Hazel's 3 month update || Baby diaries

11 weeks old

I know I said the same thing last month, but this month has been my favourite and has gone by so fast (is it just going to continue like that?). I have started becoming more confident as her mother and we have all been pretty happy. Hazel and I have been getting out and about, enjoying the warmer spring weather and admiring the spring blossoms.


Hazel has become even more interactive this month with a pretty constant string of ohh's and ahh's and general babbling. Her jibber-jabber is at its peak while I sing to her, which can be a mix of radio hits, nursery rhymes and general nonsense I make up on the spot, and she just tries to sing-along. She gets very excited and waves her arms and legs around when I sing the songs she knows, her favourites seem to be the ABCs, Row-your-boat and You are my sunshine. She still loves her play mat and being on the change table too. Along with all this babbling she is now dribbling more, blowing spit bubbles and chewing on her thumb (or entire hand). I've heard that this can be a sign of teething, as this coincided with her recently (11 weeks) starting to chewing her bottom lip. This makes me think that her lower gums are a bit sore, it hasn't seemed to affect her mood yet but knowing that I got my first tooth at 4.5 months, she may be the same.

Rocking that tummy time

These dribble bibs have been coming in handy

Sleep has been the other big change this month which we are super pleased about. Our little angel was sleeping 6-7 hour stretches during the night and smaller sleeps during the day at 9 weeks old, which we were pretty impressed with already, but she has recently started to build upon this. At 11 weeks she started occasionally sleeping 8 hours during the night (10pm to 6am) and by 12 weeks she is sleeping 7-9 hours most nights, which gives us a full nights sleep (as long as we aren't silly and don't stay up past our own bedtime). She has been taking much shorter naps (1-2 hours max) late in the day in preparation for her long sleep at night, which just gives us more cuddle time with her when Chris finishes work. She is still generally tired after about an hour and now lets us know when she wants to go to bed by having a little grizzle, rubbing her eyes, and yawning.She sometimes will yell out suddenly in her sleep, but then will return to her dreams as if it never happened. While Chris and I have been startled and almost jumped out of our skins waiting to see if it continues, ready to jump out of bed and get her.

I had another lactation consultation this month (week 11) where she introduced a feeding tube. This is a device that gives extra milk through a tube while the baby sucks at the breast. However, the nurse could see how reluctant Hazel was to breastfeed and how much stress is caused both of us, so she reassured me that it would be a difficult road ahead and not to feel bad if we decide that it's not for us. Which I am relieved about as I have been feeling guilty and inadequate about not being able to breastfeed her properly, I know this is silly and that "fed is best" as she is still getting all the nutrients she needs to thrive. In order to banish these bad feelings I have been reminding myself that a happy mum and happy baby is the end goal and I give her lots of extra cuddles and one-on-one attention to compensate. While bottle feeding my expressed breast milk, we have introduced "paced feeding" and still use a newborn teat in order draw out and slow down to process to stop her guzzling it in one go. She has now become more contented and patient with her feeds, and she knows the routine of getting fed when she wakes up, so she is happier to wait and smile at us first, rather than going straight into meltdown mode.

Postpartum Recovery 

As for an update on how I am doing. Postpartum hair-loss is no joke. I am shedding like a Samoyed in spring-time. You could weave a rug from all the hair I am losing at the moment, and with having fine hair it's all the more concerning as I can't afford to lose it as it is. I just hope it looks okay at our friends wedding next month. Fortunately I know that this is completely normal and is nothing to be concerned about. It is just the hair that you would have lost during pregnancy, but didn't due to the extra hormones you produce during that time, starts to shed once your body starts returning to its normal cycles.
Talking of cycles (TMI warning) I think I may have got my first mini period at 12 weeks. It only lasted like half a day (which I am grateful for) but it looks like my body is gearing up for making a bigger family already. Chris and I however, are not making any plans to expand anytime soon, and we will need to be very careful until or even if we change our minds. So don't go asking when Hazel will be getting a sibling any time soon. Understood?! Okay, good.

Oh yeah, I don't own a scale so I'm not sure when it happened but I am now back to my pre-pregnancy weight. I also tried on my old jeans a couple of weeks ago and they fit too. Woohoo! It felt good to dig through my clothing storage bins and add a few pieces back into my wardrobe. Although my body has certainly changed and my tummy doesn't look the way it used to, I'm not putting any pressure on myself to "bounce back" since it took 9 months to get to my biggest, it's only fair to allow 9 months to return to normal.

I couldn't resist dressing her up in this pumpkin outfit for an early Halloween. Don't mind the substitute orange jack-o-lanterns, we didn't have any mini pumpkins to hand so I improvised.

Just as Hazel hit the three month mark we took a trip down to Taranaki for a family reunion which was a really fun experience and good to catch up with everyone but it also totally altered our usual routine/schedule. So it was interesting for me to see how Hazel responded to the changes. I was very grateful to have family there who we all too happy to comfort her when she was over-tired and allow a bit of extra wiggle room in their plans to allow for some longer naps. We had a busy schedule of long car journeys, walking and adventure activities. All of which had Hazel on the move and sleeping and feeding on the go.

Hazel with her Nana (my Mum) with Mt Taranaki in the background

Mount Taranaki

Sleeping like a starfish

Still in a good mood even after a long car ride

 

After spending a few days at the family reunion in Taranaki we all loaded up our cars and drove to Taumarunui to go on the Forgotten World Adventures Tour (Hazel included). Golf buggies on rail tracks took us along the forgotten world railway, through old pitch black coal tunnels (where we could see glow worms on the tunnel ceiling) and through the lush New Zealand country side.

We arrived back in Taupo on the Monday and took Hazel out for her first time on the boat the following evening. We caught 3 good sized trout and threw the small ones back, all while enjoying a beautiful sunset. Hazel was no trouble and the gentle rocking of the boat sent her straight to sleep.

Some people call the first three months of your baby's life "The Fourth Trimester" as your body goes through another huge set of adjustments and changes just like during the pregnancy. Getting your baby into the world safely is the first step, getting your baby fed is the second and figuring out what else your baby needs is the third but it doesn't stop there. Over the last three months my body has (almost) returned to normal, but it has been a long process to get there. My milk supplies have now balanced and I don't leak any where near as much as I used to, as my body knows how much my baby needs now. My sleeping schedule was all over the place in the beginning but we are now into a much nicer routine. My hormones have not been affecting me and my anxiety levels have returned to normal (low). We have settled into a good routine and I feel like we are winning at this parenting thing. Although, don't worry, I have been told that as soon as you feel like you've got it sorted, Baby will change things up. So I am not feeling too smug, but I am ready and waiting for Hazel to through me a curve ball, but keeping my fingers crossed that we'll make it work. 

Three month stats:

Height: 58.5cm

Weight: 5830g

Sleeping: 7-9 hours at night! Woohoo! Then she will have another long 4-5 hour nap first thing in the morning, and as the day progresses the naps get shorter.

Eating/Feeding: 150-220ml

Sizes: 0-3 Months (000)

Milestones: Much the same as last month, but she now likes to talk to herself (babbles and coos) while in bed or in her stroller. She has also discovered her hands and will occasionally stare at them and is starting to reach out to grab things.

Nicknames: Darling, Gorgeous, Honey Bee, Poppet, Hazel Mazel Mouse, Miss Madam.

Likes: Smiling at us, watching her mobile spin, getting her nappy changed, looking at the world map on our wall, getting a bath, me singing to her

Dislikes: Waiting for a feed, feeling left out while taking a nap.

Thank you cards

Being the bride and groom at a wedding can be a very enjoyable but sometimes overwhelming experience. You may not get to spend as much time with everyone, or say all the things you hoped to. Whether your guests were able to contribute to your special day financially or just came to help celebrate, either of which is fine, a simple thank you and memento is nice to receive.

1 year married, 10 years together

Chris and I started dating while I was still in school, he was that older guy who had finished and was working full time. We had been very close friends for at least a year before we officially became a couple. With the simple but scary question of "So..... do you want to be my girlfriend?"

Here we are 10 years down the track, newly married. We have been living together since 2008 and he is the best friend, favourite flat mate and life partner I could ask for.

First Wedding Anniversary

We started our anniversary weekend with a day hike at Patuna Chasm (see here for my blog post about it).

which meant we were due for a drink and some good food.

 After a quick change and freshen up we drove back to Martinborough Memorial Square and took our "official" anniversary photo. I am hoping to make this a tradition and take a photo every anniversary with our previous anniversary photo in the frame.

Patuna Chasm Farm Adventure

This weekend we took an afternoon to explore a different part of the country we call home. We decided to do a day trip away, and drove from Wellington to Martinborough. Not to far out of Martinborough is Patuna Farm Adventures, (Visit their website here) which harbours an absolutely awe inspiring treasure, the Patuna Chasm.

Not your typical first year wedding anniversary event, but then we don't consider ourselves as your "typical" couple. It turned out the be a very worthwhile and memorable experience.

The greatest gift we can give - Reading (a message from the guests)

When a couple gets married, the wedding is not about two people. It is also about their friends and families participating to support their union. We wanted to capture this with our wedding ceremony, so our good friend Laura (our emcee) did this reading. This was one of the times our ceremony included our guests making them involved and not just spectators. A wedding is not just about the couple up the front, but the joining of two families into one.

Today is a day you will always remember - Ceremony Reading

Today is a day you will always remember
The greatest in anyone’s life
You’ll start off the day just two people in love
And end it as husband and wife

Burlesque Boudoir Hen's Night

Any excuse for a good time with my friends, I'll take it. My Hen's Night was one of those times.

After months of me planning a wedding, with all the organising, details, stress and expense, my girls decided it was time for me to take a break and let them have a go. And why not, one of the best things about having a pre-wedding bachelorette/hen's night is stress relief for the bride-to-be, bonding time and fun with just the girls and creating memories.

Wedding Day Music

Now we all know that our own music preference is very personal, but then so are weddings. So here is the soundtracks we had and what I like, so make it what you will.

Music sets the mood, enhances memories and can help make or break an event such as a wedding.

Ever wanted to have a personal soundtrack, like they do in the movies? This is about as close as most of us will get.
There are many opportunities to utilize a soundtrack on your wedding day, some of these songs will breeze by in the hype of getting ready, while others will have special memories attached to them forever more.

Blessing of the Hands - Ceremony Reading

This was our favourite reading from our wedding ceremony. It strikes all the right notes, we agree with all it promotes, and the words have had a special place in my heart from that day on. The original author is unknown, but please feel free to absorb their inspirational words.

Enjoy

DIY Floral Centerpieces and Head table decorations

DIY Floral Table Centerpieces

To bring some more colour and life to the reception and dining area we made our own floral centerpieces.
After discussing options with our florist (Nikki) from Maggies Flowers, we settled on this design. Something simple but effective, and which Tammy and myself could arrange the day before the wedding.

© Ross Herbert Photography

Eyelash extensions with Tammy - Bridal Makeover Part 2

If you were interested in the previous post about Bridal Makeup, here is Part 2, explaining the pros and cons of each type of eyelash beauty.

A house is framed by its garden, and your hair can frame your face. 

In the same way that lashes will frame your eyes.

Few things makes you look more awake, instantly made-up, and "doe-eyed"

than a good set of dark, thick and long lashes.

Now, the following may not be your everyday beauty routine, but for those special occasions read ahead for some advise from Tammy about opening the windows to your soul.

Bouquets and Boutonnieres

I am fortunate enough to call the talented Tammy one of my best friends, and more recently my bridesmaid. She was kind enough to do, not only my makeup on my wedding day, but also the rest of the bridal party's too, which also included my Mum. She found makeup looks for us all, with varying colour schemes and complexity, looks that were tailored to our specific features and brought out the best in each one of us.

Now I'll hand you over to Tammy, to show an example of my bridal makeup routine, enjoy...

DIY Pearl and Lace Hair piece - Guest Blog by Tammy

© Ross Herbert Photography

So for those of you that don’t know me, my name is Tammy and I was entrusted with the task of being one of Erin’s bridesmaids.

Bridal Hair and Accessories

Things are starting to come together now, you have a wonderful fiancé, the dress is getting tailored, and you can now start to envisage what you want to look and feel like on this day you have been thinking about for so long. 

Hear! Hair! Here!

This is what will frame your glowing bridal face when your soon-to-be husband sees you for the first time.
As can be expected I had trawled pinterest in search of my favourite 'do'

It came down to two designs, with a bit of tweaking hair and there.

Introducing my Bridesmaids

These are the best friends, sisters, mothers, or daughters that have been chosen to get you to your big day, to stand beside you physically and emotionally, and witness a changing time in your life.

A lot of work is involved with the planning of a wedding, be it big, small, intimate or extravagant. Each bride-to-be will go through her share ups and downs in the lead up. Many will unknowingly take on tasks well outside their means, and its these women whom they feel they can share their burden.

To share the initial stages of excitement, anticipation and exploring with these women who (hopefully) feel the same way. To advise and confirm wise decisions and expectations (which the groom sometimes cannot relate to). To contribute their time crafting invitations, centrepieces and speeches, and in general to help make their friend's day the best it can be.

Our Wedding Celebrant

A key part of any wedding is the celebrant.

This is one person who can make or break your wedding ceremony. They are there to be an extra support person in the months leading up to the big day. To offer wisdom and inspiration, to stand beside you when you stutter and sweat at the rehearsal. Then finally to whisper encouragement and any forgotten words in your ear and watch you shine on the day itself.

So, it's important to find the right person for the job.

We found the right person in Belinda de Lautour

© Ross Herbert Photography

Suit Up! - Chris talks suits (Guest Groom post)

Weddings are driven by fashion. A bride will spend a lot of effort on her dress - so what can the Groom do in the meantime?

SUIT UP!

Few things are timeless like Men in Suits. At first suits seem simple; just a jacket, shirt & tie, trousers and shiny shoes. But there are actually a lot of options and detail involved with finding the right outfit.

For our wedding I decided to hire suits for myself and the groomsmen. A decent looking suit can be bought from Hallensteins for not much less than the cost of hiring, but hired suits are generally better quality at this price level.
I went through Van Meer for the rentals, who have agents nationwide. Dragging the mates out to try on clothes isn't something we do very often at all!
We got measured up and tried on everything that took our fancy. My initial ideas were for a super formal Morning suit, maybe with a hat and cane to class it up.
The trouble is, jackets with tails look very retro, and make most men appear short. For example, this fellow -whoever he is, the first result on google images - is obviously tall and handsome, but seems to have borrowed his grandfathers church outfit.

Lookin' fine, Grandpa.

Capturing the day - Our Photography

Your memories will fade, but the photos will remain.

Our photographer was a very important decision to us. So careful attention was taken to find, just the right one. Who would capture the day, but also reflect the style and feel we were after.

A photographers style can completely change the way your photos looks.
Photo journalistic and candid shots allow the day to be told like a story.  Moments are captured when the models are not expecting them and movement, moments and emotions are more natural.
The other side is a more formal, structured and somewhat "classic" approach, which you have all seen in your parents photo albums. These are also good to have, as you can capture more individuals in the photo, everyone has their "photo face" on, and it is easy to hang on the wall.
We choose to go with a photographer who balanced both of these styles beautifully, we got so many candid real moments of the day along with the posed photos that helped to highlight our best selves.

Ross Herbert was our photographer and we couldn't be happier with what he produced. We spent a long time looking through his photos deciding what we liked, and anticipating what he might have in store for us. We were pleasantly impressed.

The weather

I know that almost every bride/groom hopes for a gloriously sunny day, with not a cloud in the sky or a breath of wind; and for your friends and family will be out basking in its glow and take home warm memories of the day that was. On the other hand, the boys will be sweating in their suits, the girls may need to slather on some sunblock and everyone's getting a bit hot and bothered. The photographer will be battling the flare of the white dress, as the sun reflects off it and blocks any intricate detail that may be hiding. All the while trying to position everyone to prevent any severe cases of squinting and face shadows. 

However, if you are looking at a gloomy day, look up. The guests may have to run between shelter to avoid the rain, and you might not have the outside ceremony that you always wanted; but you'll have great photos.
Given the right photographer, he can make the rain disappear (not literally of course, but make it appear so). By choosing the right locations, posing and lighting no one will know by looking at your photos that its raining. No one is squinting, no one is sunburnt, and you can get some really dramatic scenes and reflections. Experience is a big factor here, if they can show you their previous "wet" events and how they dealt with it you can have an idea of what to expect. Better yet, make a plan for the worst with them, what ideas for locations or props (cute umbrellas) would they suggest?

When the day comes, hope for something in between, but either way some one will always be happy.

Get organised

The more you know, the more the photographer can anticipate.
A good photographer will move about, without too much notice from anyone, but any prior information is always appreciated. Knowledge of where you are entering from, where you will be standing, where everyone will be seated, who is of most importance, along with any places where they should not be.


A good photographer will see the scenes no-one else will anticipate. Capture the emotion you cannot bottle.
Preserve memories, to make them last a life-time.

“What I like about photographs is that they capture a moment that’s gone forever, impossible to reproduce.”
― Karl Lagerfeld

Keeping Organised: My wedding planning and budgeting tool kit

Until I started planning our wedding properly (more than just ogling pretty dresses and centrepieces) I didn't realise truly how much work would be involved, and all the decisions to be made and kept track of. 

I swear, I have never been so organised... in. my. life. Through planning our wedding my general organisational skills have improved significantly (one of the unexpected bonuses of planning your own wedding.)

I used a lot of new gadgets and tools to accomplish this, and I cannot rave about them enough.