Where's Tom?

We had wake ups at 11pm, 2.30am (feed), 5.30am today before Tom woke again at 6.59 - his timing isn't that bad! I went to get the little fellow up so Matt could open his pressies in bed with his family.

Tom was a little naughty, was on the bed for under a minute and managed to kick both bags of pressies off the bed onto the floor - he certainly has power and reach in his legs! Luckily there was nothing fragile in either bags, however, it meant the confetti lurking in the bag which was meant to mess up Matt's side of the room ended up on my side of the room !

As has become routine when we are with Granma and Pop Pop, I deposited Tom with them in bed - didn't bother to dress him as he is in his favourite dinosaur suit which we all like and enjoy.

After his nap, Tom went out for the day with Granma and Pop Pop. It was the first time that I had been away from Tom for a significant amount of time. It did feel strange, but as I had soooooo much preparation to do, the time flew! (Although they brought him back late - they said 4pm, and they didn't arrive back until 5.10!!!!!!!!!)

He had behaved himself very well apart from a 'poo' cry and refusing his milk! He was a happy chappie on his return. Mum and Dad then did his bathtime and bedtime whilst Matt and I got ready and went out for dinner to celebrate his birthday as it his birthday today.

Granma and Pop Pop come to stay...play!

Not a good night, Tom was awake at 12am (feed), 2.30am (feed), 5.30 (screaming - couldn't find out why) and then didn't really go back to sleep - more snoozing until I got him up at 7am.

Once he had gone back down at 9am, I did a quick scoot around the house tidying, cleaning etc as Mum and Dad are coming up today. Matt took us down to baby clinic as he didn't have much on and it was chucking it down. Tom only put on 2oz this last week. Wondering now if I should up his portions.

We then went for a drive down the A5 looking for Matt's lost registration plate - he came home without it yesterday - no joy.

After lunch, Tom and I went to Asda to get in provisions for the next couple of days - we have mum and dad today and tomorrow and then Pat and Bob, Jude and Richard on Friday - so our fridge is now bursting at the seams.

Jude turned up with pics of her big cat day out and then mum and dad turned up after a 6 hour journey to get here - oh, I didn't mention the weather has been rubbish - rain, rain, rain and more rain. Evening was spent eating, catching up etc.

Boys in the Bath

Not much to report for today I'm afraid. Tom didn't have a very good night - was awake at 10pm, 12am, 2am and 3am! In the morning we went round to see Carol at General for a catch up.

The afternoon saw us at one of the Telford retail parks desperately looking for something to wear on Saturday. Had a major problem in that all shops seem to be in the middle of sales at the moment, meaning there is very little 'normal' stuff to buy. However, did manage to find something in Sainsburys - hope I look ok in it - I'm sooooooo top heavy at the moment that it's hard to look normal, let alone 'yummy mummy' in anything!!!!!!

As I was in Sainsburys I thought I would look to see if duck was on special offer - I have a habit of being there when it is reduced - what do you know, it was half price, so one jumped into my basket and Matt was a very happy chappy when I returned home and showed him my purchases!

Matt had a light day - he had to take his motorbike in for servicing. As it was raining and cold (well for July anyway) on his way back, I suggested he take a bath with Tom, which he did. I think they both enjoyed it!

I'm beginning to sit

OK, today will be short and sweet as I'm not feeling too good - typical as it's Tom's Naming Day and Matt's 40th birthday on Saturday. I seem to have done something to my shoulder which means it hurts when I move it, when I breathe, when I sniff etc etc - not great! I'm hoping it's from sleeping awkwardly and it will go away. I'm also quite tired, so am going to go to bed early this evening to see if that helps.

Anyway had a good day today and Tom has been a star entertaining himself which has meant i haven't had to pick him up too much. Went to Group this morning (last one today until September - shame, I really enjoy it! One of the mums brought homemade chocolate cakes with her as she will be back at work in September so we won't see her again - they were very yummy)

Came home, Tom had lunch - carrot and nectarine and went to bed whilst i had lunch. We then went to Asda whilst Matt vacuumed and washed the downstairs floor - what a star - came home to a lovely clean and fresh smelling home.

Both Tom and I had an afternoon snooze, then dinner for Tom - sweet potato and nectarine. He then entertained himself for the afternoon. He is beginning to sit - is very wobbly and tumbles quite a bit, but he's definitely getting better.

Today I will SHOUT!

Tom wasn't as well behaved last night. We woke at 12.00 - needed settling, 2am for feeding and 2.45am - needed settling - so not a great night. We had a lazy morning, sorting things out for next week - I tried reading my poem out and failed - welled up before I even got half way! Oops - must sort myself out!

Tom was quite 'shouty' this morning, not sure why but he had a lot to say!!!! Today is the British round of the MotoGP, so we stopped in to see the 125s as we have a good rider. He crashed!

Popped out to the Clock Tower for lunch and then returned for the big race - our favourite, Valentino Rossi also crashed, but managed to get going again to come 5th. We then braved number 53 - it's Becca's 5th birthday and the house was full of very excited pink girls. We found solace downstairs with the adults and Tom had a play with Rose and her mum before being surrounded with the very excitable girls which he suffered very well.

Came home so Matt could feed Tom his first dinner (first for Matt, not Tom) - cauliflower followed by apple and cinnamon. He seemed to take after his dad in refusing the cauliflower but gulped the apple down no problem - hummmmm! He then started to cry his tired cry so we put him down - his naps were all out of sync today - he had his 3pm nap at 2.30 and only stayed asleep for about 30 mins, meaning he was tired at 5.30 rather than at 6.30!

An 11 and half hour sleep and a good swimming lesson - Tom is a star!

We had a fantastic night last night. Tom went to bed around 6.45pm and didn't wake again until 6.15am - we are getting there!!!!

We had an easy morning, doing not much - TV, nap and Asda for lunch we then went into Shrewsbury for Tom's last swimming lesson, which was a vast improvement on last time: no crying until the last 5 minutes, and even that was a bit half-hearted. I was quite proud of him. We then did a lightning tour of the shops of Shrewsbury, mostly provisions for next Saturday's do, including a smart outfit for Tom, which we hope he won't embellish like the left-hand photo here. That's broccoli by the way, we're not feeding him algae or anything.

We then had an early, and typically excellent, dinner at The Armoury before coming home for the usual bath and bottle. Tom did manage to incur his mother's displeasure by yet again rolling from his to back to his front while she wasn't looking. He's done it 4 or 5 times now, and Nik's missed it every time.

Nik & I are about to settle down and watch our first Blu-Ray film, 10,000BC. I'm expecting a terrible film that looks spectacular. (It was)

I'll only roll half the way - just in case...

We didn't have a good night last night. Tom woke up screaming at 10pm. On investigation we found a poo in his nappy, so we think that was the cause. Once we had changed him he became happy and wide awake again. Took a good hour to get him to sleep! He then woke at midnight, I fed him, then he woke again at 3.30 for feeding! So, he wasn't my favourite person this morning until I went in to get him and he greeted me with a huge smile (he knows how to work me the bugger!)

He wasn't hungry first thing, took until 9am to get some food into him. He went down for his morning nap at 9am. Some screaming sent me straight back upstairs - to find him on his front in the cot - he had rolled from back to front again without me seeing!!!!!!

Didn't really do that much today. Went to Breast Feeding Support Group this morning, brought Tom back when he was showing signs of getting tired. Spent the afternoon playing - he was on his mat for most of the day - he rolls on to his side almost makes it over, then realises that he might go all the way and then flops back. I think he is scared of going the whole way just in case he can't get back again. It was fun watching him though.

Jude and Richard came round at 5pm to sort out the TV aerial. As it turned 6pm, Tom and I went downstairs so he could say goodnight to them all to find Richard and Matt at the bottom of the ladder and Jude up it????!!!!! I did Tom's bath time (big splashes) and last feed - he took it all with barely a whisper and went straight to sleep, even though there was lots of banging and drilling going on with the aerial.

Harry Potter for Babies

Interesting night. Tom didn't wake up after 20 minutes wondering what happened to his milk. In fact he didn't stir until 10pm. We decided to go in and feed him the rest of his milk then in an attempt to get him to sleep through to the morning. He took the milk, but was awake again at 1.30. At 2.30 I gave up and fed him again. He then slept through to 7am. It seems that if you feed him at 10pm it has no or a negative effect on Tom's sleeping pattern, don't think we will try again. I will resign myself to 4am wake ups until he can go 12 hours without food.

Anyway, woke up to a bright morning, which made us all happy, however, it has already clouded over!

Today we went to see Harry Potter at the special newbie screening at Telford. Didn't realise how long the movie was (3 hours) so taking that into consideration, all the babies were very well behaved! All had a sleep a grizzle and a play so can't really complain. Went to a cheap pub for lunch and then returned home. Another grey, rainy day so think we spent it well.

Fruit and Veg is great for weight gain!

Had a good night, Tom only woke once at 3.30 for feeding, I was back in bed at 3.45, however, took about an hour to get back to sleep again!

This morning we had arranged to meet with Rachel Z to do baby aerobics in Shifnal. It was basically open air circuit training. Was good fun, especially to catch up with Rachel again and to do exercise with someone I knew - we were both fit as each other which was good.

Rachel invited us back for lunch, so we went and had a play. I haven't seen her for ages so we were nattering 10 to a dozen. Both babies have changed quite a bit, Oliver is far calmer, and now the same size as Tom. He's learnt to roll as well, but unfortunately can only roll one way from his back to his front, and then starts crying - not good!

We came back and went to baby clinic, Tom is now 18lb 6oz, so feeding him fruit and veg has had an effect, that's the most weight he has put on in ages. Came home and had a play, he was a bit grumpy as his naps were quite short today - he didn't manage his proper last feed, so we are expecting him to wake up shortly once he realises...

Today's pic of him on the playmat, the little bugger rolled from his front onto his back again - I was in the room, but not looking at him at the time! He chooses his timings very carefully!!!!!

Swimming is fine today!

Another good night - Tom woke at 4.30. Once again I thought about not feeding him - but the urge to sleep was too strong, and once again he wasn't interested in feeding when he got up! Oh hum...

We were going to see Carol this morning, but on calling her we had different thoughts, she sounded terrible, she thinks she's got swine flu so told me not to come anywhere near her, instead we braved the rain and went into Newport - I had a cheque to put in the bank and some birthday cards to get. The parking is free in Newport, unlike Telford and anyway Newport is nicer.

Came back, had lunch whilst Tom snoozed. Some people came round to collect the TV - Matt managed to sell it on ebay. It took two of them a considerable amount of time to get it downstairs and in the car - the car they brought was wholly unsuitable for the task, way too small - not sure how they got it in or how they were going to get it out?!

Tom woke up just as the TV went out the front door, so I treated him to lunch - I have increased his portion size as yesterday his food went down without touching the sides. Today it was sweet potato and broccoli. This afternoon he's having nectarine and banana.

2.30 saw us at Gray's Hotel for another attempt at swimming. Guess what, Tom enjoyed it. At one stage he was floating on his back with his legs crossed and in the air, smiling up at me. Yesterday when we tried the same thing he screamed with all his might! I tried the new swim position, which was fine, the old one, which was also fine. I also dunked him a good 6 times, and although he didn't come up smiling, he was ok with it all. I think in the 40 minutes he was in the pool he grizzled for about 30 seconds. So, the actual swimming isn't the problem, it must be something else that spooks him during lessons: the environment? the noise? the water temperature? I don't know, but I will keep taking him swimming with Kathy and Sam during the week to see if it makes a difference to lessons.

I hate swimming!

Tom had a brilliant night last night. He slept through to 4.30. I did think about trying to get him to sleep again without feeding - but I was too tired, and it is so easy to do...

We were all up again at 7am. Tom didn't want feeding at all - maybe I should have refused him food at 4? Had a easy morning, in fact Tom fell asleep downstairs on his playmat, he's not done that since he was a new born - he normally cries and tries to fight it, however, he was only asleep for about 20 minutes, when he normally sleeps for 40+ mins - so not great!

Went to Group this morning, only 4 people turned up, but they were the 4 people I normally speak to so it was good. One new lady spent some time talking about how she had 'failed her baby' as she couldn't breast feed, she got really teary, got me going as well. She tried so hard, but he wouldn't latch on. Made me realise how lucky I have been with Tom, good job he's a greedy baby!

This afternoon saw us at Rowton Castle doing Waterbabies. Not a great success as Tom spent more time crying than not! He was ok for the first 5 minutes and even managed a smile, but as soon as he went under water he cried and then he more or less continued crying for the rest of the lesson, although he did manage to go underwater one more time - for which he really let loose on the screams!!!!! I keep wondering if we are flogging a dead horse with the swimming, but keep being told that some babies are like Tom, and suddenly everything will click and he will enjoy it - but they would say that as that means we will spend more money on lessons. I'm going to try to take him once a week during the summer and see where we get...

Came home, dashed to the post office for Matt (he's had a sudden attack of ebay selling-itus) and then popped to Asda for some bits and pieces. Before we knew it, it was 6 o'clock and time for bath and bed. Tom objected to his bath - must be annoyed to be in water again!

Sweet Potato Beard - very fetching!

After the long day yesterday, we decided to have a day in today. So, had a nice lie in with the boys, one who was very happy to be awake, kicking and punching and another who was a little more subdued!

Managed to finish Matt's cake this morning. I showed it to him, it will be impossible to keep it from him until the day. Jude dropped in around 11.00 for tea and a natter - we showed her the cake, she seemed to like it - in fact she asked who had made it - which I took as a compliment.

We decided to go to Long Lane for lunch - usual bacon sarnie for Matt and Beans on Toast for me. Sam came over to say hello. On our return Tom had his lunch - sweet potato and cumin which was a success - although I think he preferred wearing it as a beard rather than eating it!

The afternoon saw me icing Tom's cake, whilst the boys watched MotoGP - good results all round, Vale won the race, and Matt liked the cake.

I spent a while in the kitchen making Tom his food for the next week, whilst he was napping and then we spent a pleasant afternoon playing in the lounge. He was a real happy chappy today, so it was fun being with him. Matt's taken him for his bath and last feed, although listening through the monitor, I think there is a bit of a disagreement going on...

Going Forward is Ace!

Tom was awake every two hours after his late night jaunt to the airport! Can't blame him though - his night was very much disrupted!

Today was the West Midlands Translators Walk, which took place in Herefordshire. As Tom now has complete control of his head, we decided he could go forward facing in the Baby Bjorn. Took us a little while to work out how to do it, but we got there in the end. The photo doesn't show it, but he loved it - in fact he spent the first half hour giggling - guess it must be a funny sensation floating through space. Being naturally nosy he had a fantastic time, didn't sleep at all for over 3 hours! Was a lovely walk - lots of views and a good cafe half way round which meant that Tom could have a kick around out of the carrier.

We were out late, so I took his sleep suit with us and changed him in the pub. He was good in that he fell asleep as we had our dinner. Unfortunately he woke up after about an hour and didn't drop off again - too much going on. Didn't start on our way home until after 8pm. Tom screamed for the first 40 minutes - he was fed, his nappy was clean, so I think he was over tired, and having trouble getting to sleep. In the end he cried himself to sleep - not a great journey. Such a shame as he was so good during the day - he certainly charmed everyone in the group - all of whom thought he was a fantastic baby as he didn't cry all day - too busy giggling.

Son and Father Reunited

So last night was interesting - Tom and I had to go to pick Matt up from the airport. Tom was very well behaved, I had to wake him up, put more clothes on him, put him in his car seat and put him in the car. I didn't get even a tiny squeak from him even though it took him until the M6 for him to drop off again.

He woke up again at the airport, but once again not a sound and then fell asleep almost immediately we were on our way home.

He took some settling down once we got home, but nothing too bad. I was hoping that he wouldn't wake during the night - but it wasn't to be, he was needing food again at 3.00! Poo!!!!!!

We were up again at 7, so not a whole lot of sleep for me (Matt slept very well though!). Today we were invited to Rachel and Mae's to play. So off we went. Had a lovely time, Mae really does look like her Dad, but she is full of smiles, expressions and noises, as well as still being quite vomity. Came home to find Dad had finished for the day, so went up to the lounge and watched some telly and had a play.

Do you like my tummy?

Last night wasn't so bad, he didn't wake again until 3.30 for feeding, then again at 6.30 - but I managed to persuade him to go back to sleep until 7am.

We went to group this morning - spent the time with Isabelle - Tom's junior by 3 days, who is rolling all over the place. In fact we were able to do lots of comparisons between boys and girls today and in all cases the girls were further developed than the boys, it really is true that boys are lazy.

Michelle and Seren came round to play for lunch. Seren is also rolling all over the place, Tom seemed unimpressed by her though, she would have rolled over him, given half a chance!

The afternoon was spent playing on the mat. Also caught up with mum and dad after their holiday in Scotland which they enjoyed.

Tom managed to have an afternoon nap, meaning he was easier to deal with in the evening. I gave him his bath and feed, he managed all of it without falling asleep this evening. It is now 8.40pm and he hasn't woken up yet - which is great. It means I've had time to make some booties for his cake, not sure about them, will get Matt's opinion before using them, there certainly is a lot to learn about cake decoration!

Talking about Matt, he is still stuck in Glasgow. In fact he's had a terrible day. His meeting finished very very early (his clients were keen to get to The Open) so he was left with a day to kill as his flight wasn't until 7pm.) He tried to go to the cinema, but they wouldn't let him in with his overnight bag and as he hates shopping, that means a seriously bored Matt. He then got to the airport to discover that his flight was delayed. It now looks like he's not going to arrive at Birmingham Airport until 11pm! Tom and I are probably going to have to drive out to the airport to collect him as there won't be any trains home. Oh hum!!!!!!

Today's pic - Tom is very keen to show everyone his tummy at the moment, he also likes to eat his T-shirts. So this is a typical pose!

Out of synch

So, last night wasn't so bad after all. He woke at midnight for feeding, and then again at 4.30am - don't blame him the tanks were a little empty at midnight - I didn't get to start pumping last night until after 9pm.

Both of us overslept this morning - if it wasn't for Matt texting me at 7.20, I don't know what time we would have woken up! The rest of the day was out of synch as a result.

Went to aerobics at 11am, Tom went to the creche and once again got a good school report, apparently more than happy watching the toddlers playing.

Came home, Tom went straight to sleep, so I managed a shower, and then we both had lunch. I put him in his high chair and offered him some sticks of cucumber. He was completely uninterested in them to start with, but did eventually pick them up and put them in his mouth, where he had a good suck.

After lunch we went down to baby clinic, he is now 17lb 15oz, his growth rate has certainly slowed quite considerably, but he now seems to be following the 75th percentile line, so everyone is happy. As you can see from the pic, he is beginning support himself sitting up. He isn't very good, topples over pretty quickly, but it's a start.

Tom didn't quite manage his afternoon nap. He fell asleep in the pram, but I bumped into Hannah and Becca, and unfortunately Becca woke him up, he didn't manage to get off again. By 5.30 he was fractious, so I spent 25 minutes singing nursery rhymes to him, trying to keep him happy. I took him through bath and bed, but he fell asleep during his bottle - not a suprise, he only managed two thirds.

At 7.30pm he awoke, so I gave him the rest of his milk. At 8.30 he woke again - not sure why, I gave him his dummy and he went straight back to sleep again. Guess what, at 9.30 he woke again, this time he couldn't be placated. The only way I could get him back to sleep again was by feeding him - I know I shouldn't, but it works so well. I'm certainly not liking this waking every hour in the evening! I wonder if he knows that Matt isn't here, and is playing up because of it?

Shouting Tom

Tom was pretty well behaved last night. He woke at 11pm - Matt settled him down again, and then at 3.30 for feeding. He then woke up screaming at 7am on the dot.

He had a longer than normal morning nap - oops is this going to cause trouble tonight. Then off to Asda and the Post Office (Chananja - there's a little something in the post for Raimo - let's hope this parcel reaches you.) After lunch, we took Matt to Wolverhampton railway station - he's off to Glasgow for his interpreting job.

Came back and had a play, it was pretty hard work - Tom wasn't in the best of moods and spent most of the afternoon shouting. He calmed down for 10 minutes when I put him in his bouncer, but mainly he was shouting, so much so I got a headache!

He had his bath and feed. Funny thing I noticed today - he holds the bottle as he feeds. When it is empty enough he can take the weight of it - very cute. Unfortunately he fell asleep half way through his bottle (not surprising he had gone 3 hours without napping which is a long time for him). When I say fell asleep, I mean he was in a complete coma - he didn't wake as I sat him up, inspected his nappy and winded him! I went downstairs and managed to marzipan one cake before he woke up. He finished his bottle and had a bit more and went back to sleep again. I marzipaned another cake and managed most of my dinner before he woke up again - this time he was screaming. I've never seen him like it before. He was in his cot, eyes tightly shut and screaming with all his might. Quite concerning really. I cuddled him and he nodded off again on me almost immediately. I put him back in his cot. I wonder what the rest of the night will bring, he's definitely not himself.

Sinking isn't fun, but swimming was ok

Last night Tom woke up twice for feeding, I put that down to him missing a feed during the day. I didn't hear from him after 2.30, so not too bad.

This morning we went to group as usual. I was asked if I wanted to be a peer supporter for Breast Feeding to which I agreed. It involves doing a course and then being available on the phone for Breast Feeding mums needing advice. Don't think anything will happen for a while though.

After lunch, we headed out to Rowton Castle for another swimming lesson. It went better than on Saturday, but he kicked off every time he went under water. The last time he was inconsolable. He also hated going on his back. We are going to Grays hotel again with Sam tomorrow to try again to get him used to it. We will get there.

Came home and played for the rest of the afternoon. Tom had some dinner - carrot and pear which he seemed to like. He definitely prefers fruit to veg. I did his bath and bed routine as Matt was out translating at various posh shops in the Cotswolds for a client. He's off to Glasgow tomorrow for two nights and won't be back until late on Thursday, so it is just me and him this week. I'm going to try to get some icing done for the cakes whilst he's away - we will see how much time I get and if I manage to get my head round what I need to do...

Why won't he roll for me?

Another good night - yahoo. Tom didn't wake until 4.30am, had a feed and was back asleep again within 30 mins. He woke up at 7am full of beans, playing with his feet and full of smiles and giggles, so obviously he had forgotten the trauma of swimming yesterday. We had a good play on the bed.

Today we went into Birmingham for the JET pre-departure party which was being held at a Chinese / Japanese bbq / buffet type place. Tom initially wasn't best behaved, he was very noisy, not screaming but talking very loudly and he completely refused to feed - very unlike him, no amount of persuading him would work - I took him out and found a quiet place for him, but once again he wouldn't feed, so I gave up. I guess there was just too much stimulation for him. I, on the other had took advantage of the generous portions and ate for England - I have an enormous appetite at the moment - something to do with having to feed a large baby - I have to work hard to keep his figure up! I haven't been full since I gave birth - I think I could quite easily eat 24/7 and never fill up - the sweeter the food the better!

In the end he fell asleep and fed once he woke up. In fact he was a really cheery chap when he woke up. He spent quite a bit of time with Matt and the new JETs charming them all. I was impressed, I would have been very scared of a baby at their age!

Came home. I put Tom on the jigsaw mat in the lounge, whilst I went in the kitchen to prepare his bottle. Came back into the lounge to find that Tom was on his front - the little bugger rolled again without me seeing! Next time I went in, he had just rolled back onto his back with Matt as his audience. Hummm. He then rolled from his front on to his back again with me watching which was good.

After his bath, he rolled from his back onto his front again - but I was in the shower! It's almost as if he doesn't want me to see him. That's four times he's rolled from his back to his front and four times I've missed it! By the law of averages I have to see him do it soon.

Sink or swim?

Being Saturday, we headed off to Shrewsbury for Water Babies (following lunch at Wetherspoons round the corner). It would be fair to say that the swimming lesson was a disaster. Tom started screaming his lungs out about five minutes into the lesson, straight after his first foray under the water, and just would not stop. In the end, Nik had to come and retrieve him before the end of the lesson. What made it worse was that the other 4 babies were all extremely well-behaved and did all the exercises like good little children. Tom may have been grumpy anyway, as 2.00 is generally nap time. Not sure what we can do about this, as it's quite hard to force him to go to sleep when we're out and about. We'll see how it pans out at the next lesson on Monday.

Before all this occurred, all was pretty hunky dory as Tom had a good night's sleep, only waking up once. I didn't fair quite so well as Nik sat bolt upright in bed at around midnight, switched the light on and insisted that we'd forgotten to give Tom something by syringe before we put him to bed. All very strange and confusing, and it woke me right up. In the end I had to go down to the spare room and play iPod games before I could drop off again. Hmmm.

We did manage one bit of progress today, though. Tom managed a very smooth, stylish roll from his back onto his back. Very encouraging, but why did he have to do it just when I was trying to put a nappy on him after his bath? Good to see he has a sense of humour.