Wednesday 31 August 2011
Tuesday 30 August 2011
Sunday 28 August 2011
Dedication
We're getting excited about Joel's upcoming dedication service. We're having it next month at church and we've ordered a cake, and there'll be a bring and share lunch for everyone afterwards.
We're still yet to have discussions with our minister about it, but pretty much a dedication differs from a Christening in that we dedicate our baby to God and give thanks to Him for Joel, but Joel is free to make his own mind up when older and have an adult baptism.
We will make promises to pray for Joel and raise him a Christian, and the church and our families will do the same. I know people from church are already praying for him as I am, and I'm looking forward to teaching him to pray and learn bible stories.
I'll be adding photographs after it's happened but his outfit is already hanging in his wardrobe, I just need to find him some shoes and keep his nails trimmed to avoid all the scratches he's been giving himself this week.
He'll be 5 months for his dedication and is such a beautiful little lad, I'm so proud of him!!
We're still yet to have discussions with our minister about it, but pretty much a dedication differs from a Christening in that we dedicate our baby to God and give thanks to Him for Joel, but Joel is free to make his own mind up when older and have an adult baptism.
We will make promises to pray for Joel and raise him a Christian, and the church and our families will do the same. I know people from church are already praying for him as I am, and I'm looking forward to teaching him to pray and learn bible stories.
I'll be adding photographs after it's happened but his outfit is already hanging in his wardrobe, I just need to find him some shoes and keep his nails trimmed to avoid all the scratches he's been giving himself this week.
He'll be 5 months for his dedication and is such a beautiful little lad, I'm so proud of him!!
Thursday 25 August 2011
Still Breastfeeding - With Pics (so be warned!)
It was so hard in the beginning, I won't lie to you! There was pain, and mastitis, and thrush, and cracked nipples but now? It's the easiest and simplest thing in the world and to be honest, I can't remember the pain of it at all!! I saw something on TV about breastfeeding, and said to Steve, was I like that?
He looked at me, amazed and said 'can't you remember'? You were crying with pain and holding my hand when he latched on for about two weeks'?!I do vaguely recall now that we had our fair share of troubles, but here's some pictures to show how much he enjoys his booby milk!! (On a previous post I'd just worked out how to feed lying down and I'd promised pictures then but couldn't seem to take any that didn't look indecent, so here's some now, months later!!)
Tuesday 23 August 2011
Eye Eye
When he was born Joel had dark blue, almost indigo coloured eyes which gradually paled to a pale blue grey colour like mine.
The past couple of days I've noticed that they seem to be browning up a bit?!!! They're certainly more hazel coloured now so I think that they may be turning brown like Steve's.
My blue eyed, blonde haired boy was a fleeting one I think.
I shall keep checking though!
The past couple of days I've noticed that they seem to be browning up a bit?!!! They're certainly more hazel coloured now so I think that they may be turning brown like Steve's.
My blue eyed, blonde haired boy was a fleeting one I think.
I shall keep checking though!
Saturday 20 August 2011
More Weaning Stuff....
I'm the first to admit I'll happily buy into any marketing ploy and feel that I need a lot of bits I probably don't need, and now with Joel I'm entering into a whole new world of baby purchases which are brilliant!! (Or seemingly so to begin with!!)
With weaning imminent there are items we do need, so I've read reviews and scoured the internet for what seems the most useful and handy.
You've seen already the Annabelle Karmel freezing pots for puree. I know you can use regular ice cube trays, but these have a good sealing lid to keep them better, and the silicone pots are better to withstand the constant freezing. I do believe that if you pay cheap you pay twice, whereas spending a bit more can in effect save money later on!!
Anyway, today these bits came too:
The Annabelle Karmel Weaning book because I don't want to start anything rashly with Joel, I want to know why and what for, and how best to go about it and this seems to be the most highly recommended.
These bibs looked very clever as they are plastic backed so won't soak through to clothes, and the plastic cup fastens onto the bibs, and then also rolls over and clips any mess away when out and about and feeding so for all intents and purposes this seems ideal.
And this is a travel weaning pot for being out and about too! It comes with two weaning spoons, a tight fitting lid and a removable seperation container so there can either be two dishes or one in there, and the bowl has a hole in it for an extra firm grip in case baby tries to grab! This too seems a good little set for being out and about and we're looking forward to using them!
With weaning imminent there are items we do need, so I've read reviews and scoured the internet for what seems the most useful and handy.
You've seen already the Annabelle Karmel freezing pots for puree. I know you can use regular ice cube trays, but these have a good sealing lid to keep them better, and the silicone pots are better to withstand the constant freezing. I do believe that if you pay cheap you pay twice, whereas spending a bit more can in effect save money later on!!
Anyway, today these bits came too:
The Annabelle Karmel Weaning book because I don't want to start anything rashly with Joel, I want to know why and what for, and how best to go about it and this seems to be the most highly recommended.
Friday 19 August 2011
Any Resemblance?
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| Joel at 4 months |
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| Me at seven months with 2 front teeth!! |
I think there's more than a passing resemblance which is nice as when he was born he really looked a lot like Steve but there's something in the eyes and ears which I think I can claim!! And the smile! :)
Thursday 18 August 2011
Weaning
Unfortunately the book will be a little longer to wait for but that's ok as we're not rushing to get weaned. We're sticking with breast milk till 6 months unless advised otherwise and that suits us well for now.
But I am preparing for weaning and will read through Annabelle Karmel's guide as it comes highly recommended.
We'll also continue with breast milk alongside weaning and if we can get to 12 months then great, if not I'll be proud of wherever we get to.
Joel certainly notices us eating food and is taking an interest in what we put in our mouths so seems to be getting to a suitable point where starting isn't too far away but it seems nicer to start when he can have more than bland rice and we know his stomach is more ready for new flavours and textures.
He is growing up so quickly it's amazing how many things all change before 6 months!
Sent from my BlackBerry smartphone from Virgin Media
Wednesday 17 August 2011
Picnics
With it being the summer holidays, we felt a nice day out was in order, so my Mum, Dad and I took Joel up to Trentham Gardens today. I've never been round the Italian Gardens properly, only having been there for work purposes when our University Graduation ceremonies are on (they're held within the gardens) so it was a really nice day.
We went off about 10am and the sun was shining as we strolled around the gardens and had an icecream watching the children's play area thinking how soon Joel would be running around in the sandpit too!!
These aren't my pics, they're from the website but a good representation of the lovliness that Trentham is now! I remember it from years ago when it was a falling down site, with a lot of canadian geese droppings all about the gardens but now, wowee, it's beautiful and such a well maintained site.
These are a few pics taken on my phone. It was so nice to lie back on a blanket in such pretty surroundings and relax with my baby! We should do it more often I think!!
We went off about 10am and the sun was shining as we strolled around the gardens and had an icecream watching the children's play area thinking how soon Joel would be running around in the sandpit too!!
These aren't my pics, they're from the website but a good representation of the lovliness that Trentham is now! I remember it from years ago when it was a falling down site, with a lot of canadian geese droppings all about the gardens but now, wowee, it's beautiful and such a well maintained site.
17 Weeks
Our little dude is 17 weeks old today!
He's made it to 1 stone in weight, and don't we know it!!
This week new fun things involve loud squealing, turning his head from side to side repeatedly and putting his fingers in peoples mouth and chuckling because it's so funny!!
He's still EBF (exclusivly breast fed) and we're sticking with that until he's 6 months (seperate post to come).
He's back to sleeping better at night this week after a few disrupted nights after our holidays which is better!
And he's had his nasty 16 week jabs which haven't affected him terribly at all. He's just been a bit grizzly before bed with a hot head so a dose of calpol seemed to help and he's been able to sleep it all off.
He's a brilliant baby!!
He's made it to 1 stone in weight, and don't we know it!!
This week new fun things involve loud squealing, turning his head from side to side repeatedly and putting his fingers in peoples mouth and chuckling because it's so funny!!
He's still EBF (exclusivly breast fed) and we're sticking with that until he's 6 months (seperate post to come).
He's back to sleeping better at night this week after a few disrupted nights after our holidays which is better!
And he's had his nasty 16 week jabs which haven't affected him terribly at all. He's just been a bit grizzly before bed with a hot head so a dose of calpol seemed to help and he's been able to sleep it all off.
He's a brilliant baby!!
Tuesday 16 August 2011
More Jabs :(
Today we've been to see the health visitor and nurse for a weigh in and the last set of injections for the time being. The weigh in was easy enough, he's 14lbs now and I was hopeful that he'd be as good as his 12 week jabs where he didn't even whimper!!
No such luck! It made me wonder whether it was due to the nurse, as we had the same one as his first set of jabs when he cried, and she was rather brusque about it all, stab, squirt and rub, whereas the nurse last time seemed a bit more gentle, but he yelled at the first injection, then did the hold his breath at the audacity of it all and really show his feelings with a proper scream sort of yell, at which he was turned around and had another two injections which really upset him.
He was howling and screaming, and as soon as it was done I put him on the breast and he began to calm down with his furious feeding which is kind of cute, where he has little fists to beat me with, and a frown on his face and his sucks seem indignant, and it took a while but then he relaxed and even gave the nurse a big smile before he left.
I realised I'd got tears down my cheeks on exiting. I'd not noticed I was crying too, but some tears had escaped me, as it was the most awful of the appointments.
When we got back into the waiting room, all the other mums with their babies looked at me with terror, as though it was what was to come for their babies too!
He's now napping in his cot, quite worn out from the day, and last time he was rather tired the next couple of days so here's hoping he copes with the after effects alright tonight and tomorrow. And thank goodness there aren't any more until after his first birthday now!
No such luck! It made me wonder whether it was due to the nurse, as we had the same one as his first set of jabs when he cried, and she was rather brusque about it all, stab, squirt and rub, whereas the nurse last time seemed a bit more gentle, but he yelled at the first injection, then did the hold his breath at the audacity of it all and really show his feelings with a proper scream sort of yell, at which he was turned around and had another two injections which really upset him.
He was howling and screaming, and as soon as it was done I put him on the breast and he began to calm down with his furious feeding which is kind of cute, where he has little fists to beat me with, and a frown on his face and his sucks seem indignant, and it took a while but then he relaxed and even gave the nurse a big smile before he left.
I realised I'd got tears down my cheeks on exiting. I'd not noticed I was crying too, but some tears had escaped me, as it was the most awful of the appointments.
When we got back into the waiting room, all the other mums with their babies looked at me with terror, as though it was what was to come for their babies too!
He's now napping in his cot, quite worn out from the day, and last time he was rather tired the next couple of days so here's hoping he copes with the after effects alright tonight and tomorrow. And thank goodness there aren't any more until after his first birthday now!
Monday 15 August 2011
Teething....
Joel is a very drooly, gnawing, chewing and generally 'things in mouth at all times' baby at the moment!
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| In his Jumperoo |
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| Gnaw the bib! |
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| He loves this winky toy! |
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| Chomp chomp chomp... |
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| Yummy |
Sunday 14 August 2011
Strong Little Dude
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| "Not more tummy time?!" |
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| "Oh! Look, I'm pushing up"! |
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| "Wow! I can see around me!" |
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| "Woah! Am I leaning??" |
Sent from my BlackBerry smartphone from Virgin Media
Saturday 13 August 2011
Upsets
Last night I was going out for dinner with some friends and Steve was staying in for the evening with Joel. I'd left Joel and Steve playing at 6pm so I could get ready and I heard crying.
Joel hadn't napped well in the late afternoon so we knew he was overtired, but he began getting more and more worked up.
I'd got all ready and Steve had got him into his sleeping suit, all the while crying and getting more and more upset and he handed him over for a feed but he was so upset, he couldn't stop crying. It was a bit as though he tried every now and then, but then he remembered he was being upset and couldn't help it and screamed the place down.
If he just cried like a normal baby that wouldn't be so bad, but he proper screams as though the worst thing in the world has happened and he's in pain and it really hurts your ears! It's the same cry he did on holiday when I turned the side light on.
Trying to put him on the boob only aggravated the situation, and ssshing, and rocking, and holding, and wandering outside, and distractions were not working at all last night.
So off to the car we went! It ended up with Steve driving me to my dinner and then driving round till Joel drifted off which didn't take long but left me worrying all evening as he'd not had a feed at 7pm as normal so after the meal I got a lift home and on seeing he was fine, left his feed till about 10.30.
He then woke up being very chatty and blowing raspberrys at 3.00am!! Why, I don't know. He sounded quite happy but it was the nighttime still, so I went to feed him and he had a very good feed but wasn't going back to sleep!
I popped him in his cot, went back to my own bed and heard him chattering for about another 30 minutes before he went back to sleep!
he was then awake again before 7am this morning, but I dozed on and off until his raspberrys were so loud I had to get up and feed him at about 7.10am. I think he'd been awake from about 6!! And now it's nearly 8.30 and he's ready for his morning nap again which will put the whole day out, although having had awake time in the night, he's likely going to have a longer nap session at some point today!
I'm so glad he's woken up happy! I wonder whether it was just tiredness making him scream yesterday. Maybe he sensed I was going out and leaving him?
He has a few cries, the 'I'm not sure about this' where his lip quivers and comes out and it's more of a 'threat' to cry without actually crying. This one seems to be directed at men peering in his pram at the moment - that'll get the lower lip going for sure! Then there's the actual crying where he sobs and big tears come out and it's heartbreaking, but normally quite fixable with a cuddle, or a boob, or both together! And then there's the horrendousness that is the inflexible screaming where his body goes rigid and his mouth opens and closes and at the open moments there's screaming, no tears, and panic and confusion on both sides.
I still had a nice meal though and it was nice to see my friends and chat to Julie who is now on maternity leave and waiting for the arrival of her baby due on 3rd September!
Joel hadn't napped well in the late afternoon so we knew he was overtired, but he began getting more and more worked up.
I'd got all ready and Steve had got him into his sleeping suit, all the while crying and getting more and more upset and he handed him over for a feed but he was so upset, he couldn't stop crying. It was a bit as though he tried every now and then, but then he remembered he was being upset and couldn't help it and screamed the place down.
If he just cried like a normal baby that wouldn't be so bad, but he proper screams as though the worst thing in the world has happened and he's in pain and it really hurts your ears! It's the same cry he did on holiday when I turned the side light on.
Trying to put him on the boob only aggravated the situation, and ssshing, and rocking, and holding, and wandering outside, and distractions were not working at all last night.
So off to the car we went! It ended up with Steve driving me to my dinner and then driving round till Joel drifted off which didn't take long but left me worrying all evening as he'd not had a feed at 7pm as normal so after the meal I got a lift home and on seeing he was fine, left his feed till about 10.30.
He then woke up being very chatty and blowing raspberrys at 3.00am!! Why, I don't know. He sounded quite happy but it was the nighttime still, so I went to feed him and he had a very good feed but wasn't going back to sleep!
I popped him in his cot, went back to my own bed and heard him chattering for about another 30 minutes before he went back to sleep!
he was then awake again before 7am this morning, but I dozed on and off until his raspberrys were so loud I had to get up and feed him at about 7.10am. I think he'd been awake from about 6!! And now it's nearly 8.30 and he's ready for his morning nap again which will put the whole day out, although having had awake time in the night, he's likely going to have a longer nap session at some point today!
I'm so glad he's woken up happy! I wonder whether it was just tiredness making him scream yesterday. Maybe he sensed I was going out and leaving him?
He has a few cries, the 'I'm not sure about this' where his lip quivers and comes out and it's more of a 'threat' to cry without actually crying. This one seems to be directed at men peering in his pram at the moment - that'll get the lower lip going for sure! Then there's the actual crying where he sobs and big tears come out and it's heartbreaking, but normally quite fixable with a cuddle, or a boob, or both together! And then there's the horrendousness that is the inflexible screaming where his body goes rigid and his mouth opens and closes and at the open moments there's screaming, no tears, and panic and confusion on both sides.
I still had a nice meal though and it was nice to see my friends and chat to Julie who is now on maternity leave and waiting for the arrival of her baby due on 3rd September!
Thursday 11 August 2011
16 Weeks
Joel is 16 weeks old today! And as cute as a button in his little white cardigan with a hood!
The Babycentre website says this for 16 week old babies:
He has been doing more tummy time and pushing right up on his arms! And not crying! I guess that's progress. We have his 16 week jabs next week on Tuesday so am not looking forward to those but he's not been too bad with the others and after those are done we can think about going swimming sometime! We can't wait to teach him to be a water baby!!
When you place her on her stomach, your baby will lift her head and shoulders high, using her arms for support. This mini push-up helps strengthen her muscles and gives her a better view of what's going on. She may even amaze you (and herself!) by rolling from her back to her front, or vice versa. You can encourage this skill through play. Wiggle a toy next to the side she customarily rolls to in case she's interested enough to try again. Applaud her efforts and smile. She may need your reassurance since her new skill can be frightening.
He has been doing more tummy time and pushing right up on his arms! And not crying! I guess that's progress. We have his 16 week jabs next week on Tuesday so am not looking forward to those but he's not been too bad with the others and after those are done we can think about going swimming sometime! We can't wait to teach him to be a water baby!!
Wednesday 10 August 2011
Buggy Time
It's so brilliant! It goes front and rear facing so I still get to see him for now, and tilts right back for naps or he can sit up to see the world which he really likes too.
I really think it's a very funky pram system! Good old Mamas and Papas!
Sent from my BlackBerry smartphone from Virgin Media
Dreams
When I first brought Joel home from the hospital and he was next to my bed in his Moses basket, I'd keep waking up panicking that he was in bed with me and I was squishing him, or leaning on him. It would always turn out to be a corner of duvet, or a bit of pillow, but for a few panic full seconds, I'd be sure I'd drifted off to sleep whilst feeding and done something dreadful. But I'd always have put him back in his cot and sure enough, he was always there sleeping peacefully!
Anyway, it all eased when he went to his own room and cot, but I've been dreaming again that he's in bed with us! I don't know whether it's because for the two weeks of holiday he was in our room in a travel cot or not, but I keep waking Steve up by yelling - 'the baby' and thinking I've rolled onto him in the night.
Most strange. The brain is an odd thing.
Mind you, the first nights in our own beds after the holidays I was so tired I pretty much zonked out and forgot I had a baby! I was very surprised to hear a cry at 4.30 in the morning and it took a couple of minutes to realise that was my cue to go and feed him!
Anyway, it all eased when he went to his own room and cot, but I've been dreaming again that he's in bed with us! I don't know whether it's because for the two weeks of holiday he was in our room in a travel cot or not, but I keep waking Steve up by yelling - 'the baby' and thinking I've rolled onto him in the night.
Most strange. The brain is an odd thing.
Mind you, the first nights in our own beds after the holidays I was so tired I pretty much zonked out and forgot I had a baby! I was very surprised to hear a cry at 4.30 in the morning and it took a couple of minutes to realise that was my cue to go and feed him!
Sunday 7 August 2011
Time Away...
I was asked to play the piano for the evening service at Church tonight.
I left Joel with Steve and was away for an hour and a half.
And nothing bad happened!! I came home to fine him sleeping peacefully after a happy bathtime and that was it!!
I wasn't too worried about leaving him with Steve, just the fact I wouldn't be with him at what is an important time of day.
I feel a bit surplus to requirements now! Although it does mean that I may be able to partake in more worship evenings and play a bit more at Church maybe.
I love being needed by Joel, and I love having him near me, but maybe it's time I started to do a few more things on my own?? I was expecting to do this after 6 months when he's weaning onto solids and won't need so many booby feeds, but if he's able to go to bed without me, then it'll free me up quite a bit.
I left Joel with Steve and was away for an hour and a half.
And nothing bad happened!! I came home to fine him sleeping peacefully after a happy bathtime and that was it!!
I wasn't too worried about leaving him with Steve, just the fact I wouldn't be with him at what is an important time of day.
I feel a bit surplus to requirements now! Although it does mean that I may be able to partake in more worship evenings and play a bit more at Church maybe.
I love being needed by Joel, and I love having him near me, but maybe it's time I started to do a few more things on my own?? I was expecting to do this after 6 months when he's weaning onto solids and won't need so many booby feeds, but if he's able to go to bed without me, then it'll free me up quite a bit.
Friday 5 August 2011
Driving Home
As nice as holidays are, it's like Dorothy says - 'there's no place like home'!
And one little baby is ready for a rest after his time away too!
Sent from my BlackBerry smartphone from Virgin Media
Thursday 4 August 2011
Holidays II
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| We are zee crazy Eenglish - on the beach in the rain!! |
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| Joel didn't seem to mind! |
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| Sitting on Aunty Sarah |
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| Snoozing in the garden in our second holiday home |
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| On Daddy's knee |
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| Snoozing in my arms on the beach |
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| Being driven about in the sand car by his cousins! |
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