Strange Machines

From Babycenter:

“… you may notice that he’s started to drool. He’s also putting everything in his mouth and producing more saliva than he can swallow.”

Just a little drool but more from sucking my arm or his fist. He does blow bubbles though. I noticed this since 2 weeks ago.

“The good news is that your baby’s drool coats toys and other objects with disease-preventing proteins.”

That is good news!

“If your baby’s sleeping through the night (five or six hours at a stretch), you’re one of the lucky few.”

I am fortunate. But I do believe practicing good sleep hygiene plays a big part too.

He does get fussy from 10pm though. I realise it is because he wants to be placed in his crib. So many nights already he abruptly changed from fussy baby to cheery cooing baby the moment he was put in his crib.

“Your baby is learning how to rock and roll — well, maybe just roll. At this age, he’ll probably be able to move from his side to his back and his back to his side.”

Yes he does.

He’s also just started fitting into M size diapers. I’m so proud!

Sleep: 5 + 3 (2) + 1.5

In other news, a nice story on Niki Taylor picking motherhood over modelling.

Last night Jack was fussy from 11pm-midnight. It is almost as if he knows his bedtime is midnight, so don’t try to con me, Mommy. After 2 failed attempts to put him to bed, third time was a charm after feeding extensively on both boobs.

He woke at 5am, fed extensively from both again and fell asleep quickly after a diaper change, burp, and a hug from Mom. I couldn’t sleep. Mind buzzing about work stuff. Finally I fell asleep close to 8 and had a strange but telling dream.

Jack cried to be fed again at 8.30am and he ate and dozed till 9.30am. His Dad put him to bed then and us parents got up to have breakfast. I worked on my site while he studied a little.

Meanwhile, I decided bibs are better than milk towels for better absorption per square centimeter. They smell less bad too. This comes from someone who washes them daily, even soaking them in Dynamo and boiling water the night before. It just makes them smell like boiled milk.

He cried again at 10.30am, suckled a little but preferred to be entertained by an adoring Mom and Dad who sang and danced to him along to Allan Sherman’s comedy ditties. He laughed so much - we were so delighted. I brought him to his gym (he burped spontaneously en route) and he played a bit before getting fussy. His Dad carried him and he dozed almost immediately.

Kaku came to visit me in the loo! I petted her happily and told her I missed her. How was she, I asked. She meowed in return. Her tail section looked like it’d grown back some. Sam took his turn too and then scurried off. Back at my computer, Boy is dozing contentedly on his new fave spot - the coloured mat that I use to cover the wires. I am so happy things are getting back to normal.

Jack just fed and is napping on my lap now. We best get dressed soon for lunch.

My Dad popped by this morning to play with Jack. It was an early morning for us. He’d slept at midnight as usual and woke at 5am, and then again at 9am. We were both quite refreshed and he was very happy playing with his mobiles for about an hour and a half. I’d set up a baby gym in the study and he’s been playing happily there.

Dad was quite impressed as I lugged the gym pair on mattress and lay Jack down. The happy boy played by himself while Dad and I read the papers. Dad went to play with him a couple of times and Jack beamed and cooed while his grandpa made baby noises at him and waved his hands. It’s wonderful to watch my Dad become a big softy when it comes to Jack.

Evening came and Jack became a little fussy. He didn’t want to be put down on his gym or stroller. Finally, starving and tired, I put him in the Bjorn and carried him while I made dinner. He dozed immediately. When he finally was in deep sleep, I placed him gently in the stroller and managed to eat and watch Ultraviolet (stylish movie but weak story).

During bedtime, he fussed so much and had to be burped several times. I was truly exhausted by this point and recited the Mommy Mantra: It is not his fault. That usually buoys me and I feel all maternal again. I patiently carried him to burp and actually dozed off at some point. He ate a bit, slept a bit, cried a bit, and finally was calm enough to go to bed.

I stood over his bed and patted him a bit as he fell asleep, his face peaceful and so very dear.