October 2007 - these little piggies are growing up fast!

[alicet]

Ok so a pretty boring thread title but thought we needed some distance from the last one!

Hi NC x-post.

Muppet; I'll be thinking of you tomorrow, I know it will be very tough but you are showing your love for him much more by letting him go to a home that is more suited to his temperament.
Hope the hair cut/colour is a winner.
It is amazing how much we come to rely on modern coneniences isn't it? I'm not surprised that you are excited at getting your new washer. I lived for 3 years without one, washing everything by hand now I'd hate to live without it.
As to cake, depending on the recipie, I think some of it is down to mixing/beating/folding properly and getting air into the mixture, but mostly it is due to oven temperature; oven being sufficiently prewarmed and a constant temperature throughout cooking. I hope LLL has more experienced advice for you.

Damn I knew I'd missed something, sorry Muppet-I hope things go well tomorrow, don't be too hard on yourself, you are doing the right thing by him x

Thanks Floria x would the mixture curdling be a really bad thing?

It's funny re the washing machine, I could go without anything in the house -car, tumble dryer but the washing amchine I can't. Our washing pile is amzing and I do at least 2 loads a day, mostly children's bedding -toby the dribbler/snot boy - and Henry adn Toby's clothes. We only have enough clothes for them for a couple of days so I was very grateful for a friend to do a load in her washing machine yesterday.

3 years hand washing? Wow! I only managed a few months on the boat. Towels and jeans just proved too much for my crap hands. (I get very dry and chapped hands at the drop of a hat)

Toby seems unsetteld tonight so I don;t think it's going to be a great one. Going to bed at 9 to get a few ZZZZzzzzzzz's.

Dal - I am still amazed at the things you say your parents will stoop to, I really can't imagine someone, especially a parent being so unhinged I hope the police start to take a tougher stance with them soon. Hang in there, and at least you have good in laws to help xx

Inzi - Sorry about the soup I would have still eaten it though

Muppet - Glad you have a new washing machine, I would hate to be without mine too.

Regarding cakes, I think I have such success with mine because of the aga. I also mix everything together at the same time with an electric mix, none of this marg and sugar business, then egg then flour, and yes curdling won't help. Sift the flour, stick it all in a bowl together, I usually give a quick mix with a spoon to wet the flour, otherwise you get a big white cloud when you start the mixer, then I mix it just enough to make a smooth batter. In the tin, straight in the oven. Hope that helps

Hope tomorrow goes well xx

Hello to everyone else.

I have had a busy couple of days, and another busy one tomorrow too, got friends coming for the weekend hence a virtual spring clean of the house. Also need to make a last minute birthday cake for a 4 year old for Friday night another Peppa Pig one, I'll be able to do them in my sleep soon

I too treated myself to a haircut and colour on tuesday morning. Gone a darker brown with a hint of red in the light, and had my fringe put back in too. Hope you are happy with yours Muppet

Hey ladies,

Police man has been... He was very nice and i'm happy with the next course of action.

First of all he said he wanted to come to see me personally as he met my mother yesterday , yes, she was HERE yesterday. She came with her 'friend', sat in the car round the corner and watched dh set off back to work (like a crazt stalker) and then send her friend to the door with the parcel. She then went straight to the police station to tell her side of the story and put on her crocadile tears and state I won't allow contact etc etc. She had with her a folder of 'happy family' photo's which she showed them as if to say 'look how happy we all were together, why won't my daughter talk to me? sob'.

The police officer was not fooled, he looked up our address and advised her she had already been warned not to contact me and the only thing he could advise her was to stop contacting me as if that was what I wished she had to respect that. She told him the parcel only contained presents for Dylan, no mention of all the other horrible stuff.

He said that in all honesty it seemed to him that (having not yet heard my side of things) my mum seems to be suffering from some sort of clinical depression and seemed delusional too. He also used the word 'manipulative'.

I showed him the contents of the parcel, explained I feel afraid of her and harassed. He said there were 3 options. 1. leave things as they ar as he's told her to stop contacting us (he didn't recommend this option) 2. For him to call her and warn her again but this time make it VERY clear what no contact means so she can't find loopholes. He said he'll state no calls,texts,emails,letters,parcels,or contact through a 3rd party. He sadi she'd mentioned my dad isn't well, I said I didn't know how seriously to take this as she keeps crying wolf about illness and I can see from the parcel they were on a carribian cruise at xmas... So with that in mind he said he could also specify that if serious illness arrises or death in the family she will have to contact north yorkshire police who will pass the message on to Berwick police and then me. 3rd option was to send an officer from north yorks to her house and warn her with the official harassment act but he thought we might be best holding this option back incase the further warning doesn't work...

So we went with option 2, a further, clearer warning. I'm happy with this as it means that they won't contact me unless serious illness happens and that she can't cry wolf about that as she'll have to go through the police in that circumstance. He's going to call her by the weekend at the latest and update me once he has. Feel relived now and also scared she was near my house yesterday.

Muppet - Hope tomorrow goes ok, you are doing the right thing although I know it must be hard ((hugs)). New washing machine, ahh, can understand the excitement, Dylan has pulled the spin speed dial off ours so we can't set the speed , somehow it's still working ok though...
Hope you get a lovely new hair do, need mine doing desperately!

Thanks for the supportive comments re my parents.

Floria - 3 years handwashing .

NC - Yeah, i'm ok, just about, emotionally battered I guess but will settle down soon

LLL - Nothing surpises me when it comes to my parents anymore...

New hair sounds fab!

Off to call sil to update her on the 'situation'

Hi to anyone i've missed x

Dal-Wow I just can't believe her. TBH I think I would have gone with option 3 as I would have run out of patience. Can you not get an injuction? Can understand why you went for option 2 though, what will be the consequences if she does have any contact after the warning?

LLL-Hope PP cake goes well. Have a nice weekend with friends

Muppet-How did Toby sleep? Shannon slept crap and had me up for an hour at 3.30 till I practically threw her in her bed and told her to SHHHHHH. Of course it's not as bad as some people have it, but I really struggle when i have interrupted sleep now, oh and DD1 sings every single morning so I have to shout at her to Shurrup! I'm a grumpy old troll

Going away to Belfast tomorrow, I got cheap flights and hotel deal for Rich's birthday, he doesn't know where we're going so had to try and work out everything myself, like car parking and transfers, everything was ok 'till Ryanair changed the flight times Will just have to try and work round it.

Off to bum doctor this morning for my 16 week check so better go get a move on and jump in the bath.

hi all
dropped stan off this morning felt a bit of a berk as i burst into tears and ended up sobbing on her shoulders saying 'we do love him really...'

Oh well he loved running a round the place and is allowed on the sofa so it really is doogy heaven compared to our place. Got back and fed dexter some chips as he's a bit down and I had to make him go to the toilet as he didn't want to move.

Dal - your mother make sure you still keep that diary in case you need it. I do agree with NC though, I think you;re being very patient considering...

LLL -thanks for the advice. I do have that cloud of flour didn't think to stir it first! I think it was curdling that did it, I'll try an all in one next I think.

Need to go as I've got the app at the hairdresers. It's for a consultation today with a view to having it done tomorrow. I'm rubbish at getting across what it is I'd like done so I'm not going to go ahead unless I really feel that I've got her to understand what I'd like! (yeah right )

love to all
x

Dal; My God but that mother of yours is like a dog with a bone!!!! I suppose she thought that going to the police first was getting a pre-emptive strike in first...good job they can see through her and so she has shot herself in the foot. I think you are right to go for option 2, it means that if, God forbid, she continues to disrespect your request for no contact then when you go for option 3 it is a cut and dried case in court because you have been reasonable, shown restraint and have a history of taking the correct steps. Option 2 also leaves a very formal indirect line of communication for genuine emergencies, which I'm sure you would prefer rather than learning something important too late. I sincerely hope that the police warning works this time and she leaves you unharrassed to fully enjoy these last few weeks of your pregnancy and those precious first months with your new family.

Muppet; I hope the hand over went smoothly and you are not so heartbroken that the new hairdo hasn't lifted your spirits.

NC; I understand your grumpiness; tbh I was actually better when Alex woke 2-3 times a night regularly because I was so used to it I dropped back off again instantly..now he's sleeping better I think I must sleep deeper because I'm grumpy when he disturbs me and then I can't get back to sleep properly. He slept through last night from 9pm 'till 5am and toddled through, got into our bed, asked for milk was told, "No, too early.Go back to sleep. Night, night" and promptly fell asleep in the crook of my arm ...I however lay there, torn between loving the closeness and being in a bad mood because I was awake, until he stirred again at 6.30. I hope you have a fabulous time in Eire and Rich really enjoys his birthday pressie...oh and hope the check up is...um...gentle

Alice; how did Sundays dinner party go? what did you decide on?

WWAJC; How are things?

Appologies now, this is petty, selfish and shallow, but;...
today I am being mostly cheesed off..
...
Dh came home last week telling me how one of the managers at work was pt-exing his wifes' Picasso and bewailing the fact that they aren't offering much for it...I love mine but it is a 9yrs old diesel with 120k miles behind it and a dint in the side from preggie brain misjudgement of a parking space next to a concrete post ... did we want to offer a couple of hundred over the pt-ex price and I'd get a 3yr old shiney petrol one with only 1900 miles on the clock? A bit of a no brainer eh? Well Dh offered cash on Monday but the bloke tried to angle for more so Dh told him to pt-ex it if he could get more, if not come back to us...bloke was going to have a last attempt at getting more this weekend and was going to let us know on Monday.....BUT .....the neighbours have been having new PVC-U soffits and facias and the guy doing it popped a quote for ours (that need doing desperately)through our door last night...it's a reasonable price but we can't afford it if we buy the car...It doesn't take too many guesses to know what is going to happen does it? ...
...if Dh hadn't shown me the beautiful shiney lilac Picasso with my name on it I would have been absolutely fine about it..the condition of the house is much more important than my car I totally agree...but he did show it to me in all its' freshly valletted perfection...so it is all his fault if I'm a ratty bag today isn't it?

started that post before lunch so xposted Muppet; ((((hugs))))Of course you love him...thats why you have given him the chance of being the spoilt brat he aspires to be rather than permanently forced, against his nature, to be bottom of a pack of small humans (as all dogs should be). I hope you come back from the hairdressers on cloud 9.

Hey ladies,

NC - I know i'm being more than patient with her really but i'm making sure i'm using every step possible so i've always got a further option iyswim. If she doesn't listen to this warning and carries on then it'll have to be the officer to her house and harassment act route.

Hope you have a lovely time in Belfast, annoying the flight times have changed though...hope you can work round that without too much trouble.

I am totally grumpy when woken in the night too, not just by Dylan but dh's snoring, poor sod gets prodded and poked and sighed at . I'm not much better when Dylan wakes as we've been spoilt with him being an almost perfect sleeper really.

Hope your bum check goes ok, well, as well as can be expected. I remember having my bum checked after my 3rd degree tear, not my finest moment but not as bad as expected. Sure it'll be fine.

Muppet - Bless you getting upset over Stan, of course you love him dearly, as Floria says, that's why you're doing the righ thing by him Bet he's dead cosy on that sofa about now.

Hope the hair consultation goes ok, I sometimes take pictures of styles and colours out of magazines, much easier than trying to explain what you want. I hope you end up with a fab hair do anyway. Hmm might get mine done before I pop, certainly won't have much time for it after!

Thanks for the diary advice re my mum, I had kinda forgotten about that BUT I do have a pretty good record of dates and events on this thread

Floria - Yes, she is VERY persistant and i'm getting all the hasstle as i'm the only one whose address she knows... I'm happy with option 2, as the oficer said (as Dylan crawled behind him and tried to kick him off the sofa ) sometimes it's good to have a big stick in your hand (option 3) but not use it yet.

on your behalf about the car. I can totally understand you been miffed when you had your heart set on it. Is there anyway you could still get it and maybe save for the other over a while with a view to getting it done later on? I understand it's not easy though, we really could do with new windows (ours are wood and old) but not going to happen anytime soon...

Well, think i'm gonna have a lie down shortly whilst Dylan does. I can't wait to get rid of this constant pregnancy indice exhaustion and replace it with sleep deprevation . 4 weeks on sat and counting...

Hi all

Muppet-Sorry it was so hard leaving him, but FT puts it perfectly, he'll be spoilt rotton, he probably loves you more for giving him that chance. Hope the hair consultation goes perfectly and gives you some much need pampering.

Dal-Also agree wqith FT actually, I'd never thought of it like that. Don't you sometimes wish you could wear a big hat saying I AM THE REASONABLE ONE! It is so irritating when you know you're doing everything the way you should and you are being made out to be a twat. Really hope that it works this time.

FT-Oh no, is there any way you can get the PVC mister to reduce his quote a little bit, or put the work back a few weeks or months to be able to afford the lilac Picasso? I love purple and I assume you'll be selling your old one, so that'll be a bit more to put towards it.

Well, the check up was a bit worrying tbh. They didn't call me back for a check up, it was because when they did tests on the haemorrhoid that they cut out it showed dodgy cells. He said they score it similar to cervical screening and it is grade 2, which is the middle one. He said unlike cervical cell abnormalities, they don't really know what to do in cases like this, there's no protocol to follow, and will just keep checking me, they may want to keep doing biopsy's around my bottom area and are informing my GP to see if they want to do another smear just in case, even though I'm not due and my last one was clear. He said it looks okay for now and have booked me in for in 6 months.

Feel like crying, thought that I would get the all clear and all the health issues would be over. Couldn't ask him any more questions cos Shannon was wailing she wanted to goooooooooooo hoooooooooooooooooome. Guess I'll just have to wait and see now and scare myself researching on the net.

Sorry, actually he doesn't want them to do another smear, he wants them to do a coloscopy(sp?) where they put dye on my cervix or something. I hope they don't see the need to

Oh Nc, try not to worry, if they don't want you back for 6 months the cells are probably just a little concerning, just enough for them to keep checking. Pre cancerous cells can change in to cancer but equally may not at all.

I have had several colposcopies, am all clear for now but if a normal smear ever comes back concerning it'll be beack down that route again. A colposcopy basically is just a smear test except it takes a little bit longer. The only difference is, as you say they squirt some dye up there to highlight any abnormal cells (you hardly notice this). Usually they put your feet in stirrups too and angle the bed so your bottom end is more up in the air just so they can shine the big bright light there and get a good look. I had a few biopsies taken too, again hardly noticed this.

((hugs)) to you, just wanted to tell you of my experience in case it helped put your mind at rest at all.

Thanks Dal. It is worrying me tbh, I am soo squeamish about that kind of thing and get in quite a state, obviously not really an option when I've taken Shannon with me, so just have to internally hyper-ventilate. If I do need to go for anything like that I think I'll see my doc to see if he can prescribe anything to keep me calm or buy some tranquilisers Kalms or something from over the counter. Wish I'd not found out before this weekend though, ah well.

Reckon you should bulk buy the whole of the piggy mums them hats.

I know what you mean NC, I got pretty worked up and nervous before my colposcopies but I think it's always worse in your head than the actual event iyswim.. Good idea to maybe get something from the doc or soemthing like calms/rescue remedy. Could Rich go with you for moral support if needed? Dh came with me to all of mine and then waited outside (my choice) but I think he would have been allowed in.

I don't know if it's the same everywhere but where I had mine threre were 2 ladies doing it. One of them was at the business end and the other ones job seemed to be to chat to me up near my head and keep my mind off it, this helped a lot

Strawberry - hope you enjoyed your CentreParcs weekend.

Dal - at the strange woman at your door telling you how you should behave towards your mother - that's so bizarre. Glad the police are being helpful and sympathetic.

Muppet - well done Toby crawling. Sounds like Stan will settle really well in his possible new home - big hugs to you.

Hopefully I can make 25th. Will have to check nothing on at work as I'll have to book it off as holiday.

Eva - glad you feel situation with your h is better now that he has moved out - the hard work of being a single mum must be worth being able to walk away from arguments on your terms. Hope your assignments get done soon and your stress levels drop a bit. Good news about Aaliyah sleeping in her own bed.

FT - how annoying having to choose between house maintenance and a new car! Not surprised you're a bit peeved.

Inzi - glad your pc is up and running again - how scary nearly losing everthing! I have an online automatic backup thing running all the time - I'm paranoid about losing pics of Anya. Jane's so cute - well done her for deciding to use a potty. Did you eat the soup in the end?

Ooooh new smiley - think I'll be using that a lot .

NC - bad news about the funding. Which course would be easier to do alongside a job? Enjoy your Belfast weekend. Bad news about your biopsy - at least they're not too worried if they're happy to leave it 6 months before they check you again. Frustrating though that you can't put it all behind you.

LLL - haircut & colour sounds lovely.

H has found a flat he likes - the one he was hoping to get was very damp but he's found another one instead. It's further away - about 10 minutes drive, but it's 2 bedrooms so Anya will be able to stay over, and he's got a really good price on the rent by agreeing to sign a 12 month lease. He's signing the paperwork on Saturday, then he's off to Ikea etc as it's unfurnished. He won't move in until Ikea have delivered so could still be a week or 2, but that's ok. In the meantime I am looking for another car - going to look at some this weekend with my dad. Things are getting sorted out gradually then.

Hey WWAJC! Glad your dh has found a flat and things seem to be progressing in the right direction . I know it mustn't be easy to deal with it and all the emotions you must be feeling, you sounds like you're doing so well though.

Ooh new car, any particular type in mind?

Hi All!
WWAJC; fab news that R has a flat and is getting himself sorted as fast as possible. Also wonderful that there is a spare room for Anya We didnt ask how your parents took the news...were they surprised or had they seen it coming? Hope you see the perfect car at the right price this weekend.

Inzi; almost the first scan already!!!!! great that Dh is looking after you and the ms isnt out of control...I understand you throwing out the soup though I think I might have just got it to the highest boil I could for a while and try to convince myself that nothing nasty could survive it. (Dh wouldnt even bother with the extra boil, he'd say it was extra protien! )Have a lovely lunch with every one, I'm so sorry tomorrow will be a anniversary...the 1st anniversaries are always the hardest (((hugs))))just keep looking forward to that scan..I wonder if it will be a boy?

Hey inzi - My mum has had counselling in the past, when I was a teenager, one on one and in a group. She stopped going as she didn't trust the counsellor not to tell eveyone all about her business

I think (hope) she'll listen to the further police warning.

Wow almost 12 weeks, that's flown by! When exactly will you hit the 12wk mark? Excited about your scan Glad you got a lovely sleep in and what sounded like a lovely shopping/eating day

Don't blame you throwing the soup away, yuk!

Sorry you have such an emotional anniversary to deal with so soon. Hopefully it'll be a little easier if you're all together ((hugs))

Floria - How are you today? How is operation no boobies going?

Still a no go on the lovely lilac car?

We've had a bit of trouble getting Dylan to settle at night over the last few weeks... Nothing compared with what you have had to deal with though. Just general delay tactics and asking for more stories of different toys to take to bed... then we get the oscar winning crying perfomance once he's put down. We've just being giving a few extra cuddles hten putting him back down again. It's slowly improving, just a bit of a grumble last night instead of heart breaking sobs...

I wonder whether he senses the arrival of the new baby coming and needs a bit of extra reassurance? I thought he didn't really understand but he has stroked my tummy a few times lately and said baba. Gonna try get a book from the library to introduce him to the idea.

Hello ladies Been MIA for a bit as all 4 of my DCs have nasty colds and the baby has been keeping me more sleep deprived than usual. Was a bit of a challenge finding you all after the horrors on the last thread
Hopefully I will be able to keep up this time .

How are everones DCs liking all the snow you seem to be getting?? We still only have a couple of inches on the ground. Not even enough to make a proper snowman. As a result, Sofia has taken to piling everything from pillows to vegetable tins 3 high and calling them snowmen!! LOL

Muppet - how old is Toby? Sounds like you are going through the same sleep issues I am with my youngest Marco (6 months). Marco has been doing the army shuffle (pulling himself along with his arms while dragging his legs). I find it soon for him to be crawling, but he has to keep up with Sofia! And now, I have to deal with Sofia shouting MINE at everything he touches! Sigh... As for Stan... hugs... its so hard giving up a pet, even if its for their own good. At least you know he is happy! We had to put down our cat of 16 years due to illness, and it just about killed me... even though I knew if was for the better.

Dal - glad you have the police involved... I have seen this kind of stuff go from bad to worse. Its good to have a record of all the happenings (I am a police officer, so I see it all the time ) Hopefully she will take the warnings seriously and you wont have to get an official restraining order.

Anyway... hope you all have a nice weekend. Will try for a longer post during the week.

Dal - new car will be 'hot hatch' - not new of course. Something like Honda Jazz or a Corsa. Still hunting - didn't find anything today that I was happy with - more phoning round tomorrow and then out again on Monday. How was Dylan last night - still improving on his bedtime routine? Think a book to get him used to the idea of the baby is a good plan.

Inzi - thinking of you today - hope you could enjoy your lunch despite the sad day.

FT - I've only told my parents what's happened in very broad terms - they're still going to have contact with H because of Anya and I don't want them putting all the blame on him. They've reacted true to type - my dad's very philosophical about it and my mum's muttering disapprovingly. Hopefully I've been able to reassure my dad today that we're being adult about the split and it's very amicable - my dad will work on my mum and she'll come round eventually.

Babyblue - how are all your dc's now? All colds better?

Evening

BabyBlue - Are all the colds gone now? Hope the sleep problems settle down soon...

Yeah, I feel happier having involved the police, tbh I had no choice, they won't listen and have oushed me to this point... It was either police of change identity and emigrate

WWAJC - Ah 'hot hatch' sounds good hope you find the perfect one!

Bedtime is slowly improving, he tends just to do a little cry before we close the door now then goes quiet when he realises we mean business. He's currently just chatting away happily to himself as he does most nights before eventually dropping off

Sorry your mum has been 'muttering disapprovingly' about the split, not like you need that on top of everything else you're dealing with. After all, your a grown adult and old enough to decide whats best for your family... Hopefully your dad will talk her round as you say anyway.

Well, i've got a date with a tub of Ben and Jerrys tonight (on offer £2 at sommerfield)

Hi to all the rest of you lovely ladies, hope you're all having a nice weekend.

HI all, just a quickie

have a look at Stan in his new home playing with Bob here

he looks like he's having a fab time and is allowed snuggles on Jill's bed in the morning!

Have Toby's christening tomorrow so will be back tomorrow eve

love to all
xx