As time goes by

Seven weeks (and 3 days) gone already! My tiny baby is now regular baby sized - newborn size now - not least due to a (presumed) growth spurt that meant consumption of endless milk. Tiring. Over for now, I think, but we need some semblance of routine now.

E is just gorgeous, she's sweet and bright and adorable. She's now got chubby cheeks and chubby thighs and her smile is starting to be recognisably in response to people and things.

Her brothers are still gorgeous and wonderful, but boy, they are difficult. Back to school tomorrow and it's a big relief. They are presumably reacting to the adjustment of a baby but they are being very naughty. A lot of their toys have been confiscated for now. They do seem to adore their baby sister - as a baby sister myself I know this will undoubtably change but for now they are very sweet. R is a bit apprehensive about her altogether, he is rather shy. O on the other hand is very keen to look after her and rushes to comfort her or amuse her. I do have to explain that she gets overstimulated easily, but they are only 5. When she is a little older and responds to the boys more I think all three will delight each other.

Feeding is difficult, no routine at all and I find she has times when she wants a tiny feed and other times when she wants lots. Generally she is best in the morning and through the night, and afternoons are often spent with tearful cuddles between frequent feeds. Gina Ford is being revisited tomorrow. Hopefully.

I am to go into work for a couple of "keep in touch" days, mum is to watch E for me. This will be interesting to see, I don't feel just now like I want to return to work until E is at school, but maybe it would be better. I only work 15 hours a week after all. For now I am doing two 2 hour days on consecutive Tuesdays, I'm sure I'll survive.

I sold a number of things on eBay, maternity things. I only made about £15 all in, but postage was covered and I'm rid of them. Very easy, I have my beady eye pealed for anything else I can sell.

And that's how it goes for now.

Greedy girls

All is going well, mostly. We had a few sleepless nights where missy wouldn't settle to sleep on her back, culminating in two nights of her in her bouncy chair all night and then one successful night in her cot after she went to sleep in her bouncer first.

Tonight we did the latter to much success until she awakened to an explosive poo (most of them arrive with an audible pop) and got all confused by the ongoing "there is action in my tummy, I must be hungry" which heightens the "am awake, must eat" thought process.

According to my scales, E is now 7.5lb. As they are correct to half a pound, this isn't that accurate, but she must be over 7lb and so is gaining weight well.

She is rather greedy however, my logic is that her sucking needs/ability, awareness and sleep requirements are that of her age - 5 weeks - but her tummy and digestive systems are that of her adjusted age of one week. So she wants to eat more than she can cope with. Two or three nights of vomiting a feed after bedtime means I have had to consult the health visitor and also get Gina Ford's new edition of her tome. Interestingly, E has almost moved herself towards Ms Ford's ideal routine, but I am a bit unsure as to amounts so I shall start properly following her routine tomorrow.

That won't work as soon as I can't get up at 7am.

I do sympathise with E's hunger, I am suffering from the same thing. I cannot satisfy my hunger and I am rapidly gaining weight. I stand at 1 stone above my prepregnancy weight (and I was but a few pounds above it shortly after E was born), and nearly 2 stones above my ideal size. Most depressingly I am only a little more than a stone less than my heaviest ever. So weightwatchers for me, which I have ostensibly being doing for a month but haven't actually and have gained half a stone in that month. Oops. I intend to eat a lot of soup and less cake. And just be hungry I guess. Drink water. Eat bananas.

Food today. Next time: clothing.

Sleep and sniffles

Baby E is bunged up with a cold - again. Like mother like daughter, cold two in 4 weeks alive seems unfair. She is more stoical with this one, the last cold made her super grumpy, this one she is more cuddly and resigned.

The main problem with the cold is her inability to feed enough to sleep it off. We had just switched to Tommee Tippee bottles and Hipp Organic milk with apparent first day success, the the arrival of the snot rendered the Tommee Tippee redundant and NUK back on the menu. As to the milk, it seems ok but we have a little sick which could be the milk, her age or just mucus related.

And as if by magic, baby awakens for her next feed. Later...