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

[EddieIzzardismyhero]

Welcome to our new cliquey thread !

Yes, Sybil's on fire at the moment isn't she?

Get back to work Goddess!

Spooky, Biscuits

I like Jacob. I think Daniel and Jacob both go well with your surname Neenz.

I thoroughly agree with you, Poppy about the pregnancy. V glad you're excited

How are your boys, Deb?

Just popping in to wave hello [waves]. Reading but not getting time to post.

Dewin - I am so glad that you sound so much happier.

[preens]

I would change my name to 'voice of reason' but then people would feel forced to point out that I normally talk absolute bollocks so shall resist.

I do think though Neenz that if you really hate Jake you might want to rethink Jacob as a first name. Every kid gets their name shortened at school. My friend called her daughter Ally on the basis that then she would use her actual name on a day-to-day basis, and now her schoolfriends call her Al. She's 6.

Goddess hope the essay is a little longer.

Poppy you should definitely enjoy every second. People who say otherwise are being very silly.

Got to the Birth Options Clinic which was at a Sure Start Centre, and the hospital had just them phoned to say it was cancelled because the Consultant wasn't available. Went back to friend's house where P was and had a nice morning chatting. Still annoyed though especially as I can't get through to them to re arrange, a case of "obstructive receptionist syndrome".

I think Daniel and neenz surname fine, but Dan repeats the "n" sound whereas T and Es names compliment it by sounding different.

Hi everyone, thanks for asking about the boys, they both had the day off school today again, ds1 is still feeling pretty grotty(and very moany), ds2 had a rough night wheezing and ended up in bed with us again, ds3 is back eating again - thank goodness but particularly stroppy today. Dh has a headache and I have a sore throat and tickly cough, good job there are no big parties planned here tomorrow - just us . Cake is out of the oven but a little sunken in the middle, I'm hoping to disguise it with Mr Tumble , if I post tomorrow a cake covered in smarties and candles you know I've failed.

Poppy, you deserve to be excited

Goddess, how's it going? Did you get an extension? I am also using the same pushchair with the exception of a small fold up buggy inthe car. I have a 3 wheeler Quinny freestyle which I don't think they make any more. I like the fact it has a proper carry cot, and the normal seat can face either way, but it is very heavy and the shopping basket is way too small.

Eddie, that photo of A on FB is just gorgeous, despite his cold!

Is it anyone's Birthday today? Is it Iestyns? If so , Happy Birthday!

sorry got to dash , choc muffins baking

I am also using my first and only buggy. It is a Chicco three way travel system (£150 ex display). However I may well soon capitulate and buy a P&T.

This new baby seems to be the "luxe" model compared to P: it seems it will require: an Amby nest hammock, a double pushchair; a bigger car, and a bigger house . DH is in denial about all of this though. I am working on him though .

Happy Birthday Iestyn!!

Oooh - is it Iestyn today - happy birthday!!

Got my 11-13 week scan date today. It is 1 day before I am 13 weeks. Hmmm. I looked at the Jan ante natal thread and it's scary. Not sure whether to join anything as my date is 29 Jan - might end up in Feb. Also is still such early days. There are millions of 'em on there though.

I really have nothing to say today - what a dullard. Luke woke up mega early again but I think I am now used to it. 5.05 is better than yesterday's 4.45 I suppose.

Amber - are you really 12 weeks already? Gosh didn't realise it was that far. Good luck with the scan. Inhavent joined the Nov ante natal thread. I read it obsessively for the first 12 weeks then lost interest. Similarly there are too many people on it to be able to piece together who is who. I only found this thread in march 08, was it much busier to begin with or has MN just got too popular these days?

Where is Puree when you need her? I have baked an almond cake as a welcome home present for my neighbour. The skewer came out clean so I took it out of the oven. It then halved in size . I can't tell whether this is meant to happen as it has marzipan in it so is quite dense, or whether I have cocked it up. I can't taste it to see, if I am going to give it away. But I don't want to give them a revolting cake either. I am contemplating throwing away Nigella's Domestic Goddess book. There are so many recipes with typos in them, including this one where it asks for bicarbonate in the instructions but not on the ingredient list.

Any other expert bakers out there?

I don't pay attention momentarily and there is such a lot to read!

Spider - we gave up on the bike in the end and bought a cheap one from Decathlon, if it ever turns up then we will have one for when H is big enough. Not an FB friend either, one of DH's cycling friends, don't think I've ever met them.
We need to get a helmet (will probably just go back to Decathlon for one), he's only pushed it round the garden a few times, and it hasn't got the seat on yet as he is too short

J got his leg stuck through the cot bars last night, I think he was trying to climb out, it was horrible, I was trying to comfort him and keep calm while he was screaming. In my flustered state it took me a few minutes of wondering what to do (and trying not to panic) before I realised all I had to do was straighten his leg, duh!

We went to a local country park this morning for a walk, the boys were worn out when we got home, bonus.

Happy birthday Iestyn!

I did have loads more to say (no doubt fascinating) but I can't remember it.

Hi ktpie was wondering where you were- would eBay have helmets?

Almond based cakes do sink Ali (am no expert) and I love nigella but her baking recipes are shockingly inaccurate.

Domestic I hope it's going ok and soo glad you love your bee as am opting for that and a ride on rather than a double (figured I will use sling and pushchair at first a lot). How is work going? And on same theme (Rolf/ deb )at roughly what age do you reckon you can discount pushchair use? Have heard varied opinions. And deb hope boys Carry on getting better and you/nigel don't get it.

That's shite about your appt Ali. And Amber I that appt is your local health people that is slick(appt must be in a month or so and when is your follow up scan this week)?.

Thanks for all nice thoughts re being excited on pregnancy - I totally agree that it's bollocks that makes a difference If goes wrong and tell people. That said I won't be broadcasting at work til I am post 20 week scan- people can ask / speculate but am making nothing official til after my big hurdle.

Happy birthday Iestyn!

Amber that's gone quickly! Although I bet it hasn't felt like it for you.

This thread was loads busier back in the day. Lots of people just posted a few times then drifted away, then there were regulars who simply disappeared and others who said they couldn't keep up. I see the odd person like Ernest or 5gomad pop up around MN sometimes.

Amber, re Jan or Feb... I hovered about the July thread for a while when I was overdue but I much preferred just sticking till June even though I have a July baby!

That's reassuring about the cake Poppy.

Just reread Amber's post a realised my mistake. Not 12 weeks already, just the date for the scan. Durr...

Am also interested in how long people use pushchairs for. It seems to vary alot. I think I will appreciate the option of them both being able to be pushed even if I don't use it too much.

I just followed your post Spider

Thanks all for encouragement etc re my assignment. Back to it tonight . My tutor has never got back to me re: assignment though... Work is manic Poppy and I'm going through a motivational-lacking-post-holiday phase. Am now just looking forward to S's birthday in a few weeks as it'll be a nice extra long weekend for me.

Re: how long to use pushchair, not sure if I posted this but was just talking to DH about this yesterday after a colleague brought her nearly 4.5 - 5 year old into the office yesterday in a pushchair. Must confess I had my judgy pants on. They live really near the office. Will I be in 3 years time as I do the same with S?

Have never baked an almond cake Ali, but I do like them!

Is everyone's neighbours having babies? Mine had a boy two weeks ago and they're in the struggling with wind stage... It's definitely making me feel less broody!

poppy - I agree with your attitude that you might as well enjoy these weeks!

Just to clear up - I am only 7 weeks 5 days today but I have had my app through for the scan which is at the back end of July. It seems weird they would do it so late. Poppy I couldn't make head nor tail of your post! I think you were asking if it is my local healthy authority and yes it is. I think I may get a private one done earlier. Seems like such as waste of £ though.

Spider - I know FA about cakes - couldn't you just nibble a bit and cover it in icing?!

Quick post: happy birthday Iestyn!

Re: pushchairs, we were talking about this yesterday when out with A! The way I see it is that if your eldest still needs a day time nap then you would do will to get a double, cos if you're out all day and both want to sleep then you're a bit stuffed.

We tried the sling/single option but found that M would fall asleep in the buggy, then A would need a sleep, so we would have to take M out then couldn't resettle him and so on!

Obviously A was only 16 mths when A came along and both of us have bad backs making prolonged sling use difficult - so, actually, ignore me completely !

Amber, I think the first NHS scan at about 13 weeks is pretty common as far as I recall. I had mine at 13 +2 and there are often threads about it on MN. I persuaded my GP to do weekly tests on my HCG (or is it HGC) levels for reassurance.

OMG it is sooooooo muggy here tonight. It's a very unpleasant 26C in our house right now. Am trying to crack on with my assignment but this kind of close weather gives me a headache and the 6 kids that live at the end of the street are all out on their massive trampoline screaming their heads off which means I need the windows closed to muffle the sound a wee bit. It's a school night ffs, they should be getting ready for bed!

It's just over half an hour to Iestyn being two! He had a good birthday - we sang happy birthday to him, and then he requested 'the song with Iestyn' again, and again. Then he kept saying 'birthday cake, birthday cake' - he hasn't got the concept of birthday per se, but understands the cake bit. (Just like his mother ). He had most of his presents on Saturday, and opened the massive box of lego from us last night (we figured that since I had to get to work by 9.15, opening lego then insisting he went to nursery wouldn't work!).
He was so sweet, singing happy birthday to himself just before bed.

Work was ok - exam boards all day, debating final results (scary...) and more exam boards tomorrow, with the results released after lunch. I'm probably going to be late because Iestyn has his 2-year check tomorrow.

Spider the cake - Almond cakes do drop, and they are heavy too. It should be ok if the skewer came out clean. Mind you, I'm not really able to give away an almond cake...

DG meant to say thinking of you and your assignment. I just messed up and got a bad mark in my last assignment. I e-mailed my tutor and she phoned me within an hour of me emailing to say that I was that student, i.e. the one who is doing well then messes up on a technicality. (There's always one - great student, answers two questions from the same section etc - that's not what I did but it was a formatting issue, not a correctness one.) I was sad thinking it was going to stop me getting a distinction, but then I double-checked and a distinction in OU law is 85% or over so stuff that - I have a life too. Got to get a grip sometimes!

Got my new office today. It's lovely - I think it will be ok. I was concerned about the significance of being in law with all the other law staff (I haven't been so far) what with me not wanting to be staff in law...but really, I should make the best of it; and it will be nice to be a bit more included. I'm not sure if I should be concerned though - I'm in the attic, and I'm the only one there.

I remember this being a massive thread. I only joined in march as well, I think - I was too sick to look at a screen until then! I was thinking of this the other day, because I've met up with lots of people on the thread in RL - including one who disappeared. I wonder if I've met the most people? (Spider probably wins what with going to Austria to meet a member )

Anyone fancy advising me on holidays? We have time off in August, but nowhere booked. I pretty much don't mind where I go, but would like somewhere nice, and have looked at babyfriendlyboltholes.co.uk. Where should we go? Could do abroad - but don't know where. Any fab suggestions, UK or abroad? Ireland is massively convenient and cheap (being 5 mins from the ferryport...) but don't know where's good.

well you're not going to crack on with it on mumsnet, are you, Domestic?

That's a good point re naps eddie but e was always fine sleeping in sling and tbh it's hard to get her to settle for a nap anywhere outside a cot and even then it's hard so I think I will try to avoid double option. Dh reckons didn't need it with dsc who had same age gap but did say that dss was a most reluctant walker and he ended up carrying him (fortunately he was small).

Amber confusing post was 1. Impressed you got a scan with nhs (as you know I think are hv and pct are shite- I still "waiting" for e 7 month check) and 2. Aren't you having a repeat private scan soon to check no of babies? Wasn't that this week? My next scan in 2 weeks but in spirit of thinking positive a scan won't change outcome and if dates are right will be 10 weeks then so easing out of 1st part of horrid zone(and into my own private hell of hoping they can see all the right bits).

Have discovered no alcohol kronenburg which is livening up this match no end(suppose Spain result counts as exciting ).

Dewin - happy birthday for iestyn. And new office bound to feel odd as you have such mixed feelings re job.

We hired place last week from totstotravel and it was fab for kids - not least as in block of 3 gites backing onto garden so kids just wondered out to play with each other and the dog that lived there.

Domestic- sympathies re shit working conditions. I remember nearly boiling when I was doing one of my professional exams.

On a related topic (I too was late to thread and remember a lot of peoplle drifted in early months post birth) is it me or are there a lot of very grim relationship threads at the moment?

We got rid of our double buggy when Ds1 was 3.5 and we really didn't use it too much after he turned three! He still wanted a ride sometimes but I'd also just sit him on the front at Fraser's feet (I've a mountain buggy - it's amazing and very strong).

poppy doesn't no-alcohol beer sort of taste like popcorn?

dewin new office is probably a good idea - you might as well give the dept a chance socially I'm in awe that you're managing to do an OU course/degree - I'm so done with the idea of formal education! Mind you I'm reading textbooks every evening to try to retrain...

amber I hadn't even had an appointment through by 12 weeks for my scan this time! (I got a phone call to go in the next day when I was 13 +2!) one of the hospitals in Glasgow has closed and moved services to two other sites, but the split hasn't worked out as they predicted, with loads more people opting for one rather than the other. My colleague's wife's booking appointment was at 16 weeks. I have also avioded joining an AN thread, too many people!

poppy/spider I am swithering about double buggyness. My current thinking is that I wait until after Christmas, when no 2 will be 2 months and C will be 2.5, and see how we're doing with a buggy board and sling/buggy combo. I was thinking about a P+T, and was looking on ebay to see if there were any - there are hundreds and they all seem to be only a few months old. this put me off a bit as people seem to be flogging them on so quickly IYSWIM?

dewin glad you like your new attic. I think it would be nice to be on my own in an attic office, my department is in the basement and doesn't have a single window. I have no real holiday advice, but Ireland always looks nice in the adverts!
Glad I had a nice bday, at the song about Iestyn.

debs glad today was a bit better

sybil/VOR More good advice! I agree about the Jacob/Jake thing. mind you, I'm not overly keen on Charlie as an abbreviation for Charlotte but went with it anyway. so far no-one has called her that, but I'm sure once she's at school it will appear!

Dunno about others views on p and t but whenever I have seen them(helping people off trains, helping a friend with one) they seem
madly heavy. Puts me off as we have steps to house so becomes very impractical.