Dec 08 - 9 months in, 9 months out!

[jumpjockey]

Hope you don't mind the dodgy thread name but all our babies are 9 months old now or in the next few weeks

Off to bed now. Sleep tight all.
x

Up because trying to get Ds2 back to sleep. He woke at 10pm when I was our to dinner with some friends and just wouldn't go back to sleep. Quite annoying, DH and our friends got a doggy bag for me and came back to ours which was nice, but unfortunately couldn't put my Mai Tai in a doggy bag!

Was all a bit grumpy about it and as it was taking so long to get him off to sleep I decided to pop on here and ssssoooooooooooooooo glad I did BEANS you sly old dog!!!! Up the duff!!!! That's just brilliant news! It has cheered me up perfectly. It's always lovely to hear from you but with this news it's even better.

About the meet up it was Thursday morning I should really start another thread. I can't now because I'm on the itouch but will do tomorrow. Aub, where is good near you? I'm easy.

Right he's off now so beddy byes for me night night and congrats beans.

oh and Kayz I love your hair.

Thanks Veggie! All a bit of a surprise.

Did you manage to get any sleep last night in the end?

Woo hoo beans thats fab news! So very exciting.

kayz love your hair, remember to post a pic when you've done the colour too!

veggie Hope you got off to sleep in the end, shame that you had to cut your evening short.

Quite good news on my Grandad yesterday, the cancer hasn't spread into his eye. They are going to operate in about 2 weeks but they will have to remove some/all of his eyelid. But i gather that he will have a new one made from somewhere. At least his sight isn't affected that was his real worry.

MIL to have MRI Tuesday morning.

DS still being, well DS really...non sleping etc etc.

I think the basket will break if I off load anymore!!! But thanks to you all for kind words, you really are a great support at the moment

Just rushing on, more later.

Crikey Beans, mille congratulations! That is super exciting! How lovely for you.

Daisy - pleased about your Grandad

Veggie - what meet up? Where? I seem to have missed this!

Kayz, your hair looks smashing.

wowowowowowowowowowowowowow! Beans that's fantastic news! If you join an antenatal then don't forget to come back to us and keep us updated! Look after yourself!
Daisy - the basket won't break. Great news about your grandad. Lets hope there's more good news on the way.
Aunt flo seems to have invited all her relatives and neighbours today. In the middle of the night I ended up binning some pyjamas and pants because I was in such a mess. Good job P was up every hour (grrrr) because if I wasn't up so much I probably would have flooded the bedroom (sorry gross TMI!). Then again this morning I completely overflowed and had to do an emergency washer load with another pair of PJs. I feel like I'm 13 again - wasn't it ZJ that said that too? Actually I was a late starter - about 15/ 16 I think - but I thought 13 sounded better!
My giant jaffa cake worked well - I was very tempted to eat it last night but didn't . We're off to my friend's wedding today but it's in York so great rush. I'm very excited about dressing P because she's got a new dress and some gorgeous little first shoes . Right must dash - L is in the bath and needs her hair washing...
have a good day one and all xxx

Good morning I did get some sleep thank you. But my initial insomnia must have been some sort of filial ESP as it turns our around the time I was trying to get off to sleep the latest addition to my family's line was being born. My eldest brother's first son (he has 4 daughters to a previous marriage) was born 3pm local time in Sydney. As he is the eldest son of an eldest son the sweet little man will carry a long and predetermined name. While I'm not much for paternal hierachical stuff and neither is my brother it is a little special because of our fathers early death. Name wise the first sons always have it's 1st 3rd and surnames the same but the parents choose it's 1st middle name. In this case my brother has chosen my dads middle name which is also the one it will be referred to. All very confusing but still special. While I still have my sadness at the way his current wife and he came about being together (at the expense of his family) something beautiful has come of it which is lovely. My niece is pretty chuffed too and we are going to have a celebratory lunch.

Lady I'm in London next week briefly so thought I'd do coffee on thursday .

About the stairgates we have a roll back one which is great because when the kids are asleep we just roll it back and it is out of the way. I think invis said she has none, I have a book called letting go while children grow which actually recommends having less stairgates and cupboard latches etc. I have to say it is more DS1 we have the top stairgate for as he flies past top of stairs and has fallen down twice, DS2 on the other hand has never fallen when he climbs up (with me close nervously following behind). I think it actually when they are older that you need to be more worried and stairgates are good but just ensure they are aware of risks etc as they get older.

Veggie, congrats on your new nephew! I will try to come on Thursday, I do need to come to town at some point this week I think so will try to make it Thurs.

Just wanted to say to Aubi - hope you are feeling better, darling. Was/is it SF?

Been looking through the Boots Christmas catalogue and saw some National Geographic outdoor walkie talkies - perfect prezzie for DP's 8 year old nephew and good value at £13. DD obviously loves In the Night Garden as they all do, and I was somewhat horrified to see that an Iggle Piggle costs £40. It makes me mad. That is just fleecing parents. DD goes bananas with delight even if I just show her the picture but £40 is just a disgrace. Consumerism starts early...Oh, and M&S have got nice 125 year celebration china 'Percy Pig' piggy banks for £10. I got DD a lovely gold one. I think a piggy bank is a charming gift for a child but then I am an old fuddy duddy and kids have probably all got Amexes nowadays. My 17 year old nephew is the hardest to buy for as he is in the Sixth Form and you know what a funny stage that is.

To all those who know VC, I shall rather wickedly reveal that she has started knocking a year or two off her age if interviewed

Have happy Saturday nights, all.

Oh and Beans, I have been thinking about your news all day and I am actually rather envious! We certainly aren't trying (am still sticking to the 'not until I am back to a reasonable weight' so I will be way past menopause at this rate, and there are other factors, emotional and financial,) but a baby is SUCH a joy.

For someone who resisted parenthood for so long, it is amazing to me that I mean it so sincerely. And I really do! I hope it all goes fabbily. It will be wonderful

Just a quick one from me!
Just to say daisy don't stop posting!! Sorry you have such a lot on your plate at the moment, but hurray for good news on your grandad. And you will not break the basket, it defies the laws of physics.

Beans many many congrats!! So exciting. WE are tentatively joining the ranks of the "trying" brigade. Well we had already been tentatively not being careful but my periods have just restarted so it is officially all systems go! YIKES!

Interested in Christmas shopping chat, as i may be doing some christmas shopping next week as DS will be in nursery a lot of the week getting used to it before I go back to work. I have to buy for 2 great nephews who are either 4 and 5 or 5 and 6, have no ideas?! Anyone? Also ideas for babies of our age as i will have a few of those to buy too.

LadyT you naughty gossip meister re VC. I have no idea who she is!

Oh and we don't have a stairgate up yet. DS can climb the stairs but he is not massively keen on doing it in the sense that he will only climb the stairs if he can see something he wants up them. So we just keep an eye on him for the moment when he is in the hallway.

Oh and re DS going to nursery the cheeky little sod went for the first time on Friday and didn't want to leave! i don't know whether to be insulted or pleased.

veggie congrats on new nephew!! Sorry will not be able to make Thurs as DS will be in nursery and I will have to be nearish to pick him up.

LadyT We got DS1 the dancing Iggle Piggle for Xmas last year. We got it half price about a month before Xmas from Argos. DS2 is now obsessed with him too and it is so cute to see both boys playing with it and giggling. So it might be worth just keeping an eye out.

Veggie congrats on a new nephew. Has the move sunk in yet?

Most Haunted Live is on tonight and for the next 7 nights. I know some people say it is fake but I really enjoy it and I do get very scared so I am so looking forward to that.

Hope everyone is having a good weekend.

Oh Lady would be lovely to see you and JJ if it's not too much trouble. I'll get on the laptop later and start a new thread. That's a shame SL but goodluck with the nursery.

Oh meant to say Daisy the basket is made from industrial strength hemp fibres so plenty strong for all your needs. Don't forget you have contributed to it in a supportive sense in the past so don't feel you shouldn't testing it's strengh now.

I don't know the VC lady but I love the gossip anyway.

Oh and that peppa pig sounds perfect for DS1 he has a little savings jar that we put money in if he helps with the housework or if we are out sometimes he has the option of a little chocolate or money in the jar. We might the peppa pig with the current haul that's in the jar.

Oh and Lady vouchers are the best things for teenagers, does he have an iPod? You could get him an iTunes voucher card thing.

Kayz I'm still in denial that this time next week is our last night.

Hey where's spot? How is Brighton lovely? When are you heading to the Dam with DP?

LadyT Veggie is right I think. Either an iTunes voucher if he has an iPod or a voucher from somewhere like Amazon. Then he can get a cd, DVD, computer game, book etc.

My Mum is in Derby at the Derby v QPR match as she is a QPR fan. Been watching the match on bbc2 trying to spot her. No joy though. My brother always gets on the tv when he goes to Chelsea.

Ooooh QPR have a penalty.

Beans - that's really, really lovely news, so exciting!

Daisy - really glad to hear the news about your grandad, hope things get easier on other fronts as well - you're doing fantastically well with everything you have on.

trace - just finished my first AF since DS arrived and yes, it is a gorefest (sorry, TMI, but thought you might like to know you're not the only one...)

veggie - congrats on the nephew!

Thanks all for lovely wishes. SL - good luck! I've only had one period, so guess it happened first time. Am going to pretend to DH tomorrow that I haven't done a test yet, so we can be excited/terrified together. Is that terrible of me? I will deserve and oscar, so he need never know...

LT - thank you for your kind thoughts too. I only got back to pre-pregnancy weight and into some old jeans 2 weeks ago, so in a vain way, it's a bit of a shocker!!! But actually, couldn't be happier, promise. Love DD so much was thinking tonight that I'd like 5 more of her, then realised that I'm one step closer now!!!! It's big, though, as means we'll have to move house and now the decision is stay in London or go waaaay out as DH doesn't want to commute, which I can't say I blame him for. But if we go out, that means him moving jobs, house hunting etc and it's so daunting. Can't think about it too much as brings me out in a sweat. Oh dear. Suddenly feeling a bit weepy.

Right, less scary things (and less dreary!). Xmas presents - I've got nieces and nephews of 9 (girl), 7 (boy and girl) and 5 (boy). WTF do I get them???

For DD am going to get her a sit on trike thing that converts from having a pushing handle for parents to being self-propelling at about 2-3 years old and for birthday one of those wall-hanging caterpillars with each body segment a letter of the alphabet with a corresponding animal starting with that letter in each pocket. Does that make any sense at all??!

Did anyone manage to get the extra hour of sleep? DD woke up at 6.10 new time. Bugger. Yesterday I had to wake her at nearly 8. Why couldn't it happen today???!!

Morning all, not sure I got the extra hour Beans! DD woke early annd then woke DS up. Still feel so very tired and drained but hey ho.

veggie congrats on your new nephew.

kayz I too have a secret love of Most Haunted.

beans I know it might all seem a bit daunting; baby/moving/new jobs. But I believe that everything happens for a reason, so maybe this means a fab new job for Dh and a beautiful new home somewhere

I am dreading Christmas shopping I have 10 nephew/nieces to buy for, plus my 2 godchildren, and of course my own DC's!! DD is getting some more Happy Land stuff from ELC (she loves it) and wanted the new Babrbie campervan till I discovered its nearly £70!!!!. Poor DS will be getting hand me down's! He already has DD's walker, ride on and other bits but we have the Fisher Price Bouncing Zebra in the attic that he'll be getting plus some chunky jigsaws.

I'm actually looking forward to this week. My sister is coming up from Plymouth on Wednesday with my nephews. And on Saturday i'm off to Port Patrick for a week. I actually forgot we were going away I've been that pre-occupied. But I am sooo looking forward to going and just getting away from everything. Checked the website last night and the cottage we have rented has a log fire, can't wait for cosy nights and some cheerfulness in front of a real fire!

Right best get a wriggle on DD has a party at 10am at a softplay place. Not an ideal Sunday morning but she has a better social life than me

Morning ladies. Daisy we do the hand me down prsents to DS2 as well apart from the fact that it's cheaper all the gifts for that age group are pretty much the same as when DS1 was 1 so why buy the same thing but in a different colour etc. Plus this is probably the last year we can do it, I think next year DS1 may get suspicious when Thomas and many of his friends go missing only to end up being unwrapped by DS2.

Well bit of a bombshell for the veggie house. My lovely sweet kind and gentle step father has prostate cancer. He is having tests to see where it is up to etc but already they feel it is quite aggressive. He is in his 70's and they have already talked about quality of life v's extending life. Poor thing he is quite terrified by it all and mum is a bit shocked also. I don't think she ever thought she would outlive 2 DH's and also have to lose both to the evil C. As much as she drives me made this must be a real blow to her and to know she will have to nurse another man through it all. But more than anything I feel for him of course. He is such a sweet man a real country Australian boy he still works almost full time as a sign writer and is just so lovely. Mum told me after we found out the new baby as I think she thought it would soften the news. I think she got a bit of a shock when I burst into tears. Mums are funny that way. She also didn't want to tell me while we were in the middle of our move but then realized we may be out of phone contact for a bit while we set up over there.

Sorry to bring down your Sundays, but just thought I'd pop that into the basket. I was going through my books that will definitely be kept pile this morning and found 'what mothers do' abs thought of you guys. What would we do without each other. I'm so glad you are always as close as my itouch and I can take you with me anywhere in the world.

Veggie I'm so sorry to hear your news. Your poor Mum, and poor guy. No wonder he's frightened. Am thinking of you.

Have loads to say but am trying not to be glued to lap top when I could be playing with the DCs. Will be back later. Hope you all have this beautiful autumn sunshine.

Oh Veggie that is such sad news. I will pray for him and for you all. Sending much love your way. I have to say that this basket is the most amazing comfort and support. Offload as much as you need, we are always here.

Sorry about that Veggie How rotten. Thinking of you, and of them.

I had lunch with the outlaws. Now off to ungrit my teeth but I really mustn't complain as a touch of irritation is nothing in the grand scheme of things and of course, they do love DD.

I love buying Christmas presents, it is my favourite thing. I would love to be a professional Christmas present buyer and wrapper

SL and Beans, 5 yr old nephews, a Wood Worx F1 car is £8 (you have to assemble it and paint it, paints included, suitable from age 5). Will keep the dads quiet anyway

A 9 year old girl might like some sort of craft kit (plenty around) or even a cd. Younger girls like those tiny kits with nail varnish and stickers and hair clips - plenty in Boots.

Oh, and a book I think is great (for littlies) is called "Calm Down Boris!" and it has a big orange furry hand puppet all the way through the book that you put your hand in. DD loves hers.

DP's Mum and her husband came back here for coffee afterwards and the minute she'd sat down DP was mentioning how his gown for court needed sewing so she was doing it in minutes. If I'd known I'd have done it or he really could have done it himself. Honestly....

Thanks eveyone as always you are wonderful.

Lady what a cheeky mummies boy. I say bugger him let him be like that and let her sew them. If anyone should be doing it it's him! I'm sure it gave her a boost to do them and she probably thinks us modern women types can't sew but who cares. To be honest, I can't. I redo DS1's schools trouser hems with cellotape.