January 2004 Archives
We can hardly believe we are moving into the next stages of baby development! Emily had her first solid food today...its not quite sausages and chips but its a start! In fact she seemed to really like it and didn't need coaching to open her mouth at all! But I'm not gonna count my chickens just yet, she already lulled us into a false sense of security with the formula (which by the way is still to be a pleasant non-screaming affair).
But all in all I would say the first step of weaning was a success and tomorrow I am gonna try the sausages....
....only kidding! See more pics of Emilys first nosh.
The website you are reading is one year old today.
Well, OK, it's not been ONLINE for one year, but a year ago today, we got two blue lines, and I wrote the first entry to go on the future site.
So, when you think about it, Emily is already over 1 year old. Kinda. Which is quite weird.
It's been a exciting/scary/busy/crazy year.
Its a bit strange posting this, but it is such a big thing to me that I had to really. Last week, after I was sick for a while, then Woz, and a general grumpiness and tiredness we decided to try Emily with formula. I can't begin to tell you what a big thing emotionally this is for me. Breastfeeding is such a wonderful thing and I would recommend any future mom to try to do it. Not only do you lose weight very quickly (I am skinnier than before I was pregnant by a good few pounds) but you develop the most amazing bond. Don't get me wrong, it is hard work, but I can't explain to you the closeness it brings.
Which is why the whole formula or the 'f' thing I called it (I couldn't bring myself to say it) was so hard to start. For some weird reason I felt like I would lose the bond and that closeness that Emily and I have and that it wouldn't be the same. Rationally though I know the bond is more than just a feeding thing, I know it would still be there. Just making that first step towards eventually not breastfeeding was very scary and emotional.
BUt I have managed it and Em is now getting a bottle of 'non-mommy' milk once a day, but still getting lovely mommy milk the rest of the time. And it is actually a relief. It means there is less pressure on me and if i need to do something or go somewhere Woz can take over, and I can still be happy with the fact that I am still breastfeeding for another few months yet...
I don't know how I'll be when I stop for good...we will just have to wait and see...
I'm getting a bit slack with keeping you all updated on the Wonderful World of Emily Black. But as the days go by and she gets that bit older I somehow seem to have less time on my hands...I wonder why...
Its amazing how much she changes from day to day and has started trying to sit up now - although she is still too wobbly to manage it on her own, its all so exciting! We have been very lucky so far (touch wood) with the whole sleep routine thing. We started after Christmas putting her to bed about 9ish and she seems to know what to do when she gets in the cot, which is great! Just hope it keeps up and slowly but surely she is learning that baths are indeed lovely things - especially with lots of bubbles.
Anyway we took this pic before christmas but I couldn't let you miss out on it! Thanks for the Tigger outfit Sal...its so cute and reminds us of your little Tiggy!
Well, according to the little counter at the top of the page, as I write this, Emily is 106 days old, which means she's had about 50-odd baths so far in her life.
Which means there's been about 50 times in the last 3 months that the neighbours must have considered calling the police, social services, or someone to find out what kind of terrible tortures are going on next door.
Emily hates baths. She screams and screams 'til you GET HER OUT OF THAT HORRIBLE SLOOSHY STUFF! She has even gotten to the stage where you only have to hold her over the bath and she's already on to what you are up to, and of course starts crying.
She has also recently perfected a technique where, rather than just go for the 'eyes scrunched up crying' she keeps her eyes open, and stares straight at me, as if to say 'why are you doing this to me' as the tears run down her face.
We've tried a little warmer, a little cooler, etc. to no effect.
But tonight, something of a breakthrough. About half way through, the crying stopped. There certainly weren't any smiles, but we got through the rest of bath-time sob-free.
Too early to call it a turning point, but you never know....
So, parents out there - is this the norm? Do all new babies hate the bath to start, and then come round to it? And what age did yours stop the crying? Post your comments below.
Sorry it has taken us so long to get some crimbo pics up but you know how it is over the festive season...there seems like an endless amount of time and before you know it its 2004! So happy New Year to you all!
Emily seemed so excited on Christmas day. I know she is too young really but she did seem to sense that something was going on and she got so much stuff, truely spoilt! (And of course I enjoyed opening all her pressies hehe).
And after our search for a big red Clifford, Aunty Julie suprised Emily on New Year with a fantastic find! You'll have to see the pics! We didn't know about Clifford and that the little girl who owned was called Emily Elizabeth until adter she was born...so she had to get a big red dog!
Anyway I am dying with a cold so I am going to get a big cup of tea. So click here to enjoy the photos we took of our gorgeous daughter and don't forget to post your comments!
