And So This Is Christmas...

And what have you done...?

​Christmas, the end of the year... Something about it makes us naturally reflective, I find. A couple of years ago my New Years Resolution was to become more reflective and it's stuck.

​So, in the words of John Lennon...

So this is Christmas
And what have you done?
Another year over
​And a new one just begun...

My 2019 has been one not to forget. This post may be dominated by baby related achievements, but then I was either pregnant or a new mum for the entire year, not apologising for that!

1. I had a baby.

Now, the achievements following the birth of my healthy, happy little girl could be a blog post in itself, I think.

I didn't think I was going to enjoy being a new mum, but I've absolutely loved the last six months. The actual birth is the achievement I want to focus on here - I had an emergency C Section, so that was unplanned and intense to say the least! Cesareans are NOT an easy route out of natural births, never under-estimate the pain and complications which may follow, and the stress of having one in the first place!

She is still my favourite person in the whole world. 

---

2. I changed my first nappy.

Better put, I learned (fast!) how to care for a new baby. I was only six years old when my brother was born and I don't have a lot of experience with babies (read: ANY experience), so being left with Rox on the first night was pretty terrifying - I felt so responsible for this little one and had no idea what I was doing! Now I feel a bit of a pro with nappies, feeding, changing, cleaning up etc, doesn't take long. 

3. We're successfully using reusable nappies.

I used to work in recycling for a local council, and part of my role was to promote 'real nappies', so I'd be a bit of a fraud if I didn't at least give them a go with my own baby. 

4. I beat gestational diabetes with a bat akin to Lucille. 

(Walking Dead fan here). 
I was diagnosed with GD on 17th January and had to avoid sugar and most carbs until a couple of days after baby was born. That was a challenge of a lifetime. Carbs are my absolute fave - bread, mainly, but pastry, pasta, rice, potatoes were all severely limited, and sugar was off the table. Literally. However, I amazed my Doctor and stayed off medication and managed the condition solely through diet. It can be done! So proud of myself. 
And my first request post-birth? A GIANT FRENCH BAGUETTE. No butter, nothing, just pure bready goodness. YUM.  

5. I closed my home baking business...

...and trialed another one with Navy Frog!
There was no way I was going to be able to manage 280 Bakes while I had a baby, and I decided the run-up to due date was as good a time as any to close down. I managed to sell my CakeOD trademark and made a bit of cash overal, but it was a sad day. However, there's nothing to say 280 Bakes won't be back some day!
Navy Frog was inspired by my baby, no doubt, and the slight obsession I now have with baby clothes. I make gift boxes and print personalised baby gear - take a look at my website! It's incredibly slow in starting up, a much smaller market than cakes and I don't have as much time as I did with 280 Bakes to dedicate to the start-up, but I'm only going as far as my enjoyment lets me, and it's not taking anything away from time with baby. Plus, Rox gets some great clothing out of it!

I'm going to stop there. I am pretty knackered today, even having had a good night with little one. There have been more things I've achieved this year, I'm sure, but these are the ones I'm most proud of. Let's see what 2020 brings!

​Lou x