Sorry it has been so long since I have posted (again), things are just very crazy with the move, plus we have a very bad internet connection so I hope this makes it! We got into Perth on Thurs night and I won't go into the details, but the trip was a bit of a nightmare., The kids were great, it was just the organising of things that let us down (DH's work organise the move and same as lsat time, didn't do the best job!). Anyway, we are here now and have been catching up with family which has been lovely for the kids. Now we are in the same boat as Willow and can't find a rental! There is literally nothing available this time of year. In the meantime we are stuck in an apartment and of course the kids are going stir crazy. We are also thinking about what to do long term - either buy or build and that is proving difficult too.
Jayne - I love hearing about your time in China, and come on SNOW!!! Hopefully you will get some soon. I totally get the whole cleaning the house before going away thing - I am exactly the same and it drives DH crazy! We will have to catch up while you are in Perth. Where are you staying? We are in S Perth.
BW - I am with the others, definitely stay put for Christmas and enjoy having some help with Sam. I hope DH manages to get there asap too.
Lee - sounds like the spiritual healer was just what you needed. Glad to hear it. And it sounds like you have a lovely holiday planned too. I think it is lovely to be with family at Christmas time, especially if you haven't all been together for a while.
Kelly - when do you get back to Perth?
Spring, Michelle - how are you going??
Deb - I am also sending some house selling vibes!!!
mako - I know this is a hard time of year for you, but I hope you manage to enjoy Christmas with your darling little boy.
Hi to everyone else, sorry for no more persies. Not sure how much I will be in with this internet connection and not even having an imminent house to move into! Wish me luck! And if I don't post again beforehand, have a lovely Christmas everyone!
Safe travels to everyone going away for Christmas. Especially thinking of you this Christmas Michelle... and Mako... it's a hard time for you both.
Bun - We're back in Perth on January 14.. I can't wait for some warm weather.. and to show off our new little man (although he's not so little anymore - LOL). We just found out our tenants will be moving out of our house the first week of March... so if you still don't have anywhere by then... LOL... we can help!!! Sooo NOT at all looking forward to finding new tenants! Scary. But good to hear there aren't many rentals around.. maybe we'll be ok!
Sorry, no time for more personals but Jayne.. it's great to see you back on FB!! We're doing really good... appart from the reflux, which is a bit up and down. We've got an appt with the paed tomorrow so will see what he says. Hopefully we can get some meds and get on top of it as I'm sure he'll be a dream baby without the reflux, as he's pretty good now with it. He has slept really well the last two nights, I've only been up twice.. at 1.30am and then 5.00am. I'm pretty happy with that!!! Just have to make sure I get to bed early enough to make the most of the long stretch!!
Hope everyone is well and looking forward to Christmas! Will be a quite one for us.
Mako - Did you get a fancy new phone??? iphone?? Ah well, I'll see for myself soon enough See you in 4 sleeps!!! LOL, just got a txt from you - get a move on guys! lol
Kelly - We still haven't found tenants for our place yet - my fault, I procrastinated over an applicatoin too long and by the time we decided to offer them the lease, they'd found another place...d'oh!! We are lucky that we have a bit of time up our sleeve to be paying both mortgage and rent, but we'd better find tenants very early in the new year or it's going to get stressful! Hope you get on top of the reflux asap, it completely changed D overnight and thankfully once it settled again (without medication, I actually think it was caused by strong antibiotics he had to take for an infection) he turned back into a dream baby.
Bun - Good luck finding a place! We finally got one and ironically it turned out to be our first choice! DH picked up the keys today and it's a lovely big place, much nicer than our place in Sydney so we are pretty happy I haven't actually seen it 'in the flesh' yet, only online so am a bit anxious to get up there and check it out - but that won't be till after xmas and our holiday so a while yet.
Michelle - Hope Lily had a wonderful birthday and you manage some happiness these holidays Thinking of you all as you approach another 'first'.
BW - Funnily enough, DH and I were just talking tonight and we are going to take L off dairy again. We've put him back on cow's milk since his bday about a month ago but we have noticed a change in his behaviour and our old nemisis 'sleep' is becoming an issue at night again so we are going to trial him back on lactose free again and see if it makes any difference. Could be totally unrelated and it could just be that things have been so unsettled, daddy gone, daddy home, up and down and all over the place the last month or so. It's not a big deal, but bedtime is becoming a chore when he normally goes off to sleep happily. See how things go once we settle in the new house.
Jayney Jayne - LOVE having you back on fb...please stay?! lol
As for us - packing for our holiday, sorting the house out and trying to make sure everything is where it belongs before we go so it can all be packed up while we're away. We are headed to my parents place for xmas, then on to our camping holiday with Mako, then back to our new place for a few days to unpack as much as we can then back down to Sydney to clean and finish up here ready for tenants to move in (when we actually find them )and then back to the new place for DDs bday on the 4th So it will be a while before I am back online I would imagine.
I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas with your beautiful families and get a moment of peace to remember those who are not with us xxxx
Willow LOL I think the way things are going you guys might be in Hat Head before us (just kidding). I'm hoping we'll be on the road tomorrow but that depends on how DH is feeling..He went to the after hours drs tonight as he wasn't much better but he's looking ok atm and hasn't chucked for a while now either so fingers crossed he's on the mend. He even told me today that Sage & I should go tomorrow anyway and he'll drive up once he was feeling much better but I'm not keen on doing that. Will let you know when we are on our way and travel safely when you guys leave too
p.s No iphone for me cos I don't want to go on a plan and DH can't afford to buy one outright but I think I'll be happy with what I'm getting
Ok So once again Merry Christmas and I'll "see" you all when we get home in a couple of weeks.
Thank you for all of the special birthday wishes. Lily had a lovely day with a Dora kitchen from us and a dolly in a pram from the IL's. Oscar and I made cupcakes and we had candles. All good in the scheme of things And it was the summer solstice and a lunar eclipse so candles and wishes for the new year. I certainly hope it is a good one after 2010.
Me - finding it all a little overwhelming. But we will survive. MIL not coping either so together we are just muddling through.
I will probably be back in beforehand but if not have a beautiful Christmas. Make it special. Make it about family. Let the little things slide because in the scheme of life they are unimportant. Enjoy the smiles from the child and the hugs that only little arms can give. May you be blessed with everything your heart desires and gifted with everything you need.
And a special thank you from me to you. Without your love and support I would be in a much darker place. I truly am blessed to have you all. Merry Christmas
Michelle - you just brought tears to my eyes hun. What a wonderful woman you are, and how unfair it is that the universe has taken one so special to you. I will be thinking of you and your family this Christmas
Wishing you all happy blessings over the festive season. May the new year bring you all happiness and health. May your babies be safe and your angels close xx
Just had to pop in quickly to wish all my very special friends a very Merry Christmas!! I know a couple of you in particular will be finding today a bit difficult... but I'm praying that you manage a couple of smiles. Thinking of each and every one of you!
It's been so quiet in here.. I hope everyone's ok. Thinking of you all and hoping that 2011 is a fantastic year for us all.
Everything is going well with us.. I'm a little sleep deprived but you get that!! Campbell is putting on weight like you wouldn't believe.. he's a little budda now - LOL. I keep forgetting he's only 7 weeks old. Had my OB appointment this week and her words exactly were "oh my god"... "I didn't deliver that baby"!! She couldn't believe it. Also had a good chat to her about what happened to me on the operating table when doing the c-section. It was a bit scarier that I even led myself to believe. I was only a couple of seconds away from needing CPR. My heart almost stopped and we're lucky they got the right drugs into me quickly enough to get things going again. It's been a bit of a shock to hear just how serious it was. I had a severe reaction to the spinal block.. that and my anxiety let to a drop in my blood pressure.. which lead to my heart rate dropping dramatically. Crazy. So tonight I'm extremely grateful to be here to see in the new year with my amazing boys. I love them to bits and am so thankful for everything. That's definitely it for us in terms of children now.. which is a relief, I couldn't go through it all again anyway! But back to Campbell... he's not at all the happy, content baby that I thought we were getting - LOL. The paed diagnosed him with colic.. which I'm really confused about.. especially after reading to book you lent to me Janie. Anyway, I'm trying a few things and we'll see what happens. He's ok sometimes and bad others. Not bad enough for it to be a big problem (yet) so we'll keep our fingers crossed that it improves!!
Well.. I think I'm going to go to bed... what a great new years we're having - LOL. Luke and Campbell have been asleep for a while now and DH and I are both really tired. I'll probably be up feeding Campbell to bring in the new year!! It's just another day for us... so sad!! I hope you're all out there having a wonderful night.. lets hope 2011 is a really good and positive year for us all. I know I'm thankful for it now more than ever.
Happy New Year to my beautiful friends. I know this year has been especially tough for some of you so I hope that 2011 brings abundance and happiness.
For me 2010 started for me with the birth of my beautiful B and I have cherished this year at home watching my boys grow into gorgeous little humans.
2011 sees me returning to work part-time, hubby away for most of it on deployment and the year I will commit to getting healthy. Perhaps even a bfp towards the end (shhhhh)
I cherish each and everyone of you. Thanks for being so special to me.
Spring
Michelle: here's an extra special for you. Thinking of you tonight and always.
Spring, thanks for your beautiful message . I hope your B boy has an amazing birthday. Where did a year go???
Kelly, that is super scary. I too am very glad you're here safe and sound . The stuff you've got going on with campbell sounds confusing for you. I'm back from the beach soon, let's catch up and chat if you like. How did you otherwise find the paed? There's always the option of a second opinion if you feel things are not being addressed. Take care hun, and know that whatever it is, it will soon enough pass xoxo
Love to everyone, hoping you've all survived the silly season intact. Big hugs from me to you!
Welcome to 2011 my lovely ladies!!! I trust you had a wonderful festive season - I know that for a few of us, it was very tough to be 'festive' & my heart breaks. I hope that 2011 brings lots more sunshine into our lives (for Michelle I hope for clouds so you know Miss Caitlyn is around).
Our trip to Aus now feels like a flying visit!!! The last few days we were all hanging to get home & stretch out! It's hard living out of a washing basket in a little room & trying to keep everything clutter free. We got back to Qingdao last night, about 630pm & today I have kept the kids home from school & we have just chilled (literally!!! bahahah) & unpacked the bazillion of Christmas gifts we bought back & also re-stocked the cupboards & fridge. It's hilarious that the fridge is WARMER than the air outside.
So this morning when I wake up, you will never guess what's happening outside!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SNOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Unreal. Was so excited. Perhaps just a smidge more so than the kids. lol
SPRING _ Happy 1st Birthday to Master Ben! I hope he had a fabulous day!!!
KELLY _ I'm so glad to hear that you are ok. Don't scare me with those details again. BTW Campbell sounds a bit more than colic? Do you think? You are pretty sure about the reflux aren't you? What do you think? So sad I won't be in Perth when you are. That sucks!
BUN _ How are you settling in back in Perth? How's the heat today? It's crazy hot there today I hear.
MICHELLE _ How did you go over the Christmas period love? 2011 is a new year & one that surely has to promise you the world! You deserve it.
ANNA _ I don't have FB in China, but the updates I was seeing sounds as though you & Rips are making some progress together? Happy Birthday to the Little Man too!!!
WILLOW _ Are you back from camping & in your new place now?
MAKO _ How did you go love?
BEK _ I'll bet Christmas was chaotic in your house this year with 3 little girls on the go!!!
LISA _ Yoooo hooo?
JANIE _ How's your beach trip going? I'll bet you don't want to come home?
DEB _ I saw on FB that Ruby is back? I'm so relieved!!! When did this happen?
Well, I'm off to bake chocolate muffins with the girls........... Yummy! I"m back on my fitness craze from......... tomorrow. bahahah. I plan on having a few chockies tonight that we bought with us from Aus & a delicious potato bake for dinner but tomorrow is back to getting the rest of my sexy back! I only have a little way to go, I'm not stopping now.
Hi girls - just checking in - how is everyone, can we all give an update.
Moi - survived a 3 week long car/ferry trip with 4 kids, I deserve a medal after that monumental effort - but it was all worth it to see the babes frolicking with their uncles and grandparents - ma and pa are not getting any younger, so I never regret time and effort put in with them.
Now back in Hobart, loving the slightly less humid weather, and facing a new year. I AM NOT (won't let myself) have as challenging a year as 2010 was, will be putting new strategies and tactics in place - life is uncertain, but when is it not?
Michelle - my darling girl - 2011 marks the beginning of your first new year without your special mate, there are still many hurdles ahead, but at least you have put to rest 2010 now, with George born and now thriving - you have achieved so much and come so far. A line from one of CJ's songs "take the time to turn around and see where you've been" - good advice for us all.
Personally - I think we should plan another weekend get-together - thinking about it - we should keep it simple - if we get to extravagant it won't happen - I'm all up for a Sydney get together, and this makes it easier for our number one girl. But am open to suggestions ladies.
I hope you are all keeping well - and do please let us know how you are going.
Girls - I've downloaded the c25k app - now can you all give me some advice on how to get motivated to start???????
LEE _ I'm most likely going to spend a month in Aus when the kids are on summer holidays from school which is June - August 2011, sooooooooooo if you were planning a get together around those months, I can prob come too. I'd leave the babies with the grandparents & maybe spend 4 nights in Sydney? If you are planning on having it that late in the year - not sure if you were meaning the next 3 months or so?
Then perhaps the next year, when our babies are a tad older & there is no more breastfeeding happening we could organise that Phuket/Thailand trip we have been talking about???? Gee, I'm getting goosebumps........... I shouldn't excite myself that much on a Saturday morning. lol
Congratulations on surviving the 3 week holiday -it sounds like you had a fantastic time with the grandparents. I noticed just how much mine love their grandparents over Christmas as well & vice versa. I'm loving your new philosphy about keeping things less complicated this year - sounds perfect!!!
What's the c25 program?? Sounds a bit different!!!
See you in 4 sleeps!!! LOL, just got a txt from you - get a move on guys! lol
I haven't actually seen it 'in the flesh' yet, only online so am a bit anxious to get up there and check it out - but that won't be till after xmas and our holiday so a while yet.
Thinking of you all as you approach another 'first'. 
)and then back to the new place for DDs bday on the 4th 
So it will be a while before I am back online I would imagine.
Lili!! You're one very special girl to have such an awesome mumma.
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