VanessaPMR

Guys, OMG! I just got an invite to a wedding! I have been warmly invited to attend but have been told that my saggy breeders arse is strictly NFI'd...should I be offended?! xxx

Hello All, I've booked a table for us at 10am at Franklins this Saturday (the 14th). So far, though I may have this wrong, I've had responses from: Jane Goodland Alex Love Jenifire Please let me know of any additions! and/or if the date and time no longer suit. Also, would be useful if you could let me know if you'd like a high chair/+ or to bring a buggy, as they will put us in a different part of the room if so. Hope you are all well, and congrats to all the new Mums! Vanessa.

Wow, what an invite. Please come fawn over our special day + by special request have large uncomfortable engorged breasts and an enforced 24 hour gap in your breastfeeding routine that risks endangering it all together...to celebrate our love. Have declined similar invites in the past, and I wasn't even breastfeeding at the time, as I knew I'd miss her more than have fun at the wedding. On a more conciliatory note, if they've made an exception for you I'd take it. I really doubt they will notice the presence of your DSs at the reception when everyone is having fun and being noisy themselves. I've skipped ceremonies in the past though, even when not asked, as didnt want cries to muffle the important parts of the ceremony for others. Good luck, its not nice being asked to make such a decision.

Fabulously funny review (though not v accurate). Have used for several years also, they are way more comfortable than tampons, last longer, and can be used at the end of a period with no increased risk of thrush (if your prone worth considering). Do not mix with booze however...or at least dont try to empty your mooncup while pissed..I made that mistake once.. I came out of the toilet cubicle looking like I'd just killed someone.

Hello All, I was wondering whether anyone would be interested in another weekend morning meet up in April (am still working so cant make the Tuesday sessions for a little while unfortunately). Might the 14th of April suit? 10am Franklins? PM me, or reply to all if you'd like to come, or let me know if we need a better date/time/location.. Congrats to all the new mothers, and hope the rest of you are hanging in there... xxx V

Ouu, I like that legalbeagle. Must say I am not a fan of the woman (massive understatement..) Have good pals who swear by her though, but they and their children don't quite have the same personalities as me or my little one.. But seriously, taking her advice (or anyone else's) on sex... If I find my husband sexy I'll have sex with him, end off. If I find my husband sexy but my nether regions remain a life/death battleground.. it's not going to happen. I don't know about GF, but I like sex to be at the very least pleasurable and not a sad item to cross off on my to-do list.

Ugh, I just soldier on. Am always staring gooey-eyed at others' little ones when on the commute to and from work. I don't feel guilt as much as heartbreak at leaving her behind. As she's getting a little older (almost 2years old) its easier as she's become more independent and is clearly having a lovely time without me. I dont know what to do about it though, I dont think it needs fixing, you just love your kid and want to spend all your time with them. But, we live in a world where that is not possible/or a sensible strategy for many of us. As one of my more caustic friends has recently reminded me: the heartbreak is permanent, welcome to motherhood.. ;-)

Fantastic idea Charlie, thanks so much for proposing it! Look forward to looking at blossoms rather than bin bags at the entrance to Choumert car park in the near future. V

My little one is slowly on the up from this too. Re food to help build her up.. This afternoon my little one ate her and my portion of a smoked salmon carbonara...(basically I am trying to feed her the most delicious food I can think of that fits within her limited range of ok food). So she got pasta smothered in a sauce made of beurre noisette/cream cheese/grated parmasan and smoked salmon (with a little water to loosen the sauce). I had intended to eat half of what i made, but have had to make do with her leftovers. I also didnt bother with adding veggies to the sauce today, focusing on increased calorific intake instead. She also looks awful: pale, skinny, sunken eyes..though she did seem in a much better mood after lunch. :) My only concern is expectation management.. ;-) I so know she is going to be expecting similar cuisine when she's better.. tantrums ahead.

The poor little mite. My daughter also suffers from horrible car sickness, the only thing that seems to help her is to play i spy type games (helping her to focus on the road in front of the car). So we point out red buses, or bridges over the road, anything that helps her brain to reconcile the felt movement with the actual motion. I hope you find a solution, I have a real hatred of car journeys now and avoid long ones at all costs because of her car sickness. every best V

...mmm..Vickster, I've been there once to often and have consequentially started saying no. I also have a daughter who hates being in the car, gets car sick, throws up all over herself in it, wont sleep, and therefore car journeys are a torture for both her and me. Life is much much too short to (willfully) do things that make you and your child unhappy. If it were only you going up for the celebration that would be another thing..the celebration's success would purely be a function of your presence..but it seems there are others to keep the elders entertained? Call me a selfish so and so but I'd say: dont go, buy the tickets + chuck in a bottle of bubbly while you're at it (heck you'll be saving X times more than that by not going) and send them your heartfelt commiserations for your non-attendance. Yes, I am a bad bad person... ;-) Plus, if you do feel guilty, you'll be having to spend another weekend with them in the not to distant future by the sounds of things..so you can celebrate it with them again, then.

Hello All, Sorry I missed you on the 1st, OH's work do prevented it. Would love to put my name down for the 18th though, look forward to catching up with some of you/ getting to know many more of you then! xx Vanessa.

Oh, two pearls I've picked up along the way: 1. Treat your partner as your most treasured possession, its so easy to loose sight of your love in the busyness of life. 2. Love is something you do, don't go chasing the emotion, do something loving. The actions create the feeling. Good luck and congrats!

Love this, thanks Fuschia!

Hello All, I am no medical expert, alas, but was told that my daughter should have the BCG injection as being a Londoner she was at increased risk of catching TB. Also, two of my family members (an uncle and a grandparent) died from TB, and one aunt and uncle have borne the debilitating effects of having been ill with TB with them throughout their lives. I guess my family history made it a no brainer for me, but here are some hyperlinks which detail the incidence of TB as well as general info on it. every best V http://thorax.bmj.com/content/62/2/162.full http://www.nhs.uk/news/2010/12December/Pages/tb-tuberculosis-cases-rise-london-uk.aspx

Hello All, Would love to join this burgeoning list! I am due with my second on the 9th of May. My eldest is 18 months old. Should in principle be able to come out on the 8th of December too. 'til soon I hope! Vanessa.