Long time no chat.... Hi all!

I have just spent 15 min catching up on everyone's goings on and luckily have very little sage advice to impart, 'cos I'm sure I'd forget who said what on what day!!!

So I'll just give an update on us if thats OK, if a little self-indulgent!

Actually, we have several bits of massive news....

1.(the most exciting for DH and I).... Monkey has learnt to go to sleep in her cot!

I should clarify that its with us sitting beside her with 1 hand in with her (on chest, holding hand, chewing on my finger etc....!). Until now, we had been rocking/walking/bouncing on ball/feeding etc.... her to sleep; sometimes a very long and tiring process. But she just kind of let us know she was getting too big and uncomfortable in our arms and so we tried it in the cot and it worked!!! I don't care that we can't yet leave before she's asleep or any of that stuff, it's just huge that getting her to sleep isn't so physically draining on us! And there has been no crying - a must for us - if she does lose it on occasion we just pick her up and do the old stuff again, but generally she's getting herself to sleep in 10-20 min - YAY.

2. Talking has commenced! Lots of ba-ba, bla-bla, a few other sounds that are heading toward ma-ma and da-da. And it goes on ALL day!! I just love it and am totally not sick of it! She's even starting to modify baba to by-by and using it in context with a wave when she hears us say bye on the phone or to each other etc....!

3. Not crawling, but getting way more active and closer to crawling every day. We are going to have to baby-proof soon! and keep saying every night that we should really put her cot to the lower level now... better get to it, we are such lazy parents sometimes!

Monkey's menu is continuing to expand and you'll all be glad to hear that my obsession with what she should and shouldn't have is subsiding!! She had some kiwifruit today and loved it. Though she hasn't been as keen on the salmon I've tried a couple of times.

For those asking about b'fast options - we do weetbix with fruit and water. I blend up heaps of w/bix in the processor in advance and just keep them in tupperware, saves me crushing up each day, then I choose either apple/pear/banana/blueberries/prunes etc.. to mix in. I was giving her Bellamy's baby porridge which she loved, but couldn't find it anywhere for several days so just made the switch and she loves it.

She still eats very variable amounts, but then this is the story for every meal. She can do anywhere from 3 mouthfuls up to about a 1/4 cup of food in a sitting. I'm not that bothered; she's drinking more water now its a bit hotter and is still very much a boobie girl. We still average 5 feeds per day - a good day is 4 in the day and 1 overnight, but of course this is highly negotiable with the boss (ie. not me)!!!

In other news, my Saturday job is going well; DH is still bringing her to me for a morning feed then we are making do and holding out for the afternoon feed. They are having a great time together and most weeks are going swimming in the afternoons. Plus, I just got a new job to start next Jan - 2x 5hr days, 10 min from home - absolutely perfect!! Am very excited about it, plus will also be working with one of my best friends, extra bonus!

I hope this hasn't been too long and arduous...... and just quickly.....

Lisa, glad that you are starting to feel a little "better" (I know that's not really the right word.....)

Jayne, I am thinking of you.... can't imagine how hard life must be.... you always sound like an amazingly strong person in your posts.... just keep getting through each day like you are and I hope those days get easier.....

Tashie and Catherine, I live in Ryde too...... and am a big slacko..... need to organise to catch up with Catherine soon..... you should join us. Maybe next week... I am terribly IT challenged and can't even remember how we got each others numbers, as I'm not too keen to pop it up here; she'll remember!

Oh and absolutely my last thing.... Monkey still has NO teeth! Are we the only ones.....??????