Babies born May 16th-31st 2009 #3

[Santosha]

Hey all! Woooo new thread! My goodness we can chat!

Just been racing around trying to get the house back in some sort of order after an amazing weekend away. Was SO much fun to catch up with all our friends and watch everyone get to know Ivy. She was great in the car (3 1/2 hr drive) and so fantastic all weekend. Now just trying to unpack, do washing and clear the decks for another busy week so I'm not stopping here for long...

Just wanted to offer a suggestion... Naomi, does Bailey like the TV? Ivy is fascinated with it at the moment but I don't really like her watching it for extended periods as it doesn't do a whole lot for her cognitive / physical / social development. But I've cut her a deal... she's allowed to watch it if she's on her belly!!! She usually doesn't last on her belly on the floor for very long and so only really gets about 5 mins practice some days and I know they're supposed to have more. So I've been setting her up on the ottoman so she's level with the TV, propping pillows and towels around her so she can't roll and then popping on the TV. She lasts for ages, and even after she cracks it, I can pick her up, give her cuddles for 5 mins and then pop her back in the same position again and she is usually happy to have another go!

It might be a motivator for the little guy to get some more practice in??

[Snacks]

Kat: Did you get caught in those high winds? When I heard the Grampians on the news I thought of you...
Jacinta: Which Bonds suits do you like? The wondersuits? Phoebe is in them every day, LOL. She puts on a new one for bed after her bath/wash and the next day I just put her clothes over the top
Cathy: Hiya, chicky! Wow @ Cara rolling over - super! Phoebe is under the gym but she just does tummy crunches, LOL! At least one of us has ripped abs
Naomi: I hope gymbaroo is good now that I've talked it up Hopefully you and Bailey have a great time. Why the guilt over the formula? It's not like it's bad for him, babe. And if he will go from breast-bottle-breast, well, that's the best of both worlds isn't it? You go and have a FABULOUS time away at the wedding. I'm absolutely sure you will be a sook leaving Bailey, LOL! But he'll be in great hands.

Had a scare last night cause Natty seemed out of sorts and had a bit of a runny nose. I thought for sure I'd be up with her in the night and headed to the Drs today for tamiflu. (Not sure if I mentioned DH had to take it for his man-flu just incase it was swine-man-flu, and was told to stay away from the kids.) But thankfully, she has been fine today. I kept her home from childcare JIC, but all seems well. Phew! And DH is going back to work tomorrow... Phew!
Phoebe slept amazingly well last night. And unlike the night before, I slept really deeply too. I was so groggy this morning - almost worse than when I get little sleep, LOL. But I didn't dare complain. It was a real treat.
Okeys, I'm off to build towers with the stacking cups. DD gets so shirty playing with them when she can't stack them properly

[Bella29]

Hi All,

Well I can't believe how much I have gotten done today!! Jemima has been asleep since 1215, she roused and had a boob at 1445 but dream fed for it and then stayed asleep and is still at it! thats 4+ hrs now! So I have done some washing, ironed 2 baskets of clothes, swept and mopped the floors. Feel really good about getting some chores done. Yesterday I climbed this big hill in Townsville, it is a 2.9km walk up and I had Jemima in a sling so it was extra work, but I feel good. I am gonna move that extra arse fat if it kills me! Still 10kg heavier than my pre-preg weight, but I'm ok with it now, I'm just not gonna sit back and let it stay there.

Jemima rolledfor the first time the other day, forgot to mention it. I think it stunned us both. From front to back... opps there she goes, will finish post later

[MummyNaomi]

Amy - I thinks it the highly irrational mothers guilt of thinking I should be around to BF my baby at all times (highly unpractical) and I feel like someone is going to dob me to the 'Breast is Best' police LOL

[Snacks]

This is the BiB police, Naomi. You're under a-breast.

[Bella29]

back again...

She's asleep in bed now, so anyway, our midwife came over today to discharge us from the birth center care program. It was supposed to happen at 6wks but one of her mum's got swine flu and was in ICU for it and so she didn't visit in case she had caught it, then she went on holiday so she saw us today. I'm really so glad that we had the one-one midwifery care thru the pregnancy and birth! Even tho we ended up with a c/s having someone visit 4-5 times in our last weeks of pregnancy was great and post-partum visits at home everyday in the begining was great. Jemima weighed 6kg today at 9weeks old. She is big for her age in the 97th percentile but she isn't a really chubby bub. She is really tall.

Cathy- so nice to hear from you! I bet it takes a bit to get on here with 4 kids! I do envy you tho cos I want 4 kids and hubby doesn't I keep saying "but all the other mummies get to have 4 kids!'. LOL. Great to here Cara rolled

Naomi- Sorry to hear about the breast feeding/expressing issues. Have you thought to call the breastfeeding hotline? I called once and they were really good, was when I had mastitis. It's 1800 mum 2 mum. They could perhaps give you advice to help you express? My only thought on that is apparently hand expressing can sometimes be easier. And don't feel bad about not being able to express! My sister tells me she just can't even though she had BF till up to 15months with one of her kids, she thinks her body just knows that it isn't her baby and she doesn't let down. It's all about Bailey right? If he is happy that's what matters, so don't feel guilty! I think you have to do what is best for both of you and as long as you don't do it too often your supply-demand won't be too put off. I really enjoy BF as I think you do too, and so don't let a perception of what you think some people think you should do be an undue influence. Your doing a great job!

Snacks- her nose is clear and realativly clear. I have put up normal saline drops... not sure if they r helping but she is getting better. I think her problem is from trying to breath and drink, so she is gulping more air. hope it all tapers off soon.

KL- Thanks for the support- as I said to amy I think it is just sucking air, but it has been really hard! she has cried more in the last week than in the previous 8wks.'

JwithJ- I hear you re the TTC- I want to already, but have to wait awhile to attempt a VBAC so that my scar heals...... thinking of having a home birth with a MW. My DH is totally **** scared about that prospect but we r talking about it.

Must go, gonna have dinner
Love you all

Bella

[Snacks]

Seriously though. Bailey is still getting the benefit of breastmilk... Not that it's anyone else's business anyway. Only reason why I haven't used bottles with Phoebe yet is cause I can't be stuffed. Same deal with going out too. I'd love to but can't be bothered.
Yay @ the big sleep, Bella. Feels really nice when you get stuff accomplished, hey.

[Bella29]

This is the BiB police, Naomi. You're under a-breast.

Amy your a cack! LMAO

[wysiwyg]

Naomi - I was going to say but Bella has beat me too it, did you try hand expressing? There is no need to be guilty about the odd bottle of formula but if you haven't tried hand expressing and would prefer Bailey to have EBM might be worth ago. I can only express by hand, the pump makes my nipples sore and I think because of that I am tense so don't get let down. When I do it by hand nipples don't get sore and also can see it squirting out so reassures that is working so relaxes me further, also there is no pump for any ml to get lost in as can express directly into bottle. At first I had to use the pump for a few seconds to get started, but can also start by hand. I have a video of CJ crying on my phone, and a little digital photo keyring with pictures of her that I use to help as well :-)

Bella - Well done on the walk. I have dug out my pedometer and am getting a new battery for it tomorrow so aiming to do 10,000 steps a day to try and get fit. I love walking and would rather just walk loads than try and restrict myself eating - although I have stopped buying ginger biscuits because had developed a bit of an addiction to them and just couldn't help myself if they were in the house.

Bridg - Thanks for asking about CJ's brace. She is fine with it, and fingers crossed a week today when have next ultrasound we will get the ok to take it off for baths. Even if they say she has to wear another three months I don't care as long as can take it off for baths. At the moment she hears the water running gets mega excited then when she realises is only a sponge bath screams (and she really screams unlike any other she does, you would think we were doing something really awful to her!). The brace means she can't roll either :-(, sometimes it looks like she would if wasn't wearing it though.

Hi to everyone else - will post more tomorrow, am off to bed. CJ sleeps great from 8:00 till 7:30 but I am still waking several times a night and often have to get up before her because my boobs are so full they are hurting or I have leaked all over the place.

[MummyNaomi]

This is the BiB police, Naomi. You're under a-breast.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA PMSL Amy

That is seriously the funniest post I think I have read - COMEDY GOLD!!!

Thanks for the suggestions girls, appreciated - Vic, I have already tried hand expressing with no success , I have tried sitting in front of Bailey, with photo's of him etc etc, I really feel like I have exhausted every option. I think my milk supply is just at the point where its plenty to sustain him at the breast, but my let down seems to fail me if its not for a breast feed (and my boobs aren't anywhere near as full as they were in the early days). I dont think BF is about to give up the ghost as I should be able to continue BF until I return to work next year, but just need an alternative re the expressing. If I have another bub I think I will make the effort to continue expressing from the early days, as I think as this time I have stopped and started as I've needed it, I've just lost the ability, never mind, I'll get over it!!

HAHAHAHAHA, still laughing about being under-abreast!!

[MummyNaomi]

Vic - I hope CJ gets to enjoy baths soon - that must be soooooo frustrating for her, poor bugger!!

Bella - I can understand DHs fear re the home birth, but I also understand wanting to be in your own environment. I'd go with the **** scared option of hospy, and I had a great experience with Bailey, and with him needing to be whisked off to the SCN, it was the best place for us to be.

Cathy - GREAT to hear from you, ditto re the other girls, time would be a luxury for you with 4 kids!!

AFU - I think we have hit the 17 week wonder week. Bailey was sooooo unsettled last night, fed every three hours and woke pretty much every 1 - 1.5 hours, so in the end I brought him into our bed in an effort to recover some sleep. Arrrrghhhh I feel like crap, never mind. Have a hair cut @ 1030 so better get ready for that. We also have Baileys 2nd round of immunisations this arvo (how did I manage to time that with a wonder week - DOH). We went to visit the IL yesterday and Bailey cracked the Sh**s when the MIL was holding him and took about 30 mins to calm down - arrrrrrggggghhhhhhh, I think it would help if she stopped craddling him like a newborn, I had to tell her to let him sit up, seriously - isn't a grumbling, squirming baby hint enough that he is not comfortable? However by this time he was past it and just started to roar........

Whoops - just heard thunder pants do his morning poo, must away ..........LOL

[CathyS]

Me again! Twice in one week hehe.

I blew rasberries on Cara's belly last night and she broke into hysterical laughing...was so cute!! I thought she'd be too little, but she loves it! Huge smiles!

On time IS a LUXURY with 4 kids. If I get time for a nice hot shower or to read a magazine in peace...wow hehe.

VIC: I hope CJ gets to have the brace off for baths soon. They do so love their baths hey?

NAOMI: You'll soon work out what is best feeding wise. And both you and bub will be happy.

BELLA29: Having 4 kids is nice. Some days I can't believe I have 4!! OMG hehe I do recommend a bit of an age gap though...4 little ones would be HARD work. My older two are 12 and 9...much easier. Laura is 3.

SNACKS: The nurse that did Cara's needles told me that she had good tummy muscles. I don't know HOW she knew that!???

JWITHJ: I sorted Cara's 000 clothes the other day. She doesn't really fit into most 000 outfits anymore (except that pink pooh outfit she came home in from hospital...weird hehe it's still big!)

BG: Glad to hear E is sleeping better during the day. Cara naps so much.Half an hour..up to an hour. Rarely 3 hours. She sleeps really well at night though (I think last night was 5-6 hours straight). Cant complain with that. Just hard to get stuff done during the day.

EVERYONE ELSE: Hope you're all doing well!!

Cara is still asleep in my bed..she loves it there..so cozy! She woke up before, I fed her and she's asleep again. Been there since around 11pm hehe.

[wysiwyg]

Naomi - Thought you would have already tried the hand expressing but thought was worth mentioning just in case (was talking to a friend the other day who had never tried hand expressing). I think I will continue to hand express everyday to try and keep that option open to me then if you think that keeping it up is the way to go - at the moment I really need to in the morning for comfort anyway.

[COLOR=""DarkOrchid"]Cathy[/COLOR] - I think the only thing CJ loves more than her baths, if could have one, at the moment is her thumb! She makes such a noise sucking it! Is quite cute is like when you eat something really delicious - she seems to have got over the scratching her face all the time while doing it which is good too.

[COLOR=""DarkOrchid"]Snacks[/COLOR] - Have you been to Gymbaroo/Babyroo before is it expensive? After you mentioned it was having a look on the site - think I will wait until CJ is out of her brace though to get the most from it. Go to Baby Yoga at the moment which is good fun but do have to modify a lot of the exercises because of her brace.

[COLOR=""DarkOrchid"]AFU[/COLOR] - I am trying to learn some of the songs for Baby Yoga, some songs are different in Oz to the UK which is interesting. Weather has been quite good the past couple of days so have had some nice walks in the stroller. So a question - what do people do regarding flies/insects etc and baby in the stroller - DH was on about getting a screen thing that fits round the stroller to stop insects getting at her, but will it really be that much of a problem - I know flies can be annoying at certain times of year here and she can't swat them away but do most people have a net or is it not an issue? DH has never been bitten by an insect in his life (he must smell funny) so I am hoping CJ takes after him and not me because they love me!

[BeautifulMadness]

Thought id stop and say while ive got a few mins scary lol Andy fell asleep in his rocker while i wa folding washing so he is in his rocker in our room and ashy is watching ABC and drinking his juice. this is so weird i get to talk to u guys *hugs*. How is everyone? How are our lil tots? being good i hope.

Andy is being a good lil gem, Sleeping 5 hrs but at the wrong times tho hmmm gotta fix that.

Ashley is well being himself as usual altho i will say he is getting so much better i am so proud of him and his speech is coming along so much he can put a few sentences together and tell me what it is he wants without me having to be psychic lol

Sept 1st and #rd i have my final uni exams for my course blah! gotta go into the city for em too i hate driving in the city so stressful and i dont wanna be more stressed lol reminds me i gotta get something outta the freezer for tea hmmm back in a tick



and im back just got some chops out n ill do some vegies if i have time too peel them.

Gosh now i have this time ive run outta what to say

Oh with the meet up in nov where is it? ( eg what state) Cause if its in like sydney i could make arrangements to plan my yearly trip to the in laws ( who live n newcastle) for that time just thought id ask lol

[*TripleJ*]

jess the meetups are both in vic coz most of us are here ask kat(santosha) the details shes organising it

[Santosha]

Jess the Nov meetup will most likely be close to the Melb CBD. We're thinking Botanic gardens but are still in the planning stage and would love any suggestions. It needs to be fairly easy to access for those coming from the airport, and those coming in from multiple directions from rural Vic. Not sure what parking is like around the botanic gardens so if you can think of a better place for a picnic that's still accessible... or a place that might be good in case it rains, I'd love to know what you think.

[MummyNaomi]

Got a referral to the Paed for Bailey. Our GP was lovely, she said that not only to allow time for his 'adjusted' age being early, but then some, she seemed to think he'll hit all his milestone/developments in good time, but was happy to refer us back to our Paed for 'Mummies' peace of mind, she understood my worries which was nice.

Dad held him for his 2nd round of needles, he was quite distressed by the time we got home so gave him some paracetemol, lotsa cuddles, relaxing bath, few feeds and his now zonked it in bed - whew!

Right, am gonna work on my photo book for Bailey, I wanted to keep a journal (kept a wonderfully up to date pregnancy journal) but cant keep up now that the little guy is here. So making a photo book with a little bit of text. I am finding that going back through old BB posts is reminding me what happened in each week - BB rocks in more ways than one. I plan to have a 52 page photo book by the end of the year, one for each week. Now if I could just catch up to the current week, it will be much easier LOL

[Snacks]

Naomi: Wow @ your photo book idea for Bailey! That sounds brilliant. How on earth do you have the energy to think about it after you and Bailey had such a crap night? My eyes'd be falling out of my head and I'd be cross. (Actually that's how I was this morning, and last night wasn't too bad here, LOL!)
Glad to hear your GP is supportive and that you've a referral in your hot little hand. Sorry about the needles Hope he stays settled tonight.
Jess: All the best for your exams coming up. I'm sure you'll be great. It's really good to hear from you.
Vic: No, we never did get to gymbaroo. My niece and nephew went and a good friend of mine took her daughter. In fact, I've been very slack in terms of extra-curricular activities for Natty - most of the other kids in our mothers group go to swimming lessons, and we didn't even manage that. The best I could do was take her to Baby Bounce every now and again @ the local library, LOL! (A half-hour of singing nursery rhymes.) How do you find baby yoga? Is it good exercise for you, or is it mostly for CJ?
Cathy: LOL @ the nurse commenting on Cara's abs... I was joking Still, its good to have strong core muscles, so good on her. Ooooh, love the raspberry-giggle story! Still haven't heard a giggle from Phoebe yet, but sometimes we get RIPPER smiles that make me absolutely melt.
Bella: Good on you for getting out and about. I am still 10kg over pre-pg weight too, and then I was about 8kg overweight... But I'd be happy just to lose the 10! I have been taking the girls out in the stroller a few times a week, but it's done crap-all for me... I'm going to have to stop eating garbage, LOL. GL with it anyway.

Phoebe had a catnap at around 6 tonight, so I'm still waiting for her to go properly to sleep. She was so much happier for it though - she and Dave were sitting watching telly together while I took Natty up to bed. I took a couple of pics that will have to go on FB once I've downloaded them.
My hip is playing up. I think I might go visit an osteopath. I reckon its pg/birth-related. Ok, she's asleep ni-night all.