my did do list...

Inspired by Rookie Moms (http://www.rookiemoms.com/categories/001/) I have decided to dump the to do list this week (excepting our appointments) and embrace the did do list.

So, this is what I did do today (up to 6.15pm)...

* fed the boy... at 3am, 7am, 9.30am, 12.30pm, 3.30pm... and again any minute I am sure!
* expressed 720mLs for my little man... so far!
* changed little man's nappies... 7 times
* emptied and repacked the dishwasher
* visited a childcare centre
* went for a walk, boy in baby bjorn
* managed to eat breakfast and lunch
* caught up on my online baby group
* had three phone calls
* organised little man's two month injections
* sent two text messages
* heard some fabulous news about another couple of friends who are up the duff (yay!)
* sang heads shoulders knees and toes four times, and a carpenters medley, once
* tummy time
* played with the playmat from uncle rhys and auntie sars
* stayed calm

Now that I have written it down... not a bad effort for twelve hours?!?

Chat soon xo

handy hints for new parents...

It is always helpful to have some friends or family on standby for baby advice (especially when it's invited). Thankfully I have some great sources of baby/mum advice, who are happy to be on-call at all hours of the day - special thanks to Tam & Tash!

Sometimes advice is a little less welcome... in a favourite online forum this week a group of us were chatting about how often we are stopped in the street by complete strangers, telling us that our baby is cold/hungry/tired etc. It seems that the end of pregnancy does not signal the end of strangers crossing the line in terms of what would be considered inappropriate in any other circumstance!

However, some unsolicited advice from unknown sources is much more useful, like this little gem emailed to me this week by Mr Pickles.

I am really sorry to not know the source of this, so cannot give credit where credit is due... this is just one in a whole hilarious series, which I will share here over time.

Whilst wanting to pay attention to this valuable advice, I am wondering if perhaps the airhorn might come in handy at our house??? Check out this video of Little Man Pickles waking up yesterday (or, at least, trying to avoid waking up!).... do you think an airhorn might be warranted???

xo

my, how you've grown

Our little man is one month old today!

And how he has grown!

He is now 4.515kg, is a whopping 57cm long and has a decent 39.5cm head circumference. Looks like our little boy will also be experiencing life unable to buy hats!

He is a real delight. This past week he has really gotten the hang of eye contact, so has been completely melting his mum and dad's hearts by making lengthy eye contact. He is also doing beautifully on his tummy, and is really working very hard to lift his head... no mean feat when he has such a big one! Yesterday morning he even managed to turn his head from one side to the other when on his tummy... this was such hard work, he completely collapsed afterwards!!! He loves a good play on the playgym uncle Rhys and auntie Sars got hime in the morning, either after his early or mid-morning feed, and has started batting at toys. He really likes the hanging lion - perhaps because it has a clear face... he is so into faces at the moment.

He has a few favourite songs... "Liam On Me", "Liam, don't you lose my number", "God gave Liam H to you" --- all sung by his dad (hint: take a daggy 70s or 80s song and whack in Liam's name), and also some more traditional ones "You're just too good to be true" (or whatever that song is called), "Close to You" (yes the Carpenters classic) and "Mr Sandman" (not to be confused with "Enter Sandman") --- all sung by his mum.

He is also LOVING bathtime, and we will pop some videos up soon of him loving his bath... we just haven't had a whole lot of time out to spend on the computer (he is napping at the moment and has been napping for about 40 minutes now, woohoo!). It will be amazing when we get him into swimming lessons in the next few months.

For photo updates exclusively of our little man, visit our flickr ... there are just a few photos there...

Thanks again to all of you for your congratulations and excitement on Liam's arrival, its has been wonderful to be able to share this with all of you.

Hugs to all xo

he's a boy!

playtime2
Originally uploaded by summer pickles

So, here he is, our little hearts' delight...

Liam Douglas

Born 3rd July 2008
12:12pm
Weighing 4.31kg
Measuring 53cm

Haven't actually done the maths yet, but I think that Uncle Phil is the winner of our guessing comp! (I will do the maths and confirm when I am running on more than a couple of hours' sleep...)

Thanks to all for your warm wishes, congratulations and shared excitement! We are all over the moon (that is, excepting JB who is completely confused and has gone for respite at club med for dogs).

Watch this space for more updates on the adventures of a pug and a handful of pickles... xoxo

39 weeks

39 weeks
Originally uploaded by summer pickles

here is the latest belly shot, for your enjoyment!

....and some stats to date...
weight added over duration of pregnancy: 15 kilograms
belly circumference (at my belly button): 116cm (67% of my height)
bra size: up by three back sizes and four cup sizes
feet: still squeeeeze into my original size 9 shoes
fingers: wedding and engagement rings are still on
brain: tired, and as ready for this baby as i'll ever be!

xo

it's a .....

it's an outie - 37 weeks
Originally uploaded by summer pickles

boy? girl?

who knows??? one thing for sure though... it's an outie!

yep, that is my belly at 37 weeks in all of its glory... gotta love that outie belly button!

sorry to any of you who might be disturbed by this picture, but it just had to be photographed!

not long to go now ;)
xo

These are a few of my favourite pugs xo

These are a few of my favourite pugs xo
Originally uploaded by summer pickles

Would always rather spend time flickr gazing than at a work meeting... and this was a lovely way to pass the lunchtime.

Of course, my favourite pug will always be James Brown, but I have really enjoyed these other beauties! Plenty more in my flickr favourites....

1. Amazing flat face of Pugs, 2. Resistance Is Futile, 3. deep in thought, 4. Yes Master., 5. Chloe, 6. IMAGE0047-adjusted, 7. Wizen, 8. *SMILING PUG* - HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY, FROM THE SWEETHEART PUG, MEL C *-*, 9. Wookie says "Happy Easter!"