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....

veggie that story is so funny! Poor little AK though I can imagine his little face all miffed at mummy and daddy laughing

avo if she stops weeing (as trace said) then get checked straight away. If it was me I'd see how she goes and if no better in the morning get straight to your GP.

Trace I've been in tears over cockporn, it took me several minutes to tell DH as I kept having to stop during to fits of silent giggles.

Avo as Syb said it's unlikely the toiletbrush but still a good idea to call the NHS direct people.

After much umming and arrring we've decided not to
go away for a long summer holiday but DH is still going to take 3 weeks off in July. We'll do a few day or 2 day trips during that time to places closer to home. We want to see some of the Tour de Francs but it actually starts in Rotterdam and we can pop down and watch the end in Paris. It was crazy the cost of camping on the 2 coasts near the later stages of the Tour. I would rather save the money and do some short trips and a nice winter ski trip. I have to say I think I'm becoming like Trace and getting quite homely. Anyway seems silly to travel all that way to stat on a beach when we like 5 mins from one.

Katie, I'm dissapointed but I'm sure you'll do it next time. Was it when you went out with your friends?

Lady what comment were you going to make.

Apologies for any errors of expression in the above long post as I was slightly distracted by the aforementioned 1980s music show

Actually, Syb, I have let it go a bit this last couple of weeks due to hol and so forth, but hope to get back on the strictness wagon this week. I happened to see a photo of myself last night from last summer and I looked like I'd been blown up with a bicycle pump. Whilst I am still heavy, I am just so determined not to get like THAT again. But we'll see, it's still relatively early days. I am still aiming for a total weight gain of 6-7kg though I know that is nutty really. Did your weekend improve, my lovely?

WG - just to say really that I sympathise with the division of labour disagreements, I have said it before but I still haven't got this one reconciled and I do wonder if it will kick off when we have two kids and I have even less time. Has anyone come up trumps yet on the counselling?

Oh Trace Cockporn is classic.

General question to preggos - my skin is really dry and scaly. Anyone else got this? It's a new one on me and I am wondering if it means I am deficient in summat or other. When did people go into maternity clothes? I am still in normal jeans but what should I be aiming for? I can't remember how it was last time.

I was just going to be silly and unwitty about his dirty cat, Veggie. Ignore me You can always do a last minute hol if you change your mind.

Veggie it was you I was scared of telling about the fags! It was actually the day before I went to London that I started again. I think it was a combination of stressing out about parents move, there is a long story behind that which I haven't bored you with yet, to do with tax and what my parents (and the shareholders - me and my two sisters) stand to lose if the Capital Gains Tax increases as is likely after the election (yawn, yawn) and the dread of heading back to London. Anyway, I am weak and have no willpower, but they do say that every attempt to give up gets you one step closer to actually giving up.
Syb I have tried Allen Carr before and it didn't work, however I am willing to try again, although I have evidently lent my books to someone and can't remember who, so your offer is very kind and I may well take you up on it if Dr won't prescribe me Zyban tomorrow. I wonder of the two combined might give me even more of a chance.
Avo there is a horrible D&V bug going around at the moment, so I'm sure it is just that, but definitely call NHS Direct if you are worried.
Loving Cockporn and Dirty Pussys , I'm sure I have similar stories but can't think of any at the moment.

Lady dirt away, my DH has the filthiest mind and has had me giggling about it.

I'm not preggo but I often get dry skin at this time of year due to changes in weather and a little hayfever that reveals itself in my skin. However, it can also be a need for oils esp omegas I'm not sure where you stand on fish oil supplements, if your against them there are some vegetarian omega oil supplements either as a capsule or actual flaxseeds on your cereal, or oils like 'the good oil' on your salads. That parasite lovely ladybabydos will def be using all your available omegas for her own evil ends growing stuff.

I don't eat fish normally and I haven't since I became a veggie at 11 but I have actually been taking a fishy omega capsule than comes with my preggy vitamin. I did last time as well. I am amazed if my body is crying out for oil, given all the cheese I have eaten recently! But I suppose it's olive oil and avocado and stuff like that? I didn't have this last time. I can keep trying to moisturise but I do feel concerned that it is coming from within in some way. And I am drinking pints and pints of fluid as I am still so darn thirsty.

Oh Katie now I feel bad. That's bad news about the CGT. We don't plan (hopefully) to sell our properties for several years yet but an increase would be very bad obviously, surely they can't make it too much more it's already 40%! What is the deal for if you have lived in the property at some stage. Bloody hell the UK is such a highly taxed country we are currently paying 22% on the whole rent we get for our Derby place even though it is £200 less than what we pay in mortgage!

I still seem to have some muke on my chest so DH has made me a hot toddy, but he put loads of whiskey and I'm feeling a little squiffy.

If your taking the supplements it should be fine as far as what baby is getting. Cheese is the wrong oil (though v.tasty). Your omega stores could have been depleted by your first pregnancy though you didn't BF so didn't lose any that way but you may not have restocked enough between. It's quite a common thing esp in the UK. However, I think it might be more to do with the weather. If you notice your craving anything that has good oils like avocado I would eat what you crave (within reason obviously).

Bore away about CGT, Katie, if you want to. I am quite interested in tax matters. I realise that makes me super dull.

Squiffy is good, Veggie, especially if it is medicinally squiffy!

I do eat a fair few eggs (and nuts) and I think they are all good for omegas. I look like a snake. A portly snake! I didn't get stretch marks last time, I think I will this time if my skin carries on like this. I'm not craving anything now, bar fluids (of which I am drinking gallons).

Right, off to do some body brushing, slather myself in oil and read in bed. I am feeling a bit irritable.

It would def be an idea to chat to your consultant about this next time you see her. If your skin is dry due to dehydration they may want to do an early GTT, I assume your consultant knows your history so will be keeping on top of stuff like this, so she would be interested to know.

Rubs I meant to say, according to all the manual handling courses I've had to endure attend for work. If you wake up the morning after a back strain with pain you've done something to upset your muscles. In the course we were told to go to occ health but assume we would have been told to rest.

Oh forgot to say DH was playing with a duck in the bath tonight and said a very clear 'duck duck'. Up til now he's just made animal noises (and often not approriate).

Hooray on the walking Effie.

Avo: how is dd2 today? Did you get on to the doc?

Lady: I got dry skin, veggie's advice is v sensible. I loved the Lush massage bars as a night moisturiser, there's one which is supposed to be good for stretch marks. I avoided the marks both times, suspect genetics rather than products.

Katie: dh is raging about cgt too. It means no incentive to invest in small businesses. I think the plan was to raise it to 50%. Veggie: check the property sit as it might be after 3 yrs that you pay cgt. The tax on rent was one of the reasons we were reluctant to rent out the flat. Anyway I suppose we'll all need to get used to tax and NI rises if the news is true. Gloom.

Very quickly - hope DD2 is better today Avo?

LadyT - if your skin is very dry, could you consider not having a daily bath or shower? Mine is very dry and I find that if I have a couple of days a week when I don't shower (just wash the imp bits obviously) then my arms and legs feel less itchy and unpleasant. I swim so dry myself out in a nice chlorine wash couple of times a week and this really helps. Could you consider it? I've only done it recently and it might not be an option for the hotter weather, but in the very short term it might help a little.

Katie - the book is yours. Can you CAT me your address or text me? I can't put my email on here as it's my name. My mob is 07958701168.

LadyT: it's the Therapy bar. Smells nice too.

AVO how is DD2 this morning?

LadyT I am no help with the skin thing as I have crocodile skin if I dont moisturise every day. I use vaseline intensive care. DOes the job. I too managed to avoid stretch marks first time round but got them with DS2. Have you tried almond oil? Smells lovely.

Veggie how are you feeling?

My lovely lady who does alterations has managed to get the stains out of my wedding dress that Lachlan kindly covered it in. Thank goodness as we are having the family pissed off at us running away wedding celebration party at the end of June and I was not keen on wearing a dress with sticky fingerprints all over it.

I do not know what this child is doing with his naps. After waiting until after lunch until he fell asleep yesterday and only being able to go out after he woke up, DS1 & I planned to go out this morning before his nap. We were almost ready i was just having my morning coffee when DS2 happily took my hand and led me in the bedroom, jumped onto the bed and assumed his 'I'm ready to go to sleep now mummy' position. Unfortunately I'd put a wash on (the washing machine is in a little cupboard in our room) and left the door to that little room open and didn't pull the blind down as I didn't really believe ge would go to sleep this early...& of course he's asleep. So now I have to finish a cold coffee but we can go to the museum this afternoon so will have more time there and DS2 won't fall asleep on the ride home.

50% I'm starting to wonder if these houses are going to be worthwhile. So with the rental tax you get taxed on the whole amount, not on the difference between the rent & mortgage, or interest? We are a bit naughty and don't tell the tax man about the London place but the Derby one is rented through an agent. As we live OS we pay 22% which I thought we could claim back as we are still paying to top up the difference between rent & mortgage.

Katie when were you planning to sell, is this the place you didn't sell because your parents & sister thought they could get more? How long until the tax would come in?

Veggie: you can claim back on agent fees and mortgage interest but not the whole mortgage.

Veggie with you on the bonkers naps. For the last few wks DS2 has been waking between 5 & 5.30 9not a happy mummy) so has been suicidal by 10 and has been napping from 10 until 1 . Now today he is running around like a loon and no sleep is going to happen. Swimming lessons at lunchtime is going to be fun. I think there will be lots of crying.

Effie great news on the walking. Hpe Avo's LO is OK.
Glad you got the stains out Jam.
LadyT - I always have dry skin so have to constantly moisturise. It's a drag.

Morning (trying to sound cheery),

Well the vomitting was over by midnight so I guess it might be the same virus as your boys had Jam. It was v violent while it lasted though. Poor DD2 was sobbing "no, no, no" inbetween retches. She went through five bed and outfit changes too. This morning she is sobbing and miserable. She is hot to touch and has bright red cheeks but the themometer reads normal. No puking yet thank god. It's bad timing as I started back at work yesterday and with all that's going on I can't take time off. Our nanny looked mortified at what her day had in hold.

Talking of our nanny she returned from The US yesterday bearing gifts for the girls. Rather oddly those gifts were flashing bottles of Corona Larger on gold chains. DD1 obviously thought this was the best gift ever and hated me when I said she couldn't wear it to nursery. Mid tantrum the nanny decided to help me out by telling DD1 that I was right and she couldn't go to school dresses as "a pimp"! Cue lots of questions about what a pimp does. Hmmmmm.

LadyT - are you flying BA to Sweden? We are and now they have scheduled a strike over that weekend. Rather worrying. Poor D&E I think they were stressed out already so this is the last thing they need.

Turnip - I love your new FB pics of your brood. Your two DDs look so different - like chalk and cheese but both gorgeous.

Effie - yay to the walking! Has the mobility changed the dynamic between your DSs? My DD1 prefers her sister to stay a baby and not challenge her by becoming bipedal.

Jam - great news about your dress. What kind of party are you having? Can I also ask whether you all caught the sickness virus from your DS?

WG - I meant to say well done on taking such a pro-active step to improve your relationship. I would second Syb's suggestion that you investigate the Tavistock Clinic. They have a specialised unit called something like The Tavitock Centre for Couples. It's meant to be top notch. I sort of owe my existence to the Tavistock Clinic as my patents were both therapists there and met in a group therapy session. Oh the romance.

Trace - so glad you had a lovely weekend away and your DH was such a star. How are you feeling at the moment? Your posts sound much cheerier.

Oh and Veg, I dreamt you were pregnant last night! Oddly it was the child of Nick Clegg and your DH was ok with that as long as you used your influence to secure a referendum on PR.

Right, have arrived at work. Off to try and get myself on TV by positioning myself behind Nick Robinson as he does one of his links. I think managed this yesterday but wasn't watching the news to check!

Avo glad she is a bit better today, sounds exactly like the one we had very violent vommitting, forgot to say if its the one we had there will be a bit of diarrohea when you think its all over. We did all get it, sorry.

Syb, you're a star, thanks. I will text you my address in a bit.
On the CGT, I don't know how it works overall, but the property my parents are selling is part of a business, ie. the farm that Dad inherited from his step dad 25 years ago. It is a Limited company and all three of us girls have quite alot of shares in the farm thanks to a very kind Great Aunt who gave them to us. Until the whole business is wound up, we will not get our shares. We have already had some divideneds from the sale of a cottage on the land, plus the actual land sale which took place last year. Therefore the sale of the house and two further cottages on the land will result in the winding up of the company. CGT currently stands at 18%, and we were trying to push through the sale before the election because there is a plan to raise it to 50%. The hope is that if they sell by end of this month then we will still avoid paying the higher rate of tax because the won't have had time to pass the proposal, hopefully. I'm not even sure who's proposal it is, but I think Lib Dem. As far as I am concerned, I have done nothing for this money, so whatever I get will be a bonus, but from his shares, Dad could lose £1/2 million, which is a sizeable sum and doesn't leave him alot for retirement once they have bought their new house (which is a whole other saga).
I am hoping to use the money to make a step up in the property ladder, but if we are taxed 50% on it, it is not going to be a very big step and we might as well just stay where we are.
Sorry, very boring, but you did ask!
The other complication is that the two cottages on the land have been rented out for as long as I can remember. They were due to go to auction this month, but the tenants are still not out, despite being given 3 months notice. Which I think is very naughty. DH and I are quite interested in buying both of the cottages to convert into one larger house, but they have to go to auction and be sold to the highest bidder in order to satisfy all shareholders, and we are unable to buy them until I receive my shares, which can't happen until they are sold! It's a horrible catch 22 and I am sure there is some way around it, but we haven't found it yet.
Now that I've bored the tits off you with my problems I'm going to do some work x

Katie - a v quick post from work to say 50% CGT is a lib dem picy but even if they cld persuade any coalition of it's merits it wld take a while to kick in. No new changes to tax can be made before the new gov's first budget and the passing of the subsequent Finance Bill. That won't be until at least the end of June so you have a little breathing space.

Avo I love you (and your knowledge), thanks for that - very helpful. Let's just hope this bloody sale goes through before then! Now, any advice on how we can afford to buy these cottages anyone?!

Avo I'm so sorry your DD is sick and I feel terrible for saying your thread was funny. It was in fact some of the other stories that followed yours which I found so amusing and I appreciate that you must have been horrified by what had happened and been very worried. I posted my comment as I thought all was OK with your DD. I hope she feels better very soon.