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

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Our New Arrival

Our family of three is now four thanks to our beautiful new arrival.  Baby Squish arrived three days early on February 17th 2013 at 7:36am weighing 8lb 5oz.  Mummy and Daddy are totally besotted and Dylan has lots of kisses for his 'Bubba'.

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Ruby and Ginger Nappy Purse Review

It won't be long until I need something close to a suitcase to take out every thing I need for my two children so until little Squish arrives I am making the most of not needing too much and travelling relatively hands free.

Ruby and Ginger have sent me one of their gorgeous nappy purses and it has been so refreshing to just pop it in my handbag or under the buggy and skip the big bag!  It easily fits in three nappies, a little pack of wipes (and it comes with a wipe case too), a bib, a spoon and a snack.  There is also a mini pocket in the back which I have put teething powder and calpol sachets in as we are getting through them at quite a rate now!  This is everything I need for a morning or afternoon out and stored in a beautiful little bag too!

I love the style and convenience and find it the perfect size for my toddler.  I think when the new baby arrives it will still get plenty of use as I will have two different sized nappies in the bag and this will be a great way to keep Dylan's bits seperate to Squishes.

We are really impressed with the nappy purse and it is such a simple idea!  The handle means it can be easily popped on the pram and it is dirt and water resistant - exactly what you need with a grubby toddler around! It comes in three gorgeous designs too.

Disclaimer:  I was provided with a nappy purse for the purpose of this review but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

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The Waiting Game

This is officially the most pregnant I have ever been.  Dylan arrived at 38 weeks without any intervention and I had been so busy in the weeks leading up to his birth that I never took the chance to take that last pregnant photo or go on a last date night.  I was expecting my first baby to be late as you are so often told they will be, but was very happy to see him arrive early considering he was a healthy 8lb10oz.

I am currently 39 weeks pregnant with baby Squish and I am starting to see why people are not a fan of the last few weeks.  It feels like a waiting game now, and every morning the bloke is begging for labour to start as he is desperate to start his paternity leave!  Every night I go to bed wondering if this is the last night I will be sleeping on my left side with pillows wedged all around me.

The aches and pains are starting to become more constant and my nightly bath is a welcome relief after a day of activities with an energetic toddler.  Squish's room may not be ready but the important bits are done and his moses basket sheets are washed and ready.  My hospital bags are packed and the car seat is ready to bring home our new little man.  My mum is waiting for the call to come and collect Dylan and the bloke is keeping an eye on his phone for the message that he needs to come home from work and get to the hospital.

It is a waiting game, and I fear I may get a bit impatient!

Due date is still a few days away but as Dylan was early, I am constantly met with surprise when we go out that I don't have my new baby boy with me.  The texts have started arriving checking for news of the new arrival and there is only so many times you can reply no without wondering when the day will come.

I am still loving pregnancy and aches aside, I think there is nothing more exciting than a growing bump.  I know how much I will miss my bowling-ball tummy and the feeling of the little guy kicking and wriggling away.  I know I will miss the looks and comments as I parade my huge bump around. The pains are nothing I can't cope with and Dylan and I are still enjoying a similar life style to before, as I refuse to spend all day on the sofa. (I also don't think he would let me get away with it somehow!)

But it is a waiting game now.  In the next three weeks I will definitely meet the fourth member of our family - hopefully much sooner than that but for now I am trying to make the most of every last minute with my gorgeous little boy before he becomes my gorgeous big boy!

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Our last date night -Chiquitos

With the little man due any day now, the bloke and I have managed to fit in a final date night.  Chiquito's invited us to try their new menu and it could not have come at a better time! Dylan was put to bed and Grandma was left in charge, and the bloke and I got to enjoy some quality time together!

Pregnancy is the perfect excuse to be a little greedy and I must say our order was optomistic! There were so many things I wanted to try as well as the favourites I already have, so we went for a mixture.  I love the fact you are greeted with popcorn when you sit down as it makes taking your time with the menu that bit easier.  We ended up going for a hot cheese starter that sounded like heaven as well as the nachos which I already know to be highly addictive.

Hot cheese was exactly what it sounds like and was quickly devoured (mostly by me) lathered on tortilla chips.  Both starters are very good sizes but of course there was more to come.  For my main I had the classic chicken fajita (can't go wrong), whilst the bloke had a pulled pork Burrito on the waiter's recommendation.  We had some chips, sweet potato fries and onion rings to accompany it and our large table was full with food!

The fajitas were delicious and although the portion seemed a bit smaller than the old size was still more than enough and very generous.  The burrito looked delicious and the bloke managed to wolf it down.  He loved the flavours but would have liked more meat and less rice in there.  Sweet potato is one of my favourites and I would highly recommend the sweet potato fries - absolute perfection with a side of sour cream for dunking!

Of course it would be rude not to finish up with a desert and being a bottomless pit I devoured a gorgeous slice of honeycomb cheesecake - definitely worth keeping space for! The bloke at this point was feeling a little defeated and went for some ice cream as it wasn't too heavy.  There was a good choice of flavours and it came in a lovely cinnamon basket winning points on presentation and taste!

We really enjoyed our meal - the food was delicious and not having grubby toddler hands trying to steal the best bits was a bonus!  We need to go back with the little dude soon so he can try out the new children's menu, although if we order this much next time I am sure we can find a few bits to share with him!

Disclaimer:  I was provided with a voucher for Chiquitos for the purpose of this review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own though.

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Trendy Toddler

Dylan is no longer a baby and with a little squish due any day now I know this is a fact that is about to be confirmed.  Sleepsuits are no longer a valid option (although we are holding onto a couple as he looks so cute in them) and he sleeps warm and cosy in proper pajamas like a big boy.

Dungarees are not made in his size, probably due to potty training so they are out the question and as he is now well and truly in the toddler range in every shop he is looking every bit the little boy! 

Unfortunately part of the parcel of being a fully fledged child rather than little baby is that he is not great at staying still, and photographing him is becoming increasingly difficult.  Mothercare sent us some lovely tops in the lead up to valentines day though and so I have tried my hardest!  As he is too young for dating, I get to be the one appreciating his gorgeous blue eyes and special sloppy kisses and so it is only fitting that he wears an I heart my mum slogan!

Making mummy a masterpiece

complete with the cheekiest smile!

Go, go, go mummy!

All three tops are in age 2-3 years and all are a nice snug fit on my growing boy!  I love the quality and design of Mothercare clothes and they last so well that you may see a certain Mr Squish wearing these same tops in the not too distant future!

Disclaimer:  I was sent three tops for Dylan from Mothercare for valentines day but all thoughts and opinion as well as photographs are of course my own.

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38 Weeks Pregnant

38 Weeks and I am officially more pregnant than I have ever been! This post is also a few days late so due date is getting even closer! Here is what I hope to be my last bump shot, although who knows, I may be back with week 40!

On the Inside

After 37 weeks of health and happiness, the tiredness is really kicking in and if I don't have a quiet sit down and put my feet up during Dylan's nap time then I really know about it by his bed time! Saying that I have not been particularly sensible and have been carrying on with my normal active lifestyle.  I worked a 9 hour shift on my feet this weekend waitressing and much to the bloke's dismay this did not start off labour!

I am getting a lot of aches and pains low down, probably due to Squish having been engaged for the last 4 weeks.  I am finding a bath before bed makes me feel so much better though, although sleep is not easy and I wake up so many times in the night for no reason.  My bladder is still coping and I don't need to get out of bed in the night, but I wake up uncomfortable and restless.

I saw my midwife this week who confirmed that my blood tests were all fine and that I should head to the Midwife Led Unit when labour starts.  All seems well and he said he would be suprised if I made it to my 40 week appointment.  I had a tour today of the MLU and it looks lovely and relaxing in there so I am getting quite excited about the birth! (Is this normal?)

On the Outside

Bump is big.

Bump is very big and very round - most of my maternity tops are no longer covering my tummy so it is all about long long tops and dresses now to keep me warm.  I have turned to some floaty summer beach dresses I bought in my previous pregnancy and am teaming them with leggings and cardigans as they are so comfy.  Unfortunately my maternity coat no longer does up round my tummy so it is all about thick scarfs hanging down.

Stretch marks are rapidly increasing and no cream seems to be slowing them down although I keep applying them to keep bump soft and smooth.  I do look like I am smuggling a beach ball under my clothes although I am nowhere near as big as I was with Dylan.  

I am feeling much more ready now as Squish's room is carpeted and furnished and I have started putting some of his teeny tiny clothes away.  The crib sheets are in the washing machine as I type and my hospital bags are packed .  The bloke is desperate to have this week off work as he is on early morning starts so I am convinced Squish will wait until the weekend to arrive - you know what their timing is like!  

The end is now in sight and I am going to miss pregnancy so much but the excitement that I will soon meet the little man I have been growing for nine months is huge! It is all a waiting game now although I have had no signs that labour is imminent - watch this space for a 40 weeks pregnant post or a birth announcement sometime soon! 

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