Parties and food

This week has been pretty big with lots happening. On Monday Daniel turned 5 months old! Gosh that time has gone quickly!
On Saturday we did some more practice of sitting on the bed. I just thought this photo was so cute! It was fun for James to be with Daniel as he did this. He isn't really sitting much longer or more steady than the videos from my last post, but practice makes perfect, and he really does LOVE flopping onto our bed. Part of me thinks that maybe he enjoys the flopping part so much he doesn't try sitting.

On Sunday we had a birthday lunch for James which was quite nice. Daniel was pretty well behaved although after only having a 10min nap he was pretty tired and grizzly, but with plenty of hands to pass him around to he was kept occupied. I'm pretty sure he also thinks that Uncle Awesome lives up to his name, especially as he introduced him to coke and chocolate cake!

Mmmm, coke.

Daniel and Oscar helping blow out the candles on the cake

So keen to try some cake, he got his fingers into it before we could stop him (but fortunately got to his fingers before they reached his mouth)

Then everyone headed off back home for rest time (the Howies), to watch the cricket (Grayma and Auntie Sue) and to band (James). I left Daniel with mum to drop James back at home. When I got back to Mum and Dad's, Daniel had partied so hard he fell asleep in Nana's arms (such a special time for Nana). 

Tired bubba

I also got a special photo of 4 generations of Mum's side of the family. Daniel is pretty lucky to get to meet each of his Great Grandma's (with the various names). It makes me sad though that he doesn't get to meet Grandpa K, Grandpa G or Grandpa Jim. Lucky Boompa who gets to have cuddles with him.

Now that Daniel has mastered the art of rolling (although he can only turn to his right) he has decided that he wants to try and move. On Monday I was watching him try to crawl. It is very early stages but he is working quite hard to move.

Then he decided to put each of his skills together. Here is a video of him rolling to his back, back to his tummy and then trying to crawl. Such a clever boy!

Then this morning Daniel decided that he was too hot! One night this week I put Daniel down for a nap but as it was hot I pulled the sheets off him. When I went in to get him up he had managed to turn 180 and also roll onto his tummy so his face was on the sheet and quilt. Fortunately he was awake so was doing a little push up and was very proud of himself. So we decided that because last night was a hot night we would take she sheets and quilt out of hit cot just incase he managed to roll over again. This plan didn't work so well. He woke up at 11pm, rolled over and started to cry. We decided that the sheet tucked in over him helps to keep him on his back so while I fed Daniel, James put the sheet back in. We thought we had won. How wrong we were! At 6am this morning we woke to this sound.

This continued for an hour. I let him just go because I figured he wasn't crying (and I was very tired after feeding him at 11pm then 3am), instead he was just chatting (very loudly might I add!). He then went quiet and I thought maybe he had gone back to sleep. Again, how wrong I was. This is how I found him this morning when I got him up.

Not old had he rolled himself over, he had turned 90 degrees and he had managed to unzip his growbag to get out of it! What the heck! How did he manage that? Anyway, he was very proud of himself! Maybe he was preparing himself for the very hot day that is going to come today.

The other thing which Daniel has started to do it eat his toes. He did it while we were outside earlier in the week, having some nappy free time. Today he managed to do it while I was changing his nappy.

Yummy!

 
After a nappy change, a feed and a bit of a play we decided that we would have some real food (not chocolate cake like Daniel might have liked). We popped Daniel into his high chair with his new bib on which was pretty exciting. I mixed up a table spoon of rice cereal and milk and we got ready to feed Daniel. Basically a picture tells a thousand words.

What is there?

I will help you Mummy.

Oh dear. That doesn't taste very good.

Now what do I do with it?

It wasn't that bad.

My bib taste better though

Ok, I'll try some more

Yeah, not that much better. It looks better down my front

Nope, I'd still like to eat my bib.

Here's a video of him having his 2nd mouthful of food.

He wasn't that keen on the food. I don't know how much actually stayed in as most did come out again. I also need to fix up how I feed him as I didn't get much into his mouth. It's hard when he insists on helping with the spoon (which is not so helpful). We didn't use that much of what I mixed up, but it was only his first go at having some. We will keep trying some at breakfast for the next week and then maybe next week we will try to increase it to breakfast and lunch. (I would do dinner but I honestly don't know when he is down for the night and when he is going to wake up again). I am a bit sad to be starting solids. I know it is silly but I like having feeding as a special thing between him and me. I like being needed to do that one thing which no-one else can do. As he has more solids that will decrease. I know it's ok and I know it's how it's meant to be, I guess it's just a new stage for me.

Speaking about sleep, he is waking a lot more at the moment. James and I are thinking that it is a growth spurt or something which is making him want to have more feeds each day and night but we really don't know. I really can't complain because after he has a feed he goes back down to sleep straight away, where I know other babies want to stay awake for a while after their feeds so I am lucky. I am starting to wonder if it is right for me to feed him each time he wakes in the night. He feeds and feeds solidly each time so I guess I am doing the right thing, but am I supposed to just try to settle him without food at some point? I really don't know. Maybe time will tell.

Also, I think he might be getting sick (which isn't great but bound to happen). Today he has been coughing a fair bit and his nose seems to be a bit runny (normally it just has boogers) and last night when we was feeding he sounded like a little pig because he was congested. Hopefully it won't be too bad. Maybe it will just be that he sleeps more (as that seems to be the way it is affecting him at the moment) but I don't know. We will see how things go. 

Just for your information, I have now made it so that anyone can post a comment (if you want to).

Sitting is hard work!

Now that Daniel has mastered the art of rolling we felt it was time to try a new skill. Today he worked out how to roll and then push himself up.

Finished!

He was very pleased with himself, as were Emma and I who were watching him work it out.

So this week I have been practicing sitting with Daniel. He has sat with people holding him and he seems to love that, but after seeing that some of the other babies which we hang out with are sitting (valid, they are older than him) we have been working on building this skill.

On Monday I took Daniel outside for some tummy time and play time in the sun. Jens sent through an email from a friend who said that a dr told her that to spend 15 or so minutes in the sun (between 8-10am) it can decrease the possibility of allergies. Worst case is that we spend more time in the sun and it doesn't change anything so I figure why not do it. So while I hung out the clothes, Daniel enjoyed lying on a towel, flapping his arms and kicking his legs. He loved the wind blowing!

I then decided to try and see how he was going sitting on his own. He has increased his balance, even though it is only for a moment. He loves leaning forward (probably not on purpose).

I took this video (excuse it being on the side - I can't work out how to turn it).

Then on Tuesday I was practicing sitting with Daniel during morning play. He was much the same. Sometimes sitting longer, other times flopping immediately. I thought it might be safer to be on our bed so we moved into our room.

Then today I took Daniel into our room and put him on our bed. He loves just lying on it and (again) flapping his arms and kicking his legs. He did quite well sitting on the bed. He especially loves flopping over. Each time he has a big grin when he lands. Here is a series of shots from him sitting and then a video too.

Starting - mummy holding me as I get my balance

Sway to the right

Sitting up straight

Leaning forward

Going...

Going...

Gone!

Hehe

 

Last week when Daniel was 20 weeks old we had the special opportunity to go and see the Swans AFL premiership cup. James and I figured that this was a great moment and something that we may not be able to do again so we bundled Daniel into the car and headed down to Hornsby shops. Fortunately the line wasn't too long so we got to have a couple of photos. Atleast we will always remember the year that the Swans won the premiership as it was the year that our gorgeous boy was born!

Go Swannies!

My mastitis, blisters, blocked ducts, etc. have cleared up and I have finished antibiotics which is good. Today I went to the community centre to check that my attachment is correct. This was good as I was attaching correctly, confirmed that I was doing the right thing with the football grip and I was shown another way to feed for when Daniel gets older - the straddle hold. I was surprised at how easy that hold was and how quickly he attached himself.

Lastly, this is a cute moment with Daddy. I really do love watching Daniel and James together.

 

Roll over, Roll over

This morning I did my normal routine of feeding Daniel then putting him down on the mat so I could make my breakfast, eat it, do the washing and then play with him. When I had made breakfast and moved to the table I came back and saw that Daniel was like this.

I had put him down on his back and now he was on his tummy (although not too sure how to finish by getting his arms right under himself). I then decided to try and video him and see if he would repeat it. Being a good bubba he did repeat it 3 times (the first 2 times the camera was too full so didn't tape all of it but 3rd time lucky).

I then got James up to see it, but again he doesn't perform for others - he got very close though!

The cutie has started to find his thumb to suck too. He looks very sweet when he is sucking his thumb.

I am now on antibiotics because I had early signs of mastitis on my left side. On Thursday it started to hurt when feeding Daniel. On Saturday a red blister appeared and was VERY painful to feed. I changed to using the football grip to try and ease the pain. Then on Sunday there was a bit of white lines in amongst 3 blisters - quite painful to feed from and even when wearing tops. On Monday I noticed a black spot too and after expressing and only getting 10mL from that side and still feeling quite hard I (upon chatting with family for suggestions) booked an appointment with my GP. The feed before going to the Dr on Tuesday morning though was eventful. Daniel had fed on my right side and was still quite fussy. I put him onto my left side as the football grip and it was very painful and he wasn't staying attached. I decided to just try to use the hold across my front (which I normally do). After about 3 sucks Daniel was very upset and when I looked at him he had blood in his mouth and on the side of his mouth. No wonder he was upset. He had burst the blisters (which was a good thing but would have tasted disgusting). To settle him I gave him 40mL from a bottle, as that is roughly the amount I express from the left side normally. I still went to the GP for him to check it was ok. There was some redness (but not a lot) and a scab where the blister burst. So he put me on antibiotics to avoid mastitis increasing and he told me to express on that side for a couple of days so it can heal. So that makes feeding a bit more complicated again - needing to heat the milk, feed him the bottle, feed him the other side, express, wash the bottle and the pump and then play with him but that's just what needs to happen. Fortunately all seems to be healing up well which is good and it isn't painful anymore which is a huge relief.

Teeth, Rasberries and Parties

A lot has happened in a short amount of time! When Daniel went to get his 4 month injections he did his big, long cry with his mouth openned, and then he was ok. When he did the big, long cry the nurse commented that she saw the start of his teeth - 2 little white buttons starting on the bottom row. I hadn't noticed this but sure enough, she was right. You can feel them when you rub your finger across. He hasn't had any red cheeks (besides being hot) and hasn't been too bad with them. Sleep has been normal, just feeding he has been a bit grizzly the past couple of days and I think that may be because it is hurting, but I'm not too sure. They haven't broken through, but they are hiding there just waiting. I really hope it isn't going to be very painful for him. I took a photo of them while he was sleeping after a feed this afternoon. It's a bit tricky to see, but trust me, they are there.

Yeah, it is tricky to see...

To try and make it more comfortable for him when he is grizzly I have given him a couple of the teething toys. 

He didn't really get what to do with them. It was more me putting it in his mouth, him holding it for a couple of seconds and then dropping it. I'm sure they will come in handy over time.



 Something that Daniel has started to really enjoy doing is blow rasberries. He is pretty cute when doing it. When I was driving to mothers' group he was in the back seat just blowing away. He also tends to do it when I get him up in the morning and change his nappy. Here are a couple of videos of the cutie blowing away.

 
Today we went to visit school again to see the kids again and also to catch up with some of the teachers. It was nice to see everyone again. We went for Friday morning tea (where everyone comes together) and then after a feed went down to the classroom. When we walked into the classroom we were greeted with a loud 'SURPRISE'. As the kids are learning about celebrations Mel (their teacher) decided to throw a surprise party for the kids to then write about. Such an awesome idea. The initial surprise did shock Daniel and he did start to cry, but then after a cuddle and some bouncing, he joined in the party activities. We were given party hats (which I was surprised he wasn't fussed about wearing) and sat down on the floor. 

 
We had pass the parcel which Daniel joined in for (but didn't win a prize). He actually was more into eating the parcel but I helped him to pass it around. The kids then did Musical Bumps which was pretty cute. Daniel and I helped judge. The kids were asking lots of questions about Daniel and really enjoyed seeing him again. The kids then sat down and started writing about the party. Some kids have come such a long way in their writing! At lunch each of the kids got a cupcake and some popcorn. It was great! Daniel seemed to enjoy his first party which was great. It is probably the last time we will visit the class which is a bit sad but also a nice way to say bye to them.

Having visited school has made me realise how much I miss everyone. I didn't think I missed them that much but I do. Just that sense of belonging, I don't seem to have that at the moment. I know it is a transition and I know I will form some new relationships, but it is hard at the moment. I love looking after Daniel and experiencing being a mum, but I do miss seeing adults each day and journeying with them. RHAC was my family and I had really close relationships with lots of people there, it is hard to not have that daily connection. I spoke with a couple of people today about it and they said that it is a hard transition and how I am feeling is completely normal. They also said that I am making the right choice in staying at home and looking after Daniel because it goes so quickly (which I agree with. I can't believe he is 4 months old already!) So yeah. Just a hard time at the moment. But I am still loving being with Daniel and looking after him. I am loving seeing how he is growing up and interacting more. He is still sleeping well and I am following what he needs pretty well too. I'm sure this feeling of missing elements of my old life will pass. Daniel is my life now.

19 weeks old.

It's Simply Splashing

Tomorrow Daniel is 19 weeks old. Today I went to a session at the SAN on Introducing Solids. I found this very helpful as it was a lot more specific and clear in what to do and give and when, in comparison to the session at the Community Centre which was a lot more 'What is your experience?' Not so helpful when I have no experience. So I am feeling more confident about starting solids. I was thinking that I will start trying to give him some at 5 months, that way he has a bit of time to get used to food going into his mouth and then by 6 months he will hopefully be eating some of it too :-) We will see how he goes. It will be hard to not want it to be a 'clean' experience but today they said that we need to let them explore the food and enjoy eating, and using their hands to explore it will potentially help the bub to be less fussy as they grow up. Maybe true, maybe not, but I like the concept behind it.

We are still working on rolling over. Daniel keeps getting to his side but then that is it. His reach is increasing through this technique. I am so happy with how he is playing. He does really well with entertaining himself for the first 30mins of play while I eat breakfast/do the washing, etc and then he enjoys playing with me until he gets tired.

18 weeks old

His smile just melts my heart! I get to see it so much which is just lovely. I also get more giggles too. Today his dinosaur roaring at him was funny as!

 (Sorry for the video being side on - I couldn't rotate it)

James has loved giving Daniel baths lately. I hear lots of laughter from James during the bath time, followed closely by 'And there we go' when Daniel decides to wee in the bath. The reason for the laughter though is because Daniel LOVES his bath time and he now splashes all over the place. It is so nice to see how they enjoy it together.

Mid splash

Also I am so proud of Daniel and how he is going sleeping, mainly in relation to settling. Tonight was his 7th time in a row of going down without a sound/without James or I needing to go in. I am feeling a lot more confident in knowing when to put him down and when to keep him up. I know it is probably momentary but I will be excited while it lasts :-)