Jan/Feb 2011 Mommies (Nov & Dec 2010 early babes)

Maryke - I am thinking of you so much this afternoon! Hope Aiden and Lleweyln are ok! Hugs to you all!

Ster - I really recommend you start the sleep training rather sooner than later. I hardly ever rocked Sarah as a baby, she did fall asleep sometimes in our arms, but we hardly rocked. From about 6 months I am able to put her down, kiss her good night (good night even at 8am in the morning) and leave the room!!! It is such a easy way to do things. There are lots of mommies who like to sit with their babies, and it really is a personal thing. But I dont think I would cope right now if I had to sit with her and see to Nathan. It can take a while. When we were sleep training Sarah at a year old to drop the mid night feed it was hard on me too, but I made up my mind one day and stuck to it. Now she wakes up maybe 1 or 2 nights a week and its literally find dummy (if she hasnt found it already) kiss good night and off I go. Our camping cot came with a music thing that I use in her room. Nathan is in our room at the moment, and I leave the radio on from early to late, but I think he is used to the noises from being in NICU.


Vix, how is your week going? Any more afternoon siestas? Thanks for the updates on Maryke. By the way, I assume there was no UTI with the boy/s, I cant remember if it was Alex or Jono.You made me take a good look at Nathan so that I know when things change... LOL.

Mina, glad Bernice is doing well. It seems you are managing well with the breastfeeding. I am very naughty, and hardly watch my diet at all. It didnt help with Sarah, so I have been very lazy this time round!

Meags, shame man! I really feel for you. I was so desperately home sick when I moved to Switzerland and DB travelled and worked funny hours. Middle of winter, snowed in and couldnt even watch the telly! Just try to relax, practise breathing, and let Matt enjoy a little while longer in his comfy tummy! Hope the money issues are sorted out, and then you are going to have to stop converting! When we lived in Tanzania everything was imported from either SA, Dubai, UK or America. We were paying up to 5 dollars for a small loaf of bread and for Christmas the turkey would have cost just under R1000. The dollar rand rate was R10 to 1USD then! water and electricity cost us about R5000 per month and that was water brought in to fill our tanks from a river!!! I didnt even wash my hair in it or wash dishes - used bottled water! But I embraced the obstacles there because I didnt want to get homesick like I was in Switzerland! All learning curves - but that doesnt help you now! But we are here for you! Lots of hugs!!!!

Chris, hope you are having a good day again! I think if you can have a bit of sleep, you will do better and that helps. How is Athena's nose? Did you try the Chamiflor spray? Else try the Sterimar Bebe - dont use the normal sterimar or other baby sprays, the spray is just too "strong". I tried a cheaper one and have put it away for Sarah when she needs it later this year. All going ok on the new formula? So glad the chiro is helping too!

Binks, Vanya is gorgeous! Sorry she is demanding! I am finding I leave Nathan to niggle a bit more than I left Sarah. I am sure he will just be a strong boy - his sister keeps throwing things at him - in good spirit - her bottle - a book etc

Chan - am sure you are having a great time at Sun City! Enjoy!!!

Ah, just got update from Vix about Aiden - poor little thing! Love and hugs!!!

AFM - Nathan is getting better, but I must admit, I am giving him colic mix just about every night! During the day it differs, then we have a good day and then we have a niggly day. But really, he is very content. Sarah on the other hand is more than 2 handfulls! She realy is busy! We went grocery shopping today. I just had to try get out. It went well. Nathan in a wrap and Sarah really was good in the trolley. It took an hour to get some stuff returned and to buy groceries and get to the crazy store. THey have the heat packs in stock again. Vix, did you make some with rice? How is it going? I have used it much on Nathan, he really is getting better fast. his poo's have also changed, not as runny and not with every nappy anymore. So there is defnitely a sign that his digestive system is changing. He was smiling at me while I was eating a sandwich yesterday, so he had a sniff and opened his mouth! Could be co-incedence, but that is how Sarah started BLW. He is almost 3 months old already. But I'll wait a bit longer until trying solids. Sarah tried at 4 months and she didnt like the veges so I left it and tried again a month later and we've never looked back. She eats anything and very well.

I also love Nurofen. From what age can you give it? Whats nice about it is its a small dosage, which is a lot easier in a little while when the kids are fighting any medicaine. Sarah takes it so easily now! With vitamins, I give them to her in the bath - because they always used to make such a mess. Nathan is taking his vidalyn a lot better. Just had a bottle thrown at Nathan on my lap - poor thing - he will catch up to her and then she'll get it back from him! He is defnitely going to be bigger than her, he is 4kgs now and she is 8kgs. So the day will come where they are the same size! And soon I think!

AFM - as in me - I am still very down, but it is getting better. I am still on meds. The bleeding has finally eased up and is now more like spotting. If I had known the Merena would do this, I might have reconsidered. But I am half way through the first 3 month time period, and they say its plain sailing then. But I am feeling drained. Still on pregnancy vits and iron (Vix's iron tabs). Could do with a day of reading, sleeping and drinking coffee.

Yvette, Lizelle, Marie, Carmen hi mommies! Will catch up with you all soon.

kimika - LOVED your birth story, reminded me of my birth with Sarah - just perfect. Treasure the memories!

Maryke - hugs!!!!

xxx

They just put aiden on oxygen too little oxygen in blood his pulse also to rapid 201

Update from Maryke:

Boys have been admitted Llewellyn just started vometing still waiting for pead

ster - try dropping a drop of telament or gripe water in her mouth to catch her attention, then put the dummy in quick so she can start sucking. also, don;t pat too much or she won;t fall asleep without being patted. say ssshhhh ssshhhh etc to calm her. but also make 100% sure that she is full and not still a bit hungry. they can pick up their habits fast now. do you have music in her room? the babysense lala cd is very sweet. whatever works for you. let us know what happens.

maryke - hope you well there with the boys. waiting for updates.

will post again later girls. tired now and need to go nap.

Hi ladies.

Shame Meags i feel for you sweet heart and you so close and hubby leaving the country not lekka. At least my hubby has learnt if im unhappy so will he be, i find ways.

Maryke hope boys are ok.

Sterr Vanya can be so demanding when it comes to been picked up, has to be her way or im in trouble, she wants me to walk her and my back will not let me coz i get a spasm. She loves to sit up right on my lap i must hold her so she can look around, its cute some times coz she coes at everything.

Hope all other mommies are well.

Thanks Ladies, you see Inge falls asleep without rocking her with her midnight and 04:00 feed but all the other feeds she normally only goes to sleep about an hour or so after the feed but I am going to bite the bullet and stick to my guns and change the habit.

I have moved her cot into her own room this morning and she has slept there for about 30 minutes this morning. She was half asleep and I put her down - she woke up and I pat her and dummy in the mouth. watch this space - I will get it right.

Shame Meags, my heart breaks for you man - that is such a raw deal - you don't need this extra stress in your life now

Ster- you can do a form of sleep training anytime but just not to the point where they cry alone or give up night feeds. What I would suggest is that when Inge has finished feeding and winding you take her to bed and lay her down. She will of course cry but just pick her up calm her down and lay her back in her cot. Stay in the room with her at least for the first 3 days until she has fallen asleep. It WILL take about 15-20 pick up and put downs the first time. Eventually she'll realise that you're not giving in and she's tired. Any type of 'training' with baby takes a max of 3 days and then it's pretty smooth sailing providing you stick to your guns. But the first day and night is going to be tough.