Jan 09 Summer sun, peachy bums and... toddler tantrums..

[120]

New thread here...

Phew! I thought I'd comitted a faux pas 120.

Oh Tree! H asleep at 8pm! Wow! Sounds like you have a lovely weekend ahead and had a lovely evening last night

J had to go back to bed, as he was sooo tired. Never going to get into town for the Next sale Tink did you go at 5am? I've never been brave enough to do that, I always struggle when people are fighting and shoving etc in a sale. I like calm to shop but I miss the best bargains.

Morning all.

Hope you have an amazing Vancover trip, am !

looked at the Next sale online. Think I saw the tops you got Moose, a good price. I have to say though, that if those are the prices they charge normally for all the other stuff, no wonder they have to have a mega sale. I didn't see one thing I liked, apart from plain tops and knickers.
Had a look in home section, thinking about your bedroom Tea. Nothing!

Going to a kids party in half an hour. H is asleep on me though.

WHat colours are you thinking for your bedroom Tea? I'll get hunting. DId you choose anything for the dc's?

My cloud stickers for the outside roof of the playhouse arrived [it's black and a bit depressing] They are lovely but a bit small. Darn it!

Feeeling less sad and tearful today, I feel stresed and grumpy. That was there yesterday too, but at least one layer has gone. 2 more to go.

I'm planning to buy some of the stuff of the linen store as you recommended for DCs room but I'm waiting until Tuesday when I have some more money in my account

Colours for my room, pinks, ivory it seems maybe the way I go

This wall paper is probably my fav now my samples have arrived: www.johnlewis.com/230886392/Product.aspx

*off

afternoon

so chuiffed in next sale got my self as swimming ocsy for centre parcs the only one there and in my size got the girls a top each for hols
not too much there
no i didnt go @ 5am i went @ 9am

hi to everyone

dh currently wallpapering lobby looks so nice

tree hope u feel better

Thank Tink.

am feeling cross. Seriously cross. Has anyone come close to hitting their dp's? I believe I had an actual itch on on my hand just now.

You know the playroom? Just had the leakng shower fixed, and the ceiling and wall below, in the playroom, all replastered. It really all needs doing but we'll maybe do it later nad it's fne for now.

So I mentioned to dh I had bought some dran buster thing for blockages, as the shower has been slow to empty.
So he says actually, thats because the shower tray has moved, the pipe is therefore kinked so it will never drain properley.
Turns out, when dh fitted the shower, he placed a piece of wood in a strategic place under it, to ensure the pipes were held at the right angle. The chap plastering took it out when he was plastering the cieling underneath, naturally. DH didn't bother to tell anyof us about this, that it needed replacing, or anything!

So I blew my top I'm afraid. I mean, when was he going to mention this? When the shower overflowed and destroyed the new plaster? Or when he made a hole int he new plaster to access under the floorboards and the drainage?
And why didn't he just tell me or his mate who did the plastering?

Hs line was 'well I didn't know when he was coming back to do the cieling' The fact that the bloke has come everyday, and has progressed from prepping the walls, to exposing the ceiling joists, to bringing in plasterboard.....none of this meant that it looked likey the hole int he cieling would be plastered? ARGGGGHHHHH!!

I'd have been gutted at the waste of moeny and time if he'd just come and told me, but it was the wriggling out of it, and getting shirty for being questioned and called to account that truly pissed me off. Like a teenager. SLLLLLLAP!

And breathe.

SO I now feel like crap, am looking at finding more money to correct this, more time when we could be cracking on, and I'm supposed to be going out with him for the first time in ages in 2 hours. When really I would quite like to not set eyes on him for a week.

Poor dd1 was so stressed by the shouting and general vibes, she went up stairs to clean some rooms 'to help' and then cried.

SO ass utter vomit inducing guilt to fury.

Happy bloody Saturday.

Hope you are all having a nicer time than me. I bought a brownie tin in Sainsbo but there is no way I'm baking in this mood.

O O O O o and then he began ferriting about looking for tools. So he had decided he would spend the rest of Saturday trying to take up the floorboards upstairs to try avoid disturbing the plaster.

Now that's all well and good, but I told him that sadly we don't always get to just crack on with things that will make us feel better. 'd really like to do my nails and have a pedicure, as looking at my feet actually makes me feel like crap, but I can't because I can't spare the family time. SO no blooming way was he going to use the time he said he's take dd to the park to make his own problem go away.

Do they never grow up? Ever?

Anyway, added to my overwhelming bad patch this week mood wise, this has actually finished me off. I'm worried about money now, just when I'd put that worry to bed

So, like I say, hope you are all having a better Sat than me!! At least it's nearly the holidays. I really want this room done for those. Arse!!!

Oh Tree! I hear ya! Yes, I have had that itch on my hand that makes me want to smack DH into next week. Here's what's been going on over here. We are saving for a house. We had a nice savings started, DH went to the dentist, assuring me that his dental insurance had started at work. Well, no it hadn't, so $1800 went to that. I never said anything. Then we got savings up again, and we bought the car. We needed to buy the car and the credit rating we develop will benefit in our house buying. We only had to put down $1000 and the insurance was only $300 more for the year than what we were driving. All good, but he went on and on for two weeks about spending the money. I explained that it is only good that we bought the car and we will have for many years. Then, every time I turn around, he's spent a couple hundred here, couple hundred there, buying guns, knives, books, stuff for him quite frankly. I know we bought some camp gear, but all that was in the budget. I plan the budget to a 't', so when I end up having to replace money from savings from his spending, it comes from entertainment funds, like mom's coffee money. (I allot $10 a week for lattes and fancy juice for DD; that's not unreasonable). Anyway, its like, WTF! All the while, telling me that I need to put away money for savings and how we are not ever going to get to a house and blah blah blah. Up until the other day, when $100 in cookbooks showed up at the door, I never really said anything, just put more money away and lower the entertainment fund. No more spending from him though now. Its not a big deal really, that he wants this stuff as it is all within his interest. What burns my ass is that he bitches to me about our 'lack' of saving after all this time.

Yup.

Oh well, at least it's not just me. Seriously though, when do they grow up?

Tea - love the wallpaper! Laura Ashley sale just got better, this is nice and very calming. There are loads of wallpapers in the sale at very very very good prices. this is uber pretty in real life, as is this

BHS do some nice things, and do very good prices on their lights. They often have sale weekends too. bargain full on girlie chandelier although there is a cream one that is also lovely, and this which doesn't require wiring. Just pop it up.

My take on bedrooms is that unless you have a huge one, use colour wisely. Choose and accent colour or two, but keep your large flat spaces light. Wall, curtains and the bed are the main ones.
So if you like cerise, have a cerise print wallpaper. But then keep your large expanse of bedding less busy and light reflecting pretty and a bargain. That will give a feeling of space. Or visa versa, go for a statement print bed, but keep your wall lighter pinks/subtle patter/plain.
Otherwise I think the walls close in and it gets congested.

And mirrors! can never have too many. Such a shame they cost the earth!
Must just put a shout out for my fav throws from matalan total bargain, they do about 5 colours in store, they are cosy when your on the couch, and they cost 1/4 of Laura Ashley etc. Yet feel the same! Dry clean only though......

My bedroom looks the business since mum painted the wooded furniture off white. Gawd bless her. I was going to go wild with lots of lovely glass drawer pulls and knobs, but actually the black metal ones look grand. Be more in my line to take down the changing table we never use nad tidy up!

Oh no Tree, I had my lounge freshly plastered a couple of years ago and am super anal about it remaining gorgeous, as I know I will never be able to afford to do it again, and our tenants whilst we were away for a year, did God knows what in our absence in the lounge and has polyfilled badly in all sorts of weird and wonderful places and it still makes me hopping mad and that was tenants. Friends of H's

If my H had done that with newly plastered walls he was aware of happening and aware of his dodgy plumbing upstairs, I'd have trouble calming down for ages. What will help your DD, is if you resolve things well and that will help her to see both sides of a healthy relationship.

Hope by the time he gets back you've managed to find calm.

My idea of calm today after DS being a real so and so is Michael Buble Crazy Love album at full volume and a vodka and lemonade, as that's what I had in the house

Feeling nice and fuzzy headed now.

((hugs)) tree, many hugs! Do you have rescue remedy about or Chamomile tea?

X posted with you Tree. What lovely stuff you've linked but my budget probably won't stretch that far

One day when I find a rich man

If I put my wedding dress on ebay (still haven't done it) we'll see how much cash I have to splash on my bedroom. Love the chandalier and the pink glass bedside lamp thingy.

Right must dash and check on DCs!

No. Just internet fantasy shopping!

You are right about dd. On the one hand I think she needs to see that adults fall out, and make up, and that is ok. Like children do. On the other hand, she gets nervous and upset and starts to think she has to make everyone happy - which breaks me into small pieces.

Oh my, families. I'm sure, just a few months ago, I would have been in a beer garden by now, in a top I bought today, wondering what exciting and fun things would happen. I'm sure it was just a little while ago. How did this happen!!

Glad you have a nce drink in hand. I really should drink!

That second hang up light shade is about £22, but the link seems broken here. Wall paper is a bomb in general though, for sure. How many rolls would you need of that 1st link, the £9 stuff, would you need for one wall? Maybe 2 would do it?

So that's £40. And say £20 on sale linen from BHS or somewhere.

Right, the dress needs to get £60 If you hate all those ideas I bet we can find something nicer and in budget

Awwww Tree just have a chat with your lovely girl to reassure her. I'm sure you know all this anyway but hug her, tell her how lovely she is, reassure her that she doesn't need to worry or try and help etc. Maybe she'll work for the UN as an adult, as she sure has some peace keeping skills. What a lovely girl she is!

Tree Lo's know they are pretty much the centre of everything, so I can understand why your DD was upset and thought it was something she did. I too agree that it is fine to see adults fall out and just as important to see them resolve and make up.

22 hours till Vancouver. Am I a bad mommy for looking forward to it so much... NAH! lol

Aright. I don't remember who instigated the talk, but on the napping front, since changing DD's nap to 11am, she naps for 2hours! and has a full 1 hour one around 3.30. Its been great. Although the other night wasn't so good for sleeping and she has been sick, I've noticed it is much easier getting her to sleep. Although as I write this, I can hear her rattling her crib. lol. This is unusual. Anyhow, its all so much better.

Evening all

Tree, what a shitty day you've had. Was hoping you would have had a nice relaxing day and lots of time to pamper yourself before your big night. Glad last night turned out to be good, but such a shame about today.

Men huh! I don't think they ever do grow up really, they are all just little boys in big boys bodies.

As for dd, I think a lot of children do the same thing and feel as if they need to make everything all right. I regularly have chats with mine to explain that they really don't need to feel like its their job to keep the peace and make everyone happy. Mummy and Daddy are grown-ups and even if they love each other as much as we do, everyone gets cross and argues sometimes and that's ok as long as everyone also knows when to apologise and make-up, which Daddy and Mummy always do. I also tell them that its the children's job to have fun, learn and grow and the Mummy and Daddy's job to worry about everything else.

I agree with Tea and Chef that is actually much healthier for children to see a balance of discord and harmony in a relationship so that they can learn that relationships require give and take, patience and forgiveness as well as love to make them work. My dh's family never fight, everything is kept behind closed doors and he never once saw his parents argue - well, it really screwed him up and it made if very difficult for him to deal with conflict in any situation, be it at home, at work or anywhere else for that matter. My family loved and fought in equal quantities and we are great at making our feelings known, but also at making up.

Sorry, went off on a bit of a diatribe there. Just wanted to give you a virtual hug and reassure you that dd will be fine. But of course, you already know that really and don't need me to tell you. You are doing a great job, you just have to believe in yourself a bit more.

Well, I have been to visit my sister and nephew today with the gang. Had a lovely afternoon chatting and eating home-made guacamole, hummous and wraps while the boys charged around like lunatics and dd wrecked the joint was happy to explore.

Dd seems to have decided not to eat today though. I think its her teeth. She has 3 points of a molar through on one side, but the other point just doesn't want to come through and I suspect the matching molar on the other side is having a good go as well. She was reading a book next to me earlier on and just stopped, screamed, then started sobbing and put her hand in her mouth. She's had Teetha and Calpol now though and seems a lot happier, if still awake.

Anyhoo, hope you are busy enjoying your party by now Tree.

I am off to panic over my holiday planning/packing list - again!

AhMoose poor DD. I think V's teeth are all in now, thank goodness. Nice advice to for Tree.

Well, DD just played in her crib for an hour before falling asleep. She has NEVER played in her crib. Ever! I think we are going to definitely put the crib to big bed on Tuesday. I think she's ready.

Hi Chef

Do you mean changing her cot to a bed? My advice? (Not that you've asked for it I know ) Don't do it! Both my boys stayed in their cots until they were able to physically climb out and I was worried they would fall and hurt themselves. I have lots of friends that put their little ones in a bed earlier and they had a nightmare with their dcs getting out of bed and wandering around/playing etc rather than staying put and going to sleep. Also, if she is sleeping well at night at the moment, I wouldn't rock the boat, as going to a 'big bed' is quite a change for her and may well disrupt things for a while.

For me personally, I'm happier with her playing safely in her crib rather then wandering around where I can't see her, but then our set up is different to yours (iirc, isn't V in an ante-room to your bedroom) which means she would be safer than my dd, who would be in a different room across the landing.

Also means of course that she's more likely to play quietly in her cot rather than come and wake me up if she wakes at some ungodly hour.

Yeah I second Moose, keep her in the cot until she learns to climb out That's what I did with my DC1.

Perhaps she had a little too much sleep today, so she wasn't as tired? It's tricky finding the right balance on naps, as they do sleep better at night and with day time naps if the balance is right. DS likes one nap a day of about 2 hours and then goes to bed at 6.30pm at the latest now. Or if he had a busy day the day before and not a decent nap he may require 2 naps the following day to catch up and bed at 7pm instead IYSWIM? It's a balancing act. But he definitely mucks about in his cot if he's had too much sleep or a nap too late in the day.

Sounds like a good day Moose Your poor DD's teeth. DS now has 16 teeth, so one more lot of molars to go at the back and he's done (I think if I'm right). He's been a bit edgy this week and I am wondering if it's teeth again too.

Dd only has the four top front ones, two centre bottom ones and one molar. Neither of my boys had all their teeth until they were three and a half, but then neither of them started cutting them until they were about fourteen months old and dd started at seven months.

They also didn't appear to 'teethe', as they never complained or showed any signs of being in pain, although ds2 did dribble a lot. I worry sometimes that ds1 was in pain but didn't know how to communicate it, as since we have been aware of him having ASD, we have realised he often doesn't know if he is in pain or ill and we only work it out once it has become really bad.

Moose Oh, DD can crawl out, she just would rather holler the place down than do it now. That's why the playing in crib thing was interesting because she would have screamed until I got her. Our place is small, so we have an advantage there. There isn't anything in her room, the dresser drawers lock and her toys are in her toybox right outside our bedroom door. The big girl bed still has a railing, so still some climbing will be needed by her. I'm going to start with naps first, then by the night, the initial novelty of would/should've worn off. We'll try it. Who knows, maybe Monday night will be a sleepless night and I'll be too lazy in the morning to be arsed about it. lol. That happens a lot around here now

DD is still sleeping. Argh! We need to get to the store and it is 2.15pm. I hate having late dinner, but guess tonight that is what it is going to be.

Hi Hunnies I'm home

Had a lovely party. Got ready in 15 mins flat, including doing my toenails. Not bad! I decided I would just sit opposite DH and actually didn't say 2 words to him all night, but talked to other school mums and that was a nice change. I get very little company really, and that is mostly dh. And as he aint my fav, I just thought no way, I'm not going to just sit and make small talk whilst visualising throttling you

Oh well, it will blow over. Into a cloud of plaster dust!

Thank you so much for all the calm words and warm hearts. It's much appreciated, and also good to hear that dd1 isn't unusual in her sensitivty to this stuff. I worry about her, she's like sensitive stress sponge, as was/am I. I hate the thought of her feeling uncomfortable in her own home.
But tomorrow we have a nice lunch out, and I'm looking very forward to that. Plus it is prepaid so no money gasp as we hand over.

DD2 is teething too, so must be the season for it. She has horrid horrid nappies. But has also had more dairy, so I don't know if t's that too. Confusing stuff.
She's slept since 7.30pm though, so we are certainly doing amazingly well here!

Well, only had a coke all evening, I know realise I am really dehydrated, so off for a cuppa.

Night all!

Ok, I gotta confess a little. I've up the consumption to two beers a day in preparation for my Vancouver shopping/piss up. lol. Just amazed at Tree and only one Coke! You're good. I'm drinking a rose tonight with dinner, DD is having a blueberry/pom juice, (when she is having apple juice, I have to have a lager... same colour thing. She's completely on that) and I made corn on the cob, broccoli, new pototoes and smoked sable fish. I got some Lemon Sorbet for dessert with the fruit pie, which turned out fantastical BTW, but DD is already looking sleepy. Late nap, late dinner, same bedtime... gotta love it.

Alright! Glass is dry. Back later.