Now THIS group, I like!

For a start, I don't think there was a mother there under 25. The average age was easily into the 30's, and I might possibly not be the most senior. Not polite to ask, so I won't.. but at least I don't feel in my dotage.

All bar one were what I would classify as "my type of people". Gods, but that's arrogant... it's also honest ;-) Down to earth, slightly cynical, quick to chuckle, eminently practical and not a single bit of mascara anywhere (or if there was, it was well naturalised).

And they make excellent coffee & nibbles. I may never go home.

The babies were all delightful, with ages varying from 12 weeks to nearly 5 months. Yep, Master Braeden is the eldest, which is nice because with no other baby older, no one's going to be upset if he hits a mark ahead of them.

I was in two minds in the finish whether to go, as my S.O.D. (so obviously determined!) son delayed his midday nap and it was bloody obvious he'd fall asleep in the car for the short trip. As it has hitherto been impossible to carry him (still) sleeping anywhere, I was dreading the inevitable meltdown. The quick answer is "take the babyseat in" but it's heavy and my hands are knackered. Not a good thing to drop the babyseat with the baby still in it.

So Wayne decided to meet me there, and carry the seat in for me. Cept by the time he got there, I'd finagled the stroller out of the boot, and somehow kept the snooze bunny asleep while I buckled & blanketed him in. Then it was a quick stroll inside, whereupon a kindly Mum stuck her head in his face and said "oooh isn't he beautiful!"

I bit down on my lip in despair as two navy blue eyes snapped open, and the dummy fell out as a huge grin swept over Braeden's face. However instead of everything turning to custard, he graciously accepted the compliment and went straight back to sleep, still smiling.

He slept for nearly 45 minutes, almost completely missing the first half of the meeting.

As a group we decided the subjects we wanted to cover over the four week course, and I'm hoping nearly everyone ticked the box indicating they wanted to continue to get together as a coffee group once the course finishes.

When I say "nearly everyone", there's one in every group, eh.

I was collared by a woman at half time who (having seen my hand go up when the room was asked if any babies had reflux) quizzed me quite rudely on what medication Braeden was on 1, when it was prescribed 2, what the expiry date was 3, who was the consulting pediatrician 4, WHEN did you go on solids?? 5 and generally tested my patience to the extent that I had to force a smile, remind her that every baby is different and that I trusted my medical professionals who had made the world of difference to my baby's enjoyment of life.

1. Losec. Losec's useless. Not for him. You should be on omaprezole. That's what it says on the bottle. YOU SAID LOSEC! It says that too. Big letters say "Losec" small letters in brackets say "Omaprezole"
2. When he was just over three months old, when the Gaviscon did squat.
3. What's the expiry date? I have no idea. You should know!! Braeden is prescribed one month's supply at a time, but if it makes you feel better, I'll check it when I get home (there wasn't an expiry date.. Braeden is on capsules, not liquid).
4. I have no idea, some hospital expert. (Note I did not offer up Braeden's doctor's name.. she probably hates him too)
5. Eight weeks. WHAT kind of mother are you?(implied) That's far too young! Not for this baby.. (insert woman going into rant here, until I finally gritted out "ALL the experts including both grandmothers agreed with my decision, and as a result he's a happier healthier baby. Remember, every baby is different!"

Then abruptly she announced she wanted to talk to someone else, and stalked off to corner her next victim. (To quote Billy Connolly, "And I shall watch as off you f...")

I saw her collar several different women throughout the afternoon, and I can only hope that she got her shit off her liver with me, and was much less confrontational with the rest of them.

But hey, apart from that, the group is amazing. We talked about teething, sibling rivalry & new baby acceptance, bedtimes, shared useful ideas and raised some suggestions for next time (yes Adrienne, I said "baby signing" which seemed to interest a few).

Our Plunket facilitator distributed some excellent packs of baby activity pamplets from www.pushplay.org.nz which promotes active movement. Too cool! I was digging into mine the moment I got home.

Two things caused incredible envy in my covetous heart. One was the four & a half month old baby girl who lay happily on her belly on her mother's thighs, and played contentedly for half an hour. She was so steady and content that at one point her mother rested the clipboard on her back and used her as a writing desk. Gawd.. I can't even write one handed leaning over to the desk with Wrigglemonkey upright on my distant knee.

The other was a very cool gadget used to store & dispense measured amounts of formula powder straight into the bottles, and was so very clever that it could be done one handed while the mother held the baby with the other hand. If I can't find one like it by next meeting, I will have to ask the Mum where she sourced hers from.

Nah, it's all good. I like this bunch, and Braeden does too given that once he did wake up, he was completely uninterested in his bottle, preferring to gaze about in wonder & delight at all the different faces (and toys.. I detect trouble on the horizon when he decides he wants the other babies' toys. Bad enough he was openly coveting their breastfeeding, LOL)