Daddy aka DJ Frenic interviews DJ Maseo of De La Soul

Me taking a photo of Maseo and Sam with Eve

Early on Tuesday evening after a lovely afternoon with Ocky and Arthur, I took Eve down to The Station in the centre of town. It is part of the Creative Youth Network (CYN) and is based in the old Fire Station.

Eve and Arthur

CYN has a dedicated staff member who delivers projects in the community and at The Station with the vision to introduce young people to its services and creative opportunities. They want to shout about what they can offer young people and how outreach can help do that.

They offer a range of services for young people, ranging from the Basement drop-in music studio, the Station Sports Hub, advice on work, sex and relationships, mental wellbeing, housing support, disability issues, drug misuse, regular and special events. There is the Kitchen cafe to relax in and they also hire out their spaces to musicians, theatre companies, dancers, artists and youth workers.

http://www.thestationbristol.org.uk/

My husband Sam is a Music Technology lecturer at DBS Music. DBS regularly organise student talks with music professionals. Sam, being the massive hip-hop head that he is, was asked to interview DJ Maseo from legendary De La Soul.

I arrived there with Eve wide awake, she was absolutely fascinated by all the people in the lobby. She sat on my lap staring at everyone, and within minutes I had a group of female students crowding round me to look at the baby. They were all very sweet.

I am so proud of Sam, he did such a great job chatting to Maseo for an hour and a half, discussing the early days of hip-hop, old and new sampling and programming gear, influences, inspiration, passion, love and friendship.

I was lucky to meet Maseo at the end of the talk, I thanked him for the music and his reply to me was simple and beautiful. "One Love!"

The photo that I took of Maseo and Sam with Eve

Apart from Eve having a big week meeting such a famous musician, we've also hit another important milestone - well for us anyway! For the first time her little feet are now fitting into socks - I am overjoyed!!

She doesn't have any of these socks (above), but aren't they cute. You can purchase them from an American website:

http://www.aliexpress.com/

The night sky

On Saturday night Eve and I went out for the first time during the evening since she was born. We walked with Sam to his cousin's house for a house-warming party. It's a 10 minute walk and was such a calm, clear, dark evening for a stroll.

Sam and I laughed at how fascinated Eve was with being outside at night-time - she really looked awed by the difference during the night-time compared with the day. We could tell that she loved looking at the light from the street lamps and the shadows. Her little face was such a picture. Usually when we put her in the pram she falls asleep fairly quickly, but this time she was so amazed at looking around that she stayed awake for the whole journey.

Eve finally fell asleep as we approached Tom and Elise's new house, as their street is in a residential area and was much darker than where we live. We were greeted at the door by their children Rosa, Henry and Josephine. Rosa was dressed up in a lovely red dress, and Henry and Josephine were in pyjama's ready for bed. They looked at our baby as we drove the pram into their playroom and then they went upstairs to bed. I hooked up the baby monitor and carried the other end with me as I enjoyed myself wandering about meeting people with Sam. However, this wasn't really necessary as Eve stayed asleep the entire time that we were there.

We had a great time drinking wine and meeting lots of GP's. I can definitely say that I've never been in a room with so many doctors in one go. We also met Elise's mum and Dad (Stafford and Jenny), and her brother Mark and his French wife. Good to meet more family members!

Baby's Sight - 2/3 months

Colour differences are becoming clearer to your baby, and she starts to distinguish between similar shades. Your baby may prefer bright primary colours and more detailed and complicated designs and shapes. Encourage your baby by showing her bright pictures, photos, books, and toys. 

(This is not Eve)

http://www.babycentre.co.uk/a6508/developmental-milestones-sight#ixzz2uFAXk8D1

Repetitive Baby Strain (RBS) or Mother's Wrist

Photo by s5.favim.com

There are so many things that I never considered about parenting before Eve arrived. One of them is what I shall name Repetitive Baby Strain (aka Repetitive Strain Injury)! 

My wrists started hurting a bit over a week ago and now the right hand wrist is so painful that even brushing my teeth makes it hurt. My left wrist is slightly better but they both hurt to bend.

I adore my little bundle of joy, but as she starts to get heavier I'm guessing it's putting strain on my tendons, ligaments and muscles. The veins running from my thumb through my wrists on both hands are inflamed as I can see them bulging out a bit.

I've been trying to pick Eve up more carefully, but I guess it's just one of those things. It's inevitable that lifting her so many times a day would cause some kind of wear and tear.

I found an article about such pains online and thought I would share it in case others of you were experiencing something similar, even if it's in a different area of the body. I always knew about back and neck pain from carrying, lifting and feeding the baby, but never thought of wrist pain...

http://stepandspine.com/2013/12/04/repetitive-strain-injury-wear-tear-parenting/

During writing this I've just found out that this is actually an ailment known as 'Mother's Wrist', or in America 'Mommy's Thumb' - apparently you can relieve the pain by massaging towards the elbow, doing warm and cool wrist baths, icing, or having a cortisone injection to relieve the pain. I think I'll go with some ibuprofen gel on it in the first instance along with trying to hold her differently and see how we go. Massaging and icing sounds good too.

It does say on the following link not to leave it as it can worsen quickly.

http://www.parents.com/parenting/moms/healthy-mom/new-mom-injuries/?page=2

Five ways to ease the pain:

http://www.parents.com/baby/new-parent/motherhood/mommy-thumb-5-ways-to-ease-the-pain/?page=2

Matcha Tea - the benefits

Matcha, also spelled maccha, refers to finely powdered, high quality green tea. The Japanese tea ceremony centres on the preparation, serving, and drinking of matcha. 

Blends of matcha are given poetic names called Chamei ("tea names") either by the producing plantation, shop or creator of the blend, or by the grand master of a particular tea tradition.  When a blend is named by the grand master of a tea ceremony lineage, it becomes known as the Master's Konomi, or favoured blend.

Above - The Whisk (Chasen), Bowl (Chawan), and Spoon (Chashaku) used during the preparation of a cup of tea.

Zen Buddhism and the Chinese methods of preparing powdered tea were brought to Japan in 1191 by the monk  Eisai. Although powdered tea has not been popular in China for some time, there is now a global resurgence in Matcha tea, including China. In Japan it continued to be an important item at Zen monasteries, and became highly appreciated by others in the upper-echelons of society from the 14th to the 16th century.

Matcha is made from shade-grown tea leaves. The preparation of Matcha starts several weeks before harvest & can last up to 20 days, when the tea bushes are covered to prevent direct sunlight.  This slows down growth, turns the leaves a darker shade of green, and causes the production of amino acids. Only the finest tea buds are hand-picked. After harvesting, if the leaves are rolled out before drying as usual, the result will be Gyokuro (jade dew) tea. However, if the leaves are laid out flat to dry, they will crumble and become known as Tencha. Tencha can then be de-veined, de-stemmed, and stone-ground to the fine, bright green, talc-like powder known as Matcha.

It can take up to one hour to grind 30 grams of Matcha. This of course relates to the high cost of Matcha tea.

I've been a big fan for many years, and one of the things I missed during pregnancy was my daily (ish) cup. However, I treated myself to a cup on the weekends! Now that I'm not breastfeeding that much I'm allowing myself a slightly more regular cup. It makes me feel great and I swear that I am ill much less than before I started drinking it.

There are 70mg of caffeine in a cup of matcha tea which is moderate (this is half the amount in a cup of black coffee). It yields an immediate boost but not the high rush of caffeine in coffee or black tea.

Matcha can now be found in numerous health-food products ranging from cereal to energy bars. In 2003, researchers from the University of Colorado found that the concentration of the antioxidant EGCG available from drinking matcha is at least three times greater than the amount of EGCG available from other commercially available green teas. 

You can drink it hot or cold, nutrients are not destroyed by hot water unlike other foods or drinks.

The health benefits of matcha tea may be attributed to the fact that the whole tea leaf is ingested, as opposed to just the steeped water from the 'bagged' green teas. This means that it delivers a much higher potency of catechins, chlorophyll and antioxidants. By weight, matcha contains several dozen times more antioxidants than blueberries, pomogranates, orange juice, spinach or dark chocolate.

There is evidence from clinical studies that suggests that theanine, when consumed by drinking Japanese green teas may help to reduce or moderate mental stress responses.

My preferred Matcha tea is Matcha Tea Number 1 by Tip Top Tea - it tastes amazing, makes me feel great and is of course more affordable than Matcha Superior teas.

http://www.tiptoptea.co.uk/2-japan-matcha-1-50-p.asp

Info on Matcha tea:

http://www.gotmatcha.com/questions_answers.html

Top Ten Benefits of Matcha Tea

1. High in Antioxidants

2. Loaded with Catechins (EGCG)

3. Enhances a feeling of calm

4. Boosts memory and concentration

5. Increases energy levels and endurance

6. Burns calories

7. Detoxifies the body

8. Improves cholesterol

9. Fortifies the immune system

10. Decreases the chance of cancer

http://www.matchasource.com/breastcancerawareness-s/88.htm 

Baby Carriers

Daddy and Eve

We've started wearing Eve in a Baby Bjorn carrier this week. It's been such horrible weather previously that we didn't want to take her out in it until now. I know that it wasn't, but yesterday really felt like the first day of spring, it was so sunny and calm. 

I've also been wearing Eve in the carrier as I do chores around the flat which is quite fun. She seems to really enjoy it. We've only worn her facing inwards so far, but will change her to look outwards once we get to about the 4 month mark when she can hold her head up by herself. She's doing pretty good on those stakes though and holds her head up well already.

Eve was weighed yesterday and is now 9lb 11oz which was great news. As it's been good weather this week I've started back swimming at the Lido. A sauna and a swim is such a treat, I was feeling like a real couch potato for a while there. I'm managing to swim each day whilst Sam is home on half term and is able to look after her, what a luxury!

Baby carriers and slings are quite expensive, however we were really lucky to borrow the Baby Bjorn one from Sam's sister.

A friend of mine has the Caboo organic baby carrier (see picture), she said it is really good to use and easy to breastfeed with the baby inside it too.

Mother and Baby 2014 Shortlist for best baby carrier can be viewed here:

http://www.motherandbaby.co.uk/2014/02/mother-baby-awards-2014-shortlist-best-baby-carrier-sling-or-back-carrier

UPDATE
Since posting this I have had good feedback from friends. One who lives in America says that her favourite carrier is the Ergo. I have read good things about this before and their website is also very helpful.

The Ergobaby Carrier cradles your baby just the way you do with baby in a natural sitting position, aligning with the recommended carry position from the International Hip Dysplasia Institute.  

Babies can be carried from 7 - 45 lb (3.2 - 20 kg) in three positions, front, back and on the side.

http://store.ergobaby.com/

Bristol Sling Library and Sling Group

They meet in Southmead and Southville, Bristol.  You can hire slings to try them out, and get advice on baby-wearing. This is really good when your baby grows out of the smaller slings and you want to keep carrying. 

I've been told by a friend that forward facing isn't recommended, especially in Bjorn-type carriers, due to the risk of hip dysplasia and overstimulation.  Apparently the best thing is to keep them facing you, and then put them on your back when they're bigger or when you're confident in a different type of sling. Luckily we have also been given a really cool baby carrier rucksack. Sam is most excited at the prospect of wearing Eve in it to take her walking around the Cheddar Gorge where his Dad lives.

Have a look on the link below to see how to hire a sling and get advice, it's only £5 for a two week period (however you do have to leave a deposit). What a great idea!

http://bristolslinglibrary.wordpress.com/how-to-hire-a-sling/

Cheddar Gorge, Somerset

Making the most of stormy days

The Somerset Levels underwater

The past month or so has seen Britain battered by storms and flooding across many regions, especially the South West. Even though this means that we've been stuck in our flat quite a lot, we've got up to some lovely things, and consider ourselves very lucky.

Newlyn,Cornwall

Sennen, Cornwall

Salt Dough Creations

Hand and Foot Prints inside box frames

Salt Dough Recipe

1 Cup of Flour

1 Cup of Table Salt

1/4 Cup of Water

Food colouring of your choice

Mix the flour and salt together. Add the water and a few drops of food colouring, as much or as little as you want depending on the depth of colour that you want to create. 

If you don't want to use food colour you could paint them at the end of the process if you preferred.

Knead the mixture together until the colour is even - or keep it as a marbled effect. Pull of chunks and roll into balls. Flatten out with your hands or a rolling pin. Don't roll it too flat. Have some wet wipes ready to clean hands and feet before you start printing as baby will of course try to put their hands in their mouth, which would not be good if covered in salt. Press hands and feet into the discs of dough. Make holes in them if you wish to hang them. You could print or write your baby's name on them at this point too if you wanted. 

Place them on some greaseproof paper on a baking tray (or just dust some flour on a tray). Bake them in a pre-heated oven at 100 degrees F for 2 hours. Be careful not to bake for too long or they will burn and discolour.  Apparently you can nuke them in the microwave for 3 minutes instead, however I've not tried this.

You could use some super glue to attach the disc inside a box frame. I bought some inexpensive ones from Wilkinson's. Good gifts for friends and family!

Box frames to use for keepsakes

I've kept the pregnancy test stick, Eve's hospital tags and tiny clothes which no longer fit her as I wanted to put them inside box frames. I thought they would be nice for her to see when she is a bit older.









My mum kept my pink card hospital tag. I remember that I used to love looking at it when I was small as it was such an interesting -looking thing. Unfortunately now they are printed onto white plastic, not as cool as the days of old, but good to keep none-the-less.

Bath-time

We've been having more baths to get Eve used to the water, as we're hoping to take her swimming soon.

Eve enjoys playing on her mat 

My cheeky wonder!

When Daddy is at home he feeds her and plays with her before work

Eve has started wearing her baby sleeping bag during the night-time. It's really cosy and keeps her safe and warm.  On the eve of her ninth week birthday she slept completely through the night for 8 hours, and has kept doing so for the last few nights. Fingers crossed this continues!

Things we could not have been without in the early days

Basic Essentials

Lansinoh Nipple Cream (100% natural lanolin)

Brilliant for sore nipples. Make sure you get this in before the birth, don't risk not having some in your cupboard.

To Buy:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Lansinoh-40ml-Cream-Nipples-Cracked/dp/B0006JLIFG

Info:

http://www.lansinoh.co.uk/products/breast-care/lansinoh-hpa-lanolin

Avent Room and Bath Thermometer

You can usually find this in the sale on Amazon, or buy from Boots etc. In the first few weeks I literally took this into every room I was in with the baby. Especially good for throwing into the bath to make sure the temperature is right before putting the baby in.

100% Cotton Cellular Blanket

Buy two at the very least so that you have one when the other is in the wash.

I was lucky to get given two of them as presents. One yellow and the other white. They are brilliant for swaddling in the early days. Perfect to use in hospital and then great for layering as they get older. After a feed I always lay one over Eve's back whilst I burp her to make sure that she doesn't get chilly.

Don't get sucked into buying one that isn't 100% cotton, as it won't be fully breathable and won't feel as nice either.

http://www.mothercare.com/Mothercare-Cotton-Cellular-Blanket---White/918026,default,pd.html

Muslins 

Goes without saying really. You can of course buy them from loads of different places. You can get organic ones which are expensive etc. I bought a three pack (designs of hearts and plain) from Primark for £3. At least half the price of packs that you can buy elsewhere. The quality of them really isn't any different than expensive ones.

Arnica Pillules

Start taking these in the hospital straight after the birth. Helpful for internal issues, bruising, swelling, contusions etc. I took them every day after the birth, I'm sure they helped speed my recovery.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Nelsons-Homeopathic-Indicated-Arnica-30c/dp/B002R5HH98

Ramer Ultra Soft Baby Sponge

Got given one of these in a hamper from a friend for my baby shower. It's so soft on Eve's skin, she really loves being washed with it. Only a couple of quid for a pack of two so you can't go wrong with this.

http://www.boots.com/en/Boots-Ramer-Ultra-Soft-Baby-Sponges-1-x-2-Pack_641657/

Medela Single Mini Breast Pump

I kept this on my Amazon wish-list and bought it in the first couple of weeks when Eve was born.

I had issues with breastfeeding so this really was essential. Whether you want to use it to help stimulate and increase your milk supply, for relief during mastitis, or purely to express so that your partner, friends or family can feed your baby with a bottle this really is a must-have item.

If you keep an eye out you can get this in the sale on Amazon. I got mine for £40 reduced from £80.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Medela-Single-Mini-Electric-Breastpump/dp/B000LP1G98/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1391954530&sr=8-5&keywords=medela+double+pump

Bottle Steriliser

We are so glad that we borrowed one of these from our sister-in-law. It's been so useful. It is big and bulky and does take up a fair bit of space in the kitchen, however it is so easy and quick to use the pros outweigh the cons.

There are of course many different styles and brands of steriliser's on the market and I'm sure they all do pretty much the same thing, so I would just suggest getting the one that you prefer the most or is in your price range.  They are as quick as boiling a kettle.

Luxury Items

Neals Yard Mother's Balm and Baby Balm (nourishing oils and beeswax)

I was lucky to be given both as presents. The Mother's Balm is an absolute delight, it feels incredible on your skin, especially after the birth, when you're feeling a bit saggy and sore. 

I've been massaging it into my hips, sides, bum and tum religiously everyday so far.

The Baby Balm is lovely. I keep it in the bathroom and use it on Eve after a bath. She loves having it massaged into her skin. It's been great on her head to prevent cradle cap and is also good on her bum to make sure that it doesn't get sore.

Eco Earth Friendly Baby Happy Mandarin Shampoo and Body Wash

Great product, eco-friendly, smells divine and Eve loves it. My sister gave us this and I would definitely buy another when it runs out.

You can find it on the shelves of the larger Boots stores or online in various places for roughly £4-£5

http://www.biggreensmile.com/products/earth-friendly-baby-shampoo-bodywash/eafbwash.aspx?productid=eafbwash

Fisher Price Rainforest Peek-A-Boo Leaves Musical Mobile

There are many different musical mobiles and I'm sure any of them would do the job. If you have the opportunity to get one we've found it very useful. We borrowed this one. After I've changed Eve and perhaps I need to do something I lay her down in the big cot which has her changing table at one end and the mobile at the other.  It's good to have something to keep her occupied whilst neither of us is in the room. Also it's getting her used to being in the big cot so eventually around the six month point we hope she will settle into sleeping in it easier. Fingers crossed for a good transition.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fisher-Price-Rainforest-Leaves-Musical-Mobile/dp/B000JIHP88

8 Weeks

 Eve Katie

Our gorgeous Eve reached her 2 month point on Thursday and had her first set of jabs. She did really well, and enjoyed a feed in the doctors surgery after the initial shock and pain of the injections. She slept on me and Sam throughout the course of the evening on the sofa, waking up regularly crying and immediately fell back to sleep. I'm guessing she was possibly feeling a bit ill or maybe it was just nightmares.

The past two nights she slept for 4 hours before waking up during the middle of the night for a feed and nappy change. I woke up this morning, daylight streaming through the curtains, feeling amazed that she had slept through the entire night, only to find out that Sam had got up at 4.30am to give her a bottle and change her. I was obviously dead to the world and didn't hear a thing. What a lovely husband I have!

Yesterday we had a wonderful day wandering about Gloucester Road in the sunshine. We then went and visited new baby Agnes Lily, the second daughter of my oldest friend Laura. Laura and I have know each other since we were 3 years old, so it's an incredible feeling, both of us sitting together enjoying cuddles with our babies. Eve loved sitting in the bouncer  which had a little mirror and rattles dangling down. Good stimulation for her.

Agnes Lily Pride, 7lb 8oz

My other good friend and bridesmaid Sarah gave birth to her first baby, Jake on the same day as Laura this week. What fab timing!!

Jake Jones, 6lb 12 oz

Massive Congratulations beautiful ladies!

Eve smiles and giggles lots now. Last night she was awake for most of the evening and didn't want any milk, and had had nappy changes. I couldn't work out why she was grizzling. Sam played her some Pink Floyd with youtube footage of beautiful nature at the same time and she just loved it. We watched her intently. She really concentrated trying to move her arms in time with the music, rather than just flailing around. It was so cute.

Eve enjoying the bouncer