Tag: weather

Ninth Family Portrait (31st May 2021)

Post author By Jocelyn Allen
Post date 2 August 2021

Family portrait. Tiago and me are sat on the floor and B is sat on Tiago's lap wth one hand resting on T's arm, and one one resting on my arm. — **Ninth Family Portrait (31st May 2021)**

#WellThisWeekendWeHadOurFirstNightAwayFromMyNansHouseSinceWeMovedIn
#ICanNotBelieveThatWeHaveBeenLivingHereForSevenMonthsAlready
#IWasSupposedToWriteAListOfThingsToTakeButOfCourseIDidNotAndWeForgotAFewThings
#TheMostMajorThingWasBsNoiseMachineThatPlaysWhileSheSleeps
#WeUsedMyPhoneForNapsAndThenTiagosForTheNight
#OfCourseTheBatteryDiedButIThinkBOnlyWokeUpVeryBrieflySoThatWasGood
#WeWentToLiverpoolAsWeAreStillInTouchWithPeopleFromOurNCTGroup
#AndTheFirstBirthdayPartiesAreStartingToHappenSoWeWentForAJointParty
#ItWasAShameThatNotEveryoneCouldBeThereForItWasNiceToSeeSixOfThemTogether
#BWasSuperShyWhenWeArrivedAndHeldBackOnOurPicnicBlanket
#AfterAWhileSheWasQuiteContentCrawlingRoundPickingUpEveryonesBearShapedPotatoSnacks
#ItRemindedMeOfGoingToSchoolDiscosAndJustSeeingHowManyBagsOfCrispsICouldEat
#ThePartyHatsDidNotLastLongButTheyAllSeemedToEnjoyThemselvesAndItWasNiceToCatchUpWithTheOtherParents
#TheNextDayWeWentToMeetFriendsInTheCentreToHaveLunch
#ItWasBsFirstMealAtARestaurantAndOurFirstSinceMovingToBirmingham
#SheJustHadBitsOfOurFoodAndIShouldHaveTakenAPictureOfHerCoveredInTomatoSauce
#ItWasSoHotOut
#LuckilyTheRestaurantManagedToGiveUsSomeShadeAsIWasWorriedAboutBGettingTooHot
#IThoughtItWouldHaveBeenReallyHotAtTheBirthdayPartyButItWasNotSoIDidNotDressAppropriately
#LiverpoolLookedLikeItWasBackToNormalAsThereWereSoManyPeople
#WeWantedToGetAPictureWithTheBeatlesStatueButItWasTooBusy
#IFeelAwkwardHavingAPhotoTakenWithSoManyPeopleWatchingToo
#WeWentToOpenEyeGalleryBrieflyToSeeFriends
#WeUsedTheBabyChangingFacilitiesAndItWasTheFirstTimeWeHaveChangedHerNappyInAPublicPlaceSinceMovingIThink
#WePlannedToGetOnTheRoadWhenItWasTimeForBsSecondNapSoSheCouldSleepInTheCar
#OfCourseInTheEndWeLeftReallyLate
#BWasOvertiredAndCriedALotInTheCar
#SheEndedUpSleepingFor10MinutesAboutTwoHoursLaterThanSheShouldHave
#ThoughIWasABitRelievedAsIWasWorriedSheWouldNeedASuperLateBedtimeByThatPoint
#HerRoomWasHotWhenWeGotBackSoWeTriedPuttingHerInAShortSleevedVestAndLuckilySheSleptTheWholeNight

2nd August: I’m not totally sure on the photo editing. I had edited it differently, but I did not like it. I prefer this, but I’m still not sure. I like how B has one hand on Tiago and one on me though.

#WellThisWeekendWeHadOurFirstNightAwayFromMyNansHouseSinceWeMovedIn #ICanNotBelieveThatWeHaveBeenLivingHereForSevenMonthsAlready

I was anxious about it all, but it was nice to get away and see people.

#IWasSupposedToWriteAListOfThingsToTakeButOfCourseIDidNotAndWeForgotAFewThings

All that packing for one night… We took way too much stuff but I would rather take too much than too little. It took me a minute to remember how B’s cot folds up, but I managed it.

I do need to make a list for day trips and overnight stays though.

#TheMostMajorThingWasBsNoiseMachineThatPlaysWhileSheSleeps

Great. I remember saying to myself that I needed to pack it. Annoyingly I had gone in her room and noticed that I nearly forgot to take her nappies, but the noise machine is tucked out of the way.

#WeUsedMyPhoneForNapsAndThenTiagosForTheNight

This is what we played.

#OfCourseTheBatteryDiedButIThinkBOnlyWokeUpVeryBrieflySoThatWasGood

T’s phone needed to be charged so we had it plugged in for a bit, but we were worried about it being on all night so T went in to turn it off, and of course his phone died.

I did hear her briefly wake up at one point and that might have been why. It was good that she slept without it, but I thought with other people around it was a good idea to use it.

#WeWentToLiverpoolAsWeAreStillInTouchWithPeopleFromOurNCTGroup

NCT being the National Childcare Trust. We did a course with them to learn about looking after a baby, but also as we wanted to meet people as we didn’t know many people in Liverpool. And then we left.

#AndTheFirstBirthdayPartiesAreStartingToHappenSoWeWentForAJointParty

We can’t go to all of the parties (if it was a shorter drive then we would do), so it was nice that there was one for three of them. Shame we don’t have a group like them in Birmingham.

#ItWasAShameThatNotEveryoneCouldBeThereForItWasNiceToSeeSixOfThemTogether

The last time we saw some of them they were very small and not doing much. Now they are all crawling, standing up and one was walking! There are eight in total.

#BWasSuperShyWhenWeArrivedAndHeldBackOnOurPicnicBlanket

She just buried her head in it. I think it was because we were next to a lot of Dads and she doesn’t really see a lot of men. She’s usually less shy if there are a lot of babies around.

#AfterAWhileSheWasQuiteContentCrawlingRoundPickingUpEveryonesBearShapedPotatoSnacks

I don’t let B eat a lot of salt so she was in heaven. She was also eating a lot of triangular shaped adult snacks. I was surprised she ate so much dinner afterwards…

#ItRemindedMeOfGoingToSchoolDiscosAndJustSeeingHowManyBagsOfCrispsICouldEat

I think I ate seven once. Classy me.

#ThePartyHatsDidNotLastLongButTheyAllSeemedToEnjoyThemselvesAndItWasNiceToCatchUpWithTheOtherParents

They looked cute with them on. B’s was too big for her so I had to tie a knot in it.

#TheNextDayWeWentToMeetFriendsInTheCentreToHaveLunch

It was weird parking there as we always walked from home when we lived there.

#ItWasBsFirstMealAtARestaurantAndOurFirstSinceMovingToBirmingham

It seemed like a big occasion. I took no photos.

#SheJustHadBitsOfOurFoodAndIShouldHaveTakenAPictureOfHerCoveredInTomatoSauce

We looked at getting a meal for her, but we thought she would have barely eaten it. They had a kids menu, but it seemed for a lot older kids.

#ItWasSoHotOut

I had to take my shoes off as I was melting.

#LuckilyTheRestaurantManagedToGiveUsSomeShadeAsIWasWorriedAboutBGettingTooHot

And someone let us move as I could not have sat in the sun for that long.

#IThoughtItWouldHaveBeenReallyHotAtTheBirthdayPartyButItWasNotSoIDidNotDressAppropriately

It was fairly cold at the park for the party, so I thought the next day would be more of the same. I had shaved my legs in a hurry before we left Brum and cut my ankle quite badly (I’ve never cut myself that much shaving in my life). If I had known it would have been so hot I would have had no leggings on and worn sandals. Oh well. That’s what we get for being away from home and not checking the weather as much.

#LiverpoolLookedLikeItWasBackToNormalAsThereWereSoManyPeople

I was surprised on a day so hot that people were in the centre. I would have chilled in a park or a garden or something… but we had plans and they did too.

#WeWantedToGetAPictureWithTheBeatlesStatueButItWasTooBusy

Gone again are the days of it being super quiet. I guess it was a weekend and it was hot. I used to walk past it with B everyday on our walks.

#IFeelAwkwardHavingAPhotoTakenWithSoManyPeopleWatchingToo

There’s also a queue of people watching and yeah I find it awkward.

#WeWentToOpenEyeGalleryBrieflyToSeeFriends

We wanted to go for longer but it was already getting late.

#WeUsedTheBabyChangingFacilitiesAndItWasTheFirstTimeWeHaveChangedHerNappyInAPublicPlaceSinceMovingIThink

Bit weird to say, but again it feels worth mentioning. Our friends said they could hear B singing/talking from the reception area.

#WePlannedToGetOnTheRoadWhenItWasTimeForBsSecondNapSoSheCouldSleepInTheCar

We travelled to Liverpool when it was time for her first nap. We had left a little earlier and the first wake window is meant to be 2 hours 45 minutes to 3 hours. She fell asleep pretty much on 2 hours 45 minutes.

#OfCourseInTheEndWeLeftReallyLate

We know she can get away with being awake a little longer if she has to.

#BWasOvertiredAndCriedALotInTheCar

I was hoping to have a nap myself and read more of Pregnant Then Screwed, instead I was doing a lot of singing and stressing out.

#SheEndedUpSleepingFor10MinutesAboutTwoHoursLaterThanSheShouldHave

She woke up crying a lot. 🙁

#ThoughIWasABitRelievedAsIWasWorriedSheWouldNeedASuperLateBedtimeByThatPoint

You can’t win can you?

#HerRoomWasHotWhenWeGotBackSoWeTriedPuttingHerInAShortSleevedVestAndLuckilySheSleptTheWholeNight

Lighter sleeping bag or shorter sleeved top? We went for shorter sleeved top and it seemed okay. If it’s this hot in May I am worried for August, but we’ll hopefully get better at judging what she needs to wear.

Thanks for reading! If you’re enjoying my blog (and/or the work I make) please consider supporting me by ‘buying me a coffee’ on Ko-fi – thanks!

Tags eating, family portrait, restaurant, travelling, weather

Oh Me, Oh Mãe

Imitating B When She Gets Shy (23rd May 2021)

Post author By Jocelyn Allen
Post date 19 July 2021

#AtLeastIThinkItIsWhenSheIsShyOrIsPerhapsPretendingToBe

Some evolutionary thing where she feels like she needs to hide? (Though everyone can see where she is.)

#OftenSheWillCrawlTowardsSomeoneAndThenSuddenlyHideABit

She’ll crawl in the direction of someone, then they’ll say hi and then she’ll hide.

#SometimesSomeoneWillComeRoundToVisitAndSheWillBeReallyUpsetAboutIt

I think it is because the house and the garden are her safe space.

#ButAfterAWhileSheGetsOverItAndTheyAreHerNewBestFriend

That’s nice to see.

#ButAtClassesSheWillJustCrawlOffAndLeaveMeInFrontOfLotsOfPeople

So she doesn’t seem that shy at times?

#ThenSheMightGetCloseToSomeoneAndPutHerHeadDownButSometimesNot

Because they say hello. I guess her confidence goes up and down, but mine does too so I can relate. I wish I could suddenly hide my face when I felt awkward.

#WeSawSomeFriendsYesterdayAndThereWereTimesWhenSheWasBeingShy

Hiding on the floor or hiding behind Tiago or me.

#WeGotThereAndDidNotRealiseThatSheMustBeHeavilyTeethingAsSheWasNotReallyBeingHerself

She hadn’t eaten much breakfast, she slept well in the car – though it looked like she kept having nightmares and would wake up crying at times?

#AtOnePointSheWentToTiagoToBeComfortedAndThenFellAsleepInHisArms

She was coming to us a lot to be comforted which is usually the sign that she is ill. I just went downstairs and she is having cuddles with my Nan, which she doesn’t really do unless she is not feeling great – she’ll have short cuddles, but long cuddles is an under the weather thing.

#ICanNotRememberTheLastTimeSheJustRandomlyFellAsleepOnEitherOfUs

Monthsss ago.

#IWasGettingQuiteWorriedButSheSeemsToBeOkay

She only has one tooth and she has been teething for 7 months. It looks like another one may be close…

#ItWasGreatToSeeSomeOldFriendsAndTheirBaby #ToCatchUpAndHaveAChangeOfSceneryAndToHaveTheKindOfTimeWithPeopleThatIThoughtWeWouldHaveHadALotMoreOfByNow

It was how I expected the last 11 months to be really. Seeing friends, hanging out etc.

We still need to make more local friends, but with old friends it is easy. They know you, you know them, I feel like I don’t talk about my art with new people as I feel like they just wouldn’t get it. Fun times.

#OnTheWayThereWeStoppedAtAPetrolStationAndIThinkSheThoughtWeWereThereAlreadyAndGotQuiteExcited

Or she might have been excited to see Tiago getting out of the car. She was looking at the pumps quite intrigued though.

#ItWasOurLongestCarTripSinceWeMovedToBirminghamNearlySevenMonthsAgo

I was nervous, but we timed the trip around her naps so she napped for longer than normal but she seemed tired at bedtime and slept through the night? Win. Might be because she is ill though, but I think the trip was probably a lot for her to take in so might have tired her out.

#ItIsWeirdThatSheHasNowLivedInBirminghamLongerThanSheLivedInLiverpool

She’s still Scouse though.

#ITriedToGetUsOutEveryWeekDayLastWeek

And not just to the park, somewhere more ‘substantial’. Soft play, classes, playgroups etc.

#ForFridayIWasLookingAtAllTheDifferentOptionsButOneSoldOutAsIWasAboutToBook

I didn’t really want to go back to the soft play place that week, but I thought the weather was a bit crummy so it was a safe bet.

#InTheEndIDecidedWeWouldGoSomewhereElseButItJustRainedAllDay

I was trying to find somewhere to take her for lunch, but there didn’t seem like any good options and I didn’t really want to take her by myself.

#AndAfterBGotUpFromHerFirstNapICouldNotBeBotheredToGoOutInTheRain

I just felt really tired and the idea of pushing her for 20+ minutes in the rain did not appeal.

#SoWeJustStayedInAllDayButItWasNotSoBadAsWeHadBeenOutALotAllWeek

I wanted to take her for a walk in the afternoon, but it just rained all day and I couldn’t be bothered. Sorry B.

#IDefinitelyNeedToDoThingsOnAThursdayAsThatIsTheDayThatDragsTheMost

Thursday is ‘we still have to get through Friday before it’s the weekend’. Friday is ‘countdown to the weekend when T is free.’

#ItIsAShameThatTheLibraryIsNotOpenEveryDayAsThatWouldBeAnEasyPlaceToGo

It seems to just be open on days when we do other things, not the days where I wonder where we should go. Fail.

#IAmHavingPhasesOfLookingAtBAndGettingEmotional

Heart emoji.

#IAmRealisingHowLuckyIAmToHaveHerEvenThoughIStillFindItWeirdThatIAmAMother

It was funny to see our friends yesterday and comment about how we are all parents now.

#InTheCarYesterdayIWasJustWatchingHerSleepAndFeelingVeryGratefulToHaveHer

She is cool and I am looking forward to seeing her grow up. I feel bad that I have wished some of this time away but it has been hard.

#ICanNotImagineMyLifeWithoutHerNowAndThingsAreBetterNowThatMoreThingsAreOpen

I have just felt stuck for so long with not many options of what we can do to pass some time and make sure B gets proper stimulation.

#IDoNotLikeHowThisProjectHasBeenAMassiveWhinefestButItHasBeenMyPlaceToVentAndFeelBetter

I will forever feel awkward about it, but I have done my best during these weird times – and it’s not over yet.

#IDoFeelLikeNewParentsHaveBeenForgottenABitInThisPandemic #IAmAnnoyedThatItHasAllBeenATotalPostcodeLotteryWithHowMuchSupportYouDoAndDoNotGet

I guess it all depends on your support network, where you live, who you know etc. I am worried that we will have to go through a similar winter again, but at least B will be older and into more things. We shall have to see, but fingers crossed more things will be open for us this time.

I am excited for summer though. Roll on summer.

Thanks for reading! If you’re enjoying my blog (and/or the work I make) please consider supporting me by ‘buying me a coffee’ on Ko-fi – thanks!

Tags imitating b, mental health, socialising, teething, weather

Oh Me, Oh Mãe

Imitating B Sucking Her Thumb (9th May 2021)

Post author By Jocelyn Allen
Post date 21 June 2021

#WellMaybeSheIsSuckingHerThumbOrMaybeSheIsJustTeething

I do not know for sure.

#TheTeethingSeemsLikeItWillNeverEndAndSheStillOnlyHasOneTooth

At this rate, this is going to go on for yearssss, then she will start losing baby teeth… Remembering the days of making my a loose tooth move with my tongue, and then feeling the empty space. Fun times.

#IHaveJustNoticedHerSuckingHerThumbAndFlappingHerHandAroundInTheLastWeek

I was going to write in these hashtags about being a fan of sucking my thumb until I was probably way too old for it, but I forgot. Well, now you know – all two of you who read this.

#SheHasBeenWakingUpBefore6LatelySoWeNeedToSeeWhatWeCanDoToPushHerWakeupTimeBack

We are not morning people B. I was reading a twitter thread the other day and someone’s advice for future parents was to meet someone who is the opposite to you – a night owl if you’re an early bird and vice versa. Tiago is better than me in the mornings, and I am more of an evening person, but we still like to sleep.

#IJustSeemSuperTiredAtTheMomentAndMyTeethAreStillHurtingALot

I could just lie in bed all day. Today I got up at 6.20am though, and did some cooking. Now B’s gone to bed I just want to get stuff done so I can have a little lie down, if she does not wake up before then.

#IbruprofenSeemsToTakeTheEdgeOffOfItButIThinkOneOfMyTeethNeedsToComeOut

I have an appointment at the dentist this week, though it’s just for a clean. My dentist said to have them cleaned and see if that helps with any pain. I’m guessing it won’t, but I’ll mention the pain to them when I’m there. It’s probably too late to get my tooth removed on my maternity exemption as that is due to expire in a month.

#TiagoSaidIfIGetItOutThenEventuallyTheNextOneWillNeedToComeOutAndSoOnAndHowWillIEatWithNoTeeth

I think four different teeth have been playing up this week, but the back one really has been and I know that one has a really deep filling. My dentist said it is protecting the next tooth along though, so once it goes that one will be at risk and so on.

#IPointedOutThatBHasBeenDoingPrettyWellWithHerGumsForALongTime

She’s my inspiration.

#ItRainedAllDayYesterdayButIDidNotCareSoMuchAsItIsTheWeekend

I feel less stuck at home when Tiago is looking after B a bit and I can do other things.

#WeStillWentOutForAWalkAnywaysAndItWasQuiteNice

The air was fresh and the paths were pretty empty. We did see a few border collies though…

#PortugalIsCurrentlyOnTheGreenTravelListSoWeAreLookingAtBookingATrip

Everyone has been messaging me to say have I seen it. Now we need to try to book a trip before everyone else does.

#ICanNotBelieveThatBIsNearlyAYearOldAndSheHasNotMetHerPortugueseGrandparentsYet

I wonder if she will recognise them from all the video calls. I know she will be a bit weird with them at first though.

#WeJustHaveToHopeThatThingsDoNotGetWorseAndThatWeWillNotHaveToQuarantineInAHotel

For the price of quarantining in a hotel we could just do the most epic UK trip instead. Fingers crossed that we don’t have to.

(21st June: Portugal is currently on the amber list. If it goes to red then we will cancel our trip – when I wrote this I didn’t realise how expensive hotel quarantines are.)

#TheTripIsFaffyEnoughAsItIsLetAloneWithTravellingWithABabyWithCovidRestrictions

I didn’t look forward to the travelling pre-baby.

#ItIsAMinimumOfTwoFlightsToGetToHisHomeIslandSoItIsLookingForTripsThatDoNotHaveMegaLayovers

I’m usually the one who organises our trips and does the research and at the moment I feel like a full-time travel agent.

#MostOfTheFlightsAreEitherSuperEarlyInTheMorningOrTheyArriveBackLateAtNight

Great with a baby. We once ‘slept’ on the floor at Heathrow to avoid paying for a hotel when we had a 6am flight (I didn’t sleep). B would be fine in her pushchair to be fair, but it’d be a longggg day.

#WhichWouldNotBeSoBadIfTheyWereFromBirminghamButWeWillHaveToTravelToManchesterOrLondon

Great.

#AndItProbablyWillBeLondonAsTheyHaveFlightsThatLeaveAndArriveAtOkayishTimes

It’s a ridiculous amount of money to put our car in the car park (let me know if you have any hints/tips) and we will have to fly in and out of different London airports by the look of it.

(21st June: Yeah we’re flying in and out of different airports.)

#IAmAlreadyFeelingStressedAboutHavingToGetToAndFromTheAirports

We are probably just going to have to get a super early train to London, so that we are not stressed about missing our flight. That’s not too bad as we are usually up early anyways (typically that would be the day that B would sleep in).

#PlusSortingOutTestingAndDealingWithDifferentAirlinesAndLuggage

And trying not to catch Covid in the run up to the holiday – though we’ve done well so far, but knowing our luck…

#IShouldNotComplainAsIKnowWeAreLuckyToBeAbleToGoAway

I’m sure a lot of people reading this will just be like ‘really you’re whining about all this?’ I think this is probably the opinion about most of my project though.

#IfItWasNotForSeeingHisFamilyAndGoingToAWeddingAndHavingToSortOutThingsThereWeWouldJustLeaveItThough

It’ll be nice when we’re there, but it is stress that we could do without. My tooth suddenly just started hurting again really bad, maybe it’s stress related?

#OrIGuessWeWouldHaveMaybeTriedALocationThatWasALotEasierToGetTo

Well someone that only needed one flight from Birmingham would be a lot better, but in reality I think we would just visit a lot of people in the UK instead.

#WeAlsoNeedToSortOutCotsAndCarSeatsAndHighchairsAndThingsSoThatIsMoreFunToLookAt

Travel highchair? Travel cot? Rent a car seat? Might just have to see if we can borrow these things from someone.

#IJustWantToSwimInTheSeaAndHaveAChangeOfScenery

It would be amazing. It will be amazing. Fingers crossed.

#IDidNotBotherGoingToMyParentsHouseTheOtherDayAsICouldNotBeBotheredToPackUpAllOfBsThings

Lol. You can see why I am struggling with the idea of packing for a holiday.

#ByTheTimeIHadFinishingVentingInMyPostAndBlogIFeltMuchBetter

And then felt super awkward. Classic me.

#MyMumSaysSheIsSurprisedThatWeAllHaveNotArguedALotMoreThanWeHave

For the record Tiago and my Nan never argue. Tiago is super patient with her and I need to be more like Tiago.

#ItIsNiceSeeingMyNanEveryDayAndIFeelGuiltyThatWeAreGoingAwayButItWillBeGoodForUsAll

We haven’t had time to ourselves since October. We will hopefully have a few days to ourselves as a family before going to stay with Tiago’s family.

#IJustHopeThatWeWillNotHaveToCancelOurTripAfterAllOfThisPlanningButLetsSee

It is what it is. We have to take the risk as it’s easier for us to go and see Tiago’s parents than for them to come here, and we have one of Tiago’s best friend’s wedding to go to. I hope it all works out.

Thanks for reading! If you’re enjoying my blog (and/or the work I make) please consider supporting me by ‘buying me a coffee’ on Ko-fi – thanks!

Tags imitating b, teething, travelling, weather

Oh Me, Oh Mãe

Hire Us For Your Denim Advert (6th May 2021)

Post author By Jocelyn Allen
Post date 14 June 2021

Me holding B. We're both wearing denim and her back is to the camera. It's quite close up and framed from my eye bags down. — **Hire Us For Your Denim Advert (6^th May 2021)**

#ThisWeekIsMaternalMentalHealthAwarenessWeek
#ItFeelsSomewhatFittingAsIWasSupposedToDoAllThisYesterdayButIFeltTooCrapTo
#IHadANapWhenBHadHerFirstNapAndIFeltMuchBetterButTheRestOfTheDayWasStillASlog
#ThisProjectIsSupposedToBeAllAboutHonestyAndStuffButIFeelLikeIDoLeaveQuiteABitOut
#IThinkFromReadingMyProjectThoughItIsSomewhatClearThatIHaveBeenStruggling
#ItGoesUpAndDownAndSometimesIFeelFineAndThenIJustReallyRubbishAgain
#IHaveBeenFindingItHardToGetOutOfBedEvenIfISleepFairlyWell
#IThinkIHaveDippedAgainBecauseTheWeatherHasBeenSoCrummyAgainLately
#ItJustRainsEveryDayAndIFeelStuckInsideButMoreThingsReopenIn11DaysSoIHopeThatWillMakeABigDifference
#IFeelLikeICanNotCompletelyRelaxInTheLivingRoomAtMyNansHouseWhichIsMoreToDoWithMeThanHer
#AgainWithTheWeatherBeingRubbishItMeansOurOptionsAreLimitedWithWhereWeCanGo
#AsBHasBlackoutBlindsTapedToHerWindowIDoNotLikeToTakeHerInThereMuchAsItIsSoDark
#SoThisMorningIBroughtHerToOurBedroomWhichIHadToChildproofABitMoreForHer
#IWasWorriedThatSheWasColdAndIDidNotWantToGoDownstairsToGetHerUsualIndoorJacket
#SoIPutHerInHerDenimJacketThatSheHadNotWornBeforeAndIHadBroughtUpstairsAnHourBefore
#ThenIRememberedThatTiagoHasADenimJacketSoIThoughtIWouldWearItAndWeCouldDoAShootToPassTheTimeUntilBreakfast
#IAmNotSureWhichPictureIWillChooseYetButBWasQuiteFedUpAndIWasFeelingDownSoIfItLooksAllHappyFamilyThenThatMightNotBeTheReality
#HireUsForYourDenimAdvert
#MyMumIsHereNowSoIThinkWeWillGoHomeWithHerJustToGetAChangeOfScenery
#BWasIllAndShePassedItOntoMeAndNowAllMyTeethHurtWhichIHopeIsJustRelatedToFeelingRundown
#ItIsPainfulAndParacetamolDoesNotSeemToTouchItWhichDoesNotMakeMeFeelMuchBetter
#BeingIllWhenYouDoNotHaveAKidIsTotallyDifferentToBeingIllWithAKid
#LuckilyItWasABankHolidayWeekendSoTiagoWasAroundToHelpForAnExtraDayButICouldHaveJustDoneWithLyingInBedForAFewDaysButSillyMeFeelsGuiltyAboutSuchThingsNow
#YesterdayWeDidAVideoCallInTheKitchenAndIPutBsWalkerThereToSeeIfSheWouldUseIt
#BeforeIHadEvenStartedTheCallSheStoodUpAndStartedToPushItWhichWasAHugeSurprise
#ITriedToGetHerToShowTiagoLaterButIThinkSheWasABitTiredAndDidNotDoItSoWell
#SomeGoodNewsIsHeHadAnInterviewForHisBritishPassportAndThatWasFineSoFingersCrossedThatWillBeSortedSoon
#WeAreDefinitelyInNeedOfSomeTimeAwaySomewhereAndWeHopeWeCanSeeHisFamilyThisSummer
#IDoWonderHowIWouldHaveBeenIfIHadHadABabyInNonCovidTimesButIGuessIWouldStillBeStrugglingInSomeWay
#IAmJustPissedOffThatItHasBeenATotalPostcodeLotteryWithWhatHasBeenOpenInDifferentAreasOverTheLastFewMonthsAndWithWhatSupportYouGet

#ThisWeekIsMaternalMentalHealthAwarenessWeek

As always I will be posting this much later, so it will no longer be Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week.

#ItFeelsSomewhatFittingAsIWasSupposedToDoAllThisYesterdayButIFeltTooCrapTo

I got an email from Happity yesterday about their #shoutieselfie and I debated doing it, but yeah I felt too rubbish to. This post is somewhat negative but yesterdays would have been REALLY negative.

#IHadANapWhenBHadHerFirstNapAndIFeltMuchBetterButTheRestOfTheDayWasStillASlog

I sleep fairly well at night (though B had been awake for about an hour between 12.30 and 1.30), so I shouldn’t have needed that nap but apparently I did.

#ThisProjectIsSupposedToBeAllAboutHonestyAndStuffButIFeelLikeIDoLeaveQuiteABitOut

I’m aware of how negative and whiny it is all the time, and I feel awful about it. I know how lucky I am to have B and I do love her a lot, I am just feeling a bit stuck.

#IThinkFromReadingMyProjectThoughItIsSomewhatClearThatIHaveBeenStruggling

I feel like I don’t really need to talk about the really dark times that I sometimes have, and we do not need to see anymore photos of me crying.

#ItGoesUpAndDownAndSometimesIFeelFineAndThenIJustReallyRubbishAgain

It’s the circle of mental health.

#IHaveBeenFindingItHardToGetOutOfBedEvenIfISleepFairlyWell

Last night I went to bed earlier than normal. I probably fell asleep around 10.30pm and Tiago got up at 5.30ish, then B woke up at 6.20. Tiago had to go to work not long after, so I wasn’t in a great mood.

#IThinkIHaveDippedAgainBecauseTheWeatherHasBeenSoCrummyAgainLately

It just rains and rains. I took her to the swings briefly the other day and chatting to the Mum next to us she said we’d had all the weather today except for snow. I said it did hail the other day and two minutes later it was hailing…

#ItJustRainsEveryDayAndIFeelStuckInsideButMoreThingsReopenIn11DaysSoIHopeThatWillMakeABigDifference

The other week we were meeting up with a couple of Mums. This week we’ve just seen people in class, and it’s a new term at one of our classes next week and our friends are off to nursery so it’s time to make new friends. Great.

#IFeelLikeICanNotCompletelyRelaxInTheLivingRoomAtMyNansHouseWhichIsMoreToDoWithMeThanHer

We’re very grateful to my Nan for letting us live with her, but it is hard at times, and like I’ve said that’s more to do with me. This morning I was just not in the mood to chat as it was pre-7am and if I was my Nan I would have still been asleep in bed. I’ve said before that I do not like sitting in front of the TV all day. I can not remember the last time that I sat in the living room after B has gone to bed – I just like to have some time to myself.

(14th June: I feel so awkward about saying all that, but it was how I felt. I’m just not a morning person at all – she says after getting up at 5.40 this morning. We look at moving out from time to time, but there isn’t much on the renting market nearby. At the moment the weather is good, so we go out more and we open the window in her room (see two hashtags below) and play in there.)

#AgainWithTheWeatherBeingRubbishItMeansOurOptionsAreLimitedWithWhereWeCanGo

Again, as soon as the weather is better and places reopen we will be out more which will solve this ‘problem’.

#AsBHasBlackoutBlindsTapedToHerWindowIDoNotLikeToTakeHerInThereMuchAsItIsSoDark

It’s not the nicest place to sit in the day, though yesterday I did take her to her room early before a nap and just read books with her which was nice.

#SoThisMorningIBroughtHerToOurBedroomWhichIHadToChildproofABitMoreForHer

I had stopped bringing her in here to play as she just goes for all the cables and it stresses me out. I miss our big living/dining room in Liverpool where there would not have been many hazards for her.

#IWasWorriedThatSheWasColdAndIDidNotWantToGoDownstairsToGetHerUsualIndoorJacket

Logistics. Laziness.

#SoIPutHerInHerDenimJacketThatSheHadNotWornBeforeAndIHadBroughtUpstairsAnHourBefore

My Mum got it for her and it’s a little big. I was trying to tidy up a bit downstairs and so brought it up here.

#ThenIRememberedThatTiagoHasADenimJacketSoIThoughtIWouldWearItAndWeCouldDoAShootToPassTheTimeUntilBreakfast

This made me feel better as I did not know what I would do for the shoot, so it felt good to get the shoot out of the way, pass some time with B and get some photos together.

#IAmNotSureWhichPictureIWillChooseYetButBWasQuiteFedUpAndIWasFeelingDownSoIfItLooksAllHappyFamilyThenThatMightNotBeTheReality

I sang ‘Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall eating yellow bananas…’ a fair few times to cheer her up. She just wanted to smash my laptop as per usual; she took a few pictures of me accidentally.

#HireUsForYourDenimAdvert

I actually thought I looked alright in the denim jacket so maybe I will start wearing it.

#MyMumIsHereNowSoIThinkWeWillGoHomeWithHerJustToGetAChangeOfScenery

Tiago is at work so he can pick us up afterwards. I don’t know why we haven’t gone home with my Mum before… I will have to get her to try to have a nap in her pushchair and I hope it doesn’t pour on us while I take her out for one.

(14th June: I couldn’t be bothered to pack up B’s stuff in the end, so we didn’t go.)

#BWasIllAndShePassedItOntoMeAndNowAllMyTeethHurtWhichIHopeIsJustRelatedToFeelingRundown

Great. Tiago was ill for about half a day.

#ItIsPainfulAndParacetamolDoesNotSeemToTouchItWhichDoesNotMakeMeFeelMuchBetter

Whine whine whine. It does hurt though.

#BeingIllWhenYouDoNotHaveAKidIsTotallyDifferentToBeingIllWithAKid

Tell me about it.

#LuckilyItWasABankHolidayWeekendSoTiagoWasAroundToHelpForAnExtraDayButICouldHaveJustDoneWithLyingInBedForAFewDaysButSillyMeFeelsGuiltyAboutSuchThingsNow

Tiago told me to have a lie down. I did. I felt better. I made some mac and cheese for us all (B loves it), and then I felt knackered again and needed a lie down. Pre-baby I did used to get exhaustion at least once a year and I’d just spend a weekend in bed, but it’s difficult now.

#YesterdayWeDidAVideoCallInTheKitchenAndIPutBsWalkerThereToSeeIfSheWouldUseIt #BeforeIHadEvenStartedTheCallSheStoodUpAndStartedToPushItWhichWasAHugeSurprise

She did not even think about it. She just got up and went until she ploughed into the cupboard.

#ITriedToGetHerToShowTiagoLaterButIThinkSheWasABitTiredAndDidNotDoItSoWell

She had just woken up from a nap, so her legs were probably not warmed up yet.

#SomeGoodNewsIsHeHadAnInterviewForHisBritishPassportAndThatWasFineSoFingersCrossedThatWillBeSortedSoon

It was good that he did not have to venture anywhere for it – though in Liverpool we lived really close to the passport office.

#WeAreDefinitelyInNeedOfSomeTimeAwaySomewhereAndWeHopeWeCanSeeHisFamilyThisSummer

Fingers crossed. He is hopefully finding out today how long he is allowed to go away for if the world doesn’t go back to full doomed mode.

#IDoWonderHowIWouldHaveBeenIfIHadHadABabyInNonCovidTimesButIGuessIWouldStillBeStrugglingInSomeWay

I just wouldn’t realise I lucky I was…

#IAmJustPissedOffThatItHasBeenATotalPostcodeLotteryWithWhatHasBeenOpenInDifferentAreasOverTheLastFewMonthsAndWithWhatSupportYouGet

This has all obviously done me some good as I feel less pissed off than when I wrote this 30+ minutes ago. But it has been a total postcode lottery and I am jealous that friends in other areas have had a lot more things to go to. Oh well, as we keep saying to ourselves ‘things can only get better’.

Thanks for reading! If you’re enjoying my blog (and/or the work I make) please consider supporting me by ‘buying me a coffee’ on Ko-fi – thanks!

Tags mental health, sleeping, walking, weather

Oh Me, Oh Mãe

Imitating B Chewing On A Wet Flannel (28th April 2021)

Post author By Jocelyn Allen
Post date 1 June 2021

Me with my hair up, holding a light blue flannel in both hands and putting part of it in my mouth. I am wearing a grey dress with black polka dots and am sat against a plain wall. — **Imitating B Chewing On A Wet Flannel (28^th April 2021)**

#IAmSurprisedThatIsHasTakenMeThisLongToGetRoundToImitatingBChewingOnAWetFlannel
#AfterAMealIUsuallyWetAFlannelATryToWashHerFace
#HoweverSheJustWantsToChewOnItAsIGuessItMustFeelNiceForHerEverTeethingGums
#IBetWhenSheIsOlderBWillCallMeOutChoosingNotToShowHerFullFaceButDecidingToShareThingsLikeThis
#FairPlayFutureB
#SheHasStartedToSayGaGaMoreNow
#YesterdayWeGotSentAQuestionnaireToFillInAboutHerDevelopment
#AHealthVisitorWouldUsuallyVisitHerAround9To12MonthsToDoItButBecauseOfCovidTheyAreNotDoingItFaceToFace
#ThereAreQuestionsAboutCommunicationGrossMotorSkillsFineMotorSkillsProblemSolvingPersonalSkillsAndSocialSkills
#IThinkBNowDoesMostOfTheThingsThatItTalksAboutButIAmWorriedAboutFillingItInWrong
#ItIsShameThatSomeoneCanNotJustComeRoundAndDoItButIDoNotHaveAnyConcernsAboutHer
#LastWeekIWasWorriedThatSheWasTooHotInTheNightAndNowIThinkSheHasBeenTooCold
#SheWasAwakeForAnHourAndAHalfTheOtherNightButWentBackToSleepAfterIPutHerHeaterOn
#ItWasEitherThatThatFixedItOrItWasACoincidence
#IGotABitEmotionalYesterdaySeeingBHavingFunWithBabiesHerOwnAge
#WeHadAPicnicWithAMotherAndBabyFromOneOfHerClassesAndItWasReallyNice
#ThenSheWasJustCrawlingAroundAndInteractingWithBabiesInHerClass
#ThisIsHowItShouldHaveBeenTheWholeTimeSheHasBeenAliveButOhWell
#TheTeacherSaidThatTheyLearnTheConceptOfSharingAtFourWhichWeAllSighedAt
#ButReadingOnlineAnArticleSaysTheyReallyWantThingsToBeFairByTheTimeTheyAreSevenOrEight
#SoPlentyMoreYearsOfApologisingForBGrabbingToysAwayFromOtherKidsGreat
#MyAuntCameRoundToVisitUsAndBWasNotHappyAboutIt
#ThoughAgainAfterAWhileSheWasFineInHerCompanySoItIsGoodToKnowItIsJustAboutPerseverance
#IWasFeelingABitDownTheOtherDayAgainAndThenIRealisedThatTiagoHasNotHadAWeekOffSinceTheStartOfOctober
#NoWonderWeAreAllTired
#HeHasFinallyBookedAWeekOffInAMonthOrSoSoItIsNiceToHaveSomethingToCountDownTo
#INeedToWorkToBeMorePresentWhenIAmWithB
#ICompletedASurveyAboutSocialMediaTheOtherDayAndItAskedMeAboutMyMoodsWhenUsingIt
#IWasReallyNegativeAboutAllOfItSoINeedToUseItAndMyPhoneALotLess
#IWantToBeABetterMotherToBAndIWantToFeelHappier

#IAmSurprisedThatIsHasTakenMeThisLongToGetRoundToImitatingBChewingOnAWetFlannel

She has been doing it for a while.

#AfterAMealIUsuallyWetAFlannelATryToWashHerFace

Pretty standard.

#HoweverSheJustWantsToChewOnItAsIGuessItMustFeelNiceForHerEverTeethingGums

It makes sense. Yesterday she tried to teeth on my arm and it just hurt because of her one little sharp tooth.

#IBetWhenSheIsOlderBWillCallMeOutChoosingNotToShowHerFullFaceButDecidingToShareThingsLikeThis

Probably. I do wonder what she will think of this project, I do worry what she will think of this project. I hope she just finds it funny.

#FairPlayFutureB

I would say it’s your own fault for chewing on a flannel all the time, but you’ll probably just say ‘Mum, I was a baby I didn’t know any better!’

Fair play future B.

#SheHasStartedToSayGaGaMoreNow

Did I play Radio Ga Ga a few times this morning after B said it? Yes I did.

#YesterdayWeGotSentAQuestionnaireToFillInAboutHerDevelopment #AHealthVisitorWouldUsuallyVisitHerAround9To12MonthsToDoItButBecauseOfCovidTheyAreNotDoingItFaceToFace #ThereAreQuestionsAboutCommunicationGrossMotorSkillsFineMotorSkillsProblemSolvingPersonalSkillsAndSocialSkills #IThinkBNowDoesMostOfTheThingsThatItTalksAboutButIAmWorriedAboutFillingItInWrong

All the questions. It is a bit stressful. I started to do it, but I will wait until the weekend when Tiago is available to assess too.

#ItIsShameThatSomeoneCanNotJustComeRoundAndDoItButIDoNotHaveAnyConcernsAboutHer

It says if they don’t hear from us in 2 weeks then they will assume we have no worries.

(1st June: I didn’t bother finishing it in in the end as I was so pissed off that our friends in Liverpool have health visitors coming to them, and I don’t have any concerns about B’s development anyways.)

#LastWeekIWasWorriedThatSheWasTooHotInTheNightAndNowIThinkSheHasBeenTooCold

The joy never ends.

#SheWasAwakeForAnHourAndAHalfTheOtherNightButWentBackToSleepAfterIPutHerHeaterOn #ItWasEitherThatThatFixedItOrItWasACoincidence

We’d changed her nappy, given her paracetamol, given her water etc. Her room didn’t feel that cold, but it was 5am and we wanted to sleep so I thought it was worth a go.

#IGotABitEmotionalYesterdaySeeingBHavingFunWithBabiesHerOwnAge

I got a bit emotional writing this and thinking about it again.

#WeHadAPicnicWithAMotherAndBabyFromOneOfHerClassesAndItWasReallyNice

Just a normal thing that felt like a big deal.

#ThenSheWasJustCrawlingAroundAndInteractingWithBabiesInHerClass

I felt like we were sat in the cheeky corner as they were all just getting up to mischief. There are a lot of younger babies and B was looking at them, which was sweet.

#ThisIsHowItShouldHaveBeenTheWholeTimeSheHasBeenAliveButOhWell

I know a couple of them are starting nursery soon, so we’ll need to find some new friends in the class. People seem nice though so I’m sure it will be fine. The class is great and we all have a laugh which is really good.

#TheTeacherSaidThatTheyLearnTheConceptOfSharingAtFourWhichWeAllSighedAt

Sighed and groaned and lots of other negative reactions.

#ButReadingOnlineAnArticleSaysTheyReallyWantThingsToBeFairByTheTimeTheyAreSevenOrEight

I remember being about 6 in the playground and being like ‘Who wants to play Aladdin? I’ll be Jasmine.’ Someone would complain. ‘Okay, let’s play Beauty and the Beast. I’ll be Belle’. Then we moved and I became the shy kid.

#SoPlentyMoreYearsOfApologisingForBGrabbingToysAwayFromOtherKidsGreat

Luckily they don’t seem to mind about it so much yet.

#MyAuntCameRoundToVisitUsAndBWasNotHappyAboutIt

She was CRYING. Trying to look at her, then hiding and crying.

#ThoughAgainAfterAWhileSheWasFineInHerCompanySoItIsGoodToKnowItIsJustAboutPerseverance

It did take some time, but I guess she realises that we aren’t concerned and so feels fine. At classes she will go and sit next to someone else and forget about me, but I guess my Nan’s house and garden is her territory so she doesn’t like other people randomly coming along. Fair enough.

#IWasFeelingABitDownTheOtherDayAgainAndThenIRealisedThatTiagoHasNotHadAWeekOffSinceTheStartOfOctober #NoWonderWeAreAllTired

I can’t believe it’s been that long, but it does feel like forever ago.

#HeHasFinallyBookedAWeekOffInAMonthOrSoSoItIsNiceToHaveSomethingToCountDownTo

It’ll be nice to do some things as a family and B will be older so she will probably appreciate going to a farm or something. She does seem to like animals, but so do most kids her age I imagine.

#INeedToWorkToBeMorePresentWhenIAmWithB

I complain about being a bad mother, but I need to work on being better. It’s hard when I am tired, but I feel better when I feel like she is enjoying herself.

#ICompletedASurveyAboutSocialMediaTheOtherDayAndItAskedMeAboutMyMoodsWhenUsingIt #IWasReallyNegativeAboutAllOfItSoINeedToUseItAndMyPhoneALotLess

I had already decided that I was going to go on Instagram less and that just showed why I should go on it less. I really get little from it, which seems weird to say considering this whole project is built around the maximum number of hashtags that you can post on a post on Instagram.

#IWantToBeABetterMotherToBAndIWantToFeelHappier

I am tired and B will hopefully nap for another hour. I think I’m going to play a game of online Minesweeper then have a little rest and read a bit of the fourth Narnia book. I should probably just do the shoot now, but I might wait until B is having her second nap.

(1st June: I think B woke up 5 minutes after I finishing writing this, and I did the shoot during her second nap.)

Thanks for reading! If you’re enjoying my blog (and/or the work I make) please consider supporting me by ‘buying me a coffee’ on Ko-fi – thanks!

Tags crying at people, health visitor, hygiene, imitating b, sharing, talking, teething, weather

Oh Me, Oh Mãe

I Say That B Is Always Hurting Herself, But I Am Evidently No Better (21st April 2021)

Post author By Jocelyn Allen
Post date 21 May 2021

#IAmAlwaysTalkingAboutHowBIsConstantlyHurtingHerself

Well, yesterday she did bump her head and had a bit of a swollen eyebrow, but it went down pretty quick.

#HoweverIHaveANiceBruiseOnMyKneeFromHittingItOnTheStairPostAtTheBottomOfTheStairs

Genius.

#NanHasSomeGeraniumsAtTheBottomOfTheStairsThatAreWaitingForWarmerWeatherToBePlanted

It seemed like a nice spot by the door, though some have been flattened from her daily newspaper falling on them.

#AndIDidNotTurnTheLandingLightOnInCaseItWokeBUp

Of course.

#SoIWasObviouslyABitTooCloseToThePostTryingToAvoidThePlantsAndBam

It hurt, but I did not think it would bruise as much as it has. It has probably faded a bit now. I am writing all this with the intention of doing a shoot later of my knee. Not the most interesting perhaps, but I know I have done at least one other post about injuries.

(21st May: My Nan ended up binning them yesterday. She said it had been a total waste of time – and a waste of my ‘injury’. Oh well.)

#InOtherNewsThisWeekSoFarIsShapingUpToBeTheKindOfWeekThatIHaveBeenAfterForMonths

I hope next week is as good, and we’re only on Wednesday.

#WeFedBHerLunchOutsideForTheFirstTimeAtAParkWhileMeetingFriends #IChoseSomethingThatIKnowSheLikedAndBroughtSnacksAndSheAtePrettyWell

This was at the weekend, but it gives me hope for the future. If she can eat lunch when we’re out then we can stay out longer/go further which is good. I am trying to build my confidence up with these things as we’ve had little practice.

#ItDoesNotSoundLikeABigDealButItFeelsLikeABigOneToMe

It feels like a huge step, after feeding B in her high chair in the kitchen for months. T was helping me, so we will have to see how it goes when I’m by myself. I will probably just put her in her pushchair if she is moving about too much.

#WeHaveAlsoHungOutWithAMumAndBabyAtAParkWhichWasNice

It is someone that I have been messaging since before Xmas, but we were yet to meetup.

#ItIsNiceToMeetPeopleWhoAreAlsoKeenToHangOut

People who are like ‘I know we hung out today but do you want to hang out again this week?’ It feels like dating with how keen or not keen you are supposed to be.

#IFeltTiredAfterwardsAsIWasNotUsedToTalkingAndListeningSoMuch

I did plan to have a nap, but I had so much stuff to do.

#WeAlsoWentToABabyClassWhichBEnjoyedAgain

She was moving around a bit, but not as much as last week. I also just let her be a bit more free – seeing how far she was planning to crawl before I went to retrieve her.

#SheWasCompletelyCaptivatedByTheTeacherLookingLikeAFairyWithLitUpBigWingsWhileBubblesBlewAroundTheRoom

It is so nice to see other people in a room enjoying simple things like rolling beach balls to each other (with sanitised hands of course).

#ThenWeHungOutWithAMumAndBabyAfterClassWhichIsSuchANormalThingToDoButItIsSomethingWeHaveNotDoneBefore

Playdate after class? Yes please. It meant I had to push B’s nap back a bit, but she then had a short nap on the way home. Yes she did have a later bedtime, but we were flexible and it was fine! Small steps.

#IWentToAnAdultExerciseClassWhichWasGoodButItFeltWeirdToGoByMyself

I tried to jog there and back, but I had to stop a few times. If I keep going then I am hoping to build up to not stopping.

I spoke to the woman next to me and it felt easy to chat.

#IAmEitherGettingBetterAtSocialisingOrIAmCaringLessWhatPeopleThinkWhichIsGood

A bit of both perhaps.

#IThinkTheHappierIAmTheLessIJudgeMyselfWhichIsNice

And it also makes me feel like a better parent which is nice.

#WeHavePlansToMeetMorePeopleThisWeekAndToGoToAnotherBabyClass

Definitely need to make more plans for next week, though I think I do not need something for everyday as maybe it will be nice to just have a chill day where we do not have to plan ahead too much.

#ThereIsSoMuchTimeInTheDayToPassBySoItIsNiceToFinallyBeFillingItWithDifferentThings

This is what I have wanted for monthsss.

#IAmStillGettingUsedToSeeingBInOutfitsAsItIsFunnyHowDifferentItMakesHerLook

She looks so different. I’m like ‘is this my child?’

#TheLastCoupleOfNightsHaveBeenQuiteHotAndIHaveBeenStressedThatSheIsTooHot

One night it felt too cold for a short sleeve vest, but a sleepsuit was perhaps too much, but we put her in the suit. Yesterday my Mum got some long sleeved vests and we put her in one of those, but Tiago said her legs were cold this morning.

#SheHasMadeMoreNoiseDuringTheNightThoughSometimesItSeemsLikeSheIsAsleepAndItMightBeJustDueToTeethingAndOtherThings

Two nights ago she was making a lot of noise. Last night we had to go in at midnight and 5am. Tonight will be cooler so I think we can get away with a sleepsuit. I have never kept track of the weather and temperature so much in my life…

#AsIAlwaysSayIWishSheCouldJustTellMeWhatSheWantsOrNeeds

But that would be too easy.

#SheHasBeenEatingABitMoreIndependentlyNowWhichMeansICanCleanUpAsSheEatsAndILoveSavingTime

Her suction cup bowl does not suction well to her tray, so I just scatter it on her tray. Yesterday she was quite happy just picking at bits and she seemed to eat well. I have tried to eat my lunch in front of her, but she’ll just want what I have. I had to share my melon yesterday.

#WheneverSheHearsTheDishwasherOpeningSheMovesPrettyQuicklyFromWhereverSheIs

Sometimes I open it just to test her…

#IDoNotKnowWhySheLikesItSoMuchButIGuessItIsSomethingDifferentToInspect

It’s all been fine until she bumped her head on the corner last week…

#TheOtherDayInTheParkASchoolKidWalkedByAndShowedHerABatThatHeHadDrawn

It was really cool. We were just sat on the grass and he came by which was sweet.

#IShouldHaveSaidNotToGetTooCloseAsBRippedItsHeadOffAndIFeltBadForTheKid

His Dad was watching but was chill about the whole thing. He was like ‘we’ll fix it when we get home’. B tried to reach for the bat again and the kid pulled it away, which is fair.

#PerhapsThisMeansThatBIsStartingToTurnIntoABrummie

It’s been my terrible joke of the week that relates to Ozzy Osbourne (born in Birmingham) biting the head off of a bat. I thought that didn’t actually happen, but apparently it did. Not great.

I’m off to wake B up now, and hopefully I’ll do a shoot when she naps later.

(21st May: The shoot wasn’t that great, but it is what it is – a picture of my bruised knee.)

Thanks for reading! If you’re enjoying my blog (and/or the work I make) please consider supporting me by ‘buying me a coffee’ on Ko-fi – thanks!

Tags baby classes, bumping head, injury, picnic, socialising, temperature, weather

Oh Me, Oh Mãe

Imitating B’s Feet When She Holds Onto Furniture (11th April 2021)

Post author By Jocelyn Allen
Post date 3 May 2021

#IHaveSaidBeforeThatBIsAlwaysOnTheGoAndBangsHerHeadALot

I am pretty sure I have anyways.

#WellNowItIsEvenMoreSoThatMaybeWeShouldGetHerAHelmet

We won’t. We just need to be more vigilant, but it’s hard to be on top form all day…

#ItIsWeirdThatWhenSheFallsAndMakesABigBangSheSeemsToCryLessThanWhenItBarelyMakesASound

Not always the case, but it happens enough for us to comment on it (and for me to hashtag about it).

#SheSeemsAbleToReachHerArmsFurtherAcrossTablesAndThingsNow

Probably with the help of always standing on her tiptoes, but she seemed to be doing that before she really knew what she was doing.

#SheLikesToReachForMyNansPapersAndChewOnThemOrRipThemUp

My Nan doesn’t really take them off her, so I can’t really blame B too much.

She has an obsession with grabbing my Nan’s heater (when it’s not on – it’s not on if she’s in the room). I tell her not to do it all the time. The other day she was just laughing at me for saying no.

#WeHadToMoveNansOrnamentsOffHerRevolvingBookcaseAsBWasJustConstantlyTryingToPullThingsOff

I feel like everything in the living room is constantly being moved around to avoid B’s grasp. My Nan likes to rearrange everything, but then B likes to get hold of them so it’s a constant game. Baby chess?

#WeHaveReplacedThemWithBsBooksSoNowSheGetsDistractedByThemInstead

Well it is a bookcase so it makes sense. I was worried B would just pull herself up on it and pull them off, but that doesn’t seem to be the case… yet.

#ItIsNiceToHaveALittleLibraryThereThoughIAmGettingBoredOfReadingHerFavouritesOnRepeat

The House That Jack Built, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, some new book about dinosaurs that feels very nice to touch but the story isn’t great… Her bedtime books are Peppa Pig’s My Daddy and Goodnight You, Goodnight Me.

#SinceMyLastEntryIFeltMoreOptimisticAndLikeIWasGoingToStopWhiningAndBeMoreProactive #WhichWasGreatForADayAndThenIFeltSuperDownAgain

I had a day where I felt amazing, and then crashhh.

(I don’t write these things for pity. I know I am not the only person who feels like this, so I hope by talking about things it might help someone else. I still have a befriender who calls me about my mental health. I thought about quitting, but my reasons for wanting to quit were the reasons why I needed to stay – mainly feeling stressed out and like I didn’t have time for it.)

#IMadeAPostInALocalGroupLookingForPlaymatesForBAndAskingAboutClassesAndThings

The thought got in my head so I thought I better do it. I spent ages daydreaming about what I would write while B was awake, then when she went to sleep I thought ‘no I shouldn’t do it’. But because I had spent so much time thinking about it I thought I had better do it.

People sent good suggestions, and a few people got in touch about hanging out. We’ll see if it happens though. I realised that I know more people around here than I think I do, so I’ve reached out to people to see if they want to hang out soon. That’s a positive at least.

#ThePandemicHasBeenToughForEveryoneInDifferentWays

I whine, but I know things have been a lot worse for other people. It’s been hard for us all in different ways.

#AndIThinkItHasBeenATotalPostcodeLotteryWithWhatHasBeenGoingOnInLocalAreas

Still jealous that friends have been going to playgroups/support groups/outside groups in other areas. I really should just organise my own group…

(3rd May: I’ve been throwing this ‘postcode lottery’ phrase around a lot this week as in Liverpool the health visitor’s are starting to do 10 month checks on babies in person, whereas they will not be coming to us – the Birmingham health visitor that is – so I just have to fill in a questionnaire.)

#TheGlimpseOfGoodWeatherMadeMeFeelGreatAsSittingOutsideMadeSuchAChangeToOurDay

It felt so good to sit outside with B and some toys. A bit of sun, a bit of fun and less distractions.

#SoTheBadWeatherMadeMeFeelLockedInsideAgain

This morning it was snowing/raining and I thought we would have to cancel plans with friends. I felt bummed out. Luckily it’s now sunny so we can meet them, hurrah!

#YesterdayWeWentForAWalkInTheRainAsIFeltLikeINeededToGetOut

We kept waiting for the rain to stop, but it didn’t so I made us go out. We took an umbrella, but in the end we didn’t even use it as it was only drizzling.

#HopefullyThingsCanOnlyGetBetterFromHereWithMoreThingsReopeningAndBetterWeatherOnTheHorizon

It has nearly been 4 months since we last went to a class in person. Typically with the walks that we don’t go on due to the timings not being great – one is moving to a better time for us later this month, so that should be good (if we can book a slot quick enough).

#IAmSureThatIWillSoonBeWhiningAboutHowIFeelLikeIDoNotFitInInLocalGroups

Watch this space.

#ButTheChangeOfSceneryAndBreakInOurRoutinesWillBeReallyGoodForUs

I think so. It will be good for B. Doing one of our classes on zoom has meant I have got to know one of the teachers fairly well (especially when B was the only person taking part the other week) and we might recognise some of the other Mums and babies.

#OrMeAnywaysAsBDoesNotReallyCareButIThinkSheWillLikeToSeeMoreYoungPeople

It will be good for her. It’s good for her to see that more people exist in the world. I just want to see her crawling round with other babies as she’s yet to do that!

#IHaveMadeAnEffortToTryOutNewParksThisWeek

Well, one we have been to before but the other one has been on our list for a while.

#TheOtherDayBWasSmilingAtAYoungGirlSoThatWasNice

I do not know how to interact with little kids. I’m not sure how she felt about B just staring at her.

#IThinkBMightHaveSeenATrainForTheFirstTimeTooWhichIsWeird

I do like seeing trains pass by (yeah weird I know), so we will be going by there again.

#SheDidNotSeemThatBotheredByItButSheDoesTakeNoteOfBusesThatIPointOut

I should have made a train noise perhaps. It may have gone by too fast for her to really register it.

#BIsStillTeethingALot

The neverending joy.

#ItHurtsWhenSheWantsToTeethOnMyFingerAndBitesItWithHerTooth

She finds it funny when I go ‘argh!’

#ItStillLooksLikeItNeedsToComeOutOfHerGumsMore

I think so? It looks like it should be bigger than how it is, but maybe it is how it should be? I don’t know.

#WeStartedToUseANewMoisturiserOnBsSkinAndItDoesNotSeemToBeGettingAnyWorse

It’s this one from Childs Farm. Someone on a local Mums whatsapp group mentioned it, so I thought we’d give it a go. We’re still using the Dermol 500 and Diprobase, and applying them regularly, but now I also put the moisturiser on her once or twice a day too. The fact that her skin doesn’t seem to be getting worse is good. I’d say her skin looks about 98% normal right now.

#IFeelLikeIAmDefinitelyNotBeingTheBestMotherForBThatICouldBe

I’m tired. I do not read to her as much as I should, I’ve given up with her YouTube baby classes, I probably do not talk to her as much as I should and the list goes on.

#INeedToJustDoBetterAndKeepTryingToMoveInAPositiveDirectionAndDoWhatIsBestForHer

I need to be better and do better for B. The other day I took her out twice even though the weather wasn’t good, so I might just take her out more. That’s why I want the better weather to come so we can just sit outside more, and maybe I can start giving her lunch in the park and we can just enjoy nature more.

We’ll see.

Thanks for reading! If you’re enjoying my blog (and/or the work I make) please consider supporting me by ‘buying me a coffee’ on Ko-fi – thanks!

Tags books, dry skin, eczema, injury, teething, train, weather

Oh Me, Oh Mãe

Leg Hair: Before And After (31st March 2021)

Post author By Jocelyn Allen
Post date 25 April 2021

#WellYesterdayWasAReallyHotDayAndTodayIsAlrightButNextWeekItMaySnow

I think it is due to snow anyways. The weather/news keep saying ‘next week it may snow but let’s not talk about it’.

I don’t think I’ve ever been so in the know about the weather/temperature though.

#WeManagedToSitOutsideABitYesterdayAndPreparedASortOfPlayAreaForB

The other day we quickly ordered something for her to crawl on. We’d thought about astroturf, but then a mat seemed to make more sense.

#OfCourseSheWasStraightOffTheMatAndLookingAtAnyBitOfDirtSheCouldFind

Leaf. Twig. Bug. I don’t know how some bug avoided getting squashed by B. She kept narrowly missing it as she crawled around.

#AndSheJustWantedToHoldOntoTheBenchAndStandUpALot

Of course. She holds onto everything – including the stool that I’m standing on in this photo. We put this by us in hope that she holds herself up on it instead of the TV stand or something else.

#SheSeemedToLikeTheChangeOfSceneryThoughAndSoHopefullyWeCanKeepImprovingItForHer

We all took turns at sweeping the floor. B finds it funny when I sweep for some reason?

#ItWasABitStressfulFiguringWhatSheShouldWearAllDayAndSleepIn

We don’t have many summer clothes for her – I ordered some the other night. Last night she slept in a sleepsuit without a vest, but the sleeping bag may have been too heavy. Her lighter ones are also yet to arrive.

The heaviest one just arrived. Typical. It also has the nicest design and she probably won’t use it that much – thought it might come in handy with the upcoming temperature drop.

#IWishSheCouldJustTellMeHowHotOrColdSheIsButOfCourseThatWouldBeTooEasy

If she could tell me anything that would be great. Obviously I can tell some things from how she is, but yes being able to communicate ‘properly’ would be amazing.

#WeGotSomeBlackoutStuffForHerWindowsTooSoHopefullyItMayHelpWithHerNappingAndSleep

I’ve done an awful job of it as I did it by myself and I’m bad at cutting things down to size but it does the trick.

#IDidGetHerUpAt7ThisMorningWhichIsQuiteLateForHer

Well I got her up at 7.30 the other day, but the clocks had just changed so it was really 6.30.

#SheDidWakeUpAt2AndThen5SomethingButSheWentBackOffToSleep #IAmWorriedThatSheWasTooHotButIAmNotSure

I did open her door a bit at 2, and she did go back to sleep. She woke up at 5.45 I think, but I was making her wait until 6 but she went back off to sleep, and so did I.

Last night Tiago worked until after midnight and I stayed up until after 11 watching the Paloma Faith documentary.

I spend so much of the day ready to go to bed, and then the evening comes and I end up going to bed late.

#IThinkSheIsJustStillInPainWithTeethingAndSheDoesSeemToBeItchingHerSkinALot

The fun never ends.

#HerSkinIsLookingGoodThoughSoIAmNotSureIfItIsItchyOrIfSheIsDoingItOutOfHabit

I put ‘her skin is looking really good’ so I edited it as I know I am jinxing things. It was getting worse again but we switched to using her other cream more and that seems to have worked. Before the other one was working better. *Massive shrug emoji*

#IGuessItIsItchySoIJustKeepApplyingCream

Again, the fun never ends.

#IReadYesterdayThatNewRulesSayWeCanNotSingInBabyClasses

Great.

I do get why that might be the case, but ergh.

#ThisIsGoingToAffectBsMusicClassWhichIsAllAboutSingingSoIAmInterestedToSeeWhatWillHappen

We’ve been doing the classes on zoom 2 times a week (it was 5, then 3), and I know all the songs now!

#IMayHaveSaidThisBeforeButIThinkMySingingVoiceHasGotALotBetterSinceHavingB #IAmStillATerribleSingerButIHaveDefinitelyImprovedABit

We sing Jump by Van Halen too many times a day. I can hit the lower notes of that Sea Shanty song better too.

#ItProbablyHelpsNoLongerLivingInAFlatTooAndNotFeelingSoSelfConsciousAboutMakingNoise

I know a lot of people have to live in flats, but they’re terrible if the soundproofing is rubbish and you worry about making too much noise.

#IAmLookingForwardToChangeAndBeingAbleToDoMoreThings

Sitting in gardens. Baby classes. Hanging out with more people.

#ButIDoFeelABitAnxiousAndWorriedAboutBsRoutineAndChangingItToDoThings

I have been messing with her wake windows a bit and it seems alright.

#ThoughYesterdayIGotSoExcitedAboutTheSunThatIForgotToGiveHerMilkBeforeHerSecondNap

I did give her some water at least. I had been out to work and that always throws me off.

#AndIDidNotEvenRealiseFor3HoursSoIThinkWeWillBeFine

I did think that might be why she woke up a bit last night, but it could have been anything and everything really.

#ButYesTheWarmerWeatherMayBeJustHereBrieflyForNowButIDoNeedToSortOutMyLegs

I was planning to write about this earlier on, but got distracted by other things.

#IActuallyCanNotRememberTheLastTimeIShavedThemButItHasBeenProbablyTooLong

I think I have done them since moving to Birmingham, but I could be imagining it.

#IAmAllForBodyHairButIDoPreferMyLegsHairless

Bad feminist? I just like how they look without hair. I can’t remember the last time I got rid of all my armpit hair though. It’s just easier to hide…

#HoweverTheyHaveJustBeenHiddenAwayForMonthsUnderLeggingsSoIJustLetThemDoTheirThing

Grow my uglies, grow.

#IThoughtAboutDoingTwoShootsWithABeforeAndAfterButItSeemedToMakeSenseToShowThemInTheSamePhoto

It’s probably slightly more interesting to look at as one photo (?) and yeah too much effort for two shoots. I’m surprised I’ve managed to do a shoot, write hashtags, have a 30 minute phone call with my befriender, and (hopefully) finish this post before B wakes up from her nap/I wake her up in 6 minutes.

#IJustNeedToFindTimeToShaveTheOtherLegNowAndIHopeTheNeighboursDidNotSeeWhenIWentToGetTheWheelieBin

B might have to just sit and watch me do it when I get her up. Or maybe I can wake her up with the noise of it. I just did it with the electric shaver attachment of an epilator. I’m not looking forward to epilating again. I didn’t bother at all last summer, so yeah that’s some fun to look forward to when I can be bothered.

#AreTwoHairyLegsMoreSociallyAcceptableOnAWomanThanOneShavedAndOneNot

Answers on a postcard to Jockey Greys, Mars, 2100.

(Apparently people will be living on Mars by the end of the century. No thanks. Will B end up on Mars? Who knows.)

Thanks for reading! If you’re enjoying my blog (and/or the work I make) please consider supporting me by ‘buying me a coffee’ on Ko-fi – thanks!

Tags body hair, dry skin, routine, teething, temperature, weather