Babies born~December 1st-15th 2009 # 4

Hi BS - Eva is so adorable, I just love chatting with you on FB and seeing all your pics and vids. I wish we could meet. xx TTC in mid September, wow, you are going to beat me to it ha ha, I'm going to go for it end of year I think, even though I'm a little nervous. We talked about it at mums group today and everyone was asking if I'd like a boy or girl next, I don't know! I'd like a boy to experience the other sex and have one of each but then I think Amelia would love a sister and I have all these clothes! Anyway, I guess it's not something I can choose really anyway lol. Although one of the girls said she swears by the Chinese calendar and told me what months to conceive for a boy and what months for a girl, hmmm, think I'll leave it up to nature ha ha! Amelia's had teeth for a bit but has only just started to crawl and not even doing it properly yet, they all have different developments and different stages. I'm glad her temp went down, was she tugging at her ear heaps? Amelia does that a lot but I always assume it's her teeth, it's a common occurrence in our house at the moment!

Hi Alison - Isn't it amazing how they just get up and go one day! So not fun having Amelia teeth while you've got your own painful gums to deal with! As you saw on FB Matilda is finally getting teeth too! It actually took me a few days to work out what was going on. You know how I thought she had a cold, well I think it was actually teething poor dear so I haven't been really giving her much pain relief. Don't feel bad about giving Amelia pain relief for the teething - we don't think twice about downing a bit of panadol for a headache ourselves so I reckon they should get some relief too. So exciting that you're thinking about TTC!!! I might be tempeted too...

BS - Poor little Eva with such a high temp and sore ears!! Ear infections are the most painful things. I'm sure she'll settle down into daycare quickly again when she gets better. It must be so good to have de-cluttered! Isn't it amazing how much stuff from the first year of their life already needs to be stored?! I'm dreading having to get everything out of storage in a month or so and having to sort through it. I definitely need to plan a nice night out with DH. It's only now we can even really contemplate it. Until 2 weeks ago she was waking soooooo much and sooooo dependent that we just couldn't leave her. But I think we're through to the other side now. Yippee!!!!!!

Beany - oh sweetheart, anxiety is the worst. I've had a fair dose of it in the past too and its just awful. I think its a great idea to go on some medication for it and to go and see someone and have a big vent. Sometimes you just really need the medication before you can try any of the other strategies. It just helps you get on top of it. And there's no point suffering when there's remedies out there. I think anxiety and depression are like two sides of the same coin. Anxiety can sort of burn you out so that you end up feeling flat and depressed. Catch up with Rose and Alison soon if you can and have a big chat.

Hannah - glandular fever!!! Yuk!!! What a blessing that you've got care organised for Amelia! Don't give it a second thought. The best thing for Amelia is for you to get well as soon as possible and that means you resting which means having her in day care. It's the only way you'll get any rest. I really hope it clears up quickly. It can affect people quite differently. I was lucky and only got it mildly so I hope you get lucky too!!! And no more kissing!

Hi Carmey - good luck with all the work! We must catch up when you've got time. I'll FB you!

AFM - Well thanks for all your support on the DH issue girls. It was just one of those really irritating moments which was all about timing! Like I was saying, I think we really need to get some time together. Even though we see eachother every night and every weekend its always so full of daily practicalities. And when there isn't work to be done we're so buggered we end up sitting infront of the TV which is hardly spending quality time together. Anyway, he's cooking me dinner tonight (while I post) so I shouldn't complain too much. Now we're getting Matilda into a bit more of a routine I think we might start trying to get out a bit more together. I know DH's mother is dying to babysit. Poor Tilly is going through the wars at the moment and she's really being very brave about it. On top of the teething she's had diarrhea and a nappy rash today. Babylove says its a myth that babies get it when they're teething but you've got to wonder. But despite all the irritations she's actually in quite good spirits. It's so cute, when she's holding something she's really happy about she'll hold it up to show you. I was shown the teething ring and rusks quite a lot today! And she's definitely saying na, na, na, na when she's unhappy about something. I realised that when she's grabbing at something she shouldn't have or about to do something dangerous I'll say no, no, no, no in exactly that way. So I'm already hearing myself! It's so amazing to see them grow up but its so sad at the same time. She really doesn't feel like a "baby baby" anymore. She's somewhere between a baby and a toddler. I have to admit I've started thinking about number 2 too. I'd really like the option for a number 3 so I have to get moving if that's the case. But I don't know how my poor back will cope with being pregnant with a toddler! DH is pretty keen but I think it would involve having to get help in of some sort. We'll see....Have a good weekend everyone! Oh and Matilda's godmother is flying in from Albany, WA tomorrow for an impromptu visit we only found out about yesterday. I'm very, very excited!

Alison, you're such a sweetheart :) Thanks for saying all those nice things...I am sure I'll be in Oz sometime soon - one of my besties is marrying a perthian so we'll see where they decide to wed...although she is starting to say Ibiza, but maybe I'll head out there with her at some point...

Tilda, I think that in between baby and toddler feeling is what is making me feel so ready for #2...And I am actually trying to go pretty close to avoid Eva getting really big and heavy and having a harder time dealing with the sharing and all...I am sure she'll have to adjust but I am also sure it will be easier when she is smaller. I am so glad Matilda is settling down :) Try to get that night out with DH, it is so important...Even if he just makes you dinner and you eat together without going to the tv it makes for a great night...lately DH and I have been trying to have tea after dinner and just sit on the sofa and chat...we both feel a lot closer and better.

Alison, I don't have a preference really, although it would def be cheaper to have a girl for clothes ;) But most of my furniture/stroller and nursery are gender neutral so it would only be with the clothes that I would save money...I have a sister 2 years younger than me and I am so close to her, but I am not sure if it has to do with sex or just closeness in age...I am very close to my brother too but he is 5 years younger so it is a more big sister, little brother relationship

I actually told DH I was ready to TTC now but he asked to wait until the end of September to finish up the last details with work - he does not want to reproduce with "stressed sperm" :ROFL: - I swear he said that! lolololol - so I am detoxing and working out until the end of Sept...One more placket of pills and TTC begins!

Eva is just so gorgeous, I can't imagine anything else being like that :) But I know #2 will be just as amazing!

I am looking forward to a relaxed weekend - on the agenda is organizing my desk at home, going for a bike ride and picnic with Eva on saturday and lunch at friends' house sunday...my kind of WE!

Just for info Eva measures 70.4cm, 9kg and 40cm hc from her visit on tuesday...No wonder she feels heavy :o :ROFL:

Enjoy your weekends girls!

Gastro....oh joy....:sick:

Hello all!

Tilda - oh no! Is that you or Matilda? I hope whoever it is gets better post haste!! Gastro is NOT nice :( Thanks for the kind words, I'm already feeling a lot better, I hope it continues... Thats great that you feel like you're in more of a routine now...hopefully you can get a few nights out to spend with DH while your MIL babysits, that would be lovely for you :)

Alison - oh poor little Amelia, do you know which teeth are coming through? Do you reckon that teething elixir works? Oh and I'd love that recipe please!! Is that a special baby-recipe? I saw the video of Amelia! It won't be long before she's crawling full pace I reckon...I think it took Michael maybe just over a week to go from shuffling to crawling.

BS - I agree, I'm sure I'd be the same, wanting to get around a crawl rather than be pinned down to get changed! :lol: Yeah, I just feel like having a good chat with a counsellor about everything, I'm hoping that will clear my head a bit and help. OMG, 40.3!! Poor little darling...I'm with Alison, was she tugging at her ears, or did she have any other signs that she had an ear infection? I always worry about that since both me & dh had a lot of problems with our ears when we were younger. Heee...I got that Baby Einstein video on your recommendation, I haven't tried watching it with him yet...but looks quite good! Eva seems to be coming along in leaps and bounds, thats great she's waving her hands and dancing! Sooo cute! Michael has just started bopping to music when it comes on...very cute, he shakes his head around too...I hope he doesn't grow up to be a headbanger!! Haha, thats so cute that your DH doesn't want to try with stressed sperm!! But I see his point, I wonder that too... I dunno what I'd like 2nd...I'd be happy with a girl as would be good to have one of each. But then I'd be happy with a boy because if he's anything like Michael I'd be in heaven! Hmm! I have been thinking about a 2nd too, but I think we'll still wait a bit longer...I'd like Michael to be at least 3 I think.

Hello to everyone else!

AFM - not much to report really. Michael has been such a darling, he's getting around everywhere now...he'll be crawling along and then decide its a good place to haev a sit and he'll look around for a bit and then keep going. His front teeth are charging down now...its really changing his look. And Tilda, I was saying the same thing to my sis the other day, he's not a baby anymore :( Its so sad, but good at the same time as he's always changing and doing new things.

Trying to sort out child care atm - getting pressure from work to give them a date when I'm going back (I've just said September). I can't decide between Child Care Centres or Family Day Care, normally I'm good at making decisions and always have a gut feel...but we're both just lost atm, dunno which way to go. Our problem is we worry about him getting sick a lot at a CCC - I mean, I know its going to happen, but the more he gets sick the less MIL can see him and he's really keeping her going. Ughhh...why does this have to be so hard??

Hi Tilda - oh no, whoever it is it is not nice, we all had it a few months ago, it was a week of hell, Amelia had it for 5 days! Get better soon, I'm so over winter and all it's bugs!

Hi Beany - the elixir worked a treat but I've since decided I will only use it if I'm desperate, I found out the reason most chemists don't sell it without a script is because SIDS recommend not giving kids under 2 antihistamine. It's only a very low dose but still. Luckily she slept all night last night without needing any, I just got her teething necklace out again and dosed her up with hylands teething tabs and SM33. The elixir is good to have for emergencies though so am happy to get you some. She slept 12 hours straight without waking that night, but she did the same last night, actually she did fuss at 3am but I went in and she'd gone sideways in her cot so was jammed up against the side. She didn't actually wake so I moved her around and didn't hear from her again. As for her teeth, I can actually see the whites more on the two either side of the front teeth so I'm wondering if they'll come down first! Great, fangs ha ha! Mum said my top side teeth came down before the front ones lol. Weirdo.

As for childcare, personally I'm not keen on the whole child care centre thing, same reason as you. I know they need to build up some resistence to bugs but you can do that other ways, just generally hanging out with other people and bubs, animals etc. I've heard those with a dog or cat build up a good resistence, not sure how true that is. Everyone I know who's kids are in day care from mums group are constantly sick with chest infections, ear infections etc etc....in might be a coincidence so who knows. Problem is, most bugs are contagious before the symptoms appear so it's hard for people to avoid passing it on I guess. My friend who goes to family day care's bub has still had a few colds and currently has an ear infection but I think a lot of that is when she's teething and we all know their resistence is already down with teething anyway. Amelia gets a yukky nose when she's teething as well. Anyway, what I'm trying to say is it's a personal choice but if it was me I'd be trying to go the family day care route, they are more hands on, have less kiddies to deal with anyway and most only take one or two babies at a time. Either way Michael will have a ball playing with other kiddies. Oh and I'll FB you the pumpkin risotto recipe, it's been a major hit here!

Hi to everyone else, hope you and your bubs are all well. Sorry for no persies, off to lunch today for FIL's birthday. All going well - aside from teething here.

Oh quick hi to BS too, wow TTC'ing in September, that's in a few weeks lol! xx How exciting.

Hi Beany and Alison - M had diarrhea yesterday and I've been vomiting all day today. I feel like death. But still made to the computer to say hi LOL! I'm just glad that M wasn't this sick. At least I hope its the same thing and I'm not about to give her this!! DH is out with M taking M's godmother to a friend's. She arrived from Perth this morning!!! I'll feel terrible if I pass it on! Anyway, won't do persies right now. Hope you have a better weekend than me.

Alison - Why does a teething elixir contain antihistamine? This is great for allergies and cold symptoms but other than that it will just cause drowsiness in babies - that would by why SIDS don't recommend it. You'd be better off giving her paracetomol on its own or applying a teething gel directly to her gums to relieve her pain.

Tilda - Oh no! I hope you and Matilda get over this bug soon :hug:


beany - We've put Amelia in family day care. I don't like the idea of child care centres for the same reasons as you. We can't protect them from all bugs and it is good for their immune systems to be exposed to some things. But what is the point of putting them in childcare so that you can return to work if they end up getting sick so you have to stay home to look after them? Plus I like that there's only a few kids at FDC. It feels more personal IYKWIM. FDC might be a more expensive than a centre (although not by much as far as I can tell) but IMO it's worth it for the extra attention they get. I suggest you check out as many FDC providers and centres as you can to get a feel of what would fit you and Michael best.

BS - Wow TTC in September! "stressed sperm" :rofl:

Okay, let's see if I can get some decent replies written before Liam wakes up from his nap!

Tilda - Oh no, I hope you're feeling better soon. Having a cold is bad enough when needing to look after a bub, I can't imagine doing it with gastro.

And as for nappy rash with teething - all the books seem to say it's a myth, but everyone I know with kids reckons it happens. Liam's had a bit of rash for the first time ever since he's been teething.

beany - I hear you on the child care worries. I'm lucky (in a way) that I work at home, so I don't have to think about putting Liam into care, but I'd still worry about him getting sick a lot. But, when you think about it, they're going to get all the bugs eventually when they go to school, anyway.

BS - TTC in September! I'm excited for you :) And I have to admit, a little envious. I almost wouldn't mind having another one close, even with all the hassle that we've had with Liam. But realistically, we'll be waiting until Liam is two or three before we think about it.

Alison - I'd love that risotto recipe

argh - back later for more, Liam's awake.

Hi Hannah - exactly.....it's so it helps them sleep. I was so wary about it because I felt a bit strange just giving it to her for that reason as opposed to plain old panadol. I won't use it again unless she has a couple of really bad nights in a row which so far hasn't happened. I'm with you on the home daycare for the same reasons.

Hi Tilda - oh shame poor you..........it's highly contagious too, it's so hard not to pass on but I know when we all had it one by one, my mum came to visit the day Amelia got sick and 2 days later she got sick and she was staying at my sister's at the time. She went home on the Friday and by the Friday night she was ill so then I was doubly worried she'd pass it onto my sister's family but none of them got it. It all comes down to hygiene and washing your hands religiously. I got it from Amelia because I was up to my neck in diarrohea (gross) with her for a few days and then DH got it but he was nowhere near as bad as me or Amelia. Amelia had it the worst, we all had the feeling like vomiting but not but we had the other end instead which I think I'd prefer sadly! Not that any of it's nice. Wishing you a speedy recovery, it usually only lasts 24 hours, I was feeling better about 12 hours later and by the 24 hour mark was back to normal. xx

BS - lol, stressed sperm is funny ha ha.

AFM - went to lunch today for FIL's birthday, it was lovely sitting out in the sun by the marina, I just wish MIL could refrain from telling me what to do. Amelia pursed her lips at lunch (she's gone off her solids a bit with these teeth, prefers yoghurt), anyway, I persisted a couple of times and MIL goes "mummy, I don't want any"...like she's talking for her. Then she did it for some other things and all I wanted to do was slap her....I hate it when people do that. I wanted to tell her to bugger off! haha

And DH has Liam for a bit, so I can do some more replies.

Alison - Teething is just awful, isn't it? Liam's had a bit of a bad run with it as well, where nothing works but giving him Nurofen. I hate medicating him, but I don't hesitate to medicate myself when I have pain, and I don't see any need for him to suffer. I'd wonder about that elixir having an antihistamine in it, but if it's a low dose, it's probably just to help the bubs sleep a bit. And hey, if it works!

Hannah - Oh you poor thing, glandular fever is awful :( I hope that it passes relatively mildly for you. And yes, take your sick leave and just rest as much as you can.

beany - I know a few people for whom PND has exhibited itself as anxiety (and at least one where it's been anger instead). I'm really glad that you're seeing a counsellor - sometimes just being able to talk to someone impartial is the best thing. Same for the meds - if you need them, they can be a miracle. If you need to talk about anything PND-related, I'm always here. Just grab me on FB or send me a text :) Just remember that you're not alone in this. And I'd always be willing to take Michael for a bit if you needed it.

Carmey - Glad that Jack's well again :)

Tilda - I hear you on the perception by the world thing. We just need to keep telling ourselves that parenting is a full time job, and a damn hard one. You don't get holidays, you don't get weekends or nights off. It's still hard to adjust to after working, though. I wish our society valued parents more, I do.

Hi to anyone I missed! Sorry I've been so bad with persies of late.

AFM - Having a bit of a rough patch with Liam teething again. He's okay during the day, but every second night or so he wakes up just screaming in pain. He's been snuffly as well - not sure if he's had a cold or if its from teething - so we pretty much do some saline up the nose, SM33 on the gums and some Nurofen. The combination seems to help him settle down enough to sleep again. Poor little guy, I just feel for him so much. And as of yet, he's only cut his first tooth. I can feel several of the others just below the surface, though, so they may cut through any day.

I've been sick, too, with a cold/flu thing. It kind of sucks not being able to take any decent meds, but at least I can use a decongestant spray, which helps me to feel more human.

I've been feeling like things have been getting on top of me again lately, too. Just really feeling the lack of time to get any decent work done. It's mostly my own fault for not really making use of time when other people are watching Liam for me - when my mother is here, I spend most of the time talking to her or playing with Liam. I'm in the process of sorting out my office space so I can actually lock myself away to do work when Mum is here watching Liam.

We've really hit separation anxiety, too, as well as started to see some tantrums. If you take away whatever Liam wants, he chucks a great tantrum now. I have a feeling that we're going to be in for some interesting times as he gets older. Luckily most of the time he's awake he's happy and smiley. Though it would be nice for him to be able to amuse himself with toys a bit more rather than needing to be entertained 99% of the time. But I guess that'll come in time, and then I'll be sad that he doesn't want anyone with him.

Alison - its awful to think of this bug sweeping through the house!! I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. I'm just hoping that what M had yesterday was the same thing and it just affected her differently. I'm actually wondering if it's the rotavirus they get vaccinated for which might be why it was so much milder for her. Don't you hate that third person baby talk that MIL's do? Mine does the same thing. It's so subtly undermining and difficult to say anything when they do it. Don't worry give her a good slap on bellybelly.

Hannah - I hope you're feeling a bit better. Try and rest and eat good food and drink lots of water. I think that's all you can do for viral things unfortunately.

Beany - I know a few people that have been really happy with family daycare. Maybe its a bit more of a normal environment too. I haven't even begun to think about it. I doubt I'll actually go back to work before number 2 but I'm going to put my name down anyway. Apparently its crazy trying to get daycare places in Sydney.

Rose - Colds suck! It's miserable having to plough on with them. I wish parent's were valued more too. It's such a full on job if you want to do it properly and give them all the time, stimulation, and love they need. I'm sure Liam will get more independent as he gets more and more mobile and is able to explore more. But then you're running after them anyway worrying they'll come to harm! A good reason to get away and do some work when you've got people there. But I know what its like. I'm the same. My aunt will leave and I'll think why didn't I do x, y and z while she was here instead of sitting around chatting.

AFM - well through the worst of it! Alison, you were right, pretty much 12 hours. I think I hit rock bottom at about 5pm and was asking M's godmother to shoot me but I've been on the mend gradually since then and I'm actually keeping some fluid down now which is good. I was starting to worry about the affect on my milk supply. Thank god it happened on a Saturday when DH was at home. I seriously couldn't look after M. I fed her and tried to spend a few minutes here and there with her but I was pretty much bed ridden for most of the day. That's the first time that's ever happened. Poor little thing wasn't sure what was going on and was a bit unsettled. It was nice to be missed but I hate seeing her unsettled. I am dreading giving it to M's godmother!!!! Timing sucks!!!! We've put her up at a hotel around the corner to try and minimise the chances but difficult...

Hi girls just a quick one I'm sure Harry will be calling soon.

Tilda I so feel for you!! Gastro is like the end of the world for me!!! I do not cope with nausea and vomiting at all. Glad to hear the worst is over. Hears hoping you haven't passed it on, btu even if you have it couldn't be helped, just bad timing.

Alison Sounds like Amelia's going to get fangs like Harry haha ...and yourself :) Haven't tried the risotto yet, I still find it hard to get into the kitchen to cook anything decent, Harry's just so full on and doesn't amuse himself, and only has 2 short naps a day, so I've been sticking to easy stuff I don't have to think about. But I'm going to start making more effort, I'm getting sick of eating the same old boring stuff all the time!

Beany Good to hear you're feeling a little better, I hope the counselling and meds help. It is really kind of sad how they're nearly toddlers already :( But also exciting to see them change and grow.

Rose Liam sounds like Harry, he can't amuse himself either, and if I try to leave him on his own to play with his toys even to cross the room to answer the phone, he crawls after me whinging until I pick him up, but I'm thinking like you as well, that soon they won't be as dependant on us and we'll probably miss it, so if the house is dirty and I have one arm with humongous muscles from constantly holding him while I do stuff, well so be it for a while.

Kawa Have seen on FB you were in the hospital again with a sick bub, glad all is on the mend now.

Hannah Glandular fever sucks! I had it years ago, only a mild case of it thank god, but still not good. That certainly explains your liver function, that must be a bit of a load off at least? REST REST REST! You don't want to end up with Chronic fatigue on top of it which can happen if you push yourself.

BS Stressed sperm how sweet! :ROFL:


I know I've missed some persies sorry and hi all, but Harry is still asleep and my eyes are drooping I might go and lay down until my next call.

Rose - Sorry you're feeling overwhelmed lately :hug: Being sick makes it so much harder to get through the day. Take care of yourself. I have a friend who comes around every week or two to give me time to get some sleep or housework done and we end up chatting the whole time she's here. It's nice to have that adult conversation though even if other things aren't getting done. By the way, I keep forgetting to message you on FB, but I posted those nappies the other day. You should have them early next week if you don't already.

Alison - I hate it when people tell mums what to do through their children. Thankfully I don't really have anyone who does it to me. It makes it so hard to tell them where to go. At least you can tell us where you think MIL should go :)

Tilda - Glad you're over the worst of it and that Matilda wasn't affected too badly.

willow - I am in awe of how well you cope with such a demanding bub. The rest of us are at least getting some time out overnight now. You're right, they are only little for such a short time and we'll miss the dependency as they grow up.

AFM - Despite the glandular fever, I've been having trouble sleeping at night. I kept wondering how in the hell can I have glandular fever and insomnia at the same time? It finally clicked today. My psych and GP have been suggesting for a couple of months to increase my AD dose but I didn't see the value with everything that was going on with mum and everything. I finally agreed to increase my dose last week as I was beginning to doubt that the way I felt was physical. Well that's why I can't sleep at night! :doh: So I have dropped my dose back down and hopefully I can get more sleep (although judging by the current hour it might take a few days lol).

I had an osteo appointment today. She did a lot of work with my liver and thyroid (which has also been working a lot harder). I always feel so good after seeing her. She suggested taking olive leaf extract and vitamin C to help boost my immune system. The olive leaf extract is an alternative to echinacea that is fine to take while bfing (echinacea is not recommended). Might be worth a try for those of you feeling a bit under the weather and unable to take conventional meds. It's actually quite yummy too...tastes like tea. I can't stand the taste of echinacea.

Amelia is thriving at day care too. I still feel guilty for putting her in care even though I'm not working right now. I should be able to engage and play with her, but I just don't have the energy. And she is having so much fun and is learning so much that I'm learning to accept that it is what is best for her. She has finally figured out how to move herself forward so it won't be long and she'll be crawling.

Good morning all!

Hannah - Going by your fb update this mornign I'm guessing you're not having any luck on the sleep front? Thats fantastic to hear Amelia is thriving in day care. I really do think it does them good to be with other people like that, they get stimulated in other ways that we can't provide for them.

Tilda - I hope you're all back to full health now after the gastro. Did the godmother end up getting sick?

Alison - oh I soooo know what you mean with those comments through the baby. Irritates me no end. I'm scared I'll snap back one day!

Rose - thanks for the support :hug: I have my first counselling session on Thursday, so nervous! I hope you're all better after your cold. Oh dear, we haven't him the tantrum stage here yet...but I'm sure its not too far off, he does protest if we take something off him. Poor Liam sounds like he's having a rough trot with those nasty teeth. Don't you wish there was an easier way they could get teeth? Why does it have to be so painful for them? :(

Willow - How is Harry going? Is he sleeping any better?

Hello to everyone else!

AFM - still in the throes of sorting out daycare...seems like we MIGHT be getting somewhere. I've found a lovely lady not far from here who has just got a vacancy on a Monday, I get a real good feeling about her and she was just so lovely over the phone. I haven't had a good feeling about anything to do with daycare so far...surely thats a good sign? But the problem is work had said to not come in on a Monday or a Friday...so I'm just sorting out with them now if I can still come in on a Monday. I spoke to my boss this morning and he seems confident that it will be ok, but just has to check with HR. Fingers crossed!!! :crossfingers:

Had a few funny days with Michael...he only had 2 30 min naps yesterday, most unlike him. He woke up really crying from each one and wouldnt resettle. So I took him for a walk in the pram and he started crying a few times then as well, v strange as he normally loves going for walks. And he's gone back to waking at 8pm then 9pm again. Really wierd. But luckily he's been sleeping through the rest of the night.

Has anyone dropped a feed yet, after introducing solids? Also...any idea's for something interesting I can give him for breakfast? I've only really given him baby cereals and pureed fruit. I tried weetbix once but it gave him the runs a bit.

Hi girls,

Beany - sounds like Michael and Jack are experiencing the same sleep issues. Jack's been the same for the past few days. Maybe it's another one of those "wonder weeks"?

Hannah - you poor, poor thing. It must be so hard to battle through all of that at the moment. I know you're getting good care, but have you ever thought about Chinese medicine? It's just a thought - my herbalist is my miracle worker. ;)

Tilda - are you any better today? My goodness, there's a lot of sickness out there at the moment!

Rose - sounds like Liam is going to be a leader, not a follower! He knows what he wants! :) I've actually seen Jack have little moments like that. It's hard because they're simply too young to understand any kind of reasoning. Hope your flu gets better, too. x

Alison - very exciting about TTC at the end of the year. A friend of mine swears by this method of getting what sex you want. I'll have to find out and tell you. From memory, I think it's like, DTD lots right on ovulation for a boy and lots of it a few days after? I can't remember...

BS - September! OMG, go girl! I am also envious in a way. I'm so far from ready it's not funny.

Everyone else - big hugs and hope you're doing well.

ATM - Jack and I have had a hellish weekend and past few days. He came down with another cold and then conjunctivitis. And now I have an ear infection. Honestly! I'm sick of being sick.

Other than that things are good. Some days DH and I think Jack is going to start walking, though I know it sounds crazy. He is always upright. Pulls himself up on anything he can find, the couch, the bed, the wall. And then he toddles across the length of whatever he's on, back and forth. And now, if there's anything close by that looks like a good thing to lean on, he reaches across and tries to walk to it. He does a lot of tumbling, as you can imagine. But he tries so hard! Little buggar. :)

xx

Hey girls, just a quickie!

Carmey, Jack walking before 9 months would not surprise me at all :) you have super baby!

Rose, I hope the overwhelmed feeling passes - Cleaning up your desk might help - I am one of those people that needs order to feel better - I just get more productive when everything on my desk is visible! For the moment it totally is not! We reorganized the house, which Eva is enjoying since we opened up tons of space for her to crawl and trot around in, but I need to get my desk and closet finished...As for Liam not entertaining himself...I am not sure how to remedy that - I am sure it will eventually pass...Eva was always pretty good at playing on her own...I think he is just a strong communicator (like you were saying, he seems to want to talk) and maybe needs someone there to chat with :) and who is better than mummy!

Alison, We might be pregs at the same time again :) lol That would be cool....We are starting in sept and last time it took me about two months to get preg so we might end up closer than we think!

Tilda, I am so glad you can start going out a bit! Isn't it a great feeling...have you tried a date night with DH yet?

Beany, just a quick tip for daycare - not sure if it is true or not but when Eva started the only thing that they insisted on, if you choose to put your child in part time (the minimum in Eva's day care is 3 days a week) is that it be three consecutive days...they explained that if you put them in mon wed and fri for example they never get used to being in daycare and have a really hard time adjusting...they also suggested keeping the days stable, so always mon/tue/wed for example....I think it def has some truth to it because even after a weekend I see that Eva has a harder time with me leaving her Monday morning...and by fridays she is pretty much having a blast and not crying when I put her down to leave...so just consider that...even if you work two days a week , would you consider putting him in for three? That way you have one day for the shopping, organizing etc??? It would really leave you the other days to focus on him, and you will want to :) He will get super social once he starts going and I am so happy you found a place that gives you a good feeling - it is harder for us than for them so if you feel reassured about the person caring for him that helps a LOT! Don't hesitate to ask me anything regarding this if you want - I think I am the only one with a baby in daycare...except for Hannah, I think, but I am in a bigger daycare, so I am sure we both have diff experiences to share.

Willow, Harry is def a momma's boy and you're right to enjoy it while he is, it will pass and then you will miss the days when he was always in your arms...

As for us - Eva finally got her first teeth - I have not seen the little buggers but I felt them! It might be one or two I don't know - she won't let anything in there! But we had a night of hell Monday where she cried so much and finally fell asleep on me (I felt like she was a little newborn again) - and her papa felt her teeth that night and I really felt them in there yesterday...Hopefully she gets some calm before the next round! First teeth at almost 9 months! I think she is the latest - and can you guys believe she is 9 months this week :o

As for #2 - I just feel ready - it is wierd but I am really insistent on them being close together...DH too. I feel like Eva is become a bona fide toddler and am totally ready for the baby thing again. I did not think I would be ready so soon, but it just came so naturally. I want them to not have too much of an age difference as well, and I would be happy to have had my two babies before hitting 30, that way if I decide to go on to have more, I would still be able to have 2 more...lololol - if DH wins we will be having 4! 2 close together then 2 close together (like his brothers and himself - 4 boys!)...I say 2 is just fine, but we never know... ;)

I am in awful weather here - it is cold and rainy is august as usual here, so I am happy to have had a nice vacation with excellent weather.

Eva is doing better every day getting back to daycare and is starting to eat well again (she never eats well under stress)...so I am looking forward to getting back to some kind of routine - rebooked training sessions every monday and wednesday and DH and I bought bikes so I am going to try to knock off about 5 kilos before getting preg again...I'll still be starting with much more weight than I had before Eva, but after #2 I am going on a major detox/health program - I told DH I'll prob be taking time off from work and getting my ass back into shape.

Off to work!

xoxo

Lani, just a response to your facebook status - Did you ever think of going to see an osteopath? I am saying this because I just thought of a friend who we saw while we were on vacation and his mother told me he would never sleep and he would just cry (they also tried controlled crying) and they found out much later that he had a painful displacement of a bone that could have been easily adjusted by an osteopath (the guy is an osteopath now! so when he hears the stories of how he was a baby he tells his mother that is a classic case found in many babies)...not saying that is Jett's problem, but maybe he has something bothering him that can be adjusted by an osteo...worth a try I guess?

Sending you big hugs! It will pass...it might just be teeth or digestion or something.

We're here if you need to talk :comfort:

beany - Glad you've made some progress on the daycare front. Hopefully work will be okay with your days. Amelia hasn't been sleeping well during the day either. I'm thinking it's a wonder week. Have you tried yoghurt for breakfast?

I hadn't considered putting Amelia in care for a block of days before. At the moment she goes to care Monday, Thursday and Friday. She seems to be coping really well with it. But maybe its different for her being family daycare and with friends of ours. I couldn't cope working 3 days in a row so have organised my days so that I work two 1.5 day blocks. I have Friday afternoons off for some 'me' time.

Carmey - I haven't actually thought about Chinese medicine. Might have to look into it. You and Jack have certainly had a bad run lately. Winter is almost over so hopefully that will put an end to it. Go Jack! He does sound ready to walk. Don't you love how they are without fear?

BS - Glad Eva is doing better back at daycare. And yay for teeth, but boo for pain. Now that Amelia's top teeth have come in she looks so different. I miss my gummy baby lol.

Lani - I was also going to suggest taking Jett to an osteopath. It has done wonders for Amelia.

AFM - I worked out that I was having trouble sleeping at night due to an increase in my meds. I've dropped them back down and am sleeping better now.

And Amelia is crawling! It's not quite co-ordinated left-right-left crawling yet, but she can get where she wants to go by moving forward and quite quickly now, so I count that as crawling. I'm so happy for her because it's been frustrating her for so long but she could've waited until I have more energy to run around after her. She's also able to get onto all fours from sitting. Now DH really needs to sort out his cr@p. I've been at him for ages to get started but it just never seems to happen.

Hi Hannah - it's great to hear Amelia is enjoying some new found mobility! And I'm really glad daycare is working out so well.

BS - how very exciting that you're so close to TTC again! We'll get to hear about all the trials and tribulations of pregnancy again! It's strange to think you could be pregnant by Christmas! Are you sure you don't want to wait until after New Year ;) DH has been dropping hints that he'd like to start TTC again too but I'm just worried about coping with Matilda while pregnant after my back and neck was so bad last time. It doesn't seem fair to her.

Carmey - You poor things. You've had a rough trot. I think that's what winter with babies is like unfortunately. I know it has been for us. You just feel like :wall: But I don't know about you but I smelt summer in the air this morning in Sydney!! I can't wait to be able to take Tilly for swims down at the beach! My MIL swears black and blue that DH walked at 6 months (I think she's exagerating somewhat) but its definitely possible to be walking by 8 or 9. Go Jack Go!

Beany - We've had a really similar few days to you. Only two thirty minute naps each day. And waking a couple of times around 8. I don't know if she's brewing another cold (bit of a runny nose) or its her other bottom tooth coming through. And lots of yelling in the pram. I went for a walk with a friend yesterday and it was quite embarrassing.

Willow - looks like Harry is still keeping you on the run. It will pass! You just have to keep repeating that to yourself. But I know it doesn't make you feel any less tired. Nausea and vomiting definitely feels like the end of the world to me too. And it didn't end with Saturday...more below!

AFM - Well I'm happy to say I'm starting to feel recovered. But would you believe that after a day of feeling washed out on Sunday I ventured to eat my first real meal in a coupe of days and both Matilda's godmother and I got food poisoning!!!! We roasted a rack of pork (mistake but that was what was in the fridge) and at about 2 in the morning we were both vomiting. So Monday was a complete write off too. And then she went home on Tuesday. What a bloody disaster! So I barely ate anything for 3 or 4 days and I think my milk might be really suffering which might be why Matilda was so grumpy yesterday. Do you think it will recover or will I be forced to wean? I really, really hope not. I have a doctors appointment today so I might ask her for some advice. Matilda had a very grumpy day yesterday as I was telling Beany, but other than that she's been in such a good mood. She LOVED having her godmother here and we went to Rhyme Time at the library on Tuesday which she really got into. It was so nice to see her responding to the singing and the books and racing off to play with the toys and the other babies. Last time she really hung back with me. So I think I've really got to make the effort to go to those things more. Well, I'd better do a few things while she's asleep. She's been the quintessential catnapper for the past week and its been driving me mad. Oh for a baby that would do those lovely 2 hour day sleeps....

Tilda - Oh you poor thing. Getting over gastro only to get food poisoning. Sounds like Matilda's godmother will have to visit again soon. Your milk should recover in a couple of days. Frequent feeds and drinking lots of water will help. Mine has been up and down with this virus so I have to keep remembering to drink lots.

Glad Matilda enjoyed rhyme time. I'm planning on taking Amelia to our local one next week.

double post, see below!

Hannah, so glad Amelia is doing well with daycare - it is diff with family vs school daycare - there are def more babies and more noise and all that...but it is good she has two days back to back and it is great you take friday for yourself - it makes a huge difference to have a bit of time to just do things without worrying about what the baby is getting into (especially with the crawling!)

It is funny, because I considered family care at someone's home or getting a nanny at home...I could have done whichever I chose, but I have an irrational issue with having someone esle take care of my baby in my home or Eva spending too much time at someone else's home...Is that wierd? I want Eva to have a distinct separation between the people who take care of her at daycare and her mother, who takes care of her at home. For babysitting, I usually have family so it kind of keeps that feeling in order...but I guess eventually I'll have a stranger baby sit (when she gets bigger, if necessary)...the daycare thing though, I did not want her in another house or anyone at my place...I am not sure why I feel like that. I have heard stories with mother's who have nannies who become "mothers" since they spend time at home with the baby and the baby sort of has issues being close to their mothers (in New York, a nanny is commonplace because daycare is super expensive and people go back to work when the baby is still very young)...I just like to keep home for mum/baby time and I like her to go out and have a sort of ritual every day where she gets dressed, gets dropped off etc...I am sure this is in extreme cases where the mother works too much, but still...Also the daycare is super safe since it is used only for that function, and it is a big open space with tons of toys, so I just feel like it is safer...It might just be a cultural thing...I am sure there is more warmth in family care though...If I have two I wonder what I would do...I feel like I would still put them in daycare (not the smaller one until about 6 months) because I like the changes Eva is going through. She really pushes herself physically and is social - she hands toys over to other babies when we plays with other friends' babies, she is less demanding and more patient, she waves hi to everyone and smiles at strangers, so I have to say I feel like even if I did not have to work I would keep her in there for half days at least. I am not sure why I went off on this tangent...I think I am responding to the posts a few pages back discussing options for daycare...I have also been thinking of options when there are two...Ok, well, enough of that! lol

Tilda, I think if you drink tons of water and feed a lot it should be ok - make sure to rest as much as possible so that fatigue does not affect your rebuilding supply.

Also Eva is up another size in clothes - she is sort of in that in between phase now, where her next size is a bit big, so Alison, all the fun stuff is coming out!!! Check out for pics - I know Amelia and Eva are fashion buddies :ROFL:

Eva is doing well now - she just whines a bit when I leave but is super smiley and happy to go to daycare and waves hi at everyone, and reaches to be put fown on the floor to play when we arrive :) I am so relieved. I am back to picking her up a bit later, and training after work. My muscles hurt everywhere but I am determined to lose a few more kilos before starting TTC with #2!

xoxo

Hello all!

BS - Oh wow, I would have actually thought that spreading the days out would be better for them. I'm glad you told me that! I'll try to get 2 consecutive days. Great that Eva got her teeth finally! Woo hoo! Good luck for the TTC!!! My goodness, I"m with Carmey, I'm so not ready yet! And I agree with you, I think even if I wasn't going back to work I would prolly put MIchael in some sort of care for a few hours at least, I think it would do him good.

Carmey - I love the photos of Jack on fb, he's looking great! Yeah, I'm putting it down to a wonder week, albeit a bit late. Just hope it passes soon! Thats so great he's pulling himself up like that, he'll be walking in no time I think! Oh dear, sorry to hear you've been hit with the sickness stick too...ugh, roll on summer! Hope you feel better soon.

Tilda - Oh you poor thing, I had food poisoning a few years ago...gees, felt like absolute death. I hope thats it now for illnesses!

Hannah - thanks, I haven't tried yoghurt for breakfast...I tend to give him that for dessert at lunch. But I could give it for breakfast, just to mix things up a bit! Glad you are sleeping better :)

Hello to everyone else!

AFM - not much news really. Michael has been just amazing lately, apart from the wierdness with his day sleeps. He seems so happy and extra chatty. And he's clapping! I love it...when Tina Turner's Nutbush City Limits song came on the radio you know the instrumental introduction? Well he started clapping along with it! He's also started pulling himself to standing, which is really scary cos he chooses really random things to do it on. I just love that he chases DH around our coffee table, he has such a look of pure happiness and excitement when he does it.

Hi Girls,

OMG I'm so far behind!:o Will do my best at persies.

Hannah - yay for Amelia and daycare and yay for her crawling. My Amelia is half crawling as well, she has the legs down pat but is doing the commando on the arms thing ha ha. She still isn't that interested in standing though, she really seems to be the only bub of her age that isn't doing it, other than one of my mums group bubs who is a few weeks older, but she was in hospital having a few surgeries early on so is a little behind anyway. Oh well, I guess she'll do it in her own time.

Beany - I'm glad you have a good feeling about the family day care lady, definitely go with your gut. I hope work can accommodate the day change, I think you have to weigh up what's most important, if they didn't do it I'd be inclined to tell them to stuff it ha ha. I'm going into work next week to discuss my return, I feel sick thinking about it. My boss emailed me earlier this week and asked if I was coming back fulltime or parttime as the girl doing my job is leaving in September, apparently she's got a job in another department. I felt like replying that I might not come back at all ha ha. We're off to the farm tomorrow for the weekend so I'm going to do some soul searching and thinking. I'm definitely going to ask about working from home but I don't like my chances. Oh and re the feeds, I dropped Amelia's 4th feed (her 3.00 pm one) a couple of weeks ago as the health nurse suggested it. Apparently by 9 months they don't need any more than 600mls of formula in a 24 hour period and that includes what you put in their cereal/food. It makes sense because she was battling to finish her bottles, she still doesn't always, I just go with it now.

Tilda - poor you on the food poisoning, gosh you can't take a trick lately can you. Piggy must have been off, bet you won't eat that for a while again!

BS - September is soon hee hee. How exciting. Gee I'd love if we could be pregnant together. Some days I get excited and then others I get scared. I'm scared of having that horrible nausea again and wonder how I'll cope with a toddler and morning sickness but I'll cross that path when I come to it. We definitely won't start trying until the end of the year though, not quite ready yet. And congrats to Eva for getting her teeth, aren't they cute! Amelia's still battling to get these top ones out, I'm soooo over teething.

Carmey - hi gorgeous, your pics of Jack are soo divine, he's such a little man and he's so good on his feet. Definitely going to be walking soon that one! And yes, you are right about the sex thing, male sperm are faster but die sooner so if you DTD on the day you ovulate and a girlie sperm hasn't already taken then a boy it is (apparently).....but if you DTD a few days leading up to ovulation then a girl sperm that is slower but lasts longer might beat the male spermie to it. Does that make sense? I charted when trying for Amelia so I learnt a lot about how it all works, believe me, I researched everything to make it happen quicker ha ha! Do you know if you have sex a day after ovulation it's too late, you might as well forget it until the next month. The best thing to do is to work out when you're ovulating and start going for it a good 4 days before and keep at it, they reckon morning goes are the best ha ha, not sure how much truth is in that one though!

Hi Willow, Lani & Rose - how are you all?

AFM - well, Amelia has been up and down lately. Teething and wonder weeks, I'm pretty over it actually ha ha. She has good nights and not so good nights. I've noticed the nights she fusses she is actually doing this funny little cry and when I go in she's up on all fours with her eyes closed and her hand is scouring the cot for her dummy, of which I have a couple in there! She never used to do this, or even if she did she always found it herself. I hope that is a stage, because otherwise I'm going to have to take it off her which I didn't want to do just yet. She only has it for bed so I didn't think she was too attached to it but I'm not getting up 3/4 times a night for that! Also, feeding has become a bit of a nightmare, she normally eats anything but she's been going on and off foods for the last few days or so, one day she won't touch pumpkin or beef and vegies and will only eat yoghurt, rice cereal, fruit or custard, rice crackers or cheese - she looooooves grated cheddar cheese. Tonight for instance she didn't even want yoghurt so I tried vanilla custard and nope, all she'd eat was the rice cracker things and grated cheese which she likes to feed herself. Not sure if that's what it is but she had a screaming match, everything I tried putting in she pursed her lips. She got so upset I ended up giving in and just letting her have a bit cheese and nothing else, she had a few mouthfuls of beef/vegie stew that I made for her and then a couple spoons of yoghurt but that was it. I had a headache and was quite stressed by the end, what a nightmare! Anyone else's bubs doing this? Again, I hope it's just a stage. She's really getting a Little Miss personality, if you take something off her she wants she chucks a mini tantrum, oh dear, not liking that much ha ha! She particularly likes my car keys so when we go shopping I have to quickly sneak them in my bag before she sees them, how sad is that!

Anyway.....it's all fun and games isn't it....it's just times like these that I wonder how I'll handle a toddler and another little one but I'm sure I'll manage. ;) We're off to the farm tomorrow for a long weekend, mum is missing Amelia so thought we'd better go down there. It's handy she lives in the same town, gives us a good excuse to get away. We're leaving our doggies behind this time, sometimes it's more hassle taking them. My old boy is 14.5 and he has arthritis, it's cold down there at night at the moment (2 degrees at night) yet he insists on sleeping on the bedroom floor instead of out by the fire but because it's so cold he needs to go pee all night. Last time he kept us up all night and Amelia didn't even make a sound, something wrong with that equation. Anyway we had him at the vets for his arthritis injection etc ($250 later) and she said he has a little heart murmer and has lost a little weight which is normal for his age but still makes me sad. I dread the day he goes, I've had him since he was a puppy. :crying:

Anyhoo, I have totally waffled on, sorry girls, making up for lost time ha ha ha.

Hope to catch up with the Perth girls soon.

Have a great weekend coming up girls, kisses and cuddles for your beautiful bubs.

xx

Hey Beany, I thought the same - saying she would be happier to be home with me on odd days but they explained to me that if they have breaks in between attendance then they start every day as though they are being left after the weekend or after a long time so it is harder. And I noticed that Mondays are always clingier for Eva, so I think it is just a question of having the routine and not letting them get too used to being back with you all day in between days at DC.

Alison, I get scared too, I worry about the weight I will gain since I am starting out way higher for #2 than I did for the first...I will have a looong way to go to lose everything, but on the other hand I just want to get the pregnancies done and get my body back in order - I feel like I would have a harder time if I got thin again then got pregnant, gaining it all back...I had a great preg, just very tired, no sickness, but I got put on partial resting orders at the end of the 5th month so I also worry about that. I know that with preg#2 I must get a cerclage because I risk having it all open too fast (hence my super easy labor and birth)...so I think part of me just wants to do it since I worry that it will take longer to get a BFP with the PCOS, and I worry to have complications and god forbid if I do have a MC or something I want to space it close enough to go on to try again while there still won't be too much difference in age...

The handling two thing I don't worry about too much...DH is super helpful and I feel like once the two are old enough to get around they will entertain each other a lot as well. I also think dealing with #2 will be easier because of experience...If I get another reflux baby (I hope not!!!) I know I will not stress as much for the crying and will have more solutions etc...I won't stress as much for introducing solids, bf etc...So I think in that sense it will be much easier...I was just telling DH yesterday that I can't wait to feel our house with 2 kids! He said he could not imagine anything more than Eva, and I can't either but I know it will be great :) You just can't imagine anything more great than what you have !

A quick question For beany - which baby Einstein DVD did you get? Some are too advanced for Eva but I highly recommend the "firsts" series - sounds, signs and moves....evas favorite is the first sounds, and rose you should try that with Liam! She imitates the sounds :) he would prob love it! Just thought of that so wanted to post! Going back to my weekend ;)

Hi everyone, Matilda is probably going to wake up any moment but will give this a go anyway.

BS - I'm sure it won't take you long to get pregnant again. It didn't take long last time, did it? And now your body is in the swing of things!

Alison - I keep meaning to ask you if I could have your risotto recipe. I've decided to start trying to cook the same thing for all of us a bit more. I haven't been having much luck getting Matilda to eat my specially made "baby food" and I figure it will be less frustrating if at least DH and I can eat what she doesn't! So, don't worry, Amelia isn't the only fussy eater around at the moment. Matilda has been turning her nose up and vigorously shaking her head when I don't plate up exactly what she feels like. But then she'll eat an entire 10month+ Rafferty's baby food pack. It breaks my heart! Have you thought any more about whether you're going to go back to work? I hope you had a nice weekend down south.

Beany - That's very, very cute about Michael clapping to nutbush city! It gave me a big smile. I keep trying to show Matilda how to clap but she's more into thigh slapping at the moment LOL. It is such a cute age at the moment.

Hannah - How are you feeling? I hope you're getting lots of rest.

Willow - How is that Harry of yours treating you? I hope he's starting stretching out those night feeds.

Hello everyone else!

AFM - Well I'm now recovered from my two bouts of tummy troubles! OMG it was a bad few days and it really took me a week to start feeling better. I still think my milk is a bit low. Matilda seems to have to work harder for it at the moment. Her day sleep has been right off since it happened too. I've only been getting 2 x 30 minute naps out of her each day and it has been driving me spare. Because there's so much more of the day to fill up and she gets so over tired and feral by the end of it. I'm not sure if it was my milk, I was putting her down too early for her first nap, the mild cold she has....I could go on speculating but you never can work them out. And now today the sleep drought seems to be over and she's been asleep for 2 and a half hours! It's like I'm on holiday!! I really hope she's going to go back to doing these decent morning sleeps. Please, oh, please!! And poor little thing has been in the wars a bit lately. I took her to the beach for the first time the other day with a friend which she loved. She is really enjoying being outdoors even if its just sitting on a play mat having a play and watching the world go by. But it all ended in tears when she somehow got behind me and fell over face first in the sand. It was awful! She kept trying to rub her eyes which of course rubbed the sand in. So I had to get my friend to hold her still while I flushed her eyes out with the contents of her sippee cup! I felt like I was waterboarding her at Guantanomo Bay! She looked like a very sorry drowned rat going home. And then at the park yesterday, DH was giving her a swing on one of those kiddie swings with the back support and the chain across the font. And I don't know what he was thinking but he took his hands off her after he undid the chain and seemed to look around and thump went Matilda face first into the saw dust!!!! I screamed louder than her!! It was one of those awful incidents you see happen in slow motion and can't do anything about! So, there you, go. My confession of what negligent parents we are! I probably shouldn't post this online. Social services might show up at my door!!

Hi Girls!

It seems like forever since I last posted. I've been reading but keep putting off posting until later and then never getting around to it. So, will try to post quickly here, sorry for the really short persies.

Tilda - Glad you are over the tummy bug and food poisoning! That must have been awful! I'm sure your milk will come back, just keep your fluids up and keep feeding, like Hannah said. Poor Ryan has days like that too where he just seems to hurt himself, or Craig squishes him too hard, or I let my attention lapse for a moment. You're doing the best you can, doesn't stop you feeling guilty though. Thanks for organising us for a Sydney meetup. I'm so excited! My DH often gets me to deliver carparts for our mechanical workshop and that's the only thing that would mean I'd have to miss the meetup, so fingers crossed that he doesn't need anything on Friday.

Brussels - Good luck with the TTC #2 and hope you get to shift some more of the weight before your egg catches the sperm. Loved the 'stressed sperm' comment from your DH, funny but so true!

Ryan's crying, BRB.

xxx

OK, back now. Little mite was tired and is now sound asleep in his cot. I've poached him an egg yolk, so when he wakes up he's going to have his first taste of egg. Bit nervous after what's happened to Carmey and Lani, so I thought the cautious approach was best.

Ali - Hope you had a good weekend away. I know how you feel about not wanting to leave your old puppies behind, but also having a better weekend away without them there. Hope thing go well when you talk to your Boss. It sounds a bit like Amelia wants to feed herself. I spoon feed Ryan something quickly then give him some finger food so he can feed himself. At this age you might be able to try Amelia on grated apple (or chunks of watermelon, rockmelon, ripe pear, banana) vegemite sandwiches or toast soldiers (not sure if you're avoiding gluten with her or not), if you make something like risotto let her eat it with her hands. Also, I've found that cheese sticks are good.

Hannah - Glad that Amelia is doing so well in childcare. Glandular Fever sucks, I had it aged 12. Slept the whole first term of Year 7 away. How's the sleep going? Getting more now you've dropped your antidepressant dose back down?

Rose - Hope you're feeling a bit more on top of things and a bit less overwhelmed. Being sick doesn't help much. I'm finally better after 3 weeks of recurring tonsilitis and Ryan's Wonder Week night waking. Did you get the office sorted?

Beany - Family day care is great if you get someone you're comfortable with. I had Craig in family day care with a lady in the next suburb from us. We couldn't get in to a centre, but had no dramas finding a placement with family day care. Our lady was fabulous, but some of the alternate carers I had to use if she was unavailable were dreadful. The ladies themselves were nice, but their houses were too small and one woman just sat the kids in a tiny room with some toys and a TV all day! They weren't allowed outside because she had no gate to stop them going out on to the main road she lived on! Go with your gut, but also meet her and look at her house first before signing up.

Carmey - Glad things are going better for you. Jack is just amazing! The furniture cruising phase could go for months until he's confident enough to walk, or it might be over quickly. Hard to say, but Jack seems like a real goer so maybe he'll be walking soon? We're you asking about gender swaying? There's a thread on BB about it, if I find it again I'll post it here. What Ali said is what most of the books say, however I was charting when I conceived Craig and he's living proof that you can fall pregnant after you've ovulated. There's actually a method for conceiving girls that says you should wait until 12 hours after ovulation before DTD. Not sure if DH and I will try to gender sway for a girl when we TTC #3, a lot of the diet etc looks like a PITA.

Willow - How's it all going? I keep hoping that Harry will give you a break soon. At least give you some breathing space. It's so hard when you're their whole world. But it has it's good points too. I'm a little sad that Ryan isn't as clingy as Craig was, I both dread and miss that closeness that Craig and I had. Now that he's nearly 3, he's much more independant but it's still there a tiny bit. You know, I'm not that far away and if there's anything I can do to help it would be no trouble at all. Even if you just want to close your eyes for a bit while someone else hangs out the washing :) :hug:

Hi Lani, Kanda, Kawazuki! Brain fade, hope I didn't miss anyone.

AFM - We had the best time snowboarding on Sat. Both of us were too sore and tired to get up to any mischief in the bedroom, but the adrenalin rush must've reignited the spark 'cause we were acting more like a couple than we have in a very long time. We used to do heaps of things like waterskiing/wakeboarding, jetskiing, dirtbike riding, mountain biking etc together, but since having kids DH does it on his own. Made me realise that we really need to have time away from the kids to do grown up stuff together.

Can't wait to see you Sydney girls on Friday!

xxx

Tilda, Eva wants to clap too but only slaps her thighs but she does dance like a crazy little party girl :) At daycare they warned me that giving jarred baby food can make babies not eat home made food, because it tastes better...Do you put oil in your preparations, I noticed that a bit of colza oil makes eva really appreciate her veggies more and in daycare they put oil in the veggies (for constipation they add EXTRA oil to the preparations of some babies - I never knew that could help!)....so if you really want her to eat what you prepare, try to avoid the jarred food, I put eva on jars during vacation and she loved them but then I noticed she ate less of the regular stuff I proposed so now I only keep a few jars for emergencies but try to prepare everything a week in advance (I freeze veggie portions) then this WE I made her pasta with tomato sauce and mozzarela and she really liked that (I mixed in pureed zuchinni and peas to make it more liquidy and over cooked the pasta so it is soft...Try adding some more flacorful stuff - she might just have a taste for stronger flavor (Eva loves acidic stuff and strong veggies like leeks but hates carrots!) I think it is a good idea to feed her what you guys are eating, eva loooves to eat from our plates...so I always try to make at least one thing she can eat (She loves asparagus - she kiind of sucks out the inside, bread which I think also feels good on her gums, yoghurts, bits of stuffed pastas etc...Good luck with that - Eva is a fussy eater in general but I am happy to say she has improved immensely, so it is just a matter of time and getting used to it :)

Oh my god, I can totally understand the feeling of seeing her fall - Don't stress - they are a lot more solid these days - Eva falls ALL the time these days - Wait until she starts pulling herself up - you'll get desensitized very fast lol

Suz, cool that you girls will finally all meet! Take pics! Wish I could join...You know, maybe Ryan is less clingy because he also has Craig...It must be entertaining to have a big brother, whereas Craig only had you...I am so glad to hear about your WE with DH - DH and I have also been trying to do more stuff and even with Eva in tow, we find that we are gett!ing back to the lovey feeling and DTD a lot more! It is so important to try to have relaxed time together - I just realized that DH and I have had like 8 months where all we do is talk about the baby, bathe the baby, feed the baby, take turns watching the baby! Now that she sleeps well and is getting back to her rythm, we are watching movies almost every night, watch her so the other can work out and DTD since she stays put in bed!

We had a gorgeous weekend, went for a bike ride and picnic - on the way back Eva fell asleep on the back of Dh's bike, which I did not love - her head was bobbing all over the place even though he rode very slowly to prevent bouncing...she had a great time being out and we enjoyed it too. I got a ton of great new photos up...I am happy since I look better and have lost about 4 kilos since June! I am back to training 3 times a week and will start bikram yoga tomorrow so hope to lose 5 more by the time I am preg again...

Eva is eating much better these days but I have a question...especially for the formula fed babies...Eva will have her last bottle at like 730/8 and go to sleep right after...but she almost always wakes up at 5/530 for another feed...then she'll sometimes eat at 9 but sometimes she wont eat until like 12 :o - So they give her veggies at daycare around 12 then fruits around 3 and she will usually have a bottle around 4/5 depending on how well she ate her fruit, then one more before bed...Is this a lot? I am not sure how necessary that 5 am feed is...this weekend, she ate her veggies really well but still followed with a bit of milk (about a third of a bottle) so I am guessing she is eating what she needs....but how many feeds are you guys on a day??? I would really like to try to have her wake up at 6 because that one hour in the morning makes such a diff, since at 6 am I can just stay up and start my day but at 5 I head back to bed and have a harder time getting up again at 7 when she is up to start her day....What time do your bubs go to bed at the moment? and what time do they wake up? Then how many solid meals a day and how much milk? On some days she only has 4 meals (morning milk, veggies, fruit then night milk, which I find to be very little and she is almost guaranteed to wake up at like 4 when she does that...) - so I am curious to see what your babies are doing and are they stable or does it change often?

Ok off to work then train then pick up Eva! Have a great day girls!

Helloooo!

BS - Its the Baby's First Sounds one...still haven't got him to watch it tho! :doh: Need DH to do something so we can watch it on the TV in his playroom. With the feeds and stuff...this is how Michael's day usual goes:

6.30am - Wake up
7.00am - 240ml bottle
8.00am - Breakfast (baby cereal)
9.00am - Morning nap (ranges between 30mins to an hour)
11.00am - 240ml bottle
12.00am - Lunch (4-5 icecubes of vegies & meat, plus about 2 tablespoons of yoghurt sometimes)
1.30pm - Afternoon nap (ranges between 30 mins and 2 hours)
3.30pm - 240ml bottle
5.00pm - Dinner (4 icecubes of vegies)
6.30pm - 240ml bottle & read books
7.00pm - Sleep

Its usually the same most days, the only thing that differs is the length of his naps. Bear in mind that he's always been a really big eater, hence the amount of formula he still has. But he has really gone off his solids lately, he seems to clamp shut after only 3-4 mouthfuls...unless its yoghurt or his cereal (which is either fruit flavoured, or has pureed fruit added to it). So I don't know whats going on there, I hope its just a phase. I always try to make sure he has some sort of finger food at every lunch...so far I've tried mandarin segments (a big hit!), banana slices, toast, grated cheese...thats about it. I saw those pics of you on your picnic...oh looks lovely there! Eva looked so cute with her little helmet on...awww!

Suz - Glad you had a nice time in the snow! We don't have any snow over here...booo. yes, I do worry about who will look after him when the carer goes on holiday...I met another carer I had been considering last week (not the nice one I like)...and wasn't too impressed with her. She was quite strict, had a very thick accent, and the room that was the kids area looked like it hadn't been vacuumed for months. Plus she didn't have a cot for Michael to sleep in. Hmm, won't be going with her!!

Tilda - We've been having the 2 x 30 min naps here too...I dunno whats going on. Does she wake up crying really hard? Michael does :( But I'm hoping its just a phase, or a developmental thing, since he's been doing soooooooooo many new things the past few days, its crazy! Oh dear, poor Matilda...I would have been the same I think, we've had a few of those slow-motion incidents, like tipping back and hitting his head on something. I guess we'll have to get used to it, they're going to have so many lumps and bumps as they grow up!

Alison - Have you noticed any difference with Amelia, having dropped a feed? Do you give her anything like a snack or water in place of the 3pm feed? And do you offer food before bottle now? And how does Amelia eat her grated cheese? I tried Michael with it after reading you had tried it, but he got all frustrated cos he couldn't pick it up properly. With the dummy thing, maybe next time she gets a cold, or a blocked nose, where she can't suck her dummy anyway, maybe try not giving it to her? That worked for us, its been about 1.5 months I think and now he doesn't actually know what to do with a dummy! I tried giving it to him while he was awake once, just to see what he would do and he pulled a face and half choked on it! Its scary tho, not having the dummy to fall back on. As I mentioned to BS, Michael is doing the same with his food atm too...so frustrating isn't it!!! Sorry to hear you have a cold (on fb), hope you get better soon!

Hello to everyone else!

AFM - I seem to remember reading in maybe the WW book about after the week 37 WW that you'll see signs of intelligence? I think thats spot on! Michael has started doing things like pushing the buttons on his toys on purpose, pushing them when the music stops to make it start again, turning on one of his toys, putting a ball in a hole on one of them, clapping himself when he turns his toy on...just things he never used to do. It amazes me! He's also started throwing things on purpose, clapping, neeeeearly waving, 'dancing' to music...its brilliant! What a change from even a week ago.

Soooo....what has everyone got planned for Fathers Day??? Heee! I ordered a card from hallmark online where I uploaded a picture of Michael onto it, I bought him a t-shirt he wanted and booked a really nice buffet breakfast in Fremantle!! Quite proud of myself for getting organised so early :D

:) Oooh, lucky DH!

You got the best DVD - Eva LOVES IT! And she has also started turning on her mobile on her own (at first she did it with the remote but now she actually sits up in bed and turns it on herself and changes the music...Seriously, try to get him to watch it - if he has started dancing and all that he will love - Eva is obsessed with the bee puppet - every time she comes on Eva slaps her thighs and squeals and talk to the screen. If Michael likes the DVD you'll be amazed - Eva actually repeats the sounds after the DVD does them and for the songs puts up her hands and does her dancing thing...She will sometimes even crawl in front of the TV and do the hand wave thing to let me know she wants to watch! And she has started knowing which music or scenes mean what, so she will react to the bee coming out before it does because she recognizes the background! It is amazing how much they change!

She has also started saying a very definite papa, but like saying it when DH is around....and when she wants milk she goes babababababababababa (I wonder if it is beacuse I say bottle?) - but she actually has particular sounds for particular things now...she keeps trying to do the mmmmmm but can't do mama...she only manages one mmmmm at a time for now, and with the DVD she always does the mmmmmm when it comes on, so I think she might really understand that I am mama but she is trying to work out how to say it...

Also, today was the first day I dropped her off in daycare and she did not cry! I was so happy...she usually stops crying as soon as I am out of her sight but today I kissed her and said I'll be back later and she crawled off at high speed to join the other babies! They moved the older babies to another room with bigger toys and a play center and they have little coat hooks now with their pictures over each hook - I felt like she is more grown up for some reason :) In any case, I am happy to have my sociable funny baby back...

The dirty daycare thing is a def no go! If the lady's house looks like she does not vacuum, imagine her hygeine when handling food. It is good that you are looking at other options but if you got a good feeling with the other one, I am sure she will be the one...What do you do if the lady is sick? That was something I had issues with when deciding (and with a nanny too) - you're dependent on one person - but will your job be flexible with your time off?

Beany, let me know how Michael reacts when he sees the DVD! I have a friend who's son won't watch anything and did not pay attention, so I am curious to see how other babies react.

xoxo

Hi girls!

Argh, I let myself get behind again. I've been reading, but have no brain power right now for persies. I've had a migraine all day, and am still feeling a bit hazy.

Liam's entered the stage where he's obsessed with pulling to stand. Anything he can, he'll pull up on. Including his crib, which has now acquired some nice teeth marks. Sigh. Needless to say, he's been going for some spectacular tumbles because of it!

He's also starting to refuse purees more often than he'll eat them, though he'll happily play with and gnaw on finger food. He's a huge fan of toast right now, and will gnaw on a piece for an hour. Some days he won't eat many solids - but at this age, it doesn't even matter if he doesn't eat any solids at all, so I don't really care, so long as he's having milk. He's working on cutting some more teeth, so I think his gums just hurt too much sometimes for him to want to eat.

He's also recently started really signalling when he wants a cuddle by reaching out to who he wants. Which is adorable :)

Where is everyone? Anyway, have a nice weekend all! xoxo

I'm here!! :lol:

BS - you weren't wrong with the DVD! He loved it, his fave were the puppets...he kept crawling closer to the TV, and he never does that! He hasn't started repeating any sounds yet, but maybe he will after watching it a few times. Wow, thats great Eva is trying to communicate! I must say, I worry Michael is a bit behind in that regard...he hasn't really got past the 'da-da' phase, he occasionally says "ba-ba" and "mmmm" and "na-na"...he seems to say "na-na" when he's frustrated I think. Sounds like Eva is enjoying daycare :) Thats great, I really do think its good for them, so long as you find someone/where you are comfortable with and they are good. With Family Day Care, the only thing is if they get sick or go on holiday, you pretty much have to find alternative care, which is a bummer, esp since we dont' really have an alternative. I guess I'll just have you use my sick leave up!

Rose - Hope you are feeling better after your migraine, and glad to hear Liam has cut his 2nd tooth :clap: Michael has started reaching to go to people too, thats cool isn't it...to know you're wanted like that :) I'm keen for another meet-up definitely.

Hello everyone else!

AFM - Sooooooooooooooooooooooooo happy!!! :leap:
We met with the carer that I liked from speaking to over the phone...and she's everything I could have dreamed!! She's just lovely, she has 2 kids of her own who adored Michael and played with him...she spent some time holding Michael and playing with him and he really likes her, she has a great house and a lovely personality...I can't believe it. You all know how much I've been stressing about finding care, she's just perfect and I couldn't be happier :D But, the in-laws have really been pushing for us not to put him in care, and for me not to go back to work. Like, even going so far as offering us money so I didn't have to go back to work. It just gets me really angry...I mean, ok, I understand its a big deal that MIL can't look after him since she's sick...but to go so far as to ask us not to put him in care??? Its really none of their business. I honestly think it will be great for Michael, just seeing him with the other kids...he loves being around other kids, and he just doesn't get that opportunity with me.

Such a lovely weekend here in Perth...hope you all have a great one!

Beany, that's great! It is so great feeling good about where your dson will be for a large part of the day!!! Those puppets are amazing aren't they???!!! Eva is OBSESSED with that bee! He seems to be already making quite a few sounds...he seems right on track to me...Eva watches that video almost every day, she literally crawls up to the TV and waves her hands up for it, so I let her watch it after meal before her bath while she digests - but I always watch it with her and help her with the sounds...Try to watch with him and when a sound comes on do it for him, he will start repeating them soon. Eva didn't do it the first time, she was just too excited - try to get the baby's first signs too if you get another one, Eva learned to kiss from that one - when they were doing the sign for kiss she just picked up her lady bug pillow and started putting her mouth on it and now whenever I say kiss she gives me a kiss, or kiss papa she kisses papa...she is really starting to understand so much more...

As for the ILs, they are entitled to have their opinions but in the end you have to do what feels right for you and if you are happy putting him in and going back to work then do it. You care that he become social and you mentioned that you kind of want to get back some of your life, get dressed, get out of the house...it is not up to them to decide. It is not like you are going back to a CEO position that makes you work 70 hours a week...so they should just relax and let you make the deicisons you and DH feel ok with.

Grandparents always meddle. It is because they care, but don't let it get to you. They raised their children and this is your turn, so you decide ;)

Alsion, are you going back to work? What have you decided? I saw some comments on FB that seems to be hinting at you not going back?

I think different things work for different people and you should do what is right with your own children, anyway beany, if putting him in care feels wrong or does not work out, it is not like it is a decision you can't take back! I am thrilled you found such a nice lady!

Hi to everyone else! Back to my weekend! I need rest - have started bikram yoga and am pooped! But man I love it! DH even joined me today for class. I have been training 6 days a week since getting back from vacation and hope to keep it up until baby #2 is in the oven!

xoxo

OMG I'm sooooo far behind, I haven't been getting notifications so I didn't think anyone was posting!!!! Will do my best to catch up.

Hi Tilda - yes of course, I will email you the risotto recipe to your FB messages, it's a great one the whole family can eat and Amelia loves it! Glad you're feeling better now, winter and it's catchy things honestly, so over it! We've been full of colds and like last time Amelia was teething here the past week, we're both getting over it now thank goodness. Amelia's top side tooth has appeared, no sign of the other side or the top middle ones yet ha ha, fangs, awesome. My goodness Tilda falling in the playground must be frightened the jeebies out of you, poor you and poor Matilda, I'm sure it was worse for you than her, they seem to be quite resilient don't they!

Hi BS - I know what you mean about getting your body back, I often tell myself not to stress too much about getting it back before number two as I think to get it back only to lose it again so soon will be more depressing ha ha ha. Can't wait to hear you're pregnant again, I'm really starting to get clucky to be pregnant again, I just have to get past freaking out about having a toddler and a newborn and I'll be right lol.

Hi Beany - I'm so glad you have found a home carer for Michael that you're happy with, my friend loves hers and her little girl has to be torn away from the place sometimes. As for your IL's offering to pay you so you don't have to go back to work, ha ha...don't suppose they want to do that for me? See my note below. And yes for the wonder week, I agree, Amelia has started pressing buttons etc as well actually knowing it does something. Just this morning she has worked out to press the button that turns off the tv unit and she presses it, looks at me for my reaction and then presses it again to turn it back on. She knows exactly what she's doing, cheeky monkey. They're really starting to get into everything now aren't they, definitely take all your energy but at the same time it's so fun to watch them. I was looking at her this morning playing on her mat thinking how big she's got, it's kind of sad but exciting to watch them grow at the same time. So, when are you due back at work then and how many days are you doing again?

Hi Rose - yay for Liam cutting his 2nd tooth, Amelia's just cut her third but compared to some bubs hers are taking their time. Hoping we can catch up again soon.

Hi Suz - hee hee, we're all up to date on our Nov thread/FB chats aren't we lol!

Hi Willow, Kanda, Kawazuki, Lani and anyone else I've missed, hope you and your bubbies are all well!

AFM - well, I have had a very emotionally draining week, on top of dealing with a head cold and Amelia the same and teething I went into work Tuesday to see my boss about my return. I'm due back in 6 weeks now. Anyway, I had great intentions of being open and honest about my feelings and hesitations in returning and when I got there he was so excited to see me and launched right into how the last 10 months has been the longest ever and he can't wait to get me back in the office and yada yada. Also, he took me into the kitchen to talk so we were constantly interrupted by people coming up and saying hi and how they can't wait until I come back and I must be looking forward to it etc etc.....it was very overwhelming. To cut a long story short he really wants me to do 3 days, I told him I didn't want to do any more than 2 whereas really I only want to do 1 at work and 1 at home but I didn't have to guts to say so. He said he'll need to speak to HR. He's also leaving at the end of the year so I have a feeling it's easier for him not to have to fiddle around replacing me etc etc so I think that's why he's so gung ho about me coming back. He's such a lovely man but I was really expecting him to ask how I was feeling about returning so I could launch into my real feelings. I came home and cried for an hour and when DH got home I cried some more. Girls, I just don't feel it, I don't want to go back, I don't feel ready to leave Amelia yet, I'm so enjoying being an at home mum and I just feel like I want to do something different that I can do in my own time when it suits me. I loved my job, the pay was awesome and the company is great - being a large American Oil and Gas company the conditions and money is fantastic, but I just can't help the way I feel. Is anyone else feeling this way? I've been feeling so stressed this week, I have had coldsores, headaches, feeling yuk in the tummy. Anyway, DH was wonderful and said if I want to resign just resign, the only thing is because I took 8 weeks maternity pay they do reserve the right to ask for it back if I quit. So I might just try and go back until December (when my boss leaves) and then resign. If I am going for baby number two I don't want to juggle morning sickness with sitting on public transport for an hour every day and trying to look after a toddler. Gosh there's more to explain about this but Amelia's just woken up. Anyway, what I did Friday was email my boss and be honest about my feelings, I've asked of the possibilities of working 1 day at home, 1 in the office to see how I go, don't think he'll go for it but I've asked anyway. Just waiting for a response now. I really thought I'd be ok with going back but I just aren't and I have to go with my gut, it's such a big decision to make, I've been doing this for 20 years, but I am wondering if it's now my time to spend with my kids, I can always work, I can't always get this time back with Amelia. Not that I disagree with those who work, if I wanted to do it I would and I do want to do something, just not sure it's sitting in an office dealing with peoples crap anymore that's all ha ha. Anyway, we'll see what happens hey, maybe I'm just freaking out about nothing and need to harden up!

Gotta run, Amelia's awake. Will keep you posted.
xx

BS - ooh, I'll have to look for the signs one too! Thanks for the support, thats how I feel too...I honestly feel quite good about it, and they're making me feel like I'm making the wrong decision. But I think I know what is best for my baby. Can't WAIT to hear you're pregnant with #2! We can live through pregnancy again with you! :)

Alison - Oh I know how you feel :( Its such a hard decision to go back. But honestly, don't you go back just because they've put the pressure on. Remember you hold all the cards at the mo, they're desperate to get you back then they'll have to play it your way. If its against your gut to go back to work then don't, especially if you don't need the money. And as you said, you won't get these days back with Amelia. As to whether you owe them back your maternity pay, I'm not sure (hmmm...I should really know that since I'll be running the payroll when I go back to work! :redface:). I'm going back to work on 13th September (2 weeks :( ) for 2 days a week. They wanted me back for 3 too, but I said I would only work 2. I'm really worried the job will be too stressful (new payroll system which has had a few hiccups, plus paying all these high-flying doctors and directors is really nerve-wracking!)...but I keep telling myself if its no good, I'll quit. I don't care about the job, I just wanted to have a bit more adult interaction. If it doesn't work out, then too bad...I'm sure we can survive on one wage for a little while. Thanks v much for sending that recipe through by the way...I had a cooking afternoon yesterday where I was *going* to make it...got to the stage of adding the rice...cooked it for a little bit...then started to notice all these black bits coming up to the surface.......they were dead weavels :redface: They must have been in the rice. So I had to throw it all out, such a waste :( I'll try it again another day.

AFM - had our first day out of routine....took Michael out to a family breakfast which meant he missed his morning nap. We've never done that before, always worked around his sleeps. But gees...what a little legend he was! He was totally content sitting in his high chair munching on some toast and melon, then he got passed around and didn't make a fuss, was all-smiles and cute noises and faces. He was the perfect little angel, I had nothing to worry about. I mega-stress about him getting sleep and that was a big step for me to do something like that. It feels good! :)

Beany - this woman sounds fantastic! It sounds like she's worth snapping up if you want to go back to work. And don't worry about the ILs. Just smile, say you appreciate their support, but you know the right thing for both you and Michael is for you to go back to work and for him to have some socialising time in care. It's so hard to keep in mind how you really feel when family starts to interfere. So just keep going back to what you felt was right before they started meddling. My SIL is going through a similar thing with our MIL. My SIL got a big long email (my MIL's Modus Operandi) saying how it broke her heart to think of my niece being cared for by strangers. And when my SIL asked whether she's like to care for her in that case, she was like, "no I have to work". I guess at least your IL's offered an alternative but my MIL likes to just stick her nose in without any intention of offering any help.

Alison - you poor darling, sounds like a bit of a roller coaster week. Don't let your boss convince you to do something you don't want to do just because it makes his life easier. I don't think that's the right reason to go back to work. It's never easy to leave your baby even if you really want to go back to work. So it will double difficult if you're not that keen on going back. I'm like you, if I had something I really wanted to go back to, or I felt the need for the interaction, I would go back in a heart beat but I have neither of these motivations so I just don't think I'll be going back to work before number 2. Enjoy the time with Amelia if that's what your heart is telling you.

BS - on the subject of eating and routines, Matilda's routine is very similar to Michael's except she's breastfed and she adds in a couple of night feeds. But lately she's often been skipping breakfast or having very little. But usually she's makes up for it at lunch and dinner.

Got to go but will try and get back to do more later.