Discussion amongst Mums with babies born in December 2008

[Veggiemummy]

Hope you all can find it, Moms title was perfect I thought.

Say NO to the chickens. As you know my neighbours have them and the chicken I don't mind but don't get me started on the cockeral

Poo not my turn think I may be here a while.

You can't beat Toy Story. I am really looking forward to the new one. How was Scotland, Jam? I am presuming snowy.

Beans, have you done all the Estate agents? Loot? The Standard property section is Wednesdays, have a look in there.

The chickens would only be for eggs, not eating (I am veggie and DP wouldn't have the heart to do them in). Apparently you don't need water to keep ducks Sounds nutty to me but is apparently true. Well, neither can be as bad as my nephew's rats. He was showing me on Monday, they are in a ginormous cage in his bedroom and they STINK. I don't mean a bit, it gets you in the back of the throat. The whole of the upstairs smells awful. He cleans them out so something must be wrong somewhere...He has got a Rat Training book and is desperately trying to train the more outgoing one to do tricks. It won't do anything unless there is a Rat Choccy Drop at the end of it. The other one just lies in the hammock like a jailbird, glaring. I do try to be encouraging with my dear nephews so I knelt there, nearly choking to death and smiling gamely as this creature ran all over myself and DD, and tried not to think about toxoplamosis.

Scotland was lovely LadyT. The weather was amazingly beautiful a bit chilly but lots of sunshine. Quite gorgeous looking from the castle over to the snow covered hills beyond. It was great to see my grandparents as well and for DH to meet them. He has a lovely chat with my 91yr old Grandpa about hill walking and golf. Grandpa was telling him about his 10hole game and a massive hill climb he had just done. I hope I am that active at his age.

Dr has given me antibiotics and said if that doesnt clear it up then she thinks I may have glandular fever, great! Thought only 16yr olds got it from snogging undesirable boys.

Jam! I hope it's not glandular fever - you poor thing! What a pain! And if only it was from snogging! I miss snogging!

My DH and I saw my grandparents this weekend, but think they're quite different from yours. They are both, unfortunately, going a bit downhill now. Grandpa has always been a total bore and a bit of an arse, unfortunately. And now, at nearly 96, he smells terribly of pee. It's really sad as I know if I reach that age, I'll probably be the same. Honestly, you do have to brace yourself to go into their house. Granny is nearly 92 and is and always has been, the most lovely, funny lady. She has now gone somewhat dotty and neither of them can remember much on a daily basis, although can remember everything from years ago. We actually have fairly close family connections with DH's family and they were best friends with his great uncle and aunt. it's all rather incestuous. Every time we see them, Grandpa tells the same stories to him about his family. It's v sweet, but it's not that exciting! But I'm glad they're still going. Granny particularly. And they're very deaf, so you have to shout at the top of your voice always!

Whizz always puts Sheepy over nose when we go in, which makes me laugh! They absolutely dote on her, which is sweet and by the end of our visit on Friday, she was playing "boo" with my granny, which was lovely!

I'll put a link up on our Fbook page as I think my cover might be blown here!

Hope antibios work, Jam. You snogging hussy. .

jam - you were just jealous of my antibiotics, weren't you?

Oh Jam, what a retro thing to get! Hope the ABs work and it's not that. All I remember about that is people at school how got it had weeks off lazing around at home. I suspect it doesn't work that way for grown ups...

Just spoke to my stepmother. They don't appear to be giving Dad anything other than a bone scan to check for osteoporosis or similar. I will speak to my sister later but all I can do is presume they know what they are doing...

My changing bag has bust - has anyone heard of this one? It looks amazing for £7!!!

Lady - sorry - missed your post as I skimmed. I'm sure they do know what they're doing. Try not to worry about it - and I'm sure your sister will tell you why they dont' feel it necessary for a deeper scan when you speak to her later. Thinking of you. xx

PS My ex has put in an offer on our house!!!

beans - your ex is deranged. sorry, no matter how lovely your house is, he is deranged.

Just catching-up and wanted to say to LadyT that I am thinking of you. Maybe it's a good sign that the doctors don't think an MRI is necessary. My mum got secondary bone cancer but she had lots of symtoms such as achey bones and very extreme fatigue. If you dad is otherwise healthy then that is something to take heart from. I do hope you get more reassuring news soon.

On a very different note I agree with WG that your ex is deranged Beans! How is his current partner going to deal with living in the house which will obviously remind him of you?

Got to go, Tube pulling in and children to run home and cuddle.

Lady a bone scan can also show if there is anything nasty going on. Your right that lymphatic cancers can lead to secondaries reoccurances of cancer, but as Aubs said it's reassuring that he has no other symptoms. Gosh regardless of all that he must be in an aweful lot of pain.

Beans I'm joining the chorus on your ex. I thought it was a bit strange when he wanted to view it, but to buy it, that's actually a little spooky. Did you ever consumate your relationship in that house?

Beans just too weird. Gives me the willies that sort of thing.

Hello everyone,

ladyT Do try not to worry too much, I know that is easy to say but it won't do anyone any good. From what beans and others have said this it can be a one off occurance and doesn't always mean something sinister is going on.

spot How very exciting! Have you seen the artwork and things? I was very pleased when my name first appeared in print and that was just a boring journal article that about 3 people will have read!

veggie Really glad the bike is so much fun. A comfy chair on a bike sounds like my kind of cycling.

Oh beans that is very funny. Have you accepted? Did the ex and DH get on?

DD came home early from nursery today because she was generally unhappy, no temp but just just not being herself. Not sure what the matter is but I'll take her to the dr tomorrow and let them check her over. She seemed OK when she got home but did want to go to bed early again.

Oh I have a question, DD has only just grown enough hair to require any sort of care. Am I meant to condition it? It looks a bit dry at the ends. Is that normal or should I put some pantene on?!

Beans Do you like changing bags like this? I.e. the slightly girly variety? If you do I am sure I can find one for you in my cupboard of wonders ...

JB DD was exactly the same at nursery/home today. Just generally unhappy and clingy for no obvious reason although not so unhappy that a chorus of the Iggle Piggle song by Mummy and Daddy didn't cheer her up . Hope they aren't both coming down with something!

No idea re the hair though - DD has barely enough still to warrant any kind of shampoo, let alone conditioner

Jeepers, Beans, that's very slightly creepy but hey, is it for the asking price? Will you accept? Frankly, if he's offered the asking price I'd bite his hand off. If he wants to be a super stalker that's his lookout, you'll be elsewhere.

Yes Veggie, I am pleased that a bone scan (actually it's a bone density scan I now find out) will show up any basic malignancy, but they have now discharged him and my sister says the hospital said they will do another scan on him (they didn't specifically say an MRI) in due course as an outpatient. I am happy enough with that, and he is just thrilled to be outta there. Apparently apart from the localised pain he is symptom free so (thanks Aubi) I will take that as a good sign for now.

Painting is hard with a baby/toddler. I see her as neither as she doesn't walk - perhaps a boddler is a good word. She tried to eat emulsion and managed to tip a (luke warm) coffee over herself and the floor, which she clearly enjoyed greatly I'm tired as we were up until 2 talking over the latest dramas with the plumber and then up early to try to apprehend him before he started work. Also the last two nights, DP has woken me up with his hypnogogic hallucinations (bit like a cross between night terrors and sleepwalking/talking) so, all in all, it's been a bit of a gruelling week.

Spot, I looked up your book on Amazon! Smashing! All looks great.

Cross posted with Kiwi and JB. Hmm, sounds like something has got into the babies today.

Hair care - I have conditioned DD's hair occasionally in the past but that's just me being a ponce, she doesn't really need it. However, if she had dry ends I wouldn't hesitate. If I was going to use it regularly though I'd made sure I found an organic one without all the junk. Boots have a good range usually.

Right, food...

Kiwi did you used to be pingu rocks? Which mag do you write for I used to work for someone who was a stylist for vogue I loved all the gossip she told me.

Hi ladies, manic weekend/ week here. Easter was good fun but this week is proving a bit of a nightmare. For once I have loads of work to do and that doesn't sit very well with two kids at hme demanding attention. I have journalists on the phone for hours at a time with DD crying and DS shouting for his lunch,not very professional! Unfortunaltey the kind of journos I'm dealing with are not very understanding - think fuddy duddy old men who've been writing about the technicalities of food and agriculture for at least sixty years on the same publication!
We also have 32 kids coming to DS's 5th birthday party on Saturday (a disco, with a DJ...I ask you!) so I am madly trying to sort stuff for that, prizes, party bags, decorations, games, food etc. I've put DH in charge of games, and he is being as useless as I expected .
Lady, sorry to hear about your Dad, I am totally with you on the inefficiency of some hospitals with my recent experiences with my Dad. Does he have insurance? Could he go private for a scan, just to put all your minds at rest? Also, sorry you are having ishoos with your plumber, tradesmen are a law unto themselves I find.
Beans, I think that is a bit wierd too, but as Lady says you won't be there and if he is offering good money then so what?!
Also, I got a free Boots changing bag for buying xxx amount of Pampers nappies or something. It's actually very good and I prefer it to the 'designer' one I got from TK Maxx.
Kiwi and JB DD has also been a bit of a madam today, and had to put her to bed early as she was driving me insane, must be summat to do with planets or sumfink.
JB, I shampoo and condition DD's hair every day (and have done since she was born with a ful head of hair). It needs washing every day due to the amount of food she puts in it, and if I don't condition it then I can't brush through it as it is very fine and curly. In the morning I also use spray-in conditioner to comb through the birds nest she creates in her sleep. My hairdresser tells me that it is fine to use adult shampoo and conditioner, as long as it doesn't go in their eyes and that baby shampoos are actually terrible for their hair because the PH is balanced to skin not hair .
Spot, brilliant news on the book
Ok, I give up with personals now, off to cook some highly uninspiring supper before DH gets home from working late.

Oh, and I used to hate chickens butsince I looked after my Mums at Christmas I think they are lovely, just don't get a cockerel. Apprarently they are not necessary at all, hens will still lay without a cock around and they are too flipping noisy.

Both boys were born with full heads of hair so have needed shampooing from when they were inutero practically. I use organic baby wash/shampoos (earth friendly baby & the nature baby one) and both boys have lovely shiny hair, albeit DS2's is quite wild and people look genuinly surprise when I tell them he is a boy. I would invest in one of those jugs they have at mothercare that has the one soft side on it to help
rinse off her hair. Most organic shampoos aren't eye friendly (because they don't test on animals so can't check if they hurt eyes, no bunnies or kittens with sore eyes then), so the jug helps reduce run off from the rinse off going in eyes. Oh and only use a little bit of shampoos so that you don't have to tip 10 gallons of water over her head to get it out. Start with a squirt the size of 10p in your hand rub it in your hands with water then rub it through her hair. If you sqirt it straight on her head you will put too much in or she will move her head and it'll end up on her nose.

We went to the beach today. DS1 wanted to go to the sea life center so we went there for a couple of hours after school (it's his half day) then I found a table practically in the sand at one of the beach cafes had a coffee and watch DS2 consume half the beach, it seemed so warm but I think it was only 14 degrees, lovely. The sea life center was great. DS1 loved it but DS2's reaction to it was beyond love it was almost...well mental. He nearly hyperventilated when we went to the ray pool and went completely bonkers in that walk through thing (which I hate and can only stand about 5 seconds). As per usual I was completely weak in the gift shop & both boys got a soft toy and a sting ray for the bath.

Congratulations on the book spot LadyT glad to hear your dad s out of hospital - hope he is on the mend and the next scan goes well.
I actually complained to my MP about the maternity care I receieved for the same reason - not that the individual care wasnt great - the midwives were excellent, but just that the general impression I got was that I didnt count at all, all that mattered was balancing the books. Which is pretty shit really. The MP agreed and complained on my behalf but I dont know how it can be fixed.

Jam hope its not GF, I had that when I was in my mid-late 20s and it hung around for quite a while. I have some probably fairly obvious tips for how to get rid of it though...

Right eyes are closing, time for bed.

Hot toddy Jam and go heavy on the whiskey!