26th April 2010 (2 years)
Josiah turned 2 on the 10th. We had a party for him at our local cricket and squash club. We did it in the morning as he and a lot of his friends sleep in the afternoon. We just took toys so they could play and we did teas, coffees etc with cakes. He seemed to enjoy himself and delighted in blowing his candles out. Josiah then had a sleep in the afternoon before opening all his presents. He makes noises of surprise and glee when opening everything.
We bought him a Little Tikes coupe car. He has been having fun playing with it and has been enjoying the good weather as he loves being outside. With his birthday money we are hoping to get him a sandpit and easel so he’ll have even more to do outside.
Just after his birthday I got him weighed and measured. He weighed in at 12.5kg which is average. His height was 83cm which is just under average (I wouldn’t know where he gets his short legs from!).
Today we have been to visit a pre school with him. Shauna works there at present one morning so he was very happy moving between us and her. He did gain confidence and was wandering off to investigate. It was good to see him try different activities; painting, chalking, playdough etc... We put his name down so sometime from October onwards he will hopefully be able to start.
He is beginning to incorporate Theo in his games already. When he is singing (twinkle, twinkle little start is becoming recognisable) into a maraca, the latest microphone, he puts it to Theo’s mouth. He also gets Theo’s hands and gets him to clap. Occasionally he doesn’t want Theo about but it’s very unusual. Theo responds to Josiah with lots of smiles which I think helps.
Best update Theo’s website to now.
18th March (23 months)
I did start updating this not long after Theo was born but forgot to save it and consequently lost it. Then time has disappeared in recovering, writing thank you letters, party invitations and Theo doesn’t tend to settle in an evening either.
Josiah is growing up fast and you realise how big he is when you have Theo. At present he has not been well. He has had a bad cold and cough and last night threw up twice. He was so good though. I only knew he’d been sick as I could smell it when I came up the stairs. He was asleep in it all. He coped with being woken, stripped off, washed and changed. I think he thought it was a great adventure! Thankfully Matthew was home so it was a team effort. He was then sick again so I’ve been washing all night and day. He seems better and when he’d got some toast him in earlier the volume and movement was back.
After 6 months and several visits to the shoe shop his feet (well the right one at least) had grown half a size to a 4. So he now has new shoes and as he has hit the 4 mark he has some wellington boots and when I track some slippers down he will have those to. He is very proud of his new shoes and wellies.
He seems to have coped reasonably well with the addition of Theo. He is very loving to him and Theo gets far more kisses than anyone else! Matthew often shakes his finger and says, ‘No Theo’ when he is crying so Josiah does to now although, misses the Theo off. He tends to refer to him as baby. Josiah likes to be the same so now has a blanket over him in the car and in the buggy and is often seen with a hat on! We don’t compromise on dummies though which has caused a few temper tantrums along the way.
Whilst we were at mum and dad’s he ate a roast dinner and ignored the mashed the version. Since then I have refused to mash the food. It means sometimes he hardly eats anything and doesn’t eat the amount he use to probably as he has to now put effort in and chew. He messes me around and will refuse to eat certain meals but then eats the same thing elsewhere. I am now getting tough with him and won’t give him anything else until he has eaten all or some of the meal. He tends to eat the meat which is the harder bit to chew!
He never ceases to amaze us and is getting very cheeky. He knows we count to 3 and on 3 he goes on the mat. He can say the two after one when he wants. He also does things a second time and then stops and gives himself a cheer and clap when he has stopped after two. He pushes things to the limit like his dad though.
One night when we were having bedtime story as I turned the page he made the owl noise that comes within that page showing he has retained the story and knows what is happening next. He dictates what songs he wants on by signing certain actions or if it is the Powerpack CD says ‘na na’ for his favourite. Mr Tumble (Something Special) is still the favourite and he has picked up alot of signing from watching it. If he had his way he would watch it 24 /7!
I could probably keep going about the little antics he now gets up to but if I close this might actually reach the blog page before too long. I expect the next update will be his 2nd birthday as my time is limited.
29th December (20 months)
Josiah has thoroughly enjoyed his Christmas. He got into the swing of pulling the wrapping paper off and was very good as he passed me all the bits of papers so I could put them in he bin! We are just hoping he doesn't take to pulling wall paper off now he has mastered the art of pulling paper. We bought him a chair although you'd think it was a throne. He sits in it pointing at what he wants like the Lord of the manor.
We were at home Christmas day morning as we would never have fitted everything in the car and then travelled to Surrey as soon as we'd had lunch. He is having a great time enjoying all the space at Nanny and Grandpa's and this time has discovered you can go all the way round through the lounge, down the hallway and back through the kitchen so is spending half his time on a circuit opening and shutting doors on the way. He has
He starred as a shepherd in the toddler scratch nativity. They tell the story and the children just act it out as they go along. You can be whatever you like it doesn't matter if there are five Mary's or 2 shepherds. He seemed to enjoy it and you can see the photos of him dressed up in the images. He has attached himself to the sheep that came with his outfit and takes it to bed with him. However, if the crook is out the sheep gets abandoned.
The snow seemed to be a hit with him although he wasn't very well and a high temperature. He was throwing snowballs and helped Matthew with a snowman. He still asked to go out and kept pointing at the snow outsid. There are photos of him in images.
He spent a Saturday recently with Shauna and her family so Matthew and I had a day to have a date. He had a great time. He went to the Manchester museum and around the markets with them. He had a great day and when Matthew went to pick him up and said he'd put the things in the car Josiah waved and said 'bye' to him. Obivously not bothered about coming home! It is lovely to know he is happy and relaxed there as that is where he'll go when we need to go to the hospital until my mum and dad arrive.
He is getting into the baby and seems to think we all have one in our tummies. He likes to stroke, kiss and blow raspberries on our tummies and pulls his top up to get Matthew to do it to him. What he'll think when he finally meets the baby face to face we will have to wait and see.
3rd December (End of 19 months)
I had Josiah weighed on 10.11.09 due to a few people saying they felt he’d got heavier when they were lifting him. He is still on the average line weighing in at 25.5lbs / 11.5kg.
We took him to have his feet measured about a month ago when he was walking more confidently but they said they hadn’t grown at all and advised us not to get any new shoes yet. They said to come back in another four weeks. Either this week or next we’ll head off again to see if his feet have grown. If they have he will move into ‘walkers’ rather than ‘cruisers’ which he has at the moment.
Josiah knows we are having a baby and is aware of where it is. However, he seems to think he has one in his tummy to! I’m not sure what he is going to make of a real one and in our house all the time.
His vocabulary keeps growing. Even though he has been saying bye for ages for some reason he has taken to saying it loudly and clearly. When we leave somewhere he says it in the car for ages or all the way down the stairs in the morning to Matthew. He knows lots of animal noises and gives us lots of renditions!
We have changed his bedtime routine slightly. The bottle has gone and a cup of milk with a story has taken its place. He is enjoying his story time and likes getting the books and carrying them through. He adapted straight away and has never missed the bottle.
His eating still isn’t always fab with me and we’ve not quite made it to chopped up meals (sadly). He will refuse to eat things for me but when he is at Shauna’s he eats everything often without stopping! He loves his fish though which is a surprise as neither of us are particularly big fish eaters.
Recently he has got into art and craft and will go to the creative table at toddlers to make or do whatever is on offer that week. He has done foot, hand and finger painting with me and last weekend we had a great time playing with cornflour. The next day he went and got the tray I’d put it in and gave it to me so he’d obviously had a good time.
I am not sure how aware of Christmas he is. We are doing a nativity calendar together, he seems to be accepting putting one thing on a day and will say bye when we’ve done it. He did want all the chocolates out of the advent calendar in one go but it is now out of sight and he gets exited when I get it out. We have a tree up and on the whole he has been very good with it. If he does go to mess it is normally when he wants our attention and he hasn’t got it all (eg. You’re on the phone). He has attached himself to a toy reindeer at the moment so whether we have him out all year round we’ll have to wait and see.
If I don’t achieve updating this before Christmas I hope you all have a good one.
24th September (17 months)
I took Josiah to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool on the 14th. His head has remoulded itself by 0.5 cm in 6 months since we last saw them. We were discharged as they said that within the next two years you would probably never know that it had been flat at the back. If we have any questions or concerns we can get back in touch with them though.
He now has his first shoes. I mainly got them to protect his toes when he was out playing with other children. They have been a hit and he is very proud of them. The first night he had a real strop when we took them off and the second night I was allowed to take all his clothes off to go in the bath but the tantrum came when he realised his shoes were coming off to. Since then he has learnt to do the Velcro on them and can get them off if he wants. He still isn’t walking properly but I guess will do so soon. It is all on his terms, if he wants his feet down he’ll put them there if not he won’t!
Matthew in his wisdom found an old karoke machine in the shed which is basically a speaker with a real microphone attached. The noise level can rise especially if daddy and Josiah are entertaining together! I’m not sure where he gets his confidence from. Everything is still a microphone even his hand.
His speech is coming on although I think some of it I know what he is saying where as others may not. He now says ready which he has packed up at Shauna’s and shouts ‘guys’ as she does to get her boys (and the extra two) moving. He has not learnt to say no yet which is probably a blessing.
He is doing actions to songs and I’m beginning to realise which action is which song! Josiah also is trying to sign things from watching Something Special with Mr Tumble.
Today he has discovered the climbing frame at toddlers and has spent quite a lot of the time climbing up and sliding down. I think I am going to a soft play area with him and one of his friends next week and I think he’ll get so much more out of it as he will now be able to climb the steps there and crawl to the slide. I may not get such a peaceful visit as before he has been restricted to being on one level!
Oh, he also now eats mashed food although not if we are eating with him so I have taken to giving him his tea separately but still eat with him at lunch times. It was sit and do the social part or get a good nights sleep from him having a full tummy. The sleep won!
7th September (17 months in 3 days)
Josiah has the pleasure of my company these days (minus two days). I have decided not to go back to work - school. This is mainly due to the pregnancy. He is still going to go to Shauna’s a couple of times a week whilst I do some marking. Hopefully, Josiah will be happy and enjoy having his mummy around more.
He has progressed from pulling himself up to walking with the walker. He can walk holding your hands now as well. I doubt it will be long before he sets off independently. Then we’ll be in trouble! He can walk up the stairs but you have to be right behind him as he stops and looks around etc... I am mainly teaching him to go upstairs so I don’t need to carry him as I keep getting a lot of pain in my hips (seeing the doctor later in the week about it).
I don’t know where Josiah has learnt this but he turns an old Stig bubble bath container upside down and sings (or shouts as Matthew was doing with him) into it. Today he then picked up the swing bin liners and did the same! He has also spotted a big foam microphone in Asda and was desperate for it. It was really too big for him though. Maybe Powerpack has something to do with it and Mrs Jackson!
The word "look" is very clear and used a lot. You have to listen carefully to catch other words within all the babble. He shouts Da / Daddy a lot. I think he thinks Matthew will answer where ever he is. He has not learnt the word no yet but can express himself very clearly when he is not getting what he wants. He is already mastering the art of throwing tantrums.
He is back at Alder Hey on the 14th to have his head re measured so I’ll let you know how that goes.
19th August (16 months)
Josiah is now pulling himself up lots and enjoying all that he can find and get to at his new level. I’m not sure we are appreciating it in the same way! He has learnt he can switch the television on and off plus do the touch lamp on my bedside table. Sometimes he will try and move but isn’t always that steady. Matthew said he moved his way along the television unit the other day and then was confused when he got to the end as there was nothing else to hold on to. At the same time he has learnt to crawl so goes between his bottom shuffling and crawling.
Eating wise he is improving but more on the fact he’ll put things in his mouth to try but not necessarily eat them. I have gone back to blending one meal a day just so I know he has a balanced diet and is full at some stage, normally tea time. The other meal is all finger food which he has to chew. He will eat some things without a second thought, normally cakes, biscuits and crisps. Sunday when we got to mum and dad’s he did eat a little chicken, potato and carrot. He continued to eat loads of bread sauce and bread crumbs! Yesterday he did put cucumber and tomato in his mouth. So hopefully we are getting there slowly.
Josiah and I had a couple of days at Faith Camp. We were in a Premier Inn at night but spent most of the day either in the Hibbert’s caravan or Natasha and Mark’s. He was in his element and loved having so many other people to play with and give him attention. He danced away in the worship, copied the actions and attempted a flag – it was me that decided he was a little young having been bashed! We’ll have to make him a mini one! He is still smiling, dancing and doing some actions to the new Powerpack CD.
We are down in Surrey again (our second week of the holiday). He has had some friends to play and we’ve been to visit my Grandma. This afternoon we’re off to a garden centre which has swings and a sandpit so that should be fun. Thomas, Josiah’s oldest cousin came and stayed with us for a couple of days and we bought him back down. Josiah thought it was great and enjoyed having a play mate around.
Job / childcare is nearly decided but I’ll update you all on that in the next instalment.
26th July 2009 (15 months)
Thought I’d give you a quick update on what the health visitor had to say regards Josiah’s eating etc...
Well the health visitor came nearly two weeks ago and her advice was to go cold turkey on blended foods and when he is hungry he will eat and won’t starve himself. We kept breakfast as it was although he doesn’t get the fruit pot after. Breakfast is the time he eats VERY well partly as he is starving and also he has always enjoyed it not to mention it is weetabix or ready brek so no lumps.
Basically it’s not really worked as far as I can see. He now eats no meat, fish or vegetables which before although blended he would hoover it up at great speed. He has eaten melon and strawberries the last couple of days however, he is still putting everything in and out of his mouth all the time and it’s only a fairly small amount that actually gets eaten. Tonight he ate bread crumbs and bread sauce from roast dinner the chicken, cabbage, broccoli, carrots and potato just got ignored or removed from his plate. For pudding he ate a ginger nut (proving he can chew), custard, some of mum’s ice cream and the left over blackberry and apple crumble as I think he was still hungry. He has been waking up more at night as well, he’s also eating his fingers more (could be teething) or the zip on his coat. Not sure which route we’ll take from here.
He pulled himself up a few times the other day but has not done it since. In some ways I would like him to start walking as he has bad eczema and as he bottom shuffles he drags one leg behind him which then rubs on the carpet so his legs are a right mess. The eczema has spread to his arms to now although it doesn’t seem to bother him.
I am going to visit a couple of childminders in the next couple of weeks as we need one for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons. I am not happy as I am having to leave him with someone I don’t really know but hopefully I’ll find a nice one and both Josiah and I will be very happy.
Matthew starts his new job tomorrow, he will be away a bit and more so in the morning. I think both Josiah and I will miss him. It is going to take some adjusting to.
11th July 2009 (15 months)
I apologise this has taken a bit of time getting here. We have had a bad few evenings and nights with Josiah and then I was unwell.
Josiah has had his MMR. He had a slight virus showing itself as a tiny rash when he had it done. He was ok in his self though. Once he’d had the MMR the rash flared up and he was covered in spots by the end of the week. He was still generally himself. It all went pear shaped eight days later when he was moaning and waking up a lot at night also not settling. He stayed close to us and wouldn’t venture far, didn’t get up to mischief and had lots of cuddles. I don’t think the heat helped and we wondered if he was teething to. Thank fully he has settled back down again. The only downside is he keeps waking up early. Once upon a time he use to go back to sleep with us, now he fidgets and hides his dummy behind pillows etc... so the last two mornings he has been put back in his cot with toys and the light on until 7am. He has done well and amused himself for 20 minutes.
When waving goodbye to me the other day he also blew a kiss. It was really sweet.
He is still into everything and has just learnt this week that he can get his hand behind the Perspex that is stuck on our tv cabinet to stop him getting at the dvd player etc... He sits on the end of the hearth putting his hand behind the Perspex trying to get the remote controller charger. He does it very carefully and sometimes teases first by putting his hand there and then rubbing his hair before putting it back. Matthew was doing his finger to beckon him back and Josiah was trying to copy him. Sadly he has also learnt to switch plugs on and off.
Matthew has had exams this week so Josiah has had a couple of days back at Shauna’s. He is obviously at home there as he was messing at lunch time. I sent him with a tiny packed lunch which he wouldn’t eat. So Shauna moved on to a jar, he had his own spoon but when he started messing Shauna took it away. Josiah then firmly shut his mouth and refused to open it, when she did get some in he spat it back out. When he got the spoon back he ate it quite happily!
The health visitor is coming on Wednesday to give us some advice on Josiah’s eating as he still won’t do lumps and is even refusing to eat stewed fruit, it’s probably because it’s thicker than fromage frais etc... We’ll see what she has to say.
I can’t think of anything else at the moment so we’ll get this on his website and add anything as I think of it.
9th June 2009 (14 months)
I am not so sure I have achieved doing a quick update as home life has been busy with one thing and another.
Josiah says ‘bye’ when he waves which is really cute. He doesn’t always do it when you are looking though. In a morning when I take him down for breakfast he waves part way down the stairs. I am not sure if he tries to say hello or hi with a wave to.
He is becoming a little monkey and everything but toys is great and exciting. He spends half his life sitting under the computer chair playing with the printer. When Matthew turned it off last night he tried to get to the plugs at the side. It doesn’t seem to matter if he has both Matthew and I and all the toys the printer still wins.
He has his own doll now which he loves along with Iggle Piggle. He seems to be quite gentle with them and gives them hugs which is gorgeous.
In the last couple of weeks he has become a real little mover and loves to dance. He does it all on his bottom and he can’t stand independently yet. We’ll try and video it soon. The other morning he was singing his own song and dancing to it in our bed.
We went out for a meal with some friends recently and both Josiah and their son were really good. They weighed each other up initially and then were sort of sharing the toys with each other. Matthew and I were surprised at how well behaved Josiah had been sitting in a high chair for so long. There was plenty to watch though.
Yesterday he had one of his friend’s around and refused to share. Everything his friend got Josiah wanted and made it known and then when you gave the friend something he wanted that to. However, when they were trying to get the door or played at the plug sockets they were all smiles and great friends. I think some mischief could be in the making with the two of them.
We still have the same issues with food which is tough and life would be a lot easier if he’d eat lumps. He is helping feed himself though.
I think that is most of his achievements for now.
May 20th 2009 (13 months)
I said I would try hard to do little and often on the update front so here is one arriving a couple of weeks after the last.
Josiah has learnt to point and does so at everything, things he wants and thinks he would like, although, he can’t have everything. When he is in his high chair he goes through everything on the kitchen side including the kettle and toaster! He makes noises with the point and even bigger ones if he doesn’t get what he wants.
Mum was up last week so he had lots of attention and company. It was great for me to as I was able to get on and do other jobs or spend time with Josiah whilst mum did something. He didn’t have the best of bottoms last week so mum and Matthew had fun, one day they had to shower him down. He has kept us going with the washing! It seems to have settled a bit but there are definitely some teeth on the way down.
He has taken a shine to dolls and is often after them at toddlers and this morning was not going to share it with another girl. He pulled it tight to himself and then he sat with his back to her and gave her a right look! He has taken to passing me toys he doesn’t want anyone else to get hold of when we are out!
We still won’t eat lumps or bits in food.
I’ll try again on the little and often updates.
8th May 2009 (13 months)
I have updated this in my head a few times but not actually managed to get it down onto paper as it were.
Josiah has really begun to become a little boy now rather than a baby.
He only has one bottle at night which today he moved from formula to cow’s milk. I wondered if he would drink it and notice a difference but I needn’t have been concerned as he guzzled the lot. He changed to having cow’s milk to drink at breakfast in a cup just after his first birthday, it varies day to day to how much he drinks. His appetite at breakfast has increased enormously since not having a bottle beforehand. He now eats as much if not more than me. Two weetabix or large bowl of porridge and a whole fruit pot thing.
We still can’t get him to eat lumps. A nursery nurse has suggested soft foods although I have to say he doesn’t seem keen and prefers foods he can bite on. He has had dairy lea triangles, melon and broccoli so far. The broccoli and melon have been discarded by sight. However, he seems to have eaten a malted milk biscuit and a bread stick over the last few days. I am hoping this is the start of a break through. He is a little monkey though and at breakfast posts his toast in different places but only does it when you are looking and has a great big grin on his face. I am trying to ignore it at the moment and praise him when he gives it to me or eats it.
He is shuffling around and at times very fast especially if he wants to get somewhere he is not supposed to be. Just recently he has being trying to pull himself up although at the moment he only gets onto his knees. It is generally when he wants to reach the remote control which he knows he is not allowed! I have had to move all the kitchen around and clear four shelves due to his little fingers. He enjoy playing in the cupboard with all the Tupperware containers and his plates etc...
He is learning new things all the time. He can put the shapes in his sorter if you put it the right way up (you can post on both sides). He is beginning to put food on a spoon and then in his mouth. Yesterday I was playing with him and we were posting objects down a tube and he was watching them come out. Today he was doing it by himself. It was lovely to watch. We also had a good time reading together and he gave me the books he wanted read. He was given an Iggle Piggle at Christmas so we’ve just begun to watch In the Night Garden at 6 p.m. He is making the connection between his Iggle Piggle and the one on the television.
Josiah had an immunisation booster a couple of weeks ago. He cried for a few seconds and then seemed right as rain. He has more tears over things he can’t have or if they won’t fit in his mouth.
I think he is enjoying his time with Matthew. He is eating once again at lunch times. When they are playing together Josiah has real giggles and absolutely delights in their rough and tumble.
We’ve not been having very good nights recently with us having to get up numerous times to give him his dummy back or sometimes he has just been moaning in his sleep. Matthew got up four times until midnight and I was up six times from midnight til 6.45 am on Monday night. With everything else we’re going through we are both struggling with tiredness. We tend to get him and bring him in with us anything from 6 a.m. On the whole he may give us anything from and extra half hour to an hour and a half. Today he decided we weren’t having any extra at 6.20 a.m so that was tough.
I thought of something else but the lack of sleep has caught up now as I can’t remember what it was. I’ll try and update this with shorter bits more regularly (as a friend of mine does with hers).
8th April 2009 (52 weeks) (2 days off being 1 year) – check this as according to the health visitor he was 52/52 on 2.4.09 – I think it’s as they count weeks and not months or something!)
Sorry I have not updated this recently life hasn’t been very easy and other things have taken priority.
Matthew took Josiah to be weighed on the 2nd of April and he was 21lb 8oz (9.66kg) so still putting on the weight even though he is a monkey for Matthew.
Matthew looks after Josiah in the afternoon at the moment as he has been made redundant. Josiah is a daddy’s boy so I think is loving the attention and having daddy to play with. The only downside to it is that Josiah refuses to eat for Matthew so only has a few mouthfuls at lunch time. I can be feeding Josiah and he’ll be eating no problems and then Matthew picks the spoon up to give him some and he looks at him oddly and covers his mouth. He can eat a meal in 4 minutes for the childminder – I don’t get that either!
A couple of weeks ago Josiah learnt to sit up by himself. Matthew went up to check he still had his dummy as we’d put him down for a sleep and when he went in he was sitting up! Matthew wasn’t sure whether to call me to see or lie him back down again. We had a few of these where we didn’t know how he’d managed to get into the sitting position but was there in his cot ready to get out. He since does it all the time.
Matthew has ruined his fun by velcroing a piece of Perspex in front of the boxes under the tv – Sky, surround sound, DVD etc… It was quite amusing to watch initially as he was there poking it and looking confused as he knew he use to be able to get there but now couldn’t. He has worked out if he pulls the ends or the top it can come undone but I don’t think he’ll work out how to get the whole sheet off by himself.
We had a party for Josiah last Saturday which Matthew’s family and his friend’s from toddler group came to plus a few extras. He seemed to enjoy it. One of the boys from the family who looked after Josiah whilst I was at work was having to protect his plate of cakes well as Josiah was trying hard to get them and then was helped by one of his little friend’s Luke. Matthew got a video of them both trying to get Theo’s plate!
He will have another little party on Friday with his southern friends and family.
I am sure Matthew will upload some new photos of grown up very nearly 1 year old soon.
15th March 2009 (48 weeks)
We went to Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool on Thursday with Josiah to have his head looked at. They said he had Plagiocephaly/Flat Head Syndrome but he is at the very mild end of the spectrum. They measured his head across and then diagonally as well as the circumference. When measured diagonally there is a 1cm difference between the right and left. They said they are not concerned under 1.5cm. We go back in September to have it re measured to check it is re moulding itself. They weighed him whilst we were there and he was 9.61kg, 1 stone 7lbs or 21lbs 18oz.
Josiah has mastered the art of moving at speed on his bottom when he so wishes and when he knows he’s about to be stopped and wants something he launches himself at it so as not to miss out. He loves what he can’t have and all toys will be moved out of his way to get to it. The sky box etc... is where he normally heads especially if he is on his own. He gets very frustrated when he has got to where he wants to go and gets pulled back or you block the way. The stair gates are now up.
He is enjoying his finger foods and puts them in his mouth now with eagerness. In the morning he shouts for his toast after his cereal. However, he doesn’t swallow any of the food yet. Any bits that break off he spits out.
He has cut the other ‘i’ tooth so I thought it was the end of teething for a while. I can’t see any other teeth coming through but he is eating his fingers a lot again and dribbling.
He has turned into a real daddy’s boy over the weekend. When Matthew has gone to give him to me he has moaned or gone to cry. Whenever Matthew passes by, his legs and arms go and he launches himself at him.
Our other news isn’t good. Matthew is in the process of being made redundant. So life is all unsettling and we’re just taking one day at a time. Thankfully Josiah is oblivious to it all.
24th February 2009 (46 weeks)
I had Josiah weighed whilst we were away at mum and dad’s. He is now 20lb 11oz (9.38kg).
I have begun to give Josiah finger foods again. It started with him looking at the food and discarding them onto the floor. However, we will now play with them and also put food in his mouth. Yesterday he ate which I can only describe as a big ‘whatsit’ but is a child’s finger food, I was amazed it’d vanished in him rather than the floor or somewhere on the high chair. Broccoli isn’t very popular at the moment or mango. Hopefully, we are going to have break through then we can drop the afternoon bottle for water and a snack. Plus he can have a snack in the morning to keep him going a bit. I have also given him a little bit of food on a plate and a spoon. He has not put the two together yet and has more fun running his fingers through the food on the plate and then hiding behind the plate (and peeping back out) not to mention putting it on his head! All in all Josiah looks like he needs a hose down after meals now.
It looks like stair gates will be going up shortly as he is now moving with a bit of speed when he wants. He is getting quite stroppy if he doesn’t get what he wants. Yesterday he was heading for the sideboard so I sat in front of it, he then sat and cried as his path was blocked!
Matthew has given him an old mobile phone (you can tell it’s old due to its size!). He puts it to his ear and talks or shouts at it! I thought about taking it to church on Sunday as it didn’t make a noise but decided against it as Josiah makes the noise. We’ll try and video it at some point and maybe Matthew will upload it so you can see.
18th February 2009 (44 weeks)
Josiah seems to be growing up so fast and achieving so many new things regularly. He has been full of cold and really struggling and has had a course of antibiotics but I have noticed in the last couple of days he has at least 3 teeth coming through at the top. Two have broken through the gums now.
This has meant that his eating has gone off and anything that has had the tiniest of lump in he has been spitting it out. He is turning the corner a bit though and doing better with different textures. He did put pear in his mouth the other day but today looked at is as though it was poison and threw it straight on the floor! We are trying to get him to drink his milk out of a cup in the afternoon he is not overly impressed. If we could get him to take finger food then he could have water and a snack which could be more filling.
He has learnt to move by shuffling on his bottom. He does it very subtly so you don’t really know he is doing it but suddenly isn’t where he was left. Last week I had gone to put the bath on and he had shuffled off his changing mat and got to his Winnie the Pooh rug. If he wants something he can get himself there, for example the surround sound box etc is exciting, the fire place and any computer or phone that happens to be about. He is quite determined and at some points he is desperately trying to clamber up on to me, he isn’t after a hug but using me as a means to get to some form of technology.
Since Sunday he has been doing a shy act and when he is faced with a new person he hides his head in me or on my shoulder. It is very lovely as it is a rare to get a cuddle as he is always on the go and so busy. He comes round after a few minutes though.
At the moment Josiah’s care whilst I am at work is two days with Shauna and three with Matthew’s aunt. He is getting to know Shauna now and as he has been there on the previous day I now drop him at pre school at 12 where Shauna is at work which saves Matthew having to come home to just drop him off.
I am hoping to get him weighed tomorrow so we’ll update you shortly on how much he has grown.
18th January 2009 (40 weeks)
Happy New Year! Sorry I have not been here to update what Josiah has been up to since Christmas. The evenings have disappeared on making meals for him, stewing and blending fruit and then writing thank you letters on his behalf. I am just catching up with all the other little jobs.
Josiah has been weighed twice since I last updated this. The first he was at 19lb 8oz and then dropped to 19lb 6oz. This was mainly due to the fact we dropped the mid morning bottle. He never drank it all and spent most of the time messing with it. We wasted loads of time trying to get him to take it. In the end we took it out of his daily routine. He gets offered water instead and when he starts finger foods I’ll offer him some fruit.
We have not had the appointment through yet from Alder Hey. His hair is growing so it’s not as obvious unless you know what you are looking for.
He had a good Christmas and seemed to enjoy his new toys and having lots of attention. I think his stacking cups have been the biggest hit as he gets so excited when we build the tower, he also enjoys pulling them apart from their stored state. He likes his car we got him and presses the buttons, he also likes the straps on it!
We bought him a new car seat over Christmas so he is the next stage which means he is facing forwards. He seems to enjoy it and will give you smiles from it. He can be quite chatty in it too. He still enjoys pulling his socks off (and little soft shoes) so you often have to search for them on arriving somewhere!
He is still not on the move but loves to stand on his feet and thinks he’s very clever when does so. We still only have two teeth, there must be some more just around the corner as he is eating everything. His thumb is quite sore from where he bites on it. He is dribbling and rubbing his ear as well. His other achievements since I last updated this are; that he claps his hands, chatters away with dadada in it at times and blows raspberries. There are probably others I have forgotten. Oh one good (or not so if you don’t like noise) is that Lily (2 and a half years old) his little friend taught him how to shout down a tube. They were both having great fun doing it and the noise level went up a few notches!
I had a delayed start to going back to work. The first day I went and the school was closed due to a flood and no heating. Nobody had phoned either myself or my tutor who had met me there. I then went again the next day with my tutor and discovered after being there a while my CRB hadn’t come through and therefore I couldn’t start. I eventually started this week with training on Tuesday and then working with the children from Wednesday. I work afternoons so Josiah and I can still go to toddler groups together. At present he is going to Auntie Ann’s, however she has Amelia (Josiah’s cousin) on a Thursday (as Amelia doesn’t like babies) and at the last minute has decided she doesn’t want Josiah as well. Sadly with it being so last minute we’ve managed to pull something together but it means that Matthew has to be in work by 7 every morning, then on a Thursday has to leave at 11.30 so I can go to school at 12. He then can drop Josiah off from 12.30 at Shauna’s. I tutor for Shauna so although I know her and her children Josiah has only met them a couple of times. He came with me on Saturday whilst I tutored, it took him about 10 minutes before he begun to look a little relaxed and 15 minutes before he was himself. Hopefully he’ll settle there and be happy. We still don’t what to do long term as Matthew starting every day at 7am to do a 50 mile round trip seems a bit ridiculous. Please pray we make the right decision for Josiah.
I will try hard not to leave this so long next time.
11th December 2008 (35 weeks)
We have had a poorly boy who was full of cold and had a cough. He then kindly shared it with me, this has been our first week back in the real world feeling well. Josiah lost his appetite and was even gagging on savoury jars (I put him on the jars knowing that there were no bits what so ever in them to choke or gag on). He ended up living on small amounts of fruit and milk. It was taking a while to drink the milk but I kept persevering with him, we had lots of cuddles and lived in the lounge with a vaporiser during the day. We had a few rough nights to. I know he is back to his old self now as he is eating lots and sometimes moans if it is not arriving fast enough!
Having had a week of not eating much I did wonder what his weight would have been but he had still put on weight and when I got him weighed on Monday he was 19lb 1oz. He has also been measured this week and is 70.3 cms and his head circumference is 43.2 cms.
He now has two teeth at the bottom they were making their way up whilst he was unwell. You can see them in his smiley photos in the images. I have a feeling there are some more on the way as he is really biting again.
Yesterday we were at the hospital for a follow up. Three months ago we went to get advice on Josiah's head as it is flat at the back and bulges off at one side. The outcome was that the consultant was hoping it would have started to re mould itself a lot more than it had. He is referring us to Alder Hey children's hospital as they have experts there. So we'll have to wait and see what they say.
He is still not crawling in the day although can move up his cot quite proficiently at night. He then ends up crying as his face is right on top of the headboard or he is at 90 degrees to it! We still have issues with him losing his dummy in the night which we get up to put back in. Josiah is trying hard to put it back in but sometimes he knocks it out of reach, out or under the cot, or has left it behind on his travels.
Last week he had a couple of practices at staying at Auntie Anne's (she is having him when I go back to work in January). They got on fine and on the first day he was full of giggles and smiles. I was pleased as it has reassured me about leaving him.
We do get tears and a sad face when we go to go out of the room or leave him. He is generally ok though and will start playing with his toys and talking to himself. We had a couple of nights when he protested at bedtime but thankfully it was only a couple of nights.
In the last 48 hours he has found a shouting voice. I have asked him where his whispering voice is but he hasn't found it. The raspberry stage has been and gone! When I say no to him for anything Josiah just laughs at me. Hopefully this will change!
18th November 2008 (34 weeks and 5 days)
If you are not into counting in weeks according to the health visitor that makes Josiah eight and a half months however, if you count in calendar months then he is seven months old and eight days! How confusing is that. I had him weighed yesterday and he now weighs 18lb 6oz.
He is still a 'little smiler' and giving us delight. He learnt to do raspberries at the weekend. He had done a little one before and then on Saturday afternoon went for it and carried on and on and on whilst lying on his tummy doing his sky diving impression.. Sunday he carried on. When we put him down for his morning nap we could hear him perfecting the art! Matthew says he'll learn to do a tune with his raspberry blowing one day!
We are wondering how he moves up his cot through the night and yet doesn't move in the day. He rolls on to his tummy and has been rolling back a bit more. He tucks his knees under him but that is where it seems to stop. His sitting up has really improved but we still need cushions around him as sometimes he wobbles off to the side or will throw himself backwards.
Last week Josiah and I went south. We called to see Matthew's grandma in Oxford as she had not met him. He made a good impression with lots of smiles. We called in on some friends, they have a son who was practically three. Josiah and Isaac shared a bath and it has to be said Josiah started off the splashing and did most of it! I hadn't realised that he splashed so much in the bath, now I know and go prepared for a wet encounter! Josiah had a great time with Isaac and both Thomas and Daniel his cousins. He seems to like other children and enjoys their company.
He loves spending time with Matthew and enjoys being thrown around and being teased. They have gone back to having a bath together which has become another play time with boats but it is lovely seeing them enjoying one another's company.
It is half an hour since the kettle boiled so I had better go and fill his bottles up. I'll update you soon on his progress and what he is up to.
1st November 2008 (29 weeks and 2 days)
Where does the time go is what I want to know? In an evening I seem to catch up on jobs and when Matthew is at uni I spend the time cooking and pureeing food.
On the last weighing session Josiah was 17lb 5oz. We will be going on Monday as we’ve not been for a while. Josiah has been up and down with eating some days eating more than others. It’ll be interesting to see if he has put much weight on and if the graph has gone up or dipped. Finger foods are not his favourite. He puts everything and anything in his mouth, put food on his tray and he looks at it in disgust and when I put it to his mouth he spits it out and screws his nose up. He did have a good suck and chew on a biccie peg this morning. I guess food doesn’t make a noise or do anything exciting like a toy does. Hopefully he will get there over time.
He is definitely teething his cheeks are bright red, he is dribbling lots, chewing on everything and moaning in the night. He doesn’t really wake up but makes a moaning noise. Last night when he moaned I put bonjela on and he stopped and carried on sleeping quietly.
We have just had our first little holiday in North Wales. We stayed at Matthew’s Nanna’s caravan. Josiah fitted in the room with us which I then discovered how much noise he actually makes in his sleep. I would say we but when he was moaning one night and I was going to get up to put his dummy back in Matthew raised himself up. I was pleased as I thought he was getting up to sort Josiah but no he wrapped his sleeping bag around him more and continued to snore!! So it was me on the dummy hunt. Whilst we were there we took him swimming for the first time at my parent’s hotel as they were up to. He didn’t cry at all and seemed happy and we even got some giggles and smiles once he was use to it.
Mum and dad came to stay with us after they had had a few days in Wales, so he has endless entertainment and I have managed to get jobs done in the day rather than late at night which has been great. Matthew was really unwell yesterday and spent most of the day in bed and asleep so having two extra people around to help, I valued this loads. I think they have enjoyed spending time with him (and us).
He has yet to progress on the crawling front. Matthew is giving him lessons! He can move up his cot in the night but doesn’t do it in the day. He is sitting up better although not independently for long. He still doesn’t roll from his tummy to his back often, it’s easier to moan and shout for someone to turn him back or sit him up!
I am hoping he is going to sleep through as I think we could all do with a whole night’s sleep. However, he dozed off and woke up screaming and continued through his bath (really out of character) and getting dried. He has had most of his bottle although then brought a load up all down himself, me and some hit the bed. So he screamed again whilst I changed him. He has now gone off. Talking of screaming he has learnt to make a screaming noise with his voice, very annoying but he doesn’t seem to have grasped this!
I best get this on the internet before another week has passed us by.
4th October 2008 (25 weeks and 2 days)
Last weekend we had Josiah's dedication. It was great to Praise God and be thankful for Josiah. Thank you for all of you who came and shared this time of celebration, travelled to be with us and made it a great time.. Lots of our friends were part of the celebration and you can see the different elements on the images page. Each and everything was chosen for a reason. A quick run through; The dance Never Let Go by Matt Redman, the words in the chorus I hung on to in trying to get pregnant as well as waiting for Josiah to arrive; Psalm 139 (Always Near Me), I use to pray this over Josiah before he whilst he was being 'knit together' hidden away from us; Chris singing 'I have a maker' Chris chose this but had she asked me what we would have like her to sing I would have chosen this. Again the words spoke to me in getting pregnant and I use to play it to Josiah before and after he was born; the puppets again emphasised our thankfulness for Josiah.
Josiah did cry during the service. Initially as something had woken him too early so he was still tired. Then as we'd started late hunger was setting in. He did well though and was well behaved afterwards.
I took him to be weighed again this week. He is now 16lb and 12oz. His graph had dipped slightly last time but has now gone back up again. We have moved on to fish and meat and he loves it all. In fact he eats most things. He turned down papaya.
He has woken up and is now getting agitated so I best go and feed him. It's beef for tea.
19th September 2008 (23 weeks)
Ok, where does the time go? How does someone so little take up so much time?
We survived our trip South. It was exhausting but good to have done it. We had good runs both ways and just took our time. The service stations were very exciting as there were lots of people to watch! We enjoyed seeing Thomas and Daniel along with mum and dad.
Matthew's sister's wedding went well. Josiah was a star sleeping through the whole service and dozing through the meal. I missed the speeches as he decided to wake up at that moment so we left. The hotel were really kind and helpful and gave me a room at no charge to feed and change him in. Matthew had got thrown out of church for taking an extra picture even though everyone else was taking them. The vicar was awful and not what you would expect from a Christian.
On Monday Josiah weighed in at 16lb 4oz. Although he had gained 4lb in two weeks he had dropped a bit on his graph. The Health Visitor gave me the go ahead to add cereal - weetabix and porridge to his diet. She said I had done the right thing so far in taking it slowly and that he was nearly 6 months so to go ahead. He doesn't seem overly keen with porridge yet but weetabix goes down well.
He is eating a range of foods and has taken better to sweet potato than normal. Tonight he had mango and ate plenty. For some reason we seem to be a bit more sick since going on food. We are mixing more vegetables now. When we have eaten most of what is made we'll move on to meat and fish. I also got him a 'doidy' cup this week which is a cup with no lid but is slanted so they don't have to tip it so much to see the liquid. He has also been trying with a cup with a 'teat' (different to bottle though). So far he eats it more than sucks.
I thought we had broken through on waking up in the night as for the last few nights he has gone right through. However, he was awake at 2.20 a.m. for about 20 minutes and again at 3.30 a.m. Hopefully, he'll go back to sleeping through again.
We saw the consultant about his flat head. The consultant explained they are seeing a lot more of this since the 'back to sleep' campaign. Over time it will start to reshape. It will never be perfect but then nobody's head is but you can't tell the shapes due to hair. We go back in December just to check his head is growing and everything.
Matthew went back to university in the evenings this week. It means both of our days are long on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Matthew as he has to keep going and concentrate mine as I really value him coming in and amusing Josiah at the tougher end of the day. Josiah misses his daddy to and looks around the bedroom when he is having his night feed.
Josiah is still a giggly and happy baby and a total blessing. He has just begun to find his feet.
1st September 2008 (21 weeks on the 4th)
Josiah does not seem to be a baby who likes to go for long naps in the day, he tends to just do 30 minutes at a time so trying to update this gets harder. Plus I have been preoccupied with family trees, Matthew has been asking about his as well. With doing that the cross stitch has taken a back seat maybe it will be his 18th when he gets it!
Since I last wrote we seem to have done a few things. Mum and dad came to stay over the August bank holiday which was lovely. I got help and Josiah got shared around. He grew to like his travel cot and needless to say didn't sleep in it the 'correct' way with feet at the bottom!
I then took him over to Lincoln to Grapevine to visit Powerpack. I was anxious doing the journey as I don't know it and wasn't sure where places would be to stop if needed. Josiah was a little star though and slept there and back. He was an angel at camp to, loving Powerpack as he had so much to see and listen to. I am not sure what he thought of the family service as he slept through most of it. His mummy thoroughly enjoyed it and wanted more.
Josiah is growing into his high chair and is holding himself up more in it. He actually picked up one of his books to eat the other day rather than just ignoring toys laid out for him. Sometimes he starts to get bored in it but as long as you turn to look at him and make eye contact along with singing he keeps going.
He is really rolling on to his tummy now. Sadly he hasn't learnt to roll back so he starts to shout for help. He is holding his head up more and trying to look around whilst he is on his tummy. We have noticed he is beginning to sleep on his tummy some of the time to, often squashed up against the railings and then shouts when he realises he can't move anywhere.
Sadly he is really teething clues; dribbling, eating anything, red cheeks and pulling his ears. He seems to be having a tough time with it especially at night. We are often up for about an hour normally when the calpol has worn off.
I went and got him weighed today and he now weighs 16lb exactly. He seems to have remembered that the surgery is the place he had immunisations as his face changes as we go into the building and by the time we got into baby clinic and he was on the changing mat he screamed with proper tears (new this week). The surgery are having a new building built so hopefully once we move he'll improve or I'll have to go to another baby clinic!
Tomorrow Josiah and I are heading south for two nights. He seems to have endless amounts of things. Hopefully he will sleep whilst we're travelling and taking his milk nicely rather than the hour stints we've done the last couple of days.
Friday he is at the hospital to see the pediatrician regarding his flat head.
Next weekend we have Kate's (Matthew's sister's) wedding. A friend is going to come and help just beforehand so we can get ready and have him ready. I am then hoping and praying he is quiet during the service so he doesn't upset Amelia as she is bridesmaid and her mum and dad will be a bit busy making vows to one another!
Oh the weaning is going well. He loves his food and has his mouth open and ready to receive what is on offer. His legs start kicking to with the excitement and today we even had the odd giggle.
20th August 2008
Apologies for having not updated this earlier. In any spare time I have been working on genes reunited for Matthew and adding to my tree. I also need to get back on with the alphabet cross stitch so it is done before Josiah's 18th! But before either of those have any more attention here is what's been happening in Josiah's life.
Last wednesday I started weaning him. I was a bit anxious as it's before the official time of 6 months but he smiles and loves it all so I feel we're doing the right thing. So far he has had banana, apple, pear, carrot and swede. All home made. He has only raspberried one lot back at me but I think it was more as he'd had enough. It's a messy business but he is enjoying it all. He is only having one meal of solids at the moment at lunch time. I guess in the next few weeks we'll need to add an extra. Due to weaning him early he will be on fruit and vegetables until the 6 months. Once he has done the first tastes I will begin to mix things together, for example the swede and carrot.
On Saturday night he went through with no feed. Every time I went to put his dummy back in he had his eyes shut and just turned back on his side. I wasn't waking him to feed him! Sunday night I decided that as the habit had been broken I wasn't feeding him. At 4.50 a.m. he was wide awake, chatting, smiling and spitting the dummy out. I cuddled him to no avail and then went back to bed and listened in. At 5.25 a.m. he started crying after 5 minutes he stopped and had gone back to sleep with no dummy! In the end I had to wake him up at 8 a.m. to get him ready as we were going to Wales and he needed another feed before Matthew picked us up. Monday night I was up at 3.10, 3.30 and 3.50 then 4.50 a.m. putting the dummy back in. He is going down earlier as well and even if he has been fed about 5p.m. is shattered by 7p.m. and needs his bath and bed. So we're beginning to see a little more of the evening. We just need him to not need me to put his dummy back in and we'll be sorted.
He is teething so some days isn't quite as happy. The clues are all the dribbles, eating his hands, bib or clothes, pulling his ears, red cheeks and crying in his sleep.
Last week we were very sociable. We caught up with his little friends; William who is just over 3 months older, it's amazing to think where he'll be on development in the next few weeks. Luke who is about 6 weeks older (and we've seen them again today). Lily came round (she is 2 years old). He loved watching her play and do things. Friday 'Brown Owl' who I use to do Brownies with in Holmbury St. Mary came. It was great to see her and her husband again and I had a lovely time with them. In fact the whole week was good.
Saturday we had family photos taken. I had got a voucher for a studio session and money off / towards a photo by answering some questions (very basic) at a local garden Centre. We get to go and see them next Wednesday. The hard thing will be being restrained as they are expensive.
This weekend my parents are up. We have been and got Josiah a travel cot and he will be back in with us. We could do with some practice runs of him sleeping in the travel cot in the day but time is running out. We also got a high chair. He is not really old enough and does wobble to the side. However, it reclines and it means he can watch me in the kitchen and I don't need to carry his little chair in and out. The idea also is that he eats his food in it and can make that messy rather than the chair with material all over it!
Oh I got Josiah weighed yesterday and he is now up to 15lb 7oz.
I will try and remember and find the time to update this after we have been to see the photos next week.
8th August 2008
The next installment. Josiah had a hoarse voice Wednesday and Thursday but has recovered after some calpol and a big sleep last night (sadly not all the way through) but two good stints.
He had his immunisations today. Two in one leg and one in the other. They (the nurse and doctor) did them simultaneously on the count of 3. He screamed but settled back down quickly and fell asleep. The doctor checked his eyes which should have been done on the last visit but they were running so late we only saw the nurse. All was fine. The doctor is going to do a referral for the shape of his head (it's flat on the back from where he has laid on it).
Josiah's been a bit off since the immunisations and has slept a bit more but is still full of smiles and giggles especially for his daddy. Hopefully it will last and we won't have any side effects over the weekend.
6th August 2008
This is a little update as I'll need to do it again on Friday as Josiah has his immunisatons or at some point over the weekend. I took Josiah to baby clinic on Monday to get him weighed. He is now weighing in at 14lb 13oz. I am beginning to pack his 0-3 months clothes away now.
Yesterday he had his first babysitter. He went to Heather's whilst we went out for a meal. He was absolutely fine and coped waking up in a different place and without his mummy and daddy.
We have been out socialising this week. He went to Nanna Ag's yesterday (Matthew's Nanna) and saw Auntie Kate and Amelia (his cousin). Amelia coped reasonably well but Josiah was very good at smiling, laughing and talking and didn't really cry or shout. Today we saw them but Amelia wasn't so impressed as he made a bit more noise.
He is drinking the majority of his milk on nearly every feed at the moment. I was thinking of weaning him but we'll wait until he has had his immunisations. You are not meant to do it before 6 months now and if you do there are special rules. We will start with fruit and vegetables.
4th August 2008
I am hoping I will get this updated before someone needs my attention. I possibly should be outside weeding the flower bed but it is drizzling so don't fancy that.
Since I last wrote we have been to Surrey and came back via Peterborough. Josiah had a lovely time with his cousins and Nanny and Grandpa. Thomas and Daniel were both gentle with him. Thomas learnt to push a pram! Daniel sang nursery rhymes to Josiah. They both stayed over on the Sunday night and were in the room that Josiah had been sleeping in. Daniel said that Josiah could share with him and he would feed him in the night! We took Josiah in with us though. He didn't sleep particularly well whilst we were away partly I think it was due to the heat, also he had started in his pram but seemed too long for it so we put him in the travel cot which was obviously new. He has taken to sleeping at a strange angle. He gets frustrated if he loses his dummy! Due to growing so fast and being the full length of his pram we have turned it into the pushchair. He enjoys sitting up and seeing what is going on the downside is he isn't facing us anymore and we miss being able to chat to him as we go about places.
We called at Faith Camp in Peterborough on the way back. Josiah wore yellow for the yellow team! It was great to catch up with everyone and Josiah enjoyed his cuddles with everyone. He met his new friend Ella (she is about 6 weeks older) which they seemed to like one another, Josiah chatted to her and Ella reached out to him!
He had one last night in his moses basket when we returned but he was really too big so he has now moved into his cotbed. He is doing ok in it until he loses his dummy and then shouts! We put him down in the 'correct' way with his feet at the bottom of the cotbed, however when we go back in he can be in any direction. I did even ask Matthew which way he'd put him down the other night as he had his head at foot end! Josiah had managed to turn himself completely round. He tends to put himself on his side which will probably be good for his head to reshape.
Josiah is getting very chatty and smiles lots. We even get giggles out of him. Sometimes when he is crying you can turn him around and get giggles. If he is starving hungry that is not always the case though.
I will take him to get weighed after the next feed. Then on Friday he has his four month immunisations. Sadly Matthew can't come so I will have to hold him while the deal is done.
I am doing ok although a little more sleep like any new parent would never go amiss! It's the getting up and down at unearthly hours to put the dummy back in which is the killer.
25th July 2008
Josiah and Matthew are both asleep so I am quickly grabbing the moment to update the web site.
We are at mum and dad's at the moment. They haven't really seen Josiah yet as he has been asleep, stirred and gone off again. After this next feed and tomorrow morning they should see more of him, the smiles and giggles.
Yesterday Josiah had his hip scan. They were absolutely fine and we were discharged. He was a very good boy especially as he was due a feed. We then went to the Renshaw's to feed him before driving south. He was a little star in the car and slept the whole way.
I think he could be a bit out as last night he had his bottle downstairs and a play before going to bed. We didn't think it was fair to send him straight to sleep having slept all the way here! He has then had a bath this morning which he did his night time act and started yawning in. We'll have to go back to bathing him tonight so he realises it's bedtime.
He has been sleeping in his own room this week but in his moses basket in the cot. He has done well although is still waking in the night. I am hoping this will disappear again. I don't think the heat is helping. We have been practicing sleeping in the cot during the day which I spend a lot of time running up and down putting dummies back in. Let's hope he doesn't grow out of his moses basket too fast!
He is stirring and in need of a feed so I best go and sort him.
21st July 2008
I had better watch out if Josiah grows 100cm he will officially be 10.5cm taller than me! We have been to clinic today and he weighed in at 14lb 4oz and was 62.5cm in length.
He has perked up since his immunisations (he was out of sorts over the weekend) and is giggling again. Maybe we'll attempt sleeping in his own room very soon. It will probably be a necessity as he is rapidly out growing the moses basket.
19th July 2008
Josiah had his second lot of immunizations yesterday. Our doctors way of giving them is that the doctor and nurse do them both at exactly the same time so he only gets one lot of pain. However, our doctor is presently on maternity leave and the locum was running very late. We had a choice of waiting about another hour or just letting the nurse do the injections one after the other. We let the nurse do it, as Matthew had to get back to work, Matthew waiting isn't good and Josiah would have been due a feed so would have been getting unsettled. He screamed but did calm down (eventually). We had to book the third lot and the usual receptionist who does appointments must be away and the lady that was on took an age which didn't help Josiah or Matthew!
Yesterday he did a bit more loving and cuddles as well. He has been out of sorts today. His cheeks are quite flushed, he has pooed more and been sick. He is now tucked up in bed (9.30 p.m.) on calpol. So hopefully he'll settle for a while. He didn't have the best of nights last night either. He was unsettled at about 5 a.m. so I moved the moses basket so I could reach it and did his hair whilst lying in bed!
After the big success of the other night we've not quite had the same results. Thursday he went to 5 a.m. from about 11 p.m. It's obviously been thrown at the moment but hopefully we'll get it back in the next few days. I did enjoy not feeding at unsociable hours!
17th July 2008
AMAZING SUCCESS, Josiah slept through last night. I fed him about 10.15 p.m. and he went to sleep just before 11p.m. He did stir at 2 a.m. but not totally. He then woke at 6.15 a.m. well and truly ready for a feed and didn't really appreciate having his nappy changed or waiting for me to mix the bottle! Let's hope it continues.
15th July 2008
Josiah's on a big sleep at the moment although is due a feed shortly so having cleaned the house (minus the hoovering in case I bring my peace to an abrupt end) I thought I'd jump on here and do a quick update.
Josiah is a lot better. His voice is back to normal and he has finished his antibiotics. He is still sneezing (he always has done but it seems to be a bit more at the moment) and coughing. The antibiotics messed his tummy up and even though he's finished them it is taking a bit of adjusting back. Therefore, he has not been eating as much or sleeping for as long. I have just re made bottles for 150ml as we were throwing so much away. On the last feed he took the whole lot so we'll have to see how he does over the next 24 hours or so before I decide to put them back to 180ml.
Last night he wasn't happy and screamed for a couple of hours. It seemed every time he gulped it made him scream so something must have been hurting. Plus his poor tummy was gurgling away and he'd not trumped particularly and pooed all day. Thankfully he has this morning, so I am hoping he'll be more settled.
I got him weighed yesterday and he was up to 13lb 140z. He is progressing into his 3-6 month clothes now. The up to 3 months are getting a bit short so are only really suitable on hot days as his legs get exposed a lot. Plus the poppers sometimes come undone! I also re booked his immunisations whilst at the clinic, so they are on Friday morning. It means we have to miss baby massage again but apparently there were no appointments for the beginning of next week.
He is getting more vocal and loves chatting and smiling. I'm sure when we reply he is in despair at us as it's probably not what he's saying at all! He is enjoying his baby gym and this morning was whacking it like mad, then when he'd set the star off he smiled. He was funny in bed the other morning as we were either side of him and he kept turning his head between the two of us. Probably couldn't believe his luck that he had two people's total attention! He does decide sometimes that sleep is not what he wants but you can tell he's tired so he'll scream first and with the right cuddle crashes.
My wrist is better although I am still away of it and have to be careful. If I bang the bone it really hurts. My shoulder is very sore and I don't know why.
8th July 2008
We have a poorly little boy here hence I have not been able to update the web site. Over the weekend he was very hoarse and it got worse. His little cry and voice just weren't right and sounded very sad. He is now on antibiotics. At the moment he is on a big sleep, I am hoping he is sleeping it off and he will be back to his old self soon. He has been sneezing more today but not doing his little cough as much and his voice does sound better.
Josiah was meant to be having his immunisations tomorrow but they are on hold now. We have to phone the doctors early next week when he is better to get an appointment. I hope we can get one for Tuesday so we can go to Sparklers and baby massage. I had to cancel our place at baby massage this week as you can't go within 48 hours of immunisations but have made other plans.
Yesterday and today he has had a sleep in his cot bed in his moses basket. It has to be said he seems to sleep well in his own room and go a bit longer. I guess there is less to distract him up there. We have not gone for nights yet. That is my fault as I don't want to go walking in the night to put dummies back in or feed him! He is filling his moses basket more so it won't be long and he will be in his cot bed. Maybe next week I will have to try him in his cot bed during the day.
My wrist is still sore but getting there. My right shoulder is bad - not sure why but Matthew does massage it in the evening when I'm doing the last feed which is fantastic. I am trying to get some exercise and we've had a few walks into Hyde to do jobs.
Josiah is making noises through the intercom so I had better go and see where he is up to. I don't want him to use all his sleep up now and not do as well tonight. We are still waiting for him to sleep through.
30th June 2008
Last Thursday we went to the hospital thinking Josiah was having a scan but it was a consultation. Bless him he was fast asleep and then the consultant played with his hips which eventually woke him up. Thankfully he woke up in a good mood. The consultant said he was 90% sure there was nothing wrong with his hips but would send us for a scan to check. We are discharged unless something shows up on the scan.
We then popped up on to Mat 2 where I lived for 5 weeks and a bit to say hello. Thankfully it was two nice midwives on that we saw again. They both enjoyed their cuddles with him and he smiled back.
Baby massage went well again although Josiah managed to save his poo and do it there. When he'd relieved himself he settled more and then only moaned at the end as the thought he needed feeding, he got his milk once we were home.
Saturday we went to Wales and he had his first walk along West Shore. I expect there will be many more and in years to come we'll be on the sand making creations.
My wrist is slightly better although certain movements makes it really hurt. I'm not wearing the splint as much.
Today we have been to baby clinic and Josiah weighed in at 13lb 4oz. If was to lay straight in his pram he would fill it. We also popped to say hello at Climbers (now Fireworks) where I use to help out. The children were pleased to see him.
23rd June 2008
We have a perfect son according to the lady that weighed and measured Josiah. They don't normally measure them but I wanted to know what he was up to as people keep commenting on how he is filling his pram. He weighed in at 12lb 11oz and measured 59cm. He has put on 5oz since last week and has grown 13cm since he was born. He was classed as perfect as on the graph he is on middle centile (I think that is what it is) for both.
He is really smiling at times and also beginning to chuckle / giggle. I didn't appreciate him smiling and talking at 4.35a.m. the other morning. I informed him that it was still night time and he could chat later at a more sociable time!
Thursday he has his hip scan as he was born breech.
16th June 2008
Josiah has grown yet again and is now weighing in at 12lb 6oz. He has been quite bunged up so at times struggles to suck on the bottle. The other night wasn't so good as he was obviously struggling, eating less and then waking up more. We have a doctors appointment tomorrow so I hope they will give him some nasal drops to clear it, we've tried the steam in the bathroom.
My wrist is still very sore and spends a lot of time in a splint. It isn't helped when Josiah throws himself around when you are trying to wind him.
At the weekend Nanny and Grandpa got Josiah a baby gym (well I went and actually bought it as we'd have to wait a while to actually get it otherwise). He seems to be enjoying it and likes the toy with the rattle on the end which he knocks about (not sure it's done deliberately yet) at the moment. His Grandma and Grandad have bought him a toy for his pram but we've not got that yet.
Tomorrow is Sparklers and Matthew's sister is coming with Amelia, not sure what Amelia will think of it as she is not overly keen on Josiah! Matthew is off to Swansea in the morning and is away over night. It will be my first night alone with Josiah.
13th June 2008
This is my second attempt at updating this. I started then we had to go to cell and by the time I came back the computer had done a reset and I had lost it.
We seem to be busy and having a socialable life! I have repetitive strain so my left wrist is in a splint quite a lot of the time. It is very painful and weak. Anna came to stay last weekend and was a real star in helping me out so my wrist got some rest. Josiah enjoyed all his cuddles and the extra attention.
On Monday we both had our eight week checks. My blood pressure was perfect (only known it to change once and that was on the Friday after having him). He checked my eyes and said if I'd lost any blood I'd recovered well and then felt my stomach and said he couldn't feel my uterus so it must have gone back. Is this good or bad that he couldn't feel it?!
Josiah had a pretty good going over. I think nearly everything was fine as the doctor didn't really make any comments! So the all clear was on his hips, testicles and chest. He said they would re check his eyes in a month as he does go cross eyed but it could just be the muscles developing still. Josiah has a flat angled head from where he lies on it but apparently this is normal and will correct itself. He then had his first immunisations, one in each leg at the same time. He did scream but has not had any reaction. I just had one screaming fit in the afternoon where nothing would do! I managed to get them to weigh him and he was up to 11lb 12oz.
Matthew now agrees he smiles although fobs it off as wind! Josiah is staying awake more in the day and chatting to us. He has lost his little baby look and is growing fast.
We have also been to Sparklers (mother and toddler group at church) which he slept through again. I have discovered one of the ladies I met at aqua aerobics (the one time I went) goes to our church (she's been in the adult service rather than all age). She had a little boy so Josiah now has a boy to get to know as the other two I know had girls. He has also been to see the reading recovery teachers I was training with, the staff at school and the family I use to tutor for plus had another trip to Wales, not to mention lots of cuddles at cell group.
Today we have been to baby massage. He appeared to like it and only moaned a couple of times. The lady leading it said it stimulates hunger so I fobbed him off with a dummy. He cried after but has fallen asleep in the car and seems to be well gone although is due a feed any moment now.
Nights still vary sometimes he only does 3 hours (last night he did a 2 which didn't impress me). Sometimes we get a 4, we're looking forward to longer stints though. I haven't always been going to sleep quickly and then after a couple of the early morning feeds (5 / 6 a.m.) he has been grunting and moaning then trumping which I've not slept through so feel more tired at the moment. The grown up man in the house snores through most of it and thinks Josiah and I have only been up once!
4th June 2008
I am grabbing a couple of minutes whilst Josiah seems settled (although he's only had 60ml so may be back for more). At the weekend we moved in onto Aptamil milk for hungrier babies. He still seems to come back for more food from 2 hours onwards. It is showing that he is eating regularly and well as on Monday he weighed 11lb 3oz! He just keeps on growing. He did an amazing night Monday and did two 2 hour stints so I only felt I was up once in the night which was FAB.
Josiah is now smiling. Matthew kept saying it was wind but the grandparents agree with me now. He also chats to us.
I have a very weak and sore wrist which I think has come from always holding him on that arm and do everything else with my right.
We have had another trip to Wales. Matthew and I took him for a walk up to Angel Bay and showed him the sea. He wasn't very impressed and cried! Hopefully he'll change his opinion as we both like the sea so he'll be seeing a bit more of it.
Tomorrow he has his eight week check with the health visitor so I'll hopefully be able to report in - if he settles.
28th May 2008
We have been busy since I last wrote this. We headed south last Thursday evening to mum and dad's. Josiah managed nearly the whole journey without waking. Thankfully he didn't get too distressed and was fed as soon as we arrived. It took him a bit to settle back down though, probably as he'd slept for so long which meant I was up until 1.30 a.m. with him.
Friday my Grandma and auntie came down to meet him and he enjoyed his cuddles with them both. Katie (my sister) and nephews came after school. He was very good for them as well and they enjoyed cuddling to. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing them.
Saturday he met all his southern friends; Chris, Sylvia, Kathryn, Matthew and Isaac, Debbie, Paul and Nessy, Anna and Auntie Jean. So was passed around and cuddled lots of people. Auntie Janet popped into say hello on Sunday. Thank you for coming over and sorry we coudln't invite everyone to meet him.
Today he has had more visitors and cuddles with Nick, Kath, Josie and Ella.
Since being on total formula Josiah hasn't been as settled and now hasn't pooed in over 24 hours. He keeps straining and trumps well. You can tell he has tummy ache by the way he arches his back and the high pitched cry. I have changed him on to Aptamil from SMA to see if that helps and he is having water to. I am hoping it'll sort itself and he'll feel better soon.
He has done a couple of longer stints at night which has been fab and means you don't feel you are up as much. Last night he didn't settle until 12.30 but slept until 4.45 a.m. Matthew did ask if he'd only been up the once, this time it was a yes but it has been known for him to miss and sleep through the night feeds.
We have booked our place at baby massage on Friday 13th June. Before that he has his 8 week check and his first set of immunisations and I am being checked. The health visitor is due next week. And we're looking into swimming groups / lessons for him. He is going to be a busy bee, not to mention me!
21st May 2008
Today we achieved getting to Sparklers at church. It is a mother and toddler group with Christian input through a story, song and small teaching point. Admittedly we didn't make it all but got the last 45 minutes. I enjoyed getting out and seeing people, Marion who I was in hospital with goes so it was good to catch up with her. What did Josiah make of it all? Well that is hard to know as he slept through it all!
19th May 2008
Josiah and I had our first trip out in the car yesterday alone. We went down to our doctors / health clinic to get Josiah weighed. He is now 9lb 12oz! So no problems with eating these days. He hasn't seemed as settled since being totally on formula but is still a little treasure.
The sad bit is he is losing some of his hair - from the front. I'm hoping it doesn't all go. Matthew was bald until he was 3 years old! I'm hoping Josiah doesn't have that bit of his dad.
15th May 2008
Since I last got to update this we have had a trip to Wales to spend the day at Matthew's parents. Josiah did well in the car as we got stuck in traffic and I was worrying he'd wake and scream the car down as he'd need feeding. He awoke almost instantly we arrived! (He had gone just over the three hours which was good as the last feed had only be a two hour gap). It was quite an expedition to go with all the things we needed (I took too much but as Matthew said it was better to have too many nappies and bottles etc than not enough). It was tough in the fact that to be ready to go I had to be up before Josiah to express and be washed and dressed etc. It was good going out and seeing another place though and to see the sea.
We have also had a trip to the doctors. Josiah has now got eye drops for his sticky eye which on the whole he accepts reasonably well. He has been referred for his hip scan as it is policy on babies that are born breech. We had to get our doctor to do the referral if we wanted to go to Stepping Hill. If the health visitor did the referral we'd end up at Tameside. Stepping Hill will always be in preference to Tameside.
I drove to the doctors and it was ok. Matthew lifted and carried the car seat though. Walking to keep up with Matthew and to be quick getting to the chemist etc hurt more. At least I have a little more freedom now even though I've not been able to use it.
Yesterday I was hoping we could go to Sparklers at church but Josiah obviously had other ideas as he pooed and needed a bath to recover, pooed again, was sick and demanded his food at two hourly intervals and didn't settle in between. So at 9.50 when we should have been thinking of heading out the door he was being fed and I still hadn't got in the shower.
Yesterday we took the breast pump back. It was after a lot of soul searching and thought. I wasn't sure I would keep it all up for another 30 days and didn't want to pay for that if we weren't going to use it. It was having to do it so early to go out for the day and then do it when we got back when I was exhausted. Then when we go to mum and dad's it would take a lot of space up in the car and I didn't know where I'd be able to store all the milk I'd expressed amongst other things. So hesitantly I have stopped and he has gone to formula all day. It has to be said Josiah doesn't seem to have noticed! I still offer him the breast but he doesn't latch on or suck hard enough most of the time. He appears to know there should be milk there by the way he has his mouth open and throws himself around but gets so frustrated when it doesn't happen.
7th May 2008
The health visitor has been today. Josiah is still growing and is now weighing in at 8lb 4oz. He seems to keep having growth spurts as sometimes he doesn't go the full 3 hours between feeds. Today he did one and a half hours at one point - I wasn't best pleased as I'd just settled to write some thank you letters. I can't really complain though as he is a star and on the whole very good.
Matthew's sister called round to see us which broke the day up. Amelia waved good bye to him and was happier when not in the same room. He was good and stayed asleep so Amelia was pleased although I think Kate would have liked a cuddle.
Tomorrow a friend, Marion, who I was in hospital with is coming round. I have yet to meet her daughter (Marion wasn't well the day I could go and visit her then I had my section the following day). Marion was in the room next to me and is a Christian and goes to the mother and toddler group at my church. We have yet to catch up with Clare who I was also in with as we both had c-sections and are unable to drive.
4th May 2008
We have been to church today with Josiah. It has to be said we didn't make it for the whole service but managed a good chunk. Josiah slept through it all although did jump a few times when there was a sudden noise. He got a cuddle with Helen. Josiah then screamed the whole way home as he was due a feed and decided he needed it there and then. I don't like it when he screams to that point and gets himself in a state.
My mum is due to leave in a bit so Josiah has been told he is not to create extra washing! I shall miss her as I've had a lot of support and until at least Thursday cannot drive. What time I'll end up being up and dressed for will remain to be seen as mum cuddles / winds the little man whilst I finish expressing or showering etc. She's also done all the washing, ironing, cleaning, washing up, made meals and helped me sort the nursery out.
My scar is quite sore at the moment. It is more sore now than it was in the beginning. The two ends pull and twinge. I get odd butterfly feelings too. Hopefully, it is all a sign that it is healing.
The health visitor is coming to see us on Wednesday so I will aim to update this then to tell you what she had to say and we'll hopefully have a new weight. Also, Josiah has lots of spots on his face at the moment and his skin (including his forehead) is quite flaky so I'm hoping she'll explain why to me.
29th April 2008
Today we finally achieved getting to the local clinic for the health visitors to weigh Josiah. The little man is now weighing in at 7lb 6oz. It was a mammoth task getting there as he had been sick on one vest and baby gro, I changed and redressed him for him to bring up most of the bottle he had just had - it just kept on pouring out. So I had to change him again!! For a little person he is creating his Nanny a lot of washing.
I got the details of different groups in the three local areas (Romiley, Marple and Bredbury). So hopefully when I can drive again, carry the car seat and we don't take all day to get out we can go socialising at post natal groups and baby massage. We will also go to our church's mother and toddler group.
25th April 2008
Having been discharged by the midwife yesterday we got a phone call this morning to say that the blood tests they did when he was 5 days old had had insufficient blood and needed re doing. So the poor little man has had to have his heel pricked again and more blood. Let's hope we don't hear anymore from them. (If there is a problem they ring).
Someone is stirring next to me for his feed so I best go and feed him.
24th April 2008
Well we have a little star in the house. Josiah has continued to gain weight and is now weighing in at 6lbs and 13oz! He is now taking anything up to 120mls and varying still on the times he sleeps / stays awake in between feeds. I am beginning to struggle to keep up with him (expressing enough and fitting it in). So with a lot of heartache I am beginning to realise that he is going to have to have some formula and more so as time goes on (over the next week or so). He only has a tinge of jaundice now so there are no concerns on that front.
The midwife has discharged us and we are moving over to the health visitor.
I am a lot better. Mum and I have been able to pop out this evening briefly whilst Matthew had Josiah. Tomorrow I am at the dentist so Matthew is going to have a little more father and son time working from home, thanks to his boss.
I now need to sort the bottles out for the night and be ready for the next feed so we can settle Josiah upstairs.
Matthew has updated the image page so have a look and see our growing son.
22nd April 2008
This should have been updated on Sunday but we had people here and then we went to the airport to pick mum up who is here for 2 weeks to help us out. Since then I have been unwell with mastitis and on antibiotics.
The midwife came on Sunday and weighed Josiah. He was back to his birth weight, she said that it was phenomenal that he had achieved this. So thank you for all that have prayed. He is a real star and has now got a grip of feeding out of the bottle and can down 90mls quite rapidly, when you think we struggled to get 55mls in. He generally is going 3 hours between feeds but occasionally it's only 2 or 2 and a half which isn't impressive in the night. He still won't go on the breast so I have been expressing for him. This is becoming hard work and very time consuming so we need to evaluate and decide where we go from here, especially for when mum has gone home.
Josiah is opening his eyes more and is having more awake moments over the last couple of days.
The midwife is due tomorrow so I'll try and get on here to let you know what she has to say.
17th April 2008
I am sorry this has not been updated as quickly as previously. I think the peacefulness and calmness of home took over. Also trying to find bits and pieces and get organised is taking some doing.
I forgot to tell you in the last update that Josiah had also had his hearing test on the 14th and passed with flying colours. Daddy mentioned an ipod to him!!.
We came home on the 15th about 4.30 p.m. It was lovely seeing the house and to actually see it all myself rather than through photos. Matthew has done a grand job and worked really hard. It looks great, I just need to sort through all the things in the nursery. I am trying to be good and do things one step at a time in between feeding, expressing, sterilising etc... I am also still quite sore which is restricting plus my right hand and wrist are very bruised from all the different drips etc. that were in them.
It was amazing to sleep in my own bed again with a duvet and the first night Josiah woke us for his feeds 3 hourly which was great.
Yesterday the midwife came to see us. Josiah was weighed and he has put on weight to the point he is nearly back to his birth weight which was excellent news. He was still a bit yellow but they were not concerned enough to do another blood test so we make sure he is in a well lit room.
We had some visitors; Sandra and Peter, Ciaran and Beccy and Kate called round with Amelia.
Last night he didn't settle particularly well after his 7.15 p.m. feed or again after the 4.15 a.m. Matthew came down with him for about an hour and then I did. He eventually settled about 6.50 a.m. and I managed to lie him in his pram. I then dozed on the sofa thinking it would only be for 20 minutes max but the postman woke Matthew and I at 8.15 a.m. and the little man is still asleep an hour later. He keeps going to stir. We're not too worried as he was taking at least his 55mls in the last 3 feeds so may have stocked up! I could do with him waking to feed and as I really need to be expressing. I have a feeling as soon as I set myself up to do my daisy the cow act he'll wake up. Matthew is catching up on sleep upstairs.
14th April 2008
We have had a busy day today and no end of different people in and out. Matthew has been here since early this morning which I have been VERY grateful for with all that's been happening. He has been a total star.
Where do we start? The easy and straight forward part today was that we were able to register him this afternoon so that is one job done.
Last night Josiah's blood test result was back in relation to his jaundice. It was a positive result and he was really clear of the range for treatment. He then had to spend 12 hours out from the treatment, they then repeat the blood test to make sure he is still clear. The first blood test they did after the 12 hours (11 a.m.) didn't have enough serum in it. So we had a second done (2.45 p.m.) and that one clotted. But read on to the next paragraph - the pediatrician isn't that concerned now about the jaundice (presumably the result was good enough last night and he doesn't look it). We haven't seen this pediatrician.
Due to all the problems with feeding I asked to see the breast feeding midwife so she has been in and out, on and off through the day. She has been very supportive, helpful and encouraging which has been a real blessing. Josiah was weighed after lunch (before a bath - read on for that). He has lost 19% of his birth weight which is more than he should have done. We are not overly concerned as he really wasn't eating anything until yesterday lunch time. We need to be tougher on him and also making sure his tongue is in the right place as he as a tiny tongue tie which means it might not be under the teat properly. He needs to be taking 55mls at each feed which is a mix of whatever I have expressed topped up with formula. He has a habit of falling asleep and not taking lots but we now need to be a bit tougher on him, wake him up, keep him alert and make sure he does take the amount. He needs waking up every 3 hours to feed. If we get this going and he is taking it etc. the pediatrician will review it tomorrow but we should be let out (YIPEE - I am desperate to get home).
He had his first bath today which I had asked for a demonstration of. He had just had his hair washed when he did this enormous trumping sound and yes he had done one of his lovely smelly poos in the towel for the midwife. So the bath was needed then! He cried a bit and had a real wriggle but enjoyed being wrapped in this towel after for a cuddle. His hair looks fluffy now!
I have been quite emotional - hormones and feel a bit yuck but am ok. I find it harder when Matthew is not around but I think that has partly been as feeding and nights had been traumatic with Josiah not latching / sucking / getting angry and distressed etc.. Some midwives are lovely and very supportive and encouraging some of them not so and being a sensitive person I am probably more emotionally reactive to that and taking it all on board and putting my ability etc.. down. Last night with some order of feed plan Josiah was happier and we actually had a nice time together - he did a super dirty nappy and proceeded to wee all over my bedding! So that was all good fun.
Prayer requests:
That Josiah begins to feed as required and take the recommended amount without much hassle.
We get to go home tomorrow.
That I'll feel better and not so yuck and emotional. Probably also for confidence.
THANK YOU for all your support, prayers and messages.
13th April 2008
I feel slightly more human since Matthew updated this below. I have had a little sleep and a shower. We have just had our care taken over by Raychell (midwife who we like and has been lovely over the past 5 weeks). Due to Josiah not feeding properly she has managed to feed him some formula milk and is working with us on a feeding plan, how many millilitres he needs to have and how often etc... I am going to continue to express and Josiah will have this topped up with the formula so he gets the important colostrum plus some fluid. Getting the right amount of fluid will help him get rid of the jaundice and also to settle as he'll have a full tummy. Hopefully life will be calmer and more peaceful with this action plan!
Josiah hasn't been feeding very well and has started to develop jaundice. A midwife carried out a jaundice test yesterday without our consent which I am attempting to follow up with the hospital on how their policy to have parental consent before undertaking tests or treatments was broken. The test they did was flawed so they did another test, with our consent in the middle of night. It showed that Josiah is slightly jaundice and as a result he now needs to spend the next 24 hours under a sun lamp. Fleur is shattered as she is still recovering from the operation to deliver Josiah and hasn't been getting much sleep with the attempts to feed Josiah and then having to express. They're both asleep at the moment so I'm being as quiet as I can whilst I type this. (Click here to see images of the sun lamp)
12th April
Mum and Dad arrived yesterday and surprised us by bringing Katie and Thomas with them. So Josiah has met more of his southern family than I thought he would in his first weeks which has been a lovely surprise.. They are staying the night and will travel back South tomorrow afternoon.
37 Weeks and 3 Days
I have signed the consent forms today. I have also had one lot of steroids which are to help mature the baby's lungs and have another lot coming at 9.30 p.m. tonight.
I am feeling far more positive about it all going well and according to plan now and am getting excited. The end is in sight. I just need to sort the bags out and send stuff home now.
36 Weeks and 2 Days
We have just come back from the scan. The placenta hasn't moved at all. It was quite a long way up the front of me so there will be no way of avoiding it when they go in. I am a bit disappointed as was hoping it may have moved enough to take the risk off my life. Now the prayer is that the surgery will go well, that I end up back up here rather than via intensive care or anyway. Also that I don't bleed or do anything I shouldn't between now and the 10th.
The baby is fine and doing all it should except cooperating in scans! The baby's estimated weight is about 7lbs at present (3217g).
36 Weeks
We went for a scan on the 10th March to find out if the placenta had moved as at the 20 week scan it was lying low. We thought we were either going to be told it was a natural birth or that we would be booked in for a c-section. It was all a bit of a shock when we got told I was being admitted to hospital and wasn't going home.
I have grade 4 placenta praevia. My placenta is lying from the front of my abdomen, over the os (entrance the baby would go down if they were born naturally), all the way to my back. I am at high risk of bleeding. If I was to bleed heavily and suddenly at home I would be unconscious before the ambulance arrived and probably have died before reaching here. Being here means that if I was to bleed heavily I could be in theatre within minutes. I have not bled at all which is very unusual apparently and to me shows how much God's hand is on us.
This means that we have to have a c-section. That has high risks in itself as they have to cut through the placenta to get to the baby which will start me bleeding. The baby should be fine and will be out in seconds. They will also have given me steroids to mature the baby's lungs leading up to the operation. The placenta is harder to get out from that position as it is more embedded. The risks of bleeding heavily, not being able to stop it is the major risk factor. There is blood on the delivery suite for me all the time now and I am cross matched each week. Please pray that I don't bleed heavily and the surgery goes smoothly. They have talked about me going to intensive care, high dependency, have to sign that I agree with a hysterectomy (to stop bleeding), blood transfusions etc... We are praying all goes well and I end up in recovery with Matthew and the baby and we'll all be together straight after the surgery.
I have been stuck here 3 weeks on Monday. I am not particularly bored but have got fed up. The meals have been a major issue but God has been good and we finally got to speak to a dietician who goes to Matthew's old church and was very good to us. So we are getting there.
All being well (and I am sure it will be) we are booked in for a c-section on April 10th and we are the first ones on the list. So baby Greer should be here then. The baby will only be delivered before if I start bleeding or anything but we're not having any of that.
We also have a scan on Monday 31st.
Matthew has collected the pram and car seat, set up the nursery so far and put the cot bed together. We are nearly there for our early arrival.
Please pray for us as God is the only one who can get us through.
31 Weeks
I have been suffering with heartburn but have discovered that MacDonald milkshakes take the burning sensation away So I could into a MacDonald's milkshake junkie in the next few weeks.
My movement is limited and sometimes I am in quite a bit of pain which is frustrating. So any prayers are welcome.
29 - 30 Weeks
We went and ordered our pram at the weekend as my mum was up. It was very exciting and another step forward in being organised. We may need to practice putting it up and down and swapping between pram and pushchair as well as attaching the car seat!
Information:
'Awarded pushchair of the year two years in a row by Mother and Baby Magazine, the Pliko Pramette is the original and the lightest pramette on the marketplace, now new and improved for even better quality and ease of use. Features:
- Aluminium chassis makes the Pliko Pramette the lightest Pramette available
- Integral Toddler Ride-On-Step offers a convenient way to carry your second child*
- Deeper sides and extra padding in seats giving your baby added comfort and security
- Specially designed fabric lining retracts perspiration keeping your baby dry, content and comfortable
- Four position backrest with single hand recline and three position leg rest
- Adjustable five point safety harness
- Height adjustable handles with integrated cup holder
- Protective and easy to clean `gate style` opening bumper bar makes it easier to place your older child in and out
- Easy to use spring loaded umbrella folding for easy closing and opening.'
We also got the car seat which fits on to the pram with two isofix bases (one for each car).
Mum was amazed it did so much!
This week as it is half term here I was able to go to Aqua Natal at a local swimming pool. I enjoyed it and am disappointed I'll have to wait until the Easter holidays to go again when I can start to go regularly. I didn't feel any pain whilst in the water but was very careful about how much I did as I knew when I got out I would know about it.
I have phoned and left a message for the midwife to refer me to a physio to get some ideas on how I can ease the pain. I was hoping I would get to rest this week but it seems to have disappeared on me and the SPD (see week 29) has not eased at all.
The baby has it's active moments but I still haven't actually seen my stomach move. The baby has a habit of stopping moving when I put my hand on to feel them or watch.
29 Weeks
Monday we went to the midwife. The baby was a little monkey. I did say the attitude could stay in the womb when they come out! When they were trying to get a fetal movement the baby was trying to stay still, yet when they went to listen to the heart beat the midwife got it and then the baby moved so they had to re- find it again!
I mentioned the pain I have been getting in the pelvic area which had got worse over the weekend. The midwife said it was 'symphysis pubis dysfunction' (SPD). Here is an overview of what it is and the symptoms.
'The two halves of your pelvis are connected at the front by a stiff joint called the symphysis pubis. This joint is strengthened by a dense network of ligaments which means that under normal conditions, very little movement occurs. In order to make your baby's passage through your pelvis as easy as possible, your body produces a hormone called relaxing, which softens the ligaments in your pelvis. As a result, these joints move more during and just after pregnancy. The current thinking indicates that if one side of the pelvis moves more than the other when you walk or move your legs, this can lead to pain and inflammation at the symphysis pubis.
Pain in the pubic area and groin are the most common symptoms. It is common to feel a grinding or clicking in your pubic area and the pain may travel down the inside of the thighs or between your legs. The pain is usually made worse by separating your legs, walking, going up or down stairs or moving around in bed. It is often much worse at night and can stop you getting much sleep. Getting up to go to the toilet in the middle of the night can be especially painful.'
Then yesterday I had a phone call from the doctors regarding my blood test results. A bacterial infection had shown up. So I am now on antibiotics for the cold.
Other than that I am not doing too bad. I wouldn't change it though as I am looking forward to meeting our little blessing.
I would really appreciate prayers for the SPD especially that it eases and does not get worse (I can see a physiotherapist, some people end up on crutches and they may have to give me an individual birthing plan).
27 Weeks
I have just discovered the world of heartburn, everyone has recommended Gaviscon so I am now taking that at night. I am not yet to drinking it out of the bottle as some say they did! Today's not been such a good day as my back has ached plus the pelvic area and I could be getting a cold (not surprising with 1 of the children I work with). I have got a bit overtired with a busy weekend and start to the week.
We are at the midwife on Monday. I am looking forward to hearing the baby's heart beat again. Sometimes they are really wriggly and Matthew gets more opportunities to feel them now. Although the baby has a habit of stopping when you put your hand to feel them!
I am slowly getting organised in buying baby bits but have not done any clothes yet. The office 'just' needs a HUGE blitz but that will have to wait for a clear weekend or half term.
25 Weeks
We went to see the midwife at 24 weeks. We were able to hear the heart beating and once again the midwife commented on them squirming away! The baby obviously doesn't like being prodded! Everything was fine, the baby's heart beat, my blood pressure etc... We go back on the 4th of February.
I can now feel the baby moving around quite a bit. Matthew has felt them move once but was egging them on to move late last night, which I wasn't so pleased about as they'd only just stopped! The baby seems to like having a wriggle when I lie down to go to sleep. I am also not very appreciative when they kick my bladder!!
I am not as tired as I was and am beginning to do more, like sort the office out to make way for the baby, price baby gear and do the weekly shop.. Some days I am starving - normally at school. My back aches and the bottom of my bump which is hard going at times.
If I write' them' or 'they' it still refers to one baby but I don't like to call them it. We are not having twins or any other amount beyond the one.
20 Weeks
We went for the 20 week scan today and to see a consultant. We were there for about 3 hours.
The baby was a little monkey! They wouldn't’t look at the camera to have their photo taken and kept hiding away. It was commented the baby was stubborn, so who do they take after?!
You will have to look at the photos to see if you can work the baby out! They had their hands on their head at one point, had a scratch of or was it picking their nose, curled up, stretched out and then went to sleep. The lady scanning poked the baby to try and get them to move for a better photo but it was having none of it! And it still remains a mystery to whether they are a boy or girl!
They are growing well.
The measurement of the head is 47.0 mm, if you look back you’ll see how well that’s grown.
Their thigh bone is 33.0 mm.
The Head circumference is 176.0 mm.
They also had a good look at the heart, cranial structures, spine, lower limbs, upper limbs, stomach, heart, bladder and kidneys.
They baby has the normal amount of fluid around them as well.
The placenta is lying low at the moment which isn’t that good but as it’s only 20 weeks is not a huge problem. There is time as my uterus grows that the placenta will hopefully move upwards. Only a small percentage of women still have low lying placenta’s at the end. If the placenta stays where it is, it will block the hole that the baby comes out of and I’ll have to have a caesarean. We are going back to the hospital for a 34 week scan (10th March). We were quiet happy to have another chance to look at the baby!
So any of you out there that are praying for all of us, can you pray the placenta moves up please?
13 – 20 Weeks
I am still getting tired and go for a snooze in the afternoon when I can. It is a blessing only teaching in the morning. I have also had some bad headaches but I don’t want to take anything unless I really have to. The nauseousness has now passed.
I felt the baby move at 17 weeks. The first time it was quite dramatic and felt like my tummy was doing somersaults and on a fairground ride.
13 Weeks
We had a scan thinking it was 12 weeks but discovered it was 13! We both enjoyed watching the baby. They were lying face down on their hands and knees and had the odd stretch and kick. I was in awe at how they’d changed over the past 5 weeks.
They measured the baby’s head and it was 25.0 mm. So our estimated due date has changed from 4th May to 26th April 2008.
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