Beside the seaside, beside the sea

Last year's holiday to Lyme Regis

So by now, my LIFE AS IT WAS, featured a ten-month-old and an almost four-year-old. And, it has to be said, a few more grey hairs. 

It was about this time, Simon and I went camping to Dorset for a holiday, prior to visiting Weymouth for the Olympic sailing event.

10 must do's when holidaying with the kids...

In a few days, my family and I are off on holiday. We are flying to Spain and then going straight from Bournemouth airport on our return, to Lyme Regis. CUE song: Oh I do love to be beside the seaside; and if I'm honest, I'm far more excited about the latter - and that's not just because of our recent AMAZING summer weather either!

When it comes to packing, it pays to be organised right? I have definitely got my work cut out for me this year; I'm having to plan and pack for two holidays in one. I figured making a list would help. All you list makers out there just nodded right?! And you will no doubt already have your own from way back when, you organised bunch. But if you don't have a checklist yet, and you want to share mine, please do: Just click on camping or abroad

Meanwhile, here are TEN must do’s for TRAVELLING with kids.

Royal musings of a 4YO

On hearing the news about the new royal baby, Esme made her own announcement.

e: Mummy, one day I'm going to marry the new Prince.
m: Yes, I suppose you could.
e: And we will live in Princess land.
m: Brilliant. 
e: Will you and Daddy live with us in the palace?
m: You bet.

Slightly giddy musings of a mummy re the arrival of a new royal

So I've come over all royalist!

Sod the republicans... CHEERS! I'm raising a glass to you, the new baby prince, no name as of yet. To record the very moment you made your first appearance. It was live on the ever so fabulous Channel 4 news. I watched as Wills & Catherine appeared, walked down the steps - her in heels! To show you off to the world.  Wrapped in a shawl, in first your mother's arms, and next your father's. Yes, somewhat tardy, but you are here now - and so very welcome little Prince, third in line to the throne. 
It is most lovely to see you!

Esme finishes her reception year at school today. And the highlights were...

First ever parents eve when we were greeted with the news that the teacher had to tell Esme to be quiet. 
RATHER A LOT.

First ever nativity when I had Mary envy.

First ever assembly when her one line was the impressive, 'and began to spin her silky thread.' (The topic was mini beasts).

First ever sports day when she almost won, (or that's what she thinks). Check out the concentration...

Picture credit: Nichola Telehagen

What to take on hols with you when going abroad...

Holidaying abroad list	Check
Passports, tickets, travel Insurance docs, EH1C cards, voucher for car park & car rental the other end, car seats if taking. Info on what to do, guidebook, baby sitting service, best restaurants

What to take on hols with you when camping...

Camping  Info on what to do, guidebook, best restaurants etc

A letter to Sofia Faith (part 3)

Sofia sweetheart, you had suddenly found a contented serenity at Christmas which was to calm us all. But shortly after that, you had vaccinations, and they were the start of your being unwell in other ways. In short, we had two further months of screaming.

You really didn’t settle into yourself until you were six months old. And suddenly you arrived. Your placid little sunny self was here. And by God, it was a revelation... we all love(d) you so.

A letter to Esme Grace

I had a new baby, a much longed for sibling for you darling. And she cried. Lots. 

And frankly... It was all rather shit.

I went to ground. And there, I went to pieces. 

I spent six months muddling through with you both. 

Esme your love for Fia lasted seven days exactly. And the day that your father returned to work after a week's paternity, was the day the wheels fell off. 

I remember Nanny visited and asked you outright if you liked having a baby? You said 'no.' She asked you if she could take her home, and you said 'yes,' then smiled at the prospect.

You clearly disliked the new baby in our lives and hey, who could blame you; all she did was scream. I remember you covered your ears all the time, wailing to me too, 'Mummy, the baby is crying.' 

You retaliated with wild behaviour. Mostly as I was trying to feed Sofia. Cutting your hair one morning was classic. What was so incredible about that incident though was when you voiced why to your father...

I was in the rocking chair, nursing. Daddy was in the shower. Esme, you were colouring. Or were supposed to be colouring. Instead, you pulled a chair across to the bookcase, climbed up and took the now in reach scissors. Then you gave yourself a fringe, (wonky as), before trotting upstairs to show your Daddy. You got his attention immediately... mission accomplished honey.

e: Daddy, I've cut my hair.
d: You've done what?
e: (Louder) Cut my hair.
d: Why did you do that?
e: Because I wanted you to come to me. 

(Note: To date, that fringe has almost grown out again!)

Dealing with the two of you took time to get used to. As you would scream non-stop Fia, Esme you would demand. I was a walking zombie due to the no sleep factor and it was only a matter of time before Daddy would find the iron in the fridge.

I had no patience for your impatience Esme. In fact, I had zero tolerance for your impatience Esme, and I’m sorry about that. The television was on. A lot. 

To top having a baby sister arrive, you also began a new nursery in the same week. Yet again, you showed what a resilient little thing you are, as you took it all in your stride – aside from having no patience of course. Getting you there on time (9.30am) took all my efforts initially. I will always remember Fia howling and you shouting to be heard over her, 'Mummy, can I ride my scooter?' – Invariably you did.

I did receive a call from nursery sometime into your first term. They wanted me to have your hearing checked as they thought there was a problem. I knew of course that there was a problem - her name was Sofia and your world was turned upside down. 

We had your hearing checked, it was perfect. I remember you sat in the office at a table wearing headphones. Every time you heard a pitched peep, you had to put a farm animal in a pot. Clearly bored, and clearly hearing fine, you made me laugh out loud, when you removed the headphones, nodded to them, and whispered, 'Mummy, I want some of these in pink.' You've always been such a girl! - Apart from the time you actually lifted your leg to pass wind, age two.

After a morning at nursery you would always eat a good lunch – your favourite being scrambled egg. Or pasta. If you could get your hands on chocolate then you would be ecstatic. You would always show it to Sofia before eating it up. Not to be unkind, quite the opposite. You wanted to share the excitement. And with chocolate, it was never a case of eating it up as fast as you possibly could, no, strangely from the first time you tasted it, you would lick it, nibble it, and delectably savour it for as long as was possible. And amazingly, there wouldn't be any chocolate lost to your cheeks or chin.

I will always love watching you eat chocolate.

I will always love watching you.

I will always love you.

A letter to Sofia Faith (part 2)

The time since you've been with us Sofia has been fraught and fractious. You began to scream when you were 24 hours old and you screamed constantly for the first four months, until pretty much Christmastime, when your present to us was a new found calmness.

Yes, like Esme, you've had tummy troubles too. The wonderful paediatric consultant that we saw with her, would later tell me with you, that to have a first allergic baby was rotten luck, but to have a second… was just rotten. Oh poor me!

So you both had tough starts, and I guess because of that, so did Daddy and I too. Just like Esme, you were lactose intolerant and allergic to dairy. But it was by Christmas that I'd managed to work it all out. I managed to breastfeed you by being dairy-free myself. Although breast-feeding came with its own difficulties. My kahunas were so so massive, it was difficult for you to feed without suffocating! 

In time, you were on a prescription formula that suited you, taking baby Gaviscon for the terrible colic and silent reflux that plagued all our days and nights.

I survived on four hours sleep a night for the first six months. Daddy spent many a night on the sofa with earplugs. You took ages to loose the foetal position. You kept your hands up in your face for the first two months, maybe a little more. 

You loved a dummy. It certainly brought you comfort. Just as well. You didn’t smile for three months due to pain. And then your smiles were sporadic. You were dubbed a disgruntled Churchill, and earned the nickname Winnie. 

Bless you. You had it hard. But then I think we all had it hard...

Two days in...

A letter to Sofia Faith (part 1)

You weren’t named immediately my darling. We were so elated that it had all gone so smoothly and that we had you here with us. That first hour with you was precious. The room was quiet and we were left to ourselves to stare at you in wonder and awe.

Daddy wanted to call you Sofia. And as he had just that moment before given me a beautiful eternity ring, I could hardly say no. Besides, I liked Faith for a middle name, and the writer in me, loved how the 'fia' and the 'Fai' sat together. So that was that. Although, as time has gone on you have shown solidly that you truly suit Mabel, and I've often used it for you, with great affection.

Oh that affection. We loved you so fiercely from the moment we held you. Our new life, our little sister for Esme Grace. Our Sofia Faith.

You weighed 8lb and I was pleased to see you had a few folds on you. Many bracelets of skin overlapping on each arm. How we could not stop watching you; taking in every detail there was to take. You had a little dot of a mark on your right earlobe that resembled a piercing - the very same as Esme. 

As we watched you in that first hour, you watched right back at us with your gorgeous wide open blue eyes. Our lives had changed yet again forever.

There was of course one person missing in that room the night you were born. Little Esme Grace. She met you the following afternoon when she climbed up on the hospital bed and peered in the little perspex cot beside it. Seeing you, she said to me, ‘I love her Mummy.’ Seriously, those were her first words.

and Grace met Faith for the first time

FRAMED

Sofia Faith, newborn

A baby after miscarriage? And the point is...

To pass the point in pregnancy, where you last lost a pregnancy, your heart skips a beat. 

To pass the point in pregnancy, where you've had both your scans and find out everything is alright, your heart skips another beat. 

To pass the point in pregnancy, when that pregnancy becomes viable, you breathe a massive sigh of relief. And your heart skips a few more beats.

To pass the point in pregnancy of your due date, again you breathe a massive sigh of relief. And your heart skips a few more beats.

When you pass the point of giving birth to your baby, you cry tears of joy. 

And then you smile. Properly. Completely. And possibly for the first time that entire pregnancy. 

And when you pass that very point, and you finally hold your baby, your heart simply skips.

Even more down to earth with a bump (16)

Welcome Sofia Faith (PART 2)

As we were getting in the car, Simon stopped to chat to a neighbour. The enormity of how close our baby was to arriving, simply didn't register with him. But I was all too aware. 

Sitting was impossible, instead I leant over the back seat. As Simon began to drive he clocked me in the rear view. Then at last, he decided to put his foot down. Finally, he realised. Perhaps it was because by now, I was unable to talk. We flew 100mph up the A3.

Even more down to earth with a bump (15)

Welcome Sofia Faith (PART 1)

Sofia Faith was born September 1st, 2011. She came into the world in a hurry and almost arrived on the A3 whilst racing toward Royal Surrey Hospital. Within 30minutes of being there, she was in my arms. And I was in love.

Even more down to earth with a bump (14)

continuing my journey of Sofia Faith's pregnancy

WEEK THIRTY-EIGHT

This week I’ve had no niggles whatsoever and the backache and period pain has ceased. The thrush however is still present. Persistent or what? The midwife said the conditions 'down there' are perfect for it to thrive. Have invested in a hefty probiotic tablet to try and counteract it. I hear that the probiotic is also good for preventing colic. We will see... but that would be amazing.

WEEK THIRTY-NINE

I'm almost there; approaching my due date. I'm feeling very positive. At this point in the pregnancy, I'm happy that our baby is getting to develop its lungs fully, although I'm aware that the babe is getting bigger every day. ;-(

At night time, I'm now waking up at least four times for a wee. ;-(

The baby is not engaged or even remotely low for that matter. Apparently baby number two doesn't necessarily engage - they pop in and out and up and down all the time. Come to think of it, Esme didn't engage fully either. She was very high up, when I was induced and she was forced into making her journey out of me way before she was ready. She was so poorly though. (I'd use a further sad face here but it goes against the writer in me).

WEEK FORTY

The midwife measured me and I am 44cms. SHOCK! HORROR! A whole four cm bigger than I ought to be. (If you go by the books that is). Pah! What do the books know?! However, I have galloped in size. 

They're sending me for an obsterician appointment. Not just because I'm measuring big for dates but because my urine sample has shown  up a high white cell count. Of course this indicates infection. And yes, I still have thrush. I'm actually rather worried now.

Almost due and fit to burst!

Even more down to earth with a bump (13)

continuing my record of Sofia Faith's pregnancy

WEEK THIRTY-FIVE

Has been a positively lovely week. It started with a chilled out weekend and a wonderful MLD massage which gave me a real boost of energy. Lately I've felt exhausted just climbing the stairs.

I went out for a meal with some girlfriends and actually felt normal again - not pregnant. I enjoyed myself immensely. Probably haven't done enough of that, these last few weeks.

I ticked off two of the three outstanding pieces of work I'd left to write and put feelers out for the fourth. I am getting there. I suppose writing really ought to take a back seat and I should pack that hospital bag!

Esme has been both settled and happy. AND talking about the baby a lot more than usual. As if she knows it's soon. It is just as well she is being so good for me in the day – I am not sleeping well at night. My bump is cumbersome and uncomfortable. Plus I've had thrush as well this week. Sorry about that. Oh the joys of pregnancy.

Summer's arrived

So the rails are buckling at Waterloo. So the M25 is melting. So the UK has been basking in above average temperatures all week. So the heat wave is set to continue... So I am  (we are) loving it. Woo-hoo!