Beach Bump Graduates!

[Doodlepants]

Ahh Mel that sounds lovely!!! I've never been at Christmas, my friend has though and she said the winter wonderland is amazing!! I really want to go- I must pluck up the courage to look at the prices! I've never been to Elvedon before, it looks really nice there! We just go to Longleat as I think it's the closet one to us. That's handy that it's only 20 mins from your parents!
Which place did you go for in the end job-wise? They are opening a new supermarket here, apparently 3 are bidding for it (?) Sainsburys, M&S and Waitrose. It might be a good option for me once Naomi's at school.

I love Smyths! I think our nearest one is about 45 mins away, I usually look online but I'm dying to go to the store!

Eeeek SB not long at all!! Sounds like you're all sorted for Christmas! I'm normally pretty much done by now but I'm a bit behind this year, I'm hoping to get my shopping done by the end of this month (well, for the children anyway). I'm not spending much this year if I can help it so I'm keeping my eyes out for bargains!

Oh my goodness, poor Annabelle! How is she doing now? Gosh, what with that and Henry teething I bet you're shattered! I hope you all manage to get some rest and the children feel better soon Hann! It's awful having them both so poorly

My ibs meds aren't working any more for some reason so I called the doctor and had to deal with a rude receptionist so not a good start to the day, I'm going in on Friday so hopefully it will get sorted then.

We've finally sorted something for Holly's birthday! Every year we've done a big party and it's so stressful and last year the entertainer alone was over £200 so once you factor in the hall, food etc it just got ridiculous so this year we wanted to do something smaller (which Holly was fine with, her best friend had a small do this year too), so she is having 5-6 friends here and we have arranged for a lady to come who does little girls pamper parties. She does nails, hair etc and has a chocolate fountain and other bits so I'm hoping it will be good. Holly has a karaoke machine so we'll get that down and do a few other bits. It was either that or take a few friends bowling or something, she seemed quite excited when I told her so hopefully she'll like it.

 

[melissasbump]

Hi All,

Hann, Well thought we may have been back on track but it appears not lol. Shes quite strange actually, never asks me about me or my life or the children, never comments or likes any of my fb stuff. I give up, I tried to contact her over the weekend to see if she wanted to do something this morning with the kids, she took two days to get back to me and then said no, but then put on fb she is seeing her personal trainer, and this is a person who is skint trust me, all her money and time seems to go on herself these days not her kids, so I give up lol.
Poor Annabelle! Bet that was so scary! Hope she is feeling a little better today and boo to teething. We have been lucky up to now but only yesterday Lucas seems to be suffering with it, the bottom two (his first) both are about to break and he looks so rough bless him, hes a snotbag, blotchy face etc.

Maria, Id love to go to the Longleat one too! You should look at christmas, we are paying £329 for 4 nights midwweek from 9th Dec which I though wasnt bad for centre parks! And have only had to pay £116 as a deposit and the rest next sept so its pretty good.
Re the job, its merchandising for a company called Oakwood who are a subsidary of Tesco so Im basically working for Tesco lol. Its based in one store but I may have to go to another (there are two big tescos here) and the hours are pretty flexible so hoping it will work out ok in the long run.
Supermarket jobs arent bad at all they are usually good companies to work for and you get staff discount!

SB, Cant believe how time is flying for you! Its quite freaky actually, I love seeing all your purchases, Katie and Harrison would get on so well, its like a Disney store here too.

So both boys are napping. I somehow have managed to get them in to a sort of routine where they both take afternoon nap together (dont ask me how! ) Its a lifesaver as I need a break! Alan is in bed as hes on nights, he very kindly stayed up till lunchtime and took the boys to soft play with me so we have all had a nice morning. On wed Im spending my first full night away from Lucas! Me and Alan are staying overnight in a local hotel as my early birthday present from him and we are going to try and take in a spa session and maybe cinema too so looking forward to it but feel funny about leaving him. Harrison Im used to now but Lucas, hes still my ickle one and of course I know he will be fine, its just weird.
Cant believe he is seven months on sun!
Tonight Im going to sit and make some cupcake decorations and hopefully make the cakes tomorrow.
College going well, Ive got some event work at a nationa duathlon event in a couple of weeks and also Ive hopefully got some other at a football club local to here. Fingers crossed! Exciting times!

 

[caz_hills]

Hi girls I've not been on for a while. But reading along and wanted you to know I'm here x

 

[Doodlepants]

Glad you're OK Caz! Fab pic of Ajay and his grandfather on FB!

Mel that's a really good price!! I'm going to have a look (for next year, not this!).
I can't believe Lucas is 7 months already!!! They're growing up fast!
The job sounds good! I guess they're quite good to work for for flexibility too, I'm going to see what's going on when Naomi starts school I think, mainly as we have no set childcare at the moment and I don't think my wages would cover it. Are you looking forward to starting?

Saw the doctor at last so hopefully tablets are sorted now.
I'm just looking round for presents for the girls. I've bought them a scooter each (Holly has one but she wants a 2 wheel one now) and a couple of other bits so far but need to get on with it really.

 

[mummySS]

Hello! I'm reading along too. So nice to hear what everyone's been up to.

Hann, oh goodness poor annabelle! That bug sounds horrendous. What did the hospital say, have they given you hydration salts or something for her? Hope she's recovering now. Poor you, you must be exhausted.

Mel glad you had fun on holiday! This lady sounds a bit strange... Oh well. Can't believe Lucas is 7 months either! Enjoy your spa night, sounds lovely. Also sounds like you're getting on really well with college, work, cupcakes and your new business.

Maria, good to hear from you, you're getting up to exciting things too. I think holly's party sounds lovely - surely at some age they have to stop having these massive parties where you invite the whole class and cut it down to just their best friends!! I agree, big parties are stressful and what you have planned sounds perfect.

Caz, hope you're getting on well, i also loved the pic of Ajay and his grandpa. Sounds like you're very busy as usual too.

Not much going on here! I'm just trying to settle into our routine and enjoy my maternity leave which is going way too fast for my liking - sophia is nearly 4 months old, where did that time go... She is settling a bit more at night but is not very reliable - one night she'll sleep great, the next two she'll be up 3-4 times. But at least i'm getting some more rest.

Leo has been difficult lately. I think we're just going through a phase and we have to ride it out, but he's become difficult to feed, difficult to put to bed, doesn't want to go to nursery any more, just cries a lot for very small things and will not snap out of it. I am really not sure what it is, but it's gone on for about a month so far. He has moments of being normal and lovely, but we're really struggling with the crying and refusal to cooperate. I'm sure part of it is just normal 2 year old behaviour but he seems to be more naughty than his friends of the same age. I'm wondering if i've been too busy with sophia and have taken my eye off the discipline ball....

Talking of which has anyone been watching the 3 day nanny? I'm finding it quite interesting!

 

[caz_hills]

Hi Simmy we watched some of the 3 day nanny - it does seem good and her advice seems practical. Neel got a bit into supernanny at one point too It's all good tips I think.

I'm sure it's just normal 2 year old behaviour Simmy. Ajay went through a bad patch including nursery giving us advice on how to handle his behaviour (I didn't think it was that bad) but he has improved loads and it only lasted a few weeks.

All ok here - I think I've stablised on my meds now at half dose so just need to wait a week or so then come off and then we TTC! Yay! I feel (sorry this is a bit confident) so proud of myself to come down and be ok and coping still - I just hope coming off totally will be ok too.

Han - how is Annabelle? Is she better now? x
Mel - saw your facebook post about your business, sounds like it is all taking off! x

 

[Doodlepants]

That's fantastic news Caz! Glad you're doing so well coming off the meds. How exciting about TTC!!!

Not much going on here, I'm going into nursery on Thursday as they want to make a report on Naomi (on her hypermobility etc) and to just have a general chat, she starts after half term! Very excited for her

 

[caz_hills]

Ah how did it go Maria?

Thanks for your lovely comments about my meds too - I just want to come off 100% and TTC x

 

[Hann12]

Hi all!
I can't remember when I last posted! I think I said about Annabele being sick - well that went on every 2 days for a week then thankfully stopped. Henry has been a bit under the weather too though but hoping its improving now. I of course now have a cough and sore throat which is typical lol.

Mel - hope you had a great birthday and got lots of treats! Forget that girl, you have much better friends! Sounds like your business is really taking off, so impressed.

Caz - you are doing amazingly! Yay to TTC, can't wait to hear that you have been successful, well done

Maria - how did you get on with Naomi? Hope alls okay

Simmy- how is Leo now? Annabelle went through a funny stage too, i am sure some of it is sibling related. And yes saw 3 day nanny and I really liked it, gave us some good tips. We still struggle with annabelle waking at night for cuddles. Its become such an annoying pattern.

Henry is generally waking yup 1-2 times a night. He is 23 weeks now and no interest in food, I could wake it in his face and he ignores it lol. I will be trying again at 24.5 weeks. He's been dropping percentiles, down to 35th now, bearing in mind he was born on 60th and went up to 75th its quite a drop. I think he just burns so many calories though, he is almost crawling, he's on his hands and knees and can move forwards about 2 metres but he moves both knees at the same time. I am going to have my hands full soon!
Also in my news, I applied for a job home working. Doubt I'll get it but would be so nice if I did, not that I have huge amounts of free time lol but because I could do with a bit of money and would be nice to have my brain working again but I don't hold out too much hope as I think I'll get the 'over qualified' rejection but we'll see.
Anyway better go as meant to be doing the cleaning but so far done none oopsy.

 

[Hann12]

Where are you all lovely ladies??

 

[fifi-folle]

Where are you all lovely ladies??

I'm here! Popping my head in for 1st time in ages. Good luck ttc Caz!

 

[mummySS]

Oh my goodness what's happened to Bnb? Logging on on my laptop for the first time in ages and it looks all weird!

How is everyone?

Caz so excited to hear about TTC! Yay! Are you down to zero meds now? How is it going? Lol I loved the picture on facebook this morning of your kitchen full of empty glasses and bottles, looks like a very fun night! And lovely kitchen btw, it's fabulous!

Hann that's exciting about homeworking. Hopefully they will just see you as an intelligent mummy who wants to work without going back to a full career.
How are Henry's daytime naps now? We are struggling with sophia's, she just really struggles to catch her sleep even if i rock her.

Mel how's college and work?

Maria how's Naomi getting on at nursery? Does her hypermobility affect anything in particular there? You must be enjoying having some time to yourself too. Hope you've managed to find something to help your tummy issues too

SB, how are you feeling? You are so close now!

Sorry for delay i just dont seem to find as much time to post these days (like everyone) but it's still nice to post every so often to see what everyone's up to.

Leo's naughty issues are getting a bit better. We have taken a couple of steps like removing his high chair (which he loved, but we'll need it to start weaning sophia soon) and making him sit at the big boy table. We've also cut down on his portion sizes, cut down on his milk, and cut down on his snacks, and this all seems to be working to get him to sit down and eat his meals properly. I think we were serving him too much food and expecting him to eat too much!

Next step is to remove his dummies... and then... when i have the strength... potty training! lol.

And sophia is doing great - she's now sleeping through the night about 75% of the time, and in her own cot. If she wakes up she can usually be settled with a sshhh, pat and dummy. As i mentioned daytime naps are still a struggle, but i'd rather she sleeps at night so i am putting up with a slightly grumpy tired baby during the day! WHen she's not grumpy she's lovely, really chatting loads and so fascinated with Leo, she just adores him (and he adores her!).

Right, better rescue leo from his room, he is supposed to be napping but is just trashing his room instead! Ohhh this clock change makes for a Loooong day! Remember the days when it meant an hour's extra sleep???!!!

xx

 

[SugarBeth]

Can't get used to this new BNB format! I liked it a lot better the other way.

Caz, good luck with TTC'ing! Such an exciting time!

Simmy, I'm doing pretty well - just finishing up prep for baby. Less than 7 weeks until the due date! Eagerly waiting for my next appointment, as I've been told that two appointments ago I was measuring behind, and my last appointment they said I hadn't grown since being behind. Next appointment I'm hoping to have grown a lot, if not they're be sending me for an ultrasound to see what's going on. It's been such a smooth, easy pregnancy so far - I really don't want anything acting up now!

 

[caz_hills]

Hi, I'm here!

SB - only 7 weeks to go, wow! That has come around so quickly.

Simmy - glad Leo is doing well. We had the same sorts of problems with Ajay - we had to really be strict and strong about the table manners and eating and he got it pretty quickly - love how they are twins! And bless Sophia, she is doing so well too.

Han - saw a lovely photo of you and the family on FB - you all looked gorgeous and I loved the way that Annabelle and Greg are smiling at each other, very cute.

Mel - are you now officially not a police woman?!

Fi - thanks for your lovely message.

So I'm 3 days off the meds totally and we are planning to start TTC at the start of my next cycle which is about 20th November so fingers crossed! x

 

[melissasbump]

Helloooo!

SB. Wow seven weeks thats no time at all! Hope all is well, Im sure it is, these babies like to keep us worried!

Hann, I agree with Caz that was a lovely photo of you on fb, beautiful family that you have!

Simmy, glad Sophia is sleeping through most of the time now. Have you managed to find some places to get out with both of thrm ( you were asking a while ago)

Fi, hello!

Caz, yay to TTC! And yes Im officially no longer a police officer whoop whoop!

AFM,
Bit of a nightmare, I start my new job tomorrow, its the worst possible week for it with regards to Alans shifts and being half term and all but I managed to get childdcare sorted with some lovely friends, for tomorrow and wed morning. Well today Harrison woke up with a really raspy throat and a cough like a barking sealion so we take him down the docs and turns out he has croup! Which isnt that serious but is contagious so I cant ask my friend anymore to have them tomorrow as she has 2 young children of her own. So Alan has managed to arrange his shifts to go in later so he can stay at home with the boys, Im hoping it will be ok by wed when my other friend is meant to have them. Lucas is also poorly with teething so its all good here! Lol. It never rains it pours! Anyhow im looking forward to starting my new job, am busy with college work and tomorrow night Im having a girlie night out with 4 friends which im really looking forward to!
We are also looking foward to going to a kiddies halloween party on thursday which should be fun. So all in all a busy week!

 

[mummySS]

Oh no Mel what lousy timing! How are they both today? I saw on your FB that lucas has a poorly tummy too, when it rains hey?! Do you think you'll be ok to go to work tomorrow? Can your mum maybe step in to help if you cant send them to your friend's? Do you remember when i started my new job last year I came down with food poisoning the evening before my first day and had to take the first two days off?! It was so embarrassing but if you have to postpone your start i'm sure they will understand...

Hann, i agree with the others, the pic of your family on FB was gorgeous! You look fab for a mum of two.

Caz - yay for TTC, so excited for you

Not much going on here, we are preparing Leo for his school assessments next week - so scary to think of him going to school, he's still my baby boy! He'll hopefully be starting at 3+ next september - if he gets in...

 

[melissasbump]

Simmy, I was at work today, Alan has had to turn his shifts upside down to help look after the boys there was no way I could send them to any friends, they have been horrendus, Iv never seen Harrison so poorly, hes sick, a awful cough and cold and sleep deprived, its so upsetting to see. Lucas is coughing too and he is sick if he coughs too much, there is an underlying smell of sick in this house at the mo!

What is 3+ and assessments all about?

 

[caz_hills]

Hi girls,

I don't know what the 3+ is either Mel - is that pre-school? Not sure what they need to be able to do by then....

So we're defo ttc this month now - decided yesterday and so once my AF stops, we will start trying. Wow! Feeling good about it. Ajay had the biggest melt down I've ever seen him have today. He was exhausted and I wouldn't let him watch another Fireman Sam and he freaked out and got himself in such a state that he won't let me go and so I had to nap with him (hard life!) in our bed for his afternoon nap and he was hysterical and I had to promise I wouldn't leave him. Poor little man - think he was over tired. He was fine later though and a friend was wonderful as we spent the afternoon with her which was fab. Her boys kept Ajay entertained! Work is pushing me hard though so I'm trying to stay afloat there. I had lots of calls today and people wanting my time so I had to be ruthless and say no as I was with Ajay x

 

[mummySS]

Caz good on you for saying no! well done, i know it's hard to do.

Ajay's tantrum sounds hard work but completely normal, we have the same here when fireman sam finishes. The guy does not get bored of him!! (lol they are such twinnies)

Mel glad you managed to get to work - how was it? Really hope everyone recovers soon, sounds horrible.

These assessments are for the nursery part of the school that he will hopefully attend - it's a private school but if you put them in at 3+ they are in and then you dont need to worry about stressing them out with entrance exams or interviews etc when they're older, if that makes sense. The assessment for this age is not really a big deal, they just watch them play and read a story to them - they're just looking for ability to follow instructions (oh-oh we're in trouble LOL!) and not sure what else really - they are in groups of children just playing basically. I guess that's all you can do at this age!

 

[SugarBeth]

Anyone do any Halloween fun? Katie chose to dress up like Minnie Mouse, and for the first time we took her around town to trick or treat. She walked the whole way and she LOVED it! I had a special little monster bag made for her, and her whole fun was getting candy to "feed the monster". She was so adorable!
https://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af204/HomespunDreams/052_zps4d3c2bb6.jpg
https://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af204/HomespunDreams/087_zps0a769cda.jpg
https://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af204/HomespunDreams/013_zps14f4f682.jpg
And here was her little Halloween outfit (the skirt had orange pumpkin pockets, but it's hard to see here. She loved them!)
https://i1008.photobucket.com/albums/af204/HomespunDreams/018_zpsad20aa59.jpg