Mel – I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of your doggy Cooper. It is a very very sad thing. I love my dog as much as any member of the family, I can only imagine the grief you have. I’ve no experience in telling children, it all depends on how developed Chelsea is, how much she understands and whether or not you believe in God and heaven. My BF’s Mum passed away last year, she told the girls that their Grandmar is looking down on them from heaven, they like that. I took the youngest (3) to the park a few weeks ago and the sun came out and she said “oh look, nanny is shinning down on us from heaven”. She was happy.

Simone – oh honey… You poor thing. I’ve babysat my BF kids for weekends when they have both been sick – it is an endless day and night of cleaning up spew and worrying about dehydration. Can DH come over and help even for just 2 hours so you can get a break? You must be exhausted!!! Huge hugs to you darling…

Nenny – sorry about the party. The same thing happened to me a few weeks ago. It is very hurtful isn’t it. But I’m sure there is a reason that is “reasonable” to them (if not to you and us)… That is great that the music box puts Aleise to sleep . I’ve tried music, (DH is a DJ), but does not seem to help. I think the key is to keep trying different things – like Mel said.

Right now, I have officially been trying to put Ally asleep for 2 hours and 42 mins. I’m so over hearing a crying baby. It does not matter if I hold her or play music, or swing her or breast feed her or rock her in the pram, or wrap her, she just refuses to go to sleep. I even put her down and folded nappies (like Bath does)… I started trying after she had been awake for one hour, then there was one yawn so I started to put her to bed then (so I did not miss the sleepy sign). Now she is so overtired she is hysterical. I have left her to cry for a while as I feel I have tried everything else. (20min later).. Could not let her cry for long, picked her up and put her back on the boob, she was asleep within seconds, so now she is asleep in her cot. Sign… it is just so much effort to put her to sleep. I just wish I knew what to do. It is ruling our life, I don’t feel like we have any fun anymore as she is always either tired or I’m trying to put her to sleep. There is no “play” “feed” “sleep” thing happening, it is all just a blur of tears. (hers and mine). DH is going way again tomorrow for a few days, not sure how I will go.

Anyway…sorry to only always talk about Ally’s sleep problem, just feel like I have no where else to vent (feel like everyone else is judging me IUKWIM).

Well, we just got a $70 phone bill so I’m going to check out Skype does anyone else use it?

Oh, someone asked about Almond oil – sorry I can’t remember who – (sorry, v. tired, Ally had 4 feeds last night)… anyway.. you can buy it at ANY health food store, it is super cheap, I paid $10 for a very very large bottle. In the Hospital they use Sweet Almond Oil for baby massage so it is safe. I just squirt some in her bath (makes for some oily hair – check out her picture in the signature) but her skin is super soft and there are no more ‘dry’ patches.

Hi to those I’ve missed…chat soon
Luv
A very tired CC (yawn)