Do you remember that Isolde's working/blog name was Belly Dancer?! She hasn't shown any interest in belly dancing per se yet but as you can see she seems to enjoy So You Think You Can Dance! Or maybe it has something to do with her parents meeting through a mutual friend - Sabina - who's a dancer! Or maybe being allowed to watch TV even for a few minutes is a hoot!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Friday, July 29, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Eureka
Ah. We just discovered that we've been applying the wrong method to Isolde's sleeping problems. She's a good sleeper (with a couple of periods of irregular sleep - ref my previous posts) so she doesn't have a problem as such but she cries out in her sleep from time to time, usually in the first few hours of sleep.
Since she was born she has, with some exceptions, followed the average baby's sleep development from longer and longer night from 3-4 hours up to 9 hours now. Something she's been doing from the beginning though is to cry/scream after a few hours' of sleep (sometimes already after 45 min-1 hour). We don't know why she cries but have figured that she's dreaming or that she has a tummy ache (sometimes she burps). It's like she's still (sort of) asleep as she usually doesn't open her eyes. We've always dealt with it by picking her up and comforting her and usually she's gone back to sleep after everything from 30 seconds to 10 minutes.
In the last few days she's been crying more often - we think the reason may be teeth on the way or the new food regime or a normal growth or development spurt - and we've had two nights with very interrupted sleep for all three of us, with us picking her up every hour or so leading eventually to her waking up completely.
So we started googling sleep development, patterns and methods, and turns out that we've probably been too quick to pick her up. Consequently we've been disturbing her sleep. According to the "expertise" (that seems predominant) the advice is to wait a little and listen to what sort of cry it is: is it regular or irregular, is it becoming louder and louder? You only need to go in if it's regular and increasing. And if you go in, don't pick her up right away but first put a hand on her chest to let her know you're there; if that doesn't work, caress her cheek and head; and if that fails, pick her up. You can also shush-pat her bum and back ("buffa"). (These methods are equally useful for bed and sleeping routine at day or night and we've been using variants of them on Isolde since she was 2-3 months and she's pretty good at falling asleep by herself and also putting herself back to sleep if she wakes up (happy) in the middle of the night. We've concentrated on making her bed a place where she feels comfortable and secure, so she knows where she is and that she's safe when she wakes up either during a daytime nap or in the middle of the night.)
Thus last night we applied this to her crying bouts and we had instant success! She slept from 9 pm to 5 am again and then again until 6:15 when she decided it was morning. Hopefully it wasn't a one-time thing - might have to eat my words tomorrow! However so far tonight - it's almost midnight when I write this - it's working. Why we have rushed to her so quickly before is that she very seldom cries during the day when she's awake so we're not used to loud cries. But admittedly, these crying bouts have not been very long or serious. We've just assumed we had to help her through them. But turns out she can deal with it by herself and it's much better for her (and for us too of course) if her sleep doesn't get too interrupted.
P.S. I just realised I haven't replied to your comments in my previous sleep posts! Will do so soon!
-Via Isoldes padda
Since she was born she has, with some exceptions, followed the average baby's sleep development from longer and longer night from 3-4 hours up to 9 hours now. Something she's been doing from the beginning though is to cry/scream after a few hours' of sleep (sometimes already after 45 min-1 hour). We don't know why she cries but have figured that she's dreaming or that she has a tummy ache (sometimes she burps). It's like she's still (sort of) asleep as she usually doesn't open her eyes. We've always dealt with it by picking her up and comforting her and usually she's gone back to sleep after everything from 30 seconds to 10 minutes.
In the last few days she's been crying more often - we think the reason may be teeth on the way or the new food regime or a normal growth or development spurt - and we've had two nights with very interrupted sleep for all three of us, with us picking her up every hour or so leading eventually to her waking up completely.
So we started googling sleep development, patterns and methods, and turns out that we've probably been too quick to pick her up. Consequently we've been disturbing her sleep. According to the "expertise" (that seems predominant) the advice is to wait a little and listen to what sort of cry it is: is it regular or irregular, is it becoming louder and louder? You only need to go in if it's regular and increasing. And if you go in, don't pick her up right away but first put a hand on her chest to let her know you're there; if that doesn't work, caress her cheek and head; and if that fails, pick her up. You can also shush-pat her bum and back ("buffa"). (These methods are equally useful for bed and sleeping routine at day or night and we've been using variants of them on Isolde since she was 2-3 months and she's pretty good at falling asleep by herself and also putting herself back to sleep if she wakes up (happy) in the middle of the night. We've concentrated on making her bed a place where she feels comfortable and secure, so she knows where she is and that she's safe when she wakes up either during a daytime nap or in the middle of the night.)
Thus last night we applied this to her crying bouts and we had instant success! She slept from 9 pm to 5 am again and then again until 6:15 when she decided it was morning. Hopefully it wasn't a one-time thing - might have to eat my words tomorrow! However so far tonight - it's almost midnight when I write this - it's working. Why we have rushed to her so quickly before is that she very seldom cries during the day when she's awake so we're not used to loud cries. But admittedly, these crying bouts have not been very long or serious. We've just assumed we had to help her through them. But turns out she can deal with it by herself and it's much better for her (and for us too of course) if her sleep doesn't get too interrupted.
P.S. I just realised I haven't replied to your comments in my previous sleep posts! Will do so soon!
-Via Isoldes padda
Location:Södertälje, Sweden
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Full Body Meal
Isolde's love of food that I wrote about the other day was short-lived and at yesterday's six-month check-up, the doctor said I (or we, but since I'm the one at home and with the breasts) need to work a bit harder on getting her to eat. She said that Isolde won't eat as long as she knows that there's other - better - food around (i.e. my milk), and Doc's right of course. Probably Isolde hasn't been hungry enough - hunger is the best spice, the expression goes - except for those few times when she's eaten well, or sort of well.
So no more laissez-faire and instead a new regime from today. She's allowed milk in the morning (am) and in the evening but for lunch and dinner, food, in addition to oat cereal in the early evening, are her only options. The doctor is of course right that even though Isolde may be cranky or angry, she won't starve.
Today went well (unless you ask my full breasts) and she ate what was on offer - lasagne in a jar and banana for dessert -(though not as well as the other day) and was in a good mood. It probably helped that we were at Malin's and 20-month-old Elvina provided constant entertainment and distraction. Since we were sitting outside I also let her make a mess (there's always mess but not this much!).
Via Anna's iPhone
So no more laissez-faire and instead a new regime from today. She's allowed milk in the morning (am) and in the evening but for lunch and dinner, food, in addition to oat cereal in the early evening, are her only options. The doctor is of course right that even though Isolde may be cranky or angry, she won't starve.
Today went well (unless you ask my full breasts) and she ate what was on offer - lasagne in a jar and banana for dessert -(though not as well as the other day) and was in a good mood. It probably helped that we were at Malin's and 20-month-old Elvina provided constant entertainment and distraction. Since we were sitting outside I also let her make a mess (there's always mess but not this much!).
Via Anna's iPhone
Monday, July 18, 2011
6990
I thought Isolde would have passed the 7-kilo-mark by now but turns out she has another 10 grams to go. 6990 grams was today's weigh-in. She's almost 64 cm long and her head measured 43.2 cm (if anyone is interested in the detail).
I'm planning to write a 6 months post, just need to find some time to do it. I bet you've been wondering what she's been up to in the past month! :)
In the meantime, two family photos, our first ones! Somehow we didn't manage to take a single photo of the three of us until Isolde's was over 5 months!
Midsummer with friends in Segersäng - 5½ months old
At Anna & Richard's pre-wedding drinks - 6 months-minus-a-day
Only in Sweden?
Last week at Crown Princess Victoria's birthday celebrations in Öland (a tradition since she turned one I think - she's now 34 so maybe time to stop but that's not the point of this post) the rain poured down. The organisers seem to have had a "fingers crossed" policy regarding the weather so nothing was planned in terms of shelter for the royals in the event of rain.
That's how the Swedish King ended up in a bin bag...
That's how the Swedish King ended up in a bin bag...
Image from Aftonbladet
Could you see Queen Elizabeth or Prince Charles in a similar situation..? Looks like Victoria and her husband (to the left) opted to sweat it out.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Meat Lover?
For over one and a half months now we've been trying to introduce food in Isolde's diet without much success. She's eaten an ice cube amount of veggie purée or oat cereal (even when mixed with fruit) at the most. She likes eating banana, melon, peach or other soft fruit in a dispenser that she can hold and eat from herself without the risk of choking (I'm paranoid, I know...). In the beginning I gave her only one or two types of veggies such as potato and carrot but since progress was slow I let her try parsnip, sweet potato, corn, avocado and most recently broccoli, and eventually also fruit (even though they say you shouldn't give into their sweet tooth too early). However no favourite emerged but at least she learned how to open her mouth for a spoon and swallow (and I think sweet fruit helped with that).
That is, until I followed advice to give her ready-made meat mixes. She ate more than an ice cube worth of rice, chicken and vegetables with good appetite and even moved her head towards me and opening her mouth. She's only done that on rare occasions before, one of them being yesterday when my friend fed her banana.
So either we have a little meat lover in the family or maybe she just figured out the whole food thing now and it was just a coincidence that it happened when she ate rice and chicken? Other parents have told me that their baby either loved food from the very beginning or was sceptic at first and then just started eating one day. Or maybe Isolde just doesn't like her mum's delicious (?) home-cooked veggies but prefer food in a jar à la Semper and equivalent? The only jar food she's tried before is corn and that was neither better or worse than other vegetables.
I guess I will have to make my own lasagna and meat stew to figure out what the deal is! On the other hand, more important than what she eats is that it seems like she's figured out what food and eating is about. That said, I'd prefer it if she liked home-cooked food and wasn't one of those babies you hear of that only likes jar food. But I assume it's not too late for her to learn how to appreciate home-cooked food - it's not like she's going to eat of a jar when she's a teenager - and I will try "my" veggies again of course, either as a course on its own or as a side dish or in a mix. And who knows, today is today, maybe she'll reject rice and chicken tomorrow. But hope not! I like seeing her enjoy food and at six months she has to start eating (drinking) more than breast milk.
Moreover, as you know, Isolde has never "learnt" how to drink from a bottle (mix of reasons: we may have introduced the bottle too late, we didn't bottle-feed her often enough, or she simply doesn't like or will ever figure it out). But since she's shown a taste for fruit, I thought I'd let her practice drinking a tiny bit of fruit juice - Semper and the like sell bottles/jars suited for 6-month-olds and it's easy to make your own too - from a bottle. Maybe if it's a flavour she likes she'll figure it out and not just get angry and wonder what you're doing to her (breastmilk is supposed to come in one package only in her view!).
Anyhow, wish us luck with all of this! :)
Lovely Lunches
Last week we met Kalle, Anlaug and little Ebba who were visiting from Oslo. We had a lovely long lunch at Pontus by the Sea near the Old Town. Neither of us had seen each other's new family additions so it was great that they took a last-minute trip to Stockholm! Hope it's not long until our next get-together!
And today my "cousin-in-law" (my cousin Henrik's wife) Anna and kids Viktor and Ellen came over for some spaghetti bolognese and rhubarb crumble and also to see our new flat. After lunch we went to Tessinparken's playground and ended a very nice day with ice cream from Glass- och pastahuset.
Via Anna's iPhone
And today my "cousin-in-law" (my cousin Henrik's wife) Anna and kids Viktor and Ellen came over for some spaghetti bolognese and rhubarb crumble and also to see our new flat. After lunch we went to Tessinparken's playground and ended a very nice day with ice cream from Glass- och pastahuset.
Via Anna's iPhone
Busy
It's been a while since my last post* even though there's a lot to blog about; Isolde's "half-birthday" (6 months), Anne & Richard's wedding and our first day/evening away together since Isolde was born (it went well, though I had to go home and feed between the main course and coffee), Kolmården zoo with Malin & co yesterday, the arrival of our new bed, problems with handymen (floor guys) and other random stuff. Will tell you more soon!
For now, a picture of two girls in hats at the zoo. Isn't it cute!
* Well, 5-6 days but that's a lot when I've been blogging very regularly before then
Via Anna's iPhone
For now, a picture of two girls in hats at the zoo. Isn't it cute!
* Well, 5-6 days but that's a lot when I've been blogging very regularly before then
Via Anna's iPhone
Friday, July 08, 2011
Cocktail Girls
At Anna & Richard's pre-wedding drinks at Anglais. Before this photo was taken Isolde was flirting* with the DJ. I think she was thinking "hey, he's got earmuffs like me!".
* Like properly flirting, more than she usually does. At one point he even looked a bit embarrassed.
Via Anna's iPhone
* Like properly flirting, more than she usually does. At one point he even looked a bit embarrassed.
Via Anna's iPhone
Thursday, July 07, 2011
Go Sweden!
Rooting for the Swedish ladies who are doing so well in the football world cup (next match on Sunday).
Via Anna's iPhone
Via Anna's iPhone
Tuesday, July 05, 2011
Perfectionista
In some things at least* and ironing is one of them. But maybe ironing Isolde's clothes** is taking it one step too far?***
* Peter would argue I don't strive for perfect as far as tidying and cleaning are concerned. He's wrong about me not liking it neat and clean, because I do, but I'm a bit lazy and tend to procrastinate..., maybe read a blog or two instead...
**Not onesies and sweatshirt type trousers, but she has LOADS of blouses, shirts, dresses and skirts.
*** Should also say Peter ironed half of it last night.
Via Anna's iPhone
* Peter would argue I don't strive for perfect as far as tidying and cleaning are concerned. He's wrong about me not liking it neat and clean, because I do, but I'm a bit lazy and tend to procrastinate..., maybe read a blog or two instead...
**Not onesies and sweatshirt type trousers, but she has LOADS of blouses, shirts, dresses and skirts.
*** Should also say Peter ironed half of it last night.
Via Anna's iPhone
Saturday, July 02, 2011
Inspiration à la OSA
My sister in law's two best friends have a funny and creative blog that you just have to visit! Whether you need inspiration for how to get your three-year-old to eat (this will not enter my home though!), how to make a feast on leftovers or where to shop, they have the answers. They* also throw the best parties - from simple to advanced! From invitations to decorations to creative themes. And food and drink!
And they make sure book lovers don't miss a treat (for you, Västmanländskan)!
* Their whole circle of friends really
Friday, July 01, 2011
Break from Facebook...or Not
You remember the sour dough hotel? Now you don't need to worry about Facebook while on vacation either, just get a social network sitter!
I'd find it more useful if have someone wanted to update my blog during periods of big work load, writer's block, lack of sleep due to cranky baby or similar stress!
Poem
04:19. Väckelserop från barnrum. 05:27. Liten varm kropp nära min. 06:44. Stora blå ögon tittar upp. Spark i pappas rygg. 07:23. Okej, vi går väl upp och leker då.
Although last night Isolde was wide awake at 03:39 and when nursing didn't help I let her play in her crib and after a while she fell asleep and slept for another two hours or so. But besides one of these nights once in a while she's sleeping much better again, usually 8 hours straight.
Via Anna's iPhone
Although last night Isolde was wide awake at 03:39 and when nursing didn't help I let her play in her crib and after a while she fell asleep and slept for another two hours or so. But besides one of these nights once in a while she's sleeping much better again, usually 8 hours straight.
Via Anna's iPhone
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