Babies Born~September 2007 #51

Katie, hope it all goes well with day care today. I bet you cry so here's a quick :hug: in case you need it!

Rainy, snottiness alone is not enough reason for social isolation - unless you know someone who's health might be compromised (ie I take snotty child to visit friends but would stay away from a pregnant friend, kwim). I had an extreme case of mummy guilt this morning, Missy E is *very snotty* and looking a bit glazed in the eyes, cough, but I still sent her to FDC this morning. I'm too tired and sore to be able to cope today. As it was I cried all the way there but the FDC lady didn't even blink an eyelid. I guess some other snotty kid must've been there last week otherwise E would still be healthy (since we don't go anywhere else where there are ppl. How sad is that).

Noni, glad to hear the feeding is going so well. I saw a little brand new baby boy at the drs today, and thought about W! I remember with both of mine that there were times over the first few weeks where they slept for quite long times, but that was offset by other times during the day when they would feed frequently (sometimes continuously it seemed). If you're worried, count the wet nappies, and you can wake him up or offer some extra feeds at anytime if you're worried. Don't forget you can ring the ABA hotline 1800 MUM 2 MUM for reassurance (cos I'm sure you're doing a great job of it) :D BTW you are exempt from personals right now - you've got a brand new bubby!!!

Kate, re the food - we generally give E a bit of what we're having, and if it's something that's new or I think she won't eat it, I add a couple of other finger food items on the plate - cheese, chopped fruit, crackers, bread, noodles, whatever. Then she's allowed to eat as much or as little as she wants. If that means she has nothing, then so be it. She eats a big variety of foods during the day and sometimes she's just too tired to eat at night. The trick is not to invest any parental stress into the situation...otherwise it becomes an attention getting exercise, kwim? Also - she eats things she recognises better than mooshy mixes, so separating the ingredients on the plate (noodles one side, sauce other side) often works better than mixing it together.

Ange, I hope those ABs are kicking in for you. I'm always surprised at how flu-like mastitis can be - even down to bringing on a cough (!!)

Trill rotten start to your day! I bet you had an I-love-my-vax moment though!

lol started writing down feeds and hes actually having more than i thought :) had 6 in the last 10hrs seeing midwives tmw for hearing and weight check so will get a good idea how hes going then :) think im just paranoid since mash never bfed..

Just popping in to say hi

Noni, I looked at your pics on FB, he is so cute
and PAP, how big is J getting already!!!

Still pretty cut up about the goat and the mum/dog situation. There was a dog attack in NZ today where a woman walking down the street got attacked by 8 dogs - they were interveiwing the dr's who were saying they had never seen such horrific wounds from a dog attack. All I can think is that if one of mums dogs did turn then pack instinct would take over and there is no way a little boy would get out alive if that many dogs were attacking.

Kate, re the food - if W doesn't eat his tea then he goes to bed hungry. He has a milo at bedtime which fills him up a bit so I don't feel guilty at all. My cousin made the mistake of making every bite a battle and now if her DD is annoyed with her mum she will just refuse to eat for the attention that it brings, to the point where my cousin will sit there for half an hour begging and spoon feeding a 4 year old. To my knowledge toddlers don't starve themselves and I won't make it an issue. That being said, if he eats zippo I will offer fruit to him a bit later - if he is actually hungry then that will do but doesn't encourage him to hold out for something better later.

Oz, that is a bit freaky that I am next in line now... I am looking forward to it though, I am over being pregnant simply because I would like to cough/sneeze/bend over without wetting myself all the time!!! I am so sick of my weak weak bladder. I guess as far as pregnancy complaints go it isn't that major, but it is so disgusting! Good luck with FDC tomorrow, bet you will be sad and he won't notice you are gone lol

Ange, hope the mastitis gets better soon. I had no idea that it could occur so late - I thought it was a newborn thing. DH's parents are at the bottom of the other island, no jobs for DH down there and to be honest they try so hard to help that they get on my nerves a bit. Good people, but we like our own space. Although they have finally realised that we are the parents and they can't walk in and take over during visits.

MM, congrats on AF! Hopefully everything is back on track so you can bring home a little bali surprise!

Sherie, why do they always have to vomit in the middle of the night/early morning??? It wouldn't be as bad cleaning up puke if it were a reasonable hour. I am starting to have Vax envy. Apart from the odd vomit, the carpet is now looking worse for wear with milo stains - hard to get out by hand.

Rainy, I had something to say.... might remember it later

It is 9.30pm and DH is still at work - his mill is down and he is the technical support so he can't leave until it is fixed. I was really looking forward to sharing the load a bit tonight after having no help at all for the last four nights. Oh well, I guess it is the weekend soon.

Oh, and I am going to lie lie lie about the goat to W. I can't upset him. He was sitting there tonight saying 'goat over at neighbours' (it was eating the grass in their back section). I just agreed, but will tell him it has gone to the farm when he wants to go check on it. Poor goat.

Well Arte- only one solution, back to the big Island! ;) Come on we're waiting!

Noni- Well done on the BF'ing, great work. I used to wake my babies up when they were tiny to keep my milk supply up, Like Trill said. I would wake them 3 hourly in the day to feed and let them wake me overnight. Although i have read a BF'ing mum shouldn't let a NB bub go longer than 6 hrs overnight. (Not that my girls often went longer than 6 hours! )

Sherie! What a crap start to the day. I hate vomit more than poo i think. Is he still ok?

Just to clarify.... i totally agree about not making food a battle, i don't make Lu eat all her dinner. I just stopped offering her her favorite things all the time. I am not very good at explaining myself sometimes! Instead of giving her the 3 food i know she will eat i tell her she has to try what i cooked first. (what we eat) She only has to try it, one mouthful and i'm happy. If she tries it and doesn't like it that is fine, if she doesn't want to try it, that's ok too, but i stopped offering anything else. I was making the mistake of when she wouldn't even try something just giving her food i knew she'd eat. So i was kind of encouraging the fussy eating. Some times she'll only have 2 spoonfuls for dinner but that's ok, she generally has a big bowl of porridge the next morning! ;)

I am so clumsy with words when i type... why is that??? i'm not nearly as bad IRL..... i don't think! lol


MD- Yeah the cough is asthma related, i get it this time of year. but it is much worse this time. I've got a stronger steroid inhaler, i thin kit is helping. Feeling loads better thanks. :D It made me sad to read you were crying in the car this morning. :( You poor chicken, things must be pretty tough around your place at the moment. A big cyber hug from me to you. xxxxx


G- You better get going on those vibes, G flying to brisbane on Monday for an interview. It is down to him and one other guy!!!! :o Don't worry you wont be getting rid of me that easily! ;)
If Lu had that much chocolate she would be bouncing off the walls. :lol: L can certainly handle his choc well.

OMG my insides hurt tonight, this bub has been feral all day..........must have missed DS. Speaking of DS he had a great day today, didnt miss me at all. Was a little upset once I left but easily distracted, went to sleep no worries and was so well behaved. He didnt even come and hug me when I picked him up. Came home and was a little feral though lol. I didnt cry either, I wanted to but was late for coffee with my friend lol.

Ange woo hoo n G's interview, thats awesome.

Arte you should move back here, only this time closer to the coast lol. Then we could do lunch all the time. :hug: I dont blame you for still being upset about the goats and your mums dogs.

Noni great work with the BF, like Ange I woke DS every 3-4 hours during the day and let him go 6 overnight, he always woke around then anyway. I second MD about you being exempt form personals lol

Trill what an awful start to the day, at least it didnt get any worse though.

Rainy I think L eats like a champ, very similar to my eating habits lol.

Oz - how did the first day of care go (for both of you?)

Rainy - if it's just a bit of snot I take K out and about. Fevers or more serious then I wouldn't, but as MD said it depends on the situation. I have a friend who is due in a week and I know K would love to go and see the baby but I am tempted not to take her just because she is back at childcare and will be sure to have something!

food - K is typically given whatever we have for dinner, unless it is particularly spicy. She loves salad and will often hoe into that (definitely a good thing!) We were having some issues a month or so back and she was refusing to even get into the chair. I really need to get her a booster seat as she is currently sitting in her bebepod on a chair - that made a big difference to her interest in food. I let her choose her own cutlery, but if she still doesn't want what we are eating she is offered fruit, then she always sits with DH on the couch and has half a frozen GoGurt tube. If she doesn't eat much, she does have a good brekky the next day!! If all she has is the frozen yogurt I will offer some cheese or fruit a bit later though as sometimes she just seems to tired to go through the whole eating at the table thing.

Noni - gorgeous pictures of little W!! Well done on bfeeding, hope the weigh in goes well tomorrow!

DH is out tonight. Even though we waved bye bye to him, K still made me take her throughout the house to make sure he wasn't there before she went to bed. We also read Dear Zoo before bed and when we got to the monkey page, she insisted that she needed a banana!!

Noni - So happy for you, W is a gorgeous little thing & A looks so cute holding him. The girls have given you some good bfeeding advice, how are you finding it?

MD - Sorry to hear that you arent feeling 100% today, you poor thing. Dont feel bad about dropping E off to care a tad unwell. I'm so sorry you are going through this xox

Arte - There was a dog attack in Aus a few months back on a small child, the child didnt survive. Its just too dangerous, it really shows how careful you have to be with dogs. I am overly paranoid though, I have a beautiful friend who just dotes over M & is always offering to babysit. I have always sad no & sadly always will (just cant bring myself to tell her) because she has two big dogs, they are very friendly, but she loves them to bits & I am scared at how they would react & if they would get jealous when her attention was being directed more at M. I agree with not telling W about the poor goat, it would be too sad for him.

Oz - Glad the day went well for L & yourself. I still often tear up if the daycare drop off doesnt go too well. We had one of those today & I had a little cry on the way to work.

Rainy - Had a giggle at L being spoilt rotten with all the choccy, bet he was loving it though. M has found the lolly jar's hiding spot in the pantry :doh:

As for dinner time, I dont even have the time to enter into a battle with food lol. M will eat most things I make thank goodness, but she definately has her fussy moments. I just make her a vegemite sandwich & a banana, that will fill her up. They always seem to catch up, small dinner but big brekky iykwim.

My baby girl is growing up, as of next week she is in the toddlers room at daycare!

hi girls

cally-i had to laugh at K wanting a bananna :lol:whata funny little monkey she is!:D
we have a book with a pic of a man holding a newborn baby wrapped in a blue blanket and whenever we get to that page lewis starts putting his finger to his lips and going sshhhh shhhhh. cracks me up cos i realise i must've done this to him heaps when jimmy was a newborn!

ange- i will seriously be shattered if you go to PNG.....i'm getting really worried now....couldn't G just go for a job in yarra glen?????

lewis is awake bbl xoxox

i'm back!!!

um arte- i still reckon you should move back here! :lol:
my bf's mum is always offering to babysit but i refuse because a) she has dogs b) she has a pool c) she is an eccentric lush who is way too loose

mm- i meant to say the other day, well done on your "Jets' find. i have 2 pairs of Jets, i love them.

md- sorry to hear you're not doing too well :hug::hug:

pap- did you get your CR offer???? i'm going to spend mine today!

well we went to check out a playcentre for birthday party but it was just so tacky, greasy and overpriced....so....we're going to have the party at my house. we decidedt hat with the money we would be giving the playcentre for 26 toddlers we could have a cracker of a party at home. we will have the 14ft tramp by then, pony rides, dirt bike rides, a remote control car show, a cubby, swingset, slide, jumping castle and ball pit, disco music and dancing......plus beer and wine and a bbq. my friend also wants to get some sort of paid enertainer- like a clown or something? i'm not too sure about this idea. what do you guys reckon? any suggestions?

[QUOTE]an eccentric lush who is way too loose/QUOTE] :rofl: i hope this is how i am described when i am older. i love it!

WOW G that sounds like the party to end all parties! How you going to top it next year? ;) My friend runs a childrens entertainment company. Tony Bones it's called. They have all sorts of characters piratres, bears, fairies, check out the website. I've seen a few of them b/c they all come to that group of friends parties. They are great, but with all the other stuff you have going on do you think you need it??? Between the tramp, bike ponies and party food, you'll be all flat out! 26 toddlers?? That is chaos. sounds perfect. ;)

G, I have no idea about the party - it's always just a BBQ with friends whenever we do it for the kids.

Ange, I knew what you meant LOL! I just could never negotiate with Erin though cause she would give the flipping Taliban a run for their money PMSL!

Arte, that's terrible about that poor woman. Try not to think about it though in terms of your Mum's dogs because it will just eat away at you and it's not good for you. You know you wont be going back there again. On a brighter note, it is extremely exciting that you're the next cab off the rank! I can't wait to hear that bubs has arrived.

H, so they finally decided to move her up! She will have a ball in with the older toddlers.

Cally, did she get her banana? LOL she's such a little character.

Oz, that's great that you both coped so well yesterday. It is so hard to part with them the first time. I have no plans of putting Alister in care till 3yo preschool in 2012 so I reckon there will be tears well and truly.

Noni, that's really good that he's having so many feeds. As soon as he looks like he's getting hungry, just pop him on the boob and you can't go wrong. Good luck with the MCHN.

MD, yes I am loving the vax LOL. How are you feeling today though? I hope you've passed the hump now :hug:

Well Alister was fine, not more vomiting, eating well but last night the croup got a bit worse and I had to give him some Redipred at midnight to open the airway up again. He seems fine this morning, but will give him some more redipred shortly once he has brekkie. I will have to take him to the dr tomorrow I think just so I can get another script for it. I can't believe that all 4 of them have gotten Croup though! What are the odds of that happening?

With the eating at the table, Alister ditched the highchair months ago because he wanted to sit with us but he just kneels on the chair and it's fine. he gets up and down so many times during a meal having him in one of those booster seat things would cause more trouble than it's worth LOL. I gave the highchair to SIL to use because hers was broken.

Rainy sounds like an awesome party, personally I think you have enough entertainment without paying for a clown or the like. WOW 26 toddlers, you will all be needing a nice big sleep that night lol.

MM Miss M is going to have a ball in the toddlers room.

Trill glad there was no more vomiting!!! # year old preschool really isn't that far off is it....... how scary.

Cally that is so cute that K wanted a banana and that she had to check for daddy before bed, she is a real daddy's girl isn't she.

Off to Toys R Us this morning, I love that place.

Well it turns out Missy E was totally fine at FDC - she has a whoop-ass cough but it's infrequent & doesn't seem to bother her too much. I spent the arvo in bed so feeling like I'm back in the land of the coping now. TBH I think I was dehydrated - I have noticed the chemo does that but without me actually feeling thirsty.

Noni, it takes a little bit to get used to not being able to "see" how much bub is drinking LOL. I had big feeding issues with DD1 and I found it very reassuring to write the feeds down for a few weeks. Hope it goes well at the MCH today!

Cally LOLing at your little banana-eating monkey! Have you taken her to the Mogo zoo? I have seen these booster seats that are squishy like a bumbo but more shaped towards the larger toddler-sized bottom & designed to be used on a chair.

Arte - I think you just need to keep reminding your mum why you're not visiting. Eg If she invites you then just say "Sorry no we can't stay unless the dogs are put away" and TELL her every single time you think about visiting but decide against it. Perhaps when it's clear to her you are staying away until there is a change she might do something about it? Otherwise, like everyone else said, you can always move back to the mainland ;).

OMG Rainy that party sounds huge!!! I would prolly limit some of those elements a bit - just because it will be hard to supervise everything once you add the beer/wine/bbq factor, kwim? 26 toddlers sounds like fun, in a pandemonium kind of way LOL.

Katie sounds like coffee with your friend was a very good idea! Missy E is a bit feral sometimes on FDC afternoons, I think it's because she's so busy the whole time she's there that she's extra tired when she gets home. I give her a nibbly snack in the car on the way home and that seems to help with the feralness.

Ange no you do express yourself v well. I get what you said the first time...but like you said if you only ever offer what they eat then you end up with a fish-fingers and toast child. I like your having a taste philosophy - we did that DD1 once she got a little older because she was always a fusspot.

MM - wowee big girl going to the toddler room! I can't believe how quick they change from being little babies to being walking talking cute little people!

Hi girls
Rainy - LOL i just spent my CR offer... all of it plus some! gosh i am terrible. got stuff for the boys mainly and also a nightie and a cardigan for myself... what did you get??? i bet our boys have the same wardrobe LOL!
MD - so sorry you had a tough day yest but glad miss E was good at FDC, it sounded like you needed her to be there iykwim?
Ange - Yay for G getting to the top 2... i am waiting to see what happens. when will you go if you do go? poor rainy...
MM - i also have a little cry when kindy drop off doesnt go too well - though i must admit it is rare now that he has so many girlfriends there - have i told you guy he seems to def like the girls the best - switches favourotes btween audrey, lily and phoebe and they all run up and hug him when he arrives. lady killer my little man is...
Rainy - that party sounds WILD! can i come LOL?
Noni - the others have given you some great advice on the bf. i kniow it is so daunting at first, i still worry about J and if you look you will see i have done a few posts about my worries... i personally have never woken one of my boys for a feed - but thats bc they didnt sleep that long. i would agree with about 3 hourly at this age... hope it is all going well, have been thinking of you esp when i am up feeding - last night i fed at 7, 8.30, 9.30, 11.30, 2, 4 and 6 - at whivh point today 'officially' started. noice.
Sherie - how is Master A today? ummmm weird q maybe but how do you vacc vomit?
arte - so sorry re your mum and the dogs, i like MD suggestion. wow you are next - i cant wait!
Katie - so glad yest went well i was thinking of you. not long to go for you now too... yay!!! hope you had some r and r in your mumma time.

Pretty grossly PP! You just put the carpet cleaning attachments and bucket on with warm water and carpet shampoo and away you go - it's easier if you don't wipe it away first because that just pushes it into the fibre of the carpet. So gross I know...

MD, great to hear that you're feeling OK now. Maybe you should boost yourself with electrolyte drinks before and after the next treatment?

GROSS SHERIE!!! i am wishing i didnt ask that question LOL! aaah the glamour of mummyhood!
girls - i wanted to thank you all for the kind words a week or so agao when i was finding things a bit tough. i am doing a lot better now, think we are finding our groove alittle more as a family of 4. J is 1 month today - can you believe it!??

thanks for all your feedback re party. i don't think we need the entertainment as well, i'll leave it up to my friend- see what she wants to do and if she wants it still i'll pass on those details thanks ange!!!

ange- lulu is included in those 26 toddlers you know, so keep the weekend of oct 4 free. sas can sit on the rug rolling around with jimmy while lulu goes nuts.

pap-i bought a lovely pair of jeans, a black cardigan and 2 t-shirts for lewis.
i also found a shop that had all their winter oobi on sale so bought jimmy a new pair of overalls (he is squishing out of his much loved 6-12 month sized pair!) and a little set of pants and top with little owls on them. i love owls!!!

sherie- you have had such a rough trot, poor A. hopefully all the kids are feeling better soon.

md- LOL i think lewis is turning into a chicken nugget and chocolate child!

i went to 'babies r us' with my pg friend looking at double prams. the double maclaren is lovely!i think she's gonna get it.

pap- no i can't believe j is 1 month!! i promise you things just get easier and easier every month.
what cr stuff did you buy the boys? did you get N the carpenters jeans? dad bought them for L about a month ago and he is in love with them. they look gorgeous on him

Rainy - i meant to say, i used a double MB on the weekend (borrowed from friend) and now i think i like it... what do you think now a few months down the track...
is the maclaren that your friend looked at pk for NB or is it a stroller?
were the jeans for yourself? i ams till too scared to try normal jeans on. am in my mat jeans - how sad!! how long is that ok for??!!! LOL!

Rainy LOL I think Missy E is turning into a cheese and biscuit child. LOL

PP - wow I can't believe it's one month already!! I'm glad you're feeling like you're coming out the other side...it's a big transition for everyone in the family but soon things return to 'normal' (well, a new sort of normal anyway LOL). You are one awesome mumma and you must know that we all admire you!

rainy - just saw your other post...
i didnt see the carpenters jeans - though CR pants are quite big on N so maybe i didnt see them in his size?
I got N a few long sleeve Tshirts - a blue and red stripe and a blue and white stripe/ also got a blankey and bodysuit for J (red and white and blue) and got him the matching blue and red t shirt like N. also got N some grey cargo trackies for kindy... i also went to seed and got more sale stuff - 2 gorgeous pairs of pants for N (good pants LOL) for $30 each. loving that! seed sales are v good. i also got him 2 pairs of pjs from pumpkin patch for $30. love the bargains.. i need to get more singlets and some skivvies - he has grown out of everything - but i will do that another day both J and I had had enough LOL! i got a navy nightie and also a gorgeous grey silk cardi for myself.
did i tell you all my new thu ritual is the mum and bub movie every thu morning - tomorrow is some rom com with izzie from greys anatomy - cant wait!
md thanks for your kind words. xxx

pap- the jeans were for me, they're really soft and comfy ones. i'm wearing them now LOL i basically have to wear high waisted jeans these days or i have major muffin tops. the other thing i do is wear some shapewear on special occasions just to suck everything in. i can't be bothered dieting, i'm just going with the flow these days. i'm about 6kgs over my ideal weight but i'm sort of liking my new shape, weirdly enough?!
i have definitely fallen back in love with the mb. it's just so sturdy and stable and it's really quality iykwim?
the maclaren is for nb and toddler...but each side can only hold 15kgs. lewis weighs 15kg already so it wouldn't have worked for me anyways.the mb can hold 26kg each side.
we had the 2 toddlers in the mb today -jimmy in the ergo- and it was just fantastic. they climbed all over it and it never tips. it was definitely the right choice for me.
another friend of mine had a spill with her phil n teds last week. the toddler was not strapped into the front properly, jumped out and ran off and the pram tipped backwards smashing the nb's head on the ground. my friend was so upset, it was horrible. this would never happen the the mb iykwim? cos it's very strong and stable. i notice they've gone up a lot in price though which isn't good...

eta-pap i got lewis the long sleeve blue striped top :)

hi girls!

Rainy: wow! that sounds like a MASSIVE party LOL! so jealous of all your space! the CR clothes sound divine! i like owls too...

Ange: woot woo for G! the lucky last 2! He should be proud of himself!

PP: wow. that month has flown! (well for me on the outside anyway lol!). i love maternity jeans...soooo comfy...i would try and keep that gravy train going for as long as possible.

Sherie: what a morning! hope A is feeling okay. i reckon its the phlegm too. Leila did that 2 weeks ago (not so big a vomit as A by the sounds of it...). i think it was the milk that toppled her over the edge too.

MD: WTG on the lounging in bed. hope you had oprah on. :lol: ahhh my dream day...

AFM: hhmm. not sure what to do re: Leila's birthday....getting slightly concerned as it is in 3.5 weeks!!!!!! i think it may be a low-key BBQ (:pray: that the melbourne weather is nice to us). i'll invite my MG as we dont have family around and a couple of mates of mine. i would love to do something spectacular but i think until we have more a friends with kids groove going it is going to be low key events....ho hum!

so much going on here, i can't keep up! LOL

pap- i noticed the carpenters jeans in a 6-12month size so i'm sure they would have N's size. they are gorgeous!

clare- i think a bbq sounds lovely. i meant to say congrats on the house.i can't understand why the people accepted 30k less, but i totally love it! this one was meant to be. so happy for you

Rainy - Your dad sounds so nice, my dad wouldnt even know what country road is lol. Is your mb pram the side by side one? If so how do you go with getting through checkouts etc? L's bday plans sound fun, will be a busy day but it will be all worth it to see his face. 6 kgs over your normal weight is nothing, besides if you are happy thats great. I hear you on the muffin top though, I have a seriously overflowing overbaked muffin top going on.

PAP - Actually no I cant believe that J is one month already, where is the time going?

Trill - Sorry to hear that they all have croup at once, what a mission.

MD - Glad to hear that you are at least coping today.

As for bday celebrations this yr, we are making a hi 5 birthday cake and its either going to be a small party here or down at a park.

OH no, they don't all have croup ATM, but just that over the years they have all had it kwim?

Speaking of tummy upsets, we had another one this afternoon cause he'd just finished some milk and biccies.....

My goodness there is a lot of chatter in here!

PAP, I forgot to answer you earlier - I think it is a trial and error thing if bub is sensitive to something you are eating ie I could eat half a packet of Nice biscuits (not that I would do such a thing :redface:) no problems, but two bites of any cake and he would be unsettled. After a bit of time I figured out what and how much I could get away with. Still don't know why some things affected him and some were fine but it all sorted out after he started solids.

Rainy, how did the caffine-free trial go?

MD, I missed that you spent your car drive crying the other morning. If it is any consolation I often use my driving time for a bit of a catch up cry lol.

Clare, your new house sounds nice. It is probably better to pay extra and get something ready to go than renos anyway, since they always go over budget and tbh are a complete pita with a toddler around.

I have been collecting up birthday presents slowly, there will be no party here with bub due 4 days before his birthday. I feel a bit bad, but he won't know. Now I can ask him how old he will be on his birthday and he says "two years old", what happens on your birthday - "get a couple of presents" and the cutest - "baby might be at my birthday" (said with a big smile)

Commisserations Trill, those post-milk-drink spews are the worst!!

Arte - that definitely is the cutest, W knowing the baby might be at his birthday! :D Missy E seems to have sussed out the whole birthday scene too, she knows it's about cake and presents (!) Both the FDC lady's girls had birthdays in June so she must've caught onto to the excitement there.

mm- the mb fits through standard doorways so it's ok, you need to get someone to hold the door open for you though cos you can't fit next to it iykwim? which can be a pita, but it's ok. i don't take it to the supermarket. we just put lewis in the trolley seat and jimmy in sling. i refuse to go to the supermarket by myself these days. i make dh come with me :)
are you going to make the cake yourself?

arte- the no caffiene has been a good thing. i still have the odd coffee/coke if i'm out to lunch or something but never everyday or at home.
what little presents have you got for W so far?

Rainy: :o with the P&Ts! the poor mum musta been beserko with fear!

Arte; what have you got for W so far?

here we have a '****-horse' (whatever you call em these days LOL!), a FP animal friends, a 'barbie' luggage set...DD chose it and would NOT let go :rolleyes:, and an etch-sketch thingy. the big items i want to get her are a kitchen set...but maybe that will wait for xmas...

OMG Clare, you must tell me what a '****-horse' is!!! My mind is boggling between something rather rude and a giant chicken-horse hybrid!

So far we have got a replica chainsaw, a new wheelbarrow, a few cheapo trucks (must have trailers!) and will get him a trailer for his good sandpit tractor (Fun Ho brand, lasts forever) and a few other bits and bobs. Not going too overboard because we just got the trampoline and swing set in the sales last month.

:rofl: like a rocking horse! ya dirty bird. ;)

i just spat my dry ginger everywhere Arte!!!

Thanks Ladies...I'll try to not let her dinner eating habits bother me. She still gets her bottle of milk at night before bed so is getting something in her tummy at least.

Hi to everyone...too tired for personals tonight. Got no memory staying power. :doh:

PMSL Arte!!! We arent going o/board with pressies either, we have a play gym on layby and she will get a couple of small pressies on the side.

Rainy - Yep will attempt to make the cake, will give it a couple of trials prior to the day though. Thats scary about the P&T prams I always thought they were great.

Kate - Yes at least she has milk in her belly & if she was starving I'm sure she wouldnt go to sleep at night or she'd wake up wanting something to eat.

Well its been chatty in here today and even though I just read most of it I really cant remember anything that was said but I am sure there was something I wanted to reply to......... its gone will have to come back and read again later.

Ahhh I need advice...its an in law thing & seeing as you girls know the history, I figured you would all understand...

I've started M in daycare for Friday half days while I am at uni, and its expensive, I couldnt get her into an occassional care. Its $50 for a half day & thats even with the child care benefit taken out of it. Now each month we are paying almost $800 for childcare and even more on a 5 wk month, so its not cheap thats for sure, its our biggest expense after the mortgage. My wage covers it, but I am now only working for about $400 a month which makes it all seem not worthwhile iykwim. Mind you I do like working & the adult conversation, keeps me sane. Anyway. The in laws have offered to come up each Friday for a few hrs to watch M while I am at uni, they live an hr and a half away yet they are happy to come up. I've been ummming & ahhhing because it would be great money wise, thats a $200 a mth saving, & it would also be good for them to see her & vice versa. The only thing is I am liking that I can go pick M up from daycare, bring her home she has a nice arvo nap & I get my uni homework etc done while she naps & while its fresh in my mind. The in laws would probably hang around, I cant really kick them out can I after having driven all that way, & I wont get a chance to do my h/work. I am also very worried about going back to square one with the MIL taking over iykwim? Am I just being over dramatic about it all???? If its saving us $200 a month that is pretty good right? Just dont know if I can handle it every Friday lol.

arte- lewis has one of those chainsaws and is obsessed with it! has been known to sleep with it in his arms...W will love it!

mm-hhhmmmm,hard one....what does maddie like best? i mean, does she enjoy her day at cc with the other kids or would she enjoy some one on one with grandma and pa? would they hang around all arvo do you reckon or be keen to head home- beat the traffic kinda thing?
personally, i think it's great for kids to have one on one time with a family member- but not when the family member is a complete pita overbearing immature nightmare like your mil...so this is what makes it a hard decision. what does dh think?

Could you compromise and do every second Friday? That would save you some money, plus you slowly get to re-introduce the IL's back into things kwim? I just think that with them being so far away and having to drive that distance every Friday that 1 it will become a burden on them after a while and then the whinging will start the moment you say anything that you don't like about what they are doing with M etc and 2, if they get held up in traffic for any reason - roadworks, car accident, bad weather or even if they are sick then you are left in the lurch, running late and no one to look after M. I totally get that while financially you aren't a great deal better off by working it's what you need to do - I have a few friends that are in the same position as you are and it's OK to feel like you want to work for what you *get* while you're out of the home.

Arte, I do like your mental picture ROFL. But no, that's not what it is, it's a Hobby Horse - you know, the stick with a horses head on the end and sometimes they even have wheels at the other end of the stick. Kids go crazy over them. Alister is bigtime into matchbox and hotwheels cars and trucks ATM and plays with them for ages. Lindsay has a little case that he can put them in when we go somewhere and so naturally Someone Else had to get one too while we were away cause he took a shine to Lindsay's LOL.

LOL Oz, I felt like that too last night - too rushed to have time to think properly.

We've got big things for Alister, mainly because I want to cut down the amount of crap that is inside, so the big ride on tractor will be for outside.

MM- i'm pretty stubborn. :p And i don't like relying on other people. So i would pay the child care just because i know it is hassle free with no strings attached. It's not forever, just while you study. And maybe a position will come up in occasional care? But that's just me. ;)

Preg- If he gets the job, it takes about 3 months to organise visa etc. So not for a while. I love the suit J has on in the september bubs pics, (which, by the way, i just worked out how to add pics too. lol) is it a seed one? Has an animal appliqued on the front.

Rainy- Woohoo, can i go on the peewee 50???? We're almost better..... pencil in next week. ;). That P&T story is horrifying! I took the MB for a big walk the other day, it is nice and sturdy. As long as you don't have to lift it in and out of the car all the time it is great.


Arte- We wont be having a party here either i don't think. We have no idea where we'll be living at this stage. No doubt i'll make a cake and have an impromptu thing. I think Lu will be happy with a room full of balloons and her crazy uncle. Has W asked about the goat again?

Trill- how was A today?