No house

We gave it all we had at the auction yesterday - which was fast and furious - but pulled out at what we felt was the maximum value of the house, allowing another young family to win. Post-auction we were a little deflated, which was probably due to all those endorphins dropping so quickly, but had justified our actions by mid afternoon. After all, as we keep telling ourselves, the streets are full of houses. I'd like to think I can have a break from the whole home ownership quest for a while, but there is something strangely compelling about the process...

We've had my youngest sister visiting this week, which has been fantastic. Zoe is coping pretty well with the flurry of social activity, and clearly adores her Aunty Melissa. Here's a photo of them with cousin Ella.

Update

Zoe has been sleeping really well in her cot; still waking to feed twice during the night, but that's okay, and it's a relatively efficient operation these days, compared to those early weeks. Of course, I miss having her close, so we bring her in to our bed most mornings, and some nights. I now have the evidence that this is not only okay, but is desirable for baby's wellbeing [thanks to a book recommended by Erica called The Family Bed].

We still plan to bid for 'our house' at an auction Saturday week. We don't really rate our chances - maybe one in three? - but it's a case of needing to be 'in it to win it'. Are auctions gambling too?

Okay - I have maybe 30 minutes available to me while Zoe naps. Do I a) do some study b) take a shower and wash my hair or c) put a load of washing on? I think the shower will win this morning. Ciao!

Daycare dilemma

Packed up bubba and drove to Lismore for our weekly daycare morning after two weeks off, only to find that it is still school holidays - a pupil free day. This meant no care for Zoe and, for me, no Uni. And Daddy is home on a rostered day off. Thought I'd salvage the situation by taking Zoe to see the Margaret Olley exhibition at the Lismore Regional Art Gallery. Plan B was aborted when arrived with baby in pouch to find the gallery closed. Hmmm. So Plan C was a quick soy decaf cappuccino at the cafe, then home to Ballina. At least bubba had two 40 minute sleeps in the car?!

Cousins - Zoe, Callum and Eilidh

Own bed

We paid a visit to Anne, the baby health nurse yesterday, for a check up. She suggested that at four months old it was time to look at baby sleeping habits. So yesterday afternoon the cot, change table and nursing chair went back into Zoe's as-of-then unused room. Last night, Daddy put her to bed in her cot, for the first time. He went in once to settle her. Then she slept until waking for a feed at midnight, and another at 330am. She was awake and ready for her 'first' feed of the day at 7am. How easy was that? We are lucky to have such a settled baby. Oops, she's crying now - we're trying the morning sleep in the cot...

Study

We loved the house we inspected on Saturday, but once the inital excitement wore off realised that it would probably go for more at auction than we are prepared to pay. Made an offer on another, much smaller house in town when the agent called this morning. It was rejected, which is okay. At least we've put something out there.

Aunty Sally is looking after baby Zoe this morning [as a swap for doing her quarterly bookwork]. Am taking the opportunity to do some study. My maternity leave period is offically over, so I need to apply myself, develop a work routine, and make a decision about whether I can remain a full time student, which is my preferred option. And not get distracted...

Counting chickens

Just as I was considering putting her out on the street in a basket with a 'free to good home' sign, Zoe has almost slept through the night. I fed and changed her while she was still sleeping at 1am, then Ewan got up to make sure she was still breathing at 4am, then I encouraged her to feed again at about 6am. Yeah! Another night like that and we won't know ourselves. Past experience though says don't get too excited...

We're off to view a house today that we expect to really like. It's brick and tile and suburban boring, but probably exactly what we need. I've sworn not to get too emotionally attached to this one. And we have an acceptable back up plan if we can't find a house this month, whicn is to buy an [affordable] block of land in a new Ballina estate, and stay living here for another 12 months, then build something nice at a later date.