I can’t believe you are seven weeks old now, you are absolutely beautiful. Everything is going well with feeding and you even sleep very well at night. The thing I find most delightful is how you stretch after a feed; arched back, arms up, fist tight, such a look of content on your face.
We have been venturing out of the house more lately, now that mum can drive. We have been to parents group at Maranda twice on Thursday mornings. Last Thursday we even met two other baby girls born on the same day as you; Ellina and Savannah.
During the day you are feeding every three hours, we feed around 7 pm and then you would sleep almost 4 hours till midnight. This feed is difficult because you are very sleepy and not interested in sucking. But I stroke your back and your tummy lightly to help you wake up. And then the next feeds will be about 3 am and 7 am.
You had a hip ultrasound on Tuesday, because the midwife thought you might have immature hips and is at risk of hip dysplasia. The results came back positive, hips are okay. On Friday we went to the doctors to get your six week immunisations. You didn’t like the needle to each thigh and cried for about 20 seconds, then fell back asleep. The nurse praised you plenty.
The appointment with the early childhood nurse was on Tuesday also. We talked about sleeping, feeding, activities, your growth; everything is looking beautiful. She suggested that we let you learn to settle on your own, by putting you down in the bassinet sleepy become while still awake. I had already had one good night sleep by Tuesday, by following her advice and lots of settling while you’re in the bassinet, we manage to get you falling asleep very easily and quickly at night. This means mummy has been getting some sleep at night and she’s feeling great during the day. You are 4.3 kg which is 25th percentile, 54 cm long which is 15th percentile, and your head circumference is about 15th percentile as well. So you’re a little bit short with a small head but slightly chubby, which is lovely.
Today is Sunday 22nd of December, and dad has started his three weeks holiday from Friday. It should be a lovely time for you to bond and spend more time with dad. Your brother Riley is still crazy about you, loves to kiss you. But when he is a bit snotty I asked him to kiss your feet which he does vigorously. He loves to do tummy time with you, lying down next year with his head right against yours. He will also want to hug and squeeze you which we are careful to not let him squeeze too hard. If we let him he would kiss you all over every hour. He doesn’t seem at all jealous of you and when we give you love and attention, he just wants to be in on the action and participate in all the loving.
Meanwhile around Sydney and down south coast near Ulladulla where poppy and nanny live there has been massive bushfires burning millions of hectares of bush as well as homes, and several people have lost their lives as well. The air is often very smoky and it’s unhealthy to go outside. Almost every week there is at least a day of catastrophic or extreme weather warnings. The National Park we live so close to is often closed, which means your dad can’t go for a ride, so he is quite frustrated.
It’s lovely to spend time at home in the new house at Bligh Street Kirrawee. However, now that mum is rested and fit, she is restless to get out and do things. You are quite happy in the carrier, snug against me, so it’s quite easy to go out for walks, shopping, coffees etc. However breastfeeding while out is still a bit stressful, it’s never very comfortable, and there’s a lot of pressure on the arms and shoulders supporting your body without a nursing pillow.
All in all, it is a beautiful lead up to the Christmas holiday period. Our little family is doing very well in our beautiful home. You are healthy and growing well and so adorable. You must get hundreds of kisses every day from all the people around you. Grandma Lao Lao loves you so much as well, she would hold you and talk to you and tell you stories at every opportunity.
