Bumps and I

Your body changes in pregnancy. A given. Not a surprise. You're growing a new human and it's got to have an impact somewhere. Somewhere mostly means the tummy but also includes the boobs, hips, bum, face. 

Last time with L I embraced the bump. It popped early and I went quickly into a size up clothing. Work and work colleagues new early on due to the slapped cheek infection and so I never really had to hide it away. I grew a sizeable bump and shared regular bump pictures on my personal Facebook page. I only really noticed the other weight gain, mostly around my face, when I looked back at photos post delivery. So wrapped up in the excitement of impending motherhood and never really thinking about the impact of my unhealthy cravings, think maximum sugar minimum vitamins. 

Twelve Short Months: what I wish I had known then

We arrived home with a three day old baby. I was still crippled with pain and discomfort from the cesarean. L was feeding lots but very well. My milk hadn't come in yet. 

We were in the eye of the storm. That quiet bit when you think danger has passed but in fact you're still in the middle of the drama and should be preparing for another direct hit. 

Father's Day passed in a happy mood of cuddles and feeding and the slight discomfort of milk coming in. I was on the the pain killers and thought the increasing pain was par for the course. After a feast of, much missed while pregnant, sushi, I attempted to go to bed with L around 8pm. She was by my side of the bed for easy night feeding access. 

On our first night home in a hand knit and next to our bed, it was hard not to
stay awake watching her. 

Three Months On

Really this blog post should be three months off as that is how long it's been since my last blog post.

Nothing really prompted my break with blogging apart from a sudden lack of time that my return to work prompted. My return to work has not been entirely smooth, I've returned to a role very different to the one I left and this has left me feeling insecure, upset and frankly depressed. This hasn't felt like the time to blog. I lost my footing.

But I feel that maybe I need to blog now to get my feet back on the ground and life ticking over as it should again. I started this as a record of life with L, what we did, how we did it and what we loved doing. Focus on the positive Mummy Morkus!

So three months on here ate 20 things about her and how she has changed in that time.

*L is now 15 months old. 

*She never stops moving, ever, not even when asleep.

*She loves the park especially the round a bout or watching big kids

*She loves to walk everywhere and has walked properly undaided since 13 months, after six months of crusing and one month after her first steps between mummy and daddy

*She is chatting non stop but doesn't have many real words. 

*Words she has include, Da, Mum, yes, please, this, baby.

*She doesn't really have a favourite toy but always returns to books

*She likes to sing, especially Frozens Let if Go!

*She loves to dance by bouncing up and down

*She is in between routines and currently undecided on whether she needs two or just one nap a day

*She loves the cats still but they don't love her

*Her feet are stubbornly a size 4f and haven't grown in two months even though she has grown upwards and outwards and everywhere else

*She only went into 12-18 month clothes at 15 months yet everyone says she is a big girl

*She has recently been to a festival, a farm and the zoo

*She is beginning to explore creativity but seems concerned when she gets paint on her hands

*She also gets concerned about stuff on her feet if she is walking bare foot outside and carefully brushes stuff off

*She constantly says "yes please" to things she wants but doesn't tell us what it is she wants

*If you tell her off or say no she has a massive melt down which is hard for her parents not to laugh at

*Her favourite food is still yoghurt 

*She is only happy to feed herself and will only let you feed her if you aeroplane it to her! 

So there we go. Back in the blogging game I think. 

Word of the Week: Absence

This last month has been full with brand new presence. Three brand new baby girls have been born to friends over the last month. Two firstborns and one little sister. 

It's been wonderful to welcome these bundles of joy and to celebrate with their parents but it has made me aware of the absence of something else.

Broodiness. 

Now and Then

I have had a lot of comments recently from a variety of people regarding my continuing breastfeeding journey with L. 

Lots are along the lines of "Wow you're still feeding her?" L has just turned seven months.

And this has gotten me thinking. I have written before about breast feeding L. And mentioned that we had a bit of a shakey start emotionally as the demands were high and the impact of this hard to cope with. 

Word of the Week: Expectations

This week I have been a victim of my own expectations. They are self imposed so no sympathy needed, just a kick up the butt is needed. 

A Rush of Love

This is an honest story. It is not an easy post to write or share. It is about falling in love with my baby.

 

Blogging Break

The car is packed. 

 

The cats shipped off to the cattery.

 

The suitcases are bulging.

Blue Times

Getting Married

Having a Baby

Buying a House

The top three most stressful things you can do apparently. Foolishly maybe me and J have done all 3 in 13 months. It has been incredible and I feel so blessed to be in the position to do it all but it is now taking its toll. 

The Week That Was Instagrammed: Week 5

 

 

I have had an up and down week so have gathered some of my favourite photos from the week to remind myself how much L makes me smile and the support around me helping me be the best mummy to L that I can be.