Dec 08 Ladies - Maybe this thread they'll ALL sleep through the night at the same time!

[Beans33]

Apologies for rubbish title, couldn't think of anything - mind is totally riddled by hormones...!

Hello all, and hi to Turnip, lovely to see you m'dear .

Ooh, I'm getting all excited about the Oliver James chat tomorrow but I think other people have already said what I wanted to say and in a much more reasoned and less abusive manner. But I will be very interested to see how he dodges some of the more scientific questions.

Veggie I'm not surprised you're knackered, you've been looking after two young boys on your own all day, cut yourself some slack, lady!

Daisy that sounds good about the "you" time though I totally empathise with your fears about it descending into a row. It might, in which case you'll have more time and perspective to look at things away from the DCs, or not, in which case you'll have a good night out and maybe rediscover a bit of the couple rather than the parents IYSWIM.

My situation has moved on a bit since my post yesterday, DP is now absolutely determined to leave here, and is already talking about going back to London in October. I feel this has come a it out of nowhere (esp as every time we had the "shall we stay" talk, he was the one to say yes. And he was up for buying a bloody flat!
I feel pissed off to say the least, because I'm just expected to go along with it, (to be fair he is v unhappy here, knows no one and works at home so only sees me and T). But I've made some lovely friends here, T had a wonderful afternoon with his best mate, I think we get a better quality of life here as we can afford more sq ft of house and I want to have the new baby here. It's not that I don't have lots of friends in London or anything but I feel I've emotionally invested a lot here and it feels as though the rug has been pulled from under my feet.
It's so hard because essentially we want to be in different places and whatever we choose one of us will feel resentful.

Lady I'm glad the paed was reassuring, although it must have been hard to hear the other stuff. It's impossible to not feel guilty about so many things but you can at least say that you've tried your best and are doing all the right things. I, on the other hand, joke about T being a little fatty but am already worried I'm setting him up for a lifetime of obesity because I allow him too much cake. .

daisy I kinda caught up and saw you are having a tough time. I hope this night out brings some kind of consensus and you are able to have a good chat.

Veggie - I think it's the heat that is tiring us all. Although shouldn't complain, hey. I think DD2 may have roseala rather than post-viral rash although it seems kind of the same in that they are well in themselves and there is nowt to be done. Anyone any experience of this?

spot hey lovely! Sorry xposted. Gosh that is a tough one. Is there any way that your DH could make some sort of effort to get to know people there? It's a cliche - but through a club, or football team or so on? And try and agree a kind of trial period - eg for 6 months after the baby is born ebfore you reevaluate. I think I would play the PG card - but it's true its not great to upsticks at this point (although many of us have done it....).

Roseola usually has a bad temp for a few days before the rash comes out and they are a bit fluey too. Has DD2 had a bad temp lately.

I just had the yummiest Japanese takeaway. There is this great website that has loads of delivery restaurants on it. I've gotten pizza from it before but I fancied Japanese and they had a great place. It was so fresh, I wish I'd ordered more.

As usual a piss poor attempt at a catch-up:

wg & Mom wonderful news! So pleased for you both.

daisy here's hoping DH has had the kick up the bum he sorely needed and it's all upwards from here.

Avo hope it went okay with the nanny.

urbane you sound v stressed. Dr dwarf prescribes a holiday.

Effie long time no see. Hope you're feeling better soon.

spot hmm, domestic situation sounds tricky. Not sure what to advise - as you say, one of you will end up resentful. Sometimes I feel like I've sacrificed my whole life so that DP can have the life he wants - all his friends nearby, family nearby, whereas my life is work-DCs-work. That's it. I've even had to more or less give up the internet & telly (hence not posting on here much), never mind a flipping social life. Anyway love, forget Brighton & London - come to Essex. You have a huge fanbase here - a couple of days ago DP got a text message and DS piped up all excitedly "Maybe it's from C!". Aah. Oh and be sure to fling a virtual custard pie in OJ's direction from me.

LadyT glad to hear that your dad is better than feared. And hope you are feeling more positive about O. I reckon she's going through some accelerated development programme and by the time the rest of them hit the stroppy toddler stage she'll be basically an adult - calm, reasoned and mature (ahem).

Turnip Hello duck! Smashing to see you.

Are you having a meetup on 9th July? Would love to catch up with some of you since I never seem to get the chance on here but have already arranged to meet up with Jam on that day. Jam, I don't suppose you fancy a big trip to the Big City? Hope you enjoyed your party by the way.

Sorry I know there's probably loads of big news I've missed but I'm sooooooooo tired I've got to go to bed NOW. Hello to all those I've missed especially those of you I never seem to get round to saying hello to. You know who you are.

Oh but before I go I've been wondering syb have you seen/heard anything of Verso lately? Right, BED.

Spot: I think your DH is being v unreasonable insisting that you move in a matter of months. Surely you'll run into the same problems with the expense of renting, only with less space? Giving it a while longer (def after the baby is born) is much more sensible. Can he get to London for a long weekend with friends or something? Or would that make it worse?

Daisy: I'm glad the cottages will soon be yours!

Summer: are you def exchanging? I take it the buyers got their fingers out.

Veggie: you've been jetting all over Europe, no wonder you're tired! Hope you have a nice quiet summer on the beach. Not that I'm envious at all.

Luckily my headache is subsiding, am still on the painkillers but it feels like I've turned the corner. Another early night beckons...

Veggie, I had a tin of Heinz tomato soup. It was all I had the energy to make. Well, at least I'll wake up thin tomorrow .

Wouldn't it be wonderful to wake up thin.

Spot, I just think the whole moving thing is quite crap. I hate to sound all mothery and sacrificial, but you guys need to think of what will be good for T & babySpot. Couldn't he find work in London & commute? Like someone said he needs to make an effort to find friends. Considering you spend so much of your time on your own at home with T, I think you should have a big say in where you live.

Hullo all,

trying to catch up a wee bit.

quick one to PD am happy to head into town as long as its the afternoon as DS1 has nursery in the morning. Could we persuade you softy Sth Londoners to venture to the bad East End?? Victoria Park is gorgeous. Sort of a mutual meet half way thing.

Anyway been a bit slow to do personals recetly so here goes.

Daisy was really saddened to read your posts last week about DH. I am glad that you are begining the process of talking. I am a shouter DH is a brooder always difficult to put your point of view across. Love to you. Enjoy Friday night.

Beans cute pic but we need more of a close up.

Veggie mmmmmm Japanese food I heart sushi. Unfortunatley I dont think Sushi has made its way to Essex yet.

LadyT really glad you had a relatively positive app with the paed he does sound like he has his head screwed on. She is testing you on the food issues. There are 2 things our precious cherubs can control and drive us bonkers with and that is sleep and food. Obviously DS1 choose food and DS2 sleep. My life is complete.

Effie hope the head is easing.

JJ god did I say congrats I dont think I did, sorry huge congratulations. Oh and pot noodles yummy DH and I bought a couple in Sainsbos a wee while ago after watching Hestons posh pot noodle thing.

SPOT buggering nora your DH is being a tad unreasonable I would say to him he needs to give you this time with T and new bubba somewhere where you feel comfortable. I agree with whoever said he needs to join a club or something so he can make his own friends. ALthough saying that I am a gazzilion miles away from my good friends and family and am surrounded by DH's family [shudder] It has taken me 2yrs to feel happy about living here and I have made a couple of good friends and a few other not such close friends but ones whom I am happy to hang out with when the DC are driving me insane. It takes ages for some people to intergrate somewhere new.

AVO my lovely I do hope your evening has ended better than your morning began. I really hope your nanny has taken this as a gigantic kick up the arse and bucks up her ideas. I am so cross at her unprofessionalism. As an exnanny I would never have behaved in the way she han and neither would any of my collegues. ANyway hope you are having a large glass of something chilled.

Oh also JJ speaking DS1 was rubbish with talking barely said a thing until 2. He communicated by scream, delightful. But he is now 3 and never shuts up. I think DS2 is following a similar trend understands massive amount of words and fairly complicated sentences and indstructions but has no desire yet to converse properly. He is too busy trying to climb out of windows. I beg of you!

Katie incase you are lurking lots of luck with your cottages and we will see you on the other side.

Rubes, SL how are you doing clackered up girls?

Urbane I can well imagine what the protestors were like. DH works for BP and some of his team wear branded BP clothing so they can be easily recognised. One chap got attacked on the train the other day! So they have been told to cover up if they are wearing BP branded stuff also to keep laptops out of sight if they have the BP insignia on. Crackers!

KIWI is DH coming home or are they keeping him there till the end? How are you getting on with nightitmes is DD playing ball?

Ooh veggie how was the pirate outfit do you have pics?

SYBS hurrah on finishing your work stuff. How is your secret swimming coming along has DH twigged what you are up to?

Right, are you all still there? This is turning into a bit of an epic.

Time for memememememememe.....

We had an ace party on Saturday horrific hangovers on Sunday which lasted all day the DS's watched 3 movies in a row on Sunday morning while DH and I took turns singing to the big white telephone. It really cemented our happiness at choosing to run away to get married and do it our way, as we didnt even speak to each other all night. Apart from the inevitable problem wit the catering at the venue, currently under negotiations to have our bill halved the food was so shocking it all went well.

The DS are being their usual charming selfs. Yesterday lovely day DH took the day off work and we went to Mersea for the afternoon to play on the beach. Other Essexers out there its such a lovely place so much nicer than going to the tactasticness of Clacton or SOuthend. They were delightful. Then today DH still off the 2 of them were horrors all day. Really glad when bedtime rolled round.

Phew think that will do for tonight bored you all enough.

Hi everyone, this is a real quickie as I have 101 jobs to do - we are going away from work on Thursday night, so I need to do all the packing tonight and tomorrow night - plus washing, emptying fridge, and spinning round like a demented something ...

I've sort of been lurking - and wanted to add my congratulations to Mom and WG - thinking sticky thoughts for you both

Daisy I saw your v sad post about you and your DH and have been thinking about you lots. From the gist of recent posts, have you started to talk about things and try to address issues? Lots of luck, and hugs

Thanks for all your kind words about my accident last week, I did get back behind the wheel again quickly and most of my confidence if back. And whoever said leave it to the insurers gets a medal for that bit of advice - I was spending loads of time on the phone, but once I handed it all over I've not heard anything since and I am much calmer now

Hi hi to everyone I've missed. I hope Beans and little Pru are getting along perfectly

Oh dear I didn't last long - just snuck downstairs for a cheeky packet of Mini Cheddars to complete my nutritious evening meal. I will save the Pot Noodle for breakfast.

Jam we are true Essex boys & girls now as we spent the whole weekend in Mersea! Talk about exotic! We had a long weekend camping and it was fantastic (if knackering). The campsite was at the beach and had a heated outdoor pool. Bliss!

Hey if anyone ever fancied a camping meet-up I'd be up for it. Actually Veggie I was v disappointed when you cancelled your plans to camp in the Med this year as I was hoping I could piggy back on your research. How inconsiderate. Anybody been camping in France and got recommendations? Would love to go this summer but what I've seen so far looks outrageously expensive & all booked up anyway.

zj glad to hear you're feeling better now. Are you going on hols? Have a great time if you are.

Oh and meant to say Avo hope there have been some nice bits to your day after such a difficult start. If not, tomorrow will be better!

Aaaargh, bed!

PD that's pretty much the reason we cancelled, we were looking at minimum €50 a night to camp on powerless and over crowded sites. We live so close the beach here it seemed stupid. I can highly recommend Duinrell just north of us here in the Hague. Cuisine isn't quite as good as France but Holland has some huge beaches with awesome bars!!!

Sorry about the food Jam, obviously that was why you were doing the technicoloured yawn on Sunday. Glad you had a great time.

I will try to sort out the photos from Belfast soon but DH alone knows how to upload them from the camera so will have to wait until he is back tomorrow (aaahhh thank goodness). Can't really complain it's only been a few days, not like poor Kiwi, or Spot. Hey Kiwi how was the weekend at the inlaws.

WG you never did give us any MIL stories from the recent visit.

STOP PRESS FOR JAM: Chelmsford now has it's first sushi bar. Mind you I have no idea what it's like. According to my teacher friend all the primary aged kids are completely obsessed by it.

Spot: I agree with PD. Although if your DH finds Brighton a bit provincial he might struggle a leetle bit!

Brief interruption to change a stinky nappy.

PD: could you let me know the address of the mersea campsite? And any other good ones in Suffolk or Essex? We're thinking of a camping trip in August if DH has passed his test by then.

DS2 is getting v funny with his demands - he asked for some water last night so I prompted him to say 'please' like a good mummy and he duly said 'pee'. Then as I got up to go to the kitchen he bellowed NOW! Cheeky monkey.

OMG DS2 did the most horrendous nappy this morning, I love that he eats loads of fruit but his nappies are just wrong! He did it in his non disposible not his overnight disposable which I'd prefer but I don't know if this is ever going to soak off!

DS1 is still a bit poorly he's not got snot or any other obvious symptoms but he slept from 7.30-8.45 last night & is just a bit lackluster today. But I'm going to pack them up soon & take them shopping as I need to get Pru's pressie!

Aaaaaahhhhhhh I've just discovered it's DS1's last day at school Friday!!! How could I not know something like that! I thought it was halfway through the month. I'm a little unprepared. Not sure exactly what I need to prepare but whatever it is, it's not ready. Oh well at least we can go with DH to some town oop norf on Monday without having to tell school.

Hello everyone,

mom I know I'm a bit behind but congratulations. I'll be keeping my fingers crossed for you.

ladyT Your appointment for DD sounded encouraging. At least you are a bit clearer about what you are dealing with. Have they given you practical suggestions? Are you just meant to put the food down and then chat cheerfully amongst yourselves and ignore as food is carefully lined up or thrown to the ground?

Spot That sounds like a big turnaround from your DP. I agree with what the others have said about giving it a set amount a time. Are there no friends of friends he can meet up with, or a five-a side team to join? Trouble is that he needs to get himself motivated and try and meet new people, which he might not do if he has his heart set on a move.

jam Glad you had such a good party! The hangover sounds dreadful, always a good sign .

beans Thanks for popping in with your birth story. I can't believe your DH was out at a BBQ and you still managed to post! What a woman!

daisy That sounds really encouraging of your DH.

zoe I'm glad you are OK after the accident. Have a super holiday.

Right, I have to go, sorry for not doing more personals, if rubes or summer have any top tips for big boys and girl's beds do let me know. DD fell out of her cot on Monday . She leaned out of it to try and retrieve her baba which she had thrown on the floor and somersaulted out. I've ordered the grobag duvet set and childproofing things for her bedroom and then we're all systems go for taking the side off the cot bed. Eeek!

Hey all - how are you all doing? I've got a brief moment of computer working, so can log on - things are a bit up and down with machine at moment, so am missing out on so much - so sorry!

Spot - thank you for your lovely card, and Kiwi - thank you for your lovely brownies. To my horror, DH offered them up to a friend of his and my MIL last night and they both had one - NOT ON! They're MINE!!! But couldn't be churlish and tell them they couldn't have one!! Anyway, they're yummy and I love them!

DD2 (ha!) has put on nearly 1lb - she came out weighing 6lbs 13 and is now 7lbs 11! Which is 3.5kg - but don't know what she was born at in kg, i'm afraid. All rather thrilling though. She also managed to sleep nearly 4 hours in a row last night, so am feeling human!

It was my 35th birthday on Sunday, which was nice. Actually, it wasn't. I don't know why I said that! It was my lowest day so far, and just wanted to sleeeeep. But Pru had a good night that night and last 2 days have been good.

Daisy - I hope you're doing ok and that everyone else is fine too. Sorry not to do personals - am being useless and selfish! Will try to get a closer up pic on now.

Big love x

Have quickly popped on a pic with DH and his ladies. Apart from me. Am refusing photos as looking rank!

xxxx

Beans that picture is beautiful. Pru looks like a little doll I'm so impressed at you having the energy to pop on here.
I've not been on for a couple of days and lots of Daisy's posts have been deleted. What's happening? Are you ok Daisy? I was thinking that in the summer hols (which is about 4 weeks away) I could drive over to you and we could hang out perhaps if you fancied it?
Hello to turnip and PD
JJ you've made me fancy a pot noodle now!
LadyT I'm pleased for you that the paed was not concerned about any physical problem or worry with Little O. Not that it makes it any easier for you to deal with, but at least she's 'working' as she should and you'll look back when she's older and think what a nightmare eater she was. Hope the nutritionalist person is helpful.
I'm off to my psych person this aft which is usually really hard work and a bit emotional, but helpful and good for me too.
Re speaking I'd been thinking along similar lines to jj as P has no words apart from 'bubble', whereas when I go to get her from nursery some of the others say "look! Phoebe Mummy here" and such like . I'm reassured by people's tales of slow talkers who got there in the end! My HV said not to worry and that she should have about 20 word by age 2yr. We'll see...!
Right ought to so something constructive.
Got a busy few days with L's 6th birthday tomorrow then party at the weekend, so if I'm away from here for a few days, that's why!
Take care xxxx

Hellooooo Beans! Love the pic. And happy belated birthday!

Trace: I didn't notice about Daisy's posts, hope she's ok. I have MN on the book thing so only see about 20 posts at a time.

Ooh good luck with the big bed Jolly. We haven't figured that one out yet, but DS2 is starting to seriously dislike his cot. I wonder if nearly 4 is old enough to go on top of a bunk bed?

Trace: good luck for your appt and happy birthday to L!

Naughty post from me, as I really should do some work.

Hallo PD and Turnip!!!

For those of you worried about non-speaking DCs - I am sure I have bored on about this before, but my sister (and my uncle before her) didn't speak until they were about 4. Both very high achievers, so it didn't exactly hold them back in life. For what its worth, DS has far fewer words than DD did at the same stage - maybe 10 or so, but certainly no more and he's not stringing them together. On the other hand he understands plenty. DD seemed able to speak more or less at the same rate that she understood things.

LadyT - you shouldn't feel any guilt at all about the lovely O, who is a credit to you. It is probably a sign of her intelligence that she has worked out how to mess around with you so quickly - at least that's been my experience with DD, who certainly knows how to push our buttons and will definitely try to. On the walking thing, there is definitely something in the whole business of wanting to. DD's best friend, who we saw a lot of, didn't walk until she was 2 and you could see that eventually what got her walking was the frustration of not being able to engage with her friends who were having much more fun running about and doing stuff - they definitely had a tricky few months as she caught up but she did quickly and you wouldn't know there had been a problem.

jam - sounds like it was quite an event! Sorry the catering etc wasn't up to scratch but it doesn't sound like it got in the way.

daisy - I hope getting everything out in the open is getting you the answers you need.

Beans - belated happy birthday - not surprised it is not the best in the circumstances, but I hope your DH spoils you properly when things calm down a bit. And we still need a proper close up of P!!

Avo - the last few days must have been incredibly stressful - I hope things are sorting themselves. I only had the chance to skim your thread, but what your nanny did sounds seriously unacceptable. But I understand the bind you are in - if you are seriously thinking about a career break, disrupting everything for a couple of months doesn't feel right.

Things still a bit mad here - I kind of split the difference over the work stuff - I did a bit of work over the weekend (well, got up at 5am on Sat and did a couple of hours before the DCs got up) and rearranged a few things in the week so I could work evenings etc. Then got really mad, as I found out that having made a real effort to do my bit, soon to be ex-boss had swanned off for a personal event. I wouldn't normally begrudge anyone that kind of thing, but we missed a big meeting at DD's nursery because I ended up working into the evening and I cancelled a school visit we had planned for somewhere she might go eventually. And ultimately none of it is really my problem. So I feel like a bit of a mug. Mind you, there was a sop to my vanity was this morning when we had a call and the QC thanked me for my "first-rate" note. Anyway, that all means I am dumped with a pile more work to do before the end of the week. Blah.

Otherwise things much cheerier - DCs both better, which makes life much nicer and suddenly the job market looks a bit happier so have a mass of interviews to go to. I really don't want to get too excited yet after the last few months, but it might finally come good.

Oh, and I meant to ask, any tips for camping with children, eagerly welcomed! DD seems to have got it in her head that she wants to go camping and DH seems to think it would be right to humour her. But the idea of DD and DS in a tent together is mind boggling. (Not to mention that I am not exactly an expert camper myself - a couple of nights at a festival is about the limit for me).