Raising Nyla

Baby led weaning is something i had never heard of before having Nyla. I think the first time i came across it, was when she was around 3 months old and someone asked me how i planned on weaning her.  In my head, babies had baby food. I didn't know there was any other way to feed them.  When i saw pictures and videos of little babies eating proper meals, and read about choking etc, i said that it wasn't for me.  How wrong i was.  When Nyla was 4 months old, i started weaning her. I know that the guidelines say wait until 6 months, but she was showing all the signs of being ready. She was sitting without support at 5 months old, and as she wasn't drinking much formula anymore, i was worried about her getting enough. I started giving her a little baby rice or porridge in the morning and then blending my own veggies into puree for her.  At 6 months, meal times were getting a little harder. She did NOT want me to feed her. I would place the loaded spoon into her han...

   We just got back from an amazing little family break in blackpool.  In April, we took mini for a birthday trip out to  Chester Zoo . Unfortunately she was suffering from a chest infection, and it was badly raining and so didn't get to enjoy the experience as much as we had hoped.  I had been eager to get her to the zoo again, and this time we chose to visit  Blackpool Zoo .  The tickets cost us £55 for the 3 of us (Nyla was free), including a meal deal each. We found this to be really good value for money. They had cheeseburger, beef burger, chicken burger and pizza meal deals. They also had double options. Unfortunately, what they didn't mention, was the extra charge. It cost 80p to add a slice of cheese to the burger. I paid it, but when i saw the actual size of the slice of cheese i was more than disappointed. The food tasted ok, but it was a bit of a robbery the cost of something so simple added.  The zoo was very clean and there was a lot ...

  As parents, our lives are constantly filled with worry, anxiety, and panic. Every little fall, every new skill, those wobbly first steps. It doesn't end.  When Nyla was just 3 months old, i noticed that she had a lump under her ribs. Thinking i was just being paranoid, i sent pictures to family and friends. I had a feel and it felt hard and round. We all know what google can be like, so i didn't even bother scaring myself.  I booked her in for a doctors appointment, and a few days later we were there.  Despite this lump, she wasn't unwell, in any pain, or seemed to even notice if it was touched. The doctors thought maybe it could be an extra rib, or some form of bone. They said perhaps an xray could be arranged, but it didn't feel like anything to worry about.  A few days later the gp called me back. She said she hadn't been able to stop thinking about it, and wanted me to get her seen. She said she had spoken with someone at the hospital, who would be in touc...

  We recently took mini on a trip to visit  Cockfields Farm , I had been dying to take her because her favorite books at the moment are That's not my cow and That's not my chic, so i was hoping to let her see some real life ones.  The farm is located on the Ashton-Oldham border, and it was an hour travel time getting there for us via public transport. With wonderful weather, this was no problem at all. It was really easy to find, and the 17 minute walk from the bus stop, was actually really nice. Living in the city, it's not everyday we get to see such amazing views of hills and farms.  Arriving at the farm, we were one of the first there so it was nice and quiet. Staff greeted us warmly and scanned our QR code tickets. They let us know of times for events through the day, and in we went.  When you arrive you enter via the cafe. There is a role play village, which features mini shops and schools etc for the little ones to run around and play with. Nyla had ...

Before having Nyla, i was under the impression that she would sleep in her cot in my bedroom, and then move into her own room at 6 months. I thought she would then move onto taking the sides off her cot and turning it into a toddler bed, and that would be that.  How different the reality is.  When Nyla was 3 months old, she had to have some time in hospital. We discovered she had a lump and this had to undergo testing, scans, and eventually an operation to remove it. At the same time, me and her dad split and he moved out of our home.  She came home from hospital, and so much had changed. I was lonely, she was scared and confused, and we needed to be close to each other. Thus began our journey of co-sleeping and bedsharing.  At first i did try to put her in her cot. She was sleeping well in there as it was, but then she learnt to roll. The sound of her hitting her head on the cot bars and waking herself up, was hard to deal with. I was already a mess with worry when ...

                                                                                 To all the mamas before me, i am sorry.  I will hold my hands up, and admit that i was judgmental. It's easy to do when you have no children of your own. I had no idea.  There were so many things that i thought i would never do. Things i said i would never do. And ways i thought i would parent. And here i am, being a hypocrite.  I can sit now and laugh at how delusional i was. I really had no clue!  So mamas, i apologize for the judgements. Here are the top 5 (out of about 100) things i said i would never allow.  "My Child won't have screen time. " Now laugh along with me. It's easy to imagine that this is a reality, but sometimes you.just.need.a.minute.  Don't get me wro...

So I've started another blog.  Blogging is such a huge passion of mine, and almost like a therapy. Getting thoughts and feelings down on paper, and out of my head, leaving a clear happy mind. I don't even know if any one is interested in reading it, but if you are, welcome!  In this blog i will be sharing the journey of raising my beautiful little toddler Nyla. Nyla is 1 years old now, and we followed baby-led weaning style. She is a hilarious, cheeky, clever little diva already. I pretty much follow her lead with things, and encourage her independence. (#sherulesthehouse).  I am a first time mum, and completely winging this whole motherhood thing. I won't be posting advice, so if i share something you disagree with ... the door is that way. I know we all have different ways of raising our children, methods of parenting, and practices, and that is all ok. What i do, may not work for you, and visa versa.  I will be sharing things from weaning, meals, activit...