Hat(s) & food

I saw on From A Sesame Seed that Shiloh has a hat very similar to the pixie-esque one I knitted for Isaac in the final few weeks of pregnancy. I have to admit lack of faith in my knitting skills, being more of a crocheter, and so put it away in the too-big-at-the-moment bag of clothes. While going through said bag today I found the hat and tried it on him for kicks and...it actually fits rather well! Not sure how long it'll fit for, but I'm glad to know that it does. Here it is:

Not everything I make is for Isaac, although it seems that way at the moment...*drums fingers impatiently on table top while still waits for new sewing machine*...

I found some other pictures on the camera while downloading the above image for editing.

Hmm, starting to show an interest in food perhaps?? He doesn't yet try to grab things, but he LOVES to watch the food LOL! Just another little observation. I love watching him change & grow, it really is the best thing in the world! I also love writing about it all because I can look back on things and remember how he was at the time. It all happens so quickly!

I had the most horrible (for me) dream last night. I dreamt that he started to get really skinny and looked quite emaciated. His face was gaunt and almost alien looking. It was awful. I had to give him formula, in my dream, and I can't believe how it made me feel! I felt guilty, sick, disgusted, bitterly disappointed - it was quite harrowing. I clearly remember making up a bottle with the powder and the water and it being in slow motion. I was thinking "I can't believe I'm actually going to give him this stuff, what happened to get to this point?" I woke up feeling terrible and rushed over to see that he was OK. Of course he was, but still. That such a little person can have an enormous impact on me is scary, yet reassuring in a way. I'm quite a detached person (in that I can quite easily remove myself from a situation for reasons of self preservation), but I don't think I'll be able to detach so easily from all things Isaac related, but I guess that's part of our programming, right? Not something I want to override :-)

Please don't take this as an insult if you formula feed your baby. I appreciate that breastfeeding isn't for everyone. We don't drink milk & don't want Isaac to either and aren't so keen on soya formulas so it's boob all the way!

Amigurumi!!

Hi, I'm Sarah and it's been 18 hours since my last amigurumi. OMG these things are amazing! I'm quite addicted, although I'm not sure one can be addicted after making a single amigurumi? I have, however, ordered a ton of yarn with plans to make many, many, many more! I'd like to clarify that I'm mostly interested in crochet ones for now, not being a confident knitter, but I'd like to dabble one day. There are some lovely patterns on the Lion Brand website (you need to register for them, but they are free) for both crocheted and knitted. I found this wickedamazingfabulous Totoro crocheted amigurumi pattern. I also had a look at the writer's Flickr photos - dude, she's got some mad crochet skills! Who knew such wondrous things could be created with a hooky stick and some yarn?

So anyhoo, here is my first wee crocheted animal.

I call him Phoebus. Who knows why. It tickles me. Here is a link to the pattern, as I said before you'll need to register to be able to see it, but it is free. I'm not 100% happy with his trunk and may have to fiddle later to perfect.

Yes, I'm one of those.

One of the mums at my baby group this morning asked if I was making a whole ark full...

Having joined Ravelry.com, I've started reading Crochet Corner (a column on there); she has some nifty tips & tricks that Sandy lady! She highlighted a particularly useful blog entry about seamlessness when crocheting in the round. It's well worth a peek if you're interested in that sort of thing.  Being one of those, it did make me realise that I could've made all my hats thus far without the unsightly seam at the back of the hat :-( Ah well, onwards and upwards - learning all the time!

I've also subscribed to The Art Of Crochet. I know it's a bit cheesy & ever-so slightly naff, but it'll pace me rather than me taking on huge projects that are doomed to fail from the word go. Plus I'll have a blanket at the end of it! Does this make me old?

Right, Little Man waketh & grumbles. Ciao!

New hat for Isaac

As his first hat was getting a wee bit small, I decided it was time to make a new hat for the Little Man. The basic pattern is still the same hat as before from Seija Set in The Happy Hooker, but slightly different colour/stripe arrangement. I used the same yarn (Sublime Extra Fine Merino Wool DK) in seaspray (light blue), plume (blue-green), clipper (dark blue) & biscuit (greyish natural colour). Anyhoo here it is!

I was measuring the new hat against the old hat only to find they were of a similar size, yet I'd used a different sized crochet hook for each.  Baffled. Later on I realised it was because Isaac's head had grown & stretched the old one (!) There's that post-baby-brain again!

I made enough of these hats for my NCT group's bebs to not need the pattern anymore - I've even made one for my Health Visitor!  (Actually, I made one for a friend (sans stripes) with a neck warmer thing, each with a matching flower on to make a little set. Darn it, should've taken pictures.) I'm quite pleased that I don't need the pattern anymore because I'm learning about increasing evenly. I only really learn through practical application. Reading it in books is one thing, watching it take shape in your own hands is quite another matter.

For my next project(s?): amigurumi!

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!

Getting my craft (back) on

What's this?? 2 posts in 3 days?! Goodness. Calm yourself Sarah.

So anyhoo, I've had my roll of freezer paper since before Isaac was born with the intention of stencilling many things. I've been building up a stash of fabric paint since then too (having painted some climbing flowery stuff on a hoodie of my own already). Last night I actually got around to doing some proper stencilling. I have to say that I'm rather pleased with the result!

I did a base layer of the yellow colour & then painted on the brown, white & black. I think I probably should've done a second layer of the yellow so the stripes underneath don't show as much, but still - I'm so pleased! I'm not a huge fan of many of the t-shirts designed for kids as they have stupid words on like Trouble Is My Middle Name etc. Also - plain tops are cheaper - hurrah!

So. If it sits still long enough, it'll probably get stencilled!

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:

3 months today!

Well...at 11.42pm at least.

My GAHD! Where does the time go? I looked at the calendar yesterday and it's December?? During the last 3 months we have been officially travelling at Warp 8, fcuk Impulse! (No disrespect J-L.P.).

I think the 3 month mark is the magic moment for us. I finally have a firmer grip on life with Isaac. It's all been a bit of an ordeal so far, but the past 5 days or so have seen the return of Sarah as she was known, pre-Isaac. She isn't mentally 100% as she seems to have lost some brain power, and now seems to be referring to herself in the 3rd person. Hmm.

So anyway, back to Little Man. Breastfeeding/milk is now definitely established & there's less frustrated screaming because it doesn't let down quick enough. Although he did feed every 2 hours today - 3 month growth spurt methinks? Would also explain the feeding every 2 hours on the dot. Bless him. Still haven't got into expressing. Might wait until this growth spurt is over & then give it a go as it shouldn't upset supply & demand then.

I put him in his door bouncer for the first time proper the other day. His feet now reach the floor. He doesn't bounce as such, but spins it round while he surveys his kingdom (and has stare downs with the dog).

 

Doggy Stare Down

We've been to Cine Babies at the Quad for the past 2 months. Only 9 more of those :-( It's such a good idea, mainly because it doesn't matter if your baby screams because there will be other babies screaming too & everyone expects it! Hurrah! Next month: Me & Orson Welles.

I've taken him swimming twice. That one is tricky because the swimming class I went to is at 11.15am which is when he usually wants to be asleep. I've found another one which is MUCH closer (within walking distance rather than 20 minute drive) in the hospital hydrotherapy pool. Have emailed the woman so will see what comes of that. Took him into the teaching pool with Simon & the girls today. I don't think he was that impressed with the actual in-the-water bit, but there was minimal crying & only a bit of whimpering, until back in the changing room when I unwrapped his towel & took off his baby snug. Even then it was OK because he went straight into another dry towel followed closely by clothses. I think he was tired. Which leads nicely into my next topic.

Sleep.

The Little Man won't sleep until he's the-most-tired-ever.com. During the day that is. At night he sleeps from about 6.30pm-7pm for between 5 & 7 hours, wakes for a feed/nappy change & then goes back to sleep for between 2& 3 hours. This was great when his last wake up was 6am, but it's been 4.30am of late. This does not go down well in the Turner house, for Ma or Pa. It's difficult to keep him up until 7/7.30pm though because he's so tired and grumpy. I think it's time to re-evaluate his nap schedule. He still naps best in't sling. He does sleep in his pram basket for about an hour, but only after 10 minutes of grizzling. Balls to HV. I'm sticking to my guns about baby wearing. He also doesn't settle properlyuntil he's had some comfort sucking on me. I've tried to slip my nipple out of his mouth & replace it with a soother to no avail. The boy ain't stupid. He knows what he wants & that's real live boob. People say it'll develop bad habits, but I dunno. He's a little tiny baby who wants his Mamma, who am I to deny him that?

We're looking to get a new carrier in the New Year as the Hug-a-Bub is great while he's still relatively small, but as he grows it's going to become  impractical. The H-a-B is supposed to be worn with the loose bits tied around ones hips. Having a waist smaller than my hips makes this difficult because it rides up & then loosens the rest of the sling meaning he's all flopping everywhere & his head falls back at some weird ass angle. So. We're going to get an Ergo carrier. I've spent hours, literally hours, pouring over different types of soft carrier wondering which would be best.  Should we get a mei tai type (which I very nearly did) or a clip fastening type? I saw a lady the first time we went to Cine Babies with a backpack style carrier & when we went again I asked her what it was. I had a look at it & it seems great! If you can be bothered there's LOADS of information on their website all about baby wearing, its benefits, why it won't wreck your back (HVs new tactic to discourage). It has a sleep hood which is very important for us as Isaac loves to sleep in the sling. It can be worn front, back & hip. Sold. Galaxy grey to the lady with the tattoos.

Something that reassures me in my baby wearing ways is the reading I've done about how humans are parent clingers, i.e.: not meant to be left in nests like birds/mice etc - makes sense as we're descended from apes (sorry Mrs Palin) whose young are carried constantly during the early part of their lives. Research shows that baby wearing doesn't make clingy, spoiled children; it reassures them and creates emotionally balanced and secure individuals. So, we're meant to be carried around all of the time until we want to walk on our own? Yes! Sucks for people who don't really like their kids!

Little Man smiles lots of the time now. He's such a charmer :-) I think I even heard a silvery peal of laughter the other day! His hair is getting thicker and his legs longer. However, longer legs = unable to tuck up in the sling anymore so feeties get cold! OH NO! Fear not! I've just found these brilliant things. Extra long merino wool booties :-) From the rather awesomely named site, Fanny Fanackapants! Back on track. He likes singing & being jiggled about on his changing mat so I think we're going to start going to rhyme time and maybe even TinyTalk in the new year. We just weren't ready before. I've even discovered how to tie my scarf so that he's not suffocated by it while in-sling. I did have a picture, but I've lost it :-( Soz.

So now it's time for me to go to bed, at the rock n roll hour of 10pm - here's hoping tomorrow doesn't start at 4.30am!