Hello All,

I hope you are all keeping safe and well.

I know it has been a few months since my last blog so I wanted to update you on how my little family and I have been getting on during these strange times.

Can you believe that Arthur is 1 in 18 days?!  I have been reflecting a lot on this time last year and how different life was but more importantly how lucky I was to have such a straight forward birth and the best little boy.

Arthur is well and truly on the move now, bombing around everywhere and can even climb the stairs. Many people said to me that when he started moving, it would get harder for me due to being unable to move as quickly as an able bodied person. In some ways, it is harder in that he is into everything so I can’t leave him unsupervised. However, he does understand the word no and when he is touching something he shouldn’t, I say no and he pretends to cry but does stop.

His increased mobility and strength also helps me a lot to move us around. There is now nothing I can’t do for him. As I said in my last blog, giving him a bath gets easier everyday. I just lower him in onto his feet and guide him down slowly. I lean in to wash him and then when it’s time to get out, he stands up and I just pull him out. He is taller than average which again means he is closer to me when standing up so less far for me to reach.

I am also finding getting him downstairs much easier. I move the stair lift round at the top and climb onto the seat. Arthur loves the lift so crawls straight over, stands up, turns around and I pull him onto my lap. We then belt up and off we go. He claps all the way down. At the bottle I lower him off onto the floor. We still need to get a stair gate but are waiting for a charity to assist us with making one that fits with my lift.

Normally, Louie gets Arthur in and out of the car but I have realised that I can even do this now.  I wheek him out to the car and put him in on my seat behind the driver and he shuffles along towards his seat. I climb in and lift him into his seat. I struggle with the straps as I am then at a funny angle and you have to push down firmly so Louie or a Carer does this. I then lift him out when we arrive at wherever we are going and pass him out to Louie.

At the moment when we are out and about Arthur is still quite happy to ride on my lap. I went shopping twice last week for clothes and he sat on my lap for 4 hours smiling at all the shop assistants.  It may get harder when he wants to explore but I will get reins.  Louie and I have taken Arthur on a few walks to National Trust parks. They often have steps to access some parts of the grounds. Normally, Louie bounces me up and down without help but with Arthur on my lap this isn’t as safe and the chair is heavier. We would normally ask for help but due to social distancing, this isn’t an option so we are having to check access a bit more before we go places. Most places are ok nowadays. Once Arthur is on reins, he will be able to walk next to us. I will miss having him on my lap.

We stayed at Mum and Dad’s last week which was lovely. It was great for Arthur to spend time with my family and, in particular, his 3 year old cousin Grace. They had a lot of fun.  We still have issues with travel cots. I can get Arthur out now that he stands up and reaches for me but putting him down without waking him is more difficult. He is always more unsettled in an unfamiliar place so sometimes he just wants his mummy cuddle. I spent ages looking for an height adjustable cot and couldn’t find one. I was going to buy a piece of foam to go in the cot  at Mum and Dad’s house but this would them be another thing to carry if we go away. I was about to give up and then saw three online. I think I was over complicating my search. They are more expensive than normal travel cots and they aren’t perfect as the raised position is more for younger babies. However, they are better than normal travel cots. I just won’t be able to leave Arthur awake in the cot as he could climb out due to being higher up. We have a video monitor which helps so I can keep an eye on him even when I’m not in the room.

The crib/snooze pod downstairs that I use for nap time and changing is now getting too small. I will need to take Arthur up to his cot for naps soon and change him on the floor. I’m lucky I can get in and out of my chair easily. I spend half my life on the floor lately, usually cleaning up food that has been thrown on the floor.

I can’t find a high chair that I can use easily independently apart from a portable one that attaches to a chair. It’s ok for now but it was only cheap and the table part is a nightmare to get on and off. I need something the same height or lower than my chair so I can lift Arthur in and out. I also need to be able to get nice and close so I can feed him without my back aching. All high chairs seem to be too high or the legs prevent me getting in close. The one I have will do for now but I don’t think it will last long.

My body is very stiff at the moment. The effects of 5 months without riding are really kicking in now. I so hope Avon Riding Centre opens soon. The charity is really struggling due to restricted funds during lockdown. If anyone can spare a few pounds, I would be so grateful.

My maternity leave officially ended in June but I was placed on Furlough and am due back to work in September. I do have a lot of holiday to use though so it will  be nearer to October before I go back. I am so glad as ideally  I didn’t want to put Arthur onto nursery at 9 months. Although this virus has caused so much sadness and disruption for so many and has meant we lost time at baby groups, I try and see the positives which are that I have had more bonding time with Arthur. Also, if I had got pregnant this year, I would have been very high risk due to my disability making me slightly more likely to become poorly with the virus especially if pregnant.

Arthur starts nursery when I go back to work, Louie will be dropping him in the morning and I will go with a Carer and collect him. He is only going 2.5 days a week so it will ease him jn gently.

We are busy planning for his birthday, Mum and Dad are coming up the weekend before and then on the actual day Louie and I will take him to a safari park. A few weeks later we will have his christening and a big family celebration.

We will be sure to share pictures of the special few weeks ahead.

Lots of love to you all. Xxx