Yesterday I ventured to our local NCT playgroup for the first time. I’ve been meaning to go for ages but never got round to it. The playgroup was held in a lovely building with plenty of outdoor space. Indoors, the room was split into different play zones with space for soft play, art and crafts, musical toys, a pretend kitchen, a jigsaw table and dressing up clothes. We paid £1.50 for the play session which lasted 90 minutes and ended up with a singing session. I was really disappointed with it. It was our first time there and no-one spoke…
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The topic of poo must surely rank at the top of new parents conversations. Childless, poo was taboo. As a new mum I could talk about poo with friends, family and strangers on the bus, in a shop or at the park. A year on I still have poo stories to tell my husband when he comes home from the office. Occasionally I even shout for help if two hands just aren’t enough to change Edward and I’m always happy to let my mum or sister change Edward when we’re visiting them. My first thoughts on poo were formed when…
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Whilst I love spending time with my little boy my maternity pay recently came to an end. I’ve been trying to save my pennies until I returning to work in a few weeks. I thought I’d share my 10 top tips for saving money whilst on maternity leave: Buy second hand toys Little ones go through toys quickly so buy second hand where possible. Ebay, NCT sales, charity shops and toy swaps are great places to find new to you toys. The toys are usually in great condition and your little one doesn’t care where they’ve come from. Make your…
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Right now I feel torn in two. Edward and I spend every day together but my husband has been in hospital since Tuesday evening for his planned stoma reversal surgery. We’ve been staying with my mum so she can look after Edward and I can visit my husband. It’s so hard leaving Edward in the morning, especially when my mum tells he spends the day looking for me! The NCT website has some really helpful advice on responding to separation anxiety. I know that at 8 months Edward can tell when I’m not around but has no concept of time…
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I really struggle to make friends and I’m finding being on maternity leave harder than I expected. Much as I love Edward I think motherhood can be quite lonely. All people want to talk about are babies! Our babies are the only things in common amongst the new mums’ groups I’ve joined but I find it difficult to get beyond the baby talk. Part of the problem is I do little else but look after Edward. I’ve started baking, cooking and sewing more in the evenings but I’m not sure these are of any interest to anybody but myself. 🙁…
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I’m sure I’m not alone as a new mum feeling exceptionally tired at the moment. A recent holiday and the unsettled weather means the routine Edward and I had is out of the window. He seems constantly hungry and has taken to sleeping for long periods during the day and shorter periods during the night. We have tried to instill a routine where he naps during the day in a light, noisy room. During the night he sleeps in his nursery, or his moses basket in our room, which are both kept dark and quiet. I love Edward dearly but…
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Yesterday was spent in the labour ward at the hospital having the external cephalic version or ECV. We arrived at 8.30 and finally left at 3.30 and the procedure only lasted 15 minutes! I couldn’t find much information about the technique and I’m glad I didn’t otherwise I don’t think I would have gone through with it. First I had my temperature and blood pressure taken, the fetal heartbeat was monitored for 45 minutes and I did a urine test. A doctor did an ultrasound on a small machine to check the baby was still breech. Around 10.45 I saw…