Work work work

Elizabeth has finally gone down to sleep but it has been a real battle. I can only put it down to teething - I think her front (top) two teeth are coming through and last night was nothing short of a nightmare. I decided to try 2 naps rather than 3 per day, so after she's up at 10am she stays up for lunch then goes down for her second nap of the day... or that is the idea anyway. She outright refused today, and after Calpol and Ashton and Parsons powder, two breastfeeds and lots of cuddles she has finally gone down. Things aren't helped by the fact that I decided to wash her 'Starbo' today - the navy and white striped star that we bought her before she was born which she has now adopted as her comforter. It was getting really manky as she chews the points, and the instructions said strictly no machine washing, but really had no option, so its on the line at the moment and hopefully it will be dry by tonight.

I've had a meeting with my Union caseworker in preparation for my grievance hearing. I was bolstered slightly by the news that my manager is going to submit a written statement to the hearing. Since then it seems we might put that hearing on hold and have another meeting to see if we can negotiate a solution - I suggested working one long day, working from home and working evenings. Obviously I can't do it all, but if there is a way out I'm willing to try. Husband suggested I could do it for the minimum time so I don't have to pay my maternity money back.

Otherwise I've been looking into further money-making schemes. Lollipop advisor sounds like a possibility - combining my love of cloth nappies with a flexible way to make money. I'm going to try and meet the local advisor so that she can outline the products to me, but I've also contacted a number of retailers with a view to buying at wholesale prices and basically going it alone. Not sure whether that is too risky given that I know nothing about the market in reality. I got lots of 'starting your own business' books from the library but obviously haven't had two minutes to read them yet!

Elizabeth is increasingly 'exploring' - she has just started to stand up in her cot holding onto the rail, and will pull herself up on the coffee table. When she gets ready for the bath now, husband puts her on the bedroom floor and she makes her own way into the bathroom. She plays with me every night after tea - she initiates a game where I scream and she screams (lots of fun!) and I hide from her and she looks out for me. She is just beginning to interact properly now.

Money worries still loom large, but hopefully things will be resolved with work one way or the other as we head towards Elizabeth's first birthday.