June 2008: the One Show (almost)

[Essie3]

As for me and dp - we were at uni together too, met in fresher's week and got together in week 3. The tale he gives is that I was working my way down the lads' corridor and never got beyond his room That was 18 years ago now, scary!!

Finally in at work so I can do some mumsnetting now.
Puree it's all happening, and all since Iestyn met Cecily, clearly! Really looking forward to seeing the photos - everyone, these are when Puree babysat Iestyn and had twins for the day (both are equally blonde and blue eyed, and not hugely different in size). What's happening with schools, though?

Poppy really impressed by your meeting DH story! But funnily enough, last night was Tim and my anniversary - 10 years together!! Also immediately suspected your feeling sick business. But impressed at your correct usage of purée. French influence, non?

Sponge love the morning sickness/brainy child link. I would still argue that it doesn't make it worth it, though!

Rolf also thought of the mentos and coke bottle thing for your science party, but I don't know the science behind it. No doubt you can google it. Ieuan also told me something about a balloon filled with bicarbonate of soda, which you then put over a bottle/glass of vinegar, and then tup the bicarb in, and the balloon inflates itself. And I agree with Systems - 2-3 is a big transition; 3-4 is big in terms of not being able to have a normal car any more , but surely 4-5 is quite easy once you've gone to 4? Go for it!

Abdn hope things are a bit better by now?

Systems LOL at you not feeling broody holding a newborn - who you called 'it'! I think you're safe, then!

That's it, I think - love to all I've missed. Including Five who has been missing for ages!

Right, I'm going to try again with my mammoth post, sorry if I'm repeating anything as completely mixed up now as to where I got to!

Before I start though, if anyone has a good toy website that they recommend apart from the usual ELC, mothercare etc, can they link to it for me? People always seem to be linking to sites and there'll come a point when S has everything worth having from ELC so I'd like to widen my options...

Viva am loving C's jazz hands. I'd be very envious of all her skills if it weren't for S's crawling prowess. What's all this holding up the rear though? I thought we saved the best till last

Puree if you were able to email me a pic that would be fab - you have my email address I think, but if not its on FB.

Ali I'm doing a post-grad diploma in HR, which is the field I work in. Am doing it via distance learning, and with all this pregnancy and then baby business I should finish November 10 instead of next week [sob]. Me and DH knew each other for about 10 years before we got together; he had a crush on me for a long time which I found out about a couple of years before we got together.

Rolf I loved garages when I was little. I'd really really like to get S the wooden plan city one (you can get it in JL) but I think he's too young for it just yet (and would probably prefer a plastic fantastic version anyway ).

Puree it was me and ball pits - I've got my eye on that one from ELC. I noticed that Neenz twins got one for their birthday so was having a nose to find out which one they got.

Poppy it was the same Sam in ER, she changed her hair colour and got it straightened a few seasons ago!

Aberdeen sorry you're having a tough time. FWIW I still cant drop S off at nursery; he gets really upset even though he's been going for nearly 2 months. They promise me he's absolutely fine once he's there though and they show me lots of pictures of him playing and smiling.

Sponge I was HUGELY disappointed in last nights ER. I feel robbed, and I certainly wouldn't have watched it 'live' (as opposed to on sky planner later when I could have skipped the ads like I normally do) if I'd known what a let down it was going to be.

Right, I covered most of what I wiped before although not all, so sorry for anyone I missed!

BDQ - here's the websites I've used for toys:

www.niceragdolls.co.uk/
www.mailorderexpress.com/
John Lewis, Amazon, ELC, The Book People
www.john-crane.co.uk/index.php great for ideas - I like the brands on that website.
Don't think we use much else, really. I found some nice sites for wendy houses if anyone wants them.

Thanks for all the great science party ideas. I need to speak to one more bug person before we decide but I'm definitely going to try some of those experiments whether we do a party or not.

systems and rolf and everyone - I'm so not broody for a newborn. There's a tiny 7 week old at our playgroup (with an older brother) and I don't even want near her. But if you could give birth to a six month old, I'd probably have five or six kids. I love toddlers and so far they just keep getting better.

Thanks everyone for the support, it helps a lot. Both boys apparently had a better day in nursery and we went for a lovely walk (9km pushing the double buggy I'm shattered tonight) and mentally I'm feeling so much brighter. It's Friday - I'm not going to even think about nursery until Sunday!!!

systems I completely understand about life being over when sandwiches are cut to the wrong shape! Duncan is doing much better in nursery now and I think we're dealing with the same thing. Unfortunately Fraser seems genuinely frightened - I prefer it when my kids are just mad at me. Anyways, I just need to hold on until he realizes that I will always come back.

essie I think there's definitely some background issues about my need to be a 'success' going on. I'm still struggling with merging the scientist-mother labels and I know I'm having a tough time with the idea that I'm not making any money after I've paid with childcare. Even though I've just spent two months without any income, I'm now feeling broke and refusing to buy lunch at the canteen for myself (and therefore forcing DH to make me a sandwich in the mornings because I'm too busy straightening my hair - which needs straightening because I cut it myself in an attempt to save money so it hangs sort of funny). And this all sounds like we're dead poor, and we're really not, it's just that I feel poor when it comes to spending money on me. Does anyone else know what I mean? DH doesn't get it as he feels like our money is 'ours'.

Viva jazz hands, clapping, waving... she's a superstar. Fraser may be walking but he's doing absolutely nothing else yet!

Hello All

Sorry been a huge while since I have been here.

Amber sorry about your sister. It must be very hard for you being on the outside, I hope that Mark is being supportive of you.

Deb they have had a few programmes on but not yours and the last one was a repeat.

Josey I hope that Olivia is doing OK.

Just a catch up really. We have been very busy with B&B which is good, but hard work. We have also put in a plannig application for the Coach House conversion so have being doing budgets for that as well as finishing the rest of the house (kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, children's rooms) and garden.

Sebastian is doing really well. He managed to climb the stairs today by himself, without me , Edie was the same age so I obviously produce climbers. We still have erratic nights with Edie so still spending time on the sofa, although the last 2 nights it was to keep a very friendly stray cat amused, it has gone to the vets today to find a new home. We went to the dieticain with Seb yesterday aswell and have been given a new feeding routine for him to try and cut down on milk, he has only just cottoned on the food this last months so still having a lot of milk. Still dairy intolerant, we have to try him with a bottle of cows milk the day after his birthday and see what happens.

Off to Irleand at the beginning of June.

Hope you are all well.

FGMID

AH sorry your boys are not enjoying nursery, I can't help as both of mine enjoy theirs.

Toys

I try to buy wooden toys so Holtz and Letterbox are good.

Ahh, Aberdeen, that is a really heartfelt post. Glad that the walk helped, and try to chill this weekend. Is your DH offshore at the moment? LOL about the hair . I do know what you mean about not having your own money whilst DH feels that everything is for everyone to share. We aren't hard up, and James is v happy for me to spend what I wish, but I still feel like a free loader and think I need to justify everything. Thanks for posting all the details of your move to Scotland. I am so nosey!

BDQ: so you are an HR bod. I had you down as doing something in Scottish politics. Much respect for the post grad study. Not sure I could handle it. I am thinking about doing a remote access course in Web Analytics run by the University of British Columbia, as a way of setting myself up to be more employable on a part time /consultative basis. The trouble is, I am so lazy.

Ali I did my PhD at the University of British Columbia, it's a lovely place. Would you get to go there at any point or is it all long distance? Thanks for your comments, fortunately DH is onshore at the moment. He's been getting home from work later than normal though (6pm) which has made me feel a bit overwhelmed this week. p.s. I'm lazy too.

No trips to BC I'm afraid , just long distance. It is the (only) web analytics course though.

Just had a very indulgent morning. Got my hair cut and bought some clothes. Then I got my eyebrows threaded for the first time ever. It's really good, quick and half price. I haven't told DH as I wanted to see how noticable it was. Inevitably he hasn't noticed. On reflection this is probably a good thing as it would suggest that I haven't been left looking too surprised like a icon.

LMAO Ali- DH never notices when I get mine done. Until he gets the bill, that is

Sponge- just seen the photos on FB- looks like yesterday was a rip-roaring success. And you look fabulous!!!

Off to our very first First Birthday Party today, and it's lovely and sunny. Just have to keep my fingers crossed that it's like this next weekend. Not sure how 60 people will fit in our house.

Morning all xxx

PS- Five- noticed you hadn't been in of late but saw you were on other threads. Worried I had offended you. Hope not.

Missed Five's post yesterday. Glad you are well and that business is busy.

Puree re the eyebrows. How much does sit cost. Debenhams concession has a half price offer at the moment so £7.50 a pair!

Sponge the naming ceremony photos looks like you had a very happy day. You look fabulous (blooming even). Is MIL the one in the peach jacket?

I went out last night, had a great time, but I am a tad hungover. It is getting better though.

Tumbleweed...

I know - will post properly later but hi to all and glad yesterday went well sponge - extra done in as teething seems to have sent edie hyper

I'm here - Mother's Day today, had a lovely day, being looked after by my boys. They made breakfast, I had handmade presents and poems recited. We went out for a meal and swimming. Then they made toast for tea. Finished off with me snuggling in my bed with them reading to them. Ethan did some had printing with his Daddy for my card, loved swimming, had a lovely long sleepy feed at the pool on the sunbeds and when we got home he crawled properly.

Hi everyone, Sponge just looking at your photos
on FB

Five - so nice to see you back

£7.50 for threading! I'm happy to pass on my top tip to all: get it done at Tooting for £3. Then visit me for a free coffee.

Currently buying baby safety equipment, and had my garden done but Iestyn seems to hate grass. Shameful, really.

Back later!

Peter hates grass too. A blanket in the middle of the lawn is a better playpen than the real thing.

that threading is £3 in Tooting. If I took you up on your offer I would only be able to get it done during university vacations.

how do you calm a child down? demon child my daughter is still yelling and trying to rearrange her toys/papers on floor (I gave up trying to put her to bed after an hour).

hello. have to do work. send me away if I reappear tonight.

thanks for loving the jazz hands, we need something to grasp at with our total crawling failure - mind you we're getting closer to it i think..

must work....

Hi guys, just a quick pop in to say thank you for all your lovely comment re: the naming ceremony photos. We had a lovely day - all perfect!

MIL is one in peach jacket, yes.

Hope you all enjoyed the gorgeous weather today x

Poppy -Ethan was like that yesterday, distraction sometimes works.I got up and walked outside with him, talking normally about what we could see, he forgot why he was yelling and that was the end of it. It's a tip I learnt from the boys childminder in the UK.

Essie and Ali - Stefan used to be like that with sand as a baby. We took him on a beach and like you say he wouldn't leave the blanket. Ethan sees a blanket placed on the floor outside as something to be avoided at all costs. He eats grass, and sand...

Vegas - get working

Sponge - who took the photos - they are great, especially as they are so natural.

Charlotte likes grass. She tried to eat a worm the other day though. I stopped her, thankfully!

I've done a solid hour, Deb, honest!

[viva slicks off back to her boring logbook updating]

Thanks deb - did something similar (basically went and sat in her room talking to her/singing repetitive songs til she dropped off). My nanny said something similar about pointing at sky/talking gently to babies being a pretty fail safe way to stop them crying (she used to use it when she worked in a nursery).

Edie also likes grass (would eat a worm too if she one) and is very keen on the garden/next door's cat in particular (I dread to think what she'd do to the poor cat if she could but cat seems wise to her -prob as next door have two older children so its getting a horrible sense of deja vu - I think it used to like visiting us as there weren't any kids).

An hours work is good - you do need a break viva

Sorry for anyone else I missed out but can I say hi 5 (shameless pun there) - nice to hear from you. Have been reading but still dead tired (think despite my secret hopes of other reasons , my conditon may be directly related to lively daughter related fatigue syndrome).

Thanks Deb, they were taken by two friends. One was Dave, who is also Alex's mentor and runs his own photography company as a sideline:

David Mardell

Obviously he couldn't be in two places at once, so our friend Matt took the ones of the service when Dave was out in front.

Really chuffed with them .