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

995 replies

essenceofSES · 01/12/2009 21:50

Hope that works!

Cocktail anyone?!

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
FirelightGlintingOnTheXmasTree · 22/12/2009 13:58

momino to be honest I think you sound like super mum even attempting all that and cleaning the house! here with G & ds 3yrs 4m I seem to be only able to do craft/baking stuff or cleaning the flat/attack washing pile not both all the meals prep/eating/clearing away takes up so much time.. don't feel bad about shouting either.. I would have done too faced with the possibility of H getting woken up too.

welcome home crimbo bet you're loving the heating
flippin i'd see how the weather goes right up to the last min.. but prepare until the time we'd planned to go and if need be cancel at the very last min iyswim
we had a lazy start today after being up and down since 4am.. had some of my post natal friends from having ds round this morning so we had to rush to get dressed for them coming at 10.30am. we all had boys in 2006 and there's just a few weeks between the 3 of them. We went outside to let them play in the garden as we have had a dusting of snow this am!
Mominohoho · 22/12/2009 15:14

following my earlier post, guess I just need to face that I'm not a domestic goddess and stop trying to be one: i'm too disorganised with 3 little ones. can't even get their dinner ready on time. Next time, I'm just going to buy bloody truffles. probably cheaper anyway, I spent a fortune on dark choc bars.

speaking of organised, febes, you sound very organised (not anal!).

ReeBee · 22/12/2009 15:16

Hello everyone! Just like Reggiee, I'm sidling in for my fortnightly update.

It's been lovely catching up with you all again, and also reassuring as ever to know that F, DH and I are not alone in any of the issues that have faced us!

F has two teeth - middle bottom. He got them when he was 5.5 months. His eating routine sounds very similar to that of several others but I'm trying to move his breakfast and lunch earlier ready for nursery. I'm also trying to cut down on breastfeeding and mix feed him but as soon as I started, my milk supply just disappeared in one boob and is much reduced in the other so the poor thing is having more formula than planned, which I feel a bit about. He has definitely cut down his milk feeds since he started BLW.

Anyway, routine:

Wake up between 6am and 7am. Have BM feed. Breakfast (today, a pear, a satsuma and half a crumpet) at about 8am - 9am. Play until 11am and then have a 7oz FF. Nap for 1-2 hours. Lunch today at 1.30pm which was cheese and beans on toast and a petit filou.
Play until 4pm ish and have another FF. Nap from 4.30pm - 5.30pm ish (he is tricky to put down for this one). Dinner about 6pm - 7pm and then bath, BM feed and bed for 7.45pm at the latest.

He's just getting over a dreadful cold so has been waking up every couple of hours at night for the last week or so... before that I had [whispers] managed to give up his 11pm dream feed and he was sleeping 7.45pm - 6.15am ish. Fingers crossed he settles back into that when he feels better.

We have lots of snow - fab - but have been marooned in the house since Monday. DH's car is stupid rear wheel drive and we took mine up the hill to my M&D's for Sunday dinner and had to abandon it in their drive. Fortunately they have a Disco so have been able to bring us home and do Christmas supermarket shopping.... but we really need to be able to get out tomorrow or I'll have no presents as DH has of course left everything until the last minute!!

In fact, presents might be thin on the ground altogether this year (unlike the snow, ho ho ho) (wow, multiple punniness!) as no deliveries are getting either to us or my M&D. Oh well, we have plenty of champagne so who cares?!

Ses I really feel for you re work. Something similar has happened to me and I was in tears on the phone to my boss yesterday. Tidings of comfort and joy and all that. I hope you get it sorted out or at least come to terms with a 4 day week. I was told that the job I'd been hoping for was home-based as promised BUT with a minimum 3 days' travel each week - primary locations being Newcastle, Manchester and Nottingham. It would mean DH doing the brunt of the nursery runs and dog walking so lots of pressure on him plus I'd only really see F 4 days a week and for me that's just not enough. Oh well, am challenging it and we'll see. I do need a job, after all but I don't want one working in those circumstances.

Jael, sorry to hear about your poorly DD but I understand she's feeling better now so hopefully she'll make a full recovery for Christmas.

Fi your day sounds great. I so miss my NCT friends. We should have had a reunion on Sat but the snow was so bad on the M61 we turned back - 140 miles each way in the snow with more forecast felt a bit risky.

Flippin, I agree with Fi. Wait until the last minute but act and plan like you're going (otherwise you won't!). Good luck!

Momi, you crazy lady! I am constantly in awe of how much you do and how hard you work. I too think you are supermum. Stop being so darned hard on yourself - I think that perhaps sometimes you are hyper-critical of yourself, especially of your parenting skills - and having met you and been to your fab house (and eaten your amazing carrot cake), I can categorically state that you are a fantastic, super cool uber Mum. So there!

right, epic over, better dash. Hello and un-mumsnetty Christmas hugs to all those of you I haven't mentioned.

ReeBee · 22/12/2009 15:18

momi crossed post [waves] You are a domestic goddess, don't be daft.

Mominohoho · 22/12/2009 15:35
pulacracker · 22/12/2009 16:17

Mominoho- enjoy the christmas music and cuddles. DOn't be too hard on yourself- either about shouting at DCs or not being organised- I am amazed with your juggling abilities.

Well i wish i was a domestic goddess. After being really pleased at getting 2 loads of washing on today (and i only had 1 DC at home) I found on hanging the second load up that i had washed my brand new and worn just once 100% wool tunic top on a 40 degree cotton cycle and it is now the size of a child's top . I've stretched it as much as i can so that hopefully it can be worn, but is no longer a tunic . I am very with myself, as i had carefully seperated out my other woolen items for the next wash.

Jael · 22/12/2009 16:46

Sorry to barge in with a vent but I am so unbelievably p!ssed of with my stupid family! They cannot be organised enough to get DD's or baby J's presents here on time and they live 10 miles away! So i've told them not to bother, I've had enough! There presents have been under our tree for 2 weeks! Last year we picked them up on Christmas Eve, it always has to be us, because they can't be arsed to drive to our house to drop them off, so I've left it until today, to mention what are they doing to my Mom, and she just casually responded with, "I thought you'd be getting them on Christmas Eve again...I havn't even finished wrapping yet...." I tried to explain, this Christmas Eve, for Church, we'll have Baby J's buggy in the car, as I'm meeting a friend beforehand, and she just didn't care, and said "Oh, well can we put them on the floor by the seats then?" For "G**'s sake mother!! DD is three almost four, and you want to put all her presents that Santa's bringing, by her feet, for us to drive home with!!!!AGHHHHH I have had enough! I can't take it anymore! She then said, "well they can have them on boxing day, if you come here?!" NO WE ARE NOT! I want to stay in! So I've now told her to forget them...so DD and baby J will have no presents from their grandparents on Christmas Day, Happy Bloody Christmas Everybody, somebody drown me now!!!

SpangleMaker · 22/12/2009 17:15

pula sorry about your top. Hope you can salvage it into something wearable.

Momi I too am amazed at how much you manage to get done and how calm you sound. I struggle to do half of what you do in a day with just H and only a small house to look after.

ReeBee champagne (and chocolate and TV) are the most important ingredients for Christmas so it sounds like you're sorted

DH decided to go off to Manchester shopping and being generally festive today. No problem with that (esp if he is getting extra presents for me ) but I had to remind him that it isn't really fair to take for granted that he can just go off and do whatever he feels like with the assumption I will do childcare. TBH I had thought he was working today so it hasn't disrupted any plans (and I wouldn't have minded him going anyway) but it's the principle of the thing that bothers me a little. Never mind, I told him I am keeping a mental note and will be booking myself a spa day in due course

pulacracker · 22/12/2009 17:49

Spangle- IKWYM re your DH doing what he likes and assuming you will look after H. My DH is similar. I feel like I have to ask for mummy-only time, rather than just tell. At least tomorrow i am having my haircut and choosing some new glasses- I had my eyes tested last week but felt like i had to get home so didn't have the time to browse.

Jael- you should have been up front with your mum, and suggested they come to yours for a change. Do you think they will make the effort- such a shame for your DD and DS not to see their GPs when they live so near.

Jael · 22/12/2009 18:02

I left it until today to ask what they were doing about their presents, because I KNEW that they were going to expect us to go there and pick them up! They can't be bothered to drive to our house, which is why they don't see they're grandchildren for weeks and weeks on end, because it's to much trouble to drive to ours, I've mentioned this before. Since we moved away, from my dump beloved home town, to ten miles down the road, they don't want to know anymore. I can count on one hand the number of times my dad has seen baby J! We go to church in my home-town every Sunday, and it's "too easy" for us to just pop in on them all the time. But they've visited our house perhaps twice this year...I give up...

HarktheHeadlessAngelsSing · 22/12/2009 19:17

And breathe, jael....don't let yourself get wound up by them. Easier said than done, I know, but you will end up being so stressed. I'm sure your DD and certainly J probably won't notice if they are missing a present or two. If I were you, just carry on with your plans, but if you really want to see your folks then go to see them and then next year, you can say "your turn to come to us". It sounds like there is more to your though than Christmas presents though. Hope this doesn't spoil your Christmas.

reebee helloooooo! If you are ever in Nottingham for your work, let me know! Hope you get what you want workwise. Looks like you will be in for a white christmas too but I'm not sure thats what Cumbria wants after the last few days/weeks. Did all the shopping get done, BTW??

momi homemade truffles? 3 kids? TBH I struggle to do a decent supper in the evening and I only have 2, so where oh where would you even find the time to THINK about making homemade truffles.

Put your feet up and cut yourself a bit of slack. Please??

pula so sorry about your top. Hope it is salvagable.

spangle book yourself that spa day NOW. Tell your DH and there you go. Done.

Its DS1s last day at his nursery tomorrow ( the same nursery that has let us down for R) but am still . Its a whole new chapter in his life now. School.

pulacracker · 22/12/2009 19:50

Oh Jael- i think it's sad that they don't make more effort, but like headless says, don't let it spoil your Christmas- you and your DP are the most important people to your DD and J and i am sure you will make their christmas so special . My mum is similar in that she likes to think of reasons for us to visit them but isn't so forthcoming on visiting us. I find that if I make formal plans and invitations, they make more of an effort, so like Headless suggested, if you do go to visit them, then you should make it clear that they are invited to yours next year instead. Otherwise invite them over on Boxing Day and see what they say.

essenceofSES · 22/12/2009 20:29

Jael - good advice from the others. I really struggle to understand why people don't want to spend time with their DC or grandchildren at any time of the year, especially Christmas.

Momi - as Headless says, cut yourself some slack!!! I haven't managed to do any baking of biscuits, cakes, sweets at all since I left work for ML (and many years before!).

Spangle - I had a conversation with DH where I tried to explain to him that I find it difficult that I have to ask permission for time - even to do some focussed housework, never mind a spa treatment! Seems to have worked though as he told me that one of my Christmas presents is a voucher for our local spa and that he'll look after DS for a couple of hours.

Reebee - hello!! Good catch up post!
Sorry you're having issues with your work too. It's really depressing to think about going back anyway, nevermind with problems over roles/hours/days.
Btw, F's routine sounds fab and like he's doing really well!

Pula - really hope you can rescue your tunic

OP posts:
Febesisachristmascracker · 22/12/2009 20:43

I made Brandy Balls!!!! It's a Christmas miracle. I have enough for 3 gifts so now got to work out who gets them. DH is hoping to eat them all.

Jinglebelgina · 22/12/2009 21:07

Evening everyone!

momi I agree with the others. If you manage to do all of that you must be superwoman . I can only fit 1 or 2 of the things from your list into 1 day, not all!

flippin Hope that it will be possible to go home soon.

jael And breathe.... It's so easy to let family get to you (why do you think I live across the channel of mine ) I agree that you'll have to just be up front next year and say that you'd love it if your parents came to see you for a change.

pula My sympathies re your wool top. I've done just that with a lovely wool dress once. I was gutted.

Hi to reebee Lovely to see you!

C's still off her food. She's only had 1 decent bf all day and I expressed 2x totalling 10oz just to stay comfy (that wasn't even emptying my boobs completely!). I tried to cupfeed her, but that wasn't too successfull. She had a little nibble on some solids too. However, but this evening she seemed in much better spirits, so I think she's getting better. Hopefully she'll feed better tomorrow.

llareggub · 22/12/2009 21:18

Oh pula the top sounds like a disaster. If it is any consolation, it is the kind of thing I do regularly.

Jael sorry to hear that you are so upset. I'm the last person who should advise on the mother-daughter dynamic so I won't...

momino you sound like a whirlwind to me...

flippineck I'd probably go. I think it is getting a bit warmer. But then I'm probably not the most sensible of people either.

Grumpy welcome back!

everyone Merry christmas!

Loobylou36 · 22/12/2009 21:50

hi all

I haven't a hope in hell of catching up with this thread

hope everyone is looking forward to christmas

Loobylou36 · 22/12/2009 22:05

reebee M is going off BF too - and my supply seems to be dwindling

Jael · 22/12/2009 22:10

Sorry for stressing earlier, I've just had enough and it's the same every year...I've never got on well with MIL to be, but she came up two weeks ago to bring up the DC's presents, all neatly wrapped and labeled, she's so organised, and probably had them wrapped weeks ago! Whereas my mother apparently hasn't finished buying what she wanted to get yet, and hasn't started wrapping, yet wants to click her fingers and say "I've finished now, you can come and pick them up" Instead of actually coming round to visit us and bring them before then I could invite them around, but they wouldn't come, they'd make excuses, for one, they still have to baby around my 21 year old sister and take her and pick her up from work, so that's one reason why they wouldn't come, like i said, we live too far away now...and why do they need to make the effort to come to visit us, when were in their hometown every week. I'm not going to let them ruin my Christmas, DD is feeling alot better, and should be herself for Christmas Day

flippineckitsnearlychristmas · 22/12/2009 22:19

Evening all!

Sorry, only a quick one again. Thanks all for your thoughts. We're assuming that we're going, the weather does look better - although ice might be a problem in places, there's no significant snow anywhere along the route.

Manic day here trying to get everything organised. We're pretty much packed, so all we need to do in the morning is get everything in the car and go.

jael - rant away. SOunds like there's more to it than presents though, .

pula - about your tunic, hope it's useful for something.

Anyway, if we go I'll be offline for a while. Hope all ill chldren and parents get better, that families aren't too problematic, Christmas dinners run smoothly etc etc.

Happy Christmas! See you in the new year.

pulacracker · 22/12/2009 22:33

flippineck- wishing you a safe and trouble-free journey and a merry christmas.

I am glad to say S is getting better - it's amazing how illness affects LOs. Last night we had been up to him 5 times by this point, as he was so unsettled. Tonight, not a peep (just some coughing but no crying). He also had a mammoth three hour nap this morning (and 45 mins this afternoon). He also ate a bit of tea which was a good sign as he has really been off his food. It is so hard getting the ABs down him though- they are really strong and foul tasting, so not surprised he won't swallow! But we must be getting some down him as he is so much improved .

Mominohoho · 22/12/2009 22:48

Febes!!!

muddleddaizy · 23/12/2009 08:11

Hello there,

Haven't managed to post for awhile. We are currently having a nightmare with Ds1. He is really unsettled at night, has woken screaming a couple of times last night and he kept twitching in his sleep. He also has a mouthful of ulcers. During the day, apart from being prone to tears and off his food he's fine. I really don't know what to do with him! I'm very impressed with those who won't let your dc sleep in your beds. I've always gone for the easy option, so the dc quite often end up in bed with us!

Pula Sorry about your tunic, what a nightmare.

Flippin Hope you have a safe journey and a great Christmas!

Momi I too am someone with 2dc and I struggle to keep up with housework and looking after the kids, let alone baking!

Crimbo/Grumpy Welcome back to the UK!

Jael Sorry to hear about the problems you have with your mum and the ill dc.

Hope all ill dcs are feeling better today.

Ds2 has learnt to clap in the past few days - so cute!

Hi to those I haven't name checked - ds2 is crying...

FirelightGlintingOnTheXmasTree · 23/12/2009 08:17

just popping on for a quickie

flippin i hope the roads are ok for you... and if you don't go today but as we'll cheer you up here.

pula oh no! your new top i would have been gutted too

festive home made yummies... any spare? you've all made me drool

hope lo's who are poorly are feeling a bit better today & night owls who woke up went back to bed for a while at least... our ds up at 4... played in his room (because of use of travel stairgate & ignoring shouting of i want out to play mummy) he fell asleep sometime after 6... G then woke at 7 so i've been up since then... xmas day may be a tired grumpy one here too?

FirelightGlintingOnTheXmasTree · 23/12/2009 08:19

x post muddled .. off to feed g again back hopefully in a bit.