Seeing as though our bubbys are or are about to turn 1, I thought I'd move our thread here...How exciting!

I can't believe we are in this section now.......WOW!!!

Re-posting this in this section....

Oh those shoes are gorgeous. She is going to look very very cute for her party. Hope to see some piccies!!

Extension to your post about formula.....for me l think the companies scare you into thinking if you don't continue on to step three then you aren't providing your baby with all the required nutrients. Which is ridiculous. If you give Caitlin a wide variety of fruit, veg and meats etc etc then she is definitely getting all that she needs. I've started introducing soy to his morning morning. He currently has 60mL soy and 150mL formula. By 12 months this will just be a soy drink, and then his final feed at 6:30pm will be formula....just for a little longer. I don't know why l want to keep the last one formula....l guess in my head it will fill him up to last through he night, which is possibly a silly thought. I'm sure l will get over the formula at 6:30pm bottle after a few months.

yay!

Yeah I'm thinking the step 3 formula is a bit of a gimmick too...but Dh is convinced it is the better option. I'm worried she won't even like the taste of it. She has a cup of cows milk in the afternoon, creche' started doing this so I just proceeded with it. I think I will stop giving her her current formula in a bottle, and switch it to a sippy cup, then once her tin of step 2 runs out, give her full cows milk for those two drinks. I don't honestly think she would even miss her night bottle, but she does like her morning one.

Today we pushed her morning nap out until 12:30pm but she only slept an hour
I think she is cutting another tooth somewhere, because she is a grump, but trying to be happy, she is drooling alot morning the normal, and since yesterday she hasnt been that interested in either of her bottles, and when that happens it is normally cos of teeth. I've tried looking but I can see which ones are coming through So I think I will try and hold off on the nap until after her birthday party for now. By then hopefully her teeth have calmed down again...oh how I hate the teething process!

Today, DH has laying on the lounge room floor, and I was on the couch, Caitlin was in the lounge room, standing up against her book box, and I was watching her, and then out of nowhere, she let go, and walked across the lounge to her Daddy! Omg it was so exciting! She ended up falling once she got to him, but she found that hilarious...it was so cute

That is so exciting Jacqui!! Only 12 months ago she was a little newborn who could only lay on her back. Now she is walking! It's amazing. Does it look strange to see her walking? I can't imagine Josh walking. But it won't be long l'm sure.

Just about to buy a snow suit off ebay ($10 - bargain). We are going to take Josh up to Lake Mountain in a few weeks to play in the snow. Might even hire a sled!! It will be so much fun, l hope he likes it.

It is funny when you think they will sleep for 2 hours they don't! Cheeky monkeys. I'm doing the same. Holding off going to one sleep until after his birthday/party. That way he should be in a good mood for his party as he sl;eeps for about 1.5 hours int he morning these days. :-) Caitlin did well staying up until 12:30. Teething is awful isn't it. I just got an amber necklace to help manage it. Apparently they are also good for eczema. Here is some info on it if you are interested:
http://www.natureschild.com.au/products/am...for_baby/2575/1

I have friends you have had positive results...so l thought why not try it. It is under his clothes, so you can't even see it. Oh - mine wasn't $50...wow that is pricey!!

Off to make Josh an omelette for lunch. Lucky boy!! I have a list of breakfast and dinner ideas which is very handy. Sometimes l can't think of anything new to give him so he doesn't get bored with Vegemite sandwiches!! haha :-)

Where did you get your amber necklace from mel? Ive heard good things about them to, but dont want to pay 50 bucks.

Does Josh have egg? I didnt know when or how to start egg with Caitlin?

Yeah he has egg. I introduced it into his diet at about 10 1/2 months. I had no idea when to do it, didn't know if there were any "rules" like honey etc. He loves it. He has scrambled eggs on toast some days for breaky or lunch.

I got my necklace from the Steiner Shop in Kallista http://www.epoche.com.au/ . I paid $32. You can get them off ebay for about $20. However, l wasn't sure about the ebay ones...thought they may be fake or something.

I felt all Master Chef today...

I made these as snacks for Josh, thought l would share:

Pumpkin, bran and oat mini muffins
2 cups self-raising flour
Half teas of cinnamon
Half teas of nutmeg
Half teas bi-carb soda (no idea what this does)
Quarter cup brown sugar (l have decreased this from ½ cup)
1 egg
Half cup milk
Quarter cup vegetable oil
1 and a half cups of mashed pumpkin
Half cup oats
Half cup bran

Mix all dry ingredients
Add egg, milk, oil and pumpkin.
Cook at 180deg for 20-25mins or until well done.
Makes about 24 mini muffins

** I used mini muffin trays as they are then perfect size for Josh. They taste pretty good. They seem pretty healthy, not too much sugar.

Jacqui - myself and some mums from mothers group are going to the big slide play centre on Friday (l think lunchtime). Your welcome to come along...might be better than going by yourself. Just thought l would let you know.

Mel the recipe sounds yummy, but it doesn't have the size of the cups it has a ? instead...

Did you introduce egg slowly, like whites first, then yolks? or did you just give him something like an omelette?

Oh that would be cool, I'll let you know closer to Friday, but I should be able to make it!

Fixed up.

I never separated whites from yolks, l didn't really think about it. I didn't actually read up on it... Oops. I gave give food that contained egg first. EG: pikelets or healthy muffins. He had no reaction so l then gave him a little scrammed eggs...no reaction...so now he has omelettes :-) No idea if that is the right way to do it, but it worked for us.

WOW busy day. We had our first session at daycare. Then l went to story time, and after Josh's nap l'm hending over to a friends place.

Daycare was ok. We stayed for 1.5 hours. Josh is clearly a mummys boy!! :-) I will go again next week and then twice the following week...then he starts!!! I'm very nervous about leaving him. He is so used to being at home. He loved playing with all the toys, but kept looking around to see l was there. I "know" he will be fine, but l still worry. Typical first time mum!! lol

Hope everyone is well. Kylie - l hpe the party plans are all sorted!

It's totally normal to feel that way Mel. Caitlin has been going to creche' for 3 months now, and at the start I was more scared than she was. She was a bit clingy a few times, but she loves it there. Once they get used to it, they love going, playing with different toys, and different people plus kids. Of course when I walk in the door to get her, she starts whinging and comes straight to me haha. But I watch her when she isnt looking, and she has a ball!

Thanks Jacqui. That's reassuring. Just hard as l have had him home with me for 12 months, so to let him go for the first time is hard. But you are right, he will love it. Have fun at the playcentre today.

I still feel bad when I leave her! Yesterday she was in her highchair at creche, I kissed her goodbye, and she watched me leave, then turned her head...and didnt care! That made me sad haha

We went to the Yo Yo's centre! I got there at 9:30am, and we were the first people. Caitlin was a bit scared at first but I sat and played with her, then she managed to crawl in (how do you get them out of there if they get stuck by the way?) She loved it in there! Then we went and played with the little tike cars, omg she loved that! I pushed her around the centre and when I stopped at a play house to get her out, she cried and wanted to stay in it! haha So I kept pushing her around, and by now there were quite a few people. We went back and played in the ball put where she swam around in it. Then we went and sat while she had a snack and I met a couple of Mums, she went back to the little kids area and I sat and watched her, she could see me, and then crawled right to me, was so cute. She is sooo knackered now! She fell asleep in the car, normally it wakes her up when I take her out, and for the first time ever she stayed asleep, and I put her to bed lol. I loved it! You're so right Mel, it is so good for them, and us to get out of the house and go somewhere different! I feel so good for getting out, and not going to the same place. I loved playing with her too, and I'm glad I gave her 5 mins on her own to play too. We ended up being there for almost 2 hours! So worth the 4 bucks...well 10 actually, cos I got two hot chocolates while I was there it was freezing!

I've got 3 cleaning jobs now...gives me about 200 bucks cash a week, better than nothing!

That is great, l'm glad you both had so fun much. It's so great getting out, l remember coming home and feeling "normal" and "revitalised". Which l'm sure sounds weird. However, it was just so great to get out and play in a different environment. The best $4 we can ever spend!! :-) I think YoYo's is the better one, just given the amount of space. Once you go to the Big Slide l would be interested to hear what you think.

Josh is so clingy today. Can't play by himself at all and very very whingy. Geezzz.. I "think" l can see a tooth coming through. But who knows. It could be anything.

$200 a week is wonderful! Especially given it's cash in hand. Great work. Things like that really help to decrease stress levels a bit....well l find that anyway.

Off to make chicken, carrot and corn balls for Josh. Like meatballs but l'm using chicken mince

oooo they sound Yummy, is there a recipe?

I made up the recipe....this is kinda what l did

Chicken Balls
1 egg
400g minced chicken
3 small carrots finely chopped (l used a V-slicer)
About 1 and a half cups of corn
Bread crumbs to combine....no idea how much l used

You could put any vegies in it. It made about 18 balls. So l can freeze the rest.

They were a big hit. I made some mashed potato. He loved it. I cut up the chicken ball a bit so he could feed himself a little, then l feed him some with the mash potato.

Happy 1st birthday Tyler!

Have a wonderful day.

We are heading to the Big Slide today at lunch time. I hope they have the heaters on....it is soooo cold! But first....house cleaning :-(

Yay! Happy Birthday Tyler!

Caitin has been super CLINGY the last two days! I can't do anything without her being by myside! As I write this is she standing, leaning on my leg and watching tv! She is normally independant and will want to play on her own, and with me, but she won't do anything without me. I cant even put my shoes on unless she is on my lap
I don't know if it is due to teething, or it is just a stage they go through at this age?

Oh l know what you are feeling. Josh was like that for 2 days....we now have a 6th tooth!!! So it could be teething causing it. But sometimes l just think they go through stages. Josh will have a great 2 weeks, then be grumpy for a week...then back to happy. Sometimes l forget that he is only human, he can't be happy all the time. But that said....oh so draining when you can't even go to the toilet without someone hanging off your leg.

Thanks guys, had a great day today, Tyler had swimming and then we went shopping and had lunch and churro's for dessert hehe. He got one of those laugh and learn activity tables and he loves it (for now anyway LOL, i'm sure the novelty will die off in a few days HEHE). He got a gorgeous little rocking elephant from my mum and dad and a gorgeous outfit with nice warm sprout jacket from my sister His christening/birthday party is on Sunday so i'm sure i'll need to find more storage for things soon! I've made some choc balls and mars bar slice, one of my clients is bringing in some baked cheesecakes (mini ones) and another friend is bringing another sweet for me so all i have to do is clean and make his cake. Just making a number 1 choc fudge cake and decorating it with bright icing and smarties My neighbours mum is making some finger foods like mini curry puffs, satay chicken skewers, mini hamburgers, california rolls, etc so that has taken a lot of pressure off!

In regards to the clingyness, Tyler has reverted to his old clingy monster self this last few weeks. If i am in the room he doesn't want to be near anyone else!!! It is doing my head in again. It was so nice to have 2 months of him being a normal boy and now he's gone back to extremely clingy again. For example if i was holding him while he was drinking his milk and tried to pass him to pete to hold in the exact same position, he would push his bottle away and start screaming his head off!!!! I just want him to be happy!!!

Sounds like Tyler had a great Birthday, and lots of great presents!

The clingy-ness is so hard! Like, I love being Caitlin's Mum, and I love that she wants/needs me, but not constantly! Maybe it is just a stage, hopefully it doesn't last long!

Well l have put my beautiful baby boy to bed for the last time...tomorrow he will be my beautiful toddler!!!! :-)

I'm taking him to YoYo's tomorrow...thought it would be a fun way to spend his birthday.

What time were you going to Yo Yo's Mel? I was planning on going again with Caitlin lol.
Yay for him being a Toddler tomorrow! Wow a year already! Where did it go?

I worked out why Caitlin is so clingy/grumpy, she is cutting two teeth on the same side, at the same time! The poor thing, it must be killing her

Will go after his first sleep....so be there about 11:45ish

I was going to take her to lollipops, but I looked at the prices! Wowzies!

I just stayed up late, (11pm for me is pretty late) to make some photo boards for Caitlin's party! Omg so tired now, they took longer than I had planned, and I need one more bit of cardboard.
I still need to bake the rest of the cupcakes, make more chocolates (I'm giving out chocolate butterfly pops as party favours), I need to make 4 butter cakes for the birthday cake...hmm what else, I need to get something to wear, oh I need to make the ice cream...and yeah. Im working Tuesday, and Thursday, which are my Caitlin free days, so I'll need to fit all this in in between lol.

How did Tyler's party go Kylie? I can't wait to see some photos!!

It is 11:06pm...l'm up doing a powerpoint presentation for Joshy's party...so tired. Though exactly 12 months ago NOW l went into labour....

Happy Birthday Josh

A powerpoint presentation! Wow that would be pretty cool!

Someone told me yesterday that having a birthday party before a person's Birthday is bad luck..has anyone ever heard that??

Today I need to bake the cakes I need for the Birthday Cake, and finish the Photo posters! Hopefully Caitlin "allows" me to do this haha!

Just a slide show on powerpoint to play whilst the party is going on.

We had lovely birthday cuddles in bed this morning. I must admit l feel very clucky today, wanting to do it all again.

Never heard about that myth Jacqui. Sounds silly to me....l wouldn't worry about it. It is just like the one "don't change your calendar month to early as it is bad luck".

Is Caitlin still clingy?

She isn't as clingy today (so far). She was sooooooooooo grumpy last night that she ended up going to bed just after 5pm, and slept till 7am this morning She must of really needed that!

Well so far I have made one batch of chocolates & I have 18 cupcakes in the oven and another 18 in the freezer!

Morning cuddles sound nice! I saw the pics of his car, super cute!

Ughh I am so tired! I can't wait till I've finished everything for this party. I've baked all 4 of the cakes, and they're in the freezer. I have one more batch of cupcakes to make, and a few more chocolates to make...feels like it is taking forever!

Your good. I'm doing all mine on Saturday. Just picked up the meat and have finished separating blue and green M&M's for his cake. It is going to be so cold on Sunday - l hope everyone fits in our house.

Well Josh is catnapping again. Started on Saturday. No idea why....he has been so consistent with his day sleeps. He has a cold and diarrhea at the moment so maybe he just feels crappy....or maybe it is time for 1 sleep a day.... mmmm thinking thinking....

I'd probably wait until after his cold has gone to see if that is why he was cat napping. I tried putting caitlin down to one nap, but she just isnt ready yet, even though the afternoon nap is a struggle Caitlin walked again today, she picks and chooses what days she wants to walk lol

I am so tired! I have finished all the cupcakes now! All 50 of them are in the freezer. I dont want to ever make a cupcake again

Yeah l was thinking that as well. He has one more orientation at daycare which l think l will push back to next Friday. Give his immune system a chance to rebuild. He did better on Tuesday, played by himself a lot more.

Caitlin is doing great with her walking. Hopefully she does it at her party. Saw your FB status, sounds like she had an upset tummy or something, poor little girl.

Mum is coming up today, which is great. Mum will take Josh so l can clean the house and cook for the party.

That's good to hear that Josh did better at his orientation. You'll find once he starts going to daycare he will pick up every bug possible! But it helps build their immune syster I suppose.
That is handy your Mum is down to help!

I worked this morning, Thursdays Caitlin is normally at Creche', but this morning she vomitted all over her cot and bedroom floor So there was no way I could risk her going...Stewart watched her, while I went to work, then when I got home he went to work lol. She has been fine since then, so I'm not sure what caused it. I can handle drool, poo, snot, but vomit makes me so sick! Now I'm trying to clean the house, and then my car, but it is becoming difficult with my little shadow lol. Tomorrow I'll be at my MIL's to help set up for Saturday. I can't wait till this party is over lol. I hope it will all turn out okay, I have put so much time, effort and money into it .

Hope Caitlin isn't coming down with something Jacqui! Bugs suck!!! Tyler did big vomits after his morning milk 4 out of 5 days last week and had DISGUSTING nappies for a few days!!! Now he has a cold, poor things, it never ends! You will be very glad once the party is over and the cleaning is done! I'm having parties at playcentres from now on LOL

Hope the catnapping is just due to Josh being crook Mel! Although i have found the one sleep to be soooo much better for tyler. He was doing 1x 1hr-1hr and 20min sleep and one 20min nap and now he is doing a little 5min nap on the way to or home from somewhere around 10.30/11am and then bed at 1.30 and he has been doing 2-2.5hrs Sometimes it's been a shorter one but there have been some good long stretches in there too Good luck with it whatever you end up having to do....it's a tricky time transferring to one sleep!!

Well Tyler is a bit steadier with his couple of steps. He started letting go of things and standing there looking around (looking very proud i must add LOL) on Tuesday, the day after taking some steps between me and mum. Cooper took a few weeks to voluntarily let go and move to something LOL Tyler gets so excited when he takes some steps though, its sooo cute

TOok him for his 12month MCHN appt today. He is 77cm long and weight with cloth nappy, jumper, t.shirt and body suit was 9.94kgs so probably around 9.6 without all that (same as cooper was). She was happy with everything and we go back at 18 months. Now just need to wait for this cold to bugger off so i can book him in for his 12 month needles!

How cute Tyler starting to walk! He must be so chuffed with himself! Hopefully he is feeling better soon. I've heard the 12 month needles can really effect them afterwards, is that true Kylie? How did Cooper go after his 12 month ones? Interesting to know Tylers measurements! I can't wait to find out Caitlin's measurements, her mchn appt is on the 7th of July!

We had our 12 month check up today.

Weight - 9.2kg
Length - 75.4cm
Head circ - 48cm

He slept 1 hour 15mins this morning which was good, but only 45min in the afternoon. So at least it wasn't 2 catnaps. SO that tells me his cold/tummy upset is causing it. That said, going to one sleep will be great!!! Something funny happened today. My brother was over and chatting away. Josh was standing at the bookcase with no nappy on. All of a sudden he pooped everywhere!!! I have never seen my brother move so quickly. He was gagging!!! Very very funny. He can't deal with poo or vomit.

Getting needles next week l think. I have also heard that they react badly to the 12 month needles. It's 3 needles!!!! Poor babies.

How cute that Tyler is taking more and more steps. He would be loving the freedom. Is he as clingy now he is walking a little more?

Well Caitlin's party went really well! A lot of people, but so worth it. The meat turned out beautifully! Caitlin got soooooooooooooo many presents!! Like I mean a lot! She still hasn't gotten her presents off of us and my Dad yet! I unpacked all her new toys last night and she has had a ball playing with them today. She also got a lot of new clothes in sizes 1 (which is is currently in), 2 and 3!! So we're stocked up for a while. She didn't want any cake, she was a bit off her food yesterday, and had a massive number 3 late in the afternoon! She has never had a pooexplosion before, I was totally shocked. It went up to her armpits . She went to bed at 6:30pm, but woke up at 9pm hysterical! It took me 40mins to calm her, her molars are causing so many issues!

I hope Bailey had a wonderful Birthday Lindsay!

Can't wait to see the pics of Josh's party Mel!!

And Kylie, I just read your status about money, we are in exactly the same boat. We don't smoke, drink or gamble, we do have foxtel but it is just the basic package. I use the budget from the government website and that helps, but we don't have any money left over at the end of the month. I did cut Caitlin's creche at one point, but she was so bored, and I decided to keep it for her. That's why Im cleaning houses! It sucks...Middle class is the new poor!

Well party is over....l'm soo tired.

It went really well. Josh got lots of great presents. I think his favourite is the trike. His eyes light up when he rides on it. I'm so glad the party is over, so much preparation involved. Josh loved the chocolate cake. He didn't have an afternoon sleep as he had a little too much sugar in his system. He wasn't grumpy, just "awake". Took a little work to get him to bed at 7pm, but still sleep for now :-).


Bed time.....

Sounds like Josh had a ball! I loved the photo's and video's! Caitlin didn't want to eat anything at the party, and now we know why! We all seem to have a tummy bug. Stewart is home from work today and I've had the runs all morning. This morning Caitlin had another number 3 in her nappy...which was also in her grobag!

It is so much preparation isn't it! Caitlin isn't having another big party until she is 5. Only her uncles, and grandparents! Stewart's family is just to massive lol.

Do you start work next week Mel? Are you looking forward to it?

I completely agree. I said to DH last night l don't want to do this again until 4 or 5. I'm glad l did it, but it is a lot of work and stress.

Yes work next Monday. Today is my last Monday home with him...well until he gets sick of course. I'm a little sad to be leaving him, but looking forward to it also...very mixed emotions.

Arrrghhh Caitlin is super clingy and whingy today! I had another look in her mouth, I thought she was cutting two teeth, but she is actually cutting 3! No wonder she is such a grump!

Sounds like Josh and Caitlin had great parties and got nice and spoilt The pics on fb were great! Love the video of Josh eating the cake Mel!! The parties are exhausting aren't they! You spend so much time preparing and cleaning and then you've got so much cleaning up after everyone goes too! Thats why i got someone to do the food for me this year, i learnt how stressful it was for Cooper's birthday and christening!! We will only do parties every 2nd year and i think they will be in playcentres for a bit hehe

Mel, how many days are you going back to work? Fulltime? I'm sure Josh will be fine at childcare, i can understand how hard it would be to leave him though. I still haven't managed to leave cooper let alone tyler somewhere. I blame money but i'm sure i could afford $15 to leave them in occasional care every now and then for an hour.....i just can't bring myself to LOL

Jacqui, i hope poor Caitlin's teeth cut soon Poor thing! Tyler is awful to check in his mouth for teeth! He hasn't had a new one for ages now (has 4 top and 2 bottom) so i'm expecting more soon. Can't see anything though.

Tyler's clingyness seemed to ease up again after he started taking his few steps last week and standing up and letting go. Maybe it was a developmental frustration thing? He seems to be eating better lately too! He used to be so picky with a sandwich but now he'll pretty much demolish the whole thing. And he'll eat a full adult serve of porridge plus some toast after it LOL He's a real little piggy. If anyone has food he is their best friend and cracks it if you don't share HEHE. I think he's been watching the dog too much LMAO

Going back on Monday. Only working part time (Mon, Tues and Wed). We had our final orientation today He did very well. Exploring more and playing well by himself. He still came over to me a couple of times. It will be interesting to see how he goes. I mentally sooooooo need to go back. I'm not enjoying being at home, l need more stimulation...a better balance. I'm hoping part-time work will help. I'm not sure if l will call the centre on Monday to check on him. I figure they will call me if there is a problem. I haven't made up my mind yet.

Poor Cailtin. That is cruel how many teeth she is cutting at once, not fair. Josh hasn't started cutting those back teeth. Poor daycare when he starts!!

Heading to the Big Slide tomorrow with some friends. I seem to have a very busy final free week. Before l know it l will be sitting at my desk.

I'm sure Josh will do great at day care Mel! He will love it!! Oh and I took Caitlin to Lollipops Playland at Fountain Gate Mel, and their toddler area is the best one I've seen! It is massive, has lots for them to do. Plus they have big slides you can take them down. And with your adult entry you get a free drink! It's the best one I've been to so far, you should check it out.

When l saw that on FB l googled it. It looks great. I think l will have to check it out. I think it was a little more expensive than the others.....is that right?

Just got back from training. I think l'm back to my pre-preg weight...YEAH!!! On that note, l'm off to have lasagna! Yummy

Well l'm madly getting ready to return to work tomorrow. It feels like l'm nesting all over again. I cleaned all the kitchen cupboards last night, organising, washing clothes, making lists, and cooking heaps of food for the freezer. I have my bag packed plus Josh's. The count down begins. :-)

Do you need to supply Josh's lunch at his daycare Mel?

I hope you have a fantastic day back at work!!