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

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.

Hi girls I tried to post last night and lost 3 big posts:computer:
So I'm just going to cheat and do a quick one for now sorry. Hopefully I'll get back later for persies :crossfingers:

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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.

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ME TOO!

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Girls, I just don't feel it, I don't want to go back, I don't feel ready to leave Amelia yet,

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ME TOO! :(

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Is anyone else feeling this way?

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YES! :(

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maybe I'm just freaking out about nothing and need to harden up!

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And sadly yes maybe you're right :redface:

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I can always work, I can't always get this time back with Amelia.

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But I keep coming back to this too :(


I was thinking for a while that it would be good to go back to work, get a bit of sanity back, now that the time is approaching I'm not very keen. But I really don't think I have a choice.

Hope the Sydney meet up went well, let us know how it was, any pics for FB? :)

Better go get something done before Harry wakes, won't have much longer.

Alison, so this subject is pretty delicate...I had a nervous breakdown when I had to put Eva into daycare...I honestly do not feel the work thing, and still don't, but it is also because DH and I are in the process of ending this company and moving on to something else, so I am less motivated in my actual position...I was really stressed, saying I would not have this time back etc...I still agree that that is true, I still hate saying good bye in the morning and I still run to pick her up like a madwoman :) but I would prob put her in daycare even if I was a stay at home mom, at leat for half a day. I find that she has progressed immensely since being there and is advancing in leaps and bounds, I don't know if it is daycare, or just growing up but I really feel like she has learned some independence, and is more curious, social etc...when we came back from 5 weeks vacation she was crying every time a kid approached her and now she runs off to play every morning once I am out of her sight and she is done doing the "mom don't abandon me" cry...lol

On the other hand Amelia has alaways been easier, eats well and is social so maybe it is not necessary, and maybe you are right that after 20 years of working you deserve a break and to be home with your baby...I am seriously considering a year off once #2 arrives, but I think that I will still keep Eva in day care for a few hours a day. I find that it gives me time to do things without worrying about when she will wake up, feed, etc...and when she is sick I do have the freedom to stay holme with her, so I am not so stressed (Although if I could not be with her when she was not well it would bother me immensely, which is why I am also ok with working)...

I really believe that each child is different and each mother is different, like Beany, I feel like I need to get dressed, made up and get out in the morning, because when I had Eva at home I had days when I would not shower until 12 or so, and that bears down on me...I like her to have this structure too - she has become a better sleeper, eater, player since starting daycare and on weekends I am hers 100 percent except for an hour left and right when DH and I switch off in order to let the other work out or shower or whatever.

Beany worries about socializing Michael, and I did too, but if you feel like Amelia has no issues, and want to keep her at home do so.

Or, go back to work 2 or three days a week, and like I told Beany, if you don't feel it, then stop. Or do it for a bit then when #2 is in the works stop working to be home with the two. Don't stress too much, you will do what is right and if you are not sure what is right, do what seems best then you'll figure it out as you go. These are not decisions you cannot take back and putting her in daycare for a month while you try to work won't harm her...The first two weeks - month are really hard but then you start feeling like a woman again, not just a mother and it is kind of nice - picking her up ath the end of the day is the highlight of every day for me and we hug and are so happy to be together until DH gets home for her bath. We spend the evening with her and when she is off to bed we are together, and it feels kind of nice to have that back...When I spent my days following her rythm I never knew what stae I would be in by the end of the day, but again Amelia was always much easier.

Just do what feels right and if they are cool at your job then go in for the minimum, and if you are not feeling it then stop, but if you are sure you don't want to go back then don't...Just be careful because the emotions really get your head in a knot and make the stress much higher than it should be. I am finally very happy with Eva being in daycare, but when she went in I was crying and sick and having migraines because it stressed me out so much...DH told me if it keeps bothering me then I should stop working but to try first and I am glad I did...I cried a lot the week before and the first week, but now it is fine, and even when she cries in the morning I see she is just doing it because of a momentary anxiety, and as soon as she does not see me she is off playing - every day when I pick her up she is happy and playing with other kids or crawling into toy boxes tipping them over - also with her, which was a big issue for me, daycare has helped her really improve her eating and sleeping habits, which were very unstable...she is less fussy with other people than with me (like all babies)...so the structure of daycare is good for her, and she has gorgeous carers, they kiss her and love her and she is excited to see them every morning (just panicks when I leave)...so I know she is happy...

Alison, follow your gut, and don't decide based on what your job wants, because in the end you'll feel much worse choosing what is best for them than for you and Amelia....but just remember putting her into care is not going to be bad for her...it is just different than being with home with you and if it ends up being something short term that you change because you decide to stop working, she won't hate you for it ;) and at least you will be totally sure of your decision!

Good luck deiciding, and I am sure you'll do the right thing for the both of you.


Beany, they are really getting to an age where I find that they deal better with the sched being thrown off left and right - not too often but once in a while, and they enjoy the new experience and interaction a lot more now...Eva went to her bestie's house on sat morning for three hours while DH and I went to work out and my friend told me she was just an angel - ate well, played well, didn't even budge when she cut her nails (my friend treats Eva like her own daughter, I am so lucky to have her)...she was a tiny bit grumpy for her afternoon nap but nothing major and slept super well...I used to also tip toe around her habits but she is def getting better at being flexible - I just try to keep her week stable (wake up and out of the house times) because she still has separation anxiety whenever I leave her, but stops crying once I am out of view! I saw the new pics on FB - you look really great - it seems like you are more rested and relaxed!

Tilda, Eva has starting falling into a similar routine to Michael too - she has 2 meals and 4 bottles or 3 meals and 3 bottles a day - I just wish she would stop thos 3/4 am wake ups...Yesterday she ate a lot though, I was surprised and did not wake up until 530 am to eat...We'll see. I just let he eat when she is hungry and I know things will fall into place on their own. She has become a solids champ, opening wide and finishing her meals - she eats any veggies I serve up even if they taste strong, brocolli, leeks, peas everything! So I am happy and letting her do what she feels! :)