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

[Veggiemummy]

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

right I have calmed doen somewhat and I think dh has got the message. Problem is, although we are both tired, he is impossible to wake up (just by nature) and unless he is on call at work, a bomb could go off and he wouldn't flinch.
I over reacted a tad, as ds didn't wake until 0730 (brilliant tiring him out that his cousins do) but I had him changed, dressed and then spent the best part of half an hour stopping him going into all the bedrooms waking up my visitors!!! me!! the one who had the surgery!! dh says "oh my gosh you should have woken me up I'm sso sorry" well sorry but after I tapped you and shook you for 10 minutes and then ds drove his car over your face and shouted in your ear for about 20 mins I kind of gave up! I realise he just collapses in a heap when he doesn't have to go to work (granted he works bloody hard even at home on his other job) but this in PATERNITY leave, not annual leave! so after I cried in the garden for 10 minutes, and threatened to pile 2 kids and dog into car and go to mil's since he is useless, he has promptly picked up his act. there is such a thing as a damn alarm and my feeling is, if he has to resort to setting that, then so be it.
Suffice to say, point has been taken, and I was brought breakfast and coffee, he has given dd the milk I expressed (now I'm no health visitor, but she drunk 2 ounces of it served by dh just now!)
She seems to be picking up some weight and is looking slightly less alien like in the last couple of days which is good
Summer - the fam leave on Wed I think, it will be so quiet with them gone. I will miss them, and the fact that the kids entertain ds so well. His vocab has improved and he has picked up so many things from them just in this last few days, it's amazing! But the quiet will be nice too. I always get so when the family leave though, so I will need some visitors please My parent's will be over in a couple of weeks though so that will be nice, but I welcome some visitors in between
Right, the db and crew are off to Sainsbury's to fill my fridge so I shall get some relaxation in. (Effie I promise no cleaning)
Lady, I can't wait to use the gifts you sent / brought me - but I think I will fully enjoy them when my visitors have left! Thanks again - too kind x

Spot I crossed with you. You have possibly not read my moan moan moan post
DS has been a star - really really good with dd. I jut hope he doesn't get annoyed when his little cousins and everyone go home and dh back to work when it's just the 3 of us. I must say though - I meant to say rather, whoever said about the sling is so right - dd has been in the Bjorn carrier a couple of times when I've been on my own already and it's been genius - it's a must have!

Oh and also so sorry about no personals but I will get back to that soon!

Argh that would drive me mad too Rubes, my DH is a deep sleeper too, but I think sharp pokes in the ribs work with him! I hope he is suitably sorry now.
I think you are like me you like having people around, I LOVED having people round after DS was born but I think personally I would have found people staying a bit much! Cannot believe the cleaning, what are you like??

spot the book was "there's a house inside my mummy", I could post you our copy as DS was a bit young for it and not very interested, and I probably won't read it to him after no 2 has arrived! I would have to find it first though - most of his books are somewhere in one of 12 or so boxes, i do want to find them though!
You asked ages ago if DS knows about the new baby - I'm not sure, he knows what a baby is and he points at my tummy and says baby, but not sure he has connected the two concepts. Haha, he soon will!

ladyt on the things to do to make babies arrive, I do think walking helps so been doing that. Also I do believe the sex thing might work as well, though it didn't do much for me last time, so there has been some action going on. Though it is not that easy!!
Curry I think is bollocks, but I love curry so we have agreed to get a curry tomorrow night. And pineapple, well I suspect this is bollocks too, and would be bound to give me the worlds supply of heartburn so I am definitely giving that one a miss. My due date is Wednesday so not long. I have to say I am quite jealous of our Rubes. Maybe I should have asked for an elective CS!

Right gotta go as ignoring DH and DS.

Hello ladies

Rubes - it certainly sounds like an alarm clock is in order. At least your DH's intentions are right but the sleeping thing would send me loopy. He needs to remember that not only have you had major surgery, but you are breastfeeding in the night, dealing with a massive surge of hormones and dealing with a major life change. You bear that in mind too Rubes, don't push yourself too hard.

Jam - so sorry to hear about your DH having to go back to hospital. This must have been a really stressful and worrying week for you. My mum had a couple of TIAs once and they are scary. But even if it's that at least they have given the Drs warning that your DH's blood needs thinning. Thinking of you.

Summer - I don't know if you remember but I had a whole action plan for getting DD2 when I went overdue. I asked for sweeps early on and for them to be repeated every three days, I took evening primrose oil and put the capsules up by my cervix too (!), I bathed in clary sage oil, I had sex, I had acupuncture.... A few hours after my last sweep and acupuncture the contractions started. Have you got an acupucture clinic near you? I will never know but I felt that was what got me moving.

LadyT - was it nice to be reunited with DP last night. Did he enjoy the cricket. DH has a radio tuned to Radio 4 longwave in every room. Test Match Special is the soundtrack to me life at the mo. I rather like it.

I have put 3lbs back on :-( . I haven't even indulged much. Just fell off the no wheat wagon & had quite a lot of cheerfullness. I am so depressed about how quickly it piles on given the effort every ounce takes to lose.

Hello all

Avo, it might not be real weight that you have put back on. It might just be water, you know. It doesn't seem realistic that you can put proper weight back on that fast. I mean, my weight fluctuates in the most crazy way so I never really know where I am. The theme to Test Match Special is my ring tone If it rings in public, most blokes perk right up and start looking around. It was nice to see DP last night after a fortnight of not seeing him all that much, but for all his surprising declarations when away he was soon preoccupied and largely ignoring me. Sigh. However, I told him about the teapot and he was v gracious about it.

Yes, Spot, the fridge was annoying That stuff with T sounds a total mystery, though, not so say horrendous. You don't think it's a little virus, or something? Is his chest bothering him again? Gosh, hope he breaks the pattern tonight.

Summer, I love the smell of clary sage oil. Mmmm. A bath with a stack of that dropped in, as Avo suggests? If nothing else, it will be relaxing and therapeutic.

Rubes - I do hope you have had a more relaxing day. I do think, and I am going to be a bit sexist and generalising here so forgive me, that when it comes to situations like helping out after when other half is recovering from a birth, most blokes just don't seem able to empathise and think what would be most useful. It's not laziness or malice or anything bad like that. Just brain not working in the same way. DP really tried his best when I had O, and I really appreciated it. But he didn't do all that I would have liked by a long chalk, and certainly not without being prompted or directed quite often. I know it's annoying to have to ask for things that you think people should just do as a matter of course and you have my full sympathy, but better that than you struggling when you damn well ought to be resting.

DP is now a) wriggling a bit about letting me have my choice of first name and b) thrown me a couple of curve balls with the middle names I think she's going to have a rum collection of names, poor kid...

We didn't get enough done today. We were driving there and DP drove to a lovely lunch place instead, even though we have no time and no money. I am going to have to start getting the bus there in the day to do stuff (it's two buses). I felt a bit despondent today because after feeling really bullish about what we've got to do, we have still got mega loads, there's all the packing up and redecorating to do here at DP's flat, plus the logistical nightmare of moving stuff from my storage in London to Oxford and the rest to new storage in Birmingham. Bending and stretching and toiling with some difficulty today, whilst DD screamed her head off having already broken part of her travel cot that we have to pen her into, I wondered for the millionth time how I came to be in this position - doing DIY whilst heavily pregnant, under a time pressure and down to the dregs of our budget. But there we are, and we have to give it our best shot.

DD wants to be led around 'walking' almost all the time now. It really does seem strange!

Hello just popping in quickly I'm completely shattered after 6 hours walking in Paris and then a five hour drive home. We've cleared our the car but are out again tomorrow to the Dolphinarium for a birthday thing for one of DS1's school mates.

Camp site was great DS2 slept really well every night except for one night when he was a but cold, otherwise 7-7.30 which is better than at home!

I haven't read anything except Pubies birth announcement from Lady. Pubes I love love love the name!

Right hopefully can catch up a bit tomorrow, well at least on the last couple of days.

Huzzah Veggie is back!

Where do I get clary sage oil from?? Can I just get from boots, etc?

Don't know any acupuncturists round here, but just found one online that looks like she has a 6 month old baby and is interested in pregnancy acupuncture so may drop her an e-mail.

LadyT your DH is naughty not letting you have choice of name. Wait until DD2 is here and lay on the "look what I've just gone through" post-surgery though and it will be fine.

Sorry it sounds like you have masses on your plate with the house, yikes! Are you going to let out your DP's flat when you finally move?

Good morning,

veggie great to see you back, sounds like you've had a lovely time.

rubes I think you were right to have a go at DH, and yes he should set his alarm clock if necessary. You've had such a massive change in the past week, hope you get some proper R&R when the visitors go (just for a couple of days anyway!)

spot DS has taken to waking screaming in the night too. And, like T he doesn't seem ill, not hungry just wants me there. Anyway it was getting a bit silly as for 4 nights ina row we ended up putting him in our bed (where he promtly slept soundly), so I decided on a bit of tough love and let him cry it out when I was certain it wasn't teeth/hunger etc. Firstnight he cried for 20 mins (awful - but I went in after 5 mins, then after 10). Night 2 he cried for about 7 mins (yes I was timing) and so far he hasn't repeated it. Seriouslyit was like when he was a little baby.

ladyt Sorry you didn't get as much done on the house as you would have liked - must be so hard being clackered too, and with DD. Actually given all that I think whatever you get done is an achievement!

summer I'm sending labour vibes

avo I feel your pain. After losing 4 pound after being back off hols, I appear to have put 2back on. But agree with lady, I tend to find too much cheerfulness does make me retain water iyswim? And I have had a lot of cheerfulness this weekend.

Had a great time out on Friday night, but a bad head the morning after! I never learn...Oh does anyone have any experience of Guinea Pigs?? DD is 4 in a couple of weeks and is adamant she wants 2 guinea pigs!! TBH she can't possibly get any toys as she has way too much anyway, so it would solve that problem but are theyhard to look after/stinky whatever

Hey all!

Just popping on to say hi. Rubes, well done spitting the dummy. You need every bit of help you can get from your DH. HE can always sleep when the babies sleep. That's what we do - even now at weekends.
Had a terrible night last night and am consequently v grumpy and unpleasant. Poor DDs!

DD1 is also doing a spot of screaming in the night - but not for 4 hours. Just shouts out "Mummy" at the top of her voice, and cries, then settles again when I go in and stroke her. She's also having total tantrums at bedtime. Treat.

Summer - fingers crossed something happens soon. Do some starjumps!!!

Lady - take it gently, you're heavily pregnant now!

DD2 fast asleep in pram next to me - stretching and farting away. It does make me laugh. Endless farts and they stink! DD1 giggles away whenever she does one! DD1 even put together a couple of words yesterday - "hello daddy" and then "morning mummy". V cool.

Right, must to my teeth. I ming. All I want to do is eat. I mustn't!

x

Congratulations Rubena! A bit late but I've been away on holiday.

Jam Hope your DH is on the mend. Must have been scary.

LadyT Great news about O cruising. Sounds like she'll be walking in no time.

Hello Deidre. Good to have you back. I love guinea pigs, they are such chatty little things and not bitey like rabbits. Not stinky if kept clean and they love potato peelings, so very green .

Summer Thinking of you, the last days are foul. I really thought your baby would come while I was away. I'm off again on Wednesday though, so maybe he/she will arrive then?

Hello to everyone else, I know I've missed loads, sorry.

Welcome back Veggie, it's not been the same without you! I would have texted you about Rubes' news but hadn't got your Dutch number saved from when you texted me before - sorry! Glad you all had a good time.

Hi Nolda, where've you been on hols? And off again - lucky you!

Beans, I know what you mean about eating. I try to eat carrots, celery and cucumber when I want to snack but inevitably end up reaching for the cheese. I haven't weighed myself for a couple of weeks, and I am going to force myself later. Have come out of regular jeans now as for a while they have been sort of under my bump and pinching round my hips and bagging horribly at the bum as they are hanging down - not v attractive....

DB, I know nothing much about guinea pigs but suspect they are less skittish than rabbits...How is DS's eating?

SL - Boots do sell Clary Sage oil but I think you'd have to go to quite a big Boots. I usually get mine from Neal's Yard. That and Geranium oil in a bath are brilliant for period pain, which is how I got to know about Clary Sage in the first place. Yes, we are renting out DP's flat when we move...

I made DP take me round every room in the new house yesterday so I could write down in detail what needs to be done and what it will cost so we can prioritise and work out a plan. I am going to type it up in a minute but it runs into pages. I have been doing feverish time/money calculations since I got up as we both have cash flow problems over the next 2-3 months. Right, lots to do this morn, must press on!

I have a quick question - does anyone have experience of a Bugaboo Wheeled Board thing to go on back of bugaboo for DD1? My friends really recommend them and I'm quite keen to get one, but they seem quite pricey... Any tips or know of anyone with a 2nd hand one they could sell me!!?

x

Beans, I think it's called a Boogie Board - there were certainly a few on Ebay when I last looked. Am not getting one now as O too wobbly to stand, but they look quite useful (although people on the wider MN have complained that you bump your feet on them as you wheel the pram).

Hello all! Been offline/away for a while and have missed you all.

First and foremost - huge congratulations rubes on your new DD. You sound like a whirlwind of energy/activity! Hope the message has sunk in with DH though - you def need the support now.

DB - lovely to see you back on here!

Feel for those of you in late PG - saw my sister yesterday who is due in a week and it reminded me of those odd last days before everything changes again.

JB - well done on the job - that sounds fantastic!

Jam - hope for a speedy recovery for your DH and some clear answers.

JJ - so sorry for your friend. It sounds like you are both trying to be very considerate.

Beans - don't know about the bugaboo board, but have to say, DD never really got on with a buggy board. Its sod's law that when you want them on it, they are knackered, and then they would much rather be pushed around or carried.

LadyT - have bought the Coe book, yet to start it (managed to time my book order to arrive when I was away...). I did read the new Niffenegger, "her fearful symmetry" - it was OK, a bit meh. Mostly read it for local interest as its all set in highgate.

Hope those who have been away have had a great time and those who are going have fun.

I am sure I have missed loads but will try and catch up a bit better later.

We're just back from a very pleasant week in Devon. Lots of gentle messing around on beaches/in ferry boats and steam trains. Have a week in my current work left and then off for 2 more weeks before starting new job.

Hi all,

thanks for thinking of us. DH came home on Friday with still no real answer as to what happened not helped by our GP sending us to the wrong specialist and it being too long after the initail symptoms. But positively all tests MRI etc have come back clear. Has to take it relatively easy for a week or so but is back to work today. Thank goodness! So am currently knee deep in dog hair and dead heading plants etc trying to catch up on all the things I usually do.

Will be back soon for a proper catch up.

afternoon all.

Jam - how worrying that they can't find an answer for DH, Good news though that the MRI was clear, hope he doesn't push himself too hard today.

Invis sounds like a lovely holiday, nice and relaxing and hurrah for the last week of work too!

oh JB big job congrats to you as well

SL if you can't find clary sage they're bound to have it Arjuna, I could drop in and pick you some up?

spot yikes to night problems we had a couple of dodgy days with no nap at all and a lot of wakefulness, but today she woke up with a gunky ear and has now go anti-b's so we're hoping that's all it was. veggie what's best to help keep her tummy on track with anti-b's? is it lots of yogurt? Oh and Spot, we have a baby einstein sleepy music CD which has lots of lullabies played on midi orchestra but it's part of dd's sleep routing now, if we forget it when we go away then it's a disaster! Not really very good for car journeys though.

nolda lovely to see you! How is ds these days?

Lady have a sit down you powerhouse! Really, it's time to rest up if O gives you a minute from walking her about (isn't it just the loveliest thing to have a little person holding your hand? )

well poor C is being very brave, we met up briefly on Saturday and she had a scan that showed the baby had died and now she just has to wait, the next available surgery would be next Monday She's trying to inform herself about what happens, and had no idea it was so common, not that that helps any of the people it happens to but I think she's feeling comforted that so many people do lose babies then go on to have healthy families. And she's very insistent that she wants to know how everything is going with my baby, she said it's encouraging to hear about things going right as it gives her hope. Sob.

Hello everyone

I am sorry to have been AWOL for a while. I have been reading but I don't have the energy to post much alas. L is now on school holidays and I find that I am running around all day after all 3 and by the time I am child free (usu about 8.30) I am too tired to put finger to board. However, L is at a friend's today and the other 2 are at nursery so I have taken the opportunity to have a wee catch up.

JJ, I am so sorry for your friend. What a sad situation. It must be hard for you to deal with emotionally at the moment, being up the duffer yourself of course, so please be gentle with yourself.

Beans, I have a buggy board which I use for DD2 (3 and a bit) but I would probably hold off getting one for a bit if I were you. I think M would be too little to go on one for long and wouldn't stand still. Plus they can be a bit of a devil to use as you have to reach past the child to get to the handles. If it is for a short journey, could you take DD1 out on reins? I let M walk on reins when I have got the other 2 (with or without the buggy) and it seems to work out OK. His wee legs can go a long way without tiring, bless him. I used to hot seat between T and M when they were at your ages, with the sling as back up. Is this something you coudl try?

LadyT, I know how hard it is when you are doing things up and esp adding things up! It will be worth it once you are in your lovely new gaff but PLEASE do try to take things a bit easy.

Invis, great news on the job. And 2 weeks off as well. Great stuff. Where in Devon were you? We are off to Croyde in 2 weeks, and I'm very much looking forward to it.

SL, I am sending you dilating vibes. Hope you get some action soon.

Deidre, you sound as though you have been having a great time out and about. Very well deserved. I went out on Sat and managed to roll in at 2.30am. Paid for it yesterday though. Had to pop the Incredibles on whilst I had a wee nap.

Jam, glad th MRI was clear and hope he feels better soon.

Welcome back Veggie.

Hello everyone else, hope you are all well.

I have started running in an attempt to shift some lard. Avo, I feel your pain with the weight gain. I would love to lose a stone but rearlly can't be bothered to cut donw on the food and, esp, the drink. Must try harder. I will look like a bloater in my holiday pics otherwise, but I suppose I take most of them so I am not in many. Off to see my folks tomorrow but just for the day. Hope the kids behave.

Right, must attack my drawers. I promised myself I'd do a big clear out today and throw away stuff I haven't worn for ages. Better get on as the kids will be back otherwise and I'll have done nothing. Oops.

And Rubes, DD sound delightful. Glad she is obliging you a bit on the sleep. Can't wait to pop round to meet her once she is a little bigger.

JJ- that sounds like a healthy attitude. I had a miscarriage at 6 weeks pre DD1 and it was hard because one of my best friends was due at the same time. BUT it didn't prevent me from being happy for her and she is now godmother to DD1, so no hard feelings on that point. I was only 6 weeks when it happened, so if it had been 20 years ago, I probably wouldn't even have known I was pregnant and would have thought it was a late period. My GP told me that our bodies are made for making babies and for getting rid (not the term he used, but baby brain has stumped me on what he actually said) of babies that wouldn't survive in the outside world. I found that really comforting.

Thanks for words re Buggy board - might put the question to wider MN, although am bound to get roundly abused for being smug enough to have a Bugaboo in first place!!! HA!

Jam - glad your DH got the all clear. Taking it easy and back to work in the same sentence. Hmmmm.

Syb - cross-posted. Yes, probably best to hold off for now. We just have the Maclaren triumph double buggy and I loathe it at the moment. I know I'll like it more once DD2 is a bit bigger and can hold her head steady. But it's crap for her to sleep in and so exposed to the elements! Grrrr. I am taking them both to St THomas's today as DD2 needs her hips scanned. Am taking Maclaren in case I need to put DD1 on my knee for a while, which I can't do with the sling. But am also taking that for general use, so can put DD2 in pushchair if necessary. All rather complicated and dull!

Must say am dreading the trip. Especially as am functioning on low sleep levels, so am dangerously close to shouty attacks. Poor DD1 gets most of it! DD2 seems to be having the 6 week growth spurt, so my norks are v sore and shrivelled today!

I am going to start running again soon. Would like to get down to under 11 stone before too long. And eating Snickers icecreams for pudding at lunch isn't going to be helping! I want to continue to do that and to have beers, but not have to feel guilty, so a run or 2 at weekends is way forward...

Argh. I need a small massive work-related rant. You know the field I work in but to avoid outing myself I'll change it to being a theatre. 3 years ago, I commissioned some new 'stage curtains', at pretty major cost to the limited budget of my department. These curtains are essential for the opening of each new performance, and I'm the person in charge of scheduling and arranging performances (still with me?!). Last week I came into work on Thursday and found that someone had, without consulting me or even letting me know, removed the curtains. I needed them for a performance that was scheduled to open today and hence we needed dress rehearsals on Thursday and Friday (analogy is getting a bit tenuous here!). I sent an email to staff saying Who's got my curtains? and found out that the cleaning department had on Tuesday asked someone else with a similar role to mine (but who doesn't deal with the scheduling and arranging) and he'd said he didn't think they were needed for another few weeks. Could have emailed me to ask, since it's not his area, but said he thought it would be ok. Never mind that this information is freely available on the intranet for situations such as these.

So, I had to postpone my 'dress rehearsals' from last week, involving an 'actor' who was coming to the 'theatre' from 15 miles away especially to help and the 'performance' can't open when it was meant to. I've now been informed that said curtains have shrunk by about 10% and are no longer fit for their purpose.

AIBU to be bloody livid about this? Firstly that someone took it upon themself to do this without consulting me? That they didn't ask how the things I'd had specially made needed to be cleaned? Probably got bunged in a domestic washing machine when they're actually dry clean only, which they would have found out if they'd bothered to ask. So now I need to find the money to get them replaced, and nobody seems willing to admit to having made the decision to take them away for cleaning. They were a bit dusty but that was all - the previous ones had been there for 40 years without being touched, so why suddenly attack my new ones?

Argh.

I know this is actually a very silly thing to get cross about, but it's an aspect of my work for which I am the sole responsible figure, so you'd have thought someone would have bloody well asked me first.

Oh dear JJ. That is annoying. I suspect your colleague feels very sheepish now. Does everyone know the details of this story & the fact it's nor your fault?

Sybs, I have ordered a DVD called the 30 Day Shred to help me burn off some calories. I saw it discussed on MN and thought it might be easier than running which I can only do if DH is here to look after the kids. I am sure you will not look like a porker in your holiday snaps. Where are you going?

Beans, I agree with the others about hanging fire on the buggy board. I hate them. They do my back in as they force you to lean over them while you push. DD1 would never go on hers anyway as when she was tired of walking she wanted to sit not stand. You know what, I have a Phil and Teds sitting in my understairs cupboard. It really us a handy double buggy. Do you want to borrow it for a few months? I am W6 so if you can pick it up it's yours.

Right, before I go I feel I must make a party political broadcast on behalf of DD2. I know that I have often muttered on about her being "difficult" compared to DD1 so I now owe it to her to give the other side. Since she has been walking properly and can express herself verbally she has been a different child. An absolute delight. She smiles her way through the day and is so frggin sweet. Today we were blowing bubbles and she turned to me with a big grin and send "Mummy, Nina happy". How cute is that????

hello to sybs & invis. Sybs I need to lose a stone and a half really, but I can't get my head into dieting at the moment. Although I have had a couple of runs since my hols. I did manage to get to 5K before I went away, I did about 3 the other day and it nearly killed me!

JJ I too would be bloody furious. In fact I would be telling anyone within earshot exactly what has happened and that it wasn't your fault!

avo that is so sweet. DS still can't say anything really. Although yesterday in my parents garden he went to the bucket by the pond and declared very loudly 'tadpole'. Great he knows what a friggin tadpole is but he can't say muumy

Lady you asked about DS eating? Well it has improved a little since our holiday but nowhere near as good as it was. Usually eats a weetabix first thing but then skips lunch and nibbles his dinner. However, tonight he has promtly munched a shed-load of peanuts. Is that bad that I let him?? He was so enjoying them and its the only thing he has eaten with real gusto in weeks. He was sat on my knee and was chewing them one at a time, plus I know he isn't alergic as he has had them before just not as many......How is O doing? Any improvement at all?

Hi all,
jj that sounds annoying. I would be most pissed off. Though I have to say I am finding your analogy a bit confusing.

avo that is super cute. And very impressive on the talking as well! DS still doesn't string words together at all.

Though I did tell him was being silly at the weekend when he said "Plane" and then a few seconds later "Two" (he is constantly holding up two fingers and saying "Two", occasionally he then says "Four" "five", but never "Three") telling him there was only one plane. DH later says "Did you see those two bi-planes earlier?". Most embarrassing - the child is more observant than me!! Oh and zoe I loved your DD's lie-in/lion confusion.

Oh and db DS still doesn't say mummy either. Or mama in the correct context (mama generally means "I am pissed off/whiny"). He does actually know I am mummy now though, i.e. he will point at me if asked. Hooray!

jj I would tell you to get me some Clary Sage, purely because that would clearly mean that I would go into labour before you could get it to me as that is the way things work, but I am not serious really - I will go get some from town if nothing happening on due date. Oh and I meant to say when I saw you thankyou very much for the moving in card, I did get it I just forgot to say thanks when I saw you . Also if you want to come out here and visit let me know, I thought it might be a bit far with the bike and DD and you being tired at the moment, but if you fancy it let me know, I am not doing much the next couple of days apart from WAITING so send me a message if you are free.

Oh avo, sybs, db, sympathies on the losing weight thing, though I am in agreement with ladyT that the 3lbs may not be real weight gain avo. Sigh I will be back to the sodding dieting again soon after this one is out. After not eating that much at the start of 3rd trimester am now eating like a piggie.

Beans sorry about lack of sleep. I shall be joining you on the moaning on that front soon no doubt! Do you have to get a bugaboo specific buggy board to go wtih the bugaboo or will a generic one (probably cheaper?) fit?

Having a curry tonight. Don't believe a word of the hurrying along baby stuff with curries, but yum yum yum anyway. I might try and get some sex though (TMI)

Welcome back Veggie, Nolda and Invisible

Well done on giving your DH an earful Rubes, my DH also doesn't bother to set the alarm and then if DD wakes before him and he doesn't get time for his morning poo before I go to work he gets all stroppy. But then he gets even stroppier if I point out that I get up at quarter to 6 every day, simply to give myself enough time for everything (although, of course, I never poo, I mean ladylike bathing etc). And I'm not even dealing with the after effects of a cs, getting to grips with a whole new person and so on. Make sure he continues to look after you

Summer I have an unopened bottle of Clary Sage, which I'll happily post to you, if you send me your address. I didn't use it, as DD was an early bird. I don't know if oils can go off though?

LadyT I got a bee in my bonnet about varnishing skirting boards (not the easiest thing to tackle when heavily pregnant) - but at least didn't have a deadline like you. I only let myself do an hour a day though, and every other day. Please remember that you can live in a house without paint on the walls and other none essentials. As long as your kitchen, bathroom and heating work, worry about the rest later - and use the time for some R&R now, as you'll not get this time back

Jump grrr, very annoying about the curtains. Make sure the replacement doesn't come from your budget, if at all possible.

I'm glad we're not the only ones with annoying night wakings. DD's been a bit off colour so we've been bringing her into bed, where she enjoys an hour or so bouncing on our heads while we ignore her. But she's better now, so I'm going to start leaving her in her cot again. I find the minute we get her out of her cot we have lost the battle and never get her back in again. So the rule in this house is that everything must be done through the bars - drinks, cuddles, medicine. It can still take an age to get her off again, but at least I then have my bed to myself

Avo your DD is so lovely, I am v impressed she's onto sentances already!

Good news from us - I think DD has reached a level of understanding where bribery is starting to work! I have been looking forward to this for about 19 months , and for the first time in her life I (occasionally) am in charge.

We're going even further up north this weekend, to stay with SIL and BIL. DH is working up there this week, so DD and I are going on the train. Its a 2 hour journey, and I've only spent about 20 minutes on public transport with her in the past. I am v nervous (although I should have more faith in her and expect the best rather than the worst). Ideas for ways to keep her entertained welcomed! (I am pretty sure I'll be using the new found bribery ...)