Babies
Finally Toilet Trained!
Written by Lisa on Tuesday 22 January 2008
We've done it! We've toilet trained a child or the third and final time, and that feels good!
Just before Christmas, Daniel decided that he didn't want to wear a nappy anymore. We had known from late summer that he was ready, but in our laziness kept putting the inevitable off. We just didn't want to spend a week mopping up puddles from every corner of the house.
New Words Every Day
Written by Lisa on Tuesday 8 May 2007
I just love the stage that our baby boy is at right now. Actually I should probably stop calling him a baby, he is more of a toddler at this point. But he is our youngest and last and I want to have a baby for just a bit longer! Anyway back to the point, Daniel is 21 months old and chattering like a monkey! I love watching the joy on his face when I understand what he is saying, and more often than not what he wants to eat. Many of Daniels first words have been food or drink related. Unsurprising, considering thats all he ever wants to do.
- Lisa's blog
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When To Stop Breastfeeding
Written by Lisa on Friday 7 July 2006
When all my children were babies I said that I would breastfeed them for as long as they were interested (within reason of course!) and both Rachel and Jake weaned themselves at just over a year old. Daniel seemed a much more enthusiastic feeder though, and up until a few weeks ago I could imagine me feeding him for at least another six months. How wrong I was.
More Boys Than Girls Are Being Born In The World
Written by Lisa on Thursday 6 July 2006
I read an article today about world birth rates and the fact that the amount of males born is signigicantly higher than the amount of females. It made for very interesting reading, and pointed out that this skewed birth rate is causing problems in some countries (such as China) where men are beginning to find that there just aren't enough women to go around.
Reading the piece reminded me of my feelings and concerns when I found out that I was expecting my sons.
When I was growing up I always imagined a family with at least 2 or 3 daughters, I couldn't imagine what it would be like to have a son.
When I found out that I was pregnant with a boy during my second pregnancy I was slightly nervous. I wondered if I could parent a boy, I imagined a crazy toddler turning into a surly young man who is conditioned to bottle up his emotions and remain difficult to reach.
Everyone I spoke to with sons disagreed. Each and every person told me that wee girls are much harder work, they want to rule the house, while boys are much more placid and easy going.
To date my experience has been immensely positive and I can't believe I was ever worried. My three children are all precious to me, it makes no difference what gender they happen to be.
I think my concerns must have stemmed from the fact I have two sisters very close in age to me, my brothers are a lot younger, one has yet to reach his teenage years. As my father was not around for most of my childhood, my experience of family life was very much a female orientated one.
I am lucky to have an excellent husband who is very much involved in the childrens lives. This will hopefully come in useful in those teenage years, when embarrassing topics have to be broached, and my son may not actually want my input into his love life, or romantic crises. And I am now wise enough to realise that my daughter is unlikely to want to confide in me about her first love or hot crushes either. Surly teenage behaviour is not limited to the males of our species, I can all too well remember the trouble I gave my own mother!
My sister is currently 5 months pregnant and strangely, experiencing exactly the same worries as I did, way back when. I am trying to give her the benefit of my experience, but I know that once the baby is born, no matter what the sex is, she will realise for herself, what a precious gift a baby is, and that sex is irrelevant to the love you feel for that person who is piece of you.
- Lisa's blog
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How To Find The Time To Give Children Individual Attention
Written by Lisa on Monday 19 June 2006
I'm a great believer in the school of thought that all children need regular, one to one, individual attention. I notice that if one of the kids is going through a spell of bad behaviour and we make sure they receive more individual time with us, it makes a big difference to their outlook and mood.
Breast Is Not Only Best, Its Cheaper Too!
Written by Lisa on Friday 12 May 2006
I love breastfeeding. I breastfed all my children until they were at least a year old, and at almost nine months old, Daniel is showing no signs of stopping.
I am well versed in all the health benefits of breastfeeding, both for baby and me, but one aspect I hadn't thought of was the cost.
According to this study I have already saved myself at least $567.42 just by breastfeeding Daniel. If you take Rachel and Jake into the equation also, I have saved myself approximately $2000 on formula milk since my children have been born.
As many of you will know I am the bargain queen, and I am so chuffed that I have been saving myself money for the last four years without even knowing it! Good for me.
New Mum Seeking New Friends
Written by Lisa on Wednesday 3 May 2006
I came across this article "New Mom Seeking New Friends" a while back on Daily Bulletin, and it took me way back to when Rachel was first born..
Becoming a mother for me was quite an isolating experience. I was the first out of all my friends to have a baby, I didn't know anyone in my area, and other than my mum I had no one to talk to all day while Gerard, my sisters and my friends worked.
Breastfeeding, Cracked Nipples, The First Difficult Weeks
Written by Lisa on Sunday 23 April 2006
Just the other day my mother and I were discussing the obvious benefits of breastfeeding and pondering as we often do why more people don't give it a try.
I mentioned that like Esther at All Things Creative, I always found the first few weeks very difficult. No matter what position I tried to feed my baby in I always ended up in great pain, with cracked and bleeding nipples.After the birth of Daniel I was even tempted to give up and try bottle feeding for a change.
However each time, as soon as my baby turned 3 1/2 weeks, the pain disappeared as if by magic and from then on breastfeeding was the easiest and most beautiful experience in the world.
My mum, in her infinite wisdom, came up with a great analogy for the process. She believes that breatsfeeding is like learning to play the guitar. Stick with me it makes sense in the end (kinda).
When you begin to play the guitar you end up with very painful and blistered fingertips, caused by holding the strings for too long. But after a few weeks of practice your fingertips form callouses and the pain disappears. In my mothers mind breastfedding is very much the same thing.
I don't like the thought of calloused nipples though......not very sexy at all!
Daniel Has Started To Crawl
Written by Lisa on Friday 21 April 2006
For weeks our wee man has been rolling around on the floor. He could spin in circles and get to where he wanted to go by rolling over and over. But tonight, just as we were watching Coronation Street and enjoying some of the childrens Easter Egg, Gerard noticed Daniel chasing the balloon.
We watched in amazement as Daniel pulled himself forward in a bid to grab the evasive balloon, but each time he reached it, it slid from his grasp and he had to go after it again.
- Lisa's blog
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Breastfeeding: How Fathers Can Get Involved!
Written by Lisa on Sunday 16 April 2006
A major report published by Fathers Direct for Fathers Day named Aka Pygmies as the "Best Dads In The World".
Apparently the Aka Pygmy men spend more of their time infant care giving than the males of any other society. They even go as far as offering their nipple to a crying baby to soothe it until their mother is ready to breastfeed.
The Pygmy men are also the ones who get up and settle the baby at night and spend a couple of hours at a time holding the baby close to their body during the day.
What I wouldn't give to be a Aka Pygmy women! They seem to have it easy.
I am very lucky to have a husband who takes pride in being a very active father, but I think that even he would draw the line at breast feeding the baby. And as for night feeds, I should be so lucky!
- Lisa's blog
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