March 08:Happy Birthday!!! We made it through a whole year!

[turtle23]

new thread.

turtle, so glad you're feeling better, but it's got to this. I don't know what I'd do without DH. Not necessarily in a day-to-day way, but overall.

JFly- bit late, but loving the dress!

I was sorely tempted to go topless in Menorca and would have, had our last few days there been as hot as the first! Next year...

My parents are arriving tonight for a couple of weeks, so afraid I won't make the zoo. Have a great time!

This week, I've found out about 3 more new spring babies! One of my NCT friends, my DB and SIL (!!!) and another good friend. All v. exciting!

Ff-It isn't the "having more help" bit, as he doesn't. It's the neverending loneliness of having no company. I think part of the reason my house is so tidy is because we go out more to avoid the horrid loneliness of the flat.

OK, we have all talked about EVERYTHING over the last two years, ladies, I'll be honest. Here's the killer: I haven't had sex with my husband for 6 months. Yes, if you are counting I am 5 months pg. Think DIY. The one step too far last week was DH admitting that he just doesn't fancy me. This is not just a pg thing...he doesn't "think of me that way anymore." I don't know where you can possibly go with that.

Turtle, that must have been so hard to hear. If this were a site other than MN I would be sending you hugs. Can you see this changing? In my marriage, I think that would be it.

As for the loneliness, that's terrible. I know I only did four months, but I know what it's like to go three days only speaking to someone whose conversation consists of, 'quack', 'uh oh' and 'iggle'. Truthfully, I'm not sure I could do it with a newborn too.

Have you spoken to anyone in RL about it? Someone professional who can advise properly on your options? I'm just afraid that nothing I say will be any use to you at all, but I am thinking about you.

Gah. Turtle that must really cut through you to hear that. Very for you. It sounds like you are lonely in your marriage as it is. No sex, no affection, no help. I'm someone who doesn't like to be on my own so I know what you mean about not having company. But honestly, he doesn't sound like he's that good of company! A warm body does not a marriage make.

I know how hard it is with no family around. I've had to kind of "make" my family with friends. Thankfully I've found some really nice friends in the last year. Granted, they have kids and responsibilities of their own, but will still help me if I need it. I'm sure you know people like that, too. And at times you probably feel you can count on them more than DH!

Anyway, I guess I'm saying that either the loneliness would pass or you would get used to it over time. And then you meet a fabulous, loving, generous man who wants to take care of you and your kids. Or you find you're happy as you are. Dunno, it all sad and daunting and unfair. Big un-MN like hugs.

Oh, turtle, sorry to hear you are having such a horrible time.

I haven't been on here for ages but just had a quick skim through the posts. Exciting to see more babies on the way, I'll add my name to the list:
Turtle23 -25 Nov(by my dates!)
ilgb -9 March
bambipie -14th Dec

Had the 20 week scan a few days ago and baby is very wriggly so it's all starting to feel a bit more 'real' now.

Hope the lurgies are clearing up / staying away!

since when have we been barred from giving hugs on mnet? Bollox to that, all of us need a hug, some more than others.

Turtle, hope whatever you decide leaves you feeling happier, friend of mine has just left her husband, her kids are 11 & 14 but they were the only reason she stayed with him for so long. Personally, I think they'd all have had better quality of life if she'd bitten the bullet after they were born, but the main thing is she's finally done it. Up to you to think what the pros and cons are of each option, but hopefully the loneliness can be managed.

FfFf, don't you get any help from other "wives" or do you not all live nearby? Give your bloke a slap now to let him know he's not on holiday just cos he's back home...

Bambipie, did you find out what flavour you're having or resist temptation? you'll have a feet up xmas, i'm sure

After me saying recently that teething hasn't been too bad here lately, little darling was up about 1.30 screaming his head off until 3ish this morning. Doesn't help that he's phlegmy and snotting everywhere, so breathing open-mouthed. And I think the screams were more trapped wind than teeth pain, but they always seem to be linked

So, who's for a happy weekend?

Thanks all for the support. May just stay away for a bit. Am bringing down the thread!

Don't do that on my account, can't speak for anyone else, but aren't we all here for each other?
..if you feel you need to go elsewhere, & you happen to post on a new thread can you at least link to us so we can keep up?

Turtle, quite simply, NO!

DON'T YOU DARE LEAVE THIS THREAD, THAT IS AN ORDER

I think we all know that life isn't pwetty ickle bunnies all the bloody time (we're not netmums ), this isn't a thread for just posting about nice things, surely you know us all a bit better than that by now? I think we've all had times when we have needed it and posted about the shittier things in life.

I am just so sorry you're having to go through all of this, it's really crap and you sound like you are coping admirably. Please feel free to moan/cry/rant away on here, things WILL get better one way or another and then you can go back to being a perky baby/birth/general mummyness expert

Rant over!

Teething really sucks dp, have you tried orajel? It's the only thing that makes teething tolerable in this household!

I bought these gorgeous shoes as a treat to myself today which I love so much I might sleep in them - frankly, it seems the most sensible activity to do in them as they are skyscrapers!

I really should be packing right now but had client drinks and a wine bottle or two so feel like vegging out instead, packing the morning that we leave is ok right?

Finally, have managed to catch up with the thread....

Turtle - sorry to hear what's happened, but to be completely honest (and I hope you don't mind me sticking my neck out) it sounds like the best thing that could happen for you. I'm sure it doesn't at all feel like that right now, but from all of your posts over the last couple of years it sounds like you have been well and truly trampled on, and hopefully now you can brush off the turtle cobwebs and run for the hills

In the MM household, the work/mummy/life balance is still difficult to juggle, but we're going away for two weeks to Alcudia soon and I think some R&R will help me to chill out and spend some much needed quality time with DH and DS.

After holidays we're thinking about trying for no.2, so I'm making the most of my wine rack now

DS is at a really cute, cheeky stage, and his current fascination is with brushing his teeth and being very protective of his shoes (he insists on carrying them round the house when he's not wearing them...they even have to sit on his highchair tray when he's eating )

Hope everyone is well, and those with bumps are taking care.

am back, lovely break. tv here is broken, will be interestgn to see how older boy and dh cope, being addicts.

turtle refer yourself to homestart tout suite. i really hope they have one in your area. you get a trained volunteer befirend you, come regularly to your house and play with the kids while you do what you want and/or chat to you etc. cannot recommend enough. you will really need the support if isolated (i was, by the pain last year, cvouldn't have social life, cou;dn't really engage with dh much, just endure the days)

they were my lfie saver. go to their web site

will do battersea on weds, if not pishing it down totally tropical like yesterday. now, how to get there in rush hour from north london....

Glad you had a good break, Merryberry. Your fb pics are lovely. Looking forward to meeting you (and the others who are going) on Wednesday. Am trying to decide whether to get train or coach.

DP - I think I painted him worse than he actually is. He does help out - he is just a bit messy! Have spent all day today at my desk, working, while Bloke and Ff have been to the park and out with the dogs. Am v jealous, but can't complain about having work on I suppose.

Hope everyone's weekend is going well.

i want a medal for commuting with kids please. the 390 from tot crt rd thru king's X to mine with roadworks, killer zombie driver and HORDES of people was an hour of hell. am also seriously going nuts figuring how to get to peace pagoda area at 10am with them while not going nuts on cabs...think the 24 bus to victoria will be needed

The Oxford Tube goes into Victoria - if you're going via there, shall we meet and make our way to Battersea together?

i don't think we'll all fit in a cab (2 buggies and i have 4 yr old with me) and probably not on a bus at rush hour. but am happy to meet if it will help you along

right, will go with devils i know...northern line to waterloo then cab or bus to zoo, depending on timing. there's a lift at tufnell park to save any extra joint stress for muggins, you see. looking forward to it now i've decided that!

It's very unfair of you all to live within commuting distance of London and/or be at home so you can go out & cause havoc have fun together

So, am now going totally mad & contemplating a sponsored dog-sledding trip across the Arctic in Feb or March next year. But only if they can cater for veggies

Damn, wish I could help with transport, Merry. Don't remember if you have a car but can you drive in? That's what I'm doing, as I'd have to take buses, etc, too. I'm all for driving these days.

Very excited to meet you guys finally!

Where, DP? In Alaska perhaps? Sounds intriguing!

nope, do't drive in london. article of faith. about to be tested sorely methinks. up there with papal infallibility, public transport at rush hour

is that too many 'i's'? Makes my eyes go funny

ooh and we stroked a husky today! all 3 of us. lovely 8 month old. on hampstead heath, where all the best dogs congregate

i'm scared of huskies. they have very pale eyes which i find freaky on dogs for some reason.

it's gone all scary-exciting here. spotted our dream house on thursday and viewed it on saturday, when we'd said we weren't planning the big move (out of london - eek!) until next year. frantic phone calls ensued and our house has gone on the market today. again, i say eek!! 3 people interested, all selling in london, none on the market, so i think it's a race to sell and whoever sells first is likely to get the house.

oh god. not sure i'm prepared for the heartache. and selling a house with a wrecking ball baby in the house is going to be a challenge. the effort involved in stopping DS destroying our beautifully tidy house today had exhausted me by 10.30...

turtle - in case you're lurking, hope you're having a good day today and that things are starting to feel better.

We saw a beautiful husky-type dog in a park in Munich. They are gorgeous animals, and very nice to stroke, but I know what you mean about the pale eye thing being scary. Also, could never own one because they need to be exercised for about 27 hours a day. Rotties turn into cushions/teddies/climbing frames after one long walk a day, which is exactly what Ff and I look for in a pet!

That's very exciting, HQ! How far out of London is the dream house?

Am hugely excited about meeting you all tomorrow. I'm getting the Oxford tube to Victoria, so if I'm not at the zoo dead on ten, please wait for me because I am probably lost still on the bus, stuck in traffic.

Those coming tomorrow should add their mobiles to the FB event page just in case anyone gets lost.

HQ that is really exciting! Now I want to know where you're moving to. And details about the house, of course! (So I can stalk you in RL.)

Huskies are amazing dogs but I always feel really bad for them when I see them anywhere but in an Arctic climate. Growing up in Alaska you realise how much they are built for the cold and consequently how much they hate the heat. Meaning, 20 degrees is a heatwave. They are so content in freezing temps, it's incredible. But they are very energetic and just want to run, run, run! I love it when they have two different coloured eyes.

Speaking of dogs, I'm afraid Richmond Park is the see and be seen park of choice for celebrity dogs. We ran into (twice) Simon and Yasmin Le Bon on Sunday. He's a bit fat, and she was decidedly not glamourous. We exchanged pleasantries when our dog sniffed their pug. Wish now that I'd asked for a photo!