Bethany's Baby Babblings

An old panto buddy is off to join the army so me, monkey and auntie rachel joined him for lunch. We went to a lovely Greek place in our local town. I was a bit nervous taking wiggles because I'm used to taking her to more casual dining places but I needn't have worried - they were so accommodating and welcoming of us both! The waiters absolutely doted on her and she was loving all the attention. I love that she's a confident socialable baby who's willing to share her smile with anyone and everyone. Here she is stuffing her face with pitta bread. She actually managed to shove the whole strip into her mouth (don't worry she realised that it was over ambitious of her to do so and promptly took it out - classy girl) My confidence is taking dribble chops places is really improving. Don't get me wrong, I still get anxious mentally but I don't get the increased heart rate and whatnot anymore. It also helps that my sprog is quite chill and contented. An...

Monkey had her first go on a swing this week! The one at my local park is really big for a baby swing so I daren't let her actually swing. Because if I did she definitely would have face planted into the basket thing. Which is funny hypothetically but not in reality. We were joined by Auntie Rachel and Auntie Kaleigh's little lass (Auntie Kaleigh had to work, booooooo) It was a lovely day. Look at her face 😍😍😍😍😍😍😍 Look at her big toes. They stick out at odd angles. Her dad's toes do exactly the same. I didn't know you could inherit toe habits 😂

I've put teeeeeef as my title because I have a slight speech impediment. I can't say my "ths" (which makes having the name beTHany a reet bloody laugh 😒😂) But yeah, monkey has two little teeth, here she is proudly showing them off. I have to pull a kissy face with big eyes to get a smile from her. She's loving life because she's just had some carrot puffs. The little buggers stain EVERYTHING. not even vanish (well whatever Lidl calls their vanish) (this blog should be sponsored by Lidl haha) shifts it. Luckily it came off her face bit only after using wet wipes, a special top to toe wipe and a bath. I wonder if there's some magic way to remove orange baby food stains? Suggestions welcome.

Monkey is back to her normal happy little self after five days of having a bubbly tummy (and that's putting it very politely haha) See even her crazy smile is back. Highlights of our eight month: • making it to Bradford and back on the bus two days in a row and living to tell the tale • the cutting of tooth number two • crawling has been mastered and monkey zips about like she's frigging usian bolt • squidge has started to screw up her face and flap her arms whenever she gets excited AND I AM LIVING FOR IT • I went to go see steps with my bestie (not baby related at all but I needed to share that with you all, it was fecking amazing! It was cheesy and camp and fabulous and glittery!)

guess what? she slept through. in her own bed. it's a bloody miracle. if this isn't a fluke and she carries on being a bloody star then we'll start thinking about popping her in her own room. which I will both love and hate. if you're also a parent, or care for a baby overnight or whatever, you will understand why I'm so excited. Mainly because I am always asked "is she sleeping through" and usually I just snort and pull a stink face. But now I can reply with "YES SHE BLOODY HAS/IS" (an aside: I am obsessed with squidge's smiley face. It's so genuine. Her whole face lights up when she smiles. She is so joyful!)

...however I forgot to pack squidge's sun hat (cos I'm such a top mum 😐) so she had to borrow her aunties cap. As you can see, it was ridiculously big for her which made her look ridiculously cute (I have mum bias but I do think it's true) We were at my hubby's parents house this afternoon enjoying the sunshine. So naturally we cracked the cider out. Monkey felt left out and wouldn't pipe down until I gave her my can to hold. It was a proud moment for me. To be fair, I had the same exact look when I first saw the cider too 😂

I question why I agreed to have a kid when they're kinda annoying, deprive you of sleep, take over your life and thank you by expelling various bodily fluids on you. But then she does stuff like this and I'm like awwwh that's why, you're just lovely and I love you. (this video was taken at half 6 in the morning - I don't know anyone who is this happy at half 6 in the morning. Weirdo child)

wiggles has had some reet mood swings this week due to teething and sharing genes with me. however when we have moments like this it reduces my urge to donate her to the orphanage when she kicks off. Her smile just melts my heart and her burps make me one proud mama. She is ignoring the societal pressures of behaving like a "lady" - go girl! Ooo, this video features the vocal talents of Auntie Rachel (not auntie by blood, just doing the northern thing of making all mummy's friends an auntie or uncle. although I consider Rachel my other sister so the auntie title is rightly deserved)

You'd think that I would have stopped being astounded about my daughter still being alive, NOPE. 3 months baby ;) Highlights of our third month • we survived a very public poo explosion. the only casualty was a vest that i just threw away because it had turned yellow (yep it was that bad) • wiggles has outgrown her moses basket so I'm now conforming to the mum stereotype of saying "I can't believe she's growing up so fast!" (ugh I hate myself for saying it) • we went further afield on our bus adventures! we somehow got stuck in-between a pole and a seat but the slight embarrassment was worth it as I had a cracking time meeting with my NCT buddies and their sprogs. • the way she smiles at me when i peer over her cot on a morning. i feel like we're bonding now and it feels lovely :)

Wahey, me and Dale have managed to keep our daughter alive for another month! 2 down, 2747428383738 to go! Highlights of our second month • smiles! so many smiles. and they're not windy ones. they are genuine smiles and they are beautiful... • ...which made being sloppy pooed on much more bearable. luckily it was only my index finger (i was applying sudacrem) • her first trip on a train was a success! I was terrified about her kicking off and being stuck but I needn't had worried because she just slept • she met all my colleagues and more importantly she didn't threw up on my colleagues • we all attended our NCT reunion (ante natal classes) and managed to successfully participate in a group photo. we won't focus on the pile of drool she left behind on the organisers play mat...