Hi Girls, just a quickish one cos I really should be in bed.
Naomi, honey you sound like you are doing really well!!! I am so proud of you. Maybe it is just because you are so real with us, but after your outpouring of grief, I worried initially how you would cope with Bailey in the brace, not physically but on the emotional side. I have to say the way you are talking now leaves me in no doubt that whilst it was a sucker punch to the gut when you were first told, you are one hell of a strong lady! So glad to see it and the humor in your posts. Bailey needs to see your smiling face and I think he will..... mmmwwaaahh to you and Sean!
Krystie- I got my Spunky bums and I am really happy with them! They are great! and thanks for the lollies too!
BG- Sorry to hear about your fine honey!!! Thats the last thing you need. Keep your chin up honey.
Cathy- Lovey to hear from you!!! I could see the same little white lines in Jemima's mouth before she got her two bottom teeth... Believe it or not I think she is now trying to get her top two!! Just be careful with the Bonjela honey! I can't remember what they found but there was a really bad study done on it in the UK which showed that it has some really bad side effects...... I think there was even an article here on BB somewhere if you want to go look.
Kat- it was awesome meeting you and Ivy, I realised I hardly cuddled anyone else's baby, unlike you! You are just how I imagined btw.
AFM- Well Jemima was a gorgeous piece of baby for the flights home... she had a big day cos we went on a train to meet a cousin of mine who I hadn't met for 14 yrs but to whom I was close to as a child, which was nice, but we didn't get home to Townsville till monday night at 9.30... poor little girl was tuckered out, but she still was more quiet than any other child on the plane and everyone kept telling me so Ok yes I am a proud mummy
I forgot to mention Naomi that my mothers group MOPS has a free give away table which I have gotten heaps of clothes for Jemima on and they are having the last meeting for the yr on Friday. I will search on there for little boy bottoms for Bailey in size 0-1, so before you buy up everything let me see what I can find for you.
Love to you all, it was great to meet you all....... I had been feeling a little wasteful for having a hotel room all to myself, but with the way it worked out I felt better about indulging my own need for privacy..... and I got the double pay off of feeling like I got to contribute something useful.
I didn't know about Bonjela...I will check it out. Thanks for letting me know Belinda!
I look forward to seeing more pics of Jemima..she's such a cutie! (ofcourse I would say that considering she is JUST like Cara in some pics hehe). My Mum would have LOVED a little red headed baby. They are such a rarity....cute as!! Mum wanted me to name my baby girl Bailey....it's a family name from Ireland hehe. Ancestors from there had long red hair (apparently). My Mum was apparently born with red hair, but it dropped out and grew white blonde. Mine was white blonde too..til about grade 2. My son Ronan is the only one to have had hair as snowy white as mine was though. It's gone darker now though.
Cathy - I was checking out the Bonjela thing as someone at Mothers Group was asking. It appears that if is called Bonjela Teething Gel is fine, but if is Bonjela or Bonjela cool they are the ones they are saying to avoid for under 16 year olds, due to salicylate salts which have same affect as aspirin which also not recommended for under 16 year olds. Found an article on Yahoo - says is a theoretical risk and the advice from the UK has been to avoid Bonjela and Bonjela Cool as a precautionary measure.
So good to hear from you Cathy - glad to hear your Cara is doing so well - aaaah teething, hope it doesn't cause her too much grief
Bella - thanks for your lovely comments (and everyone else asl ). You are right though, I did hit rock bottom when I found out and I certainly used BB to pour out every emotion, but once you hit rock bottom there is only one way out - UP!! My little boy has certainly taught me though that if he can deal with it, his Mum can certainly toughen up a bit hahahahha
We've had a definate shift in the sleeping habits here, Bailey no longer naps for 45 mins, he seems to be doubling or trippling that so getting more like 2-2.5 hours. He was showing signs of this as we were starting to get some longer sleeps, but since the brace I think he is using alot more energy. His brace is 220 gms which doesn't sound like much but in comparasin to his body weight its heaps. I did a quick calculation to ratio is body weight and brace etc and every time he is moving his legs and the brace it work at the equivilent of me lifting 3 kgs with my legs every time I moved them, no wonder he is tuckered out. The brace has slowed him down certainly but he is lifting his legs a lot more than I expected so thats a good thing
Gonna try to clean this house today, I have certainly let things slide in the last week, its a bit of a mess.
Vic: I just checked the tube and it is called Bonjela Teething Gel. So that is a relief to know. I haven't given it to her that much yet...maybe 5 times so far? She's only ever had panadol 3 times so far too. I'm one of those people that will wait a headache out, and only take panadol if I really need it. But if it's a migraine coming on..well thats different. I have to hit it on the head at the first sign of the funny vision or WHAM massive headache/vomiting etc. Luckily I rarely suffer from migraines.
Thinking of putting the christmas tree up today. One month to go! I always figure you may as well get some mileage out of the tree..it has to go down new years day or whatever. I once left the tree up ti march just for fun LOL.
I have Laura and Cara's pressies sorted...Cara is getting lots of fisher price stuff ...one is a crawling baby that babbles hehe. Laura is getting mostly Toy Story toys...woody with pull string, Buzz Lightyear with all the lights and buttons hehe.
Getting a photo of all 4 kids done on saturday as a christmas pressie for some relatives. I can't believe I have 4 kids! I never imagined I would have 4 kids one day hehe
Is quiet in here - maybe everyone is out christmas shopping or visiting santa? We aren't that into Christmas here really and benefit of being over here is hardly any gifts to buy! Will be taking CJ to see Santa somewhere though. We were in town and so walked past Myers window which was very good but not much good for babies as is Olivia helps with Christmas all about this pig. There is a free Thomas Tank Christmas show on at Docklands so will head down there next week - I keep telling people CJ loves Thomas, but really is me that loves Thomas she is too little. I have made her a pink taggy blanket with Thomas sown on (she will prob grow up hating Thomas!)
I am trying to get CJ to develop some more strength in her legs anyone know any good games exercises that are good for leg strength? (not keen on jumpers/walkers as I know are prob ok for most babies but with her hips and lack of leg strength I think may not be the best).
CJ will be six months on Mon, and on Tue we are going to see if she will try any solids, we are doing the Baby Led Solids thing have got Gill Rapley book from library and is very interesting reading - Krystie is that what you are doing with Kyson?
Naomi - I wonder if being in brace helped CJ with her sleeping in the early days - now I think about it her longer sleeping did coincide with the brace going on.
vic - have you got anything that you can try to get CJ to kick at - we have a bouncer that has dangling toys that make noise when you kick them - once E got the gist of it, she would kick a lot and it helped her legs strength. we encourage her to kick at our hands (toys hanging on our hands as targets) and feet (we push a little and get her to push back) when she is sitting in the bouncer (she doesn't do it when laying down - apparently that is boring!)
we also encourage her to pull herself up from sitting - i sit cross legged on the floor and get her to push off my legs. we do a lot of dancing to music (most mornings music is on from when she wakes through until her second nap) - so we dance sitting on the floor together with her sitting or standing. or she will stand on my knees and dance
DH lets her sit on his lower leg and puts toys just out of reach so she has to lean and push herself up to try and reach them
we've obviously not had the issues that CJ has had, and E has always been very strong in her back and neck and hates laying down unless she is asleep, so that has probably helped a lot.
ok, enough waffle!
E is hopefully goign to sleep now. bad day. she hasn't had a dirty nappy in 9 days, and as much as it's normal for BF babies to go up to a fortnight, she is not feeling great with it. seems to have a pain and can't pass it. not loving the way it's making her hurt - poor bubba! talking to the GP about it next week when she gets her jabs - it's become the norm to go a week or more - that doesn't mean that normal is good for her ...
hmmmm - think i best head to the bedroom - DH was putting her in bed and i've been listening to the baby monitor. her sound and light show just finished, no noise from her - but he's not down here so i guess he's fallen asleep on the bed watching her... lol
LOL @ your DH, BG! That's v cute. But actually I almost did the same thing at my folks' this afternoon - fed P while lying on the spare bed while mum was giving N a bath... It was only Natty's babble and occasional shrieking that kept jerking me awake!
Vic: Not sure about leg strengthening exercises... I would've thought practicing weight-bearing would be good. Maybe like BG suggested, pushing against her feet to encourage her to push back? Phoebe likes to do this lying down. I make her legs 'run' sometimes and she cacks herself. Then if I do it more slowly she will sometimes push against my hands.
LOL @ not having many presents to buy. I am really racking my brain as to what stuff I can buy reasonably for all my nieces and nephews, plus extended relos. I have a VERY limited budget this year, so it is going to take some planning.
Naomi: How is Bailey doing?
Hi Cathy! Glad to hear Cara is doing great Enjoy seeing her picture on FB.
Sorry - I had intended to write a nice long post with lots of persies... but... It's nearly 10pm again!!! I am not going so well with my sleeping. Staying up a bit too late, then being woken a couple of times a night by Phoebe and then early in the morning by Natty. Am quite tired. Will be back on tomorrow hopefully.
im still a zombie from last night jamie woke up like every 2 hours last night just for me to go in and put the dummy in but he did sleep till 9:30 but yeah i even had a nap this afternoon and DH had to wake me coz J woke up
should really be in bed but DH's mate just came up to visit so now i have to party lol i can always nap 2moro xoxox
Amy - He's going ok, he had a bit of a freak out yesterday arvo which was a bit upsetting, normally when he is having trouble going to sleep we lie on the bed together and snuggle on our sides facing each other (eg chest to chest), but with the brace on it doesn't work anymore, so I tried pillows etc to try to get the position happening and it just didn't work, poor little guy was trying to snuggle in and we just couldn't get our usual 'comfort position' happening. Eventually he was tired enough to fall asleep and with the help of pillows I got him all snuggly in another position but I think it freaked us both out - him cos he was getting frustrated and angry at me and me cos I was so upset - DOH. Just when I think we have it all sorted something stupid happens like that and I think "geeze another 6 months....." Never mind, we'll find a new cuddle, it will just be the three of us, Me, Bailey and Mr Pillow We are going pretty good though, Sean hasn't changed a nappy with the brace on yet, I dont know whats going on there, He better change one tomorrow or I will crack the ****s I reckon - I feel like I am the one dealing with it all. One of our friends said "Oh the brace doesn't look so bad" and it took all my tact not to scream at them "well you wear it then and see if you can learn to crawl and walk" FFS!! I know they meant well, but sheesh. I know I still sound a bit agro (I am), but truthfully I am pretty much used to the practical side etc and making sure I am keeping my little boy happy and comfortable is my priority. I'm not sure I'll ever 'accept' that this is how the second half of my sons first year of life has to be ...... Or, Maybe I am just having a crap day LOL
Vic - Goes the RCH offer any physio support? We have a great physio here in Adelaide. I wonder if you can get a referral to get some physio for CJ to assist with her development with her legs due to the dysplasia? It might be worth looking into. I have seen a kick toy (I think it was in target) that encourages babies to kick (it makes noise/music when they do, I dont know if it was expensive or not though. Whats she like in the bath? Bailey always kicked up a storm in there, would that encourage her to play more with the legs? I know you mentioned you had started gymbaroo, I always found I got good ideas from the instructor when I was trying to get Bailey to work on lifting his neck etc - but you've likely already gone down that path
Speaking of baths, Bailey has discovered his willy/balls hahahaha, in the bath he grabs it and just about pulls it/them off LOL, typical boy!!
Oh BG - hope E does a big poo soon so she feels a bit 'lighter'
Naomi - It's lovely to know that the spunky bums are helping Bailey to stay a little bit comfy! How great is it that he's still able to suck his own toes. Looks like you won't have to let him suck your own instead
Congrats on the mega naps that Bailey is having. You must be lost having all the extra spare time during the day. Your house must be spotless
Amy - Kyson has recently discovered a book that he absolutely loves. Unfortunately it's one of his mother's group baby buddy's book and she adores it too, hehe. It's one of those bath book that have the fat plastic pages. Everytime Kyson crawls over to it the other little girls quickly scoops it up so he can't have it. I'll have to get one of his own, lol.
Cathy - I've been trying to get Kyson to do the indian call thing too, but whenever I put my hand on his mouth he stops making noise and just tries to eat my fingers HAHA! Kyson is still waking through the night too. I'm still feeding him every 3 - 3 1/2 hours during the night. Last night was a welcome exception with the first sleep being 5 hours. That's unheard of for him! I find that keeping him awake longer doesn't seem to make any difference to how long he sleeps either. Hmmm, I guess I'm not being much help, but at least you know your not in the boat alone
Bella - Glad you like the covers (and the lollies, hehe). I can't believe that Jemima might be already getting some top teeth! These babies just WILL NOT listen to us when we tell them to stop growing up so fast, grrrr. Kyson was at his nana's today and he was standing up leaning on a toy piano of his cousins. The cheeky monkey is going to be cruising around the furniture on his feet soon.
In return for letting us use your hotel room I hope you got lots of leftover yummies to take home hehe.
Vic - Would you believe I'm more excited about this christmas than any christmas that I can remember? Lol! The tree is already up and have the house is decorated (but I still want to do more). I need to get a playpen to put around the tree though because Kyson keeps crawling up to it and trying to get the balls at the bottom. I'm not worried about him breaking anything, just worried that he'll pull the tree on himself.
We've been loosely doing Baby Led Solids. I haven't got Gill Rapley's book, but I read through her website. We generally give Kyson foods that he can hold and food himself, but I still spoon feed him some foods. The spoon fed foods are things that he has trouble holding, like mango which is too slippery, and pumpkin and potato which he has trouble with because it just smooshes in him hands. When we spoon feed though I give him a spoon to hold which I put food on so he can feed himself (you'd be amazed how quickly he worked out how!), and I just give him more from another spoon. He had some lamb strips last night that DH cooked on the BBQ for him and he loooooooved them!
BG - I'm loving your layouts and pics on facebook. I might upload the ones I've done for Kyson's photobook and just make it visible to you girls so that the parents and IL's can't see it before they get it at christmas
Jacinta - Sorry to hear that Jamie is giving you a rough time during the night. I hope last night was a bit better for you.
I'll update you on us shortly, but Kyson just woke up and is being a little needy hehe
Naomi, things like that must be really hard. You are right though, I'm sure before too long you and Bailey will work out new positions that work for you. The adjustment sounds bloody hard though. And I don't blame you for being aggro. Pi$$er about Sean & the nappy changes... he's going to have to do it soon enough! Maybe he's just not coping so well and is in denial a bit... and needs a little nudge from his wife... (or a shove as the case may be!).
Jacinta: Hope Jamie gave you a better sleep last night.
BG: Hope E didn't have a midnight party.
We're having a pretty good afternoon. This morning was yuck - met a friend for coffee and Natty's behaviour was abominable. She's really tired today because last night was her Kindy concert. Will post some pics on FB, but it was hilarious - she didn't smile, didn't sing. Just sat there looking either bored or cross. LOL! That's my girl. Anyway, it was a later one than normal, so I suppose I need to cut her some slack, but boy I was cross with her! Its really hot here today, so DH set up a paddle pool in the back yard before he left for work. Nat and I had a paddle while P has been asleep, and P's still sleeping which is lovely, so Thomas is on and I'm getting some BB time, and Natty and I have been over-indulging on fairy bread. Well. It's the weekend.
I can't believe it, tonight I am going to a BB meet-up! How lucky am I - two in one week! I had put it out of my mind because I kind of didn't have the money for it. But FIL (who is going to look after Natty for me until DH gets home) wants to shout me. Isn't he a sweetheart? So I really should cut it out with the fairy bread - or I won't make the most of my Greek dinner, LOL.
it was better but not as good as normal lol i dont even remember i was a walking zombie lol be hes been sleeping awesome today so i might just get my normal sleep again i think he likes mums bed better than the cot lol
LOL, J. Sounds like a common theme!
Sorry Krystie - I missed your post. Sounds like Kyson is doing so well with his eating! I tried P on some pumpkin the other day. I took some video - it's pretty funny. She isn't particularly fussed yet. Didn't much like avocado and doesn't much like pumpkin either! But I'll keep trying every now and again to introduce her to a new flavour. I bought some sweet potato with the shopping the other day for her to try, but I keep forgetting about broccoli! It would be waaaay easy to cook her a couple of broccoli florets. Might give it a go this arvo.
Those soft plastic books are awesome. Natty had one that was her very favourite when she was 11-12 months old. She was reading it at her dedication service, LOL! She was so cute at that service - once she'd been prayed over etc, my mum was carrying her around the church and she kept waving at everyone and saying, "Bye!". PMSL, she was a cutie. That was her first word (that she said discriminately).
Ok yes I am a proud mummy
naomi ur so bad
We are going pretty good though, Sean hasn't changed a nappy with the brace on yet, I dont know whats going on there, He better change one tomorrow or I will crack the ****s I reckon - I feel like I am the one dealing with it all. One of our friends said "Oh the brace doesn't look so bad" and it took all my tact not to scream at them "well you wear it then and see if you can learn to crawl and walk" FFS!! I know they meant well, but sheesh. I know I still sound a bit agro (I am), but truthfully I am pretty much used to the practical side etc and making sure I am keeping my little boy happy and comfortable is my priority. I'm not sure I'll ever 'accept' that this is how the second half of my sons first year of life has to be ...... Or, Maybe I am just having a crap day LOL
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