So we've now decided that mama means 'give me food'. She was shouting it at Paul today, while I was holding her and he was getting her lunch ready. And thinking back, the times which she's shouted it at me have been when she's been expecting food.
So Lola's first word might be 'strictly' after all...
Sunday, 7 December 2008
Food, glorious food
OK, so we've covered sleep. It's about time I penned a word or two about food. One of the (many) other uber important issues in the world of babies.
Rather than go down the classic route when it came to weaning Lola, we opted for the baby-led weaning approach. This meant introducing solid food in its original form - rather than pureeing it and spoonfeeding her - and allowing her to feed herself. However, it wasn't just a case of handing her a slice of pizza. Food had to be well cooked, fruit had to be ripe and items which were a clear choking hazard (nuts and the like) need to be avoided. All common sense really.
She started trying bits here and there when she was about five months, but we began the proper weaning process at about six months. I have to say, it was all very exciting. We were quite lucky in that she tried everything we offered her and she got to grips with the whole food to mouth thing very quickly. I don't think this was a hunger thing at the beginning with Lola, just pure curiosity. Bless her, she does like to know what's going on...
At six and a half months we introduced meat and fish into her diet and by seven months she was eating our meals. For lunch she has what we've eaten for dinner the night before and then I'll rustle something else up for her tea. She has an amazingly varied diet and the nice thing is that we've never had to think too hard about what to buy while shopping, or to plan meals too far in advance. Her appetite is insatiable and I'm shocked to the core on a daily basis by the amount she can put away. Christ knows where she's putting it, the health visitors still tells me she's underweight. It's a good job I don't listen to them...
It's not like me to get massively enthusiastic a baby-related approach or technique, but I really have done about this. It's VERY messy (I used to wear an apron during Lola's mealtimes and still now embark on a serious clean up operation three times a day), but it works for us. I have felt slightly self conscious at times as it's not the most common approach to feeding your baby and some people clearly think you're insane. But it's worth it.
Here's a video of Lola eating her tea today - pasta with cream cheese, prawns and avocados. As you can see mealtimes are an exciting time as they're an opportunity to dance and clap as well as eat. Paul and I have been leading by example...
Rather than go down the classic route when it came to weaning Lola, we opted for the baby-led weaning approach. This meant introducing solid food in its original form - rather than pureeing it and spoonfeeding her - and allowing her to feed herself. However, it wasn't just a case of handing her a slice of pizza. Food had to be well cooked, fruit had to be ripe and items which were a clear choking hazard (nuts and the like) need to be avoided. All common sense really.
She started trying bits here and there when she was about five months, but we began the proper weaning process at about six months. I have to say, it was all very exciting. We were quite lucky in that she tried everything we offered her and she got to grips with the whole food to mouth thing very quickly. I don't think this was a hunger thing at the beginning with Lola, just pure curiosity. Bless her, she does like to know what's going on...
At six and a half months we introduced meat and fish into her diet and by seven months she was eating our meals. For lunch she has what we've eaten for dinner the night before and then I'll rustle something else up for her tea. She has an amazingly varied diet and the nice thing is that we've never had to think too hard about what to buy while shopping, or to plan meals too far in advance. Her appetite is insatiable and I'm shocked to the core on a daily basis by the amount she can put away. Christ knows where she's putting it, the health visitors still tells me she's underweight. It's a good job I don't listen to them...
It's not like me to get massively enthusiastic a baby-related approach or technique, but I really have done about this. It's VERY messy (I used to wear an apron during Lola's mealtimes and still now embark on a serious clean up operation three times a day), but it works for us. I have felt slightly self conscious at times as it's not the most common approach to feeding your baby and some people clearly think you're insane. But it's worth it.
Here's a video of Lola eating her tea today - pasta with cream cheese, prawns and avocados. As you can see mealtimes are an exciting time as they're an opportunity to dance and clap as well as eat. Paul and I have been leading by example...
Sunday, 30 November 2008
First word?
So Lola's been making the mamamama and dadadada sounds for a few weeks now. But today, on a few occasions, Lola reached or called out to me and said mama. Paul's absolutely convinced she's aware of what she's saying and considers this her first word, but I'm not so sure.
I need someone to observe it who can give a completely objective standpoint. I shan't be asking my father, as according to him, Lola understands half of the blooming Oxford dictionary. She doesn't, by the way...
I need someone to observe it who can give a completely objective standpoint. I shan't be asking my father, as according to him, Lola understands half of the blooming Oxford dictionary. She doesn't, by the way...
Saturday, 29 November 2008
Sleepy times
After eight and a half months of motherhood I've decided to write a blog post about Lola's sleeping patterns. I'm forever asking my mother how my sister and I slept as babies but she can't remember. I can now understand how that happens. Three months ago feels like a bit of a blur, 29 years must feel like a big blur. By recording it here I will be in a position to relay it to Lola should she ever ask me.
One of the first things people ask you when they enquire about your offspring, whether they're a friend or random stranger in the post office is, "how does she sleep"? Till fairly recently my response was always "terribly". Or something along those lines.
For the first couple of weeks of her life Lola was up every hour or two at night but it didn't matter. We'd leap out of bed at the first murmur to tend to her and were strangely excited by the fact that she was awake. The novelty soon wore off and serious sleep deprivation kicked in at around weeks 3 and 4. I was completely exhausted and wondering when on earth it was going to stop. I seem to remember week 6 being a turning point - not for Lola as she was still up constantly - but for us (well, certainly for me) as it started to feel normal. Don't get me wrong, I was tired, but it was just a case of feeding her back to sleep (which only took a few minutes) and then jumping back into bed. We were on autopilot and it became everyday stuff.
When she reached about four months the reflux started and that was pure hell. Lola was in pain at night suffering from acid indigestion and as the only thing which could console her was being completely upright - which meant Paul or I needed to be too. It was such a hideous time, which felt like it lasted about three years. In reality it probably lasted about three weeks.
Just before Lola turned six months something shifted and she settled. While she didn't manage it every single night, more often than not she slept from 6.30 to 7ish, waking once for a feed at around 4 or 5am. This was pure heaven for me. I started to go to bed at night looking forward to the stretch of sleep ahead of me, rather than wondering how soon I was going to be up and out of bed again. It felt amazing. Some people still threw me a look or words of sympathy when I explained this was what she was up to, but it was such a huge improvement that I felt like I was staying in a 5 star hotel each night. There's this idea that getting your baby to sleep for 12 hours is the ultimate, but I believe that if getting up once (or however many times) in the night works for you, then what's the problem?
Don't get me wrong, we still had the odd night of hell. We even had the odd few nights of hell - particularly when we spent a couple of weeks away in October. And the bad nights were seriously bad. That's the thing about having it good. Having it bad again is awful.
So seven nights ago the unthinkable happened. We stopped Lola's night feeds and she's slept easily for 12 hours each night. OK, so on two nights we popped our heads in at 4.30 to give her back her rabbit but it's likely she was just making noises in her sleep and we didn't really need to.
It's AMAZING. I feel like a new woman. And I'm also terrified that I've jinxed the entire thing by writing this post. While I'm not naive enough to think that things will be perfect every night going forwards, I'm just hopeful that this is all a step in the right direction. Please, please keep your fingers crossed for the de Cozar Rushforths.
One of the first things people ask you when they enquire about your offspring, whether they're a friend or random stranger in the post office is, "how does she sleep"? Till fairly recently my response was always "terribly". Or something along those lines.
For the first couple of weeks of her life Lola was up every hour or two at night but it didn't matter. We'd leap out of bed at the first murmur to tend to her and were strangely excited by the fact that she was awake. The novelty soon wore off and serious sleep deprivation kicked in at around weeks 3 and 4. I was completely exhausted and wondering when on earth it was going to stop. I seem to remember week 6 being a turning point - not for Lola as she was still up constantly - but for us (well, certainly for me) as it started to feel normal. Don't get me wrong, I was tired, but it was just a case of feeding her back to sleep (which only took a few minutes) and then jumping back into bed. We were on autopilot and it became everyday stuff.
When she reached about four months the reflux started and that was pure hell. Lola was in pain at night suffering from acid indigestion and as the only thing which could console her was being completely upright - which meant Paul or I needed to be too. It was such a hideous time, which felt like it lasted about three years. In reality it probably lasted about three weeks.
Just before Lola turned six months something shifted and she settled. While she didn't manage it every single night, more often than not she slept from 6.30 to 7ish, waking once for a feed at around 4 or 5am. This was pure heaven for me. I started to go to bed at night looking forward to the stretch of sleep ahead of me, rather than wondering how soon I was going to be up and out of bed again. It felt amazing. Some people still threw me a look or words of sympathy when I explained this was what she was up to, but it was such a huge improvement that I felt like I was staying in a 5 star hotel each night. There's this idea that getting your baby to sleep for 12 hours is the ultimate, but I believe that if getting up once (or however many times) in the night works for you, then what's the problem?
Don't get me wrong, we still had the odd night of hell. We even had the odd few nights of hell - particularly when we spent a couple of weeks away in October. And the bad nights were seriously bad. That's the thing about having it good. Having it bad again is awful.
So seven nights ago the unthinkable happened. We stopped Lola's night feeds and she's slept easily for 12 hours each night. OK, so on two nights we popped our heads in at 4.30 to give her back her rabbit but it's likely she was just making noises in her sleep and we didn't really need to.
It's AMAZING. I feel like a new woman. And I'm also terrified that I've jinxed the entire thing by writing this post. While I'm not naive enough to think that things will be perfect every night going forwards, I'm just hopeful that this is all a step in the right direction. Please, please keep your fingers crossed for the de Cozar Rushforths.
Friday, 21 November 2008
Monday, 17 November 2008
On the move
Here's some footage of Lola about a week after she learned to crawl (properly, on her hands and knees). This havoc causing is the order of the day now.
As you can see, her own toys can only distract her momentarily before she heads back to the Playstation III to eject a DVD.
People talk about this phase being realy difficult as you've got to have eyes in the back of your head. I agree you've got to have eyes in the back of your head but I don't think it's difficult, I think it's brilliant. She's gaining so much independence and while I'm the first to admit I never want her to get any bigger, it's amazing to see her grasp new things. She's waving, half clapping (I'll get this on video so you can see what I mean) and standing loads (by pulling herself up on things, not unsupported).
She'll be onto Pythagoras' Theorem before we know it.
As you can see, her own toys can only distract her momentarily before she heads back to the Playstation III to eject a DVD.
People talk about this phase being realy difficult as you've got to have eyes in the back of your head. I agree you've got to have eyes in the back of your head but I don't think it's difficult, I think it's brilliant. She's gaining so much independence and while I'm the first to admit I never want her to get any bigger, it's amazing to see her grasp new things. She's waving, half clapping (I'll get this on video so you can see what I mean) and standing loads (by pulling herself up on things, not unsupported).
She'll be onto Pythagoras' Theorem before we know it.
Saturday, 18 October 2008
Thursday, 2 October 2008
España
Our holiday in Spain feels like a million years ago now. Here's an pictoral overview of the very wonderful week that we had.
We stayed in a lovely villa in Nerja. OK, it wasn't this one, but you get the idea.
We ate chirimollas. You may call them custard apples.
Lola spent lots of time with her Nan, Granddad, Aunty and Uncle, so Paul and I did little parenting. Which was LOVELY.
Uncle Steve bought Lola a boat for the pool. Do you think we were being slightly overprotective here?
On me 'ead son
We stayed in a lovely villa in Nerja. OK, it wasn't this one, but you get the idea.
We ate chirimollas. You may call them custard apples.
Lola spent lots of time with her Nan, Granddad, Aunty and Uncle, so Paul and I did little parenting. Which was LOVELY.
Uncle Steve bought Lola a boat for the pool. Do you think we were being slightly overprotective here?
On me 'ead son
A rare family portrait
Lola decided that splashing in the freezing cold sea with her Daddy was even better than eating spaghetti bolognese
Paul created some sand art, which I was really impressed with
Peas in a pod
La familia visitada. Tito Paco y Tita Maria
Paul created some sand art, which I was really impressed with
Peas in a pod
La familia visitada. Tito Paco y Tita Maria
Tita Carmen y Lolita
Tita Maria y Lolita
It was a perfect family holday. We went out and we stayed in. We ate and drank lots. It was really hot.
I want to go back.
I want to go back.
Sunday, 28 September 2008
Great Grandma Stevie
Sadly, Paul's maternal Grandmother, Iris 'Stevie' Hodges died on 28 September, aged 94. If you didn't have the pleasure of meeting her, but you did attend our wedding, you may remember the poem that she wrote and recited (by heart) about our engagement in Venice. The fact that she stood up in front of hundred people and did that at the ripe old age of 91 is very much indicative of the type of person that she was. She was a special and talented lady who we miss very much.
We visited Yorkshire at the end of August and Stevie got to meet her Great Granddaughter for the second time. It was lovely seeing them together. I know that Lola is a sociable baby who gets on with pretty much everyone, but occasionally you'll see her really connect with people and she did just that with her Great Grandma. She kept touching her face and wanted to be held by her, which broke my heart as Stevie wasn't quite strong enough at this stage.
I have some brilliant memories of my Great Nana Smith, but as I was only about two when she died, it's unlikely that they're real ones. They've probably been created by the stories and photographs, but they're just as good as the real thing. We're going to make damn sure that Lola grows up with similar memories.
We visited Yorkshire at the end of August and Stevie got to meet her Great Granddaughter for the second time. It was lovely seeing them together. I know that Lola is a sociable baby who gets on with pretty much everyone, but occasionally you'll see her really connect with people and she did just that with her Great Grandma. She kept touching her face and wanted to be held by her, which broke my heart as Stevie wasn't quite strong enough at this stage.
I have some brilliant memories of my Great Nana Smith, but as I was only about two when she died, it's unlikely that they're real ones. They've probably been created by the stories and photographs, but they're just as good as the real thing. We're going to make damn sure that Lola grows up with similar memories.
Saturday, 27 September 2008
Spaghetti Bolognese
We just had to record the first time she ate it. She'd got excited about food up till this stage, but this really was something else.
Friday, 19 September 2008
Friday, 12 September 2008
Monday, 8 September 2008
Sunday, 7 September 2008
Six months old
Lola was born six months ago today. This feels like a massive milestone, which has sneaked up on us without any warning whatsoever. In some ways, it feels like only yesterday that she came into (and rocked) our world and in some it feels like six years.
She was born by emergency Cesarean section and when it became apparent towards the latter part of the labour that this was going to be the delivery method, I panicked that I wouldn't be able bond as well with our baby, as if he/she'd been born via the normal route. However, I had absolutely nothing to worry about. Even though I only saw her for a few moments after she was born (she was taken back to the ward with her Dad and the midwife while I was stitched up and sent to recovery) I was in a state of euphoria, and so desperate to be with her again. We got down to the maternity ward at about midnight and I spent the whole night clutching hold of her tightly, kissing every inch of her face, smelling her amazing hair (or head, or whatever that intoxicating baby smell is) and feeling so utterly grateful for the fact that she was in our lives. I didn't sleep a wink, but didn't care. I felt so, so lucky to have fallen so hopelessly in love with her, so quickly.
Here's some footage of her lying in bed with me in the maternity wing at Lewisham hopsital, the day after she was born.
I remember thinking that this was the first day of the rest of our lives and that everything was going change. I was right.
And here she is, six months on. Eating breakfast and selecting pieces of banana with that same look of determination which she gets when she's pulling at Paul's chest hairs when she comes into bed with us in the morning. I apologise in advance for the inappropriate bodily function. We still have a thing or two to teach her about table manners.
It's something that all parents say - but the time passes so bloody quickly, it's frightening. I've found myself constantly thinking 'this age is the best, I don't want her to get any bigger' and then enjoying the next phase even more. But this one (six months) is particularly brilliant. Lola is eating now (she's devoured every fruit and vegetable we've put in front of her - along with a few other bits), she's sitting pretty well and is crawling (albeit backwards and commando style).
She's a really, really good little girl (even if we do say so ourselves) and is so incredibly happy. We don't call her smile factory for nothing. Such is her sociable nature that she creates little fan clubs wherever she goes - from the Sainsburys in Sydenham to the florist on Lordship Lane in Dulwich.
Don't get me wrong, we've had our fair share of difficult times, such is the challenging and frustrating nature of child-rearing, but they (almost) pale into insignificance next to the good times.
Happy six month birthday sweetheart. We love you like crazy.
She was born by emergency Cesarean section and when it became apparent towards the latter part of the labour that this was going to be the delivery method, I panicked that I wouldn't be able bond as well with our baby, as if he/she'd been born via the normal route. However, I had absolutely nothing to worry about. Even though I only saw her for a few moments after she was born (she was taken back to the ward with her Dad and the midwife while I was stitched up and sent to recovery) I was in a state of euphoria, and so desperate to be with her again. We got down to the maternity ward at about midnight and I spent the whole night clutching hold of her tightly, kissing every inch of her face, smelling her amazing hair (or head, or whatever that intoxicating baby smell is) and feeling so utterly grateful for the fact that she was in our lives. I didn't sleep a wink, but didn't care. I felt so, so lucky to have fallen so hopelessly in love with her, so quickly.
Here's some footage of her lying in bed with me in the maternity wing at Lewisham hopsital, the day after she was born.
I remember thinking that this was the first day of the rest of our lives and that everything was going change. I was right.
And here she is, six months on. Eating breakfast and selecting pieces of banana with that same look of determination which she gets when she's pulling at Paul's chest hairs when she comes into bed with us in the morning. I apologise in advance for the inappropriate bodily function. We still have a thing or two to teach her about table manners.
It's something that all parents say - but the time passes so bloody quickly, it's frightening. I've found myself constantly thinking 'this age is the best, I don't want her to get any bigger' and then enjoying the next phase even more. But this one (six months) is particularly brilliant. Lola is eating now (she's devoured every fruit and vegetable we've put in front of her - along with a few other bits), she's sitting pretty well and is crawling (albeit backwards and commando style).
She's a really, really good little girl (even if we do say so ourselves) and is so incredibly happy. We don't call her smile factory for nothing. Such is her sociable nature that she creates little fan clubs wherever she goes - from the Sainsburys in Sydenham to the florist on Lordship Lane in Dulwich.
Don't get me wrong, we've had our fair share of difficult times, such is the challenging and frustrating nature of child-rearing, but they (almost) pale into insignificance next to the good times.
Happy six month birthday sweetheart. We love you like crazy.
Friday, 5 September 2008
More matter with less art
OK, so I promise this isn't just an excuse to post pictures of this man
Well, maybe it is.
Just a little bit.
I'll stop now. I promise. Right after this
Tonight I was lucky enough to join my sister and some of her friends at the Courtyard Theatre in Stratford Upon Avon for Gregory Doran's Hamlet. You've more than likely seen the rave reviews, so I'll just confirm that it was brilliant. This is the third RSC production I've seen of Hamlet (previously saw Kenneth Branagh and Ralph Fiennes, the latter was fantastic) and by far, the best yet. David Tennant's preformance was excellent - as was Patrick Stewart's - and the rest of the cast for that matter.
I couldn't quite believe my luck when we got to our seats. Row B in the stalls. The courtyard has an apron stage. We could have literally reached out and touched the cast. If the mood had taken us. Ahem.
I'm depserate to see the show again in London, but just don't think I can stretch to the £1,200 cost for a pair of tickets on ebay. Sigh...
I hadn't really thought through the fact that I was going to be away from my daughter for 10 hours, three hours from home, until I was about to leave the house. Considering the fact I've only been out for an evening before and never further away than central London, this felt like quite a big deal.
However, 15 minutes into the journey I was really enjoying being alone, despite the jammed Friday traffic. 3 hours alone in a car, with nothing but music for company (an 80s Greatist Hits compilation to be precise) was a brilliant way to spend an afternoon. Great prelude to an even better evening.
Thursday, 4 September 2008
First teeth
I've just reached the end (I hope) of three days of hell. At five months and three quarters Lola's cut her two (bottom) front teeth and has not been a happy bunny. The poor little sweetheart has been mega frustrated, in terrible pain and constantly pulling at her mouth. Whenever she teeths, which she's done a few times (without any teeth actually appearing) over the past few months, I fear that she's gone through a personality change and is turning into a monster child.
Fingers crossed we'll be OK from here on in. That is until the next ones start coming through ...
Fingers crossed we'll be OK from here on in. That is until the next ones start coming through ...
Monday, 1 September 2008
Wedding anniversary
I married Mr Rushforth and became Mrs de Cozar Rushforth three whole years ago today. It was the most amazing day ever (coming in jointly with Lola's birthday) and I would give my left arm to do it all again.
Here we are at Allerton Castle, about to say our vows
and here we are today, with the new addition to our clan, Miss Lola Ines de Cozar Rushforth.
Awww.
Here we are at Allerton Castle, about to say our vows
and here we are today, with the new addition to our clan, Miss Lola Ines de Cozar Rushforth.
Awww.
Monday, 25 August 2008
Bank holiday
I LOVE bank holiday weekends. Even more so nowadays, as Lola and I get to have our husband/father around for an extra day.
On Saturday it was a barbeque at the Lightlys' with the gorgeous Rick
Rick bought Krispy Kremes, god love him. Here's Freyja enjoying her doughnut
and Lola after trying chocolate for the first time. Yes, we know, we're terrible parents...
On Saturday we had a visit from Laura and Will, which was brilliant. After an unusual bout of shyness from Lola, she quickly adopted them as her new parents
On Monday we made like bank holidayers and drove to Kent (again). We went to Ashdown Forest, home of Winnie the Pooh. We played Pooh sticks at Pooh Bridge
and Lola won. Not only that, but mine and Paul's sticks came through tangled together after hers. Paul thinks there's a man who sits under the bridge fixing the results. Cynic.
Some nice pictures of Lola in her new favourite place
I wish every weekend could be three days long.
On Saturday it was a barbeque at the Lightlys' with the gorgeous Rick
Rick bought Krispy Kremes, god love him. Here's Freyja enjoying her doughnut
and Lola after trying chocolate for the first time. Yes, we know, we're terrible parents...
On Saturday we had a visit from Laura and Will, which was brilliant. After an unusual bout of shyness from Lola, she quickly adopted them as her new parents
On Monday we made like bank holidayers and drove to Kent (again). We went to Ashdown Forest, home of Winnie the Pooh. We played Pooh sticks at Pooh Bridge
and Lola won. Not only that, but mine and Paul's sticks came through tangled together after hers. Paul thinks there's a man who sits under the bridge fixing the results. Cynic.Some nice pictures of Lola in her new favourite place
I wish every weekend could be three days long.
Saturday, 23 August 2008
Friday, 22 August 2008
Aunty Taz
Lola and I were lucky enough to be visited by my sister this week. We had a brilliant time.
On Wednesday we went to see WALL-E at baby cinema and then wandered around Greenwich.
Here's Lola eating grass in the park.
On Thursday we babysat Freyja
and played football in the garden. I'll have to get video footage of this one day as Lola really does have the skills. She's a mini Cesc in the making.
walked the neighbourhood and watched the shadows
On Friday we went the Horniman and visited the Aquariam
and the gardens
We had a perfect week, were very sad to see her go and hope she's going to come back soon.
On Wednesday we went to see WALL-E at baby cinema and then wandered around Greenwich.
Here's Lola eating grass in the park.
On Thursday we babysat Freyja
and played football in the garden. I'll have to get video footage of this one day as Lola really does have the skills. She's a mini Cesc in the making.
walked the neighbourhood and watched the shadows
On Friday we went the Horniman and visited the Aquariam
and the gardens
We had a perfect week, were very sad to see her go and hope she's going to come back soon.
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