Hi teething...my old friend!

Questions and life lessons pondered this week:

1. Why aren’t babies born with all their teeth? (Would look slightly strange I know...)
2. Why do the ‘big teeth’ all come in at the same time?
3. Why is teething a mother trucking nightmare for baby and mum?
4. Don't presume the butternut squash soup your son is eating, which is now dripping on the floor and your dog is eating, is soup...
5. Trying to shave any part of your body with a bump in the way is pretty impossible – so I currently look like a patch-work quilt.
And finally...HAPPY HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! What can I say, not all heroes wear capes.

So where do we start? Teething. My old friend. Poor Rafe. It seems like everything comes at once - including teeth. Still has a cold so it’s like snot city all over his face, clothes, my clothes, sheets, in my hair – everywhere. And plus, as you've probably gathered, he’s been teething so bad this week. To be honest, I think he’s been teething for a couple of weeks as has been quite fussy food wise and really upset at night – and constantly rubbing his ear and putting his hands in his mouth. I had a little peer in his mouth and was so surprised at how many teeth he actually had! They all seem to have/or be coming in at once. Those big fucking molars coming in are not fun. And I feel like for the past couple of weeks I have pretty much given Rafe Calpol every night – cue slight panic/worry. And it’s like risking getting bit by an angry shark when you try and put Bonjela in his mouth. Sleep has been a bit hit or miss and to be honest baby number 2 is keeping me up a bit already – so once again, looking like the bird lady from Home Alone 2. My husband is back after a few weeks away and I tried desperately to look half presentable but trying to shave any part of your body with a bump in the way is pretty impossible – so I look like a patch-work quilt. He's a lucky man...But back to teething, I know we just need to ride the storm. Unless anyone has any miracle cures?!

We have a walker!!! Well kind of…well actually, yes he is walking. He’s walking unaided, a few steps here and there and he has started trying to zoom off on his own – with success! He only walks on his own if he knows he has me – or something (the ball pool normally) to fall into if he wobbles. So although he’s not running around yet – he is on his feet walking – just going to take some confidence and time to be properly mobile. It’s such a relief to see him taking those first steps on his own as I know those who have followed me for a while know I’ve been slightly worried (damn you google and comparing to other babies) but as everyone said – he will walk in his own time. Might be another few weeks before he is properly going – but he obviously just wanted to get going when he was ready to. So anyone else worried – I hear ya! But honestly, 9 times out of 10, it is nothing to worry about – obviously if you’re concerned speak to a doctor but from all the messages of reassurance I’ve had – everyone has said, they all do it when they're ready – whether that be at 11 months – or 18 months. And by the time they’re all in the school yard – nobody is going to be able to tell who walked when – they’ll all be running around like tornados!

Rafe’s also started being more vocal. Although he hasn’t mastered any new words – he seems to just be picking up on the noises things make. So a car is brum, a dog is woof, a duck makes a very cute quacking sound – and a lion is rara. I guess it must be easier for him to make the sounds – rather than put the words together? Mum is still a firm favourite – and hiya. He’s also signing too – thanks to Justin on CBeebies, he’s been copying without me prompting which is cute. So I guess all these interactions – verbal and non-verbal are good signs, I think?!

Had a midwife appointment this week. Totally forgot I had one last week so got a note through the door saying how important appointments were and felt bad I had forgotten. Just had so much on my mind – and like I’ve said before, second pregnancy is so different. Not that I’m any less grateful or excited, especially now baby is moving more – you just kind of forget that you’re pregnant sometimes, you don’t take the bump photo, you don’t read about what size vegetable your baby is at the moment – then you feel guilty! But most important thing is midwife was happy, baby is moving well and heartbeat was strong. And baby is size of butternut squash head apparently. Only other thing midwife mentioned that although my urine sample came back with no trace of Strep B, because it is transient and it showed up a few weeks ago – they will still administer the antibiotics in labour, just to be safe. Which is good - better to be safe. I'm feeling so big! And literally can't stop eating. This baby is going to come out loving chocolate as much as I do...

On hols now for a couple of weeks and husband is on leave too, which could not come quick enough. Although getting some house renovating done, looking forward to (trying to) chill out and having some family time. It will be the last holiday/good stint of time off we have together before baby number 2 arrives – which is kind of scary! Once I get back, only 8 weeks left of work which is just madness. Still can’t quite believe we are doing it all again so soon – and feel like I have a million questions but think that’s best for another post...

Might take a little break from blog while on hols, not sure. Will see how the two weeks go! Will still share some photos – and mini updates – on Facebook and Instagram. But in the meantime, to those whose kiddos are also going through teething – I salute you. Sending straight vodka your way…

Oh and to end on a good note...Rafe was having butternut squash soup for lunch the other day, noticed some drip on the floor and Yankee started eating it. Few minutes later realised it wasn't soup but Rafe had done an explosive nappy and shit everywhere. Was one of those moments where for a few seconds, I didn't know how to deal with it. Just run?! We made it though, with shit everywhere, but we made it....
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Till next time.
Faye x

P.s And HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY! What can I say, not all heroes wear capes. Hope you all get to put your feet up and have a hot cuppa!