Good evening

DH will be late home tonight because he's printing piccys off for Verity's homework, hmmm, this isn't going to become a regular thing: she'll just have to use the school printers I think despite her claims that the quality isn't as good as DH's work printers. The way she goes through ink here at home there is no way I'm going to try to keep up with her "needs". Oooh bad mummy... but honestly, her school is happy for her to print out homework there so I'm going to insist she does. You wouldn't believe the dramas we've had over this issue... good grief and this is only term 1! Still she's going on camp (Myrtleford) for a week soon and I'll miss her never-the-less!

Karen: Biccys were just my "throw in what-ever needs using up" bulk recipe. Makes about 40 standard round biccys. The basic mixture is nice and chewy like Mrs Fields... but instead of paying $2.40 each the whole batch usually costs about $2.40 (conservative estimate if I use generic brand ingredients). If you throw in indulgent extras like chocolate and macadamia nuts it will make it a lot more expensive but a nice cheap option is to just use crushed nuts/and or coconut which is what I used this time. I'm keen to learn to cook more bulk recipes... Verity has been "cheap to run" until about a year ago... now she has huge portions, eats more than me! I'm starting to wonder if we'll be able to feed the boys when they turn into locust-like teens!
Oh and I'm not a terribly organised person though... I tend to function better under pressure... just as well, sometimes it doesn't matter how organised you 'think' you are when you're a mum: things still get chaotic!

Jess: what's the latest with Pat? Oh and men are like kids: gotta praise the good and ignore the bad (within reason). When my DH does something incredibly mature I make a point of saying how "attractive" it is... seems to be working here

Nickers: How's Nixon? And his nappy rash? Still bad? Unfortunately the best creams are exxy. I use Sudocrem... but have also discovered that PawPaw cream is good too. I meant to say before that I buy most of my Tupperware secondhand (due to budget constraints)... I soak them in Milton, they come up looking ace. Sorry I couldn't join you with your parties... I'd be just too tempted, it's such a good product. How's your all-day-sickness? I remember when most of us were suffering.... we nearly all had the same kinda cravings... maybe your In-Liven will help with that? I've read a lot about how women who eat a good balanced diet suffer less... just avoid a diet of salt and vinegar chips! OOOh the memories are still so fresh! LOL

Dee78: LOL at you sneaking a nap... sometimes 15 mins really helps huh? Remind me how Lockie is eating? What has he tried? Regarding the night feeds... just try to give the bare minimum I guess... I'm sure there's some really good advice to be found in other BB threads though. I'm lucky in that Niall is needing less at night now... he still has a 3am feed... but rolls over within a few minutes (he feeds in bed with me) ... it actually just seems more like he is 'touching base' with me more than anything. Then when he wakes up I give him as much cereal as he'll take... then give him a top up drink after that before his 10am nap... I guess i just try to keep him eating as much as I can through-out the day... this has the desired follow-on effect of him not needing as much at night.

Nickel: How's lil' Ruby? I can't recall how her progress is going with solids either... you don't seem to be having too many issues

IK: OOoh you get away so much! It just seems too hard for us... and Verity has Little Aths every Saturday which is limiting. But keep it up... anything to recharge those batteries especially now that you're studying again... what subject are you doing?

DH walking in the door... I need to make sure he's fed... I made a large chicken and vegie pie from scratch today... once again MUCH cheaper and healthier than buying supermarket ones... and twice as high... and has mushrooms.... love mushrooms Nighty nite everyone!