babies Born June 2006 #51

OK, not sure how Oscar could get any cuter. He's really melting me this week - he understands soooooooo much!
I'll give a run down of the rally, now that I've got some thinking time:
Got into Canberra airport later than scheduled cos there was a knock-on effect of delayed flights, and my friend Mel (doulamelanie here on BB) collected my GF, her DD and I. She tells me she met someone I knew in the foyer of the hotel...it was Kazbah! We get into the hotel, crash through the doors and I headed to the mini-bar for a packet of chips. We all cooed over GF's DD, who had only just turned 1 the week before. I was sent into the bathroom to have a luxurious bath with a hot chocky and some handmade truffles we'd ordered as room service (we thought 'what the hell?") and then settled in for a great night's sleep with no DP stinking out the room or Oscar coming in during the night....bliss!
Woke up in teh morning and it was grey and drizzly. No matter, we were pumped and sms'ing and calling other people we knew who were around. I missed my pool session to watch the stupid Sunrise session - what a wasted opportunity! We all went down to brekky and I thought I might get a swim in for later, so I didn't do my hair. As we're at the buffet, we see Tracy Bartram come in and Mel talks birthy stuff with her briefly...I raid the Coco Pops dispenser with the glee of a madwoman. Mel did an interview with the smallest doco maker team present that day, then they ask if I want to say something...argh! My hair!! I figure I'm not going to miss my opportunity for a few offending follicles (shut up, I know, I have way more than just a few follicles...).
We realised the time had marched on and I wasn't going to get my swim and I had enough time to dash into the shower and get dressed to make it in time to the Tent Embassy to meet with our local MP. Well, we did and he was really on board with what we had to say (and has been since last year, way before the Bills were introduced) and so supportive - he's there in a piccy with us on the steps of Old Parliament House in about two or three local papers (he did a press release).
From the Tent Embassy we walked up to Federation Mall and walking up that hill was amazing - the amount of people spread before us was very inspiring, despite the rain and cold. We ran into Cookiemonster and her family (I was with Kaz as well) on the way up and just kept running into people I knew for the rest of the rally! I saw Kelly and her fella, loads of Homebirth in the Hills people, my midwives (very comforting to know they were there!), as well as some people I know through ABA circles. It was interesting to hear myself explaining to Jason Wood (our MP) that we all know each other through various, sometimes intersecting networks - isn't that just the way the Mummy Network operates? School, sport, boobs, birth? It's our strength and can also be our 'weakness', given that our lack of formal collectivity has allowed the fragmentation of our rights, and our interconnectedness has brought us together for important things. Anyhow, I digress.
We got wet, but we were also excited to be acknowledged by so many pollies who are actually on our side with real facts, instead of one-liners practised to ensure votes. Inspired by the women's stories we heard, too. Dr Sarah Buckley spoke and I spoke with her briefly afterwards (we've been in contact before through Facebook). Tracy Bartram was just perfect as the MC.
We broke off and my small group went for a big lunch and back for a look-see at Parliament House. The flight home was like a charter flight for all the Vic supporters...yet knowing it was only one flight back home amongst many planes carrying people who felt strongly enough to lend a face and voice (or who weren't so far advanced in pregnancy!). Again, heartening to know my middies were on that flight, too!
So, there you have it, my Canberra experience. Informed and inspired by so many women from BB and from my local networks :)
Bath - hope the night isn't too cold at the G!
Better go, DP has nearly finished filling the birth pool for the trial run...

I am so proud to know you Maya, what a great experiance that would have been, not that I would ever be brave enough to have a home birth myself I believe its our rights as mothers to choose the way we have our children....

Mel sounds like you have been having a ball in Brisbane... I think I am the only one who doesnt get out and about on my own, I havent been anywhere with out at least one child by my side since having Zayden, my time will come one day I am sure... maybe when BHL has a noraml job so that I dont feel guilty leaving him on his days off...

Well not much to say here, we are still TTC our little one with out any luck, BHL is no longer sure he wants to even have a 4th which is heart breaking... we are still TTC for now but I know that my time is fast running out, if it doesnt happen by Christmas I dont think it will... I am Hating Mackay, so I have been feeling quite down, hence been a bit quite, I told BHL that I would like to be back in Cairns by the end of next year, so we will see what happens, I am missing Melb and my family heaps which isnt helping, Kai walks around with a photo of her nanny and granddad and tells me she is missing them, so that is also very hard... things just dont seem to be going right for us at the moment BHL also doesnt like Mackay so at least that something, but been new in the job he doesnt want to ask about other sites just yet...

well thats about it

love you all I miss our dayly chats we used to have... but I guess as our junies get older and new children come along, things too must change...

oh i hope your get that BFP soon mate! the added stressof knowing if it doesnt happen soon it wont happen might be making things harder.

Maya- sounds like a very productive and inspirational trip, i cant beleive you only have a couple of weeks "maybe" to go!

Hello to everyone, hope allis well

Good morning girls :grouphug:

School holidays are in full swing now. The kids are running through the house in one door and out the other as I type.

Maya: great report! :thumbsup: Well done chicky! Weather was fine at the G... result was not :( oh well...there's always another year!
Tali: :bluedust: for you... I hope you get the best Christmas present imaginable with a BFP.
Nic: Good to see you :)

I think our Junies thread will keep pottering along ;) I know what you mean Tali about children growing older and new ones arriving on the scene but this will still be a constant because we have so many lovely members in this thread. I post fairly lightly in here only because I have so many other threads vying for my attention eg ATM a Cholestasis thread that somebody needs help with... but I always drop in here and read what everyone is up to.

Well, Bath, at least the Pies lost!! I was sorry bout the doggies.
Our Junies are still giving us good conversation here, I agree :) I always come back here, too, when the other boards fray at me a bit. Also, I avoid talking about Oscar in my current belly buddies thread except where it's related to pregnancy and making comparisons etc. so that the first timers don't feel like an older child is intruding on their headspace! Particularly at this stage of the game where we are all waiting on newborns, and that's the only reality for many of them - I'm cool with that :)
So, I think I'm the last one standing in this thread who hasn't had a second kid YET...always the last to catch onto a trend ;)
I have my GF on board with my intention to have Oscar here no matter how grotty he may be. DP is still thinking of a 'back up plan' in case Oscar is flying off his nut from tiredness or whatever and I keep saying that he stays with us, no matter what because having this baby is about our family, thick or thin. He's now outnumbered :p I can see where he's coming from, I just want him to see that it's more important for Osc to be integrated into this change (particularly if we're going to be home and HE'S the one who leaves) than for him to attend to me in labour (as I'll have at least one middie and my GF!) if GF can't deal with him, for whatever reason. Both GF and I recall our younger siblings being born and being sent away (we both would have been about 2 at the time and the memory is still palpable) and I never want Osc to feel that we can't deal with him (not till he's a grotty 13 year old!). So, that was really the last sticking point that I think isn't that sticky with the middies and GF on board with the same idea as mine.
So far, he's handling it great - he talks about meeting the baby in the birth pool and we were chatting about helping the baby with clothes, baths and sharing Babu. I'm glad we waited till Oscar was a lot more articulate and able to reflect back his understanding, it's been a much more bearable journey for it.
I'm still in a state of flux over kinder next year - does he come with me to uni and do the kinder program? Will we even live somewhere I can travel to uni from or will I be studying from home? In that case, will I send Osc to a childcare place that has kinder? Or just kinder and hope for the best in study time? If we have moved further out, where's my head gonna be with my trusty support networks so far away and establishing new ones? ARGH! We need a long lost relative to leave us with a good inheritance so that we don't have to move too far for what we want!
Nic - how is Nix going with the appointments?
Tali - never say never!
Bugger, neighbour's kids have come to play...why wouuld their parents do that when I'm 38 weeks pg? It's hard enough keeping Oscar from mischief!!

Oh no! I hope the neighbours kids are behaving themselves! I so know what it's like being the recepticle of every kid in the neighbour despite feeling fragile! I had 7 kids to look after by myself on last weeks rainest day!!!

Regarding siblings at birth: on reflection it's something I wish I could have offered Wade (I think Verity would have felt uncomfortable about it at age 9) when Niall was born. And also, not just for his sake... for mine! I really think having Wade there to cuddle between contractions would have helped my own natural ability to deal the pain. I took photos of Wade as a newborn along to my hospital labour... they really helped... but having him there would have been better. So good on you... I'm sure he'll be fine... and benefit in many ways. People assume that a child watching a birth would be "scary" just in the same way that it scares some women watching TV doco style births... but kids have a totally different outlook. It's like how a young child would happily go up to a snake and crouch down next to it for a closer look... the child only receives fear by a contagious process. I'm not saying that giving birth is like a snake! LOL Maybe a poor analogy... although I'm not that scared of snakes... they don't mean to be dangerous after all ;) Anyhow, I'm just one for normalising every aspect of life for kids when they are young.... not making everything taboo by hiding everything... a bit like death too... a child shouldn't be sheilded (I think) from death. If a pet dies when the child is at school i would never suggest getting rid/burying the animal before the child got home. I'd involve the child in the farewell and grieving process. I just think it's respectful.

Well the house is quiet... Verity and Wade are playing with the neighbours out the front and Niall is in the foyer playing with his Thomas the Tank Engine trains :)

DH on leave for a week as of tomorrow :dance: we're going to shift furniture!!! :leap:

(double post)

I agree, Bath - kids tend to fear what their parents fear. I've heard so many parents (through the Homebirth network) say that their kids have such a normal idea of birth with no fear about it :) They also reckons it makes a big difference in sibling relations (at least for the younger years!) to see their baby brother or sister being born.
My parents' dog died a few weeks ago and I decided to tell Oscar right away. I didn't want to explain it to him when they got here and he'd ask for the dog, and he 'gets it' as much as a 3yo can get the fact that the dog's not going to be around anymore. He was a bit young this time last year to fathom that his great grandfather had died. I had to explain to him that our dog was not well over the weekend and he eventually caught onto what that meant, too.
Well, the neighbour parent sent over sangas and melon, so that sweetens the deal a bit (sangas for the kids, I can eat my own thing from the safety of my study!). Geez, older kids need a lot more attention! I've got either brother or sister dobbing on the other or on Oscar - sheesh. Ok, one's gone home now, so I'm just dealing with the sister (who's too scared to watch the Dark Crystal, so Oscar has just learned to compromise and watch Hairy McLary!). The little brother sulked home after scratching his leg in a fall and I think I was supposed to make a bigger deal of it than it actually was...oh, well! All is quiet and I can think again...ETA: little brother is back with a Ben10 toy (fan-friggin-tastic) and they're watching The Silver Brumby. Oh, dear, what happened to my chilled out day??

Oh how true! (that older kids are harder!) The bigger that get the sneakier too! Oh the tricks teens can get up too! :wall:

*proudly sporting a new caption under my username* :D

Thanks so much, Bath :hug: :hug:
Teens - one thing at a time! These kids weren't so bad in the end. It almost ended in tears - Oscar got kicked in the groin by a frustrated 4 and a bit year old and we all had to have a talk about it. I'm sure he thought he was going to be sent home and be told off. Instead, about 15 minutes later he came into the study (where I can get a good view of loungeroom and the backyard) and said that Oscar had hit him on the hand, so I had a talk with Oscar about it. So far, since growing out of his experimental hitting from earlier days, he doesn't hit in frustration or retaliation (he hits ME in frustration, but not other kids), so it would be nice if he didn't get kicked in the nuts in his own house!
I hadn't really done this before, the having neighbours kids over - it's a new world for me! When they've come over, DP's been home and in the backyard and I've been able to hide in the house (it's only been happening recently), so it was bound to happen these school holidays.
Thanks for being online, Bath, to read my banter about it!
Better go do the things I foolishly thought I'd get done whilst 'supervising'...hope everyone is well and still enjoying the Cats win ;)

Maya we had Zayden in the room when we had Mayleaka, wasnt by choice as we were in a hospital but she came 2 weeks early before I had anyone up to look after him...

He coped wonderfully, he did have kids TV on, and did tell you to be quite a few time coz I was making too much nosie for him...

I cant say that he remembers any of it but he was only just 3 when I had May... He was getting a little bit board there for a awhile but lucky for all of us may arrived only 4 hrs after comming into the hospital...

Best of luck with your up coming birth, I am sure it will be a really speacil experance...

Speaking of homebirths I was reading a thread by Alan about one he did, and realise he lives near me ( well near Cairns ) so if I do ever manage the what seem the imposiable at the moment, I might just consider using him in a homebirth, if that is we as woman can still have them...

Fingers crossed you can have Alan take a ferry across for you one of these days soon, Tali!! Awesome story, huh? Thanks for your story about Zayden; Oscar will be about the same age and if he's watching a DVD on the computer, we may get told to take the music volume down! A friend of mine had an unplanned homebirth with her last child and the kids didn't realise what was happening and were watching TV. They were asking for snacks and she had to tell them to get snack themselves cos she was 'busy'...next thing, they've got a little brother!
I've pulled up well from yesterday - I don't expect the kids over today, it's too windy and wet. Oscar is watching the Dark Crystal...bad mummy, but he was in tears from being told he could watch it later - he wanted it NOW. There aren't that many movies he gets attached to, he's been liking the Muppets, too with the Rainbow Song.
He mentioned being kicked in the groin by the neighbour again when I tucked him into bed last night :( I hope it doesn't stick in his mind for too long!

Hi all,

I've been MIA.....sorry, I've had a shocker of a winter, someone sick every week and it was just way to much to handle I think. I just couldn't post, I've read almost all posts.

I've had a sick free house for just over a week now so hopefully everything is getting back to normal, Julian still only has 6 teeth.....he is chewing everything in sight. He's also walking around furniture and can stand unaided and has taken a step from the coffee table to the chair I was sitting on this morning, so I think that he'll most probably be walking by his birthday.

We're getting some pixie photos done on Saturday morning and I'm hoping that I'll be able to get one done with him in his birthday MCN that we got him, as well as a family shot and one of just the 5 boys.

Cody is growing so fast and he's quite the character....he's chatting constantly, whether to himself or his brothers and even DH and I, very funny at times. He also has quite a temper at time as well so have to keep an eye on that.

I've been reading a book called "star parenting" by Sherrynne Dalby, it's so very interesting, it's about the personality traits of your childs star sign and how their personality works and I've seen some very definate changes in the way I parent the boys and it seems to be working some what. It's helped me understand how certain signs work ect. If anyone would like me to photocopy them the star signs and send it to you let me know even if you just want a read, very very interesting.

We had Kailen's 9th birthday at the beginning of the month and wow I'm not liking the attitude change that comes with this age, I thought the terrible twos were bad they have nothing on the moodyness that he is having, lol. I don't think the gallery is up and running yet but I did an awesome castle cake for his birthday, took 5hrs in total to decorate. I also did an elmo cake that I was very proud of for a friends 21st.

Maya so hearing you on the neighbourhood kids, I've just started school holidays here and I've had a constant stream of the neighbourhood boys over, one boy in particular is getting on my nerves a bit, he likes to play my boys off against each other and it has been ending in tears lately and he's also always playing rough tackling/play fighting ect and it always seems to be my boys hurt or with the ripped clothing, not to happy about that. I can't believe that your little one is almost here....will be waiting for your BA. Just reading back about Oscar watching the Dark Crystal, my boys love that as well, it's an awesome movie.

Tali I'm hoping that by christmas time you have another bub on the way, everything happens in it's own time and I know how painful it can be when you want it now and it's just not happening that way :goodluck:

Hi Bath, Nic, Mel and Ali I hope you are all doing great.

Ok after a long hiatus I've now blabbed on enough for now. Till next time :D

Lovely to see you back Amanda! :loveshower: I hope everything cotinues to improve on the family health front! I know what it's like... the sickness domino effect... and with 5 kids I can barely imagine how hard it must be to get through that! It's one reason that as much as I would enjoy returning to work i don't think i could face the worry of someone falling sick knowing that eventually it would go through all of us and that just 1 week off work would be getting off lightly! So yay! for warmer weather and no having to stress so much when our younger kids strip off! Good grief does any other June Baby just hate staying clothed??? Niall just won't keep his pants on these days! :wall: And the other day i saw him in the corner with a small pair of binoculars inspectig his penis and shrieking with glee at how small it was (I bet you wouldn't hear any other male doing that!!! LOL). DH has been home on leave this week and is getting a real taste of how frustrating it all can be too. bit of potty training regression. Oh and Amanda i have a similar book on Astrology and how to parent each star sign :thumbsup: it's uncanny how similar our June babies are! Niall is also our court jester AND the one with the temper... it's the twin nature coming out! Your cakes sound wonderful... and yes, the BB gallery has been down for months now :( I'm starting to load up photos to FaceBook instead so you could also link to that (it's an allowable link)... can't wait to see them!

Oh and also LOVE The Dark Crystal! :D One of my all time faves. You girls have reminded me I must get a copy. Speaking of movies... took Wade to see Up at the cinema today... great movie... really good to see such a strong focus on the older generation in a kids movie.

Am on DH's laptop and struggling to type easily... but will pop in again soon :)

You've really had a rough ride with sickness, Amanda :( So good to hear about the boys, it's been a while :) Sounds interesting about the star signs thing. Not sure what Oscar is doing - doesn't seem to be very Gemini, but maybe I'm reading it all wrong!
Bath - Oscar seems to be over his automatic strip-tease caper. I put it down to him really liking the hand-me-down clothes he's been getting lately. He's even pretty good at picking out his own outfits...such a metro male! He went ages not wanting to keep clothes on, though - hot or cold weather. Well, you know - you saw him in January getting all nudey in the bot gardens...that was typical behaviour for such a long time!
Great midwife appt today, we're all very happy with everything. Don't know why I was all of a sudden worried I didn't have everything I'd need. I wonder if that means I'm imminent? My normally 'keep it simple' approach has become a bit frantic with an overwhelming feeling that I'm leaving everything to the last minute...dumb, I know, cos everything is in place for the birth to happen and I finished my birth plan last night and she thought it was really good. Just burning feel good oils, lathering up in my new massage oil and keeping the house peaceful with mood lighting!
Bath - I told DP today that we had to get a copy of the Dark Crystal to keep, especially as this time next week the library copy is due back and I'll have to borrow something else to grab his attention if we haven't had the baby by then...cos he is seriously watching this film at least 3 times a day. I mean, great, I LOVE this film and I'm so happy he's not scared of it and that he follows it and it's enhancing his language skills...I can't believe I can watch a film I like this many times and not get sick of it... Which film did you see? I'm thinking that Oscar would like Ponyo, cos he really liked Spirited Away, which also has cross-generational appeal. Great that DH is home to help with school hols!
Better go or this DVD will never be watched and ice-cream not eaten...can't let that happen ;)

Just quickly: movies: yep, Niall has his favourites which he just watches over and over and over again. My BIL copied a heap for us but Niall especially will be very hesitant to try something new until he knows every word of one by rote! At the moment Niall's movie of choice is The Aristocats (circa 1970's) featuring Ms Gabor once again as the mummy cat. Niall loves Eva Gabors voice and the music soundtrack HERE is a link. His previous fav movie was The Rescuers also featuring Ms Gabor as a white mouse.

Oh and you'll be fine Maya... you've got everything you need LOL I know the feeling though, but rest assured many of the things I bought just before all my babies were born i regret as unnecessary ;)

I really had better go to bed now! nighty nite :)

Yeah, I'll be ok :) Funny thing is, it's not even baby equipment I'm worried about - it's just stuff for labouring! I keep thinking that we're spending so much money on this that if I've forgotten something that would have made it that much better I'll kick myself...how silly is that? But I think that the salt lamps and aromatherapy are the main important things I wanted and they're in place...I'm just being silly.
Goodnight!

I just lost my huge post!!!!!! :wall: I hate it when that happens!!!

I don't think I could type it all again!

Just glad to catch up on everyone's goings on.

Had a wonderful time in Brisbane, weather was amazing and I am really missing it now! Baptism was great and my godson is just the most adorable little boy. I had lots of trouble saying goodbye to him. I won't see him again until April. DH did a great job while I was away. I think they girls loved having him all to themselves. No disasters, he coped well and the house was still clean when I got home!! I've certainly been lucky having these holidays so there won't be any more solo holidays for some time. Next one will be a family holiday.

Maya - you will be fine girl! You are the birthing goddess (to me anyway ;)) and I can't wait to read the announcement.

Amanda - pics are beautiful! Boys have grown so much and are such cuties! Would love info on Capricorn and Gemini. Be interesting to see what they say.

Bath - sorry about the Doggies!!! I was thinking of you when they lost. So you recommend Up? Lots of good reviews about it. How's school holidays going so far?

Hope everyone is going well, better get back to work its been busy since I got back on Tuesday.

Still angry I lost my post!!! :doh:

amanda great to hear from you... I would love to know about my 3 winkies Aries, taurus, and gemini.... I will PM you my address Glad the family is getting better now, worst thing about winter... cant believe how big your baby is now, they grow way too fast...

not much has changed here... still having problems with Kai at night with wet beds, she has nappies on and they are dry take them off and her bed is wet... I sure she will get there one day... we have been doing a star chart when she has dry nights but as happy as she is to get a star, she isnt to bother if its a wet nap and she doesnt get one... she is how ever upset if we dont put a nappy on her and she has a wet bed.. I guess I should be brave and just not use a nap and see how it goes, she is still sleeping on her old cot matress, so it wont matter too much about the wet, as we would just be tossing it out any way...

Ach, Tali, give up on the star charts already ;) She's one of these smart kids who realises stars are nice but just don't cut it for real motivation! The wet feeling will start to be motivation enough to avoid it - might mean extra washing for a little while, and I bet when it's all done with you'll think it wasn't such a long time after all :)

Mel tried to PM you last night for your address but your box must be full, it wouldn't let me send it.

Tali that would be great, I'll try and send both yours and Mels next week, it's good for a read if nothing else :).

Bath I might have to get you to do up a new avi, I'm pretty sure it's been 6mths already, I'm thinking I might have a background but not sure what or how I would like it, any suggestions?

Not much going on here, neighbourhood kids still bugging me to no end, only one more week until school goes back, least the housework is getting caught up on not having to do school run and mother's group etc.

Here is the elmo cake and Kailen's 9th birthday castle cake, I had a great time doing both......got Lockie's birthday coming up on the 7th of October and then Julian's on the 15th......oh what to do.

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Thanks Amanda, I emptied it out so shoud be fine now.

My membership ran out on 12th September, I got the email reminder on 10th September so I emailed to get the bank details as I have paid like this in the past and have heard nothing yet?? I emailed again, nothing then emailed Astrolady and still nothing. Who else should I ask???? That's why my PM box is full, has put me back to regular member.

Tali - Marley is still in nappies at night and that doesn't bother me. She wants it on at night so until she is confident herself not to wear them, I will leave them on. She was not big on the rewards system either. Tried that initially but it did no good. Chelsea on the other hand loved her rewards and TT quite easily but as they say, all kids are different. Some kids don't night train for ages, so don't worry about it too much. Seen anymore snakes lately - your status on FB freaked me out when I read it!!!

Niall is also in Aldi Pull-Ups over night but he often wakes up dry. I never did star charts... I agree that the motivation to avoid the wet feeling is the best one. I'm not that stressed, I suspect that come summer the Pull-Ups won't be needed anymore... yay for the $ saved then! I have 2 MCN nappies that still fit him but I gave to admit to being a bit lazy lately. Maybe I should start with them again.

Amanda: Yep, would love to do you a new avvy :) just send me a PM. BB allows a wider design now... a whole extra 20 pixels... so I should be able to make a background work... I could also symbolise your 5 boys in another way, like how I symbolise my 2 boys as little chicks and Verity is the mouse.... that really opens up the avvy artistically speaking... I could place 5 blue hearts for example. Anyhow send me your ideas... especially clothing... I have a very large clothing database now... and also lots of new hairstyles.

How you going Maya??
Bath- i think i'm up for a new avater too, have to have a think about it if you've got time!
Nixon is going well at speech therapy, he loves going which makes it better! on Friday i have an appointment with a child phycologist (i think) about starting Nixon on a behaviour management plan. have no idea what it will entail, Nixon wont be there she mainly wants to chat to me first but so he is not hearing it all.
Nixon seems to be a very visual boy so drawing pics of what we are going to do next had made a big break through with him, unbeleiveable how something so relativley simple can make such a big difference!
Amanda- great to hear from you! besides Cody you'bve got 4 birthdays in 8weeks its a busy time for you huh! Im doing a number 2 cake for Ty in a race track, picked up the tin etc yesterday.

Great news on Nixon's progress, Nic! That first psych session will be a 'get to know you' and listening to what you have to say about Nixon before she meets with him.
Going good - all the normal late pg niggles and wriggles, but not limping anymore, so the osteo has been a great expense to have made! Just looking forward to the birth pool now :)
Baby better not decide to come tonight, cos my parents are over on the way home from NZ...no way does anyone need them around when trying to zen out!
Mel - how's Marley going with her poo adventures?
Oscar is fabulous, still. He knows we're going to meet the baby in the birth pool and he's been fun to hang out with in these last few weeks.
Better get to bed, it's late!

Bath - I can't wait to have no more nappies!!! I use the Safeway brand nappies, they are cheap and she isn't really that wet at night. I have been loving your photos, its so nice to see the kids progression over the years.

Nic - sounds like things are working out well. Its amazing too see how effective pictures/drawing can be for kids. My SIL was going to speech therapist and my niece hated going, so I'm sure you will find it more beneficial for both you and Nixon that fact he likes going. 2 already!!! Where has that time gone. Make sure you post pics of your race track!!

Maya - you must be hanging out to get in that pool!! Hope he/she manages to stay put for you tonight. Poo adventures continue to go up and down. We were doing OK for a while there and then recently she has had a few accidents. She fully understands what's going on, just gets a bit too lazy to stop what she is doing and go. When she wees, it can take 3 trips to the toilet in 15 mins for it to be finished. She does a little bit, hops off and plays then comes back, bit more etc and it goes on. She hates to think she is missing out on something!! But at least its not as bad as before.

The girls are getting baptised on 8th November so in the midst of organising all of that at the moment. Got my BF coming from Brisbane which is very exciting. We normally only see each other once a year but this time will be 2 visits in 7 weeks!!! :dance: Got Marley's dress, a very plain but cute white dress and ordered Chelsea's from Princess Ratbag, got her a beautiful pettiskirt which is 7 metres of fabric made into a skirt - so divine, she just loves it.

Pool is filled and almost overflowed from all the rain last week. Chemicals have been going in, solar is installed so if we get some decent weather in the next few weeks we could use it. The decking is underway but the weather held them up. It needs to be finished by the Sunday of the baptism as we will have people over after it. Keep reminding DH that!!

Tummy rumbling, must be lunchtime!!

Hey anybody heard from Ali??? Isn't she in Melbourne? I thought I had the full Junies mobile phone list...was going to send her a sms... but I think it must be on my old computer :doh:

Amanda & Nic: would love to do some new avvies... send me an email or PM. Email is bathsheba at bellybelly dot com dot au.

I am so over these school holidays now. I had the whole house's carpets steam cleaned yesterday... and then opened all the windows to help the drying process (as you do) then next thing I know Wade and Niall are throwing DIRT in through Verity's window!!! Arrggghhhhh! she doesn't have fly wire on her windows so it went stright through on the carpet! Fortunately after Verity vacuumed it up it only left small smudges... spewwing!!!! Wade also has a black eye and Niall has scratches down the back of his neck from all the brawling they've been doing. :wall:

On a good note my mother has been very generous and knitted the boys Harry Potter replica jumpers from the book "Charmed Knits" they are gorgeous and Wade's wearing his now... we went into Melbourne Central today and bought The Philosopher's Stone... I couldn't handle another day like yesterday... and so now thankfully I at least get 1 hour and 47 minutes of peace!

My dad is arriving tomorrow and will be staying with us for the weekend too :)

Hoping your parents get home safely without any news of a birth Maya! :crossfingers:

I was thinking of Ali yesterday when I was in town! I thought of organising a meet up and sadly, I'm glad I didn't - I couldn't wait to get back in the car to give my lower back a break after walking around the NGV for Dali :( It was a drive in/drive straight back out affair! I hope Ali and Co are enjoying the mild Melbourne weather - lucky, it hasn't rained in 3 days, which is always good for visitors :)
My parents decided to stay last night instead of driving straight home from the airport - they would have got home at about 2am had they pushed on! Long story, but my mum was threatening to outwardly make this upcoming birth and baby about her again when I said I didn't want people holding the baby till my milk came in because I needed that time to optimise establishment of BFing. Anyway, via sms I told her that I would appreciate her support and understanding (and then half-joked that tamales would be better, tamales being my favourite Central American food that she makes!). Soon after that comment she seemed to soften up and then asked if it wasn't too late to come over for the night (it was after 11pm when they got here, but I was awake and DP was still at brigade). So, apart from some barbed commentary here and there, she hasn't made a big deal of the baby holding thing...yet. I composed a big long post about it last night and then decided I had no idea where on the forum it belonged...then decided that just writing it out made me feel better, so I erased it :) Anyway, just mentioning it here because so far it hasn't happened, but it happened with Oscar's birth and you guys were so wonderful to me at the time. So, thank you again, chickies :hug:
OMG, Bath at the battle wounds your boys are sporting!! What happens if I have a boy? Dp will have to make a boxing ring for them! Hmmm, avvies...soon...will think on it, or may just leave you to your tried and true artistic interpretation :) Enjoy your daddy!
Mel - the pool has taken next to no time in the scheme of things, and soon it will be ready to use!
No labour yet, so that's good. Not only are my parents here, but I have a coldsore on my lip and it would be a bit sad if I wasnt' allowed to kiss my own newborn...argh! This baby's holding on for now, thank goodness :pray:

I've been in contact with Ali and it looks like we might be having a meetup tomorrow (Tuesday) morning if any other Junies would like to come along :)

Just brief... have soooo much work to do after busy weekend... my Dad's stay went great, he left this morning. Wade had a lovely 6th birthday on the weekend... small party, trip to the Diamond Valley Minature train for a ride... lots of new Lego and a new scooter... the boy was blissed out! back at school for him today. Verity back tomorrow. Niall already missing his sparring partner!

I'm very tempted for a catch up! I've sworn myself to my mountain, but you never know ;)
Poor Niall - Oscar is lamenting that our neighbours are back at school!

Bath - unfortunately won't be able to come tomorrow, Tues is one of my work days. Please say hi to Ali for me and tell her I'm sorry I couldn't make it. Would have loved to meet her and the family. Make sure you take some pics!! Happy Birthday to Wade, sounds like a great birthday weekend. My house is lovely and quiet today with Chelsea back at school, Marley is so good when she's not at home.

Maya - hibernating is a good idea ;)

For those Melb girls, I went to the Stylus reunion party on Sat night. Stylus was the first real nightclub in our area in the the very early 90's and I practically lived there and worked there. It was huge in its day. They had the 20 year reunion and it was amazing. Saw people I hadn't seen in about 18 years and it was like we only saw each other last week. Most are married with kids, some single, some divorced. Mind you, I didn't get home until 4am :doh: and drank more than I should. Got up with a very sore head on Sunday and practically no voice. Kids were angels and we just chilled on the couch together watching DVD's!!! I won't be doing that again in a hurry. Too think that 20 years ago we did that on a Friday night and then went back again to do it all again on Saturday!

Maya I just noticed you are due tomorrow!!!! :D

Mel: oh what a fun night! I reckon it was worth the hangover ;) Good girls being so gentle with mumma the next day :clap: :clap:

I'll pass on messages to Ali :) We're meeting tomorrow at Melbourne Central under the clock at 10am... thanks for the camera reminder... charging batteries now... Wade won't be with us so hopefully Ali's partner (if he comes) will be able to take some piccies for us! If I gave the camera to Niall we'd probably be headless! LOL

Well, I trekked to Knox today, via Lulu's place, and in reality should have gone home from Lulu's! No matter, once I was there I decided I may as well do what I was there for. Took ages, and quite a few pauses between cramps (just BHx, totally random, nothing to indicate labour!) and for this reason I don't think trying to make it into town is a good idea, even by car :(
Have a great meet up - there will be a Civic Reception for Melb Storm tomorrow at Fed Square that would be good to go to!
Mel - I saw you tagged in those pics...can't believe you worked there! It's a better excuse, though, than just being a punter :p DP said it was at the Middle, when I asked if he knew where it would have been held, cos I had images of a marquee behind Aldi! Looks like it was a great night, and minus the bogan punch ons ;)
Yep, Bath - tomorrow, officially, and so not expecting anything to happen! Then again, it might, so now that I have more plaster we'd better do this belly cast tonight (the first one failed because the lady was mistakenly advised by the rep for the company that it would do a whole belly, bought two packs today to repeat it). My midwife appt is tomorrow, too. I even cleaned the back door glass yesterday, as well as the car floors...how much more nesting can I find to do? I'm bored and just wanna ride my horse in this nice weather!
Oscar-free for an hour (gone to GF's house)...what to do...

Have a good meet up Bath, and yes, plenty of pics please.

Maya - I was at Knox yesterday too! I went about 10am and left at 12pm. You should have swung by my place as I think Lulu isn't far from me. I wish they did do it on the old site, that would have been quite funny!!! The bogan punch ons were after the rebirth, people were very well behaved when it first opened and they had a strict no demin policy which made it a bit "classier". After the fire, the rebuilt and it turned to crap, they had bands and a different crowd starting going, I stopped going after the fire as it wasn't as fun. How did the belly cast go? My GF had a professional one done and then painted and it is so beautiful, wish I had one done too. Are you going to get creative with yours? Happy nesting!!

How chilly is it today??? Poor Ali, not much of a welcome to Melbourne, feels like the middle of winter.

Sun's out up here!! Not sure for how long, though...hope it doesn't bucket down too much in town for Ali - would be nice to take in the gardens and surrounds.
Mel - yeah, my sister went a few times after the fire, they were her Goo days when she liked to depress herself with Nine Inch Nails etc! I am SO heartened to hear you were there pre-those days...I can breathe easy again!
Bugger about Knox - I got there probably about 12, if not a little before and was there till after 2pm (for an hour's worth of tasks, tops!). Actually, yeah, Lulu isn't that far from you now that I think on it - didn't even occur to me! I was dropping off a bag of things and took the scenic route to Knox from my place - my mind is good when it's focussed on one thing, and my bigger picture has eroded somewhat the closer I get to the birth...groan. Oscar would have jumped in your pool, anyway ;) Hell, I might have!
Belly cast went well! DP took great pride in his work (he did the other week, but materials were failing us!) and treated the cast lovingly afterwards, was very nice to see :) He's got ideas on how to finish the cast part before we polish it up and decorate it somehow. I like the idea of painting it, then cutting out some shapes in it before varnishing and hanging as a wall light that we can leave on at night. No idea what I'll paint on it - tempted to get it painted by an artist I saw at the Kallista market on Sat who does beautiful oils of things like fairies and fairy toadstools, dragons, rabbits and other fantasy-based things. Really beautiful work. Or I might work on my own dragon that remains unfinished (when BiL returns my easel) and wait till I produce something worthy of hanging (even in the loo!!) before taking to the cast myself. I've got time once it's all set and prepped.
I've been experiencing something opposite from anecdote with Oscar - he has been very close to me and quite intuitive the closer we get to the birth. Just about everyone I know had their older kids go a bit distant from them leading up to the birth of the next child. Not sure what to put it down to, or what combination of things, but I'm so loved up with this kid and I'm getting random "I love you", arms around my neck, when he holds my hand whilst walking he'll stroke it with the other hand (I've do this to him, too, though) and it's just been really lovely. All I can hope is that it stays that way after the baby gets here!
OK, better get going and to the library with my overdue books (wonder if they'll let me off the fine if I say my due date is today???).
Who's doing kinder next year? I'm not keen to send Osc to 3yo kinds unless it's within the creche program in semester 2.
Have a great day, Bath and Ali!

Bath have a great time with Ali, cheer on the storm for me if you she them....

cant believe I was living in Melb for a year and didnt get to meet any of you, thems the breaks I guess.... Maybe next time I come down for a visit....

Maya I cant believe is your due day.... cant wait for the BA...:homebirth: * Labour vibes*

Mel cant say I ever went to stylus I think it was a bit before my time, but I remember my sisters going all the time.... It was the highlight of their weekend...

AFM ... we went up to Cairns for the week end which was both good and bad.... Good coz I got to see all my friends again but bad coz we had to come back here :doh: Mil was really really good.... I was so shocked I was feeling sick about having to stay with her, but in the end she was great, really good with all the winkies not just with Zay... so that makes thing so much better, just hope she stays this way when we do get to move back...

I am almost ready to stop TTC a 4th, I am begining to think that 3 isnt so bad, as much as I love babies and would love to have one, our family is happy right now, bhl doesnt really want one I know this he has told me, and is only going alone with this as its what I want... I dont know if the feeling of loving another baby will ever go completly so I will never say never, at the end of the day i am only 30 so still have plenty of time if I change my mined... but for now I think I might stop TTC... Maybe I need to get myself out there and find work once Kai is at school...

Maya - we probably just missed each other. Marley would have loved to see Oscar. I always say I am running it to get something and end up spending hours there!!! It's a trap! You are right, Oscar might have enjoyed a dip yesterday lol!!! My friend in Kallista did a mosaic course and did a torso from a mannequin - it looks amazing. She used some glass and some really vibrant coloured crystals and beads. It takes pride of place under her pergola outside. Maybe you could mosaic it! Isn't it funny that any test piece of art or something you are not 100% happy with end up on the wall in the loo. Who knows how Oscar will react when the new bub comes for now enjoying being loved up by that cute little man! Good luck at the library, surely they have to cut you some slack, give them a few winces while you are standing at the counter, make them think you are in labour LOL! Not doing kinder next year, can't with work. They offer kinder the days I work so its not really cost effective for me. Might look at it for 2011 and maybe move my days around but for the time being I am really happy with her doing the kinder program at creche.

Tali - you meet Maya and I at Knox. You were there with DH and the kids and we had coffee at Gloria Jeans. Chelsea loved running around with May. Forgotten us already ;) Nice to hear your MIL is being nice to you, and so she should! Maybe she realises that she misses her grandkids? I have slowly started to let go of the idea of having any more kids and the more time passes, the better I am feeling about it. I don't think I will ever lose the feeling of wanting to hold that newborn baby, the smell, the cuddles, the nightfeeds etc. But then I think of how enjoyable life is with my girls being older and the feeling subsides. Who knows, maybe it stays with us always? I might have to get my newborn fix from you Maya :D LOL!!!

Hppy due date today IZ!
I hope the meet up went well today Ali & Bath, look forward to seeing some pics
Tali- your right what u say you are only 30 and still have quiet a few years to go down this path again if its not right now. i keep saying i want a 3rd and dh says it sometimes but if it wasnt for me wanting a 3rd he would be right with 2. But knowing age is on my side atm im not in a rush to have another.

ive uploaded some pics on FB we had a great w/e just gone. birthdays galore. Sat was MIL and had lunch and cake. I spent the other hrs of the sat icing 2 cakes. 1 for dh who's bday was yesterday the 5th and 1 for Tyron because we went to the zig zag railway in the blue mountains yesterday (his bday is not for another 8days)

*flopping into chair after hectic morning*

Meetup with Ali was great! :D We did the usual Junie thing of meeting under the big clock at MC then grabbing a coffee, snack and baby chinos... ventured over into Borders (I bought her a copy of The Declaration for the flight home) and then over to Myer to play with the trains and check out the Lego. Back to MC for sushi handrolls then our little people started to show signs of tiredness and my ticket was about to expire so we called it a day but all that time we didn't stop chatting :) Hope she has a good flight home with her family (I only met Tori). Niall really seemed to enjoy her company too as the photos I took show. Thanks again Ali :hug: I look forward to catching up again! (photos in FaceBook)

This morning I had to get Wade ready for his first swimming lesson with his school... then had to dash over to my GP's for a Swine Flu vaccination... I don't generally have the seasonal flu shot bug last time I felt quite vulnerable now that I have 2 kids in school... nearly a dozen girls in Verity's grade contracted it apparently last time it was around... so I decided to get the shot. Then I had a bit of a hike home... exhausted... think i might have a doze in the lounge as Niall watches an episode of Madeleine (his new favourite DVD).

Maybe back later....

Hi ladies,

We arrived safely home from Melbourne this morning, happy but totally exhausted- and adjusting to the time difference hasnt been that easy- both the kids flaked out just after 10am perth time as we had been up since 1am (perth time).
It was fantastic to meet Bath & Niall yesterday, it was nice to see all the things you guys talk about on your normal Junie meet up adventures- it was a shame I didnt get to meet everyone else, I will have to be more organised next time we visit and arrange a catch up before hand. We will definatly be back, hopefully towards the end of next year, as there was still so much we wanted to see and do, but just didnt manage to get to.

Anyway I have suitcases of washing and unpack to deal with- so best get on with it.