Babies Born~May 16th-31st 2009 #4

Bella - to teach them to hold their breath you blow quite hard in their face just before submerging them as this causes the startle reflex and they take a deep breath - Sean is doing this to Bailey in a video of them playing on my FB so take a look! You can see Bailey throw his arms back in the reflex. Try it with J next time you are playing. Also when you submerge them you dont pull them under the water as such as the water goes up the nose, you kinda tip them in head first a bit upside down (facing away from you) - does that make sense? At our pool they wont do this until 6 months but we are getting Bailey ready with the blowing as thats only 3 weeks away for us. For floating I went from holding Baileys head and back while he was floating 'assisted' in the bath to gradually just lightly touching the back of his head and he floats - he will float in the bath unassisted now (although my hand is cms from his head for when he moves too suddenly etc) - one day I just took the last hand away and he just kept floating - crazy kid, he loves it. In the pool though I always keep my hand under his head as there are so many people in the pool its wavy/splashy etc. I dont know if this is the 'correct' way to teach it, but hey it worked for Bailey lol

Nicky - I have sent an email to the First Aid Instructor to find out about the courses in VIC - I am pretty sure they are Australia wide, will keep ya posted

Back later for more persies, gotta cook tea etc

Naomi
x

Naomi- thanks very much!! I should go to a class, but we have a pool in our current house and so i have just been having fun with her. Not looking forward to when we move in Jan, although i am cos we r going back home, but I won't have a pool there.

oh ps i just updated my ticker and now i can see it but I can't see any of yours.... do you think they have gone outta date or therei is a problem with bb site?

Wow BG, you were right about that 'wonder week' (or three)!! Not that I doubted you, but it's so amazing to see it in action. After a couple of weeks of sooking, clinging and disturbed sleep, Ivy has has the most lovely aware, talkative, easy to settle, trying new things kind of day. Well, not ALWAYS easy to settle. 2/3 naps she went down easily... 1, she fought all the way! All of a sudden she's pivoting around the floor on both back and tummy so she can cover almost 180 degrees to get what she wants or see something different. She's also started working REALLY hard to try and get from her back onto her tummy. Like, yesterday morning she had no idea it was a possibility, and then started twisting her body a bit through the day yesterday and kind of looking up and behind her, ... went swimming so no practice this morning, but this arvo she got almost all the way over several times! Then cracked it with frustration of course, as she got stuck on her side with one arm in the air! But we're so close. I'm sure she'll get it in the next few days. SO amazing!!

Bella - I've just posted a small video on facebook of Kyson going underwater. He's never cried when I do it and seems to just take it in his stride :)

Like Naomi mentioned, I just blow in his face, and you'll be able to see in the video that he sort of closes his eyes a little as he sucks air in. Then when I dunk him I do it on an angle so that his face goes in sideways to avoid water going up his nose.

We're going swimming again tomorrow. Kyson's little cousin, Levi, is coming with us. Levi is only 2 days younger, so it's going to be so cute. Hmmm, actually, I don't know what relationship they have technically. It's my husbands, cousin's baby. I wonder if there is a name for that...?

PS: I think the ticker problem is just with the bump and beyond tickers?

I think you are right, I have changed mine to a lilypie one

Krystie, how do you organise getting out of the pool and dressed? Ivy screamed as soon as we got out of the shower today and I had to cuddle her for ages all wrapped in a towel even after she was dressed while I stayed in my wet bathers and froze!

I will manage a proper post before I head over to UK I promise, just have been busy as DH had Mon and Tue off and had a big weekend with Grand Final and Storm game. And tonight we went to see comedian Arj Barker (took CJ with us, she was very good but I prob wouldn't do again - we have no babysitters one of disadvantages of living other side of world to parents - so had no choice really - but I couldn't relax and enjoy quite so much).

Really interesting reading all the swimming stuff - as I might take CJ when in the UK when have my bro and mum about to help.

Oh and I think was Bridg asking about the changing without holding up by feet - I sort of just slide hand under her bum and lift up that way to slip nappy under - if she has a mucky bum (only about once a week at moment) I flip her onto her front to clean it all up first. I am sure there can't be that much wrong with lifting by the feet though as everyone does it.

Nicky: You are very inspiring with the exercise/weight-loss thing. I am trying really hard, but it gets to about 3 in the afternoon and I start snacking. I just know I feel great when I feel fit, so I wish I could get my act together. It's fantastic that you're so motivated and it sounds like you're doing really well with the exercise classes. Good for you. :)
Glad the sleep is getting better again.
BG: Hope E's little legs are better today. And that your DH's interview went well yesterday. Read on FB that you hurt yourself?!? Not good. When's the next chiro visit?
Bella: Yes, time on my own is just so refreshing! But very difficult to come by atm. DH goes birdwatching a lot, so once P has started solids I am going to remind him of all his outings and take a few of my own, LOL! Love the sound of your few days with DH - the air show sounds like fun, and the dinner would've been lovely. Where are you moving to? (I think you've said in a PP but I can't remember...)
Naomi: Saw bits and pieces either here or on FB about baby oil? I can't believe they sell the stuff. It's not even nourishing to the skin. We use it sometimes for massage because it is supposed to be good if someone's allergic to nut oil. I have a bottle of it at home and it's locked up. Same with baby powder. Nasty stuff. Just shows how clever marketing is - people buy so much crap they don't need, and some of it turns out to be quite dangerous.
Kat: Fantastic that Ivy's gearing up to roll onto her tummy! P is VERY difficult to settle for day sleeps atm. I am getting quite stressed about it, TBH. The contrast is falling asleep for her night sleep - so easy, fortunately. Actually, at bedtime she keeps falling asleep in random places - last night it was on the baby lounge on the floor. I left her kicking away there while I fetched dinner, intending to feed her and put her to bed once we'd finished eating. When I came up with our plates, she was fast asleep, LOL!
Krystie: Love the vid of Kyson in the pool. He looks so at home in there! You've got a little fish ;) Levi is the name DH wanted if Phoebe was a boy. I was considering that family relationship only last week (my cousin's kid was over at Mum & Dad's and was asking what relationship she is to Phoebe). I couldn't work it out, so looked on Genealogy.com. LOL! They are second cousins because they share the same great-grandparents. (First cousins share the same grandparents, third cousins the same great-great-grandparents and so on.) The term 'removed' is used when there are different generations. So Kyson and Levi are second cousins. Your husband and Levi are first cousins, once removed. :)
Vic: Just wanted to wish you a fantastic trip, if I don't 'see' you on here before Saturday. Hope the flight goes fabulously well and that you have an awesome time away.

Must get stuck into this house today. We've had so much on lately that the place is turning to crap! Am soooo looking forward to DLS starting. Natty has been waking at 6ish which is such a pest because Phoebe has been waking between 4-5am and I go back to bed only to be woken by Natty about half an hour later! This morning P woke at 4:45 and took a while to settle back to sleep, so I decided not to bother going back to bed. It's frustrating when you just get back to sleep and then you hear a little voice next door yelling, "Muuuuuuuuuuuummy... I to get uuuuuuuuuuuuuup..."

hi everyone! i can't believe it's October already! this year has flown (in comparison to last year anyway - bloody MS lol)

to whoever was asking about changing nappies without holding at the feet. due to my dodgy wrist, i can't grab e's feet like i see a lot of people doing - well, i can, but i don't tend to have enough strength most of the time to hold her like it - them little legs are strong enough to break free! so i tend to slide my left hand under her left knee, hold between her right knee and ankle and lift from there. that probably makes no sense, but essentially i'm holding one leg and lifting, and the other is going up because her knee is over my wrist. that's when she doesn't do it herself - from day one we've said to her to lift her bum up for us to change her - she can't get her bum up, but at least half the time her little legs shoot up in the air (then the nappy gets under her, she plants her feet on the ground/table and shoots herself backwards OFF the nappy - and we start again - rat bag!)

Amy - the ouchies last night are still hanging around but no where near as bad. couldn't pick E up at all! was holding her and leant down (from sitting) to grab the puke rag that fell on the floor - she twisted in my arms so i changed my balance so she didn't fall, but my arm got hooked on the arm of the chair and strained the muscle in my shoulder. felt like it had torn, but after a night of sleep it's just achey, not feeling so bad anymore. i made DH carry E around last night though until it settled - and after all the talk about nurofen when inflammation happens - i don't have any in the house! lol. today i just have a residual headache - it's annoying me, but i'll get over it

Wooooohhoooooo! My clever little girl discovered how to roll from her back to her tummy this afternoon! Poor DH wasn't there to see it, but she did it at mother's grp so had a very big audience who all cheered and clapped when she did it for the first time. She looked so pleased with herself and then did it 5 more times just to prove it wasn't a fluke! So proud of her. It almost made me cry!! Can only imagine what I'm going to be like when she starts to walk!

Naomi - I read on FB that you're sick. Hope it clears up really fast and you're feeling heeeeeaps better soon hun. Until then... milk it. DH should be waiting on you hand and foot!

:crying: :crying: :crying: :crying:

Sorry for no persies.

I just wanted to let everyone know that we wont be able to come to the November meet up. Logans specialist is going to cost us and I dont know how many trips down we will have to do. I really wish I could still come. Im so annoyed we cant.

I will come back and do some persies later.

Oh no Bridg - completely understand though :) Hope everything turns out fine mate

Quick question as am madly packing as driving to Shepparton this arvo - for the Breast Feeding Mums, how long do your babies actively suck for during a feed? I think Bailey is giving up on the boob, I'm lucky if I can get 5 mins of decent sucking out of him during a feed (and thats both sides). I am at the point were I am swapping sides constantly so I can get him to start sucking again - and then he only sucks for maybe 30 seconds. Then the more I try to get him to drink, the more upset he gets until he is at the point of screaming. I just dont think he is getting enough food and am seriously thinking of putting him on the bottle so I can monitor how much he drinks. Its not worth me persisting with the boob when his growth is already not what it should be. We've almost reached the 6 month point of BF which is pretty good, but want him to keep growing. When I give him the odd bottle he is clearly more satisfied, happier, content etc. I am going to start giving him a regular bottle at his 3pmish feed as this seems to be when he feeds the worst (probably my milk supply is at its lowest). He's always been very lazy on the boob but its got to the point of almost disinterest now. I know its easier to drink from the bottle but if it means he drinks more I think this might be the right thing for him. Any advice would be appreciated

Naomi
x

Naomi- Thanks. Im sorry to hear Bailey isnt feeding properly. U HAVE NOT FAILED at all. If hes happy to take a bottle, ur happy to bottle feed, and he's putting on weight, then maybe it is worth a try. Maybe u could try expressing (not sure if u have told us or not) and see how much u get out? GL with what u decide, and remember, U are his Mummy, and if no one likes the decision u make, then stiff bikkies to them!

Awww, thanks Bridg!! too sweet

I just got fantastic news :D - Sean won an annual award at work today (Optus) and won us a $2500 flight centre voucher - its the same one I one last year (but they must be cutting back with the global financial crisis as it as $3000 last year LOL). Now its Baileys turn to bring home the bacon LOL

How awesome - I am so soooooooooooo proud of him, he works so hard!!

Naomi - I am also having feeding issues with Allira. She's not feeding for long periods at all, (she's never fed for a long time though), she's very fussy at the breast and for the first minute or 2 before let down, she's HORRID. I'm sticking it out as long as possible because the same thing happened with DS when he was 3 months old. I comp fed with him and we didn't havea great time of it, but ended up dropping the formula around 6 months and continuing to BF until 10.5 months.
I know exactly how frsutrating it is, and how much you worry if they are getting enough. Would be nice if our boobies has clear windows in them.
For me at the moment with Allira, she's having enough wet nappies, a pooey nappy pretty much every day and is happy and content between feeds, so I am taking all those signs in that she is getting enough and probably cranky because she needs to boost my supply. I've always found my kids have fed better on a bottle because they don't actually have to work very hard to get the milk out (lazy buggers, LOL). So, I am digging in my heels, feeding her when she wants to be fed, and I keep wacking her back on the boob until she either feeds properly (which she does a fair amount of the time) or until I'm so frustrated and worked up that I need 5 minutes to cool down before we try again. That doesn't happen very often thankfully. one thing I tried when either child was really worked up, was to pop their dummy in their mouth until they calmed down, and then whipped it out and my nipple in. It worked probably 60% of the time.

In your situation, where you have a few worries about bailey's growth, I think I would also probably lean towards formula. Allira's growth is slowing down, but she's a pretty reasaonbly sized girl for her age and if she were to continue like she did the first 12 weeks, she'd be my weight by the year's end. Bailey's also started solids aswell hasn't he? I wonder if that has anything to do with his grizzling. I really can't remember what Lachie was like when we started solids... I think he dropped most of his day feeds, but upped his night time ones.

As Bridg said, you are his mum. You know what's best for him and for you. This feeding thing is a 2 way street in my book and you both need to be happy doing what you are doing. If you are comfortable trying to continue the breastfeeding - awesome. If not, that's awesome too! If you can find a way where you are both comfortable, Bailey's putting on plenty of weight, and it all feels right, then that's what you should aim for.
Good luck with it hun!

Bridg - bugger about not being able to go to melbs. I'd happily offer you a lift if we could work out some arrangement. I can talk to you about it on MSN or FB if ya like, but I'm sure my Hubs won't be worried about not going, and then I don't have to worry about Lachie, and only have Allira with me (and someone cool to talk to). Let me know what you think anyway, and we'll see if we can work anything out.

I've got a blocked duct here at the moment. It's most likely from Allira's fussiness of late. She's been better the last 5 or 6 feeds, but we'll see how this arvo goes. She's also pretty bad around 3-7pm feeding wise. The joys hey!!

Gotta tend to the kiddies, but will pop back later!

Way to go Sean! Well done on all the hard work! :clap: :dance:
Naomi- Now you'll have to think of somewhere to go.

Congrats to Sean! That's awesome!


And huge apologies for my horrid spelling mistakes and punctuation... haha I'm mortified at how terrible I am now, but I just don't have the motivation to fix it. LOL

Oh Bridg :( I'm sorry that you can't make it to Melbs. But totally understand that coming down for the appointment/s needs to be the priority. Will be disappointing not to see you IRL, but we get along so famously on here... I feel like I've known you forever already so nothing lost, LOL! :hug:
Naomi: Sometimes P snacks and sometimes she dines. LOL. By far her best feeds are overnight/early morning, when she'll suck for a good 15 minutes at least. Day feeds are shorter and she usually has both breasts, but my RHS is a complete dud - I've no idea how much she gets from that side, but she only spends a couple of minutes on there before she gets twitchy, so I swap her over. She gets VERY impatient for the letdown in the afternoons after her second sleep particularly, I think because she is very tired as well as hungry. So sometimes they can be troublesome. Sounds to me like Bailey likes the rapid delivery of the bottle, LOL. My suggestion would be to feed him more often, but this of course may not fit in with your daily routine and/or be something Bailey and yourself are willing to do. My next piece of advice would be to follow your instincts. If you feel Bailey would thrive better on the bottle, on the understanding of course that there's nothing wrong with your milk and that Bailey's behaviour is certainly age-appropriate, then go for it. You are savvy, you've got your head screwed on. Do what feels right. Hope you guys have a GREAT weekend away, and congratulations to Sean! What an awesome prize :)
Nicky: Sorry about the blocked duct! What a pi$$er. I agree with the wishing boobs had windows. It's only cause Phoebe's so much chubbier than Natty was that I'm confident we're feeding fine...

Went to the Drs this afternoon for Phoebe's needles. She HOWLED when they went in, poor little darling! Nearly had me in tears. Then she stopped crying and started "biatching", much to the Dr's amusement. She gave her the rotarix and P spat out a fair bit, LOL. Then she asked me if I'd noticed Phoebe's pupils are uneven...? :dunno: first I'd heard of it. I still can't see it... Anyway, we have a referral to the paed, and I'll ring for an appt tomorrow.
We're gearing up for the long weekend, but it's looking like raining for the entire time! Not happy.

Hi All,

Naomi I second what Amy said. Jemima is doing the same thing and drinking solidly at night and her lunch time feed, but the mornings there is too much to look at! LOL! Same in the arvo.
I think you have to really decided what you want for Bailey. How you want him to get his nutrients. I think Amy put it really well that if you think that he is better off on formula then go for it honey! You are the only one looking at Bailey and able to assess his needs best. But don't let your fear that you arn't able to supply his needs make the decision for you. It is really hard sticking to this BF gig when they try to up your supply. Jemima practically howls at me when she can't get it as quick as she wants! She isn't any more patient than Bailey, but I just take her off and offer it again later. It's not about whether it is good or bad to go formula or bf, it's just really important to acknowledge why you may want to swap over to formula. If you are really honest with yourself about your reasons then you will be content that you made them for the right reasons. NOT because anyone told you to or any other reasons but because they r YOUR reasons. My gf was so sure she would BF but she was having a really hard time doing it and stopped. it was the right decision because she started to bond with her baby when she stopped, because she wasn't killing herself with worry about how much her baby was getting. Both her and her baby were so much happier with that decision.

I think you do have to be really careful to not think that because Bailey is fussing that you don't have enough milk tho, or that formula will help him gain weight cos i know girls who have done that and it hasn't worked either. I am LOVING bfing and i will do anything to make it succeed even on the days that it is realy hard. please don't take that to mean that I don't think that you are enjoying it. But maybe you are finding the stress of worrying about Baileys growth stealing the joy of it for you. I don't quite know what I am trying to say here cos I think I am getting a bit impassioned and I am so worried about offending you I am going around in circles!!

I believe that you can BF successfully and what Bailey is doing is normal. I also think that if you want to stop for what ever reason you have my full support cos you are a lovely mummy and care about him so much, that you will make a decision that encompasses the whole of both your lives, and fit you perfectly. If you have doubts about your ability I want to uplift you and make sure you know that with good support you can meet Baileys needs and still bf......... I really hope that came out right.

Bella

Right well this will prob be my last post before I go to the UK - will prob get more time to post when at mum and dad's because they will want to look after CJ all the time.

Bridg - Disappointing about the BB meet up, hope all goes well with Logans appointment - not the same area but I have found RCH great with CJ's hips.

Bella - I think what you have said to Naomi is great - and put very well. I had put something similar but now I look back it doesn't appear to be there.

Naomi - The length of active sucking for CJ varies alot from feed to feed as the others have said. If I feel she didn't take much I just put them away and try again a bit later, if I am at home tend to do the next feed lying down as she seems to take more then as less distractions. Well done Sean, I asked DH why he hadn't won us an award like that :-) (he works for Optus too)

Nicky - The feeding on all fours (positioning bubs chin over blockage) really worked for me in sorting the blocked duct out. I could also feed sitting up on sofa with CJ laid out sideways from me instead of across me as normal and that put her chin over the blocked duct.

Kat - How were the Grampians? How did the Ergo go? Any walks you would/wouldn't recommend with an Ergo? I tried mine out yesterday by walking too and from Mothers Group (about 5km) was good only issue is CJ seems to suck on it and it left a mark across her face on one side where wet fabric rubbing. Well done to Ivy on the rolling too.

Amy - Hope P is ok after needles, CJ had hers on Monday and no issues at all. DH and I had it too for the Whooping Cough bit and my arm ached for days though! I still find it weird that different states have different holidays, last year we went up to Sydney for NRL final to see Storm lose - hope they do better this year!

BG - Hope you are all mended now. The book your friend made E was just fantastic - and has inspired me to be creative when back from UK - not sure in what way yet though. My sister has made a dress for CJ.

Krystie - Love the vid of Kyson in the water - I take it pools here are ok with you using cameras etc? Was talking to my sister about taking CJ next week in UK when she is visiting because she is good at photos and she said wasn't sure if were allowed - I know our local pool here says none in changing rooms (which is totally understandable) but haven't seen signs around pool.

AFU - We fly tomorrow at 10:00pm, am quite excited now about going - and feeling ok about the flight, I am sure CJ will be good and if not she will get boob in her face! She is pooing once a week at moment so fingers crossed we are clear till Tuesday - I don't want to deal with a massive one on the flight. The last one she did was when she was having nappy free time and was on her stomach it was quite weird seeing it squelch out her bum and I was amazed at how long she went on pooing for. I haven't actually packed yet but have a pile of stuff to put in and a list too, DH is at work till 16:00 tomorrow so want something to occupy me. Went to hairdressers today CJ was great until hairdryer time, she didn't scream but whinged alot so put her on my lap, hairdresser said he didn't care for the drying bit is only the cutting is more awkward when she is there. It was really cute watching her face in the mirror when she occasionally got a gust from the dryer, she would scrunch up her eyes and put her hands up as if trying to protect herself. She has really found her voice this week, screeching and just noisy chatter - good timing for the flight!

Thanks so much guys - I am in the car on the way to Shepparton with the laptop and mobile broadband so hopefully this message will post LOL

Sean and I had a good talk about the feeding and I think I'll just give it a few more days and see how we go, I gave Bailey 2 bottles today as he just would not feed and even his go to sleep feed was dodgy, however this was in the car earlier so its no real indication. Sean said he's really proud of me for breastfeeding but he is happy for me to do whatever makes me and Bailey happy and healthy. I must admit I am leaning towards the bottle currently. Overwhelmingly I am worried about his growth, and because I can see a marked improvement in his temperment after a bottle feed I feel this indicates to me that he is satisfied and full, whereas the breast is not satisfying him, and I think its his laziness as I think my supply is fine when he is feeding well. As he only has one night feed now I am not satisfied with only 2 good BF per day. My instincts are telling me to give it a few days and if the BF doesn't improve to go to the bottle, but I might still be able to get him to have a sleepy feed, hopefully!

Amy / Bella, have tried the more frequent feeding and he just has a tanty - he is just not up for it and will create the biggest fuss and refuse to attach - sigh!!!!! I love breastfeeding, but the enjoyment has gone currently and I dont want to turn what has been a lovely, touching and bonding 6 months for us into a nightmare either.....

VIC - have the BESTEST time in the UK, take LOTS of piccies so we can see all the fun
GL with the long flights :)

Naomi - have you thought about trying to express more while giving him the formula and giving him a full BF feed to see if he has that same contented reaction? it might not be the most efficient method of feeding him, but if you want to keep making sure he gets the immune factors from your milk, and you think it's purely laziness on Bailey's behalf, it may be a way to keep him getting the milk, keep your supply up, and maybe once he's stacked on a bit more weight and has more energy, you migth be able to return to BF as you would still have the supply (i hope that make sense!). you've done fantastic to get this far, and whatever decision you make, we're 110% behind you - i think we're all reading your reluctance to give up BF altogether and want to offer whatever suggestions we can to help you on your way!

Vic - hope you have a fantastic holiday. i don't envy you the long flight but i do wish i could have a long holiday somewhere different! to get away from every day life would be awesome at the moment - esp given every day life is so blah at the moment

sorry for no more persies - have a sleeping bubba on my lap and can't be bothered looking back (call me lazy lol)

AFU - had a meet up at lunch time today witha couple of the local-ish girls - was nice to be out with other adults that don't share my blood line! had a lot of running around afterwards to get DH from work (he was an hour late grrrrr) and i spent the time trying to entertain a very tired E, an equally tired five your old niece - and a nine year old niece that was going crook at her sister to "stop whinging, E is trying to sleep!"

am probably heading to the outer suburbs tomorrow to drop off a set of drawers for a fellow BB'er copping a crap time - if you haven't already, there is a thread by bloominroses and another by Lulu in plat explaining the situation. i just can't NOT help when we have stuff sitting here kwim? we're not flush with cash by any means, but i'm giving furniture that we don't need to help her out. sigh - so tired - will be a looooong day tomorrow i think

ooh, just to add - DH has at least another week of work with this mob he has been with this week - and the agency apparently told him today just to let them know if he gets bored there - they've got plenty of placees he can go. yay for my man! might mean money is tighter for a while, but he's HOME!

Hi all,

Well Jemima is having a rare long daytime sleep so I have a chance to post just quickly.

Amy- it is really normal to have uneven pupils in adults, never heard that there is a problem with children having the same thing. If I were you i would save the money of going to a paed and just ask another gp or CHN. honestly it just sounds like your gp is a bit precious. That is only my opinion, but I spent 6 yr staring into eyes everyday whilst doing neurological observations on emergency patients and it is REALLY normal. plus if you can't see it, it probably means that it was a really small difference and it isn't going to make any difference to Phoebe. Sorry but I don't have a high opinion of most GP's...... I'm sure yours is lovely tho.......

Vic- good luck on the trip and have a great time!

BG- very kind of you to be so supportive!

Naomi- I agree with BG. I don't think Bailey gets more nutrients from formula, quite the opposite. I do think he will get it more easily and I know that after Jemima has an EBM bottle she is more fussy at the breast. It isn't that formula gives him more energy. He just gets what he wants when he wants and that makes him happy. If he has to only get milk from the breast he will work it out again, if you make it so he has to. He would still probably have days or feeds where he fusses, Jemima certainly does, but in the end she is hungry and so she just gets on with it iykwim? Congratulatons on DH winning that prize!!! Also I hope the trip went well for you and you enjoy your time away. Thankyou also for the advice re the swimming. I think I will take her to a few classes, if for no other reason than it gets me working out a bit too!

Nicky- sorry to hear that you have a blockage! I had one two when J was 5weeks old and it was a killer.. I ended up with a fever and was miserable for days. I agree with Vic's advice, even if you just use lots of different positions.

Krystie- the video of Kyson was cute! He looks like he is having a lot of fun.

AFM- Well I am making lots of wraps today cos the FBC, need them for a stall tommorow at the baby welcoming ceremony! Jemima will be welcomed by the mayor and given some gifts and a tree to plant! Which i think is kinda cool. I am enjoying the peace here today. She has been down for 21/2hrs already... spoke to soon

must go i can hear her

Bella

Oh BG you are lovely. I've been reading Shari's thread - what an awful situation. She is very blessed to have friends like you, and all the other wonderful BBers who are volunteering their help. What an amazing community we have here.

Bella - shining with generosity too, I see. Enjoy making the wraps, I'm sure they will be much appreciated. The baby welcoming ceremony sounds really special.

Naomi - hope you're having a ball on your road trip and that Bailey is coping with the long car ride.

Vic - have a wonderful and safe trip.

AFU - well, I spoke too soon. The rolling continues. Over and over and over to the point where the squirmy little worm won't stay on her back to let me dress her or change her nappy and keeps rolling over in bed. She's very pleased with herself, and there's been lots of squeals of delight. BUT lots of grumpiness too. It's like now she's discovered she can move, she just wants to get up and run. She's managed to pull herself up onto her haunches a couple of times and then cracks it because when she tries to push off to crawl, she just goes SPLAT on her tummy! Then she starts yelling in frustration. I've barely been able to leave her side for the last 2 days as she's getting really angry and teary on the floor whenever she wants to reach something or go somewhere. Cute but exhausting for both of us. On top of that, her sleep has gone absolutely haywire. From sleeping all night (with a feed at abt 5, but straight back to sleep), to being awake 4 times over night last night and flatly refusing to nap this morning. Finally asleep now, but if the last 2 weeks are anything to go by, she'll sleep for 40 mins max. It was kinda building to this... I'd just hoped that it would pass with the shift out of 'wonder week' but it seems that her new skills have come with a fresh desire to be active and awake all the time. I've just borrowed the 'No Cry Sleep Solutions' from the library and have been reading every little chance I get. I've been charting sleep - or lack of - and attempts to settle and am going to sit down with DH tomorrow to try and formulate a sleep plan. Gotta get on top of this and at least get back our 2-3 day sleeps. I'm happy to roll with a few night wakings but it seems that lack of day-sleeps actually makes night sleep worse, so I'm on a napping mission!!!

Enjoy the rest of your weekends girls!

Kat: Wow @ Ivy moving! I'm sorry for the sleep regression - I've heard a lot of people on here say they've experienced the same thing when their child learns to do something new. Hope you find the NCSS useful. There used to be a whole thread on it on the ABA forum. (But while I contributed every now and again on the ABA forum I didn't find them anywhere near as supportive as the people on here...) You must be trashed. Hope that Ivy gives you a good sleep soon.
Bella: It actually wasn't my usual GP - she's on Lord Howe Island atm. She did say to me that there may well be nothing wrong, and told me her SIL has uneven pupils and is fine. But I mentioned to her that Phoebe sometimes goes all stiff when I pick her up (I attribute it to being tired, but who really knows?) so she suggested the paed. I don't mind going and just getting her checked over. No biggie. But thanks heaps for the reassurance. I am glad that its a common thing. (And I did notice it earlier this morning when we were in less light and they were more dilated.
That baby welcoming ceremony sounds way cool! Will look forward to seeing your pics on FB :) (Make sure you take some, LOL.)
BG: Glad your DH is around a bit more! Must make so much difference. I haven't caught up with those threads as yet. Good on you for helping her out though. Hope the trip out was ok.
Naomi: Hope you have a great weekend away!
Vic: Have a great flight out tonight. Will look forward to hearing all about your time os. We had the whooping cough vacc too and yeah, ouch! LOL.

Well, I got a bout of food poisoning last night. Had reheated chinese and it was just wrong. Was feeling crook when I went to bed and woke at 3:30am with tummy cramps. Fortunately DH was able to take the day off work and look after the girls. Phoebe has been sooooo sleepy - I wonder if its the needles? But she slept for 12.5 hours last night :o And then DH put her down for her nap this morning and she slept for 4 hours! And then put her down an hour and a half ago and she's still not awake. It is just weird for her (particularly the long day sleeps) but it has made it a lot easier for DH today. It's been raining so poor Natty has been housebound and is going a bit stir crazy. To only have to entertain her has made it an easier day for him. My tum isn't quite right yet and my head's throbbing from low BSL but am feeling a billion times better than this morning. I'm hoping my milk supply doesn't drop too much from the lack of feeds this past 24 hours, but moreso I hope Phoebe doesn't decide to be awake all night long.
Hope the rest of the weekend is good for you guys.

Hi Girls,

Kat- congrats on Ivy rolling over!!!! Must be hard tho when she needs a constant eye. It is draining isn't it. I hope she tires herself out soon and sleeps a little better for you. I feel your pain! Jemima has only just settled from her growth spurt and it nearly killed me. She is equally frustrated like Ivy when she can't quite do what she wants atm.... talk about a little temper! But her delight when she does something new or sees something she likes is equally priceless!

Amy- Sorry to hear you have been crook honey! Hope you feel 100% soon. Glad to hear I could reassure you. I think it is a good idea if you are already going to have an appointment to get it checked anyway, cos it never hurts to ask. I just reckon it would be a waste of money for a one off visit iykwim.

BG- I read that thread you mentioned. sounds like you have all been great support to BR. good on you!



Well the baby welcoming ceremony went well. It was a bit strange going on my own, as DH was working he couldn't come. I did however meet a few friends there and sat with them and they took some pics for us. They had a petting zoo and Jemima and I went and held a duckling, a chick and a guinea pig! Very cute the girl in the zoo took photos for us.

Well Jemima has turned back into a marathon sleeper!! I don't know if it is the heat. It was 34 yesterday and 31 degrees today. she woke yest at 6.30 back to sleep by 7.30 till 9.30 asleep again by 1045 till 1345. a 1 1/2 hr arvo nap then slept 7.30-530 went back to sleep after a 15min feed and slept till 730! she then had another 2 hr nap this morn and a short arvo nap! I don't know myself i have had so much sleep! I think after putting on 500g in 11 days at the end of Sept that she has laid down her fat and is now going to grow or something.

She is so close to rolling ever too. I hope her dad doesn't miss it as he is going away tueday night and coming back on friday, for a course down in Sydney... gonna miss him:( Plus he is working so many days on either side he will efffectively not have a day off in 14 days:( Poor boy. He works VERY hard and I am proud of him but I wish I had more of him.

I have been invited to attend my sisters home birth. She is due on Tuesday and ussually delivers 3-4 days past her dates. I am very excited! It is her 4th baby, so I figure it will be a pretty quick kinda thing. Did I mention I was excited? Going to really enjoy sharing it with her. We have become closer since I moved to Townsville and other than a few hiccups in our communication when I gave birth we are getting closer still. I think it will be a lovely experience to bond over.

Bella

Amy - Wow, that's a lot of sleeping that Phoebe is doing! Hopefully she doesn't reward you with a wakeful night tonight! Sorry to hear that you got food poisoning. I bet you'll not feel like chinese food for a while...

Kat - What a little rolly-polly bubba you have there! So far Kyson is just doing the major side-lean when changing his nappy, but not actually rolling over. The 9 month old in my mother's group has shown us all how difficult chinge time can be with a rolling bub though! LOL!
I've noticed the huge change in Kyson that you seem to be seeing in Ivy too. He just has some much more intent. He sees something and knows that he wants it, and knows what he wants to do with it. I am finding that he is getting increasingly frustrated that he can't sit up yet. He tries to sit up more in his pram, the car seat and his swing. I generally have the pram upright now (unless he's asleep), but the poor bugger doesn't realise that he has to stay reclined for quite a while to come in the car.

Bella - You'll have to tell us all about the baby welcoming ceremony! Did she enjoy the tree planting? Our garden at home has really taken off lately with spring and Kyson and I have been spending quite a bit of time watering our vegie garden, checking our flowers, and more recently, staring in digust at the aphids on the roses. Jokes on them though, because we sprayed them yesterday and today the bushes look much less buggy :)

BG - How did you go meeting up with BR? I'm trying to organise having her dog desexed for her. Just waiting to hear back from my friend to find out if we can do it at my clinic. $$ isn't exactly free-flowing at my place, but I'm hoping that I can get her desexed cheap enough that I can pay for it myself. I thought we had a bunch of frozen meals that we could give her, but I didn't realise that DH had already given them to his cousin who currently has a baby in the SCU.

Naomi - How's your trip? And how are you going with the decision making about feeding? At the end of the day you have to do what feels right in your gut. And it has to be right for both you and Bailey. And if that means going to formula full-time, then so be it. Hopefully things have improved for you though so that BF is still an option, but don't beat yourself up about any decision you make :hug:
After all the humming and hahing, I think we are going to give Kyson his first shot at solids tomorrow. Since my post he's become much more interested in food. He tends to get fussy and cry any time he sees me eating, and tries to grab stuff from my hand. He's even trying to get at my drinks, lol. And while I eat he makes chewing motions with he mouth and tongue. We are just going to steam up some broccoli and put the floret on his highchair table and let him have a go at it. I figure that if he's not ready to eat yet, then he either won't be interested, or won't be able to eat it. So I guess we will see how we go. I think I'll set up the camera ;)

Vic - Sounds like the first leg of your travelling went well! Good little CJ! I hope you have a wonderful time and can't wait to hear about it and see photos on facebook.

Uh oh, small fry stirring so sorry to anyone who's persies I've missed! Just a quick update on us before he cracks it...

Well, the holiday is over; AF returned this morning. Almost 5 months to the exact day. I don't mind though. It gives me a chance to hopefully become regular and get my body ready when we decide to start trying for number two. When I told DH he said "Oh, we better stop having all that sex then", lol. Poor dear hasn't been getting much lately.

Oh, and Kyson rolled from back to front for the first time yesterday! He's been going front to back for ages, but had not quite managed the other way. Since he did it he's been trying to do it ever since, including change times, getting ready for bath/bed, etc. Lol, cheeky monkey.

Well, talk to you all soon. Much love!


EDIT: Just saw your post Bella. The ceremony sounds like it was fun! Can't wait to see the photos!

I can't wait to hear all about the home birth too. I can just imagine your excitement!

evenin all - can't believe the weekend is over already - sigh

has been a full on weekend for us, and i'm almost ready to crash. just wanted to pop in and say hello and to pop a couple of persies in (if i have the energy to remember!)

Amy - hoping you're feeling better hun - being crook sucks!

Bella - glad the ceremony was good for you - looking forward to seeing pics

KL - grr to AF being back in the house!! i have a feeling she's on her way back here which is driving me nuts - five weeks of spotting every week or so - i just want her to put in an appearance or fark off! lol you'd think PCOS that stopped me ovulating for months at a stretch, exclusively BF that she'd not show - but i dunno - she's trying! either that or i have a post c/s infection - but i don't think i do - i feel bruised when e stands on my tum, but nothing too painful or anything

made the trip to meet up with TD yesterday (she is on this side of Melb, so it was an easy drive) - ended up at Fountain Gate and went to the big garden shop there - bought some stuff for the vegie patch, some sunflower seeds (just cos i like them!) and a magnolia "little gem" to plant over E's placenta. it was nice to have a family day out - and was nicer knowing that we helped someone at the same time

AFU - don't know what has happened the past few days,, but E has all of a sudden decided that she doesnt need sleep during the day - isn't grouchy or anything, just wants to be awake and entertained. she's happier under her activity centre than she's ever been, she's loving being with DH - i think having him home is actually helping her HEAPS. loving it. at the moment, she's sitting on his knee yabbering away while they watch American Chopper.

well, must away. i need to go to bed at some point - i'm over being awake. feeling a bit run down - have got a cold sore and all the glands on that side of my face are swollen - and the ear is starting to be a little ouchie... sigh... shoot me!

hmmm DS still cant roll from back to front but he likes sitting up with help (pillows) and then he grabs his toes and falls over but loves it lol he gets right on his side to see the tv when he gets a nappy change but thats about it or in bed hes sleeping through the night and goes down at night without a fuss its so much fun around 8 or half 8 i put him to bed say goodnight then i dont hear a peep from him i dont even know how he managed that i thought they dont self soothe till 6 months?

Amy - bugger re the food poisoning, hope you are feeling better now. Wow re Phoebes big sleeps, maybe she is doing some serious growing and it tuckered out?

Kat - congrats on the rolling for Ivy, how exciting, My GF bub used to literally roll from one end of their house to the other and she was forever following him in his travels heheehehe. Hope Ivy works through her frustrations soon. Bailey isn't rolling yet but loves to push his bum up with his feet when on the floor, bath, car seat, pram etc - its like he is trying to get his body to sit or move up, and he gets a bit annoyed sometimes too

BG/Bella - I agree; I dont think Bailey gets his nutrients from formula instead of BM, its purely the volume (or lack of) that he is taking thats my concern. He's kinda taken the decision out of my hands to a certain degree as this weekend is just not drinking from the boob for longer than a few seconds so has had bottles pretty much the entire time. (Obviously me using the bottle affects this, its a catch 22) I have noticed a significant difference in how wet his nappys are which indicates to me that he is now drinking an adequate amount. So what I plan to do is go with bottles, but try to express as much as possible to try to keep my supply going and get even a couple of bottles of BM into him, any BM he drinks is better than nothing IMO so hopefully my milk production allows this - thanks guys for the input and advice, its really appreciated and helpful. I guess the whole point of us starting solids was to ensure he was getting enough food to ramp up his growth, so if we then have an issue with milk intake we are back to square one again IYKWIM. So I’m comfortable to bottle feed and express as much BM as possible. I’m gonna keep chucking him on the boob once we get home for sleepy feeds (if he’ll let me). But I’m not prepared to do it if it upsets him, its just not worth it. Why stubbornly breastfeed if its making us both unhappy every 3 hours?

Bella – awesome baby welcoming ceremony, the pics are great! We are combining Baileys first birthday with his naming day next April so I cant wait J I can understand how excited you are to go to your sisters birth, I would love to have the priviledge of witnessing a birth (other than my own deliveries LOL), maybe someday.....

BG – awesome re helping out BR – very generous of you, I am going to send a coles or woollies voucher over, I don’t know her but her story sucks and feel inspired to help in some small way

Krystie – let us know how Kyson goes with the solids, how exciting! I am giving Bailey breakfast, lunch and dinner (very little amounts) but he is still loving it, its going so well. Bugger re AF, she returned for me way too soon (at 7 weeks)

Jacinta – we drove through St Arnoud on our way over Friday night (about 1130pm) but are currently on the road home and are going home via Swan Hill, Ouyen, Pinaroo etc. How cute that Jamie is sitting up assisted, it wont be long until he does it all by himself

Well I am currently listening to Bailey chatter away in the back seat – he never shuts up anymore and its so cute, sounds like he is say “Wow, Wowee, Oooooooh, Wow” LOL, too cute. He started doing this hilarious laugh on the weekend where he must vibrate his tongue a bit (god knows how) as he laughs heartily and then it ends with this little vibrating laugh – I must try to catch a little video to post

Bridg, Nicky – sorry we didn’t get a chance to catch up, we were busy with the family all sat and sun and have left Shepparton about 3am this morning so got a good 3 hours sleep out of the little guy at the start of the journey which was good, we are just taking it easy and will stop and let the little guys stretch and play when needed.

Had a great weekend, got lots of great ideas from my bro and sister in law (they are parents that I highly respect) and they are supportive and LOVE Bailey to bits. My nieces (11yo and 8yo) are in love with him as well and he clearly loves them as they played all weekend and are so gentle. I even let Emily (11yo) give a bottle and she was so delighted and proud to do it.

Better go, I have no connection currently, need to be closer to a town I think, so I will post this asap

Take care
Naomi
x

173 kms to go ..................

DOH I need a car charge for the laptop - that reminds me, Nicky I ran out of battery when I was chatting to you the other night - sorry

Bella: Love your pics from the Baby welcoming. How exciting @ being invited to your sister's birth! That'll be awesome!
Krystie: LOL, just the very thought of pork in plum sauce is enough to make me gag atm :sick: Even rice isn't remotely tempting. GL with the solids! I know people who've started on BLS before bubs was 6mo - just like you're doing. Putting something in front of him and inviting him to eat sounds like the perfect way to do things to me. Let us know how he goes. Bummer about AF, but LOL @ your DH's comment... We have a similar situation here.
BG: Sounds like you've been busy in the garden. I love magnolias. What colour is the little gem? Sorry about the cold sore etc. Get some serious sleep into you, chick.
Jacinta: I think the self-settle thing is pretty individual. I know people who's babies will self settle from day 1 unless they are sick or having an off day, and others who's babies won't self settle til they're three. Phoebe sometimes does and sometimes doesn't. Its great that Jamie does it already though. It kind of makes me sad when P does it (don't get me wrong, it is VERY convenient!) but you know, it's like its too grown up for a little baby, KWIM?
Naomi: Glad you had a great weekend away. Wow @ leaving at 3am though! There's an early start. How special for your nieces to spend that time with Bailey. I love when my girls get to see their cousins. They get along famously. I think I am a real family girl at heart though, so that sort of thing rings my bell ;)
Yeah, Phoebe had that massive sleepy day but she sure made up for it yesterday. Phew. She had a mini-nap in church and then refused to sleep for the rest of the day unless she was being cuddled! She hasn't been velcro-baby for aaaaages, and it was a bit of a shock really. But I sort of enjoyed it ;) Today she is back to herself pretty much, I think. Napping now in her cot, will probably wake after the 40 minute mark which is coming up.
We are having lunch with my folks today. I think I'm going to splurge and buy Natty a new colouring book and some stickers or something. She has been housebound for two days (literally has not set foot outside) and she's been very well-behaved. She was adorable when I was feeling sick. She crept into my room when DH was looking after Phoebe and sat on the bed next to me wanting to play. When I didn't really respond (the cramping was AWFUL) she stopped and put her face up to mine and said, "OK, Mummy?" and I said, "Sorry Natty, mummy has a sore tummy" and she said, "Awww. That's no good." And went to her room, got her wrap and her toy ****atoo and brought them to me, said, "here's ****y and a wrap to make you feel better". :o I couldn't believe how clearly she spoke and how sweet it was of her! I was so proud I could've cried. She's growing up.
This morning Natty was holding Phoebe on her lap and I reckon P might have had a growth spurt. She looks really big! If she keeps growing at this rate she's going to be 6 foot by the time she's 2, LOL!
Oh, and happy NRL GF to you Melbournites, LOL.

Awwww how sweet is Natty, I reckon her cuteness would make me feel better!!

Tee hee. Yeah, thanks Naomi - it did make me feel better :)

Natty sounds very cute Amy!

have had a shocking headache today - ended up taking E to bed when DH didn't come home at normal time. i just couldn't cope with being upright any more. she was so sweet. had a big feed, then we lay face to face and she rubbed my face - kinda like she was exploring it. she does the same to DH with his beard - was really sweet. then we both had a big nap. i still feel like crud, waiting for panadol to kick in some more - but not quite as bad as earlier. need to visit mr chiro man i think!

nice ticker BG