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Hannah - I'm so very sorry :hug: She met your beautiful Amelia and I'm sure she'll be watching over her for the rest of her life. She's not suffering anymore :hug: Like Tilda, I wish we were all closer and could offer more than just words on a screen. For some reason, I was thinking about you yesterday. I wish I could help. xxx
Hi Hannah - I can't tell you how sad I was when I logged onto the computer and read your note. I can't imagine my life without my mum, and now we're mums it's even harder to imagine. I'm so glad your mum got to meet Amelia and vice versa and like Beany said both your mum and dad will be watching over her forever, how special is that and to know that your mum is no longer in pain and reunited with your dad, what a beautiful thought. They'll be in another world now having so much fun and smiling heaps, remember you'll see them again one day, I strongly believe that. Lots and lots of hugs for you and your family, this is a very difficult time and just know we're here for you always. RIP Hannah's mummy. xx :hug:
I don't have time for a proper post - we are preparing the sale of the company at work and I am up to my ears in accounting!
I just have to say to Hannah, I am so sorry and I send my condolences to you and your family. You should feel better about it because she did get to have the light that is Amelia in her life, so I am sure the end for her was more beautiful and full of love because of your gorgeous girl, who probably gave her smiles and joy during a very difficult time. You have given her the best gift possible at the end of her journey. I know you are probably going through a really sad time, but just look at your baby girl to remember that life continues and is beautiful and always tell her what a joy she was to her grandmother. Your mum is with her husband now and is watching over you all with no more pain or suffering. I hope you get through the grieving period with as much stregth as possible, and whenever you feel down just give Amelia a cuddle.
We're here if you need.
I'll try to be back on later for a post.
Hi girls,
Just a one-off post tonight for Hannah.
I was so sad to see your message on FB today. I'm just so sorry. I can't imagine what it would be like to lose your mother. As BS just said, it was wonderful that she could have this time with little Amelia. She may not grow up to remember her, but you and your family will be able to tell her the stories that she can keep forever. We're all here for you, honey. Do as much grieving as you need to and jump on here as much as you can to talk it through. My heart goes out to you. xxxxxxx
Hello all,
Thank you all for your support, its nice to know I have you guys to vent to.
Alison -tank sfor the info on Hylands Teething Tablets, might give that a go. I fear we're in the throes of another teething episode :( I don't think I have your mobile actually, that would be great if you could send it :) How is Amelia, is she over her cold now?
Suz- Sorry to hear about your bad day...I have a feeling I'll have a few like that too down the track! Hope you are feeling better.
Rose - I'm soooo happy for you that Liam is sleeping so well!! Maybe he can have a word with Michael when we next catch up??
A big hello to everyone else!
AFM - the night sleeps are still on the mend, tho last night was a bit funny. He's been waking 3.30am pretty much on the dot each night, then 5am then 6.30ish. But last night was 3.30am, then 4.30am, then didn't get back to sleep till about 5.30am, then woke up at 7am. But his day sleeps are getting worse, if thats possible. He slept for 30 mins this morning, and has just woken after 30 mins again. So he will have had 2 30 minute naps all day. Surely this is not enough?? I will try and put him down again this afternoon but he really fights the afternoon sleep. This is really hard :( I get a measley 30 minutes which is just enough time to go to the toilet, have something to eat, have a quick tidy up, madly rush around and hang out the washing, then he wakes again. How am I goign to manage all this when I go back to work? :(
I think some of his top teeth are making their way down. I can see outlines of his front two and the two next to them on either side. Its wierd, I can sort of see their outline on the front of his gums, not along the ridge of the gum. He;s really cranky today :(
Ok, since he has just woken up I better go get him. I try to get him back off to sleep but he's just not interested. How long does everyone spend trying to resettle bub before getting them up? I neve rknow how long to leave it.
Hey beany. I feel for you. 30mins goes so quick u sound as though you are wonder woman to get all that done in 30mins.
I had a melt down yesterday as Jett had woken 4 or 5 times the nigt before and whinged nearly all day yesterday so I gVe in and called karitane. The lady I spoke to was lovely she gave me a heap of things to try. When Jett has been waking during the night I was always feeding however she said to try and resettle and as a last resort feed. She said they should only have ne feed overnight. Jett fed at 9pm last nigt and went to bed about 10:15 he woke at 1am and I picked him up rocked and patted him back off took about 15mins and then he slept through til 4am when I gave him a feed and he went back down til 7am. I played with him til 8am gave him a feed then we watched tv and played again til 9am then he went back down and I had to wake him (he woke getting into the car) at 11:20 as we were going out for lunch. I gave him rice cereal and pears at 11:45 and then a feed at 1pm and then he fell asleep in the car at 2pm and woke when we got home 10mins later but I spent 40mins to resettle and he has just woken now. The karitane lady explained to me that the time it takes to resettle will get less and less each time.
I think spend as much time as you can without getting stressed that he isn't going back.
I hope that helps.
Hannah thinking of u hope u are coping as good as you can :hug:
hope everyone is well xoxo
Hey everyone,
Ok let me try to get responses to everyone..
Beany, this is to assure you that you are not alone and to tell you not to stress...Eva does not sleep anymore either - she has one nap at daycare bet 11-1230 and I am not even sure if she is asleep that whole time since they only check in on her occassionally...then stays up and goes to bed anywhere between 730 and 1030 (like last night!!!!!)...She sometimes gives me a 15 minute nap around 4 or so but don't feel bad (and this nap is usually her passing out in the middle of her toys during playtime, and refuses to be settled). He is a big boy now and just does not need the sleep. Don't forget to advance with him. We get used to a sched and forget that that changes with babies very often...
As a toddler he will advance to one nap a day (and he will be moving A LOT more so more tired) and it can be very short and I think he is just growing up. Don't stress about it. You are very lucky to still be home with him, so just let him decide. If he is not tired don't make him sleep and his night sleeps might fall into place. My friend who has a baby three weeks younger than Eva still gets two two hour naps a day but Eva had dropped her third sleep a while ago and is now over the afternoon nap...as she is also sick at the mo she refuses to settle and I can't get her down until like 9 most nights... She will fall asleep in my arms be snoring and knocked out and as soon as her belly hits the bed she pops open her eyes and gets up on all fours and starts rocking back and forth like crazy (it is pretty comic to see).
Maybe don't stress about getting those "necessary" naps and see Michael as a boy who likes to be alert and wants to stay up during the day...his night sleeps might adjust if he has proper time to get tired during the day...A playgroup might be a great idea...I think Eva is similar to him in not wanting to waste her time with sleep lol. Daycare tuckers her out but I can tell you that on the WE she goes down at 10!
So maybe stop saying what's wrong with him and try to go with his flow, just put him down when he starts complaining to sleep? Try it for a few days and see if his sched works itself out. I am betting that his naps during the day are interfering with his night sleeps...Good luck - I know it is exhausting having a baby who does not nap, since when I have Eva now during the days it is 100% Eva time - she does play on her own and loves playing in her bed, so I do get showers in and all that but she does not nap much anymore...I know sometimes everything gets overwhelming and we just go nuts, and it is good that you had a big cry. There are days like this and will be many more, just know you are a wonderful doting mother, and you are doing a great job :) - all those teeth! Eva does not even have one yet! Lol
Kanda, that is one of those moment I think every mother waits for :loveshower: *sigh*
Lani, sucks for the period :( I have mine too now and had a massive migraine on Sunday which killed my whole day, so I got nothing done! How is DH doing with helping out? Did you ever think of asking him to go to Jett at night? I find that Eva settles better with DH, and with me insists more for food etc...maybe he can try over the WE to see if Jett settles back down...I never pick Eva up since it wakes her right up, so maybe try patting him without picking him up? He seems to have had an advance in his sleep. I think if you keep at it, he won't need the feeds soon.
Rose, I cannot get over Liam! I am so happy for you and for him that he is happier and settled.
Suz, I get those moments once in a while then DH walks in and I have to hold it in and not take it out on him…lol…I hope you feel better soon!
Hannah, hope you’re ok – thinking of you.
Hello to everyone else!!!!
AFM, as I was saying to Beany, Eva is totally over her day sleeps…Every day I pick her up and the girl who cares for her goes, well she needs to eat at 330 (or I feed her at daycare - she has become very good with her solids!) and then she’ll prob nap but that nap never comes…last night I rocked her and had her to sleep 4 times!!!! No joke, 4 times!!!!
Every time she hits the bed eyes pop open and rocking back and forth on her knees begins! They said that even at day care she won’t go down so they put a maternity pillow around her legs to keep her immobile then she passes out – I tried that at home and she screamed down the house – I think she just has too much fun at home. I am toying with the idea of removing all toys and stuff from her bed and moving her “fun time” to her playpen, where I can leave her and know she is safe…I might do that this WE…that way she can have her mobile and cool toys in the playpen but the bed will become strictly for sleep, although I risk having her complain to get out of bed earlier in the morning…We’ll see. I’ll give it a go this WE or maybe after all the travel in july…I have a feeling that once she starts crawling she’ll go down – she just seems obsessed with crawling right now and I think she has good traction in bed so she goes crazy in there.
Anyway, I am tired, but at least DH took over the 5 am wake up and settled her back down until 6 am – So I slept from 11 to 6 which is great for me…My god, I never thought waking up at 7 would seem like a major sleep in for me! Lol
Ok off to work – Accounting is fun – blahhhhhh!
Hi girls,
I've had a really busy day with work and now don't have a lot of time to write what I'd like.
Beany, I'm not sure if this helps you, but Jack isn't sleeping well either. In fact, he's a nightmare at the moment. His day sleeps are all over the place and they're just like naps, too. But it's his night sleeps that are a disaster. He wakes every hour some nights and I'm left feeling so bloody tired all day. Last night was okay - he went down at 7, woke for a feed at 10, woke at 12, then at 3 and then at 6. That's a good night for us these days. I have no idea what has happened. He wakes and cries but as soon as the dummy goes in he's asleep. I know I should wean him off the dummy but I honestly don't have the energy to do it!
As for day sleeps, apparently they shouldn't be getting more than 4 hours during the day. I think Tizzie Hall recommends a big sleep at 9.20am (after solids and then milk) and then one at 1.20pm (after solids and milk) each day - that's it!
She also recommends the following: make sure they're getting enough food (may be waking hungry?) and also try including protein in the diet, make sure the room is not too cold, make sure you include a dream feed around 10.30ish.
I hope that helps!!
ATM - just one annoucement today. Jack is officially crawling. I have it on video but can't figure out how to upload it to Facebook. It's so darned cute but it's also a worry because he went straight for my bookcase and ripped up some of my favourite Vogue's today! I'm going to have to baby-proof this place quick smart.
Have a good night, girls. xx
Yay Jack! That boy is a serious athlete! Eva is getting there and babyprooficng has started but we have to finish this WE!
I wonder what is up with these three and not sleeping...
I got a vid of Eva doing her bouncy thing in bed, and posted on fb...she does that for like 3 hours every night before sleep...unless we rock her to bed with the dummy...Carmey, not sure if weaning is a good idea if it is the only thing that calms him down - I could not imagine not using a dummy right now...Eva would never sleep!
Hi Girls!
BS - Hope the sale of your business and all the accounting doesn't stress you out too much. Like Eva, Ryan often doesn't sleep very long during the day. I agree with letting our bubs lead and I'm sure that once they get more mobile that they'll wear themselves out more. Good idea to remove all toys from the cot. I used to wonder why there were so many Mums walking around shopping centres with blankets over their prams, but you soon realise the benefits of 'sensory deprivation' when trying to get a baby to sleep.
Lani - Good thinking to call Karitane. It must've been good just to talk to someone who wouldn't judge you and could offer some suggestions. The 'feed as a last resort' tip is one I use. I can usually tell by Ryan's cry if he's tired, hungry or has done a poo (although when I'm tired it gets harder for me to tell them apart). BS's suggestion that you ask DH to go in and resettle Jett is a good one. My DH can often calm our boys much faster than me and I figure it's 'cause he doesn't smell like milk. You're right, it will get easier.
Beany - I've forgotten about my bad day already!
Ryan mostly has only 2 half hour sleeps. Craig's nearly 3 and he has at least an hour in the middle of the day. When we're out shopping Ryan often falls asleep in the Baby Bjorn. How about putting Michael in a sling so you can get some things done? I also pop Ryan in his rocker and sit him outside with me when I'm hanging out washing or when I'm having a shower.
You will cope when you go back to work, I know you will because I did :) I am not naturally the most organised or self-disciplined person, but going back to work forced me to be. Once you go back to work you start doing things like the washing at night and hang it out first thing, and cook double quantities so you can freeze half. That's why I'm trying my hardest to lose weight now, because I know I won't have the time or energy when I get back to work!
How did you go with the playgroup?
Carmey - OMG! Crawling! Better get babyproofing! Ryan loves electrical cords and has a knack of rolling himself over to the nearest cord and starts chewing on it. So I've already been babyproofing, but I think he's months off crawling. I think Craig was 8 months old, I can't remember. It does sound like Jack has associated going to sleep with the dummy and can't get back to sleep without it. Sorry I have no personal experience with dummies. My first thought was maybe you can remove the dummy when Jack's sleepy but not asleep yet, and keep doing it earlier and earlier until he can go to sleep without it. Googling brought up the old suggestion to cut pieces off the dummy until it's gone, but the MACH nurses told us not to do that (I can't remember why but it makes sense). You could go cold turkey with out it and let him cry it out (might be only a few minutes, but it's pretty drastic and I don't know how desperate you are), or you could try putting Jack down without his dummy for one of his day sleeps when he's nice and calm and work from there. The other suggestion I found was either put lots of dummies in the cot with him, or sew some dummies on to a soft toy and teach him to find them and put them in his own mouth. Hope there's something there you can work with and maybe get Jack sleeping more at night.
Hannah - You were still in my heart and my thoughts all day today :hug:
AFM - I'm trying hard to be a domestic goddess, I made sweet orange marmalade this morning. This afternoon I took the boys shopping to try and find me some clothes. Help ladies! I have no idea what a 30-something housewife should wear. Any ideas girls? Everything seems to be either for early 20s or old Nannas! Shopping for business suits is easy but I'm completely lost when it comes to casual wear. My wardrobe is practically empty because I'm now 1-2 dress sizes smaller than I was. I've even considered hiring a stylist for a couple of hours ($140 for 2 hours, is that ridiculous? Like I said, I am clueless). DH told me we're going to his mate's wedding in Cairns in late September and will stay there for a week. I want to get something really nice to wear to the wedding. Not sure if I'm brave enough for a bikini, but it's great motivation to keep toning up.
Thanks everyone who responded to my question about DTD. I forgot that BF makes things a lot drier downstairs and I remembered that it hurt a bit because of that the first few times after Craig was born. It's taken us a lot longer to get around to DTD than it did last time, so I guess I thought things should be back to normal because it's been so long. Instead it's like I've gotten my virginity back :rofl: There was discomfort DTD after Craig, internally around my scar for months and months, but this time it hurts more in my perineum. But I guess it will go away in time. Hopefully we'll get some more practice in ;)
Sending ~~~~~sleepy dust~~~~~ out to all the bubbas, so all the Mums can get some quality sleep tonight.
Hi girls :)
Argh, I feel like Liam is stealing sleep from all of the other bubs! All of you with badly-sleeping bubbas have my sympathy right now - it's absolute hell :(
beany - Liam still doesn't nap much during the day, and honestly, I've given up trying to get him to nap more. How is Michael when he wakes up from his 30 minute naps? Liam's pretty much always chipper and smiling when he wakes, so I figure he's had enough sleep (or wants to be awake and doing things more, like BS said about Eva). Sometimes he'll still be yawning, but so long as he's not grizzling, I don't worry about it. BS's advice about just trying to go with the flow is good IMHO - maybe even let Michael stay up longer before his naps? Liam can stay awake now for 4 hours or so if he's really keen, which is way more than the books recommend - but I have to remind myself all the time that he's an individual, and the books talk about average bubbas.
Also - when things were really bad with Liam and he wouldn't sleep or play on his own at all (the latter is a godsend now, he'll play long enough for me to shower or make dinner etc) was wearing him in a sling. Do you want to pop over here sometime and try some of the slings that I have and see if Michael likes one?
Carmey - The dummy is a bit of a two-edged sword, I think. It helps the bubs to sleep, but if they're light sleepers, I think it can disturb them a lot when it falls out (which happened to Liam, I think). Either way, I don't think weaning off it during a period of disturbed sleep is going to be great for anyone. We got lucky in that Liam just rejected his, so we never had to wean per se.
Lani - Go you in reaching out for the help you needed. Sometimes I think it just helps a lot to be able to talk to someone, even if they give you advice that you've already thought of.
AFM - Things with Liam are actually falling into something like a vague routine - not that we've ever tried to push much of a routine (though I've often wanted to, being a super organised and structured person normally). Just in case anyone is interested, here's what a normal day is right now:
Wake: 7:30am
(this is when I hear him, anyway, I suspect that sometimes he's been awake for a while playing with the teddy we keep in his crib. Some days he's a little earlier, and he's slept as late as 8:30am)
Nappy change/dressed/breastfeed: 7:30-8am.
Playtime on the floor while I do morning things - laundry, feeding the cat, feeding myself, checking email.
Solids: 8:30am (rice cereal or oats, can take 30 minutes or so, will sometimes have another bf afterwards)
Playtime on the floor while I shower, dress and put on makeup.
Then errands/shopping if it needs to be done, otherwise more playtime with me.
Nap: 11am-11.45am
Varies where this is - sometimes in his crib, sometimes in arms (not fussed about the latter now he's sleeping well in his crib at night)
BF: 12pm.
Playtime, usually with my mother while I get stuff done around the house and have lunch.
Solids: 1pm (fruit or veggies)
Nap: 1:30-2:30pm
I usually work through this second nap now.
Playtime and a walk if the weather is nice, running errands sometimes now as well.
BF: 5pm
Solids: 6pm (rice cereal)
Bath/change/BF: 6:30pm - 7pm
Down for the night - 7-8pm
Sometimes needs to be resettled 40 minutes afterwards if he needs to burp, and will sometimes have another BF then.
There are also sometimes more BFs during the day if he needs them, as well as another catnap in the late afternoon.
And now I've typed all this up, watch him change his pattern ;)
Rose - That's awesome! Sounds a lot like what Ryan is doing, except I have to squeeze in an express (no pun intended) after the first morning BF so I have milk to mix with the rice cereal. I second wearing them in a sling when they won't let you do anything. That's a great idea for Beany to try Michael in one of your slings.
Beany - Def try Michael out in a sling and see if he likes it. I already had my baby bjorn which is good for running around shops with, but if I was buying a new sling I'd get a mei tai style. I can't hang out washing with the baby bjorn because I'm worried he'll fall out the top but a mei tai style carrier will hold your baby more securely and they can't fall out when you bend over. But you might prefer a ring sling and they're great when bub is older. It's worth it if you can get things done and keep them happy at the same time!
Oh girls :grouphug::grouphug: Thank you all so much... I feel sooo much better about it! What would I do without all you lovely ladies?
I think sometimes I just need to be brought back down to earth...my anxiety makes things seem 10 times worse than they actually are and I get so stressed out.
Lani - gosh, sorry to hear you're having trouble too. Great idea ringing that place...sounds like they gave you lots of advice. Things will pass, they WILL get better. (Just got to remember to tell that to myself!! :lol:)
BS - A lot of what you said really hit the spot with me. It made me step back for a minute and look at the situation for what it is. And hearing that Eva is not sleeping much either but is still a happy baby makes me feel a lot better. Thank you sooo much :hug: And what a little champ Eva is!! That was a great video on fb! She'll be crawling in absolutely no time!
Carmey - thanks so much for those tips. Sorry to hear Jack isn't sleeping very well. I think a few of us have had those couple of weeks where they wake up every hour over night. But it does pass, Michael has stopped doing it and....wait for it....only woke up once last night AND put himself back to sleep!!! And I agree with Rose, prolly best not to take the dummy away while he's going through a fussy period, might make things worse. Maybe try a bit down the track? Oh, something I'm doing atm is rather than popping the dummy back in his mouth, I actually put it in his hand so he learns to put it in his mouth himself. It has worked because sometimes if the dummy is out but next to him, he is starting to reach for it and put it in his mouth. Maybe try that? Thats great Jack is crawling!!! He's going to be right into sports like his Mummy! Off to a good start :)
Suz - thanks for those tips re coping when I go back to work. They're good idea's, esp about making twice the amount for dinner. that'll be great not having to worry about cooking tea on the days I have to work! Gosh, making marmalade as well!! You really are a domestic goddess!! :clap: I'm afraid I'm no help on the fashion-front. I'm having the same problems. TBH, all I wear these days are trackpants and long sleeved cotton tops (from cotton-on) and maybe a zip-up top if its cold. I did go ot and buy some jeans the other day, succumbed to the fact that I have gone up a size :( I think its a great idea to get a stylist!!!!! I'd LOVE to do that one day!! I'm sure they'll tell you all the shapes/styles that suit you and colours and stuff...that'd be fantastic!! I haven't been to the playgroup yet, thats on Thursday, but I'm not sure I'll go to that one yet. I've found out that our local church has one, well, actually has 4 a week...and they're part of the school I want him to go to so I'm goign to try and get him in that one. Just waiting for the lady to ring me back.
Rose - Thats great Liam is getting into a bit of a routine!!! So happy for you! And I agree, so long as his night sleeps are good, I wouldn't worry too much about his day sleeps. So, is he not waking up at all at night now? How lucky are you to have him self-wean off the dummy! Great stuff! Thanks for the suggestion re sling for Michael...I wish he liked that sort of stuff. HOnestly, I"m sure this is not normal, but he's not one for being cuddled or held for a long time or restricted in any way, he's okaaaay in the baby bjorn for about 10 mins but only cos he can face out and see what I'm doing. I think he's one of those babies who always has to see everything and do things for himself. He's not a cuddler, much to my disappointment. But you never know, maybe I'll try a few next time I'm over.
Hello to everyone else!!
AFM - (drum roll please....) Michael only woke once and resettled himself last night!!!!!! (Suz, perhaps your sleepy dust worked!!) I got to have a lovely full nights sleep! Oh it was bliss :) He has also gone to sleep relatively easily for his morning nap, tho I think he may have done a poo so will prolly only be a short one. BUT I'm OK with that now...its fine.
I think these teeth are really giving him trouble, his cheeks are mega red and I can see the pointy bits through his gums...wonder how long they'll take to cut? I hope not long, poor little darling. he was dribbling like a tap last night.
Oh, and I can recommend a good book if anyone is interested. Its called Breast, Bottle, Bowl by Anne Hills and Penelope Stone. It has some great suggestions for food, and tells youwhat foods you can introduce when, how to buy ripe food and how to prepare each food. And lots of recipes too.
Hi everyone. I've been piecing this post together for days, so some of the response are a bit out of date (sorry). And I just lost a whole lot of updates when I tried posting. Arg!!!!
Kawa - not still bleeding!! What a pain. You must feel so lethargic!
Beany - I hear you on the frequent night wakings and bursting into tears! Matilda pretty much waking every 30 mimutes to 2 hours between 7 and 7 and sometimes its taking an hour or 2 to resettle her between 3 and 4. I wish I had some ideas for you. If you I reckon you should go along to the playgroup and see what its like. You never know, you might click. And if they're second timers they might have some great tips! Or maybe you could try and start a new one up by putting a notice up at a local shopping center or something. I've gone to the local playgroup her a couple of times now and really enjoyed it. Matilda just loves the novelty of new toys to play with and there's so much going on they're entertained for a couple of hours with little effort. And don't ever feel like you don't have friends. We love you!!
Willow - I don't know how you can deal with your living arrangements at the moment. I think I would have literally screamed the other day when your MIL woke Harry up (again!). I can understand you don't want to upset them but can't your DP have a stern word with them or something. There's just nothing worse than having your unsettled baby woken up. And now a cold to top it off. Poor little tike. Is Harry still waking up a lot at night? Do you think they eventually grow out of it? Please tell me they do!!!
Alison - is Milly over her cold? I hope so - there's nothing worse than seeing them sick.
Suz and Beany - I had the same issue with DTD for quite awhile. I actually asked a "women's health physio" about it and she gave me some tips which I can send you via FB if you want. It's just a bit too graphic even for our forum LOL :redface:. And it seemed to work because its all good now.
Suz - I wondered about a stylist too LOL! They were advertising them at BJ.
Alison - poor Milly sounds miserable. Its a bit sobering to think about how many colds they normally have in the first year. Keep thinking "its good for her immune system". Is she feeling better after the weekend.
BS - I hope the anniversary of your cousin's passing wasn't too painful. Thanks for the belly sleeping suggestion awhile back. I'm a bit nervous to try because she's a "non-roller". She still can't roll! And her grandmother’s sister died of SIDs so I’m a bit nervous about belly sleeping.
Rose - OMG I wish M could take a leaf out of Liam's book. You're truely the miracle story at the moment. Go Liam!!
Sorry for missing everyone else. I just lost everything and have to get this up before you forget who I am!!
AFM – Matilda is pretty much up every 30 minutes to 2 hours and is up and down like a yo-yo between at certain times of the night. I’m sooooooo tired and I feel like all the books and experts are glaring at me saying "I told you so - you shouldn't feed her to sleep". I rang the Tresilian helpline the day before yesterday and they told me I’m doing it all wrong. They said I shouldn’t feed her to sleep and I confuse her by wrapping her during the day, putting her in a sleeping bag at night and then bringing her into bed with me sometimes. I knew they would say all of this (don’t know why I even called really). I'm dreading having to do any type of sleep training. I feel like I'm being weak and not somehow guiding her properly and that maybe I'm being selfish in not being prepared to bite the bullet and letting her cry a bit. I was all decided I'd do it after talking to my SIL this morning. But then I spoke to my aunt who said "its so unusual to have a non-crying baby like Matilda it would be a shame to do it to her". My aunt did controlled crying with her eldest and I respect her opinion so that completely took away my resolve. And she is a non-crying baby. She is just adorable and happy and desperate to have fun. It's just she doesn't sleep. Anyway, I really have to go and give the poor darling some dinner.
Suz, I'd be happy to advise you on clothing options...do you have websites or brands of clothes that you like? And I would need to know your body type etc...save the 140 for a nice ****tail dress for that wedding. I think the key is buying easy stuff you can mix and match and with babies, wash easily (so avoid dry clean only stuff for your every day wear)...Tunics and tights and flats in all colors are the easiest things to do, topped with a big pear of sunnies and you'll always look chic. Send me a pm if you want to chat about that - me loooves the fashion!
Rose, what a great sched! who knew he had it in him ;) I am so ecstatic for you and you really deserve this break! Keep it up for mummy Liam!
Beany, glad Michael gave you some rest - Eva is not a big cuddler either, meaning she is very affectionate and grabs me arond the neck and kisses me and all that and love to be in my arms, but she is not a sit still and snuggle girl. I think our babies are similar activity wise - lol - last night while eva was jumping around like a monkey trying to grab everything in her reach DH turned to me and goes, man, I hope #2 is calm! lololololol Not me, I like that she is dynamic and I think that later she will have an easier time being active, doing things and generally moving around more - more work for mum but later I am sure she will be a super dynamic and motivated girl and I like that :) Michael might just be independent - the snuggle thing is not a big deal, and he will have moments of attachement (this morning Eva cried when I left her at daycare :( ) but I think they are just babies too fascinated with everything around them and it will calm down when he gets more mobile (but I am afraid we might always have to keep our eyes on them more than some others! lololol) I am glad I helped alleviate some of your stress...we read all these books and get ideas of what "should be" happenning but like rose said, each one of our gorgeous babies is an individual and we have to remember that. Once you stop trying to fit him into a routine I am sure he will find one on his own. Being a mother is so hard - you want to do everything right but you don't know what "right" is all the time. Just let Michael tell you - he is a smart cookie ;)
Tilda, is Matilda in her room yet? Maybe it would work for her like it did for Liam? I think it is important to have certain "sleep rituals" like a sleeping bag every time (no matter what you do in the day)...but seriously going into her own room might just be the solution - Like I told Rose before Liam became the perfect baby ;) that is really what got Eva settled. If she is still not in her own room, now might be a good timle since you guys just moved so she has a new environment and some new habits would not shock her too much...and before she gets too old and gets scared to be away from you at night.
As for belly sleeping, in my opinion, she does not have to roll but be able to hold up her head...Eva slept on her belly before rolling but could pick up her head easily and move it side to side, so I knew she could change sides to breathe. My brother died of SIDS so I can't tell you how scary it was to sleep Eva on her belly (remember she has been since 2.5 months!!!) - I would wake up many times in the night to check on her...try with naps to start (belly sleeping will also stregthen her back a lot and prob get her rolling in no time) - I started with naps when she was in my line of vision otherwise, it scared me too much. It might really help...as long as she can hold up her head (and be sure sheets are tight, and there are no blankies, bears etc in the bed...). If it stresses you too much then don't, but it mmight really be godsend.
Side notes on SIDS...I read an article saying that they found that SIDS is not caused by sleeping issues but is actually a neurological characteristic found in some babies - I have to find that article because I am not sure what the exact info is. And usually after 6 months the risk is pretty much gone. My brother died at 2 months and most cases of SIDS, are generally with much younger babies. Not saying you should not be stressed, do what makes you feel comfortable, but just letting you know that some things are really blown out of proportion - during my childhood, belly sleeping was encouraged, and I am sure most of us were belly slept and we're all fine. SIDS unfotunately, happens, but it is rare, so don't let anxiety overwhelm you. It is hard when it comes to our kids though, I know. I am so controlling over every aspect of Eva's life for the moment, but strangely, I stress less about her getting sick, or putting stuff in her mouth, or being too cold, whereas DH worries about that stuff (I am more like education, stimulation, do I talk to her enough, does she hear enough music in her day, is all of her food organic and all her stuff super clean..lol - we each have our obsessions!).
AFM, Eva cried when I left her this morning. That sucks :( Last night DH and I gave up trying to put her to sleep and just went out for a walk after dinner so around 930 thinking she might nod off, but of course, no! And then in bed back to bouncing around. They told me at daycare that they put a maternity pillow around her legs to inhibit her movement and she falls asleep for her morning nap that way, but at home she screams if we do that...but DH discovered last night that if he stays in the room with her and holds down her butt so she can't lift it, she drifts off in about ten minutes! DH has to do it because with me she either gets more excited or complains if I hold her down...I suggested wrapping her - I never have since she did not like it when we tried when she was smaller, but do you guys think it is too late to start that now??? W ould she not be too strong to stay in there?
Back to my paperwork ;)
xoxo
PS - Beany, I saw your fb thing abou tthe teeth - no wonder he won't sleep! It will pass! He is teething like MAD! :)