Granddad's birthday!

Today was my dads birthday - his first as a grandad! He absolutely loves max and was a bit miffed that we hadn't been to his at dinner to see him!

We've had a busy day today - max has finally got into a bit of a routine! He's always wanting to do something - whether it be bouncing or looking round, as long as he's getting attention! He's never just sat still in a chair or slept all day, since he was born. Everyone says its because I'm so soft with him but I enjoy singing to him and playing with him and I think he's been getting a bit overstimulated and then struggles to sleep for a long time in the day, let alone at night! So for the past couple of days I've been trying to follow a routine of feeding, playing and singing and then sleeping, roughly every three hours, and today we really saw the benefit as Max was far calmer and happier :) 

I also managed to get things done around the house and even found time to bake some cakes for my dad. 

I love baking, especially cupcakes, and my last trip to hobbycraft resulted in the purchase of a cupcake corer. It's a little device that cores and holds a section of your cupcake, so that you can fill it and then replace the cake - resulting in yummy filled cakes. I made two different types of cupcake today, an incredibly sickly chocolate cupcake, filled and topped with chocolate frosting and sprinkles and a sponge cupcake filled with jam and topped with icing and hundreds of thousands! They were lovely and went down a treat! The only trouble is, I end up eating half the ingredients as I make them! (Actually gaining weight now, instead of losing baby weight!)

I also baked a baggin cake for my dad. It's his favourite and the recipe has been passed down to me from my mum. I decided to share it, so you can all relish in the moist, fruity yumminess! 

Ingredients

8oz self raising flour

4oz caster sugar

4oz margarine 

4oz mixed fruit

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1 small cup containing 1 egg and topped with water

Method

• Preheat the oven to 190*C

• Mix all the ingredients together with a hand whisk

• Grease and line a loaf tin

• Pour the mixture into the tin

• Bake for 1 hour 15 mins

And there you have it... Yummy baggin cake!

Dad was happy with it, even though he got a yummy flake cake too! 

I'm absolutely shattered now. Unfortunately, all the excitement at mum and dads meant we really struggled getting max to sleep as he was overtired and grouchy. Finally got him down though, and hubby's just offered me a back rub so I'm off!!! Night all xx

Ice creams and walks!

Well today has been a lovely day, despite waking up feeling as though someone had stomped over my head a thousand times and stabbed me in the throat with hundreds of cocktail sticks! 

My mum was off visiting family and asked if I'd like to go with her. As much as I felt like burying myself under the covers and not waking until the hubby came home, I knew max was never going to let that happen so I might as well get out and about and see some family!

We set out and it turned out my mums cousin, who we was visiting, wasn't in. As we knew she'd be back later on we had a drive round the area, where my mum grew up. My mum started pointing out places as we drove past them, like an over excited tour guide, and before we knew it we'd been driving for an hour! Me and my sister did a bit of buttering up, and managed to convince mum to buy us an ice cream. (I may have a baby, but I am still a huge child at heart!) 

After visiting family, I headed home with a sleepy maxi moo and we went visiting the vicar about Max's baptism. It's booked for the 18th August after a huge commotion over the date, and I'm really excited but desperate to lose weight before then!

After tea we went for a walk which you would think would be a good effort towards the weight loss, however, I'm not sure it'll do much after the chippy chips we had with tea! Oops! 

*Yawn!*

So I'm led here at 3.29am with what can only be described as a banshee feeding off me. I think it's safe to say Max is still not feeling great. He's refusing any kind of bottle or cuddle and will only calm for boobies (which currently feel like I've been horrendously tortured and not in a Christian Grey kind of way!) 

So as I'm up and led here, nose blocked and running at the same time, sweating as the hubby cuddles up under the covers, I thought I might as well post an update on our bank holiday weekend!

I'm not sure what's going on with blogger- I think my time settings are wrong, but the last blog I wrote was Sunday morning - meaning the walk I wrote about was on the Saturday. 

Sunday we spent the morning taking photos. We really wanted a photoshoot of Max doing but with me being on statutory maternity pay and us now owning a very cute financial leach, it just wasn't going to happen! So I got our digital camera out, and an editing program and tried my hardest to get some semi professional shots (all encouragement/criticism/help would be accepted gratefully!)

Here is my favourite photo:

I'm incredibly biased but I think he's the most gorgeous baby ever!

Later on my brother was racing his motorbike just over a mile away so we had a walk down as the weather was lovely! My brother has raced since he was little and is fairly good! My dad would have Max on a motorbike from as soon as he could walk but I'm so not liking that idea! He did look super cute sitting on his uncles bike though!

That night we had a BBQ which Max slept through, before sitting and watching War Horse, which he also slept through! All the walking and fresh air tires him out! He's not the only one and I was feeling sleepy too but it was lovely to spend some much needed time with the hubby.

Monday was fairly chilled, we did our shopping in the afternoon and put Max in the trolley seats for the first time. (We normally just push the pram as well or use the trolleys that allow you to sit your car seat on, however I always end up banging my head on the car seat part when trying too get food from under it at the tills!) I was a bit worried he'd hate the seat and we'd be pushing the trolley around in a way that could only resemble an episode of supermarket sweep, with a screaming baby and disapproving stares from other customers! However, I think it's safe to say he loved it!

That night we went to visit Dave's dads.

We were lucky in that hubby had the Tuesday off work too as it fell on my sisters birthday. She turned 16, and I couldn't believe it. I can still remember helping mum looking after her at Max's age. Here are some photos from the day:

(An outfit my sister had bought him!)

Happy birthday Lou xxx

Bouncers and walks

Yesterday was the first lovely day we've had in a while. I had two grumpy men on my hands though, max was still a bit poorly and dave was tired and grumpy. Personally I think he needs to man up, but either way I ended up cleaning the house whilst they both kipped on the sofa. I don't mind cleaning so much when it's sunny and the patio doors are open - I actually find it therapeutic. I'm such a sad freak. Can't believe my life has come to this!!! 

Once the grumpy ones awoke it was like feeding time at the zoo - dave with his sandwiches and max wolfing down his bottle. Earlier on we'd bought max a door bouncer, but he'd been too tired to use it! He absolutely loves being on his feet. He used to love being bounced but his walking reflex has kicked in and if you stand him on your knees now he walks all the way up your stomach - a nice squishy mountain if he's on me! 

He's always had a strong neck - he could hold it up for short periods of time from birth so I felt happy and comfortable strapping him into the bouncer we got from mothercare. He was smiling immediately without even moving - probably as he felt like he was standing on his own! We tried to encourage him to bounce but he just wanted to walk and ended up hopping from one foot to the other! We thought it was hilarious - he looked like a little puppet! I'm sure he'll work it out eventually!

After about 10 minutes of bouncing (or half bouncing!) we decided to go for a walk. We're so blessed with beautiful paths and parks around us so we try and go to a different one each time. It was lovely to get out and the sun shone until we got home at half 6!

I hope you're all enjoying the sunshine :)

Bracelet :)

I had to go to work yesterday. As much as I miss max like mad, it is nice to have a little break. I work with about 50 men, and the banter and joking about is refreshing, especially today. I had a huge presentation to give this afternoon which would normally be enough to get me worked up, but as it happens - when you need your sleep you don't seem to get it! I got up around three to give max his feed and I just could not get back to sleep, despite being exhausted! So I rocked up to work at 7.15 like a zombie - and although working with lads is fun, it also means they won't think twice about telling you look like crap! It was a long day but I got my presentation done and had a nice surprise waiting for me when I got home!

I've been working on a pandora bracelet for a while that represents Max. I saw the idea on Instagram and thought it was brilliant. I have a few charms already, although they're not genuine charms so they slide about a bit which is annoying. However the bracelet looks really good and I love it!

Most of the charms are from eBay so it was fairly cheap to make (I already had the bracelet), with the charms costing roughly around £1 each. There are a few baby related ones (a bootie, bottle etc), one with an M on, and the rest have his birth stone in :) I do wish I'd used genuine charms on it but I honestly couldn't have afforded it - I'd probably only have one charm for the same amount of money as all those above.

You can make your own bracelet with bracelets from the pandora shop/website or replica bracelets from eBay, etsy or Argos!

Bedtime routine

We've been trying to get max into a routine at bed time. He's still only a baby but we figured the sooner we start with a routine, the easier it will be to get him to sleep when he's a little older as he'll recognise the cues that indicate bedtime. As Dave was out boxing tonight I was in charge of bedtime :)

We started with a warm relaxing bath. Max absolutely loves baths. Honestly, no matter how much he's screaming or throwing the worlds biggest 11 week old tantrum, a bath calms him down. I usually get in the bath with him as it makes it easier for me not leaning over the side. However, more than once, he's been known to poo in the bath! His dad was the first to suffer from this little surprise and he's not had a bath with him since!!!

We use Johnsons baby soothing naturals bubble bath. It's smells delicious and is great on Max's sensitive skin. 

There's a matching moisturiser that I used to use on myself before I even had a baby! 

After a thorough drying session, (normally with Max screaming at me in disgust as I've got him out of the bath!) I cover max in the moisturiser and give him a gentle rub. I also used a bit of metanium tonight as he's got a slight bit of nappy rash from being so poorly this week.

Before his last feed I tend to read him a story. He's probably too little to understand but he seems to like relaxing with a cuddle and listening to my voice as I read the short story. Tonight we had my favourite children's book; The Very Hungry Caterpillar.

After his feed its time for bed. We've still not got the hang of this yet. If he's nodded off during his feed then max is usually really good, but when he's still awake he hates being put down in his Moses basket and I can't leave him crying despite what I'm advised from many people. Usually I'll end up rocking him to sleep if he's still awake.

I love him so much. I love watching him sleep and wondering what kind of person he's going to be and what he will be interested in, but for now I'm more thsn happy with him being just my baby. My gorgeous sleepy baby.

Shopping and walking

The last couple of days have been quite chilled for me and Max. He's still not quite himself from being ill and so we've lazed around the house most of the time.

Yesterday, we had a little trip to the shops as Max was getting restless. I was let loose in Next which was as dangerous as always. Max came home with a new tshirt, coat and body warmer. 

Today we've had a quiet morning with lots of cuddles and smiles

This afternoon we went for a long walk. I've been struggling to lose the baby weight I put on whilst pregnant and to be completely honest, I just can't stop snacking! So I aimed to have a good long walk with Max this afternoon and burn some calories!

The pram we got for Max is the Red Kite Zebu. It's a travel system which is incredibly useful as were always on the go! I really wanted a carry cot but Max measured big throughout the entirety of my pregnancy, and I was worried that if I got a pram that requires the carry cot to be purchased separately then Max would grow out of it quickly and it'd be a waste of money. The zebu was a bargain at around £285 and included carry cot, car seat and push chair. The pram was a gift from my parents and we didn't see the point is spending a fortune when we didn't need to. I tried a lot of different prams and the zebu was light, easy to push and the suspension beat any other pram I tried including the Quinny Buzz and the icandy. 

After all my longing for a carry cot we must have used it around twice. We constantly use the car seat on the pram as its easy and quick, but for longer trips its not suitable. Max hated being led in his Moses basket when he's awake and we found unless you put him in his carry cot asleep he hated that too. I have put off putting him in the pushchair, despite it being suitable from birth, as I want to make the most of him being a baby. I wanted to keep him in the carry cot as long as I could, as I felt he'd be in the pushchair for long enough when he was older. However, he was wide awake at the beginning of our walk today and loves looking round so the pushchair it was!

We had a lovely walk around our local park, and the docklands and I was well and truly tired! Max was obviously worn out within five minutes as he was soon flat out! Luckily the pushchair can be angled into a horizontal position allowing him to lie out as he would in the carry cot.

It was a lovely hour and a half walk that I can't wait to do again. I burnt off plenty of calories too! :)

Bring on the snacks :D 

Hospitals and handprints!

This past week little Maxi Moo has been very poorly. He started on the Monday with a bit of diarrhoea which has continued throughout the week. His poos can only be described as something between toxic waste and chicken korma. Gone bad. Very bad. He had awful tummy pains which made him cry out in his sleep (nothing makes you jump more in the middle of the night!) and he was very grouchy, although he was still his smiley self when he didn't have tummy ache.
We tried lots of baths and tummy rubs to help settle his belly.

On the Friday he didn't seem any better so when I noticed a bit of blood in his nappy I immediately took him to the doctors. There he was referred to the paediatric ward at the hospital for assessment.

He was such a good boy and smiled at the nurses and doctor as they assessed him. He'd lost quite a bit of weight because of the illness but was still hydrated. They said he's either got a bad case of gastroenteritis or a possible lactose intolerance. I've been feeding him a combination of breast milk and formula as I've been back to work, so they recommended just breast milk for now and see how he gets on. 

He was allowed home and although he's still a bit poorly we've had lots of fun cuddling, singing and yesterday we did his clay handprint as I'm conscious of how big he's getting! 

Max is incredibly wriggly and always has his hands tight in a fist, so I think this is a good attempt! I love it :) 

Meet Max

Max David was born at 6.51am on the 5th March 2013. He was a whopping 9lbs 10 (no wonder I couldn't get him out!) and was absolutely gorgeous. 

Everyone that came and met him fell in love with him. He's the first grandchild on both sides and so he's already very spoilt. 

I have never loved someone or thing as much in my life. The past 2 and a half months have been amazing! 

Max loves being cuddled, bouncing, baths and swimming and lots of attention. He is now smiling at family and friends regularly and loves songs and tummy time. 

He hates being put down unless its info his changing mat where he will talk away at the baby on the nappy box next to him, being taken out of the bath and being led down. He will only lie in your arms like a baby if he is being fed, he prefers sitting up. 

He tends to wake for one feed at 4am, but gives mummy a lovely lie in then until   about 9am.

He is very strong, being able to lift his head at birth. He can now hold and control his head very well, stand and bounce with help and loves climbing and walking when held in a standing position. 

He is loved so, so much.