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....

Wednesday was actually good, thanks, Veggie. It was only an afternoon thing but I picked up some good stuff. It was a bit hectic as my friend who was having O lives the Putney end of Fulham so Paddington-Fulham, Fulham-Soho, Soho-Fulham and then Fulham-Maida Vale was a bit of a production number...

I really ought to get out of my pyjamas, this is disgraceful.

I'm still in mine. DH is off the phone so the boys attention is diverted, he's planning on taking them to the park aaaahhhh the silence will be wonderful. Might make some popcorn and watch the election stuff.

Finding election stuff fascinating. I'm ashamed to say that I've always previously just sort of let it wash over me. But guess now I've got a child I feel more grown up and am intrigued by it. Can't decide how I feel about potential coalition with LibDems and Tories and if it can work or not. Ho hum...

Beans I'm trying to work out what is best for us, we obv don't live there now but have property there, what situation would work best. However, as a BF Nazi glorifier I'd like the lib dems to have a bigger say in things as they have given baby milk action a commitment to bringing in the WHO infant feeding codes and making them law, so make the formula companies behave but also HP can give proper information to parents on infant feeding choices, not the current 'don't say anything about formula' policy. However, I've heard from others who aren't so into some of the libdems other policies. I think if they side with the conservatives this would not happen.

I know, I have a stack of work to do but I can't take my weary eyes off the box.

I can't see how a Con-Lib partnership would work, but yet it seems the most likely scenario. They are poles apart on almost every policy. I guess they will give it a shot and then there will be another election within a year - or so the brains on the Beeb seem to think.

It's raining so no piece for me, I've tried to subtly suggest they all go play in DS1's room but no their all going mental here in the livingroom, right next to me. Oh well at least DH made me a cup of tea and popcorn.

In a geometric kind of way I like the idea of a Tory plus a bit of lib dem party as it might even out some of the right/left wing monstrosities. Or it could all fall apart! Bur I can see the advantage of 2 parties who haven't been in power for a while and may have some fresh ideas. Will wait and see.

Beans/ remember that you are right and he is wrong (for ever and ever amen).

Sybs: sorry you're feeling bad. Make a rude gesture at your DH from me.

I have had about 3 hours sleep but still fascinated by all the reports. We have wine and baklava left over from last night, hooray.

Ooh, just wanted to pick up on some things I missed before I finally start work

Beans, I didn't say congrats on the rental you've found. Sounds lovely! I know JUST what you mean about the extra bathroom. I cannot wait to have one in the new house. I had one where I lived with DH and it was fabby.

Nolda, good to see you! Glad to hear that you think two kids is not automatically pottiness-inducing!

JB - mmm, that's a tough one about the house. There are obvious advantages but I think negotiating with rellies (and also feeling like you have to take their feelings into account with renovations) could be quite stressful. I think it could work if you had a really straight talk with them beforehand. Will be interested to see what you decide!

ZJ, on alpacas, there is a family round here that have a few and take them round pubs as a business (ie the pubs advertise having them and they do rides and act as a sort of petting zoo). I am more fascinated by the family than the alpacas as they are youngish and have nine children, from late teens to tiny baby. How do they cope/afford it?

Spot - on feeling different/gender - I didn't feel sick really, last time, yet had a girl. This time I felt a lot sicker (frequently nauseous) and the bump seems a different shape - but yet, still a girl (supposedly...guess I will know shortly when I have had the 20 wk scan).

DaisyD, I'd forgotten you studied Politics. Bet it was really interesting.

Rubes, it is so cool of you to offer to collect me from the station (I am sure DD would fit in the carseat as she is still only a shade under 9kg) but I am reluctantly going to pass for Monday as I was only in town Wed and Thurs and will have to go in soon for scan, and need to do some proper work next week! I know I will regret it on Monday and wish I was there but I am trying to be sensible.

Oh, and PD don't feel like I have spoken to you in ages.

Kayz, DD isn't clingy as such. But she is rather demanding in comparison to how she used to be!

Oooh, Effie, I just fancy some of your wine. And an Indian takeaway. I have been a total Pigsworth this week though.

Oh yuk yuk yuk. Feeling quite blurgh. DH has done everything for the boys but of course the house is a complete tip and now is when I usually do my tidy up while tea is on but just have to ignore it. While it was lovely of DH to deal with the boys they still hang around me and I still get Mummy mummy watch me watch me! Poor DS2 must have been feeling neglected by me as he siddled up beside my supine body on the sofa and picked up my arm and put it around himself bless him. I love them but just a couple of hours without them would feel so much better. I remember when I used to be incharge in a ward shift, if it was really busy I'd so sick of hearing my name being called. Well it was the same today except with mummy mummy. I never thought I wouldn't want to hear that word.

Beans DS2 up until today has been off his food, for 2 days he would snack on fruit but wouldn't eat any meals. I put it down to his teeth. Has DH mentioned anything, you stick to your guns girl. If he pushes it just think of us all standing behind you posse style.

Sybs how are you my love, have you driven off into the sunset? I do think you need a few hours to yourself this weekend, any chance of that?

Lady I hope you are Reading this tomorrow and are right now doing your work!

Hi Effie. Is like some vino but don't think I could taste it right now.

Oh DH has popped out to get Indo takeaway, yummy, crispy tempah!

beans- as much as i don't want to dis your dh, he is being a complete knobjockey about this one. stand by your guns, girl.

veggie - you need a break, you poor thing.

sybil - oh, love, have you driven into the sunset? hope things cheer up for you.

lady - hope you get the mirror at a bargain basement price - keep us informed!

preggies - sorry, but i just loved being pregnant. had an easy time of it (apart from bits of nausea in the first trimester, easily cured by BLTs every 5 mins), felt so special and loved every minute of it. to be honest, the first few weeks of having madam were such a let-down in comparison. wanted to put her back in, really.

can i ask? madam has been on regular one nap a day for a while now. she has just started sleeping better - 11-12 hours at night (waking any time from 6.30 onwards - instead from the 5am starts of a couple of months ago). but day naps... a couple of days this week she has gone for 2.5 hours, and today... 15 mins. which has resulted in tantrums, tears and hideousness for an hour and a half before bedtime - i try to put her down before that, but she just screams. she has to fall asleep on me downstairs and then we take her upstairs an di spend AGES with her. anyone else have the random naps?

Ah boozy bookclub sounds perfect Turnip. I think I need to see if my new Aussie/kiwi friends want to start a 'bookclub'. They are having a SATC2 night out on the 26th (I know I know but I love it, I used to watch it with my girl friends back in London when we were all young & single). I'm quite looking forward to it as we are all meeting for dinner first, then a little pre movie bubbly and then afters! Hopefully DH will be working from home the next day.

What's going on with the election, is anyone else PM yet?

I wonder how Aubs is enjoying Babbington. I think that was the place DH & I were going to go with the boys then this Netherlands thing came up.

Oh WG forgot to say, we are having messed up day naps at the moment, he seems to have definitely dropped the 2nd nap and we are trying to deal with napping over lunch. His naps have def shortened and I'm not sure if it's because he's hungry as it's normally lunchtime so I'm trying to give him a bit more snacks beforehand, or it's just his teeth as they have been bad lately. I tried using the whitenoise today on the iPod that we used to use for him and that extended his nap a bit. Like Beans I'm going to try to extend his nap start til early afternoon as 2 days a week I have to pick DS1 up from school at midday so a sleep at that time for DS2 isn't helpful although I can walk to school with him in the pushchair, but so far when i've tried that he gets woken up by all the noise at school.

Hello girls . Am so sorry I went completely awol. Terrible combination of events - DS broke laptop, I lost my phone and have lost all your numbers, I can't log onto mumsnet at work and I have been working like a slave. In fact I think it would be illegal for slaves to work this much. Oh and the dog ate my homework .

I hope you are all well. Not a chance of me catching up but I see congratulations are due to spot. Lovely news.

I have to got to work this morning (I've been running our election preparations) but hopefully once we know we have a government and what it is life will get a bit back to normal. I have really missed you - and feel completely out of the loop. So sorry again, and hello again

Hi Urbane! How very lovely to hear from you. We had started to genuinely worry. Anyway it's great to hear you are OK. Have you got a new laptop now? Preparing your Department for a new government must be fascinating. Looks like it may be a while before you know who you are working with though. Anyway please stick around - we missed you.

How are you feeling this morning Veg? Better I hope.

I just ANOTHER election cupcake for brekkie. There wer just so many. They were little works of genius though. The door of No. 10 was a work or true art. I have put some pics on FB. Mmmmmm.

Dear Urbane, welcome back! Great to see you! It did cross my mind yesterday that you might've been shanghai'd by the election. Come back when you can.

Those cupcakes did look really swish, Aubi.

WG, we are still on two naps a day here. DD is still quite babyish, physically. She will have anything from 30 mins to 2 hours late morning, then the same late afternoon. She sleeps 8-8 approx at night. The 8 month old that we were in Switzerland with last week looked seriously closer to walking than my DD, the way she was standing on her Mum's lap I guess I am just hoping against hope she is walking by the time the next one comes in late Sep.

Spokesmen from the various parties were so statesmanlike yesterday and now, predictably, things have taken a more petty, self-interested and smearing turn.

I am not reading a good book at the moment. It definitely affects my general sense of well being. I bought a much lauded debut novel, feeling tender to the feelings of baby novelists. It's a really annoying read, though. Right, breakfast and work. I have to do some work at the new house later too and tomorrow is cricket (it will be far too cold and I am too busy really to spend a day shivering at the boundary, but my FIL, DH's Dad, wants to go so I can't shrink out of it). Sigh.

Ooh, Lady - I read an article in The Week a couple of weeks ago about an author called Stephen Benatar, then he was in our local Waterstones signing and I was so chuffed that I knew about him and who he was etc. I bought two of his books and have just started one, called "Wish her Safe at Home", which seems to be rather lovely. According to the Times, he writes about mundane things in an unmundane way - I don't think that's a direct quote as not sure unmundane is a word, but you know what I mean! BUT I'm really enjoying it so far. If you're looking for something, I'd go for it. He was such a lovely lovely man - very sweet and friendly - he accosted us as we walked in! He fancied DH, as it turned out!!! But laid the praise on Whizzy and was v excited about my bump. V sweet.

So, this morning, DH has taken DD to B&Q to get some hanging baskets for us to take to our new place and to get our lunch etc as well. So I've got the morning to myself. So am logging luxuriously onto here and doing the washing and ironing some hankies. I'm so domesticated!

Urbane! It's so lovely to hear from you! Really glad to hear all well, if a little frantic - and looking forward to hearing all your news when things have calmed down somewhat. Well done you working so hard. I don't think I've ever worked really hard!!! Terrible me.

One of my best friends had a baby yesterday - she's DD's godmum. She was due in 2 weeks, but because she had a terrible birth and ended up with a c-section last time, she was pencilled in for a c-s next week. BUT yesterday she went into labour at 12.30pm, and had the baby at 3.30!!! Another little girl. Gorgeous. They live out near Winchester and her husband literally only just arrived at the hospital in time to witness the arrival! One of her friends had to take her to the hospital while he travelled back from work!!! Wowsers! Here's to hoping that happens for me next time!!! Puts everything into a bit of reality as now my newbie seems imminent as I'm due a month after her. Holy COW!!

Right, on with some ironing, while 90210 on in the background - genius.

Thanks Beans, I will check him out - thanks for the recommendation. Congrats to your friend - did she actually want a VBAC? Hey, at least it might prove to your DH that Cumbria is too far so close to your due date - babies can and do come early!

She wasn't really too phased, I think, which she had. She had the c/s booked in, but said if she went into labour naturally beforehand, then so be it. Don't think she was quite expecting to be 10cm dilated and almost crowning when she staggered into the delivery suite though! I've just spoken to her husband - apparently her waters burst all over their neighbour's car!

Yes, think this may have convinced him - he hasn't mentioned it again since a couple of nights ago. I know he will, it's just a question of when. I am quite surprised by him as he was the one who was worrying that 5th June for moving was too close to birth date!!! So weekend before to go to Cumbria is an odd idea!

Hooray your back Urbane, obviously you can come and go from here as you please....but I missed you and I think a few of us were a little worried as you were also AWOL on FB. Glad to hear you have simply been working beyond the reasonable means of human tolerance. Will you get a little break once things settle down.

Is it possible to go into the houses of parliament, I'd like to take the boys, well maybe DS1 in next time we are in London and sit in the gallery. I have been to both the old and new houses of parliament in Australia and loved it.

that's fab news about your friend Beans, she did very well considering her history and sans DH. I don't think I could have birthed either boy without DHs help. Hence he got full honours for naming DS2. Does def show to your DH it's best not to go to Cumbria, although I imagine he'll argue against Peterborough too now. Am I wrong in thinking Peterborough is only an hour from Kings Cross- St Pancras?

Aaahhh silence finally. The boys have gone out to buy mothers day stuff for tomorrow (MD here), and I'm going to meet them in town for lunch.

Lady this is probably silly but I'm a teeny bit jealous of DD still being on the baby side. I was looking at photos of DS2 yesterday as a baby and I can barely remember it. I know people bang on & sprout off about their little ones walking at 3 months etc but I really think it's sad when they become a toddler too quickly. It becomes quite tiring and i feel a little resentful that DS2 runs off all the time. Having said that he is getting quite clingy lately which I'm finding nice as he really wants to snuggle up. Obviously if I'm busyits difficult but it's nice to be wanted and that he enjoys being near me.

Oh gosh I'd forgotten Cumbria is just before moving. What is he thinking! Does he know how hard it is to pack up a house and clean it too (which young lady you will not be doing too much of, nasty cleaning chemicals are not good for you). Unless he is planning on getting professional cleaners in and packers this Cumbria thing is not gonna happen. Moving with a 4 year old & a one year old was hard enough and we had payed help. He is effectively taking out 3 non working days out of your moving count down therefore leaving more of the burden of packing with you! Not on.

Urbane!!! So glad you're back! I was really worried - your last post on FB which was back in Feb made me start thinking awful things had happened it did cross my mind that you could have had computer issues but I had also convinced myself that nobody could go that long without the internet
I'm back from swimming.... after knackering my back yesterday (lifted ds over the top stairgate without opening it from 2 steps down) and then going to work, I decided best for dh to take him in todays lesson. Plus ds is SO strong (makes me wish I'd started him at 5-6 months) that I thought i'd hurt my back more with some of the activities.
He was a bit tired towards the end but went under 3 times today and only got a little cough and splutter from the last under water swim which began from the side of the pool this time

Anyway, must get ready for work but just wanted to quickly say hi to Urbane and will come back after.

Veggie - judging by his radio silence, DH has given in. And I think he's starting to realise the enormity of what we have to do before we go... Arranging mail redirection on Monday and have to write to so many people re the move. It's quite daunting. I feel a mail merge coming on. One of the few benefits of being a secretary!