Naps
When do these super mums do their housework, washing, ironing, and generally catch a break? During nap time.... Oh, well they really must be super mums then as G only naps for 20 minutes!
I'd started to think that part of Gs grumpiness could be down to lack of sleep during the day. We had no pattern as such, she just fell asleep whenever. It was time to start looking for her sleep cues, and enforcing a napping schedule (I use the term schedule loosely!).
Initially it felt like a losing battle, nap times were still no longer than 20 minutes, and she fought going to sleep. However, a week on, I've learnt she needs 3 naps per day, usually around 8am, midday and mid afternoon, and she's starting to nap for around 45mins-1 hour. When she's awake she's also a lot happier. So has Tim come home to a cleaner house with piles of freshly ironed washing? Hmmmm, not yet!
Dream feeds
14 weeks in and I was shattered. I couldn't take the night feeds any more. I was miserable, and had no energy. So we decided to think about dream feeds. G was feeding at 6pm, and due to her weight and relatively small feed amounts, wasn't making it much beyond 2/3am. Dream feeds involve feeding baby whilst asleep, at around 10/11pm, and aim to get them through until morning. The first few nights G was still waking around 3am, but we figured it was her body clock as opposed to hunger. So we persevered. The wake up times gradually moved to 4am, and more recently, 5am. Luckily when she now wakes around 5-5:30am she is happy to babble away to herself until I feed her at 6am. Last night was the first time in ages that I had a solid six hour sleep. I feel....rough, haha, I guess I need to adjust too.
Father's Day and family fun
We had a busy weekend what with my nans 90th birthday party on Saturday, and Father's Day on Sunday.
Saturdays antics involved a 300 mile round trip Sussex, and catch ups and G cuddles with family that we hadn't seen in years. G behaved very well, was happy to be passed around, and was an angel for the 7 hours or so that we spent in the car. She did projectile vomit on me on the way to the party, and whilst she had two spare outfits, I had none, but luckily Chanel perfume did a good cover up job! We had debated whether to go on Saturday due to the long journey and taking G into a care home (germs and what not), but I'm sooo glad we did. Not only did she meet both of her great grandmas on my side, but I saw aunts uncles and cousins that I hadn't seen in far too long. We must meet more often!
On Sunday we went for breakfast with Grandad, and then a BBQ with Grampa. Tim very much enjoyed his day, and loved Gs gifts of: a man tin for nuts bolts screws and general crap; an 'I love daddy' mug; his favourite choccies and a personalised mouse mat with Gs gorgeous pics on. What a clever girl she is :)
Dietician
Yesterday I went to see Gs dietician. It wasn't the most informative of appointments, however we have concluded that G definitely has a full on cows milk intolerance (not just lactose), and should not have anything containing milk until we meet again when she is 1. With this in mind, I was given information regarding weaning, things to avoid, and a recipe book for meals that can be made using her formula. I won't be tasting those!
Formula and meds
"When did you last hear Gracie strain and grunt all night long?"
"Well, I can't remember actually."
"Ok, well when did she last scream all evening?"
"Errrrrr..... A few weeks ago?"
We hadn't realised it, but Gracie's formula has actually been making a huge difference. She's been in it now for nearly a month, but over the last week things have really improved and her tummy is a lot more settled. Even the reflux is starting to get better. Speaking of reflux, I have just picked up a new medicine to trial (omeprezole). Hopefully it may banish, or at least control her reflux for the foreseeable future.
What's next for Gracie?
Next Thursday we have a double whammy-Gracie has a kidney scan, and her jabs. We didn't realise it, but at her last kidney scan, it was picked up that her kidneys were slightly dilated. I don't think that it's a problem as it wasn't even mentioned to us, but the paediatrician just wants a repeat scan to see how things are.
As for the jabs, we all know they cause days of upset, but are for the best in the long run. Lets hope it doesn't knock her new nap schedule or improved evenings.
So, a very positive blog entry! I know that things won't always run smoothly, but we've had a pretty good few weeks. We've only had 2 or 3 car rides in the past two weeks, and generally she is falling asleep by 8pm. I even did the ironing the other night, that's a first!!
On a different note, a lovely friend of mine is taking part in an open water swim this weekend in aid of Turner Syndrome and another charity. She will be swimming two miles, something I can't even comprehend. Good luck Lucy!!
No I don't cover her face during nap time, she does!
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