Fab Feb 2009 - 9 months in, 9 months out, now they're sitting, standing and crawling about

[TheHAUNTEDHouseofMirth]

Here we go again!

dinky - so sorry about your uncle. Can't even begin to imagine what your cousin/family is going through. Big hugs and more mulled wine. Glad you had a good time with Santa. M met Santa yesterday, at my mum's foster carers group Christmas party. She got a squirting hippo for the bath that my mum almost certainly got her in TKMaxx! It's a hit, though!

Well, if BRT's A is 'walking' after 3/4 steps, I can say M is too! She did 5 today! And didn't fall over, just stood swaying and then lowered herself and started crawling.

Dreading having to put up a tree now!

spotty think I commented via my phone, so maybe it got lost. We were at the Villa Eugenie, Rue de Rome, in the 17e. Yummy. It was quite traditional, with a lovely big bed and Toile fabric on the wall!!! and the smallest lift (actually could barely fit J and I in!). Very odd with rude staff, so properly French!

Hello everyone

so sorry about your uncle Dinky....what a dreadful shock to your cousin . Losing someone suddenly is just horrible (I lost my dad without warning) but both parents within 6 months

Hope the cats have started using the litter tray LBB. Cat's piss smell is very difficult to shift.

Hello Spotty

blimey, i'm very glad E isn't walking yet.....crawling is bad enough!

We put decorations up yesterday....one room tasteful and the other no so tasteful grin. DS has already had a go at the tinsel and beads.....but there again the dog and cat are trying their best to find the choclates so DS is no problem!!

Went to see Santa today and had to queue for over 2 hours - what a nightmare. There were 3 on duty as well hmm. DCs were pretty well behaved considering - and they missed their lunch . we got there as it opened at 11 as well. The overflow car park was almost full! Thank god that is over for another year. MrsY - bumps - don't bother with notcutts!

need to do a pre-Xmas clear out of toys otherwise nothing else will fit in this house.

Cards to do and pressies to wrap, but that's it now!

Just popped in because it's been so long since I posted.

Sorry to hear about your uncle Dinky.

Will try and catch up properly over next few days.

MrsCY I know people that have put their christmas tree in a travel cot so the toddling ones can't get to it.
Jacob had been walking for about 2 months when we put our tree up last year and tbh, it wasn't really much of a problem, I just didn't leave him in the room on his own. M should be geting to the point where she understands the word no now, so I think she'd be ok as long as she was given consistent boundries iyswim (not telling you how to parent obviously, Luke knows the word no because he has had a thing with playing with the potty)

The cats have been shut in the bathroom for 2 days now with regular visits from all of us and seem to be calming down. The more nervous of the 2 has even come out now! The boys are still in bed but I expect the cats to disappear when they get up.

I'm also thinking about having a toy clear out and taking them down to the local hospital or somewhere but I'm finding it hard to decide what to get rid of.....

Thanks guys. Think my uncle was quite depressed after my aunt passed away so it really was only a matter of time till he passed on but really worried for my cousin as he was so close to, and inter-dependent with, his parents and doesnt have any other family living close to him - really cant see how he's going to find his way through the other side to be honest

MrsChristmasY - go M! With DS1, we found building present barricades around the xmas tree helps (until the little monkey starts breaching the defences that is).. This year we're considering mining the defences with tinsel to provide just enough distraction time to be able to grab hold of Danny - who knows no fear when it comes to trying to crawl/climb up things - before he comes to any serious harm...

Sorry to hear your news dinky.

I cannot believe all the babies are walking already! I thought tha DS2 was quite advanced to be walking around the coffee table and running in all fours...

I seem to have problems with my thyroid. I'm quite relieved to be officially ill rather than just hypochondriac. Hopefully shaky hands will be gone soon and this bloody cold will be history too.

LBB, I know what you mean. I packed most of the toys away in boxes and left just a few toys for each boy in the front rooom. They haven't even noticed that most of the stuff is gone.

so sorry especially for your cousin dinky. and such a shit time of year.
i hope your boys are feeling better.

I finally seems to be himself ie. not being sick, having a cold or struggling with a tooth. it's so lovely to have my smily, funny boy back! however, he seems to be making up for lost eating time and perhaps having a 9 month growth spurt so is (a) eating his way through the fridge but (b) waking early for milk having done good 12 to 13 hour night stretches for the past few weeks. oh well, better to have a hungry, happy boy with a slightly tired mum.

america sorry to hear about your work woes and your illnesses. I hope you're being well looked after.

lbb you're a brave lady taking on a kitten...i don't mean that in a 'ooh not with children' way just another thing you're responsible for. and it wees! i'm too lazy so i think i'll stick with the go go hamster (although i see in the news there's a chemical scare with them).

we've done a toy cull ('to make room for the tree'!) and the tree went up yesterday so am feeling very christmassy.

went to wimbledon panto yesterday. if any of you are local and thinking of it for god's sake don't. i went last year and it was great, this year they seem too worried about having 4 different celebrities playing the Genie and forgot about the main script. and it started at 5.30 and ended at 8.10pm. DD did enjoy it when the singing and dancing properly kicked in but she was quite restless at times (last year enthralled throughout) as the story didn't exacly flow 'how did aladdin get out of the cave?' 'ssh, i'll tell you later' ie. i've no idea because that really wasn't explained. they were too busy having ruby wax play ruby wax and talk about having to leave the stage in time for her restaurant booking. BOOOOOO!

hello, just a quick catch up as not been around for a few days. Had a lovely break which was just what we needed. Added bonus was the free kids club which although advertised as from age 2 had just changed to from 0 months! We thought all our christmases had come at once when we dropped DD off the first morning and the nannies whisked H away too

Doesn't feel very christmassy here at the moment so bought some christmas cds and dvds today (copies on black market) so hopefully that will get us in the mood. The compound staff are putting up some decorations and a huge tree outside and we've got a tiny tree in our lounge. Kids party is on Wednesday so hopefully there will be a guest appearance of santa otherwise DD won't get to see him this year.

dinky so sorry about your uncle. I do feel for your cousin as I've lost both parents and know how awful it is. I'm quite glad we are not back in the UK at christmas as it would be odd sitting at the table on christmas day with mum's chair empty. We are back on 27th and will do a belated christmas then with DS1 and DD1.

STW was PMSL at O's comment. From the mouths of babes. Hope you manage to sort all your childcare issues.

LBB hope kittens settle in ok. DD has started asking for a dog but no chance, not out here. Sods law we'd end up coming home sooner than planned and then have the issue of whether to go through the quarantine etc.

MrsY glad you had a nice break in Paris. We went there for a day in the summer whilst in Centreparcs in France and it was a bloody nightmare with the kids. Bet it was much nicer being childless

spotty welcome back stranger

KBN sorry that panto was pants. I've just booked to go and see our local one in Crawley just after we get back so hope DD will like it. Think it is Cinderella so hopefully that will be ok for her

Hope everyone else is doing ok and all lurgies gone x

kbn There's 2 kittens! lol. It's ok so far, but only been 4 days. They have wee'd on my bed and on the sofa, but are good with litter tray now.

I am so pissed off with the people at the playgroup we go to. Maybe 2 days a week, I give the boys lunch there because of various things at these times. Thursday's I'm always there and friday's they are in a creche but I'm normally there to over-see their lunch. This friday gone, I was running really late, so had to leave their lunch with the creche staff to sort out. Simple enough. But, what part of "I do not want Luke spoon fed" is hard to understand? (have said thid more than once in the past), but apart from thatr, the manager said to me that a creche worker had gone to her and told her not only was she unhappy with how I allow my baby (who bear in mind is getting to the age where they start to learn to feed themselves anyway) to feed himself, but how I shouldn't let him eat directly off the table.
How many of you have a baby that wouldn't lob a plate to the floor??????
Anyway, the exact words she used to me were "We are concerned for your childs safety" GET A FUCKING GRIP WOMAN. I did not dangle Luke out of a window, I let him eat some pasta directly off the table. Someone call SS now. Bunch of idiots.

lbb that's ridiculous. I can barely get the spoon to M (when she has yogurt etc) because she grabs at it. And it would go everywhere if I let her have a plate. Tell them not to be so effing stupid and that your are perfectly entitled to feed/raise your children however you bloody well like.

LMN Will avoid Nocutts then. She quite enjoyed meeting FC the other day, but don't think she's old enough to really know whats going on, so don't want to pay for something she wont appreciate!

She's a bit sorry for herself - teething and has an awful cough (seems to get a blocked nose/chesty thing when she teeths) so I was up 7 times last night. Needless to say, I am also feeling a bit sorry for myself. Am considering giving up the dummy so she can self-sooth, but it's so tempting when I can plug her back in and slope back to bed.

Glad you had a nice break, MOS, can't imagine doing Paris with M, it doesn't seem very baby friendly.

america hope you feel better soon. xxx

MrsCY Luke has that blocked up cough thing too. I'm using chest rub on him and tixylix cough syrup and I've propped his mattress up a bit and he gets through the night a bit better.
When Jacob used to get it, he wouldn't take the dummy but would suck on a muslin cloth ir something.

LBB when you've had 4 kids you let them eat of the floor bet that numpty who said that hasn't even got children.

MrsCY, Paris was a bloody nightmare. We drove from CP to a trainstation outside of Paris and got the train in. Bloody nightmare with the P & T. Had trouble fitting it through the door onto the train so had to fold at the last minute and everything went flying, bottles on the platform, under the train etc and no bugger helped, they just stood and watched and sniggered. Tossers.
On the way back, when we were trying to get out we couldn't get the pram through the turnstile out of the station. There was an intercom which you had to buzz to be let out and there was us and a local (french) woman buzzing but the staff refused to let us out. We therefore had to lift the pram over the turnstile and helped the lady with hers too as no f*er would help us. Not just not baby friendly, not friendly at all, nasty race of people

Had a nightmare this morning. Took DD to nursery and got a note saying there is a christmas party TOMORROW and she has to wear fancy f*ing dress and take a plate of savoury food in. Now I am THE BEST cake baker on the compound and they always give me savoury food to make. Its not like I can just pop to bloody tescos is it. Have just attempted a batch of cheese straws which are just about to come out of oven and I'm going to attempt some sausage rolls (beef) later. Just skinned some frozen sausages, found some puff pastry in freezer and will cross fingers.
Oh, and just had to sew up her bloody princess dress that she tore at her party. Hell of a morning

Crikey MOS, sounds like Paris was a nightmare with the P&T! Glad you had fun in Dubai though, and of the kids club things.

So sorry to hear about your uncle, Dinky. What a terrible year for your cousin - really hope he can get through this period ok . How are your boys now? You've had your fair share of coughs and colds!

LBB - I can't believe what they said about Luke's eating! They are crazy, surely. Were they referring to the lack of plate, or the risk of choking? No wonder you are fuming!!

Am at the walking babies! Sam's still stationary here, but gets a prize for jumping!!! I wouldn't be surprised if he skips crawling and goes straight to walking - he's desperate to stand!

We had a major breakthrough with DD yesterday - she sat down in the bath for the first time in about 18 months! I'm so happy! So was she! It took a while, but I think she could see how much fun Sam was having splashing with two hands etc, so she plonked herself down and said "Look, Nina sitting in water!!!" What a proud mummy!

She also had her hearing tested yesterday and has a bit of a problem with low frequencies apparantly and fluid in the middle ear, so may need grommits at some point. Not for a while though.

Sam's coughing away on the monitor - looks like a fun night ahead. I'm looking for another job at the moment as really hate the pressure of mine - I don;t take home enough money to deal with it anymore.

Better be off - time for a cup of tea before bed (trying to stay off the wine....)

My friend just had a baby girl! She wanted a home birth and this morning I saw two ambulances and running paramedics in front of her house but they told me that they will both be fine. What a scare. I don't think I could have given birth home. Well, obviously I have had one C-section and a VBAC so I couldn't have even I wanted to.

2 WEEKS TO CHRISTMAS!!!!!!! (and on that note where on earth are the festive smilies, it's after the 8th now?

hope everyone with sick kids is coping and that they're on the mend.

we've managed to get the living room painted... i'm so happy, no nasty magnolia walls for christmas (just have the rest of the house to tackle now!)

A had his hair cut.... poor lad, i was desperately hoping it would start to fall to the sides but it was all just hanging in his face and was all the way down to his mouth. I'm so sad though as he looks like a little boy now not a fluffy baby

baa humbug! struggling to get in the Christmas mood here. Went shopping this morning (its our weekend) which was a nightmare. DH took DD to buy my christmas and birthday presents (saying she was never any trouble with him and only played up for me) and I took DS who is never any trouble. We were only split up for an hour but by the end DH was in a foul mood as DD HAD played up for him and I then had to endure his bad mood all the way round the supermarket which wasn't much fun.

Managed in my hour to get the final pressies for the kids from each other and for brother and sister in the UK and all their presents from Santa. DD announced a few days ago she wanted upsy daisy stuff from santa and thank god mothercare had loads of night garden stuff. Got her a beautiful fleece which will be useful when home in a few weeks (BA bloody strikes permitting) and upsy daisy vests and socks and PJs. Couldn't resist some lovely christmassy clothes for H as we don't usually have christmassy stuff here.

PT hope you managed to get your 11 year old girls present. I'm still waiting for my match

don't worry mos, like FAB said on the other thread, nobody knows they're receiving so it won't ruin christmas if the presents aren't there by the 25th but it might provide a nice boost after christmas when everything is a bit shit

still no idea what to get the girl, apparently she likes hello kitty but there's not much available here. i got her a jewelery painting kits as a side present but still want a decent thing too. frazzled!

PT, I know but I want to get it there before Christmas. I just don't think its the same afterwards. The people I bought for last year were so skint they had literally nothing and after I'd sent pressies for the kids I sent some M & S vouchers for mum and dad and they went out and bought each other something. They really did have nothing else for Christmas.

Oh hello kitty, DD1 and DD1 love that. Do you have H & M there as if so, they do a huge range of it.

nope, closest H&M is Athlone which i an hour and a half away.

could order online but definitely no chance of getting it here and then there before xmas.

what sorts of things do your girls like, Argod only have a few cuddly toys and a machine that you put material into and it sticks it together into hello kitty shapes

Argos even!

and i know what you mean about some of the recipients really being in need, without the appeal 2 years ago we would have had practically nothing for the kids for christmas as we were beyond skint, we got some really thoughtful gifts which really helped us have a decent xmas for dd and ds1.

Blimmey even we have H & M here in the land of sand although it is a very recent addition.
Could you get something Amazon and get it delivered as a gift? Pretty sure someone said they do that as I may be relying on that.
My DD1 is 13 and likes cheap jewellery and make up etc but sounds like yoru recipient has specified 'my kitty'?

My plan B is DS1 who is going christmas shopping with the school (all the boarders) on Sunday so might ask him to get some vouchers for somewhere like ELC and some cards and worse case he can post them to whoever I'm buying for (if I ever find out!)

Hadn't realised you were a recipient a few years ago and thats so nice that you are 'doing your bit' now.

I wish I could do what I did last year and go out and choose myself and send off. DC2 helped choose last year and it was so nice choosing all the presents and we got lovely messages from the mums on the 'thank you' thread.

hi guys! aww dinky how awful big hugs

lbb I understand people are scared of BLW and choking but FFS dont all baby's have finger foods anyway at this age morons!

urgh christmas! no i am slowly warming to the idea of it since izzy was born but i am glad i have 4 sets of grandparents to spoil her as we plan on just getting one pressie.

We are taking her to the zoo instead of all the big spend on things. i know she will love it

mos nightmare shopping i hate it! i just refuse

well i am supposed to be back to work properly in january but i have just set up a wahm cart in hopr that i will make enough to keep me form doing any more of this shit anymore

work = stress = anxiety = low mood, i am contemplating jacking it all in seriously its fucking me right off for foul mouth but if you cant do it on mn where can you? i cant even do it in real life anymore im scared of izzy swearing for her first word !

hugs to all xxx

Hi. I'm just about to put dinner on so haven't caught up properly.

I got an e-mail today from a mner saying me or my children had been nominated to receive a present in this years christmas appeal. She wanted my postal address. What's that about?

LBB how funny, that will be the Christmas 'secret santa thingy' appeal that PT and I were 'talking about'
Every year MN organises a christmas appeal and people nominate other MNers who have perhaps had a shit time, year whatever and their kids normally get sent a small pressie.
Last year I was involved as a donor and bought for a family whose dad had just been made redundant and I think it made a real difference for them.

So basically, someone thinks you've had a bit of a bad time and has nominated you. You then need to (if you want to accept gifts for the children) need to give santas chief elf (think it will be a MNet santa hotmail address?) your postal address and then you will be 'matched' with a donor who will send your kids pressies!
Hope I've explained it ok. There are a couple of threads on 'Christmas' (under Fun and Games) but I don't know how to link as I'm stupid
Matches were supposed to be out by 1st December but chief elf (NormanStanleyFletcher) has been having a nightmare so its got delayed. Hopefully if you let her have your address asap you'll get a few extra pressies in time for Christmas.
I love reading the 'thank you' thread every year, its so nice
Think PT said she was nominated a few years ago and got pressies so don't worry, its nothing dodgy.

mos thank you. That does make sense. I will give fletch my address then.
That's nice isn't it? I wonder who nominated us? I only come on here really (fess up )