[Tamara]

Awesome! thank you Heidi.

I took the children to school today because last night I received and email sos from the teacher re costumes and decided to go in and see for myself. You should see that lion outfit! It is HUGE! I asked if I could cut it up and was given permission. There is no way I would be able to “just run it in” on a little dude about N’s size. So my plan is to take what I can to use to construct a more appropriately sized lion costume. She even had her grandmother’s fur collar there! Not that I could cut that up! I passed on it because I think it is a bit precious to use but may have to use it some where along the line should I need to. I wont be cutting it up though!

The teacher’s plan for the mane was just a simple headband but when I proposed the hood she sprang at the chance, especially after I said it would take no time at all. I am happy to help out and I am pretty sure that my current work load is sufficient. I have until the 30th June to be done so the Monday the 1st they can have it all there ready to go. I will endeavour to beat the deadline if I can so they can practise a bit in them.

Heidi how did you do the mane on your lion hood? I was thinking of using wool.

[Nicole]

Tamara, I made lion manes once using that soft fluffy boa, not feathers as such, faux marabou?

[with love Heidi]

l used polar fleece. I cut it into long strips about 6″ wide and then used 3 of them folded in half lengthways to sew into the bear hood. Then once I finished the hood I cut the strips about one inch apart all the way along. l used 3 colours in the mane as that was what I had on hand red, Yellow and grey/brown.

[meleliza]

Yes, the kids do like going to school even so young, but at $620/month, it’s just not in my budget “for fun.” I mean there’s an endless amount of fun things to do with kids, but there is a finite amount of money.

[KarenK]

Wow, that sounds more like a full time daycare tuition than preschool.

I hope you’ll post pictures of that lion costume make over, Tamara. Sounds like a fun challenge.

[Nicole]

Off on a tangent…. Tamara, you purchased Imo some rose embossed fabric didn’t you? I found this pin and thought of her http://pinterest.com/pin/80150068341680413/ .

[Tamara]

Aaah! Looks like a trip to spotlight is needed and I will do it myself this time seeing as salespeople lead my men on a different path! Fil is close to our store now but I wont bother intimidating him with a mystery fabric purchase hehe!

Right now though we are all laid up with blocked noses and sore heads so the weekend is out!

I am hoping to actually get the outer shell from this massive lion costume also so it looks like it is a set – I told the teacher they can be donated to the kindy/ pre primary after the event but she might put it back in the drama cupboard. Doesn’t matter because it will be there for future use and less likely to be too big then.

Nicole, I didn’t in the end. I think I just ran out of time. Thanks for the link, you are a gem! The dress is gorgeous!

Anyone willing to do a rain dance? Our crops are falling sideways and the weather man keeps promising rain but…. Only light stuff so the heavy bit up the top (where it should be their dry season) needs to come down further. Murray was asking about when the mine is wanting more workers – when he says things like that the situation is gloomy!

I had news about my parents most gorgeous Cavoodle puppy being hit by a car because my silly silly dad decided to train them to walk minus a lead AT NIGHT! And as a result the poor darling smashed one of his hips (left?) and they had to rush him to Murdoch hospital because the local vet was closed. He is about 18 months old and heading out of the puppy stage but his loopy little moodle mate was the one that ran off! He is recuperating but after the massive vet bill, I am hoping dad has learned his lesson! And I hope mum will decide to walk with him in future.

I am definitely going to revisit the 123 magic for teacher dvd – we had an incident that resulted in N going to buddy class which is serious! I have a feeling the young teachers were trying to reason with him and if you have a passionate child there is NO reasoning with them when they are in their state of passion. Poor kid was complaining of a headache yesterday so probably wasn’t feeling wonderful and really needed a drink from the fountain where he was unfortunately last and wasn’t allowed to go to a different one.

[rastis]

ok… i’ve hit the desperation stage… anyone have any tips for hurrying a baby along? i’ve got till thursday when i’m going to be induced if bubs hasn’t come by then… and i really wanna avoid an induction… hit me with your ideas ladies… this mama needs to give this baby an eviction notice stat 🙂

[Nicole]

You poor darling Virginia, I had all premmies so I have no personal experience.

I would suggest getting as much sleep as you can but I remember a Mid saying sex could help establish labour as long as the waters were intact.

I can’t say I tried it out, wasn’t really in the mood.

The ‘golden oldies’ are curry, driving on a bumpy road and starting a sewing project!

Thinking of you, I will be so glad for you when it is over.

xxx

[Tamara]

When I was in hospital prior to having Noah (wasn’t in labour but blood pressure was doing crazy things) there was a lady in the room opposite who had just had her third baby and she said what she did to speed things along was to sit on a fit ball! If you have one use it! She said it really worked and she happens to be a nurse at the maternity ward we were both in!

I didnt get to do it with either of mine as I was induced with Imogen (that’s why I really understand how you must be feeling) and Noah was a no labour baby.

I have just googled and there are lots of ladies who recommend bouncing on the ball. It does something to help bub move into position and get thongs (I mean THINGS) rolling. For you though I would sit on it quite a bit as time is a running out!

The important thing is not to stress too much! But having said that I know how worried you feel about inductions – I wouldn’t wish that for you if you could possibly help it.

Wishing you lots of success in your birth week and here’s to a (virtual) wetting of baby’s head when it finally arrives. And do let us know if it really does work because I wouldnt know what else to suggest.

Xxxxx Tamara

[rastis]

oh goodness premmies, i cannot even imagine! that’s another stress altogether! i was actually a premmie… but my children seem far too happy on the inside!

i’ve been having stern talks with this baby assuring it, that it’s not nearly so comfortable in there as it thinks it is… unfortunately it doesn’t seem to believe me 🙁 i almost had to be induced with no. 1 and was booked into accupuncture the day i went into labour with him (just missed my induction date by a couple of days)… second one was breech up until almost the end when she decided to turn on her own… so narrowly avoided a c-sect and this one is just sitting there fully engaged and completely happy not wanting to go anywhere… my OB’s given me a deadline of wednesday- induction booked first thing thursday 🙁 i’ve never been induced before and i am so very nervous about the whole thing, desperately hoping to not end up with an emergency CS… i will try just about anything (but probably not castor oil!! don’t think i could bring myself to do it- although i might feel differently by wed :)… been sitting on a fitball bouncing up and down this afternoon… then planted some bulbs in my garden hoping to jiggle things up… plenty of contractions but no real action… having something spicy for dinner tonight… and while getting jiggy-with-it is far from my mind at the moment (being this far pregnant i’m feeling like a one-way exit zone at the moment- although apparently i need better signposts) i’ll consider trying most things right now! come on baby!!!

[Masha Richart]

On inductions – castor oil isn’t actually that bad. I took some this last time around, because my water broke and 18 hours later I still had no contractions. The castor oil actually did not affect me at all – it did not start labor and I had none of the nasty side-effects I was so worried about. We also tried (ahem) mimicking a suckling baby, as that is supposed to release oxytocin to start contractions. You can do it with a pump or other ways. And yes, sex. And lots of walking. In the end, though, I had to have Cervidil. I don’t much recommend that if you can avoid it, but it got the baby out and I did not have a c-section. Good luck!

[Tamara]

Just to reassure you Virginia, that not all inductions end in a c section, my first delivery did because I too had stern talking to my daughter (the first of many it seems) to “go toward the light” which she took literally! She was a facial presentation and then stressed about it after 7 hours of intense labour. Apparently my birth was induced and I was delivered via vacuum suction (sound horrid but my head was ok)

From one who knows, they will generally either give prostins which goes on the cervix or set you up with an oxytocin drip. I had two lots of prostins thanks very much and I hated it because it was from nothing to full on in five minutes and here were these mums walking the halls waiting for their subsequents to get their act together. They probably wont give you a choice, but go with what is policy t your hospital or what the doc prefers. I do know that you cant have it (prostins) again with another birth if you end up with a c section.

C sections aren’t as bad as they used to be either. They make a nice small incision that is covered over anyway so eventually it is one of those “have to search for it scars”. The down side is the lifting and housework afterwards – not for a good six weeks will you be able to drive unless you can do an emergency stop without things hurting (this info from my own ob). So you will need some assistance and it also means longer in hospital. But other than that you wont get a flabby tum any different than with a normal birth – pelvic floor muscles will be found. It will be a little uncomfortable to begin with but if you take it easy you will recover quickly. They will give an epidural if you need one also.

Just letting you know this to ease the possible tension you might be feeling from. It will be ok either way just so long as both you and baby are fine. And it doesn’t mean the end of the baby production if there happens to be future babies after this one, you can deliver them the conventional way, it just heightens the chance of future c sections that is all.

Just keep bouncing on that ball! It will help align baby and hopefully reinforce the message of “what mum says baby has to do” – think of it as an initiation to the discipline that is to come.

Good luck! I hope you wing it so you conveniently miss the induction appointment.

Xx Tamara

[rastis]

so still in one piece today… tried lots of things last night… no success 🙁 apparently i’m making yet another stubborn child!

oh well, perhaps induction won’t be so bad… at least bub will be out!

oh- heads up for aussie girls- i was in spotlight this morning trying to console myself (and willing my waters to break all over the spottie floor 🙂 when i spotted belle & boo fabrics in their quilting section at the moment… my store had 5 prints… i bought 2 of them… with a discount voucher that was burning a hole in my pocket!! i know some of you girls like belle & boo so thought i’d share!

[Tamara]

If baby is fully engaged then it just can’t be long, here’s hoping it starts tonight as a delayed reaction to your efforts – or the need to acquire belle and boo fabric. I jumped onto their site and have been totally inspired! They have the sweetest little cape with what looks like an embroidered picture on it – ideas are now buzzing so have to get cracking to get these costumes out of the way so I can make it (for no one in particular, just for the sake of it ya know!)

Yes the fabrics are gorgeous!

I am really rather disappointed for you though, I was hoping you’d be hurriedly typing (or dictating) a message for us girls in between rather intense and frequent contractions. Maybe next message?

Now go cut the fabric out so baby decides arrival time is today or tomorrow but definitely not Thursday!