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

[pureeandpearls]

Bring it on!!!

Hi, thanks for the sympathies.

The one on the 4th July isn't the 'proper' party, it's just a 2nd one for my family with the additional 'surprise' element for SIL. Unfortunatley my house isn;t that big, so to have both sides of the family here together, we'd be like sardines.
DH's family are more sedatary so that's why we thought a high tea would be more in keeping, rather than a full on BBQ.
Finally had a response from nephew when he called around tonight to borrow DH's golf clubs. Had to ask him though as he'd forgotten
Just had the first batch of new potatoes from our garden and they were delicious with the cold raost chicken left from yesterday.
DH has got on well today with the conservatory. All the footings, walls, block and steps are in place along with the sill. Tomorrow we start putting the framework up. Poor Luke will be spending his birthday in his playpen in the garden watching us building. Do you think he will be psychologically damaged with us not spending too much quality time with him on his first birthday ?
We are taking him out for an Italien tomorrow night though. Do you think this will make up for it ?

Ali - my dh does the same. No trip away is complete without a couple of days of man-flu. Its definitely due to overworking and stress imho.

Deb DH had a minor op so have been busy looking after him as well as the kids. He's been surprisingly good about it though and has impressed me with his tough-ness in the face of what I 'm sure was quite a bit of pain

Is yours similar to this one 5 ? Do you find it very secure and sturdy? I was thinking about the plastic type with tray, but that inflatable one has good reviews on Argos. poppy how do you find the fabric one?

Just realised I've shed loads to do before S's 1st bday and no time to do it! Anyone know where I can order first birthday decorations like bunting/banners online that isn't madly expensive or naff?

Right, hope my link worked - it cost me £5.99 to upgrade my iPod so I could cut and paste on MN!

Hurrah it worked!

sybil sorry about dh op, and Ali I hope yours recovers from manflu soon!

That's the one, it is great, just need to find ours now.

neenz that's too bad about your PILs and your vacation. I think I've said before that there are some benefits too though. My DH likes having my parents around as then the load is split between more adults, the kids love it, and DH and I get to go to the pub in the evenings (make sure you get some babysitting out of it!). My DS1 loves having his grandparents around so much too - you might find that in a few years the DTs will want them there and that will make you more relaxed about having them around. (I don't really enjoy having my PILs visit and they're coming for Christmas this year but it does make it worthwhile that the DSs will be in heaven).

Morning everyone,
Was completely shattered yesterday, slept all afternoon while J was having his nap and then slept like a log all night and it was very hard to get up this morning.

BDQ - we've got this booster seat and we've been really happy with it, easy to chuck in the bottom of the push chair.

Got my first MW appointment this afternoon, think she will be pleased to see J, she last saw him just less than a year ago when he was 1 day old!

Hopefully going to go and sort out this allotment this afternoon, there wasn't a waiting list as it is on an organic farm down the road, he is just going to mark off a bit of land for us! It's more expensive than a council one, but as all my areas council ones are miles away and full I think it will be worth it. Plus it is on a beautiful bit of land.

I've totally failed to keep up with everyone, get the jist of IL troubles, my MIL is coming over this week, last time they came we had only been in our new house a couple of weeks and she was rabbiting on about why hadn't I cleaned the kitchen clock (left by previous people and admittedly covered in a layer of grease). Errm because we prioritised making some space in the spare room so that you would have somewhere to sleep, and the million and one other jobs that in my head are more important than a mucky clock. I've purposefully not cleaned it since, wonder if she will notice! (why am I acting like a child!).

ktpie, at the still-dirty clock! Why do ILs push all the wrong buttons?

My DH often gets sick on holiday too - definitely due to winding down. Glad you're enjoying the holiday though Ali.

Sybil, I used to go to my gran's near the beach with my sis and cousins in summer - mum and dad didn't come, it was a nice break for them! So I can understand why you want to pack the kids off to gran's on their own. But I can also undertand why she wants to see your DH, and why she doesn't go away during holiday time. I would feel like I was missing out big time if I were her if I went away and you came to stay in my house. In some ways I'd be surprised if she didn't feel like that cos obviously she wants to see you (well, your DH and the kids ). My PILs only live round the corner so why they want to tag along on holiday with us too I don't know As it happens, I am not too bothered. Last year it was OK, they cooked us tea one night and babysat another night. So you're right there Adbn. But they caused an argument between me and DH and that is why I don't like anyone else being on holiday with us - if we only have to suit ourselves then there is no argument about what to do and when. We never fight when we are on holiday. I just think we have tried as sensitively and firmly as possible to tell them we do not want them on holiday with us but they still tag along. Shame-faced!

Libralady, you'll have a lovely time at the birthday, sod the ILs if they don't want to come! I found the DTs' birthday really exciting, much more enjoyable than I thought it would be. Hope the weather's nice for you too.

Neenz - no sorry I obviously didn't put that well! We don't want the kids to go to their grandma's on their own. In fact that is the last thing we would do as she wouldn't be able to look after them. She has very bad asthma/health problems and is not capable of caring for three kids. The problem is that dh wants to spend his holiday with his kids, and if we go to her she basically doesn't allow that to happen. She plays with them whle we have to do the food shopping, cooking, cleaning etc.(for her as well as ourselves) I can see why this is lovely for her, but for my dh who works very hard for his kids it is far from ideal.

neenz your point about your ILs living so close is a good one too - ours live in another country so it's more important that we make the effort to holiday with them!

Sybil, I definitely agree with you about not wanting to go on holiday to your MILs. That is totally understandable! Shame she can't look after all the kids though. You're right that your DH should be able to enjoy that time with them. Can the MIL not come to you to spend time with the kids? How far away does she live?

Adbn, I am starting to wonder whether there is a bit of a power struggle going on with my ILs and the holiday ie they want to come, I have said no but they are going to come anyway. They are not used to their kids saying no to them.

Sorry to hear all the miserable IL stories. I am lucky and get on with mine The biggest irritation has been the nagging to give Peter a haircut. This is minor, so I'm not complaining. Infact I would like it if we saw more of them. They are in the north east and have an ancient dog that they can't leave anymore, so visits are occasional.

Well, it continues to rain here. It really is very impressive just how much water can fall out of the sky. The good news is that DH has staged a recovery. He did explain to me today though that he didn't have a cold, but "v mild flu" . We had a nice time with Deb, Nigel and Ethan this morning whilst the big boys were in school (pics on fb). This afternoon we went to an indoor pool complex which was impressive and so much cleaner than your average English pool. I have to tell you all that Ethan is super cute and has very nice manners. He has just waved goodnight to us very regally (think the Queen waving from her coach on her way to the state opening of parliament). He is lovely.

Sybil sounds like tricky situation with your mil- my mil also not in great health but happy with occasional visits.
Bdq it's ok and very portable but sometimes it doesn't fit wider chairs and obviously it's got no cushion.
Edie got war wounds -some bigger kid scratched her face in playgroup in kiddy tantrum re toys and she was quite upset. Apparently kid is persistent pest and mother wasn't watching- I know this is first of many incidents but was sorry wasn't there as she was upset bless her [ sad].

Oh Ali your hol sounds so nice even if weather not great.

Hello all, Ethan practises his wave from the balcony waving to the boys as they leave for school!! It is just great to see him interacting with Peter(who has the most lovely smile that I couldn't capture on camera), I have really missed baby/toddler groups. He's used to having children around but not babies the same age. despite Peter being exactly the same age he appears so much older as he's bigger than Ethan and very confident. On the 1st night he was off out of his apartment and up the stairs into ours without a second glance at Mum or Dad. I'm hoping he'll give Ethan some more walking/cruising tips tomorrow, he's fast with the baby walker.

good morning, where are you all?

[watches tumbleweed breeze by] Hi Debs

Hi all - just marking my place as the thread has fallen off the I'm on section!

Hope everyone is well - nothing interesting to say in the slightest so will bugger off again!

Neenz - have you got Esther's sheos yet?

Yeah! Got Esther's shoes today. They are so cute, they are pink and light up like Luke's! They were the only pair they had in her size in Clark's - we went to John Lewis first and they didn't have any at all in her size (3e). So we had no choice at all but I love them so it doesn't matter.

Had Theo measured, he is a 3.5g but we didn't get him any shoes cos he is not walking yet. MIL kept badgering us to get some for him (she came too as she bought the shoes as 1st birthday pressie) but I held firm!

Nothing else going on with us, they both have a little cold which is making them quite grumpy but just keep giving them Calpol and they are fine. And they are still sleeping well so it's not too bad.

Loving the shoes talk. We only got cruiser shoes for Jamie as he was so young when he started walking so no lights. I do feel a bit cheated about that now though! He is a 3H. Obviously his feet are the only chubby bit about him.

He is driving me a bit bonkers with his eating again at the moment. I mean seriously, how long is it going to be before he will actually eat?! He is currently having a slice of cheese of toast with tomato puree a day, and a chocolate yogurt if I am lucky. I am trying to remain calm but what I wouldn't give for him to suddenly discover a large and varied appetite.

Oh and strawberries, he will eat a few strawberries and grapes a day. Which is suppose is something...

Sybil - you have been unbelievably patient with J's eating. Don't know how you have managed it. Keep going, he will get there. Peter is somewhat erratic at the moment, will sometimes hoover everything in sight, and at other times scream and throw everything across the room. Ho hum.

It finally stopped raining here today so made the most of it by walking up a spectacular gorge that Deb had suggested. I was actually a bit scared as after all the rain here flash flood scenarios kept going through my mind. All was well and I felt silly afterwards. We then drove in a loop back home stopping at Zell am See on the way to look at the town and the lake. It really is lovely even in poor weather. I would definitely recommend it as a holiday with a one year old as there is lots that you can get to in about 40 mins in the car. Still haven't made it into Debs back garden to play yet though.

Poppy - have an amazing holiday. Hope it all
Goes smoothly.

Debs- what's your email address?

sorry, Hello All xx

Sorted Debs- have emailed via FB