June 08 - if your name's not down you're not coming in!

[EddieIzzardismyhero]

Welcome to our new cliquey thread !

Aw, poor Ethan . Get well soon little man.

Abdn, enjoy the party. Hope you get good weather. I love that Islabikes website -
What you get:
?Light-weight aluminium frames
?Easy-reach light action brakes etc
What you don't get:
?Tassles

Penguin, fab news! Congratulations. I am always rubbish at keeping pg secret too. Sorry you are feeling crap .

Natalie Cassidy - I really don't get it with her. A reality show about having her first baby? ffs! Who cares? And she has just been given a column in one of our mags (New) . In next week's mag she talks about how her DP put his ear to her belly to hear the baby's heartbeat .

Spider, on hols I woke up every morn at 5.04am! It was the light and the birds I think. Hope it's just a one-off with P.

Eddie, hope your union guy does the business. You're still there for 2 days a week so no one will forget about you! You might be wrong about them trying to push you out - the lower-skilled (cheaper) worker might be what keeps you in the job as overall the post has become cheaper iyswim. I still don't think you should offer to do three days - you only want to do two for good reason and actually you cost them less doing two so isn't that better for them?

Loving the World Cup! And totally sympathise with the ABE attitude - even I am getting a bit annoyed with some of the coverage on FiveLive. Last week they did a daily update of which players had trained and who hadn't . As the lead sport story! Like you say Eddie, who cares whether the Scots/Welsh/Irish/whoever want us to win? That's football isn't it - if your team can't win why would you be happy for anyone else to?

abdn, yeah you're right about the tights, in fact I was just thinking yest that she could wear leggings under her dresses. A bit warm atm for tights or leggings tho. She has been wearing some dresses and skirts in this warm weather and I just hold my breath when she is running along the stone flags outside!

My sister gave us a pink net skirt (like a tutu) ages ago for dressing up and it has been in the toy box for months. E discovered it last week and every morning she goes looking for it asking to have it on! So maybe she is going to be a girly girl after all

I liked the "tassels" comment too.

If P wakes before 5 tomorrow I think he will be left in his cot until a civilised hour.

I think I have worked out why Natalie Cassidy was in Tescos yesterday. She was on her way down the A3 to the Isle of Wight Festival. Her sound man tweets and sounds like he had a long and tedious day. I assume they were doing a big shop for a weekend of camping. I am not a fan or anything, but I think she comes across as nice enough. I guess her appeal is that being a bit plain, "normal" people can identify with her in a way that they can't with someone like Cheryl Cole. My MIL ranted and raved about how awful she was on Strictly last year. It made me quite cross, as what my MIL was really saying was that she was too fat to be dancing . Mind you this is the same woman who has told me a couple of times that I should be really limiting what I eat in this pregnancy so I don't produce another huge baby and end up with a c/s. Which I interpret as: its your fault for being greedy that you had a c/s. Its so not true . Generally though MIL has a bit of a hang up about weight issues, and says these things thoughtlessly rather than maliciously.

Fantastic news Penguin, well done!

I've been at the schools summer fete today and have bought some really healthy tomato plants for 50p each - bargain! The kids and I are off to plant them now.

Bargain Sybil! Growing veg is one of those things I will do 'one day'. Like baking cakes.

Spider, forgot to say I am so glad you liked the Ina May book. I am reading it again now and find it so inspiring. I didn't do NCT cos there were no courses nearby so I bought the IM and Lamaze books and they were so good I was sure there wasn't anything more the NCT courses could have taught me. IM says the Lamze classes were 'watered down' in the US to accommodate more medical procedures - maybe NCT is the same? My SIL said her nct course was lots to do with changing nappies and bathing etc. I especially like the bit in IM that says when you endure the pain during labour it often means you don't end up suffering terrible pain after labour due to CS or stitches etc. As it happens I ended up with awful pain during and after because I did have forceps but the theory is good!

at your MIL making comments about your eating. They just don't think do they. I am sure that doesn't make a difference to the size of the baby anyway does it?

Wow you lot can talk - can hardly keep up...Domestic you are right that been on holidays in south of france for a week. Lovely time although variable weather an got bitten to death(didn't like to use anti mozzy stuff a moment). Have been feeling quite sick most of week and have definite tummy now .

Skimmed and see big news is penguin and I might share a due date(I sympathize re feeling rough- not sure I felt this bad with Edie) and that amber
may have two in there. Rolf sorry to hear about your saga- I am not surprised you were upset as I would be. How is Ethan doing now deb- it's so hard when they are sick like that. Eddie crap news re job and hope union helps.

Anything else I missed? And what is with Thomas becket stuff(don't put me in detention dewin as I do know who he is ). And hi to everyone else...

Right going to check back later but got to do pre bedtime wiggles watching which is not helping my nausea.

Re hypno I did use it(dh was also sacked for laughing-i thought he was going to get us kicked out of class as not only laughed but quite rightly got cross with teacher) and it was helpful as going back to same place I had lost baby wasn't good. I would use it again.

However there is a point at which I think it's not helpful and in fact downright dangerous and that is the bit about pain being good/ fighting intervention. Mind over matter is great but not If at expense of you or baby and I am afraid that is exactly the message that can be given by some of these courses. If I had listened to woman and not had help both I and Edie could have ended up with severe issues over blood pressure. It was good to get as far as I did but It wasn't the whole story.

Poppy, I sometimes think back to my labour and feel very fortunate that there were no complications because I think I was so against monitoring/intervention etc I wonder whether I could have put them at risk. Thankfully not. And I am sure the consultant/MWs etc were on the case! Getting a healthy baby/babies is the important thing of course.

The Thomas Becket thing - Sybil was saying her fave boys' name is Thomas but then she married someone with a surname you can't use Thomas with (guess which one )

Ooh footy's about to begin [excited]

hello! We had a lovely superheroes party today - the rain managed to stay away so we could be out in the garden! Photos on facebook - one of the dads took the invite to dress up very seriously (absolutely made my day!).

crossing our fingers it's dry tomorrow (unlikely) as we'd like to go to a highland games... our first one of the season.

congrats penguin!

I agree with poppy about intervention - I really regret not getting pain relief with DS1 earlier. It was a tough birth and I think that the pain and trauma made it very hard to bond and enjoy DS1 once he'd arrived. I was shaking and didn't want to hold him - if I'd had an epidural when I started losing it maybe I'd have managed better. (F's birth was so easy in comparison that I also think it's all a bit of luck).

Congrats Penguin - you must be due at the same time as me (end Jan). Spider - I am so with you on the sleep thing. I have written a desperate plea in the sleep section but no fecker has answered. Luke doesn't go to sleep until 8.30 either.

Evening! Had a lovely party today - fabulous weather, out in the garden all day, and Iestyn absolutely loves his balance bike. Sadly, he's just a couple of inches too short for it (story of his life, that!) Only downside was my brother messing up his dates (duh!) and not being there, and my BIL getting food poisoning. From lunch, I should add; he didn't eat a thing and left before he could sample anything at my place.

My sister (personal trainer!) was there and said I look toned!

Congratulations Penguin!

Rolf told me I'm not allowed to disappear now so I'm being brave. But not very; in my usual selfish style (i.e. detracting from everyone's good news) I'm crying whilst typing.

Oh Dewin . Is it too personal to say what the issue is? Sorry if it is.

Amber, are L's adenoids an issue with the sleep? When are you getting them sorted? I think you should be pretty hardcore with him wrt going to bed later in the evening - you need your rest in the evenings and he is just trying it on. I think cutting down his daytime nap is worth a try but if he gets up at 5.30am he really should be tired by 7pm even if he does have a daytime nap!

I thought England played well tonight, very promising although obviously disappointing that Green made that error - the goalkeeping position is a massive issue for England. We have always had great keepers, this time not so much.

Passes Dewin a tissue and large gin. .

I have absolutely failed to get a single word of my assignment written this week and done very little research. How feasible to write the best part of 2,500 words in one day?!?!?

Neenz, have to disagree with u, thought we were shit!

Nite all x

I think compared to the way we've played previously - where we have been totally flat with no invention or ability to create anything, it was promising. USA didn't threaten at all (their goal was totally out of nothing), Slovenia and Algeria should threaten even less - next game crucial to win, which we should (algeria). I think Johnson and Lennon played well and offered a real threat down the right, Heskey won everything in the air and gave us a target man to play through. Rooney wasn't really in it but not for want of trying. Wright-Phillips was rubbish. I am concerned about our midfield defensively when we come up against a better attacking side, and the centre-back partnership is worrying cos King is just not fit enough to play back-to-back games and Carragher showed his lack of pace when he got booked. So I agree it wasn't a World Cup winning performance but it was something to build on!

Just my opinon

Sorry non-England/football fans

Thing is neenz, we don't have time to build on it! I would agree with you if this were a year ago, but not now when we're in the tournament. If we're going to struggle to win against the USA then our chances of getting through to the semis and beyond look poor. I hope I'm proved wrong through .

Anyway, I'm in a foul mood this morning - we've got a bbq planned with 30+ people coming and the weather is shit. We gave A his bike this morning and he hated it (not helped by the fact that dh hadn't lowered the bloody seat so he couldn't put his feet on the ground which completely freaked him out ), and then he refused to go to the pakr with me and insisted daddy went instead .

Sorry to rant. Think I got out of the wrong side of bed this morning!

Thank you all for your congrats. No-one knows in RL, except DH, obviously, so it's great to tell someone (well lots of you). Yes, EDD is end of Jan, but ELCS so more likely to be 38 wks, so mid Jan really.

DG - Great idea re: caterpiller cake. Completely understand your (and other's) sadness. No pitying looks or awkward shuffles from us.

Deb - How's Ethan?

AH - The boys party looked fanastic. I'm pretty sure that sometime in the future I'm gonna borrow that theme. Loved the guy in pink.

Spider - That is not a lay in!!! And I am completely with you on the hair. I am only allowing myself to get haircuts every 12 weeks now.

Eddie - Yes, still coming back in August. If anyone knows anyone in London or Surrey that is going on hol for a week or two and fancies some generous house sitters (happy to pay minimal rent), please let me know ASAP! Are we still gonna try for a big meet up?

Sorry for the annoying double/triple posting I'm doing nowdays, it ensures I don't lose them when Mumsnet does a back up!

-End of part one--

Congratulations Penguin!

Glad those having parties had a good day yesterday, loved your photos abdn I am also going to steal that theme sometime! Dewin What a shame about your Bro and BIL, does it mean Iestyn will get another party with them now?

Some advice please. We had been planning to get C a trike for her birthday, but took her to JL yesterday, and she absolutely loved the scooters, so thought we would get her that instead. Turns out BIL and SIL are planning to get her one (very generously) but now I am stuck for ideas on 2 fronts. What should we get for C, and what should we get for our DNiece who will be 4 in a few weeks? Ideas please!

Poppy welcome back, DGIT and Sybil I had noticed you were on holidays, but I didn't post anything while you were away. I missed you though!

bugger how are things with you?

--Welcome back----

Neenz - I want tassles for my bike! And those spokes you used to get free with cereal...

I hate overly pink girly clothes, but like tutus for some reason, except on Carrie Bradshaw.

One advantage of NZ is there's not the over hyping of Engerland! The bad thing is that all the Kiwis are gonna get their hearts broken when the All Whites crash out. (It's only the second time they have ever qualified). The disadvantage is getting up at 6am to go to the IL's to watch the matches.

Spider - I seem to recall that you have previously mentioned your MILs weight comments. Not nice for you. Don't forget that our Mums were told to put on no more than a stone when pregnant...

Sybil - My B&SIL had an amazing tomato harvest this year. Their secret...? Pee-ing on them apparently! Euugghh. Could be good for potty training tho?

Poppy - Isn't it bedtime wiggles that got you in your current state in the first place!?

Dewin - Glad you all had a wonderful party - rubbish about bro and BIL tho. Looking forward to FB photos? Rolf is right, we will hunt you down if you disappear! If you feel up to sharing, please do. You know that at least one person on this thread is probably feeling or has felt something similar. LOL at Goddesses suggestion you watch the England highlights.

Eddie - That sound like a really crap start to the day. It can only get (A LOT) better!!!

-End of Part Two--

Amber - meant to ask how Luke is getting on with the kittens? Ry and Zeb (our kitten) are constantly fighting, torturing each other playing.

In other news, Weight Watchers online gave me a full refund.

Dewin.

Eddie hope the day improves.

I've had my first sleep-in for ages and ages. T is still asleep . But DS2 has drunk all the milk so I can't have coffee and DH has spent all my money so I can't even get some. Both days this weekend I've needed cash and both days DH has taken all of it. Keys and cash - he never carries either

I've just been offered a chance to meet Kema from The Wire. I have never really "got" the "meeting the actor" thing. Is there a point?

DD1 is now whining about not being able to find something...

dewin hugs... sometimes a good cry when in a crap situation (thinking of career stresses btw) helps me.

DH watched the game last night at the neighbours. We told them they weren't allowed to cheer for the USA because of the BP debacle but they agreed that the only real reason they cheer against England is the media forgetting we're not all English in this country/group of countries...

biscuits balance bike? Fraser's loved his trunki suitcase (the gruffalo one) and a wooden Tractor Ted. As for a four year old girl, what about those Sylvanian families? The five year old across the street loves them and so do all the eight year olds I know. And for a fiver there's those pocket puppies, there's some that have nappies that change colour in water so you know if they're a boy and a girl and apparently they are the best ever (I don't get it but when the best present is under £5, who cares?). DS1 who is turning four likes the connect four game he got yesterday and is also getting Meccano. He's very much a boy though...

rolf cross posted - borrow milk from a neighbour? This does count as an emergency..

Biscuits, in addition to ABdn's suggestions what about playmobil for your niece? I think that's aimed at 4 + and there seem to be a wide range of sets so bound to find one to suit whatever your budget is.

WRT to C - does she have a wooden train set? If so, what about stuff to expand it. If she doesn't have one already what about a mini trampoline? Or do something semi-practical like the trunki case (fab idea Abdn) or buy some nice duvet sets/accessories etc for when you put her in a big bed?S is now clambering all over me so will have to cut this short!

Biscuits - For C: A slide/trampoline/sand&water table?

Is the DN the daughter of the same B&SIL? Do you have to be extra generous back? Playtent? Paddling pool?

If they play together regularly I can recommend this. Ry has worked out how to use it alone and I can even go on it with him...and I'm not light!