Manhattan toy company.

Recently I came across a brand of unusual looking baby products that I have become rather fond of. Growing tiresome of neutral baby products being very much that, neutral in colour, neutral in form, and even neutral in concept! I was pleasantly surprised to find baby toys that were non gender specific without being a bit of beige let down. It isn't so surprising then that the brand is then called Manhattan Toy as they have the vibrant feel of modern day upbeat New York design.

These toys originate from 1970's Manhattan.,the company was founded in 1979 by Francis Goldwyn (grandson of motion picture studio owner Sam Goldwyn).

Goldwyn wanted to move away from traditional fabrics, ideas and toys, Manhattan toy have opened up new ways of cognitive learning through their spiffy designs, and as they put it Manhattan toy intended to 'blend science and whimsy to produce toys that offer children a rich array of visual and tactile stimulation' .
Goldwyn is no longer a part of the company but it seems their motivation is still the same.

Not only are the toys quite innovative in contrast to others on the market ,the company are also dedicated to good old fashioned craftsmanship. Some of their designs have been tried and tested through the past 40 decades since the company began, with the biggest critics in the business; American families. Some of these toys are moving onto becoming design classics of the baby play world with their dedication to playtime products. And, as the New Yorkers say themselves, 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'.

On my shopping list is the Classic Skwish rattle, as pictured above. The Bababall and the Wimmer Ferguson mind-shapes.
I am hoping my baby shower will bring down-town New York into my Mancunian nursery!

A Century of Fatherhood.

BBC 4 have put together a series presenting 'A Century of Fatherhood'. In this episode it points the finger at turn of the 20th century fiction, which in many cases is to blame in allowing us to believe that Fathers are (or rather were) not at all warm to their children.

This series uses diaries and personal accounts in order to suspend the myth that men were the cold, short tempered, bread providers, and not much else.
It looks into the effects of the first world war and the impact it had on being a paternal figure.

It was really refreshing to see a program which did not cash in on stereotyping men as belligerent neanderthals. However, the narration is a bit wet and makes it hard for the viewer not to want to gag at points. But all in all, I will be continuing with this series, it makes for thought provoking viewing.

Just maybe not watch it if you are a single mother, it is quite a warming documentary.

Eak!

I'm feeling clucky and nesty...

I want to start making something for the new arrival but my knitting skills leave a lot to be desired. Something fabricy and cosy, something for the cot or to be wrapped up . Saying that, I have always wanted a mobile of the solar system hung over the cot or something, the way I envisioned it, it would look amazing.
I am just fearful that whatever I make I am somehow constructing my child's identity absent mindedly...
Ummm maybe because it is 'my child' I am over thinking the basic of tasks.
A couple of years ago I made an embroidered baby-grow for my Godson, something like this is always nice to get everyone gooey and excited. But in our case, me and Richard do not want to know the sex until the child is born, not to mention we are not 100% on names as of yet. Also, things are always simpler for other people (and people's children!).
This is me and little Brodie in 2008, was just 11 days old when this was taken. Still as pink as a beetroot. Bless.

Kittens.

I have never been comfortable with creating my own child's personality whilst it is still in utero, but if my child were to turn out like this, well. That would be pretty awesome.

Google Reader

Apologies in advance as this post is not being very baby-eccentric.

If you are pregnant and you do not wish to follow any such feed about pregnancy publicly, you may want to try Google reader. Friends and other people who are networked to you won't be able to see what you are selecting to view in your feed, unless you select otherwise. So if you are before the 12 week mark and want to keep your news to yourself, or even if you are interested in the horrors of being pregnant and don't want to have to answer questions to others Google reader would be good for you. (Especially if you are like me and always forget to check bookmarks.)

City-life and strife.

During my small time having a visible baby bump, I have noted that the majority of men about town are very sweet to me. If not even a little too cautious when interacting publicly, around town, etc.
They become hyper-aware of their and your personal space, kindly open doors, and usually offer a shy smile. Sometimes the offer of a bus seat or park bench.
Women on the other hand, have not been so nice to me; I tend to get a lot of looks or cold stares when in crowded situations. Many push and walk into me whilst I waddle my way through the supermarket. I do not think this is anything to do with women being 'unkind' or judgemental, and the older the women tend to not do it all. I just think society has told women the woes of having a child young so many times that they automatically judge others.
Women cannot help but wonder how it would affect their life, whilst making smaller judgements about other young women. (I suppose it doesn't help matters that I look younger than I am, in any case, in an ideal world such things should not matter.)
I know that I, myself, have fallen guilty of this too. When browsing Facebook I find myself thinking 'She's 19 weeks pregnant,? ...but she can barely spell the word!'. - This I am not proud of. I should not judge others on choices or even mistakes, especially when I am apart from their existence. Now, because of this, I do not take this issue with the people who have made me feel uncomfortable personally, nor do I hold any sort of grudge. I just honestly didn't see this coming. I knew there would be a few, but even without the cold stares there is the issue of careless invasion of space and potentially making me fall over, maybe even cry if I am in one of my moods!

Expecting a knowing smile I instead, have received cigarettes blown into face and not being able to walk at a slower pace without being knocked into.
However, there have been some inspirational women who have come out of nowhere, (usually when I walk alone, without my partner) who have given me advice on childbirth, pain relief, stretch marks and even how to bathe toddlers! - Such things offer a spring in my step, even if it is advice I see as unhelpful, it just makes me happy that there is this perpetual exchange between those who are about to embark on or have completed the initial stages of motherhood.

Continuing on in the same vein, I have heard whispers from acquaintances (not what I'd call friends) like 'I don't think she should be having a child yet', and 'How is she going to finish university?'.
Now, to question with concern is a fine thing to do, but idle gossip is something I have always found difficult not to challenge. Especially when it is again based on perceptions we have on other people's lives and personalities.

Lets be honest, there is never a 'good' time to have a child. There is never a good time to take a year out of what we normally do. When comparing my life to others sometimes I wonder if I am in a good situation as I have no freelancing commitments to hold down, and other such grey area jobs that would not qualify for maternity leave/pay.
We can make improvements on our life before becoming a parent, but even in that case who is say that, that current existence is enough. I suppose the main issue in other peoples' eyes is whether they perceive the Mother as being 'mature enough' to be a reasonable parent/role model. Again, no-one can really gage this, unless it is completely obvious that the individual is in such a state that she'd cause harm to her child. Obviously, I am not in this position. In fact, I am in a wonderful considerate relationship, one where we have often spent afternoons blabbering about rearing children and so forth. Also, if I were to be in a un-desirable situation, who is to say my partner would not take the brunt of responsibilities.

A lot of thoughts surrounding this topic, but if you were to take one thing away from this post, please just give the pregnant women free rein in the supermarket, the lighting and the sheer amount of busy people in there do funny things to me in my current state, also if you don't get out of my way, you run the risk of getting puked on.

Want free Stuff? ...Join the club

Today I was advised by a friend of mine who has recently had a child to spend some time signing up to supermarket baby groups and the like, as most of the time you will get free samples and vouchers in the post. Below are some I have signed up to avoiding ones that look a bit unhelpful/pointless/dodgy.

Boots baby club. Not sure about samples but good offers if you are into your advantage points like I am.

Bounty baby club. If you live in the UK you would have probably got a pack from these guys given to you by your midwife anyhow. They have different types of packs for different stages with the pregnancy which can be picked up in stores such as Sainsburys and Boots.

Tesco Baby & Toddler club. Vouchers, club card point offers, Tesco magazines, recipes and also a priority parking permit to get closer to the entrance of any Tesco store.

Heinz baby club. Mentions it gives lots of samples out, but from looking at the site it seems it has more to offer in the way of on going support for the mums to be.

Sainsbury's Little Ones baby & toddler club. Free Huggies pack worth £9.99. Special offers and vouchers, also nice features on website such as pregnancy/breast feeding meal planners.

Hipp baby club. Samples, vouchers, weaning guide, 1st year record book and some other stuff.

Toys/Babys-r-us baby club. Mentions samples, i'm not sure what exactly but thought it was worth a shot.

Cow & Gate Mum and Baby club. Free cuddly cow, free pregnancy diary, vouchers and a scheme online to meet other mums-to-be in your area.

Asda baby club. Vouchers and special offers dependant on where you live.



Many of these sites have the option to tailor the information they use or be it, give out to other companies. Read carefully when filling out forms as you could save yourself from some unwanted spam.

15 weeks update!

So, 15 weeks and 3 days have passed.
I have just got back from the hospital filling all my forms, ticking numerous boxes and giving out samples of different fluids. It's all very exciting, not to mention I can, for once have a night off without thinking the worst.

At around 13 weeks my hyperemesis started to fade and it has been getting better (slowly but surely) day by day. Some other symptoms have started to become a bit of a pain though, for instance I keep fainting, especially in shops/supermarkets. And as I have previously mentioned without an obvious bump people treat you differently, for instance the last time I fainted the security guard assumed it was because I had been drinking (it was a hot day and everyone was picnicing and that sort of thing). He radioed for an ambulance and another guard from the Arndale precinct, causing a massive scene in front of all the people at the checkout. Very embarrassing. Took me a while just to explain to the poor fellow that this happened frequently to pregnant women (and that no, I was not drunk).

Headaches! Migraines! Mood swings! Three things I do not need more of in my life, but hey, it's better than throwing up 99% of the time. I find a dark quiet room and a 20 minute lie-down can cure a lot of aliments. Just as well really as I won't be taking any over the counter medication for a long while!

Richard/boyfriend/partner/'the other one' has become a lot more excited now he has seen the baby move, I do think men usually need to see it to believe it. Saying that, I know there's a thing growing inside me as I am the one peeing 5 times a night and throwing up my favourite meals!
We're making scary 'life plans' telling parents and generally being really proactive. This is great as my sickness/fatigue is starting to fade just as the sunshine is coming out.

Things feel much more positive.