I just shared this photo via Twitter for the #Snaphappybritmums theme of the day, which is ‘View from above’. So here we have it, this is how baby boy bump is currently looking from above, at 28+2 weeks.
MM.
After coming to the conclusion that *most* nursery rhymes are actually pretty frightening (Humpty Dumpty dies… Jack, from Jack and Jill, smashes his head open and ring-a-ring-‘o roses is about the plague for crying out loud!), I turned to my iPod for exciting sounds for baby boy bump to listen to.
He favoured The Beatles, Enya and Fleetwood Mac. But that’s about it.
I’d like to actually sing mumble through some ‘classics’… What songs or nursery rhymes or lullaby’s did you yakkety yak sing to your bump and then continue to murmur sing when your buddle of joy was born? What songs did your bump respond to most?
Would love your thoughts on this one!
MM.
After seeing this picture of Lily Allen with the Silver Cross “Balmoral” pram I just had to write a blog post to see what you all thought!
First things first, it’s an eerily old fashioned pram – one of which I had a miniature version when I was growing up for my own dolls, and loved dearly! I always said “When I grow up I want a pram like this in real life”. Now real life is happening and I can’t think of a pram worse!
Obviously, this is my own opinion, and I’d love to hear your thoughts on it!
But this pram is clunky, it’s too old-fashioned for dare I say it; modern times…. and this is coming from someone who’s house looks like a throw-back to the 70’s. It just isn’t practical. How on earth would I get on a bus with this pram? It certainly wouldn’t fit into the boot or even the back seat of our modest family car either! Which just makes me think – is this simply a pram for the celebrities? Also, the only time I’ve seen this style of pram recently is on that “Gypsy Wedding” programme (of which I’ve only seen the one episode and was appalled with the explicit dance moves and provocative clothing of FIVE YEAR OLDS, so couldn’t watch it again).
Another thing is, this pram does not come cheap. It’s £1250. I know our iCandy Strawberry did not come cheap, but we chose it on it’s practical-ness, it can fit in all cars, its perfect for public transport, it can rotate to front/rear facing and converts to accomodate a car seat, carry cot and seat unit. The iCandy Strawberry will also cater a child up to 3-4 years old. I can’t see how this Balmoral pram will accomodate a child from 6 months upwards really!?
Also, looking at the gallery of the Balmoral style on the Silver Cross website I couldn’t help but notice that the model looks ‘too tall’ for the pram. Just look how low down that handle bar is! OH certainly wouldn’t be able to push this pram that’s for sure.
So what do you think then? Am I being unreasonable here?! Do you have the Balmoral pram?
MM.
**Quick warning, this post is quite photograph heavy**
We had looked at lots and lots and lots of reviews of travel systems, push chairs, strollers, joggers, car seats – everything! We came to the conclusion that we *needed* the iCandy Apple. No, not because we’re massive Apple fans… but because iCandy products are the most innovative, easy-on-the-eye and well received. Also, it’s quite important to us that iCandy is a British brand – we’re massive supporters of all things heritage, so this was also a key selling point for us!
Upon further investigation, we found that the iCandy Strawberry was due to be released – after much anticipation. We watched a ton of videos from trade fairs and Which, along with reviews, and decided that we now *needed* the iCandy Strawberry. We called up John Lewis dozens of times awaiting the delivery of it to the shop floor so we could look at it in real life. FINALLY, it had arrived at the Oxford Street store, so we dashed down after work to have a butchers.
We were not disappointed – but knew there was a waiting list and all products that were being delivered, were going straight to customers who had pre-ordered, months and months and months previous.
We looked at a handful of forums and spoke to iCandy stockists and found that we were likely to have a 3 month wait. So we thought, ‘sod it, let’s get it ordered’. So at just 12 weeks pregnant, we ordered the entire package from John Lewis in Stratford. We just wanted to keep it simple colour-wise, black goes with everything – and is unisex. So we ordered the seat unit (£450) and seat unit flavour pack in Assam (£75) along with carry cot (£95) and carry cot flavour pack in Assam (£75).
We were told that we’d get a phone call when everything was in stock, ready for dispatch. Personally, I thought it would be longer than the 3 month wait… judging by conversations around the amount of pre-orders and the length of time it takes to dispatch to the stockist – for the stockist to then dispatch to the customer directly. Just 3 weeks later we got a phone call saying that all items would be delivered in a further 3 days time! We couldn’t believe it.
But hey, I did say we were organised, didn’t I? 😉
So, obviously, at just 24+1 weeks pregnant, we haven’t given it a proper test drive yet. But check out the pictures. We’re chuffed with it! Will have to follow up on this post when Baby Boy actually arrives! From driving it around the house, I can confirm that it is smooth, easy to manoeuvre and quite light. The iCandy Strawberry comes with ‘memory’, meaning that it can be folded with the seat unit attached still – it will then unfold back into the same position before it was folded.
What’s in the box? iCandy Strawberry Chassis, Stroller seat unit, bumper bar, wheels, rain cover and instructions/warranty.
What’s in the box? iCandy carrycot, bumper bar, rain cover, instructions/warranty.
Carry cot attached, with bumper bar. The carry cot features the Assam flavour pack – hood and cover.
Stroller, rear facing. The stroller features the Assam flavour pack – hood and seat cover.
Stroller, front facing.
Folded, free standing, with stroller still attached.
Folded, laid flat with stroller still attached.
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We’ve also ordered the Maxi Cosi Cabriofix car seat from Amazon, which attaches to the iCandy Strawberry chassis. You need to purchase the Maxi Cosi Cabriofix adapters (£30) however!
The complete iCandy Strawberry Travel System that we purchased above came to a total of £725 from John Lewis. We still need to purchase a the Parasol (£25), which can now be purchased online at JohnLewis.com
MM.
Wishing you all a very merry Easter!
I’m not a massive chocolate fan, so didn’t receive any chocolate or sweetie related Easter gifts. I did buy OH a Creme Egg Easter egg and obligatory Lindt chocolate bunny of course 🙂
I am currently roasting up a lovely piece of lamb with rosemary and garlic instead, while OH bakes a Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall Apple and almond pudding cake.
MM.
We’ ve been super organised during this pregnancy – despite all the scares and the tests and the anxiety. I think the being organised has been therapeutic in a way; and has given us something to keep our minds focussed 🙂
Here are the first picture’s of Baby Boy’s first bedroom – he’s going to be in our bedroom for around the first six months however! I did say I was organised, didn’t I?
We painted the walls first – ‘Willow Tree’ by Dulux. We must have painted the room at around 12 weeks. We needed something to do while awaiting CVS results.
We then went to IKEA at around 18 weeks and bought all the furniture! Check out the little dog-bum hooks!
This is OH putting together the cot. All very exciting!
Then putting the shelves up! He very much enjoyed using his new drill and fancy spirit level 🙂
I’m particularly enjoying my curtains, which I hemmed and put up myself. It’s quite a small room, but feels so cosy and nice. We just need July to hurry up now!
MM.
It’s just been revealed that Mad (wo)Man, January Jones, ate her own placenta after giving birth to her first child last year.
The placenta hold key, essential vitamins that can boost energy after a draining birth. But what are your thoughts on consuming your own placenta? Do you know anyone, or have you yourself eaten your own placenta post-birth?
Would love to hear your thoughts!
MM.
Tuesday 20th March: 4D scan! Fetal Heart Echo (Echocardiogram) and 20 Week Anomaly Scan at UCLH.
This Tuesday we went back to the Fetal Medicine Unit for a repeat Echocardiogram, doubled up with our 20 week Anomaly Scan. We are absolutely chuffed to say that every appears normal and all of baby boys organs are working correctly. So we will have no further review organ-wise, which is great news! The specialist was also (more than!) kind enough to surprise us with a few sneaky peaks at a 4D scan of our baby boy! It was absolutely incredible.
The extensive scan did however highlight that in some views there was a suspicion of Talipes (club foot). But in other views both feet appeared normal. The specialist also noted that the range of movements in all joints is normal. So this basically means that we have to go back to the FMU in about 4 weeks time to have a repeat scan to confirm or exclude the suspicion.
If it is found that one of his feet are a little on the wonky side, there are tons of things that can be done – without the need of surgery. So we’re happy.
Just also curious to find out if you had a baby with a suspected club foot and your experiences? What happened after the birth?
Here are some measurements and findings from the Anomaly scan that you might find useful. We were told these measurements were pretty much spot on for gestation, 21+4 weeks.
Biparietal Diameter (BPD): 52.4 mm
Head Circumference (HC): 189.1 mm
Abdominal Circumference (AC): 168.0 mm
Nuchal Fold Thickness (NT): 5.3 mm
Nasal Bone: 7.3 mm
Femur Length: 34.1 mm
Estimated Fetal Weight (BPD, HC, AC, FL): 416g / 15oz
MM.
Baby size at 22 weeks: 28cm long.
Baby weight at 22 weeks: 430g.
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I’m feeling great – still! Definitely feel like I’m getting enough sleep, so have more energy. My bump is pretty massive – although the baby boy inside is in proportion! So that’s good.
Baby Boy is still moving about lots and lots. He’s certainly enjoying himself.
We were at both UCLH and Broomfield this week. Will be writing up the results of both visits shortly.
So what is happening to baby boy this week?
Fig 1: http://www.babycentre.co.uk/pregnancy/fetaldevelopment/22weeks/
Your baby’s legs aren’t curled up so tightly to his tummy now. This means he can be measured from the top of her head to his heels, instead of his bottom. He is proportioned like a newborn, albeit a thinner version since his baby fat hasn’t yet developed.
Although he’s getting heavier every day, his skin still appears wrinkled and translucent because he needs to gain more weight. His lips are distinct and his eyes are formed, though the coloured part (the iris) still lacks pigment. The pancreas, essential in the production of hormones, is developing steadily.
He can now hear when you talk – try singing or reading to them and see if you get any kicks in response.
MM.