Life of a Teddy Bear

13 Sunday Aug 2017

Posted by in remembering / musing

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Bruno, the teddy bear, joined our family back in the 90’s. He was a gift for our first daughter, when she was born.IMG_2516

He was a favourite companion and part of many games. He joined in dolls tea parties, was the patient when the girls dressed up as doctors, went out on bike rides. He lived in her bedroom until her late teens, when she moved out.

When we packed up our home in the UK two years ago, the teddies were put in a packing box inside a storage unit.Version 2

After a UK trip earlier this year, we cleared the storage unit, so Bruno travelled to Australia in a suitcase.

He is now living back with our daughter and her husband, as they prepare for the birth of their first baby. Their dog is getting used to all the baby stuff that has moved into their house, including this cute furry rival.IMG_1541 (1)

Bruno has a new role in life. He is the perfect size for a baby capsule/car seat, also for a baby carrier. So the parents-to-be are practicing with the various equipment, their straps, clips and buckles.

Practicing is fine, until bystanders become concerned about a covered baby capsule with a foot shape visible in a locked car. Our daughter had to explain that she hadn’t intended to suffocate Bruno.Version 2

Baby Shower

09 Wednesday Aug 2017

Posted by in making changes, remembering / musing

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I attended my first ever baby shower recently. Our daughter, the mum-to-be, was showered with information and gifts from other women in the family. We had a delightful afternoon tea, with chat about pregnancy, birth and babies.IMG_3421Loose leaf tea, tea pot, china cups and saucers, delicate sandwiches, home made cakes, scones with jam and cream, were partnered with conversations about wee, poo, nappies and ensuring you point a baby boy’s penis downwards. Enlightening information for those of us who have only raised daughters!IMG_1628

When the guys joined our get together, the parents-to-be practiced dressing dolls in newborn size nappies and baby clothes. They will have fun with a real, squirming baby.IMG_1635 (1)

Baby showers come in various formats, the more traditional women only, or including the dad-to-be and male family and friends. Ours was quite sedate.

My daughters and their friends have attended showers with various games or ideas:
~ pin the dummy on the baby – while blindfolded
~ cutting a length of wool to guess the size of the mum-to-be’s stomach
~ identify guests from their baby photos
~ guess the ingredients of baby food
~ decorate a baby suit
~ drinks in baby bottles
~ jelly babies inside ice cubes
~ guys putting a huge balloon up their shirt and trying to tie their show laces
~ guess the chocolate – melted choclate bars smeared on nappies / diapers
(mars bars / snickers / bounty / milky way / etc)

Our daughter and son-in-law received practical and thoughtful gifts to set them off on their parenthood journey.