Night Lights

Reflection
Originally uploaded by b boy.

These rechargable lights from Vessel called Candela make the perfect night lights for Noodles. Designed as a safe alternative to candles we could also use them for those romantic candle lit dinners that you are supposed to have every so often to make the wife happy! When they are flat they just sit in the base station and once removed will automatically come to light.

Going Dotty

Dotilicious
Originally uploaded by b boy.

Gone are the days of the traditional frieze depicting cutesy animals in the forest or winnie the pooh......Dotilicious is the modern form of wall candy for kids! Re-usable so when you get bored with the design you can rearrange the dots to create all sorts of patterns. Just what a couple of boring white cupboard doors needed to add some interest to the nursery. I guess you are either going to love them or hate them.

Push Car

Push Car
Originally uploaded by b boy.

This little fella came from France....well at least the design did....I think it was actually made in China (what isn't these days). Anyway the company behind this wooden toy, Boikido, has a philosophy about creating wooden, colourful, environmentally freidnly and educational toys to compete with the cheap and nasty world of environment destroying plastic toys. Apart from being as cute as a button it also squeaks when you press the little man in the middle!

Car seat trouble

Yesterday I tried to order the car seat. As I have one of those small, useless but expensive european models I need to get the compact seat design (same as the one Greg and Cheryl have). The only problem is that apparently the company is in the process of redesigning that particular model. They tell me that the casting mould that they use for the capsule has a limited lifespan and it is obviously coming to the end of it's life. But this time instead of just making another one they have decided it is time to do an upgrade. The only problem is that they need to go through all the testing again and did not get the timing all that right so they have run out of the old model and are not sure when the new model will be ready. They are hoping for the next month so we will see. If that is no good we will have to go back to the start and do some more research of which ones are good.

I also see that DJ's are advertising there winter sale now so you know what that means....it's time to buy the cot!

19 weeks!

Noodles
Originally uploaded by b boy.

We had our 19 week scan yesterday and to our great relief everything seemed to be alright. Noodles was a very active little monkey and made the job of the ultrasonographer quite tricky. Everytime she thought that she had a view of what she wanted to record Noodles would move out of the way. Just couldn't sit still and Mel thinks this must be my genes coming through.

And for those of you who are interested in the sex you can scroll down in the window below!

Woo Hoo...We are having a boy!

BBQ Lunch

Mel and Felix
Originally uploaded by b boy.

Greg, Cheryl and Felix came over for lunch today. It was a chance to see how Mel and I would cope with a baby in the house... even if it was for only 5 hours! Felix was quite well behaved we thought and displayed the appropriate amount of cuteness so as to not make us want to change our minds about what is to come. He apparently was trying to have a feed from Mel's boobs until he realised that these ones don't work yet. Very cute indeed!

Full steam ahead for our scan tomorrow!

Baby monitor

Baby monitor
Originally uploaded by b boy.

You got to love a sale. Target had 20% off monitors so I made a late night trip to chermside to get this one. Grandma was a bit surprised to hear we bought something from Target and not some boutique in New Farm but hey, a sale is a sale!

The Tripp Trapp

The finished product
Originally uploaded by b boy.

I picked up the Tripp Trapp today but then had to put it together. Wasn't too tricky. The story behind this chair is as follows:

The Stokke Tripp Trapp is the uniquely adjustable Scandinavian chair design (made in Norway) that grows with your child. The goal of the Tripp Trapp Chair is to lift a child up to a standard table height while maintaining support, balance and movement. The designer of the Tripp Trapp Chair, Peter Opsvik, claims that the footrest is the key element to maintaining support, balance and movement. Study results suggest that children seated in the Tripp Trapp Chair (with their feet on the footrest) show decreased signs of fidgeting, increased stability, and improved levels of table top activity performances.

Of course it could just be all PR hype but the fact that it can be used as a seat for all ages, including adults, seemed like a good idea to us.

Bathurst Street Wednesday 08:53

Church on Bathurst Street
Originally uploaded by b boy.

We decided to take an earlier flight home today so Melinda could get some rest before work tomorrow. As is usual with us the weather is often bad when we go away and clears up the day we are going home. After spending 3 overcast and drizzling days holed up in the hotel room, it seemed no surprise to us that today was quite nice. I didn't end up getting the the baby shops that I wanted to but they do have an onlite shop so I guess that will have to do. Tomorrow I am off to pick up the high-chair at DJ's in the city so no doubt there will be photos on the site after I work out how to put it together :)

Further blows to my masculinity...and other interesting news!

Day 1 of the conference, or to be more precise 75th Annual Scientific Congress, and it was time to register. Melinda had decided to register me as an associate...for a small fee...which meant that I was able to attend her presentation (or any others for that matter), socialise with the other associates and probably be able to claim some of the trip as a tax deduction!

At the registration desk we got our ID badges and then had to pickup the satchels of conference related materials. They gave Mel an overnight size bag filled with mostly conference info and pens etc. Then just as we were about to leave the girl behind the desk said that I got to take a bag as well. But this was not one of the delegates bags...this was an associates bag! A fetching grey musette style bag with the ubiquitous image of the harbour bridge in a white ken done like reproduction. Not a bad looking bag really, although I am not sure that I would really get the opportunity to use it, but hey... who is complaining. Not me...not yet. I don't know what it is exactly that make surgeons (at least the older school) think they are still in the 1950's. Not all surgeons are men and therefore not all surgeons' partners are WOMEN! I might be taking it a little personally but really, a bag filled with nail polish, shampoo, lip stick and cut and blow-dry vouchers, kind of makes it hard not to!!! Oh well, I guess they must have seen me the night before with my handbag as just kind of figured that was my style.

Day 2 came, and having gotten over the whole lip stick thing (which by the way looked quite good on Mel), we went over to the conference so Mel could present her paper. Let's just say all went well. At least I thought it did. Melinda, starting to lose her voice at the worst possible moment, was worried that she sounded like a 1 900 phone operator. Could only have helped I would have thought. Anyway she survived and feeling quite unwell we once again retired to our room sans ice cream this time :(

Anyway in far more interesting news, after many weeks of thinking we could feel little Noodles moving around (but not really being sure..after all gas can feel remarkably like a baby we have decided) I had my hand on the bump and at the same time both Melinda and me felt something that we are most certain was Noodles!! Momentous moment for all involved. It makes it even harder to wait now for the next scan which is only in another 6 days. We will be back in Brisvegas tomorrow and be able to continue our adventures in more familiar surrounds.

We are not Worthy!

We are not worthy
Originally uploaded by b boy.

As you can see by the photo we made it to the convocation. Silly gown at hand and handbagless as was the edict from the President, we made our way to the convention centre. Just a short stroll from our hotel to Darling Harbour. Once there we had to separate as Mel said only the graduands were allowed to associate together. Mel actually tried to sneak her handbag in but must have been frisked by the handbag police and the handbag was refused entry. This of course meant that I had to carry it. I am not sure how much more humiliating it could get for me....Only the husband of a surgeon, only a GP and not a surgeon....AND carrying a handbag!!!! Oh the shame :(

Once inside I found a seat near to where Mel would be sitting (as the Fellows seats were named so handbag carrying GP's would not sit in them). I read the order of service which said that His Excellency Xanana Gusmao was to present an oration but later I was dissapointed to learn that due to recent events in Timor he probably should have been there instead of at a convocation in Australia. Fair enough! His wife, former aussie girl, gave a speech on his behalf.

After all the bigwigs were presented with various awards and honours if was finally Melinda's turn to get presented with her empty cardboard tube. Very exciting. She is so clever and all.

Still feeling quite unwell with her URTI, we didn't hang around for the after party but instead wandered back to our little apartment for icecream under the doona and a well earned rest. hopefully Melinda will be feeling better today.

Timing is Everything

Convocation night - the night when I get to dress up in a gown that suspiciously looks like it could be worn by Lord Voldemort (apart from the bright yellow bands down the front, and the little yellow ties on the side), kindly lent to me by Dilip...

My nose is dripping
My eyes are puffy
I am febrile
I have freaking REFLUX after a glass of water
I have to wear GRANNY STOCKINGS to stop me feeling dizzy

And now I find that I can't take a handbag to the ceremony.

Well convocation people - WHERE DO I PUT MY TISSUES SO I DON'T DRIP ON THE COLLEGE PRESIDENT HMMMMM??

Yeah, bet they never thought or prepared for that one - the pregnant, febrile due to a viral illness, sniffling everywhere as all those lovely anti-head cold medications aren't good for growing Noodles surgeon.

BAH

Scenes from the Medina Grand Sydney Saturday 15:01

Room with a view
Originally uploaded by b boy.

We arrived in Sydney without too much fuss and checked into our appartment, the Medina Grand Sydney. Modest finishings but not too shabby really.
Things seemed to going ok until Mel started to get symptoms of a cold with a very runny nose. So we decided to saty in and order room service until we found out that they don't do room service on the weekend. (I thought this was Sydney not Brisbane!) So we called some delivery service and an hour and a bit later some pizza, ice cream and coke arrived to two very hungry and tired travellers. After a reasonable nights sleep we awoke to a rather cold and overcast day so we will probably just lounge some more today and let Mel recover from her cold.

Sydney trip

We are off to Sydney for 4 nights so Melinda can get presented with a piece of paper while wearing silly clothes and hobnobbing with the president of the highly secretive society of surgeons. Who knows what other strange and ancient rituals they will partake in. It reminds me of a simpsons episode with the stonecutters. Actually she is just getting convocated which is a fancy word for graduated (those crazy surgeons have to have special words for everything). I will amuse myself with shopping and coffee in the city while Melinda is at the conference which is on at the same time. She is very clever and will be presenting a paper on extremely important medical stuff that will one day save the world. I am sure I will be able to find some cool baby shops to buy stuff at while away. I better leave room in my luggage for all the booty (or should that be booties!)

Space V Cost

Pod 2
Originally uploaded by b boy.

The Pod has arrived!!
Now, you be the judge...
Should I be wearing socks with my slides from now on?

If you all say yes then maybe that will convince Mel we need the X3!

Bath time

Bath time
Originally uploaded by b boy.

Every baby needs a bath...at least occasionally...so now Noodles has his! When he gets a little big for this bath the little bear chair can go in the big bath. All very exciting really (if you're into that kind of thing).

Spending Spree

The weekend proved to be an expensive one. But at least everything was on sale.......almost everything! We only bought things that were on the list and we had budgeted for so we weren't too irresponsible :) Starting the spend fest was a luggage pod and roof racks for my new car. With 300 litres of space and bought during a clearance sale it seemed like good value. Of course some people, (hint: L*s), tell me that they are a very tragic and lame accessory that mostly only sock and sandal wearing volvo drivers use but it is cheaper than buying an X3. Mmmm...X3!

After feeling quite pleased with myself on my new purchase, I was driving home and as I passed the Beta Electrical around the corner from our home I did a quick U-turn and decided to see what they had. We had put a chest freezer on the list for storing pre-prepared meals prior to Noodles arrival and also breast milk for when Mel is working and I have Noodles at home. As luck would have it they had a few chest freezers for sale as factory seconds. The one I chose was brand new but when it was put onto the floor for display it got a minute dent in the side. Perfect, and with an extended 5 year warranty it was still cheaper than a "new" one.

2 for 2. What else could I buy? I was on a roll. We went to DJ's in the city as Mel's parents had decided they wanted to buy us a high chair. We had already picked the one we wanted so all we had to do was order it. It will take a week or so to arrive. Although not on special was was undeterred on my hunt for bargains.

Finally, although not baby related, the last purchase was made. We had bought some cordless phones for home about 18 months ago and they proved to be duds and of course now out of warranty. So how could I resist 15% off and an extended 5 year warranty on a pair of new uniden phones. Exhausted from a days spending we retired home for a quiet night in.

Babar the Elephant!

Babar
Originally uploaded by b boy.

Mel tells me there is a good reason that there is a large grey elephant now roaming the house....(well at least A reason anyway, not necessarily a good one). She tells the story like this....Every day for a month when arriving at and leaving work she would take the lifts that happened to be opposite the ladies auxillary shop. Every day while making this trip there would be a big grey elephant staring at her from the wondow of the shop. It would seem to ignore everyone else and look longingly into her eyes. It would seem to be saying to her "free me from these less than adequate surroundings, I dream of a life far from here where I don't have to worry about being handled by careless customers with sticky hands and poor fashion sense". One day, that wasn't particularly any different from the other days that Mel made this trip, she hatched a plan to free her beloved fluffy elephant. Cunningly simple it involved nothing more trading an undisclosed sum of money (or so she tells me) for the freedom of the pesky pacaderm. Hence we now have Babar. I guess he is kind of cute.....so he can stay!

16 and a half weeks

16 and a half weeks
Originally uploaded by b boy.

We had our visit with the specialist again today just to check on how things are going after the minor dramas of last week. From Mel's point of view everything seemed to have settled and she was feeling happy again. The doctor was just as happy today when she had a look with the U/S. Noodles was fairly active squirming around and seeming to be trying to stretch himself some more space. A push with his hands and kicking out his legs with gay abandon (well abandon anyway). At one point it looked like he was waving at us. (Yes I can hear you all saying poor deluded parents to be, but let us have our little fantasies). Next stop...19 week scan on the 22nd May.

PDF's (public displays of feeding)

The conversation went like this....
B: Hey we can use one of those muslin wraps to throw over your shoulder and bub when you need to breast feed in public.
M: Who says I am going to breast feed in public!
B: Well what if Noodles gets hungry when we are out?
M: Have you ever heard of bottles?!
B: Yeah but what if you give him the bottle and he is still hungry?
M: Well give him another bottle!
B: Yeah but what if we run out of ALL the bottles?
M: I am not breast feeding in public!
M: (directed to the belly and presumably to Noodles) Look into my eyes, look into my eyes, the eyes, the eyes, don't look around the eyes, not around the eyes, look into my eyes, aaaand your out. OK Noodles, when we are out and if you have finished your bottle you will not be hungry anymore. You will not need to have anymore until we get home, understand. You definitely won't want to breast feed in public OK. On the count of three you will be back in the womb. 1, 2, 3.
N: WhatEVER!

Behold the Wonders of Modern Science!

Nappy bag part 1
Originally uploaded by b boy.

I give you the modern nappy bag! (or should that be baby disinfecting and deoderizing unit)
Smart yet practical....this multi-award winning design features everything that the owners of a pooey baby could want.

• 100% machine washable (I am sure this will come in handy)
• Folds out to form a well organised change station with everything arranged at your fingertips.
• 2....count them...2 plastic backed, removable, absorbable change mats.
• Attachable (or detachable as the case may be) insulated bottle holder
• Detachable mobile phone pocket
• Straps for either use as a back pack, shoulder strap or slung over the pram handle

And the list goes on......
Check out the series of action shots of this little beauty unfolding before your eyes on the Flickr site.

Really, it is just a nappy bag but I have too much time on my hands at the moment. (which I should be making the most of before Noodles arrives I guess)