Babies Born August 2007 #4

[Campari]

Hey everyone,
Not a lot of news from us, except that Milla had her first swim! She loved it. We just went to a pool at a friends house.... not lessons or anything yet. I had got her this gorgeous little full-length rashy suit / swimmers, and she wore a hat, and a Huggies swim nappy... at first she was a bit apprehensive, with a "this is a cold bath mum" kind of look on her face, but after a few minutes she was splashing and smiling and didn't whinge to get out at all! It was great fun.. DH took some pics so my mission for today is to post some on BB.

I am getting a bit mental with the ILs being here. Everything in terms of what I do with MIlla is fine - they don't question my feeds or sleeps or baths or anything like that, but they just worry way to much about all other stupid stuff - like yesterday I was out for mum's group coffee (decaf !!) and a massive storm was brewing - the sky turned so dark. My MIL sms'ed my DH (who was at work, not with me) to say "there is going to be a storm and Rhi is not home"... so DH called me to tell me there was going to be a storm, and I said "yeah, i KNOW, dur, I might go home now and beat it".. BUT, I wanted to finish my drink, and we were having a good time with all the mums, so I decided to stay til the storm finished (for those of you not from Brisbane, our storms go past so quickly). Anyway... I finally go home once the rain has stopped, and MIL is waiting in the doorway "DH said you were on your way home HALF AN HOUR AGO"!!! My stupid DH had sms'ed his mum to tell her I would be home in a few minutes. All this while I am blissfully enjoying a coffee in the shelter of a lovely cafe just down the road . OMG. I am not a little kid and I don't have a curfew at my own house!!!! I was a bit grumpy for a while.

Anyway - that's my rant for the morning.

Misty - I have "What to Expect in the First Year", but I don't recommend it. IMO its very outdated, and I haven't used it much except to read when I was pg... I also have "Baby Love" by Robyn Barker, which is a lot better, but still has some strange advice (like that its not at all necessary to burp a baby??) Buts its good for explaining a bit about different childhood illnesses, rashes, pimples... all those things that are normal but that make us first time mum's initially freak a bit. For settling, sleeping, crying stuff, I highly recommend "The Science of Parenting" - its wonderful. There is a whole thread about this book on bb.

I think I actually get all my baby care stuff from BB now or the internet in general. But a good book is great to show the IL's or DH if you need to justify anything you are doing....

Kim - you poor thing re. the poo. Don't feel bad - it will be a good story when Hayden is 21 and by then you will have forgotten all the bad bits of the day. I hope your DH will have his turn to be splattered soon enough
And I also love the Kimnastics - so cute.

Well, might go and have a second course of brekky since Milla is still asleep. Hope you are all well!

[neuri]

From work again...

Becca- what don't u like abt bath seats? I don't know anyone that uses them. Is it one of those lemon items? I now regret buying the expensive grobag seeing as Willa only used it for cpl of weeks when it was colder and now she's just too long for it. I gave up on the baby tub last night and just hopped in with her and we had a blast. She's a real water baby, likes floating and kicking and paddling when I put her on her tummy. It was great fun and a good distraction from her post-immunisation grumpies.

Kim - u that that poo incident cld have happened to anyone of us. Really, the doc shld have offered the table. He would after all do it for an adult who was about to be examined. He wld just say, "take your [clothing item] off and hop up on the table." IMO it wld have been the prudent thing to do with a mum handling a bub. And what was with the nappy having to come off for the shots? Ihaven't heard of that b4. I hope the defaced comment from your MIL was meant as a joke! I wouldn't have been impressed at all with that. Willa has been exactly like Hayden with the grizzling and crying. I think they must just feel like crap after the shots, pardon my French :P

Misty- I second Campari's recc of Baby Love. It's a fantastic book to reassure a parent but I too found the 'don't need to burp' advice strange. Robin Barker also is a bit dismissive of teething discomfort, which is another strange thing. It's not so good for week to week or month to month reference, but rather talks about development stages and changes within those stages and how to handle them. I still love it tho, it kept me sane during those late night feeding marathons in Willa's first few weeks. Like Campari, I also found the 'What To Expect' books a little outdated and in some cases, condescending even. I'm sure u'd be able to find another month to month reference guide at the book store tho. There's tons.I tried to order the fabled, 'Wonder Weeks' book but its been sold out everywhere I've checked AND on Amazon! Campari and I must have the same taste in baby books LOL. I have the Science of Parenting book also. Great read, big font, lovely pictures which is good for easily dustracted mummies

Campari - you're doing a great job with the ILs. About 3 months to go now hey? Its always a challenge sharing ur personal space most esp. with a little one. 30 mins is hardly a wait to stress about when you're talking about mums with kids.

take care!
sonia

[kungfubecca]

Hi all,

misty when it comes to solids and juice I would follow the recommendations of a MCHn before a GP, as the GP probably won't be as up to date as the MCHN in such a specialised area. Oh and I only use bb and my mchn as resources. No books for me, except a few cook books for baby food that have some info in them as well.

Scone, you poor thing, go have a nap

Campari, they were just worried. They probably don't know what an aussie storm is like.

Sonia, the main reason I don't like bath seats is 'cause they can be kinda dangerous in that they make people complacent and not saying you would do this but some people think they can take their eyes off the bub because they are safely sitting while they are not. MIL picked one up at a garage sale and I'm just avoiding receiving it. Besides which I think babies should be given the opportunity to kick and float in the bath not be stuck stationary.

[alioops]

We use bath seats for both girls coz they share the big bath. it realy helps our backs and they just get so slippery that i worry about dropping them. we always have a hand on them and never leave them unsupervised. when Sarah wasn't using a bath seat she slipped n hit her head on the side of the bath coz she splashes so much. 4 us they r lifesavers in that they make bath time more relaxed and keep Sarah away from Emma.

Em had her shots yesterday and had a temp last nite but has been fine. Sarah is still not well n i am sick of it.

@ 10 last nite it was still over 30 degrees here!!! way to hot!! the girls slept ok tho which is nice and we all had fans on overnite but it was so hot!

[kungfubecca]

HI

Kim it's not hard to buy more for the little dears is it? I keep wanting to give him the world, and have to remind myself to save some things for birthdays and Christmas's to come.

RE Burping, while in hosi I was taught all I really needed to do was sit xavier up as strait as I could and that was the best way to burp him as it opened up the esophagus sp, and that if that didn't work gentle rocking side to side to get any little bubbles that might be stuck to come up. I do still rub and pat sometimes but we always get the most success when he's left sitting up and works the burp out himself. lol sometimes you can feel it coming up like a little rumble it's kinda funny. But I think we have been pretty lucky with wind. I'm sure in the future I won't be quiet as happy with his loud burps.

[Ilithyia]

Hi Girls!

Just thought i would pop in and say we are all ok here. I've been so busy with everything lately.

Had a Meet the Doula session with Birth Buddies on Saturday! I am officially a Birth Buddy now!! YAY!!!! I even got my own t-shirt. I kept looking at it yesterday is such proudness. I am very honoured to wear it!

I also have my first "observation" birth in January. The Client is due on the 19 of Jan. I will be following one of the qualified Doula's with the client to get the gist of how things work. We have an antenatal app on Thursday night. Its all so exciting.

The girls are well. Colby is rolling around the lounge room now! She started rolling and rolling properly on the weekend. Oh why do they have to grow up so quick! She is becoming such an independent.

Briley is good. Brent looked after her yesterday while i went for a days work. They went out too my mums place and Brent filled up this big makeshift pool thingy and Briley swam for over 3 hours. She had a ball they reckon!

I have turned into an Ebay Queen!!! I have brought 5 books in the last week. Its amazing how much money i have saved though. Had i have brought them new they would'nt cost over $150 all up. I have paid probably $45! So i am happy and well on my way to starting my Library!

I took Colby to work with me yesterday and gosh it was hard! I basically held her for the 5 hours we were there for. She was spewin all over me from being held so much the poor bubba. Thank god for the Wrap!!!

Ok, hope you are all well.....

Talk Soon!

MMMMMWWWWAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!

[kungfubecca]

Sara, glad to hear eveyone is well.

Christmas officially began for us yesterday when we went to my Dad's house and the grandkids got presents. Luckily Xaviers isn't too noisy but my niece was given a barbie piano thing and it would seriously drive me mental if I had to listen to that all the time.

Xavier got some bath books, some balls and a soft rocking horse, or pony might be a better description and it neighs and makes galloping noises when you press his ears. I will try and post the pic Nathan took of him sitting on it when it gets on the computer.

[kungfubecca]

Hi well everyone must be busy busy busy.

Not long till Christmas now.

How have you spoiled your bub?

[Campari]

yeah, pretty busy here, with IL's still here, and lots of Christmas gatherings to attend..

We had a weekend away at Noosa, and Milla had her first surf experience!! She was pretty good - I think the water was a bit colder than the pool last week. I just sat with her right at the waters edge, and held her legs in the water, and jumped her over the waves... got a few smiles until I missed a wave (oooops!!!) and it smashed her in the face... poor chicken. After that we got out and I gave her a feed, only to later discover that I must have had loads of sand all over the bbs, so I'm sure she ingested some.. no complaints though! All in all, the prep of getting ready for the beach, and the clean up afterwards was not worth it for 5 minutes in the water, but at least we gave it a go. We went really late in the afternoon so there wasn't much sun.

For Christmas we have got her a rocking horse (sounds a bit like Xaviers.. it neighs and clops), and some books, and I am yet to finish my coloured textured play mat. Not toooooo spoilt, but there will be loads from rellies I reckon. She is way too young for the rocking horse just yet, but DH loves it....

Still no rolling, but she really swivels her hips when she lies on her back, so I think she is getting there... She swivels right around so she can see the telly, cheeky monkey.

We are planning a naming day for her on the 27th - very low key, just some drinks and cake on our deck. We have asked for no presents, but that everyone contribute to a time capsule for her to open on her 21st - all stuff that sums up life in 2007, like fashion junk mail, real estate ads, cars, food prices, music etc. We're also going to get everyone to write a note / wish for her, and put that in the capsule too. Very simple, but fun to look back on in 2028! Has anyone else got plans for Naming days, or are you doing Christenings or anything?

Off to bed now, after a bad night last night with a 12am and 3am feed, and I couldn't sleep myself between the two...Grrrrrr.

Hope you are all well!

[alioops]

hey girls

Sorry to hijack xmas but have 2 share this with u.

Have spoken to MCHN today. I have what appears to b a mild case of PND. u have seen a lot of the lead up to it with Em's FTT but there is more personal stuff to it as well.

[neuri]

Hello all,

Ali- we are here 4 u, in whatever limited capacity we can offer. If we're not posting, we're at least reading and emphathising. Every little bit of support is helpful, I figure. You have plenty of that here. We've of cos been following your progress with Em from the start (and I say 'progress' because it has been progressing!). Mothering is the hardest job known to humans and I'm not talking it up when I say you've done a remarkable job coping with Em's FTT while looking after another child and being a wife at the same time. I am beside myself with stress just taking willa to the GPs for regular shots, so I know how I would cope with frequent trips to peds and dietician and MCHN and what not that you've coped with. Not nearly as well as u have.

Becca, Yep, Countdown to xmas!

Isn't it nice seeing kids get excited abt pressies? Our bubs are too young to to the whole ripping open the wrapping with glee thing. More like eating the wrapping...lol. I'm not so much busy busy as reaaaaaly laid back. I'm on leave so am enjoying time with DH as much as possible.

Becca, the pony sounds sooo cute. Campari, lol about the wave. Babies at the beach are adorable. Willa had a bit of dunk in the bath the other day and she wasn't very impressed with it either. Came up sputtering. I wonder at how u see these babies who seem to be having the time of their lives underwater. How come they don't breathe the water in? Is some primitive reflex at work?

Not much direct xmas spoiling going on here per se. Willa gets toys all year round I figure. I'm bad with putting things aside. The whole wonder and joy of xmas thing will be courtesy of her grandparents who are amazing. They do it really really properly and with a lot of sentiment (and pressies!). DH and I are laid back abt birthdays too. I reckon it will be different now that we have Willa tho!

I did the xmas shopping practically all in 1 day yesterday with DH and the bub. Went surprisingly well because the mall wasn't as insane as i feared. I didn't have to fight my way through hordes of stressed out parents and their screaming offspring (mine included). I like the convenient car parking spaces for parents with prams. Yep, could get used to that!! Its unfortunate that I totally HATE shopping. A strange affliction for a woman, I know! I didn't used to be like this, seems to be only since we got a mortgage lol.

Latest development is that Willz now insists on holding her own bottle to feed herself. At first I thought it was a fluke when she did it 4 me, but then DH informs me that she's been doing it for him for a while now. They have their own special Daddy-Daughter Club when I'm not there lol. She just takes it off us. At first she held it with closed fists but now she uses open palms. If we try to hold the bottle too much for her she chucks a wobbly! Trouble is when she has 180 mls and its a heavy bottle so she gets tired holding it. I was at Medicare yesterday filling out forms and I knew she was abt to start up cos she was hungry. I whipped out her bottle, gave it to her and lo and behold she fed herself the whole time I was occupued. I think we have mixed feelings abt this as its nice to cuddle and hold a baby to feed them, but we'll have to go off Miss Independent's moods now! Oh and she had a suck on a biscuit the other day. Was quite promising. She's a little over 4.5 months now. I reckon we might start rice cereal after a month from now.

have an excellent chrissy day and new years if I dont post between now and then! and smoochies to all our gorgeous, wonderful 2007 bundles of joy!!

sonia

[sconeonamission]

HEY !!
Back for a few mins.. I'm in the boss's office at work and it's nice and cool and private in here, so it looks like I'm working!

KIM - funny you should mention the copy and paste idea. Thats actually one of my methods, spesh on the long posts. But that particular one, like this one, I'm using a separate window to type and switch between the two. The other method I use is to read thru all the posts, write my answers and come and type it all in one go. Unfortunately, it was just not my day With the whole ppo at the dr and mil thing - it did ever happen to her? I agree - re/ the wind & burping. I don't burp Jensen. He either does it on his own, or he complains and I help him out to bring it up. Sorry to hear about your arguements I work mondays and thursdays (or wednesdays the alternating week) with mothers group on the tuesday, but if you'd like I can come out and visit you with Jensen and Lea and Nixon. Is there a park near you, so you don't need the car?

RHI - OMG about your mil! Maybe invite her along next time (probably not your first thought), for some company and so she can see how other mothers are going too. Well done with the first surf! I can't wait to take Jensen to the beach. In March we're going to go to Straddie, to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. Jens will be 7mths and hopefully a little more mobile. I want to get Jensen christened, but dh isn't that kind of person. Am thinking a naming ceremony - anything to show my bub off!!

BECCA- Jensen has a bath seat. We never ever leave him alone in the bath - I'm far too paranoid that something will happen. I'm a very panicked parent! But each to their own.

SARA - Well done with the ebay books! I buy Jensen nappies and clothes from there (and garage sales - so invaluable to a parent with no money!) I'd love to take Jensen into work with me, but a shipping container yard full of trucks, forklifts and truckies is soo not the place for a 4mth old. He's too needy, so I've asked if I can do some work from home. I think I'm going to get my way!

ALI - Oh you poor thing! Know that we are here for you if you ever need to chat.

SONIA - Pressies! i can't wait. But we're totally flat broke here now coz of DH's surgery. I've been saying that I really don't want any pressents, just for Jensen. I'll be happy if he's happy. I hear you on the parents with prams car parks. However, at our local shopping centres, any tom **** and harry park there. Gives me the *****s. Lol at holding her own bottle. Apparently Jensen does it too (he gets fed bottles when I'm at work). He always seems to be out there, doing things I didn't expect. But what I think may be advanced, probably isn't. I was asked at the health nurse if he's passing things from hand to hand. He is, but he isn't. He grabs on with one hand, slowly moves to the next, grabs it (so he's holding both at the same time) and then lets the first hand go. All the while watching himself do it like its some kind of magic trick. Cute. Pff and the dr reckons he's going to talk soon too. yeah right.

Well done to those bubs who are rolling! Jensen can roll from f-b and b-f, but has only done so a few times. still, he swivels around on the floor. Jensen had his needles on Tuesday and has been totally out of sorts. He has a different cry, like he's in pain. At first I thought that it was a reaction to the needles. But he wasn't like that 2 mths ago. Things change tho. MIL (who looks after him when I'm at work) noticed a few bumps on his gums. We think that he's cutting his teeth. OMG this is way too early. The health nurse said "oh they don't start teething til 6mths" - but what do they say to those mothers whose babies are born with teeth? We had santa photos taken.. it's a great shot of santa. pfft. So, we're getting them re-taken. They were done at harvey norman, so santa is only there saturday and sunday. Better be good ones this time.

I better go and actually get some work done...
I'll be back in later - going to dinner tonight!!

See u all soon

Rhianon and Jensen

[kungfubecca]

Hi all,

Campari, that's a really sweet idea with the time capsule, it might stop people buying things, 'cause they usually do even when you ask them not to.
We won't be having a naming day or anything. If xavier wants one when he's older we will probably oblige, but I want all those things to be his own choices.

Ali hugs I hope your feeling ok. Please know you can share things in here. We are great listener's.

Sonia, I just love watching babies swim underwater like that. like what they have on documentaries. it's amazing isn't it.
I still love shopping, but it is only fun when you have money to spend.

Kim you need a hug too. sometimes it would be nice if the guys took more interest. Nathan isn't too bad but sometimes I think he needs to work out his priorities and realise you can't really occupy a baby and play computer games at the same time. Part of the reason I wish nathan would do more is because as soon as he stops paying attention it's time for me to step in again and keep xavier occupied when I'm just trying to do a few things for me. and other times I think that Nathan's missing out iykwim, and that is why I make him do baths and he will be doing swimming lessons too because computers and water don't mix. Yet he manages to get the laptop in the bathroom sometimes.

Scone, with the bath seat, I'm not generally the one that baths him, and well it's not that I don't trust others it's just easier to not tempt fate.

Wow all these babies are starting to get so active, and mine is very lazy. he prefers to bash things with his legs than try to roll, although he seems more interested in trying to sit up than roll so who knows. He is going to be in childcare soon when i'm back at work and will possibly see other kids and decide he can do that too.

[Campari]

How is everyone going?

Ali, especially, I hope you are doing OK and getting loads of support. Hope you get some "me-time" over the crazy Christmas period... have you got lots of rellies you have to entertain, or is a quiet Christmas for you? Thinking of you, and hope it gets easier now that at least you know its PND...

Our news here is that Milla is rolling! I am very proud, despite the fact that I can't leave her alone on our bed anymore, and co-sleeping from 5am will have to be re-evaluated She rolls from back to front... took her a while to get all the way - yesterday she hovered on her side for a while, but this afternoon everytime I put her on her back, she rolled over. She then gets grumpy being on her tummy for too long, and is yet to learn how to roll back...

Got to get dinner out of the oven...

Be back later in the week, if I can steal a few minutes on the computer with everyone being here all the time..

x

[alioops]

Campari, we will b going to my parent's house 4 the big family function, however I don't have to do much. we r having the IL's over for lunch on boxing day to help my parents with their leftovers . we r going 2 church on xmas morning too. I have been mainly ok the past 2 days but I have my moments. I am really hopng that Dad keeps his mouth shut on xmas day coz the chances of a big argument r fairly high if he behaves as he usually does. DH will go into bat 4 me if he does. I think I will just leave it to him 2 sort out and if anything starts I will just excuse myself and go 4 a walk.

[Ilithyia]

Evening ladies!

Just poppin in quickly to say Merry Christmas to you all! I probably won't be around much over the next few days. Not that i have been anyways but nevermind! I do pop in everyday and see how you are all going.

Not much planned for the Chrissy day. Going to mums for brekky then back home for lunch and dinner with Brent's family. Quite looking forward to just chillin out and eating all day. The weather is forcast for rain so hopefully it will be nice and cool.

The girls are good. Colby is really becoming her own little person now. She squels and carries on heaps esp when she is after someones attention. The b/f is still going really well. I have been comp feeding her a bit lately though.

Not much else to report. We are all quite well.

Hope you are all well.....Esp you Ali! Take good care of yourself hun. Just remember we are always here if you need to talk.

Well i am tired. Brent's 30th was lastnight and i had quite a big one!

Again, hope you are all well and Merry Christmas to you all!

Night!

[alioops]

Merry Christmas girls! Drive safely n don't get too drunk. remeber there will b alot of drunk ppl on the road so take extra care

[kungfubecca]

HI all,

Campari, milla what a clever little girl rolling.

Not much to report here.

So I hope you all have the best christmas and especially hope all the kiddies enjoy themselves too.