Babies born~September 2007 #58

[Ginger]

trill- i love the new layout at kmart and the wide aisles. i think it seems heaps neater since they have made the 'changes', and easier to find everything- not as cluttered as before. i'm a huge fan of it, in fact i'm going there tomorrow to get the boys some diego gumboots LOL
wow that is a long drive for footy! did they win?

cass- we got our tramp from target in the toy sale this time last year and it is an absolute cracker! the boys are on there any chance they get. ours is 14ft so not suitable for you, but i think they have smaller ones?

mp- we get duplo manily from kmart. there is a couple of things in the sale- a horse stable, i think, that my gf is interested in looking at tomorrow.


jaz- i didn't think the girls would be as 'into' the duplo as the boys, but one of my gf's was here yesterday and her dd was obsessed with it! especially cos we have lots of little farm animals and fences etc. she loved it! is H really into dora? L loves diego so much- he will only wear undies if they have diego or buzz lightyear on them LOL

[Trillian]

Granted yes, Kmart clothes don't seem to be covered in those rubbery decal things but I just can't find clothes there for the kids that I would bother buying kwim? How have you found it for clothes for H? The girls range in NSW for girls that age is terrible - the jumpers barely cover their midriffs and the skirts are just too short for a winter skirt and everything looks tarty? Or is that just me being old fashioned? I don't know if the range varies much from state to state does it? I just can't find anything of lasting quality anywhere though. BigW isn't much better either but their $6 trackies are hard to beat and the quality is reasonable even though I know they are straight from China too *sigh* so I've only brought the kids the bare necessities for winter this year.

[Ginger]

i haven't looked at the girls' stuff, but they have these awesome little puffa type vests there atm for boys that i'm thinking of getting. they're about $10 i think, i'll let you know what the quality is like in a couple of weeks LOL

oh and i wanted to add something about our little thread family too. i always see that thread in new posts about 'who from bb did you think of today?' and i don't even bother posting in it cos every single day i think of at least one person from this thread, often many of you. i feel like you're such a part of my everyday life now iykwim?

[AnyDream]

Trill, yep we struggled with clothes for H after she turned about 8 (given she's pretty tall), a lot of it is too short (ie doesn't even fit), too revealing or just slapper-tastic. That was when I started shopping at PP. I've found I have to go much further afield now, although the last couple of years with the tunic-style clothes has been easier re fit and length. The other thing I learned is to buy lots of plain stretchy basics (like tanks and tops) and mix em up and layer under the shorter things. Winter is easier tho at this age, no major school hols so they don't need as many sets as in summer.

[AnyDream]

oh and i wanted to add something about our little thread family too. i always see that thread in new posts about 'who from bb did you think of today?' and i don't even bother posting in it cos every single day i think of at least one person from this thread, often many of you. i feel like you're such a part of my everyday life now iykwim?

Yep, me too. Hence my post count

[Trillian]

I missed your post earlier G. They haven't changed the Kmart closest to me in YEARS! I'm sure Moses was still playing football for Jerusalem when they last did it So it looks terrible, the racks are always full to overflowing with clothes to the point where you get one thing off and 10 other things fall down and it just doesn't seem like they rearrange things if people have put things where they don't belong. But the BigW spent a bundle last year on a complete re-fit and it makes you feel like shopping there kwim?

[MamaPan]

hi all
hmm havent been to kmart in ages.. now that there is all this debate about it i think i should get in there and check it out.
the duplo sounds great - i remember it when i was young, but i dont remember sets - more just blocks... i am sure N would like it, so i will add to the bday list (wel at the moment it is the only thing on there, though we will get him a trampoline)
Jaz - how is the newsletter going? I am sure you will do a fantastic job!
Thinking of Arte. And Cally - how did the trip go, I hope you spent some good time with your folks.
All here is good. N seems to be battling a bit at the moment, he i being super clingy, has regressed a little physically, v clingy and emotional and testing EVERY boundary! I think maybe it is to with J growing up, getting lots of praise/attention etc. J is so engaging and doing new thinhs all the time and i think N is used to being the centre and doesntlike it itms... not sure what to do... i guesssome of it is adjusting on his part (and he is v nice to J, plays with him etc) and maybe w ecan also make some adustments. N gets lots of 1:1 time with each of us., but maybe not much 2:1 time... we do books/puzzles b4 bed (when J asleep) all together... anyway thinking we may get mum to watch J a few hrs opn some weekends and we will take N out... he would love it. any ideas???

ETA - I made a great chicken casserole tonight that the boys both LOVED (i served with brown rice) and DH and I are looking fwd to as well - will post it in recipe section (it isnt slow cooker) - thought i would tell you as it is v easy for us busy mums

[Junglemum]

Been away for a few days with mum and dad. You girls are just teasing me with all this shopping talk aren't you? I'd kill to go shopping.

MD- Well done on the job, got any more info? When's your start date?

MP- Lu is a real handful at the moment too. Always pushing the boundaries and WHINGING! To be honest some days she is driving me crazy. As well as an adjustment thing for N, it is probably a bit age related too.

Jaz- I always make sure my bladder is empty before jumping too! We have a springfree tramp and it is awesome. I jumped on a tramp every day of my life from about the age of 3- 15 i think. Totally worth the money.

Trill- i had a little moment recently thinking our babies would be 3 soon. Ive never felt anything except excitement about an upcoming birthday but 3 seems a bit different. It made me feel a bit sad to think about it and i though i was weird! Good to hear i'd not the only one.

Poor little Lu had Malaria last wekk and was really sick, but she's much better now. Like i said she has been driving me up the wall a bit lately. She is so stubborn and forever pushing the boundaries. She says No and shreiks every time she asked something even if she wants to say yes she automatically says no and then changes her mind. She refuses to share with her sister and snatches anything she has from her. I am trying to be patient and understanding but the truth is i want to strangle her somedays! We use time out. All i have to say is got and sit in time out and she takes herself and sits down. She is better for a minute or so and then it starts over. Please tell me this is a phase, or give me some parenting advice!!!

[Cassius2]

JM: oh i am telling myself it is a phase. unfortunately i read a blog the other day that told me the 'threenager' is the phase...does this mean we have to wait it out til their four???

where is your closest local town? in suva we had the port and there was this AWESOME shop where all the excess loads off freight ships would dump all the clothes that they couldnt be bothered paying port fees for between oz and the US. so this meant that all these cool brand new clothes were left there and because no one had ANY idea of kookai, roxy, dkny, gucci, armani etc they would sell for about $3 a pop. i have some BEAUTIFUL clothes from that time...mebbe there is something like that?? but be warned ANYTHING from target or kmart is 'posh' and is priced astronomically LOVE IT!

[Patooties]

MP - I think the idea of having just N time is a good one.
JM - Malaria!! Far out! What are the symptoms of that?

Well, i stepped out of my comfort zone and took H to a playgroup today. It's an awesome set-up, with huge sandpit, swings, fort, lots of bikes, cars and a great home -corner. H had a great time, but i have to admit that i have to make the effort to do it. I find small chat tiring.(does that sound terrible ???) If I'd not gone and introduced myself to people and started chatting, i would have been left to myself. I know whenever new people started at the playgroup i used to coordinate, i would introduce them to the other members. Ah well - i'll just settle in for a few months, and then take over lol

[Cally]

Duplo - we have loads of it, I stopped DH from buying some more the other day. He did buy a Lego airport which he and DD aer putting together a little bit each day as their holiday project. She absolutely loves it. He has something like 13,000 Lego pieces...... Most of the study wardrobe is drawers of Lego.

MD - super well done on the job. Have you found out any more on which days you can work etc?

Arte - big hugs

Trill - I'm with you on KMart clothes. I hate the pink that they seem to have and it all seems small. At the moment I am a huge Target fan for Miss K's clothes.

Hope all the sick little ones (and big ones!) are getting better!

We had a lovely time in Canberra, although DH only ended up staying for a couple of days because he had to get back for a meeting (who organises important meetings at schools in the middle of the holidays!!). We took DD and niece out to Tidbinbilla - had to wipe the frost off the slides, but we had a wonderful time and saw two koalas really close. I did a bit of shopping as well which is always fun!

Some good news on Dad - the pills he is on seem to be working and the cancer indicators in his blood have gone down by 50%. He also saw an oncologist last week who thinks he would be suitable for radiotherapy (prostate specialist didn't think so) so that will start later in the year once the pills kick in a bit more and the tumour shrinks. He has an appt in Sydney with another prostate guy on Thursday. The weird thing was being up there and seeing how Mum is obviously thinking more long term now - she is almost up to speed on internet banking now and she was replacing lightbulbs (never seen her do that before, they have a fairly stereotypical male/female responsibilities)

Time to do some more work...

ETA - Jaz, PMSL at taking over in a few months!!

[Patooties]

Cally - I am so happy for your Dad!! That is awesome news. Glad that you had a lovely holiday too.
Do you have the Duplo, or just the regular Lego? I had a look at it the other day, and it's so expensive! I was thinking if i just went straight to Lego, J and Z will get alot of use out of it as well.

I received H's Baby book in the mail today!! I did it using Snap fish, and i'm so happy with how it's turned out. I did one for J and Z, but it was a handwritten, photos stuck into an A3 display book type thing. I'll have to scan in their photos (no digital ones back then ) and i'm not sure they'll turn out as well. I guess i'll just have to try.

[Cassius2]

cally: that is great news about your Dad xx
DH sooooo wants to buy Leila the 'playmobil' airport...but at the price they want for it he can just keep on dreaming

Jaz: bahahahaha! you are planning a playgroup mutiny already lol!!
i saw that they are selling scanners that are for converting old school photos into digital...could be an interesting option...

[Cally]

Jaz - Miss K has Duplo (I think there are photos on FB of how much there is), and then DH has heaps of Lego. He is really into the big fancy sets (ie Millenium Falcon, space shuttle etc) that come with thousands of pieces. They have been playing with a bit of a combination of it lately, his trees, benches and roads and she has been making cars and tunnels / bridges to drive around with.

[Patooties]

How does K go with the normal lego? Can she manage to pull it apart ok?

[Artechim]

Hi everyone. Thanks for the thoughts of me over the weekend.

My ex-foster sister placed her little stillborn baby's ashes in with nana (her nana and my great-grandmother). So horribly sad. Nana was just hanging on to see the baby. I have no idea what to feel about my foster sister - she had no idea the baby had passed before the birth, had her in the ambulance on the way to hospital completely alone. Her waste of space mother knew the baby had died but it didn't occur to her to visit so she was by herself all night with her still baby until my aunt went to her mid morning. That is a night that I can't even imagine. But on the other side, the autopsy has shown the baby died two days before she was born of a meth overdose.

Anyhow, the children were both really good over the weekend. DH looked after them both while I was at the service and they were fine. A is a daddy's girl. Caught up with some old uni friends currently expecting their first baby - still under the illusion that their baby will fit around them and that the dog will still be a top priority lol, so cute!

Cally, that is fantastic news about your dad

MD, yay for the job! How exciting!

Will catch up more later, it is about 1 degree in this room and I can't feel my fingertips

[AnyDream]

Arte . I can understand how conflicted you're feeling towards your foster sister right now, it just seems so senseless, doesn't it, but that doesn't change the horribleness of what she has experienced. xxx LOL at your friend's starry-eyed take on motherhood.

Jazah - re normal Lego, there are a few ranges that are aimed at a 4-8 age range...the people are bigger and there are none of the tiny complicated blocks. We've got a whole set of pirates & boats. Also, since your house is a girly wonderland, google BELVILLE - it's the *ultimate* in girly lego. I collected it for H for several years, she's got fairies, witches, the princess & the pea, an underwater palace with Neptune & mermaids, royal carriage, etc. E still has trouble connecting the duplo so I'm gonna hold off bringing out the smaller stuff, but she enjoys fiddling with it when H has it out.
ETA - if you've still got the negatives of your baby photos, get them scanned instead of the photos, the professional neg scanners give a really good result.

BTW Duplo never gets old, I kept H's tub to bring out whenever we had little visitors around (after H went to school) and *all* the big kids play with it. There's something about those chunky blocks, the stuff is addictive.

JM I had a far out moment over the malaria! I had a friend who brought it home with him from his time in Fiji, every so often he would get sick with it again, out of the blue. Is it likely to be chronic like that for L?

Cally that is awesome news that your Dad's tumour is responding so quickly, it's a very good sign, also that he's able to have rads. It's pretty amazing what they can do. It must be weird seeing your mum thinking ahead to a time when she might be by herself but in another way it's brilliant if they are using this as a prompt to get organised and streamline their lives now, because regardless of what happens with your Dad's health it will make their lives easier as they get older, kwim? LOL at your DH's lego fetish, & I can see that K has inherited your engineering genes.

Cass- I'm not buying the three-nager line. I had a really tough time with DD1 from 18 months, and it lasted right thru until 3 and a bit - it did peak RIGHT before it got better, but all of a sudden one day I thought, hmmmm haven't had a tanty since ..??? (couldn't remember) She was about 3 and a half when I realised.

I've discovered another community CC centre, closer to home (am wondering to myself how I never knew it was there, esp since I used to live in that suburb...? Anyway am going to visit with the director today. I am convinced the universe will turn and give us a place ahead of everyone's predictions to the contrary .

[Artechim]

W loves duplo. It is pretty expensive, but mega block have a duplo compatible range for a lot cheaper.

JM, I would love to give you some fabulous words of wisdom to help you out, but I am in a world of tantruming sleepless kids so I am about the last person to dish out parenting advice!

The weather here has turned rather cold in the last few days - the condensation on the window is freezing overnight and a few chunks of ice I threw out of the dogs water bowl the other day are still sitting there, too cold to melt it! The sliding doors nearly didn't open this morning because they were frosted shut and yesterday I went to turn on the hose to defrost the windscreen and the tap was frozen shut!

I have enrolled in a uni paper for this semester, I thought the sleeping might be better by now but it isn't so I guess I will see how it goes. I got home from Nana's funeral to an email telling me I had missed out because I hadn't sent in the required paperwork that I had sent over a month ago. I was very upset and called the uni but they couldn't do anything, but they called the next day and said that somehow I had been given duplicate student id's and had two incomplete applications so it is all fixed and I can do it. Looking forward to it now.