Liam - Week 18

Date/Week: April 27; week 18 

My Total weight gain/loss: 

His Stats: 

Milestones: 1st Easter; 1st time trying rice cereal; worn in a different position in the sling; first time putting his feet in the sand when visiting the beach

Developmental Progress: He's becomming more efficient when rolling. He is really good at getting his arm out of the way to get into the position he desired; He has started to turn towards us when we call his name. It's not all the time but it's getting to be more consistent; If I give Liam his giraffe, he will grab it in his hand or hands and put it into his mouth on his own. He can also take the pacifier our and put it back into his mouth; He loves it when Aidan or I sing to him.

Energy level: It's been a hellish week because I can't seem to sleep when I have the chance. I am grateful for a husband and family who have been helping out.

Exercise: I haven't managed to do anything but walk this week.

Thoughts and Feelings? I am pretty exhausted, am counting down to our vacation and can't wait to relax a bit. I found out yesterday that we may spend a day in France when we're over there so I'm pretty excited.

I plan to put together a school schedule on Sunday. I'd like to walk across that stage in July 2012!!!

What I am looking forward to: Mother's Day - we're going to brunch!; Strawberry picking in Kent; LUSH products; Cornish Pasties; New Office upon my return from vacation.

April 2011 ICLW

Welcome to my little corner of the web! I will have to say that I have missed ICLW for the last few months. It has been a busy few months butI am actively attempting to get back into activities that I enjoyed doing (and some I do not...).

First, a little bit about me. I guess I am on phase 3 of our journey. Phase 1 was living blissfully unaware that it would be difficult to have a family. Phase 2 was almost a 3 year rollercoaster during which both my DH and I were diagnosed with factors that were causing our infertility. Phase 3 is where we are now - we survived our IF struggle and are trying to figure out what it means to graduate.

I guess right now this graduation concept has me a little peeved. We got pregnant and had a baby but that doesn't mean that we forget everything we've gone through. Life after IF sometimes feels like a semi-limbo. When you're around people who got pg normally, sometimes the things they say really smarts (particularly about having the next one). On the other hand, people who were of great support in phase 2 sometimes avoid you because what you have makes them upset. Some days I wish there was a support group for after IF.

Anyhow, outside of recording a life that now includes parenting after IF, this blog sometimes includes bits and pieces of the frustration of pulling my life back together. I really did let things fall apart during phase 2. While my relationship was thankfully really strong as we had to work together, my work and school life was operating at minimal levels to get by. Career maybe a bit more since I needed money to pay for treatments - school almost flatlined. My confidence took a major hit and lord knows how much damage I did to my business reputation. I am slowly seeing how far reaching the damage was in my singlemindedness to achieve motherhood.

All this said, I am positive about the future - as I was at so many stages of phase 1 and 2. Sure, phase 3 is going to take a lot of work. I could dwell on how difficult everything is in my life but I won't because there is also much good that comes from overcoming challenges. I also hope that in sharing that parenting after IF is not the fairy tale 'Happily Ever After' but instead a work in progress.... fascinating, often frustrating and I wouldn't trade it for anything!

So hope to meet friends new and old this month! Have a great ICLW Week!

Liam - Week 17

Date/Week: April 20; week 17 

My Total weight gain/loss: -32.5

His Stats: 14lbs 10.5oz / 24 3/4" long

Milestones: 4 month doctor's visit and 2nd round of vaccinations; 1st bus ride on Saturday; wearing size 2 diapers and medium gdiapers; had blue feet from his Easter basket photos... (shame on mummy); wearing 3-6 month clothing

Developmental Progress: Rolling consistently (need to keep an eye on him during changes!). He plants the foot and pushes himself either way. He's a strong little guy!;  He's grabbing everything - his hands, feet, clothing you take off, his burp cloth, the dogs (don't come too close); babbling a lot. He will have a conversation with you which makes us think that he's going to be so talkative; He'll hold his pacifier on the side of his mouth and chew it!!!; he fusses if you don't pay attention to him.
Sleep: He's going to bed pretty consistently between 7.30 and 8.30pm but will fuss for a good 30 minutes before he goes to sleep. He's then down for anywhere from an hour to 4 hours before his feeding before I go to bed. So some nights I get a lot accomplished and others, not so much... in any case, the schedule is working and he is now in his crib because the bassinets are too small!

Energy level: I've been goo this week but that may be due to the holiday at the end of the week!

Exercise: Just walking this week but I hope to go to dance class tomorrow!

Thoughts and Feelings? Feeling a bit more organized this week... and I'll be on vacation in a month's time (watching David Tennant and Catherine Tate on the 19th!!!). 


I'm liking the personality of Liam as a 3-4 month old thus far. He is fascinating!

What I am looking forward to: Our first Good Friday and Easter Sunday! And Mother's Day is coming up

Liam - Week 16

Date/Week: April 13; week 16 

My Total weight gain/loss: 

His Stats: 

Milestones: He's playing his own version of peek-a-boo with us (he turns his head away, waits and turns back towards you). He has also discovered his feet - he doesn't like them as much as his hands but they are interesting.

Developmental Progress: He disagrees with us. I swear he is already saying 'no'. How did he learn 'no'? This is probably due to the antiobiotics - we're still giving them to him (until Friday morning). 

Sleep: He's sleeping well since he's been taking the antiobiotics. We're down to 1 or 2 feedings at night this week. We're feeling a little more rested but would love some good sleep!

Energy level: I'm run down this week thanks to my cold and the Highland Exams.

Exercise: I survived a 1.5 hour dance workshop on Monday and do not hurt as much as I thought I would.

Thoughts and Feelings? I feel as if I have so much stuff to do and it isn't getting done in the timeframe that I would like. I perhaps need to reshuffle my involvements and activities to be able to accomplish what I really want to complete.

I've been researching travelling with an infant. I so hope our BA experience will be positive next month.

What I am looking forward to: We fly to the UK in a month!

Liam - Week 15

Date/Week: April 6; week 15 

My Total weight gain/loss: -34.8 lbs 

His Stats: 14 lbs 1oz

Milestones: First ear infection (both ears) which means first course of antiobiotics - not fun at all!

Developmental Progress: He loves the mirror. I know he won't really be able to figure out how a mirror for quite a while but you should see how confused he is when Aidan then starts talking behind him but he sees Aidan in front of him. He also pushes up to standing a lot when you have him on your lap or similar. He has discovered that he can push himseld up to a supported semi-standing position in the jogging stroller and spent that time experimenting with stepping. I so wish we had the video camera for that... at least I got a picture!

Sleep: We thought we were doing well. He was going down at anywhere between 7.30 and 8.30 at night in his crib and would sleep to anywhere between 11 and 1.30 before needing to be fed. We were able to get things ready for the next day, watch a little tv and even get some sleep. Then came the night of screaming - every hour of early Monday morning. This came with a 102 fever. The paracatemol dealt with the fever but and he was fine but then the fever came back the next morning. Off to the doctor and the result wasn't a surprise - ear infection. He's now fine with the antiobiotice (fine is putting it nicely... he's better!). As for us, we'd love to get those hours of lost sleep back since we're not working with many in the first place! 

Energy level: The iron tablets are making a difference! We're also both eating healthy so that has something to do with it as well.

Exercise: The walking has me sweating as much as running does. We've stuck to walking in the past week. I am hoping to get my abdominal splint soon - I hope to participate in a dance workshop on Monday!

Thoughts and Feelings? I'm committed to working on my confidence and trust in myself and my abilities a bit more. I really need to get through my fear of failure... that will make such a difference in the confidence equation.

What I am looking forward to: Palm Sunday and Easter ; teaching 2 Saturday dance classes starting April 23 or 30; Vacation in May!