Hey Limesplice. I did Caden's foot prints and just got DH to distract him while I was doing it. I held his foot pretty tight but he didn't seem to mind. I tried again a week later and he kicked up a stink, but did it anyway. They don't smudge too much if you are quick and go straight on the canvas/paper whatever. Alternatively, do it when she is in a deep sleep.

I hear you about the weather! Mandurah is a degree cooler than Perth, if that is any consolation. My sis and mum live down there, and it is such a lovely place except for the mozzies. Don't feel lonely. Have you joined your mothers group? There should be one nearby you can attend.

Suse - I also wouldn't worry too much. The "ideal" is 150 - 200 gms a week, which does sound a little bit more than your bubba, but being a "biggen" might mean he doesn't need as much. My fella has put on an average of 350 per week since birth, but he lost more than 10% of his birth weight initially, and then only gained 70g the first week.

I recommend expressing anyway to build up your supply. That way when the nasty growth spurts hit, you already have enough for them, and they are less grumpy (I read that in a book somewhere and it makes sense). I always expressed, just to get some milk saved and I definitely think it helped. Besides, too much milk is better than not enough (just keep your pump handy if you are going out for more than 3 hours - the BBs can get sore!)

June78 - I agree on the "change daily" routines. It is only now at 11 weeks that we finally have a semblance of a routine. And that was by recording his sleep and awake times on a chart for three days. Shows how thick I can be, Caden gets grumpy at 6.30 each morning and wont go back down. After realising he has had his 1.5 hours of sleep, I have finally discovered that 6.30 is just the time he wants to get up! Too bad if I want a sleep in, cos he wants to play. Last night I mapped on the chart where I thought his feeds would be based on the last two nights, and sure enough, he was within half hour of my crosses. Clever boy, he knows what's going on, if only his mumma could catch up.

On the sleep routine - OMG! I don't want to speak too soon in case I jinx us, but what a difference! My little man could not "switch off" and was just getting more and more tired. That meant during his awake time, he was still extremely tired, and therefore very irritable. Every little fart would aggravate him. Now (after a painful couple of days of crying) he has learned how to fall asleep on his own in his cot, and get himself back to sleep after he wakes up (he has taken to his left thumb, which is VERY cute and most convenient). So far so good, fingers crossed. We have some lovely awake time and play time. I also get the chance to put him down, as I think he was an over-handled bub and really seems to relish in his own space.

Well, I am thrilled, (touch wood) that everything is improving. The magic 12 weeks is just around the corner and hopefully from here on in things will get a bit easier.

Hope you WA chickies are coping with the heat, and everyone else has a great week!