AVIDly purchasing lavender, orange, yellow and pink for spring is a WISE thing.

[FritziGreenEyes]

Sorry for poor thread title but I am hopeless at rhyming at the best of times...
Unbelievable how quickly we filled the last thread!

Had one hour on Friday before the meeting started and used my time very efficiently and bought these. They are not quite as high as the 50/50s but suit me better. Was hugging the shopping bag close to me on the train back home yesterday .

ollie Such a shame that your DH isn't going to go with the job offer over here. Oh, the fun we could have!

hopefully Having you on this thread is great and I enjoy reading your posts a lot. I hope your mother doesn't find any more tidying tasks for you today. You look fab in your wedding pictures.

annie Hope you got all your work done last night and have the chance to get some rest today.

red We have our hob on our kitchen island too. We couldn't decide on backsplash for ages. Haven't had one for ages and it is absolutely fine. I do most food preparation stuff on the island anyway.

Have lovely Sundays everyone!

Good morning.

I am really sorry, but I am going to start with a rant. My mother rang at 7am asking for DH to come and get DS today, rather than them bringing him back tomorrow. Reason: My Dad has a cold. I am so pissed off. If this was a one off, I'd shrug it off, but as you know this yet another time of being let down. Gahhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!

So poor DH has to drive to get DS after my hospital appointment, bring him round the M25 in rush hour. I got 2 nights of sleep having had pleurisy...great!

I am resigned that we simply cannot rely on them when I go into labour. Funnily enough, all will be resolved when they fly for the holiday that have booked to Spain next week.

Sorry for being a miserable old madam.

Bloss I love the Me and Em in grey - but I am so confused about the sizes, 8-10 then 12-14? Is that small, medium and large? I want to be able to wear long term, so I am thinking of ordering the 12-14 and then measuring it against my janice.

Fleecy are you eating enough during the day? I find that I snack in the evenings when I have been too good during the day. Are you eating small snacks in between meals too, such as oat cakes, small piece of cheese etc?

amber you poor thing, sounds like the situation is really difficult for you. What do you think would happen if, at the weekend, you slept in another room and DH and DD co-slept? Would that help with the feed to sleeping association?

MIM- saw your post- just v quickly before I go to school.
I totally sympathise with you. My mother has come up with the most laughable excuses over the past 9+ yrs which I won't bore you with now!
Could you not ask your DH on your behalf to have a serious, firm talk with your parents about how concerned he is for your health, how exhausted you and how you would really benefit from a rest before the birth. Get him to put some pressure on them but in a polite way. It would probably come better from him (concerned DH type voice) than from you when you are no doubt feeling v pissed off and let down.
You have nothing to loose in this situation so worth a try, I think.

mim I'm at your parents' behaviour. Think it is worth a try what looby is suggesting, but in the long run could you find some emergency DC care nearby you can really rely on? looby So sorry you have the same problem.

Sorry to hear about weight worries and sleep deprivation. I am listening to Jillian's podcasts on my way back from the school run. Although she keeps repeating the same stuff, I find it helpful to be reminded of basic things which make sense. Like don't keep any chocolate/crisps/whatever is bad for you in the house. Stick to your exercise routine. Indulge yourself a little bit every day etc etc.

Love the Me & Em dress too but also confused about the sizing... I'm definitely no 8 but no 14 either. Would ideally need a 10-12 .

Thanks looby - families!!

To be honest, there would be no point...and they are off on holiday next week anyhow. I just wanted one more day and night, especially as we are at the hospital all afternoon.

The thing is, if my DH did that, then there would be a big blow up that we are trying to make them feel guilty, and are we not grateful that they looked after DS at all...blah, blah, blah. You just cannot have an adult exchange with them.

Anyhow, I can't change the situation now. Off to get some breakfast, and get the house ready for when the whirlwind comes back.

mim Get some breakfast - yes! Get the house ready - no! Put up your feet, your DS will be happy to see you and won't mind a bit of mess

red Have been researching decoupage tutorials and it seems a bit complicated. Might just stick the wallpaper on and put some varnish on top. Have just realized that you need to order a min of 3 rolls of F&B wallpaper whereas I would probably only need about one third of a roll. Typical!

Oh well, MIM. At least you have DH!
Perhaps your DH can take him out for a couple of hours a day while he is off so that you can sleep/lie down with a book.

My DM is also seriously prone to over reacting when criticised (has stormed out shouting on a few occasions over the years). Fortunately, my DF is v calm and ends up acting as the peacemaker. In reality though, it is his v tolerant, calm behaviour that has perpetuated the problem to some extent, i.e. we have all made it acceptable for my DM to behave like a baby when she is stressed/ upset by something and not say anything to challenge her. Not an ideal situation..

Thx fritzi. It isn't awful really on the scale of things. I think one just feels v let down when this happens in a rare emergency. Shame as we were v close when I was young.

NY- interesting about there being a physiological reason why one goes off veg/ salad in early pregnancy! Will let you know dates.

icey- thank goodness you got home safely in the end and sweet that your DH is so concerned.

fleecy- sounds like you semi starved yourself during most of the day and then needed a glucose high. Maybe try to eat small amounts more regularly to keep your energy levels up, drink plenty and don't have lots of chic/ biscuits in the house. You probably shouldn't listen to me though because I am a glutton :)

red - you are right (as far as we could tell at the scan anyway)!!

Thats my thoughts about the Me and Em too fritzi, 10-12 would be perfect.

Might give them a call and see what they'd advise.

Oh my goodness, mim, your parents are beyond belief! My MIL is a bit that way, but I wouldn't trust her with my kids in a billion years anyway, after she let her husband hurt my DH. She loves to be seen as a doting GM though, while never actually helping at all. My wonderful parents though are absolute heroes. I'm on my way to see them now, and I'm going to make sure I'm bloody vocal in my appreciation of them today!

If I were you I'd tell her how you feel and hang the consequences, because what do you stand to lose? But then I am a terrible one for saying how I feel which isn't always wise! Just wish you were able to get a bit more recuperation time ahead of the birth.

As fritzi says leave the tidying! DS won't care and will undo it all in about 20 minutes anyway!

Hi...good morning. Sorry to hear of trouble with DM MiM . My own DM is really a cross between yours and looby's...although, things are better, as we had an argument last summer, when I'd had an absolute enough if her childish moods and indifference to the DGCs. She, like yours, only ever saw how she was being affected by things. The argument came about after a culmination of unnecessary and petty events leading to my not speaking to her for 4 whole weeks. It was bliss actually....I do find her to be quite difficult to talk to. I then told her exactly what I was thinking; there were tears (hers, unsurprisingly), and then she caved in and started to appreciate what she had, and what was at risk....I would never cut ties, I'm not like that, but I would have distanced myself, and sadly now we are in a position whereby we don't feel we can ask things of her. Good luck MiM just make sure you look after yourself and your little ones...

Well, I have done some 'therapeutic' tidying - thrown away most of the contents of my socks and tights draw. Felt good!

Funnily enough Dauphin I am most at ease when I am not talking to her, so if they are on holiday. A really good, but petty, example of her behaviour though: The consultant hinted that I might have the baby earlier, so in conversation last week I just said to her about how I need to get my hair done before the baby comes. Cue a long rant about how she needs her hair done before their holiday, etc etc. Its like its impossible for her to see beyond herself. The most hurtful thing in all of this was that she has told me she will 'pop' some anniversary cards in a bag for DH to bring back, can I sign and send to some random cousin somewhere!! It will cause her more worry and upset that I forget a card for someone than how she is letting me down.

Anyhow, I really don't want to be the misery guts poster of the thread, and always be moaning about me, something that I have been very guilty of lately! So for now I am just going to worry about the sizing of the Me and Em dress and whether to get the Oushka Dover and sod the overdraft.

Brave of you to speak to your mother Dauphin. I must admit that I am not v good at it. Have tried a few times but tend to end up getting irritated which isn't be effective or going via my DF which also isn't effective!

Don't want to give an unfair impression of my mother. She does love the DGC (mine are her only ones so far) and is good with them when she does see them (5 or 6 times a year only).
She is just guilty of thinking of everything from her own point of view all the time (like your DM, *MIM) and various other things too!
When she has a big rant (not often admittedly), she says really stupid, hurtful things- best not to give examples on here because they are quite embarrassing really!
It doesn't seem to cross her mind that I might want/ have wanted support/ company at times (when unwell, multiple house moves, when DH has worked away through all three previous pregnancies, etc, etc). I don't ask any more. In fact, I don't tend to have proper conversations with her.
My DF is no problem but he still works ft at well past retirement age so wouldn't want to impose on him.
That was therapeutic!

On a far more light hearted note, what do we think of this. Was thinking of it for a friend who is trying to loose weight and dislikes her tummy area. She is attractive but tends to cover herself up in jeans, fleeces, etc.

Does anyone have these this from KG? Thought they might be good for the Summer.

Thank you++ to marsha and ollie for desk suggestions. That company has some lovely things but do expensive, sadly.

MiM you are NOT the misery guts of the thread - there is no such thing. You have had more than enough reasons to vent on here over the past few months and no-one begrudges that at all. Its swings and roundabouts - sometimes we can be the provider of advice and reassurance and other times we need to be the receiver. Hope the appointment goes well.

My Mum sounds very similar to yours, Looby and Dauphin's - makes everything about her. When DS was knocked out, the phonecall that evening was all about how worried she was and what she had gone through. I couldn't believe it. She is also very quick to criticise and undermine me (me: I'm pregnant with DS1, DM: oh thats lovely news, of course, you will never be able to cope"). Its partly why I've distanced myself from her over the last couple of years.

I often wonder what things would be like if it all came to head so it was interesting to read about your experience Dauphin.

Red I watched Protecting Our Children. Was heartbroken at the end - such a beautiful baby, it was like the mother was numb to everything that was happening though - especially the implications of what she did. What am amazing Foster Carer too.

Have decided to keep the Oushka Byron bag (which has nothing to do with the fact it would cost me another 30euros to send back, oh no). Its perfect in almost everyway: great size, handle lengths (can even fit the shorter ones over my shoulder when not wearing a coat), a good replacement for what I already have so will live with the colour not being the exact shade I was looking for. It scores a 75% on the Roxy test so good enough while I continue the perfect bag hunt.

The Ce Me dresses are going back though and I have now turned my attention to the Me&Em one. The fact the grey one is marl puts me off it a little bit (always thik of that material as being casual but the style is def not) and the navy is v similar to Janice. What to do.

Am very interested in the diet talk. Weighed myself this morning and have not lost any despite doing shred 4/5 times a week for the past 4 weeks. Am hoping its fat thats turned to muscle. Its time to break out the 2 kilo weights (wuss that I am).

ollie Have just done another round of Level 1, still with my 1kg weights . Cannot imagine to ever use 2kg weights... Think it's wise to keep the bag as it is passing the Roxy test at 75% and not pay postage for returning.

looby The second link goes back to the pintuck blouse. I like the blouse but it's 100% polyester.

Cannot remember it I have mentioned in any of my previous posts, but it was minus 17 degrees here this morning when I drove DD to school. I've had enough of the cold already.

mim Second everything ollie has had about you not being miserable. You have a lot on your plate right now.

Quite a few of us seem to have difficult relationships with their mothers. Makes me even more determined to appreciate DD as much as I can. Even though she was up until almost 10pm last night and of course terribly tired and grumpy this morning

MIM I think you're allowed to rant just a little bit after the time you've had of it! Lots of good DM advice. Mine is mostly fine, as long as everything is on her terms - e.g. If she comes to help she does the things she thinks are important (I'd like to take this opportunity to remind you of the tea towel sorting), but isn't interested in what would actually help me (such as playing with DS1 for a few minutes so I can do some work). On the whole we get on pretty well though.

Returned less-good Aldo boots today, so have refund burning a hole in my pocket. Also tried on a really lovely Zara trench coat, but it would have needed taking in at the waist quite a bit, and it wasn't lined - I like lined coats, even trenches. Gorgeous shape and big dramatic collar though.

MiM you are not a misery guts! I've been amazed by how calm and considerate you have been over the last months with all that has been going on. And it's good that you have somewhere supportive to vent - you need it. I totally understand where you are coming from with the propriety and outward appearances thing with my MiL (she questioned why we didn't thank someone for a thank you card that they sent) - like yours Amber she likes to play the doting GM but doesn't actually follow through. Things are much better with my mum at the moment as I refuse to engage with her in the same way I used to (similar it is all about her thing) - but our issues are different. I'm sorry that they are so incapable of stepping up and being of real use and support to you. Hope the appointments go well today.

Looby my guessing streak continues! What gorgeous news - you'll be very well-balanced now! Have a look at Aspace for desks - they have a big sale at the moment.

Ollie it was such difficult viewing. They were so cut-off from everything and the real tragedy is that the cycle will no doubt continue until one/both dies. I know it is of no significance, but they were such an attractive couple and in their scarce moments of clarity, seemed to have kind hearts buried underneath all of that abuse and neglect.

I love the Me & Em dress too (thanks for link Fleecy). I sold my Janice on Ebay in the hope I'd find another, but looks like I'll be buying too < Sheep noises >

I am sticking my fingers in my ears on all this diet talk - am about to make chocolate and beetroot brownies. They've got vegetables in so they're halthy, alright?!

Have just had a phone call from the school to tell me they are waiting on a second reference for me before proceeding - not sure how to interpret, but am willing my phone to ring soon!

MiM In the words of TOWIE, 'Shut uuuuup!' Don't be silly, you are so not a misery guts. Given my DMs behaviour, I just hope for Chrissakes that I do not end up like that. But, I think my DH would point out any irrationality on my part, and vice versa. My poor Dear Farve just keeps schtumm to avoid any confrontation.

On a lighter note:have made some delish muffins - a Rachel Allen recipe. Love her stuff. Your Brownies sound lush Red!

A quick wave from chilly Sheffield. Really wishing I gone for the trouser suit option rather than a skirt today! Fritzi- feeling your pain! Forecast to be -10 here tonight but that is still not as cold as you. Currently about to get on the train with a copy of Grazia and an M and S hit smoked salmon salad. All good.

Sorry to all those with mother woes, particularly you MIM at the moment, who fully deserves far more support. Makes me count my blessings.

Hot smoked salad!

Hello all. Due date today and no action as yet! Still feeling quite upbeat though.

mim sympathies to you. It is absolutely rubbish that your DM lets you down so nonchalantly and doesn't even recognise it. It sounds like a few of you have similar issues with mothers and again, I am so so thankful for my fantastic DM and MIL. I'm impressed that you all keep trying to keep the relationships going as smoothly as possible. I am almost completely estranged from my father, although am curt but civil if I have to see him. It's a pretty difficult situation as he is still with my mum and sometimes I feel as if I'm being cowardly by not confronting the many issues I have with him further, but it's just much easier this way. Families.

And mim you are far far from a misery; in fact I always feel rather humbled by how uncomplaining and cheerful you are!

Congratulations to looby - another boy will be great!

I am such a sheep. My whistles basket currently contains the stripy top, the grey sweatshirt, the electric blue t shirt and the livia scarf! Haven't bought anything S and B at all in February except for a cheap hair dryer (couldn't decide about parlux and to be honest my hair dries in moments). This restraint won't last!

Oh and bloss have you seen Emmanuelle Alt in white topshop skinnies?! Are you tempted?!

Nearly time for a new thread.

Just had to ring Boden. My grey Must Have jumper has gone AWOL in the post and now on a 5 week wait. Has had the effect of me wanting it more.

What colour Me and Em dress is everyone thinking of getting? Am dangerously close to ordering a blue one.

I'm close to ordering one too ollie! Any codes out there? Not sure how small S will be though; a 10 could drown me, need there to be a 6-8 really. Someone on the thread needs to step up and try one on and report back please! I like the blue or grey.

Hello. I'm back - you are all so lovely, do you know that?

Well, I am in no mans land.

Scan showed the baby is big, over the 97th centile and already weights 6.5lbs at 34 weeks. I have no idea what to do. Am petrified of going for a VBAC, and the baby getting stuck/ending up in EMCS/getting torn to buggery. At the same time I can't shake this feeling that if I have a CS, I'll never have a natural birth and that I really need to.

The Dr was lovely though, they are not pushing me in anyway, it's all in my hands. As it stands, I am going back in three weeks for another scan, and see what the baby is doing. They might think about a sweep, but they are not happy for me to have an induction. If I go into labour before then, I'll go with it.

So interesting to many of us have difficult relationships with our Mothers, I totally understand when you have all said you dread being like that with your DC's. I am 100% confident I will never be.

Looby, your second link is the BR blouse again I am afraid. Agree that 100% poly wont be great.

Fritzi -17??? now that is einfrieren. You must have good central heating.

Hopefully, step away from the Zara trench. I bought one a couple of years ago, the quality was dreadful. Buttons falling off, lining came undone etc. Have you seen the BR one several of us have it, and can confirm it's a great trench. I am sure it used to be £150, so its cheaper this year.

Me and Em fans - I have just got off the phone. They advise going smaller, although the arms are quite tight. I think I am going to go for the medium though. I am thinking of going for the grey one as I have Janice in Navy and I think I could wear the grey one day and night.

Blue, I am not sure DH would agree with you, he thinks I am a righter moaner! However, I think my job has given me the ability to always try and see the funny side of even the most taxing situation.

Ollie how annoying about the boden order.

I am going to try on the TS pistol-likes tomorrow in tan, am taken with them and the KG ones that MrsCB has.