Dec 08 it's time for sippy, tippy and doidy cups (& wee sticks!?!)

[Veggiemummy]

sorry could think of much and these where discuss on last page.

Hooray Daisy that's great news, and poo poo bearsbum to mr Daisy.

Daisy that is fab news!! Pfft to Mr Daisy!!! Have a good night out.

WW3 here. DS2 has pulled DS1's train set apart. Bedtime at 7 thank god.

We reeeeaaaaaally need to sort DS2's cot out he is way too big for the nest hammock thing now but we can't put him to sleep in our bed because any pillow fencing he just climbs over so until we get to bed he is an injury risk if he wakes. So at the mo he is on his cotbed mattress on the flood next to our bed. This has been fine so far but tonight he just can't seem to settled down to sleep. This is despite only having 2 1hour sleeps today the last one at 2pm. He is currently standing at our bookcase perusing our book collection. Oh now he's crawled off to look at our bed. I think if he was in a cot he'd be happy to be left with a few toys (books) to entertain him and I could leave him but I can't really do that if he can wander around the room. He'd never settle. The other day after a nap he woke wandered around the room and turned his monitor off!

Evening everyone,

modern I chuckled dryly at 'you're joking, but mothers just work through this sort of thing' . Honestly, how come men get to be overgrown boys when they are ill yet women have to mother them and any children?! My DH is exactly the same, he plays Pro Evolution Soccer, and wants lemsip and Heinz cream of tomato soup to 'make him better'.

daisy Hurray for the notice period. That's great news.

Sympathy to all those suffering from sibling rivaly. When my DH was born his DB was 7 years old and he was rather put out by the arrival of a baby on the scene. My BIL somehow put washing up liquid in DH's bottle . He was rumbled when their mum tested the milk on her hand and noticed that it was strangely foamy.

veggie I'm amazed by how active your DS is! DD is still at the stage where I can leave her on the bed. She just puts her feet in her mouth rather than trying to get anywhere.

Night all.

Veggie My £1 G&B's is here!!!

Gosh its quiet in here today!

Had a fabulous night out and DS was good as gold! Woke at 11pm, so DH gave him a cuddle and then he went back to sleep till 6am!! What is it with my boy, he always sleeps well for other people. He did the same at my mums last week However, despite a great night out I appear to have gotten DS's cold and am feeling very poorly at the mo.

Well, I got my letter this morning detailing what I will be paid etc at the end of this month. Its all looking good and I think there might even be enough for a cheeky week in the sun somewhere Question is does DH deserve to come with??

Hey good it's getting sorted Dais but sorry you lost your job. Oh I'd make your DH grovel a bit, cheeky begger.

Poor little DS1 gave himself a big cut on the top of his foot just now, it's quite deep and I considered taking it to the A&E because it almost needs stitches but I have managed to sort it out with some steri strips so should be ok. He was quite upset when I had to clean it and apply the steri strips but brightened up considerably when I bandaged his foot up...such a boy, like father, like son. What is it about men and bandages?

I had to go out in the rain today and sort out my out of control tomato plant it started off as a half foot plant from Homebase and it now about a meter and a half high (4.5-5 foot I think) I made a kind of tripod of bamboo to hold it up but that fll down from the weight of the thing, and it doesn't even have fruit on it yet! So I took the tripod apart got some more bamboo and made a bamboo fence for it and then unravelled all it's branches and tied them to the fence. It will also take the Aubergines when they are bigger. I havested all that was ready and have a friend coming over to harvest anything ready while we are away. We have been feasting on beans, spinach, brussel sprouts and cauliflower lately. Hopefully when we get back we'll have more beans, pac choi, carrots, beetroot and of course tomato. I'm a little nervous of caterpillars getting into it all while I'm away and have been scrapping off all the eggs I see on the leaves but left alone for 2 weeks the moths will get in and go mad! Oh well.will be fun to get away I'm quite excited about the ferry trip over to Holland. But we are desperately wanting some sun, think we might have to drive to France or even Italy.

Tilly did you say you were in York from the 26th? I might go up and spend the morning at the DIG place then maybe if any of the Yorkshire Massif are around we could do afternoon tea. I've been told I have to do Betty's, is that true? Or can better cream teas be had elsewhere in York?

Kayz there was an Arsenal Match today, Emirates cup, so nice to see the boys in action again, we beat Athletici Madrid 2-1!

Evening all

spiggy - sorry, I did indeed sneak in while you were busy with babe, have been away for a month on hols then in the land of no computer Lovely to meet you

veggie poor DS1, give him a kiss from his remote MN aunties am v impressed with your gardening skills, we have 3 tiny cherry tom bushes that the slugs tend to get to before us, and some peas. Peas reached their peak while were were in Canada, I gave strict instrucitons to the neighbour with the key to pick them but he didn't and they went all over-large and a bit bitter. but now there's a second tranche coming through Re overactive nippers, dd is a bit of a hazard to herself so I've been putting her down to nap on the spare bed as it's much closer to the ground than ours, she's still not a big fan of the cot. in fact bedtime has become a bit of an hour long battleground - she gets very very close to sleep on the boob but the movement into the cot riles her, it usually takes 2 or 3 goes before she's calm enough to stay down. Either angry, or binging over onto hands and knees and giving me a big grin [melt]

daisy excellent news about your employers, isn't that what they call 'gardening leave'?

ladyT survey? is this the same cottage as before or a different one? [out of the loop]

effie your harvest sounds fantastic mmmm sloe gin...

right - time to have tea methinks. I've been having a little mini tea with dd every day at 6, as there's no way she can wait til dh gets home for proper family tea - am bound to get all the pregnancy weight back on Oh and my period has finally returned, not sure whether to be or but am both and for those of you thinking of ttc already!

Kayz DH just bought me some G&B butterscotch from sainsburys and I checked the docket it cost £1.75!

I popped into our room earlier to get some more clothes to pack for the trip, DS2 is on his cotbed mattress on the floor and made some noises like he maybe waking, but was still quit settled so I thought I would pop his dummy back in and give him a pat, I stepped onto his mattress to get closer to him and of course I stepped on his foot and set him off big time, he was not happy.

Veggie, poor baby, with mummy stepping on his hand and poor DS1 having to be mended by mummy and her steri strips! Am very envious of the home grown veg. We tried to grow tomatoes a few years back but they never really took off. We do have a fabby raised bed with herbs in it and I love going into the garden to get some herbs to spice up my cooking.

JJ, hello, lovely to see you again. I remember when I just had DD1 that I used to treat myself to a wee snack when she had her tea as it semeed rather anti social to eat alone. Now there are 3 of them I let them get on with it and just supervise. Unless it;s something really tasty o course, in which case I have to taste to make sure it's OK. A friend of mine was having the devil's own job to get her baby to eat so I suggested a piece of toast each to make a quick tea. She was up for it until she realised that she only had salted butter but I reassured her that the amount of salt in butter for toast was not going to make any difference.

Daisy, well doe on your letter and glad you got your cheque. Where do you fancy for your holiday? Can I recommend S Spain to you - Seville is my favourite place and it is fairly near the sea if you fancy a dip. Lots of glorious architecture and art, fantastic food and drink, jolly hot (perhaps too hot at the moment though). We went in Sept 2007 whe DD2 was six months ad had a wonderful time. THe Spaniards love babies and children too, so mealtimes were a breeze.

How was your night Effie? Am thinking of you.

Hello JB, how are you?

We had an industrious day yesterday. DH sanded my dresser so I could paint it, I went to the furniture shop and found a mirror for the fireplace in the sittig room, kids had a good run round and everyone was very chipper despite the rain. It's nice here now so we are going to load up the car and go to Hever Castle for a run round the maze. Think we might have to give the house a miss though as it might be a bit much for a 4 and 2 year old.

Good sundays everyone

Veggie Betty's is ok but it is always stupidly busy and there are nicer cafe's in York where you don't feel like you have to keep the children very very quiet and still.

Oh Kayz quiet children don't exist for me so def not betty's then.

Argh!!! Why is DH such a PITA??? He has had this weekend off work. Yesterday he promised to do some diy around the house, not done. Today we were meant to be going out but I decided that I am fed up of making all the decisions here so left it up to him. Here we are sat at home. I mean how fun is this!!!

Well you could always just leave em all there and go out yourself?!

WHere is everyone?

WE went to Hever castle and had a fantastic time - picnic, maze, jousting ( I kid you not) and ice cream in the sunshine. Sadly DD2 has been very sick since we got home which has taken the edge off somewhat. She's asleep now. Hope it's not a bug that will get passed rounda ll of us.

kayzr hope you managed to find something fun to do in the end yesterday.

We had a lovely weekend - just pottering, a leaving party for some friends of ours who are going abroad for a year, Sunday roast, etc etc. Had a bit of a sore head on Saturday from my work leaving party on Friday night but survivable. (Really don't have the stamina I used to these days!)

Today I'm taking DD1 to the natural history museum with my Mum. DD1 is VERY excited about this. I hope I can get on and off the Tube ok as I've totally put my back out from lifting DD2 on and off the play mat yesterday. Combined with my second AF since having DD2 and I'm quite sore! OWWWWWW!

sybil interested to hear you went to Hever Castle. We took DD1 there a couple of years ago but I think she'd enjoy it much more now.

Hever was great and not too spenny - they don't charge for under 5s so just DH and I had to pay. Next time we are going to get there super early when it opens and spend the whole day there. I think the house would be beyond her but there are various mazes, an adventure playground, nice gardens and a shop - DD loves a shop, much like her mother.

What did you think of the ballerinas? Are they not the BEST biscuits in the world?

Morning

Nights still not great here, lots of screaming in the evenings and feeding all night - think we mighht be hitting another growth spurt. DS2 v happy during the day tho as he can now sit, sit and roll to get at DS1's toys

My efforts at growing veg have not been notably successful (we have a handful of carrots and about 3 beans) but our plum tree is groaning with fruit and we just picked the first few ripe ones . As for herbs, the mint is thriving but most of the other plants have been trampled on by DS1, we need hardy stuff here.

Kayz: I hate those 'well, what do YOU want to do' conversations. Did you do something in the end?

Oh and DH has just bottled his elderberry wine. Prob a good defence against swine flu...

Morning!

kayz hope you managed to get out yesterday. DH is much the same, never decides what he wants do then moans all day he hasn't been anywhere.

We had a lovely day out at the seaside sans DH who was working. DD had a lovely time in the paddling pool on the front. DS even had a lick of her ice cream DH is off from Tuesday for a week (vasectomy on Weds) and will no doubt be under my feet and very annoying! He is already moaning about the pain he will have to endure from his operation.

I have also buggered my knee. Not sure what is wrong I think I have over done it on the running front. I woke up on Saturday and it was very sore and stiff. It hasn;t got better and seems to ache/throb all the time. I'm also struggling to walk on it and getting up/down stairs is a killer. Ah well, looks like my training for the 2012 olympics will have to be put on hold for a while

Off to see the MIL today. She is not too bad but as SIL is now preggers she will spend the time telling me what an awful pregnancy she is having (I think she has been sick twice!), how will she cope with two , isn't she just a marvel of a woman blah blah blah. Bloody irritates me. I had c-sections for both DC's and no-one in DH's family so much as made me a cup of tea (and they don't live miles away either). In fact I distinctly remember said SIl visting when DD was about a week old and sitting there saying she could 'murder a cuppa'. I told her where the kettle was.

Gosh, I'm getting wound up thinking about it. DH has already promised her DS's pram DS will only be just over one, and not ready for DD's flimsy little stroller. He needs to be all snug in his footmuff in the winter, in his proper pushchair. I'm off again rambling.....apologies ladies.

Morning all, dd finally napping after being awake since 6.30... last night did the sleep log so we can try the NCSS and wouldn't you know it. she only woke up twice and went back to sleep pretty fast from both. 2.30 and 3.50 not terribly sociable hours but at least she didn't want to play for ages

daisy calm calm lovely! Though I would say keep your grasp on the pram, definitely need to keep 1 year olds wrapped up nicely in winter. Ouch your poor knee, have you got any voltarol gel? Worked well when I had a dodgy ankle.

kayz hope you had a good day in the end and it wasn't all wasted.

sybil and verso, sounds like you both had great days out dinosaurs are top fun! we went to a museum in Calgary which featured lots of local remains (!) and my favourite was the Dire wolf. Died out because it was just too feeble to bother

Off to tie up the clematis in the garden, has gone absolutely mad with the weather recently and it clambering nicely all over the trellis, we've even got a second flush of blossom (well 3 flowers but that counts, doesn't it?!)

Hi Everyone

I have been lurking on my phone but not posting as my typing is even worse than normal if I post from the phone.

Daisy - I would be so grrrrrrr if DH promised our pram away before I was done with it. Are you going to ask him when he is going to recind the offer so they can have time to buy their own? You must!

Sybil - How is your DD today? I hope the puking was a reaction to too much ice cream and running around mazes rather than a nasty bug.

JJ - sods law about the sleep log but nice to have a decent night.

Kayz - I have the solution for you - never let men choose the day's activities. I certainly never let DH - he would either take too long or have us all watching non-league rugby in the rain.

Trace - sorry that P is tiring you so. A couple of days ago you asked how bad our second night with Mrs Sleep was as it might help you prepare for some sleep training. It is hard for me to be exact as I was not in the room and spent much of the early hours with a pillow over my head and the radio on . I felt like DD woke at 1am and cried until 5ish, then slept an hour and woke at 6am before crying until 7am when I was allowed to feed her. Mrs Sleep said it was just 1am-2.30am and 6am-7am. Who knows what it was exactly - but at least it was only one night. My theory, imparted to me by Mrs S, is that with controlled crying, or shush-patting, or any of the methods where you refuse to cuddle or feed them, is that it is probably only worth doing if you are prepared to go the whole hog and be consistent all night long. Given babies can't tell the time I think it is hard for them to learn what you want if you say "I won't help you before 3am" or "I will only help you the first time you wake". Mrs Sleep was very strong on this - she reckoned it was unfair to expect a baby to understand such rules - they needed to learn either that "mummy comes and helps me when I wake", or that "once I have been put down in the night that is it, I have to sleep". Sorry! I know lots of different opinions make things harder but it made sense to me. And although it was hard, and DD2 was undoubtably hungry that night, she very quickly adjusted her feeding times and we have never really looked back (I think she has woken once in the night in the last six weeks). Whatever you decide I do hope you feel better soon.

Veggie - I hoep you have a fab time in Holland. Its a bit sad you will mess some of your veggies ripening. I am so very imressed by your green fingers.

Where is PMK? She usually posts quite frequently but I haven't noticed her around for a few days.

And LadyT, how was Cornwall? Its C's due date today and I am very excited. I can't wait to meet her little man.

xx

Have just returned from MIL's

Apparently SIl can't afford a new pram and so it was great of DH to offer ours. I explained that DH had done this without consulting me and I felt DS would be too young to go into a stroller when the baby is born. I was met with a 'well he'll probably be walking, its not like he will be in the pram all the time'. Well yes he flippin will be as no-one is getting my boys wheels!!! DH can take it up with them if they have something to say. Next I'll be expected to turf him out of his cot! But in many ways it will be a blessing when the baby comes as it will take the heat off me having to visit with the Dc's as much. MIL definately prefers a newborn baby

Hello,

Daisy I would be very very angry!! Do not let them have the pram. I certainly wouldn't, plus at 1 he won't be walking everywhere will he?

We went for a walk in the end yesterday. I wanted to go for a long walk with a picnic etc but decided to let DH make some decisions. Never again!!

Got a rotten headache today.

sybil ballerinas = ACE! Total top-tip-tastic!

daisy I would be LIVID! Tell her to keep her hands OFF your DS's pram. Honestly.

kayzr hope the headache is short-lived. I've run out of painkillers. Back from FAB day out, but very very hurty back at the moment.