December 2006- Here's to pre-school newbies, business starters and twin survivers.

[Indith]

Oh go on then.

I'm rubbish at titles though but I bow down to Oli's cakes and supermum.

DD is a chatterbox with me and is pretty chatty with very close friends and family but is quiet when she is being shy! She is painfully shy.

I need some exercise. Am thinking of joining a class one evening a week. I need to organise myself. We are so busy right now we just seem to be squeezing more and more out of our days and getting less sleep and time to relax. Poor DH is working right now.

Like the halloween nickname, Lenni DS2 is only 'shy' with strangers I guess, but then he has gone to nursery since he was 9 months. He and ds1 both went 'clingy' at this age, I remember it driving me mad with ds1 but I'm handling it better now. Exercise I think would be the key for me too, dp has been v.good lately going on 5k bike rides a few nights a week but I sit on the sofa and sew on school labels or whatever most nights. Feel disappointed about yoga, but can't risk hurting my hip again. Swimming ideal but god I hate it! Cannot force myself. Want to jog but prob.not great for my joints and have to get up v.early to do it. Sigh.
How's ds's sleep going?
Lenni, real pity you don't live closer, feeling pretty lonely round here right now. A few friends, maybe I'm isolating myself but feel pretty socially inadequate generally. Phaps work will help.
Have just listed a dozen items on ebay which took 90 mins. Only 40 more items to go, sigh.

Sleep AQ? What on earth is that?

I would love to get the 3 of them together. Ds would probably talk for England, the child never shuts up. He does get shy of people at forst but he soon settles in and starts jabbering away again.

Ds was chatting for ages after going to bed and has finally fallen asleep. Unfortunately there is a distinct smell of the farmyard coming form his room We seem to have managed to find the right level of lactulose to keep poo comfortable but not too squishy but his poo signals are clearly not working properly as he doesn't seem to realise he is doing it so we are back to poo on the sofa and finding a poo smeared child after his nap. Wee not much better, still perfect when naked but doesn't care when dressed, really doesn't care, wets himself and either doesn't tell me or comes along and says "done a wee" then takes his trousers and pants off and puts them in the nappy bucket Tell me, if I go back to nappies for out of the house am I buggering things up by reinforcing that he doesn't need to care or am I making my life easier> And why is it that he always wets himself twice at one toddler group causing other parents to look askance at me even though I take himj to the loo when we get there and at snack time and perfect at another one merrily doing a big wee at snack time.

I need more chocolate. I've cleaned the kitchen and bathroom today, it must be bad for my health.

Ah yes, yoga. I have a few exercise dvds I need to start doing ona regular basis. They do yoga at the village hall here (on a Tuesday night, except the last Tuesday of the month as that is WI night Love it) so when dd releases me from my shackles by sleeping reliably I shall go. May just start going anyway, given that the hall is about 30 seconds walk away, if needed dh could come get me, I doubt the house would burn down in 30 seconds and it being a village if dh got run over on the way someone would know who he was and where he lived and rescue the children from the burglers or whatever other scenario comes up on the IABU to leave my children in the house threads.

Make your life easier Indith - tis the only way

Crapola day here. Need gin.

Did meet the other pre-schooler who will be starting with DD in Jan and both he and his Mum were lovely. Has really reassured me.

Mmmm gin

Have gin

Have tonic in fridge

Have lime

It would be a crime not to

How long would it take me to get there d'you think? Do you have Gin for two?

Gin sounds nice...had much wine last night

Got my first flu shot ever 10 days ago and have been sick for a week. Even if it's a coincidence I am going back to my original assertion that I'm better off just taking my chances with the flu.

yoga...used to love that in my pre-dc days.

Still doing the post-and-run kind of thing. Really, honestly will do a good catching up post soon!

Post and run is good Jabber - sometimes I am not logged in to MN and find this thread through the whole list of PN groups. I always marvel at how long it has lasted and how many later PN groups have sadly run aground long ago. You are all a source of strength.

Lenni I too love that we still post, you lot are fantastic and I would hate to lose touch with you all, even if posting is sporadic at times.

I didn't have gin, I got alll achey and drained instead and spent the night hurting, dizzy and feeling sick. Lovely. Still shattered today, have spent most of the time on the sofa while the children play (bless my children they are good at playing on their own). Cbeebies may have made a prolonged appearance. Felt a fair bit better after lunch so I sorted some laundry, lit the fire and brought more fuel in and then had to rest again

Am worrying about my Mamie at the moment, she went in for some tests (angina) and ended up with an operation after which she couldn't walk for some unknown reason and got and infection and ended up in isolation. Total isolation, only Dr and nurses allowed in so my uncle who has been going to see her every day couldn't even give her a hug. She has apparently started moving a little so hopefully she will regain mobility. She will be 90 in April and lives on her own, it would devestate her to not be able to live independently I think. My mum is going at half term but we don't have a visit planned until her birthday

Sorry about your Mamie Indith.

Hope everyone is well.

Having a tough time here for lots of reasons. The bullying really getting me (DD1 & I) down and have spent most of day so far in tears. Just don't understand why people are so mean

Castles. Girls can be so horrible. I'm sure they are getting meaner younger too, I never used to see it at Rainbows but about a year ago we started having horrible cliqueyness. I really hope the school takes strong action.

Oh, castles . Is is half term next week for you to give a break from it all?
And for your Mamie, Indith. Hope she picks up soon.
I think I've said many times before what a lifesaver this group's been for me, hope we all keep posting for another 3 years!

Have just been compiling birthday list for ds2, quite exciting now that he's finally growing up lately. He's even interested in books now, I read Owl Babies to him last night and he loved it! Have already bought a few bits, but planning on a micro scooter as main pressie so he can scoot to school with ds1. What's on everyone else's lists? I'm trying to be super super super organised this year A LA lenni so I get to enjoy December for a change. I have my trusty Iphone app to keep track of it all (am such a nerd!).

Hello All.

for Indith and Castles

I am getting DD playmobil vets stuff for birthday and christmas. And a dolls bunk bed.

Indith about your Mammie, I am hoping for good news soon. Your Uncle sounds really lovely.

Castles, have yet to go there with my two but am heartbroken for you. It sounds so hard, I really hope they sort it out soon.

I love Owl Babies, was DD's favourite book for a while - sadly returned to the library. We are getting the playmobil zoo for DD for Christmas and have got DS Tesco cheap version of brio train track. All bought now, just need to wrap. Warning on the playmobil though - it needs loads of assembling, DH and I spent about 3 hours the other night assembling the zoo - so glad we didn't leave that as a Christmas morning job. I still have to buy for parents, PILs and my siblings. I'm only buying small gifts for all of them this year - am thinking of doing some mugs or something similar with the kids - there is a place near us that you can paint a mug for £5. Thought I could fill them with some roses chocs and wrap in cellophane and job's a good'un. Now where are those festive smileys??!!

Darn, lenni you beat me to it again. How can you be so organised, it's October woman! I do actually have some playmobil I bought on ebay for ds2 tho. Got a park/playground and other bits. If he loves it, might get more for christmas. I ought to congratulate myself too for having huge present basket for all the parties ds1 will be attending in Dec/Jan (all his friends born then). And I've booked their soft play party. I get photo calendars every year for all the rellies, they love them!
PS Lenni maybe ds could give Owl Babies to dd for birthday?

Aww, I heart you guys too! I have thought more than once how nice it is that we still have this group going.

Indith, I hope your Mamie is doing better.

castles, I'm so sorry that the bullying is still going on. I hope the school can get its act together and put a stop to it.

AQ and Lenni, I am in total awe. Ds2 wants everything he sees for his birthday so I have therefore bought nothing as yet As for Christmas...trying not to think about it atm.

I was going to be orgainised but have failed miserably. Really should get cards etc. I've got ds a Thomas and Friends railway (off freecycle ) which is ace, there is so much of it and in great condition, the add on pack alone cost about £40 so he is getting the engines and coaches in his stocking then will come down to the track set up Dd has some Fisher Price rollarounds for either birthday or Christmas and I'm going to get her some girly vests for the other present.I like the scooter idea for ds AQ, may have to steal it. All the family is going to get home made infused oils and candied peel (or at least that is the general idea, need to find some nice, cheap bottles otherwise it is hardly worth it).

Last night dd SLEPT. She went to bed as usual at 6.30, woke about 8.30 but let Greg settle her with no fuss, woke at 10 and fed then woke at 3! yes, that's right, 3. Count the hours, go on! She then woke at 5.50 for the day, I fed her and put her back down but she just chatted for a bit then got bored but still. Do hope this signals light at the end of the tunnel in some way. I don't expect a repeat just yet but nice to know she is capable of it

I have good intentions every year about being organised well in advance but always, always end up doing it all last minute. I doubt this year will be any different . Have no idea what to get the dcs, they have so much stuff that it seems a bit obscene to buy even more. We're thinking about a couple of annual passes to somewhere as an alternative present.

Indith, it's horrid when gp's suddenly go downhill. My G'pa seemed to have got much older the last time I saw him, he's 84 so it's understandable but it seems to have happened very quickly. Hope she improves soon and can go home.

Big HOORAY for sleep though - was that a 5 hour stretch I counted ?

Castles, poor DD1 and you. Thank goodness for a bit of respite over the half term. How are school dealing with it?

We're into 3rd birthdays in the next week or so, aren't we? Who's first, is it Jabber's ds2?

Thanks everyone for the good wishes, no news so hopefully she is just driving everone up the wall

Can't believe they are 3 soon, sounds far too grown up.

It does sound too grown up.

I think I'm going to stop feeding DS today. Period is due which is always a difficult time with bf him - supply dwindles and he gets fussy. And we've had a really hard week with DD's behaviour - she has been pretty challenging, a lot of anger directed towards DS. She starts preschool in January and I'm feeling a bit that I might spend my last 2 months with her at home full time settling disputes mid feed. I would also love to be able to spend some time with her alone but can't leave DS. I want to try and carry on night and morning feeds but DS is fussing so much. Oh I don't know what to do.

Know what you mean about buying more stuff for the DCs Oli. I feel like that with DS, have not really bought him anything for Christmas as we have so much from when DD was little (think I've spent about £15 on him if that). But then don't want to set a precedent that he doesn't get anything - it doesn't really matter this time though does it? He's not going to be all that interested is he?!!

Lenni, tis v.hard, I remember the feeling well with ds2. He might well keep on with 2 feeds, you'd have to drop feeds gradually anyway wouldn't you? He's, what, 10 months now? Pat yourself on the back 10 times for each month, feel proud but don't feel guilty about giving up if that's what's best for all of you. I gave up at this point-ish with ds2 & dd and after a few tears didn't look back fwiw and really love to be able to go out and spend time with the older boys & not worry about feeds.
ds2 seeming so grown up now and I am loving it, have struggled with him for months and finally enjoying him so much because he's getting older/talking better/able to do things. Fab! I think ds3 well on the way to walking soon as well, can't wait to have all 4 of them walking up the street with me!

jabber, is ds2 next for birthday? It's still weeks and weeks away, only takes half an hour to buy a few presents from toys r us really. Then there's the turkey cake baking though
indith, hope sleep as great tonight as last night (night before)!

Lenni, AQ is right though, you have done a fabulous job. Hope you find a good result for you all

Madam did a second good night on Friday, waking at midnight and 4 then up for the day at 7. It was wonderful. Then we had a wedding Saturday so that was all a bit screwed up. Still, though we have not repeated the previous miracles yet she has been sleeping all evening and not waking til after 10.30. I could go out

Dd is having a bit of a feeding strike at the moment which involves lots of screaming should I dare to offer milk. Then lots of screaming because she is hungry/thirsty/grumpy/tired and actually what would solve all her problems is a feed and eating a solid snack then handling a cup all while a bit tired just results in...well...screaming . She is still feeding at bedtime and overnight thogh and had a lovely feed this afternoon, her first daytime feed for 3 days so hopefully she is coming out of it.

Went to the Discovery Museum in Newcastle today. We had to get the train, ds was rather happy .

Indith you could go to Pilates in the village hall if she's sleeping through the evening....... It's progress, the nights wil follow soon.

Lenni, considering you didn;t think you'd ever be able to bf either of your dcs you have done fantastically, amazingly well. He's had 10 months of bm and you should be so proud of that. If it's time for you to stop then there's no reason at all to feel guilty.

AQ, I'm finding ds2 much easier too atm. Tantrums are easing and he's so much fun to be with. It's lovely not be stressing about him all the time.

3 hourly. Not the best but not the worst by far, didn't get up for the day til gone 7!

Oli I know! I must sort that out before she changes her mind and starts waking up again.