WEEK TWENTY - FINAL POSTING

In the quiet moments of early evening, while I rocked to sleep my little babe I am struck by the fact that although it’s been only five short months since Oliver has been with us, he has already brought a feeling of completeness to my life. For all the tears, frustrations and sleepless nights, his smiles, laughter and look of wonder while discovering the world, have brought me more joy then I ever could have imagined. As he slept in my arms I was overcome by a moment of peaceful harmony between mother and child. It truly is the hardest job in the world, but also the most rewarding. As cliché as that is, it's the truth. My husband and I feel so blessed that we could have created such a wonderful little boy, and we look forward to whatever the future may hold for our family.

Tip
Buy a pair of earplugs and after baby's in bed for the night, hand of the monitor to hubby and pop those earplugs in! This will allow you at least a couple of hours to completely shut off, without resting on autopilot. And don't worry, your husband WILL come get you if he needs you. This I guarantee!

Happy Parenting!

-Oliver's Mom

WEEK NINETEEN

So, as it turns out my little Oliver probably has GER or Gastroesophageal Reflux. After coming to the conclusion something else was going on besides teething, my husband and I decided to take him to the doctor. Turns out he pretty much had all the symptoms for reflux. We have since started him on medication and hopefully we will see an improvement and he can find some comfort. I read online that elevating the crib at one end can help as well, so we're also trying that. Oliver has started taking a liking to his cereal. Now when we feed him he opens his mouth up wide anticipating the next bite. It's really quite cute. And he is getting so big. He's so long now that he is wearing 12 month clothing. Yup, you heard me right! It's amazing how fast they grow, and I find it a little sad that I'm beginning to forget what it was like to hold him as a wee baby. It is such an exciting stage though. He has become so much more observant and curious about everything. I bought a Heart to Heart sling to use when he's awake and wants to be held on my hip. I like the sling for this purpose because of the extra padding and structure. This way he gets to watch as I do things like make his bottles, which he seems to be fascinated by.

Oh, what a week this has been! My poor Oliver appears to be in full teething mode. It has been a week of VERY long nights and plenty of desperation trying to figure out what is troubling my little man. The week started with Oliver refusing to eat

from his bottle. He was becoming very frustrated at feeding time. I had been using a slow-flow nipple, so I thought I would try a nipple with a quicker flow – fast, but not too fast. I thought this would be a piece of cake. Then I discovered Playtex doesn't make a medium-flow nipple. So, I bought the fast-flow nipples and of

course they were way too fast for him and as a result he was practically choking on his food. Arrrrrg! So after calling a number of stores around the city an

d getting advice from many people, I tried making the slow-flow nipples bigger with a pin. I don't know if it actually did anything because he continued to fuss. In the end we tried a different type of fast-flow nipples and eventually he got the hang of it. Now he is eating at a better pace, minus the choking.

A lot of frustration could have been saved this week if we could have just found a medium-flow nipple! I'm sure I'm not the only person to go through this.

While spending the week at my parents’ house, the nighttime nightmares began. Oliver would wake up wailing minutes after being put to bed. And then, like clockwork, he would pretty much wake up every 45 minutes all through the night. I was lucky to have my mother with me and – believe me – we tried everything we could think of to offer him some relief. In the end we found that a little baby Anbesol would ease the pain and calm him down. Sadly, this is no long term solution and the teething gel can only be applied a few times a day. But it really helped when he was experiencing s

evere pain. I've ordered an amber teething necklace online, because apparently baltic amber has great healing properties.

We'll see...I hope it helps. I'll try anything at this point to bring Oliver some relief. I'm lucky that at least he takes really long naps in his sling, because otherwise I would have an exhausted baby on my hands.

On a positive note...Oliver rolled over, from back to front, for the first time this week! He's like a little turtle when he rolls over, because once on his stomach he starts flailing about trying to get on his back again. Needless to say we're very proud of him!

WEEK SEVENTEEN

So much happened this week I don't even know where to begin. It's as though by hitting four months, suddenly Oliver has morphed into a different little baby. He's staying awake for longer periods of time during the day now and his schedule is starting to become a bit more predictable. I've actually been using a sleep tracker program I found online to monitor his sleep patterns. It's interesting to see the similarities from day to day.
My husband and I decided to try giving him cereal for the first time this week. When we put the first spoonful in his mouth the look on his face was priceless. It was a combination of disgust and confusion. I think more ended up on him them in him, but we keep trying a little bit every day. I decided to taste it to see what the fuss was about, and the cereal is actually quite nasty....no wonder he was making faces! At this point he seems more intrigued by the side of his high chair then the food, and I don't blame him -- it's not very tasty.
We also got an exersaucer for him. Just a warning: when starting your baby in one of these contraptions, do it for just a few minutes at a time at first as it has the potential to BLOW THEIR MINDS! After about five minutes of Oliver being in it the first time, he became so wound up I thought his head was going to explode! So the next time I actually took all the toys off and got him used to being in the saucer without the distractions. Recently I added a couple of toys and he seems to be managing a bit better.
If you've been reading then you know what a constant battle Oliver's gas has been for us. Well this week my sister-in-law found me these wonder tablets from Hylands that have been a lifesaver. After giving him a dose, the gas comes right out and he seems so much happier. It has helped extend our morning sleep time and, because it's a homeopathic product, I don't have to worry about giving him any synthetic products or additives.
This week I've also been experimenting with putting Oliver in his crib for naps during the day. With the help of a full body swaddle I've actually been having some success! So far an hour-and-a-half is our longest stretch. I think that's pretty good for a little boy who would only nap in his sling. Don't get me wrong – the sling is great for cat naps and I still love having him close to me, but when he takes a two-hour nap, his 17-pound body can really do a number on my back!
It's been an exciting week in our house, and I can't wait to see what tomorrow will bring.

WEEK SIXTEEN

At Oliver's four-month doctor appointment it was obvious he had grown since our last visit. He now weighs 16 lbs and is 26.5 inches tall. He's a big guy!I can't believe that the summer has come and gone already. I remember being pregnant and thinking how great it was going to be to have the summer off. And now it's almost over! Time goes by far too quickly...
My favorite of Oliver's recent developments has to be his infectious laugh. My husband and I can now really get him going – we've got it down to a science. As I'm sure most parents would agree, your baby's first laugh is the most wonderful, hilarious sound you will ever hear! In addition to his recently discovered laugh, he has also continued to coo and chirp incessantly, as if he is trying to find his voice. He LOVES to make high-pitched screeching noises. It's very amusing to watch and interact with him now.
I've never been one to engage in conversation with strangers on the street, but since having Oliver I find he has become a magnet for conversation, especially with other mothers. It's as though you are automatically enrolled in the 'Mommy Club' when you have a child. I love it. I think it's great that when you have a child suddenly all social awkwardness passes and you can share the common bond of motherhood with fellow women. Motherhood seems to defy race, religion and social stature and simply connects us together. It's a beautiful thing. I find it funny, though, that after these mini encounters the closing salutation is usually "well, good luck!" I guess, quite frankly, every mother knows a little luck is needed to be a parent. After sharing these experiences I always wonder, should I have gotten their phone number? Email address? Maybe they are like me and don't have a lot of friends with babies. Would that be weird? What would I say? "Call me sometime, we should hook up! " It's like dating all over again!

WEEK FIFTEEN

Well folks, it's official, Oliver has started teething. The first indication was the fact that anything that came remotely close to his mouth he would snatch up and immediately try to gnaw down on it. If it didn't fit in his mouth, it ended up on the floor. The second clue was his fussiness. In general Oliver tends to be a pretty happy-go-lucky baby, so when the crankiness started it became very apparent that something was up. His awake time also became a narrower period of time before he lost it all together and needed a nap. And of course when he was napping in his sling, he would know the minute I'd sit down or make too much noise...my poor back! The other symptom which became of some concern was the fact that he was holding and tugging at his ear, sometimes while crying out in pain. We had a couple of rough nights, as the pain was waking him up. It's so awful to see your little baby in pain. His cry sounded so sad, it made me cry! Thinking I was smart, I put all his soothers in the freezer, and he seemed to really like this. Well, after a call to TeleHealth to talk about giving him Tylenol at night, I was informed by a very polite nurse that I should stop putting his soothers in the freezer because it could cause frostbite on his gums. What a wonderful mother I am! That's probably why it felt so good too him. I was freezing his gums altogether!! So, I just want to get the word out there...teething toys in the fridge only...

I keep trying to get a look and see if something is coming through, but between his tongue sticking out and the constant wiggling, it's impossible to get a good look. I wish I would have felt his gums more when he was smaller so I'd have something to compare to. We ended up taking Oliver to the clinic just to be sure that he didn't have an ear infection, and he got a clean bill of health. This is just another side effect of the teething.

Every week my girlfriend (and her daughter) and I try to get together for a play date. Well, her daughter plays (she's 14 months) and Oliver watches her play with his toys. This weekly get-together is so important to my mental well being. I think it gives both of us a chance to reconnect with the adult realm, have a cup of coffee, compare notes, and have a few good laughs. The days can be pretty long when you are at home with a baby, so I really look forward to these get-togethers to break up the week. Highly recommended.

WEEK FOURTEEN

Oliver is becoming a seasoned traveler. This week he had his first airplane adventure, as we flew to Winnipeg to visit family. Nobody wants to be the parent of “that screaming baby on the plane,” so of course I was slightly nervous about this venture. Luckily I flew with my dad as backup and it was comforting to know that the person sitting next to me was on my team. Bravo to those of you that do this alone, because for me it was necessary, and less stressful to have four hands. I was pleasantly surprised how well Oliver did! He ended up sleeping most of the time in the sling. The incredible thing about traveling with a baby is that people jump out of everywhere to offer a helping hand. For instance, having to pick up my baggage by myself (in a secured area where no family is permitted), there I was with Oliver in the sling, carrying a car seat, diaper bag and bottle bag while trying to figure out how to get a cart. Luckily a very nice older gentleman came to my assistance and did everything for me. My confidence in humanity was renewed this week by many friendly, compassionate people.
It must be hard being a baby. They have so much pressure to perform all the time. As parents we have all been in the situation where somebody gets right up close to your baby's face and says "how about a smile?” Then, when your baby fails to deliver, you receive the questioning look. "Aww no smile?" Then we scramble..."Oh, he's teething; he has a gassy stomach today; he just woke up from a nap; he didn't sleep well last night; it's almost nap time; he's hungry. The list goes on. Sure it could be one of these reasons, or maybe he just doesn't feel like smiling right now. Why do we feel pressure to make excuses for our baby's mood? I myself am guilty of doing this, but I think I want to start a revolution on behalf of my son. The next time I feel pressured to make an excuse on behalf of Oliver, I'm going to simply shrug and say "he's a baby, what more can I say?"

WEEK THIRTEEN

I can't believe that my baby is three months old already. The time really DOES go by fast!

Feeling brave this week, I decided to go for a swim and try out the child minding program at the YMCA by my house. It's a really great program that they've got going on there. You can leave your baby while you work out, giving you some much needed down time and exercise during the day. It was really nice to have that time to let go of everything for an hour, knowing my baby was safe, and focus on having a good workout. I still enjoy our morning walks, but was finding I was putting too much pressure on myself (and Oliver) to use them as my workout. I don't like getting frustrated if Oliver decides to get fussy in his stroller one day because I'm not going to get my exercise. I'm thinking that our walks should be saved for enjoying the fresh air and sights and sounds of the day. So, I'm trying to come up with another routine to drop some of this baby weight since winter is on it's way (depressing I know...) and you all know what that means...an extra ten pounds is headed my way if I don't act now!

We had another exciting first this week. I decided that Oliver was ready to try his Jolly Jumper. I think it must have been very strange for him, because he didn't really know what to make of it! He hasn't figured out the actual jumping part yet, but enjoys being upright, moving around and kicking his legs. So cute! Every week that goes by he becomes more aware of his surroundings. He watches me move around the room, following with his eyes. Getting out and about is also becoming easier as he responds more now to the sound of my voice. If he starts to freak out in public I can usually calm him down simply by talking to him, which is a refreshing change.

I think he hit another growth spurt this week, as the crazy feeding frenzies started again. It's very difficult to explain patience to a screaming three month old while you're preparing a bottle. I couldn't get it to him fast enough!

WEEK TWELVE

We've all heard the expression "it takes a village to raise a child". What I would like to know is, when did this change from reality to a saying? When did it change from a village to a mom at home all day alone with baby? This week I didn't find a village, but I found my Mom. What a difference it makes to have somebody available to tag team with all day. I think I'll be lost when it comes time to head home again. I'm getting far to used to going to the bathroom without having to tote little Oliver along with me, or taking a nap when I need one. I really think lions have it going on. The whole pack mentality and all...
Everything really got put into perspective when one of my childhood friends came to visit. She is the same age as me and has three children under the age of three. I am blown away by this. Here I am moaning and groaning about all my little tribulations and she's running a full household full time. Whew! I tip my hat off to her and all others in the same boat as I don't think I'd have the stamina and strength to pull that off. So, as I sip my chardonnay while Oliver naps in his sling, I'm thinking one is just fine thank-you! I think Oliver may be beginning to teethe. He's chomping so hard on his Sophie I'm afraid he's going to gum those little antlers right off. We'll have to see what the weeks bring. If anyone has any tips for teething babies, please feel free to send them in! So 'Lamby' saved the day once again. Oliver has started a new game called 'let's fight our naps until we scream and fall asleep. Sounds like fun doesn't it? So after a half hour of dealing with a fussy boy with red droopy eyelids, I yank Lamby out of the playpen, turn her on and tuck her in the sling with Oliver. And wouldn't you know it...he was out like a light. This is definitely something I DON'T want to turn into a habit, but, sometimes as a mom you get desperate and as a friend has told me many a time 'you do what you got to do to survive!'

WEEK ELEVEN

Oliver is experimenting with his voice. The squeals that come out of him now crack me up. He is turning out to be a very vocal littlebaby. We have full conversations him and I. None of it makes sense to me but he sure gets a kick out of it! Not only has he discovered his voice, but his mouth as well. He wants to put everything in his mouth, especially his hands. Sometimes I can hear him sucking on them from the other room. I broke down and bought a ‘Sophie the Giraffe” and he loves it! Because she is so light, it’s easy for him to hold onto. He has also started reaching towards his toys, and exploring them with his hands.

Tired of Oliver’s constant battle with a gassy tummy, my husband and I decided to switch his formula. I don’t know if it’s too early to say this…and I hope I’m not jinxing it, but I think it’s

helping! He’s been sleeping better at night, and actually slept in his crib from four in the morning until six (whereas I usually have to sleep in the glider with him because of gas pains.) When he slept for five hours in a row, and then six and a half…I nearly died of happiness and restfulness. I’m really hoping that this isn’t a fluke thing and that maybe he’s on his way to waking only twice a night. Wishful thinking? I guess we’ll see! His sleep schedule is definitely starting to develop a rhythm.

It’s not always exactly the same every day but I have a general idea of when he likes to have his long naps.

Of course, as he grows it will change, but for now it’s nice to know what the rhythm of my day looks like. For the first time since he was born, I’m actually feeling rested and not completely sleep deprived. At the end of the day, I’m not so desperate for bed anymore and can spend some time alone with my husband.

This week Oliver had his first big road trip as we drove up to Sudbury to visit both sets of grandparents. He was a very good

traveller, sleeping most of the way. We stopped half way for a diaper change and a good stretch. The poor little guy did have some tummy trouble that day from being in the car seat for so long, but overall the whole experience went a lot smoother then expected. Oliver and I are looking forward (well maybe mostly me...) to spending the week at my parents. I'm excited for them to spend some time with this busy little guy, and maybe catch up on some zzz's!

WEEK TEN

There is something very primal about a mother/baby relationship. It’s amazing how a mother’s touch can soothe when nobody else’s can. My poor husband found this out when he volunteered to watch Oliver so that I could go see a movie (so nice to get away for awhile, highly recommended if you can do it!). It was the longest I had been away from him and the longest my husband had been alone with him without having me in the vicinity. He did an AMAZING job. But unfortunately because Oliver is so accustomed to having his naps snuggled up to mommy in his sling I was setting things up for disaster. Let’s just say that if I want to go see a movie again it has to be a night show! It really is amazing how quickly and simply my holding him can calm Oliver. I’m not trained specially in this. I’m not doing anything particularly different from other people, but somehow deep down inside there is a bond there between Oliver and me that is unique and precious and I am beginning to love this special relationship that only the two of us share. This week as Oliver had his first round of booster shots. I was very nervous going to the doctor because I had read and heard from other people how painful this is for them and how painful it is as a mother to watch. My little man was very brave and strong and only cried when the needle was going in. He spent the rest of the day in his sling or my arms and was actually smiling and cooing by the end of it. All I can suggest to parents taking a baby in for boosters is to take a deep breath and be strong for your little munchkin as they are going to look to you for comfort. At his appointment we found out Oliver is in the 75th percentile for length, weight and head circumference. He’s a big guy! Because he’s getting so big I’m starting to find it harder on my back to carry him. I discovered its imperative I wash my sling every night as it has some stretch to it and by the end of the day it sags too low. This has helped keep him higher up on my body making for less backache at night. I would recommend doing this to anyone who using a sling or wrap with a bit of give to it.

WEEK NINE

As I found out this week you can't call in sick when you're a mom. When a cold (or throat infection as the case may be) strikes there will be no sleeping it off or curling up on the couch in pj's with a cup of tea watching a movie. Nope, when you get sick you have to pull out your supermom super human strength and keep on going. And that's just what I did. Of course I had a few weak 'pity me' moments but I was surprised just how far you can push yourself if you have to. I just hope that the little guy doesn't get sick. I keep checking his temperature obsessively for fear that he may get a fever. Luckily, he seems healthy as always (knock on wood).

It's amazing as the weeks chug on how I find myself more in tune with Oliver's cues and quirks. I can now sense the difference between hunger and when he wants to cozy up in the sling a lot quicker then I used to. I can see a fussy spell inch up slowly and hopefully alleviate any discomfort before it turns into full blown hysteria. This whole new level of observance has relieved some of the stress in my day and his. It has also brought on new confidence. Now if he freaks out in a store I no longer break out in a sweat and rush for the nearest exit. Instead I have no problem calmly taking him out of his stroller and plopping him in the sling. This week I even tried on jeans with him in the sling. Have I mentioned how much I love that sling??? I find myself not feeling sooo self-conscience as a new mother and therefore, am able to get out and do a bit more with him.

It's very sweet how this week he's really discovered his hands. He now clasps them together purposefully and puts them in his mouth. He also spends a lot of time just looking at them. I can't image what this must be like... to suddenly realize that you have control over these limbs that have been flaying about in front of your face for your whole life. No wonder he looks at them so intently. It must blow his mind!

I have a new favorite product this week. My ottoman. I love my glider, but I find after a certain point my knees become sore and I become so fidgety. No matter how tired I am I can't seem to dose off in it; which would have some in handy some of those long sleepless nights. Up until this week I've actually been using a diaper box as an ottoman (chic I know...) but it just wasn't cutting it. So when I got one this week that actually glided, it was the difference between night and day. Literally. Now instead of getting up with the birds (which start chirping at 3:30am by the way) I'm getting up with the sun. When Oliver started fussing because of gas at four in the morning, instead of bringing him down stairs and starting our day I've been rocking him in the glider and we both manage to get an extra hour of sleep or so. I love it!! Because of this, we are both much more pleasant when its actually time to get up. I always thought that the ottoman was kinda silly to get, but no longer! For all the time I've spent and am going to spend in that chair, it's defiantly worth it to have something comfortable to put your feet up on and catch some extra zzz's.

Getting better at tummy time!

WEEK EIGHT

My little Oliver is growing so quickly it’s incredible. I have literally watched his eyebows grow in with every feeding. This week has been amazing for developments. He is so much more aware this week I feel that he is taking in everything that I say and do. He studies all the features of my face intently as I read and talk to him. For the first time I feel like he is really listening to me so I talk to him constantly through the day, not feeling so silly anymore. I tell him about everything that I’m doing. “mommy’s just making your bottles I’ll be done in a minute,” “Mommy’s just shaving her legs so she doesn’t look like a hairy monkey, do you know what noise a monkey makes?” He reacts to my voice with different coos and awws. He has suddenly gone from a little ball of flesh to my newest companion. He looks at the pictures in his book as I read to him kicking his legs with excitement. He loves looking at the pictures. And best of all are the smiles. Oh the smiles. They give me butterflies.

One after noon I was feeding him on the couch watching a bit of tv. After a minute or two, I glanced down at him and the bottle was out of his mouth and he was looking up at me his eyes big and bright, a huge toothless grin on his face. I did what any mother would do in that scenario; I started crying of course! I am so in love with this little creature, and for all the fussiness, crying and lack of sleep (which is still an on going battle) this moment made everything so far worth it.

This week also saw the swing become my new best friend and loathed enemy all in one day. I was so pleased when I put Oliver in his swing after it had been folded up for weeks and he actually liked it! Not only did he like it he fell asleep in it. A miracle! Thank goodness it wasn’t going to go to waste. I think he likes it better now because he can actually see the little mobile more clearly as he became mesmerized by the spinning sea creatures. I even managed a little cat nap while he was in it…amazing.

So when he woke up at 4:30 one morning and wouldn’t go back to sleep, I scooped him up and brought him downstairs and buckled him in for a ride back to la-la land.

This is where my feelings towards the swing took a drastic turn for the worst. As I’ve mentioned my baby is not one for gentle motion. Remember the vigorous bouncing and rocking? Well, then of course it should come as no surprise that he will only sit in the swing if it’s on level 6. Now, my question to you and the swing makers out there is why does it take the thing so bloody long to kick into level 6?!? So here I am holding the soother in Olivers mouth, shushing in his ear watching the arm of the swing sloooowly warm up and slooowing start ticking as he starts squirming and kicking impatiently. I am loosing time fast. I know it’s all over when his face turns a lovely shade of red and he starts wailing. This baby will wait for no man…or swing as the case may be. Biting down hard on the back of his soother I pick up my screaming baby cursing the blasted thing and give it a good kick. I know it didn’t help matters but it sure made me feel better.

**END NOTE**

I would like to make a formal apology to all the swings and ‘swing makers’ out there. As it turns out the batteries were nearly dead. I have now added ‘put batteries in the charger’ to my nightly list of chores to avoid further abuse to my swing and my foot.

WEEK SEVEN

Babies are so unpredictable. Just when you think you’ve got it goin’ on, they throw you a curve ball. I had been really getting into the groove of going for these really long walks when one day Oliver decided he’d had enough. We were strolling through a quiet neighborhood early (6:30am) one morning when he started fussing. So I stopped and put his soother in his mouth. Fine, kept going. Then he starts crying. Maybe he’s hungry? So I pull out the bottle and try to feed him. No good. That’s when he starts wailing. Not just crying, but the red faced sweaty screaming. Looking around me, and trying to remain calm as an elderly couple walk pass giving me the ‘ahhh what a pity look’ I scoop him out of the stroller and start bouncing him. When this doesn’t work I put him in the sling (which I always take everywhere with me, for just such an occasion) and start making my way home. He falls asleep immediately. Now you might be thinking ‘big deal, maybe he was just having a bad moment, or day? What if I told you that this continued to be the pattern for the next three days. He’s shattered my stroller confidence! So now instead of hitting the trail, I do smaller laps around the neighborhood, never straying to far in case I have to carry him home.

Because of all of Oliver's gassy issues, I was very pleased that this week's massage lessons where geared toward the stomach. It was also the first week they recommended removing his diaper for the massage. Of course I was apprehensive about this, considering the amount of times that I have been peed on over the past weeks.. So when it came time for the massage I made sure I had a big receiving blanket to clamp down over that thing if it decided to spring a leak. I was pleasantly surprised that he only peeded once this week during his massage time, and I was ready for it! He’s very content while I rub his tummy, and I can only hope that it is going to help relieve some of those gas pains we’ve been battling with.

Oliver in his new high chair!

WEEK SIX

What a week…

So as it turns out most babies will go through a big growth spurt in their 6th week, and Oliver was right on mark. Of course I didn’t realize this when the week started but when he suddenly started crying for food every hour I did a little online research. The crazy feeding days where followed by sleepy days, where it seemed as though he was sleeping all day, waking only to fuss and squirm and eat. As it turns out it is during this sleep time that they are doing their growing, and because they are growing at such a rapid rate it can actually be very uncomfortable for them, hence the fussiness. And man was he fussy. He would constantly make this ‘ehhh’ noise ALL day. Not content but not crying... really did a number on my nerves. At the same time I couldn’t help feel sorry for the little monster. It was a very long week, especially since it seems my days are now starting at 3:30 in the morning. It’s around this time that he starts wiggling around in his crib, crying out with gas pains, wide awake. So, I take him down stairs and put him in his bouncy chair, which I’ve discovered among other things is GREAT for him to sit in and let out all his gas. I don’t know if it’s the mesh or the angle, and frankly I don’t care, all I know is that when I put him in there he seems to find instant relief. We seem to have come to a morning understanding. He sits in his chair quietly, and I quietly read the morning news online (if it’s been posted yet…I know…sometimes I get up before the news…). There are days where not a peep is exchanged between us for a half hour. Then he goes in his sling (which I LOVE LOVE LOVE) and we both take an early morning nap. I really don’t know what I would do without this sling. It calms him to sleep immediately when he's tired and fussy, giving me the opportunity to nap or do some cleaning. These days I’ve been opting for the nap when ever I can get it. ‘Sleep when the baby sleeps’ had been told to be so many times before, but now it’s my new mantra.

One of my saving graces this week was that during his growing sleep days I was able to go for some really long walks with the stroller. I’m talking 2 hours long. It’s such a relief to be pretty much all healed up from surgery that I can start enjoying the nice weather we’ve been having. When I go for my walks I always take a bottle and he tends to wake up for a snack part way through. Lamby joins us in the stroller for these walks which I find helps him sleep and stay relaxed so I can be out longer. I know that getting him hooked on this little lamb sound machine is probably going to come back to kick me in the butt later, but right now it’s all about getting through the day, and if that means a little rain noise is required…so be it!

I’ve become interested in trying baby massage on Oliver. Especially since I’ve read that it can help relieve their gas pains. I watch some videos online, but then decide to go to Chapeters and see if I can find an instructional book. I find this great one which is part of the ‘teach yourself’ series called ‘baby massage and yoga’. It’s very simply laid out with a week by week learning schedule, and easy to follow instructions and diagrams. So, I pick up some sunflower oil and give it a go. Week one starts with the legs. At first i think it’s going to be tricky since Olivers legs are ALWAYS moving, but once I get going it seems to calm him and he actually stops kicking long enough for me to rub them down. I guess with all that kicking around a little rub down would feel pretty good. I find that it’s a really nice bonding time for the two of us and it’s an easy activity for me to do with him that helps break up our day together.

The highlight of this week amongst all the long nights and fussiness would have to be that Oliver had his first real big smile this week. And, of course it was at daddy! My husband is wonderful with Oliver. He gets right down there on the floor with him, singing and making voices. It was during one of these occasions that the biggest grin yet was cracked. We were both ecstatic!