Hi lovely ladies.
Well, a milestone achieved for me today - I finally completed and lodged my Australian tax return! It's been weeks since I first started getting everything organised for it, and it's taken me forever to get it done but the great news is that I'm now due a refund of A$7200 (just over £3000). I'm so delighted as the money will be needed for when I finally get around to doing my UK tax return (which will be a bill, rather than a refund). Ahhhhh it's a good feeling to get a big job like that done and dusted.
Lal if you're still around and reading this, CHOOKAS as we say here in theatre language (which means good luck!) Hope all is progressing and that you get your lovely homebirth as planned.
Thanks for the Vitamin K info Invisible and Veggie. At this stage I still think we're going for the oral, but I'll research it again to see if I can find more info on risks vs benefits of the jab. For one thing, it would certainly be easier just to get one injection rather than having to go in for repeated oral dosages.
Katie that must have been a bit of a scare, hope you're feeling ok now. Good to know bubs is ok despite the temporary misdiagnosis.
trace it's a shame your significant other (I'm stayin well away from the DH/P just in case I get it wrong! ) disagrees with you about the cloth nappies issue, but I agree with you completely about being supportive of their views too. Hopefully you can find a compromise (perhaps you can use cloth, he can use disposables?) Your guinea pigs are very cute, they make me miss my rabbit we had in the UK. I'd agree with Effie, kayz in that they're not the easiest of pets, especially where very small children are concerned. Rabbits have a very timid nature and very wee kiddies can be just a bit too boisterous and rough - and this is speaking from having had rabbits when I was a child. We were too little really, but I think once kids are a bit older and can be a bit more gentle and quiet then it's fine. I'll put up a couple of pictures of our bunny - he was a house rabbit and completely toilet trained (well, almost completely... he did like to leave a couple of his currant size poopsies under the bed from time to time just to 'mark' his territory!) trace I also wanted to say it's great t to see that you got 2 g.pigs as companions, as they're like rabbits and are very social - having one by itself all alone in a cage all day is very sad and a bit mean for the pet IMO. I'm sure they're very happy having you look after them so well!
Regards married/unmarried & name changes, I kept my maiden name for professional purposes (um, ok, well it was really because neither of us could be bothered changing all my paperwork/ID over to another surname!) Actually I find it quite handy as I use my husband's surname as an 'alias' whenever I don't want to give my real name for non-official forms and stuff. I also never give out my home phone number these days, just my mobile, as I don't want it finding its way to marketing lists and ending up with us getting harassed at home by unwanted calls. Anyway DH & I only really got married to have a big party before we moved to the UK (and of course it helped with visa issues too for when we were in the UK, as he's got dual citizenship).
Joel is a lovely name. We have a "J" name at the top of our list at the moment, not that it's official. Just thought I'd mention it in case someone beats me to it. Not that I'm sure it will be a problem with this lovely group (and also because I'm over here in Australia! LOL)
Turnip - I looked up BCG vaccination, and it's for tuberculosis?!? Is your friend in a high risk category? Or is that standard over there? I don't think it is here. Hepatitis B is however, have any of you been asked about whether you want that vaccination done at birth over there?
I'm thinking about buying an overlocker to help with all the sewing I have to do in the next week. Any sewers here on the thread with any knowledge about brands? I want something sturdy but not too pricey. I recently bought a 2nd hand mechanical Pfaff sewing machine from the 80's that is awesome, and I'm sure it will last me a good long time. I'm going to have a look at making some fitted cot sheets this week as well as the fitted mattress protectors. I had a look online for the best way to make them fitted, and they look pretty easy to sew. It'll be nice as I can buy lovely fabrics to match the nursery. DH made me laugh yesterday too as he was looking for a 'poncho' on ebay so that he can wear it to protect himself from baby spew when he's holding his new DS! He meant this in a good way (as in he wants to hold the baby a lot) but I told him if he really wanted one I'd buy him some soft fabric and custom make one for him. So funny though. I would never have thought of that (but may be eating my words when I'm changing my clothes several times a day and he's spew free). I'm also thinking about making a couple of throws for the couches, just to protect them as it's a PITA washing the covers, they take ages to dry. So much to do.. this bub had better not come early, or I'll be stuffed!