Hey Hoody and Willow - you both sound like you are having a hard time. I think until about 12 weeks or so they are still difficult to self-settle. That's what Ngala said anyway (like Tresellian over here). We took Caden there at 11 weeks and he learned pretty quickly so now he is fine. He does wake up after a sleep cycle though, especially during the day, but will grizzle a bit and then go back to sleep.

Hoody - cute about the thumb! I personally think it was a turning point when Caden learned to get it into his mouth cos now he can control his own comfort to a degree.

As for the evenings, we used to get this with Caden also. To be honest, I am not sure of any advice, just try and keep the same routine each time - we found a bath would be good, but then he would scream while getting changed etc until he was being fed. It was just something we persevered with until he has grown out of it. It is the "horror" time at the end of the day - they are tired, grumpy, ready for a good long sleep, hungry, and generally unsettled. And so are you, which makes it doubly hard. Does your DP assist you at this time? I find it a hundred times easier if there are two hands, and Caden is much more settled when his dad is around at this time also.

As for swimming lessons, we are booked in at the local pool. We will be able to do swimming lessons there right up until adulthood. I am SO looking forward to it! I am in the other boat where I am looking for things we can do together because I have had my "3 months" in solitary confinement, and now we are ready to get out and about a lot more

Willow - it sounds like you are doing really well, I guess you are just waiting for it all to click into place so that you can breathe a little deeper. The Tresellian place will definitely help, they can see the things we can't. It does sound like you know what you are doing though, but I hear you on wanting to just stay at home for a bit. I found the first week after Ngala we just stayed at home, or I would go out in short bursts so I was home for the next nap time. Gradually I started going for long walks and he would learn to sleep in the pram, then long drives so he sleeps in the car (not always but most times). It took a few weeks to get the confidence to be able to just get out of the house for an extended period of time. Be careful though - you can become a recluse and NEVER get out!

about your DD off to pre-school. I know you will miss her, but in some ways it gives you a bit more time to concentrate on DS and yourself (easy for me to say as I am not in the same boat, but I do appreciate how hard it is for you).

As for head circ - no one measures that over here. I asked the CHN and she just said they don't do it unless there is a concern, and she looked at Caden and said she is not concerned at all (his head is proportionate to the rest of his body). I worry it will become misshapen cos he sucks his right thumb and therefore has his head on the right side, but after he has fallen asleep I move it back to the left, so he hasn't developed a flat spot yet - isn't it funny that one blessing (sucking thumb) can turn into a problem? (flat spot). Aaaaah the joys of parenting...

Well, as for us, it has been a good week, with a couple of grumpy days and some POWER DROOLING! Literally pouring out of his little mouth, and he tries to ram both fists in. Needless to say I think his teethies are giving him a hard time. It never ends does it? I hope if they are on the move they hurry up and get it over and done with.

Willow - on your suggestion re joining posts, I had tried to follow the October thread (cos bub was born in October) but I found it was already onto a new thread by the time I caught up again! Those ladies talk so much and I just lost track. It is probably better to have a fast one that you can be a part of, and a slow one that you can drop into every day (or even week) for a follow up without losing track. Not sure what others think?

Have a great weekend!