Sunday, 31 October 2010
Sunday, 17 October 2010
It all went swimmingly...
It's been a good week here in the Big-Mother House. So much so in fact that the the big-mother is now just about able to squeeze into her pre-maternity jeans which had her dancing round the house like a monkey. And a giddy one at that. Of course the fact that I can't yet sit down in those jeans is irrelevant, I am just happy to be wearing something with buttons at the waist as opposed to over-stretched elastic. Hurray me! Actually the real hard work starts next week when I dust off the yoga mat for a six week kick start to my practice with the yogi legend that is Joanna. Sheli has bravely agreed to join me so we can whine about our aches the morning after... got to love peer support.
As for Grace, she has been a busy little lady. As well as putting on a stiff upper lip for her first shot of immunisations at the clinic, she's donned her water wings and made her first splash in the local pool. Like Mummy, she is also a fan of peer support, so she was joined by not one little friend from our ante-natal group, but three! Eleanor, Ava and Logan all took to the water in their 'happy nappy' swim pants where they learnt the soggy version of 'the wheels on the bus' ('the babies in the pool go splash splash splash...') and had a great time bobbing around the waves getting used to being wet somewhere other than the bath. Next week her little friend John is also coming along!
Hanging out on the play mat
Grace has become rather fond of smiling now - it's becoming a regular thing and the best ones are certainly those she gives when she's greeted after waking from a nap in her nursery. She's also started seeking comfort from hugging and her little arms are learning to embrace and grip which is ever so heart warming when she does it. We like bear hugs in our house.
As for team triumphs, Matt the Husband and I have finally mastered the supermarket shop. After a disastrous attempt during week two, we have put the fear behind us and tackled the 'baby trolley' once more. Success is a) finding a parent and child parking space, b) finding a trolley suitable for carrying a baby, and c) finding the aisles clear enough for dawdling as shopping with a baby inevitably takes longer. THANK YOU TESCO!!
Grace showing off in her hired wheels
The only other thing to mention this week is that I have gone back to work. Not literally, but I have taken my first 'keeping in touch' day which passed in a flash and gave me a dose of grown up conversation (almost Roger), a round of buffet sarnies, and an Apricot muffin to bring home for the Mother-in-law as a thank you for looking after Grace for the day. Typically heavy traffic on the way home saw the muffin reduced to crumbs although I'm aware it's the thought that counts. Yummy. So yes, happy to be back in the chair, albeit a different one now that I have changed job roles, but a good feeling nonetheless. And my old role? The job couldn't have been offered to a more deserving person... WELL DONE SHELI!
As for Grace, she has been a busy little lady. As well as putting on a stiff upper lip for her first shot of immunisations at the clinic, she's donned her water wings and made her first splash in the local pool. Like Mummy, she is also a fan of peer support, so she was joined by not one little friend from our ante-natal group, but three! Eleanor, Ava and Logan all took to the water in their 'happy nappy' swim pants where they learnt the soggy version of 'the wheels on the bus' ('the babies in the pool go splash splash splash...') and had a great time bobbing around the waves getting used to being wet somewhere other than the bath. Next week her little friend John is also coming along!
Hanging out on the play mat
Grace has become rather fond of smiling now - it's becoming a regular thing and the best ones are certainly those she gives when she's greeted after waking from a nap in her nursery. She's also started seeking comfort from hugging and her little arms are learning to embrace and grip which is ever so heart warming when she does it. We like bear hugs in our house.
As for team triumphs, Matt the Husband and I have finally mastered the supermarket shop. After a disastrous attempt during week two, we have put the fear behind us and tackled the 'baby trolley' once more. Success is a) finding a parent and child parking space, b) finding a trolley suitable for carrying a baby, and c) finding the aisles clear enough for dawdling as shopping with a baby inevitably takes longer. THANK YOU TESCO!!
Grace showing off in her hired wheels
The only other thing to mention this week is that I have gone back to work. Not literally, but I have taken my first 'keeping in touch' day which passed in a flash and gave me a dose of grown up conversation (almost Roger), a round of buffet sarnies, and an Apricot muffin to bring home for the Mother-in-law as a thank you for looking after Grace for the day. Typically heavy traffic on the way home saw the muffin reduced to crumbs although I'm aware it's the thought that counts. Yummy. So yes, happy to be back in the chair, albeit a different one now that I have changed job roles, but a good feeling nonetheless. And my old role? The job couldn't have been offered to a more deserving person... WELL DONE SHELI!
Sunday, 10 October 2010
Heart Murmur
Dear little Grace,
We had a follow up appointment with the Consultant at Pontefract Hospital this week. He wanted to listen to your heart again to see if the murmur that was present at birth is still audible. He confirmed it is, although he did say it is quite quiet so it may be that whatever defect is causing the sound is starting to correct itself naturally.
Your ECG trace was normal which is excellent news at it means the electrical activity of your heart is functioning as it should be and the defect is not having any effect on this measure. We now have to wait for a referral to see the Cardiologist at the Childrens Hospital in Leeds for an ultrasound scan which will tell us what defect is present. At the moment he thinks its either a PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosus) or a VSD (Ventricular Septal Defect), both being a hole in the heart. I'll tell you more about those as and when we get a diagnosis.
Overall though he was really very pleased with your development, commenting you were thriving - gaining weight very well and being quite advanced for your age - we're very proud.
So keep on growing big and strong, and remember that your Mummy and Daddy love you x x x
We had a follow up appointment with the Consultant at Pontefract Hospital this week. He wanted to listen to your heart again to see if the murmur that was present at birth is still audible. He confirmed it is, although he did say it is quite quiet so it may be that whatever defect is causing the sound is starting to correct itself naturally.
Your ECG trace was normal which is excellent news at it means the electrical activity of your heart is functioning as it should be and the defect is not having any effect on this measure. We now have to wait for a referral to see the Cardiologist at the Childrens Hospital in Leeds for an ultrasound scan which will tell us what defect is present. At the moment he thinks its either a PDA (Patent Ductus Arteriosus) or a VSD (Ventricular Septal Defect), both being a hole in the heart. I'll tell you more about those as and when we get a diagnosis.
Overall though he was really very pleased with your development, commenting you were thriving - gaining weight very well and being quite advanced for your age - we're very proud.
So keep on growing big and strong, and remember that your Mummy and Daddy love you x x x
Saturday, 9 October 2010
This little piggy
Grace showing off her pinkies...
...so tiny! And yes, Matt the Husband and I finally got to pop the cork on our 'we had a baby' celebration bottle. It's been on ice in the refrigero for 8 weeks today. Chin-chin!
...so tiny! And yes, Matt the Husband and I finally got to pop the cork on our 'we had a baby' celebration bottle. It's been on ice in the refrigero for 8 weeks today. Chin-chin!
Sunday, 3 October 2010
Every home needs a Frances
The Supernanny.
Every first-time Mum should have one. And with Jo Frost having her own TV show and thus far outside my humble grasp, I've taken up the services of her understudy. Frances. Now anyone who knows Frances, knows that she knows best. And what a relief it was to have a visit from her last week, taking the reins and steering me and Grace into a rose-tinted harmonious mothering experience. Well, almost.
With Frances 1 year BB. (Before Baby).
Frances was characteristically superb at getting me on the straight and narrow, but the rose-tint prophecy has been shelved to make way for REALITY. Putting things into perspective is something Frances does best, and I'm thankful to have such a great friend. In the space of a whirlwind lunch visit, Frances had me slowing down (yes really - why do you think I didn't blog last week?!), and taking stock. This is my life now, and I can't expect to rattle off 10 things on my to-do list before Matt the Husband has had time to eat his toast on a morning. (That's no.3 on my list by the way).
Grace with her Daddy.
Jokes aside, a cloud has lifted and I'm getting to grips with the task of raising a little person. And a hungry one at that.
With all the developing Grace has been doing, we have one hungry baby on our hands. Since I posted last, Grace has been working on her emerging smile, strengthening her push-up technique and becoming a versatile lady who can say BALLS to the routine and still be a contented little baby. (N.B. this is NOT a euphemism of the militant how-to book authored by 'She-who-cannot-be-named Ford'!!)
So a little more relaxed as I enter the eighth week with Lady Grace. We have had a weekend away to my Father's 76th birthday party where Grace met Great Uncle Frank for the first time. And along with it a visit to the legendary 'Norfolk Kitchen' for lunch as well as the rock 'n' roll service of an American Diner on our way back up the A1 to Yorkshire.
My Uncle Frank.
Every first-time Mum should have one. And with Jo Frost having her own TV show and thus far outside my humble grasp, I've taken up the services of her understudy. Frances. Now anyone who knows Frances, knows that she knows best. And what a relief it was to have a visit from her last week, taking the reins and steering me and Grace into a rose-tinted harmonious mothering experience. Well, almost.
With Frances 1 year BB. (Before Baby).
Frances was characteristically superb at getting me on the straight and narrow, but the rose-tint prophecy has been shelved to make way for REALITY. Putting things into perspective is something Frances does best, and I'm thankful to have such a great friend. In the space of a whirlwind lunch visit, Frances had me slowing down (yes really - why do you think I didn't blog last week?!), and taking stock. This is my life now, and I can't expect to rattle off 10 things on my to-do list before Matt the Husband has had time to eat his toast on a morning. (That's no.3 on my list by the way).
Grace with her Daddy.
Jokes aside, a cloud has lifted and I'm getting to grips with the task of raising a little person. And a hungry one at that.
With all the developing Grace has been doing, we have one hungry baby on our hands. Since I posted last, Grace has been working on her emerging smile, strengthening her push-up technique and becoming a versatile lady who can say BALLS to the routine and still be a contented little baby. (N.B. this is NOT a euphemism of the militant how-to book authored by 'She-who-cannot-be-named Ford'!!)
So a little more relaxed as I enter the eighth week with Lady Grace. We have had a weekend away to my Father's 76th birthday party where Grace met Great Uncle Frank for the first time. And along with it a visit to the legendary 'Norfolk Kitchen' for lunch as well as the rock 'n' roll service of an American Diner on our way back up the A1 to Yorkshire.
My Uncle Frank.
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