Bath-time!

This morning we gave Eve her second bath. The first one a few days ago didn't go so well, and she cried a lot. But second-time around went much better, it chilled her out and she seemed to really enjoy it.

Eve was given a lovely Rituals Baby Bathrobe for Christmas from Grandpa Col and Jeggs, along with an ultra mild baby splash wash (organic rice milk and cotton flower) which was perfect.

http://uk.rituals.com/en-gb/body/baby/

I then gave her a good massage with Grapeseed Oil from Amphora Aromatics, based on Cotham Hill, just down the road from us. They are a wholesaler and retailer, creating many of their own blends, as well as selling other brands. The staff there are very friendly and knowledgeable, I just adore going in there.  They distribute a large variety of their base and essential oils around the UK.  I've often seen their products in other counties.

I use olive oil on her face and hands, just in case she gets it in her mouth as she is constantly waving her little fists about.

I loved using their Sweet Almond Oil throughout my pregnancy. Much cheaper than commercial stretch mark oils, and doesn't contain colourings and added chemicals. It definitely worked as I've been very lucky and don't have many stretch marks at all.

http://www.amphora-retail.com/index.php

Merry Christmas Everyone!

With Love from Sam, Tamsin and Eve xxx

New Beginnings

Today, Eve is ten days old. I'm not going to lie, it's been quite a full on week. Very tiring for both me and Sam. We are slowly understanding what different crying communications mean and what to do to try to keep her calm and happy.

Breastfeeding is most definitely a full time job, and has been hard work but it really feels like this aspect is now coming together. Eve is a very content baby and much more alert.  She is getting quite strong and already pushes off with her legs and reaches out with her arms.  She enjoys looking about in a state of wonder, especially if we take her out in the pram. She loves to check out what is going on around her.  Eve is such a joy to us. Our lives have changed so much in under two weeks, but in a most special way. We just adore her little face and amusing ways!

 

Eve Katie Fergusson has arrived!

Our baby girl Eve Katie Fergusson was born at 03.38am on Thursday 12th December.  

Eve and I are both doing well. She was born with lots of fine, brown hair and beautiful dark eyes, that are like pools.

We had a natural birth experience in the new Midwife-Led Birth Suite at St Michaels Hospital just down the road from our flat. We followed Hypnobirthing techniques. The breathing methods very really useful, though I did utilise the gas and air as well.

The level of care we received was outstanding, we cannot thank the staff there enough. The midwives were so kind, caring, professional and knowledgeable. Cheryl who delivered our baby was brilliant. The women of Bristol are so lucky to have such a great team of NHS midwives.

Even though the MLU was very busy when we got there we were lucky to use a birthing pool for the final stage of labour. I pulled Eve out through the under-lit water as she was being born - it was a really magical moment.

Daddy and Eve

Eve means 'Life', 'Life source' or 'to Breathe' in Hebrew. We feel so ecstatic at being given the gift of life, so Eve's name is perfect. 

We chose her middle name Katie, after Sam's Grandmother Katie Thomas who passed away a few years ago. Sam's Gran is an inspiration to us, she had such a great outlook and led such an interesting life.

You can read some of Katie's life story through her personal letters to her soon-to-be husband Brian during WWII:

http://withlovefromgraz.blogspot.co.uk/

A lovely last week at work

I finish working in two days time and have been having a lovely last week at work. This morning a beautiful bunch of roses and lilies were delivered to my work from one of our biggest clients Colefax and Fowler, to say thanks for all my hard work over the years.  It's going to be very strange not being in the office though I'm really looking forward to time off work for maternity leave. I phoned up Sam to tell him about the flowers and started crying - happy tears of course - feeling quite emotional!

http://www.colefax.com/

This evening after browsing through Christmas things in the shops, I had a pregnancy massage at The Lido. It was very relaxing, I really enjoyed it. When my back was massaged I could really feel the baby moving around. I think she enjoyed it too.

http://www.lidobristol.com/spa/

On Friday my boss is taking me out for Christmas lunch at Cote Brasserie in Clifton Village for my last day, which I'm really looking forward to. I feel like such an incredibly lucky girl at the moment...

http://www.cote-restaurants.co.uk/Cote_Restaurant_Bristol.html

The magic of swaddling your baby

I've been given some swaddling blankets for our baby when she arrives. As she is due to greet the world at Christmastime they seem like the perfect thing to use.

It's an interesting subject because mine and Sam's parents said that in the 70's when we were born swaddling was not fashionable at all - it was all about 'freedom'! 

I went to a Church of England school and every year there would be a competition. We would all draw a Christmas scene with the hope that it would be used on the Christmas service programme. I remember that I always used to draw baby Jesus in his swaddling clothes lying in a manger.

Today as I was browsing on Pinterest I found the following link about swaddling. I have read about the benefits prior to this but thought this was an interesting article non-the-less.

The first time a hospital midwife attends to a baby, he is wrapped in a neat little package, with only his little head poking out. That’s because midwives know one of the secrets to a happy, calm baby: swaddling. 

The age-old technique has many benefits. For one thing, it can help your baby feel safe as he adjusts to life outside the womb. Swaddling can also prevent your baby from being upset by his own startle reflex and keep him toasty until his internal thermostat kicks in to gear.

http://whattoexpect.co.uk/baby/newborn/how-to-swaddle/

I had my 38 week midwife appointment on Friday with an extra scan. Everything is looking perfect for our baby's arrival - her birth is just around the corner and I simply cannot wait for Sam and I  to gaze upon her gorgeous little face!

London Olympia Baby Show

I travelled up to London by train early on Saturday morning and met my sister Claire at Kensington Olympia for the baby show. 

As Claire and I haven't seen each other since the beginning of the year I thought it would be a nice thing for us to do together as she lives in Twickenham.

We arrived at the show about 11am and wandered about the various stands. I was most keen to see the Bum Genius and Cheeky Wipes stands after months of researching washable nappies and wipes. I'm really keen to not use disposable nappies at all, and am hoping to not use any, not even straight after birth. I'm sure it's possible. Where there's a will there's a way as the saying goes!

I love the Grasshopper colour at the top and the black ones of course are an ode to Albert Einstein - very cool!

For more info on the Bum Genius range of nappies:
http://www.bumgenius.com/one-size.php

I'm also planning on either asking my mum to make me a couple of Nappy Wet Bags, or buying some online. A large one to use at home and then a smaller version for taking out. These ones by Cannymum are cheap and have good reviews:

Cheeky Wipes are such a fantastic product I'm really looking forward to using them. Only water and a couple of drops of essential oil are used with the terry towelling or bamboo wipes. So no chemicals are used on baby's skin, like that of baby wet wipes.

The thought of using thousands of baby wipes each year which are bad for the environment really saddens me, plus parents can make a saving of about £250 over the space of a few years by not buying regular baby wipes.

The All-in-One Kit which I bought on Saturday. One tub for fresh wipes and the other for dirty wipes. Plus bag versions for taking out and about.

For more information on Cheeky Wipes - includes a video too:

http://www.cheekywipes.com/
















I was given a free Mam Anti-Colic baby bottle during the fair. It's very clever and I'm most impressed with it.

The bottle is filled with milk from the bottom to reduce the amount of air that can be trapped inside.

The 3 step self sterilising is a really great idea. It can be screwed back inside itself and then placed in the microwave for 3 minutes.



























For more info: http://www.mamonlineshop.com/acatalog/baby_bottles.html

After wandering about the show for about an hour and a half we both felt quite tired - there so much to take in! We went to a Lebanese restaurant called 'Yalla Yalla' and met Claire's rather lovely other half Jody.

We really enjoyed the babaghanoush - it was a particularly good one.

I had some lovely interactions with strangers during my journey. I chatted to a rather nice young chap on the train from Reading to London who had visited the Baby Show the day beforehand with his pregnant wife; as soon as I got on my first tube train a girl offered me her seat, on my return train from Paddington as soon as I had sat down a large middle-eastern chap sat by me, arranged his things and then said that he was going to the buffet car and could he get me anything! So kind, I was blown away.

Of course it goes without saying that when I got my rather weary bod into a taxi at Bristol Temple Meads Station that night I had a wonderfully chatty Bristolian driver who talked about babies the whole way home. What a blissful day!!

Russell Brand Interview Oct 2013

Some might say this has nothing to do with a baby blog. I disagree - it has everything to do with...everything!

Moses Basket and Co-sleeper

The Schnuggle Moses Basket

I've spent a long time researching moses baskets and cots for newborn babies this year.

I've decided to go with the Schnuggle moses basket. The shell is made from HDPE - which is an extremely strong plastic. It can be fully recycled and is free of BPA & Phthalates. Generally I wouldn't have thought of going for something made out of plastic. However after researching general moses baskets I realised that the majority of the ones made from wicker, palm oil derivatives and maize are produced in China and are then shipped around the world. Production of these baskets use chemicals as well as the added transport/pollution to get to England.

To read some info about the serious problems that palm oil causes:
http://rawforbeauty.com/blog/say-no-to-palm-oil.html

The Schnuggle moses basket is produced in England, so better for the carbon footprint. The hood of the basket locks in place, rather than falling down limp like most wicker versions. I've also heard from friends that wicker baskets can go mouldy pretty quickly. It's also larger than standard size baskets so baby can sleep in it for longer. Of course there are pros and con's for both types depending on your needs and feelings. Personally I feel that this is the right option for me.

http://www.shnuggle.com/products/moses-basket/

The BabyBay Co-Sleeper

We have a two bedroom flat and don't really have enough space at present for a full size cot.

I've therefore decided to go for a co-sleeper. It attaches to your bed so that you can easily feed your baby when they wake during the night. It also gives them a sense of security being close to Mum and Dad.

Have a look at the link below for more information:

http://www.nctshop.co.uk/Babybay-Bedside-Cot/productinfo/4361/

The Co-Sleeper can take up to 3 weeks to be delivered, so I'm glad that I've placed my order in time!

The Little Green Sheep Natural Mattress

Only natural and organic materials

Made to fit the BabyBay Co-sleeper original, this natural mattress uses fleece wool which makes the mattress entirely breathable, which is important for regulating baby's body temperature. Wool is a natural insulator.

Coconut fibres from the husk of coconuts are bound with natural latex (sap from the Hevea tree) creating a comfy mattress with medium-firm support for baby.

100% chemical-free

1 year guarantee

No fireproofing chemicals are used – each mattress passes British Safety tests thanks to the fleece wool material which is a natural fire retardant.

32 Week Growth Scan

Yesterday morning I wandered over to the hospital for my final scan, which was to check the growth rate of our baby. We're so pleased that everything is fine and her weight is progressing well.

The sonographer told me that our baby is 43 - 44cm from head to toe, and is already in the head down/optimum birth position which is great news.

Unfortunately Sam was unable to make it to the appointment with me as he was hard at work. We couldn't have any scan photos as the scan is zoomed in too much. But just seeing her moving around and her heart beating was so amazing.

The day beforehand we visited the hospital to have a look around the MLU (Midwife Led Unit) which is upstairs in St Michaels hospital. It opened in June this year so we're very lucky we are able to use these new facilities just down the road from our flat.

We're so close to our baby's arrival and are both so excited - her birth really is just around the corner!

http://www.uhbristol.nhs.uk/patients-and-visitors/your-hospitals/st-michaels-hospital/our-wards/st-michael's-midwifery-led-birthing-unit/

Baby-Led Feeding

Whilst browsing about on Pinterest this morning I found this rather interesting article written by Aimee, editor of a blog devoted to family focused food - Simply Bites.

This is definitely something I'd like to try with our baby next year as she gets older. It makes total sense to me. After years of eating off our laps we've finally sorted out our flat so that we now have a table to eat off. We're really looking forward to family meals, something that both Sam and I think is important for for our child's development and family life in general.

There are also links at the bottom of the article to buy books on baby-lead weaning or feeding.

http://www.simplebites.net/how-i-discovered-and-embraced-baby-led-weaningfeeding-blw/

Baby Clara eating a braised chicken leg age 6 months

  

Prenatal Yoga Keep Ups with Lara Dutta and more

I found a good set of videos on YouTube today. 

There are 29 in this set - some are for massage and comfort during labour, pain relief, breathing and exercise, guided and non-guided meditation, music for relaxation, positive birth affirmations, hypno-birthing samples etc.

The Sixth video (below) is for Yoga Keep Ups. Good fun for the body and helpful for your mind and will power.  I must say with my non-existent arm muscles the second Keep Ups using your thumbs to do figure of 8's was an absolute killer towards the end.

I also really enjoyed the two part video by Rana Lee for prenatal yoga.

There were a few things I'd not tried before. Really loosened up my back and ribs. Just what I need in the third trimester.

Enjoy!



Here is the link for the set of videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtLpY_-81Jc&list=PLwlt-Hifjds0eRo2cWr5K_7q9YIx9M8Mt

Bump Pictures 30 Weeks

Vaccinations

The Family Practice Doctors Surgery in Cotham, just across the road from my flat. 

Such a beautiful building.

Last week I had the whooping cough (including tetanus and polio) and flu vaccinations at my doctors surgery. (None of these were live viruses).

It took me a long time to decide whether or not to have the vaccinations. After lots of reading and talking to people, including my father-in-law Colin who is a surgeon, I decided to go ahead with them.

I know that vaccinations have been very controversial over the last few years and that every parent must decide on their own, but I felt at this stage of moving into winter that it was an important thing for me to do. These vaccinations will also protect our baby for her first couple of months once she arrives, as the whooping cough epidemic especially has been on the rise world-wide since 2010.

I feel really grateful because we are so lucky to have such a wonderful health care system in this country. I'm thankful that we are offered such vaccinations for free on the nhs.

As I am using this blog as a kind of diary for our baby I'll list my

Other Vaccinations:

First, Second and Third vaccinations 1979

Tetanus, Polio and Diptheria

Rubella, Tetanus and Polio 1994

Illnesses during childhood:

Whooping cough

Measles

Mumps

Chicken pox

Shingles

Breast Feeding Antenatal Class

Yesterday afternoon I went to Hampton House for a 2 and a half hour Breast feeding class. It was nice to be able to chat to other expectant mums from my area. I learnt a few good tips!

Baby is kicking a lot now and I feel her moving about throughout the day and night. It is a wonderful feeling...

Little Lambs washable breast pads

I've been researching breast pads lately and think that these seem like the best ones to go for.

Apparently they are the most absorbent and don't cause leaks.

Have a look at the link below which give lots of information about using them.

Like the rest of the Little Lambs range of nappies they are made from bamboo which is naturally anti bacterial and anti fungal, reducing the risk of inflammation and infections.

http://www.thenappylady.co.uk/washable-breastpads/washable-breast-pads.html

Association of Breast Feeding Mothers

The link below has lots of interesting information for breast feeding. I'm really looking forward to it!

http://abm.me.uk/

Vitamin E Oil Capsules

Perineal Massage

I shall definitely be taking this up over the coming weeks. Vitamin E oil capsules (puncture to obtain the oil) seems to be the best thing to use. I'll also be buying some Grapeseed oil at the same time to use for baby massage when our little one arrives.

http://www.babycenter.com/404_can-perineal-massage-help-me-avoid-an-episiotomy_1955.bc

7 Month Midwife Appt

Hampton House, Cotham - across the road from my flat - such a beautiful building

This morning I went to Hampton House for Glucose tests for my blood sugar levels.

Homeopathic medicine has been available in Bristol since 1852, when Dr Black first started dispensing from premises in the Triangle.

During the next 69 years the service developed and expanded culminating in the commissioning of a new hospital in the grounds of Cotham House in 1921. 

The site of the Bristol Homeopathic Hospital was purchased by W. Melville Wills, of Bracken Hill House, Leigh Woods, for £10,000 in 1917. The new hospital building was designed by Oatley and Lawrence of Bristol. It was designed in the style of the garden at Bracken Hill House, overlying the early 19th century garden of Cotham House. The garden centres around a small formally laid out rose garden immediately to the south of the main hospital building.

The foundation stone was laid in June 1921 by H.R.H. The Prince of Wales, and the building was officially opened on May 20th, 1925. The garden was laid out in 1926-27, in memory of Harold Edgar Melville Wills.

To see baby's development weeks 28 - 37:
http://www.babycentre.co.uk/v1027487/inside-pregnancy-weeks-28-37

Little Miss F goes to the theatre

Last night we were lucky to have tickets given to us by my boss to see the musical 'Ghost' at Bristol Hippodrome.

It was a beautiful summers evening, so we relaxed in the Piano Bar beforehand listening to show tunes whilst Sam sipped on a gin and tonic.

We were both quite surprised at how good the stage show was, considering that there are no songs in the film. The special effects were really cool, the production was innovative, clever and very modern. 

The first half had quite a few big 'numbers' which were fun - baby was jumping about all over the place!

I'd go out on a limb and say it is probably the best musical we've ever seen - and we're not fans of musical stage shows in general usually. I would recommend it, however it was a bit of a shame that they used English actors instead of Americans for the UK tour as their accents were pretty dodgy. Also the actress playing the part of Molly had long, blond, curly hair - which they seem to have made a thing out of on purpose. I'm not really sure why, think it would have been better if they stuck to the original Demi Moore style...

The legendary Patrick Swayze with Demi Moore in the 1990 film.

http://www.ghostthemusical.com/




http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ghost_the_Musical