Archive for January, 2010

If you’re sleep deprived, I’m feeling your pain

Wednesday, January 20th, 2010

We’re in London this week, exhibiting at Top Drawer, a very fun trade show. And I’m staying at my parents’ house with the boys. The three of us have been sharing a room since Friday night. It’s noisy here. Aeroplanes, car alarms, police sirens… stuff we’re not used to in peaceful North Devon.

So we’re not sleeping too well. In fact, I’m barely sleeping at all. It must be me in the room with them or something, but they seem to keep rousing and then fully waking. “Mummy, what’s that noise?” says Laurie about four times a night, causing Frankie to open his eyes and promptly wail. (more…)


Gina Ford v Nick Clegg. Really??

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

I’ve found it surprising to read in the media this week about the “clash” between Nick Clegg and Gina Ford over her baby feeding and sleep routines. Such an unlikely pair to be thrown together in headlines like “Nick Clegg Vs Gina Ford”.

If you’ve missed it, you can read about it in the Daily Mail, the Guardian, Times Online, the Independent and the Telegraph! It seems that Nick dismissed Miss Ford’s routines as “nonsense”, having tried to follow one of her books with his first born. And Miss Ford has replied by saying he insults “the parenting choice of more than 2 million British voters.”

I’ll be honest, I was bought Gina Ford’s “The Contented Little Baby Book” by a well meaning friend before Laurie was born. I remember having no idea what it was all about. But then, I’d never had a baby! (more…)


I am not the mother I planned to be

Friday, January 8th, 2010

The first week of 2010 has ended.

Looking back over 2009, there were many highs, a good few lows, some stuff I’m proud of, and some regrets too. Of course the birth of Frankie was my highlight of 2009.  The achievement of labour followed by the silent moment with my newborn as he fed for the first time in hospital, his head warm and new against my chest.

I could enjoy it more this time. Not so overwhelmed and vulnerable as I felt when Laurie arrived three years earlier. But the first time was perfect in a different way. I remember gazing at Laurie in absolute awe as he slept between John and I, both crouched either side of him on the hospital bed. In that utterly peaceful moment, we just did not have a clue about the chaos that was about to commence. (more…)