Getting my craft (back) on…again…and breastfeeding gush

So I couldn't help myself. I've stencilled again!!

 

 

I think I like his face the most...smug, yet benign.I couldn't stop myself buying some plain tops today from H&M. Watch this space for more freezer paper antics!

Isaac at 12 weeks, with hat

In other crafty news, Isaac needs a slightly bigger hat. The one pictured left is now not quite big enough to comfortably keep his 19 week old cranium completely covered. It's amazing the growth that occurs in only 6 weeks! *scratches head & tries to remember what size hook was used for this hat*

Now for the breastfeeding. The more I learn about breastfeeding, the more I marvel at the wonder and beauty of nature. We went to our NCT weaning course on Sunday, yesterday. We got onto mixing breast milk with mashed up fruit etc in the early days of weaning to up the calorific value and so we talked about expressing. Now, I've given up trying to express because it's soul destroying to only get 1/2 oz from each boob each time. What I didn't realise is (and call me stupid for not) that if you do it regularly at the same time every day, your body actually starts to produce more at that specific time. WOW! That wow has 2 parts - A) I cannot believe that I missed that completely. You really do lose part of your brain post-birth huh? B) How incredible is that? How totally and utterly mind bogglingly amazing? Not only does the human female body  provide everything a baby needs up to approximately 8 months (depending on which government you decide to listen to), it constantly changes it's milk production to meet the exact needs of its growing baby, factoring in such things as illness (& the provision of antibodies) and calorific content AND it can schedule in additional production times/change feeding schedules/reduce feeding schedules in accordance with the baby/ies feeding from it. Now that's what I call absolute perfection.

Right, I've gushed enough for one evening. T'ra!

4 month update including The Weight Gain Issue

Bless me Father for I have been slack. It's been over a month since my last post!

Isaac is now 18 weeks old and officially in 3-6 month sized clothing :-) He's mostly such a happy wee chappy (only grumping when he wants something i.e.: food, clean nappy, sleep) with a smile for nearly everyone. He's (literally) getting to grips with his toys more and more each day; his developmental progress is incredible to watch. It's such a pleasure to see how he approaches things & observe thought processes being cultivated (hmm...I can use these arm and hand things to put that really exciting blue thing in my mouth!) You can see him learning! Amazing! It's all quite manageable at the moment because he's still stationary, but as he gets older I'm sure it'll be less cute & more - I wonder what happens if I put this down the loo?

Double handed elephant grab

So the festive period was lovely. We had planned to celebrate the Solstice, neither of us being Christian thus finding Christmas a little hypocritical, on 21st December, but our boiler's condensing pipe froze, several times, meaning that when we had planned to be out walking & doing Yule tidey things we were watching Dad re-route the pipe through the house so it didn't freeze again. We did go to Matlock to the Green Way Cafe on the 21st which was lovely. Dad treated us - and we had cake! On 25th we didn't really do anything, just stayed at home the 3 of us. Isaac had his first 2 hour nap since he was very small. It was weird!

He still sleeps well at night, and in the day, in our room in his pram thing. He knows it's time for sleep now. No buggering about with boob; just change nappy, put him in his bed, he rolls over onto his left side & off he goes. Helps enormously being able to tell what he wants & when. It's all about routine. He even fell asleep in the car seat/pushchair combo a few weeks ago. It was only for about 1/2 hour, but it's a start. We're definitely going to have to move the cot bed into our room in the not too distant future though because he's absolutely going to be too long for the pram thing soon. His length is good - following in between the 25th & 50th centile (for those that know) which is "normal" (for those that don't). His head circumference is about the same. His weight, however, remains a contentious issue. He has officially dropped off the  centiles on the WHO breastfed baby chart (average weight gain chart) which has my HV a little worried & wanting me to start weaning at 22 weeks 8O I'm not worried. He's fine dagnammit! He isn't bony or emaciated, merely slim. He eats when he's hungry, sleeps when he's tired, excretes as necessary (also "normal" according to the bumph) and the rest of the time he's busy playing, watching, chewing, smiling his face off, wiggling etc.

I've read that between the age of 4 & 6 months the human digestive tract matures to accommodate solid food, but there is no way of knowing when this happens. From reading people's experiences it would seem that those who were weaned too early develop digestive disorders such as IBS. I can see from a medical point of view that he isn't conforming to "normal" weight gain and that this could be bad because...he DOESN'T FIT ON THE GRAPH (!), but he really is happy enough and I don't want to rush him into eating before he's ready. Does he look underweight to you?

Mr Big Eyes

He might look a little slim, but that's because he's  NOT A PORKER!! :x Anyhoo, we have our NCT weaning course this Sunday so I'll ask about it then. Just as I thought breast feeding was going really well too :-\

Gosh - I digress. Back on track. Sleeping. Yes.

Bedtimes aren't the trauma they used to be. We have a little song that denotes bedtime. I swear blind that this helps him go off. We both sing it to him & give him a kiss, then I take him upstairs, change his nappy & put him in a sleep suit (while still singing the song) then take him into our room, put him in his bed, wish him goodnight & sort the covers & he's off within 10 minutes. No grumbling anymore. It seems that only when we don't do it in the right order he doesn't get off  to sleep properly, for instance if I've been in the bath with him & am drying myself etc while Simon gets him ready for bed. Again, it's all about routine. Hmm. I'm noticing similarities between child rearing & raising a puppy. Let's hope he doesn't turn out like Rinny!

Continuing the singing business - he LOVES it when I sing to him. Particular favourites include: The Grand Old Duke Of York and 1-2-3-4-5 Once I Caught A Fish Alive. With actions of course, usually involving lifting him up and down & he's a big fan of being wiggled about. Hearing him laugh is actually the best thing in the world. He's got such a funny little cute face when he does, all goofy & lovely :-) Daft sap Sarah...*slaps self out of Mummy stupor* ahem. With this in mind I'm definitely going to investigate the rhyme time group nearby. I don't think we'll do baby signing until he's about 6 months though. Don't want to overload the poor chap! I think it'll work best if we build it up gradually :mrgreen:

When we went the the doctor's for Isaac's 8 week check, Dr G said his right hip was clicking & to make an appointment at the hospital for an ultrasound to check that the joint had formed properly & was articulating correctly. Holy crumpet! That was 10 weeks ago! Anyhoo, I did & this week we went  to the hip clinic at Derby Royal Hospital. I'm pleased to report that "they don't come more normal than that". Isaac enjoyed his first bus ride and spent the whole time gawping out of the window at Derby whizzing past. On the way back he slept in-sling while Mummy tried her utmost not to break her neck on treacherous pavements.

I've signed us up for baby swimming. When I read about it on the Puddle Ducks website, the classes nearest to me were on a Wednesday afternoon which would've been ideal. They've now been moved to a Saturday afternoon which is turning out to be a logistical nightmare. what with step-sisters & other weekend activity. Should've listened to myself at the time of booking when I thought, Saturday? That'll never work. I'm going to see if I can swap to the other classes on a week day instead. They're further away, but the timing is better. I think he's more ready for stuff like that now. He's starting to stay awake for longer between naps and is more interested in other things.

I took him into town in the pushchair today. It felt weird not having him next to me in the sling. I felt guilty almost. He seemed OK & spent much of the time looking around. I've noticed that he likes his own time. Don't get me wrong - he likes to be cuddled & played with, but he really does enjoy alone time when I'm close by and he's doing things himself, even if it is just watching the world go by. He's got quite long for the sling now and I don't think he enjoys it as much anymore because he can't see so well what's happening around us. I do put him facing outward sometimes, but I'm loathe to do it too often. We've got our new carrier, but I'm going to wait until he's bigger to use it I think. I expect I'll use it like a backpack so I want to be confident that he'll be happy up there before I embark on that adventure.

I almost forgot - he fell asleep in his cot bed the other day! On his own! I sneakily put him in there while I was doing something, knowing it was his nap time, and I came back a few minutes later & he was zonked :-) He didn't sleep for as long as he usually does at nap time, but it was a big thing for us! Bodes well for the future (fingers crossed). I think it helps that he's comfortable in there already. He's used to it because we put him in there when we wash our hands after we change him; sometimes we put him in there just for something different for him to do with one of us being close by. He likes looking at the mobile I made for him & all the teddies we've been given.

Cine Babies was great, although not very busy at all, this month - not surprising with all the snow & ice. I've just checked & the next one (on 4th February) is *drum roll please* Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll!! Holy cow! I LOVE Cine Babies :-) I'll be gutted when he's too old to go. Will mean relegation to Cine Kids (kids films) & evening cinema for me without him :-(

So, next time will probably be 5 months? Until then...Pie out.

P.S.: Updated 17/01/10 13.18. Just been into town with him in the sling & all is good again. He was quite happy in it - I just need to tie it so that the pieces of fabric at the front are the other way round to the the way I usually tie it. This supports his head better (now that it's bigger) when he has a little sleepy. :mrgreen:

All fixed...mostly

Simon is officially master of the PTFE tape - I told him what Dad said about having put it on the wrong way round a few times & he did it first time :-) Then...we got in! Both of us at the same time. It was a bit full LOL, but that can be rectified by taking some water out (basic physics doesn't seem to have escaped me at least). However, there are 2 very small leaks on the same pipe, but in different places; they can't be fixed because the water is coming from a part that doesn't open up. Hmm. It will be fine. They drip very minimally and we really aren't bothered. It was really nice floating around it the water :-) I'm sure all will be fine for actually delivering the Wiggler in the pool. It's a bit annoying how much of the living room is taken up, but it's only a temporary measure with great benefit so I'm not complaining.

I made a hooded towel! I made the hood from this tutorial, but my machine wasn't up to the pleat in the back so I just sewed it on straight. It leaves more of the ends of the towel free for drying wiggly arms and legs. I didn't use any ribbon either. It was really easy; to think I'd been putting it off for ages. Sewing towelling is really weird. I bent a needle too - serves me right for being over ambitious machine wise. I think I want to make one for me :-P

I've made a decision about vaccinations (one of many yet to still make). If we do decide to have them/some/any, then I don't want the multiple dose ones (e.g.: MMR, DTaP/IPV/Hib <-- 5 in one go?!?!) or any multiple/same day dosing in-fact. Individual doses on different days when the Wiggler will have had a chance to recover from each dose. It's bad enough that an undeveloped immune system is given toxic chemicals to deal with, but bombarding it with more than one dose at a time seems even more barbaric. The doctor is gonna love me!

Had the scan, all is well. Wiggler is head down - wooh! It was also lying back to my back, so needs to shift around, but it's incredibly mobile (considering how little space there is in there) so I'm sure it'll be fine & wiggle its way back round. Didn't get a picture because it's really not very clear what's what anymore and you can only fit parts of it on the screen at once! So, not worth it all round. Plus we get to meet him/her soon enough.

The first baby girl has been born from our NCT group! Simon got a text from a very proud father yesterday - congrats guys :-D We know that there are 2 other girls to be born, but the other 5 - who knows? Saw one of the NCT Dads on his phone outside the hospital en-route to scan department - got a thumbs up so all is well with that bebe too. That's 2 now! 6 to go...

Pool installation glitch

All was going well until...we sprung a leak! One of the joints between the heater and the pool leaks...boo. I've spoken to the AquaBirth lady who assures me that there will be no logic as to why it's leaking (with which I totally agree as all the O rings are in place and it's threaded correctly) and to get some PTFE tape to put on the thread. So, Simon's on the PTFE case to pick some up on his way home from work & then hopefully we can get in! I can't wait. In the meantime here is what it looks like -

 And here is the dog not really knowing what the hell is going on -

We've put my Shiatsu futon mattress underneath for softness as it'll get quite uncomfortable kneeling on a hard surface (i.e.: the floor) having decided that duvets just wouldn't cut it. We can just see over it to see the telly from the sofa so Dexter is safe :-) That or we can get in & watch from the pool; bizarre!

NCT coffee morning tomorrow - I'm sharing a lift with the other lady who lives in town as we're off to Ripley which is about 10 miles away. 2 heads are better than one when finding new places I think. Then back for the scan! I'm very excited about that, although sad that Simon can't come as he doesn't have any holiday left and work won't let him have the time off - ungenerous swines. *Remember to take book for notoriously long wait* Still, I'll get a picture, but it's not the same as seeing the Wiggler Wiggling™ away!

I'm also meeting some of the local NetMums next Tuesday - how exciting! All these new friends who won't mind talking about babies! I'm going to tackle the hooded towel today - going to print out the tutorial and everything!

Next!

I did clean the windows yesterday - the downstairs back ones anyway. They really were disgusting, as was the kitchen floor.

Anyway, the news is that the Wiggler is partially engaged! Midwife wasn't going to tell me, so I asked. Apparently when 3 5ths of the head are in the pelvis she calls that being engaged, although this isn't what every midwife says. Pah - how am I supposed to know? I knew it must be though because I could feel it in my pelvis & I haven't been able to before, plus I could breathe more easily.

Had our first post-class NCT meet today at my house. I made brownies...mmm. Think they went down well - hurrah! Was really nice to meet up with everyone. One of the other ladies has step-children too! Phew! Now everybody knows & it's all OK. I was stressing, but it's all good. I think we're going to do lots of stuff together over the course of our maternity leave which is good. I've volunteered Simon to take a photo of all of the babies when they're out which will be nice :-)

Maternity leave and mobiles

So here it is, ze mobile:

My lovely husband put it up for me today :-D They look a bit porky on this picture - I think my phone has distorted them a tad. If I could be bothered to take a proper picture with the Nikon I would, but I really can't right now.

I finished work today! WOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! The last day for 52 whole weeks. It's still quite surreal and hasn't really sunk in because it's the weekend. I know that it means that The Wiggler is now imminent. Hopefully not before-pool-arrives-imminent, but the due date is a darn sight closer than it was! Erk! My work mates very kindly bought me some crib blankets and a swaddling blanket - which is exactly what I needed - I wonder how they knew?! Hmm LOL! Anyhoo, we have pretty much everything we need now. I'm still debating a baby bath. Some people say they're a waste space, time and money. Other people say they're great.

We had our final antenatal class yesterday and went for a curry afterwards. Rebecca has arranged loads of coffee mornings at each other's houses over the coming weeks and a reunion in October. It seems so far away, but I know the time will fly. I've learned so much from the classes and genuinely do think they've helped both Simon and I on our journey through this pregnancy. So the ladies will be visiting my house on Wednesday for drinks & stuff - best get some biscuits in! Or...shall I make brownies...hmm?

Le cot

We...well mostly Simon...put the cot together today :-) Looks fab don't you think?

It's very difficult to take pictures in the nursery now there's more stuff in it; getting a bit cramped - good job there isn't anything else to go in except for a chair!

It's amazing and a little strange to think that there will be a Wiggler to go in it quite soon...I know the crib will be used for the first 6 months or so, but still - it's quite overwhelming!

We're getting to know people at the antenatal class now which is really nice. I can't quite believe how worthwhile the classes are; I knew they'd be helpful, but from an emotional viewpoint they've saved me. Simon and I are much closer as a result of going and we're both really excited about the arrival of The Wiggler now. It's great to be around other pregnant women for a start and for Simon it's been terrific to meet other Dads-to-be. Normalising emotions and concerns is hugely beneficial. We even went to the local pub for a drink after the one last night. I seriously recommend NCT classes to anyone having a baby who wants to know more & meet other people in the same situation!

I really didn't think I was the type, but it turns out that I am - I found this pregnancy ticker at lilypie.com which I've decided to add to each blog. However, I'm only copying the image onto each post so that it stays as a sort of record of how pregnant I was/old Wiggler was when I wrote something.

Make Baby Stuff!

I'm becoming craft obsessed.

I found a brilliant website the other day. I know the internet is host to a zillion things to make, but www.makebabystuff.com seems to encompass quite a few of them in one place; useful ones too - like how to make fitted crib sheets. That may be obvious to many, but not to me & now I know how! Hurrah! Unfortunately I now want a Gocco printer - expensive! Also, largely unavailable in the UK not terribly cost effctive once purchased. Maybe I'll stick to freezer stencils instead? Again, the internet comes through with this lovely website - stockists of said paper.

I'm already making this bird mobile - I have 6 birds done and 2 twigs. I don't think I'll make mine so big as the nursery isn't a very big room, maybe only 8 or 10 birds rather than the full 12? I tried to machine sew them, but it went very wrong and ended up looking a little Quasi-birdo (!) so I stuck to hand sewing, which I haven't done in ages! I'm going to iron the tail bits when they're all done so they aren't so wonky. The middle-top one (maroon/yellow/blue) was the first one I made so he's a bit weird & fat. Bless.

I originally found the mobile on homemade by jill - a wonderful blog full of amazing things that she's made! I fully intend to make the burp cloths. The only problem I find with all these great craft blogs is that they're American (not that that's a bad thing!) and in America there seems to be a never ending supply of craft/yarn/fabric shops all selling wondrous thing that we English can only dream about. Sure Derby has an art shop and a craft shop, but they're fairly limited and the fabric selection on the market is somewhat naf. Don't even get me started on the lack of good yarn in Derby. Thank goodness for the internet!

It's sale season at the moment which is great! We have most of the stuff we want for newly arrived/first 6 months Wiggler in terms of body suits/sleep suits etc, but I'm starting to buy stuff to customise like tops & hoodies. I really like the idea of appliquéd plain tops to make them more interesting/individual. Mum (who is doing loads better lately hurrah!) also has lots of different colour dyes at her house that we can mix to make colours not traditionally associated with babies. H&M have some AWESOME stuff for babies - really bright & interesting - none of this pastel rhubarb associated with babies normally.

Our antenatal classes are going well - turns out one of the women graduated from the Creative Expressive Therapies degree at my Uni a few years before I went so we did some of the same modules! We're all going out for a meal after the last class too which will be nice. The day after that is my last day at work - I can imagine I'll be quite emotional! I was going to try and hang on until the 38 week mark, but I don't think I'll last that long! HR have said it's OK to bring it forward yippee!! I'll be crafting my arse off I expect!

While in Sound Bites last Saturday I was given some free & out of date magazines. One of these was Juno magazine which is a natural parenting magazine full of really good articles; totally up my street. I'd like a subscription to this methinks.

1st antenatal class

Wooh! We went to the first of our 7 antenatal classes yesterday evening. It was great! I was so relieved. It's run by the NCT and I have to admit I was (stupidly) a little bit scared that everyone would be stuck up. Anyhoo, they weren't! Everyone was really nice and the session was really helpful. The first thing we did was introduce ourselves - we're the only couple having a home birth, everyone else is booked in at the City (now Royal) hospital and one lady is at Chesterfield. Our teacher, Rebecca, made split us into the men & the women to write a list of things we wanted to know more about under the following headings: pregnancy, labour, early days, ghastlies & ground rules. We filled in the ghastlies first with things like tearing, pelvic muscle recovery etc. The men actually raised some interesting points which I think surprised the women!

After that we had to put some pictures of a baby being born in order. This was incredibly helpful; I've read quite a lot about labour & pregnancy, but as yet didn't really have a clue as to what actually happens while the baby comes out. So now I do!

I could tell people were a bit shocked that I was having a home water birth, but Rebecca explained that the risks of home birth (if you take out the unplanned and free births) are significantly fewer than giving birth in hospital. She also confirmed that it's the best way to get one on one care and that I get lots of other stuff I wouldn't if I was in hospital. By the end at least 2 more couples were considering home birth & more were thinking about water birth - hurrah!  I think they were secretly a bit jealous lol!

Simon really liked it too - I think it's helped meeting other men in the same situation as him. We're both really excited about our next class on Saturday - bring it on!

I bought a steriliser & some bottles on Wednesday - half price in Boots and triple points on baby!