Wednesday 31 October 2012

A quick plug to let you know...


that I have listed lots of Freddie's clothes on eBay.

If you're reading this, it's highly likely you're either pregnant or you have children. If said child is male & wearing 0-3 month clothes then you're in for a treat!

The trouble with having a super-sized baby is that clothes get worn once (or not at all in many cases!) then they are too small so I figured if I sold them on eBay, I could raise some much needed funds for shopping sprees!

There are many Next, Mamas & Papas & Ralph Lauren items; most of which are brand new!

So take a look; see if anything floats your boat! Click here to see an item and then click 'see sellers other items' to view full listings.

If you are a 'A Whole 9 Months' reader, then I will offer you a 10% discount on any item thast you win. Just email me to let me know you've seen this post and i'll ammend your invoice.

Thanks!

Jess x

Pregnancy Post: My Labour Essentials

During my pregnancy, I reads LOTS. I scoured the internet, books and asked endless people for advice. One of the things that I worried about was what to take to hospital; what would I take, what if I ran out of something? I ended up getting a checklist from a pregnancy magazine which even prompted me to write an advice post on my blog. I took so much stuff to the hospital, I looked like I was going for a weeks holiday!

In reality, I hardly used any of it. Who needs an iPad loaded with films in the height of a contraction!? The majority of what I took to hospital was useless but there were others that were an absolute life saver! Here's some of my must have products for labour:

1. Cooling water spray

By far, these were the most useful thing throughout my whole labour. I was absolutely BOILING the whole time and these were so refreshing and seemed to give me a burst of much needed energy. They are sold in Boots, Superdrug etc but be warned, they run out fast and you need loads!

2. Energy Drinks


I supped my way through lots of these during my labour. In fact now I can't even stomach one because I drank that many!

3. Strapless cotton dress


I wore a strapless beach dress from Primark during labour. Most of my friends laughed and reckoned I was vain however it was really useful! It was much more comfortable than the cardboard like hospital gown and enabled me to protect my modesty whilst also being able to quickly pull it down to ensure skin-to-skin after Freddie was born. You can pick them up really cheap in places like Primark as you don't want to be spending a small fortune on something that it going to get pretty gross!

4. Maternity Pads (& lots of them!)


Obviously I don't need to go into too much detail but you need these & lots of them. Normal sanitary towels just don't work and you need to ensure that you get 'maternity pads' which are designed especially for after birth.

Other items I found essential were:

  • Snacks for birthing partner - I wasn't hungry during labour however Mr C was. It was the middle of the night so the hospital cafe was closed and, I wouldn't have let him leave me anyway but luckily he had some pasties in his bag that he'd bought earlier in the day meaning that he wasn't going to starve all night!

  • A 'going home' outfit for mum - This is most definitely an essential however Mr C forgot mine!! In the end I had to leave the hospital wearing a tight maxi dress (not a good look with an after-birth tummy!) and my dressing gown!

  • Hair bobbles & clips

2 months: For you, Freddie x

My gorgeous Freddie,

This week you are two months old. Somedays I pinch myself to make sure that this is all real. After nine months of waiting; expecting and imagining, you are here. You are far beyond anything we ever anticipated, a real dream come true.

I had planned to write you a letter sooner but the last two months have been a whirlwind of nappies, sleepless nights and keeping your tiny tummy full! It's hard work and mummies often rushed off her feet but when I take the time to sit down and stare at your perfect face, taking in all of your features or when you clasp your tiny fingers around mine, I realise that it is the best job in the world! You have turned me into a real slushy mummy. I shouldn't be telling you this but you well and truely have me wrapped around your little finger already!

You are continuing to grow at a phenomenal rate. Your definitely your father's son. You have been weighed at the baby clinic this week and already, you are over 14lbs! Everyone says that you are the spitting image of your Daddy and are beginning to call you his 'mini me!' I love that you look like him and I am always saying that I have my 'two gorgeous boys' to take care of me. Your daddy loves you so much Freddie. I have never seen him so proud about anything. Before you came along, I imagined what he would be like as somebodies 'daddy' and I expected that he would be perfect but he has surpassed any expectation that I ever dreamed of. He really is the perfect daddy and I am so excited for all his plans for you as you grow.

You are becomming a proper person now complete with a whole big personality. You've most definitely inherited daddy's laid back personality although, much to my amusement, you've got mummy's stubborn streak running right through you. Another trait that you've seemed to pick up of me is that you are a right old nosey parker! Daddy laughs and says that you are just like me because you love to be upright looking at the world and staring at people! Don't tell him but I think you take after your Nana; not me!

You are so alert and people are shocked when I tell then you are only two months old. You could easily pass for a 4 or 5 month old baby as you are so strong, (and long!) You get lots of attention from everybody we see as you really are adorable. Everyone wants to fuss over you; especially Grandad B! When he walks into a room he says 'Grandad's Here!' in a funny voice and you smile away at him. In fact, he was the first person to get a smile from you. You love him lots already, and he loves you in return. I am glad that you will have a close relationship with him, like I do with my Grandad; your namesake.

We've recently moved house to be nearer to Nana & Grandad B. Our new area provides us with a much nicer setting in which to raise you and I keep imagining what we can do with you as you grow.  There is a steam train, a park and lots of room for you to run about and play football with daddy. We've been taking you on lots of day trips; on Sunday we went to Skipton to have a walk on the canal except you slept the whole time, even when daddy was trying to show you the ducks and the barges! We'll take you again when your bigger because mummy really wanted to take you on the tour boat to see the castle!

You sleep alot. We are very lucky.You go to bed at 8pm and only wake up once in the night, usually at around 3am. You are an early bird though; nothing like mummy or daddy. As soon as 6am comes, you are awake and wanting to start your day. I lift you into mummy and daddies bed and we have snuggles before daddy has to get up for work. He misses you so much whilst he's at work and I often have to send him lots of pictures throughout the day. You lie in our bed all cheeky with a great smile on your face and I can tell, it breaks daddies heart to leave you!

It's unsurprising really as you are just so cute. I know i'm biased as you're mine but you really are beautiful. You will break some hearts when you're older and I do belive you're going to be a bit of a ladies man like Uncle Jack and Great Grandad Fred! Already, you have a cheeky smile when the ladies at the golf club fuss over you! You really do revel in the attention!

The last few weeks you've just blossomed into a tiny person complete with his own personality. Your not a 'baby' anymore which sometimes saddens me! I want you to stay newborn forever but I know that as you continue to grow, we will continue to make lots of memories which I will cherish forever. You have found your hands these last few weeks and appear facinated by them; constantly shoving them into your mouth and gumming your fingers. You have also began to gurgle which is quite possibly my favourite sound i've ever heard. You lay in your crib and stare at the animals dangling from your mobile and your gurgle away. I'm pretty sure that there is a laugh right there ready to come out anyday soon!

Every day I am proud of you. You are my greatest acheivement and I love you lots.

Forever and more,

Mummy x


Tuesday 23 October 2012

They Grow So Fast....

It's true... they really do!

Freddie is still only 7 weeks old but already, I feel like he isn't my 'baby' anymore. He is developing at such a speed that I blink and I miss something. He's beginning to develop such a personality and is already a little character who is full of smiles.

Smiles all round...

He has inherited his daddy's laid back personality which, is most probably a good job as I doubt Mr C could have coped with two frenzied stress heads running about the house! He is however a nosh Parker like mummy, forever gazing around and people watching! He's beginning to establish a routine and, touch wood, has only woke once a night over the last week. I am in no way tempting fate and presuming that this will last however!

What really hit home this week was the fact that he no longer fitted into the majority of his babygro's and had to begin to wear his 'big boy' clothes. I despaired over the idea of dressing him in 'real' clothes as I felt he was still a baby and I didn't want to dress him in 'proper clothes' till he was older however, with a wardrobe FULL of clothes and a ever growing little man, I had to take the plunge or risk him being too big for the majority of them! Even at 7 weeks, he already fits well into 3-6 month clothing!

Sporting his 'big boy' clothes

It is true; they do grow up fast. Too fast. I am determined to cherish every minute, enjoy everything and make lots of memories.

Monday 15 October 2012

Life after 'A Whole 9 Months': An Update

6 weeks ago, a whole nine months came to an end and a new era began. A whole life. So much has happened in the last 43 days, I can hardly believe! Some one said to me that you don't know what you do before you have children and, it's true. I can not imagine my life pre Freddie.

Freddie at just minutes old.

I know that my blog posts have slowly withered over the last few weeks so I felt that it was only right that I give you all an update. Taking this (not so) tiny baby home on 3rd September, we were embroiled in a whirlwind of nappies, feeds and sleepless nights. The first few weeks passed in a blur but once things settled down, we quickly got into a routine.

Despite his tender weeks, Freddie has already experienced lots! As a family, we have experienced some massive upheaveals but for once, everything has fallen into place nicely and we are enjoying having a whole new life together. 

We have enjoyed shopping trips, football matches and endless cuddles...

It's tiring being this cute!

Mum, all this shopping is hard work!

Come on you Reds!

We are all settled into our lovely new home after re-locating to the other side of the country to be near to my family. The decision to move and leave our jobs and home to be with family has paid off and we are elated with the decision. It was a risk but we've got ourselves an even lovelier home and Mr C found a new job straight away with great prospects. Touch wood, the future is looking positively bright.

Freddie is developing well. At our last baby clinic appointment, he weighed in at a massive 12lbs 10oz! He is already wearing 3-6 month clothes (& some are becomming a little tight!!) at only 6 weeks! I love his little chunkiness! He most definitely takes after his dad with his long figure. With a 6foot 7inch daddy, he is most certainly going to be tall, dark and handsome! He has just started to smile which makes the sleepless nights all worthwhile. I am truely blessed.

Sporting his 'Tigger' PJ's... Cosy!

Enjoying cuddles with Mummy




We've got lots to look forward to over the next few months. Freddie's Christening, day trips, our holiday next Summer. We will be making lots of memories and I am determined to enjoy every single second of my beautiful little man!

Friday 5 October 2012

PilatesOD.com - Postnatal Pilates from your living room

PilatesOD is a great Pilates fitness website where you get unlimited access to a wide range of top quality HD video classes and workouts with the UK's best teachers. Whether you are already doing Pilates at a gym or studio and want to do more in your own time, or if you had been thinking of starting but never got round to it, PilatesOD.com has classes and workouts to suit everyone. From beginners to advanced, 10 to 60 minutes and special sections for pregnancy and postnatal Pilates - you are sure to find the class to fit your requirements and schedule. 
PilatesOD.com classes are ready whenever and where've you are - at home, on business trips or on the go with your mobile devices.
 
 

For all 'A Whole Nine Months' readers, Pilates on Demand is giving you a special offer of 20% off the price of a monthly membership for the first 3 months, which means that your membership will cost £10.37 per month! To benefit from this special offer you will need to use our special promotion code: THNMDIS when you sign-up.

Also, you can try PilatesOD for FREE for 14 days! To start your free trial please visit: www.pilatesod.com/register/ and don’t forget to use this promotion code THNMDIS!



As a new mummy, I am eager to give Postnatal Pilates a try! Once I have been given the all clear by my doctor at my 6 week check up (on the 18th!), I will be reviewing postnatal pilates on a regular basis for 3 months to let you all know how I get on! In the meantime, take full advantage of the brilliant offers above and let me know how you find it!





Wednesday 3 October 2012

Having a Newborn Baby: Surviving the first few weeks!

I am very lucky that, touch wood, Freddie has been a wonderful baby since arriving. I don't know whether it was his large birth weight (10lbs 1 1/2 oz) or the fact that he's inherited his dad's laid back genes but he's a very contented baby. All he does is sleep, eat, sleep, eat, sleep, eat and so on. He really has the most perfect life (& one that i'm rather jealous of!)

So far, the first few weeks have gone extremely well & we've all settled into our new lives very well considering the massive changes that we've experienced. Here is some of my 'top tips' so to speak!

Don't be ashamed to accept help
I have no shame in admitting that my mum has been heavily involved in Freddie's life over the last four weeks. Once i'd come out of hospital, she stayed over and helped with not only his care, but took care of me and Mr C by making dinner, doing the ironing, running the hoover round etc etc. Does this make me a bad mum? Does this mean I can't cope on my own? Of course not. It means that I was able to snatch a few hours precious sleep where I could that in turn, meant that I was more human to look after my son. If you are lucky enough to be offered that sort of help, take it!

Plan ahead
I didn't want to be stuck in the house for weeks after having Freddie however, I found it a little daunting the first time I took him out, especially on my own! I found that being prepared helps lots and the positive is that, Freddie seems to sleep more whilst out in the car or the pram which means he'scalm and contented too. He's been on lots of trips out since his birth and is a frequent visitor to the Trafford Centre! (he shares his mummies love of shopping!) I bottle feed Freddie so I try to plan our visits so that he feeds before we set off so he sleeps in the car and then I have time to find somewhere suitable to sit and feed/change him when he's next ready. Places like M&S and large department stores often have cafes where you can feed baby and excellent changing facilities.

Be prepared
During the night, the last thing you want to be doing is traipsing into the cold living room to heat borrles and find nappies. Freddie has ready made Aptimil cartons at room temperature (a god send!) so I don't have to worry about warming bottles.I find that having a basket of things that may be needed at the side of the bed means that at 3am, when you're bleary eyed and yawning, that poo explosion is not as daunting!

Take time for yourself
Take a few minutes a day for yourself to remember who you were before you were just 'mum'. I like to wake up half an hour before Freddie to shower and do my hair or pop him in his bouncer whilst I paint my nails. I find that I feel much better in myself and develop an ability to cope with the fact that i've had 2 hours sleep if i've got my make up on and set of freshly painted nails. It's small things but they seem to make a world of difference.

& finally... Enjoy it!
Freddie was a month old yesterday & it's true what they say... time flies. I just know that it won't be two minutes till i'm throwing his 1st birthday party, then taking him for his first day at school followed by university then, as stupid as it sounds, meeting his children. I'm determined to enjoy every minute, make thousands of happy memories and cherish him every single day.