It's Only Taken (Just Over) 11 Months but...

C is finally crawling!

Let me begin by saying, I think it's my fault that he didn't start earlier. With him being premature, I really wrapped him in cotton wool. I barely let him down onto the ground as we have wooden floors and I was so worried he'd hurt himself. 

He started off where he would push with his legs but not know what to do with his arms so he'd end up pushing down onto his face (with his legs trying) but getting nowhere and this frustrated him. I hated seeing him get so upset and cry so I stopped.

Recently though, he's been turning himself onto all fours on the sofa and crawling up trying to grab things off the table. It's easier for him to get grip on the settee.

I took all his clothes off and tried him on the ground. He pushed himself up on all fours and moved one knee forward, then the second one....then moved his hands! I couldn't believe it! He's almost one and almost confident enough to walk on his own but he's only crawling now!

We did have a few 'banging his face on the ground' incidences (one resulted in a fat lip) but he's okay!

At what age did your little one start crawling?

C's First Trip to the Beach

On Tuesday (9th July), we decided to go on a family day out. We hardly ever get good weather in Northern Ireland and we rarely have a full week together as a family (Chris had the week off). We chose to go to the beach, Portrush to be exact.

What is this? A train!?

We hopped on the train and everyone must have had the same idea as us. The pushchair area was full so Chris had to stand with the pram at the doors whilst C and I sat down. The journey was 1 hour and 45 mins....of HELL. It was absolutely packed and really hot. People were squeezing about everywhere and C was getting tired. He eventually fell asleep sitting upright on my knee.

We finally arrived in Portrush. We bought a ball and bucket and spade and headed for the beach. C had a little snack of raspberries and blackberries then we changed him into his swimming costume.

I brought him down the water which he seemed to enjoy the first time but then had a cry the second time! I don't have any photos of this as Chris had to stay with the pram and I didn't fancy bringing my phone down!

It was such a great day and C had lots of fun playing with his bucket and spade....until he fell face first into the sand! He cried his little heart out (mummy and daddy had a bit of a giggle which seemed to upset him more!). He looked like an ice cream that had been dipped in hundreds and thousands!

We then went for a chippy tea - a great day all round! Well, except for me being left with this!:

Have you taken your little ones to the beach this summer?

C's First Teeth

After teething for what feels like years, C cut his first tooth on 19th of June. Then, 6 days later, his second one came through!

I thought the initial teething was hard. The constant drooling, wanting to chew anything and everything going and crying because it was hurting him. Nothing prepared me for that week or so when they were literally about to cut.

We lay in bed (we co-sleep) and suddenly he woke up screaming at around 2am. This was a proper scream. I'd never heard anything like it. I panicked in case he was hurt and tried everything I could to settle him. Even speaking to him and trying to act normally and make him laugh did nothing. I ran downstairs and got his Calpol and after swallowing it, he drifted off to sleep. This happened a few times over the next week (obviously, at the time I didn't know he was going to cut his teeth, I just thought it was an overhang from the fever that he'd recently had) and I noticed one day that I could feel a sharpness on his gum - a tooth!

He was fine for a couple of days then the screaming started again. This time I was prepared for another tooth. He hasn't bit me yet and hasn't bit himself. It took me ages to get a photograph as he's constantly covering them with his tongue (what's all that about!?)

It makes me happy and sad at the same time. Sad because he's not my little gummy baby anymore and happy because I'm so proud of how far he's come along and his development.

The Day We Got to Bring C Home

On Thursday 4th of October 2012. I went to see C in SCBU as I did every day. This day was different though.

I walked in, disinfected my hands (as I was so used to doing) and walked straight over to my tiny baby boy. A nurse then came over and said the words that I'd been waiting to hear, "I think he's ready to go home soon". I couldn't believe it. We were told he'd probably be kept in until my due date (November 7th) so it was a lovely surprise. I was filled with worry though. C was well looked after with these nurses, would I be able to do a good job looking after him when we got home?

On Saturday 6th of October 2012, Chris and I got to stay in a family room at the hospital with C as we were first time parents. They wanted us to get a taste of what it would be like looking after this premature baby totally on our own (but the nurses were nearby just in case!). Chris had work at 7am the next morning so I let him get some sleep. I didn't sleep at all. I knew that I wouldn't. I sat up all night watching C's chest move up and down with every breath. Waiting for him to wake up for his feeds and nappy changes and noting them down in his chart.

Daddy feeding C in the family room

Before I knew it, it was the next morning; 7th of October 2012. The day we got to bring him home. The nurse came to ask how we got on and I said that we had no problems at all. I had to wait around while the consultant came to give the green light on C leaving. I had told them that they could take their time as Chris was working and I didn't want to bring him home without him!

I rang Chris when it was time and his mum and brother came up pick us up (with Chris, of course) and she brought me straight up to see my dad and sister. This was the first time that they'd see him (my sister wasn't allowed in as the only visitors that were allowed in NICU & SCBU were parents and grandparents and my dad hadn't come because I knew that it would upset him, seeing C like that).

C in his car seat coming home

My sister - proud auntie

After a couple of hours, Chris's mum picked us up and we went to her house (again, the first time for everyone seeing C). I don't think that anyone was expecting him to be as small as he was.

Chris's brother - proud uncle

Chris's sister and fiancé - auntie and uncle

We took C home about an hour later and got him all settled. Our first full day looking after a baby on our own went smoothly. I hoped that it would stay that way.

C finally at home - getting burped by daddy

I've been accepted!

When I was at school, I did well in my GCSEs. The only two A's that I got were in French and Spanish. I continued them into A level and thought "this is what I want to do with my life!"

I applied for University and got accepted into University of Ulster to do French & Spanish. I finished the first term (til Christmas break) and I felt as though I just wasn't enjoying it. I decided to stick it out as it might have just been because I was so used to being off for Christmas. Fast forward a few months and I decided to leave. I cried my eyes out to Chris, saying "I've wasted so much time! Languages was the only thing I was good at!"

I took some time to myself and just continued working. I saw a Forensic Science course in college and went for it. I enjoyed watching all those types of shows and I like science. After being there, I found out that the criminal psychology side of it was for me.

In January 2012, I applied for an Access to University course in Sociology and Psychology but a month later, I fell pregnant with C. As I was due in November I didn't see the point of doing the course for two months then having to leave to have a baby (of course, he arrived at the end of September but I wasn't to know that that was going to happen!).

Come January 2013, I applied again. I went to the information night and I kept my fingers crossed. Last week, I received an email:

"Dear Rebecca,
Your application for Access Certificate in Foundation Studies (QUB) has been considered and I am pleased to be able to make you an offer"

I'm delighted! It's only part-time as now I have the baby but I cannot wait to get started! I feel like I'm finally doing something with my life.

Don't forget to enter my giveaway!

Magic Moments - 22/04/2013

I don't think many words are needed for this weeks Magic Moments. Just watch the video below.

Chris decided to do this (for some unknown reason) and this was C's reaction. It was so unexpected that I just had to make a dash for the camera!

This is a blog hop from The Oliver's Madhouse