Hi folks... so tired... couldn't string two words together, let alone do computer last night...
Things are going well we think, and we are learning more and more. It is amazing watching little pumplet doing new things each day. I hope I never tire of seeing her delight in her new achievements... Today she has been spinning round in a circle - it looks like she is having the most fun that a human can have! I cried when we put a bit of Bob Marley on this afternoon, like we have for the last couple of days, and pumplet went to Daddy and jumped around dancing with him. She's starting to enjoy the things that we like already!
Last night we did the bedtime routine perfectly. . 10/10 for us. So much planning and organising though - I am starting to realise how many new systems and processes we need to set up to help things run smoothly. All that change management and service improvement work I've been doing for the last few years is hopefully going to pay off! She lay down and fell asleep the instant she went into her cot, and slept through until after six... Today though was more like 6/10 . I'm so excited about our darling daughter (and complacent?)that I couldn't resist taking her to her grandparents this afternoon where she got thoroughly spoilt. On the way home, we knew that she was over stimulated, and bedtime was more difficult, although she did still get to sleep quite quickly. The only thing we can do is learn from this, and think "Ahhh [lightbulb]... that's why we're advised to keep things low key at first!"
It's lovely to not have to give her back, and to know that Pumplet is our baby now. Somebody said on here about wearing our clothes and eating our food, and yes, that is making it feel more real. But the responsibility is hitting me now, and I have to admit to a couple of wobbles, where I am starting to realise the enormity of what we're doing... All's OK though - I think I just need to acknowledge these feelings that all of you parents have gone through too, and own them.
We are going to be having regular visits from social workers, and today was the first from our lovely SW who has gone through this whole process with us, so a very special visitor. Uh oh. Twenty minutes before SW was due to arrive, Pumplet did the most massive, sticky and stinky poo that there ever has been. It squidged out of the sides and top of her nappy when I picked her up! We ran her upstairs, tried to wipe it off and it went everywhere - in her hair, all over us, all over her room. I ran an emergency bath and plonked her in it, thinking "oh my god, can't have the SW finding us in the middle of a dirty protest". She even had poo in her ear! Oh, and was bawling in misery. Not good. I am so proud of our teamwork - got her and us washed, poo cleaned up from furniture, Pumplet into clean clothes and playing nicely just in time for the doorbell.
Sorry - this is a super long post. So much happening! I am really loving our new family - even the stresses are making me happy. It means I'm a real Mum!