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

[Veggiemummy]

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

OH that's lovely Rubes. I am so impressed that you are on t'internet within a mere 3 hours of giving birth. I am sure she is beautiful. B will be thrilled to see you.

You can look forward to a heartburn free kip as well. Have you had any cheerfulness yet?

DB, great to see you. How are things with you? How was your hol? Hope you are back now for good in your splendid new guise.

Effie and Pingu I just checked and can get a train that gets us into London Bridge on Thurs at 11am.

Oh, and hello Deidre! Nice to see you. How were hols?

Woo hoo rubes that is fab news how wonderful. I bet she is lovely, and the name is gorgeous too.

Still not caught up properly...yes holiday was good just what DH and I needed. Things so far are going great guns. And yes I am back for good.

The holiday has however turned DS into a right monster, he ate virtually nothing for the best part of 2 weeks and now we are home he flatly refuses to be fed by anyone, has to do it all himself - too messy for my liking.

Oh katie, I read that congratulations are in order...missed that news, anyone else clackered?

oh, pubes, well well done - she sounds delightful - what a wonderful name!

DB - lovely to have you back, glad you are sounding so chipper.

have had a brief read: spot - you poor love, things sound tough.

meet up??? where, when - can i gatecrash???

well, portugal was lovely - the flights were both fantastic (3 seats to ourselves, madam slept for at least an hour etc). i was waited on by hand and foot by dad and his ladyfriend. i even got to - shock, horror - sunbathe!!! (unheard of). but i cannot cannot believe how effing tired i am still. i am clackered and knackered. seriously out of it. so much so i am getting nervous that it will never end and i'll have to wrangle 2 feeling like this.

can i ask a question - it is dh's 40th on the weekend. have organised this surprise cricket match for him, but i also want to get him something. but i can't think of what. he really isn't a "having" person. i was thinking of taking us both off to some sort of spa for a night/weekend or a break, maybe, instead of a ~"thing". any thoughts from you lovely ladies? short notice, i know, but i think organising the party will buy me some time.

Glad Portugal was nice, WG - what about checking lastminute.com for spa deals? If I have any brainwaves I'll come back on. I feel tired as well but it's from lying on Mum's sofa and eating too much I am going to have to tell her to throttle back a bit on the grub tomorrow. In other news, DD is sort of cruising! And wanting to 'walk' with us supporting her under the arms. I have been excited all day by baby Rubes, can't wait to meet her - am so looking forward to mine as well. Lovely to see you, Deirdre - sorry about DS's eating. DD will only feed herself too - if she's not in the high chair I have to spread a plastic sheet on the floor.

Hooray for a walking ladybaby! That is lovely news. I bet your mum is really chuffed that the first steps were taken under her roof.

(I know it's cruising, but it IS walking really, right?)

And welcome back to D . Glad the holiday was good and things are going well with DH.

Well, I think walking would be pushing it, Effie! But she only started pulling herself up on us or the furniture about a week ago and now she is sort of edging along holding the sides of the travel cot or sofa and enthusiastically trying to walk and run when we support her with our hands under her arms. She used to refuse to move before, or lift her feet off the floor Anyway, it's definitely progress...and yes, Mum is thrilled DD idolises her, she is all Nanny when we are here, and I am relegated to the role of irritant! Which doesn't offend me, I find it rather funny.

Congratulations rubes, lovely name too! Can't wait hsee some photos and hear more! Am also a bit jealous - hehe!
Well hello diedre welcome back
Hurrah for the cruising ladyt. She may be walking properly before no2 after all - fast progress.
Dierdre sorry about ds eating. I think the feeding themselves thing is normal at this age though - my ds is the same anyhow
Wg glad you had a good time. Think you could get away with just something little for an actual pressie for your dh. I organized a surprise party for dh one birthday and he loved it and never stopped talking about it so sure the cricket match will go down a treat. (the only other pressie he has gone on about so much was a helicopter flying lesson! Oh and when I made him a cake filled with Jaffa cakes)

Neeeeeeed coffee! Well she fed at 1am and then 4 but seems to be
Feeding well. This catheter is doing my head in, and I'm dying for
Them to take it out, but they're keen on this 24hour thing. Apparently
The ward is chocka block and they have closed the unit! [Shock] but
I must say they are very good at coming round when they say they will
Considering that -much better than where I had ds. I have my own room
And TV but I'm dying for coffee. Might go hunt some down in a minute
Yeah Sybs I'm dedicated to tyou lot aren't I or perhaps just a
Bit bored nah!
Summer anything yet? Can't wait to hear if u have boy or girl!
Avo that's so odd - I didn't know you liked dd's name too- gosh we have
Good taste in names! She was also very neartly Isabella but decided finally
on Her name about 3 weeks ago.
Did anyone have Vag's mobile? When is she back?
Lady fab news on dd's cruising! Look out from here! It will all move
Forward quite fast I bet!
Right, must track down some coffee...

Hospital coffee may not do the job, darling - can DH bring you a decent one once he arrives? You must be nearly 24 H on the catheter anyway. When I had mine, they were keen to get you off it and moving so perhaps when they come to do your BP in the am if you mention you want to mobilise and avoid clots they might oblige. I mobilised to the shop at 20 H post delivery with Matthew as the food was so grim, I'd eaten my home supplies (oink! oink!) and I fancied sushi and mags. When the consultant came round to say hello I'd gone! Plus you can shower once your cath is out, which will feel so nice in the heat. Do you think they might let you out today? And are you thinking of a short nickname for DD or is she going to be Alexandra in full?> Such lovely news, glad you are so chipper, lots of love.

Dear LadyT, what great news on young miss O. So glad she is on the move. The stage of bending over and holding hands as they walked never lasted long with mine so she could well be off by herself in a few days or weeks. Hurrah! And excellent timing doing it at Granny's house as well. She must be over the moon.

Hello Summer, good to hear from you. So exciting to think you will be next. What is your due date?

Glad you had a good hol, WG.

Dear JJ, I know you are reading and knackered, but I hope you are OK>. The first trimester is so rough isn't it, but I am sure you will feel exponentially better once you are passed that and can eat and sleep normally again.

AM still stiff from my run. Have my 3 and an extra one today. Yikes!

PS I texted Rubes's great news to Vag but I haven't heard back yet.

Oh Sybs I've been dragging this catheter round the wards since
About 4pm yesterday, and even suggesyted having it out late last night but they
Weren't coming to the party! Have basically been up since I could feel my legs
they are adament for it to be in till 11am at least then I can shower yay
You are right about this coffee but beggars can't be chosers! Will get dh on the job
When he arrives shortly. I prefer her name in full but can see it being shortened.
My db has alternated from Alex to Lexi and back a few times as he keeps asking me
Which I prefer if any!
Can't wait to get home - def going home today but they have said it might take awhile
For consultant to get here and check me over as they are so busy so I shouldn't expect
To be out the door at 9am! Dh here soon to give them a push hopefully!

Morning All

Rubes - hope you're feeling ok. Got the lovely new baby high? And are you feeding ok?

Lady - brilliant re the cruising - won't be long now til she's fully mobile - hurray!

I had another shit bathtime last night and there wasn't even any bloody hot water in the end, so couldn't do bath. After all the hassle and screams from both. DH is great at doing all the practical help, but on the emotional side, it's not so hot. Find the bath thing quite confidence crushing as am trying desperately to be patient and upbeat, while they both cry. DH got home from work and when I told him that they'd both been screaming for 2 hours (and DD2 still was!), he thought it was hilarious. You can imagine my reaction. I joined in with DD2. Anyway. I cannot seem to get DD2 to settle from6 til about 10. I don't really know what to do. DH brings her downstairs to hang with us, but by that time of day, I'm so tired of them both, I'd really like her to be in her bed. I keep on feeding her to soothe her, but that just tires me out. Any tips welcome!
Was trying controlled crying, but think we both have to buy into that and DH isn't exactly supportive of it. Just brings her down and when she's quiet because she's near us, he thinks she should just stay. He's probably right, but I really want my evenings. Guess I'm just being a nit.

Anyway, whinge over.

Deidre - so glad that your holiday was good - just what you needed!

WG - sounds like Portugal was amazing too. Lucky duck. Our only holiday this year is 10 days at the inlaws. Am looking forward to it, actually!

Right, off for some breakfast now - starving. And need to express. The joys!

xx

Beans: we had the fussy evenings with DS1. I think it's very common with colicky babies. We gave up on trying to get him to bed early and eventually he managed it - I remember the relief when I got my evenings back! There's an article on kellymom.com on fussy evenings, may be worth a look.

Brill - thank you - will have a beak in a bit. I think once she hits 3 months it'll get easier, won't it?!

You don't have to shorten it, Rubes. I know a Victoria who is always that and apart from the odd use of O and variants on Frogmella, her in utero name, we don't shrten Octavia. I am sure they will oblige at school though. But if you call your DD what you want to call her most others will follow suit. I do hope you've got a coffee by now. If I wasn't in the cloudy Midlands I'd come and bring you one! You sound so chipper and keen to be up and about it gives me hope. How was DS when you saw him? Does DD resemble anyone yet? Couldn't send your parcel yest as post office closed yest but will go today. Hope you get seen soon but I didn't escape until the lunchtime last time. Are you just on codeine now for pain relief? Lots of tiring questions, will desist! Sybs, you really are running? Jeepers, all power to you. How long does this sofa to 5km training last? Hope your day isn't too frazzly. How are you feeling, Summer? I had to get up at 4.45 for a wee and could't get off again. Hate all that. It's so great you are all settled in. Right, DD is climbing all over me so have to go...

X-posted with you, Beans. Personally I think you should have more of a say in what sort of routine you have as you are bearing the brunt of it, but I don't know whether that's me being unreasonable. I don't want to incite disharmony. DD2 is still so new and I thinking the sympathy should still be on full supply! I fully agree that it's important to have evenings if you've been looking after little ones all day. Hmm, well - don't be hard on yourself, whatever happens xxx

Wow Rubes, you sound raring to go, I can't believe you had major abdominal surgery less than 24 hours ago. Do tell us about DS and DD's first meeting. What dud he think?

Beans, both mine had fussy evenings for the first couple of months. I did keep them downstairs in the evenings because I found the crying heart wrenching. I also let them feed alot in the evenings as I figured they needed to boost my supply. But I do remember craving freedom. Your DD2 is still very tiny. I am a advocate of controlled crying but there is some research that before 3 months it leads to the release of the stress hormone cortisol which influences brain development. Now that sounds scarier than it probably is, and I am not saying you shouldn't do whatever you need to in order to get by, but it's just another thing to factor into your equations. I know that overwhelming desire for kid free time. On the bright size this ultra dependent phase doesn't last long at all. You will soon be in a lovely coordinated routine. Then you will probably start planning number three!

LadyT - go little O! I bet she beats DD2's arrival with her walking. I met a little O over the weekend. She had sisters called Cordelia and Theodora. I LOVE all those names.

Deidre - lovely to have you back. How are you feeling about DH now? And how in earth do you password protect MN?

WG - glad you had a lovely holiday. Sorry about the exhaustion. Re the spa break, have you looked at Babbington House. It's expensive but if you can afford to splash out it is soooo worth it.

Trace - no idea why I read Bridlington as Brighton. Can I plead exhaustion over stupidity.

I hope Jam is ok. FB suggests her DH is in hospital after a funny turn.

Rubes brilliant news am delighted for you all. I love the name!

Address request please if you wouldnt mind would like to send a card.

Fantastic news Ladyt on the cruising.

Deirdre lovely to have you back.

Bit of a random day yesterday DH had a very weird episode of being unable to talk and was very confused. After a few scary hours of what the fuck is happening, they think it was a sort of migraine. Very worrying though gave us a bit of an insight into how rubbish the NHS can be between depts. After seeing our GP who tought it was eye related then being sent to the eye clinic to be told dont be ridiculous its clearly not eye related to be rushed down to the acute A&E ward where we were left for 2 hours then finally saw a Dr. But he is home now. Totally fine this morning, phew.

Woohoo, congratulations Rubes, such exciting news, and fab name - one of my faves. DH wo't tolerate it though as had an ex-BF (well kind of silmaltaneous with DH ) called Xander.
And Lady, congrats on O's cruising, DD went from cruising to walking in a week so it won't be long.
Things ticking along here. The consultant was much nicer to my face on Thursday. I will be under the care of two consultants throughout this pregnancy and back to see them every two weeks, oh joy. First scan is net week and they will probably give me a scan a month to keep an eye on things. I am on insulin now, but it isn't doing much good so think they will have to up the dosage massively next week.
Still feeling very sick and the delights of thrush have begun already, always one of my pregnancy problems, so not the happiest of bunnies. We haven't told anyone yet as waiting for the scan, so none of it really seems real, but sure it will become so soon.
The cottages will finally become ours on Friday, no thanks to our solicitor who has behaved like a complete prick and I will be getting a strongly worded letter once the case is closed. Anyway, we can now start getting some work done, and I am off to get DS his long promised MASSIVE trampoline today!
Right, must get these kids dressed and away from the TV.

Avo, I love the name Theodora and love it only a fraction less than the name we are going for, but DP hates it. And I thought of Cordelia for a middle name last night 'cept I've got no say and futhermore it won't fit with the first name. But whoever you saw clearly has identical taste in names to me. Oh, you vaguely mentioned week beginning 9th, did you, for meet up? I am in town on Wed 11 and prob Thurs 12 if anyone's around. Jam, that sounds hugely scary about your DH, I am so glad he is ok now. Migraines can be v hardcore, though, can't they, if that's what it was. Katie, am so chuffed for you about the cottages. And if you have serious grounds for complaint with your Sol, report him to the SRA. I think you will have to go through the firm's complaints procedure first though. Sorry you feel rough, can you safely take anything for the thrush? That sort of thing is so draining.

Had to come on quickly at work to say CONGRATULATIONS Rubes! Beautiful name. Hope you are home already, or very soon.

I am in awe of your being up and about already. I think I must be the world's biggest wimp, but day 2 after my section I wanted to die. There was no chance of walking around in search of coffee, I was writhing in pain! Could have been because I had a terrible chest cough that was busting my stitches every time I coughed, plus a urine infection when they took my catheter out and I couldn't get up to pee for 10 hours....hmmmm....gives me hope that if I have to have another section, it might not be quite as grim.

WG I hear you. I am feeling el grimmo and I don't even really have morning sickness. Just knackered and semi-nauseous all the time. And terrible sleeps. Ugh.

I am manic getting ready to leave for Canada on Friday (flying on my own with DS and too cheap to buy him a seat...HELP!). We are going for 5 weeks and it has all of a sudden crept up on me. I have two weeks hols (yay!) and then three weeks working while my parents look after DS. Really looking forward to it.

Sorry for lack of personals...I'm reading along and thinking of you all, but very busy at work in anticipation of my long absence!

Yay I haven't read back but I'm discharged! Will post properly from home later when I catch up!

Avo - wise words indeed. I've decided to start keeping her downstairs in the evenings until she starts to settle regularly at 7ish. When that happens, then I'll bung her in her cot. It's all a bit confusing as I had to fight to keep DD1 awake after 6!!! Anyway, I shouldn't complain as after DH does that 11pm feed, she sleeps til between 4-5.15, which is amazing! Lucky me. Particularly as I often go to sleep at 9 myself!

I'm also going to start giving her some formula as well as breastmilk at the 6.30 feed as I reckon my milk is pretty watery by then. I tried to express then on Sunday night and it took bloomin ages to get even 3oz out of me!

Mom - your flight will be fine, I'm sure - good luck!!!

Jam - your poor DH - did they find out what it was? Was it a migraine? Sorry, gormless me!

I have to have a cookathon today as bought loads of food in supermarket last week and it's all about to go off. Here comes mince and sausage cassoulet!

x