I have been tagged by the lovely SandyCalico over at Baby Baby. Over a week ago (oops). Anyway, it is all about me so....
Here are the rules:
1. Mention the person who tagged you.
2. Complete the lists of 8's.
3. Tag 8 other bloggers and let them know.
8 Things I'm looking forward to:
1. Having Squigler. Soon. Please.
2. Meeting Squigler and finally seeing what he looks like.
3. Mr C coming home this evening.
4. Becoming a Mum.
5. My baby’s first everything.
6. My hands and feet returning to their usual size.
7. All the food I have been unable to eat and love. A boiled egg with a runny yolk and soliders, poached eggs on toast, pate thickly smothered all over French bread, or toast, prawns and other various seafood served in a million ways.
8. Lying in bed on a weekend with Mr C and Squigler, a new family.
8 Things I did yesterday
1. Unpacked the rest of Squigler’s things.
2. Sorted out the cupboard in the nursery.
3. Spent some time on the internet – bought nursing nighties and touch lamps.
4. Put together Squigler’s vibrating chair thingy.
5. Got the summer weight duvet out and put on bed (finally)
6. Finished the nursery.
7. Sat in the garden with my feet in a bowl of water.
8. Read a book from start to finish.
8 Things I wish I could do
1. Sing.
2. Stop worrying so much.
3. Afford to live in Cornwall.
4. Pop round my Mum’s for a cuppa and a chat (and I would love a cuddle).
5. Stand up for longer than 30 minutes at a time.
6. Use my hands!
7. Finish knitting Squigler’s blanket.
8. Decide what I want for my birthday.
8 favourite fruits
1. Watermelon
2. Apples
3. Any other melon
4. Pineapple
5. Sultanas
6. Nectarines
7. Kiwi
8. Pears
8 Places I'd like to travel
1. Las Vegas
2. Galapagos Islands
3. Los Angeles
4. Canada
5. New York
6. New Zealand
7. Actually, anywhere in America.
8. Italy
8 Places I've lived
1. Penzance, Cornwall
2. Redruth, Cornwall
3. St Erth, Cornwall
4. Hayle, Cornwall
5. Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
6. Hove, East Sussex
7. Brighton, East Sussex
8. Ringmer, East Sussex
8 people tagged
Who to tag? I do not usually like this bit! Plus, I expect by now most people have done it!
Have you done it?
No?
Right, you are it!* (Tig tigging no returns).
*I realise that this is cheating. I will tag Mrs OMG as she was at a loss of what to post about yesterday. But that is your lot!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Jo Whiley - My World In Motion
I was sent a copy of this book to review (my very first, how exciting!). I didn't know whether it would have appealed to me in 'real life', I perhaps would have taken it out from the library if I saw it on the shelf but not bought a copy, so I was interested to read it.
The book is split into chapters - each representing a part of Jo or her life. So we have Sister, DJ, Festival Lover, Mother, Almost Famous, Music Junkie and finally Me. This format interested me to begin with, and shows how we are all made up of very different parts, however it did mean that the book is not chronological, and therefore at times can seem a little repetitive.
I will admit to being moved to tears within the first couple of pages, Jo's description of her sister is obviously from the heart and struck a chord with me (pregnancy hormones anyone?) and I think that the parts of the book about her parents, sister, husband and children were actually the bits that I enjoyed the most in this book. Perhaps because these parts seemed less forced, and more real. She does deal with the subject of being a working mother and how this has affected her and how she managed it, although I dare say that being able to take your baby and nanny to work with you and breastfeed whilst working is not something that the average mother is ever going to be able to do!
As a Glastonbury fan myself I enjoyed her stories about the festival and her obviously close relationship with John Peel which began at this festival. Again, these parts felt more genuine than some of the other sections in the book and it bought back a lot of memories for me, as Jo is describing years at Glastonbury when I was there myself (at times huddled in a tent, unable to come out because of the torrential rain!).
There are a number of anecdotes in the book about famous people that she has met and I did feel that she portrayed most people with respect - I am sure that she could have actually told some stories that could make your toes curl. That said, it does give the book a slightly unrealistic air I felt, because not everyone can be as wonderful and nice as she says they are.
The book is interspersed with track lists of songs that remind her of certain times of her life which is interesting, however because of the way that the chapters are laid out this adds to the repetitive nature of the book and I will admit to getting fed up with the words "as I've described elsewhere".
Overall, I enjoyed reading the book and would recommend it to friends that are Glastonbury festival lovers as I enjoyed reminiscing over my memories sparked by Jo's.
The book is available in hardcover from Amazon
Disclaimer: I was provided with a free copy of this book for the purpose of this review.
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Because my last request worked so well...
Seriously, thank you for all of your comments on my Hospital Bag post. Really helpful, next week I will be starting again and repacking!
So, while I am at it (asking for advice I mean) here is my next question:
What is the one thing that you could not have lived without in the first few weeks with a new baby?
Ready, steady, go! Can't wait to read your comments.
So, while I am at it (asking for advice I mean) here is my next question:
What is the one thing that you could not have lived without in the first few weeks with a new baby?
Ready, steady, go! Can't wait to read your comments.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Week 3 of Maternity Leave (35 weeks)
My head! It is so much bigger than Mr C's! Can you believe we went away for 3 days and this is the the only photo taken with me in it? Typical. So no bump pictures for this week either. Dear me!
Really, I have to start writing these posts on Monday, not waiting until the end of the next week. My brain just cannot cope with remembering. Excuse me one moment while I check my organiser......ah yes!
Monday: Mr C is on holiday. Very exciting! This morning I have a surprise planned but can you believe it, it gets to 9am and he hasn't even woken up yet and we need to leave at 10. Typical. He never sleeps this late! So I wake him up and tell him we are off to Brighton for a surprise. Which is a de-stress massage. Ah the irony. I stressed him out waking him up to go and get de-stressed. Afterwards we had a cream tea with real Cornish Clotted Cream in a new shop in Brighton. The cream was good, I wasn't that impressed with the scones. Afterwards we came home and chilled out.
Tuesday: Officially our Day Of Doing Nothing. We pottered around the house together and it was nice. As the title suggests, we did very little.
Wednesday: Off to Bournemouth. Got there, went for a walk then had Harry Ramsden's fish and chips. We checked into our hotel which was an Art Deco hotel that had just been renovated and was very nice. I was hoping for nice weather so we could swim in the outdoor pool but it was very windy, then cloudy, then raining sideways. Instead we sat in the bar and played cards which was very nice indeed. I won. We had a nap and dinner in the hotel.
Thursday: Up early for breakfast and then walked along the beach. We went on a boat trip for a hour and then walked into town and ate sandwiches in the park. The weather was windy again so we walked back along the beach and went to the hotel for drinks, cards and a very lovely nap. Had a swim in the indoor pool and then I allowed myself one delicious cocktail (Mohito!) and we had a very nice dinner.
Friday: I had an awful night's sleep because of the Hidradenitis flare up. I blogged about it here so I won't go on about that! We came home via the new Ikea in Southampton and I bought the rest of the bits for Squigler's room, as well as some other bits and bobs. Luckily it all fit in the car, and after filling ourselves with hotdogs and fizzy pop we drove home. The afternoon was taken up by me in pain, complaining and poor old Mr C trying to make me feel better running me baths and taking care of me. He is a star.
Saturday: I am sure we did something but I am entirely unable to tell you what! I think Mr C did some DIY and I loafed about, not sitting on my bottom!
Sunday: The inlaws came for lunch as it was father's day. Squigler had bought Mr C a card and present and I sent my Dad text messages as it turned out he was on holiday in Portugal, thanks for the heads up Dad!
Pregnancy wise, I just suffered mainly with the swollen hands and feet, the incredible tiredness and the difficulty of dealing with my Hidradenitis. Time is flying past now, cannot wait to meet Squigler and see what he looks like. And to get the foot that is currently jammed in my rib out so I can kiss it instead.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
The Hospital Bag
I have a list of posts that I want to write but as I think I have almost finished packing my hospital bag I thought that I would write this one to attempt in some way to put my mind at rest and feel slightly prepared.
Okay so I have actually packed two bags, one for Squigler and one for me. However, I am thinking of changing it to one for labour and one for me and Squigler afterwards. Any opinions on what is best?
So as it stands:
My Bag
Maternity Notes
Nightshirt for labour (£3 from Primark, so happy to just throw away after)
Hairbands and hairclips
Hand held fan
TENS machine
Music
Camera
Straws
Shorts for Mr C (for if we can get in the birthing pool)
Food / drinks (any suggestions)
Sweets (any suggestions)
Breastfeeding nightie
Dressing gown
Old knickers (my sister said disposable ones didn't really fit so I have old ones that I don't mind throwing away)
Nursing bras
Wash kit - flannels, shampoo, shower gel, toothpaste, toothbrush, handcream, moisturiser, deodorant.
Towels
Maternity pads
2 t-shirts
Jogging bottoms
Jumper
Socks
Breast pads
Bin liner
For Mr C - clean t-shirt, pants and socks
Squigler's bag
Nappies (1 pack of 27)
Cotton wool
Blanket
Swaddle blanket
Muslins
Size newborn - 3 vests, 3 sleepsuits (one special sleepsuit as going home outfit)
Size 0-3 - 3 vests, 3 sleepsuits (one special sleepsuit as going home outfit)
Car seat
Ha! In writing all this down I have realised that I have not put everything in the bag yet at all. Cripes!!!
Please, as a lot of my new readers (and some of my old) have been there and done this can you please leave me a comment and let me know what you wouldn't / couldn't cope without for labour and the bit in hospital afterwards. Thanks to Polly for her suggestion of lollies, that one will go straight on the list.
Okay so I have actually packed two bags, one for Squigler and one for me. However, I am thinking of changing it to one for labour and one for me and Squigler afterwards. Any opinions on what is best?
So as it stands:
My Bag
Maternity Notes
Nightshirt for labour (£3 from Primark, so happy to just throw away after)
Hairbands and hairclips
Hand held fan
TENS machine
Music
Camera
Straws
Shorts for Mr C (for if we can get in the birthing pool)
Food / drinks (any suggestions)
Sweets (any suggestions)
Breastfeeding nightie
Dressing gown
Old knickers (my sister said disposable ones didn't really fit so I have old ones that I don't mind throwing away)
Nursing bras
Wash kit - flannels, shampoo, shower gel, toothpaste, toothbrush, handcream, moisturiser, deodorant.
Towels
Maternity pads
2 t-shirts
Jogging bottoms
Jumper
Socks
Breast pads
Bin liner
For Mr C - clean t-shirt, pants and socks
Squigler's bag
Nappies (1 pack of 27)
Cotton wool
Blanket
Swaddle blanket
Muslins
Size newborn - 3 vests, 3 sleepsuits (one special sleepsuit as going home outfit)
Size 0-3 - 3 vests, 3 sleepsuits (one special sleepsuit as going home outfit)
Car seat
Ha! In writing all this down I have realised that I have not put everything in the bag yet at all. Cripes!!!
Please, as a lot of my new readers (and some of my old) have been there and done this can you please leave me a comment and let me know what you wouldn't / couldn't cope without for labour and the bit in hospital afterwards. Thanks to Polly for her suggestion of lollies, that one will go straight on the list.
Our house and garden
I have a deep, dark secret.
I have another blog!
It is one that I started over two years ago when we bought our house so that I could keep the lovely family in Cornwall updated on our progress. Now it is more a record of what the garden looks like each year, although it is a great record of the work we put in and how much has changed.
If you have a chance please have a look and see the wonderful garden that my most amazing husband has created.
If you are interested this is what it looked like when we moved in. This is what the back looked like when cleared. Oh, and last year it was like this.
It is amazing to see when you look back like this. I cannot wait until Squigler, Mr C and I can sit on a blanket under the tree and enjoy the home we made for our new family.
I have another blog!
It is one that I started over two years ago when we bought our house so that I could keep the lovely family in Cornwall updated on our progress. Now it is more a record of what the garden looks like each year, although it is a great record of the work we put in and how much has changed.
If you have a chance please have a look and see the wonderful garden that my most amazing husband has created.
If you are interested this is what it looked like when we moved in. This is what the back looked like when cleared. Oh, and last year it was like this.
It is amazing to see when you look back like this. I cannot wait until Squigler, Mr C and I can sit on a blanket under the tree and enjoy the home we made for our new family.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Baby project number 2
Okay, so after project 1, the curtain went so well (for me anyway) I decided that I was on a roll! Then my hands got all swollen which makes some stuff quite difficult but I persevered with my next project.
When we were clearing out the cupboards in Squigler's room I found some old canvases and some acrylic paints that I had bought after one of my operations a couple years ago. However my artistic ability is shall we say, bad, so they had been gathering dust.
As the baby will not really be able to criticise for a while I decided that I would try and paint two pictures, copying the animals from the fabric I used when making the curtains. I decided on the Monkey, Giraffe and Elephant. These are the actual animals from the fabric:
m
And here are the pictures:
I know. They are very amateur! They make me laugh every time I see them. I will put them up but I may hide them around the corner so visitors just glancing into Squigler's room will not see them.
Still, they are a present made by his Mummy just for him so it is the thought that counts!
When we were clearing out the cupboards in Squigler's room I found some old canvases and some acrylic paints that I had bought after one of my operations a couple years ago. However my artistic ability is shall we say, bad, so they had been gathering dust.
As the baby will not really be able to criticise for a while I decided that I would try and paint two pictures, copying the animals from the fabric I used when making the curtains. I decided on the Monkey, Giraffe and Elephant. These are the actual animals from the fabric:
m
And here are the pictures:
I know. They are very amateur! They make me laugh every time I see them. I will put them up but I may hide them around the corner so visitors just glancing into Squigler's room will not see them.
Still, they are a present made by his Mummy just for him so it is the thought that counts!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Week 2 of Maternity Leave (34 weeks)
No picture this week, I forgot! Gestational amnesia strikes again!
Actually, really I should write these posts as things happen because I am never going to remember everything that I did that week! Particularly as Mr C has been on holiday so I am almost a week later than planned writing this post. Might be quite short!
Monday: After my very hectic first week off I was determined that I would do some relaxing this week. So my first day was spent just relaxing and pottering around the house. Did some cooking, painting, washing of very small baby clothes. Lovely.
Tuesday: Shopping in Eastbourne, operation pack Hospital Bag. Think I have now purchased everything that I need for the arrival of our little man and everything I need for the hospital. scary stuff but being organised feels quite good. Did some cooking and some painting as well. My hands have also swollen up so much that I am unable to wear my wedding and engagement rings which makes me very sad. Also, I am practically unable to use my hands, particularly first thing in the morning. So frustrating.
Wednesday: Bad, bad night on Tuesday. Unbearable toothache and no sleep. Not good at all. Had my second Anti-D injection at the hospital which was fine. Begged dentist to see me again, managed to make appointment for Thursday. Treated myself to Starbucks and made us an amazing dinner.
Thursday: Busiest day of the week! Post office, Doctor's appointment, coffee with a friend, dentist (where he gave me a temporary filling which seems to have helped. Why he didn't do that last week I will never know). Nice morning, went home and did some more cooking. Mr C has never had so many home cooked meals! Baby has moved over from right side to left side which is fantastic news and I am so relieved.
Friday: More washing of very small clothes. Actual packing of bag for hospital. Not sure that I have everything or that I have not packed enough or too much. May have to blog on the subject actually. Went round to Mr C's parent's house for a cup of tea. The excitement never stops!
The weekend: Mr C is now officially on holiday. Yay!!! Saturday is so hot I think I will melt. Pop over to see Lovely Lady and her home improvements. Other than that I just lie around complaining I am so hot. Sunday, well I'm sure we did something.....oh yes, quiet day then had some friends and their two kids over for dinner. All very nice but I am shattered!
Actually, really I should write these posts as things happen because I am never going to remember everything that I did that week! Particularly as Mr C has been on holiday so I am almost a week later than planned writing this post. Might be quite short!
Monday: After my very hectic first week off I was determined that I would do some relaxing this week. So my first day was spent just relaxing and pottering around the house. Did some cooking, painting, washing of very small baby clothes. Lovely.
Tuesday: Shopping in Eastbourne, operation pack Hospital Bag. Think I have now purchased everything that I need for the arrival of our little man and everything I need for the hospital. scary stuff but being organised feels quite good. Did some cooking and some painting as well. My hands have also swollen up so much that I am unable to wear my wedding and engagement rings which makes me very sad. Also, I am practically unable to use my hands, particularly first thing in the morning. So frustrating.
Wednesday: Bad, bad night on Tuesday. Unbearable toothache and no sleep. Not good at all. Had my second Anti-D injection at the hospital which was fine. Begged dentist to see me again, managed to make appointment for Thursday. Treated myself to Starbucks and made us an amazing dinner.
Thursday: Busiest day of the week! Post office, Doctor's appointment, coffee with a friend, dentist (where he gave me a temporary filling which seems to have helped. Why he didn't do that last week I will never know). Nice morning, went home and did some more cooking. Mr C has never had so many home cooked meals! Baby has moved over from right side to left side which is fantastic news and I am so relieved.
Friday: More washing of very small clothes. Actual packing of bag for hospital. Not sure that I have everything or that I have not packed enough or too much. May have to blog on the subject actually. Went round to Mr C's parent's house for a cup of tea. The excitement never stops!
The weekend: Mr C is now officially on holiday. Yay!!! Saturday is so hot I think I will melt. Pop over to see Lovely Lady and her home improvements. Other than that I just lie around complaining I am so hot. Sunday, well I'm sure we did something.....oh yes, quiet day then had some friends and their two kids over for dinner. All very nice but I am shattered!
Friday, June 19, 2009
Dealing with Hidradenitis and pregnancy
Warning: Woe is me post. May be a good idea just to skip this one!
We have been away for a couple of wonderful days on holiday, and everything was perfect until last night when I felt a familiar bump come up on my bottom. I knew that my recent run of luck was too good to be true. I have a Hidradenitis flare up again. I was used to getting these every month before I was pregnant but the last one I had was in February, around week 12 so the fact that I had made it to 36 weeks was nothing short of amazing.
Anyway, what this means is that I cannot sit, or walk or lie down comfortable. The only place I get some relief is in the bath where I cannot spend all my time. I got so little sleep last night and this just means that I am in a foul mood.
Sorry, complaining so much but this hurts and it scares me. I have learnt to live with the condition in the best way that I can but what happens when it flares up and I have a baby to look after. What happens if walking is too painful, if I cannot sit comfortably to feed him?
I want to scream and cry that it is not fair but that will not achieve anything. Will go and get a cuddle from Mr C and some reassurance that everything will be okay and I will perk up again I am sure. Being in pain and not having pain killers always makes life seem worse anyway.
Looking on the bright side, we really did have a lovely time away together.
We have been away for a couple of wonderful days on holiday, and everything was perfect until last night when I felt a familiar bump come up on my bottom. I knew that my recent run of luck was too good to be true. I have a Hidradenitis flare up again. I was used to getting these every month before I was pregnant but the last one I had was in February, around week 12 so the fact that I had made it to 36 weeks was nothing short of amazing.
Anyway, what this means is that I cannot sit, or walk or lie down comfortable. The only place I get some relief is in the bath where I cannot spend all my time. I got so little sleep last night and this just means that I am in a foul mood.
Sorry, complaining so much but this hurts and it scares me. I have learnt to live with the condition in the best way that I can but what happens when it flares up and I have a baby to look after. What happens if walking is too painful, if I cannot sit comfortably to feed him?
I want to scream and cry that it is not fair but that will not achieve anything. Will go and get a cuddle from Mr C and some reassurance that everything will be okay and I will perk up again I am sure. Being in pain and not having pain killers always makes life seem worse anyway.
Looking on the bright side, we really did have a lovely time away together.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Tuesday? Already? Who stole that week?
Seriously, I did hardly anything last week apart from doctors / hospital / dentist appointments and it just disappeared. Now Mr C is on holiday so due to our very hectic 'quality time' schedule I do not seem to have time to write a post. Or read and comment on anyone else's blog.
So here is a taster of the posts to come (sneaky way of writing down what the hell I was planning to say before my befuddled pregnancy brain completely forgets it all).
Week 34: Maternity Leave week 2
Baby project number 2
Mr Greenfingers
Our Summer Holiday
If you are lucky there will even be pictures for all of these.
So here is a taster of the posts to come (sneaky way of writing down what the hell I was planning to say before my befuddled pregnancy brain completely forgets it all).
Week 34: Maternity Leave week 2
Baby project number 2
Mr Greenfingers
Our Summer Holiday
If you are lucky there will even be pictures for all of these.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Freaking myself out
Ha, that little widget thingy about the baby at the bottom of the page (scroll way down, you can find it) just TOTALLY freaked me out. The baby is how big? And how long until he is due?
MEEP!
Serves me right for adding it!
MEEP!
Serves me right for adding it!
Tuesday, June 09, 2009
Mumbo Jumbo on Breastfeeding
My marvellous Mum called me all in a panic last month. Her exact words were, when I answered the phone, "Please do not kill yourself if you cannot breastfeed."
As you can imagine, this one of the strangest first sentences I have heard upon answering a telephone call but this is the way of my mother and nothing surprises me anymore! Upon further investigation it seemed that she had read this article in the Daily Mail (oh yes, she reads that paper I am afraid to say) and because I have decided that I will at least try to breastfeed she is now convinced that if I am unable I am likely to do something silly. I like to think that I have my head screwed on more than that, and I know for a fact that Mr C has it in his head that he will be watching me carefully to make sure that I do not put myself under pressure about the whole thing so I am sure that whatever happens everything will work out fine. Plus, I am fairly sure that there must be more to this lady's sad story than simply not finding it easy to breastfeed.
Oh, and this behaviour is not unusual from my darling mother, as a teenager she used to cut the articles out of the paper and leave them on my bed. Teenagers and drugs, teenagers and pregnancy /sexually transmitted diseases, teenagers and eating disorders; you name it, I got it! As I have got older we progressed to more hefty subjects - savings, pensions and first time housebyers, all of which have been sent to me via Royal Mail as I moved away!
Anyway, back to the subject in hand. Breastfeeding. Mrs over at OMG We're Pregnant has written this post on the subject and it really got me thinking. So much so that I decided to write about it here as well.
Of my Mum's side of the family myself, my brother and our three girl cousins were all bottlefed. Of my cousins, two have had children and one bottlefed and one tried breastfeeding (see that was big news - first in our family to even give it a go!). All of us grew up to be strong healthy happy human beings.
My step sister had a baby boy five years ago and decided that she wanted to bottle feed him. Getting pregnant was a surprise for her and she unfortunately hated every second of being pregnant. She just felt out of control and that her body was not her own so when baby came bottle feeding was the way forward for her. Last year she had her second child, this time a little more planned and she knew what to expect and decided that she would express and then bottle feed using breast milk. When the baby came though she decided to breast feed until her milk came in and then when she tried ton express Chloe was having none of this bottle rubbish! So she decided to carry on breastfeeding and has managed it successfully for 8 months, longer than a lot of people.
When I think about it myself, to be honest, the idea of me producing milk makes me feel very weird. The idea of having someone drink that milk is even stranger to me. That said I want to try, even if it only lasts for a short while. I know that it will not be easy but I read somewhere that giving it a go for 40 days is the best idea. If it is still not working by then, then fair enough.
To be honest, the whole thing makes my brain hurt! I read a lot of books so I went and checked out what each of them had to say about bottle feeding.
In The Rough Guide to Pregnancy and Birth ....breastfeeding is not for you, it is nowhere near the end of the earth. The way people go on about it, you'd think not breastfeeding was the equivalent of making the baby drink gin and wheeling it across motorways during blizzards in a warzone. Look at the adults around you, look at the kids around you. Can you tell who was bottle fed? Of course you can't......Instead you can enjoy the relaxed feeling of bottle feeding your baby while making eye contact, and the freedom it gives you because you can always get someone else to feed the baby if you'd like to go out for a hour or so and have an affair with a couple of firemen. Now crank up the steriliser, tweak those teats on the bottle. And get on with it.
In Your Baby Week by Week ....So if breastfeeding is not for you, or you have simply decided to bottle-feed from the start, don't waste time and energy feeling guilty. You are in the majority as most British women bottle feed at some stage, and babies thrive on bottled milk.
Finally, in The Rough Guide to Babies .....First things first, don't sweat the white stuff. For whatever reason you find yourself bottle feeding, rest assured in the knowledge that you are giving your baby a form of nutrition that scientists have been slaving over for years and that reaches stringent government standards: formula is packed with proteins, fats, carbohydrates and minerals and although it doesn't contain the natural antibodies of breatsmilk, it is a damn fine close second.
So, I am going to try and give it a go. But I will not allow myself to be put under pressure by other people to do what they think is right. I will do what is right for me and my baby. The whole thing quite honestly scares the bejesus out of me and if I think about breastfeeding in public I shrivel up inside, because I am AFRAID OF CONFLICT people, and if challenged about where I try to feed my baby I will FREAK OUT. But I have come to the conclusion, first things first. Let's get this chap out of me, then try and feed him. Actually leaving the house can be tackled when he is about 5 right?
As you can imagine, this one of the strangest first sentences I have heard upon answering a telephone call but this is the way of my mother and nothing surprises me anymore! Upon further investigation it seemed that she had read this article in the Daily Mail (oh yes, she reads that paper I am afraid to say) and because I have decided that I will at least try to breastfeed she is now convinced that if I am unable I am likely to do something silly. I like to think that I have my head screwed on more than that, and I know for a fact that Mr C has it in his head that he will be watching me carefully to make sure that I do not put myself under pressure about the whole thing so I am sure that whatever happens everything will work out fine. Plus, I am fairly sure that there must be more to this lady's sad story than simply not finding it easy to breastfeed.
Oh, and this behaviour is not unusual from my darling mother, as a teenager she used to cut the articles out of the paper and leave them on my bed. Teenagers and drugs, teenagers and pregnancy /sexually transmitted diseases, teenagers and eating disorders; you name it, I got it! As I have got older we progressed to more hefty subjects - savings, pensions and first time housebyers, all of which have been sent to me via Royal Mail as I moved away!
Anyway, back to the subject in hand. Breastfeeding. Mrs over at OMG We're Pregnant has written this post on the subject and it really got me thinking. So much so that I decided to write about it here as well.
Of my Mum's side of the family myself, my brother and our three girl cousins were all bottlefed. Of my cousins, two have had children and one bottlefed and one tried breastfeeding (see that was big news - first in our family to even give it a go!). All of us grew up to be strong healthy happy human beings.
My step sister had a baby boy five years ago and decided that she wanted to bottle feed him. Getting pregnant was a surprise for her and she unfortunately hated every second of being pregnant. She just felt out of control and that her body was not her own so when baby came bottle feeding was the way forward for her. Last year she had her second child, this time a little more planned and she knew what to expect and decided that she would express and then bottle feed using breast milk. When the baby came though she decided to breast feed until her milk came in and then when she tried ton express Chloe was having none of this bottle rubbish! So she decided to carry on breastfeeding and has managed it successfully for 8 months, longer than a lot of people.
When I think about it myself, to be honest, the idea of me producing milk makes me feel very weird. The idea of having someone drink that milk is even stranger to me. That said I want to try, even if it only lasts for a short while. I know that it will not be easy but I read somewhere that giving it a go for 40 days is the best idea. If it is still not working by then, then fair enough.
To be honest, the whole thing makes my brain hurt! I read a lot of books so I went and checked out what each of them had to say about bottle feeding.
In The Rough Guide to Pregnancy and Birth ....breastfeeding is not for you, it is nowhere near the end of the earth. The way people go on about it, you'd think not breastfeeding was the equivalent of making the baby drink gin and wheeling it across motorways during blizzards in a warzone. Look at the adults around you, look at the kids around you. Can you tell who was bottle fed? Of course you can't......Instead you can enjoy the relaxed feeling of bottle feeding your baby while making eye contact, and the freedom it gives you because you can always get someone else to feed the baby if you'd like to go out for a hour or so and have an affair with a couple of firemen. Now crank up the steriliser, tweak those teats on the bottle. And get on with it.
In Your Baby Week by Week ....So if breastfeeding is not for you, or you have simply decided to bottle-feed from the start, don't waste time and energy feeling guilty. You are in the majority as most British women bottle feed at some stage, and babies thrive on bottled milk.
Finally, in The Rough Guide to Babies .....First things first, don't sweat the white stuff. For whatever reason you find yourself bottle feeding, rest assured in the knowledge that you are giving your baby a form of nutrition that scientists have been slaving over for years and that reaches stringent government standards: formula is packed with proteins, fats, carbohydrates and minerals and although it doesn't contain the natural antibodies of breatsmilk, it is a damn fine close second.
So, I am going to try and give it a go. But I will not allow myself to be put under pressure by other people to do what they think is right. I will do what is right for me and my baby. The whole thing quite honestly scares the bejesus out of me and if I think about breastfeeding in public I shrivel up inside, because I am AFRAID OF CONFLICT people, and if challenged about where I try to feed my baby I will FREAK OUT. But I have come to the conclusion, first things first. Let's get this chap out of me, then try and feed him. Actually leaving the house can be tackled when he is about 5 right?
Monday, June 08, 2009
Baby project number 1
Squigler's room is a funny L shape - up until recently we used it as the office, with a desk that was mainly to rest the printer on and an obstacle course of boxes and books because really it was just where we put everything that didn't really have a place!
The room itself has a large cupboard in it which is actually above the stairs. It did have a door on it when we moved in but every time you opened the door it hit the light fitting in the middle of the room. Not very practical! When we added some shelves to the cupboard I made a curtain as a door covering and so it has stayed for the past two years. It was all a little boring so in a fit of inspiration I decided that I would brighten it up. To save money I decided to use the existing curtain but I have just bought material with animals on it and cut them out, then stuck them down with iron on hemming tape and sewn around the edges. The end result is a little rustic but I like it.
It is hard to get a picture of the whole curtain. This was the best I could get yesterday.
So here are two close ups as well. The bottom half:
The top half:
The next project is making some pictures of the same animals to go on the walls!
The room itself has a large cupboard in it which is actually above the stairs. It did have a door on it when we moved in but every time you opened the door it hit the light fitting in the middle of the room. Not very practical! When we added some shelves to the cupboard I made a curtain as a door covering and so it has stayed for the past two years. It was all a little boring so in a fit of inspiration I decided that I would brighten it up. To save money I decided to use the existing curtain but I have just bought material with animals on it and cut them out, then stuck them down with iron on hemming tape and sewn around the edges. The end result is a little rustic but I like it.
It is hard to get a picture of the whole curtain. This was the best I could get yesterday.
So here are two close ups as well. The bottom half:
The top half:
The next project is making some pictures of the same animals to go on the walls!
Sunday, June 07, 2009
Week 1 of Maternity Leave (33 weeks)
Lordy! Look at the size of that.
Well this was the first week of my maternity leave. Very odd not going to work but the week ended up being seriously busy so I hardly noticed to be honest.
Monday: Started the week with the most amazing pregnancy massage at The Treatment Rooms in Brighton, a treat from me to me to celebrate not having to go to work. Then did a bit of shopping and met Girlie #2 for lunch which was nice. By the time I got home it was 3pm and I was shattered. Thought I would have a quick nap, woke up a hour and a half later! Then Mr C was home.
Tuesday: Sadly, my brother in law's father passed away a couple weeks ago so my sister was staying with her in-laws in Portsmouth so she decided to bring the kids over to stay with us for a day and a bit, at the last minute. So Tuesday morning saw me running about making space for them, cleaning and getting some food in. It was so hot which didn't help. Chloe (8 mths) had conjunctivitis, so we spent the afternoon getting her seen by the doctor and playing in the garden. Ben, who is 5, is a sweetheart and I do not get to see them enough so it was lovely to play with them for the day. Mr C came home and we had a lovely dinner.
Wednesday: My sister stayed until about 2, we played with the kids, watched cartoons and had lunch. She went off and I rested for the afternoon. I was exhausted!!!
Thursday: Pointless trip to the dentist, grabbed some bits in town, then went and had lunch with Lovely Lady. She is 20 weeks pregnant and looks really well. Now I have finished work I will miss our lunches but soon we will both be off work with little babies. I am so glad I know someone in the same boat, even if she is 3 months behind me!
Friday: I drove to Portsmouth to babysit for Chloe and Ben while everyone was at the funeral. Bit scared, first time I have ever been left in charge but we managed, I fed all three of us and even changed a pooey nappy so I was pleased with myself (even if I made a bit of a pigs ear of it, I tried!). When they went to the wake I disappeared and stopped off in Chichester where I managed to buy some maternity shorts which will be a god send if this weather keeps up! Got home about 4pm utterly shattered.
This weekend has been spent with Mr C doing bits and pieces around the house. I have developed very painful hands and knuckles which is making life really difficult for me to be honest. Hurts to type :o( also, difficult to grip knife and fork so eating is a bit of a pain too. Looked it up on the internet and it seems it is all to do with water retention in my joints. Have sent an emergency email to my homeopath to see what she suggests, hope there is something because when I wake up I cannot move my fingers much at all and had to drink my tea using my hands like paws!
Beeper has just gone, dinner is ready so I am off!!!
Wednesday, June 03, 2009
32 and 33 weeks
32 weeks. Mummy Bear leaves work!
The lovely people at my work bought me this balloon as a leaving present, along with a few other lovely gifts. It is so strange that I will not be going back for a year! Bump from the front, you can hardly tell!33 weeks
That is more like it! There is the bump. A much less flattering photo however! At least you cannot see my feet and ankles in their beautiful marshmallow man style puffiness!
Pet Hates
I owe the blogging world 4 more pet hates (see this post). I also owe a list of 10 newly discovered blogs. Hmmm, well, next week I am sure I will find some spare time to read new blogs!
Anyway, in the interests of a full, well rounded list that starts at 1 and ends at 5 I will list all of these pet hate thingies:
1. Text speak. I am afraid that I use proper English in my texts with correct punctuation and everything. I cannot stand all of this: C U L8R rubbish. Oh and people that text all in capitals. why the hell are you shouting at me?
2. Stupid shortening of names. For example everyone calling Susan Boyle from Britain's Got Talent SuBo. Aaaaggggghhhhhh.
3. The fact that all magazines talk about these days is people's weight. What they were last month, what they are this month, how they lost it, how they put it on. How to loose weight, what is too thin, who has cellulite. The list goes on but it drives me mental. Oh and if you know what is good for you do not get me started on makeover televison shows.
4. People referring to adverts when talking. For example when using the word 'confused' in a sentence saying "I am confused.com".
5. Leaving the dirty dishwater in the sink when you have finished washing up. It is not hard to tip it out and give the bowl and sink a quick rinse so that they are clean. Cold greasy usually orange washing up water is horrible. Leave the drying up though, that is what air is for!
Anyway, in the interests of a full, well rounded list that starts at 1 and ends at 5 I will list all of these pet hate thingies:
1. Text speak. I am afraid that I use proper English in my texts with correct punctuation and everything. I cannot stand all of this: C U L8R rubbish. Oh and people that text all in capitals. why the hell are you shouting at me?
2. Stupid shortening of names. For example everyone calling Susan Boyle from Britain's Got Talent SuBo. Aaaaggggghhhhhh.
3. The fact that all magazines talk about these days is people's weight. What they were last month, what they are this month, how they lost it, how they put it on. How to loose weight, what is too thin, who has cellulite. The list goes on but it drives me mental. Oh and if you know what is good for you do not get me started on makeover televison shows.
4. People referring to adverts when talking. For example when using the word 'confused' in a sentence saying "I am confused.com".
5. Leaving the dirty dishwater in the sink when you have finished washing up. It is not hard to tip it out and give the bowl and sink a quick rinse so that they are clean. Cold greasy usually orange washing up water is horrible. Leave the drying up though, that is what air is for!
Monday, June 01, 2009
If I knew you were coming I'd have baked this cake:
I feel like sharing today so here is a great cake recipe. Because you are worth it!
Fruit Cake
To bake this cake, you will need a 7" (18cm) square or 8" (20cm) round cake tin (the type with the push out bottom is easiest to use).
Ingredients
• 120g/4oz Butter
• 170g/6oz Sugar
• 340g/14oz Dried fruit - this can be a mixture of raisins, sultanas, cherries, peel... whatever you fancy! (I just use all sultanas)
• 225ml/8floz Water
• 1tsp Bicarbonate of soda
• 1 tsp Mixed spice
• 2 Beaten Eggs
• 120g/4oz Plain flour
• 120g/4oz Self-raising Flour
• Pinch of Salt
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C/Gas Mark 4
2. Prepare the tin by applying a thin layer of margarine and lining with two layers of greaseproof paper.
3. Put the margarine, sugar, fruit, water, bicarbonate of soda and mixed spice in a saucepan over a moderate heat. Bring to boil and simmer for 1 minute.
4. Pour into a mixing bowl and allow to cool*.
5. Add eggs, flour and salt to cooled mixture. Mix well and pour into prepared tin.
6. Bake for about one and a quarter hours. You may need to put brown paper over the top if cake starts to singe before it is cooked throughout.
7. Cake is ready when an inserted skewer comes out clean - leave to cool on a wire rack.
8. Eat!
This is a very forgiving recipe; you don't even have to be very precise with the measuring out.
The cake should keep for a couple of months wrapped in tin foil in a tin, and can be 'spiked' with brandy or whatever you fancy before being covered in marzipan and icing for Christmas.
Or, if you are like me:
you can eat it straight away if you want to, without even waiting for it to cool completely.
*You need to allow the mixture to cool because if it is still very hot when you add the eggs, they may cook straight away, and the cake won't rise properly.
Fruit Cake
To bake this cake, you will need a 7" (18cm) square or 8" (20cm) round cake tin (the type with the push out bottom is easiest to use).
Ingredients
• 120g/4oz Butter
• 170g/6oz Sugar
• 340g/14oz Dried fruit - this can be a mixture of raisins, sultanas, cherries, peel... whatever you fancy! (I just use all sultanas)
• 225ml/8floz Water
• 1tsp Bicarbonate of soda
• 1 tsp Mixed spice
• 2 Beaten Eggs
• 120g/4oz Plain flour
• 120g/4oz Self-raising Flour
• Pinch of Salt
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F/180°C/Gas Mark 4
2. Prepare the tin by applying a thin layer of margarine and lining with two layers of greaseproof paper.
3. Put the margarine, sugar, fruit, water, bicarbonate of soda and mixed spice in a saucepan over a moderate heat. Bring to boil and simmer for 1 minute.
4. Pour into a mixing bowl and allow to cool*.
5. Add eggs, flour and salt to cooled mixture. Mix well and pour into prepared tin.
6. Bake for about one and a quarter hours. You may need to put brown paper over the top if cake starts to singe before it is cooked throughout.
7. Cake is ready when an inserted skewer comes out clean - leave to cool on a wire rack.
8. Eat!
This is a very forgiving recipe; you don't even have to be very precise with the measuring out.
The cake should keep for a couple of months wrapped in tin foil in a tin, and can be 'spiked' with brandy or whatever you fancy before being covered in marzipan and icing for Christmas.
Or, if you are like me:
you can eat it straight away if you want to, without even waiting for it to cool completely.
*You need to allow the mixture to cool because if it is still very hot when you add the eggs, they may cook straight away, and the cake won't rise properly.
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