Babies Born August 2005 #24

Cass your holiday sounds gorgeous. Good for you...it must have been lovely having all that time with your Dh and Kaitlyn. Its so amazing just how much they are learning now isnt it. They are such clever clever little darlings. I can definately see changes week to week with Sammy.

Trace..wow you do have a big decision to make. I can understand how the factory would be a big change but maybe it would work better for you. Maddy might notice it though with you not being there weeknights but saving on daycare would definately be a great help to the budget no doubt...and you can always make the weekends extra special....arghh decisions decisions.....i really feel for you.

Soph....what is boot camp???? I must have missed that somewhere. Sounds interesting though. Hope the babies are doing well...is it nice having DH home with you.

Louise yes it was mad...not my planning let me tell you lol...we just had some uninvited guests lol....makes it fun anyway. Today has been so quiet. Jess is away and Livvy isnt feeling well so has been curled up sleeping. Emmy and Sammy are playing so nicely together and im just smiling at my clean house lol.

We are talking big time about Darren leaving his day job and just working nights and going back to uni to finish hes bachelor of education. He has 18 months left..and that way i could finish mine too...big decision. We dont have that many commitments but its scarey all the same loosing a whole income. Arrrghhhhh decisons!

Jo

Hi girls - just popping in to say hi and hope you all had a great new years!!!!

Storm - hope you and little Angel are doing really well.
Louise - wishing you the very best as you TTC - hope there'll be another bub asap.
Cass - thanks for your kind words re Tia - i think you're right...sh'es gonna be a strong little thing!
Brooke - is there gonna be a Sydney meet soon? I'm out of touch...but will look forward to one if there's gonna be one shortly.
Big HI to Jo, Soph, Alex, Fletchy and Tracey....hope i haven't forgotten anyone.

We are doing well - got back my amnio report today so i can confirm that Tia is definatley a girl and has no abnormalities. It's great to read it on paper. We also have Ella's new room nearly complete - it look fabulous and she loves to go and play in there. We won't get her to sleep in there for a few more months though. Ella's doing great - she's so funny running about all over the place, chatting away and LOVES to sing. I think we have a future Australian Idol on our hands - lol! ...Yet - still no hair - hehehehe. Awww she's just gorgeous!

Good Morning Girls,

Jo isnt it the best feeling to sit back and look at a clean house hehe. Simple things I know but once you have kids it aint to simple! hehe

Rae I am so glad to hear Tia is still a little princess and is as perfect as we expected she would be!. Ella sounds just gorgeous running around singing. I am still trying to get Kaitlyn to dance hehe.

Well second day back at work ewww. Kaitlyns first day back at daycare so I will give them a call around midday and see how she is going. Trying to convince DH to change careers hehehe ..not sure it will work as he loves Real Estate ..but I so miss not having him home until 830pm and also not seeing him sats and most sundays :-( Bit bummed about it at the moment.

Anyone out there know the winning lotto numbers....I am really trying to find them!

Have a great day all you chickadees!

And lets organise a catch up ASAP ......what about Monday 22nd Jan? Just throwing a date out there to get started!

OOOH can I share the winning lotto numbers too, I need them so I can retire!

Hey Rae Stoked to hear Tia is perfect & still a girl, not many boys called Tia around hey!?!!!!


OK sorry just gotta run it's bedlam ATM!

will be back soon!

Ohhhhhh I'm so tempted to jump on a plane to meet all you lovely ladies! Maybe if I happen to win that elusive lotto........

Cass - What career would DH possibly switch to? I don't know how you girls cope with DH's coming home late. My DH is usually home around 4pm and has school hols off (being a teacher) and I love it! I'd be even more of a nutcase if he didn't have so much time at home.

Rae - Tia will be a gorgeous girl I am sure. Ella will be the best big sister too! Don't worry, she will get some hair soon!

Jo - Boot camp is a full on exercise program run in groups - like army style. Ours is run by 'Sargeant' Dan and is a lot of drills and full on. I am hurting today! It's just what I need to get me back into shape and motivated. I can't believe I used to run half marathons! I reckon your DH should finish his degree and then he can be a teacher and have school hols too! Starting grad salary is about to be something ridiculous here too - upwards of $50k or something next year I think. And he could look after the kids in the hols!

Trace - Hope you work out the work situation. Shift work would be tough, but yeah it might work better for you in the end. And if you do find out Diggers gender, you know we'll pester you 'til you tell us LOL.

DH took Lucie over the road to the hospital this am (love living so close!). Her eye is all swollen and puffy - apparently an allergic reaction to a bite. She looks deranged! Poor little mite.

Ok off to do some nappy shopping Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

*your secret is safe with us Soph*

Apparently I was bitten by a spider or bug as a toddler near my eye during the night & when I woke up Mum thought someone had been in & attacked me, as my face was swollen, but my eye was bloodshot & the size of a tennis ball & I couldnt open it, a few days on antihitamines & it was all back to normal... I hope Lucies eye is OK...

Hmmm, I am not sure if I will be finding out, I have my scan on Friday to see where I am at & then I will think about it for my next scan.....

Rae, I can cut Indah's hair & send you some if you like!???

OK, happy shopping Soph! I got so many nappies, I cant wiat to have a nb in nappies again...

LMAO Trace and sharing Indah's hair around:biggrin: Yay for your scan on Friday too...betcha cant wait!!!!

Awww Soph poor miss Lucie..hope shes ok now. That is so great that the hosp is so close...very reassuring for you no doubt. Ahhh yes we are already talking about the school holidays.....weve made up our minds. Hes actually giving notice today. We will definately notice the loss in income but he has been able rustle up some more work so we will be ok..just tighten our belts so to speak.

Ohhh Cass....career changes hey..awesome. Too bad he likes it too much eh? I know what you mean about long hours. For us it was becoming too much though so weve really had to look at what is important in our life and thankfully we both agree. Im so looking forward to an easier year this year....boo to long hours!

Rae yay that all is well with little Tia and thats great youve had more confirmation about her being a little girl. I loved having the girls together..it was so lovely. I was one of those really sad mums lol who dressed the girls alike....could get away with it til jess was size 6 but after that nup...hehe....think she would have proteseth too much after a while anyway!!!

We are off to have lunch with mum today and family today. They got back from Sydney on Monday and we have pressies to pick up. Its crazy weather here too today.windy and wet one minute..sunny the next ....go figure lol

Have a nice day everybodddddyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

Jo

Yeah send me some of Indah's hair Trace - ANYTHING!!!!!!!!! I didn't have a proper amount of hair til i was at school so i should expect it'll be the same with El. Maybe Tia will take more after Paul's side and have some????

Hope the weather wasn't too unpredictable for you today Jo.

Hope all you lovelies had a great day!

Aww Rae what a gorgeous photo...i love it!

Jo

Soph I hope Lucies little face is going down ..poor bubba!. Not sure what DH would do if he changed careers ..dont like my chances of getting him to do it though as he LOVES Real Estate . I tried to convince him to buy a lawn mowing franchise and just take it easy and enjoy life but that didnt go :-(. Yesterday after two weeks with him it just kind of hit home that I never see him ...feels horrible.

Jo I hope you and the kids god lots of pressies! I think the whole weather thing is crazy ...our poor planet.

Rae I can send you some of Kaitlyns hair as well if you like ..she does not have nearly as much as Indah to spare but I know she would not mind sharing. Ella could have Indahs lovely dark hair with Kaitlyns as highlights hehehe. Love the pic as well!.

Trace how is your pregnancy going? Feeling tired or just full of beans?.

I first would like to say I miss my girl!. She had her first day back at daycare yesterday and only slept 30mins ALL DAY...then took an hour to get to sleep (finally went down 830pm)and woke up at 545am this morning...and walla she is having balance issues as of this morning!. So I think it is being overtired. When we were on holidays she was getting at least 3hours more sleep within a 24hour period. It was so upsetting as she was grumpy , crying , unhappy little bubba yesterday and unfortunatley I know it is now from being overtired due to not sleeping well during the day :-(. She was a totally different child while on holidays!. Anyway ...as my girlfriend would say to me "suck it up princess" heheheheh Guess you just gotta deal with it hey!. At least she is only in there 3days a week . Just feeling a bit down today ..back to work /daycare blues I guess!.

Cheer me up ladies with what you are up to with your lovely bubs today!

Cass - Massive hugs and kisses honey. Just think, Kaitlyn will just LOOOOOOOOVE the times she does spend with you and you can all enjoy those precious moments to the max. Just think that Day care has it's upsides too like increasing her social skills and stuff. Thinking of you.

Jo - Whooohooo on giving notice - that's fab! I actually enrolled to do an external secondary teaching degree before I had Lucie but then put it off. Got to finish my CPA first anyway! And don't worry, we somehow survive on one teachers income with a big mortgage too. I reckon you just adjust and no matter how much money you have, things are always tight. Now our entertainment is usually taking the kids to the beach or park. Free and we love it!

Trace - Ahh the nappy bug has certainly bit me. I just need some more $$$'s. DH won't let me buy any more until the credit card has been paid off. How long is Indah's hair now????

Rae - Ahhhh Ella is a gorgeous baldy! Don't worry Ned is a baldy to atm, he lost his beautiful platinum blond locks.

Lucie's eye is better. Think she will be like me with bites - I react to everything.

Boot camp was fitness test this morning. I used to be soooo toned and muscly and have a 6 pack, now I can't even do 1 sit up :rolleyes:

Ok ladies, I wont go through it all again, but I got some horrific news last night that friend of very close friends of our s passed away on monday, we met the other couple on about 6 or so occasions... He has left behind a 24 yr old partner & 2 young sons... It is just devastatingly sad!!! Such a waste of a life & I have no idea how she will cope... It is a long story & I am waiting to find out what happened... He had (about a year ago stupidly drunk to celebrate finally getting a home loan to provide for his partner & at the time new son & 2 yr old son.... He had a severe accident & spent the next few months in a drug induced coma, a battle with brain issues, rehab & severe remorse & guilt, last I heard he was doing really well & although would never be the same, he was looking to have a promising future, the love of the Mother of his sons & his friends.. I just cant fathom how one could cope in such a situation... :crying:

Cass, Honey I feel your pain in regards to work & I am heading off soon (Maybe next Monday) to discuss options of actually only doing the 7:45pm til midnight shift in the factory as it will probably work out $600 a month less, but we now pay $400 a month in care for Indah so it would be more with 2 & as we are earning less with 3 kids we may get more from C/link??? So for $50 per week I'd rather be home with my kids!!!! I am hoping to get exact figures, so then it will be a whole dayu at home dinner with family & Dh putting kids to bed, we can both cope with that! No child care & a mummy who is with them when they are awake!!!! I wont be too zonked either as I can just get up to drive Maddy to school & have showers & get 2 littlies dressed & fed etc after school drop off, so I think if the pay is what I have worked it out to be it should work!!!!
Plus we have agreed we will do some overtime each to compensate & I have been told I'd probably take home more at the end of the year with doing a Sunday every month! 4 hours is better than 8 all day! I figure I can always do some cash work on the w/ends too maybe or do something at home during the week? book work or something??? But as you say the more you earn the more you spend, so I am really looking forward to nutting it all out, plus I could then return to work sooner as I can easily express enough for a 4 hour period, so it might not be so bad...? I might even do a course or something in a years time???

Soph, glad Lucie is OK & what a good Mum you are doing Boot camp! I would never have the energy.. Indah's hair when wet is atleast half way down her back, but when dry the curls bounce it back up... Her fringe is as long as her chin!

Rae, AWESOME news regarding Tia still being Tia & having no other problems, what a little fighter!

Thanks soph for your kind words ....and how good are you doing boot camp!. It must be nice to do something for yourself as I imagine you would not get much time for yourself anymore!. Glad to hear Lucies swelling is going down.

Trace your plan sounds great!. You know it was funny ....last night I was stressed out as we got locked out of the house and Kaitlyn was hungry and thirsty as we had just come home from daycare..then after we got in (1hour laterer) I had no time to cook her dinner so she had to have frozen left overs (defrosted of course!)..And I was just highly stressed as Kaitlyn was so upset ...anyway long story short I thought of you and thought ...what would tracey do ..heheh as you just seem to cope so well with all that is on your plate!!! So I smacked on a smile and got on with it ....funny though how I thought of you and it cheered me up ..so thank you !

ok ...off for a cuppa!

Awww Trace what a horrific thing to have happen. Your poor friend. Thinking of you at this sad sad time. It really does make you put things in perspective doesnt it. Trace your plan really does sound great. It makes so much sense too when you are taking the costs out of daycare it really doesnt leave you that much out of pocket...good for you!!!I so hope it works the way you want it too.

Awww Cass :hug: There are so many great benefits of child care. Kaitlyn must just be loving all the interaction with lots of other little kids her age. Is she in a room with under 2's? I know different centres are different but it must be lovely for her to have so many little friends. Ive got all plans to put Sammy back into playgroup and start toddler gym when the school term starts up again because hes surrounded by all bigger kids..it will be nice for him to see more of little people. I hope that the time you and your Dh do have together is made all the more special because it is that bit more precious....its certainly hard fitting in long hours.

Soph wow that sounds so great. I wish they had a program like that here...must be fabulous feeling so proactive like that. I have slacked off so much over the school hols..have not even been walking...but have vowed to take Sammy for a ride with the girls on the bike today. Thanks for the reassurance with Darren teaching. Fortunately as he has his own business he has been lucky enough to pick up enough extra work to fund going back and studying and it really only means working 4 nightsf a week....so the days around uni are free...and lets face it..contact time e at uni is never very much. Its been lots to think of though...we have had lots to think of though. The other business Darren has been building up from scratch and the idea has been all along that with Darren and I being shareholders that we would be taking over the daily day to day running of the shop....so huge turn around for us...but it feels so right so we are going with it. :eek: I hope it all works out....lol. Im thinking of going back to uni too...i have an unfinished teaching degree and social work degree and nursing degree..arent i terrible....but will see how it works out....Me...im a bit of a scaredy cat about putting sammy into care.

Hope you are all having a lovely day. We went shopping yesterday and Ive filled Sammys little wiggles metal lunch box thingie with little farm animals. He thinks that they are just great and is right now walking around with the cow going moooo mooooo lol..funny boy.

Jo

Trace I am so sorry ....I forgot to say I was sorry about your Friend...I cant even imagine the trauma the family are going through now . My thoughts are with them...makes day to day issues seem so silly doesnt it.

Jo I think your plan to go back and finish your degree with DH is a great idea!. I say go teaching hehehe. Only because the hours fit better with the kids and I guess you could do nursing later anyway!. I think you are good having so many started ..not terrible for not having finished them!.

ok ..back to work blah blah blah hehehe. I used to LOVEEEEEEEEEE work ....what happened!!! Oh yeah ...I met a princess named Kaitlyn :-)

Thanks ladies (I have updated the info I have received in the july due thread) It's truly heartbreaking, he actually died from luekaemia in the end & they were engaged to be married later this year she has their weddings band that they bought on NY day & will place it on his finger & his younger bro will put one on hers from Patrick & in her heart they will be married!!! I have be crying alot, possibly preg hormones!??

Cass I did smile that you thought of me & smiled! If I wasnt preg I'd go to the bottle shop grab a few drinks & have sat & wiated for DH to get home!! hee hee!

I too am thinking I should do a course...? Not sure what yet...? Goopd lauck to EVERYONE I used to love my job too, but with Indah & the pressure from a few ppl I really hate it now!! I dont wnat to be hating it, so I pray we can change my job to my above plan???!!!

Ok I am starving got some rice & pork dish from DH....

Trace its just so so sad. I so hope you can change your job around..sounds like it will be great. And good for you for doing a course...ive done a few at Tafe like Auslan when not at uni just to keep my mind from turning to mush lol.

Jo

Hi everyone!
I'm still here, just really hard atm with my mum & dad here, but they are going home tomorrow, so will catch up soon!!!
Zaccie is going great, loves his little sister, ( a bit too much I think:)).
Still don't have much of a milk supply, I spoke to a nurse on the phone today to organise a home visit & she said something about medication to help boost it????? Mmmmm we'll see .

Well gotta go, cant wait to catch up with you all properly.

Awww Stormie..you take your time. Its great your parents have been with you. Im sorry you dont have a huge milk supply yet. Your body has been through quite a trauma though so that can happen. Be patient and not too hard on yourself. I was given maxalon to help increase my milk supply in hosp with Sammy but i only had one tablet before the expressing inbetween feeds really helped to kick it off. Theres also a great activite recipe on here..i never actually tried it but Im sure Trace will tell you about it.
Hope little Angel is settling in well....bet the kids are just doting on her and that sounds great that Zaccie is adjusting well lol.

Jo

Storm,

Yep the Aktavite drink is like a godsend in milk supply... It is a litre of skim milk or full cream milk, then a cup of skim milk powder & a cup of Aktavite (found int the Milo & Quick section of supermarket) all whizzed up together & then drink it throught the next day or so (I drank it daily for 3 days & was leaking all over the place!) I also would feed wait 30 mins & express both breasts, wait 30mins & do it again & then feed again next feed & wait 30 mins & express etc within 3 days I was a milk fountain & the Aktavite is good for you & tastes delish!!!


Good Luck sweets!


I'm off for my scan at 10:20am, WOO HOOO!

Thanks Trace, will have a look today & get some!!
Angel has settled in really well, & is already sleeping 7 hours at night, I think I am blessed in more ways than one!! Just wish I was feeling good too

Oh Trace, massive hugs matey. Hope the scan brings some big smiles to your face at least. Fill us in on all the details!

Storm - Good luck with the milk supply. The activite recipe is great. Also try Fenugreek and Blessed thistle from the Health Food Shop if you are keen to try 'natural' methods first. The paed prescribed me Motilium to get my milk going and his has so far done the trick (when Ned was in Hospital around Christmas and hadn't been feeding well for a few weeks 'cos he'd been sick, therefore very little milk!). It's similar to Maxalon but doesn't have some of the side effects that can be associated with that - ther eis some more info on the ABA website if you want to check it out.

Cass - Jog my memory can you, what is your job? I have baby brain x 2!

Anyway gotta run.......bbq in the park with some friends and need to get organised.

Trace have fun at your scan.....yay....its so nice getting that first pic!

Soph have fun at the park..sounds like fun.

Wow at 7 hours Storm ..thats heavenly! I still havent had 7 hours with Sammy:dunno:

Is anyone else's toddler feeling like they are just too big for the trolley at the shops?? Sammy inssited on wanting to walk last night and actually did really well. Sometimes I think my boy thinks hes older than he is lol. Jess and Em are off on a riding camp this weekend which will be fun for them so will be quiet at home...we are now on the countdown til Darren finishes up on Thursday..yipeee!!!!!!!!!

Jo

Jo, Zac is like that now, but he still likes to run off. Funny though, cos watching Zaccie in general he never walks anyway always running flat stick!!

Soph, how do you find going out with 2 little ones on your own? I'm getting worried about my first outing without Daddy..... I have a double pram, but I'm petrified!! :)

Trace good luck with the scan this morning ...so exciting!.

Soph I work in IT ..boringggg.. I used to be a corporate sales rep which I loved! but as I am now part time I am working with the managers in a sales operations type role...trying to think how to explain it....lots of numbers, lots of reporting on what opportunities we have ..and lots of getting in trouble if we are not going to make quota hehehe.

Storm I had a really traumatic birth with Kaitlyn , also haemorrhaged - I lost 1.5 litres of blood which was a bit scary. And I remember the recovery was so hard for me...really took its toll. So just remember you will recover it just may take a little more time...try not to get to down (which I did!). I hope your milk starts flowing really well really soon! xx

Jo you must be sooooooo excited about Darren being home as of Thursday !!!!!!! WHOO HOO

So glad today is Friday ..whoo hoo!. We have to go and buy some lattice today as Kaitlyn has started to "bolt" away from us and is running towards the edge of our back Verandah. Although it is only about 1mtr off the ground their is a cement footpath and hard dirt at the bottom and there is NOT way I am risking her falling. Not sure how to do it yet ..was hoping we would move out before we needed to ..oh well ..safety is first 100%.

Cant wait to buy our own place...we have started "looking" and I think we will be able to get a 3-4bed with 2bathrooms ( fingers crossed) and a pool ( double double fingers crossed) for around 500k...sooooo exciting!. Just want to move out!. Would you believe after the rats in the roof and the bees in the wall they put our rent up $10.00 a week as soon as we hit 6months in the house...the nerve!

Well hope you are all having great days..on the count down to home time yay

Ok well I had my scan & took Maddy & my niece & asw he began baby wasnt moving, so I panicked & stopped breathing so he prodded bubs & it started kicking & punching & then we listened to the heart beat & the guy showed all the bits etc to the kids, he said bubs was perfectly healthy & all was fine, Maddy asked if he could see the gender & the guy said he could look but did I want to know, I looked down at big puppy dog eys (Maddy) & seemed to nod...

He pointed out that it was not a good time to determine sex as it can be difficult, but he said it looks like a PENIS here to me!!!

So I am certainly not taking it as gospel as he said it could be the cord or a swollen girl... But I figure I will ask now at the 20wk scan, I may as well!!!

Yippeee my baby is OK!

Woo Hoo Trace!! Great knews, I hope the penis stays!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ohhhhh Trace what wonderful news. Im so glad that your precious baby is ok and how wonderful...a little boy.

Cass that is so rude of the landlord ..youd have thought with all your hassles they wouldnt want to do anything but pacify you lol....whooohoo on finding your own place too..sounds great.

Storm its so normal to be nervous... you will get the hang of it again and no doubt Soph the supermum will be able to give you a few pointers of taking two littlies out. Too long ago for me to remember lol..but then I never really had a runner like Sammy and Zaccie...hehe.

Jo

Oh Brooke sending you happy and relaxing vibes! Don't worry Lucie had a TOTALLY feral week or so too, only the last few days she has been half pleasant again! Maybe it's just a feral age?

Storm - You will be fine matey. I get out for at least a few walks a day to keep me sane. We all get up about 6am when Lucie wakes, Ned still usually is asleep. I feed Lucie then perhaps Ned and then throw them in the pram and walk to the supermarket to get the groceries for the day. After Lucie's sleep around 9.30/10am (usually about 2 hours) I usually throw them in the pram again and head to the park. Lucie sometimes has lunch on the run in the pram or we head out after lunch. I like to get her to the park and have found it's heaps easier if I have Ned in the Baby Bjorn so I can catch Lucie if she runs off! Luckily Ned is a pretty cruisy baby and hardly cries (touch wood), it would be heaps harder otherwise. Whenever I am feeding Ned too I need to put on a DVD for Lucie or else she climbs all over me and Ned. I don't really like her watching so much television but it's really a lifesaver - whatever makes life easier I say! Good luck, you will be fine. Even if you get out for a 5 minute walk around the block I reckon it's good for your headspace.

Trace - WHOOHOOOOOOOOOOOO for your little boy. I reckon Maddy new, told ya Digger was a masculine name!

Cass - Ah well whatever job pays the bills I guess. My principle is work to live not live to work! And hey at the moment I just love to live LOL!

Jo - I neer do a big shop now at the supermarket - I go daily and just get what I need (gets me out of the house and I can fit it all under the pram!). So we don't have trolley dramas but I can imagine it would be starting to get tough. Maybe soon when our munchkins udnerstand more like 'stay here' and 'come back' in might be easier, or maybe they will just get even faster and run off on us LOL.

MIL, FIL and BIL all arrive tomorrow for Ned's baptism Sunday. Can't believe he'll be 4 months soon. He's rolling around like a mad thing, not long till he'll be crawling I guess :eek:

WOAH, 4mths already.... NO way!???? Are you sure!????

I added pic's of my scan on my site!! hee hee what a profile, oh so cute!


Now who was wanting hair??? Put in an order, see how long it is!

LOL Brooke and Trace - yeap 4 months next Sunday!

Hey girls! Sorry to be such a stranger! I haven't forgotten you all...have just been away and like Cass, I have had my DH home for a few weeks and have been enjoying my time with my boys! :D

So much to catch up on!

First of all, huge congratulations to you Storm on the birth of your little Angel! She looks just beautiful in your ticker photo. I hope you are feeling better soon and I hope your milk supply picks up. I can vouch for the Aktivite recipe too. It did a great job for me when I was BF Josh. I'm looking forward to hearing more about your little girl...

Soph, I'm glad to hear that Ned is doing better now after his trip to hospital. He sounds like such a cruisy little fella. I hope the baptism goes well. Good on you going to boot camp too!

Rae, It's great to hear that you got the all clear from Tia's amnio. I understand the relief that you must have felt getting those results. I'm sorry to hear that she is facing these problems with her heart, but it sounds like she is in very good hands and with such a loving family around her she is bound to thrive. I love her name too!

Tracey, a little boy, how awesome!! I'm really sorry to hear about your friend. I hope his family (and you) are doing ok. Josh isn't walking yet either. He loves his hippo walker and is happy to cruise up and down the house, but he just isn't interested in trying it on his own. Like you said though, in their own time...

Jo, wow, you and Darren must be feeling such a sense of freedom with the decision to give up his day job. It sounds like a great decision for your family. Bring on Thursday!

Brooke, I would love to have a meet up too when you are up to it. I'm generally fine any weekday except Friday, so a Monday would suit me too. I hope you can get a bit more rest than you have been getting...

Cass, your holidays sound divine! Beach and sleep. It's such a shame when you have to go back to work. Good luck with the house hunting. Are you looking in the same area that you are in now?

Fletch, I'm so glad to hear that everything is ok after your scare! And good to hear that bub is still a boy! How's your BP going?

Louise, sounds like Maria is doing really well. Will be lovely to see you both again when we have a meet up.

Alex, how are you and your little guys doing?

Well, we are finally settling back in at home after a couple of trips away over the past few weeks. We had Christmas away at my mum's at Port Macquarie and had some time away this week at a resort up in the Hunter Valley. It was so nice, we just swam lots and relaxed.

DH has to go back to work on Monday and I go back on Friday. I've had to change my shifts around so I'm doing all day shifts (night shifts weren't agreeing with me) so I have to work every Friday & Saturday now. (DH has every Fri, Sat, Sun off, so I work on his days off so we can look after Josh between us). It means we only get one day off together each week and I have to work every weekend, but it's only about 9 weeks until I go on maternity leave so we can do that.

Anyway, had better go as this post has been pretty long. Will talk to you all again soon!

Love Bec

Storm - I am sure you will be fine taking 2 out, are there any gated playgrounds near you so if Zac does run off he cannot get far?

Jo - not long till Darren's home, you must be excited

Cass - hope the Telstra man has done his magic and you are back with us soon, I hate it when broadband goes slow. How did the lattice buying go?

Tracey - yay for blue, love the scan pictures.

Brooke - lets hope Charli is an Angel this week, and gives her mummy a break

Soph - how did the Baptism go?

Bec - only 9 weeks to maternity leave, where did time go?

Well Maria is slowly getting the hang of walking, 16 steps is her record. Yesterday she had the most fun I have ever seen a child have helping mummy pair daddy's socks, this morning I found 4 pairs hidden in the boot of her ride on car and 2 under the cot.

I had a great weekend cooking, very proud of myself, made salmon patties, potato patties, meatballs, sausage rolls and a banana cake, all in the freezer waiting to be eaten - yum.
After Maria's nap we are going to Reverse Garbage to buy some paints and paper for some fun on the balcony.

Sorry Ladies, just a quick selfish post, all of a sudden last night we were sitting around snacking on BUrger Rings & Mum & Dad popped in for a wine with Dh etc, Indah stodd & walked maybe 10-12steps & then just kept doing it from the table to my Dad, then to Me, my Mum etc!!! It was so funny as she has only done like 4ish steps at a time!! ofcourtse this morning she wouldnt do it, but we are getting there!!!

Maria is like that, sone day happy to crawl/cruise everywhere, next day wanting to walk.

Hi everyone :)

Louise, your cooking sounds yum! I love your new ticker pic, what a cutie. And LOL at all the hidden socks!

Tracey, woohoo for Indah...WTG!! How exciting!

Brooke, a meet up on 5/3?? I think you'll be a little bit busy that day ;) , but 5/2 would be great. I read your other post...I've been trying to think of some ideas for you. Josh went through a similar phase with his sleeps, but we got through it by co-sleeping (his cot attached to our bed) and I read what you said about co-sleeping not suiting you. Will keep thinking. I hope it's just a passing phase and she is back to her normal self soon...

A big hello to everyone else too. You must all be busy!

Well, I have some good news too...Josh finally took his first steps yesterday! :D He got a little blow up wading pool for Christmas and we got it out for the first time yesterday...he was so excited and distracted by the fact that he was in the pool that he didn't notice that he was standing in the middle of the pool on his own and he took a few steps to his dad! And he has done it a few times since. Yay!

Bye for now,

Bec

LOL! Thanks, but no thanks Brooke - February's good! ;)

Should be fine by me as well.

I'd love to come watch too Brooke!!
5/2 is no good for me, I have my 6 week check up, gunna be a big one too. Maybe next time for me!!

It's OK Brooke, you don't have to re organise for me. I think I'd be too scared to venture out on my own. I honestly don't know how I managed with my older 3, I was never home..