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

[Beans33]

Hope this is better - sorry all!

Well, I do have a bit of a soft spot for the name Miles, but it can give a bit of a misleading impression - the one I know was apparently named because his mother had been walking miles and miles, so doesn't really conform to type. (But I totally

Oh and I do know a male Meredith as well, so if you like the name, that could be an option?

Daisy - love your story about DD!

Veggie - the prospects of a trip sound very exciting!

LadyT - glad your agent is making the right noises.

What misleading impression invis - do you think it's very "posh"? I always think it is a bit. When I was a kid I thought it was a weird name, as it was a distance. Similarly I thought "Mark" was a weird name.

Meredith for a bloke is a bit too Lord of the Rings for me (re one of the hobbits being Merry, though I think it's not short for Meredith in LOTR)

invis any update on your job situation.

I know a little boy called Milo - do think v posh, but also makes me think of the dog in The Mask. But doesn't stop me liking it.

My nephew is called Mark. think it's quite sweet. He used to have a wart on his body, which he called James after my DH! Hahah! DH responded by saying he had loads of marks on his body. Quite witty, I thought.

My nephew's other wart was called Father Christmas. Random child.

I guess so yes. For me it conjours up a particular type of floppy haired posh (and I've certainly met at least one who was a bit like that). But then again, the Miles I know is northern and not at all posh. Oh and also realised I failed to finish my sentence - I also remember This Life well. I was a trainee lawyer at the time and we watched it avidly, but I can safely say that I can't think of many "this life" moments in real life

No further news on the job situation. Waiting to reschedule the volcano blasted trip - they are still keen on the idea, but I don't know when the next chance to actually meet them will be. Heat is off slightly where I am though as there is now a bit of a pipeline of work which means they need me more. Doesn't change the fact that I do need to move, but does make me feel a bit less like I have a gun to my head...

just bought these and this for DD. Loving next for their cheapness!

Invis - glad the pressure is off you a bit now. And you can actually take your time over decisions etc.

back from the bike ride - tons of fun along the tow path of the Wey navigation - so peaceful yet the M25 is only meters away quick stop at the pub dh had 2 beers and some onion rings and fries (well I had a few too with my diet coke) ds got picked up by a 3 year old very forard girl who chased him around the tiny pub playground - ahh thank God for the enclosed area! I'm buying the back pack with reins tomorrow. DH got some work confirmed tomorrow and then another shift for May which is a very lucrative shift so might get us out of the poo.

Names - I LOVE Claudia - might even add it to our shortlist.
Vaggie I told a few people (pg girls) at work my shortlist and one of them had my second fav so I was happy I did only since if I DO use it she will know I didn't copy.

One of my all time favourites has been used by at least one of our regular posters here and possibly two? eek but dh isn't totally convinced yet, plus my brother hates it (but so what I don't like his kids names - except my youngest niece's middle name since it's my name )

Shame how we get put off some names when they remind us of people / characters
ie Miles - can't get the crazy guy from Home & Away out of my head, I love Isabelle, but Celilia - whacko girl I went to school with.
Vaggie I love both your boys names AK - has one of dh's middle names for his first.
So that's my only fear of not telling my shortlist to people is that - that they will think i've copied if I am due after

I meant Cecilia (whacko girl) lol

Love the dress Beans

getting quite fun looking at girly stuff - I'm not totally a frilly frilly person but I've bought a bit of pink already

Love this might get it for dd

Beans - clothes very cute. I'm afraid poor old DS misses out on the clothes front as it is much more fun to dress DD.

Although I am not sure how long that will last now she has views. We have become resigned to the morning chorus of "I always want a dress and TIGGHTS", but now she charmed grandma into getting her a pink dress for her birthday - we had a collective shopping trip for it on Sunday. Luckily she still accepts that bright magenta is still pink. Sugary pink really doesn't suit her. By the time we'd finished with DD no one had any energy to think about getting DS stuff, although he has kind of grown out of his entire wardrobe...

Rubena - the whole copying name thing gets a bit silly. I wouldn't worry about it too much unless its close friends and family where everyone gets in a muddle and have to live with it forever. Mind you, my grandma tried to insist on all her grandsons getting the same name (after deceased grandpa). Caused much family friction - two got the name, one hated it so much he changed it as soon as he hit his teens and the other lot fell out and didn't speak for a year bacause they chose something different.

She seriously wanted them all to have the same name?

DS2 has the same as a friends DS2 who is 4 years older. When we chose his name we phoned them to check it was ok to use the name. When we eventually move home we will live near them and the boys will see a lot of each other. I don't think it matters that they have the same name though.

dh and his dad have the same real first name so dh has always gone by his second name and it gets confusing for legal stuff. I certainly broke tradition with ds as I couldn't be having that ridiculous nonsense!

Bah just typed loads on the subject of names and DS has jumped on the laptop and deleted it all!!

Forgot to say earlier DS bit another child at toddler group this morning. I KNEW it was going to happen. He was with my mum who apologised to the other mum (who I know and was very good about it all). But the woman in charge was totally miffed with DS. he just doesn't get 'no' though. What am I going to do? He'll get banned from toddler group, he'll have an ASBO by the time he's 2!!! But seriously if anyone has any advice I could really do with some....

My advice would be for the toddler group lady to chill out. DS2 got eye gouged off the ladder of a slide the other day, the offender got no reprimand and no apology to me.

DH has left for Budspest, he should be on the plane now. I've got a delivery pizza on my lap and watching Futurama, I love this show.

Daisy no advice re; biting - at this age they don't understand really, especially if you don't get to them until slightly after the event.

LadyT great news about your agent - fingers crossed you get some positive news soon. Hope all prep for your trip going OK!

Veggie enjoy that pizza (drooling over keybd) how long is Dh away for this time (obv assuming no ash clouds fingers crossed!)

Loving the name chat. I adore Claudia as a name (as have girl crush on Ms Winkleman). I am visiting a chum on Friday who is due in a week and still has no shortlist so may do some brain storming with her!

I am ashamed to say that L got chucked out of the university "babylab" study today (child pyschology (sp) voluntary study that was actually fascinating - why 16mth olds point at things - is it to show you or ask what the thing is). Anyway - the pyschologist had a box of things to show DD - but sill woman they were partially visible when we entered the room - so DD is going nuts because she KNOWS there is a box containing a ball under the table and thus she refused point blank to sit nicely and point (or whatever) at the objects as they came out. We were asked to leave it happens all the time apparently but it would have been interesting to do the study. My headstrong daughter had other ideas.

Lovely to see WG and Kimberly at the park today and their super (walking!) babes.

Sorry Turnip but that is so funny that DD got kicked out. DS1 was part of a study on development of selective IVF babies. He was part of the control group. It was great we got a full and indepth developmental assesment. The study was being carried out at UCL by a consultant I used to work with and the registrars who did the assessments were good friends so we had a great time. DS1 was about 13 months old and 'performed' very well for them. I think he loved all the attention. They sent me a copy of the study which I will keep for him. Thankfully they discovered that there are no significant differences in development between the control group and the study group.

He is away until Sunday morning. Unfortunately there are no late flights on sat night so he has to come home Sunday morning.

Hellllloooooo!!!

Sorry I'm such a terrible Dec 08 Mummy!!! I've missed you all terribly!!!

Please can someone give me a summery of what has happened recently??

So sorry I haven't been on much. I always seem to be out or tidying up. Not sure how 2 such small cute boys can make so much mess.

I just saw a Dec 2010 ante-natal thread. I can't believe it!!!

Hope you are all well.

Oooooh Lady - just stumbled over your baby name thread and had a quick skim through! Love it! I'm a bit I didn't see it before I posted on here about the C word which dh uses when we discuss baby names!

Turnip - that would be ds as well!

Really loving Claudia and is on the shortlist. DH likes it too but still have a list of about 13

Daisy can't really help either on the biting thing but hope you get it resolved soon

hi kayz - fab to 'see' you again How are things? You sounds in good spirits. I've just been catching up myself as have been AWOL for a week or so, but might try to provide a summary of recent events if I can...Although I'm sure veggie will do a better job of it!
Turnip I also have a bit of a girl crush on Winkleman - and on Davina M too
Loving the baby name talk. I think it's great fun thinking of names and the more you think about it, you kind of get bored of some and some won't get out of your head, which is a good indicator of what you really think. But I also think you can't be fully fully fully sure until you've seen the child. We were all set to call dd1 Amelia Grace but once she was born it didn't feel right and we changed to Lucy Faith, which she suits perfectly! Having said that we'd decided on Phoebe Martha months weeks before she was born and stuck with those names.
The name Milo makes me think of the Tweenies! I remember when I was pregnant I would watch the credits of TV shows really carefully to analyse the names! I quite like Mary or Rebecca for a girl and Joel for a boy.
Anyway sorry I've been AWOL - went away for the weekend as DH was away so I went to my parents' with the girls and had a lovely time, then since I got back have been busying around, and have also had a huge headache for the past 3 days, so have been packing myself off to bed at about 8pm, but then waking up still with the bad head Feeling a bit better this evening but still have a grumbling achey head. Maybe it's the weather. or the volcano.
Pubes big grins for your baby girl! Welcome to the world of frilly pink things! I went to a charity shop today and got 3 tops for Phoebe at 25p each! They're so cute I can't wait to dress her!
I think P is a bit under the weather - she had a croupy cough last night, seemed ok but not quite herself today, and is now barking away again although she's still asleep. Also she has 2 suspiscious spots - and chicken pox is going around her nursery - but they may turn out to be innocent - we'll wait and see!
wg well done for going to the GP. Hope you're not waiting too long for the other investigations.
I took Lucy to her consultant appintment yesterday. Not much to tell really - he's not sure what's causing the poo problems but has tested her for coeliac disease and various allergies and wants to see her again in July to check her growth. If the bloods show it is coeliac disease then she'll have to have a biopsy to confirm it, but we'll cross that bridge if and when we come to it. She was a superstar for the blood test [proud mummy emoticon]
daisy how are things with your dh? And NJAN how about you?
I had loads to say but my mind has gone blank!
veggie I wondered if I could email you a question relating to work? I attended a case conf yesterday and it's swimming round my head. If that's ok could you email me your email address?! I'm [email protected] although I understand totally if you'd rather not talk shop.
kayz I forgot to mention we're having another Yorkshire meet-up. Not finalised the details yet but we're arranging it via email. Email me or jolly or zj if you want to join us - same for anyone else who fancies a trip to York!

Loving the baby name talk. Not keen on Daffodil though I'm afraid Lady, I generally quite like flower names (thus DD = Lily) but that and Marigold do not appeal at all!
My favourite boys names are:
Miles, Luke (but not Lucas), Hugo, Finlay/ Finbar, Alexander (shortened to Zander, although that is an ex BF's name so DH would never agree), Toby and Edward.
I do know a man called Valentine which is fraightfully romantic .
For girls, I think Claudia is nice, but also like Imogen, Anoushka, erm, and that's about it.
When I was younger I always thought I'd name my daughter Anastasia, then my sister had a baby and stole the name. I am now very glad she did as I don't really like it all any more, especially ashers is shortened to Ana, the other option was Stasi, not a good idea considering we are half-German!
Can anyone offer me a bit of advice? DS's teacher took me aside today to tell me that she wants to get a specialist in to observe him as he has a real problem with concentration. He can't keep still, constantly fidgets and can't focus for very long on anything, he also has a problem with some large motor skills. I have no problem with this, but does anyone know what they would be looking for? I have a feeling that it might be a sign of dyslexia. 4 out of 5 of DH's siblings have severe dyslexia and I have always suspected that DS might suffer. Just wonderd if anyone had any ideas.

Hiya, Kayz, good to see you again! How are you doing? And how are the boys?

Trace, that's really good that L's being properly checked out, Did the consultant say if he thought coeliac disease was likely?

Glad you had a good day out, North London ladies, I wish I had been there, very . I feel like I'm gradually getting to know some people here and it is good being in Brighton now the weather's better but it is a slow burner... DP having work wobbles again so we could be heading back to the Smoke anyway, who knows. We are both very flaky so major life decisions in the Spot household tend to be ill -thought out and only then taken on a whim.

We went to see respiratory consultant yesterday at hospital, they reckon T is just one of those chesty babies who has big tonsils and narrow airways and will grow out of his permanent cough. They reckon not likely to be asthma and switching to soya milk had no real difference so nothing conclusive other that that it's not serious. Poor lil fella is badly constipated though, I went to the chemist today to see what I could give him (usual things having no effect, he's not pooed in a couple of days and he was just producing hard, black pebbles before) and they've recommended syrup of figs. Hope it works, he's very very plugged up.

Am finding this baby name chat interesting, all the more so as I might have a vested interest. Dunno why but I have a sneaky suspicion I might be in the club. It's not even as if I'm late (due today), but a variety of symptoms are making me wonder. It wouldn't be terrible if I were, we know we do want a sibling for T, but wasn't planning quite so soon. But fear not, I will test tomorrow and keep you posted. Don't hold your breath though, my symptoms are probably very psychosomatic!

Hello kayz you naughty lady ignoring us for so long. Hope you are ok and the boys are doing well!

Hi trace!! Hope P hasn't got the pox, it is the time of year for it though!

katie not sure on what they would be looking for, am sure someone with older DCs will have an idea though. Hope it is nothing to worry about.

You have reminded me that Toby was high up our shortlist too. I think it sounds a little bit twee with my surname though.

spot that is far too exciting!!

Hello,
Have just caught up but am about to scarper to bed.
Before I go I wanted to say yay to Rubes' girly news. Did your DH guess correctly at the 12 week scan (didn't he say he was 70% sure after that scan?).

Am also waiting with bated breath to hear your testing news Spot. Don't doubt your intuition. Look at LadyT, she knew practically before her DP had pulled out!

Loving the names chat. I have much more outlandish taste in boys' names than in girls. For boys you all know I love Bede but I also like Florian and Hector. If I was to go more traditional it would be Daniel. I probably would have gone more outlandish when naming my girls excep. That I wanted to name DD1 after my mum and one she had been given a relatively normal name I felt constrained when naming DD2. If things had been different they would have been Matilda and Beatrice.

Lovely to see you Kayz! How are you doing?

And have a lovely time in Switzeland LadyT.

Right, Cowley was lovely but DD2 was a monstor yesterday. The first day she was an angel. I sympathise with your Jekyll and Hyde baby Kiwi. DD2's latest decision is that she HATES walking. She can now manage about 20 unaided steps but rarely bothers. If you suggest she tries she throws herself screaming to the floor. If you spot her trying a few steps and congratulate her she screams at you and sits right down. Soooooo annoying as I know she would be happier walking and keeping up with her sis.

Running on as just madly packing and have NO TIME but glad to see Trace as I was worrying you hadn't been on for a bit. Glad they are following up Lu with a bit more efficiency.

Lovely to see you, Kayz!

Spot, you dark horse! Another pregnancy cliffhanger, I love it!

Rubes, I wouldn't take my posts on threads other than this one altogether seriously And pleeeeeeeeeeeeze use Claudia!

Turnip, that is funny about being ejected from the course. What CAN they expect??

Oh Veg, weren't you all going to Budapest? I am sad. But you have that lovely hol to look forward to, wherever it ends up being.

Still loving all the names talk.
Augusta
Horatia
Thomasina are all names I love but DP won't let me,

Valentina and Fernanda are gorgeous names but they don't go with DP's surname (or my resolutely English looking children).

Glad you had a good time at Cowley, Aubi, but sorry DD2 had the abjabs. I really do sympathise.

Have to run, have to run, back on Monday. I'll miss you!

OHMIGOD, spot, leaving us in the lurch like that. can't wait to hear. you were missed, too. i remembered our walk around f park as i was, indeed, walking around f park.

it was lovely to see turnip and kim and their lovely babies.

turnip - bless L for being so headstrong and the lady so dimwitted that she was asked to leave babylab. something to be proud of, i feel.

kayz - hard to summarize as i can't remember when you were last on - just keep visiting and you'll catch up - hope you are well.

tomorrow is my first day back at work for this term. i have shed many tears about the preparation - i just don't think i'm cut out for this job. think i may chuck it in at the end of this term and either try and find something else closer to home (is an hour and twenty mins commute each way at the mo), or change tack again. i find my confidence has ebbed away, and i am just so happy pottering around at home, visiting people and the park with madam. i wish i could just do that without feeling so dreadfully dreadfully guilty all the time.

re: the names chat - we didn't tell anyone about our shortlist of names adn didn't choose a final name until madam was 3 days old. people are so funny about names and someone is bound to insult you even inadvertently if you mention the name you are thinking of. once the name is chosen and given, though, people tend to be more tactful.

speaking of german things - katie, did i know you were german? which side? my mum was german - it was my first language, until i spoke english at nursery. i'm pretty good at it with practice, but i haven't practiced for AGES (still haven't taken madam to meet her german relatives). but when the shit hits the proverbial, a lot of the time i do come out with german over english - strange how language is so deeply engrained. the last thing i said to my mum before she died was in german - i find it connects me to my emotions very quickly. and no, i don't speak it with madam - i really should. must find some german baby books - any ideas where i could find some?

right. must. go. to. bed. early start for the misery which is my teaching tomorrow.

melodramatic, moi?