Saturday, November 18, 2006
bath
During his bath this morning, Leon.... well he had a little tinkle... so I thought that I would risk leaving him nappyless for a while :) After drying him off, I wrapped him in a dry towel and he just looked adorable :)
Leon in the kitchen
A couple of nights ago, Leon just would not sleep. He wouldn't even stop grumbling. So I needed ice-cream. As you can see I put him down while I got it and he decided he was quite comfortable and stopped grumbling. This was fantastic, as it was now 11pm, so I thought it deserved a photo.
First (whole) night in his cot - in his own room.
Yep, last night he slept like a baby. He was excellent, I put him to bed at 7pm, he slept until midnight, fed then 'til 5am fed again, then 'til 9am when we woke up.
Night before last, he went off in the cot but woke up every couple of hours and took ages to settle. By about 3am, I brought him in with us and put him in the moses basket as by then I was fed up with going back and forth. Tonight, it's now gone 9pm and he's fine. He seems perfectly comfortable in his room, his door is open, he can hear us down stairs, he can hear the telly, us talking etc and we can hear him if he cries.
We had a fab morning, bathed him in the bath with me then we left him naked for as long as we dared before putting him his grizzly bear all in one outfit with ears from Baby GAP (gift) - photo to follow, we must take one tomorrow, I doubt he will fit it by next week.
We went into Cambridge to see some Landmark friends at the seminar I helped set up in Cambridge earlier in the year - I couldn't do the seminar cos when they scheduled it, it was starting the week Leon was due. It was nice to show him off. We had lunch with them in the Graduate Centre, food very good in a school dinner sort of way.
Then we went into Cambridge shopping - we had to get passport forms and the photos for Leon's passport and Tob got a jumper. We have to go back tomorrow as we ran out of time what with 2 nappy changes and 2 feeds, one in Starbucks, one in the M&S Cafe.
Originally the idea was we went too Cambridge to buy a breast pump and various other bits from Mothercare with the vouchers we've been given, totally ran out of time. He was either asleep which was fine or crying very insistently for a change/feed making me feel like a bad mum as I made my way quickly to either a feeding spot or a loo with changing facilities.
Lots of people cooing and looking at him, it's amazing how everyone loves a new born.
We headed back to Ely in time for me to change Leon, put him in his jim jams and growbag (Sleeping bag specially for babies), feed him and get him off to sleep by just after 7pm. Lets see how long he goes tonight between feeds or if he can get him self off to sleep - he managed it once last night, I didn't expect it to work but it did. One big difference on the night before last and last night may well be leaving the landing light on, he may feel that we are still around as babies have no sense of where you go when you aren't there. It also means that if I go in to change and feed him in the night, I have just enough light so as not needing to turn the light on in the room so Leon knows it's night time.
Grandma is back home and rang this morning to say she got the album of Leon pics we sent her. She has a few weeks at home to recover from her operation before the big op which with any luck will happen over Christmas. Then in the new year we will be able to bring Leon up for the day. Peter has been printing out our blog for Grandma to read. So here's 3 cheers for Peter and a big Hello to Grandma.
Now, to fill in the passport forms!
Night before last, he went off in the cot but woke up every couple of hours and took ages to settle. By about 3am, I brought him in with us and put him in the moses basket as by then I was fed up with going back and forth. Tonight, it's now gone 9pm and he's fine. He seems perfectly comfortable in his room, his door is open, he can hear us down stairs, he can hear the telly, us talking etc and we can hear him if he cries.
We had a fab morning, bathed him in the bath with me then we left him naked for as long as we dared before putting him his grizzly bear all in one outfit with ears from Baby GAP (gift) - photo to follow, we must take one tomorrow, I doubt he will fit it by next week.
We went into Cambridge to see some Landmark friends at the seminar I helped set up in Cambridge earlier in the year - I couldn't do the seminar cos when they scheduled it, it was starting the week Leon was due. It was nice to show him off. We had lunch with them in the Graduate Centre, food very good in a school dinner sort of way.
Then we went into Cambridge shopping - we had to get passport forms and the photos for Leon's passport and Tob got a jumper. We have to go back tomorrow as we ran out of time what with 2 nappy changes and 2 feeds, one in Starbucks, one in the M&S Cafe.
Originally the idea was we went too Cambridge to buy a breast pump and various other bits from Mothercare with the vouchers we've been given, totally ran out of time. He was either asleep which was fine or crying very insistently for a change/feed making me feel like a bad mum as I made my way quickly to either a feeding spot or a loo with changing facilities.
Lots of people cooing and looking at him, it's amazing how everyone loves a new born.
We headed back to Ely in time for me to change Leon, put him in his jim jams and growbag (Sleeping bag specially for babies), feed him and get him off to sleep by just after 7pm. Lets see how long he goes tonight between feeds or if he can get him self off to sleep - he managed it once last night, I didn't expect it to work but it did. One big difference on the night before last and last night may well be leaving the landing light on, he may feel that we are still around as babies have no sense of where you go when you aren't there. It also means that if I go in to change and feed him in the night, I have just enough light so as not needing to turn the light on in the room so Leon knows it's night time.
Grandma is back home and rang this morning to say she got the album of Leon pics we sent her. She has a few weeks at home to recover from her operation before the big op which with any luck will happen over Christmas. Then in the new year we will be able to bring Leon up for the day. Peter has been printing out our blog for Grandma to read. So here's 3 cheers for Peter and a big Hello to Grandma.
Now, to fill in the passport forms!
Thursday, November 16, 2006
A couple of firsts today; first time out in a papoose and first time in his cot in his own room. I tried the papoose a week or so ago and he was just too floppy where as now he's a bit bigger and it worked really well. Sarah Y and I went into town, I put our car seat in the back of her car and as her car can't fit both buggies I thought I'd try the papoose. We walked into town, down to Starbucks, fed our little ones had a hot chocolate, met other mums with babies. Leon quite happily fell asleep with the motion of walking. He's been asleep in his Growbag, in his own cot now for just less than an hour, whether or not he stays there all night remains to be seen, so far so good. Last night I tried him but he just wouldn't settle or sleep so at 9.30 I took him out of the grow bag and went back to blankets, He was probably too warm so tonight I've used a sleep suit without feet which seems to have done the trick. Leon only settled to sleep by midnight last night. It seems that if I get him asleep by 7-8pm, he will sleep all evening, then feed in the early hours, if he's later, he is over tired and goes into angry baby mode which means he's awake until midnight. This is just a theory and as we all know, everything is a phase, so we shall see if I'm even in the right ball park.Until I've done this a few times I doubt I'll really relax as such. I just had a couple of swigs from Toby's beer, God it tastes good!
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
2 weeks today
This was taken in hospital when Leon was just 6 hours old. I like it, we made it into a photo for the Grandparents and great-grandma but I thought it deserved to be blogged as I look half decent for a change.I'm shattered. I had a nice day, the afternoon with Sarah the Goth and her two, Matthew fell asleep on me, he's lovely and warm, a bit heavier than Leon but very cuddly. It's nice to have Sarah round, we manage a combination of Mum talk and totally unrelated subjects too.
2 weeks today! growing and changing, already spending more time awake and posing challenges for us, each day is different.
Leon won't settle again this evening, wide awake, I've tried various tactics but he isn't interested. I'll be going to bed fairly soon, tob's trying to get him off to sleep, he seems happy to do it, he gets to spend some time with Leon so fair enough.
Sarah brought me round some photo corners (I still owe her a fiver, mustn't forget) I was planning on using my evening to do the album Miche bought for Leon, no such luck!
Yep, I'm off to bed early, it could be a long night...
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Last night I tried starting the old bath and bed routine, so that Tob could spend some quality time with Leon. It went a bit pear shaped and because it shifted Leons bed time back an hour or two he was over tired and he didn't settle, in fact that's an understatement we were into arms and legs kung fu by midnight with inconsolable crying. At one point I put him down on the bed, cos I didn't know what to do with him or what the matter was and he kung fu'd himself sideways across the bed, most impressive. Made me laugh.
By 1am I said that's it, he can't keep his arms or legs still and he's keeping himself awake so I'm swaddling him. This really pissed him off but I stuck a boob in his mouth which shut him up and 20-30mins later he was fast asleep in the moses basket and slept through until Tob's alarm went off at 6.30.
Today he's been an angel and is spending a couple of hours awake and just looking around, wiggling and chirping away to himself.
I had a plan for when Tob got home from work so we could get him asleep between 7pm and 8pm and give Tob some time with him considering he doesn't get home until 6.45pm, i was trying to hand Toby Leon clean fed and ready for bed so he could cuddle him to sleep and put him down. Tob was upset that I was telling him what to do and he didn't get a say in what time he would get with Leon, in the end Tobe couldn't settle him and it was down to me to settle him. We talked about it and Tob would prefer to get him ready for bed when he gets home. I got him doing the wrong bit. It's still all trial and error and it doesn't help that Tob's just upset cos he misses Leon all day, I really understand that must be hard for him, I'd be upset too.
Tob and I had some cuddle time and a chance to talk about our days and what we wanted to do with the evening re. getting home from work and Leon time as appose to my trying to work out what was best without asking Tob.
Thanks to Ellen and Dan for coming round this afternoon for lunch and for doing the recycling and a bit of tidying up while I fed Leon. Bigup for Grandparents.
By 1am I said that's it, he can't keep his arms or legs still and he's keeping himself awake so I'm swaddling him. This really pissed him off but I stuck a boob in his mouth which shut him up and 20-30mins later he was fast asleep in the moses basket and slept through until Tob's alarm went off at 6.30.
Today he's been an angel and is spending a couple of hours awake and just looking around, wiggling and chirping away to himself.
I had a plan for when Tob got home from work so we could get him asleep between 7pm and 8pm and give Tob some time with him considering he doesn't get home until 6.45pm, i was trying to hand Toby Leon clean fed and ready for bed so he could cuddle him to sleep and put him down. Tob was upset that I was telling him what to do and he didn't get a say in what time he would get with Leon, in the end Tobe couldn't settle him and it was down to me to settle him. We talked about it and Tob would prefer to get him ready for bed when he gets home. I got him doing the wrong bit. It's still all trial and error and it doesn't help that Tob's just upset cos he misses Leon all day, I really understand that must be hard for him, I'd be upset too.
Tob and I had some cuddle time and a chance to talk about our days and what we wanted to do with the evening re. getting home from work and Leon time as appose to my trying to work out what was best without asking Tob.
Thanks to Ellen and Dan for coming round this afternoon for lunch and for doing the recycling and a bit of tidying up while I fed Leon. Bigup for Grandparents.
Little Roo!
Had to take a snap 'cos he's practically too big for this now - probably the last time he'll wear it, which is a pity 'cos it's so cute and of course Christine loves him in it as it's her nickname :)
stuff
Christine took this last night... took us *ages* to get him to sleep
He seems to be noticing his suroundings more
What a cutie :)
He seems to be noticing his suroundings more
What a cutie :)
'late nite' thoughts
Well it feels late, even though it's only half ten. It's been a long day, up at 6.30, cycle to the station, ugg. Get to work to find out there's been a reorganisation. Changes for me:
* I'm gonna be doing more 1st line support, rather than 2nd line. ie getting to know the customers more and dealing with them directly, rather than looking at software bugs. Might be doing bugs again in 6m, we'll see. Might either have staff or work with a team then too, again we'll see. It's a bit different to what I was expecting, and it means an even sharper learning curve but it does mean they're confident I can take it on, which is good.
* I'm moving desk, to be with the hardware support guys. This is good as although I like the people I'm sitting near, work wise I was isolated.
* Instead of 2 bosses, I've got one boss and the second boss has become his boss. So that's all for the better. They're both good bosses in their ways, so that really helps, though my direct line boss has been absent on other projects pretty much all the time I've been there so far! He should be around more from next week on though, which will be good.
So, in the spirit of things, I got Sunrise, the help desk software we use (it logs customer calls) and asked Ines, the customer help desk contact lady (I'm sure she has a more official title) to start routing calls through me as had been decided. We got 3 today, two were dealt with by John who was on site at the time anyway, but the other I took down to James who phoned the customer and I listened in, taking notes (basically I was tuning in to what he asked, with a view to creating a sort of check-list).
This call went on quite late, and I didn't leave until 6 - home at about 7.15. But it was good to really get involved - up to now I'd really done little else but read manuals and write up my notes on how to install/configure the software (which is useful, but I did feel I wasn't very involved with the day-to-day support work).
Generously, Christine had started cooking when I'd phoned to say I'd be later than ususal, and she had a nice veggie pasta bowl waiting for me - the timer went about 10 seconds after I walked in the door, how's that for timing!
After that I changed Leon, and we bathed him, C fed him then I burped him and laid him on me to settle. Except that he didn't. Was he too hot? Too cold? Bored? Overtired? We didn't know. Eventually I gave him back to C who fed him some more. Neither of us can believe how much that lad can feed. Apparently they don't over-feed themselves, and he was weighed today (8lb 4oz) and he's just right for his age. I'm not convinced though, I'm sure he just likes guzzling - at the moment C's falling asleap and so is he, but he's not giving up!
I should probably go to bed myself, starting to yawn, but just wanted a little bit of time to myself.
Before I forget, yesterday I was talking to my dad about car seats (we'd just fitted one to their car so M could take C round to register L today) and I mentioned how stable the one in our car was because it was isofix'd. I said that I supposed car seats were all held in by seatbelts before isofix was invented but my dad said no... when I was a lad there were no seatbelts in the back of cars! I don't know what everyone else back then did but my dad did his own bit of isofixing and bolted my carseat to the chassis of his car - cor!
* I'm gonna be doing more 1st line support, rather than 2nd line. ie getting to know the customers more and dealing with them directly, rather than looking at software bugs. Might be doing bugs again in 6m, we'll see. Might either have staff or work with a team then too, again we'll see. It's a bit different to what I was expecting, and it means an even sharper learning curve but it does mean they're confident I can take it on, which is good.
* I'm moving desk, to be with the hardware support guys. This is good as although I like the people I'm sitting near, work wise I was isolated.
* Instead of 2 bosses, I've got one boss and the second boss has become his boss. So that's all for the better. They're both good bosses in their ways, so that really helps, though my direct line boss has been absent on other projects pretty much all the time I've been there so far! He should be around more from next week on though, which will be good.
So, in the spirit of things, I got Sunrise, the help desk software we use (it logs customer calls) and asked Ines, the customer help desk contact lady (I'm sure she has a more official title) to start routing calls through me as had been decided. We got 3 today, two were dealt with by John who was on site at the time anyway, but the other I took down to James who phoned the customer and I listened in, taking notes (basically I was tuning in to what he asked, with a view to creating a sort of check-list).
This call went on quite late, and I didn't leave until 6 - home at about 7.15. But it was good to really get involved - up to now I'd really done little else but read manuals and write up my notes on how to install/configure the software (which is useful, but I did feel I wasn't very involved with the day-to-day support work).
Generously, Christine had started cooking when I'd phoned to say I'd be later than ususal, and she had a nice veggie pasta bowl waiting for me - the timer went about 10 seconds after I walked in the door, how's that for timing!
After that I changed Leon, and we bathed him, C fed him then I burped him and laid him on me to settle. Except that he didn't. Was he too hot? Too cold? Bored? Overtired? We didn't know. Eventually I gave him back to C who fed him some more. Neither of us can believe how much that lad can feed. Apparently they don't over-feed themselves, and he was weighed today (8lb 4oz) and he's just right for his age. I'm not convinced though, I'm sure he just likes guzzling - at the moment C's falling asleap and so is he, but he's not giving up!
I should probably go to bed myself, starting to yawn, but just wanted a little bit of time to myself.
Before I forget, yesterday I was talking to my dad about car seats (we'd just fitted one to their car so M could take C round to register L today) and I mentioned how stable the one in our car was because it was isofix'd. I said that I supposed car seats were all held in by seatbelts before isofix was invented but my dad said no... when I was a lad there were no seatbelts in the back of cars! I don't know what everyone else back then did but my dad did his own bit of isofixing and bolted my carseat to the chassis of his car - cor!
Monday, November 13, 2006
Tob's just trying to get Leon off to sleep, he's very awake for some reason, even though he's warm, well fed and normally would be fast asleep by now. I had the health visitor visit today, I didn't get many chores done in the morning as Leon was very clingy, I think I've since worked out he might have been a bit cold which would explain him not wanting to be put down and fed alot.The Health Visitor weighed him, he's now 3.74kg/8lbs4oz which is bang on for growth, he's slightly below the middle line, so average size. Tob is about average height so that could explain it.I thought the health visitor was very good and it looks like there's quite a social support structure for 1st time mums in Ely, probably mostly because post natal depression is twice the national average due to the amount of dormitory housing where the mum is stuck up here with no family or friends while Dad works up in London. We luckily have both family and friends but this won't stop me from making the most of the facilities on offer.Then Ellen and I went into town with Leon in his bear suit from Jane, it's very cosy.
We officially registered Leon at the Registry office. His Birth cert should arrive by wednesday they said.'
We then came home for lunch, went back into town, did a bit of shopping and came back again. Leon slept all afternoon in the buggy.Apparently Leon is currently filling his nappy happily, it's not making Tob's job of settling him for the night very easy. We have had a bath, tob got him ready for bed, I fed him and Tob's now settling him. Trouble is Tob's tired and wants some PC time but isn't getting any, he of course wants Leon time too but that's quite tiring in itself.I'm practically falling asleep now (it's 10 to 10) I might just go to bed.
We officially registered Leon at the Registry office. His Birth cert should arrive by wednesday they said.'
We then came home for lunch, went back into town, did a bit of shopping and came back again. Leon slept all afternoon in the buggy.Apparently Leon is currently filling his nappy happily, it's not making Tob's job of settling him for the night very easy. We have had a bath, tob got him ready for bed, I fed him and Tob's now settling him. Trouble is Tob's tired and wants some PC time but isn't getting any, he of course wants Leon time too but that's quite tiring in itself.I'm practically falling asleep now (it's 10 to 10) I might just go to bed.
Sunday, November 12, 2006
Friends and relatives
M&D invited various friends and relatives to lunch & afternoon Leon time.
Everybody showered him with gifts and throught he was adorable :)
There was Gillian (on the right below) and Tom (sorry, didn't snap you Tom) who gave Leon a lovely sleeping toy - a blue donkey called 'Noodle' in a fluffy pocket that plays music :)
Doreen, M&D's neibough who'd got him loads and loads of bibs and clothes :)
Mum made a "Hallo Leon" cake :)
Jane, Grace and Keith came
and Fred, Sylvia and Sue too (that's not Fred, that's Leon, sorry Fred missed you somehow!)
Later my friend Jane came round. It was lovely to see her, she's only in Cambridge but we don't see each other enough, still we have an excuse to invite people round now :)
It was lovely to see everyone - thank you to everyone for the gifts for Leon :)
Everybody showered him with gifts and throught he was adorable :)
There was Gillian (on the right below) and Tom (sorry, didn't snap you Tom) who gave Leon a lovely sleeping toy - a blue donkey called 'Noodle' in a fluffy pocket that plays music :)
Doreen, M&D's neibough who'd got him loads and loads of bibs and clothes :)
Mum made a "Hallo Leon" cake :)
Jane, Grace and Keith came
and Fred, Sylvia and Sue too (that's not Fred, that's Leon, sorry Fred missed you somehow!)
Later my friend Jane came round. It was lovely to see her, she's only in Cambridge but we don't see each other enough, still we have an excuse to invite people round now :)
It was lovely to see everyone - thank you to everyone for the gifts for Leon :)
8pm and he's settled in bed upstairs. About this time I get all emotional and cry with happiness. He's so perfect and I love him so much. I don't mean perfect as in 5 fingers and toes, although that is of course a bonus, I mean perfect in that he's my son, I made him, or rather my body did. I can't explain the bond I feel it's...Love. I put on the CD I'd been playing alot up until I gave birth, Track no 1 is Debussy' Reverie. It took me straight back to the first night in Hospital. I wanted to put the CD on but thought as it was so quiet, even with headphones I might disturb people. It played round and round my head all night that first night, with Leon next to me in a plastic cot. I only dozed, still totally high on happiness, fed him and changed him then he slept on my chest as I dozed, this tune running round my head. I put it on just now and there I am crying with happiness.
It's been quite a day, we went round to M&D's for Sunday lunch Tom and Gillian joined us then after lunch, Toby's Cousin Jane with her partner came round to meet Leon, then Ellen's brother's Keith and Fred with their partners Grace and Fred's partner Sylvia and their daughter Sue. We were given some lovely gifts, also by their neighbour, Doreen. Lots of booty for Leon all good stuff. The most impressive being a hand knitted shawl complete with crochet finishing done by Sylvia's 90 year old mum. Quite a gift.
Later on when the family had all gone, Jane, Tob's flat mate from Crouch End who coincidentally moved to Cambridge just before we moved to Ely, came round to meet Leon and brought him a grizzly bear suit and a really cute baby grow in Orange with a ghost on and it say's BOO! He wasn't quite a Halloween baby but the thought is there, he does look good in orange.
Tob is now watching back the videos on his camera of Leon making noises and changing colour while farting and laughing hysterically (tob is doing the laughing, not the farting). There's a great picture coming where he looks like a pirate in Si and Ali's new outfit they brought round yesterday, how appropriate! I'm sure they will be proud of their choice.
Tob's back to work tomorrow so it will be early to bed - well 10pm I've suggested. Let's hope Leon lets us get some rest. I hope he might feed again about midnight then through until Tob has to wake up at 6.30am. Then both Leon and I can go back to sleep again for a couple of hours before the health visitor at 12 noon (will do tolken tidying of kitchen, the place is more or less straight anyway) followed by registering him and getting a birth certificate for him in town with Ellen. Cheese cake anyone?
It's been quite a day, we went round to M&D's for Sunday lunch Tom and Gillian joined us then after lunch, Toby's Cousin Jane with her partner came round to meet Leon, then Ellen's brother's Keith and Fred with their partners Grace and Fred's partner Sylvia and their daughter Sue. We were given some lovely gifts, also by their neighbour, Doreen. Lots of booty for Leon all good stuff. The most impressive being a hand knitted shawl complete with crochet finishing done by Sylvia's 90 year old mum. Quite a gift.
Later on when the family had all gone, Jane, Tob's flat mate from Crouch End who coincidentally moved to Cambridge just before we moved to Ely, came round to meet Leon and brought him a grizzly bear suit and a really cute baby grow in Orange with a ghost on and it say's BOO! He wasn't quite a Halloween baby but the thought is there, he does look good in orange.
Tob is now watching back the videos on his camera of Leon making noises and changing colour while farting and laughing hysterically (tob is doing the laughing, not the farting). There's a great picture coming where he looks like a pirate in Si and Ali's new outfit they brought round yesterday, how appropriate! I'm sure they will be proud of their choice.
Tob's back to work tomorrow so it will be early to bed - well 10pm I've suggested. Let's hope Leon lets us get some rest. I hope he might feed again about midnight then through until Tob has to wake up at 6.30am. Then both Leon and I can go back to sleep again for a couple of hours before the health visitor at 12 noon (will do tolken tidying of kitchen, the place is more or less straight anyway) followed by registering him and getting a birth certificate for him in town with Ellen. Cheese cake anyone?
Allie and Si
Allie and Si came over yesterday, it was lovely to see them. Here's us on walkabout:
And Leon in the cute little costume they bought him
Arrrgh, me harties!
And Leon in the cute little costume they bought him
Arrrgh, me harties!
Saturday, November 11, 2006
11 days old
I had to ask what the date was to day, I had no idea what day of the week it was or the date today. 11 days old! He's got a Cartman chin now, he's podging out, according to Sarah the Goth they do this, and it is followed by a growth spurt and they go all skinny again and so on. The sleep suit Sarah Y bought him is already starting to be too short. He's worn it 3 times in the past 11 days, I keep washing it so he can wear it again. I reckon we might get one more night out of it.
Ali and Si came up to see us today, it was really nice to see them, Ali has been off the scene recovering from an operation so it's good to see her back to health. They thought Leon was cute, a given perhaps and contributed a very cute outfit to his wardrobe. Tob and I went through all the clothes this morning working out what was too small, to big, wrong season, ugly etc. If there's anything we are missing it's a coat that fits him now, the coat we have is 3-6 months and it's so big we just wrap it round him. We do have an all in one that will fit him in a month or so. There wasn't anything in Tescos when we looked, I might have a look in Adams on Monday or later on if I ever get out of Ely to any decent shops like Mothercare or Babiesrus in Cambridge. I can dream...
Back to this afternoon, we drove down to the Maltings for lunch with Ali and Si, I breastfed for the first time in public, it was all very discrete, he latched really quickly and I covered him and boob up with a muslin. No crying, no fumbling, very slick... this time! Not bad for a first time. Leon is getting quicker all the time at latching and the toe curling painful bit is virtually gone apart from the first couple of seconds when he does his 'I'm a vacuum cleaner'.
Then we walked up to town via the Cathedral, had a drink in Starbucks and walked back down via the Babylon Gallery, that's the furthest I've walked so far, I didn't feel like I had to sit down or fall down, we walked relatively fast too so I'm really feeling much better.
We are still getting used to getting out the house with what we need for Leon, him crying when we put him in the car seat, he usually quietens down once we are moving but it does make us tense when he's crying in the car. He settles well in the push chair, we are also getting the hang of what's enough layers, is he too warm, to cold or just right. Has he lost his booties? where is his other mitten? For a little fella, there's alot to get right!Apart from the occasional tummy ache, nappy change and needing more food, he's sleeping well both day and night.
Ali and Si came up to see us today, it was really nice to see them, Ali has been off the scene recovering from an operation so it's good to see her back to health. They thought Leon was cute, a given perhaps and contributed a very cute outfit to his wardrobe. Tob and I went through all the clothes this morning working out what was too small, to big, wrong season, ugly etc. If there's anything we are missing it's a coat that fits him now, the coat we have is 3-6 months and it's so big we just wrap it round him. We do have an all in one that will fit him in a month or so. There wasn't anything in Tescos when we looked, I might have a look in Adams on Monday or later on if I ever get out of Ely to any decent shops like Mothercare or Babiesrus in Cambridge. I can dream...
Back to this afternoon, we drove down to the Maltings for lunch with Ali and Si, I breastfed for the first time in public, it was all very discrete, he latched really quickly and I covered him and boob up with a muslin. No crying, no fumbling, very slick... this time! Not bad for a first time. Leon is getting quicker all the time at latching and the toe curling painful bit is virtually gone apart from the first couple of seconds when he does his 'I'm a vacuum cleaner'.
Then we walked up to town via the Cathedral, had a drink in Starbucks and walked back down via the Babylon Gallery, that's the furthest I've walked so far, I didn't feel like I had to sit down or fall down, we walked relatively fast too so I'm really feeling much better.
We are still getting used to getting out the house with what we need for Leon, him crying when we put him in the car seat, he usually quietens down once we are moving but it does make us tense when he's crying in the car. He settles well in the push chair, we are also getting the hang of what's enough layers, is he too warm, to cold or just right. Has he lost his booties? where is his other mitten? For a little fella, there's alot to get right!Apart from the occasional tummy ache, nappy change and needing more food, he's sleeping well both day and night.
Friday, November 10, 2006
Little Grub
Friday already, Tob goes back to work on Monday. Physically I feel much better than a week and a half ago but I'm still feeling it down below and the various aches and pains as my body gets used to holding baby while breast feeding etc. It's all new.
Alas the 2 night run on sleeping through didn't last, he fed about 11pm, then woke up for a feed at 3.30 am and again about 5.30. I was more or less awake for about 2 hours during the night, then when it got light I asked Tob to change and settle him which worked and we all slept until about 10am.Tob's going to get a shock going to work on Monday...
We planned a trip into Ely to pick up the pictures from Tescos and some shopping from Tescos and Waitrose as we have visitors tomorrow. It took a bit to get out the door by about 2pm, down to Tescos, on the way out, Tob couldn't find his car keys so proceeded to empty all his pockets and bags and still couldn't find them. Leon by this point was hungry and needed an impromptu feed but we couldn't get into the car (I've since heard that there is a mother and baby room inside Tescos for future ref). Tob drew a blank and went off to see if they had been handed in while I jiggled Leon in my arms walking round the car wondering what on earth we would do. As I walked past Tob's door, I saw the keys in the ignition! I laughed and went to call Tob but found his phone in the heap of stuff he'd turned out of his pockets. So put Leon back in the Car seat on top of the trolley and went looking for Tob. He was very embarrassed come freaked out to think he left the keys in the ignition while we happily wondered round Tescos. Baby brain strikes again.
I fed in the car as by then Leon was beside himself crying, I thought at first that he might shut up once the car started moving but his cry was just that bit too insistent to wait. He slept all round Waitrose and when I took him out of the car seat on getting home, he didn't even wake up when I transferred him to the bouncer. This evening, he's fed on and off all evening, either this means he's having a growth spurt or he's loading up for a long night's sleep. Who knows. There's plenty of milk coming out so I don't think it's a shortage that keeps him coming back for more. I can't wait until they weigh him for the first time at the 2 week mark, I'm curious to know how we are doing.
The photos are developed for the Grandparents and Great Grandma and will be in the post tomorrow, Tob found a brilliant album, perfect handbag or desktop size for maximum showing off; it stands up too so you can pick a picture to display.
Nicknames, I have been calling Leon 'little grub' recently, I know it sounds...well not like pumpkin or pickle, you know, endearing, but I assure you it is. Anyone who has met my sister 'Worm' will know that these names tend to run in the family. It's just that when he roots and squeaks, moving his head frantically from side to side, it's the word that came to mind. I like 'little grub'... does this make me a bad mum?I've now got the pictures to go into the album Michelle did for us too. I will get sticking and go to bed. Who knows what time the next feed will be!
Alas the 2 night run on sleeping through didn't last, he fed about 11pm, then woke up for a feed at 3.30 am and again about 5.30. I was more or less awake for about 2 hours during the night, then when it got light I asked Tob to change and settle him which worked and we all slept until about 10am.Tob's going to get a shock going to work on Monday...
We planned a trip into Ely to pick up the pictures from Tescos and some shopping from Tescos and Waitrose as we have visitors tomorrow. It took a bit to get out the door by about 2pm, down to Tescos, on the way out, Tob couldn't find his car keys so proceeded to empty all his pockets and bags and still couldn't find them. Leon by this point was hungry and needed an impromptu feed but we couldn't get into the car (I've since heard that there is a mother and baby room inside Tescos for future ref). Tob drew a blank and went off to see if they had been handed in while I jiggled Leon in my arms walking round the car wondering what on earth we would do. As I walked past Tob's door, I saw the keys in the ignition! I laughed and went to call Tob but found his phone in the heap of stuff he'd turned out of his pockets. So put Leon back in the Car seat on top of the trolley and went looking for Tob. He was very embarrassed come freaked out to think he left the keys in the ignition while we happily wondered round Tescos. Baby brain strikes again.
I fed in the car as by then Leon was beside himself crying, I thought at first that he might shut up once the car started moving but his cry was just that bit too insistent to wait. He slept all round Waitrose and when I took him out of the car seat on getting home, he didn't even wake up when I transferred him to the bouncer. This evening, he's fed on and off all evening, either this means he's having a growth spurt or he's loading up for a long night's sleep. Who knows. There's plenty of milk coming out so I don't think it's a shortage that keeps him coming back for more. I can't wait until they weigh him for the first time at the 2 week mark, I'm curious to know how we are doing.
The photos are developed for the Grandparents and Great Grandma and will be in the post tomorrow, Tob found a brilliant album, perfect handbag or desktop size for maximum showing off; it stands up too so you can pick a picture to display.
Nicknames, I have been calling Leon 'little grub' recently, I know it sounds...well not like pumpkin or pickle, you know, endearing, but I assure you it is. Anyone who has met my sister 'Worm' will know that these names tend to run in the family. It's just that when he roots and squeaks, moving his head frantically from side to side, it's the word that came to mind. I like 'little grub'... does this make me a bad mum?I've now got the pictures to go into the album Michelle did for us too. I will get sticking and go to bed. Who knows what time the next feed will be!
prezzie
Hurrah I've caught up! Wonder if I'll stay on top of blogging... probably not :)
As C said, we got a mystery box today. I laughed when I saw it said "L Jones". I thought C had bought something for Leon. Then she said she hadn't and I looked at Leon and asked him "Have you been on the internet again?" :)
We didn't find the tag until right at the very end, which made all the prezzies a nice surprise :)
Thanks Jo & Ian :)
As C said, we got a mystery box today. I laughed when I saw it said "L Jones". I thought C had bought something for Leon. Then she said she hadn't and I looked at Leon and asked him "Have you been on the internet again?" :)
We didn't find the tag until right at the very end, which made all the prezzies a nice surprise :)
Thanks Jo & Ian :)
Toby's catch up for 8th Nov
Yesterday Sarah the goth came with Matthew, C's godson. I must get a piccie of the really cool snowsuit she got for Leon - thanks :)
And how's this for Leon cuteness:
And how's this for Leon cuteness:
Thursday, November 09, 2006
Woof!
Serious cute factor, awake for a change with fist in mouth, his favorite hand! He hasn't found his thumb yet but his fingers are a popular alternative. Around lunchtime today a package arrived from M&S online. Now, I hadn't ordered anything but it was in Leon's name too... a bit young to be nicking our credit cards and ordering online!We opened the box in anticipation (photos are in Tob's camera so he will blog them) and took pictures for posterity. Jo Stubley had bought our Leon his first phone rattle, a ring that lights up and a giraffe thing that builds up rings that looks very nice and even has a couple made of wood. It's all really rather nice.We had an emotional afternoon, Leon had fed alot in the morning and was awake and unable to settle, he was crying alot, we wondered if he was a bit over stimulated. It's hard to say if the crying made tob and i tense or the tensness made Leon cry but we both ended up in tears and working it out, it wasn't over anything big but it somehow all needed saying. It all came to a head when I decided that Leon needed to go out for a walk in the pushchair to settle. It was very cold out and we couldn't agree what to put him in, he kept crying, as we put him in the push chair, still crying crying crying. Then I saw Tob standing outside with Leon in his arms he still wouldn't settle and we both ended up in tears. We ended up walking round the block with Tob carrying Leon and me pushing the pushchair, bickering and grumpy. Leon did get off to sleep though and we put him upstairs for a sleep for the afternoon where he slept soundly until early evening. We then kissed and made up and went through all the pictures to be printed out and send to grandparents and great grandparents in little photo albums. I think we are both emotionally a bit wraw but we work things out, it's also the impending return to work for Tob. He's not looking forward to not being here all the time with us and I'm not looking forward to not having all the moments to share with him, laughing at his farts and faces. [That's Leon's farts and faces I hasten to add ;) - Toby].
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Toby's catch up for 7th Nov
Yesterday... Yesterday...
Oh I know, we got loads of cards:
And my parents brought dinner round to us :) A nice beef potroast with veggies from the garden (parsnips, leeks) and roasties. Mmmmm, lovely. It really is nice to have occasional meals done for us - it's a really welcome break. Oh I forgot, Mon or Tue we had left over mousaka that mum had made for us when we went round - lovely. We had some Shiraz with the beef, went very well :) Pity C still can't really have any alcohol yet tho.
Oh I know, we got loads of cards:
And my parents brought dinner round to us :) A nice beef potroast with veggies from the garden (parsnips, leeks) and roasties. Mmmmm, lovely. It really is nice to have occasional meals done for us - it's a really welcome break. Oh I forgot, Mon or Tue we had left over mousaka that mum had made for us when we went round - lovely. We had some Shiraz with the beef, went very well :) Pity C still can't really have any alcohol yet tho.
Toby's catch up for 6th Nov
Monday.... I don't remember much about Monday.... it's the exhaustion kicking in!
For someone who sleeps so much, he does 'narf keep us on our toes!
Practicing his budda pose again:
Test-driving the cot:
Not sleeping.... must need changing, then feeding!
Ah, sleeping again :)
For someone who sleeps so much, he does 'narf keep us on our toes!
Practicing his budda pose again:
Test-driving the cot:
Not sleeping.... must need changing, then feeding!
Ah, sleeping again :)
Let me introduce you to Matthew, my Godson, Sarah's 2nd. He's 7 weeks old to Leon's one week. It's amazing to think that in a year or so that will mean nothing. Today to see Matthew next to Leon was amazing, he was twice the size, especially his head. He's still a cutie. It will be amazing to see them both turn into young boys. Sarah came round bearing gifts for Leon, some of Matthew's out grown boys stuff and a Snowsuit, a really cool one. It's enormous now but it will be perfect for Holland this Christmas. It was nice to hear about Sarah's trials and tribulations 6 weeks ahead of where I am now. Her breast feeding feedback and comments were as handy as the Midwife who came later today and definatley more relevant. My boots arrived today too, I decided my giving birth present to myself would be some new boots for the winter. They were online and very reasonable in price. Having tried them on, they are very comfy and nice leather with a sole that can be repaired (as apose to a moulded pair that last just the one year) so I decided I would keep these (I've already sent one sort back). They are dealer boots with a calf attachent so they look like riding boots but you can take the top part of if you are wearing trousers.Sandra, my midwife was on holiday last week when I gave birth but now she's back we caught up a bit, she seemed happy with his progress. Then she pricked Leon's foot to take little samples to test for a list of rare diseases. He went mental of course but the second she was done, he settled back down immediately.
The last few hours he's fed every hour and a half or so, which is frequent for him. I recon he's as much thirsty as hungry. Tob's trying to console him, we are trying to work out if it's more food or sleep he wants. It's just gone 7pm so it could be the grizzles. Tob's just changed yet another wet nappy so it's certainly going through him. His digestive system has only been working a week bless him.
I booked our boat to Holland for Christmas. I've so been looking forward to being able to do that; to book Leon's place on the boat. Now to sort out a passport for him.
Guitar Solo
Well I have to confess I spend a good deal of my time watching him sleep and resisting the urge to pick him up or wake him. The expressions he makes while sleeping, yes I know he can't smile yet but, whether it's wind or dreaming, he goes through the whole spectrum of expressions. This one is his guitar solo face.
Feeding is going really well, today it hurt alot less, flow is good and he feeds and feeds and falls off in a stupor after 20-30 mins. I'm very happy with it so far.
Feeding is going really well, today it hurt alot less, flow is good and he feeds and feeds and falls off in a stupor after 20-30 mins. I'm very happy with it so far.
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