Tuesday, December 16, 2014

92/365 - 3 months

Little Liam turned 3 months! I'm not sure what's more alarming; that he's doubled his weight or that I've been a full time mum for 3 months now - both scary but also satisfying at the same time if that makes any sense. It's a funny thing being a mum and each day I'm still learning and hoping that I'm doing the best, though to be honest I'm not sure if the mummy-in-training plates ever come off!

To mark his 3 months, we went to the Solids Session at the Health Clinic where we learnt about how to introduce solids to the little bubs. Half of my mothers group was there also and it was amazing to see how far we'd come; every baby had grown so big! I think most of us had just gotten the hang of feeding our bubs milk (whether it be breastmilk or formula) and well, introducing solids is the next step and ah, things are to change again! One thing I've learnt about motherhood is that things are constantly changing!

They recommend that you don't start your bub on solids till about 6 months though many will start to try from 4 months. There's studies to support the starting of solids as early as 4 months and others where you delay till 6 months. I'm thinking I'll probably start bub on solids at 4 and just see how he goes. If he doesn't like it, we have time to work up to it. At the end of the day, it's really what bub wants, bub gets.

I've already been looking forward to the starting of solids. Bibs, storage pots, portable tubs and baby spoons are all at the ready. Bub is getting there I think, he's holding his head up now and his baby tongue protrusion has gone which they say is a sign for baby readiness. It would definitely be a lot easier for solids once bub can sit up and we can put him in a highchair to feed him so let's see how we go in the next month.

Exciting times ahead!

Thursday, December 11, 2014

80/365 - mums n bubs movies

Last week I celebrated my 30th birthday with my hubby and little one with a trip to the movies. Yep it was the big 3-0 and also my first birthday as a mother; you can't help but feel old when you say that out aloud. Actually I still can't believe it I have a son, I sound old!

A few mums had mentioned the Mums n Bubs sessions at Event Cinemas and I'd been keen to try going since bub was born but it's taken some time for me to get comfortable with the idea of it. At the start, bub was feeding every 2 hours if I was lucky and then lots of crying; it really wasn't a good idea to go to the movies. When I asked other mums whether they had gone to one, none had first hand experience though many had heard from other mums that had been. A quick google of the website just mentioned the $9 tickets if you were with the Cinebuzz Club so well, I signed up for that but otherwise I was none the clearer as to what to expect. You can buy your tickets online but I weren't hedging my bets, best to get to the cinema and get them on the spot - you never know with baby and whether you can actually get into the cinema.

Sessions are on Monday 10.30, Wednesday 12.30 and Friday 10.30 at all Event Cinemas I believe. We went to the Wednesday session at Castle Towers which is a bit far for us but there's no parking limit over there so gives ample time for lunch, movie and a quick browse of the shops if you're that way inclined. Being the 12.30 session though our lunch ended up being a smuggle of some sushi rolls plus popcorn and soft drink (every movie needs to be enjoyed with popcorn!)

So how does it work? You take your bub in with you and well, you deal with your bub as you need to. Lights are dimmed in case you need to feed or sort out bottles. You'll be sharing the cinema with other mums and surprisingly randoms who've chosen to sit in on the session - the cinema doesn't segregate. Fortunately Liam was a good bub that day, a little bit unsettled at one point which meant a walk around the cinema with him during the movie and a bit of standing up and swaying but next thing you know, he's content and sleeping on dad. We didn't bring our pram that day, just used the baby carrier which kept bub nice and snug. Around the cinema were maybe another 7-10 mums and everyone did pretty much the same thing. We sat and watched the movie and we all got through it!

And the movie - The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part 1. Loved it!