New thread time ladies

http://www.essentialbaby.com.au/forums/ind...howtopic=810856

GOLD!!!!!!!!!!

woohoo!

BBL....

SILVER

Bec – bad timing indeed, did you go over last time though? It might be “better” for the op to happen while you’re still pg? Hospital appointments are a PITA – we just got our date for N’s sedated hearing testing at the hospital today, start of Dec right in between 2 of Alek’s school events. Oy vey, it’s going to be busy…
How are you feeling? Have you got a name picked out?

Jayne – Well done on the gym, I’ve been doing Wii exercise but know it’s prob not as intense as it needs to be (delude myself that lots of walking counts more than it probably does!) How’s school going for you guys this term? Is it possible to move schools if it doesn’t improve?

Al thanks ever so much of reminding me about 2 year olds I want this one to stay little as long as possible but he already has other ideas – all he wants to do is to be held up to stand (and fight taking naps cos the world is just too interesting!)

to everyone else

Ack, can’t believe how fast the time is flying now. A bit sad as I’ll be heading back to work after school starts next year – second time round has been so lovely and easy. Though DP gets paid leave for 3 months (like last time) which is great, and once I’m back at work we cann start serious house hunting (we sold last year and are renting at the moment) Has anyone else started Xmas shopping yet? My job over the next couple of weeks is to look online – it’s great with the A$ so high, so many UK and US sites are tempting!

helly

Helly no definite name for bub as yet. Really want bubs born before DS2 has his operation, although in a way I realise it would be easier than carting a newborn around to appts, but I am in so much pain that I need the relief of having this baby out! I have already done our xmas shopping, we will be interstate for xmas so have bought a few small toys and some summer clothes for the boys as they will easily pack in our luggage, and then one big item for them to share which they will get when we return home. Have fun shopping!

Bec ???

Where's the tumbleweed icon? LOL, guess everyone else has missed the thread opening...

Can't believe how quickly this term is going. And how fast my time at home is disappearing - we started Little One on solids already (he's the runt of the family, already about 1.5kg lighter than A at this same stage even though he was born bigger)

helly

LOL helly I am still here and not-very-patiently- waiting and I don't think anyone else has realised there is a new thread either

Bridget had a little girl the other day (28th Oct), Natalie Mikayla Alexa.

Congratulations Bridget!

You're right - I missed the opening of the new thread.

A big congratulations to Bridget and her family on the arrival of Natalie - the pics on FB show a divine little girl!

Helly, I remember with Carli I couldn't wait for her to start solids (you know how it was back then, just want all the milestones to happen as soon as possible) but with Hannah I knew that starting solids wasn't that exciting (and really just messy) so was happy to hold off. How's it all going with N and his food, is he loving it?

Bec, not long now to you meet your little man - very exciting! I've put in my tip - I think it will be all the 8s and 11s, born on the 8/11 at 8.11 weighing 8lb11!!

I've done most of our Christmas shopping, but seem to keep getting emails with deals I can't refuse, so starting to understand why DH doesn't think I need to be Christmas shopping all year.

We bought one of those old school desks on the weekend - you know the ones with the table that lifts open so you can store your books in. We bought in on e-bay, so put some paint on it yesterday and will put another coat on the weekend and it will be ready to move indoors.

Back to work tomorrow after a long long weekend (took Monday off too). So short week for me! Our appointment is on Friday with the pain doctor, so I will be sure to report back.

Better go, next race is on, and I''m hoping for a win.

Cheers
MJ

CONGRATULATIONS BRIDGET Natalie, what a gorgeou name. Can't wait to hear all about your beautiful little girl.

NOT LONG NOW BEC!!! WOOHOO!!!

OMG Michelle - I definitely remember those desks, what a great find. I use to love those desks at school.

Helly - the runt of the family I know I can't believe we are up to week four already, they are going to be in first class before we know it, I'm a bit emotional about it all to be honest.

K was off to the rewards room today, he got his 5 tokins so was looking forward to playing some cool games in there (as he put it)....can't wait to hear about it this afternoon. Both boys have been sick, virus/ear infections...can't believe how much they have got sick this year.

Not much else is going on really...same old, boring I am!

Woohoo Bridget, CONGRATULATIONS to you and welcome Natalie! Hope everything went really well and the settling in and babymoon are smooth. Can’t wait to hear the details!

Bec How are you feeling? The last while sure drags doesn’t it? Has the op happened yet?

MJ How did the pain clinic go?
I’m certainly feeling the same way about N as you did with Hannah – very happy for him to stay little and babyish for as long as possible! Looking back on photos they seem to be very similar in milestones and timing (except we don’t have any teeth yet; we’re getting our first scoots across the floor too) I’m not going to bother too much with food, though because N only wants to play with and not drink from a bottle I feel a bit more pressure to have him eating reasonably by when I go back to work in Feb. And as we’ll be away the whole school hols it’s prob better to get the really messy stage over with at home! He’s enjoying it though and we’ve already added an extra meal/taste with us at dinner-time (he’s been sitting with us in a highchair for meals for quite a few weeks)

LM oooh, what’s the reawrds room (a school thing I presume?) Hope the boys are better, ear infections are the pits. A and DH have had the cough bug that won’t go away, i was really lucky and haven’t been sick at all this year <tough wood>

I’m feeling totally ripped off here. After the gorgeous autumn it rained continually when I went on maternity leave. Then iturned icy when we got the baby home. And now this wet nasty spring – I was so looking forward to a good one and it certainly hasn’t been Can’t believe that there’s only 5 weeks of school left here

Hope everyone has a good weekend!

5 weeks of school left gosh Helly I hadn't even thought about that!
K no longer has to have his operation Took him back to the specialist/surgeon yesterday for a pre op review and she was totally amazed! Originally he had a lump under his chin/side of neck area, it was very pronounced and we were told it was a benign tumour called a pilomatrixoma. While we have been on the waiting list the lump somehow disappeared and drew his skin in to leave quite a noticeable indentation/scar and we could no longer feel a lump. She still believes it to be what her original diagnosis was, though said it's very rare for them to resolve themselves and asked if we had been praying to Mary McKilliop! She did an ultrasound and there was the tiniest speck of something there still but not worthy of removal. I don't doubt her diagnosis as she is a very highly respected specialist. Very weird whatever it was but a relief that he doesn't need anything else done

5 weeks of school left - heck!

Pain specialist went really well - so refreshing to talk to someone who is an expert in this field, and not 'just' a surgeon or GP. We were in there for over an hour. He's recommended a few things - firstly he's got DH on patches (rather than pills), and he's recommended a book titled Manage Your Pain by Mike Nicholas. Apparently the aim is to 'self medicate' without needing medicines or surgery. There is a 3 week intensive training session that DH might be able to do (thinking in 12 months). It's been running for 2 years, and after the 1st year 75% of attendees are still off medication and showing an increase in their 'living ability'. Early indicators after 2 years is that it's 50% still off medication, but he made a comment that many who had gone back to the drugs was for reasons other than their initial cause for attending the training.

Have to head to a meeting now, but will come back and tell you more a bit later.

Bec - great news about K's op (or non-op!) I'm still in for a chance with 8.11pm tonight! Hope you're not waiting too much longer.

Back soon
MJ x

Ok, I'm back to finish yesterday's post!

As I was saying, I felt encouraged that DH might be able to find some inner peace and start living rather than just staying in survival mode. Obviously it takes a while to get there, and lots of hard work (for DH) but there is light!

You may have seen on FB that Carli had her first dance concert on the weekend. She was so excited and so very cute. They did 2 songs, with 2 costume changes. This was just a small concert. The big one is in December. I'm so NOT a dance mum! I think I was more concerned that I'd get her hair and makeup wrong, or crush her costumes! We double checked and triple checked we had all the costumes, and hair thingys... but halfway there I ask Carli if she had her dance bag (with her dance shoes) and she didn't ... so had to turn back home!! But we made it and she was fabulous!!

Helly - I'm not sure if you're into FB, but if you are feel free to friend me... (Then you can find the other Sept 04 EBers from there..) MJ Facebook

Bec - looks like I'm out of the competition with my guesses of dates!! Def baby dust in the air. A friend had her little boy on Thursday and my cousin and his wife and their little girl on Friday.

How's the Christmas shopping going? I bought a great little plaque for Carli's teacher on e-bay (did I tell you this already?). Teacher's gift It arrived yesterday and looks great! I got the idea after reading another thread about what teachers like/dislike for Christmas presents. Apparently soap is out! But things like Christmas ornaments or mugs (with lollies) are in!

Have a great day
MJ x

Bec - great news !!!!!!!!!!!! what a relief - Caleb had to have surgery before he was 1 to remove a cyst on his scull - that was AWFUL
he was fine though - we wernt @!!!
if u can avoid that surgery that is wonderful - how are u feeling ? XXXX

MJ - the teachers gift sounds awesome - i cant believe that this year is almost over!
Trying to budget for xmas isnt going well at all -
CRIPEY

Ive booked Caleb into surfing school the first week of the holidays - he is doing it with a little girl from his class - its 4 morns - terribly cute - hope he likes it!!


I rec'd an email from our class mummy this morn - she is the lady that emails us each week etc etc with all the updates - she is the one that arranged the mums dinner ........she has arranged a picnic for the 12th dec & I am gutted as when she asked what dates we can all make I said that I couldnt make the 12th ..........I also wasnt able to make the dinner date either -
strange that eh?

Im shattered as I dont want Caleb to miss out ....
Not sure what to do now ...buggar ..................

Hope u are all well & have a fabulous day X

Quick congratulations to Bec and family. cant wait to see some pics
Sal x

Yay! Congratulations Bec and family. Welcome Quinn. Hope to see pics soon.


Jayne - love the surfing school, that sounds ace! Does he need his own surfboard?

Massive congrats to Bec & the family LOVE the name XX XXX

Na the surf school provides it all - from wetsuits to sunscreen - Im not sure how he will go - Amy would love it!!

Hoping he is brave & enjoys it

Hey - what are U guys getting the kids for xmas ? I need some ideas XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Jayne, can answer this pretty quickly as have just been going through what I've bought and still need to buy.

Carli: I've decided to go the DS Lite but KMart have a 199 deal on today for DSi (with game and starter kit), so if I can get one of those I will and Hannah's getting a Leapster 2. That's their 'big' present.
Luckily with two girls they get the same kind of presents (otherwise they'll want the others!). The other things they're both getting bits of are
Barbies
Zhu Zhu Pet 'stuff'
Books - I have a 20% off code for Borders - and they have free delivery if you're interested.
Sunglasses
Board game (Battleship for C, Connect 4 for H)
Bedroom light for C,Dressups for H
Clothes

I never know what's too much and what's not enough. I think if there's too much they don't even notice some of the great things they receive, but sometimes it's hard to stop buying. Carli is keen for an ice cream maker she's seen on the TV, so I have given mum this idea.. and DH thinks Hannah needs a new scooter - so have passed this idea to DH's mum....

I need ideas for a (nearly) 2 year old boy.

Hopefully my girly presents have inspired you!!!... well at least helped for Amy!

Quicky again
My boys are getting
Razor scooters each.
We are buying a 10ft ( or bigger if we can fit it) pool for the deck area and we may get Wii.
Other than that just the normal stocking fillers, games, clothes.
Sal

Thanks for the congrats girls. Quinn was born yesterday morning after me having to be induced but it was pretty ok in the end as labour was only 46mins. We are home already and both doing well. The boys are both being great with their little brother too

46mns !!!!!! well done super mummy !! XX

Congrats Bec, and well done!! OMG, 46 min, how amazing - gotta say I'm a bit jealous Glad to hear you're home already, hope the newest member is settling in well!

BBL to reply to everyone else

helly

So cool to see all the photos of our grown-up kids! Though I must say I'm not a very good Facebooker, maybe you lot will convert me!

Hi Helly, I think it's great that we can put faces to names. I go through phases with FB - I still check in most days for status updates and photo posts (sounds rather stalkerish!), but haven't played any games in a while.

We had kinder AGM last night. My baby (well I don't think I can call Hannah a baby anymore) stats kinder next year. I sat on my hands and did not join the committee, but didn't feel guilty as there were lots of other people putting their hands up (not bad when only 15 kids!)

The mayor was at the AGM too and she talked about how they are trying to lobby the Gov't not to increase the kinder hours, and they were hoping for success. (I'm not sure if this is a state or federal politics issue.) ... However, this sounds contrary to what the Geelong council think considering my auntie who is a 3 yo kinder teacher (at Grovedale) has been told the 3 yo kinder won't run next year because the centre needs to extend the 4yo kinder hours. So as it stands, Hannah will do 12 hours next year, but looks like it's still up in the air how many hours 4yo kinder will be in 2012.

Hope everyone's doing well. How are our 2 new borns fairing? Would love to hear your news.

Talk soon
MJ

Hey girls

Quinn is doing great, one week old already
So far he is a much more content little baby than my older two who were screamers, though like his big brothers he does seem to have some reflux and is a bit spewy so can be a tad unsettled too. Started to get some more awake time from him atm which is lovely Both C & K have been absolutely fantastic with him, couldn't ask for more caring big brothers I'm trying to get used to the night wakings again, feeling a bit zombie-ish but overall it's all good so far (touch wood)

Helly I'm not much of a FB'er either, go through spurts. I'm a bit like MJ, check out status updates and that's about it, have been a bit more active on there while being on mat leave though!

MJ I hope that they do increase the kinder hours, I don't think they are long enough at 12hrs/wk. One of the two kinders here has had to scrap it's 3yo program for next year as they had to offer an extra 4yo kinder group due to so many enrolments in our suburb, but because they now have 3 instead of 2 kinder groups they have had to reduce the total hours to 10-11hrs/wk to accommodate all three groups. The other kinder has received some funding to extend, so that is supposed to add another 2 groups as well. It's all pretty crazy!

Bec

bec xxxx well done xxx

Congratulations Bec Quinn looks so gorgeous on facebook, adorable! Quick delivery, well done!! Great to hear his big brothers are being awesome.

xx

Hi everyone.

xmas - K is getting a bike, clothes and bit and peices.
M - scooter I think and a few other toys and clothes.

gotta dash.

Bec - great to hear that Quinn is settling in with the family - I love your new sig pic.

Bridget - hope all is well with you. How is C going with a new baby in the house?

Sal - how's your little sleepwalker going?

I have news... I think I'm pregnant .... well I took a test and it was BFP, but very early and no other symptoms so still in denial. I've told DH (obviously!) but no one else... so you guys are my outlet! I always wanted more children, but when we decided to try earlier in the year we both freaked out and realised how happy we were with our life now and what we could do.... I had talked myself out of it so much that now I'm in shock. How did it happen? Well ... eventually when we tell people (next year sometime) I might blame the antibiotics that I've been on recently - but tbh I just stuffed up in taking the pill regularly.

As I said, no other symptoms other than missed AF, so will wait another week before I go see the Dr. From experience he doesn't do anything other than remind me how many pregnancies end up as abortions (he doesn't say miscarriage) and give me a referral to my OB who probably won't want to see me until 10-11 weeks.

So there you have it! (writing the above was quite therapeutic...thanks!)

In other local news, we have an election in Vic this week - I can't say I know much about state politics and have no idea which way the election will go. Labor have been in for so long it won't surprise me if the state votes in the Liberals just for a change.

Hope you're having a great week!
Michelle x

Wow Michelle, congratulations!! Hope the pregnancy goes well for you. I know what you mean about settled with 2kids, I was pretty much at that point before I found out I was pg with Quinn, but I always wanted 3kids so I was pretty happy

woooohoooo michelle xxxxxx

Michelle Congrats! How totally fantastic. I’m totally loving the big age gap, both for quality time with the baby while A is at school and also cos it’s so much easier than I imagine 2 littlies would be. Is DH excited? When will you tell the girls? We made the mistake of telling A once we saw the heartbeat and he promptly spread it round preschool way before I told family or hardly anyone else

Bec and Bridget Awwww, your photos are so gorgeous. Glad that Quinn is so content, at least it’s not too cold now for the night get-ups (though we co-sleep so I managed to cheat myself out of those )

Less than 3 weeks till we go overseas and the days are just zipping by. School is already in the wind-up phase (it finishes in 2 weeks exactly) and next week has swimming carnivals and special events already (and a thank you thing for the parent volunteers already at the end of this week) A was off school most of last week with what the GP thought was roseola, and N chose then to pop his first tooth (of course) Fun times How many of our 6 year olds have lost teeth? A teethed really early but we still haven’t lost any here though he's just started complaining of a sore tooth (which he won't localise for us)

helly

HI GUYS XX
Bec - Just been looking at the facebook pics - so lovely babe XXXXX

Im feeling pretty sh*tty TBH - Im feeling more & more excluded with the kindy mums - I talk with friends about it who ALL tell me that Im better off out of that "click" - i havent got a friend that tells me its a positive thing being included however I feel so lonely -
I text a kindy mum on MON night asking if her son wanted to come & have a playdate here - she hasnt even replied to me - although this is the kindy mum that DH had a crack at at Calebs party - then she kicked me in the guts BIG TIME when I spoke with her about it - she lives in a massive glass house though & threw a freaking rock at me !!!!! anyway thats not my fault & DEF not Calebs or her sons -
I emailed another little ones mum & she came back to me & they are cming here tomorrow for a playdate & a swim -
I dont know what to do - nothing I can do I guess

I have signed Caleb up for extra reading & writing classes - each wed after school for an hour - costing a BOMB OMG - he needs this though - esp as some of the kids are teasing him now as he isnt far along as they are - it breaks my heart so badly

I still cant decide what to get Caleb for xmas - Im totally at a loss ...............

anyhoo enough of my moaning -
hope you all have a top day
much love XXXXXXXX

Oh Jayne, you sound so down. Are the kindy mums all from kids in Caleb's class?... if that's the case, the bright side is next year there will be a whole lot of new mums you can get to know. There must be other mums who aren't part of the 'cool gang' that would be up for a chat.

Good on you for getting C into the extra reading and writing classes. It astounds me that kids at this age are teasing him. I don't think Carli would even be aware if other kids in her class were behind. (perhaps I'm naive)

Thank-you for everyone's well wishes. Helly that's brightened my day hearing your experience with the age gap because this was something playing on my mind. Dh is excited, although he will be 45 next year, so I don't think he was expecting to have a newborn at 45! We've decided we're not going to make any decisions or get down into details for a few weeks, we both need some time to comprehend. However, we have both separately asked the girls what they think about sharing a bedroom, so Carli asked me flat out yesterday if we were talking about a new baby... she's more switched on than I give her credit for!!

As for teeth. C hasn't lost any and is so desparate to! She went through a stage where she'd say she had brusehd her teeth, but because she didn't like the toothpaste she only brushed with water, so I've been telling her it's because she hasn't brushed her teeth enough that they haven't fallen out yet! (I'm turning into my own mother making up stories to suit myself!)

Helly, 3 weeks to holidays - what a great time you'll have! Heck, it just reminds me of all the (work) things I need to do before the end of the year and the clock is ticking!

Talk soon
MJ x

Quick dash in and out, just to Congratulate Michelle, wow how exciting.
Im off now, as this pregnancy thing seems to be catching in our group - ahhhhh
Sal

The last few weeks of the school year are just going to fly by!!!

C hasn't lost any teeth yet either, keeps asking me when they are going to get wobbly as most of the kids in his class have lost at least one, some of them a lot more.

Helly I bet you are all getting excited for your holiday

Jayne what a shame about the kindy mums, sounds like a bit of drama really. It's really tough when you try your hardest to make an effort and it's not reciprocated, particularly if you are trying to help C establish some friendships to make things easier at school. If the mother's are like that just imagine how their kids will turn out. hugs to you. Good on you for recognising C's needs and getting some tutoring for him, that's great despite the costs.

Michelle my uncle had his first baby at 45yo, he loves being a dad, his DS is now 2yo.

Bec

WOW - Michelle I am SOOOOOOOOOOO Happy for you and your family...this is wonderful news and such a blessing, WELL DONE!!! So when would that make you due? Carli is such a clever sausage catching on so quickly, bless.

Helly - how exciting going overseas soon, you must be getting all organised to go. Hope N travels well on the plane.

teeth - K hasn't lost any teeth at all yet...think he got his first tooth when he was about 10 months old.

Jayne - How many kindies classes are there this year? I hope Caleb gets a totally new class next year with new mums for you to make friends with, sounds very stressful. Good idea on the reading etc.

Bec - loving the pics on FB, keep em coming!!! You manging with the 3 boys ok?

All is well here, just trying to sort out the xmas going ons with the family, nothing is ever easy!!!!

Hi Everyone,
thank you all for your congratulations and well wishes! I'm sorry I haven't had time to come in here and post, we are slowly getting into a routine here, going from 3 hrly feeds to 4 hrly and I am hoping for a let up soon so I'll have more time to do things!

We are all going well, Nat's a little gobbleguts (I've never seen a baby so hungry, it really is a sight to see!) she is growing SO fast! We had an appt. at the MCHN on Monday and she's now 4010gms and 51.3cm long and 37.5cm head circumference! I think it was half a kilo gain in a week LOL. CJ absolutely loves being a big sister, the change in her confidence the last 2-3 mths has been absolutely amazing, everyone especially her teachers are just astonished, and it's beautiful for me as I can see all our hard work coming out in her. I'm going pretty well, having a few sleepless nights but in general bouncing back! It's nice to have energy again!

As for Natalie's birth: I went into labour about 8am as we were getting ready for the school run, at first I thought it might be the false labours again but as it stayed regular and felt more intense, I turned around just as we were getting CJ to school I just knew it was "it" so I called Mike back from the train and got my brother to come over, and we all went to the hospital (including CJ) to get checked out at about 11am, and I was only 1cm dilated but regular... At 2.30 the midwife sent me home, she said it was regular but not intense enough and to come back if it intensified - even though I kept saying as soon as I stand up it got worse 3 fold over and they kept me sitting on the bed tied up to the machines for hours... Anyway at about 6pm at home it was much worse so I knew I had to go back (left CJ at home because we knew it would be late by this stage), I was about 5cms then. 10pm my OB came to check on me (he had another patient birthing in the room next to me, LOL she was screaming the place down and was hours behind me!) and he broke my waters and said it would be half an hour, he stayed with me and rubbed my back (what an OB he was so gentle!) and left me after midnight, he was absolutely fantastic. I had some gas only and no stitches again! Natalie had an apgar of 9 straight away, absolutely amazing, meanwhile the girl next door was still going and about to get a epi LOL... Finally about 2.30am we got to our room and into bed, I was so knackered! LOL And we brought CJ in the morning to come and meet Natalie by herself before the visitors arrived, and we went home the next day. Loved the hospital and the midwives were great, but I just wanted to get home.

Bec - congratulations once again, I love your pics of the boys they are so cute, and you are looking well, how are you feeling? Thank you for posting Natalie's arrival in here for me. And such wonderful news that Khodi won't need surgery after all, yay!

Jayne - I feel for you honey, to be honest if those women can push you out like that and treat you that way, you don't need friends like that and neither does Caleb, and I'm sure he gets plenty of socialisation at school and from your other friends who care for you and you're better off without them. Big hugs to you, you are SO much better than they are, and they are the ones missing out on your friendship! And good on you for the extra classes for Caleb, I wish I had something like that for CJ as you know I worry about her too, and she is still behind. I can't believe those kids are teasing him at their age! I'm sure there are areas where Caleb is ahead of his peers, literacy may not be his strong suit right now but I bet you he is taking it all in, and when he is ready he'll be right up there with the other kids!

Sal - how's school going you sound tired love... hang in there it's almost holidays! And I couldn't help laughing at your comment about pgs being contagious in here lately! LOL!!

MJ - Aww Congratulations!! Let us know what happens! Carli is adorable and so bright, how cute! LOL I always wanted more brothers and sisters when I was about 5 plus... I used to ask mum all the time when and how I could have a sister or brother which was most embarrassing for mum! LOL My dad was about 45 too when he had his second child/second marriage and he definitely enjoyed it more the second time around than I think he did when it was my turn (he was 21 then).

Helly - I love your boys pics on FB they are so cute, congratulations again!! CJ's lost all her front teeth, the first one in Sept. 09 and she's lost one every few months since then, at one time she had 5 gaps at once she looked so funny! LOL At the dental van at school they said her adult molars are coming in!

Xmas presents - I'm so slack I have NOTHING organised!! I don't know what to get either or what we are going to do! LOL CJ says she wants a doll house and a big pink unicorn teddy which neither DH or I want to get for her... is it just me or is it getting harder every year!

Lots of love to all of you xox

Hi guys - Im feeling alot better - i went to the gym & strutted my big butt around there & felt so much better -
Caleb had a shocker when I left him at school yest - he was sobbing - i havent seen him like that in years - i didnt leave him - walked him up to his classroom - his teacher looked worried - it was all I could do guys to not cry myself - it was horrible - bring on the holidays I say ! I could king hit some sh*ts in that class I tell ya -

he was happy as when I picked him up - I took him to the outside class yest & to be honest with you guys I think the teacher was floored at how behind he is i thought she had tears in her eyes!! HONEST !
Anyway he is doing private lessons for 2 times a week for the next 3 weeks & then holiday lessons too - and home work - Im not gonna hammer the little guy though - we shall see how we go -
As for the kindy mums - yes its a DRAMA - and who needs it?
Im only worried for Caleb - there are sme REALLY nice mums there that I do know & like & sit with - its the b**chyness that gets me so down - i dont understand that to be honest -
i was having a bad day yest so Im sorry for the moan however as always Im so grateful for the replies XXXXXX
Bridg thanks angel for the words of support as always - and I know you guys are right - its just when U are in that space in your head its hard work and I find it all so tiring - and confusing - TBH Caleb seems just so happy to be with his family at the moment - he loves swimming with Amy & there are some nice kids in these units that we live in & they all rides their bikes etc & play cricket together - he seems secure in this world - school is doing his head in - i loathe it -

Michelle one of my close mates - her mum had her brother - then five years later her sister then five years later my mate came along - now my friend has a 5 year old that starts at calebs school next year & my mate is pregnant again - due in April - all planned - they love the age gap - they wanted it that way - we are not old yet babe !

thats a kack - smart little cookie there
the girls will love sharing I think - Caleb spends quite a bit of time playing musical beds at night to be honest but hey - as long as we all get some sleep then I dont care
i think the girls will love it to be honest they will feel like little mommies themselves

have a top day all - thank you again for the support XX
much love to the little bubbies XX

Will be back later for more personals, just wanted to Jayne. Poor you and poor Caleb
One thing I can't recommend enough is Reading Eggs - I think it made such a difference to A's reading. He was so into it last year/start of this and it sounds like it might be something that would be really helpful for Caleb (especially if he likes computers - it's fun for the kids and they can do it without the sense they're being corrected and at their own pace) At first he didn't transfer what he was doing on screen to paper books but then it all just clicked and he raced off with his reading... You can often get free trials too so that you can see if it's for you.

Bridget Your birth story's great, well done. So glad that CJ is loving being a big sister, it's so lovely watching it grow and develop. A gets the longest hardest laughs out of N that anyone can, and it's just magic watching the bond get stronger every day (though poor N never gets to sleep properly when A is around, no matter how many times we tell him not to, he is deliberately loud and bouncy cos he just wants N to be awake )

Lord and master is whinging so I better go - he's at that stage where he wants to be held to stand continually - and is making attempts to get on hands and knees with doses of frustration that he can't do what he wants to!

helly

ladies xx quick Q - can someone explain me to about nintendo DS ?
and what would be good for Caleb ? Hubby has just advised in CODE that this is what the little guy wants & I have NO Idea at all what they even are XXXXXX

Hi Girls,
Phew I made it! Ive been reading and catching up with all your news but just havent had the time or energy to come on here.
Work is going ok but stressful. Its just as hard as before with the autistic boy but finally he has a position at a specialised Autism school.
He begins next year. It will be just the best thing for him. He doesnt want to go of course, but hopefully after a week there he will realise that its a great place.
I would love to go and see how he goes, and to see how the teachers there get him to do anything that he is supposed to do, without it resulting in a violent episode.
It has taken our Principal 6 months to get him into this school so I really hope he sticks at it.
Sooo only 3 weeks to go until the end of school- yipppee!!!
It has been a great experience for me, career wise, working alongside another aide in the classroom. That is pretty unheard of, having 2 aides in one classroom, so I was fortunate enough to be able to work with a more experienced aide for all of that time.
I have learnt so much from her.
I am hopeful that I will be there again next year. There are at least 3 more funded children coming into the school , so there should be enough work for all of us.

Liam is going better at night now, thank goodness. Last night he actually slept through, which was a complete blessing as DH and I are exhausted.
He has got to the stage, though where I can just lead him back to his bed and he goes back to sleep, without any terrors happening, which makes it so much easier. When he had terrors we could be awake for half an hour at least calming him down and trying to get him back to sleep.
One thing we have done to try to help him more is move Owen into his room. It hasnt really helped much with his sleeping,but they love being together.
So yesterday we made it a permenant arrangement. They LOVE it. We had to shift a few things around but Owens bed is in there now and his room has become the playroom, which they both think is just great!

Owen had his eyes checked again last week and it seems he has to wear them all the time for the next 12 months. They had improved from last time but not enough. I can see him wearing them all the time forever like his Uncle. Dad wears them for reading. All of DHs family wear glasses so i gues I shouldnt be surprised.
We are still having Michael Jackson daily LOL. He is sooo excited that a new album is coming out for Xmas.
Hes so funny. He is getting so good at doing all the moves.
He hasnt lost any teeth yet.

Helly- we have Reading eggs at our school. Isnt it fantastic? the boys love it and are learning so much.
You used to be able to have a free trial, but Im not sure they are doing that anymore.

Michelle- how are you feeling? come round to the idea of having another? Youll be fine. The third one just seems to fit.

Jayne- sorry to hear about Caleb, it will all work out.
DS, sorry no, we dont have one.

Bridget- You sound so relaxed with the littlie, well done, youre doing a great job. Hows CJ going with her?

Well gotta dash as usual. Hope the rest of you guys are ok
Sal

Jayne no nintendo DS here either, but what I do know about them - there are 3 different ones:
DS Lite - doesn't have an inbuilt camera but the other ones do I think.
DS i - slightly bigger size and screen size than the DS Lite.
DS XL - larger in size than the other two, and as such has a larger screen.
You have to buy individual games for them which means cartridge based games. I think I read somewhere that you can get them chipped?
I would consider a PSP or even an itouch as alternatives as well, have a look around at them all in stores and then decide. Consider prices for extra games, how easy the device would break if not cared for (especially having a younger child), would you buy a protective case for it and how much extra would it cost etc etc.
What I dislike about the DS's is having cartridges laying around, they would get lost/misplaced here. Whereas with the itouch you would purchase all the games through itunes app store, so no cartridges and you can get a lot of games for free.

Good morning

Jayne - as for DS's - you can pick up a DSi with a game for about $200 (on special). As Bec said the DSi's have a camera. I'm still looking at a DS lite recycled at EB games for $108, however I heard they have gone up to $125, which makes me think I'd be better going a new one... I'm too indecisive! .. and you can get chips which hold multiple games for about $30-40.

I don't even know what an I-Touch is, but this sounds like a good option too, just not sure of the price.

DH is now in the anger stage... and I'm in the crying stage. Thinking about the $$ side of things is very disheartening. Surely these times will pass and the acceptance/excitiement stage will follow soon. LM, you're response def cheered me up and made me realise I need to look at this differently.

Will pop back later to add comments to the other posts.

Cheers
MJ

oh hun thats tough

very very tough - hugs to you - money worries are so horrible - i know - this is more important & money will come somehow - you will make it work Im sure that u will - oh babes - much love to you XXXXXXXXX

Qick note from me - I went into Calebs classroom this morn & advised his teacher that on Tues I will be taking him out at 2.15pm for his special classes - " oh dear - out of school?? well I guess at this time of year its ok however NO normally NO this wouldnt be ok" then she said to me " i told you that next year he will be in special reading classes - i told you that he will be with children of some ability" I asked her that two weeks ago & replied that she didnt know & wouldnt know til next year !!!!
Then she says to me " will you stop showing him your anxiety ??" I replied and Said that I DONT - WE DONT - then I just started to cry OMG
standing in the classroom crying OMG
I was so MAD !!!!!
Anyway got it together - got caleb into his lines & went to the gym I was swearing to myself on the exercise bike I* was so ****ing angry - not the reaction that I was expecting friends - oh well
XX


hey michelle - thinking of u babe - your post made me well up - its an emotional time for all of u at the moment - its just such a top thing though - its so clever & amazing - things have a way of sorting themselves out - love to u X

Oh Jayne, you poor thing. What did the teacher do then? From what I read, you're doing what you can to support Caleb. Of course you're anxious about his development - that's normal! How the heck is telling the teacher he's doing extra classes showing that? It doesn't make sense to me. Doesn't sound like they are very good at communicating and prefer to brush you off. .... only 3 weeks left.... you can make it!

.. and through all this you're thinking of me. Thanks x You're so right, about it being an amazing time, it's just all a bit hazy right now.

Talk soon
MJ x

OMG Jayne, I hope the teacher didn't say that stuff in front of Caleb or any of the other kids because that would be so wrong if she did! Sounds like she doesn't communicate to you very well either and it's your choice as to what extra support you put in place for him now, not hers, and you certainly don't need to wait till next year till the school puts extra assistance in place - you could be waiting forever. Early intervention is a much better option!

Michelle you and DH will get past the anger/crying stages, for us 3 will make a big difference to our finances. We were considering private secondary school for our kids but I honestly now don't know if that will be an option with 3 unless we are both working full time. NOt to mention our plans for investing in a bigger house for ourselves and a couple of investment properties, we can keep dreaming for now lol! Can't predict the future though, so just have to play it as it goes, make the decisions you think are right at the time, put some financial plans/goals in place but keep them flexible as life often changes (as we all know )

Bec

guys - I just spoke with my mate who knows all about this situation with Caleb & she also went through very similar situation with her eldest son -
she advised me to contact the head of kindy ( I dont think there is one - Im not sure though ) or go to the principal & explain what is going on & that I need a guarantee that Caleb is going to get into special reading class for next year - im not sure what to do about that side of it - dont want to be seen as the moan parent - however my friend did that & its worked wonders for her son -or tell them that i will remove caleb from the school -
i dont know what to do however I know that a smaller school would have been so much better for him - shame that we couldnt get him into one

michelle remember too hun that hormones are CRANKING right now for you & tiredness also - its very very normal to be upset & emotional - DH will calm down too - its a big change - such a wonderful one though - and in the long term - worth it
try & have a rest babe XXX

A lost his first tooth tonight!! (Ironically, the same one that N got just last week, lol) Bummer though, DP and he were having watermelon for dessert and there was a “pip” and it got chucked into the rubbish, it was quite a bit after that A realised he lost it We got him to write a letter to the tooth fairy, who has left $5 but I’m sad that we didn’t find it (yup, I looked!)

Jayne We got a DS Lite for A for Xmas, I’ve heard the Lite is better for this age group and he doesn’t need the camera or Net connectivity. We got ours off Ebay, rrom Hong Kong – you don’t get the Aussie warranty but I checked the feedback and seller carefully and am happy with it, a really big chunk cheaper than any deal I could find locally (there seem to be good bundle deals come up for the DSi and XL but not Lite)
Sorry you had such a horrible time this morning, maybe the staff have been having meetings about next year in the last week or 2, and so she couldn’t tell you 2 weeks ago for certain but not it’s been sorted out?

Sal It sounds like you’ve gained some great experience there I’ve been lucky workwise too, in often falling into situations where I could learn from others and it certainly makes the learning curve so much better. So sweet that the boys are sharing – A is agitating already to have the baby in with him (wonder if he’ll say that in a few years!)

MJ I think what you’re feeling is totally normal. Despite being so very very very wanted, I spent a big chunk of my pg thinking “oh no. what the hell have we done” and flip-flopping between happiness and thinking it was all a huge mistake. After the birth all of the ambivalence just went and the little guy is just such a blessing. As for the finances, who knows what the future will hold (for any of us) I’ve been doing some studying while off and am going to head in bit of a different direction (primarily so that I can hopefully cut my hours down/work from home while the baby is still little) and it can be a bit exciting that things are panning out different than planned…

Bec How’s Quinn going??

helly

bridg i just read your birth story - sorry for the delay
Its a GREAT story - wow what a top obs!!!
you are so strong lady - JEEEZUS!!
thats awesome babe XX
so happy for you XXX i dont know how us chicks do it !!clever !!!!!!!!