Cally, E usually stays up for between 2-3 hours, depending on how intensively she has been 'entertained' in that time. She's always exhausted for her first morning sleep because H plays with her when she's all giggly in the mornings and it wears her out! It's a bummer because I'd like to be able to drop H off to school then run any errands/go to the shops etc before coming home and putting her down to sleep but it's a bit of a disaster...I have to bring her home then go out again later in the morning. Also clashes a bit with most group activities that all start around 9.30-10.00. That's pretty amazing of K to be sitting like that already!

Hayley the study plan (that is teetering on disaster already LOL) is to put in a couple of nights after the kids are all in bed plus a bit of reading throughout the week when E is sleeping (daytime) plus the odd weekend afternoon when DH is home. However this has already been thrown out by deadlines for my other project work so for the last week I've been doing that instead. God I feel exhausted just thinking about it all. I feel a bit overcommited right now but I think it will be a better balance once my project is finished. For me it's really important to still plan family time and stick to that no matter what else is happening.

Fianne I'm still keeping my fingers crossed for your settling trick!

Well remind me to tell you all one day about what it's like trying to do research at the National Library (silent reading room) with a grumpy baby in tow. All I can say the acoustics are splendid there and E's high pitched squealing reverberated magnificently for the benefit of all the listeners! Lucky I had a boob handy Actually she was pretty good (minus a few seconds of squealing) except it took 4 times longer than usual to get my stuff. I'm exhausted now by what would have been (without a baby) an easy half hour.

Hello to everyone else! I've been reading but not digesting - but I just wanted to say (yet again) how you all wonderful women each and everyone help keep me sane. xxx