Fab Feb 2009 bar: toddle on in, grab a pew: mummy's in need of a drink or two...

[dinkystinky]

New thread for us to natter on about our toddling terrors... complete with some virtual booze. Mine's a french martini....

SM... people have made similar comments about ds1 but you know what? He's a sweet loving little boy who's just got too much energy for his own good... and the older he gets the better he gets as he's learning how to use that energy effectively and starting to understand how to behave a bit better... don't get me wrong, i still spend every supermarket trip with him in tow swearing under my breathe and apologising to every person in the shop, and he could drive a saint to drink but I'm starting to see the end of the tunnel now and now one else gives me snuggles like he does

Tulips That's nice about the hugs
Jacob, when he is good, he is really good. he is sweet and caring and funny and a real joy, just as long as he is in a good mood and there are no other children around.
When he has the ump or is tired or there are people around, OMG he drives me crazy.
I don't actually think it's him that drives me mad, it's because I don't know what to do when he kicks off, that's what really gets to me.

Luke's been walking outside a bit these past few days, I put the reins on him and jacob holds his hand, is quite funny. jacob then tells him where we are going. Luke loves it and the concentration you can see on his face is amusing. He can't get far, but I'm letting him have a go every day (depending on J's mood)

Luke Hates the bath. I'm doing it every other night now because he gets so upset. he used to be fine, he'd splash around and then all of a sudden, he goes crazy screaming.....any tips? Or should I just continue a quick dunk every couple of days?

shower him, A isn't keen on the bath anymore but loves mucking about in the shower... he tries to climb in fully dressed if he sees it on and won't come out no matter how long he's left in there... keeps him fantastically busy while i deal with the bedtime chaos

he just potters about moving empty bottles around and splashing at the plughole but really loves it

I've tried showering him but he seems to hate that even more!

Evening all. MOS welcome back - sending you some virtual fizz to celebrate your return to us. Sorry things are frayed with DH - bet its due to ill kids and difficulties with G and H at the moment. Hope H recovers soon (from both his bumps and his illness) and you guys have a nice childfree trip to the mall.

SM - every child is different and will go through challenging stages at difficult times. The coping techniques you are using now with J will stand you in good stead for years to come Little boys are especially difficult with their testosterone surges that make them into unrecognisable terrors at times. Dont take it personally and remember the mummy mantra and you'll get through it. Re L and the bath - I think most kids go through a phase like this at some point and come out the other end of it. Just keep doing what you're doing with a wash every other night. Both my 2 love their baths but I remember DS1 went through a phase where he wanted to come out as soon as he went in at around 1 and a half.

SM - from what I understand lots of little ones go through the bath thing. Up until 3 months ago Orlena hadn't sat down in a bath since she was about a year old - it was always traumatic for her. It started all of a sudden and ended all of a sudden. I'd carry on dunking Luke a couple of times a week and see how you go.

Just a quick stop by - am supposed to be watching Lost, but to be honest I'm so lost it's not worth it!!! We are on our first day of dummy disposal for Sam. Very traumatic at lunchtime. Took over an hour to settle him for his nap. He was ANGRY! Shouting at me and hitting me - I nearly caved in.... but only took 20 mins to go to sleep tonight...let's see what happens during the night.

Good to see you back on MOS and hello Elkiedee!

Hope you all have a lovely Easter !

STW You are brave! Goodluck with the dummy.

Had a really bad night. Couldn't sleep, kept getting hot and cold.

Hope you ok SM?

Think we've cracked the dummy withdrawal - Sam just went down for a nap without crying . Could be a one-off but still good. He didn't wake us up at all last night either!

Gotta dash as O needing poo (hmmm - must get that book you recommended Dinky)

Happy easter all. Sorry you had a bad night SM - hope you have a good day and another good night again tonight.

STW - well done with cracking getting rid of the dummy. The tantrum sounds v un-Samlike.

Am at MILs this weekend - she just did a lovely little easter egg hunt for the boys in the garden. DS1 ran around nabbing most of the eggs but Danny managed to find two and was most proud of himself - bless him. And MIL told me today that apparently Danny has got my teeth and my smile so look alot like me when he smiles. Bless.

STW Yes, I'm ok, thank you.
Great news on sam and the dummy, hope it lasts. He is so young, it must be easier for them at this stage than later?
I've restricted Luke's to mostly sleep times, unless he is very upset.
dinky sounds like you're having a nice weekend. Glad the boys enjoyed the easter egg hunt, and well done Danny for finding some.
We're having one in my friends garden when the weather gets nice again.
I can't wait to see all the babies again. When's the next meet-up?

I started reading The Incredible Years today (parenting book), so far so good. It's giving some precise, clear instruction on how to play and praise children to the maximum effect iyswim.
I think this might help me, there have already been some fab pointers and it has me thinking about what I'm doing and how, so can't be too bad can it?
If the whole book just gives me 1 idea of something to try that I haven't thought of it's a success isn't it?

Hi guys

Sorry I've not posted for ages....been lurking though. I catch up and have loads to say and no time to post for one reason or another so please forgive my lack of personals.

Still need to take away my DDs dummy . I've told her on her 3rd birthday, they go to the fairies to take to all the babies....I just hope I've got the guts to go through with it - she will make our lives hell! DS however, has never taken to a dummy (not for want of trying) but I can't get him off the bottle (only for milk), so swings and roundabouts I suppose.

Took DCs to the zoo today.....was OK but hasn't changed in years. Kids loved it but we weren't overwhelmed by it (except the gorillas which were fab). Walked over to a field to see some buffalo and K thought she was going to see the Gruffalo and was saying the poem so she was sorely disappointed . She was also pissed off becasue it didn't rain (as forecast) and wasn't allowed to use her umbrella . DS was grumpy because he wanted OUT of the buggy, but can't walk far enough yet....so fun fun and more fun all around

Just set up the indoors Easter Egg hunt for the morning. Not too difficult so hope she enjoys it.

I am knackered, so off to bed for me.....will try to post a bit more often.

Happy Easter everyone x

LMN A friend of mine has just done the dummy fairy thing with her dd and said it went really well, so she may suprise you. I know a few people who have done it. If it doesn't go well, you could always cut the tips off the dummies, I've heard that gives quick results.
Hope the easter egg hunt goes ok.
I haven't done anything like that. They have some eggs from my parents and some books from my grandma that they will get tomorrow. I got them a new toy today. Ds1 got his own little tesco shopping bag with plastic play food in there and Luke got a new little telly tubbies teddy thing that he loves, so both are happy.

LMN... both mine gave their dummies to sant at 3 and were very happy with the extra present he brought and never looked for the dummy again despite the babies still having theirs.

I set up and indoor egg hunt and the kids are on a major sugar rush now... shoveled some french toast into them too though so at least they've had something resembling proper food.

i'm very impressed at danny finding some eggs... A didn't even realise anything was going on and just pottered about playing while the older two ran around shrieking and roaring.

I got to ccuddle a very tiny baby last night my neighbour had her little boy last week... 6lb6oz he's really alert and snuggly. A made my heart melt by bringing a teddy over to the baby... i didn't think he was that perceptive tbh so was really lovely to see (dd was less than impressed as he handed over her special bear )

heading to my parents for dinner... might be without dp as he's being an arse but ho hum

happy easter everybody!!

MOS.. hi..and I know i need to fb you..just been swamped !!!!

I am doing well, full of the joys of spring and the kids are doing well. Ex-H has settled into some sort of routine and is no longer aggressive- but i think he is drinking a lot, but i can't help him with that.

How are you all ? I have missed you all... just been so busy with work and trying to catch up with life, that have i havent been online much...

hello all and happy easter

The easter bunny left a few little chocolate eggs (that I had to smuggle out here) this morning and we are going to do an easter egg hunt when DH comes back from work and its a bit cooler (its our Tuesday today) [econfused] its too hot anyway at the moment and they'd melt in seconds.

Made a huge batch of chocolate muffins with chocolate frosting and cadburys mini eggs on top for DH to take into work for the lads and gave our temporary houseboy a few too. Turns out that even though he is from india he is a catholic so celebrates easter. Funnily enough it appears that most of DH's saudi colleagues are happy to eat easter cakes even though it is forbidden. Greedy hypocritical gits

snowmama I imagine you are really snowed under (get it?) Just drop me a line when you have a minute.

dinky thanks for the fizz, it was yummy!

SM hope all is going ok with you and the boys.

elkie hope all ok with your mum?

We had a nice meal out at a steakhouse last night and a good talk. Main problem is we are knackered and have promised to make time at least once a fortnight to get a babysitter and go out for a meal, even if just the compound restaurant. Also will go out for a family meal alternate weeks.

DD very excited as DS1 and DD1 on their way out, leaving Heathrow in an hour or so so will be with us about our 9pm. She is still being a minx and just now I spotted what is obviously teeth marks on H's elbow. Cow!

Anyway, have a lovely easter sunday everyone x

mos Hope H is ok after the biting.
We're all ok. Going a bit stir-crazy as I decided today would be a good pj day, so none of us are dressed and you can really tell these 2 haven't been outside today.
Can't believe it's not even 2pm!!!!!!!!

Evening all. Snowmama - glad to see you on and good to hear all is good with you and the kids. Hope you've had a lovely easter.

MoS - good to hear you and DH are talking and making a plan for adult time and family time. Hopefully G will calm down around H while her big bro and sis are over. Must be making life v difficult for you. Your baking sounds delicious - I'd be tempted by those cakes too if I was a saudi.

SM - the gifts you gave the boys sound lovely. Hope you managed to make it out this afternoon to give yourself a breather and regain some sanity.

LMN - we're off to the zoo tomorrow too (just for an hour or so). Suspect Danny will be just like your DS and demanding to walk everywhere. At the park near MIL's yesterday he stunned us all by climbing up the steps to the little kids slide himself and launching himself tummy first down the slide - so wants to do what his brother is doing.

Hello all.

I haven't been on MN for ages. Just wanted to pop in and say hello and sorry for being shit.

F is all fine and dandy although incredibly strong willed and already throwing himself about and shwoing off when he doesn't get his own way but sounds like it's about normal for this age!

We went to Cromer today for a stroll in the Easter sunshine. I let him out of the buggy for a walk and he spent most of his time running after random dogs and screeching with delight.

He LOVES dogs.

I HATE dogs.

Morning markstretch - lovely to see you on. No need to apologise - just swing by and fit right on back in as and when you can F sounds just like Danny - maybe its a second child thing - I swear DS1 was never this wilful at this age.

morning all and welcome back MS.
F sounds just like my H and big sister G. They love dogs but I'm not really a dog person. DD gets very excited when she sees them when we are out walking and tells everyone 'I'm getting a dog soon'. News to me.

DS1 and DD1 got here last night around 8pm. They were quite chuffed as when they'd gone to check in at the automated check in at Heathrow the tickets said they had lounge access which they thought they'd got as a perk even though they were flying cattle/economy as DH had a gold card with BMI. Anyway, when they boarded they were directed left instead of right and had been bumped up into business class with the fabulous service and personal onboard chef. why the hell does that never happen to me?

Hope everyone had a lovely weekend x

mos Enjoy your time with dc1&2.
MS F sounds very cute.
I am totally a dog person but still get a bit nervous around dogs we don't know. Theere's always one or 2 tied up outside Tesco and ds1 is getting quite good at not touching them.

We're going to Dinosaurs Unleashed this week. It's the last week so either tomorrow or Wednesday. Dp is off for the week until he goes away on his course.

hi all, we're having a lovely easter weekend. lots of friends, family and piles of chocolates of course. and nowhere near work of course which is great!

dd has been really lovely, she's in a very happy, helpful, 'grown-up' (as she calls it) mood at the moment. it's so lovely...while it lasts.

ds is struggling a bit with teething so we had quite a disturbed night last night but hopefully something will break through soon.

snowmama glad things are settling down, hope you're settling into the new location too.

mos great to have you back. the connection to mn from my work spluttered back into action in the middle of last week too. hope you have a lovely time with the two bigger dcs.

dinky hope you enjoy the zoo. as i was reading your message dd was writing out a list of the animals she wants to see next time in order. cmoodo was not a bad guess at komodo i thought!

ms lovely to hear from you, a bit of your walk at the beach. will have to get down to the coast soon.

i saw some slightly disturbing news from spotty on fb's status. anyone in contact with her?

Spotty? She's my friend on fb. I didn't see anything......off to check it out. Hope she's ok

Oh. I see Spotty's thing. Oh dear. I'm going to private message her, let her know we are all still here for her, maybe we need to pop onto the fb group page for her

just saw spotty's news too she said they were having trouble but i didn't realise it had gone that far.

welcome back MS... don't worry, lots of us are being shit atm... god damn real life interfering

speaking of real life, just downloaded my end of course assesment and almost puked... it's horrific there's one biology question i kinda like the look of but two astrophysics/cosmology/physics questions, one chemistry and one geology/earth sciences... none of which look like much fun. Oh well... have my current geology assesment and next months cosmology assesment to wade through before i have to worry about it so am just going to pretend i didn't see it for now