May 2009 - one year on

[Tummum]

Here you go ladies...

Hello everyone. Have finally found a minute to catch up with the thread after a couple of weeks of madness.

Holiday in Woolacombe was really lovely and relaxing, and DH getting much better so all is well here. Only blot on the horizon is work being muppets about my leaving date - they are refusing to let up and are making me come back after my holiday for 3 days (yes, that's 3 days) before I finally leave FFS.

So glass of white in hand, football (boring!) in the background, here's a super NC. Well, as good as I get, as I am bound to forget someone (sorry in advance)!

Monimo well done on getting tax return done. I'm v. lucky and haven't had to do one... yet.. but might for the last tax yr cos of maternity leave / pay stuff. Is anyone else doing one for those reasons? How do you 'request' that you complete one?

Hoovers I have a Sebo (you can tell I shop at John Lewis) and it's OK but has a bag which I'd prefer not to have

Belgina quiet labour ward sounds bliss. And clever you for the stitching. I'd be petrified.

Smokey Triple buggy . How's your dizziness thingie? Settled down I hope.

Llare Non-MNetty . emotions are entirely to be expected. I had lots of cuddles with my friend's 3 week old his week, and I have to admit it did make me broody. If this new job doesn't work out I suspect as an alternative we might have another LO ! But 4 would be a tad noisy and we'd be crammed in the house / car / caravan.

Flip hope the journey is OK today and that you have a lovely break with great weather. Oh, and Grrrr to all Estate Agents!

Spangle how exciting having movements. I'd be pretty sure that is what you are feeling cos you know what you are looking out for. I felt movements for DD2 and DS from about 10 weeks. Weird. Oh, and IKWYM about telling people about an unplanned pg. I felt like I kept on having to justify having >2DC to everyone when I was pg with DS.

Fi and Pula and Muddled and everyone else I have blatently forgotten... Hello!

More mememememe...

DS2 is getting really excited about going to school. She was trying on her DSis's uniform tonight (I'm trying to figure out what I need to buy before it all runs out of stock over the summer.) She looked sooo cute, and wanted to wear the uniform to bed. My baby, going to school, sob.

DH's company is definitely being wound up this month . So good timing I am starting a posh new job soon . I am feeling a bit like Momi, all tense and anxious for no apparent reason, and then I remind myself I am working for a B£stard of a company and lots of changes are all happening at once. I'm also starting to feel like I am really old and life is rushing away from me. I'm only 33 and need to get a grip!!

Anyhows, gotta go charge the laptop. Have a lovely weekend everyone.x

Hello all, Work and teething and sleep ishoos are making me too tired to post properly sorry but wanted to say hello and that I am trying to read and keep up with you all.
Summer hols soon, you'll be sick of me then

Helloooo!

I'm in holiday mood!!!! Except for DH's grand plan that we get up at 4 tomorrow morning and start the journey. Bleurgh.

tummum - glad you had a good holiday, but about your DH's job; hope all works out ok. Grr for you about work. I had a letter today from my (ex)work telling me that I owed them money, one month's payment for a season ticket loan. I managed to speak to a person on the phone, and due to a mistake by them 4 years ago I owe them £250. I certainly can't pay it back in one go. Ah well, I'll think about it when I get back.

momino - your 'mummy' time sounds good, hope you had a chance to relax properly.

The house is going on the market next week! Signed the contract with the estate agent, he's doing the photos tomorrow and getting it started. Eeek! Looked at another house last night and one today, neither quite right though. Can't believe it's all happening. Not convinced anyone will want to buy this place, but that's another bridge.

Right, I'm off! Catch up when we get back.

Right, I'm off! Catch up when we get back.

Evening all,

flip Have a great holiday! Boo to the early start though. We usually do our hols the other way around: leave late and drive through the night so the dcs are asleep for most of the journey. The downside is that the next day we're knackered and looking after 3 dcs.

tumm @ your old work place for making you come back for 3 days. I can imagine you wont feel like being very productive for those 3 days.

Today was my 1st 'awake' day in a while so did some shopping and gardening etc... The gardening was quite important, especially at the front, because the village is having an open garden weekend this weekend and so there will be lots of tourists milling about. Got to make sure our own garden looks good for that, even though it's not open. So I had to go and buy a lawn mower for that! I also ended up spending £60 on bits and pieces for C in Boots and I didn't even get her all that much! She did need some short sleeved T-shirts though and a new cardi and a new swimsuit. She's currently still wearing last year's cardigan, which I bought saying size 6-9m, but it was huge and it still sort of fits her now, even though she's in size 2y now

Tomorrow we're going to see DH in Felixstowe. So another night in the caravan for us. It's a bit more tricky now with C. Last year she just slept wherever, but this year she has a bedtime and there's no space for a cot in the van, but we'll manage.

Flip hope you have a lovely trip

Belgina we use this for G in the caravan - he sleeps on a bunk but it could easily fit at the end of one of the beds with another DC in it too. Folds down really small and very light.

Sorry for being AWOL for a few days - just v busy!

New job is going well but so much to do! I have my first ever night away from O on Monday night as I have the annual stores conference to go to for Mon & Tues. Gala dinner Monday night which is normally a big piss up party. I may just want to have a night of uninterrupted blissful sleep though!

Belgina - wow at C being in 2yo clothes!
Hope the trip to Felixstowe goes well with the caravan.
How lovely that your pretty little village has a garden weekend
Oh and LOL at not your own perineum that needed suturing!

Flip - yay for house going on the market and holiday!
Hope your early start today was ok and you have a fab time!

Running - sorry for work, teething and sleep issues. If you get chance do come and offload if it will help.

Tummum - glad you had a good holiday and that DH is improving well. Seems v petty that work are insisting you do the 3 days. Hope they change their mind. You've got a lot on your plate at the moment - hope it all settles down for you soon.

Momino - important to grab those times when you can! I'm loving your spit loyalties in the football. I have to say, the way England are playing, it's tempting to allow this household to become Irish football fans and they're not even at the worl cup! Ireland did at least beat Algeria 3-0 a few weeks ago!

Spangle - yay for movements wind

Muddled - hope your hip is doing better?

Llare - what a rollercoaster of emotions! After what's happened this week,a re you still thinking you'll wait to ttc?

Smokey - a work colleague of mine had 4DC aged 3.5yo, 2yo andnew born twins. They had a triple plus a buggy board! I think that shipping cost from NZ sounds quite reasonable - go for it!

Hello Febes , Grumpy, Fi, Pula and anyone else I've missed!

4 under 4

Febes - I know!! What was really amazing was that they were ttc for years and DC1 was an IVF baby. The others soon followed without any help

smokey- I think i've mentioned before about my friend who has 4 DSs, who would have been nearly 4, and around 2 when the twins were born! She manages with a double buggy, either carrying one DT in a sling or letting her 2 yo walk, but guess R will be a little bit younger when your DTs arrive, so not surprised you are looking at triple buggies!. Are you planning to find out the sex of your DTs?

ses- I've had one overnighter since having S. I went to bed at 10.30pm and laid in until 8am - it was loverley . Had to take my pump and express a bit, but it was worth it to have a full night's sleep.

belgina- C is definitely a big girl! S wears 12-18m clothes, but still fits some 9-12m clothes (and a 3-6m t-shirt that nursery insist on putting him in if his clothes get messy).

Just had nursery sports day. Even though S is now mobile so there were 3 DCs to keep an eye on, it was much easier than last year when S was a few weeks old and needed feeding/changing/cuddling.

Bookmarking for later - quiet day at work so trying to sneak in some MNing! Naughty me.

Hi everyone.

Our weekend in Felixstowe was lovely. A bit chilly and damp, but lovely. There were loads and loads of dcs on the campsite, which meant that we didn't actually leave the site at all as ds and dd1 where have too much fun where they were

tumm We had the crib version of that pop up cot and I had been thinking whether that would fit in the van. I hadn't though of putting it at the foot end of one of the dcs bed. I might look into that again.

smokey I'd been wondering whether a double buggy + buggy board might work for you? I can't quite work out how old R will be when your DT's will arrive though, so more than likely a triple buggy will come in handy. Maybe TAMBA could get you in touch with somewhere (or someone) you can get them 2nd hand?

Uhoh, I just had to take one of the elder dcs dinosaur King cards of C. She's half eaten it I'll hide it and hope they don't realise a card is missing

Better go. Hope everyone is OK and had a good weekend

Morning
I feel really crappy today so name check amnesty for me. I'm low carbing and have lost 6lbs in a week! Really pleased and its been really easy. Hope I feel better soon though.

I've been tearing round getting documents for the solicitor so hpefully we will exchange soon as we are meant to be moving in 3 weeks. Feeling very stressed about it but theres nothing I can do!!

DH is on a big job for 3 weeks with no days off. He started it a week ago so won't see him properly for another 2 weeks and then we will (hopefully) be getting ready to move.

Sorry very mememememememem

Awwww febes that sounds like a stressful time. Moving and no DH for a while. Should help your weight loss though!

belgina glad you had a lovely time in Felixstowe.

Thank you everyone for your kind buggy thoughts! I'm keeping my eyes open for the triple I have now decided I want ( the one I lost on ebay) on ebay, and will also sign up with TAMBA I think. Superstitiously I am waiting till after the 20 week scan to do that.

DH loved his presents. I LOVE the Nespresso machine. Man, it makes lovely coffee and I've now mastered the froth so am latte-ing a plenty. Yum. Anyone fancy a cuppa? You lot are welcome anytime!!

We had a BBQ on Friday night for his birthday. 32 people. Twas hard work. I didn't sit down for 6 hours. It was good to see people though as some turned up who we don't see often because of distance. All the boys watched the dismal match but once that was out the way, we had a proper party. DH, bless him, did the clearing up too on Saturday morning. But the best present of all was a LIE IN. My mum had both DSs and we had a LIE IN till 10am. Yes, 10am!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi all, how is everyone today? it's beeeyoootiful here. the sun is hot and the sky is blue! of course, I'm inside keeping cool with the DD's but it's put me in a bright mood, anyway. ANd, a great excuse for eating ice cream (not that I ever needed an excuse).

tumm, your workplace sounds ridiculous - can't wait till you're finished. I do sympathise about the anxiety, it's awful and mostly out of my control, I imagine it's the same for you? I also feel that 'life is rushing away from me' feeling and I'm 'only' (Only?) 41 this year.

flip, hope you got off good and early and have a lovely holiday!

belgina, glad your weekend in Felixstowe was nice and at C 'eating' a card!

Ses, so glad work is going ok for you. certainly makes a difference.

well, I've been writing this for over an hour - typing a litt, getting up, giving attention to one of the DDs, potty, etc.

time to try to get some work calls in and ice cream (those go together, right?)

hello to everyone not NCed. will catch up again soon.

of course. x posted with both of you!
Febes, hope you get a chance to relax in the middle of all the moving palaver. can't believe the amount of weight lost - amazing!

smokeyb, so glad your DH loved his gifts and even more glad for your luxury lie in!

have got nothing done. kitchen is a pigsty, no work accomplished. just two posts on MN . sithee later.

momi C definitely ate that card. No way did I get enough bits of cardboard out of her mouth to make up the other half!

febes Low carbing. You're brave. I don't think I oculd do it. No wonder you're feeling a bit poo. Hope things look up soon

smokey Glad to hear that you had a good bbq on fri and a lie in on Sat and a lovely nespresso machine. (Don't like coffee, so no of my part )

Right back to work now. I've been very productive so far: 3 loads of washing, washed the car, vacuumed the whole house and snipped at some rose bushes.

belgina wonder if you've seen the cardboard at the "other end" yet??! And well done for your productive afternoon.

momi did you manage to get any work done? Don't know how you manage any sort of work at home. I just couldn't do it. I'd be constantly thinking about other stuff that needed doing before work could be attempted.

I've made an appointment to see a doula in a week or so. Not told DH yet. Have also made enquiries about a maternity nurse. They are both unbelievably expensive but I think my sanity may be worth it and I'll see what the doula says about what she can do, as I don't know which would be the best option. DH is keen on using the "family" option, which would be lovely but I can't see MIL being much use even though she prob would have the best of intentions.

I must apologise as it seems that its all me me me, what with doulas, buggies and such like. I need to off load and sometimes its better to write things down. DH isn't very receptive to those type of conversations. He only wants to talk about new cars and such like.

mememe as much as necessary, smokeyb, that's what we're here for. It's good you're making enquiries. best to gather info on all the options so you can make the best decision.

work? with a 4, nearly 3 and 1 year old? I did manage one tel call (only had to leave a message) and was brave to answer another client call. That was a challenge since I had to keep dragging H away from the dog eating his dinner yet and try to listen/give advice at the same time.

what about housework? I can't do that either! I think whilst they're still this young, I have to abandon all wishes of a clean house. Otherwise, they're all trying to get my attention at once: one needs help on the potty having done a massive poo, the other one is doing 'bum prints' (as opposed to foot prints ) using the paddling pool and doing water prints of her bum on the stone, H is fully clothed but wet from paddling dragging herself collecting all sorts of dirt and rubbish from the garden and eating the shells we brought back from Wales.

belgina, sounds like you had a productive day! How did you do it?

work. work. got to go to work now although all I want to do is put my legs up in front of the telly and chat to you on MN and FB. maybe another night? do kick me off if you 'see' me on either social network .

Amazingly I managed to do most of it during C's (admittedly mamoth) nap. Actually even C's nap was an achievement: 1st one ever in her cot and she'd gone to sleep just with me sitting with her, rather than cuddling her to sleep It was time to make that step though. 2x last week she was right on the edge of the bed when we went up to get her after she woke. She did that within seconds of waking. Oh and slinging does still help with housework. I pegged the washing with C on my back + the vacuuming. The downside is that she can now reach the line and unpegs washing behind my back and takes stuff of cupboards while I go around the house with the vacuum, lol.

smokey Good luck with the doula/maternity nurse enquiries. Hope you find some sort of help that works. Otherwise what about a babysitter or someone to look after the elder 2 so you can concentrate on the DTs?

I think I'm going to put my Skate on eBay this week I don't want to see it go yet, because it's saying goodbye to a little bit of C's babyhood, but we desperately need the space, I barely use it and the few times we do need a buggy I can just as well use the little Quinny Zapp we've got.

Belgina - O has started to sort his sleep out recently and is sleeping through until gone 5pm most of the time and starting to settle himself to sleep within 15mins. Yay!!
LOL at C unpegging the washing behind you!

smokeyb - goodness me, don't worry about offloading here! I'm always excited to read your updates

Momino - hope you managed to get some work done and have time for social networking!

Febes - that's great weightloss! Well done! Hope your time with DH away is going ok.

For those of you that haven't seem my FB, GP ended up referring O to the hospital yesterday evening. She wanted the rash checked and he also had about 5 bruises come up so she was concerned there was a blood disorder.
DH and my mum took him as I was 150 miles away in Coventry at stores conference He had blood and urine tests and all came back clear but it all took hours and they were at the hospital for nearly 5hrs. I was v tempted to just walk out on conference and come home. It was so difficult for all of us really. DH says it was O protesting against me leaving him for the night!
It is good to be home and see that he is his usual jolly self and have a nice cuddle.

Hello to everyone else that may be around or lurking

Ses how stressful. Poor you! Poor Dh. Poor O. So glad he's ok!!

ses I briefly saw your FB and wondered what had happened. Glad O is ok. Must have been so hard to be away whilst all that was going on.

oh ses, how scary! I'm glad he's ok (and you!)