The sequel - Fab, Sparkly & often Moany 40 + : Preggie or New Mums - come say Hi!

[jeanjeannie]

We've now filled up the last thread - and the two before that! Seems that there are a lot of us old girls out there getting ourselves into trouble

So - if you've just found yourself to be with child or have a LO and you've hit (or about to hit - we'll let you sneak in just under the radar!)the big 4 0, then come say Hi!

There is always a spare comfy chair - plenty of cake and many old ladies to listen to your moans! Think of the lovely ladies knitting shreddies - only we're not sporting a blue rinse, but wearing cashmere and kitten heels

Hello regular ladies. I avoided putting FAT, F*cked or Knackered in the title - tempting as it was

Hi Girls

Back from the in-laws, thank god. I do like them, but only in small doses!

In terms of internet dating, I actually met my DH on the 'net, but not on one of those dating sites. It was on a message board for Buffy the Vampire Slayer. That was in 2001, I moved to the UK from the US in 2003 and we were married in 2004.

So it does work!

gosh tee - did you move to be with him? how thrilling!!

Did you up sticks and move here just to be with your man tee? I've just remembered that dd1 met her boyfriend through a kind of social networking site. They held regular meet ups and she met him at one of those.

DH and I met at university! We were both mature students, though of course I was a bit more mature than him. We were friends first as we were both going out with other (unsuitable) people. Luckily for me his girlfriend dumped him so he used to spend a lot of time at my place as they owned a flat together and he had nowhere else to go. We used to play cards in the evenings and watch TV, it was lovely for me as my marriage had not long broken up and I felt quite lonely in the flat I was renting. The kids were spending almost half the week with their dad at that stage (how things change, Grace goes for 2 nights every fortnight now) and DH kept me from being horribly depressed. He was frightened to get into my knickers though as I was seeing one of our lecturers, especially as said lecturer was one of those scary jealous types who thought I was f**king every other man who talked to me.

Haven't spoken about this for years but the horrid lecturer ended up hospitalising me. I had never experienced any kind of violence before but still think I should have seen it coming. I truly thought I was going to die. I didn't see the kids for 2 weeks as I couldn't bare for them to see my face looking the way it did.

Other than my wonderful girlfriends and my brother, my only other visitor was DH, who came to visit armed with a pack of cards. And that's why I had to jump on him in the end, he wanted me to feel ready after all that I had been through.

We didn't have much time for cards after that

Yes I sure did!

We did the long distance thing for about 18 months, with him coming to US a few times and me going to Belfast once. And just about the time we had decided it was time to figure out who was moving where, I was made redundant. I had no job, so I packed all my things and here I am, 5 years later, happy as a clam!

Well, happy as a slightly nauseous, constipated, anxious for my diabetes appointment tomorrow and my second scan on Tuesday clam!

happy as a pregnant clam tee ooh constipation - one of the very worst things about being pg don't let it take hold whatever you do! i had to eat those chocolatey laxative things on a regular basis when I was pg. Think it was the Pregnacare tablets.

Gosh laymac nasty - I trust the b*stard got what was coming to him? Dunno how you can blame yourself for not seeing it coming though. I experienced some domestic violence when I very young and had just had my older son. This is why he has never met his father - not that said waste of space father ever made any effort to contact him anyway.

At least it turned out ok and you go your lovely OH out of it

Bloody hell ladymac. What a c**t. No time for men that do those kind of things. I always suspect they wouldn't dare try it on with another bloke - they're cowards which is why they pick on women.

Your OH deserves a medal. He sounds like a star You really did get lucky in the end.

Glad to see that tee is another one of us weirdo's who met their OH on the net

Btw tee have you told your in laws you're up the duff yet?

Ok ladies, I'm going to test your powers of observation now. Has anyone seen the Daily Mail advert where the kids open the wardrobe door, golden light shines out into their little expectant faces (I'm assuming they're looking for xmas presents). Then magically they come across mum and dads stash of...wait for it.......free dvd's they got with the paper; the railway children, lion the witch and the wardrobe etc...and the voice over goes on to eulogise these 'wonderful gifts for all the family'??? Well pardon me but if my kids found a load of dvd's that came free with the morning paper for christmas, I doubt they'd be very impressed.

Or is it just me and my ungrateful spawn...??

yes, JW my whole immediate family knows, including the in laws. They are just daft about things!

I'll pass on those dating site ideas to my mate thanks, jw. She's used the Guardian before and that mad speed-dating thing but that's all so far. I think she has unrealistic aims actually - wastes years lusting after men who are either attached or clearly not interested in her body despite enjoying her company. She has got massive knockers though, so should be fine according to your spot-on round-up of male interests.

Haven't seen the DM advert but can't see mine going for a pile of free old dvds. Someone gave us some free Famous Five cds that had come with DM and my dc were in fits of giggles at the awful 1950s accents the cast were putting on. 'I say Julian, you are an awful fathead!' sort of thing.

ladymac it's extra nice that your dh has been your friend through a horrible time and been a real brick. A real brick! I sound like a Famous Five character!

haven't seen that ad jw but have seen on the DM website that the poor Katona creature has now admitted to being an alcoholic but its all ok cos she hasn't relapsed and she "only drinks a few times a month" Pity she's way too low rent to ever find herself on the receiving end of one of Elton's interventions..

Blimey mrsb. la Katona stating what we've all worked out months ago! shock! Horror!

I know that if my ex-husband was threatening to take me to court to gain full custody of my children, talking to a daily rag about my personal life, admitting to be an alky and having bi-polar etc etc would be the last thing on my 'to do' list. She then goes on to say 'I'm not promising anyone that I won't drink'....well bugger me, I would have thought if you can't do that luv, then you have a major problem.

And she wonders 'why me'? She's got victim stamped through her like a stick of blackpool rock.

oh no jw - apparently its "not common knowledge" - we didn't know she was an alkie at all d'you see.

She's got "I'm not long for this world" stamped through her if you ask me!

Evening ladies

First time I've sat down all day...! I shall go back and read thread properly to catch up.

Did catch sight of your post ladymac blimey - what a star your DH was and what a sh*t that bloke you were seeing was....and he's a lecturer...someone people look up to

And tee that's one of the most fab/bonkers/crackers/unusual (delete as appropriate) way of meeting someone ever

Also saw hedgepig with spectacular vomit post....nice one Oliver....you keep up with that and you'll make Iris's mummy here feel like she's not the only one with a permanant whiff off vomit over one shoulder

More people today with more pressies - Iris now has a painting easel with blackboard - she's thrilled with it. And as for the wendy house....well, it's been ding dong on the blinkin bell all day May have to lose the battery for that! I shall post some pics of the b'day....see the delight for yourselves!!

Err ...hmm...JJ why does Verity look about 3 years old on that pic?? She's bloody huge!

Iris looks like she's having a ball with bubbles.....luvveryly

Haha - jw I know - it's weird! She's in 9-12 mth clothes Stands up perfectly, holds on the sofa and is sort of commando crawling!

Unlike Iris - bless. I looked at her red book the other day and her weight at the same age was only about 2lbs more than your katherine is now! Not used to this hulking baby stuff!

Hate that pic of me - don't even recognise myself in it. *wonders if CAKE has owt to do with it

JJ I think you look lovely in that pic (from what little I can see of you behind Giant Baby).

Well lets see, K is officially 8 weeks old today (i.e. in her Red Book). She was 10lbs 1oz last Wednesday. So Iris at 5 months (?) was only 12lbs??? Blimey. Talk about chalk and cheese! What happened there then? Were you feeding Iris lettuce and Verity Irn Bru?

jj, what a gorgeous photo of Verity, and Iris looks so lovely blowing her bubbles. We have very similar hair. You and me that is - not me and Iris.

I would like to do a profile as I am always nosy about other peoples, but I don't know how to do photos [ludite emoticon]

I met dh at work. We were told we were getting someone new in the office, they were sitting with me and I was not happy. I decided to be mean to who ever it was!! Well, it obviously didn't work

We became incredibly good friends, he used to tell me his women woes!! Then one Christmas Eve we got drunk, and I say that he jumped on me, he says that I jumped on him but some jumping defintley occured

OOOh lilibet office gossip!

morning all
Oliver is all official, we have been to register him this morning and we got in on time which was amazing, I managed to stop DH changing his name to Tarquin (I think he was joking). I was talking to my mw about registering births and did you know if the parents don't do it then the mw may have to do it and pick a name!
JJ both your girls look fab in the new pictures and I am pleased to see that they are appreciating the importance of cake at such tender years.

hedgepig when my dad went to register me (in the olden days you saw the registrar while you were still in hospital as that is where they were stationed), he was so drunk from wetting the babies head that he couldn't remember the name my mum had told him to register me in....so quick (drunken) thinking...he asked the registrar what her name was .....yep, and that became my name too. Good job it wasn't a man.......named Keith

Anyway, well done on Oliver being official

beautiful birthday pics jeanjeanie how old is Verity now? she is a very bonny lass

haha jw good story. When my parents registered me they chose a double-barrelled first name and after the first couple of days they got so tired of people using either the first part or the second part or both in the wrong order that they changed it to something else and I was never called it again.

My lungs feel like two burnt socks today - cold has gone to my chest ...which reminds me I really must start doing my pelvic floor exercises...

poor MrsB you need a nice bit of vicks rubbed on your chest that will clear out the ole tubes . i know what you mean about the pelvic floor exercises I try to do them every time I give O his bottle but I keep forgetting.
fish soup for lunch yummm , DH made a gallon for tea yesterday so I think it will be getting a bit dull as a lunch option by Friday.

Afternoon ladies....gorgeous November day I have wet feet after stepping in a puddle

LOL@jws not-so auspicious naming!! Good old Dad eh?! What was the name your Mum wanted? May be that you're better off!! My mum wanted Hazel or Melanie.....

mrsB Verity is 5mths - couple of days after Princess Katherine.....I like the term bonny Sorry about the cold - what a fab description....'two burnt socks' I SO know what you mean - how horrid Germ free (((((hug)))) over to you!

hedgepig thank goodness it wasn't Tarquin. No offence to any LOs out there - but Oliver is a mighty nice name.

lilibet is your hair of the red persuassion? I'm a big fan of the fringe...hides a multitude of lines!

jw Iris was a really slow grower. Not sure why - and then at about 8 mnths she went nuts and looked like a little barrell. Yep - to start with we had lots of stress. Even though she was about 33-34 weeks she went down to just over 3lbs....scary stuff. Took her ages to get into the swing of things. She's still shorter than all her friends. So if you compare and contrast with Katherine - she's positively tucking it all away!

Thanks for the reminder mrsB......*starts pretending to try and stop wee in full flow!

warning warning warning warning

do not for the sake of your mental health go on the DM site and click onto the link about Cindy Crawford at age 42!!

That has got to be airbrushed. I'm not denying she is a good looking woman but surely....................?

jj My red isn't as natural as it used to be, but I was described as a ginger the other day by dd's boss .

ds2 is a proper ginger and I love it. I can pick him out on the rugby pitch from any distance.

jw - brilliant story about your name. And oh yes, we provided much office gossip especially as there is an age gap of over 10 years! Woo hoo for the older woman!

G'd Afternoon all!
Well,yet another loooong weekend doing my mothers living room over (4 months now and still not finished! [depressed emoticon]) and it has just taken me 45 mins to catch up!!
JW Hope I didnt offend with the Autism quip, I know the mmr wont cause it, I think I read everything that was ever written, but as soon as I had it done I got innundated with horror stories, triggering my paranoia...We have a teenager with Aspergers in the family, which is occasionally frustrating for all concerned and I'm sorry to hear that your dss has been diagnosed with it, I hope that you are being offered lots of specialist help. Our lads' parents were actually relieved when he got his diagnosis, as they could accept the "condition" more than they could his apparently willfully inappropriate comments . Oh and lol at your fathers method of chosing your name! Mine deliberately switched my 1st and middle names so my initials wouldnt be MAC (he didnt want this to be my nickname at school)...fine, I'm called by my middle name...but it doesnt half cause problems in hospital, especially when they are trying to bring you round from an anaesthetic!
JJ Verity is a bonny lass! What a wonderful expression of delight you caught! And Iris looks to be throughly enjoying the birthday bubbles. I'm glad you had such a lovely day.
Mrsmac I'm so glad you got your prince charming in the end..after such a dreadful time you truly deserved a good 'un.
MrsBoogie Hope the "burnt sock" lungs improve. Lots of steam is brilliant for it....I had the same "problem" a couple of weeks ago when I got a cold and was sneezing violently ... oh yes the joys of the pelvic floor excersises.

Put me on the list as another who met their Dh online....I was joined up to a dating site by a "friend", I let my membership lapse, but 6 months later got a message that someone had written to me and, curiosity killing the cat and all that, I rejoined to see who was interested, was inundated with blokes apparently interested, corresponded with 12, met 4 and married the first of them (well, he went working away for 5 weeks, I did tell him I'd be seeing the others while he was gone!)...on and just like JW when we met up again and decided to see each other exclusively he had to wait 3 weeks...12 months later he proposed and we married 2yrs and 2weeks after our first date(venue was booked for the actual anniversary)

Goodness jeanjeannie I can't believe how big Verity has grown since you posted the last picture of her. Iris looks so sweet with her bubbles. If only I could do technology I would post some pictures and you could see what similar hairstyles Iris and Elizabeth are sporting. Come to think of it, so are you and I, although mine is just above my shoulder after my recent haircut. Don't complain about the pic, I think you look great. Not at all like a woman who's surviving on about 30 minutes sleep a night!

Big news of the day is . . . drum roll please . . . Elizabeth has her hearing aids The fitting this morning went very well, the audiologist showed us how he had programmed them on the computer specifically for her and after a few minor adjustments he put them in. She looked a bit bemused but was remarkably unfazed by it all. I have to admit to shedding a tear when he stood behind her and clapped and she turned round to see where the sound was coming from. She hadn't responded to the clapping at all before. She had them in for 15 mins before taking them out then we learnt how to put them in. It's trickier than I thought, especially on a wriggly 19 month old. She kept them in for about half an hour then took one out in the car. I managed to get it back in and she kept them in after that, even though after we dropped DH at work she was on her own in the back of the car. We went straight to a friend's house after that and she eventually took them out when she got tired. She sucks her right thumb and plays with her left ear when she's tired, so obviously discovered it was there when she did that.

I'm chuffed that she kept them in for so long on the first day. She's asleep now but I'll put them back in when she wakes up and see how we do. Our key person from the Hearing Impairment Team, Caroline, came with us this morning and she's going to pop by tomorrow morning to see how we're doing. I can't praise everybody we've seen so far highly enough.

We have to go back to the hospital every 2 months for new moulds to be made as she's growing so fast at this stage. Luckily we get free batteries as they only last 2 weeks. Shame they're not AA, we've got loads of toys that take that size