An idea is born

I’m dipping my toes into blogging after being thrown in at the deep end with the birth of my first child, AJ, in October 2012.

As a journalist, I have decided to combine my two loves – writing and all things parenting – into what I hope will be an informative and entertaining avenue for fellow mothers, fathers and general avid readers.

Unlike some parenting blogs, I don’t aim to overshare with nappy change details or yet another cute baby photo.

Stay tuned for posts on topical issues facing parents, influenced of course by my own experiences and opinions as a first-time mum.

- Jayne

Growing, growing, gone

FROM FOUR-ZERO TO ‘BIG KID’ IN SEVEN MONTHS – By Jayne McIntyre

It doesn’t seem all that long ago I was generously handed outfits from friends and family for my newborn son.

I remember getting double-zero shorts and tees and thinking “thanks, but my precious little six-pounder will never fit into that”.

That delusion is comparable to my pre-baby belief that mothers simply sip tea and catch up on soapies while pulling all-nighters. Ha!

Seven months on and AJ is fast growing out of his two-zero onesies and pushing one-nought ‘big boy’ clothes.

Come fly with me

OR NOT. AFTER ALL, WHO WANTS TO SIT NEXT TO A CRYING BABY? – By Jayne McIntyre

I became THAT person recently. Yes, the person with a screaming child on the plane.

Having not been back to Queensland since Christmas, I decided to take AJ on his first flight to see the family last week.

Luckily the journey lasted little over an hour, so the other passengers didn’t have to suffer for too long.

Birthday buzz

CELEBRATING SIX MONTHS OF BROKEN SLEEP AND DIRTY NAPPIES – By Jayne McIntyre

So it’s not exactly the Big One just yet, but six months was still cause for celebration in our household.

It seems that every month, even week, presents a milestone to acknowledge in these early years of a child’s life.

This is because almost every day brings something new, whether it’s a developmental achievement like sitting up, subtle change in hair or eye colour, or simply a new facial expression.

To commemorate this particular age occasion, I decided to bake a buzzy bee cake for AJ.

The Easter with no chocolate

ANOTHER HOLIDAY FIRST FOR BUB – By Jayne McIntyre

My name is Jayne and I’m a chocoholic.

So it may come as a surprise to some that this year I averted my usual sugar high, and instead got my kicks from watching our little boy participate in his first ever Easter egg hunt.

If holding these glorious, shiny orbs wasn’t a treat enough, the moment AJ discovered the eggs were in fact made for eating was priceless.

Following the morning’s festivities I sat back with a cup of tea and toast, something which I thought was reserved for mothers on this chocolate-filled occasion.

Oh, that’s right; I belong to that exclusive club now.

A labour of love

Photo credit: Flickr – Weird Beard

SOME (EMOTIONAL) WOUNDS NEVER HEAL – By Jayne McIntyre

I haven’t spoken, let along written, about my labour except to close family and girlfriends.

This is because I think it’s a very personal experience and isn’t something I want to share online – just like I have shortened my son’s actual name to AJ for the purpose of this blog.

Physically, it was one of the most intense things I have ever been through.

A good friend of mine advised me in the lead up to the Big Day that it was like preparing for a marathon – eat healthily, exercise, look after your body, and you will instinctively know how to do the rest.

These proved to be very wise words, and I have since come down from my hormone-high and resumed normal day-to-day exertions with relative ease.

But apart from the obvious, initial strain on my body, I found myself left with some rather unexpected emotional wounds following AJ’s birth.

Story time

CREATING YOUR VERY OWN LITTLE BOOKWORM – By Jayne McIntyre

As a child I loved reading stories, and even wrote many of my own.

To this day my mother still comes across hidden gems with hilarious titles and interpretive illustrations which I, at the time, insisted she kept.

Thank you mum for following through with that promise to a little girl, who at the tender age of eight decided she would someday become a writer.

While I’ve had to drastically cut back on my former reading habits since having a baby, I’m resolute on passing down my passion on to AJ.

Tuning in

Kicking Television (Photo credit: dhammza)

IS IT OKAY FOR BABY TO WATCH TV? – By Jayne McIntyre

I’m the first to admit I watch a little too much television, although these days it’s a bit more Pingu and Chuggington rather than Grey’s Anatomy or Gossip Girl.

Now that AJ is a bit older and is displaying ‘mutual attention’, he too is being mesmerised by the moving pictures and music.

Following our routine of shower and breakfast, we have now incorporated a bit of telly time into the morning.

This could be due to the fact that a majority of comfy seating and play space is situated near the television, and/or AJ’s increased need for entertainment.

But it’s got me thinking – is it okay to let your baby watch TV? And how much is too much?