40 + yummy mummies with baby tummies and those who've 'popped' - come hither!

[jeanjeannie]

Come join our merry (talkative) band of ladies who lunch - feel sick - are getting fatter - sleep deprived or run off their feet with babies! Some of us suffer all of the above - while trying to retain an air of calm and mystery

All we ask is you play nicely, eat cake and indulge in the occasional gossip and moan about our ills....or anything else that we can think of.

We're like grumpy old women....only not so grumpy...

btw, JW, how is your sister doing?

mrsb it's a horrible illness. Spread so easily too and hand washing really goes a long way in prevention.

ermintrude they sent my sister home last week (the same day she was admitted) and they're going to induce her next week if she hasn't already gone into labour. I know they've given her steroid injection but if she goes to next week, then she'll be 37 weeks so it's not too bad. She says she feels a bit off colour but she has done for a few weeks now so not sure if she has some sort of infection although I would have thought and hoped the hospital would have checked this.

I remember when I was having my DS#1 and I felt off for a while before I had him. Anyway, when he was born they took him to SCBU as he was jaundiced due to ABO incompatibility so he went under the lamps and they routinely swab. Turned out he had Strep B which can and has been fatal for babies. Why don't they routinely look for this?

For anyone interested, TK Maxx are selling Jellycat teddies for £2.99! They retail for a lot more than this. I picked up two for K.

online or in store jw?

ignore me! they don't do online

Where is jj today?

out and about with the girls at playgroup probably...

Yes, I'm here!!! *runs in with cup of tea and flops on sofa!

Been to playgroup and MOST enlightening!
I met a 'guvnor' from the school Iris's nursery is at and where we'd like to go....and she gave me some HUGE top tips! She said definately enroll for pre-school ASAP! Plus they have been taking children from our area - I'm Thrilled! So I've done that today and got her name down for this time next year - the first term after 3rd birthday So kaz looks like you were right - it does make a difference to have a connection

This same woman went to visit our catchement shcool (as she lives near us) and asked the head what they were doing to improve? Answer: No point - the kids here are never going to reach their potential or pass the 11+ - it's not worth the money

I'm with ermintrude my ideal would be a comp taking in all areas - but what happens in reality is that it divides itself up just like the grammar system anyway. Poor/middle class divide - never the twain shall meet.

Jw this woman did say that if you're new to an area you always stand more chance getting into faith schools but she didn't explain why.

Pleased the humidifier is doing its job - how awful to see bronchilitis whip through children like that

hedgepig we had a rubbish night too. I think they're all around the rumbling teeth time. i think it starts younger than we think.

We're awaiting a call from 'Father Nikolai'...!!! While I was out - DP got to work ringing the C of E / Serbian Orthodox church over in picturesque West Wycombe to see about christening the girls. The old priest he spoke to no longer does the ceremonies - so it's over to young Father Nikolai to give us the low-down. I have visions of a Eastern European style Father Ted

splendid JJ hopefully all this networking at play groups will pay off, it just seems ridiculous you have to do all this ducking and diving to get your kids into a decent school. We are quite lucky here most of the village schools are fine and Bens school is very small but has a lovely atmosphere and is really helping with his confidence which for me is one of the most important things a primary can do.

We have just had a visit from 2 other babies, all the LOs completely ignored each other but us mummy's had a gossip so that was good. I am seriously contemplating a nap, this sleep deprivation is playing havoc with my diet I have no will power when I am tired (no weight loss last week by the way)

I was so tired this morning I ate four slices of toast - first bread in four weeks. Was lovely but I shall start putting weight back on soon.

hedgepig nice that you had some grown up company. I only have DH most of the time and he's got his head in a SQL manual today. Have a lie down while little O is napping and before B comes home

DH has been sent with my list clutched tightly in his hand to Costco. Just to make you feel better hedgepig I've put on said list not one, but two lemon drizzle cakes. I'm hoping the Wii might shift them - if I stay on it all night.

Didn't know you were having the girls christened JJ. Any excuse for a party Interesting info on faith school entrance. I'm thinking that if you are of the faith they take, then you get a bit further in the queue than someone who isn't. Although I don't know of anyone who went to my older children's school who wasn't catholic. Now whether they discriminated, or non-faith children just didn't go there, no idea. I know that the secondary school we have our eye on is very tight on faith...it's the one that's banned the german measles jab

Still, at least you now have someone on the 'inside' who is giving you a nod and a wink on top tips for getting a decent school. Agree with the middle/lower class divide though...seems a shame.

So sorry for all you mums (and mums to be) that are having bad nights. It's one thing I'm really grateful for. K went to bed at 9pm and woke me at 5.30am, then went straight back to sleep after bottle and nappy change until 7.45am. She's a good girl Hoping tonight is better for you ladies.

Hello all! Just got the results of the nuchal fold scan back- my age related risk of Down's: 1:84, adjusted by the nuchal fold thickness (1.2mm) to 1:518. Which is reassuring.

woppee Duchess that sounds good.

excellent result duchesse

Oh jw the lemon drizzle cake...MMmmmmm. I've just had a bowl of museli with blueberrys...woo hoo

Yeah - we've been thinking about christening for sometime...and the Serbian/CofE seemed 'a sign' as they are our respective churches of DP & moi. We're not religious - well, I'm not but DP kind of is. MIL is HUGELY religious as is FIL - so we're doing it more out of tradition and the fact we both are Christened. Silly I know - we could have a naming - but we're only looking into it at the moment....Father Nikolai may tell us to bog off to Belgrade or something

Quite a few muslims children at our local CofE school and that always confuses me...?!

ermintrude I'm sooo with you on the charity status of the private schools. I notice our local school Wycombe Abbey (approx £26,000 per y and top girls school in country) does nothing charitable except offer a reduced fee for very bright girls...huh? what's all that about? My mate works there and said that the reduced fee is 18,000.... I have real issues with that No - make that !

Second day running and Verity is refusing a daytime nap. DP just said to her 'clap Verity' and she did. Then he said wave....and yep, she did. Oh crikey - that's just weird.....

duchese posted before I saw your news....FAB...that's reassuring

That's fantastic duchesse!!

I am eating chocolate cake. I brought it into work today, although tomorrow is my birthday, because I am stuck in Board meetings all day tomorrow. There was no way I was buying our Board chocolate cake!!

tee happy pre-birthday choccie cake
Maybe you can buy them cardboard cake [groan emoticon]

[double groan emoticon]

No choccie cake for you! Bad JJ!!

surely they should buy you cake Tee

Chocolate cake and diabetes? tsk tsk

Well done duchesse on your great results. Another hurdle passed

Very surprised that CofE take muslim children. I know the CofE (high) church near to my old house wouldn't even give you a funeral unless you attended church on a regular basis (I'm serious here). Obviously before you were dead Have they become a bit more flexible over the years then?

Yes, I've had a smallish slice of the lemon drizzle and I must say, Costco do the best. Cor blimey, I can feel my arteries furring up with each mouthful

Awful news re Jade Goody. Never had any time for her but if her cancer has now spread then I think the prognosis is not a good one....feel for her children more than anything.

CofE schools seem to be different to the actual church JW. I think because they have been part of the system for so long. Ben goes to a CoE school and we are atheists, but as his catchment school it was the only one we could guarantee to get a place at. There was no questions about faith when we put his name down.

I thought they had to take a certain proportion of kids who are not of the school's faith these days in order to qualify for certain governmental monies? or did I imagine that?

Aye, you have to feel sorry for Jade - must be awful for her looking at her 2 kids and knowing that she won't see them grow much older. Not to mention what lies ahead of her now.

jw stop it - I'm very at even a small mouthfull of lemon drizzle cake. Costco do the best tubs of Greek youghurt - and we've run out ....I'm besides myself!

Yes, so sad about Jade Goody Sounds like she'd had her first abnormal smear at 16 and the treatment had scared her off repeat smears so never followed up the letters calling her back. Makes you realise how important it is....which reminds me I'm due mind in April - ugh!! Still, I can think of worse things to endure. I'd rather have a smear than watch Pop Idol

I think technically faith schools aren't meant to discriminate as they recieve public funding and, as in the case of hedgepig if they are the local catchment school then they can't say no as there may be no alternative for pupils. Plus, if church attendance is diminishing as rapidly as is mooted by the press then how come these schools are so full and sought after? - it can't just be from the congregations! If you are out of catchment here then you need (or are supposed) to supply a vicar/priest/whatever-they-are called statement proving you attend at least twice a month. Which reminds me - still not heard from Father Nikolai!

HAHAHAHAH Orthodox Update! Father Nikolai has just rung - his English wasn't too good and DP's Serbian is rough to say the least - so that was very funny!

Anyway, he's invited us to the service which is the first Sunday in the month - rest of time is CofE. Apparently it's a 'high church' (what's that? I need Lilibet!) and there will be incense etc! Cool! We also need orthodox God parents - so it very handy then that Sasa's brother & Sis are christened too!

Good lord - what does one wear for such occasions?

Serbian Orthodox is a bit like Greek I reckon - very much from the Catholic tradition ie. high church. Smells and bells. Theatrical. More icons than bible. More fun than CofE (what isn't?).

V glad I got my RC upbringing and can now leave it all behind - apart from missing the singing and lusting after imaginary jesuits