The opposite to Biggest Loser

In the 3 days of being home before our weigh in, Daniel put on 160g which the lactation consultant was very pleased about! She then wanted me to change to demand feeding and instead of timing the feeds, have Daniel drain one side and then offer him dessert if he wanted it. This was very tricky to do as I had no idea when he had 'drained one side'. It seemed like he used me as a dummy a lot so I didn't know if he was actually drinking or if he was just happy sitting there sucking or chewing. But we persisted. We have also learnt that in these early days Daniel is a champion sleeper (we are hoping it can stick around but are not too sure if it will). When he is asleep, he will happily stay asleep for 5-6 hours which was awesome at night! I was getting 7-8hrs sleep each night. Yes it was broken sleep, but it was still the normal amount of sleep. But as a result, Daniel was only really eating 4-5 times a day (newborn babies should be eating 7-8 times a day).

On Tuesday Daniel was weighed again by the community nurse. He had lost 50g over 5 days. This was not so good. While she said she doesn't like to focus on numbers, she also mentioned that it wasn't good that he had lost weight. So we came up with a new plan (although it was the old plan). I am to feed 30mins each side, then offer 10mins of the first side. That should be enough for Daniel to be full. During the day I am to wake him up every 3 hours for a feed and at night every 4 hours. It is so much harder to wake to an alarm at night than a crying baby! It is crazy how much harder I am finding it. I am also feeling a lot more tired doing feeding this way and am pretty much feeling like a cow - just providing milk all the time. But I guess that is my new job for the time being. The bonus is that Daniel is pretty good at going back to sleep at night which we are loving. James and I made a deal that if he wasn't settled once I put him down after feeding, James would go and settle him. In the 2 weeks I've been home, James has had to get up twice. So not fair (but I am glad that James has been able to sleep). Again, hoping this will continue through, particularly when James goes back to work in 2 weeks time.

Since being home we have had a lot of visitors and have been out a few times. It is nice to get out of the house. I think that has helped me to feel better knowing that I'm not just stuck at home. One of the highlights for me was going on a picnic with our families. Mum, Dad, Jenny, Howie, Oscar, Malcolm, Julie, James, Daniel and I headed to Wedding Park on the Wednesday after we got home for lunch - Chicken Burgers. I fed Daniel before we went and then he slept the whole time. He was very happy to be passed from proud grandparent to proud grandparent too. I love it how both James' and my families get along so well. I know that it doesn't happen with all in-laws but we are very blessed.

All dressed up, ready for his first adventure.

I love this photo of mum and Oscar playing in the leaves!

Picnic time.

Proud Grandparents

3 generations of Noble men.

We also took Daniel for his first walk. James absolutely loves the pram that we got. It is very handy, very easy to move around, and very easy with the capsule, especially when Daniel falls asleep in it. I am looking forward to going for more walks, I just need to get the motivation to get up and go.

 Another thing I am loving is seeing Oscar interact with Daniel. He was hesitant at the start but each time we see him, he seems to feel a bit more comfortable with touching Daniel and a lot more curious about him. Things like feeding Daniel - Oscar was very curious about how that happened and how long it went. Also how he will sleep. I have just loved the questions Oscar asks and little things like making Daniel a camera from foam blocks - his way of showing he cares about him. I just love it! I can't wait for Maddie to meet Daniel and see them interact together too. 

 One other very special moment was at Cathy's 30th birthday party. Hug-a-Doug and Doreen were there. They are 2 people who have had a big impact in Jenny, Cathy and my lives. They are like our adopted Grandparents and Hug-a-Doug is always ready to give a big hug. At Cathy's party I asked Hug-a-Doug if he wanted to have a hug with the newest member to the clan and he was happy to give a hug. He was totally taken by Daniel. It was just beautiful to see how gentle he was and taken by each of Daniel's features (and Doreen too).

It is just so special to see how supportive the older generations are of our kids, and how they want to still make an impact on their lives. It made me miss my Grandpas though - wishing they were able to meet Daniel. But I am lucky that my Grandmas are still around and that James' grandparents are still around. I am looking forward to heading to Hervey Bay at Christmas time to show off Daniel and have him meet his great grandparents up there, and he was lucky enough to meet Granny and Boompa in the hospital.

Special moment

 Tomorrow we have another weigh in for Daniel. I am really hoping that he has put on weight and that I can change the feeding at night to be demand feeding, but the day time ones to stay at 3hrs. I just want our little man to be healthy. He also has either conjunctivitis or a blocked tear duct in his right eye. We say Paul about it (my GP) and he took a swab so that we know. We have had to give Daniel eye drops, which he has taken quite well, to clear it up if it is conjunctivitis. We see him again tomorrow too to find out what it is and to chat about a plan of action if it is a blocked tear duct. I hope he's ok. Atleast he doesn't seem too phased by it.