10 Months Letter (23.09.12)

Dear Logan,

10 months old and you are knocking over milestones all the time it feels like!

This month you have been walking so confidently around all our furniture and then moved onto scaling the walls as well. Nowhere is safe from you anymore but we still haven't had to babyproof anything. I think this is because you always want to be near me so 9 times out of 10 I can see what you're up to. You can also stand up unassisted but it only happens for a few seconds and generally we have to instigate it.

We believe separation anxiety has kicked in with full-force and you don't really like playing by yourself for longer than 5 minutes before you're in tears. You've been extra clingy with me at the moment as well which makes it doubly hard.

But on a positive note you are sleeping better for the most part you have decided to sleep through the night. You still let out grumbles but usually will resettle yourself. I can't say it's continuous though because more often than not we do have to go in to you but still it's a step in the right direction. I also don't have to feed you at night anymore which is FANTASTIC!

We've got you on somewhat of a schedule according to Save Our Sleep. You still wake up earlier than the recommended 7 (anywhere from 550-630) but it means you get time to see far before he heads off to work. You then have a giant 2 weetbix + fruit breakfast at 7 before boobie at 8 and then we go for a dog walk and then bed (if you can last!) at 930. You've been pretty good with a 1.5 hour morning nap so when you wake at 11ish (never later always earlier) you get boobie again and then lunch at 12. Your next nap is at 130 and if I'm lucky you'll sleep for an hour but this is usually your bad nap. Once you're awake you get boobie and then dinner at 5 before a bath or shower at 6 courtesy of far, bottle at 630ish and then bed anywhere from 640-7pm but never later. You still seem quite grumpy in the afternoons though so I don't think you get enough sleep and sometimes I sneak in an extra nap around 3.

We have also uncovered that if you haven't slept long enough if we get you up for a little bit we can then put you back down to sleep. This isn't always a guarantee and goes against all the books but whatever works right!?

You've also played well with two girls, one your exact same age and the other almost a year older. I've been so happy about this because in general you don't like other babies and would rather just cling on to me the whole time.

You don't say much at the moment and will either be a little babbler or nothing will come out. It's still only mama as well! You do love blowing raspberries though along with sucking on my feet (weird) and making a clicking noise with your lips (far caught it on video).

There is so much more that I could write but I will leave it there for now...until next month when we'll be in Toronto!!!

 

All my love,

Mummy

 

9 Month Letter (23.08.12)

Dear Logan,

What hasn't this past month bought us! From discovering how to crawl like a pro to standing up on everything and making your way around the furniture.

Both your far and I have felt very spoilt watching you grow and advance even further during this time. You delight us with your cheeky grins, your shyness (burying your head into my shoulder), raspberries and big laughs. You have definitely picked up the mimicking thing as well and you've also somewhat learnt to give a kiss on command (but only when you feel like it) and to stay Mum/mama but not in context so I'm not counting it. You can't say far yet but you do make your mouth move like the word when we say it to you. I feel bad for daddy because it's just a bit hard for you to get the word out.

On your last night before turning 9 months you decided to sleep through (with a formula dream feed at 10). I don't think it will be ongoing but is more dependent on your naps during the day and when you go to bed. Speaking of naps you are getting better and have at least one 1.5hr nap per day but the rest is a bit hit or miss. The other 'new' thing is the dream feed and the fact that it's formula. This was a tough decision for me to make because we've never had any problems with you not getting enough milk from me and I felt like I was cheating you. But it's better for me to be happier and well rested than grumpy!

Other things you have learnt to do include drinking from a straw (which I like to believe is advanced but I have no idea) and pulling yourself into a standing position. These things are so exciting and whilst small help you become the little boy we are enjoying meeting.

We are thoroughly enjoying this time with you our little Boo Boo and whilst I look forward to the upcoming months I am now content to live in the moment with you. You have changed so much and become so much happier that we can all really enjoy our time together as a little family. Surprisingly this has made me want to wait before making you an older brother because we want to enjoy you all the more.

 

All my love,

Mummy

 

8 Month Letter (23.07.12)

Excuse the dodgy iPhone photo!

Dear Logan,

Today you're 8 months old - it's hard to believe you're now closer to 1 and therefore moving out of the baby realm.

You have been babbling and laughing lots this past month and entertaining everyone. Mum is definitely in there but I don't think you actually realise what it means because you aren't using it in context.

You have sunk into that whole separation anxiety thing which we were all hoping we'd avoided! At the moment you can really only spend time with me, far or Grandma and Grandpa - I've realised that you do need to be left with others instead of just being around me all the time. Especially because you burst into tears when you were with farmor after not seeing her for a month.

You still haven't crawled but are starting to push/pull yourself along the floor. Your preference of course is to make others do the work for you but when you're in a good mood you don't mind having to work your way over to whatever has caught your eye. You are also sitting unaided but still toppling over too often to count this one as set in stone just yet!

We've stopped taking you to gymbaroo and I bet you're insanely happy about that because it never really clicked for you. Hopefully we will start up a group with our fellow traitors soon without all the regiment/judgement!

You are still going to swimming and love it. One of the Mum's even commented that it looked like you were doing butterfly. Even if you are in a terrible mood whenever you see the pool your eyes light up and your arms and legs start moving like crazy. It is the cutest thing and one of the many reasons we are loving having you around.

Still no teeth but that isn't stopping you in regards to eating anything and everything. The only things I'm holding off on are sweets, juice and nuts but everything else is fair game and it's great to know you have such a healthy appetite.

Sleep is still hit and miss as well and more often than not you are awake at least twice during the night. But we're getting used to it and when you're ready I know you'll become a champion sleeper. At least your day naps are going ok, sometimes you do a two hour but more often anywhere from 30mins-1hr.

Your hair is also starting to come in and you look like you have a little cockatoo crest which is adorable. It always looks a different colour but you are definitely not as blonde as your far or as dark as me so I think you'll be a light blonde bubba but who knows. Those eyes are also starting to look green at certain angles as well but still no huge change there.

You are becoming more and more fun and we savour every minute and look forward to what amazing things you'll do next.

 

All my love,

Mummy

 

 

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Month 7 Letter (23.06.12)

Dear Logan,

Month 7 really snuck up on us and I feel like this is the first time a month has really flown by! It has been so much fun watching you grow and learn. But unfortunately sleep has been eluding all of us.

One highlight was that you started to have longer day naps but that only lasted for a few days and coincided with you waking lots during the night. It feels like we've gone back to newborn sleep patterns and maybe that's why this past month flew by, we've all been stuck in a lack of sleep induced haze!

Other than our sleep issues, you have been changing your eating habits. You eat so much now, huge bowls and you have 3 proper meals often with snacks in between (you can eat an entire Weetbix and then some for breakfast!!!).

You still don't have a routine but you usually go to bed around 630pm and then wake anywhere from 2-6 times a night (usually dependent on if we are at home or out at a family dinner). You wake up around 5/530 and I feed you and far puts you back to sleep but then you don't sleep for longer than an hour/hour and a half so no sleep-ins for us. It is nice because you get to say bye to far before work but it would be great if we could get rid of that 5ish wake up (& even better if you decided to sleep through). We've also instigated a bedtime routine consisting off boob, bit of a play, dinner, bath, say goodnight and then go to bed (with the occasion book read by far - translated to Danish which is always good).

You aren't crawling and rolling has stopped, you will roll onto your back but that's it and then from there if you're really grumpy you can wiggle yourself around the place. You do get on all fours and rock back and forth which is really cute!

We also finally moved into your home, the house where you will create all of those amazing memoried so it has been a pretty full on month. We keep being amazed by you as you turn into this awesome little dude.

Love always,

Mummy

PS: no teeth yet and despite the judgmental voices of all your grandparents I think the necklace is rad ;)

Month 6 Letter

 

Dear Logan,

You are really becoming your own little person. You're understanding when to laugh at us and playing a lot more. You are still a cranky little man but we're used to it by now.


You've also started moving an insane amount, your favourite thing to do is creep! But this has led to horrible nights with you waking up at least twice (and not going down until 8) because you roll over or get yourself wedged in a corner. Towards the end of the month you started doing baby yoga sticking your bum high up in the air and your head down on the ground. You also go up on all fours so crawling is imminent I'm afraid!

Sleep has gone out the window and you've been waking up lots throughout the night, a good night is only 2 times but a bad one can be as many as 6...this hasn't been helped by your poor blocked nose courtesy of Bali.

Speaking of which you went overseas for the first time ever and weren't too bad on the plane. You hated the hot weather and didn't sleep well but you started chowing down on your food. You now have at least 3 meals a day along with lots of boob!

Blowing raspberries is another favourite of yours and you do this with a mouthful of food just to annoy me. You're starting to enjoy getting reactions out of us. Another one of your favourite things is to stick your hands in our mouth and all over our faces (especially when it involves far's glasses).

You are such a chatty and happier little baby now and we can't wait to see what is next.

 

All my love,

Mummy

PS: What has happened to those daytime naps!?

 

Month Four Letter (23

Dear Logan,

You started to reach for things on the 9th, you definitely hadn't mastered the art of it but we could tell you had an inkling of what you were doing! Now you don't stop, you still haven't gotten the concept of grasping but you love your wooden trumpet (that looks more like a mini recorder without the holes) that Grandma bought for you before you were born. It's definitely a potential choking hazard so you only get it when someone is watching you like a hawk.

Eating his rattle toy

Now that you can reach for things you're starting to enjoy your activity mat even more and you also love the musical toy at farmor's...these toys are a life saver because you can happily lay under them now instead of screaming at me when I put you there. Speaking of screaming you are still a very vocal and slightly difficult bubba but we're slowly learning your cues. When it gets to screaming down the house point it means we need to get you into bed pronto. Sometimes it means tummy problems as well and we all think you have gas/digestion issues my poor little man. You will slowly grow out of that though no I can't wait for the day when you get happier because you're more comfortable!

We have been dragging you from this home to that home at the moment and you seem to be ok with it. It definitely makes our lives easier having extra sets of hands to help out but you hate the car and it unfortunately means lots of long car trips back to 'our neck of the woods' where all your activities are set.

You've been chatting so much lately and on the 20th of March I swear I heard your first proper laugh but you haven't done it since. Instead you just do your weird little version which is so charming and makes everyone grin at or laugh you in response.

Rolling happens occasionally and you wound up rolling onto my foot the other day. Thankfully you were on the floor but at least my foot saved you from the wooden floor boards. You came close to rolling from your back to your front but it still hasn't happened yet, probably because it's more fun playing on your back so why would you want to flip over!

You had your 3/4 month check on March 1st and you loved naked tummy time and the squeaky elephant book the nurse had. You're still incredibly long but only in the 50th percentile for weight. No cause for concern though even though you eat insane amounts, you move so much that you burn most of it off. Leaving us with a gorgeously proportionate little man (I must admit though, I wouldn't be opposed to some cute chunky thighs). You also had your 4 month immunisations on the 15th and there were some tears but you were so happy the rest of the day. Unfortunately the following two days weren't so good and baby panadol was a life saver.

Sleeping habits are constantly changing, you're still doing amazing (especially considering all the different places I ask you to sleep - basinette, pram, picnic rug, portacot, bed). Sometimes we get to sleep through but most of the night you wake up around 2am and then if we're lucky not again until 6. If I don't wake you up to feed you before we go to bed then usually we're in for a bad night so it's only on the odd occasion that we risk it! Far as always is a lifesaver and gets you for me to feed and then changes you as well, we're very lucky. He also soothes you back to sleep when you have the odd grumble in the middle of the night.

Gymbaroo is still a bit hit and miss but we're persevering because as you get older I have an inkling you'll really enjoy it. Plus it's a nice place to escape to!

You seem to hate your bath now but you love getting in the shower with far or me and you enjoyed the big bath at Pop's. Speaking of which you survived a 6 hour + car ride down to Pop's. It was rough but worked well when I was sitting in the back with you. We wish you enjoyed the car more but hopefully I'll be writing how much you love it next month.

I am so lucky to have such a beautiful and funny little man (even if you are super fussy). I look forward to all the amazing moments we have to share.

All my love,

Mummy

Month Two Letter (23.1.12)

 

Dear Logan,

Today you're two months old and you have definitely changed! You've grown up so much and the restlessness that abounded in your first month is dissipating - it hasn't abandoned us all together which was proven at the last mothers group when you were testing your lungs out & got taken off me!

You're basinette is almost too small but we are hoping for at least another month! You are growing at a crazy rate though but I still hope it's not wishful thinking. One of your favourite things to do is to lay in the basinette and stare up at your mobile. You smile & talk to it non-stop, I think you must have been a dinosaur in a past life because you sound like one sometimes. We all think you are very close to laughing but you often get it confused with crying which makes us laugh.

This month saw you get your first immunisations which you hated even though you had all those needles when you were stuck in the nursery. You didn't have any terrible side effects though thankfully, only a high temperature characterized by a very very hot head! You also got your first taste of flavored baby panadol.

Another first was your first swim on the 21st! No clothes other than your Bonds bucket hat which looked so cute. You didn't really do much but relax and we can't wait for more swims, don't worry farfar got lots of embarrassing photos for your 21st.

It was also the first time that you focused on Riley the dog, unfortunately he was only interested in our pizza. You've definitely become more curious this month and you love being moved around and staring at everything. It's nice to have you more focused on us and for all of us to be enjoying each other more.

You also had your first bath in the big bath with me and you loved it. You kept pushing yourself off me though and going crazy which was adorable. You love your bath and water and I'm looking forward to taking you to baby swim classes.

Christmas was celebrated twice this month as well and you uncovered some of your Danish heritage - even if you did sleep through dancing around the Christmas tree! Unfortunately we missed out on our Aussie tradition of going to the dog beach Christmas morning. We celebrated a bit too late at Danish Christmas and you weren't a happy sleeper. But we still managed to celebrate with your Aussie family and it was the first time you met quite a few of them.

You've started to sleep for longer periods at night but you don't have a set schedule. You've done a few 5 hour stints which is lovely, but we're still getting up early from anywhere between 1am to 4am. But it's a fantastic change to what you used to be doing so thank you! We are being naughty though and sleeping you on your belly but you love it and wouldn't have it any other way. It's funny to walk in and see you like a seal with your head poking up, you are so strong!

You love it when I sing to you and when Daddy talks to you in Danish. You also love me pressing your nose and making a cluck noise with my tongue and getting raspberries on your belly.

Don't stop growing and loving life my sweet big boy.

Love Mummy

One Month Letter (23.12.11)

Dear Logan,

This month flew by and crawled along, it was also full of so many ups & downs!

Everyone was amazed when you made your debut, we didn’t expect you to be so big 9.9 pounds with a huge head. You were a beautiful baby boy and just perfect (even if you did have to spend the first little bit of your outside life in the nursery), you definitely had your Mummy’s set of lungs on you and a very healthy appetite (which came courtesy of Daddy & our student midwife because you weren’t interested in the boob). 

You also didn’t have a name for a few days, after a very hard labour Dad said that I could have naming you privileges – I didn’t take advantage of this (he hadn’t had a lot of sleep). You were almost called Xander but we finally decided on Logan which had been a popular name choice whilst I was pregnant with you. However, we had definitely chosen Peter as your middle name to honour Pop & farfar. Your initials are also exactly the same as farfar (Grandad in danish - literally translated to Dad's dad) which we thought was very sweet.

Mummy and Daddy travelled between home, farfar & farmor’s house and the hospital to feed and simply stare at you until you were allowed to come home. It was very strange leaving the hospital without you but it was even stranger leaving with you, we felt as though we were stealing you! You loved the car ride home though, most of the time you love the car and easily fall asleep but there are times when all you do is cry which is why the radio gets turned up.

Your first walk with Loki was on your second day home down at the small sports/dog oval near the river. We took the sling but could not figure out how to work it so luckily you were reasonably light and we just held you all wrapped up to keep the sun away from you.

Your first dinner out was on the 13th of December for your Aunty Hannah's birthday. We were very impressed with your behaviour but it probably helped that Grandma wouldn't part with you and she is one of your favourite people by far.

You have slept for 5 hours some nights (and afternoons, including at the Danish grandparents) which has been great but usually it’s just 3 hour stints. You also like crying (A LOT) which is hard and sometimes nothing works, but most of the time a feed will quieten you down. Thankfully it can be in the form of boob or bottle which makes it a bit easier on Mummy. Baths are the other alternative to keeping you happy and you really enjoy splashing around in there (even though you have no control over your limbs).

You’ve kept getting longer and putting on more and more weight (once you put on double the average in 1 week – very impressive). We’re very lucky that since leaving the nursery you’ve been doing so well and we can’t wait to keep watching (and enjoying) you turning into your own little person.

Love Mummy

The baby blanket in the first photo was my from when I was a baby and although it has a few holes in it I love that Mum kept something from that time.