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...!

i think i may be feeling a bit queasy. and tired, although that's par for the course. mom - how are you doing?

Invis: great news about the job Market picking up. Re camping, I'm thinking of a trial weekend trip to see how we get on. Or you could pitch a tent in the garden for DD and DH .

Daisy's posts were there this morning when I was catching up. Hope everything is OK daisy.

You're in a difficult position, Invis, because you can't exactly 'work to rule' even if you quite understandably feel like it under the circs. That is very slack of your boss. All you can do is try to exit with a bit of credit and dignity. Hopefully the work you are doing now, which isn't really your place, goes in the 'karma bank', that's what I always think (hope)...Yay for the praise from the Silk (always nice to be appreciated) and a bigger yay for the heaps of interviews. That is GOOD. Camping - well... what about GLAMPING? If you just google glamping, loads of gorgeous sites come up. Sorry to those who are stalwarts of the hollowfibre sleeping bags, camping gaz stoves and peeing in a bucket I love the great outdoors, but....but but but but.

I haven't seen your pic yet, Beans, as I am on the crap laptop, but happy birthday for last Sun. I am sending you something for YOU and it's not something your DH will want to nick, so, there you are. And little Pru has put on a pound already? That's marvellous.

Trace, good luck for the appointment and happy birthday for little (big!) L tomorrow. Yes, I must say, I am pleased with the way O has been treated so far - I usually moan about the NHS I know but I have to give credit where credit is due and say that her GP has been stellar, and the paed was super, and the referral was quite fast too, I thought. I guess kids get whizzed through the system faster.

How are you feeling today, Effie? How's the head? I've had a headache since getting up, but that's just a regular headache, and that's bad enough!

JB, the practical suggestions are to come when we see the infant nutritionist. All we have to do for now is carry on trying to get in what we can, keep offering a range of foods, keep to the formula and try not to react or act if her not eating bothers us... Since yesterday she has started saying "Oh dear, dear, DEAR" in a funny posh little voice if she drops something or does something a bit naughty (eg chucking a glockenspiel stick from one side of the room to the other). She is more than a match for either of us. I may as well just wave the white flag now.

PD - hello! - you were asking about camping in France - clearly I am the wrong person to ask but I did hear about some friends of DP who had a really cheap camping hol in France - I will try and glean the details in case anyone's interested. Actually, if the weather was good maybe I could manage the hollowfibre sleeping bag and the peeing in a bucket

V pleased to hear the party went with a swing on Sat, Jam, but sorry about the catering. Stick to your guns. 9th July - I am not sure who is meeting and where - I think Rubes, me, Kiwi, maybe Sybs, possibly Mom? - but if we are meeting in the morning I could possibly contemplate a trip east in the afternoon. I am staying overnight that night and have no particular plans yet, so am unusually flexible. (Or as flexible as a pregnant lump with a buggy can be).

Oooh, sorry DS1 is a little peaky still, Veggie. I am sure the school hols will put some oomph in the gasket. I am so envious of you living near the beach.

Spot, what a spot you are in...As you know, I moved here just before DD was born. I didn't want to, but really I had to, as DP hates London (we are so compatible in that regard ) and his work is predominantly Oxford and Reading and a London base isn't practical. However, although the sacrifice irks me still, it has been cushioned by keeping my flat. Sometimes, someone has to give in. I'm not saying it's good, but it is life. However, if you are the one to give in, ideally you want appreciation and recognition of your having done so (I have never had it, so can't advise ) to sugar the pill. I do think your DP is being selfish but on the other hand, I understand his desperation if he is genuinely unhappy there. But on the other hand again...isn't he just thinking about what is best for him rather than what is best for all of you - not just you, but your DS and next DC too? I guess you need to get him to think about all the pros and cons. Of all people, I get the pull of London, I really do, but things like more space to live in aren't to be ignored. Oh, and I keep nagging you about this but are you paying your Class 2 NI contribs? I am just filling in my Mat. Allowance form.

Aaargh, must go as head taking a turn for the worse.

Gosh hope Daisy is ok? Maybe he has asked her not to MN or something? I didn't think she said anything bad but if it's best for the marriage. Though would really hate to lose her. Lucky she's on FB.

Beans sorry you were a bit wobbly on your birthday. Well done on the weight gain it's those full cream norks of yours! How are they by the way. I found BF harder the 2nd time around.

Invis sorry you put in so much work but your boss was so crap. But really could you have done it any other way. I think you can list a strong work ethic as one of your strengths at your interviews. Believe me there aren't many who have a work ethic like you. I had to put a firecracker up some of my staffs butts sometimes.

Lady O may not eat but she is too cute. I can just imagine her posh little accent.

WG I hate to admit to being a little pleased that your feeling ill. It's a funny feeling isn't it. It's annoying but reassuring at the same time.

I'll have to check out this glamping thing. I do love camping but I'm also quite partial to the 5 star experience too. I love camping for so many reason, mainly because it's outdoors and lately because the kids can make little friends at the site. But I also hate the overcrowding of so many sites here and the noise in the night time. Oh & having to walk to the loos in the morning. My top tip for camping is take a few foldable boxes as I like to separate things like the food or toiletries etc so I can find them easily. Also take a DVD or laptop with DVD so you can watch movies after the kids have gone to bed. Also take a coolbox or Esky for beers milk & yoghurt etc.

Hi Trace, hope the appointment was ok. What are you doing for Lucy's birthday?

Oh hope you head feels better Lady.

I made chocolate peanut butter muffins just now for the boys pudding. You could get more fat into a muffin if you tried!

DH will be home in an hour hooray!

I went shopping with the boys this afternoon and got some nice tops. Zara was having a sale and there were 2 tops/dresses I quite liked but the changingroom line was long & I got told off by the security guard because DS1 was eating the remnants on his hotdog, so I gave up & left. I got a bit miffed and felt a bit marginalized as a mother. Mainly for the hotdog thing but also because everything was a nightmare to negotiate with a pushchair. You have to practically headbutt people out of the way here, they see making themselves obstacles as some sort of national sport.

Ladies, Daisy sent me a message on FB. Her DH saw her posts and got angry because she had discussed all this stuff with us before she did with him. She has had them removed and will be away now until after there trip. Probably in a metamorphosed form .

Oh and she wanted me to give her love to you all, ESP those who have gotten themselves clackered!

Oh Daisy I hope things are ok, I know DP would react the same if he saw my messages but it's often really helpful to write stuff down here before talking it out with them. Hope you're lurking and the holiday goes well.

Veggie I need some of those muffins NOW. I don't care if I have to fly over to get them.

Lady as ever you are wise and helpful (and I sent off my class 2 contributions form yesterday and am backdating to May ). DP and I had a massive argument discussion at lunchtime, which got pretty heated and horrible (but then I think all conflict is horrible) which culminated in DP agreeing to stay here. But he put up a darned good fight, and what I don't want is for him to sulk the rest of the time we're here and hold it against me whenever he has a bad day, which he has said he won't do.
But I think I was waiting for him to be happy about it immediately, which of course he wasn't going to be, esp in the heat of the moment. So I will try and show appreciation and be nice about it (even though I think I've been in the right all along).

I am so emotionally drained but we have to have another conversation tonight about the flat - the estate agent's on our case and we still haven't totally decided. I'm now thinking if he could get some office space then the place would be big enough for all of us, but it's whether his boss will let us have the money.

Complicado, and I've been deliberately trying to make it simple!

Thank you all for your thoughts on the situation btw, it really helped me clarify things and made me feel stronger imagining you all going "but you're being totally reasonable!" while I was arguing my case!

More later, time to put the Tster to bed.

Oh no, poor DaisyD . I don't approve of snooping but I don't want to say more as I am anxious not to get her into further strife.

Spot, that is amazing that he has capitulated. I am glad for you. However, yes, I think you do have to show appreciation for him giving in, even if you are in the right After all, my DP may be in the right about us living here, but I still feel sore about London. Fortunately, like you, we are only 60 miles away and it really isn't far. And a big tick for you on the Class 2s!

Sorry about the thwarted shopping, Veg. These people in shops get very antsy. Headache has just gone, 12 hours later...and "oh dear" is wearing quite thin. She said it after she'd chucked her supper on the floor, then again when I was on my hands and knees cleaning it up and she wiped her mucky little hands in my hair

I really should be packing - but just wanted to say YAY to glamping! I really really tried to persuade DH to go glamping this weekend - here was my no 1 choice. But all the really fancy pants tents with electricity were booked and DH refused to be without it. I've since worked out it was in case England got to the 1/4 finals, so he wouldn't miss this weekend's match - and since they got knocked out he's said he'd like to have gone after all! Nevermind, we've comprised on a lovely looking lodge in the coutryside instead for 4 days. (PS I've never glamped in my life, but just love the idea of it)

Back to packing. But incase Daisy's lurking, here is a (((hug))) x

Oh that campsite looks good ZJ, must tell Jolly.

DH came home and the boys were thrilled DS2 didn't want to let go of him and was quite angry when I dragged him away to put him to bed. DH has been wanting to be able to put DS2 to sleep & tonight showed that DS2 would probably quite like it to, so tomorrow evening I'm going to go out for Den Haag late night shopping night and he's going to put him to bed. I also think he might be moving towards having his bed put in DS1's room. Though I'm in no rush for that just yet.

Flat purchase back on. Lordy but this is exhausting!

blueghhhhhhhhhh

that is all I can say this morning. DD up at 5am (thought I had cured her of that so I PRAY this is a one-off) and in a right grump, it's a bloody nightmare trying to get ready and get her out of the house (and myself dressed) in the mornings. Thank GOD DH is back on Monday because I am at the end of my tether. Actually no, I've gone past the end of my tether and am looking back over my shoulder wondering what that rapidly diminishing tether is doing zooming away

Oh, i had a text from Beans yesterday - aside from obviously having two little ones to look after, her computer is broken so she's not able to get on MN but she sends her love!

Aw, Kiwi, not long to wait now. Hoping this is just a blip.

I've had fewer than five hours sleep myself, so huge sympathy to you. Mind you - that's DP plus my own insomnia, rather than DD! No contact lenses for me today - my eyes are too sore.

Right, off to Mum's this morning for a few days, so I will only be lurking unless my phone lets me post. Love to all, prob back Sun night.

Nearly there Kiwi.

LADY & Kiwi joining you on the shocking night. L woke at 3 and didnt go back to sleep until 5 then up for the day at 6 am knackered and thoroughly fed up of his rubbish sleeping. Any thoughts on what I could do?

Spot hurrah for resoloution with DH over your flat and staying put for a wee bit.

Daisy sorry you are having a tough time.

another shocking nighter here. up until 2AM vomiting with heartburn!!!! Ran out of Rennie, so Gaviscon (yuk) and milk then finally got to sleep. THEN the freaking DH snooze button bullshit thismorning - well I came unstuck as I was up at his first alarm but somehow he doesn't get up until he hits snooze about 3 times!!!! I hid car keys to delay his departure to work by 20 mins. He was fuming due to potential traffic. I didn't care. Childish? Maybe, but this is the result of 4 hours sleep from me. Tomorrow I will be changing his alarm until 15 mins later everyday until he gets up on the first alarm!! It's just not FAIR! Not to mention my front bum bone feels like someone hit it with a sledge hammer where the feck is the shattered emoticon

Oh dear Rubes. Maybe we should have a virtual nice lie down in a shady room with Kiwi, Jam and LadyT. I was up at 3am with another stinking headache. Am back at the GP today though I suspect they are going to tell me that I just have a headache and there's nothing I can do about it other than take the tablets!

How long have you got to go Rubes? It must be miserable being heavily pg in this heat. Sending cool and breezy thoughts to you and Summer.

Oh no - Bad sleeps/nights all around! Mine was tame in comparison, but how is it possible that I already have to wee twice a night at 4.5 weeks pregnant??

Hope things are okay, Daisy.

WG - I think I am only just coming up to 5 weeks, and symptoms are minimal. Insomnia at bedtime, but that could be more relating to light. Feel a bit seasick in the AM. Starving all the time. But that's about it. I wasn't sick when pregnant with DS either. I am obsessively peeing on sticks hoping the line doesn't get lighter, and planning to go for a scan as soon the heartbeat could be seen (6.5 weeks or so I guess). Both previous pregnancies (DS and m/C) I had spotting/bleeding around 6 weeks, so we'll see if I get that again. Hate early pregnancy bleeding! Kind of glad for you if you're feeling ill (good sign!) but also hope you aren't suffering too much. Have you figured out your EDD? I think mine is 5th March.

Lady - I had a text from DH yesterday which read "Can you get a copy of that penguin book?" I thought he had lost his mind, until he clarified that he wanted me to buy another copy of your late-DH's book for a wedding gift for his cricket-mad friend! And re: the meet up...the 9th is still good for me and I can meet up east or west or wherever.

All you Cotswold-y types. We're going to Moreton-in-Marsh this weekend for a wedding. We have a cottage for two nights - very excited! We won't have a car (taking the train) but does anyone have suggestions for things we could do on Friday afternoon/Saturday morning with DS? Any walks or other activities in the area that don't require a car?

Veggie - Chocolate peanut muffins....need the recipe!

Kiwi - It was a 5 am day here too. Haven't had one in ages. Let's hope it's a one off. Countdown until Monday.

Crap night here too, I blame Beans for having a thread title suggesting that all our babies would sleep through together!

Not DS related though, same as Rubes throwing up with heartburn for some of the night and not able to sleep. Just had a nap though as DS is asleep. Rubes I have similar annoyances with DH's sleeping habits, not quite the same, but he sleeps like he is dead and will NEVER wake up to see to DS, and rarely gets up with him in the morning. I could live with this if his dead to the world sleeping meant he needs less sleep, but no, he moans if he gets less than 9 hrs. This morning he was moaning at being up at 7:15 with DS and saying he wished he sleep longer!!

Anyway was just popping on, feeling fed up with whole house buying/selling process as everything seems to be going tits up and I am too depressed to post much! Plus too tired. Cannot wait to finish work (esp as DS is staying in nursery for a while so I will get some time to myself)

What the HELL went on last night in the universe!!!! Both my boys had crap nights. After good sleeps for a while now DS1 woke at 3.30 after having a nightmare & DS2 woke at 4am and was wiggly and unsettled until 6am when he tamped up the volume and pitch to give us a good squealing too for 20 mins. Nothing I could do would settle him, he refused milk and patting. Eventually DH started tickling him which helped and he settled down but was up for the day then. I blame Kiwi's DH, not sure why but I'm sure it's his fault somehow, babyKiwi us upset and all our lot have gone out in sympathy with her. Actually I think it may be DHs snoring, DS2 was fine and slept until 7.30 when he wasn't here so must be him.

The upside is I'm up to my 3rd coffee & it's good. Oh better get a high fat peanut butter muffin to go with it. Now the muffin recipe was a basic muffin recipe with 75grms of butter melted together with 5tbsp (yes 5!) of crunchy peanut butter. It's added when the other wet incredients are added. DS1 wanted them to be chocolate & peanut muffins so I just added some G&B's hot chocolate drink powder (yes they have it here now), in with the flour to make it a little chocolatey & brown.

Effie sorry about the head, have you tried codiene yet?

SL sorry this is all being such a drag, you really don't need this. I wish there was something I could do, should I maybe hurt them? Virtually I mean, but painful black light over them. Any idea why they are bring so difficult? Do they know about your 'condition'? Are all the searches etc through, is it just them delaying?

Veggie: the GP prescribed some good painkillers with codeine and they WORK. Fabulous. Have caught up with work emails and feeling much better. I have never tried making muffins, maybe DS1 and I need to have a baking sesh over the weekend.

Summer: I'm sorry about your dipstick vendor. Any sign of his moving his great lardy arse out of YOUR house?

Gosh, what a lot of rubbish nights. Ours was OK, but DD seems to starting to get nightmares or night terrors or something - its happened a couple of times where she just sceams and cries in her sleep and then suddenly just stops and is properly asleep. She seems fine, but found it a bit upsetting.

Veggie - I promise you, I feel like I have anything but a strong work ethic at the moment! Can't wait for this week at work to be over - come what may I will have my own mini celebration. And yes, LadyT you are very right about the karma bank.

SL - hold in there on the house stuff. IME the process always goes a bit crap in the middle - with any luck it will come good.

Kiwi - I noticed your DH blogging to the world what a blast he's been having - I think you definitely have lots of credit in the bank when he gets back! Seriously, you've done amazingly well to get through these weeks - its very wearing being full time on your own with a small one.

Spot - glad you have resolved the issue with your DH. It sounds like you are being fabulously gracious about it.

Thanks all for the fabulous camping tips - effie, tent in the garden had crossed my mind, but glamping sounds like I could live with it too. ZJ that link you posted looks fab! I am afraid I am just a city girl at heart - years with DH have taught me to enjoy a bit of nature, but my heart still soars at the sight of a city skyline in front of me.

DD seems to have acquired a worryingly grown up taste for G&B's Maya Gold. I was hoping not to have to share for a few more years...

LadyT - I had to let you know that the bank of karma has kicked in sooner than you could imagine. The client involved just called me to check on what my plans were and whether it would conceivably be possible for me to carry on working on their case alongside ex-boss!!!