June 2008: New Year, new thread, new names, new words, new goals, but no resolutions!

[abdnhikinginawinterwonderland]

New thread since the last one's at 997 posts...

I started a new thread because it seemed unreasonable to post when we were at 997 posts on the old one!

spider more snow here and I've almost no bread. THink I'll get DH to stop in at the shop to pick up some yeast so if worst comes to worst and the local shop runs out I can make some (I've only one sachet left).

Yes, Howies is practically out of my price range too ktpie, it's strictly generous grandparent gifts that gets me clothes from there. Even DH's gift has a contribution from his grandmother. But it's so lovely - order the catalogue! It's more like a magazine with clothes interspersed and way more interesting that Boden (plus they only send you four a year).

Fraser is running around the house screaming my first name. I don't even like DS1 calling me that instead of mummy.

Another snow day here and I've decided to go on an expedition to a friends house (about 1.5 miles away on trails - she's snowed in) to fill the day. DS1 is so bored and sad to not be at nursery. I'll have to pull DS1 on his sledge and push fraser in the buggy - it'll mean I'm allowed wine and crisps (my diet consists solely of banning these on weekdays as I know that's the main problem) tonight.

And has anyone seen this thread? I dropped by because we're supposed to be spending as little as possible and I thought it sounded good but they are all crazy shopping addicts and will spend more while trying not to spend anything than I've ever spent!!!

Thanks for starting the new thread Aberdeen.
Signed up for the Howies catalogue, bit worried it may be a bit tempting.
For not spending money inspiration I find MSE good, in fact I should get over there as I have been spending loads of money recently that we don't have. Think I'm sorted for baby stuff now, ordered some new baby mattresses last night and ordered a Tesco shop with some baby essentials in it. Just need to get a car seat now but a friend is giving us one so that should be OK.

Spider - the run on the Surrey supermarkets made me laugh!

I got these for going to the allotment but they have turned out to be pretty good in the snow too, they are lined with fluffy furry stuff so are really cosy. J has a little pair too and they are great as the velcro means he can't pull them off.

Not keeping up v well but wanted to jump on the new thread - thank you Abdn.

I LOVE Howies. I've got a few of their t-shirts from pre preg days that I can no longer fit into, but can't bear to get rid of. DH has loads of their t-shirts and one of their cycling jackets that he says is fantastic, not that he has tried cycling in the snow in it. Oh dear, I could go on about how wonderful they are for ages (customer care is AMAZING), but my biggest tip would be to wait for their sales or have a look on ebay. We used to get our stuff at their London clearance sales in Brick Lane. Oh and their catalogues are wonderful whether you like the clothes or not. Promotion over.

I also used to love sweaty betty but their website used to be awful. Again, pricey, but good stuff, esp their socks.

Got a terrible hair cut today. In 6 years I have had 4 haircuts in NZ and they have all been really bad. Todays only cost £15 (!!!?), but was not even worth that. I have evened it out myself now. Think I will just trim it as much as I can myself for a bit.

So today I have baked, gardened and cut hair - productive day!

You've got me worried as to whether they have cream eggs over here. It'll be wierd eating them in Autumn, actually easter in Autumn is going to be wierd full stop.

I'm just rambling here, sorry!

Re: sleeping babies, I'm off to search the behaviour boards to see how to get a 18 month old to self settle all over again. Ry hasn't really got over the flights and multiple addresses since we got here (4 places in 6 weeks). He will only go to sleep on DH or I which as he has started waking at night is no fun. Welcome to suggestions, incl CC, but need exact details of what to do, eg: leave for 5 mins, then cuddle and leave for another 5 mins, repeat until the pain has ended!!!

Essie - I thought yr new name meant Teddy Bears Picnic too.

Still rambling on...

Thanks for the new thread ABDN, it was taking me ages to load the old one.

Essie (sorry, it will take me ages to get used to new name) I lol'd at idea that I look like Elle Mcpherson. I have a mummy tummy that I really need to sort out at the moment and need a haircut. Plus I'm only 5'6 and she's more like 7 foot. But other than that - no, actually, even other than that its fairly laughable!

Kids are at school but we have to stay by phones in case they need to send them home early. Non sahm were really pissed off about this as it would actually be easier for them to take the whole day off rather than have to leave half-way though.

Dh is in Dubai. Apparently the weather is too hot. Git.

Lucky Dh, Sybil!

Spider, your description of Waitrose had me

PP, can't believe you have to cut your own hair! That is bad. Hope you find a good hairdresser soon. For settling Ry, I think it depends what you have done in the past and what has worked for you. If it was me, I would do bath/story etc then take him to his room, give him a cuddle and say 'time for sleep now'. Put him in his cot, maybe stroke his head and say 'time for sleep' but don't prolong it too long, then leave the room. He may stand up/cry/scream etc , but leave him for 2 mins, then go back in and if he is standing up don't lie him down just stroke/kiss him on the head and say 'time for sleep now' and leave the room again (I don't pick them up for a cuddle - once they are in the cot they stay in the cot). Then just keep going back in after 5 mins then 10, 20 etc, I keep going in every 20-30 mins max. Then if he wakes in the night do exactly the same thing. Good luck!

I have been having a wobble, thinking this PG has gone wrong today, because although I felt quite sick this morning when I got up (and had to get up at 6am again for a sandwich ) I felt pretty well when I was making the kids their breakfast. Well I feel pretty rough again now so I am a bit more relaxed. I hate the first trimester

I have taken the day off work anyway and packed the kids off to the CM's so a nice rest for me today. I miss them already though!

Loved the Surrey supermarket description!

DH went to Sainsbury's last night and it was deserted. He said the staff were really arsy as well, although that might be because he was wearing a straw hat and a kid's choochoo train scarf ]

Phew, new thread!
LOL at Spider's Surrey life, and at Sybil - to me, you will always be Elle! (On mummy tummy, I think exercise DVDs really are the way to go. Mind you, I still have a massive flab overhang, but I am working on it!)

Working from home today and got lots done already - taken down the decorations, eaten a load of stuff to 'clear up' , off to look at tiles and kitchen units shortly... I've eaten six of those beautiful marzipan fruits, so I guess I'm ok on my 5 a day now! I'm actually waiting for a new cleaner to turn up - my previous (brilliant but odd in some ways!) cleaner left at Christmas, but my neighbour started a cleaning business in the summer (karma!) and so I'm waiting to show the new girl round. But so far, she's not appeared.
Had a bit of a mare - decided to phone nursery to see what the situation was, but couldn't do it until 9.15 due to Iestyn having a prolonged tantrum (I thought it might be bad form to phone with a screamer in the background and ask 'are you open today'! ) She said they were open at 10 (thus I was a bit that they didn't think to tell people this...but I do live 1 minute from there so maybe they told everyone else. I doubt it though.) Anyway, my extra sneaky morning with Iestyn was somewhat marred by having him spend a lot of it lying on the floor, screaming and flailing. Still no idea what that was about.

Ktpie I also use 'a couple' meaning 'some, an undefined number that's more than one'. I didn't know it 'officially' meant two until 8 years ago when a smarmy patronising helpful man in a queue gave me a short lecture. (Ah, Oxford, where passers by try to educate you!) I asked him to pass me a couple of plates, he passed me two, I asked for some more, and he explained it, correcting me and calling me stupid. Two languages, mate, two languages.

Neenz those early stages are awful, especially if you've had a m/c before. There is/was a thread on here called 'knicker checkers' which is so accurate! With my second pg I was so amazingly sick there was never really any doubt. But I did sometimes wonder whether there was no baby but I had cancer or something deadly.

Marking of place - back later when Luke's asleep x

Morning guys - quick post as just come back from enjoying the snow!

Spider, that's interesting about everyone being miserable on 4th Jan - I do feel a little brighter today, probably helped by the fact that A got up at 9am today! I think my boys must have got wind that I was planning to go back to work and are both being extra sweet to me .

PP, good luck with the CC - like Neenz, we just keep going in and out, making the gap longer and longer each time. Only take him out of the cot if he's absolutely beside himself, and then only for brief cuddle. Good luck x

Marking place too and ta for starting new thread Abdn.

Feliz Reyes!!

See look!!! Ive made it on here!!!

Loads of snow here too. I love all the winter boots chat. Find it really hard to get boots as I have big calf probs too.

Getting used to this weather and climate, hardest thing is cycling in snow, minus 3 I am starting driving lessons this year!! My new years resolutions

Fleur still doesnt always sleep through she can still wake 2 3 times in night sometimes. and 7.30am is a lie in in this house

Somebody mentioned drying clothes, it is something i really miss bout GC as we have no tumble dryer at mo so in tis weather noting dries any tips?

Re 2nd cild discussion I do want another and actually feel quite broody but Fleur can be quite demanding at times as all toddlers can be so I want to wait til next year plus dont think new job would be too keen on me being pregnant any time soon!!

Sponge/ re going back to work and missing teaching have you thought about Uni lecturing or coaching. I thought i would really miss my old style job but actually Uni life is quite compatible with being a mother

Rolf symphathy re veins I still have really nasty deep stretch marks especially on tummy. DOnt know ow to make them better

Cant believe we are already talking creme
eggs now I wonder if they do them in Holland, they didnt in Gran Canaria

Lastly Where would you buy some jeans? My fav pair are really old in fact have holes in knees and (crotch!!) so really cant wear them any more. But i cant find any for a size 16 18 who doesnt want to wear skinny jeans or boot cut but a good old baggy style!!

Ok enoug of my rambling , its nice to be back. Ill try and post some updated photos soon

Ah - PAro - look for boyfriend cut jeans - nice and slouchy - Gap should have them.

It's like ant-fecking-arctica here today. We have 5 inches of snow again. It took MArk 3 hours to drive home. I told him not top go in but he was adamant and then massively regretted it. Another good day at nursery today. He''s in 10-2.45 tomorrow assuming they open. They should do and I am looking forward to a lie down!

Luke had the biggest tantrum today. Essie - same as Iestyn. He woke up after 20 mins of his afternoon sleep through coughing and went mental. I brought him down after leaving him for 20 minutes to no avail. He literally lay on the floor screaming and flailing for 25 minuts until he calmed down. They're mad at this age aren't they? MArk thinks Luke is abnormal but I'm pretty sure they are all like that every now and then 0please tell me they are!!)

Knackered so off to bed now. x

Well done on the new thread abdn. Am very impressed with your buggy pushing/simultaneous sledging too. I haven't walked further than the front door to the driveway since before Christmas

I think I may have to sign up for howies mailings, just so I can watch out for new t-shirts. What's the fit on their t's like PP and abdn? PP shame about the haircut. Have you met anyone in NZ yet with nice hair that you can ask to recommend someone?

sybil that's a bit of a nightmare re: having to stay by the phone. I can understand why some working mums were p'd off. I was very p'd off when we all managed to get into town for work/nursery when the snow was first bad up here only to find out at 8.55am S's nursery wasn't opening.

Neenz hope you got a nice rest today. I'm always impressed that you're very disciplined with your sleep management - I have no willpower if S wakes us in the night; neither does DH which is why I woke to find S snuggled up next to me this morning! I don't mind if he comes in and goes to sleep, but when he comes in and wriggles and kicks and turns upside down... . Anyway, hope all you folk who are dealing with sleep issues are doing ok. PP I'm a bit rubbish at the technique's so I'll leave the advice to others!

TediBers you're 'two languages, mate' make me . I've always known that couple meant two (does Weegie and English count ) but I do always use it to mean two or three, or even four...

Nice to see you back on the thread paro. Can't help in the way of baggy jeans I'm afraid. Have you had a mosy over to the style and beauty thread - they're usually quite good at that kind of thing. Gap did do a 'boyfriend' jean, but no idea if they still do.

I am quite at tales of empty supermarket shelves and panic buying. I think because we haven't actually stopped having snow since before Christmas I'm amazed that it seems to have gripped the nation again overnight. The lack of gritting is the big story round here - like biscuits has experienced in Glasgow, we've not had so much as a sniff of a gritter round our way. A kindly passer by had to push our car along the street and around the corner for us this morning. Lots of complaints about empty or non-existent gritter bins round here. Anyway, I do hope everyone's ok - I saw on fb earlier that puree is waiting for her DH to make it home.

Sponge glad you've had another good day. I see on fb that you've been baking today. I made these for S a couple of times over Christmas - very easy and quite tasty. When I made them I mixed one beaten egg in to bring the mixture together, but I've since read elsewhere that if you keep going in the food processor it will finally come together.

Gosh, my use of you're instead of your is terrible these days. I have no idea why - I'm very particular about it in RL!

Thanks for the new thread AH.

Nice to see that the Surrey supermarkets amused everyone. After I posted last night I switched radio 5 on as I was going to bed, and panic buying was the topic for their phone in.

Sponge a word of warning. I seem to recall that the most depressing day of the year is something like the fourth Monday in January. You have been warned...

Paro can you look for wideleg jeans? Maybe not such a good combination with a bicycle chain though? Like these. In the sale at the moment, but only in teeny sizes . In a few weeks they should come back with the spring brochure in all sizes albeit at full price. Apparently this Spring skinny jeans are going out of fashion and the new style is "luxe tracksuits". God help us...

PP we have had similar sleep issues as a result of Christmas. P's cot came into our room for 3 nights when the GPs were staying, and it was downhill from there. From New Year's Day though we bit the bullet and said no more coming into bed with us. Our presence in his room seemed to exacerbate the problem, so we went for controlled crying. Four nights in and things were as good as they ever are. By this I mean 8 - 6, but I am sure I have jinxed things by typing it. Needless to say we are also in the shitty lack of sleep camp too, and a 6am start is a triumph in our house.

AH how did you get on with the buggy pushing/sledge pulling expedition? Maybe you should employ some huskies next time?

paro I've got my last couple of pairs (that's couple meaning two essie and ktpie ) from Next, quite a generous fit in bootcut or boyfriend ones and cheap!

DGIT hmmm *domestic GIT - not a great acronym! impressed at cheese straw making, the things we find ourselves doing these days!

I am attempting to write a post without mentioning the weather.

I've got? what the hell did I mean by that? Sorry for appalling grammar. It's clearly contagious goddess!

You can call me goddess biscuits

Oh, you did! Doh!

I am trying to exercise some neenz like discipline. S woke a while ago and is screaming the street down. Have done the 5 minute and 10 minute so just sitting out the next 15 minutes.

goddessbiscuits yum.

15 minutes is nearly up - is he asleep yet? Oh by the way Charlotte says - Happy 18 months day birthday buddy!

Abdn - Thanks for the new thread, how was the walk?

Penguin - having exactly the same sleep problems with Ethan at the moment and the trouble is that he's in with both older boys whilst mil is here so I can't do a bit of CC quite so easily. Please link to your thread.

Great to see you Paro

Dad/dh update - My Mum has written my Dad a letter which he received today - she's very good with words, result was a call from my Dad and an e-mail to Nigel, as I said he wouldn't speak to him. Very apologetic and full of promises that he will never say anything horrible about Nigel to me ever again etc etc... Only time will tell, I haven't forgiven him but he is my Dad and the boys Grandad so for the time being lines of communication are still open (just)

He was ridiculously hysterical at 15 minutes biscuits so we caved. He came in with us and fell asleep reasonably quickly which was good. Very wriggly so DH and I are knackered. Must get up for work though...

Hello, the walk yesterday was fabulous - it was lovely out in the snow - although DS1 was absolutely shattered at the end just from holding on to his sledge.

I'm exhausted today and fraser's been up since 5. He's crying right now and I'm ignoring him because I've no sympathy. His sleep has been the pits since Christmas when he was ill and CC has never worked for him (worked brilliantly for DS1) so we just have to wait it out. goddess you're a kinder mother than me - I wish I had more patience but with two weeks of restless nights behind me I find that I have to remind myself to care that he's upset (obv. we check to see he's okay).

And I'm very relieved to know that other ones (only the boys?) are in a tantrum stage. F definitely is. Ignoring him or putting him in his room seems to work (he's now sitting in my lap calmly).

I forget who asked - howies tees are a slim, but not snug fit. Order your regular size! And I second the recommendation for Next jeans, I love that they are slightly on the big size.

deb glad your mum's letter seems to have done the trick. I know things aren't okay but at least your DH seems to understand that he crossed a line and that you and Nigel are a solid team and that he needs to respect how happy you are together.

Aaarrgghh, this CC thing is tough! I've set myself a 5 min limit, then 10 min, then 15 min and 15 min on repeat. Thing is he really does seem to be settling himself but still crying but when I go back in he gets himself all in a tizzy again.... And I've chosen to start on a night when DH is out simply because he's a big softie and would cave.

BTW I'm simply posting here to stop myself from going back in.

Will let you know how it goes....and will respond to posts and stop being so egocentric when it's all over!!!