Babies Born March 2007 #5

Caro - post away! With the girls, I have noticed with Chloe especially, that a little positive praise goes a long way. The girls have been doing piano lessons for about 18months now and Chloe really struggles to pay attention and concentrate in the class. She is very easily distracted and often disrupts the rest of the class. I usually get really stressed during the class because she is constantly being told (by the teacher) to pay attention and to stop touching the other kids and I am usually telling her as well. Yesterday, I made sure that when she was concentrating, and trying hard to get her songs right, I told her she was doing well and gave her lots of positive praise and she was so much better during the class! With Jas it isn't so much a problem, but I do find myself often getting annoyed with Chloe for not doing what she is supposed to be doing. I also have a sticker chart and each fortnight we (Keyt and I) chose something that the girls have been a bit slack with (like keeping their room tidy or getting ready for school on time) and they get stickers each time they do it. At the end, they get a reward, like they get to stay up later on a night they choose, or we go somewhere special. It works really well for them. As for catching up, we have one more week then it is school holidays, so I may have to wait until after the holidays if that suits you.

Cass - I have had a breakthrough! Nicholas has now slept for 1 1/2 hours this afternoon. I again went in after about 45 mins and patted him and he got through that next cycle and is still fast asleep! I was thinking about napping as well as he woke up 4 times last night and I am knackered! Of course though, if I do try to nap, he is sure to wake up! We stuggle sometimes when Chloe goes to her mums too. She is not consistent at all and there is usually either no discipline at all, or she is yelled at, nothing in between. I think it is hard when you have to parent with someone else when they don't share your views. A lot of the time, I find I am trying to put it all back together after all the work we have done with the kids has been undone.

Katrina - I can't believe it has been a year since Nicholas was conceived! It really doesn't seem that long ago at all. In no time at all, all the bubs will be crawling and talking, then going to school!! I can definitley see how people keep having more babies, they grow up so fast!

Jo, WOOHOO on the breakthrough!! Oskar is having a nap at the moment. This time of the day though he does only nap for up to an hour at the most as he cluster feeds full on from around 3-4pm so I just go with it. You are so right, it's majorly difficult when you have to share parenting with a parent who doesn't view things the same and is also in a different house! Joshua's dad is now saying he's over it and Joshua's attitude and basically given up... now this doesn't do anything to help how Joshua feels about himself and how he feels his dad feels about him. I've had many conversations with Joshua about this and he usually just shrugs his shoulders and says he doesn't really mind that his dad doesn't do much with him etc... now I know him a hell of a lot better than he thinks and I KNOW that it does bug him and this is how he deals with it. *sighs* poor little fella (ok... not so little and would kill me for saying that.. pmsl.. esp. since he's now taller than me!) He also reckons that his dad doesn't really love him :( I tell him he does, cos I know that he does, we just differ a lot with certain things I guess. Anyway, enough of my sorrow.

Ok.. so guess what... I gave in and went to the shops...haha. I had to get out of the house. Wasn't too bad, I was pretty good... I DID buy some things though, KMart had some clothes for Oskar at great prices. I got him 2 long sleeve shirts (cos he only had 2 I think) one for $6 and one for $4...and I also got him a long sleeve, no legs jumpsuit so he can wear that under his overalls so his shirt doesn't pull up all the time and I got that for only $3!! How impressed was I! Then I bought him these cute little shoes...lol for $5 from Big W and a little polar fleece blanket for his pram so I don't have to keep taking it in and out of it all the time. I knew I wouldn't be able to help myself!! Oh well, he needed the clothes and it cost hardly anything!

Cass, awesome on the bargains. Kmart does have some good stuff and cheap prices too. We got one of those polar fleece blankets for the pram with holes where you can put the straps through (not that I strap her into the pram yet anyway), i love it, its really good and keeps her cosy. Claire is doing the same with her naps and cluster feeding of an afternoon - right when I want to cook and eat dinner! Definately doesnt seem like a year since I first knew I was pregnant - it was 30th June that I knew .. I remember the date because it was the day of our end of financial year party at work (i work in insurance so we 'celebrate' 30th of june) - its gone so quickly.

Jessica, hope the party goes well and the boys are ok with being baby sat. I am so nervous about going out for a full night and having someone babysit, but I am just one of those people who worries alot!!

Well its been another freezing cold and rainy day, so no walks for me either. (argh at the crappy weather hey Cass) Claire has wanted to play heaps today and she's so tired at the moment but she just keeps on smiling and giggling to me and booby isnt knocking her out. I think she just wants company! She has now discovered her cloth book and she loves chewing on it. She wasnt interested in it last week but now she loves it.

Hi everyone – goodness what chatterboxes we have here!

Karina – I don’t really think the actavite is doing anything, but I don’t always have it. I am noticing recently that in the morning my bbs are really full, but by the night they aren’t – is this normal? Grace still settles well after the feed but there is definitely a difference in quantity. Yay on your mum helping you out. Gotta love your mum. I remember reading about you losing your hair – it hadn’t happened to me…and then this week I have noticed that I am losing my hair too! I was washing my hair this morning and it was coming out all over my hands. Weird and annoying too. Lucky I have lots of hair so can afford to lose a bit. That is amazing that it was 12months ago that we found out we were going to be parents. Seems so long ago now, can’t remember life without Grace anymore – what did I used to do with my days?!

Cass – we were worried about mucking up night sleeps too but so far so good *touch wood* (I seem to be doing this a lot lately!). I am amazed at how easily she has transitioned from being wrapped to the sleeping bag. She always pushes the blankets down though and then sleep with her arms splayed straight out on either side of her – she looks so cute and relaxed but I worry that she will get too cold. Her hands are always like ice in the morning (not so nice when they come in contact with my skin during that first feed, certainly wakes me up). I agree that it is nice to meet up with people from BB. Jess and I meet up for hot chocolate most weeks now – it’s great, Tate is a cutey and so big – I picked him up the other day and couldn’t believe how heavy he was. Aiden is a bit of a cutey too – and so well behaved. I have a routine now that involves a walk every morning, I feel all weird if I can’t do it. It is supposed to rain for the next few days here too so I am thinking that we may be heading to the shopping centre just so we can walk. YAy on the clothes.

Caro- WOW, I can’t believe how big Michael is now. He is stacking it on. Grace was 3.5kgs at birth and last weigh in (2 weeks ago) she was 5.75kgs! I think she is bigger than that now but WOW!

Jo – yay on being able to get Nicholas to sleep longer in the day. We had some good days last week with Grace but this week we are really struggling to get her to sleep longer than and hour during the day. Needless to say she is exhausted and irritable by that last feed of a day. I don’t have other kids but praising good behaviour is definitely important – I just know from a professional perspective that you get sick and tired of being told off for things but never given a pat on the back when you do something right.

Jessica – don’t worry about it. This week is a rather busy week. I just emailed you before jumping on BB. I forgot about your dinner so scrap the weekend catch up idea and we shall catch up next week for sure. Hope you have a great night – did you get an outfit? Enjoy your night with your DH.

Grace has found her laugh! It is so absolutely adorable. She did it for the first time the other day and then again today when my parents and a friend were over. Makes me laugh she is so cute when she does it. She has also found her feet –s he just stares at them and moves them around, very cute too. Also, she will now hold onto certain toys too and tries to put them in her mouth also – some of them are too big though! I can’t believe how quickly she is growing up. We’re still working on rolling here but she is definitely getting there, she just has to work out where to put that bottom arm so that she will go over. Nothing else happening here. It’s my birthday next week so we are contemplating going out for dinner and maybe a movie as my mum has offered to babysit Grace for us (or should I say begged to babysit!). Decision decisions.

Heylo from tazmania!
It' still pretty cold down here! We come back up to the sunshine on the 10th... Although from what i have been hearing its not that warm up there either!

Izzy's doing reat! laughing now!!! she has the most adorable laugh!!! it's just gorgeous! hehe... and smiling all the time!
she had solids for the first time today! and seems to enjoy it alot! (yes i know its early ws okayed by CHN) she's just a hungrier baby!

Got more pitures up in photobucket... go to sub album 'tazmania' to see the ones from down here!
Gotta goo! Izzy needs her mum
Cass

Cass, Izzy is so adorable!!

Caro, do you mean 5910?? WTG on the house!! Hope yours sells fast for you :)

I have just put some new pics on the site for Oskar... they are in the album marked 12 wks - 6 mths.

Nothing new, just thought it was about time I uploaded the new pics...lol.

Cass – I really feel for Joshua. It must be hard when you’re a teenage boy and you don’t have a relationship with your dad (a good one anyway). How does he get along with Andy? I think when Chloe gets older, we will have similar problems with her relationship with her mother. For now, she just accepts the way it is, but the older she gets, the more she will understand the truth, and that will be hard for her. I bought a heap for stuff for Nic at Kmart the other day too. A couple of long sleeved body suits and two long sleeved t-shirts and I think they were only about $3 and $4 each.

Rachel – Just when you get used to them doing something, they change don’t they? I am hoping the longer sleeps during the day will be one of the things that stays around a while though!! So cute that Grace is laughing. Nic is too and it cracks me up, it is so cute!

Caro – excellent weight gain, WTG Michael!! Congrats on the house, very exciting.

Cass - Izzy is SOOOO cute! I love the pic with her yawning, her face is so gorgeous.

Well, we are still sleeping well over here. Nicholas seems to have developed a bit of a sleeping habit! I am so very proud of him. He is sleeping for 1 – 1 ½ in the mornings and 2 1/5 hours most afternoons, then sleeping for 10 + hours at night. He is so much happier when he is awake now too as he is awake longer without being tired and grumpy. He is loving tummy time now and is sitting up in his pram, which he also loves. Hope everyone else is going well!

Hello all, quick post very late :-)

Cass - yeah we just got back from Toowoomba tonight and actually it was warmer there as SIL & fam had all the heaters on so the bubs were just in their wondersuits - so cute

Not sure if it was bec or Sonia but yeah on being happy going back to work. I am off to uni for 4 days next week so Ari had her firs formula today while I expressed. She gulped it down so at least I don't have to worry about that.

Caro -woohoo on the weight gain

Everyone else hope you are all well, will catch up soon. I thought holidays were suppose to be relaxing :-)

Caro, yay about the new house, thats very exciting - hope you can sell yours quickly. Thats great M seems to be so much better. What a relief that must be!

Cass, Oskars such a little cutie and what a gorgeous little smile he has! How cute are hats! I have so many hats for Claire but they just dont stay on her head and sometimes she will pull them down over her eyes and get cranky.

Cass Blob, wow on solids already! I hadnt even thought of that yet. Great that Izzy enjoyed it. What did you give her? How big is she now?

Rachel, I am the same - boobs empty at night but much fuller of a morning especially if Claire has slept a little longer than usual. I assumed it was normal as she is going longer between her feeds? How cute that Grace has started to laugh. Isnt it just so cute!

Jo, woohoo on the long night sleeps! I am looking forward to Claire sleeping through (she still wakes every 3 hours overnight) Thats great Nic is liking tummy time now. Claire used to hate it but she is starting to enjoy it.

Sarah, Yay on Ari enjoying her formula, at least you know she likes it. Hope uni goes well for you next week.

Claire has been really playful again today (but also very chucky though it didnt seem to bother her) and has just been smiling and giggling at everything. I've also been reading to her, but I dont have many books for her so I think I might go out and get some more. I put her down for sleep a couple hours ago when I thought she was tired, and she just chatted away to herself for about half an hour.

Oh i put more photos up on my website too! I love taking photos of Claire.

lol Caro... blame it on baby brain and also you having to pack up your house!! OMG you're going to be soooo busy!! I do NOT envy you at all. I hate packing up and moving. I get into it then I'm over it in about 1/2 hour and find it soooo hard to keep the motivation up...lol.

Jo, I am not sure if it's not a good relationship or more that his dad isn't a "listener". I mean, Joshua does love his dad and all... but I think the problem really is that his dad just jumps to a conclusion or takes the bull by the horns and runs with what part of a story he has IYKWIM? Whereas I take the time to sit down and ask questions... mind you I don't always get answers..lol..quite often I get.. there's nothing wrong etc and you KNOW clearly there is. I think there is a balance somewhere there in knowing when to STOP asking so they will actually say something and not clam up more. He gets on great with Andy, loves him. Andy will play playstation games with him and I've had them out in the garden together pulling out crap etc. Mind you I don't think Andy minds playing the games either ;) lol. WOOHOO Nic!! What a good little man for your mummy.

Sarah, apparently today's top temp in Toowoomba is pretty much what we had last night!! It gets so cold up there! Mind you we've got westerly winds happening atm so they come from up there! Damn Woomby!! lol. Good for your peace of mind knowing that Ari doesn't have a prob with the formula!! WTG Ari. Haven't you heard the saying that you need a holiday to get over your holiday?? It's soo like that isn't it and you get home and you just want to sink into your lounge and go OMG it's soooo good to be home. I find that my bed feels like the softest and most comfortable thing I've ever laid on when I get home after hols!

Karina, thank you so much :) I just adore his smile and he gets all excited now and scrunches himself down IYKWIM. lol. He does pull his hat down sometimes and starts grunting and whinging..lol. Andy said he looks like Shrek in the hat on my ticker! Claire is so cute! I take so many pics too! I think I take more than I did with Joshua, but I think that's cos digital cameras make it so easy to do so and you don't have to pay horrific developing costs like with film!!

It's amazing how different our little bubs look now compared to when they were born. They're not all smooshy anymore..lol. Their skin is pinker and they're all plumper...soooo adorable!

Oskar had a bit of conjunctivitis again yesterday. Maybe the wind has something to do with it?? I have to go to the docs later today so if I remember I'll ask him about that. Anyway, breastmilk in the eyes again and it's gone!! I'm starting to be able to get him to laugh if he's in the mood... also if he's sensitive at the time and you're just even changing his nappy he gets really ticklish and curls up and laughs! Him laughing just makes me laugh cos it's so adorable and from the belly and I JUST LOVE IT!!

Cass, oh yeah digital cameras are the best, arent they! I definately wouldnt have as many photos of Claire if I had only a film camera - such a hassle and so exxy getting them developed. I've been looking at all her pictures and she sure does look different now. When she was born she had a funny shaped head with indents on the side (I assume from being stuck) and she doesnt have those anymore, but even her face looks totally different. She also has less hair now! Hope the conjunctivitis clears up, breast milk is so handy isnt it! I remember my boss at work had conjunctivitis and he told us all to stay away from him and also said its contagious, not sure if it would be carried by the wind though? Claire had pus type stuff in her eyes and I thought it might have been conjunctivitis, but we were told it was probably a blocked tear duct.

Went out today and hunted down a place that sells the Infant size nappies in a big box (yay for Babies Galore!). I dont like having to buy the smaller bags of nappies, I prefer to buy a box! I also went to have a look at baby seats for the car. We are borrowing a seat from friends, but i do believe they are expecting again (they havent told us, but i think so anyway), so I want to give their seat back to them in a few months so they have it ready for their new baby.

I'm just sitting here watching telly and the St George ad comes on where there are two babies in a cot, one had a dummy and one is crying, and the one with the dummy takes out the dummy and gives it to the other baby.. and all I could think was euw, you dont share dummies!!!

Oh Karina - the photo's of claire hiding behind her blanket and the one on her belly are so cute.

Cass - photo's 8 and 9 are gorgeous. We have taken so many photo's of Grace and it's all because of digital - it's so easy to just snap snap snap and it costs nothing.

Jo - WTG on the day sleeps - wish Grace would do that but I'm not suprised she doesn't as she does sleep for 12 hours overnight. She needs at least a longer nap in the afternoon because she is getting so grizzly by that last feed and it's because she is so tired.

Cass - the photo's in your mums backyard are great - although it looks cold!

Was supposed to be having mother's group at one of the other mum's houses tomorrow and I was taking a salad which was nice and easy. She rang this morning to say her daughter had a bad cold and didn't think it was wise to have us all over - which was really nice - but now everyone is coming over here tomorrow! I don't mind just really short notice. The pressure is on after the fantastic spread one of the mum's put on last week. What made it hard is that one mum is vegetarian, another is muslim and doesn't eat pig products and another doesn't eat red meat. The vegetarian one was the one that made it tricky as I am definitely a meat eater so don't really make much that doesn't have meat! Anyway, after thinking about it all day I am making a risotto - half vegetable and the other half chicken and vegetable. I'm also cooking up some chicken drumettes to munch on. Someone else is bringing a cake plus i have some yummy biscuits. Another lady was going to take garlic bread to the other womans house so she may be bringing that - who know's. Will just have to go with the flow - a bit nervous having them all here! Silly I know. At least I don't have to go out now. Hopefully it goes ok. Will let you know how it goes.

Oh - did I say how much I love my little girl?! I was doing a silly dance today and Grace thought it was hilarious - I am sitting here tonight just thinking about her laughing and it makes me so warm and fuzzy and makes me smile...so just wanted to say how much I love her. Anyway, goodnight ladies.

Cass – Men just aren’t too good at listening are they? I imagine a teenage boy would be complicated in the best of family situations!

Karina – Yay on the box of nappies! I wish I could find somewhere in Perth that sold them in boxes. I suppose he will be into the next size up soon enough anyway. that's so funny! You will be shocked to learn then that when you start going to play group, Claire will more than likely be sharing her dummy with every other kid there! I remember Jas just picking up anyone's dummy at play group and popping it into her mouth - so gross!!

Rachel – Good on you for having the mother’s group at your place! When I had Jas, we used to meet at each others houses and I used to get nervous too. This time, we meet after our post-natal exercise class at the shopping centre for a coffee. One of the mums has organised a play group for us starting next term, so that’s fantastic. It is only about a 15minute walk from my place too, on the other side of a lake, so I will try to walk there when it’s not raining.

It sounds like we have all fallen in love with our babies (again!). Nic is so cute, he smiles and laughs a lot now and gurgles at us all the time. He adores the girls and grins at them constantly. I really must update my photo’s, I am so slack with this! Nic has woken up with a cold today, so he was very grizzly today. Chloe was also home from school today as she has a terrible cough and was up a lot in the night. We have out a vapouriser in Nic’s room and have given him Dimatapp, and he is sleeping now, poor little fella.

Hey all....
gotta type quick again coz izzy getting cranky! she's 3m, 3wks old! weighing 6.8kgs... she just wasnt getting enough with my milk! and is loving real food... mum said i was the same as ababy.... tried her on farex! shes on that for 2weeks, then starting on vegies...

thnx i still say these March babies r the cutest! and growing way to fast!!!

gtta go ...

Rachel, hope your mothers gruop at your place goes well. Wow sounds like quite a feast youre cooking up (how do you have the time?). We've done mothers group at someones house a couple of time and we get evryone to bring a plate of something so the person 'hosting' doesnt have to do all of it. How cute that Grace was enjoying your little dance! Theyre just beautiful arent they!

Jo, you might find the big boxes of nappies in baby store or you could google bulk nappies or something like that so see if any places sell them in bulk near you. lol not too worried about the dummy sharing as Claire doesnt seem to like dummies, but I can imagine that the dummy sharing does happen.. kids will put just about anything in their mouths wont they! Hope Nic is ok with that cold, poor little guy. The vaporiser should help though.

Caro, how cute M likes the caterpillar!i love it when babies laugh at stuff, so adorable. WOW on hitting 6kg! thats great! Claire is just 5.2kg lol.

Claire has been sleeping better at night which is fantatsic!!! but bad thing is I am so used to getting up a few times overnight that I keep on waking! Last few nights she's been sleeping from around 10pm until about 6am. I'm loving it, now i just have to hope she continues it and then I have to learn to sleeep through the night too! She is sitting here with me having a good old chat. She is almost due to have her next set of immunisations, so I might see if I can get the done in the next couple of weeks.

Caro , Jo, if you are interested, when I googled to find bulk nappy suppliers in sydney I came across one in WA called nappyonline. Its nappyonline with a dot com dot au. They have the Infant sizes in a box of 100 and they deliver the box to you. I just looked and its $38.09 plus 2.95 delivery in Perth. I dont know if thats any cheaper than buying them in the smaller packs, but just thought I'd let you know they are available in Perth!

Thanks Karina, I will look into that!

Caro - Yep, school holidays start next week, for 2 weeks. What date do you move again?

Karina, it could be blocked tear ducts with him... I don't know, haven't actually taken him to the doc when it's happened cos the first time they weren't open anyway!! Yay on the box of nappies!! I hated buying the bags too, I have 4 boxes of the 6 - 11kg cos I kept buying when on special and I think I'll start him in them when I finish the last of the infant size. Lol... I thought that ad was cute.

Rachel, thank you so much. They're my favourites too!! Andy reckons Oskar looks like Shrek in that hat. Wow you are ambitious aren't you!! I am sooo not up to having lots of other mothers and kiddies around...lol. For one I have the cat and I think that a lot of them might not like the fact that I can't get rid of all the cat hair no matter what I do. Hope it all went well for you :)

Awww Jo, I hope Nic feels better soon.

Caro, way to go Michael!!

Hello all, finally some time to read and post, Ari is asleep (touchwood) and nanna is putting DS to bed. DH and I actually got to go out alone last night for the first time in ages, went late night shopping, dinner and then to see Transformer - OMG best movie ever by the way. Unfortunately the dinner obviously didn't agree with me as I woke up at 4am with food poisoning. On the upside Ari slept from 8pm-4am ( I think she would have lasted longer but I woke her up with my rush to the bathroom) She has been grumpy today and her poos are a bit runny so I'm hoping she didn't get too much of the toxins or whatever through my milk as I am still feeling sore and revolting today.

Cass_blob - I second what Caro said but I'm sure you are doing whats right for your bubba. I have heard of a few bubs that go on soilds early and are fine but you might want to check on the research between early soilds and digestive trouble esp later in life (irritable bowel and celiacs (sp?) It's great that Izzy is enjoying them though - solids can be heaps of fun, I used to love comig up with different combos for Xander. His fav was avocado, mash potato and grated cheese :-) Ari has had a few tastes off our fingers of veges but she generally hasa lick and screws up her face :-)

Rachel - hope mothers group went well. Wow it would be really hard to cook for a varied group like that.

Caro - hope the move goes well!

Cass - Know what you mean about the cat hair, we have a dog that lives inside and ditto on the hair. How's little Oskar going? Don't think I am going to make it to the outlets stores with you :-( Time is just going past sooooo quick.

Karina - good find with the nappies.

Hello again! Can I just ask - how on earth do you all find time to post so often! LOL! I just can't keep up with reading all of your posts let alone posting myself! But I will try!

TJ is growing like a weed! She is in love with her jolly jumper and is now laughing! DH is also enjoying her more and more every day! We are going to try her in the shower with me this weekend!

I've also decided to go through her clothes that she has grown out of and sell some of them on ebay - she has far too many I just can't keep them all for the next one (when ever that may be)! So I think I will go through and get rid of about half!

Has anyone baby proofed their house yet? I've been looking around at different things...but I'm just not sure how much is too much! I think a few power point plug thingos, door stop things for the kitchen and some things for the sharp edges on the coffee table.

Well better head off!

xoxoox

Cass, i do the same thing - i just buy them when they're on special. When I was pregnant, DH would only let me buy a total of 2 boxes of newborn nappies, but she is only just out of newborns now, so i had to buy more anyway! Hope little Oskars eyes are ok and its not conjunctivitis.

Natty!! hello, yah I post at ridiculous hours or when Claire is sleeping! I've gone through Claires clothes and I got out the little 00000 that she wore as a newborn and OMG they are so tiny compared to what she is now! We havent yet baby proofed but pretty soon I am going to go out and buy some of those power point things and something to lock some of our cupboards so she cant empty them. We already have this thing to lock the fridge, but I only got it because the seals were gone so the door kept opening on its own! Awww that picture in your ticker is so cute!

Went out to a friends house and Claire was so cranky! I think it was because it was a differnt environment to what she is used to - more people and more noise and just not familiar to her. I just coudlnt get her to sleep, not even with booby, so we ended up leaving early-ish and she talked the whole way home in the car then fell asleep as soon as we got home. Probably just wanted her usual cot!

I am going to out on the weekend and buy her some more of those soft books - she loves sucking on them and pulling at them.

And, my Grobag broke!!!! I only got it just over 3 weeks ago and its broken already - the zippy thing came off so its hard to do up and down now - so I am going to harrasss the shop I got it from and ask for a replacement!

have a nice weekend everyone!

Caro - and other ladies... Thanks for your concern! I have looked at the research involved, and spoke to my CHN and my doctor who is a Peads doctor, so i am certainly comfortable following there advice... I already had izzy sublemented with formula to try help with her hunger (as well as breast fed) but she was still hungry...o the next step to try after that was solids!!!

My Pead. cheacked that she was ready for solids... and gave the okay ahead! And might i say it really is agreeing with her~

Once again thank you for your concern. But i am not doing this blindfolded~ it may be my first time but i am well educated, and everything that i am not sure of, I ask! I am lucky enough to not only have you guys, but a whole team of support here!

Cass_blob - I can't wait to start TJ on solids! But I have to keep reminding myself how easy Breastfeeding is and that should get me through the next 3months! Izzy is growing so fast!! I hope you are enjoying Tas!

Taia slept really well last night - but I didn't! Just couldn't get to sleep! Feeling pretty tired today but it's the weekend and DH is home to help me so that is ok!

Hope everyone is well!

xoxo

Cass, it's so great that Izzy is enjoying her food :) Has it helped with filling her up?

Sarah, it's a pity huh! I keep thinking about going to the Bright Bots one but just haven't done it yet! I will try to though...at least it gives me a goal...lol. Oskar is great, right now laying on the floor next to me playing with one of his toys which has a kick pad thingy on it and it makes noises etc for him... he loves it, gets all excited and kicks more..lol.

Nat, great to hear from you and that everything is going well :) We haven't tried Oskar in the shower yet but we have major water restrictions so it's kinda not really the best time. Haven't baby proofed yet, but certainly thinking of at least starting with the baby gates soon cos we have stairs and I guess the cat needs to get used to them also. A friend of mine bought a house the other week and it had all the door baby locks so she's pulled them off and is going to give them to me so I don't have to buy them :)

Karina, I only originally bought 2 boxes of newborn size as well and ended up having to buy more!! I tried the 6 - 11kg on him today cos I'm just about out of the infant size so thought that I'd better check the next size up fits him in case I had to get another bag of the infants... anyway, they fit him just have to cross the tabs over, so one on top of the other. I have 4 boxes...lol. OMG about your grobag!! I'd demand a new one! I hope it goes well for you! How cute about Claire chatting all the way home. I love when Oskar chats in the car, he has this really cute little sound he makes when he's happy and content.

Hello again, Ari's baptism tomorrow hoping no pooing disasters befall us although I do have a back-up outfit just in case. Madly m aking fairy cakes at the moment :-)

Cass_blob - I hope it didn't sound like I didn't think you knew what you were doing, I read that you had checked with the CHN I only said something as noone told me about all of that stuff when I had DS and I found everyone very pushy about starting solids as DS didn't sleep well at nights and feed frequently but unlike Izzy he wasn't ready still had that tongue pushy thing so it was a big stuff around and we ended up stopping until he was 7-9mths old which was when he was really ready. I am so pleased solids are going so well for you and Izzy!

Natty - we still have some things babyproofed from DS. Got these great ones for the china/tv unit that screw in and you have to hook your finger up and under. I didn't do a lot with DS as he was never out of sight but I am thinking with 2 and esp as Ari seems much more independant I will have to go the whole hog this time. One thing I discovered was really check out the different fastening as some of them are IMPOSSIBLE to open with one hand which you will want if it's somthing in the kitchen say when your trying to juggle a bub and cook dinner. It's hard to believe in 3-6mths most of them will be stting up and on the move. I think Caro posted the thread about when babies do what and it amazed me that some were sitting up and crawling by 6mths!

Karina - Hope you get your grobag replaced :-( I have to go and see the baby store about my pram as the rear tire keeps going flat and ther is no puncture. I think I've used it maybe 10 times max. Ari loves those little taggy books too!

Cassblob, yay I am looking forward to making foods for Claire. when she starts solids. Glad its going well for you.

Cass, how cute about Oskars happy sounds. I wish I knew what Claire was trying to say when she makes her funny little sounds!

Sarah, hope everything goes well for Aris baptism, yes hopefully no poo disasters! I'm sure she'll be great. Hope you can get your pram sorted out. How annoying that the wheel keeps going flat.

Ok, well I rang the place I got my Grobag from and they told me to send it to them and then they'll check if they can replace it. They have to send it to Grobag who will assess it and decide whether theyll replace it for me. They better, cos I have only had it 3 weeks and I have washed it as per their instructions and I do take care of it, so no reason for it to break so soon and certainly not my fault.

I feel like a bad unobservant mummy now. Mum was here just the other day and pointed out to me that Claire has got cafe au lait spots on her thighs and bum.. I had never even noticed it before but theyre really obvious now that I know they are there. I feel bad for not noticing before.

Hubby and I are going up to stay with his parents next week. He has a conference for work in Newcastle for 3 or 4 days and his parents live near there so we are going up to stay there as its about 3 hour drive so he cant drive up and home everyday. I dont really know if I want to go. I think it will annoy me way too much spending all day all week with them. I know that sounds mean, but they're the kind of people I can only tolerate in SMALL doses, iykwim!

Hope youve all had a great weekend.

Caro, Its a darker patch of skin, looks like a huge freckle.

I'm Karina not Katrina, btw.

Sarah, I hope all went well with Ari's baptism today!! She wouldn't have a poo disaster...not that little princess...!! Share some pics of her big day when you have a minute :)

Karina, why should they have to send it away etc.... surely in the interests of customer service etc and they could send them a photo or something.. we are in the age of technology!! Is there a grobag number you can call directly?? I'd try that before letting them send it off for who knows how long it will take. mmmmm... I wouldn't be able to stay that long with my IL's either...lol. I wouldn't go if I had the choice, but I'd also start to really feel it without Andy for a whole week! Having said that I would love have the bed to myself though, except for when Oskar shares with me in the mornings! I'm with Caro too, what are cafe au lait spots??

Lol Karina... don't mind me asking the same question now... I still haven't heard of them.

Forgot to mention before... I think Oskar may have ingrown toenails on his big toes...he's always had funny looking toenails on them and then Friday I didn't really think much of it but his toe was a little red on the end but could've been from anything then yesterday I was changing him and noticed it again so I took a closer look and put some paw paw ointment on it last night. This morning it was a bit pussy, at the top of the nail on the outside corner... so I'm thinking oh crap I hope he doesn't have ingrown toenails cos they can be very painful!! If it's not clearing in the next day I'll take him to have it checked at the doc's.

Cass, yeah I was hoping I could just send them a photo of the where the zipper had fallen off because then I could continue to use the Grobag while waiting for a response from them, but no, they want the actual grobag so they can see for themselves... what do they think, I just pulled the zipper off a perfectily good Grobag for no good reason? I know they need my one to do an exchange. It has to go to Perth so it will take a while i think and I'd rather just take it to the shop and swap it for a new one rather than mailing it away and then waiting, kwim? Poor little Oskar, i hope his toe isnt hurting him too much. I havent had an ingrown toenail, but I have heard people talk about how much it hurts.

DH has a theory... that babies are cranky around a full moon. Does anyone else find their baby is more cranky when its a full moon?

Wow! So much to catch up on – I was only off line for a couple of days wasn’t I?! lol. Stupid internet was playing up again and our modem is in the roof so couldn’t fix it until DH could get up into the roof.

Karina- buggar about the grobag, at those prices you would expect a new one (you would actually expect that it wouldn’t break that easily), and fast. Haven’t noticed about the full moon thing but don’t remember the last time I had a chance to look at the moon, lol. I wouldn’t be surprised though, people do go a bit loony when the moon is full (there is actually a scientific theory to do with the moon and sea level and mucking us up etc). I wouldn’t feel bad about not noticing the spot – I was just thinking the other day that other than when Grace is bathing, it is not often that she is completely naked due to it being too cold. If they were born just before summer they would be naked all the time and you may have noticed it sooner. I know what you mean about the in laws. We were staying with MIL when we went to Adelaide and that was 6 days – definitely enough!

Jo – pmsl at sharing the dummy thing. Hadn’t thought of that but I’m guessing that they will be putting worse things than other kids dummy’s in their mouths. Hope Nic starts to feel better soon, not nice having a cold.

Caro – congrats on the house, how very exciting.

Cass – I’m glad that food is agreeing with Izzy. Definitely agree about the march babies being so cute. All the babies in my mothers group (all but one were born within days of Grace) are so cute too. Maybe there was something good going around at the time of conception!

Cass – I thought the ad was cute too! He does not look like Shrek!! Way to cute for that. Occasionally Grace’s fringe curls up, DH thinks she looks like an ompa lumpa! I say no way, she is too cute for that too. Men!!! I have 2 cats – both black so cat hair is a nightmare. We actually thought that they would run and hide as soon as the girls arrived (there were 9 babies and mums) but strangely they decided that they would be curious and were trying to get into everything! Luckily a lot of the ladies have cats too so no-one was overly bothered by them. I hope that Oskar’s toe clears up, I have had an ingrown toe nail before and it really really hurts.

Sarah – yay about getting to go out but bummer about getting sick, not nice at all. How did Ari’s baptism go? I’m sure she looked gorgeous. Good point about the baby proofing cupboards and having to open with one hand.

Nat – had to laugh at your growing like a week comment. Hadn’t thought of it like that but so so true. I haven’t had Grace in the shower yet – hope it went well for you. Haven’t baby proofed yet but it is on the to do list (the more urgent to do list!).

So today is again 9 days since Grace has done a poo. She hasn’t been as grunty this time and I’m not as stressed because I know it’s not constipation. Having said that though she has been so grizzly the last few days and really clingy in the day – we think she may be teething as she is dribbling so so much and constantly chomping on her hand or our fingers or anything really! We gave her a teething ring but she seems to be more troubled by the back of her gums and she can’t get the ring in that far. Is there anything that you can do to help with the discomfort? Do you usually give panadol? It’s so hard because she can’t tell me – we are obviously just guessing :dunno:. If she said to me my mouth hurts then I wouldn’t hesitate in giving her some panadol –so tricky.

The mother’s group thing went ok I think. I made risotto but Grace was so grizzly on Friday (screaming at times) and I got distracted, I was supposed to not completely cook the risotto and then finish it up when they arrive, but I cooked it too far in the morning so it went a bit claggy but it was still ok. It was supposed to be that we all bought a plate but the lady who held it the first week set a high standard and somehow it has turned into doing it all – not in a hurry to do it again I must admit.

It’s my birthday on Thursday and mum is taking me shopping on Tuesday for clothes – yay. Then my parents are babysitting on Saturday night and DH and I are going out for dinner and a movie – so exciting :dance:.

DH and I have been thinking that we should get some formula sachets to have just in case and I don’t have enough EBM in the freezer – but what formula do you use? There is so many that we don’t know what is best. Tempted to go with S26 as it is a well known brand but the do you pick the gold or regular? Might have to do a search and post a question as I have no idea – is anyone else doing this?

Anyway, must go finish dinner.

Caro, that's true but there are other brands that have sachets. I only have 3 full feeds stored, it's so hard to build it up. I had thought that about the panadol but it seems so wrong as last time we gave it (after immunisations) it knocked her out and she slept ans slept. The back of her gum on her left side feels different to the right side. she doesn't have red cheeks though, does that mean anything?

Hello Ari's baptism went beautifully. She was amazing, gooing and gaaing, even smiled as Fr Peter poured water over her head. I will post some pics somewhere and post a link.

Rachel - I've found a damp washer (probably dry in this cold weather would work) for bub to suck on works well as often their gums get itchy while they are teething. We use Brauers teething remedy, bonjela or hylands teething tablets and panadol if she is obviously in pain not just discomfort. Hope she poos soon for you? Do you still think it is linked to diet?

Karina - Don't feel bad about the spots, I only realised the other day that Ari has another birth mark on her thigh??? Hope you get your growbag back soon.

Cass- Ouch hope Oskar doesn't have ingrown toenails already! Ari gets a sore spot on her finger because she sucks on it so hard she pulls the quick out and it gets infected. I just put some BM on it and it clears up by the next day.

Rachel, maybe also see about those teething gels you rub n their gums - Bonjela, SM33 etc if you arent sure about the panadol. Claire also loves chewing on a washer. Hope you see poo soon, Claire is not pooing as much but still at least one a day. I also only have 3 full feeeds stored in the freezer, but this is enough for us as I dont go out with Claire often enough to need more, so I havent worried about buying any formula yet. I think if you post your question in the feeding section you'll get some good responses. Hope you enjoy your dinner and movie on thursday. For some reason I thought you mentioned you had your bday already about a month ago!!! Must have confused you with someone else LOL!!

Sarah, thats great Aris baptism went well and you got some nice photos.

Hi girls...thanks, was talking about bonjela the other day and completely forgot about it now!! Will have to go and get some tomorrow.

Sarah, I think the poo thing may be a normal thing for Grace (I hope so), but becauseI was eating so much crap I was making her go more often.

Karina - lol, must have confused me with someone else. We aren't going out until Saturday night. Looking forward to it.

Must go and express now...trying to build up supply in freezer.

Hi everyone, sorry I can't do personals, I'm exhausted since S has been waking up lots during the night - perhaps he's cold? So I put him in his sleeping bag tonight, hopefully it will work better. Did a couple of hours work yesterday (recording listening comprehensions for an exam) and was away from home about 3.5 hours. Came home and S was screaming, so I ran straight upstairs (DH was with him, trying to comfort him) and gave him a big cuddle. Gee it was hard being away for that long, how am I going to cope with ALL DAY?!! Only about 3 weeks until I start work...

Well, better go, have to express some milk too since I want to start freezing some - thinking about getting an electronic breast pump, can anyone recommend a particular one?

Hope you're all doing well and staying dry wherever you are!

Time for a new thread :D