Dec 08 ladies getting re-clackered, with tantrums from toddlers we're sure to be knackered

[traceface]

Loved your title rubs
Never started a thread before so hope this works...can anybody find it?
hello....

Oh Kiwi, what a shame. Lack of sleep is so horrid, that sickly, dizzy, heaviness....Avo's total blackout sounds good but have you tried putting her to bed later or fiddling with her evening routine in some way, food wise? Sorry if you have. I hope you can get through the day and break the cycle that she seems to have got into. I have had a few sleepless nights recently (I keep waking up, though, it's not DD) and I find it really affects my mood the next day - it has a depressive effect, definitely. Hope you've had a nice breakfast to give yourself a boost.

WG, have a lovely trip. I do now have a parcel to send to you (if you still want the book, Clearblue etc) so if you could text me your address that would be good. Great you've got a session booked in.

Syb, it is so kind and thoughtful of you to think about coming to visit me. I know you are super busy. DP's flat is so messy and cramped it's not really set up for visitors, but if you fancied reacquainting yourself with Oxford itself, that would be grand (and anyone else too). However, when I move, everyone is welcome any time. Loving the shoes.

Spot, it's such a lovely morning and would be so nice to come to Brighton today. I know we have mentioned it but I think a day there is definitely called for. I read that Oliver James article. He gets on my wick. I thought saying 'I am not bashing working parents who use nurseries' and then basically going on to do just that was disingenuous. Whatever my child has gained from having being at home with me, she has also lost out on experiences that she would have gained from being in nursery a couple of days a week, which she would have been if my day job hadn't gone tits up. Oh, and I am dismayed that you aren't being offered a 12wk scan Best practice is to have one in tandem with the bloods at 11-13 wks. Would you consider a private nuchal scan?

Avo, how is your DD2 now? And what's the latest on the strike for the flights to D's wedding - is there a possibility you might not be coming?

Summer, yes, I.Should.Learn.To.Drive - you are so right It's quite near the top of my burgeoning Guilt List, given that my theory test runs out in Sept. It's going to have to wait until my financial situation shakes down a bit, though...I really don't have any spare until 'things come in'. (But NJAN has genuinely inspired me!) Oh, and you know I feel your pain re: MIL. I have had low blood pressure all my adult life, and yet when I spend time with DP's Mum I swear feel it bubbling and soaring.

Rubes, yay for the Big Boy's Bed! Sounds like a success. Glad also your pain is abating - I will still ask Lorin on Monday, though, if you want. I can't ditch the private birth, though, despite grave impecuniosity! I really DON'T want to lose three grand but more than that, I don't want to lose the truly magnificent care I receive - I rally can't praise it enough. A kitchen is ultimately nothing (actually I have bought the kitchen anyway ) but my DD2 is precious and unrepeatable! I am gobsmacked to this day at the awful care my sister received for her DS1 (I know that's not across the board thank goodness, but it made a lasting impression on me) and to get what she got would be a shortfire route to PND for me. Oh, and re: the Laura Ashley mirror saga - it wouldn't fit the space, after all that! I have had to buy one from somewhere else. And it was half the price, hurrah!

Trace, your meetings with the psychologist sound interesting and positive. DD eats fluff, for some reason, and I have to hide my emery boards as she likes the taste I think your HV was really rotten to brush you off like that. But you know my opinion on HVs!

Kiwi again - meet ups - yes, people couldn't do it. Fancy Brighton in June? If people are meeting this Monday I am in town, but have a scan at 11am and a consultant's appointment at 2, both central London. Otherwise, I am in Battersea Pk with DD on Sunday, watching my team play cricket.

Effie - docs tonight, and baby group tomorrow morn - 'cept I won't be there as I am going to Mum's either tonight or tomorrow morning...

It's mayhem over at the house. The plasterer is slagging off the electricians and the plumber is moaning about the plasterer. DP came to the scan in London then took me straight over to the house and we were doing emergency woodwork until 11pm as he said he needed to finish something before the plumber came back today. I had had a really hectic day, so it wasn't ideal. DD just snoozed in the travel cot we have there, bless her.

Oh heck, it's another essay.

Morning folks, on the blackout front, we have those ones with the suckers but if you have quite raised window frames they're not great as they still let light in around the edges. T is waking early again, and DP in Amsterdam from early this am so going to try and go to bed super early to compensate. At least it's nearly just a month left until mid-summer, after which the mornings will start getting darker again (not sure if that's being optimistic or wishing time away...) So Kiwi, I would say try and blackout with card and blu tack initially but it will hopefully be a short-lived phase as she readjusts her body clock after your holiday.

WG I'm glad you've got your appointment booked, it would be weird if you weren't apprehensive but you might get some things aired before you even go (ref DH's listening comments) in a more jokey atmosphere.

DP and I aren't officially talking after a row last night but I had to say goodbye to him as I wouldn't want him to go off on a plane not on speaking terms.

Veggie, T is in the same shoes he was measured for in December, we bought him some new ones last week but refuses to wear them .

Worky question - how do you price for a project? I normally charge a day rate but I have been given a big chunk of work and the client wants to agree a project fee over all. It's really hard to know how long it will take until I start. Do I estimate how long it will take and then double it as I will inevitably underestimate time?

I am feeling very negative about being PG at the moment, and I'm sure it'll change, but I keep wondering if it was a huge mistake. What with work finally picking up again, moving house, the thought of a newborn again plus a toddler so not even being able to rest when the newbie sleeps, and no family help nearby. Help!

X-posts LadyT, yay please come to Brighton, it's what weather like this was made for . June is perfect, Tues, Weds, or Thurs ideal for me as T is in prison mursery on Mon and Fri.

Blimey though, you aren't half busy at the mo, you need to give yourself a break. Good news on the half price mirror!

On the scan front we didn't go for the nuchal tests the first time so probably wouldn't again, but I will check with the midwives as I'm just basing this info on a piece of paper from the GPs which may be just misprinted or something.

Am thinking home birth again this time, but also a bit worried as the new place has very nice cream carpets. Probably shouldn't use that as a decider though!

Better go, T is an avid fan of Big Cock Little Cock as we call it chez spot and i must go and save his poor electrified synapses from implosion.

Hello Lady - I understand re the birth. Glad the mirror situation worked out. I can do Oxford pretty much anytime. Can get the train from Reading as it's easier than parking I'd imagine.
Would love to meet up in London but have to work all weekend but Sun is my last day!
Lady I would love it if you did run by my pain to your consultant - it really is improving and I'm wondering if trace was right and it was being aggravated by my carrying ds and his knee rubbing. dh doesn't think it cold have started that way but def could be making it worse. It's only in the one spot (about the size of a 1 y/o's knee) and its a burning bruise like pain.
I am off to West field this afternoon just for a very short time while dh puts in a couple of hours at Lady's hospital - bummer you weren't there yesterday Lady! Anyway, must go - got one sore toothy little boy

Spot, I was hopping mad about being pg at first, tbh. I feel really happy about it now. All I could think about was the negatives. But actually, it's a coping mechanism and one starts to figure out a plan/rationalise it. All will be well!

DaisyD, have a superb time away. You deserve it. I think you are totally right about O and there being a link between the lack of eating and the lack of walking. I have been thinking along the same lines myself.

Have a lovely time at Westfield, Rubes...see you soon, I hope.

Big Cock, Little Cock...you've set me off again, Spot, trying to remember which one is the crazed shagger. Don't worry bout the carpets - your local DIY store has lots of plastic sheeting/floor covering! I know as I have bought enough over the last few months to carpet an area the size of Basingstoke.

Spot I was told the nuchal was pretty routine for NHS now - well it's routine that they offer it to you but before it was only to women over 35 I think? I duuno - there's some info here Ante natal tests it's a different thing if you don't want it I spose, but I take everything I can get.
dh might be going to Brighton of Fri eve for a race but i'm not sure I'm going as the race isn't until 7pm and I know that's the most unideal time for my ds - he would be a total nightmare, so will probably ditch the idea, but would love to come at any other time as I'm finished work after the weekend.

Kiwi DS1 is 5 in August and I've had one night away from children in all that time, it was a lovely trip to London while i was heavily pregnant with DS2.

I've just forced poor DS2 to have an early nap as we are going for a long ride down to the south of the city and need to leave straight after lunch so i him to have slept and eaten by the time we have to go. He was quite funny about it, we just stayed in his room until he eventually realised it was nap time then assumed the position.

Kiwi I really hope you get this morning waking sorted by the time your DH goes away. This is going to sound terrible but if it hadn't do you have a laptop you could put in your room and when she wakes put cbeebies on iplayer and she can sit and watch while you snooze to a more reasonable hour. When DH was working away a lot I used to have our portable DVD or laptop in our room so DS1 could watch Thomas the tank engine etc. Another thing that helps is to 'go out for tea' sometimes. DS1 & I would go for a early (for me) dinner at waggamammas or pizza express or somewhere child friendly and that way I got a night off from cooking a cleaning up his tea and it was something else to do. I know she's only little but most places do reasonably ok kids meals.

Spot thanks for letting me know about Mr T's feet. Maybe it's actually normal and DS1 has bizarre rapid growing feet. Thankfully they have slowed down otherwise we'd have to take out a personal loan to cover to cost of shoes in this country. I saw a pair of kids strappy summer sandal yesterday, which must have about 2 cm of leather on them for €64!

Rubs find your needle phobia intriguing. I actually wonder if it is indeed a phobia. It sounds more like some sort of physiological reaction rather than a fear of pain. I think because you react the way you do, you now fear it. Esp as it resolves when you lay flat not when the needle is removed. I know laying flat helps settle your BP but that can point to either cause. Also every paediatric unit has butterflies so if they say they haven't got one, just tell them to send someone up to the paeds ward or paed A&E to get one. Lazy sods.

Lady I completely understand your paying for the birth. The combined total if the boys births was a lot but it was worth every penny as I got the births I wanted in wanted in each case and no worry during the antenatal stuff (except for the bit with DS2 where I was still under the NHS). Also got a nice pre & post natal massage with DS2's package.

Spot, I gave birth to DS2 on my lovely Persian rug that I bought in Iran, I had an astounding amount of amniotic fluid but not a drop got onto my rug or my Moroccan cushions that the midwife grabbed at lastminute and covered in those blue and White plastic sheets as she suddenly got a bit worried DH might drop him when he popped out. We had all sorts of plastic sheets, old throws and towels around. Did you cause a mess last time? Shame we don't live near you I still have some of the old throws. In fact they cleaned up quite nicely and we still use them on the couch.

hello chatty ladies
Just crawling in with a sleepy hello. Barely slept Monday night (just couldn't shut off - no other reason!), then last night Lu started being sick at about 10pm and is still going, so after 3 changes of bedding and various movements between settee/our bed/her bed I ended up only sleeping between 5 and 6am. So today all she wants is cuddles whereas P is desperate to go out and keeps bringing me her coat and shoes and wants me to pick her up. I'm so knackered and can't please either of them because I only have 2 arms. Plus need to do lots of washing to tackle the debris! Then when I was not watching P properly she opened a drawer then closed it on her own hand and has given herself a big red bruised finger . Have just got her down for a nap - normally doesn't nap before lunch but she was woken up a fair few times last night with all the goings on. Anyway. Was supposed to see CPN today but have had to cancel, and school don't want Lu back for 48 hours so need to find some childcare for tomorrow... Ah well, the jots of parenthood!
Will be back later with a less self-indulgent post. ladyt wonderful news about your healthy baby girl

joys not jots. doh

Trace poor you. I'm not sure why but I think I prefer the jots of parenthood. Wish I could do your washing for you. Maybe you could give that to P to do with all her energy. I think all the anti-tv brigade has never been in the situation you are in right now. I challenge to deal with an hour of what you are and not put the tele on.

Veggie that's exactly what dh said regarding the butterfly's - just said they can't be arsed going to get one if they run out at pathology is it? He also said they don't have too many down there due to cost probably. It's mainly at GP's where I have problems so i'm thinking of carrying my own They were very good at QCHH where I had ds and even offered to run up and get the Emla cream but little did they know I had my own I'd bought on Ebay I didn't want it for pain - it's just so I don't feel it, as if I feel it at all then I start imagining the needle going in and that sets off the fainting so it's never been a pain thing. I'm so much better now though and can almost 100% gaurantee I won't faint if they do it laying down. Just thought i'd be brave in front of ds yesterday but I was a bit premature in my progress I think! dh says I'm prob fine laying down as it's a vasovagal response or something and blood draining from my head helps it along. I also faint from dehydration as well as the needles etc so I get it from certain triggers. I kind of know how to manage it now, so will just take all needles lying down (or Spinal arrgh leaning really far forward was OK too) Increasing salt intake prior to needles or having a sports drink helps too

early naps here too as we had eye rubbing and all that plus I have to go out too and I know he won't nap there.... so far so good as I think he's asleep

Oh Trace - how exhausting - poor you. Heinous lack of sleep. DD finally gone to sleep just now - having been up for hours! I really don't want her to drop this afternoon sleep any time soon - what age do they tend to?!

Trace - is Lu any better today? I've just been and bought DD some little green flower canvas shoes. They're gorgeous and were only £15 - but I know DH will blow a gasket. I really shouldn't have bought them, but her usual shoes are so wintry and these are lovely and summery. Now feeling guilty, but she's been wearing them all morning, so I can't take them back!

Oh Beans, little canvas shoes are so cute. Where were they from?

Trace, I hope L is a bit better for all your sakes.

They're from a shop called One Small Step - not sure what make they are as are in DD's bedroom and she's kipping. But will have a look. They're very very cool and she looks v sweet in them. She's used to those slightly softer cruising shoes, so is v excited by the hard soles and keeps stamping around. We just went to her music lesson and there was a stamping song. She was in shoe heaven!

Ah, have discovered that they are Max & May, which is own brand footwear there. They're just gorgeous - v pleased with them!

Gah no napping here kept him awake by shoogling his feet in the car so he could rest properly at home and now the little blighter is upstairs bellowing at me!

Will be back later house a tip shopping all over the kitchen floor.

Oh any Gap fans out there buy Grazia this week and get 25% off. I just saved myself about 30 squid!

Oh and hello everyone

I think I was supposed to say my hen weekend is next weekend - I am just very excited about the break (and a lie in even if it will probably be with a stonking hangover).

trace hope Lu improves and you get some rest/sleep asap.

Wanted to write more but can't remember a bloody thing...back later should be working

beans - i have a quick local knowledge, clapham/wandsworth question for you... can you recommend a place for me to get a facial/massage/manicure near wandsworth common? as of 2 weeks time i will have a 4 hour gap in the middle of my work day, and instead of planning my next lesson i am quite keen to treat myself to some luxuries which i wouldn't normally do. i am working just off wandsworth common and don't know the area very well.

Hope your night is better Trace.

LadyT: good luck for the GP.

We've had a lovely day at the seaside- the ILs are in Essex for a few days so we had an afternoon in Clacton. Folks round here are a bit sniffy about Clacton (they think it's common) but the boys loved it as did we all. Fish and chips on the beach, building sandcastles then a trip to the pier. They are now fast asleep - it'll be a job getting them bathed and in bed!

WG - there's a place on Webbs Road, called The Lemon Tree, which is lovely this is it. Not sure if it's near enough for you... it's here - probably a 15-20 min walk from Wandsworth Common... I don't really know anywhere else. Not big on beauty treatments, although wish I was. But have friends who've been there and think it's amazing. Alternatively, there are places on Northcote Road as well. One called Beautisome. But know much about them, sorry!
x

beans - looks fab. am booking in now! thx so much

After saying DS2's shoes had lasted ages I checked them today and his toes is right at the end. I'm
going to go back to the same place as they clearly oversize and last ages. Hopefully won't have to remortgaged to pay for them.

Unfortunately our boiler at the London place has finally packed it in. We know we've been living on borrowed time with it so we were expecting to have to get a new one soon. The good news is as we can get rid of the big hot water tank immersion thingy and just consolidate to a combi boiler which will be downstairs in the utility room where the current little kitchen boiler is it will free up space and make a whole new hallway cupboard. The bad news is the plumber that looked at it today said it will cost £3000! We have rung BG and they are going to quote on it on Friday (we have a contract with them to look after the gas & heating service). Hopefully they can do a cheaper deal, but even if not they have a payment plan thing which makes it less of a hit all at once. Oh well at least a tennants utility bills might be a bit cheaper because of the new boiler.

I went for a long ride down to meet a friend today which was nice. We met in a little farm place and they were shearing the sheep at the farm. The boys were fascinated, I thought DS2 was going to explode from excitement. He is getting quite chatty, but in his own little language and he was pointing and yabbering at ms about the whole thing. So cute. Then later we bought ice lollies for the boys and the shop gave us an extra one so we gave it to DS2. I now have a new tool to keep him still. He say next to me in a trance the whole time he sucked on it. Then he wouldn't let go of the packet (it was a calipo style iced lolly) I held it the rest of the time there and the whole way home on the bike. I eventually prized it out of his hands when we got home

right boys asleep I think time to chill. I'm shattered. I discovered the bike minus the boys weighs 35kg. So with the combined weight of the boys bring 31kg and occasional extras like bags and food I'm cycling around with 70kg. I think I need some chocolate for sustanence.