{Gifts for New Babies}

My sister gave us the most gorgeous bespoke cake stand from Corn Kist Ceramics when my daughter was born. The cake stand had the text 'sugar and spice and all things nice, that's what little girls are made of' and 'snips and snails and puppy dog tails, that's what little boys are made of' round the edge and in the middle is a heart with my son's name and date of birth along with my daughter's details too. On the stand is has a personalised message with details of who the gift is from. I'll get photos asap (we used the stand at my son's birthday party and I'm waiting on my sister getting photos to me!).

Another gift we were given for my daughter was a gorgeous personalised fleece baby blanket from Bundles of Joy. The blanket is embroidered with her name and date of birth. It's washed well and is still lovely and soft.

Bundles of Joy Baby Blanket

My friend Becky and I also came across some fabulous socks for baby girls in a local gift shop Nuala Ashe. The socks are by Trumpette and have the most adorable little satin bows on them... Becky is going to buy a pair for my daughter's Christmas present :-)

Lucy socks at Trumpette

A gift that I have purchased for a few new babies is personalised wooden letter blocks from Hush Baby Sleeping at Not On The High Street.  They would look lovely on a nursery shelf, and they come in a variety of colours so can be personalised to suit colour schemes. Perfect!

Personalised Wooden Letter Blocks by Hush Baby Sleeping

My neighbour has just opened a card & gift shop in Glasgow called Velvet Moon. I was able to pop into town to have a browse the other week when she opened, although my visit was rushed as I had two screaming babies in tow! She has some lovely items in the shop and I purchased a few bits & pieces, including a very cute Jelly Cat cow that I haven't seen before. It will make an ideal new baby gift for one of my many pregnant friends!

Jelly Cat Bashful Calf

Something I came across fairly recently is The Food Stork.  It's such a great idea - they deliver freshly prepared food gifts for new parents. As a new parent, life is exhausting, so to have a few healthy meals delivered to your door would be lovely! (Are you still classed as a new parent when your baby is 4 months because I would still love to have some meals delivered to me!!!).

{The Dreaded Itch}

In my very first blog post I mentioned the dreaded itch, and I thought I would explain it all in a bit more detail and tell my labour stories...

Obstetric cholestasis (OC) is an uncommon liver condition that develops in pregnancy.  The most noticeable symptom is itching (the dreaded itch!!).  Itching in pregnancy is normal, especially around your bump as the skin stretches, however it may be a symptom of OC. The itch in OC is typically more intense on the arms, legs, palms of hands and soles of feet and it tends to be worse at night disturbing sleep. The symptoms should disappear once your baby is born.

I had begun itching in my first pregnancy around 28 weeks and initially thought nothing of it. It persisted however so I called the maternity ward to speak to a midwife about my symptoms and they took me in for some blood tests.  The tests all came back normal, and the trace of my baby was also normal, so I was sent away to be followed up at a later date (I was being monitored more closely anyway because I have Crohn's Disease and continued to take azathioprine during both pregnancies). I saw my obstetrician at 32 weeks and I was continuing to complain of itching but the blood results continued to be normal... At 33 weeks I saw my IBD nurse for a routine check, and she also took blood samples for testing. I went home from work early that day as I was exhausted and my bump was feeling heavy. That afternoon the IBD nurse called to say that my liver function tests (LFTs) were slightly raised but not clinically significant and that it was nothing to be concerned over. That night before I went to bed I thought I had had a show (basically a mucous plug that keeps the cervix closed - a bit grim!). I texted a few of my mum friends but only one of them had had a show and her advice was to call the maternity ward, which I did. As I wasn't bleeding or in pain, the maternity unit didn't need to see me and I was told to rest and get in touch if anything changed. The next morning (33+1) I woke up at 6am having what I thought was a contraction!? I lay in bed and had 3 contractions, 10 minutes apart before going to wake my husband who was sleeping next door in the guest bedroom (my itching all night was driving him mad!). I called the hospital who advised me to take some paracetamol and get back in touch if things progressed any. I was really relaxed at this point and not worried at all.  I lay on the sofa, still in my pyjamas, and watched TV, keeping a note of contractions on a piece of paper. My husband went off to work and I said I'd keep him posted. However, I then got a call from my GP to find out if I could visit the practice for a repeat blood test as my LFTs were abnormal. I told her that I could if she wanted me to, but that I thought I was having contractions and that I'd been in touch with the hospital already. She was concerned that I was told to stay at home given my medical history and said she'd call the hospital and get back to me.... Next thing I get a call from my GP again to say that an ambulance is on it's way to collect me. She also said that if it's preterm labour then it's likely to be quick and to tell my husband not to dilly dally. Panic stations.... I wasn't dressed.... I didn't have a bag packed.... my hubby was an hour away at work! I called hubby who then jumped in the car and headed back to Glasgow. I threw on some leggings and a black maternity dress and then grabbed a bag and started flinging in items. I packed slippers but no pyjamas... I packed my make-up but no toothbrush!?! Next thing there is an ambulance at my house and two paramedics come to the door with a canister of gas & air. I don't know what/who they were expecting but I think they were surprised to see me, with my petite bump... I was escorted to the ambulance (my first trip in an ambulance too!) and was whisked to the hospital. On arrival I was taken to the receiving ward, was strapped up to some monitors and waited for hubby to arrive. Hubby arrived thankfully and a doctor gave me an internal exam (which hurt a bit, but turns out it was painfully because I was having a contraction at the same time!). I wasn't dilating yet, and the midwife kept telling me that I wasn't in labour and I'd probably end up going home that afternoon. I was also taken for a scan to check if my waters had broken, but they hadn't. 

It all started to get a bit more painful and I was trying my best to breathe through the contractions. You've got to remember that at this point I hadn't had any antenatal classes - they were due to start in 2 weeks time! I had however been going to pregnancy yoga so I knew a little bit about labour, what to expect and how to breathe. In addition to this I had a midwife who kept telling me I wasn't in labour!!! I was given some morphine but it made me feel really sick and didn't help with the pain. The next wee while is a bit of a blur, but I remember clinging onto the bed, breathing as best as I could and trying to keep calm. I managed to get hubby to grab the midwife as I was really starting to struggle and I wanted to see the doctor. Finally the doctor arrived and did another internal and I was 8cm dilated. They then piped up that they had better get me to the labour suite and I was given some gas & air. It was all relatively quick after that... the paediatricians joined us in the labour suite and after 30 minutes my son was born weighing 4lbs 14ozs. (The gas & air was mental... it totally distorted my hearing). Thankfully, despite being 7 weeks early, he was fine. I was allowed to have a quick cuddle before he was whisked away to the neonatal ward. I don't think it had sunk in at this point that I'd had a baby!! The midwife then brought me and hubby the best tea & toast ever!!!!! No joke!

5 min after birth!

In the incubator with nasogastric feeding tube

I had repeat blood tests taken during labour and the showed that my LFTs were abnormal. Combined with the itching symptoms and spontaneous preterm labour, I was diagnosed with obstetric cholestasis.

This was then a worry for my second pregnancy - there is a high risk of OC developing again in subsequent pregnancies. My obstetrician was keen for me to reach 28 weeks (onset of itching in pregnancy #1) and had said that as long as I made it to this point then the baby would be fine. Well, I made it to 28 weeks with no symptoms (big relief) and it wasn't until 35 weeks that I started to itch. This time round I was given medication to help reduce my symptoms (it didn't really work unfortunately) and I was seen for frequent traces of the baby's heartbeat. The decision was made to induce me at 37 weeks. Similarly to my first labour experience, I progressed very quickly from 2cm to 10cm (within an hour or so!) and was whisked off in a wheelchair backwards by a midwife down to the labour suite, urging me not to push yet! My daughter, who weighed 6lbs 4ozs, was born inside the amniotic sac, so the midwife didn't break my waters and she popped out in a balloon of fluid! It's meant to be good luck...

On the maternity ward

The OC Support group, for women and families affected by obstetric cholestasis, were a great source of information and advice throughout my second pregnancy and they do a lot of work to raise awareness of the condition and also support research into the causes of OC.

{Jogging}

Maria, my personal trainer, has got me to start jogging as part of my exercise regimen. So far I've been doing 2 or 3 mile jogs round the local area, and it's been ok. I wouldn't say I enjoy it (maybe I'm starting to), but once I'm home I'm certainly glad I went. I'm not sure that I'm a competitive person... I try to set myself targets... e.g. keep jogging until I reach the next set of traffic lights or try to beat my time from previous jog... but it doesn't really spur me on. I'm planning on joining Maria's running group in the near future and I think that will make a big difference to my motivation to have other people running with me.

Happy Fitness on Tumblr

I've also signed up for a half marathon in May next year (yikes!!). I've joined Team Macmillan and will be raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support.  My mum died of ovarian cancer when I was at university 10 years ago, and this will be my first sponsored jog (might end up being a walk!) for charity.  My sister has done a few 10k runs before, and she has also signed up for the half marathon (it was her idea) so it will be nice for us to do this together in memory of our mum.

I've dropped a dress size already and have nearly reached my target weight. I'm still a long way from my target body fat % (25% is target, I'm currently at 34%!) but it's moving in the right direction at least. I feel so much happier and healthier - lots more energy!

{Recommend}

I think people can be quick to criticise bad service or products, but I don't think we necessarily take the time to commend when service is good.

My hubby and I had a fantastic experience at Jamie's Italian in Glasgow at the start of the year.  Our waiter was brilliant, and I made a point of contacting the people at jamieoliver.com to let them know what a great time we had.

So anyway, with this in mind I'm going to try and recommend local suppliers, restaurants (not that I get out much anymore!), shops etc.

First up is CPS Carpet Clean.  Us mummies know how difficult it can be to get pee, poo, Calpol & other stains out of carpets (and unfortunately my son's bedroom carpet was cream!).  Steven came over to our house the other day and miraculously managed to remove all the stains. He was here for a few hours and the whole process was swift with minimal upheaval.  The carpets were also dry within a couple of hours.  Steven has over 30 years experience in the business and is a very friendly guy.  I wouldn't hesitate to recommend him to anyone in the local area.  You can give Steven a call on 07891588954 and tell him I sent you :-)

On another note, my daughter had her first trip in the big girl seat of our double buggy this morning...

      

{Party}

I can't believe my baby has turned two years old!!

The party was a great success, and I'm glad the weather improved a little to allow all the kiddies to play in the garden for a while.  All in all I would say that the afternoon was relaxed and enjoyable... not sure how I managed to achieve a relaxed atmosphere with 15 children in the house!

My sister Alison (Ali Stewart Photography) was on hand to take photographs and she was snapping away all afternoon capturing the day. I'll be able to share some of the pics once they've been processed.

Thanks to all who came along... My son had a blast and thank you for all the gorgeous cards & gifts he received.  I had a sort through his toys yesterday and have put some of the older ones that he has outgrown into storage bags and packed them away to make way for all the new toys he has been given.

{Preparation}

The party preparation is well underway now.  Only 2 more sleeps to go!  I'm praying the weather improves as I think it will be manic with 15 little ones in the house...

Rainbow decorations have been made, teddy bear bunting is currently being decorated by my son's friend and her pals at the childminders, hubby is going to Costco tonight to pick up supplies and my job for today and tomorrow is to make & decorate the cupcakes. 

I was at Dobbies Garden Centre yesterday and found the cutest teddy bear ice cream cones and wafers (love their Food Hall!!), so if the weather is nice and the parents allow it then the little ones can have an ice cream that matches in with the theme of the party!! 

I also bought my son a new top today from Next which has a panda bear on it (closest thing I could find to a teddy bear at short notice)!!

{Healthy Eating Plan}

I am succeeding with the new healthy eating plan & exercise regimen.  Maria, my personal trainer, has said this week I'm her star pupil (although I'm sure she says that to everyone that's doing well!). I have now lost 1 stone since starting with her, and it hasn't felt like hard work at all. On my holiday last week I was sensible for the majority of the time, but did indulge in some carrot cake and a gorgeous lemon & poppy seed cake (& some birthday tray bake at my son's friends 2nd birthday party when we arrived back at Glasgow!). I think the thing I probably miss most is bread (in particular some nice white buttered toast - yum!)... I've not had any bread since starting with Maria. This is especially difficult when I have to butter toast for my son's breakfast!!

It doesn't feel like I'm on a diet (despite the restrictions - no bread, pasta, red meat, bananas...) because I'm eating regularly (every 2.5-3h) and I don't get hungry.  Breakfast is muesli & lots of berries, mid-morning snack is crudites & hummus or a handful of almonds, lunch is salad (prawn, chicken or tuna) or a bowl of vegetable soup or ryvita with cottage cheese, mid-afternoon snack is yoghurt & berries, fruit salad or an oatcake, dinner is stir fry, fish with vegetables or even chicken curry with brown rice. At the moment I'm enjoying a raspberry jelly as my late-evening snack. The key is to be organised. I try to carry a pack of Food Doctor seeds with me so that if I feel peckish I can have a handful. I picked up some Munchy Seeds at the supermarket the other day, Chilli Mix flavour, and they are yum!

One thing I've struggled with is to drink enough water.  I used to go a whole day only drinking 1 or 2 cups of tea.  Now I'm drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day and decaf tea. Again, it's all about being organised and I try to carry a bottle of water when I'm out and about. My Skip Hop changing bag doesn't seem to be big enough at the moment once it's been packed with nappies, baby wipes, muslin, baby bottle, milk powder & spare clothes for my daughter, nappies, snacks, sippy cup and a few toy cars for my son and then my bottle of water & tub of seeds! It doesn't help that the Glasgow weather is so unpredictable that I also tend to carry sun hats & suncream as well as rain covers whenever I'm out!!

{Holiday}

Just back from taking my kiddies on a short holiday.  Hubby was too busy with work, so I went with a friend and her three girls (aged 5 months, 2 years and 8 years). We were lucky enough to be able to use a holiday home of my aunt and uncle and it was just perfect. The house has lots of room and the garden was designed with the grandchildren in mind, so it's fully enclosed and child friendly.  My son had an absolute ball! I'm just glad we had good weather!!

Packing the car was an issue - thankfully my husband was able to work from home the day I left to give me a hand (well, he did it all for me if I'm honest!) and I managed to fill the car to the brim... all essential items though in my defence.  Travel cot, double buggy, Moses basket... it all takes up room!

One item I invested in prior to the trip was a Gro Anywhere Blackout Blind.  It's a portable blackout blind that has suction cups to stick to the glass and fits windows up to 130x200 cm.  I had read a few reviews that mentioned the blind falling off too easily, but I've not had any issues with it. It worked a treat and my son slept until 7-7.30am each morning.

{Teddy Bear Picnic}

So, I've decided to host a teddy bear picnic for my son's 2nd birthday.

Here is the invite (minus the personal details!)...

I bought the teddy bear picnic clipart on Etsy from JWIllustrations - very cute!

I'm in the process of creating some teddy bear bunting using card that I bought at Hobbycraft and some wiggle eyes from eBay (photographs to follow!). I'm also making some rainbow decorations based on an idea I came across on Pinterest. We've got 15 little ones coming to the house, so I just hope we get good weather so that they can all play in the garden. I'm still swithering over the cake... too many ideas!!