Cuddles for Squeak

Daniel is just being the cutest at night! Before he goes to bed for the past 2 nights, I have asked him if he wants to give Squeak a cuddle. He seems to understand that "Squeak" is either in my tummy or is my tummy, but I don't think he understands it is a baby brother/sister. Anyway, last night when I asked if he wanted to give Squeak a cuddle he lifted up my shirt, and rested his head on my tummy. I asked if he wanted to give Squeak a kiss and he blew one at my tummy and waved 'hi there'. So cute!

Tonight it was similar. He wriggled down to my tummy level to give Squeak a cuddle and a kiss. I just love it. I hope that he is just as loving when Squeak comes. I'm sure he will be.


An update on me, my doctor worked out that I had a urinary tract infection and that was probably why I had all the sore muscles. I never knew that would cause so much pain. So I am on antibiotics to try and get rid of it. He also noticed that I had a lot of glucose in my urine test, so he sent me for the glucose challenge - 2 weeks early. Fortunately the test came back normal so that is good.

Also, Daniel has finished breastfeeding. After a couple more attempts at offering milk to him and getting very confused with the 'no, no' but then asking for 'mil' but then not wanting to rest or drink we decided that he doesn't want to have milk anymore. I am ok with this (this time). It has been a wonderful journey. I am so glad that I persisted with it in the early days, I have loved the precious time of sitting there having him drink, the smiles and chats that we have had, etc. But it is good that when Squeak comes I only need to feed one child and I don't need to worry about trying to feed Daniel while I'm in hospital. But it definitely was a special time and I'm glad that he decided to stop - not me making him decide.

Talking, Adventures, Playing and Fun

Firstly an update on me after my last post, I was chatting with Jens about my aches and how annoying it was and she mentioned that it might be a virus, because one of her friends had very similar stuff - stiff muscles, not joins, hard to walk, hurt to pick up things, etc. Tomorrow Daniel has his 18 month injections so I will also ask my Dr as to whether I need to get checked out, or if Squeak does. It has now been 4 days of pain which isn't very fun. At night I have had to take panadol so that my arms don't wake me up in pain. It means that I get 4 hours straight of sleep. A part of me is worried that it is going to affect Squeak in some way, but then Squeak wriggles and kicks me when I really want it to so I think it is reassuring me that it's ok. I really do hope so.

Also, milk feeds are almost a thing of the past. The past 3 days in the morning Daniel hasn't shown much interest in having milk. He has asked for it 'mil, mil' but when I have sat down with him he has either bitten me (which means I finish that side) and then not wanted to go onto the other side, or he has just been too distracted. Night time feeds are VERY short too - maybe 5 sucks and then he pulls himself off. Last night was very confusing because we asked if he wanted milk, he said 'no' shaking his head, but then got upset when James started getting him ready for bed. We repeated this quite a few times. I got upset (which he was beautiful with - wiping my tears away and gave me a cuddle) and he ended up only having a few sucks and then he was done and ready for bed. It's just confusing. But with this virus thing it hurts to have Daniel lying on my lap to have milk so my body is kinda grateful that he isn't really wanting milk from me. I will be sad when it finishes though, but happy that he decided and not that I forced him to stop.

Squeak has gotten bigger this week I think. I am feeling a lot tighter across my abdomen and down my sides (but this may also be my muscles doing silly stuff, I don't know). 

25 weeks

Today at 26 weeks

So there are a couple of big updates from me. Now onto some photos and video of our little man.

Books are a big favourite activity, to the point where I am a bit over reading some of the books as he keeps choosing the same ones. It is also important to sit on the grandpa chairs to read them. But it is pretty cute that Daniel enjoys readying the books with you.

Reading with Grayma

 He LOVES the book 'The bear's lunch' as you can see from this video.

Daniel has started to say some words which actually are used in the correct context. Words like "Mumma" (although he also says that to Jenny), "Dadda" (although he also says that to Howie), "Nana" (for banana, but he also says that for any fruit and yoghurt), "No, No" (which he also says when he wants the song "3 cheeky monkeys", etc. But a new word is "Otar" for Oscar.

Last Saturday was James' birthday. We started with presents. Daniel drew a card for his Daddy which he really enjoyed.

James loved his present of tickets to Day 2 of the Ashes - woo hoo. 

As a surprise I decided to take him to Collaroy beach where there is a beachside cafe, similar to Enzo's. I hadn't been there for a long time so was hoping that it was still a good location and yummy food. Fortunately it didn't disappoint. Daniel was very good too which made it a lovely morning. After a yummy breakfast we had a little play on the beach. It was a gorgeous day for it.

As you saw in a previous post, Daniel just loves going under water. He has now started to pour water over his own head when in the bath.

I am so thankful for family who can help look after Daniel so James and I can go out and do different activities. Last week James was away for work and so Mum and Dad helped me out by looking after Daniel. He just loves it. While Nana was reading him a book, Poppy would then throw the ball to him. He enjoyed catching it and then passing it back.

Yesterday we had a yummy chinese lunch (Mumma Gower style) for James and Oscar's birthday. This was of course followed by some presents and cake. Jens made a cool train carriage cake - she is so clever.

 We sang 'Happy Birthday" to Oscar.

And then happy birthday to James. Daniel joined in the fun.

The birthday boys

And it was a very yummy cake too. Good job Jens!

Pregnant

This week, being pregnant isn't very fun. It has been getting to me, even more so with the knowledge that I still have 15 weeks to go and I'm already uncomfortable! 

Squeak seems to have grown or something because my stomach seems a lot tighter. My body is aching, particularly down my sides and around the abdomen. I am finding it hard to bend down at times. Because of the heat, my ankles have swollen (Monday and today) which didn't happen until after I had Daniel. My clothes aren't really fitting anymore, and I don't have many summery clothes to wear that will fit me.

I know I'm whinging and I know that I should be happy about having a baby growing inside me. I know that it is a real blessing and that these things are normal in pregnancy, but still. I'm just not really enjoying it at the moment. I will get over it and just deal with it, but yeah, just not enjoying it at the moment.

 

Just keep swimming

On Sunday Daniel had a make up swimming lesson. It was lovely that James could take him this time as he has only been able to go to 1 lesson before. It was with a different teacher who seemed to do things a lot simpler, however, Daniel still had fun in the water.

Paddling with Daddy

Floating on his back - and checking himself out

Not a big fan of floating on his back

Catching balls is fun

Paddle, kick

Going underwater is a big favourite! He is always very keen.

 

 

 

 

 

Splashing Daddy. Hehe.

Daniel is also very good at swimming over to the edge and clinging onto the wall. A great skill to learn.

 

Climbing out of the pool

Happy water boys

 Squeak is still growing well. My headaches seem to have gotten better which is good and my last check up with Dr Booker showed that my blood pressure had gone back down. Phew!

23 weeks (and with my first haircut in 18 months. So nice being short again)

24 weeks - getting bigger

 

Bed is a fun place to be

Daniel is starting to shift to just wanting to have 1 nap a day, however, it isn't every day. On days when he decides to have 2 naps it is great. On days where he decides to just have 1 nap, it works well too because Daniel is happy just playing in his bed. It's pretty cute. He likes playing with his sleeping bag (which he can take off on his own) and running around in the cot. When I went in to get him up, he was keen to continue to play so I took some photos and video of his cuteness.

My foot is free!

Cutie

Feet can stick out of the cot

My camera

Daniel loves facing forward in the car. He enjoys seeing buses, trucks, vans, etc. and loves telling us about what he sees. Pennant Hills Rd particularly is exciting as he sees so many different types of transport.

He now can say 'bu' for bus

Daniel has also started to play hide and seek in the pantry - something that is definitely a something game as we don't want him to go in there on his own accord all the time. It is pretty cute to watch him though.

 

Squeak kick

Last night while lying in bed, Squeak was kicking me a bit. James had tried to feel Squeak kick a couple of times, but couldn't feel it. Last night was different. After waiting a little while and moving his hand more to the left side of my tummy, James felt Squeak kick. It was a pretty special moment. He felt a few more kicks after that one too. 
I do love feeling Squeak move around :-)

After having a headache for 3 days in a row (on and off, but definitely present) I decided to call up Rhonda, Dr Booker's midwife, and ask if it was a concern or not. I remember headaches being a symptom of high blood pressure so thought it was best to check. She said that it was unlikely at 22 weeks but to pop in and check just to put my mind at ease. She took my blood pressure and the first reading was high - 140 - but the other number was normal. It wasn't concerning but it isn't a good sign. Dr Booker popped in and checked on me and said that we will check again at my appointment on Thursday and if it is still high then I might need to go back on the medication. Not so fun. We listened to Squeak's heartbeat and it was good and strong. Rhonda measured it's size and said that it is growing well. She then took my blood pressure again and it had dropped back down to 123 or something like that. She thinks that it was high because of my headache, not having a headache because of high blood pressure. 

So the treatment was to rest while Daniel is resting, James to give me a neck massage (because that may be causing the headaches - tightness), heat pack on my neck, lots of water and panadol too. So I've been trying to do each of those things. 

Hopefully things will go well this week as James is away for work again - Monday to Friday. Hopefully my appointment will go well on Thursday and hopefully this headache will just go away, not be on and off. Time will tell.

Just a bit of cute

Daniel just loves reading. Normally he just listens and turns the pages, but recently he has started to interact with the books - something that makes me smile lots! Things like when we read 'I'm a little teapot', he tips his head toward the end of it. Also, 'the wheels on the bus' he rocks forward and backwards, bounces up and down, beeps the horn, etc. at the right times. Today I read 'The Lost Sheep' to him, after not reading it for a while. It was the first time that he interacted with it. I thought it was so special that I videoed it. It is a little bit long (over 2 videos so it uploads) so I understand if you don't want to watch it all but yeah, it was special to me.

He also enjoys drawing with his crayons. He even gets upset when I try and pack them away. Today we were doing some drawing and he started doing dots on the paper (something he hasn't done with me before). I also think he is going to be left handed because he shows a huge preference toward that hand when doing most things. I just hope that he can be a neat writer and not too messy, but will have to wait and see. 

Daniel also enjoys rocking on his rocking chair. It is a special thing to do but he is good and holding on when he rocks. I think he is going to be a bit of a dare devil (hopefully that means that he will enjoy theme park rides and everything).

On Friday we went around to see Grayma with Oscar. It was lovely to sit and have lunch with her - a very nice chat. We then went outside to play some soccer. Oscar enjoyed kicking the ball to Grayma and myself while Daniel enjoyed chasing after it and throwing it towards each of us. It is so lovely to see Grayma playing with the boys - she really delights in it and the boys do too (even if she probably shouldn't play soccer).

Grayma's turn

Daniel picking up the ball

Oscar kicking to Grayma

Daniel throwing to Grayma

It was really lovely watching Oscar help Daniel out. He chased him around the hallway, he gave him his water (to stop Daniel haven't his own one). Then when we were leaving, Oscar took Daniel's hand and helped him walk up the driveway. It really was a cute sight. They are 2 precious boys.

Too cute!

I am now 22 weeks pregnant and things still seem to be going well. Chiro is going very slowly which is a bit frustrating, but there has been some progress. I have also booked a massage (thanks Nobles) for in a couple of weeks which will be lovely. Hopefully that will also help the healing process.

22 weeks along

My little baby is growing up

A lot of things have happened recently that makes me think 'Daniel isn't my little baby anymore'. It's excited that that happening, but it is also a bit sad. At the end of last month Daniwl and I went for an adventure to Forbes footwear to get him some new shoes. He has been walking for around 6 weeks and that's a time when they suggest you get them proper shoes. We got both sandals and enclosed shoes. My oh my, I didn't realise how expensive kids shoes are. I know they are good for support and important to help him walk properly, but still. Daniel's shoes are the most expensive shoes I have ever bought! But he is pretty cute wearing them.

Exploring the outdoors in his sandals (yes, and socks - just to wear them in)

Exercising his enclosed shoes.

 He had some fun with Daddy on the front lawn. It was gorgeous to watch the boys playing together. Daniel just loves his Daddy.

My gorgeous boys

I just love this photo!

At swimming lessons we have been encouraging Daniel to blow bubbles, but he doesn't perform there. Last week he shook his head when Robina asked him to try blowing bubbles but then when we got home and he had his bath, he popped his face into the water and blew numerous bubbles. Such a clever boy. And he was very pleased with himself.

Daniel is loving any form of public transport (which Uncle Awesome would be proud of). When he sees a train, bus, truck, van, etc. he says 'choo choo'. I am trying to teach him that trains are the only one that make the choo choo sound, but that's ok. He is quite excited by them. Often the choo choo is followed by a wave and a kiss. Very friendly bubba.

Waving at a train

We were given Oscar's old bike and Daniel has seen it quite a few times in the study. He has tried to push it out of the room so we finally took him for his first bike ride. He loved it (although didn't show it in the photos) but it was a great time for him. He did really well with holding the handlebars and kicking the pedals (his legs are too little to ride them around). 

Off on his first ride

Back home again and loved it (didn't want to get off it)

I really need to take him out for more riding adventures.

Another sign that our baby boy is growing up is that he is now forward facing in the car. We turned the seat around and he thoroughly enjoys looking at everything through the front window. 

I finally got around to purchasing some crayons for Daniel to use. He has done a few 'drawings' and is quite good with staying on the paper. I look forward to seeing how his drawings develop. 

With Poppy retiring, we now get to see him on Wednesdays with Nana. It's loved to see him hanging out with Daniel (and Mum hanging out with Daniel too). I just love this photo of Poppy and Daniel having a chat.

Last week we had a really hot day. I couldn't be bothered to fill up the paddle pool so instead filled up a bucket of water. We went outside to play with it using cups, spoons, brushes. He absolutely loved it (and got so wet). He stayed at the bucket for about 45mins (the longest he's sat still, besides when with food.

Filling up the cup

And pouring it all out

This is clearly thirsty work

Doing some water painting on the tiles

Fun times

Daniel has continued to love playing peek-a-boo. He will hide behind things and then come out and say 'boo'. He also hides behind his hands to play it.

He had fun playing it with Auntie Jenny too while on an adventure to an engagement party.

Auntie Jenny has also taught Daniel to say 'cheese' for photos. He is pretty cute when doing it.

Daniel has a few toys that are pull toys, designed with short strings (silly) so I managed to add a swans lanyard to them so that Daniel can pull the toys along. He thinks differently. He thinks you should wear it as a lanyard (fair call). So the trains get pulled around on his neck.

He also has taken to my baby cabbage patch doll, Christopher. It is pretty cute to watch him give Christopher cuddles and kisses. I just keep reminding him to be gentle - thinking that when Squeak comes along he will need to be gentle withhim/her.

Cuddles for Christopher

I have also been trying to help Daniel understand the idea that Squeak is growing in my tummy. Jenny had a shirt that has a picture of a baby watching an ipod in the stomach. She has given that shirt to me and I decided to wear it at home sometimes to help him get a bit of an idea that there is a baby in my tummy. I don't know how helpful it is, or how much it helps him understand it but still. It is worth a shot I guess. 

Where is Squeak? There!

The next video was taken first and Daniel was just being so cute and cheeky, wanting to see the camera and the video. I just had to post it. I just love his laugh :-)

The last photos of Daniel are of him putting money into his money box. He is so cute when putting it in. Slotting it in the space, pulling it out. Once it drops in, he does the action of 'where is it?'. It is a good skill for him to have.

Where has it gone?

The last photos are of growing Squeak bump. Still not too big a bump. Lots of people who have just found out have commented that I'm not that big for half way. Hopefully that continues. I like having my mobility and being able to bend down. Hehe.