May09 - Christmas is on it's way and Grumpycaaa is comin' to town!!

[essenceofSES]

Hope that works!

Cocktail anyone?!

Quiet on here today...

Equally cold, frosty but sunny down here today. I will have to go out later, but I'm waiting until the car naturally defrosts .

I'm nearly finished writing our anual letter to distant family and friends. Many people are against these sort of letters, but it sure saves me writing the same thing over and over again. And I've only had positive feedback from my family and friends, so I carry on doing it!

Belgina I love those round robin letters. Don't let anyone put you off!

We're suffering from colds here. Poor old G has a bad cough but seems fine in himself. He isn't off his food or miserable so I'm not going to bother the doctor with it. Do you think I'm right? I'm keeping him warm, lots of fluids and breastmilk. The GP will only say to do that, won't she?

Now, I'm going to whisper this. G and I woke up at 10am this morning! Yep, 10am! He did wake up around 1am and didn't really settle until 9ish but I feel so much better for it. It has really thrown us out today though. We didn't finish breakfast until 11am!

Reckon everyone is doing their shopping. Is that why its so quiet??

I thought I may go into town yesterday but chickened out. But I've braved it and done it today. I am now done. Except for the 12 year old nephew who's mum wasn;t much help either!! So it'll be £20 in a card then....

llare 10am????? I v . Everyone up at 6am here!! FWIW I think you are right not to bother with the GP. If hes happy and eating, prob nothing they can do anyway, but if its not gone in 5 days or so, then maybe a trip then?

belgina did you have words with your DH the other night BTW?? I was thinking about you as I realised I have done all of DH's Christmas shopping, written all the cards, organised all the food and so on. And I know my DH thinks I do nothing but sit in Cafe Nero with my mates all day> (Ok, I do a little bit of that but not much!!!)

I watched the Amanda Holden thing last night. I missed the first part ( and by all accounts she was pretty memememememe at the start) but I was quite impressed with her at the end. It made me realise what a difficult job MWs have, so unpredictable. I was literally holding my breath at the last part.

headless- I'm here (stuffing my face with cookies whilst DS2 sits on the floor playing with rattles). I've done my christmas shopping [smug emoticon] although i could probably do with getting DH a little something more as he did buy my Ugg boots for me.

I saw DDs school play this morning . It was very cute- DD didn't appear until the last 5 minutes when the receptioners joined in for the last few songs. Once she appeared we did a lot of proud parent smiling. The play was good but poor Joseph got stagefright and forgot most of his lines. I then went to my NCT coffee group. I was a bit when i realised i only have 2 more in January before I go back to work.

hi, I'm only on quickly to say hi.

Hi!

no, no time to do anything. had a friend round this morning, spur-of-the-mo. so couldn't be productive. have started a batch of bread, finally ate lunch about 10 min ago whilst doing my s'bury shopping online. still so much to do but can't get anything done. everytime I pick up something, another thing gets messy.

llare, 10AM!!!!???? am very, very, very impressed.

wanted to watch the A holden thing but decided to eat in the kitchen instead of in front of the telly for once (we don't eat till at least 9pm). is it on iplayer? must have a look later.

hope everyone is getting more done than I am. that's my two minutes up and off to do exciting things like empty the dishwasher, washing machine and then refill both again. hurrrrah!

Evening all,

Not been on today as had a very busy one... day started off with a nice lie in until 7am which I thought was good until I saw llare's post . Then I met with another potential cm at 9.30. She was lovely, felt like she could be my mate so DH is going to meet her next week and we'll hopefully have a decision by Christmas.
Then I signed A up at the library and chose her some new books, then we went to the feeding clinic and I got her weighed (16lb12oz) and a little bit of advice about weaning and milk amounts as I am switching from bf to bottles and not sure how much she should be drinking. All good, the lovely HV was there today and we ended up having a chat for an hour . Then A fell asleep as I did some shopping so I stopped in the cafe and had a cup of coffee and people watched for half an hour - bliss Then this afternoon I went out and finished the Christmas shopping, bought a new iron and made 2 choc cakes to take around to a friend tomorrow and to the school Christmas lunch on Thursday. Oh yeah and managed to keep A entertained throughout Amazing what an extra hour's sleep can do for my energy levels!

Started watching the Amanda Holden thing but DH didn't want to see it and I got annoyed with her at the beginning. Might have a look for it on the itv iplayer thingy tho as it sounds like it was worth sticking out.

llare so glad your friend is doing well.

flip yay for the teeth!

belgina I have a lovely picture of your DD1 gliding whimsically through life with two jumpers on my best friend does things like that, I love her for it.

uh oh A stirs, better go see her. Sorry not to namecheck more, back later...

right, back for more

ses grrr at your DH. I know the thought of going back to work is stressful enough without feeling unsupported at home. I really hope you have managed to have a talk together.

blotted sorry to hear you are having such a tough time of it and hope the crisis team are proving helpful.

Who mentioned 'broodyness'? Two of my really close friends are currently pg - one due on A's birthday and one a week after. I am a little one as I think I would like another sooner rather than later but also that they'll be going through it all together. Although I have met some nice Mums around the vilage where I live I could really have done with a RL pgy 'buddy' as I missed out on NCT, etc and it has been a bit lonely at times - apart from you guys of course

hello to everyone else, have completely forgotten what else I was going to say. Hope everyone is ok.

Evening all!

running - that is a packed day! Well done. Hope the CM works out for you, it's a releif when it's sorted.

llareggub - what a lie in !

Not so yay about teeth, A is grumpy and has been biting me. Feeding is quite uncomfortable because she also pinches hard enought to bruise and/or draw blood, she's always done it.

Crappy day here, but only because the blinking courier didn't come until 5:30 this evening - stuck int he house all day, gah. My neighbour came round with her baby this afternoon, which was nice though, we had a moan about MILs - although it has to be slightly coded as DD1 is a bit of a parot some times! Neighbour's baby is the one who is a week older than A - baby was born three weeks early, weighing 5lb; she's enormous now, 21lbs!!! Gorgeous.

running- a very productive day, well done. I seem to have more energy these days even though S still wakes around 6.15am for a feed and doesn't always go back to sleep.

blotted- I meant to say the other day that I hope the ADs work for you. They really helped me, and after 5 months on them, I saw my GP and asked to start reducing my dose. I have been on half the level for the last few days and am feeling ok so i am hoping that i will be fine when i come off them altogether.

amanda holden- i saw 45 minutes of this last night, but then S woke for a feed so i missed the end but sounds like it was quite dramatic.

good news from ebay- I chased up my case about the fake uggs tonight, and they have issued a full refund and i get to keep the boots too, so i am seeing if any of my SIL want them.

llare wonderful lie in!!!!

running good news about the cm and Phew that's a busy day!

flippin ow new teeth are so sharp too iirc.

belgina how are the glued shoes/carpet?

pula awww christmas play ds's pre school one is on thursday am and i can't wait! his very 1st one

momino i need a dishwasher and washing machine fairy for christmas.. you know that would magically do it all and put it away..

great about your refund pula

pula, great news about the Uggs. also good news about reducing the ADs.

running, good luck with the CM decision.

flippin, we stayed at home (again) today and I really noticed the girls' behaviour worsening and think it was because of boredom.

but more exciting: Harper has 2 teeth! I noticed them when I was tickling her and she was laughing so hard and saw the two little pointy tips through the gums. bless her.

am posting and running, I'm afraid. got the laundry to hang out before going to bed.

Evening all,

flippin Ouch about the biting. C did it a few times when her teeth were new, once enough for it to hurt for a few days, but she never drew blood! Poor you. Hope you can stop that sort of behaviour.

llare Can't remember last time I slept til 10. Hmm, come to think of it: I think it might have been on the 24th of nov 2001 [hgrin]

running What a busy day you've had, but it sounded like a nice day too. I know what you mean about wanting a pregnant buddy. I didn't have that this time around either, except for you lot of course. Great news about the CM too. Love the image you've got of my dd1. It's probably not too far of reality

pula great news about the UGGs.

I'm having trouble with eBay at the moment, but as a seller. For the 2nd time in the same amount of weeks someone is not paying. It's so annoying. I can't understand people that place bids and then don't pay.

Off to bed now. Goodnight everyone.

Mominoho- wow well done on H and her new front teeth . Still no teeth here but S has been unsettled in the evenings for a few nights so we keep calpoling him up- not sure if it is teeth, tummy (I need to buy some more prunes) or snotty nose which is bothering him.

I also think my DCs get bored at home, which is why i try and take DS1 and DS2 to playgroup 3 times a week and DD goes to her GPs/afterschool club on tues/thurs. There is nothing worse that dragging DS1 and DS2 out for the school run at 3pm and then DD and DS1 fighting as soon as they get in the door at 3.30 (like last night ).

morning looks like ds is going through another 5am ish start the day phase i put him back to bed a few times but gave up trying to get a bit extra sleep at 6.30am when G woke up.

still no teeth here yet either. well done H on your new ones

Morning!

Agree, DD1's behaviour is definitely worse if we stay at home...but also I think my patience is a lot thinner and I get a bit snappy which really doesn't help. That's why I was so glad my neighbour came round fo a few hours.

Luckily A isn't drawing blood when she bites, it's only when she piches/scratches - no matter how short I keep her nails she finds a way.

pula - great news about the Uggs! What will happen to the seller? Will he get prosecuted/shut down?

Oh, and momino - welcome to H's teeth! Hopefully they won't cause any trouble.

Morning all,
Brrrrrrrr its a chilly start here this morning. The ground is all frosty but no snow.
Our nights have gone backwards again. R woke at 11, 2, 5 last night. At 11 I tried tough love but he cried for an hour I kept thinking surely he will give up soon. I shushed and patted aaaallllooottttt during that hour but he was just esculating. I'm putting it down to teeth as he's a bit bitey and his poo is horrendous so I just have to go with it I guess.

DH is really tired and grumpy at the moment. Its getting a little tiresome .

R is so cute at the moment. He sits playing and looks at me and gives me the most gorgeous smiles (melt). He sits up in the bath now and him and DD face eachother and splash and giggle. I love it.

Pula Great news about the ugs and ADs.

Flippin IKWYM about staying in all day and behaviour getting worse out of boredom. Its got to be a balance for us though as if we are out too much then DD gets upset that she hasn't had time to play with her toys. Today we are going shopping and to soft play this morning and then coming home to sleep and hang out this afternoon so I can get some cooking and jobs etc done.

Fire and everyone else watching DCs Christmas plays. I can't wait for mine to have their first plays. I always had tears in my eyes seeing the kids on stage at school and they weren't even my children .
Have a great day everyone.

Morning!

Not been able to post for a few days, due to one extremely grumpy ds2. His 1st 2 teeth started to come through a couple of weeks ago with no problem, but over the last few days he's been so miserable. My sister thinks the top ones maybe coming through. He's hardly slept for the past 2 nights either, so I'm shattered. (Mind you what's new there!!)

Laundry glad to hear that I'm not the only one struggling with it. The tumble dryer is abit of a novelty at the moment, but I'm sure it won't when I get my next electric bill

Hi Fi sorry you had such an early start.

Ses I can completely understand where you are coming from re your dh's involvement in bringing up your ds. I've tried to get Dh involved with the ds's but he thinks that they are my responsibility. Getting him to change a nappy usually involves bargaining. It does annoy me, but to a certain extent I've just got used to it. Having said that he has improved somewhat since the birth of ds2.

Blotted hope you getting all the help you need.

Pula glad you got your ebay dispute sorted.

llare spoke to the HV yesterday re my ds's cold and cough as he's had one or the other since he was 2months old She said that as long as he's feeding well, and not unwell in himself that the dr's won't do anything. She also suggested giving him multi vitamins.

Well I suppose I'd better go and get myself sorted. Got a party at mother and toddlers today and I have to sort something. I also have Christmas cards to do and have an interview for a job I'm not sure I want on Monday to think about too!

Flippin I also need to get out somewhere each day, or ds1 climbs the walls!

Sleep talking to the HV yesterday she said that recently they'd found that the mum sleeping next to the cot helped settle the baby, but it takes a week to work!

Hello!

I wanted to get this bookmarked so I can read through properly.

Quick catch-up:

Yay to all those getting lie-ins, none here but I go to bed at 8.30 at the mo as it's so cold (Me, DD2 and S all sleep in a big bed together ). I have no central heating (600 euros for a few weeks' worth of fuel ), so am hefting logs about and lighting the fire and generally being really, well grumpy about it!

Lots of teeth coming through for us all, I think a top tooth may come through here soon - ominous bulge up there. And ouch to the biting, S gives me little nips and then smiles innocently at me .

S is aitting up by herself sometimes and is soooo proud of herself.

blotted I have seen on fb what's been going on with you - I just can't imagine how awful it's been for you, but I saw your note today about your sister, she sounds wonderful!

We fly home on Sunday , Dh is coming out in a few weeks to cart back all the white goods and whatnot. We're all so excited now, but sad that it went wrong here

Must make more coffee, back soon

Oh and am loving these

Hi everyone,

Got to go out for the day. Pick up C's pics from the photographer's. Yay, can't wait to see them properly.

After that I'll do a final bit of xmas shopping and get the bits I forgot to get yesterday when I went out.

flippin I reread your post and it looks like I missread it. C's the same with pinching. It's amazing how these little nails just stay razor sharp despite cutting them extremely short.

C has had the most amazing sleep in ages. It's actually a sleep like what she used to do. She had a 22.45 dream feed, then woke at 3.30 (instead of 2), I didn't feed her because it was before 4, she quickly settled back to sleep until 6.30! Had a big feed and then went back to sleep until 8.50! I'm afraid this was a bit of a one off, but I'm secretely hoping that she'll go back to that good old routine. So maybe the no feeding strategy is working after all

Oh, Hi crimbo Glad to see you're doing OK. How exciting about Sunday, but boo about no heating. Have fun packing!

IT'S SNOWING HERE

at jinglebelgina, I hope the photos do your gorgeous daughter justice!

Crikey grumpy I am shocked at the price of heating. No wonder you are all sharing a bed. Not long to go now before you are home. You must be excited to be back before christmas.

Thanks to those who confirmed my thoughts about DS2's cold. He is absolutely fine, just snotty.

We had another good night here, thankfully. DS1 had to be woken up at 7.30am, so whilst I woke at 6am with DS2, I had plenty of time to come around with a coffee, laptop and then get dressed before dealing with a boisterous 3 year old. I've never had to wake him up before, so I'm hoping that this is a sign of good times ahead! Even DS2 had a good night. He woke up around 2am for a feed and went back to sleep. I feel so much better for it.