Babies born ~ December 1st-15th 2009 #5

[Mummy-Lani]

Just a quick one. I am not on FB but Friday's are good for me. The 11th sounds great. Hope we can finally arrange a catch up.

BS hope you are having a great time way with your bestie.

Hi to everyone.

[Alison1973]

Hi Girls - OMG I haven't been getting notifications and I've been sooooo busy I haven't had time to come on here!

I haven't read through all the missed posts so will go back soon and do so. I hope you are all well my lovelies.

All this business in NZ is so sad, I travelled to Christchurch a few years ago, lovely place, lovely people - a friend's friend's mum is missing amongst the CTV building, so bloomin sad.

Right - quite a selfish post I guess but I have had quite a week I tell you! My new boss finally started last week. I didn't meet him until yesterday as he started on one of my non working days. He's come from Thailand and has a very different view on how things should work. We had a meeting yesterday and he proceeded to tell me that a) he wants to change my working days - currently I do Tuesdays in the office and Wednesdays at home, he wants me to do alternate weeks with the alternate one working Wednesdays at home, Fridays in the office. I told him today that after discussing with my husband it's not viable due to having to arrange care for Amelia etc and could we rethink it and he said no! The worst part is come April he wants me to work 3 days a week, 2 in the office, 1 at home and within a couple of months of that stopping the working from home altogether and working 3 days in the office! I should've seen this coming, I was expecting him to be difficult, I was warned he is renowned for not being overly friendly. Not to sound racist at all but I think his culture really sees women in a different light, not to mention an admin worker, we are just the bottom of the barrel obviously - he already asked the other admin to go get him a birthday cake for his wife the other day, WTF! So, long story short, after not sleeping last night from stress and discussions with hubby I have decided to hand in my resignation next week. I think at the end of the day he will shaft me anyway, he wants to get in another 2 fulltime admins, so eventually he will probably say that I either have to do that or leave. It's so scary, I've been doing this for 20 years and I did love my job and my old boss but I just don't feel it anymore. By the time I leave I would've been back 6 months, 5 months longer than I originally planned so no-one can say I didn't give it a go. It will be tight for a bit until Paul picks up more work, but we are in a good financial position, better than lots of other people so I might as well take advantage of it. I will miss the wonderful pay they give me but it's not everything is it, and I'm not prepared to sacrifice any more of my time with Amelia. I think it's going to be a shock to everyone next week, am dreading doing it but feel like a weights lifted off my shoulders finally making the decision. I know it's the right one for me and my family. Besides, I have some ideas - I am currently researching into setting up a little business making wall decals for childrens/babies rooms - so hopefully I can pull that off, will have to see......watch this space! Anyone knowing anyone in the printing/paper industry let me know!

Right, that's me in a nutshell, Amelia is doing well, her first molar is just poking through and she's been terribly clingy the last couple of weeks, I can't even go to the toilet without "mum mum" and crying if I leave her - but it is a wonder week so I'll go with that ha ha.

I will go back and read everyone's posts now, hope you are all safe and well - BS hope that bump is going well, Lani, I've been meaning to text you, how are you going my love. Must talk on email soon ok! Beany/Rose - we need to arrange a catchup, it's been absolutely ages! Hope bump for you is also going well Tilda!

Hi to Everyone else, hope you and your gorgeous bubs or should I say toddlers are all well and thriving! How fast has time gone, can't believe we're on the downhill slide to 18 month olds!!!! YIKES!

xx

[Mummy-Lani]

OMG Ali. That is terrible, what an As#ho*e of a new boss. You have done amazingly to have lasted this long. Let's hope Paul picks up some more work ASAP and everything continues smoothly for you. I am sure it will. How sad that this boss has made you decide to resign but I believe everything happens for a reason, so one door will close and another will open, lets hope your business can take off. Let me know as I will be interested in some wall deco's.

Hope everyone is doing well.

Just a quick post as I am busy at work today.

[Tilda]

Sydney/Canberra girls - looks like Friday 11th March it is for a catchup. How bloomin' exciting! I can't believe we've left it this long. We can either do it on the Eastern Beaches at Carmie's place or in the Inner West at my place. What is easier for everyone else to get to? And should we make it an afternoon thing to give Suz a chance to drive up. I'll repeat all this on FB too....

Alison - I wish they'd get on top of this notification issue - I've missed you on here! Your boss has put you in such a difficult position. If your current employment conditions don't suit him he should be offering you a juicy redundancy. Maybe you should bring that up with HR. It's not fair to try and force your resignation like that. Grrr. Anyway, I'm sure whether you resign or get made redundant, it sounds like what you want at the moment.

AFUS - We got fantastic news yesterday - we're having another baby girl! So Matilda is going to have a little sister. And another pair of sisters on the December 09 Babybuddies group! DH and I were talking last night and we were both saying we couldn't believe we're going to have another little person we're going to love as much as Matilda, we'll just burst! It really is amazing to think about. And Matilda took another step towards being the big girl this week. We gave up our bedtime BF! She didn't even grizzle! On Monday night I separated the BF from bedtime because I really didn't want her going up to her room for bed and getting disapointed and upset when there was no feed. Then on Tuesday I offered her one quite early before I had to go to physio and she didn't want one. And then when I got home I just read her a few stories and when she didn't ask for a feed I thought, well her goes nothing, and just put her to bed. She just rolled over and went to sleep and there's been not one request for a feed since! I was so relieved it wasn't traumatic! And because she wasn't upset I haven't felt too upset about it either. And she's still sleeping through! Yippee!! I have to say I'm feeling pretty blessed at the moment. She was a challenging baby but she's turning into quite an easy toddler. I guess you've got to get some breaks in life, huh?

[Mummy-Lani]

WOW Tilda another little girl how exciting Congratulations. Well done to Matilda for the easy transition from BF. Hope the sleeping continues for you.

Ali I agree if they want you to change your working arrnagements and that doesn't suit I would be trying to see if you can be made redundant more $$ for you.

11th March sounds fantastic. I am happy for either destination, let me know where & when & what you would like me to bring. Looking forward to it.

[willow5]

Hi girls,

Tilda That is so good about the last feed and sleeping through!! And another little girl See Tilda you've done a great job making Matilda the centre of your universe , she's growing up and maturing beautifully!!

Alison your boss sounds like a real d***! I think he's trying to make you resign, what a knob! But I'm sure you'll be fine and definitely give us the details of the decal business when it's up and running

Hi to everyone else sorry I'm just too tired to do proper perssies so I just went with this page for now. I'm off to bed, going out to get some new curtains for Harry's room tomorrow then having lunch out with DP, MIL, and DP's aunty from Adelaide. I can see it being a big day so better try to get horizontal for as long as possible tonight.

I hope the Sydney/Canberra meet up goes well. As well as the interstate visitors we've got on and off for the next month, the 11th is my aunty's 50th and she's having a party that night so I'm definitely out ...Harry's calling Goodnight.

[Alison1973]

Hi Girls!

Well,first of all congratulations Kanda, another pregnancy in the group, how exciting!

Tilda - congratulations on another girl, yay - another having their 2nd little girl, how sweet to have little girls close together, I'm starting to get cluckier by the day here ha ha. I visited a friend yesterday and she had a girl over who has a 2 year old and a 2 week old and I really noticed how grown up the 2 year old girl was. I imagine Amelia being still a baby really and I feel guilty for even thinking of having another, but seeing that made me realise they're not little babies anymore and this little girl was kissing her little baby brother, it was so adorable.

Lani - how are you going sweetie, we really must talk one of these days. I have to say I am super jealous you girls are catching up, but so glad you are, Beany, Rose and I love our catchups, although we haven't done so for a bit now it's so nice to stay in touch in person. Have a lovely time girls.

Willow - hiya! How did the curtain hunting go? When are you thinking of putting Harry into a big boys bed? I have no clue when to! I have just bought Amelia a doona cover set and matching cushion for when she goes into a big girls bed, Beany, you woud love it, it has owls on it, unfortunately for you it's in pinks and purples hee hee. But yes Willow I will certainly let you know when my little decal thing is up and running, I have just this week sourced a fantastic decal product and they're fabric! I'm really excited to give them a go, my sister who is an artist and so crafty is going to join me and hopefully make matching accessories.....for example, if I did say an owl theme for decals, she will make matching owl cushions or something and she had a great idea for adding little accents onto the decals like glitter and sequins for girls and other things for boys. I can't wait, it will probably flop but i'm going to give it my best shot! I'll be relying on you girls to get my name out there on FB when it's up - I'll do it through FB for starters I think, see how I go.

Thanks girls for your support on the whole work thing. My MIL said the same thing about the redundancy debate. That would be the best outcome financially and I will be talking to HR on Tuesday before I hand over my resignation, but I'm not sure they would to be honest, I signed an agreement when I changed over to part-time to say that my manager reserves the right to change my working arrangements without any particular notice, basically my hours and days of work are up to him! But in saying that, Chevron do have a very big "Worklife/Balance" program in place so they may think he's being a bit harsh. My luck they will talk him into letting me stay on for 2 days for a bit longer or something, but I'll still have to put up with him, I really think he's going to be an a*se and have me doing crap things, i don't think he rates admins very highly. He is so the polar opposite to my last boss, he will be disappointed when I tell him what's going on.

Anyway, I'll talk to HR on Tuesday and let you know how I go.

Hi to anyone I've missed and hope you all have a lovely weekend. If you are wanting to do up your toddlers room keep me in mind, I wouldn't mind some projects to get me started and items I can use to advertise with. Good timing with our kids heading into big kids rooms. I'm going to obviously do Amelia's in an owl theme, can't wait! xx

[Plinky]

Hi girlies!

Alison - oh your decal business sounds absolutely fantastic!! Thats an absolutely brilliant idea, and I'm sure if will take-off like nobody's business! Good luck! Mega-jealous about the owl themes you have going Hopefully my next one will be a little girl and I can go owl-silly! Sorry to hear about your job, I say do what your heart tells you. You were never that keen to go back to work in the first place, if you don't need the social interaction, or the money...quit I say! Perhaps its a blessing in disguise? I hope you get a good pay-out.

Willow - Hope you were able to catch up on sleep and had a nice lunch out.

Tilda - woohoo!!! another little princess! I'm sure they'll be the closest of sisters! How lovely And that is absolutely brilliant about Matilda sleeping through and dropping the feed, I'm glad it wasn't too traumatic for either of you How is your daycare hunt going?

BS - OH MY GOD. Poor little Eva Thank goodness there was nothing wrong with her toe. Did you end up mentioning it to the daycare centre? I hope her lip is better now.

Lani - Poor little Jett. But don't be too hard on yourself, I'm sure we've all done it and I"m sure we'll all do it again at some point! Thankfully he's all ok

Rose - has there been any improvement on the sleeping front? I'm glad you are in less pain at least

Hello to all my other lovelies!

AFM - Not too much to report really. Still no words other than 'mo'. Tho we're sure he said something that sounded like 'monkey' when we showed him a picture of one. But that could have just been wishful thinking!

Babysat my friends little girl last week, just a month older than Michael. My goodness, what a difference. I fed her the last of her bottle, read her a couple of books and put her to bed. I'll never ever complain about Michael falling asleep again. She took an hour of crying, and repeated attempts at putting her down, cuddling, trying water, dummy, anything...apparently thats quite normal for her, tho she doesn't normally take that long. It was quite hard for me to deal with as I'm not used to it. She'd be falling asleep in my arms, her eyes closed, then they'd spring open and she'd start crying again. Its like she just didn't want to fall asleep - she didn't like even being taken into her bedroom. Poor little thing.

Hope you are all well...and for those in Perth, keeping out of this darn heat! Bring on winter!!!

[Alison1973]

OMG Beany I am so over this muggy heat, I had to go to the shops earlier and DH is away, it was packed with people and it was so hot in the shops and then Amelia started cracking it, she really hates sitting in the pram for too long these days, shopping has become a bit of a nightmare! I love your FB pics you put up, beautiful, Michael has grown into a gorgeous little man hasn't he. As for your owl theme, you can still do it for a boy, I have some ideas already for boy owls with little bowties etc, watch this space! xx Oh thanks for the advice, how do you differentiate needing the money and wanting it ha ha........you can always do with it but whether or not you can do without is another. I struggle to imagine life without a regular pay packet after 20 years of one but I'm sure I'll get used to it. My shopping addiction will have to lessen that's for sure, unless my decals take off, which would be nice!

[BrusselsSprout]

Hi girls!!!!

I'll try to go back far enough to respond to everyone...

Suz, hell yes I went to see the shcool, with my hospital papers and everything. I was very nice about it because I know it was really not something anyone would do on purpose but it was negligent! The girl who runs Eva's group was horrified...she was almost in tears and felt so bad about it. She kept saying, I feel so bad, I feel so bad....she did not want to walk, I shoul dhave checked etc....so I know she will be more careful. Thank god nothing happenned...I can tell you if she had broked a toe, I Would have seriously considered removing her from there. Fab for Ryan's progress....it is amazing how after each period of suffering they start doing amazing things

Lani, good to see you on, even if it is short. I am so happy you will get a meetup - that should be nice and let you vent in person! How is Jett? Has he gotten any teeth in yet?

Alison, it sounds to me like he is trying to force resignation, just hold on to your guns...Be patient and eventually if what you want is to be let go, it will happen. Don't be scared to give them polite hell on your way out of the door. You deserve compensation. And anyway, this seems like a blessing in disguise - you have been out of the work mood for a while and you should follow your gut - you were planning on resigning anyway, so this might all work out for the best...It must be stressful anyway, but just keep cool. Anyway if you stop working, I bet you'll get super clucky!

Tilda - a sister!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Whoop whopp!!!! it is girl power all over this place!!! Kanda already has two and now us too! You'll save loads on clothes!!! lolololol...So exciting - I loooove my sister and can't wait to see Eva and her little sister. Matilda seems to already be understanding that the change is coming - I am so happy she is giving you an easy time - you raised her well...A doting mother never did any bad to a baby...in the end you see that following your feelings on how to raise your child works best...yayayayayayay! So exciting!

Willow, hope all is well and Harry is doing well. you sound busy - hope you have time to post a longer update soon.

Beany, your new pics are great!!!!!!!!!!! Michael is so handsome...he looks so much like you! I am sure Michael will just start talking in one shot...My cousin did that - he would not talk for a while then started just rambling like crazy - from nothing to saying tons of stuff in baby talk. Each baby has his pace. It's crazy when you experience other babies isn't it? We get so used to our own, and also our habits become easy for us....well Eva's sleeping habits have never been super easy - she is unstable sleepwise...but goes to show you that you do have a nice easy baby there are way worse out there. Also, I am sure the baby had a hard time sleeping because she was out of her comfort zone - Eva is really bad at sleeping out of the house and is pretty much guaranteed to wake throughout the night when we are not home (unless it is at her grandparent's house where she spends lots of time (for them she reserves the 5 am wake ups though )

And I wish you guys woiuld stop complaining about the heat!!! I am head to toe in itchy wool I am dying for the playground weathe rto come back!

As for me - getting into super nesting mode!!! It is so early to be feeling like this, but I am. My bestie left this morning and I am a tornado organizing everything, clearing out closets and I am going to set up a new room for Eva! My plan is to move Eva into the second room a month or so before giving birth, then we will go to france for the whole summer and when we come back in september, she will be officially in that room...Once DD2 is sleeping through well (I guess around 1/1.5 years old or whenever it happens, I'll put the crib into Eva's room so they can share and turn the nursery into a guest room....I shared with my sister until I was older, so think that is nice - once they hit adolecsence and have their own lives I'll set up a room for each, but I don't even know where we will be living by then!

I am really trying to figure out if Eva needs a big bed with a safety barrier or a crib for now...Either way it is fine since I will have to either buy a reg bed for Eva or a crib for baby once I move them into the same room....so either way is the same for me - I just don't know at what age I need to make the change....Suz, kanda, willow? Any advice on this......????

Eva was teething last week and her gums now seem better and her front teeth have descended more...No new teeth, but they should be coming...they generally pop out after the bad weeks...She seems to have more pain before they pop through than when they cut.

Finally I am not going to france to thte mountains....DH is staying here instead of leaving for france to work like he was supposed to and we will just go to paris this WE for Eva's GREAT grandfather's bday. Otherwise, I am nesting and prefer to stay put and get ready for spring!!!!!!!!!!

xoxo to you all! Some of you have been slacking on the pics!!! Post some facebook pics - I miss seeing your bubbas

[Alison1973]

Hi Girls!

Firstly now I've managed to read back a little I realise I missed Kawazuki popping back in, so hi mate, how are you?! I wouldn't worry about your bub not talking yet, they all do so in their own time, Amelia is a good talker but I talk A LOT and so does my family so probably had no choice. Half of the bubs in my mums group have bubs who don't say much more than mum or dada, it's like everything, all in their own time. How did the hearing test go in the end?

Hi to our preggy girls, how are you all feeling? I'm getting cluckier as the months go on. I am just waiting to decide what to do with work, my new boss has told me he wants me to come back full time and if not at least 3 days a week and I'm not prepared to do that so if on Tuesday he doesn't agree to keep my days as are I will be resigning, decision made! No chance of redundancy, my agreement said that after 6 months (up on the 1st April) I am to return full-time unless otherwise arranged/agreed by my manager. He is already showing signs of being an a*se, he told the fulltime admin that he expects us to "pamper", yes "pamper" the technical staff. Like I said to her, I am a senior admin not a junior and besides, I wipe enough butts at home thanks! What a tosser huh! I think in his culture he is just not used to the concept of part-timers let alone equal rights! So anyway, I will keep you posted on that one!

Oh and BS - I can't find what happened to Eva, is she ok? ha ha yes I have been whinging about the heat but here in Perth we have had a heat wave, a couple of weeks of the high 30's, lots of horrible humidity and it's been around 23-25 degrees celcius at night. Our aircon has been on non-stop for weeks now - I turned it off this morning as there was finally a breeze, but had it back on by mid morning. Having a 2 storey house doesn't help as hot air rises so while it might be ok downstairs it gets hot upstairs pretty quick and that's where all the bedrooms are. But to get us back on the weather thing you can make us jealous with your talk of going to Paris, ho hum that is but a dream for us over here ha ha! I have to admit too you are right about the photos, remember when we were all putting them up each week, I have sooooo many to print and do Amelia's album with - only got so far as 3 months but I have sooo many I can't begin to know where to start but when you look at 12 months on there's a quarter the amount. I guess we are all too busy running after them to actually take photos now - I've heard it's worse for the 2nd as you don't have time for all that stuff. But I will try my best, can't be unfair or anything. So how are you feeling? Do you have some names picked out yet? I think the most exciting thing is to see the similarities in the girls when they're born. Gorgeous.

As for us, Amelia has been pretty ill this week, she started getting grumpy on Sunday, I assumed it was teeth as her top molar is poking through, but then Monday we noticed an ulcer in her mouth and then by yesterday she had 5 (2 of which are huge and one is on her tongue) and she had a blister on one of her little toes and a rash on her bum.......yep hand foot and mouth disease (not to be confused with foot and mouth). I was so surprised as I didn't know anyone that had had it and the doctor said it's usually found in daycares (apparently it's very common) so the only thing I can assume is playgroup. Now we're at a proper playgroup centre I guess anything can be passed on, so many different people using the toys etc and I don't know when they get cleaned. I tell you though Amelia has been so miserable, as miserable as when she had that horrible ear infection. She hasn't eaten properly for 3 days and we've had her in our bed (saves getting up to her) the last 2 nights, she had a much better night last night but I think I've had a total of 8 hours sleep (broken) in the last couple of days, here's hoping she has a better night tonight, she was much chirpier today and back to talking again - she was silent yesterday that's how sick she felt. Still eating soft foods and only little bits but you just have to ride it out, there's nothing they can do other than panadol/nurofen and SM33 or Bonjela. Poor petal, yesterday she spent the entire day crying, non-stop - I was also working from home so by the end of the day I really thought I was going to go insane, I came very close to losing it I have to admit. To make things worse, this morning I managed to get her down for a nap as she hasn't even been sleeping due to the pain in the day and 5 minutes later she starts screaming. I run into her room and she's bleeding from the mouth, it's all over her cot, in her cot, on the floor - I panicked! Went straight to the docs, he said he could see on the gum above her top teeth where it had been bleeding but didn't now why, he said ulcer's don't usually bleed so I'm thinking now maybe she hit her face on the edge of the cot or something and cut it. I've never seen so much blood, poor girl can't take a bloomin trick this week! Anyway, she's on the mend now and as usual they bounce back pretty quick don't they, but I am totally exhausted now and am desperate for a decent nights sleep, goodness knows when I'll get it!

Right, I've completely rambled again, sorry girls - not bad considering I'm so tired the words are all blurry. Hope you are all well and behaving, or misbehaving even better, especially you Lani my love. Wink wink nudge nudge. xx

[BrusselsSprout]

Alison, below find the post about this awful story Then the week after she was teething and her gums were so swollen and then she fell and busted her lips and gum, so was miserable for over a week...Luckily nothing happenned with her foot! She seems to be coming down with another cough now though....I can't make it past 4 or 5 days in daycare before she gets sick! I just need summer to get here already!

I am glad you decided what to do at work. Do what you feel is right - if your contract has that clause you are sort of stuck, so just resign if you're going to be miserable...No need to suffer - enjoy your babies, you have worked enough! One day if you want, go back but right now you don't seem to want to, so don't.

Poor Amelia...That is just awful...She must have cut herself...The same happenned to Eva, she was bleeding everywhere but she fell while walking...As if they are not in enough pain, they go and bust their mouths Just stick it out, I am sure it will get better soon...

Anyway, leaving early tomorrow morning and I am praying she is not getting too sick...she is coughing quite a bit tonight...I pray that staying out of daycare helps her get better fast....and that she does not share her germs with DH's grandparents....they are old enough as it is and they don't need baby germs hitting them.

Baby is kicking so much and so hard now - I sometimes have trouble sleeping! in like a week it just became this big baby or something We are still hesitating with names but Stella seems to be the forerunner...

I just need to vent seriously - I had a nightmare after daycare today!!!

So we went to get eva from daycare at 300 wwhich is earlier than usual, since we wanted to spend time with her, and the lady goes she had a great day but this afternoon she does not want to walk. She is complaining and asking me to pick her up etc...and she takes two steps crying then goes down on all fours....she said it like a joke - I thought that was wierd, but whatever, so we walk out of there and i go to DH, put her down and let's see her walk...something is wierd here...

we put her down and she starts crying and we pick her up then put her in the car and when we get home 10 minutes later I tell DH, put her down to walk again - it is wierd she wont walk...She sometimes likes us to carry her when we pick her up since she has not seen us all day....And she starts crying, then DH is like something is wrong so we take off her shoes and see a lump on her foot - I am here thinking it is a little toy or something that fell into her sock, then we take off her sock and she is crying and her second toe was bent all the way back! like bent all the way back flat on her foot! I almost passed out, the toe stayed bent back then slowly bent back down to the right position but it was all red and swollen...We ran directly to the emergency room, to check if it was broken or whatever.....so we get there with eva wearing no shoes or socks and the doctor goes if it is fractured there is nothing to do you just have to lett her go home and see if she walks on it, and if she is still complaining by monday bring her in and we will bandage her toe to the other two to keep it still and it will heal this way....

Everything is totally fine now and once we got home she was walking all fine and everything, but we got so upset imagining that they did not even try to check what was wrong, and that she was crying and suffering for almost two hours and no one checked her f-ing foot! We are so lucky she woke up from her nap later than usual, at 2 and only had until 330 to try to sit still until we got there. The poor thing tried walking on it and it hurt so bad and the girl at daycare did not even think to check if something was wrong....I mean this is a really freak accident, and I am sure it did not pop into the girl's mind that this can happen, but really....if eva walks super well and then is crying walking, how don't they think to check her foot.

So that was our nightmare today. I am sick to my stomach about it....but she is fine and that is the essential....but I just felt so bad for her. DH and I will talk to the director of the daycare tomorrow to tell her what happened....We won't yell or anything since it was really a freak accident, but it is negligence and we want to make it clear that the girls taking care of the kids should take a bit more time doing things more carefully. DH is sick over this, he really got upset knowing she was hurting and he doesn't even want to talk about it anymoire since it makes his stomach turn...

Sorry for the selfish post here, but I needed to vent, seriously!

xoxo

[Alison1973]

Hi BS - OMG are you freaking serious!!!!! I'm sorry but that is negligent, they have a duty of care to check if they suspect something is wrong, my goodness I'd be taking her out myself but then that's me. I'm glad she is fine with her toe but still, I just can't believe they didn't even take her shoes off to check her feet, for all they know she could've been bitten by a spider or something! That must have been incredibly painful too poor poppet, tough little cookie she is. Sorry to hear she's always sick too, the downfalls of daycare I guess but you're right, once you get past winter you can hopefully be cough and cold free. Hopefully she won't be too ill for your time away, especially like you said if your grandparents are older but I'm sure even if she is they'll be fine, a bit of fresh air will do her the world of good. How exciting that you're feeling kicks and I absolutely love the name Stella, one of my favourite perfumes

Well Amelia is much better this morning, she slept in her own room all night, I did get up to her a couple of times, particularly at 3am but she wasn't crying she was just super thirsty and woofed down a big bottle of water and then went back to sleep after about 15 mins until 6.30 am this morning. I'm still tired though, AF arrived today so that on top of being totally knackered from this week's lack of sleep is making me feel super tired but it doesn't matter, main thing is Millie Moo is feeling better.

Beany, I see you and Michael have been unwell, I hope you are feeling better today sweets, nothing worse than tummy bugs, we've had our fair share of those ourselves. That's one thing I hate about summer, you don't get colds and flu but all the tummy bugs are rife in the heat. Especially here in Perth, 27th consecutive day of over 30 degrees, a record for Perth! I love summer but I'm getting a bit over it now and am hanging out for a nice breeze, of course I'll moan when winter comes as I hate the cold, don't mind a nice rainy day if you haven't got anything to do, but I particularly hate winter clothes ha ha!

Oh and hi Rose, how are you going sweets?

[Plinky]

Hello girls!

Alison - Oh my goodness. Poor Amelia! And poor you! What a rough trot you're both having It must have been so painful for her to eat with ulcers in her mouth, poor little darling. I would have freaked with the blood too. I've only experience blood a couple of times with Michael, both when his face hit the ground and his teeth went through his lip. Not nice. Gosh, has it really been 27 days over 30? Blimey! We have every right to whinge! At least its meant to be cooling down over the weekend! Oh, and the idea about the owls with the bowties - LOVE IT!! I'll put my order in now!!

BS - I hope little Eva isn't coming down with another cold. They get sick so often, don't they? I guess how else are they going to build up their immunity? Waaah! Have a fabulous time in Paris, how lovely!

AFM - yes, we have been quite unwell here for the past few days. First my poor little dumpling has been throwing up a LOT. Like, I'm sure he has thrown up just about everything he has eaten and drank It started on Wednesday, he had thrown up twice in his cot overnight, there was heaps, it was all in his hair and over his grobag and face. He mustn't have made a fuss about it tho because we didn't hear anything. Then I came down with it last night. Gees. I'd forgotten how much I hate throwing up, the last time I threw up would have been 2005 when I got food poisoning. Ugh...just awful. Much better today tho. But Michael is still being sick, tho not as much. it also seems he is now coming down with a cold on top of it. Poor little darling.

I have joined a Playgroup this week, its quite good and most of the kids are between 1-2 so thats good. Michael loved it to bits, all the cool toys to play with. They're still not at the age of playing with each other, but he loves discovering all the cool play equipment! So I'm thinking thats where he picked up this bug, and possibly the cold too.

I'm coming off my AD's!! Yay! Gradually over 4 months, can't wait!

I'm really down at the moment tho. I had made a wonderful friend from Mothers Group who I met up with quite a few times and really clicked with (same one I babysat for) - we shared a lot of the same issues. She told me she's going to Tasmania for a few months for a break (with hubby & baby). I do have my suspicions that they are planning to move there permanently tho. I'm devastated. I just can't help feeling I FINALLY made a friend, and she gets taken away from me. Story of my life I think thats why she suggested me going to her Playgroup, she is worried about me not having any friends.

Ok, thats my woe-is-me rant over with.

OH! I keep meaning to ask - does anyone else have seperation of their stomach muscles since having bub? I got a shock when I felt my abs the other day while I was in bed, and theres a whopping great gap right down the middle Mentioned it to the doc and he said there's not much you can do about it. Boo. That prolly contributes to me still having such a paunch.

[Rose_Red]

Hi girls

Argh, I haven't been getting notifications - way too much to catch up on.

Gentle cuddles to all of the sick bubs, though, and to all of you Mums dealing with the wee sick ones.

This is probably going to be a bit of a selfish ramble, apologies in advance, but I just need to get some of it out.

Things...haven't been good. Liam's sleep has been getting progressively worse, to the point where a normal night now consists of about an hour of settling initially, then if we're lucky a few hours of sleep before he starts waking every hour just *screaming*. We got lucky on the weekend and had one five hour stretch in the middle of the night, but most nights the longest stretch has been 2-3 hours. His daytime nap has gone the same way, too - he's getting two hours or so, but it's usually involving at least one or two wakings and resettlings.

It's really starting to wear on me. I haven't had a proper night of sleep in forever, and even when Liam sleeps for a few hours, I'm up waiting for him to start screaming. DH has tried to settle him a few times, but he just wants me most of the time. I have a bad cold at the moment, too - Liam had it last week, but got over it relatively quickly. I'm fed up with being the only one who can settle Liam, and just absolutely exhausted. Right now as I'm typing this I'm on the verge of crying about it all. I've gotten to the point where I don't enjoy Liam at all, it's all just stressful and exhausting.

And there's Liam with his first wakeup of the night, after only about 40 minutes of sleep. Back later to finish maybe if I can.

[Tuesday's Child]

Rose. Is there any chance Liam is teething? Amelia has been having a hell of a time with her molars. She got her first on the 2nd of Feb and the next didn't cut until 1st March and the top two are on the way as well. She's often fine while upright but the throbbing must start once she's been lying down. She's even been needing panadol at care, which she hasn't had before. I think they're all coming out of a wonder week at the moment too. Amelia won't be settled by anyone but me either. That's draining enough without being sick as well. I hope you get over the cold soon and that Liam settles down again to give you a break. Is he sleeping much during the day? If so, are you able to sleep when he does? What about taking him to bed with you at night, in case he just wants to be close to you. Be kind to yourself hun. It's okay if you're not enjoying him at the moment. Sleep deprivation is the pits. Do what you have to ride it out. This too shall pass.....

AFM - Just a quick one tonight girls. Will have a read back and post hopefully tomorrow. I just want to let you know that Amelia is walking. She's been doing it since the weekend before last and each day, she wants to walk more and more. She loves leading us as she does laps of the house. I've finally got off my butt and am taking her swimming now. We're both loving it. My GP ran more blood tests and found I'm vitamin D deficient, so I've been given a supplement. Hopefully it'll be back to normal in a few months, but it explains some of why I've been feeling lousy lately.

I hope all the sick bubbas get well soon.

[BrusselsSprout]

Hi girls,

Rose, IT might be teething, or maybe an ear infection? Eva can't sleep whenever she gets an ear infection and usually they are linked...It hurts like hell when they lay down...You pooor thing. I know how it feels and you must be so wiped out. I agree with Hannah, maybe just take him to bed with you? Anything that gets him to sleep is better than this...look closely to see if he is pulling his ears, or try to prop him up a bit to sleep. Something must be bugging him. Have you tried giving him something for the pain before trying to settle him down for bed? With Eva sometimes that is the only thing that helps - then during the 30 minutes it takes to kick in, I rock her and get her down....He might wake when it wears off but it shoul dgive you at least 4/5 hours or so. Good luck and keep us posted if you find out anything.

Hannah, yay on Amelia walking!!!!! It is such a wonderful step and she will be so much happier and less clingy....She will find a new level of independence It is amazing seeing them do these things isn't it. Good on your for going to the swim class - it will be so nice for the two of you to have some quality time outside of the house. As for the vitamin D, luckily you found the problem! I hope treatment works fast.

Alison, how is amelia doing now?

Beany, ya for getting off of the meds!!!! and I hope Michael is doing better...how awful you both got it. That is the worst - to get sick while baby is not well. Just exhausting.

Eva ended up just having a little cough but the WE went well. We celebrated DH's gradfather's 79 birthday and they were so happy to have her at the house. She really just lights up their life. We strolled a lot and enjoyed sunny cold weather (the sun is good enough for me these days!)...Eva was adorable - walking in and out of shops, waving to everyone...she is really a very nice little girl. She stays close to us but smiles and chats with strangers and is really charming.

Back home now and I am nesting like a nut - I am spring cleaning but like EVERYTHING! And clearing out the guest room this week to start a room for Eva so DD2 can have the nursery

Exciting stuff!

xoxo to you all and hope that those of you haveing a hard time get out of it asap!

[Alison1973]

Hi Everyone!

Rose - I'm so sorry you've been having such a crap time, if it's any consolation I've been in the same boat myself. Amelia had hand foot and mouth last week and was in so much pain, big ulcers in her mouth, wasn't sleeping, eating etc. By the end of the week I was completely at the end of my tether from lack of sleep - she was waking every hour all week. She is also teething, she's cut 3 molars in the last week, great timing huh! Like Hannah said, it's also wonder week time too. Amelia won't go to anyone but me, DH can't even console her at night, it's so draining, especially when I'm having to work 2 days. To make things worse, usually I put Amelia down for 2 naps at 1.5 hours each a day without any fuss, now she's fighting the morning sleep so I have just been letting her stay up as I assume she's transitioning to 1 but then I've just put her down now at 1.00 pm and she was in a happy mood until I tried to walk out, cue the tantrum and crying, this is just not like her and I hate it, I find it very stressful! I'm hoping it's just a phase because I hate doing the controlled crying thing, but what else can you do. The more I stay in there the worse she is, the other day I let her go and she ended up having 20 minutes all day, by the time the evening came she was even worse because she was overtired. Argh I hate these stages. This morning I went shopping as I figured she wouldn't be sleeping anyway and I'm walking along thinking how quiet she was (she's usually very chatty and saying hello to people walking past), I look over the hood and she's fast asleep at 10.45 am, she never sleeps in the pram. So, I figure she's not quite ready to drop the nap but is in the in between stage, anyone else experiencing this and any tips on those who have already transitioned to 1 nap would be great thanks, I am going batty here! So, Rose, as you can see you are not alone ha ha. Let's hope things improve for us soon hey....although Amelia only kicked up a stink for 5 minutes and so far all is quiet, better than yesterday's 30 minutes!

Hi Hannah - yay for Amelia walking, isn't it exciting, there'll be no stopping her now.

Hi Lani - bet you're excited for tomorrow's meet up, super jealous and wish I could be there, would love to meet Suz too as we chat so much in our other thread. Have a great time and can't wait to hear all about it!

Hi BS - welcome back, glad you had a lovely time and that Eva managed to escape a major illness. It will be our turn for colds and flu's soon now we're heading into the cooler months. If it's not summer bugs it's winter ones ha ha! How exciting that you're doing up Eva's room, are you doing a colour scheme/theme? I'm excited to move in a way because I have plans for Amelia's new room, she's having a pink and purple owl themed room, I've bought a duvet cover for her big girls bed (not that she'll use it straight away) but as I didn't know what I was having before I had her I kept her nursery quite plain, so looking forward to making it girlie. Before you know it your new little bundle will be here yippee!!!

Hi Beany - how are you feeling, are you all well again now? Poor things. My decals are coming along nicely, have trialled my first lot of fabric paper and I'm super happy with the results. My sister and I are now busy buying fabrics to make matching cushions, accessories - will do up a few so I have something to advertise and as soon as that's done I'll launch my FB page, I'm calling myself Cutie Hooties - removable wall decals and other cute crafts. I hope people like my stuff and buy it ha ha! My sister is probably going to hand draw some designs (she's an artist) if we can find a good graphics package that we can upload the pics onto, I think it will be more personal if I can do a few original designs rather than just using digital ones all the time, but we will have to see how it goes. Either way we have some great ideas so can't wait to share them with you all......you will get some boy owls Beany don't worry, have a cute as idea for you.

Well, seeing as Amelia is asleep I'd best go get some stuff done so hi to everyone else, Willow, Tilda (how is Matilda by the way)..........and anyone else I've missed. Hope everyone is having a great week and keeping well.
xx