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!