Babies Born March 16th ~ 31st 2008 #3

[Ewol12]

Hi Ladies
I can understand where everywhere is coming from. Atm I feel like i'm a single of 2 kids. Hubby is working 16 to 17 hours days. Yesterday he got up at 2.15am for work and got home at 8pm. He had tea, showered and went to bed. Isabella was in bed before he got home and Riley had a shower with him and then they both went to bed. This is been happening all week. This morning the alarm went of at 2:45am and it took me ages to get back to sleep and then both kids woke up crying at 6am.
He is leaving to go to Whyalla (Sth Aust) on Saturday lunchtime and don't know when he is coming back. The last time he went to Whyalla he was gone for 11days straight.
Riley has gone to nana's for the day and Isabella is in bed atm so I have a bit of peace and quiet. There is so many things that I should be doing cause if I don't do them they don't get done. When I eventually get the house finally straight, its time to start all over again. I get no help from Hubby at all thru the week and even on weekends he is so tired that he doesn't want to do anything but relax. I can understand it but I don't get any time off!
I thought about going back to work but decided against it. Its not like we don't need the money but the hours I was working - 13hrs one week and 16hrs the next wouldn't even cover child care. I know that MIL will help but she goes over seas every year for 6 - 8 weeks to pray for people and I would be stuck without a baby sitter.
We also have 2 mortgages now. We finally got unconditional approval for the new house. We are building a new house and just before Christmas the bank decided it was going to give us the home loan. So we had to go thru a mortgage broker to find us another loan as the builder has already poured the slab. We have been under so much stress lately and hubby is blaming himself for letting us down and he has been depressed and really tired cause he is working so many hours for bugger all pay. We have both been snapping at each other. Thank goodness the builder has be very understanding about the whole situation ( he is also our neighbour).

On a brighter note, I think Isabella is going to be a bum crawler. She sorts of shuffles herself along. She can roll from back to stomach but now (finally) she can roll back. Its taken her ages to learn that. Isabella has still got 2 teeth at this stage but the 2 middle ones up the top look like they will be the next thru.

Anyway I think I have bored you enough by now. I better go have my shower now - which I usually have before the kids get up in the morning but this morning they both woke up at the same time.

A big to everyone I think we all deserve one
Take Care
Jo

[kelebek]

Hi everyone,

I am going to start of with a massive cause I do think we really need it.

Jo, I have this great picture of Isabella bum crawling everywhere, apparently MIL did that too. I think I have mentioned my dad was a truckdriver too so really understand how frustrating it is that they seem to be gone for such long stretchs and the $$ don't always make up for it. You are such a strong lady doing it on your own a lot of the time. Keep using your mum to look after bothkids (if you feel comfortable of course) on a semi-regular basis to give yourself some peace and a break we all need it.

Andie I hear you about the work situation, it is mainly the uncertainty that has forced me back, not knowing if Dp will keep getting jobs and like you I don't want to throw away a fairly high paid job if we have to rely on it. oh and you are a damn good listener.

Bec, how are you? the headaches could be stress or your eyes, please get it checked... Hope you are getting some sunny weather, we have just gone about 2 weeks here of crappy overcast days, can't wait for the sun again.

Mel, well going back to work, so far, hasn't been as bad as I thought it would be. Don't get me wrong this weekend (as I started on Mon) I could hardly sleep, was irritable and feeling very anxious but come Monday, got to work and into the swing of things I did have time where I wasn't thinking of DS. Now that I look back I think a) I am a bit of a control freak and b) there isn't a lot of choice about going back to work and if I am working someone has to look after DS, if I wanted to go to the movies or shopping and leave DS with Dp there was always a choice, I didn't have to go but with work I don't so if he was a childcare in theory they are qualified to look after him and Dp is his father and as Leesa said they may do things differently and that is ok, the kids are still happy, fed, clothed etc....

Catherine, you mentioned tantrums, we don't get full on tantrums at the moment but I am starting to see the signs, if he doesn't get his own way or things. My SIL is due in march this year and while her boys are nearly 3 they are starting to play up too so it could be the age, it could be that he senses that you are preggers and doesn't know how to process that iykwim? I have also read that older children can regress in some of their behaviour when mum is preggers and brings home new baby just to make it extra challenging for you


There is so much more that I want to say but as it is after 1 am I am going to have to make the rest very brief.....

Laura, macca, catherine and leesa how are your pregnancies going, are you planning anything different for this birth?

Laura, been thinking of you , how are you are you still going to play group?
Hayley, how have things been for you?
Nina, how is cohen going?
M2W how is work and the overnight feeds going? DS is now only waking once maybe twice overnight so while not great it is bearable. Is your DS sleeping in the same room? I find when I sleep in DS room that he wakes more through the night just something to consider.
Luey, how is E going? is it still going ok since going to Torrens? I found DS sleeping to be 100% better since going which is good. I have been reading you are travelling to canada or somewhere soon, how are those plans going?
Macca how is will has he recovered from tonsillitis?
doubletrouble how is the routine thing going? best toys are books and balls, he loves chasing the balls around and loves playing with the pages and bending them back
Reenie girl, how are your girls? how is life treating you?
allboys, how are you?
I hope I got everyone and sorry if I missed you

As for me well
D has his 6th tooth coming up so he has 4 along the top and 2 on the bottom. He took his first steps on Tues, I am a bit sad but he seems to be waiting until I come home before practicing. Dp said he is coping really well on Tues he was playing peekaboo with a chair we always play with and it was like he was looking for me but wasn't really upset or anything so the kid is coping better then me He is pointing heaps now and really chats. He is doing really well with his solids, he doesn't like to use a spoon or a fork, prefers his hands and plays with the cutlery. I tried to give him a fork with food on it but he just wanted to pull the food off his fork and eat with his fingers.

Work is going well, the first day I felt like calling every hour but restricted myself to calling just twice, I have called at least once a day and we both have video ph's so we have made a few video calls but I think that makes it harder cause I see what I am missing instead of just hearing him yell occasionaly. I am currently doing some retraining so it isn't too difficult and I am actually looking forward to getting stuck into it but please remind me in the weeks to come.

The bushfires are such a tragedy I don't even know where to begin, needless to say that everyone has been touched in some way. TBH I am a bit speechless about the whole thing, I am a bit over the reporting and find it a bit macarbe (sp) but at the same time can't help but watch/read/listen to everything I can.

Any plans for thier impending birthdays?

and I will leave it there, night girls chat later

Nxxxooo

[melbell45]

hi girls,

wow big post nic, that must have taken you a while to do, especially mentioning everyone !
good to hear work is going well for you and D is doing well with DP

i just had a quick question for you all....does anyone else have a baby going through seperation anxiety at the moment ? james has always been high maintenance but is really bad at the moment, yesterday i was out of the room and he started screaming like something terrible had happened to him and i rush out to find him in the middle of the floor just looking for me, if dh and i sit on the lounge together and dh hold him he is crawling out of his arms into mine, its very draining, not to mention he has gone back to being so hard to get to bed in the evening, he can take up to 2 hours to get to sleep (with us in and out of the room and patting or cuddling) then because he is so overtired he wakes half and hour later and its all on again !

on a good note, i can't believe our babies are nearly one, James's is one in a week (10th) we are having a party for him on the 15th

sorry for lack of personals

hope everyone is well

Melinda

[catherinemoses]

Mel! Yes! Flynn has become super clingy and I am just not used to it. And you're right it is draining. He used to be quite happy to play by himself and I could do things in the kitchen or whatever. Now I either have to be in the room doing nothing but pay attention to him (I'm not even allowed to read the newspaper in the same room while he plays or he cracks it!) or he has to be wherever I am trying to climb on me or pulling on my legs and generally being a cranky pants! As a consequence I hardly get anything done until he goes to sleep at night which puts my bed time back and makes me tired... sigh!

[melbell45]

hey Catherine, it is so hard isn't it, james is the same can be sitting right near him but it isnt enough he wants attention, very difficult to get anything done, i hope the phases passes soon

where are all you other girls ??? did you know our list went 10 days between nic's post and mine ???!! are you all being kept busy by active baby's or getting back to work etc ?
come on i'd love to hear updates, Luey, Hayley, Laura etc etc


Melinda

[luey]

Mel and CM E is exactly the same usually. I can't be reading or be out of his sight and he needs to be played with though he did happily play with his toys and go exploring for quite a while today. But that was after I had tried to put him to bed this am without success. I didn't give him lunch first and not sure if he was hungry or just not tired. I think he might be moving to one sleep a day as he is waking about 8-830 so is not ready for bed at his usual time of 0930.

We are going ok here. The other night I got woken at 5. He had woken at 11 and 12 but was easily resettled. Last night he woke at 2 and 5 then woke at 830. It is so much better than before we went to TH as he doesn't have night feeds and will usually settle reasonably quickly or with minimal assistance from us. He is still wrapped though but does get out of it.

WE are a bit tantrummy here. I can understand his frustration though, I would be pretty annoyed if someone took something off me when I wanted it. Even though it may be for my own safety.

I am pretty excited about our trip to Canada just over 5 weeks to go. Bit scared about the flight but should be all good. We will be prepared with everything we can. I can't wait to go shopping!

I am going well. Feelign a lot better about htings. Not as frustrated and able to enjoy Ethan more. Lots more relaxed too. A confession to make, when I was at TH they decided I had PND/Depression. I knew I wasn't myself but believe it was sleep deprivation and anxiety which I have had before, maybe a touch of depression. I am a bit of an anxious person at times, make mountains out of molehills. I wasn't that bad I don't think but they seemed to think otherwise. I have been on meds for about 6 weeks now Iguess htey are making a difference. I do feel more relaxed and brain is semi-functioning but not sure if it is because sleeping has improved. I'll take the meds for 6 months and 6 months only. I didn't want to take them but because of DH's demanding job and not having family support and me being stubborn they really wanted me to. I guess I have sort of come to terms with it but still not happy about it IYKWIM. I know it is common. A lot of these feelings you girls have been talking about but I still felt like I was 'crazy'. That was my biggest concern. What my DH would think of me. He told me I was silly and I was no crazier than before we met or married etc. Seriously I am fine though. A whole lot of fuss over nothing
On a brighter note:

njd - massive post. Wow your bubba is walking! WE are a bit off that yet though E has just started cruising and sometimes looks like he wants to stand up straight off the floor.

CM - I can relate to doing lots at night-time. I find early evening is one of my busiest times. Getting tea, cleaning up, feeding, bathing E, putting him to bed. Doing the bottles. It seems never ending.

Ewol- However they get around as long as they are happy. I find that because DH works long hours I feel bad about asking him to do stuff at home. He is also often doing work stuff at home. I know he would help but I feel bad asking him to.

AndiE - how are you feeling?

BEcstar- I hope you are rugged up. I think there is going to be mountain snow in obart tomorrow. BRRRRRRRRRRR.

laurab - hope Sam is sleeping better.

Leesa - how are you feeling?

Hi to everyone else.

[*becstar*]

I'm here.

So sorry!! We are getting really busy here, with school, swimming (about the start), sessions at the library, dancing to fit in around all the usual stuff I'm finding it hectic! And days/times we are home I have to be good and get in and do housework! (Plus spending TOO much time on the GDUNH , lol).

As you all know Jake has been walking for a few months now and that has really upped the ante too!! He is into cupboards etc constantly, and he likes the get the grater out . He also loves to pull things out of my bathroom drawer (creams, lotions, makeup etc.) and his favourites are the toothbrushes and opening tubes of toothpaste. He keeps me very busy.

I've got to go right now, the kids are squealing and running around the house......anyone wanna swap?? lol.

I WILL be back tonight. Miss you all though and cant wait to start getting all the 1st birthday piccies sent around email Which reminds me, double trouble and mum2willie you girls will have to pm one of us your emails so we can add you to our email list and share pics every now and then

xxxx

[AndiE]

Hi all,

Sorry I've been MIA - have had just over a week away with the family, which was lovely!

Cam's got his first "official" snotty nose. And man, is it snotty! Guess it was going to happen sooner or later, and he seems to be ok otherwise. As a result, I've got a scratchy throat, but I've got my fingers crossed it doesn't get worse.

Mel - have been thinking of you (even though I haven't been in touch). Cam's not too bad re: clingyness. Sometimes he gets sooky if I'm out of eyesight, but he's yet to become my shadow and/or hate me out of his sight. But he starts childcare on the 17th, so it could all change First birthdays have come round all too soon - we're having a party on the 14th. Am trying to keep it as simple (read: "pain free for Andie") as possible, so doing a sausage sizzle with a few other nibbles and a cake. Have invited our closer friends and their kids (our families are interstate so can't come up, though they wish otherwise), so potentially 10 adults and 8 kids.

Nic - Yay for Dusty walking! They're now into little boys/girls, not babies, aren't they. How's work going? I've not got less than 4 weeks till I'm back . I went in to meet my director recently and she gives me the impression I'll be supported in the workplace but the proof will be in the pudding, so to speak. My workplace has undergone an enormous change in the past 12 months, so I think I'm as anxious about that as anything. I'm also dealing with a new director and asst director - so I kinda feel like I have to prove myself. And would you believe ... I've been called up for jury duty from April 20!!!! What timing. I'm asking to be excused on the grounds i'm still breastfeeding and I have no carer for Cam on Mon and Fri. When you don't have family near you, it can make short-notice child care options bloody hard - and I can hardly reserve a place for Cam at childcare "in case" I have to put him in. What a hassle.

CM - I agree about trying to read a paper etc. Cam's certainly into everything, and it never fails to astound me how babies completely ignore their toys for mundane stuff (mundane to adults ...) like powerpoints and TV cabinets. Someone needs to produce a toy for a 12-month old that includes powerpoint switches, cupboard doors and on/off buttons! Hope you've been keeping really well and not getting toooo tired.

Luey - Canada sounds exciting! I've flown a couple of times with Cam, and luckily he's always been a champ. For my 2c worth, take lots of food/nibbles/drinks for him plus any toys/comforters that help keep him happy. I'd also advise taking some nurafen/nasal spray etc in case he needs it. My doc once told me that if she flew long haul with a bub, she'd give them a mild sedative - whatever works for bub and parents, I guess! Am glad to hear you're feeling more relaxed etc, even if you're not necessarily happy with the PND opinion. Being a first time mum is such a learning curve, isn't it - would be much easier without our hormones bouncing around though!

Bec - you sound busy! At the risk of sounding completely naive, what is a GDUNH ... I'm sure it's as obvious as the nose on my face, but I'm pulling a blank!

Jo - how are you going hun, is your hubby still working such long days. I can only imagine how hard that would be on you. How's Isabella's bum crawling coming along? And how's Riley going?

Hi to everyone else - hope all our expectant mums are keeping really well. I see on FB that Laura is having a little girl - are you other gals planning to find out (and announce) what you're having?

I'd better do some jobs while Cam is asleep ... I won't know myself when he's in childcare for those two weeks (Tue/Wed/Thu) before I go back to work. Not that I plan to leave him there for full days, I'll build up to it. But even when he's there a few hours ... imagine it. I might be able to read a book Nah, I'm just hoping it gives us a chance to work out our morning routine, and Cam a chance to get familiar with going etc. Hopefully it will all work out - I'm sure it will.

Cheers, Andie

[catherinemoses]

Someone needs to produce a toy for a 12-month old that includes powerpoint switches, cupboard doors and on/off buttons!

It's genius! The only problem is they would still not play with it cos it's not the real deal!!!

This pg is going really well. We had our 20 wk scan and everything looks normal, right sizes/measurements etc. We didn't find out what we are having. I like surprises!

I'm so proud of myself. I have been staying on top of the dishes...that's a very big deal for me!!! Today in between playing with Flynn and listening to him scream I have pretty well sorted out the spare/junk room. I'm a bit excited about that cos I'm totally motivated to do some scrapbooking and I have a desk in there which has been covered in clutter...so yay!

Yesterday I had a pedicure. My sister got it for me for my birthday which is coming up. It had a parafin treatment with it which was just divine!!! It was so nice. If you are in need of a treat I can definitely recommend it!

:hugs: Luey. I'm so proud of you for sharing about your PND diagnosis. I'm glad you are feeling better on the medication. Canada sounds just lovely!

Thanks for the hug Nic. I don't think Flynn has any idea that there is a new person coming to invade his space. I think mainly he is just headstrong! I should be allowed to do this and it's not fair that you won't let me! Some days it is fine and I can totally handle it...other days...Yikes! He cracked it the other ay and in the end I had to just put him in his bed and leave him to scream. That sounds horrible but I'd tried everything. Food, playing with him, cuddles, panadol, ignoring him, more food, trying to put him down for a nap, more cuddles etc...I think he screamed and carried on for about 2 or 3 minutes and then fell asleep. I was at such a loss for what to do that I called DH, who was absolutely useless being at work!!! It is a trying time but it's not all bad!!

[*becstar*]

I'm back as promised.

Newbies, Mum2willie and doubletrouble where are you?? I hope we haven't made you feel unwelcome. i know at times it may seem we miss you out but honestly (and I'm sure I speak for all here) we don't mean to. Force of habit and just running short in time we may overlook you only because we've grown to be such a tight-knit group. We'd love to get to know you more and have you post more , please do pass on your emails so we can share the beautiful 1st birthday pics.

As I said things here are busy.Again Hayley, you are my hero Ben is about to sign up for Auskick tomorrow, so there goes my only free day, Friday *sigh*. It's busy but good too. It's nice to not be so confined to the house and I really feel proud watching the kids do their own thing. Even though they drive me nuts at home sometimes all in all we are raising wonderful children who are going to be a real asset to society. Tooting my own horn here, lol. They behave 98% of the time in public and compared to some monsters I've seen out lately.....they are angels.

Laura, congrats on your little girl!! How exciting! how are you feeling re the pregnancy now? Please know anytime you need to talk i'm am here, PM me, FB, MSN, txt, what ever

Luey, well done on your confession. Surely you know such a diagnoses holds no stigma here though? I'm glad you are feeling better, you really have had a rough run with E....any subsequent bubs will be a walk in the park!! Good luck for Canada too, how exciting!! Is it just a holiday?? Oh and yes, it's freezing here today...brrrrrrr...we need to organise some wood for the fire ASAP!!!

Catherine, I'm glad to hear you all so are doing well, and that all seems well with bubs. On the tantrums.....Jake is really into this too, although his only last a couple minutes tops. Maybe he knows I'm so practiced at them, lol. It could be the pregnancy too....but keep talking to him about it, might seem silly but it can't hurt. Get him to rub your belly and be 'gentle'. Being gentle mgiht help you later on when bubs arrives

Ooooh that reminds me, I am MEGA clucky ATM, lol, I have a new nephew!! My BIL's wife gave birth just a couple weeks ago to a boy. I'm so excited cos I get NB cuddles this weekend!! EEEEEEEk!! It's great cos i've had the last 3 babies in the family so it's someone elses turn!!!

Hayley, how are you going? I do love the knitted set from Shannon, and Ari is so gorgeous in it!! I take joy from nappies/special clothing at the moment too

Macca....how about you and Will and bubs?? what's news with you??

Andie, I love your idea about a toy, although like Catherine said if it's not authentic it's not good enough!! I'm sure Cam will star at daycare. I know it's hard but having those few weeks with him in care and you at home will help you feel more secure about leaving him when you do start work.

Mel, how are you going with the separation?? All I can suggest in the short term is baby wearing. Saves my sanity most nights at arsenic hour, lol. Maybe a Mei Tai in a back carry?? Jake loves this while I'm getting tea ready and he's grumpy. And in a back carry they can't touch things, lol.

Jo you are a superwoman!! honestly to do it on your own so much you are amazing!! and after all the bank stress.....you deserve a medal

Nic......I'll speak to you soon I hope, I'm so glad all has gone well with your return to work. It's ok to call and check. I'm relieved you feel better about it too.

Leesa, how are you doing too?? When can we see pics of Maddi's b'day?? PM someone your email so we can add you

Awwww I wish we could all have any more babies together. I'd love to go through it all with you all again, I can't say how many times you all have saved my sanity over the last 21 or so months. I truly feel I have made friends for life here. Can you tell how clucky I am?? lucky I have that IUD in place and DH won't budge, lol.

I'm sorry for anyone I missed, Nina springs to mind...who else??

Much love to all....who's the next birthday?? James and then Ari??

xxx

[*becstar*]

Before we head off to dancing.....

Sorry Andie, my bad. GUDNH is Great Down Under Nappy Hunt, an internet hunt involving lots of nappy, baby, cloth pad sites which hide an icon on their site for you to find! It's terribly addictive and frustrating, lol. I'm just hoping to win a prize!!

BBL