We're all going on a summer holiday!

So we have just booked our first holiday as a family of 3! We are going to Cornwall in the summer and I literally can't wait! 

We started off looking at going abroad but it was just too expensive (I won't just stay in any old place, I'm too old for that now) self catering in a decent accommodation was minimum £1500 for the 3 of us, and we just didn't want to spend the money this year, so we looked at going away in this country. 

We started looking firstly in Devon and at Caravan parks, really fancied that! But I decided I wanted to go to Cornwall as I've never been. We looked at various different accommodations including chalets, caravans and airbnb's. I reached out on FB and asked if any one had any recommendations and I got a great response. My friend James private messaged me saying he had an airbnb property he'd just set up and he sent me the link. IT WAS AMAZING! 

It is overlooking Lusty Glaze beach about 10minute walk from Newquay town centre, it was perfect. As I wanted to go somewhere where we didn't have to drive everyday, and this seems just wonderful. It's a bit big for us being 3 bedrooms but James gave us a brilliant discount and it fitted perfectly within out budget and needs for location. 

 

 

This is Lusty Glaze bay that we are going to be able to see from the balcony. I can't wait to spend a week with just my husband and baby girl. It's going to be so good to switch off from normal life for a week. I'll have been back to work a month when we go away- so I'll defo be in need of a break by then haha!! 

Has anyone been to Lusty Glaze/Porth/Newquay with any recommendations of things to do?

Jx

Baby Remedy

My poor little Rosie Posie has suffered with her fair share of skin complaints in her 7.5 months. 

She was born with jaundice and that didn't go until she was about 3 weeks old. 

 

Then at about 4 weeks she developed neonatal acne, and it was horrendous, see below photo...

 

Bless her! I took her to a pharmacist and he frightened the life out of me saying he thought it was chicken pox! So I immediately took her to the doctors and she was lovely and said the pharmacist didn't know what he was talking about and it was neonatal acne, which is very common in babies, all to do with your hormones still in their body and it leaving. She told me to try Aveeno cream, so off I trotted and purchased some.

 

It says not to use on babies under 3 months. But the GP said it was fine to do so. And within less than a week of using this several times a day, her little spots had almost cleared up.

 

She still gets the odd spot now, and I put some of this on it, and the next day they are usually gone. Bloody brilliant stuff. 

Now, the point of this post is that about 6 weeks ago, Rosie got a rash under her chin and I put some Aveeno on it for a few days and it just wasn't getting any better. I took her to the doctor and she wasn't concerned (I didn't think she was well as she'd been showing signs of a cold and she was sad and not sleeping) the doctor put the rash down to dribble and teeth. She told me to try Sudocreme as a barrier for the dribble. So we tried that for a week and when we put it on her in the evening, by the morning the redness had gone, however by the end of the day it was back again. We went on to try Vaseline and then E45 and nothing was making it better. I even bought some baby Aveeno...

 

This made it worse!! Red and flaky! But it is a lovely moisturiser for the body, just not on rashes.

So I went to Boots and saw a pharmacist there and she told me that E45 is no good, it's not thick enough and it's never something a doctor would prescribe. She thinks it is ezcema, and it needs a thicker cream that won't disappear off as soon as it is applied.

 

Pretty unflattering photo of Rosie but you can see the rash, and it was all under her chin, almost spreading up to her ears with a few patches on her neck. 

 

The lovely pharmacist told me to try the above cream. Diprobase Pintment Emollient. And I swear to god it's a miracle cream. We got it yesterday lunch time, and the below photo was taken 24 hours later, don't get me wrong, it's still there, but it helped so much. 

 

I reckon a few more days of this and it will have gone completely. My poor little poppet! 

Has anyone else got any remedies they swear by?

Jx

Botanicals Fresh Care by L’Oréal Paris

I can't remember the last time I did a beauty related blog! But I just purchased these beauties so I felt compelled! I spend a fortune on haircare, as my hair doesn't agree with a lot of products, especially since getting pregnant - my hormones have been all over the place! 

 

L'Oréal say Botanicals is dedicated to crafting luxurious haircare infused with botanical ingredients and fresh aromas.

At every step of development, each maker, farmer, botanist and chemist applies their passion and expertise to create high quality formulations free from silicones, parabens and colourants.

Our search for finer ingredients of natural origin, more sustainable processes and more delightful textures enables us to help make hair beautiful and find its better nature.    

Botanicals Coriander Strength Cure Shampoo by L'Oreal Paris is infused with a concoction of coriander, soya and coconut oils.  The formula strengthens and revitalises the feel of hair from root to tip.  Infused with a fresh, invigorating aroma.  Carefully crafted for fragile hair. 

OUR COMMITMENTS:
• Free from silicones, parabens and colourants.
• Packaging made from 100% recycled materials, please recycle after use.

I chose the coriander range for strength:

CORIANDER – strength source for damaged hair:
Spicily scented, reinvigorating textures reduce breakage and fall-out, and promote new growth to help even the weakest hair find its better nature.

As a new Mum, I literally can't remember the last time I had my hair cut and I feel it does need some TLC. I was keen on trying a shampoo that was was on the more natural side, and as this had no nasties in it, I thought I'd give it a go. 

 

Love this pump first and foremost, just a nice touch. I also really like the packaging. The brown plastic seems really professional and expensive. Now, I really don't like coriander. However, when I smelt this, it doesn't smell of it at all really, just really fresh and herby maybe slightly spicy. It reminds me of the smell of a nice hairdressers. 

The consistency of this shampoo is a thick gel and it is clear. It lathers well and my hair felt really clean. 

 

Same lovely scent with the conditioner. It is creamy white in consistency and felt really smooth as it went on and rinsed out really well. 

I don't blow dry my hair now, I just don't have time! But my hair felt soft and smooth and nourished with these products, and the scent lingered. And the ends felt a bit more repaired. 

 

But the strength potion is amazing! 

Really cute packaging, it dispenses with a pipette! You can use this on towel dried hair before combing, and I also used it on the in between days on dry hair on the ends. It seals split ends even if only temporarily. It's not at all greasy but makes hair feel smooth and soft and refreshes hair with that beautiful natural scent. 

I just really hope my hair continues to agree with this until the end of the bottle! 

Has anyone else tried this range? 

Jx

Wonderful Weaning

Rosie is now 6.5 months old and we've properly started weaning. I was at my parents a few days ago and my Dad made his famous bolognese and I had to try some (quality control you see!) and Rosie was trying to grab the spoon out of my hand! So I I put a little of the sauce in her bowl and we gave it a go! 

Safe to say it was a hit! Now, I'm aware that most people don't start the weaning process with bolognese but she's eaten every little thing I've given her before, and quite frankly, it's not like I'm giving her chocolate!

Anyway, today we went back to basics and I gave her some pea purée that I made. She loved it! I gave it to her about 15 mins before her bottle was due so she'd be peckish but not starving or hangry. I bought some Nuby icecube trays and I thought they were quite big but apparently not. She ate the lot and was still a bit hungry after her peas! 

I had a pouch of Heinz fruit purée - banana, mango and apple I think. She didn't like it as much as her Mama's peas! But it did the trick and it satisfied her and her entire bottle was skipped and she didn't moan for her bottle until her next one was due! 

 

 

So every day now I'll try and feed her at about the same time everyday, about lunch time. Tomorrow is the same menu! Not looking forward to the first food poop though!! 

My baby is growing up! 

Jx 

Happy Friday

My little baby is such a happy little soul. She only cries if there really is something wrong. She's meant to be going through a leap at the moment, but she's not grizzly just a bit clingy for her Mama. Which obviously I don't mind! She's 25 weeks today. I know I've said it before, but time is going so fast and I'm getting sadder about leaving her. Waiting to hear from my boss at the moment to see if I can go down to 4 days a week. They've said I can do 2 days in the office and the rest at home (with flexibility) but 4 days at work is more than enough. Rosie really is my priority but we need the pennies :(

 

We put her in her own room last weekend and so far so good, she's going strong! I think we were disturbing each other, as she's not woken up once! We put her sleepyhead in her cot and plan to remove that in a few weeks when she is fully adjusted. 

Having a great day together so far today. Bath time fun (hence the nudey picture above) and after we've been practicing rolling! She has rolled before but isn't really keen on doing it much anymore! 

 

But she's nearly there! 

I'm not worried, she will do it properly when she's ready. She can sit up really well and is so happy and alert, everything will happen in its own time.

 

Making Rosie crack up by singing Iggle Piggle to her! 

We really are loving life today! Time for a quick snooze now before her next feed. (Her not me!) I've got laundry to do and beds to change. 

Happy Friday.

Jx

As time goes by

So my baby was 5 months old yesterday. 

5 MONTHS OLD! How did this even happen?! Time is going by so quickly and it makes me so sad that I have to go back to work soon. Only 3 full months left with my baby full time. The thought of leaving her makes my heart ache.

My brother said to me the other day to start leaving her with our mum a day a week other wise the separation anxiety for both of us is going to be horrendous. 

I already don't like leaving her, I don't like sharing her, I hate being away from her even for an hour. How I'm going to be able back to work full time I just don't know. 

Rosie's currently asleep on my chest - she really should be in bed but she's going to need another bottle before going to sleep. The little toad woke up at half 5 this morning and has had her 5 bottles already. She normally wakes about 7am which takes us nicely through the day. But no the little porker needs 6 bottles today!!

 

I love her so much. She is now asleep chest to chest and is dribbling all over me! 

I love it when she sleeps like this and is so sleep when she wakes up. She lifts her little head and opens her sleepy eyes and stares at me and smiles. My heart hurts.

 

Look at that chubby little arm! 

As much as time really is flying by, I also can't wait to see what she looks like as she grows. She really is a mini version of her Dad and I can't see any of me in there at all. I only grew her and carried her for 9 months!! But with her big blue eyes and her gorgeous dimples, there is no denying who she takes after. Maybe #2 will look like me?! 

 

She's changing so much and getting so big! She's more than doubled her birth weight and now weighs 17.5lbs. I'm in love with her chubby folds and her chunky thighs (maybe she did get something from me after all haha) I couldn't be prouder if I tried of the beautiful little girl she is. She's so happy and bright and engaged, I just hope that she continues to be happy and one day loves us as much as we love her. 

Jx

It's time!

As luck would have it, Jamie was working from home on the 14th September. At approximately 8:45am on the way to the toilet, my waters broke. 

I sat on the loo thinking shit have they really, it was all starting to get very real! I yelled to Jamie from the bathroom to come and inspect - as I thought I might have wet myself. He did in fact  clarify that it did not smell of urine. 

I then rang my mum (obviously) and told her what I thought had happened. She again reiterated that I wouldn't have suddenly become incontinent and yes it would be my waters.

I then rang my midwife (still sat on the loo) And explained what had just happened. She told me to pop a pad on and make my way down to them at midday and they would assess the situation. 

9am - 12midday the longest 3 hours of my life. I got showered, re washed my hair and prepared myself. 

 

It was happening!!

When Jamie and I arrived at the midwife office, we took a seat and waited some more. Eventually (it probably wasn't long in all fairness) I was taken to the office and en route my waters broke some more! Mortified! They confirmed on the spot yes that was definitely my waters. 

But as I wasn't having any contractions there was a danger of infection. I had 2 choices, 1 go home and wait 24 hours to see if it happened naturally and then therefore I could go to the local birthing centre or 2 go to the hospital immediately for an induction. 

I really wanted a natural birth and only wanted gas and air so I chose to wait 24 hours.

So we went home. Via MacDonalds.

As the evening progressed I started getting contractions. And when I went to bed they were there and it was a little uncomfortable. I had visions of Jamie taking me to Wallingford Maternity Hospital in the middle of the night. But no. Of course not. I hardly slept as they were happening sporadically during the night but by 6am on the 15th September (DUE DATE!) they had stopped. So under the instructions of the midwife off we trotted to the John Radcliffe hospital where I was to be induced. Sadly. I didn't even get to go to the midwife led unit at the hospital as I needed an induction. Straight to the delivery suites. 

At about midday I was seen my the midwife who would be looking after me. She set up my drip and basically told me to brace myself as the contractions would be pretty intense. She wasn't wrong! After a quick inspection I was already 2cms dilated. I was feeling pretty ok with life. I did take part in a trial of injections of saline at the base of my back as my back was really sore and they did help. 

I managed about 6 hours of contractions with just controlling my breathing and the injections and moving about and at that point we had a change of midwife. The contractions started getting pretty bad by then and I was struggling. The midwife set up the gas and air which I then took gratefully. Not sure it helped really but if nothing was a good distraction. Made me feel like I'd had too many proseccos! 

All I really remember is saying to the midwife that I was desperate for a poo and I really needed to go. Of course when I tried to go I couldn't. But he midwife humoured me anyway! 

After a few hours it was getting pretty bad and I was examined. I had only got to 4cms. Fuck my actual life was she actually fucking kidding me right now?? She suggested that I might need a little help. GIVE ME ALL THE DRUGS! 

I had an epidural put in at that point. And how I managed to sit still whilst they did it I have no idea. Oh what sweet bliss the drugs are! After a few minutes my pain that was through the roof went to a sensation. I love the drugs. I even managed to rest! At this point I have no idea on time scales as I was high as a kite! The midwife had to keep an eye on me very closely and attached a heart beat monitor to the baby's head- just to be sure. 

After more hours, I was told I was at 10cms - thank the bloody lord! I might add I was on midwife number 3 by this point! That's how long this whole affair was taking! My guess is at approx 2:00am on the 16th September I was told to push. I pushed for an hour and a half, I pushed until I vomited: this baby was not coming out.  The midwife went and got the consultant who strode in with his little ultra sound and prodded and poked me and advised me I'm not sure what position your baby is in but we are going to need to assist you in getting this baby out.  At this point I swear to you, I thought either myself or the baby wasn't going to make it. He started talking about forceps and if that didn't work they would need to do an emergency c section under GA. I was shitting myself. 

From the doctor telling me this, to me signing a consent form I was in surgery with about 15 health care professionals within 5 minutes. The small journey down from my delivery suite to surgery was only a few minutes, but my epidural had worn off and I was in the most amount of pain I've ever been in. Ever. I'm ashamed to say i screamed the hospital down! 

As I already had an epidural in place they used that to give me my spinal block. I couldn't feel anything from my boobs down. To watch them move my legs and put stockings on me while I had no control whatsoever was beyond strange. I was in no pain and I couldn't feel anything. 

The midwife again told me when to push as she could feel my contractions and thankfully after about 10 minutes of pushing my baby girl came out with the aid of forceps at 4:59am on the 16th September 2016 weighing 8lbs 3 and 3/4 ozs. Pure perfection. 

The first thing I asked was is she a girl! I was still convinced she was going to be a boy! 

I made Jamie follow her and make sure she was ok, she was the most important thing in the world.

I spent the next 30mins being stitched up. I had a third degree tear and they had to give me an episiotomy. Jamie said he took a look round the room after the baby was born and it was like something from a war zone. 

After I had been stitched and a catheter inserted I was wheeled to recovery with my beautiful baby girl in my arms. But as soon as I got to my bay I yelled at jamie to take the baby as I was going to vomit again. Childbirth is not glamorous.

But we did it. We were both alive and she was healthy and that is all that mattered. 

 

 Rosie's first photo. Love at first sight. 

 

The next day those forceps marks had almost gone.

 

12 hours after the birth.

 

My heart hurts.

I had to stay in over night as I lost quite a bit of blood and they needed to make sure Rosie was ok and didn't develop any infections from the waters breaking early.

That first night in hospital was horrific. We eventually got to sleep about 11pm as it was so hot and noisy. Then at 1am someone's baby woke up and that was it for the night. Bearing in mind I'd had no sleep by this point for 3 days I was exhausted. I couldn't even discharge myself as I had that wanky catheter in!

I was trying to breastfeed without a clue really how to do it, trying to keep my newborn from crying. Trying to stop myself from crying and just trying to survive a night.

The next morning Jamie turned up early and the hospital said that we were to stay in another night as they had done all the post birth checks on the baby but I had a massive hissy fit and said no way. They agreed for me to take Rosie to Wallingford on Sunday for the checks: I was delighted, I needed to get home. 

 

My world

At home with my baby

 

ROSIE HOPE REYNOLDS - you are my life. 

Jx