Letter to my Bean : You're 6 months.

Dear Lil Bean,

I can't believe this but you are half a year old! 6 months! Wowza! Time really flew by! This past month has been really packed with lots of developments! We started Baby-led Weaning and you are really enjoying tasting different foods! I'm really impressed with the gusto you show around trying new things. Long may it continue!

You also cut your first tooth! I noticed it last Saturday. It was very exciting because you have been showing teething sign since you were 8 weeks old. Because you now have a tooth, We decided to start brushing. It's easier said than done as you like to'help'. I think you like the taste of the toothpaste and the feel of the bristles on your gums.

You are also trying really hard with your crawling. You can move backwards and when you try to go forwards you end up looking like a crab because you move with your toes not your knees. You'll get there! I saw you push yourself up whilst in your ring yesterday. You were STANDING!!! I was filled with such glee but was sensible enough to capture it on film. This is something that is unreal after all you are only 6 months old!I know I have to have eyes at the back of my head.

We are going to have such fun together as you get more mobile, I can only imagine the scrapes you'll get into. You are such a joy to parent even when you fight your sleep or get cross at me for no reason. I strive to see things from your perspective  but I'm sorry for when I don't. We are still getting acquainted. Let's make the next month an action pack one eh?

All my love,

Mama
x

My Hopes & Dreams for my Children

This past week, I have had my little sister round to stay for the half term. Hillary is growing up rapidly! One of the striking things about her aside from her ever extending limbs is her intelligence. She ain't no fool. She's also blossoming into a rather pretty young woman. We went for a walk at the park and we were catching up like sisters do. I asked her about How school was going, She asked me about Ethan. All normal until she let it slip that she was feeling the immense pressure from my dad's wish for one of his children to become a Doctor like himself. Because I couldn't manage it, It is up to her to do so even though She had always wanted to be a Barrister. That conversation left me on edge.

For a start, I didn't want her having that placed upon her and more so I resent being viewed as a failure. It's funny how parental approval can seem so strong on one hand especially to someone like me who suffers from good girl syndrome. I'm so happy that I was able to build the life that I wanted and that I suppose is all I want for my children.

I want them to be happy with their life choices. If they choose to pursue Academia or not, whether they want fame or not. Whatever they decide all I really want is for them to be happy. Sounds so simple in principle.

Happiness.

To Autumn

With the change in weather, I've been getting that special feeling again. You know the one that feels like you are going on a first date. A mixture of apprehension and delight. But this isn't a first date, no, Autumn is my old friend. This time of year signifies a lot for me. For a start it is a season of change, The trees never looked so beautiful and the crisp Autumn air just does something for me. But mostly, It signposts that Christmas is round the corner. My favourite time of year. So I guess it is time for the Uggs to come out along with the legwarmers and gorgeous knitwear! No one said it better than Keats! 

To Autumn

John Keats

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness,
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eves run;
To bend with apples the moss'd cottage-trees,
And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core;
To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells
With a sweet kernel; to set budding more,
And still more, later flowers for the bees,
Until they think warm days will never cease,
For Summer has o'er-brimm'd their clammy cells.


Who hath not seen thee oft amid thy store?
Sometimes whoever seeks abroad may find
Thee sitting careless on a granary floor,
Thy hair soft-lifted by the winnowing wind;
Or on a half-reap'd furrow sound asleep,
Drows'd with the fume of poppies, while thy hook
Spares the next swath and all its twined flowers:
And sometimes like a gleaner thou dost keep
Steady thy laden head across a brook;
Or by a cyder-press, with patient look,
Thou watchest the last oozings hours by hours.


Where are the songs of Spring? Ay, where are they?
Think not of them, thou hast thy music too,--
While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day,
And touch the stubble-plains with rosy hue;
Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn
Among the river sallows, borne aloft
Or sinking as the light wind lives or dies;
And full-grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourn;
Hedge-crickets sing; and now with treble soft
The red-breast whistles from a garden-croft;
And gathering swallows twitter in the skies.

It landed on my doormat and made me mad!

Celery....Yum!

Now how's that for a blog post title eh? but that's exactly what happened. I received the Boots Parenting mag for 5-9month olds this morning. I have gotten used to seeing Formula companies by pass the law by advertising unnecessary follow-on milks but I suppose it all started to go wrong with the letter from the team.

"You're almost there! All the late nights and round the clock feeds will soon be worth it as your little one moves on to solids." Then it was unto the "Is my baby ready to?" article. Again with the sleep thing, HV, Angela Davy states that  "...Others only manage it when they're on three meals a day from 7 months." She goes on to say " From 6 months, you can leave your baby to cry for short periods. Try 5 minutes at first, then extend the time so she'll learn to settle herself."

Essentially controlled crying. I'm aware that this sort of advice is prevalent in our society but as a rookie parent, even I know that solids don't sort out sleep issues. Neither does CC. (Well it might in the short term until the baby is ill and or teething, then you'll have to do it all over again. It's not something I would do.) Sleep is a developmental milestone that each child has to achieve.  It wasn't all bad though, The nutritionist Vicky Pennington gave good advice on weaning with even a balanced mention of Baby-led weaning.

This magazine was just the last drop in what was a long time held frustration. I suppose the dam just burst its banks. I subscribed to a well known parenting mag whilst I was pregnant, it was a good read but the more I thought about how I wanted to parent Lil bean, I just couldn't relate anymore. Also months spent unsubscribing to all those companies Bounty had signed me on for was enough to make me angry. Normally I wouldn't hand over my details like that except a raffia bag was for the taking but I was exhausted after labouring overnight and recovering from an EMCS, I just wanted the lady to leave me alone.

I will end with a rational thought, at the end of the day, it's all advice not gospel. That is all this mama has to remember.

Ethan's Baby-led Weaning Journey

Going by my Silent Sunday 2 weeks ago, You would have gathered that Ethan has decided he is ready for food! I intend to document our BLW journey. So if you are interested in Baby-led Weaning, or know someone who is, stay tuned for more!


A little bit about BLW

• It is not a new concept like most people think. My Gran did it, My mum did it too.
• It was researched and publicised by Gill Rapley.
• If you're baby isn't ready for food, He won't eat it.
• Signs that your baby is ready include : being able to sit up, pick up food and eat it usually aroung the 6 month mark.
• My son has fed on demand since birth so I see this as an extension of this.
• Food is fun till one so I won't stress if he doesn't eat lots, most of his nutrients will still be coming from breast milk.
• It's messy and FUN!

Here is my favourite Youtube Video of a BLW Baby:

For more info:  http://www.rapleyweaning.com/
 

Silent Sunday

Britmums Vlog Prompt - Kid's TV: Yay or Nay

My First attempt at Vlogging, please bear with the erms and the errrs! Hopefully it is coherent enough to add to the discussion!

Silent Sunday

Letter to my Bean : You're 5 months.

Dear Mr E,

On Nana's Back!

This month has been very exciting for you. Aside from moving house & going on your first holiday, You have also began to enjoy going to Baby Rhymetime. Before you only used to watch other children but now, You have favourite songs you like to bounce along to. You love " Twinkle Twinkle", "Wind the Bobbin up" , "This Old Man", Jesus Loves the Little Children & Row, Row, Row Your Boat" .You are one social bunny!
People actually stop us in Tescos to say hello and tell us how cute you are. We get quite embarrassed but you just lap it up! You still hate being in your buggy so I thought to turn it to face the world and you seem more relaxed in there now. I don't know how I feel about that bab-bab.
You were also diagnosed with Dairy & Soya intolerance last month so I've been avoiding them in my diet,  virtually all symptoms of reflux have disappeared which makes me think it was just those intolerances that were bugging you. I have to say that breastfeeding you is no longer stressful as you are back to being my booby monkey!
Things you now do include bouncing whenever you can thanks to your jumperoo, Raising your hands if you want us to lift you up, helping me get booby out to feed you - it can be counter-productive but it's the thought that counts! and your heart melting smiles just get better!

Love you,
Mama

Challenge #meltthebabyfatoff - Week 4

Since I last wrote on this challenge, I went on holidays and when I got back I had put on 1.5lbs so I went to get weighed tonight and ........

+/-1.5lbs 

yes i stayed the same which I was glad for seeing as we had a chocolate fondue at my party on Friday! I intend to buckle down and get back to basis, coz I hope to reach my interim target by Christmas.

Judgy Mummy

I've been thinking about this for a while now but I thought it was time that I wrote about it. The Judgy Mummy. You know the kind. I'm not even going to describe what she's like. All you need to remember is the tut and shake of her head as she watches you with your child.

I really try not to judge people for their choices because as you all know as parents, Most of us do what we truly believe is best for our children.

My best friend Frankie said something to me on Friday that pushed me to really think about this properly. She said " Motherhood seems to divide people" This is coming from someone who is on the outside looking in. It is sad but She is actually right.

I've been doing this Motherhood lark for 5 months now and I have come to the conclusion that just about every thing has the potential to be divisive.  First it was Breast vs. Formula. Routine vs. Baby-led , Cloth nappies vs. Disposables and now it is Purees vs. Baby-led Weaning.

We are all so passionate about our choices after all it affects the well-being of our precious little persons. Ethan being the first grandchild gets quite a bit of attention. Lots of advice gets thrown at us from every angle possible. Because I have chosen to follow my instincts as long as it has some kind of research I trust, I tend not to listen to most suggestions. I realised on Friday that I was slowly turning into a Judgy Mummy.

I get thoughts like " Yeah right, I'll never do that to him", "Urgh, how can someone even do that" and " Are you insane?!!"

Not attractive.

Whilst it is true that there are many things that can divide us, these same things bind us together! I have found many new friends in the new communities that I've joined to get advice on cloth nappies, Attachment Parenting, Breastfeeding and now Baby-led Weaning.  When you get off the beaten track, you definitely need reliable travel partners. I want to do things differently with Ethan but I do not want to become a Judgy Mummy. Afterall, We all have been through the labour room either physically and or emotionally so that puts us all on an even keel. If you meet a Judgy Mummy, remember that .
As for me I'll reel in my internal monologue.