Good afternoon, just got home... been out all day... music classes then shopping. Hiya Dee, IK and Amanda ... I'll catch up in a sec... just need to pop the kettle on and change a nappy. If anyone posts after me I'll just be editing (adding to) this one.

IK: Must have been frustrating having to leave the brigade meeting but don't write it off yet... you'll get better at predicting whether he'll be able to cope with your divided attention. As he gets a little older he might be more easily distracted with a toy OR it could get trickier as he becomes more mobile and tries to take off every time you aren't looking. Could you take turns with another couple with children? I agree, it shouldn't be you that misses out EVERY time. One thing that I used to have to sacrifice was going to the football when Verity was a baby... occassionally DH would go along without me (with work mates), not often though... however when Wade was a baby DH actually began to insist Verity and I go along while he stayed at home with him... we took turns and Verity got to go to every game. This season we'll do the same thing, take turns staying at home with the boys. I know some people take babies to the football but i just couldn't. I'd feel too unsafe, and the roar would frighten them... and people used to be able to smoke... and you have drunkness... just a very bad mix. Anyhow, I'm so grateful DH understands that even though the footy started out being "his thing" these days i enjoy going to see a game just as much as he does.... I can't think of too many men who would do the same for their wives... gotta love him for that. Sweet to hear of your DP's acknowledgment of Valentine's Day this year We were never into it much early in our r/ship but we're getting more sentimental as we're getting older... I hope your DP manages to surprise and pamper you!

Well I think Niall has managed to self settle! Better go check him... the cooing has stopped. ETA: Yes! excellent. He must have been very tired as he only slept briefly during Wade's music group.

Amanda: ooh I'm so lucky Wade hasn't (yet) thrown a public tanty! He's too shy and a total angel in public at this stage, not to say it'll last mind you! Verity very rarely threw them and when she did I remember using distraction as my key strategy. I'd avoid looking at them (that's what they want) and I'd pretend to peer off into the distance with a look of perplexion on my face (LOL) ..if that was ignored I'd say something like... "what's going on over there Verity? Did you see that? I thought I saw a cat in the supermarket!!!" 9/10 this would dry up the tears and have her frantically looking around for the cat... then I would be able to direct her: "c'mon, I think it went this way!" You can be quite creative LOL infact it pays never to use the same scenario twice... you can use seasonal distractions too Santa, an Easter Bunny, or even a friend from playgroup. Which reminds me that the last time I used this strategy (late last year) was when Verity was being obnoxious up at Greensborough Plaza, I said "is that Ruby up ahead?" (a girl from school who would spread the word if she saw Verity being uncool in public) she quickly shut up and rubbernecked LOL

time to hang a load... back later...

Dee: Yeah, pushing a loaded pram while wearing a sling is tricky and good exercise huh!? I still stick Wade in our pram on days I know he's just not up to a long walk.... and like Mel I'm a fast walker and sometimes just want to get where i'm going without having to plod along. Your car park issue is going to be a tricky one. Verity's last school needed one desperately, never happened, likewise her current school could do with one but I can't see it happening, space/land is too expensive around here to warrant it (looking at it from a school's perspective).... I know they shouldn't put a price on safety but one thing her school has started this year is a walking bus! I think this is a fantastic idea: gets kids exercising and reduces traffic at the same time. Being a lone pedestrian (or with kids) sucks in heavy traffic. You stand on the curb and wait and wait and wait for a break in the traffic and people just cruise on past (if there's no crossing nearby which is how it is on this side of Verity's school. Good on you for driving slowly though, people blatantly ignore the 40km speed limit around here
ETA: oh and Wade's music class was great. The teacher spoke only French too but it was geared towards the 0-4 age group and she easily made herself understood. Wade said he liked it and wants to go again so I wrote out the cheque for the rest of the term... today was free.

Unsettledness: yep, Niall's been velcro baby until today really... he has 4 teeth coming through on top! They all have just broken through over the past week... ouch! So by next week he'll have at least 6 visible teeth. I agree with Dee: sometimes you just have to let them have a bit of a whinge... slings can't always be worn... I know I can't use one when I'm trying to dress Wade it just doesn't work because if Wade's in a bad mood he'll occassionally kick out at me plus he's a moving target at the best of times... if I had a sling that could be worn on my back Niall would pull my hair out too! it's just a tricky age... they'll get over it.