April 2005 Archives

We officially made the transition to cow's milk about a week ago, but I haven't posted about it 'til now just to make sure it 'took'.

After some bold experimentation by Max, adding milk to Emily's daily porridge (rather than just Formula) until porridge was being made entirely with milk, we decided to start the change over with the bottle's too.

It started with 6oz of formula with 2oz of milk in, and each week we would change the mix, an oz or two at a time, until finally the switch was made. The was a moment or two near the end where she wasn't too fussed on a few bottles and we thought we'd gone too quickly, but she's happy enough now, glugging down 8-9oz of the stuff first thing in the morning and last thing at night.

Top things about the transition.
1. No more buying expensive formula!
2. None of that preparation/losing count of how many scoops etc. - just chuck some milk in straight from the fridge.
3. She doesn't even need it heated anymore - chilled works too!
4. Point 3 means if she has a fussy head and doesn't drink much - just stick it back in the fridge for later! (Boy the formula you waste in the first 18 months must be worth a fortune!).

So one less expensive baby-related item to buy/carry about when traveling/etc. Next stop, nappys! :)

Well it seems like my opinions have completely changed with regards to mother and baby groups. I first went when Emily was very small, about 4 months ish (although I could be slightly wrong on the age thing as my memory is not exactly reliable!) and I really wasn't sure about them. Firstly it was bedlam with all the toddlers charging about the place and secondly it seemed very clicky and I felt a bit of an outsider.

Now I have just started going back to them, on a Monday and Wednesday morning and I think they are great! I realise that I probably wasn't prepared for the chaos nature of these things when I first went. It scared me off a bit and I don't think I was ready for it. But now that Emily is older and can toddle about and play with things and other children its fantastic. She is such a social little girl, its great to sit back and watch her interact with the kids. She seems quite good at the sharing thing too and doesn't snatch toys or have tantrums when she can't get something, which is great.

I also realise it is good for me. Going out for a walk and having a break, whilst in adult company for a couple of hours really makes a difference to how I feel, even to the mood of the whole week. I only wish I embraced it a bit earlier.

So thumbs up Mums & Chums! I will now be a regular attendee.

A contrary toddler, when you are not feeling 110%, can make you feel like everything is caving in on your head and your otherwise organised and in control ways are slipping away fast. This morning she awoke in a grumpy mood again (after testing me all day yesterday) and I just wanted to pull the duvet over my head and sleep for the rest of the day. The thought of having a contrary day again was just too much to think about.

Warren must of sensed my frustration and got up and did the usual morning duties. Its amazing how just the small things like that can make such a positive difference to the day. When he left for work I sat there feeling tense for a while and then decided to take control of the situation - so I went mad on the domestic chores and cleaned non-stop for an hour. In fact Emily loves this as she follows me around tidying up or pushing her buggy (whilst wearing a crash helmet - very funny).

I have to say after I had done this and then got dressed (the temptation when feeling like this is to stay in pj's all day) I felt so much better and definitely feel like I have regained some control and Emily is no longer the boss! Lets hope this lasts!

So anyone out there feeling the pressure of a demanding toddler take a leaf out of my book and get active! Its hard to get motivated but it works.

...not Emily, Me.

I've been (ahem) 'upgrading' our server in work, which involved 3 horrible days lost in Windows hell, which Bill Gates takes full blame for.

Needless to say, we've had a few teething problems 'round here over the last few days. Thanks to my troubleshooting mom-in-law, I've discovered a few that I didn't know about, like the comments being broke.

Well, they should be fixed now. Any more problems discovered, drop me an email please.

Maybe some day I'll get some time to write some stuff about Emily again....

1. Say 'Up' then 'Down' with actions. Vocabulary also includes; byeee, DAAAAD, mom (rarely), bear, ball, noooo, yes, yish
2. Keeping clean & tidy - she likes having all spillage's cleaned up right away! Sometimes if I am not quick enough she goes to the cupboard and gets the sponge to do it herself. The other day she wee'd on the carpet (waiting for a bath). She came in to get me and then pointed out what she had done and before I could tell Warren she got the wipes out and was cleaning it up herself!!
3. Getting out her own cutlery - as soon as she sees me preparing food she gets her spoon out ready.
4. Lying flat out on the floor - preferably in shops.
5. Dancing to all types of music, even Daddy singing.
6. Putting things in the bin.
7. Holding up boxes of toys as high as she can so everything falls out with a bang.
8. Doing animal noises to: doggy, sheep, lion, giraffe, crocodile, snake.
9. Spinning round and round in circles (and giggling) until she falls over.
10. Snuggling her (now very grubby) special sleeping bag which we call 'Rubby' and sometimes 'Blanky'. I am still trying to work out how I can wash it without a major crisis developing!

There is probably more than that but it gives you an idea!

I said I would never go down the route of spending lots of money on name brand clothes or shoes for Em. After all its for me really not her and the longer I can keep her unaware of these things the better!

But I am a very naughty mommy! Just how could I possibly resist those beautiful little pink converse all stars that were just sooooo cute! So we had to have them! It was a joint decision between me and Emily and she insisted! Oh did I mention that I also have the very same pink converse? hehe we're matching!

Let me tell you though, you have never seen anything as cute! SOOOO cute! Did I say she was cute?! I'll have to get pictures together to proove it...

Well it has been a hectic few weeks, what with all the decorating and desperately trying to get the house in a fit state for Uncle Chris, Auntie Claire, Ciara and Sam coming to stay. But we finally did it!

We had a great week last week and just pottered about and mainly ate lots. It was lovely to see Emily interacting with Ciara and Sam. She is so different around children. I probably could've gone on holiday and she wouldn't have noticed, she was having such fun.

She followed Ciara around constantly giggling and laughing. It warms the cockles of your heart seeing your tiny so ecstatically happy. I took a few photos but I am really behind with getting them sorted so I will post them soon.