http://www.kidslandusa.com/hape/musical-instruments/happy-gr-n-piano-black.php

:O

Liam is 63 days & 7 hours old!!

This week he’s been much more awake and alert, and he’s making all sorts of new noises! This week I think I’ve heard him say “my” “be” and “nee.” Today we realized that some of his grunts may not be because he’s upset, but simply because he wants to communicate, as he was smiling and grunting. He’s also snorting LOADS! He’s also able to hold his head up for long periods with minimal support now.

He’s been sleeping in his cot semi-regularly now, as we are trying to transition him off the bassinet because it’s getting too small for him. Last weekend he had his first babysitting experience as I taught for 3 hours he was looked after by the next door neighbors. Our neighbor gave him a new pacifier and he HATES it! So we’re definitely seeing distinct preferences for certain things. He also seems to like sitting upright to look at the world around him, he likes LOADS of attention and cuddles, he loves being rocked on my ottoman, and he misses either of us if he hasn’t seen us for a few hours.

This week hubby’s also been putting the baby bath in the big bath and we’ve been drying him on the floor rather than a table. We’ve been trialing using plain water and our hands to wipe him before a bath, rather than using wipes all the time, and are thinking of using toilet paper for the majority of wipes after poos, rather than wipes as they are quite costly and we were using about 5 wipes each time!

Today he’s on the last of his ‘Babylove’ nappies, so we gotta decide whether to get more or start him on the pampers, which are slightly bigger.

The Babycenter website says that this week he should be able to focus clearer and see colors, and that he’s interested in more complex patterns. He should have more fluidity to his movements, and should we awake for an average of 10 hours per day. He’s also meant to be able to reach out and grab toys now. He is interested in sounds, and silly noises.

My neighbour told me about ‘the wonder weeks’, which I had no idea about, but it explains a few things! Basically babies have 10 ‘leaps’ before they are 2, where they are then able to do a new skill. Before this, they are cranky, crying and clingy for a week!

He loves car rides, and is generally pretty good during outings. we went to Harbour town and Big W this week, and got; writing paper so I can make thank you cards to those who’ve given us cards and gifts, 2 pairs of leggins for Liam’s next size, a tiger shirt in 000, a cute pair of bather bottoms for size 00 (we couldn’t find the matching top), a size 2 monkey shirt, a new feeding pillow, a thermometer, 2015 calendar, scrapbooking supplies, a baby record book, a new book called “Lamb Says Boo”, and a cute formal shirt and pants with suspenders set in size 00 for his six month photo shoot (hopefully!) These were the first new items I’ve got for Liam!

I’m really hoping to get Liam more cloth and waterproof books, soft balls, a baby sling, and bath toys soon!

I tried him on a different kind of bottle; those generic tall ones, but the teat was flimsy and slim, so loads of air got in, so we’ll stick to the Avent ones.

I love vlogging now, so I decided to and tried to do daily vlogs this week for the first time whilst hubby was working all weekend, but it’s unrealistic to do them daily due to my work commitments ramping up, and my lack of editing knowledge, so I’m only committing to 1-2 vlogs a week. I still have loads I want to get edited and uploaded from way back! On that note, now that he’s 2 months old I’m doubting that I’ll be doing weekly blogs from now on, so expect monthly blogs, and if more are up, consider it a bonus!

This week we also purchased a new photography lens worth $1500 for $1800! I’m considering buying a vlogging lens and possibly buying hubby’s old camera off of him. He’s agreed to be in more of my vlogs, though he’s still self-conscious about his voice, as he has a stutter.

We have a new facebook community page for our followers, at https://www.facebook.com/TheTownsendFamily so please check it out and “like” our page for faster updates on his progress and our vlogs!

I really love to hear what you lot think about our vlogs, blogs, and life in general, so please comment, and let us know what you love to hear about the most!

Cluster feeding hourly and driving us insane!
Hand expressing is going well, I’m getting the same amount hand pumping than with the automatic pump! – but the hand hurts more.

Had a painful blocked duct the other day- left side and I had to suck out the blockage myself, which was Very gross! Now I generally get more out that side than before and it leaks when the other side is being used.

he’s only pooing once a week now.

He had his first tram ride and went on play equipment on Tuesday. it was a really nice day out! we had a picnic brunch down at st kilda playground. He did get a touch of baby sunburn though, but its extremely mild!

reducing the formula feeds and going half half when i have to use a bottle whenever possible.

hes discovering his voice now and exercising his new vocal abilities with increased range – higher, and a few more shapes, such as; “me” “ow” and “ra”.

Hubby said he unintentionally said “muuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuum” during a cry this week, and I’ve heard a few “maaaaaaaa” and “mama”.

He can sit up for longer with minimal head support.

We’ve been letting him smell a few foods from a distance.

Buys:
Dimmer lights
Chux superwipes – bulk pack
Baby Bath
2 pack of glow in the dark dummies – handy for finding the dummy in the dark!

Hubby wants to buy a new lens worth $2500 in the near future. He’s so obsessed with it he’s looking it up daily on ebay and youtube. As a result of this desire, he’s been sucking up to me a bit lately hoping I’ll contribute t the cost, but we still need to pay music teachers insurance ($250) and band fees $30) this week, plus the usual expenses, so I’m really not sure. Plus, we don’t even have that much money in total right now!

I’ve decided I love vlogging so much that I’d like to commit to at least weekly vlogs (where possible, anyway.) It just seems that we have better quality of life when we intend to vlog, as we go out to do fun things, rather than sleeping in and spending the time cleaning or watching tv. Hubby is even considering being in the vlogs a bit from now on, though he’s a little self-conscious.

Had his first scab on his nose because I clipped his nails and forgot to file them down.

This week i began sending pics and thank you letters and emails to family for gifts received.

‘6 week’ checkup:

4.1kg up from 3.5 at his 2 week

56cm tall, up from 51 at his 2 week

34cm head circumference which is now back to his birth size, as it drops due to a head shape change after birth – (probably to inflict max damage on his way out!)

He was immunised against; diphtheria, tetanus, haemophilus, influenza, hep b, polio, and pertussis in the left leg, and pneumococcal in the right. He had rotavirus orally – which is a live virus, so we were told to bag his poo’s. We kept the band aids for scrap booking.

Milestones:

Liam gave me his first beaming smile (for me, anyway) on Saturday, the 31st of January. He smiled at me about 3 or 4 times when I was making over-the-top faces and using high pitched sounds, etc. It was sooooooooooo cute! He’s doing it daily now.

He can lift his head much easier without much effort, ad needs less support of his head.

Starting to like being played with physically – so hopefully he’ll begin to like massage.He’s growing more hair on the front of his head now, except my hubby cut a small lock off for scrap booking.

Hubby noticed a pattern in his eyes, and it looks like they’re going to be blue, like his. Over the week they’ve gone from light grey to grey-dark blue.

He’s been cluster feeding – a lot, so it’s been hard to get anything done. He often falls asleep when I’m trying to feed. It’s quite frustrating – especially when I have to fit it in around working. He’s quite clingy now, and pretty much cries whenever he’s awake now if he’s not being fed or sang to.

His hungry, bored and in pain cries sound too similar for me to tell apart. The only way I can tell if he has wind pain now is by his legs.

He’s been spitting out his dum,my VERY frequently now.

This week he hasn’t been bashing his head into the sleep positioner, which is good J

Sleeping in 6 hour stretches most nights this week.

I tried hand expressing and its going pretty well, but aiming is proving difficult at times… I’ve been using a pirple cup which we got from cheap as chips for our wedding to express into, because it’s nice and big, allowing room for mis-aims, extra milk, and my hand. I pretty much haven’t used the pump at all this week.

His acne ash has cleared up a bit, since we stopped the oil massages and haven’t been swaddling him as tightly or as warmly. At the check-up they said it is because his skin is getting used to our world, and he possibly has sensitive skin. We’re aiming for daily baths now.

When he is awake he’s usually awake for longer.

His nappies are constantly wet my hubby said when I was at work on Tuesday he changed his nappy, and 5 mins later he’d wet through to overflowing, and it ended up on the floor, and all over his new bouncer! And he did it again Thursday, my husband thinks maybe we should perhaps use the next size up.

I learnt a few things about vlogging and taking pictures, and I even filmed and edited a few videos on my own. 🙂

He can grip things pretty well now when things are placed in his hand. On Wednesday he held money rolled up and taped, and yesterday my husband tried to get him to hi-five, and he put a pen in his hand and he scribbled his first tiny picture 😛 He’s also started to show liam parts of his body, like hands and feet, via playing games like peekaboo.

GIFTS:

Brown fluffy blanket

3x 0 sheriff outfit

Book about Harry the hippo who loves to hide.

2 3x o rompers

1 car that goes with a car from the toy haul (which I think is yet to be edited)

We got lots of free goodies at the checkup… better than a bounty bag! We got s26 Comfort and s26 Newborn, along with another formula, and about 8 nappies, because the nurse said they’d go off and be wasted otherwise.

PURCHASES:

Ikea

• Hamper for his room
• Book with textures and animals
• Table and lampshade for feeding
• Boxes for his feeding supplies
• Boxes to babyproof our loungeroom storage units.
• Cleaning supplies

Kmart

• Wipes box
• U pillow for feeding
• 2 spare pillows
• Teaching supplies

Office Works

• Teaching supplies

Entertainment: Liam’s been liking;

• singamajigs,
• music and new sounds
• playgym
• Tummy time
• Reading,
• Facial expressions,
• Playing with and staring at my husband’s motorised faders on his mixing desk.

Gumtree

• Feeding chair and ottoman $150
• Baby bath and insert $4 (we’re getting this later today.)

ON SATURDAY HE’ll BE 50 DAYS OLD!!

http://www.babycenter.com.au/s1001645/7-week-old

Vitamin D3: 1000 IU per day (plus that in Blackmores)

Caltrate: Calcium Carbonate: 1200 mg per day (plus that in Blackmores)

Blackmores Pregnancy and Breastfeeding Gold: 2 capsules a day

Megafol 0-5: Folic Acid 0.5 mg: every other day.

Girl

A – Annabelle, Angela, Amelie

B – Bella

C – Claire, Celia, Celeste

D – Daisy

E – Emily, Amelia, Emilie, Evelyn

F – Felicity, Fiona

G – Grace, Gloria, Gabrielle

H – Harmony

I – Isabelle

J – Julia, Joy, Josie

K – Kate

L – Leah

M – Maddy, Mia, Molly, Melody, Miranda, Megan

N – Natalie, Natasha

O – Olivia, Opal

P – Paige, Pearl, Phoebe, Prue

Q – Quincy

R – Rosie, Rose

S – Savannah, Sophie, Sophia, Scarlett

T – Talia, Tiffany, Tatiana

U – Ulyssa

V – Violet, Valerie, Veronica

W – Willow

X – Xenia, Xaria

Y – Yasmin, Yoselin, Yvette

Z – Zooey, Zoe, Zarah

Boy

A – Alexander, Andrew

B – Billy

C – Charlie, Caleb, Cole, Coby

D – David

E – Elias, Elijah

F – Fabian

G – Gregory

H – Henry

I – Iljiah

J – Jakub

K – Kaleb, Kain

L – Liam, Leeroy, Lauchlan

M – Matthew, Micha

N – Noah

O – Owen, Oliver

P – Phillip, Paul

Q – Quilan

R – Rowan

S – Steven

T – Toby

U – Ulissies

V – Vincent

W – William

X – Xavier

Y – Yok / Yokrem / Yokkie

Z – Zach

7th week:

I Begun to get tired, and wanting to nap in the mid-afternoon, and I sometimes got dull fleeting pains in the left side of my groin. (Round Ligament Pain.)

A little nausea, but not much vomiting:

22^nd May – had an ultrasound to check the suspected ovarian complex cyst and pregnancy was confirmed! We saw the heartbeat, and the technician thought I was 7 weeks and 4 days along. Everything looked normal. Baby was 13mm long head to rump. I was unaware that what I thought was the head was probably the yolk sac.

23^rd May: Whilst teaching my eyesight went fuzzy and blurry for no apparent reason for 30 mins. I could only see white lines and it was hard to focus on teaching.

I told my close family that day, and my closest friends over the following few days.

25^th May – Got an awful head cold. Bought a 3 wheeler stroller, baby car seat, jolly jumper, and a toy lamb.

I’m realising that I rather like the name “Leah” for a girl. my husband only seems to like “Emily,” so I thought about “Emelia” but he doesn’t like that much. He said to consider “Emilie”.

8th week:

This is the week when my emotions got the best of me. I cried twice this week for no apparent reason. I found that even tiny things set me off.

This week the tiredness has definitely set in! If I don’t get to sleep by 8 or 9pm I don’t function the next day (for a 7.30am start.)

I noticed that my nipples became larger and darker.

I became even more forgetful and absent-minded than usual.

29^th May: First purchase was our Sleigh Cot and matching change table.

30^th May: First docs appointment relating to pregnancy: Due date given was Jan 6^th. Was told I’m 8 weeks and 6 days along.

I’ve been getting heart burn.

9th week:

No cravings or likes for specific foods, still a loss of appetite.

Heightened sensitivity to smell. Heaps of foods really smell weird.

I’ve noticed that my fingernails are growing faster than before.

Only thew up 4 times by this point – mostly bile.

Began telling other selected friends.

Began craving junk food and savory things.

Began buying gender neutral  baby clothes in Op Shops.

I have a small collection of toy lambs now.

6^th June: Bought a bassinette.

7^th June: had a few sips of apple and guava cider and felt REALLY guilty. Ate a lot of junk at a restaurant and felt nauseous, but didn’t vomit.

8^th June: Got a cot Mattress.

10th week:

Still have a pretty bad cold. Wanted to get medicine for it but was advised against anything. The pharmacist did give me “polaramine” but I’ve only taken it a few times, along with butter menthols.

I had my first proper fitness walk this whole pregnancy.

Appetite is slowly coming back.

Decided we needed to move to a 4 bedroom house.

Went to a baby and craft fair and bought a pregnancy pillow, cute clothes, cot sheets and bedding.

Lost some of the passion I have for my job, and wanting to put my energy and time into family, housekeeping, and baby prep.

11th week:

15^th June: Went to Sams Warehouse and bought a whole bunch of baby blankets, sheets, a toy dog, and a few baby bottles.

SECOND TRIMESTER:    12 weeks Pregnant!!! 22^nd June! 

25^th June: Realized I probably needed more calcium than I was having, and decided to get supplements and try to have more milk. Switched to craving sweet things after having a cherry wripe milkshake.

26^th June:  had my 12 week ultrasound. I think I may have seen boy bits… Everything looked nice and normal.

Began to tell a few more friends.

Acne is getting worse now, and the spots have turned really ichy. I HATE wearing makeup now.

13th week:

29^th June: We compiled list of baby names we liked and disliked.

I got really bad cramps all day (but no bleeding) and I was hot and cold all day.

Saw the doctor again and the due date got moved back 3 days to the 3^rd of Jan. Everything is normal. Low chance of birth defects or down syndrome. Good blood pressure. I heard the baby’s heart beat for the first time 😀 It’s much slower than in the 7 week ultrasound.

I was told that I was ineligible for a birth centre (and therefore, a water birth) because of my weight. It’s recommended I give birth in a regular hospital.

Saw family this week and they all prefer “Claire” as a middle name for a girl. my husband is still dead set on “Emily” so that’s definitely a high consideration for a girl’s name.

Got a whole bunch of cloth diapers this week.

14th week:

3^rd July: Announced pregnancy publically online!

Taking extra thyroxine on advice from the thyroid specialist, though she doesn’t think I have a diagnosed thyroid problem.

Sitting and laying positions are getting more uncomfortable, and I’m more easily irritated.

Did the wedding ring with string over belly and got lines 3 times, indicating boy prediction. I really think it’s a boy at this point. I would be glad to be wrong though. My husband really wants a girl.

My cold of 7 weeks seemed to be easing off..

Got a nipple shield, nappy bag, and some more bottles and a bottle sterilizer this week.

My nana and Auntie have begun making a baby blanket each. The wool being used is really nice, and super soft! One of our other friends is also making a blanket for us.

My mother-in-law has sent us two packages of baby things, which is lovely of her.

I’m aware that I hadn’t exercised as much as I should, and I’d been neglecting doing pelvic floor exercises, so I aimed to remedy these.

I haven’t gained any weight since that freak 10 kg gain in the early days, though my husband, (who hasn’t gained ANY weight since he was about 10, and is classed as almost underweight,) has put on 6 kg’s this week!!! Perhaps it’s sympathy weight?!? He’s gone from 59-60 kgs to 66!!

Preconception:

I’d been quite excited to start a family for a few ears now. I had already purchased a few small things for my future family, such as toys and things that reminded me of my own childhood. For the past year and a half I’d been collecting pregnancy books as well, and had looked heavily into NFP.

My periods had been quite irregular for about 8 months, so I got it checked out and an ultrasound showed a suspected complex cyst or endometriosis on my left ovary. I was told it would be hard to conceive, so I stopped using protection and being careful. I’d always wanted a child by 25 anyway, and I’m in a stable and happy marriage, with full time work, and a set up house of furniture and appliances.

1 week:

Last period: 29^th of March.

2 weeks:

April 14^th Conception – No protection was used, and I didn’t pee afterwards like I normally do.

For some strange reason I gained 10 Kg this week!

4-6 weeks:

Around day 39 of cycle I began to worry.

First symptoms: really sore, constantly hard, and tender nipples for days on end.

Lack of appetite. No interest in food in general.

Feeling Very Hungry and then Very full.

Hating the taste and smell of Deli meats

Distain for salad!?!?!

Dull pain in left side of groin on occasion.

Started to get lower back pain.

5 weeks:

6th May: Had my specialist appointment with the gynaecologist regarding cyst and possible endometriosis. Told her we were planning to conceive this year and she ordered vaccinations, blood tests, folic acid, glucose test, and an ultrasound.

6 weeks:

Sat 17^th May: day  50 of my cycle, decided to take a pregnancy test. Took one that night, and one the next morning. Both confirmed. Also did a bleach test: also confirmed.

 Urine Stick Test.

 Bleach Test

Got Blackmore’s pregnancy gold multivitamins the next day.

Begun researching baby stuff to buy on the 19^{th of} May.

Begun to read my pregnancy books. I especially like Kaz Cooke’s “Up The Duff.”