LuckyAmeba

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4 month sleep regression

I write to you from Hell… just kidding, I’m on the foot stool next to Bug’s bed. Not talking, not touching, just sitting while she lies with her head facing the other way. And every few minutes gives an attempt at a cry. But at least she’s in her bed! She’s completely refused all naps in her bed so far this week. So this is a major win! I’m talking champagne, the I proper stuff… or at least a really large glass of whatever is open in the fridge. Now bedtime is the stuff nightmares are made from! Bedtime used to be a pleasant routine, now it’s a panic-inducing labour. I’m pretty sure my blood pressure is through the roof, climbing from approximately 18:00, in anticipation of the dreaded sleep attempts! Last night was an early 22:00ish before she was down. The night before, midnight. And over the weekend, one night her refusals were so adamant that I got a sum total of zero hours sleep. By midnight it was clear the only way she’d sleep was in my arms. So Bug and I got the big ...

Teething troubles

You get a whole nights sleep, you have a night out with the NCT gals, not every nappy is a poo, you begin to “settle” into a routine… And then teething! It slobber-slaps you in the face and turns everything upside down! My super-salivating baby just wants to shove everything her mouth. She’s learnt to suck her thumb and I’m delighted, because she can’t throw it out her cot. But it’s completely thrown any semblance of a schedule out of sync! She’s not feeding properly and is waking up at night again. Her naps are all over the show. She’s clearly uncomfortable and that breaks my heart! And this is, apparently, just the beginning of the teething process!!! Send help / grandparents! We’ve got teething toys stashed throughout the house, including the freezer. So far the Matchstick Monkey Dinosaur has been a hit (just don’t try steaming the container, it will melt!) What are your top teething tips? Lucky x Ps. That’s my milk drunk Bug

Mad naps

After vomming/ salivating on three outfits by 06:50 this morning, I tried to cajole Bug into her early morning nap. This is the nap between her first waking up and 8am feed. And she really needs it! As we were watching the Olympics in our bedroom, I suggested she nap on our bed, snuggled next to me. While I watch the kayak/ canoes. But no, she had other plans. Apparently they were for me to get up. And for her to fall asleep on my shoulder in a really awkward fashion. I had to perfect the counterbalance cuddle. All while putting the laundry on, making breakfast (not quite eating it), sterilising bottles and pump accoutrements, making the coffee and re-packing her changing bag. But she slept, and I guess I’ll take that! Lucky x

Oh how times have changed!

This morning, while having a blood test, I was chatting to possibly the best phlebotomist about babies. I mentioned that I was considering getting an Elvie pump — the one that goes in your bra and you can be hands free and, wonderfully, not tethered to one space! My next line was “it will mean that I can hang the laundry and pump at the same time!” This may sound ridiculous, having this as a priority. But when you have so little time to yourself it becomes necessary to prioritise. And this can be hard - how do you chose between hanging the laundry or expressing milk?!? It’s currently my big dilemma! Then I met my sister at Garsons for lunch, thinking the cafe would be airconed - it isn’t, beware! We both had our babies plastered to us, while we produced a gleaming layer of sweat. I could go on, but I think you get the picture! So, this afternoon, instead of being able to wallow in the sun and work on my tan, probably with a delicious glass of rosé, Bug and I are whil...

Bug has moved to her big baby bed

It’s happened, it’s been a week, she’s now sleeping in her big baby bed, in her room. And it’s been an excellent decision! We’re all benefiting from better sleep. We don’t wake her up, she doesn’t wake us up (as much). And sleep is becoming that friend we see a lot more of! It’s coupled with a feeding routine, which I’m pretty strict about. Mean Mum only feeds every 3 hours. Gone are the boobies-on-tap! And Bug is learning that when it’s nap or bed time, it’s sleepy-time. Which can be preceded by a bit of crying. But she’s getting more sleep and is, generally, a happier baby! So, for us, this has been a positive move. Although I have to be honest, when we made the decision that this was going to happen I did cry a bit! My tiny baby was no longer tiny… time to consider the next?!? Lucky x

One good thing about social distancing…

Is that nobody comes too close and I can get away with only half brushing my teeth (no toothpaste, had Bug in my arms and wouldn’t have been able to rinse). And not wearing deodorant (again, the baby!) Also, still wearing some of my pyjamas, semi-disguised as day clothes… But nobody can really tell cause they can’t get too close! Win! On top of that we had a very successful walk. The dog mostly listened and was easily distracted by treats. Bug slept the whole time and was seemingly nose-blind. And my back pocket doubled up as my coffee cup holder! Hands-free, here we come! Oh, and because we were out walking for so long - two hours, until it was time for the next feed - the dog is exhausted! He hasn’t been this tired since his play date with best friend Amber! Lucky x

Meet the kids

This morning they both wanted my attention. Bug wouldn’t stop crying and needed to be cuddled. And Indy wanted to play, non-stop. Eventually I got Bug onto her play-mat where she likes to play with the baby in the mirror and smash her hands erratically against the dangling cow and dog. The cow is flying a plane that makes a noise when it moves. Indy finds this fascinating. But only for so long. Then he remembered that he saw one of his dog-friends who was on-heat on his walk this morning. And started to hump me. A lot. This presented a challenging situation. Do I stop oggling at Bug playing with her baby friend and risk tears? And stop the dog before he really got into his stride? Or, do I just pretend the dog isn’t there? And hope he gets bored really quickly?!? Ultimately it was a little from column A, a little from column B. Don’t ask! Lucky x

Week 8 check-ups

Yesterday we had our 8 week check-ups and both of us cried (luckily masks are absorbent!) It’s utterly heart-wrenching when your tiny baby screams. For me, science has provided us with modern medicine that will potentially save her life. So, she will be having all of her jabs. And then all of the cuddles afterwards. We spent the afternoon having skin to skin time. Then I spent the night keeping check on her temperature. Today I was selected as the only one acceptable enough to do everything for her. All plans went out the window. Instead, we’ve had amazing snuggles on the sofa together. All day. Any semblance of sleep training is out the window, we’ll tackle that tomorrow! I’ve changed into pj’s already and bath time this evening will be late as I’m loathe to wake her… it’s just one of those days! Lucky x

This is the face of a rested Mum

Wait, what? Isn’t that an oxymoron? Does that even exist?!? I was struck down by a bug on Sunday night and it totally knocked my socks off! It punched me in the face and gut. I’m not sure if it was food poisoning or something that’s been going around. But it’s mean and very nasty! It meant some serious Dadding needed to happen. I’m talking all the night feeds (thank goodness for formula) nappy changes and cuddles… at 3am etc! And it wasn’t just Sunday night, but Monday night too… Which gave me the most sleep I’ve had since the little Bug was born. It’s also made me realise that I need more sleep! So, from now on, Dadding will be taking place on the weekends and this Mum will remember what it’s like not to have to get up in the night. To guilt-free know that my husbands got this one! I don’t expect the dark rings to magically disappear, but give me a few weeks and I may consider a colour photo! What do you do to catch up on that most valued of commodities, sleep? ...

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