Appointments plus

This week Eliza was 6 weeks old and as a result that's the week for lots of appointments. I have been very grateful for Mum and Dad who have been able to look after Daniel during some of these appointments so that I didn't need to worry about him.

Monday saw her meet Paul, our GP and get her injections. She is doing very well with her measurements. She weighed 4.305kg clothed which is great - 60th percentile. Her length is 55.5cm (so she has grown 5.5cm since birth) which is also 60th percentile. Her head circumference is 38.5cm which is the 75th percentile (that's because of all her brains) so Paul was very happy with her progress which is great. I got my flu shot so hopefully that will help me stay pretty healthy this winter. Then Eliza got her injections. She enjoyed the oral one but didn't really like the needles in the legs. Poor thing. She did a big cry, like Daniel did, forgetting to breathe and then had a short cry after. But after a cuddle and being put back into her capsule she fell asleep. What a good patient! I think my needle hurt more afterwards than hers. We then went to school for lunch as it was a staff day. She got to meet a few of the staff members which was nice and I enjoyed catching up with people.

Tuesday saw us go to Dr Booker for our last appointment. He was happy with my progress. My stitches are healing well which is good. There wasn't too much else to chat about at it. He asked if there were any questions and I just had one - Do you get a definite feeling of 'this is my last kid' or is it just a decision you make? Dr Booker's response was basically what I thought - some people are like 'nope, that's it' while others make the decision based upon finance/housing/life situations. It is really an individuals choice. 
James and I have always said that we'd be happy with 2 kids - it's all we have really wanted. Our house is good for 2 kids (we have the study which is another bedroom but we don't have any storage places in our house so that room is a good storage room/study/music room. We both are from 2 kid families and liked growing up as that. I found Eliza's pregnancy pretty hard on my body for 2nd time round, not so keen to go through that again. Not really keen to go through labour again either. We have never really thought about having more kids. Knowing that Eliza is our 2nd kid, I'm sad that I won't be having another baby again (atleast at this stage). I'm sad to say bye to Dr Booker and Rhonda because they both have played such a big part in my life for the past 30 months, journeying with me through Daniel and Eliza's pregnancy. Would I like to have a 3rd kid... maybe. I don't know. It is still early days I know. On the good days I think 'yeah I could do this again and have 3 kids' but on the bad days I think 'ok, that makes up my mind - 2 kids it is'. So I don't really know at the moment. James and I aren't going to rush into anything, let's just say that. We love our 2 kids and we are happy with the 4 of us... at the moment. We'll see what the future holds. For the time being I'm trying to make the most of having a baby again and making sure I enjoy it. This week I've started having cuddles for her to go to sleep in my arms (only occasionally but for the first little while I was making sure she went to sleep in her bed each time). This week I've been making an effort to rest next to her on the floor and engage with her. I've been looking at her during feeding times (when I'm not entertaining Daniel). Because it is a big thing to have a baby again and I do need to make the most of it. Anyway, that's where I'm at with thoughts and everything.

Wednesday was an appointment at the Early Childhood Centre. The last time I went there with Daniel I had a horrible experience and walked out feeling like the worst mum. Fortunately this time I had a lovely nurse. She was very genuine and encouraging. Her only concern is that Eliza is feeding 5-6 times a day. She would prefer 6-8 times a day. But seeing her weight I think that concern went out the window which is good. Otherwise she was pretty happy. 

Yesterday was our day off from appointments so we had a lovely morning with Anne, Lachie and Emily. I do love how Daniel enjoys playing and going for walks with them. And I really enjoy chatting with Anne - we are quite similar in a lot of ways. She is also good at reminding me to make the most of these days of having Eliza as a bub and also to laugh in those situations where you feel like laughing or crying. 

Today is an appointment with the Paediatrician which I'm sure will go well. Kinda feel silly going as everything has been checked by Dr Humphrey and the ECC nurse, but it's recommended so I will do as they recommend - being a good girl :-) I'm looking forward to less apointments and letting Eliza just sleep, rather than waking her to go out so often.


At the moment I am feeling well. I am enjoying having Daniel and Eliza and know that I am very blessed with them both. I am very grateful for how awesome Daniel is with Eliza and also at times when I need to look after Eliza and can't focus on him. I love that he enjoys reading during feeding times (although I would love him to choose different books, not the same ones again and again and again). I am sad that Eliza is probably my last bub but I am embracing these times and loving Daniel's stage of life and his interactions. I am finding the broken nights sleep hard - very difficult to get up and out of bed at night time and even more in the morning, but I do it. I am also finding that I have that jet-lag feeling most days, but that's just from lack of sleep. On the good days I feel very good and confident. On the bad days I do struggle but James has been a wonderful support and a great voice of reason and confidence that has helped me through. He really is such a great partner in this and I am so grateful for him and his patience with me! So yeah, that's where I'm at at the moment.