Dear WJ,
You're now 4 months old and 1 day. You've changed so much. You communicate more. When you have attention, which you love, you make high pitched noises and smile. When you want attention, you shout angrily. You don't seem happy when you're not getting attention.
If I hold your hands you pull yourself up into a sitting position. You love sitting up and looking around. You can hold yourself up for a few seconds before toppling over. You can also stand up if I hold your hands up. You're very strong!
If I lie down next to you and face you, you play with my face. You like to explore things. You can get a lot of things to your mouth now.
You drool a lot. I'm not sure if you're teething. You do have a very hard bite though!
We did 4 sessions of baby massage at the Health Centre. It was great because you got all the attention you needed, you got an hour a week of naked time, and we got to bond. On the third week though you were in a mood and protested until I picked you up and cuddled you. We ended up just sat at the side of the class though, you cuddling me, then feeding, then sleeping, then feeding again. You also wee'd on me! That was just at the start of your growth spurt, as over the next couple of weeks all you did was feed then sleep, then wake up for more milk before falling asleep again. If you got over-tired you'd start hitting me or daddy. Until then you never needed sleep in the day! It was exhausting for me, although I'd planned to do a lot of things before Christmas. But those things can wait!! You're the most important thing in the world right now. People will still get their Christmas presents, but they may have to wait until January or February!
You're still putting on lots of weight. You're long and thin. I'd bought you some clothes for Christmas, but then you grew a lot and I realised you wouldn't get much wear out of them if I saved them for Christmas so I had to let you wear them.
When you're feeding you stop, wait for me to look at you so you can smile at me, then carry on feeding. Little things like that make me happy!
I expressed some milk and we tried to give it to you in a bottle but you didn't want it, you wanted Boobie. You kept gagging on it and spitting it out. You're gag reflex will weaken in a couple of months so we'll have to try again then. Then you'll be able to start exploring food too.
I only had time to take you swimming once. But I promise we'll go swimming again this week.
We've been going to Baby Yoga. I think you like it there, because you get attention from me while we do stretches, and we get to see our friends. I'm not sure we'll be going there much over the winter though as it's up a really steep hill.
I hope you enjoy Christmas!!
Love
Mummy x
Sunday 11 December 2011
Friday 9 December 2011
Small Style 08/12/11
Every thursday I'll be sharing a picture of my super-stylish daughter. I first saw this on A Lime Less Ordinary, but it started on Mama loves Papa.
Late again, but better late than never...
I love this dress, it's so pretty, although isn't the easiest to put on! It was a gift from her grandma (K's mum).
Dress: M&Co
Tights: Mothercare (set of 3)
Bodysuit: H&M (eBay'd)
Late again, but better late than never...
I love this dress, it's so pretty, although isn't the easiest to put on! It was a gift from her grandma (K's mum).
Dress: M&Co
Tights: Mothercare (set of 3)
Bodysuit: H&M (eBay'd)
Wednesday 7 December 2011
Yarn Along #4
I "finished" the nappy cover. There are still some things I would like to change about the legs. I was cutting the yarn in between colours and now I have tied ends, but only on one leg. I decided not to do that with the other leg. When I get time I will redo the bad leg, but I just decided to sew it all up for now as I wanted her to wear it asap. She's grown out of her other wool soaker and I feel she needs something more breathable at night. After lanolising it, it was taking ages to dry in my cold flat, so I gave it a blast with the hairdryer. I can now smell sheep!!
I've not really been reading anything this week. Well, I read a bit more of Baby Led Weaning, but that's it. WJ's been quite grumpy, tired but fighting sleep, so I've been sat in the dark a lot trying to get her to sleep!!
Friday 2 December 2011
This Moment #4 Sitting
A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember." SouleMama
Thursday 1 December 2011
Small Style 01/12/11
Every thursday I'll be sharing a picture of my super-stylish daughter. I first saw this on A Lime Less Ordinary, but it started on Mama loves Papa.
This is a bad photo but I loved this outfit. She's wearing a dress but the outfits not full of pink and frills!
Dress: Next (part of a set)
Bodysuit: H&M (eBay)
Tights: Mothercare (set of 3)
This is a bad photo but I loved this outfit. She's wearing a dress but the outfits not full of pink and frills!
Dress: Next (part of a set)
Bodysuit: H&M (eBay)
Tights: Mothercare (set of 3)
Wednesday 30 November 2011
Last Week - Tired baby, Todmas and Man-Flu
This post is a bit late because I've not been able to get much done as I have a little girl that suddenly needs lots and lots of sleep during the day, most of the time on me!!
Well, last week we did the usual, yoga on tuesday, massage on thursday. WJ had suddenly started needing lots of sleep though. She was asleep when we were setting off to baby massage, and I had to get her changed before we left so ended up waking her up. We got there 10 minutes early so she had a feed. I undressed her for her massage, lied her down on the mat and she started crying. We ended up not participating, but just sitting at the side feeding and sleeping and more feeding, all in the nude. She'd finally calmed down when everyone was leaving so I dressed her, then I put her on the floor to get my things in my bag and she was smiling and looking at me as if to say, "Can I have my massage now please mummy?"
On friday my mum, her husband and my sister and nephew came up. As usual my mum was just wanting everyone to pose for photographs while they were there.
Saturday was the Christmas Light Switch on day. They also had a lot of things going on in the day, which was the First Day of Todmas, including stalls, raffles, snow and a Polish day event. I decided I wanted a break from carrying WJ, so we put her in her pram when we went out in the morning, then she went in K's sling in the afternoon. K doesn't use his sling much because it means he can't smoke!! It was her first time out in the pram. She was a bit unsure at first, but then fell asleep, which was good because I've been having trouble getting her to sleep, even though she needs it so much!!
K was supposed to be coming up on sunday but he had man-flu so he stayed at the boat!
Well, last week we did the usual, yoga on tuesday, massage on thursday. WJ had suddenly started needing lots of sleep though. She was asleep when we were setting off to baby massage, and I had to get her changed before we left so ended up waking her up. We got there 10 minutes early so she had a feed. I undressed her for her massage, lied her down on the mat and she started crying. We ended up not participating, but just sitting at the side feeding and sleeping and more feeding, all in the nude. She'd finally calmed down when everyone was leaving so I dressed her, then I put her on the floor to get my things in my bag and she was smiling and looking at me as if to say, "Can I have my massage now please mummy?"
On friday my mum, her husband and my sister and nephew came up. As usual my mum was just wanting everyone to pose for photographs while they were there.
Saturday was the Christmas Light Switch on day. They also had a lot of things going on in the day, which was the First Day of Todmas, including stalls, raffles, snow and a Polish day event. I decided I wanted a break from carrying WJ, so we put her in her pram when we went out in the morning, then she went in K's sling in the afternoon. K doesn't use his sling much because it means he can't smoke!! It was her first time out in the pram. She was a bit unsure at first, but then fell asleep, which was good because I've been having trouble getting her to sleep, even though she needs it so much!!
K was supposed to be coming up on sunday but he had man-flu so he stayed at the boat!
Yarn Along #3
Joining in with Ginny again, here's something I'm making and something I'm reading:
The stripey thing is on of the leg bits from the soaker from last week's post. I decided to make them ribbed, by doing rows of treble-crochet (double in US) where the hook is only inserted into the back loops of the stitches on the previous row. I've alternated the navy with rows of red, which will be the back ribs (I don't know what the more technical way of putting that is). I'll be stitching them onto the soaker. Hopefully it should be finished by the weekend!!
I haven't really been doing much reading, so I've included the magazine I bought the other day, Inside Crochet. I haven't even had much time to read it, but it has some really cute patterns in it.
The stripey thing is on of the leg bits from the soaker from last week's post. I decided to make them ribbed, by doing rows of treble-crochet (double in US) where the hook is only inserted into the back loops of the stitches on the previous row. I've alternated the navy with rows of red, which will be the back ribs (I don't know what the more technical way of putting that is). I'll be stitching them onto the soaker. Hopefully it should be finished by the weekend!!
I haven't really been doing much reading, so I've included the magazine I bought the other day, Inside Crochet. I haven't even had much time to read it, but it has some really cute patterns in it.
Friday 25 November 2011
This Moment #3 Boobie
A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember." SouleMama
Small Style 24/11/11
(Posted late due to bad internet signal yesterday)
Every thursday I'll be sharing a picture of my super-stylish daughter. I first saw this on A Lime Less Ordinary, but it started on Mama loves Papa.
Top: Diesel
Bodysuit: F&F (Tesco)
Trousers: Next
Tigers: Mothercare
I'd bought the "Tiger Feet" in a Mothercare sale. I got the bodysuit in a small bundle on eBay and I love it! The other items were bought second hand by my mother.
Who says girls have to wear pink!!
Every thursday I'll be sharing a picture of my super-stylish daughter. I first saw this on A Lime Less Ordinary, but it started on Mama loves Papa.
Top: Diesel
Bodysuit: F&F (Tesco)
Trousers: Next
Tigers: Mothercare
I'd bought the "Tiger Feet" in a Mothercare sale. I got the bodysuit in a small bundle on eBay and I love it! The other items were bought second hand by my mother.
Who says girls have to wear pink!!
Wednesday 23 November 2011
Yarn Along #2
Joining in with Ginny again, here's something I'm making and something I'm reading:
The long thing will be a crocheted nappy soaker for WJ. It's loosely based on this pattern here. I've used Drops Alaska, colour 12, navy blue. It's 100% pure new wool so can be lanolised.
I got the book from the second hand market here. WJ wouldn't settle the other night so I started reading it to her, starting with the first story, The Pied Piper of Hamelin :)
The long thing will be a crocheted nappy soaker for WJ. It's loosely based on this pattern here. I've used Drops Alaska, colour 12, navy blue. It's 100% pure new wool so can be lanolised.
I got the book from the second hand market here. WJ wouldn't settle the other night so I started reading it to her, starting with the first story, The Pied Piper of Hamelin :)
Monday 21 November 2011
Last Week - Nappies, Great Grandparents, BF Group
On Moday I took WJ to my hometown where she met a few of my old schoolfriends. I mentioned last week that someone's mum had passed away. I didn't go to the funeral, just the wake. It was nice to see my old friends. My friends were coping very well, and my thoughts are with them.
Tuesday is Baby Yoga day, so we went to that and had fun. WJ was quite hungry at the end bit where we lie down and relax, so I laid down on my side and let her feed. Then I met K at the train station and we got the train to the next town, walked up a massive hill and picked up some nappies I'd got through Freecycle. They're Little Lamb's, in great condition. I'm not sure whether they're bamboo or organic cotton though. I've basically been given the £300 set (mix of size 1 and 2) plus an extra bucket and extra wraps!! They are easier than the terry squares I'm using, and they're "Daddy friendly!" They don't dry as quick though, which is actually the main reason I bought terries. I washed a few at the laundrette with my terries, then put £2 in the drier. The terries were totally dry, but the 'Lambs could do with another £2. So it looks like I'll be using the squares, especially in these colder, damper months. It's great that K can feel confident changing her though ;)
On Wednesday my grandparents, sister and nephew came over. They'd not seen WJ for quite a while. T, my nephew, will be 2 in December. He was funny because he was jumping and running around, but he kept falling over. He didn't seem bothered by it though, just got up and carried on. My sister parents a totally different way to the way I will though. She's using a reward chart to control his tantrums, and she has a naughty step. It makes me sad, but I don't want to criticize her when she has more experience than I. When she mentioned his "paddying," I said to T, "awww, it's because you can't express your emotions isn't it..." but my sister said she has to do something about it because he hits smaller children. She's obviously doing what's best for them, it just doesn't seem right.
Thursday was Baby Massage day. We massaged bellys this time to help the digestive system. This meant no nappies. Towards the end, WJ provided me with more encouragement to try EC properly. More on this in a separate post over the next few days.
On Friday I went to the Breastfeeding group, I haven't been for a while so it was nice to catch up with people!
Tuesday is Baby Yoga day, so we went to that and had fun. WJ was quite hungry at the end bit where we lie down and relax, so I laid down on my side and let her feed. Then I met K at the train station and we got the train to the next town, walked up a massive hill and picked up some nappies I'd got through Freecycle. They're Little Lamb's, in great condition. I'm not sure whether they're bamboo or organic cotton though. I've basically been given the £300 set (mix of size 1 and 2) plus an extra bucket and extra wraps!! They are easier than the terry squares I'm using, and they're "Daddy friendly!" They don't dry as quick though, which is actually the main reason I bought terries. I washed a few at the laundrette with my terries, then put £2 in the drier. The terries were totally dry, but the 'Lambs could do with another £2. So it looks like I'll be using the squares, especially in these colder, damper months. It's great that K can feel confident changing her though ;)
On Wednesday my grandparents, sister and nephew came over. They'd not seen WJ for quite a while. T, my nephew, will be 2 in December. He was funny because he was jumping and running around, but he kept falling over. He didn't seem bothered by it though, just got up and carried on. My sister parents a totally different way to the way I will though. She's using a reward chart to control his tantrums, and she has a naughty step. It makes me sad, but I don't want to criticize her when she has more experience than I. When she mentioned his "paddying," I said to T, "awww, it's because you can't express your emotions isn't it..." but my sister said she has to do something about it because he hits smaller children. She's obviously doing what's best for them, it just doesn't seem right.
Thursday was Baby Massage day. We massaged bellys this time to help the digestive system. This meant no nappies. Towards the end, WJ provided me with more encouragement to try EC properly. More on this in a separate post over the next few days.
On Friday I went to the Breastfeeding group, I haven't been for a while so it was nice to catch up with people!
Friday 18 November 2011
This Moment #2 Towels
A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember." SouleMama
Thursday 17 November 2011
Small Style 17/11/11
Every thursday I'll be sharing a picture of my super-stylish daughter. I first saw this on A Lime Less Ordinary, but it started on Mama loves Papa.
I must confess to cheating here. I didn't take any pictures this week where WJ wasn't in a sleepsuit, so this is a picture from a couple of weeks ago.
Again, all clothes are second hand, bought in a bundle by my mother.
Jacket: Baby (Tesco)
Top: Just Too Cute
Jeans: Marks and Spencer
I must confess to cheating here. I didn't take any pictures this week where WJ wasn't in a sleepsuit, so this is a picture from a couple of weeks ago.
Again, all clothes are second hand, bought in a bundle by my mother.
Jacket: Baby (Tesco)
Top: Just Too Cute
Jeans: Marks and Spencer
Wednesday 16 November 2011
Yarn Along #1
This is my first 'Yarn Along' post. The idea was started by Ginny, where we share something we're knitting or crocheting, and something we're reading.
So I'm crocheting a bag for my nephew, Toby. It will hopefully look like Toby the steam tram from Thomas the Tank Engine. I'm using the super chunky Eskimo pure wool yarn from Drops by Garnstudio. It is so soft!! This is the first actual thing I've crocheted, apart from a small flower. It isn't perfect as I've just made up the pattern as I've gone along, but I'll be putting it in the washing machine to felt, so you won't notice the uneven rows so much ;)
The book is Baby-Led Weaning by Gill Rapley and Tracey Murkett. It makes so much sense to wean this way. I don't want to be forcing mush down my baby's throat! I also plan to breastfeed her on demand for as long as possible, so after she's had the freedom and trust to eat as and when she needs/wants, I don't want to take that away from her. She knows what she needs more than I do.
So I'm crocheting a bag for my nephew, Toby. It will hopefully look like Toby the steam tram from Thomas the Tank Engine. I'm using the super chunky Eskimo pure wool yarn from Drops by Garnstudio. It is so soft!! This is the first actual thing I've crocheted, apart from a small flower. It isn't perfect as I've just made up the pattern as I've gone along, but I'll be putting it in the washing machine to felt, so you won't notice the uneven rows so much ;)
The book is Baby-Led Weaning by Gill Rapley and Tracey Murkett. It makes so much sense to wean this way. I don't want to be forcing mush down my baby's throat! I also plan to breastfeed her on demand for as long as possible, so after she's had the freedom and trust to eat as and when she needs/wants, I don't want to take that away from her. She knows what she needs more than I do.
Last Week - Yoga, Massage and Knitting Machines
This post is a little late, but on Monday I was back in my home town all day, and yesterday I couldn't stay connected to the internet!
So, last tuesday I went to baby yoga with WJ. It was our first time there and we loved it! It's a mixture of stretches that entertain your baby, and stretching your baby while watching your own posture. Then we have about 10 minutes of relaxation with our babies. Naturally, you get interruptions of babies giggling, pooping, posseting and crying, but the atmosphere there is so relaxed and everyone else is in the same boat. If your baby needs feeding, you feed them, if the baby needs changing, you change them.
It was in Hebden Bridge so I decided to see a friend before it as he'd just returned to Hebden Bridge with his boat. It was the first time he'd met WJ.
On thursday we went to baby massage. This too was great. We just did legs and feet. WJ was looking around all the time!!
On friday I went over to Accrington on the train to pick up a knitting machine I'd won on eBay, a Knitmaster 302. I'd won it for around £35. The guy was selling it because it was his mum's, but she'd moved into a care home. As I was getting my money out though, he told me he didn't want any!! He told me he was putting everything on Freecycle, but with this he wanted to make sure it would go to someone who actually wanted it and would look after it, not just someone after metal to scrap. He also wasn't very sure of the condition of it. So I got it for nothing. It seems in brilliant condition, so would really be a shame if someone was to scrap it. It is a model from the 60s!
On saturday my mum called me to tell me my friends' mum had died. I didn't know, but she was diagnosed with stomache cancer a year ago. My friends are only 24 and 27 so I can't imagine how they must be feeling. I used to go to their house every Sunday for Sunday dinner. Their mum made the best Sunday dinner in the world. They had their own chickens and grew their own vegetables.
The week ended with a delicious Sunday dinner cooked by K.
So, last tuesday I went to baby yoga with WJ. It was our first time there and we loved it! It's a mixture of stretches that entertain your baby, and stretching your baby while watching your own posture. Then we have about 10 minutes of relaxation with our babies. Naturally, you get interruptions of babies giggling, pooping, posseting and crying, but the atmosphere there is so relaxed and everyone else is in the same boat. If your baby needs feeding, you feed them, if the baby needs changing, you change them.
It was in Hebden Bridge so I decided to see a friend before it as he'd just returned to Hebden Bridge with his boat. It was the first time he'd met WJ.
On thursday we went to baby massage. This too was great. We just did legs and feet. WJ was looking around all the time!!
On friday I went over to Accrington on the train to pick up a knitting machine I'd won on eBay, a Knitmaster 302. I'd won it for around £35. The guy was selling it because it was his mum's, but she'd moved into a care home. As I was getting my money out though, he told me he didn't want any!! He told me he was putting everything on Freecycle, but with this he wanted to make sure it would go to someone who actually wanted it and would look after it, not just someone after metal to scrap. He also wasn't very sure of the condition of it. So I got it for nothing. It seems in brilliant condition, so would really be a shame if someone was to scrap it. It is a model from the 60s!
On saturday my mum called me to tell me my friends' mum had died. I didn't know, but she was diagnosed with stomache cancer a year ago. My friends are only 24 and 27 so I can't imagine how they must be feeling. I used to go to their house every Sunday for Sunday dinner. Their mum made the best Sunday dinner in the world. They had their own chickens and grew their own vegetables.
The week ended with a delicious Sunday dinner cooked by K.
Friday 11 November 2011
This Moment #1 Sleepy
"A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savor and remember." SouleMama
Thursday 10 November 2011
Small Style 10/11/11
This is my first Small Style post. I first saw it on Nev's blog, A Lime Less Ordinary, but it first started on Mama Loves Papa. Every week I'll be sharing a photo of my (super stylish) baby!!
This photo's actually from yesterday, but I think her outfit is great. I'd dressed her in the bodysuit, top and leggings, then went to get myself ready, and when I came back she was wearing a hat and boots!
All items, apart from the bodysuit, were bought by my mum secong hand.
Hat - Mini Mode (part of a pumpkin outfit)
Boots - TU (sainsburys)
Top - It has no label
Leggings - Disney at George, Asda
Bodysuit - H&M
This photo's actually from yesterday, but I think her outfit is great. I'd dressed her in the bodysuit, top and leggings, then went to get myself ready, and when I came back she was wearing a hat and boots!
All items, apart from the bodysuit, were bought by my mum secong hand.
Hat - Mini Mode (part of a pumpkin outfit)
Boots - TU (sainsburys)
Top - It has no label
Leggings - Disney at George, Asda
Bodysuit - H&M
Big Catchup!!
Yes I've been AWOL again. I haven't really felt like blogging. A few days after K's dad passed away, we found out our friend had died. We're still not really sure of the consequenses as he didn't have many friends around here and his family live in another county. K had asked his ex girlfriend about the funeral and she was supposed to be informing us of the details. She didn't, and I ended up finding out about the funeral online, a few hours after he'd been burried. I was gutted. And then my Grandma's brother died. I didn't know him, but it's not nice when my grandma's upset.
I didn't want to blog until I felt ready to post regularly again though. So anyway, onto more positive things. What have we been up to?
-Meeting "The Family". Me and WJ didn't go to K's dad's funeral as we didn't know him so K didn't feel it was appropriate. We met him afterwards at the wake and got to meet all his family, including all the cousins he didn't know he had. A lot of people kept coming over to meet "G's Granddaughter". Unfortunately they were met with half her face and half my boob as she was just starting her growth spurt. WJ's Great Auntie J and Great Uncle R were really excited to see her. They gave us their address so we'll definitely keep in touch with them.
-Watching films. We watch Four Lions, a comedy about Islamic terrorists. It was funny but had a sad ending. We don't usually watch comedies though so was a nice change. Then we watched Grave of the Fireflies, a Studio Ghibli film. This was really sad about a boy who loses his parents in the war and is left looking after his sister, who dies of malnutrition. I found out afterwards that is was based on a semi-autobiographical book. It's not as imaginitive (read "crazy") as the other Studio Ghibli films, but we really enjoyed it. Then we watched Chrysallis, based on a short story by Ray Bradbury. K wanted something thought provoking and has read some of Ray Bradbury's books so chose this. But it was awful. The acting was really poor and there wasn't any depth to the story, apart from a Christian undertone. The only good thing about it was that it wasn't too long!!
-Shopping. We all went to Manchester. I bought some yarns to make a christmas present for my nephew, I bought a gorgeous hat and gloves for WJ, and I bought a Christmas tree.
-Yoga. Baby yoga with WJ, we loved it! I get my stretches while entertaining her, then she gets to do some stretches. Then we both relax together. It's such a relaxed atmosphere, and it's ok if your baby wants to stop for a feed, needs changing, starts crying, talking or giggling. Then we all stay and have herbal tea and a chat.
-Massage. WJ got invited to a course of 4 baby massage classes. Today was the first. There were just under 10 mother-and-baby pairs (including a double pair of grandmother-mother-twins) and a health visitor talked us through giving our baby a leg and foot massage. I can't wait to go back last week. Now I just need to teach WJ how to massage me.
-Crochet. More details to come soon ;)
-eBay. I decided to buy another knitting machine. I don't know why!! I also taught K how to use eBay, so now my watch list is full of guitars!!
I didn't want to blog until I felt ready to post regularly again though. So anyway, onto more positive things. What have we been up to?
-Meeting "The Family". Me and WJ didn't go to K's dad's funeral as we didn't know him so K didn't feel it was appropriate. We met him afterwards at the wake and got to meet all his family, including all the cousins he didn't know he had. A lot of people kept coming over to meet "G's Granddaughter". Unfortunately they were met with half her face and half my boob as she was just starting her growth spurt. WJ's Great Auntie J and Great Uncle R were really excited to see her. They gave us their address so we'll definitely keep in touch with them.
-Watching films. We watch Four Lions, a comedy about Islamic terrorists. It was funny but had a sad ending. We don't usually watch comedies though so was a nice change. Then we watched Grave of the Fireflies, a Studio Ghibli film. This was really sad about a boy who loses his parents in the war and is left looking after his sister, who dies of malnutrition. I found out afterwards that is was based on a semi-autobiographical book. It's not as imaginitive (read "crazy") as the other Studio Ghibli films, but we really enjoyed it. Then we watched Chrysallis, based on a short story by Ray Bradbury. K wanted something thought provoking and has read some of Ray Bradbury's books so chose this. But it was awful. The acting was really poor and there wasn't any depth to the story, apart from a Christian undertone. The only good thing about it was that it wasn't too long!!
-Shopping. We all went to Manchester. I bought some yarns to make a christmas present for my nephew, I bought a gorgeous hat and gloves for WJ, and I bought a Christmas tree.
-Yoga. Baby yoga with WJ, we loved it! I get my stretches while entertaining her, then she gets to do some stretches. Then we both relax together. It's such a relaxed atmosphere, and it's ok if your baby wants to stop for a feed, needs changing, starts crying, talking or giggling. Then we all stay and have herbal tea and a chat.
-Massage. WJ got invited to a course of 4 baby massage classes. Today was the first. There were just under 10 mother-and-baby pairs (including a double pair of grandmother-mother-twins) and a health visitor talked us through giving our baby a leg and foot massage. I can't wait to go back last week. Now I just need to teach WJ how to massage me.
-Crochet. More details to come soon ;)
-eBay. I decided to buy another knitting machine. I don't know why!! I also taught K how to use eBay, so now my watch list is full of guitars!!
Wednesday 26 October 2011
Normal services will resume shorty...
Sorry I've not blogged for a couple of weeks. The little one and I got that horrible cold that was going around so weren't doing much worth blogging about, and then K's dad passed away.
I've started doing crochet (again) though, so should have something else to blog about soon too!
Thanks for still following! x
I've started doing crochet (again) though, so should have something else to blog about soon too!
Thanks for still following! x
Wednesday 12 October 2011
Tuesday 11 October 2011
2 months old - A letter
Dear WJ,
You're 2 months and 1 day old now. I feel like I've known you forever. Everything with you feels so natural.
Until I met you I didn't realise babies had such strong personalities. Your such a mix of Daddy and I, and you're very much a Leo!
You're so chilled out. I take you everywhere in my sling. The warmth and closeness of me makes you feel so safe and secure. The motion of me walking puts you to sleep. When I take you out everyone comments on how "content" you are.
But when you want something you won't wait. I think you got the impatience off me! If you want Boobie, sometimes I'd rather go to the toilet or make a cuppa first. You cry like I've not fed you all day, even though you probably only fed one or two hours earlier! Luckily I'm still breastfeeding you as I couldn't bear to make you wait while I prepared a bottle.
Sometimes you go four hours without feeding, other times you don't even manage an hour. Someday soon Daddy will probably feed you from a bottle so I can go to the gym or go out. Don't worry, I'll express some breastmilk for you, I wouldn't want you drinking formula milk. I only want the best for you! I can't imagine you drinking from a bottle though. When you have Boobie you're in charge. If you're not comfortable you wriggle and kick. If you want to switch sides when the milk flows too slowly you push me away and root for more. If I put you back on the same breast you protest, hitting me until I switch sides.
When you've finished feeding you go to sleep across me on your front. If there's enough pressure on your belly you usually do a loud burp. It's amazing how manly it sounds coming from such a little girl! You don't sleep as easily on your back. You seem to be troubled by wind quite often though. I often have to lift your legs and push them to your chest to help you get it out. At night you sleep next to me. I bought a little cot that only has 3 sides so I could have you next to me but not in my bed. Before that the only place you would sleep was my bed. You put your arms out to demand your own space; you're just like Daddy!
You had you're first injections last week, as well as your 6-8 week check. You weighed 9lb 11oz and measured 55cm long. I was worried about your belly button because it still has a lump on it. The doctor said it would go down on its own and it is doing. I pretended to be excited about your injections so you wouldn't sense and fear, but they still hurt you. You cried with the first one. I just wanted to cuddle you until you calmed down, but you needed another in your other thigh. You cried so much you could hardly breathe!
You look really long and thin. You're so pretty. You have long, black eyelashes and pink lips. You have blond eyelashes like me. The skin that was holding your eyelids together snapped and you can only tell it was there if you look carefully. I try not to dress you the same as every other baby. I sometimes buy boys clothes, like jeans and blue tops, which really are unisex, or I put you in bright colours. You were born with lots of hair, dark and messy like Daddy's. But you're losing that and have a bald patch at the back and your hair's really fine on top.
You like it when we talk to you. You seem to really listen, although I doubt you understand us. Daddy always gives you guided tours of places. You like having baths. You get really worried when I undress you in the bathroom, but then you smile when you're in the warm water. You love playing in your little activity gym. You lay down and hit the dangling things and shout "Khwai!! Khwee!!" You've also got a motorised swing that Grandma Kim got you. I'd much rather hold you or wear you in a sling all day but sometimes I need to do things and my shoulders hurt if I have you in the sling too much.
Yesterday we went to Manchester to start Christmas shopping. I usually leave it until last minute but I can't this year because it would be uncomfortable taking you on a crowded train, it would be scary for you shopping in busy crowds, and you don't like queuing. You slept for most of the day out, until we got to Primark and you wanted Boobie. I fed you in the sling. Then you were wide awake on the way home. You loved looking out of the window, watching everything go from one side of the window to the other. You kept talking to yourself.
I can't wait to take you swimming this week. I hope you don't get too cold.
Love
Mummy x
You're 2 months and 1 day old now. I feel like I've known you forever. Everything with you feels so natural.
Until I met you I didn't realise babies had such strong personalities. Your such a mix of Daddy and I, and you're very much a Leo!
You're so chilled out. I take you everywhere in my sling. The warmth and closeness of me makes you feel so safe and secure. The motion of me walking puts you to sleep. When I take you out everyone comments on how "content" you are.
But when you want something you won't wait. I think you got the impatience off me! If you want Boobie, sometimes I'd rather go to the toilet or make a cuppa first. You cry like I've not fed you all day, even though you probably only fed one or two hours earlier! Luckily I'm still breastfeeding you as I couldn't bear to make you wait while I prepared a bottle.
Sometimes you go four hours without feeding, other times you don't even manage an hour. Someday soon Daddy will probably feed you from a bottle so I can go to the gym or go out. Don't worry, I'll express some breastmilk for you, I wouldn't want you drinking formula milk. I only want the best for you! I can't imagine you drinking from a bottle though. When you have Boobie you're in charge. If you're not comfortable you wriggle and kick. If you want to switch sides when the milk flows too slowly you push me away and root for more. If I put you back on the same breast you protest, hitting me until I switch sides.
When you've finished feeding you go to sleep across me on your front. If there's enough pressure on your belly you usually do a loud burp. It's amazing how manly it sounds coming from such a little girl! You don't sleep as easily on your back. You seem to be troubled by wind quite often though. I often have to lift your legs and push them to your chest to help you get it out. At night you sleep next to me. I bought a little cot that only has 3 sides so I could have you next to me but not in my bed. Before that the only place you would sleep was my bed. You put your arms out to demand your own space; you're just like Daddy!
You had you're first injections last week, as well as your 6-8 week check. You weighed 9lb 11oz and measured 55cm long. I was worried about your belly button because it still has a lump on it. The doctor said it would go down on its own and it is doing. I pretended to be excited about your injections so you wouldn't sense and fear, but they still hurt you. You cried with the first one. I just wanted to cuddle you until you calmed down, but you needed another in your other thigh. You cried so much you could hardly breathe!
You look really long and thin. You're so pretty. You have long, black eyelashes and pink lips. You have blond eyelashes like me. The skin that was holding your eyelids together snapped and you can only tell it was there if you look carefully. I try not to dress you the same as every other baby. I sometimes buy boys clothes, like jeans and blue tops, which really are unisex, or I put you in bright colours. You were born with lots of hair, dark and messy like Daddy's. But you're losing that and have a bald patch at the back and your hair's really fine on top.
You like it when we talk to you. You seem to really listen, although I doubt you understand us. Daddy always gives you guided tours of places. You like having baths. You get really worried when I undress you in the bathroom, but then you smile when you're in the warm water. You love playing in your little activity gym. You lay down and hit the dangling things and shout "Khwai!! Khwee!!" You've also got a motorised swing that Grandma Kim got you. I'd much rather hold you or wear you in a sling all day but sometimes I need to do things and my shoulders hurt if I have you in the sling too much.
Yesterday we went to Manchester to start Christmas shopping. I usually leave it until last minute but I can't this year because it would be uncomfortable taking you on a crowded train, it would be scary for you shopping in busy crowds, and you don't like queuing. You slept for most of the day out, until we got to Primark and you wanted Boobie. I fed you in the sling. Then you were wide awake on the way home. You loved looking out of the window, watching everything go from one side of the window to the other. You kept talking to yourself.
I can't wait to take you swimming this week. I hope you don't get too cold.
Love
Mummy x
Monday 10 October 2011
Last Week - Jabs, DVDs, Hot Chocolate and Boobie
I had my last session of counselling. When I started going my head was all over the place. I was pregnant to someone I hardly knew, I was struggling to find anywhere suitable to live, and I was having to totally change my life. I feel so much better about my life though now.
Getting off the train coming home I saw a girl with a baby in a Kari Me stretchy wrap so I started talking to her. Her little girl is 4 months old and she only lives around the corner from me, so we agreed to both go to the Breastfeeding group that week.
WJ had her first 2 jabs. We had debated about whether to have them done, and we'll be deciding each one separately, but decided to have these two. I'm always going to say yes to any for deseases that can lead to meningitis as I remember a girl local to me dying from it when we were children. She had her 6-8 week check at the same time and is totally fine, 9lb 11oz and 55cm long.
K stayed thursday night. We were going to get a film from the library, but didn't realise it shuts early on a thursday, so we watched one episode from my Tipping the Velvet DVD.
Friday was the Breastfeeding Group, so I had to get up early after a late night. The girl from the train was there, so then we went to a cafe and I had hot chocolate. When we got home WJ was worn out!
K stayed again on saturday night so he cooked tea, then we finished watching Tipping the Velvet. I was a bit annoyed because he comes up for WJ and all she wanted was Boobie! She started feeding while he was cooking, I had to eat while she was stuck to me, and she stayed stuck to me for two hour long episodes. She wasn't just sucking for comfort either as I could hear her swallowing, and she kept getting frustrated when nothing came out so would hit me until I switched sides. He had to leave on Sunday morning to help out a friend with a boat.
Getting off the train coming home I saw a girl with a baby in a Kari Me stretchy wrap so I started talking to her. Her little girl is 4 months old and she only lives around the corner from me, so we agreed to both go to the Breastfeeding group that week.
WJ had her first 2 jabs. We had debated about whether to have them done, and we'll be deciding each one separately, but decided to have these two. I'm always going to say yes to any for deseases that can lead to meningitis as I remember a girl local to me dying from it when we were children. She had her 6-8 week check at the same time and is totally fine, 9lb 11oz and 55cm long.
K stayed thursday night. We were going to get a film from the library, but didn't realise it shuts early on a thursday, so we watched one episode from my Tipping the Velvet DVD.
Friday was the Breastfeeding Group, so I had to get up early after a late night. The girl from the train was there, so then we went to a cafe and I had hot chocolate. When we got home WJ was worn out!
K stayed again on saturday night so he cooked tea, then we finished watching Tipping the Velvet. I was a bit annoyed because he comes up for WJ and all she wanted was Boobie! She started feeding while he was cooking, I had to eat while she was stuck to me, and she stayed stuck to me for two hour long episodes. She wasn't just sucking for comfort either as I could hear her swallowing, and she kept getting frustrated when nothing came out so would hit me until I switched sides. He had to leave on Sunday morning to help out a friend with a boat.
Sunday 9 October 2011
Weekly Procrastinations 1
Go to Manchester and start buying christmas cards and giftwrap.
Take WJ swimming.
Sort through all my clothes.
Finish my backlog of laundry.
Express some milk so K can take W for longer than an hour.
Sort out my benefits.
Bake some cookies.
Dye my hair.
Take WJ swimming.
Sort through all my clothes.
Finish my backlog of laundry.
Express some milk so K can take W for longer than an hour.
Sort out my benefits.
Bake some cookies.
Dye my hair.
Children's Books
As it's been Children's Books Week this week I thought I'd share a photo of WJ's bookshelf. The books behind them are my baby/parenting books:
Most of them are too old for her (she's 2 months), but they've either been given or found at the train stations. Both Hebden Bridge have a little library where you can take and leave books. K reads nearly every book left there!
I did buy her a few board books. They were on sale in Mothercare, and were on 3 for 2. This is our favourite:
It's the only one she really looks at. The contrasting black and white is interesting to little babies.
K was really excited to find this for her while I was still pregnant:
I love this book. This was another train station find:
The illustrations throughout it are beatiful. It's a cute story about a Princess who gets a Polar bear as a companion.
Most of them are too old for her (she's 2 months), but they've either been given or found at the train stations. Both Hebden Bridge have a little library where you can take and leave books. K reads nearly every book left there!
I did buy her a few board books. They were on sale in Mothercare, and were on 3 for 2. This is our favourite:
It's the only one she really looks at. The contrasting black and white is interesting to little babies.
K was really excited to find this for her while I was still pregnant:
I love this book. This was another train station find:
The illustrations throughout it are beatiful. It's a cute story about a Princess who gets a Polar bear as a companion.
Wednesday 5 October 2011
Monday 3 October 2011
Sunday Dinner and Bottom Burping
Well I've just spent the last few hours catching up with all the blogs I follow while WJ sleeps on my lap:
After feeding, I burp her on my knee and she often falls asleep there. It seems to be her most comfortable position. She doesn't seem too happy sleeping on her back. At night I let her fall asleep on me, and then gently place her on her own mattress. We co-sleep using a bedside cot side-car arrangement The last couple of weeks though she's been troubled with uncomfortable trapped wind. She's been kicking her legs up in the air and squeezing her abdomen, so I help it come out by doing a knee-to-chest "bottom burp"
Last week I did 3 loads of laundry and I still have a big pile that needs doing.
On Friday we rented a film from the library, The Ghost, directed by Roman Polanski. It was K's choice, but I really enjoyed it. It was about a man who was ghost writing the ex Prime Minister's memoirs and ended up investigating rumours about him being involved with torture and the CIA. It had a very unexpected ending which I will not spoil.
WJ seems a lot more alert and aware of her body and her surroundings. She's been playing in her activity gym, either hitting the dangling things, or just looking around, exclaiming "Khwai! Khwee! Khoi!"
I spent all yesterday making sunday dinner for K and I. I'm 25 but I've never made a sunday dinner before because I've never really enjoyed them. I don't dislike them, but I find them bland. I never think they're worth the effort when you can stick the same ingredients in a pan with some spices and make a curry or something with more flavour. I have a very fussy taste. So here's how it went:
-I made gluten-free bread in my bread machine in the morning. I just made plain white bread as I was trying to get the texture right before experimenting with different flours and extras. Gluten free flour doesn't hold air as easily so it's taken a few attempts to get the texture right but I finally managed it!
-For starter we had sweet potato, spinach and red lentil soup with the bread and a dollop of creme fraish in it.
-For the main course we had pork, cheesy mash, stuffing, yorkshire puddings, roast pattypan squash and red cabbage. The stuffing was made with crumbs of my bread and sage I'd picked myself. The red cabbage was cooked in my slow cooker with veg stock, apples and raisins. The Yorkshire puds were a disaster, I'd never made them before so I wasn't going to bother, but when I was in the supermarket they had some gluten free yorkshire pudding mix reduced from 99p to 75p. I don't think I read the instructions properly, and then I burnt the poor attempt anyway!
-I was going to make the flapjack cookies found here and serve one broken with creme fraish and some fruit, but we didn't eat until late and were both very tired (I'd been awake bottom burping WJ, and K had been stuck outside overnight as the boat was in the lock and someone had hidden the windlass!). K doesn't really like sweet things, so I thought he wouldn't want dessert anyway. I'd made the cookies earlier in the day though and woke up this morning to find one missing!
-We spent all morning washing up!!
I've decided I need more structure to my blog, so I'm going to start participating in the weekly photo posts such as 'Wordless Wednesday', 'Small Style' and 'This Moment'. On Mondays I hope to do a catch up of the previous week (such as in this post) and on Sundays do a list of things I plan to do. I'm still going to have other posts.
After feeding, I burp her on my knee and she often falls asleep there. It seems to be her most comfortable position. She doesn't seem too happy sleeping on her back. At night I let her fall asleep on me, and then gently place her on her own mattress. We co-sleep using a bedside cot side-car arrangement The last couple of weeks though she's been troubled with uncomfortable trapped wind. She's been kicking her legs up in the air and squeezing her abdomen, so I help it come out by doing a knee-to-chest "bottom burp"
Last week I did 3 loads of laundry and I still have a big pile that needs doing.
On Friday we rented a film from the library, The Ghost, directed by Roman Polanski. It was K's choice, but I really enjoyed it. It was about a man who was ghost writing the ex Prime Minister's memoirs and ended up investigating rumours about him being involved with torture and the CIA. It had a very unexpected ending which I will not spoil.
WJ seems a lot more alert and aware of her body and her surroundings. She's been playing in her activity gym, either hitting the dangling things, or just looking around, exclaiming "Khwai! Khwee! Khoi!"
I spent all yesterday making sunday dinner for K and I. I'm 25 but I've never made a sunday dinner before because I've never really enjoyed them. I don't dislike them, but I find them bland. I never think they're worth the effort when you can stick the same ingredients in a pan with some spices and make a curry or something with more flavour. I have a very fussy taste. So here's how it went:
-I made gluten-free bread in my bread machine in the morning. I just made plain white bread as I was trying to get the texture right before experimenting with different flours and extras. Gluten free flour doesn't hold air as easily so it's taken a few attempts to get the texture right but I finally managed it!
-For starter we had sweet potato, spinach and red lentil soup with the bread and a dollop of creme fraish in it.
-For the main course we had pork, cheesy mash, stuffing, yorkshire puddings, roast pattypan squash and red cabbage. The stuffing was made with crumbs of my bread and sage I'd picked myself. The red cabbage was cooked in my slow cooker with veg stock, apples and raisins. The Yorkshire puds were a disaster, I'd never made them before so I wasn't going to bother, but when I was in the supermarket they had some gluten free yorkshire pudding mix reduced from 99p to 75p. I don't think I read the instructions properly, and then I burnt the poor attempt anyway!
-I was going to make the flapjack cookies found here and serve one broken with creme fraish and some fruit, but we didn't eat until late and were both very tired (I'd been awake bottom burping WJ, and K had been stuck outside overnight as the boat was in the lock and someone had hidden the windlass!). K doesn't really like sweet things, so I thought he wouldn't want dessert anyway. I'd made the cookies earlier in the day though and woke up this morning to find one missing!
-We spent all morning washing up!!
I've decided I need more structure to my blog, so I'm going to start participating in the weekly photo posts such as 'Wordless Wednesday', 'Small Style' and 'This Moment'. On Mondays I hope to do a catch up of the previous week (such as in this post) and on Sundays do a list of things I plan to do. I'm still going to have other posts.
Thursday 22 September 2011
Pictures!! Not 100% happy with them though.
I finally got round to doing a job I've been meaning to do for a while: Reinstalling Windows!!
I'd had a virus, got rid of the virus, but it had corrupted some critical files, so I decided a few months ago that it was best to back up my files and reinstall Windows. So when I got my new camera I didn't see the point of installing my camera software and transferring my photos onto my laptop until Windows was fixed.
This camera is my first compact digital point-and-shoot. I'm a bit disappointed with the photos to be honest. My other cameras are a lot more manual so I have a lot more control over exposure, shutter speed, focus etc. I have a Nikon d50 (dSLR), a Pentacon film SLR, a Holgaroid and a Diana Mini. I decided that, having a baby, I'd need something more instant, and something I could fit in my pocket. I didn't want to be changing lenses, attaching flashes or changing films.
Because I've only just transferred them to my computer, I've only just been able to view them full size, therefore identifying problems. So here's why I'm not happy with them:
1. Noise from high ISO and blur due to slow shutter speed. Both of these are due to the very poor light in my basement flat! On camera flash is always awful (and the little one hates it) so maybe I need to find an alternative solution!
2. An unfamiliar subject. I never considered the fact that you can't tell a baby to stay still!
3. Autofocus. It never focusses on what I want it to. I used autofocus on my d50, but that had 5 points for you to choose which to focus on.
4. Shooting in JPEG. I'm used to shooting digitally in RAW so I generally use a preset white balance, and then I can adjust it using my laptop without losing any quality.
So anyway, here are some photos of the little one:
I'd had a virus, got rid of the virus, but it had corrupted some critical files, so I decided a few months ago that it was best to back up my files and reinstall Windows. So when I got my new camera I didn't see the point of installing my camera software and transferring my photos onto my laptop until Windows was fixed.
This camera is my first compact digital point-and-shoot. I'm a bit disappointed with the photos to be honest. My other cameras are a lot more manual so I have a lot more control over exposure, shutter speed, focus etc. I have a Nikon d50 (dSLR), a Pentacon film SLR, a Holgaroid and a Diana Mini. I decided that, having a baby, I'd need something more instant, and something I could fit in my pocket. I didn't want to be changing lenses, attaching flashes or changing films.
Because I've only just transferred them to my computer, I've only just been able to view them full size, therefore identifying problems. So here's why I'm not happy with them:
1. Noise from high ISO and blur due to slow shutter speed. Both of these are due to the very poor light in my basement flat! On camera flash is always awful (and the little one hates it) so maybe I need to find an alternative solution!
2. An unfamiliar subject. I never considered the fact that you can't tell a baby to stay still!
3. Autofocus. It never focusses on what I want it to. I used autofocus on my d50, but that had 5 points for you to choose which to focus on.
4. Shooting in JPEG. I'm used to shooting digitally in RAW so I generally use a preset white balance, and then I can adjust it using my laptop without losing any quality.
So anyway, here are some photos of the little one:
Sunday 18 September 2011
What do you do when you can't just move on anymore?
Things between K and I were never meant to be. He doesn't do relationships. It was just supposed to be a fling before he went travelling round South East Asia and then moved back to another UK county. But then I found out I was pregnant. We've been through a lot over the last 10 moths getting to know each other. We do have a lot in common, although we do clash in many ways. There is a big age difference, but it's not really a problem unless one of us makes it.
I've realised though that while he does love me, and he does care about me, he's not in love with me and doesn't want a relationship. He does sometimes say what he thinks I want to hear, yet I wish he'd just tell the truth as things always backfire and blow up into arguments.
I struggle still to understand where I stand with him. He says we're in a relationship because we've got a child together, but not a “relationship”. We do everything as a couple. Tomorrow night he'll be coming up, cooking for me, we'll watch a DVD together, then he'll give me a hug and a kiss goodnight and we'll sleep in separate beds. We do occasionally sleep together, but I let him initiate that as I got fed up of the rejection.
Living only in the present, I'm very happy with the relationship we do have. I've got a very good friend, and a wonderful father to my daughter. I do wish he showed me more affection, and I wish he'd show more appreciation for me, but that's more to do with his personality than our relationship.
But thinking about the future, I'm really scared. I know that one day he'll meet someone else, whether she'll be just a fling or something more serious, I don't know. But I do know it'll break my heart. I try not to think about it and enjoy what we have, but I know that one day someone's going to take that from me.
Part of me wants to back off a bit now, but another part of me wants me to enjoy what I have while I have it.
I also feel that I deserve to be with someone who shows me love, shows me affection and appreciates me.
Wednesday 14 September 2011
Mama's milk
WJ was weighed today. She weighs 8lb 7oz now, which means she's put on 12oz in a week. She'd put on 13oz last week, so that's 25oz in two weeks. It's amazing to think she's thriving so much from my milk. I'm 5'4”, slim and very small breasted, but I'm obviously providing the right nutrition for her.
I'm very proud of myself for sticking with it, but I suppose formula isn't an option for me as I only want the best for her (I don't mean to put down anyone not breastfeeding!). I knew the first week or so would be difficult, but I also knew it would only get easier. We had a few problems at first; small mouth big nipples, milk coming out too fast, etc; but we worked around them and 5 weeks later it feels so natural. When she was just over 2 weeks old, K and I had a few problems, then when she was weighed at 3 weeks she'd not put on that much weight, despite feeding loads - 16 times in a 24 hour period. I figured out afterwards that stress hormones had been inhibiting my hormones to release my milk, so she was having to feed more often but still not getting enough, making me more stressed and tired. When I felt calmer I noticed I released a lot more milk.
It feels magical when she feeds, I don't really see the milk she drinks, I certainly don't have a measure for it, yet every two hours or so she starts looking around, opening her mouth and frantically sucking her hand, then I put her to my breast, she sticks to it for a while, then drops off sleepy and satisfied. I don't feel like I'm feeding her, yet she's getting heavier, stronger and longer!!
The only slight problem we have now is that being small breasted, when she's ready to feed and they're full, they're quite hard and flat so she can't get a good seal so sucks in a lot of air until they're soft. If she falls asleep before burping her, I don't always burp her, but obviously the air has to come out somewhere so she ends up farting quite a bit!!
Tuesday 13 September 2011
Our very dramatic bith story with no exaggerations
A little late but I had to share:
9th Aug – K's birthday – 39weeks + 3days – Growth scan at hospital. I'd been measuring quite small. My bump was measuring below the 10th centile but fluid level was fine and her estimated weight was measuring just on the 10th centile so I was having weekly scans towards the end of my pregnancy. Today the growth had slowed though and her estimated weight had dropped below the 10th centile. They booked me in for an induction on 15th Aug, but also gave me a stretch and sweep where it was discovered that I was 3cm dilated.
K decided he was going to stay out that night, and if I went into labour he'd meet me at the hospital. I had this odd feeling I was going to go into labour that night and felt I needed him there. After lots of crying and arguing on the phone he got the last train back to mine.
10th Aug – I'd not gone into labour overnight. In fact I woke up feeling like the stretch and sweep wasn't going to work. I was tempted to tell K to go home to the boat. I felt like he didn't want to be here.
6:15-6:30pm – K had just spent ages cooking lots of food. I picked up the gravy and had a really bad pain. I went to the toilet, my mucus plug is hanging out, then had another pain. I was having quite strong 20-30second contractions every 6-7 minutes.
6:50pm – called the hospital. I have bad signal in my flat so was stood outside in the rain. I was told someone would ring me back in 10 mins as they were changing shifts.
7:10pm – I called them back as no one called back. They told me I needed to take paracetamol and have a bath, that I needed to stay at home a few hours. I took paracetamol thinking they weren't strong enough and put my boiler on so I could have a bath.
7:30pm – I called the hospital again, the contractions were now 30seconds long and coming every 5 minutes. I told them I had a 12mile journey and was scared I wouldn't make it. I was told that it was very unlikely I was in established labour so quick with my first, and that the paracetamol hadn't had enough time to work, they'd just be pains. My boiler was still heating the water up so I was told to have a shower.
8:00pm – I got out of the shower with pains so strong I could hardly walk. I was crawling around on my hands and knees trying to get dressed.
8:15pm – called the hospital again, they finally agreed I might be ready to set off!
8:30pm – I got in the taxi, sat on a towel in case my waters broke on the way. The driver was new, it was his dad's taxi. He didn't know the way to the hospital.
8:45pm – We're half way there, then suddenly we get to a queue of traffic. The road's closed. We drive around the queue to speak to the police. She tells us there's no way we can get through the road, we'll have to drive round, through this tiny village on country roads only wide enough for one car. We get to a fork, naturally we take the direction that we need to be going. We end up at a dead end with 2 houses, one being Paddy from Emmerdale's. (Our friend S is friends with him and once S took K up there) Someone came out and directed us the right way. Back to the fork and the driver scratches both sides of the car.
9:00pm and we're finally on a road back down to the main road, but there's another queue. The contractions change, my waters explode, I can feel the head coming out. I pass K my phone, tell him to call 999. He does, they start asking loads of questions, they're clearly not taking us seriously. He hangs up. The driver goes around the queue, 999 call us back, we're with the police at the other side of the diversion, K gets out, a police-man tells me to lie down and K passes him my phone. All the neighbours are looking out of their windows to try find out about the road accident, so luckily the policeman just happens to be outside a midwife's house when he says, “we need a midwife urgently”. She obviously heard and runs outside. I'm really confused for a minute over why there's a midwife here now. She tells me that there's an ambulance on the way so I should try to stop pushing, I tell her that I'm not choosing to push. She removes my trousers and underwear, shouts to someone, “This baby isn't going to wait, get me some gloves and some towels.” She gets gloves from the police and sends someone into her house where there's a suitcase full of towels in the front room as she'd just got back from her holiday. A few pushes and our little one's out, wiped with a Man Utd towel (which K keeps as a souvenir), and placed on my chest. I'm so glad she's ok as the ambulance still isn't here.
9:20pm – someone asks if we got a time of birth. No one had so we decided on 9:15pm, although I'm sure it could have been 9:10pm. An ambulance arrives with gas and air, I have some anyway.
9:40pm – the cord is cut and the placenta is birthed. We keep the placenta for K to bury on the full moon (13th Aug, our due date)
I got carried into the ambulance, checked for shock and taken to the hospital.
I was in shock and I was very frustrated that no one was believing me when I was in labour.
I stayed in hospital 2 nights just so I was confident with breastfeeding.
The road was closed as there had been a big crash, a 29 year old had died, an 18 year old was critical but stable. A few days later we find out that the 29 year old was K's cousin's boyfriend and the 18 year is another friend of our friend S.
Friday 9 September 2011
I'm back
Hi guys!!
I'm back to using Blogger. I've not been anywhere, just busy having a baby etc etc. I'll gradually update you over the next week or two.
I also need to catch up with the blogs I'm following.
Will post more soon...
I'm back to using Blogger. I've not been anywhere, just busy having a baby etc etc. I'll gradually update you over the next week or two.
I also need to catch up with the blogs I'm following.
Will post more soon...
Thursday 21 July 2011
I can still smile :)
I had planned on blogging more frequently than this, but due to pregnancy aches and pains and financial issues etc etc I've not really had anything interesting and positive to post.
But today someone very special made me smile...
Basically, my pregnancy wasn't planned and K and I hardly knew each other. A relationship was never on the cards, it wasn't what either of us wanted, and K was due to go travelling, and then he was going to live elsewhere in the country. But then I found out I was pregnant. He ended up coming back to the area to support me after only 2 weeks of travelling, but he was homeless and jobless. The past 7 months has been really difficult because we've both had our lives turned upside down. He's been doing his best to support me though, which can't be easy because I've been hormonally emotional quite a lot and he hasn't known me long enough to decipher whether my moods are just hormonal, or if there's something we do need to work out. He's also had lots to deal with, and after so many years of believing he couldn't have children, he's struggling to come to terms with things. Especially as the baby isn't here yet, she's not real to him, and he said it won't sink in properly until he sees her. While he's doing everything he can to support me; the cooking, washing up, tea and hot-chocolate duty, carrying my shopping, making hot water bottles for my bad back etc, he can sometimes be quite cold with me when I need emotional support, and it means we're still going through lots of ups and downs.
But today he came back from a job interview and told me that he was asked what his greatest achievement is, and he told them it was that he's expecting a baby in August :D
But today someone very special made me smile...
Basically, my pregnancy wasn't planned and K and I hardly knew each other. A relationship was never on the cards, it wasn't what either of us wanted, and K was due to go travelling, and then he was going to live elsewhere in the country. But then I found out I was pregnant. He ended up coming back to the area to support me after only 2 weeks of travelling, but he was homeless and jobless. The past 7 months has been really difficult because we've both had our lives turned upside down. He's been doing his best to support me though, which can't be easy because I've been hormonally emotional quite a lot and he hasn't known me long enough to decipher whether my moods are just hormonal, or if there's something we do need to work out. He's also had lots to deal with, and after so many years of believing he couldn't have children, he's struggling to come to terms with things. Especially as the baby isn't here yet, she's not real to him, and he said it won't sink in properly until he sees her. While he's doing everything he can to support me; the cooking, washing up, tea and hot-chocolate duty, carrying my shopping, making hot water bottles for my bad back etc, he can sometimes be quite cold with me when I need emotional support, and it means we're still going through lots of ups and downs.
But today he came back from a job interview and told me that he was asked what his greatest achievement is, and he told them it was that he's expecting a baby in August :D
Thursday 14 July 2011
Gotta love free food
I'm fortunate to live in the town where 'Incredible Edible' was born. They're a group of volunteers who grow and campaign for local food. They've grown communal herb gardens, veg patches and fruit trees around the town.
K came up this morning and I told him it was his turn to cook today. Afterall, he is a chef!! So we decided to take a walk to a couple of the veg patches just round the corner from mine. We (he) picked lots of broad-beans, potatoes, a cabbage, spring onions, chives and rosemary. I picked a strawberry and some blackcurrants(?).
He's been in the kitchen over an hour, and whatever he's cooking smells delicious!!
K came up this morning and I told him it was his turn to cook today. Afterall, he is a chef!! So we decided to take a walk to a couple of the veg patches just round the corner from mine. We (he) picked lots of broad-beans, potatoes, a cabbage, spring onions, chives and rosemary. I picked a strawberry and some blackcurrants(?).
He's been in the kitchen over an hour, and whatever he's cooking smells delicious!!
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