*~*~* The Decemberists! *~*~*

[smawfl]

Emilia has just confirmed she is entering the 12 week growth spurt week. We went to school and she had the biggest meltdown ever! I was sitting in the staff room with her and she was fine when there were just 3 other people in there with us, chatting and smiling away. But then everyone else came in and she suddenly let out the biggest wail Her bottom lip dropped and she cried lots and lots of real tears. Nothing would calm her down and she was so distressed. She was even too upset to feed. Proper stranger fear. It's the first time it's happened - usually she's very smiley and interested in new faces. We just had to come home because northing was working. Even when I did her calm, the moment she caught sight of someone she didn't know she started wailing again. It really effected me and I cried on the drive home. But I know it's a developmental stage they go through. It was really stressful though. We're going back next week for the nativity and trying to think how I can keep her happy. Think I might try the sling.

Aww bless her, how has she been today?

Alexia is growing so fast, cant believe she will be 12 weeks on Tuesday!

Its like we've completed a 4th trimester

 

[gaiagirl]

Dammit I just wrote a huge reply and lost it!

Ugh now I don't have time to repeat. Short form:

Can't believe how old your babies are getting! Pusscat that sounds like an adventure, lol. I'm taking F out alone for some shopping today and I'm a little worried as I ALWAYS am alone! Never thought it would be so hard!

Decided not to go to my friends and rescheduled for next weekend which will definitely be safe! Talking to her on the phone she was coughing! So I felt vindicated because I would be so stressed if she coughed holding F!

Little victory today - got F to fall asleep for a nap on his own! Took 40 min and me repeatedly going over to him but still! Yes!

 

[gaiagirl]

Lol just realized how many !!!! I used!

 

[Pusscat]

Well done Gaia - I'm still trying to work out how to get Emilia to nap. At the moment the only thing that occasionally works is feeding her and hoping she stays sleepy as I take her up to her room. But I think because she feeds for so long, often over an hour at the moment, that she gets her nap in while she's sleepily feeding. I don't mind that routine on days where it's OK to spend all day on the sofa, but not so good if I want to get anything done She's been waking up at about 6 the past few mornings, which is early for her, so I'm just hoping this is a growth spurt week and the feeding will settle down soon. At least it doesn't hurt any more

How did your shopping trip go? Hope it was OK!

 

[gaiagirl]

F eats for SO long too, which is why I fear public outings I think. BFing isn't just a quick 15min thing...if I had to feed him we would be in for the long haul, lol.

We didnt go...it just didnt work out! His nap went long then I had lots of housework to do...and just didnt have the energy. Monday I will have to go...it's almost xmas!

 

[gaiagirl]

DH is coming down with a cold so mine might get difficult real soon! He's quarantined using the guest bed and bath now. Ugh last thing we need!

Also major pumping fail tonight! I thought I would try and pump for the first time to start freezing some backup milk...

So F sometimes feeds off both sides or sometimes just one depending how hungry he is. Tonight before bed he had one full side and was sleepy so I put him down in his bassinet and he fell asleep. Ok, so I thought I would pump the other side and freeze it. I got 2oz, less than I thought but whatever.

Well, of course he wakes up less than an hour later hungry! He was frustrated that the supply wasn't what he is used to, he was thrashing around so irritated! So I thought ok I'll just give him the milk in a bottle...well - he FLIPPED out about the bottle. I was surprised because he's had a few (his first 48 hrs of life though) and takes a pacifier.

Anyways it took like 90 min of eating on empty boobs to fill him up and he's now asleep so hopefully he sleeps long enough for them to fill up! FXd!

On a positive note - went shopping today and left baby home with DH (now in hindsight probably a bad plan with the germs). Felt good and so weird to be alone!

 

[Pusscat]

Gaia - the same happened to me last week! It's really worrying when you think you're empty. Sounds like Mr F got all he needed tgough , just took some sucking to get it all '. Luckily when it happened with me I had a funny feeling she might wake up so I didn't completely empty the boob. This morning when she woke up at 5:30 she only ate for 20 mins and her next feed didn't take too long either - hurray! She's been 'talking' so much the past few days, blowing bubbles and making a kind of 'th' sound It's so funny to watch. And she's so pleased with herself when she does it, she has a big grin on her face.

Feeding in public - yep, same here! I went for a walk the other week with friends who have similar age babies. We went to a pub after the walk and they all got out their bottles and fed their baby. Emilia wasn't asking for milk to start with but then started grizzling but I didn't want to feed her as I knew we had nearly finished our drinks and wouldn't be there for another hour. Felt I had to explain myself about why I was leaving my baby to cry when all the other bottle fed babies were full and content We had to leave before the others in the end as her crying was just getting too much.

 

[gaiagirl]

Ugh last night F slept 11-2:30 (usually it's 4 hours) but then would NOT go back to sleep until 5!!!!!!!!! Usually it's an hour or maybe 90min but two and a half hours!?! Anyone else have this issue at night? I feel like almost 6 weeks is kinda old for that?! Maybe I am delusional!

 

[seaweed eater]

Hi everyone

Gaia, did you make it out shopping today? I'm sorry you had that experience with pumping/giving a bottle. The few times Munchkin has refused a bottle have all been when he's been pretty hungry. He's much more amenable when he's just starting to show hunger signs...I think if we wait too long he gets too grouchy and just wants a boob. Not that it can always be helped, of course.

I'm sorry he was awake for so long, you poor thing We did have times where he would be up for an hour and a half to two hours (I think never 2 1/2!). I honestly can't remember when he stopped doing it, but it may very well have been as late as six weeks. I do feel like things were mostly unpredictable and all over the place until about 10 weeks, when he finally started going to bed at a more consistent time and sleeping 5 hours almost every night. (And from there it was VERY quick to get to 7 hours almost every night, which I LOVE!) Sorry, I know that doesn't really help you now, though!

Pusscat, have the long feedings settled down for you at all yet? I'm glad she's been talking and blowing bubbles and in a good mood

Smawfl, my DH keeps saying to Munchkin, "Fourth trimester is over now, you have to be a big boy and start walking and talking and going to school" happy 12 weeks to Alexia tomorrow! How are you both doing?

We are doing well here...this week has been hard on me for reasons mostly unrelated to Munchkin, but he has been a delight. He did have what I hope was his 3 month growth spurt, where he was grumpy for a couple of days and slept badly during the night in between, but it wasn't that bad. On the other hand, I weighed him today and he hasn't gained as quickly as I would have thought, so maybe the growth spurt is still to come.

He's really becoming more fun to spend time with though. He enjoys being sat upright so we spend a lot of time with him sitting on my lap, or with his back against my knees and his feet at my chest. He's really enjoying books, music, and toys, and he's starting to get better control of his hands. And lots of talking! No sign of rolling or pushing up on his tummy yet though...I wonder if there's any truth to the idea that bigger babies hit those physical milestones later.

He has gotten VERY slobbery lately though. Pusscat and Smawfl, are you finding the same thing? I wonder if it's the start of teething. I know we don't expect a tooth until 6 months or so, but I read recently that teething can actually begin months before the tooth emerges, which I didn't know before. Or maybe he's just slobbery

 

[gaiagirl]

Seaweed I can't wait for toys, smiles and interaction! I get smiles when he's just fed and is sleepy but not yet when he is awake and alert! Just scowls as stares, lol!

What do you ladies think of not changing the diaper in the night? I often use disposables overnight even though we use cloth mostly...and I feel like changing him at 2am is too much stimulation for him. It tells him it's wake up time! If he is comfy I am considering NOT changing in the night.

 

[seaweed eater]

Gaia there is so much good stuff ahead of you! I can't wait until he starts to interact with you more. Lots of fun.

We change diapers at night if he poops, but almost never otherwise. Only if there's a leak. It's only been a few weeks since he stopped pooping during the night, though. I agree, it can be very stimulating.

 

[gaiagirl]

He is such a poopy baby there's almost ALWAYS a tiny smidge lol. But the big poops are definitely in the daytime and I always slather him with some kind of barrier...so I'm going to try no change tonight! FXd!

 

[anneliese]

Hey everyone, sorry for the late reply. Hope everyone is doing well. Everything is good so far over here. NT scan results were normal, so I'm happy about that. I also had a short scan last week, so it was nice to see the baby again. And before I forget to mention, the doctor doing my NT scan said "probably" and "big chance" it's a boy. I was only 12 weeks, so I know it's early, but I feel like it's a boy too. I did have a preference for a girl, but I know I'll love the baby the same either way

Anyway, here is the scan pic from 12 weeks. It's just the head, but I was lucky to get this because the doctor didn't offer anything at first, I had to ask.

 

[minimoocow]

Anneliese - Great scan pic he looks super cute - Love his little nose!

Now you are past the 12 week mark does everyone know or are you planning a Christmas annoucement?

 

[Pusscat]

Aw, Anneliese, that's a lovely scan photo It's a great shot of his profile. Looks like a boy to me Glad all is well with you and baby. Will you be finding out the sex at the next scan?

Gaia - hope you had a restful and poop-free night! We don't change during the night and I don't think she's ever pooped at night, thank goodness! I'm sure we had a couple of nights like you describe. As seaweed said though, you will hopefully find Mr F makes great progress suddenly.

Seaweed - I think the feeds have settled down now. And she's back to having an afternoon nap, thank goodness! I took her into school again today and she was a lot better. Still a got grizzly but not the uncontrollable crying like last week. I kept her in the sling. I fed her from a bottle for the first time while I was there. It was pretty weird but she gulped it down happily.

Slobbering - yes, she can get very very drooly! She loves it though, she loves blowing bubbles in it! Really hope it's not teething already!

 

[Pusscat]

Hi mini :wave::wave:

I've just realised it's Emilia's conception anniversary! I know how DH would like to celebrate but we've yet to properly have sex. We've tried a few times but I've found it too uncomfortable. Are all you mums back to normal with that side of things? I'm not missing it especially but want to feel that closeness again.

 

[smawfl]

Hi Decemberists!

Alexia slept for 8 hours last night

Gaia - Well done on getting F to sleep on his own! We've managed a few times to get Alexia to nap on her own, but sometimes she's overtired and just wont settle without a little cuddle.

When we all go up to bed she always falls asleep in her moses basket on her own though, usually with some white noise but generally after a feed she'll fall asleep on her own.

Well done for leaving F-I've still not left A and the thought terrifies me! We were at my in laws at the weekend and MIL suggested DH and I leave A with her while we popped out - i panicked!

I think if I had time to get used to the idea I would have been ok but it was sprung on me and I didnt want to leave her!

We stopped changing nappies during the night around F's age - unless of course it's a pooy one. Try it tonight and see how you get on

Pusscat - how is the growth spurt?

A has been really chatty too! Got her on video, I'll post it on the facebook page, its so funny!

Happy conception anniversary! We've not DTD yet so definitely not back to normal yet. we both really want to and even had dreams about it but it's not happend yet. Like you I miss the closeness. Glad we're not the only ones!

Seaweed - we are doing great, i can't believe A is 12 we weeks today. I also cant believe we are still BF. I really didnt expect to make it this far and have to say i'm loving it. Feels great to be able to do this for her, and love the snuggles while she is feeding

Sorry you;ve had a tough week!

I had A weighed yesterday - she's now 11lbs 11.5oz! big girl! Still following between the 25th and 50th centile so pleased with that

Alexia loves sitting up too, and she pushes up on her legs all the time shes got such strength! She even 'walked' up my body the other day!

Yes She's more slobbery too, she tries to put her whole fist in her mouth and sucks her thumb. I thought teething too - she had red cheeks the other day too. My health visitor said they can show signs of teething way before any teeth come through.

Anneliese - what a lovely scan pic, glad all is well - i think too!

Mini - how are you doing?

Are you getting your LO's Xmas gifts? We got A a bouncer the other week so that's kind of her Xmas pressie but she doesn't know what's going on so we probably wont specifically get or wrap anything. She will be getting lots of gifts anyway from relatives so I know she will be very spoilt!

 

[gaiagirl]

Anneliese - Lovely! So exciting to still have a pregnancy on here! LOL

Pusscat - So glad you had a good visit to school! Mr F is so hit or miss in the RS, if he is fed and has a pacifier he likes it but otherwise he gets so fussy. I wear him upright with his little legs out at the bottom, but I always feel like the fabric (mine is a Sakura linen) is cutting into his little knees! Maybe I need to work on technique. He also doesn't like the fabric up too high because he likes his head free to move and look around! LOL For a newborn he sure loves to move his head!

Smawfl - OMG 8 hours I would do such a happy dance! My boobs would be rock hard though, lol. I am glad you have enjoyed BFing. I plan to keep it up a minimum of 12 months (I go back to work at 12/13 months) but honestly I would ideally like to keep a morning and night feed much longer. The immunity factor when he enters daycare would be so awesome! Plus I feel like I may need it emotionally too when he is in daycare, lol.

Last night was a bit different than usual...I have been thinking of trying to get F to sleep earlier than the 10pm we have been doing. It is tough because our house is large and we don't go to bed until 9:30/10 so if he falls asleep earlier it is downstairs in the den with us.

Anyways last night he went to sleep at 9, and i took him up and swaddled/etc and put into the cosleeper at 10 (still asleep). He woke up at 12 though, which is WAY earlier than usual! I didnt change him, just took him into bed and fed him and we both fell asleep pretty quickly until he woke up again at 3. Then he was pretty awake and I did end up changing him, because 9-3 seems like pretty long to me! He was then up until 5 again But then slept 5-8. So I guess I did get like 7 hours or so, just not in long stretches but maybe I am expecting too much for 6 weeks!

He does have a bit of a red bum right around his anus, but I think it is because I slacked on the bum cream yesterday and also had some citrus yesterday...he had a teeny bit of poop on his diaper overnight but again saved the big one for when he woke up!

I have heard over and over that EARLIER bedtimes usually mean longer sleep stretched. I would like to start getting him on an earlier to bed routine after the holidays, but its tough in our house because our beds are so far from where we hang in the evenings...and I am NOT comfortable with him being so far away from us yet!

As for going out --- I left him with DH, and he had just had a huge meal! I would NOT leave him with anyone but DH and maybe MY mom at this point. But honestly probably not even my mom yet...

 

[anneliese]

mini, I told everyone after the NT scan. I figured by 12 weeks we were pretty 'safe' and plus I was really excited and wanted to share with people

Puss, I hope we will find out. At our scan last week the doctor tried to look again, but the cord was in between the baby's legs. Our next scan is mid January, so if the baby cooperates at the next scan we will definitely find out

 

[minimoocow]

Hello ladies

Just popping n to tell you about my docs appointment - all pretty un eventful really. They won't test me until they've done a sa on dh as its cheaper which seemed like a good idea when I was there but afterwards seems odd as even if his sperm is low there could still be problems with me

Anyways sa is ordered and well get a date for that in the new yr then it's back to the docs for the results . . . And keep trying in the meantime . . . Which were not until I'm settled in the new job but . . .

We're now wondering whether to tell people or not. Nobody knows we are trying, that I had a mc earlier this yr etc. we're not sure if telling would be helpful or cause more stress with people keep wanting an update. Ideas pls?!

If I don't get back on her before Xmas hope everyone has a good one. Happy first Christmas to all our decemberist babies from auntie mini!

Xxx