Bump, birth and beyond...

I really should have started this blog five months ago but as anyone who has had children will know, I've been a little bit preoccupied (mainly having a whale of a time with my little girl and sampling lots of afternoon teas and lunches out around Lancashire!).

So I'll try to give a brief summary of the past few months... They have definitely been the best of my life so far!

Our beautiful little girl Quinn was born in February at the Midwife led unit in Preston and the months since have flown by (just like everyone told me they would!). She is a smiley, happy little girl. She has made Phill (my husband) and I so incredibly happy and proud right from the start. Yes it has been hard at times, yes I've been tired and yes the birth hurt but everything has felt manageable and we have worked together to make sure we are being the best parents we possibly can be for our daughter.

Our very first photo.

I have loved every minute of being on maternity leave so far and I have really enjoyed meeting new mummies and seeing much more of my wonderful family and friends.

All of our parents have been incredible. They have all been so helpful and supportive with everything from the first pink outfits brought to the hospital, meals on wheels in the early days to the more recent babysitting and days out together!

There's something quite wonderful about seeing just how much your family love your little one; I am very close to my Mum and Dad (in fact along with Phill they were both at Quinn's birth) so Quinn and I spend a great deal of time with them and I have really enjoyed all our lunches out and days just minxing together!

We have a big extended family so along with her doting grandparents, Quinn also has some wonderful Aunties, Uncles, Cousins and Great Grandparents.

I have an excellent set of supportive friends too, many with babies and children of their own. I have enjoyed regular meetings with the mums and babies everywhere from the Wacky Warehouse to Barton Grange to Macmillans of Penwortham.

It has been really helpful for me to have friends with children of all ages and one friend is the reason I didn't give up breastfeeding in the early days as she assured me it got easier after four weeks... It really did and after those first few toe curling weeks I can honestly say it is now so easy and hassle free! As much as I enjoy chatting all things baby with my 'mum friends' I also love a good gossip and catch up with my lovely friends who don't have babies.

Also, my best friend is pregnant and due at the end of August which is very exciting, I can't wait to hear the news of whether her baby is pink or blue and I know that either way Quinn will have a lifelong friend.

Having a baby introduces you to so many new people and I have been extremely lucky to have met 3 wonderful new mum friends. We met at aqua natal and our lovely babies (2 boys, 2 girls) were all born within 3 weeks of each other. These girls have been a constant support through our pregnancies and in the early weeks and months of our babies lives. As we met at aqua natal (Puddle Ducks) we only thought it right to take our babies swimming from an early age. We are just coming to the end of our first term of 'Floaties' lessons with Puddle Ducks which we have all enjoyed.

We have also done a fantastic course of baby massage with the fab J'Adore Mama based at a hotel in St Annes and we are in the middle of a baby yoga course with the same company. I thoroughly enjoy these classes as they are a time to bond with the other new mums but also a special time to bond with your baby. I would highly recommend both the baby massage and yoga classes and Roxanne from J'Adore Mama has been a great teacher. We have also been to our local Sure Start centre and have really enjoyed our tummy time/messy play sessions.

Messy play at the Sure Start Centre, Kirkham.

Baby Yoga

Phill and I have also enjoyed some great family time together and even managed to take Quinn away for a week to Kos. It was a lovely first family holiday and Quinn really seemed to enjoy the time we spent together and all the extra attention from having Mummy and Daddy to play with all day! The hotel was great and very family friendly. You could hire many baby essentials (from bouncers and pushchairs to baths and changing mats) and all the staff were very friendly and helpful.

You can see Phill's video of the holiday here:

A couple of items that were really handy on holiday were our inflatable boat (for using as a play area, paddling pool and boat in the big pool) and our UV pram cover. We also got Quinn a UV swim suit, this was great too as it meant we only needed to worry about putting suntan cream on her arms and legs.

   

We soon found a hat with a tie was helpful!

Quinn also hated the travel cot at first as the mattress is so skinny and hard, but with a new thicker mattress she now sleeps quite well in it.

Playing in her boat!

So, there we have a whistle stop account of the past five months. Hopefully I'll update this blog more than once in the next five months!

Love Lisa x