June 08- the shoes, the food, the glamour!

[pureeandpearls]

Struggling to load pages these days and saw we were over the 900 so took the liberty of starting a new thread.

Morning all,

AH - good news about Boden, it's so nice when companies are good at customer service.

Sorry to hear about all the poor sleeping going on, hopefully just from the clocks changing.

The sun is out this morning! I've even taken my cardigan off.

Morning all, bit tired due to going away to a baptism for the clock change weekend, and we thought Iestyn had adjusted but still woke at 6.30 this morning. (He's normally 7.30 -8, very civilized.) Anyhow, I got to work late (mega sympathies Abdn, as DH was here this weekend) and still haven't actually achieved anything.

I was quite wary on coming on here at all, actually, because Iestyn had a happy meal last night.

Essie I shall not mention that ds had a burger king meal last week......

Envious of all of those shopping at Boden. I got a catalouge last week and picked out quite a few nice cardgians and then went to Tesco and bought one for £12! DD1 has been shortlisted for a boden shoot so she may get to wear Boden if only for a day or two.

DS has an all in one snowsuit from John Lewis, works well on cold mornings or when we do late after school club pick up but he wears a lighter jacket inbetween those times.

Debs Fab news re the house offer. Hope it's all confirmed very soon.

Amber Hope you are keeping well.

SPonge Just seen more pics of your boys on FB and they are so adorable.

Good luck to your DD for Boden, going. Does she get sad when she doesn't get picked or does she take it in her stride?

We've done all right with the clock change, but I think E is coming down with something. It is always one or the other or both with snotty noses or coughs or off their food

I am off to my cousin's this afternoon - she is giving us her old car seat for a spare for DH's car. My sis gave us one too so thankfully don't need to buy any (bought two new for my car but needed two for DH's too as he does CM pick-up). Spent the morning watching X Factor cos no playgroup today cos it's half-term. Strictly next. It's not so bad this SAHM lark

Essie, love the happy meal story! And Spider, no I don't think being that your LO is going in a creche is bad - not at all!

Thanks for the reassurance Neenz! Essie we took P to McDonalds in June when we were in Austria (the Zell am See branch). I think I admitted it to Deb at the time. Not sure though.

Just back from my exercise class. It's a funny yoga/pilates/tai chi thing. We were just doing the relaxing at the end, but jumped out of my skin when over the tannoy they called for a different mother to collect her child from the creche. He was very upset poor little soul. I was very relieved that it wasn't P who disturbed everyone's deep breathing exercises though.

Fingers crossed for your DD's Boden job Going. I assume she doesn't get to keep any of it? Did we mention that we saw one of your DDs' photos in M&S a few months ago when Penguin, Essie and I met up?

Hi guys, just quickly popping in to mark my spot - can't possibly keep up with all the chat, sorry .

Managed my first visit to the park today with both boys but no dh - however, I was not alone cos I met up with 3 of my NCT mums. They were fab and ran around after A, or held M while I ran around after A. Had a horrible moment when I was busy cooing over M and realised I hadn't seen A for 5 mins - turned out he was with one of the other mums and boys but by the time I found him I was in tears as I thought he'd wandered off and felt awful .

Home again now but just feeling a little overwhelmed by life with two babies - not sure how I'll manage to get out with just me and the two of them. Does anyone attempt this when they're so young or am I better off staying at home? Any advice from mums of 2+ gratefully received .

Thank you for all the lovely comments on FB btw - you're all very kind .

Right, off to put my head down for an hour while A is in bed.

Hi Sponge! Sounds like a hectic trip to the park, I am paying attention as I will need all these tips in a few months time. Personally I'm impressed that you went to the park!

I've just had an event filled trip out, we caused havoc disrupting the peace in the local library, then I got interviewed by the local paper about Halifax closing all the local branches, unfortunately she took my pic then we went to Lidl and I had a funny turn in the car park. It was a little close to lunch time and as I tried to get J into his car seat (he was not helping by wriggling and giggling) I went all faint and hot, think I looked like I was in labour as I was sat there red and panting! It was just low blood sugar but it took ten minutes to get to the point where I could make it to the boot and raid the trick or treat chocs I'd got. A crunchie sorted me out within minutes but it was a bit scary wondering what I was going to do if I couldn't get us home. We've just had lunch and now I'm fine.

Think I'm going to need a nap this afternoon after all of that!

Hi all and sponge especially! Saw your pics on FB and it's brought me back here. Yes it is really hard to transition from one to two but yes it does get miles easier - though you are not the only one to have lost the older one in the park for a few mins!

As for should you be going out or not, just play it by ear. I went out more when Caitlin was very tiny and portable, but then had a period where I gave up doing anything on my own for a couple of months when she was about 6 months, Liam was tantrummy and it all got complicated! I found the advantage is second time round you don't need to worry so much about what you're 'supposed' to do. Just go out if you feel up to it and if things work out, and don't feel you've failed if you don't. Hope you have a good double buggy, life is easier when they're both strapped down!!

Life here busy but under control ... back at work full time and hopefully moving house end November.

lol at the happy meal!

Sponge lovely pictures! I'm not hte one to give advice as we haven't managed to get out today. I really tried but DD1 insists on wearing summer clothes and it takes literally hours to deal with the meltdown when I insist on warm clothes. She still looks barking mad as she doesn't want her hair brushed and wears her school coat in the house, to the loo, for breakfast... I'd make a point about it but when it's taken 2 hours just to get her into vaguely sensible clothes, I have no fight left. By the time she was dressed DS1 was in a bother about something, then we got a call from the friends we were meeting at the park saying that they were coming home now.

Anyway, do you use a sling? When DS2 was a newborn that's how we did things. Or I'd take it with me so I could alternate. I went to a few playgroups, music groups etc where DS1 could race around without being in any danger.

sponge oh! it is hard at first sbut you do need to get out! If you put M in a buggy, will that let you run after A? I did try to meet up with friends at first and DS1 did run away from me once when F was only weeks old! I know how you're feeling... I did use a sling a lot when Fraser was little.

ktpie glad you had the hallowe'en treats with you - I think this means you need a special chocolate stash...

hi systems! it's good to hear from you - sounds like things are very busy but I hope they are very busy good...

Rolf your post made me laugh. Reminds me of a story from my cousin's daughter. They live in Toronto, so major cold and snow in winter. She stoutly refused to wear her snowsuit and it was a battle for her Mum each day. Grandpa comes over from England and is doing the daycare run. He just says "fine, if you don't want to wear it, come without". Apparently she had put the snowsuit on before she got to the end of the drive.

Sponge I don't think there is a right or wrong amount that you should be going out. It is just a question of what you feel like doing on a day by day basis. If you want to stay in and watch DOND, do it. If you are climbing up the walls, go out. Please try not to feel pressured into doing what you perceive you "ought" to be doing.

Hi all
sponge - good to hear from you. Think you're doing well getting out at all. Like others say, I think if you want to go out you should, but then perfectly ok so stay in if easier. Sometimes I feel I have to take A out, but really he has a wonderful time pottering around with his toys, and I'm sure Alex does as well, so he's not missing out in that respect at all. Unfortunately I haven't seen your pics, as I'm seemingly about the only person in the world not on fb!

rolf - bought it for £30!

Hi all

Systems - nice to see you

Sponge - like Spider says you don't Have to go out. I've been trying to recall what it was like when S and T were small. I remember having to be very organised and being exhausted by the time I got anywhere. Things like toddler group that I could walk to were OK as there was normally someone there happy to cuddle the baby whilst I dealt with the toddler.I didn't do much going out in the car with them. Also my buggy was kept in the garage so I would put T in his car seat in the hallway, then take S(ds1) with me to get the buggy to try and stop him running whilst I sorted out T. It's all a matter of priorities and if M is fed and dry then deal with A first at the moment.Do you have friends nearby that you can just pop in to? Sometimes that's just easier and gets you out of the house, but you don't have to stick to a time like an organised activity.

Ktpie - glad the Crunchie did the trick,how are you feeling now? Might be worth mentioning it to your MW on your next visit.

Puree - saw your scan on FB - is the Dr not definite on the sex yet?

Spider - don't remember your Mac's confession - I think I would I'm not one to talk Ethan has had so many more "bad" things than Stefan had at this age!!

got to run, ...see you later

oh - I agree that you don't need to go out for A's sake - I desperately needed to get out for my sake though! I'm not good when I'm house-bound.

Hi guys and thanks for all the support. It's not so much that I feel I have to go out, more that I worry I'm going to go mad if I stay indoors all day, but then feel I might go mad if I go out too! Bear in mind I had dh home today so he helped pack the change bag, pass me the boys and get everything sorted before I left the house - will normally have to do all this alone .

Rolf, I bow down at your ability to cope with four!

I think I will need to take the nipper 360 next time - I just haven't got my head round putting it up and down yet - so I used the sling, but M is sooo tiny he kind of drowns in it and then I can't really pick A up while I've got M on me. A did the whole sit down and refuse to move thing today so I had to give M to one of my friends and lift him into the pushchair - little monkey!

AH, x-posted - my thoughts exactly! If I don't get out once a day I go slightly mad (or have a visitor - I need either fresh air or adult conversation ).

sponge or both! I went for a long walk just with F today while DS1 was in pre-school and I met the nicest farmer who's farm backs on to the school (he's been giving them wheat and letting them look at his tractor) and our 20 minute chat while looking out over this gorgeous view really was the highlight of my day.

Sponge, bet it was great getting out to the park. I think you just have to find a time to go out that fits in with both kids. For us it would be afternoon because my two used to have a nap at about 4pm, so just get both in the pram and head off, get Michael to sleep and have some park time with A. Does A like being in the pram? My two are quite happy for ages so I just throw them both in there and head off. If A is happy in the pram then just go out when M needs a nap. I can see why the sling might not have worked so well today - but it will come into its own I'm sure. wrt nappy bag just have everything in there ready to go at all times! You need a big bag (well I do)

ktpie, you have to make sure you eat regularly! How long had you gone without eating when you had your funny turn? I used to carry a cheese sandwich with me (and perhaps a banana too) everywhere when I was PG . Remember your life is much more demanding now than it was when you were PG first time.

Spider I like that approach! We have done a couple of walks to school with DD1 wearing no shoes! She's very run down at the moment so I'm less keen on marching her down the road screaming her head off and wearing her PJs. Otherwise I might do it.

Allnew blimey, well done on the skirt! People get very carried away on ebay don't they?

Sponge"cope" isn't quite the word I'd use! Have you perfected the knee in the crotch technique for getting an unwilling child into a pushchair? It can be done standing on one leg. At a push it can also be done on a kicking child who has trodden in dog shit, but that's only for very special occasions.

Abdn that sounds so lovely!

Ktpie are you feeling better now? That sounds very scary. I used to get very faint when I was expecting DS1 and had to sit down v quickly in random places to avoid fainting, but I don't know how I'd have coped with another child to look after.

SA moving house sounds exciting. I have had a number of dreams/nightmares that I'm expecting triplets and we have to move house. Don't know which is more scary!

lol at the pram trick Rolf - how do you get them in the car seat?

Escaping on here as dh has just jokingly said that he doesn't want to sell his half of the house - problem is that I know he's getting cold feet. The more excited I get at the prospect of selling this place and moving back the more depressed he seems to be getting. I can foresee arguments tomorrow or Wednesday when this offer arrives - I'll be happy to accept it and he won't!

No way Deb , I didn't realise that your DH was feeling like that. You don't seriously think he would want to stay after all this time do you?

Rolf very funny. You should patent your technique. Maybe even right a book.

AH your farmer isn't called Mark by any chance? Now that would be too strange.

Neenz I have been getting vibes off my Mum that in the 70s everyone started potty training at 12 months, if not earlier. I get the impression that she thinks I really ought to be putting P on the potty on a regular basis by now. I am ignoring her.

Ktpie are you feeling better this morning?

Another 4.40 start here. We left him to it for an hour, this time before getting him out of his cot.

neenz Fraser can do a wee lots of places - bathmats, bathtubs, living room floor. And yes, it is madness in my opinion to TT too early. There's absolutely no point until they are old enough to pull down their own trousers, pee, and pull them back up. You'd just be making work for yourself!

ali nope, Leslie! And he definitely isn't the political type - far more interested in chatting about why we're lucky to live where we live and how much he likes being up and about early in the morning. His cows get confused by the time change too, just like my boys.

Deb , although it seems like your DH wants the best of both worlds. Could you put him on toilet cleaning duty for a while to motivate him? I didn't see him doing that when you were on TV...

Morning Spider and Abdn, I think the problem is that the snow's just around the corner, we have good bookings for the winter season and he's scared. Our home here provides an income (not huge but OK) and for the same money in the UK we'll be able to buy a 4 bed house and then have to work.And no, Nigel doesn't do toilets but he does bins - I don't do rubbish, especially not other peoples.With the recycling regulations here he spends hours sorting it!It's not all music and skiing like they said on the TV. We have other English friends here in Austria who are also selling up and each time we speak to them it has changed from the woman wanting to go back and her husband wants to stay to the other way around.The decision is so much harder to move back than it was for us to move here.So, I'm sitting here on the edge of my seat waiting for the offer,but no word yet from the agent!!