Tuesday 25 January 2011

What a difference a year makes!

Hello!

I can't quite believe it but last Saturday (22nd Jan) was exactly 1 year ago to the day that Graham and I found out we were expecting a baby! I remember that evening very clearly as he persuaded me to take a test. I’d done them before and felt disappointed to see the negative result but Graham had joked a couple of times in the past few weeks about the possibility of me expecting as I had started eating more than usual and was late, although having PCOS this wasn’t unusual for me. For peace of mind though before we set off for a friends 30th birthday celebrations in Cardiff the next day we skipped off to Tesco giddy with anticipation to get a test!

I actually thought it was just another negative test result but as I went to put it in the bin I realised it was in fact a positive result! I called Grahams name out, well, it was more of a whisper really, we stood in the kitchen and I told him our news – it took a second to sink in then we hugged and I cried – happy tears of course! So that was the start of our journey to parenthood! And as much as I wanted to keep it quiet until seeing the doctor our friends put two and two together as I stood with a beaming smile on my face and just lemonade in my glass the next day!

So before I move into a whole new chapter in Freya’s development (weaning!) I’m going to take a deep breath and recap on my 5 months of Mummyhood experience!

Parenthood really is a pretty big life changing event – things that mattered to me before don’t even register anymore as my main priority is making sure I have a happy healthy baby and partner (soon to be hubby!). But one thing that has taken all of 4 and a half months to get used to is the change of routine! Maybe its because my Dad was in the Army I’m a stickler for schedules, I don’t know but it’s taken some getting used to! I think I’ve just about cracked it now though – as long as I fill my diary with something to look forward to every day like a Mummy’s and Babies class or seeing family and friends I can relax and enjoy dare I say it… not working! That was the hardest concept to grasp since I’ve worked since being 16, I now understand that I am actually working every day as a Mummy, taking care of Freya, the house, meal times and errands. Its just a different schedule with on-the-job-training!! And I get paid in smiles and cuddles, I especially like the night time ones in the nursery!

However, there were days that lasted forever and all I did was feed, change and soothe Freya, some days I didn’t have a chance to take a shower and other nights I cried when she was inconsolable – later to be found out that she had colic and I had the baby blues – they were a tough few weeks, and I felt pretty alone but once I spoke out to Graham, my Dad and the Health Visitor I realised they were all pretty normal feelings and all I needed was a little structure back.

So I entered the New Year not with a resolution (as I’ve not really been very indulgent in the past 12 months!) but with a view to plan each day with activities and make the most of the weekends by having good quality family time together and enjoying the bond that Freya has created – Our little family x So the next few weeks will see us going to craft days, rhyme time, knitting & crochet lessons and lots of outdoor walks as well as spending plenty of time making yummy dinners for when my Graham gets home from work! And since the advice for weaning seems to be tittering between 4 and 6 months we’re going to start on Saturday 5th February when Freya is exactly 5 months old – meeting half way lets say! I’m sure that with a little bit of help from my Annabel Karmel App and book Freya will be enjoying a flurry of flavours in no time! See you next time with a messy story to tell no doubt!

XxX < The little T family!