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

[Veggiemummy]

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

Oops, didn't have a lunchtime snooze. Am I going to regret it? Both my girls were asleep. Silly me. DH out tonight as well, so won't have him to relieve me of screamer. Oh nuts. What a fool.

JB - this might be quite a good site - and next isn't too pricey... www.next.co.uk/shopping/women/tailoredlooks#LID=01_02_01_01_04 x

Oh thanks kiwi that is really helpful. It is like having my own personal shopper . I wish I was in London so I could join you!

invisible Having just got a fab new job you know what you are talking about!

I'm really glad I asked. I shall hit the Trafford Centre later armed with all your good advice. Thanks everyone.

Oh Kiwi - I'd have loved to. Damn!

Jolly: I am actually a bit wary of the interview suit, as I think it can make you look a bit like a graduate. Smart separates or a nice dress would make you stand out a bit more and would be more practical later.

Damn living in the back of arse Tapas sounds like fun.

Jolly go for a simple dress or skirt blouse combo jazz it up with a nice belt (great for hiding the muffin top) or buy beads to dangle around your boobs. Good luck BTW.

Wish there was a decent childrens hairdresser round here Veg I just attack the boys every few months while they are watching telly.

I have just bought the boys one of those childrens CD players with microphones. I fear I may regret it. But at the mo they are listening to the increasingly annoying Charlie & Lola while eating tea. Maybe I could actually start putting vegetables infront of them and they would just eat without noticing.

Oh Kiwi I wish I was in London I would def come to Tapas with you. Would also like to go shopping with you. Why don't you post the FB link to your column anymore? I love reading it.

On the celeb post pregnancy weight loss thing. I have to admit to non BF thing saddens me a bit because again in the UK it portrays BF in something to be ashamed of, why is it that is so over there. I really don't understand it? It's just feeding, it's what boobs were designed for (& attracting the opposite sex in order to get a baby in the first place). However, on post baby weight loss I do sympathise with the ones who get a tummy tuck or whatever. I remember looking at my huge muffintop flopped over a pair of jeans I was trying on in a shop in Vanary Wharf. I remember thinking how horrid I looked but being grateful it was just me to judge me & how slabs must feel looking in the mirror if they ever look like that and fearing the press will get a photo if them to show the world.

I'm not sure where Vanary Wharf is, i meant Canary. Also I'm not sure if slabs would ever look in a mirror or even have muffin tops, obviously I meant Slebs!

Kiwi that top is so cheap. I wonder if debenhams delivers over here, I don't usually go for floral but that cut is gorgeous.

Ooh and Kiwi - DH gave me a changing bag for my bday, so please don't worry about giving me your one - but thank you so much for your v kind offer of it.

Done 2 baths solo for first time. WAsn't too bad. But DD2 now asleep and meant to be feeding. Bugger. Might try to wake her. And DD1 just started weeping upstairs. I know she's just trying it on though. Naughty beast.

Crikey! Debenhams delivers to Australia but not The Netherlands!

Poor little DS2 is really suffering, he's had neurofen again just now but it's really not helping him that much. I wish I hadn't run out of pulsitilla. I've got some ashtons powders which are helping at dinner time but he is really having a bad time with it. He is trying desperately to stay asleep but just keeps kicking about and rolling all over the place. We've bought him out to the livingroom with us and he's asleep now but just keeps rolling & wriggling about.

Evening folks, propping eyes open with matchsticks but wanted to come on and say thanks for thinking of my launch yesterday. Twas fab - me and DP went to London in the afternoon, had coffee and overpriced cake in St Martin's hotel, had a quick run round the National Portrait Gallery then went to the launch. It was great - loads of people turned up, my co-author made a great speech, the people I'd invited who are in the book loved it and we have loads of media lined up, including an interview in the Daily Hate. Hurrah! So am knackered today (as have also been sneaking in some work for Effie's DH) and have a whole feature to write in 2 hours tomorrow morning but pretty happy nonetheless.

Oh, and Turnip I met your friend there too, though sadly didn't have a chance to chat properly.

Veg, poor lil DS2, he really suffers with his teeth, doesn't he. Does gel help at all?

Hello, Pingu! Lovely to see you. Come down to Brighton, please!

Jolly I would third the dress advice re-interview, wear with a smart jacket and shoes you feel comfortable in. Go you!

INvis, that is top news about your new job. Hooray, you definitely deserve it. I wish I could join in your book chat, I have so many backed up that I fear i will never read a novel spontaneously again. though am not even reading fiction at the mo, but Unconditional Parenting which I'm finding really interesting.

I took a peek at the DVO BF thread (partly because I am somewhat obsessed with wanting it to work out this time), but can't quite imagine why you'd want to stay on there after giving your POV and getting in a real ding-dong with others. S'abit odd.

Right, must clear kitchen and go to bed, am blardy banjaxed.

Oh, Rubs, how is poor DS's bot today?

Just looking in as I wait for my Chantaray carrots to cook. We didn't get back until half nine as DD was fast asleep in the travel cot from 6 so we thought we may as well press on. I tried some more creamy matchpots, and finally made up my mind....not to have a cream entrance at all I need it to be duck egg blue and DP agrees.

That's great about the launch, Spot, and the PR all sounds super! Very pleased to hear that, it's often an achilles heel with books.

Invis, I read that book and enjoyed it a lot, but ultimately found it rather downbeat. I'm reading the new Coe at the minute (did you order it in the end?) but have only read a few pages so far due to me reading with no specs in bed when I am knackered.

Sorry to summon you, Kiwi, but how lovely to be a fashion genie Hope you had a nice eve. Mmmm, tapas.

Beans, I think doing two baths on your tod is a really good effort. I find bathing DD really tough on my back, am dreading doing two. How are you feeling physically?

Veggie, poor little DS2! Hope he perks up.

Right, not only did my carrots finish cooking but I have scoffed them whilst typing this. A glass of chilled milk and then reading in bed. And I wonder why I get heartburn in the night

Just while I think about it before I go and catch up properly. LadyT, what sort of things does O actually eat apart from crisps? Is she put off by larger amounts of food? Does she like crisps because they are snacky type things? I was wondering how she would take to expanding along the snack range and having little bowls with a few seeds and nuts in. Unsalted cashews for example and things like pumpkin seeds that are full of goodness. If she likes things like that then maybe she would start eating other things presented int he same way such as a small handfull of peas, just on their own to pick at, or a small handfull of prawns and just build up really gently with no pressure.

That is very kind of you to think of us, Indith. Since Dec/Jan when she went on this self-imposed restrictive diet, we have had no luck with protein - meat, fish, and cheese seem to be her least favourite things though she likes cheese flavoured biscuits and she definitely won't eat a prawn (in fact DP offered her a King Prawn only yesterday and she cried). Peas she has eaten a couple of times, as she has chick peas but won't eat them now, though I do offer them every now and then, as I do sweetcorn, which she won't go near. She's had the odd peanut, though I am slightly wary of the choking hazard (maybe I should be braver!) and she will sometimes eat small amounts of peanut butter on toast, so maybe nuts are the way to go, that's a good idea. I will also try seeds as we haven't tried those...and they are obviously very nutritious.

She should be fine with nuts now. Bless her children are odd little things Must be driving you mad. By the way mine adore little prawns but don't like king prawns . I was just wondering about little things to pick at really. You could try starting a thread, I'd point StealthPolarBear at it. She lives down the road from me and is lovely, her ds is 3 now and has always been a very fussy eater, she really used to get driven mad by it.

Brilliant, we always have lots of nuts in so I will get cracking! I think it started when she had a vomiting bug and then kind of all got twisted up in a power/attention spiral, although, to be completely fair on her, she has never, ever, been a big or enthusiastic eater or shown much curiosity about food. I think I will start a thread, it can't hurt.

Morning all. I would say good morning, but it's not that great after being up for 2 hours at 3am trying to burp DD2. How on earth is she not burping for so long? Then finally projectile vomming. Grim. DH came and relieved me for the last 20 mins. I know he has work the next day, but I've got to look after 2 kids, which is just as hard, frankly, so could do with a bit more help in the middle of the night. He did try to do her bottle at 10.30, but she wouldn't wake up! He tried for an hour and a half, so I can't really complain. But she was out of it. Typically, the minute he got into bed she woke up and I had to go and feed her as he had work today. Hmmmm. She went down well after that feed, but the 3am-er was a killer.

lady - thanks for asking how I'm feeling physically. I was v lucky in that I must have a bucket fanny and didn't have any tearing at all, so no stitches. Piles have retreated somewhat, which is good. But am totally whacked. I was tired last time, but could sleep when DD1 did. This time, I can't and I'm finding it really quite tough as am a sleep monster. Some nights are ok but others are just hideous. Am seriously thinking about jibbing out and getting a night nurse or maternity nurse for a couple of nights, just so I can catch up a bit! My inlaws gave me some money for Xmas last year which was to go towards that and I'm tempted to break into it. Although was going to save towards DD1's nursery fees. I'd love a maternity nurse so I can get started on a routine as well as feel like I'm really flying by the seat of my pants at the moment and am such a control freak, I don't like it!!

Anyway, sorry about that rant. V boring.

Veggie - your poor DS2. Sounds miserable. I really do feel for him with his hurty teeth. Must be so sore. I sympathise with my wisdom tooth, but that's no way near as bad!

Lady - DD1 has her stages of bad eating and it's so frustrating, so you must be tearing your hair out. You poor love.

Ooh, just had a lovely cuddle from DD1, totally unprompted. THere are some bonuses to having a 2nd baby - she loves me much more she doesn't take me for granted!!! Hee hee!

Morning Beans. I had forgotten how hard it is to wind them sometimes and how tiresome that can be in the middle of the night. It seems I have forgotten a lot! DD was not one of those easy-burpin' babies. I think a mat nurse for a night or two might help get you back on your feet...can't you worry about DD1's nursery fees later? When is she going? Anyway, from here it looks like you are doing so well. Gives me hope!

Oh, another thing I have forgotten, and this is to anyone who has had one or more cs, how did you get on with lifting your first DC once you'd had DC2? I was very careful with lifting last time, partly because the obs had drummed it into me to be careful lifting so much as the kettle...But with DD not walking and maybe not walking by Sept (and a massive fan of being in Mummy's arms), I can see trouble ahead...

I think DD1 is heading to nursery in late Sept/early Oct. I need the break, to be honest! And means I can take DD1 swimming and stuff. Have looked into mat nurse fees and they're £150 for 24 hours = plus agency fee of £80. So, if I did it for 3 or 4 days, would be £680. Hmmm. Pretty steep. Ouch.

DD back to sore poos. Damn.

Hmmm, that is tres cher...trop cher.

I am having the pair of mine at home all the time. I may go mad, I don't know, but I think I am going to tell DP that once I have two I need at least couple of nights a month in London on my own (I always end up taking DD at the mo).

Beans: can you get family to help out? I'm sure your mum would be happy to do a night shift so you can get some sleep.

Gosh that is lots of money Beans. Does she seem very uncomfortable with wind? I just wonder because Lachlan hardly ever burped however he did have tremendous farts every few days. Maybe she is not a burper??

Otherwise have you tried the tree hold that can help with wind you kind of lay her tummy along your arm and sort of straddle her legs either side of your arm with her face resting in the palm of your hand.

Also put her really high up on your shoulder sort of dangling down your back with her tummy resting on your shoulder.

Start a thread in breast & bottle feeding you are bound to get lots of help.

My book is on ebay already . This is not right.

Beans, you have all my sympathies, it sounds like you're doing an amazing job under very tough circumstances. I remember looking into maternity nurses for the same reason (obv only had one but I couldn't sleep in the day), but balked at the cash. I second Effie's suggestion of enrolling your mum, she sounds like she's already been a big star.

Wow on eBay already Spot, how much is it going for?

Lady as always you have my sympathies I've been there and I feel your pain. I know it doesn't help now, but they do somehow survive & thrive & it does get better. Doesn't help the stress your feeling now though. Also the time in London is such a good idea! But were you going to rent your flat?

Beans, do you have to get them for 24 hrs? Can you get them for just the night time. If it's half of that for 12 hours to be honest that doesn't seem too bad. Although does it have to be a maternity nurse. Can you just get someone who gets up to her like a extra good babysitter? Do they exist.