Hibernating...

Brrr... It's been very cold here lately and I have been more than happy to just stay at home, stoking the wood fire to keep the house warm. 

I also have an assignment due very soon, so have been grabbing snippets of nap time to get it done. 

Although yesterday Andrew and I did venture out for a walk around town to trick encourage the little man to have a late afternoon nap.  (He has been catnapping during the day and virtually refuses to nap after 4pm so is VERY cranky by his 7pm bedtime.) 

He fell asleep so we ducked into the pub and golf club for a quick beer.  It felt great to be doing something that resembled our former life; lazy Sunday afternoon sessions, chatting about our week and plans for the next. 

Although I do find my conversation input is rather lacking these days.  I don't have much to report after my day of washing, cleaning, feeding, baby playing, etc.  This is probably one of the only things I miss about work.  The interaction with other adults and the conversation it inevitably creates.  Although I am sure this will change as we get out and about more.

Eamon ended up waking up whilst we were at the golf club and was really sociable.  He happily smiled at everyone despite it being late in the afternoon, cold and windy.  AND he made it all the way home in the stroller without cracking it! Progress has been made!  A month ago he didn't tolerate the pram for longer than a minute.

It amazes me how much he has changes in just 2 short months and I can't wait to see how much he changes in the next 2. 

So I'm going to hibernate this winter, enjoying the changes that each day brings to Eamon.  (Because I'm sure as soon as he can move he will be dragging me out into the cold, this one is not an inside boy!)

I like routine, he doesn't.

As a teacher my life was lived by the clock. 

I had 20 minutes to eat lunch and prepare things before the next lesson.

Each 40 minute lesson was split into an introduction, body and conclusion; or time for explicit instruction, guided work and independent practice. 

Each week was divided into work days and weekends. 

Weeks were counted in lots of ten for each term. 

Now, each day blurs into the next as if it were the same. 

I am asked if I am free on this date and my response is - of course. 

I can't guarantee to be anywhere by any particular time. 

He is teaching me a new way to live my days. 

We follow the pattern of eat, play, sleep.  Whilst I admit, I do watch the clock for how long we eat and play for, I also have to follow his lead. 

As for sleep, he gets to make this decision.  Yesterday he was into 20 and 40 minute naps, the day before 2.5 hrs. I've been trying to find a pattern to this. Does he sleep longer if I keep him up longer? My diary is filled with scribbles and notes, like a mad scientist trying to find the pattern to the subject he is studying.

Something tells me there is no pattern.  That he is telling me I need to let go of the concept of time and just enjoy each moment.

Which isn't hard to do when this is who I get to share them with. xx

Brr it's getting chilly here!

Happy Mother's Day!

Eamon's gift to me for mother's day was finally giving back. Yes we've had smiles for a number of weeks, although they were few and far between and random at best.

Now after each feed he will lie happily and chat and smile away.

I feel like we've finally found a bit of a rhythm to our day. I'm not sure if it would have happened any way but I've been trying really hard to break the habit of feeding to sleep. It became so bad that Andrew would no longer even try to put him down and if he woke back up he was immediately demanding to suck again. (and I mean 3.5 seconds after he was put down).

I don't know of he has learnt to talk or I have just learnt to listen but all of a sudden i can understand what his cries mean. I must confess for these first few weeks I really have just been "throwing food at the problem". Any grizzle was met with 'maybe he is hungry?'. So yes it is completely my fault that he had the feed to sleep habit but on the up side, I definitely don't have a supply problem.

It feels so good to know that he can now be put down and without much fuss will go off to sleep.

I've also been teaching him how to take the bottle because at first he hated it. Cried as soon as it was put in his mouth. But I persevered and sat with him and talked him through it. I'd like to think he could understand me as I told him 'I know you don't like the plastic but it has the same good stuff inside' but he probably just liked listening to my voice and got sick of waiting for food and eventually gave in. Just this afternoon he took 160ml and cried when it was over! I'm not sure if this is cause it was a lot quicker and he missed the sucking time or whether he really wanted more? In which case I need to do some serious pumping to keep up with my hungry little fella.

So it was a very happy mothers day for me as I am finally feeling more confident in this new role. That I might actually know what I am doing. That I might actually be able to get things done. (although now he is so happy I find myself on the floor next to him trying to catch all his smiles, so I don't get anything done anyway.) That I might be able to have some time to myself in the near future.

Happy Mothers Day!

Oh as well as this best gift of all, I also got a voucher for a massage and a necklace with Eamon David stamped on it.

Spoilt!

Looking forward!

I so so so cannot wait for tomorrow! I am doing my first trip home since having Eamon.  (its funny that I've lived here for five years and still call my parents place at the coast 'home').

Andrew is on nightwork which means he works from 10pm to 6am for 7 nights.  He becomes a zombie from nightwork without even adding a crying baby to the mix so me going to the coast is good for both of us. I get to catch up with family and he gets a bit of a break. 

This trip is even more exciting because I am taking Eamon to meet my grandparents for the first time, and to meet two of my very best girlfriends.  My Mum is also super excited. She sent me a message of her bouncer the other day with only one word - "waiting..." :)  Cute.

Packing is a fair bit more difficult though. I struggle to pack normally because the weather can vary so much even though they are only 3 hours apart.  Now I have to add a spewy baby to the mix.  Exactly how many outfits do I need to take?  Maybe I need a trailer...?

Anyway I better stop procrastinating and actually go pack or we won't actually get off the ground tomorrow. 

Oh and Eamon is really excited about going too.  See... you can't wipe the smile off his face!

He tolerated dress-ups and many, many photographs to get this shot.

Time to mow the grass... Apparently?

Yesterday Eamon and I bravely ventured to Toowoomba (a town an hour and a half away) for my 6 week check up. (he had already had his the day before and killed the weigh in- 400g in a week - chubba bubba!)

He was so good! Slept on the way down and back and even slept for a few hours in the sling so I could get a bit of retail therapy in. I meant to buy some new pants for me, but wouldn't you know it, came home with more clothes for him. You know you're a mumma when...

Anyway I wanted to share the funniest thing my obstetrian said to me.

He declared I have healed perfectly and that I am "ready to mow the grass again!".

I could only laugh.

Although thinking about it later. One could interpret that two ways - did he mean everything is in working order or was he making comment on the lack of (ahem) maintenance?

Either way - too funny!

The Girl Behind the Gifts

Today I want to introduce to you Gillian, who made all those beautiful gifts for me.  Go on... give her some love...

Hello! My name is Gillian, and I blog at crafting-a-rainbow.tumblr.com - and I was Bettina's secret buddy for the Covert Robin Swap! Once I was told that I'd be making something for her, it was so much fun to watch Bettina's blog and imagine what to make. Eamon was about to make his grand entrance into the world, so obviously that had to play into the gifts somehow... but I also figured that every new parent could use something special just for themselves!

I started selling some handmade items in a local store this winter ( more about that at http://brightthreads.tumblr.com/), so those designs were an obvious choice. I thought that a jersey cowl would be the perfect accessory for a new mom - an infinity scarf is guaranteed not to slip off when her hands are full, and jersey won't choke her if Eamon pulls to too tight. I usually make them with pompom trim, but I didn't want Eamon to think the pompoms were a snack!

I love making zippered pouches because they are so quick, satisfying, and useful! I chose this pretty lace doily fabric because it reminded me of a lovely lace applique that Bettina had made herself. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, right?

Last of all, I had fun hand-sewing these cute little felt booties from a free pattern at http://www.purlbee.com/felt-baby-shoes/ I don't know how practical they are (every baby I've ever known would kick them right off!) but they were too cute to refuse. I hope they keep his tootsies warm on cool winter days!

This was the first online sewing swap that I've participated in, and it was lots of fun! I live in Canada, having returned last summer from 5 years living in Japan. I miss the 7-story tall craft shops there and the variety of fabrics and notions for sale! Now that i'm stuck in a small Ontario town, starting a sewing blog has been a great chance to meet like-minded people and join the amazing supportive online sewing community. I just started sewing garments this year, and I'm definitely addicted! Starting on May 1st, I'll be joining people around the world for Me-Made May, when we pledge to wear handmade clothing every day. Wish me luck!

Thanks again to Bettina for being a great swap partner, and congratulations on extending her family! I wish I could pop over to give Eamon a hug!

Gifts that made me smile...

As I mentioned last week, I participated (very badly) in a gift exchange through Imagine Gnats. (I signed up in the late stages of my pregnancy - what was I thinking?!)  I am however proud to say I actually popped my gift in the post yesterday so although it is about a month late, it will arrive!

I also finally got around to photographing the lovely things sent to me by Gillian from Crafting a Rainbow.

Booties for Eamon

Cute scarf / breastfeeding cover (I really should have put this on to photograph but haven't showered yet today - not a good look!)