Sunday, March 17, 2013

5 months for Harris and Potty training for Murray and a quiet Coffee for Al and Me.

5 Months

Harris is 5 months today! The time seems to just fly in with a second baby! I got him weighed on Monday past and he was 15lbs 2oz. I think we'll definitely be looking out for readiness to wean him onto his initial solids although as we are currently potty training Murray I am happy to wait a little longer to keep another activity out of the mix.

Potty Training

Potty training is going OK with Murray. He was not terribly bothered about disturbing his busy work of play to sit on the potty, so, on the advice of the book I am using as advice, I've taken to using a bit of bribery - choccy buttons and collecting stickers for prizes seems to be helping enormously and yesterday he spent all day in pants except for 3 hours while we were out. He's doing really well with wees, but not so sure about pooping in the potty. It's early days though and he'll get there.

Bugs

Both the boys have been poorly this week with some yukky bug - poor Murray has had temperatures and v v tired - so much so he has slept in until 8.30am 3 times - this is a lie in of 3 hours or so and he's needed a nap! Tired boy. Harris has been saved temps, but was so choked up last night he could hardly breathe, so I was up with him from 2 - 3am trying to de stuff him - poor wee soul. The virus has brought out a wee rash too. I so hate it when they are sick.

Quiet Coffee

Today we headed up to Tiso for lunch and after Murray had eaten we put him into the soft play area where you can leave them with staff. So funny as we leave him at nursery every week, but I felt quite nervous. Anyway he LOOOVED it - just wanted to pop back and check we were still in the cafe once. I must say it was fab to be able to have a coffee in peace. At the end we watched him run all around the soft play like such a big boy! He is so growing up - he even put his jacket on all by himself yesterday. Feel quite emotional about them both getting so big!

Friday, March 8, 2013

Photo Update of the boys!

This Photo was taken at 20 weeks and I just looo-oove it!


Joint Bath Time - Murray loves it!

Harris too!


We went out to feed the ducks and do the little loop at Benny Beag with Murray on his Trike and as it was such a dry sunny day there were loads of climbers.Murray decided he wanted to be a climber, so here he is - The Matterhorn next!




Feeding the Ducks and Murray 'Riding' his trike.

Out for an Explore.

These photos are a bit older and Harris is still learning to smile and giggle 'on cue' LOL!


Playdough fun with the boys. Murray in his straw hat that was totally broken but I didn't dare throw out until I got a replacement! 

Murray's Fire engine that we made in one of our arts and crafts sessions.

Snowman fun with the snow man kit (wooden carrot, button, eyes etc), Aunty Fe got him.

Murray joining in morning cuddles at first feed!

Love this pic - can't remember what Murray and I are laughing at!

Making pankcakes - Murray loves baking.

Sweet, sweet Harris.


After dinner, Murray said, 'I want to sit on your knee' and sat there calmly and wriggle free for about 15 mins while we all chatted - heaven.

Harris in Murray's new hat!

Benjamin's Batismal cakes - I bought the beautiful one on the right from the coffee shop in our village who make cakes to order and Murray decorated the one on the left - clever boy!

We booked ourselves a wee hol for Benjamon's Baptism and as my folks were there too,they let Al and I get a walk - here we are at Loch Muik - snw showers and sunshine - cracking.



We went up the next day with the boys and despite Murray falling asleep so us needing to drive around for a while; Harris' bottom exploding into his nappy during said drive and thus needing changed in the car and then Harris needing an early feed (again in the car) we finally got out for Murray to have a fun tromp in the snow.


Harris looking cute.

Where we were staying for Benjamin's baptism there was a hotel attached to the lodges and we could use the pool. In the changing rooms there were these little seats and Murray thought they were great to sit in while either Al or I git dressed. He also loved my swimming goggles!

Our Lodge.

Hopefully next I'll upload some videos. Hope you like the photos - I love them.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Update overdue!

I wrote this a few weeks ago:

Suddenly Harris is 17 weeks and almost 4 months. It is funny because a couple of weeks ago I felt like it was never going to get to 4 months and suddenly it is. 0-12 weeks seemed to fly, probably due to Christmas and Harris Baptism, but 12- 15 weeks were pretty rough. I think mainly due to a combination of: Murray up at 4 or 5am most mornings and not napping so hideously tired and naughty; Harris choked up with the cold so coughing and spluttering through the night and not feeding v well (on/off/on/off) in the day resulting in me having not a lot of sleep. Not a great mix! Anyhoo, after reading various toddler books, I've realised I cannot get Murray back to sleep, so just have to cope with him being tired as best as poss and hope the next night he'll sleep properly. in addition, just try to manage the behaviour as best as poss by strategic ignoring, distraction and time out (so so much easier said than done as he can be tenacious!).

Anyway, Harris had his 4 month jags today and went to bed bawling his eyes out wee soul. Fingers crossed that's him settled and sleeps OK. I got him weighed today too and he is now 14lbs 2oz so almost double his birth weight - clever wee man.

Last Wednesday, my sister had her first baby. She had a baby boy so I am now an aunty! How lovely. my mum, dad, Harris and I nipped up to Aberdeen the day she had him to get a sneeky peak and he was gorgeous - loads of dark hair! I'm so happy Harris is going to have a wee buddy only 16 weeks younger than him. Well done, clever sis. He is now baptised and I am a God mum as well as an Aunty - I am one lucky lady.

Now Harris will be 20 weeks tomorrow and apart from him having another cold so more snorting through the night, things are going pretty well. I feel like I have more of  handle on Murray's behaviour and as such he has really turned a corner and the happy little fella I always had is back - yes he has his moments and yes I need to keep him in check at times, but I've given up fretting about getting him to sleep later - if he's up v early eg 5am ish I bundle him into the car if we're not heading somewhere anyway so he'll have a nap and the afternoon is pleasant. Not entirely environmentally friendly, but tough - it is mummy sanity friendly! If he sleeps to nearer 6, he can cope all day with no nap despite being done in at the end of the day.

We have started potty training with Murray. We've done up to 3 hours in pants and he's doing well.  His stubborness comes out though and he is v determined when he does NOT want to sit on the potty! LOL. Only ruddy boy I know that isn't that fussed on stickers - hoping his new fireman sam ones will help 'encourage' him! Next step is longer in the pants and then outside! Yikes!

Murray is becoming so loving with Harris - it makes my heart swell with love and pride. He gives him big cuddles and this am he was stroking Harris' hands while Harris was practising his grip. Toooo sweet. He likes it when Harris giggles and smiles.

Harris is getting stronger and stronger and loves to sing and try out his voice - not so great druing te night, but it is lovely to hear. He is holding his head up laying on his front and is sitting much more on my hip. He has the BEST giggle and loves silly songs.

I really want to upload some pics and I'm going to devote a night to do just that. It all takes so long that there have been loads of nights I've sat down to do it and then looked at the clock and though - oof, I'm off to bed.

Exercise has been going pretty well - in general I've hit 4 times a week which usually included 2 swims of 125 lengths; 1 gym session or hike + 1 spin or hike. I'm happy with the 4 times a week. I find it quite a nice balance. I'd always love to do more, but in reality, 4 is plenty for now as both Al and I need to juggle our times and get a chance to catch up at some point too!


A wee photo to keep you updated on happy smiley Harris.