Sick again

Except this time its Mark. He's home from work and curled up on the couch because that's all he can do.

Kara is 6 weeks old now, and is starting to smile. She doesn't very often yet, but when she does smile, its a huge one, and its SO cute! I'm hoping to catch a picture of it soon...like when Mark isn't sick any more and can hold her and make her smile for the camera (or take a pic, whichever). She was 9lb 4oz at her 6 week checkup yesterday, which means she's 2 lbs heavier than her birth weight. Hooray :)

Infant Potty Training

When Chloe was about 6 months old, I was introduced to the concept of Infant Potty Training, or Elimination Communication. I ordered a book, tried it sporadically for a few months, and ended up not really going with it - though it did convince me to change to cloth diapers so I would know as soon as Chloe was wet and could change her.

Now that we've got a bit of a routine, and everyone is used to having Kara around, I've decided to give it a really good try with Kara. Starting when she's only one month old, I've already noticed the cues she gives before she empties her bladder or has a bowel movement. Based on these, I can take her to the bathroom and hold her over the sink or the toilet and let her eliminate there instead of in a diaper. I still put Kara in cloth diapers because I know there are bound to be misses (times when I misread a cue, or am just too busy to take her to potty). We started on Friday, and since then (while at home), we have caught most of her pees and all of her poos. It is SO nice to not have to change a poopy diaper! I'm loving it, though taking it easy, and not worrying about it too much when we're out, or at night.

I highly recommend all parents of infants look into IPT/EC. It might not be right for you, but it sure makes sense to me. My baby is more comfortable, I'm putting much less waste into the environment, and in theory, Kara will be potty trained by 18 months or so.

One month, and the CBC

Kara is one month old tomorrow. WOW! She's still a little sick, but is doing better. We're not quite to a routine yet, but we are more settled in general. Although, we're still severely lacking sleep (and by "we" I mean all of us).

http://fishyre.blogspot.com/2009/04/and-some.html
I love the CBC. I was very dismayed when they lost the bid to broadcast the 2010 and 2012 Olympics. Now I learn that they aren't getting money (which has happened often and has caused more job cuts), but the government I voted for is set to give money to the big-wigs at the companies that own Global (boo!) and CTV (meh). These companies also own many of the larger newspapers and radio stations, and they're billions of dollars in debt. I really don't want my tax dollars to be used for ANOTHER bailout. PLEASE send your MP an email regarding this issue (especially since many of you live in a riding with a Conservative MP). Maybe we can at least help the CBC get some money as well?

I'll post some pictures later.

Sick

Chloe got a cold, which means that inevitably, Kara got it too. It is so hard to see babies SO young suffering, not able to breathe properly because they're stuffed up. And because she's not even a month yet, the only things I can do are use Saline solution in her nose (which isn't working all that well), and comfort her lots. I took Kara to a walk-in clinic today, and had to wait almost 2 hours to see the doctor. Though I suppose the visit was good - the doctor asked if I was giving Kara Vitamin D supplements, which I haven't been. NO ONE had mentioned it to me before today - not the midwife or the public health nurse!

Anyway, I'm gonna finish up my lunch and then go have a nap.