Liam - Week 28

Date/Week: July 6th; week 28

My Total weight gain/loss: -34.8 lbs (4.8 under pre-preg weight)

His Stats:

Milestones: Doing BLW along with his cereal at school (his teacher took pictures of him with his steamed carrot sticks and sent them to her mom because she thought he was so adorable gnawing on the carrot!); Drank from a sippie cup (prefers a regular cup); First fireworks display (loved them as much as the cannon's at the Queen's Birthday Parade!); Sitting up for 3 minutes straight (he sits when he wants to sit...); Singing at church (and he decided he had to sing da-da-da-da-da over everyone!); and he's started blowing raspberries!.

Developmental Progress: This has been a week of rolling, talking and eating! He's now into specialised rolling to get to what he wants. He is also pseudo crawling with his hands and feet (no knees) either by walking his feet forward or pushing and launching himself. He's babbling up a storm and Aidan got some great video of him in his exersaucer (it's too funny). And he's doing well exploring food - this week he's had carrot, broccoli, avacado, pear, apple, mango and steak.

Energy level: Feeling a wee bit better after resting on Sunday - that's what I get for running off of adrenaline in order to get the dancer's end of year concert coordinated.

Exercise: Scheduled to run again on Thursday. Danced last Wednesday, Friday and Saturday (and again tonight). My chiropractor says that I really need to add back in weights since she can see what my weak upper body is doing to my back...

Thoughts and Feelings? After i sort out an email related to the dancer's competition weekend in March, I'm taking the rest of the month and a good part of Aug off from dance and need to concentrate on my dissertation. I think I have narrowed down the topic. Just need to plan the proposal rewrite with the goal to submit in September. Then I will hopefully be able to figure out a completion schedule - and then plan for the next degree program (law).

I reviewed Liam's pictures since December to consider pictures to submit for a campaign. He has changed so much. I am amazed at how much he has grown in 6 months and can only imagine what I'll be saying when he's 1, 2, 4, 10!!!

Trying to plan our September vacation. We're thinking that we need to take Liam. Still can't decide where to go though (Boston or Vegas). So I guess we'll keep looking at scenarios and see what would work best for us and our 5th anniversary.

What I am looking forward to: Cup Match Holiday (thinking about spending part of the day by the pool for lunch and swimming at Cambridge Beaches on the 28th); Aidan off to Ottawa with both bands next month.

Liam - Week 27

Date/Week: June 29th; week 27


My Total weight gain/loss: -35.4 lbs (5.4 under pre-preg weight.... but so not in shape!)

His Stats:

Milestones: Lower gums starting to bulge visibly - are we close to his first tooth; does #1 & #2 automatically on the toilet when we put him there upon waking up (it could be a fluke but we're not complaining); my parents have experimented BLW with steamed carrot sticks with Liam and it went well; stood on Sunday holding on to the top of the pew on his own for a bit; chased the dogs around the bed (combination of rolling, combat crawling and pushing off with his legs) - I wish I had the video camera for that one!

Developmental Progress: We've been playing games with him by putting his pacifier or a tow a distance away from him to see what he does to retrieve it. He is very determined and uses a number of techniques to achieve his goal. He's gettimg more precise with grabbing but is awkward using his thumb. However, he's starting to use his fingers to try to pick things up (vs his whole hand). He loves to eat at the table. He knows he's going to pick things up and now is going after utensils, the placemat, etc. Yesterday, he was in his teacher's lap at school and she had a cracker - he grabbed it from her and had it in his mouth so quickly that she was caught off guard. When he has oatmeal at school, he's begun expressing interest in holding his own spoon (doen't know what to do with it though...). His babbling is getting more complex.

Energy level: It's been a rollercoaster week. I must be fighting off Liam's cold but I am thankfully not sick myself.

Exercise: We went running last night. Only a mile but it was good. I am hopeful that we go again on Thursday and Saturday.

Thoughts and Feelings? Still playing catch-up. Some days are better than others. Trying to just stop and breathe.

What I am looking forward to: Need to think about vacation in September

Liam - Week 26

Date/Week: June 22nd; week 26 - 6 months old!

My Total weight gain/loss: -33.2 lbs

His Stats: 16 lbs 14 oz and 26.5 inches long

Milestones: First Father's Day, 2nd time at the beach, registered for 2nd kindergarden programme (Catholic school), 1st day at school with regular food (a bit of cereal with apple) in his lunchbox (along with his milk)

Developmental Progress: Starting to push up on his legs when he gets his hands on something solid (like one of us...); More precise with the activities on his exersaucer; Expects to be able to eat when seated at the table (he tried to grab food off of Aidan's plate at brunch); has tried pineapple and honeydew melon in the last week.

Energy level: I have been pretty good - that's partially due to good sleep since Liam's been getting up to eat only once at night recently.

Exercise: I finally went to the Chiropractor because my lower back, hip and knee were killing me. I was definitely out of alignment but it has been a year (and a c-section) since I was last adjusted. Talk about heaven. When I danced that evening I felt more like my old self - the ease of movement, that is. My back is tight so I really need to start doing some resistance training again... if I can find the time...

Thoughts and Feelings? Hectic week but somewhat organized. A bit overwhelmed with dancing stuff but trying to just get through it. We're enjoying Liam so much! His 6 month appointment was fun (him playing with the exam room paper) and sad (his startled reaction to the needles and another ear infection - no antiobiotics this time though) but he was his old playful self in no time. Elimination communication is fine - we're taking it easy. I think we're going to start looking at some of those baby signing dvds and see what we can do with Liam (past doing the toilet sign everytime we put him on the potty).

What I am looking forward to: Pizza night on Friday; having my nieces at dance class on Saturday

Liam - Week 25

Date/Week: June 15th; week 25


My Total weight gain/loss: -33.2 lbs

His Stats:

Milestones: First pee and poo on the toilet; First visit to the Aquarium; First meal at Speciality Inn

Developmental Progress: Is able to keep himself entertained by playing/talking to his toys; very accurate with pacifier in relation to putting it into and taking it out of his mouth; Sitting longer without support; will get on hands and knees for a toy but prefers to stand.

Energy level: I feel better but am a bit sluggish

Exercise: After last week's illness, I've decided that I need to do something to exercise regularly, no matter the weather. I've purchased a set of DVDs and plan to do 20 minutes in the morning before doing bottles and lunch, etc.

Thoughts and Feelings? I feel like I'm in catch up mode now that I get a little more of a breather from Liam in the evening. It will probably be good timing after July 2nd because I think I will need to make some decisions about my dissertation and what time will I have to work on it in the fall. Other than that, Boston for September is back on the table. I need to do some research into that.

What I am looking forward to: Stephen, Angela and the girls arrive tomorrow; Aidan's first Father's Day; Spa Day on my Birthday!

Liam - Week 24

Date/Week: June 8th; week 24 

My Total weight gain/loss: 

His Stats: 

Milestones: First beach visit putting feet in water; tried banana, meat and pancakes this past weekend; can touch his mobile animals when lying down (need to adjust crib height...)

Developmental Progress: Prefers to stand/walk when supported. Does this hover action over the pacifier to get it into his mouth if he is in push up position over it. Plays with his rubber ducky in the bath. Can do something now with each toy in the exersaucer.

Energy level: I have a bad cold at the moment. Still, I've had a good week and have gotten a lot accomplished.

Exercise: Every time I go to work out at home... morning or afternoon... Liam wakes up and decides he doesn't want me to. And taking him out in the jogging stroller in tis humidity is not fun! I am contemplating joining a gym!

Thoughts and Feelings? Been irritated this week about my posture/gut. Also planning what to do on my birthday since we won't be away (thanks British Airways..). 

What I am looking forward to: I actually would love to go swimming.. in a heated pool!

Liam - Week 23

Date/Week: June 1st; week 23 

My Total weight gain/loss: 

His Stats: 

Milestones: First time seeing his dad in his Pipe Band Uniform in a parade; Has tried apple, carrot, broccoli, butternut squash, watermelon and mango through Baby Led Weaning (BLW); Really bad teething periods; he has played around with his first musical instrument (a keyboard).

Developmental Progress: When on the floor or pack-n-play will roll to get where he needs to go; if you put his pacifier in front of him, he will do whatever it takes to get to it, grab it and put it into his mouth; he sits up at the table to eat with us; he has pretty lengthy conversations with us, particularly after he has eaten.

Energy level: One day I am my old self and the next day I need to climb in bed at 9pm. 

Exercise: Lots of dancing. My abs have been hurting and my posture (as bad as it already is) is tough to maintain when I am weary. I'd love to do some water aerobics now that the weather is getting better (not hot on the cost to do so...)

Thoughts and Feelings? I'm getting back on track with highland dancing but I would like to focus on some school work. I do feel that I need to finish this dissertation - but I also feel that I need to take this time to change it to make it interesting for me. I need to keep it focused and with no more than is necessary - there are other books in me to write hundreds of pages about...

What I am looking forward to: Is it bad to be looking forward to September already??? My summer work schedule is brutal, particularly with Aidan going to Canada in August!

Liam - Week 22

Date/Week: May 25th; week 22 

My Total weight gain/loss: 

His Stats: 

Milestones: First time seeing his dad in his Regiment Uniform in a parade; Frist Bermuda Day 

Developmental Progress: He is getting better sitting up on his own; he plays with his pacifier by taking it out and putting it back into his mouth; He's getting better at self-soothing himself back to sleep in his crib or pack-n-play; he touches our faces a lot (Aidan loves it)

Energy level: I'm a bit run down but I am still trying to get back onto the correct time zone.

Exercise: Now that I'm back home, I need to start my spring/summer workout plan since my diet is back in place.

Thoughts and Feelings? I am very happy that London was good. I was nervous that London wouldn't be baby-friendly but thankfully it was ok. That means we can still enjoy a few days in London when we go in that direction for vacation. Now that we've accomplished vacation #1, I am now looking forward to summer #1 with Liam going for his first swim in the ocean!

What I am looking forward to: My birthday - I think I might take the day off and go to the spa!