Dec 08 Mums - Terrible twos already? Tears, tantrums, tiaras and tractors - and the rest!

[Beans33]

Hope this is better - sorry all!

What do you mean our babies can't communicate they need to poo, DS2 can express it easily. His stop what he's doing stands still goes red in the face and goes 'eeeehhhhaaahhhhhhh' Actually he did a funny thing today he squeezed his eyes shut and kind of nodded like he was the genie granting a wish, when he
was doing a poo.

Trace you post made me teary and crave maltesers all
on one go. That was so sweet about loving little P, if you don't want to go don't, but it might also be a nice time for you to step back and have time for you again. Then come back and give her big big cuddles.

Poor DS1 is really missing his dad he has been so good with all this but he was a bit weepy today. We watched 'I can cook' then he made Lasagne for his & DS2's tea just like they did on the show. For those with older LOs if you are getting sick of cooking for them have a look at the recipes on I can cook. They are brilliant, they simplify them so the kids can do the whole thing. I have a tray and I measure out all the incredients for DS1, put them on the table and either put the show on iplayer for him or read the recipe out to him from the website. So far he has made honey tea loaf, banana bread & tomorrow we are making strawberry merangue(sp) ice cream for a surprise for DH on weds. Thats right real ice cream from scratch, it's brilliant.

Kiwi that is so sweet about DD agreeing that she loves you, I bet your heart skipped a beat. I still remember vividly the first time DS1 told me he loved me. I nearly cried.

SL is that thing serious, it's sounds amazing, but also a bit like an April fools joke. I love Barbican, there is a cafe near that water feature which if it's a sunny day is nice but not if you have a roaming demon that you would prefer not drowned. I had a friend whose mum lived at Barbican so we had the code to get into the private play area with our LOs made us feel posh.

jj it would be friday to sunday, so 2 nights away, but I guess another option would be to go for the saturday and stay 1 night instead. DH is not helping the decision by saying he's not sure if he'd cope with the girls on his own - but he seems quite happy to leave me to cope on my own this weekend!
veggie you are such an inspiration (again...!) with your little kitchen helpers. I should get L more involved in cooking. I think I'll look at that website.
Well I've resisted the Maltesers this evening but accidently ate half a chocolate orange but that could maybe count as one of my 5-a-day!
I've just been going through my work diary, personal diary, family calender and all sorts of pieces of paper floating around the house, in an attempt to catch up with some organisation. It's been enjoyable and satisfying actually [sad geek emoticon]. Also we got our new work diaries today so I got all excited I just love stationnary!!
Well I'm sleepy so must get myself to bed. Early start tomorrow - teaching a year 9 group on sexually transmitted infections
Hope the babies (and the random insomnia) allow everyone some nice sleep tonight...
xxx

Just a quickie from me before I fall of the thread.
I am still suffering the after effects from the wedding on Saturday so need to head to bed soon.
So sorry for those of you suffering because of the 'no fly' zone. Looks like things will start getting back to normal (!) soon though.
I got it wrong, it wasn't the groom who was stuck in Finland, but the DH of the Maid of Honour, and he didn't make it back in time, so thank goodness it wasn't the groom.
The wedding was great fun, although I definitely imbibed far too much alohol and was therefore probably a bit louder and more obnoxious than is generally considered acceptable and .
Potty training at 17 months , not a chance until DD can a) walk and b) talk!
Right must get off here and make packed lunches for tomorrow, but need to ask you all for some white light as I have given up smoking (again!) today. DS has been desperate for me to stop, so I really want to succeed this time for him. Not easy though so keep fingers crossed for me please.

Katie: well done for trying to give up. I've never smoked but I saw what DH went through when he stopped (he'd been smoking since he was 14) and it was hard work. He was quite keen on reading up on all the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. I know he saw a lot of scary films for a very good reason I can't recall! Best of luck.

Trace: this is the first time I have left ds2 overnight 2 nights away). I rang up at teatime to say hello and dh put me on speakerphone. Ds1 was chatting away but ds2 had lasagna to eat and only deigned to respond when he had finished! Then he said 'eh oh', waved goodbye and got on with his ice cream.

Veggie: poor ds1 but v impressed by his cooking skills. I must look that programme up as ds1 likes cooking as well. When does your dh get back?

Potty training - you may remember my despair on the subject! Ds was well over 2.5 and it still took ages. In fact he will still have accidents and he's 3.5.

Trace I had 2 cadburys cream eggs tonight so if let me have them as eggs you can count the chocolate orange towards your 5 a day. I don't even know why i ate them, I don't even like them. My friend left them as an Easter thing.

Aubs I meant to say earlier, I think this week has been easier because i don't know how long he's away for. If last Tuesday I'd known he was going away for over a week I think this would have been a lot harder. Also it has been lovely & sunny here and DS1 is in school
so no probs in the day. Also my friend took him out on Saturday. Sunday I was getting a little over it all esp as DS2 was ill and sleeping crap. But now only 2 sleeps and he's back so all good.

Veggie good luck with getting your DH back!!!
Very impressed with the cooking!

Yes the musical finches look a little wacky. I think my friend may have been to see them already and wants to go again so must be good. She lives right by the barbican so I guess she can just pop in! I think DS will like it as he likes anything up in the air flying around, birds, planes, etc!

trace I think you should go. If just to teach your DH how to cope!! tee hee. Seriously I think you would enjoy it, I would definitely think about it if i were you.

Glad you enjoyed the wedding katie good luck with giving up the smoking!

White light all over you Katie. Talk to Spot as she is a now non smoker, successful giver uperer type.

He is back on weds evening Ef. I only stopped taking an extra set of pants & trousers out for DS1 8 months ago.

Trace I'm not exactly Martha Stewart but I do love cooking esp doing stuff completely from scratch. My latest thing is designing funny plates of food like making faces with the food but a bit more involved than just beans for a mouth and cherry toms for eyes. I think if they had a masterchef for kid friendly food I'd enter. Anyhoo I got my love of cooking from my
mum and i'd like to pass it onto the boys. I esp love seeing DS1 cook as he has had such a hard time with food fussiness, he is really starting to become more adventurous with his eating since he's been cooking. Also who am I to say he shouldn't cook when he insists on making Banana bread.

I just ordered some of the Anywayup cups online as ours are getting a bit mankey, I didnt look at the delivery charge properly until after I had ordered and it's £11! The cups are only costing £7. Cheeky buggers. £18 for 4 cups. Oh well we'll certainly use them. I also ordered my new coffee machine I'm so excited, it should arrive by Friday so hot caps over the weekend, no more leaking coffee machine making luke warm coffee. Hooray.

trace I think you should definately go on your weekend. I am going on a hen do at the end of may for 2 nights (not quite as relaxing as your weekend sounds though!). I think it will do DH good to see how hard it can be onhis own with 2. Plus I think you really deserve some time to yourself.

veggie I hope Mr veggie is home soon. I have friends who are stranded in lanzarote and can't get home!

katie Well done you. I know its tough giving up smoking from when DH did it. But if you really want to do it then you will suceed. Sending lots of positive vibes your way.

Re: poo DS goes all vacant when having a poo and then giggles and comes to me

I have suggested to DH that he/we go for counselling he doesn't think its needed. He has always had the ability to be an arse. But usually kept it in check. But since MIL died he has this 'poor me' attitude that he seems to think excuses everything he does or says, well it doesn't. He has made a concerted effort to be better this past 2 days. But I don't think the situation is helped by the fact that I just feel like some big, fat, frumpy housewife most of the time. I never go out or do much without him or the kids. I don't want to particularly but every now and again would be nice. Oh I could ramble all day, best get DD to school.

Veggie! The cups are £1.99 at Tesco! I would have sent you some you nutter!
Glad MrVeg will be home soon.
Such a nice day but I have a big grocery shop to do. Just not sure if I can deal with the park and shop arrangment by doing Aldi and Tesco so perhaps just Tesco today

Oh Daisy - sorry about all you are going through. It sounds like a similar attitude My db has ever since his wife went whacko and left as they say a divorce can be like a death sometimes.
You need a girls day out I wish you lived closer

That's exactly what I was thinking, Daisy. I would love to take you out for a jolly evening. Can't type more at the mo...but will later.

Right that's it, we need a day out in Brussels, the menfolk can look after the Bairns and we can meet up and relax, properly. Whose in! Daisy I'm counting you in already! Oh or it could be Lille, Lady said that was nice. We could find a spa or we could just meet sans children and actually talk to each other without having one half of our brain on the conversation and the other one calculating just how far we can let DS/DD 1,2 or 3 get towards to road/stairs/coffee cup before we will need to intervene taking into account distance needed to cover (squared to the muffin top factor of 6).

I'm currently at home with my coffee instead of at a ANZWC coffee morning because poor DS2 fell asleep on the sofa at 9.15! It's now nearly 11EST and it finishes at 11.30 so don't think we will make it.

Howdy, just a quick one been trying and failing to keep up for the last cople of days. Honestly what to do mumsnet or take the children out for the day?

Wanted to send some super unmumsnetty ((hugs)) to Daisy I would say a day pout is in order and I do think your DH needs to go chat to someone. How friendly is your GP?

LADYT MIL arse!

Rubes noticed you were talking about beds. We put DS into a toddler/junior bed when he was 16mth as I wanted him setteld before DS2 arrived. He was fab had always been a good sleeper and after a couple of nights where he woke as he was out of the duvet he was fine. DS2 on the other hand has only just learnt to sleep through so we will be keeping him caged at night for a wee bit longer.

Have just spent 200 smackers on neccesary boys things I hate spending money on boring stuff that should be going towards my wardrobe.

Veggie how is DH doing? Poor you guys this VAV (volcanic ash victims) thing is a bit much although it is nice not to have planes going overhead.

JJ hilarious DS1 is about to turn 3 and we have only just cracked potty training. I do think some mothers really do set themselves up for huge falls when they have that sort of attitude.

I know there was loads more I wanted to respond to but have to go get ready for swimming with DS1 and poor DS@ has to go to the creche to scream for 45 minutes.

Have a lovely day all.

Oh meant to say Rubs, bugger about the cups at Tesco! I'd rather pay you delivery than the cheeky company on Amazon, though my own fault for not checking the delivery costs. Also well done on the 99p bed that's amazing!

Morning. Thanks for the warm welcome back. I've been so emotional during this pregnancy that it bought tears to my eyes.
Have been up all night with poorly DS so our planned trip to the aquarium has been postponed. He's been sat on my knee all morning with his snotty nose, temperatures and sore teeth. He also vomited his cornflakes back up which distressed him greatly. He has fallen asleep on me now after some ibuprofen.
It's typical he has become ill when we have just finished BF - last one on Thurs. BF used to be a big comfort when he was poorly. He's started taking some evening milk now which he used to refuse.

SL - yes DS has always been a bad sleeper - fights it as much as he can. He did however become very clingy at the beginning of the pregnancy which made me think he knew something was up!

Kiwi - I was worried about DS's lack of interst in soft toys esp as we're in a 'child development' study which sends us questionnaires to fill in and that was one of the questions. In the past 2weeks though he has suddenly started hugging them and sometimes carrying them round. So cute. But I think as with everything they develop their interest in things over quite a wide age range.
No talking here either except for dada and fish. We think DS thinks I may be called dada as well!
Shoes - when we went to get some for DS they asked if he was walking 20steps at a time! He wasn't but they didn't check and thet did take a little photo of him in his first pair of shoes.

Oh dear, DS awake and not happy. Trying to distract with ITNG.

Running on again - I'm in Brussels weekend of 14 Aug! But I would have DD.

Thinking about it, if we are spa-ing, having DD is no good.

Modern hope you feel better soon - I was like that at the beginning of the pg and have been like it randomely since. The sunshine is helping though.

Veggie I know! I'm so excited about my Ebay purchase I heart Ebay Oh and I just picked up a little Mylene Klass (cringe some of you I know I know) baby sleepsuit which is gorgeous and has tags on it saying £16 - I got it for £5 with 0.99p postage Ebay whore here...
Oh and don't be silly I would have sent you the cups no postage required - I can't tell you how much I've been looking for that exact type of cup you put me onto! let me know when you need some more. that reminds me, I still have to send AK's package - geez I'm slack.... It was my nephews birthday in march and I've only just sent his present (been blaming it on the Easter Royal mail slowness and now the Volcano )
Oh and when wouold this meetup day be Veg? I won't be able to do it sans child if it's mid week and not sure I can justify the cost really with new baby stuff to buy ie mattress and toddler seat on the buggy etc etc. i was wondering if you were heading this direction again before June? Had thoughts of a day spa somewhere between daisy and London that perhaps we could all venture too? there is a brilliant one right near me (only a mile ) which I know is the opposite of what I said above regarding location but they have a creche and take your baby for 4 hours while you have treatments on site it looks lovely and I'm thinking of going myself as they do preggo massages - anyone?

Jam - that's reassuring to hear about the 16mth transition to the bed - ds will be more like 18 months by the time I get around to buying the mattress but I'm hoping the grobag first duvet I'm going to invest in will help with that problem of kicking off the covers? I'm just wondering what will happen since he like's to spin around and is rarely the same direction in the cot that I put him in at bedtime we'll see but I really want to get him sorted in lots of time before dc2 arrives. Actually I think I'll order the duvet now and I will get a guard rail as well as I can always Ebay it later

Hi all,

Feels like a while since I've managed to get on.

Veggie - you are sounding admirably stoical about the travel disruption! My BIL was stranded in Israel and after many adventures (including almost getting to Barcelona and then getting sent back again) he finally arrived home yesterday. My sis and he were both quite stressed about it and they don't have DCs to worry about. Worst story I have heard is an Aussie girl I know who is meant to be getting married on Saturday - her parents and lots of her friends and family are stranded in HK or Australia with little hope of getting here. So she is debating whether to cancel the wedding or go ahead. Anyway, direct impact on me is that the trip to the US is off for the time being. Just as well I guess as I wouldn't fancy getting over there and then getting stranded. Bit frustrating, but I guess it makes no difference to the big picture.

Daisy - definitely find a way of giving yourself a break/treat. You sound like you need and deserve it. Even a few hours off of you doing your own thing might also give your DH some perspsective on what you do.

LadyT - belated happy birthday!

JJ - prob a bit late now, but I'll second the Camley St recommendation - its a really unexpected little wilderness in the middle of London.

Modernlove - congratulations! Illness/poor sleeping sounds tough though.

Kiwi - loved the story about your DD!

Potty training - DD was potty trained a bit after she was 2. She got the idea, but it took a few weeks for her to be properly reliable, so I guess the timing was roughly right. I do have one mad friend who "potty trained" her DCs before they were 1 - I think it amounted to putting them on the potty when she knew they were about to poo. She was a bit desperate not to deal with dirty nappies.

On cot vs bed - I think we moved DD when she showed signs of being prepared to hurl herself out of her cot! She was also very wriggly at night and to start with we had a spare mattress on the floor to catch her if she fell out - but it only took a couple of nights before that stopped happening. Think we will do the same with DS, although I think that might be rather sooner than with her as he already looks like he would like to climb out!

We've also been using cruisers - intend to stick with them for a bit longer even though DS is more or less walking all the time now.

Oh and neither DC is massively attached to soft toys, although DD is slightly more interested recently, but she is very fickle!

Gosh, I'm keeping DD in her cot when the newbie arrives - don't want her hopping out once she's been put to bed... Plus my Mum has a brand new unused cot in her cellar, which we're going to raid and use. Just buy a new mattress. But in some ways, maybe it would be better to get her into a bed. Hmmm, hadn't even considered it really.

We've also got a Maclaren double buggy triumph one. It doesn't go totally flat for a newborn, but I've bought a head support thing - do you think that'll do? Actually, it has to - we can't afford another pram! We got our bugaboo with vouchers and I love it. I'd sell it, but think it'll be useful in the winter with the newbie in it and DD on the back on a board. Or shall I just sell it? Hmmmm. Decisions....

I am actually suddenly v excited about the new baby - hurrah!

We've said no to a couple of other properties we've seen, and am off to look at another one on Friday. Saw a beautiful one yesterday. I don't know why I bothered as landlord wants £500p/w for it !!!! And it's a 3 bedroom. Erm, hello? That's NEVER going to happen. But thought I'd have a look for shits and giggles.

Feeling v perky today - amazing what the weather can do for you!

Oh Beans, make no mistake, ds will be able to get out of bed but will not be getting out of the room My friend said for the first week she just had to move her ds from the floor where he had fallen asleep playing with toys, back into the bed but it didn't take long. he can open the door, but handy dh will be attaching a latch of some type [mean mummy] howver on the flip side I think it will be better in the mornings as at the momet he only wakes me up to get out to play with toys so hoping he will do that and won't need help from me [bonus]

Not sure on the buggy thing - I'm inclined to go for the fully flat option - you can always Ebay it how flat does it go? It might be ok. I Ebayed my last one as it had no option for a toddler seat and nearly got back what i'd paid for it - however it was only 6 months old and pristine. I try to look after my stuff and keep original boxes things come in etc as you get so much more money for them.

Right off to do some shopping after I drag ds away from his bedroom of toys and get lunch down him

actually having thought about it - will just put a baby gate there perhaps. Either way Houdini will not be getting out [famous last words]

Beans - I just had a look at your triumph online - says it is suitable for newborns so shoulf be fine right? The side by side numbers are not for me personally but at least it's light weight etc and looks good for travel?

Hey all

Can't believe we are talking pottry training and beds already! DD1 was over 2.5 before I tried either. I found the comfort if knowing she was safe in her cot very hard to let go of. It was a huge sturdy cot bed so there was no escaping from it and plenty of room for toys etc. Once she was in a bed she kept getting up plus I was paranoid she would get into trouble by finding a small toy to choke on or a chest of drawers to climb up. DD2 will be staying safely contained and unable to disturb me for at least another year!

News here is that the volcano is scuppering our plans to fly to the South of France on Friday. Gutted. But also worried that airspace may be open by then so we won't get a refund on our flights but chaos will rule and we will end up spending 10 hours in Stanstead with fractious kids. TBH no holiday is worth that and I wish they would just confirm our flight as cancelled so we can use the money to get a UK cottage instead. I doubt we will get a great refund on our accomodation though. I am hoping they might let us transfer the booking to later in the year.

I also find it v hard not knowing whether to start preparing for a week in the sun or not. Should I go and buy summer clothes and swim nappies etc? Who knows. I normally prepare for holidays days in advance. Arrghhhhh, v annoyed.

Sorry, running in for a quick "me" post .
T had his MMR 11 days ago and now has the measles rash, general unwellness, gone off his food etc. Does anyone know how long this lasts? And can they recommend a cream for the itching?
Thanking ee.