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

mine's really long at the mo but I have decided to go for the rough bob that is all the go at the moment according to Grazia (as seen on Kate Moss and the gorgeous creature in the Bond posters) but is eminently suitable for aging biddies

I don't even have a tumble dryer so I reckon I am off the hook as far as nappies go

Well my fingers will be crossed for little Miss K tomorrow JW

Aww mrsb hope I haven't made you feel guilty for something you shouldn't. I'm not on a one woman crusade! It's once again, just a personal choice for me. I just wasn't getting someone who shells out £200+ then flogs it off for a fraction of the price cos they can't be arsed. Seems like a waste of money really.

New haircut in the pipeline is sounding fab mrsb. I had something rather drastic last time - the one where the hairdresser is going 'are you really sure about this'? and I was and we both agreed it suited me when it was finished. However, I went for 2 shades darker last time (almost black) and it really didn't suit me until 2 washes later when it'd calmed down. I used to dye my hair black when I was younger and it really did suit me but as I've got older it makes my skin/face look very hardened. May go back to my plummy red again

Talking of Moss woman, I saw the close up pics of her on DM website this morning and she looks a fright. Just goes to show that without the slap, she's worse than the rest of us and the partying/booze/fags really has taken its toll.

Oh, and I'm trying out the concealer pen (touche eclat on a budget) from Aldi which has had fab press for being as good as the YSL one. Now, I can get the real deal at cost but it's still outrageously priced. If this one is as good as it's been written about, then I'll be a happy bunny Will let you know.

Talking of make up I've had a look in my make up bag and decided to have a clear out. I'm not one of those people that has masses of stuff anyway; one foundation, one mascara, set of eyeshadows etc. But decided that as some of them have a sell by date of 1957 on them, the time has come

Also, has anyone tried out this cheaper version of Molton Brown? Can't remember it's name...something like Wareing and someone. Sorry I'm so vague but think they sell it in ASDA.

Thanks for good wishes for tomorrow's appointment. I keep thinking positive and all but you always worry about them don't you?

Apparently Le Crueset is on offer in Tesco.

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whoops!

won't let me paste link but you can cut n paste that address into your address bar if you're interested.

oh I'd love to have some le creuset stuff, but I'm the sort of eejit who would spend her spare money on shoes rather than stuff like that. Although now that my feet have expanded withways about 50% since pregnancy I can't fit into many shoes or boots (calves too ) so perhaps I will stop building my shoe collection. Nearly bought some le creuset recently - lovely teal blue colour...

oh and no - you haven't made me feel guilty jw - if I was susceptible to guilt on that front I wouldn't be using pampers

ooh Stephen Fry tonight and Top Gear - fab!

Evening all OOooo, another fun-size Mars bar?...someone stop me!

mrsB that is good news re GTT...well done you. We have the teal colour le creuset - only sale stuff mind you. There is always 20% off on a Thurs at House of Fraser....pleasing!!

jw Nope, I've not tried the silk liners....but I think they've got good anti-nappy rash properties.

We've not got an Aldi - is it like Lidl...or more upmarket? - if that's the right word
Touche Eclat is horrifically expensive - nice though. You've set me off about Xmas. I remember last year was a ridiculous rush - awful and stressful. So, I've already bought some cards.......nowhere near writing them yet - but I'm already pleased with myself that it's something to tick off the list.

Good luck for tomorrow - let us know how you get on.

Clean forgot that it's Iris's 2nd birthday next week. We were going to SOuth Wales but is too much of a hike - so we've now got nowt planned. I'm figuring that she's two - she's hardly going to be upset!! Does that make me a bad parent? Or just a frugal one?!

Errrr sorry if I've missed something but what exactly is in South Wales for a 2 year olds birthday? What about taking her to Ikea and letting her go around the ball pit for an hour. She'll be happy

Well done on starting your xmas jobs JJ. Christmas is overrated as it is without added stress on top of everything. I think as we get older we're constantly sold this chocolate box image of Christmas but we should all be old enough to know that in reality it's usually drunken uncles and burnt roast spuds!

I've bought 4 of the silk liners so lets see how they go and if they really do work.

I've been scratching my head about what to get K for xmas as she's so tiny she won't even know what it's about but after talking to the eye man last week, I've been looking out these black and white mobiles. I initially bought her one of the Tiny Love symphony in motion ones and she hates it so anyhoo.....I've found the b&w ones. They're made by Wimmer-Ferguson and as all things educational they're expensive. So, not bought the mobile but did go for the soft shape toys with patterns in red/white/black. I also bought a few more of the Tana Hoban black and white books from Amazon y'day as the one I bought last week is a fanastic hit with her She seems to like nothing better than staring at a white page with a black bucket on it. Odd.

Aldi and Lidl are pretty much the same but it's the Aldi range of cosmetics that have hit the press as pretty good. Their own brand of anti-wrinkle cream sold out a few months back as it apparently actually works. I have a pot upstairs which DH uses I suppose it's better than paying through the nose.

Ah, South Wales is where my aunt is having an 80th birthday bash and loads of my family will be there and I've not seen them for over 20 yrs! So we thought it would be nice- but now seems too much bother. IKEA is a fab idea and she loves the food too

This book / cot bumber thing is fab. Am going to do a Jojomaman bebe shop - few things there for the girls for Xmas - like socks with little grippy bottoms so Iris doesn't go continually skating into the cat!

Awwww, Verity has discovered the cat - she shrieks with delight - not the cat that is - the child! Come to think of it - Bob the cat is black and white....MMmmm, curious children

Am loving the cot bumper toy! I'm sure Verity would love it

Poor cat. They're quite clever creatures though and I'm sure Bob will manage to escape the clutches of Verity once she's mobile.

And yes! black and white cat! Obviously providing hours of stimulation and you didn't even know it

Shame you'll be missing out on the birthday affair but it's a win/win at Ikea as Iris would like it and you can have a mummy look around

Elizabeth had a similar unwinding book/bumper thing. Got it at the local children's bookshop. She had hers inside her pram and seemed to like it. Not that she could tell me otherwise at that age.

I didn't get the dress but I got the top version of it. As it's almost knee length I thought it would do as a top and a dress. Looks really nice on as is quite slim fitting at the top so I don't look too huge. Also got a wrapover l/s black top which is rather nice soft jersey and a s/s white T shirt with a lowish neck to wear under other stuff. My favourite buy is this which was a bit pricey but looks so nice on and I think I'll wear it all the time. Again, because it's so fitted across the top it's very flattering. I find I'm cold all the bloody time so I need nice cozy cardies, I never seem to get that pregnancy overheating thing. Mind you, I always have been a chilly mortal.

Tee I agree that you shouldn't but anything for a while. I had to buy the Gap maternity jeans early on because I showed really early, due to this being my 5th time around and the lack of stomach muscles! Up until 3 weeks ago even I could still fit into my low cut skinny ish jeans as they came under the bump, though they were starting to cut in a bit. I am usually a size 12 though have a big bust so sometimes wear a 14 because of this. I found I fitted into 12s in Blooming Marvelous so I think their sizing must be fairly generous.

johnworf good luck with Katherine's appointment today. Will be keeping my fingers crossed that no surgery will be needed. I'm liking the sound of the Aldi touche eclat but I don't think we have one anywhere near us. The real deal I had to give up using as it gave me a kind of eczema. According to ex sister-in-law (oscar winning make-up artist!) a lot of people suffer the same reaction and she won't use it anymore. I am well stocked with make-up as I really splashed out for my wedding. I love Laura Mercier stuff and her tinted moisturiser is my desert island product. I spent big money on a Chantecaille compact foundation which is lovely and I use that when I'm looking a bit tired. Will never be able to justify replacing it when it runs out though so am using it very sparingly.

Surrey was nice and Bridezilla had a hangover so was bearable. Still wondering what we are going to do with the children after the church service though as we will be in a tiny village miles from home. Reception is in a huge marquee in her parents' garden. All this moaning though and we didn't have any children at our wedding! We had a smallish wedding (40 ish people) with the reception at home so the only kids there were my own plus Grace's best friend. We just felt we didn't actually have room for children as well. Most people who came had older kids but I did give the two couples with toddlers the choice of whether they wanted to bring them or not and both decided they would have a more relaxed time (code for being able to get pissed) if they left them at home. However the following weekend we had a big party at DH's parents house to which we invited lots of kids, so felt that balanced it out.

Grace has an inset day today so back at school tomorrow. I really should be getting on with jobs today. Our good intentions of sorting out our clothes mountain came to nothing so that will be next weekend's job. Today I need to tackle my overflowing laundry basket. Brought back almost whole cooked leg of lamb from the in-laws (they cooked 2 and we only ate a bit of the 2nd one) so need to think of what I can do with it. I can only think of cottage pie, usually do Delia's one where you cook leeks in butter and add those to the mash along with cheddar cheese. Hardly any calories Any other ideas?

God sorry, that was a long post. Obviously tee i meant you shouldn't buy anything for a while.

By the way, lilibet what were you doing at the Whittington? It's only 10 minutes from me and is where I'm having this baby!

ladymac am liking those items of clothing you bought. Very nice. Am wishing I was up the duff again so I could wear them Hmmm on reflection nope, not really!

Thanks for good wishes. Hers is a lunchtime appointment so I have work to do beforehand.

Speak later.

YES yes yes!!!!! I have got the computer back Ben is safely back to school and so I can sit in my jimmies wibbling on mumsnet again.
Everyone looks well.
Ladymac I love the cardie. Another pace to consder for maternity wear is Pumpkin Patch they only have a small selection but nice quality
JW I hope the hospital goes well today.

wopps place not pace

woppee MW has just been and Oliver has finally got back to his birthweight (he was 4 weeks yesterday). I gave up Bfeeding on Monday so he is now on the the bottle (just like just mother ) and it seems to have worked, He is not quite back on the bottom centile line but at least we are going in the right direction.

Well done on the weight gain Oliver and of course you too hedgepig. Were you happy to go on to FF or was there pressure because of the weight issue?

jeanjeannie I want the long story about you and The Sun. If you were wearing Isabella Oliver then it couldn't have been page 3

Still waiting for leftover lamb recipes. Help me out here!

I see from Mirror website that Rick Parfitt's 47-year-old wife has just had twins...

Oh, and we are all meant to be boozing now whilst pregnant, but coffee is the latest demon.

These constant contradictions from above just go to prove that you have to make your own decisions on these things...

Can't keep up with all the what you should and shouldn't do studies. Coffee seems to affect me too much during pregnancy so just have the occasional latte. Have never taken much notice of the alcohol thing as am of the old-fashioned 'a little of what you fancy does you good' school of thought.

How are you goldenpig? What's occuring? Will go and check out the DM website at once!

The one what you should and shouldn't do study that has me baffled is lunch meat and listeria. Can I? Can't I? Never thought I'd crave a ham sandwich!

My booking in appointment is tomorrow, gang. I already have a list of questions a mile long!

Tee i think if the ham is well processed/packaged and sealed from the supermarket it is fine, if it has been sitting on a deli counter then it is considered best avoided. Also air dried ham such as parma should be avoided, but I am also of the school of a little bit of what you fancy, although pregnancy make me feel so ill I stopped eating anyway.
ladymac it broke my heart to give up breast feeding to be honest, but he was taking more and more formula as a top up after each BF so it was obvious that he wasn't going to pick up on the breastfeding. I feel OK now I have made the decision.
left over lamb, a bit boring but I just mince it up an make a shepherds pie

Try not to be too sad hp, you've given him a great start in life. Breast feeding is great but doesn't always work out. There are lots of positives about FF.

there are defiantly positives ladymac, I slept in the spare room last night and DH did all the feeds, 8 hrs sleep total bliss .

Back ladies.

Ok. Duct still open and after consideration, no surgery.......yet. Back in 3-4 weeks for more of the same to see if she needs it closing. God, I nearly broke down in there. If he'd have said yes, it's surgery, I know I would have done Can't face more time on the ITU or more ventilation, or just more surgery and pain for K.

Ok...what about moussaka with left over lamb?

hedgepig you haven't failed so don't think you have. You did your best and you tried but hey, not everything works out and Oliver is thriving...Just remember, that is all that matters (ooh and you're getting sleep as well!)

New study shows coffee/tea makes baby small along with all the usual crap that we shouldn't be having. I ate what came to hand when I was pregnant (and as long as it didn't send my blood sugars off the scale). Only thing avoided was pate/brie.

JW glad to hear no surgery! I'll keep hoping for you that it remains that way.

Since I am diabetic carbs is mostly what I am concerned about, but this whole listeria thing has me a bit freaked out. We had hotdogs for lunch last weekend and even though they were piping hot, I was still a bit nervous about them. Told DH wouldn't be having them again!! But then again the sausages we had yesterday didn't worry me at all!

I'm totally neurotic, I know I am!