Help my hair is falling out!

While pregnant my hair was lovely, shiny and full of volume. It grew long and I loved it!

This photo was taken in July, I was 6 months pregnant

Then I gave birth and over night my hair changed, it became dry, fluffy, brittle. I thought it could be fixed with a good haircut, it could not. 

The below photo is was taken 6 weeks postpartum. 

It's So Fluffy!!! (and not in a good way)

A month ago my hair started falling out. I knew it was going to happen, (it is one of the things they do remember to tell you) but I didn't expect this volume of hair loss! Clumps of hair fall out every time I wash, brush or tie it up. some areas of the house look like scenes from a wild west movie with hair balls blowing along in the wind! I exagerate, I hoovered yesterday. 

 It is quite horrible and hard to deal with, not only do I have less time to 'do' my hair, I have horrible hair to work with. I have just taken to tying it up in a low bun, but that doesn't solve the problem of my wayward fringe...

 I have two questions that I have yet found the answer to; When will it stop? And will my hair ever do what I want it to again? 

 Yours sincerely Baldy (previously known as Emily)

6 weeks after giving birth

It is safe to say that my life has changed dramatically in the last 6 weeks and so has my body, the next two photos are the before and after. The first was taken the day before I was induced, the second taken yesterday, just over 6 weeks after giving birth.

To be honest, I'm quite surprised that my body has sprung back so quickly! I am eating more than I have ever eaten. Last week when Fred and I had colds all I did for 3 days was sit on the sofa watching day time TV (yes I am ashamed that I watched 60 minute makeover 4 times in one week!) and eating huge amounts of chocolate while I felt ridiculously sorry for myself. Somehow I still lost 1 pound of baby weight! Maybe I should be a pin up for breast feeding. Fred does eat A LOT, that has got to burn many calories : )

I do have a few stretch marks around my belly button, but hopefully they will fade with time.

Anyway enough about me, Fred is recovering well from his cold and we have recently discovered the joys of 'baby wearing' Fred loves it and will usually fall asleep within minutes of being in the sling. 

It is also pretty nice being the carrier, having him all snuggled up and happy on your chest.

A baby shower celebration and customised onesies

Last Sunday Rachel and Abbie organised and hosted a lovely baby shower for me.

I had a lovely afternoon, there were presents, cakes and games. 

One of the best things was customising vests, onesies and sleep suits. 

People bought various sizes of the various baby clothes. 

Rachel supplied us with templates, bond-a-web, and cool fabric.

We traced a shape on to the bond-a-web, ironed it on to the back of the chosen fabric, cut the shape out, peeled off the bond-a web and then ironed the fabric on to the clothing.

The results are pretty awesome! 

Have a look for your self...

Thank you so much Rachel, Abbie and my lovely friends for a great afternoon!

Pregnancy update - 37 weeks

Last time I said that time seemed to have flown by and I couldn't believe how near to the end of pregnancy I am. 

This week everything is going very slowly! Including my walk...

I'm finding it hard to comprehend what life with a baby will be like, but at the same time I cannot wait to loose this huge writhing mass of a belly. I know it won't ping back to its original shape the day after I deliver but to be able to use my stomach muscles, or lay on my front will be wonderful!

Both Jamie and I are now finding planning things quite difficult, from work meetings, to meeting friends, in the time BB (Before Baby). 

Then working out if we will be able to do things we want to AB (After Baby). 

In an ideal world, baby will be laid back and so will we so we can go to peoples houses, have day trips and other things. But we may be up-tight and worried parents and baby maybe fussy and never sleep.

Anyway this is meant to be updating you on pregnancy not my random wondering and worries.

Clothes are now a major problem, I still have 4 dresses that fit me, but my leggings have now become a little tight and finding tights that fit is near impossible. So I have been resorting to Jamie's joggers :)

The mid-wife complemented me on my egg like belly - she said it was lovely, but that I shouldn't expect it to be this smooth and neat next time I have a baby... I can't believe she is already thinking about me doing it again!

It is my last day at work tomorrow, I have been baking some cakes today to treat everyone with. I just hope they turn out ok! I'm totally excited to finish work, it will be sad to leave for 9 months, but I'm very tired and I'm so ready to get my nest-on!

There haven't been many other developments, we are now cleaning, sorting, and waiting ...

Pregnancy update - 35 weeks

Wow time really does fly! I have loads more to share from our holiday but it is time for another preggo update.

It seems I pull strange faces whilst being photographed, and Jamie didn't tell me my cardigan was tucked in! oh well

What I wore: Cardigan - an old Charity shop find, Dress - ASOS Maternity (definitely one of my best investments), Sandals - Last years from Zara, and scarf was a present.

We got back from our two weeks holiday last night. The Maternity Jeans and my favourite grey skirt I packed stopped fitting me only 5 days in to our holiday leaving me with hardly anything to wear! Thankfully my Mum came to the rescue with a huge pair of trousers I bought her from Cambodia (they are in the photo below- expect to see more of them) and we went and found two dresses that aren't maternity but will hopefully fit for the next month or so and beyond.

Sleeping, turning over and getting up from a horizontal position have all become very difficult! My wonderful friend Hayley has lent me her AMAZING pregnancy pillow. I have only used it for one night so far but it is my new best friend. I think I may use it forever (Jamie isn't to happy about this prospect as I'm now taking up even more space in bed)

I had a midwife appointment today, my stomach is still measuring about a week ahead- this is worrying as I think it means baby is going to be big, unless he/she comes early...

Baby is already in the head down position, though not engaged so don't panic. 

We got to listen to his/ her heartbeat again today, It always makes me well up. I'm going to be such a blubbering wreck when baby is born!

I have just over two weeks left of work, but I'm worried I'm not going to make it :s. I am so tired now and my hips are getting quite painful. My aim is not to fall asleep in the office ; )

So any guesses, of sex, weight and date baby will arrive? I can't promise a prize if you get it right just pride in your guessing abilities.

Awkward and awesome things about pregnancy - third trimester

I am now 33weeks pregnant, 5 weeks in to the third trimester, here is a run down of the awkward and awesome things about this stage so far - advance warning- there may be some over sharing on my part... 

I'm wearing; jeans-mothcare, t-shirt - asos maternity, cardigan - charity shop, shoes - newlook (on sale for £5) 

Awkward- Putting shoes on my left foot has become nearly impossible.

                - Turning over in bed, getting up from any position and picking things up from the floor have become so much harder, I now assess how important or necessary it is for me to move before I do anything.

                 - doing a number two, (told you there would be over sharing) or not as the case maybe...

                  - Intermitant lactation -enough said. 

                  - Squashing my organs when I move, always fun! 

                  - Everyone wants to talk to me! A taxi driver started a conversation with 'you need to go to weight watchers love.' He thought he was hilarious!

                   - Regularly being kicked in the ribs - by the baby.

                   - Itchy skin, my belly, hands and feet have been itchy on and off for a while I went to the doctor because I googled and found out itchy hands and feet can be a sign of liver failure in pregnancy. He basically said I only need to worry if it is constant, unbearable and I turn yellow. 

                    - Paranoia and google don't mix.

Awesome - Having a husband who will put shoes on my left foot, pick stuff off the floor and help me get up.

                 - Knowing that whenever baby is born from now on it is likely that he or she will survive with no lasting side effects, I feel I am able to fully embrace this baby now, and get very excited!

                - Finding out dried apricots can change the answer to the eternal question, 'to poo or not to poo' ( I think I'm funny) 

                - The excitement of family and friends is wonderful. I thought that I wouldn't want people touching my belly, but I really don't mind. - as long as I know them and they don't stroke, stroking is weird (mum take note).

                - people can no longer mistake my belly for oddly placed fat.

                - Everyone wants to talk to me! I have found most people to be encouraging, my favourite conversations are with older ladies who reminisce about their children.

                 - Seeing friends blessed with their babies and knowing ours will probably be next.

                 - Having a sister-in-law who gets just as excited about yoda hats as me :)

  

The top ten things on my wish list for pregnancy and after...

1. This lovely changing bag from momymoo.co.uk Jamie made me realise I needed to consider him in changing bag choices, (I was previously considering a Cath Kidston bag)  also because we are planning to use cloth nappies we are probably going to need quite a big changing bag! It looks large and versatile, you can wear it as a back pack too.

2. Another Watermelon, it was so lovely and refreshing!

3. Another pair of Pregnancy leggings from New Look They have been so comfortable and I wear them very regularly! I should probably have two pairs...

4. A heated airer, again because of re-usable nappies and general babyness we are going to have a lot more washing to dry. We have decided that a heated airer would suit our lifestyle better than a tumble dryer.

5. A breast feeding pillow, from what I hear breast feeding is not easy, so I figure things that make it easier would be a good idea! 

This one can be found here

6. The hungry caterpillar set from Tesco, it is just too cute!

7. Lots and lots of sleep

8. Someone to knit me a baby yoda hat!
you can buy the pattern here (hint massive hint)

9. Bio-oil because I'm pretty sure the stretch marks are just waiting to make a surprise appearance...

10. More time, it is just going too fast and I'm far to tired to consider looking after a baby yet. Also the baby room is a mess and has no curtains because some dufus decided to make some - and hasn't even found the material yet!

Pregnancy update - week 31

Week 31.

It is pretty scary that I'm 31 weeks pregnant, I only have 6 weeks left of work  (we are on holiday for two of them) and we are in the middle of assembling the baby room.

After putting together a cot and putting some baby clothes in a chest of drawers last Friday, I had a bit of a mini breakdown, I sat in the corner of the room convinced that we wouldn't get everything we need to do done (who knows what it is we need to do) and wouldn't know what to do with a baby, there are so many unknowns. What will the baby be like? How will labour go? Will I get post-natal depression? Will Jamie cope with disturbed sleep? (the answer to the last one is most probably; yes, but in a zombie - like state.) 

I'm ok now, it was just so over whelming, and I don't think I had grasped how much our life is changing until then.

Photos from last week, I'm actually glowing!

The dress I am wearing I have had for 8 years, it is pretty much stretched to capacity, so I don't think I can wear it again until after baby has arrived.

My belly seems to be growing at an alarming rate now. I am thankful that so far I haven't got any stretch marks, but I imagine it will happen soon as the skin over my stomach seems pulled to bursting! (lovely image for you there)

I haven't noticed any Braxton Hicks contractions yet. 

I am much more emotional at the moment which is probably the reason for my little break down last Friday.

I am concerned that my wardrobe is going to become very limited soon, thanks to my refusal to buy many maternity clothes. : /

At the moment I have one pair of black jeans, a pair of denim shorts, three skirts, a few tops, maternity leggings and some dresses. A lot of the dresses and tops are now a little bursting... I will keep you updated with how I manage. 

Pregnancy update - Week 29

I'm the worst ill person EVER. I moan continually. I want attention and sympathy, but don't want to be fussed over. I want permission to sleep on the sofa, but I will not tolerate being told I should go to bed. I want medicine, but I also distrust doctors and their willingness to hand out drugs willi nilli (yep I said willi nilli)

I know i'm this bad, but somehow I have never managed to get better at being ill, May be in 50 years I will be able to gracefully lounge in bed, accepting visitors with a smile and patience. But I doubt it.

Why am I telling you this in my pregnancy update?

I have a cold and I am ILLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL! (said in the whiniest voice you can muster)

This cold is worse then most, precisely because I am growing a bun in my oven.

Last Friday after a night of terrible sleep and being turned away from the dentist- because they didn't want my germs. (It makes sense to me now, but I was fuming at the time.) I decided to visit a pharmacy to see if they could offer me ANY relief, on announcing my presence with a coughing fit and informing the nice lady of my pregnant status I was quickly turned away with only a box of paracetamol and menthol sweets. I then wandered around the supermarket on the verge of tears- because I am that pathetic and the pregnancy hormones have turned me in to a drop-of-the-hat crier.

Also whilst dealing with this melodramatically over stated worst cold EVER, Britain has been in the grip of a heatwave, excellent news for all who are fit and able to enjoy the excessive heat, terrible news for me.

Good news, I went to the doctor monday and have been prescribed anti-biotics, because the cold was moving to my chest and an inhaler, so hopefully I will recover soon and be a little more chirpy, easier to live with and able to something other than mope around watching catch up TV in my Pyjamas.

All of the above was my round about way of informing you that there will be no photo this week, as I have hardly washed, not brushed my hair and worn my pyjamas for 5 of the last 6 days.

I should probably give you some pregnancy related information, as this post is entitled 'Pregnancy update'.

I still have had no cravings. 

I haven't re-weighed myself -I thought it best.

Baby is moving constantly! It freaks me out a little the strength of movement sometimes. 

I can tell when baby has hiccups, which is also weird but cute.

I had my gestational diabetes test and results- good news, I am not diabetic!

I have finished knitting a blanket and am in the process of re-covering our moses basket.

I haven't had too much swelling in my ankles yet.

According to my app baby is 39cm long and his or her bones are now hardening.

Writing this post has been very cathartic, if you have read this far - thanks and well done! Sorry again for lack of photos, I promise I will make up for it next time :)

The weekends adventures / photos from my phone

This weekend my Mum came to stay (at this juncture I should point out that my weekends are generally 4 days long - I know not fair!) I don't know how it happened but i didn't manage to get and photos of my Mutti, but I did get a few others...

On Friday Mum and I went to West Kirby beach with my brother Robert, the two of us (me and Robert) tried walking to the little island in the distance, (whilst mum sunbathed) 
I didn't make it because I was wearing shorts I didn't want to get wet.

 At this point we were up to our knees and there was still a way to go... this is where we parted ways

 I watched him stride off in to the distance then made my way back to the ice cream van ;)

He returned an hour later, very wet with a bleeding toe

 Friday evening mum and I went to see the Chester mystery plays at the Cathedral. It was a magnificent setting, mum thoroughly enjoyed the evening but for me it was too warm, too uncomfortable and too long!

 I blame the baby.

On Saturday Mum joined Jamie and I for our first NCT nearly new Sale (check out what they are and other stuff for pregnant people or those with Babies here) and scored some bargains, but only after our awesomely generous friends gave us more baby things!

Later that afternoon I had to work, I manned a bottle tombola at a local Carnival, I learnt that tombolas featuring alcohol are very popular! 

We also got to watch a dog herding ducks - naturally.

That evening we played with our new baby things, Oliver was once again our willing pretend baby

Jamie played with the boxes...

Sunday we went to church, and relaxed a lot. 

Monday whilst Jamie and most other people went to work Mum and I had a spa day. It was lovely, a great end to a brilliant weekend.

Thanks Mum for visiting, joining in the fun and pampering me.

Pregnancy update - week 27

27 Weeks preggo photos!

As usual they aren't that flattering but I don't care :)

Outfit details: Top- fat face, Shorts- a hand me down in a larger size then I usually wear so I can still do them up, Sandals- my trusty Birkenstocks. 

None are maternity.

I have officially put on a stone! This scared me quite a lot so I did some googling and it turns out the average weight gain in pregnancy is 2.5 stone! This statistic scared me more! (sorry about all of the exclamation marks) Something I have learnt about my self during this process is how much of a control freak I am - all of  my friends and family are rolling their eyes because they have known it all along. Before being pregnant I felt in control of my body, I knew that everything was fine, functioning properly and my stomach by some miracle had stayed relatively flat from all my years of dancing. I had just got to the point of accepting my large butt and small boobs, I knew how to dress to flatter my shape and I most of the time felt confident and relatively fit. 

Now is different, I'm not in control of my body, regardless of what I eat or don't eat my stomach will continue to expand in order to fit more baby in. I get scared if I don't feel baby move for a while because I don't know what is going on in there, I don't know how he or she is doing. My boobs (for me) are ginormous! I have to work out the acceptable cleavage parameters with every outfit change and well my shape is definitely not pear at the moment! And I get worn out very quickly which is very frustrating!

These things are all small in comparison to the massive blessing of being pregnant. I am thankful every day that we have this baby in our life and that he or she seems to be growing healthily and I'm having a relatively easy time.

This week, according to my app, baby is 900g and 37cm head to foot. He or she can hear and distinguish voices, sleeps and wakes are regular intervals and can open and close his or her eyes. It's amazing!

Next week I have to have a gestational diabetes test which sounds pretty gruesome followed by an extra injection because my blood type is o- and I have been told by the midwife they will take lots of blood to do extra tests just because they can! I'm not looking forward to it :(

On the subject of my midwife, I had an appointment at 25 weeks, which is the point where they start to measure the bump to check it is growing at the right rate. I got up on the bed and lifted my top while she went to fetch the tape measure, she had her back to me when I said how traumatised I was about my "outy" belly button she started to reply with "well it can't be that bad at 25... OH!" she exclaimed as she turned and saw it in all its "outy "glory. I consider myself a medical marvel and have decided to stop complaining about it. The outy is here to stay (please God make it go back after I have had the baby! Amen)

Pregnancy update

24 Weeks Pregnant.

My belly feels pretty huge some days, although I am aware that I still have some belly growing to do!

I realise the above photo is not very flattering but it does show the belly in its full glory! :)

I bought this skirt soon after I found out I was pregnant it is not maternity, i'm still not wearing many pregnancy clothes. I complained loudly on facebook about the terrible choice of maternity clothes and people gave many opinions and suggestions, in the end I decided I had to work it out my own way.

So far I have bought

   - one dress (which i haven't worn) 

   - one top which I like but is a little baggy

   - a belly band to hide my undone trousers
   - a pair of awesome leggings
   - two maternity / nursing bras
   - some bigger knickers (yes it seems my butt is bigger too! :( )

   - some long strap tops to cover my belly when wearing normal t-shirts

and lots of second hand non maternity clothes at a clothing swap some ladies hosted at church. It was a great evening and I came home with a huge bag of swag!

If you see me around looking inappropriate due to my reluctance to invest in maternity clothes, please do tell me! 

Awkward and awesome things about pregnancy

Awkward - Finding out the many things "they" didn't tell me would happen. Including growing hair on my belly, not a huge amount but I know it is there! 

              - feeling like I need to pee ALL THE TIME

              - The Baby seems to move more at night - as soon as I lie down

             - My belly button is unrecognisable, and can almost be described as an "outy"        

               - Feeling REALLY full after I eat

               - getting tired pretty quickly even when walking

               - not a great choice of maternity clothes
               - forgetting the names of people I see every week
               - groaning like an old lady when I bend down

               - Trying to get photos of my changing form and not knowing how to stand...

Awesome - Feeling the baby move loads now :0)

              - Jamie singing little songs to my belly

              - Clearing out all the rubbish we have accumulated in our spare rooms ( I Love a good clear out)

              - Some amazing baby hand me downs

              - Still being able to wear most of my normal clothes
              - groaning like an old lady when I bend down ( it is pretty funny)

              - Enjoying all the crazy new things and getting so excited about meeting our Baby.

         

I'm back...

Sorry I haven't posted for so long!

I took an unintentional break from my blog. After all the drama with Jamie I just felt a bit uninspired. But I am back now. I can't promise such regular posts as i am out of the habit of photographing an documenting my life but I will try...

Another reason for the blog break is that just before Jamie became ill we found out that I am pregnant! 

Dealing with Jamie's pneumonia was difficult because I was feeling so tired and sick. I am so glad he is all better now and back to full health. 

Thankfully my morning sickness has at last subsided (it has been two weeks since I was last sick WHOOP!)

I am now 19 weeks pregnant.

This photo was taken at 16 weeks. I have a nice little bump coming along. 

So far I haven't had any cravings, I can't say I'm enjoying the experience of being pregnant.  It is horrible being sick and queasy (obviously), I'm also finding it weird that my body is changing so much. (my belly button is already unrecognisable)

I started to be able to feel the baby moving last week, it is very surreal! I like it though. I have been able to feel it on the outside of my stomach too, but Jamie hasn't managed it yet. It might be because he makes me laugh too much, he kept putting his face on my belly and asking the baby to kick him...

Whilst I have been away I managed to finish knitting Jamie's jumper! Another thing to cross off my 30 before 30 list. :)

Jamie is a beautiful but blinky model :)