Babies Born June 2006 #35

Oh, Nic, I remember that so well! You were so down on yourself for not being able to 'control yourself' and also cursing that you felt you had been religious about PF exercises but for what, if you were only going to be incontinent anyway? You weren't the only one naive, though, chicken - it was only when someone else suggested you might be leaking that it occurred to me that it might explain a hell of a lot...I would have been just like you! How naive all us first timers were! Mate, we were all gearing up for a certain type of birth this time last year (I'd done one of my two hypnobirthing classes by now) and for some reason, Nixon wanted out. We were all so worried about you, when we got your message. Your birth was so unexpected that I am not surprised you are replaying it all now. You came through it, and just as importantly, so did Nixon. We were there with ya, kiddo, reading about your trips to the hospital, the endless expressing, the confusion at being at home after giving birth but having no baby at home, the frustration, and then...the photo of Nixon coming home. Please go easy on yourself, that time gave you PND and you came out of that period marvellously. By all means, revisit the events, but please don't dwell on the negative feelings you had (you're probably not, but just in case!) - you found out what you were capable of, so take the positives and run with those :) One more thing: thanks for sticking with us preggies while we kept posting about our pregnancies. It was acknowledged at the time, but given the nature of being pregnant, it wouldn't have sunk in just how hard it would have been for you to keep reading about the pregnancy symptoms you should have still been having. Number 2 will give you that - do you think this pregnancy will help you heal from the early birth last year? I guess we've just assumed that since Nixon has been storming through his growth patterns that you were 'all better'. It's easy to forget that your start to mummyhood was unexpected and abrupt, so all these questions seems to be coming a little bit late in the piece, sorry about that!
I just watched Sylvia - how depressing. Great film, just depressing! I also partook of a glass of Kahlua and milk...I always forget to drink my favourite drink, but not tonight!
DP's back and I'm going to put a snotty Oscar to bed with me now.

well ladies just thought I should apologise for not being around. I no longer have a computer on a daily basis or even a weekly one sometimes. When I get on I do come in to catch up on everyones going ons but don't get a chance to write due to all the things I need to get done on the computer in a short space of time.

Hi to everyone!!

IK - my GF's paed told her to get some Poliamine (not sure if correct spelling!) from chemist. Its a antihistamine but is excellent for clearing up congestion in babies. She used it while she was pregnant and used on her 7mth old last week and she said it was amazing. It lasts for 6 hours which is longer than panadol and does help them sleep. I am going to get myself some! God I love Kahlua!!!! Might have to have a Baileys instead as I have no Kahlua. BTW - beautifully put in your response to Nic, very nicely said.

Nic - IK said it all. Go easy on yourself. I wasn't around when all this took place so I can only imagine how difficult it must have been for you and DH. This milestone also celebrates Nixon's first birthday, how happy you must be. He is a beautiful little boy, with a killer smile (even with calamine lotion all over his head lol!!!!). Maybe try to put it into writing, how you are feeling, might help you to get it all out there. It would be interesting to look back on many years from now. Glad the parties went well and Nixon had fun with his buddies.

Jaspen - bugger about no computer! I didn't have mine working for a couple of weeks and it was hell! Hope you manage to get back with us soon!

I am babysitting my GF's 2 kids tonight. Her DD is 4 and her DS is 5 mths old and he is soooo cute. He has been so good, but the older 2 are still gas bagging in bed as I type! I have already done the mean mummy thing and told them off and threatened to separate them if they don't go to sleep! Lets see what happens.

Off to yum cha with some friends tomorrow so looking forward to a few "child free" hours.

Have a lovely Sunday everyone! :)

IK- well you did really say it all. i am not sure i know what to say really. Your post made me cry, but in a good way. It has made me realise maybe i have not given myself the opportunity to get over what happened. I mean i look at Nixon and see the most happist, healthiest boy that i am so proud of. i should be passed it and have moved on, i have had plenty of sessions with other mums who went through a whole heap more then i did and still do, i dont know how i would deal with worse, Nixons was very lucky and has no ill effects from arriving early. I think it is more about me, and my experience or should i say expectations of how i thought it would all go.
i dont know that this pregnancy is helping me get passed my feelings because there is now that fear of will it happen again. I think if this bub is FT and healthy regardless of how he/she arrives it will heal my wounds.
dh rang me tonight and asked what was wrong with my voice, he said i sounded sleepy but i had been crying alot thinking about eveything. (it didnt help i was watching babies being born on discovery hom & health either!)
My hormones are going stupid now because of this pregnancy so i dont know how much of it is me needing to deal with it and how much is just silly pregnancy emtions coming out.
Mel- your idea about writing how i am feeling down sounds like a good one. i will probably laugh at it in years to come thinking what was i even upset about, but it might help overcome my feelings.
i just wish Trent was here with me now, ive been sitting in Nixon's room watching over him for the last hour, he is so peaceful, how lucky he is to not have a clue about any of this. Thanks guys, you all probably know a lot more of how i feel/felt/went through then my close friends

Jaspen- its good to c u around, how is young Samuel going?

Nic - You know I don't do fakeness very well, so please know that I write from genuine concern and care factor, and always have. I love the idea of writing down what you're feeling now, too! It's a great idea - for you, for Nixon. I can just see you watching over him - what a lovely visual I have. You don't have to recover like anyone else in the same or a worse situation - they're not you, and vice versa. You've got your own things to deal with and it can't help to see other people and see that they've coped better. Cos the thing is, you just don't know that for sure - they probably think the same about you!
It does sound unresolved. Maybe you could get an appointment with a health psychologist attached to the hospital you were at and they could get you a referral to someone in Sydney. It could be the hormones making you feel more emotional, but the emotions that get brought up come from somewhere, the hormones don't create them, they just exacerbate what's already there. I would expect that what you're feeling is a very natural response during a second pregnancy after what happened. I think you're doing really well to have come this far before having these conflicted emotions! Brownie points to DH for noticing you sounded different, too :) He's a boy, he might wonder why you don't see Nixon as he is now and just 'get over it'. It's hard for men, cos they will never know about the connection between a mummy and child and the hopes and fears she starts having well before the baby is born. Not only that, you didn't have family close by, and your friends were mainly childless (I don't think I'll ever forget your post about your friends who came over for a dinner and they didn't even ask about Nixon, or show interest when you brought him out - that hurt MY feelings!).
The other thing is, lots of people think that it doesn't matter how the baby comes out, as long as the baby comes out safe. But you and I know that birth is more than just how you get the baby out. It's not until the unexpected happens that you realise it, though, in most cases. It's like breastfeeding. People assume it's just a way to feed your child, but we know that it's a lot more than that, but when it gets taken away from some women through forces out of their control, they feel such a loss that it can't be 'just' a way to feed your child, and there's grief when it doesn't work out. When you have to go to Plan B (birth or BFing), you need to go over what happened with Plan A constructively, or it might haunt you later. Plan B worked out well for you, but I think it's a great idea to write about Plan A and how you felt when it slipped through your fingers (it's not even that important to write about why it might have happened, you could be there forever!). It won't be easy (and you'll cry!), but Mel hit on a really good one there. Thinking about ya, anyway :hugs:
Well, today we did Part B of BIL's wedding - the family get together at MIL's, to compensate for all the rellos who weren't invited to the small wedding last week. It was really good and there were rellos who hadn't seen Oscar yet (they saw him when he was a bump!), as a lot of them live in the country (not as far as you, Jess, but the furthest were from Kilmore and Sunbury. I left in the evening to visit my GF, who had been planning a birth centre birth, but an amniotic leak saw her be induced yesterday and be cut. Both are well, she is as well as she can be given the circumstances. She'll be a cute mummy - you'd never have picked her to have a baby, but like me, finding her partner (well, fiance in her case) convinced her it had to be done! I got a nice long hold and left when the little one had attached and was feeding properly for the first time. I actually got a bit misty eyed and said I had to leave before I got all mushy! Back to MIL's to hang out and watch The Bill and now I'm ready for bed with a snotty boy.
Mel - Thanks for the tip about Polaramine - I've found it good for me in the past. I'll run it by the doc on Monday (will make an appointment, cos I think I'll need the med cert to apply for an extension for my assignment - I can't be expected to churn out decent work after being up at night with a congested, runny nosed baby, for a few nights in a row!). Meanwhile, I have Dimetapp. Not sure it's working, though - but that could be because a goodly bit dribbles out the side of his mouth! It's not 'pleasant tasting', as it says on the box...hell, it doesn't even smell nice.
Hiya Jaspen - long time no read!
Mel - before I forget, did you see the Kahlua and Tia Maria coffee at Aldi? $9.99 a bag...yummo! You'll need a coffee grinder, though. I LOVE my Kahlua - I get my stash from Duty Free...I have about 3 bottles here...if you can fix me up with a HD by sneaking into my records, I'll give you one...LOL! JUST KIDDING...I would hate for that to be used against me in a court of law or something!
Night all :)

Cody started crawling properly yesterday so now I'm going to be so vigilent with keeping an eye on where he is and making sure that the boys don't leave small toys on the ground, cause he is so quick it's not funny.

I've also got a problem, Cody has been super clingy for the last week or so and now I'm having trouble getting him to go down at night. I usually give him a feed then I put him in bed and he'll go to sleep by himself, but the last few nights he just screams. I know he is teething and he had an ear infection two weeks ago, I just am at a lost as what's wrong.

I'll be back later.

hugs xoxo

Hi Ladies,

I have just had a quick scroll through the posts!!

Nic - I cant believe that it has been a year. Please dont think of it as a bad time, look at the beautiful boy that you have. I know that you cant help but think of the 'what if's' but it all worked out for the best and this one will all work out too!!

IK - Glad you are feeling better. Lachlan has had a really runny nose lately too. I have found infant demazin really good!

Bath - I hope you are having a great time!!! YOu deserve it!

Ali - CONGRATULATIONS!!! Im actually a bit jelous of all you pregnant women!!

Hi LucaJacksMum and welcome!!

Amanda - I hope you get Cody sorted. Like you say, if he has had an ear infection and is teething he might just not feel 100%. Remember when you were little and if you didnt feel well you just wanted mummy or daddy.

Jaspen - hope you get a computer soon. We miss you!

Well, not much from me. Lachlan has been sleeping heaps better (not all the way through the night though!!)
He has had a cold though so i guess the demazin might be helping. He is eating really well. Trying really hard to walk. He now stands on his own for a few seconds and then falls down!

Well the wedding is less than a week away. Can you believe how quickly its come around. Its next saturday. I seem to be organised so im not stressing at all im actually looking forward to it. not nervous either!
Ill be sure to put some piccies on my website for you all!

Hope you are all having a great day!!

Dee I was thinking about you this morning and your wedding - woohoo!!

IK, you do have a way with words :). Nic, ditto what IK said, but not as eloquently from me ;)

Amanda - you're telling me that child number 4 can still give you headaches!! AY! Here's me thinking with number 2 I will be an old had at this kid raising thing (yeah right LOL). Hope you get your little one sorted. Have you tried SM33 gel for teething - I find it much better than bonjela.

Hiya Jaspen and Jess - glad you guys could pop in (wave!)

better go - had a big day out to Sky High Mount Dandenong (which to me sounds vaguely rude, but DH said I must be thinking of "mile high" LOL) lovely picnic despite the european wasps and then a visit to a mate in Knoxfield (out your way Mel!)

Gotta work tomorrow but I have got my mojo back big time - strangely the thought of being able to say to people "see you tomorrow" (I will be working mon, tues and thurs in the office and one day at home)) makes me feel so much more like I am really working than the two days in the office lark. I am actually looking forward to when DH finishes his masters and I can work mon, tues, thurs and fri in office and wednesdays from home - maybe I am just keen to get back to full time before this bub arrives and I have another babymoon....

see y'all soon :)

Nic - how are you feeling today? I hope the new day bought some smiles to you.

IK - I'll be going and checking out the Kahlua coffee at Aldi, sounds delicious!
How is Oscar today?

Amanda - its great news that Cody is crawling well now. I know what you mean about checking the floor for "little objects'. Chelsea has no idea and really doesn't care what things are left on the ground! It must be more difficult for you with more kids around and more toys. Marley started doing the screaming things before we went away and did it the first few nights of the holiday. My GF suggested I put her to sleep with a soft toy, Chelsea had taken 2 with her so I borrowed one and BINGO, it worked a treat. Rather than scream when I left the room, she was playing with the teddy and feel asleep with it under her arm (very cute). I went and got her own "flat bear" which she absolutely loves. Just a suggestion, but you may have already tried this.

Dee - glad to hear Lachlan is still sleeping better. I can't believe the wedding is less than a week away! You must be very excited and can't wait to see the photos. Have fun this week.

Rory - the wasps up in the Dandenongs are in plague proportion! MIL was going to head up there last week with her dogs and when she rang to book a restaurant, she was told it was really bad! What is the Sky High like (had to lol about the Mile High bit!!!!), my old boss was going to purchase it about 6 years ago but pulled out at the last minute. I haven't been up there to see what they have done with it. Next time you are out this way, call past for a coffee, I'm only about 5 mins from Knoxfield. Glad you got your mojo back, welldone!

Had yumcha with friends today and it was delicious! Then went to Myer to layby the girls some winter clothes (while the 25% off sale was still on). DH took the girls to the park and they had a lovely afternoon together. I am glad they get to spend some one on one with him (and I get a bit of a breather too lol!!!!).

Coffee time, so catch you tomorrow. :)

Good morning Junies :) D'oh! caught up with reading the past 4 days posts then Niall wakes up. Anyhow, had a fantastic holiday... back safe... look forward to getting back on here soon...

hello all,

sorry I have been MIA, but as I mentioned there are just not enough hours in the day at teh moment, but I still do like to pop in and check up on you all.

Nickers - glad to see your past 12 weeks, that is fantastic, and yes, I also remember your 'wet' incident - poor thing!

Ali - YEAH - congrats honey, that is FANTASTIC news... and Rory, yeah, you too! I'm so thrilled, I know you have wanted it for a while, congrats to you as well.

Dee - wow, one week till your a married woman! I will be thinking of you next Saturday, I really hope all goes super well for you. My only advise is to not sweat the small stuff, try not to be too in control, what will happen will happen and that will be your wedding day - whatever happens will be wonderful and memorable to you, and that is all that matters...enjoy

big hugs and hello to IK, Baths,Mel, Amanda, Japsen and Bellsmum, and everyone else my poor brain has forgotten, glad to see mostly all is well (dispite colds)..

all is well here, Ally still has no teeth and is still a belly crawler (which means a LOT of washing of white tops), but she and I are having so much fun, she points to everything and really wants to communicate with me. I am teaching her to sign, will keep you updated!
lol
CC

Hiya CeeCee! :) Wow so many old (and much missed) Junies popping back in again! And Welcome LJM to our group, looking forward to getting to know you and your bub. Niall is another active one: walking whilst holding onto furniture... and has 8 very sharp teeth with which he often bites me as I am still BFing. He drew blood again yesterday actually but it was only a little nip thankfully. Oh and *big hugs* Ali!!!! WooHoo! Such a fertile group of women we are, well done! Looking forward to hearing about your new journey too! You must be feeling sooo tired... any other symptoms?

Just got home from shops... had better unpack now... will be on and off until DH gets home... more later...

Oh, and I'm on my laptop now... no email function ATM

Hi all,
Dee - so close now! Thinking of you and hoping all goes well for Saturday, but more importantly, the future for you and DF :hug:
CC - great to read from you! Ally sounds like she's a blast, too!
Bath - don't go undoing your weekend of wellbeing by rushing around trying to be up to date with this thread!
Oscar is still feeling pretty crappy with this cold and cough thingy, but he's doing ok, considering. I think he's crossed that arbitrary line between taking steps and walking. I'm gonna just call it walking now. And Odin is very, very wary of this new ability!
The deck is coming along well, but I wonder if DP's forgotten about the fire grate he was making?? It's gonna get cold and we can't put our fire on without it, or we'll lose Oscar in it!
He likes avocado, too, I discovered last night. Funny little thing. I'm holding off on a haircut, though he could easily go for one. I know I should get him used to the hairdresser sooner rather than later, but his hair is so cute and partly curly, that I don't want to ruin the look!
Better get ready for MIL's 70th birthday dinner...

Bath - glad to hear you enjoyed your break. Did you manage to go out for dinner with DH and what was the hotel like?

CC - great to hear from you. Ally sounds like she is doing well and I know what you mean by the dirty white tops!!! Marley has graduated from dirty tops to dirty knees on her pants. I am forever soaking stuff. My GF's DS only cut his first tooth just before his first birthday. Its amazing the time span of first teeth. How awesome about signing, can't wait to hear more.

IK - Oscar may be the first to walk! How exciting. Deck sounds like it is going great guns and with all this good weather it will be finished in no time.

Back to swimming today for Chelsea and Marley starts on Wed. Chelsea had her first "playdate" with a friend from kinder today. They had a ball at her friends house and her mum was lovely. We chatted for 2 1/2 hours! I am so glad she has found a really nice little friend with a nice family too! Off to a funeral tomorrow. DH's nana passed away over the weekend. She died peacefully in her sleep aged 96! Thats the way I want to go. I didn't really know her very well and DH hasn't seen her in years. Girls are going to my GF's as I don't think they would sit still for the service.

Hiya Mel :) Sorry I've been caught up reading some other threads (one about Bee vomit LOL) and watching 1 vs 100 on TV. Nah, DH and I didn't get to have a meal by ourselves... but we did have wonderful room service and (Rory, as you have stayed here you might be interested):

* We had one of the largest suites... the size of an apartment... including two TVs (we only have one tv at home so that alone was a real treat).... it over looked the Yarra Valley and was on the top floor (The Holly Suite). Oh and it was at the Sebel, not the Sofitel.

* I took V & W to the indoor pool which we had to ourselves... there were heaps of pooly things for kids, floaties, kickboards and diving toys etc. I put wing floaties on W and took him up and down the pool - he'd never done that before but dealt with it really well.

* The buffet breakfast was incredible... almost every imaginable breakfast food was on offer, hot and cold. Wade loved the smoked salmon and sauteed mushrooms. Niall had a taste of basically everything I had. I lost count of how many new foods he had... probably a bit negligent of me... but he coped with everything and his poos were normal throughout our stay LOL

* It was wonderful only having to take our pram... portacot and highchairs were provided... it was more child-friendly than i had imagined.

*Went to Healesville Santuary: had a wonderful time... Birds of Prey show was amazing and Wade, who has a minor obsession with birds, was enthralled.
Dingo's started howling when we rolled up at their enclosure which was erie... it was like they could smell 'baby' LOL

* Had a wonderful lunch at The Yarra Valley Dairy. We are going to return there again real soon.

Anyhow... our trip has really inspired us to get away more often... short stays away from a Thursday to Sunday at least every 2 months.... next trip will be up to Castlemaine. We've learned of some great cabins and a resurrected railway line which has a Thomas steamtrain... that'll be in July.

I'm glad you and Nic had a lovely morning together Mel :) Oh and Nic: I recall clearly your "leaking" episode too but IK summed it all up so well... don't dismiss your emotional state at the moment as just being a result of your pregnancy hormones... you have valid feelings that anyone who had experienced trauma would still have. I can see that you are beginning to turn negatives into postives so keep moving in that direction. Almost everything has a positive slant, it just depends on the way you choose to look at it. I believe very strongly in the old adage: "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger". Your experience last Easter can make you stronger if you let it... but you are also allowed to feel scared... I guess most people kinda oscillate between feeling strong and weak in the face of extreme challege, no one expects you to be strong all the time... anyhow, through thick and thin we'll be here again to help you get to the other side chicky :)

Rory: I just need to let you know that I PML at your post about the 1000 count sheets! LOL you know me so well! hehe. The bed was fantastic BTW... gotta get us a King size!

Julie: Oh and I understand about stealing the kids' chocolate LOL Have done that in the past when they have received obsene ammounts of chocolate from relatives.... but I must be worse than you 'cos i didn't replace it! hehe

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY NIXON

:happyforyou:

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY NIXON

Nic I hope that the u/s goes well today and you enjoy this day fully, I will be keeping my fingers crossed that POWPOW is pink.

hugs xoxo

Happy Birthday to a sweet One Year old Nixon :)


Oscar is still poorly and clingy and snotty :( He didn't even get much joy out of seeing the dog this morning...that's very unlike him, but he'll come good soon. Meanwhile, my assignment remains unwritten. Which actually puts out two assignments (one due next week). I don't really want to leave my sick baby with anyone while I study, especially as I want him to have fresh BM whenever he wants it (the doc yesterday was pleased that he's been getting this). So, I may not be able to write much, but I'll read some other school stuff to catch up on the other things.
MIL loved the earrings Oscar got her for her birthday. A lovely evening was had at a Chinese restaurant off the mountain, despite Oscar being ill.
Mel - yep, the deck is mostly laid, DP will lay the rest tonight after work, chop off the overhang and then we've got the steps and the rails to think about. Oh, we've also had a back door in the kitchen that until now has dropped off to nothing. It WOULD be functional again...if DP could remember for the life of him where he put the key!
Well, Nickers, enjoy this milestone today, and I hope you've been nurturing yourself. You'll be back near your mum and sister soon, that's gotta lift you a bit :)

Thanks everyone!

well Nixon has had a fun day so far. woke up and after his bottle it was present time. He got a 3 wheeler trike with a hand out the back for mummy and daddy to push him along! he absolutley loves it, loves the bell on it and we took him for a ride down the street with it.

after that is was off to get our ultrasound. all went well and i'll update details in my preggy journal soon.
From there we headed back to the Mercy where it all began. My gf from mothers group works in nicu so met up with her and she took me inside. all the memories come flooding back, the smells, the beeps, the quietness of no babies crying. I did really well, im so glad i went back b4 leaving. I seen some very tiny babies born at 24weeks 500-600grams, it was quiet surreal.
Once i started seeing bubs around Nixon's birth size i was still taken back by their size. seen a few nurses that i recognised but unfortinatley the main DR i remember has moved interstate and the main girl wasnt on.
So i asked my gf in lamens (sp?) terms how sick was Nixon. As it was all sort of a blur back then, the termonology was overwhelming we didnt really know just how sick he was.
Without scaring me she said he was quiet critical in the first 72hrs. she told me of some disease they call it prems can have (big long word) that i never remember hearing of and it main concern (other then the immature lungs) was the seizures he had which they were quite concerned about. He was treated for it at the time ahd it of continued he would of had an MRI. The only way to tell if it is all ok is developmental milestones. Which clearly he is on top of that.
Im a little surprised the Paed never brought this up at all his check ups, but i suppose thats what he was looking for at the appointments.
anyway i really feel somewhat recovered after that and i can now move on.

Anyway my trooper is having a nap and when he wakes up he's gonna be having some cake mummy made for him yummo!

Happy First Birthday Nixon! *Mwah mwah* Such a special day... I hope you enjoyed mummy's cake! That trike sounds great too... you'll all get many years of use from that!

Well I'm trying to sort out an Ebay issue :( Peter Rabbit calendar has not arrived. I gave it 3 months incase it was sent by sea. Am pretty annoyed and disappointed... wont buy anything else from ebay unless it's sold from here in Melbourne where i can collect it in person.

Amanda: How is Cody?... sorry I didn't respond to your last post sooner... been a bit dithery lately... please let me know... is he still clingy?

back later...

Bath - hope you make use of the negative feedback facility if the seller gives you no joy. I've ordered things from OS before with no problems thus far. I've just bought a webcam for my Mac so that I can do videoconferencing with my sister in NZ (just have to send her over the one I have here for PC, then we're set!). I've ordered a meditation cushion from Thailand, electronic goods from HK, and Tupperware from Malaysia! I'm currently also waiting on an aromatherapy oils box being sent from Malvern - bit nervous, it's a first time seller and they were a little jumpy about sending bank details by email and I had to contact them by mobile phone, which is poor form, especially as I have a 100% positive feedback rate and all the comments are about prompt payment. Hmph, newbies!
Nic - a visit to NICU sounds like just what the doctor ordered. Doesn't sound like it was too confronting, rather it seems like it was a bit of therapy.
Could Oscar get any clingier?? Poor thing, he doesn't realise that his illness is leaving me frayed at the edges and that's really testing DP's patience. We've been a bit edgy with each other in the last few days. But he has heeded something I said and helped me with the washing and helped with the dishes, too. I'm trying to be everything to everyone...and we know that doesn't really work very well! Plus, he saw my credit account for last month. It's pretty ouchy. But nothing really frivolous on there. The biggest purchases were at the supermarket. Anyway, I'm sure that accounts for some of the surliness today (not many words have been exchanged between us). I'd better cook something nice tonight, to appease the edginess. I DID make him a coffee, though, so I hope it was nice (I've been practicing with our machine - you'd think a machine would sort me out, but I can ruin a perfectly good machine coffee, too!!). I've managed to tidy a bit of our room that was covered in clothes. Hard to do with Oscar being so velcro-y.
I went for a drive to Sassafras (sun was out, it was inviting, and it's only 5 mins up the road) and got two tomato plants for $4...all up! Both have fruits but the nursery is clearing them. I bought Oscar some very small toys from the toy shop and was totally inspired for first birthday and Christmas presents. They have some awesome fire stations, fire trucks and wooden playstations with those twisty beady things. They also have Wheely Bugs, but they don't appeal as much as some of the other toys I saw there. I LOVE their musical instruments. I'd love to get Oscar a xylophone.
I'm working on DP for a second dog. There's one going to a good home and it's perfect, but for some reason, DP is resistant. He doesn't want a big dog (feed costs), check, lively personality, check, cheap to run, check, good with kids, check. I think he's sold, but with the current ambience, he might be stringing me out a little before he relents.
Anyway, that's all about me (for a change ;) ).
How's work this week, Rory?
Amanda - any clues about Cody's clinginess?
Dee - 4 more sleeps, isn't it?
Better go and do some more tidying - can't be helping things to have a chaotic bedroom when it should be our haven from the world...

Yep (IK), really helps to have a bedroom sanctuary when you are overwhelmed by family life... I'm also a bit into Feng Shui and our bedroom is in our Knowledge sector so I would hate to think that my thoughts and other mental faculties were as disorganised and chaotic as the rest of the house! ;)

Well Niall is currently polishing off another Goulburn Valley fruit snack (apple puree). DH is going to be late tonight :( Watching The Bill won't be the same without him... might get back on here instead...

ETA: just frozen pizza for us tonight... and a very rough red in a chipped hand-me-down wine glass.... far cry from the Sebel's crystal wine glasses and lovely local drops.... oh well... if it wasn't for the mundane the special wouldn't be special I guess!

Hey all, quick one from me to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY NIXON!!! and lots of love to the little darling :)

Bath - loved reading about the Sebel - such a nice place! Did you notice how deep the baths are!!

IK - hope Oscar lets up on the clingyness - and Amanda same goes for Cody. What is it with clingy boys and their mums??

Good to hear from ya Ceecee and Dee - so look forward to hearing about the wedding :)

Work is great - I loved being there two days in a row - I felt so much more professional IYKWIM? I am really looking forward to ramping up the hours - the money is good and I am doing some really interesting stuff.

Better go - gotta clean the house and get ready for tomorrow - my "day off" as people at work call it. Yeah - not only do I work 1 day a week from home but I have a house and a baby to run LOL!!!

I got a marathon session in for tidying our room! I let Oscar make a mess in a corner and kept working on another area. DP cooked dinner (lovely roo roast) and now Oscar is in the sling being wooed by slumberland...
Rory - I know why he's being clingy, in my case. I don't mind him being clingy if he's sick, I'd just rather he not be sick! When he's not sick he's happy to entertain himself, but he can't do that for long at the moment without getting upset about all the snot running down his face and then just being upset about being sick. His cough sounds awful. I want my healthy boy back!! Great that work is interesting - also makes the days go quicker when you can get stuck into something. When I had an office job I looked forward to the meaty jobs, and when there was a lull I would think about how I hated working in the city and daydreamed about being out with my horse. I'm not very cut out for desk bound work, I discovered! But if it's interesting, that's different :)
Bath - I like how you think - I, too, subscribe to the theory that the bad times make the good times that much better (or mundane, ugly etc).
Let's see if this boy sleeps for more than half an hour. If not, I might have to hop in bed with him so that he stays asleep.

ok finally we have finished packing, finished cleaning and ready for Sydney tomorrow!
have to leave about 7.30am so needed to get it all sorted tonight and also having an open house while we are gone so house needed cleaning big time. Half of it we had to leave till Nix went to bed otherwise he'd just dirty it again!

Dee- GOOD LUCK ON SATURDAY! and congratulations! I look forward to seeing some photo's of your special day and once im in syd for good, meeting up with you guys.
IK- i hope Oscar decides he needs sleep and drifts off soon
Rory- glad your enjoying work. im enjoying doing tupperware and looking forward to going back 2 days a week shortly. i never thought i'd say that! i think id be happy to never have to go back full time again but this few days a week thing i think will work out
Bath- 3months! OMG your patient! hope you get it sorted out and u get it soon. was it a 2007 calender cause by the time u get it half of it will be useless now. they should offer some sort of refund if thats the case. glad you had a great trip also.

well i'll prob jump on a few times when i sydney but incase not i hope everyone and all bubs stay well, speak soon
xoxo

Well for the past two nights in total I've had about 6hrs sleep, Lauchlan and Wyatt have both had a vomitting bug had fevers with it and I took Cody to the doctors today and he has a slightly retracted ear drum in his left ear and a slightly pink throat, nothing that needs medication. He also is cutting his 5th tooth which could be what the clingyness is about and I was also talking to DH tonight and I thought that maybe it could be him just wanting attention, really I have no idea. The doctors said if I think he's getting worse to come back and see him before the weekend cause that's when we're off to Coffs Habour.

Bath it sounds like you had a wonderful time away, how's the search going for your helper.

Ali and Rory any m/s yet? How are you going in general?

IK I can totally understand how hard it would be to study with a sick bubby, cause it's hard enough trying to keep the house tidy with my sick ones.

Nic sounds as tho your visit to the NICU has helped you some, hope you have a great time in Sydney and Nixon enjoys his party.

Ok I'm off, I can't concentrate properly so if my personals lack a little something tonight sorry.

hugs xoxo

Aw Amanda, once again I am in awe of you all with more than one kidlet! How to juggle between sick bubbas! I just hope I am as up to the task as you obviously are :)

Hope all is a bit better tomorrow.......

Bath - Sebel sounds beautiful. You have to love good hotel buffet b'fasts! Wade has such good taste. Bit annoying about your ebay calendar. Like IK said, make sure you leave negative feedback if you don't get a good solution.

IK - can't wait to see the finished deck! Hope you manage to convince DP about a second dog. I am still trying to decide what type of dog to get. I wanted one before I go back to work so it can get used to the house. Poor Oscar, they do get so clingy when sick. I had a week of it with Marley but she most slept, when she was awake it was a constant whinge unless I picked her up. He should hopefully be better soon (once the green snot goes away!). Did you get extensions for your assignments? Marley found Chelsea's tamborine and loves it. Just keeps bashing it on the ground!

Nic - sounds like Nixon had a wonderful day and what a cool present! He'll be scooting around on it by himself in no time. Hope he enjoyed his cake. Love the new picture on your ticker. Sounds like your visit to the NICU was good therapy and maybe just what you needed. I am so glad to hear you felt better after it. Have a great trip to Sydney.

Amanda - poor boys! Must be hard when more than one is sick. I hope they all get better by the weekend for your camping trip.

Rory - glad to hear you are enjoying work. Do you find it better doing 2 consecutive days or split days? I am still trying to decide what days to go back so any advice you have would be helpful. Enjoy your "day off"!!!

DH's nana's funeral went well today. It was a full Catholic service which was a bit confusing for me as I was a bit lost in some parts. My GF did a great job of looking after 4 kids. Marley climbed up 2 stairs which I didn't think she could do. She starts swimming tomorrow so I am very excited (except having to get back into bathers again lol!!!).

Night all!

Was thinking about Oscar walking and remembered Charlee - how are you, Kel? It's been a while since your last post. How's the walking capers? Pretty sure Charlee is the first to walk amongst our kiddies (Oscar was taking fewer steps and Charlee went walkabout), and Oscar is the youngest to walk (Charlee was 10 months to the day!) - he's been walking for about a week, so it's only about a week's difference.
OK, Oscar seems in better form (still snotty though), but my throat feels suspiciously like it's trying to tell me I'm coming down with something. That's all I need.
Lovely day in Melb!

Good afternoon :) Such a gorgeous day... going outside to enoy the last of the sunshine soon...

IK: Oh hope you don't go down with a cold too! Sometimes I'd rather be sick myself than have the kids sick... or DH... at least I know how to look after myself and suffer in silence. Even trying to get water down the throats of my sick family (not including Niall, he's a good water drinker even when he has a cold) is hard work! It can be so frustrating when you try to tell them how to look after themselves and you are just ignored. Verity will be moaning and groaning yet refuse to keep warm (for example) she won't put slippers on... simple stuff like that, drives me crazy! But I know you'd be a good patient ;)

Rory: It just occured to me that I will have to add a preggy belly to your av soon! :) Let me know if you want any other alterations. Nic: I sent AstroLady your preggy av ages ago... hope she received it... it's been a while now... you might have to ask her in the av thread.

ok... gotta go... Verity home and Wade is being silly trying to get her attention... and Niall has woken up...

Yep, gotta drink more water! I'm not faring too badly, but Oscar is still fretting if I walk away from him (most of the time, sometimes he's ok on his own), and he has a poo that is nearly 2 days late! That can't be comfy!
Some odd news: my neighbour's daughter has gone missing with a friend. Well, apparently, she has. Myself and another neighbour think she may have run away even though the friend's parents reckon their child hasn't done that before. I'm not sure what to make of it and if I should say anything to my neighbour. I went round with some egg cartons (they have chooks and I've intended for some time to take my cartons round, now seemed as good a time as any) and just backed out of saying anything to the step-father (who is really quite a nice man).
Edited - out of respect

hi folks,

Haven't managed to post for a few days dues to one or the other of my little darlings waking up just as i start typing.
LJM - Hi and welcome to Junies! Will doesn't say anything yet other than uh-ohh when something happens that shouldn't or he knows he's being naughty. He's crawling everywhere and pullinghimself up onto his knees.
IK - How long are you going to Ireland for? do you have family there?How are you feeling about the flight? We are going back to the UK for 6 weeks in August and i'm DREADING the flight over. I've flown over before when Oscar was 8 1/2 months just me and him and even though it was a nightmare (BA stuffed up and didn't give me a bassinet) Oscar was really well behaved. Hope your Oscar is feeling better and that you're not coming down with it. The goings on in your village does sound odd - like the mum isn't worried/doesn't care!
Ali - Congratulations on your BFP. Hopefully i'll join you soon as we would like #3 but at the rate we're going would be immaculate conception!:lol:
Nic - Happy Birthday to Nixon for yesterday. I hope he had a lovely day and you just thought about the positive bits of this time last year.
Dee - Hope you have a fantastic wedding on Saturday and all the best for the future for you and hubby.
Jaspen - Hi, Hope you get a computer soon. How did your 1st summer in TSV go? How was Samuel with the heat? At least you had good rain this year - we didn't the 4 1/2 years we were there!
Bath - Sounds like you had a fab time away, the hotel sounded lovely. Poor you with Lachlan having so many teeth and biting you while feeding. Will has only bitten me once and that was a shock! I have to say that now he has teeth at top and bottom i am finding bf very uncomfortable and am looking forward to Will being one so i can stop and he can have cows milk. (Although i gave him a yoghurt this arvo and he's been very sick so i'm not sure about the whole dairy intolerance which is odd as i gave him one last week and he was fine).
Amanda - Hope your boys are feeling better and you are getting some more sleep.

Poor Will has a black eye at the moment. He was kneeling up at his activity table and i think he must have overbalanced or tried to stand and fell and caught his eye on it on the way down. There were 2 small cuts just below the eye and on the edge of his nose so it must have been a hard landing and good job whatever he caught didn't get actually in his eye.

I actually went out last night for the first time in months. I went with a gf to see Music and Lyrics at a latish showing and stuffed myself with popcorn. I really liked the film, so funny and feel-good and good old fashioned happy ending!

Anyway thats me done. Hope everyones good.

Julie x

Bath - you are oh so right about being sick! DH has a cold at the moment and he is driving me crackers! Thankfully he is on nightshift so I can sleep peacefully without him snorting or blowing his nose constantly (or listen to him complaining lol!!!).

IK - glad to hear you haven't caught the full effects yet and Oscar is fairing better. It does sound very odd with your neighbour. Maybe she knows that her daughter has left and would rather say she "ran away".

Julie - poor Will! He and Marley would look a right pair at the moment. She has bruises everywhere! She had my keys on Monday and fell on them and grazed her cheek which has now come up into a nice blue bruise, then today she was trying to climb over the rung of our bar stools and feel forward head first onto the tiles so another blue egg on her forehead! She is so accident prone, its embarassing! Great to hear you had a nice night out and I would love to see that movie, will have to see it (or get it on dvd) know after your recommendation. I think the kids are psychic, they hear the keys clicking away and know its time to wake uplol!!!

I had a great day today. Marley had her first day at swimming and she loved it! She did much better than Chelsea did when she first started. She was splashing so bad that I ended up being soaked. She did spend a lot of time trying to put her face in the water and subsequently drank lots of it! She then cracked it when it was time to get out. After that my GF and I went to lunch at one of our favourite cafes in Glen Waverley and it was so nice eating out with only one child. Had a yummy lunch, great coffee and enjoyed the sunshine as we had a table outside. Came home did some washing, Marley had a good sleep (the swim lesson really wore her out) so a good day all round.

Tomorrow looks like it will be just as nice as today. :)

Julie, Flynn cut his lip yesterday - silly bugger! all is well though - gosh they are uncos at this stage!

My news is my SIL (DH's sister) had her baby yesterday - a little boy called Angus Gulliver Parker (yes, Gulliver - and we are getting $hit for chosing Rex if we have a boy!) I don't know the details but he was induced 3-4 weeks early because SIL's waters broke and in the photos there are no tubes sticking out of him so all looks ok at this stage :)

better go - at work today :(

To our beautiful babies, I can't believe ten months have flown by already!
Happy 10 months to Nathan Oscar and Marley :confetti:

Sounds like Will, Marley and Flynn would look great together at the moment with all their bumps and bruises.

Sounds like you had a fab day yesterday Mel, i love days like that when everything works out as it's not that often they happen here!

Congratulations to your SIL Rory - it's Aunty Rory now. I like the name Angus, Gulliver is an 'interesting' name!

Will's not feeling great today. He has had runny nappies for a couple of days but they have definitely been bad this morning and he threw up all his breakfast at once which definately wasn't the reflux. I thought it was odd yesterday when he threw up so bad after his yoghurt (which was the 3rd time i'd given him yoghurt and he'd been fine the first 2 times) then he didn't want his tea which is unheard of as he's like a human waste disposal usually. he was really clingy this morning and just wanted cuddles which is fine but hopefully he'll feel abit better when he wake up. oscar had a dodgy nappy yesterday arvo and a full on nasty one this morning and is abit quieter than normal so i guess they have some sort of tummy bug between them. I won't take them to the story time this morning at the library as i don't want to pass it on but i am going to have to take them shopping at some point today as like mother hubbard our cupboards are totally bare!

Good morning :) Hi Julie, uh oh more tummy bugs Hope it passes soon for them and that you don't catch it too... or worse still: your DH! LOL Sounds like I'm not the only one to have a man on his death-bed every time he catches a sniffle... as they say "women have colds, men have the flu!" Oh and Music and Lyrics is a great movie... went to see it too... highly recommended especially if you are teenager of the 80's.

Well I have a rental inspection to prepare for tomorrow so I've got to spend all day cleaning.... just got home from Wade's French Music classes... a bit tired but better hop to it... might need to take a break when Niall has his nap but until then have a lovely day Junies.

ETA: Well I'm going to get in BIG TROUBLE girls. I've been moving furniture.... including the computer desk... which always really annoys the cr@p out of DH... until he realises that it's better my way afterall :p Better get back to it... Wade is occupied outside so it's a bit easier.

Rory - congrats on becoming an aunty! I love the name Angus (was on my list) but Gulliver is a bit out there! Uncos is right lol!!! Hope Flynn doesn't end up with a fat lip!

7th - thanks for the reminder! Happy 10 mths to Nathan and Oscar. Nic is usually the one to remind me lol!!! You are so right, 10 mths has flown by.

Julie - hope the bug passes soon and leaves you alone. It must be the time for tummy bugs and I've heard so many stories recently.

Bath - "women have colds, men have the flu!" - spot on lol!!!! How often do they do the rental inspection? Happy cleaning.

Nice quiet day today. Chelsea at kinder and I chatted on the phone this morning to my GF in USA! We tried our weekly messenger chat but it wasn't working too well for some reason so she just phoned! She is due to have her second bubba in 3 weeks so she is very excited but nervous. Off to cook up Marleys food for the week so i'll pop back later.

Hope everyone is having a good day :)

I have just been hastily reading through here trying to catch upon everyones news. Feeling very tired at the moment, more for the fact that Tori hasnt been well (sounds like she is not the only one) she has been a total SNOT monster the last few days, plus she is cutting teeth, so like Oscar she has been a clingy baby. Not that I mind too much because she is becoming so independent that it is nice toget the occasional cuddle and love.

Bath- It sounds like your holidays went beautifully. Isnt it funny, you dont realise how much you need to get away untill you actualley get away for a few days. I was thinking about you the other day and wondering whether you ended up going ahead and hired a mothers helper?

Rory- Congrats on becoming an Aunty, it is wonderful news. I also love the name Angus, but DH wasnt impressed with it when I suggested it for Tori if she was a boy.

Mel- Glad to hear that Marley enjoyed her swimming today. We have decided not to put Tori in this term because she was getting to cold in the last few lessons last term, by the end of the lessons she had blue lips and would cry when she got out because she was so cold. We will start up again in the summer.

Julie- Glad to hear that you enjoyed your night out. I am dying to go to the movies, have been since abot Nov last year.

IK- Sorry to hear that you and Oscar are not well, sounds exactley like what is going on in our house, Tori with a snotty nose, my and DH with sore throats. I hope that you recover quickly. I cant believe that Oscar is walking, that is so exciting.

Amanda- Sounds like you have had your hands full with sick kids. I am not really suffereing to much m/s yet thank goodness.

Nic- I hope that you are having a lovely time in Sydney with your family.

Well all is going well with the pg. so far, I havent been nearly as sick yet as I was by this stage last time. Have a few waves on nausea but havent been sick yet which is a great relief, although on the down side, I spend all my time worrying that something might go wrong. Oh well only another 7 odd weeks untill the first scan (it seems like forever away).

OHHHHHHH I forgot to say good luck with the wedding on Saturday Dee Ihope that it is a beautiful and magical day for you and your DP.

Good morning :)

Hiya Ali: going to ask the pastor at our church if he knows of any reliable retired ladies who might want a few hours work. It's taken so long to arrange because I've been trying to find a new printer cartridge for our dinosaur of a printer... anyhow...long protracted process but it'll happen soon hopefully. I've also been wondering about whether I should ask for a Child Workers card... not sure... what do you think? (being a teacher)... I'll generally be here with her... but she will probably take the boys to the park etc. My intuition tells me that it should be ok... that I'll know if she's fine etc... but I guess I shouldn't be too trusting.

Well it's official: this house is the tidiest it has ever been! WooHoo... am just waiting for the real estate woman to arrive now... she's due before noon. We don't have inspections very often now... they know we are good tenants... but this woman is a new property manager and I think she might want to check out the house. Anyhow, it's good to have an inspection on a Friday... leaves us with an immaculate house for the weekend... even better...we are going away to stay with an old school friend and his expectant wife in Leongatha this weekend so the house will be tidy for our return. So, anyone want to come around? As FlyLady would say: we don't have CHAOS anymore (can't have anyone over syndrome) LOL.

ETA: She's been and gone! :) Once again very happy with us and is going to ask the owners about replacing the back fence... but I don't have my hopes up... the rent we pay is probably $100 short of what they could get for this property... we've got a good deal... but you never know! Now I can read back and do some proper replies...