19 months in

So Wee B is now 10 months old and bares no resemblance to that tiny wee thing that we brought home from the hospital (though at the time we did not think that he was tiny)  He is now 24lbs and today started to crawl and walk.  This being the case you would be forgiven for thinking that todays header is a mistake - I did say 10 months.  It is not, we made it through 9 months of pregnancy and 10 months of the baby, so 19 months it is.  

Looking back it is crazy how much we have learnt, about ourselves, about our wee boy and about what utter tosh you are fed when you find out you are expecting - and especially what is in a lot of the books you can get.

For me here are the things we learnt

When Pregnant

- Everyone wil want to have an opinion about what you do - the only people that count are you and the medical professionals that you will see - just smile and nod at other people.

- Maternity clothes are really expensive and, on the whole unattractive.  Just find a couple of things you like and buy a couple of pairs of each thing when you need them

- Bumps are uncomfortable, the bigger you get (and I got big) the more they feel odd - and thats ok, get some pillows to help

- Leg/foot cramp happens a lot. drink your water, have a banana before bed and keep your feet and lower legs warm - it helps

- Don't look on the internet - really don't, you will already be worrying - the internet just makes it worse.

- Stuff - you don't need lots of it.  You need 

• Somewhere for baby to sleep
• Nappies
• Cotton Wool
• Babygrows
• Receiving blankets (plenty of these)
• Muslin Cloths

If you have nothing other than this then you will still survive.  B grew out of almost all his clothes within 1 month.

When you have had the baby

- It is going to be painful accept that and then move about - it helps, a lot

- Hospitals are grim- R had to go home and leave me there when we were induced and he had to leave out with visiting hours

- Don't buy loads of more stuff - other than muslin cloths

- When you go out pack a change of clothes for you and baby.  You feel 100% better if baby is sick on you (and they will be) if you can change.

- Take time to get a bath/shower.  It makes you feel so much better if you can have one every day

- Everyone will want to have an opinion about what you do - the only people that count are you and the medical professionals that you will see - just smile and nod at other people.

A running theme here is stuffWe knew when we were expecting B that we would be relocating, for a while at least, to the US and, although this was stressful at the time I actually think it helped with the stuff part.  Babies outgrown things very quickly, so be prepared and find somewhere you can donate things and don't spend too much

The receiving blankets and muslin cloths- those you want, by the hundreds.  B has reflux, this means that, amongst other things, he throws up, a lot (in terms of volume and frequency). He is getting better and we have new medication that helps with the irritation.  For us we never sat with B or fed him not on a receiving blanket - it saves your clothes, and furniture and sanity if you have less to clean up.  

Even if your baby does not have reflux, get the cloths, your baby will dribble and throw up and plain muslin cloths are relatively cheap, wash well and do the job.

Books - whether they are about sleep, development - or anything else, take them with a pinch of salt.  Go with your gut and just use them as reference points or for ideas.  If you are governed by a book then you will feel miserable when it does not work and it is just not worth 

The biggest lesson we learnt?  Enjoy your time with the small person.  10 months in and the baby is gone and a real little person is emerging and you don't want to miss that