May 2008 bubbas: Walking, Talking (& climbing!) Little Monkeys

[monkeysmama]

Thought we deserved a new thread

DS1 only gave up his afternoon nap recently, but that's quite rare.

My Mum always goes on about how she couldn't let me sleep during the day after 18mnths, or I wouldn't go down at night. I think a bit of chill out time is good even if he doesn't go to sleep.

I totally agree niknak, dd doesnt always have a nap but will happily just chill out in her chair or on the couch next to me for a while.
dd tries to sit on the dishwasher door when its open, she likes playing with the wee bit where the tablet goes.

Hey girls

Just back from "up north" with mum and staying at her's tonight. Dd loves my mum's house and was so happy to come back here and see all her toys and stuff. It made me so happy. Had a lovely time up north despite the weather.

Regarding the naps. Those of you who've been around since pre May 2008 will recall that I let dd set her own sleep schedule kind of in the beginning and she has always got up around 7am (sometimes 630 sometimes 730) and gone down for a 2-1.5 hour nap about 2 hours after waking up. That nap's started to shorten recently but still lasts around 1.5hrs and if she doesn't get it I know it is going to be a bad day. I always make sure we're home for that nap (or at dad's etc.) - today on journey home we were in car which was fine too if that makes sense. In the afternoon she sleeps for 45 minutes but that can be anytime from 3-430 and whatever time or duration she naps for she's always ready for bed at 630 (although if we're going out etc she will stay up until 9ish and seems to get into the sense of occasion) I am no sleep guru (as we know!) but I would reccommend keeping as many naps as possible for as long as possible. DP sometimes complains that we have to stay in until 11ish at weekends but he's bloody grateful every other weekend when he has a hangover or her teething has woken her up and we get a nap 2 hours after getting up!

My super sis is 30 next month and we're busy planning her pressies. I'm thinking about a trip to Paris with our mum and dd.

Has anyone thought about Christmas pressies for our bubbas? I want to get dd a kitchen as she wants to "cucina" (cook and kitchen in Italian all bloody day) and a bike.

Are we going to organise a meet then? HM you need to be 100% sure you want us all? If you do, I think it'd be perfect and will help organise in anyway I can. Would even be happy to come a day earlier and help out. I never thought I'd meet any of you but now I've thought about it I'd actually really like to. I hope you all know what I mean!

Way to go Haribo! I love the talking. DD started chatting really early which is unusual for bilingual kids they say . She said (in Italian) "mama, fire, hot, don't touch" yesterday in a a pub with an open fire. My mum bought her this fantastic wooden Noah's Ark with two of every wooden hand painted animal (my mum's giving her the Christmas presents throughout NOv and Dec so she's not overloaded) and I've realised just how damn clever dd is. She's always been good at animals but has been able to match all the animals and attempt to say their names (some in Eng some in It) and has been counting "uno, due" (1, 2) with them all!!!! I think she's just copying what we say but her daddy (who is a numbers man) will be VERY proud! On that note, do any of you know the "animals went in 2 by 2, hurrah, hurrah song words? - I've been making the end up.

Ooohh - what a long post! So pleased for the talking bubbas and would really like to have a meet for those of us who fancy it. I really need to let my hair down and can't think of any ladies I'd rather do it with!

MM

P.S HM so jealous about the SM show. I LOVE clothes and fashion is my only indulgence now I have quitted all my other vices !

P.S What is this mean to mean?

I think the is in honour of Gordon Brown, who seemed to make a bit of a dick of himself when talking about biscuits on Mumsnet.

I know it made Have I got News for you and a couple of other news programmes. I think David Cameron also had a pop in PM's questions.

I think it was because he couldn't decide which biscuit he liked!!

Absolutely happy to have you all to stay. No problems at all. We just need to agree a date. Personally, I'd prefer not to do that on a public forum. I don't mind talking about things after they've happened, but, I dunno, I'm just a bit paranoid about making plans which are so public.

MM - Are you on FB? I think Baiyu is interested, LM and Flick... Anyone else? Mitchell and Sho - It would be lovely to meet you, but I fear it's a little far for you!!! ... What about the Mancunians?

HM x

Ah yes, the Prime Minister and the biscuit. Apparently he couldn't decide but then sent MNHQ a pack of his favourites after the interview . I saw it on HIGNFY.

Not using FB at the moment but have email [email protected]

monkeys mama
The animals went in two by two, hurrah! hurrah!
The animals went in two by two, hurrah! hurrah!
The animals went in two by two, the elephant and the kangaroo
And they all went into the ark, for to get out of the rain.
The animals went in three by three, hurrah! hurrah!
The animals went in three by three, hurrah! hurrah!
The animals went in three by three, the wasp, the ant and the bumble bee
And they all went into the ark, for to get out of the rain.

The animals went in four by four, hurrah! hurrah!
The animals went in four by four, hurrah! hurrah!
The animals went in four by four, the great hippopotamus stuck in the door
And they all went into the ark, for to get out of the rain.

The animals went in five by five, hurrah! hurrah!
The animals went in five by five, hurrah! hurrah!
The animals went in five by five, they warmed each other to keep alive
And they all went into the ark, for to get out of the rain.

The animals went in six by six, hurrah! hurrah!
The animals went in six by six, hurrah! hurrah!
The animals went in six by six, they turned out the monkey because of his tricks
And they all went into the ark, for to get out of the rain.

The animals went in seven by seven, hurrah! hurrah!
The animals went in seven by seven, hurrah! hurrah!
The animals went in seven by seven, the little pig thought he was going to heaven
And they all went into the ark, for to get out of the rain.

Oohh thanks Sho! Much appreciated. Excuse me while I go off for a sing!

Oh a lovely wee sing song for a friday afternoon! DS is having nap issues too, much wailing when I try to put him down so it keeps taking ages. He crashed out about an hour ago which is later than I'd like but never mind. Had a busy week, just finished a play for the National Festival of youth theatre [smug face] and been applying for a job (which I'd really really love to do but don't think I stand a chance!)

Still no words here, can't believe some of yours have sentences! DS understands so much though, for all his destruction he's actually very good at following instructions!

Oh awake! Back later.

Baiyu well done on the play!

I love them following orders-I don't have to get up half as much anymore I just ask dd to bring me things!

Bellared Don't know what's happened to my profile but when I looked at the photos I had on there, none of them showed her strawberry very clearly anyway. If you email me at luckymummy at yahoo dot co dot uk I can email you a pic?

HM very impressed with Haribo's words....as far as I know he's quite early/advanced to have put more than one or even two words together!!! DD2 says lots of odd words...will pretty much attempt any word you ask her to.

Naps I am a very pro-sleep mummy (who isn't ? !!) But I strongly believe in the importance of sleep for development (after reading the wonderful Weissbluth book) so I actively encourage good sleep in my house. DD1 (3.5 yrs old) only recently stopped her daytime nap (in Sept). I know that's quite late to still nap in the day but I'm of MM's feeling that you should get away with it while you can!! DD2 has just gone from having 2 naps a day to one, but mainly cos DD1 now at school so it fits in better with our new daily routine. She would still nap twice a day if I let her. She naps for about 2-3 hrs !! while DD1 at school, allowing me to mumsnet and facebook clean and tidy the house and do stuff for work.

My parents are here for the weekend (yay!). DH and I have been invited to a BALL tomorrow night! Can't wait to see DH in a tux .

MM We bought DD1 a toy kitchen for her 2nd birthday and she loves it and still does, and so does DD1 now so I would say that it's a good idea for a Christmas pressie!
DD2 won't be getting too much as we have all DD1's toys. We've got her some wooden 'flip flop' alphabet blocks and will get her a few bits for a stocking but we don't have the money to go mad on pressies in our family. DD2 was 2.5 yrs last Christmas and was suprsingly overwhelmed by all the pressies and didn't even want to open any after a while .

LM xxx

Hi Lucky, I'll email you now. X

The thread discoppeard from my list.

Now I cant email you! stupid computers.

bellared let me know when you have emailed as it's not an account I use often.

hi Lucky, it still wont let me. Email mine if you like kthompson1981 at yahoo dot co dot uk.

LM I had a dream last night that you came to my house and were extremely tall, blonde and glamorous. You gave me a tree for my garden so thank you! Not sure how to analyse that one, too much MN?!

Hope you're all thriving.

We're pretty settled in now but still don't know a soul. DH starts work tomorrow and I don't know what we're going to do all day! Still job hunting too but that may take a very long time.

Need to learn to drive as we're quite far out. Getting a car next weekend so at least as a family we'll have a bit more freedom for days out.

No news really. Bit lonesome.

Hi girls

Been very quiet on here over the weekend. I started typing a post on Saturday leaving dd in the capable hands of daddymonkey only to hear a load yelp as he looked up from his newspaper to see her eating her a second handful from the butter dish .

Our painter started this morning which kicks off the work on the house. We're still hoping to get the new flooring and kitchen in before Christmas but I am already feeling a bit claustrophobic with all the things from 2 rooms in the living room.

Glad you think the kitchen idea is a good one LM. I like one from Great Little Trading Company but dp has seen one in John Lewis so we're at a standstill at the moment. I am sure he'll forget though so might just order the set I like. I love buying presents and though we don't necessarily spend lots of money it is a big deal in our family. I mean big deal in a nice way . I spent an hour or 2 uploading photos for our calendars last night. Everyone loved them last year and have put in repeat orders.

Hope everyone is well and happy.

We're having a shit time here

Well, you have to be look on the bright side!!!

Both kids here have colds and Haribo is projectile puking any time you do actually get any food into him.

Got an appointment with the Paed this PM as I don't trust or like my GP... time to change, isn't it?

DH has been in a totally shit challenging mood all weekend, which was just a party topper.

His (main) problem (He has several) is that he does not want the dog. He dislikes the dog intently. I have compomised said that I will get rid of the dog (to my parents, who love him) if he admits that the reason we are getting rid of the dog is that HE doesn't like him. ANd there is the sticking point. He wants me to cover for him and say the reason we are getting rid of the dog is that I can't cope, but I can and I do, and I don't see why I should lie. I'm right, aren't I?

But, beyond that... well, I dunno.... He's just not happy with me. Goes ballistic telling me that he earns all the money then pisses all over my (tiny) parade of teacher training, telling me it's shit and I might as well not bother.

Ho hum.

Life just great here.

Oh no HM - that's made me . I hope your day's getting better?

I am so familiar with the money & new career conversation. Dp's supportive and all that but sometimes the money stuff raises its horrid head. FWIW I totally admire you for even considering a new career let alone actually getting on with doing it. Furthermore, teaching is one of the most honourable careers there is surely. What can be more important than the education of the next generation? Our jobs were a large part of our previous identity and imo we deserve respect from our dps for making the decision to leave all the hard work we've put in to stay at home. I feel lucky to have the choice but ffs it's not like he's doing you a favour being out there making the money while you twiddle your thumbs! You're doing a far more important job - bringing up his 4 dc! As far as the dog is concerned, I am no fan of dogs but I agree with you. It obviously matters to you so much and has been very important to you while your dh has been away. Love is love, whether it is for a human or an animal. He may pay your mortgage but that doesn't give anyone the right to rule your life - I am sure your beautiful house would be nothing without you all in it.

I think sometimes our partners need reminding that we're more than "just" mums to their kids and aren't people who work for them. My dp spends his working day being Charlie Big Potatoes and sometimes he comes home and thinks his word goes. I remind him that it doesn't and we get along just fine .

I don't think I am being very helpful am I? I'll stop rambling but just wanted to say it's him not you! Give your babies a big cuddle and ddog if he is with you and remind yourself that you're fantastic! This time 2 years ago you were a high flying career woman - now you're a sahm with 2 kids and the start of a pgce under your belt.

Keep your chin up.

MM

HM really sorry to hear that. I am very at your DH. Maybe if he spent even one day doing what you do on a daily basis (on his own) he would realise your extreme worth. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRR! Don't know how you put up with it. Sorry if I'm speaking out of turn. Don't let him poo-poo your teaching training. I agree with MM, it's brilliant what you are doing and I still can't believe you are doing it with 2 such small children....you ARE superwoman!!!

Baiyu PMSL- I am probably the complete opposite to your dream.....not tall, not v glamorous. I suppose I am blonde but that's about it. .

Just had to buy a big warm coat for the school run.....brrrrr!

LM x

Thanks guys.

I have finally got my two to bed (for now) so have a little free time.

Still feeling . DH called a couple of times today, but only to ask about Haribo and still refusing to speak to me. Somehow I have morphed into simply being the mother of his son (Mimi rarely gets a look in) rather than his wife.

LM - I don't think Dh thinks I have a hard life. In fact, I think he thinks I have the life of riley, which in many respects I do. I am lucky to have the lifestyle I have, and I always remember that. Which is why it hurts a bit when he takes a pop at my teacher training. I do intend to do my bit to pay for the kids - which is a damn site more than his ex does for my DSDs!!!!!

And LM - you are most certainly blonde and glam!!!

Baiyu - how is the bed working out with DS? Haribo much prefers his bed to his cot - so much so I'm thinking of swapping him permanently, or perhaps getting him a cotbed!!

Well, best go, I suppose. Sorry for the depressing rant.

HM x

Hi!!
Im still here - just not been on much!! HM is right, I do tend to stick to FB!! I don't let on to DH that I come on here you see otherwise he would be reading my posts etc, so sometimes its hard to come on as he usually sat next to me watching the tv whilst I am on the laptop.

Just had a quick read back and forgotten everything already

So the things I do remember....

MM - Kitchen is a fab idea, I bought one for DD1 for her 2nd birthday she loved it - and DD2 absolutely loves it too, as does my friends little boy who is the same age. One thing I would say is that I bought the plastic £70 one from ELC, and if I could rewind time, I would have bought the wooden one, which I think is in ELC for £150 - very expensive, but Im sure maybe there are cheaper versions around. Only because the plastic one can be pulled down (both mine have done this ontop of themselves) and the wooden one looks much sturdier (and prettier) and I think will last a lot longer.

HM - DD2 often doesnt sleep in the day, and still sleeps all night. at your DH, he is definitely out of order... I will message you on fb.

Cant remember who it was (poss MM) who said about calendars.... I do one every year for my Grandparents, ILs and my Mum, they are fab, and as I can never think of present ideas for them, helps!! I actually took such a great photo of my girls yesterday, the first one where they were both smiling and looking at the camera that I have ever managed to capture, (will put it on my profile I think!!) and am a bit gutted that I had already ordered my calendars, but never mind!!

Baiyu - glad you have settled well into your new house, how are you finding london?

Mitchell - how are you? looks likle you had a great time in Dubai!!

I would LOVE to come to a meet up - If I can get a cheap train down to London, is it easy to get to yours from there HM? When are you thinking? Have you got everyones email addreses? Maybe we could get an email going about it so we are not posting info on here?

Not much going on here.... think the most significant things are for me after 11 months of working for a complete tosser who clearly does not want me there with my un-flexible shift patterns I have finally managed to get a transfer to a place nearer to me, although it means being de-moted and quite a bit less money, I dont actually care as working for him was making me sooo unhappy and stressed and really not helping my home life/depression etc etc...
Other news, we pulled DD2 out of the nursery she went to as I was not happy with it, but went to pick her up a few weeks ago and saw some stuff I was NOT happy with so I took her out!! She starts at a new nursery next week - its fab (also the one I applied for the job at but never heard back ) and she has had 2 settling in visits and loves it!!

She said her first "sentance" the other day... was walking down the toy aisle in sainsburys and she pointed to a macca pacca on the shelf and said "Vivi (her name for herself!!) been good girl!!" my heart melted, and of course I had to buy the macca pacca!!

Anyway think thats about all for now! (or knowing me, another 3 months!!!)

xxxxx

HiDeHi

A meet up would be fantastic but there is just no way a justify/afford/squeeze in a trip to London this year.
We'r in Manchester this weekend for a family party, the following weekend I have a wk/end long training course to go on for my Brownie pack then the following Im on my annual retreat to the Metro Center in Newcastle for abit of shopping! On top of that im having to fork twice the price of theatre tickets for my folks christmas cos I got flustered and distracted and booked the wrong fricken date and there is no way to rectify it

HM shame on ur DH!
It is hard changing career and being in the house all day.
I was fortunate enough that my DP recovered quite quickly from the shock of my impulsive behaviour and supported me. This was about 4 years ago. I used to work in the travel industry, but was no longer happy with the company I worked for and fancied a change. In the space of about 2 weeks I bought a newish car to replace my banger that never worked when it rained, enrolled in college ft and quit my job! Never looked back, most definately one of the best impulsive things that I have ever done.

Dd is definately back on track after her impetigo. The anit-b's werent going down well and its put her off medicine, she even runs away from the calpol bottle which she just loves. Fortunatly she quite likes the taste of anti-b flavoured yoghurts - live saver!!

Kitchens - mil is getting dd a 'small' kitchen for dd this christmas. She loves playing with the one at playgroup

Oh my baked potato smells about ready, gotta go.....
Sho x

Afternoon

Just a quickly about some copying DS2 has been doing. Before his bath he's been putting up the toilet seat and trying to do a wee! He's seen his big brother doing it. He's not quite mastered holding his willy and of course nothing comes out, but it is very cute. The concentration on his face as he tries.

HM hope things improve with DH x

So confused as to what to do re-job. Can't sleep my head is spinning so much. It's such a big decision for me as I've worked in the same place since I qualified (I was a mere 22 at the time!!). Nearly 14 years ago.

I am enjoying the private hospital but I am probably going to end up having to work more hours for less money. I will really miss the hydrotherapy (that I run in the NHS hospital). No pool at the other place.

NB: please no comments about this on FB as I have a few work colleagues on my FB!!!

Hmmmmmmm

LM xx