Don't Take My Baby!

When you have a baby, the whole world and his friend want to come and visit you. Those first few weeks are non stop hustle and bustle, people in and out. As time goes by family member's cannot wait to steal your new baby away for the day...Or the night. The invite is only extended to your child. You, the parent are not invited. They want alone time with your baby, without you!

When Leo was 8 weeks old his Grandad and Grandma visited us at home. I was then told by his Grandma that they were going to be taking him out for the day the following weekend. The abruptness completely caught me off guard and I felt obliged to accept. By obliged, I mean forced up against the wall in a cut throat kind of situation. I was not expecting to be told they were taking my son out, I was not asked. It was an expected right.

I have never been very good at dealing with outspoken comments like this, and this time it cut deep. They thought they were doing me a favour, giving me a break, but it didn't feel like that. I felt like I had no choice but to let them take him. Like if I objected I would seem to be an over-protective parent.

The last thing I wanted was to be separated from my baby boy for a whole day, especially at 8 weeks old. What if they didn't feed him properly? What if he get's fussy on the bottle and they don't purserver? What if they take the bottle away and he is hungry? What if he wont stop crying? What if there is a car crash? What if he just want's his Mummy?

My worries fell on deaf ears and it soon became apparent that Leo was going out without me, and I wasn't allowed to go with him. Luke didn't understand my reservations and has a very relaxed approach to family members taking Leo for the day. I on the other hand just don't like being seperated from him, and at 8 weeks old am I wrong to have felt that way?

He did go out for the day from 11 through till gone 6pm, he was late coming home. I just wanted him back with me so I could get him bathed and ready for bed.

It seems that the world did not end with him leaving me for the day, but why should I have to give people this time with MY baby at 8 weeks old? Or 40 weeks old for that matter?

I write this post now, as the subject has yet again cropt up. His Grandad and Grandma wish to take him out for the day in the next couple of weeks, and I don't want him to go. The same forceful appraoch from his Grandma was applied 'We haven't taken him out in ages, we WILL take him out again'.

Oh will you now? Why don't you ask his Mother first and see how she feels before you automatically assume you have a God given right to take him.

I thought it would get easier as he got older, and I would get more relaxed. It seems I haven't and now I have a whole new set of worries running through my mind. What if he doesn't settle for them? What if he is upset the whole time? What if he doesn't get his two naps? What if he had an accident in their care? My worries go on and on....

What I am asking you is, what would you do in my position? Would you have let your 8 week old baby go off into the world without you? How would you handle the force applied in order to get you to agree?

Laura

xx

The First Mother's Day

This time last year, I was around 24 weeks pregnant with my gorgeous baby boy. As an expectant Mother with no material children, Mother's Day passed by with no real hoo ha. Luke didn't believe in buying me card's or gifts from my expanding bump, which meant that Luke narrowly missed Father's Day last year...with Leo arriving a few weeks later on June 27th 2011.

This year it is my FIRST official Mother's Day. We shall not be going out for lunch today, but next Sunday we shall be visiting Sollihull where Leo's Great Granny lives, we shall be meeting my Aunts and Cousins and having a big family gathering and celebrating a week late.

I have a almost 9 month old baby boy these days who I love to the moon and back, I know that my little Lion feels exactly the same way. Next year Leo will be at the age where he can make a card and that will be my favourite bit. Nothing beats a bit of art made by your child, and these are items that I will keep close to my heart for always.

I think Leo knew that today was all about letting Mummy relax, and this showed in his sleep pattern. After awaking at 11:30pm last night for a feed, he then slept through until 9am this morning. Luke was a gem and got up with him giving me a extra ten minutes in bed, and then gave me the opportunity to have a morning shower and get myself ready. This is always appreciated.

I have been treated to some lovely Mummy treats, after Daddy took my hints about the Moroccan Hair Oil, a little bit of encouragement is never a bad thing. We will spend the rest of our day relaxing and with Leo's Granny. I am hoping I will be able to get Daddy to swing for a cheeky Takeaway this evening.

 Leo is currently fast asleep and dreaming away his mid morning nap. I think when he awakes we will take a few snaps to capture my very first Mother's Day and mark the occasion. The weather today is not as I had hoped, no Sunshine. If we had been lucky enough to get some glorious weather today, I would have insisted on visiting the Cotswold Farm Park....I think we will leave it today and await some Summer Sun.

I feel very privileged that Luke has given up a day out on his Pitt Bikes to spend with Leo and I. I know it was a very hard choice, but I am very sure he made the right decision :-))

Are you all enjoying your Mother's Days? What are you doing to mark the occasion if this is your first?

I just want to wish you all a very happy Mother's Day, and put a very special shout out to some amazing Mummy's and Mummy's to be.

Vikki at Mummy's Cheeky Monkey

Nicola at Life Through My Eyes

Gemma at Always A Mummy

Rachel at Mummyglitzer

Chloe at A 20 Something Mum

Bryony at View From The Lounge Window

If you haven't already, make sure you stop by and have a read of their Mummy Journeys. They are all unique but hold your captivation from the first word you read. Share the Mother's Day love and pop by to say 'Hi'.

Laura xx

Saturday is Caption Day!

I bring you a new Saturday ritual to 'The Life and Times of The Working Mum'.

Saturday is now Caption Day.

I will provide the picture and you provide the quirky caption.

 Here is this weeks photo.... I am sure this will inspire some witty captions!

So have a think... And leave your Caption's below!

Laura xx

Leo & The Photoshoot...

Well everyone we are finally there, we have hit the Friday mark once again and the weekend is upon us!

I can hear you all breathing a sigh of relief while kicking off your shoes, putting on your slippers, popping open that bottle of wine, and making yourself comfortable in preparation for Mother's Day this Sunday! A day where we Mummy's should all get completely spoilt and pampered.

For Luke, Leo and I today has been a very special Friday, you see today we have been on a family photo shoot! We have done our hair and some of us have applied our make up, and we have addressed our paparazzi. This post is all about taking photos. Whether we are behind the camera lens or taking photos of our boy.

When Leo was born we were in receipt of a truly special gift that we will treasure forever. A baby photography package which gave us 3 individual shoots for us to redeem over a year, capturing different periods of development in Leo's ever changing features. The end result will be a triple frame, with a picture from each shoot pride of place.

Today was our second shoot, which we have been putting off for a time when Leo could crawl. And boy...Can he crawl now! So after my trials and tribulations of finding the perfect outfit to wear, getting Leo and myself ready for our pictures. My little family were ready to say 'Cheese'.

Leo took a little convincing to smile his toothy smile, but when he did smile he filled the room with his presence. I am sure Leo's personality will shine through in each individual picture. Luke and Leo wore almost identical shirts for the photos which I think added a lovely touch, and really demonstrated how Leo was a little Mini Me of his Daddy. They took a few photos of Daddy and Leo, Mummy and Leo and then shots of Leo doing his own thing. We have a lovely variety!

I am very excited to see the end results. I have used the same photographer's for years and always love the finished images. Our next session will take place at Leo's next big milestone. Walking.

Luke had booked the day off work to spend with us, so we decided that after the shoot and a long nap for Leo. We would visit our local Wacky Warehouse so that Leo could be introduced to soft play for the very first time.

Leo absolutely loved it straight away, Luke and I regressed and were soon in the ball pool with him. This enabled us to quickly retrieve Leo when he vanished underneath the surface of the ball ocean. It seems that now he is on the move, this is the perfect habitat for Leo to be, he can play without risk of crawling into a wall and bruising himself...again.

I thought I would take my camera and get some arty shots of Leo playing amongst the balls and capture Leo's very first visit, but the staff had other ideas. It looks as though Soft play areas are now yet another venue to be added to the list of where 'you must not take photos'.

I completely understand the reasons behind it, and I respect them, but why should I not take photos of MY Son. I would never take a camera to the public swimming pools as I can see the worry that may occur there, but really? A soft play area!? You wont be able to take pictures at the beach in the future for fear of snapping someone elses child!

I have read that in some places at Christmas, you cannot sit your child on Santa's lap for a photograph anymore. The company's wont allow it in case parent's complain and turn the once fun Christmas tradition into a negative point, that ruins it for everyone else. How can we be coming to this?

I know that this guideline is their to protect the children, but it is a silly guideline. If I wish to take a photo of my Son, playing happily in a ball pool to stick in his scrapbook. Then I shall.

I left my fancy camera in the bag and brought my phone along with me. I got some lovely snaps that I feel I was entitled to take. Look for yourself. Lovely aren't they!?

What are your views on taking photos of your child while out and about? Do you feel it is a God given right to take these photos of your children? Or do you think that I should have respected the guidelines and not taken photos of my son?

Laura & Leo xx

Baby Days

I remember when I was pregnant, people were always telling me at every chance they got to 'enjoy the baby days, you will blink and that tiny baby of your's will be on the move. He will be into everything and those very first weeks will roll by, if you blink they will be gone. You will be left with the memory of the baby days, and a fully fledged toddler boy'.

I knew this was all true, I took their advice and took hundreds and thousands of photos and recorded hours of video footage. Although knowing that these people were all telling me the facts and that one day I would of course have a baby boy growing up, I had no idea that time would hit fast forward as soon as Leo made his appearance into the world, and those weeks have just played on fast forward ever since, and I cannot hit rewind.

I look back at photos and videos of those very early days with my boo, and I find it hard to in vision Leo being that small and that fragile. He is such a little bruiser now. Tall and full of puppy fat. My boy.

Back in June a year sounded like an eternity. A year off work and a year to spend one on one quality time with Leo, who is almost 9 months old now. A year is actually no time at all. I am now 3 months off Leo's first birthday and I will be the proud Mummy of a 12 month old, not a baby...as he will be hanging up his babygrow and graduating, becoming my right hand toddler.

The word toddler doesn't sound right. Leo is always referred to as 'Baby Leo' but 'Toddler Leo' does not have the same ring to it. Does it? Nor does this thought seem real to me, having a toddler that is. When I was pregnant I obviously realised that I would have a toddler at some point in the near future...But I never realised that it would happen so soon. My main focus was on giving birth to my baby boy. Leo's baby day's are well and truly numbered, and I find it difficult to comprehend.

I sit and watch Leo learning new things everyday and I can see just how far he has come in 8 and a bit months and I am so proud. He has mastered the control of his neck, learnt to roll, perfected the crawl, popped two teeth up, amazed us all with his Hollywood smile and his jelly belly laugh. I could not ask for a happier baby. It is not just those skills that he has developed though, he has also developed recognition of familiar people, learnt to play with his toys and learnt some social skills. There is a way to go yet in learning to share and playing nicely with other children but out of those baby days, Leo has become his own little person. As each day goes by, I can see more of his unique personality shining through.

As the weeks keep rolling forward, I know I am going to have my hands full, but I wouldn't have it any other way.

The baby days may be nearing an end, but I know that Leo and I have many adventures awaiting us.

My new found toddler will be making an appearance in 2012, and I will be welcoming him with open arms and looking forward to seeing his temperament develop, and his character jump out.

The baby days have been amazing, but I look forward to seeing what the future holds for us, and I enjoy Leo at every developmental stage. It is safe to say though, I do miss those early days. Where I could just hold Leo in my arms and watch him sleep so soundly.

I have a feeling I will long for every stage that passes us by. I am just glad I can re-live them all here on my Blog, which of course is what I started Blogging for in the first place.

Watch this space. I am preparing for Trouble. I am getting ready for the toddler of all toddlers.

Leo The Toddler - Arriving Summer 2012

Laura & Leo

xx

I Spy, With My Little Eye

I am taking in the world around me, and interacting with what I see. You see the same sights as I do, but in a completely different way. You're grown up mind doesn't hold that little sparkle like mine does anymore, you see what is in front of you. I see whatever my imagination can dream up, and that is the magic of seeing the world through a child's eyes. I love to play 'I Spy'...When I play, I see a wealth of adventure just waiting for me.


I invite you on a journey of re-discovering your child's sight by looking at the world through my eyes. Come along and take in some of my favourite sights, while playing my game of 'I Spy'.


What...You have forgotten how to play? This is just dreadful behaviour. I insist that you rack your minds and find your inner child.


Now follow me! **Crawls away at full speed**


I Spy with my little eye...Something beginning with 'S' - They are mounds bulging up out of the earth's crust. They go higher and higher until I can't see to the top any more. It's like a beanstalk that I am sure you can climb. I in vision another world at the top, full of un-discovered land. Wild animals and treasures that one day, I will find. I spy the Stairs.

I Spy with my little eye...Something beginning with ''R' - It seems we have a new pet, this pet doesn't move like the Cat does when I pet it. If I push it...It rocks back and forth. I don't understand why she is so still...Even when I pull it's tail. Nothing. It just makes me more determined to get a reaction. Mummy sits me on this strange creature and we go backwards and forwards. What a great creation. Maybe we can climb the stairs together and discover the top! I spy the Rocker.

I Spy with my little eye...Something beginning with 'W' - I can see a jungle by looking through it. This strange prevention that keeps me from breaking out, and crawling through the long blades of grass. If I could just wish away this shield, I could be out in the wild and running free. I often sit and just stare longingly out of it, hoping that it will disappear. I spy the Window.



I Spy with my little eye...Something beginning with 'B' - This object holds all sorts of interesting items, they seem to just fall off when I get too close. They stand so neatly and all of them have some sort of picture on it. Sometimes Mummy shows me some...But it all holds gobildy goop that is just beyond me. I spy the Bookshelf.


I Spy with my little eye...Something beginning with 'S' - I can stand up these days. I can pull myself high up onto my little feet using this helpful object, there is so much more in my reach on this level. Lots of buttons that seem to make magic happen. You press a button up there...and it makes things suddenly turn on. Or off....I know I am making this happen, maybe it is me that holds this power? Maybe I am magically gifted....I Spy the Stand for the Television.

I Spy with my little eye...Something beginning with 'L' - It's creepy and it's crawly. It's sitting in my hand. It's Red and dotty. I Spy a Ladybird.


Have you ever wondered what your child takes in? What they see in the world around them? We as adults look but don't appreciate the imagination that runs wild in our little ones minds. It is all a mystery to them, the entire world is new, Magic. They look but take in a different experience to us. We see an object as what it was made to do. A child on the other hand can make that object anything they want it to be.

The innocence of a child's mind is just beautiful. I will keep Leo imagining and making magic for as long as possible. He will always believe in himself and see the magic in the everyday world around him.

We will always look at the world, through Leo's eyes. His child's eyes.

Laura & Leo xx

Wordless Wednesday - Then & Now