December 2007 - Not Quite Two, Already Terrible ;)

[claraquack]

Just checking that this worked....

that is great news about your friend clara - hope it all works out for her

clairey - saw pics of DD's bday on fb - looks like it was great fun. A very Happy birthday to her

BT - that's got to be one of the worst things about trying to sell your house - keeping it looking tidy! I'm sure there are some people who have it like that all the time (e.g. my SIL) but they've got to be few and far between..

Nothing to report here really. DH has done his knee in and can't walk so have been doing all night wakings/early mornings/cleaning/cooking/school runs etc etc - as always I am in awe of single parents - it is exhausting. DH is getting a bit pissed off with me getting ALL the sympathy from other mums when it is he whose knee hurts!

Skid you should be in awe of me, I am bloody amazing

Hope your dh makes a speedy recovery.

We have meeting at big school tonight to find out about dd starting, which class she will be in etc. Scary!

DS has a weirdy rash, thought was heat rash but now not sure. Definitely not chicken pox though. Think it might be viral, my mum said he was a bit off colour over weekend and he has been quite grumpy and clingy this week. Also today I've woken up with sore throat, swollen glands, fuzzy head and achyness so think that's probably what he's had. Just hoping I don't get the rash! [vain]

BT when we moved it was a nightmare trying to keep everything clean all the time. I sent a load of stuff to my mums though which helped keep it looking clear.

The plan is to reduce the amount of crap and knick knacks around the house and get some more storage for DS's toys.
I went to Ikea yesterday and ad a look at the Trofast range, we need a bookcase for his millions of books and a cupboard for more of his toys.

I have to tell you about ds's new game. He loves sneezing, thinks it is really funny when he hears people sneeze.

So he pretends to do it himself by going "ahh, ahh, ahh, AHH- CHOO!" at full volume

Sometimes he'll say other things instead of the "choo" like "WALL-E!" and "Cars!" and "'Nana!" which is pretty funny!

Very cute BT!

DD's new game is "hoarding" - this is an extension of her passion for carrying things around. I can foresee problems!!

Clairey - how did the school meeting go? I still find in weird that kids in the UK start school at 4, or the Sept after they turn 4 at least. Seems so young to me. But I daresay you'd find the system here where kids start THE DAY they turn 5 (or next school day after) equally bizarre. In DD2's case she will be 5 yrs, 1 month given that she turns 5 half way through our summer holidays.

Hope everything's still proceeding according to plan Clara? Sounds bl**dy scary to me.

How are you surviving DrSkid? One thing about being a single parent is that you (well me anyway) get a huge sense of satisfaction from getting everything done all under your own steam

I am slowly trying to update the decor in DD1's room to make it more fit for an 8yo rather than a 2yo! Bounght her a nice stripey duvet, now need some new curtains to match.

Had a bit of a disaster yesterday when drove 2 hours to pick up a cabinet for the dining room I'd bought on eBay thinking it would fit in car...then found it wouldn't! Ended up getting the person selling it to drop it at the house of a friend of my Mum's who lived 10 mins away. They were exceptionally obliging considering I last saw them when I was 15! Now I have to find another way to get it down to Wellington.

Oh no Buzzy - what a disaster!

Watched Eurovision last night, overall entries wasn't as entertaining as the years before - lots of power ballads. The Greek entry woz robbed! They were brilliant and so deserved to win.

Lol at sneezing BT.

School meeting went well, was good to meet her teacher and find out who was in her class etc. Except I had been feeling ill, came home afterwards, suddenly felt worse, went to bed and have been there pretty much ever since My dad had to come up on friday to look after dc and H has had them since friday night- I haven't been able to sit up let alone walk. My temperature has gone down today and I am much less achey so fingers crossed that's the worst over with.

Nightmare about the cabinet buzzy.

oh no clairey - poor you good your temp is down - hope that means you're on the mend...

buzzy - nightmare re cabinet - how clever of you to think of a (partial!)solution!

BT - how cute of your DS - it's so lovely when they make you laugh. My DS made me cry tonight by declaring out of the blue to DD 'Me love you lovely Zinzi, you Bootful (beauitful)' He is such a sweetie - DD was a bit embarrassed at such an outpouring of love!!

DH's knee is much better, thanks, and i actually got a lie-in this morning so things are improving. He does have a scan next week which will decide if he needs an operation which means a TWO MONTH recovery - never mind him, how will I survive??

Aw that's really cute skid, bless him
Do they normally get on well, mine have a total love hate relationship-they are either cuddling or fighting each other!

Hope your dh doesn't need the op (for your sake)

hey clairey - does the fact you're posting mean you're feeling better?

Yes mine have a love-hate relationship too, tipped a bit more towards the hate I'd say - which made it all the sweeter when he said it. They both love DS2 though although that will probably change once he starts doing stuff other than coo, gurgle and cry...

Much better thanks

Although actually doing anything is wearing me out so have spent an awful lot of time on here or watching tv today.

Glad you're better, Freaky

DRSkid - awwww your ds1 is sooo cute! LOL at your embarrassed dd!
Poor you and poor your DH, hope for both your sakes he won't need an op!

Did I mention DS has FINALLY got an appt for the ophthamologist (leaky left eye) it is a week on Mondau - only waited about 4 months for it

Phew, must stay away from those Israeli/Palestine threads.....(I started on them because I have an Israeli friend with whom I am likely to fall out with over the whole Aid convoy thing....although I have reminded her in a nice way about Mossad stealing British passports to carry out their assasinations and hope she'll now back off)

Just saying a quick hello....still have relatives here so not had much time to catch up...hope to be back on here properly soon....

Hi everyone! Thank you all for your s and everything! I am almost back to normal now and have a slightly changed attitude to life and a nice war-wound to show for it all Thanks too for all the support (and prayers) you guys gave me, it was much appreciated! I feel bad that I've not been on for a while but on the day of the results DH's sister came to visit (from Scotland) for a few days and then the boys had school stuff going on etc...

Clara, how are things with your friend? Hope everything has gone/is going okay for her and you're all safe too. Sounds quite scary but she's right to leave and so so lucky to have a friend like you to help her.

BT, how is the house stuff going now? I see from FB you have had the decorating done, how are you liking it? I love the sound of DS's game, very cute!

Buzzy, how is ex-H being now, still acting like a tw*t? I wonder what caused his about-face? How long before he's the other side of the planet from you? DD likes carrying stuff around with her too, the list seems to be getting longer and longer (the snugglies (3 of them now), flumpy, guinea pig, glow bear, dog, big blanket, necklace, bracelet...), I've had to stop her from carting it ALL around everywhere with her and she seems to have settled for it all being on her bed instead, there's getting more and more up at the pillow end though! I like the idea of school starting the day after they turn 5, I wish they did that here as I think 4 is far too young to go. In my area they currently start the term in which they turn 5 but they are changing it soon and DD will be expected to start in the September before she turns 5 although won't have to do full-time hours until the January when she is 5. Eek about your cabinet, have you managed to find a way to transport it the rest of the way home yet?

Skid, how is DH's knee? Has he had his scan yet? What a nightmare, especially if he needs the op too! I can't imagine my DH stuck at home and fairly immobile for 2 months - arghhh! Is he a good patient? Bless your DS with his love for his sister! Its lovely. Your DCs sound much like mine in that the boys have a very love hate relationship (DS2 loves to wind DS1 up, DS1 just hates him) but both love DD and even now she's more destructive/annoying older they still (mostly) dote on her.

Clairey, I'm glad you are starting to feel better, how are the DCs now? I love the pics of them crashed out on FB!

We seem to be going through a particularly trying period of love-hateness here too and this despite the almost 6 year age gap. DD1 (age 8) baits DD2 something chronic and DD2 responds by screaming, crying and the odd bit of hitting and kicking...I think in part its because at age 2 they seem particularly responsive to baiting. I just hope its not habit forming!

Good luck with the appointment for DS BT.

Nice to see you Beckle. You always write such lovely posts. I'm glad you almost feel back to normal.

DD2 doesn't carry around anything in particular its just that she has to have something in her hand, and preferably 3 or 4 things. And now if there's a bunch of colouring pencils on a table (say) she tries to hog them all for herself and won't let anyone have one!

Re DH he made that particular accusation after I offered to pay $250 towards the legal costs of drawing up a Parenting Order. This was based on 50% of the quote I'd had from my own lawyer but according to him that was "a joke". Actually I think its pretty funny that I should pay anything since its his move that's causing the necessity for this - but no doubt that's self centred of me too!

Glad you are feeling so well beckle - it must feel fantastic to put it all behind you and get on with life again!

RE sibling rivalry - my DD and DS are the same as your two buzzy - DD really winds up DS deliberately but he totally overreacts. Her favourite wind up atm is to tell him that when he grows up he won't have any boobs because he'll be a man not a lady. OMG he loses the plot,
'NOOOOOOOO, me have boobs, you no boobs Zinzi. Me have baby in my tummy, you no baby Zinzi' - and all said with such passion and fury!!

clara - more good wishes to your friend and hope all works out for her. FWIW I wouldn't dare go near an Israel-Palestine thread (are there people on there who actually support Israel's actions???)

BT - hope DS's appt goes well

buzzy - at your exH - it must drive you demented having to try and be civil and reasonable to him

Carrying things around - DS always takes his notebook and pen everywhere he goes. At DD's pre-school they call him the tabloid journalist as he is always looking up surreptitiously and scribbling jotting something down!

Yikes Clara I wouldn't be found anywhere near those threads!

for you buzzy, how frustrating.

I actually thought H did well whilst I was ill, until he brought the dc back and asked for a couple of bottles of wine to show my appreciation Oh well at least he actually stepped up and took care of the dc for me.

PMSL at ds1 with his notebook skid, so cute.

DS has a collection of things in his bed, currently as well as his teddies and half of dd's he has a torch, a loo roll tube, a book, a plastic dinosaur and a yellow car. He also went throught a stage of having to sleep with his head at the foot end.

He is also busy thinking up "reasons" why he has to get my boobs out, the latest one this morning was that "Your boobies are frightened, they are scared of the dark so you have to take them out from under the blanket". Yesterday it was that they were hurt and he had to make them better

Beckle - glad you're feeling all better, that must be such a relief for you. I hope you get a chance to have a bit of "me" time at some point, it sounds like you deserve it.

Buzzy - I agree you shouldn't have to pay anything as this is all your ex's fault, but I am sure he won't see it that way! God, what a prat.

BT - I really laughed at your ds's sneezing antics! Is he still doing it?

Skid - that's so cute about your ds and his notebook! My two have very funny fallings out constantly, but it is mainly dd2 winding dd1 up. Luckily for us, dd1 is very well behaved and very rarely does anything to hurt her sister, even when badly provoked by dd2 (often). But dd2 is terrible, she'll just sit there kicking her sister waiting to get a response, I can see how life for these two is going to pan out!

Dd2 doesn't so much carry stuff around as put it in various places so that we then have to later hunt things down. If I open most drawers or cupboards in this house I inevitably find some lost toy/kitchen implement/dummy/hand cream (etc).

Skid - yes, I think the Zionists had sent their supporters out to all website forums to defend Israel's position. I try not to get involved as although I know a little about the situation (and have visted Israel and what was then known as the Palestinian terretories) I am no expert. Unfortunately most Israelis are fed propoganda from birth so can spout it all. At least that's what I think, happy to be proved wrong! I am still talking to my Israeli friend, I just asked her not to bring up the Palestine thing with me or we would fall out. Luckily she is half Dutch and I get on fine with her Dutch side!

My friend is in the last few days of her preparations to leave. Anyone who wants to follow her progress here is her blog again blog

She is understandably very nervous, as am I a little, even though I am really hoping her dh won't know I am anything to do with it.

Buzzy - I take it your Ex=H is always this full of himself What an arse, and well done you for remaining gracious and not stooping to his level!

Beckle - we've had the lounge, dining room, hall stairs and landing done, all painted a very, very pale coffee colour - almost off-white! Looks so clean and bright. We are going to take our house off the market, finish the work in the garden and then look for another estate agent. Your poor DS, coming to terms with being a man, bless him!

Freaky - your exH is rather cheeky! But as you said at least he did help out! Your DS is sooo cute if sneaky ;) mine is bit like that too.

Clara, sounds like your DD follows the "containment" schema! Does she also like to get in boxes herself or even wrap herself up in blankets.

I had to laugh at myself this morning after I tried to sit down and seriously explain to my 2yo that given she only has 2 hands perhaps she should only carry around 2 things at a time ... she wasn't having a bar of it!!

I will be keeping all my fingers and toes crossed for your friend clara. I too would be a little afraid that the H would find out but you do sound pretty calm so presumably there's not much risk of that?

Skid, I love the sound of your DS and his notebook. I wish my DD1 had something like that to stop her from complaining about being bored!

BT yes he's always been an arrogant prat who likes to play mind games, I just couldn't see it when I was married to him. The ridiculous thing is that I'm still a little afraid of him after all these years. I guess that's what bullies do to you.

can any of you guys help me here?

BT looked at your thread, no experience though sorry.

DS being very testing at the moment, when we go out I feel like I need 3 hands just for him as well as another for dd and another for 'stuff'. Preschool run is less than 5 mins but I find it really stressful and feel like I have no control of my child, sometimes take the buggy just to avoid having to try and keep hold of him

And then at home he will keep on and on doing things after I tell him to stop, won't sit on naughty step (too young?), throws massive tantrums if I try to distract him then I end up yelling and again feel like I have no control.

And to think I thought I was good at parenting when I just had dd

Clairey - I guess there is a big difference between having boys and girls, certainly most of my friends with boys seemed to have much much more problems controlling them than I did with my dd's. Is there anything wrong with taking your buggy by the way? I say whatever makes life easier!

BT - sorry I have no experience of blocked tear ducts either. Hopefully someone will come along who can help...

Buzzy - I am a bit nervous but mostly just relieved that the day for her to leave him has come (tomorrow) and hopefully soon she'll be home in Florida and away from him forever. She has reassured me that although he shouldn't suspect my involvement unless he comes to the airport in the morning and sees my dh dropping her off, even if he does he wouldn't take it out on us. It's her that he will be angry with.

In case anyone is wondering, he is German and not St Lucian! Wouldn't want to give St Lucian men a bad name! Anyone locally that has been involved has been nothing but helpful.

Oh gosh, good luck to her clara, I'm sure it will all go fine [fingers firmly crossed for her] - you are such a good friend to do all this for her .... oh and I'm sure you don't want to give poor old German men a bad name either! - lots of lovely men of all nationalities out there!

clairey - poor you, sounds exhausting. FWIW I ALWAYS take the pushchair on the school run and NEVER let DS1 walk on the way there (I do on the way back). He protested at first but now just accepts it. And also DD still won't sit on the naughty step and she is 4.5! It is easy (ish!) to be a good (ish) parent with one child and much harder with two - I think you're doing a brilliant job, esp with all that's happened with H

BT = eek operation sounds scary - does it bother him? Did they reccommend having the op? No experience I'm afraid.

DS2 is 3 months old already! Can't believe he's no longer a newborn and he is my last baby [SOB] - he is a monster as well so he doesn't even LOOK like he could still be a tiny newborn [sob sob]

BT, haven't had any experience of that particular problem nor know of anyone who has but FWIW DD1 had a grommet put in under a GA when she was less than 2 and it was very straightforward. Have no idea whether there is any similarity between draining ear canal and tear ducts tho. Out of interest though did you have to see someone at the hospital. I myself have quite a weepy eye on one side and have often wondered who to see about it. I had a general eye check with an optmetrist and he was pretty useless.

Clara, how amazing that your friend will be out of there tomorrow. Will be checking in tomorrow to make sure its all gone to plan. I didn't think he would be St Lucian from your friend's blog. Wouldn't have picked german tho! Conincidentally I also have a german in my life that I'm not feeling very charitable towards right now.

3mo already Skid!!! It feels like only yesterday to me too. You must be enjoying him so much now the summer's come (say she listening to hail on the roof here!)

Clairey I think this is a particularly difficult age for kids who have a propensity towards stubborn-ness. Your DS also sounds like he's a pretty smart cookie and has no doubt worked out how to get his way. My DD1 was much harder as a toddler (and still is pretty hard aged 8) than DD2. It was like she was always thinking about new ways to get my attention and I would get so wound up and then have to actually give myself a talking to - basically tell myself to "chill". Still do in fact (and am rather dreading when ex-H goes to the UK and I will have her FT, which sounds dreadful I know. Am already planning strategies to give each of us some time out time)