Zak's life

On Monday took Zak to Busy Bairns, down at the local Sure Start centre as wanted to check out what was available on a Monday when hopefully I'm off work. Was disappointing as there is a nice little area for babies but Zak was the only one there! Its going to be better when he can walk and join in with the other children. A police woman had her dog Jet there and the children loved to pet her. Gran called after work and we tried Zak on mango, he didn't seem very impressed.
Tuesday was the first weaning class, and I was surprised to turn up with Zak to find no other babies there! Tried their recipes of pear and peach as well as brocoli, cauliflower and potato. Finished class with more questions than answers, hate the red tape and bureaucracy of non-committal answers. Had 4th massage class which included face and back which Zak seemed to like, better than his chest anyway. Visited Gran's card class for few hours.
Wednesday we picked Gran up and went into town for a few hours, especially since I had an opticians appointment. Was looking for a chair for Zak to go up Grans but there wasnt many about. Returned to Grans to find Grandad in early from work so we did some research on chairs online. He tried sweet potato today and seemed to like it.
Thursday Zak and I picked up Aunty Donna so she could practice driving as she has her test soon. She drove us to Asda to get the shopping. Got home in decent time as nan was calling over to pick up a few things for Teg and Oscar, she's taking them away with Stuart to Tenerife for a week. Aunty Sue came over for tea straight from work to spend some time with Zak as she didnt see him over the weekend. He tried peach tonight but didnt sleep very well and was up at 4.30am. Think I need to change his feeding patterns as he might be hungry during the night, he has also cut out his 5th bottle by going 4 hours between feeds.
On Friday I had another physio appointment for my back so left Zak with his dad. Deb visited on the afternoon with her baby Alex, there is only 3 days between them. Zak has just found his feet this week and took great delight in showing Alex where his was! Another early awakening, something didnt agree with him.
On Saturday we had a walk around dalton park with Daddy before he looked after Zak and I went for a massage. We went out for tea to the local Italians, Zak was fascinated with all of the people and waiters and fell asleep in the middle of our pizza. Gave him rusk with his last bottle and he slept all night, hope thats the answer.
Started Sunday with porridge for breakfast, its obviously not as sweet as the rusk but he seems to like it. We took Zak to the metro centre, looking for shoes for me as I'm going away with the girls next weekend. Zak is very good when you're out with him, sleeps more due to movement of pram but does like to be out of his pram to have a look around. Aunty Donna popped in at tea time with Richard and Lewis. Tried to get to Zak to eat carrott but he didn't like it, gave him a strawberry baby yoghurt though which he enjoyed. Did same again with rusk on final bottle and he slept well so hope thats the answer.
He slept well again, so I took him into Sunderland this morning, after shopping we went into Mowbray park to watch the ducks. Came home and Gran called on way home from work to find me trying to get Zak to try potatoes, wasnt that keen but had some of it. He obviously has a sweet tooth but determined for him not to be picky.
Bye for now.

Bank holiday Monday and with Steven back at work was at a loose end. Decided to go to a May Day celebration locally then have a wander around. Got there and was very disappointed, the local council dont seem to have put any thought into it and was very badly organised, stalls on a raised platform where it was impossible to get the pram. Went up to see Gran and Grandpa later when they got back from their weekend away.
Tuesday was the baby massage class, which Zak likes. Added in chest and arms today but by then most babies were squirming and a little bored. Arranged with another mummy, Tanya, to attend the weaning class the following week before the massage and take the children along the sea front in between. Visited Gran's card class for a few hours before Steven got home.
Woke on Wednesday feeling terrible, and could hardly lift Zak out of his cot with flu. Gran stepped into the breach and had him for a few hours until Steven could finish work early.
Thursday I had a physio appointment so left Zak with his Aunty Christine for a few hours, which he enjoyed. Then Zak and I went to pick up Teg and Oscar from school to have them overnight, stopping off at Nan's before heading home. Zak had his first taste of banana - pureed of course. He seemed to like it but he didnt sleep very well, woke few times during the night.
Friday saw the first morning that we all had to get up and ready to drop the children off at school and head up to Aunty Sue's as she is moving house this weekend. We spent the day packing up her stuff with Zak watching from his bouncy chair. Daddy babysat on the night as I went to the Empire theatre to see Footloose - a mothers day present which I thoroughly enjoyed. Zak had colic though and was very unsettled but asleep by the time I got in.
Got a day in the house planned on Saturday after a busy week, catching up on housework etc so better get a start lol
Bye for now.

Not going to rant on about good intentions, just going to try to remember everything thats gone on since my last post - harder than I thought lol.
Took Zak to the doctors as he was being sick in between feeds, up to 3 times and a lot - he was prescribed Infant Gaviscon as the doctor thinks its all down to wind. He needs to take it 3 times a day in his bottle of milk. He also prescribed Oilatum for his baby excema - needs to have two capfuls in his bath to be them followed with E45 cream. Seems to have helped but he still has a little on his eyebrows. Started him off with half a teaspoon of baby rice mixed with his formula. He's not that keen and dont know whether its the rice or the spoons as they have rubber tips.  Have ended up buying some different spoons and rusks which he seems to like. He's up to having one third of a rusk twice a day as well about 40oz of formula milk a day. Last time he was weighed he was 16lb 6oz and 66cm long - in the top 2% of babies nationally and is now 15 weeks old. 
A friend from work came over with her baby for the day, Clare with baby Joseph. There's only 2 weeks between them but are very different. Went for a walk down to the sea front which is a lovely walk taking about 90 minutes. Both babies were very good and it was nice to be able to share information with someone who is going through the same thing. One thing that did become apparent is the difference in health visitors. Zak and I have a lovely lady called Eileen, who is very supportive. I am able to call her at any time for some common sense advice and have seen her around 6 times. Clare has seen her's once and has been told she isnt getting the weaning visit as they are short staffed - makes you appreciate her even more and the support that is available. Also spent some time with Deb and her little boy Alex - born 3 days after Zak. She already has a 3 year old son Harrison but it is nice to catch up and glean some tips from an experienced mother.
Grandad babysat whilst Steven and I went to the football match, and unfortunately Zak had a bad bout of colic and cried for most of the night. Its nothing different that happens when Steven and I are in with him but hard to deal with all the same.
Started a baby massage class at the sure start centre in Seaham. Zak seemed to enjoy it and all the babies were more interested in watching each other than what their parents were doin with them. The second week is massaging the stomach to help with colic and wind. Have done the exercises before at home with Zak as Eileen had demonstrated them a few weeks ago. Took his nappy off to start it and hadnt got the words out of my mouth - now no weeing on mammy - when he did, all over my jeans lol. Have tried to do it every day since and it seems to settle him down. 
His gran and I took him for his next lot of injections at the doctors - where he had a massive poo that leaked out of his nappy and yes, down my jeans again!
Got a problem with Zak's sleepsuits as the feet in them are too small, have had to cut the feet off and buy him some jogging suits until he is old enough to get some pyjamas that fit - only start at 6-9 months.  He is such a settled and content baby, continuing to sleep through the night - think he takes after his mammy.
Took Zak and Tegwyn shopping to the metro centre to find a christening outfit - got Zaks little suit but Teg wanted to pick her own - she is such good company and loves helping with Zak. She got a lovely little black polka dot dress with a red ribbon and red shoes to match - looks lovely. In Oscar's absence he got a navy pair of chinos to go with a ben sherman shirt he has never worn yet. Steven had took him to see Spiderman 3 which he thoroughly enjoyed. Zak's getting stronger by the day, loves to sit up and thinks its great to try and stand up. 
Zak and I attended Tom's 40th barbeque yesterday afternoon - he's a proper charmer and loves the attention especially from the women. Nan and Stuart babysat last night as Steven and I met Donna and Richard in town for  a meal then to see Derren Brown. Was a good night and Zak behaved himself so all is well.