Baby Fred at 5 months

Our cheeky little monkey is growing fast! I can't quite believe he is 5 months old already.

The last month has been a bit of a blur - thanks to the lack of sleep. 

Since sleeping more Fred now giggles a lot more and his balance has improved considerably! It may just be a coincidence but I think it's related.

Fred now sleeps loads better. He generally has two naps a day one much longer than the other. Over night for 4 of the last 7 nights he has gone to bed just after 7, woken once for food and slept until the morning. It is amazing! I feel like a whole new person. Although now that some of the fog of tiredness has lifted I am noticing how much I HATE my hair. (something I am going to be sorting out today!)

Currently Fred's favourite toy is Terry the Triceratops. Terry is bright, jingly, crackly, squeaky and even has a chewy ring. 

Last week we started swimming lessons. He hated it. He sucked my shoulder the whole time. I have been told we will like it better this week. We shall see!

He is nearly rolling over, but he would prefer to be able to sit himself up. He spends most of the time that he is on his back doing a baby version of crunches.

We have started letting Fred play with food, currently he just gums bits of cucumber and sucks out the juice, he is really enjoying it though. As we are going to do baby led weaning I feel it is OK to let him explore food now so that he will start eating when he is ready. 

I'm afraid that once again I have no idea how much he weighs, just more. He has nearly grown out of his 3- 6 month sleep suits. 

I am hoping that this month his sleeping continues to improve, we avoid illness and he learns to like swimming.

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.

The baby is here!

I am excited to introduce you to Fred Michael, he arrived on the 3rd of October at 2.31am. After a long an arduous failed induction of labour he entered the world via c-section. He is perfect, he has Jamie's nose and feet, my chin (poor boy) blue beautiful eyes and a great pout.

We are having to take things slowly and gently, because of the c-section, which is unusual for me but just as well because so far Fred is a bit of a night owl. Jamie and I are knackered and it's only been just over a week!

I will try and blog at least once a week from now on, but it may start of slowly as I am not doing much! The arrival of Fred does mean I can cross off another of my 30before 30 challenges :)

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!

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.

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.

         

Hastings and the last girly weekend before B Day

Last weekend was one of those weekends when everything comes together to make an awesome and lovely time. 

I went to Hastings to visit my Girls and my parents. 

Hayley (below) is about to pop (theoretically speaking) with her first Baby (Hence B Day) She is having the first baby of our group of friends too! It is BIG and exciting news!

 

Hayley is the most beautiful pregnant woman I have ever seen. The baby isn't due for a couple of weeks yet, but i went down because I wanted to make sure I got to see her before Baby made her appearance. It was so lovely for us Girls to have the day together we had manicures, sat in the sun in the garden, ate cake, gave presents (I made her a baby blanket, which I will tell you about later) watched Eurovision and had a chinese take away. Sooo good!

On Sunday I spent the day with my parents. 

Dad was showing off the pergola he made mum...

My Friend Abbie will say I'm an old lady for taking photos of flowers but I love these thingies (Yes thingies is the Latin name) growing in Mum and Dads garden.

Since they have semi retired my parents garden is flourishing, the gardening thing turns out to be quite a true stereotype of those in their golden years! ( Mum is going to kill me for writing that hee hee)

I hope this weekend (whether you are a royalist or a republican, celebrating or avoiding the crowds) with all the extra days to it goes just as well for you!