May 07 - The Terriffic Twos. (No harm in being optimistic, I say.)

[twelveyeargap]

Morning ladies. Sorry I have been AWOL. You'd think with DH having been at home for a full month that I'd have had time for MN. Actually no, if any of you have ever had a DH at home for a full month you'd know exactly why I haven't had time. Get your mind out of the gutter Gin, it's not that.

Thought I'd start a new thread since MKG's lovely girl arrived such a long time ago!

April, am very sorry about your friend. How sad.

Have only had a skim through I'm afraid, but Scoot; you obviously have the patience of a saint dealing with all those tantrums, so I think you'd make a great driving instructor. Is it really what you want to do or are you trying to think of jobs to fit in with family life? Is it a reaction to the current job do you think?

Congratulations on the wedding plans SKY.

Belated birthday greetings to everyone I've missed and happy birthday in advance to all the rest. Seriously, if I go off to find the birthday thread it might be weeks before I get back!

LG&T, is there any way you can channel B's energy into activity? A gets quite naughty when she's bored or hasn't been "out". "Out" can just mean the garden and "out" means she doesn't sound so loud to me, thus killing two birds with one stone. I'm wondering if you being (understandably) afraid to leave the house with him is actually making things worse? Something like a trampoline in the garden could be great because all the bouncing up and down would use up tons of energy and wear him out, whilst also being "fun" for him and "quiet" for you.
Also, re B's nappy rash. Remember A had a hideous rash that needed anti-biotics etc? Well it went away and then was back a couple of weeks later. I thought it couldn't possibly be teeth again as she seems to have all her teeth. Took her off milk and hey presto, the rash was gone in 18 hours. Plus her soft, foul-smelling poos have turned into normal firm not-awful smelling poos. She's fine with butter or the occasional bit of cheese, but any more lactose sets her off. I wonder could B have a similar problem? A's excema also got worse on milk and is now clearing up. I think it's probably temporary, she had a similar problem last year, but for now she's on rice milk or the Lactofree products when I can get hold of them.

I was at the doctor on Weds to get my Mirena removed and replaced with a copper coil to see if my libido would come back. GP couldn't "find" the Mirena. I have to go for a scan to find it, then to a family planning clinic to have it removed if they do find it. She said it's probably just lost, rather than come out, but it's kind of put me off using coils altogether now.

DH still not redundant yet. It's been a month since he was put "at risk". He's seeing HR today and I suspect this will be the final meeting and they actually sack him. His manager admitted they were hiring new people for the desk, but not for "his role", which is just a load of crap. You can't make a position redundant on the basis you want to hire someone "more senior". That's just a staff upgrade. Hopefully they'll make a settlement offer today, otherwise he'll have to appeal and start sending solicitors letters. However, he's had loads of interviews, lots of callbacks and good feedback.

Enjoy your walk Abby. I am allergic to exercise but Dovedale is so beautiful and its going to be a lovely day so I'm almost a little bit jealous

SOH - still a few teeth missing. I think her fangs (not sure of technical term - incisors maybe ?) are just coming through. LOL at your dh and thank you for comments on the name's list. Spot on (especially about Daisy and the taffeta ). Any other ideas on girl's names ? I don't think we've got it yet

Anais Aurelia Agatha Araminta (Minty) Mabel Ines Dulcie Edith Enid Orla Rosa Iris Meredith Hannah Isolde Ruth Dorothea Thomasina Beth Camelia Rae Merryn Ingrid Jessamy Katharine Clara Isla Constance Cosima Esme Suki Esther Genevieve Hazel Willow Oriana Isadora Saffron Jude Tabitha Ottilie Cordelia Romily Xanthe Rhonda

Tild's getting her last two molars, not too much trouble but sleep's up the swanny. Incisors cause the most problems so her moods could be in part due to that.

Catherine not Katharine is the only way I'm afraid........

Well I made it, we're all back in one piece. It was a very hard walk with a lot of steep ascents and declines but well worth it for the cause. I have never walked anywhere near as far as that so I feel quite proud of myself. The weather was brilliant and the scenery was just beautiful. TSM you are right, Dovedale is just breathtaking. I had a wobbly moment crossing the stepping stones as I have a real thing about those but it was lovely really. I feel very proud of myself.

Well done Abby, you should be proud.

Have had a lovely garden party here today, the weather has been fabulous and lots of wine and food flowing!

Well done Abby!! I am not sure i would have made it. You will ache tomorrow! Long hot bath in the morning for you.

SOH i love all those names almost makes me want to have another...

Oh the fun we will have with J in July indeed. Poor chap, does he need new glasses?

B has been cutting his lower incisors too, left one first and with no bother, right one slowly and painfully (painfully for me that is)

Fabulous Abby, well done you! Did you manage to raise lots of money?

TYG, did you run today??? I hope the knee held. It's my turn in 2 weeks.

I have to admit, since J has had all his teeth he's been a poppet and no bother at all.

I am slightly concerned at the thought of my dd in taffeta. However she will happily get down and get filthy washing her bike so maybe there is some hope for her eh SOH?

In the meantime I won't tell you what we have been doing this weekend, it will just sound all far too colonial.

Oh do tell TMAM....

I won't tell you what i've been doing either, will make me sound like a giant piss head lush.

You were right lGT, I do ache. I ache like never before actually. I have found leg muscles I never knew I had. To be honest it my biggest problem was cramp in my inner thigh, absolute agony. I got it going up a couple of the steep hills and then we finished and I set down it came back again. I do get cramp a lot, anyone got a idea why? Or any miracle cures for next - if there is a next time....I think we have raised about £800 between us so definitely worth doing.
R has been cutting her big teeth too and was off colour for a couple of days. Since they came through though she has been back to her old self so there is hope. i'm counting down the days now until the holidays. 6 weeks today i will be sitting on the terrace with my ice cold glass of Vina Sol. I can't wait!!

Evening All!

Back from a knackering weekend at Croft, i have some lovely cankles and feel very achey. One of our drivers got pole for the last race but his alternator went on the safety car laps and he didnt finish even though he was in 1st place for 10 laps Gutted but at least we know we can do it. 6weeks until Snetterton - woo.

Now i know you were all watching it on ITV4 and understood what i have just said

SOH will you be coming to Snett? I can you get some of our team allocation tickets......

LG&T, fabulous PP cake - didnt comment as i thought it was shop bought - you truely are the cake master!

MEET UP HERE (MEADOW TOWERS) ON SUNDAY 26TH JULY

Question for you 3rd timers + did you get BH's alot earlier than in previous pg's? I have been having them for about 3wks - will be 27wks tomorrow - and they are much stronger and seem more painful than i remember although i guess my muscles are knackered now

opens eyes to type>>

Yes, yes and yes to your last paragraph AM. For me very uncomfortable sometimes from about 25 weeks.

Hi all.

How is everyone?

Abby congrats on the walk I would say in my very non medical knowledge that you are getting cramps as you have not got enough water on board were you drinking masses on your walk?

Tilly how was your reunion did you look all glowing and fab.

LG&T sorry you are feeling so down I cant imagine what its like but we are all here for you. By the way the MOTY pics looked brill.

AM thanks for A's b-day card.

Tam congratulations boys rock!

Big waves to MrsJB, TMAM (what have oyu been doing?), SKY, LUPS, PEBBle, PJ, SOH and everyone else.......... am rubbish at keeping up at the mo.

Archie is now obsessed with Peppa PIg and Roary he spends all day saying ROAARRYYY tis driving me bonkers. He also has another ear infection so is back on antibiotics the upside is his tantrums are lessening think the poor sod has just been in pain from his ears. Lachlan has started solids 26wks on WED where is my baby.He is still not sleeping through or anything like it really hope eating meals helps I know it wont but I can wish.

Hi all

As usual very busy here.

Well done AL - sound like you had a good day - apart from the cramps.

Yes AM BHs with subsequent pgs are definitley worse. Don't suppose you want to know that the after pains get worse too!

We have had some wicked nights here. Both boys are teething and L seems to be enjoying his 5am starts to the day - when I have been up for 2 hours with C I obviously do not enjoy it so much. L still has a bottle in the night but still persists with his early waking. They do seem to be waking each other up now which I am hoping will lessen as they get more used to it.

You hair is fab jam and L eating porridge so cute. He seemed to be enjoying it.

L is crawling (when he wants to) or bottom shuffling so can get around. I can see this stage is going to be fun too.

Loved to PP cake LG&T - C would have loved it. PP and Fireman Sam still firm favourites here.

DD1 had a horrible itchy rash last night that spread all over her body - looked like hives which then joined up into a lumpy rash. She is off today as had a very disturned night. Two piriton tablets seems to have taken care of it but she was very uncomfortable bless her. We had been to my sisters and she was playing hide and seek with DD2 in some bushes. We can only think she was allergic to one of them. Do viral rashes itch does anyone know? She has been a bit off colout in general so it could be that too.

I am soooo tired I can't spell apparently !!

I don't think viral rashes itch SKY, more likely to be an allergy to something or a heat rash/prickly heat which is very itchy.

I think I have discovered the triggers for J's excema. keeping her off Orange and tomato products has cleared it up. Am going to get a referal to the derma pead here though as I would like it confirmed if possible.

No, I couldn't run. Can't do bootcamp either. No squats or lunges allowed. How is your training going TMAM?

That's interesting MrsJB. A LOVES tomatoes. Prefers them to (other) fruit and has them pretty much every day. Plus every other meal is tin-of-tomatoes based. Hmmm.

Did I mention DH finally settled with his ex-employers? Only took two months. He did fairly well out of it in the end, despite their low initial offer. Got a firm job offer today, though isn't sure he wants to take it. Will be on the phone tomorrow to try to move things along with other places he's interviewing for.

Are you managing ok LG&T?

I am back in counseling to try to sort out my ishoos once and for all. Maternal relationship top of the list. I am seeing a nice Greek chap once a week for the foreseeable.

DH and I had a mahoosive row on Sunday morning and a few home truths were uncovered. That DH stopped fancying me (temporarily) when I got really fat during last pregnancy and that I haven't forgiven him for taking sleeping tablets when the baby was overdue (and subsequently was crap for the first few hours of labour) being a couple of corkers. It was actually pretty cathartic, rather than destructive, thankfully. I then took the electric hedge trimmer to the garden and after 3 hours of aggressive non-stop sawing and about 4 hours of piling up debris, I can see the bottom of the garden again. Also cathartic. Also slightly worrying when I see how much more work there is to do out there!

I have decided to try the Lynette & Tom Scavo (Desperate Housewives) method of getting our sex life back and "reconnect". That is to have sex every day for a month, without fail. DH unsurprisingly keen on the idea. Watch this space...

Why on earth would you want to do that? Personally I can think of much more interesting things to do with any spare time I can find.... tehe You know, A and I have only done the deed 3 times EVER!

morning all. What a hectic 2wks ive just had, first J jumped off a high wall and landed awkwardly, hurting his foot badly but luckily it was only bruised then 2 days later E was trying to leap over a garden wall but ended up somersaulting head first over it instead, landing on the steps leading down into a car park behind our house. Despite a bump, graze and bald patch he was ok, luckily. The following day dh was signed off work with a severe chest infection and mild pleuracy (sp?). I then had A going strange on me, crying, sleeping lots, getting clingy etc, then she developed a bad cough that left her crying in pain so on Sat I tried to get her an appointment at the Out of hrs clinic but the dr who called back was an arse and wouldnt see her, took her to my dr yesterday and she has an ear and chest infection . Today we have to take E to dr because he has lopsided testicles, all hangs 1side. Hes been telling everyone his willy is sick lol

so that is whats been happening here, the house of bumps and coughs lol. Apart from all that though we are great. D is still a chunk, 2wks ago he weighed 2lb less than A at 1yr and hes only 4ms lol. Hes loving his solids, im not loving his nappies now though lol. Took A and D swimming last week, they loved it. A is so confident in the water.

Voting has started for the Cutest child for those of you lovely ladies who would like to vote for my 3. The website is robpaulstudios.com/c/cutestchild. When your cursor moves over the pics the childs name appears but to make it easier E (3-5yr) is wearing a navy check shirt, A (18-36m) is in a dark cerise dress with flowers embroidered on it, open mouth and fangs lol, D (0-9m) is the lump in the red top with navy neckline. Thanks in advance to anyone who votes.

Am how are the bh's? They do get stronger and start earlier each pg. Sorry to say Sky's right about the afterpains with no.3, i was in tears so stock up on pills lol. Didnt really get many with D though so thats one thing to remember when you are pg with no4 lol

Oh blimey Pebble that is a lot of illnesses in a short space of time!

I think i will be filling my cupboard with painkillers then if the afterpains are worse than with Ella.

TYG, good lord EVERY DAY - dh wouldn't know whats hit him if i suggested that.

Went shopping yesterday and got cot/moses basket sheets and tried to get all the little bits on my list that i was missing or needed to replace. I think i got most of it but had to cut the trip short as i really didnt feel great. Light head and wobbly, i love being pg!! Got home and rested me and my cankles on the sofa before nodding off only to be woken 1.5hrs later when dh came in with the kiddies.

How am i to drag myself through the next 12/13wks if i am a moaning minnie already.....?

Blimey - sex every day!! Don't even know what to say - I actually typed [grim] in the box then but luckily noticed - possibly a freudian slip?

Pebble - will have a go at voting later.
Now you come to mention it after pains were worse with no. 3 than no. 4 - funny that.

AM - you really must rest. You do so much x

Back from Drs. Ethan has fluid round his right testicle caused by a hernia. He will be given a scan then may need surgery As the dr said its not harmful but if left it could hinder the testicles growth. As i thought Ethan was quite happy to drop his pants lol and found it hilarious when the dr held a torch to it so that he could see the fluid. Think i may have to hide all the torches now or i can see that becoming his party trick

Gah i typed a huge post and the tinterweb crashed!

AM SIT DOWN fgs You must take it a bit easier this time we don't want a baby born too early. What are you short of? Ihave quite alot... Do NOT buy any clothes i have heaps!

Jam great to hear from you, poor A with the ear infections though. DD1 was just the same

Sky the teething and boys waking sounds like a nightmare. Hope it does not last too long, no pain without gain they say

TYG i am sure the sex every day will work, i have heard it before. The Greek Psych may help too, is he easy to talk to?

Pebble what a blimmin awful time you have had lately! Boys are most definately boys in your house. Is A improving now? Poor wee thing The op they may have to do on E will be super quick, still not very nice for him though. If dh has been ill he has been home a bit more then?!

We have a fabulous D&V doing the rounds here... hoorah. I had better not get it, no time!

I am trying to be good, although i'm just not that used to doing nothing. Am feeling much more tired this time round but then i guess i havent been pg and had 2 kids to look after before or been pg in the heat.

Have all the essentials (cot, moses basket, buggy, car seat etc) a small selection of clothes. Need to get small size vests etc nearer the time as i want to make sure i am not caught out this time.

Had a fun morning of ironing - woo hoo. Quiet afternoon with the kids doing not a lot. Just sorted out a new starters contract and am now off to find some food

Hope the D&V passes quickly in the G&T house and that you miss it.

Just a quick one from me to say April I had more BH with all 3 pregnancies when I was in the heat, my dr said often it is to do with dehydration, so make sure you drink a lot and of course put your feet up, you must!

Remember TYG, much as I love it, Desperate Housewives is not real.