May 07.The one where the toddlers try to eat the wrapping paper and climb the Christmas tree!

[TheGreatScootini]

New thread..we-ell it is nearly December and I like to start the festivities early doors

You are not miserable CM..You are going through a horrible time.
Tis a bit tumbleweedy on 't thread these last few days though..

Tell DH I have ALOT of jobs for him to do Mrs JB.I am so sick of the sight of this ruddy shiny wall paper!

Girls back tonight.I am looking forward to seeing them but I cant pretend it hasnt been nice to have some peace

Pebble--everything will get done.

OK what do you think of my Christmas lunch menu. I've been racking my brain trying to come up with something good, and new so please let me know what you think.

Ham
Baby carrots
Green Bean Casserole
Goat cheese mashed-potato Gratin

Coconut cake for dessert

LOL at menu planning already MKG you put me to shame. Although to be fair i plan to sit on my arse this Xmas with my sil and do nowt

Pebble i know where you are, the more abies you have the more niggly you become. All the things that were limited to the last couple of weeks jump forward a few weeks each time. Today i woke up with some serious BH and that dull achy pelvis that i would normally think hmmmmmmmmm about. I have taken to ignoring it now. I feel like i could go in to labour every day but remember how i felt like that with Beau and Hugo tbh a lot at the end. It just seems so unfair we have to suffer like this for weeks yet

Jam you sound splendid i like the spelling Lachlan (and may be biased as i have just written it in your Xmas card ) I pronounce it Lochlan.

Pink am busy with Xmas parties... it all ends tomorrow they break up at lunchtime, wahooooooooo!!

Speaking of niggles. I had my first BH last night. It was saying hello to an old friend. Then I freaked out because I knew I had so much to do and only 12 weeks left to do it. You know, things like win the lottery.

LG&T Ive had a few occasions where ive thought 'Oh god this is it'. I dont want an early baby but then again I dont really want another month of wondering and panic. Am really dreading this labour as it is

MKG Im not due until 21 January so in theory I should have plenty of time to get my arse in gear. Look at you planning menus. All I know is that Dh is having lobster for starter and the rest of us will be having melon. If dh has his way the main course will include every type of meat going but i think i will limit it to turkey this year, dont fancy faffng about all day in the kitchen.

Im so at the moment. I had a text from my parents earlier bragging about how they are basking in 34 degrees and are getting very brown and very fat!!! They are in week 2 of their carribean cruise. Mmm where would I rather be, here in the freezing cold rushing around like a blue arsed fly trying to get things done or relaxing in luxury.

Went to watch E in his christmas play yesterday, he was dressed as an angel, how could the teachers get it so wrong lol. He actually joined in with the singing this time instead of standing there like a statue, I almost blubbed I was so proud of him.

J got a good report at his end of year target meeting. They are very pleased with his french and science. The teacher dared to mention his attendance record cue me going off on one about how unfair it all was, poor woman had no idea about the hassle we had been having with the school

A is turning into a stroppy madam. If she doesnt get her own way she huffs and folds her arms before turning her back on you and stalking off. Its actually quite funny to watch but we dont let her know that. Her favourite game at the moment is fetch where she pretends to be a dog and carries a ball in her mouth. Should I be worried lol. Oh well I guess life with her is never going to be dull.

Evening all!
Jam,many many congratulations. Your new little man is gorgeous and your birth story made me cry.
Scoot, glad the party went well and dh was suitably surprised. I know the coat you mean and it is lush with a capital L.
Well, 1 more day of work to go before 2 weeks off - hurray! My pfb is 4 years old tomorrow and I am feeling a little emotional. This time 4 years ago I was at the hospital, very scared as he was early, watching all the nurses in Santa hats singing along to the Christmas music. Ds was the innkeeper in the school play today and he was sooo cute. He made me cry as I thought. He sung so beautifully and just kept beaming at me.

Congrats Jam- he is lovely - I now will have to go back and see your birth story. How lovely to be able to feel sorted for Xmas iyswim!

All well here - term has finished so am feeling v happy! Both boys are being v sweet at the moment and keep kissing each other. DS1 off to Thomasland with his best friend from school tomorrow. I think he is a bit nervous about going with someone else's mum because he has been telling me that he has a sore tummy -= but still managed to eat supper/play etc!
S still only on about 3 words but I keep hoping!......POTTY TRAINING? Wow that's amazing!
My SS pressie arrived today - have not yet opened it and it was v carefully secret -not even a post mark. Thank you whoever it was - not sure I will last till Xmas though!!

Jam - just read your story - it is lovely - well done you!

OK - weirdest conversation of the evening
DS1 (lying in bed)Mummy guess what i've got in my bottom
me: take your fingers out of your bottom
DS1: not fingers - guess - it begins with m and ends in eeee
this goes on for a while - I don't guess
DS1: it's money.
me: take the money out of your bottom.
and so on and so on.
Why??????

No farking hot water. Argghhhh. Calling an emergency plumber tomorrow. I don't care how much it costs. DH is "out" tonight and tomorrow, not that he'd know how to fix it anyway. I am full of snot and have been up and down to the loft fannying about with the hot water cylinder and air valve, draining it, refilling and so on. I am not amused.

Thank God it's not the boiler and we still have heat.

Oh, an apologies to my SS. I have yet to leave the house since becoming ill. I think we can safely say your pressie will arrive after Christmas. I'm really sorry.

I mean, I've been out to Tesco, but thought you'd rather wait a bit, than get a Florence and Fred top for your pressie, you know.

Was just about to turn pc off for the night and remembered I had some news for LG&T

If you go to the Krispy Kreme shop at Gunwharf they have been selling a 6pack of Xmas cards for £5.99 which seems quite expensive but in every card there is a voucher for 10 free donuts. The vouchers need to be used by the end of January and 60 free donuts is quite a lot to eat in a month but the offer seems to good to missed and as my MIL reminded me when telling me of the offer, you can always freeze them lol
I havent actually managed to get down there yet so am hoping they havent sold out by now, just thought id let you know.

Right im off to bed now. My back is killing me. Ive still got lots of presents to wrap but all I seem capable of doing is about 5 a night before I have to give in due to the pain in my back. The way im going i'll be lucky to have finished by the New Year. And before anyone suggests getting the boys to help, I tried that last Saturday, it took 2hrs to wrap 4 presents and they spent most of the time arguing over what paper, tags to use etc and im a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to wrapping presents so ended up redoing them anyway which defeated the object really didnt it?

Have got FIL coming round tomorrow to finish the bathroom. For the past three weekends my toilet has been out of action which isnt good for an 8month pg lady who needs to wee every two minutes but finally the end is in sight and despite my fear of what Dh was going to do in there its actally looking quite nice.

Will hopefully get on here tomorrow and then I can tell you about my freaky new neighbour, cant decide if she's a bit of a stalker or just plain loopy

Night all!!

Abbylou Happy Birthday to the special boy today Time flies!!! I bet he will love Thomas. Hang in there one more day and you will be free for 2 weeks of fun! Will you get lots of pressies tomorrow?

Aneme pmsl at your ds Dontcha just love the coversations you have sometimes! They never cease to amaze me.

Poor old dd woke up this morning and said glumly "the tooth fairy did not come" Dh come back with a "well he is very busy at this time of year what with all the sweeties children eat" Hook line and sinker... Bless her.

She started her new pen device last night. We have been having major issues with the first one. This new one is needle based (the other was pressure related but had a viscious spring in it and very loud click) I am hoping ot will be better for her, she looked battered and bruised from the other one and we were having to do it to her in her sleep as she hated it so much For the first time she said "I wish i did't have Turners Syndrome". The whole thing is soul destroying.

TYG at no hot water i would have phoned a plumber too and hash to the expense. Better before the weekend double rate call out!

My SS has been dispatched i hope she recieves it very soon

Pebble i need no encouragment with eating atm, i have no idea how much i weigh but am sure it is not below 13 stone... Argh!!!

Last day of school!!!! Wahoooo no school run tomorrow or for 2 weeks. You never know i may even have a baby by the time they all go back [fdoubtful]

Good lord the boys are fighting and don't just mean the big ones, B joins in too. As i was dressing him this morning he was snotting ON PURPOSE at me. I mean FGS.

Pebble its a dozen ring doughnuts. My BIL brought our card over the other day and i was so excited

Company Xmas do last night. Very good, had a great time. Only had one drink so have a nice clear head this morning, which is something that cant be said for a fair few of the others

You are good not drinking AM, not sure i would be able to stop myslef

FFS all i want is a fecking donut now you lot!

Me too LG&T I fancy loads of donuts and we have no KKs anywhere near. The local spa do something similar but just not the same!

C is currently still asleep since 9pm last night - he has been very poorly with high temps, very snotty and wicked cough but seems to be quite cool at the moment and sleeping peacefully. Will make a decision on Drs when he wakes but I was definitely taking him at 5am this morning .

Soooo tired as L is still feeding twice in the night and when he wasn't feeding or being rocked then C was awake. DP gritted at 11pm so didnt get to bed until 2.30 (I say that very loosely (sp?) as he slept on the sofa!) and had to get up at 6 for work today. He also slept on the sofa the night before. I am sure he shouldn't be driving lorries as tired as he must be. He has his work "do" this afternoon but may not go apparently as he may stay and help me. Bless him.

I have not wrapped any of the kids presents and they are hidden all round the house. I am a bit worried I may not find them all. The DDs don't go to their dads until boxing day and I haven't a clue when I can do them after today! Why has xmas come so fast?

Wrapping will be done on Xmas eve at mil. DH will take himself off to the caravan (they have one in their drive) and stay there warpping away I am useless at wrapping!!

Things are always worse at night SKY, it is amazing whet you swear will happen in the morning after a bad night!

Hope he improves after a good sleep.

Mine have always fed through the night while BF till they are much older. I think in some it is just what they do.

Ella fed through the night until i stopped bf'ing at 8mths, within a month she was sleeping through.

Sky, next time i am in town i will grab you a box and send them straight to you

I spelt it Lachlan too but have been saying it as Lochlan..you are like superwoman Jammy to post when you a newborn and a toddler about

PJ-Sarah is my least favourite too.How odd.And I dont really know why.You can all of you join my girl band.But be aware that all costume designs will revolve around my Fab-u-lous coat

Teeth TYG!Icant imagine BFing with teeth..but that said I was rubbish at it anyway teeth or not I am now feeling very bone achey and yesterday felt quite lightheaded and hot.So obviously that will be the flu coming my way.I mean it would be odd if I didnt get it right?FFS.DH has come home early and taken the kids out and I have retired to bed to write my Christmas cards.(so am on here instead)Think I am going quite mental as keep forgetting peoples husbands and kids names.I hope its the cold thats doing it not that I am actually losing it altogether.

My Secret Santa as also gone wrong.Couldnt get what I wanted after fannying about choosing so had to get something else which I dont like as much.I still am not totally convinced I cant get the original thing so will have one last bash tomorrow.

L and M have watched rather too much beebies lately too SKY..Its all that can be done when either they or I am sick to be fair.

Try not to worry too much Pebble..but maybe get yourself some hospital bag bits so as not to tempt fate too much?

Gin-I work with a woman with Turners..she is lovely and has a job, a boyfriend..and she is an amazing musician-what im saying is that the Turners hasnt held her back a jot-Im sure thats how Phin will be too.I am sorry that DD is going through all that with her pen.All my love to her, she must be very brave.And you.
We have to start wrapping too.I HATE wrapping.But I refuse to be doing it in the middle of the night on Christmas Eve.(like normal)

L and I had a day together yesterday.She claimed her ear was hurting again but the Dr could find nothing wrong, but I think she just wanted a day with Mummy.M went off to the CM and L and I went and finished our shopping and had tea and cake.We had a lovely day!I cant remember the last time I had a day where I didnt have to tell her off.And we really had fun.I am really hoping its the light at the end of the tunnel with her
Unfortunately M has started throwing major paddies and her and L bicker all the ruddy time.(except when they are cuddling and kissing-its about 60/40 at the moment)I beg of you!

The lovely SOH explained that we were right with Lachlan and saying it with a hard O. By the way SOH would love you to come visit or we could come to you lets try sort something after Chrimbo.x

Anne at your DS now if that had been A there prob would have been a fiver shoved up his bum.

TYG you get your heating sorted not really what oyu want at this time of yr, and by god woman you are brave feeding with teeth.

LG&T huzzah for the last day of term.

On the wrapping front we are all done but i always remeber my parents wrapping till late into the night when we were younger DAD used to say when we were little that thye would literally have wrapped the last pressie and 2 hourslater we would all be up and paper everywhere.

SKY hope your household is feeling a bit better.

Things here are good except my boobs are a bit of a mess surprise surprise. I was in tears last night trying to feed the wee man. Also my milk appears to have come in today so now have 2 bowling balls strapped to my chest so have had to hand pump a bit of each boob before he can latch on it is also bringing my nips out a bit which I think is helping with his latch. The MW yesterday said "well just use nipple shields" when I asked her to check his latch she said it was fine I said but my nip looks like a pyramid. Onwards and upwards and man up Jam.

Got the village childrens Christmas party tom how sad am I that I am uber excited about going then on Sunday morning the village church is doing its nativity have finally got that Chrimbo feeling.

Have a lovely weekend everyone. mwah mwah.

Oh poor you Jam. This is NOT actual breastfeeding advice, but I found with O, that when I let him find his own latch (instead of trying to stuff a nipple sandwich in his mouth), it stopped hurting.

Now, with the other two, they didn't have "their own way" of latching and did have to be taught, but thought it's worth mentioning that the "right way" to do it isn't how all babies like to feed, iyswim. I found with A, that the "rolling" the nipple into her mouth from the bottom up got the latch right, rather than trying to get her to open her mouth really wide.

Please call NCT Breastfeeding if it's hurting. They're open 8am to 10pm. 0300 330 0771. And remember that lots of us with more than one baby have found it hard EVERY time. Don't think because it's your second baby that you should just know how to breastfeed. Better to talk to someone who knows what they're talking about than a midwife who suggests nipple shields! Ask for a local person to come round if needs be.

LG&T, poor Phin. It must be really hard for you to keep upbeat with her and not let her get too despondent.

I have hot water again. Sort of. It's only working when the central heating is on and the boiler running so I have to whack up the thermostat about an hour before bath time to make sure the water is hot.

I'm quite because it's been broken since before we moved in and the vendor must have known it. The immersion has to be turned on manually up in a cupboard upstairs and it's only for when the boiler breaks down. As I've suspected for some time, due to our high electricity costs, we've been heating the water using the back up immersion heater, which is now broken too. So every time I've had the water on for hours and hours over the last two years, supposing that the heating system was heating the water tank, I've had the immersion on. Argh. Explains the £150 a month we're paying for electricity. At least our energy savings when it's properly repaired will cover the £750 repair bill. Some valve between heating and hot water system broken...

Anyway, was asking DH if we should get a more efficient boiler while we're at it, but he was telling me about these fuel cell boilers. Apparently they're in 1000 homes on trial and are fantastic. Should be available around 2010. They're like the Toyota Prius of boilers. As they use gas to run the boiler, they also charge up a fuel cell and when the cell is charged, it takes over from the gas. Great huh? (Also slightly anorak-y and boring...)

Thank you to my secret santa. Pressie arrived this morning

Thanks TYG I think I just had it in my head that there was no problem with tongue tie this time and I have done it before so therefore should know exactly what I am doing. It has been much better this arvo not had to express to get him latched and although it is still hurting to latch on it is getting better.

Apologies for posting last week and then sneaking off again. I was planning to have some lovely time with J now that I'm no longer working, but only went and got himself a chest infection. I thought he was a bit off when he threw up all over me on thursday morning... anyway, his temp seems to be stable again and he's back asleep so i promise i'll now go and catch up. (although with so many pregancies and newborns it looks like i've never left and am back the ante-natal thread)

God dammit I have woken up with a bad cold even my teeth ache! It also looks like Lachlan has got jaundice he was a touch yellow the other day but he really looks tangoed this morning off to see the midwife in an hour hopefully they wont send us to the hospital.Been feeding him 2 hourly during the day and 3-4 hourly at night but seems to have made no difference.