May 2009 - This too shall pass.. from leg warmers to pennies

[Momino]

this too shall pass!

Hi! Sorry not had chance to catch up the last couple of days. Will try and have a read through in a minute.

Owen's keeping me busy - 2 social engagements yesterday
Firstly lunch with the NCT mums and babies.
Then we met up with 2 mums and babies from my MN ttc thread. The last time we saw eachother we were pg and now we have 3 gorgeous babies!!
Finally we had a pub dinner with both sets of grandparents. MIL&FIL go home to Ireland tomorrow. The 10 days has actually gone really quickly and it's worked out ok.

Tonight the NCT boys are going out for a big drinking session so some of us girls are getting together for take away.

Hope you're all doing ok - guess I'll go and have a read to find out...

That shoiuld have read 3 social engagements yesterday

Evening!

DS2's black eye has gone down a lot today and he is absolutely fine. I can't believe though that he is half DS1's weight already. DS1 is very skinny though! DS1 fell asleep on the living room floor earlier after a hard day's play with his little friend. There is coloured rice everywhere and the place is a tip but it was so funny watching them play. They are like an old married couple, squabbling all the time but really affectionate with each other.

Ses good to see you on t'other thread! Sounds like you have been having a busy time.

Loobey the camper van sounds like fun. We'd love one too.

Belgian where are your chickens then? Did I miss something?

Momino - my house sounds like yours and I only have 2dc! If I need to really tidy properly I need to get someone to look after the children whilst I clean! I do tend to get distracted by the internet sometimes which doesn't help

Momimo, just spotted your question about cleaning.

DH and I have a quick tidy round before sitting down for the evening, chucking toys in boxes etc. I usually do an hour or so of ironing most evenings. When DS is in pre-school on a Monday and Wednesday I usually do a bit of cleaning on those days, but usually just get DS1 to "help" me. He helps clean the bathroom with a spray bottle with water in it, but I can only get one bathroom done before he gets bored.

I sweep every day when he is out in the garden, and do a load of washing everyday. Hoovering gets done when it looks like it needs it!

I usually squirt something down the loos before bed, and the kitchen gets cleaned every evening, but only the surfaces. Sink gets done in the morning.

The house is probably at the "just about keeping on top of things stage" but it never has that uncluttered look that some of my (childfree) friends have. Skirting boards almost never get done, and there are usually cobwebs around the place.

When I go back to work I'm going to get a cleaner again.

Talking of which, when are people going back to work?

running great to hear that you had a lovely holiday.

pula enjoy your night in your new bed. Sounds lovely.

Cleaning? What's that? . Well I don't get to do much 'proper' cleaning. I concentrate on making sure there are enough clean clothes for everyone and keeping the important rooms clean, i.e. bathroom and kitchen. Everything else gets done when it looks like it's reall really needed. THe clutter does get to me sometimes, but during the hols with the dcs at home all day it's just not worth even trying to keep it clutter free. They seem to be able to create more in seconds, especially as at their age all the toys are so tiny (think lego, barbie/polly pocket shoes). We did have a cleaner while I was pregnant because I couldn't do it with the SPD. Now I feel that I can't really justify the expense. Once back at work I think I'll get the ap to help a bit more with cleaning. Maybe give her a room a week or so, so we can share the job.

C managed 2 longish naps today, but both of them were in the sling. Once the move is over and school has started I'll concentrate on trying to get her to do 2 proper naps like that in her cot.

School shoe shopping went fine. DS apparently has a 3.5! He's only 7. I can imagine him ending up with size 12's

llare One of DH's friends, who also happens to be our neighbour, has taken our chickens for now as we can't take them to our rented house when we move.

Oh llare I'm going back in jan. I will have about a month unpaid, but I didn't want to go back so shortly before x-mas. I can imagine that I'd end up working x-mas day as I wouldn't have had the opportunity to request off duty as soon as it was out.

Another thing I just remembered. I phoned the LEA as advised and they were a bit useless really. I told them the situation and they advised to phone the school and leave a message on their answering machine. Something we had done already anyway

I'm planning on going back to work in Jan too. Luckily I get 6 months full pay, and 3 months SMP. Not sure yet how many hours i will do- maybe 3.5 days a week (3 one week, 4 the next).

If anyones interested I've put some photos and a video of DS2 on FB as he was so cute and chatty today i got the camera out!

llare, I'm going back in Jan. I really, really don't want to go back though. the job is just a 15 hour a week one, work from home and pays rubbish so we won't be able to afford to send H to nursery and will take DD1 down to 1 day. I'll have to work mostly at night which I don't mind but it's a lot of responsibility and stress for what (little) it's worth.

cleaning, pula. otherwise, ours is also an evening job when dh gets home. we're very topical and basic: basic vacuum, wipe off worktops, simple dusting, etc. the skirting boards i so lovingly scrubbed whilst 'nesting' have long been forgotten.

muddled, I too get distracted by the internet . also keeps me from sleeping. speaking of which...

I should have said what I'm planning to do. I'm giving notice to return in December but taking my annual leave, bank holidays and KIT lieu time until February-ish. I have to return for 3 months to keep my occupational maternity pay and then I'm going to see how it goes work-wise.

Belgian what a pain about the school.

Evening all. I've been at the Southport Flower Show today with dd2 and had a lovely time. No where near as good as last year but nice when it was free - thanks mum - and dd2 was very well behaved.

Febes I would try and leave putting lo in toddler seat for as long as possible. I used the crib mattress in the bottom when the snuggler got too small last time. The problem with the p&t E3 which I have, is there is no recline when in double toddler mode. It's all or nothing.

I'm having a work going back dilemma. I don't have to go back as I took basic Mat pay. I feel I would be paying huge childcare for not much pay and lots of stress. But I'll need to earn something.. I don't want to think about it yet...

Morning all.

It's a lovely day here today. So nice and sunny. Perfect for doing some washing. The nappies are already out on the line.

DH is viewing the house in Kent at 11 and will be paying the deposit at that time. Apparently the letting agent has been flooded with interested people, but it's ours . We've been soooo lucky. After DH has viewed the house I'll be officially allowed to pack, so in preparation for that I'm going to go up in the loft and hunt down some empty boxes. I think I'll also go round the local supermarket to see if there are any good boxes lying around.

I'm quite excited about receiving the BLW book today. Can't wait to read it. Looking forward to a better weaning experience this time, because my lo's didn't always like to be spoon fed.

Hope everyone is well today and that everyone's got nice things planned for the nice weather

Morning all. Lovely weather here too, but I am still in bed while DDs are watching TV, DS lying next to me and DH reading his book. I am shattered after feeding G at 8pm, 10.30, 2.30, 4.30 and 5am. Twas a bit of a shock given he has slept through the night up to now. G has also point blank refused bottles after the first one

Belgian hope the house viewing / box finding goes OK. It's v. exciting !

Cleaning well, I have a cleaner for 2 hours a week who does the essentials (bathrooms, kitchen and hoovering.) She's not that good, but it's better than me doing it myself and saves the arguments with DH who does nothing in that department whatsoever. In fact, it's a triumph if he does something like unload the dishwasher or, indeed, pick up his shoes and socks from where he dumped them. He is a lazy sh*te really.

I having been thinking a lot about work, and am going to do similar to Llare in officially go back in November, but use up my annual leave and not go back until Jan. I am going to aim for working 4 days and see how it goes, but as I have to pay for full time childcare or nothing, it essentially means a pay cut. I'm determined not to get too stressed out at work this time, and my strategy is to try and get myself made redundant while I try to figure out what I really want to do.

Hi All,
Quiet here today, I hope everyone is out enjoying the sunshine. Have had quite a productive day today. Went into town and bought some bits and pieces for A - including next size sleepsuits and vests - they look huge!!

Then DH and I cleaned the house from top to bottom which is quite apt given above discussions! We prob don't clean enough, just do a splurge every fortnight or so with hoovering and dusting but do do bathrooms weekly and wipe kitchen around every evening. I discovered A likes me hoovering when in the sling also it feels like a good workout for me now she is getting a bit heavier too!

work I'm not sure when I'm going back. Would like to stay off the whole year which would mean going back in April but not sure I can afford it. Will look at the terms I think and go back just before Easter if I can so I get paid for the holidays I'm probably going back 3 days per week if they'll let me too.

pula lovely pics by the way.

Belgian v strange that the LEA couldn't help you as ours are v hands on in terms of admissions. I am speaking from a secondary pov tho. As term begins in a week or so, you might find that the head of the school or other staff do go in an check messages this week in a bid to get organised before the start of the year. It might be worth emailing them too if you can find an email address for the school or headteacher as I know a lot of teachers do check emails over the hols (I do and I've been on mat leave since April!!)

Inlaws 10 day visit has come to an end and they have gone!
Just cooked me and DH a curry with all the works as a change from the ham, potatoes and cabbage It was v tasty even if I say so myself!
Also had 2 glasses of lovely red wine that have gone straight to my head

We put XFactor on Sky+ whilst we ate so just about to watch it now. Can't believe it's back! One of my FB friends posted "XFactor is back. Nearly Christmas!" That's a bit scary!

Running - I bought O some 3-6 month sleepsuits and vests and they look huge. His problem is that he'll need them soon for length but not at all around his torso!

Returning to work - really don't want to but know I need to around about Jan...

Febes says hi to Ses as they both find themselves hiding in sand.

Hope everyone has had a nice sunny day

Belgian I'm waiting for the BLW book to arrive too. Am quite very excited about it - in fact I got completely over excited this afternoon and bought some weaning spoons for splattering eating porridge, yoghurt etc. I'm thinking BLW will be good for my own eating habits as I will be more inclined to eat broccoli for lunch that Monster Munch if H is sharing it.

Work I'm very lucky to have 12 months off, though what I think I'll do is officially start back in February but use up leave to take me through until April - I've got loads of leave as I'd planned to take a lot before H was born but didn't get the chance. That way I should only have one month with zero income.

I'm trying to decide whether I'd prefer to go back 3 days or 3.5 (doing either 3 days one week and 4 the next like pula or doing the half day flexibly from home). If I do the latter I'll probably get a cleaner as I think it would get me down trying to fit in work and cleaning around childcare. I haven't got a role to go back to, as I was doing a temporary business improvement project while pg. I must get in touch soon to start negotiations

Watching X Factor and feeling very christmassy here too!

Nooooooooo Christmas is months away

18 weeks...

Oh please please don't mention x-mas. Don't want to leave my baby alone yet [sob]. And also I'm surrounded by stuff and x-mas means more stuff.

spangle I've been reading bits and pieces in the BLW book while bf and from what I've seen you might have to return those weaning spoons and so must I

running The LEA said that at this stage (starting y3 and y1) it's not an admission, but a school transfer, which is not handled by them but by the school itself. We have both mailed (headmaster's email is on thier website) and phoned and so there's not much more we can do but wait until the 1st of September when there should hopefully be someone to answer the phones.

I had a very stressful day here. It's almost impossible to pack and look after 3 dcs at the same time. I found some boxes in the loft but need loads more. The supermarket only had wine boxes which are no good to me. I might have to give in and buy some as I really haven't got much time at all. I managed to pack virtually all kitchen and cleaning stuff bar the essentials. Tomorrow I'll tidy and clean the work surfaces there and move on to packing clothing and some toys I think. We will go back and forth between houses over the next few months so I think I'll leave things like picture frames etc... until a later date.

My dcs were victims of my stressfulness (if that's a word) and so had a bit of shouting going on. But they were extra demanding today seemingly unable to entertain themselves all of a sudden.

I bought these things called sock ons for C (which really work) and had a spare set in my room. This evening I discovered that the packaging of the spare set was empty. I asked the dcs where they were and of course they're both denying all knowledge of their whereabouts. I know dd1 has something to do with it. It's the sort of thing she'd do and I know she's played in my room today. I just can't understand why she just keeps denying she's touched. Oh, it makes me soooo . Anyway I looked everywere I could and I can't find them.

evening all

well - our campervan arrives tomorrow!!

I'm bidding on cow print seat covers as I speak

belgian good luck with the packing

BLW no idea what this involves - I might have to get a book

Christmas!?? - NO,NO, NO! too early - will have to think about going back to work Jan

Looby- how exciting about your campervan

BLW - don't think i'll be doing this - i strangely enjoy all the pureeing and spoon-feeding my LOs. I have borrowed a "babycook" from my friend again, which is great as you can steam the fruit/veg and then puree it in the same bowl so it makes it easy to do little bits at a time, or puree up a bit of the food being given to the other DCs. I'll then introduce finger foods after a little while.

Well S slept really well last night . Didn't wake for a feed until 5.10am when he normally wakes for the first time anytime between 10.30pm and 2am. However, i kept waking up because 1) i was leaking milk and was worried about ruining my new mattress on my new luxury superkingsize bed and 2) i was excited to see how long he was going to sleep when i woke for the first time and it was already 2.30am

We probably won't do BLW either. I'll probably do what I did before and whizz up a bit of a veg that we plan to eat, and gradually give him less pureed stuff.

pula at your super-kingsize bed!