Practical crafting!

This week I've been a good housewife and been making some practical baby items. 

A few months ago a bought some lovely elephant fabric from the fabric guild on Leicester (this is a super awesome Aladdin cave of a fabric shop!) I eventually decided this week that I would finally use it for it's intended purpose and make a play mat for Nemo. 

I didn't do anything fancy but I think Nemo likes it 

With some left over padding I made something I saw on pininterest. 

This keeps the latch in the door but the fabric wedges the door closed. It is great as Nemo's door handle creaks when you push the handle down and also makes it impossible to bang when you shut it ( believe me I enjoyed spending some time slamming the door in different ways but no noise!) I am ridiculously proud of it- it's so simple but means I don't risk waking Nemo on my obsessive-check Nemo's ok- night trips! 

Valentines weekend

I woke up on Valentines morning to discover a nice surprise downstairs I had some lovely flowers and a Mary Berry cake book :) 

So this year trying to do something different I decorated the kitchen for us to have our valentines meal. I crocheted 60 little hearts to hang from the ceiling. I got the pattern from this blog: 

http://www.inverleith.blogspot.co.uk/search?updated-max=2013-02-18T13:44:00Z&max-results=5&start=30&by-date=false

I also made red paper hearts to hang from the ceiling with reasons why I love my hubby :) 

We treated ourselves to the m+s valentines meal which was yummy! Even Nemo enjoyed some! 

We had a lovely evening, now I just have to work out what to do with 60 crocheted hearts!

On Saturday we went for an gander to ikea. It's a great place to take Nemo, it's so easy to push the pram around, it has cheep meals and Nemo always seems to fall asleep as we wonder around! We discovered that with an adult meal you get a free sachet of purée food. I wish I had noticed this before as I could have been stocking up on ready made purées for traveling! We saved one and let Nemo eat the other- he really enjoyed it! 

Nemo loves sitting at the table with us. I realise I forgot his bib however was impressed with my muslin cloth substitute! (I wish I could take credit for it but I noticed another mum do it once!) 

Unfortunately whilst this picture was being taken Nemo was having a rather large and explosive 'movement'. When we took him to the changing room we saw that he had leaked poo onto his vest trousers and top! Normally we would just chuck Nemo in the bath however being in ikea my husband suggested we should put him in the sink instead. This turned out to be a good idea, Nemo loved it! 

On Sunday we stayed at home as Nemo was a little under the weather. I have a very lovely husband who helps me catch up on any housework that has got behind during the week. It is so much quicker doing things when one person can keep Nemo entertained! 

I think my parents have pictures of us like this as children. 

I then put my new recipe book to use and make some double chocolate cookies. 

I love how no nonsense the recipe was, no demands for high percentage cocoa solids chocolate, seiving flour etc! They were so gooey warm shame they don't stay like that when they cool!

Unfortunately Nemo became more unwell with his breathing during the night. We took him to the out of hours Gp who ended up calling an ambulance to rush him to hospital. It was all a bit scarey but Nemo was gorgeously happy throughout the whole thing smiling at everyone I felt reassured. He had a little monitor with a red light on his toe and he kept on playing with it! 

The paramedic loved Nemo and let us keep his oxygen mask as Nemo enjoyed playing with it! 

I couldn't have been prouder of Nemo as he stayed so still for his chest x ray they only needed to do it once. Nemo's oxygen levels improved returning to normal during the night and he was discharged on Monday morning. He has been referred to a consultant paediatrician because of the ongoing issues with wheezing and breathlessness. My poor hubby had so much work to do he grabbed a couple of hours sleep before heading to work-what a star!

Nemo has steadily got better over the last week but his breathing still isn't quite normal yet. Luckily I think he's used to it and he doesn't let it stop him! 

He is playing with his big sister Poppy

Nemo's adventure to meet some friends

Well we have had a busy week but the highlight was my good friend C coming down to bristol for the day. 

We went to meet my husband for lunch. There I encounters the most complicated high chair I have ever come across in my time as a Mother. After struggling with various straps I finally got Nemo safely in however at that point realised I need to flip the table over....which you can't do when the child's in the seat already *facepalm*

We and C took Nemo to the aquarium afterwards. I don't think I've ever explained that we have called Nemo that name since I was in early pregnancy with him. There was something about this little thing floating around in my tummy which seemed to resonate with Nemo. The name has since stuck and I wonder if it will continue to be his nickname in years to come.

Nemo loved all the colours, lights and movement of the fishes in the tanks. We probably spent more time enjoying watching Nemo enjoy the experience then we spent looking at the fishes! 

This lobster is over 50 years old! 

I might be wrong but I believe this giant octopus may have been following Nemo around the tank (,aye he was a nice size for a meal!)

Nemo meeting a Dory fish!

Nemo meeting other Nemo's!! ( and yes of course he had to wear his Nemo hat!)

I love this picture of Nemo sitting at the bottom of a wall of aquarium. We all sat there for ages it was so relaxing, Nemo was just intranced by it.

After out trip we walked into the centre of Bristol to go to cabots circus. We popped into a couple of shops but spent a whole getting a drink from costa coffee. Nemo very much enjoyed my iced mango drink, I've think the cold felt good on his teething gums. 

  

Nemo also enjoyed drinking my mums lime soda on a trip to my parents recently. I have realised that whilst Nemo won't drink from sippy cup he will drink directly from a cup. This is probably good and avoids a step but it is a bit messy! 

On the way back to the car we all got soaked as the weather turned foal tipping it down with rain and hail with ice cold winds giving you brain freeze! Nemo was all nicely tucked up in his warm pram however and I did feel a little jealous! 

The weather continued to be awful yesterday so we went swimming. Nemo's underwater swimming impressed the lifeguards who commented on how natural and comfortable he is in water (must be living up to his nickname!) I think it's probably just because I have taken him lots from when he was just a few weeks old. 

Today I went to soft play and Nemo spent most of the time playing with his own reflection. 

Maybe one day he will have a brother or sister to play with- but until then he's always got the dog! 

I also started my valentines project which I will share with you after tomorrow!! 

It's all about the teeth

So this week teeth have been causing our house some issues.

I've had a wisdom tooth which has partially come through the gum for I guess around 10 years now. I mentioned it to my dentist back in November and he looked at it and said it was impacted (growing sideways) and needed removing. 

This week I went to the dental hospital to have a consultation about it being removed. We had to wait around a bit as I needed my mouth xraying in one department then needed to see the consultant in another. Nemo was very good at first getting lots of attention from other patients waiting for X-rays however after about 30 minutes he started to get bored and ended up crying. I tried to feed him and keep him occupied with toys and walking around but he wasn't having any of it! Whilst I had the X-ray a nurse looked after Nemo outside and I could hear him screaming the place down! 

The X-Ray was a bit freaky as this mashine spin from one side of my head to another whilst I bit something. 

Luckily when we got back to the oral surgery department the receptionist said she'd mention I had a baby with me to the doctors and I was called through pretty quickly. 

When I got through a rather good looking young doctor (!) pulled up my x rays. He tried to get my medical history but I was rather distracted by Nemo moaning and my x ray. I will show you why:

I couldn't believe that angle at which my bottom right (bottom left on the x ray) was coming through! I also couldn't help but notice the wisdom tooth on the top right of the x-Ray. I've had some on and off pain and numbness in my top left tooth for again about 10 years but no dentist has understood why- my current dentist telling me I just need to brush it harder. Seeing the X-ray I suddenly began to get some idea...........

The doctor examined my teeth and went to get the consultant who came back saying that I not only needed the one sideways wisdom tooth removing but all 4 wisdom teeth and the 1 normal tooth the wisdom tooth it growing into. It was a bit of a shock and means I will have to be put under general anesthetic. I was told I would need some one to care for me for 24 hours after the procedure and would need someone to look after the baby. It's likely I will feel pretty battered after it so I feel a bit nervous. I also feel a bit nervous about the anesthetic, although I know it's a bit silly! 

Nemo has also been suffering with his teeth, he's teething at the moment and this means he is quite many at the moment and also biting (with gums!) when I breastfeed him. I've been reading about this and the general rule seems to be to stop a feed after biting down and refuse a feed for 15 mins or so. This is fairly straightforward at home but is difficult when we're out and about as Nemo gets rather cross and will cry very loudly! 

I've discovered teething crystals which are sachets of white powder you put in their mouths to soothe their gums. They seem to work for Nemo but it does feel a little bit like giving your child drugs. Someone I know from baby group says their family jokingly calls it "baby crack"! 

Nemo keeps getting these really red cheeks I dont have a picture which does them justice but here is a picture which shows some of the redness:

I have to say that whilst we have been having some difficulties we have had a brilliant week. But I will be writing another post about what else we have been up to :) 

Bargain hunt

So this weekend me and hubby have been quite busy. 

On Friday night we had a lovely night in watching films on netflix (we have the first month free trial and are trying to watch as much as we can before we cancel the subscription!) 

Nemo and my hubby always have huggles in the evening and Nemo loves to fall asleep with him in the rocking chair, it's really sweet :) 

I noticed this (whilst making another veggie roast!) about a head of garlic:

I was amazed how the head looked like a flower and the cloves' skin looked like petals. I love art and think when I have some time away from taking care of a baby I may try and create something around this.

On the Saturday morning we went to a second hand baby sale in a local school. I have got a lot of Nemo's clothes this way, he grows out of things so quickly I couldn't imagine the cost of buying all his clothes new! We came out pleased with the bargains we got. 

3 trousers for £2

2 jump suits for £1.50

2 vests for £1

3 sleep suits for £2.50

A fleesey suit for £1 (new with label!) and mothercare dungarees set for £2 

We bought a little treat for Nemo /us and got Nemo a Ralph Lauren sleep suit for £2.50!  

 Nemo wore it today but wasn't in a posing mood! 

We also brought is wooden toy, we both weren't sure whether to buy it as it was £10 (negotiated to £8!) but I spent some time cleaning it up and it looks lovely now. So Pleased we bought it

After the fare we went for a walk along the canal with our dog Poppy in Bathampton. Unfortunately this walk was a bit short lived then we would have liked as the weather somewhat turned! But it was still lovely. I noticed this boat on the river with a cat flap! 

  

Poppy was nicely tired out, she loves to go on different walks as unfortunately her usual walk is our local playing fields! 

We went to our church this morning but unfortunately Nemo needed feeding during the service so I missed another sermon (so far I've only sat through one whole service since having a baby!) I still enjoy talking to the other parents in the nursery though. 

We went swimming this afternoon and I was able to show my hubby Nemo swimming up to the surface all on his own. It's amazing to see! 

Getting into character

Nemo is fast developing into a right little character at the moment, it's a pleasure to see :) 

He loves interacting with people and has learnt to blow raspberries (this is now his favourite trick and he will spend ages doing it constantly!) this means he loves mirrors 

He also loves interacting with his big sister our lab Poppy 

Nemo is such a curious little boy he gets so frustrated if he sees something but cannot reach it and wants to pickup everything and put it in his mouth! 

He's also showing himself to be a little mischievous, after trying him with peas once and getting this response: 

The second time I tried he did this: 

Nemo is just so fun to be around 

It's a real privalide to see him grow , I can't get my head around the fact that 6 months ago he was just a little bundle in my belly! 

So whilst Nemo has been growing into his own little person I have been growing into this new housewife/ Mother role. Having worked full time in a role which I found challenging but fulfilling I thought I might miss work, I have as yet to miss it! I have found such pleasure in making yummy cheep meals for my husband (maternity pay ending soon means we are on a tight budget now!) we have gone vegetarian to help our food costs and I have been living from a vegetarian cook book I got given as a student. My husband is coping well without his meat however found it hard to have a roast without it!  

I have also really enjoyed making Nemo's food (I know this must be sad right?) you have no idea how I enjoyed realising that the latest batch of purées kind of resembled traffic lights 

And all of a sudden I realise how domesticated I'm becoming. I have applied to work part time but feel overwhelmed by the desire to stay at home with Nemo. I visited a child minder on Monday and felt so sad with the idea of paying someone else to care for him. That's not to say that I have any objections to other mothers working but for me personally I'm struggling with it. Life is also easier for us when im at home. My husband works full time and does several hours of revision for his CFA exams on top and my job is pretty busy and stressful and I would often feel drained by the end. 

On one hand I want to be a person of substance and worry that quitting work will make me boring and dull but on the other hand leaving Nemo with someone else for 24 hours a week feels like a lot and I am just enjoying looking after him soooo much! 

At the moment I have resided my fate to the decision of my work at the moment as I don't know if they will even offer me part time, but in the meanwhile I am left waiting and wondering what I should do!