40+ Yummy Mummies :-)

[mrsboogie]

mornin' ladies

and the conversation continues...

tee I wouldn't worry too much - I think it's a renters market out there - what with the economic collapse and all that. I'm sure it'll be fine - he'd have to be a nutter to turn out good tennants.

ermintrude Loving your DHs style....

MrsB you have given it a lot of thought haven't you!! Got me thinking - not sure what my own girlie room would be like....MMMmmmm........*goes off to ponder

JJ and MrsB you're probably right and I am worrying for nothing. I really would like to stay in this flat for at least another year after this lease is up. Although it may not be financially possible, because DH may lose his job at the end of this school year and although he is apply for others, most of them are for less salary. City Centre living ain't cheap!

no point worrying until you've got a reason to worry tee that's what I always say

Excellent philosophy, mrsb!!

I actually do like our house but I just want to keep adding more space. We don't really need it though. We're quite lucky really that we've got a seperate office (which sold it to us really) so it's not a case of moving to find somewhere to work.

I'm with ermntrude and mrsb in that I love old character houses. I'd like one of those old 3 storey Victorian affairs that would give you a heart attack just getting up the stairs to the loo. Like you see on location location and is priced waaaaaaaaaaay out of your league (well out of my league anyway ) Actually I think Gordon Ramsay's is a bit like that..in his Wandsworth palace with the huge back garden

Will have to make do with some new wallpaper in the meantime.

I see Russell Brand won best stand up award last night at the comedy awards. I wonder what the DM will make of it? Must go and have a look! Nope, nothing there. Funny that isn't it? I think Deayton was quite correct when he said in his opening lines that the couple of complaints when the broadcast first went out until the DM got hold of it then they had 32,000 complaints from people who hadn't even heard it! haha. Bet Russell is wetting his pants at winning

tee surely your landlord can't chuck you out for having a baby? Have you checked your lease agreement? Don't you fancy moving before baby is born? I would have thought it'd be twice as hard moving afterwards.

Usual goings on here today at Worf towers....picking DS#2 up today and cooking a sunday lunch. Masses of orders this weekend (no surprise) so going to start doing some work in a bit when K has settled back to sleep. Other than that, nothing much of note Anyone got anything exciting happening today?

Oh yes before I forget, noticed that on Amazon clothing (it's new) they are selling maternity clothes at very reasonable prices

JW what the lease says is that we have to let them know if there will be children in the house. And our lease isn't up until a month after I'm due, so moving before isn't really an option.

I don't want to move anyway, unless we absolutely have to, due to DH losing his job in June. Which is also when the baby is due! No idea when we're going to know about DH's job. He works for the University here and they can't seem to get their heads out of their collective asses.

oooh crikey. All things happening at once. Seems June is the month then

Morning...just! DP let me have a sleep-in today...as last night I finally got sleep at 5.20am. That's when I turned off the small side light and Verity finally dropped off We attmpted Controlled crying (much frowned upon in many MN threads - but desperation got the better of us!) however she was having none of it. She wailed for a whole hour and a half - before we gave up.

I'd love a Victorian house on Wandsworth common - oh lordy they're to sell your soul for.

tee gosh it really is all kicking off in June. Blimey. Is you DH able to look for a replacement job now or does he have to wait until he knows what's happening?

Finishing off crimble cards today and it's thick frost outside, so my plan is to stay where it's warm!

lilibet are you OK sweet?

PWCBird are you there too?

JJ he's looking for a job as we speak. But he has to give like 3 months notice, but they will probably let him go earlier if he finds something.

What exactly is Controlled Crying anyway?

At least he's able to have a look Tee Oh I hate the three months notice thing! Can you still stay in the area or does he have to chase universities?

Well, controlled crying (or CC as MN speak refers to it ) is basically nothing more grand than letting them wail - giving them a cuddle - letting them wail - giving them a cuddle. Pick up baby, put baby down. etc, etc, etc....anything other than stuffing your nipple in their mouth to stuck themselves to sleep!!!

Iris was an amazing sleeper so we're really not used to this at all

Well, JJ there are only 2 universities in Northern Ireland, and we are not willing to move out of Belfast, so that sort of limits him. There are some small colleges/extended learning places, however, and that is also what he is looking at.

Does CC ever work? And is it called controlled crying because you are giving the baby all of the control??

haha tee sounds about right. I can't see cc working - if you let D cry he goes apoplectic within seconds. How would just scream his head off for as long as he was left and wouldn't stop when you picked him up.

ooo err. My sister texted me last night to say that she had developed a sudden bad cough. Well, it got much worse overnight and she took herself off to the emergency docs today and they said she has a v bad case of pleurisy . Thing is she is supposed to be coming to visit next weekend for my birthday and I am worried that it might be contagious. It's obviously viral as she didn't have a cold or chest infection or anything first. I've gone all neurotic mummy

The doctor said its doing the rounds, this pleurisy malarky eeeek jw

No excitement here - just more decorating and tidying. We are so chuffed the colours and wallpaper is dead glam

AHhhhhh, pleurisy is awful - I've had it and I thought I was dying I'm not sure if it's catching - I seem to remember mine came on after a bout of flu - but google it to make sure!

tee No I think CC works when they're older - much like leaving a 2 yr old to flap about on the floor having a hissy fit! Basically if you've got a screamer then you've got a screamer

Although there was that scary lady on tv (one where they took various styles of parenting and test drove them) and she just left newborns to cry at 2 weeks - so that they would sleep through the night Turned out she had no qualifications and had lied about her experience

Just had a bacon and egg sandwich - so pleasing

Sunday pics of the girls and their adventurous outing yesterday! Eat yer heart out Ray Mears

awwwwwwwwwww the girls are so cute! Love Iris' hat too I'm wondering how Verity managed to scale that wooden contraption....she surely is superbaby She's starting to look very much like you JJ .

Would never leave a baby to cry. Babies aren't clever enough to devise plans to stop parents sleeping, get them up out of their seat, stop them watching fav telly progs...etc. Crying is the only communication they have. If it's goin' on, then there's something up. Would never leave K to cry anyway what with her dodgy chest.

Leading on to pleurisy. Don't know a lot about it tbh apart from it being an inflammation and being very painful. Just googled it to wikipedia where it says (I think) it's a secondary infection.

Very good article in yesterdays times regarding common colds and prevention. Pretty much common sense really. I'm officially hibernating now and not stepping outside until spring so hopefully I'll avoid all these nasty bugs (only for the sake of K I might add).

mrsb hoping that your sis is on the mend very soon. I'd consult your GP surgery or your pharmacist for advice if you're worried but to my thinking, it's not contagious. Fingers crossed Darragh is ok. Just thought...you'll be getting as paranoid as me at this rate

aww lovely sweet pics jj Verity does look like you. They look to be having such fun. You seem such a fun energetic mum jj.

yeah jw anything to do with lungs in a LO is scary.

JJ hope you checked that the bacon wasn't from Ireland, or did you miss all the OMG DON'T EAT ANY PORK AT ALL furore? pork news

Basically they are pulling all Irish pork from the shelves because of contamination but you'd have to eat the bad pork every day for a year or two for it to actually harm you. Usual MN panic over this, of course.

And JJ both of your girls are adorable!

Gorgeous pics JJ.

I have to own up to using the dreaded CC on dd. She was still in bed with us at 8 months old, 4 months after I'd returned to work, and she liked to be clamped onto me in a milky sweat all night - I'd just turn this way and that, taking her with me, like a great sow. Not a good night's sleep for any of us but she'd scream blue murder if I put her in her crib or cot. So she had to be 'taught' that being placed, all fed and warm and sleepy, in her cosy cot was safe and that, although we would always be nearby, crying wouldn't get her back into our bed. No picking up or anything - gives them a false hope which is then dashed when you put them back - but brief, gentle talking (thru the yells) and back-rubbing/ hand-kissing etc. before saying goodnight and leaving again. Left her for 2 mins then 4 then 8 then 16 etc. Had to be restrained by my sisters because I'd never let her cry for long before. 1st night she wailed for 1.5 hrs, 2nd night for 45 mins, 3rd night she grumbled a little and then gave up and slept and has been a champion sleeper ever since.

But obviously if there had been any worries about her lungs or other health issues, there's no way I'd have been able to do it!

mrsb, pleurisy can be awful and last for ages but I think people are prone to getting it when an infection like a bad cold settles on their lungs (not v scientific; I sound like my Nan). So not contagious. Your poor sis though, I hope she shifts it fast.

DH is cooking pasta for tea, must try to eat some even though M/S has come back with a vengeance today - I thought it was getting slightly better the past 3 days but looks like that wasn't a trend, just a blip. Boo!

Thank you all for the kind comments on the girls....and yes, apart from her ears I reckon Verity has got a bit of the Jeanjeannie about her

tee I ran off to check the pork....phew....Danish. I think that's far enough from Ireland to be safe!! Yes, Tee, you stay clear of those home-made, pork-based products now!

ermintrude that's interesting. I think I need to wait till Verity is a bit older - perhaps when she's conquered the current confusion that is...solids! But your description of your DD attached to you all night like a sow just sounds SO familiar

mrsB I saw the MOST GEORGEOUS chaise lounge today - in black and white damask -just soooo beautiful and I thought of you! High Wycombe, being an old furniture town means we've still got loads of places that make lovely hand made stuff. Even our ASDA is on Parker Knoll Way!! Anyway - there was a small half price sale and guess what - yep, the sofa bed we wanted was in it and then he's knocking off a spot more for cash...........yeee haaaa!!! SOOOo pleasing

JW you're Bury way....do you go to the market? Only that I heard a prog on the radio today all about it and it won the Market of the year. Sounds fabulous.

Am watching Take That on TV - it's like some sort of family entertainment show circa 72! FAB. I love the song Shine.. genius pop song.

ooooh jj that sounds yummy, when I win the lottery* you will have to tell me where the shop is

*note to self - start doing lottery.

ermintrude yep the sis is not at all well, it isn't a secondary infection in her case as she was fine until it suddenly hit last night but she is very successful in a very stressful job in a male industry and the stress is forever making her ill. She has only just ended a period of several months where she was having up to 15 heart palpitations per hour. Had to wear a heart monitor to work etc. That's ended and now this. I keep telling her that it isn't worth it but she has worked so hard to get to where she is she won't countenance slowing down.

mrsb never understood compromising your health for a job. Is it really worth it I ask myself?

A chaise longue? how decadent we ladies are becoming!

JJ I also was listening to the programme (if you're referring to the R4 one on around 12ish today). Yep, we do occasionally go to the market. It's a lovely one I must say. And it sells nice black puddings although I don't partake very much these days. Plus, not many on the scrote count I thought that piece on R4 was interesting...I would have thought most markets were in decline these days (which is what I think they were talking about).

K's never been in our bed. Been there done that one with my older 3 and never again. It's a very hard habit to break once it's started. Actually JJ interesting what you were saying earlier about Iris being a good sleeper as opposed to Verity. None of my older 3 were good ones but I finally got one with K (most of the time). Come on though, I deserve it 4th time lucky!

Morning All

Ooh yes, Bury Market won Best Market category in R4's Food Programme awards. Sounded fantastic. I love the Food Programme; makes me drool, and it's great on the politics of food production and retail too. In my imaginary life I go to such a market daily, picking out the choicest fresh produce ready to prepare a gorgeous yet still healthy meal for us (as I'm sure you do up near Bury, JW!). In my real life I have just taken a Sainsbury's lasagne out of the freezer. Before this pregnancy I'd NEVER buy ready-meals - would do simple pasta or veg risotto if I hadn't anything else in - but thinking of what to eat and cooking it makes me want to hurl, so I've put a few Bad Things in the freezer. As soon as the M/S stops I will be getting my organic veg box delivered and preparing fresh soups and casseroles every day, honest...

mrsb The chair of the Board where I used to work got pleurisy - she was a workaholic, high-achieving, fantastically successful, always insanely busy, and it does seem to be the kind of thing that preys on stress. She was ordered off work - first by her doctor, whom she ignored, and then by her very worried work colleagues, and just had to rest up for 2 months, which did her the world of good even though she hated not doing anything. It's one of those ways in which the body (and the mind) says - stop! I'm not going to recover until you rest me a bit!

Tee hope DH's job hunt goes well, and that your evil landlord doesn't tell you there's no longer any room at the inn for a lady with a baby...

Morning all.

Back at work today and I think I am regretting it. I'm totally exhausted and more nauseous than I've been in days. And my job isn't all that stressful, so it ain't that!

Oh well, I'll see how it goes. In two weeks I'm off until after the New Year anyway!

mornin all

ermintrude - v similar situation here, the sis has been signed off for a week but I can't see her staying off longer if she is able to struggle in. Its a competitive industry and she wouldn't want others worming their way in to areas of her control. This lady is starting to think about getting pregnant and if she does I think she will be in for a shock! As tee is no doubt finding - its quite hard to be motivated about work when you are sick and tired and your brain is more interested in you being pregnant than boring old work .

I was neither sick nor tired when pg but I really could not be arsed with work and I found my colleagues very very irritating. Didn't want to be there at all - but I couldn't ease off as my boss is a v un-pc old git who would have been very quick to point out that the pregnant lady wasn't pulling her weight. I never took a single day off sick throughout the pregnancy - even when I was bleeding. We had a chat about work before I left and he said "oh well, your life is going to change anyway" meaning that he expected me to be totally useless once I became a mother. He's 65 and a bit of a dinosaur. Should have retired now but he doesn't want to.

More painting today - I have to paint the window sills and doors one at a time as Oscar the bloody cat insists upon stepping on the freshly painted ones. He vanished for a long sleep yesterday under the bed so I took the chance to paint the back door sill - as soon as I'd finished I turned around to find him behind me eying up the door step. He couldn't rest then for the rest of the day until he'd trodden in it. At one point he walked past me with one paw clicking as it stuck to the floor and he left a trail of white footprints across the laminate floor

Still, maybe paint is poisonous...

Having a very busy day today..with more orders than I can shake a stick at...BUT...I cannot grumble at all

Must say that highlight of last night was Austin the rugby player taking his shirt off - hey, I'm easily pleased these days. DH made a quip about it being his body double but I think he was confusing him with Bruce Forsyth.

ermintrude I don't go to the market daily, not even weekly and I must confess that my fruit and veg comes from the supermarket although it is organic

I wonder where lilibet is? If you are lurking dear, hello . Hoping you are ok ((hug))