Hi all,

Mel - Happy belated birthday for James - I'm so sorry I'm late in my well wishes . Things have been pretty mad here the past few days, but no excuses. Hope James had a good birthday, and will have a terrific party on Sunday. How's he going with his latest teething efforts? And how has Emily been lately?

Jo - How is Riley feeling ... did he end up getting a shiner? Poor little fella. Hope all's well with Isabella.

Bec - That's no good about your house. about that and also your DH's work situation - a real sign of the times, unfortunately, isn't it. Not that that's any consolation. Here's hoping you can stay where you are and your DH can get his apprenticeship signed off. We bought Cam a tonka truck walker/ride-on thingame. Hopefully he'll get use out of it (and enjoy playing with it) for a few months or longer ...

Nic - Soooo true re: us 12 months ago. This time last year (as in Friday 14th, 08) I'd done a mega day's housework and was totally pooped by 7.30pm. If only I'd known my waters would break just 24 hours later ...

We've got Cam's birthday party tomorrow. DH and I decided on a sausage sizzle, but naturally I ended up making zucchini slice and sausage rolls, plus an assortment of finger-food sweet-type things. I say "naturally" cos DH reckons I always go "above and beyond" what I originally say I'm going to do. Irritates him no end, at times . I'm making a fish for his birthday cake - it'll be chocolate butter cake with blue icing (which could prove an interesting flavour combo .... maybe). Will email round some pix by week's end.

It was a good idea pulling up our baby list Bec, but it makes me wonder where all our buddies have gone. I'm sure I put deodorant on this morning! If any absent buddies are reading this, come back and say hello, let us know how you and your bubbas are going! Even if it's a three-line post ... we'd love to hear from you .

Happy birthday to all our little piscean and aries rats! Like me, you fellow mums probably find it hard to believe how fast our beautiful, tiny newborns have turned into beautiful and mobile little boys and girls. Sigh ....

Andie