February is a month for Freya’s Firsts!

Updated with pics of Freya enjoying her first taste of carrot, apple and parsnip puree (I can assure you, its yummy though Freya's face may speak differently!!)

My goodness, already, we’re nearing the end of February! I really can’t believe how much my concept of time has gone to kerput! It’s true when they say that sometimes the days seem long but the years are short.

So, with my little Freya Belle Tinkerbelle coming up to 6 months old it has been a joy to see her become more aware of herself, she could have all the toys in the world around her but she would quite happily sit and play with her own feet! We also learned this evening that she likes playing with Daddy’s toes too! One of my favourite times with Freya is when I hold her in front of the long mirror in her nursery and she looks with excitement at the little girl in her bedroom – little does she know it is actually herself but its ever so cute!

This weekend we had a family fun day out and took Freya swimming for the first time, it was great fun being water babies! She looked so perplexed as we put her in a tiny bright pink little zip up wet suit with sea horses on it! And I have to say Daddy was very brave when he held her while she went under water, babies have a reflex which means they wont inhale the water when they’re put under… But while she was under I was even holding my breath! Aww, she looked so natural and calm, it was a brilliant way to spend the day!

Then on Saturday night we went to our friends Jamie and Dawns house for dinner, drinks and a sleepover. They have 3 year old twins, a 5 year old son and two older boys – I loved waking up hearing the house full of little peoples voices and seeing them eating their porridge in PJ’s…. Something tells me Freya wont be an only child if I’m lucky enough to have more we certainly will!

And speaking of porridge, that’s what I’ve started to wean Freya on to and she loves it, its all a little bit confusing to her at first but then after a couple of mouthfuls I think she remembers and begins to enjoy it! When she hits the 6 month mark I’m going to move onto pureed root veggies – I can’t wait to get peeling, steaming, pureeing! 03/03/2011 Ok... 2 days before she's 6 months I tried her on some carrot, apple and pear puree!



This month has also seen Freya with her first cold which wasn’t too great, no mummy and baby clubs for a while and a battle with trying to get the nasal drops as prescribed from the doctor up her nose and not in her eyes, mouth or even ears was quite a challenge! I think I’ve learnt that doing that and clipping her nails are definitely a two-person job! But she’s on the mend and never really faltered in her happy little self so that’s the main thing!

Oh, my next post will probably be about my little adventure which takes place in March, I’m going to the WorkingMums Live seminar in London as its time to start thinking about how I’m going to juggle striking a balance between being a Mumma but also keeping my foot in the business world – I think its very exciting to be a 21st Century Mum!

P.S: By exciting I should also say slightly worrying at times, pretty tired most of the time and full of love for my little fambo ALL of the time!

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!

Hello Mummyhood!

Hello indeed! I'd love to take this very blissful moment that I've been craving and keep it going forever!! Sitting at the computer nice and fresh in my jim jams with Norah Jones playing sweet music while Freya Belle lays peacefully across my tummy.

The last 7 weeks have been the most incredible - my life has just begun! The day we arrived from hospital I felt brand new! So elated I didn't really know what to do next, I put Freya in her pram for a walk around the park and to Tesco just to collect my thoughts and take in what had just happened 24 hours before!

Even now I'm finding myself stuck for words, not knowing where to start or how to put into words just how amazing this is. I love how starting our own little family has brought the whole family closer together - Grahams mum is the proudest Nana going, my Dad and Michelle (nicknamed Grandad Twedz and Glam-ma) are besotted and my Auntie Elva's knitting needles must have smoke coming off them for the lovely cardigans, hats and blanket that she's made! Everyones hands have been busy, Nana Maureen made a fab cross stitch picture of teddies in a house and her sister Grahams Aunt Barbara made a beautiful embroidered quilt too.

Not having a maternal role model I've read every book and magazine to fuse my brain with all the information I'd ever need on childcare and for the most part its great its common sense but the best thing is trusting my own instincts. Knowing and understanding what my little darling needs by her cries and now as she is much more alert and aware of her surroundings we can interact with facial expressions and mimicking each others sounds! Graham says I must be pleased to finally find someone I can communicate with on the same level as me - the cheeky devil!

Well, my times up for now, little bear wants some grub! x

See Freya - Granddad Twedz really was cool when you were born!

This is a message from Robbie, a guy that my Dad used to manage on the news of Dad becoming Granddad Twedz at 45!

Well Twedz,

Congratulations on becoming a Grandad! .. but now that you are, you’d wanna start lookin’ and actin’ the part.

You can begin by takin’ that black boot polish outta your hair, no kid wants a Grandad with black hair.. you need to ditch those fancy cuff-links and bright ties as well, ‘cuz grandads that wear bright clothes feel sick inside their heads.. what you need is an old brown over-coat, a pair of tweed trousers, and a paddy cap.. and black socks with your sandals in the summer!

You’d wanna chuck your job as well, no grandchild wants to be told bedtime stories via mind-map and power-point.. Grandads don’t do conference calls, deal reviews, and GOSPA’s.. you’re supposed to be doddering around the kitchen looking for the teapot, pottering over to the shops for tea-bags and sausages, and begging for forgiveness in the church.

..And start carryin’ boiled sweets in your pocket, and bread for the ducks.

Robbie.

Welcome to the World Freya!

On Sunday 5th September, 15 days before her due date Freya went from being a bump to a baby!

Let me tell you the story about her grande entrance! I had braxton hicks (practice contractions) on and off for the last couple of months of my pregnancy so I was used to the feeling but on Thursday 2nd September I woke up with a feeling that Freya's arrival would be soon!

Not wanting to cause any unnecessary panic I casually told my brother's girlfriend Naomi as we walked around Toys R Us that I had been getting more painful and regular braxton hicks, my desire to not cause panic didn't work, I think Naomi was ready to lay me on my back in the pushchair isle and start mopping my brow!

These pains continued but I carried on as usual, Graham had a night out planned on Friday but I asked if he would mind not going 'just in case', so we stayed in and I was kept awake with the niggley irregular and bearable period pain type feelings.

My best friends Karen and Annie managed to persuade Graham and I to go to Reading Pride on Saturday, rather than sitting and waiting we got ready and met them for a fun packed day of catching up with lots of people I hadn't seen in a while, dancing and going on a scary ghost ride! The contractions continued throughout the day, Karen and Annie were a bit cheeky for laughing at me and taking photo's as I breathed through each pain - I'll have to think of my payback method for them telling me to stop being dramatic as they didn't believe I was in the early stages of labour!

Naomi had bought me a plaster cast kit to make an impression of my tummy as a keep sake which I thought was such a lovely idea, that evening Graham and Karen helped make the ever lasting cast of my baby Freya bump, we finished doing that by 10pm and at midnight I started timing the much more regular contractions - that was just so exciting, I knew that things were getting a move on, Graham and I had a big kiss and cuddle giddy with anticipation.



As the contractions increased to a level 7 of my pain threshold I went for a long soak in the bath, the place I always retreat to in pain or just to relax. At about 3am I called the delivery suite to let them know I was in labour and the midwife advised that I take a couple of paracetamol and get some sleep rather than sit up all night timing contractions, you have to be in a pattern of contracting for 1 minute every 3 minutes before going to hospital. at 5am my contractions were lasting for 45 seconds every 4 minutes (and yes, I had stayed up to time them!) I asked Graham to call them, I couldn't stay at home any longer, again the lady said to wait a while longer but I soon convinced them I needed to be seen by someone.

So we grabbed the labour bag and got in the car, laying in the back was really soothing and I calmed down. We were soon at the Royal Berks Hospital, as the midwife examined me I was surprised to learn my cervix was already 4-5cms dilated - bonus I thought I'm halfway there!

I was soon moved into the room with the birthing pool, it was nice and calming with low lighting and aromatherapy oils scenting the room. I had sent Graham home to pick up my medical notes, I can't believe that I had forgotten to pack them and the car seat! By the time he returned I was being told how to use the gas and air, it's a good distraction but by no means did it help relieve the pain.



At about 8am I stupidly asked how much longer does the midwife think it will be, she said by stats it would be about 4pm, hmmm, ever wish you didn't ask a question! An hour later however I was examined again to discover I was already 9cms dilated - hoorah - only 1cm to go!!

Needing change of scenery I got out of the pool and went into a delivery room where my fab Graham massaged my back and gave me wonderful words of encouragement oh and ensured the music was always playing, I remember listening to Band of Horses and Sigur Ros and in the euphoric moment that Freya arrived Kings of Leon were playing - now that's good timing girl!!



I will spare you most of the details of 3rd stage labour but I will tell you the moment I recall which made it all worth it. Although the contractions were painful I didn't feel the need for pain relief, that's until the pushing part but by then it was too late and no matter how much I shouted at the midwife for denying me it I had to do this without.

As it got quite intense I really didn't think I could go on and kept saying 'I can't do this, I really can't do it anymore'... Well that's not the right attitude is it! I looked up and I saw Graham give me a little smile and heard him say we are closer to meeting Freya, and in a quick turn of emotions I said 'yes, I can, I can do this cant I' and as I did both Graham and I cried, I gave it my best and within 10 minutes Freya was born back to back! After 12 hours of established labour at 12:05 our precious girl arrived! We did it!

I wasn't handed Freya straight away as planned but things didn't go entirely to plan at the end, Freya was delivered with the cord around her neck, leg and arm. the next 6 minutes seemed to last a lifetime as Graham hit the crash button and our little girl was resuscitated in front of us, as I always say I have great faith in medical staff, they were looking after our little angel, the worst part was feeling helpless but they did a fab job and after a short while Freya was in Grahams arms and then I had my cuddles!

Would I do it again? Oh yes - 10 times over if I could but for the time being I have the most adorable daughter to love, protect and cherish.

Data Error?!

I have my 31 week check up with the doctors tomorrow, quite looking forward to it actually as I'm meeting a female practitioner for the first time, I don't think I've ever seen a female doctor, I've never really been bothered by doctors being male, in fact I quite like Mr Dr Dean so tomorrows check will make a change from the norm.

And theres going to be one rather prominent question to ask.....

After cooking dinner, cleaning the kitchen and putting a load of washing out I started to prepare myself for the next day, normally just a case of setting out clothes to wear but tonight I had to pack my medical notes for the docs tomorrow.

Well, I thought I'd have a little sit down and read the observations, one of interest to me is that at 10 weeks I was 58kg and the last recorded weight at 25 weeks is 69kg. Also a few notes about various tests to be sent to the lab and the feed back but amongst the paperwork theres also a maternity ultrasound report attached.

So I'm taking a look and its interesting to read what they can evaluate from the ultrasound, They have my EDD by ultrasound (Estimated Due Date) as 20th September which is what we take as Baby Day but theres also EDD by Dates which is 13th Sept thats the date calculated by last period - That will be a very exciting week!!

And there's a checklist for fetal autonomy from head to toe quite literally all observed as normal, brain, face, spine, four chamber view and great vessels, abdominal wall, kidneys and bladder genitalia appears male (up to 98% accuracy)

Did you get the glitch there?!! This paper work says MALE when the sonographer clearly announced to me during my 20 week scan in April that I am having a girl!! We discussed it, a girl, a baby girl, pretty in pink I said and she said yes!

I have not doubt in my mind of knowing that I am prepared to have a little Freya but why the blinking nora do my notes say differently?

So thats going to be the big question on my lips tomorrow and I am going to ask for another scan since I cant believe that one little word in her report so contradicts our whole conversation and experience during my 20 week scan!

Pretty Pink Preparations!

I've never really needed an excuse to go shopping before but my goodness, when you start shopping for little baby clothes the urge for retail therapy grows even stronger!

Before knowing that we are expecting a little girl I found it quite difficult to know what I should be shopping for, not that I disliked any of the neutral clothing but baby stuff in general just wasn't grasping my attention, if anything it added confusion because I would have the gender battle in my head whist looking at the items only to walk away empty handed and bursting with curiosity!

I guess for me it felt like trying to buy a gift for a person I'd never met before. I quite admire the people who like to wait for the surprise but for us it was just as delightful having the surprise part way through the pregnancy! If you haven't already read about when we found out our baby is a girl then maybe you'd like to read 'another peek into mummys tummy' in my archive.

So I skipped out of the hospital and on my way back to work I made a pit stop at Mothercare! Knowing we are having a girl makes me feel that bit closer to getting to know our new addition, I thought what better than buying a pair of pretty pink shoes to mark the moment - all girls love shoes and they symbolise her stepping into our lives, her shoes have been placed with mine and Grahams at the front door, just ready and waiting for her to join us.

On the last May bank holiday monday I was supposed to be working as it was the last day of the financial year - crunch time for ensuring targets had been met but I spoke to my manager on the Sunday and she said that everything seemed under control therefore I may as well have the Monday off. Well, that's fab, everyone likes an unexpected day off but I hadn't really planned to do anything - what better use of time than turning the music room into Freya's nursery!

Once we had relocated Grahams beloved computer and music equipment to the downstairs spare room we had a completely blank canvass to work with, a perfect sized room with a view over looking the park. Off to B&Q we went, as I stood by the colour swatches deliberating over whether to have two contrasting walls or a feature wall Graham came back with a trolley full of paint brushes, masking tape, floor coverings oh and paint! So Dulux Pretty Pink it is then! After quite a few hours of hard work (well, its not easy running up and down two flights of stairs to get water and snacks frequently) the nursery walls were painted and the furniture assembled - I love my Graham so much for all of his hard work and effort that day!

And since then the preparations have continued, all the finishing touches and practical purchases are being ticked off the list as the weeks go by.

One day was made particularly special when my wonderful friends threw us a baby shower - Sunday 20th June. Organised by Karen and Ellie it was the perfect way to spend a Sunday afternoon, Ellie made up a lovely spread of nibbles and the event as held at Karen's new house - or shall I say penthouse apartment! Feeling the need to get into the domesticated demeanour I baked red velvet cupcakes the night before! It was a lovely afternoon and the girls were so generous I was absolutely made up with all of the lovely gifts they had bought Freya. So, a big massive thank you to you girls - I came away from there feeling showered in love (and pink accessories!!)

Our Friend's Kelly and Shaun are also expecting a baby in September, just a week after Freya is due, they have a daughter already called Amelie who at the time was 10 months old. Kellie and Amelie came to my baby shower which was just brilliant - great to swap pregnancy experiences and fab to get some practice in with the coolest little baby going! Amelie's such a happy and beautiful little girl I just kept thinking wow - a few months from now I'll have a gorgeous little girl to call my own too!

Since the dynamics of my social life will change it was reassuring to have the girls under one roof and talking about what life will be like when Freya's here and the different types of activities we will do when we meet up - its just going to be the most fun, challenging and exciting time of my life and I will cherish every moment of it!