Babies Born June 2006 #30

lol Rosie Posie! actually i think thats a better name for it. Hope Flynn & Oscar are getting better.
thismorning i went on a walk, anyway Nixon was asleep so i went through the front door to go open the garage door so i could put him in (rather then try bringing the pram up stairs) when i got into the garage the door intot he back yard was open and there is Tahoe (the husky) inside my car!! i had left the windows down and she thought she would jump in the bugger... Not only did she leave her long hair all over the car she also scratched all the passengers door getting into the car. Not Happy Jan!

Anyway Nixon is going for some photo's tomorrow from that modelling agency. hopefully he will get to do a couple of things this year, dont have my hopes up for anything spectacular but it is a start anyway.

amanda- that will be great for you when lauchlan goes into day care for a few days.

ETA: Dee i stopped sterillizing after about 7months i think but i still boil the water also. Nixon hasnt been sick once since this time.

Hi girls, busy day again today. Swimming this morning again (school holiday program for 4 days), then a GF came for lunch with her 2 yo DS. He and Chelsea had lots of fun together outside in the sunshine. Had someone come and quote my security doors, then dentist appointment at 6.30pm and took Chelsea with me for her first visit. I was so proud of her! She sat in the chair with me, on my lap while he moved the chair up and down and had a bit of fun with her. He then explained what the mirror was for and helped count her teeth. She has 20 perfect teeth and we are doing a great job of cleaning them. She then got a sticker. I took her a colouring book and pencils and she sat on the chair in the room while I had my 6 monthly examination and clean. She kept asking him what he was doing and then laughed at me when she saw I was wearing sunglasses!!!! Glad I finally got her checked.

Ali - I can't wait to see Little Miss Sunshine. My friend saw it and told me about the hilarious grandfather in it! It would have been great at the moonlight cinema. Might need to check out the ones in Melb.

Dee - so great to see you back. It good to hear Lachlan is sleeping better for you. What sort of car did you buy? Marley doesn't have any teeth yet either! Dribbles plenty but no teeth and not really any sign of them. TTC#2 - go girl!

Neeny - what an absolutely horrible thing to have happen - esp to someone you know. I hope you are doing OK, must be very hard to deal with at the moment. So glad to hear they caught the b@stard and lets hope he goes to jail for a very, very long time. Hope your mums group goes well.

Nic - I checked your scrapbooking photos. You are very clever!!!! I love the Rock your Baby page. My GF has an 11 week old, with the longest red hair you have ever seen. She bought him the "Kid Vicious" one!! Looks adorable. Also the cookie monster one - who would not want Nixon in their catalouges after seeing those photos - good luck with the photo shoot. Can't wait to hear all about it. Bugger about the car, I hope not too many scratches.

Amanda - you must be relishing the chance to just have 2 kids at home LOL!!! I can imagine the preparation getting kids off to school would be pretty time consuming, esp if you have more than 1! At least you know what is causing Wyatt to wake - lets hope it fixes itself soon. Poor little man - must be pretty scary!

IK - I am jealous - the real maple syrup is just the best!!!! The imitation stuff is a awful. Lashing of whipped cream would have been better LOL!! My GF told me she was pregnant today too (due end July)!!!! She has a 2 yo DS and had a miscarriage last year. They are just getting ready to demolish their house and rebuild their dream home, so it will be cutting it fine as to whether the new house will be ready in time. I'm keeping my fingers crossed it will for her. Steroid stuff is working a treat - she has not got one mark on her and its the best her skin has ever looked. I wonder how long it stays in her system for. It would be fantastic if this stuff got rid of it (wishful thinking I know!!!). I am going to see my new GP on 7 Feb to discuss options as the cortisone wasn't working. Maybe I might not have to worry if the eczema doesn't come back!

Hi to Simone, Bath, Jess, Nickel and anyone else I missed!!!

HI again

Thanks to all who expressed their sypmathies for my friend, Brian. They caught two teenages on the Sunshine Coast yesterday. The male was 19 and remanded in custody until March. His g/f was 18 and made bail - I think she was an accessory after the fact and apparently she helped police with investigations. Still to think they killed someone for money is pretty bad! Brian was a tall guy, about 6"6 and it would've taken two of them to knock him down. I left a card at his workplace today to pass onto his family. He was divorced (I only discovered that from reading today's paper) and as far as I know he doesn't have any kids. All I can do is pray and hope justice will be served. It just isn't safe to walk anywhere by yourself anymore so hope you are all careful!

Good news! Aleise has an interview with Brightstars talent agency that's opening here in Brisbane. Her appointment is Tuesday morning and Matt is flexing off so he can come along. They've represented people like Delta Goodrem and Luke Jacobz (Patrick on McCleod's Daughers). Mum freaked and said "You can't let Aleise go on TV" and I said they only do catalogue work for babies. We only hope to make some money towards her schooling. I'm not going to push her into a very competitive industry! Besides there is no guarantee she'll get work anyway! Nic: Try them when you get back to Sydney. They are taking new talent at the mo.

Formula/sterlising: Actually washing bottles in hot water is a form of sterilisation so you are doing it without realising! Mine are the self sterilising ones (Pur) and it doesn't take long so I'm happy to continue doing it for another 4 months or so.

Sorry I haven't done personals - been a bit slack I know! I will make a better effort next post! Will try to get as much housework done now as I can - another stinking hot day! :eek:

Hey there!

Neeny thats awful about Brian, DH & I were shocked when we heard the story on the news. Brightstars eh? May have to look into them for my two girlies ;)

Formula/sterilising... just reading up on it myself and since studying aseptic technique for surgery... I've read that the microwave sterilisers do not much more than a hot wash with detergent as far as killing bacteria. Chemical treatments kill more but they then add chemicals to the bottle. And the most important thing for killing bacteria is afterwards letting the bottles dry until they are bone dry and that is what helps stop the growth of bacteria. So a hot wash is all we do here for Jovie. Every week (because she is mostly breastfed) I boil teats & dummys for 5 minutes. But that is also because she has oral thrush.

Hi Girls,

Thanks for the sterilising info, glad to know im not doing anything wrong!

Mel - We bought a late 2003 model Ford Falcon, its great, we really like it!Good on Chelsea for her dentist appointment, and for having perfect teeth!!

Neeny - Im glad that they caught the people that did it. I guess it doesnt make it any easier for the family and friends for Brian but i hope (like you) that justice is served and they get what they deserve.

What a busy day, i got a call at 7.30 this morning from a girl that i used to work with to see if i would look after her 2.5 year old for the day as she was having trouble finding a babysitter, i said i would but was a bit nervous. lachlan is such a handful, i wasnt sure how i would cope but she turned out to be the nicest little girl, she entertained herself for most of the day, let me know when she wanted lunch and a drink and then went back to playing. We went to visit a girlfriend of mine and she was just so well behaved it was great. Im thinking of offering to look after her one day a week!

Anyway girls, im off to have some chocolate slice that my neighbour bought in for me!

Wow it's been a slow day in here today, where's everyone at? Well just got back from food shopping and DH has gone to get the pizza, oooh he's back. Going to get Cody's needles done tomrrow, so will be in a bit later then usual.

hugs xoxo

Well been busy here.
Went shopping over in Shepp, came home found out we had to go up to my uncles place in the hills.Left at 6 and have only just arrived home.Came the scenic way home so the kids could see the kangaroos feeding at dusk.
Just tried to give Patrick booby and he has totally refused it!!!!!!!DH reckons when I had my op they altered the boobs as well,they must be big because even my uncle noticed them!
bbl

hi all,
well today our house offically went on the market. it feels weird seeing our house for sale on the internet but oh well! we are having an open for inspection on sat arvo just to get an idea of what people think etc. so now comes the task of keeping the house spick and span 24/7!

hope everyone had a good day, i was meant to catch up with some of mothers group today but 1 by 1 they dropped off. was going to 5 of us, then 4,3 down to 2 until she went to come over so we could go walking and her car broke down.. oh well its hard cause a lot of them have just gone back to work.... lazy me didnt go walking anyway...

Hey ladies

Well sorry i havent been around, things have been hectic around here lately!! Ryan doesnt come around much now (prefers to play poker with his mates) so i'm holding the fort!! Anneliese is going for her needles next week (im running a little behind... everytime i made an apointment she would get the sniffles or something LOL!) I will try and catch up sometime tomorrow, but getting my tyres done in the morning, so who knows how long ill be!!
Take care,
Simone xx

My god it has been quiet in here today. I haven't missed much!!!

Dee - see having 2 kids isn't too bad LOL!!!! Good car choice, nice and reliable and plenty of room. Hope your chocolate slice was yum (wish I had some chocolate in this house, I only have about 5 kg of lollies left over from Chelseas party!!!)

Amanda - hope Cody goes well with his needles tomorrow. Pizza - yum (all this talk of food is making me really hungry)

Jess - how lucky that your kids get to see such beautiful scenery and kangaroos grazing. PML about the boob comment. Hope Patrick gets back on the wagon soon or you might burst!

Nic - must be sad but exciting for you with the house on the market. It must be a bit of pain having to keep everything spotless all the time, sometimes I duck out leaving a few breakfast dishes in the sink. My original mothers group did the same thing once people returned to work, its a shame but hard for some to keep coming. We don't keep in touch anymore but I still see one of the girls ocassionally at the supermarket.

Had swimming again this morning (one more morning to go) and then went to the shopping centre for lunch. We found that Healthy Habits (sandwich shop) now have a kids meal! $4.90 and they get a sandwich (with whatever filling they like), juice, sticker, colouring in page and a yo-yo and ball!!! Nice to see places offering healthier lunches for kids instead of chips etc. Chelsea was very excited to have her ham sandwich on wholemeal bread (she has a ham fetish!!). Came home and tidied up a bit as we left this morning in quite a hurry. I ran out the door as I was running late for swimming and shut the door without getting my keys. Couldn't find the spare ones, MIL wasn't home so I remembered one window has a dodgy latch, so found a screwdriver and got it open but I had to climb up to get in (I had a skirt on!!) and over the window - what a site to see (NOT!!). I did make it to swimming on time. Marleys skin is still good and she has no adverse side effects from the weekend. She is starting to roll all over the place and is dragging herself and lifting her bum in the air with her face planted firmly into the rug. Looks very funny!

Where is everyone else today????

Just quickly before i go to bed... Mel, Xander LOVES ham too - he would eat it all day if i let him!! The other night i bought a cooked chook for dinner, and he wouldnt eat the chicken, so i took it off the bone, chopping it up into little bits, and told him it was white ham. Little buggar... ATE THE WOLE LOT AND ASKED FOR MORE!! itried to give him chicken again, he wouldnt takeit "I dont like chicken mum, you know that!" SO i chopped the same bit up and he ate that too...

hehe how cute Marley! no more miss slug hey, Nixon is starting to wanna be places but annoyed he cannot get there. Excellent that her skin is going well too.
lol that would have been funny to see you climbing into a window! Hey dont worry in the last few months we (i say we cause we both blamed each other) locked ourselves out TWICE both times having somewhere to be. luckily last time was NYE and there was a window open which had the xmas lights from the front coming through, but the time before we had to call a lock smith and cost a small fortune. do u think i have learnt and put a spare key somewhere, no the real estate now has our spare key atleast i could call upon them i suppose!
Not to mention also not shutting the boot properly and getting a flat battery!

Hope Cody & Anneliese's needles go well.

howdy all quick one from me
gad mothers group today and we went to the pool - Flynn loved it. he went under water and all!

better go - getting late zzzzzzz

Just a quick hello, Nathan sounds really congested, sounds like he is snoring all the time, but there is nothing coming out. Dr said he's fine nothing to worry about, but it's annoying because it affects his feeding and it's harder for him to fall asleep.
Neeny - so sorry to hear about Brian, what a shock, what on earth was going thru their minds?

Simone - I used to tell Chelsea that salmon was pink chicken and she woofed it down LOL!!! She now knows its fish. Hope Anneliese goes well with her needles.

Nic - haven't given the car a flat battery yet, that might be next! How did Nixon go with the photo shoot? Bet he was a star!

Rory - well done to Flynn for going under water! Some babies hate it. Are you going to do baby swim classes with him, sounds like he'd really enjoy it.

Karen - must be frustrating for him and you but good news there is nothing wrong.

Finally off to bed - night all!

HI all!
Well, this will be the last post until Sunday night, unless I can sneak one in tomorrow morning - we're going camping again with the same fire brigade crew as usual. We're taking MIL's campervan this time, so that should be interesting! AND we're going to Sheepyard flat - will report on how far the fires got! I love Sheepyard and I reckon Friday might be a swimming day.
Today I went to the pool, too - must have been on everyone's minds! Oscar had a great time and I no longer have to blow on his face. I also went to the Babyswim Intro lecture (if you recall, I had to leave the last one early because Oscar had an uncharacteristically unsettled night and I couldn't hear anything) and it was really, really good! There was one important bit of info that I'll let you guys in on, and if I remember I'll post a general post about it next week. It's this: If you have a baby bath seat and you want your child to be safe in water, get rid of it. And don't palm it off to another parent. It has been found that babies who use these absolutely freak out when they get into a body of water (yep, even with mummy stuck to their chests!) and for ages the baby swim people could not figure out why. The missing piece of the puzzle was found and every baby who was freaky in water, it turns out, had been bathed in a baby bath with a seat. The baby gets used to being supported by the prop and associates being in water with being propped. Get them into a body of water where they float and you just support under their arms so that they are mostly floating...all hell breaks loose. Apparently, it takes quite a bit of separate swimming instruction and time to recondition these babies to feel secure with their mummies in water.
The other nugget I got was that if you shower with your baby (if you can't have a bath WITH the baby), it is good practice to have them facing down with water going over hte back of the head to shampoo hair. If their only experience with hair washing is being supported on their backs with head tilted and water going from temples back, then when they get to sitting and crawling and standing stage, they resist having their hair washed. The other way (facing down) means that they can stand under the shower and have the water rinse their heads and they are comfy with it because they're used to it. Makes sense. But we stopped using a baby bath early on with Oscar, so I woudln't know any different - many heads nodded in the room, though, when this was put to the audience, so I assume some of the parents have started a subsequent child with BabySwim.
Anyway, we also don't have to blow on Oscar's face for submersions (as mentioned above) because when they start to pull themselves to standing they don't need it. It's completely related to developmental stages (this lady has been researching babies and water and swimming for 36 years), and once they are standing they have passed the stage where they need that to trigger the holding breath reflex. They are then into the copying stage, where they copy your action of taking in an audible breath. So, that would explain why Oscar didn't respond to the blowing thing today (went to pool in arvo, lecture was tonight)! Of course!
We watched a video and she said that all our babies will be doing what she showed us in the vid - swimming underwater from one parent to the other by the age of 18 months, I can't wait! So, for people who say that Babyswim doesn't teach kids to swim, big raspberries to them, cos in THIS Babyswim class they do :) I will find Oscar's progress very interesting as it coincides with a unit on development I'll be doing this semester! The thing is, that a lot of this swimming stuff correlates to behaviour stages and can be used for behaviour modification. Sounds out there to most people, but with my brief knowledge of development from previous study, I can see the maps and the interconnections.
What an essay! Well, I was very inspired tonight, and heartened that I've been doing the right things by Oscar and his swimming/development etc.
I went to brigade afterwards, so that's why this post is being written int he wee hours. DP had Oscar while I went to the lecture. I am not pleased, however, that instead of coming with me (as fathers are encouraged to do) he went to his brother's place. He was supposed to go to the fire station with Oscar to observe training and that was his excuse for not coming with me. Grrrr. As if I was asking him to come watch my hair being cut! This is all for Oscar and Oscar's benefit, but sometimes he treats it as if it's my hobby that he has to put up with. Nah-uh! Horses is that hobby, Oscar's swimming is the first thing that Oscar has done and it's just too boring for him. Anyway, I'm not sure how to tackle that one. He needs to get involved because swimming will be important when we have a farm...and a couple of dams...
Sim - been thinking of you :)
Dee - that's great about the babysitting!
Gotta get me to bed, catch you all later!

Good afternoon :) More running around helping Verity prepare for school, honestly, it's a fulltime job! Maybe I'm just being extra conscientious but I also bought a periodic table poster for her toilet. I'm not sure if she will do chemistry this year but it will help to know a little bit before she starts. When I moved over to WA they did chemistry in year 8 which I missed out on as I went from year 7 (NSW) to year 9 (WA) so I had to try to catch up and it was so hard... chemistry is about the only science subject I struggle with... funny how you try to compensate for that kinda thing with your kids! So far preparing Verity for school has cost us nearly $2000 in stationery/uniforms/shoes/text books.... thank God she doesn't need a lap top!

Niall has been very unsettled lately which is why I've found it hard to get on. I think he's going through a double whammy of teething and a growth spurt. He is ravenous! In the past 2 days he has had fish and chicken for the first time as well as pumpkin which he especially loved. Everything is agreeing with him... and he has started doing this desperate panting thing when he sees me preparing food! LOL and inbetween mouthfuls he pants too like he is saying "c'mon c'mon faster mum!"

IK: interesting post about water and babies... I definately agree with getting them used to having water flow over the backs of their heads during shampooing.... that can be a real chore and a drama if you don't get them comfortable standing under a shower with their heads bowed from an early age. Wade used to have showers as soon as he could stand, often with me. I've never liked the idea of kids sitting in soapy water... they nearly always wee in baths too... so better to have showers JMO.... and communal ones save water. Wade loves baths though and when I am in the middle of cooking dinner it is handy to kind of let him stay in a bath so that he is out of my way for a while.

Mel: I PML at your window entry exploits! That's me at least twice a year... unless Verity is with me... then I send her in... once she squeezed in through a circular cat door!

Ok... still got books to cover...and uniforms to label... Niall is grisling, Wade is about to go to the toilet "nature-boy" style in the garden grrrr! and Verity has washed her hands of them both :( better go!

Bath - Niall's panting sounds very entertaining! Oscar has taken to a whingey panting...at any given time...and it's pretty cute. He'll screw up his face and start snorting. I'm not sure why, but I think it correlates directly to how tired he is... Anyway, I'll send 'zen' vibes to Niall to settle him down for you ;)
Camping - well it was nearly off...and I had a tantrum (I threw myself on the bed, uttering "F*k it! I want to go camping!". So DP has walked around to our friend's place up the road to see what could be done, cos I couldn't see his wife taking very well, either...let alone their 2 and a half year old who LOVES camping. Sure enough, she had what was tantamount to a tantrum, too, and now they are up there choosing a spot. Sheepyard is closed for now and so is Big River, our other spot. The others didn't want to try somewhere new because we *might* not get a spot...I say, but we *might* get one, too! So, hopefully they can come to some conclusions soon and we'll be off. Even if we come back Saturday I'll be happy.
I think my window climbing needs some practice. The last time I tried it was hopeless and I cried! But I was also preggers, so it might explain that one. The previous time I was like catwoman and I scaled the wall and up into the window with relative ease! Great that you could do it in a skirt, Mel!
Well, better go finish packing so that there is no excuse!

Afternoon all, well Cody is all immunised now until his birthday so I'll see how he goes this afternoon and tonight. Wyatt has stopped having his night terrors for the last two nights so hopefully that's it for a while if not permantly. I'm sitting here enjoying my mango smoothie that I made and it is going down so well.

Bath lol at Wade going "nature style", I know that my boys do this sometimes, especially after watching daddy do it if he's to lazy to come in from the shed.

IK have fun camping, and that was very interesting about the bath seats causing such problems with swimming, not that I use a bath seat, I actually think it's another one of those things that you really don't need with a baby, like a lot of the things that are out there for bubs.

Ok will go and have a browse around and catch up.

hugs xoxo

Howdy girls - trying to do a quick post between amusing Flynn and cleaning

Flynn pants too! He does it when he is about to cry - sometimes during his sleep he does it - cracks me up!

IK, interesting to read about the swimming stuff - looks like we have been doing all the right things. Like I said Flynn went under water at the pool yesterday no probs

Sim - LOL about the chicken!!

Neeny that is such awful news....

howdy to Jess, Amanda, Nickers and Dee:)

finally - who is up for a melbourne meet up next friday (2nd feb?)

damn - the terrorist (latest nickname for flynn) is awake AGAIN!!

Hi all,

Glad codys needles went alright Amanda
Yep i have a panter here to when he see's food he gets all anxious or when i put him in the highchair and he knows what is coming.
Interesting about the bath seat and swimming IK. We have a bath seat and use it occasionly, but Nixon started swimming well before we started using this as he could not sit in it until a few weeks ago. Anyway Nixon has sat in a baby pool, gone underwater, floats on his tum and back with me etc so i dont think him using this seat occasionly is having any ill affects on his swimming development and water awareness. Not to say that other babys would be the same just my experience with the two.
Anyway hope u have fun camping provided you do still go.

well thanks to Mel's post about locking keys out yesterday i actually went and got our key cut today so no should not have this problem again! funny thing is it probably wont happen now we have a spare only happens when u are not prepared.

Edited: sorry Rory my Friday's are still taken up by premmie playgroup. It finishes end of Feb so providing we are still around when thats finiashed my Friday's will be free

Oz Day: dont know what we are doing during the day but we are having a couple over for dinner with their 7month old boy. He is apprently crawling now so we will soon find out what we need to do to baby proof our house!

Rory: Would love a meetup but Verity's first day of high school is on the 2nd of Feb and I think it might only be a half day... if it's a full day I'll be able to join you if it's in the city and fairly early :)

What's everyone doing tomorrow for Australia Day? We're just having a quiet one. We usually go for a bit of a drive somewhere... Rail trails have been a common theme (walks that follow ex-railway lines).

Amanda: yummo... I've got a mango that needs using up... you've just inspired me :)

Hey everyone, sorry i've been scarce, just busy spring cleaning the house...

I'll prolly be heading somewhere (beach if its warm enough!) as XH has the kids tomorrow. Tomorrow night im heading to Crown for a night out with a couple of the august girls, (one's coming from Canberra for the long weekend!) and then a august BB family meet in the botanic gardens. So a biggish weekend planned. But yeah tomorrow, thinking of heading to St Kilda, sitting on the beach in my kini, hvaing a few drinks... relaxing. :)

Hey to everyone, off to get the kids from daycare and make dinner, miss you all heaps!

IK - hope the camping fiasco sorts itself out and you find somewhere to camp. Re the bath seat, I used one for Chelsea quiet frequently and she started swim classes at age 6mths with no effect. She has loved swimming ever since. We have been attending the same swim centre for nearly 4 years and she is such a fantastic swimmer. Today she went to the bottom of the shallow end to retrieve a ring - she was so proud of herself and so was I!!! She also used to swim in a swim seat in MIL pool. I think it might depend on the baby but the theory is very interesting. I usually don't use the seat very often for Marley as DH usually does the bath or gives her a shower. She has also been in MIL pool and loves to float!!! I swam alot with both girls while pregnant - wonder if that has anything to do with it??? Chelsea also stands under the shower and doesn't mind getting water all over her face. You will love doing swimming, its such a fun and enjoyable thing to do with your baby. Why not get DP to take him to some classes. My DH has taken Chelsea quite a few times and he loves it too. Makes him feel involved. Have a great time camping.

Bath - there is so much to do for the first day back at school. You must be exhausted! LOL about Verity going through the cat door - my big bum would probably get stuck!!!! Marley also gets the grunts right before food or going in the high chair. Very funny.

Rory - can't do next Friday sorry, would love another meet up though. LOL at the terrorist!!!! We call Marley "possum" as she has such big eyes and when she gets excited her eyes nearly pop out of her head!

Amanda - glad to hear Cody did well today and great news that Wyatt has stopped waking. Hope it continues. I've got 2 spare mangoes too which I was going to caramelise on the BBQ, might have to do the smoothie instead.

Nic - well done on the spare keys. DH has moved ours to an easier spot for me to get to. Have fun tomorrow at dinner with the 7 month old.

Aust Day - DH is still on night shift so he sleeps all day. Going to the beach with my SIL and my nieces. Fish and chips for lunch on the beach (Edithvale beach), should be fun.

Had an awful headache all day today, so had a bit of a lazy one! When I get AF, a ripper headache always follows - I hate it. One of the reasons I loved being pregnant so much - no AF and no AF headaches/aches etc!

Off to BBQ my lamb - BBL!

Ok... Aus. Day for us is heading to Mums place on the Murray for Fireworks tomorrow night, then fireworks again Sat. night and then a massive parade down Corowa's main street for Federation Day (Corowa is the birthplace of Federation. This is where all the states came to separate from NSW!)
IK- I know a fantastic place to go camping for the long weekend but it really depends on how far you want to travel, Email me if you want to know!
Swimming- Well we have an outside pool in town but I haven't taken Patrick to it(or any of the other kids) the local ducks have a tendency to swim(and live) in the pools.

Jess, your Australia Day sounds great - I had forgotton that about Corowa; somewhere in the dim dark past of highschool education I think we did something about Federation. I majored in history at Uni but how bad is that - I couldn't have told you the birthplace of Federation until just now. I am still mulling over a trip up your way - I suppose once the older kids are back at school would suit you best - or would you prefer to wait for school hols?

Mel, your Australia Day sounds equally fun - fish and chips on the beach is something I haven't done in years. It makes me think that is something we should do with Flynn one hot night - head for the beach in the afternoon and stay till the sun goes down. He is juuuuust still fitting into his emmaljunga so can sleep in that quite comfortably.


Sim, I can just see you on the beach in the kini - you are so lucky to be able to wear one, even after three kids! Shall I say its cause you're such a young-un? Nah, that's cheating - you deserve what you have - age has nothing to do with it (well, at least for me anyway - I can only blame my belly and thighs on the massive amounts of cr@p I have been enjoying lately!)

Bath - Ist day of highschool......ahhhhh! Be sure to take heaps of photos - I only have one or two and my evil grandmother is in one of them, so that doesn't count

SPEAKING OF WHICH I saw my mother's mother (evil grandmother) today at the Glenroy shops - NQR to be precise. She and I did a big wide-eyed double take when we first saw eachother, but by the next aisle she had put on her sunnies and I was staring right through her. Unfortunately Flynn was asleep, so I don't think she get a proper look at what she was missing out on. I felt so agitated after I saw her - it has been years (I think about 8) since I spoke to her, but the memories of what a crazy, nasty piece of work she is all came flooding back. But I did really well - I thought about how she can't touch me and my family and how I can just learn from the experience.

Nickers - having a mobile bub around is the BEST way to find out what needs to be baby proofed. That was what I meant by the chaos that was left behind when you all came over - it was more the stress of worrying about the bubs getting hurt on something than anything else LOL!!

Forgot to mention last time - Karen how is your little man? I hate listening to Flynn when he has a congested chest - so painful to hear! Let us know how he fares...

Update here : Mick has spent about the past week building the most flash-looking baby gate you have ever seen. I will post pics later, because it is like a bloomi work of art! He designed it so it can be turned into a coffee table later on.

better go - having mick's uni mates over for a bbq tomorrow, so gotta get the pav ready!

No kini day for me tomorrow- my gf just pulled out (her boyfriends going camping and wants her to go :( ) so ill prolly sit at home all day :(

Rory - that sounds pretty darn flash - baby gate that can be converted into a coffee table?? I think Dh has found his calling that will make him rich!

why dont u go anyway Simone? Take yourself out, grab a book and lay in the sun on the sand or grass and forget about everything other then the book you get yourself into!

My other prob - cant find my kini! :crying: i cannot find my "smaller" bathers, i found my pg ones, but they are a 14, and i need a 10-12. Which is a good beach? XH wants the car tomorrow, as he will have all 3 kids, so something thats easy to get to on pub transport?

On the other hand, i've been eating lots of veges lately (XH hated veges and we didnt eat alot of them) and i've been walking lots, and lost a little weight - i fit back in my pre-pg jeans - a size 8!! I fitted into them a couple of months ago, but they were a little tight. Now they just look hot, if i do say so myself :) Thats my one little bit of happy news.

Jess - I love fireworks and you get to see them twice! Have a great time. The kids will love it.

Rory - Mick is a legend! Stuff writing his thesis, his talents lie elsewhere LOL!!! Can't wait to see the baby gate. Well done on how you handled yourself with evil grandma - I would do the same if I walked past my evil mother (thankfully she lives in the US!). Pav on Australia Day eve, how appropriate. Does it have kiwi fruit and passionfruit pulp on it? "I can only blame my belly and thighs on the massive amounts of cr@p I have been enjoying lately!" - I hear you sister!!!!!

Simone - well done on fitting into your jeans and size 8! I think I was about 10 when I last wore a size 8 LOL!!! Go to St Kilda (I think by tram?) and there is lots going around there too. Have fun whatever you do - you are childfree and deserve to have a nice relaxing day. Do what Nic said, she is spot on!

Watched the tennis and it was a over in a flash! It was supposed to be a great match - yeah right.

Mel - im watching the Oz day concert on channel 10, its pretty good. Good music :) Kids went to bed without too much of a fight, Anneliese settled really well tonight, and im about to have a small glass of strawberry liquer. yummo!

You could probably get out to St Kilda alright couldnt u?
im the worst person to ask about how to get places iin Melb but i think u catch a train to central, then a tram? or a bus if its closer to u, u could look up time table on the internet.

Anyway Happy Australia Day!!

Hi all, been a bit MIA this week. I worked 2 days this week with 7am starts, so I havebeen completley exhausted- I really enjoyed the work though, hasbeen great to get out of the house and interact with some different people.

Baby Swim- IK that is some very interesting facts about water association, we have used a bath seat a few times, but Tori wasnt really interested preferred to float around, and now she is sitting up by herself. We also take her in the shower alot and let the water run all over her head from each different direction. We are starting our swimming lessons tomorrow, I am really looking forward to it.

Rory- YOur baby gate sounds very flash indeed, DH will be very interested in seeing the pics when it is done, as he is just about to start making one for us to block off some stairs, the bottom of hte stairs are in our living rooma nd Tori is just drawn to them like a magnet, plus they are made of slate and I am so worried about her banging her face on them.

We are just having a quite lunch time bbq today for a few friends, it is supposed to get to 39 today so there is no way I will be spending my day sitting on the foreshore waiting for fireworks (plus I REALLY REALLY hate crowds). The rest of the weekend we are just having a quiet one, it will be the first time we have spent the whole weekend at home in about 6 weeks, so I looking forward to just vegging out.

Tori is still going great guns, she has slept through the last 3 nights......woohooo! 2 of those night she has slept from 8:30-5am and then come into bed with us untill after 7 and the other she slept in her cot from 9pm-7am. She has just learnt to start pulling herself up to standing as well, I cant believe it.
I have also enrolled her into a daycare, they have been so great and really helpful, they are letting me take her along for free as many times as I like so I can stay with her and get her used to being there before I leave her. The other day when we went it was lunch time so they also let her stay and have lunch with them and everything.

Anyway I better go and finish getting organised for my guests, i made a lemon merguine (sp) pie this morning but my merguine didnt work, doesnt matter I am sure that it will taste great. I hope everyone has a wonderful Australia Day.

ETA- I have just updated Tori's website, you can click on her name inmy sig. I have hyperlinked it.

Ali - enjoy your weekend at home!! Sounds like you got yourself a great daycare there too :) Pie sounds yummy :)

Well, i didnt end up doing much - went to Bulldogs training session this morning, and had one of the new hot young rookies eyeing me off (ego boost :D) Then XH decided Declan was tired, adn since i was going home anyway, i can put him to bed. grrrrr.... SO we just had lunch, and i am about to put him to bed, and do some tidying up... going to have a nap, and going out to Crown Casino tonight with a couple of friends.

Happy Oz Day everyone!!

Sooo peaceful here ATM :) Both boys and DH asleep. *whispering* Happy Australia day everyone! Made my pavlova... it's still in the oven cooling... they turn out best if you leave them in there until the oven is cold... or about 4 hours so we will be having ours for dinner tonight with a BBQ... yes Mel, with passionfruit pulp/kiwi/strawberries :) I was also treated this morning with brekkie (eggs on toast and coffee) in bed... then DH took the older 2 shopping for fresh things to eat today... while I languished in bed listening to ABC News Radio and stitching on more school uniform labels... I find this relaxing when the kids aren't around :) While I was doing that I had another one of my Bright Ideas LOL When DH got home I said that I was going to have a really productive day... lots of cooking/tidying up/sewing (he needs a suit of his mended) but the trade-off had to be that I wouldn't do any childminding. My theory is that between Mon-Fri he is able to be productive at work without the kids interrupting every 5 minutes... and when there is a public holiday he gets a break by at least getting a change of scene... for me it's the "same old same old". So I told him that today he doesn't have to lift a finger in the kitchen or anywhere unless it's to do with taking care of the kids. I will not sort out arguments/check to make sure they are safe/provide entertainment or anything... just like he doesn't do these things when he is at work. So... he agreed! However... 2 minutes later Verity was challenging an instruction that he had given her and I felt impelled to intervene... so i stopped myself and took myself away to make our bed. But because I closed the bedroom door DH thought i was annoyed... I wasn't I just didn't want to be mentally involved. Too often I am used to sort out arguments and I think DH forgets that it's draining and distracting. Anyhow, DH's next move was to encourage both boys to have a nap... which at first I thought was a bit of a "cop out" as Wade rarely naps during the day anymore... but he did actually fall asleep so he must have needed it... then DH rocked Niall to sleep... another thing I don't do... but I bit my tongue... then HE took himself off for a nap... Hmmmm... that's something I certainly never do during my day... but I let it go... he'll need to be rested to deal with this afternoon when both boys are awake and demanding. At that point i plan to lock myself away in out room to sew!

Hark! Niall's awake... hmmm, what to do? I might go hang that load of washing... let DH hold up his end of the bargain :)

Hi All,

we just came back from Port Melbourne, went for a lovely long walk along the beach and had lunch, Nixon had fun he sat in the sand for a while he thought that was pretty good and loved when i put his feet in the water, he was growling at the mini waves lol!

My gf in Sydney had a baby boy on the 24th, looking forward to seeing them when we go back and a little playmate for nixon once we are back!

Sorry gotta run cooking anzac bikkies and have a couple of people over for a bbq, what a lovely day to be celebrating australia day!

Hi to everyone

Bath - sounds like a great solution. And i find its so much easier to get normal household things done while the kids arent in your face all the time... Oooh, breakky in bed!! Sounds like you got spoilt :) AND a pav/bbq?! Enjoy!! (did you get my email?)

Nic - what a way to spend Oz Day - on the beach :) I always found my kids were a little scared of the beach the first time (we took them to our local in Perth) big waves, sun seagulls... bit too much for them!! And a newplaymate when you get back to Sydney! :D Enjy yourbbq today, seems to be the way to go!!

Im going to start getting ready soon, might go out fordinner before i head off to the Crown... I havent even decided what im wearing!

Sounds like we all had a nice Australia Day - Bath I like the sound of being able to palm off child-wrangling to your DH! My DH is in the midst of thesis panic ATM so while he does the dinner and bath thing (and at least half the nappies - we have a "whoever finds it changes it" rule here) it is pretty much my job to settle and entertain Flynn.

We had uni mates over today and it was lovely. DH fired up the pizza oven and we had tiramisu cake and pav as well (my pav was store bought and had passionfruit and nectarines - I must do a "real" pav one day, esp now I have an oven that can do 150 degrees!!)

Better go - DH is watching "Fifth Element" on DVD and it is almost up to my fave part - the Diva's song. Amanda will post the vids on monday - postage taken care of ;)

speak to y'all tomorrow.......

Ali - great to hear you back! Sounds like you are enjoying being back at work and the childcare centre sounds wonderful. Its great when you can find a centre you are really comfortable with. Enjoy your relaxing weekend and the lemon meringue pie!

Simone - being eyed off by a hot young footballer - go girl!!!! Have lots of fun tonight! You deserve a good, fun night out.

Bath - what a lovely thing for the family to do by giving you breakfast in bed. I really agree with your idea but I find it so hard to bite my tongue and let DH do what he wants. He copes fine when I am not here so I don't know why I find it so hard just to let things go!!! Sounds like DH had things mostly under control. Pav sounds beautiful esp with the traditional topping. I used to let mine cool in the oven overnight.

Nic - sounds like you guys had a fun day too. Glad to hear Nixon liked his visit to the beach. Congrats to your friend on her baby boy. Hope your Anzac bikies turn out nice and yummy. They are so delicious.

Rory - pizza oven sounds fantastic! My GF in Brisbane bought one for her DH for xmas and they love it. What sort of pizzas did you make? Tiramisu cake sounds delicous too, might have to get that recipe. Your pav sounds good too - it was the day for it. Making your own is not too difficult, just making sure you dissolve all the sugar is the secret.

We had a fantastic day today. DH slept all day as he is still on night shift. Went to my SIL at 12.30 and went to the beach (they live 2 mins away from it). Set up my big shade tent and put the prams under one side (one niece is 4 mths the other 3 1/2 years old) and then Chelsea and her cousin ran off the the water. We had a good spot and could see the girls at all times. It wasn't too busy and it is such a lovely beach. The girls found some other little girls to play with so they were very happy. We ate our fish and chips and my SIL and I chatted for the afternoon. Stayed about 3 hours. Bought the girls an ice-cream and let them play on the playground near the beach. Went back to SIL place, girls had a bath to rid themselves of the sand! We made them lie down for a while as they were stuffed. The babies went off to sleep and we had a cold drink. We were going to go to the pub for dinner but couldn't be bothered so we ordered Chinese. Kids watched a DVD and we left about 8.30pm. Both girls were tired and fell asleep on the way home. Got home and they both went straight to sleep. I got a little sunburnt on my back - I was in the tent all day but my back must have been hanging out. It is not too bad and doesn't hurt - thank god! I had a lovely Australia Day!

Happy Australia Day to you all - sounds like everyone had a great day.

Mel- wow sounds like you and the girls had an awesome day, was beach did you go to?
yum Rory i love tiramisu!
Bath- that was lovely to get breakky in bed and equally as lovely that your dh looked after the kids for the day. I might use that one on dh next public holiday what a good idea lol! please remind me when its coming up to labour day!

Well some of you oldie belly buddies might remember last year when i was pg a friend at work lost his 2month old daughter. Anyway i got news last night that his wife has given birth to a healthy baby boy! I am so happy for them, might send them a card or something, only thing is they are probably going to be so paranoid with this baby now because their daughter was a healthy baby too almost up until she passed away. (and they never really found the cause of WHY her lungs collapsed and her little body shut down)So i am sure this baby will not blanket the loss of their daughter but I am sure it will help the healing process as time goes on.

Another fun day of cleaning here for our open inspection this arvo. not too much to do other then general tidy and floors but i absolutley HATE washing floors (my pet hate) my try and get out of it and make dh do them hehe!