A Little Cup of Perfection

I couldn't resist taking Archie for a newborn photo shoot and I also can't resist sharing my favourite snap with you here. 

This is my beautiful baby at 8 days old as photographed by the very lovely and very talented Kidz-Unlimited

This is why we had such a problem choosing a name other than 'Squish'  - Look at those gorgeous squishy cheeks!

Read more ⇨

Squish's Birth Story

Baby Squish was due on the 20th February, and despite Dylan arriving early I was convinced that this little guy would be late.  I decided therefore to work right up until my due date and went to work on February 16th for my last shift.  Waitressing is physically demanding but I didn't feel like the birth was going to happen any time soon so after finishing  my day I decided to walk the three miles home rather than catch a bus.  I stopped off  at the park on the way back to meet the bloke and Dylan and after a play we all went home for tea and bedtime.   I had no idea  that the next time I saw the little guy he would be a big brother!

The bloke went out for his friend's birthday with a warning that my due date wasn't far away and that he couldn't get too drunk!  As the night went on I started to feel some tightenings but they weren't painful so I presumed it was just braxton hicks.  Just after midnight I decided to go to bed but once I lay down I realised that  the tightenings were getting uncomfortable and sleep was not going to come easily.  The bloke got home after a little while and I told him what was going on, but I still was not convinced that this was labour.

Around half one I decided that this may indeed be the real thing as I was still wide awake lying in bed and things were starting to get painful but I decided rest was the best thing so got out my book.  I had my Labouraide ready and started using the early labour mouth piece when the contractions started.  It was great to have something to bite down on and I think it helped.  By half three I had decided I was almost definitely in labour and started timing contractions.  I found that they weren't consistent with anywhere between 3 and 6 minutes apart and lasting anywhere from 40-60 seconds but they were definitely painful!  I woke up the bloke and we decided that I should ring the Midwife Led Unit to see what they said.  Halfway through the phone call I had to stop talking to have a contraction and the midwife told me to come in to be checked out.

My worst nightmare for labour was getting to the hospital to be told it was not real labour or that I was only one centimetre dilated so I decided to ring a taxi for myself and leave the bloke at home as I didn't want to wake my mum up in the middle of the night for nothing and someone had to stay with Dylan.  

My relaxing room

I arrived at the MLU around half past four and was taken to one of the lovely big rooms by the same midwife that showed me round a few days earlier.  She took my blood pressure, checked babies heartbeat and felt my tummy as I had a contraction.  Her reaction was that they were particularly strong contractions and if they kept up like that then it wouldn't be a long labour.  On examination I was 5cm so I rang my mum and the bloke and organised the changeover.  I had bought my hospital bag along with me but left the baby's at home as I didn't want to tempt fate so I told the bloke to bring it along.

The bloke arrived around half past five and at this point I decided that bouncing on the ball was not enough and I started on the wonderful stuff that is entonox.  It still didn't feel like my contractions were regular and baby still had to descend a bit furthur so I was sure that I had a long time left.  The midwives were lovely and I had a student in with me most of the time who told me that my contractions were still very strong and that she hoped the baby would come before her shift was up.  

At half past six I thought I would check that we had everything but upon asking the bloke for the baby's bag, he let me know that he had forgotten it!  This meant no nappies, no newborn clothes and blankets . . . nothing! We rang my mum but as Dylan was still fast asleep she sent it over in a taxi for us!

At 7am I decided I was really struggling.  I felt like I had only just caught my breath from the last contraction when the next one started.  I had been told to put off the birthing pool for as long as I could as getting in too early could slow the labour down but the midwives thought I was ready and they ran the water for me.  I got in to the pool - entonox still in hand and felt a slight relief on the next contraction thanks to the warmth of the water on my back.

The second contraction in the pool was strong and I felt a pop that let me know my waters had gone.  With the pop I felt a desire to push, but scared that I wasn't ready yet,  felt myself shutting my legs!  With my first pregnancy I had been stuck on the bed and monitored throughout so the sense of freedom and the relaxation at the midwife unit was lovely.  When I told them I wanted to push they told me to just follow my body.  No examinations to check I was ready and no help.  With three pushes my little baby Squish entered the world.  The cord was wrapped around his neck but as he was pulled from the water he started crying before it was even taken off.  He came straight onto my chest and I couldn't believe how perfectly it had all gone and how beautiful my baby son was.

We sat in the pool having a skin to skin cuddle as the midwives waited for the cord to finish pulsating and then the bloke got to cut it.  Squish and I went for a cuddle on the bed and to wait for the placenta to be delivered naturally.

The whole labour was so smooth and fast and I was proud of myself for doing it again with gas and air.   The midwives were really helpful and supportive but not interfering and I felt like I got the birth I always wanted. Squish was born at 7:36am weighing 8lb 5oz but he seems so much smaller than his big brother was! We didn't have a name ready for him and nothing on our lists fitted so he left hospital as Squish.  We were discharged at midday after less than 5 hours as there were no complications and they had had to close the hospital for births soon after I arrived as both the MLU and the labour ward were full!

Swamped in a newborn snowsuit

3 days later, on his official due date we finally had the perfect name.  I had never even considered it until I was in labour and then it came into my head, but it took us a few days to make sure that it was as perfect as he was.

One hour old- Baby Archie

Read more ⇨

Hospital Bag for Baby

The time has come to make final preperations for the arrival of little Squish and this involves packing my bags ready for hospital.  Last time I put everything in one giant bag and had trouble finding what I needed, so this time I have decided to have a bag for baby and a bag for me so his little clothes are kept safe.

Pink Lining have sent me this gorgeous Twins bag blue bouquet as I will have two sets of nappies to be carting round soon and I thought it would be perfect as Squish's bag for the hospital. It has so many pockets and comes with a lovely padded changing mat and zipped bag so it has been nice and easy to pack everything into.  It's debut outing sees it full to the brim with gorgeous blue and white and I thought I would share what I have packed for baby's hospital bag



5 x 0-3 month Vests

I remember how fast Dylan outgrew newborn last time so we have gone straight for 0-3 months this time with the idea that this will be another chunky baby.  If he does come out smaller than expected then we do have some newborn vests at home just in case.

5 x Newborn Sleepsuits

Although we have packed bigger vests, I couldn't resist the teeny tiny newborn sleepsuits from Mothercare and I am sure they will fit for a day or two at least (I hope so!)  I don't have a specific 'coming home outfit' for Squish so whichever sleepsuit he happens to be in will be perfect.

3 x Newborn Hats

Having a winter baby I am going to be dressing him all snug and warm and found some dinky little hats that match the sleepsuits so he will look adorable!

5 x Muslin squares

These were my staple item for the first nine months of Dylan's life and I used them as cot sheets, to wipe up sick and dribble and as breastfeeding covers among other things.  These are one of the only things I haven't got new for the hospital bag as I did end up with so many last time!

2 x Scratch Mitts

Even though the sleepsuits I have chosen have inbuilt scratch mitts, I felt like I should pack a couple of pairs 'just in case'

1 x Booties

The best thing about winter babies is all the cute and snuggly accessories!

1 x Newborn Snowsuit

I want to make sure Squish is lovely and cosy when we take him home and I love newborns in all white so I bought this gorgeous penguin snowsuit from Kiddicare

2 x Blankets

I am sure I will only need one, but I just couldn't decide so I have thrown both in!  There is a lovely white and rainbow Frugi blanket and a knitted colourful one that I chose from Mothercare.

20 x Size one nappies

Self explanatory really!

4 x Cloth Nappies

I have packed four gorgeous and tiny Tots Bots Teenyfits.  I love the idea of using cloth from birth, but I am not sure if I am brave enough yet as I do remember how revolting the meconium really is! I have the option this way and will see how I feel when Squish is here

Baby Wipes and Cotton Wool

I intend to use cotton wool and water for all nappy changes in the first few days so I have packed a pack of cotton wool, but never understimate a newborn - baby wipes may well be a necessity!

Swaddle Blanket

We never swaddled Dylan but I fell in love with these gorgeous swaddle gro bags from Ergo Pouch at the baby show and have one ready in the newborn size to keep my new little man all cosy and help him sleep.



I will also have a newborn Car seat of course to take the little guy home in!  I have managed to fit most of this into my new changing bag but I have to admit that the blankets are in my bag now as they just wouldn't fit.

As you can see this fab changing bag makes a perfect hospital bag and I can't wait to have a tiny baby to fit into all these gorgeous new things!






Disclaimer:  I was provided with a Pink Lining changing bag free of charge but all thoughts and opinions are completely my own.

Read more ⇨

16 Weeks Pregnant and Giveaway

So 16 weeks and well and truly into the second trimester! 

On the Inside

I am certainly starting to

Read more ⇨

Life of a Foetus

It must be a bit of an easy life in the womb; lovely and cosy, fed on demand and nobody stopping you napping as you please.  Yes, there is plenty of growing to be done but no other worries as you are doing it.  Now that Squish can here what is going on outside the womb though, I wonder whether the things I do during my pregnancy affect the child that will be born.

As an unborn baby Dylan has heard plenty of live music including Less than Jake, Jimmy Eat World and Feeder.  It was when we went to a heavy metal gig that he decided to join in the moshing though and he is definitely a fan of a heavy beat now, often rocking an air guitar as well as the head bopping.  He went to see live comedians and travelled all the way to Morocco as a 25 week old bump,  where we enjoyed bartering in the souks, munching on tagine and camel riding (I realise this wasn't the most sensible idea but I couldn't resist).  Did any of this help shape the person he would become?

Squish is not being left out and has already

Read more ⇨