Dear WJ,
You're now 4 months old and 1 day. You've changed so much. You communicate more. When you have attention, which you love, you make high pitched noises and smile. When you want attention, you shout angrily. You don't seem happy when you're not getting attention.
If I hold your hands you pull yourself up into a sitting position. You love sitting up and looking around. You can hold yourself up for a few seconds before toppling over. You can also stand up if I hold your hands up. You're very strong!
If I lie down next to you and face you, you play with my face. You like to explore things. You can get a lot of things to your mouth now.
You drool a lot. I'm not sure if you're teething. You do have a very hard bite though!
We did 4 sessions of baby massage at the Health Centre. It was great because you got all the attention you needed, you got an hour a week of naked time, and we got to bond. On the third week though you were in a mood and protested until I picked you up and cuddled you. We ended up just sat at the side of the class though, you cuddling me, then feeding, then sleeping, then feeding again. You also wee'd on me! That was just at the start of your growth spurt, as over the next couple of weeks all you did was feed then sleep, then wake up for more milk before falling asleep again. If you got over-tired you'd start hitting me or daddy. Until then you never needed sleep in the day! It was exhausting for me, although I'd planned to do a lot of things before Christmas. But those things can wait!! You're the most important thing in the world right now. People will still get their Christmas presents, but they may have to wait until January or February!
You're still putting on lots of weight. You're long and thin. I'd bought you some clothes for Christmas, but then you grew a lot and I realised you wouldn't get much wear out of them if I saved them for Christmas so I had to let you wear them.
When you're feeding you stop, wait for me to look at you so you can smile at me, then carry on feeding. Little things like that make me happy!
I expressed some milk and we tried to give it to you in a bottle but you didn't want it, you wanted Boobie. You kept gagging on it and spitting it out. You're gag reflex will weaken in a couple of months so we'll have to try again then. Then you'll be able to start exploring food too.
I only had time to take you swimming once. But I promise we'll go swimming again this week.
We've been going to Baby Yoga. I think you like it there, because you get attention from me while we do stretches, and we get to see our friends. I'm not sure we'll be going there much over the winter though as it's up a really steep hill.
I hope you enjoy Christmas!!
Love
Mummy x
Sunday, 11 December 2011
Friday, 9 December 2011
Small Style 08/12/11
Every thursday I'll be sharing a picture of my super-stylish daughter. I first saw this on A Lime Less Ordinary, but it started on Mama loves Papa.
Late again, but better late than never...
I love this dress, it's so pretty, although isn't the easiest to put on! It was a gift from her grandma (K's mum).
Dress: M&Co
Tights: Mothercare (set of 3)
Bodysuit: H&M (eBay'd)
Late again, but better late than never...
I love this dress, it's so pretty, although isn't the easiest to put on! It was a gift from her grandma (K's mum).
Dress: M&Co
Tights: Mothercare (set of 3)
Bodysuit: H&M (eBay'd)
Wednesday, 7 December 2011
Yarn Along #4
I "finished" the nappy cover. There are still some things I would like to change about the legs. I was cutting the yarn in between colours and now I have tied ends, but only on one leg. I decided not to do that with the other leg. When I get time I will redo the bad leg, but I just decided to sew it all up for now as I wanted her to wear it asap. She's grown out of her other wool soaker and I feel she needs something more breathable at night. After lanolising it, it was taking ages to dry in my cold flat, so I gave it a blast with the hairdryer. I can now smell sheep!!
I've not really been reading anything this week. Well, I read a bit more of Baby Led Weaning, but that's it. WJ's been quite grumpy, tired but fighting sleep, so I've been sat in the dark a lot trying to get her to sleep!!
Friday, 2 December 2011
This Moment #4 Sitting
A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember." SouleMama
Thursday, 1 December 2011
Small Style 01/12/11
Every thursday I'll be sharing a picture of my super-stylish daughter. I first saw this on A Lime Less Ordinary, but it started on Mama loves Papa.
This is a bad photo but I loved this outfit. She's wearing a dress but the outfits not full of pink and frills!
Dress: Next (part of a set)
Bodysuit: H&M (eBay)
Tights: Mothercare (set of 3)
This is a bad photo but I loved this outfit. She's wearing a dress but the outfits not full of pink and frills!
Dress: Next (part of a set)
Bodysuit: H&M (eBay)
Tights: Mothercare (set of 3)
Wednesday, 30 November 2011
Last Week - Tired baby, Todmas and Man-Flu
This post is a bit late because I've not been able to get much done as I have a little girl that suddenly needs lots and lots of sleep during the day, most of the time on me!!
Well, last week we did the usual, yoga on tuesday, massage on thursday. WJ had suddenly started needing lots of sleep though. She was asleep when we were setting off to baby massage, and I had to get her changed before we left so ended up waking her up. We got there 10 minutes early so she had a feed. I undressed her for her massage, lied her down on the mat and she started crying. We ended up not participating, but just sitting at the side feeding and sleeping and more feeding, all in the nude. She'd finally calmed down when everyone was leaving so I dressed her, then I put her on the floor to get my things in my bag and she was smiling and looking at me as if to say, "Can I have my massage now please mummy?"
On friday my mum, her husband and my sister and nephew came up. As usual my mum was just wanting everyone to pose for photographs while they were there.
Saturday was the Christmas Light Switch on day. They also had a lot of things going on in the day, which was the First Day of Todmas, including stalls, raffles, snow and a Polish day event. I decided I wanted a break from carrying WJ, so we put her in her pram when we went out in the morning, then she went in K's sling in the afternoon. K doesn't use his sling much because it means he can't smoke!! It was her first time out in the pram. She was a bit unsure at first, but then fell asleep, which was good because I've been having trouble getting her to sleep, even though she needs it so much!!
K was supposed to be coming up on sunday but he had man-flu so he stayed at the boat!
Well, last week we did the usual, yoga on tuesday, massage on thursday. WJ had suddenly started needing lots of sleep though. She was asleep when we were setting off to baby massage, and I had to get her changed before we left so ended up waking her up. We got there 10 minutes early so she had a feed. I undressed her for her massage, lied her down on the mat and she started crying. We ended up not participating, but just sitting at the side feeding and sleeping and more feeding, all in the nude. She'd finally calmed down when everyone was leaving so I dressed her, then I put her on the floor to get my things in my bag and she was smiling and looking at me as if to say, "Can I have my massage now please mummy?"
On friday my mum, her husband and my sister and nephew came up. As usual my mum was just wanting everyone to pose for photographs while they were there.
Saturday was the Christmas Light Switch on day. They also had a lot of things going on in the day, which was the First Day of Todmas, including stalls, raffles, snow and a Polish day event. I decided I wanted a break from carrying WJ, so we put her in her pram when we went out in the morning, then she went in K's sling in the afternoon. K doesn't use his sling much because it means he can't smoke!! It was her first time out in the pram. She was a bit unsure at first, but then fell asleep, which was good because I've been having trouble getting her to sleep, even though she needs it so much!!
K was supposed to be coming up on sunday but he had man-flu so he stayed at the boat!
Yarn Along #3
Joining in with Ginny again, here's something I'm making and something I'm reading:
The stripey thing is on of the leg bits from the soaker from last week's post. I decided to make them ribbed, by doing rows of treble-crochet (double in US) where the hook is only inserted into the back loops of the stitches on the previous row. I've alternated the navy with rows of red, which will be the back ribs (I don't know what the more technical way of putting that is). I'll be stitching them onto the soaker. Hopefully it should be finished by the weekend!!
I haven't really been doing much reading, so I've included the magazine I bought the other day, Inside Crochet. I haven't even had much time to read it, but it has some really cute patterns in it.
The stripey thing is on of the leg bits from the soaker from last week's post. I decided to make them ribbed, by doing rows of treble-crochet (double in US) where the hook is only inserted into the back loops of the stitches on the previous row. I've alternated the navy with rows of red, which will be the back ribs (I don't know what the more technical way of putting that is). I'll be stitching them onto the soaker. Hopefully it should be finished by the weekend!!
I haven't really been doing much reading, so I've included the magazine I bought the other day, Inside Crochet. I haven't even had much time to read it, but it has some really cute patterns in it.
Friday, 25 November 2011
This Moment #3 Boobie
A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember." SouleMama
Small Style 24/11/11
(Posted late due to bad internet signal yesterday)
Every thursday I'll be sharing a picture of my super-stylish daughter. I first saw this on A Lime Less Ordinary, but it started on Mama loves Papa.
Top: Diesel
Bodysuit: F&F (Tesco)
Trousers: Next
Tigers: Mothercare
I'd bought the "Tiger Feet" in a Mothercare sale. I got the bodysuit in a small bundle on eBay and I love it! The other items were bought second hand by my mother.
Who says girls have to wear pink!!
Every thursday I'll be sharing a picture of my super-stylish daughter. I first saw this on A Lime Less Ordinary, but it started on Mama loves Papa.
Top: Diesel
Bodysuit: F&F (Tesco)
Trousers: Next
Tigers: Mothercare
I'd bought the "Tiger Feet" in a Mothercare sale. I got the bodysuit in a small bundle on eBay and I love it! The other items were bought second hand by my mother.
Who says girls have to wear pink!!
Wednesday, 23 November 2011
Yarn Along #2
Joining in with Ginny again, here's something I'm making and something I'm reading:
The long thing will be a crocheted nappy soaker for WJ. It's loosely based on this pattern here. I've used Drops Alaska, colour 12, navy blue. It's 100% pure new wool so can be lanolised.
I got the book from the second hand market here. WJ wouldn't settle the other night so I started reading it to her, starting with the first story, The Pied Piper of Hamelin :)
The long thing will be a crocheted nappy soaker for WJ. It's loosely based on this pattern here. I've used Drops Alaska, colour 12, navy blue. It's 100% pure new wool so can be lanolised.
I got the book from the second hand market here. WJ wouldn't settle the other night so I started reading it to her, starting with the first story, The Pied Piper of Hamelin :)
Monday, 21 November 2011
Last Week - Nappies, Great Grandparents, BF Group
On Moday I took WJ to my hometown where she met a few of my old schoolfriends. I mentioned last week that someone's mum had passed away. I didn't go to the funeral, just the wake. It was nice to see my old friends. My friends were coping very well, and my thoughts are with them.
Tuesday is Baby Yoga day, so we went to that and had fun. WJ was quite hungry at the end bit where we lie down and relax, so I laid down on my side and let her feed. Then I met K at the train station and we got the train to the next town, walked up a massive hill and picked up some nappies I'd got through Freecycle. They're Little Lamb's, in great condition. I'm not sure whether they're bamboo or organic cotton though. I've basically been given the £300 set (mix of size 1 and 2) plus an extra bucket and extra wraps!! They are easier than the terry squares I'm using, and they're "Daddy friendly!" They don't dry as quick though, which is actually the main reason I bought terries. I washed a few at the laundrette with my terries, then put £2 in the drier. The terries were totally dry, but the 'Lambs could do with another £2. So it looks like I'll be using the squares, especially in these colder, damper months. It's great that K can feel confident changing her though ;)
On Wednesday my grandparents, sister and nephew came over. They'd not seen WJ for quite a while. T, my nephew, will be 2 in December. He was funny because he was jumping and running around, but he kept falling over. He didn't seem bothered by it though, just got up and carried on. My sister parents a totally different way to the way I will though. She's using a reward chart to control his tantrums, and she has a naughty step. It makes me sad, but I don't want to criticize her when she has more experience than I. When she mentioned his "paddying," I said to T, "awww, it's because you can't express your emotions isn't it..." but my sister said she has to do something about it because he hits smaller children. She's obviously doing what's best for them, it just doesn't seem right.
Thursday was Baby Massage day. We massaged bellys this time to help the digestive system. This meant no nappies. Towards the end, WJ provided me with more encouragement to try EC properly. More on this in a separate post over the next few days.
On Friday I went to the Breastfeeding group, I haven't been for a while so it was nice to catch up with people!
Tuesday is Baby Yoga day, so we went to that and had fun. WJ was quite hungry at the end bit where we lie down and relax, so I laid down on my side and let her feed. Then I met K at the train station and we got the train to the next town, walked up a massive hill and picked up some nappies I'd got through Freecycle. They're Little Lamb's, in great condition. I'm not sure whether they're bamboo or organic cotton though. I've basically been given the £300 set (mix of size 1 and 2) plus an extra bucket and extra wraps!! They are easier than the terry squares I'm using, and they're "Daddy friendly!" They don't dry as quick though, which is actually the main reason I bought terries. I washed a few at the laundrette with my terries, then put £2 in the drier. The terries were totally dry, but the 'Lambs could do with another £2. So it looks like I'll be using the squares, especially in these colder, damper months. It's great that K can feel confident changing her though ;)
On Wednesday my grandparents, sister and nephew came over. They'd not seen WJ for quite a while. T, my nephew, will be 2 in December. He was funny because he was jumping and running around, but he kept falling over. He didn't seem bothered by it though, just got up and carried on. My sister parents a totally different way to the way I will though. She's using a reward chart to control his tantrums, and she has a naughty step. It makes me sad, but I don't want to criticize her when she has more experience than I. When she mentioned his "paddying," I said to T, "awww, it's because you can't express your emotions isn't it..." but my sister said she has to do something about it because he hits smaller children. She's obviously doing what's best for them, it just doesn't seem right.
Thursday was Baby Massage day. We massaged bellys this time to help the digestive system. This meant no nappies. Towards the end, WJ provided me with more encouragement to try EC properly. More on this in a separate post over the next few days.
On Friday I went to the Breastfeeding group, I haven't been for a while so it was nice to catch up with people!
Friday, 18 November 2011
This Moment #2 Towels
A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember." SouleMama
Thursday, 17 November 2011
Small Style 17/11/11
Every thursday I'll be sharing a picture of my super-stylish daughter. I first saw this on A Lime Less Ordinary, but it started on Mama loves Papa.
I must confess to cheating here. I didn't take any pictures this week where WJ wasn't in a sleepsuit, so this is a picture from a couple of weeks ago.
Again, all clothes are second hand, bought in a bundle by my mother.
Jacket: Baby (Tesco)
Top: Just Too Cute
Jeans: Marks and Spencer
I must confess to cheating here. I didn't take any pictures this week where WJ wasn't in a sleepsuit, so this is a picture from a couple of weeks ago.
Again, all clothes are second hand, bought in a bundle by my mother.
Jacket: Baby (Tesco)
Top: Just Too Cute
Jeans: Marks and Spencer
Wednesday, 16 November 2011
Yarn Along #1
This is my first 'Yarn Along' post. The idea was started by Ginny, where we share something we're knitting or crocheting, and something we're reading.
So I'm crocheting a bag for my nephew, Toby. It will hopefully look like Toby the steam tram from Thomas the Tank Engine. I'm using the super chunky Eskimo pure wool yarn from Drops by Garnstudio. It is so soft!! This is the first actual thing I've crocheted, apart from a small flower. It isn't perfect as I've just made up the pattern as I've gone along, but I'll be putting it in the washing machine to felt, so you won't notice the uneven rows so much ;)
The book is Baby-Led Weaning by Gill Rapley and Tracey Murkett. It makes so much sense to wean this way. I don't want to be forcing mush down my baby's throat! I also plan to breastfeed her on demand for as long as possible, so after she's had the freedom and trust to eat as and when she needs/wants, I don't want to take that away from her. She knows what she needs more than I do.
So I'm crocheting a bag for my nephew, Toby. It will hopefully look like Toby the steam tram from Thomas the Tank Engine. I'm using the super chunky Eskimo pure wool yarn from Drops by Garnstudio. It is so soft!! This is the first actual thing I've crocheted, apart from a small flower. It isn't perfect as I've just made up the pattern as I've gone along, but I'll be putting it in the washing machine to felt, so you won't notice the uneven rows so much ;)
The book is Baby-Led Weaning by Gill Rapley and Tracey Murkett. It makes so much sense to wean this way. I don't want to be forcing mush down my baby's throat! I also plan to breastfeed her on demand for as long as possible, so after she's had the freedom and trust to eat as and when she needs/wants, I don't want to take that away from her. She knows what she needs more than I do.
Last Week - Yoga, Massage and Knitting Machines
This post is a little late, but on Monday I was back in my home town all day, and yesterday I couldn't stay connected to the internet!
So, last tuesday I went to baby yoga with WJ. It was our first time there and we loved it! It's a mixture of stretches that entertain your baby, and stretching your baby while watching your own posture. Then we have about 10 minutes of relaxation with our babies. Naturally, you get interruptions of babies giggling, pooping, posseting and crying, but the atmosphere there is so relaxed and everyone else is in the same boat. If your baby needs feeding, you feed them, if the baby needs changing, you change them.
It was in Hebden Bridge so I decided to see a friend before it as he'd just returned to Hebden Bridge with his boat. It was the first time he'd met WJ.
On thursday we went to baby massage. This too was great. We just did legs and feet. WJ was looking around all the time!!
On friday I went over to Accrington on the train to pick up a knitting machine I'd won on eBay, a Knitmaster 302. I'd won it for around £35. The guy was selling it because it was his mum's, but she'd moved into a care home. As I was getting my money out though, he told me he didn't want any!! He told me he was putting everything on Freecycle, but with this he wanted to make sure it would go to someone who actually wanted it and would look after it, not just someone after metal to scrap. He also wasn't very sure of the condition of it. So I got it for nothing. It seems in brilliant condition, so would really be a shame if someone was to scrap it. It is a model from the 60s!
On saturday my mum called me to tell me my friends' mum had died. I didn't know, but she was diagnosed with stomache cancer a year ago. My friends are only 24 and 27 so I can't imagine how they must be feeling. I used to go to their house every Sunday for Sunday dinner. Their mum made the best Sunday dinner in the world. They had their own chickens and grew their own vegetables.
The week ended with a delicious Sunday dinner cooked by K.
So, last tuesday I went to baby yoga with WJ. It was our first time there and we loved it! It's a mixture of stretches that entertain your baby, and stretching your baby while watching your own posture. Then we have about 10 minutes of relaxation with our babies. Naturally, you get interruptions of babies giggling, pooping, posseting and crying, but the atmosphere there is so relaxed and everyone else is in the same boat. If your baby needs feeding, you feed them, if the baby needs changing, you change them.
It was in Hebden Bridge so I decided to see a friend before it as he'd just returned to Hebden Bridge with his boat. It was the first time he'd met WJ.
On thursday we went to baby massage. This too was great. We just did legs and feet. WJ was looking around all the time!!
On friday I went over to Accrington on the train to pick up a knitting machine I'd won on eBay, a Knitmaster 302. I'd won it for around £35. The guy was selling it because it was his mum's, but she'd moved into a care home. As I was getting my money out though, he told me he didn't want any!! He told me he was putting everything on Freecycle, but with this he wanted to make sure it would go to someone who actually wanted it and would look after it, not just someone after metal to scrap. He also wasn't very sure of the condition of it. So I got it for nothing. It seems in brilliant condition, so would really be a shame if someone was to scrap it. It is a model from the 60s!
On saturday my mum called me to tell me my friends' mum had died. I didn't know, but she was diagnosed with stomache cancer a year ago. My friends are only 24 and 27 so I can't imagine how they must be feeling. I used to go to their house every Sunday for Sunday dinner. Their mum made the best Sunday dinner in the world. They had their own chickens and grew their own vegetables.
The week ended with a delicious Sunday dinner cooked by K.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)