Jacksta B's guide to.... training your "baby daddy"

Jacksta B’s Guide to training your Baby Daddy.

You may be pregnant with your first baby, filled with anticipation of seeing and meeting your new bundle of joy. What will he/ she look like? Will the birth go according to plan? How will I get the hang of breastfeeding? What kind of mum will I be? These are all valid questions but one of the most important questions to ask yourself is… will my “Baby Daddy” (father of the baby) cope!

Feel free to disagree, but I feel that in most mothers there is an inbuilt mothering instinct. We carry our precious offspring around for 9 months and after we give birth that bond just seems to be established much more definitely than for the daddy.

I have a fantastic husband, and he is a great father to our kids so I thought I would share some ideas to get that baby daddy in your life primed and ready to go with the huge life change that is about to happen in both of your lives.

1) Encourage Baby Daddy to attend as many appointments during the pregnancy as possible. We were really blessed in our first pregnancy that we both worked shift work. So I would try and pick times for our appointments when we were both free so we could both hear that precious heartbeat together. If he can’t attend them all I would recommend the minimum to be the ultrasound. There is something special about seeing the intricate details of your baby’s anatomy together that makes it so real and exciting.

2) Make your birth partner your Baby Daddy. Give him and only him this task. Some mums do themselves a disservice by picking their mums or best friends over their own baby daddy to be their birth partner. Why? You are pretty much saying from the outset that you don’t trust them to be there for you at the biggest event of your lives. It sets a precedent for the rest of the time devaluing his input as a dad. He should be in awe of what you go through during labour, because it is amazing and amazingly painful! This alone will always be great leverage for a multitude of future squabbles.

3) Give Baby Daddy dibs on the first bath. The sooner he gets used to handling your new baby, the sooner he gains that valuable confidence. Many dads are afraid they are going to break them or drop them somehow, so encouraging him to “get in there” really helps. I would recommend getting him to do it regularly. Make sure baby is well fed and in a happy mood. Set the bath up and clothes to change into and let baby and baby daddy bond in a nice relaxed way.

4) Don’t criticize the way he does stuff. There is nothing a baby daddy hates more than hearing… "you are doing it all wrong!”, pretty soon he will give up, thinking well I can’t do it right so I won’t do it at all. Not good for his self esteem and not good for you because you’ll have to do it all yourself. Try encouraging him instead. Even if he puts the size 2 jump suit on your 6 month old baby; and backwards to boot. When he uses 20 baby wipes to clean up smelly number two’s, praise him for a clean, clean baby. Eventually we all become more adept at these all too familiar tasks and pretty soon he’ll be showing you how he can clean the worst baby explosion with a single wipe! Men are competitive…and thrive on encouragement and challenges.

5) Let your Baby Daddy feed the baby at times, either expressed milk in a bottle or formula if that’s what you do – they secretly enjoy snuggling up with a content child. It sure beats being constantly being handed a screaming baby to try and soothe when you’ve reached the end of your tether.

6) Make sure Baby Daddy has a little time out of his own. He will soon become resentful of the fact that his day is working and then coming home to family to do more “ work”. Encourage him to have some time out doing some exercise or pursuing a hobby or familiar interest. He will be happier for it.

7) Chuck Baby Daddy in the deep end from time to time. Sometimes you just have to leave him to it, give him all the things he needs for a couple of hours and head out for a little a time out of your own. He may surprise you and himself. Let him know that you need some time out too.

8) Make sure Baby Daddy still feels loved and appreciated. In those first months you may feel like you have nothing left to give when you are giving it all to the little one. He can feel a little left out when your focus is not on him, so a little hand squeeze or a thank you lets baby daddy know that you still love and appreciate him.

9) Baby Daddy loves to show off his precious offspring in public. Let him do the honours of pushing the pram or carrying them to see friends and work mates to ooh and ahh over. He’ll love it. If you need to rescue your child from an obviously struggling baby daddy, do so discreetly and with a ‘thanks for giving it a go’ attitude. Never Ever undermine his parenting in public. Baby daddy’s confidence will disintegrate before your eyes.

10) Let your Baby Daddy be the dad. Our job is to nurture, organize routines, and make sure they are eating healthy… etc… all the boring mushy stuff. Dads just want to get in there with a bit of throwing in the air, rough and tumble play, and kick a ball around. Just let him get in there and do it. Of course he might need reminding that the 3 monther might not appreciate his first fishing trip yet… and that he might like to wait a little longer to take him paint balling, but when the times right, just let him do what he know best, which is to be the dad.

There you have it, my top 10 tips on how to train your baby daddy. Don't forget parenting is a learning process for both you.

Thanks to my Baby Daddy, my consultant on these tips. All the best on your parenting journey ahead.

Jacksta B

Jacksta B's guide to... feeding your new sprog

Today I'm wearing an under wire...yes that's right...time to hang up the maternity bra for the third (and hopefully final) time. A week and half ago the bubba(9months) and I came to a mutual agreement that we were both done. I had been slowly weaning to a bottle anyway...having headed back to work part time for a few months anyway. With the last two feeders I would usually cut down to a couple of feeds and then finally stop by around 11months. So the sudden stop has been a bit painful. But all done now!
I have a love-hate relationship with breastfeeding. Some mums love that little bond that only they get to share with their little bubs, and I get that. But for me...it was just a means to an end. The baby needed to be fed and I had the "equipment". So after a little reflection on the whole topic...I thought I would share some of my personal thoughts on the matter.

Jacksta B's guide to... feeding your baby...
What I wish someone had honestly told me in the beginning.
Top 10 tips...First five on breast feeding and second five on formula feeding

1) It takes two to tango. There are two people who need to figure breastfeeding out. You may have read all the books but the baby hasn't. Learning the process between you both takes time, a good 6 weeks to 3months by the time you might feel might feel comfortable feeding in public.

2) Sometimes it hurts. I hated the way midwives or the books stated "It's not supposed to hurt". "Well it does!!!" I felt like yelling back. You are made to feel bad because of improper positioning etc...I think that some of us just have extra sensitive "areola", so they should just say that! Try some different positions, dose yourself up on as much pain relief and and nipple cream and try and push through. Again this may take a while.

3) Be discreet in public. Not every cafe or restaurant patron appreciates seeing boobies flung around. Not everybody thinks its as beautiful and natural as you do, so for their sakes have a little consideration. Just take a little muslin or something handy to protect from the inevitable flashes.
If you are keen to have a coffee somewhere, time it so you give bubba a feed before you head out. He sleeps dreamily while you relaxingly sip your mochacinno. Win-win! My first baby had her best sleeps in the cafe...obviously familiar sounds.

4) They leak at the most embarrassing times... So wear a breast pad. Even during *ahem* "getting your love on". So you might want to keep your bra on or have a towel handy.
It took me a few months to figure out how to control a "leak". When you are having a let down the other one starts to leak too! Annoying! So I eventually figured all you have to do is apply a little pressure right on the front on the breast and wait until the let down passes.

5) Sometimes no matter how hard you try...and how much you want to breastfeed...for what ever reason it just doesn't work out. And that's okay. Don't ruin your own mental health or the health of your baby just because the ideology of breastfeeding that's rammed down our throat makes you feel guilty for wanting or needing to formula feed. I read somewhere..."Breast is best, but bottle can be beautiful"

6) Formula feeding tips...try a different teat. There are a range of shapes and sizes, you may need to try a few to find the one your baby likes the most. Have a good supply of bottles so that you always have one handy, clean and ready to go.

7) Formula is expensive, so work it in the budget. Poorer families have been known to water down the feeds to stretch it a little longer. This is not a good idea. Follow the instructions on the tin precisely to avoid bubba getting sick.

8) Plan, plan, plan. Keep a rough idea of when your feeding times are and plan accordingly. Always keep yourself a tin of formula ahead of what you need just in case. A storm or power outage or earthquake, who knows what other natural disasters lurk around the corner in these unpredictable times. So be ready with some bottled water and extra tins so your baby is able to be fed what ever the case. Store extra supplies in the car for unanticipated stops away from home too.

9) Health professionals are on a push to encourage "breast is best" so don't have or provide information about which specific formulas are best etc. It all comes down to personal choice and personal research and trial and error. Google is your friend and a few brands have sample sized sachets to try. Always follow the instructions on the packet.

10) Ditch the guilt. As far as I'm concerned if your baby is fed, clothed, warm and loved...you are probably doing more than 50% of some of the mums in the world. Plenty of people have been given formula and survived till adulthood...happens everyday. I for one was formula fed. Before formula was invented in the 1970's, infants drank a evaporated milk substance...see history here so the modern day stuff is probably miles better, as long as its done with safe drinking water and sterilized etc.

What ever you decide breast or bottle, its okay! You are in control of your choices and that's nobodies business. Make an informed choice with you and your partner and get on with it. Keep in perspective. There will be a million choices you will face as a parent. This is just one.

I hope I have given a balanced view and some helpful tips on the topic...and all the best!

image from here

thefastertimes.com

Things Im loving....

Here are a few other things Im loving this week...linking in with Paisley Jades Friday regular

Well I have had a busy week...Saturday- Triathlon in Auckland, Monday-my 30th Birthday, Tuesday- Bloggy meet up, Thursday- Joes Birthday, Today I have a few things to do and Tomorrow we do a Maccas party for Joe with his little mates. I need to make a cake tonight..I will attempt a volcano...if it bombs I know where the Cheesecake shop is ;)
And in amongst this my washing machine broke down. Not good for this family of five! I visited the laundromat for the first time ever..thankfully they do a drop off service for a couple of bucks extra. I feel so New York!
Phew! Maybe the school holidays from next week is just what we all need!

Here are a few things that I AM loving!
I bought myself another tooth....that will be four baby teeth down! This last one really bugged me before it came out. It was on a funny "Nanny McFee" type angle and was taking forever to wiggle out. Fortunately her Bestie accidentally bumped it out during a Maori action song..I couldn't help but laugh.
Loving our new trampoline mat. We bought our trampoline off Trademe, quite a few years ago and the mat was pretty worn way back then. It was definitely time for a new one. We found this site online,Apex Trampoline Mats and nice older couple who have set up their business on their property in North Shore. Highly recommend them for great price and service.
Loving that my thoughtful friends "shipped" this baby all the way up from Kaikoura, the crayfish capital of NZ. I added a little garlic butter, chili, and parsley and warmed it in the oven until done. And ate it all up myself! Hubby has developed an allergy to them...Ah well..more for me!


And loving our trip to Auckland last weekend. We played spot the famous person! I spotted Former Prime Minister of NZ Jenny Shipley at a cafe. I was trying really hard to a secretly paparazzi her...I think she might have been on to us!
We also saw one of the NZ Masterchef 2010 contestants at a Tepanyaki resturant and Jeremy Corbett at my triathlon. And a couple of Maori TV presenters. What a couple of country yokels excited about NZ "celebrities"

I'm all spotty too

My name is Zak-zak and I'm all spotty. My brother and sister had chicken pox last week and now they have passed it on to me. I don't think it is a very nice present! Today I'm all miserable and don't know what to do with myself. I can't wait for these silly spots to go away.

Gymnastics

After years of wondering what after school activity to start for we have settled on Gymnastics. When I was growing up there was one choice...netball. I lived in a small town with not much to do. My parents didn't need to take me anywhere, I could rock up to the local courts and practice with my team mates. I started from the age of 7 and continued till 14. After then I was involved in other things.
Fast forward a couple of decades and the list of after school options is endless. Dance (ballet, modern, tap...), cheerleading, sports, athletics, girl guides....

In the end I went with gymnastics because:
a) both kids could get into the same class/session
b) it was something athletic to help build coordination and motor skills.
c) They show a good amount of agility after years jumping on our trampoline
d) It was fairly cheap as far as fees go

After the first lesson they absolutely loved it. They keep bouncing up and down on the mat just because its bouncy. Meanwhile I try and keep Zak-Zak occupied for an hour.


After reading a lot of literature and blogs about not over scheduling your family, I have decided that we will just have one activity/sport for the week...for now. With three kids, work and other commitments I hope I can try and make a good balance for us all.

Do your kids do any after school activities?

Lego Creations

My Hubsta picked up a box of lego at a garage sale a few years ago. We have been slowly adding to it over the years with little cheap projects. Miss 7 has been enjoying it for a while now and now Master 4 1/5 is loving it too. They have both developed so much in their creativity. Initially they would bring us up their little projects and I would think to myself "What is it?". Now they bring up an elaborate house or a car...and I think..yes that really looks like... something!

From this site I learned the other things they are learning are:

• Learning about Numbers through Play
• Social development
• Shapes and Colors
• Ideas and Creativity
• learning by doing, also referred to as hands-on learning or learning by making things
• Getting a feel for [a grasp on, literally] the qualities of the materials at hand
• learning about the powers of progressive refinement (trial-error), and of starting over (doing-undoing)
• patience, determination and self-esteem

And here I was thinking it was just a nice way to get some peace and quiet!
Are your kids into lego?

Mummy Judging *tisk, tisk*

I have a confession... I have been guilty of Mummy judging this week. I don't know why we do it. A simple coffee with other mums starts out all innocent and nice and then out come the comments..."Her kids aren't sleeping through the night?!"...."I saw a mum give a baby some coke!"..."She still breastfeeds her 4 year old!"...
We all HATE being in the receiving end of mummy judging and we all want to do some face punching when someone questions our parenting choices, but we readily talk about others behind their backs.

I have to admit after three kids my judgments of other mums is on a rapid decline. I no longer hold on to the ideologies I once had when I was pre-children or even after the firstborn. My first born didn't have her first lollipop until she was two, of course the second born was no where near that old. Because after three children you realise you cant sweat the small stuff. You realise well into this parenting lark that its survival mode. Its a tough job...they wear you down to an emotionally spent wreck, you get 8 hours to sleep it off (uninterrupted if you are lucky!) and then you start the day again. You do the best you can with the time that you have.

I have decided that kids are a resilient bunch. They can make it through childhood with the most limited of resources. Kids in third world countries are making into adulthood everyday. I know of kids from the early 70's who survived drinking straight cows milk from birth, because they hadn't invented formula yet. And if cows milk wasn't tolerated the second choice was tinned evaporated milk! They seemed to make it to adulthood. This makes me feel that my parenting choices ("Shall I buy fresh salmon for healthy brain development for tea tonight?") on the grand scale of things is not so bad. Of course all children need to have all the essentials of a safe, loving environment with boundaries and nourishment!

Bottle or breast, to immunize or not to, attachment parenting or detachment parenting, disposable nappies or cloth; and that's just in the first few months of the kids life! All very important choices that each parent must decide on their own for their own reasons. So I have a challenge...for you and for me...how about we stop judging each other. We all do the same difficult job...some of us just do it differently.

A way to a mans heart....

...is through his stomach.
I sneaked a Valentines card and two protein bars for his morning tea in his bag to find at work. He was pleasantly surprised. For Valentines dinner this year we stayed home. I would usually find us a babysitter and book us a table somewhere for dinner, but it just didn't work out this year. The jump from two to three kids for a babysitter just seems too much to organise. So I made us a nice tea at home. I had envisioned a nice romantic candle lite dinner after the kids had gone to bed. But it just didn't work out that way...so dinner for two was the usual party of five. I made us "duck al' orange". I know! Fancy much! Well it was my take on it (It always is!). Along with some champagne and a some dessert later after the kids were in bed.

Duck al'orange (fancy name for orange glaze)..on a bed of red cabbage and broccoli with potato stacks. And delicious Kapiti Ice cream for dessertMaintaining the romance after almost 10 years of marriage, three kids, a mortgage and work, seems like so much effort but they say "familiarity breeds contempt." So what if Valentines Day is a big money making-commercial day? I still need reminding that I am loved and I have someone to love. A hallmark card helps me remember that for the rest of year I should let the one I love KNOW that he is loved.

Happy Valentines to my LOVE!P.S
Thankfully he understands the bloggers need to take a picture of the food BEFORE it can be eaten!

Yesereee, its back to school for thee

As much as the holidays have been great, I sure am thankful for school and kindy! I think I was more excited than the kids this year. I durasealed Miss 7's books with care a week ago, a cool bright pink design with "rock chick" on it. Yes I love duraseal...have done since I discovered it as an 8 year old. Master 4 has one more term at morning kindy before he starts school, so while the stationary was on special I bought his lot too. I'll save the durasealling fun for later in the term!
But the most exciting thing for us is our school has finished its major redevelopments and the classes are all newly refurbished with new technology and fittings. A long haul project that I'm so grateful for.

Since the kids are so eager to get to school and kindy this week mornings have been running fairly smooth. I introduced this chart last year because I was so frustrated about them mucking around. It lives on my fridge so when I can see them fighting or a bit lost I say "What do you need to do next?...have a look on the chart". It leaves me time to enjoy a bit of coffee watching the morning news in peace.
Miraculously this week the baby has slipped into a good routine, going straight to sleep when put down...amazing what a bit of peace and quiet can do for a little fella!


Master 4 was super stoked with his painting at Kindy today. He is more of an outside play on the jungle gyms kinda guy, so I was quite surprised at this little piece. There's only so much paint smeared paper and wood work projects you can keep around. This one is a keeper.

Hope you gals with school kids are enjoying a bit of time to your self
xx

When the kids are 18 and leave home...then life will be a little easier

Bubba (7 months) is at the learning to sit up stage. Pillows surround him, toys are arranged directly in front of him but his inquisitive mind wants the one just out of reach. Reaching, reaching, reaching...whoops overbalanced AGAIN and mumma has to come and rescue him, because he wants to sit up again...Waaaaaaa

Today I found myself thinking...when the baby can sit up and play by himself, life might be a little easier. Then I thought of all the "when thes" I often allow my mind to think.

When the baby sleeps through the night...life might be a little easier... When the kids are at school...life might be a little easier... When the kids are 18 and leave home...then life will be a little easier

When do the "when such-and-such happens, then I'll be happy" end?

I attend a Mums group with our local church and we often invite mums with older children to share something with us. An overwhelming number of them ALWAYS say..."I know these years with little ones are tough...but try and enjoy them anyway. Because before you know it they are grown up and leaving home!" A reminder I don't mind hearing every fortnight! Because I forget, all too easy I forget.
I want to enjoy every age and stage and not wish my life would fast forward to the parts that will only make me happy.

I watched the movie "Click" last week, which is probably why this is on my mind. Take out Adam Sandlers usual crass humour and the end message is really quite a good one.
We all need reminding that we should enjoy today.

Because sometimes peanut butter sandwiches just don't cut it

Master 4 is my little cafe buddy. His classic line is "can I try some of yours" And I'll say "you won't like it!". "Mumma I will!".
I love this about him...usually! Sometimes I just want to eat my delicious morsels in peace..but he is always willing to try new things. When faced with the decision McDonald's or Sushi its actually a difficult choice! In complete contrast Miss 7 who likes to stick to the tried and true.
So today I made him something a little special, tomato and rocket pesto (bought stuff) with smoked salmon on heart shaped crostini. Just because sometimes peanut butter sandwiches get a little bit old. And because I love the little fella.

Do your kids have daring taste buds?

I hate to be the one to say it....

But...there's only a week and half of school holidays left! Depending on high you are on the "slowly going crazy scale", this may be a good or bad thing. I have enjoyed these holidays and so have the kids. We are all recharging for another school year. Miss 7 will be in year3 this year. New class, new teacher and very exciting for our school, new high tech classrooms to learn in. Master 4 will be a master 5 in April so he is looking forward to the big milestone, starting school. Until then fun at morning Kindy.

Here are a couple of pics from our school holidays so far...

Camping in the back yard with Dadda. See his blog about it here

Friends over for playtime.

Trips to the beach.

Craft projects to deliver to little friends.

And my big new is I had a good first day back at work on Sunday. I was super nervous but while I was looking after my patients I had a real sense of..."I'm actually quite good at this nurse thing". After the thankless job of mothering only for the last 8 months, it was nice to have some sort of job satisfaction. I guess you really only get the pay off of tireless mothering when the kids move out and they realize how great you are. That seems way off!

How are your holidays going and how far on the "slowly going crazy scale" are you at the moment?

10 Reasons Why You Need to Ditch the Super Mum Syndrome

Well my computer hard drive is completely full and a balloon bubble thing in the corner of my screen keeps reminding me I need to make some room. So while I was busy deleting some files I came across this article I had copied and pasted for something a few years ago and thought you might like a read and start the new year with a fresh perspective.

10 Reasons Why You Need to Ditch the Super Mum Syndrome

By Peggy Porter

For any of you Moms out there that are doing it all, attempting to gain Super Mom status, let me give you my own personal opinion. It's not worth it!!!

The pursuit of the Super Mom is an endless search that will be of great cost to you in the end. Here are 10 reasons why you need to put an immediate halt to this pursuit.

# 1-There is no such thing as a Mom who can do everything perfect because as far as I am concerned, perfection comes at a very high price. Seemingly perfect to other people, is often not the way things really are for the perfectionist.

#2-The Super Mom Syndrome is literally killing women. Stress related diseases are on the rise and the demands that women place on themselves today directly contribute to the stress in their life. This stress is often all consuming.

#3-There are far too many roles in our life today. Trying to keep up with the different hats we wear on a daily basis is sometimes impossible. Feeling the need to be perfect in them all is exhausting.

#4- Our children miss out on some precious experiences with us that they can't get back. We are frequently so wrapped up in our to-do list that we forget to put the really important things on the list at all.

#5-It's exhausting!!! Having to do everything that you feel society expects of you, as a mother is overwhelming.

#6-It's no fun. How much fun has anyone really had attempting to do everything perfect???

#7- Your friends will like you more when you can laugh at your imperfections along with theirs.

#8-Your quality of life will immediately improve. When you make the decision to give yourself a break and do your own personal best instead of 100% perfect, a huge weight is lifted off your shoulders. Anxiety and depression can be an end result of unrealistic standards that you consistently place on yourself.

#9-The Super Mom never enjoys the moment. She is always multitasking and thinking of what needs to be done next. Life will pass you by before you know it.

#10-Continuing to admire women who can do it all will continue to place unrealistic demands on mothers to do it all. Let's start to admire the mothers who take time to nurture themselves. Let's admire the women who can enjoy the time with the kids at the playground and be really present when they are reading to their children. Let's toast the Moms who admit they can't do it all, all the time. Let's congratulate women on their honesty and ability to ask for help. Let's start to celebrate our imperfections instead of beating ourselves up over them. Let's stop judging each other and offer support instead.

We are not perfect creatures nor were we meant to be. So why are we trying to be??? Wouldn't Motherhood be a lot more fun if it didn't have to be perfect?

© Peggy Porter, 2005-present

7 days off the Grid...

Happy holidays blogger friends! Hope you are all having a great time with family and friends.

We spent a week away at a beach on the Tutukaka coast, Matapouri. A lovely big house for the 5 of us plus the inlaws. 8 of us all up. Who knew it was out of cell phone coverage! Seriously there can't be that many places that are these days. So a whole 7 days with no facebook, reading blogs, no googling, no texting and no TV! It took me several days to unwind and forget about how much I missed it and then it was time to come home again. Addicted much?!

Instead I did stuff like this.

Put together my first lego project with master 4.

Enjoyed Christmas morning champagne and chocolates

Enjoyed watching the kids open their presents. And finding their Christmas (heres when I made them) sacks on their beds Christmas morning.

Bubba's first Christmas...quite oblivious at 6 months old.

The kids went to the beach at least 2 times a day...the weather was not my kinda swimming weather, quite cloudy and a bit drizzly.


We managed to do a couple of "WASJIGS". Good fun doing it between four adults.


Fishing off the wharf. 6 little fish caught!

And the rest of the time relaxing with a glass of bubbly.
A great holiday.

Littlest Pet Shop party fun!

My little Miss 6 is now a Miss 7. Where has the time gone. She really wanted a Littlest Pet Shop party and like a good mum I obliged. After the mandatory google research, I managed to pull some enthusiasm together and put a party together for her and 6 friends, and tag along brother.
First Dadda practiced his face painting skills on our two. I thought he did a great job for his first time. It really set the scene for when the girls arrived, as they were keen as to pick a littlest pet to be.

Next we had craft time. Each of the girls was going to get a Little pet to adopt in their goodie bag so we decorated little carry bags for them. The stickers (mainly animal ones) were a big hit. Glitter and glue, they bedazzled those boring wedding favour boxes right up.

Other ideas
We had a game of jumping lily pads. Instead of musical chairs, we made green coloured lily pads which remained on the floor. Girls had great fun with this one.
For the decorations we had orange streamers with purple and white balloons with paw prints on them (the littlest pet shop theme colours)
For food we had hot dogs (American and the ones on a stick). Carrot sticks and dip, Sour worms...and that's about where the theme ended...the usual chips and dip, banana splits, fruit kebab etc.

This was the cake I made. Making birthday cakes has only become a recent thing for me (this is my fourth). I was pretty pleased with how it turned out. I amalgamated a couple of ideas I had googled and came up with this one.

Great fun! The girls had a great time. Master 4 had his moments and negotiating master 5 months was a bit tricky but all in all it wasn't too stressful, but I'm pooped now!.


Happy Birthday my little girl xx

What a sucky time to have a birthday.

7 years ago today we were waiting. After 9 months the anticipation was killing us. What was our first birth going to be like. Is it a boy or a girl. Who will it look like. Will my waters magically drop in the middle of the supermarket. Wouldn't that be so embarrassing! And we waited. The estimated Due date was 15 December...which had been and gone...could be any minute now we told our selves. Well this baby eventually arrived on the 18th December safely into the world and we experienced the miracle of child birth. The miracle is, the mother makes through to tell the story! Hard work alright!

An almost Christmas baby. What a sucky time to have a birthday! I feel sorry for people who have birthdays really in the thick of it...Christmas day, boxing day and the like. Friends are away having their holidays. No one wants to spend extra on presents.
So anyway I feel I can't quite get in to the swing of Christmas baking until after Saturday. A "littlest pet shop party" is on the agenda. The Christmas tree will disappear for the day and balloons and streamers will appear instead. I'll post some pics after the big day.