43. 8 weeks old, leap 1.

Our little litter have passed 8 weeks now! They have also hit their first 'leap'.

When Jack was born, I was told about an app called Wonder Weeks. It was a lifeline! I'm not one to follow apps and things because I think parenting is more spontaneous than following something somebody else has written, so I was dubious about it.

The way it works is started from the babies due date of 40 weeks. It then indicates when a 'leap' is expected. Babies develop so quickly and go through huge changes in stages. According to this app, it advises us when to expect a few changes in their personality and it explains what is happening with regards to the babies current development. It also gives a vague timeline. It was the timeline that was my saviour as I could see an end through difficult days.

The changes in their personality are things like being clingy, cluster feeding, grumpy, sleep regressions, feeding less, etc. We didn't really have many bad phases with Jack, but at least I knew his clinginess (for example) had a reason and would stop in a few days. When you're in the middle of a cluster feed, it's very intense, so knowing it'll stop, and when, really is a lifeline. 


The babies have been waking regularly at 2 hourly intervals for the last couple of days and demanding feeds. They also don't ever seem to want a full feed. Often less than half their regular amount. They have also been a little unsettled and restless and a few times they have wanted a lot more comforting and to be cuddled to sleep. It suddenly dawned on me this morning that this is all ringing bells. They are a week early for their first leap, but Jack was the same. Always about a week early. 

I'm am so excited about them hitting this first big developmental change. This one has been named Sensations. I have noticed a few changes recently. Their focus, making and holding eye contact and making actions like they are trying to interact with people. The app says that they might start throwing up less, and needing less burping. It also says that smiles will start! They have also started to get tears. 


Jack

Jack has been amazing. The babies are just normal life now and he knows that they are not taking us away from him and that they are here to stay. He looks forward to saying hi to them, gives them cuddles and shows people their "tiny little fingers, tiny little cheeks, tiny little legs" etc. He also regularly goes up to them and says "I love you baby".

We are so lucky that Jack is fantastic at communicating. He has been a brilliant talker since the moment he started to try. Before he even started talking, "nana" meant milk so we knew that he wanted feeding if he was saying that. We still use nana for milk now. 

He is also very good at taking himself away when he needs time on his own. He used to ask to go to bed. On his birthday there were lots of people here and at about 5 o'clock I could see he was getting a bit fed up. He came up to me and asked to go to bed! He usually just goes into a different room, but there were people in both the lounge or the kitchen. On this occasion I put the TV on and gave him a blanket so he could shut off from the people. 

He has done the same when the babies are being fed and he isn't getting the attention he wants. He finds a toy and goes into another room. He said "no more babies" to me the other day when he had left the room. 


Just a few dummies! 


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