Fab Feb 2009: when they're good they are very very good, when they're bad they're todzillas...

[dinkystinky]

New thread for us to chat about our little jekyll & hydes...

Danny is currently stood next to me rearranging my DVD collection - I will be doing a work out to charlie & lola tonight apparently, while DS1 will be watching Billy Blanks Taebo with his pre-bedtime cup of milk and DH's history docu is hiding out with Diego in the city of lost toys...

Hey all, just thought i'd post with my new name... I got bored of being a flower

Although i did like being shortened to TITS!

ds1 wasn't too bad at 3..... lots of zen like breathing required at times but the cutness and cuddles balanced things out nicely

probably means he'll be a nightmare at 13 though...

Love the new name SR Looks good.
mslucy tell me about it. For the past few days I have had to drag him to the shops and back because he refuses to walk and wants to be n the pushchair. He hasn't been in a pushchair for well over 6 months now.

Hi ladies,

I've been lurking for a couple of days and thought I'd pop on to say hi. I've been back at work now for nearly 9 months (where does the time go?) and don't find much time for MN unfortunately. Must try harder! I always try and pop onto the threat every now and again and catch up with everyone though.

I've been giggling at SR's previous name being abbreviated to TITS. I'm such a child.

MOS - I'm glad to see you came back on again and decided to stick the finger up to those horrible sounding ladies. Some people evidently have far too much time on their hands.

Alex is still keeping us very busy, in a good way. He's doing really well, and loves his childminder, which puts my mind massively at rest about being back at work. Her name is Fiona and he sings 'Ni-na Ni-na' the whole way when I'm dropping him off there. That's got to be good hasn't it?!

We'd absolutely love to be trying for DC2 but can't at the moment. We're managing financially, but there's nothing spare for another one. Plus we live in a 2-bed house and would have to move. The plan is to move out of London, but even that's difficult financially as we'd be earning so much less money once we move. It really upsets me that money is the reason why I can't have the 2nd baby that I'd really, really like to have. Grrrr.

Anyway, better get back on with the work I'm meant to be doing right now!

Threat?! Should've been thread. Eeeek.

Hey all!

Liking the new you, SR!

mos I've read The Last Templar, I thought it was very good. I like that sort of stuff - the books that Bones (the TV show with the bloke from Buffy and Angel) was based on is very good, about a female forensic scientist in Canada/US, and I really like the Harlen Coben books. Just finished Drop Shot which is very good (and I'm chuffed to bits because I worked out 'who done it'!).

Glad to hear the nurse wasn't too concerned, mslucy.

SM hope it wasn't too crazy today - does the 8yo help out much?

BTW, who is pempe? I vaguely recognise the name as an original fab febber. Has she been on the thread recently?

MrsY Pempe is the one who lives in Greece. I haven't seen her on here in ages.
Today wasn't too bad. Jacob was a nightmare and the other boy just kept whinging every few minutes about 1 thing or another, it is very annoying.
me and his mum are close enough that we can discuss our children's areas of developmental need and areas of improvement in our parenting technique and becauseshe told me a while ago that his constant whinging and tell-taleing (ykwim) was really annoying her, I suggested that she try teaching him some simple problem solving and emotion control.
There has been a massive improvement in him and he certainly became more confident and assertive but seems to have come off the track the past few days.

The 8 year old is quite helpful, but her mum kind of depends on her a bit much (IMO) so when I have her, I try to give her as much attention as the toddlers and try to do things that interest her. She likes to get me playing her ds (handheld computer thing) which takes my attention away from the little ones and they use that opportunity to start fighting, but hey-ho, we all survived!

Sounds like a bit of a challenge SM. On Wednesday I have a friends two boys (3 yo and 10mo) as well as another friends 7 yo daughter. Am not looking forward to it! But at least it's not in my house so I can escape to peace and quiet at the end of the day!

Tracked down pempe through the FB group, and I'm friends with her, but saw no mention of pregnancy...

How long ago did she fall pregnant though? Wasn't it quite soon after these baby's? So maybe she has had the baby?
I don't know.
is there a park near? That can take up a good hour.
Or does the house you're going to have a garden? If so, I'd fill a big bucket with water, add loads of coloured glitter and give them each a paint brush to paint the walls/fence.

Hello all. Back from camping - which was rather cold and rainy, DS1 had a vomming relapse, Danny vommed on the way down there and I came back with flu - but at least the kids (and DH) loved it, especially Danny who was the youngest one there and loved roaming the valley we were in chasing sheep and playing with the copious amounts of sheep poo lying around - and see has been v busy on the board. So

MsLucy - lovely to see you on and to hear your news, but so sorry to hear you're having a worrying time and bleeding. FWIW an NCT friend of mine when I was pregnant with DS1 bled all the way through her pregnancy - and went on to have a perfectly normal pregnancy (apart from the bleeding) and birth and a really healthy little baby boy. I hope that helps put your mind at rest a little. In the meantime, try and take things easy (I know you like to rush around 24/7 normally) and eat well and look after yourself. Sending stay strong wishes to you and stay strong and well wishes to that little one inside of you.

SM - sorry for calling you by accident on Friday! Was stuck in mega traffic jam trying to get hold of another person with your name who was camping with us and dialed the wrong one in my phone by accident - suspected that was what I'd done but Danny chose just as you answered to chunder all over himself which rather distracted me! Sorry you had the sicky bug but glad you're better now. DS1 went through a threenager phase - but it was in short sharp bouts - so keep repeating the mummy mantra to yourself. Glad you survived your hectic babysitting day.

Questionkid - lovely to see you on. I hope finances improve so you can have no 2 in the not too distant future. FWIW I know plenty of people who've had a couple of kids (some even with 3) in 2 bed properties so the lack of extra bedrooms shouldnt be a problem if you could stretch to the second kid.

Summerrain - liking the new name. Sounds like all the kids loved their big day! Hope you've recovered from it now.

MoS - nice to see you back in your original incarnation. Sorry to hear the kids sleeping is still awful and you're so exhausted - sending you strength thoughts and industrial quantities of virtual gin to help you get through it!

Rosie - good luck with the diet. Come join us on the Nothing tastes as good... thread - the diet nazis will have you licked into shape in no time. Not really. But it is good to have support from others going through losing weight and have someone taking a hard line against dieting nonos for you - and it has given rise to 3 pregnancies in members of the group so far...

MrsY - I think Pempe is coming up to around 7 months now from memory - though could be wrong. Hope you survive your hectic babysitting day that's coming up too!

Think I've responded to everyone I meant to but apologies if have missed anyone out. Off on holiday to MIL's on Saturday for a couple of days then from there on to France for 10 days so have a frantic few days of getting everything straight at work and washing and packing ahead of me. Ho hum. Oh yes - and we got our building work quotes back so we will be moving out of our house at some point in September into a flat which I've got to find time to find somehow between work, packing and holidays. Could be interesting...

OMG dinky what a nightmare holiday with all the puking! I don't 'do' puke. It was just awful a few nights ago when H puked on me 3 times in my bed. Just nasty. Glad that the boys had a good time, all 3 of them

France should be nice, hope you manage to find time to pack etc.

Are you moving into a flat whilst building is done then? Sounds VERY sensible having lived through a 2 storey extension and a loft conversion being done! Will you be able to get a flat for just a few months? thought the minimum was normally about 3 months

MrsY good luck with all the DC tomorrow.

MsLucy hope you and bean ok today and you are managing to rest

SM hope you are 100% recovered now.

Am wondering if I am a bit of a loon? Went to chiropractor this morning (going 3 times a week) on way back major diversions so I decided to nip down the M23. Went past a broken down car with 2 women and 3 kids standing by hardshoulder, just about half a mile from my turnoff, so around 5 mins to my house. DC2 looking after 3 & 4 so I went back (obviously not driving the wrong way down motorway - came of at junction and went back) Anyway, checked they were ok and little girl about DD's age was crying. AA were coming out but I offered to take one of the women and the kids back to my house where at least they'd be safe and have drinks, tv etc. I don't think I look like an axe murderer and had very sensible family car (XC90) with 2 kids seats in it. Thought it would be better for them being off motorway and explained house very close and could drop them off somewhere else. They were very polite and nice when they said no, they'd rather stay there but it did make me wonder if perhaps they thought I was a bit odd!

Right, back to my clearing out. Have finally been in touch with a local(ish) refuge and am taking over a load of stuff tomorrow so just cleaning it and loading boot. Have a brand new moses basket and stand, highchair hardly used, baby bouncer and some buggys so hopefully they will be useful. Just phoned to confirm going tomorrow and they said they had a lady today who was desperate for a buggy. Luckily she has a little girl as this one is VERY pink and flowery. Glad to be having a bit of a clearout!

Hope everyone doing ok x

Cheers MoS - wasnt much of a holiday to be honest! But as I said, at least the boys had fun. Yep moving out into a flat - building work will take at least 6 months so moving out on a year lease of somewhere with a 6 month break clause with any luck.

It was a very nice thing that you tried to do but I can sort of understand why the ladies said no (safety in numbers etc.). Sad sign of our times....

6 months! bloody hell dinky, are you having buckingham palace built onto your house!

I had a 2 storey side extension a few years back that was supposed to be a 12 week job but he finished in week 26
Good luck with finding something

Nope - just an awful lot of work done to the house that bodge built....

26 weeks is sort of what the builders are saying they think it will take -we're taking the view that they'll be more likely to stick to this timeframe if we move out and rent somewhere and stick them with penalty payments (whereby they need to cover our rent and storage costs) if they overrun...

Hello all... I got my exam results: 82%, so i missed out on a distinction by 3% which is a bummer (especially as i had an average of 90% on my on-course assessments) but at least i passed and don't have to worry about the results anymore

sorry your holiday was rather puke tastic dinky, hope France goes better

blimey dinky, you really are a walking encyclopedia of all things mn/feb 2009 related.
I'm impressed!
Good luck with the building work - we're having a home office (ie a posh shed) built in the garden and the work starts on Thurs. Luckily the builders won't be coming in the house at all - that would be the icing on the cake - and it is only scheduled to take 2 weeks.
It's given me the perfect excuse to cancel my birthday party - really didn't fancy it with all the drama going on at the moment.
Have been taking it easy all day, sleeping lots and eating lots of iron rich foods. Have stopped bf as I think that was draining me and Stan is handling it better than I thought he would. Also moved him in with his big brother which means my sleep has improved no end.
Still some bleeding but hasn't actually got worse. No pain either, which is good. Of course the worst could still happen but am counting my blessings on an hour by hour basis. I have another scan on Monday which I guess will give us a better idea of what is going on.
I have spoken to lots of people who have either had bleeding like this or known someone who has had it. It's more common than I thought. Scary but not unusual.
Mrs Y I know this sounds a bit naughty, but there's nothing wrong with a few DVDs/bit of CBeebies if you need to keep a group of kids happy. Tire them out in the garden/park then give them a bit of chill out time in front of the telly and they will love you for ever.

Hey SummerRain - Congratulations on your exam results! Am in awe. God only knows how you managed to do so well with 3 little ones clamouring for your attention. Hope you and DP celebrate

MsLucy - bet home office will be great. When we were househunting a few years back we saw plenty of places with home offices and they looked like a great use of space. Glad you're looking after yourself and sleeping better. Fingers crossed for you and your bean staying in good health.

yeah summer rain those are awesome results.
You should be very proud of yourself.

SR That's a great result! Well done

morning all
SR well done on your results, like you say, a bummer you just missed out on the distinction but you've done brilliantly well to achieve what you have with all the kids.

MsLucy glad all seems ok. You are right, it is a lot more common than you think. You only tend to find out how many people have experienced it when you go through it yourself. That is what I found when I went through it with last two pregnancies. Please keep taking it easy and rest as much as you can. Good luck with scan on Monday

SM how are you today?

Am so exited about this morning (how sad am I?) G & H off to nursery, DS1 on work experience so after I've dropped them and nipped to chiro DD1 and I are going shopping, just the two of us, no pushchairs, nappies, milk etc. We will only have around 2 1/2 to 3 hours but it will be bliss!

Have a good day everyone

mos thanks for your kind and wise words.
Feeling a bit better today - bleeding seems to be slowing down (almost scared to write this in case it jinxes me). Also feeling very, very sick - both last night and this morning, which suggests the old pg hormones are still there.
I am feeling more positive but don't want to be too positive in case things take a turn for the worst.

Morning all

mslucy Glad that you are feeling sick today! I had bleeding with DS at 10 weeks and again at 17 weeks - terrified me but all was fine. The sickness was the only thing that reminded me that I really was still pg. Hope the scan next week puts your mind at rest.
DH is building me a home office/ studio - it has taken a year so far . It now has windows but not sure when the doors are going to appear... I expect yours will be completed before mine.

SR Fab news about your exam results - can't imagine how you found the time to concentrate on it at all, let alone get such a high score.

MOS enjoy the shopping!

Dinky hope your next holiday is totally vom free....poor you

A horrible thing happened yesterday. My lovely cat died in an accident. She got her the name tag on her collar caught in the slats of the table she was lying on in sun in the garden. She must have panicked and twisted and turned to free herself and I found her strangled. I was in the house at the time (with the door open) and I didn't hear a thing - poor thing was still warm when I found her so it must have happened only minutes before I came out into the garden. Really upset that she died in this awful way, she was such a gentle, friendly little cat and I'd had her nearly 15 years. Thankfully both kids were at nursery - it would have been awful if they had found her. I had to explain to DS that she had died but at 3 he is really confused and keeps asking where she has gone. We showed him the place where she is buried but he still asked this morning when she is coming back home.... not sure what else to say to him?

Oh Calico I am so so sorry for your loss and your poor lovely cat. Sending you lots and lots of hugs. Not sure how to help you explain to DS about her passing away though - perhaps Summerrain can help as I think one of her kittens passed away too last year.

We got our cat from http://www.cats.org.uk/ here

he's still with us ten years later, grumpy old sod.

Losing a pet is always sad, but rescuing a cat will hopefully make you feel better.

mslucy glad you are feeling sick if you know what I mean

calico how awful, poor you and DS. It is very hard isn't it. We've had numerous cats and rabbits over the years and it is so hard when they die. Our last rabbit in KSA died around a year ago and I'm very tempted to get another as DD loved it but its just so hard when they die.

Had a lovely (if very expensive!) shopping trip and managed to get fitted for bras. My boobs appear to have shriveled up over the years, the joys of b/f but DD is exploding. She is now a 34E! Looks like we won't have to worry about university for her, she can become a glamour model then a WAG

Pi**ing down with rain here now and just about to drive to the refuge to drop all the stuff off I'd sorted out. Really don't feel like going out in this weather but the car is all loaded so had better go. Also, I spoke to the refuge staff yesterday and they had a girl who was desperate for a buggy for her little girl so had better go