June 2008: birthdays, bunting and bumps make mummy a little bit tired!

[pureeandpearls]

Bring it on!!!

and Rolf - could you just go buy a 7-seater yourself? I'd be very grumpy if my DH could use an excuse like that.

(p.s. thanks for the reassurance about kids sharing rooms. It's hard for me to imagine because I always had my own room and because Fraser cries too much right now to share with D, but I can imagine that eventually it'd be okay).

Essie, hope you're feeling better this morning.

Amber, how were the PSBs, and did you get veh veh veh drunk?

BDQ, thank you for asking. Things are ok, sort of. Had a long talk with DP the other night, so I am feeling a bit better about everything. We have other issues that make things difficult, particularly about his ex-w and their two DDs - I know I will sound like a cow, but IMO, she is a lazy bitch who doesn't look after her kids, but then I would say that wouldn't I? The girls are great, and I don't really want to go into details, but she takes the piss big time. I had a whole list of things that he does (or doesn't do) that make me unhappy, he took it all on board, and then said he finds me difficult to live with because I'm untidy!!!!! I'm untidy because there is no room in this flat, and I all but gave up on tidying and cleaning because he does barely anything around the place. Gah. Anyway, I am feeling better, and I hope we can keep working at it all, because we do want to stay together, and that's the important thing.

I have the jelly belly going on too, but I've always had weight problems. I'm tempted to try the Paul McKenna thing ktpie, it's about £6 on Amazon, so not a disaster if it doesn't work! I did quite well at WW a few years ago, but I lived on my own then, and could plan meals, etc. Over the past year, I think I've eaten more toast than at any other time in my life!

Neenz, well done on the BF front. We're down to three now (bedtime, about 5am and one during the day), which is great, and no night feeds! Yay!! Our nights are better, the second half is still a little difficult, as B expects to come into bed with me, but we're getting there.

Have a good weekend all.

Essie, what's conservation velux? My mum has velux windows and her blinds are so good it is scary - you absolutely cannot see anything, it's dangerous for an attic room with stairs that drop out of the floor! But I assume you can't have them (so silly of me to go on about them them sorry) You know what my advice is for Iestyn... leaving them to cry themselves back to sleep always works and stops the waking within a few days. Sometimes it can take an hour before they drop back off the first time (just keep going back in every 5/10/20 mins to give a pat) but it's always better the second night and then is often stopped by the third. Just go back to bed and turn the monitor off. I know what you mean about having him in bed. I don't sleep well like that either. Could he be teething? A slug of calpol won't hurt for a few nights either just to rule it out. Hope Tim allows you to have some rest tonight!

Five, good luck with the salmon. Love the 'party for us with a birthday cake' - we had one of them too

Rolf, good job the vid is not HD or the bathroom might not look so clean . Your DH is a classic (I don't tell my DH anything you say about him on here btw, in case you were wondering. They don't really know each other that well but anyway).

DH got up this morning with the DTs so I stayed in bed till 10am . He went out with work last night and got in at 3am and I was almost going to get up to give him a lie-in but he robbed me of my lie-in last weekend, cos he had one on saturday and then went to church at 8.30 sunday to do a reading, and we are off to another christening tomorrow, so I thouht no I have earned this .

Off to SIL's this afternoon for her DS's first birthday.

Glad things have got a bit sorted with your DP, Whinegums. No, I don't think it is a given that you think his ExW is lazy and doesn't look after her kids - she obviously does something to make you think that! Why did they split up? I think if he thinks you are untidy then a rota for chores is in order! Men, eh!

Essie/ bdq massive sympathies on sleep front- that was exactly what e was doing - basically seemed to want company which is all very well but massively draining. It may be an age thing?
Neenz lie in sounds fab.
5 - am off to south Africa on Thursday.
Lolling on sofa here as dh on homebase run and e asleep .
Rolf I would go and choose something- have you anything in mind?
Btw STILL have my blocked duct - it's not serious but it is irritating getting it treated every month or so (involved trip to specialist). Specialist mentioned doing op to clear it- but this would take some time to clear up(which could be easy as not easy dealing with one year old and avoiding open wound on your breast) plus it will scar ( I could live with this but would rather not). Have said I will wait to see how it is ( also don't really wAnt to commit to this while ttc) but I would love to know if these things clear on their own. I would ask on Here but someone will rock up with some unhelpful ad advice on latch etc which is irrelevant( most likely sponges mate leonie ). am I being silly not to get it dealt with?

And whinegums glad you brought it up with dh - the ex and step kids situation never helps ease things.

Neenz, lie in sounds fab.

Poppy, sorry to hear you're still dealing with blocked duct. Are you all set for your holiday - I'll be after long haul travel tips when you get back.

I often feel there is an assumption on MN, and sometimes in RL, that second wife/partner/family are all evil spongers/husband stealers and should come second to first wife/family. I have lurked in some of the step parenting threads, and have been disgusted at some of the postings! So I'm always very cautious about what I say as far as XW is concerned. Neenz, DP says the relationship was dead in the water for some time before they split up, I don't think anything happened IYSWIM.

Oh Neenz, my worry about our respective DH's being caused embarassment has restrained me! Now there'll be no holds barred . You do know that I ham it up a bit, don't you? He's lovely really!

Poppy I am a crap, nervous driver, although I get better if I drive regularly. I need an automatic and so long as it's not knackered and has 7 seats I don't really mind what it is. Ideally we'll get something like a 1-2 year old Ford Galaxy. If we want to cut costs we'll get a 4-5 year old Zafira. I've not been bothered about it for ages, to be fair, as I really like walking. There was a spell when DH didn't need to use the car for work so much but nowadays I need to assume that I won't have access to it and I haven't driven for a couple of years now. But there are so many things I can't do without wheels, and I hate asking people for lifts. Also, even if I don't drive, it is really ridiculous for a family of 6 to have a peugeot 306 - we can't even fit in it

Don't know what suggest about your blocked duct, but how annoying for you .

WHinegums glad you had a chat with your DP. The ex-wife and stepkids thing must call for levels of maturity and empathy that I just don't have (Poppy as well).

Whinegums know exactly what you mean re assumptions about second wives etc as I do exactly same thing as you. It's very difficult as there is this prespumption you are some gold digger on the make who had an affair even if that isn't true. And happy to provide tips if I can.
Rolf symapthies as I am a nervous driver- what about a Nissan qashqai plus two. Better go as edie is trying to chew my feet.

Hi all!

Ex wives - big respect to those who have to deal with it. I would be a hideous jealous mess all the time. I know I would be the unreasonable bitch not the other way round!

Essie - God I hope you get some sleep tonight, it sounds awful. I know Luke seems to go mad when he hits a milestone - wonder if that's it - walking?

Poppy - that blocked duct has been going on forever hasn't it? At least it's not painful for you. I hope it clears up soon on it's own.

Pet Shop Boys was great but I was so tired I had to go before the end - they only started at 9.15! The dancers were amazing.

Mark put together Luke's birthday Smart Trike. It's amazing. We're going to take him for a walk in it tomorrow - can't wait.

The big news is though that today we bought Luke's first ever outdoor walking shoes now he's walking well enough to go outside. I nearly cried in the shop! They are great - trainers that light up when he steps. Here's a vid - they look enourmous on him - 4.5 G!!!

[ luke walking in shoes]]

luke walking in shoes doh!

PS - thanks for all the tummy comments!

PPS - anyone use easy up nappies? WHat's that plastic tab thing at the back for?

wow Amber he's so grown up .

What a big boy- where did you take him to get his feet measured? And am jealous re pet shop boys- the next concert I am going to is oasis. Have an almost full house on dad rock specials now .
nope duct doesn't help but it is an ever present- osteopath helping as reckons might be something about way I hold my upper body following whip lash injury. Frankly it's worth a try given circs.
Watching tv and drinking red wine- bought edie a puzzl today which made her cross until I picked up pieces to let her chew them or put them bck for her. Sort of defeats the point...

I got his feet measured at Clarks. They have got such great shoes in there but those trainers were £25!

On a completely different note - has anyone seen any of Martina Cole's The Take on Sky One? It is beyond brilliant. I am already getting upset at the thought of it finishing! It's on Sky Anytime - the first three episodes - watch it, you won't regret it. It makes Guy Ritchie's mockney gangster films look like Bambi in comparison.

Yes Amber but only seen first one whch was great- am saving others for back to back viewing feat/guilty pleasure

Amber, love the vid.

Poppy and Amber - I'll see your PSBs and Oasis and raise you a Bruce Springsteen. How's that for dad rock (and I can't wait for it!!!)?

Thanks for the comments re ex-wife etc. Sometimes I just get sick of trying to be the better person, and want to behave as badly as she does!

The salmon was great.

If you wnat any info, ehlp, tips on being a scond wife coping with step children, then I am your person, I have 5 half brothers and sisters and helped my SIL cope with her step children.

Morning all, we're eagerly awaiting the arrival of Ali and family today, hope the weather picks up for them.

Debs - Glad you had a good time with your mum. It's rubbish saying goodbye. I'm not feeling too bad thanks, still tired but the morning sickness seems to be easing a bit, which then just makes me worry.

Neenz- we used to camp all the time pre baby, so were fairly organised for us two. Got a bigger tent last year in the sales. Was wondering about getting some wind breakers to try and contain him in one area, does that sound like it would work? Anything you would recommend to make life easier?

Essie - sympathies on the waking. No real tips from me, maybe your DH doing the settling will help? Not sure about the blinds, although my mum rigged up a sort of curtain over a skylight window once, used two lengths of net curtain wire at the top and bottom with the curtain hemmed on fairly tightly top and bottom, does that make sense? They weren't too easy to open and I'm not sure how it would work on an opening window, but perhaps a modification?

I had a worrying tummy moment yesterday, I happened to glance in the mirror when my top had ridden up and my tummy was wobbling up and down with all the horrible crinkly stretch mark skin doing nothing to contain it, lovely.

Whinegums - hope you sort things out with your DH. I am also a big toast eater, mainly covered in load of butter and jam or peanut butter, yum yum! (I wonder where the wobbly belly has come from)

Poppy - I didn't realise you were still suffering with the blocked duct, you must be really fed up of it now. Are there any alternative treatments that might help? (am picturing them stabbing it with an acupuncture needle but don't know anything about these things and quite sure that isn't how it works!) Just read about the osteopath, hope that helps.

Amber - very exciting about the shoes we just watched the video and J got massively overexcited and was waving at Luke!
We accidentally got some easy up nappies and I assumed that was so that you could fold up the mucky nappy and keep it contained, but not sure.

Five - glad the salmon experiment worked, would you repeat it? Was it tastier than when cooked by more traditional methods?

Debs- have a good time with Ali!

Better stop rambling now, hello to everyone else I haven't mentioned!

I forgot my big news, we are going to get an allotment! Probably a daft idea as we already have no time, a house that needs loads of work, plus garden that needs some TLC, and of course I won't be able to do much digging soon, but still very excited! Anyone got any tips?

Hello, couldn't resist a cheeky name change.

Good journey here. Lovely to meet Deb and her family. Their place is really nice, and we have been upgraded to the big apartment which is what we need with a baby who raced round the gatwick departure lounge ruthlessly this morning.

Better go, we are going to go and stretch our legs.

Five, the kids aren't the problem, they are usually absolutely fine. Their mother on the other hand....

Saying that, DP's youngest had a Father's Day accident today - she dropped the 1kg bar of Dairy Milk she'd got him onto her big toe! Ouch. Luckily it seems ok, so not trips to casualty, and we changed our plans for a day out and just stayed local for lunch. Poor thing! DP was going on about lessons learned etc, so I told her she's learned her lesson not to get him any more presents.

Ali, have a great time with Deb.

Here's my random question for today - what's your thoughts on swimming armbands? Should I get B some for our hols?

Bruce Springsteen- does genesis beat that? And would echo your comments whinegums re it not being the kids .
New car seat huge hit- it's one of those that you can get a tray with. Edie sitting in it and thinks it's her arm chair

Nice name change Ali - bit weird typing this and you're in the next room!! Lovely to meet you all, at last I have had a MN meet!!!! Ethan is impressed by Peter as he discarded a biscuit on the floor which Ethan hoovered up very quickly!!

Poppy - which car seat did you get?

Whinegums - ouch, 1kg of chocolate, your dp had better eat it up quickly for health and safety reasons

Ktpie - no experience of allotments, but well done, they are hard to get aren't they? They have a similar thing here but they are more like small gardens and they have summer houses on them,garden furniture barbecues etc...

A britax eclipse as you don't need isofix so can take it on holiday.
Ktpie - am also trying acupuncture but no luck so far. Exciting news re allotment- were you on a waiting list as think they are quite long round here?