Our first Christmas with Ariyah-Mai
We had a wonderful first Christmas with out baby girl, I hope you all had a great one too, weather it was your babies first or one of many. However which way you celebrate I hope it was wonderful for you all to.
This year although it was exciting to have ariyah first one it waa also sad to not have our son here with us too. We lit a candle and got his photo and ashes down to put next to the tree. Along with having lots of orniments on the tree for him as well as some for Ariyah. We were not going to put up the tree mainly because of the cats as they just play with it and pull it down but also because most of Christmas and new year we were away. However as many people Brought us decoration for Ariyah-Mai and Nico we wanted to hang them. So we did put up the tree and some tinsle on Nico's self but that was all.
The cats were not happy they were banned from the front room at night and while we were out.
On top of not having Nico there, Ariyah-Mai was still very young so does not really understand what Christmas day is all about. More so with me having just had surgery which you can read all about in my previous post. It meant I could not do much, I still had drains in therefore could not lift or hold Ariyah. Only when Ben placed her on my lap briefly while she was calm, but we still made sure it was special.
On Christmas morning it was lovely to all wake up together. We gave ariyah-mai a bottle then while she napped we had breakfast, then got dressed. We then got her dressed and took some family photos. Ariyah had many Christmas onsie and outfits to wear but Ben had got her a personalised one which she had worn Christmas eve night. Then we had a dress with sparkly legging to wear for the day.
Next we opened our presents, Ariyah-Mai was very alert and looking as we opened them. This was really special, to have the see memories and photos to show her when she is older. We got her a few pram toys and soft blocks and rattle toys which she loves playing with. We also got Nico a present that she helped us open. Ben surprised us with a present. From both our babies which were matching rings that had 'DAD' on them.
After presents we got dressed. Ben's aunt picked us up around 11am so we could go have dinner with them. Also because Logan was there it meant Ariyah-Mai and Logan got to open their presents from nanny together. Logan was so cute and excited. He is now 4 so at the right age to understand santa and have the magical excitement of Christmas, which I cannot wait for Ariyah to have. Logan help her open her presents and sat playing with her it was very cute. He is really good when she crys he talks to her and was showing her his toy dragon. Which Ariyah seemed to really like over her baby toys. This dragon walked and breathed out smoke, she was following it across the floor and smiling.
We then had dinner while she napped before heading back to our house where me and Ben spent the evening cuddle with our beautiful girl on the sofa with films and snacks. It was a prefect day.
Boxing day brought more excitement for her and family time, as my dad came to pick us up to go and stay in Kent with him for a few days. We stopped off at my aunties where all my family came to see each other and exchange presents. Ariyah-Mai got very spoilt. Got to see my nan and grandad as well as met my baby cousin for the first time who is only 8 weeks older then Ariyah. Saw the twins and my cousin little girls too. My mum and step dad were there so was a really nice party.
My brother and his girlfriend Lauren also turn up, it was the first time they had met Ariyah-Mai. This is because he is in the navy so he does not get a lot of time off. But he was so in love with her. He always been good with children and was very excited to be an uncle. Lauren held and even feed her but was nervous as Ariyah-Mai is still very small despite being 9 weeks old. Jordan drove us back to my dad's afterwards.
We spent the night at my dad's house in gravesend, as the next morning I had to travel to Hull to have my drains removed. Ben was coming with me whilst my step mum and dad looked after Ariyah. It was the first time that both of us had left her that long, with someone else. The day was hard and Ben was very anxious. I had obviously been up before on my own and been to work but she also been with Ben so even thought I had been away from her for this amount of time I was still nervous because she was with someone other then us. However we trust my step mum and they all had a great day, Ariyah was very spoilt with attention.
She went for a lovely walk round the dog park with them and the dog. Then got lots of cuddles of my step sister and her fiancé, Joe. Me and Ben had a good day too. Having my drains removed weren't that bad, it was such a relief to have them out as I could move more freely, feeling less restricted. I still had dressings on, plus the surgery binder for another 6 weeks. I got to see my chest for the first time and this pure euphoria washed over, this is how I always saw myself and the scars were so neat, starting to heal really well already I could not be happier. But it still the start to a long recovery.
Me and Ben had spare time before our train back, so we made the most of our time together. We went for lunch in Nandos, we did a bit of shopping in Hull and although it was weird not pushing a pram around or having to care for Ariyah-Mai and we missed her it was nice to have time for just us to talk. We did buy things for her and talk about her including our plans for the year ahead. It was just nice but couldn't wait to be back with her too.
When we got back to my step mum's, she was fast a sleep in Joe's arms with her arm in the air and having tummy massages from my sister Jess. Didn't even notice we had returned. After food we went back to my dad's house. But this time we stayed there just us as my dad went back to kims. The next morning we just relaxed and sat on the sofa watching films. It was nice to just relax and watch Ariyah-Mai play with all her new toys. Jordan and Lauren come over for a bit to as we could have a proper catch up. We took a walk round the field with their dog Willow and Ariyah slept the whole time in the sling which Ben worn. We got take away that night and again relaxed enjoying our time all together.
On the 29th my step dad came to collect us to spend the day at mums before driving us to Margate. Ariyah-Mai is a well travelled led baby. Therefore it means she great in the car, she settles very well and just used to change now which will be good for her in the long run. Although my mum had a cold so had to be careful round her we had a lovely time. Ariyah opened more presents before we had lunch. It was nice to spend some time with my mum and step dad because they also haven't seen Ariyah much due to being in Rochester and being busy. She growing up so quickly so we have to make the most of it.
That night we went down to Margate to see Ben's family. We were staying for New year's. It was nice to spend some time with Vicky that evening before the madness of the kids in the morning as well as everyone being there on the 30th Tina, Ellie and Logan come to stay for the week too.
That morning we did get to spend some quility time with just Ruby and charlie Ben's younger cousins. Due to Ben being pregnant, with the loss of Nico, his cousin James (the kids dad) and then being on bed rest with Ariyah-Mai, we had not spent much time with them. We went for lunch and took them to soft play.
It was Ariyah-Mai's first time at soft play. It was a small one inside the pub, so we had it to ourself for a while before it got busy. We were able to put her down to play. Ruby was such a great cousin, ratlling the toys for her and even took her down the slide with Ben behind and me at the bottom. Ariyah loved it.
The next day we took Ruby, Logan and Charlie out with us to met Ron and Scott and Gi for lunch. This was so Vicky and Tina could set up the new years eve party. But it was mad with a baby and four young children aged 2,3,4 and 5 years in the restaurant. It was nice to see them all. Scott bless held Ariyah-Mai the whole time as she cried so me and Ben could eat our food and have a little break to catch up with them.
Later that night was a new years eve pj party. We were all in matching pj and had drinks and food. As it counted down to midnight we all went outside with party popper and confetti to celebrate the new year. Ariyah-Mai was awake so was lovely to see it in with her.
What a year 2019 has been but we are going to make this year an amazing one. I am so blessed with a loving husband right by my side. Our angel son watching over us from heaven and the precious rainbow baby in our arms. I could not be prouder of how far we have come and all we have achieved together. Me also having surgery and looking forward to our future.
I wish that 2020 is a great year for you all too, comment about your new years resolution or plans for 2020.
After presents we got dressed. Ben's aunt picked us up around 11am so we could go have dinner with them. Also because Logan was there it meant Ariyah-Mai and Logan got to open their presents from nanny together. Logan was so cute and excited. He is now 4 so at the right age to understand santa and have the magical excitement of Christmas, which I cannot wait for Ariyah to have. Logan help her open her presents and sat playing with her it was very cute. He is really good when she crys he talks to her and was showing her his toy dragon. Which Ariyah seemed to really like over her baby toys. This dragon walked and breathed out smoke, she was following it across the floor and smiling.
We then had dinner while she napped before heading back to our house where me and Ben spent the evening cuddle with our beautiful girl on the sofa with films and snacks. It was a prefect day.
Boxing day brought more excitement for her and family time, as my dad came to pick us up to go and stay in Kent with him for a few days. We stopped off at my aunties where all my family came to see each other and exchange presents. Ariyah-Mai got very spoilt. Got to see my nan and grandad as well as met my baby cousin for the first time who is only 8 weeks older then Ariyah. Saw the twins and my cousin little girls too. My mum and step dad were there so was a really nice party.
My brother and his girlfriend Lauren also turn up, it was the first time they had met Ariyah-Mai. This is because he is in the navy so he does not get a lot of time off. But he was so in love with her. He always been good with children and was very excited to be an uncle. Lauren held and even feed her but was nervous as Ariyah-Mai is still very small despite being 9 weeks old. Jordan drove us back to my dad's afterwards.
We spent the night at my dad's house in gravesend, as the next morning I had to travel to Hull to have my drains removed. Ben was coming with me whilst my step mum and dad looked after Ariyah. It was the first time that both of us had left her that long, with someone else. The day was hard and Ben was very anxious. I had obviously been up before on my own and been to work but she also been with Ben so even thought I had been away from her for this amount of time I was still nervous because she was with someone other then us. However we trust my step mum and they all had a great day, Ariyah was very spoilt with attention.
She went for a lovely walk round the dog park with them and the dog. Then got lots of cuddles of my step sister and her fiancé, Joe. Me and Ben had a good day too. Having my drains removed weren't that bad, it was such a relief to have them out as I could move more freely, feeling less restricted. I still had dressings on, plus the surgery binder for another 6 weeks. I got to see my chest for the first time and this pure euphoria washed over, this is how I always saw myself and the scars were so neat, starting to heal really well already I could not be happier. But it still the start to a long recovery.
Me and Ben had spare time before our train back, so we made the most of our time together. We went for lunch in Nandos, we did a bit of shopping in Hull and although it was weird not pushing a pram around or having to care for Ariyah-Mai and we missed her it was nice to have time for just us to talk. We did buy things for her and talk about her including our plans for the year ahead. It was just nice but couldn't wait to be back with her too.
When we got back to my step mum's, she was fast a sleep in Joe's arms with her arm in the air and having tummy massages from my sister Jess. Didn't even notice we had returned. After food we went back to my dad's house. But this time we stayed there just us as my dad went back to kims. The next morning we just relaxed and sat on the sofa watching films. It was nice to just relax and watch Ariyah-Mai play with all her new toys. Jordan and Lauren come over for a bit to as we could have a proper catch up. We took a walk round the field with their dog Willow and Ariyah slept the whole time in the sling which Ben worn. We got take away that night and again relaxed enjoying our time all together.
On the 29th my step dad came to collect us to spend the day at mums before driving us to Margate. Ariyah-Mai is a well travelled led baby. Therefore it means she great in the car, she settles very well and just used to change now which will be good for her in the long run. Although my mum had a cold so had to be careful round her we had a lovely time. Ariyah opened more presents before we had lunch. It was nice to spend some time with my mum and step dad because they also haven't seen Ariyah much due to being in Rochester and being busy. She growing up so quickly so we have to make the most of it.
That night we went down to Margate to see Ben's family. We were staying for New year's. It was nice to spend some time with Vicky that evening before the madness of the kids in the morning as well as everyone being there on the 30th Tina, Ellie and Logan come to stay for the week too.
That morning we did get to spend some quility time with just Ruby and charlie Ben's younger cousins. Due to Ben being pregnant, with the loss of Nico, his cousin James (the kids dad) and then being on bed rest with Ariyah-Mai, we had not spent much time with them. We went for lunch and took them to soft play.
It was Ariyah-Mai's first time at soft play. It was a small one inside the pub, so we had it to ourself for a while before it got busy. We were able to put her down to play. Ruby was such a great cousin, ratlling the toys for her and even took her down the slide with Ben behind and me at the bottom. Ariyah loved it.
The next day we took Ruby, Logan and Charlie out with us to met Ron and Scott and Gi for lunch. This was so Vicky and Tina could set up the new years eve party. But it was mad with a baby and four young children aged 2,3,4 and 5 years in the restaurant. It was nice to see them all. Scott bless held Ariyah-Mai the whole time as she cried so me and Ben could eat our food and have a little break to catch up with them.
Later that night was a new years eve pj party. We were all in matching pj and had drinks and food. As it counted down to midnight we all went outside with party popper and confetti to celebrate the new year. Ariyah-Mai was awake so was lovely to see it in with her.
What a year 2019 has been but we are going to make this year an amazing one. I am so blessed with a loving husband right by my side. Our angel son watching over us from heaven and the precious rainbow baby in our arms. I could not be prouder of how far we have come and all we have achieved together. Me also having surgery and looking forward to our future.
I wish that 2020 is a great year for you all too, comment about your new years resolution or plans for 2020.
(Written in January 2020)
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