Taralee, how frustrating for you, when bubs wants to have playtime in the middle of the night. You're not a bad mum for wanting her to basically snap out of it, you're human hon! Sometimes, i just have to walk away, i've tried everything i can think of and nothing is working and i just have to have one minute away from the crying. Of course i give her extra cuddles as soon as i return.

That's if she even wants cuddles, i dunno. i think i have the uncuddlyiest baby out. She puts out her arms to be cuddled, i pick her up and all she does the entire time i hold her, is squirm and push me away (pull my hair, head butt me cos she can't control her head that well,). I am wondering, will she ever just snug into my shoulder and let me cuddle her? I love her so much and she won't accept my hugs. She seems to like kisses cos i see her grins, hard to know if she likes them or whether it's a tickly feeling on her cheek that she's smiling at.

Putting away 0000 and 000 clothes that she no longer fits into, is what brings me into the reality of my bubba growing up. Started to dismantle the baby gym today, she's too tall for it now, and like to sit (propped up by my breastfeeding pillow) on her mat and play with her toys. She's quite good at entertaining herself when in the mood. But her sleep patterns are all over the shop again. Since dh ruptured his back discs and i have been doing all the lifting, one thing i've cut out, is the wrapping in the swaddle cloths for sleep, trying to find some way to rest my back and wrists.

Thanks for the suggestion of putting apple with the bland rice cereal, pureed or grated apple i guess? I bought organic toothypeg rusks tonight at Woollies to try.

AJP - you've got me curious about the whole baby seat thing. My AF came back when tiny bilby was four months old i think, i thought i would get a bigger "break" but not to be. Your DH sounds incredibly keen!! Was he super supportive when you were pregnant??? in practical ways??

Christy - what's happened to Jovie? How is Matilda coping with not being the only bubba in your family now?

Kimbaz - sounds like you had a blast at Big Brother, good on you for getting out, i'm impressed! Between b/f every two hours and my looking after my "can barely walk, only stand for a few minutes" dh, we're not going anywhere at present. Tomorrow i am going to a girlfriend's for a catchup and some sewing, it will be so good to go somewhere that isn't medical related!