February Links



Source

In Which This is the House that Jack Built - Sarah Bessey

Self Care Makes Child Care Easier - Simple Homeschool

The Extraordinary Science of Addictive Junkfood - New York Times Magazine

For the Days You Think You're Grown Up Report Card Reads Straight F's - Chasing Blue Skies

How Women Can Get Radical For Their Sisters - A Holy Experience

Weekend

I am a big fan of summer, the beach, ice-cream and everything else that goes along with the warmer weather.

We have had a really hot February, and unfortuantely most weekends we have either been too busy or it's been way to hot to take Hugo to the beach.

Last night though it was really stuffy in our house and the poor little man was so hot and in need of a sleep so we loaded him in the car and went down to the waterfront.

We live such a short drive from the waterfront that I'm not really sure why we don't do this more often, but after such a gorgeous walk in the cooling evening yesterday we will definitly be doing it more regularly.

Our Way

Before Hugo was born, Dave and I spent a lot of time talking about how we were going to parent our child. Going with our instincts was the most important thing for us. This has been working really well for us. Hugo is happy, peaceful and sleeps really well at night and has done right from eight weeks.

But a couple of weeks ago he seemed a little unsettled during the day and was waking during the night. At first I thought he might have been having a growth spurt (which may have been part of it) and just needed a little extra feed. But then one night he woke at 11:30pm and needed to be resettled, then woke at 5am, 7am and 9am and then wouldn't go down for a sleep without 30 minutes of crying while I rocked and cuddled him, I was at the end of my rope and in tears too.

As I sat on my bed, after Hugo eventually fell asleep in my arms, and cried, I realised that the only reason I felt like I did was because I was listening to a tiny voice in my head that was telling me I should be doing what the maternal health worker was suggesting at my new parents group.

Instead of going with what had been working for us for the last 12 weeks, following Hugo's cues, doing what I feel is best for him, I had been questioning my instincts and his cues and trying, without even really being aware of it, to follow what a stranger has said is best.

What the what?!

All this did was upset me and unsettle my boy as he picked up on my angst.

So from now on we are back to doing things our way.

Yes that might mean he has short sleeps during the day for now (even though I was told he should "sleep for no less than an hour" each nap), yes that might mean he eats every two hours (and not every 3 or 4 like he would on a "good" schedule).

So what. He is thriving, healthy, peaceful and happy 99% of the time. This is what works for us.

And it is perfectly fine that what we do doesn't fit the mould of what the health workers think is best. We do a number of things they wouldn't agree with.

Co-sleep
Feed on demand still
No set routine
No set sleep, eat, wake time schedule

My baby is happy this way and so are we. He knows he is loved and cared for and at the end of the day that is all that matters.

So I am going to ignore the stupid voice in my head, give myself a little grace, and get back on track doing this mothering thing my way.

And snuggle the heck out of my baby boy today and every chance I get!

Three Months

Our little Hugo is three months already!!! I almost can't believe that he has been with us for that long, but it also seems like he always was here. Crazy how that happens.

Our little boy is just the highlight of our life these days. He just keeps growing and growing. 6.5kgs already and he is in the 90th percentile for both his height and his head size (hehehe).

He's been giving us about 7-8 hours sleep a night for weeks now (except for this week, where he has been waking at around 4am wanting a quick feed. I'm thinking growth spurt).

He is starting to no longer fit into his 000 clothing and has been in a couple of 00 PJ's for the last two weeks. I don't know if I can handle boxing up the little clothes just yet. It was bad enough doing the 0000 things!

He has become so much fun in the last few weeks. He is super chatty most of the day and gives the best gummy smiles. He loves to be on his play mat and swat at all the toys dangling from it. He especially loves a little lion that has a bell attached to it that jingles every time he hits it. He also will hit it when you ask him where his lion is - such a clever boy!

He has also begun to like tummy time a lot more and will stay there for up to half an hour now.

While part of me hates how quickly he is growing and would just like to freeze time, I love watching him grow and change and start to interact with his little world. Each day is a new adventure with him and I am beyond blessed to call him mine!

January Links

40 Things Every Child Must Know Before They Leave Home - A Holy Experience

8 Ways To Nurture a Childs Soul - Simple Mom

Raising Kids For Free - The Age

Brave Moms Raise Brave Kids - Jen Hatmaker

Having a Bad Day Doesn't Make You a Bad Mother - Lisa-Jo Baker

Tips For Team Players - Naptime Diaries

In Which We Numb The Light - Sarah Bessey

For The Days You Need to Practice What You Preach  - Chasing Blue Skies