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

[DomesticGoddessInTraining]

Abdn liked the title so I just went ahead!

Really, wow? Think you'll beat me though. I'm guestimating mine will arrive on Dewin's b-day! (I've decided that would be convenient for me too ).

Neenz, how early were your DTs? I know at the time I was so jealous of you, but as you know right now, that last bit feels like months not weeks!

I have decided on a planned c section. Probably at 38 weeks depending on how immobile I am.

Sorry about the CP, Penguin. It would be so reassuring to know that you are immune. The job sounds like a good idea. 24/7 with a toddler, and pregnant, would be v hard.

Eddie agree about phoning the GP.

Discipline: I say "no" firmly and remove her from the situation. Maybe strapping her into pushchair if we're out. If we're at home, I might put her on the bottom stair to reinforce the "no" and she gets v upset about that, and cries. None of that worked with DD1, though. I sometimes would put DD1 in her cot for time out or to calm myself down .

DS2 was complaining that DS1 doesn't share any of his interests, and they agreed that they'd spend 20 mins doing something of DS2's choice, then have a 10 minute chat about it over a cup of tea, and then switch . It's working really well. It's a shame that DD1 was awake between 4-5.30 so is being impossible.

Sorry about the CP Penguin - hope all is ok. Sounds like a right PITA. We are much luckier here with the NHS than people realise I think (waits for Biscuits to come along to extol the virtue of the NHS).

I think I'd quite like S to get CP soon to get it out of the way - he's been exposed to it loads over the summer though but hasn't caught it. Can you be a carrier of it and not get it? From reading threads on here, I thought the length of time it was contagious was a bit of a controversial subject - I think different schools, nurseries etc usually don't allow them back until way after the accepted infectious stage?

Someone posted yesterday about their DS still being happy for them to feed them etc and I meant to post that S is exactly the same. He can feed himself quite easily, just like he can walk up and down stairs, but he'll often bring his plate to me to feed him or get me to carry him up/down stairs.

Thanks again for all the thoughts on discipline etc. I'm going to have a read of the toddler taming book later and see if that helps.

Eddie - how was the CC last night - don't think I picked up any comments on how it went?

Oops - just realised you did mention the CC Eddie! Definitely wise not to do it if you suspect CP.

Amber - well done on the driving!

DG, T is going through a very physical/rough stage at the mo. He likes to get hold of E's head and throw it forward and back . She loves it, but it is dangerous depending on where they are at the time ie in the trolley at Tesco! I do say very firmly 'No you mustn't do that' and sometimes I also say 'that is naughty' even though it's not the done thing these days is it to say a child is naughty is it (not sure about that - I think it is OK to say a behaviour is naughty but maybe not telling the child s/he is naughty). Anyway I think shouting/firm voice is good cos they understand tone. I don't really ignore if it something I want him to know it not on, tho I do use distraction (tickling, snack). I also would use time out tho haven't had to yet for hitting. Give a warning - 'do that again and you will have to go to your room' - and then if he does it again in his room for 2mins (do you have a gate for his bedroom?) Once he gets removed from the situation a few times he will realise it is not much fun any more. I think Toddler Taming is a really sensible book.

Abdn, so in the caravan did you put the mattresses on the floor and have the kids sleep on the floor? I was thinking we could take cot matresses to put on the floor and put them in the beds and then if they fell out they'd have a soft landing. Or we could take the mattresses off the bed and put the cots on the bed bases (if it looked safe).

Spider, lol at 'no one of that name lives here' . I wouldn't use any names that had same initial as me or Dh or our other kids if I could help it. My mum and sis are both initial A and mum was always opening sis's post. Not a major problem but one I would avoid if poss. But if I really loved a name it wouldn't put me off.

Penguin, hi, sorry about your mum . That's crap about the pox booster. Of course you miss the NHS it is wonderful . My sis said same about food in Oz - they don't even have Quorn, which is tough when you are a vegetarian who doesn't like mushrooms, cheese, beans (it's a wonder she is still alive actually).

I had the DTs at 36+5, had my waters broken cos of the bile acids. My SIL is having a section at 37wks. Yes at the time I was dead excited to have them arrive early but they were so tiny (4.5lbs and 6.2lbs) they were very hard work wrt feeding and sleeping and it felt like an age before we got to the usual milestones. They're a lot easier to look after when they're still inside you! I am trying to savour the days I have left before this one is born (not easy cos I am getting impatient!). I got mega uncomfortable at the end and was so glad when the consultant said he wanted to break my waters and get them out!

Seeing MW this aft - not going to mention the itching cos I haven't really had any the last 24hrs or so. And I read yesterday they are not even 100% sure of the link to stillbirth. Obv if I got any unbearable/incessant itching then I would go for tests but I haven't

Eddie, hope A and M are Ok with the pox.

Rolf that is so cute about your DSs! How old are they? Do you find school hols hard? Perhaps you could have a day trip to Formby one day to come see us once the baby is born?

Amber can I reciprocate the commeriserations on your 4.30 start. Congrats to Luke on beating P by 10 mins. Today was fine though (6.20) so dont know what the deal was yesterday. P woke last night at 10.45 and screamed the house down for 45 mins until DH had the genius idea of lifting the blind to show him that it genuinely was nighttime and we weren't cheating him him of starting the day. Weirdly it calmed him down and he went back in his cot and was asleep in 5 mins. I am wondering whether the 4.40 start yesterday was part of the same seizing the day ethic?

Rolf - v funny about your DS's. They sound v grown up and mature.

Actually, my mum and sis share the same initial and my mother was ALWAYS opening my sis's post. She claimed it was in error, but it really was deliberate. She used to open mine sometimes too.

We were also awake at 4.30am here (although managed to get back to sleep eventually). Perhaps it was the moon?

Really must do something more productive than MN while S is napping...

Aw, your DSs sound so cute Rolf!

Just posted this to be sure.

Mum is coming back again tomorrow, bless her. I'm really not good at being on my own .

Neenz we're actually going to be in Formby twice this week, if you want to meet up? Or we could wait until after the baby is born if that's better for you.

Most of the time, I love having them all at home. Obviously there are days in the holidays when everything goes wrong and we are all climbing the walls, but most of the time it's lovely. The boys are 10 and 9 and are pretty helpful, and DD1 is getting so much easier. The boys have a couple of activity days lined up which breaks up the weeks nicely. DD1 gets more bored but I think she's a bit young for a lot of the activities. I'm hoping DH will be able to be home for a bit - he's away at the moment - and we can do a few things together.

Thanks for the NHS love-in. I had a MW appointment today, all fine, now 23 + 2. Got my MATB1 form, can someone remind me when I have to send it in by?

Am having a short break while DH does teatime, loving the time out I must admit.

Will probably catch up later...

neenz yes to the mattresses on the floor - the beds weren't wide enough to put anything on top of them (very narrow!). But Fraser was in a travel cot still (it was in may) so that was a bit more contained...

I need to get back to packing - we're now leaving tomorrow night and staying overnight in an airport hotel in Glasgow. I can't bear the thought of a 4 hour drive and then a 8 hour flight all in the same day! Fraser can't sit still for ten minutes...

Abdn I get totally stressed at preparing for a holiday a few hundred miles away, so you're remarkably calm

T had her first full-on tantrum this evening. She was utterly beside herself when I wouldn't let her wear a thick jumper to bed, and thrashed around screaming until she was a sweaty trembly mess . She fell asleep quickly, thank goodness.

The boys are entering a Dr Who competition where they have to film a Dr Who scene. Poor DS2. It is his destiny to play the sidekick. He had to be Bob to DS1's Wendy, Robin to his Batman, and now DS1 is trying to persuade him to be Amy to DS1's Doctor . He's supposed to wear a nightie and a red dressing gown, and a red wig . I wonder if Eddie's Michael, or Abdn's Fraser will suffer the same indignities...

Rolf, it is exceptionally rare for something to make me really laugh out loud, but you managed it with your DS1's efforts to get DS2 to be Amy from Dr Who!

Thankfully I read this before I took a gulp of tea while on MacBook on sofa. Could've been messy!

Am pleased to report S went down no problem tonight

rolf there's been a lot of tears here today (understatement). At one point the boys came over to check that I wasn't mad at them and then Fraser offered kisses and kept saying "you okay now?". If only it was that simple.

And Fraser will be the one dressing DS1 up I think he's much more determined that his laid back brother. (Deb do you have this? What type of personalities do your older ones have?) DS1 tried to make him be the mum when they were playing house and Fraser was having none of it - so they're a gay incestuous family (giggle). DS1 knows than men can marry men but really struggled with the whole "but not your brother" thing because he's oblivious to the whole sexual side of a marriage and seems to equate it with best friends....

Ooh, you're all so chatty!
A check in - will post properly tomorrow.

Am v. v. stressed with applying for the job (yes, that's applying This is going to be a long process - already cried about it...)

But good news - interviewed and appointed a research assistant today! Interviewed two, both could have done it, but my first choice and gut instinct won. (I was also weirdly excited about actually being on an interview panel!!)

Am v. v. tired as interviews were in Aberystwyth.

Lots of love to everyone - and lots of vibes for a baby, or even three, on my birthday! Three is my favourite number...

NOOOOO! I'm NOT pregnant! I was thinking of Amber and Penguin.

And clearly very touchy!

Morning all, packing here, as you can see on FB, needless to say I have carefully repacked and put his bag in the car so that he can't repack it with items you can't take on the plane.Had a more positive e-mail from the buyers so keep your fingers crossed for us, and also have another viewing whilst we're away so got to leave the house tidy for a viewing - help!!

Have a good week everyone. Abdn enjoy the trip home.

Dewin job apps for academia are a nightmare - I hope it goes okay! But with Amber's twins at 38 weeks - does that mean they're likely to arrive at my birthday? (Actually will you get some say in it Amber?)

When are people's birthday's then Dewin and Aberdeen? Fotr a small fee I can always be accommodating!

Luke up AGAIN at 4.30 - WTF!!!!!!!!!!!!!? He did go back to sleep again though today but clearly mummy didn't. I had already been up 6 times in the night for weeing. I must have a bladder the size of a grape.

I did stil drive to the supermarket today (petrified) and got my driving license in the post so I am bona fide!! Will now try to stop talking about boring driving things.

Have a good flight Deb!

Hurrah! S went down ok in his bed last night and stayed there till 6.30am

Had a bit of a feeling like an inadequate mother day yesterday. Two 'playdates' with toddlers the same age as S who were leaps ahead in terms of vocab, and also in awe of all the stuff that their mothers do with them. One of them, who's a week younger than S, can recite the whole of humpty dumpty. Left me worrying that I don't engage enough with S in play etc. Can someone bash me over the head and tell me they're all different please and that a little bit of benign neglect parenting is teaching them some good life skills

Glad you got a more positive email Deb and hope no contraband is sneaked into the luggage!

Abdn, hope your journey is going ok and that the flight isn't as bad as you though.

Dewin - applications are always quite stressful when you really want the job I think - do you have someone you trust that can look over it for you?

Biscuits you should send off your MatB1 form as soon as you get it. You're past the earliest date you can send it in.

Eddie - how are the boys today btw?

30th December Amber - crap day for a birthday actually!!! No one wants to go out because they're planning on a big night the next day (I'd prefer the 31st honestly - at least then you'd always have an event to go to). But the 25th could be the worst...

and I'm a firm believer in laid back parenting - I think it encourages creative play and teaches them how to entertain themselves!

right - must finish packing, we're leaving at 4pm and driving to Glasgow to stay overnight. It'll be much more relaxed than trying to leave here at 5am...

DGT - when I move to Edinburgh you can come round for a play date and P's backwardness and my sloppy parenting will
make you feel like supermum!

Ooh Rolf, are you in Formby tomorrow (Thurs)? Would love to meet up! I am at work today and got something on on Fri but can do tomorrow. I think I have your mobile number so if I don?t hear from you on here I?ll text you tomorrow morn.

Dewin, good luck with the job application. I suppose there?s no point saying try not to get stressed is there?!

Abdn, enjoy your hol if not the travelling. Hope it goes OK on the plane tho.

Deb, hope your buyers get a move-on and the trip goes well.

DG, here?s a slap [slap] . If there were no other 2yos around you wouldn?t worry about S?s vocab and nursery rhyme skills. Some kids just find remembering/reciting etc fun (T does). Other kids like to hide their lights under a bushel (like E) . When they get to school they are all pretty much the same anyway. I am sure you engage with him plenty. Don?t feel intimidated by what other mums do, just follow your instincts about how much you should be playing/reading etc because I am sure you are doing a great job! I feel guilty leaving the DTs in bed for 2hrs at lunch when they don?t sleep - I feel like it is not stimulating enough for them when they obv don?t need a nap. I still put them in bed though!

I saw MW yesterday, it was a really positive appt. Urine clear, BP fine, baby dropping (3/5 engaged) and HB fine so all good! She said 3/5 didn?t mean it was coming any time soon but that it was heading in right direction. 38wks on fri

FIL had triple heart bypass surgery yesterday and all the family was very worried as you can imagine but he came out of it fine and hopefully will leave intensive care today and be home next week.