Ali - You don't notice the pin prick once the contact is stuck down.

Cassi - That's how I contact books. You could always head to Parra and if N doesn't behave or isn't happy come home. The Today show is there atm. Cool on the balloon.

Hmmm I now have a "helper". Need to get her some breaksfast then transfer the car seat so we can head out around 11.

Well night 2 of operation Tillys sleep has gone beautifully. Only got up to the 4 min mark with CC before she went to sleep at 7.45pm....she is STILL sleeping & it 8am!!! Thats great since we have a busy day today since its my DD Ashleas 14th birthday!! She is my special little Aust Day bub! Born at 9.28am at Cootamundra hospy. I still remember the day so well since my doctor who had done my pregnancy was suppose to go to Sydney as he was accepting an Aust day award for something to do with baby doctors in rural areas.....well he didnt go since he likes to deliver all his bubs!

Anyways im going to enjoy the quiet for just a little longer! My DD stayed at mums last night cause she was suppose to be doing a fun walk thing from the jail in Junee to the aquatic centre.....well umm Grandma is in trouble as I have just called her & they slept in......she didnt wake them! God my sister is going to be ropeable as she ahs been so looking forward to this......lol. I told mum to just get them up & they will make the bbq at 9am. Prolly a good thing I called when I did although I should have rang at 7 when I got Steph up for work! oh well its hot already anyhow......so saved them the sweat

hugs to all & hope you all have a wonderful Australia Day!

Mwah! xoxo

going to parra park for some fun. DH is going to give it a go and we will take it easy. I have to go and fake tat up! We are going to take Ns bike for him to ride.

Cath - glad operation sleep is going well. Happy birthday to DD, I hope she has a great day!

Happy Aust Day everyone!

Happy Australia Day!

just quickly....

What is the difference between Inlaws and Outlaws?

Outlaws are wanted.

Morning

Happy Aust Day

Weren't you ladies very chatty yesterday.

3 more sleeps until my baby starts school. I'm feeling pretty good about it but wondering how I will really cope on the day.

Visitors....we don't really have anyone come to stay here, all family etc live close by, except my brothers and their families but they always stay with M&D when they visit. We've had friends stay one night here and there but nothing more then that.

We are off to a bbq at friends today (although DH is at work so just me and the boys). In saying that I don't think we'll make the actual bbq as Max sleeps at lunch but we'll go around once he wakes.

Mel - funny outlaws/inlaws ummmmmmmmmmmmmm

cassi - have fun today, hopefully DH can last at least a couple of hours.

sharon - glad Holli is starting to pick up a little, hope she is eating more today. We haven't been given any books to cover, or told to buy any books....I did label everything last night, bloody took me ages. Its great that Ella is picking up in her swimming again, doesn't take them long.

ali - good job on the playroom...we need to go get some of those as well, one day I'll get to it. Hope you don't have too much trouble with Oliver's molars.

cath - well done with Tilly's sleep, hope it continues. Hope DD has a nice birthday.

triny - lol at rehanging the washing. My MIL goes in and washes our sheets when I'm not here!!
Other then that I can't complain as they are beautiful people.

beagle - so what are FIL's pet names?

BG - I hope the rain eases up soon. How is Ivy's cold? Got any names surfacing for bub?

Suppose I better go empty the dishwasher, have a shower and get some washing on....could quite easily go back to bed though.

Have a good day all.

meljas! My parents have always called themselves outlaws with DH. I'll have to tell them that one..

Beagle So glad to hear the Perth rally went well (I heard there was a good media turn out from Homebirth Aust.) ... I wonder whether it has anything to do with the 'normality' of home birth in the particular state given WA has community home birth programs? Maybe Victoria's media will change as our new home birth programs grow and become more well know (the first one only started this month).

Cath Happy Birthday for your daughter, have a great day!!

Sharon Contact and bubbles don't exist to me, I deny they happen and I work damn hard to make sure they don't And yes I am a stationary perfectionist Thankfully my current kid's school asks us NOT to contact the books - wow what a gift that is to parents I have done my fair share though in the 4 years my DD1 was at another school.


Well DH got an email yesterday saying he didn't get the Ballarat job We are on tight tender hooks around here as last week (not sure whether I mentioned it) he got offered an interview for Ballarat Uni for a second round offer for their masters program. We had buried the whole uni idea and were getting excited at the though of finally earning some money so now we are back in the limbo of whether it will be study or work again and not feeling as 'open' to whatever comes as we were a month ago. Just so over it all as this wait has been since September last year and I am finding it hard to plan anything with not knowing eg. still don't know how many days I will be working, or what days I will be home schooling, how much DH will be around etc. So lots of short fuses here even though we are trying to be patient and 'surrender' to the process.

KM - you poor things - I hate waiting for anything. I hope he finds out something definite soon.
It is now uncertain if i will have to go full time at work for the next two months, or stay part time til just before I go on maternity leave, and it is driving me crazy not knowing. I need to talk to my boss about it, but he has been away for ages. Back this week.

Ali - yes definitely showing here. Belly has finally overtaken boobs, so I look pregnant, even in baggy shirts etc. I'm still feeling good, but getting tired more easily. and my ankles are swelling, but not actually hurting - just looks gross. I think pregnancy hormones are good for me actually - I get better hair and skin and nails, and feel pretty happy with myself. I can tell tho, that I am just about to start hitting the big and unwieldy stage. I cna't be bothered going for long walks or anything already...

In-laws - mine are really nice people, but having them to stay would test my patience. FIL has a tendency to 'visit' from 9AM to 5PM (like a job!) which I do find a bit wierd. And MIL talks about idky things while eating (a pet hate of mine), but I haven't got much to complain about really.

I hope everyone is having a lovely day. there are kiddy things in the park here, but we decided it is just too hot. So DP has gone out skinny carseat shopping instead. It is funny - I said to a friend - with baby number 1 it is all about getting the best possible stuff, baby number two gets a lot of second hand or whatever is easy, and baby three it is all about getting slimline stuff so they will fit ito the car and the shared bedroom!

(KM - that carseat thread drove me mad - and usually I dont' let EB get to me. But honestly - just becuase some people can afford to rush out and buy a 7 seater car as soon as they even plan a family, doesn't mean the rest of us are negligent. Who plans their family around car seat safety tests anyway).

Ok - off to cook Australia day trifle I have invented for today - hope it is nice. (lamingtons and blue jelly and berries and cream - sounds promising!)

hi all,
we had a lovely bbq with the neighbours. kids all played happily together, adults got along so all good.

KM oh dear how annoying. I hate not knowing whats going to happen with things like that. I hope it doesn't take long to find out. I believe whatever is meant to be will be. Just a bit hard to 'go with it' when its such a massive issue.

seepi my tummy has just taken over my boobs too, well especially at the end of the day.
What was this car thread you and KM were talking about? I went looking for it but couldn't find it. did someone have a go b/c you don't have a 7 seater with 3 kids? we dont' have a 7 seater either.

Hope everyone is having a great day. Lovely weather here today.

Hi girls, we're back from Inverloch. I should've stopped in to see you here before checking my uni emails, as now I'm depressed. I got the result for my media news story, only 64% . I'm really disappointed, I knew it wasn't great but thought I'd get around 70. I suppose at least it's a pass, it's only worth 35% of the overall mark and I can work hard to try to come out with a decent grade at the end.

Anyhoo, on to good news. We had a lovely weekend, weather wasn't fabulous but OK. Claudia had a wonderful time. This morning I did my swim, it was incredibly hard work swimming against the tide for half of it, but I made it. The other good news is I had a text from my sister from Africa on Monday, she and her boyfriend are engaged! I'm really excited for them. About time someone else in my family got hitched, hopefully Claudia will get a cousin before too long .

Some more bad news - AF arrived yesterday morning .

Hope you all had a lovely weekend/Aus Day, sorry for being Debbie Downer!

Happy Australia Day.

Blondie, don't let AF get to you, it's a sign that your body is back into a normal pattern and you can get on with ttc. It will happen, I know it feels like forever though. Great job on the swim, and the enjoyable weekend. Hopefully they give you some good feedback on your article and you'll know what they are after next time, that is sometimes the hardest part.

Ali, BBQ sounds nice, we have some lovely neighbours, just not the ones right next to us. The thread on car seats in general started off as asking who complied with the law, but there was one particular person who felt everyone should rush out and buy a big car as soon as they considered having more than one child. Totally missed the point about the thread being about safe/legal seats.

We thought we'd have plenty of room having planned the 7 seater when no.2 was only little. DH bought the territory with his work car allowance and the plan was for me to take it once he was due for a new car. Then his work decided that he had to move back to a company car, so yes, I got the territory, but his car, which the company pays the fuel on, is a squishy Forrestor, not a good car at all for putting seats in. We've spent a fortune on Hiliners to squish in there. At least with a closer age gap you can have the children in 5pt harnesses for longer and not have to jam your hand between booster seats to do up seatbelts! Seepi, don't stress about that thread, your kids are all going to be safely anchored - it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks!

Bellies, I'm jealous of you Ali and Seepi, I've got the belly - but it's just chocolate and leftover flab!!

KM, for you too, the uncertainty is very difficult.

Cassi, enjoy your day, hope DH copes OK. Make sure he is drinking enough water.

Littlemumma, hope you're having a great day.

MelanieJ,

Cath, your DD is making quite a habit of sleeping in, maybe she can give Tilly lessons!

We're off to Fremantle, and hopefully home before the crowds start to flock there for the fireworks tonight. Kids will be disappointed to miss it, but too hard to take them all with DH still not 100%.

Back from Sydney. Had a good day. Jacqui even followed mummy's plans by sleeping in the car on the way there.

Blondie - How disappointing on the mark. Bummer on the arrival of AF. Good work though on the swim. I soooo tired thinking about it. You should sleep well tonight.

KM - I hate limbo land. I really hope that things get sorted out very soon for you. I think its hard to remain positive about limbo land when you have been there so long plus the disappointments that have led you there.

Car - Well we have a Nissan Patrol 4WD. DH's dream car. Unfortunately I get stuck driving it. I would really like something smaller, but big enough for 3 seats for future use. Beagle - getting 3 seats in a Forrester very challenging. Mum has one and we had 2 seats Jacqui's Royale SNS r/f and a babylove prelude f/f and me in the backseat on the way home today. That was a pretty big squeeze.

Well going to watch the latest Harry Potter movie so better get some dinner.... Maybe I might just have cheesecake.

Yep Triny, we have a Royale and 2 Hiliner boosters wedged into the Forrestor and getting the seatbelts done up can be challenging! CHeesecake for dinner sounds great!

Obviously no-one around, you've all got lives! Sarina will probably be able to see the huge fireworks display from her place. My kids are not impressed with missing the show - but got a swim at home instead.

I bought a stack of short sleeved bodysuits in Myer that I'm going to applique and sell - now I just need inspiration!! I did do a gorgeous T-shirt for my niece last night, so might start off by copying it.

I am here Beagle!!

Holli was up from 1-3 am last night with huge temp again. Not able to get back to sleep. But slept in till 7.30am today so at least we all were able to sleep in a bit.

Had a big trip to the beach today with my mums group friends as a farewell goodluck thing for the school kids. Been catching up with these great mums since Ella was 1 week old! Just Ella and I went. Dh stayed home with Holli...not worth it, having her out in the heat. And boy was it hot!

I THINK I have everything ready for big school tomorrow!!! Ella said right before she went to sleep, " I am going to be a bit scared mummy!" I asked her what will she be scared of? She replied, "the big school bell". Dh and I found this REALLY funny as we live right next door to the school so she has been hearing that bell ever since she was born!!! LOL. I told her it wont be any louder than it is at home, as she will be inside a classroom.

Beagle and any others - what do you mean you have to do up seatbelt in car? When you move a seat you mean? Do your kids have over the shoulder belts?? DD1 still has a harness and I think she is meant to have this on till she is 7 years and then will no longer require a booster at all? It is all so confusing. Do they have different laws in different states as well?

Well I am off to bed. Got too much sun today. night

Sounds like a great day Ellangel, pity Holli is unwell again. Tomorrow is going to be exciting, how lucky for you though to only have to go next door, that will save time in the morning! Ella will have a ball!

With the seats, both of my older ones are now in boosters, DS just has the seatbelt as the harness didn't fit him well any more and the seatbelt sits really well with the Hiliner, he just has to do it up like a normal seatbelt and then do up the anti-sub clip. DD has the Protecta or H harness on hers, but once that is on you still have to do up the seatbelt then the anti-sub clip. The inbuilt harness in the seats only goes up to 18 or 20kg, and both of mine are over that. They then have to stay in a booster until 7, but I think DS1 will be better in it for a bit longer as it makes the seatbelt sit nicely and gives extra head support. Unfortunately one of his friends started making fun of him for it the other day, the new laws haven't yet gone through in Perth so very few kids his age are still in boosters.

Better shower and then do some sewing and some tidying, we are out all morning then a friend is coming to look after the kids while DH and I go to the oncologist. At the moment she couldn't even get in the front door

Ah Sharon - stay away from the car seat threads - that is my advice! It is a minefield in there. I think being an armchair expert on carseats has taken over from the 'when to start solids' argument on EB.

Anyway - my understanding of the new laws is that kids 4 and under or 18KG and under should be in a carseat with a harness.

Kids between 4 and 7, or 18-26kg can go into a booster, with adult seatbelt.

So depending on your DD's weight she is probably fine as she is.

My issue has been fitting 3 seats across in our smallish cars. Also DD will be 4 One Month after the baby arrives. I'm not going to buy 3 new skinny seats to fit into the car to use for one month then go to a booster... (boosters are generally slimmer).

Anyway - we bought our extra seats this week, so I'm happy with our set-up. The backseat looks so packed though = and DD and DS are already poking at each other now they are right next to each other.

The thread was mostly fine, just people explaining what seats they use for their kids age/weight. but a couple of people got ridiculous and suggested that if someone turned their over 6 month child forward facing (legally) to allow front passengers in a small car, they should instead have got a car loan for a much bigger car and premium carseat. And the other charmer who suggested that part of planning a family was to buy a 7 seater vehicle, and everyone should just do that.

I think it got to me cos I was finding it so hard to work out what to get, that would actually fit the new laws, suit the kids, fit into our car and not cost an arm and a leg, and these people were just acting like money should be no object - not all of us are made of the stuff though.

Anyway - I promise - no more mention of carseats from me.

I might take DD to see the chipmunk movie tomorrow - I feel like I need to do all the activities with her that I can before I am tied to a new baby again. We tried the Princess movie, but it was not a hit. She loves princesses, but for almost the entire movie the princess is a frog in a swamp, so Dd was not impressed.

night all.

LOL Seepi, I've been threatening my kids I'm going to buy cages to go around them in the car so they can't touch each other! I'm glad you've found seats you're happy with and that fit - it's certainly a challenge. I had to get Kidsafe to help me!

My older 2 saw the chipmunk movie on Sunday and enjoyed it - definitely suitable. I've heard a few negative things about the Princess and the Frog (voodoo shadows?) so avoided that one, and IL's wanted to take them to Fantastic Mr Fox, but I wouldn't let them as it is PG with crude language and animated violence - FIL still said it would be OK

Hope you get work sorted out soon, I'd be worried about changing to full time, as when you come back they only have to offer you what you were doing when you left - so if they are that way inclined, they could force you to either come back full time or not at all.

Yah - the carseats drove me mad. Even when i finally decided what I wanted, of course Target, Kmart, Big W etc had none left anyway - back to the drawing board! Not to mention the same carseat can have different names in different shops.

Cages are definitely a good idea - or some kind of little fences between them. It is going to be interesting when 3 of them are annoying each other all in a row....

the Princess movie was basically too long, script too adult for the kids (DD missed most of the plot), had a princess in the title, but not in the movie til the last 1 minute. And yes - very scary voodoo shadows with scary music and a scary bad magic bad guy featured quite a lot. Dd ended up on my knee everytime he showed up.

Ok - definitely off to bed for me now.

ps - meant to say about work (I can't stop talking about the bloo*dy carseats...)

If i am full time when I leave I get 14 weeks full pay maternity leave, which is fairly useful to us...
I work for a big department, so there has been no problem going part time in the past, but they do seem to be tightening up a lot on all these conditions of service. In fact my understanding is that govt depts have to let you be part time if you have a child under 2, but that could have been the good old days...I might look that one up on Thur when I'm back at work. Nothing is ever simple is it!

That would be perfect! Full time maternity leave and then back part time I didn't have the luxury of a govt employer - dodgy multinational with v.poor policies so I had to know my (lack of) rights! Ended up getting a redundancy payout so wasn't all bad!!

I know you want to stop talking about them but what seats did you end up with? Infa Vario? We have one and like it but all the different names made buying it very confusing.

Morning, I am feeling much happier today, mostly because I just found my earrings! They were hiding in my t-shirt drawer, where I had looked, but obviously not well enough, they were folded in a t-shirt. What a relief. Bit annoyed though as there was a craft market in Inverloch on the weekend and I really wanted to buy these gorgeous hand-made earrings, but DH said I wasn't allowed to buy more earrings until I found the ones I lost .

Triny - how lovely of Jacqui to sleep in the car for you. Claudia was quite good yesterday too.

Beagle - what a lovely idea with the t-shirts. If you end up making lots definitely post some photos here, you may make a sale or two!

Ellangel - no good about Holli, unlike her to be awake overnight for so long isn't it? Ella is so sweet, hope the bell isn't too scary for her. Good luck today!

Seepi - wowsers to the car seat discussion. I have no idea what we'll do if we ever have a 3rd kid. Guess we have to keep working on the second first. Govt departments are definitely good to work for when it comes to maternity leave, or leave of any sort really!

Good luck to all the school starters!! It seems so grown up.

Car seats - we got one HiPod Senator (by mistake - thought I was buying a HiPod Barcelona on special in Target).
Anyway - it cost a bit, but has turned out well. It fits in the Camry, and is some sort of Car seat/Booster combo, so DD is legal in it now, so we are practising with her and Jasper right next to each other. Also it has it's own straps, so no reaching around for the seatbelt, which lots of people said was tricky. and it has an Ipod speaker inbuilt, which will be useful for DD (not!).

And we got an Infa Trevalle - which I think is an infa vario under another name... Anyway - that will go into my car, once DD is 4. (A month after due date for newbie). and if we happen to need my car for a trip with 3 kids before she is 4 (unlikely, as DP will be off work for the first month), I will just get it out and use it. I was planning to just put that one in and out of the car as required, but noone ever goes in the middle of my car (they'd need to be skinny anyway), so i might just leave it in.

But with 3 seats (all touching each other) across the back, suddenly there is no room for drink bottles, blankets to keep the sun off the seats etc - I might have to get some sort of library bags on the back of the front seats I think. the floor of the car is already full of teddy bears and old hats etc..

Anyway - I am so relieved we are sorted. DP kept saying we had plenty of time, but it was turning out to be a nightmare, and I didn't want to be stressing about it while I was heavily pregnant and full time at work. and the research into good brands, in skinny models, for a reasonable price, that you can actually find in Canberra was hard enough to remember the day after I did it, let alone in a month or two.

Tip for anyone having baby 2 - buy the skinniest car seat you can find, if you think you might end up with 3 kids. If we had started off with skinny seats this whole process would have been a bit simpler.

Next step in house - car - baby preparation - selling off some of our excess furniture, like the baby rocker and the treadmill etc.

Have a great day all - two whingy kids here. I dunno what is wrong with them. Maybe the heat is finally getting to everyone. My Mum is coming over today, so that should entertain them a bit.

Morning..

Good luck with all the first day of school! I hope the mummies cope ok.

Beagle - you will have to post up some pics. You would do well with good boy designs, the girls already have enough choice

All this car seat talk is driving me I had a hard time just picking one.. Hopefully all is sorted now and everyone is safe! We don't plan on 3 but ill keep it in mind when buying the next car! We have a Meridian AHR and N was in a capsule before that. He will be in the Meridian for a while yet.

We had a lovely day yesterday, N liked patting the snake and lizards and seeing other animals around. I have some pics to put up on FB when i get home. He was exhausted by 1pm, transferred to cot and slept for 3ish hours. DH did very well, was a bit achy last night from the walking but did better than I thought and I think it did him some good to get out for a bit.

Must get back to work.

Morning

Sharon - Good luck for Miss Ella today, I hope it goes well and the bell isn't too scarey. Is she going for the whole day or just part??? How lucky that you are right next door to the school, gosh you don't even have to get the car out, that is a huge bonus. Kai's school is 10 minutes drive. Kai's starts Friday, 2 more sleeps! I hope Holli has picked up today, otherwise, make back to the Dr for her?

carseats - yes girls it is a stress isn't it. We have Meridian and Maxi-rider...no chance in hell of getting 3 seats in our car.......we just bought inlaws a good booster for Kai though, quite slim, think it was an infa something...can't remember.

seepi - Kai saw chipmunks, LOVED it, hope DD enjoys it.

Beagle - good luck with making the litte outfits, you must post a pic when you are done so we can see how clever you are!!!

cassi - I"m glad you enjoyed yourself yesterday, sounded like a fun day.

blondi - woohoo, glad you found the earings Sounds like a great weekend...bugger about AF but this month go hard and maybe an October baby for you, good luck.

We had a good afternoon with friends....Kai had a ball in the pool being chucked in by all the male adults (think they think they are kids)....really had to watch him though with about 14 people in the pool and big floating things everywhere, was a little stressful...too many people in the pool and with watching Max running a muck...still it was a nice to catch-up with friends.

Anyway so better get back to it.

hi everyone,
sorry wasn't on last night, we watched "Couples Retreat" with Vince Vaughn. It was ok. bit of a laugh here and there.

sharon I hope Holli is ok..did you make the drs appointment for today? How good is that having school right next door. I agree with LM you don't even have to get in and out of the car! excellent. Hope the bell isn't too loud for E.
oh yes, to answer your question, I still change DD's nappy every night otherwise the risk of leakage in the morning is v high. even in a huggies. she doenst mind, never really fully wakes up. No, don't change O's. some days he is wet though. but wouldnt risk doing his.
The kids dont get up til about 8 these days, and go to bed at 7 so its a long time for the nappies to hold so much wee.

seepi glad you have sorted the car seat thing. And i agree best to do it now. Thats why we got a bigger car now, rather than leaving it til later when I was heavily preg etc. yeah we had plenty of time but do feel better now its done.
The next step for us is to work out whether we'll hire a capsule this time or just get a car seat. hmmm.
Oh i like how one of the car seats you got you don't have to reach for the seatbelt. I Will have to remember that for the future.
Its quite a good feeling getting things done isn't it. Once you get rid of the excess furniture you'll feel even better.

LM that sounds stressful at the pool. But as you say, nice to see everyone.
we have a maxirider too. But we can fit three across.

cassi glad N had a good time. I'm not sure about the patting snakes bit.. That would freak me out!!

blondie glad you had a nice time away! Well done on finding those illusive earrings!
sorry about AF.

triny Tell J that she was a good girl sleeping in the car for you.

beagle that sounds nice what you plan to do! I agree, woudl be nice to see some boys stuff.

well nothing planned today. was thinking of going to the shopping centre (westfield) with mum, but she's not going anymore. Not sure if i want to brave it on my own with the two.. Last time I did this i had the double pram and DD wanted to be held. very hard to push a double pram and holding a 16kg child at the same time.
Plus not sure I want to venture there in the early stages of TT either. I mean its easier with another person. I wonder if i coudl fit the double pram into the parent and child toilet? I just wanted to go to harris scarfe to look at their curtains, but there is no big deal, DH can look at the one in the city on his lunch break. hmmm. although don't really want to have another day home.

Hi everyone.Sorry have not read up since monday arvo.
I had a crap oz day holiday.
Started monday arvo DD1 said her tummy was sore (ingnored her as usually states this when doesn't want dinner)
I went to Pilates and by time I got home DH was feeling ycky in tummy but OK, and I was ok. Went to bed woke to 'screams' DD1 screaming she had done a big burp! Take stuff had come out in her big burp Sick everywhere all through her bed/pillow/quilt/bed toys - yucko chunky !
Had to clean that up while DH showered her (sick all over her face and in her hair as she was asleep through the sicking up.
I felt after that!@
Anyhoo then woke to tummy (top part of stomache not intestines) pains. Wanted to all day but couldn't. Wanted to go po too but couldn't. I have only eaten 10 jatz crackers all yesterday and water.
DD1 is better today. Velvet seems fine if not grumpy as no one would 'play' wth her yesterday, DH is still feeling tired and off, I still feel like I have been hit by a train, and yucky tum so off to die on the couch

BLONDIE: will take photos and get $ and email you later today

GROBAG: Anyone interested in the 4 I have??? If not going to post in trading room tomorrow

Where are all the school starting mummies? I want to hear how the drop-offs went!

Seepi - hope the kids' moods have improved a little. Thanks for the tip on buying skinny car seats, will definitely keep that in mind!

Cassi - your day sounds fun, great sleep from Nathan! I'm with your DH today, very achy from yesterday's swim. My neck is really sore for some reason.

Ali - hope you've figured out what to do today. I've been lazy all morning, did do some washing but not much else other than sit here on the computer. As soon as Claudia has finished her sandwich we're going grocery shopping.

Sarina - thanks for that. Do you think you and Faith ate something bad? Hope you're both feeling better.

BLONDIE: school doesn't start here until next monday
I have just sent you an email, let me know if it is too big for you to receive. I think it was 5MB

ew sarina sounds awful. yucko. Hope Velvet doens't get it either. Perhaps Blondie was right and you and Faith ate something off?

blondie we ended up going to westfield. The Harris scarfe didn't have any curtains, typical. So we then got an icecream from wendy's. well the kids shared one. They were very good. Didn't go for long but at least we got out of the house. I feel much better for it too. I know that the bribery was why DD was so good, but you do what you gotta do, right?!

I am here!! My sis rang from USA...gee, I miss her.

Then I took Holli to dr at 10am...have been up since 4am, trying to get her damn temp down. Turns out the AB's are not working (no surprise there) so we have different ones now.

Ella was great! Was so excited. The bell went when we were there and her eyes went wide open and she just smiled at me. My voice went a little shaky when the time came to say goodbye and I mumbled an excuse to go outside to get my bag from the pram!! LOL.

I was controlling it till the teacher gave the kids a gift for the parents. Ella shoved it in my hand and said, "miss you, love you , see ya mum!"

The note read "I know that you are sad today because its my first Prep Day. But I'll have fun, just wait and see. You've done a real good job with me. So, relax and have a cup of tea, and I will see you back here at three!"
Included was a sweet little bag with a tea bag and mintie in it. Ok, there I go again!

BBL...

thanks sharon, now i am bawling!! tears rolling down my cheeks.

Aww Sharon! that is so sweet! I hope you enjoy that cup of tea

Sarina - yuck! I hope you are feeling better soon. Gro Bags, were there any 18mths+ that were neutral/boyish? I'm interested..

Ali - Glad you were able to get out and the kids were good for you. Ice cream is something I could go right now.. even though I just finished lunch! Wipe away those tears, I had to hold it together, being at work and all..

Blondie - sounds like DH needs to give you a massage tonight!

I am just hoping mine has at least done some house work by the time I get home. He told me he has done the vacuming and a bit of washing up.. its a start I guess. Doesn't sound like there will be computer time when I get home.

oh sorry Ali! Tissue?? I have plenty.

Too hot for the tea but had the mintie Cassi!

Grobags - I am interested also Sarina. Sorry. Am watching 1 on ebay but have not bidded yet.
Am looking for a no sleeves one that is pretty long and will do when it starts to get a little cooler. Holli in her cotton one now but it is a size 1 and getting a little less room in it.

That is terrible luck you were not well yesterday. Yucko to the chunky vomit for Faith! Poor little girl.

Cassi: I have a cream / yellow chickems on it in a 12mths to 3 years summer weight 1 tog

SHARON: The cream/yellow one is the longest. The other next one is pink/white gingham in a 6-18mth size or the pink size 1 but that is a winter 2.5tog.
Velvet is tall mind you and still fits in them all for length but are getting slightly less space

Glad to hear you are stocked up on tisseus Sharon

Sarina, thats the one I was thinking of but I could remember if it was the right size and not pink Let me know how much and I'll chat with DH about it when I get home.

Sarina - I dont mind what colour it is really, as nobody sees it. What size is the longest? Please Pm me if you like and we can talk prices and I will have one more look at it.

(derr....just saw it was 18m - 3 yrs!) LOL Am I fighting Cassi for it?? LOL

Reminds me I have a size 0 sleeveless from last year to sell off!

Sharon. You can have first dibs if there is only one left. I have one on the way and we only use them in winter. I think I have one that will fit from last year, but can't remember what size it is.

Blondi - school starts Friday for us

Oh Sharon - was their intention to make the parents cry by giving you that note, I would have been bawling...they better not give me anything like that on Friday or I will be a basket case....Wow, Ella is such a confident little gem isn't she, what a great job you have done with her. I just hope Kai is as confident on Friday....Ok, I want to see photos on facebook please of Ella in her uniform!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Poor Holli, I hope these Abs work for her.

Sarina - I hope you and DD are on the mend soon, those vomting bugs are nasty.

Forgot to say....when I dropped Max at MIL's this morning, she had forgotten she was having him....she said it was fine though....hopefully they are having a good day cause I felt bad leaving him then.

If the pink/white girlie gingham is going to be long enough, I will get that one Cass, otherwise I will look a the unisex! LOL. I bought Holli one with legs in it like jumper material in a size 2 for when it gets really cold but have nothing of in between.

Littlem - there ARE pics on FB....didnt send to eveyone though. Let me know if you cant see them and I can put one on here.
, I know!!! Maybe it was a test to see what parents were soft and which were hard as rocks!! Well I failed !!!!!! LOL

We were VERY proud of her, considering she knew nobody in her class.

sounds good Sharon. Ella sounds like she was a very brave girl this morning. I am sure she is having a great day. Congratulations to you and DH for getting this far!

littlemumma - I'm sure its ok. I bet MIL is feeling bad that she forgot!

Naw, thanks Cass! That means a lot! I am sitting here thinking 'I hope she could open her lunchbox!!' LOL.

Seepi, Beagle, others.. CARSEAT TALK AGAIN!!.Ella will be 5 years in 2 months and is still hovering around 17/18 kg. We bought a maxi rider for her when she was 3 years and its extra tall at the back. Lady at the shop said when the harness no longer seems to fit her, we will need to buy a H-harness attachment and that should do her till she is out of the seat. I thought for them to have the seat belt sash over their neck was dangerous?? I am scared to ask in the restraints thread!

Oh Sharon that is too sweet, how lovely of the teachers to organise that. I saw the photos on FB and Ella looks so adorable and so happy.

I've done our grocery shopping and got some chocolate HCBs on sale at Coles . Would you believe I've never actually had a chocolate HCB? Only fruit ones with chocolate inserted! I'm about to try one with my coffee.

ETA - Sarina I didn't get the email so maybe too big?

sharon - so does Ella use the 5pt part of the maxirider now? cos i was told once that too small then yes you do move onto the H-harness.

oh coffee now theres an idea, I still feel as though its 6am.. I just can't wake up today!

Sharon - the teachers will be on hand if she can't

I should add that its N's first day in Nursery 2 today. He was a bit put out this morning, its the same room I have dropped him off before but there were a few new kids and lots of tears and he just stood there pouting at me like he wanted to cry too.. poor bubba.. I wanted to go back but didn't want to make it worse..

yes Ali...still the 5 point. I wanted a seat that Holli would be going into when Ella no longer needed it.

OH Cassi! You shouldve said earlier! Have you rang to check at all?? So he will be sleeping on a mat instead of the cot room? And at a table instead of a highchair??!!! Yes, it does upset them when they see others crying. Does he know the teachers well? x

There is only a gate separating the 2 rooms. I drop him off and pick him up from Nursery 2 and he knows a few of the carers. They have had a few leave and with the shift rotation there were only 2 I recognised this morning but all of them had at least on baby in arms. I am sure he is fine, they would call if he wasn't. Yep sleeping on a camp bed now and eating at the table, more outside time, painting and play dough. It will be good for him and I won't be worrying about him hurt one of the little ones.

Off to find out what you are talking about with the harness..

Sharon,

from my dealings in the Car Restraints thread, I think that the regulations say she should move to a booster seat after 18kg, but the car seat gurus say that the seats are crash tested to 22kg, so she can stay in it until then. Then she should got to a booster seat until she is 7. boosters are the ones that use the adult seatbelt. apparently it is safe as they have guides to hold the seat belt at the correct height.

I would ask in the car restraint thread tho - there are some super experts in there. The thread that got a bit funny was in What do you Think.

We have had a funny day here. Jasper crashed out all morning, and I had to really wake him up to go out for lunch (at 1.00). I opened his door and went in there and made noie, and he just snoozed away without moving a muscle. Poor litle poppet must be exhausted - I'm not sure why.

Anyway - we finally got down the shops to try out our new local cafe, but they were resealing the carpark just about 2m away from the tables with about 8 mega trucks. Noisy and stinky. We tried to ave, but DD had been promised cafe food, so she lost it , so we stayed. So it was a funny meal. There were others persevering with their lunch tho too. I think people are so excited to see a new cafe in our sleepy suburb that we are all determined to support it so it sticks around.

Then we walked to the park - mega hot day, so we are all sweaty and tired now. All the park equipment was red hot too. The kids still liked it though. Now J is back in bed, and DD and I are scoffing icy poles with ABC kids on. and I am going to do absolutely nothing, until it is time to cook dinner!

Seepi I don't know if Jasper is the same, but Claudia always seems to sleep longer during the day when it's really hot.

seepi & blondie i've discovered the key to get Oliver to sleep longer in the arvo's is to put the pedestal fan on. even though the air con is on (on hot days) but it doesnt work that well in his room (or dd's) i aslways put the fan on. he's been doing 2.5hrs in the arvo (as well as his 1hr in morning). I'm certain the fan helps. weather its the noise; circulation of air; or keeping him cooler but he does sleep better.

Hi girls,

I am around and have been following all the car seat talk but it all confuses me too much so I am going to stay out of it.

Seepi - Some of those girls in that thread were really rude.

Blondie - hugs to you. Fingers crossed we will be pregnant together.

Cassi - well done for not going back to get him when he was crying. I hated when i used to drop off DD. It used to make me so sad.

We have been busy with Australia day parties and doing things around the house. I hope everybody had a lovely day yesterday.

hugs

Lara

I see you lurking down there Cath, how is Miss Tilly and operation sleep going??

Sharon you could always call the manufacturer or see a car seat specialist and ask them. I am sure they will give you the right info. Oh and heads up for you DH, huge strom on its way through Syd!