Ash - that's terrible how Scott is behaving. I think I'd rip Rein's throat out if he tried to keep Izzy away from me. Good luck getting it all formalised - at least if you've got a court order you can get the police involved if you need to, not that that is ever the way you want to go. I'm really so sorry about the pregnancy - never good but timing makes these things so much harder. And you're right, it doesn't matter how early it is or how much it may be "for the best", they still hit you hard. I hope you're feeling a bit better and Dave is being lovely and supportive. You poor love. Hopefully your life will settle down very soon.

Dan - that sounds like a great idea for Livvy's birthday. I'm determined to have a party for Izzy on her birthday, but obviously Ned could throw that plan out the window!! My Mum has said she will make Izzy's cake if I end up "indisposed" and even if I have to have her party in the hospital, she is going to have it on her birthday! I'm so annoyed with all the people who keep saying to me that I shouldn't bother, she'll never know etc. I'll know, and I don't want in years to come to be telling my beautiful girl that we were just too busy to honour her important day! I am soooo jealous of your cold weather. We had a bit of a cooler patch but its now back up to mid 30s again. There goes the electricity bill . . . Have a great time shopping - I can't wait until its cool enough for Iz to start wearing her new winter wardrobe!

Lis - yep, she's off and running (almost does run when she's still furniture cruising). I watched her the other day stand up while holding a giraffe in one hand and a clown in the other, walk about 2 metres across the room, bash the giraffe and clown together, turn around and then sit herself down. Amazing. Its all just happened so quickly. I think a birthday party in the park for Elena's birthday sounds lovely, especially if you have a big family. Crazy to try and cram everyone in at home, especially if you get lucky with a lovely day. Been meaning to ask you - do you pronouce Elena's name "Elayna" or "Ell enna"?

No luck with names for Ned yet. DH is STILL saying its too far away to start discussing (he'll probably still be saying that in the labour ward!) so I have a fairly long list but nothing is really jumping out at me and sticking - or at least nothing that DH hasn't already said "oh that's awful/pretentious/old fashioned" or something else equally flattering. Dan - I ended up getting two prams (oop!) I initially put the double mountain buggy on layby but then decided I really couldn't justify the ridiculous price (about $1,500 once you get all the bits). So I've bought the Valco side by side while I'll use for proper walks and a babylove tandem which is really light and folds up small, which I'll keep in the car for shopping. Even buying two prams we still end up about $500 in front - crazy! I wish I liked the P&T but I just can't