I’m always worried to some extent about what products we’re using as a family. When I look at the back of packaging, there are always just so many ingredients and chemicals that I don’t recognise. I also worry more and more about the environmental effects of products that we’re using. We’ve recently been trying out some products from The Natural Family Co, including some from their Jack N’ Jill kid’s range.
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Autumn’s first 8 words
By the time they reach 13 months old, children usually have a vocabulary of around 3 or 4 words. Of course, this does vary as babies and toddlers develop at different rates. It’s so fun seeing what word they’ll learn to say next, though. I remember when Autumn said her first word it was kind of a “Did that really just happen? Did she say that?” moment and I’m still finding it like that.
Autumn was a little ahead of the curve when it comes to speech development, as she could say 8 words when she reached 13 months. Here they are!
A letter to my daughter at 13 months
Dear Autumn,
Yet another month has gone by so quickly, you’re now 13 months old! I’ve gone back to work this month. Although I’m not working full time, I’m spending over 24 hours a week away from you and that feels an awful lot. Fortunately, you seem to have adjusted well and seem to enjoy your time with your childminder. I think that you’ve adjusted a lot better than I have, actually. The first day I went back to work, the things I was able to do that I can’t with you around were something of a novelty. The second day I spent in the office, I kept thinking of you and felt tearful several times. I just have to try and remind myself that it’s for your own good that I’m doing this.
PYO Pumpkins at Beluncle Farm
In recent years, it has become very popular to go pumpkin picking in the weeks leading up to Halloween. There are several in Kent, but the most local to us is PYO Pumpkins at Beluncle Farm in Hoo, Rochester. Entry is free, there’s ample parking, there are toilets and refreshments and they even accept card payments! They also support Crohn’s & Colitis UK and CICRA, causes close to the organiser’s hearts as their son suffers from Crohn’s disease.
I visited them for the first time in 2015 with two of my best friends. However, after the birth of Autumn last year, I decided to start a family tradition!
5 pros of returning to work after maternity leave
Collaborative¦ I recently went back to work after 13 months. Due to a short hospital stay at the end of August last year, just under a month before giving birth, I started maternity leave a couple of weeks early. I’m fortunate that I am going to be working part time for the next year or so rather than full time. However, I’m still missing Autumn like crazy!
To make myself feel better, I’ve decided to try and focus on the positives of going back to work.