Babies born~October 1st-15th 2008 #9

[SamiH]

Just calling through quickly ....

Z is doing well - not walking still, but hardly ever sits down, just stands, stands, stands all the time. However he gets down and up fairly easily so that is good and can walk behind the walker but not with hands - he'll be there in time for Christmas I think.

Well, he was 14 months old yesterday and I have decided to wean. He doesnt really rely on the boob like some kids (which is great for me!!) - and this morning took a cup of milk after breakky without fuss! So I will do that after lunch too and just feed him before bed for the next week so I dont get any lumps and bumps. I never intended to feed this long - wow, I am a bit sad about it - but ready as well if you know what I mean.

Christmas shopping all done - just getting to the wrapping bit by bit. DD had orientation at school and cant wait to start - and I cant wait until she starts either - she is so much more ready.

Avasmum - re potty - IMO Ava is far too young. They do have natural curiosity but can't control bodily functions to wait to know to go etc - i know some Elimination Communication personally and the theories are the babies give signs and signals when they want to go - and they do for sure - I know when Z needs #2 - but I think if you were going to do it like EC'ers you need to be with her 24/7 so you dont miss her signs. Anyway if that is what you are interested in, read up on it. But with #2 on the way at such a young age I certainly would not be fostering it just yet. You will be too busy in a couple of months - and alot of little girls start around 2 yo anyway. Just my opinion!

We have so much on in the coming weeks - exciting but I am already feeling tired! DH bought up #4 the other day and I shut that down very quickly, too old LOL - I am satisfied with my family and dont have the urge for another one - so time for the snip hehehehe.

Z travels fairly well in the car (thank goodness) we have the 8 hour trip back to Vic anyway so he has too - he has the other two to keep him occupied - and he just falls asleep without crying or whinging so I dont even know sometimes!

Santa photos next weekend - I unpacked all our christmas decos and last years photo of them with Santa - just gorgeous and precious memories, Z so small tucked under Santas arm and DS1 looking so grown up!

Anyway, I still try to read every couple of days and will post again soon.

Take care, stay well and squishies for all the toddlers (!)

[belfie]

Oooh lots to catch-up on!

Been busy here, had my sis & niece (12 yo) staying for the last week, we had a ball! DH minded X, and we had a girls night out... Myer Xmas shopping, dinner and movie. Aaah bliss, can't remember the last time I did that! Then just more shopping shopping shopping!

X is doing great... madly cruising and babbling. We've got odds on for about 6 weeks to walk. He's just started using his walker, but not yet confident enough to walk forward holding onto us (prefers furniture!). Foodwise he's going great at last, eating heaps more finger foods (YAY!). DH's back is also really improving, so I'm finally starting to get something resembling a life. X is teething though, something big & chunky so molars I reckon, can feel lots of little points through up the top and it's not doing wonders for his sleep.

I'm thinking of putting X into FDC or CC for 1 day a week, cos using MIL & DH for work has used up all my babysitting points and I have nothing leftover for bookkeeping, or - heaven forbid - a night out for DH & I! So I'm thinking I could use MIL for bookkeeing and incidental stuff wwhen I need it, rather than work. Plus she's away for a month next year anyway...so I gotta cover that somehow. Any opinions for or against FDC vs CC? I'm leaning towards FDC at this stage, and have got a place, just gotta meet the lady.

SamiH - #4 do it do it do it! Your Xmas sounds busy but exciting... and you sound so organised, omg!

Avasmum#1 - can't remember if i'm repeating myself, but congrats on the house that's such great news!

Moi - that's such a PITA re the car, how annoying! How is M going with her standing? I could just picture her wanting to be got down, so cute (but frustrating too I can imagine!).

Georgi - congrats on not being PG lol. You've been busy too. I won't bother saying GL to lose the weight cos I know you'll do it. I've been slack, back on the wagon tomorrow. All my shopping has made me realise there's still some work to do!

Hope everyone else is well and their toddlers (eep it's going too fast!).

Cheers,
Belfie

[SamiH]

belfie - of course I have an opinion on FDC & CC hehehee - take it or leave it as I always preface it with

FDC - one carer - but if they have other kids, outings are a concern for me - if they take them to the shops, or in car to pick up other school age kids etc - who is coming to the house during the day, ensure registered properly so you can get the CCTR - but the biggie for me was - if the carer is sick, you have to stay home yourself - and when on part-time hours anyway - hard. They are not accountable to anyone when you are not there - who knows how they really deal with bad behaviour or smack on hands - that type of things worry me - if they are having a bad day etc - would they leave them in front of tv (I have heard some stories lol)>

CC - if someone is sick, they always have floaters. You have got to LOVE the centre you get into (I LOVE mine so much it's not funny ), kids love routine and htis is how the rooms are run, routines - with of course allowances made for individual childs needs etc. They do programming and you can see how your child is progressing. They make friends and have other social interactions - which under 2 is not really necessary, but by the time you get him in anyway hahahaha - they learn to peer eat with cutlery and toilet training help is wonderful - all that type of stuff. I have never felt my kids were just a number at my centre, and any concerns I had, were addressed. Check out what they provide - my centre does hot cooked lunch meals, nappies, snacks - so at night time if Z especially is tired after care he can just have a sandwich cos I know he has had a good lunch.

SO, my 20 cents worth - hope that helps. My only piece of advice would be that if you were going to do it - FDC X might be fine with one day - but if CC - i would do 2 days a week - otherwise it can take a long time to settle them in because of the irregularity. With the CCTR it doesnt make it that expensive anymore so that is a super bonus. eg - my centre is $75 a day x 2 kids = $150 - but $75 I get back so only $75 for both for the day. I think it's good value.

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

Sami_H - am thinking of getting A's santa photos tomorrow if he's @ the plaza... could be interesting, she was soooo tiny last year!
With the potty i wouldn't be doing it to train her, i by no means think she would actually GO. I thought as she is showing that curiosity maybe i should just get a cheap one and sit it in the lounge, every now and then just put her on there with her nappy on.
Would love to read more about toilet training etc
#4 he's game... lol i'm stopping at 2, tell him no problems, when men can push them out your all for #4!

Belfie - ohh the shopping and a night out sounds great, i enjoyed my GIRLS TIME the other night too.. amazing how strange it feels.
Poor X, this whole teething business can be HELL for them... poor little man!
So glad your DH's back is on the mend, would be making life a little easier.

Hope everyone else is ok and you all have a wonderful w/end.

We have a 1st birthday today (ava's boyfriend ) and then another tomorrow, then tomorrow after the party going to buy A some new summer Pj's and wondersuits (for bed on cold nights), me some granny undies and a mat bra for my hosp bag and sneak in a few little things for #2...

[Moi]

Avasmum - Good to hear you got our for a night.

Sami - Sounds like Z is cruising along happily. And you've done such an amazing job to feed for this long. Wow DH wants 4 kids. That's a whole new car too. And thanks for the info on FDC and CC, I'm trying to work out what to do too.

belfie - Oh girls night out. That sounds fun. M is the opposite of X and won't use her walkers any more! She will only hold people's hands, which is still hurting my back. Can't wait till she can walk on her own.

Teeth - Maya has THREE teeth coming out all at once at the moment. Poor girl.

Funeral - I felt a bit guilty about not going with DH to the funeral to support him. But in the end I'm glad I didn't go cos it was in Geelong, so we would have left at 9.30, got to funeral and then to a pub for afterwards and home late afternoon. So 1) it would have been a very long day and 2) there would have been no where for M to nap! So I would have had a very unhappy, grumpy girl to deal with. My DH is fine though. It's his father who's most distraught.

Car - Won't be fixed till next Thursday. Today we all squeezed into our second tiny car, which wasn't an enjoyable journey.

Potty - Maya does most of her poos during her naps so there is no way I could get her going on the potty yet. I got a potty that you can remove the seat and put on the toilet too. So it has two uses and you can also use the potty holder as a stool. It wasn't cheap though,but I thought it would last longer and be more practical.

Xmas - OK I'm gonna sound like Scrooge now but I'm not getting M anything for Xmas because 1) I buy her stuff all the time when she needs it or when I think she'll enjoy it, 2) I don't think she'll have any understanding of Xmas yet and 3) I want her to appreciate Xmas as a time of family gathering not presents. I didn't get her a single thing last year either and gave her nothing for her birthday. I am also struggling because I actually don't want to do the whole Santa thing but I feel very pressured that I will have to do it so that she doesn't spoil it for other kids and then I'm sure parents will hate me for it. It's because of my upbringing actually where Xmas was about how many presents you got and wanting the most and biggest things. I want it to be about being with family.

Finally - some good news from me for once!! DH has been doing the job of a more senior person for YEARS now, with no acknowledgement at all. They kept saying that they don't have the money to promote him. Well this week he said "promote me or I'm going" and they have promoted him and given him a pay rise!! He so deserves it. I'm so proud of him. The stupid thing is he might not have a job next year cos they may shut down the office but at least he can then apply for new jobs with a more senior title.

[belfie]

Just a quick me post... but Moi - oh that is great about DH's promotion! I agree you deserve some good luck for a change!

SamiH - thanks for the 2cents worth on the FDC/CC debate... I've started a thread elsewhere... but am leaning towards the FDC (even though I agree with what you said re accountability/visibility). Haven't found a CC i love, and am meeting with FDC lady this week but have a good vibe... and just to complicate things... my MIL has done her back! I swear, his family are bad value when it comes to backs! SO we're prepared for DH to do 2 days a week for December and it'll all just be busy busy busy! Thank goodness his back is up to doing it now So I might be asking for 2 days care after all! Wish me luck... and bookkeeping is just gonna have to stay in my "spare" time HA!

[SamiH]

No worries at all - mine of course is only based on my own experiences - I haven't used FDC, and there certainly are pros and cons for each of course. Whatever way you go, make sure you are 100% comfortable with the care for your precious little boy xx

Oh, and you undersold my opinion - I gave you 20 cents worth, and you thanked me for only my 2 cents worth ...



Weaning has not gone according to my plan - so he is still feeding, but hopefully we will get there by Christmas. He actually demanded a couple of feeds from me which he hasnt done in ages - he knew what was going on

Hi to everyone

[belfie]

Oh, and you undersold my opinion - I gave you 20 cents worth, and you thanked me for only my 2 cents worth ...

oooh too funny! That must be inflation right... I'm sure it used to be 2 cents back in MY day , so anyways, thanks HEAPS for the extra 18 cents worth of value, much appreciated!

Well I went to see the FDC lady today, seemed good... but I'm not 100% sure to be honest. Going to check out some centres tomorrow so I have some comparison.

Sorry to hear the weaning isn't going to plan... but congrats on doing such a fab job! Shall cross my fingers that you get there, so you can have a nice bubbly Xmas!

X is doing stealth teeth at the moment... found another one that's well through on the bottom near the front and a few molars as well.

Hope everyone else is going well.

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

Moi - you don't sound like a scrooge at all i know what you mean about not wanting M to expect too much, we have gotten A a few things but will be teaching her it's about the spirit of x-mas and the gifts (emotional and physical) you can give.
Hows M going with all those teeth coming through?
CONGRATS on your DH about the job, thats awesome news!

SamiH - for the x-mas weaning, you have done such a fantastic job

belfie - teeth are popping up everywhere for the little ones. hope X has been ok with the teething.
Good luck with your choice of care am glad i don't have to go through that just yet, although wouldn't mind getting A into a day maybe once a fortnight to give me a rest and some time with Z when she's here.

Well i hope everyone is well... AFM felt crap yesterday, ate too much garlic and Z really didn't like it, spent most of monday night up being sick etc etc.
Still not feeling great but better than i was.
A has the Dorothy concert tomorrow which should be interesting then going to look at Nappy bags as the girls from MG are buying me a new one
A has another tooth coming through on the top left, so thats #7 now i think.
Shes walking everywhere now, she doesn't stop.. still falls a little but she seems to be really confident, she knows when she gets outside to sit at the step and crawl down BUT yesterday she tried on the low part of the verandah and was able to step off.. she was so pleased with herself.
she helped me put the x-mas tree up yesterday which was quite interesting, she was COVERED in glitter at one stage, we had c-mas music on and danced around like idiots!
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well i hope everyone is well and your x-mas preparations are well under way! enjoy!

[Moi]

Sami - Sorry to hear the weaning isn't going according to plan.

belfie - I can't decide what to do about CC for next year either. But I have the added dilemma of not knowing if I'll be well enough to go back to work.

Avasmum - Yay on A walking everywhere. Hopefully she can teach M. I hope you are feeling better soon though.

Hello to everyone else. I hope you are all well.

M has her two top front teeth and the one on the left all poking through now. I noticed that another two are very swollen though so I think she's going to have five come through very soon. I guess she has to catch up to all the other bubbas.

My MIL came round yesterday. I hadn't seen her for over a month cos she went travelling in Vietnam. Anyway, she took M to the park for a couple of hours yesterday which was lovely for me. And then as a bonus she comes back and goes look what M can do now and she had M walking holding onto only ONE hand!!! I dunno how she did it cos I've been trying and trying and so has DH and so has my mother to get her to have the confidence to walk with one hand. Then my MIL just comes round and magically sorts M out. I am so grateful!! I am less hunched over now walking around with M. Oh and M falls more now but it doesn't seem to phase her as much now so she's also getting herself down from standing on her own. What a day of progress. And I'm so thankful to my MIL. I told her now I will expect her to teach M something new every time she comes round.

I found a job advertised that I would love to apply for and didn't know whether I should or not with my illness. But I've decided to apply and see what happens. Maybe I won't get it anyway and then there's nothing to try and work out.

[teruteru]

sorry to take a dive into your convos...another thread i've missed the new thread oops...

so, hows everyone been? is anyone expecting another??

well...Dragon is now walking, has 4 teeth & 4 more coming, everything is his business and love to dance & stomps his feet :P

[belfie]

Teru - great to hear from you, lovely that Dragon is doing well! We're doing well, have put off TTC #2 cos my DH's back was bad (sssh to those smutty minds!) so we're just still catching up on stuff... but soon soon.

Moi - oooh wow that's awesome your MIL managed to teach M that. Can she teach X to walk? Kinda frustrating though isn't it, when you've been trying for ages! As for the job, I reckon you should go for it. Sometimes jobs take ages to go through and you will hopefully be feeling fine by then. It's always worth it if you love the look of it I reckon.

Avasmum - oh no that sounds yuck feeling sick! You seem to be managing with A and the PG magnificently... I can't imagine do it tbh, but I guess I'd just get used to it. The pics were really cute of the Xmas decos. We're getting our tree tomorrow, shall have to make sure we get the camera out when the decos go on!

SamiH - you'll laugh... but yup, we've gone FDC. Visited some centres... wasn't quite sure... then saw another FDC lady (who can give 2 days/week) and we loved her! So thrilled that we've got that sorted, he'll start in late Jan. So that's not too long, I'll just have to be organised till then.

Am changing X's routine atm, trying to get him one 1 bigger day sleep rather than 2 littlies. He's been a bit back & forth, so switching to an early lunch which will hopefully help. We reckon he's at least a month off walking, slow boy hey... but he shuffles around on his knees like a dufus, he's very slow.

what's everyone else doing for Xmas pressies? I'm thinking of doing a sandpit for X, he loves trundling around the garden, it's very cute. Our grass is waaaaay too long, he's hilarious trying to crawl in it but trying to stop the grass from tickling his nose tehehe.

Hope everyone is well.
Cheers,
Belfie

[csab]

Hi all,

Havent been on much just quick check up on you lovelies, but not posting. V hasnt been all that well for the past week, have been a little busy too, yet now it is my turn to cop the flu. So just a quick update from me.

I had a feeling her top two molars were the problem for V being not so well, and sure enough it was. She now has 12teeth. She also had her last immunisation yesterday for her 12mth so glad thats out of the way.

I have noticed though, unless she wants to say something she wont. Most of her old words she was saying quite abit are now only if she wants to words. She just prefers to rave on in baby lingo then laugh. She appears now to be choosing when she says things. Has anyone elses little ones taken a similar direction?

She does say, Look that, nunni, nan,baba, dad, mum and no, shakes her head no or nods for yes. Points at everything and says look that., or just look.

Ohh even though she has been sick, and had a bit of a heavy nappy when at the DR's yesterday as well as fuilly dressed she weighed in at 6750gms, 2wks ago 6500gms. The DR thought that she looked skinnier, which I had to agree with, but she also thinks she may have grown in length since last time. So hopefully when I go to her pead in a couple of weeks time, I will have a good weight gain result in her bare weight.

I will catch up soon girls, and welcome back Teru..... So glad Dragon is doing well. hugs all.

[Moi]

teru - Good to see you. How have you been? Good to hear Dragon is doing well.

belfie - I had a talk to M and she is prepared to teach X how to walk holding on to hands. What times are X's two naps and what time are you trying to make his one nap? I've been wondering when I would move M to one nap but I reckon she still needs her two naps at the moment.

csab - Good to hear V is doing well with her weight. And glad she's better now but sorry to hear you caught the flu. It's even worse being sick when it's hot! M still babbles a lot and doesn't say many words.

to everyone else.

Well M now has 5 teeth! And a 6th on the way (maybe even more).

I applied for that job, so now will wait and see if they call me up. I really need to get my act together though and sort out child care then for next year. Oppps..

M is walking very well just holding on to one hand AND she has taken a few steps on her own at times with lots of encouragement. Like walking between DH to me. So I'm hoping it means it won't be too long now cos I know she wants to take off.

We got more good news about DH's job. It looks like it's pretty much secure for next year at least. So that is a relief to know he doesn't have to hurry and find a new job. And they've put in the new contract that if anyone is made redundant next year they will get a big pay out. So either way it is a win win. The year after it may not be as secure though.

[teruteru]

everyone

we've been busy lately, we're trying to sort out everything for DP's business which we're due to open in Feb! so many little things to finalise, hussle here, bustle there.

Ive since gone back to work 1 day a week, just so that i have a job which can generate income in case we need the money if the business is quiet (he's a panelbeater). Dragon goes to CC that one day of the week. Had looked into FDC first but the lady who called me back wasnt very nice so gave that idea a miss and went to the CC down the road. The girls there cant be any better!

we're back to the mat nurse this week as they're concerned abt his weight...he's below the charts but hopefully he's created his own line that i wont be needing to go to the dietitian. TBH i dont think they'd be any help anyways so i dont really want to get a referral

xmas pressie: nothing fancy, Dragon gets new toys and clothes whenever we feel like so everyday is christmas for him really :P besides family doesnt really celebrate chrissie so nothing fancy either. we dont even have a christmas tree setup, so anti-christmas haha

[Georgi]

TERU I hope your hubby's business takes off. That's great. I bet you'll love working one day a week. I work part time (from home mostly) & am really enjoying it. I'm also loving the fact that I'm bringing some dollars in

MOI Good on you for applying for that job. Sounds like Maya will be walking in no time. Once BJ took his first steps on his own, he was fully walking within a week

CSAB I hope your flu shifts quickly. I can't believe how many teeth V has. BJ still only has 6. Though the way he's been acting lately I'd say his molars are coming through. I can see big round white buldges there

BELFIE BJ is very random with his day sleeps. Sometimes he'll do one big sleep, sometimes one little sleep, sometimes 2 big sleeps, sometimes 2 littles ones. It drives nuts actually. He's just too hard to predict. I hope it works for you. BJ got a sand pit for his birthday. He loves it. We're thinking of getting him one of those ride on roller coaster things. Toys r us have them on special for $150

AVASMUM That's great that Ava is walking everywhere. Once BJ started walking that was it. He wouldn't stop, he still doesn't now. He no longer sits down to play, he picks up his toys and carries them everywhere. Hope you're feeling better. How was the concert? Did you pick your nappy bag?

SAMI Hows the weaning going? Any better? I bet you get excited with Chrissy. Your older kids would really know what it's about now. I can't wait for BJ to have a better understanding of it

We just put up our christmas tree yesterday. We have been teaching BJ not to touch, thankfully, he's understood & will only stand there & look at it. What a good little boy. DH is talking about buying all this stuff for BJ for christmas & I keep saying no. He's still too young to appreciate chirstmas.

He woke up at 5.20am this morning...grrrr. He seems to be waking up earlier & earlier. He no longer wakes then happily plays in his cot. He wakes & screams & screams until I get him. Dunno what that's about! Lucky I went to bed at 8.30pm. Yep, boring I know. His day sleeps are very random. Sometimes he'll sleep a total of 3 hours, sometimes he'll sleep a total of 1.5

BJ has a whole new set of vocabulary. Though he sounds arabic alot of the time lol. His most favourite work atm is DADDY. He says it all day long. He will also repeat you when you ask him to say BYRON. Now that is cute

I think he's getting his molars. He's been soooooo whingy & clingy. He was driving us bonkers yesterday, until I put his teething necklace on, then viola. He was a normal child again

AFM - I hit my goal weight at WW a couple of weeks ago & am now in my maintenance phase. So now, I'm ready to TTC again. Though I still haven't had a period for 3 months. I am now starting to take Vitex & I have an appointment with my GP on wednesday. I'll get some BT's to see what's happening

That's about it for now...... Hope you all have a fab week!

[Moi]

Teru - All the best with DP's business. I hope it is successful. And hope Dragon's weight is OK.

Georgi - I'm not sure if Maya will start taking off on her own cos she's so cautious! I hope everything is OK with your periods.

Today I went to the MCHN to get Maya weighed again. I didn't really want to go but my DH was so convinced that she'd be 8kgs now and we could finally turn her car seat around. She was 7.68kgs, so still a little way off 8!

I put up my Christmas tree yesterday. We just have a very tiny - about 25 cm - tree that I put up on our mantle. So Maya can't reach it.

Now I'm thinking I will get Maya a few small things for Christmas cos I think her nieces will wonder why Santa didn't come to Maya otherwise.

Oh Maya worked out how to open our kitchen cupboards (I have plastic things at the bottom) and loved pulling everything out!

Also I don't think I mentioned that I had an MRI done on Friday as a precaution. I don't think I'll have any tumours though. I'm sure I've got Meniere's Disease. Though a small part of me almost wishes I did have a small, easily removable tumour rather than Meniere's Disease, which has no cure.

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

Hey ladies, back in the land of the living... will do personals tomorrow.. just wanted to let you know i haven't dropped off the planet or gone into labour yet.

Explain tomorrow.