10 things I’ve learned in the first 10 months since having Rose . . .
IWANTED to share some findings that I’ve found out in the last 10 months. It’s sure been one steep learning curve!
1. They say that no two children are the same. I used to think, yeah, yeah, whatever; but whoever said it, must have had an Archie and a Rose.
Different ends of the scale so I’m finding in every way possible. I thought I knew what I was doing (kind of ) but honestly, I can’t even begin to explain how different these kids are.
2. Rose doesn’t like going to anyone else if I’m in the vicinity. If she can see me, smell me or touch me it’s a sure-fire game over for anyone that is trying to get a look in.
Archie was a clingy baby and wouldn’t go to anyone, but Rose takes it to another level.
My friend Danielle just held her arms out and Rose nose-dived into my chest and started shrieking like a demon baby with her lips wobbling and little legs flailing around as if I was abandoning her forever. I mean, it’s cute but it’s hard.
It’s especially hard when we’re out and about and I could really do with someone maybe just holding her for a second, ya know … while I use the bathroom.
Instead I find myself making excuses like, oh, I need to change her nappy, so I’ll take her.
Instead I’m trying to yank my jeans down to use the bathroom whilst clinging onto the spider monkey baby who’s clinging onto me!
But I have to take the stress and back-breaking option of doing this than literally hearing her sound like a Halloween sound effect for the two minutes it takes me go and come back.
3. Her scream. Her SCREAM. Is something else. It’s so shrill and high pitched that it makes me question my sanity when I hear it.
It’s on a level sometimes that I’m sure only whales and dolphins can hear it.
4. She loves Mini Cheddars. Nothing else to add. If in doubt, it’s Mini Cheddars for the win!
5. When it comes to food, she’s brilliant. She’ll try anything and she loves food. I remember being scared and unsure what to do with Archie when it came to food.
Everything was puréed, everything was boiled and mashed and cut and then scooped into little Tupperware pots and then frozen in my freezer. Nine times out of 10 didn’t like it and I sat there wondering why I’d used up 10 hours of my life making it all. This time around, Rose tends to have what Archie’s eating. Potatoes, veg, pasta, toast whatever is going she’ll have a nibble on and then launch onto the floor! She’s good when it comes to try food, but…
6. She’s an absolute monster still for breastfeeding. She’ll still feed around the clock if I let her (and some days, when I’m shattered, she’s ill, tired or she’s grouchy, I do). She wakes every hour or so through the night still, from around 11.30pm until around 5-ish. I didn’t feed Archie myself for this long and it’s hard work. But I will say, it solves a lot of problems for now… tired? Feed her. Screaming (which is often)? Feed her. Needs a nap? Feed her.
7. She absolutely hates, detests, has an aversion to the buggy. I mean she HATES it. To the point where I dread going to the shops, I dread going for days out because she’ll just scream all day long in there.
I’ve never known anything like it. She arches her back and kicks her legs and I have to practically fold her to try and get her in, and she’ll just scream and scream.
So I’m still putting her in the carrier, which is getting harder because she’s only getting bigger, and I’m only small.
So I give it about another month before her legs are dragging on the floor!
8. Not only does she hate the buggy, but she hates the car. Hates it. I have all the toys, the ipad, songs, food, snacks, music… anything to make it easier, but she hates it.
She screams from the second she gets in until the second she’s out.
The only time she doesn’t cry is when she’s sleeping.
So most car trips are planned around her falling asleep. Which when Archie does fifty-five thousand sports and activities a week, is easier said than done!
Anyone that has or had a baby that hated the car will understand the torrid torture that comes with this. Archie was a happy, ‘I’ll just fall asleep and not wake up’ in the car kind of baby.
Rose is not just a light sleeper, but absolutely detests the car seat. It’s made just nipping out impossible, taken the joy out of drive throughs and makes me dread every journey we need to go on! Parents with babies that hated the car… please tell me it gets better? And if it does… when?
9. She’s taken a real liking to Archie’s ‘Match Attacks’ football poster in his room!
To the point where she crawls in there the second she’s put down upstairs , she’ll scream if you try to leave Archie’s room and she will happily be held in front of it while she paws the players!
It’s a bit weird to be honest, I mean no-one loves Messi and Ronaldo that much surely!
10. They tell you that your second baby is a chilled baby and just goes along with it all. They tell you that the second just ‘fits in.’
Which is true, she does fit in… but she fits in whilst proving to be more high maintenance than any other baby I know!
She knows what she wants already at 10 months old.
Her sass level is equal already to Archie’s (which quite honestly, scares me to death) and I know I’ve got my work cut out for me with her because she’s trying to walk and is into EVERYTHING on a major level!
But she’s insanely funny, cute as a button and wants to cuddle me all night, which I’ll take all night long!
Music
It is set to be one of the biggest years for gigs and concerts with big name artists appearing all over the city, including Swansea.com stadium, Swansea Arena and Singleton Park. All relevant ticket information and details on where to purchase them are listed below.
ALICE COOPER + THE CULT
The Rock n Roll legend returns to the UK alongside iconic band The Cult, performing in Swansea Arena on Monday, May 23, in a sell-out show. You can get more Swansea news and other story updates by subscribing to our newsletters.
GERRY CINNAMON
The hugely trending independent artist has become one of the UK’S biggest names, announcing his largest Welsh performance to date in Swansea’s Singleton Park on Jubilee Bank Holiday Weekend - Saturday, June 4 . The show was sparked after his earlier Cardiff Castle gig sold out within minutes of going live - tickets are available from Ticketmaster.
Accompanied by legendary English rock band - The Kooks.
Tickets: www.gigantic.com
SIR ELTON JOHN
Musical legend Sir Elton John visits Swansea.com Stadium as part of his Farewell Yellow Brick Road: The Final Tour - performing on Wednesday, June 29, 2022.
Tickets are available from Ticketmaster as well as AXS, Alt Tickets and Gigantic.
NILE RODGERS & CHIC
Postponed due to the situation around the pandemic, disco-funk legend Rodgers & his band, Chic, will perform at Singleton Park on Friday, July 29, 2022 . The American funk, soul and disco group from New York City mark the first of Orchard Live’s collection of shows announced for Swansea.
Tickets are available from Ticketmaster.
ANNE-MARIE
The multi-talented rising popstar will perform a huge outdoor show in Swansea’s Singleton Park, on Saturday, July 30, as part of a weekend line-up announced by Orchard Live.
Tickets are available via Seetickets or Ticketmaster.
PAUL WELLER
The Modfather returns to Wales on July 31 to a huge outdoor show in Swansea’s Singleton Park accompanied by indie band The Coral as supporting act.
Tickets are still available for purchase via Ticketmaster.
KAISER CHIEFS
The multi-award-winning rock band Kaiser Chiefs will kick off their nationwide tour in Swansea Arena supported by The Fratellis and The Sherlocks. The legendary British rock bands will perform on November 2, 2022.
Tickets still available from ATG Tickets.
WILL YOUNG
The British singer-songwriter who rose to fame after winning singing contest Pop Idol in 2002, will perform in Swansea Arena on November 10 this year.
Tickets are available to purchase from ATG Tickets.
Comedy ROB BRYDON
The Welsh actor and comedian took centre stage in Swansea Arena on April 30, accompanied by a live band. A Night Of Songs And Laughter featured musical renditions from iconic greats and stories from the comedian and his past.
BILL BAILEY
Multi-talented actor, comedian and musician Bill Bailey will host an evening of music and memories at Swansea Arena on May 7 with his show ‘EN ROUTE TO NORMAL.’
Tickets are available from ATG Tickets.
KATHERINE RYAN
TV personality and star creator of Netflix smash hit The Duchess, Ryan takes centre stage with her hilarious new perspectives on life and love after accidentally marrying her first love.
Her show ‘Missus’ is scheduled for Swansea Arena next week, on May 13.
Tickets being available from ATG Tickets.
RHOD GILBERT
Delayed from earlier in the year due to illness, the Camarthen-born comedian and personality returns from a six-year live show hiatus to perform for fans at Swansea Arena on July 14.
Tickets available from ATG Tickets.
ALAN CARR
The ‘Chattyman’ performs at Swansea Arena on October 14 as part of his brand new stand-up show ‘Regional Trinket.’
Tickets are available from ATG Tickets.