May '09 - We've had our first tooth!!

[Grumpyoldcaaaaaaaa]

Here we are, in honour of baby O and the first tooth through.

ReeBee great news on getting the all clear. It must be a huge relief

Dandy hope your SIL makes a speedy recovery.

sophietom definitely go shopping

It's not great news here. MILs cancer has returned and is blocking the tube either to or from her kidneys, so the surgeons need to clear the blockage or bypass it, I'm not sure which. On the plus side the operation (which I believe she was having done this morning) is keyhole surgery done under local anaesthetic so there shouldn't have been any risk to MIL from the operation itself. However, it's not 100% certain that it will work, it depends on what they find while they're in there - and even if it does, it buys her only 6 months FIL has gone up for visiting this afternoon & will ring DH with news. DH is one of those who like to keep things inside, to hope for the best and act like things are normal as long as possible, so he's gone to work this afternoon to keep busy.

On a brighter note, H is 26 weeks today so we're officially starting weaning (sorry to raise that one again!) It's a bit of an anticlimax really as we have already had a few experiments with food and come to the conclusion he's not quite ready yet: if we hold food for him, he'll have a go at eating it but he can't pick it up for himself yet. He does have a go but loses interest quickly. We had fun at lunch time with an oatcake (a North Staffordshire oatcake - a bit like a pancake) - he ripped most of it into bits and dropped them from the side of his bumbo, but managed to scrunch some up and eat a tiny bit. I plan to let him have a play once or twice a day, with maybe a bit of spoon feeding now and again. When he looks like he can pick food up for himself I'll be a bit more structured about meal times.

OMG you lot, the housecoat chat was hiLARIous! AND the photoshoot! LOVING the thought of my MIL being stuffed in a pile of mash Talking of which, she and FIL are here for the day tomorrow - argh - fortunately, dp is taking the day off as I have to go to uni and see my tutor, and also have an mri on my gammy hip. Nice.

Spangle and Dandy - sorry to hear about your ILs - any good news as yet? And also, Dandy, did mean to say you are amazing and fab and brave for going through what you went through... think we did chat about it once.... and talking of which, I might be in sarf London on the 13th - are you about? Trying to organise catching up with a load of people - my old NCT group meet up every Tuesday lunchtime and I have emailed ALL of them and NO-ONE has replied. Cows. They are all a bit 'EastDulwich-y'. Anyway, lemme know. (I think facebook is working again, so you can mebbe drop me a line there)

Anyhoo, the housecoat and apron chat reminded me of some stuff that my friend has designed - they are all so cute - here's her website - cute little aprony things for little'uns.

God, M did SUCH a huge poo this morning. All up her back, down her legs, everything. It wasn't even runny. Ugh.

Re: clothes. Agree with Spangle - have discovered Boden recently, and am now off to buy some bits whilst I can still afford it - maternity pay drops to the statutory thing next month - eek! Also just bought some stuff in Marksys - erg, am turning into my mother....

Right. I'm trying to find a (ahem) sexy-ish nice nighty for my honeymoon / first night kind of thing (in the hope that it will be immediately whisked off). Am having no luck. Walked into a La Senza earlier and got scared by the red satin and black lace combos, and people 5 stone lighter and 10 years younger than me, so walked out quite quickly. Heeeeeeeeelp meeeeeeeeee!! Am also considering putting M in her own room sooner rather than later, as 'relations' HAVE to start before I get married, otherwise my first night will be petrifying!!!!!!

Am mad. Soz. Really fancy a plate of chips.... (and bouncy white bread with tons of butter to make a chip sarny. YUM)

....and also, would DEFinitely be up for a mega meet up. What a larf that would be....

great news reebee I can imagine the relief.

spangle sorry to hear that, as yesterday, all good wishes coming your way.

Dandy likewise, hope your SIL is ok

spangle hope meeting with tutor and MRI go well.

Oh clothes I am so about all mine and keep wearing the same thing over and over as I still can't fit into most of my nice stuff or its not bf friendly. Can't really afford anything new either, so might follow belgian's idea and scour ebay for some nice things (don't worry, am sure we're different sizes belgian). That said, we are getting a primark here soon so am holding out for some bargains!

Febes good luck with the childminding. You're not near Cambridge are you? Could do with finding someone

Today A has discovered grunting... and is currently sitting in her bumbo growling/grinning at me. She is also managing to shuffle herself around on her tummy with a combination of thrusting her bum in the air and face-planting onto her baby gym. It is quite amusing to watch

Spangle I hope the news wont be too bad when your MIL has had the op. It must be so hard for all of you.
I think H must be doing more or less what's to be expected at this stage in BLW. Just playing with the food and later discovering that it's actually edible and tastes pretty good too

sausage You can have sweet dreams now of your MIL in a pile of mash or whenever she's annoying you, just imagine her sitting in a pile of mash with sausages sticking out of her hair . That link to your friend's thing is gorgeous btw. I hope your scan for your hip will go OK. Maybe you should do some internet shopping for a nighty? No skinny young women around you then.

We have had relations with C asleep in the room. But the amount of times we've had relations since C's can be counted on 1 hand I'm afraid. Much less than after no1&2. Not sure why. Talking about relations. It's DH's b'day this weekend and he's expecting a certain something to happen. He didn't get it last year because I was feeling very morning sick.

running Lol at grunting A. You reminded me that I really should put C on her tummy a bit more. She doesn't actually hate it half as much as ds used to.

C seems to think that the most funny thing in the world (after tickling of course) is mummy who talks while shaking her head. That really gets her chuckling. I don't know why, but it is sweet! She also does the thing like flippin's little one, where she feeds stops to look at me, give me a big smile, says hello (it sounds like 'eyo') and then goes back to the feeding. It always makes me fall in love with her when she does that.

hello

we're back from hols

okay what have I missed? - I don't think I can face reading thro all the back pages

just had a quick scan

spangle so sorry to hear about your MIL

congrats on O's tooth ses

looby, welcome back. I can't believe your holiday is over already. time flies.

sausagen, when's your wedding again? I think you're wise to start relations beforehand.

Febes, best wishes for childminding and hope a place opens on the course.

spangle, good luck on the weaning. I can't believe H is 26 weeks. scary.

I'm really sorry about your MIL, wishing the best for the surgery.

well, I have nothing important, exciting, interesting to say. DH has gone to a friend's to watch the footie and I'm meant to be ironing things for the NCT nearly new sale at which I'm a seller this weekend. hurrah. Instead, I'm sitting in front of a plate of discarded pizza crusts (nutritious, I know), half watching Mock the Week and writing this. there is a border collie's head resting on my leg; it's unnerving the way he's staring at me but he's hoping for a chance at the crusts. yes, boring here.

HOpe you're all having good evenings. I'm going to iron. hurrah. I wish Belgian or Grumpy or any other MN who love to iron lived by me (am I right about you 2 loving to iron?).

Thanks everyone for the good wishes RE the childminding. I've been teachering upper primary for 12 years now so it will be a change but with DD only 22 months and DS 4 months I will be at home for a while yet and would like a 3rd at some point. I was doing 4 days a week before DS and full time before DD. I will probably look after my friends DS who is the same age as DD but that won't be full time just the occasional week. I don't think I will take on any more pre schoolers as you can only have 3 anyway and I have 2 of my own. It would suit me to have school pick ups and if I can combine it with a bit of tutoring or homework help that might work well. I doubt I will be able to make it profitable but the idea to to suppliment DHs wages so I can stay at home. I can alway do supply teaching if need be.

I've been on SMP for 2 and a half months now as I took basic Mat pay this time so I don't have to go back to work. I guess this is good as I'm really good at budgeting now and if I can earn 500-600 pounds a month CM or supply teaching or tutoring then we will live. I used to be on curriculum leadership team pre DCs and had a management point so I have taken a huge hit on my bring home pay packet but I would rather be at home for the next few years.

Spangle I'm so sorry about MIL my thoughts are with you and your family.

Reebee Thats great news

Pula The HV got back to me and I have an appointment for monday so I'll let you know what they say. So many people have told me to start weaning but at only 18 weeks I think it is far too early. My mum suggested water at night, he didn't take to a dummy so can't use that. He doesn't respond to much except the boob. To be honest I don't even feel that tired I think I'm used to surviving on 6 or less hours sleep now. I normally like to sleep for 9 hours or so It's been a long time since I did that though.

reebee, meant to say: so glad about the all-clear for F. what a relief!

ok. I really am going to iron.

here I go.

Byeee.
Boo.
boring.

I hate Ironing.

Febes I'm seriously thinking about not going back too, only I did take the occupational maternity pay so what I will do is go back for 3 months and then leave. At the moment I am swaying towards resignation but I do have the odd wobble!

I'm planning to work with DH in the business and try and pick up a public appointment or two. That strategy may fail if (when?) the Conservatives win the general election. I'm also hoping to stand for local election. I can't do that while I work for the council but I'm very hopeful that I'll be able to stand soon. It is something of a family tradition!

FEbes!!

I haven't had much sleep in the past few days either and yet I feel fine. I wonder how many times Harper will be up tonight? I'm going to try to rock her to sleep if she wakes at 1am. wait, who am I kidding? I know that when she is yelling at 1am I'm going to be very groggy and will choose the easiest option which will be to pick her up, take her to bed, feed her, we both fall back asleep .

ok.
back to ironing.

febes my ds fed every 2h for the first 6-8m of his life I think. I got used to it and never felt all that tired, but today I found a pic of me with ds when he was 2mo on my lap and you should have seen the bags under my eyes, lol. So I suppose you get used to it, but a bit more would be nice. I never did anything different with the dds and somehow they do sleep better, so I think it's a little bit a matter of personality of the individual baby too.

looby Welcome back. That reminds me, we must include Looby in the photoshoot sitting outside her campervan with her sewing machine working away on her seat covers

momi It was me and grumpy who love ironing. Have fun with the iron tonight!

Well, I think I've got to leave it at this today. I've got to post a few listings on eBay and sort some midwifery magazines that I will sell on there too. I was going to bin them, but then noticed people were selling them on eBay and they were going. So I might as well sell mine too.

llareggub !!

I'm going back to work in Jan at least for the 3 mos before deciding what I want to do and what we can do financially. I'm not looking forward to it though.

Standing for local election? I'm very impressed. I would vote for you ; I think I'm allowed (as an american) to vote in local elections.

ok.
back to ironing.

Belgian!!

don't go! come over here to iron with me.
pleeasse?

Thanks Momino! AM about to join you with the ironing board if that makes you feel better.

dandy hope your SIL gets better soon

reebee glad F is okay

what's all this talk of a photoshoot?

Belgian My nephew also was a frequent feeder until about 8 months. Boys like the boobies I guess!! I don't really mind as he is such a honey but its a bit restricting. R also unlatches and gives me a big milky grin and sigh- too gorgeous.

Momino I feel your pain. I hate to iron and avoid it whenever I can. Good luck with the NCT sale. I would love to off load some clutter and make some money at NCT or car boot sale but can't bring myself to yet incase I have another LO. I need more storage though.

Reggieee

Why is it when I am planning an evening out with DH on Saturday for his birthday that S has woken/stirred for the last 3 evenings, when he hasn't made a peep before 10pm for AGES. I could settle him with the dummy the first 2 evenings, but tonight, I had to feed him - at 8.40 . I think his tummy was bothering him as he was squirming, but cuddling/dummy was having no effect. So i fed him.

Evening all!

reebee - fantastic news, what a relief for you all.

spangle - so sorry to hear about your MIL.

spangle - if H doesn't want his oatcakes, can I have them please?! I luuuuurve Staffordshire oatcakes. One of my grandmothers was from Stoke, and every time anyone goes back to Stoke to see the bits family still there they come back with bags of oatcakes. I've converted DH too.

looby - welcome back! How was the holiday?

momino - have fun ironing!

Difficult day here. DD1 has been whiney all afternoon. She was tired but wouldn't/couldn't sleep as usual, and A was grumpy too and she wouldnt sleep either. So I've been trying to clean the house around the pair of grumps and I'm shattered now. Inlaws arrive tomorrow afternoon, can't wait.

Momino - wedding is on October 31st! Aaaaargh! Need to find fancy naughty nighty websites!

Right, get on with your ironing you. I've done mine

Looby - welcome back! How did M enjoy her hols? The flight?

saus - just think, in a few hours, you'll be able to say you're getting married this month!

I'm in a grumpy mood tonight. Poor DH is bearing the brunt. I'm fed up with him creating extra work - not closing freezer door, rubbing his socks off on the floor instead of bending down (creates loads of fluff on the floor). OMG that all sounds v petty