{"id":2488,"date":"2018-12-31T09:22:26","date_gmt":"2018-12-31T09:22:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.vickygooden.com\/?p=2488"},"modified":"2019-01-01T09:22:33","modified_gmt":"2019-01-01T09:22:33","slug":"2018-big-year-photo-album","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vickygooden.com\/index.php\/2018\/12\/31\/2018-big-year-photo-album\/","title":{"rendered":"2018; Our big year photo album"},"content":{"rendered":"

2018 was a big, big year.<\/p>\n

John turned 40, we moved out and rented a house 10 mins up the road at 6 months pregnant, did a double story house extension, had a (slightly) premature baby that made her worldly appearance while we were on a 3 night mini break in Norfolk that we hadn’t packed a babygro for, navigating a marriage with a mini plus one, coming to terms with having a poorly mum at a time when I\u2019ve been learning the brand new role as mummy myself; a role with no job spec, the longest hours, terrible pay and a boss who can only babble and tends to poo herself a lot, often in public. We became godparents. And other stuff you know? Friends going through really tough times.<\/p>\n

On the motherhood front, I am still blurry about those initial days of being a brand new mum, in awe of my husband as he largely took control. But I’ve grown into my new job, I mean all new jobs are tough at first right? I\u2019ve negotiated the *fucking* buggy raincovers in the pissing rain, sat under swaying trees with her on hot summers days while she napped, breastfed while watching the food delivery frozen bits thaw out on the kitchen floor wishing I could just split in two just for 5 minutes to sort those out. I\u2019ve put myself last a lot. Suffered with an aching body I can only imagine what a 90 year old must feel like, welcomed the unwelcome endometriosis back into my life.  I\u2019ve battled with breastfeeding, feeling inadequate, bleeding and cracking. I\u2019ve triumphed by finding peace in combi feeding up until almost 6 months of baby\u2019s life. I\u2019ve been stricken and terrified back when she was born (almost a month prematurely) that I\u2019d do something wrong. I\u2019ve been panicked when hubs would leave us for extended periods of time to go do his job or the extension project. I’ve been deeply lonely at times and have cried more than ever before, out of hormonal turbulence and utter joy in equal measure.<\/p>\n

Yet, it\u2019s the best job in the world, no contest. Apart from the bits where you cry in desperation at 4am because you don\u2019t have all the answers and your hormones are on overdrive and you\u2019ve literally forgotten what sleep is (this is not an over exaggeration) and you don\u2019t know how in Christ\u2019s name you are functioning. But you are. Yes, we tend to blot those bits out along the way as no one wants to see those and they\u2019re mega and overwhelming and scary and confronting. Yet they always pale in comparison to the highs, the many many heart bursting highs. Each and every time. That only ever seem to get stronger as baby grows.<\/p>\n

Importantly I\u2019ve sought advice from some very special ladies in my life when it comes to motherhood – Pye, I\u2019m looking at you A LOT – and I\u2019ve been learning to trust myself more and more along the way. And now I can say that I am proud of myself. As I watch baby munch on a whole banana or play with runny porridge between her fingers, as she recognises when I am smiling so smiles back or when she determinedly tries to scoot her legs under her arse to try this crawling thing. I am doing my best.<\/p>\n

One key thing I\u2019ve learned about being a mummy is that I\u2019m not alone. And by that I mean, baby and I are a team. Her and I. The bond is so strong and we\u2019re figuring it out together. Sometimes I fall short, sometimes she is a complete pissing puzzle and when those two scenarios collide we\u2019re in for a tough day and it\u2019s just best to surrender to that and take the pressure off. But on the more plentiful days where we click, we are next level awesomeness. And when in doubt, you just dance like a loon in front of her to get a smile.<\/p>\n

Usually, now we\u2019re at the almost 8 month mark, my day begins around 7.30am when she wakes and ends with me falling in a heap on to the sofa about 9pm when I\u2019ve eaten, sterilised everything, meal prepped (for baby), cleaned, hung washing, put washing on, cleared the aftermath of her bedtime bath and shuffled around putting *things* away. They\u2019re long days and I\u2019m one of the lucky ones who has a baby that sleeps soundly overnight.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s hard on a marriage when a baby comes along, for some more so than others I would guess. John and I are finding our way with our new roles. I was discussing this with a friend last week actually, and she made a very valid point that role expectations these days just aren\u2019t clear. As gender equality is a hot topic, as women work just<\/em> as hard as men in certain disciplines and often earn similar amounts, we don\u2019t know our roles when it comes to parenting as clearly these days. It\u2019s not as defined as it once was: woman = home and mother, man = security and money. Of course mummy is the key caregiver to baby for a certain time not least if baby is exclusively breastfed. So where does daddy fit in? Is it really just in the practical providing of stuff or is there a place in the day to own something with baby or to tackle as a team; bathing, feeding, going to classes, sterilising, arse wiping, adventuring? I don\u2019t have the answers but I would put out there that a mum needs a break. Regularly. Be it an hour alone, half a day out or 10 minutes on the sofa to drink a hot drink. While it\u2019s still hot. We need to remember who we are as too often as a new mum you will look in the mirror at your body, face, hair (including the new hair that might be sprouting from your chin…or so I hear) that may now be totally unrecognisable and feel a huge sense of feeling lost, undesirable. A bit of a mystery.<\/p>\n

New mums need hugs, \u2018how are you?\u2019s, encouragement, accompaniment, a listening ear, others to take charge of plans, time to do some research, strong hands placed on our backs when we feel unsteady and uncertain, more \u2018I\u2019ll do it\u2019s\u2019, and baths. At one point I felt like I would never have a relaxing bath again. So weird. And the list isn’t aimed at just the dads or partners. We need the village. Where is the village they speak of?!<\/p>\n

Maternity leave is NOT A HOLIDAY. Not even a self catering one. The Instagram showreel might suggest that but it\u2019s tough. Truly. And as I often tearfully now consider what to do next about going back to work, making it work for me and baby as the number one priority (like will I now be just half good at both of my roles?), finding childcare without vomiting and savouring the last few months before all that becomes a reality, I really do – in a non religious way – count my blessings.<\/p>\n

My mum is going through something really tough and it’s heartbreaking to see. She has been diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) which is a neurological disorder with no cure or even treatment. Never heard of it right? So my role as daughter really needs to step up a level over this coming year, to her and my dad.<\/p>\n

For now though, let’s see out 2018 however we bloody well want to (we’ll be on the sofa watching an old flick, possibly with a takeaway, in mismatched PJs and i’d like to be in bed by 10.30pm thanks).<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a collection of pics from our 2018. Bring on the next one. Year, not baby. Steady on yeah.<\/p>\n

Extra special thank you hubs for supporting us and building us a house \ud83d\ude42 x<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

First bump shot of 2018 – January<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"\"

A mid Jan scan to see little puffling. I love this shot, looks like she’s singing<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"\"<\/a>

A stay at The Ned for John’s 40th – THE BEST<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"\"<\/a>

…and a wee party for the man himself<\/p><\/div>\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"

The extension started – Feb<\/p><\/div>\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Endless Spring walks at the park we moved to while we did our house up<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"\"

Fit to burst – March<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"\"<\/a>

My work farewell lunch as I stopped work mid April<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"\"<\/a>

I really didn’t want a baby shower so just had a little lunch arranged by some of my lovely gals instead<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"\"

NCT Learning<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"\"

Big bird at my non baby shower lunch<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"\"

A bluebell walk 2 days before baby arrived…<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"\"

Our rental barn for a 3 night pre-baby minibreak near Southwold…HAHAHAHAHA<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"\"

We dumped our bags and headed straight to Southwold beach<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"\"<\/a>

7.15pm the next day this one arrived after my waters broke as SOON as we got back to the barn for our first night away…<\/p><\/div>\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

…and everything changed<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"\"<\/a>

And this guy was our hero, sleeping on the hospital floor for 5 nights<\/p><\/div>\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Homeward!<\/p><\/div>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

First family stroll<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"\"

Unexpected POST baby foot and ankle situation<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"\"

The ugly side of those early days; hormonal, puffy, teary, tired.<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"\"<\/a>

Meeting VIPs<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"\"

Papa<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"\"

Nana<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"\"

Grandad<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"\"

Nana GG<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"\"

3 weeks postparTUM. Our bodies are incredible<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"\"

Fathers Day x<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"\"

Endlessly sitting like this as baby fed. I mainly watched Queer Eye<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"\"

Gorgeous memories of walking round and round the park on the doorstep of our rental house all summer long. I’d park up under trees as she napped and I would actually read a few pages of a book!<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"\"<\/a>

Visits to the park near our actual house as I’d go see hubs as he worked on the house…<\/p><\/div>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

House progress being checked on by the mini<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"\"<\/a>

Impressed<\/p><\/div> <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

First swimming lesson with mama – 4 months old<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"\"

we took it in turns to go in with her weekly…<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"\"

Had a fab weekend away in Margate – stayed at The Albion Hotel in Ramsgate which I loved…<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"\"

…and became godparents to this little dude (middle, lols)<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"\"

This guy carried on working day in day out on the house…<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"\"

First wedding<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"\"

Visits to lovely family<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"\"

Loving life at weekly Monkey Music classes<\/p><\/div>\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"

Meanwhile back at the ranch…<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"\"

Unveiling her wallpaper for the seal of approval<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"\"

Hubs took me and bubs to Primrose Hill for my birthday<\/p><\/div>
\n

\"\"

We moved home. And the day we did, baby got bronchiolitis \ud83d\ude41<\/p><\/div> <\/p>\n

\"\"

We started weaning<\/p><\/div>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"

Besties and babies<\/p><\/div>\n

\"\"

Her first Christmas<\/p><\/div>\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"

Santa baby<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

2018 was a big, big year. John turned 40, we moved out and rented a house 10 mins up the road at 6 months pregnant, did a double story house extension, had a (slightly) premature baby that made her worldly appearance while we were on a 3 night mini break in Norfolk that we hadn’t packed a babygro for, navigating a marriage with a mini plus one, coming to terms with having a poorly mum at a time when I\u2019ve been learning the brand new role as mummy myself; a role with no job spec, the longest hours, terrible pay and a boss who can only babble and tends to poo herself a lot, often in public. We became godparents. And other stuff you know? Friends going through really tough times. On the motherhood front, I am still blurry about those initial days of being a brand new mum, in awe of my husband as he largely took control. But I’ve grown into my new job, I mean all new jobs are tough at first right? I\u2019ve negotiated the *fucking* buggy raincovers in the pissing rain, sat under swaying trees with her on hot summers days while she napped, breastfed […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2652,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":true,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[256,640,1],"tags":[782,496,115,780,783,680,433,784,506,641,781],"class_list":["post-2488","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-life-2","category-parenthood","category-uncategorized","tag-birth","tag-family","tag-fertility","tag-happy-new-year","tag-house-renovation","tag-lifestyle-blog","tag-love","tag-marriage","tag-motherhood","tag-new-baby","tag-parenting-blog"],"yoast_head":"\n2018; Our big year photo album - Vicky Gooden<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"http:\/\/www.vickygooden.com\/index.php\/2018\/12\/31\/2018-big-year-photo-album\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"2018; Our big year photo album - Vicky Gooden\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"2018 was a big, big year. John turned 40, we moved out and rented a house 10 mins up the road at 6 months pregnant, did a double story house extension, had a (slightly) premature baby that made her worldly appearance while we were on a 3 night mini break in Norfolk that we hadn’t packed a babygro for, navigating a marriage with a mini plus one, coming to terms with having a poorly mum at a time when I\u2019ve been learning the brand new role as mummy myself; a role with no job spec, the longest hours, terrible pay and a boss who can only babble and tends to poo herself a lot, often in public. We became godparents. And other stuff you know? Friends going through really tough times. On the motherhood front, I am still blurry about those initial days of being a brand new mum, in awe of my husband as he largely took control. But I’ve grown into my new job, I mean all new jobs are tough at first right? 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John turned 40, we moved out and rented a house 10 mins up the road at 6 months pregnant, did a double story house extension, had a (slightly) premature baby that made her worldly appearance while we were on a 3 night mini break in Norfolk that we hadn’t packed a babygro for, navigating a marriage with a mini plus one, coming to terms with having a poorly mum at a time when I\u2019ve been learning the brand new role as mummy myself; a role with no job spec, the longest hours, terrible pay and a boss who can only babble and tends to poo herself a lot, often in public. We became godparents. And other stuff you know? Friends going through really tough times. On the motherhood front, I am still blurry about those initial days of being a brand new mum, in awe of my husband as he largely took control. But I’ve grown into my new job, I mean all new jobs are tough at first right? 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