Issy's graduates (Bella, Blue, Head, Jumping, Irish, Wasabi, Girl, Sunny) here to give advice and swap tips

[bluesatinsash]

Ta da!

Hope this shakes a few of us out of where we're languishing these days .

Let this be the one-stop shop into everything that is the crazy, wonderful, sleep and sanity deprived world of bringing up baby

Just a quickie, really - Ffion's birthday was on Saturday- thank you for the bday wishes :) Had a lovely chilled but fairly quiet (as quiet as it ever gets round here, hmm) day- she seemed to really enjoy it and the older 2 loved helping open all the presents, oh and eating cake twice in the day too :) I can't quite believe she's one! My last little one is not so little any more.

The "sleep training" is beginning to work, though we went down to my in-laws on Sat afternoon and spent the night there which was a bit of a disaster for all 3, involving lots of night wakenings, but thankfully last night order was restored of sorts...

Will post more soon, promise!
Bella don't worry at all if G doesn't crawl- DD1 never crawled and it's not done her any harm! Like you said you can't force them! Enjoy making your day out plans- sounds great! I love annual "traditions" like that too. How did return-to-work negotiations go? Good luck with it all, it is so hard...I am still so torn over balancing the career and being here for the DCs, I definitely valued the time I had with my Mum and stepdad after school in the afternoons...

Right, must make packed lunches for tomorrow. Night night all- big kisses to the little ones xxxxxx

OK I need to rant somewhere so I'm afraid it's here. I'm in a right quandry... our childminder has decided that she can;t cope looking after Ffion any more :( Ffion goes to her 2 mornings a week (my MIL does 1.5 days a week) and to be honest for the past couple of months she's been happy and settled only about 50% of the time she's with her. CM has 2 other one year olds to look after at same time, 1 of whom isn't walking, like F, so obviously has quite a lot on her plate. Today F cried all but half an hour of the 4 hours she was there. I feel so terrible about it. She rarely cries at home, but she has entered a particularly clingy phase where she wants carrying a lot- but I recall a similar stage at this age with the other 2 and know it passes though it hard going at the time... Plus she is teething so a bit more out of sorts than normal. But I am now really stuck, the cm could manage DD1's preschool pick up, and also took on DS & DD1 in addition to F during school hols. Not sure how easy it will be up here to find another cm who could do that, plus I'm now really worried about settling F with anyone new. It has been suggested by friends that perhaps if we do find a new cm we should use her for 4 mornings a week and give F a better chance of getting used to her, which does make sense, and also makes me feel a bit daft for having tried to juggle the chilcare the way I have- probably confused the poor mite so much each week :(

Ironically my existing contract at work finishes on 10th Dec but have now got an additional year's work to follow that. So need to sort childcare asap, though deep down I'm so torn about it all, wish I could just not work for a few months until F is a bit older and more settled, but work can't wait for me as the contract is tied to that year alone, and DH's work still very insecure (& not very well paid).

Just want to cuddle F and bury my head in the sand. :(

Rant over. Sorry all! xxxx

Hello everyone....

I've got two pages open side by side so I'm going to keep jumping back and forwards to read and post... apologies if it's all really backwards or out of date or jumbled up (a bit like my brain :o)

gonerogue so sorry to hear about your dad but really glad to hear they've caught it early. The big C really scares me, luckily we don't have much of it in our family (too many South American chain smokers in our family, they all stroke out in their 70s) I hope he's on the mend for Christmas

wasabi Poor Freddie, bless him for not wanting to wake you up, what a sweetie.

I too had a working mum, mine travelled a lot too so on the one hand it meant I was pretty self sufficient, my sister and I used to make tea most nights and do the weekend shopping (with my dad in tow to pay of course!) but on the other hand I did miss her a lot and I'm sure I massively over ate as a teenager through a combination of loneliness and boredom. Their house is quite isolated and all my friends lived a long way away, so I just sat on my backside and watched too much tv and ate round after round of toast while the au pair run up my mum and dad's phone bill! I won't be making that mistake with Luca and Francesca. I hope I'll still be able to work (because let's face it, we need my income) and be there for my children. It has meant that I've had to allow my career to slip quite a bit, I'd be much further up the ladder if I didn't have children, but it's a teeny weeny miniscule price to pay IMO.

Blue hats off to to you for hosting Christmas! I couldn't do it, partly because we couldn't get 17 round our table, but partly because I'm too lazy tired :o We're at my mum and dad's this year, which is funny because that's where I've had the other 39 Christmases of my life :o:o

Those mini Boden outfits sound so sweet, we have to see pictures of the boys in them I'm afraid :) I love mini Boden too, but I'm trying to restrict myself to buying sale stuff only or I could get in to serious trouble!

Hey Jumping HAPPY BIRTHDAY FFION!!!! :o:o

and welcome back to dry land to you :). I used to do loads of sailing when I was younger (that's how I met dh, somewhere in the mid South Atlantic our eyes met across a boom and boom! :o) I miss being out on the water... I digress... sorry to hear about Ffion's teeth, it's such an yukky time. Francesca's really struggled with her teeth, Luca barely noticed them coming out. Funny how they're all different. I hope she pops them out quickly!

So sorry to hear about your childcare problems. If Ffion isn't happy there, although it's a pain in the arse to find a new cm, I'm sure it'll be better in the long run. It does sound like your cm has a lot on her plate with three one year olds. I'm sure you'll find someone brilliant, have faith. I've always freaked out at finding decent childcare, it always feels so daunting, but it's always worked out really well in the end. My last cm even picked up and dropped Luca off every day, and I never thought for one minute I'd find someone who would do that. Good luck in your search!

I haven't really thought of Francesca's first birthday. It's New Years Eve so it's a bit of an odd one. We might have a little afternoon tea which can then run on in to the evening for the grown ups. My mum is so stupid dizzy that she booked to go to Madrid over New Year to see my aunt, so they're going to miss it, and my sister is away for the weekend, so there'll be no family around, so we're just having a few friends over. Our neighbours are due dc#2 on Christmas day, and last year they very kindly took dh under their wing on NYE when he was at home alone, even though we'd only known them a few weeks, so we're going to return the favour, whether their baby is here or not. Gawd knows what present I'll get Francesca.

Bella How's G's walking going? Francesca has been walking unsupported for a couple of weeks now. She's amazing, one day it was just one or two steps and a couple of days later she was walking the length of the house.

I am pretty much knackered all the time. Dh does try and give me a lie in on Saturdays but usually it's only an hour extra which isn't going to make up for a month of 5 hours sleep a night. But that said, sharing the bedtime routine is great because it just makes it so much quicker and smoother. Of course dh has now gone from being someone who didn't have a clue how to settle Francesca to being the baby whisperer :o When she wakes up he gives me this ever so slightly patronising look as if to say "you want me to do it, you're not very good at settling her are you dear?" :o:o Cheeky bastard :o:o

I can't pretend being a working mother is easy, but then neither is being a sahm. My problems are compounded by the hours I work, I don't get home til so late, quite often nearly midnight, and I'm usually up at 6am. If I worked normal hours I think it wouldn't be so hard. I think you have to just accept that you have to compromise on some things. For me, those things have been housework :o I think sod it, life's far too short to dust, I'd much rather spend the time I have with the kids, so my house is a bit of a tip (despite the cleaner who's frankly rubbish but very sweet and I haven't got the heart to tell her off or sack her ) and I do absolutely no ironing or crap like that, So we're happy but crumpled :o:o

I second what Blue says though, although I'm tired I do really appreciate some of my own time. I enjoy having a lunch break, I enjoy having some downtime which you don't get at home all day with the children. There are some days I feel totally frazzled with the children, over stimulated and just want to hide. Work days are so much calmer, and that half hour on a train reading/dozing/playing silly apps is golden time :o

Not masses of news to report from us... Francesca's walking continues to amaze me. Hasn't made a massive improvement to her sleeping grrrrr. Actually I do her a disservice, she's doing ok. About 50% of the time she's able to settle herself back down when she wakes up at night. Last night wasn't great, Luca was throwing up until midnight because he's got a cold and is always sick when he's got something like that, so he slept in our bed, I didn't get to sleep untim half past midnight, and then Francesca woke up at 5.30. I battled to get her back to sleep but she just wants to be on the move continuously, she was really frustrated by my attempts to get her back to sleep. I ended up plonking her on her bedroom floor while I passed out closed my eyes on her bed for half an hour. Needless to say I've asked my team leader today to give me nothing that requires creativity or thinking or actually working zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

Where was I? Oh yes, meet up. I'd love to as well. Count me in. Jan and Feb are good for me. We're in Surrey, very close to Gatwick for those that would need to fly, so I'm happy to host if that helps. Our house is already destroyed full of age appropriate toys!!

We're off to Bruges next weekend which I'm ridiculously excited about. Dh found a mega cheap deal for a ferry, and we were scratching our heads wondering what to do. We did think we could go skiing but with all the additional costs it would have ended up pretty expensive, so instead we're going to the Christmas market in Bruges. Apparently it's magical, lots of twinkly lights, a toddlers ice rink, gluwein and Father Christmas. I can't wait! I got Luca one of those messages from Father Christmas on Portable North Pole and he watched it this morning absolutely transfixed so now he's really excited too! All in all I'm feeling pretty Christmassy, got all but three presents of my Christmas shopping. Luca's nursery school Christmas cards have arrived so I'm going to write them soon, dh will have to sit on me to stop me getting a Christmas tree this weekend :o:o

Righty, I'm off to fall asleep at my desk do some work, have a lovely day everyone xxx

Blimey, that reads back really badly. I do apologise for jumping around a lot. As you can tell I'm no journalist :o

one more thing (I told you my brain was fried!) this is what I've got Francesca for Christmas I bought one for my niece a couple of years ago and she was enchanted, so hopefully Francesca will like it too.

Head you win quote of the week with your "happy but crumpled" line. The music box is lovely, we had similar one with lion/giraffe on top that used to settle Ben when he was tiny. It's had to be put up high as he just chews on lion's mane these days. They are so pretty and dainty .

Go Frankie with all that walking and at your DH loving his role as new baby settler guru . You know what men are like, they love a practical solution to a problem . Hope Luca bounces back soon.

Jumping - aaaargh, what a dilemma. How are you fixed for nurseries around your way? Can you change your hours? Would Ffion be more settled in a whole day scenario rather than two half days? It would give her a longer spell to get comfortable? Don't know if that's possible with your working hours/other DCs.. Can you Mum do any more days? Benjamin starts nusery next month, every Friday and having gone down that road with Isaac can only recommend nursery although I know they vary so much and are more expensive. Its the same children every week and they get to know the care givers. Its also a 2:1 child to adult ratio until they are two so pretty much one to one attention... I feel your anxiety and worry for Ffion . Wish there was a magic wand solution...

wasabi - it's about your Friday catch up time?

Got a party planner catalogue through the door last week, lots of lovely 'first birthday' things; banners, tops, hats etc. Looked at it again and its Kate Middleton's aka Queen to be's Mums company so my buying things for b's b'day will go to her 'mother of the queeninwaiting bride outift

TFI Friday, got a quiet weekend, just me and my boys, lovely

a tout a l'heur ladies xx

:o Blue I'm nothing if not dishevelled!

and get you paying for the future Queen mother's wedding hat :o

I missed the usual Thursday/Friday catch up due to DH?s birthday on Friday and corresponding in laws visit! We had a lovely day out shopping on Friday (some Xmas, mainly us) but I had to spend all of last week getting organised and doing loads of jobs that I had been putting off like cleaning fridges, oven etc. so my MIL didn?t think we were utter slobs. I have had so much work on lately too ? been working loads of evenings so have been knackered. I have just won another 4 x white paper contract so have a good source of income until the Spring but will have noooo time. Oh well, no change there.

Here is the Peanut news!

Clara is now sort of crawling ? not a proper crawl but a quite speedy belly drag so she can get around quite efficiently. She keeps rocking on her knees so I think proper crawling is imminent hopefully. She is also trying to pull up which is interesting ? no development for months and now it all comes at once. She is soooo cute at the moment though. She wants to play all the time, giggles like mad and loves singing and rhymes. She is so much more engaged now ? splashing in the bath in time to The Very Naughty Raindrop and pulling blankets and muslins over her head to initiate yet another game of peek-a-boo. Still eating like it?s gojng out of fashion. DH and FIL went to see England get their sorry arses kicked by the Springboks on Saturday so MIL and I took the children for lunch in town. I ordered pizza and pasta with the idea that the kids could share which they did but Clara basically put away half a pizza. A kid?s one admittedly but still, they are mahooosive. She just kept shoving it in then managed a panna cotta for dessert I really hope she starts walking soon or she will be so fat that she can?t get off the ground.

I officially have a size 12 bottom according to Gap on Friday. It is difficult to explain the joy this brings me.

Have also started Xmas preparations! I have been making chutney, chilli jam and mincemeat for stocking presents along with the damson gin that has been cooking for the last few months. Made the Christmas cake a few weeks ago and have got Yule log and xmas muffins on the to do list this week while I have a quiet work week. Been stashing stocking fillers for a while and was surprised to see that my pressie list was getting quite a lot of ticks. I just can't leave it last minute this year because if work comes up I'm stuffed. I need to use time as and when I have it.

We are having the en suite bathroom completely remodelled asap. This has moved up the priority list due to the fact that when we shower we can?t be completely confident that water won?t start dripping through the kitchen ceiling. We are also aiming to decorate the spare room before Xmas. Next time we are buying a new house.

I have saved the best until last. My Freddie is going to be Joseph in the playgroup nativity! I was beside myself when they asked me. I tried to act all cool about it and say ?yeah sure he can be Joseph does that mean I have to make a costume?? but inside I was punching the air and basically acting like a madwoman. The whole thing will be 10 minutes of utter chaos I suspect but I?m sure it will be very funny!

Right, I will do personals tomorrow as I have a load of invoices to bang out. Always my favourite part of a job.

Till then.....xx

Hello ladies - how are you all on this cold and snowy night? It's been mad here and from various pics I can see it's been mad with you all as well.

Right - time for a marathon posting session. (I really must get better at this posting regularly thing )

Well firstly my Pops is great. He was in hospital for a week and we were over and back to him (about an hour away) or else I was looking after my youngest brother while my mam went over to see him. He's been home a week now and got an infection in his wound so is on ABs for that but all in all it's looking good for him. They got all of the tumour so we'll see.

In other health news my BIL is going to have to have cranial surgery. He's been having headaches for ages now and went for tests last week. Part of his cerebellum (sp) is the wrong shape and they have to shave the bone. It's really scary to hear of things like that.

Aoife's hips on the other hand are fine. The consultant is happy enough with their development. I was shocked when we were there because he said to me " Oh they don't usually like this" whilst manipulating her leg. I asked what he was doing and he said "trying to dislocate her hip" again. I was a bit taken aback but he couldn't so that's a good sign.

DH had his exam last week - he didn't get on as well as he'd like but hopefully he actually did better than he thought and will have passed.

I have done all of my Christmas shopping bar a few under the tree presents. Now I just need them to arrive in this weather.
My sister is making me some mincemeat for my pies and my christmas cake has just come out of the oven. We have pudding already and all the rest of the dinner will be prepped nearer the time. I've told my Pops I am cooking on my own this year - we'll see if he'll let me

Aoife is fantastic - she goes down each night between half seven and half eight and usually wakes about once. The other night she woke at half two, and was back asleep by three. Do you think I was able to get back to sleep - not a chance. I didn't get back to sleep at all. I got up when DH woke and made his coffee for him, then cleaned my kitchen, made a shepherd's pie and did some washing before she woke up at half past eight. I felt so cheated of my sleep.

We had her three month check and all was great with that. I keep waiting for something to happen that I can't deal with but so far so good. [knocks on wood]

DH is going to get up with her tonight - his first time ever. He's going to have a bottle and he is sleeping beside her crib and I will kick him won't have to wake up when she does. It's going to be bliss.

We had our night out - it was great. My sister got on fine but her 5 yo is having some issues with his mammy looking after another baby and therefore not giving him as much attention as he is used to (he's an only) We'll have to see how that one pans out.

So now onto you guys -

Wasabi I know the joy of the size 12 jeans also. It's fantastic isn't it? Congratulations to F on getting the part of Joseph - you must be bursting with pride. .
I must admit your Christmas prep sounds amazing you domestic goddess you. You sound like life is very busy at the mo. How are the en suite plans coming along?

Head I am so going to adopt your "happy but crumpled" motto. That's how we are in my house - except where DH's work shirts are concerned.

Hope the orange sized glands cleared up for your trip to Bruges. I love European Christmas markets. Have you decided what to do for F's first birthday?

Jumping to hear about your childcare issues - have you managed to sort anything out? I've got that joy ahead of me after Christmas to get A into a nursery for the end of June.
I'm going to go for nursery because she is a very social child and loves being surrounded by people and noise and I hope it'll be what is best for her (we#'ll see)
Happy belated birthday wishes to Ffion. Has the sleep training being working? Did you see Desperate Housewives this week. Lynette ws sleep training her baby. I watched it while feeding Aoife and when she heard the baby crying she started smiling - not sure what that means but at least it didn't make her cry.

Bella your plans for the day out sound amazing. I would love someting like that.
How's the morning feed going?

Another one here for Mizz and More. We also had one over here called U - it was great because it showed clothes in Irish shops back when we stilldidn't have Topshop etc. (God that just made me feel really old )

How did the chat go with your boss? Have you got a start date yet (impatiently waiting to book flights )

Re your questionabotu Aoife's night wakings - she'll generally go to sleep on the boob but if I put her down she will settle herself in abotu 5 - 10 minutes. No crying just mumbling to herself and makingherself comfy. when she wakes up it's the same deal. She really is a good baby - my sister is deperate for me to have a boy when I go again because she's convinced I'll get such a shock after my angelic pfb.

Blue I am also a big advocate of the candles - I got the Glade (maybe) pomegranate and cranberry ones to see what they were like. Delish. I am going to try making my own next week - orange and clove maybe. how's the prep for B's birthday going? I can't believe you all have one year olds it's so cool.

Sunny hope you are all ok and you'll get back to us soon.

Right, off to spellcheck and proofread - hope you've not strained your eyes reading through my ramblings. And I hope my proofreading works.

Ok here are the promised personals. I should be doing my meal plan for next week but frankly I can?t be bothered. And I want to watch X Factor. I am typing this in the snug which we have been camping out in every night since this wretched cold snap began. It?s a lot easier to keep a little room with an open fire warm than a big family room with just one radiator that only works intermittently. All lovely and cosy but it makes me very sleepy so it may be a shortish post!

Rogue It?s good to hear that your dad has been recovering from the surgery well and that it got all of the tumour out. I wish him all the best for the long term prognosis. I hope your BIL also recovers quickly from his surgery ? having your skull shaved sounds alarming. I hope your family and especially your sister are coping. I guess the advantage to coming from a family as big as yours is that you have this fabulous support network in place when difficult things happen. I?m sure that?s a slightly idealised view of it held by a person from a small family who was always a bit envious of people with loads of sibs but nonetheless it has to be worth something.

Good to hear Aoife is developing well and sleeping like a goodun. Shame about you! That happened to me occasionally and still does ? just a random squawk from Clara can wake me then I am unable to sleep for 2 hours. Very frustrating! Oh well at least you got a fair bit done! Clara had similar hip issues to Aoife by the sound of it. They picked up a possible click when she was born and the creases on her legs didn?t match. We had to have a couple of scans and consultations and she was fine although very stiff on one side which I think has only recently gone away ? she always seemed to kick one leg a lot more than the other.

Blue You sound scarily organised for Christmas with all your shopping done already. I was patting myself on the back because I?d started. I am planning on getting it all pretty much done this week. Online shopping rules. You obviously enjoy Christmas a lot which is lovely. It?s great that you can spend it at home and with hopefully no drama this year. I?m sure your boys will look super handsome in their mini boden and white company kit! I love mini boden (and white company in all sizes) but try not to go too beserk. I buy stuff in the sale for F a year or two too big if necessary and stash it away for future use. They are worth the money though even at regular price I think. Shape and colour of clothes seems to survive a million washes. I love Vertbaudet as well but their service sucks. They seem to do very aggressive marketing offers but then fail to deliver! It?s ok provided you aren?t in a hurry. I got a little navy blue wool coat for Clara from there for winter and I get loads of comments on it.

Lol at your comments on Just Seventeen ? I loved it too and Mizz! I thought I was so grown up reading it. My mum used to do work for loads of those deeply unfashionable but massive circulation women?s weeklies but the job offer was from Woman I think. These days those magazines are hideous sleb gossip filled rubbish (although to be fair they weren?t exactly Spare Rib then) but they still have the most thumping circulation figures. The likes of Marie Claire has the kudos but they dream of the sales figures of Womens ?my brother in law ran off with my husband? Weekly. Such is life.

Head Aw little Francesca is up on her feet and walking. It?s when I read those posts that I have to take a moment and think about how far we have come. These little babies that in darker moments we thought might never have happened are now off and toddling. So lovely. I feel very privileged to still be in touch with you all and sharing tales of their growing up. I have just realised you will have been for your Christmas weekend in Bruges. I hope you all and especially Luca had a truly magical time. You work bloody hard, I hope you enjoyed a bit of chill time.

Your happy but crumpled line made me smile. I actually really wish I didn?t iron. It?s an annoying compulsion I seem to have inherited from my mother along with ?airing.? (Really, even in these temps I open the windows for half an hour at least to air the bedrooms ? I just can?t not). As you put it ? there is no easy option. I really miss that half hour on the train that you mentioned. It was my zoning out time and my buffer between work and home. Even before kids people who worked locally used to say ?oh how you can commute, what a nightmare etc. ? and I never had an issue with it. Obviously it could be an arse at times but that time to read the paper or just plug in and tune out on the train I used to really value.

Bella Like others here it?s really interesting to see how your parents choices are shaping yours when it comes to the G man. I hope your boss talk was constructive and that you are happy with the arrangement you have come to. I know what you mean when you say you want to be there for the assemblies, after school snacks and chats and all that jazz ? I do too but it does entail a sacrifice elsewhere. You can have it all but clever as women are we haven?t figured out how to be in two places at once. We all compromise ? maybe the Christmas play but not the harvest festival assembly. I often worry if I am doing the wrong thing in losing the corporate links. I still work but it?s all remote ? I haven?t set foot in an office for nearly 2 years. I don?t think I own a suit anymore. The thought of going back is terrifying. Incidentally my father was bugger all help at home either ? quite literally as he would be away for months at a time. I think it was more the done thing then ? bloody glad it isn?t now. No wonder many 70?s mothers (like mine) had this seething, burning resentment underpinning their entire existence.

Now you do remember don?t you that you when people tell you it?s bad for G to walk before crawling (which is a ridiculous thing to say anyway) you should just do that blank nod and stare and vague mumble of agreement that should be the stock response to any unwelcome parenting advice. I noticed C is making some quite determined attempts to stand up now (but not holding on to anything so she isn?t getting very far) but she still isn?t crawling properly ? still commando crawling everywhere. They?ll do whatever they jolly well please frankly.

Jumping So sorry I missed Ffions birthday. I?m glad you all had such a nice day with lots of presents and cake! F looks utterly gorgeous in the last set of pics I saw, you are obviously doing something right. Has the sleep training given any major results yet? I?m sure these things take ages especially with a 1 year old. I hope by now that you have found a way to sort your childcare so that you and F are happier. Your cm quitting is a PITA but given some of the circs you describe might have been for the best although I can understand why the prospect of getting F settled with a new cm isn?t appealing.

Sunny Do you still love us???

Hello my lovelies

So much to write in response to all your brilliant posts and yet again it is very unlikely that I will get it all down :(

Firstly the most important news, obviously, is that F got the part of Joseph. Wasabi you are obviously doing something right ;) Get out the hankies! I can't wait to George's nativity plays. Too much sweetness.

Second most important news is that I have been offered a three day week at work . I had a very frank discussion with my boss a couple of weeks ago. He said that he felt like I had switched off completely before I left (no shit sherlock ) and I said that I had and that I was sorry but was really looking forwards to getting stuck in again or words to that effect. I bowled him over with my engineered enthusiasm. Anyway they then had a partners' meeting and it was decided that both me and the other solicitor on maternity leave can come back part-time! Yippee! Honestly when I went in to find out, I had already rehearsed my hiding-the-disappointment look. I still can't quite believe it. Consequently I have been on a massive high ever since and went to a party last night in a dress that I bought yesterday afternoon at 5pm and drank and was very merry indeed. It was lovely to see old friends and to be able to say,' I'm REALLY well!!!!'

Our other good news is that DP has just landed a really big case (he is a barrister) which will definitely ease our financial situation. It's not exactly a lottery win, but will mean that we can move out quite soon after christmas.

I will have to see how things go ambition wise. I don't think I will be able to tell till I get back there but making things good for George will definitely be the priority. HAving said that i can definitely live without the Harvest Festival. That was boring enough as a participant first time round .

Yet again this is a very me post and given the time I will have to postpone personals proper until later in the week. Tomorrow I am going to Brighton to see my friend and her teensy twins. 5 weeks old! I do hope I don't get broody. I have been really enjoying the very novel feeling of not being jealous of others' pregnancies, and not wishing I was pregnant AT ALL. On the contrary, buying party dresses and getting lashed has never been more appealing woo woo!!

I have really changed this year. I feel like I have grown up a lot and that is largely to do with you lot funnily enough.:) I am very impressed by how you all just get on with it. You all work very hard, whether it's with the kids, the job, the DIY, or whatever, and I think I have been a wee bit scared of hard work in the past. I've been scared of the tiredness and the stress. It has just really clicked in my head from reading your posts this past 6 months or so that you do just have to get on with stuff and just suck it up. I know it will be a big shock to the system leaving my cosy little baby world in the new year but I am kind of relishing the challenge at the same time. We'll see how long that lasts eh ;) I am hoping that gut churning stress and anxiety feeling will not return too soon...

On the crawling topic. I obviously don't really worry about it. I just find it odd when people share these little nuggets. I would quite like G to crawl but only because it looks cute and so that I could spend less of the day attached to him and crack on with christmas baking and the like.

He has actually popped a tooth this week, his first would you believe it. We had a crappy week preceding it with a really bad snotty cold and muchos night wakings. Fortunately it is all good again and he has come out the other side cuter and more squeezable than ever before.

There is something very delicious about this age. I think it's the way there is more of a dialogue now. He seems to like to play with his toys with me. I am convinced he is a genius because he is really starting to work out how things work. It's all so impressive i can now completely understand why you se all these parents earnestly telling people that their child actually is incredibly smart :)
My favourite thing though is that when i hold him he sometimes moves his head right round to look at my face front on and then gives me the hugest smile. SWOON. No MAMA to me yet though. the only discernible word other than dadadadadad is nengnengNENGNENGNENG when he is not happy about something.

I am so excited to meet you all. I will be working WEdnesday to Fridays from mid Jan/ as soon as I sort out childcare so weekends or Mon/Tues would be good for me. Weekdays would probably mean cheaper flights???
head it's kind of you to offer up your house. A house would be easiest for sure. I can't believe Frankie is walking everywhere already

I will be very interested to hear how you stop the boob. Any tips will be gratefully received.

rogue FAB news about your dad. Those post op infections are a bugger but at least the badness is out.

jumping I am sooo sorry to hear of your stresses. Have you made any progress?

blue how are you doing? are all the presents now wrapped and under the tree? :) I haven't bought much at all yet. Must get cracking. I always find it's the working out what to get bit that is the biggest pain.

Shitbags it's late again. Will sign off.

Hasta luega chicas

ps what is with the ? does anyone know why they've introduced that?

pps: I am tired and a tad hungover and have no idea if any of the above makes sense. Forgive me if it doesn't!

on a quick re read I see that I talk about being on the lash and then in the next paragraph claim to have really grown up this year.

Just a quick one Bella that's brilliant about your job - well done you.

Also re the apparently it's something to do with a thread about a dinner party where the host served Pom bears (I may be completely wrong but that's the general gist I think)

Hello to everyone else - let's set a date. Any time/day is good for me

Hi All,

I have embraced Christmas as you can see

Whiteout here in central Scotland, again. We must be on a direct flight path weatherwise from the arctic... Anyhoo I walked to work in my trusty Joules wellies, DH got the bus to Stirling but will he get home . DMum with boys at home..

Hardly anyone in = hardly any emails = time for MN catch up

wasabi - at Fred being Joseph, Isaac is a shepherd, again . He may be trusted with a lamb this year though being a big -pre-schooler . I'm an avid airer and ironer too and have to have windows open at one point every day.

Big congrats on seeing size 12 again - on the bottom half no less - that is a high five acheivement . I was supposed to be on a gym kick as have playgroup Mum's xmas night out in Glasgow this Sat (COAST satin bustier dress is on ice ) but haven't made it once due to bleedin' snow - hurrumph..

As for all your cooking . I'm starting to panic a little about pulling it all together on crimbo day. Want to trial the home made stuffing and stuff before..

rogue - hi there Good news about your DDad but worrying about your Dbrother.. Thinking of you all and hope they recover well. Glad Aoife's hip's OK . You have a great sleeper there! My neice was the same, exclusively bf and slept through from 10 weeks, yes 10 weeks!! Loves her bed to this day.. How did your DH cope with the night feed?

Would love to come and meet up, it would all depend on flight times and prices.. I would have to come on my own I think, or maybe bring Benny to meet his cyber cousins

Bella - that is just fantastic news about your work . I do three days and feels its just about the right balance of mummy/work time.. Felt very reading how we have all helped you this year . It works all ways and lets each of us know we're all in the same boat, trying to do our best for our DC's, our DH's, ourselves, work, the whole nine yards.

Like G-man, Ben has started playing with me . Loves his books and cars and adores his big brother. He is just so edible just now, has the chunkiest thighs this side of me and his soft spiky hair has gotten all long and soft and almost mullet like but beautiful with it.

I went a little doolally on the first b'day party stuff . Just want to roll the carpet out that day, its been a long journey and I count my blessings everytime I sneak into his room at night to watch him sleep

Head - how was Bruge? Have you come back with your body weight in German sausage meat .

Sunny - need a wee crimbo round robin update from you missy!

We're hoping to put our tree and assorted decorations up on Friday .

Later lovelies x

oo oo ooo I want a christmas name (puts thinking paper crown on)

Blue your christmas spirit is truly infectious. My Christmas day successes I always feel are down to pre cooking and freezing everything that possibly can be and then peeling all the veg the night before. Then it's just a question of making sure the oven is hot enough, that you have enough hob space and massively over estimating the time it will take to get everything out on the table. But of course as the most supremely organised person evah you know all this :)

I would just like to say that I was Mary.

Please come and please bring Benny!! he must meet his cuber cousins AND his cyber aunties. I am desperate to meet all the littlies.

rogue thanks for the congrats. am truly savouring being the person with the good news. Doesn't come around all that often.

And blue you go for it with the 1st birthday thing! I am saving my enthusiasm for the parties to come when i have no choice

mwah mwah sweedies.
Jealous of the snow....

does my breath smell?
ps
blue did you rock your mums' night out in your hot outfit?
are the rest of you getting a bit of festive partying in?
are you all making chutney or mince pies?
i have just got back in from my antenatal christmas curry.
bit pickled but happy.

please come back soon

buona notte

xxxx

sorry been so quiet, had visitors over and things seem super hectic with various school related xmas things and work deadlines, but will come back soon. No festive partying at all for me- DH and my work nights out clashed and he won! and F not been well again so bit housebound and unbelievably knackered (so not very sociable I feel!)

Roll on school hols and no more rushing out in morns....

more soon, promise
festive hugs to all xxx

Hey All

'tis that busy time of year and don't know about you guys but I am behind with my crimbo admin preparations due to snow of epic proportions . We are supposed to get more tomorrow (please NOOOOO!). I MUST write my cards tonight - aaargh!

Jumping - I hear you re: break from the school run! Hope you can finally chill a wee bit and savour the time off. Hope F is feeling better.

Bella Mary eh? . Your ante-natal night oot sounded swell - hic! My Glasgow night out was fantastic (pic on profile), rubbish food and dodgy entertainment but the banter, ooh the banter was GREAT. It was a great day all round, B had his first xmas Party in the morning (alumni of the breast feeding support group) where we did secret santa, then off through to Glasgow late afternoon to kick up my heels and get ver ver drunk .

Can't believe my darling boy is one next Thursday. Picking up his cake on Wed. ironing his 'I am 1' top etc. I love him SOOO much, my precious, precious boy xx

ooh got a bit there's-something-in-my-eye there..

Big waves to wasabi, Head, Rogue and Sunny.

wasabi - loved your photos of F on FB. Especially his Joseph beard .

Head - how was Bruges? Is your tree still sparkling in the corner there?

Rogue - have you kitted Aoife in lots of 'my first Xmas gear'?

Sunny - so what are you watching now X-Factor is over ?

ho ho ho everyone peeps xx

Damn girl you looked hawt!!! (sorry i have just caught up on America's Next Top Model ahem) seriously though. tres yummy mummy!! the fringe really suits you

i have been getting things in my eye too lately cos monsieur g has now popped his first 3 teeth in one week!!! and is like a new improved version of himself. uber giggly and smiley and happy to play by himself a bit at long last. suddenly now feeling like I never want to go back to work and just want to be with him 24/7

I actually truly believe that he is objectively the most charming and the cutest baby actually in the whole world and pity those with dull, plain babies. You gotta love the power of hormones.

Anyhoooo I have my office do on Friday and then cocktails in town on Saturday night so I had better get some zzzs in as I am looking a tad haggered at the moment. I am not blessed with blue's peterpan looks!

jumping each time you post things have speeded up for you again. I hope that there might be a lie in or a nap opportunity for you somewhere. xxx And more importantly a night off - if you want one that is. sometimes when you are exhausted a night in alone is the biggest treat...

off to befriend blue on facebook as hers is the only name I can remember! See you all on the other side

Goodness it?s quiet in here. I thought I would have missed loads but have taken heart with the fact that I am clearly not the only one made busy with last minute Xmas stuff. I do love the season but it really is hard work at times. Actually I?m less frantic now than I was a week or two ago as I had the pressie shopping, card writing and, naturally, work to do at that point. Because I have been so regimentedly (or perhaps dementedly) organised this year which I kind of have to be in case any last minute work appears I am actually feeling reasonably relaxed and looking forward to Christmas rather than panic stricken. Panic stricken was definitely where I was at this time last year. And looking like a weeble to boot.

We haven?t had masses of snow thank heavens but had about 4 inches at the weekend which has been enough to cock the trains up so poor DH has been taking hours to get home. It also messed up the girls night out on Saturday night which we were all really looking forward to. Rematch scheduled for tomorrow night ? cross your fingers for me ladies. We?re meeting in Reading and going to a nice brasserie type place. I just hope I can get back again ? they tend to can all the branch lines in this weather to concentrate on keeping the main ones. Quite logical but not great if you happen to live on one.

We?ve all been really poorly. Poor Fred was laid out with a high temp and general lurgy for several days toward the end of the week before last. I haven?t seen him that ill for ages poor little man. Then Clara and I promptly fell ill as soon as he was better and Clara has been in a right grump ever since. I really did feel quite grim but had to dose up and carry on. Day Nurse is wonderful stuff. Not sure why C is so moody. I think she is over the cold but she might be teething. Off her food and generally not a happy bunny but sleeping loads. I just want my cheery little girl back. It?s quite hard when she just wants to be carried round all the time and cries so much. Plus I spend lots of time making her lovely food which she just isn?t interested in. It?s finger food all the way these days ? spoons seem to send her over the edge unless they have yoghurt or rice pudding on. On the upside she has finally started crawling. She does seem quite pleased with this new found ability although still rather annoyed with everything else.

Luckily Fred recovered just in time for his stage debut last week! I was a very proud Mummy. He was the cutest little Joseph and unusually compliant when being directed. Maybe he was still feeling a little off colour. I was chocking back a tear before he was even on stage. The little youngsters ambling around looking a bit confused on the stage were so adorably sweet.

I was going to do personals tonight but am stopping as soooooo tired. Today has been a bit of a cookathon with Fred ?helping? me. He loves cooking and does actually seem to be retaining some information about it. It is tiring though so more personals tomorrow.
Stay warm everyone xx

I'm here too... sorry, also mega busy with Christmas. I had one night to do all my wrapping - last night - so I blitzed it. This morning was interesting as I had to charge around and do all the things I would have done last night. My poor nanny turned up to the sound of two screaming children, one half dressed, one completely undressed, both pulling the house apart while I ran around behind them putting it back together. Sometimes working these shifts makes normal family life very difficult!

Jumping I've just been catching up on your fb pictures, OMG, that's a lot of snow. We had a couple of feet here but it's already starting to melt. I hope Ffion's better now and you're able to relax a bit sometime soon. I know I'm counting the days to my time off, for once I'm off for the whole of Christmas and New Year.

wasabi I hope poor clara is feeling better. Francesca seems to go from one cold to another without a break inbetween. It's miserable. She also wants to be held all the time. Poor love spent all day yesterday waddling around the house sobbing and holding her arms up for me to pick her up. Roll on spring and the end of the colds season.

I hope you manage to get your night out tonight... I haven't had one single Christmas type party thing this year. I'm quite of those that have, so have an extra drink for me please

Blue another one having lovely Christmas nights out Glad to hear you had a good time Hope you're all ready for Ben's birthday tomorrow. Are you having a big do or just a few friends and family. I'm a wee bit sad because my dippy mum and dad have booked to go to Madrid for New Year's eve to see my aunt, and totally forgot about Francesca's birthday, my sister has got 18 for dinner that night so is in total culinary melt down already and the rest of my family are all doing other things too. It's a bit sad Francesca won't have any of my side of the family with her on her first birthday, but that's being a New Year baby I guess. We have got some friends coming round, so there'll at least be some there.

bella ANOTHER one enjoying Christmas!!! Really there's far too much enjoyment in this thread Glad to hear you've got your three day week, I also do three days, though because they're 12 hour shifts I'm on pretty much full time hours. I agree it's just the right balance between work and life. I really miss the kids when I'm at work, but when I've had a full on day with both of them I can't wait to get back to work and just have some peace and quiet (or a piece of quiet as Luca likes to call it!)

Rogue That's great news about your dad and Aoife's hips but blimey, how scary for your brother. I hope it goes well and makes his life much easier, persistent headaches must be so debilitating!

Have I missed anyone? Keep scrolling up and down, apologies if I have!

Bruges was lovely thanks, really cold but ever so Christmassy, twinkly lights everywhere and at every turn little stalls selling mulled wine and sausages and little merry go rounds, which of course Luca had to go on!

Not much else to report from us, as I've said above I'm off for the whole of Christmas and New Year which is completely unreal. I can't wait. I've got to work the Bank Hol on 3rd Jan, but that's small fry. I did 7 Christmas days in a row when I first started here.

Francesca is really really insanely chatty at the moment despite all the snot, she's desperate to talk and is making lots of conversational sounds. It's dead cute (apart from at 5.30 this morning!) So now she follows me round the house all the time, chatting constantly. Looks like I've got another chatterbox child!

Talking of chatterbox children, Luca had his christmas play last week too. He was Rudolf the red nosed reindeer! I think that was because he was one of only two children who would climb out of their fake fireplace set. The other one was Father Christmas! He's in full on Christmas mode now, I've taught him a few carols so he can do a concert with his cousins on Christmas day. And just to freak everyone out I've taught him Silent Night in German My sister's always going on about how clever her girls are, well I bet they don't sing carols in German hahahahahahahaha It's very sweet to hear him pottering around the house singing "stille Nacht, heilige nacht"

Righty, better do a bit of work as I need to dash off to Westfield and lunch time and see if there are any more presents I can panic buy in a desperate frenzy!

Cheerio all xx

And here I am again. Clara is asleep and DH is out picking up Fred from his grandparents and running a Christmas errand or two. I am being naughty and having a glass of wine as I type. I just had a yen for one.

Bella Fab to see some news from you. I?m so happy that you got your 3 day week and that your DP has got his big case. How exciting! It?s odd being cited along with the others here as a sort of role model type. I like it though You will find your way just you see. Sometimes it will suck but most of the time it will be fine. The G man sounds on better form now those pesky teeth have appeared. It is a delicious age. They are so lovely. Round, huggable, squeezable and all giggly. Baby giggle is the best sound in the world. That, and ice gently cracking in a glass of gin and tonic!
I hope you have enjoyed your boozy festivities and that the snow didn?t arse your plans up. My facebook name is p e n n y f r e n c h. Come find me!

Blue Bella is right you are one yummy mummy. Fringe looks fab. You are so glam. I thought I was really going to town by wearing a sparkly top with my jeans. You Scottish lasses clearly understand glamour! You looked like you had a great time! I wanted to post today so I could wish you a huge happy birthday for Ben. You must be so excited. I hope he has a lovely little party and you get to show off your snug! I will be joining you in weepy corner when my C hits the big 1!

Panic not about Christmas cooking. Get as much as you can done in advance (stuffing can be frozen ? big plus) and try and enjoy it. I have cooked several xmas dinners now and find it less stressful each time. Even if something goes a bit wrong there is so much food that people barely notice. Just keep everyone (including yourself) well topped up and you won?t go far wrong! I use a separate table to put all the food on and everyone helps themselves buffet style which means that you don?t have to fanny around trying to find room for 12 serving dishes on an already full and beautifully laid table. I never bother with starters, canapés or pudding either, Canapes just stress you out and people usually avoid them because they don?t want to spoil their appetite. Starters ? ditto. I prefer handing round a nice box of posh chocs instead of having Xmas pudding which helps me but I know in some houses the pud is sacred!

Head Are you on holiday yet? Hope so. Luca?s nativity sounds just gorgeous ? he must have looked so cute. Silent Night in German is a cool party trick. Freddie just keeps asking when Father Christmas is coming I have seen your facebook post ? stop panic buying! At least most of your wrapping is done. I have to ?fess up that wrapping is my most loathed Christmas task. We had a big push on it the other night. Well, when I say we I mean DH ? he does it all bar his own presents. I did all DH?s this morning so can now feel relatively organised and a leetle big smug. Woohoo!

Right I?m off to wake Clara then start tarting myself up for my night out. Yay!
Seasons greetings to Rogue Jumping and Sunny and Huge Christmas hugs and waves to everyone xx

Firstly HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE BENNY!!!!!!

Secondly -
Yay!!! you're (nearly) all back!!!!
I was about to start panicking that my armpits were smelly or something.

isn't it tricky trying to do christmas AVEC enfants under your feet. bloody hell I have reached new limits of tiredness. It's a bit like cows and stomachs. I have entered a new tiredness room and found that somehow i still keep going.

G is still arising early but I am at last realising that I must just stop the morning cuddle and that if he wants to stay awake he can stay awake in his cot with some toys and a beaker. I'm sure it will be fine, I just can't quite make myself make the break and I am scared that I might discover that he is one of those babies who will forever wake up between 5:30 and 6:15 WAAAAHHHHAAAAAAA I miss sleep so very much. I yearn for a long delicious lie-in with the papers and the tea and the radio and no baby noises in the background AT ALL. No parent noises either, or even DP noises. I am hoping that that will be one of my Christmas presents.

slightly chuckling to myself about the role model bit. I came over all a bit oprah confessional there didn't I.? Not so pukey in real life, honest

G has been a bit clingier too for sure. I was wondering if it wasn't a bit of separation anxiety because he is nearly walking on his own (maybe!?!?) or because he knows i am about to abandon him.

Tonight is my night to blitz the wrapping and here I am being uber productive, as per

I have gone a bit mad with shopping this year - the one year that I really meant to properly rein it in. Not quite sure how I am going to buy my new work clothes now. Maybe I will get some from Father Christmas.

wasabi so cool about Fred in the nativity play. gulp gulp gulp. And very clever C for crawling. Good luck for your girls' night. I'm sure you'll make it.
head Is life much more tiring with F now that she can walk? is your house really babyproof? my parents' is full of lovely things that we have ruined and just generally so much stuff that I am almost relieved that G still holds onto my finger to walk.

Oh God his new pursuit is bathtime pooing. I got all clever today and fished him out in time and hung him over the loo which made me feel very evacuation communication, only to put him back in the bath where he promptly dropped another three little parcels for me. ahi ahi ahi.

head silent night in German? Shit man. the stakes are high in the intelligent kid test. I am just trying to teach Mr G some ITalian gesticulating. start small and build up that's what I reckon.

TBH I haven't actually taught him anything. Perhaps it is about bloody time that I contracted out his care. Other babies seem to have all these party tricks like high 5s and saying hiyerr. Just being Damned Cute can be his for a little while longer

gosh. quelle ramble. Must get cracking.

jumping are you still holding onto your sanity my lovely? hope so.

Hey All

Thanks Bella - he was just making his way down the birth canal (not!!) this time last year, was born 10.34am on the 23rd, my christmas miracle. T'was snow on the ground then and lo there is snow on the ground now. Feeling very emotional today, lots of things really, the passing of time, the struggle to have him, the soft fuzz of his hair, his pouty top lip .

We're all set for tomorrow, my friend has made the most amazing cake, will put up on FB, balloons are ready, bunting up, presents laid out, all set. We're just having family this year which is all my stress levels could take anyway two days before Christmas!

Whoa! sorry to launch into a me, me post there . Bella I've replied to you message on FB but can't add you as a friend as that option is not on, you need to add me baby .

I hear you re: uninterupted long lie, house to self.. My DS1 was a chronically early riser, yes 5.30am-6.15am for all of 2007, looking back I can't really remember that year, just walked through it in a sea of tired fug. I had to wait until he was 3.5 and no longer napped, was tired by nursery etc. for him to sleep longer and even then he can wake @6.30am most mornings.

It's interesting that you mention G going through separation anxiety, B is doing EXACTLY the same. He is crawling properly now, can cruise futniture but stil can't stand on his own (would buckle under the weight of those thighs) and is being incrediably clingy just now. Wouldn't even go to my Mum on Monday and she's looked after him every Monday since July! He is having his settling in sessions at nursery (due to start one day a week next month) and its been really upsetting as he bawls the place down. Think its probably the worst age to have him start . But what to do

Have a fantastic first Christmas with the G man, you will be welling up at some point, I can feel it in ma waters

Head - sorry you will be having a quiet one for F's big day but then after the Christmas rush you may enjoy having a low key affair.. Loving the image of you and her having wee chats already . I watched 'In Bruges' on Sat. night and realised it was in Belgium NOT Germany . It reminded me of Amstedam actually... Bet Luca made an adorable RtRNR. Great to hear you have the whole of the holidays off, Merry Christmas - enjoy, enjoy, enjoy and chuck another log on that gorgeous roaring fire of yours

wasabi - hope you're shaking your tail feathers as I type on your night out . Thanks for your comments, not so yummy mummy sans spray tan and control pants . Sorry to hear you have all had the lurgy, but hopefully out the way for Christmas. Well done Clara on crawling . Ben has just started too having bum shuffled since September. Thanks for all the cooking tips, I definately agree about having seperate table for food. Was going to serve up meat but have 'help yourself' bowls for tatties, veg. etc. Am doing starters but cold ones (salmon and pate - not together) Going to make my own stuffing and have 'Jamie at Xmas' on tape to remind me about my roasties (got goose fat today ).

Have a wonderful Chritmas and big kisses to Fred, best Joseph in town and Clara, I don't do spoons

jumping - really hope you're managing to have some down time over the hols. You do so much and balance everything so well (even if you fele like you don't). I saw your other thread about changing the child minding times with Ffion, really hope it works out. Have a lovely Christmas with your gorgeous brood

Rogue - so Aoife is rolling over , she may go missing now you know, check under the couch before dissolving into blind panic . I know you will be savouring this Christmas with your beautiful precious first born, have a lovlye one

Sunny - in case you're lurking, loved your photo with Santa on FB . Have a merry time too and kisses to Tubs.

Its been quite a year, from the joy of B's birth to the trenches of night feeds to the reassurance that it does get easier, thanks you all for being there to show me I'm not alone!!! It's been an honour.

Merry Christmas girls x

bella haha he's not on the G&T register yet, he's just learned it parrot fashion from me :o A friend taught her 18 mo ds loads of obscure capital cities, "what's the capital of Afghanistan sweetie?" "Kabul". Cue astonished gasps and rounds of applause :o Bless him he was only doing it because he'd learned he'd get a reaction but boy it was a funny one to sneak up on unsuspecting people.

Life is pretty tiring but then isn't it always? She does get in to absolutely everything, she's obssessed wtih the cat's food and water bowl! The only cupboard I've locked in the kitchen is the one with all the scary cleaning potions. We do have stair gates but that's about it. I've had to replace a fair few toilet rolls because she does love to unravel them :o

I hope those early mornings get better over Christmas... Francesca likes to chuck in the odd 5.30 start, sometimes I can persuade her to go back to sleep for a couple of hours, sometimes not. I've lost count of the times i've been a zombie at work. I hope you get your lie in :o

You can add me as a friend on fb I wanna see piccies of BabyG :) I'm G i s e l e N i c o l o t t i M a r c o z, my profile photo is one of Francesca's feet :)

Blue that sounded like a farewell, is this your last post before Christmas? If so have a fabby one, enjoy Ben's birthday tomorrow. A big kiss from his cyber aunties :) I can't believe how far we've come too. I never thought I would but I've actually forgotten the due dates of my two lost pregnancies. Francesca has done a perfect job of filling a very large void... getting all emotional here