What the night did bring

Were you wondering?

What the night did bring, that is.

Well.

It brought confirmation of the fact that I am, indeed, a sleeping machine.

That's right.

I woke up at about three o'clock. After an eleven hour afternoon nap.

Mum fed me and then put me back in bed, not sure that I'd be motivated to go back to sleep after an eleven hour afternoon nap.

After all, when she left me I was all smiley and kicky and 'look at me blowing big raspberries'.

But within half an hour, the raspberry blowing ceased and I was back to sleep.

Until after 7 o'clock.

What will the night bring?

That's the question Mum is asking herself.

I had a nice big morning sleep and then spent a happy few hours watching all the action in the house.

Mum and Dad are cleaning out the garage. It's been a mess since long before I was born. And they decided it was time to clean it up!

I also had a great time watching Noah play in the family room. He stood up on the lounge chair and performed for me, using a Hot Wheels car as a microphone. He can be a bit dramatic.

All that action wore me out and by about four o'clock I really needed a sleep. Mum put me in my cot, thinking that I might just need an hour or so of sleep to get me through the evening.

Wrong.

At 8 o'clock I was still asleep.

What will the night bring?

Tune in next time to find out.

Raspberries

I've been blowing raspberries today.

Big, wet, slobbery raspberries.

Oh shirts, on arms, on just about any surface I can get my mouth onto!

They're noisy too.

Big, loud, belchy raspberries.

It's not very ladylike.

Joker

I haven't been practicing my rolling lately.

And my gums are doing nothing to grow teeth.

But I have been working on my sense of humour!

Today I had a good laugh with Noah. Mum had us sitting next to each other, and I leaned over to get a handful of Noah's shirt to shove in my mouth.

"She's eating my shirt!" he laughed.

I looked up in surprise, but laughed because he was laughing.

Then I did it again. And this time I laughed first.

And when you're little, a joke is funniest if you do it over and over again.

So I did.

Another thing I find very funny is Noah going to the toilet.

Noah often likes Mum to stand near the door while he's doing his business.

And sometimes, I happen to be in her arms when she's on toilet duty.

I find it hilarious.

I laugh and laugh and laugh.

Noah doesn't think it's that funny. Sometimes he gets cross at me for laughing at him.

But I don't care. I just keep laughing at him anyway.

Dad says I'm a joker.

Solids

We didn't get to go to Warwick for our big family get-together today.

There was so much rain that the roads were flooded!

Noah yelled at the water to 'get off the road and get back into the ocean'.

But it was no use.

It just kept raining and raining and raining.

So we went back to our house.

We did get to play a fun game of feed-the-baby-her-first-taste-of-real-food!

That's if organic baby cereal, mushed up with water, really qualifies as real food.

But I guess it must, because I ate every little spoonful that was offered to me!

New cousins

Would you believe that I am no longer the littlest cousin in my family?

I'm not even close!

We celebrated Boxing Day back at Grandma and Grandad's, and Mum's Aunty and Uncle and cousins came up for the day, with their children. Nana and Uncle Michael were there too.

I got to meet my newest cousin, Emmanuel. He's only ten days old! I think it was agreed that we are second cousins, but no one is getting too hung up on technicalities. I also got to see Jemimah, my other second cousin who was born this year. She's two months old.

I am definitely the grown-up of this little trio of 2010 babies.

Later in the afternoon, we went to see the Stutes and their little boy Thomas. Now he is bigger than me.

I had a very happy day, which was helped greatly by the three and a half hour sleep I had this morning. Mum hopes that means I'm back on track to being my usual happy, healthy self.

Christmas!

It's my first Christmas!

I couldn't wait to get the party started, so I got Mum up for a party at midnight.

And then again at 2am.

And again at 4am.

Mum finally woke up (on her own, this time, without help from me) at about 8 o'clock.

Oh no! Sleeping in on Christmas Day!

She woke up Dad and they both woke up Noah so that he could open his presents before Church. Then he and Dad went off to church leaving Mum behind to look after the little quarantined baby.

We had a lovely day at Grandma and Grandad's, with Nana and Uncle Michael as well. I got to sit up in the high chair for the first time! But no one gave me any food to eat. I just chewed on my new presents.

The night before Christmas...

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a...

Hang on a minute, that's not quite right. There was a creature stirring.

It was me!

Was it the excitement of my first Christmas? Or just that my little chest is still quite gunky?

Either way, I woke up quite a few times during the night and needed not just Mum but reinforcements in the form of Dad's shoulder to get me resettled.

The morning can't come fast enough...for all of us!

Sad baby

I've got the sads.

Still.

Mum was desperate to get a bit of shopping done, seeing as though it's almost Christmas and she still has presents to buy.

And food. We still have no food for Christmas!

So she fed me and put me to bed and went out to do some late, late shopping (the kind that people who plan be organised but then end up having sick babies do).

She bought the presents and pottered around for a bit and was just about to start the grocery shopping when....the mobile phone beeped.

It was a text message from Dad to say that I had an extreme case of the sads.

Mum decided to take pity (on me, as well as Dad) and abandoned the shopping expedition in favour of yet another late night of cuddle-the-baby-to-sleep.

End of an era

I've become quite used to the kindy routine these last six months.

Twice a week, since I was just a week old, we've been making the trip to drop Noah off and then pick him up again.

Twice a week, I've smiled adoring smiles at Noah's kindy ladies and giggled as the little Possum children tickled my toes.

Twice a week, I've put up with very enthusiastic farewells from Noah, who won't let us leave until he's given me a big, squeezy hug and a wet, sloppy kiss.

But now our kindy adventure has come to an end.

Because next year, Noah will be a big pre-prep boy.

Mum was sad to say goodbye to Noah's kindy. But she's glad that in a year's time, it will become my kindy too.

Old Macdonald

Noah often sings to himself as he's playing on his own. This is what Mum and I overheard him singing to himself today.

"Old Macdonald had a farm, ee eye ee eye oh!

And on that farm he had a...Lucy!

Ee eye ee eye oh.

With a waah waah here and a waah waah there..."

I don't know whether to be offended or proud!

Nicknames

I've got a proper nickname.

Sure, Mum and Dad have been calling me little pet names since I was born.

Such as; Lucy Lu and Lu Lu and Lu Bear and Lu Berry (that's one of Dad's)

But Noah has taken to calling me Nu Nu.

All the time!

Mum and Dad think it's a deliberate variation on Lu Lu, which he can actually say (even though, when he says it, it sounds more like Yu Yu).

And so now I've become Nu Nu.

It could be worse...right?

The things that did get done...and the things that didn't.

After a very busy weekend, Mum had a long list of things that needed to get done today.

...but they didn't.

And after this busy weekend, I was meant to be tired enough to sleep like a log all day.

...except that I didn't.

So there was not much housework and not much baby-sleeping.

There were lots of baby cuddles, though.

And that's all that really matters.

Ten Commandment Boogie...

Today was rather a momentous day....

In fact, it probably wouldn't be an exaggeration to say our whole family has been gearing up for this day for weeks now.

It's nothing to do with me, mind you, but it's hard not to be caught up in the drama and excitement of Noah's very first Midget's performance. That's Sunday School, for those of you new to the idea of Midgets.

And by 'first performance', I mean the first performance that he was going to participate in. Last term there was a pirate song, on the stage. But Noah got stage fright and chose to be as far from the stage as possible during that particular performance.

But he and the other little Midgets have been practicing this 'Ten Commandment Boogie' for weeks now. And he was desperate to take part this time.

He was also motivated by a certain promise of a certain Star Wars toy.

And so...the day dawned full of excitement. We managed to get to church early for the rehearsal. As soon as it was time for the Midgets to come on stage, Noah got stage fright. He stayed in his seat for the first half, but then Mum coaxed him onto stage.

Grandma and Grandad came to watch the real thing and...to all our surprise, he did it! Of course, there was hesitation. And there was a bit of getting-stuck-standing-behind-a-tall-boy and trying-to-get-back-to-standing-next-to-Claire.

But he did it! I'm proud of my big brother. Almost as proud as he is.

When I'm bigger...

When I'm bigger, I'll get to sit in Grandad's plane too.

But for now, I can just watch while Noah and Oliver get to sit in the cockpit and pretend to be pilots.

We went out to the aerodrome this morning to check out the planes. Grandad had already been flying, but he let the boys sit up the front, with their headphones on.

I watched from Mum's arms as they pushed the controls back and forth, over and over again. It was a great photo opportunity, but I don't think they'd want to be flying like that for real!

We had lunch at Grandma and Grandad's and then came home for a sleep. I was meant to have a long, long sleep to make up for a late night last night. But I must have missed that memo.

Then we went back to Grandma and Grandad's for dinner and got to see everyone again. Uncle Michael is visiting too, so there are lots of people to give me cuddles!

Mum brought along my cool little baby sleeping tent that Paige gave us. She forgot my wrap, though, so that put an end to any thoughts that I might sleep in it. But I loved lying in it and staring up at the spots on the top.

And a cool little baby sleeping tent, we discovered, provides excellent protection from errant balls, as they're kicked and tossed by little boys.

I want to play too!

I need to grow up.

Fast!

There's too much fun to be had, and I'm missing out.

Uncle David, Aunty Lisa and Ollie came over today for a play. Then Grandma joined us and we all had lunch.

The boys were having a great time, riding cars all through the house and chasing each other.

I could only look on from my little chair.

It's a bit boring when you all you can do is watch the action from afar.

But at least it kept me entertained!

Cousins

I met my cousin today.

That's right, I just have the one.

But not for long!

Noah tells me there's a 'baby in Aunty Lisa's tummy'.

He's rather excited about it.

But for now, the cousin count is at three; me, Oliver and Noah.

Oliver and his mum and dad are staying with Grandma and Grandad this weekend.

They met me for the first time this afternoon and remarked at how little I am. And I'm about twice the size of a newborn baby!

I think there'll be lots of cuddles over the next few days.

Cot? Yes please!

So.

I decided to give the cot another chance.

Just as well, because Mum isn't used to me being a difficult sleeper and she was getting a wee bit panicky at the thought that I wouldn't sleep in my cot.

Last night I went down at about 7. I woke up at 3 for a quick feed. And then I slept through until about 7.

Just like normal.

Phew!

As for daytime sleeps, I had two of those too. Two hours each.

I'm back, baby.

Cot? No thanks.

So.

My sleep last night?

Not so good.

Went down at 8.

Up at 10.

Resisted Dad's attempts to settle me for two hours.

Mum took over at midnight with a feed.

Dad got the bright idea that I could be cold, so my heater was turned on.

Slept for five hours.

Up at 5 for a feed.

Slept until 8.

Was I unsettled because I was cold? Or because I don't like my cot?

I'm not telling.

Little fish, big pond

I have a new bed!

Mum has been intending to move me out of my bassinet for a while now, since I'm really far too big for it.

I mean, no one wants a bonsai baby, all squished up with no room to move.

Yet, I'm so cosy and comfy in my bassinet and no one was keen to upset my sleeping habits.

But I turned 5 months old today, so we took the plunge.

It's amazing how much space I have in my room now that the bassinet is gone.

It's also amazing how much space there is in my cot!

I'm definitely a little fish in a big pond now.

And yet, I managed to sleep for a good hour and a half this morning. Not quite as long as my usual sleep. But Mum's hoping I'll show off some super sleeping skills tonight.

Turning Japanese

If only I could eat big people food.

Then I might have been able to join Noah today, scoffing down rice and egg rolls.

We went to a Japanese themed 18th birthday party for Mum's cousin's daughter, Mandy.

I was introduced to more of my extended family, and enjoyed some nice cuddles.

When we got home in the afternoon, Mum remarked to Dad on a particular phenomenon that occurs when I get held by a number of people.

Apparently, my little head picks up the scent of the people holding me.

So this afternoon, Mum kept getting a whiff of aftershave and of a couple different kinds of perfume!

Family movie night

We had our first family movie night!

Noah was itching to watch the Cars DVD for the thousandth time, but Mum noticed that another kids movie was showing on TV and convinced him to watch that instead.

So all four of us piled onto the couch for Ice Age 2.

I was the first to drop off.

Then Noah got too sleepy, so he had to go to bed.

Dad needed to get an early night, so off he went.

And that's how family movie night was over within about half an hour of beginning!

But we all agreed that it was nice to all squish up on the couch together, even just for a little while.

Of visits and spews

No sleeps for me today!

I was out socialising.

Well, truth be told, I did have a few catnaps.

But I did very well, considering we were out from kindy drop-off until kindy pick-up.

Mum's friend has loaned me a nifty little boomerang shaped pillow. It's a bit like the kind that grown-ups have. But this one is just for babies. It's pretty cool and it means I can play on the floor, propped up so I don't spew.

Speaking of spew, there was lots of it tonight.

I did a big spew on Dad, just as he was telling Mum that he probably didn't need to get changed before going out.

Then I did another big spew that hit Mum, landed on the floor but completely missed me!

I even spewed a bit on Ben. But he didn't seem to mind too much.

I choose my targets well.

Playgroup

Playgroup day again today.

I'm getting more and more interactive and interested in the world around me.

Pretty soon I'll be scooting around the mats, playing with the toys.

For now, though, I'm happy to keep playing in the activity centre/spinning seat thingy.

Lots of toys. Things to chew. Good times.

I also got reacquainted with an old friend of mine.

Nash and I were born a few days apart. But we haven't seen each other in months.

He's bigger than me. But he's cute.

I also got to meet another baby, who's just a bit bigger than me.

I think we'll all get on well.

Radio star

Mum didn't get to record her radio shifts yesterday.

That meant she and I had to do it today.

This time, however, I didn't get to be on the radio.

That's because there were some lovely office ladies there, who were only too happy to look after a little visitor.

Mum was fast as lightning in the studio.

But she needn't have been.

When she came back downstairs, she found me fast asleep and snuggled into Donna's shoulder.

Snug as a bug

We've abandoned my wrap. For good.

Woe!

Admittedly, it was getting too small. Or rather, I was getting too big.

I was having to sleep bow-legged and that can't be good for me.

I was also managing to escape from time to time. Escape from the inescapable wrap. Impressive.

So now I'm full-time in my ergo cocoon. Here's what I look like in it.

http://www.ergopouch.com.au/swaddle.html

Only, I'm cuter than this baby.

But see the baby's hands? How he kind of has them on his tummy? Not my hands. I pull them up into my mouth. That means that, until I fall asleep, I get busy working on a big wet patch on the front of my swaddle.

Mum is going to have to buy me another one, to make sure we wash this one regularly.

It gets a bit stinky.

Family

It's my Nana's birthday party today.

By my Nana, I really mean Mum's nana. But I don't have any other Nanas. So I call her Nana. Well, I don't call her anything just yet. Because I don't talk. But I will. When I'm bigger. You get what I'm saying.

Anyhoo.

We went to Grandma and Grandad's place for the party. I got to meet a few new relatives; Mum's Uncle Tom and Uncle David. That's the new Uncle David, said Noah. Not to be confused with his and my Uncle David; the old Uncle David.

Everyone was quite sympathetic about my cough. Poor little baby, they said. It's quite nice to be the centre of attention.

I didn't get to blow out any candles, though.

Apparently, that's the domain of the toddler in the room. If there happens to be no toddler in the room, the birthday girl/boy gets to blow out their own candles.

Experiment: over

There's to be no more experimenting with my reflux medication.

At least not for awhile.

After all the excitement of last night, I still woke up with a cough...although it wasn't as bad as it had been.

Still, Mum decided it would be a good idea to take me to the doctor.

"Well Lucy," said my doctor. "I've rarely seen a healthier or happier baby than you are".

Mum was pleased she was being bulk-billed for that diagnosis!

But she was very happy that my chest was clear and that all my symptoms pointed to a return of the reflux and not some nasty virus or infection.

That means we'll be keeping up the full dose of my reflux medication for at least another couple of months and I should be as right as rain again in a few more days.

When we got home, I had my first really good sleep in my new wrap. I was in such a happy mood afterwards that I got to sit on Dad's lap and play some Star Wars Lego on the Wii.

Too much excitement

What an exciting day!

It began with a drive to Brisbane to visit friends and new babies...and it ended with a three hour adventure at the Emergency Department at our local hospital.

Let me elaborate.

I started to cough a bit yesterday.

Mum thought it was the reflux coming back because she was experimenting with reducing my medication.

But the cough got worse until I was hacking like a pack-a-day smoker.

And then the wheeze started, and that's when mum called the 13 Health hotline. Predictably, they told Mum to take me to the hospital. Mum didn't think I was all that bad, so she decided she would take me to the Base hospital instead of forking over the big bucks to go private.

We arrived at hospital and waited...and we waited...and we waited...

Finally, we got to see the triage nurse. She took some obs and declared me to be possibly the cutest baby she'd ever seen. Her colleague at the front desk concurred.

Healthwise, they didn't seem too concerned but told us to wait for the doctor anyway.

So wait we did. For three hours. At 11:30, Mum was told there were three people ahead of us. At midnight, there were four. And that's when we gave up and went home.

There'll be a sequel tomorrow, because that's when I'm going back to my own doctor.

Experimenting

Gee Mum, what were you thinking when you decided to wean me from my wrap and my medication in the same week?

And just a few days after taking me away for the weekend?

Do you not want to get any sleep at night?

I might throw you a bone tonight, though, because we'll all need to be well-rested for our adventure tomorrow.

We're off to Brisbane; me, Mum and Noah. We'll be visiting some friends first and then Mum's cousin and her three kids. I'll get to meet baby Jemimah, who's even younger than me!

Oh, and we're getting me a new stroller from a shop in Brisbane that has them on special.

Good night, then. I'll see you in the morning; bright, chirpy...and early!

Give me back my wrap!

Oh, I know it's too small for me and I should have been out of it weeks ago.

But I like sleeping with my arms pinned to my sides.

I like that it keeps me all snug and cosy all night long; even if I have to sleep bow-legged because it's too short for me.

But alright, I'll give this zip-up sleeping bag another try.

Just let me keep sleeping in my bassinet for a few more weeks.

Baby steps, Mum. We'll do it in baby steps.

Friends

I have a new friend.

For the sake of anonymity, I shall call him M.

Our mums are friends.

And that means he'll be tagging along with us when we have girls' mornings.

Except, of course, that he's not a girl.

Never mind.

I'm sure we'll be great friends!

Rock n Roll

I like rock and roll.

That is the title of my blog, after all.

And tonight I proved that I do, indeed, like to rock and roll.

At least I do, when the only other option available to me is sleep.

Dad had his Rockband 3 'bandmates' over to play tonight.

Mum moved my bassinet into her room so it wouldn't be too noisy for me.

But I knew there was fun to be had elsewhere and refused to sleep.

So we hung out in the lounge room until well past the time when little baby girls should be fast asleep, tucked up in their beds.

Finally I could party no longer and fell asleep....but not until I'd out-rocked my big brother.

Shopping with baby...and toddler

Mum and Dad had a bright idea last night.

"Let's get up early and get to the shops when they open!"

So we all woke up at about 8am.

"Oh well. Let's get ready and try to be there by 10!"

So we all mucked about and finally arrived at the shops at 11.

First order of business was to road test a new stroller for me.

A decision has been made that my pram is too bulky and annoying and that we'd all benefit from selling it and buying a lighter, smaller model.

But I had no interest in pram shopping. And I let it be known to all within earshot.

So, pram shopping abandoned, Mum walked me through the shops until I fell asleep.

She managed to wheel our too-bulky-and-annoying pram into the change rooms and ended up buying some new clothes.

Meantime, Dad and Noah hung out in the toy section at Myer (Noah refers to this as "Daddy's special shop) and Noah made Dad promise not to buy him a Boba Fett helmet.

And then we all went home.

Presents

It's Mum's birthday today.

I decided to give her a present.

My presence.

Oh, I could have given her the gift of solitude.

But what fun would that have been?

So I conscientiously avoided sleep.

All the live day long.

Happy birthday, Mum!

Friends

Mum had to dash out to get something off the clothes line this afternoon.

When she got back to the house, she could hear the sound of giggling.

Noah was giggling...and I was too!

We were playing footsies and it was pretty funny.

Can you picture me sitting in my little seat, with my bare feet poking over the end? Then picture Noah lying on his back in front of the chair, with his feet touching my feet.

He was using his feet to move my feet around.

It's the first time we've 'played' together and Mum can't wait until we're big enough to play properly.

Where the heck is my mum?

You can wrap me up, give me a feed and pop me into my bed.

I'll look at you with my big, blue eyes and then I'll promptly close them and go to sleep.

But, as we all discovered tonight, that winning, fail-safe formula only works if you are Mum.

And if you happen to be Dad?

Well, then.

I shall cry blue murder.

I shall refuse to sleep.

I shall make it known to all and sundry that I am not pleased.

And then...when Mum does get home after being at a dinner for hours?

I shall smile at her a cheeky smile.

And then, after she has wrapped me up and given me a feed and she has popped me into my bed....

I will look at her with my big, blue eyes and then I'll promptly close them and go to sleep.

*Sigh*

New clothes

Here's the trouble with being small but fast-growing.

The weather can change suddenly, and then, just as suddenly, you have nothing to wear.

I have a good supply of long-sleeved, long-legged Wondersuits, most of which have now been made redundant.

So the mission this week is to supply me with new, summer onesies*.

And you can't honestly tell me that Mum is upset at having to shop for cute, little girl clothes.

* A 'onesie' for those unfamiliar with the term, is an all-in-one jumpsuit.

First laugh

My brother is hilarious.

He made me laugh - my first proper belly laughs - tonight.

We were at Grandma and Grandad's place for dinner. Uncle Michael and Nana were there too.

Mum laid me on a blanket in the lounge room, propped up on a pillow.

I had a perfect view of Noah, jumping down the two stairs into the lounge room.

He did it again, and again, and again.

I laughed each time he did it!

I also made a reasonable effort at rolling.

I can roll onto my side, but I don't roll all the way onto my tummy.

And when I do end up rolling onto my tummy, you can be sure it won't be intentional.

Because I don't like being on my tummy, not one little bit!

Friends

We had a nice night with our friends tonight.

It was a progressive dinner.

Which meant we ate at three different houses.

Which meant I had to get in and out of the car six times!

That bit wasn't fun.

But the bit where I had cuddles with lots of lovely grown-ups was.

I'm the only baby so, while all the bigger kids played, I could only watch.

But there's a new baby coming to our little group soon. And I'm sure we'll both be mixing it with the big kids before you know it!

Four months

I am four months old today!

No one knows what I weigh, but we'll find out next week when I have my four month needles. But let's not dwell on that just yet...

I continue to be the happiest of babies.

My reflux is under control and I don't even vomit too much anymore; just the odd spew, well timed and executed over Mum's shoulder.

Over the past few days, my sleeps have been a little irregular and I've woken up a few extra times overnight. Mum thinks I might be going through a growth spurt. Or getting teeth.

I have almost outgrown my bassinet. In fact, Mum's pushing it a bit by keeping me in there. I only need to grow another centimetre or two and my head will touch the top and my feet the bottom! So, it's just about time to move to the cot.

I still sleep wrapped up tightly in my miracle blanket. But this, too, is almost too small for me. Mum wonders if I'd like to have access to my hands. So she will let me try to sleep unwrapped soon. If that doesn't work, we'll just have to extend the miracle blanket!

Speaking of my hands, I love to suck on them. And any time my little toes are free, I'll shove them into my mouth too. Meanwhile, no dummy has been near my mouth in quite some time. Mum is ready to accept that, like Noah, I'm just not a dummy-loving kind of baby.

I've finally been allowed to play on the playmat/baby gym. Mum just puts a cushion under a sheepskin to keep me propped up so I don't vomit. I love to play with the little bee and sun and frog that hang from the toy bar. I'm also very close to rolling over.

Still no tummy time for me. I don't believe in tummy time. I can hold my head up perfectly well without this tummy time business, thanks very much!

I am starting to show more personality. I smile a lot and I giggle from time to time too. I really love my brother; I think everything he does is fascinating. He loves me too and likes to include me in his games.

Happy four months to me!

Rude awakenings

My usual long sleep was cut short this morning.

It may have had something to do with the fact that my brother...

set an alarm clock...

and left it in my room...

just metres from my head!

Shadow Trooper

People tell me how much fun I'm going to have playing with my big brother when I'm a bit older.

What they might not realise, is that I already play with him. Or rather, he plays with me.

"Ok Lucy, you're going to be the Shadow Trooper and I'll be Luke Skywalker. Pew! Pew! Pew!"

I don't even know what that means.

I just sit in my chair and stare and try not to get a fright.

It's loads of fun.

Lovely ladies

Here's me and my Mummy B. We had lovely cuddles.

The day the baby stole the book launch

I've been schmoozing.

With academics.

I must say, I felt quite at home in the world of academia and not at all bothered by the lack of postnominals after my name.

Mum and I had to go out to uni to talk to her cousin* about a new work contract. The visit coincided with the launch of a book she helped work on before I was born. So off to the book launch we went!

Mum's cousin loves babies. He was the baby whisperer of his family. I'm more than happy to let anyone hold me, but particularly those with baby whispering skills, so Warren held me for just about the whole function.

And he introduced me to everyone.

I met the Dean. I met the Deputy Vice-Chancellor. I met people with MAs and PhDs.

And I completely stole the show.

The Dean mentioned me in her speech. The Deputy Vice-Chancellor mentioned me in his speech. And the authors mentioned me too!

My academic career has begun.

* Warren is actually married to Mum's cousin. So technically not her cousin at all. But giving detailed family histories messes with the flow of my blog. Don't you think?

A different view

I view much of life in our house from my little chair.

Other babies lie on mats and view the world from the floor.

Not me.

I'm a reflux baby.

But Dad and Noah went out today and my little chair was still in the back of the car after our visit to Grandma and Grandad's last night!

Deciding she couldn't carry me around all morning, Mum dragged out Noah's baby playmat from storage. She propped me up with a little cushion (so I wouldn't spew everywhere) and attached some little friends to the toy bar.

I loved it!

I even did some almost-ready-to-roll-over moves.

So now there's a new baby apparatus in our lounge room.

And I'm even more vulnerable to big-brother cuddles!

Could it be?

Could it be...that I am getting my first tooth?

I have been a little bit out of sorts today.

I had a long morning sleep but no afternoon sleep.

When I was awake, I just wanted to be held and didn't want to sit in my chair.

And, not that you want to know the details, but...well...I've been through quite a few nappies today. Quite a few, if you know what I mean.

It was the nappy action that had Mum puzzled.

Was it something she ate?

She didn't think so.

And then she remembered that the same thing used to happen with Noah...around teething time.

"When do babies get their first tooth?" she asked Dad.

But, of course, he didn't know.

So she looked it up online and, sure enough, teething can begin at around four months.

There are no little teeth poking through my gums just yet. Mum checked.

But I'll keep you posted.

Tour of Duty

My tour of duty is complete!

By the time we arrived home this afternoon, I'd met all my great-grandparents and a good handful of great-aunts and uncles...and even a cousin!

We left Tamworth this morning after a good sleep (at least I slept all night long and didn't wake up in the middle of the night to tell everyone I didn't want to go to the beach because of little-boy-eating sharks).

This time, I resigned myself to being trapped in the car for hours and promptly fell asleep.

I got fed every two hours when the car stopped so, with my tummy full, it was easy to sleep most of the trip.

Finally we arrived at my Great-Grandad and Nan's house. Great-Grandad made a beeline for the car and made sure he got the first cuddle with me.

He said it had been a long time since he'd held a little baby like me. But I think he did a good job.

Then I met cousin Jenny and had cuddles with Nan, Aunty Margaret and Uncle Ian.

Opinion was divided on whether I was big or small. If I could talk, I would tell them it's all relative. And I might have something to say about commenting on a girl's weight!

We had a lovely visit and then it was time to hop back in the car for the final hour.

Home at last!

Pewing

There's been a lot of 'pewing' going on today.

In case you didn't know, 'pewing' is the sound that Star Wars weaponry makes.

You know.

"Pew, pew, pew!"

That sound.

It's a sound I've been hearing all my life when my brother plays Star Wars games.

And today he had a like-minded friend to play 'pewing' games with.

We left Mummy B's house today, after a morning of cuddles and photos.

And we arrived in Mum and Dad's old town of Tamworth to stay with some of our good friends, Jack and Hallie.

I watched while the kids jumped on the trampoline and played on the swing set.

And then the 'pewing' games began.

Oh yes. It's all about Star Wars where my big brother is concerned.

I occasionally get written into these games as Princess Leia. Or Princess Lucy. And, invariably, I require rescuing.

For now, I have no choice but to sit in my chair and be rescued.

But I'm sure my own 'pewing' days are just around the corner!

Adapt-a-baby

If there were ever any fears that I would be a lousy roommate*, I proved them unfounded by my amazing sleeping skills last night.

I did wake up once for a feed, but then I went right back to sleep and slept for hours. Despite sharing the room with three others. And despite the noise they all made, crashing about as they got ready for bed.

Daylight saving? Pfft.

Strange room, strange house? Double pfft.

I am adapt-a-baby.

And so, I awoke a happy girl in this strange house and enjoyed some lovely cuddles with my extended family.

There was more driving (yes, I was a little unimpressed to get back into the car but I didn't make too big a deal out of it), a visit to a park and then lots of photos.

Then, in the afternoon, I giggled for the first time!

Dad made me laugh with a little peek-a-boo game. And I giggled each time.

I also enjoyed getting about in a summer all-in-one suit. It's a novel experience to have my chubby arms and thighs exposed to the air!

It was a happy day away from home.

*There may have been a little incident the last time we went away as a family. It may have been, on that occasion, that I slept for a total of two hours over two nights.

Road trip

We set off on a big adventure today.

My first road trip!

I've been in the car for a couple of hours at a time, but today's trip took more than seven hours.

Mum and Dad weren't particularly looking forward to the drive, but I was none the wiser.

They tried to explain to Noah how long the trip would take.

"About as long as a day at Kindy," Mum told him.

In the end, it was the interval between McDonald's restaurants that mattered.

We hopped from one to the next and it made the seven hours go by quite quickly.

I slept, we stopped, I had a feed, back into the car, I slept again. Repeat.

Finally we arrived in a little town called Manilla.

That's where my Great-grandmother lives.

When Dad was a little boy, he called her Mummy B. He still does. And now so does Mum. And Noah. And I will too, when I'm big enough to talk.

I am one of four great-grandchildren and the only girl.

I had some lovely cuddles with Mummy B and I treated her to some of my very best smiles.

I also got to meet Uncle Ian and Aunty Di and have cuddles with them too.

But if you thought I was the centre of attention, you'd be wrong.

It's not easy to compete with a three-year-old boy!

Still, everyone thought I was a very beautiful and happy little girl.

Which I am, of course.

Rain, rain, go away

I had Mum and Dad all to myself today.

That's because Noah was at Kindy and Dad had the day off.

Mum and Dad spent the day waiting for the rain to stop.

It did not.

Personally, I have no issue with rain.

When we have to dash to the car in the rain, I tilt up my head to catch the rain drops.

And when the rain beats down on the roof, I sleep as soundly as ever.

But Mum and Dad have had enough of the rain.

It doesn't help the garden get weeded.

And it doesn't help get the washing done.

New family

I joined a new family today.

Well, just as a temporary measure.

Dad had to stay home from church today because he had to watch a certain car race on television.

So Mum bravely ventured out with me and Noah.

It was particularly brave because the weather was rainy and windy and because she didn't know how she'd manage with two kids and no pram.

She soon found out, though. No sooner had we arrived and sat down, when Noah announced he needed to do a wee.

Of course, he'd just done a wee at home ten minutes earlier.

But no one is game to call his bluff at this stage, especially when it comes to bodily functions.

So Mum handed me over to Ben, who was sitting in front of us with Gabe and Claire.

When she and Noah got back from the toilets, I was obviously quite happy where I was and showed no signs of wanting Mum to take me back.

So I stayed with my new, temporary family for a good chunk of the service.

And, as a sign of respect and thanks, I didn't even spew on them!

Weighty matters

We had to duck into the shops today.

There's a chemist there that has a set of baby scales so, as we walked past, Mum popped me on.

I'm now 6.2kg!

The chemist lady was impressed with how much weight I've put on in the past few weeks.

But Mum says no one's impressed with how much weight she's put in on the past few weeks.

First toys

I played with some toys for the first time today.

I have four little soft, squishy, crinkly pink blocks that Aunty Lyndall gave me.

They're actually the only toys in this house that belong to me.

I scrunched them in my hand.

I batted them away with a fist.

I kicked them off my chair onto the floor.

I spent a happy half hour playing with my very own toys.

And then Noah stole them to use in some sort of game of Jedi warfare.

That's not my vomit!

There's been a lot of vomiting in our house today.

But it's not my vomit!

Noah has an ear infection. He gets them quite a bit. And they make him feel sick.

He spewed on Dad. And then on Mum. And then on Dad again. And then on Mum again.

And finally they taught him how to spew in a little bucket.

With all that vomiting going on, you wouldn't think anyone would notice the little round wet patch on Noah's tutu popper couch.

"Arghhh!" he shouted, "What's that?"

"That's probably from Lucy" said Mum.

"Grrr!" he grizzled, "Get it off my couch!"

I like Lucy

It's Grand Final day today.

Again.

We're not doing anything exciting though, because we've had a big week and my brother is on the verge of being a bit sick.

And being on the verge of being a bit sick makes him a bit cranky.

He's been telling Mum, 'I only like Dad' and telling Dad, 'I only like Mum'.

Until he thought of a one-size-fits-all cross thing to say to both of them.

'I only like Lucy'.

Wrapped Baby

I sleep wrapped up. I always have.

When I was just a few days old, Mum bought me a couple of miracle blankets. http://www.miracleblanket.com.au/

They're like a baby straight-jacket.

I've slept in them - day and night - ever since.

But now they're getting too small! Or am I getting too big?

So...with a sense of trepidation (not wanting to mess with my wonderful sleeping habits), Mum put me down for a sleep in a Grobag.
http://www.gro.co.uk/

Epic fail!

I will not sleep in a fancy schmancy, expensive grobag. I will not sleep in any sort of sleeping bag.

I will only sleep in a miracle blanket.

It's back to the drawing board for Mum.

More cuddles with Tom

We had a visitor for tea tonight.

Tom is still in town and he came around to see us.

I was on my very best behaviour.

Noah wasn't, but that's a story for another blog.

Anyhoo...I know how to impress a visitor who loves babies.

I snuggled in and fell asleep on Tom's shoulder, snoring softly.

I was very good all night.

Unlike someone else who refused to eat his dinner and only wanted to play Lego Star Wars on the Wii.

But then, that's a story for another blog.

Shop with me...but make it quick

Mum and I had to dash in to the shops quickly this afternoon.

There was no time to muck about with the hug-a-bub.

So into the trolley seat I went!

I've never been in the little baby seat on the trolley before.

But I liked it!

I liked looking at all the bright, colourful things on the shelves.

I liked smiling at the people who commented on what a cute baby I am.

I liked 'talking' to Mum as she chatted to me.

And then, quite suddenly, I didn't like it anymore.

I screamed blue murder the whole time we waited at the check-out.

It felt like hours for Mum. And for me.

But my good humour was restored when we arrived home and Aunty Lyndall and Amah G were waiting for us. More cuddles!

P.S. Mum weighed me while we were at the shops. 5.8kg!

New nappies, please

I've outgrown the baby nappies!

No more generic newborn nappies for me.

I'm now sporting spiffy new pink nappies. They're called 'crawler' nappies.

But I think I'm probably a long way off crawling.

Home days

We like our 'home days', Mum and I.

Today was a particularly lazy, social sort of a day.

A bit of a sleep in the morning (for me), a bit of cleaning (for Mum) and then a lovely visit from our friend Tegan.

She didn't think she'd be any good at holding babies.

But I think she did ok.

It was fun to hang out.

And then it was time for another big sleep (for me) and some washing and folding (for Mum), while we waited for Grandma and Uncle Michael to drop Noah home from Kindy.

Uncle Moo

I had my first proper cuddles with my Uncle Michael today.

He was visiting Grandma and Grandad and we went to their place for tea.

Noah used to call him Uncle Moo. But now he's learned to say Uncle Michael.

We had a nice cuddle on the couch, until I got all squirmy and wanted to go for a walk.

Uncle Michael and Noah played on the iPad.

I think I'd like to play with an iPad too.

Grand Final Day

There was a lot of excitement centred around the TV today.

It was Grand Final Day!

Our friends Ben and Gabe and Claire came over to watch the game with us.

I'd had a bit sleep in the morning, so I was up for a party.

But watching football in the lounge isn't really my thing.

Snuggled in Ben's arms, perched up on Mum's shoulder or nestled in the crook of Dad's elbow is where I'd prefer to be.

And that's how I spent my first Grand Final day.

Home alone

Tonight was the first time Mum had been left all alone to put two children to bed.

That's because Dad got to go to the football with his friend Mike.

Last time Dad went to the football, we had friends come over to our house.

But this time, it was just the three of us.

Mum wasn't quite sure how she'd manage getting us off to sleep; some of us (Noah) are more high maintenance sleepers than others (me).

But in the end, Noah fell asleep on the couch half an hour before the game he desperately wanted to watch on TV, started.

That just left me needing to be put to bed.

And I don't want to boast, but I think we all know that's as simple as put the baby in bed, kiss the baby on the cheek, and walk out the door.

Toot toot!

I had my first train ride today!

Mum and Noah and I (along with some of our very bestest friends) went on a steam train ride to Spring Bluff for a picnic and to look at the carnival flowers.

I slept in the hug-a-bub most of the way there.

Then we had a picnic on the grass before it was time to hop back on board for the return trip.

This time, I wasn't quite so happy. Tonya gave me a cuddle while Mum tried to give me a dummy, and I eventually settled down.

We got back to town and then went to a park for lunch, before walking around the gardens for a while.

I was so tired when we got home that I slept for a solid three hours!

It was a fun day out.

Spreading the love...and the vomit

I had cuddles with three different members of my extended family this morning.

And I managed to vomit on all three of them...as well as the floor. And a chair.

Oh yes, my reflux pain might be under control. But I've been upchucking with abandon!

Nevertheless, I had a nice time with my Great-Nana, Great-Aunty Pam, Mum's cousin Anna, and her two kids Ezra and Joash.

Anna is having a new baby in four weeks. I'm hoping it'll be a girl for me to play with.

Three Months

I'll be three months old tomorrow!

No one has any idea how much I weigh, so I can't give you any vital statistics.

That's because I'm so happy and content that there's been no need to plop me on a set of scales.

But given how quickly I'm growing out of my clothes, it's safe to assume I'm still at the top of the weight charts!

I continue to sleep well. I go to bed between 7 and 8 and wake up about twelve hours later. I have one night feed - usually sometime between 3 and 5am. It only takes me about 20 minutes to top-up my little tank and then I go straight back to sleep.

I don't like staying up any longer than an hour and a half after I've woken up in the morning. Then I'm back down for another three hours. I'm a bit less predictable in the afternoons, but I've been experimenting with a two hour sleep between about 2 and 6pm.

I'm not a huge fan of being rocked or patted to sleep. I prefer just to be fed and then put to bed, fully awake. I just chatter to myself before nodding off. Dad has complained that I don't often fall asleep on his chest like Noah did. But I've done it the last couple of days, just to make him happy.

I smile a lot. Especially at my big brother. He's pretty funny and he likes to make me smile. My very best smiles come out first thing in the morning. I don't even cry when I wake up. I just lie there and chatter and wait for someone to come and get me.

When I'm not asleep, I like to sit in my little chair and watch the world go by. Or I like to snuggle up to Mum in my sling.

I have beautiful blue eyes and I look good in pink.

Splish Splash

We have a new bath-the-baby regimen at our place.

The old regimen, which involved the whole family, was taking too long.

And that meant that we were often missing my bath because it took too long.

And that meant I was at risk of becoming a stinky baby!

So Mum took over the bath-the-baby duties; which of course means it's now become a fast and efficient operation.

But tonight I was having a great time in the bath. I kicked my legs and splashed my hands.

I was having such a good time that Mum let me stay in a little longer.

Sniffle

I have a cold.

Drat.

It's my second cold ever and it's not much fun.

Last night, Mum decided to try out my nifty new suction-the-snot-out-of-the-baby device.

It's a rubber bulb with a nozzle at one end. And it's about as fun as you'd imagine it to be.

I was not impressed and let Mum know I'd rather keep my snot, thanks very much.

I woke up twice in the night, for the first time in a very long time.

But I fed well and went straight back to sleep both times, despite all the sniffling and snuffling.

I'm a little trooper.

Cuddles

I am the youngest kid at our Playgroup.

I won't be for long; two new babies will join our ranks in a couple of months.

So I'm taking advantage of my youngest baby status by having lots of cuddles.

Today, I had three of the mums give me cuddles; my own Mum barely had to hold me at all!

I'm very happy to have other people cuddle me. I'm even happy to fall asleep on foreign shoulders!

Good Morning

I pull out my very best smiles first thing in the morning.

That's quite a clever strategy of mine, because it means everyone is keen to be the first to greet me when I wake up.

Usually, of course, it's Mum or Dad who get up to me.

But sometimes, it's my big brother.

This morning, he woke up first and padded down the hallway towards my room.

"I have to get my baby" he told Mum.

Dad's dress

Today was a special day for me and Dad.

For Dad, because it was Father's Day.

And for me, because I was dedicated at church today.

I wasn't the only baby being dedicated; there were actually seven of us.

But I think I was the only one wearing their Dad's dress!

It was the Christening gown his Grandma made for him a long, long time ago.

But everyone agreed it looked better on me.

I had my grandparents, honorary grandparents, a couple of great-grandparents and my Aunty Lyndall on hand to watch me.

Then we all gathered back at my house for lunch.

By now, though, I was very tired. So after a few photos and cuddles, I was happy to go to go to bed and snooze away the rest of the afternoon!

Shopping Spree

My parents get some crazy ideas sometimes.

Today, they woke up and decided it was a nice day for a trip to the shops.

But not our shops; they wanted to go to some shops on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane!

So we loaded the car up with nappies and a stash of spare clothes for us all (because you just never know when I might spew on a shoulder) and hit the road!

I proved to be a great traveller. Mum assumed I was asleep because I wasn't making any noises. But for a lot of the time I was just enjoying the view outside the window...

And the taste of my toes.

I slept in the sling while we were shopping.

And I slept most of the way home.

Mum and Dad both said I'll be invited to come on the next shopping spree.

But my big brother, on the other hand, might not be!

Visitors

We've had a few visitors over the past couple of days.

Grandma and Grandad came for dinner for the first time since I was born.

We had a great time.

Ok, to be honest, I was a bit unsettled to begin with.

But I settled right down with some lovely cuddles.

And tonight I met my third set of grandparents.

Grandma Glennys and Grandpa Steve aren't technically my grandparents. But they are my grandparents in all the ways that count...because they love me and I love them.

Again, I was a bit unsettled.

But again, I settled with some lovely cuddles.

Spots

I have spots.

No, there's nothing to be alarmed about, I don't have spots on me.

But there are spots all over two walls of my bedroom.

Colourful spots.

And I've just discovered them.

If I turn to the side while I'm on the change table I can see them.

I can also crane my neck right around to see some of the spots behind my change table.

I love my spots.

I smile at them, I gurgle at them and I stare at them for ages.

Unsettled? Who me?

I don't want to boast at all.

But you might be interested to know that I had a record sleep last night.

Mum put me to bed at 8 o'clock.

And I woke up at 6:30 the next morning.

That's ten and a half hours of unbroken sleep!

Mum had been worried that I'd be a bit unsettled after my needles.

I wasn't.

But she knows very well that pride comes before a sleepless night.

So we're keeping quiet on the whole business of me being the Amazing Sleeping Wonder Baby.

Shhhh!

Ouch!

I had my two month immunisations today.

Ouch!

Noah was full of advice on the drive to Kindy before my appointment.

"It'll only hurt for a second" he promised.

Of course his advice comes not from personal experience but from the book 'Elmo Goes to the Doctor'.

I doubt he'd be so flippant if it was his little thigh being jabbed!

First, the doctor took some measurements.

I weighed in at 5.3kg and am 59cm long. That's somewhere in the 80th percentile for both measurements. My head, meanwhile, is just perfectly average.

The doctor then made himself scarce (he doesn't like we babies to associate him with pain) and the nurse did the thing with the needles.

I yelped and went very red in the face but Mum fed me throughout the whole ordeal because the nurse said that breastmilk has recently been found to have anaesthetic qualities.

Not quite enough anaesthetic qualities, if you ask me!

But I settled down very quickly and then slept for the next few hours in the hug-a-bub while Mum did some shopping.

No more needles for two whole months!

Walking with Mum

Mum is on a mission to lose some weight and since I'm apparently responsible for the extra weight (and because where she goes, I go), I get to come along for the ride.

Or rather 'the walk'.

We set off this morning, taking advantage of a brief break in the rain.

I was strapped into the hug-a-bub and Mum was certain I'd be fast asleep before we reached the end of the driveway.

But I wasn't.

No siree!

There was so much to look at and I spent most of the walk, wide-eyed and taking everything in.

Finally, after 25 minutes on the road and five minutes from home, I could keep my little eyes open no longer and fell fast asleep.

Restless

I've been a bit restless today.

You can read that as 'the baby just will not sleep'.

The day started off well, with me waking at 8am after nice long sleep.

Mum was happy about the sleep-in since she'd been up late watching the election coverage (it's quite possible I went to sleep early to avoid the election coverage).

But then we went to church, so I didn't get to have my usual morning sleep.

And after we got home, I continued to catnap and grizzle.

The good news is that grizzly days are usually followed by long sleeps at night.

Democracy

This morning Dad gave Noah and me a little lecture about democracy and voting.

Well, the lecture was aimed more at Noah than me, but I was there and listening.

Democracy, apparently, is something to be excited about and grateful for.

Pfft.

For me, 'democracy in action' meant being removed from the toasty warm indoors to the cold and windy outdoors.

We had to stand in a line (outside) until we could get inside to do the voting thing.

Dad took ages with his big bit of paper.

Mum started work on her big bit of paper but gave up when I started to cry and Noah tried to make friends with the electoral workers (right after he tried to pull apart the ballot box). So she scrunched it up and got a new one.

She was done in the time it took to write the number 1, grumbled a bit about 'not getting to do it properly' and left with me and Noah.

Then we had to wait, in the wind, for Dad.

Brrr...at least this sort of thing only happens every few years.

And I suspect the next time, we little people won't be invited.

Carry me

I have a new sling.

It's called the 'Baby Breeze' for any sling spotters out there.

We bought it because, much as we all love the Hug-a-Bub, it's a bit fiddly to put on and not good for dashing to and from the car at Kindy or the shops. This new sling is even suitable for using at the pool or at the beach!

First Mum had to figure out how to use it (thanks to an instructional video online).

Then she popped me in it.

I fell asleep.

Immediately.

The Baby Breeze is a success!

Poppy's girl

My grandparents arrived today for a quick visit.

I haven't seen Poppy since I was born and I haven't seen Grandma for about a month.

So, naturally, I took full advantage of having extra sets of arms in the house.

During the afternoon when I got a bit grizzly, Poppy picked me up. I was happy as long as he kept moving. In fact, all the pacing of the floor made me sleepy and I was soon fast asleep on Poppy's shoulder.

Not wanting to disturb my slumber (but a bit tired of pacing), Poppy sat down on the couch and I remained fast asleep...for hours!

After dinner, it was Grandma's turn and I slept on her shoulder until bedtime.

Ahh, it's nice to have cuddles.

A good baby

It's official.

I 'sleep through the night'.

Mum hasn't been keen to make such a declaration, since she's well aware that little babies can easily kick the sleeping habit.

But I've been 'sleeping through' consistently for weeks now, and I'm starting to make a habit of these seven, eight and nine hour stretches.

I've even settled into the routine of having a regular three hour morning sleep.

So there you have it.

I'm officially a 'good' baby*.

*Although, truth be told, we don't believe in 'good' and 'bad' babies around here. All babies are good! They're just extra-specially good when they sleep well like I do.

More doctors

Well, what drama we had in our family today.

Noah fell out of the car onto concrete and, in his own words 'boing-ed his head'.

There was blood. He cried. I cried. Mum even cried.

Dad came home and we all went to the doctor.

I looked around the examination room with interest.

"You'll be in here next!" said the nurse to me, while the doctor examined the boing-ed-up head.

Unfortunately, she's right.

It's two-month needles next week.

Sigh.

It's tough, the business of getting bigger.

I ain't heavy

Well actually, I am a bit heavy.

I couldn't say what I weigh, except to report that I have well and truly outgrown my newborn clothes.

But apparently, I'm not so heavy that a three year old couldn't pick me up.

This afternoon, in the rush of everyone getting home and putting away groceries, I found myself sitting in my little chair in the family room, somewhat forgotten.

I cried.

Noah heard me and tried to calm me down with soothing words.

But when that didn't work, he reached down, put his arms around me and hoisted me clear out of my chair.

"Aghhhh" yelled Mum and Dad from the other side of the room.

And suddenly, I was no longer forgotten.

P.S. Here's something worthy of mention, if not its own blog post. Last night I slept for nine straight hours! From 9pm until 6am. It's my longest sleep ever. And yes, to answer a frequently asked question, I was very hungry when I finally woke up.

Meet the baby

We took the pram to church today.

Mum still grumbles about the hassle of it all, but after I slept in the pram at the conference yesterday she can see that it has its advantages.

But she was surprised when people came up to the pram and introduced themselves, as though they were meeting me for the first time.

"You've seen her before, haven't you?" she'd ask.

"Yes" they'd reply "But she's always been hidden in that wrap, fast asleep, with only her feet poking out the bottom".

So today, finally, I got the chance to show off my cute self.

And once again, I proved to Mum that I actually quite like sitting in the pram and being part of all the action.

The Fear of Number Three

One of the greatest fears of the parent of a breastfed newborn, is the Number Three Poo...the 'power poo', as it's called in some circles.

This unhappy phenomenon occurs because breastfed newborns tend to poo infrequently, such as once a week. And when it finally does happen, it tends to be spectacular.

The anticipation of such a poo (when it's been a week without a poo, for instance) will often keep the parents of the breastfed newborn close to home and fearful of venturing out in public.

Well, it had been a week since my last poo, but Mum had no choice but to go out today.

She was helping out at an all-day women's conference at church and, because I require feeding every three hours (or whenever I get a bit peckish), I had to come along. Grandma came too, and her job was to look after me when Mum had to be on stage doing her thing.

Of course, Mum was on high alert over the poo business.

Because failure to react swiftly in the event of a Power Poo would mean she or Grandma would almost certainly end up wearing it.

No sooner had we arrived and taken our seats, when I decided I was a bit peckish.

Mum whisked me off to the parent's room and fed me.

No sooner had we returned and taken our seats once again, when Mum's friend Belinda sniffed that something wasn't quite right.

Thank goodness for Belinda's pregnancy-related heightened sense of smell because in a flash, Mum ripped me from my comfy spot in the hug-a-bub.

Just in time to see me give that look.

The look that's feared by all parents of the breastfed newborn who hasn't done a poo in a week.

Holding me aloft, Mum scrambled out of her seat and raced to the parent's room and plonked me on the change table.

There I filled not one, not two but three nappies. One after the other.

Twenty minutes later, it was safe to return to our seats. All cleaned up and neither of us wearing poo.

Such relief!

Oh, and after that everyone enjoyed the conference.

Keepsakes

I never intended to give an inventory of all the presents I've received since I was born.

That would take a while because I've received lots of beautiful presents from lots of beautiful people.

So many, in fact, that Mum is still trying to get through all the thank-you cards.

But there were two very special presents today.

Mum's friend Tonya has made me the most beautiful quilt and today was Quilt Presentation Day with Tonya and her kids coming over to give it to me.

My quilt is pink and green and has cute babushka dolls on it.

It's just the sort of quilt a little girl will love and treasure forever.

Later, Aunty Lyndall arrived and she brought me a beautiful present too.

It's a very cute little gold locket, just the right size for a little girl.

It's extra special, because it has my initials engraved on the back.

And that's special, because Aunty Lyndall and I share the same initials.

Kindy photos

It was freezing cold today.

And it was blowing a gale.

It was not the sort of weather that any sane person would expose a newborn baby to.

So you'd think I would spend the day tucked up in the warmth of my bassinet, right?

Wrong.

Rain or shine or cyclone, it was Kindy photo day today and that meant we all had to pile into the car and head to Kindy. Where we waited around for an hour. For outdoor photos.

Good grief.

It was so windy that when Mum lifted me up out of the hug-a-bub to put me in my car seat, I nearly blew out of her arms.

Later, we retreated to the relative warmth and windlessness of the shops, where I scored some new clothes!

A sad day

It was a bit of a sad day.

Sad for me because, try as Mum might, I just couldn't get to sleep.

And sad for Mum. For the same reasons.

And because she had a lot of work that just didn't get done!

She's not sure whether I'm grizzly because the reflux medicine hasn't started working yet. Or whether I'm grizzly because of the reflux medicine.

We're going to keep up for just a week and see if it helps me or not.

Reflux

As you know, I have reflux.

I've been on a drug called Zantac for almost two weeks.

It's not doing much good.

I still cough like an old man who's been smoking for fifty years.

It's not good.

When I have these big coughs, Mum knows that I'll come good within a few seconds.

But it tends to freak other people out. Especially if they happen to be holding me!

So we went back to the doctor this afternoon and he prescribed some new medicine.

He also assured Mum that my lungs were perfectly fine and that my cough was just caused by my reflux.

He was also pleased to see me putting on lots of weight and looking very healthy.

Mum thinks it's about time she got me down to the weigh-station to see just how healthy I am!

Dancing with dad

Tonight mum put Noah to bed, and dad was enlisted to look after me.

I was sitting underneath my blinds but got bored quickly. I cried.

Dad had a song playing on the computer, and came out to me and did a little jig before he picked me up. But before he reached down I stopped crying. I stared at him and his dance moves. So he kept 'dancing' and I kept quiet. I did one of my pre-smile content looks, and even pushed my arms out right in front of me. Dad thought it was great, and he kept moving about waving his arms in front of me, and I kept quiet and intrigued. Well, for a few minutes until my tummy, which doesn't care for dancing, decided it was time for a feed!

Pearls

Mum doesn't have a string of pearls...but now I do!


I got a very special present today.

A tiny string of pearls with a little silver butterfly.


It was from my friends Ben and Madeleine and Gabe and Claire.


Mum and Dad think it's beautiful.


I think it would feel pretty good in my mouth, but I'm not allowed to touch it yet.


But we all can't wait until I get to show off my cute little pearls on my cute little wrist.

Friends

I met some new friends today.

Mum's good friend Shelley and her kids Harvey and Olive came up to visit her and Noah and to meet me.

We were meant to visit them last weekend but Noah was sick (you remember that, right? There was lots of spewing going on) so we couldn't go.

I like meeting new people, especially when they arrive with nice presents and tell me that I'm beautiful.

It was a good day.

Babysitter

I was babysat for the very first time today.

Mum has left me with Dad for half an hour here or half an hour there, but no one else has ever looked after me.

However, Mum had her 6 week check-up with her obstetrician today and didn't fancy bringing me along...so Grandma came by to look after Noah and I.

"She's just been fed so if she cries it's probably not from hunger", Mum said as she walked out the door.

Well, that was true. But babies can always find something to cry about. And I did.

When Mum arrived home about an hour later, she was pleased to be greeted by the sounds of silence as she walked in the house and found me fast asleep in Grandma's arms.

But Noah betrayed me by telling the truth.

"Lucy's been fwying!" he said.

Sleep

Everyone loves a baby who sleeps through the night.

And I am such a baby!

By definition, sleeping through the night is a five hour stretch.

Pfft. That's easy. I've done that before.

But last night was the first time Mum didn't have to get up to me in the night.

I slept from 11pm until 5:30am.

What an effort!

Hug the baby

My brother likes to give me hugs.

And he likes to make sure everyone else gets their turn today.

He's been a bit concerned because Sarah, one of his 'Kindy ladies' hadn't had a hold of me yet (he's made sure all the rest have).

Sarah was on duty when we arrived at Kindy, so Noah immediately made the offer of cuddles.

"You hug baby Lucy!" he said.

And when Sarah wasn't quick to respond to the offer, he insisted.

So Sarah got to hold me and Noah was very pleased.

He loves me.

And he likes to share.

Riding high

I like to be carried around over Dad's shoulder.

But only if I can be right up high.

He has to hold me up so my shoulders are a bit higher than his shoulder.

It only works because I have such great neck control.

Dad says holding me like gives him a sore back.

But it's better than the sound of me whinging when he puts me down.

First smile

I've been working up to my first smile for about a week now.

There have been a few 'unofficial' smiles that were close but just not quite there.

Mum says I've been doing plenty of smiling with my eyes.

I save my happiest looks for when I'm on the change table.

And today I did it!

I officially smiled at Mum.

Dad's hoping he scores the second official smile, and not the venetian blinds.

Cute

I'm starting to look cute.

That's what Mum and Dad have been saying.

Apparently I wasn't all that cute when I was first born.

Oh, everyone said how beautiful I was.

But, truth be told, my face was a bit puffy and I had some spots.

Now, I'm losing the squishy newborn look and starting to develop a cute baby look.

And my first proper, intentional smile is just around the corner.

Sleeping through

According to all the baby books, the technical definition of a baby 'sleeping through' the night is five hours.

By that definition, I've slept through the night quite a few times in the past five weeks.

But last night I did it twice!

Mum put me to bed at 8:15. I woke up for a feed at about one o'clock in the morning. I then went straight back to sleep and slept right up until 6:45.

It's definitely the way to win friends around here.

Unsettled

I was a bit out of sorts today.

My day started a bit wrong when I woke up for my feed at 5am instead of about 6:30. I then went back to sleep and when I woke up again at about 8, I wasn't a happy camper.

I didn't want to go back to bed for a morning sleep.

And I didn't want to go to bed for an afternoon sleep.

Finally, Mum strapped me into the hug-a-bub and I slept peacefully for a whole two hours while she cooked the dinner and played with Noah.

Doctor

Mum and I went back to the doctor today.

My reflux has been making me a sad baby after my feeds and Mum and Dad decided it was time to see if the doctor could do something for me.

He could.

I'm now on Zantac, twice a day.

It takes about a week to start working so we're not expecting to see any change just yet.

The immediate challenge is just to keep it in my tummy!

Party all night

Do you remember my first night home from hospital?

Mum and Dad only slept for about half an hour.

I put in another fine sleepless performance last night.

After going to sleep at about 8 o'clock, I then woke up 11.

Mum fed me and popped me back in my bassinet.

But I was having none of it.

I squirmed and cried and made it clear I didn't want to sleep.

Mum paced and rocked and shushed for about an hour before calling for reinforcements.

Dad paced and rocked and shushed for about an hour...but there was no sleeping for me.

He took me out onto the balcony and I paused my carry-on to enjoy the cool breeze, bright lights and loud traffic noises.

But I couldn't stay out there.

Eventually, at about four o'clock in the morning Mum pulled out the fail-safe last resort.

The hug-a-bub.

I resisted sleep for about five minutes and then nodded off.

But the hug-a-bub only works while the person wearing it keeps moving.

Mum finally took me out and I stayed asleep on her chest.

That was at about five o'clock.

An hour later, we were all woken up by Noah.

"It's daytime!"

Reflux

Remember how Mum didn't think I had reflux?

Well she was wrong.

I had my first check-up at the doctor's today and he says I definitely have reflux.

Classic, textbook reflux.

That means I'm not allowed to lie flat on any surface. My bed is already raised at one end but now my change table has to be too. And Mum and Dad are meant to encourage me to use a dummy!

The good news is that I'm what's known as a 'happy chucker'.

That means I'm generally happy and gaining weight well.

I'm certainly gaining weight well! I weighed in at 4.7kg today, that's well over 10 pounds for all of you non-metric folk.

And the extra weight is helping me sleep well. I managed a five hour stretch last night, which made Mum pretty happy.

Bath time

We have a little nighttime ritual at our house.

Actually it's more than a little ritual, it's more like a major production.

We call it bath-the-baby time.

Dad's job is to fill up the baby bath and then put it in the middle of the bathroom floor.

Noah's job is to collect a towel and two face washers from my cupboard.

Mum grabs the inflatable change mat.

All of these items are then assembled on the bathroom floor.

Dad takes his place on the left side of the bath.

Noah sits on his little stool at the top of the bath, near my head.

Mum sits on the right side and is responsible for holding me while I'm in the bath.

Noah is in charge of one washer, which he uses to wash my hair. Gently. And under close supervision. He is generally full of encouragement and advice.

Then, using the other washer, Dad gives me a good wipe all over.

I like to spend the next few minutes kicking my legs and relaxing.

Noah uses that time to stand on his stool and sing a song about 'baby Lucy in the bath'. '

Then Mum gets me out, wraps me up in a towel and whisks me into my room to get dressed.

Noah's job is then to bucket the water out of the baby bath and into the big bath...until he gets bored and Dad tips the rest out by himself.

And that's the way we bath-the-baby at our house.

Costume changes

How many little Wondersuits does a small baby need?

I bet it's more than you think!

Mum has been hanging out the washing and marvelling at how many costume changes I have in any given day.

Today I woke up in a blue suit (yes, I know. I am a girl. But I'm also a second child and that involves wearing hand-me-downs).

Then I got a bit of spew on it so I was put in my green suit.

Then it was time to don my pink suit.

And then my purple suit.

Then it was bedtime.

And when I go to bed, Mum gets busy putting all of these little suits in the wash to be hung out and recycled again the next day.

At least no one can accuse me of not getting good use out of all my clothes!

Sniffle

I have a sniffle.

Actually, it's more like a snort.

Someone in my family...or possibly all of them...have passed their cold onto me.

So now I'm a bit snotty.

It not much fun when I'm trying to have a feed.

I'm being brave. I even got through the night with just one wake-up!

But we're all hoping I'll be better soon.

A good day

We all had a good day here at home.

A good day for me involves good feeds and good sleeps.

I had two good sleeps in my bassinet and another long sleep in the hug-a-bub.

My miracle blanket seems to be doing its job - I haven't found a way to escape it yet so I stay nice and wrapped up and warm.

But it won't be long before I no longer fit in my bassinet.

Mum thinks I'll probably have to move to the cot when I'm about six weeks old.

Unsettled

I was a bit unsettled today.

I only wanted to feed.

But after I'd had a feed, I would get a tummy ache.

After having a good sleep in the morning, Mum couldn't settle me down in my cot for an afternoon sleep.

In the end, she decided to give up and pop me into the hug-a-bub. I love it in there and fall asleep straight away.

I wasn't much in the mood for sleep at nighttime either so Dad took charge of settling me until midnight.

It turns out I picked a bad day to be unsettled since Mum and Dad are both feeling sick.

But everyone is glad that I haven't picked up their cold.

Playgroup and Poos

I went to playgroup for the first time today!

It's exactly three weeks since I made my entrance into the world.

Everyone was very happy to meet me and I spent the whole time snuggled in a variety of arms.

I was a bit windy when we got home. I did some big burps and then Mum heard some familiar sounds from my nappy.

She popped me up on the change table and assembled all her supplies.

When I do a power poo, you had better have plenty of wipes on hand.

Mum took off my nappy to clean me all up. But then when she lifted up my legs to wipe my bottom, a big stream of bright orange poo came out!

She cleaned it up. Then lifted up my legs...and another big stream of poo!

It happened three times before I finished things off with a couple of big farts.

And now Mum says we need more wipes.

Houdini

I've got pretty strong muscles for an almost three-week-old.

And now my little muslin swaddle is no match for me.

Mum's been wrapping me nice and snugly so that I won't whack myself in the face with my wayward hands in the night.

Now I'm getting a bit bigger and figuring out how to break free. And that's brought with it some unintentional nocturnal face whacking. Which wakes me up.

But I might have met my match.

Mum's bought a fancy new swaddle called a Miracle Blanket and it arrived in the mail today.

It's in the wash and we'll try it out tomorrow to see just how miraculous it really is.

Good baby

Mum doesn't really like it when babies are referred to as 'good' or 'bad' babies.

But even she has to concede that, by most definitions, I'm a pretty good baby.

I even managed a five hour stretch last night!

That impressed Mum no end, because she was pretty tired after having visitors for the weekend.

She was even more impressed when I followed it up with a big sleep in the morning.

Because we were all tired we skipped church today.

And Mum and I both had nice, long sleeps.

Out and about

We've got visitors staying with us for the weekend.

So, when we all got up this morning, Mum decided that we should get out of the house and have some fun.

The 'we', of course, included me.

I've only ever had short trips out of the house before so Mum was interested to see how I'd go with a bigger trip.

We started off at the shops, where the bigger kids looked at toys and the mums looked at clothes.

Then we went and had lunch. I'd been content to sleep in the hug-a-bub until lunch time. Then i decided that I'd like some lunch too, so Mum gave me a feed.

Afterwards, we all went to the park for a few hours.

It turns out I quite like being out and about and Mum was impressed with how well I did. I think there'll be more trips to the park in the near future.

Wind

I've been getting a fair bit of wind lately.

It makes me scrunch up my face and squirm.

Dad wonders if it's because we ate pizza yesterday, and they blamed pizza for my big brother's windy baby days, but mum thinks it might just be a rite of passage.

Hiccups

If hiccuping were a sport, I could hiccup for Australia.

I hiccup all the time, but especially after feeds.

It's often when I'm nice and sleepy and Mum or Dad is about to pop me in my bed...

...that I give a little squeak.

And that signals the start of an episode of the hiccups.

It's often accompanied by little squeaks, which Mum tries not to laugh at.

And while my hiccups don't usually last for long, they do happen all the time.

Everyone hopes it's something I'll soon outgrow.

Keep me warm

It was a freezing cold day today.

Mum should have let Dad take the car.

But instead she decided to drive him and Noah to work and Kindy.

And that meant I had to get in and out of the car twice!

But I was brave and Mum kept me all wrapped up in my blanket. I even got some bonus cuddles with the Kindy ladies.

The rest of the day we spent tucked up at home and I impressed Mum with two good sleeps in my bassinet.

Two weeks

I'm growing up!

Two weeks old today.

Today was a significant day in my two weeks because it was the first day Mum and Noah and I spent home alone.

There was a bit of trouble when Noah decided to ride his noisy firetruck up and down the hallway while Mum was trying to put me to sleep.

But we all survived...and I even had a few good sleeps!

Coffee and shops

We had our first mother-daughter trip to the shops today.

First we dropped Noah off at Kindy.

Then Mum decided that she and I had spent too much time hanging around at home.

So into the hug-a-bub I went and the two of us hit the shops.

I stayed asleep the whole time.

Then, on the way home, we dropped in to see Tonya and Amy and Sam.

I also got to meet Nash, a little boy who was born a couple of days before me. We both got lots of nice cuddles.