Mum to be blog: Part 21 - Baby eczema, baby showers and I'm finally showing!

Baby eczema
Saw my friend William for lunch on Wednesday. He insists on coming to see me even though the journey is over an hour to save my energy being pregnant which is really lovely of him. It was his birthday and so I cooked for him which was nice - I felt like a proper housewife entertaining during the day! On Thursday I was invited to a press event promoting E45 creams and products for use on babies. I had no idea that eczema can be hereditary and that it's completely safe to use E45 cream on babies.

In fact it really helps prevent eczema and dry skin if you massage E45 lotion onto your baby everyday as it prevents the top layer of the skin drying out and becoming susceptible to skin conditions. Eczema is also linked to asthma and hayfever and as I suffer from hayfever and eczema on my hips I need to be vigilant when it comes to my baby's skin. It was really interesting to learn all this and I will definitely be trying out some E45 cream on my baby as the massaging also helps soothe and calm them too. Bonus!

Daddy's home
A big day on Saturday - my dad came back from abroad after spending several months away. It was so nice to see him at the airport and he was very excited at seeing my bump for the first time and even said "hello" to it which was great! Sadly on Sunday he rang to tell my his girlfriend of 3 years had decided she wanted to separate with him which was heartbreaking. His girlfriend is a really lovely person and I know my dad is completely gutted at this turn of events. He also lives with her and so now needs to find a new place to live. I would usually ask him to move in with me but being pregnant makes that really hard - not only do we need the spare room for the nursery but as I need the loo 5 times a night at the moment and we only have 1 bathroom then it just isn't practical either. I now need to start applying for council accommodation/ affordable private accommodation for him as well as try and sort out moving all his stuff into storage too. I can't believe this has happened on top of losing my job. Is there much more stress a person can take? I am so upset to see my dad upset but have to try and hide it otherwise I know he will feel even worse.

Planning a baby shower
On Tuesday I was invited to a press event to launch a new service from Jemma Kidd's make up school - "Yummy Mummy" make up parties where groups of friends/ relatives can book a Jemma Kidd expert to come to their home and hold a demonstration on how to get the most out of your make up in the shortest time possible. It was just what I needed to cheer me up. We learnt how to put on some great make up looks in just 5 minutes because so many of the products have multi-features such as mineral foundations with SPF's and highlighters that can be used on the face, eyelids and lips etc. It's a really nice idea for baby showers/ hen parties too.

I hadn't been planning a baby shower as I wouldn't want guests to feel obliged to buy me gifts however these parties give everyone a fab goodie bag at the end so I am now considering it as everyone benefits. You can book them through the company Darling and Darling - www.darlindanddarling.com who also do some really lovely gifts such as keyrings and jewellery where you can have your baby's fingerprint embossed which is a really lovely and thoughtful gift (note to self - remind other half about this!).

I'm finally showing
On Wednesday I saw my friend Glyn for breakfast and then we went to some estate agents as he is looking to move home soon. A momentous moment occurred when I realised the money on my meter was running out and I announced I would just "run to the car" when the estate agent who was dealing with us told me not to run in my condition! This is the first time a stranger has acknowledged I am pregnant! It may seem a small thing but now I feel "properly" pregnant rather than someone who looks like they have been eating none stop for a few months!