Babies Born ~ May 16th-31st 2009 #8

[wysiwyg]

BG - What a pain with the rentals - it had never occured to me that they might even take into consideration the income earner being of child bearing age - when we were renting we only used to put me down as DH wasn't earning then and didn't get chosen a few times but I always thought was just because rental market so hot here in Melbourne.

From 8th November I am going part time (3 days a week) and my contract has been extended till end of year - so am very happy. DH is going back full time. Financially it isn't the best move, but I think is for the best as I was just missing CJ too much, five days a week out 8:00 - 18:00 - this morning I watched in amazement as she ate all her breakfast with a spoon (until she decides she isn't quick enough and resorts to hands) but apparently has been eating well with spoon for ages. DH also might want to move around in his job a bit and was too difficult being part time. I was with her all weekends but we tend to get out and about a lot on weekends so hadn't really seen her doing just normal day to day stuff - I also missed catching up with girls from MG (DH has been going) and being on here with you guys! (I do sneak a read at work on my Iphone sometimes!). I am also going to be based at a different office, which means I can go on public transport or my bike (I know some people aren't keen on public transport but I love it).

My parents are also coming over for two weeks on the 8th of November so that fits well with my part time - surprise visit I didn't think were coming till next year after retirement, but they just decided instead of going away on a weekend for my mums 60th they would come here for two weeks instead. My brother is also over here in Mel for 9 months so that is nice, he loves CJ.

Great new avvy Amy

J - hope bubs makes an appearance soon

Naomi - loving your blog

[briggsy's girl]

BG - What a pain with the rentals - it had never occured to me that they might even take into consideration the income earner being of child bearing age - when we were renting we only used to put me down as DH wasn't earning then and didn't get chosen a few times but I always thought was just because rental market so hot here in Melbourne.

i might be paranoid, but i don't think i am. when a single mum with older kids gets picked over us (on c'link only - funny what crap you learn while waiting for the RE!), it makes you wonder. i'm sure if we didn't have E, we'd be in with more of a chance - but i guess the thought is that once you start a family, you're bound to add to it. not like we can really write a statement telling them thats not the case (or even tell them to look at the fact that i get 28 weeks paid leave - admittedly at half pay - plus either parental leave or baby bonus if we have another, so enough pay to last a year) - it's just doing my damn head in. it will happen eventually. we have five apps in now, but c is going to ring and withdraw one tomorrow - driving home after applying, we both decided that the year really wasn't E friendly. the front yard has retaining walls all over the place and there is every chance she could/would fall off and hurt herself (onto concrete) - also has sharp corners. plus to access the front door, you need to close the front gate, walk up a few steps, go across the first bit of lawn, climb another step, more lawn and then up onto the verandah - we'd either have to have all traffic come to the back door (up a steep driveway, not ideal) or deal with mud inside. nope, not a great idea. it's also on a rather busy road...

anyway - settlement is just over a month. if worst comes to worst we can get a very small place in the town my folks live in and wait 12 months so we have rental history and then move to town near work - i just don't want to be relocating frequently...

[MummyNaomi]

I have been so slack, have been meaning to post since we got back from our holiday, but have just been flat chat or too lazy LOL

BG - Glad the househunting has come to an end - Yay. Hopefully the move will be smooth sailing and before you know it you'll be all settled, Good luck babe, I dont envy you moving with a toddler - how strong is she, can she carry boxes LMAO Hope everything is going ok relationship wise, sorry you are going through some stuff emotionally atm and proud of you for talking it out - sending you a massive hug and smoochies hehehehe

Vic - Wont be long until Nov 8th is here, you'll love working part time, it makes life SOOOOO much easier, what days will you work? And glad to hear your parents are coming over, what a nice surprise. Thanks re the blog, it's a completely stolen idea tehehehehe, but I was keeping a weekly journal for Bailey's first year (which I made into a photo book) so am loving the challenge of a 365 day photo project. I was worried about trying to be creative during the week when we are stuck in our work/childcare routine, but it's amazing the little things that pop up as a photo op! I am finding that I judge everything on whether it will make a good photo or not - LMAO what a nerd!!

Amy - Ditto re the new Avvy, VERY cool LOL @ Phoebe and her faces. Bailey has recently started (only last night at the dinner table actually) pulling this face where he looks like he is going to pop a blood vessel - you know the tight type of "I am holding my breath" face, we laughed and laughed which only made him do it more for the laughs, which made him look even funnier as this face WITH a cheeky smile is even more funny - bless these kids, they certainly know how to put a smile on our dial! Hope you are too worried about the favourtism you mentioned, I think it sounds very natural and completely normal. I remember reading an article about falling in love with your firstborn again, so clearly its an issue common enough to warrant discussion There is a similar article in the Belly Belly Baby articles too. Hey, was it Cairns you went to just before Phoebs was born? Loved it, Muddies playground is so awesome, And the lagoon!!!! I want a pool now LOL

Nicky - WOW WOW WOW re the Macau trip, how awesome is that? Hope it all works out and DH has a blast - can you go in the suitcase or something? GAWD - Christmas, I need to get organised too. I have Baileys pressies and some of the other kids, but haven't put much thought into the rest. We have a Xmas club bank account that we put a little into each pay so we have some cash to buy our pressies at the end of the year, but I haven't put ANY thought into what I will buy people, I might start a list! Sorry to hear you are having similar issues to Amy with Lachie - I am always in awe of you Mummy's with more than one child, I feel like I barely have time to scratch my bum with one so am full of respect for you babe

J - hope everything is going well for you are your due date draws close - relax as much as possible babe. I ran into one of the Mummy's from my local mothers group at the shops today. Her son is a few days older than Bailey and she is 20 weeks pregnant, I was extremely jealous I really hope we have another baby next year

Bella - you have me seriously hooked on the Gregarious Peach Blog now, after you posted Georgia's birth video I was looking at the blog and that's what inspired me to start my own, although my photography skills and creativity are seriously lacking compared to hers - what an inspirational Mummy How's J going? And hows all the Birth Centre awareness going - sounds like you have gained some serious momentum, well done babe, very proud of you!!

Krystie - How is Kyson and that ever growing belly of yours? I hope you are both well, its getting really close now. One of the two local mothers group girls from my group here are due pretty much at the same time as you, I am excited watching her progress through her pregnancy. Are you having any 4D scans of Apple Blossom or preggie shots this time? Have you bought lots of girls clothes? Gosh, so many questions from me today!!

AFU - as you may have noticed on FB I have been summoned for Jury Duty - DOH! I need that right now like I need a hole in my head. I am asking for an exclusion based on the fast I am the primary care giver for Bailey albeit part time and dont want to increase he child care hours based on the fact he is undergoing the orthotic treatment as the more one on one time I spend encouraging his development/correcting his stance/feet positioning etc the better. I have a hosp appt on Thursday so am going to ask them to give me a hospital letter confirming this etc. I rang the sheriffs office today and he said that would pay for childcare if I was prepared to put in him care - I basically said I was not prepared to put my child in full time care and that was my choice as a mother (although I was very diplomatic). Anyway he said to fill out the jury exclusion form and send it back and they'll assess it. Fingers crossed everyone please as I dont think I can bare being apart from my little man 5 days a week again.

Bailey is on the cusp of full on walking I reckon - he is walking around holding our hands everywhere, shops, inside, outside, childcare etc etc and is barely using us for support - just basically holding our finger. The orthodics seem to be working, although his feet are still out turned. It was hard in Cairns to keep the shoe's on him as it was so hot and humid and we were in the pool etc constantly so this has probably hindered the orthotics having an fast impact. Have been diligently ensuring he is wearing his shoes/orthotics since we returned though.

Other than that, not much to report. However something lovely to share, my mum has been keeping a bit of a journal since she's been having Bailey each Friday and she let me read it the other day and it made me cry. I didn't realise just how much it means to her to have him every week and how much joy he brings her, it made my heart burst with joy reading it. Her other grandkids (my two nieces) have never lived in Adelaide so Mum has never had the traditional Nanna relationship with them as some times it has been 6 months between visits, so she is really relishing this hands on role with Bailey - and they both have this beautiful special bond - just delightful!

Anyway, Packed to the Rafters just started, must away

Love Nay
x

[briggsy's girl]

BG - Glad the househunting has come to an end - Yay. Hopefully the move will be smooth sailing and before you know it you'll be all settled, Good luck babe, I dont envy you moving with a toddler - how strong is she, can she carry boxes LMAO Hope everything is going ok relationship wise, sorry you are going through some stuff emotionally atm and proud of you for talking it out - sending you a massive hug and smoochies hehehehe
x

E is our empty box helper - she drags them from the rumpus room - daddy assembles, mummy wraps, daddy packs (E trashes the room, demands food, carries cordial bottles around that she has stolen from the cupboard), we seal and label box, daddy takes it out of the room, mummy thinks of having a five second break but E drags the next box out.... it's all very organised and chaotic!

today E decided it was a bit too hard to keep standing up so she pulled an ice cream container from the cupboard and pulled up a pew... lol

[~*Niadalla*~]

BG - So glad to hear you got a place!! (I had a sticky at the link you put on FB... VERY nice! When are we all coming down for a party? haha). Cannot believe how crazy expensive it is to rent these days... I haven't had to worry about normal prices for over 3 years now, so it's a bit of a shock to see the prices. Hope the move goes smoothly!

Naomi - Thanks. It's really not as hard as it sounds having the 2. There are so many good moments (like the fact the kdis play together all day everyday and keep each other amused). There are also plenty of bad moments, and points where all you can do is cry, but you dust yourself of and keep going. I think living out here has sooo many benefits for the kids, but there are also plenty of drawbacks. Would totally love to be able to put them in childcare once or twice a week... but can't be done.
How beautiful of your Mum to keep a journal! What a wonderful keepsake that Bailey will enjoy reading when he is older. I don't know how these Nan's do it! My MIL: has us over there at least once a week for an entire day adn although I am usually there to help for most of it, she is always offering to take the kids. I worry that she will get to a point where she's totally over it. Even my super quiet FIL gets a little upset if we don't go around at least once a week. They are a godsend, and my parents are exactly the same (although further away). My parents are having the kids for 5 days in a fortnight so we can go to a wedding and just have a bit of a holiday. Grandparents are awesome


All going well here. Hubs passport is in the post already and flights are being booked. it's all very exciting!! I was looking at websites and pictures last night and now I REALLY want to go with him! I'm so jealous! haha. It's just looks so unreal over there (they do call it the Vegas of Asia). He is going to have an absolute blast!!

We've got a rental to move into next year which is 25kms closer to town (so still 40-45 mins out lol), 4 bedrooms, nicer water, GARBAGE COLLECTION which I am thrilled about because that's one thing I have REALLY missed. The mail will be delivered to a letter box which will only be a 1.2 km round trip rather than about 6kms. LOL
We are going to be a 1 min drive from the IL's, so hubs is going to ride to work on his bike which will save us heaps in fuel. I'll save in fuel not having to do that extra 50-60 kms on each trip to and from town, AND the big bonus is the rent won't be anymore than $100 a week....and possibly nothing at all because they are people my hubby and his family have known for so long. We'll see... I'm more than happy to pay some rent, but if we don't it's more money towards a deposit.

Oh more exciting news - My sister rang from her Holiday in Kuala Lumpur yesterday and she's engaged!! YAY! She's been with her DF for a year more than Hubs and I have been together (so 9 years for them), so it's been a long time coming. Apparently I'm a Bridesmaid in her wedding she has said, so I better start losing some kgs!!

Ok that's enough from me. Everything seems to be going so well for us at the moment... I'm worried about when things will start their downward spiral.

Have a great day!! xxoo

[Snacks]

BG: How cute re the ice cream container! That's gorgeous! So glad to hear you and C are working through things. Really goes to show that sometimes you just need to sit back, assess and talk. I find it so easy to shut off and let my resentments take hold. It's so hard not to when you're exhausted and under all sorts of pressure. And for you, you've got so many other stressors atm like selling, moving etc. But I'm glad things are looking up in that regard. I understand the need to lay low at times. Don't disappear though, chick!
Nay: So glad you had such a wonderful time away! And awesome that Bailz is just about walking. LOL @ the facial expressions... sounds like Bailz is going to Hollywood too! I keep telling Phoebs at this stage she'll only be in B-grade films.
Yeah, we were in Cairns the April before last and will be back up there just before Christmas. My sister is now in Cooktown so we will be up there for the most part but will visit my best mate in Cairns on either side of the holiday. We fell in love with Muddies - I think it is SOOOOO cool. I am not much of a swimmer, but I love a good fountain or sprinkler Thanks for the tip of the BB article - I keep forgetting about the articles on the main site.
Vic: That's fabulous re the part time hours! Awesome that CJ is eating so well with a spoon. P was having a go with my fork last night... It was a bit scary TBH! She is so unco, LOL. But at least she had a try (and at least one of my kids is interested in eating).
How wonderful to have your family come to visit. I have to admit taking my family for granted sometimes. Must remember what a privilege it is to have them so close.
Nicky: As soon as the report comes to me I'll forward it on to you to see if you find anything helpful in there. We have had very little success so far. Even the sticker chart only has 2 stickers on it after 3 days. I am going to do some messy play with her after I get off here. We are just having a bite of our regular boring food first. No, L certainly isn't the only nutter! I just don't know what to do with her some days - I feel so out of my depth. And I regret so many things I have said to her in frustration, but I guess even through all that we will be ok. There's still unbelievable love and pride inside me for her of course, and she does make me laugh.

We are doing quite well without DH, and he'll be home tomorrow night - it has gone pretty quickly.
Phoebe is having pretty regular tantrums now - she has got a real 'tude already. Funny for now but we'll soon know all about it. Her favourite word is already 'no', said in protest (e.g. when I take away the remote or remove her from jumping on the lounge) or said in play, 'oh no!' (that one is SO cute).
Anyway, best go off and have some quality time with the big girl now that we've finished lunch. xx

[briggsy's girl]

thanks for the support ladies - esp with the stuff with DH - i know it's not anything we can't get past, its just little things that i'd normally shrug off are driving me bananas! last night i stacked boxes on the spare bed (where i've been escaping to if i'm not coping with me/him/her so i can get some sleep. he looked at me. i said it's time for us to suck it up and really work through stuff instead of fudging it over and pretending it's not there most of the time, and hitting breaking point. so i no longer have an easy escape - my spare bed is covered in boxes of DVD's! but i think we need to force the issues cos i KNOW we're both under a lot of stress and bottling things up will bring us undone. so, in that spirit, 4am this morning was rather interesting. bubba refusing to sleep cos she is unwell, me apparently coming down with the same thing (which i now feel dreadful!) - and him not doing the ONE thing i asked him to do while i'm at work each day - fix the doona so we BOTH get doona - i had nearly 18 inches of empty doona cover at the top of the doona, and over 2 foot on my side - i was COLD, i was feeling very ordinary - so i let fly - politely, but mate, if he didn't get it, he never will! i don't know if i'm sick from being cold or from the germy baby sharing, but i feel BLAH! anyway, he seems to have realised today i'm just not right and has been much more helpful. he's cooking dinner now and not expecting much from me in regard to E - i'm tucked up in a corner with a blanky over me and E just coming to check on me every now and again.

so, time to put the warning out there - my next week or two will likely be mostly whinging cos i'm sick, and a rundown of how we're going with the move (and Nicky, once we're moved, if you want to, you're welcome to come visit. actually, next weekend - come meet us in boo town and you can help us move!)
today's achievements
sleep in til 8.30 (yay! only woke cos i got a text)
shower and brekki
shower E
packing DVD's - lots of them. we've now emptied the three smaller cabinets and the loose ones in our room and the rumpus room. TV DVD's are all we have left to pack (a buffet full of them) - oh, and music DVD's
drop E at mum's, go to town,
put money in bank,
get application for PO Box,
go and sign lease and pay 2 weeks rent,
claim from PHI
organise a rental truck for next weekend
grab some boxes
lunch (at 3pm, on the run)
pick up new car
pick up carseat from the piece of crap we no longer want
drop excess recycling at my aunts place (yay for her not using her bin!)
go back to mum's
C mowed mum's lawns while E had a feed
fuel up both cars
quick shop
home
find jim jams, find blanket - refuse to move!

tomorrow i work - and see if my TL actually did what i asked and organised my leave for next week

[Snacks]

Well done, BG! Great to hear you are feeling more positive about things, even though you are so crook. And all the very best for the move - I just hate packing, moving etc, but our time will come before too long. We're looking at moving in the next 6 months or so.
Glad to hear DH has stepped up for you. It is SO great when that happens, hey?

We're traveling along well here. Had a depressing morning - thought I might join a gym (that has childminding facilities!) because after being on a diet for the last couple of months I have realised I just LOVE food and I just want to eat as much as I like. In which case, I really need to burn more, LOL! So the gym seemed like a good idea (given that I can't take the girls walking with me anymore - Nat won't sit in the stroller unless I particularly don't want her to). But it is just WAY too expensive Bummer.
Anyhoo, I think maybe I should just get up earlier in the morning and go for walks then. Ha. We'll see how long that lasts
Still haven't gotten our report from the OT. I'm a bit bummed about that too, especially as we were going to go for a review appointment this week... but I'm not booking in for a f/up appt until I've seen the report. Couldn't believe the stupid health fund. I paid $300 for that appointment (went for 2 hours) and would you believe I received a rebate of $36.50? How pathetic is that!
Phoebe is so funny atm. She has really upped the ante with her tantrums! Is anyone else completely loosing the plot these days? It only really happens when she's tired, but on days when she doesn't sleep for long we get loads of them. She says, "NO!" and she grabs hold of something (if she can't find a toy or a chair she will grab my leg) and she squeezes until she shakes. Gosh, she gets so angry! Then she says 'no' a few more times, sometimes she starts to cry (that's when she's REALLY tired) and then it's over. She can't be distracted from it either - even if we sing her a song, she will listen and then when the song's over she'll pick up right where she left off. But she is gradually getting some more words and she is starting to imitate us if she is in the right mood. It's very cute.
I suppose I had better get stuck into some housework. This place is a bomb.
Loads of love, chicks. xx

[BeautifulMadness]

Hello ladies

First off i hate facebook and grrr @ them and their crappy crap lol someone hacked my page and yeah im still waiting for facebook to reply great huh?


So how are we all? im not to bad. hubby had most of last week off due to a bug then i got a bit of so that was fun lol

i am sooo over this year is it over yet? lol. cause im hoping Dh will have a better aying job i can get my pyschology studies under way and ashy to start kinder s he wont hush about it lol

BG sorry abt the move ihate packing and unpacking it ****s me. hpe it all goes alright

[BeautifulMadness]

Bg you poor thing and glad to see u got somewhere....i hate renting and im sooooooooooo desperate to not rent i hate hate hate it!!!!!!!!!!!grrr grrrr grrrrr....but its all on my as when the topic comes up its well when you get a job and we have two incomes.....then you are talking to me about more kids arrrgggh confusing man.


whered u rent? clsoe by or somewhere different?

[briggsy's girl]

whered u rent? clsoe by or somewhere different?

got a rental about 40ks from here - which puts us less than 2ks from work - yay! no more ridiculously early mornings (unless i choose to get up)

[*TripleJ*]

=] extremely tired but i did it drug free
Welcoming my lovely princess Jasmine Lesley Belle to the world

[~*Niadalla*~]

Congrats again J!!! Welcome little Jasmine. Well done on the drug free too. Can't wait to hear all the details.

Hi everyone! Been busy TTing the boy which has gone ridiculously well and he's day and night trained in under 4 days. I'm so proud of my little man and I'll be using the same method with Allira in a few months. Never thought it would be that easy.

Not much going on. We have DH's passport and everything. Just waiting on his tickets etc before he leaves in a few weeks.
We've got a wedding this weekend and the kids are staying with Mum. We will be 4 hours away at my sister for 3 days and nights... looking forward to some us time.
I have a girls weekend in just over 2 weeks and I'm excited about that too! Should be awesome.

Hi BM! Long time no see.

Hope everyone is well! I'm off to run the boy back and forwards to the toilet all day again... gets a little tiring but this could go on for quite some time yet.

[BeautifulMadness]

big congrats J what an awesome job.

oh thats great BG, it does help being closer.


Hi Niadalla hows it going?

[Snacks]

Congratulations Jacinta That's so awesome - what a little cutie pie Jasmine is!
Jess: WB! LOL @ is the year over yet... It feels like it is really quickly slipping by. Just organised lunch with friends for the end of November. EEEEEEEK! Am not ready for Christmas yet - have bought everything for the girls but not for anyone else. DH is my big worry this year - he will be 40 in December and I've NO idea what to get him.
Nicky: Great going to L with the TT! That's fabulous. Natty is nowhere near night trained yet. Nappy is VERY wet in the mornings. I am trying to get her to go once she wakes up but I think she wees and then gets up, LOL. I'm not too fussed - am trying to focus on our eating atm and it's so very draining. I don't have room in my head for anything else. Lucky you having a girls weekend! I am very jealous.

[~*Niadalla*~]

Hi everyone! I hope you are all well!!!

Had a wedding over the weekend... child free! Ah, to live the life of no responsibility.... It was nice while it lasted.
Had a great few days just doing whatever we liked, and staying with my sis and her DF.
Girls weekend in 8 days! and hubs leaves for Macau in 14 days! That's coming up very very quickly.

What's been happening? Allira's had a word explosion the last few weeks... crazy insane.... Some of the things coming out of her mouth!! It's rather funny.

None of my kids has really tied to kill themselves of late which has been good. No illnesses (touch wood). Here's hoping that the worst of that is behind us for this year at least.

I have to take someone to the toilet AGAIN... so talk to you all soon.

xx

[*TripleJ*]

everything is going good here
Jamie is teething again and being a pain took out the old teething rings and they are working so far but his temper is horrible and hes biting again grrr hes a good big brother her loves to cuddle his sister but hes very clumsy and doesnt watch where hes going so shes up on the couch in the rocker at the moment lol

[Snacks]

J, Phoebe lived in her rocker on the dining room table for months cause Nat wouldn't leave her alone, LOL!

Phoebe is cutting her premolars. Poor bub - she's really sad! I think it must be the teeth, otherwise she's sick and just not presenting with any symptoms. The upper and lower right ones are through and the bottom left has just broken through today - it has all happened over the last 3-4 days.
P is getting a little bit more wordy too, although she mostly parrots. DH often reads her colours book to her and she recognises the pictures for purple (says "pool" for purple), blue, grey and white. She gets confused with black though and says "quack" LOL! Is cute. She's been very fussy with food the last week or so but I'm staying positive and putting that up to teething! We had a follow up with the OT about Natty's eating and I have put an order in for a textbook that she was working from. I'm feeling more positive about everything, knowing that we have some strategies for dealing with things and I am really praying that they work.