Happy Mothers Day ...

This post goes out to all the Mommies. The new ones enjoying their first special day, The ones that are a dab hand at this enjoying another and of course to all the 'Nannies' out there. Have a wonderful day and let the little ones spoil you.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

(I will be posting my Mothers Day experience shortly.)

Climate Week ... 'Protect The Future'.

 You may be aware, you may not be aware that this week is 'Climate Week'. 4th - 10th March 2013. This particular week has been supported by model and fitness guru, Nell McAndrew.

What's 'Climate Week' all about then? I hear you cry. Well, please let me tell you. As parents we have been called upon to take part in this superb week as we can make a difference. We can play our part in protecting our planet against the negative impact of climate change to ensure a sustainable future for the next generation.
Parenthood is a powerful trigger for concern about green issues. Two-thirds (66%) of mothers and fathers said that becoming a parent made them feel more strongly about protecting the environment. I am now in that percentage. Since having Montgomery my views on the future have changed. I don't look at the future for me (much) any more. I look at it as Montgomery's place and I want that place to be the best it can possibly be and if I have to play a part in that, then so be it. I am completely with 'Nell McAndrew' when she says:

"Becoming a parent makes you realise how important it is to protect the planet for future generations, and that's why I'm supporting 'Climate Week'."

Speaking of Nell McAndrew, heavily pregnant as she is with her second child, she is asking mums to take to social networking sites and post a picture of their pledge to 'Protect the Future' for their unborn children using #climateweek

Not only is this campaign backed by Nell but it also has full support by the UK's largest charity for parents - NCT, with their chief executive, Berlinda Phillips saying:

"Having a baby makes you re-evaluate your priorities and realise that for the sake of their future we need to look after the planet we rely on now. 'Climate Week' is a great opportunity to make some small changes which could make a huge difference."

 

This is pregnant campaign supporter Vanessa Doman with her pledge:- 'We must use less fossil fuel.'

So, do you want to get involved? Here's how:

GET SWAPPING

Did you know that 500,000 tonnes worth of clothes gets sent to landfill each year. We all have clothes we no longer like, DVD's we no longer watch and toys that our children have outgrown. So, why not swap them for something that you do want? Why not organise a 'Swap event' at your house, church, school, community centre etc? Oh, and guess what? If you register your event on the 'Climate Week' website, you could be in with a chance of winning a swap from Tom Jones, Frank Lampard or Hugh Laurie. AMAZING!

RUN AN EVENT

From bike rides to conferences. Plan something that works best for you and your organisation.

GREEN YOUR CUISINE
It is estimated that each household wastes 50 pounds a month on food that is thrown away. This year thousands of people across the country will be celebrating 'Climate Week'.
They will be celebrating by cooking bubble and squeak. Why not join them and cook it for your friends and family or get your local cafe involved.

GET THE T-SHIRT
Renowned fashion designer 'Julien McDonald' has created the official 'Climate Week' T-shirt bringing together celebrity models, singer - Katie Melua, actress - Emiliana Fox and Britains Got Talent judge - Alesha Dixon. These T-shirts were manufactured using wind and solar power, with a carbon foot print stamping lower than 90% of your regular T-shirt. Available for both men and women at 10 pounds each here: www.ecotopia.co.uk/climateweek    

Let's get pledging folks: #climateweek

Take to Twitter: #climateweek

Take to Facebook: www.facebook.com/ClimateWeek.org

and show your support! I will, will you?

Sick With Baby ...

One big apology coming your way folks. I totally did not post a Monday post and for that I am sorry. However, it was not due to laziness nor unwilling. No, it was all down to a wretched virusy, 24 houry, buggy thing that I seemed to had contracted. No worries though, it has all cleared up now. I am mended therefor back on the blogging scene. Huzzah!

You know what? I had not really given much consideration to being sick with my baby. I'm a parent and they don't get sick. They are mere machines that just keep on going and going, fighting through any lurgy that stands in there way. Right? WRONG! Very very wrong. Parents get sick. We do get sick. I got sick. Great!

I thought I would share my top tips for 'Being sick with your baby.' I hope that you are never sick with your baby. But, hoping doesn't always pay off. So, if ever you are, one hopes this will help.

1) Be prepared.
As soon as you feel under attack arm yourself. By that I do not mean dose yourself up to the eyeballs with lemsip, paracetamol or ibruforen. No. You can't do that if you are breastfeeding or nursing. But, you can make yourself a nice big jug of squash to put by the side of your bed,grab yourself some small snacks to nibble on throughout the day. Remember it is important not to get dehydrated when nursing or breastfeeding as you may suffer with a decrease in milk.
Grab a handful of your babies favourite toys and make the one side of the bed a den for them. This way they will be occupied while you rest in a place where you know they are safe.

2) Continue to nurse/breastfeed your baby.
You don't need to stop nursing or breastfeeding your child for fear of infection. Any infection that you may have, you will have already passed it on to your little one a while ago. when I say passed on, I simply mean exposed and by continuing to feed your child you will also be passing on the anti-bodies that your body is producing to fight it. So, your baby will either not contract your illness or get a much lower strain of it. You often find that in house holds where the baby is breastfed, you can all get sick and the baby will be fine.

3) Cancel all appointments.
Make your friends and family aware that you aren't well and you need to get better for your baby. Any sympathetic person will understand and you can always catch up some other time. If they are really gutted about not seeing you have them pop over and take the little one off your hands for a bit.
There really is no point wearing yourself out that much that your body just can't get better.

4) Accept help.
Don't be too proud to say "Yes" if someone offers their services. You may need a little something from the shops, a sibling picking up from school, your dog walked, a bath etc: If someone is offering, take them up on it. Remember your baby needs you to get better. So, the more rest you can get the quicker that will happen.

So, there you have it. My guide to 'Being sick with baby.' I hope you find some use in it. But, at the same time - I hope that you do not get sick.

I spent most of my sick day taking photographs of Montgomery. As you do.

Montgomery's Journey...

Join me on my Montgomery journey.

Basically, I have been going through my phone alot of late. You can't help but gasp at every photograph and exclaim 'Wow! Hasn't he grown?" or "Did he really look like that?" or "Gosh! I was big". You know the drill. Well, I found great enjoyment and pleasure in reminiscing through my photographs. So, I thought I would share that feeling with you all and give you the chance to be part of my Montgomery story. May I just add these photographs are off my phone so aren't of the highest quality. But, they are lovely and fun. They make you feel all fluffy and warm.

11 Weeks

 Just a teeny tiny 'Bumpling' starting to grow strong.

This is the actual book that we chose 'Montgomery' from. Karl bought it for 10p from the library at work as it was closing.

12 Weeks

 I liked wearing a stripe as it made my bump look a little bigger. :-)

 

 Our 12 week scan. We saw Montgomery for the first time.

 But, were you going to be a Christmas boy or a Christmas girl? We didn't know. So, Beatties saw us purchase these 2 beauties.

 We had a BBQ together with the dogs at home to celebrate the fact that we were going to be Mommy and Daddy to someone very special.

We started to get addicted to 'Frankie and Benny's' Breakfasts. Ooohps. We must have eaten one pretty much every single weekend through out out pregnancy. Got to be done!

16 Weeks

Still only a little 'Bumpling' in there.

17 Weeks

 Busy growing in there.

 Karl treated me to a wonderful lunch at 'Jamie's' in Birmingham.

 It really was delicious.

19 Weeks

 I loved watching my 'Bumpling' grow and taking photographs of it.

Our Wimbledon lunch.

27 Weeks

We celebrated my baby shower. This is my little sister - Rosie and my little brother - Louis. Neither of them look so little here.

30 Weeks

When did it get that big?!? I remember at this point we were convinced Montgomery was going to arrive early. (How wrong we were!)

31 Weeks

 We started to decorate the nursery. I made this unicorn.

 We finally finished the nursery.

34 Weeks

 The dogs started to get curious wondering what this little, kicking thing in Mommies tummy was.

35 Weeks

 And the belly button started to disappear.

38 Weeks

 Wow.

40+2 Weeks

Montgomery Veltman 

11/12/2012 -  9.05pm

8ib3

 And, there he was. Finally in our arms nice and safe. Mind you, he gave us quite a scare but we got there. To say that were are the proudest parents on earth would be a huge under-statement. With all my heart I love this little being and will continue to be proud of him in all that he does.

11 Weeks Old

 So, this is him today. I can't believe how much he is growing. It's unreal. Sometimes, I have to look back over these photographs to remind myself just how tiny and fragile he once was. 

Note to my son, Montgomery Veltman: One day you won't be this tiny. In fact, you will never be this tiny every again. Today will be the only day that you look like this. Tomorrow you will be different. Tomorrow you will have changed, you will have grown. Your hair will be that little bit longer, your eyes that little brighter, your smile that little bit more real and your body will be that bit stronger. So, for every stage you go through, for every spurt you grow, for every new emotion you feel and every new object that you touch, always know that you are loved very much and are never alone in any journey you take. I will be right beside you ever step of the way. One day, you won't need me anymore and I will no doubt just become an embarrassment to you. But, Ill still be here, waiting for you to realise that perhaps, as hard as it is - You need your mom.

Montgomery's Song ...

I don't know about you other Mommy and Daddy's out there. But, Montgomery enjoy listening to alot of music together. It's something we take great pleasure in. Most days we enjoy a good 'living room boogie' with each other. We even have 'Our song'. I wish to share this song with you as it is very special to us. I found this track the week Montgomery was born and since then I just can't play it to him enough. I very much love it and I am starting to believe that he does too.

Enjoy!

Growing, growing ... Up

Look how big Montgomery Veltman has got lately. Oh, and we appear to have mastered the smile.

 

There are only 2 things in this world capable of melting things:

1) - Heat

2) - Montgomery my son

 

Once again may I thank 'J.B.Photography' for these superb photographs.

Water Babies ...

 

I always knew that I wanted my child to be a confident swimmer from a young age. I also always knew that I wanted swimming to be a bonding experience between my child and I and my child and hubby. So, as soon as we knew we knew we were pregnant I got hunting. Not hunting for rabbit or deer. No, hunting for the perfect swimming method for my 'Bumpling'. It didn't take much hunting if I am honest as everyone I spoke to seemed to advise me in the same direction. Let me tell you, that direction was most definitley the RIGHT direction. They pointed me towards 'Water Babies'. For this I thank you all.

Montgomery has now started his ten week course with 'Water Babies' and he thinks it is wonderful. We have now attended 2 sessions at a local school to us. In those 2 weeks Montgomery has learned far more than I (and I am a strong swimmer) and his Father could ever have taught him. He has even completed 2 under-water swims, which as scary as it is, is also one of the most amazing things that I have ever seen

For those of you that have done your 'Water Babies' research may be very aware that these sessions do come with quite a price tag and I will be honest in saying I too was unsure as to whether to part with that much money to dunk my child in some water or not. But, honestly you really should believe me when I say "The lessons are worth every singly penny and more". What they manage to fit into a half an hour session is truly wonderful. At first I thought half an hour sounded like no time at all and "How can they possibly teaching Montgomery to swim in so little time?' But, I was very much mistaken in my view. Half an hour is just the right amount of time for both guardian/parent and child. They seem to fit a wealth of water skills into that time. 

Montgomery, Karl and I now know how to swim together safely and effectively. we now know how to support Montgomery correctly when swimming through the pool. But, most of all we know how to erase any fear that he may have of the water. To me that is the most important thing and is key to being a good swimmer. How amazing that our little boy is well on his way to understanding how to stay afloat in the water and in dangerous situations. Montgomery is not scared of being underwater and this could be vital in certain circumstances that we may have to face in the future. 

The concept behind 'Water Babies' is simple: They are teaching you to teach your baby to swim. And, from that both you and your baby learn so much more. 

Hopefully, Montgomery will continue to grow as a little swimmer as the weeks go on. I will most definitley keep you all up to date on how our little boy is doing. But, in the meantime why don't you check out 'water Babies' at the following:

Website: http://www.waterbabies.co.uk/index.php

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WaterBabiesUK?ref=ts&fref=ts

Twitter: @WaterBabies