My first night out...
Last night I went to WI (Womens' Institute) and Martin stayed home with Dylan. He bathed him, fed him, and put him to bed without me, and he did a GREAT job. When I got home Dylan was in bed asleep and Martin was playing on the internet and watching Gladiator on TV. The only way it could have been any better is if he had tidied the house up a little bit!
We had the weekly weigh in today, and Dylan is now up to 14 lbs. 10 oz. He's so long though that he doesn't look fat at all. He does have a cute double chin and round little cheeks, but he's a long, lean looking baby.
Dylan also has his first passport. It's a british one, as we were just able to send away for that one and didn't have to make an appointment at the embassy like we'll need to for his American passport. His picture looks so silly, but adorable.
The two of us have been getting steadily better all this week, and now feel almost normal. Dylan had his first ever medicine (Calpol--it's like children's Tylenol I think). It was strawberry flavored, and he LOVED the taste of it. I'm still debating whether or not to start giving him baby rice cereal. I'm so torn! Any advice on that?
Incidentally, I love getting advice from people who already have kids. Having never done this before, I'm a little bit unsure most of the time. Keep the comments coming!!!
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Monday, November 12, 2007
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Dylan's First Trip to the Swimming Pool...
First there was the hassle of waking him up earlier than usual and feeding him VERY quickly. Dad was taking the morning off work to go with us, so we had to be less flexible than usual with his morning sleep. Then there was the adventure of getting him into his Little Swimmers nappy and swim trunks. Then, there was the automatic shower at the Scunthorpe Leisure Centre pool. THEN, we got into the water.
He was a little bit unsure at first--he had never had that much room to move in the water before--well, not for a LONG time anyway. But ten minutes into the whole experience, he was starting to smile. We took him into very shallow water and let him push against the bottom of the pool--he was actually trying to stand up. And he looked so cute in his little swim trunks! Sadly, cameras were not allowed at the pool due to the intense fear of pedophiles, but take my word for it, he was adorable!
Poor little guy is sick now, and so am I. Taking care of a baby when you are sick and want nothing more than to curl up in a ball and sleep for three days is HARD WORK! But we are managing. Last night he screamed for 5 hours straight. He just wanted to be held and would cry if I set him down even for a second. Most of the time he cried if I was holding him, too. Tonight he is still awake and he should have been asleep over an hour ago. Typically, I am on my own since Martin is still at work. But I am just letting him cry, because I'm stressed out and will not be able to calm him down anyway. Can't wait for daddy to come home!
But both of us are on the mend, and once again it's a case of two steps forward and one step back. Just when I start to love being a mother, something happens that makes it incredibly difficult. We'll get over it--just as soon as we can shake this cold!
First there was the hassle of waking him up earlier than usual and feeding him VERY quickly. Dad was taking the morning off work to go with us, so we had to be less flexible than usual with his morning sleep. Then there was the adventure of getting him into his Little Swimmers nappy and swim trunks. Then, there was the automatic shower at the Scunthorpe Leisure Centre pool. THEN, we got into the water.
He was a little bit unsure at first--he had never had that much room to move in the water before--well, not for a LONG time anyway. But ten minutes into the whole experience, he was starting to smile. We took him into very shallow water and let him push against the bottom of the pool--he was actually trying to stand up. And he looked so cute in his little swim trunks! Sadly, cameras were not allowed at the pool due to the intense fear of pedophiles, but take my word for it, he was adorable!
Poor little guy is sick now, and so am I. Taking care of a baby when you are sick and want nothing more than to curl up in a ball and sleep for three days is HARD WORK! But we are managing. Last night he screamed for 5 hours straight. He just wanted to be held and would cry if I set him down even for a second. Most of the time he cried if I was holding him, too. Tonight he is still awake and he should have been asleep over an hour ago. Typically, I am on my own since Martin is still at work. But I am just letting him cry, because I'm stressed out and will not be able to calm him down anyway. Can't wait for daddy to come home!
But both of us are on the mend, and once again it's a case of two steps forward and one step back. Just when I start to love being a mother, something happens that makes it incredibly difficult. We'll get over it--just as soon as we can shake this cold!
Sunday, November 04, 2007
An amazing night...
Last night Dylan went to sleep at 9:30 and he slept until, get this, 7:20 am! He slept all night long! Of course, since I am breastfeeding him, I did NOT sleep all night long. But I didn't wake up until 5:30 am, and I just expressed some milk and made sure Dylan was still breathing.
The little man got moved into his nursery on Wednesday night. Martin decided to give it a try and promised me he'd be the one to collect him for his middle of the night feed (since that was my main objection to moving him into his own room--I didn't want to have to go all the way in there to get him for his feeds). He seems to settle so much better in there, and it is actually easier for me and Martin too. Though that first night was strange. It was so weird to be alone with Martin in our bedroom as Dylan has been with us for two months straight now.
We went to the Ulceby village auction this weekend, and a good time was had by all. We got a box of childrens' books, a new stand lamp, and a box full of various bags, and it was all a bit of a bargain.
Dylan and I also went and visited with my friend Sam. She is 37 weeks pregnant and has really bad SPD. She has been housebound for the last 4 weeks, and I think we were both really grateful for adult company (her husband is at work all day on Fridays and Saturdays as well).
So that's the update, and everyone enjoy the pictures!!!
Last night Dylan went to sleep at 9:30 and he slept until, get this, 7:20 am! He slept all night long! Of course, since I am breastfeeding him, I did NOT sleep all night long. But I didn't wake up until 5:30 am, and I just expressed some milk and made sure Dylan was still breathing.
The little man got moved into his nursery on Wednesday night. Martin decided to give it a try and promised me he'd be the one to collect him for his middle of the night feed (since that was my main objection to moving him into his own room--I didn't want to have to go all the way in there to get him for his feeds). He seems to settle so much better in there, and it is actually easier for me and Martin too. Though that first night was strange. It was so weird to be alone with Martin in our bedroom as Dylan has been with us for two months straight now.
We went to the Ulceby village auction this weekend, and a good time was had by all. We got a box of childrens' books, a new stand lamp, and a box full of various bags, and it was all a bit of a bargain.
Dylan and I also went and visited with my friend Sam. She is 37 weeks pregnant and has really bad SPD. She has been housebound for the last 4 weeks, and I think we were both really grateful for adult company (her husband is at work all day on Fridays and Saturdays as well).
So that's the update, and everyone enjoy the pictures!!!
Monday, October 29, 2007
Two steps forward and one step back...
Typing this from the Mundays' house, and this is the first time all day I haven't had a screaming baby on my hands. We seem to have a couple of really great days, and then a terrible one. I got a phone call in the morning that woke Dylan up from his nap, and he didn't go to sleep for the rest of the day. He was awake about an hour and a half before he normally gets up, and boy did he let me know about it. He's been so tired all day, but he would NOT go to sleep.
We are over here doing fun family home evening Halloween things. I am making spider cider and scary dogs--fun stuff! I'm having to improvise, but it should still be good. It all takes me back...I miss Halloween as a child. I can hardly wait until Dylan is old enough to dress up and take trick or treating!
Typing this from the Mundays' house, and this is the first time all day I haven't had a screaming baby on my hands. We seem to have a couple of really great days, and then a terrible one. I got a phone call in the morning that woke Dylan up from his nap, and he didn't go to sleep for the rest of the day. He was awake about an hour and a half before he normally gets up, and boy did he let me know about it. He's been so tired all day, but he would NOT go to sleep.
We are over here doing fun family home evening Halloween things. I am making spider cider and scary dogs--fun stuff! I'm having to improvise, but it should still be good. It all takes me back...I miss Halloween as a child. I can hardly wait until Dylan is old enough to dress up and take trick or treating!
Saturday, October 27, 2007
Ahh, the bliss of a routine...
I never thought I would be rushing home every night to get here by 8:30 so I could bathe my baby. I never in a million years thought that I would be so inflexible, dropping everything so we didn't mess up his bedtime routine. But I do now!
It's just shy of 10 pm, and Dylan is asleep. This is good, but is the result of nearly 2 hours of hard work and effort, all to get him to sleep until 2:30 or 3 am. We start his bed time routine some time between 8 and 8:30, and he is usually asleep by 9 or 9:30. It is hard work to keep my little man happy, and if leaving right in the middle of a game or turning the television off in the middle of my favorite program is what it takes, I'll do it. If we break from his established routine, even for a single night, Dylan is a nightmare for the next two days. It's all good for Martin, he's at work all day. But I pay for it, and it's not pretty. I just don't think Martin understands that!
Dylan's weekly weigh in was good--he's tipping the scales at 13 lbs. 8 oz. He also had his first round of immunizations on Friday. He was SO good--he only cried for a few minutes (I fed him right after he had the shots--that always shuts him up!) and was just a little bit cranky that night. He's got more shots in 4 weeks, and then more when he's 16 weeks old.
We're doing well--all of us. I'm not looking forward to tomorrow. The choir are singing, and our pianist has had surgery and will probably not be there. So I will be playing the piano for sacrament meeting AND for the choir to sing, and it's complicated with Dylan. He is usually doe for a feed during sacrament meeting, and cries like crazy. Last week the choir sang as well, and it was a farce--nobody paid attention to our singing because they were too busy watching my baby get passed around to three or four different people as he was crying and inconsolable. I really need to be released, but so far nobody seems to see that except me and Martin--and Dylan, of course!
Need to wrap things up here--I need some beauty sleep desperately! I think I would do just about anything for a full night's sleep--or even about 6 hours uninterrupted. But I'll settle for my beautiful baby boy and the three hour blocks I'm currently getting.
I never thought I would be rushing home every night to get here by 8:30 so I could bathe my baby. I never in a million years thought that I would be so inflexible, dropping everything so we didn't mess up his bedtime routine. But I do now!
It's just shy of 10 pm, and Dylan is asleep. This is good, but is the result of nearly 2 hours of hard work and effort, all to get him to sleep until 2:30 or 3 am. We start his bed time routine some time between 8 and 8:30, and he is usually asleep by 9 or 9:30. It is hard work to keep my little man happy, and if leaving right in the middle of a game or turning the television off in the middle of my favorite program is what it takes, I'll do it. If we break from his established routine, even for a single night, Dylan is a nightmare for the next two days. It's all good for Martin, he's at work all day. But I pay for it, and it's not pretty. I just don't think Martin understands that!
Dylan's weekly weigh in was good--he's tipping the scales at 13 lbs. 8 oz. He also had his first round of immunizations on Friday. He was SO good--he only cried for a few minutes (I fed him right after he had the shots--that always shuts him up!) and was just a little bit cranky that night. He's got more shots in 4 weeks, and then more when he's 16 weeks old.
We're doing well--all of us. I'm not looking forward to tomorrow. The choir are singing, and our pianist has had surgery and will probably not be there. So I will be playing the piano for sacrament meeting AND for the choir to sing, and it's complicated with Dylan. He is usually doe for a feed during sacrament meeting, and cries like crazy. Last week the choir sang as well, and it was a farce--nobody paid attention to our singing because they were too busy watching my baby get passed around to three or four different people as he was crying and inconsolable. I really need to be released, but so far nobody seems to see that except me and Martin--and Dylan, of course!
Need to wrap things up here--I need some beauty sleep desperately! I think I would do just about anything for a full night's sleep--or even about 6 hours uninterrupted. But I'll settle for my beautiful baby boy and the three hour blocks I'm currently getting.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
This motherhood gig...
I think I'm finally starting to enjoy this motherhood thing. It's only taken me two months to get to this point, but I'm happy to be here.
Don't get me wrong--it's still the hardest thing I've ever done. Dylan still isn't easy to take care of and I still sometimes resent the fact that I have virtually NO time to myself. I hate that I am having to type this with one hand. But there are brief moments every day that make it worth all the difficulty. Like right now, when my beautiful little man is snuggled up in my arms, snoring gently in my ear.
Dylan is completely dependent on me-especially since he is breast-fed! And while the world thinks he is not capable of feeling something as complicated as love, his face lights up when he hears my voice. He smiles for me when I look at him. He doesn't do that for anybody else, and if that's not love, I don't know what is!
I think I'm finally starting to enjoy this motherhood thing. It's only taken me two months to get to this point, but I'm happy to be here.
Don't get me wrong--it's still the hardest thing I've ever done. Dylan still isn't easy to take care of and I still sometimes resent the fact that I have virtually NO time to myself. I hate that I am having to type this with one hand. But there are brief moments every day that make it worth all the difficulty. Like right now, when my beautiful little man is snuggled up in my arms, snoring gently in my ear.
Dylan is completely dependent on me-especially since he is breast-fed! And while the world thinks he is not capable of feeling something as complicated as love, his face lights up when he hears my voice. He smiles for me when I look at him. He doesn't do that for anybody else, and if that's not love, I don't know what is!
Monday, October 22, 2007
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
An exciting weekend!
Martin whisked me and Dylan away to London for the weekend, and it was GREAT! We are paying for it now as Dylan's routine was totally disrupted and he's been a nightmare all day, but it was so nice to get out of the house for a little while. Dylan may need his routine, but it's boring the life out of me.
We stayed at a lovely little B&B called Springwell Barn that was a close drive to a Tube station. We started off early(ish) on Sunday morning to arrive in greater London at about 1 pm. We were in the City for about 2, and met up with our friend Adam and met his girlfriend Marie for the first time. We wandered, saw the sights, ate dinner at the greatest Chinese restaurant on the planet, etc.
Dylan was really good on Sunday, and was great on Monday until about 3 pm. Then he just got fed up of being in his sling and was pretty much a cranky beast for the rest of the day. We even struggled on the car journey home. But Dylan got fed in some interesting places, and changed in some even MORE interesting ones (how many people can say they had their diaper changed on the grass outside Westminster Abbey?).
I'll try to get some pictures posted later this week. Right now I need to get Dylan ready for his bath. He should be waking up for his last feed of the night soon. Just wanted to let everyone know that we are still doing well!
Martin whisked me and Dylan away to London for the weekend, and it was GREAT! We are paying for it now as Dylan's routine was totally disrupted and he's been a nightmare all day, but it was so nice to get out of the house for a little while. Dylan may need his routine, but it's boring the life out of me.
We stayed at a lovely little B&B called Springwell Barn that was a close drive to a Tube station. We started off early(ish) on Sunday morning to arrive in greater London at about 1 pm. We were in the City for about 2, and met up with our friend Adam and met his girlfriend Marie for the first time. We wandered, saw the sights, ate dinner at the greatest Chinese restaurant on the planet, etc.
Dylan was really good on Sunday, and was great on Monday until about 3 pm. Then he just got fed up of being in his sling and was pretty much a cranky beast for the rest of the day. We even struggled on the car journey home. But Dylan got fed in some interesting places, and changed in some even MORE interesting ones (how many people can say they had their diaper changed on the grass outside Westminster Abbey?).
I'll try to get some pictures posted later this week. Right now I need to get Dylan ready for his bath. He should be waking up for his last feed of the night soon. Just wanted to let everyone know that we are still doing well!
Thursday, October 11, 2007
The Weekly Weigh-In...
The health visitor came in yesterday and took Dylan's vital statistics. He is 23 inches long and weighs 12 lbs. 2 oz. He gained a full pound last week. It's a good thing he did, considering how much I've fed him in the last five days. He has about three hours every day when all he wants me to do is feed him.
Today we celebrated me being able to drive again by going into Alan Dick and showing him off. All the ladies ooohed and ahhed over Dylan--he was quite charming. It was so great to be able to drive again, and we did a little bit of shopping while we were in town any way. Seriously, so nice to get away from Barton for a few hours. I've felt like a virtual prisoner since about 2 weeks before Dylan was born.
We've got choir tonight, and I'm not looking forward to it at all. Last week was a nightmare!!! Pam, the choir pianist, has health problems and can't always make it. Well, whe wasn't there last weekand I spent 1 1/2 hours trying to feed Dylan (that's his fussy time of night), teach new songs to the choir, and play the piano all at once. Not to mention we don't get home until WAY past Dylan's bed time and it throws his routine all off! Plus, I've got the Christmas program to contend with and nobody in the choir will help me with it, or even give me any ideas. I so need to be released!
I've been seriously getting into the motherhood thing this week! Dylan and I are getting more used to each other, and he recognizes the sound of my voice now. He is smiling at me big time now, and staying home with him is much more rewarding now. I'm actually beginning to feel like a competent mother, and I could seriously get used to the way that feels. Not to mention the fact that he occasionaly lets me set him down now so I can get a few things done around the house.
I can't believe the little man is six weeks old. And I can't believe it's taken me this long to be OK with being his mommy!
The health visitor came in yesterday and took Dylan's vital statistics. He is 23 inches long and weighs 12 lbs. 2 oz. He gained a full pound last week. It's a good thing he did, considering how much I've fed him in the last five days. He has about three hours every day when all he wants me to do is feed him.
Today we celebrated me being able to drive again by going into Alan Dick and showing him off. All the ladies ooohed and ahhed over Dylan--he was quite charming. It was so great to be able to drive again, and we did a little bit of shopping while we were in town any way. Seriously, so nice to get away from Barton for a few hours. I've felt like a virtual prisoner since about 2 weeks before Dylan was born.
We've got choir tonight, and I'm not looking forward to it at all. Last week was a nightmare!!! Pam, the choir pianist, has health problems and can't always make it. Well, whe wasn't there last weekand I spent 1 1/2 hours trying to feed Dylan (that's his fussy time of night), teach new songs to the choir, and play the piano all at once. Not to mention we don't get home until WAY past Dylan's bed time and it throws his routine all off! Plus, I've got the Christmas program to contend with and nobody in the choir will help me with it, or even give me any ideas. I so need to be released!
I've been seriously getting into the motherhood thing this week! Dylan and I are getting more used to each other, and he recognizes the sound of my voice now. He is smiling at me big time now, and staying home with him is much more rewarding now. I'm actually beginning to feel like a competent mother, and I could seriously get used to the way that feels. Not to mention the fact that he occasionaly lets me set him down now so I can get a few things done around the house.
I can't believe the little man is six weeks old. And I can't believe it's taken me this long to be OK with being his mommy!
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Good News...
Martin isn't going to work at Winteringham Fields any more. He resolved things with the owner at The Place (Nadine--Sally the psycho one sold her share to Nadine. That's part of the reason he decided to stay). I'm so relieved. Martin is happy with the changes that are planned so isn't too upset about not going, and it will be so much better for our family! Hooray!
Martin isn't going to work at Winteringham Fields any more. He resolved things with the owner at The Place (Nadine--Sally the psycho one sold her share to Nadine. That's part of the reason he decided to stay). I'm so relieved. Martin is happy with the changes that are planned so isn't too upset about not going, and it will be so much better for our family! Hooray!
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Lots to tell and not much time to tell it!
Numero Uno: Dylan is gaining weight! He is now 11lb 2oz. that is a gain of 7oz. weight gain rules
OK that's that out of the way. the other good news is that Dylan sleeps. a lot. i left for work at 8.30 and he was still asleep at 11. then when he fell asleep at 2 he didn't wake up again until 5.30! Woo hoo!
We also had a company come and look at our roof today and to our surprise and relief it isn't going to cost thousands of pounds! instead, it is only going to cost a hundred. and it may only take and our or two. Yay! I just love saving money.
On a less great scale, job stuff is up in the air again. We now only have one person in charge and she is actually going to be involved and try and improve things and - amazingly enough - spend some money. So we are having a serious rethink about me going to winteringham fields.
that is all for now I think. Catch y'all later (that y'all was with an English accent!)
Numero Uno: Dylan is gaining weight! He is now 11lb 2oz. that is a gain of 7oz. weight gain rules
OK that's that out of the way. the other good news is that Dylan sleeps. a lot. i left for work at 8.30 and he was still asleep at 11. then when he fell asleep at 2 he didn't wake up again until 5.30! Woo hoo!
We also had a company come and look at our roof today and to our surprise and relief it isn't going to cost thousands of pounds! instead, it is only going to cost a hundred. and it may only take and our or two. Yay! I just love saving money.
On a less great scale, job stuff is up in the air again. We now only have one person in charge and she is actually going to be involved and try and improve things and - amazingly enough - spend some money. So we are having a serious rethink about me going to winteringham fields.
that is all for now I think. Catch y'all later (that y'all was with an English accent!)
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