Dec 08 Ladies welcome to the new Bean, next stop, Summer.

[Veggiemummy]

Sorry very boring had to think quickly, not my best feature

It is very sweet we have so many budding plane spotters on the thread!

Sorry about the poor eyes kiwi. Not much you can do I don't think until the drops start working, apart from leave off any eye makeup and bathe them with cooled boiled water. Although I expect mascara is de rigueur at a meeting with Chanel!

Congrats katie! Must have been a big shock but a lovely one now you have got used to the idea.

veggie I think we're heading to Manchester airport this Saturday . Is it noisy at the viewing platform? I thought the big jets might be a bit scary but she liked the small ones so we'll give it a go!

rubes I'm really glad your family visit went well.

I finally made banana bread yesterday and it is v yummy. DD stirred, her first bit of baking .

Right, work to do...

Just quickly not sure if I've caught you Kiwi but bath your eyes lids in warm water and take some wipes with you to wipe your eyes before your meeting. Oh & maybe you should spring for some new shoes?

Oops was supposed to send that 2 hrs ago. Got side tracked. I bet I missed you Kiwi.

Poor you, Kiwi. Hope the eye goo abates soon and treat yourself to some new shoes.

Jolly we took DS to see the red arrows. He loved it, even though they were v noisy. DD, well that's another story, perhaps we should have arranged for her to stay with my MIL.

Just on the train back to work having legged it home to watch DD1's end of term ballet recital. Am stupidly proud because DD1 concentrated so hard and was really brilliant. She was actually dancing rather than plodding around in a cute fashion as she has always done before.

Glad your DB's overnight went well Rubes. Sorry you are feeling a bit flat now he is gone. Are you alright generally at the mo? You have been very quiet for the last week or so.

Aww thanks Avo. I'm ok-ish. Just not getting any sleep. I mean all the visitors crashed by 9pm last night after long flights no naps (as did dh)so took the opportunity to do the same and couldn't sleep despite being VERY tired. Heartburn that no Rennie will fix the minute I lay flat, plus my shoulder is giving me throbbing pain now and my Lady front bone is really achingly sore. (I know this is all pg related but it's barely tolerable anymore)
db will be back again after bub comes a few days after I'm home from hospital, and they were quite helpful and good to have around to be honest, so that's ok, I'm just bored now as it was nice to have everyone here, but although the house is empty I can't get rest due to all these symptoms plus ds of course although I can't even sleep properly when he naps. I'm just moaning which is the one reason I guess I've not been on here much

Rubes: being heavily pg gives you a free pass to moan as much as you like. Does sleeping propped up help? Or can your gp help with some stronger anti-heartburn stuff? Not being able to sleep is miserable.

Avo: well done your DD! She must have been so chuffed to have you cheering her on. If it is permitted to cheer at ballet recitals.

Poo bum I wrote a message earlier but itouch battery ran out so lost it. Hate when that happens. It was just for JB saying the noise is ok at Manchester and I think on weekends you can do tours of the concord but I think you have to book & it costs a bit. DS1 is a bit into supersonics but we were never up there on the weekend. They had a tiny shop and little tea van when we last went but there were plans for a bigger shop & cafe. It is quite funny watching all the proper plane spotters with their notepads taking down plane numbers. We actually managed to see DH's flight come in one time when he went to Australia without us a few years back.

Well done dancing avocado.

Rubs sorry you are so uncomfortable. Is it SPD or whatever it's called.

Oh and Rubs I had an Army of pillows and cushions that I used to sleep propped up and on my side. Poor DH didn't have much room due to the battle formation but it kept the heartburn at a reasonable level. Well not reasonable, more not leaking upwards into my oesophagus basically.

oh I can't sleep at all even 10 degree's elevated! What's worse I'm a total stomach sleeper so it's hard enough not being able to do that let alone the heartburn thrown in. Besides it's even around when I'm upright. Yeah the other is that softening of the bones down there getting me ready to push I guess. Wish I could just say I'm not pushing so no need.

Been at the house for most of the day, working. Oh boy, it's boring is DIY. And tiring. DP doesn't really cut me heaps of slack for being clackered and also I have to have DD with me in the travel cot and keep breaking off to amuse/placate/change her. However, we just have to get our heads down and surge on, or we'll never be ready in time.

Avo, how did you watch your DD1 at ballet without weeping like a willow? I only have to think about DD in a nativity or something and I get a lump in my throat. I am going to be the most embarrassing mother ever. I shall have to wire my jaw. Oh, and I found a comparison table online last year, of Acuvue Moist and Acuvue TruEye, and although TruEye are supposed to let more oxygen in, Moist have a far higher water content. I had a year's supply of TruEye and I took them back to swap, though they made me keep the month I'd opened of course. I am up for meeting in early Aug, am around apart from 6-9 Aug when I am in Brussels.

Speaking of eyes, Kiwi, I hope you got on ok at Chanel. Conjunctivitis is grotty, you sound like you have got rather run down.

And Rubes, you sound so miserable in this last stage, I am really sorry for you. How many days to go? You're 26th, aren't you? I had a bad shoulder last time, I'd forgotten that, but an aching pubic bone sounds vile. Listen, I might be able to pop and see you one day next week if that's of interest. Can't do Monday as I am in town seeing my consultant and the optician but another day perhaps? Do you have one of those sausage things that turns into a nursing pillow? I found it helpful for sleeping last time, and slept cuddling it with some of it supporting my bump and the rest between my ankles. I did it for the first time this pregnancy last night, actually.

I would love to see you, too, young Summer, but I might struggle to get to Cambridge in time to see you before the danger zone! Will have a think.

Jam, I don't have any expertise re: 3 yr old boys who are full of beans, I can't remember my nephews at that age (they are now 14 and nearly 18), but hopefully the legging off is just a phase...Is it worth trying to have a word with him at a quiet time? When they are in one of those excited moods, nothing you tell 'em goes in, does it?

DD came with us to the pub for a quick drink after the DIY. She kept dipping her finger in DP's beer and licking it...then her whole hand...then she wanted a sip...then another....then she was crying because she wasn't allowed to have any more. AND she ate nearly a whole bag of Twiglets. Funny how she can turn the hunger strike off and on. Also, I find it amazing that a child that age is at all interested in the taste of real ale. I found the taste of all beer disgusting until I was about 16 and I think that's quite common. I liked wine before then, though.

I bought some body cream the other week when I had my rash and I really want to big it up. It's called DermaMum Stretch Mark cream but I didn't get it for the anti-stretch mark properties so much as it's specially for pregnant skins, full of Vitamin E and is hypo-allergenic. It costs £11.99 for a giant tub and they stock it in Boots. It's super. I like the consistency so much I am going to keep using it even after the baby is born, my skin is really soft. (I haven't been paid to say this, I promise!) Right, must take my scratchy, horrible eyes to bed.

Rubes lovey it is crap the final few weeks. You are nearly there lovey. DOnt disappear on us just come on and moan we dont mind.

Right will be off to boots sharpish does it remove cellulite aswell.

Kiwi how are you feeling?

Helloooooo > o o o o < crikey it's quiet in here > eer eer eer <

I've finally sorted a little holiday for us. We are going down to Paris to watch the last day of The Tour. Originally we were just going down for a long weekend but I think DH needs time away from his laptop (except for movies), & the boys need some time in the bush . So I've booked a week here . It's less than an hour from Paris so can go in & watch the tour & maybe have a little shop as well as throw the kids into some nature. There's a pool too so longing by the pool can be done. I've booked a forest campsite which is huge & right in the forest.

Ok so maybe there wasn't an echo hello ladies. Will read your posts now.

evening everyone,
DH out on the piss, even though we are being packed up tomorrow and moving on Thursday. SIGH. He had better not come home totally hammered or I will have NO SYMPATHY.

ladyt the DIY sounds like a nightmare, your DP SHOULD be cutting you some slack by now!! You only have 8 weeks to go, you must be getting tired. Is all the stuff you still have to do essential to make the new place habitable or can you cut some corners and do some stuff afterwards?? Presumably you will still have your DP's place so it's not completely the end of the world if it's not quite ready in time?

poor rubes you sound super fed up. It is not good this late pregnancy lark....I am feeling a bit better now that i don't have to go to work though! Maybe you should try GP to see if they can give you the super-strength heartburn stuff.

ladyt how is DD's eating going in general? Still rubbish? DS is similar how he seems to turn it on and off at will. He's had a week of almost eating like a normal child, but would not eat his tea tonight. I gave him some mayonnaise to go with it as it was a bit dry and he literally just licked the mayo off and ate none of it!! Oh and he nibbled mini sweetcorns as I think he thought they were bananas, until he tasted them that was! Not the brightest spark sometimes my DS, bless.

OOOOH I have just realised I haven't said congratulations to katie!! I hope it is sinking in and you are feeling a bit happier about it. Our first Dec 08 third baby (born after the Dec 08 round, that is!), exciting.

kiwi hope the eye is better. DH got something over the counter too when he got conjunctivitis from DS.

jam no advice on the 3 year old behaviour from me, sorry! I am dreading mine becoming actively naughty rather than a bit cheeky and mischevous.

Right I am going to bed. Look at the time! I am up past 10pm, I was last night too. I must be feeling better!

Congratulations Katie, I hope it's all ok with the diabetes. Is it something that can be controlled, as you know about it already?

Sorry you're feeling so miserable Rubes, I agree with Effie about trying to get some stronger medication for the heartburn

Glad to hear that Whizz is on the mend Beans - what a struggle to deal with 2 poorly babies and DH back at work

Good luck with the move Summer. Look after yourself and rest lots

I'm loving all the plane lovers. DD is quite interested in them, but is fascinated by birds - so we took her to a falconry display the other week and it was the best thing she'd ever seen - except she kept waving her arms around and I was worried these great big birds would think she was the landing post and try to perch on her

We had a lovely lovely weekend - a great night out with friends on Saturday night (sadly without the aforementioned Mum, more on her later). DD behaved v well at her sleepover at the ILs and then we had her birthday party on Sunday, sunny enough to spend the time in the garden and it was a lots of fun. And then finally I won the sweepstake with Spain (sorry Vag and Kiwi)

So, my friend - thanks for all your advice, I had another chat with other mutual friends and we've agreed to come up with a variety of going out occasions at different times of day/night, to see if something appeals to her. She behaved pretty badly on Saturday night when we were out - not long after her DH had arrived, she called to say their DD had woken and was hot and what should she do. He advised Calpol and opening the window, as it was a hot night, and apologised he couldn't do anything more as he'd had a drink and couldn't drive back. So she accused him of not caring. She then rang a couple of hours later to say she'd been forced to take her DD to the emergency clinic as no one was around to help her. It turned out that the clinic had given her a ticking off, as the LO only needed Calpol and the room cooling down (as her DH had suggested) and they suggest she try this in future and ring in first for advice, rather than just turning up. It was a move to make her DH feel guilty for going out without her - but obviously not a good sign. We all want to support her, but don't know how to go about it, so thinking caps on again please ladies.

I put DD's name down for nursery last week, at the village school - a v emotional moment for me, that she's big enough for me to consider that

Her nursey have invested in a job lot of dog baskets, full of cushions and rugs. All the little ones love sleeping in them - and being able to crawl into a basket for a nap and getting out when they want to. I think its so cute - and seeing DD peacefully curled up last week, I think we may invest in one for naps at home, it seems to be a hit!

I don't know what's worse, the heartburn or my shoulder, or the fact that ds has decided to test me with everything. Refusing to go to bed, up at 5am, hitting me, kicking me and just generally being destructive. It's infuriating me that dh really does nothing to help about shoulder when it's what he DOES - says nothing can do until baby out at which point it will feel better as fluid will go etc.
I think I've gone beyond tired. Don't know what's going on with ds. dh working like mad so I know he's tired too. Lady I would love to see you (as long as you don't mind me being a really crap host) I'm run down too I think as [gross] I've got a second cold sore (I think it is) in as many weeks Sorry not to really reply to anyone, but I am sort of reading when I can.

I know what's wrong with ds - upset with nappy rash - really bad.
I think the neighbours have heard me screaming at dh as they commented to him this morning about a bad night

Oh Rubs you poor poor thing . DS playing up must be the last thing you need right now. You sound like you need some looking after yourself, or at least a bit of downtime. Is there anyone who could take DS off your hands for a while while you catch up on some rest or have a pregnancy massage or something?

Zoe, wow, is the nursery you've put DD's name down for part of a feeder to the local school. a kind of pre-school?
As for your friend, she sounds really overanxious. I can only say that for me it was the flip side of the depression coin. But that may not be the case. It sounds like you're already being great friends and making a huge effort to include her, she has to play her part too.

Katie, wow, that is big news! You sound like you're in shock. It is great news and congratulations. Try not to feel guilty about being ambivalent if you are , and keep posting!

Summer, GOOD LUCK with the move, I hope the packing goes well and DH isn't too hungover to pull his weight. Glad the rest is helping your sleepiness.

LadyT, blimey you are a powerhouse! You need to cut yourself some slack, never mind your DH! I know it needs to be done, but are there any friends you could pull a favour in from, or get someone to come and mind DD while you work, as it does seem like a lot to be juggling at once.

I'm off to London this arvo with DP for my book launch party . Mum is coming down and I'm going to pretend for a few hours that I still live in the city and lead a glamorous young urban life. It is quite exciting, the book actually went on sale last Wednesday and it's already sold quite a few thousand I think (as far as I can see from the Amazon ratings). Still, as I'm splitting the royalties with my friend I won't be becoming a millionaire overnight!)

Oh, and the flat thing, the straw that broke the proverbial was seeing copies of correspondence between the seller and neighbours, basically the neighbours were totally intolerant of her son making any noise (they worked night shifts) and would give written complaints for him running in the corridor or aring to have a birthday party at 5-6pm!) The managing agents also had some very draconian restrictions and we thought we'd feel very uncomfortable living there (also my plans for a homebirth, I can imagine receiving complaints that I had made audible noise outside the hours of 8am and 5pm...

Better go, T gets v annoyed when I'm on here and closes the laptop and don't want to lose this post!

Spot I feel awful about ds. I changed him and he was so sore. I put about an inch thick of Sudocreme on his bum and he's happy again. Then I bollocked dh as he quickly slapped a nappy on him last night and didn't put cream on him so I'm sure that's why he woke early with a sore bum and probably why he wouldn't go to sleep last night said he didn't notice as he put it on him standing up (probably true but he knows he's been teething and should have checked I say)

Have fun at your party

Thanks! And feel so sorry for DS and nappy rash, tis truly grim. I find Metanium to work magic (we use Sudocrem normally but if the skin is broken the thick yellow stuff is a lifesaver).

yeah I was thinking I'll get some of that today. Can you get it over the counter at Loyds? I don't have car today and that's walking distance

Rubes: metanium is over the counter stuff so you should be able to get it at lloyds. It is vile smelly stuff but it works! And not to diss your DH but it might be worth seeing your own GP about the heartburn and pain. Never hurts to get a second opinion.

Yup, it's not a prescription job.

Oh poor you Pubie I so feel you pain, the heartburn is really all consuming. Try the GP for something stronger. As you know I tried with my GP & his response was "it's only another couple of weeks you can last that long". I think they don't understand as for them it's something like a little tummy upset. Also I had carpel tunnel syndrome due to fluid retention, it's quite common in late pregnancy. I couldn't hold anything & I was in a lot of pain the MWs recommended acupuncture and it was amazing instant relief which lasted almost a week at which point I had it again then had DS1 which relieved it obviously.

ZJ initially I saw myself in your friend with the anxiety of someone else looking after her child but I have to say now I see someone who is actually a little controlling. She seems to be unable to give up control of her child & likes tonkerp hubby under lock & key too. I think she needs is either depressed or needs a good talking to, that is not normal behaviour.

Oh Rubes - heinous last few weeks. And knackered to boot. Poor poor you. Can you take paracetamol for it? I never had heartburn, and think it was a v lucky escape as it's awful by all accounts.

and Katie - wow! Congratulations to you - I'm amazed. And am not surprised you're terrified! I would be too. BUT bet you'll be brilliant with 3 - supermum!

VAGGIE - THANK YOU! I got your package yesterday, you lovely kind bird. Izz loves the teacup and teabag. Wanders round holding the teacup with her teeth and picking it up and putting it down with them. Slightly odd, but keeps her happy! And I love the little vests for Pru! They're gorgeous. And she's grown so fast, the little piglet, that they fit her already! So pretty and so very very kind of you to send it to me all the way from overseas - thank you thank you!

Pru weighed 6lbs 13oz at birth (3.07kg) and now weighs 8lbs 10oz at 3 weeks (4.06kg). Little groblet. Never stops eating! I tried her on her first bottle of expressed milk yesterday and she took it without a complaint, so am thinking I can leave her with Mum this afternoon and head out with Izz as feel I'm not spending any time just the two of us at the moment...

Right, have to go as am trying to sort out my bank!

xxxx