[Amber7]

Evening all!

I haven't been back in ages...oops! Sorry about that.

I also had some difficulty with my account and it was de-activated and I had to fire it back up again

Ally, What names do you have so far? Girls names for me are HARD and boys names always come easy. I like things like Ashton, Asher, Lucas, Riley, Seth, ummm.
Thats great Jack is ready for school. The program sounds really good for assessing if children are ready.

Bel. All good here thanks, and you guys?

Christmas we are doing the usual things and having friends over for breakfast, going to my mums for lunch and Michaels parents for dinner. I half jokingly said we wanted to run (well go) away for Xmas day because I dont like going so many different places and want to do something different, but its probably to late to plan anything without everything being booked out.
Kids are probably getting too much as they get spoilt left right and centre. But their main present is a swing set. I can see them using it all day every day so will be a good investment. We also got alot of board games, craft things, Lily is getting Barbies and Zavie is getting his first Thomas train set.

Heather, it does sound like fun times in your pelvis. That sciatica pain sure is painful. Your pregnancy has flown by so quick. I will eventually start stalking you waiting for baby news, haha!
Zavie used to be exactly the same as Jackson. He was kind of scared to do them in the big toilet and still liked the comfort of his nappy. I think all we slowly did was got him to use the potty for them first because it was less daunting and big, then eventually that worked up the the big toilet and once he did a couple he seemed more at ease with it. It was just learning to relax on the toilet also.
Thomas's graduation photos were so adorable also, that must have been such a big moment for you.

As for us, School also finished for me until I start up with Diploma next February. The kids will still be in care for 2 days a week so I am using that time for myself to exercise and get some projects finished, or book shoots in on.
Lily has her kinder orientation tomorrow and she is very excited. She is a little shy when I am around the same as she is at care so I know she will use the time that I am away to be herself and get even more familiar with her classroom. Its going to be a long few hours while she is there and I wont know what to do with myself
Other than that not much else is happening. I was doing some work for a local photographer with post production (editing his photos) but it turned out to be very time consuming and my other projects and school work suffered so it didn't progress very far and was a realization I need to focus on my own work before taking on too much.

Hope everyone else is well.

x

[~Heather~]

Amber - thanks for the tips on getting Jackson to do poos on the toilet, but i am adverse to using a potty - as weird as it makes me sound, i dont have the stomach to clean the potty, can change nappies no worries, but potty makes me gag - i am just weird LOL. He sits on the toilet step thing really well, and tries to go but i guess it must be about relaxing enough to allow himself to go.
Your photography is getting extremely good, you should be super proud of your work, i love looking through it all! Enjoy your break til Feb next year.
I hope Lily enjoys her orientation at school, how exciting for her! I am still in shock its big school time and we are going to be parents of school aged children!

Ally - i forgot to help with baby names too.. LOL Boys we find easy, i love Sebastian and Samuel. Girls are becoming extremely hard for us too, i love Evie and Eloise (DH hates them both!), and Thomas has given some awesome suggestions of Alice, Camilla, Grace (Gracie), and Alexis.

[Amber7]

Heather, you are weird...LOL! Has he ever done one on the toilet? I would say if he hasn't, once he does it once he will become more relaxed. Or if he has but just doesn't like it maybe try and time it around the time you know he is going to go and see if you can convince him to go. Im sure it will come in his own time its just getting over that initial phase.

Aww, Thank you. I am starting to really like my work now I am in a place I am happy with. School really helped with my work, as much as I self taught myself up until then it was so valuable to be in a learning environment and have that interaction and reassurance I am on the right track. I also went through a phase where I wasnt happy and critical of my stuff and it really put me off picking up my camera (Which I still do for a break anyways) but so glad that passed.

School is a huge shock. I was impressed how Lily went today, and it put my mind at east at how she will go next year. Especially being a big 5 year old....denial denial denial!

[belnryan]

Hi,

Heather: Jai is similar, wee's are great and have been for ages however poos are a different story. He generally waits until he gets a night nappy on although we have had a few poos in the toilet but he seems to stop himself once there. Very frustrating.
Oh and i love Thomas' suggestion of Grace, such a pretty name.

Amber: I too think your photography has come a long way, you are doing great. How many days will you attend tafe next year? Oh Thomas for Zavie, Thomas is one of our favourite toys here, it's awesome.

Ally: The program you put Jack into sounds great, wish i had of found something like that.

Christmas: As usual we have gone way over board, didn't realise until i went through layby dockets last night. Might put some away for birthdays as i don't want the kids getting use to having so much.

The girls are both getting a laptop and ipod touches plus clothes. But i figure the laptops will stop them fighting over mine.

Ryan and Jai are both getting a leapster explorer with games, Ryan is getting some city lego (he loves lego and puts it together so well), knex stuff and lots of random stuff i can't remember because my brain is fried. Jai is getting a pretend BBQ and random things, But yeah think i'll put some away for both of them.

It is also Jessica's 16th on the 21st so have bought her a new pandora bracelet and a 16th charm, some driving lesson vouchers, a name necklace, perfume, makeup etc. I cannot believe she will soon have a license.


We have moved and are all settled, the boys occasionally ask to "go home" but are generally settled.

Love keeping up with everyone on facebook and seeing pics of all these growing up to fast children.

[mychubbybubbies]

Ally - My favourite 'traditional' girls names are: Ruby and Matilda. How far along are you now? Sounds like Jack is more than ready for school!

Bel - Wow I can't believe your DD will be 16 soon We are having Christmas lunch at home with just the 5 of us this year since all our family is interstate! But we are going to our friends house for dinner/drinks. I think I've gone overboard this year too but its all good fun
Zane is getting Lego/Kreo, RC 4wd, Lego watch and Lego Clock, Hot wheels building set, Games, books and craft stuff.
Charli is getting an Ipod/Dock, Rapunzel polly pocket type dolls and tower, Snow white collector doll, Strawberry shortcake cafe, barbie clothes, books, games and lots of craft stuff.
Willow is getting lalaloopsy bus/house bag thingy, Minnie blanket, cushion, towel and cash register, Duplo zoo set, Keyboard, Ariel style head, Ariel collector doll, Dora track and a few books/puzzles/stamps etc.

We were going to get Zane a new bike since his has gotten too small but its been to hot to ride it and wont cool down for a few months yet so Easter Bunny might have to bring that Its a shame because Charli got her training wheels off a couple of months ago (finally).

Heather - I quite like Eloise its very pretty! Your other name choices are great too, I can imagine you must be going stir crazy! Take the time to rest 3 is nuts

Amber - I'm in denial too. Although after Charlis behaviour today I was ready to drop her off there already

[MelRaLi]

heather - A woman at dancing had the same problem with her girl and asked the pead about it when she was there for something else. Basically the pead said, that sometimes children can feel that when pooing in the toilet they are losing a part of themselves and to try and hold a nappy under his bum when he's on the toilet and get him to start pooing on the toilet that way. Could help.

Amber - wow, that sounded full on re your studies / working etc. I need to start trying to work out in some paid employment in there to help with the finances but not sure where i'm going to fit it in.

Xmas - Rachael is getting a leappad, a game and a case and a few other bits and pieces. Liam's getting a train table and will probably buy him more trains to put on it for his birthday. They are also getting to share a Udraw for the Wii.

Us - going well in general. Uni's going well, finished prac last study period and finished the unit with a HD & highly competent for the actual prac component of it. Decided to do 2 subject this sP again over christmas but have got an elective to hopefully get a slightly easier time of it. Got a big year planned next year with 8 subjects planned to do over 9 months. But i plan to have xmas off next year as this will have seen me at the end of my third year of uni.

to everyone else. need to get back to it

heather - A woman at dancing had the same problem with her girl and asked the pead about it when she was there for something else. Basically the pead said, that sometimes children can feel that when pooing in the toilet they are losing a part of themselves and to try and hold a nappy under his bum when he's on the toilet and get him to start pooing on the toilet that way. Could help.

Amber - wow, that sounded full on re your studies / working etc. I need to start trying to work out in some paid employment in there to help with the finances but not sure where i'm going to fit it in.

Xmas - Rachael is getting a leappad, a game and a case and a few other bits and pieces. Liam's getting a train table and will probably buy him more trains to put on it for his birthday. They are also getting to share a Udraw for the Wii.

Us - going well in general. Uni's going well, finished prac last study period and finished the unit with a HD & highly competent for the actual prac component of it. Decided to do 2 subject this sP again over christmas but have got an elective to hopefully get a slightly easier time of it. Got a big year planned next year with 8 subjects planned to do over 9 months. But i plan to have xmas off next year as this will have seen me at the end of my third year of uni.

to everyone else. need to get back to it

[heidistar]

Morning girls, haven't been in for ages, sorry....

We are settled in now, Chris likes his job as the PT manager over 3 gyms, but it's only 5hrs a day so his working nights (5-8pm) at the call centre & Saturday all day, as i haven't been able to get a job The issue is that Nitara is starting school & the school she is zoned too doesn't have before & after school attached. There is a daycare nearby that offers it & drops/picks kids up from her school, but they are full up & have a waitlist. So yes my job with the old boss fell through because of this & i haven't be able to find another job that will suit bloody school hrs. My sister can help out in the mornings Wed-Fri with drop offs but i'd still have to do picks meaning i'd have to finish work at 2/2.30pm & childcare shifts just don't finish at that time. In the meantime i have signed up with 2 casual companies & at present i am waiting on a call for work today.

Nitara is so ready for big school & can't wait We have been going every Friday to a literacy class they have been doing with the kindy kids for next year, Nitara has amased me how well she is picking up sounding the letters out & remembering what they all are. Last week they started to combine sounds (letters) to make short words & she did so well. She even requests that we borrow 'Easy Readers' from the library, so she can try read to me before bed.

Christmas: is going to be skimpy here this year I have got the girls a few things, but not a lot.

Ok well i've lost my train of thought, so might leave it there.

[Amber7]

Thanks Bel. I attend tafe for 3 days next year, Lily also has 3 days at kinder so one of my school days will be a little shorter due to dropping her off and leaving early for pickup.
Zavie doesn't even watch the Thomas show, but figured you cant go wrong with a train set for a little boy. We will have fun setting it all up for him.
We went overboard also but I put a bit away for Lily's Birthday.
Time sure does go quick. Michaels niece and nephew just turned 16 also (To think they were 6 when I first met Michael) and both have their learners. Its a bit step!!

Love your girls names Roz!! Haha. Lily has some of the "Behavior" also...

Wow Mel, you have done great with your studies. Congrats!! Its tricky juggling work in there too hey. Perhaps something work at home would work out for you. Though with all the study at home you maybe want to get out of the house?
Those udraws look great hey. You will have to let me know if they love it. I reckon Lily would love it.

Heidi, it wont even matter to the girls if things are skimpy, they will still have a great day regardless. Its probaly a smarter thing to do anyways, toys take up way too much room.

I am officially all organised for Xmas. Picked up all my laybys and just have one thing left to buy and im done. I still struggle to make the presents even for the kids but didnt do a bad job this year.

[heidistar]

I'm getting a little excited... I really want to go back to work, if not full-time then permanent part-time. The issue i have been having with that is that Nitara is starting school & her school (which we are zoned too) doesn't have before/after school care & the childcare that caters to our school is full up. So i have been trying to find a way around it & even advertised for a babysitter to drop off/pick up Nitara from school. But that option is going to cost & arm & a leg ..... Anyway Chris has been thinking of ways to get around it also & today we started discussing him giving up his two P/T jobs & me taking a full-time position & he can then train clients in groups or 1:1 closer to home & around school drop off & pick up & my work hrs. I am excited that this might actually work!!!!

Amber You are so right, they have way too many toys anyway & now we're in a smaller house i have nowhere to put them all.... Nitara is more excited about Christmas lunch at the cousin's house, she thinks it's going to be just like the Coles ad

This post has been edited by heidistar: 13/12/2011, 04:56 PM

[~Mo+Moosh~]

I hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year. I know we did! Everyone got so much stuff. I was actually happy I didn't go too overboard for the kids because by the time you add in grandparents, aunts, uncles etc they got way too much - so much so that we had to have a major toy cull to fit it in. Ben was especially generous to me getting me and iPad2 and a new computer

We haven't gone away this holidays - first time in years and its actually really nice. We are waiting for my youngest sister to have her baby - she is due anyday - and I can't wait. We have done some day trips though - to Questacon in Canberra, Husky to the beach yesterday and we have an overnight stay at Darling Harbour planned for later in the week. I also need to go to Canberra possibly tomorrow to sort out the car seat situation for the baby.

I can't believe I'm 30 weeks already - we are so not organised this time around. Renovations still ongoing, no baby names picked and car seats still not sorted. Actually starting to feel a little bit anxious about it all, particularly about the names - just nothing jumps out at us! We sort of have a girls name (though I prefer the NN) and there is a boys name we like but it is the shortened version of one of our dear friends children (and he often gets called this) and we can't decide if it is a bit weird or not to use it.

I've also got to sort Jack's uniform out today - deliberately left it until after January in the hope with me on maternity leave this year we will be eligible for FTB this year and can make them tax deductible under ETR. I can't believe they are all old enough now to go to school.

Heidi - I see on Facebook you got a FT position - thats great! Will Chris be able to work around you? How is his PT business going? It's so hard trying to juggle work and kids. I have a very flexible employer and I will still struggle to cope with school hours etc. I'm lucky my mum and sisters have offered to help out but it is still difficult. It's an unfortunate reality that employers would rather employ someone who is childfree then have to work around the confines of children.

Amber - Sounds like you are going to be very busy next year - but I am sure you will all cope brilliantly. I agree with everyone that your photography is so beautiful. I loved the shots from the workshop you did recently - stunning!

Mel - Sounds like you you are excelling at uni, you sound like you are flying through.

Heather - I am so happy to hear that Holly is doing so well. What a wonderful Christmas present and she is so beautiful.

Roz - I am also loving your photos! Charli is an absolutely stunning little girl. I like Ruby and Matilda but can't see us using either.

Bel - Wow you look way to young to have a 16 year old! Good to hear you are all settled in your new house.

Well I best go get a move on and do my jobs before it get's too hot to do anything!