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

[Beans33]

Hope this is better - sorry all!

Oh Aubergine I used to live in a little village near Dublin.

Love that city a few too many good nights had.

Go to the Avoca shop they do amazing lovely fresh breads and the clothes are sort of funky mummy trendy esque clothes bad explanation but some of their stuff is quite nice. Pick up one of the Avoca cook books loads of great recipies.

Get a Butlers hot chocolate vv nice.

Obviously visit Temple Bar area a wee bit touristy but has to be done.

Hi Aub, have a fab time in Dublin . On the walking/talking issue, we have the opposite. Ds2 is getting his balance nicely but seems to have forgotten any words he knew! He gets by nicely on 'daddy' 'yeah' and 'gah' plus pointing and screaming. He's communicating fine so am trying to be relaxed about it.

Home again today, ds2 better but still a bit worried about the look of his spots. May give nhs direct a ring.

What's wrong with his spots Effie? Are they getting infected?

Thanks for more Dublin tips Jam. V excited. Although it is a work trip do I suppose my free time might be limited. Nevertheless I will everything possible to ensure work doesn't cramp my style too much.

Pah, still not taken off, am on v crowded hot plane but they haven't even got to the security demo yet. Luckily I'm not sat near my colleagues so I am not being forced to make worthy conversation.

Right, finally had a chance to catch up, not that I'll remember any of it.
Trace your hair looks great, you really suit short hair.
Aubi, have fun in Dublin
Syb, no advice I'm afraid. I amjust debating whether to wean DD off her dummy, but quite frankly can't bear the thought of her being awake and screaming for it. Purely selfish as I really need my sleep, but we'll getaround to it eventually. She woke at 4 this morning for about an hour. Absolutely nothing worng with her, just wanted to play and I am dead on my feet this morning.
LadyT, good luck with the MIL, you have my sympathy. I have never posted on here about my MIL (I don't think) but she is a complete nightmare, as are most of my IL's! Unfortunately it is just one of those things, we don't just marry/ get involved with our partners we have to get involved with their families as well. I very nearly didn't marry DH because of his family .
We had a lovely weekend. DD was 5 on Friday so he went to the cinema for the first time with DH whilst DD and I went shopping. He had a great time. Then my DSis and niece came for the weekend and we had a disco party with 32 kids in the village hall on Saturday. It was extremely stressful but worth it as they all had great fun. The only annoying this was that I was too busy keeping the kids entertained to watch the National, but my horse (Mon Mome) fell anyway. I am a real National freak, have never missed one. It was on the day DS was born and I made DH go and find a tv for me to watch it on, in between contractions. The midwife got a bit confused, as when I was shouting at the tv she thought I was contracting, but contrations weren't showing up on her machine! I lost that day as well.
Right, I have another week ahead of me trying to keep the kids entertained and get some work done, quite looking forward to DS going back to school next week!

Sorry, DS was 5 on Friday, not DD

Eeeeeeeuuuuurrrrgh, I was up most of the night fretting. Feel awful. How those of you still suffering endless broken nights feel, I can't imagine.

Aubi, hope you can snatch some time for yourself in Dublin. And do buy yourself some treats. It's an essential part of travel!

Good to see you back, Turnip. I am still wildly envious of your Portugal trip and so glad you had a good time.

Jam, you are quite right, I do need to man up about the MIL. I have an Australian friend (and former professional rugby league coach) who, whenever I am whinging or being a feebleton, says in a cheery voice "Man up, soldier!" And it always makes me smile.

Sorry about the nag, Katie. No more bets for me on horses this year. I love it too much. I let myself do the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the National and leave it at that. Though...there is Ascot and the Derby...Your DS's party sounds like a riproaring success.

Right, I have got to go over to the house today, hopefully to receive the order I should have had the other day. I am going to call my FIL (DH's dad) to help me drag it into the back garden

Back from the gp/ spots are infected. Boo. Have antibiotic steroid cream which should clear them up so best stick him in the bath again...

Poor lil DS, Effie . Hope the cream works its magic soon.

Bummer about the bad night, LadyT, how are you feeling about things this morning? (other than ropey after a rough night).

Have a lovely trip, Aubs. I'd heard about that pub in Fletching, must go there soon. And do give us a shout if you're around these parts again.

Am struggling with motivation to do this course. Am rubbish like that, I love starting new courses, but lose interest quickly. I am the ultimate flake.

hmm, talking of which I have plenty of Easter choc to get through so that could help my study. Head much better today, thanks Jam!

Hello everyone,

effie Oh dear, what a shame. How is he holding up?

LadyT Apparently whilst under sedation I start kicking and hitting out . I had to be held down and had bruises afterwards. Hope you get your deliveries organised today. No heavy lifting please.

Trace I love your hair! It really suits you. Re the meet up. Shall we thrash out dates with Zoe over email? Unless there is anyone else interested in meeting in York?

spot Do you mean giving DS something to eat after he has rejected his tea? I tend to give DD her yoghurt and milk as normal but don't give a different choice. I assume, possibly incorrectly, that if she doesn't eat she isn't hungry. Unless it is a new food that she may not like of course. It is hard to know what to do. I'd do something different if she woke with hunger though.

Aub Have a good trip!

DD is sleeping before her lunch as she nodded off in the car. I'm not sure if I should tuck in or wait for her! I'm hungry!

Thanks for the good wishes. Ds2 has a bit of a temp but is otherwise fine. Thankfully the itchiness seems to be subsiding, but if he's still not well tomorrow I'll have yo do another day from home. Not ideal as we are v v busy atm but we don't have much choice - I'm not sending him to the cm's if he isn't well. We need to keep an eye on the temp as he may need oral antib's.

Lady: can you stick lock your mil in another room to get on with the painting?

Hhello have been lurking a bit but not posted. But can't remember much of what's happened here over the weekend (much like Spot by the sounds of it). Speaking of which Lewes sounds lovely, as long as your within train distance of the bright lights you'll be fine. What's the seagull situation in Lewes?

WG & Kiwi, there are still Waybaloo episodes on iplayer, DS1 was watching it yesterday. I was hanging out the washing and called into him that he could do some of the 'yogo' positions. He kind of grunted from the couch. So I walked after finishing with the washing and said 'you can do what they're doing', he replied 'mummy I can't fly'. Fair enough.

Sorry the spots got infected Effie, it can easily happen esp with the added eczema element.

Have fun in Dublin Aub, I kissed my first Irishmen in Dublin, his name was Kevin.

We had a nice quiet weekend, met up with a Dutch lady who has twins DS1's age. It's great for DS1 he gets 2 friends for the price of one, it's a boy & girl set and they are constantly vieing for his attention. He loves it. They are really lovely with DS2 as well.

DH is off to Barcelona tomorrow until Friday so will be a single parent. I'm going to attempt to try to curb my impatience and not get so shouty & grumpy with the boys. Let see how that pans out.

Lady I think your MIL needs headbutting

oh gotta go

Lady, re looking for commissions, have you heard of a website called Peopleperhour? I get an email alert every day of new jobs posted and then you have to bid for them. I've only actually bid for a couple of things and nothing has ever come of it, but might be worth a try. There are alot of copywriting requests, often pretty basic stuff, but money is money, right?

Hey all! We're back!

I will do quick overall catch up re travel buggies - we've got something called a Hauck spring thing - it was £50 and is brilliant. V similar to a Maclaren, but cheaper than a Volo and lies flat. Would recommend it massively. Even has quite a big basket under it. a bit like this but older model.

Re bath/bedtime. We do bath at 6-6.30 ish, then downstairs for ITNG and a beaker of milk. Then she just tootles about and plays til about 7.15. Then has a good old squeak in her cot, throwing sheepie out and we have to resettle her a couple of times, then she's out like a light. But it works pretty well. And I figure nipping upstairs for putting her back down is all good for my figure!!! Trying not to get toooooo fat this pregnancy, but hasn't worked so far!

Paris was lovely. The weather was beautiful. Our Eurostar was delayed by over 2 hours on the way out, so we got a free return trip at any time in the next year! Best 2 hour delay of my life - I slept for the whole thing!!!

Then we arrived and have to say, were staying in a massive fleapit - absolutely grim. I pulled back the sheets on the first night and there was dried spunk on the sheets - I mean GEUGH! Vile. But they quickly replaced them and I slept brilliantly, which surprised me after 2 hours on the train and initial spunkshocker! DH did the marathon on Sunday - he was brilliant. 3 hours 34 mins. He was so disappointed as wanted to do it in under 3 hours 30, but he was quicker than anyone else there, so in my book, he was amazing. I managed to cheer in 3 different places on the course, so he was chuffed to bits. On the 3rd place, he came past me and just said "Oh god, I'm dead", which is so unlike him. So I jogged along and caught him up and he nearly passed out that big fat 6.5 month pregnant wife had caught up with him. Poor chap! But he made it. My hero!

One of his little toes has turned into one massive blood blister and the nail is no longer moored. Does anyone know what he should do about it at all? We haven't burst it or anything. Should he go to a doctor? He's also going to lose 2 other toenails - grim. And big blisters everywhere. He's really struggling with walking too, bless him. We strolled along the Seine this afternoon. Ok, he hobbled and I waddled. And it was gorgeous. Then picked up DD. She was more pleased to see him than me, which I was strangely glad about!

Now back and gearing up for househunting tomorrow.

We've had another offer on our house, which is great - think we're going to accept it tomorrow. Trying for another 5k, but if not, we'll take that one sharpish!

So all in all, life is sweet.

I'm off to bed i a moment.

LadyT - I hope you're ok with your MIL. Is it going ok?

Sorry spot I got the wrong end of the stick wrt to food. I subsitute food for both sometimes.I figure that I'd like some choice some of the time if it was me, and although I said I had a healthy attitude to food, we were forced to eat our dinner whether we wanted to or not when we were kids, sometimes to the point of vomiting. I'd never do that to my own and accept they have likes and dislikes. If they refuse food I know they like then I take it away and leave it until they are hungry and then re-offer it. Didnt mean to sound like an arse, but I used to worry so much about food, I worry less now !

Headbutting is a good image. I will think of that when I have to deal with annoying people....I dont have a MIL or anyone really significant to worry about apart from siblings who can be told to butt out. This is a good thing in many ways, though sad too.

Effie hope the pox clears up soon. It is a bugger and I'm glad we have had t. If we were to have another baby I'd be tempted to pay for the vaccination. DS2 has not had his MMR yet though, due to a persitant ear infection.

Am trying not to overdo being on here, but am procrastinating with a bit of work, so heigh ho....

Effie - pox sounds miserable, your poor DS, but at least with any luck you'll have that behind you!

Beans - glad you had a good time in Paris and congrats on the offer, I
guess that means you don't have to deal with ex-boyf dilemma? Not sure about the blood blisters though - sounds a bit unnecessary, but then I am NOT any kind of athlete...

Aub - enjoy the next few weeks - sounds fabulous fun!

Trace - love the fabulous new hair!

Syb - your thread sounded really distressing. No experience here, but I really hope things are going better for you.

LadyT - again, sympathy but no advice. My own mantra when MIL visits is "Its all well meant, its all well meant" on permanent loop in my head. Doesn't really help though.

Oh and LadyT - thanks for asking, a while back, about my prep for the interview. All went OK as far as I could tell, its a bit like talking into a black box - they have a set script of questions and scribble away furiously, but not much conversation. The short-listing panel is later this week, so will know more then.

Otherwise all well - DS is very pleased with himself at the moment. We were at a christening at the weekend (oddly enough, the first time I have been to one) and he spent the whole afternoon in the church hall climbing up onto a stage and doing his toddling zombie trying to catch up with the older ones. DD is very sweet, but busy being contrary, which is a little wearing. The christening also prompted a whole stack of related questions which we struggled to field - best line of the weekend was "Why do we go to the cinema and some people go to church?" We aren't regulars, but I think she meant synagogue, seeing as we haven't yet taken her to the cinema

Invis that made me laugh out loud, cinema-synagogue.

Beans glad you had a lovely time in Paris well done to DH but I understand him being gutted, a 3.30 time at any official marathon gets you an automatic place at the next years London marathon. Toenail loss is very normal I lost 2 I think DH lost 3. Just keep an eye on it that it doesn't get infected that's all. OMG on the dried spunk that is just disgusting. I think a free nights accom would have been in order. Was it part of a eurostar package we always seem to get seedy places when we book with eurostar, actually even when we just book ourselves maybe all Paris hotels are seedy.

Gotta go DS2 has decided he isn't going down for his nap. DH is working from home until 11 when he leaves for the plane to Barcalona (feeling very green about that one), so I think it's fine that he stays up anyway so he can play with his daddy.

How are the spots today, Effie?

Beans, glad you had a good time. What's French for spunk? Or did you just say they were sale? I think your DH did the marathon in an incredible time. No advice on the gammy feet except probably leave them to do their stuff and don't pick at them! But yay to another trip to Paris later in the year! And good about the house. Spotted any rentals? A house has come on the market very nearby to the one we are doing up and almost identical in terms of size, and it's up for over £150k than we paid, which is great (although ours was in a hideous state when we bought it and was a forced sale, hence it being so cheap). Anyway, I am so pleased. It doesn't affect my current money situation as we won't be moving for (probably) ten years, but it's heartening after all the hard work and hassle (still a long way to go!)

Katie, I will check out that website thanks so much. Any work would be good at the mo, really.

Oh, and thanks for the moral support about the MIL! She's not coming until Sunday evening. I said to DP (but in a more tactful way) that I wasn't relishing three days in the house, painting with her, and he said she is prepared to do it on her own whilst I stay home and look after DD. I am suspicious about this (and also I would feel a bit guilty), so we shall see.

Veggie, I think you are amazingly selfless not going to Barcelona because you think it would be too much for the boys. But I am probably a selfish old bag (although I am not taking DD to London tonight to a friend's birthday curry, as it's a bit too late for her, and she had an unscheduled late night last night). Still, I would be unable to resist Barcelona, I have to admit.

Glad the interview went ok, Invis. It's satisfying to get through these things if nothing else. So what's the latest on the high powered zazzy travelly job? Funny about the cinema though

I know I am always posting about myself and hardly ever give a mention to poor DD but I do have to single her out for special praise for her behaviour yesterday. We had an early start (ie I plucked her out of bed, ran her downstairs and put her straight in the buggy to get the bus at 07.20), which was an abortive trip, and we had another at 09.40, for reasons I won't bore you with to do with the delivery I was expecting. Finally, at 12.40 we got the two buses to the house, as I had been told the delivery was coming between 2 and 4. She has a few toys there and a cot but it's pretty cold and uncomfy there, but she played nicely and was nice to my FIL and generally really jolly, even though the delivery didn't turn up until 7.45pm [grrrr]. We took my FIL out for supper as he had helped DP take the stuff down the path and into the house (and it was HEAVY and he is a bit wobbly) so DD had a very late night, but she was so good natured in the pub, waving at the other diners and chirping, even though it was hours past her bedtime. I do sometimes ask a lot of a very tiny child and yesterday, she was brilliant and I just wanted to big her up!

Right, must do some serious work, or rather, serious 'trying to get work' work.

LadyT - young O is truly amazing. I have to say I was very impressed with how she sat beautifully and charmed us all at the meet up. No way my scamp would cooperate.

Latest on the travelly job is that I am due to go to the US to see them next week, out Weds back on the overnight flight on Fri. Ulp. Funny, I am already starting to think about missing the kids, which is just mad given how much travelling the job itself would involve, but I guess we would all just get used to it. Anyway, will let you know how things go.

And fab news about the local house prices.

Veggie - I second LadyT - very selfless to miss out on Barcelona, fab city.

Funniest part over the whole cinema/synagogue thing is that as a child, DH used to get taken to a synagogue in a converted synagogue, which was known as the cinemagogue. So maybe DD is onto something. Certainly sounds more fun!

Obviously I meant converted cinema!

Exciting and scary about the US next week! Courage, mon brave! I have never been in a synagogue, only seen them on the telly and in films. They are now starting to take on even more of an exotic tinge in my mind!

Sadly, the reality is rather duller - most of them are purpose built 60s/70s boxes with no glamour or exoticism whatsoever. I prefer DD's version.

Oh boo - still, a converted cinema is still quite exciting.

A question for WG - I know your DH likes/plays cricket and I wondered if he played for LH's team as my team are playing them at Battersea Pk on Sun May 23.

Wow, Invis - v exciting about the travelling.

I was meant to be seeing an estate agent at 10, but they've got nothing on their books! I've got a whole day of househunting and only 4 properties that suit our budget and requirements in the whole of bloody Balham/Tooting/Streatham Hill! I can't believe it!!!! I'm terrified that we're not going to find anywhere. Jeepers.

But DD in with nanny all day today, so I'm just having a little read of my book, then estate agents at 12 and 3. So will have lunch somewhere in Balham and do a spot of Waitrose shopping, then head back to collect DD at 5.30 - what a treat! Feel guilty, actually, as I've just had a weekend away from her, but it's so rare to have days off like this, so am making the most of it!

I love the synagogue tale! x

Don't ladies I just said goodbye to DH (screaming DS2 who is not happy that daddy has left but is now finally settling to sleep), and went straight onto the Internet to check for flights tomorrow, alas a little too expensive. The flights for the boys & I to Budapest are €560 and would be close to that for Barcelona so best not I think. Also it would be 3 nights away then one back then straight on a plane for 5 nights away, alright with one but not good for my sanity with 2. Lady I don't think it's bad for them to travel around a bit though. When DS1 was little we used to go away with DH at least twice a month, and went to Australia twice before he was 2.5years. he is quite easy going because of it and didn't miss out on time with his daddy. We took stuff with us to make it feel familiar & he loves going to hotels, it's an adventure for him, he spends the first 10 mins really scouting out the room. DS2 seems to like it too he seems to pick up on DS1's excitement and follows him around the room.

Would spunk in french be 'le spoof'?

lol @ the spunk talk but Yuk! That's sick!
I've been rushing around as I was planning on meeting a friend here but it's gone a bit tits up as she has had a car disaster en route. Web will re-schedule it but I was just thinking it would be a fab place for a meet up especially closer for the Cambridge mob and Nth Londoners, so perhaps we could do that some time? I can see how it is when I meet up with her.

Invis - don't worry you'll be back before you know it - what airline are you on? I used to commute to the US for 18 months or so/once a week West coast even!

Veggie I'm kind of missing trips away - with all his making babies lark, but I'm keen to get us all on a plane again soon [glutten for punishment] but I'd be just like you - searching for a feasible way to get there since I'd be so too!

Lady, I know what you mean about the mil thing - fortunately mine is fine, but it's not ideal when you really don't want someone around. I have to agree, I'm in awe of your little O and her impeccable manners and tantrum-less outings. We were having a very late pub lunch in Gulidford yesterday, and ds was fine initially but hadn't napped in the afternoon and thanks God there was only one table eating as he was not staying in a highchair, nor a buggy and after he threw everything off the table and I got him down he did about 20 laps of the pub and I became one of those mothers letting him wander around and get in the way of the staff and all that which I swore I'd never do before I had kids - ho hum... Please tell me other people have this problem if the child won't nap whilst out?

We have sorted a blackout blind as the blanket wasn't working well and I couldn't bring myself to do crackden Aubi style in there. We got a roller blind and dh adapted it so it fit's under the venetian - however it doesn't roll up unless I do it manually so I'll just peg it up I think during the day so he doesn't think we live in Barrow, Alaska and it's winter

DS has his first swimming lesson on Saturday and I decided to don my swimsuit - well that's a sure fire way to halt the pigging out I've been doing! I can just squeeze it on, but fortunately it stretches a lot and is one of those tankini things that I bought in the very early preggo days first time around. Non- maternity though, and my usual size so there is some hope for my mental state after that little exercise. Salad for dinner tonight though, asI've been eating like crap and mil keeps insisting on bringing cake around which I am putting to a very quick end next time she comes.

Right ds is awake now so we may have to pop out after lunch for a spot of clothese shopping for ds since I had been planning on an outing.

Beans good luck with the house hunting - when's the Wetlands outing? Can I invite myself? And can it not be on a Fri or Sat?

Sorry about all the pox about, but at least it's getting it out of the way.