Jan 09 - weaning,smiling,laughing and chatting and loads more fun to come:)

[stripeywoollenhat]

there.

missj and eppm - boys are great - don't worry! they are in general more active than girls but you can stop kicking and rudeness with a little bit of discipline - naughty step works well for us.... boys seem to need firm boundaries

tink hope the perm goes well!

moose I wouldn't worry about tidyness just tell people you're refurbishing! Seriously though I don't think anyone has a tidy house with a baby, and nor does any one expect you to.

spink glad you enjoyed it! I would certainly do it again as well....

moose pat I have 3 stone to lose so...

missJ you sound like me - I've been working to help out as the business is going sooo well they can't cope in the office - we're recruiting another member of staff - not bad in a recession!

hello all

moose it would appear that you haven't just passed the breakdown stage but have actually gone clear over the deep end and realized it ain't so bad floating around over here. i came over a couple years ago.

hongkongzoe at DD being cranky. hope she passes this stage sooner than later. she's testing your patience and boundaries.

tree that blouse from laura ashley is lovely. i had a gander around the sight and am loving some of those dresses. terrified of buying anything online now though as my boobs seem to be getting larger all the time and to buy something that fits in the bust usually means it is unflattering everywhere else.

lennied good start on the getting back on track to health. it so hard sometimes. i'm really struggling right now to keep focus with eating right and exercising, and i am usually very good at it. maybe we should start a motivation thread or something. i'll join the 'loose two stone club'.

our first signing class went very well. the other mothers and babies are ones i met at the local baby group held at the health centre and they invited me to join them. the instructor is fab and has to young children too. she taught us some songs and we learned mostly food stuff. she has this BeeBo Bear thing which she put on and her arms work the bear as she sings songs and we do the signs. she also had a parachute which we shook and well, the babies were all enthralled. its good to start at six months and be consistent and by 9 months, bebe should be signing a couple. i'm very excited at the prospect.

i'm being harassed by the local health nurses though for not getting DD her shots yet. we've decided, after much research, that we would wait till she was 2. but holy cow, the attitude i'm getting from these nurses. i usually just politely tell them what we have decided to do but this lady just pushed that last button. she just kept going on and on about it. afterwards i was thinking, what if from peer pressure on part of the health nurses and doctors i had DD shots done and then she had an adverse reaction to it, perhaps died, who is responsible. this is part of the problem why there are no governmental studies going on in N. America and Europe, because they don't want to find out that the vaccination shot is bad. nice idea, but bad in itself. they know what the side effects are and being poorly afterwards is just that. anyhow. we are still going to get them, just later, when she has had the time to build her immune system. in japan, where it has been shown to be detrimental to infants, they don't begin immunizations till 2years of age. my shots are up to date and DD gets what she needs from that. its more the overt judgmental tone of these women that burns my ass. they are very textbook in how a baby should be raised. why have parents anymore when you have a baby and a textbook. anyhow. just burning steam at 1 am with 4% power left on my laptop.

night night.

Morning all

Chef - Your rant is well placed - the nurses should see that you care and have taken the time to research and have made your own informed decision. It's not like you just didn't turn up which is what 50% of Mums round me do at the moment. Grrrr. I would be mightily hacked off if I was a HV doing the jabs and one in two kids don't even show. Fair enough cancel or postpone. Anyway, I digress.

MissJ - Know how you feel with getting embroiled in DH's business. You are right to make boundaries and have some snuggling time. Otherwise you soon become depended on and before you know it you are an ad hoc employee with no wage and no escape

Well I've started my detox today (a week early sorry can't wait) and have made it through breakfast unharmed

Go Lenni! What did you have? I have just eaten the last 2 chocolates out of the box that has been sitting in the fridge for a week while I wait for my espresso! Not a great start...

dog My snuggle day has started wonderfully. OH took LO downstairs from 8am till 9am, then woke me up with cup of tea, then me and LO snuggled up listening to radio 4 and dozing until now - he is still up in bed sleeping but I have snuck off to make a coffee. Next on the list, deep and hot bath while he has nappy-free time on the floor.

Great news that your business is going well sparkle. I read that really good businesses thrive in a recession because they offer genuinely good value for money, whether that's product or service.

dog Talking of horse sex (!!!) have a look at our facebook group here. Don't show the kids though!

Spink Glad the shopping was a success, I'd really like to do that at some point, am in need of a decent, quality, capsule wardrobe that will last me a long time. You're right about the toddler thing too, and she is a stubborn determined character, just hope it doesn't llast too long.

LenniI'm the same when she has a tantrum in public, sometimes I can brazen it out, but mostly I'm just In fact as I type this DD is screaming at my feet because I won't put the tv on. Am doing a very good job of ignoring, but as a consequence am covered in snot, dribble and other unknown substances that are flying off her Happy detoxing!

Moose at bus incident. People are so snotty when ut comes to having a buggy on the bus. When Ds was first born I took the P&T on the bus, someone complained as it was sticking out a bit, so I moved it in, then someone had a go at me that I was taking up two buggy spaces, when I was the only buggy on the bus etc... It makes me mad and really stressed about travelling on buses/tubes. Mind yu the othe rhalf of the time people are really friendly and helpful.

Tree Good luck with the thread, I will check it out. Like the blouse, very boho-chic!

Chef at harassment by nurses. There is so much judging that goes on when it comes to parenting and choices, it becomes really frustrating when others don't respect the fact that you have made an informed choice and badger you or try and shout you down. Glad the signing is good.

I can't remeber who was talking about swimsuits yesterday, but here is a link to the best swimsuits in the world. The only stockist I know in the UK is a small shop in Kemp Town. But you can order them online, they are £££, but amazing quality and so so so flatering and 1950s style sexy! Very marilyn...

style

different fabrics

website

Have got over my melt down about DD, even though she is still being a total pita. Hve had nice morning, walked up through the parkk to the farmers market and had a big fat bacon sandwich. Enjoy the sunshine.

Glad you found the site books, didn't want to post the address on MN in case for some reason it comes up in google searches and people would be able to read my MN posts! Scary thought.... I hope Nye will like riding - OH will be gutted if he doesn't - but lots of boys don't really 'get it' - about 80% of our riders are women! Would be brilliant if you came one day!

I love victorian semis, esp doer-uppers - and I think a bit of mess is lovely and is a sign of a relaxed and mellow family, so all you people with messy houses should stop worrying. But do agree that cat pee smell would be a problem! Heard somewhere once that the only way to stop them peeing was to get a special kind of light that shows up the old pee, and blast it all with anti-smell stuff. And then use one of those plug-in pheronome thingies. But I am sure you've tried everything elkie. We had a cat for a while a long time ago, but she was a rescue cat and never stopped throwing up or peeing - in the end we gave her back. Mean. I always liked cats until that experience.

Nice day continues... hung out in the garden with LO in just a vest (him, not me), and then OH came by on one of his young horses that he is breaking in so we had lunch together. Now he's off and I am having a lie-down with LO. Well, LO at least is sleeping, I seem to be MN-ing. Reading about how to have a girl next time!!!!

Good luck with cleaning books!

ps am wearing summery dress for the first time this year and my boobs look like they are around my waist! How depressing! I admitted worry to OH and he tried to reassure me with "but Nye loves them" - men!

evening

had my hair permed luv it

mm - soory for bad day with bus etc
hongk - and sorry you had a bad time too

Well equilibrium and good karma has been restored in the HKZ house. DD was much better today with only one major tantrum and luckily there was no one around to see it. DS has been sweet all day, he's started giggling quite a lot, he sounds like on eof the characters from beavis&Butthead, which is a little disconcerting.

Sun has been shining and I actualy feel relaxed for the first time this week! Going to sit in the garden and have a BBQ with DP. Hope everyone is hAVing a good weekend.

Jules Glad the hair is a success. When do we get to see some pictures?

Dog What do chicken poxs look like to begin with? Its been going round plaugroup and nursery and DD has a few tiny red spots on her lower back..hmmm...a little suspicious.

MissJ Your day sounds perfect.

Books Try teaching your toddler to dust...DD loves it for some reason Am trying to get her into hoovering

Thanks Dog - and meant to tell you more about Center Parcs, we had a fab time but won't go back I don't think - pool was great and activities were good but it was a bit like living in a bubble and I prefer being able to get out to see real places. The food was all pretty rubbish, mainly junk and it was pretty expensive compared to the outside world to do things. (£28 for an hour with ponies inc. 20mins lead rain pony trek, grooming etc. for instance, and £5-6 for an hour of messy play or playgroup - not that we bothered with those) DD loved it though. TBH I had far more fun in Cornwall and we went home from there wishing we had more time where as CP we were glad to get back.

Sorry to hear about inconsiderate woman - do you want to hear what I would say or what I would like to say Let it roll off your back though, interfering busybody.

EPPM - DS does the hand thing a lot too - so lovely. DD liked you to put your hand on her chest as she fell asleep, the hours I used to spend trying to gradually lift it off finger by finger without her yelping

MissJ - I too had a look at website (also not stalking!) and couldn't be certain as couldn't find enough pics of the farm and accomodation but I think I might have been there! When I was about 16 I went trekking with a group of friends and one of their Mums in the Black Mountains - I am not at all certain as it is a hazy memory but it was certainly somewhere with a similar name if not. I will dig out the pictures sometime and see - I used to keep a journal pre-babies too so perhaps it would say in there... would be very strange though!

Glad you had a better day HKZ

Books - meant to say before well done on potty training. Will definately need some tips once I brave trying DD again - I asked her if she wanted to today but said no. Will give it another week or two and then might have another go.

Actually MissJ - I have a feeling it was here -> Tregoyd from the photos - remembered Talgarth being nearest town... will check.

missjackson lol at the horse sex. 'he got his rocks off. ok you can put her away'... very funny.

jules good you like your perm. a new hairstyle can do wonders... hmm, (goes off to ring for hair appointment).

hongkong here's a quick review on the chicken pox front. www.familyhealthguide.co.uk/chicken-pox/symptoms.html hope it isn't. i only had 3 pox on my arm when i was little, no fever or anything so i'm thinking i will likely get it too if DD brings it home. here in N. America though they are recommended that children be kept at home now and not to expose other children, as the norm use to be send all the kids over to the house with the kid with chicken pox, because the strain has changed dramatically and is more aggressive and harmful. anyhow. we can't live in a bubble. just need to keep on top of it i guess.

DD's teeth are waking her up all the time. i gave her some painkillers last night early and she slept well but it seems she averages about an hour. (well, between her teething and my uncle's girlfriend waking her up, bt thats another story) then she's up and just wants to be held. nice, sort of, just not at 4am. DH gave me attitude this morning about... well, in his very diplomatic and calming way he tells me things... telling me i need to get up with her and come out to the living room, blah blah blah. i said, i am so f@£%ing knackered. he tells me i need to take a nap when DD does. getting and hour in the afternoon is not going to do anything except make me resent being woken up, again. he doesn't seem to understand that i need more hours of continuous sleep to feel better. speaking of which, she has woken up and its only been 55 minute nap. well, she'll be up now till 8pm. god help me.

Oh Chef, I know how you feel about unbroken sleep and about men not understanding. No answers I'm afraid but it will pass - everything with sleep is just a phase

EPPM - the other day when I was job searching you recommended something and I thought it sounded good but then I forgot to look into it and now can't find your post. What was it again?

Evening all,

Sorry haven't caught up yet, am too tired.

Bad day on the food front, 2 custard doughnuts and a small bar of galaxy. Good job I'm not starting the sugar detox until a week on Monday.

Either dd is coming down with something else or she is starting to teethe! She has really red cheeks, is saturating a bib with dribble within 15 minutes of putting it on and keeps crying out as if in pain, even in her sleep and wants to be held all the time. I think it probably is the start of teething, but I'm in denial. Neither of the boys suffered with their teeth coming through. No change in behaviour, dribbling or red cheeks just suddenly noticed another tooth has appeared each time.

books with the sugar detox, you just cut out all refined sugars for a few weeks and in the first couple of weeks avoid fruit juice, dried fruits and too much fruit as well. You have to watch what you eat carefully as they put sugar in almost everything these days including things like bread.

I usually find it easiest to live off porridge, salad and jacket potatoes for the first fortnight. Its not easy, in fact its flippin hard. If you do it, you can expect to feel awful for at least the first two weeks and will almost definitely have some humdinging headaches and possibly some absolutely delightful spots, but its well worth it because after a couple of weeks your blood sugars start to stabilise themselves and you stop having the cravings to eat bad food. At that point you will also start to notice you have more energy and feel sharper and less sluggish and then it becomes easier and you find you are more motivated to eat healthily and exercise more.

I am both excited about doing it and getting my health (and weight) back on track and extremely nervous about coping with the side effects whilst still breastfeeding and looking after 3 children. I am going to give it my best, but if I really find I can't cope I'm not ruling out stopping and starting again when I finish bf.

Hope that helps.

Hi all,

Not taking any of this in as had 2 glasses of Rose and feeling very tired! DD staying at GP's, so had a lovely relaxing afternoon and evening, DH made a gorgeous Gnocci dish (our fave from honeymoon). He also took DD to the farmers market this morning to give me a break, think my rant yesterday may have worked .

Gorgeous weather here too! Went over to Cheltenham at lunchtime, then popped to mothercare in Gloucester to get a few bits for DS and some new sandals for DD.

Not had a very good day diet wise, had a custard doughnut, wine and loads of cheese. Gonna start next monday I think!

MissJ your day sounds lovely

Tink glad you like new hair, I can't wait till new style on tuesday!

Chef- poor you with the sleep! I feel like an absolute Zombie at the moment and I'm so irritable with DD and DH. Just trying to enjoy everyday whilst he's small though as I know it won't last

dog at that woman! Some people just cannot keep their opinions to themselves, sounds ike you had a fab day though!

Lenni Are you still going with the diet? Did you say whether you still had friends/family in the Cotswolds, I can't remember!

HKZ Hope you had a nice barbie and glad DD was better today.

Books- dusting.......what the hell is that!

Oooooooo, got a call from estate agent this morning and we may have an offer on the cards, will see how decent it is on tuesday, ffingers crossed though

Wow moose- snap on the custard doughnuts!!!!!!! And the teething unfortunately

sorry posted and ran this morning

Is everyone getting married or engaged at the moment???? (not that i'm complaining BTW) we've been run off our feet today I've been working and DH childcaring (bit unusual for us) we're normally never busy on a Saturday and we've been going all day on calls, emails, enquiries...

James is going for it on the rolling - he was on his little rotund tummy before his bath with head up and all arms and legs going looking a bit like a beached whale!

missj like the horse riding - I did try a holiday like this once but I can only do a gentle amble on a horse the cantering/galloping scared me witless

Lenni - I felt much the same at centre parcs, It was ok but I thought (having been to both sun city and disney waterparks) that it was a little tame - mind you doesn't involve a 10 hour plane ride which is a bonus!

Glad the perm went well....tink lenni I find bribes work best on potty training.... we did it with choccy buttons

chef I'd love a nights sleep but it's a non-starter with the bf.... I had DS1 with at least 8 hours a night at this point I've managed 7 hours twice with James.... mostly it's still only 4 hours.

Sparkle-pleased your business is going so well You wouldn't have thought there would be loads of people tying the knot in a recession would you?

We also did bribes, but in the form of stickers in a little portable sticker book. DD loved them and was virtually accident free in a week last summer (had a couple of accidents since Zach has been born but thats normal I think). Some really nice 'big girl/boy pants' also seem to do the trick, oh and a few books 'the potty book for girls' and one about a duck learning to use the potty worked well.

MissJ Had a look at that website now since everyone was chatting about it, looks a lovely and idyllic lifestyle there, and of course you are all gorgeous. Did you used to work on BB??? Wow, so many questions I am biting my tongue though.........aarrggghhhhh........something Dermot related........aarrrggghhh

Pat - my Mum is still there but we don't visit all that often. Friends have mainly moved away now but a couple left. All around Burford still. Beautiful part of the world, I was sad to leave but didn't have a great relationship with my Mum so it was bittersweet really. (My Mum has mental health issues, not easy to live with) Will let you know when I'm next down there though, could have a Science teacher outing

SAS - Glad I'm not alone on CP - everyone else seems to love it, not that I didn't enjoy it, was fab, just a little sterile.