Felix is 19 weeks!!!

So, phew.... I feel like I have just exited a tunnel Christchurch craziness through a fog called newborn madness. And I am still alive, and I might even say kicking, despite the aching shoulders and pain stricken back and sleep deprivation. Did I say deprivation?

Yes, Felix has been waking 3 times a night for more milk for the past 5 weeks. Yes, just after he'd managed a 7 hour stint and just as he got sick and spent the night in A & E and mummy got mastitis for the 3rd time.

They say Intuition favours a well stocked mind so I did my research and they call it a 4 month sleep regression. I heard it is because the frontal lobe is developing and lots of brain activity is happening and often babies find it hard to put themselves back to sleep when they come out of a sleep cycle. But hey, some say growth spurt, others say teething.

I also say he was sick and probably wanted more comfort and fluid and my milk supply was limited due to a terrible bout of mastitis. Maybe he got into the habit of waking more often. Or maybe because he is in the 95th% percentile for weight he has just been more hungry. Maybe he is ready for solids. Maybe maybe maybe. Baby. I am learning to go with the flow.

La Leche League say feed him when he wakes, Plunket says soothe him in other ways if it has been less than 2 hours and the Parent Centre, do whatever works. Do whatever works!

I feed him, usually. I don't think he needs to cry much when I can try and meet his needs. A little grizzle, however, when he is going off to sleep, I can handle. MAybe I will need to try other techniques but for now, it's fine. Last night he went down at 7, woke at 11.30am, then 3.30am and then 7.20am.

We have just been in Auckland for 2 weeks too so it is just now I am home to our current abode, after almost 3 weeks at mums and 2 weeks in Auckland. He is starting to sleep more already. Or maybe it's because he is in his own room again. Whatever.

I love him sooooooooooo much!

JAnine from Plunket came yesterday. Felix weighs 8.39kgs and is 66cm long. Sweet.
He is doing really well and is now in the 91st% for weight and the 75th% I think for height.

In the last couple of weeks he has started pulling my hair and grabbing for things. He can roll from front to back but doesn't do it often. Although I need to give him more opportunities.

He loves his jolly jumper!

And he laughs and smiles heaps!


Auckland was wonderful.... we stayed with Din Amazing Parker from July 16 to July 31. Unfortunately I deleted the photos by mistake but we saw Amy, Victoria, Iris, Lucy, Nicki, Alyssa, Karly, Belinda, Darryl, Karl and other people during our stay. Din was magical and looked after us so well. I will never ever be able to thank her enough. She cooked me delicious meals and hosted me and Felix with grace, and kindness and generosity and love and joy. I love her so much.

We went our for yum cha and to seamart for fish n chips, walked down tamaki drive and went out west to Huia for a burger with Iris. Had lunches and coffees with people and went to bed early and woke lots at night. The joys. I love motherhood!

Felix is 16 weeks in 2 days time!

I haven't been very active on here for a while as Felix ot sick and spent a night in A & E and then I got another bout of mastitis. We both came to mum's for a couple of weeks to rest and recover. I was at the end of my tether somewhat and the house we have been living in was pretty cold, dark and damp.

MorMor's house was much warmer and Felix slept in the port-a-cot and got to go on his Jolly Jumper quite a few times, which he loves as he adores standing up more than anything else!

Oh, I forgot to say that before going to MorMor's Brita and Pelle came to visit which was nice. Pelle got a bit jealous and headbutted Felix but there were just a few tears and then back on track.

Lucy and Charlie came to visit too and they hung on on the playmat and Charlie showed Felix, with enthusiasm, how it is done.

More... jolly jumper at MorMor's...

Need to keep him nice and warm these days as ChCh is freezzzzzzin!

We have had a few dates with the antenatal group and the plunket group. Here are the plunket babies bonding at coffee group that was held at Casey's house in Bishopdale. Too cute.

Felix loves to be the mannnnn!

We got to Auckland next week for 2 weeks to see all our friends and to see how it is to be back in Auckland. I miss it terribly at times and my friends there and will need to decide over the coming months where to live and what the future holds. watch this space!

Today's routine

Felix woke at 9pm last night and fed for 10 minutes.... then he had a biggg sleep!

9pm - 4am sleep

4.30am - 7.30am Sleep

7.30am - 7.45am Feed (wind, no tears)

9.10 - 9.20am feed

9.40 - 10.20 sleep

11am - 11.15 feed

11.45 - 2pm sleep (in car)

2 - 2.15pm feed

3.15pm - 3.45pm sleep (in car)

4.10 - 4.25 feed

5.55pm - 6.20pm sleep

6.30 (few short feeds)

8.15pm sleep...

10pm feed

4.30am feed

Today's routine

8.15am
Felix finally woke up from 'night' sleep

8.40am-8.55am
Felix breastfed (0n and off a bit with wind, due to fast letdown I think, tears, fussing)

9.15-9.20am
Felix breastfed (more wind and tears)

9.30am-10.10am Sleep in cot

10.55-11.10 breastfed (wind and crying)

11.55-12.30mpm - Sleep (in car)

1.05-1.15pm Breastfed

1.15-1.50pm slept on me (after feed)

2.15pm feed (as was crying and wasn't sure if he'd had enough. I never know if he is full!)

2.30-3.35pm Sleep in cot

3.45-4.15 feed (with a change in between)

5.55-6.15 sleep (nap in bouncer)

6.30-6.45pm Breasfed (took powder in milk from chemist)

(few more minor attempts at feeding (to make him full)

8.15pm - bed (after major blowout; screaming)

Went to see a house and looked at houses to buy with Felix today and then to the doc this arvo about his wind/reflux/colic... whatever it is!
So, we'll see how he goes tonight and I'll keep notes again tomorrow.... so happy he is in bed sleeping peacefully. My head hurts. Will try and rest and hopefully sleep lots. Please sleep a long time Felicino ('Litte Felix' in Italian)

Felix - 12 weeks

 Felix is now 12 weeks and 5 days. Time goes too fast. But at the same time I would love for him to be sleeping all night and for me to be less tired. Trying to let all that go because I will probably miss the night feeds when they are gone and I am already slightly grieving the newborn phase. he is so big now. Last time plunket came he was in the 95th percentile for weight and the 75th for height. He is a lumpa lumpa now. In other words he has no need to feed all night. I might have to put him on a diet.

When people ask me about milestones I find it hard to say where Felix is at with things. We just hang out and he grows and laughs more and seems to become more alert. But I think I'd like to keep track of his progress starting now. So, let's see. 

Felix loves his hands and he often, if not nearly always, puts his hands in scrunched up prayer position and puts them in his mouth; sucking and chewing. Hard to know if he is hungry or not sometimes.

His sleeping patterns vary. Last night he slept from 8.30pm til 1am and then again from 2am til 5.30am. He did manage a 7 hour stint the other night for, I think, the first time. Often he'll do from 4-6 hours at first and then from 3-5 hours after that. During the day if he is out and about he'll sleep more, otherwise he might have about three 45 minute sleeps and a nap at around 5pm for 20 minutes. This always varies and I am going to keep track today and tonight and let you know tomorrow - I will keep track of feeds as well. Sometimes he feeds between 2-4 hours during the day but he might feed more regularly if we are going out and I want to feed him first or if he seems hungry or unusually grizzly. I just go with what feels right but with an abundance of 'knowledge' and advice under my belt it can be hard at times.

Felix still loves standing up! I'll have to get some photos of that! He has been doing that since Day One and even in the womb! He shakes and gets so happy and animated when he does it. I love that.

LAtely we have been to Akaroa to stay with pops and Lala.

Neema has come to stay for a night!

And Felix and I have hung out!

And hung out a bit with aunty Ju and cousin Fredrika and adoring Otto...

Felix is now 9 weeks and 2 days and is growing by the day. God he's gorgeous!

He is smiling a lot now. And loves standing up while I hold him. He has been doing that since he was in my womb. We have had some visitors, like Monique. 

And Merissa came to stay for a night.

Had a birthday dinner for Juliet which was lovely.

It is Sunday, May 26 and tomorrow Felix will be 10 weeks old.

He is always and forever gorgeous and he smiles and almost laughs quite a lot. he has a serious side too and he has a temper. He uses his fists regularly to tell me he doesn't like to be swaddled, or to pummel my breasts when they aren't producing enough milk. He is a gentle and feisty soul. I like that.

On the breastfeeding not, I have now mastitis for the second time and I am over exhaustion and breast issues, having had thrush now twice and mastitis. On antibiotics again. Trying to be positive and believing I can carry on breastfeeding and we are both on probiotics.

People continue to send lovely gifts and Felix is surrounded by love, as am I. People also come and help us, like Michelle Fowler was here last night and gave me opportunities to sleep today. The sun shone and Felix lit up my heart.

He is in the 95th percentile for weight and the 75th for height.

I love you Felix!

Michelle has the touch.

Uncle Tim and Sue came to stay with mum and we had fish and chips. Uncle Tim was an angel with Felix.

I am not swadding Felix at the moment as he seems not to like it. Mmm work in progress as his arms fly everywhere without it! But he loves his musical mobile. He has been sleeping 3-6 hours stints but last night he did a four hour stint and then was up very often after that. Not sure if it's the lack of swaddle, my infection or what. We shall see...

Thanks Amy!