Sleeping - Zoe gets her own room

Zoe has also been sleeping in her own room for over 6-7 weeks now as she simply outgrew her moses basket. This seems to be helping her grow as she has loads of space to stretch out.

The first night she went into her own room we didn't sleep a wink, even though Zoe did. The baby moniter was on at top volume, it sounded like a guitar amp! We listened for every noise and got up to check on her several times, but she was grand.

This development has meant that Lynn and I are now sleeping in the same bed most of the time, unless I have a particularly early start or a busy day at work ahead.

I know that a lot of guidelines advise against a baby having their own room at this early a stage (we started at 3-months), but we do have a top of the range moniter and we are in the very next room with both doors open.

I personally think it is important for the parents to get their own space and for babies to learn that they can't always be with their Mum or Dad.

Clothes

Clothes
We've already donated a lot of 0-3 months clothes to a charity shop and to some friends that are expecting as Zoe is going through a real growth spurt. She has some funky little outfits and when she is wearing a top and trousers/leggings she looks like a proper little person rather than a baby.

We have treated Zoe to some clothes, however I have to say that we have been very lucky with the stuff that we have received as presents and hand-me-downs, meaning we haen't spent much at all. You could go crazy on clothes, but babies do grow at a crazy rate.

I have to admit to buying Zoe a Manchester United FC jacket for the winter and a funky hooded long sleeve tshirt that is really for boys. But hey.....

My advice for any expectant parents would be 'don't go crazy'. They will grow out of it before you know it and expect to get a lot of clothes as presents.


Oh, we also bought an 'Ewok' suit!

Bath time

We're having a bath (clap, clap)

We're having a bath (clap, clap)

We're having a bath, we're having a bath, we're having a laugh

That is one of many, many daft songs that I have made up since Zoe was born. All good fun, I now actually have someone who enjoys listening to me sing!


One of my favourite times with Zoe is bath time. Usually around 6pm every night when I get in from work. Unless it is nice and we go out a walk first.


The smiles at bath time are unbelievable. We liken Zoe to the Happy Face biscuits although we haven't quite captured that smile on camera yet.


I even had Zoe in the bath with me last week, it was great fun.


Bath time is laugh time in our household. Long may it continue.

Take the time to make the time

As Zoe approaches 12-weeks of age it really is quite incredible to think about everything we have been through in that time.


My Mum came round to babysit on Thursday night to allow us to go out for dinner, the start of what is going to become a 'monthly date'. It was like a date, dinner was washed down with a couple of beers by me and a couple of glasses of wine by Lynn. 


We then decided to nip into a pub on the way home and as it was mobbed with Celtic fans watching the football we went to the quiet corner and played darts! It was great fun, a real laugh and we thoroughly enjoyed 'escaping' for a few hours.


Anyway, on to what the blog is about....the human touch.


As much as Zoe loves her play gym, her Katy the fairy toy, the monkey and the lion and various other colourful toys and teddies, nothing makes her smile as much as some human contact.


We have 'talk times' where we go up to Zoe's room and as she lies in her cot or on her changing mat we simply talk, sing and make funny faces and noises.


Zoe's reaction is just amazing to watch. It makes it all worthwhile.


So a simple lesson, take the time to make the time to speak to and play with your kids. They'll love it, you'll love it and everyone is a winner.




Tiring work though....

10 weeks old

Zoe is 10-weeks old tomorrow. I know my last blog was titled 'Time Is On My Side' but this one could easily be 'where does the time go?'


The first few manic, emotional and tearful weeks seem like months ago. The birth seems like years ago, so much has changed.


I'm back at work, I've started my new job and what a difference it is being back this time compared to when I returned to my old job after paternity leave. Then I was quite happy to get out the house away from the stress of parenting, there was one time I was walking down the road on my way home and I heard Zoe screaming from the top of the street, I was tempted to walk round the block before I went home to give her time to stop!


Now I miss her when I am at work, she is never far from my thoughts. The last 2-weeks or so have really seen her develop her own little personality. There are loads of smiles, attempts to talk...well make sounds and she is just generally brilliant to be around.


Parenting is still exhausting, but the smiles and reactions are charging our energy supplies. The first few weeks just saw our energy levels drop to record lows. It was incredibly tough going.


So Zoe is 10-weeks old tomorrow. This weekend she has been to a 3rd birthday party and we have just returned from a 5th birthday - great fun. 

Time Is On My Side

Well, time is on my side, yes it is 
Time is on my side, yes it is
'Cause I got the real love 
The kind that you need 

I've been pretty lucky with a lot of things in my life and I've certainly been very fortunate with a lot of things following the birth of Zoe, mainly that I have got to spend a lot of time with her.


The good luck started by being at home when Lynn's waters broke. Imagine being at work and hearing that news. The journey back home would be a nightmare!


My work (at the time) were very good and allowed me to take 2-weeks unpaid leave on top of my 2-weeks paternity leave, so I had a full month to spend with Lynn and Zoe. Regular readers will know that this was lucky as it sure wasn't an easy time.


I returned to work and promptly handed my notice in, however I had 4.5 days holiday left to take in the remaining 4-weeks notice I worked plus a TOIL day, so it was more time with the family.


I then took a week off in between jobs and I'm starting my new job tomorrow. That all adds up to 6-weeks out of the first 9-weeks of Zoe's life that I have been with her and Lynn - pretty impressive and I'm so thankful that I have had that time to watch her develop before my very eyes.

You can't turn back time, you can't buy time - make the most of it.


The last few days have reminded me of one of my favourite songs, one I used to play a lot when Lynn and i went travelling between June 07 and June 08, the northern soul classic, Time Will Pass You By by Tobi Legend.


Time Will Pass You By if you are not careful. Make the most of it.

Tune

'Yeah Dad you're right, that Greg Wilson Glastonbury mix is brilliant!'