Six months already?!

I honestly can say that these past six months have gone by really fast.  This year has flown by. Christmas is around the corner (19 days to go) and then we enter a new year, filled with more challenges and adventures.

I can not believe that Baby Girl is 6 months old (young).  The past month has had more downs then ups. I assume that she is starting to get them teeth, eish. Which means not a lot of sleep for me or Baby girl.  She’s become very moody, almost like those two weeks before your period starts, when you are at your worst, well that’s her. Nothing is right, just when you think you have done something great and she smiles from ear to ear, tears and lots of screaming takes over. But it only last that long. Then we struggle to take a nap (in the end we don’t nap, so we stay up and then once again become tired, but not wanting to sleep and so it continues). Otherwise, all is well.  She is rolling, sitting, holding her bottle, eating solids, loving bath time and loving nature. Note: when struggeling to get baby to calm down, let baby watch the leaves on the trees blow in the wind, soothing and calming effect.

This is also my last month of maternity leave.  I have mixed emotions.  I am sort of ready to start working again in January, but then I am not that ready to leave her with strangers.  I don’t know how she will adapt and I do hope these teachers have a lot a patience.  They should have right?  Just knowing what I go through in a day…maybe Baby Girl just likes testing my patience, because she shows more than enough happiness when her dad walks into a room.  Maybe she is tired of my face? I hope not. But maybe some change will do us both good.

Like I have mentioned, there has been a lot of downs, but when she smiles, my heart melts.  She is precious in every single way and I am honoured to be her mom.  I think what really has been challenging is doing a lot of things on my own, when help was not always available.  I think that you need to go out more with friends or go to the gym or the movies, just to get some grown up sanity back again.  I take my hat off for moms that have two kids or more and they have to take care of everything without any help. Good golly.  It’s hard sometimes…

So here is my advise, if you have that day when you feeling blue and you just need some alone time, then you need to get out! Call a grandma or that friend that said that she would babysit anytime, and take some time for yourself.  Even if it’s just a long nap.  You need to breathe (get some oxygen into that brain again) and take back control, not just for your own good but for your baby’s as well.  We need to love motherhood and should not be loafing it.

So here’s to the next six months! (Then Baby Girl will be One Year old!) Hip hip Hooray and Cheers!

Opinionated much?

I don’t mind the occasional ‘here and there’ advise given by a parent. “Use it or don’t use it” most will say, because most parents know that not all babies are the same.  Not all babies will necessarily achieve their milestone goals at the same age, so don’t fret if your baby has not started walking on his own at 11 or 12 months and your friend’s baby is already doing it at the same age.  They will get there eventually.  They might just enjoy doing other activities more.

What really gets to me are these people who don’t have any children, but will always, not give advise, but give their opinion. Say what? You, the person who has not been in labour for hours, not once, wants give me an opinion? Please have a baby first and then we can maybe have a conversation about sleeping schedules and breastfeeding.  The baby will not be handed to you on a golden platter with a manual on how to use. No. You can plan when you want to have you baby, not going to happen on that date.  You can think that you are going to let your baby sleep in his own room starting from three months. You can actually assume a lot of things before birth, but once that baby is here, most of those assumptions will fly out of the window and you just have to take each day as it comes.( Unless you are Hitler and you are totally going to dictate your baby’s life). You will either have a happy baby, colic baby, baby that don’t want to latch, really calm baby, really busy baby, the list goes on.  You will never know how your baby will react to certain situations. (and don’t even think they’ll behave like you or your husband…)

So people without babies/children.  Don’t give me your opinion (even behind my back, that’s just rude by the way).  Lets chat again once you got that very special little person in your life. Maybe then I’ll even give some advise, use it or don’t use it…

Summer is peeking around the corner!

Another month has flown by and we have hit the four months milestone! I have to admit, this past month was a breeze and I have enjoyed it way more than the first two months. The weather also plays a huge role! It’s Spring time in South Africa and Summer is on its way, with today’s temperature hitting a sunny 28’C.  This means we’ll be hitting the beach soon (I’m not a big fan at all, but Baby Girl has to experience the ocean waters).

A lot has happened during month three.  A few weeks ago, she has decided that the boob is no good no more 😦 which means a few things, a need to start pumping more and there is a lot of sterilizing bottles going on, not to mention that the boiled water needs to cool down to the right temperature. ( if I can keep my pinky in the water for 10 seconds, then its just right). She has been sleeping through the night, but this does not mean I get to sleep through the night. Constantly checking if she is warm enough or putting the soother back in her mouth.  Yes, she has made soother her friend. Don’t know if this is a good or bad thing.  We’ll soon find out…  She is sitting upright with support, rolling over and actually likes spending time on her tummy.  There is a lot of chewing her fingers and toes going on, the gums are really itchy! But what has made this past month easier, is that you get to know your baby’s needs better.  The ‘I’m hungry’ moan and ‘I want to sleep now’ moan are two completely different sounds.  I love that everyday she is just becoming more and more her own person and she has a very strong personality already!

So like a mentioned, Summer is on its way and of course we here in the Western Cape are blessed to be surrounded by the most beautiful sceneries. Here are just a few places we have visited and still need to visit with Baby Girl.  Babylonstoren is just perfect for you and babies.  You can take your stroller and head into their beautiful gardens early morning. Pet the donkeys and hedgehogs and then have a yummy lunch at the Tea Garden or Platter for 2 at their Wine Tasting Room. A definite favourite! Mont Marie is a favourite amongst the locals. With a play area for the children and a great menu for adults and kids, the view of the mountains and vineyards is just breathtaking. A great location to just chill and soak up the sun. Boschendal is the perfect spot for a picnic.  Pack your own or reserve a basket in advance to enjoy on their spacious lawn areas.  They also have wonderful herb and vegetable garden to explore.  Joostenberg also offers great picnic baskets and dad can try some local beers at the craft brewery.  Beautiful peaceful lawn area with a jungle gym and ample space for the kiddies to run around.

I am really looking forward to this season. So much to do! and Christmas is also only 83 days away!  Baby girl’s first spring/summer time and new traditions to start with her as a family. Exciting times 🙂