The One Where We Have BIRTHDAYS!!!!!!!!!!

[VictorianSqualor]

07 March: Ashton, a fourth child for gemprincess, 5lb 13oz @ 34+6
09 March: Ted, a second DS for Daftmoo, 7lb 14oz @ 36+0
21 March: George William, a first baby for KnitterintheNW, 7lb 2.5oz @ 37+3
25 March: Olivia, a second baby for TheMaskedPoster, 7lb 2oz @ 38+4
28 March: Pablo, a third baby and first DS for vacaloca, 7lb 14oz @ 39+4
28 March: Matteo Alexander, a first baby for Gangle @ 38+0 (?)
30 March: A baby girl, a second child for PortAndLemon, 8lb 15oz @ 39+5
02 April: Jak, a baby boy for rainbowdays, 9lb @ 39+1
02 April: A baby boy, a second child for bunyanvillas, 6lb 14oz @ 37+5
02April: Struan, a baby boy for Donnabels, 6lbs 15oz
02 April: A baby boy for mummyofaprincess @39 weeks
03 April: A baby girl for PippiCalzelunghe @38+2weeks
03 April: Aeryn Daisy, a baby girl for Denny185, 9lb 8oz @ 39+3
03 April: Benjamin, a baby boy for Micegg, 8lb 3oz @ 39+4
03 April: Roelof Grové, a first DS for SalLikesCoffee, 7lb 5oz @ 38+5
03 April: A baby boy for siikibam, 6lb 8.5oz @39+1wks
04 April: Matilda, a baby girl for AprilsFoolsBaby 7lb @
05 April: Ellis, a baby girl for MadameOvary, 9lb 12oz @ 40+6
06 April: Henry Peter, a baby boy for Sheds, 7lb 130z @ 40+4
07 April: Sebastian George, a fourth DS for Peachy, 8lb 4oz @ 41+1
07 April: Jack, a first baby for ThePFJ, 7lb 5.5oz @ 41+1
07 April: Lexie Bea, a fourth baby for babywhiting, 8lb 1oz @ 39+4
08 April: Alasdair, a second DS for bunnyrabbit, 8lb 5.5oz @ 40+3
08 April: James Samuel, a third baby for honeybee10, 6lb 7oz @ 37+2
09 April: Zara Mia Martin, a first baby for V1KK1M, 7lb 10oz @ 41+0
09 April: Jasmine, a baby gilr for Niceychops
11 April: Kyran for rdk, 7lb 13oz @ 38+3weeks
11 April: Sebastian James, a second baby for Fleecy, 10lb 2oz @ 40+4
11 April: A baby girl, a first baby for CeylonSapphire, 7lb 12oz @ 41+1
11th April: Florence, a baby girl for LouMoose
12 April: Maya Alice, a first baby for egyptianprincess, 8lb 15.5oz @ 40+3
12 April: Sophia Viviana, a second DD for AussieDivaonaBreak, 6lb 12oz @ 39+3
15 April: Alexander Oliver, a third baby for VictorianSqualor, 10lb 3oz @ 41+0
16 April: Ailish, a first baby for Mollyfloss, 6lb 11oz @ 40+3
16 April: A baby girl, a second baby for elfsmummy, 7lb 13oz @ 41+1
16 April: Zoe, a baby girl, a first baby for ToastAddict, 6lb 10oz @ 39+3
16 April: Jasmin, a baby girl, a first baby for Eggandketchup, 9lb 3oz @ 41+4
17 April: A baby boy for paranoidmumy, 8lb 9oz @ 41+4
17 April: A baby boy, a second son for lorisparkle, 7lb 12.5oz @ 41+6
17 April: Benedict, first baby for LadyBee 9 lb 3oz @ 41 +2
18 April: Millie Grace Jessamy, a baby girl for scorpio1 8lb 9oz @ 41
18 April: Cameron, a second baby for munchkinmum @ 39+5
19 April: Oliver Michael, first baby for bashboid, 7 lb 4 oz at 41 +3
20 April: Samuel, a first baby for Velbels. 8lb15oz at 41+1weeks.
20 April: Angharad Mai, 8lb 4oz, 40+6, first for 7monthsplus
20 April: Emilia, 7lb15oz, a first baby for SuzeM, 40+6
20 April: A baby girl for SushiMama
21 April: Eve, a second baby for OMaLittle, 8lb 4oz @ 39+3
21 April: A second DD for Monmoo
22 April: Sam, a second son for Soph73 @ 40+0
22 April: Molly, a first baby for EllieG, 8lb 8oz? @ 40+5
22 April: Daisy, second baby for AttilaTheHan @ 40 +3
22 April: Zoe Olivia, second daughter for Piccallilli2 7lb 1oz @42+1
22 April: A second DD for blinks.
23 April: Jessica Elizabeth, first baby for BabyBratt @ 40+1 7lb 12oz.
24 April: A baby girl, a second daughter for christmaspixie, 9lb 2oz @ 40+6/41+5
24 April: Miya Jade, baby girl for ShelleySare at 39+4
25 April: Amelie, a first baby for Dondons, 9lb, 41+3 (i think!)
25 April: Aisha, a second baby for Jaq39 7lb 14oz @ 41+4
26 April: Hope Olivia, a second dd for northeastmummy, 7lb 11oz at 41 .
26 April: Gabriel, a third child for Bainmarie @ 41+5
26 April: Eli Michael, a baby boy for LittleMissTurquoise, 7lb 15.5oz @ 40+5
27 April: a baby girl for Ayomi, 6lb 1oz @ 41+0
28 April: Jacob Andrew, a 2nd DS for Kaybeeand2boys, 8lb 4oz @ 41+5
29 April: Thomas Henry, a 2nd DS for TLSM, 7lb 8oz 40+3
30 April: Harry Samuel, a fourth ds for Chipmonkey, 9lb 5oz @ 39+2
30 April: Ellie, a baby girl for Annamama
30 April: A second DD for luckymummy74
01 May: Sophie May, a baby grl for Annieroo, 6lb 5oz @ 41+4
01 May: Euan George, a baby boy for Jenniejennie, 8lb @ 40+4
02 May: Robyn Olivia, a baby girl for soph28, 8lb 1oz @ 42+1
05 May: Nora Martina, a first baby for Eva07, 7lb 8oz @ 41+2
05 May: A baby boy for Beeper, 8lb 10oz @ 41+0
05 May: Gabriella Summer, a first baby for MommyHasAHeadache, 8lb 4oz @ 40+6
06 May: Wilf, 8lb 60z for bigbadmom @ 41+6
07 May: James Andrew, a second ds for Moominsmummy, 8lb 13oz @ 41+5
08 May: Ellie Isabella, a first baby for Carey87, 7 lb 8oz @ 42+1
08 May: Robin David, a 2nd baby for Woollymummy, 8lb 11 oz @ 41+3
09 May: 4 kittens for scorpio's cat!
10 May: Astrid Mary, a second dd for TheShipsCat, 8lb 8oz @ 42+0

Well it's over for another year, the dredded b-day party. DD1 was 7 on Wed and every year is the same, she gets spoilt rotten and acts like a brat for a week or two until we can suppress the cheeky lippiness again. Still they all enjoyed themselves including the little brothers and sisters that came and we can start winding down again now.

DD2 was described as the most harrassed toddler going by one of my friends but she loves it the more kids pulling her about the better, in fact if its just the 2 of us she gets quite ranty and bored.

I went shopping yesterday (I go twice a year, winter and summer) and got some lovely summer dresses, fingers crossed it's warm enough to wear them.

Denny, you still sound cheerful after a children's party! The day sounds lovely.

We went to Bluewater today so that I could buy some summer work clothes, but I got bored (hate clothes shopping as it makes me feel fat - which I am, of course, but don't ever think about except for times like that), so left without any! I read the other day that the predict a hot summer, so hopefully you can start wearing your new pretty dresses straight away!

I did however get Roelof an Ergo in John Lewis - and not only that, it was reduced to clear, so I got it for £58!

We went to a car boot sale before that, and bought 2 bags full of the nicest children's books for between 25p and 50p each! Excellent condition, and lovely ones - from puzzle books, pop ups, with cd's, the lot. I've got this thing about books. Heaven knows what we'll do when we leave the country one day - we tried counting one day and stopped counting when we realised it's about a thousand at the moment. But hey, I guess there are worse obsessions out there. We've already got the one full wall covered in bookshelves, and the rest split around. I just can't bring myself to throw books out - and most of them are not story books anyway, so nice to look back at. Might see if an old people's home might want any if ever needs be. Hmm, however, with my travel obsession and dh's computer history not quite sure if that's the right target audience. it's just that i'd like reading when i'm old!

Sorry, rambling.

Oh, also meant to add, Denny. Don't know if you remember, but you said one day that a framed carrier might be better for bad backs (I bugged you for my holiday research). Anyway, dh has been carrying R around all day in a framed one, and he said it's great. We bought it ages ago at an NCT sale (it was cheap so we thought "might as well"), but never used it for long. I think that'll be the one we take to Peru now.
So thanks from him too!

No worries, glad to have been of some assistance.

Sounds like you got some bargins at that boot sale and the Ergo being reduced too, what a good day.

The only way to still be cheerful after a childrens party (I reckon) is to invite children who have nice parents so you can have a nice chat and a coffee whilst the kids run riot

Kids in bed, FIL watching the news (his favourite past time), MIL playing brain training on DD1's DS and DH cooking. Nothing for me to do, tidying/washing etc all done. Bonus

Denny, that's sounds like an ideal state

Sal, where was the boot sale you went to? DP and I were thinking about going to one the other day but don't know where any are?

We had a lovely breakfast out this morning, B ate nearly an entire Pain au Raisin, which distracted him long enough for us to eat our breakfasts and drink coffees before he destroyed his reputation. Then headed to farmers market and bought puddings, that I'm eating right now, and finally to the shoe shop to buy him his first shoes!

They must be magic shoes too, because later in the afternoon B took his first real steps forward without support!

Hooray for magic shoes!!!!! (Yours must be more magic than ours, G hasn't taken any steps by himself yet!)

Ladybee, it's at Flamingo Park, right next to the A20. It's huge and usually have some really good things. It's on every Sunday. I'm usually a little lazy on a Sunday (ok well, and on others, but hey), but every time I get there, I promise myself I'm never buying new toys or books again. I'd recommend it highly.

Hmm, your breakfast out sounds lovely!

Hi too, Knitter.

Hi all. We had a great weekend. Friday we went on a picnic with some friends and their children. Got a little sunburnt though Tom & Sam were OK fortunately. Saturday went shopping for a new swim hat, goggles & beach shoes for Tom. Sat evening we had chinese & stayed overnight at friends and Sun we took Tom and his friend to the park & just pootled back home in the afternoon.

Sam's back to nursery today He hasn't been for a whole month and he actually pouted & sort of glared at me as if to say "what are you doing???" when I dropped him off I'm sure he'll be fine though and hasn't given me another thought since I left - hey ho!

Denny - when are you coming and where are you staying?

Hi Soph! Ooh, I got all excited being on here at the same time as you! Did wonder for a split second why you were on here "over a weekend"!

Weekend sounds so lovely. Ours have been longer, yet I didn't get up to half as much. I really should be less lazy, I keep telling myself. (And then promptly ignore the nagging voice in my head!)

I've decided to tidy R's room up a bit, which involves mainly reorganising (or really just shifting - using the organised word relating to his room is a bit misleading) all his toys. He has too much. I've turned into one of those moms. I swore I never would. I am. There are countries with less toys than he has. I have however decided to give everything he outgrows to the Surestart centre, then they can redistribute as they see fit or use it for the kids there.

Sal - don't talk to me about organising bedrooms. I've been meaning to do Sam's for months. I really do have to do something about it as there is loads of stuff that I have for one of the teachers who's expecting that needs bringing into school. The thing is she may be starting her maternity leave in a couple of days so really I should do it after work today. However, I know what I'm like and the likelihood of me actually doing something about it on a Monday is slim to none

Of course it's bank holiday Mon in England isn't it??? Wondered why you were here - doh!

Yep, it's lovely having this long break!

I made beef with black bean sauce for lunch, and left out most of the salt so that I could try it on Roelof - expecting him to pull a face. Surprisingly, he seemed to love it!

I fancy baking something. These feelings only happen every couple of years, so I should probably make the most of it while it lasts. What to do - bake a cake or make biscuits...??

I know what you mean about baking - I'd do both if you've got the time and the ingredients.

Your lunch sounds scrummy and pleased R enjoyed it. I've been trying Sam on more flavoursome foods and he loves them, although I think he'd probably eat anything you stuck in front of him I had to make do with a sandwich and crisps. Will have to rummage through the freezer to see what scrummy stuff I can find.

Ok, I'm going to attempt both now. Well, kind of - have decided on cupcakes and biscuits. Wish me luck not to burn the flat down!

I felt slightly guilty when R liked it so much - I've been a bit rubbish with giving him exciting stuff lately. Think I should include more spices (not salt, but herb types) in his diet. I should really have known - one of his first favorite-favorites was that Basil pot thing that Plum makes.

Me too, Sam has been getting loads of really boring stuff lately. It's really difficult when you work full-time though and most of the time I've added all the spices, etc before I've taken the "not-so-spicy" stuff out for him Crap mummy

Have got the fire station on hold for you .... phwaaarrr I wish There's just something about firemen

We're in a bit of a rut for B's dinners too. I think it's because he get dinner at his childminder 4 nights a week, so it doesn't feel like it's worth preparing ahead and freezing things for 3 days, but then it comes to actually making something specifically for him (I eat with DP much later), so it has to be quick, which means standard stuff mostly...
Maybe I just need to make up some stuff and freeze it anyway..too bad this weekend is now done.
Will look out for that Flamingo Park one Sal, we got all inspired and went off to one at Hayes Farm but it rained and everyone started to pack up. Not before I found 4 Beatrix Potter books though, not 1st editions sadly, but early ones and really pretty. Apart from that there was an awful lot of tat - we were amazed at some of the stuff being offered for sale

G's meals are mainly bulk cooked one-pot stuf that's then frozen in portions in freezer bags. Currently also using a lot of mince as G can cope with the texture, and chop everything up into small bits so each portion has some of eveything.

Currently in the freezer:

'moroccan' lamb - lamb mince, onion, garlic, apricots, butternut squash, aubergine, can of tomatoes, can of chick peas. Sprinkled some cinnamon on the lamb as it was browning, then chucked it all in a casserole with stock made from very low salt cube and left it in the oven for a couple of hours. Tend to serve with cous cous.

pork, apple & potato: what it says really! soften onion & garlic, brown pork mince, chuck apples, spuds, peas & sweetcorn in with stock as before & leave in the oven for ages.

Other things: (not rocket science to work out what's in them but happy to tell you how I make them if anyone wants me to!

-chicken, root veg & pearl barley
-chicken risotto
-ratatouille
-bolognaise sauce
-beef curry with rice
-plaice in creamy mushroom sauce

When I made the curry & rice, I made extra rice and froze it in cubes so that if there's not time to cook pasta/make cous cous to go with whatever, I just micro a cube or 2 of rice to go with it. I know you have to be careful about 'keeping' and reheating rice, but I run the cold tap over it in the colander as soon as it's cooked, and get it in the freezer quick. Never poisoned a child yet doing that in all my years of nannying!

Although his almost-through 3rd & 4th teeth are bothering him at the mo and all he'll eat are 7 month plum pots, yog & humzingers. So much for all those hours stuck in the kitchen!

We did a car boot at the end of last summer (I think), and agree with people buying utter crap! We ended up coming home with some of the better stuff and at how much tat had been bought. I did get G a tiny pair of converse high tops (which he's never worn as his feet were always too fat!) and a toy for 50p which he still loves now. Bargain!

I'd like to have moan. We bought a box cadburys heroes, and I was looking forward to all te time outs. The horrid people have taken out the time outs, and put creme egg twisted things (yuck), bournville (yuck) and eclairs. (They're sweets, not chocs!) I'm very cross and Not Impressed.

Hey, Soph, you can call off the fire brigade - last cupcakes are finished and no fire! (However, you're welcome to keep them at standby for a little longer just to stare at... )

I made spicy choc chip cupcakes with vanilla and chopped Crunchy topping. Obviously we'll die soon, but won't care.

Ladybee, I hope you like it. I'm so not a car boot sale person (way too lazy for this getting up early malarky), and even I like that one. Get there relatively early though, because a lot of it is utter rubbish. I've only been 3 times, but every time there were good stuff too. (Dh is a Womble, and wants to go all the time.)

Ooh Knitter, thanks SO much for those recipes! The Moroccan lamb sounds lovely - I want some myself... It's clear you've got years of experience in this! I'm still a newby, you see.

Knitter, v impressed with those meals. I'm inspired now, will put some of those into our next month's mealplanner so I actually remember to buy for him and book a day of cooking in. Good tip for the rice - how do you do small quantities of couscous? I've ended up with something resembling porridge the last times I've tried, always seem to get too much liquid.

At least you'll die with smiles on your faces, Sal!

Oops, I just bought 2 new bags... Was at pg friend's house the other night and was flicking through her mamas and papas catalogue. Saw a bag I liked, it's kind of the same as some curtains I made! Went online to look at it again and they have 10% off everything til midnight tonight and ended up ordering this one that's like my curtains and this one which I don't really need either but loved the pattern!

The curtains I made at great expense by importing fabric from america from a place called reprodepot. I couldn't find any I liked over here! Can just see them in the corner.

Lol at too much cous cous LadyBee, I've done the same thing! I prob won't pass any food safety certificates for the way I do it, but I put a bit in the bottom of a pyrex jug, pour on enough just boiled water to cover it and a bit extra, then put kitchen foil over the jug. Normally do that while clearing up after breakfast for lunch, or while clearing up after luch for tea. Then at mealtime, cous cous is all lovely and soft and plump and ready to go!

How many casserole dishes do you have? I find it easier to fill 2 or 3 with different meals then leave them all in the oven for 2 or 3 hours together. Job done!

Great pattern on curtains, Knitter. Love the bag too. I don't know exactly how it happened, but I never got around to buying an actual nappy bag! Always meant to once I found the perfect one (mainly because I think some of them are ridiculously expensive), and never got around to it. Bought a couple of big handbags at H&M that I tended to use with inserts. I really love that bag you bought though - think if I were home every day I might have copied you!

On the freezing rice thing - just be really, really careful that you store it properly, and, like Knitter does, cool down rapidly and then freeze or refrigerate (no longer than 24 hours). I had food poisoning from rice (in Vietnam - thought it would be a "safe choice!) once, and have been paranoid about keeping boiled rice since. The doctor said that rice was one of the most common causes of food poisoning, and he said never, ever to reheat take-away rice. Main thing - don't leave it at room temperature for longer than necessary.

Morning all.
OMG Sal, I reheat takeaway rice all the time Pleased your baking went well

Knitter - those recipes sound fabulous and I'll definitely be doing some cooking this weekend. Unfortunately you can't get good lamb over here, will have to use some other meat. Sorry to hear about your chocs btw. We only get those here at Xmas Although that's probably a good thing ....

My DH isn't at work today as he started "flu-like" symptoms last night. I've already told him that if he even thinks about getting swine flu he's moving into the garage and staying there I'm no nurse, have you guessed He sent 4 kids home yesterday because they were fluey! The last blinkin' thing poor Sam (or any of us) needs is another virus. Am going to the chemist after work and stocking up!!!

I also need your help ladies. My friends 11 month old son has suddenly developed an aversion to the bath. She says that he hasn't had an accident, etc he's just decided that he's going to scream all the way through the process and doesn't stop until she wraps him up in his towel. Any suggestions?

just popping in

Knitter that lamb sounds lovely - for when i can face eating something other than plain foods!

I don't feel too bad today which is nice after 2 days of sicky feeling almost all day. I'm 7 weeks today now, scan in a week! Still going to bed early, last night was 8.20pm, LOL. I am going to have to wear maternity or elastic trousers soon! DH can notice it already.

oh and i have 2 parcels i have to go and collect (maternity wear - isabella oliver on ebay, wahoo!) but i also have to wait in for my new phone! I want both, NOW