No Different From Any Other

Now if only he'd roll back. Having us up every hour in the night because he's stuck is beginning to wear a little thin.

I always thought it'd be so tricky this weaning malarkey. I had so many people including family tell me it'd get messy, that my washing machine would be on the go continuously due to the colourful clothing Oliver would present after a meal.

So here I am 4 days into the weaning and it's going rather well.

We've opted for the Bay Led Weaning approach. Somewhat contraversial over this side of the murky waters. It's not seen as the most accepted way to wean your child. Still, each to their own and I believe it may work for us and Oliver.
Thus far we're taking it slowly given Oliver turns 5 months on Monday. This means I've been trying a few fruits and veg and that's it.

So, it was pear this afternoon for lunch:



Oliver has already let it be known that he isn't a fan of grapes or apples but loves courgettes, pear and banana.
He has porridge every morning before his bottle and although he finishes the portion, he STILL guzzles the 8oz of milk. Greedy little boy!

I've tried some water too. He is getting the hang of his cup.

So much seems to be happening lately. If it's not Oliver changing everyday it's improvments being made to the house. So much to update!
Firstly, Oliver is growing.. like really fast. I haven't had him weighed for over 2 weeks but I can definately feel he is heavier. If he hasn't topped 15lbs then I'll be shocked! I'm taking him this Friday so all will be revealed.
So many things happening with him I'll have to bullet point:

• Raspberries. No, not the fruit but loud noises that are expelled from this boys mouth. Suffice to say he finds it amusing and whoever may be within his vicinity normally gets a good face full of baby spit.
  
• Standing: Yes he still loves to stand. It's standing or laying down. Bath times are becoming a nightmare as he refuses to sit. Being forceful witha 5 month old can be a little un-nerving. Obviously he can't do it on his own but we don't need to actually hold him, rather just let him lean against us/the sofa. The cause for this? I blame the Jump.eroo. He is in it for not more than an hour a day but the boy bounces so much it squeaks!
• Tummy time: Success! He doesn't mind it now. However he gets frustrated that he can't roll to his back so we have to give him a helping hand.
• Rolling: He has mastered the roll but as I say, getting back is a chore. He gets his hand out but can't put it back in position to get to his back.. Give it time though.
• Teeth: Oh they're still playing hell. His front bottom left has been nulging for a while now but the blasted thing won't cut through. Cue lots of purchases of Dentinox and endless drool. We've so many teething toys in the house we could put Tom.mee Tippee out of business.

Now, feeding. This requires its own paragraph as it's such a big issue right now.
I have been keen to follow the baby led weaning pattern (to my Health Visitors annoyance) and thus far, Oliver has shown no interest in our food. He has not been bothered by us eating and will sit happily playing whilst we have lunch for example. He is still on 4 x 8oz bottles of milk (formula. more on that later) and he seems satisfied with this.
However, lately I've felt the need to start introducing other things to him. I can't explain it really but it just felt natural so we ordered a highchair (again, more on that later) and thus far he's had banana (in the wonderful mesh feeder)



I have assembled the highchair and tomorrow I plan on tryng out the porridge. I will admit here I'm terrified of the weaning process. To me it seems this boy is growing so so quick! It's a startling realisation that he is not such a 'baby' anymore (and I miss that part, not the colic and awful afternoons but still). Here he is modelling the newest piece of kit in the kitchen.



This follows on nicely to milk. I stopped expressing last week. It took me 4 weeks to wean myself off and it's been hard, emotionally.
Even though I feel more liberated without the attached every 4 hours, I miss him drinking MY milk. That connection is gone. I have such an urge to put him to the breast even though he'd get no more than an ounce or so now.
He has taken to the formula well (his nappies are evident of that) and he seems happy on the first milk so we'll carry on with it for now. I do love that I can buy ready prepared cartons of A.ptimil from the supermarket so if we're out I don't need to worry about mixing formula and water. If it's room temo (which it's sold at) then he'll drink it straight away so I just need to make sure I take a sterilised bottle with me when we go out.

Onto other things: I had a job interview today. My first in 6 years and I must say, nerves got the better of me and I couldn't eat my breakfast this morning.
The job is a basic part time role and not at a supervisory evel which I'm used to but as I explained to the interviewer, Oliver is my focus right now and i'm happy for my career to sit on hold until he's older. Besides, we can't afford childcare.

For this interview, I got my barnet chopped. It has gone down like a lead balloon with Husband. He loves long hair but I was getting fed up with putting it back in a ponytail all day every day and now I have a fringe too! I've not had a fringe for over a decade! Oliver is clearly not a fan though!

2011 came in with a thud.. the thud of my insides as they disappeared down the loo.

New years eve Husband and I chilled on the sofa with a drink and we fell asleep around 11pm. I woke with 2 minutes to go and had to nudge husband to wake. A grumbled "happy new year" followed and 5 minutes later we were both tucked up in bed back on the land of zzz's. If I'm honest, I was surprised I made it to 11pm.
New years morning we pottered about and as we awaited my aunt & uncle's arrival I popped to the loo and from that moment on it's a bit vague.
What I do remember is spending more than time than is average in the vicinity of my toilet (and sink, god bless my builder).
Yes it would seem the trusty old 24 hour bug found me and wanted to give me the biggest hug ever.

Poor Oliver didn't see me at all. Husband was wonderful in keeping him and my family entertained all afternoon when unitl 7pm I began to feel a little more human and came downstairs to see my family (Oliver was in bed at this point).

The worst thing? They got up at 4am the next morning to travel the 10 hours home and upon arrival promptly sent me a text thanking me for the germs. I'd even selflessly given them my last few Immod.iums just as a contingency.

I am better now and thankfully, Oliver didn't contract it. Husband did though and albeit he wasn't as bad as me, he has managed to take a dislike for mushrooms. I'll leave it there.