Putting the pieces together!

At the end of each day, I do a quick recap of the day as I drift towards sleep, and always look for something new I learned and also dwell on the day's best moments. Tonight I'll have a couple of New Tricks to smile about as I go ni-nighs and lots of goodies.

Take this smile, for instance. (Ignore the pink trimmed bib - when you change bibs a dozen times a day, you start not to care about turning your child into Danny La Rue ... although my sister Tina took one look at the broderie anglais sun bonnet I popped on Braeden one day, and hooted with amusement, "So you ARE trying to have a daughter after all!!" (wench))

Isn't that a great grin? And it's not his best, because he's being changed at the time and we all know how much he hates that.

Today's clever lesson was so breathtakingly simple and blindingly obvious that it's quite laughable in hindsight.

Put a chair next to the cot, and put a good novel on the table. After settling kidlet into his bed, rather than standing, staring and trying not to jiggle in discomfort, it's much easier to sit with one hand in the cot (patting bubby's chest or stroking bubby's hair), and begin to read the book. You're completely relaxed and comfy, so it comes as no surprise that in a fraction of the usual time it takes to get those baby eyes closed, you're creeping out the door and looking forward to the next time you get a brief chance to actually read a novel!!!

When Braeden woke at his usual 45 minute interval to fuss and grizzle, I popped back in after a bit, patted him almost absently, picked up the novel.. and didn't even get to the end of the first page.

Yehawww!

Okay, so that's the overtiredness being gradually addressed and improved. Now to work on the reflux upchuckies, because that has taken pole position as #1 nuisance (partic for kidlet).

We're back to trying Infant Gaviscon, and it seems to help a bit. Wayne's learning to be more assertive about getting those reluctant burps out, and we were given a good tip by someone who (due to their employment position) wishes to remain anonymous: change from Karicare Gold to Karicare Blue, because that "gold" part of the pricier formula is Omega 3 oils, and these can be hard for some babies to keep down. (Very good for them if they do, but no good at all if they don't)

Yeah.. and I would have three tins of the Gold in the cupboard. Serves ME right for stocking up when it was on special!

No quick cures yet, but I'm noticing an improvement. For a start, some days I only do one load of washing!

Anyhoo, here's some more pix to close on.

Don't you just hate parents who hot-house their children?

Much as it looks like we're pushing him to read the book he was given by the ChCh City Library (nice of them.. we're not ratepayers any more!), it's just nice b&w pics to help him with his boredom while he has tummy time.

Until now, Braeden has paid no attention at all to his mobile. Today he noticed it for the first time, and got very agitated in excitement. It became a full-body experience in Tae-Bo for babies, as he kicked, pummelled and slapped at those pesky smirking sea critters!