Week 19/52 of maternity leave
Shit baby names, Alexa on steroids and a less than romantic V-Day
I’ve been so looking forward to writing this summary of my week. It’s easy for me to feel like I’m not doing a lot week-by-week whilst on maternity leave (minus the tiny task of raising a little human of course), so it’s great to lean in to romanticisation of the small things that are making up my days at the moment.
Smear test
I was late getting my second ever smear due to being pregnant when it was due, so I was called up to go along 12 weeks after giving birth. I wasn’t nervous for it - maybe my acceptance of strangers getting close to my lower orifices just a few months ago is still with me… but any person with a cervix will know it’s not the nicest of experiences.
I think most women are very good at breaking the ice and making these things a lot more comfortable though. Before I knew it we were talking about babies names and how wild it is that any person ever thought a baby boy could look like a Keith or a Gary (sorry to all Keiths and Garys out there).
Hopefully all is straightforward from here on out 🤞🏼.
Swimming class #2
Winnie did a great job at her second week of swimming! There were no tears, even when she face-planted the water when she sneezed 😅. We’re using a Splashabout swim nappy & wetsuit which are working well (minus Winnie pissing on me before getting into the pool) but damn it’s hard getting a wetsuit on and off a baby! I was worried she’d struggle with the water temperature, but I might try a normal swimsuit when she’s a tad older.
Fresh hair and nails
I’m not sure who I think I am, getting BIAB nails and highlights whilst on statutory maternity pay. Well, I do - a mum that deserves SOME degree of TLC. These nails might change pooey nappies and the hair is washed twice a week at best, but at least the nails are polished & hair is coloured! It’s also nice to get tiny bites of alone time here and there. I definitely feel like I come back recharged and a happier mummy for it.
Winnie’s 4-month jabs
Win’s done a great job so far with her routine vaccinations. We managed to avoid side effects after her previous sets of jabs so I was hopeful for this round too. She smashed it and it was much more pleasant for me this time because I was actually able to hold her throughout (in the times before whilst Winnie was in her Pavlik Harness the Nurse asked her to be on the bed so she could get to the site easier 😢). Fingers crossed for no doctors visits now until she’s 1.
What we’re watching - Cassandra on Netflix
Since having Winnie I’ve struggled a lot to sit down and focus solely on a tv show at the end of the night with my partner. Maybe it’s the extra mental load; cleaning & sterilising is on my mind, I’m not feeling easily able to relax for fear that the baby might wake up, and I’m distracted by wondering when I can next wash and dry my hair in peace. Or, maybe I’m just needing to zone out (cue doomscrolling) and think about nothing at all for the first time all day, instead of really paying attention to a programme.
But one show that has kept my interest this week is Cassandra. I won’t spoil it, but it’s a clever premise & I reckon it’s one to watch if you’re a fan of Black Mirror. Think Alexa’s sinister big sister... Shows that are dubbed usually bug me (I get distracted by the actor’s face and voices not being in sync 😅) but I’m glad we’ve pushed on this time. It’s nice to have something we’re both enjoying instead of giving in to some Dad show on Discovery+ like Gold Rush while I scroll endlessly on Instagram!
What’s worth watching at the moment? Let me know!
Valentine’s Day
I accepted that Valentine’s Day this year was never going to be romantic, what with a 4 month old and a needy pup that is wanting extra cuddles since Winnie’s arrival - but the other half’s dad & step-mum appeared to forget what day it was when they offered to bring a takeaway round on Friday night with hopes to catch their granddaughter before bedtime 🥲. I could’ve said “no thanks”, but I figured a free takeaway wasn’t to be sniffed at. Asides from the accidental double-date-night-in, usual tradition took place with a shit card from me (“I Wheelie Love You - Thanks for always taking the bins out”) and a moon-pig photocard from him (usually of our dog Snoop, but this time a snap of him and his new little sis❤️).
Nanna’s birthday and lots of quality time with grandparents
Winnie’s seen all of her grandparents this week and it really hit home recently how lucky I am for them all to be so close by and keen to be involved with Winnie. It’s a special and complex thing seeing your parents with your child. It’s felt like looking through a window into my own early childhood (or what I hope it was). Since knowing Win was coming along, and particularly since her actual arrival, I have experienced so many extra layers of emotion towards my parents and how they brought me up. I have (surprisingly without therapy, though I’m sure it’d get real deep into the cracks if I could afford it) reached a level of understanding that they too once were new parents that didn’t know what they were doing, that went through hardships & stress, and probably had their own generational trauma that they didn’t have the bandwidth to unpack - especially 30 years ago. As much as it’s brought things up for me and I’m sure will continue to do so, motherhood has also been healing and I am so grateful for that.
Anyway, Winnie is making great connections with all of her grandparents. Grampy S presented her with a home-made busy board this week which is so special, and she got to give a birthday card for the first time to Nanna K this weekend. 🥰
That’s it from our week. As if we’re half way through Feb already… looking forward to warmer weather and the longer days of Spring!
Catch you next Sunday ✨