Babies Born ~ May 2009

Amy - do you know how long the Wiggles exhibit will run for (or if will come to Melbourne?) I had a look on the website but couldn't see anything. When you go could you ask? :-) We will most likely make a trip to Sydney but not till the New Year - will keep you informed.

CJ does seem very sensitive - certain songs she bursts into tears if I sing them (Hushabye Mountain and Hushabye Baby - and occasionally Three Little Ducks went out one day (when the ducks don't come back))

Stirling is on my lap grinning at me - the look on his face is very much "Ha Ha Mum I have won and am up late on your lap again" but 9 weeks old can't be that cunning! Smiles are very cute - but I desperately want some evenings back - at the moment I would say he wins 6 evenings out of seven and ends up in the lounge till we go to bed.

Nay - Great news about you and your DH being back on the IVF train. I'm so happy for you. Although I had no doubt that there would be another little one added to your family at some stage ;)

I must say that if you've only had 2 weeks of tantrums, then I am super jealous! Kyson is rather challenging at the moment, and I even sent DH an sms the other afternoon telling him I was going to through his son through a wall. Obviously I wasn't actually going to hurt him, but I just needed to get out my frustration somehow. He screams and yells a lot, and likes to throw things when he is frustrated or angry. We've been trying to work really hard on the throwing because it's so dangerous with Shayla around (she nearly copped the foxtel remote to the back of the head this afternoon!). We've had some small success and he doesn't throw things quite so much and has replaced the throwing with yelling. So if I tell him something like he needs to come and put his shoes on and he doesn't want to do it, he'll scream at the top of his lungs "SHOES ON!", or "NO SHOES ON!". When I put Shayla to bed Kyson comes in singing "Good night Shayla" but he sings quite loud, so if I ask him to sing quietly he'll scream "GOOD NIGHT" as loud as he can as a form of protest. It's lovely *sigh*. But I don't tell him off much for it because it's at least better than throwing and I guess even a 2 year old needs some form of outlet for their frustration.

Thanks Krystie. Bailz mostly seems to have a pretty laid back personality so we've been lucky in that respect, but that means our tantruming coping skills are minimal LOL. However you might remember that I few months ago I mentioned that he is selectively deaf - still the same, if he doesn't want to listen to me he just totally ignores me till I crawl down on the ground and jump up in his face hahahahahaha He cant ignore me then!!!!

Amy, I meant to say, I received the following email re the Wiggles exhibition - it might be of use to you


Get ready to wiggle! As a valued member of The Wiggles exhibition fan club, you're invited to purchase tickets to
– the launch of –
THE WIGGLES EXHIBITION
– and live appearance by The Wiggles –
Be first to visit the exhibition and enjoy a live appearance by The Wiggles! Join Anthony, Murray, Jeff, Sam, Captain Feathersword and Dorothy the Dinosaur as we celebrate their amazing 20 year journey. Plus every child receives a showbag and lunch box.
FRIDAY 23 SEPTEMBER, 11AM FOR 11.30AM START
TICKETS ARE STRICTLY LIMITED*
$20 ADULT / CHILD, $16 POWERHOUSE MEMBER

BOOK NOW OR PHONE (02) 9217 0222
*Children aged 19 months or older at 23 September 2011 need to have a paid ticket. Children aged 0–18 months are free, but need to be registered when booking.

HAVE THE WIGGLIEST TIME!
• All children need to be accompanied by a paying adult (up to four children per adult).
• Bring your print at home ticket/s with you.
• Dock your stroller at the Museum entrance for the duration of the event.
• Arrive on time (11am), ready to see Anthony, Murray, Jeff, Sam, Captain Feathersword and Dorothy the Dinosaur from 11.30am to 12 noon.
• At 12 noon, children will receive their show bag plus a lunch box.
• You'll also have the opportunity to take a photo with Captain Feathersword and Dorothy the Dinosaur.
• Enjoy the exhibition from 12.30pm.
• The event finishes at 1.30pm, but stay and enjoy the Powerhouse Museum until 5pm.
• Media will be present at this event, and you and your child may be filmed or photographed. Please let the camera crew or photographer know if you would prefer not to be filmed or photographed.
• The Powerhouse Museum is located at 500 Harris St, Ultimo. We recommend catching public transport if possible; a train to Central, a bus to Harris St, the monorail (to Paddy's Market) or light rail (to Exhibition). More on how to get here
• Food and drinks are not permitted inside the exhibition.
The Wiggles exhibition opens to the public from Saturday 24 September, entry will be included with Museum admission. Read more about The Wiggles exhibition
BOOK NOW OR PHONE (02) 9217 0222

I dont know why I am bummed about missing the exhibition - we are actually going to the live show here in Adelaide on Oct 13th!! But the exhibition sounded sooooooooooooooooo cool. Maybe it will work its way around Aus :)

Oooh, wow! Thanks for that Nay. Not sure if I can swing that day off work but I'll check it out for sure. Am disappointed that you won't make it up here :( But I totally understand needing to prioritise and also how expensive it is now that our kids are full-fare! Hopefully we will all cross paths again one day.
Have a thoroughly awesome time at the GC!!
LOL, I hadn't remembered the Natalie quote, but now you mention it it does sound vaguely familiar. I guess those days are over and... how quickly I have forgotten. In a month's time Phoebe will be as old as Nat was when P was born!
Vic:: I'll ask. I only know about it because Nay told me on FB, lol. Given the Wiggles' success in merchandising and franchising, I'd be very surprised if they didn't have some kind of deal in Melbs - aren't they 20 or something? No doubt that's what it's all about. They had a celebration of ABBA at the powerhouse recently and it was very cool! Do you have a community centre or museum where they do stuff like that?
Krystie: We have many challenging days here too, and P tries my patience for sure. I guess it's softened by the fact that Nat is older and therefore everything is new with her and therefore seems to be more challenging, KWIM? There's kind of a new perspective with Phoebs that even with her crankiness and tanties, it's almost cute because we know it won't last long. Before too long she'll be like Nat and using a cheeky tone of voice to answer us back and will tease other kids and demand frivolous toys for herself whilst we're supposed to be purchasing toys for kids in 3rd world countries for Samaritans Purse etc. Nat seems to do all kinds of mortifying things that I'm still yet to know how to deal with and discover where they came from. I don't doubt that I set the tone for our home, and I know that when she answers me back I only have myself to blame, but the teasing and the impossible self-centredness/materialism I don't understand. I don't see myself as being particularly materialistic, but maybe I am. Having a kid is like having a really honest mirror.
So pleased all is looking good with baby boo! Lovely!
J: Sorry everything is a bit tough atm! Hopefully the kids settle a bit over the next few weeks and you have a slightly easier period! It's never easy though, is it? LOL.
BG: Am so sorry about all the health issues, I don't know where to start but I hope there's some relief soon. Phoebe is a mood-swinger too. Usually it's easily explained though which makes it a little simpler. Mostly I forget that she eats like a normal kid (not like Nat who eats like a bird. And I don't mean I vomit into her mouth or she picks up worms, lol. She eats next to nothing.) so often it's because she's hungry. I'm not used to that!
I understand not being able to make it to Syd - we are similarly trying to be better with money but the concerts I am going to splurge on before Nat starts school as I'm sure this time next year Justine and Wiggles will be totally uncool :( As I said to Nay, I'd love to catch you all again and I'm going to count on a trip down there one day to get to a meet-up!

We are enjoying our new place now that the weather is warming up. I think it shouldn't be too hot in summer (fingers crossed!) which is a massive plus. The birds are lovely and the girls love seeing them at the birdbath and walking down to the creek. The girls generally get along well, although it doesn't often take long for a squabble to break out. Phoebe often ditches her day sleep now even though most days she'd be better off for having one! She loves singing and she's the only one allowed to sing! She gets really cross if anyone joins in, lol.

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not like Nat who eats like a bird. And I don't mean I vomit into her mouth or she picks up worms, lol

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LOL! That made me giggle :)

Just wanted t stop by and say hi. I've been reading and keeping up with you all, but never have anything to say (and not sure what to say anymore).
Congrats on the pregnancies and babies to everyone. Wonderful news.

All going well. Kids growing at an alarming rate and amazing (and frustrating) me everyday.

Hope you're all well, and sorry.

Hi girls - i sync'd my phone with new laptop today and lost all my contacts - can you send me your phone numbers and email addy's

i'm planning on keeping a hard copy now!

BG - sent through my details hope you got them

Had a rough couple of weeks here with illness
(ear and chest infection for CJ, sinus infection for me, snuffles for Stirlo (seems poor second children cop it as CJ never got sick at such a young age), but now well on the mend I think. Having some big tantrums here, and I am calling them memory tantrums, because CJ has one once and then the same situation seems to trigger again - e.g. has a big tantrum because is over tired getting back in the car - wants to sit on my lap in car, can't so screams all the way home. Next time going to get in car she remembers and works herself into another one about the same thing (unfortunately the car is quite difficult to avoid :-)). Afterwards she says "I was silly - all better now" so she comprehends it in some fashion. Is making coming home a bit stressful if we are out in car. Maybe once she is fully better will get over it - fingers crossed. DS still being an angel luckily as she is very tiring at the moment - if he wasn't such a good sleeper not sure how I would cope.

Two is definitely enough for us, so DH will get the snip - anyone any idea how it works, do you need to use PHI or can you just use medicare? I would like to change our PHI as costs us alot for stuff don't need, but don't want to end up with a waiting period for this.

Snacks - CJ has just got into Justine Clark the past couple of days, so is jealous about your trip to see her. I don't mind her - makes a change from Wiggles Hot Poppin, Popcorn which seems to be flavor of month at the moment - CJ calls it Pom Pom. That and videos from Melbourne Zoo, spider monkey, elephant taking a bath and the bird show (these are I suppose quite educational but am so sick of the music on them, but are a life saver when she just wants to kiss and twiddle Stirlo's ears while he is trying to feed - he has the patience of a saint - I wonder how long that will last!)

Nicky - I see your status updates on FB - I have never been able to get into running - so have to admire your perseverance. I want to get into shape a bit as am done having kids now seems like should get a bit fitter but so far have only managed a couple of lengths of the pool and a bit of walking. I need to strengthen my back - DS is a lump (almost 7kg already) and I still have a few more carrying years ahead of me.

Am selling some stuff in the Buy/Sell/Swap forum - probably no good sizing for any of you guys, but there are some nice things for little boys if you want any gifts.

Also you probably remember about me doing fabric baby books - well I have realized that my mini machine is not up to the job and also that I don't really like sewing the same thing over and over, and have not come up with a decent way of doing the books without a decent sewing machine. So anyway am going to send out a cut down version to those didn't send one to (only Aaron and Kyson got one I think) and also any fabric prints of your little ones which you can do with as you please (please can you PM me with your current address as I think a few people have moved)

LOL, I think I prefer Justine to Wiggles as there are no 'put-on' voices, KWIM? I can't stand Captain Feathersword's voice, even Dorothy annoys me with her insipid giggle. But Justine's just natural, not over-produced and she's not always pitch perfect either... I just dig her :) Phoebe adores the Wiggles though and was exclaiming over the giant posters at the train station advertising the exhibition.

Re the snip, congrats :) We haven't looked back, lol!
In terms of how it works, cost varies greatly depending on whether or not you go public or private (as you mentioned) or indeed whether or not he wants local anaesthetic, general, or heavy sedation.
Public with or without GA: I assume no fee, but I can well imagine the wait is considerable.
Private with local: I believe there are many clinics that do this - like Marie Stopes etc - where they have set 'vasectomy days' and they just roll them through. No idea of cost but perhaps there'd be less out of pocket fees because no anaesthetist or hospital involved.
Private: We went this option and of course were out of pocket quite a lot. We had our hospital excess to pay (1 admission in 10 years of PHI! Still, I wouldn't not have it, especially seeing what I see from this side of the doctor's desk), the surgeons out-of-pocket cost (about $400-something from memory), and the anaesthetist's fee (not GA, but heavy sedation - anaesthetist called it "jungle juice", lol! DH didn't remember a thing. About $300-something I think). So quite an expensive exercise but very quick and satisfactory process. Day surgery only. Let me know if you need more info about the actual procedure.

ETA: Pilates is REALLY good for back and core strengthening. If you are feeling like your back is getting sore, these are fabulous exercises to do!

i think i have most details now - just have to put it in my phone again. i am missing bella's from memory and maybe Nic - but not sure i had hers before lol

Vic - sounds like you guys have had a crummy run - i can so sympathise with that one! i think E has a bit of CJ's memory tantrums. it seems to always be the same thing. she knows it's silly, but it happens anyway! she has also picked up a wicked habit of squealing! drives me bonkers! i have become very adept at asking her to stop squealing or go and spend time outside or in her room until she is over it!

Amy - i read about your tooth - sorry, i had to giggle at the culprit! that's funny!

AFU - i am still struggling. seem to be really seriously run down. i'm slowly improving, but it's a hard slog! E never seems to stop changing and developing. i'm in awe of the new things she seems to come out with each day. her sentences are pretty much fully structured now, which is fantastic. she has a little boyfriend here, who is 8 months older than her. i don't know if she is advanced or he is running a bit slow on development - but they seem to be on a par (or E a bit ahead). it's quite funny watching them. thankfully, for only children, they are both fantastic when they play together, which is awesome.

ooh, Vic - you have been in my thoughts HEAPS this past week. have had quite a few people with stronger accents calling through at work. been a long time since i've had such a run of them! and each time, i have a moment of "wouldn't it be funny if it was Vic...?" for a second or two. after a while everyone seems to fall into "groups" voice-wise. it's funny how many different backgrounds i can pick by the accents! but it tends to mean i relate them to someone i know IRL lol. gotta do something to make the day more interesting!!

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has a big tantrum because is over tired getting back in the car - wants to sit on my lap in car, can't so screams all the way home. Next time going to get in car she remembers and works herself into another one about the same thing (unfortunately the car is quite difficult to avoid :-)). Is making coming home a bit stressful if we are out in car.

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Oh gosh, I've almost decided to stop taking the kids to the park because of car tanties! The last three days Kyson has given me major tanties leaving the park and getting him back in the car. It's so hard when I'm also holding Shayla. I can't go around and put her in the car first for fear that Kyson will run, so twice I had to literally snake my arm under both of Kyson's (around his back) and scoop him into the car and just close the door so he couldn't get out. Luckily his seat is in the middle and there is a spare seat next to him. Then I can get Shayla strapped in and go back to fighting Kyson into his seat. Today the 11 yo DSS was with us he had to carry Shayla back to the car while I carried a screaming Kyson. I even tried to bribe him and tell him if he got in the car nicely he can have watermelon or yoghurt when we got home. It didn't help. When he was finally strapped in and we were halfway home he started calmly asking "watermelon?" "yoghurt?". I don't think so buddy! Lol.

As for getting the snip, I have no idea about the details. DH will be getting it done at some stage after bub comes though. He would have had it done earlier but I wasn't emotionally ready at the time. There's such a huge difference between saying you're never having another baby, and knowing you can't. I was going through a grieving process of the baby I was never going to have. I guess that didn't quite turn out how we though, hehehe.
I've found it really interesting that a lot of people seem to KNOW when their family is complete. That they get a sense of complete-ness. I didn't feel that after Kyson and Shayla and I think that's why I was grieving. I still didn't feel like I was finished having babies. Now that I'm pregnant with this little bub I'm suddenly feeling the "complete" feeling and I know that even if Bobby would have wanted more (yeah right, lol!!!) that I would have been happy with my three babies. It's really odd.

Oh, and just you girls wait until you see the fabric baby books! When Kyson opened his I actually burst into tears! It's so precious. I don't let him play with it though because it's just too special hehehe.



PS. I have no love of running or any other form of exercise ;)

Amy - I'm a Wiggles fan, but I am with you on Dorothy and her voice and laugh!! Bailey has really gotten into Play School of late, and loves that 'Mister Maker' on ABC2, I must do more craft with him, Might have a day when we get back from the Gold Coast and die some pasta and rice to make some stuff with LOL

Vic - just looked at your ticker, cant believe Stirling is getting close to 3 months old, that went fast! I had a chuckle at Cerys comments re "I was silly - all better now". I was putting Bailz to bed before and he was poking me in the eye and banging my head with his Chuggington trains. I told him that if he couldn't be gentle I'd need to take them away. He handed them straight over and said "Bailey no gentle, Mummy take" then rubbed my head as said "Mummy Ok? Sorry Mummy". They crack me up!! At dinner time he threw his spoon with excitement across the room after us telling him off. As much as I wanted to tell him off, both Sean and I were trying not to crack up laughing and Bailey just sat there waiting to be told off as he knows the drill. Hard to tell your kid off when you have tears of laughter running down your face :)

BG - Ahhh Squealing, love it Hahahaha. Bailey gets all excited when he is playing with his trains and when he crashes them (or Lightening McQueen and Jeff Corvette) you hear him scream - OOOOOOOOhhh Nooooooooooooooo in this high pitched voice, its hilarious!!

Today we picked up our drugs for our IVF cycle, so now we wait for AF to arrive to get started. Should arrive sometime between 20th-24th, so we MAY need to start our cycle while in the gold coast, not planned but my last two cycles have been a bit shorter than my traditional 28 days (eg around the 24 day mark) so its brought this cycle forward. I'm excited, but worried that it wont work, we dont have much cash as we did when we were cycling with Bailz, so wouldn't be able to pour endless money into cycles as we might have 3 years ago. With me working part time, and the expense of having a child already, the disposable income certainly has diminished. Anyway, I do feel positive about the possibility of it working, however its more the money side of 'what to do if it doesn't work' thats bothering me rather than the emotional one. I'm sure once we start our cycle I'll be in a different headspace, but I gotta be positive, we had success with conceiving Bailz, there is no reason that cant happen again.

Taking Bailz to see one of Sean's mates who is a podiatrist tomorrow, we picked up Bailz new orthotics on Monday, and he will not wear them, but the orthotist was a bit umming and ahhing as to whether they were necessary now. I am of the opinion that they probably are not, so not going to put Bailey through the grief of getting use to them if they are not having a tangible benefit. Most kids have pretty flat feet at this age, and he doesn't turn his feet in like he used to. Seans mate will refer us to a podiatrist colleague who specialises with kids if he thinks its necessary. We are no longer seeing a physiotherapist for Baileys tone, and the orthotist seemed reliant on her diagnosis, so rather than going through the public health system, we'll just get a second opinion and go from there. Would be nice for him to be out of orthotics in time for summer. Lace up shoes with orthotics sucked for him last summer. We'll see what happens

I am looking very much forward to our Gold Coast trip this week - we go to the Wiggles on Thurs morning (cant wait, Bailz is very excited too, he desperately wants to see Sam), and then we fly to the Goldy that evening - yay. We need this holiday, this year has had its challenges for us and it will be nice to have a relaxing week and come home ready to cycle

Nay

Just off to bed but our podiatrist said that arches don't develop properly till about 4 years of age so can't tell if a child is flat footed till later (I asked because Ryan has flat feet). CJ still has inserts in her shoes but not major ones like Bailey had, so they are not too bad, she still needs them and will for a while yet - but fingers crossed Bailey gets the all clear tomorrow.

Thanks for replying Vic :)

Cheers Vic. I'm on the verge of having lost 20kgs now with a lot more to go... but I'm really enjoying it. Finding it hard to find the time o fit in everything I want to, but we'll get there.
Sorry you've had such a bad run with illness. I hope it all improves very soon! xx

Nicky - thats massively awesome and a fantastic achievement!! I'm in awe! I need to lose at least that - however I am lacking motivation, what got you going?

Looking at myself in bathers from our recent Gold Coast holiday is pretty good motivation for me though I must say :o

I had something happen a couple of weeks ago that has upset me a little, and I think I might just be taking things too personally and being upset for no reason. So I thought I'd see if in the same situation you girls would feel the same.

Another Mum from my mother's group has a two boys, one the same age as Kyson, and one a month younger than Shayla. We kept saying we wanted to take them all on a nice walk down to the park to have a play, but we were just waiting for my morning sickness to ease up. I messaged her one day and let her know I was planning on taking the kids to a park the next day, would she like to come? And she wrote back she'd love to and would be home around 2pm and would call me. Well it got to 4.30pm and still no word from her, so I just sent her a nice message asking if she still wanted to go today, or if she wanted to reschedule. She answered that they still hadn't made it home yet, and could we do it the next day. "Sounds great" I wrote back, and for her to sms me when she wanted to go the next day. So the next day rolls around and no word from her all day. I had taken the kids to the park the day before, but Kyson knew we were planning on going again that day so was asking about it. So around 4pm I popped the kids in the car and tried to call the friend on the way to the park. I headed to the park closest to her house in case she wanted to meet us there. I didn't get an answer. Then I arrive at the park and as I'm walking the kids into the playground I notice the Mum there with her two kids AND another Mum from mother's group with her little girl... I know those two Mum's are probably the closest in our group, but I couldn't help but suddenly feel a bit upset that even though "plans" had been made, they seemed to have been dropped in favour of "better" plans. Also, it's not like they were at some exclusive restaurant with no extra room for me and the kids. It's a playground and I couldn't help but wonder why they didn't just let me know that they were going and ask if I would like to join them? They both seemed genuinely happy that we were there, and we always get along well. It was just weird and I'm still feeling upset about it. I wish I had the type of personality that can just let this kind of stuff just go! I've been getting more and more upset lately that I don't have any close girlfriends. My only close friend hasn't lived in the same state (or country!) since before I had Kyson. I just wish I had someone that was close by that I was close to. Someone I could just call and say "let's go to the park" or "let's go grab a coffee/tea with the kids" etc. Everyone already seems to have a full social life with no room to fit me in.

Gosh, how's that for a "woe is me" moment?