Traveling with a baby.

Travelling with ariyah. 

Ariyah is a well travelled baby, although we are yet to take her abroad, we have travelled around the UK and gone away a far bit.

On a day to day basic from only a few days old she got used to going on buses. This iis because we do not currently drive so only way around London is buses and trains. She was so small when she was born that we had to go get clothes as well as made regular trips to the doctors. Everyone was also so surprised that we took her out so young. We did get the whole wow your brave. I do not think it's brave I think its called living.

Ariyah-mai was good on the bus and when she was young she would just sleep. She also loved the car and it would calm aandd send her to sleep. When herr nanny would come pick us up or drive us places, if it was cold or raining. We would go round every Sunday for sunday roast so she would pick us up and drop us off.

Ariyah-mai first little hoilday away was to whitsable at just two weeks old. We went to visit our best friends who are basically family. They have been there for us so we travelled to us them. Since then we hhave stayed with. Them three times its nice to get away and also. Watching our niece giovanna with ariyah as she loves her so much. We also have traveled to stay with my dad in gravesend and to see my family in bexleyheath. We have gone to margate to stay with Ben's family.

It is important to us to see family even if we have to travel because we want ariyah to see all her family and build those bonds. With both mine and Ben's family. As well as ccloose friends who are chosen family. As blood doess not make a family love does. Ariyah-mai has lots of people who love her and want to see her. I am so glad wee hhave such a amazing family and people in her life who will make that effect to travel and see her too. Who love her and she can build her own strong relationship with.

Our biggest adventure was when I had my surgery, she was just 8 weeks old and we stayed in Hull for 5 days. This was 4 hour train jounery up north. We had to take a bus a tube and two trains. Then walk to. The air B&B where we were staying in cottingham. My dad then picked us up which was 6 hours in. The car due to having to stop. It is important not to let babies be in the car seat for too long the recommended amount is 2 - 2 1/2 hours depending on there age and the car seat hey have. We have a cossatto fully padded one that laid back more which is better for the back support when they are younger. She did sleep most of the way and is every used to travelling which really helped forr this journey.

Over Christmas and new year we were away alot. Hull for my surgery then back for 3 days before heading to East London for boxing day party at my aunts. We then stayed with my dad for 3 nights, traveeledd to Rochester to see my mum for a day then drove to margate to stay at Ben's cousins for a weeek over New year. Lucky we had my dad, step dad aand Ben's aunt to drive us around because we had alot of stuff being away for over 2 weeks.

You forget how much you need to take when. Staying away from home with a baby. Especially when I over pack, planning for all occasions. Again ariyah Wass still very young meaning we had alot of stuff. But we did have some bits that made that travelling and stay away a bit more easier which I will state below with some tips we found useful.

Tips:

1. plan routes well in advance
2. Look for train and tube stations that have lift access
3. Travel or pack light, take things that have multiple purposes. 
4. Plan for all occasions 
5. Leave behind things you can easy buy when away eh. Nappies, wipes ect... 
6. Check weather before travelling 
7. Research local shops and hospitals where you are staying
8. Ask for assistant at stations when needed
9. Ensure family members have things already at theirs ffor wwhen you visit eg. Toys, bounser chairs, play mats, travel cots. Milk

Equipment we used 

Travel mosess basket

Grey holdal

Travle flask, thermal bottle bag, formula pots

Nappy ruck sack

Pram hooks

Light weight pram and car seat

Things we found challenging

The main thing for us was after I had surgery, this made getting around abit difficult due to me not being able to carry anything. I was unable to carry any bags or push the pram, I could not care for ariyah so Ben diid alot of it alone as well as looking afterr me for about 6 weeks. That is why we did spend alot of time with family over Christmas. This is because he then had people around to help him, while I recovered.

We did find that when traveling just around London, we hhad to assk strangers for help. Most people did help but we did get some people who were rude and very unhelpful. Most of the timme it was with circumstances that. We're out of our control. For example when we went to train stations and the lift was not working, therefore Ben hsd to get others to help lift the pram up or down stairs as I could not carry anything. Other times it was hard getting off the trains and bus because it was a bit step sometimes. Then times where it was busy or the weather changed therefore we had to change routes or plans. We found people around London were general very rude, they. Did not understand and would push to gget on or off the bus because they were unpaintent. Then if ariyah did cry people would be annoyed on the bus.
But we got used to that and would ignore people.

Know that most people will help if you assk and that there are some inconsiderate people in this world. But with planning ahead traveling can be made easier.

I know that because we have travelled, and ariyah has met so many people, been on trains and tubes. As well as parties that she is now a very content baby. She loves to be held so she can see what is going on andd is every happy in busy loud environments. This really helps socialise her as she so friendly and does not fuss when being held by many people, like family and friends at parties or just new people in general. We taken her to mine and Ben's work, which is busy and there lots of kids which shee was not fussed by. She likes watching bigger kids play especially her big cousins. Ariyah been to busy soft play and recently swimming which she really enjoyed. She really likes just people watching. She very happy and smile social baby. Which we would not have any other way. We love we can. Go out, travel, go to restrantes, she can met new people and she just so calm.

I can not wait to take her abroad on her first proper hoilday. It will be so cute. Hopefully she don't take after me because I hate planes.

I hope you found our tips and tricks helpful and can travel at ease with you babies.

Update 4 months old

Ariyah-mai is 4 months 

Key milstone at 4 months old are:

• Being able to push themself up on elbow when laying on their tummy. 
• Begin to roll over mainly from tummy to back. 
• Begin to sit or stand with support
• Sleep longer in the night andd nap less during the day
• Exploring toys and textures. Especially bringing things to their months (so keep wait)
• Many feed less, because their growing stomach can hold more for longer.
• They can now see more clearly and dicinish between shades of colour. 
• Theething stages, getting their first teeth. 
• Chatting more!

Remember all babies are different and develope at different stages so this is just on average. If your babies arnt doing somme of these things or doing more then that iss okay. If your worried talk to your health visitor, or doctor. 

Ariyah-mai is now 4 months old

She is one on those early birds despite her being premmy, she is so strong and a determined little fighter. She definatly is proving to be our little miracle. 

In my previous post I spoke about some things she beginning to too the main one is her teething so early. We aree now full swing in the teething stage where her top two teeth are cutting through, which means she is not very happy right now. It is always waking her and us during the night, as apposed to a week or so where she started to sleep all the way through the night for 8-10 hours. 

She was drinking less milk and going much longer with only one bottle to get through the night. However I think. She is having a growth spirt because she now wanting 6-7 oz every 4 hours, sometimes less so wee havinng to give her an oz or 2 as aa too up. This is because she is a hungry baby that readdu to drink 9oz bottles but unfortunately with her reflux her belly just can't handle it. She hassles her milk and then vomits. 

She is back in refflux medication which does seem to be helping and hass now been referred to a dietitian for milk allergy testing. This is because we were told to try herr slowly back on formula but straight away she progectiled it up and was sick and had a funny stomach all week. It's taken us nearly 3 weeks and meds to get her back up on her milk and stop her being so sick. 

1 things she is now doing which helps is actually grabbing and bring the bottle to her month, then pushing it away when she needs a break or had enough. She still needs help to holld it and tip in up to actually drink but she getting there. On a more frustrating note shee does not have milk ques or a routine. She tried so hard to do routine milk feeds but it doesn't sort her. More so due to the reflux. Sometime she not ready forr milk wheen it's due or wanted it early. She also doess not have cues so demand feeding can be hard, when she screaming but thee milk has to cool down. She goes from playing andd laughing to screaming for milk like she starving. Even if it's only been a couple of hours. She then only drink 2-4oz, while other times she want 6-7oz. 

But hopefully we can start getting her more settle with the reflux and more in a routine with her feeds, as she starts on soilds. We did not listen to our health visitor which I know we should but she been once when Ariyah-mai was born. When we contact her she tells us to take her clinic, where you. See different people who just weigh her and say she fine. They then say speak to our gp, who say speak to health visitor, we can't win. So we just trust our our parenting instinict and do what we feel is best. Therefore with Ariyah having reflux and being so hungry we started giving her baby rice from 3 months. (13 weeks) 

Ariyah loves the baby rice, she opens her month and grabs the spoon. It really seemed to settle her tummy in the morning meaning she keeps more milk down. Then when she did not have it she was more sick or did not poo. Whilst we were away for a bit resently she did not have baby rice and that's when her reflux started again. We have now moved on to rusks which we mix with her precription milk, she seemed to enjoy it and again was less sick, plus having normal bowel movements. We choose rusks because there is no milk traces or any lascose used which is what her allergy test is for. Where as other baby porridge and rice have cows milk powder in.

Ariyah having rusks. 25/02/20.

Other things and milstone Ariyah-mai is achieving. 

Rolling over
She has been doing it from her front to her back a little, but more so now without any support or worry about banging her head on the floor. She also rolls from her back to her side which again she been doing for ages, especially in her sleep because she lays on her side (puts herself on her side, since she was 2 months) She started rolling in the night onto her stomach, we were then putting her on her back or side. But it was always when we were not looking she rol again. She rolled once while playing on her mat from her back to her tummy and back again. Thus in no time she be rolling all over the place. 

She can push herself up on her elbows, when on her stomach and now trys to push up on her hands, she still developing this which will help her roll better. But the reason she doesn't roll so smoothly yet is becausee she more interest in trying to go forward. She will kick her us if we are near her or a toy. She gets her knees to the side and tucks her toes to push herself forward. We had to be careful at first because she pushes forward but does not move her arms and gets them struck or even push her face on the floor. Now she can push herself up more, she had starting to realise she has to move her arms in order to move. So she push off us or the floor and move an inch or so forwards. She trys to move her arms like army crawling. If she is on her playmat or a blanket she will grab on with her hands to help pull herself forward. But gets frustrated again beacause she cannot move. Especially at her nannys or grandads houses as they have carpet, where as on our laminate or her play mats are slippy to help her glide forwards. 

It won't be long before she gets the hang of it and be rolling and crawling around. Then walking.

Sitting and standing 

Ariyah will sit with slight support. She can sit for a few seconds unsupported and does try to push herself up if she leans but still needs help from us to sit herself back up. She can sit on the sofa with pillow behind her or on her Teddy seat thing my brother got her. (photo below) she has also began to bring her head up off the ground when laying down to try sit herself up, if we hold her hands andd guide her she will pull herself up. Again she loves sitting up and being able to. See what's going on, definitely preferres it to be laying.

A big thing that happened showing sshe growing up to fast is that she had to start using the next stage seat for the pram. She just got upset in. The new born part because sshe could not see. She wanted to be out of it all the time. Now shee can see what's going on and is happy sat in the pram. She still looks so little in it because it's for 6 months but we have a insert liner to make it comfy and fit her. Me and Ben were not ready for this so early.

Ariyah loves to stand, since she was very young around 5 weeks she wanted to be upright, she obviously needed alot os support then. Not she wants to stand all the time, she stand putting weight on her legs and supports herself with us holding her for balance. But she takes her own weight. She did do this last month and we spoke to a peditian as we were worried about her doing damage like bowing her legs. However they saw her and said no she is just strong and is standing fully through her feed and not blowing her knees at all. They said obviously don't force it but if she wants to stand just support her and let her do it. She has the streenght in her back and head tto hold herself so it's all fine. Which is good for her because that want she most happy doing.

Ariyah-mai will pull herself onto her feet from sitting just with holding our hands. She even started to step now if we hold her under her arms. She just wants to walk and run. She watches our bigger nieces and nephews and can tell she wants to run round playing with them. We started putting her in a jumoeroo, but she little for the seat and can't reach the toys. But enjoys standing in it. We are going to get her a walker soon so that will be interesting.

Toys.

Ariyah can bat and reach to grab her toys hanging on herr rocking chair, swing or play mats. We also have a piano one she loves because she has to kick it. But she gets bored easily and frustrated that she can't actually properly play. She will hold a Rattle for a while or chrow toy for her teeth and brings pretty much everything. To her month. 

She likes more noicy light up toys. Loves anything that rattles, rainmaker and the drum is a favourite. She has just begin to notice that it her that causes the notice. So her cause and effect skills. She hits or shakes a Rattle she likes the notice she then realised she has to do it again. She trys to speak to it but then when sshe hits it again she looks at us as if to say I did that. You can see it in her facial reactions. Today it was very clear with this soft drum toy, when you bang on it, it then makes different tunes. She was rwaching and hotting it where ever I moved it. Then when I put it to the side she rolled over to get it. Could just see in her eye and face that she really knew it was her making the reaction. Was a very proud and  cleaver moment. 

However she does get frustrated and bored because she can not fully pllay and still needs help to move toys fforr herr to reach or held her hold them. She gets bored and just wants to sit up or be running around. Which hopefully ones we have a walkkerr she be better. 

Interaction. 

Whole Ariyah does play with toysBit shee definitely preferrs interaction. While she got to a point we can leaave her to play or oppupil herself for a few minutes she will chat and shout for attention. Then smile at you when she gets it. Wheen I say shout she will scrwma aand shout looking around for us until we stop whatever we doing to talk to her. Which I do love because it means she is socialable and will be able to get one with others. Where ever we go she smiles and babbles to everyone, she truly steals your heart. Strangers on thee bus or in shops stop to talk to her andd comment how lovely she is. She has a real cheeky. Smile and a way to get what she wants. 

She makes all sorts of sounds now A, B, G, Y are her main ones. She does say MM and D ones or twice. But G is her main one which is herr little laughing sound. She is yet to really laugh which we are waiting to hear. As she is close. She will make a girgling chuchly sound with the facial expressions of laughtming but it is yet to full come out. She also minic what we say, so is we make new sounds at her or talk she trys to copy. Almost sound like sshe is replying andd saying real words sometimes. Especially no and yes. We sign to herr andd she almost got the sign yes. She seems to really understand the signs yes, milk and more.

Ariyah-mai basically is just a chatter box, she talks and shouts at us all day long. Definitely wants interaction over toysWe love it. Il post a video below.

Senses.
Her hearing is very good, she response to her name and has been doing this for a while but just more so now. She also likes listen when we talking between us and you can see her watching going from onee to the other like she in the conservation. Then will shout so you talk to her instead. She looks and follow things that make a nice or if w are walking round shee follows us. If we pllay music or a toy she will find where the notice is from and look at it. Even things across the room now, like if she drop. Something. She does not jump as much because she can tell where the moice is from. Before she jump even if someone cughed or sneezed.

Shee is still very sensitive to movement, so if she in the pram asleep and there is bumps or a curb it wakes her. She there is a knock or something or we move her asleep she wake. Like she falls asleep in her rocker chair but because it then will rock it wakes her up. But if she pick her up to lay her else where, she wakes up. We try and leave her to sleep where shee is or as she falling and we at home we will put her in her moses basket. Between we had to rock her on our shoulder standing up, with music but recently she been able to settle and put herself to sleeep if we put her in her moses basket. Ass long as she has her blanket. As ones she is asleep it's fine and we can be as noicy as we like and she sound asleep snoring away.

She loves looking at anything that lights up, her rocking chair has a light up settling which she loves watching between thee to parts that light up alternatively. She look at one then thee other as it turn off waiting for the other to come on. Then any light or if there a shadow she stare at it. Also anything colour and bright. She does like the TV because to babies at the moment it's colour, movement and sound. So in the night garden and hey duggee seem to be a favourite. Which we don't mind her watching a bit because they are educational pm cartoons. There be no peppa pig in our house.

She likes to feel diffent things, musy and her rainbow knitted blanket entain her and she feels it puts them in her month and just plays with them. Her hands a mouse her too. She likes soft flussy materials. I think because she loves stoking the cats and will reach to Stoke them. Mainly Hayes as he the general one who will rub against her and ccome ffor cuddles. He just lays there if shee pulls his fur. She did manage to lip him ones but he didn't seem to mind. Obviously I cleared her month from hair.
Again anything that makes noice and ratkkes, or crinkles are the best, which she likes. She has soft blocks and herr tummy roller that she crinkly bits in that's she likes to squeeze. 

Things she likes/ dislikes

- chatting to people

- general adult attention and older children

X does not like babies or other her age

- likes standing 

- loves music andd singing

- noisy light up toys

- loves the cats

X does not like laying down in our arms, or for long on her play mats

- likes cuddles but on her terms
- wants to be held, eps standing up

- music, rocking and standing up with her, calms her down. 

- likes music rather then lullaby other then you are my sunshine aand row your boat (with actions) sometimes grand old Duke of York too. 

- laughs when we silly, make mistakes or tell cats off. 

- likes others being naughty (her cousins) 

- got very good but cheeky sense of humor

- loves water and the bath

- blow raspberries on her belly and cheekys

- laughs when I cycle her legs

- drum toy, rattles, and mrrors.
X camera shys and stops if videoing or thsting photos.
- but likes photos and looking at herself
X bring woken up.
- food/milk.

Overall we are so proud of her, she doing so well and is our little worrior. Our miracle, despot her being premmy, having a cold for months and her reflux she is growing and developing well. To well and fast. For ourr liking. But would not have it any other ways. She is just perfect. She is ready to grow up, eat, crawl, walk and play but iss still our little premmy baby.

We have a joke we say to her. 'That she needs to let her body catch up with her mind.'

Reference:

https://www.bounty.com/baby-0-to-12-months/development/4-6-months/your-baby-at-4-months

https://www.babycentre.co.uk/a719/your-four-month-olds-development

Theething 101

We have a Theething baby. 

Theething is one thing that makes parents fell defeated. To know your baby is in pain and noot being able to take it away fully. Yes there are things that can help but as we all know too well out selves thooth pain is the worst.

Theething is where the baby teeth are moving into position, before breaking through the gums. This normal starts between 5-7 months with the first tooth emerging around 6-8 months however some babies are born. With teeth, other do not get any until later. Every baby is different and it doesn't matter when theey start theething, when their teeth actually come through or how long it takes before having a full set. Instead it is about helping you little ones through this time. As long as they got some by the time they are 18 months, if not then consult a dentist.

As most adults know toothache is the worse, I know for me when my wisdom. Tetth come though it Wass horrible. This hhapped to be Christmas last year worst time ever. But you get headaches, earachs, jaw ach even. Don't want or can't eat anything, while we understand what's going on. Imagine the pain for a baby who doesn't know what's happing.

Symptoms of teething. 

• Bittingg or chowing everything. 
• Exessive dribbling
• Chrowing hands
• Rubing fist by their ears or month
• Red cheeks
• Sore red gums
• Rash and spots round month (due to dribbling) 
• Irritated and fussing
• Waking in the night
• Going off milk or food
•  getting an upset stomach like dirreah. 
• Can have a high temperature 

Thee last 3 points however should be check by a health professional is you are worried and not just assumed it iis due to teething because it could be something more serious. 

tips on dealing this a teething baby or toddler.

• Gel or powder
• Theething toys, especial cold gel ones. 
• Cold boiled water or juice if allowed 
• Medicine 
• Cream for their month
• Cuddles and love

Ariyah-mai starting teething very early, many people told us no she is too young, she was about 6/7 weeks. But doctor and health visitor confirmed she was. 

She has early signs where her teeth were starting to move into place. Most babies only start feeling the pain once the tooth is in position and emerging through the gums. Making them sore. But ariyah was very fussy, she was dribbling A lot. Whilst trying to burb her she would chow her dummie or well anything if it went near her month, so she would bit down on the musy or our finger when she got a chance.

This was challenging, we had all her issues with her cold and reflux. Then with the colic to. Now teething on top of it was difficult to say the least. But it was only the odd time, it would stop for a few days before then return again. Under 2 month we could not give her anything. We found one gel which was from birth, but she just dribbled it out therefore did not do much.

It was a relief when she got to 3 months and was allowed teething powder. We used Addison and parsons which worked wonders. She could also have calpol if she was really bad to help her settle at night, we gave herr nufen because of her cold thus it helped her teeth too.

Also when sshe was teething so young it was hard to get teethers that were not to hhardd or big for her. Especial with her being premmy and still very small. We found bibs that had soft rubber teething tips heelpped a lot. We didn't havee to go hunting for a teether when shee was screaming as it was right on her bib. Other ones we found were gel ones that mimic Dummies that can go in the fridge. Therefore making them cold on her gums. She started feeding little aand often again because it reeliefted the pain. Water did help abit (also with her c old and possible sore throat) however sshe did noot really like water and would spit it out.

Ariyah-mai is really struggling with her teeth now, waking a lot in the night and is very fussy, we tried the Amber teething brackets everyone speaks about but it fell off her wrist somewhere whilst we were out. So the ethers, gel, powder and occasionally calpol to settle her at night. There are definatly at least 2 teeth coming through and two more at the top to follow.

Ariyah-mai is now 4 months, I can't believe how big sshe is gettrinng. She amazing us more and more everyday as she is sso clever. She is now beginning to be able to hold the teether herself. We have these star ones which are good because it stops her pushing them too far into her month. We learnt the hard way went she pushed the key teether back to far andd made herself sick even with us right there. To start with we were having to hold them. Which we still do abit, but as I said she is starting to hold them herself especially the star one. But still prefers her hands or chowing her fingers. Wee did get those hand teethers but she doesn't seem to like them on.
Wheather your baby is early or late teether. It is tough, Do not feel alone and reach out!! Get your partner or family member to help when it gets too much. Make sure you are looking after yourself too as it's easy to get stressed and lack of sleep is very difficult. But remember it's won't be forever. 

Any other tips people may have please share by commenting, theethinng is hard on both baby and parent so lets help each other out.!!!

Links 

https://www.familylives.org.uk/advice/pregnancy-and-baby/health-and-development/teething/

https://www.bounty.com/baby-0-to-12-months/health-and-care/teeth-and-teething/teething

Update and poorly baby

Update on Ariyah health.

Many of you know the struggle of the babie screaming for hours and not settling. Seeing them in pain and not being able to do anything is awful feeling. But you are not alone!!

Ariyah-mai has had many problems from birth as I have spoken about in my post. With her reflux and colic. We were not taken seriously as parents at first and had to push for the right care. Taking measures into our own hands. Ariyah is doing so well now. Her reflux is minimal. She hardly sick but still does have the odd bad day. We are still using gripe water however she is no longer on reflux meds or infocol. She is on her precription milk but are going to slowly start reintroducing apmil formula again once a day.

What we did do was use size 2 teats very early on which help with the colic aand trapped gas. Thus her being able to burb better and keep her milk down. We also made sure we keep her upright whilst feeding and afterward. Then we have got a wedge we use to prope her up in the pram and her bed. This helped alot until recently we had to removed it from the moses basket because she is starting to lay on her side (she does this herself). She has also decided to start turning herself across the moses basket and putting her feet up on the side lol photo below. She does it on her play mat too. Apparently this is comfortable.

Her stomach has been so much better as well  but she still suffer with constipation so we give her some water with a tiny pinch of brown suger. Another thing we did which I know is not advised anymore but we started weaning her on baby Rice after 3 months. Only 1-3 Spoons around 11am mixing it with her precription milk. We do not give her more then 5 spoons and will do this every other day. We noticed on the days she didn't have it while we were away, she was sick again, and got constipated. So we know that it is benfiting her. She is also a very hungery baby but having too much milk in one go makes her reflux worse. Therefore we found the rice settled her stomach for the day and fills her up a bit more.

Ariyah-mai is now sleeping mostly through the night. Her being premmy and still only 11/12lb at 12 weeks, we knew that it may not happen straight away. But she started sleeping for 6hrs around 8pm then waking for milk at 2 and going back to sleep until the morning around 7. Now she has done a few nights where she take around 7oz at 8-9 pm and go 4 or 5pm.

However despite her reflux settling, she still has this cold. She has always been snuffly. Our gp said some babies especially premmies just can be its called snuffle baby. We were doing everything. Using nasal saline drops, had a suckshon bulb, got oil in a humidifier. Then at 3 months we started using snuffly bath vaper and vaper that we put on her bibs. We have a calpol plug but bless her she just is gets very bundled up and now is snotty so hopefully it's on its way out. Gp said it should just settles itself after a few months, but we are doing all we can.

We have been having issues with our house which does not help Ariyah-mai's cold and my asthma. So due to a leak in the gutting and the roof in our block,u plus the window losing there seal there has been damp and water damage that is going throught the external walls.  Coming though as mould in both bedrooms. At first we just cleaned it but despite how much we cleaned and even repainted it came back worse. When we moved the furniture around and sorted the house out before Xmas and my surgery we realised it was all behind the built in wardrobes, ruining photo frames that were hung on the wall. It also spread to Ariyah-mai's room. All behind the wardrobes again affecting things that were in there. We had to move everything and clean it all. The landlord took all the wardrobes out and cleaned but until the housing association fixs outside it will keep coming back. The landlord is sorting it but it's going through siciltors and Court. We have now had to move everything and sleep in the living room. Which is difficult with us and the baby. There is no room and we are now have no choice but to move earlier then planned.

But apart from that I am finally starting to recover as I also been having problems with post surgery. I got two infections and was on antibiotics for two weeks. I got quiet ill due to thee infection. Then my stitches were not dissolving. I have to wait for two more weeks then if they have not dissolved thee go will remove them. Because otherwise I am not healing probably. It also been very hard to not be able to pick up or hold my daughter. For the first 6 weeks all I could do was Ben placing her on my lap when she was asleep. But as soon as she stirred he had to take her. This is because she hit my chest accidentally. I then started to be able to feed her but again he has to take her to burb and settle her. To have her cry and not be able to comfort her was the worse feeling. I had to call Ben. My step mum and dad helped alot which has been good and some friends who come to help Ben with the house where he is doing everything. I am starting to be able to hold her more and help abit around the house but it's going to be a along time before I am fully recovered. (I couldn't even push the pram for weeks)

• Ariyah-mai is doing so well tho and grow up fast. She is so strong and holding her head up. She just wants to stand all the time. She is starting to roll with alittle help, but more interested in pushing herself forward. She just wants to go and move. She loves music and wiggles around to it. She is going to be a dancer like her daddy (me). She starting to reach and grasp toys, bring things to her face and month. We got her a jumperoo which she enjoys in very short burst at the moment where she still very small, but because she just wants to stand and be upright playing. She just so clever and happy smiling all the time and almost laughing. Has the facial expressions but not noise yet. Could not be prouder and more in love. We had many adventures the last few weeks, celebrating my birthday, meeting new people, going to lgbt baby group and getting to play in the sensory room and ball put which she loved. Then going to soft play for her cousins birthday and the park for the first time. We have some more journeys planned so will do a post about traveling in the next few weeks after our next trip away.

 my birthday