Liam - Week 18

Date/Week: April 27; week 18 

My Total weight gain/loss: 

His Stats: 

Milestones: 1st Easter; 1st time trying rice cereal; worn in a different position in the sling; first time putting his feet in the sand when visiting the beach

Developmental Progress: He's becomming more efficient when rolling. He is really good at getting his arm out of the way to get into the position he desired; He has started to turn towards us when we call his name. It's not all the time but it's getting to be more consistent; If I give Liam his giraffe, he will grab it in his hand or hands and put it into his mouth on his own. He can also take the pacifier our and put it back into his mouth; He loves it when Aidan or I sing to him.

Energy level: It's been a hellish week because I can't seem to sleep when I have the chance. I am grateful for a husband and family who have been helping out.

Exercise: I haven't managed to do anything but walk this week.

Thoughts and Feelings? I am pretty exhausted, am counting down to our vacation and can't wait to relax a bit. I found out yesterday that we may spend a day in France when we're over there so I'm pretty excited.

I plan to put together a school schedule on Sunday. I'd like to walk across that stage in July 2012!!!

What I am looking forward to: Mother's Day - we're going to brunch!; Strawberry picking in Kent; LUSH products; Cornish Pasties; New Office upon my return from vacation.

Liam - Week 17

Date/Week: April 20; week 17 

My Total weight gain/loss: -32.5

His Stats: 14lbs 10.5oz / 24 3/4" long

Milestones: 4 month doctor's visit and 2nd round of vaccinations; 1st bus ride on Saturday; wearing size 2 diapers and medium gdiapers; had blue feet from his Easter basket photos... (shame on mummy); wearing 3-6 month clothing

Developmental Progress: Rolling consistently (need to keep an eye on him during changes!). He plants the foot and pushes himself either way. He's a strong little guy!;  He's grabbing everything - his hands, feet, clothing you take off, his burp cloth, the dogs (don't come too close); babbling a lot. He will have a conversation with you which makes us think that he's going to be so talkative; He'll hold his pacifier on the side of his mouth and chew it!!!; he fusses if you don't pay attention to him.
Sleep: He's going to bed pretty consistently between 7.30 and 8.30pm but will fuss for a good 30 minutes before he goes to sleep. He's then down for anywhere from an hour to 4 hours before his feeding before I go to bed. So some nights I get a lot accomplished and others, not so much... in any case, the schedule is working and he is now in his crib because the bassinets are too small!

Energy level: I've been goo this week but that may be due to the holiday at the end of the week!

Exercise: Just walking this week but I hope to go to dance class tomorrow!

Thoughts and Feelings? Feeling a bit more organized this week... and I'll be on vacation in a month's time (watching David Tennant and Catherine Tate on the 19th!!!). 


I'm liking the personality of Liam as a 3-4 month old thus far. He is fascinating!

What I am looking forward to: Our first Good Friday and Easter Sunday! And Mother's Day is coming up

Liam - Week 16

Date/Week: April 13; week 16 

My Total weight gain/loss: 

His Stats: 

Milestones: He's playing his own version of peek-a-boo with us (he turns his head away, waits and turns back towards you). He has also discovered his feet - he doesn't like them as much as his hands but they are interesting.

Developmental Progress: He disagrees with us. I swear he is already saying 'no'. How did he learn 'no'? This is probably due to the antiobiotics - we're still giving them to him (until Friday morning). 

Sleep: He's sleeping well since he's been taking the antiobiotics. We're down to 1 or 2 feedings at night this week. We're feeling a little more rested but would love some good sleep!

Energy level: I'm run down this week thanks to my cold and the Highland Exams.

Exercise: I survived a 1.5 hour dance workshop on Monday and do not hurt as much as I thought I would.

Thoughts and Feelings? I feel as if I have so much stuff to do and it isn't getting done in the timeframe that I would like. I perhaps need to reshuffle my involvements and activities to be able to accomplish what I really want to complete.

I've been researching travelling with an infant. I so hope our BA experience will be positive next month.

What I am looking forward to: We fly to the UK in a month!

Liam - Week 15

Date/Week: April 6; week 15 

My Total weight gain/loss: -34.8 lbs 

His Stats: 14 lbs 1oz

Milestones: First ear infection (both ears) which means first course of antiobiotics - not fun at all!

Developmental Progress: He loves the mirror. I know he won't really be able to figure out how a mirror for quite a while but you should see how confused he is when Aidan then starts talking behind him but he sees Aidan in front of him. He also pushes up to standing a lot when you have him on your lap or similar. He has discovered that he can push himseld up to a supported semi-standing position in the jogging stroller and spent that time experimenting with stepping. I so wish we had the video camera for that... at least I got a picture!

Sleep: We thought we were doing well. He was going down at anywhere between 7.30 and 8.30 at night in his crib and would sleep to anywhere between 11 and 1.30 before needing to be fed. We were able to get things ready for the next day, watch a little tv and even get some sleep. Then came the night of screaming - every hour of early Monday morning. This came with a 102 fever. The paracatemol dealt with the fever but and he was fine but then the fever came back the next morning. Off to the doctor and the result wasn't a surprise - ear infection. He's now fine with the antiobiotice (fine is putting it nicely... he's better!). As for us, we'd love to get those hours of lost sleep back since we're not working with many in the first place! 

Energy level: The iron tablets are making a difference! We're also both eating healthy so that has something to do with it as well.

Exercise: The walking has me sweating as much as running does. We've stuck to walking in the past week. I am hoping to get my abdominal splint soon - I hope to participate in a dance workshop on Monday!

Thoughts and Feelings? I'm committed to working on my confidence and trust in myself and my abilities a bit more. I really need to get through my fear of failure... that will make such a difference in the confidence equation.

What I am looking forward to: Palm Sunday and Easter ; teaching 2 Saturday dance classes starting April 23 or 30; Vacation in May!

Liam - Week 14

Date/Week: March 30; week 14 

My Total weight gain/loss: -30 lbs 

His Stats: 

Milestones: First time playing outdoors at his school with suncreen /hat, etc. First time painting in class (yellow paint).

Developmental Progress: He's grabbing things consistently and also seems to like touching things. He now is starting to find his book with all the different textures interesting. Also, when he goes to sleep on his own he often reaches out to touch one of us. He is such a wiggly worm. When we change him he keeps attempting to roll over on to his stomach. I thing we really need to start childproofing the house because he wants to get moving!

Sleep: Both of us have had a tough week. Sometimes we believe that we'll neve get a decent night's sleep ever again. While we haven't hit the wall yet, it has been 3 months without a decent night's sleep. And with this recent growth spurt, Liam has gone from waking up once per night to getting up 2 or 3 times... we're pooped!

Energy level: I'm feel a bit run down this week... I've started taking iron tablets again so I hope it helps.

Exercise: I've been walking and had my first run with Liam in the stroller. I now need to up my calories again (adding some snacks back in) to have something to burn since I don't want my body to hold on to anything unnecessarily... Hoping to realistically add in some resistence training or Zumba when Aidan is home since it doesn't happen when I have Liam home alone - I'll take him walking or running in those situations.

Thoughts and Feelings? Feeling a bit odd about my career - more akin to not feeling like a leader and more like a follower at the moment. Wondering if I'll ever get my fire and confidence back. Still haven't done one thing for school either and not sure where to start to get back on track. 

On a more positive note, we've tentatively decided to go away on our own for our 5th Anniversary in September. Contemplating Vegas or the West Coast of the US in some form. 

What I am looking forward to: Easter (plus the Highland Exams will be over); teaching 2 Saturday dance classes starting April 23 or 30; Vacation in 6 weeks!

Liam - Week 13

Date/Week: March 23; week 13 

My Total weight gain/loss: -33.2 lbs 

His Stats: approx 13lbs 6oz

Milestones: Liam is 3 months! He has gotten through his first fever/viral infection (4 days at home...). Gave his first card - to his Grandmother for her birthday on March 21st.

Developmental Progress: Liam is babbling - he tries to talk back to us and he talks to his animals. It is still more in his throat/mouth, i.e. you can't really understand what he is saying. However, numerous people have said they have heard him say hi...; if you sit him up in his boppy or on the couch he stays up; during tummy time he moves himself around 90 degrees. He also pushes himself up on his arms and tries to figure out how to go forward.

Sleep: since I've been home with him, he definitely naps better since he's on a schedule at his nursery school. He is still sleeping well at night and is up once or twice to be fed/changed. 

Energy level: I caught Liam's viral infection so I've been getting through a bit of congestion. I'm feeling better today. My walking pace is back to normal so perhaps my energy level is improving.

Exercise: We did purchase a jogging stroller yesterday - I just need to get a car seat adapter. Hopefully we can both get some exercise with Liam in the jogging stroller! I'm still hoping to get in some Zumba and resistance training once Liam is back to his regular schedule (perhaps Thursday???)

Thoughts and Feelings? The whole fever/virus thing freaked me out this weekend. If Liam wasn't a few days shy of  3 months he would have been sent to the hospital. I barely slept on Friday night and Saturday and I was sick on Sunday so it was a draining few days. I am so happy to see him back to normal. I hope he doesn't get sick often...


On the other hand, I'd have to say that I am so thankful for Aidan. He is a true gem. He is a true partner and I am so grateful that I share this journey with him. 

What I am looking forward to: I'm ready for a vacation!!!

Artemis cleaning Aidan

Liam's favorite spot

St. Patrick's day with his shillelagh 

Sick little boy

Daddy's home!

The little guys are sleeping

I'm 3 months old!

Gotta pose with mummy too!

Liam - Week 12

Date/Week: March 16; week 12


My Total weight gain/loss: -32 lbs

His Stats:

Milestones: It appears we're at the initial stages of teething; he now has a bank account and an education trust (my poor budget...)

Developmental Progress: He's at the beginning stages of teething - lots of drooling, chewing on everything. He's definitely copying sounds and is doing pretty well with them. He's sleeping more on his own and for longer durations (when he does decide to sleep...). If he's in your lap he pushes to stand up now. He grabs everything and clings on to it.

Sleep: He's been sleeping for 3-4 hours and occassionally up to 6 hours when he's really tired. It's tiring for us but it's working somehow...

Energy level: Crappy week - I think I have a bit of a cold with my allergies...

Exercise: Just walking and dance warm-up. I am back to my old walking pace. I need to find workout time somehow.... I feel sluggish!

Thoughts and Feelings? Not feeling really productive even though I'm getting a lot of work done - haven't touched anything school related and just trying to transition back onto a board that I am am member of. I really want to dedicate some time for me but whenever I do I end up with a fussy baby. Aidan does help beut we just came off of a week where he had to be out 3 nights of the week. He's in a training camp Friday into Saturday this week so I've had to cancel my hair appointment and waxing appointment... oh well...

What I am looking forward to: We've booked our May trip (cottage in Canterbury; hotel in London and airfare for Liam) and still need to sort out the car. Easter is coming! Need to get Aidan to talk to his folks about Ireland in September!