This cold is dragging on. Can't go to the swimming lesson today because both kids are snot machines.
Hazel is making heavy weather of her morning nap. She took ages to settle, then slept OK for the first 40 minutes (as usual). Now I'm popping in every five minutes to resettle her. Not the best technique I am sure.
It doesn't help that she coughs and wakes herself. She sounds like a smoker. I'm hoping it's not a lung infection yet. Time to get her up, I have had enough dashing in and resettling.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Smoke Haze
When the wind is just right, the morning sun shines through thick smoke from the bushfires, and glows orange in a red haze. The house is filled with apocalyptic orange light.
Crabby babies
With snotty noses and sore legs. Still, they slept from 8.15 PM to 4.30 AM without needing me. Hazel needed re-dummying lots of times after 4.30, but it was not too bad.
It feels so civilised to do the first feed of the day at 7 AM, after the sun is up and everything!
It feels so civilised to do the first feed of the day at 7 AM, after the sun is up and everything!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
A Thought
Trudi is making dinner so I am just sitting here spewing thoughts out my fingers, onto the keyboard, and into this blog. Sorry folks, nasty metaphor.
Here's my thought:
One of these days - maybe next week - I will try dropping the "roll-over feed". This is the one where I wake them to feed them, four hours after their dinner. The idea is that it's better to feed them at a sensible hour like 10, and hope that does them until 7, rather than having them wake hungry at 3 AM.
Cos we fed them tonight at 5.30 PM, the roll-over feed will be at 9.30. This is good. Last night they had dinner really late, so the roll-over was at 11. I slept for a while and set the alarm.
So once they are over their colds and the immunisations (it's been a big week), I'll try dropping it and see when they wake. Maybe they will be able to go through the night without it. Of course if they do my boobs will explode so I'll have to express in the night.
Here's my thought:
One of these days - maybe next week - I will try dropping the "roll-over feed". This is the one where I wake them to feed them, four hours after their dinner. The idea is that it's better to feed them at a sensible hour like 10, and hope that does them until 7, rather than having them wake hungry at 3 AM.
Cos we fed them tonight at 5.30 PM, the roll-over feed will be at 9.30. This is good. Last night they had dinner really late, so the roll-over was at 11. I slept for a while and set the alarm.
So once they are over their colds and the immunisations (it's been a big week), I'll try dropping it and see when they wake. Maybe they will be able to go through the night without it. Of course if they do my boobs will explode so I'll have to express in the night.
Hazel Seems To Be Asleep
I haven't decided if I use Title Caps for the Titles of The Blog Posts, or if I don't. Stay tuned for a decision.
Hazel is asleep now, or at least she is quiet. I find it really hard to know when she is grizzling and making winding-down noises, and when she's getting upset and needs my help. I think tonight I let her go on a bit long when she had changed from grizzling to being upset. Bad mummy.
We are about to watch a video together! Hellboy 2. I expect I will watch an hour of it and then go to bed. WHERE I EXPECT TO GET SOME SLEEP. I am still amazed by the way I get to SLEEP for more than one hour in a row.
Hazel is asleep now, or at least she is quiet. I find it really hard to know when she is grizzling and making winding-down noises, and when she's getting upset and needs my help. I think tonight I let her go on a bit long when she had changed from grizzling to being upset. Bad mummy.
We are about to watch a video together! Hellboy 2. I expect I will watch an hour of it and then go to bed. WHERE I EXPECT TO GET SOME SLEEP. I am still amazed by the way I get to SLEEP for more than one hour in a row.
Sore legs
They won't get polio, hep B, some nasty flu called hib, diptheria, tetanus, whooping cough, or pneumococcal disease, which is good, but today they have sore legs.
One jab in each leg. The needle is very fine, but it went in awfully far. It's no fun being four months old.
One jab in each leg. The needle is very fine, but it went in awfully far. It's no fun being four months old.
Things are on the up
Hazel's cold is improving. Ivy's was not fun yesterday, but she is on the mend too, and I'm nearly better. All in all, a successful first cold.
Yesterday Ivy got really upset when she had a small fever. Trudi went out to get some Baby Panadol, and within ten minutes of taking it, Ivy was smiling again. Marvellous stuff.
The sleeping thing is going pretty well. I think I am over-settling still - rushing in at the first squeak and patting madly. I think I'm trying to avert a big crying event, which is silly, because we don't have many of those.
Last night after we put the girls to bed, I kept chatting with Trudi on the couch while Hazel made noises and chatted to herself. After about half an hour - silence! She had gone to sleep on her own! I did the same thing during the night. When I heard them stir and squeak I STAYED IN BED. This worked well twice, and another time I got up and put Hazel's dummy back in. All good.
However during the day yesterday I did waay too much dummy-popping. Will have to hold off today to see how H handles it.
Immunisations today, as well. They are four months old.
Also, someone at work has rubella, so Trudi went to get her immunity tested on Monday. Turns out she's either had it or been immunised for it: she's immune, so she won't carry it home to the girls. I've also been immunised.
Yesterday Ivy got really upset when she had a small fever. Trudi went out to get some Baby Panadol, and within ten minutes of taking it, Ivy was smiling again. Marvellous stuff.
The sleeping thing is going pretty well. I think I am over-settling still - rushing in at the first squeak and patting madly. I think I'm trying to avert a big crying event, which is silly, because we don't have many of those.
Last night after we put the girls to bed, I kept chatting with Trudi on the couch while Hazel made noises and chatted to herself. After about half an hour - silence! She had gone to sleep on her own! I did the same thing during the night. When I heard them stir and squeak I STAYED IN BED. This worked well twice, and another time I got up and put Hazel's dummy back in. All good.
However during the day yesterday I did waay too much dummy-popping. Will have to hold off today to see how H handles it.
Immunisations today, as well. They are four months old.
Also, someone at work has rubella, so Trudi went to get her immunity tested on Monday. Turns out she's either had it or been immunised for it: she's immune, so she won't carry it home to the girls. I've also been immunised.
Monday, February 16, 2009
It Worked
After quite a bit of fussing and a lot of patting and comforting, Hazel had a nap, then they both had another feed. Poor ol Hazel has a cold - her first! I have it too, so I hope she is getting lots of immune-system support from my milk. Anyway, the nap helped, the feed went OK, and they went to bed at 9.
I set my alarm for 11.30, and fed them then. They had slept nicely until then, and continued to do so after the feed.
I resettled Hazel at 2.30 AM and again at 5.30 AM. Really easy both times. Hazel woke at 7, and we started our day. Easy!
That was only a ten-hour sleep for them last night, so they might not be as cruisy today as in the last week. I want to try to make their last feed of the day earlier today... I need luck!
Off to resettle Ivy. I can hear her yowling.
I set my alarm for 11.30, and fed them then. They had slept nicely until then, and continued to do so after the feed.
I resettled Hazel at 2.30 AM and again at 5.30 AM. Really easy both times. Hazel woke at 7, and we started our day. Easy!
That was only a ten-hour sleep for them last night, so they might not be as cruisy today as in the last week. I want to try to make their last feed of the day earlier today... I need luck!
Off to resettle Ivy. I can hear her yowling.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
OK It's All Crap
Hazel is refusing to nap. My magic patting techniques are no use, and she all of a sudden hates her dummy. Shit.
The Sailor Home from the Sea
I came home today, with Ivy and Hazel. We've been at Northpark Hospital since Monday, learning about settling and getting some SLEEP.
I slept. The girls slept.
The things that have changed:
* We feed them only every 3-4 hours. I try to stretch their feeds towards the 4-hour mark, but 3 is fine too.
* Hazel still sleeps only for 40 minutes at a time in the day, but I always try to resettle her when she wakes. Usually doesn't work but I should keep trying. I have lots of new cool patting skills.
* At night, they go to bed at 6-8pm, whenever it makes sense, and they go to sleep fairly well. If they wake up I resettle them. They continue to sleep. Then at around 10 (four hours after their last feed), I go in and feed them as gently as possible, then back they go to bed. This arrangement means that they SLEEP UNTIL 7AM WITHOUT NEEDING TO BE FED!
It's amazing. The first night in the hospital was OK: they slept most of the night but I churned and didn't sleep. The second night I took a Temazapam and slept well, but got up to feed them at about 1am. After that, I didn't need the sleeping pill any more, and the little bunnies slept 11, 12, or 13 hours each night. UNBELIEVABLE! Will it continue? Stay tuned to find out.
I slept. The girls slept.
The things that have changed:
* We feed them only every 3-4 hours. I try to stretch their feeds towards the 4-hour mark, but 3 is fine too.
* Hazel still sleeps only for 40 minutes at a time in the day, but I always try to resettle her when she wakes. Usually doesn't work but I should keep trying. I have lots of new cool patting skills.
* At night, they go to bed at 6-8pm, whenever it makes sense, and they go to sleep fairly well. If they wake up I resettle them. They continue to sleep. Then at around 10 (four hours after their last feed), I go in and feed them as gently as possible, then back they go to bed. This arrangement means that they SLEEP UNTIL 7AM WITHOUT NEEDING TO BE FED!
It's amazing. The first night in the hospital was OK: they slept most of the night but I churned and didn't sleep. The second night I took a Temazapam and slept well, but got up to feed them at about 1am. After that, I didn't need the sleeping pill any more, and the little bunnies slept 11, 12, or 13 hours each night. UNBELIEVABLE! Will it continue? Stay tuned to find out.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Minke Is Still Around
Contrary to indications, we still have cats and they are still cute. Here is Minke in the vegie garden, lying on a board.
By the way, we've cut the poor ol vegie garden loose: no more watering this summer. I 've been neglecting it so badly that any further effort is just throwing good water after bad. Or something.
Lots of blogging right now because we've just put the babies to bed, and I'm hanging around waiting for when I have to dash in and replace a dummy, or pat someone who has got herself into a frantic state of wiggling. The occasional shout from Ivy; otherwise silence. Time for dinner.
Swimming Lessons Rock
Although it was a recordly hot day here in sunny Melbourne, and half the state was on fire, we had a lovely swimming lesson.
We went to a heated indorr physiotherapy pool at a hospital, walked down the ramp intothe pool with a baby each, and commenced to swish them around.
The teacher, Katie, was lovely. Very capable, calm, and kind. She borrowed each of the babies in the class to demonstrate the next thing. Near the end, she took each baby and calmly dunked it under the water. only one baby cried after this treatment. The rest, Ivy and Hazel included, simply spluttered a little and then continued being fairly happy. Katie asked us not to do this ourselves: she said that you have to be very calm and practised to do it, and we'll come to it in a couple of weeks.
Judy came along, and took photos from poolside. At one point Ivy craned her neck to watch Judy. Very cute. Next week my mum, Ann, will come. Perhaps she can video proceedings.
We went to a heated indorr physiotherapy pool at a hospital, walked down the ramp intothe pool with a baby each, and commenced to swish them around.
The teacher, Katie, was lovely. Very capable, calm, and kind. She borrowed each of the babies in the class to demonstrate the next thing. Near the end, she took each baby and calmly dunked it under the water. only one baby cried after this treatment. The rest, Ivy and Hazel included, simply spluttered a little and then continued being fairly happy. Katie asked us not to do this ourselves: she said that you have to be very calm and practised to do it, and we'll come to it in a couple of weeks.
Judy came along, and took photos from poolside. At one point Ivy craned her neck to watch Judy. Very cute. Next week my mum, Ann, will come. Perhaps she can video proceedings.
First Swimming Lesson Today
And it's going to be 45 C :-(
We will buy some reusable Eenees swim nappies at the pool. We mums have to wear dark t-shirts in the water, and the reason will be given during the lesson. How excitement!
The swim teachers are Fish Links, who seem to be the only outfit in Melbourne who will teach babies under six months. They just happen to be nearby in Brunswick.
We will buy some reusable Eenees swim nappies at the pool. We mums have to wear dark t-shirts in the water, and the reason will be given during the lesson. How excitement!
The swim teachers are Fish Links, who seem to be the only outfit in Melbourne who will teach babies under six months. They just happen to be nearby in Brunswick.
Ethnic Stereotyping in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace
This is what I was thinking about last night, when I wasn't sleeping. I mean really.
Crafty and subservient Japanese baddies, a goofy Jamaican native guide, crafty and stingy Jewish businessman.
Did I miss any? I hope not; tonight I want to SLEEP.
Crafty and subservient Japanese baddies, a goofy Jamaican native guide, crafty and stingy Jewish businessman.
Did I miss any? I hope not; tonight I want to SLEEP.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Skipped a Night-Time Feed
Hazel and Ivy went to bed at about 7pm last night, and then Hazel woke every 40 minutes for a couple of hours. We settled her each time. Then, they simply stirred a little every hour, but SLEPT ON.
By midnight I had had enough of listening to their little stirrings, and thinking OK this is it, I'll get up and feed them, only to watch them fall asleep again. I woke them to feed them - ridiculous I know, but I couldn't go to sleep because I "knew" that they were about to wake for a feed. After that they fed at 3am and 5.30am, as usual.
I wonder if this is the new pattern? I'll be sure to go to bed early tonight, to catch the wave of sleep if it exists.
By midnight I had had enough of listening to their little stirrings, and thinking OK this is it, I'll get up and feed them, only to watch them fall asleep again. I woke them to feed them - ridiculous I know, but I couldn't go to sleep because I "knew" that they were about to wake for a feed. After that they fed at 3am and 5.30am, as usual.
I wonder if this is the new pattern? I'll be sure to go to bed early tonight, to catch the wave of sleep if it exists.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Ivy Laughed
Yesterday Ange, Ange, Olive and Toby visited. Ange Mackie and Olive were chatting with Ivy, who was in a very smiley mood all day, and Ivy let out a huge long laugh! Mum had just gone home, so she missed it. I expect that there will eventually be enough laughs to go around.
A Room of Their Own
Trudi played furniture Tetris a few days ago, and the girls' cots are now out of our bedroom, and in their own room. Trudi still sleeps up the other end of the house because I get up and feed the little bunnies every three hours. i hope they will drop a night feed one of these days!
Their sleep has been remarkably unflustered by the change. I thought it would be cataclysmic. Their sleep is pretty ordinary anyway...
We are in the queue fo a sleep school stay at Northpark Hospital in Bundoora. I'm hoping to go there early next week. Depends on when the people in there now leave. They can only fit in so many families... It's a private hospital, but our health insurance will cover it.
T's mum Judy is staying with us for a few days now. She's out walking the babies in the pram, so I have a moment to tell the world about that fact.
Their sleep has been remarkably unflustered by the change. I thought it would be cataclysmic. Their sleep is pretty ordinary anyway...
We are in the queue fo a sleep school stay at Northpark Hospital in Bundoora. I'm hoping to go there early next week. Depends on when the people in there now leave. They can only fit in so many families... It's a private hospital, but our health insurance will cover it.
T's mum Judy is staying with us for a few days now. She's out walking the babies in the pram, so I have a moment to tell the world about that fact.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Continuing sleep dramas
Hazel, and to a lesser extent, Ivy, does not like heat or the air conditioner. That's what we think might be going on here.
For a full seven nights of the heatwave Hazel did not accept the "bedtime" concept. Then on the eighth night, when the heat was less so the air con was off, she went off to sleep at 7.30 and only woke for feeds through the night. Coincidence? Possibly! We will never know!
Last night was very average again though. They were both unsettled all night, taking a while to go back to sleep after each feed.
Two new ideas:
1. Sleep school. Ben chatting with Northpark Hospital in Bundoora about getting in to their four-night residential sleep school thingo.
2. Move the cots into their own room. I asked about this on the AMBA forum (lots of other parents of multiples, mostly mums of twins), and lots of women wrote about their success with doing this. I hope to still be able to wake in time to get to Ivy before she wakes properly.
Should we move the cots before or after the sleep school stay? I'm inclined to do it before, so we learn about how to handle the new situation.
For a full seven nights of the heatwave Hazel did not accept the "bedtime" concept. Then on the eighth night, when the heat was less so the air con was off, she went off to sleep at 7.30 and only woke for feeds through the night. Coincidence? Possibly! We will never know!
Last night was very average again though. They were both unsettled all night, taking a while to go back to sleep after each feed.
Two new ideas:
1. Sleep school. Ben chatting with Northpark Hospital in Bundoora about getting in to their four-night residential sleep school thingo.
2. Move the cots into their own room. I asked about this on the AMBA forum (lots of other parents of multiples, mostly mums of twins), and lots of women wrote about their success with doing this. I hope to still be able to wake in time to get to Ivy before she wakes properly.
Should we move the cots before or after the sleep school stay? I'm inclined to do it before, so we learn about how to handle the new situation.
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