idea to try and repair it at this time!

lucky - glad your water repairs went ok and machine is now up and running!

simpson - will have another look for something for H's birthday. haven't got many ideas for him.

LaT - so sorry for you and dh dealing with so much, with what seems to be so little support
Don't really understand the alpha funding thing, but regardless sounds like more cr*p for you both to deal with.
don't apologise! we all have down days (some of us for a lot less reason than you! ie me!)

MadMouse - how was last night????
We decided a while back that we wouldn't get our children baptised and it was reinforced when we went to other people's baptisms. We are not church-goers and although vaguely Christian, we weren't comfortable with the promises you have to make.
Have talked DS1 though our nativity set though, want him to have some idea of why Christmas even exists.
{MM quiz Q for you from last night:
why does Christmas get shortened to Xmas?}

Gingeme - poor you & poor boys still not well
hope everyone wakes up today all better!
hope G slept through again for you.
well done to him standing!
H is doing the same but i don't think he even realises, he just gets excited and lets go of whatever he's holding, then holds on again. haven't timed him though
When are you seeing your big boys over Christmas?

hope my parents do make it today....
my sis+3 & 1 bro should arrive anyway, so need to get ready for them. Put random piles of stuff away, etc.

Don't want my sis stressing about non-child-friendly stuff that my boys ignore/are ok with.

Happy Christmas Eve everyone

just quick one still no gas am resigned to managing now!
car was patched up yesterday until new year paid £100 and dp just rung and it's gone again on the motorway on way to work!

Ah well it's xmas eve kids excited i have got lot's of chocs so we will have to have them for xmas dinner

LaT so sorry to hear things are so bad! Hope you can put a smile on it for tommorrow and have a nice day!

Just wanted to wish you all a very happy xmas and hope all lo's have a lovely day