Jack's first night in his own room passed reasonably well. Both he and his mum got enough sleep. At one point around 4am Al watched him wriggle himself from the centre of the bed to the edge, then along the wooden side bars, all the while looking pleased with himself. He seems to appreciate the extra room. Al has had another busy day with him, but has managed to keep him settled most of the time. Below - Jack measures the cot for size.

 

Posted by Doug at 6:53 PM

Night two in his own room also went ok for both Jack and Al. (And just quietly, I've now also enjoyed two uninterrupted nights of sleep.) Al will play it by ear, but is planning on trying to spend some of tonight in our room, leaving Jack to sleep alone.

Al's Mother and her sister Melissa visited during the day. Melissa flew in from the US this morning, and will be flying to Perth tomorrow to visit our newest nephew. She came bearing more unique and interesting soft toys for Jack that she has picked up in her travels. They invariably seem to end up being Jack's favourites, so she certainly has an eye for them. She returns to Melbourne on Friday, and we catch up with her again on Saturday. If I remember right, she then fly's out again on Sunday. The word whirlwind comes to mind.

I wonder what we will call them?

With some shopping earlier today, having visitors around, and then Mothers Group, Jack didn't get much sleep during the day. Al says he wasn't his cheery and talkative self - being a little irritable at times, but that they both got through it all ok.

Posted by Doug at 7:42 PM

Al spent the entire night in our room, and Jack in his. As long as we respond relatively quickly to his crying, he doesn't seem to be too concerned about sleeping alone. He certainly appreciates the extra room he has. Al didn't have much problem getting to sleep, but it took me an hour before I dropped off. I wasn't feeling as settled with him being left alone.

Posted by Doug at 5:17 PM

. Jack rolled from his tummy to his back for first time this morning – giving a look of surprise, and then looking rather pleased with himself.

. He had his 12-week visit last week - weighed in at 5.6kgs and 63cms (so taller than average, and slightly leaner than average). It is a good reassurance to have these visits to see how he is tracking. He still has some cradle cap (that largely disappeared but seems to be coming back with his hair growing) and some eczema (rashes) - so I have to be careful with what we put on him (clothes, detergents his things are washed in, what we wash him in, what I eat, etc), but otherwise going very well.

. There is apparently a growth spurt at 12 weeks and babies are generally unsettled at this time. Jack hasn't wanted to sleep much during the day for past few days and hasn’t been quite his normal happy self.

. From Saturday we have put him in his cot overnight. I spent the first 3 nights sleeping in nursery, and last night was first night spent mostly in our room with Jack in nursery with monitor on. Does feel as much a big step for us as for Jack to not have him in the same room.

. Thank goodness for the monitors!

. He has taken to hiding his head in my shoulder then peaking out again when looking at himself in the mirror, and sometimes when looking at Doug and my mum. Think it is his version of hide and seek!

. He is grasping things with 2 hands at times, and turning them around to examine them.

Posted by Al at 8:29 PM

Jack was awake last night at 2am. He had wriggled himself to the bars on his cot, and then kept himself amused by putting his feet out. Sometimes both feet in the same slot, sometimes using two slots side by side, sometimes leaving a gap in the middle. Al said at one point he was laying there with both legs hanging down the side of the cot, looking particularly cute and sounding happy with himself. She thought of getting me so I could see, but looked at the time and thought better of it. My unsettled period last night was forgotten, and I slept like a log.

Here Jack chats to his Elephant - a Gift from his Grandma C.

 

Posted by Doug at 4:36 PM

A more restless night last night. Jack woke at 12 – a bit early for a feed, so stretched him out another hour by letting him sleep on me. Feed and had a nappy change around 1am – by which time he was wide-awake and not interested in sleep. Put him in cot to wind him self down for a while. Around 2am he had moved himself horizontally and was having fun putting his legs in and out of the cot sides, and hanging them down - first one slot between, then two slots between, then both legs in one and cooing away to himself the whole time. Sometimes you just have to enjoy the moment, even if it is 2am and you're tired.

That is one thing I've really found with parenthood - you do learn to 'live in the moment' a lot more, rather than trying to get too far ahead of yourself, or being too focused on things that have already happened.

He has taken to rubbing his hands together like 'Mr Burns' on the Simpsons – very amusing!

Posted by Al at 5:34 PM

Last night Jack was up between 10:30pm and midnight - to keep him occupied we gave him his bath, time on his activity mat, and quiet time on the floor with some of his soft toys. Thankfully after that he slept well. He got more sleep during the day yesterday. On the plus side he was generally less unsettled, but the negative seems to be he finds it harder to get right through the night without a play session.

I worked from home today so I could watch the early Bathurst 1000 coverage on TV. I must admit being able to see and hear Jack during the day is a really nice benefit, particularly as he is such a happy and chirpy morning person. On top of that I saved a days worth of petrol, got a haircut, and did a couple loads of washing - all while getting all my work done.

Here is Jack enjoying his tummy time. He managed to roll himself from his front to his back the other day, much to his own delight)

 

Posted by Doug at 4:32 PM

Jack reached 3 months milestone yesterday. I’m very happy with how things have gone thus far for all of us, and that Jack is so happy and enjoying his life most of the time. I’m loving sharing it with him.

. Jack seems to have gotten more attached to me over time, but that goes both ways. I'm used to spending 24/7 with my constant little companion now, and it feels strange when he is not around. I'm already thinking about how much we will miss each other when I return to work.

. He had his first Baby Gymbaroo class yesterday, which he mostly enjoyed. Lots of new play activities for him - rolling on a ball and inside a tunnel, bouncing on a trampoline, swinging on a hammock, rolling down a slope, playing with maraccas, and much more! The instructors commented that he looks a happy baby and is doing well with his tummy time and to be rolling already. They also thought he was gorgeous and could have taken him home.

. We commonly call him Jackles. We also use cherub (for his angelic side) and imp (for his less than angelic side). Pop Q thought he looked like an elf in his stripy hat and top, Auntie Lis thought he looked like a pixie, and friend Sam called him a 'human playtoy'!

. Had mothers at the mother's group, and another mother at yoga this week comment on how Jack always appears to be such a good, happy baby, and that they have never heard him cry. He mostly is - although he has had little crying sessions in both places. I think it goes to show that when your own baby cries in public it feels like a big deal – whereas most other mothers are too busy looking after their own kids to notice unless it is really prolonged. Obviously it isn't worth worrying about. Of course, things can be different with non-parents!

Posted by Al at 9:03 PM

Everything is just fine when you are in your mother's arms.

 

Posted by Doug at 10:33 PM

I watched a documentary the other night on the Nazi death camps in World War II. I’ve seen many programs on the same topic – but I was distinctly aware of a change in how I viewed this one. In the past I would ponder how I would feel if thrown into such a horrifically unjust and terrifying situation.

This time I watched the images of Jewish and Gypsy mothers and fathers with their young children, being herded towards death. It is hard enough comprehending how I would feel in such a situation by myself – but to have my wife and child next to me, unable to protect them, would be just unfathomable.

There has been a lot of News coverage recently about the possibility of a world wide Bird Flu pandemic. You feel somewhat removed from warnings – until you realise the statement “deaths will primarily affect the elderly and very young” is actually aimed right at your new family. One suggestion was that it would infect 30 to 40% of the population, and could cause upwards of 40,000 deaths. How can you protect your child from that?

Terrorism, home invasions, car accidents – they all seem to take on a new and more significant meaning.

When I got home from work tonight Jack’s eyes lit up when he saw me, and he gave one of his huge gummy smiles. He then turned and snuggled into his mother’s arms with a look of contented bliss on his face. He is such a great little guy – and I am so sorry that there are ills and dangers in the world that I just cannot protect him from.

Posted by Doug at 5:59 PM

Ahhh – how life turns. Here I was reflecting on protecting Jack from the world, when I should have just been considering how to protect him from his parents.

Al’s diet can be rather plain at times, so she tried some flavoured rice cakes today. We both thought they should be ok – we were both wrong. Two hours after Jack’s next feed on came the mournful squealing. Unlike his “Oh my god they are killing me” scream (OMGTAKM for short), which can be used for anything from “shift me two centimetres to the right” to “I want to be over mum’s shoulder, NOT ON HER LAP”, the mournful squeal is clear and plain. “Awww mum, I am not feeling good.”

From Al’s mouth, to Milk, to Jack’s stomach, something in the rice cakes did not agree with the fellow one little bit. Al had him over her shoulder rubbing his back for a while as the crying came in waves. It was interrupted by small pauses where he would make mournfully and sad “agooo” noises that would trail off and back into crying. Al’s shoulder wet, not with drool this time, but his tears.

Distracting him worked for periods of time, so we decided to give Jack his bath. His baby bath is getting to be too small, and it was taking me longer to clean up the bathroom floor than to actually clean Jack, so tonight we 1/4 filled the spa, Al hopped in, and Jack had his first big bath.

He had a screaming fit on the change table while I stripped him off, but as soon as his bum touched the water a smile broke on his face. He gave his mum a quick cautious look (it was the first time she had bathed him), and was soon kicking and splashing frantically and in utter amazement for all the extra room around him. He was able to “swim” from one side of the spa to the other, and throw his arms and legs out in mad circle motions without hitting anything but his mum. The stomach ache was forgotten.

As I dried the little fellow afterwards and tried to dress him, he remember he was upset about something. Out came the “OMGTAKM” scream. Downstairs we went, Al had a quick dinner while I held a trashing, squirming, and very loud Jack, before it was finally a reasonable time to feed him again.

Often with food related tummy problems he’ll suffer for two feeds. If he gets worked up enough in the first feed, he can sleep through the second bad period with only whimpers in his sleep. That is what we are hoping for tonight. Al is in our bed at the moment, fully clothed. Jack is laying asleep on her, attired in a nappy, a baby wrap, and with a blanket over them both. 9:30pm is the horrid two-hour mark. Here’s hoping.

We’re sorry Jack.

Posted by Doug at 8:32 PM

Made the mistake of eating some rice crisps today, which resulted in a screaming fit from Jack when they hit his tummy. Makes me feel so horrible when things like this happen - the handful I ate was so not worth hurting my poor little boy.

Thank goodness we realised early on that Jack is very sensitive to what I eat. I try to eat plain foods most of the time, but every now and again I try something different that seems like it should be ok, but that ends up causing a bad reaction in him. Such a powerful reminder that Jack is totally dependent on my milk, and as such, what I eat. Each time it happens reinforces how careful I need to be.

Jack has frequently been scratching himself – especially now on the top of his head. He manages to get out of any mitts we put on him. We tried socks over the hands, but he has now taught himself how to get out of them too. Cutting his nails (which was a trauma in itself) still didn’t stop the ongoing scratch-fest on his poor little head. Tonight while moving him up to my shoulder to burp him, he managed to scratch my face as well!

I rang our first preference childcare place today to find out that we didn't get a place. There is still some hope he will get in down the track - since it sounds like there were only a couple people on the list ahead of us. Disappointing though, considering we put his name down around March (so at least 3 months before he was born) for a place next year, and still missed out. It has reminded me to get moving again with putting his name on waiting lists for private schools. We haven't decided for sure whether we will go via the private system, but to even have the choice we need to get organised now. It is scary how competitive everything is for kids these days.

From the moment I found out I was pregnant, it has been like this. We were told we had to get the hospital and OB organised by week 6 of the pregnancy (which was only a couple weeks after finding out); otherwise we might struggle to get bookings (particularly for the OB). Considering some people might not even realise they are pregnant that early on, that is incredible. You have to make sure you get your act together promptly every step of the way, else miss out on your preferred options. Considering this year has been noted as a baby boom, we are likely to have this issue with everything we need to organise.

Speaking of the OB, we were very happy with ours. To have an OB that you feel comfortable dealing with leading up to the birth, at the birth, and post-birth, helped make the whole experience more relaxed and less stressful. Likewise being very happy with the hospital. We will be happy to use both next time.

It is now past midnight - must get to bed before the next feed - likely to be in 1.5 hours! What on earth am I still doing up - craziness!! Funny the odd hours you keep as a mother.

Posted by Al at 12:11 AM

Amazingly Jack went 7 hours between feeds, from 10:30 last night, to 5:30 this morning. After staying up till after midnight, then waking up a few times wondering why he was yet to wake up, I didn't get the full benefit of a good night sleep. Still, it was the longest stretch thus far without feeds. Just hope it wasn't a 'one off', and it is the start of a new pattern. I can only hope!

Jack had his first go in the spa last night rather than baby bath. Up until now Doug has been doing all his baths, which I saw as a lovely bonding time between them. Jack loves his bath time with his dad, but had got to the point of splashing water everywhere and not being able to kick out as far as he would like. So I jumped in the spa with him last night, and he suddenly found himself able to kick across the entire length of the spa, and splash away to his heart's content. Doug was still involved over the side of the spa, and in undressing him and drying him afterwards. It also provided a welcome distraction from Jack's sore tummy – he stopped the screams instantly once in the water. Unfortunately he remembered once out of the water that he was upset about something and the screams resumed until the next feed time.

Posted by Al at 6:55 AM

Thankfully Jack had a very good night. A good crying session often seems to translate into a good sleep.

...

I updated my mobile phone a bit over two weeks ago. Aside the old one getting a bit long in the tooth, Al and I want to be able to send pictures to each other during the day. While camera phone pictures are only poor quality at best, it seemed like another nice way of keeping in touch, in particular with what Jack is doing during his day.

I ended up grabbing a Motorola V3. Five days later I had to return it as the ear speaker buzzed annoyingly when the screen was lit up. I was rather irritated to find I had to place a service call and have the phone sent off to the manufacturer, instead of just getting it replaced. (So much I ended up writing a complaint letter to the carrier.) Today I returned to the store to find my service call resulted in a new replacement handset afterall.

The ear speaker in the new phone also buzzes.

I know it is not meant to, I have friends with the same phone and those don't make any such noise. It isn't as loud as the first one - so I am not sure I can be bothered to put yet another service call in for it. That's the last Motorola product we'll buy before Jack goes to Uni.

Posted by Doug at 9:22 PM

To help out a colleague I picked up a small admin task today. I was in the throws of a worsening sinus headache and was contemplating going home early, but this would only take 5 minutes.

11:43am - A "slipped" mouse click, a moment of inattention, and I started the corruption of a client's production system.

11:45am - Thought to myself - "Gee, this is taking a while."

11:48am - Task completed and I frown at the results. "Ok, that's odd..."

11:50am - The thought "Oh shit.." first crosses my mind.

11:55pm - Preliminary investigations don't look good. Contact our Helpdesk and Support Manager to inform them of the situation. Wait for contact from the client.

12:05pm - Finish reviewing the logs - confirms the error. I can't quite fathom how it happened. Correction, I know how it happened, I'm just not feeling happy with how it did. The client contacts me.

12:10pm - Client sends out company wide email for users to log off the system. I send out a system message saying the same. Many end users at lunch.

12:15pm - Start review of the backup logs - have client write protect last nights backup tape and load it. Review procedures, check status of files, confer with another colleague.

12:40pm - Send final system message, shut down and remove the Production System. Attempt to start a recovery via the application tools, but this fails. Start the recovery manually.

13:40pm - Finish the restore and clean up - system back at 11:30am. Client informed of new status, and of the requirement for people to check and repeat their work from that point.

14:05pm - Copy logs to my laptop, email a preliminary report. A more detailed report will be done tomorrow.

I expect to make the occasional mistake in my job - I just do it very rarely. This one was triggered by simply having the mouse cursor slip off a menu item and hit an icon instead. The resultant dialog is near identical, and I didn't give it a close look before accepting it. As simple as that. I am annoyed at myself, annoyed at causing the client such a disruption, and annoyed to have thrown my schedule out so badly. It is difficult to say I am sorry however. That would be like saying, "sorry for being human".

Posted by Doug at 10:38 PM

On Friday Jack woke up with a different voice. On Saturday his Poo's became explosive and runny. Today I wiped his nose for the first time ever. Jack didn't think much of that. When I had to wipe it again he thought it was slightly amusing. He must have picked up a bug of some kind - but seems to be handling it well. Aside the physical symptoms as mentioned above, he is a little more clingy to his mum, and a little more prone to sleeping during the day. Overall he is complaining a lot less than what his parents do when they are sick...

My Mum and Dad came down to visit Jack yesterday, and stayed last night. They got to see a good example of the "normal" Jack, which was nice. His routine, personality, what he enjoyed doing, what he didn't. My Mum certainly has a nack at settling Jack, and he seemed to remember and warm quickly to her.

Posted by Doug at 10:55 PM

Phantom Cries

Al and I hear phantom cries, and have both got up from our chairs or even out of bed for cries that didn't exist.

After indicating Jack was doing well on Sunday, we had a solemn, grisly boy on Monday. He very rarely smiled, generally looked unhappy, and had lots of mood swings. I felt really bad that there was nothing I could do to make him better. Al drove to Baby Yoga, but only got as far as the car park. Looking at Jack in his car seat she realised he would never get through the session, so she turned around and drove home. By the end of the day Al was running towards empty, but thankfully Jack slept pretty well and she was able to recharge her batteries.

Today started off with the news that Jack has a new cousin named Jackson. Born to one of my sisters in an unplanned caesarean. Information is sketchy, so with a bit of luck we might know more after my parents visit them this evening.

Jack was almost back to his normal self today, as is his voice. His big quick smiles were at stark contrast to yesterday. They certainly make you feel good. Jack's witching hour was more pronounced however this evening, which is hardly surprising. Al is out with him walking the suburb as I type, trying to stretch him to his bath, then feed, before hopefully going into his nighttime routine.

Al's mothers group had their first meeting at one of their homes today, which seemed to go well. It has helped Al a lot hearing about other new mother's experiences, and I guess being able to talk about her own. There are certainly some aspects of taking care of a baby that the father's won't fully understand.

Posted by Doug at 7:18 PM

... and they are back. Jack is bathed and (at a point a little too long coming for the frantic little boy,) is in the middle of a feed. Al was running towards empty again before the walk - worn down by an afternoon headache and the last few harder days. I’m not talking about slumped shoulders or tears (I have only seen them a couple times in the last three months), but the emergence of her more moody and snappy side. 98% of the time Al is a calm and level headed - a fact I am eternally grateful of. That is what makes the times she is thrown out of balance so much more noticeable. Thankfully the walk tipped things back from the edge.

One of my early fears was how Al would be after the birth, with hormones thrown out of kilter, worn out by all the running around, and suffering from sleep deprivation. I was thinking PMS every day, and it wasn't a good thought. While Al is certainly more moody at times, overall I really cannot complain. Make it 96% calm and level headed, 4% dangerous viper.

Posted by Doug at 8:35 PM

Another cousin for Jack - Jackson born to Auntie Kylie on 18/10.

The scratch-fest on Jacks head has continued. I have cut his nails again - will see if that reduces it for at least a few days. He was also covered in a rash yesterday on his belly (from clothing??) and had a heat rash on his face. There always seems to be new things to worrying about, although thankfully none long-term or serious.

I had an up and down week. At times Jack was back to his happy self, at other times he wasn't feeling himself. We think he had a cold as his voice sounded different. He was more clingy and grissly, but not too bad overall.

Most of the time I feel on top of things, other times (mainly if I am over-tired, haven't eaten enough or am headachy / hayfeverish etc) I can need a bit of time out. (Particularly by the end of day and over his 'witching hour'.) It helps just to step away for 30 mins with Doug minding Jack, or change the approach for awhile, like taking a walk. The responsibility of 24/7 care does wear you down at times, but you can only try to start afresh each day, enjoy his beautiful cheeky smiles and sunny nature, and continue to learn new approaches to dealing with the issues as they come up.

Posted by Al at 6:51 PM

Jack appears to almost be over his cold. He is much happier and is sharing his great smile around liberally again. He lay at the window tonight while we ate dinner, watching in fascination as the rain poured down, striking the window and the plants outside. He's found he can make loud yells and squeals, so has been practising those today. We get the occasional gurgled coo, but his Agooo's have been replaced with Yips, EEEeeeeaaaahhhh's, and OOOOoooooowwwwwWWWW's. He's a funny little fellow.

Posted by Doug at 10:02 PM

A spot by the window, some toys, and life is perfect.

 

Posted by Doug at 5:23 PM

Had an excellent few days with Jack. After a couple of up and down weeks, it is so nice to enjoy him at his happy best again. A reminder of what his 'normal' personality is - when he isn't going through a difficult patch. Of course the harder times make you appreciate the better times all the more. You can’t take anything for granted – the rate of change is amazing. Just when you feel you have gotten the hang of one stage, he is already onto the next one. You feel you are always trying to keep up. The saying 'the only constant is change' is especially true when watching your baby go through these early stages.

I think working in I.T. helps prepare for parenthood. I.T. is essentially about problem solving, and this is a lot of what early parenthood is about. Always trying to work out what to do with each new issue that comes up, planning and preparing, and learning from what has happened. Learning to be flexible and adaptable in your approach, continually adding to your 'bag of tricks', and even trying to think up ways to stimulate and vary play sessions, One trick in parenting at times is to just try and view issues in an objective way, rather than taking things personally or letting emotions cloud your judgement.

Jack has learnt to make loud screeching, squealing noises in past few days, and looks so happy and proud of himself as he does them. He concentrates so hard that you can't help getting involved and praising him and imitating them back to him. Of course this is all well and good, but I may well pay for this when he is out in public and showing off these noises to all and sundry. Before I had a child I would sometimes observe babies doing irritating things in public, with their parents proudly look on. Now I am getting to understand why.

Jack is now grasping things really well, and can hold toys in 2 hands, or hold separate toys in each hand. One of the things he loves grasping is my hair. I always try to wear it up out of his way, but there is inevitably some stray strands that he manages to grab. He also loves playing with my face and fingers, which has resulted in a quite a few scratches, particularly on my nose. He is also very good at holding rattles now and loves making noises with them.

I have introduced balloons, blown bubbles, and a few household items like spoons, small thick glass containers and plastic cups to his play times. Was amazed when he quickly worked out that by holding a spoon in one hand and banging it on glass in his other hand he could make a great noise. He does love being able to make noises in any way, shape or form. He has also quickly worked out how to grasp the balloon with his fingertips rather than grasping them like other toys. It's a real joy watching him encounter new experiences, work them out, and see his resultant enjoyment.

I can't remember if I've mentioned it before, but Jack is a champion burper. After each feed he will usually do one or two quick large belches to make himself feel better.

Jack often protests and fights going to sleep, and doesn't like to feel like he is being 'tricked' into it. If he doesn't want to be in the 'rocking to sleep' position, he’ll fight against me. I have been rocking Jack to sleep in my arms the vast majority of the time, accompanied by tapping 2 fingers on his back and tunelessly humming. When you get something that works in the early days, you cling to it like a lifeline. It can get wearing at times however, and I am starting to feel that Jack has built up a dependence of needing to fall asleep in my arms.

Part of what has made the last 3 days so enjoyable is that he has gone to sleep in my arms without rocking at least once each day, or has gone happily into the sleeping position with minimal fuss and minimal rocking required for most of the other sleeping sessions. Part of this is Jack being so calm and happy, but I also think I am learning to read his signs better, and varying my approach to suite. If he isn’t ready for sleep then I don’t keep trying to get him to drop off. I’ll put him over my shoulder for a few minutes before trying again. While it can’t be taken for granted, it has felt like real progress.

It helps to make the day feel easier and happier, not to mention less time consuming to get him to sleep. Because he has had happy sleep sessions of decent length, his play sessions are then happier and more enjoyable also. The 'sleep issues' seems to be the biggie for most new parents.

Still very early days, but will see how we progress from here. Of course he slept a bit too much then yesterday, so then had another of his high energy play time from 3:15 till 4:30am this morning, where he energetically and enthusiastically practised his squeals and squeaks. Again, sometimes you just have to sit back and enjoy his happiness with him. But now I must get off to bed promptly in case the same thing happens tonight!

Posted by Al at 8:47 PM

My Dad came down on Friday afternoon and we attended the 4wd and fishing expo in the city on Saturday. It was a good visit. We have had three great days in a row with Jack. He's been happy all the time, played well, slept well, and has been easy to settle when he got tired. A real pleasure. He's sticking with his squeals - which unfortunately from a distance can sound a little like screams of pain. They seem to amuse him though. Earlier Al was playing with him on his mat. He was holding a teaspoon in one hand, and what looked like a thick glass candle holder in the other, and was bashing them together for quiet a while, loving the noise.

Jack and Grandpop C:

Posted by Doug at 10:52 PM

From last night and through today Jack has replaced his loud squeals with fart like noises. He is sticking his tongue partially out and blowing air out around it. Of course this means he sprays drool all over himself and anything nearby, but that doesn't seem to worry him.

Posted by Doug at 12:57 PM

Back on the 11th of October I mentioned the problems with my new mobile phone. Well, it turned out that while the replacement phone speaker still buzzed, as soon as I answer a call the screen goes blank and hence the buzzing stops. A novel solution I suppose - a cheaper firmware update instead of a hardware fix. So it is useable, and I can't really complain further about it.

Anyway, I received a letter in the mail today from the carrier. They apologised for the problems I had, and as a gesture of goodwill waved the first three months of charges on the new contract. I guess that means I really can't complain further.

Posted by Doug at 9:56 PM

We ate takeaway tonight – something we don’t do as frequently as I would have thought. Al unfortunately had a bad reaction to the food. Our primary concern wasn’t Al’s discomfort – but the horrible realisation Jack would likely get the same germs at his next feed.

We haven’t thought to keep a supply of breast milk in the freezer, and we don’t have any formula in the house. Poor little Jack might be in for a horrible period tonight after his next feed – and so too his parents.

He has been in such a happy mood the last four days – a complete little champion. When I last looked in on him tonight he had rotated himself 90 degrees in his cot, and was laying on his back with his hands half clasped together across his chest. Angelic. We can’t warn him. We can’t explain.

Posted by Doug at 9:44 PM

It seems that when it comes to bugs, Jack takes after his Dad. He had no apparent ill effects over night. He did have a midnight play session, but that would have related to him going down for the night earlier than usual. That is a relief.

Posted by Doug at 5:22 AM

Jack has found he can move his rocker forward by waving his arms and kicking his legs in unison. He has also found that kicking off furniture or his parents will scoot the rocker backwards. He has liked both discoveries...

 

Posted by Doug at 9:25 PM

Did some early errands today – took some money out of the bank, filled up Al’s car, picked up the Sunday Paper, and collected some garden hardware to give the Star Jasmine in our backyard something to climb on. Been a busy week – finally did both Tax returns and claimed the Baby Bonus from the Government. We also had two new couches delivered on Friday, and went out yesterday and purchased half a dozen cushions to match. We are very happy with the final look.

We put our old couches upstairs – where they seem to suit well. Carried them up myself, with Al helping where she could. Now that wouldn’t have been an elegant sight – but we managed it without too much damage to person or property.

Daylight savings started this morning. It means my 4:45am weekday alarm will effectively be a 3:45am alarm - until I adjust anyway. It will be a struggle. Had a 36-hour hay fever headache that only seemed to clear with the rain we had overnight. Both Al and I suffer from allergies this time of year. Will make taking care of a baby more difficult.

Jack had a fantastic week – been relatively easy to settle, and actually got himself off to sleep at least once a day. He was harder work yesterday, but overall he’s been a really happy little guy.

Jack serves up smiles of pure joy and happiness when he sees either of us – particularly the first thing in the morning, or when I get home from work. I don’t think I could ever adequately describe how good that makes you feel. It would have to be one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever experienced in life.

Posted by Doug at 11:32 AM

Oh, and while it is no ones business, we did not spend the Baby Bonus on couches. The new ones were ordered over three months ago, and it was only circumstantial that they arrived now. We haven't decided what we will do with the bonus - I expect Al will want to spend it on gambling and alcohol, while I’m partial on investing it with a nice Nigerian woman who is having some problems transferring money…

Posted by Doug at 11:48 AM

Jack must have realised daylight savings started today as he seemed to adjust his morning feeds accordingly.

Jack moved into 00 clothes a couple weeks back – it is amazing how fast he is growing. I remember some of the 00 clothes Jack got as gifts when he was born, and they looked huge. At the time I thought he might fit into them at around the 6-month mark – certainly not at 3 months!

We have been very lucky to have received many beautiful gifts of clothes, toys, bedding, etc for Jack. It was really touching and a little overwhelming at how many people gave us gifts and shared in our happiness. It can be somewhat sad each time he outgrows some of our favourite little outfits, but then also exciting to start him wearing the next lot! I really do enjoy being able to choose what little outfit to put him in for each occasion and dressing him up (ok – I know that is a girly thing to enjoy!).

If Jack requires a nappy change overnight I try to do it in the middle of the feed, after he has finished one side. Aside the fact he is prone to adding to a nappy during the feed, he tends to be too frantic for food when he first wakes up to be able to change a nappy before he starts feeding. Because he usually goes straight to sleep after a feed, changing the nappy then tends to wake him up again.

With each night time change he goes through a little ritual of protest. He cries as he is first put down on the change table. It is as if he is saying 'I want to be feeding - why am I here instead?' By the time his nappy is off however he is happy and giving some of his 'uh-huh, mm-hmmm' type noises; as if to say 'OK - fair enough, I see why I am here, it did need to be changed, and yes, that's more comfortable thanks Mum'. I think the original crying is just 'crocodile tears' - turning it on for the purpose of communication rather than genuinely being upset. (He does this on occasion during the day - followed immediately by a big grin when we change the situation to his satisfaction).

The problem with this crying and subsequent happiness is that his cheeky grin can turn into a bit of noise practise, looking around animated, and some leg kicking, which can all prompt a wide-awake midnight play session. I have to hope that by the time he finishes the second half of his feed that he is ready for sleep again, and not in the mood for play.

Jack has definitely got specific noises to let us know he is not happy and we are taking too long to come and fix things for him. It starts with a loud exclamation of 'GAA!', and if we do not respond quickly enough, is followed by 'Gung-gung-gung” noises.

Hay fever season is upon us, which is going to be tough given Doug and I both suffer from it. For me, not being able to take medication while breastfeeding makes it more difficult to reduce the hay fever headaches and sinus pain, or help with that general tired and achy feeling you get. That in turn makes it more difficult for me to stay on top of looking after Jack. We also worry that Jack could be suffering from hay fever as well - either directly, or indirectly from me.

It is now 10 to 10 and I don't feel that tired (blame the daylight savings) but I must get to bed. Otherwise I'll be suffering either overnight or tomorrow from over-tiredness. The days, weeks and months are all disappearing so quickly that it often feels like I barely get anything done. I have to forgo an hour of sleep here or there just to get some of the personal things I need accomplished done. Looking after Jack however is my biggest priority, so spending the vast majority of my time doing this is far more important than any of the other thing at this time in my life. At the same time, you need to keep some sense of your personal self, rather than let your entire identity be 'motherhood'. As such, I have made a few small personal goals to achieve over this time of maternity leave, and hope that helps to balance things out.

Posted by Al at 10:56 PM