Baby Update - 12 weeks

Age:  12 weeks

Weight: He hasn't been weighed in a couple of weeks (weigh in is on Tuesday) but I'm pretty sure he's put weight on just from how it feels when I'm carrying him around... or I'm getting weaker!

Feeding: He's been very fidgety but feeding plenty, although he's been sick a lot more this week too.  He's also developed an annoying habit of dragging on my boobs with his hand while he's feeding which yanks my nipple away from him and nearly tears it off!

Sleep: He's still great overnight - touch wood - but is very hit and miss during the day.  He often won't nap until he's exhausted and then will only sleep on me.  Other days, like today, he sleeps most of the day to catch up.

Routine: We are trying to get in a routine as OJ has been fighting sleep all day the napping late in the afternoon which means he's awake when ALS gets home around 8 and doesn't sleep until we go to bed at 11.  Whilst that's fine now (and nice for ALS to see him in an evening) it will end up being a problem later on.  So far I've just started getting OJ up at the same time every morning and I'm hoping he'll fall into his own schedule... mostly it seems to just mean he's tired and cranky from being woken up so we'll see.  Honestly I'm happy to follow his lead for now as he's so young but obviously when he gets a bit older him being awake until we go to bed will mean we can't chill out together and watch our TV shows or anything.  It's a work in progress...

Likes/dislikes:  He loves a good cuddle but only when he's sleepy.  When he's awake he likes being held up on your shoulder so he can look around.  He likes chewing on things, especially your fingers - if you hold his hand he'll stick your hand straight in his mouth - although he moves his mouth to your hand rather than moving your hand.  He loves action songs and being bounced up and down too.  He's not a fan of being ignored and if you're not entertaining him he'll shout at you and let you know but generally there's not much he protests about.

Firsts:  He did his first submersion at swimming which he completely took in his stride!  I also gave him a bath without daddy's help for the first time last night - we coped just fine but my back didn't appreciate leaning over the big bath!

Milestones: No major milestones this week.

Things we did: We've been out for a couple of walks, been to visit ALS' parents, been out for a meal with my mum and grandparents.  We've introduced lots of new toys, books and action songs.  We managed a full swimming lesson with daddy there as well.  

Me: I absolutely love being a mum but in all honesty I'm struggling.  Whilst trying to get OJ into a routine I've been getting up earlier, which is fine, but I've not been getting to sleep until 1 am because my brain won't shut off.  Everyone tells you that if you're a sleep deprived parent you should get someone to take the baby for a while so you can sleep but nobody tells you what to do if your baby sleeps really well but you still can't sleep! I still have 9 months left off work but I'm already lying awake worrying about leaving OJ. The lack of sleep is causing my EDS to flare up and, despite good food and regular exercise, my body is killing me - it feels like I have the flu or a giant bruise covering my whole body.  ALS is trying to build his business up so I don't have to go back to work but I still have to do at least 3 months or I'd have to pay back my maternity pay.  Hopefully my brain calms down soon!  I love my son more than life itself and I don't want to end up so exhausted that I can't do fun stuff with him :(

11 weeks 1 day - fast asleep after a very long walk!

11 weeks 2 days - practicing his head control.

11 weeks 2 days - ear defenders ready for daddy's powerlifting competition next week!

11 weeks 4 days - early morning snuggles in mummy and daddy's bed.

11 weeks 4 days - trying to eat his wrist rattle.

11 weeks 5 days - first nap in his crib (thank you hairdryer)!

11 weeks 5 days - amused by his own feet whilst daddy multitasks and writes client programmes.

11 weeks 6 days - first sleep in his Moses basket since he was 3 weeks old, instead of napping on mummy in the daytime!

12 weeks - proper little man!

12 weeks - first Weemas, napping whilst mummy and daddy do some gaming!

Baby Update - 11 weeks

Age:  11 weeks

Weight: He was weighed at 10 weeks 1 day and was still 10 lb, meaning he's dropped to 2nd centile.  Although he was only 10 lb 2 weeks prior to that he had been weighed with his nappy on so I think he had gained a little bit.  He's definitely grown as he's gone up into 0-3 month clothes (the newborn were too short on his legs) and the Health Visitor said it may be that all his energy had gone into growing instead of putting weight on.  We spoke to the GP the day before he was weighed and she suggested I go dairy free if he hadn't put much on, so I spent the weekend dairy free then when I rang her on Monday to update her she changed her mind and said give it a little while so he's due to be weighed again on 30th Jan and has an appointment with the GP the same afternoon for us to make a plan.

Feeding: He's been cluster feeding a lot over the last 3-4 days so I think he may be having a growth spurt.  He's been struggling with wind and been quite fidgety when feeding - he nearly ripped my nipple off the other day - but generally he's happy.  He's still very happy to take a bottle too if needs be and wolfs it down.

Sleep: He's been sleeping a good 6-8 hours overnight until last night when he fed every 3-4 hours again but I think it's a growth spurt so I'm not too concerned.  I have to put his dummy in quite a bit but he's found his hands in the last couple of days and tends to suck his fingers to soothe himself so it's getting less frequent.  We had an awful night of sleep last night as he'd been sleepy most of the day, wanted to feed more often overnight and the wind outside was so bad we thought we were going to wake up in Oz!

Routine: We don't have a particular routine during the day as our plans vary but we do have a good routine going in an evening and he knows it's bedtime.  He really struggles to go down to sleep during the day, unless he falls asleep feeding, but as soon as we're upstairs at night we change his nappy, put his sleeping bag on then he feeds and goes straight to sleep.  I've even been managing to put him down after his feed and let him fall asleep with a lullaby and a little reassurance rather than waiting for him to fall asleep on me.

Likes/dislikes:  He is starting to really enjoy toys and has a couple of favourites - the noisy ones of course!  He loves being held upright so he's able to see what's going on but still enjoys a snuggle when he's sleepy and he's very much enjoying chewing on his hands at the moment.  He dislikes being held like a baby unless he's tired and isn't a massive fan of the car (he's fine if he goes to sleep but he gets bored if he's wide awake and we go anywhere in the car) but generally he's pretty content most of the time.  He's not a fan of tummy time when we lie him on the floor - he's got the strength to hold himself up but he's somewhat lacking in coordination so he's gets frustrated.  He's happy enough doing tummy time across my legs though!

Firsts:  Mummy had her first night out - including alcoholic drinks - whilst daddy had his first time alone with OJ.  He has grabbed at toys properly for the first time this week too.  I had my first session back a the gym this morning while daddy sat with OJ in the cafe.  We had our first very expensive breastfeeding session - £12 for a swimming lesson and we spent 25 out of 30 minutes breastfeeding at the side of the pool.  He's gone into his first 0-3 month clothes - although he's still in newborn vests and the 0-3 month tops are a little big, his legs are too long for his newborn sleepsuits now.  First poop in the bath too - not bad for 11 weeks.

Milestones: No major milestones this week.

Things we did: OJ had an evening with his daddy and uncle while mummy and aunty went out for drinks to celebrate aunty's birthday, then an afternoon with daddy and a friend while mummy went to see a pantomime with another friend so he's had lots of daddy time this week.  We went and played pool with some friends at the weekend so OJ got lots of snuggles.  I sorted out all of his 0-3 month clothes and got the nursery a bit more organised too.  Nanna and Grandpapa came over yesterday for a few hours and Nanna even managed to get him to sleep, which is reassuring as they're babysitting for us for the first time in a couple of weeks - it'll be my first time leaving OJ with anyone other than daddy and I'm petrified.  I'm perfectly okay leaving him with ALS because I know he does things the same as me and knows exactly what OJ needs when he cries but nobody else knows him that well.  

Me: I had my first gym session this morning and it was amazing to get back to it - I can't wait to start lifting properly again.  I'm absolutely loving being a mum and already dreading going back to work, even though it's another 10 months away!

10 weeks 1 day - he was fighting sleep but 2 minutes on the bathrooom floor listening to the extractor fan and he was flat out.

10 weeks 1 day - Snapchat from daddy whilst I was out with the girls (I got plenty of these).

10 weeks 2 days - first 0-3 month outfit and looking adorable.

10 weeks 3 days - one of many Batman outfits, I love his little facial expression!

10 weeks 4 days - snuggling in his towel while daddy ran a second bath because he pooped in the first one!

10 weeks 6 days - Batman baby, another blurred photo because he's never still!

10 weeks 6 days - sending Snapchats to daddy whilst he's at work.

11 weeks - he'll chew on anything he can get near his face.

11 weeks - he's also found his hands to chew on!

11 weeks - the most adorable Marvel coat that his aunty had handmade for him!

Baby Update - 10 weeks

Age:  10 weeks

Weight: He is due to be weighed tomorrow. 

Feeding: He still feeds 2 hourly for most of the day, sometimes more, but will go up to 8 hours at night without a feed.  He can still be fidgety during feeds and is still often sick.

Sleep: We have had nearly a whole week of OJ feeding when we go to bed and then sleeping 6-8 hours before feeding again.  Sometimes he goes back down after that feed and sometimes not.  He really fights sleep during the day as he's too interested in what's going on and then ends up cranky in an evening.  He tends to nap better if we're out and about than at home.

Routine: We are letting OJ dictate the routine at the moment when we're at home but if we have to go out we just make him fit in with our plans.  He tends to feeds then play then either feed again or have a sleep.  Evenings are hard work, which is annoying because that's when ALS is often at work, but on the whole we're doing okay.

Likes/dislikes:  He is starting to enjoy toys and looking at books, he loves action songs (especially The Wheels on the Bus) and he loved his first swimming lesson.  He's not a fan of having his moisturiser put on his face (the Pharmacist recommended Oilatum for what seems to be eczema) and he doesn't like to be kept waiting for his food!  He's also not a giant fan of tummy time, although he likes sleeping on his tummy.

Firsts:  First swimming lesson, first time holding his head off the floor during tummy time and we've starting baby signing to him to aid communication development.

Milestones: Holding his head up during tummy time.

Things we did: We have had a pretty quiet week.  My grandparents took us all out for lunch on Tuesday but otherwise we've just been shopping, going for walks and pottering around the house.  OJ had his first swimming lesson which he completely took in his stride and next week he'll do his first submersion!

Me: I'm feeling a bit better this week after some decent sleep.  I'm already getting anxious when I think about going back to work, despite it being 10 months away!  I'm also still distraught at the thought of leaving OJ with anyone other than ALS.

9 weeks 1 day - he fell asleep in his pram on our walk so I did my exercise in the hall before waking him.

9 weeks 3 days - all cleaned up and ready for bed after being very sicky.

9 weeks 4 days - ready for his first swimming lesson.

9 weeks 4 days - swimming tired him out!

9 weeks 4 days - chilling in his pram whilst I cooked dinner.

9 weeks 5 days - playing together in between sets during my workout.

9 weeks 5 days - sleepy snuggles before bed.

9 weeks 6 days - fast asleep (it lasted for all of 5 minutes).

9 weeks 6 days - he repeatedly snuggled himself under my arm despite being moved several times.

10 weeks - playing on his activity mat.

Mothercare sale - I soent the vouchers we had for Christmas and got £80 worth of stuff for £30.

Baby Update - 9 weeks

Age:  9 weeks

Weight: He was weighed on Friday at 8 weeks 1 day and was 10 lb exactly so he's dropped again on the centiles and is now down to 9th centile from 25th at birth.  We have to get him weighed in a fortnight to keep an eye on it but it is quite normal for babies to drop to a lower centile, as long as he now continues to follow the 9th centile (rather than dropping further) they won't be concerned. 

Feeding: We've had a bit of trouble lately with feeding due to him being so fidgety but I've gone back to sitting in a stricter position with the support cushion and it's helped.  He's still being sick after about 50-75% of his feeds but I think it's starting to slow down a little bit on the ranitidine (which he was prescribed on Friday).

Sleep: We had 2 nights after his vaccinations where he slept for 7 hours straight (either 11-6 or 12-7) but then we've been back to feeding every 3-4 hours overnight.  However, last night he again slept from 11:30-6:30 so hopefully he's starting to get into some sort of routine.  He's generally going down quicker after his feeds now (again possibly due to the ranitidine working) and seems a bit less uncomfortable so hopefully that will help him sleep more peacefully.  

Routine: We are just starting to get into a routine again now ALS is back at work but we are having to change things around as ALS' car broke down so he's using mine, which leaves me without transport most of the time.  I've managed to get the house back in order now all the Christmas presents are put away and the decorations are down so OJ's toybox can come downstairs and we can introduce more toys/have more playtime during the day now he's awake more.

Likes/dislikes:  He loves new flavours - he's had all sorts of medicine lately and has taken it all in his stride.  His ranitidine is minty, his antibiotics (for an ingrown toenail) are banana, Calpol is strawberry and the Gaviscon was another flavour - he's taken them all without complaint so hopefully when it comes to weaning he'll be open to all sorts!  He dislikes being cold still and screams if we don't get him dressed immediately after his bath - I have to admit this makes me a little nervous about starting swimming with him and not having ALS to help make the process quicker.

Firsts:  First New Year's Eve party, first party outfit (see the pictures below - it's adorable!), first injections, first cinema trip, first injury (careless nurse hit him in the head with a door when he'd had his jabs), first time for me going out without him (I had to go to the doctor's to have my iron levels checked so I left him at home with daddy - I wasn't anxious about leaving him in the slightest but only because it was with ALS and I know that he knows how to care for him exactly the same way I do), first proper laugh (whilst I was playfully cursing at ALS for spilling pink medicine on our white bedsheets).

Milestones: He's starting to try and reach out for toys although isn't coordinated enough to actually grab them yet - he just flails his limbs at them, he is now 2 months old, he's laughing more, he's "talking" more and responds with coos and gurgles when you talk to him (and gets quite frustrated when we aren't understanding him). 

Things we did: We went to visit family on New Year's Eve and then went to a party at a friend's house (although we only stayed until about 10 pm), we went to the cinema to see the new Star Wars movie and he slept all the way through... and that's about it in terms of interesting things.  We've had a relatively quiet week other than NYE.

Me: I'm struggling a little at the moment - my body isn't coping well with the sleep deprivation, even though I've had quite a bit more sleep this week.  I feel constantly fatigued and achy and my joints are really hurting.  I need to get back to some exercise but at the same time I feel too sore to even think about it.  I'm hoping to get out and about walking more this week and then get back to my exercise routine - damn Christmas getting me back out of the habit again!

8 weeks 1 day - lying in his favourite position, he struggles a lot with wind and tummy ache so he's often only happy on his front with pressure on his tummy.

8 weeks 3 days - looking like a proper little man in his shirt and jeans ready for the party.

8 weeks 4 days - making the most of his "Mummy's Little Pudding outfit" and he scrunched his legs up so he was even more pudding shaped!

8 weeks 4 days - "You talkin' to me?", I love his little facial expressions!

8 weeks 5 days (2 months) - sitting with his teddy bear.

8 weeks 6 days - all chunky and snuggly after his bath.

9 weeks - big smiles after sleeping all the way through Star Wars at the cinema!