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Popping in for a quick reply, will write a longer reply in a bit.
Alison - so jealous of you getting that swing! I've been eyeing that one off for ages and ages - what a bargain! Dammit, I wish I could bloody well drive - I'd be off to Target tomorrow!
Hey Rose, want me to get you one tomorrow? More than happy to, there was only a few left so can stop in after the hairdresser no problems. Let me know before 9.30 am tomorrow or text me.....I'll FB you my mobile if I don't hear back from you.
Okay, back properly now - had to dash off and hang out a load of nappies. I suspect my neighbours think I'm slightly nuts, since I'm always hanging out washing at night! It's the only quiet time of the day for me, though, and it's really nice to get outside for a little bit and look at the stars.
Alison - Oh, that would be *awesome*! DH will shake his head at me buying another thing for Liam, but too bad! I have my fingers crossed for your friend and her bub - if it helps at all, I was born at 29 weeks and have a friend the same age as me who was born at 27 weeks, and we got through it. I hear you on the hair style, too - I've been going back and forth trying to decide what to do about my own hair. I've spent the last four years or so growing it to this length, and I love it, but it's just a pain right now. And I desperately need to colour it, too. I'm tempted to chop it all off short and go back to something like my natural colour for a change. It'll always grow again.
Oh, and I got my Sophie in the mail today too! You are so awesome for recommending it! Liam grabbed onto it right away and proceeded to stick it into his mouth every possible way :)
beany - Honestly, I find it difficult to tell if my hips are bigger, since I'm carrying so much extra weight. I've been scared to try on any of my jeans to find out. I actually bought some jeans on special today in a size larger than I was wearing pre-pregnancy, thinking they'd be okay. Came home and tried them on, since I didn't want to deal with trying on clothes while I had Liam, and almost cried - couldn't even do them up! Hasn't stopped me eating tonnes since though! I'm hoping that I'll be able to lose some weight with the weather cooling and making it tolerable for me to get out walking again.
AFM - Had a pretty decent day after a kind of crap night. Liam was pretty good - he woke a couple of times for a feed and had one restless period (all of which is normal for him) but I got stuck with horrid insomnia. Took me ages to get to sleep, and as soon as I dropped off, he woke up. Meh. I've had problems with insomnia for years, I'd kind of hoped that it had gone away a bit since I've been sleeping okay. I think tonight might be crappy again, since I'm wide awake and tired again.
Liam was in an amazing mood today - all smiley and happy and talky, way way more than he usually is. He did have one massive meltdown when I took him out for a walk (on the way home, thankfully, but the poor guy was almost blue in the face when we got home - he was just hungry, though). I've started giving him a tiny dose of probiotics and I think it's making a difference to him. I was getting desperate a few days ago and considering doing things like going on an elimination diet to see if there was anything that I was eating that could be worrying him, but maybe I won't have to now. I hope this lasts, anyway - it's really nice to have a happy baby :)
Goodness, one day I'll remember to put everything I wanted to say in one post. I have serious baby brain.
I would love to catch up with you girls again soon soon soon! I'm happy to host again, or I could get anywhere that's walkable from the train. Sorry, I'm a total pain with my lack of driving :( I was hoping that I'd be able to go back driving again, but I've had crappy seizure activity again, so I don't think I'm safe :(
I do have ulterior motives in that I really want to take more photos of your bubs, though. I am officially the crazy lady with the camera.
Hi Serious Crazy Lady with the Camera - just kidding, I love your camera so am more than happy for you to take as many pics as you like! Also happy to come to yours, I'm only 15 mins down the road so no problems for me, Beany has further to go than me! Poor you with the seizures, is that epilepsy or something? I'm sure you've mentioned but the baby brain in my camp is shocking as well lol!
No problemos, just to make sure it's the one you wanted, it's the blue one with the little turtles and frogs....it's the same as the bouncy Amelia is in in some of my pics. If it's definitely the right one I'll go have a squiz after having my hair done tomorrow. There was only 3 left when I was there today but I didn't go until 5.00 pm so hopefully they'll still have some tomorrow. If not, I'll try Whitfords for you. :D Will let you know if I was successful tomorrow. Pity I didn't mention it earlier, I could've got it today when I grabbed mine. Mind you, I had no intention of buying it, I just couldn't resist when I saw how cheap it was. Like your DH mine will go, another contraption, hasn't she got enough!!!! He's away until tomorrow so who cares ha ha! I think you and I are the purchasing queens hee hee.
Alison - That's the one!
Heh, I think DH has given up on me. I buy a tonne of things online - so much so that the postal delivery guys end up knowing me. My mother is just as bad, too! I think they think we're slightly bonkers :)
And the seizures - they're from lupus involvement in my brain (which sounds worse than it is, it's actually very mild) - mostly I get myoclonic jerks, so my legs or arms will just randomly jerk. Not the safest thing for driving. I'd probably be safe 99% of the time, but it just takes that 1%.
Oh, and (look, I did it again!) I'd be happy to meet somewhere central too, if it's easier for everyone :)
Oh that would be scary if you're driving! Even sneezing when driving is scary lol!
I'm happy to come to yours and if I get the swing (fingers crossed they have some left tomoz) I'll drop it around anyway.
I LOVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVE SHOPPING.....shopaholic here! ;) Have to remember I'm not getting paid at the mo though. :doh: Speak to you tomorrow. I'm off to bed now. xx
Hello my lovelies :)
Alison - aren't Target just having the best sales atm?? Just a shame they don't keep restocking once things sell out, most annoying. Heee..thats the cycle of life...now its your turn to give advice to someone else! I can't wait till I get to help someone through their pregnancy, like my sis (if she ever has a baby!) - I want to give her all the advice and support that I never got. Oh my goodness, thats terrible about that lady giving birth at 27weeks. Oh I hope everything is ok, but as Rose said, her friend is ok having been born that early, and I'm sure there has been an awful lot more advances in science since she was born. Fingers crossed for her. Which pram did you end up getting again...a Strider one? I had a friend has me for recommendations and I remember you're pretty happy with yours. Hehe, I can't get my rings on yet either! Isn't that sad :( I dunno how long to wait until thinking about getting them resized. I miss wearing my rings :( Oooh, have fun at the hairdresser! I'm going on Friday. I'm a bit funny about it tho, cos I've had sooo much fall out I'm a bit depressed about my hair. Plus we're having profession photo's taken next wednesday and I seem to have the habit of getting my hair done right before something important and it looks crap (like getting a disaster of a perm right before our big europe trip = millions of pictures of me with frizzy tina turner hair). I haven't had mine done for 5 months!!!
Rose - I did the same thing at the shops the other day. Bought the next size up (albeit reluctantly) only to find that they were still way too small! I always thoguht I was ok with whatever shape my body takes on...but I still get quite a shock when clothes dont' fit. Sorry to hear about the insomnia, gosh that must be hard. But you're doing well :) Hopefully it will pass.
In regards to catching up...I'm more than happy to come to yours Rose, if thats ok with you. We practically live on the freeway, so its a very easy and quick drive for me to your house.
AFM - got the 3-4 month checkup with the nurse this morning. Eeee! I'm really lookig forward to it to see how he's going. Just waiting for him to wake up!
We've booked our professional photos, ended up going with Dilkarra Photography (check out her website if you get a chance!). All booked for Wednesday morning - we have to get there by 9.30am (from one side of the city to the other!) in peak hour! Hmm, I hope Michael is ok with the early start! But I am soooooooooooooooooooooooo excited!!! Its my 30th bday present, and its all I want. Can't wait!!
Gotta go!
Hi Beany - I see on FB the appointment went well! What a big boy you have ha ha, meaning tall as well - Amelia was 6.3 kgs at her check last Thursday and 61.4 cms long - so Michael towers over her! And yes Target are the best for sales huh, I'm with you though, when they run out they don't re-stock! I ended up having just a cut and colour, wasn't game to do anything else as like you we are having professional photo's done next week. We're going with the people that did her baby photos in hospital, they're called GFP Babies and GFP Families - they are cheaper than Pixie Foto (they've offered me a free sitting anyway) and you get the disc with all the pics they take and you can do what you like with them. You just have to buy a package of something first, my swimming friend did them the other week and spent $500 but got a framed pic with one of her, hubby and bub and 2 with the bub. I've bought Amelia a little ruffle tutu type skirt for hers, hee hee - DH rolled his eyes when he saw it! It was just a Big W one! It's so cute. Oh and that poor baby that was born premmie apparently had 2 seizures and a full blood transfusion over night so still critical. So sad. I dropped a little prezzie and card off for the girl I know to take into her today, I can't stop thinking about her poor thing.
Hi Rose - good news! I got you a swing, yayyyyyyy! Had to dive under their big display desk but I got one lol! If you like I can drop it around Friday when I'm out and about. I can text you when I know what time....depends if I can get into swimming as to what time. :p
Hi Everyone else, hope you and your bubs are all well. xx
Just a quick update after the appointment with the CHN:
Michael is doing really well. He does have a very mild case of excema (sp?), so I just need to put lots of sorbelene on those areas. He's also had these little white bumps (almost like pimples) on his willy pretty much since he was born...she said perhaps I should ask the GP. So, I'll get his next needles done at the docs rather than at the clinic then I can ask about them. His flat spot isn't too bad, but she's suggested I perhaps try going to a physio that specialises in that. Um...what else? He weighs 7.87kg which I was surprised at as I thought he didn't really feel that heavy - must be getting used to lugging him around! :lol: And he measures 66cm. So he's in the 95th percentile for both - she said he's well proportioned and not to worry about him being too big.
She gave me a few tips about tummy time too...said to try him over one knee while on the floor, which I just did and he was pretty good! Was even moving his legs more too.
I asked her about sterilizing bottles and she said not to bother, just wash in soapy water and let dry. So I'm going to take the plunge and not sterilise anymore! Bit scarey, but I do wonder about creating a too-sterile environment for him. He needs to be exposed to some germs to build his immunity.
Anyhoo...selfish post I know :redface:
Hope you all have a lovely evening! :D
Hi Beany - our formula fed bubs are chubbing up lol! Amelia is in the 75th percentile for her weight at 6.3 kgs....Michael doesn't look heavy at all and neither does Amelia. My sister is an eczema sufferer, sorbelene is great for it. If it doesn't go let me know and I'll ask my sister, her son was born with it bad so she knows all the good stuff. He doesn't have it anymore, they tend to outgrow it. I forgot to answer you about the pram, yes I have the Strider Plus (you can fit a toddler seat to the Plus model) and I LOVE IT!! Highly recommend it. It's great for walking, pushing, folds like a dream, Amelia loves it cause it's high, it's fabbo!!!!! The other models that don't take the toddler seat are just as good, mine has a bigger basket though, I can almost do a full shop with it! That's awesome re sterilizing bottles, I didn't think to ask that so I'm not going to bother either - that was such a pain!!!!!
Oops, missed your post Alison!
Oooh, thats cool you're getting pics done too! And thats the best, when they give you the pics on a disk...thats what I was hunting for when I was researching a photographer...some of them charge and arm and a leg for the images/negatives and prints as well. Pffft. Oh that skirt sounds adorable! I have no idea what I'm going to dress Michael in...might just have to be his little Peter Rabbit outfit he wore at his Christening do. Its so hard to find nice stuff for boys :( Oh, I felt sick when I read about that poor darling little baby :( That poor girl :( I really hope the baby is a fighter and pulls through. :pray:
Hi Beany - update on the baby.....she just passed away an hour ago. I don't really know this girl but I sent in a present this morning with my friend and a card before the bubby had died, now I feel worse for giving her things to see as a reminder. I just feel sick for her, life's not fair sometimes. It's really depressed me! :crying:
Hi everyone.
Alison, that's just awful about the 27 week old bub. The poor little thing! And her poor mum! I can't imagine anything worse than seeing your baby go through that. It really does send shivers down my spine. Quite literally. But on a brighter note, go the tutu! He he. She'll look gorgeous. The strider sounds great. Is that the one which has the baby capsule that fits onto the pram? Maybe for the next one....
Beany, what a healthy little chap! And so well proportioned (not like my tilly who is way higher on the weigh percentile chart than length). That's a good tip about the tummy time. I don't know about you but I"m not looking forward to the next lot of needles.
Rose, I can relate to the insomnia. I suffer it from time to time too. I had a bit of a bout last week and wasn't going back to sleep between feeds. It sucks! But try not to stress about it, i'm sure it will pass, its just all the changes these bubs keep going through that sends our brains into overdrive.
AFM - well, all these perth girl posts are making me homesick LOL! I had Tilly weighed yesterday too. She is 6.8kg (90th percentile) and 61cm long (75th percentile). So, let's just say she's a rubinesque little thing. I think I blame her insistence on being fed to sleep (and my weakness in caving in to her). But it works! The midwife at the clinic said not to worry about it unless I feel like its a problem for me. And at the moment it doesn't feel like one. That said i've signed up for a "sleep seminar" tomorrow night. I'm sure they'll tell me the same thing as all the books but we'll see.
Tilly has started blowing raspberries which has been great fun and she's becoming quite the girl about town. She seems to go stir crazy unless we have at least one outing a day. So today it was down to Sandy Bay for a coffee and a bit of people watching. She even likes reading the paper with me. She'll sit on my lap and look at all the pictures while I read. It's very cute.
DH is due home in about half an hour after 3 days away. I can't wait. It was OK for the first couple of days but I pulled a muscle under my left should blade trying to rub the right side of my back last night :doh: I'm so damned sick of my bloomin back, neck and shoulders. So I'm now feeling a bit dark on things. But I'm trying to remind myself of that premmie! I think this Sydney commuting thing of DH's is going to be going on for a couple of months which is going to be tough.
Ordered Sophie the Giraffe finally. Tilly is going mad trying to put everything in her mouth and getting very frustrated if she can't quite manage it. I also slpurged and orderd a "hip seat". It looks like a bum bag and bub sits on it. I'm hoping it takes the pressure of my neck and shoulders. But it could be a complete waste of money. Oh well, I won't know unless I try it unfortunately.
Well, I hope everyone and their bub's are doing well. I might go and put some dinner on for when DH gets home. Yay!
Oh god Alison, I just read your post - I missed it while posting mine. That's just bloody awful. It's the worst possible thing that could happen to someone. She'll be very touched you were thinking so much of her and went to the trouble of sending a gift. It may actually be really nice for her to have a few things that were given to the baby. Otherwise it would all feel a bit unreal and I don't think that would feel right. Geez life is tough sometimes.
OMG Alison I feel so sorry for your friend that has lost her little angel. I have shivers all over me. I agree with Tilda I hope her parents are grateful that she did receive some gifts.
Sorry I have been MIA. I have been so busy I am trying to arrange Jett's Christening and have had my grandfather visiting from QLD for the past 2 weeks.
I am so jealous of you Perth girls meeting up. Is there many of us in Sydney? I would love to meet up if there are.
Alison I am with you on the shopaholic. I am at the shops at least 3 times a week. I am also finding lots of bargains.
Beany Michael sounds like he is doing great. Where abouts is his excema? I have noticed Jett has some dry raised spots on his knee.
Rose- Bummer about the insomnia. Hope Liam is a good boy for you and you can catch up on some sleep.
Well Jett has been great. I had him weighed on Monday (he was 3mths old) and he was 6.5kg and 67cm. He is a chubby little bub. He has been sleeping great the past few days and nights. We had 2 8hrs nights then a 9.5hr, I woke before he did and thought my boobs were going to explode. Last night he did 7hrs. He is also having a few 2hour sleeps through the day. He is asleep at the moment and has been for an hour so I really should finish tidying up and head to bed.
Well I am off shopping again tomorrow to try to find an outfit for his christening and also print his invitations.
I am very impressed with myself today I decorated his church candle and I think it cost me about $5. Almost identical to the ones they sell in the shops for $60. My husband has told me I should start selling them for some extra $$. It has a photo of Jett his name, date, Church, god parents, a cross charm and ribbon.
Sorry if I have missed anyone.
:hug: to you all and all the beautiful bubs.
Alison - Oh how utterly awful. I feel so very very sad for them. Poor sweet little angel. :crying: I agree with Tilda, its just the worst thing ever. :( I think that was a lovely idea with the gift, they will appreciate the thought I am sure. Thanks for the info on eczema, I'll see how the sorbelene goes and let you know!
Lani - Sounds like Jett is going sooo well! :clap: When is the Christening? The candle sounds lovely :) I didn't even think of making Michaels...just paid through the nose for a shop-bought one. :doh: Oh well! Michael's eczema is on one elbow, sides of both thighs, a patch on his tummy and the crease where his foot joins his leg. Apparently babies don't get it where children get it (like in creases of elbows and knees) But sounds like it could be eczema on Jett's knee...maybe try some sorbelene?
Tilda - Oh I"m not looking forward to the next needles either...its awful knowing that there's more just around the corner after that as well :( Poor little bubbies. Matilda is looking great, don't worry if she's higher on the weight chart...just goes to show she's getting lots of lovely stuff from Mummy :) The hip seat sounds like a good idea, I hope it works for you. I have sore back/neck muscles most days and I don't have a back problem! I can't imagine what it would be like to have a bad back to start with. Enjoy the time you have with DH...when is he heading off again?
Okies, I'm off to chill in front of the TV. Have a lovely night everyone! xx
Hi girls,
I'm just about to go to bed so will write persies tomorrow. Just wanted to say my heart goes out to your poor friend, Alison. That's the kind of news you never want to hear. So incredibly sad.
We had our Active Birth class reunion tonight. Was great to catch up with all the couples, though we have formed a mother's group with the majority of them anyway. I thought Jack was going to have a big old scream because he hadn't slept for a while this arvo but I think there were too many things to look at and he kept smiling and gurgling away all night. I hope he gives me a better night tonight. He's been waking every 2 hours and I have no idea why.
Anyway, I'm pooped after just doing a writing job. I had to get it done now because my brain is always fried in the mornings after being up and down with Master Jack at night.
Love to you all!
x
Hi girls!
Carmey - It must have been great fun to see everyone from your class again! I had a similar night with Liam last night - he decided that from 3-4am was a really great time to be awake and babbling.
Lani - Good to see you post! Go Jett with the sleeping! Man, I wish LIam slept like that. I'm afraid he takes after his mama so far in being a bad sleeper. I'd prefer him to take after DH - he can sleep anywhere and through anything. Though by all accounts from my MIL, he was a handful when he was a baby, so maybe Liam does take after him ;)
Tilda - Matilda is a gorgeous little bub - I wish that LIam was a more roly poly, because I think it's adorable, but he's a lanky thing! It must be so hard with your back - I hope the hip seat works for you. I feed to sleep most of the time too, just because it works, though it would be interesting to see what other suggestions you get.
Alison - So sorry to hear about that bub - my heart goes out to the family. Life really isn't fair :(
And you are absolutely awesome for picking up that swing for me! I'll be at home all day on Friday, so you're welcome to stop by whenever :) If I can do you a favour in return, just let me know?
And I can't wait to see photos of Amelia in her tutu! How gorgeous :)
beany - Go Michael! We had a few problems with Liam's skin, and were recommended two products (hope I can mention product names here - if not, sorry mods!) - Alpha Keri oil for his bath (no other products in the bath) and QV cream afterwards. It's cleared up his skin beautifully. We tend to worry about his skin a bit since I suffered badly from eczema as a baby, and DH still suffers badly. If you're up around this way, you're welcome to pop in and go through the tonnes of clothes we were handed down from friends (there's literally something like 10 nappy boxes crammed full of so many cute clothes) to see if there's anything you'd like to borrow for Michael to wear for the photos.
AFM - I'm jealous of you girls doing your photos! I got suckered into one of the photo stand things (like Pixi Photo - forget this crowd's name right now) and had some photos taken of Liam (will get the chance to order prints in a few weeks). Though we have a voucher for a photography place that we were given as a baby shower present - must book in I think :)
Liam's had a couple of good days - he's been really happy and smiley. He did have a bad night last night - I think his routine was thrown off completely because DH was away. I have my fingers crossed that he has a better night tonight. He's in a sleeping bag for the first time, so I'm hoping that helps him sleep a little better. He's really restless and kicks off blankets all the time and gets cold.
Hey girlies,
Been trying to get a post up for days now - Up at 5am for a feed and Eva is back down so I'll get it in now !
There are a bit too many for me to answer everything - too tired! :) but I'll do my best!
Carmey, DH and I have sort of started getting the sexy time going again :ROFL: (Only funny if you've seen Borat)...We are at about 3 times a week or so (this is average, so some weeks it is more like once!). But that is nothing like before...I was a once a day girl. Just too tired and feeling unatractive in general. DH says I'm ridiculous too but I still feel like that. It is hard to go through these shifts with our body and lifestyle and I think our DHs also need to adjust - i mean they watch us breast feed and give so much of our bodies to our babies, that maybe they need to readjust or get used to seeing us sexually? In any case, past few days I've been feeling the sex drive coming back up, so hoping to get back into the swing of things too...MY DH wants it all the time and I tend to want it less these days, but I feel that changing with the weather...
I understand you though - I feel a lot less feminine and sexy these days, and not having any sex would probably make me feel worse...This whole experience is hard on the body and seriously changes the dynamic of the couple. But maybe DH is also working out his feelings with not being your number 1 priority?
Wierd with Jack waking every 2 hours...Eva has started waking for night feedings again too! She was sleeping for about two weeks from 930pm-630am and I got used to that too quickly! She has now started waking up every 4 hours at night and feeding every two in the day :o It is pretty taxing. Last night though she only fed at 12 and then back up at 6am, so I am hoping that she is starting to speace her feeds back out. I really need the sleep! I am blaming it on growth spurts. She has been "talking" a LOT more and entertaining herself so I think she is sharpening some skills there.
Alison, that poor little girl and her poor parents...I was going to complain about stuff (I'll get to that later) the other day and when I saw tha I just got so sad and went to cuddle my baby...I am not sure if you all remember but I had premature cervical opening around 26 weeks (I was put on pelvic rest and progesterone), and I kept thinking, my god, no matter how fat I am right now, I am so lucky to have a beautiful healthy baby! Don't feel bad about the gift, I am sure she will appreciate your kindness. That little angel left and maybe it is better than living her life brain damaged or god knows what else. I really have my heart out there with the parents. It is crazy how these stories hit home when you have a baby! :(
I got another one of the little creatures from the sophie the giraffe series...It is a little pink alien looking thing...I just didn't know if I should get it but since you girls are saying it is so great, I might get her sophie too! Always looking for a reason to buy more stuff!
Tilda, glad Matilda is calm while DH is not there...I always find that Eva is nuts when her dad is not around...like she knows it is the milk machine so she is more dramatic lololol...But happy to report that last night DH had a business dinner and she was on stellar behavior mode! I even got to bed around 930!!! I think they are getting to that golden baby age! I would love to see that hip seat when you get it - please post a photo if you can, that sounds cool!
Suz, I am glad you had a gorgeous bday- you deserve it super mom!
Rose, crazy lady with the camera??? What's wrong with that???!!! I think I know another one :hello: But one thing is for sure - when you look back at those photos and when Liam gets older, he'll never say anything negative about it! Plus you take gorgeous photos so your friends must be happy to come around with their babies! I always photograph my friends' babies too when they come and they are always so happy for that!
Beany, yes about the hips! My mat jeans press into my hip bones too and I can actually see that they are wider in the mirror...I hope I can get back into my old stuff as all my old jeans were tiiiight even when I was thinner - as for the hair, I lose a hairball the size of a small cat every time I have a shower...I have nothing left and am chopping it off when i get to New York. My hair is so long but now it is starting to look long and thin and that is not so cool - Excellent for the pro photos! I am getting some of Eva done in NYC at central park etc - my friend who did our wedding photos will give us a free session! Love him!
Lani, Jett is just fantastic :) I thought you FF? Are you also BF? Good idea on the candles...It would give you a nice little craft to do at home and get you some extra cash especially if they are well priced!
HI to everyone else that is MIA - Kanda, willow, sesame etc...
AFM - I have been getting really bad about my weight thing and have relaized that my PCOS is kicking back in, meaning my insulin resistance and hormonal imbalances...I am working out daily and still have massive cravings and don't lose anything. I get really hungry between meals and ignore that then get grumpy...(the insulin resistance cause the body to crave sugar so along with the normal BF sugar cravings I have that on top of it)...I am supposed to be on metformin and being on birth control controls the fluctuations and am on niether right now so am just stuck with this weight and modd swings and all the rest of the lovely hormonal issues.
So, I have been seriously conidering mixing in FF with Bf and eventually cutting out the BF at 6 months when she starts taking in more solids. I have been getting really depressed and crying about this issue and I feel so bad even considering it, but I feel so bad physically that I think this is going to get worse and worse if I don't take control of it. She also starts daycare in mid may, so I am not sure how manage pumping and daycare, although I know it is possible, just difficult.
My real issue is that I can't take any meds to regulate my hormones if I don't stop bf...I feel selfish for even considering it :redface: I know my baby's health comes first and I want so bad to continure until the end but it is becoming hard for me to be positive and happy with the ups and downs of PCOS and the weight that won't budge no matter how much I walk run train etc...I was fat as a teen and have never been naturally thin so this is bringing back a whole list of complex insecurities hat are affecting my relationship with DH and my general state - I am avoiding going out and all invitations from people and feel generally like hiding.
I am not really sure what to do. Eva is 4 months tomorrow and I will go to the pediatrician for her checkup and vaccine today, so I will bring along a list of questions re; breast feeding and immunity, whether I can take metformin while BF, when she can start solids and how much she'll be taking at what age (since if she takes some solids then I'll be able to BF less during the day so pumping won't be so bad - for the moment she is eating every two hours! I don't know how I will manage that pumping!)
She has been much better though and crying almost not at all int he evnings, just a bit fussy before bed because she is tired.
She is really adorable and making so much progress so fast! She rolls now and makes all these new sounds every day. It is really just so cute. I am feeling confident that by our trip to NYC she'll be easier to handle and will transition ok.
Anyway, baby's up so off to take a long walk with her (it is now 8am and since spring is coming it is light out) and get some stuff done before our friends arrive tonight (another We with friends)...last weekend was so nice since I had my friend Christine in from Switzerland and she really made me feel better and put me in a great mood :)
Have a great weekend if I don't get back on here!
xoxo
Hi BS - don't beat yourself up about the BF/FF thing, I was doing the same and my CHN told me I'd done really well and given Amelia the first few weeks which is the most important and anything now is not really that much different to formula - breast milk is obviously the best but the formula is so full of probiotics and goodness it really isn't that bad. You have to let it go or it eats at you, I was beating myself up so much but since this little baby has passed this week I realised it's such a stupid thing to worry about. Our bubs are healthy and happy and at the end of the day a happy mum means a happy baby. Hey, you've done better than me so I say do whatever fits in with your lifestyle mate, Eva will thank you for it later. The formula will help her sleep at night too, she might be hungry if she's not getting enough from her last feed? Amelia sleeps from around 9.30/10.00 pm to 7.30/8.00 am, sometimes she sleeps without waking at all but most nights she stirs anywhere from 4.00 am to 5.00 am but I just go in and pop the dummy in or move her back to the centre of the cot as she ends up against the edge and she goes back to sleep. I'm been told and also have read in one of my baby books that feeding during the night at this age can be out of habit not hunger but who knows, all bubs are different. Oh and yay for the little creature like Sophie, I saw those, you get different characters, they remind me of mushrooms. Amelia loves Sophie so am thinking of getting one of those characters too lol.
AFM - I got a text from the girl who lost her bubby, apparently she was brain dead and they had to make the decision to turn off the machine, how sad is that. She said that she is numb with the pain of losing her but is of the belief that her baby had better things to do and better places to go. I feel so sad for her. And can you imagine being in hospital still with other girls and their babies around you, how awful. I think she comes home tomorrow and the funeral is next week, I think I'll go, even though it will be horrible. :shakehead:
Hello everyone!
Carmey - I hope that night was just a one off and he sleeps better for you tonight :crossfingers:
Rose - Oooh, thanks for those suggestions. Alpha Keri Oil...hmm, must try and get some of that. Is the Chemist the best place do you think? I haven't used any products on him at all except for sorbelene for his rough patches & cradle cap. I have been putting a smidgey bit of newborn bath stuff once a week, but I'll stop that now. Thanks for the offer re the clothes...I had a rummage through his drawer yesterday and actually found a really nice top with french writing on which I think I might take. I also remembered that most of the shots she takes are actually in the nuddy! So prolly doesn't matter what he wears! :lol: How did Liam go in the sleeping bag? I hope he's sleeping better for you.
BS - I think you must hold the record for the biggest post! :lol: Thast great your friend will take pics for free! honestly some photographers charge the earth (tho secretly I'd pay it cos they can take some fantastic shots!). Please don't beat yourself up about the BF/FF issue. Formula's are so good these days, and you have BF for so long already. I really think you need to do whats best for you, as Alison said a happy mummy means a happy baby, whether the baby is BF or not. You have really done a fantastic job...you should be proud of yourself. Wow, Eva's rolling?! Thats great!
Alison - oh my goodness. That made me cry :( She must be a very strong woman to be able to have that view of the situation. I think I would be distraught with anger, I dunno...I just dont' want to even think about what I'd be like. Poor little angel :( I seriously think Michael & Amelia are twins. He always wakes between 4-5 for the dummy too! Odd since he doesn't actually go to bed with one (only for his day sleeps), but once I give it to him he sucks really hard and makes these sweet little groaning noises and he's off again. But only till 6-6.30. Then he has a feed, bit of a play, and back down again at 7.30-8am for 40 mins.
AFM - I had a really busy day today! Went to Target today, still hunting for my fantastic bibs, but they STILL hadn't restocked from 2 weeks ago. Tsk tsk. Got him a gorgeous little outfit with a tractor on the front. Pffft...I know I"ve said it before but its so NOT FAIR how there is hardly any boy stuff and it all looks the same. GRRRR!!!
Anyhoo, then this afternoon it was my turn to host the Mothers Group Meeting. I was so nervous, but it went really really well!! :D We've turned our games room into Michael's play room with mats on the floor and stuff so everyone got on the floor with their bubs and had a good play and chat. I really enjoyed it! Was one rather interesting conversation...one of the girls had a night out at a hens night, she's BF and had expressed enough for the baby, but by the early morning when she was still out her boobs were killing her cos they were so full and she rang her husband who was at the bucks night and told him he had to come to her to...erm...suck her milk out. And he did. :o That seems slightly wrong to me...I dunno, maybe its just me, but I don't think I would want my DH doing that to me! I wonder why she didn't just hand express??? I didn't want to ask.
Have a lovely night girls :)
Hi girls. This is going to be a selfish post sorry. It's three in the morning and I can't sleep. This is probably the worst thing to be doing for insomnia but I'm feeling stressed out and needed to chat. Hope that's Ok. I think I've reinjured my left shoulder/neck/back. I was hoping it was a niggle that would go away after a couple of days but its getting worse which is always a bad sign. I couldn't even fold laundry today. I know I should try and keep it in perspective (after all I'm incredibly lucky to have this gorgeous healthy bub unlike Alison's friend) but I find it really difficult not to panic in these situations. And I"m not sure how much of the panic is feeding the pain. And DH is so busy now with work and really stressed. So we're quite a pair. I'm really disapointed. I had been coping so much better than I ever expected and was really enjoying the improvement in my pain and activity levels. It also makes exercise so impossible. I was looking at photos of myself i Perth in singlets and felt so depressed to see how my body has disintegrated over the last 5 years since I first injured myself. I was so hoping I'd be able to start doing some toning exercises. Oh well, I think I've gone on enough. Will do some personals tomorrow hopefully.
But Brussels I just wanted to say that you would not be selfish at all if you switched to FF. You also need to think about your own health. And if you need to be on the medication, then you need to be on the medication. There's no point compromising your own health which could really effect the way you feel about having a baby and any future babies. That would be far worse than switching to FF when Eva's already had the benefit of several months of BF. Anyway hope you don't mind my 2 cents worth!
Beany, I write a lot and talk a lot in general :) So When I am gone for a while, I generally come back with a whopper :) - Let me specify rolling - she rolls but still not so well - sometimes and arm gets stuck and she just stays there and sometimes it is just a sort of half roll so the bottom half of her body sort of turns and her arms stay back, so not all there yet :)
Alison, oh your poor friend, what an awful decision to make, but I would have done the same. Not having your brain function is no life at all.
Tilda, is it not possible to maybe see a physiotherapist or something. My god, I don't know what to tell you - I can feel your panic. Maybe just try to have DH do as much as possible physically? Is there anything you can do to treat it?
Quick update, just got back from the doctor. I told him that Eva has upped her feeding to every two hours, so he said it is one of two things: Either she still has some reflux pain and eats less because of that or I am not producing enough (PCOS also gives undersupply very often)...I am not sure there was an issue before but now that she is getting bigger, I am not sure I am making enough and I see at the end of her feeds that she is still trying to latch and generally grumpy, so it might be that...Plus I try not to eat too much even when I am hungry so maybe that is part of it...
She weighed in at 6.1kg (slightly below average) and 61cm long (average)...he told me not to feel bad about formula and that the antobodies are already passed on and to keep doing both for as long as I can but that I need to also get my life and body back and if I need to control PCOS then to do so. So I decided to get some formula and give it a try. We picked up an organic formula today and I gave her the breast which she drained (both sides) then I gave her 60ml of formula and she CHUGGED it down! At one point I tried to stop her since she had stopped for a breath and I thought she had had enough and she shrieked and put her hand on the bottle to hold it in place! Then had a gorgeous sleep and farted away without pain - I guess being so full must have jump started her metabolism...She was just so relaxed afterwards and so happy, so I don't feel bad AT ALL anymore!
I will continue doing like Alison, with the breast then the bottle, and eventually cut out the breast (I am hoping in a month or so...) and getting back on metformin and the pill.
Just like I said to alison and Beany when they were starting the FF, and I really believe, all I care is that she is happy and well adjusted and I did not even recognize her...Between the reflux meds and this experience with the formula, I have a calm and happy baby. So for now I am making the shift...I'll keep you girls posted on how it goes.
Thanks girls for being supportive - I do feel that guilt (I know how you feel now Alison and Beany) but on the other hand when you hear stories about babies who don't even make it, what the hell can you possibly complain about ;)
Ok, so I'm off to start my WE with the friends - might not be back til monday so wishing you all a gorgeous weekend!
xoxo
Hi Beany - ummmmm......that story about the husband sucking that girls milk out is in my opinion WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry but I personally think that is sick. lol. Yes, Michael and Amelia are definitely twinnies in so many ways ha ha. What time does Michael go down for the night after his last feed? Amelia is still having her last feed at around 9.30 pm so is in bed around 10.00 pm but sleeps till 8.00 am, this morning I woke her at 8.15 am as she was still asleep! She only stirred at 4.45 am, DH put the dummy in and she went back to sleep. I wasn't sure if I should've woken her but I didn't want her to be out of whack for the whole day.....routine and all lol. A friend at mums group yesterday said her little girl who's 4 weeks older is down to 4 feeds a day and she goes down at 7.30 pm and sleeps until 7.00 am so maybe I should try that. She's also a routine baby and now fully FF after rejecting the boob at 3 months. Wondering if I could up the amount and drop a feed now she's almost 4 months....might wait until next week, I'm not sure she could eat that amount yet, sometimes she still leaves 20mls of her 180 mls that she's on now.
Hi Tilda - so sorry to hear about your back, I'm a bad neck/shoulder sufferer so I understand how much it can get you down. Unless you suffer from things like that it's hard to understand I know. Is yours muscle as well? I have regular OT sessions and have done for 5 years now, even since not working I thought it would improve but now I have holding Amelia to make it hurt so have to keep going. Gets xxy when you're not working as well! There is a medication called Mobic that is super fab for really bad muscle pain/strain/tension etc - it's prescription only but it's great stuff. I don't think you could take it while BF'ing though, they're pretty potent. Hope you're feeing better soon. Oh and as for how you look, I would gladly swap with you any day, you look gorgeous so stop worrying!
AFM - I am so annoyed, I can't get into swimming today and they're fully booked for a couple of weeks. I was hoping someone would have cancelled but no. Pooooooo, Amelia loves going too and it only runs until they're 6 months old! I love the exercise in the pool too. So bummed.
Ooop, gotta run, Amelia is falling asleep in the rocker and I'm really trying to put her in her cot for her morning nap as she ends up having a much better sleep which helps her for the rest of the day and evening!!! Funny how you think if they sleep too much it will be bad, it's better for them then to not sleep enough!
Have a great day girls.
Hi Girls, I've been dropping in and reading posts every now and then when I get the chance between a very wakeful and very hungry baby on a growth spurt and meeting with designers and getting the kitchen plans done etc for the extension, woohoo!
Hi Tilda Sorry to hear you've had a flare up of your neck/back/shoulder I hope it all settles down a bit soon for you!
Hi Lani Hope the christening goes well for you, and sounds like you've done well with the candle.
Hi BS You're probably having a great time with your friends and enjoying the bubbly:D hope you all have a good w/e. Your poor hormones I hope you can get them sorted too soon it must be a real struggle for you. But it sounds like Eva is becoming much more settled now so that must be a big relief for you!
Hi Suzi I have been into my work twice for quick visit to the office, but I haven't taken Harry in to meet the residents yet and I feel really bad they would love to meet him, oldies love babies! But there are 27 units and that makes for a big day..or 2 to get to them all and I just haven't had the time, or energy to get motivated and do it. Hang in there with the toilet training he will get it eventually. Oh and geez your DH has had a rough month or two hope his luck changes soon for him, and for your sanity, baby, toddler toilet training and husband patient you've had your hands full!
Hi Carmey Well this should make you feel a little better, there has been NO DTD here at all. Between the first 6weeks out of action anyway, then just plain being tired with a new baby, add to that constant visitors and running around after a teenager as well, we haven't had the time or energy really. We did get a week to ourselves where we thought things might happening in the DTD department, but we had an unexpected visit from DS2 (DS1&2 stay a week with us and then a week with their father) he had the ****s with his dad and came up to stay with us until he cooled down. Harry's still sleeping in our room which means we either need him to have a sleep in the swing in the lounge or we need to...um well "use"the lounge lol I just couldn't do it with him in the room, too weird!! I must say I haven't really been in the mood as such, but I do want to, I know this sounds bad, but get the first time over with, I just think after the 3rd degree tear it's probably going to be either painful or uncomfortable and I'm a little nervous.
I'm sure it has nothing to do with DH not finding you attractive!!!!! I've seen pics of you and you look great, nothing to worry about there!!!
He probably is tired like he says and stressed, that'll dull the drive a bit for a while.
Hi Rose Sounds like you're having a pretty hard time too, with anxiety, insomnia and depression:hug: I really hope things pick up for you. I know what you mean about the inconsistent nights, Harry does the same thing, one or two nights he'll sleep for 5-51/2hrs then he'll wake every 2 hours for a couple then he'll only wake twice, there's no consistency and it drives me nuts! And Harry's a nightmare for kicking the covers off too!! I think I spend more time putting them back on him than I do feeding through the night, I've just got him a grobag off ebay and I'm looking at getting a couple more (he's a spewer so spares are a must!) Hopefully that will put an end to that problem. Actually Harry and Liam seem to have a lot in common, Harry is a huge drooler too, much more than I remember either DS1or2 ever drooling, I thought teething myself for a while last week, but I think it's just Harry, a big dribbler lol.
I agree with Alison about Liam being an old soul he definitely looks like he's been here before!:D he has those "knowing" eyes.
Hi Beany ARE YOU SERIOUS???!!! Did she mean her husband literally sucked her milk out???!!!:wtf: I'm with Alison that is soooo WRONG!!!! But each to their own I guess:o:
As for the sterilising, I wouldn't worry too much about it, think of it like this, we don't sterilise our nipples before we BF, we don't sterilise our hands before they suck on them, they're putting toys in their mouths now and they're not sterile,the blankets/play mats they have tummy time on aren't sterile and they end up with their little mouths on them too, so your clean bottles are probably cleaner than all the other things that go in their mouths really. I stopped sterilising early with DS1&2 with no adverse effects so I think he'll be fine if you give it up.
Harry has started rolling from back to front this week and when he rolls onto his tummy by himself he seems to tolerate being there a bit longer than when we just put him down on his tummy, when I say a bit longer I mean longer than the usual 60 seconds lol maybe 2 mins before he cracks it, but he's getting better at getting up on his fore arms, so they'll be pros before we know it!
YES! I have noticed my hips seem bigger!! I am now back to my pre baby weight, but I have never even really had hips before, and now I do, it's like my shape is just different, glad I'm not the only one.
Michael's white bumps on his willy? Are they the same as the eczema? I ask because (omg don't tell him I'm telling you!!!:shhh::hide:) but DS2 last year came to me because he had these little white bumps, like pimples on his willy, he was freaking out! Turns out they are completely normal, what they call a normal variation, as far as penises go absolutely nothing to worry about. So was just thinking if it's not the eczema it could be the same...then again I can't remember if he had them when he was a baby or not...bad mother. But just a thought. OMG DS would die if he knew I had written that!
AFM Well Harry is rolling from back to front now, he's getting much stronger in the head and neck so hoping to give him a go in the jolly jumper soon I think he'll love it.
I'm waiting on 2 deliveries of fluffy mail, we finally decide on using a mix of Itti Bittis Baby Beehinds and some pre folds with covers for full time cloth use so the last of the stash should come next week, I must say I am loving doing the cloth nappies, the MCNs are so much better than the old terry flats, cute and absorbent I love them!
Hi Hannah, Sesame, Kanda and Alicia :hello: if you're reading hope you're all going ok!...I think I've got everyone...I hope I have so sorry if I've missed someone I don't think my baby brain is ever going to return to normal!!
Alison!!:redface: I did miss someone, you! Sorry!!!:redface:
Sooo sorry about your friends little girl:cry::cry: it's just horrible I can't even imagine how they must feel it's just too sad!
Sorry that the BFing seems to be dropping off completely, have you tried maybe putting her on the boob at a different time from the morning? And maybe when she's only just waking up so she's still half asleep and might not notice it's not the bottle? A sneeky sleepy feed maybe;) Would be sad for you too lose the one feed you still have with her. But it's not like you haven't tried to keep it going!
BTW how is your roid/fissure going? All good now?
Gotta go Harry beckons:D
Hi Girls!
Hi Rose - was great to see you again today and thank you so much for my lovely hanging crystal thingo that you made me, it's really beautiful and I'm going to put it up in Amelia's room. That was really sweet of you. Hope you like the swing! :D After leaving yours today Amelia continued to be grizzly, it's taken me ages to get her to sleep, not sure if we're heading into the early stages of the next wonder week phase but she went back to 3 hourly feeds today too - she's asleep now thank goodness, she's not normally so grizzly so it worries me when she is. Funny how you get used to a certain personality and as soon as it changes you freak out! Look forward to seeing you and the ever so cute Liam again - he was so funny today with his flirty smile and then coyness. Gorgeous. Oh and again, I LOVE your hair, that style so suits you, put some pics up on FB and show the other girls, it looks fab!
Hi Willow - thanks mate, I didn't know the girl well but she doesn't have a lot of friends here as she moved from Queensland only a year ago. She's asked me to the funeral on Tuesday, wants babies there and no black, she wants it to be a celebration rather than in mourning. I think I'll go to show my respects, even though it will suck and I don't really know her that well. Guess when you have a bub yourself it doesn't really matter, you still feel upset even though you hardly knew the person. How she's keeping it together is beyond me!
Anyway, sorry for the short entry and no persies, I really need a cup of tea before Amelia wakes up again no doubt!!!
Hope everyone is well. xx
Hi girls!
willow: Go Harry with the rolling! And yay fluffy mail! I'm slightly addicted to cloth now - have a rather larger stash of lots of different brands, but the majority are Itti Bitti or Baby Beehinds. I find that different brands work better for Liam at different times as he gets skinnier and chubbier through growth spurts.
BS: I don't know if it helps, but Liam pretty much always eats 2 hourly during the day, including at least one session of cluster feeding. He will occasionally go longer if he's distracted or we're out, but then he gets cranky. I actually have an oversupply, too, though that's starting to regulate itself more now. Which is a long-winded way of saying that it's likely a growth spurt. But I agree with the others who've said that your health needs to be a priority - if dealing with the PCOS means stopping BFing, then so be it. Much better to have a happy and healthy mama :)
Tilda - I hope that you're feeling better :( I actually read that post of yours at 3am while I was up feeding, and my heart just went out to you. Insomnia is a horrid, horrid thing at the best of times, and it's a nightmare when you're dealing with a baby. I'd offer suggestions for your back pain, but I suspect that you've already tried pretty much everything.
beany - Urgh, that story of the husband sucking the milk - gah, it makes me shudder. It's not that hard to hand express enough for comfort in a situation like that!
AFM - Have had a couple of good days, for me mostly because I've been able to sleep. I'm hoping that the nights of insomnia were just a blip and I'll be able to get back to getting some rest. Liam's had better nights too (which for him, means only being up twice overnight to feed). I think the sleeping bag is a really good thing for me - he's warmer (he won't stay wrapped now no matter what, and kicks off blankets and sheets because he's so wriggly) and more comfy, which means that he's sleeping better. I think he's also appreciating being in his crib now (don't remember if I posted when we moved him - we moved his crib into our bedroom, since I didn't feel keen on having to go to the other side of the house twice a night to feed him. I could sleep in the spare bedroom, but I like my bed too much) and having more room to wriggle about.
He's still feeding like he's in a growth spurt, and I'm pretty sure he's just chubbing up after getting longer. Best of all is that he seems to be way more settled - he's happy for most of the time he's awake now and is actually content to play on his own a little rather than needing to be entertained all the time. He's also suddenly spewing far less, so maybe he's just starting to grow out of his reflux? I hope so.
He's been a spoiled little bubba this week, too. Got him a speccy mobile for his crib and a bath seat to replace his baby bath. And his Bumbo arrived in the mail today, and he now has a shiny new swing, thanks to the gorgeous Alison :) Unfortunately, by the time I put the swing together and got him into it, he was ready to start his afternoon cluster feed, so I didn't get a chance to see if he really likes it! He loves his Bumbo already though :)
DH and I are going out properly together for the first time since Liam was born tomorrow. Which, for us, means going to see Alice in Wonderland at Gold Class. DH's parents are going to babysit, so hopefully he behaves himself. And I've just reminded myself that I need to thaw out some milk for them in case he gets hungry.
Hi Girls,
Quick update after going to the MACH Nurse yesterday. Persies later.
I wanted to do Ryan aged 16 weeks for comparison to Craig when he was the same age.
Ryan - Wt: 7.985kg L: 66.5cm HC: 40.5cm
Craig - Wt: 8.365kg L: 67.5cm HC: Not measured at 16 weeks, was 42cm at 10 weeks
Craig started off 500g heavier than Ryan, but they were the same length at birth. The head size difference could be explained by c-section vs natural birth. The little bro looks like he's catching up to big bro :)
Kisses to all the bubs, hope to pop back on later.
Hi Suz - oh how exciting to compare the two! I can't wait to do that with number two hee hee, that and seeing how different they are looks and personality wise. I'm just watching So You Think You Can Dance that I taped the other night and the judge Jason - who irritates me just commented to Natalie Basingthwaite (the host, oh for those who don't watch she's pregnant), that she looks absolutely beautiful and pregnant "people" don't look that gorgeous. WTF!!!! How rude, typical man comment huh. Anyway, just thought I'd share.
AFM - had a great night after a fussy afternoon, Amelia slept from 10.00 pm to just after 7.00 am without waking up! Even when I went in to her she wasn't crying she was doing her talking thing......then I peered over the cot and she gave me the biggest smile and started blowing raspberries. Gosh I love her! As she turns 4 months on Monday I'm thinking I might try and up the formula amount and drop down to 4 feeds. My friend started her baby at 4 months on 4 feeds a day, the last feed being 7.00 pm and she sleeps through to 7.00 am!!!! I can only try, if she's not ready I'll go back to 5 feeds a day, no problems, don't know until you try huh! Also woke up with the sorest neck, I think I pulled it doing pull ups at swimming yesterday, that's how unfit I am lol!
Good morning girls,
Well you'd think I was up with a baby at 6am, but no, he's asleep after his 5am feed and I'm still up because my 16yr old has not yet come home from Skyfire last night (for those that aren't Canberrans, Skyfire is an annual fireworks display in ACT) He has a game of soccer at 9am so needs to be there by 8.15 and I don't even know where he is! He will usually ring or txt me if he's staying at a friends for the night but I didn't hear from him at all. I was in bed by 10.30 with Harry last night and didn't realise he wasn't home until about 4 this morning. I'm not too worried that something terrible has happened his friends are pretty good they look after each other and would have called me if there was a problem, so I think he's just being a selfish, stupid teenager and I am not impressed! All his soccer gear isn't even hear, I think it's down at his fathers, so I'll have to drive around picking him up then drive around some more to get all his stuff then get him to the game, that's if he wakes up to his phone when I ring him, which I'll do in a minute to really p*** him off being so early, but if I'm awake worrying about him then he can be too.
Sorry to be on here venting again but omg he is trying my patience!!!
Found him, he's at his friends where I thought he'd be, he said he thought I knew he wasn't coming home, yeah right! Now because he's tired he says he doesn't want to play soccer well BAD LUCK! He's playing! If I'm up at 5am worrying about him getting there then still up when Harry's finished feeding to worry about it some more, when I could've gone back to bed, then he's certainly getting up and going!
Hi everyone, I"m going to do really short personals today. Sorry, but I've lots a big long post twice in the past 2 days because windows keeps crashing on our new computer. I hate Windows 7 Grrrrrrrrrr :wall:
Willow - that is definitely ventable material! Not on! (Although I know I was guilty of it as a 16 year old too :shakehead: but there weren't mobile phones back then LOL). Glad he turned up safe and sound.
Beany - that story about the girl getting her hubbie to...well...you know! I'm pretty open minded but I really couldn't go there. I know some people find it hard to express, but really!!!!
Alison - thanks for being so sweet about my neck/shoulder. I try not to let it get me down but sometimes it just gets the better of me. You know how it is!!
Suz - go Ryan with the weight gain! Isn't it amazing how quicly they're growing.
Rose - glad you seem to be sleeping better. Hope it keeps up!! And Alice in Wonderland sounds great!
BS - sounds like you've got a plan for the BF/FF. It always feels better once you've got a plan!
AFM - Well sorry for the panic vent the other night girls. Ironically my shoulder and neck are feeling much better but I threw my lower back out trying to use that bloody hip seat and now I'm getting a bit of sciatica. I don't usually get much pain in my lower back so I'm VERY annoyed. So I wouldn't rush out and get a hip seat anyone. And thanks for being so sympathetic the other day everyone!
I've got a bit of a question for people. We tried to go out to a dinner party last night. We arrived about 6pm and Matilda was still up since her bed time isn't until around 8pm. One of the guys there wanted to have a hold of her. And I just knew she would freak out because she was looking a bit uncertain about being there at all. DH was holding her and he politely obliged and handed her to this guy and sure enough she just started screaming. And she didn't stop! No matter what we did. We ended up having to leave about 45 minutes later before dinner was even served. And she still didn't stop until DH got her to sleep walking the streets with a sling. Now I think its just that she's tired in the evenings and her tolerance for strangers goes down. But is it normal for a 3 month old to hate going to strangers that much?? Should I just politely decline people's requests for a cuddle or am I going to encourage her to be shy?
We make it to the sleep workshop the other night (but unfortunately DH had to leave early because Matilda was grizzling and couldn't get to sleep in the crowd - she's obviously starting to get fussy about where she goes to sleep unfortunately). It was interesting and predictably I was told I shouldn't be feeding Matilda to sleep and that I'm probably over feeding her. The woman who was running it was actually the midwife who attended our birth. And she went through her approach to self settling which wasn't an extreme version of controlled crying and she acknowledged that if the baby is over tired they will absolutely not self settle and you need to do what ever it takes to get them to sleep. So she focused on listening to the type of cry and whether after it peaked there were pauses (which she says indicates they are winding down and will probably self settle). If anyone's interested in more detail let me know and I'll try and get something out. She also said that the hardest age to introduce self settling is 3-4 months because they're old enough to have established some firm sleep associations and too young to learn quickly. Oh well, missed that boat I guess. Another thing she stongly believed was that sleep training doesn't damage the bond between parent and child (which is what worries me). Apparently the Murdoch Institute have put out a longitudinal study saying that babies over the age of six months that have sleep problems and are given sleep training actually have better relationships with their parents later on and less behavioural problems than children with sleep problems that were never treated. Anyway, I think I might try and get a hold of the study to check out how rigorous it was. But for now anyway I don't think I'm going to try anything. Even though Matilda is "parent dependent" for getting to sleep at the moment it doesn't actually take me long to get her to sleep if I get her at the right time and I think she's actually aware of me putting her down and she doesn't fight it. And her day sleeps are going past one sleep cycle which is great and she's sleeping well at night. So she does seem to resettle herself which to me is the most important thing. So I don't think its worth rocking the boat just yet. If it's not broken don't fix it I say!!
Anyway, better go. DH is making me pancakes. Yumo!
Hi Tilda,
I was a feral teen myself, I guess this is pay backs! LOL
Great to hear your neck&shoulder are feeling better, but bummer about the lower back now and sciatica OUCH! I think I might steer clear of the hip seat too I was only looking at them the other day.
Apparently at about 3 months babies can start to have some separation anxiety so that coupled with being tired could well really upset the apple cart. If it was me I think I'd decline the stranger a hold and just explain that it's not personal and another time when she's in a better mood it wouldn't be a problem. I don't think it sounds like it was worth the trouble afterwards if it stressed her that much, not to mention you guys too. if she's going to be shy, then she's going to be shy, I was really shy and I remember most of the attempts my parents made to stop it made my anxiety worse, I'm still a fairly shy person but much improved on when I was a child it was something that improves with with maturity, well mine was anyway.
As for the sleep, I read an interesting article about sleep training the other day I'll try and find it so you can have a look. I think I agree with you, if it ain't broke don't fix it! I don't think feeding to sleep is bad, it's not like they will need that forever, I fed DS1 to sleep, he's 18 now and I can honestly say he settles himself now and has done for I'd say 16 and a half years lol If that's what works for you keep doing it, I feed Harry to sleep too, DS2 I didn't because he was a different baby, he self settled from birth. I don't think babies should be moulded too much to suit what everyone else thinks they should be doing, if it's not too much of a problem for you then I wouldn't worry too much. We need to remember that all babies are different and no one method or style will ever work for all babies no matter how hard we try, we will get sleep again eventually:D
Hope that back feels better soon!!...There's no emoticon here for a back rub or massage if there was I'd give you one:lol:
Hi Willow! I'd be really interested in that article. But yeah, I don't think I'll do anything unless it becomes a real problem and she starts waking every 40 minutes at night or something. In my book I wouldn't really label her with a "sleep problem". And who can blame them for wanting a nice warm drink before bedtime? The only issue with it is it's starting to make it more difficult for DH to settle her since he doesn't have a boob! And you're right - if they're going to be shy they're going to be shy. Which doesn't worry me - I'm not the most gregarious person myself. But one of her grandmothers is extremely shy to the extent that she has a bit of a social phobia which I wouldn't want Matilda to suffer. I guess we'll just have to give her lots of TLC so she knows she's fabulous!
Hi again Tilda,
This is one article I read that made sense to me...or maybe suits my argument right now lol
Aruban Breastfeeding Mamas: Doesn't the breast work anymore?
There was another one too which was more research based I just can't remember where I read it I'll keep looking I might find it eventually:D
Hello everyone!
Tilda - Oh I feel your pain :( How is your back now? Must be so hard, I underestimated how much I'd use my back once I had a baby...it certainly takes a toll, doesn't it? I'd certainly be interested if you have any more information from that sleep workshop. Esp how you mentioned about the different cries? But I'd tend to agree with you, if its not broken, then don't fix it! Is Matilda having problems sleeping? I know Michael can also be a bit funny when being held by someone else, but I think his tolerance depends a lot on how tired he is. Could she just have been overtired perhaps? But I think if you can sense she's not going to like it, I'd politely decline and just say she's overtired and prone to a meltdown so best not to...or something along those lines. Its just not worth getting her upset.
BS - how is Eva going with the formula? I remember Michael was the same with his first bottle, it was lovely to see him satisfied for once! Hope you had a lovely weekend with your friends :)
Alison - Michael has a bath about 6pm, feed then is usually in bed by 7pm. He's down till he wakes up between 4-5am, which the dummy usually fixes, then up again about 6-6.30am. It doesn't seem to matter how late we put him to bed, he always wakes up the same time anyway! You could always give the 4 feeds a day a go...does she get quite cranky for her feeds at the mo, like, is she acting hungry? How far apart are her feeds? Michael put himself on the 4 hourly feeds pretty much, which was lucky tho I am having problems with his feeds now :(. I reckon Michael may be on the cusp of another wonder week too! :( (more below...)
Willow - nthanks for the info re sterilising. yeah, doesn't really make sense too now that he's putting all and sundry into his mouth these days. :lol: Haha, dont' worry I won't let on that I know about your DS spots on his willy! Michaels are more like little tiny white blisters...like when you get a whitehead sort of. Thats great Harry is rolling! Did your son end up playing football?
Rose - OMG...I just totally LOVE your hair! You suit it sort sooo well! Well done for taking the plunge and getting the chop! :clap: Oh I hope the insomia stays away, I hate not getting enough sleep, nevermind having insomnia! And great that Liam is sleeping better in his sleeping bag. I've found them a God-send, they're also a sleep-signal so they know its time to sleep when you put them in one. did you enjoy the movie? DH and I are dying to see that one, I'm just not prepared to leave Michael with the in-laws yet, or anyone for that matter. I'm funny about night-times, come hell or high water his night-time routine shall not be disturbed!!!
Suz - Good Lordy! You breed some big bubbies! What great healthy sizes they are! Are you or your DH tall?
AFM - things are going a bit wierd. As I mentioned to Alison, I fear it may be another wonder week coming up. He's just gone really funny. There are 3 problems...
1) He is now not finishing his bottle (he ALWAYS finishes his bottle), sometimes leaving as much as 100ml. This is unheard of and most unlike him. When I stop to burp him half way through, he just won't take the bottle back again, he kicks and cries. I don't know what the matter is. I'm wondering if I might have to change to 3 hourly feeds...I dunno, I'll keep that up my sleeve for now anyway.
2) He's really fighting his days sleeps (not his night sleeps yet...oh please, not those!). I put him down and he has this real whingey talky voice on for aaages, and keeps spitting his dummy out and grumbling. Previously he was a dream to put to sleep during the day, he'd be out within 10 mins of me putting him down. But not anymore.
3) He's being really sensitive and grumpy during the day. Loud noises are startling him heaps now, he was really good with loud noises till just the last couple of days. Yesterday was just awful, he was a bit tired, not sleeping properly during the day and we had family over and he got a bit cranky when being held by someone, so FIL comes and takes him off her and walks outside with him. Next thing I hear is this almighty cry, the real heavy long cries that he does that last forever. DH took him off FIL and I took him off DH and marched straight into his nursery to try and calm him down...but nothing worked. He was crying and crying and crying solid, non-stop for about 30 mins. I was so stressed cos all the guests could hear and I couldn't settle him. He got so hot and sweaty so we stripped him and gave him some water. That helped heaps, put him down but it took ages for him to calm down enough to sleep. Oh, it was just horrendous. I didn't know what to do, he hasn't been like that since prolly about 8 or 9 weeks. Which is what is making me think this is another Wonder Week. All these changes are bringing back my anxiety, I just hate it. Anyone have any opinions?
Seems to be the week to get hair cuts! I got mine done on Friday too...went relatively short (for me), and dyed my hair too. Was so lovely, tried a new salon just round the corner...very nice experience - free Twix with my water (mmm), they played Michael Buble and Coldplay...ahhh, v nice :)
Okies better go, Michael is due to wake in 10 mins.
Hope everyone has a good night :)
Just a quick one, Harry's cranky, but Beany Harry's doing the same sort of things I was thinking wonder week again. Very distractible when feeding and any noise sets him off, sometimes he screams for no reason we can see at all.
Gotta go:hello:
Hi Girls!
Everyone - Def a Wonder Week. We're heading in to Wonder Week 19 which has a fussy period between week 14 and 17. The bad news is from now on the fussy periods will last longer (anywhere from 1 - 6 weeks). There's a checklist in the Wonder Weeks book: sleep trouble, stranger shyness, demands for more attention, needing to support baby's head more, loss of appetite, moodiness, listlessness. Plus it might affect us too, we may feel tired, resentful, trapped.
Beany - DH is 6'2" and I'm 5'10", so I guess we're tall. Both of us come from tall families, so we figure the boys will be tall.
Willow - OMG! A courtesy call would have been nice from DS2.
Tilda - Don't worry about the stranger shyness for now. It's a good idea to refuse a cuddle if you think she's going to react. It sounds like the fussy period for this Wonder Week has started for Matilda. It'll pass soon enough :)
Alison - That's very sweet of you to go to the premmie baby's funeral. Your friend sounds like she's coping very well under the circumstances. I haven't ever FF, but I guess there's no reason why you can't try offering Amelia more formula to see if she'll drop a feed.
Rose - I love your haircut! Very stylish and looks like it would be low maintenance. Hope Alison in Wonderland was a good night out for you and DH, and that Liam was a good boy for his babysitter :)
AFM - The last few days Ryan has been feeding more often, grabbing at my boobs and flinging his arms around. He's normally a really calm happy baby who rarely cries, but he's had several crying periods where I don't know what's wrong and have had trouble calming him. I'm just letting him feed whenever he wants to and riding this one out.
Time for bed!