We Wise ladies Avidly are buying gifts that traverse afar...l

[bunnymother]

Oh my God, I choked (try and hum along to We Three Kings...)!! But here is the new thread.

Hi all, wonder if the little bunnies have made their arrival yet?

Yangy - you sound so down . Your DD is still very young - (I bet it seems like she's older than she is because she's walking so early) so you're probably still adapting to life with 2. Sounds like you're doing an awesome job in difficult circumstances. I think sometimes we just have to accept that we can't be perfect and just make the most of what we've got. And don't worry about writing about your worries on here - we are imaginary friends - we're here to listen. Chin up

Marsha - DD's sleeping blip has turned into more of a bleeeeep. Just as we were doing so well.

I have been looking after my friend's 10 month old this morning. He is such an easy baby! Just sits and watches the world go by, sleeps all night, eats all his food, lets you dress and change him. etc. etc. I'd have another tomorrow if I could guarantee s/he would be like him .

To DD's credit she has been pretty good with him - offering him toys and biscuits and letting him sit in her pushchair whilst she walked nicely beside it all the way home from toddlers.

Sounds great hells!

Ltec you too! Dolls give me the heebies a bit (would this change?, can't say)

windows

DD's only current doll cherryllll gives me the creeps too - but she loves her!

LTEC its just sweet potato and butternut squash soup with cinammon - an adapted Nigella recipe so minus the olive oil, cream, blue cheese etc.

Now I meant to ask you before - whats the thing with you and dolls as remember you were ever so slightly freaked by the corolle ones . . .

mrsj - oh for guareentees like that! But bless DD - she sounds so lovely

guarantees

Just to add to the discussion about work I have become incredibly boring! Last night DD was staying with PIL and DH was away for work so I had an evening to myself but did I do something exciting? No, I stayed at work till 8.30 finishing off a few things and clearing my inbox. I feel less stressed today as a result but it does seem like a waste of an evening. Roma I definitely need to work from home more, it's just blocking out the time before people stick meetings in.

yangy sorry you're so stressed, have you got some time off over Xmas? Maybe that would be a good opportunity for you and DD1 to have a bit of time just the two of you.

I don't think I'm very good with change, I'm finding the new look mn on my phone v disconcerting.

MrsJ! Last night was ridiculous for us. What's happening at your end? You are using a cot is that right, where is it? Join me in sharing your sleep woes

RG - I am really ruthless about blocking out days well in advance for working from home. Having said that, if something really important comes up then I will change. It works most of the time though.

I can't believe I'm having to look at adverts on this thread!

It's not dolls per se... It's that girlified thing of little girls dressing up dollies, playing mummy, having tea parties... All a bit twee for my taste. I never played with dolls as a young'un and dd has never expressed any interest either... Dunno really. I kind of shy away from traditional male/ female play and toys, maybe bc my bro and I played together so much as kids and then dd and ds1 are so close in age and such playmates.

And then that my fake baby doco really put me off lifelike dolls for good!!!

what is a baby doco please?

Marsha and MrsJ my dd2 is 8 months but the last couple of weeks..I kid you not,though she did have a cold..nights with possibly 15 wake ups(for comfort of course)..co sleeping here.

RG you can do all the meetings by phone. My team have a spider phone in the office for a meeting every morning, and there are spiderphones everywhere, mostly for me! I even participate in meetings with VIPs (of the civil service/political, not sleb variety) on the phone from home (or the garage/walking the dog/whatever), and no one has ever made any snide remarks at all.

I know what you mean LTEC - I didn't really 'do' dolls either. This is the first time DD has clearly expressed an interest for a doll (i.e she has - on more than one occasion (!) - asked that santa brieng her a doll for Chrittmas.) I don't think i would have got her one if she hadn't asked. She spends quite a lot of time playing various 'adventures' with her cuddly toys though!

See the sleeping bunnies, sleeping until noon...shall we wake them with an avid tune????

Sorry, couldn't resist. Still feeling a bit wobbly but think this is due to not eating properly and blood sugar issues so am having nourishing beef soup. Slooooowly. The ravioli stayed down but did not like it inside me!

I am thinking of trying stripey Janice, at 25% seems silly not to.

Yangy.....oh, poor Yangy. YOur DD is only 9 months, that is still very young, and it will only get better. In the meantime here's a thought: If you could wave your magic wand to fix the situation, what would you do? Once you have ruled out the impossible, then keep going till you get something possible.(ie, would you like to stay home? if not poss, then part time? you've said that's not poss, so one day at home like Roma The Multitasking Superhero?) What can you afford to outsource? Your older DD is school age, right? Could you get a mother's help/au pair/nanny in one day rather than nursery who could do cleaning and some cooking and save you dropping off and picking up?

I have to say that menu planning is my one concession to Domestic Goddesshood, it keeps things ticking over, and I can do my OCado order with all the things I need. I typically plan 4 meals, one of which is storecupboard, so I can have flexibility without having to worry about things going bad.

Finally, on the Housekeepers are the New Janice front: I told our old cleaners that we wouldn't be needing them any more yesterday and it was very hard. But they are so busy that they have 5 houses on a waiting list. ANd it's just not working as they come during nap time and 3 rooms are occupied (we have nannyshare boy here too). And it's the only time they can come. And we just need more help. Still feel dreadful about it though.

Must go rest now while DS is sleeping. Marsha and MrsJ, DS seems to be sleeping through on occasion (!) but he is an Amby Hammock and I am about to switch him to a cot so that will cause everything to fall to bits.

SPiderphones??? Is that like a Batphone?? Now I really do think you are a superhero Roma!

No dolls chez Roma. We are very stereotyped: lego trucks, toy soldiers, guns, swords, light sabres, vast quantities of lego. Lots of teddies though . I never played with dolls myself, and they've never seemed to appeal to my sons, who are very clear as to their likes and dislikes. They did all like the mini buggy with a teddy in when they were toddlers though.

You see I can't wait for DD to have a dolls house for me to play with

Bea took to the nursery induction yesterday a schleich bull - the staff commented on how anatomically correct it was as she refused to let go of it

One more from me just to say: Dolls. Oooh, I think they're creepy. MIL (who is NOT a member of the sisterhood on gender issues and cannot understand my opposition to everything pink and glittery) has bought DD 2 baby Corolles. She couldn't care less, to my great satisfaction, and instead looks after Penguin, Frog, and Muffin the Dog. Also she is a playmobil addict and all her people have hilarious names (like Steve, and Tonya!)

Oh, buggy pushing wobbly walkers! The horror waiting for them to push too hard on the buggy and flip it up, as they fall to the floor and bang their head AGAIN. I am glad those days have passed!

Oh Reine you too. Welcome to sleep issues. I am co-sleeping (although dh rather laughingly reminded me of some strong words about a cot uttered at 3am).

It's the cold isn't it? And the blocked nose/mouth breathing that wakes . Then bfding helps. Is taking ages for him to be free of it.

Roary! rofl. It's more like Charlie's Angels than batman - a sort of big plastic phone/mike combo that looks a bit like a giant tarantula that you put in the middle of the table. I have chaired meetings as a virtual presence!

But I don't multi-task, I chop veg and go to the garage while saying 'Yes, I agree', and 'X person (not me of course) should take that forward' at what appear to be strategic intervals. I find it rarely affects output to ignore what's being said in meetings.

iPhone users, can you see your inbox with the new display?

I was totally anti doing stereotypical playing too..and DD inherited lots of DS's toys...but she is so girly - always sprints to baby dolls at playgroup and loves clothes and sparkly things. She really really is just naturally like that...I'm not really (and was a real tomboy as a child) so I don't understand where she gets it from...but it's actually fun and I just go with the flow.