So tall!
TJ is learning to take his weight on his legs, which is super exciting for all- and somewhat freaky when his sister stands next to him. What a difference two and a half years can make!
A New Era
For the last two months or so, TJ has only settled in our arms during the day. If I put him into his cot, fast asleep, I’d be lucky to get half an hour before he woke up (and would then need to take ages to settle him back down again). A few weeks ago we switched to faster-flow bottle teats (as one is meant to at 3 months), and at the same time started dosing him with infant gaviscon. The difference in his feeding was noticeable immediately, and a week later he was sleeping better both during the day and at night (but still in my arms during the day as I didn’t want to risk messing with his improving sleep patterns by letting him wake up and get too tired to feed properly, causing him to wake early for the next feed and continue on in a vicious cycle).
So this week, feeding issues done (for now….it won’t be long before solids start), we girded our loins for Operation Let Mum Play Actively With The Other Kid At Some Point Please, Or Possibly Do Some Housework Or Whatever.
We altered the bassinet so instead of being a three-sided device attached to my side of the bed, it’s a four-sided wheeled device that can meander all around the house as needed. Because it would be needed: every time TJ was about to go to sleep, we’d put him in it and settle him inside the cot (as the sleep classes tell parents to do, teaching that if you wait until they’re asleep before moving them, they get disoriented during the light part of their sleep cycle, and wake up).
Some friends of ours had a baby that wouldn’t sleep in a cot for NINE MONTHS, day or night, so I just didn’t know how it was going to go.
It went like. . . a dream. From the very first time I put TJ in the bassinet and patted him to sleep in there, he didn’t just stay asleep longer, but he also went to sleep faster. It might all be an evil ploy to lull us into a false sense of security. . . or it might be just one of those times when a parent happens to hit on the exact right moment and the exact right method and the exact right tools all at the same time, the first time.
Here is the bassinet in permutation #2, as modelled by both our kids:
One of the kids above is genuinely asleep and one is only pretending. Can you guess which is which?
Here is a clue:
For those who are wondering, permutation #3 of the bassinet is either a kids’ seat or desk – either one with a possibility of shelves too. And yes, my epically talented (and carpentry qualified, and safety obsessed) father-in-law made it.
Friends
Louisette’s favourite school friend came over today, along with her 16-month old sister (not in this pic but it’ll be interesting to see what happens between her and TJ as they all grow up).
Also, apparently TJ will soon acquire the ability to bash two toys together to make a noise. I gave him two textas to have a go, and he was much more interested in mouthing them (despite how much the photo makes it look like he’s deliberately bringing them together). He blew a raspberry today, which I remember is some kind of vitally important milestone (for tongue development? Social skills? Early teen rebellion?)
Care
TJ playing with his snow-leopard open-handed, very slowly as he experiments with different movements.
Louisette (including dummy this time, because a little bit of honesty about real life is good for you) and TJ.
TJ’s monthly caterpillar-and-tux photo – two days late.
Tummy Time, and Yerrabi Pond
Today TJ fell asleep on his stomach for the first time (front and feet views supplied), and we also went to Yerrabi Pond Playground for a church picnic.
Standing
TJ’s been enjoying novelty lately, including the slightly-offputting novelty of standing on his own two feet – sorta. At best, he lasts a few seconds before losing the knack.
As we talk about growing up, Louisette has truly begun to appreciate how impressive she is for being able to stand unsupported. Her imagination continues to develop, which is hugely entertaining to watch (her ability to catch suffers as she insists that her toys catch the ball on her behalf). The other day she refused to go to the bathroom and wash her hands. I asked why, and after much thought she came up with a solid reason: “Because there’s a bear.”
Well sure. I wouldn’t expect her to fight a BEAR just to wash her hands, would I?
Felicity Banks 