Babies Born June 2006 #24

Simone – that marinate sounds great.. I will have to try it. Hope you get a fan soon.. We got one last week - I LOVE it!

Mel – your MIL has a pool – that is unreal! How far away is she?

Jess – hope your still OK… I was thinking that the more kids you have the less sleep you get, your current routine sounds a bit hard!

Baths – I love your new pic of Niall – so cute!!!!!!! :)

Rory –Tresillian did not teach the ‘let them cry’ method. They just went through my home and my routine and made minor adjustments. They told me that nothing is a problem eg: feeding to sleep or rocking to sleep or feeding every hour …etc.. unless it was a problem for me. Some of the changes were so minor – eg: removing the mobile, making sure I BF away from sleep times, etc…but the difference has been amazing.. I highly recommend them. In fact, I was telling the girls at Baby Yoga how good they were and my next door neighbor got them into her place this week, she said it has worked for her as well! I feel so bad that they get such a ‘bashing’ when they are just wonderful women and mothers (like us) who want the best for babies and mothers.

IK – be careful with those cheap noodles, they can contain 25 grams of fat each and the fat is from partly hydrogenated oil – which is soooo bad for you that it is actually banned in forward thinking countries like Canada – it causes your body to actually absorb bad fat from others foods and not absorb any good fats…so check the ingredients. Hate to be a wet blanket but you can buy beautiful brown rice noodles from Coles which only have about 4 grams of fat and keep you feeling fuller longer – us BF mum’s need to keep our energy up!!!

US:
PC is now in our bedroom so I’m back on board – yeah!!! That said, I’m off to Yamba for a month on Thursday so again my PC time maybe a tad limited? DH has taken Ally for a walk so I can get some much needed “me” time. Ally slept well last night but for some reason I did not? I bought her a mosquito net as she was getting a few bites each night and I was so paranoid that she was going to overheat (even thought I had the fan on her?) or choke on it or something stupid like that – so basically I got zero sleep? HO Hum.. Does anyone else use mosquito nets? I know that SIDS do not recommend them, but I’m not sure what else to use? We have a really bad mosquito problem (even thought we have fly screens on every door, they come through the vents in the bathroom and laundry room from the units above). I don’t really want to use the chemical repellents every night…Any advice?

Hmmm, hard one, CC, re: mozzie nets. I use one over the portacot, but Oscar only uses it during the day and evening. Night time sleeps he is as exposed as us two, so I've asked DP to consider a big one for over our bed. He also says we'll get too hot, but he hasn't said no, yet. That's great about how Tresillian helped you, and great that there is no one method they espouse :) I rock to sleep, feed to sleep, soothe asap etc and I know of people who aren't comfy doing that. My thoughts are that I am completely comfortable doing that, I love doing that, so it's not an issue here. If you're not comfy with it, then it's obviously not for you! Each to their own, and that's why I dislike prescriptions. Sounds like you didn't get a prescription!
I have loads of washing to sort through. It's on my bed...so I'm seriously thinking of staying at my parents' to avoid it! Actually, I'm thinking more about getting home tonight after my parents, which will **** my mum off, and I'd miss a pancake brekky...maybe I WILL stay! If things start going pearshaped during the evening, then I'll take my bat and ball and go home - I'm doing HER the favour, cos she really wants Oscar to stay the night, so she'd better behave.
I can feel a weather change - it's cooler out than in, now.
Nappy folding before Oscar wakes again...
ETA: CC, thanks about the noodles! I know they are nasty (they're not Maggi, they're Aldi brand), I keep them for here for a quick snack when I haven't got anything else on hand, so it's not something I have often at all. Normally I'll have a miso soup instead, but I dont' know what came over me!

Hey ladies - soooo hot!! It hit 43 out here this arvo, thank god the cool change came through. The kids were very cranky and lethargic... Went to FIL's VicPol xmas party in a local park OMG i thought i was gonna die... On the flip side, they bought GREAT pressies, lots of fisher price stuff and they even got the older girls bratz stuff!! lots of very happy kiddies. Thinking of having a BBQ for dinner, its only 26 out here atm, and the breeze is pretty nice :)

CC - i used to use a mossie net on the kids when they were in their basinnettes, and if you make sure it is out of her reach i wouldnt be to worried...

Mel - i would love that recipe to :D How are you coping on your own?? Is DH ok?? thinking of you

Jess - hoping the fires stay away, it was 43 out here today, and we have gone through so many drinks, and had so many baths, the kids are gonna be all wrinkley by the end of the day LOL

Nic - hope your having fun!! It was way to hot to have a picnic in a park today... glad you managed to change your plans. Wish we could've!!

Bath - hope you stayed cool today, :)

and to all those i havent managed to reply to, Howdy!!! hope you're a;; doing ok... Must go feed Anneliese now

ETA - im almost fully ff Anneliese now, no matter how much i bf her, my supply is almost at nothing, and she was just starving. Havent started solids yet either, she's not interested, so formula is the only thing that fills her up... Diappointed, but im happy, knowing i made it to my goal of 6 months...

Absolutely, Simone, you made it to 6 months! I hope your wrist pain is behaving today - nothing worse on a hot day, I imagine!
Oscar woke up just as I finished editing my last post...he was on the floor on his lambskin and next thing I knew he had flipped and was starting to travel again. Now he's sucking on my sunglasses...
Off again...

My wrist is ok, swelling a little from the heat, but its my knee thats bad... when i did my wrist i did my knee, but it wasnt that bad... now its getting slowly worse. SOmething's gonna go right for me soon...

IK - still sorta bf anneliese, but its more of a comfort thing that a feed.

I'm sure Anneliese is very appreciative that the milk bar is still open, even if it's just to hang out and feel good at ;) Oscar loves a comfort feed, especially after bumping his head on something he's been crawling under!
I'm off for the evening, girls. I will be online at my parents just to keep track of CFA news and may pop in from there, but probably not. I'll be back tomorrow arvo, as I've got an appointment with the MCHN.
Have a good night all and stay cool!

Thanks IK, i felt so guilty as although my goal was 6m, i really wanted to go alot longer. I love giving bub a feed especially after she has her needles and things like that. Just curious, if im giving her a feed in the morning, and one in the evening, will i be able to keep on like that?? Im thinking of getting some motillium while i still have some sort of supply, and trying to up it a little, keep on going with bf just a little longer...

Well we went to Greensborough Plaza when it was 42'C (110 old scale which we have in the shade out the back). had a great time. Wade got a ride on Thomas and we had smoothies and did the grocery shopping... i even took an esky for the cold stuff... but when we got back it was 23"C!!!!!!! OMG I had goosebumps in my sleeveless top as I was getting out of the car here! LOL It's very warm inside the house but I'm not opening it up too much so that by tomorrow it should be just right... have opened up the windows in the bedrooms though so it's comfortable when the kids go to bed.

Mel: did i ask for a copy of that raspberry slice recipe? My brain is still heat-mushed LOL Thankyou :)

Mossies: I bought a gadget that you plug into the electric sockets in the room you don't want mossies in. got it for the nursery. haven't tried it yet. I bought it because we don't have flywire in the ensuite off the nursery and mossie occassionally get in there. Actually we don't suffer too much from insects and vermin in this place which is really odd given the filth etc. There's a few spider webs but I rarely see the spiders... never seen an ant inside... but there are heaps that live out the back between the paving stones. Wade must carry enough food out there for them to eat so they don't need to venture in! My biggest gripe are the flies that the kids let in... otherwise life's pretty good mini-creature-wise.

Bath-time in this house... better go deal... oh but before I do i agree IK: snail mail isn't what it used to be, people will be thrilled to receive anything about Oscar in the mail, anytime, 6 months is no biggie. I know that when something other than a bill arrives here it's a major event! I used to have HEAPS of penfriends in my younger days (until I was about 22 actually)... so maybe it just seems more radically different for me because of that. Back later girls...

Hi girls - how hot was it today!!! Awful. Spent day at my brothers house (he lives with his girlfriend and her parents) with their awesome big pool! Chelsea was in the water from 1.30-4.45pm, couldn't get her out, she was so wrinkled!! They had some friends over with kids aged b/w 12-14. She had a ball with them, ordering them around and playing, it was great. Got home, house was cool with air con but decided to turn it off and open up the house. Breeze has gone, house is still a bit warm. Was lazy and my brother and his girlfriend bought over malaysian for dinner - yum. Chelsea asked me at 7.30 if it was bed time yet? She was so tired, she went to bed and fell asleep before I even finished her book. Marley slept inside for most of day then when she came out, the cool change had hit and she lay on a blanket on the grass. Charlie the dog was her source of fascination - she kept trying to grab him and he was so good (cavalier king charles spaniel) - might add them to our list of dogs to read up on.

CC - MIL lives only 5 minutes away so very handy on hot days. Not sure about the net, we don't have too much of a problem with them inside, plenty outside though! The things Bath mentioned are great. Hope you get a better nights sleep tonight and it's so great Tresillian helped you out so much. Onwards and upwards now! Whats at Yamba? Hopefully you can stay tuned with whats happening in here.

IK - hope you don't get too lonely without DP. I have been a bit lonely but had plenty to do so I'm not thinking about it much. Have fun at your parents, hopefully everyone plays nicely LOL!!!! DH has been moved to Whitfield doing road closures, he left message on machine saying it was really hot and he felt sweaty and dirty!!! Poor thing.

Simone - it would have been scorching out in a park today but at least the kids got some nice pressies! DH is doing well, see above for more bits. Your wrist must have been hot and sweaty in the cast. Well done with BF for as long as you did - you should be really proud of that. She looks like a well feed little girl too, so nothing to feel disappointed about.

Jess - don't envy you guys in that van. Is there a pool nearby you can go and cool off! Hopefully tonight will be a bit more comfortable for you.

Bath - great idea going to the shops, at least its cool! Sounds like you left at the right time. Flys are a nightmare, we have heaps of them inside. We don't have flyscreen on the back windows or doors and they are always inside and I am forever spraying. We are getting some in the new year as I can't stand them. They are soooo dirty looking. Penfriends, I haven't had one in years, but used to do it alot when I was kid. Pity it doesn't happen much anymore but I suppose we are all like penpals?

BTW - anyone heard from Rory? There were fires at Glenroy today that were deliberately lit!!! Don't know if it was anywhere near her place, hope not.

I will email the recipe for the slice. My friends mum rang me earlier to get it too! Its getting very popular.

Enjoy your night and stay cool. Will pop back later.

Hi Guys,
we had a great day, i have just uploaded some pics on the website. I was so much happier we had everyone over i dont think we would have lasted very long in the park, we had heaps of food (alot was left over from last night so used that too!) and everyone brought something as we figured that out prior.
The house still heated up even with the evap going full throtle from 9am, when u have 18 adults and 9 babies in a house i guess our body temps helped that rise! i think inside still rose to about 28 degrees when everyone was there. 2 babies are now sitting up and 2 are up on all 4's rocking!
Nixon as of thismorning decided he likes tummy time and rolling! he finally can roll from his back and has been doing it all day! i think he is amazed at how much more he can grab by rolling to get things. His redness is ok, barrier cream stayed on well overnight and he has heaps of nappy free time today, this arvo i took his nap off and within 20mins i think i counted 6 wee's!

I meant to say Happy 6 months Anneliese! And congratulations on getting to 6months with bf! She has definatley had a great start to life.
I am down to 1 bf a day now and no more expressing, so i just do the morning feed, i have noticed my supply going down from even the 2 i was doing then 1 and expressing, slowly dwindles away, i still take some fenugreek every morning and the blackmore bf/pg tablets. I dont know how long my supply will keep going but i will definatley be fine with it when it stops considering i never thought i would be able to breastfeed i am quiet proud with myself! You should be very proud of yourself to Sim after everything you have gone through and you kept it up Hats off to you....

I wrote such a big reply WITH PERSONALS and just lost it...

will do it again later, im to p*ssed to try again right now...

OMG... Simone...don't you just hate that!!!!!!!!
Going to get Patrick weighed today if ISabella ever wakes up!
Bit cooler here today and we have had.....RAIN! It has only lasted a couple of secs but at least it was rain.

We had a couple of drops of rain, not even enough to cover the pavement, but it was something... Its freezing atm!! Xander and i are sitting in bed, watching spongebob squarepants again... but its nice to snuggle up. Just waiting for our bunk beds to be delivered and then we're going to do something... spend the day together. Be nice not to have to get 3 children in and out of the car on my own!!

And i forgot to say BATH - i got my mi-vitality stuff on friday, i only ordered it wednesday!! I started fastract first, only because i smoke, and im a social drinker, i dont want to go through a bad detox... On day 4 today :D

Happy belated 6 mths Anneliese and Simone congrats on getting to 6 mths of bf you have given her a great start and should be proud of yourself.

Bath thanks for the ideas for the zucchinni (sp) we had corned silverside with roast potatoes, sweet potatoes, zucchinni and corn on the cob and beans it was really nice.

IK, Jess, Mel and Rory I hope that you are alright with the fires and all and IK and Mel I hope that both your partners are safe and that everyone down in Melbourne are in my thoughts.

Well Cody has been a grumpy boy today and I don't know what's wrong, he's tired but doesn't want to sleep. I have a sore throat and am hoping I haven't passed it on to him, will just wait and see how he goes.

Dee would love to catch up with you just let me know when and where.

Also on Stephen King I don't mind reading him but I much prefer Dean Koonz. Ah well better go for now.

hugs xoxo

Mosquito nets: thanks for your advice ladies – I keep the fan on her while she is in there so hopefully it will not get too hot.

Baths – I know the thing your talking about, I would be scared I would forget, also not 100% sure of what is in them.. (I know, I’m a paranoid – first time mum!)

Simone – good for you darling (re: bf/ff) you have given her a GREAT start and you know your baby and what she needs.

Mel – ohhh.. that is so nice, a MIL and a pool only 5 mins away! I’m totally jealous!

Nic – awww.. Nixon is soooooooo cute! Yeah for no more expressing.. I have to say, I HATE expressing… as if we don’t have enough to do each day.

Jess – hope Patrick’s weight was good!

Amanda – hope Cody feels better – nothing worst is there!!!

US: I’m off to our client Xmas Party! Prior to leaving work I was the account manager for Qantas, so tonight my company is taking them out on a cruise through Sydney Harbor in a private boat – so champagne for me... Ally is staying home with Dad and some frozen milk! This will be my very first outing without Ally, so I’m a little nervous, also the fact that it is a work function I’m even more nervous.. and a boat… what if Ally needs me.. I can’t very well just jump off and go home??? Deep breaths, deep breaths….I’m sure she will be all right, it is me I’m worried about.. off to go hug her some more!

CC - Ally will be fine, its prolly DH you'll have to worry about more LOL!! Im sure everything will be fine, these babies are more resilient than we give them credit for... You just go and enjoy yourself, and hopefully Ally behaves her self for when mummy's a little hungover in the morning LOL

Weight not too good....only up 50g in two weeks

LOL CeeCee yes you know she'll be just fine :) The first outing is the hardest... but it's really good to get a few outings in before they hit the REALLY clingy stage. I know we didn't go out much when Wade was a baby and now he is soooooo clingy! On the other hand we went out fairly frequently when Verity was a baby and she adjusted really well.... but it also comes down to personalities. I suspect Niall is going to be ok about us going out every so often. How does Ally take to the bottle? Sorry i can't recall how much you use it. Niall has become a real expert ever since I've given him the EBM that's about to expire...oh! and we had a blackout this morning!!! The first thing I thought of was my EBM... but lucklily it came back on after 20 mins... and I didn't open the freezer door so it shgould be ok... got turkey in there too!

Amanda: I looove Dean Koontz too!!! I've read almost everything he has written and keep an eye out for hardcovers in second hand bookshops. I'd say one of the best/scariest is Dark rivers of the Heart. I also thought the black humour in The Face was very good :)

Simone and Nic: Yes! congratulations for getting to 6 months BFing :) It's a bit trickier in summer isn't it... supply can kinda be up and down as your own body can become dehydrated more easily than in the cooler months and even holding them to feed in hot sticky conditions is challenging. I'm hoping to reach 9 months... but Niall is a real biter and I have to admit going through a bit of a rough patch ATM... hopefully he will ease up like the others did soon!

Just trying to finish the last of the Chrissy cards... Wade seems to dislike me doing them... keeps bumping/shaking the table that I'm doing them on... as soon as I get up and do something else he's ok... but a bit like me sitting at the 'pute he can't stand my attention being so focused on something other than him! Bring on Kinder next year!

back later girls...

ETA: we posted at the same time Jess... oooh did the MCHN give you grief about that? Is he happy enough?

Sorry to hear that jess...

Bath - is Wade going to 3yo kinder?? As far as i know, Xander has to wait until 2008 to go to 4yo kinder over here, because he was born after the cut off date... Xander's born july 1, so a couple of months older than wade...

yep... he's been given a place at a good local council 3 yo kinder group :) starts Feb 2007.
A few of the kids from his play group will be going so it won't be too foreign for him.

Hello girls! Thanks for worrying about me with the fires, but the ones at Glenroy must have been little grassfires (they have em every year - the MFB puts em out before they get a chance to touch any houses.

Happy 6m Annelise - Flynnie reaches the 6m mark today. I had a MCHN appt today too, Jess, but the verdict was better than poor Pat's. What did the nurse recommend you do?

Bath, I am going to try doing cards today - been putting them off for ages, now DH is starting to get worried they won't go out (he is busy with masters so it's only fair I do them!)

Ceecee, Ally will be fine, she is with dad, has milk, will fly. You'll see!

better go - gotta menu plan (still haven't done it yet........!)

Afternoon girls - been to swimming this morning. I am a proud mum today! Chelsea dived to the bottom of the pool (the shallow end) to get the ring they throw in. This has been a sore point with her and she usually cries and gets all upset telling her teacher she can' do it. Well today she did it - yeah!!! Teacher said she was so very proud of how well she did today. I had to go to the Warehouse today so I let her choose a treat for her achievement - she chose a $2.50 bubble blowing thing!

Nic - sounds like you had a great day and much better being inside. Go Nixon - rolling everywhere. Glad to hear nappy rash is clearing up to.

Amanda - love Dean Koontz too! Also James Patterson. Sounds like a delicious dinner, corned silverside is one of my comfort foods - with heaps of mash! Hope your throat gets better and Cody gets out of his 'cranky pants' LOL!!

Jess - does the MCHN think there is any concern about Pat's weight? Glad its cooler there for you.

Simone - I've lost stuff to and its usually when I type lots! Typical! Have a fun day and have fun putting the bunks together.

Bath - I heard the Ivanhoe lights get turned on tonight - they are so beautiful. We went in 2002 when I was heavily pregnant with Chelsea and haven't been back since. Do you guys all go? Xmas cards - you just reminded me to get moving sending mine out.

CC - have a wonderful night tonight. DH will be fine, I know my DH loves it when I go out as he can do things "his way" without me telling him what to do! He always loves spending 1 on 1 time with the girls. Ally will love it too. Don't drink too much champers on the boat LOL!!!

Got girlfriends coming for dinner tonight, they are old work colleagues. We get toghether one a month so our xmas dinner tonight. We always get takeaway and tonight is Thai (my favourite). Just tidying up and putting away shopping. DH just called and he may have to stay another night! He is escorting Steve Bracks and the Police Minister around Whitfield today (fun, fun, fun!!!). He said its so much cooler there but the fires have burnt out so much land. Chelsea is really missing him (so am I) and spoke to him on the phone, she said 'are you coming home tomorrow Dad?" and "I miss you", she is so sweet. I suppose one more day without him won't make much difference.

Hope everyone has a great day and I'll pop back later!:)

Good to hear everyone had a good night, especially Melb girls with the cool change!
Jess - like Bath says, if he's well otherwise, I wouldn't be overly concerned. I hope that he IS well :pray:
Mel - an afternoon by the pool sounds lovely! My dad's pool is coming along, but even when the water is sparkling later in the week, it's gonna be COLD! Can you see my mountain now, with the smoke cleared? Or am I covered in cloud now?
I've left Oscar in his portacot and he's chortling away happily...I wonder how long before he starts to complain that I'm not there...
We had a great night with my parents. My mum was just delighted to have him over (as always) and my dad kept saying how gorgeous he was (using that word!) in just his nappy. He was a bit feral, though. He did a runny poo that ended up on my shorts and the couch (lucky it's leather and wipes easily!), so I cleaned him up and left him nappyless. So, he crawled behind the couch, rolled over and let out a stream of pee - it was very funny, as my mum and I were watching him hide away and I was about to take a pic of him! Then, my mum held him over my dad, who was sitting, and he deposited a chuck on his head. So, it was laughter all round last night. We had a great sleep in my old room, with the kookaburra's greeting the day (could always hear them better there than at my place now - slightly more built up here than my parents', still get them, but they wake up and sing in the national park behind us, instead of my trees out my window!). The house was still warm, so we just sprawled on the bed. Well, I sprawled, Oscar flipped to his belly and curled up foetus-like on the other side of the bed. He is just too cute.
My MCHN appt was changed today - and as I stayed at my parents, I missed the answering machine message left at 7.30am to say the reliever who was going to see me was ill! Lucky it wasn't out of my way to get there to discover a closed office, it's directly on my way home from the p's.
Happy 6 months, Flynn!!
Well, I haven't heard from DP since last night (he dropped his phone in the brigade bus, I have it now) and I have a pager message to say that our pumper is back in station...ummm, last we knew he and his crew were supposed to drive the pumper back, so I can only assume they have been reassigned to do backburning and to stick around for the lightning strikes hitting the area as I type. They were not impressed with the messing around they've been getting up there. It would be good to hear from him, though. They have phones the vols can use at the staging areas, but he can't be near one or he'd have called. The other crew members' phones must be out of service or left in bags while they are out doing work, too. If they were on their way back I'd have heard by now, at LEAST by pager message. I might give the captain a call, just to check.
Oh, no! Sheepyard Flat is under immediate threat! Where will we camp in January?? Big River has also burnt in the past week, so we may have to find a temporary summer camp for our brigade camping group! I might flag a beachside location...Seriously, though, I'm hoping everyone under immediate threat has a bloody good fire plan in progress.
CC - There comes a time when you just gotta leave father and baby to figure it out together...it's hard, but I've done it twice now (the other couple of times Oscar slept through the whole thing, so they don't count), and DP knew that I trusted him to 'be me' as much as he could while I was gone.
My dad's coming over for dinner tonight, after my mum leaves to go back to the country, so that should be nice. He is SO good with Oscar - he was there last night, when I was getting ready for, and when I was in, the shower telling my mum 'he's tired', then 'he's hungry, then he'll go to sleep after a feed', in a very sage fashion. And you know what? He was right! My mum was so impressed.
Well, I'm going to try to put Oscar back down so I can do these Christmas cards.

Baths - Maybe you can let Wade lick the stamps for the Xmas cards as a reward for letting you complete them??? Great news about the Kindy... I should book Ally in somewhere now...

Ally has not had a bottle since she was 1 week old (in Hospital). I'm not sure how she will go? If she is hungry enough she will take it I hope? She is not clingy at all. Dh takes her out to the dog park every morning for like an hour and on the w/e I swear I only get to hold her when she feeds otherwise he has her - he just adores her.. last night he asked in a worried voice "I'm not hogging her am I?", like she is a new toy and we need to share! He hee..So I don't think she will be a Mummies girl as she already loves her Dad too much.

Jess - sorry about the weight honey.. Did they say you could do anything else? Like start solids early or give more Formular? did they give you any other adivce? Maybe you could post something in the main section of BB to see if others have had the same thing?

Mel - yeah! that is great... I would have been so proud too. What a clever girl you have.

Rory - is your menue plan for the flylady dinner planning? I still clean my sink each night and do the 2 minute swish and swipe of the bathroom, but that is all I do now... however I actually make my bed too... come to think of it the house is generally a LOT cleaner since flylady came.

IK - hope you hear from your DH soon. I can imagine your always just a tad worried when he is out... HUGS..

I'm proud of myself, I wrote my Xmas cards in November and sent them 1 December... First time EVER.. Normally I wait till like Christmas Eve to send them - he hee.. (I did however have an motive - I beautiful pic of Ally with Santa that I sliped into some of the cards)...

OK, going to start to write out a list of things for DH to do.. and try and fix my ticker.. darn thing won't accept my pictures?

Happy 6m to Flynnie!!! Its scary, the first girls for the august belly buddies are emerging... This time last year i had just found out that i was preggers!!

Im going to have to take Anneliese to the MCHN, i dont think she' putting on weight either, but she's not interested in solids yet, and im already giving her as many feeds as she wants, both bf and ff. so what more can i do?? Im really hoping she doesnt have FTT, may have to take her to the paed this week... :hug: jess, i kow how you feel sweetie.

rory, have fun planning your menu's. I used to do that, but feel like i havent had the time lately...

mel - sounds like dh is having fun (not!) i hope he does come home for you tonight. enjoy your thai, your making me hungry....

DP is back...I thought as much, he's so recalcitrant he didn't call on his way back!

Well, at least he's back now IK, if they're sending them back maybe things arent as bad out there now??

Yeah, they are all over the place! The pager message said the 'Heyfield crews' are back home, so I didn't rush to get on the phone to the captain or the station, because DP was in Briag, not Heyfield...turns out that's who they meant! Also, there are lightning strikes there now and even though Briag seems to be in the clear, DP is loathe to go back even if the ***** does hit the fan, because of the messing around they got up there last night. Don't blame him. You can't waste volunteers' time like that. It's one thing to send staff to hang around and wait, another to call vols away from their day jobs and responsibilities and have them do nothing but be shunted from one area to another, then home because you can't organise a p!ss up in a brewery...
My mate in Tawonga texted me last night saying all was safe and that he'd call me. Usually he does...but he didn't and now I hear that residents of Tawonga are on high alert. I wish these fires would head back to crown land so that the DSE can worry about it and private property owners can relax!
Gonna have a nap now, maybe leave Oscar and DP napping longer...

just checking out the CFA website, they're still alot of danger out there... and the weather forecast isnt looking good... meant to be strong winds and rising temps as the week goes on...

Yeah, conditions are still dire out there. I'm worried about my Tawonga friend. DP says that he may well not go back if they are asked, to avoid being stuffed around. I can't believe they were sent back before predicted lightning strikes hit. But that's the mantra of the volunteers - "hurry up and wait".

LOL IK. Has the storms hit out there as predicted?? I know we had a little rain last night, and a lot of wind, but not much else. And its a overcast sunny day here now. Wonder what its like out there...

IK, i hope the situation doesnt get that bad that DP is recalled...

Happt 6 months Flynn!!
I have justed finished my christmas cards and went for a walk with nixon to post them, i had done half last week but had to finish them.
bugger i cannot find Nixon's santa photo's anywhere... had them doen a few weeks ago and about a week ago took them up and copied some so we had enough to send to all our family. i dont know what i have done with them i have looked everywhere... luckily i have one (our one) that i had already put in a frame so could go copying it all again.
I rang greensborough lost property but nothing there i might go to the camera shop i did it at to c if they r there (rang but she said they have a heap and id have to come in and go through them)
i really dont think i left them at the shops but worth looking, they are still in the folder they came in so god knows where they got too its so dam frustrating.

jess- i wouldnt worry too much, babies have to slow down in their weight gain at some stage & as long he isnt loosing weight and is happy i am sure he is a healthy boy

Well done Chelsea!! Thats a great acheivment you must be a very proud mummy!
i wonder what your dh would chat to Steve Bracks about?! (what does he do again?)

Verity's end of year/end of Junior school celebration night tonight... TRYING to get the kids ready... I give up. Niall is grisley I can't put him down. Wade is just plain ignoring me and attacks the Christmas tree every time I turn my back. I have to make myself look presentable for all of 15 minutes (parents go home after canapes and drinks then collect the girls at 9pm)... I don't mind sprucing up but for such a short time and the stress of getting the boys ready too. They just don't want a bar of it. Even Verity is a tornado through the place at the moment... but I'm giving her space... gritting my teeth when she snaps at Wade. Once again they all have set the house to kid-default-mode: all lights on, all doors open, nearly every cupboard door left open, fridge constantly being opened, TV blaring, toys on floor, clutter on every benchtop... the house was tidy when we all woke up this morning *sigh*. Why can't they close doors? I have done experiments... i've casually walked over to the open back door... silently closed it when i think none of them are looking... snuck back into the kitchen... watched the clock... I swear each time less than 10 minutes passes before one of them comes out and re opens it. Sometimes it's a matter of seconds.. it's like they have this inbuilt sensor of when it's been closed and are being instructed by remote control by aliens that they must open it immendiately... it's done with this kind of senseless regularity. it's the same with dropping things on the floor... arrrrgh!

Nic: I share your frustration. but with me when i can't find stuff it's usually because the kids have moved it. Nothing stays in the one place for very long. Sure you have a laugh when things turn up in unexpected places a year later but it drives you nuts at the time!

Ok... this is me having another go at getting ready.... deep breaths...

HAPPY 6mth FLYNN!!!

IK - sounds like it all went well with parents, great to hear. LOL about the pee behind the couch!! MIL pool is not heated and it is freezing when you get in. Pool yesterday was solar heated and it was up to 30 degrees. Glad to hear DP is home but he must be really annoyed - they must hate their time being wasted! DH found that problem when they arrived at Wangaratta, no one knew what they were going to do so they just hung around for a while waiting (they had just driven over 3 hours, so why not wait for a bit longer!!). Hope your Tawonga friend is OK.

Simone - is Anneliese waking alot like she is hungry? I know they babys get older, they don't gain as much weight per week. Take her to the health centre for you piece of mind. I'm sure everything will be OK. Did you get your bunks? DH should ask Steve Bracks for a payrise!!! While he has the chance - but he wouldn't, I would LOL!!!

Nic - thanks Nic, I am a very proud mummy! Buggar about the xmas cards, after you went to so much trouble to get them done, hope they still have them. Such a cute pic too. Still haven't done mine, been trying to get a time that both girls are in the mood for photos. DH is a policeman, so should be hassling Bracksy for a pay rise LOL!!!

CC - my theory is, it will always be mummys boys and daddys girls! It was true in my house as a child and definately true with my DH and his family, what about everyone else??? Had a chuckle about 'sharing the toy".

Bath - have a good night (if you ever get ready LOL!!!) and I hope Verity enjoys herself. My DH sounds like your kids, he leaves a cupboard open when he gets something out, fridge door etc. It must drive you crazy. Hard to do anything with cranky kids - do what I do, take Niall into the bathroom while you get ready and ignore the rest. LOL about the aliens!!!!

House is clean, table all set and looks really Christmasy! Just busted Chelsea chomping into a whole big block of Cadbury!!!! She was sneaking outside with it! Off the naughty corner for her. She is allowed to take things from the pantry as long as she asks first, she is not a happy camper!!! My chocolate has teeth marks all along one side LOL!!!!

Hahaha go Chelsea! ;) Well we basically just dropped Verity off... I went in for a few minutes as I had managed to get myself looking half decent and saw that most parents were in jeans... and that music was cranking up and that the girls seemed keen for the parents to move on so I didn't feel bad about returning to DH who was in the car with the boys settled down with books etc. We came home, poured a couple of drinks, had dinner and are about to enjoy some cheesecake. Your table sounded lovely Mel... hope you have a great time!

IK: sorry i didn't get around to saying how pleased I was to hear that your DP has returned safe and sound :) Bugger about all the rigmarole. Still, the fires are inching closer to where my relos are near Briagolong... we haven't heard from them... I think their plans were to evacuate and stay with other relatives in Sale. Keep us updated if you can.... I tend to miss the news as it clashes with bathtime/bedtimes etc.

Happy 6 mths Flynn

IK glad that DP is home safe and sound, it's a bummer that they wasted his time.

Yay Chelsea for diving under the water, lol at nibbling on mummy's chocolate, your table sounds really nice Mel enjoy your dinner.

Well Kailen brought home all his school books today as well as his report card, he hasn't done so well but has improved since the beginning of the year, his teacher thinks he will do better in year 2 I'm just hoping so. I feel that in some way that it's my fault for him not been as good as he should, I should have help him more or something.

Nic I hope that you find your piccy's soon, I'm going to try and get the boys photo with Santa done this week/weekend hopefully they will stay clean before we get it done.

hugs xoxo

Amanda - poor Kailen, who knows, maybe next year he'll just blitz it.
Bath - glad all went well in the end. Sounds like you have your work cut out for you with that household of yours...I'd ask for a pay rise!
Simone - storms hit the Dargo area, but I haven't really read or heard much since. DP is thinking of giving the next strike teams call a miss! But I bet he won't. Every vol wants to see red stuff, cos it's what we train all year for.
I've managed to write my OS Chrissy cards...only cos Oscar is asleep in the Ergo and I didn't want to risk waking him up by putting him down! I need to get some more cards, so that I can fit the thank you cards and photos - most of my cards are too narrow or too small. The Mouth and Foot artists' cards were a perfect size, but I only got 8 of those ($15 bucks!! Good cause, good cause I keep telling myself...).
Boy is awake, must tend to him...
Probably say goodnight now, too!

Bath - LOL about the kids wanting the parents to move on!!! Cramping their style - I remember thinking that when I was at school (parents were not cool then). Hope she has lots of fun.

Amanda - I am sure Kailen will pick up next year and don't blame yourself. There could be many reasons - maybe the teacher is not spending enough time with him or is his class crowded. As IK said, he'll probably do really well next year.

IK - Good cause, you have done your good deed!

Dinner was beautiful as always (Thai takeaway) and I bought some really yummy hazelnut pralines and mint leaves from The Warehouse (only $2 each box) and they were so creamy - delicious. My Kris Kringle present was Donna Hays "Instant Entertaining" and it is chock full of fantastic recipes and other ideas for entertaining. Can't wait to start going through it properly. My GF bought her 9 week old baby, she is so cute. Marley looked like a giant compared to her!

DH has finally arrived home, he thought he would be up there for another day. He is very tired as they worked heaps of overtime. He has had a nice, hot shower and is ready to fall asleep! Chelsea will be very excited to see him in the morning. Better go finish tidying up (hate waking up to mess!!!!).

Sleep tight everyone!:)