June 08 - a Coalition for all (even those with May or July 08 babies).

[DomesticGoddessInTraining]

Abdn liked the title so I just went ahead!

Thanks for all your scan congrats. You are all v lovely. I am amused that some of you think that waiting to find out the sex is in some way admirable.

Deb - I knew there must be catch otherwise it looks to me like it would be the rght sort of thing. Why don't you suggest to Nigel that he registers the URL "Bhuddist Family Holidays"?

Dewin couscous. excellent lunching hot or cold. make your own mixture at home, or buy Ainsley Harriot ones, add some feta cheese or something for interest/protein!

spider I am with you on not finding out - my colleagues are all taken aback that I don't scan myself at every available opportunity - I say you don't get many genuine suprises as an adult!

ROFL Spider!!!

Melon? Good idea. I use a grapefruit to create my hedgehog, and shove sausages onto cocktail sticks rather than cheese and pineapple (DH allergic to cheese). I use a small bit of cocktail stick and half a grape for the eye and a cherry tomato for the nose. I'd probably ice the cake on the day, buut would be fine if done in advance (assuming you can stop yourself eating it of course!!) The other thing i thought of that is really easy is puff pastry shapes. if you have a bunch of small cookie cutters and a sheet of pre-rolled puff pastry, cut out shapes, sprinkle with grated cheese (gruyere or emmenthal works best) and bung in th eoven until risen and cheese melted. It's a great one for the children to do...C often gets left to it whilst I do other things in the kitchen (naturally she doesn't use the oven by herslef though)

Debs- Buddhists in the garden might prove soothing, no?

Dewin- I think one of the cushions is fractionally out of alignment!!

Hedgehogs, we've always used a potato covered in tin foil. Always used to use that is, not had a hedgehog for ages.

Now I can't let discussion of cocktail sausages go by without mentioning this recipe, absolutely scrummy, am salivating now thinking about it. We've used precooked or raw sausages before and it can all be made up beforehand and ready to just shove in the oven. Could be a little messy if toddlers were helping themselves!

Dewin - I could do with some lunch suggestions too, it's so easy to get stuck in a rut. Glad the wireless is working again.

Biscuits - I agree about the surprise (sex surprise I was going to put, but then thought that might read a bit funny).

Deb I am a bit that you are moving to Northumberland, and all the houses you have linked to are lovely.

J has been ill, sick last night and this morning he has very rosy cheeks, could this be teething? Remember we are novices at teething I hope it's nothing catching as my friend is bringing her baby round later.

I have a sandbox to paint before friday, typically I've left it until the last minute so if I disappear I am busy painting.

dewin I've never been shown a rash or anything like that (feels very thankful!).

My FIL got asked by a waitress in a Chinese restaurant whether she could have a private word when he handed over his credit card with Dr on it, luckily he realised and pointed out he was a Dr of Chemistry rather than medicine before she started telling him all her troubles.

Hi all - again thanks for all the great support messages. Clearly I will probably need some more later on down the line. (Rolf - that lovely poem in my hormonal state made me blub).

Spider great news about the scan. I will deffo find out the sexes although I can tell you now it will be two more boys.

Deb - so glad Tristan is better and how ecxciting about the home buying!

Biscuits - hope C gets better soon.

Domnestic - I never do any kind of buffet without a couscous salad - great with everything.

Oh heck, just had my birth options clinic appointment for people who have had c/s. I only bloody cried through the appointment didn't I. I feel like such a hormonal numpty. I had to talk through Ps delivery and then they went through my notes and told me that the c/s was a good decision as he was in a brow presentation so an 11-13cm diameter going through a 10cm hole. After delivery they could tell that his oxygenation had got v low, so a v good decision not to have tried ventouse. But the good news was that all the factors that led to the c/s were one offs and basically there is no reason why I should not try for a VBAC. I got through all the stuff on Ps delivery and then started crying when they asked me what I wanted to do this time.

Needed to write that down before I drive home and see my parents. I would rather not sob all over them if I can help it.

Spider you're allowed to be hormonal, but it doesn't make you a numpty! Hope you're feeling a bit better now. Had you really psyched yourself up for another CS?

ktpie how is J now? Sounds like it could be teething.

Amber we're all here to support you whenever you need it! Why do you think it will be boys?

ktpie love the cocktail sausage recipe. I've seen a few that involves roasting them the day before, keeping them in the fridge once cooled and then bunging them in the office with whatever dressing for 10 minutes or so on the day, so I might do that. Think I'll keep some cold plain ones for the toddlers to limit the mess!!!

Thanks again for all the suggestions, (Vallium I like the puff pastry idea - S would enjoy that!)apologies for being completely self-absorbed. Normally I don't have much to do with catering for our parties so I'm very keen to do a good job on Sunday. Room for a not-quite-so-little one on the sofa Dewin and Vallium ?

Will ponder hedgehog. I do think cheese and pineapple together is just wrong though¬

The "Office" DGT - strange place to put sausages.

No I have actually been psyching myself up for a VBAC. On reflection I have spent the last two years trying to fathom why I didn't naturally go into labour and why I ended up with a c/s. I have even wondered whether I didn't go into labour because I wasn't mentally ready for motherhood. Today was the first time anyone has looked at my notes and told me that it wasn't my fault, in fact P was in a difficult position and that would have prevented labour starting, and that there is no reason (e.g. my anatomy) that it would happen again. I think it is this resolution that has upset me.

The appointment was with a midwife and a consultant. The MW was just lovely, so compassionate. She was looking at the trace from the CFM which she described as being like "War & Peace"! She could see where I had been been pushing (for 2 hours) and said that my body had pushed really well. Not sure how she can tell. I am still feeling pretty raw about it actually, but only if I think about it.

OMG Neenz - I need your advice on a buggy. What did you get for your twins? did you get a pram attachment and did you get side to side or one in front of each other. I am not near buying anything yet but it's all so complicated!! Already worked out I can't get one for Luke to also sit in.

Amber One of my neighbours has an iCandy pear for her twins and hates it! It's vry heavy even with her very small babies. Out and about nippers are good as are mountain buggies for which you can buy carrycot attachments but cost £££££'s! Luke might manage on a buggy board by then.

I have a Nipper you can test drive Amber!! Buggyboard too. FWIW the two friends I have with twins swear by the Jane Tandem pushchair- I'm sure they'd let you test it to

Dewin did you see this article in the times about whether Oxford is sexist that says:

"University teaching ought to be a good career for an intelligent woman. Term times coincide roughly with those of schools and ? except in science ? much of the work can be done at home. All in all, it?s pretty family-friendly."

It made me chuckle. Although the author sort of redeems themselves later:

"Women, when they do apply for academic jobs at Oxford, have a slightly better success rate than men. Unfortunately, they apply in much smaller numbers. Mary Warnock thinks it?s partly because academics these days are judged by the number of papers and books they have published, and writing scholarly tomes is hard to fit in alongside teaching and raising a family. "

Oops, oven, not office!

I had to get someone's baby out of one of the Phil and Ted buggies the other day. It was very awkward and I think it looks like the baby is in the shopping basket! But have no other double buggy stories to share.

Quick post to say not good news on my scan today so think I will stay away from thread for while.

oh god Poppy! I'm so sorry. Take care and come back to us when you feel able. We will miss you.

Oh Poppy, I'm so sorry - take care of yourself.

Oh, Poppy, how awful. We're here when you need us.

I can't get the article, Abdn, I have to pay. But don't get me started...it will cause a rant.

Oh Poppy, I pray that there is some hope.

Oh Poppy I'm so sorry, we're here when you need us. Take care, ((hugs))

Thanks for all good wishes - no hope as stopped growing so wait and see what happens over this week then
May medically managed.

Oh Poppy, I'm so so sorry.