Babies Born June 2006 #32

Good morning :) DH and DD off at Little Athletics Open Day. I was going to go but too tired and the boys aren't well. Wade had a bit of a temp after his needles (the MMR ones he should have had at 1yo) and Niall ALSO had a temp and a runny nose! So between both boys I was up and down again last night like a yo-yo... also we had a very noisey thunderstorm here last night. I heard the rumbling and went outside to bring in washing at 1am... then 5 minutes later I was back in bed, doing a bit of needlework 'cos I couldn't sleep, then a humungeous thunderclap rocked the house... all the lights went out... I grabbed DH's arm... he was asleep beside me and didn't really hear it until I said "sh*t! wake up!" LOL then Verity came running through the house moaning and saying that she was scared so I gave her a hug... then Niall woke up... so I went in to deal with him... I listened out for Wade but thankfully he slept through it... the lights came back on after the thunderclap was over thankfully. If I had been outside when that happened I would have been petrified, maybe hit the deck and started wimpering! So that was my night... *yawn*

s'pose I'd better get dressed.

Ali: did you mean that you did relief work with a young grade? What age/year? I agree, working with little 'uns is physically/emotionally AND mentally exhausting... why teachers of the Early Years get paid less than other teachers I'll never know!

Uh oh... DH and DD back home early... some drama...

Bath- oh either we didnt get the thunderstorm last night or i slept through it! It was a bit wet outside thismorning and thought we must have got a little rain. Thunderstorms scare me to though if i had heard it i would have jumped out of bed!
Thanks Rory & Dee, slowly its starting to sink in. There will be 18month gap between Nixon and bub. Happy 8months Flynnie!
Well I don't think I'm nuts... Infact I think Im great! Lots of other parents can do it so i know i can too Im really exciting about extending our family. Dee i think there is 18-19months between Nathan and Melissa isnt there? Are you a nutter too?! od Dee i just realised that your avater you still have a preggie belly??

Aww, Nic, I meant that in a cheeky way, don't take it to mean I was criticising! I think it's great (in fact, I DID say that, too, don't forget!). When one hears news like this you get excited and happy, then naturally think 'what if it were me?' and then that's when I think 'I'd have to be nuts...she must be nuts'! But really I mean for my situation only. That's what my post meant. I would have hoped you'd know where I was coming from by now, we've known each other for over a year now :)
Well, Oscar's up. I was hoping for a sleep in, but alas... Also, DP wouldn't let me go straight to sleep last night after Oscar nodded off, IFKWIM (anyone would think WE were TTC! But we're NOT, let's get that straight right now :P), but it would have been nice to fall asleep with Oscar in the crook of my arm, wheezing gently at me.
Oh, who were the other 'raspberriers' of our babies? Oscar has started this - he was doing it just about all swimming lesson yesterday when we were listening to the teacher and watching the other babies take their turns. I suppose we've also created the situation, as we are both always blowing into his belly, neck, cheek, legs!
No fair, did I sleep through a thunderstorm? Bath, I think it's great that Verity still comes to you for comfort! I would have been able to at that age, too, but I would have thought to myself that I should just 'suck it up'...silly me, my mum would happily have given me cuddles! (In fact, DP says that my mum and family is not affectionate, but my mum would have been if I had allowed it more - it's only in recent years that I have become a hugger, I wonder why, cos my mum loved to hold us...musing to self here!).
I felt bad at the party yesterday because I turned around to find that the television was out of whack - Oscar had pulled on some chords and they were trying to get Foxtel back! My GF's mother said it was fine cos Oscar is a kid and her daughter would put toast into the VCR as a kid, so pulling out a chord here and there rates as a very minor offence! Anyone else finding that appliances and electrical equipment are fair game now? The clock radio is fair game every morning, as it sits on the bedhead of the futon. Oh, and the vacuum cleaner...he's worse than a dog (not mine, cos my dog flees the house when the vacumm cleaner goes on, but my other dogs!).
I had my first 'clamp down' yesterday - the first with this tooth. Felt like the gummy version, but it still copped a yelp and eviction.
Oh, and I can confirm that Oscar still has no stranger anxiety. He's anybody's, the big tart.
I got some good ideas for art creativity from my other GF who is very arty and creative. During fine weather next week, Oscar goes into a disposable, I'll get some big piece of paper from the local craft shop, some safe paints, and let him loose outside on it, while I finally get round to painting the wooden shapes I have for him. You girls can steal that one, too :) Or do you all know about that one, and I'm on the tail end of that one, too??
And harking back to music experience (thinking of Wade's French music lessons), I might get Oscar an african drum - he loves to bang rhythmically on a bucket with a lid I have here. He already has maraccas and access to a tambourine. He's grabbed at a bamboo flute I sometimes play for him, and bangs the guitar.
I'm just musing about his development lately (uhhh, could it have anything to do with picking up my Development text book this week??).
Ok, off again, I'll check in later!

:confused: PMSL Nickers, I knnoowwwww, Everytime I jump on, I think, oh I should do an email and get that changed, lol. Ahh I guess subconsciously I'm holding on to my last pregnancy, lol. Nickers I am completely insane, lol, I have five children, lol, Who in their right mind does that to themselves, lol. I had three babies in three and a half years. They drive me completely balmy...... But I love it, think how close they will be later on in life. I prefer 2 years gap but yep there is 19 months between Nathan and Melissa, besides having two babies in nappies, I can't really find a down side, it's a good age gap.

Sounds like your kids will be close, Dee :) My two cousins are 18 months apart and are perfectly at odds with each other - always at each other's throats and competing with each other, even though they both live in separate countries (complete with verbal barbs not befitting of a brother and sister relationship!), so somewhere along the line, their relationship wasn't fostered as carefully as it could have been (probably because 18 months later my aunt was pregnant for a third time, followed a year and a bit later with the next...at least there was a 5 year gap between the next one, and then a manageable 2 years - I say manageable cos she was just over 40 yo by then, with the first 3 being quite headstrong little people!). So, I don't think close age gap alone will have kids being close, emotionally, to one another. My sister and I are 23 months apart and we only became 'close' about 10 years ago, and I know of others, still, who have big age gaps and are close as all get out. I think people have kids close together just cos they like the idea, rather than predominantly because they want them to be emotionally close.
Enough musing, more studying and tidying! I'll have to be careful not to spend too much time on here today or nothing will get done - looks like today will hover between wet-weather program and study (it's threatening to rain, so can't take Oscar outside later during a study break!).
Well, here's to all the nutters who have kids close together :P

CONGRATULATIONS NICKERS!!!!

I cant believe it!! That is such good news, what a great age gap for the kids too!
Im so happy for you.
Oh Lachlan is grabbing at his bits all the time!

IK - Like Oscar, Lachlan will go to anybody. I walked into a shop yesterday and he put his arms out to go to the lady behind the counter!! huh, makes me feel real good that does!!

Ali - Good luck with everything, you seem nice and relaxed about the whole thing, like you said, everything happens for a reason!!

Bath - I hope the boys get better soon. Lachlan hasnt been 100% lately, We spent the day on tuesday with a girlfriend of mine and her little girl. She called me on Friday morning to say that her little one had spent the night in hospital with Croup! so now im really worried that hes going to get it!

Well, i found my dress, its lovely, its like a silky slip dress with a silk and beaded overlay which flows really nicely at the bottom, really hard to explain, not your typical wedding dress, not even from a bridal shop, its really me, a bit different but still classic!


Ok girls i need to have a whinge, i mentioned before that lachlan hasnt been well the last couple of days, he has been doing heaps of poos and really runny ones too, he is really sweaty and just whingy. Anyway, i get home from sydney yesterday and DF tells me that he is going to a hotrod show today and then to the local fishing club weigh in! i was so angry, he said to me "well, i want to go and because YOUR at work Lachlan has to come!" I told him to for once in his life put someone else before him, I just think its so unreasonable, he will always put himself and what he wants to do before anything and its really driving me mad. I just dont know what to do, i dont think im being unreasonable asking if he can stay home for one day do you?

We have been really bickering alot lately and its starting to get out of hand, im actually starting to wonder if a wedding is the right thing for us at the moment!!

Hiyah Dee! Thanks mate. Congratulations on finding your dress thats aweomse! 21st Aoril isnt it? That will be my neices 1st bday and possibly when we have a combined 1st yr bday party for her and Nixon. Did DF end up taking Lachlan with him?
Try not to put extra stress on yourselves and each other, its a very hectic time planning a wedding, esp seings u are probably doing all the organising yourself and in a short period of time. Not that my DH ever read it but i think ive said it b4 i think all couples both should read "men are from mars, woman are from venus"
I hope you guys can resolve some issues because u dont want to look back and only have bad memories of the days leading to your wedding, u want t think back and smile about how fun it was to organise such a special day!

IK- no offence really taken, probably my over reactive hormones already starting to kick in. I just didnt want to see a positive turned into a negative as I'm still coming to the terms with how busy we make ourselves!
Seriously since dh and i have been together each year seems to be bigger and bigger.
The year we got together we moved out together.
following yr we moved to Melbourne and baught a block of land
the following year we went on an os trip, and got engaged
the following year we got married, moved into our new house and got pregnant
the following year we Had Nixon
now this yr we are selling, moving back to sydney and having another baby!
but thats just us we've always been go go go type people and we suit each other becasue of that.

Nixon went back to swimming yesterday, picked back up from where we left off before xmas, he was having lots of fun kicking and spashing mummy in the face.

IK ..Uuuummmmm.....(big long sigh)...??.....Doesn't matter, I hope you had a good day.
Donna, Men will be men, They are all the same, lol. No I don't think you're being unreasonable. Men as a species are selfish, self centred and inconsiderate of other, unless they are reminded and prompted to act on cue. Even the best of them, (of which DH is a member, lol) sometimes slips into the selfish mode, it's as much apart of their makeup as being thoughtful and compassionate is apart of ours. (PMSL) Marry him and train him well, lol.
With a new baby, new roles and a wedding to plan it is no wonder you're bickering, it will pass, just pick your battles take a deep breath and sigh at the rest. It will all fall into place.
Thinking of you babe.
IK, I would leave a clothy on him and see what kind of design he could create for his nappy. You might be onto something, Arty Clothys by Oscar, aged 7 months, (little giggle)Oowweee with the clampdown. Nathan hasn't done it for a couple of weeks now, finger's crossed he got the memo that I'm not afraid to bring out the bottles, lol. Still B/F strongly here, so happy about that, but am a little worried about doing prac later on in the semester, a whole month He'll be roughly 11 months, I might have to be selfish myself and give him a cup of milk instead. We'll see when the time comes.
Hey Nickers, we posted at the same time roughly, hi.

Thanks Nic & Dee! I know we will be ok, its just hard trying to understand men sometimes. DF is one of those people who has an opinion on something and if you dont agree then YOU are in the wrong. Its starting to drive me crazy.

Age gaps between kids:My sister and i are exactly two years apart (we have the same birthday) Mum had a miscarriage in between and it took her a few extra months to fall Pg with me so she would have had two babies very close. She said that she would have loved that. Another friend of mine who had her baby one week after i had lachlan is now 2 months pregnant so her two are going to be approx 14months apart!!! Now thats a handful!
I do believe that if lachlan was a more settled baby i would be thinking about trying myself but at the moment i think its the last thing i will be doing!

Oooh, Dee, my situation is so similar (not sharing a birthday, though, that's really cute!) - my mum lost a baby in between my sister and I, and I believe that she would have lost her sanity that much sooner (LOL!) if she had had that child. Still, it would have been nice to have a brother. There was another after my sister, but that was ectopic, so there was no chance of any others, close or far, after that one. I think it's wise for you to spend time with Lochie, figuring each other out before having another. Re: DF, your relationship gives me weird vibes, to be frank, and that's only based on what you have said on BB, mind you, so don't be too alarmed - only you know what the go is with you two, and you need to act on your instinct about the matter. I'm not going to tell you that it's just the stress that's got you having doubts, because I don't believe it - you shouldn't go into a wedding, which leads to a legal committment, at each other's throats and feeling belittle, devalued, unheard, unvalidated. You've been through heaps with Lochie and are making such great progress...DF should be your cheer squad, but I just keep reading that he thinks he is the hero for 'putting up with it' and that you just need to 'get over it'. You said it yourself, he elevates his own interests over yours, and even Lochie's. I think you've got a lot of thinking to do, and trust me, I really want you to be happy *hugs*. If DF could get over himself, it would bode well for you to be together to raise your boy and have fun doing it :) It would break my heart if he broke your heart, Dee.
DP has a rice pudding in the oven...yum! I have resisted buying the tinned variety cos I know how good the real thing tastes and I keep telling myself I'll make it, but I keep forgetting. But I didnt' today. After the power went off (numerous times...underground powerlines would just make too much sense up here in the hills, what a STUPID idea...), I heated up a dinner I had cooked two days ago (on purpose, for today - I'm not usually so well-prepared) on the stove, and asked DP to cook the pudding. He had just said he wanted to cook a dessert and I jumped on it with my request!
An early night might be in order if the power goes out again, even though we have a kero lamp for light.
Update: The back room now has visible floor space...I might even be able to study in my study next week...but I won't hold my breath...

Hi all, feeling really down today. DH and I have been fighting heaps - all due to me being such a crazy b!tch - that sounds really defeatest and like I am a brow-beaten housewife but honestly is is true, sadly. Ever realised that your ideal of yourself isn't what you really are? I always wanted to be the one in the relationship who held it together, was the rock, the one who could be silently relied upon. Well it is so the other way around! You'd think I'd be happy to have someone like this but it is hard! I asked him if he would forgive me for being so wrong for all these years, and he said "I forgive you every morning" :( He's the rock, I'm the flake.

And I am feeling down because I had (and am having) a panic about my milk supply, so much so that I went and bought some sachets of formula and gave Flynn some before bed. He only took about 180mls and had boob for the rest of his feed. He seems to be feeding predominantly at night, which I am resisting because I am tired, and so my supply is low during the day when he is distracted, moving, eating solids or whatever. My MCHN appt is tomorrow so we'll see how his growth is - maybe it is all in my head?

Nickers I am so happy for you - it sounds like you and your DH have got another great 12 months ahead of you. I really love how you are so optimistic about the two of you. Don't get me wrong, I am optimistic about my rship with DH, but it is more because of all the workk he has put in to holding us together than anything on my part. Such a doofus.

Dee, maybe you and your DH caught my moping downer relationship bug;) Hope you guys can sort it out. My advice is to be strong, turn the other cheek and try and understand his perspective. I hear what IK is saying, but I just wish I had been less antagonistic with my DH many years ago - I've been doing it for so long it is a deeply ingrained habit. Don't let your heart harden.

Better go - wanna hang out washing and shower before it gets too late. See y'all tomorrow:)

Rory, you might find, when the freshness of this starts to fade, that you are both flakey and rocks at appropriately alternating times :) I hope so, anyway. I know with DP and I, sometimes I am the leaning post, and sometimes he is (he hates being the leaning post, but sometimes I put him in that position!). Can I suggest asking your health nurse tomorrow if there is another health nurse locally who is a lactation consultant? That way it would be free to see her. Otherwise, I think there are links to LC's here on BB. Otherwise, have a good look around on the ABA website. It's breastfeeding then asn au with the w's, if you want to type it straight in to your browser. I'm actually (happy coincidence!) listening to an ABA podcast, and there is a podcast on supply issues - worth a listen, I think :) If I could send some of my supply your way, you KNOW I would! God knows I'd love to fit into some of my smaller tops! Just remember that when you supplement, that's the amount you won't produce for Flynn from your boobies.
Hugs for you, Rory - I hope feel less emotionally volatile tomorrow, after sleeping on it *hugs*

OMG! Nickers! Another bubba already! You ARE keen! congratulations, you fertile woman you!! Must have been finishing up the breastfeeding!! :dance:

Ok, gonna try and catch up but you know it might not work. BRB.
ETA
RORY -
you sound ... like you like being in control and organised and you were a career woman - right? Plus the milk situation, being worried about it and all...Your hormones are probably treating you like crap ok? Be nice to yourself - relationships take TWO, including you! My DH is this lovely easy going placid guy, and I tend to be (at times!) this anal, control freak so I sometimes get paranoid that people are whispering behind my back "Oh that poor guy! He's so nice and stuck with that b!tch of a wife" but I can't afford to think like that! But we have other issues anyway! You're unique and you're you, so he's damn lucky! Plus if you are aware that you can be a pain, then you probably aren't nearly as bad as you think you are! The worst people are those who don't know how awful they can be!
re. BF supply, feed as often as possible - ie. just for comfort if he cries. Drink lots of water and maybe milk? It might be the going back to work that is adjusting your milk supply too. I find after two days at work, I feel a bit "light on" the next day and just feed as much as possible. Maybe give him food instead of a bottle, so he'll get all his milk/liquid needs from you?

oh btw - what was teh group who didn't buy anything again? trying to get into the groove of that.

LMG - probably old news for you by now, but re. Marley's(?) eczema, my friend's little boy who had it so bad he was covered in little scabs where he scratched his head during the night, was totally cleared up once she stopped breastfeeding! I guess whatever she was eating was sending his skin nuts. He looks totally gorgeous now, and is placid ALL the time instead of just 99%. Don't know if that's totally helpful or what?

CeeCee99 - Ruby is really small too (I should weigh her), and not doing much(!) except rolling --> no teeth, no crawling, no clapping. But like Ally, she's cute and smiling and very happy, except when she can't reach something. I keep telling her to crawl and then say to myself 'what am I thinking??!!; - once they start crawling it is the end of continuous conversations, you have to stop every 4 seconds to grab something off them!
Oh and she talks heaps - just like her mum and sister!
She can't sit either although is close, and I wonder if it's because her tummy isn't big enough to hold her up??

NICKERS - Boys LOVE Their bits! Just in my experience - of boy babies I mean!! then again, not that different from adults!! It's like when they discover their hand, it's just they discover their pen!s and it's very exciting! I remember my friends' little boy nearly pulling his off he was so pleased with this attachment!!

BATHSHEBA - Ruby is VERY behind in her immunisation, I just ran out of steam! I think we missed 4 months, 6 months and anything else! Last time we went for immunisation it was for Giorgia (4) who cried and cried, and I cried too, so maybe I'm just avoiding it!!

Hello IK! thanx for all your jokes.

ali - I really hope you get the job ali. good luck.:pray:

Hello Karen, Amanda, jess, 7th heaven (you are SUCH an inspiration!), Dee, and everyone else. I really am sorry if I've forgotten you, it's just taken me about 45 minutes to catch up!!

Take care everyone, I'm trying to limit my time on the puter at the moment! Wish me luck!:rolleyes:

Hi girls,

I know i haven't posted in here for a while but i have been following....i am going to make a concious decision to get back in here daily.

Donna have fun organising your wedding....i am getting married in April too, must be a good month. Your dress sounds very similar to mine...i didn't get mine from a proper bridal shop either.
I totally hear you on starting towonder whether it is the right time to get married because i have noticed DF and i have been bickering a lot lately too, we never used to!

Grabbing bits: Even though Tarleha is female she has started going for the big grope when changing her nappy. She is just self exploring so i don't make a big fuss about it.

Bath hope Wade is feeling better now after his needles. Funny you mentioned temps and runny noses...Today Tarleha has had a temp and a bit of a blocked nose, personally i think she has more teeth coming through too and i don't think that helps.

IK Tarleha is a champion rasberry blower...she will lay there and do it until she is all wet with spit, she has been a rasberry blower for a while now. I get a tad embarrassed when she does it in public though. LOL

Hugs Rory, i am sure you are the rock sometimes too, you just don't see it! Keep your chin up.

baby's sizes: Well Tarleha is very small too! I even get comments along the lines of...well are you sure you are feeding her?? It drives me mad.
I have a pead appointment on the 19th for a review but he is expecting her to be small as she was to start with.She seems to be happy and keeping up with her milestones and having the wet nappies etc. so inmy opinion i think she is fine just on the petite side. She is only 5.2kg which is only approximately 2kg over her birth weight and she is 7mnths :rolleyes: sounds bad when i word it that way.

Oh well i am going to trot off to bed now!! Prob DTD as i am hoping to follow Nickers in her BFP.

Be back tomorrow
TTFN

Hi all

CONGRATULATIONS NICKERS! :dance: SO HAPPY FOR YOU!

Well I had a friend who started TTC #2 straight away 'cause she wanted to get her baby years out of the way all at once. I lost contact with her but she seemed to handle it well. Each to their own I say. People are asking us when we're having another already and we just say "Can't afford it!" Also I don't want to go through that again 'cause there will be no one to look after Aleise whilst I'm sick with #2!!

I've been MIA too 'cause we've had problems with net connection. Had to have software re-installed. Spent about 1 hour catching up.. gee you girls can talk!!

Got an email from *S* and she said she's doing okay and had some puter probs too. Anyone else heard from her? Email me if you have neeny1870@hotmail.com

Will try some personals now.. sorry if I've missed anyone in the process but I haven't been able to get online lately. :cry:

Nickel: $300 dental bill was for me darls! My health fund doesn't pay much on dental care and I think I should drop out of extras! However Aleise may need braces etc down the track so maybe not!

Mel: Well I was hoping to have lost at least 2kg by now but I've cut down on chocolate I can't give it up all together or I'd be a total cow! I'm a chocoholic something shocking! I hope to loose at least 10kg by my brother's wedding (Also April) so here's hoping! Oh and we don't leave for our holiday until 27 March so we should catch up. You leaving this week?

Dee (7th): Which QUT campus you at? I'm at Gardens Point in Brisbane City and will be there Tuesdays from 27 Feb. Willbe good to see you if you're at the same uni!
What degree you doing? I'm finishing my HR degree and have 9 more subjects to go.

IK: I understand about the bottles gift for your g/f at her baby shower. I'm sure the giver didn't mean anything by it (by insisting she feed one way or another). Your g/f could always use bottles for EBF just in case. Unless she sells them on ebay or something. I was planning to BF and it couldn't be so there's no guarantee that we all can and its good to have a plan B sometimes. I would've given a voucher or something though. And buying formula is not something you should do without consulting your paediatrician first anyway!

Bath: Sorry to get Wade mixed up with Amanda.. she has a boy Wyatt, Maybe they'r both toilet training atm? I'm soooo far behind its not funny!

Okay well a quick update on Aleise. She too blows raspberries and has been doing so for about 2 months. She's now trying to get up on all fours and rock back and forth but not doing much else. She also claps her hands and thinks she's rather clever (who am I to argue otherwise). I love the comment on the bubbas being "floor polishers" as she is definately one of those! REmember the Kitkat add "baby mop" where the German mum had her baby covered in a mop costume so she had time to eat the Kitkat? Mmm now there's a thought!
I think she's getting her top teeth too as she's chewing everything! She loves her solids so much (she's on brekky, lunch and dinner now) she whinges if I miss it!

Well better get some work done whilst she's still asleep.

Valentines day: I hope I get chocolates as it would be the only excuse to splurge now I'm on WW!

Hi to all and sorry for not more detailed personals but its hard catching up after a week!

Chat again soon.
*Hugs*

Good morning... wow! for once it's ME saying "you've all been so chatty lately"! LOL I read the thread while Niall was napping and almost the second I finished reading he woke up! He's crawling around looking for chords to yank too so this will have to be quick.
regarding the age gap and relationship issues: I love how there are so many points of view in here :) I'm sure some of us might not agree with everything that is said but like somebody said, we've all known each other for so long now we should know that we aren't intending to offend. Having kids close or far apart has about an equal list of pros and cons I reckon. I made a list once... wonder where it went LOL Anyhow I've kinda got both situations and I find it good and challenging for all the reasons I listed. I think the kinds of things that can make either choice work or not work are stuff like the support of extended family, the helath of your relationship, money issues, physical health and age of the parents, personalities of the children... to name a few. Anyhow, like IK, a very close gap isn't for me (mainly because we don't have the support of extended family and our financial resources can't stretch to buy 2 of everything that you need when you have babies close together... two cots/two highchairs/double pram etc. So we timed our 3rd child so that Wade would have not needed those items by the time our third did. BUT if we lived closer to extended family we could have borrowed those extra items and the idea of having them closer would have been appealing. HOWEVER I am so happy for you Nic and look forward to sharing your journey sooo much because I'm so clucky and a bit sad that Niall is my last. Regarding rocky relationships: someone said that couples should take turns in being the stable supportive one and the one needing support... that's very true...well that's at least how my DH and I function. I like the balanced perspective IK gave too Donna... take stock of your relationship but also realise that this is such a fragile time for the both of you, so keep that in mind. I agree that the male of the species does have a greater tendency toward only seeing life from their perspective however there should be signs of this improving as they age and change with the arrival of children. My DH has changed enormously over the past 12 years, for the better. Now I would say that his level of consideration is pretty much equal to my own. Unfortunately this isn't always the case with other relationships: my sis has been married for the same ammount of time but her DH is just the same: still needs to drink at the pub nearly every night after work and have all the big expensive "boys toys" (water skiing equipment etc) despite their precarious financial situation.... plus he will take himself off skiing with very little warning or care for the fact that my poor sis has to stay at home with the kids all weekend :( She consols herself with the thought that "all men are like that" but they aren't meant to be... they are meant to change... we are all meant to change.... it's when people don't that it becomes a concern.

2 needy boys now... BBL.

Hi Girls, Neeny, I'm external, makes my life alot easier with no set timetable. But I'm going through Kelvin Grove. I went out there the other day, my mind boggles, I am such a country chick. lol. It's really good. I'm going back next week on M T W for O Week lectures and to get free stuff, lol.
Bath it's sad when some men just don't grow up, isn't it? I thank goodness that Michael is such a hands on Dad and husband. I miss him already, he went back out to work today, he'll be back on the 1st March.
EDT: sorry Neeny I'm doing a Grad Dip of Ed and next year I will continue into the Grad B of Ed. I'm doing Early childhood. I can be registered at the end of this year and out teaching next year (if I can get a job) and do the bachelor while inservice.

Speaking of hands on, I just got back from my ride (great, by the way!) and the boy with our boy is gone...probably to his mum's, cos the dog's also gone but not the car! I'm gonna have a shower before they come back and DP throws Oscar in with me...
Nice warm day here, not too hot, what to wear once I'm showered???

Hi girls - back to my normal self again ;)

MCHN appointment went well - Flynn is growing well and nurse said not to be concerned about his milk intake (said that at this age 600mls is more than ample, many bubs drink this within a few minutes of feeding each day). At least I know Flynn is not waking from hunger - despite having half a feed of formula he still woke at 112.30, 2.30, 4am and 6am. Ah well! Health nurse said this amount of waking is normal enough and if we can handle it without controlled crying then it is worth sticking it out - she said it is easier when you can reason with them than mum and dad are not going to leave him and it is ok to go back to sleep.

I feel better cause I had a bit more sleep and have got a bit of housework done. Nickel, I hadn't thought of myself as a control freak but I am one - I feel secure when things are "done" IYKWIM!! I think also I had such an easy pregnancy, birth and first few months with Flynn that now I am facing a real baby (as opposed the the fake baby I used to have LOL!!) I am going through the shock that most new mothers experience in the early days.

Better keep moving - must make hay while the bag o' rats sleeps:)

Hi girls - I missed a whole day again!!!! Not my fault this time. We went to a party in the early afternoon yesterday and got home at 5pm and power was out. Well it didn't go back on until 12.30am!!!! I was ringing TRU energy every hour and they kept changing the time it would be restored. It was horrible sitting in the dark trying to read the paper by candle light (not good for the eyes!). Chelsea was so annoyed that I couldn't read her a story, I said I would tell her one but she said it was not the same! Being such a TV junkie, it was so hard not to have the TV! Wanted to watch the news but missed that. Thankfully I have gas cooking. Chelsea had swimming this morning and got her Pink Certificate which means she can tread water unaided for 30 secs, she can kick on her front with a kickboard for 3 metres, she can lay back and kick for 3 metres and climb out of the pool without using the ladder. The next level is learning to dive and retrieve things plus further practice of strokes. I am very proud of her, she is doing so well!

Nic - you guys sound like you have discussed and decided on a close age gap. Good on you. At least it wasn't a nasty shock to realise on 18 mths gap LOL!!! There are so many pros and cons for close age gap or longer age gap. Everyone makes the decision that is right for them - I still don't know what gap I want between Marley and #3. Sometimes the gap b/w Chelsea and Marley is too big. Chelsea gets very bored with her as she can't really do much, but on the other hand, Chelsea is very helpful and can assist me with getting nappies etc.

Bath - sorry to hear the boys aren't well. I hope they are both feeling better today. The MMR sometimes knocks them around and they say the needle really hurts when they do it, something about the consistency of the liquid.

Dee - I am sure the stress of organising a wedding is adding to the conflict. Both take a step back and as I tell Chelsea if she is about to get angry "take a big, deep breath". Your dress sounds beautiful too!

Rory - sorry to hear you have been a bit flat lately. Good to hear you are feeling more like yourself again. Good news about Flynn - you are still giving him the good stuff and he is doing well!!!! Bummer about the waking though, you must be tired and that is probably not helping how you feel. Have a quick whisper in his ear and ask for a good nights sleep please LOL!!!!

Neeny - we leave on Sunday 25th Feb! Less than 2 weeks away - yipeeeeee!!

Nickel - eczema is doing brilliant since I have been given a new cream. Its a miracle cream. Still going to see the paed allergist to make sure she is not allergic to anything else. Thanks for thinking of me though!

7th - my DH is very much like yours, a hands on dad. He does lots around the house too when he is home but shift work can be a pain. How do you manage with him away for so long? I can imagine you would miss him terribly.

Sorry if I have missed anyone, I hate trying to catch up on lots of posts! Bloody power failure!

Rory - it's amazing how different things seem in the morning! Sometimes it's not fair, cos I waste a lot of effort being very dramatic...and then in the cold light of day...LOL!
Great that Flynn is travelling well. It must be a relief to know that he's been getting all he needs this whole time, even though you were worried about it :) My appointment's next week and I have no idea what to anticipate that she'll tell me - overweight, underweight, not responsive enough (you got me thinking about that clapping thing the other week, Rory!) etc. But I feel he is fine and I am more than happy with him. But I'm not a MCHN!
Neeny - yeah, you have a point about having a bottle, just in case (I have two, one I bought myself, precisely for EBM...fat lot of good that did us!), but my GF's gonna have to sell some on eBay, cos she easily has at least 6 of them! She's not on any medication (I understand that medication was your biggest obstacle?), and there are no other indicators, at this stage, to say she can't feed this bubba herself, that's why I got her the subscription (well, between 3 of us) to the ABA. I sussed her out before getting it, to make sure it would be appreciated...in fact, I remember everyone asking us what we needed when we had our baby party! Anyway, I hope you get your chokky fix on Wednesday ;)
Oscar just had a mud bath, I got it on video - he tipped over the dogs water when he made his way outside and started eating the dirt/water mixture, commonly known as mud...

ETA: Missed your post Mel - good one, Chelsea on her Cert!
Nickel - somehow I completely missed your post, too - Ruby sounds a little bit too cute, imagine how cute she'll be when she's clapping one of these days? Don't worry, Oscar doesn't clap, either, or wave - but he does give me a high five if I 'prime' him for one!

I found out today that I just missed out on the job, the girl said that it was very close, but when it came down to it the other girl did better in the interview than me. I am feeling a little dissapointed, and frustrated as well because I had banked on being back at work a couple of days by now so money is getting really tight and with the prospect of maybe having to move on top of it all I am just starting extremley overwhelmed. I am trying to stay positive and believe that everything happens for a reason, but sometimes it gets tough!

Supportive DH- I am very lucky my DH is wonderful, a very hands on Dad, and very supportive, we are a nice complimenet to each other. Sometimes I wonder whether I dont really pull my weight as much as I should- but we seem to muddle through it all with very little fighting and tension.

Dee- Good luck with all the wedding stuff, make sure you communicate to DF how you are feeling because even though most of the time they dont want to hear it, most of the time they need to.

Mel- Bummer about the power cut, I wouldnt have been happy about that, I am scared of the dark and can think of nothing worse than spending all that time sitting around in darkness.

Nic- Your previous few years sound just about as full and eventful as ours, like you we engaged, married and pregant the same year, have moved house 6 times- including a move from city to country and back again, changed jobs had a baby etc etc etc. I love it though, never a dull moment- definatley keeps us on our toes.

Bath- Hope the boys are feeling better.

Tori is a bit under the weather at the moment, pretty sure she is teething, she has a runny nose and a runny bum and has been a bit of a grump which is so unlike her. I will keep a close eye on it though because I wouldnt want it to turn into anything nasty.
ANyway better go and organise dinner.

oh bugger Ali- that job sounded really positive for you getting it.... all you can do is get back up and get back out there, i know it must be frustrating though.

well BT results came back tonight and all systems are go, Ive just posted an announcement so will leave the discussion of it in there!

Just to let you know, Mel - that potato salad thingy of yours has a new life of its own in my hands...and DP loves it! I keep changing it a bit every time and, amazingly, it keeps tasting fine...And, between you and one of my GF's, I'm getting all inspired with creativity to decorate this place in my own flavours ;) I am still impressed with what you did with those placemats and the stretched canvas...
Back to dinner preparations, while Oscar delights himself with what the loungeroom has to offer...

Oh Ali, you must be feeling pretty wretched :( I guess its no consolation that at least it was very close between you an the other girl...so I'm sure they will keep you in mind (and your name on a list) for any other positions that arise.

I am currently the highest bidder on a 2007 Peter Rabbit calendar (Ebay.uk) ... this whole thing has become a bit of a saga... I'll let you know in the morning if i've won it or not LOL I'm going to bed and entrusting DH to bid a little higher if necessary... nighty nite :) sorry to those I have missed... will catch up tomorrow.

Well, we are heading to the bright lights of Melbourne on Wednesday so for all you ladies who have nothing to do and would love to meet my brood we will be done in the Frankston area around the 12.30ish mark. I know it is short notice but we decided today that even though the kids are just back at school, they deserved to go to the beach at least once in their lives. I have a parcel of clothes to pick up so just let me know whereabouts we want to meet and I'll be there.

Ali - bummer about your job. I am sure you dream job is just around the corner. Stay positive, you must have done something right to get to the final two. Last night the darkness didn't bother me so much as the boredom!!! Hope Tori is back to her cheerful self soon.

IK - so many people are now making that potato salad, its got a life of its own now! Hope Oscar enjoyed eating his mud LOL!! You'll have to start hunting around for some groovy placemats. I was going to do some with round placemats, they had some really funky ones at Ikea that were so cheap. Might have to make that a project after my holiday. Haven't done any in a while. Its so much fun making your own artwork! Can't wait to see your creations.

Nic - its now official. Will go check out your announcement.

Bath - fingers crossed you win your calendar! Hope DH does a good job of bidding for you.

Jess - pity Frankston isn't a bit closer to me, otherwise would have loved to met your brood. You picked the best day of the week to go, not too hot and hopefully not too many at the beach. Have a great day though.

After the high winds yesterday, it flattened my 5 beautiful standard iceberg roses which were growing huge! Some had the stakes broken off and they were all laying on the ground, I nearly cried! Thankfully most of them didn't break, but one did. It was looking extremely sick today and a bit wilted. Called MIL who is a gardening wizard and she did a patch up job on it, cut it back and gave it some Seasol to hopefully revive it. Fingers crossed it doesn't die as it was so full of flowers.

Time for bed, night all!

Where are you again mel? We might have to meet somewhere else!

Haven't been home long... had an appointment with our minister this morning about the kid's baptisms then PlayGroup then lunch at a new cafe before the lunch crowd where the owner fussed over Wade giving him colouring book/pencils etc and really "mothered" me fetching things like a glass of water before i even asked! Then I had to drop Verity's hat off to her at school or else she wasn't going to be allowed to do sport (fair enough)... and now I need to put my feet up but no way is that going to possible with these 2 boys... envious of all the immobile Junie Babes! Oh and I won my calendar!!!! woohooo! I was the only bidder and only paid 8 pounds including postage (from the UK)... works out to be roughly $20. Last year I paid $24 for my Peter Rabbit calendar so I'm very very happy... but I won't relax until it actually arrives... I've never bought anything on Ebay internationally before. When it arrives I'll be able to fill in all Niall's milestones for January. These calendars have nice big squares for each day which is just perfect for documenting a baby's progress. I tried keeping a diary for verity when she was a baby but it was too much of a commitment... just a sentence or two is enough each day.

Niall needs a top up feed before his nap... back later...

ETA: sorry Jess, we are flat out tomorrow too with Kinder (more tears no doubt) and I've got a school Art committee meeting in the afternoon... hope you all have a wonderful day though! :)

Jess - I am near Wantirna (sth east suburbs). I have my appointment with the allergy specialist tomorrow and then off to work to catch up with some work colleagues. It would be great to organise another day with more of the Junies. I bet you guys have a fab time at the beach. Don't forget to slip, slop, slap!!

Bath - well done on winning the calendar. DH obviously did a great job of bidding. My GF regularly buys from overseas and hasn't had any problems, so you should be right. I have a book for each of the girls that I record their major milestones. Marleys is a bit bare at the moment!

I am very excited as my grobag arrived from Hong Kong today. It is so gorgeous and at such a bargain price. It is pale green with pale coloured flowers all over it, its called "Funky Flowers". Got it just in time for the warmer weather as the one she is in now is for cooler weather. Went to the shops this morning to change some clothes I bought for Marley. She is still in 00 clothes. I also finally ordered my prescription sunglasses so they will hopefully be ready before my holidays (fingers crossed!!!). Trust me to leave things to the last minute. The ones I really wanted were going to take too long to have ready so had to choose another pair. It was hard enough choosing the first pair - I seem to always choose the things I can't have! It is funny weather outside with a few drops of rain. Chelsea is in her cubby house playing with her playdough. Better go see what she is up to!

Hi all

A very wet day in Brisvegas today and we hopefully had some rain over our catchment areas.. not looking forward to drinking recycled water if we haven't! I think we should stock up on our own water NOW JIC!

Mel: not long now! hope its not raining when you get up here!

Nic: Great to hear about your blood test confirming the bubba #2! Sooooo happy for you! Don't worry about m/s but it shows you're having a healthy pregnancy so my guess is you will carry this one to term!

My SIL is due with #2 any day now and hope it goes well for her. She's going to the same hospital as last time (Toowoomba General) and they had trouble getting her epidural needle in. I was surprised she said they let a trainee "have a go". I'd be Sh***g bricks if they'd let a learner practice on me! Oh well the main thing is everything turned out fine - won't harp on it but that hospital isn't well known for being efficient.

I managed to self settle Aleise today as I had a visitor at her sleep time and she was too excited to go down. Felt a bit guilty 'cause she cried in her cot for 5 minutes but I knew if I'd walked in she'd want to play... . and it worked! She slept for almost an hour at a time that isn't usual for her nor did I need a bottle to make her sleepy!

Well not much else to report.

Mel - you have drops of rain? We don't have anything resembling pretend rain up here yet...still waiting... Yay for the grobag! I used one that my aunt sent from Ireland, but not very much. I lent it to my sister when we went to NZ, so I hope it's getting plenty of use. Oh, and I found the receipt for that book that's no longer on my syllabus...I should be able to get a refund, or at least an exchange because the book is clearly unused! Maybe you can use your charm tomorrow and tell the powers that be to keep books on the prescribed list for longer than one year?? And if you see Susan tomorrow, can you please send her my regards, and many thanks for helping me last year with my intermission? Hmmm, I could just email her myself...or better, visit her when I go change my book...
Jess - I can't make a meet up tomorrow, either, sorry! I have Boobie Club in ****atoo till midday and then DP and I will spend the day together for Valentine's Day (or so he says...), an opportunity not to be missed because it's never been offered before! Must be a combination of being back to my old figure and having borne him his first child making him all sentimental LOL! Frankston beach is nice, just be careful of lowlives there - Frangers can be seedy, and to the uninitiated, you could find yourself in a seedy section in no time, so just stick to the beach. Or drive a bit further out and take the fam to Dromana - it's lovely out there, and the water even nicer :)
Bath - I want to be mothered by my local cafe person! Oh, hang on, I DO get mothered by one of the ladies there, especially when I go with boy and dog - she loves them both. Hmmm, must get there soon ;) Good one on the calendar, too! I kept a patchy pregnancy diary and nothing since. I'm going to have to enter in some musings and recollect the last 7 and a bit months, rather than attempt to backdate! I DO, however, have a squillion photos. Surely that's a good compensation??
Bugger, Oscar's awake!

We've just had a few drops of pretend rain too... I checked the Bureau site and we might get a little more... i was hoping to se a nice dramatic rain band heading our way... no suck luck... least it isn't as hot as they predicted.

I forgot to mention a new thing that Niall started doing yesterday! It's so funny and I didn't know what he was doing at first because W&V never did it: he is mimicking my blinking... in a kinda exaggerated way, screwing up his whole face... it started when i was feeding him... he was squinting/giggling at me after every mouthful... then I copied him and he squealed in delight and did it again... so I repeated it.. then he did it again... there was definate "taking of turns" going on! this is the first time he has done anything of this nature that is so definate... maybe he copies other things we do but it must be more subtle... now I'm thinking he might be ready for clapping lessons so he can pass his 8 month 'test' lol.

I just thought that if anyone was around I could meet up. I know ppl are busy so look don't worry about it. I never come to Melbourne and tomorrow was just a special day.

Look just forget about meeting up ever, I have tried to join in but obviously no-one is interested in meeting with "out of towners".

Jess, you sound really annoyed. I'm not going to offer an apology on this one because i've done nothing wrong. I have three issues:

1) You've given Melbourne Junies who may have wanted to meetup less than 48 hours notice.

2) I'm personally suffering a bit of BB fatigue ATM. I have recently learnt that some members have been saying one thing online and different things offline/via PMs/in other forums etc. I am struggling with feelings of disillusionment at this kind of two faced activity. The recent issue involving an exiled member was also very draining. I need a bit of space. This might not have anything to do with you... I just need a bit of space.

3) I am actually very busy this week. Wade has planned activities every day and DH is working longer than usual hours. I would not be good company.

I hope this post doesn't come across as grumpy as I feel IRL because I'm feeling quite highly strung and wouldn't want to say anything that I regret. I've been enjoying your posts lately Jess.... I think of you everytime I see that "new leaf" ad turning over at the top of the screen. Your alpaca job is truely a step in the right direction and i'm feeling optimistic for both you and your family. Please just let me fester in my own tetchiness.

I'm not angry but yeah I am a touch annoyed.
48hrs notice I know but I only found out that I was coming down with the kids yesterday so I thought wow what a trip it would make if I could meet up with some Junies at the same time. I can't come down to town much because of my hectic life up here and I just thought that maybe I could've gotten a bit of enthusiasm from some members. This has been a rotten month for all of us, losing *** was a shock for a lot of us and even though we were right on top of it noone saw what happened(At least I never!)
Bath- I know you have a busy week as I knew Wade had kinder and I know what it is like to have more than one child, but I wasn't really upset by you....its more that I have mentioned a couple of times that I would like to meet ppl and then at the last minute they pull out.I don't really feel like the "city" members want to meet with their "poorer" cousins from the country.
This is how upset I am though. I probably don't make sense! I love all of you because we are each others support group but lately the support group hasn't been very supportive.

Happy 8 months Niall

oh yeah Happy 8 months Niall!
Jess- i hadnt had a chance to reply to you but i would have unfortunatley had to decline also due to plans that have been made over a week ago. I try hard to meet up with BB members lots of times and i know others do to, it is harder because its only on rare occasions that you get to come this way but please dont get upset with anyone because they dont fit around your schedule. It cannot be helped, maybe if you can plan something ahead that we all can attend u wont feel so annoyed. I definatley think there has nothing to do with city members V's country members though, thats just a footy match!

Nixon's got a runny nose so dont know if it's going to eventuate into something or maybe another sign some more teeth might be coming....

IK - we got a bit of rain, Chelsea was stuck in her cubby house and didn't want to get wet coming inside! It is very stormy over here. Great news about the book. I wont see Susan tomorrow as she is on campus and my office is at the hospital. Haven't spoken to her in ages.

Bath - love the blinking thing, Niall is a clever boy. PML about the clapping thing, Marley has no idea what to do with that and her 8 mth check up is next Tuesday. She still isn't sitting or crawling and has she no teeth. Wonder what she will say about that.

Nic - hope Nixon is coming down with something. How are you feeling - any m/s?

Jess - sorry you feel the way you do, its unfortunate. One the few occasions that I have met the Melb junies, it has sometimes taken weeks to organise a date that suits everyone and even then, some have to pull out due to other commitments. I too have a child at kinder tomorrow, plus my specialist appointment that I have been waiting for ages to get, plus valentines day where DH actually has the day off. If I didn't have these things on, then a met up could have been possible. Plus Frankston isn't close, its about 1.5 hours from where I live so would need nearly a full day to head there and back. I, in no way, would ever think of you as the "poorer" country cousins. We are all equal in here - mums who love their kids regardless of where we live.

Hi Mel, well dont let MCHN get u down if they do say oh she should be doing this blah blah. Nix last visit was 8month and most things she asked i just said No, No, No! but within 1.5months he is now doing a lot of what he wasnt.
Its weird i feel fine then suddenly get a wave of nausea. then it goes away again.. i didnt get any m/s last time so hoping it doesnt progress and get worse!

Nickers - Congratulations honey.. I've been meaning to log on to find out if the test was positive...I'm so excited for you.