Along with most, I have dipped my toe into the usual...Myspace, Facebook, Instagram, Tumbler, Blogspot...
Social Media
Those of you who know me, will also know my ongoing love / hate relationship with social media.
Along with most, I have dipped my toe into the usual...Myspace, Facebook, Instagram, Tumbler, Blogspot...
Along with most, I have dipped my toe into the usual...Myspace, Facebook, Instagram, Tumbler, Blogspot...
sleep regression
For nearly three months Evan, you have been falling asleep with ease, no need for milk, only a snuggle with myself or your father and we could lay your tired body effortlessly on your white sheets.
There you would stay for the next eleven - thirteen hours, sleeping soundly. The occasional whimper, a dream that would make you stir, but no need for intervention from us, your loving parents.
I have often woke, missing your touch, those moments of togetherness in the dark of the night, feeling like we are the only two existing in our bubble.
A Bungalow Retreat
It is eleven am on Saturday morning. I am sat propped up in bed, The Janitor beside me reading, curtains and window open, listening to the sound of birds and passers by. The sun beaming in through the window, reflecting off the plant that resides in the corner of the room.
This morning is the first morning in over fifteen months that we wake alone in The Bungalow, no six am chatter coming from the next room, no milk feeds or bed crasher, bleary eyes or indoor bike riding.January
Red cheeks, teary eyes, blue fingers and numb lips. Still we want to run in the fields, never stopping for breathe. Relishing the freedom and endless supply of fresh air.
The Dating Game
I became pregnant. My life changed. Completely. Gone were the days of drinking, staying out after dark, playing on stage I was in a band, I'll tell you about it one day....
I was part of the party.Perhaps I was the party.
The chase of the thrill was gone. I GOT BORING tomost some! I get it I do.
It was apparent that it was stranger for others to accept that I was having a baby, than it was for myself. Isn't that strange in itself?
As my world got smaller, good friends stayed as others drifted away. I decided it was time to make new friends. Fellow mothers, sharing experiences, walks and strong coffee.
It's where the next chapter began.....THE DATING GAME.
Been there, done that, definitely didn't think I would be doing it again, ever.
I was part of the party.
The chase of the thrill was gone. I GOT BORING to
It was apparent that it was stranger for others to accept that I was having a baby, than it was for myself. Isn't that strange in itself?
As my world got smaller, good friends stayed as others drifted away. I decided it was time to make new friends. Fellow mothers, sharing experiences, walks and strong coffee.
It's where the next chapter began.....THE DATING GAME.
Been there, done that, definitely didn't think I would be doing it again, ever.
A Note To Evan In December
The year is wrapping up, as we wrap up ourselves and our presents for under the tree. Not that we are having a tree this year, you are a little too enthusiastic for that!It will be our second christmas with you. A very different christmas than last year, though you still no not of Yule Tide.
Last year, motherhood was so fresh and new, now I can't remember life without you. You are here with us, part of our gang, making memories, teaching us to love a little deeper.
Bugging Out
Wow, what a couple of weeks we have had here at The Bungalow.
Unsure of wheather to share, I decided that after being fairly absent from this space, 'honest mumblings' is what I promised for this blog.
It all started with Evan managing to stick his little hand to the burning hot radiator two weeks ago - ouch!
It then escalated to the little guy suffering a high temperature and bad chest over the weekend, and although he was very unwell, it was manageable.
Sunday arrived and I got the flu! In bed for two days, we called upon The Janitors services to take over mommy duties. Thank goodness he is so good!
Monday dawned upon us and Evan was even more unwell. A trip to the doctors and he was diagnosed with bronchiolitus - ever heard of it? If you're a UK mama with a babe one or under, I expect you have, it is rife here at the moment.
Evan progressively got worse over the next few days and at five thirty am Wednesday morning, Evan was struggling for breath and had a super high temperature.
A trip to a&e where Evan was then transferred to the children's ward until the next day. He needed a little help getting some oxygen and to help with his breathing, he was so unwell the poor guy.
Moving no further than our chests, he was lifeless and still, barely managing to pull down my top baring my skin where he rested his head. Moments like these I won't forget.
Unsure of wheather to share, I decided that after being fairly absent from this space, 'honest mumblings' is what I promised for this blog.
It all started with Evan managing to stick his little hand to the burning hot radiator two weeks ago - ouch!
It then escalated to the little guy suffering a high temperature and bad chest over the weekend, and although he was very unwell, it was manageable.
Sunday arrived and I got the flu! In bed for two days, we called upon The Janitors services to take over mommy duties. Thank goodness he is so good!
Monday dawned upon us and Evan was even more unwell. A trip to the doctors and he was diagnosed with bronchiolitus - ever heard of it? If you're a UK mama with a babe one or under, I expect you have, it is rife here at the moment.
Evan progressively got worse over the next few days and at five thirty am Wednesday morning, Evan was struggling for breath and had a super high temperature.
A trip to a&e where Evan was then transferred to the children's ward until the next day. He needed a little help getting some oxygen and to help with his breathing, he was so unwell the poor guy.
Moving no further than our chests, he was lifeless and still, barely managing to pull down my top baring my skin where he rested his head. Moments like these I won't forget.
This Week
At the end of this long and testing week, I am grateful that I can reflect and look back not with disdain, but with satisfaction and a smile still pursed on my lips.
Able to accept that it is all part and parcel of parenthood to have weeks that test you, pushing your limits as a mother and partner.
It is not possible to give our all, all of the time, no matter how we might try.
We can use weeks like these to our advantage. Learning and taking from it, what you will.
We can also use them as an excuse to make and eat lots of delicious treats. As did I.
"Ring the bells that still can ring. Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack in everything; that's how the light gets in." - Leonard Cohen
Able to accept that it is all part and parcel of parenthood to have weeks that test you, pushing your limits as a mother and partner.
It is not possible to give our all, all of the time, no matter how we might try.
We can use weeks like these to our advantage. Learning and taking from it, what you will.
We can also use them as an excuse to make and eat lots of delicious treats. As did I.
"Ring the bells that still can ring. Forget your perfect offering. There is a crack in everything; that's how the light gets in." - Leonard Cohen
A Little Bit of October Through The Lens
So far, the tenth month has been golden in every way possible. I am sure it will always be so.
Here is a snapshot of some of the best bits:
My Birth Story
Only a mere twelve days overdue, I had succumbed to the fact that in less than forty eight hours, I would be booked into the hospital and the slow process of an induction would take place. At that point in time, I didn't care, I knew that by Monday morning The Janitor and I would have our ever longed for babe in arms, and we would be a family of three.
Evan is One
Today you turn one.
Today you decided to walk. You really are so special. Watching those chubby legs stride out, arms stretched and a huge grin on your gorgeous face, you impress and amaze us all.
Today you decided to walk. You really are so special. Watching those chubby legs stride out, arms stretched and a huge grin on your gorgeous face, you impress and amaze us all.
National Babywearing Week
This week is National Babywearing Week. A time to celebrate, educate, share experiences and get more moms, dads, grandparents and carers wearing their baby.
Babywearing has been around since the beginning of time and has huge benefits for both mother and child. There have been many studies to show that baby wearing increases breastfeeding rates, reduces crying, helps to combat postpartum depression, helps baby sleep and feed better and it can also make daily tasks easier - trust me on this one!
A practice that isn't as common in Western civilisation, 'Babywearing Internationals' mission, is to 'make Babywearing a universally accepted practice'.
It needs to be normalised and the stigma of dads and grandparents who babywear, gone.
Babywearing has been around since the beginning of time and has huge benefits for both mother and child. There have been many studies to show that baby wearing increases breastfeeding rates, reduces crying, helps to combat postpartum depression, helps baby sleep and feed better and it can also make daily tasks easier - trust me on this one!
A practice that isn't as common in Western civilisation, 'Babywearing Internationals' mission, is to 'make Babywearing a universally accepted practice'.
It needs to be normalised and the stigma of dads and grandparents who babywear, gone.
October?
September a blur, consumed with sickness after bug after cough after cold.
These past weeks slumber has been scarce and the load of motherhood heavy. Mornings have been slow, only venturing outdoors past midday, if at all.
As work life returns to normal, responsibilities grow and the burden of my shift sits heavy on my shoulders.
Through this mist of September, the Indian summer has stood us in good stead for the month of October.
A Week Without The Janitor
This week I've been flying solo on the parent front. Just Evan and me, mother and son.
It was only last week that I struggled to see through the fog of sleep deprivation. So you could say I was slightly apprehensive at the thought of going it alone.
However when he left, all apprehension followed him out of the door.
I had planned for us to keep fairly busy. A group here and there, meeting up with friends, and making the most of the last days of summer, using the car as little as necessary, being outdoors, playing in the park.
Evan loves the outdoors, instantly calmed when he is being pushed around in the buggy. And being on the swings, well just look at that face, he's waving to daddy here....
It was only last week that I struggled to see through the fog of sleep deprivation. So you could say I was slightly apprehensive at the thought of going it alone.
However when he left, all apprehension followed him out of the door.
I had planned for us to keep fairly busy. A group here and there, meeting up with friends, and making the most of the last days of summer, using the car as little as necessary, being outdoors, playing in the park.
Evan loves the outdoors, instantly calmed when he is being pushed around in the buggy. And being on the swings, well just look at that face, he's waving to daddy here....
Eleven Months
Embracing the Meltdown
I'm not sure if it's returning to work, Evan being poorly or just general motherhood that has knocked me about this past week. But after visiting a friend yesterday, I realised just how 'out of sorts' I am lately.
I guess it's only a matter of time before exhaustion kicks in, our smiles fade, our legs give way, eyes glaze over and we stumble through the day the best we can...
Having had a great start to the day, it was like I received an unbeknown knock to my head. Whilst at my friends, I was unable to string a sentence together, forgetting instantly what I was saying as the words left my mouth, my train of thought totally haywire, hearing words being spoken but nothing registering in my frazzled mind. And then before I knew it, I had tears leaking from my bleary eyes, hands over my face, I was having a meltdown.
I guess it's only a matter of time before exhaustion kicks in, our smiles fade, our legs give way, eyes glaze over and we stumble through the day the best we can...
Having had a great start to the day, it was like I received an unbeknown knock to my head. Whilst at my friends, I was unable to string a sentence together, forgetting instantly what I was saying as the words left my mouth, my train of thought totally haywire, hearing words being spoken but nothing registering in my frazzled mind. And then before I knew it, I had tears leaking from my bleary eyes, hands over my face, I was having a meltdown.
A Change
I could never have imagined how dramatically my world was going to change when I became a mama. It was bound to happen I know, but sitting down to reflect on life since Evan, reminds me of just how far myself (and The Janitor) have come. How much ground we have broken to get here. It hasn't been easy by any means, but we are here, exactly where we want to be, together.
Maybe it's because we are nearing a milestone in our lives (who said first birthday?), but thinking, is what I am doing plenty of lately!...
As soon as I discovered I was pregnant, I fell in love with the world. Viewing it as I never had before. How magical the changing seasons have become. How fascinating and beautiful nature and wildlife now are to me. Contented to watch the wind blowing leaves on the trees.
Maybe it's because we are nearing a milestone in our lives (who said first birthday?), but thinking, is what I am doing plenty of lately!...
Our Ten Month Babe
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