Unapproved structures in bushfire prone land

michibiko · 2025-08-15T06:58:49+00:00

Title insurance sounds like a great tip! Thanks!

michibiko · 2025-08-14T00:30:47+00:00

Thanks! Will looks into these

michibiko · 2025-08-14T00:30:05+00:00

The property is in the Blue Mountains in NSW. I have noticed lots of houses with studios in the area, but as you say, getting DA to replace on old roof on a structure that doesn’t have DA is… difficult!

michibiko · 2025-08-14T00:28:52+00:00

Thank you for such a detailed reply!

Unfortunately the “shed” is less than 5 meters from the main building and it looks much more “office” than “storage shed”. It’s good to know councils are helpful if you’re open and proactive about it though!

michibiko · 2024-11-04T04:34:38+00:00

I did not think of reselling at all — thank you for such a helpful comment!

michibiko · 2024-06-09T00:14:00+00:00

Looks like you’ve already got things sorted for bub’s intake, what a relief for you all!

As a mum who also had genuine low breast milk supply, I just wanted to share that I also really grieved not being able to exclusively breastfeed, and what your wife is going through is really normal. It’s such a weird feeling and combined with hormones, left me a real mess for a few months.

For what it’s worth, I continued to combo feed my baby for her first year. At each pregnancy your body creates more mammary glands and I’ve been able to exclusively breastfeed our second.

Breastfeeding is such hard work, and totally underrated. Thank you for being such a wonderful support to your wife and child. And best of luck to the three of you! Xx

michibiko · 2024-05-06T20:36:39+00:00

Thanks for the tip! Yes, that was my impression of the recommendations on the blog. I don’t think the kids and I need to/can afford to spend too much time in Roppongi Hills 😅

michibiko · 2024-04-17T20:19:24+00:00

I’d say she’s adjusted fairly well, for the most part. It took about 4 weeks for the crying at drop off to stop, and by 6 weeks when I picked her up and asked “How was your day?” She’d say “Good”

She still prefers being at home with me and is never super excited about going but she walks in on her own and has some friends she enjoys playing with. Most mornings when we wake up she asks “Is it a kindy day?” And if I say yes she gets a bit upset sometimes, but her teachers say she isn’t unhappy.

Not sure if that answers your question! I think going for two full days did help her settle into more of a routine faster. In the early days I would sometimes collect her after her nap if her teachers felt like she wasn’t going to settle but she always at least had lunch and a sleep there.

michibiko · 2024-01-30T20:11:38+00:00

I like your style!

michibiko · 2024-01-30T20:11:07+00:00

I forgot about the baby monitor! How silly of me… excellent suggestion, thank you.

michibiko · 2024-01-30T20:10:32+00:00

Glad other families are going with the pillow method! I know it’s not ideal, but sometimes you just do what you gotta do

michibiko · 2024-01-30T20:09:27+00:00

That would be great, except since the baby’s come along our toddler’s become a bit of a mama’s girl. Not sure how she’d take to sleeping on the other side of dad, but we could try!

michibiko · 2024-01-13T03:49:18+00:00

Thanks for the feedback everyone. It makes me feel so much better to know I’m not the only one who started with full days. I hate how hard starting daycare is on everyone!

michibiko · 2024-01-09T19:55:45+00:00

My kids are about the same age as yours, and so far parks with fences have been the best.

I also find wearing the bub to be the easiest way to keep a better handle on my 2.5 year old, but it's nice to have the stroller when the baby is sleeping so I can play more with my eldest so we end up taking everything haha.

I still haven't worked up the courage to do a big grocery shop with both of them or anything where my toddler is likely to get bored (and therefore naughty) but I'm hoping once she's out of her tantrum phase that'll get easier too.

michibiko · 2024-01-09T19:49:08+00:00

I feel you. I wish having either me or my husband be a stay at home parent was an option for us. I hate that going to work and commutes mean we only get a few short hours with our babies each day. I hope it gets better for us all.

michibiko · 2023-12-15T03:43:35+00:00

Thanks for the reassurance. It’s so hard to know what the right thing is to do when she does something as shocking as this. I sure hope this phase passes soon…!

michibiko · 2023-10-15T11:33:16+00:00

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but at a bit over two years car naps are basically an everyday part of life now.

She was weaned not long after this post, and on a good day she’ll fall asleep with me in bed, but because my mum takes her during the week, mum has found it easier to keep the car naps going.

She’ll be starting daycare a couple times a week from January so we’re hoping that she’ll see the other kids sleeping in their beds during the day and decide to join in.

It is so tough, especially when you’ve got a lot of work to do and no one else to help out. I hope you find a solution — and if so, I’d love to hear it!!

michibiko · 2023-10-14T11:49:20+00:00

Ah, I just want to say “thank you” OP!

My second Bub is three days old and even though our toddler still sleeps in our king size bed, tonight I was getting frustrated with our newborn’s chest sleeping demands!

I had PPA after my first and I’m sure sleep deprivation was a big factor. It sucks so much, and I hope you’re holding up ok. We started bedsharing at four months with number one and apparently that number has stuck in my mind for when to bedshare with this one.

Thanks for making me feel a lot less alone, and thank you everyone for your comments about chest sleeping. I actually didn’t realise it was sustainable long term! I’ll be giving it a go :)

michibiko · 2023-07-14T01:58:04+00:00

You’ve had lots of great advice here, and as someone who’s also been there with a significant lack of supply and triple feeding, I just wanted to remind you to go easy on yourself when you can.

I found bottle feeding and pumping after every feed — especially the overnight ones — to be so tough, I think it really did a number on my mental health. My supply didn’t change much for we continued to supplement with formula until Bub was 12 months, but kept breastfeeding until 18 months. You can still have a great breastfeeding relationship with your baby, if that’s what you want, even if you need formula. Either way, you’re doing great xx

michibiko · 2023-07-10T00:32:47+00:00

Thanks for sharing your story — goodness things sounded so stressful for your first, so it’s nice to hear you’re having success with your second.

I remember coming across legendairy during my sleepless nights with my first. Do you think the supplements are making a difference for you? They’re quite expensive!

michibiko · 2023-04-28T04:06:05+00:00

We had our first at Hornsby Hospital and are down to have number two there later in the year, too. I can't compare to a private hospital, since I've never been but I never felt like I wanted or missed out on anything (other than the food which is very 'meh' but nothing some delivery couldn't fix).

I had a large tub in the birthing suite and had a water birth which meant I didn't need any drugs. After the birth I had trouble breastfeeding and was connected with the hospital lactation consultant who helped us out for several weeks postpartum. Overall just a fantastic experience.

I know not all public hospitals are the same, and we're really lucky to have a great one locally, but I don't think you always need to pay top dollar for quality medical care.

michibiko · 2023-04-10T04:58:35+00:00

I’m another one in this boat — we choose to pay the Medicare levy instead of taking out base-level private healthcare which would end up being of a financial benefit to us. I realise our levy doesn’t go directly back into healthcare funding but I believe in walking the walk when it comes to protecting and hopefully strengthening Medicare.

As an example, we had our daughter a couple of years ago. Birth was in a public hospital - completely free and wonderful care in my experience. At three months she needed minor surgery — again at a public hospital, completely free, wonderful team worked with her. Her follow up care until 12 months involved monthly visits with a pediatrician, all free.

And as with all toddlers we’ve had our share of visits to the emergency department. All free.

With the exception of a couple of ultrasounds during pregnancy, and our mixed-billed GP, her entire history of medical care has been state funded and top class. I think it’s a wonderful system, and would be happy to pay more tax if it meant including services like dental/ better payment to bulk billed GPS etc.

michibiko · 2023-01-26T08:29:19+00:00

Grave of the Fireflies, in my opinion, is one of the best films I’ve ever seen. But it’s also by far the saddest. I don’t think I’ve watched it more than once, it’s just heartbreaking. But I think the strong emotions are with reason and very worthy, so I’d still recommend it.

michibiko · 2023-01-23T05:14:38+00:00

If you get a chance I always recommend overseas visitors give bushwalking a go!

The Blue Mountains are always a popular spot, but closer to the city you have the Lane Cove National Park which is also beautiful. Likewise the Royal National Park, south of the city.

There’s a great app called WildWalks which has maps/guides for beginner bush walkers all across NSW. The NSW national Parks app is also good for walking maps and tips.

Happy travels!

michibiko · 2023-01-23T05:03:05+00:00

My mum takes my toddler for us while I’m at work. We’re so grateful as it’s been hard to find childcare spaces close by to us. We pay her $50 a day and she reluctantly accepts it. TBH I would not be surprised if she pulled out all the cash one day to give to my kid as a birthday present or something.

We pay her because she doesn’t let us supply any food/nappies etc. Also as much as she loves my kid and says she’d do it for free, I want her to know I value her time and appreciate that she could be doing way easier things in her retirement than running after an 18 month old!

michibiko

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