This thread is for parents who's baby was born December 1st ~15th 2009
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There are many issues that you will encounter as a new parent. We have put together this list of useful articles and threads in order to assist you with some common questions or issues you may have, and to provide you with bit of extra support that we all need as new parents:
Please contact the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA) or a Lactation Consultant if you are concerned that you may have breastfeeding and/or supply problems, and before the introduction of solids.
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Hi all, I guess I'll be the first to post in our new thread
I can't write a long one since my kitchen is a mess and our cleaning lady is on vacation for a week, so I have a LOT to do...
Beany, I agree with Hannah about just saying what you need. Men won't see you as whining if you just say it. It is the complaining indirectly that seems like whining to them. I mentioned before that with my DH, I just say what I need and he usually does it with no prob...Only rarely do I let him "come up" with ideas that are mine in order to get what I want...hehe. I think you should just sit him down and talk to him. You'll be surprised at how much our guys can handle since becoming fathers...I think that as long as you are not unreasonable in what you ask for, he will do it. I do get you though with work and his mum and all that...I try to do more with Eva since DH is holding down the office sort of alone...I go back to work monday though, so 50/50 is coming back (he offers to do more like waking up in the middle of the night etc...but I generally try to let him get more sleep, unless I REALLY need it).
As for the belly, lol, I went to get my hair done in NY and the lady there (the shampoo lady) who has seen me plenty from when I was livin gin NYC and during all my visits congratulated me and asked me when I am due! I had Eva with me!!!!! I just felt crappy after that...but when I said no I had the baby, I saw she felt bad and was like, you'll lose it fast...but the damage was done! I gain weight in the belly before anything else, so I just got all sad about that, but I am losing now so whatever. I just try to dress in a flattering way. Like Hannah said, the best thing to do is breathing exercises, pelvic tilts and always think of holding in your belly - that works it out.
Alison, those pics of Amelia are sooooooooooooooooo cute! She is just a little doll! Which one are you going to blow up? Choosing is always the worst part!
Hannah, I am so glad to hear things are looking brighter for your mum and that Amelia seems to be doing better!!! And yay for DH! That must have done you so much good
AFM, solids not going so great - she ain't no Jack, this one lol - She will take a bit in her mouth but still makes yuck faces and prefers to play with the spoon herself...I have started giving her her own spoon and bowl with a dab of food in it and that helped a lot, she even puts the spoon into her own mouth, but she still whines until she gets the bottle sometimes...it is getting better. I dropped the carrots and bought some cereal today and she seems to like that better...But of course she tipped the bowl I was feeding her from and I had cereal all over the kitchen , her, my hair etc...I have a feeling there will be many more of those to come...Plastic bibs, here we come.
She seems to be heading to fussy eating, like her dad! But we'll see - it is def getting better.
I got Eva a walker today! She does not reach the floor enough to push off but she is enjoying being upright and playing on the dashboard with a view. I can wheel her about and she entertains herself with all of the lights and buttons, so it is great for when I need to clean up the bath or prepare her food since I know she can't go anywhere (for the moment) - Once she starts scooting around I won't be able to leave her unattended.
Daycare starts Monday so I went out to get all the necessary stuff and am organizing her things...I hope I don't cry...although I feel like it might happen after not seeing her for the day then having her at night rather than when dropping her off!
Well off to do 4 loads of laundry and 2 sinkfuls of dishes! Eva is going up in size again so I am washing the next size up and have TONS of carrot incrusted stuff to wash
Brussels & Beany - How awful that both of you got asked when the baby's due! I suppose it's that people are used to seeing me fat that I haven't been asked that Trust me, if the weight hasn't melted off before you return to work, then chasing a toddler around sure helps it to shift.
Brussels - I cried after leaving Craig at childcare the first time. Take some tissues. The main thing to remember is that they make a fuss while you're there, but as soon as you've gone it's like they've forgotten you exist. I don't want to upset you, but you will probably both cry everytime for at least a week. I found the best way was like a bandaid, to do your goodbyes quickly and leave, don't prolong it because the longer you hang around the more upset they get. As they get older they're more easily distracted and by the time you've gone they've forgotten about you. You'll be fine hun
Hope you find a better pill and that the weight keeps coming off for you. Love the hair! Oh and I think no one else mentioned that a SAHM is a Stay At Home Mum.
Rose - That's a real shame about the Zoloft, but as someone else said, at least you know it's working. Hope your Dr can come up with an alternate medication that doesn't have the side effects for you.
Willow - The blinds sound like a great idea. I thought Roman Blinds were Holland Blinds? Or are Hollands the lace balloony ones and the Romans the solid fabric more modern looking ones? I'm with everyone else, I don't know how you've perservered BFing 2 hourly for this long! Second time around I'm a lot more prepared to do the tough yards because I know it's for a such a short time in their lives. I've also had 2 friends give up BF after only a few weeks because of the frequent feeds (but both were first time Mums and were expressing because they didn't really get BF established). Everyone's different, but my hat's off to you!
Beany - Thanks for pointing out the next WW is coming. I hadn't noticed with all the other stuff going on. I'd better go and read up on it. No tips on abs from me, but Hannah's tips on pelvic tilts sound spot on.
Lani - I hope your iphone gets fixed soon!
Sesame -
Carmey - I hope you had a lovely time in the Blue Mountains!
Kawazuki - How's your 12 week challenge going? Counting down until you're a SAHM?
Hannah - WTG with telling DH what you need! I find that really hard to do. That's awesome how he let you sleep in and did some housework! Great news about your Mum's tests too Sounds like you've got Amelia's sleep worked out. Craig is the same, got to get him down at the right time otherwise it's impossible (and he's 2!).
Alison - Are you doing better with the 12 week challenge this week? Hopefully it's easier to exercise with everyone well again. Love the professional photos you had done, you all look great and the pink tutu is soooo cute.
Kanda - Hope the packing's going well. Not long to go! Would love it if you could post some photos of Tuscany to FB
Tilda - How did the move go? You must be flat out either finding somewhere to live or unpacking!
AFM - It feels both busy and not busy here! I don't seem to be getting to lots of the things on my list, but I still seem to be doing lots? Yet I'm having days where I don't get to shower or get out of my PJs. I've got the fish tank set up again and am slowly stocking it with fish (got the first few fish yesterday). I'm slowly cleaning and reorganising things around the house. My Dad has sold his house in Tasmania (Penguin) and is on his way through here to Queensland sometime in the next week. Dad and I aren't close and have only been in touch with each other again the last few years, so it will be interesting. On Friday we're back to the Photographer to get some outdoor shots (was overcast on the day we went) then they've said we'll be able to see our pics next week.
Ryan has his first tooth! I could feel that it's cut through yesterday. This morning I saw him roll back from his tummy to his back. So it's all happening here! Bring on the next Wonder Week!
Chugging along with the weight loss quite nicely. Was able to get my favourite jeans back on! My wardrobe seriously needs a makeover, but I have no idea what to buy. Not to mention I have no idea how I'd shop for clothes. I'll have to make an effort to get Ryan to take a bottle.
I just realised today I go back to work in 12 months!!!!!
Hi Girls, I'm a bit behind and they closed the thread on me lol!
Thanks for all your kind comments about being ill and our photos etc. We are all well again - thank god - I don't want to go through that again in a hurry that's for sure. Amelia was sick for 5 days, diarrhea for 3 solid days, I was changing her nappy every 45 minutes and that's no exaggeration! Poor petal.
Hi Suz - doing great with the weight loss so far, helped being ill Friday and not eating all day, I lost 1.4 kgs this past week but I think some of it is carry over from having AF at weigh in the week before and also being ill, so I've lost 2.3 kgs in the last 2 weeks but the best part is I've lost 5cms from my waist and I can finally wear my engagement ring and it's now swinging around again! I can get my wedding band on but as the bands are quite thick it's still a little uncomfy as it pushes my other ring up to my knuckle where the problem is so will wait a couple more weeks to wear it every day. Only took 6 months gosh!!!!
Hi Beany - yes I've heard gastro is going around as well, I don't normally pick up things like that and had we not been around DH's nephew when he had it we wouldn't have I don't think, grrrrr. Kids are the worst at passing it on, it can be avoided with hand washing before touching things, eating etc but that's near on impossible with toddlers I guess. I was quite angry last week about it, Amelia was so ill and then I got it and DH got it on Sunday. Get this though, he sat here on the couch and said that he hasn't felt that ill in 10 years and I said, now you know how I felt on Friday while trying to also look after a sick baby and do you know what he said......"you should've told me"!!!!! I was so angry, I rang him at lunchtime on the Friday and asked nicely if he could come home a bit earlier to help me as I was struggling - I couldn't even get off the couch as I ended up with a terrible headache and muscle aches and pains like with the flu (not to mention I spent the morning running to the loo).....and he said yes that he would just finish up what he was doing and come home - remembering he has his own business - and he got home at 4.00 pm!!!!! Anyway, at least now he gets it for next time. Grrr As for Wonder Week, I hadn't though of the next one, best get my book out. Before Amelia got sick, in fact 3 days before Amelia had started having 3 x 1.5 hour naps (at the same time each day) and sleeping from 7.30 pm to 7.00/7.30 am without a peep, I wasn't even having to go in for the dummy, then she got sick and everything went out the window and since she's been well again I'm back to 45 minute naps in the day and fussing in the night. She's not waking up as such but she rolls onto her tummy and cries (in her sleep) so I have to go in and flip her back, so annoying. I just wish she'd learn to roll back the other way! I was hoping it was just going to take a little bit to get back into routine after being ill but maybe it's a wonder week thing again. Honestly it just constantly changes doesn't it, just when you get somewhere! Self settling is out the window too, since being sick I've had to go back to cuddling to sleep grrr. Had only just got there with self settling which I have found hard too. Mind you, I took her to her second swim class yesterday and had to put her under, I was so scared but she was great, didn't even choke or cry - apparently they have a natural reflex to hold their breath until they're 7 months old. I tell you what though, she slept for over 2 hours after that and last night all night without a peep, I hope that helps her to go back to her pre-illness routine!!!!! Oh and Amelia has started being so alert and fascinated with things, trying to grab everything, including cups while we're drinking etc, isn't it amazing how suddenly they start doing something else! I think I'll have to bring the food out for her soon, I really am trying to wait till 6 months but she's really staring at us now.
Hi Hannah - yay that's fantastic news about your mum, I'm so happy for you and her. What a relief, fingers crossed she's on the mend! xx Sounds also like you're getting somewhere with Amelia, that's also fantastic, you've really stuck it out and as we've been saying it will get better and look, it is! Well done little Amelia, keep it up for mummy. And how sweet of DH, I think yours is like mine and instead of hinting and hoping they'll "get it" we just have to say it outright, I learnt that lesson last Friday. I'm really pleased he's helping you, that shows how much he cares too so good on him! xx
Hi BS - like you and Beany you both need to ignore those comments. I haven't had anyone say it to me but I have been hiding my belly under loose tops to avoid those comments. You both look fabulous and people are just darn rude! I have been on the 12 week challenge here on BB and it's helping me to stop eating so much crap. I've lost 2.3 kgs in the last 2 weeks and most importantly 5cms from my waist. I haven't done anything specific exercise wise, just walking a bit more and mostly eating better, more water and less Coke for example. I still have a good 4 kgs to go though, more if I can. I didn't realise you couldn't do sit ups, what are pelvic tilts, how do you do them? Your hair looks fab by the way and I'm glad you had a lovely time in NY, I just love looking at all your pics. For our pics we had a big framed one done with 4 pics, a large one on top of her lying on her back in the tutu and 3 smaller ones underneath, one in her strawberry outfit, one of the three of us and one of the baldy pics - I love those ones the best, she shows her expressions so well in those. I also had another big pic from the mob that did the shots at the shops the week after I had those done, it's a big black and white of her face smiling, I didn't get that on disc so can't show, I might try and take a pic of it to put on FB so you can see though, I had it framed in a stainless steel/silver frame and put it up in the kitchen area, it looks awesome. I'm so happy with my pics, they did a great job at that place and look forward to doing some more down the track with them as she gets older.
Hi Rose - are you ok sweet? We should catch up again soon, sounds like you good do with a good chin wag. xx
Hi Willow - how is Sydney? Warmer than Tassie I imagine!
Hi Sesame if you're lurking, Happy Birthday!
Hi Lani & Carmey - hope you're all well and having fun.
I'd best run and wash my hair while Millie is asleep, time is precious as you know! I had a cut and colour on Tuesday, a good inch off, gee it makes a difference, it was getting so long and drab, DH told me I look younger, it's still long but just took that "just hanging" look off it with a bit off the layers etc. I'll go shorter next time, just doing it gradually so it's not a shock ha ha!
Have a great day everyone.
xx
Last edited by Alison1973; May 6th, 2010 at 10:48 AM.
Alison - wow, sounds like Amelia was goign great guns for you before she got sick! Hopefully she'll get back into the swing of it soon..illnesses sure knock them around a bit, don't they? Naughty DH! I would have been furious by 4pm! I hope you gave him a good telling off! I have noticed Michael doing similar things too! He's reaching out for things now, he never used to do that. I have to be careful, if I'm not watching he'll knock things over and grab things. He tries to grab his wall stickers too...so cute! I'm hanging out to give him food too...1.5 more weeks I reckon...5.5m is close enough to 6m yeah? Oh and I'm so jealous you can get your rings on! I wore my wedding ring the other day which is a real skinny band...but looked so stupid cos all the fat on my finger bulged out around it. Pfft. Oh well.
Suz - Good luck for the photo's tomorrow! Oooh, yay for Ryan! Which tooth came through?
BS - Oh dear, sorry to hear you got the "when are you due?" question too. Yeah, its kind of uncomfortable isn't it, cos they feel really bad and you're offended too... not nice! Gosh, we all have that to look forward too...food everywhere! I"m gonna buy some vinyl to put on the floor under the high chair to hopefully make cleaning up a bit easier! I feel a bit bad for complaining about DH, he really is fantastic. But I think he has the opinion that I'm home all day so I should tidy up any mess he's left around and that sort of thing, he doesnt' realise that I only really get 40 mins at a time to myself and thats just enough to go to the loo, have something to eat and check fb & bb!! Typical...he kindly looked after Michael on Saturday so I could go out with my sis - so I thought to myself, good now he'll see just how little time I have to do things. But wouldn't you know it he slept for 3 hours straight!!!! He never does that! Typical!
Hannah - Thanks for the tips re getting rid of the belly. I've been trying to 'suck' my belly in while I'm walking around, do you think thats doing any good? I'm not going to any appointments, and I don't want to at this stage. I'll see how I go...I do think I am gradually getting better, it seems once something that I have been anxious about actually happens, I can deal with it a lot better (such as him waking during the night...I was terrified of it). Its tough, but I think the longer I can hang out and experience what I stress about then I will get better. I flew off the handle the other day tho, cos he wouldnt' fall asleep for one of his day sleeps, I got really angry and hated myself for it afterwards. But now I know he might skip a sleep, or take longer to fall asleep...its all ok Gosh, what a lovely DH! Thats a lot of work he did! Good on him How are Amelia's night sleeps going?
AFM - no real news. Meeting with my MG again today, has been a while so should be good. Michael has been waking heaps during the night 4 times last night, wakes up moaning then cries. I dunno if he's hot, cold, still teething...I just dont' know. Tho, on the up side, his middle-of-the-day sleep has greatly improved...yesterday he slept for 2.5 hours! (with one waking). Hopefully that continues.
Okies, better get ready, we're off to Target this morning!
Trying to snatch some time in between settling Liam for the night here.
beany - Sorry to hear that Michael is still waking so much at night. Could be the six month growth spurt come early? I hear you a bit on the anger, too. I've been getting really cranky after nights when I don't get any sleep. It's really, really hard.
Alison - Go you with the weight loss! Did you end up doing WW? Sorry if you've mentioned it, my brain has been a bit awol. Wow, that was a good routine that Amelia was in before she got sick - I hope she gets back to it soon. That must have been so hard being sick yourself and having to look after poor little sick bubba too
suz - Go you getting back into your old clothes!
Hi to everyone else! Sorry if I've missed anyone. I'm being too slack to go back to the old thread.
AFM - Have had a really rough week. Insomnia and Liam being restless made the PND really, really bad, despite being back on the full dose of my meds. His sleep has gone to hell - at his worst, he was waking every hour all night and not sleeping more than two 20 minute naps during the day. And being fussy most of the time he was awake.
I don't know why it didn't dawn on me before, though - I think it's all down to his reflux acting up. He's been feeding lots, chucking lots (to the point of getting almost dehydrated sometimes), crying for a feed just after he's finished feeding, wanting to sleep on people again and waking crying as soon as you lay him down. And he's been waking congested at night and coughing a lot.
I'm kicking myself a bit for not thinking about it. He was diagnosed with reflux at two weeks of age, and has been on the same dose of Losec ever since, although he's doubled in weight. We gave him a higher dose last night and have done a double dose today, and he's been much more settled. I even got a 45 minute nap out of him in his crib today, which hasn't happened in a while. And he's not crying for a feed every hour during the day. Fingers crossed his sleep goes better tonight - he was still up every 2-3 hours last night.
In the midst of all of this, I've also developed tendonitis in my right thumb from lifting Liam. Had a cortisone injection the other day and have been wearing a brace and it's feeling better. It was just the icing on the cake with me feeling so rotten in general, though.
I can't believe that Liam is over five months old already, though. I was feeding him earlier and feeling kind of sad about starting him on solids. I'm not going to be doing that until he's at least six months, though, and we'll be doing baby led weaning anyway, so he'll still be mostly dependent upon milk for a while to come.
I swear he's just been through a growth spurt, too. Suddenly a lot of his nappies are too small for him. Which means that I need to do some nappy shopping. Which is horrid, of course
Oh and beany and Alison, I'd be keen to catch up soon
hi all. sorry im not doing personals, im still trying to get to know you all
we have conqured rolling over now, and think its very funny to roll then spin around and roll again lol..
we started solids, but mroe comes out than goes in, and only doing it every second day. but we are getting there, she loves the vegetable ones more than fruit..
one week to go till im a SAHM well working 1 day and trying to get my buisness up and running.
my suppluy has dropped off which im sad about but will try and get it going once i can give more time to it. IYKWIM???
we have just hit the 4 month mark lol and maree has decided 4 am is a good time to have a chat and come cuddle mummy and daddy and snuggle in for a little feed lol
Hi Beany - I can't wear my wedding band at the same time yet so not quite there, grrr. I got out the Wonder Weeks book yesterday and guess what, Wonder Week 26 starts around Week 22 - we're in Week 22! So it looks like our unsettled bubs could be due to that! Amelia slept great last night but I've worked out she either has crappy day sleeps and good night ones, or good day ones and crappier night ones - same as Michael, she wakes up crying in her sleep, eyes shut but crying so I go in, usually have to flip her back from her tummy (that is getting really annoying btw) and pop in the dummy. Just when you get somewhere, in comes another wonder week, grrr!
Hi Rose - sorry you've had such a crappy week but yay to realising what it is! Don't worry, we get used to doing things on auto pilot, I wouldn't have thought of upping the amount either. I'm really glad it's helped though, will help you to get back on track too. Definitely keen to catch up again, I miss you guys and Millie is keen to catch up with the boys again.
Hi Kawazuki - great to hear from you, yay for 1 week to go! What is your business doing? I am loving being on maternity leave, I really don't want to go back to work, I don't miss hacking into the city and back everyday on a packed train at all!!!!
Well, naughty me had pizza tonight, there goes my diet this week and I have a feeling I'll be putting on this week with mothers day and all. Oh well, you can have one bad week right? I wish I hadn't discovered Dominoes and Eagles Boys do gluten free pizzas, VERY dangerous!
I met the girl next door earlier, they've been there a year and I've never seen her ha ha. She has a 7 month old girl called Emma, how funny. Oh well, was nice to finally see her, I knew she had a baby because I often see her light on upstairs when I'm heading down to Amelia through the night.......is quite funny really but also makes you feel good knowing you're not the only one lol.
Well, Amelia was so buggered tonight (been out all arvo) that I put her down to bed at 6.30 pm, awake but very tired and she put herself to sleep!!!! Yay!! I wish it was that easy all the time, anyone have any tips? I'm still cuddling to sleep and I really need to stop that!
Is everyone looking forward to their first mums day? I'm off to the inlaws for morning tea and then hopefully for a drive up to one of the national parks (Yanchep for you Perth girls)...providing the rain holds out!
Beany - I got given a thing called a Messy Mat that goes under the high chair. It's basically a square piece of transparent vinyl. It's been handy. I chuck it through the washing machine, or you can just hose it off. I've even used it under the potty on the carpet in the living room in the early days of toilet training with Craig It's Ryan's bottom right tooth that has come through. He's still pretty miserable even though it's cut through and feeding more frequently. Wonder Week?
Rose - Sorry to hear you've had such a rough time with Liam I hope upping the dose of his reflux meds does the trick. And tendonitis too At least you have nappy shopping to look forward to. Which ones are your faves? (saw the fb post about your site being hacked, lowlife scum, I hope you get it back up and running) I'm feeling sad about starting solids too.
Alison - Same here with the pizza (actually Turkish Pide, but just as bad). I tried to limit the number of pieces but I think the damage has been done. I can't remember if I've posted this before or not and I don't know if it will help, but each time I read about you rolling Amelia back over I think of this. I went to see the MACH nurse about Craig waking up several times a night crying, lying on his tummy. DH and I were rolling him over whenever we found him on his tummy, crying or not. She told me to stop turning him, because their necks are strong enough to turn their heads so they won't suffocate on their tummy. So I stopped turning him and he stopped crying at night to be turned. I've done the same with Ryan and he sleeps on his tum fine (just cries in the morning when it's time to get up).
Kawazuki - 1 week to SAHM! Yay! Don't worry, your supply should increase if you increase the breastfeeds. My experience was that my son fed less once we started solids, so it could be the solids affecting your supply. It's funny when they master rolling. Does Maree roll all the way to the wall and then get stuck because she doesn't know how to roll back?
AFM - The photo shoot went well. The boys were both well behaved and happy. Craig had a great time running all over the park and Ryan smiled the whole way through his tummy time on a rug in the grass. You wouldn't know from the lovely sunlight how bitterly cold it was!
Time for bed ladies. I'm going to have to burn off that Turkish Pide tomorrow!
Just dropping in to say a huge ciao! Italy is beautiful and after traveling for 31 hours from a to b we are exausted but so happy to be here. Mum and dad have been here for over to months now and my bil and sil are here for one more week.
Sienna was a dream baby and Lila was such a good girl but they are both so tired... It's 425 am here and I just got sienna off to sleep again while standing ib the kitchen...but now I here Lila and we are all sleeping in the same room...!
Off to Florence today for our first big day out! Can't wait ..
Sorry no persies but i'll be back in later I promise. Bug hugs everyone
Xoxo
Suz, great weight loss! That's wonderful....as for the daycare thing, I find myself just staring at Eva and wanting to cry a bit...I know I'll be fine, it is just hard at first, but I am so sad to imagine not seeing her until evening...I am preparing her stuff for Monday and just getting sad about it...DH is away this weekend for a motorcycle trip in Corsica so I am really trying to enjoy every moment of one on one time with her and she has done plenty of cool stuff since yesterday (I'll get to that at the end). Can't wait to see your photos! Been a while since you put pics up!
Alison, put up hair pics! And for the belly thing, you should just leave her, it is actually a good position for self settling to be on the belly. My paed explained to me when Eva was very small that many babies have a preference but usually belly sleepers stay more still when they sleep, so maybe try to leave her like that (I think what suz said is pretty valid - If she can roll, she can lift her head up...)...Maybe try leaving her for a belly sleep just for a nap first to see what happens? Good on you for the weight loss, it is amazing how much you lost and how quickly when you just decided to go for it! It is also pretty cool that you neighbor has a baby around the same age and Amelia - I hope she is nice, because it would be great to have a friend next door later for playdates and babysitting and sleepovers and all that. My good friend who has a baby the same age as Eva is wonderful to have and when she goes out her baby sleeps over my place sometimes, and I look forward to seeing both of them grow up and be buddies (hopefully, if they get along)
For the self settling, Eva has been doing that since about 2 months (since she went into her own room...I think for her belly sleeping was a big thing, but what I noticed helps a lot is a night routine. She goes into her bath every night bet 530-630, then has her pyjama on and a bit of relaxed playtime and bit of her mobile, then I come in, flip her to her belly, give her the pacifier and her little soft doll and she starts settling down...I noticed she really rubs the little doll on her face when she is heading to sleep (maybe you can try giving amelia a little soft plush to cuddle up to? When Eva was a baby I used to put the doll in my shirt during the day so it would smell like me...Not sure if it worked, but I tried...Eva will even rub a little muslin on her face to get to sleep during the day, so maybe see if that helps. Alos, I noticed it best to leave the room...At first I used to pet her and stuff but she would never fall asleep knowing I was there, so I started just giving her a good cuddle, putting her down, petting her head a bit then stepping out...I would watch her at first and noticed she was way less fussy when I would just leave. Also, I think it helps to have a mobile or toy so she has something to look at while in bed, and eventually she'll be ok just putting herself to sleep. I still have some rare days when Eva wants to be rocked to sleep, but that is usually when she is ill or really way over tired or stimulated (like if she knows there are ten people outside of her bedroom having dinner)...Maybe start by just trying to let her self settle for naps and see how it goes. Ultimately every baby is different, so you have to see what works with her.
Beany, I saw the pics of Michael's teeth! Whoa! Eva doesn't have anything popping through...Maybe she will be a late teether, although I have to say that for a moment there, she was chomping down on everything and dribbling all over herself and now it seems to have settled down...but let me not get too excited, since it might come back as soon as I get too comfortable! As for Michael's waking, I am sure it is a wonder week, he seems to be going through it all at once with teeth and ww and all that...Just keep positive and ask DH to help out on weekends so you can catch up on sleep a bit...
Rose, good job thinking of the dose...with everything you have going on it is normal you didn't think about it! Have you tried belly sleeping him yet? Hope he settles down - reflux is so awful and seeing bub suffer is just worse than anything...I would stay awake for five days rather than seeing Eva in pain when eating again You're really strong for getting through this for so long.
Hey Kawa, great that she loves veggies! My paed told me to start only veggoes since lots of babies reject them after tasting yummy fruit - so makes your life easier! Yay for the rolling - it is so cute, but there is no more leaving them unattended on their mats!!!
Kanda, I am so glad the trip went well. I told you the vibrating airplane seems to calm them but man what a whopper of a trip! I would have been so stressed beforehand, but enjoy the European summer and the art in florence etc...Italy is so good for relaxation (except for Rome! The driving there is scary!!! ) and food and sun etc...I am sure it will do you tons of good to be away from it all and enjoy rest with your family.
Hi to everyone else! Lani, Carmey, Sesame, Willow, Hannah etc etc etc...
AFM, Eva has decided that since her papa is away and her mother is depressed about daycare to get all the cool stuff done this weekend - I guess she does not want me to miss things when she goes to daycare! Friday, she started rolling again...She had done it before around the 4 month mark and did it for about a day, and then never again. I am not sure she was conscious of what she was doing...yesterday i gave her some naked time and then put her on a towel on the floor of her bedroom while I changed her sheets and bam she starts rolling! I put her on her back a few times and each time she rolled over faster than before. And this time she seemed really excited about it...This morning, I wanted to see if she would stop again so I put her on her back before her morning nap, and she watched her mobile for a bit then rolled over to her belly for her sleep! So I think she will be doing it a lot more now. She still does not do belly to back though, but she tries constantly - her arm just gets in the way since she leaves it pointing straight out. I was worried abouther not rolling at all since she is older then the rest of your babies but she does it now - I think she just didn't feel like it since the last time...but now I have to keep an eye on her allll the time.
She has also mastered the reverse on her walker! it is so funny, Her feet don't touch the floor flat enough but I am sure she'll be advancing once she does.
Then to top off the evening, she ate her cereal with a smile!!! I was starting to worry that she would be very difficult with the solids and last night she ate with no problems for a change (she usually fusses throughout the 3 spoons or so I try to give her!!!) - she did not eat a huge quantity but a few spoons which is a LOT more than anything else she let me give her before. I realized that what helped was giving her her own spoon dipped in a bit of cereal because she fed herself at first then let me give her food, so it was really cute - I had been letting her hold a spoon since I started the solids and I think she is getting used to the idea, and I have been sitting her near us while we eat and leaving a sippy cup on her tray so she gets used to it. She kept bringing the spoon into her mouth in alernation with me. She is so cute
Anyway, off to enjoy a weekend with my gorgeous girl and counting down to Monday, hoping I don't back out and go running to the border with Eva in my arms
I know it will be fine and it will get easier, but after so many months of reflux, it is hard for me to not enjoy being with her when everything is getting so interesting and easy to manage...so is life! We have a business to run!
Kisses to you all and to your bubs and have a gorgeous weekend!
HAPPY MOTHERS DAY everyone, hope you had special days today. I got flowers and a card that hubby wrote in with his left hand to make it look like Amelia had done it lol....and my pendant with Amelia's fingerprint for my necklace.
I weighed in for my 12 week challenge this morning too......I've put on 300 grams this week grrr - new I had as I was a bit naughty last week with the food - still lost 1 cm off my waist and 1cm of my hips though thank goodness.
Back on track this week for sure! One of the girls I used to work with (the one who irritates me) told me she's down to her pre-pregnancy weight......she doesn't look it to be honest - still has a belly but anyway it's made me more determined now. Stupid I know but she always has to outdo me and I let it get to me, grrr!
Sorry I have been MIA I have been without my iPhone and hadn't got notifications. Then realised we had a new thread.
I have had a lovely first mothers day. My boys spoilt me. I got new slippers, a knitted dress/jumper, flowers, and have a charm for my pandora bracelet coming and got taken out for breakfast. We went to my MIL's for afternoon tea and then went out for Mexican with my parents and sister.
A beautiful day had by me
Jett has been a little sick over the weekend he has had a temperature and runny nose. He has just gone to bed now.
Hope everyone has had a great day!
Kawa your bussiness sounds great where are you selling the stuff?
Kanda hope u are having a great time. Hope the girls get over the jetlag quickly.
Alison your pendant sounds great. How cute of DH.
Suz glad to hear the photo shoot went well.
BS good luck with returning to work. I am sure Eva will be great at daycare.
Ooooh....not sure about this new format! I feel all disoriented! How do you do smilies???
I hope everyone had a lovely Mothers Day! What did everyone get?
Rose - Oh, sorry to hear you've been having a rough time of it lately. Has it been getting any better? Saw you got a Wii for Mothers Day! What a fantastic present! And yes, I'm keen to catch up soon. When is a good time for you? I'm good for anytime except Thurs arvy's.
Kawazuki - Gosh, thats good, liking vegies more than fruit! Hopefully that means she'll eat healtlhy stuff without to much fuss!
Alison - Dont' worry about that girl from work...judging by some of her past comments, I wouldn't be surprised if she's nowhere near her pre-preg weight. I'm afraid I dont' really have any tips for self settling. Even when I try to "settle" him, by patting, rocking, etc...he'll have none of it. I just put him down, stick the dummy in, maybe rub his head (his eyes roll around when I do that...love it!) and walk off. It can take a while, usually at least 10-15 mins unless he's mega tired. He usually chats, spits the dummy out (so I might be in and out 3-4 times putting the dummy back in), plays with his dummy, rolls around, grabs his feet...but eventually he will wear himself out and go to sleep. I've started closing the blinds during the day to help him get to sleep too. Thats about all I can say really, sorry I can't be more help. And my DH did the exact same thing, writing in the card with his left hand! Thats so cute
Suz - ooh, that sounds like just what I'm after! And thanks for the tip re using it under the potty...genius! It was MIchael's bottom right that came through first too! Oooh, sounds like you'll have some nice photos...when do you get them?
Kanda - Ohhh, so jealous! Hope you're having a fantastic time!!
BS - wow, what a day! Eva is doing so much! Thats a great tip re leaving the sippy cup out so they get used to it! I can't imagine Michael ever getting to the stage of drinking from a sippy cup...I'm tryign to wean him off the 1m+ teats that he's been on for ages...he hates anything where it comes out too fast...he just loves to suck, and hard! Good luck for work tomorrow...
Hello everyone else!
AFM - had a v busy Mother's Day. Got my pressies in the morning, 2 new charms for my pandora bracelet - a lady bird and a hedgehog. Then cooked full breakfast for DH parents. They didnt' leave till lunchtime, so put Michael down for his nap, then when he woke it was off to visit my dad & his g/f (they just moved house, and I gave his g/f a card and some flowers since she doesn't have any kids of her own), then it was back home again and time to start our night routine. So, bit sad I didn't get to do anything for myself on my first Mothers Day, and spent the morning cooking and cleaning...but DH has promised he'll make it up to me next w/e.
I have a teeny suspicion that Michael may have some more teeth moving around...he's started again with the fingers/fist in the mouth. Not more already, surely??
He rolled from tummy to back twice today....yay! Not so lazy after all! And, for the first time, he put his arms out to be picked up!!!! That was so cool, MIL was taking him off DH and he totally put his arms up to her!! Was amazing!
Going to try and put Michael's name down at a few childcare centres tomorrow I've already got him on the waiting list for Family Day Care. So depressing. I wish I didn't have to. Also going to try and make an appt with the CHN, I think Michael's eczema is getting worse on his back, I'm not sure sorbelene is doing the trick anymore...poor little munchkin.
Sounds like you all got spoiled, though it sucks that you had to do cooking and stuff, beany!
Alison - I'm with beany, too - bet that girl is nowhere near her pre-pregnancy weight!
AFM - Still having rough nights with Liam - last night he was up feeding every two hours again. And every time he was *hungry*, so it's not just a comfort thing. I'm now thinking maybe it's the six month growth spurt come early? I dunno, I have a different theory every day, really. I guess it doesn't really matter what it is - teething and growth spurt will pass and we're dealing with his reflux (and BS, I think you asked - I've been sleeping him on his tummy for a while now, I think it definitely helps. I was worried at first about tummy sleeping, but he can roll around so well that it's not an issue now. He just rolls over if he's not comfy anyway now).
Basically I'm just trying to weather this period and go back to sleeping during the day (which usually means sleeping with Liam on me, or getting someone else to watch him while he sleeps). We've increased his reflux meds (and may increase them again, depending on what my GP says, or go to see a paed if needed). I'm still limiting dairy, and have started block feeding again since he's been having issues with my oversupply again (and to deal with the possibility that it's a foremilk/hindmilk imbalance thing). We were pretty set on waiting until six months until solids, but if this keeps up, I may try him on some to see if it helps. I don't remember if anyone else is planning on doing baby-led weaning here? That's our plan, anyway.
I got desperate enough on Friday night (and exhausted enough - had a couple of very bad days with the PND last week where I would have happily given Liam away to anyone) to try giving him a bottle of formula, to see if it would hold him any better at night. And he was having none of it. He's still not overly keen on bottles of expressed milk, though he'll take one if he's hungry enough, so I guess I just get to deal with feeding him a lot.
And now I'm rambling. And yes, I got a Wii (and Wii Fit Plus) for Mother's Day. Just did the profile thingie and yeesh, not good! I really need to get my act in gear and start trying to drop some of this weight and get fitter. Hopefully the Wii fit will help I'm still kind of annoyed that I'm not one of those women who magically lose the baby weight, but eh, can't do much about it. I can do something about what I put into my mouth, though!
Rose - I find the Wii Fit is good for motivation and very easy to just hop on and get your 30 minutes when you get a free moment. I'm not exactly sure what Baby Led Weaning is. With Craig I didn't force him to drop any breast feeds, he just stopped doing them one by one until he was 10 months old and only feeding once a day before bedtime. I kept it up for a month and then swapped it for cows milk in a cup when he was 11 months old. I was trying to break the feeding to sleep habit before starting childcare. This time with Ryan I'll do the same thing, but will see what we do with that last night feed when we get to it. Ryan's also feeding more frequently so I'm thinking growth spurt / wonder week?
Beany - That's just gorgeous! My favourite memory is when Craig first held his arms out to be picked up. I keep watching Ryan to see if he'll do it, but he's still at the 'lean and throw my body towards you' phase if he's in someone's arms and when he's in his cot on his back he waves his arms wildly (Danger Will Robinson!) Ryan 'self settles' the same way as Michael, maybe it's a boy thing? It's as if they need to do things by themselves without our help Eczema is horrible (I get it and have a nasty patch on my chest ATM) but I'm not sure what's safe for a little bub? I've used Alpha Keri lotion on a couple of patches of eczema on Ryan and it cleared them up.
Lani - Sounds like you had a lovely Mother's Day. Missed seeing you post, glad you've got your iPhone back Sorry to hear that Jett's sick, hope he's feeling better soon.
Alison - Bummer about the weight gain this week, but you'll get back on track and you still lost cms. I did the same with the card for DH's first Father's Day from Craig (with my left hand). Your walk in the National Park sounds like a lovely thing to do for Mother's Day. Ignore that workmate of your's, even if she has lost the weight she sounds like she's done nothing to tone up. You'll be all taut and terrific and she'll still be flabby.
Brussels - Oh that's so cute that Eva is busting out the development moves for you before starting daycare! Craig took his first steps the weekend before he started in daycare. It's like they 'know' or something. Ryan's also big on his bedtime routine and grizzles at me until I start to strip him for his bath. He starts to relax and smile again before I've even got him in, as if he knows he's going to bed soon.
Kawazuki - Yes how funny is it when they roll under the coffee table?! Good luck with your business, would love to see some examples of your wares
Kanda - So glad to hear you got to Italy in one piece and both girls were good for you on the plane! Hope you all have a lovely time!
AFM - Wow, I really really want a Pandora bracelet but DH is totally clueless about them. I'm lucky I have an eternity ring and I'm sure I only got that because I talked about buying my own after Ryan was born. My pressie is the photos from the photo shoot, which I get to see next Wednesday. The boys took me out for breakfast, then we shopped a little bit (DH shopped, I chased Craig around with Ryan in the pram) and went to the fish shop to get some more fish for my tank. In a week or so I'll have it fully stocked again. Craig is hilarious, I caught him standing on a dining chair trying to open one of the glass lids on the tank today. He loves to feed the fish and Ryan laughs as they all zoom around eating the food.
Babies born~December 1st-15th 2009 #3
lol - She will take a bit in her mouth but still makes yuck faces and prefers to play with the spoon herself...I have started giving her her own spoon and bowl with a dab of food in it and that helped a lot, she even puts the spoon into her own mouth, but she still whines until she gets the bottle sometimes...it is getting better. I dropped the carrots and bought some cereal today and she seems to like that better...But of course she tipped the bowl I was feeding her from and I had cereal all over the kitchen , her, my hair etc...I have a feeling there will be many more of those to come...Plastic bibs, here we come.
Trust me, if the weight hasn't melted off before you return to work, then chasing a toddler around sure helps it to shift.
I have been on the 12 week challenge here on BB and it's helping me to stop eating so much crap. I've lost 2.3 kgs in the last 2 weeks and most importantly 5cms from my waist. I haven't done anything specific exercise wise, just walking a bit more and mostly eating better, more water and less Coke for example. I still have a good 4 kgs to go though, more if I can. I didn't realise you couldn't do sit ups, what are pelvic tilts, how do you do them? Your hair looks fab by the way and I'm glad you had a lovely time in NY, I just love looking at all your pics. For our pics we had a big framed one done with 4 pics, a large one on top of her lying on her back in the tutu and 3 smaller ones underneath, one in her strawberry outfit, one of the three of us and one of the baldy pics - I love those ones the best, she shows her expressions so well in those. I also had another big pic from the mob that did the shots at the shops the week after I had those done, it's a big black and white of her face smiling, I didn't get that on disc so can't show, I might try and take a pic of it to put on FB so you can see though, I had it framed in a stainless steel/silver frame and put it up in the kitchen area, it looks awesome. I'm so happy with my pics, they did a great job at that place and look forward to doing some more down the track with them as she gets older.
Oh and I'm so jealous you can get your rings on! I wore my wedding ring the other day which is a real skinny band...but looked so stupid cos all the fat on my finger bulged out around it. Pfft. Oh well.
How are Amelia's night sleeps going?
I was starting to worry that she would be very difficult with the solids and last night she ate with no problems for a change (she usually fusses throughout the 3 spoons or so I try to give her!!!) - she did not eat a huge quantity but a few spoons which is a LOT more than anything else she let me give her before. I realized that what helped was giving her her own spoon dipped in a bit of cereal because she fed herself at first then let me give her food, so it was really cute 
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