Parenting after Loss or Miscarriage ~ March 2009

[BekZ]

Janie - Enjoy the Papa hangover sweets. It might take a day or two to get back to normal.

Jayne - Not sure on the exercise thing but I am glad your butt feels better. Mine has no tone at and you could mistake it for flat pancake hanging down...sorry for the very awful image.. Re the name debate, basically DH and I pronounce the name differently. My being Aussie pronounces it Eeva and he being Polish pronounces it E- ver. I thought bub might get confused etc. The full story is in the name thread area

Willow - I am quite calm about this bub too, but at the same time I am worried about Sara and Loren at times, possibily unreasonably. I feel for Loren being on 19 months old when this bub comes and her having to give up "baby" status in the family. Sorry to hear those damn viens are playing up again, I know you suffered terribly last time. My legs look like an 80 yo too and I will getting surgery when I am done with babies. Thanks for input re baby Eva's name, much appreciated.

Michelle - I felt so guilty when I had Loren. Guilty that I could not spend so much time with Sara and guilty that Loren did not get near as much attention as Sara. Now, I am ok with it all and I realise that when you have more babies God does not give us more arms or more hours in the day but he does give our kids more siblings to grow up with

[~Jayne~]

BEK _ I stalked the thread in question. I love the name pronounced Eeeeva but I know it's a confusing one to be pronounced Ever. Maybe the name Ava could be a compromise? Just to stop you saying Eeeva & DH saying Ever??

Ok, I should be downstairs running the kids bath, but Jessica is so sweetly teaching Claudia the colours, that I don't want to interrupt them. Claudia knows Blue, Yellow, Red & Orange but when she comes to one she doesn't know she says it's '7'. Weird I know!

The most amazing thing happened today! I am still getting over it. We were at my sisters & Jessica was playing with my niece in her bedroom & I was in the patio & I called Jessica & she CAME TO ME & said 'Yes Mummy?' Even my sister choked on her cuppa!!! I couldn't believe it. She NEVER answers me let alone comes to me if we are at somebody's house because she knows I am rounding her up to come home. She IS getting better! I was soooooooo happy with her! I have been telling her ever since how proud I am that she is Mummy's good girl!

Isn't it odd how a teeny tiny thing like that can make my day?? & Alan says I'm high maintenance & expensive to run! NO WAY!

Love Jayne x

[mako]

Bekz I also love the name pronounced "Ever". People get used to hearing they way you say it and in time automatically pronounce it correctly. Either way,the name you have chosen is BEAUTIFUL

Jayne What a gorgeous moment for you with Jessica. They know when to suprise their mummys lol.
Can't wait to meet you on the 22nd April too

DH and I went to the Aquarium a couple of weeks ago and had a great time.Sage screamed when a large stingray swam above him though..Too funny.
Anyway can I suggest that everyone buy their tickets online as it is cheaper(only a little bit) but it saves lining up for ages especially in the school holidays. Anyway thats just a suggestion

I must go..have a busy day today.We are going to look for a car for me so I can get rid of my cr**py car

Hi to everyone.Hope you all have a great weekend.

[Willow]

Mako - new car??!! Woo Hoo!! I was supposed to be getting a new one after tax time this year but with me not working and another bub on the way, aint gonna happen. We need my boring commodore for the family car.

Are we going to the aquarium in school holidays?! Are we insane??!! LOL!

[~Jayne~]

Hey Guys,

I didn't realise it was still school holidays that week? I thought you guys were on holidays a week earlier than us, so when we travelled to Sydney in the second week of OUR holidays, you guys would be back at school?

YES YES YES we are insane if that's still school holidays. Do you reckon we could meet at somebody's house if that's the case???

Love Jayne

[Willow]

Jayne - I have no idea to be honest, Mako would know more than me because of her work. I will double check and let you know. I should know because DDs preschool runs on school terms so she's home for school holidays too

My house is on offer if you'd rather do that, but you'll have to excuse the mess, we've got stuff everywhere trying to get stuff sorted so we can get Boo's room organised etc. Also, it's about a 40 min drive from the city. Michelle's is closer but might be a bit small for us all to squeeze in

[mako]

Sorry to say but YES it is the 2nd week of school holidays that Jayne is in Sydney. I have also been thinking how busy the Aquarium is going to be during that time. DH and I went on a Sunday and it was very busy then too.
I won't offer my house cos for 1 reason its too small and 2nd reason I'm about 2 hours drive from everyone lol. I'm happy to go wherever suits everyone else though

Willow We are looking at either a commodore,falcon or forrester..depending on price and what we like best...need to upgrade me to a "family" car instead of my tiny charade lol. Best part is is my mum is buying my car off me so atleast thats 1 less thing to worry about. What year model is yours? We are considering something from about a 2000 model up

[butterfly_warrior]

Mako, we've got a forrester and I have to say that I absolutely love it to bits. The bit of extra height over a regular station wagon makes it that much easier to get babies in and out of the back... and heaps easier for me to get in and out with my arthritis/mobility issues.

Afraid I can't offer my house - way too small and as my bub is immobile it's completely not child-proof... and likely to still be a mess of cardboard boxes by then!

Exhausted today after a trip to IKEA... absolutely buggered... Have another week ahead of being a solo parent, but at least I have DH around for the weekend. But he's about as exhausted as me, just slightly more functional than me under the influence of methotrexate... it's an interesting weekend and going to be another rough week... I also have Sam off to the paediatric opthalmologist, which will be... interesting... for lack of a better word...

BW

[~Jayne~]

Hey Ladies,

Now, I seriously don't mind everybody visiting me up at my apartment that I will be staying in. I don't mind it in the slightest, but we just have to remember that 1) It's not MY own place, so of course, if something breaks I'm busted & 2) My apartment is split level, so there are stairs. I'm sure I could block it off with chairs, etc... though? Maybe we could do it that everybody brings a plate of food with them & I will get something from some nearby cafe's & maybe if a few people could bring a little bag of toys?

I honestly think that at the Aquarium we won't have a chance to talk & meet each other properly. There will be kids running everywhere & none of us will be able to relax. I know the apartment is going to be scary with stairs but at least the kids are confined to my 4 walls???

Lets just get a list of exactly who is going to be there:

ADULTS KIDS
Jayne Jessica
Claudia

[Willow]

I agree, the city in school holidays is nightmare central anyway, let alone taking them to a kiddy attraction. Also, parking in the city will be a bugger and it's not cheap. We'd train it in most likely (again, not a great option in the school holidays but better than driving in I think).

Seriously, I am happy for you guys to come here if that's the better option? It's a 30-40 min drive Jayne but it's all freeway so it's a quick, easy drive iykwim?? Will you have a car though?

My place is big enough, no stairs, plenty of room outside for the big kids to play, lots of toys, pretty much child proof (although they do surprise you at times don't they??)

Let me know what you all think.

Who's coming

Adults:
Jayne
Mako
BW
Michelle
Lisa
Willow

Kids:
Jess & Claudia
Sage
Samuel
Oscar & Lily
Victoria & Logan
Alexandra

Mako: Ours is a 2000 model, we've had it about 3 years now and it's a good family car, just a bit boring for me! LOL. I'd love another small sporty 4wd one day. Sold my beautiful black Vitara when DD arrived, just wasn't practical anymore

[mako]

Yeh I'm liking the idea of a forrester but DH likes the ford XR6 too. We also have a Landcruiser so atm we really go from 1 extreme to the other with our cars lol.
Willow I hear you on the "boring" feeling too. Its like everywhere you look you see a commodore or ford lol. Oh well I won't be complaining once I have something though

Wow thats a fair sort of list once we are all written down
Are you ok with having all of us at your house Willow? If so,I hope its a nice day so we can keep the kids outside( your backyard is great for littlies) instead of running a muck inside.

BW All the best to you and Sam for Monday. Is this just a routine check,or is the Opthamologist looking for something inparticular?
You are doing a great job caring for Sam pretty much on your own too I have to say. Its not easy when Mummy is well let alone in pain etc. I know how much I struggle some days with my back. Can't get out of bed without help some days and that drives me nuts. So my hat goes off to you

Michelle and Bek Has the gastro bug left your homes yet? I hope it has and stays away for a very long time.

[~Jayne~]

WILLOW _ Your place sounds awesome honey, but no I won't have a hire car, I will be catching a cab. So that is ok, I'll just have to organise that when I get to Syd. I can't even get a ride with Michelle because we won't have enough seats in the car with my 2 girls & her 2 little cherubs. But that is cool, I came to Sydney to catch up with you guys, & catching up it is!

Oh & I am wanting a new car too, but we won't be getting 1 until either mine craps itself in a major way or the mortgage is paid off. I want a Holden Captiva. This talk of new cars is making me jealous!

Jayne

[Willow]

Jayne - bugger! We'll see what everyone else says and then we'll decide. It'll be a pricey cab ride, I've paid up to $100 so we'll try and work something out.....I'd come and get you but we'll have the same problem, we won't all fit, one kid too many!

[Spring Angel]

One word ... 'jealous'

Wish I could join you guys in Sydney.

[Janie]

So jealous here too. I keep thinking about how I've been chatting to you ladies for almost three years, and how dearly I would love to meet you all. Particularly as Miss Jayne is making her way all the way over to the east coast!!! But not to be . I will so look forward to all the talk of the meet up though, and all of those beautiful children playing together. Just think girls, you're going to meet each other's precious bubbas........our reason for meeting in the first place! Very excited for you all

[~Jayne~]

Aaawww shucks, you're all going to make me cry!

Janie I wouldn't worry too much honey, I'm sure I'm going to have to come shopping in Melbourne at some point. Sydney is my 'tester' holiday on how I go on my own on holidays with the children. If they are great - the sky is the limit!

I have been talking to Claudia today about planes & how we are going to go high in the sky on the plane & she said 'Claudy need to bring step, can't reach sky' Meaning she wants to bring her step up to the toilet with her so she can step up to the sky to board the plane! How gorgeous!

I am meant to be going to Bali in the Sept/Oct school holidays with Alan's family. BUt I have been doing some math & I just can't get there. I want to spruce up Jessica's underwater mermaid haven with some new paint & blinds & a mermaid wall paper border & I have been looking at furniture & paints & things for Claudia's room. Now that her seahorse fabric has arrived from the US I can start matching up furniture & colours. Do you know how hard it is to find nice seahorse merchandise? I am hoping Sydney Aquarium is going to help me out with that! I am waiting to see how Claudy handles a big girls bed in Sydney first before I go putting furniture on layby. I have been asking her if she would like a big girls room like Jessica & she says 'No, Claudia likes baby's bed'. So that is saving me soooooooo much money with that statement right there! LOL.

Hope you're all having a great Sunday!

xx

[Michelle71]

Happy to have it at my place - there is a HUGE park within a block or so and there is the outside area of the complex. BUT - I have another suggestion which still sounds nuts during school holidays but may give us the chance to talk and wear the kiddies out.

How about the zoo???

Train into the city for Willow and me (Mako - not sure how you are coming but you could drive to my place), ferry across the harbour (you are in Sydney Jayne and Lisa, have to make the most of it ) and zoo for the day.

Lots of walking if you want or just find the grass for sitting (and talking) and the little people can run about nuts. Lots to see (but you don't HAVE to see it all), petting (animals free range) area too. Kids under 4 are free. Plus I have a guest pass too And a packed lunch will keep the costs down. Plus you can eat overlooking the harbour.

Just a suggestion - BBL. The girl is crying!!

[Willow]

Oooh, I've been wanting to take my kids back for aaaages. Last time we went it POURED all day and completely ruined it for us

It's still nuts, but not as nuts as the aquarium I don't think - it's across the harbour and away from the chaos of Darling Harbour/CBD and trust me, it's pretty bad in school hols. I hated it when I worked in there, funnily enough, it's the teenagers that are the biggest nightmare, they're everywhere!

Also, the cost factor is better I think. A packed lunch will keep costs down and although it'd be great to have it at my place, I'm really not comfortable with Jayne having to fork out $100 in cab fares, that's nuts. You can get a zoo pass from City Rail too which covers train, ferry, zoo entry.

And Michelle's right, it's not a holiday to Sydney without a trip across the harbour in a ferry

Little fella's not well this evening. Woke up after less than an hour sleep and was so upset I couldn't resettle him. Got him up and by about 4pm he was hot and miserable. Brought him inside with the ac on and he just got hotter and hotter so I gave him some nurofen and dinner at 5.30pm, a bath to cool him down and he's been in bed since about 6.45pm. He seemed to perk up a bit after the nurofen so fingers crossed I'm not in for a bad night, I'm not sleeping well as it is Last night was a shocker, tossed and turned all night, woke up at 4am and couldn't get back to sleep till almost 6am!