31 weeks- 33 weeks

When Baby#1 was 31 weeks old we went on holiday, staying in a cottage near Lyme Regis. There were 7 adults all together - the grandparents, 2 uncles, an auntie and us parents. Baby was fine during the day but, when we tried to put him to bed, the screaming started. It was often 9-10pm before he went off to sleep, he woke at least twice each night and was ready to start the day by 7am. I was exhausted- not much of a holiday!! I'd been adamant that my baby wasn't going to have a dummy but, in sheer desperation, we bought one.

This behaviour continued once we returned home, with loud screams every time I disappeared from view.

A sample day:

7am wakes

7.30 Breakfast

9am put him in garden in his pram but he screamed so loudly I had to bring him in again

He didn't sleep all morning

11.45 Lunch

Again I tried putting him in his pram for a sleep but he screamed and cried hysterically. Eventually walked round the estate, pushing the pram and he was lulled off to sleep. Slept for about an hour.

4pm Tea

5pm Bath

He went to sleep whilst having his bottle but woke an hour later, fully refreshed and ready to play!

At 9.30 he was taken out in the car where he fell asleep.

I can see that we made a rod for our own back here by assuming that the baby would be in bed typically by about 6pm. If he wasn't, we used to try desperately to get him to go to sleep. We'd have been better being much more relaxed about the whole bed-time thing.

At 8months Baby #1 showed no sign of crawling. Whilst sitting he is very secure, easily leaning forwards and sideways to pick up toys. He enjoys pulling everything out of his toy-box. He is using his thumb and forefinger together but the pincer movement is not quite mature enough to pick up really small things. He can roll over but his arms don't seem strong enough to support his weight for the crawling position.

He loves being held in standing position which doesn't do a great deal for our backs!

A week later and Baby #1 seems to established a more predictable routine. He has a long sleep (1-1.5 hours) each morning and another half hour in the afternoon. After his bottle at 7pm he is happy to go to bed. Sometimes wakes in the night but after a nappy change he settles quickly.

At 33 weeks baby#1 had his developmental tests. Hearing and sight are A1. He picked up a small bead and lego brick between thumb and forefinger. He supported his own weight and sits up alone. Weight 20.5 lbs. Length 67 cm

Baby #2 at this stage was still not sleeping through the night apart from occasional 12 hour spells which was heaven! We have screaming at bed-time which is very wearing. At 33 weeks baby#2 could sit up alone. Some days I noted that she was 'very fretful and cried every time I went out of sight'. Other days (often when we had visitors) she was 'as good as gold'.

Her big brother was a typical 2 year old by this time. He is usually good company and very entertaining. The things he says makes us chuckle. But he can be very negative too. Getting him dressed or changing his nappy is a major feat, usually involving a wrestling match. I decided to try to toilet train him when he was about 2 years + 2 months. Very little success. It meant lots of changes of clothes & wet carpets so I put it off for a while.