Mum is poorly, but on the mend

Last night wasn't too bad. Tom took the dummy everytime he was offered it which was good. He woke at 9pm, 9.30pm (both of which Matt sorted out as I was already in bed), then 12.00, 2.00, 2.20 and 2.40. At 2.20 he finally took my breast and at 2.40 he took the other one. He then didn't wake up until almost 8am. Unfortunately I was fully awake at 3.00, it took me a good hour to get back to sleep. I think Tom may have woken up around 7, I think I could hear cooing, but he obviously wasn't unhappy as it didn't reach fever pitch and he fell silent. When I say I think I could hear cooing, I am now so tuned into him, that sometimes I hear him even when he isn't making any noise - he has certainly got into my head.

I didn't have a great night, when Matt came up to join me in bed I woke up in a massive massive sweat. All my clothes, the bed sheets, the pillows were absolutely soaking, which meant that I then had to sleep in a cold wet bed - well that was until Matt left about 2.30, when I rolled over to his nice warm and dry side.

I was still feeling rubbish this morning - my throat is really really sore. I shined a torch down my throat and saw white spots at the back, I also did an internet search and came to the conclusion that it is tonsillitis. Phoned the drs, their first reaction was swine flu - call the helpline, that was before I could even get all the symptoms out, mind you they also thought I was pregnant - doesn't fill me with confidence! When I finally managed to explain all the symptoms the dr said that it was tonsillitis and she'll write me a prescription - what ever happened to actually seeing a dr? I realised as soon as I put the phone down that I forgot to say that I'm breastfeeding so had to call back and had to wait 3 hours for the call back. Apparently the antibiotics are fine.

I called Amanda for advice (she is a nurse and Tim, her husband is a GP). She was very helpful, the dr scared me as she said that tonsillitis is very contagious. Amanda explained that it is only contagious via saliva, so as long as I don't give Tom a big wet kiss he should be ok. Matt doesn't have any tonsils so he'll be ok as well. It also means I can be out and about with babies without fear of infecting them, I just need to be well enough.

Tom had a bit of a grizzly morning. He didn't eat much for breakfast - my fault I think - too many phone calls going on as I had to cancel gymbabes as well. He went for his morning nap and was unhappy when he woke up. I managed to get him on my breast for a snack, but after a minute he bit me, so I took him off, that meant almighty screams. Gave him his lunch, he ate a mountain of food - he was hungry, that was the problem! He ate the best part of two sachets of Ella's food (making or even preparing food right now is just too much for me to bear), a crust of bread, a chunk of cheese and a rice cake. He cheered up after that and played nicely until 1.30 when he got tired and went for his nap.

Once he woke up, I went down to the drs to pick up the prescription and then to asda to get the antibiotics and matt some food (I can't manage much at the moment, and what I do eat has to be ultra smooth and soft).

Oh, another rant, on getting my prescription I said that I understood that i didn't need to pay for it as all prescriptions to mums are free of charge for the first year. The assistant told me I needed a maternity excemption form, I looked at her blank. She told me that I should have received the paperwork at my first appointment when I was pregnant. Anyway she was very helpful, I had to pay, but she also provided me with a refund form for when I get the form. I called the surgery and asked about it to be told, "oh, we only give out that form if you ask for it" - why?! I know why, to save money in the hope that most women won't know or find out about exemption - huff!

Tom had a happy evening, ate a good dinner, played nicely, had a playful bath with his dad and then drank up well. We will see what tonight brings...

Better day

So, Tom slept until 2.30 and then slept in half hour chunks until 4, when I managed to get him on the breast again and therefore in a deep sleep until 6.30. I then put him in bed with me, he fell asleep again at 7.30 until 8.30. I discovered a new trick last night. Matt suggested dipping his dummy in something nice to persuade him to take it. So, last night i took some puree up with me and dipped it in each time I gave it to him. It worked, he didn't refuse it even once. He still screamed each time he woke up, but for only about 10 minutes rather than an hour, so an improvement. When he woke at 6.30 he was very grizzly, but once he had had a nap he was better. I, on the other hand didn't do too well, was hallucinating and having very bizarre dreams throughout the night.

Gave him breakfast, he ate half a weetabix with no trouble at all, so his appetite is definitely on the up. We were supposed to go to Stella's Christening today, but I am still feeling rough and the idea of sitting in church for a service whilst trying to keep Tom happy and quiet is just too much. I let Kamila know and felt awful as she said that we were the 4th lot to cancel on her today - oops.

Tom had a decent lunch and then we popped to Asda to get some food for tonight. 3pm saw us at the station to collect Matt (believe it or not, the trains actually ran on time today). Tom was fast asleep when Matt arrived, so we put him in his bed for his afternoon nap. After an hour and a quarter Matt went up to wake him. Apparently he was fast fast asleep. He spent the next hour grizzling, (I think we should have left him to sleep) - not a great welcome home for Matt, especially as he had been very chirpy and smiley earlier in the day.

He did cheer up after his dinner, but was soon grizzly again. He had his bath with me (I then had a nice long, hot soak) and his bottle with his Dad. Apparently he was very wide awake when Matt bid him goodnight, but we haven't heard from him yet...

Not a good day

Saturday is a bit of a blur I'm afraid. Tom woke up twice during the night - midnight and 2.30. Both times he screamed for a good hour before going back to sleep. It's all very strange. He screams when he sees the dummy coming towards him, arches his back, thrashes his head from side to side - almost as if it is an instrument of torture, but once I do get it in, he's asleep in seconds. Why does he reject something that so obviously gives him comfort?

Anyway, I ended up putting him in my bed with me around 3am, that way I didn't have to keep going into his room, however, it meant that I didn't sleep as well. I managed to get him back on the breast this morning, took a couple of attempts but we got there - yahooo. (I didn't give him milk throughout the night, I gave him water instead, hoping he would be desparate for milk in the morning, seemed to work)

As the day progressed, I'm afraid I became unwell. Kept going hot and cold, headache, tired etc. Not great when you are the sole carer for a baby. Waterbabies got cancelled this morning, due to teacher illness, so we were at a loose end for the day. Decided to go swimming anyway, so booked us in for 1pm. Was really looking forward to it as I was cold and thought the hot water would warm me up. Not to be, although it was hot, I was still cold. Anyway, there was only one other baby in the pool, who I knew from groups, so we had a good natter. I noticed that Tom had a rash on his legs now. Poor mite, what next? He also managed to do another big squirty poo whilst in the pool. It came out of his swim nappy, but luckily his trunks kept it in.

Came home, both me and Tom had a nap. Tom unfortunately woke up in a bad mood and spent the rest of the day grizzling, not good if you are feeling unwell! I gave him his dinner (he ate a suprisingly large dinner), bath and bed. I then had a sandwich and went to bed - was in bed for 7.30.

Smiles again, thanks Mum and Dad

So Tom woke at 9.30pm, 1am and 4am. Mum got him back to sleep each time with a mixture of settling and milk. Mum ended up sleeping on the sofa again and not her bed! This went well, well, well beyond the call of duty, but I am incredibly grateful to her. I was asleep by 10pm and woke up at 5.30, that's 7.5 hours of blissful, blissful, blissful sleep. You won't believe how good it felt. That's the longest sleep I've had since before Christmas last year. I dozed for a while, before coming downstairs at 7.40, to find a happy, smiley Tom with mum and dad. He looked so much better. Apparently he slept much much better than last night so we think the sleep has helped mend him.

Morning was spent expressing (I'm having to express 100% of his milk at the moment as he won't take it directly from me) and packing the car. We were on our way by 10.20.

I want to take this opportunity to thank mum and dad. I'm sorry that they didn't get to play with the happy Tom we all know and love, however, I am grateful I was with them for what I think has been Tom's worse period. I don't know what I would have done without them. They helped in so many ways and were a pillar of strength. I think they are absolutely shattered, hope you recover soon.

The rest of the day was spent driving, driving, driving. Wasn't the nicest of drives, it rained the whole way. Stopped off at Cribbs Causeway where we spent 2 hours including lunch and some shopping. Then to Dudley to drop off the cake (see pic, not bad for a first attempt don't you think?) and on to Telford. Tom was an angel in the car, spent most of the time asleep (he's never going to sleep well tonight)

Came home, gave him dinner (he's eating a lot more today which is a great sign, although he still won't take any milk directly from me), then bath and bed. He wouldn't take his dummy again, and then wouldn't settle. Luckily I managed to get his dummy into him second time round. Funny, when he took the dummy, his eyes rolled in ecstasy, if it brings him so much comfort, why won't he take it easily? All very strange. Haven't heard from him since. I wonder what the night will bring...

Better day

Well, what can I say, last night mum was an absolute star. Tom woke at 9.30 when I went to bed and screamed and screamed and screamed. Nothing would placate him. Mum came upstairs and took him off me, said that she would sleep with him and that she would bring him back to me for feeding. True to her word, she did that. She came to my room at 1am so I could Tom his feed. He wouldn't take it. He refused to suck, that's the first time that has ever happened. We ended up giving him a bottle instead. I then couldn't sleep, worrying about him not latching on.

I didn't hear from him again. Turns out that Mum took him down to Dad's office and slept on the sofa with him, to make sure that I couldn't hear him. She had his cot mattress on the floor, but apparently he refused to sleep on the matress, so he slept on her for the night, she used the sofa as her bed. What a star, well beyond the call of duty, but I was very grateful.

Tom was slightly better today, wasn't in so much pain. We had to give him Calpol in the morning, but after that he did ok. He was still drooling for the whole day. Didn't do too much today, we went for a walk round the village, but then the weather took a turn for the worse, so we headed back. After lunch I finished off Ziyoun's cake, whilst Tom played with Mum in the ball pool. He was relatively happy, but then he refused to go for his afternoon nap, cried for 45 minutes before going to sleep, which put his whole routine back.

He didn't eat much today - I think he managed a yoghurt and a couple of teaspoons of puree, that was it. After dinner, he had a play and then bath with mum and bed. He wouldn't settle. Once again he wouldn't take his dummy, and cried and cried and cried. In the end we gave up. We brought him into the dining room whilst we had dinner. He still showed no sign of going to sleep, so we gave him some calpol and mum took him through to Dad's room to calm him down and get him to sleep. Took 20 minutes, but he eventually went.

Today, mum and dad persuaded me to allow them to do the night shift with Tom so that I could get a unbroken night's sleep (apparently I was looking haggard and they weren't comfortable with me driving home alone as i was). We moved the cot downstairs into Dad's office so that he could sleep in his bed and put the monitor in with him so that mum and dad could sleep in their room. There are 5 doors between his room and mine, so there was no way I could hear him.

Bad, bad night and bad, bad day

An absolutely horrific night. When I went to bed, Tom was already awake, although not in distress, so I left him. At 11pm he was calling out, I went in, he smelt like he needed changing, so went and got his changing things and changed him. He didn't need changing, but he was on fire. His cheeks were bright red, even his legs were hot to touch. He wouldn't settle at all. I ended up stripping him down and giving him some Calpol and then cradling him in my arms for a good hour, trying to relax him to sleep (he was breathing very fast).

In the end it worked and he managed 3 hours sleep, I, however, was too worried to even think about sleep, ended up reading a book and flicking through some magazines instead. 3am saw him awake again, I went in, he had cooled down considerably, so I put him back in his sleeping bag and got him back to sleep again. 4am and he was awake again, this time he needed feeding so I did so and I got him back to sleep, he then slept through to 7.45am. I think I finally managed to get to sleep around 5am. Not great!

Matt phoned up this morning, he didn't sleep last night either - I wonder if he was tuned into us? Took Tom downstairs to mum and dad, they also said he wasn't himself, lots of drool and biting on anything, so they think another tooth is on the way.

Tom didn't eat much for breakfast - about half a fromage frais, I then put him back down for a sleep which went ok. When he woke up, he was still not himself, Mum and Dad decided to take him out for the day - down to the coast in Plymouth and a good bracing walk. Apparently he had a good time, cried a bit in the car on the way home and then fell asleep.

Once back home though, he started crying and crying. Nothing would placate him. He wouldn't eat anything at all for dinner. Mum and Dad were brilliant, I got quite upset at one stage, they took him off me and gave me strict instructions not to find them. You can see he's in pain, but what can you do to help him. I ended up squirting Calpol down him, which caused even more screaming, but Mum took him away and he ended up crying himself to sleep on her. Once awake again, Dad gave him a bath and for 20 minutes he turned into a different baby, happy and giggling, it was so nice to hear.

Unfortunately once out of the bath he started crying again, he must be so tired, he has had less than half his usual naps today. Dad dressed him and mum is now giving him his bottle. Fingers crossed he manages some good chunks of sleep tonight and whatever is hurting him sorts itself out.

Busy day for mum

We didn't do so well last night. Tom was awake from 11.00pm to 3.30am. He did sleep for 30 minute chunks during which I managed about 10 minutes. The problem is that he won't take his dummy. I'm not sure why. For his naps during the day he opens his mouth for his dummy and he goes to sleep, no problem. At night now, he clamps his mouth shut and won't allow it in, but then wakes up about 10 minutes later, missing the comfort it brings him. Oh hum....

Had a busy day today, Mum sent me to Tavistock on my own, so I could wonder around the shops and get what I needed for various things I'm doing (cakes, christenings etc). Came home, had lunch, Tom ate a whole pot of the Branch tomato sauce and spaghetti. He's always rejected pasta until now. I couldn't quite believe how much he ate, and mum and dad were very happy to see he likes traditional Branch fayre. Mum and dad looked after Tom whilst I made chutney, and then took him out whilst I marzipanned my second Christmas cake. By the time all that was done it was 5pm which is Tom's usual dinner time, however, he was so tired, he wouldn't eat any food, so I put him to bed for 15 mins to see if I could refresh him. It sort of worked. We had a quick skype chat with Matt first, as he was off for dinner and drink with Errol at The Fox - yummy.

Mum did Tom's wind-down routine, he was quite subdued - still tired, but went to sleep without a fuss.

A sunny, happy day

We had a good night - yahoo. Tom woke up at 11pm and 2pm, but went back to sleep immediately on feeding each time, meaning I actually had a decent night's sleep and he woke up a happy, cheery baby. It's amazing what a good night's sleep can do.

Had a good breakfast and then we all decided to go down to Saltram House for a walk as it was such a beautiful day - a good November clear, crispy day. Did a walk around the grounds and then had lunch. Tom was pretty well behaved - a little grizzle during the walk, but he fell asleep shortly afterwards. He did really well at lunch, he ate a whole pot of mashed up veg from last night (albeit mixed with some squirty sachet goo).

Came home via Tescos to pick up all the extra bits I need for the cakes and some food for Tom. Spent the afternoon steaming and cooking, made far too much so am going to leave some behind in the freezer for Christmas - will save any cooking then which will be good.

Tom had a good bath with his Pop Pop (it was hilarious listening to Dad trying to dry and dress him - Tom was being less than co-operative!) Then bottle with Granma and straight to sleep. A good day was had by all.

Me and my guardian daddy

An horrific night, Tom woke at 9.30 (when I went to bed), managed to feed him back to sleep. Then again at 11.30. This time he wasn't going back to sleep, oh no, it took until 2.30 to get him back to sleep. The thing was, I did get him back to sleep on numerous occasions, but when I put him back in his cot he would wake up again. At one stage he was really screaming (he was very tired), Matt almost took him for a drive in the car. The problem was that he wouldn't take his dummy, but obviously needed that extra comfort.

I did get him back to sleep in the end, but it was a traumatic couple of hours. Tom slept through from 2.30 to 7, so it wasn't so bad in the end. In the morning everyone said they hardly heard him, we think they were being polite, at one stage most of Trowbridge must have heard him!

We were treated to a fantastic breakfast, then Martin attacked Matt with a shaver, didn't do too bad a job. I then dropped Matt off at Westbury Station for his train (it was late, in fact Matt didn't get home till after 6.30 due to bad connections - don't think he was too happy). I returned to the Smyth's gave Tom his lunch and then left onwards to Devon. Tom did quite well in the car, slept for an hour, cooed for an hour, cried as soon as we arrived in Plymouth, stopped crying as soon as we hit Dartmoor. I had to feed him as soon as we arrived, so Mum and Dad emptied the car (it's amazing how much stuff you need to take a baby anywhere), by which time Tom was happily full and ready to play with his grandparents.

I gave him his bath as Mum and Dad were cooking. Had a good play with various toys and then picked him up and gently shook him as usual to get rid of excess water, this time however, something went "PLOP!". Matt and I have said on many occasions how amazing it is that he's only pooed in the bath once. Well now he's done it twice!!!! I was handed some loo paper and told to fish it out. It was very funny!

I gave him his bottle and put him to bed, he was asleep before I even got him in his sleeping bag.

Ball pits are fun

Can't remember what sort of a night Friday night was (brain like a sieve), couldn't have been horrific or I would remember.

The morning saw us back at HLC for Tom's swimming lesson, he did fine. A couple of little grizzles, but apart from that he was good. He holds on to the edge of the pool really well now. I can leave him there, whilst I put goggles on which is very handy.

Once the lesson was over, we went back home, Matt packed the car whilst I gave Tom his lunch. Well tried to give him his lunch anyway. He went off on a huge crying spree - not sure why. I tried all the tricks, nappy, cuddling, breast feeding etc, nothing seemed to work, but then he did a little vomit and all was ok again. I wonder if he drank too much water in the pool? He then ate his lunch.

Not long after 12 we were in the car heading to Wiltshire. Martin and Vanessa had invited Matt down to see a Led Zepplin tribute band, Tom and I decided to head down as well and use it as a half way stopping point on the way to Devon. Mum and Dad don't see Tom for a while, then twice in a month - we are like buses!

We got to Trowbridge, just in time to accompany Mia to a birthday party at Boomerang, another play centre. Tom immediately found himself in a ball pit with Matt and Martin, whilst Vanessa and me took it easy. It was past 6.30 by the time we got home, so Tom had a quick bath and bed. Came down stairs for a mammoth dinner - two servings of Japanese curry, followed by two servings of delicious homemade cheesecake - yummy. Martin and Matt ended up staying in as their concert got cancelled - probably just as well as it was cold and rainy outside and anyway dinner took about two hours to eat!

A charming baby

Not a great night (seem to say that quite a lot don't I?). Tom woke up at 11pm and then 12, 12.30, 1, 1.30. At 2 I gave him some Calpol, I didn't hear from him again, which meant I got a good 4 to 5 hour sleep, which was good.

Tom had a happy day today. He was a charming baby, and he ate well at meal times (except his pre-bed bottle which he only half drank - maybe because he ate so well during the day. Such a shame though as it is now wasted - it takes me ages to express everyday!)

This morning I had my BEST course. Tom went into the creche, as usual he happily went with the workers there - sometimes I think he is happy to be away from me. The session was good - about supporting mums before and after giving birth so they have the best support possible. The group really came together and we had some really good discussions.

When I went to pick Tom up, he got a very good school report. He hadn't slept at all, but he also hadn't grizzled either. In fact one of the creche workers said that they really enjoy having him and wished that they could have 10 Toms each time. I of course was very proud.

Came home, had lunch whilst Tom had a nap (he feel asleep as soon as the car started to move on the way home) and then he had his lunch, which he more or less ate up. We then went to RAF Cosford as I wanted to get Ziyoun a blow up airplane for his birthday and the shop there do a great selection. Got there and was very disappointed, they are now charging £2 to use the car park. Firstly I didn't want to pay £2 to park for 10 minutes so I could use the shop and anyway I didn't have £2. Was really disappointed - it was one place round here that was truly free, and although admission is still free, the museum is in the middle of nowhere, so you need a car to visit it, so really admission isn't free anymore. I left in a huff!

Then went to Asda to get some things in for Matt (I'm down in Devon with Tom next week), to find the shop half empty of stock and very full of customers (I guess the two correlate), so left with only half of what I wanted to get.

Oh hum, came home, Tom had a nap, whilst I started putting together the mountain of things I need to take with me to Devon - we certainly don't travel light anymore.

As I said, he was a charming baby today, so happy and giggly. At one stage he was playing peek-a-boo by pulling a blanket over his head and then letting it drop, giggling at me and then pulling the blanket back over his head again. It was endearing to watch, very funny.

Today's pic - he is showing off his autumn collection, we bought a bundle of 6-9 month clothes from e-bay this week for £2.60 (he's just getting long enough to fit them). A lot of the 6-9 month clothes we have are in baby blue, so I on purpose bought a bundle which included deep colours. I think they quite suit him.

A grizzly day, but he ate well

Didn't have a very good night, Tom was up at 11pm, 2am, 5am and 5.30am when I gave up and put him in our bed, where he then played pull mummy's hair for a good 40 minutes until he fell asleep.

He was very shouty this morning and refused his breakfast, so we had to resort to squirting it. After his nap we went to Jungleland where we met up with all the NCT crowd for an hour and a half's play in the soft play area. Tom grizzled his way through most of it unfortunately, but enjoyed a ride on the train.

We then went off to the Golf Club for lunch. Tom ate most of his (braised beef - certainly going down well). I had a one handed lunch as Tom was refusing to sleep. In fact he was the last of the babies to nod off, took him until 2pm until he couldn't fight it any more, and then he only managed 30 mins.

After lunch we went to Mothercare to pick up his repaired buggy and then back home, where he went for a nap - he managed an hour this time. He did quite well for dinner and then a play before him and his Dad had a bath together and then bottle and bed.

Oh, forgot to say Tom woke up with two bright red cheeks so we are little worried that he might be teething again! Oh, forgot to mention, got a letter from BaxterStorey today saying that as they haven't heard from me they are expecting me back at work on the 4th January! Do they do it on purpose, or are they really that rubbish at anything?

And, another milestone, Tom is growing out of his 3-6 month clothes, which means that last night he wore his dinosaur sleepsuit for the last time. Matt is upset!

Beep, beep, baby reversing...

Not a fantastic night. Tom was up at 12am for feeding, 2.30am for feeding and then 7.30. At least he seems to have dropped the 9.30pm wake up which is an improvement, although I would have preferred him to drop one of the night ones instead. (Oh, seems like I was in a deep sleep last night when Tom woke at 2.30. Matt who was downstairs (I was snoring again apparently!) heard him and came up before I had woken up and I was next door to him!)

This morning I took Tom for weighing, he has lost an ounce, but I'm not concerned, he had a big poo before weighing and he's moving a lot more at the moment. He is now opening his mouth for food at meal times which is amazing, never thought I could get so much joy from seeing an open mouth!

Tom is full of energy today, when put on the floor, he is immediately on his front and exploring the room. Unfortunately, he hasn't managed to work out how to go forwards, he reverses everywhere, particularly frustrating for him as the harder he tries to go forward towards something, the further he gets from it! As you can see, he managed to get himself stuck under the dresser this morning. I think something needs to click and suddenly he'll be away. Matt has put the stair gates in place ready for the momentous occasion.

5 toothed Tom

Not a great night. Tom went to sleep easily and didn't wake until after midnight which was good. I fed him then he went back to sleep until around 5am.

He woke up screaming and when I say screaming, I mean really screaming and no amount of cuddling would help. He woke up Matt (who was downstairs - I was snoring again apparently) who came up to see what was wrong. He must have woken up the whole street! It took a good half hour to get him to stop, at which point I fed him again. He immediately became a happy baby again, so we put him in his cot and he went straight back to sleep. I didn't get back to sleep though - still wondering what went on to make him so agitated.

He didn't wake up a particularly happy baby either this morning. He wouldn't eat breakfast and took a while to go for his morning nap.

Once he was up again we headed into Newport to bank a cheque for Matt and amble around the shops. Tom, unfortunately decided to grizzle again so it wasn't very relaxing. Came home, had lunch which he ate - I think I've found a recipe he likes - braised beef.

He didn't go for his lunchtime nap until late, so I was hoping for a long one, it wasn't to be, he was awake again within 40 minutes! He still wasn't that happy, but cheered up when i put him in his bouncer.

Dropped into Asda to get some cheese - fajitas tonight. Tom looked up at me with his gummy smile and guess what... there were 3 teeth in his bottom gum - so maybe that is the root of his recent grizzling? They seem to be coming very quickly at the moment.

Gymbabes is hard work - oh and Tom was tired as well!

An OK night. Tom woke up just before 11pm, but Matt managed to persuade him back to sleep (after two attempts). He then woke up again at 1am when I fed him. He woke again at 4am, as Matt had already retreated downstairs (apparently I was snoring) I decided I wasn't going to feed him this time, that he would have to get himself to sleep again. So I went in to see him to reassure him I was around, settled him and then left him. He cried for a while, but then it went quiet. At 4.30 he started crying again, so I went in again to resettle him. He cried for a little while afterwards, but I didn't hear from him again until I went in to wake him at 7.20 this morning.

Breakfast today was a bit of a chore, Tom wouldn't eat. I tried all the tricks, but he didn't seem to be interested at all. Oh humm. I'm hoping he will eat some of the new food I've made him this week.

10.00am saw us out of the house and on the way to Rachel Z's. It's Gymbabes today. Rachel kindly suggested that we all meet at her house before hand for lunch which we did. Pizzas, salad and a naughty chocolate cake for pud - yummy! Tom also ate some of my homemade food - braised beef which was fab.

Had a good session at Gymbabes, Tom as usual liked all the treat activities - ie the ball pool, the mirror thingybob, the swing, and grizzled at the activities which meant he had to work - the seesaw, the tolberone thingy and the wedge of cheese. Oh hum, as he gets more mobile, hopefully he'll be able to enjoy more of the activities. However, he did do very well on the standing up bars, he certainly does enjoy being on his feet.

Came home exhausted, I think I got as much of a work out as he did!

What's Wrong Tom?

We had a better night last night. Tom woke at 10.30, but Matt managed to get him back to sleep again. He then woke at 1am for feeding, then we didn't hear from him again until 5am so not too bad.

It was a nasty day today - cold, rain, cloudy a typically miserable winter's day. Not to worry we had been invited round to Carol's for coffee this morning, so off we went. Had a nice time, but Tom got a bit grizzly. Basically he gets tired, but refuses to sleep unless he is in his cot so fights it and grizzles.

Oh hum, he went to sleep immediately on us leaving. Stopped off at Long Lane on the way home for lunch - our usual - bacon sandwich for Matt and beans on toast for me (gourmet eaters aren't we?) He had only had 15 minutes sleep, but he was completely rejuvenated. Charmed Sam (the owner) as always.

Next stop was the retail park to look at baby carriers at Blacks. We turned up to find that Blacks is closing down (humpfh!) All items were at least 50% off, so we picked up a couple of things, but no baby carrier. Walked over to Mothercare to see if they have them, they had one, but it was the most cumbersome, uncomfortable thing so we left empty handed.

Returned home, Tom went to sleep, whilst I finished off some cooking I had been doing for Tom. Tom had a bit of a grizzle once he was awake again. Really don't know what was wrong. I offered him some milk, but he just bit me, I offered him a snack, he refused, I cuddled him, he carried on crying, I gave him some baby cocaine (his 4th tooth is on the way), it didn't calm him down. His nappy was empty, we were at a loss. He had a good hour of being very unhappy, but then he calmed down and was fine.

He had a bath and bed at the usual time and went to sleep without any trouble.

A late night

A bad night, Tom was awake at 10pm, 12am, 1am, 2am, 3am, 5am and 6am, so I didn't get my 4 hours sleep - poo (I have discovered that my threshold for functioning is 4 hours sleep. If I get a block of 4 hours I'm ok, if I don't then that's when I start struggling).

Tom was a little bit shouty again - we think his 4th tooth is about to come through and is making his jaw hurt a little, meaning that when he isn't happy, he's crying.

Anyway, had breakfast with John, then he left for home, Tom went for his nap. I set to making some Tom food in the kitchen (as he has started to eat again) - had the kitchen nice a steamy in no time. Once he was awake again we braved Asda so we could get some more ingredients - Asda is horrible on a Saturday - won't do that again!

We decided to go to Attingham Park for a walk. One of our favourite pubs was on the way, so we stopped there for lunch, well we would have done, except it was closed. So, we tried the next one along the road, which had a big sign saying 'Food' outside - it was open, but not doing food! Humm, found another pub - completely empty, but doing food, so we decided to stop. It was so mild today that we decided to eat outside. Tom ate the biggest meal of his life today (equivalent of 4 ice cubes) - he kept opening his mouth for more - something that has hardly ever happened before. I was very happy and very proud of him.

Spent the afternoon in Attingham Park, a National Trust property that we haven't been to before, which has huge grounds. It was such a lovely day, we only wore T-shirts and were more than warm enough. Saw plenty of Deer and enjoyed a good walk (loan pram is much harder to steer than ours - gave our arms a work out!)

Returned home with a shouting Tom. Put him to bed and let him sleep in for as long as he wanted as we received a dinner invitation from the Gouges today for 5.30, so needed to keep Tom up late.

Had a lovely night with the Gouges, as usual the girls were very loud, I was very impressed that Tom managed to eat anything with Hannah and Becca crowding him and shouting and screaming in their usual fashion. I think he got enough in the end. Let's hope the experience hasn't put him off. Tom managed to keep going until 8pm when we brought him back, gave him his bath and milk and put him to bed. Maybe him being up longer than usual will help him sleep (mind you it didn't work in Spain)

Shouty Tom

Got a little bit worried last night, dead on 9.30pm Tom woke up crying / screaming. I went up to see him and seemed unable to help him. Went to the loo meaning to go back to see him, but in the time I was away he fell asleep. How did that happen - how could he go from screaming to asleep in minutes???

Didn't hear from him again until 1am, and then again at 3.30am. I have really got to sort out these two wake ups out. I am lazy in that I feed him straight back to sleep each time. I guess I need to stop offering him food and try to convince him to go back to sleep without too much intervention.

Today has been a shouty day, I guess Tom is missing his Granma and Pop Pop! Took him to Asda this morning to calm him down. Had lunch at 12.00. Finished the spag bol. As usual Tom took about 3 spoonfuls and then his jaws were clamped shut. So, we took out one of our deconstructed Ella bags, filled it with the spag bol and squirted it into his mouth - he lapped it up. He then lapped up a whole sachet of sweet potato, apples and blueberries, before chomping on a breadstick.

He then got very shouty again, so I put him down for a nap and had lunch myself. The afternoon saw us at Kamila's. She is getting there with Stella, they think she has colic, it takes her a long time to settle in the evening, but they are getting there and a routine is starting to evolve. Tom started getting shouty again, so we came home for his afternoon nap.

He woke in time to meet John (one of Matt's translator friends who is staying the night) and then dinner (he managed his whole dinner off the spoon - fantastic - I am even thinking of making him some more food now he seems to have some sort of an appetite) and a play before bath which I did, and yes he did try to shower me in water, but I managed to dodge it.

Sorry no pic today - just never got round to it.

Goodbye Granma and Pop Pop

An OK night - Tom woke at 11.30pm and 3.30am for feeding, but went straight back to sleep on both occasions which was good. I was a little disappointed because he ate well, however, he didn't get much milk during the day as he bit me and I took him off immediately.

Anyway, he didn't wake up until 7.45 so we all got a little behind this morning. He had his usual play with Granma and Pop Pop and then had his breakfast, and he managed to finish a bowl of pear, prunes and weetabix. A huge portion for him I was really pleased.

He went for a sleep, whilst mum and dad packed up and then we got him up to say goodbye. Tom was an absolute star whilst they have been here - he's stopped his ridiculous 2 hour wake up in the middle of the night thing, and he's started to eat properly. I don't know if it is coincidence or their influence, but we are all much happier for it.

We had a play in the morning, Tom did his trying to crawl thing. He spins round and round and can move backwards, he just hasn't worked out how to go forward yet...

Tom had his lunch at 12.00 - once again he managed a full bowl of food, he actually finished it which made me really happy. He also managed some cheese, bread sticks, finished off a squirty sachet and some bits of tomato so he did really well. If this carries on, he should gain good weight next week.

12.30 saw us walking to the Golf Club to meet up with Rachel and Oliver. Very strange, I was walking on the road pushing the buggy, Rachel drove straight past, neither of us saw each other - how could that possibly be? Anyway we had lunch and then went for a walk around Granville. Everyone seems to be doing well, Oliver is full of cold but was ok.

Walked home and then played with Tom before dinner. I tried him on the rest of the spag bol that Rachel left behind. First attempt a couple of days ago didn't go too well. Today he managed a decent (ish) amount. He then refused any lumpy things (cheese, tomato etc), but he did have a fromage frais. I hope he's had enough to be full.

He had a lovely bath with his Dad - who came out of the bathroom dripping - Tom lies back, lifts his two legs in the air and then 'bang!' they come down with some force and Matt ends up dripping wet. Very funny. Tom was certainly in a good mood.

Matt is going out tonight - down the pub with Mike, so I had dinner ready for 6.30pm and we had finished it before 7.00 - a record.

Tom gains weight

A good night.
Tom woke at 11pm, took me an hour of feeding him to get him back to sleep again, but then that was it. I didn't hear from him again until 7am which was fab.

He woke up full of beans, he was bonkers on our bed, all four limbs flying in different directions. I took him down to see Granma and Pop Pop, where he stayed for an hour before his breakfast. He ate breakfast - yahoo. He managed a good portion of porridge with pears and prunes and then had some of Matt's bread.

Once he had had his nap, we took him to baby clinic - he has put on weight - yahoooooo - he is now 19lb 10oz which is fantastic. I was delighted. Next stop was Waitrose in Newport to pick up some more sachets of the Ella squirty food - which seem to be acceptable to Tom.

We then went down to Ironbridge. First stop The Meadow for lunch. Get this Tom actually ate my food without too much persuasion. This is the first time in absolutely ages. Can't really believe it. Was very strange to see him actually open his mouth for the food. He also had some roast potatoes, bread stick, cheese, tomato and apple rings - a feast indeed for him.

After lunch we walked down the gorge, over the Ironbridge and along the old railway line to Maws Craft centre. Was a gorgeous day, I was wearing a T-shirt and jeans and was more than warm enough. Tom was well behaved in his loan buggy. He even fell asleep for half an hour.

After a stop at the Jackfield Tile Museum shop we returned back to the car, getting home just before the sun set. Tom had a nap and then he had dinner. He once again managed some of my food - not a lot, but some. I did have to resort to a sachet to fill him up. He then had a nice play on the lounge floor, trying to once again to crawl before having a bath with Pop Pop and his bottle with Granma.