Dec 08 babies are nearly one - PARTY TIME!

[EffiePerine]

As I accidentally filled up the old thread I thought I'd better start a new one

Hello,
I am finally done with work for this month - Sybil it was because I hadn't done my actual job for 18 months so there is a bit of safety training to do. I missed ds badly during the days, however I was busy, and dh has fortunately turned into parent / husband of the year over the last two weeks so all my fears are gone now however I'm sure he wants something
I am admitting yet again that I haven't really caught up I did just skim through (and I use the term loosely)
I need to get SS posted today promise (seeing that I received mine last week - thanks!)
I must concentrate on Christmas now - we haven't even put a tree up yet but will be getting one this afternoon
Right, I will attempt to catch up, but if not, at least I can keep up from now!

Morning,

I have got to get my SS posted tomorrow. I meant to do it yesterday but I felt like I had been hit by a tank so I didn't go out. Today I have to wait for a parcel. I hate waiting for parcels, they always turn up at about 5pm so I have wasted the day.

I want to do something Xmassy but I am not sure what to do. Might make some biscuits to put on the tree but then they boys will just pull them all off.

Kiwi I hope DD settles in at nursery soon. I'm sure after a couple of stays there she will be better.

Trace Go you!!! How brave, I'm sure I would never have the guts for that.

LadyT I hope you get the book finished, in fact I know you will.

I will be back later probably as I have finished work for the week!!

Goedemorgan Dames!!!

Wow we have loads of snow here!! I woke up at 3am (so did DS2) because it was really light outside. When I looked our the window it was completely White and bucketing down with snow. DH is working from home so we walked a very excited DS1 to school. It was lovely. Astoundingly nothing stops here when it snows, the trams & buses are running and people were even still cycling to school and work. There seemed to be a little more traffic than usual but otherwise all the same. I also stopped into the baby clinic as I received a letter about it for DS2 but obviously couldn't understand it. They sorted me out and a nurse for children growing up (loose translation) is going to call to arrange a visit.

Thanks for that recipe DH hadn't heard of the term you said but may have been my pronunciation or might be a Cantonese thing (we he doesn't speak) anyway we both had considerable laughs at you trying to obtain some elbow grease. The Aussie in him thought it might be like 'a bit of groin scratching' but that is more like having a think about what to do in a situation rather than elbow grease. I think he just liked saying groin

Rubs, I say reward him for his efforts, I've said it before it's like pavlov's dogs reward him for this with some sugar and he'll do more good work. I've been enjoying some nice lie ins lately.

Kayz are you ok sweetie, you were feeling quite shattered a few months back, is this a similar feeling?

Well so far we are still set to move into the new place tomorrow, yay I can get our Christmas tree. There is a Christmas tree man at the end of our new street so can just carry it home. We will have to do an Ikea run though for the lights and bits.

Good luck for the move Veggie! at Proper Snow with services running - we're forecast some snow tonight and tomorrow, but it will mean that nothing will work. We are unbelievably bad at snow in this country.

So at the snow!! We had a tiny bit this morning but it has gone already.

I am ok Veggie, just got this stinking sore throat that the boys had last week. I am going to have a lazy afternoon today I think. I was going to have a lazy day tomorrow but Mum is coming round so I can't.

The house is full of damp, I have a feeling that is why these colds seem to be lasting longer than normal. The housing association will do nothing about it as it 'is the way we use the house'. We should have every window open all day everyday depsite the fact it is freezing and we are spending a fortune in electric every week. The walls in the kitchen are going back and I am bloody sick of it!!
So Mum is getting some damp paint stuff and we are going to do it tomorrow and I hope it makes a difference.

The walls are going black not back. I wish we could take them back!!

AAArgh, not going to have time to do proper catch up today as have to get train back up to Midlands after lunch and have 1,000,001 things to do before then but just wanted to say to Kayz - that is rotten about the house and what they say isn't right. If you have got damp like that it is in the fabric of the building and it needs to be treated - nothing to do with the windows! They are fobbing you off, darling. How dare they. I know it's awkward just before Christmas but when it's all out of the way you need to nag and nag them. If it's a help I will ask my builder about the technicalities so you can write them a formal letter and blind them with science. However, the paint might stop things getting worse for now.

Sorry to be so rushed but much love to all.

Hi everyone,

Kayz - that sucks about the damp. Have the Housing Association explained how they think you should "use" the house??? That sounds crazy. I mean I assume you are not spraying the walls with water and are just living a normal family life so what on earth are they talking about? They can't mean for you to have the windows open at this time of year can they? I mean its so damp outside that I doubt it would help anyway. Good luck with the damp paint and I hope you feel better soon.

Veggie - I am so jealous of your proper snow. Are you going to make a snowman when DS1 gets back from school? I am glad his cough is better.

Trace - How did it go with the CPN? Well done for being so brave at the child protection conference.

LadyT - Good luck with all the typing. When do you move? I was also wondering whether we might see you in Southern Sweden in May? (I hope you know what I am talking about because otherwise that sounds like some cryptic and creepy proposition!). DH and I are going and I am already v v v excited.

Kiwi - I hope the nursery settling starts to get easier.

Rubena - Fab that you are on holiday again. And ever fabber that your DH has been such a star. Do you think it will last now you are back? And what do you think he might wants???

Well I am finally on holiday . Still fighting a stinking cold but I am hopeful that some time off will see me right. DD1 had her nursery christmas concert this morning and she was brilliant. She loved being up on the stage and sang with much enthusiasm (maybe not matched my tunefullness ). She even had a line to deliver "Sniff, snuff, I'm feeling rough" (she was a reindeer with a cold). I cried with pride (again). I am really enjoying her at the moment. Three is just a gorgeous age and she is the most loving big sister at the moment.

Tomorrow is DD2's first birthday and DD1 and I are creating a pigs in mud cake. Basically its a chocolate cake with chocolate butter icing. Then you make a "fence" of chocolate fingers around the cake before fashioning several pink pigs out of icing and marshmallows and placing them in the "mud". Two trimmed ice cream cones become food troughs and bingo you have a muddy pig-pen scene. We are having a little part on Saturday but first I must get our tree and decorations up.

xx

Aub All they have said is we need to have all of the windows open all day everyday. We have a huge puddle of water at the back door from where the condensation is running off the door. I am just sick of them fobbing us off all the time.

yes I will reward him Veggie he has been very good so we are off to the bike shop thisafternoon! Hi Aub I asked him what he "wants" and he replied "to be able to do every bike race over the winter series and also their training rides" so that works for me!! however, I am taking our canine back to beginners obedience classes, as she is unable to handle herself like an adult dog in the company of other dogs during walks, and these classes fall on the same evenings as some of the training rides, so he told me to sign up anyway!!!

Just time for a very quick hello before I pick up DD from her second nursery session (fingers crossed)

Kayzr We have damp in our house too. Damp proof paint helps, but also I'd recommend getting the water absorbent things you can buy in B&Q or the like. They are plastic containers with some kind of cake thing inside whicih absorbs water. Works well for us, and they are pretty reasonable price-wise.

Right, wish me (or rather DD) luck...

Oh fiddlesticks, just typed a long message and my laptop cut out

Aubi -YES, we are coming! Thrilled you will be too. We may be leaving O behind, not sure yet. It will be gorgeous.

Kayz - told DP about your damp and he got on the blower to a housing law barrister in chambers who said:

1. Contact the environmental health section of your local council, explaining you think it may be contributing to your tiny boys' illnesses. They may send someone round to check out your problem and help with the Housing Association.

1. If environmental health turn out to be no good, you may need to find a building surveyor who can find the reason for the damp. Unfortunately this costs, but I don't know how much

1. I don't know if you are using the washing machine a lot (how can it be avoided with two little ones) but that plus drying clothes indoors can lead to condensation, so if anyone comes round to check you out make sure washing is put away as they might blame that. However, I use the machine a lot and dry clothes in here and we have a small flat at the moment, and we aren't damp. I don't have all the windows open either!

1. Do you know if anyone else in a similar house or near you has the same problem? It might add weight to your complaint if it could be shown to be a problem with the build of the houses or something.

Anyway, let me know how you go as I want to help. No one should live in a damp house. It is just WRONG...

Really do have to run now, very late!

I haven't read all posts but just wanted to say Kayz what Lady suggested is perfect as well as taking both you DH and the boys to the GP at the first sign of every sniffle. You need proof of the frequent colds. Also get in touch with DS2's HV. Get everyone on board. You are well within your right to get these health professionals to back up your claims with letters. Does DH have a consultant? You can get him involved this can't be good for his condition frequent demands on his immune system and lungs. I've written loads of letters to HA's re : conditions for kids, get help from your health professionals. Oh and I would also be mentioning the fact that the house needs to be between 18-21 degrees to be safe for DS2 (I think that's right). Fight them sweetie. In the meantime I have loads of eucalyptus oil arriving with our stuff tomorrow. Can I send you some it is great for freshening up your indoors and might help kill some of the germs though most are airbourne. You just pop a few drops in some just bareably hot water (away from the children of course) then dampen a sponge or cloth in the water and wipe over your walls.

DS1 is on his way home with DH as we speak then it's snowman time at the park hooray!!!!

Just a quickie kayz I am really on your behalf! how dare they fob you off like that!! Totally agree with both ladyt and veggies advice. I hope that you can get it sorted and that the paint helps.

DD's carol concert was hilarious. She refused to sing, then one by the one the children all discarded their tinsel and santa hats and went off to play leaving just the teachers up at the front singing!!!!

Daisy sorry DD didnt sing but that is hilarious! Do you think they will be putting out a DVD of the event then. I was talking to a friend recently whose DS1 goes to a school in Hampstead and they are doing a Nativity play the school is charging £18 for a DVD of the play!!!!

Oh, I have missed you all. I absolutely have no time to log on now I'm working, and my only internetting has been christmas shopping recently. Almost done now

I must say very happy birthday to all those who I missed (I think that would be every baby since the start of the month then [cblush]) So a huge big kiss to Matthew, Sarah, Lily, Izz, Nina, Benjamin, Sean, Phoebe, Dylan, Jordan, Lucy, Lucy, Matilda, Sebastian and Thomas - plus the other Nina for tomorrow. And haven't there been some Mummy birthday's too? Sybil and Veggie spring to mind, but there may have been more, birthday kisses to you too

A very big thank you to my secret santa - the pressie arrived the other and is sat under our tree tempting me. But only a week now until I can open it. And to my secret santa - your gift is going in the post tomorrow, so I hope it gets to you before Christmas

Our news is teeth teeth teeth. A month ago DD had 2 - she now has 7 with number 8 about to pop through any time [cshock]. Fortunately they aren't causing DD too much grief, the bottom ones seem painless and the top ones only seem to hurt her for about 24 hours

Must return to the left over christening cake christmas cake that I'm in the middle of icing. One day, hopefully this year, I will manage to catch up with you all again

Lots of love xx

Just a quickie as we are moving into my parents tomorrow to housesit whilst they visit my sister in Zambia for Christmas, therefore have loads of packing and organising to do...but, just wanted to say something to Kayz. We had exactly the same type of damp problem in one of our flats, walls turned black, mouldy windowframes and paintwork etc and were told to keep the windows open all day, very sensible in a ground floor flat in London . Eventually the Landlord bought a dehumidifier which helped alot. I had terrible problems with my asthma whilst we were there and endless colds and flu, so eventually got quite stroppy. If the HA are willing to pay for a dehumidifier it might just help, but you will need to leave it on all day in the winter which is not cheap on electricity. Hope that helps.
A wave to everyone else, will try to be back on soon x

Hey Katie, did you end up getting you inlaws to agree to pay up? If I were you I'd go to Zambia with you mum.

Our truck full of possesions is confirmed to arrive tomorrow morning hooray. So we will finally move into our permanent address yay!! However, we won't have Internet sorted for a few weeks boo! So will have to share DH's dongle (tehe that sounds rude the name must have been invented by a pale IT geek) so won't be getting on so much. But will let you know how things are going.

If I don't get a chance to say Merry Christmas!!!

Oh and hope Trace is ok haven't heard from her.

And is PD ok wasn't she having some medical proceedure?

Right must go to bed
Night night!

Boo! Hello, ladies

Just popped in to say hello. It's snowing outside and tomorrow I finish work for a week. Hope everyone is ok!

why did dd decide that today was the day she would take a violent dislike to her bike seat and start flinging herself bodily around in it, making me slip all over the un-gritted roads and fall over? not a happy mummy!

Hope everyone is ok and not freezing too much, throw some snowballs for me please!

Oh Jump that sounds nasty. Are you both ok?

I just popped out and posted my secret santa!! I threw some snowballs at the window as DS1 was watching. I do love snow!

Woooooo!!! I love my MUM!!! She cryptically said that our xmas present was being delivered this morning. I was quite surprised as she paid for out hotel in London last month. She has got us a tumble drier!!! I am so so happy as we have airers everywhere trying to dry clothes, which only makes the damp worse.

Kayz, what a wonderful present! God bless mummies (inc us!)

Jump, are you and S ok?

Verso, I texted you today, hope it arrived. Sorry to be rubbish at keeping in touch.

Veggie, hope you are safey in with al your bits around you. Look forward to hearing from you once you've sussed the dongle (as 'twere)

Thank you to my secret santa. Such beautiful wrapping, very much ooking forward to opening it.

Am still on work avoidance mode. Must get on as I'm teaching omorrow and stil don't know what I am going to say!

Hello lovelies. Sending one last post as I'm currently enjoying the silence. DH took the boys and our stuff to the new place leaving me here to clean up and do the check over with the estate agent. That done I am sitting here waiting for him to arrive. He accidently took the keys to this place with him and then as he was coming back to meet me and bring the keys for the agent he locked our new house keys inside. Luckily our new landlords daughter was visiting her aunt who lives next door at the time so she ran home and got a set for us. Oh he has just arrived gotta go

thank you so much for my secret santa - can't wait to open it! mine is being put in the post tomorrow - i just can't face leaving the house this afternoon - we went out in the buggy this morning and it was a little slippy, but generally fine (and such gorgeous weather). then tried to go out in the car - i gave up after going around the block where i nearly crashed at each corner. we need this car over christmas and i daren't risk it.

i thought i would let people know about these www.mummymitts.com/ - they are coming in very handy. tried to send it to some people on fb but realised i should post on here so everyone can see it.

thanks for the replies re: dh. he did say the other day that he's still paranoid about madam's sleeping and general health and safety. i think it is a trait of his i hadn't noticed until madam arrived. and it's good to have a mixture of me being a bit cavalier with her and him a bit cautious.