Liam - Week 24

Date/Week: June 8th; week 24 

My Total weight gain/loss: 

His Stats: 

Milestones: First beach visit putting feet in water; tried banana, meat and pancakes this past weekend; can touch his mobile animals when lying down (need to adjust crib height...)

Developmental Progress: Prefers to stand/walk when supported. Does this hover action over the pacifier to get it into his mouth if he is in push up position over it. Plays with his rubber ducky in the bath. Can do something now with each toy in the exersaucer.

Energy level: I have a bad cold at the moment. Still, I've had a good week and have gotten a lot accomplished.

Exercise: Every time I go to work out at home... morning or afternoon... Liam wakes up and decides he doesn't want me to. And taking him out in the jogging stroller in tis humidity is not fun! I am contemplating joining a gym!

Thoughts and Feelings? Been irritated this week about my posture/gut. Also planning what to do on my birthday since we won't be away (thanks British Airways..). 

What I am looking forward to: I actually would love to go swimming.. in a heated pool!

Liam - Week 23

Date/Week: June 1st; week 23 

My Total weight gain/loss: 

His Stats: 

Milestones: First time seeing his dad in his Pipe Band Uniform in a parade; Has tried apple, carrot, broccoli, butternut squash, watermelon and mango through Baby Led Weaning (BLW); Really bad teething periods; he has played around with his first musical instrument (a keyboard).

Developmental Progress: When on the floor or pack-n-play will roll to get where he needs to go; if you put his pacifier in front of him, he will do whatever it takes to get to it, grab it and put it into his mouth; he sits up at the table to eat with us; he has pretty lengthy conversations with us, particularly after he has eaten.

Energy level: One day I am my old self and the next day I need to climb in bed at 9pm. 

Exercise: Lots of dancing. My abs have been hurting and my posture (as bad as it already is) is tough to maintain when I am weary. I'd love to do some water aerobics now that the weather is getting better (not hot on the cost to do so...)

Thoughts and Feelings? I'm getting back on track with highland dancing but I would like to focus on some school work. I do feel that I need to finish this dissertation - but I also feel that I need to take this time to change it to make it interesting for me. I need to keep it focused and with no more than is necessary - there are other books in me to write hundreds of pages about...

What I am looking forward to: Is it bad to be looking forward to September already??? My summer work schedule is brutal, particularly with Aidan going to Canada in August!

Liam - Week 22

Date/Week: May 25th; week 22 

My Total weight gain/loss: 

His Stats: 

Milestones: First time seeing his dad in his Regiment Uniform in a parade; Frist Bermuda Day 

Developmental Progress: He is getting better sitting up on his own; he plays with his pacifier by taking it out and putting it back into his mouth; He's getting better at self-soothing himself back to sleep in his crib or pack-n-play; he touches our faces a lot (Aidan loves it)

Energy level: I'm a bit run down but I am still trying to get back onto the correct time zone.

Exercise: Now that I'm back home, I need to start my spring/summer workout plan since my diet is back in place.

Thoughts and Feelings? I am very happy that London was good. I was nervous that London wouldn't be baby-friendly but thankfully it was ok. That means we can still enjoy a few days in London when we go in that direction for vacation. Now that we've accomplished vacation #1, I am now looking forward to summer #1 with Liam going for his first swim in the ocean!

What I am looking forward to: My birthday - I think I might take the day off and go to the spa!

Liam - Week 21

Date/Week: May 18th; week 21 

My Total weight gain/loss: 

His Stats: 16 lbs 8 oz

Milestones: First airplane ride. First family vacation. First family bathroom experience. First train and first underground rides. 

Developmental Progress: He has gotten more vocal since Monday. He reacts when classical music is played with focused concentration on he person playing the music or by calming down when it is on the radio. His laugh is getting longer. He wants to stand up most of the time when you have him in his arms. He is ready for food as he tries to participate during our dinner. 

Energy level: I'm getting back to my old self slowly. 

Exercise: Lots of walking while on vacation and boy have I felt it. Still a long way to go.

Thoughts and Feelings? I am overjoyed that our vacation has gone well. It was different but still has had elements of our usual trips together. So much to look forward to in future vacations. And I love our Stokke... it kicks butt in Canterbury!

What I am looking forward to: I want to spend some time in my garden. And I can't wait to take Liam to the beach in coming weeks.

Liam - Week 20

Date/Week: May 11th; week 20 

My Total weight gain/loss: 

His Stats: 

Milestones: First Mother's Day!; Had to use teething gel for the first time; sat unassisted for a while the past weekend and again today at his grandparents; can soothe himself to sleep in his crib 75% of the time; he loves the exersaucer!!!

Developmental Progress: He follows the ribbon connected to his pacifier and then puts the pacifier in his mouth; he's responding 80% of the time to his name; he is playing more and more with his toys; he loves to interact with us during story time; Liam's 'hello' is getting quite clear and he uses it more and more.

Energy level: Better than the last week or so - perhaps I am so looking forward to our family vacation???

Exercise: Taught 1 dance class on Saturday and it was good! I'm supposed to do my first performance in a year tonight!

Thoughts and Feelings? I loved my first Mother's Day! Aidan made a lovely card with Liam and I will treasure it forever. I am so grateful for both Aidan and Liam. I can't wait to have our first family vacation!

What I am looking forward to: I would say climbing on British Airways on Friday night but I am actually really nervous about the 7 hour flight. So I am looking forward to getting to our Farmhouse Cottage outside of Canterbury!

Liam - Week 19

Date/Week: May 4th (Star Wars Day!!!); week 19 

My Total weight gain/loss: -31.6 lbs

His Stats: 

Milestones: More consistent in responding to his name; has started taking steps with support under arms; will pursue toys that arenot near him on his playmat; teething rash... hope to see a tooth soon

Developmental Progress: During storytime, if he gets his hands on the pages of the boardbook he will turn them back and forth; he's still teething and soaking bibs and the front of his clothes. He does enjoy gum massages and is really using the teething giraffe (and the pacifier, and burp cloths, and any part of your hand he gets into his mouth); He's been chuckling for a while but now he's actually laughing. My parents love the sound; He has better hand mouth coordination and everything ends up in his mouth; if you pull him up into sitting with your hands, he can sit up on his own for a few seconds. He sits pretty well with support and loves to look around in that position.

Energy level: I've had an up and down week. My nights aren't consistent so my exercise is spotty. Contemplating how to work-out at lunchtime... don't want to pay for a gym membership though (my budget is unhappy as it is!)

Exercise: Taught 3 dance classes on Saturday and I was fried afterwards. I have no endurance!

Thoughts and Feelings? Like my energy, each week is up and down. I am grateful to have made it through the first 3 months because they were tough as compared to the last 2 weeks. I still don't feel that I have a handle on work/home balance and school is still non existant. Still, I feel organised more than I feel disorganised now so I am moving in the right direction.

What I am looking forward to: I need to go on holiday!