Update 7 - 11 weeks old

I am sooooo excited!!!!!!!!!

We have reached another milestone. This morning Charlotte rolled from her tummy onto her back all by herself - not only once but four times. I even captured it on video to watch again and again. I can't believe she has done it - earlier in the week she was still on her tummy and then two days later she does it.

The next thing I know she will start the crawling - how exciting. She is sleeping now like an angel which is why I have the time to do this update.

This week has been quite busy. Yesterday we went to mothers group then into the city to visit my old work colleagues. They all thought she was beautiful, and I have to agree with them, she is (OK I am a bit bias). It has been two weeks since I went to mothers group and I couldn't believe how all the babies have changed especially the boys, it is incredible the changes in such a small period of time.

Mum and I went to the Parenting expo last Friday and it was great. We went to talks on settling and a talk from the baby whisperer on toddlers. I also found out more on sign language for babies and I am going to start with Charlotte. I know it sounds weird but I have heard really positive things about it. Apparently it is meant to help the baby communicate before they can speak with just the basic like hunger, pain, love etc...I look forward to teaching her. I learnt sign language years ago to help me speak to deaf colleagues and it amazed me how much I remember. I even know how to sign "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" (Mum does also.....)

We go for a weighing on Monday so next week I will be able to let you know how big she has grown. She was a little upset yesterday but I think it was because she was out all day and didn't get a good sleep. I ended up putting her to bed about 8pm and she slept through until 6am this morning. She is such an angle - I could eat her up.......

Anyway enjoy the new photos....update you again next week.

Love Sam

Update 6 - 10 weeks old

Hi All, well firstly let me apologies for the delay in my update - I really don't have any excuse but I will make one up. Have been really busy playing each day and don't get time to do much else. Very slack I know but what can I say - I have a baby.

Anyway, we are all well and thriving. Charlotte is getting bigger by the minute. She is now 5.35kg and is 58.5 cm long. I am having trouble with clothes now as she is starting to get too long for tops and trousers and she has already out grown her beautiful party dress. I can't believe how much she has changed in such a sort time. I really don't want her to grow anymore as I love her just the way she is.

We have reached another milestone this week - last night was the 2nd night of sleeping in her own big bed (cot) in her own room, all by herself (except for mummy coming in ever hour to check that she is still breathing). She has finally out grown the basinette but still looks too tiny for the cot. She has been great with no dramas at all (except from me......worry wart). I even noticed last night that she is now nearly as long as the baby bath when lying on her back. Before I was able to float her back and forth in the bath but now I hit her head if I do it. She will soon have to sit up to be bathed.

I have also noticed a lot of little changes about her like - her hands are not constantly clenched now, and she has a lot more awake time and play. She also pulls her head up and pushes up with her arms more when put on her tummy. I even saw her trying to roll over onto her back from her tummy the other day - she didn't quite make it but with a little more momento I think she will be doing it by herself before too long. It will not be long before I am not able to leave her on the lounge or by herself on the floor.

I brought a new light weight stroller yesterday (to take away on holidays) and I used it for the first time today.....must say not very happy with it. I rang the shop and explained that I was not happy and would like to swap for another model and they told me to bring it in and if they think that it is not scratched they will do so. The problem I have with it is that the brake peddle sticks out further then the wheels so when you go backwards up stairs (which you do all the time with a pram) the wheels constantly lock - very frustrating. I will take it back tomorrow and see what they say - not holding my breath.

Charlotte must be very tired today......she has been asleep for the majority of 11am to 3pm. I actually feel a little lost as she generally doesn't sleep much through the day so I have a little bit more time on my hands today (which is why I have finally got around to doing this update). I had a visit from a friend (Kerry) today which was nice - a lovely grown up conversation and lunch. The official Mothers Group has now finished, but we had our first unofficial gathering last Thursday and will do the same this week. We get together and talk about our experiences and exchange ideas etc - I really look forward to it each week. I have been invited to a tupperware meeting on Wednesday but I don't think I will go or I might spend money (we don't have). Mum is coming down on Friday and we are going to the Parenting show - that should be interesting - they are going to have the Australian Baby Whisperer (I know I didn't believe it either) doing talks which are meant to be really good and I am interested in finding out more about signing for children, might be something I would be interested in teaching Charlotte......we will see.

Anyway - best go, enjoy the new photos.

Sam

Update 5 - 8 weeks old

Hi All, sorry that I missed a weeks update - was very busy each day.

We are now coming into our 8th week (can you believe it has been 2 months already!) and Charlotte will be getting her first immunisation needles this Wednesday. I am not looking forward to taking her but I know that it is necessary and she will probably not even remember them but I still don't look forward to seeing a big needle go into such a little body.

We had a nice time last week - we had lunch with friends, lunch with our mothers group and a nice time shopping. Having a baby has not slowed me down - I am still out and about. We are hoping to do the same this week, with a catch up with Lise, my last mothers group and midwife checkup etc.

We have seen a lot of changes in the last week - she is now very talkative during awake times - gurgling, giggling and smiles so big they light up her whole face. My Mum was down for the weekend and she said she noticed a big difference in her in only a week. It is really nice to have some interaction and I know it will only get better. I can sit and look at her for hours, she is fascinating.

She went to her first birthday party last weekend - My cousin Sonja's little boy Euan turned one so we put on our party dress and helped celebrate. We also had our first trip to the Vets - not for Charlotte, it was for Bonnie - We needed flea treatment (again not for Charlotte - he he he) and the vet nurses made a right fuss about her - I sometimes don't know who is more popular, Charlotte or Bonnie - either way I don't get a look in.

I have never had so much washing in my life - I thought James went through the clothes, but Charlotte is giving him a good run for his money. The poor washing machine is struggling to keep up with the demand. It actually stopped working last week and as you could imagine I went into panic mode. I ended up opening the back of the machine, fiddled with a couple of wires and thank god, it started working again (to my relief - I couldn't hand wring another thing).

I am hoping to start swimming again this week - the doctor has told me I can start some light swimming from week 8, so pool here I come...... I will leave James in charge for the half hour or so I that I will be gone - he knows how to use a bottle now so he will be fine.

Well, best get going - we are going to have a nice quite day today and catch up with a few jobs around the house. Update you again soon.

Sam