#mrsfish

The smell

It's a divinely scent that I can't really describe, one that certainly doesn't last long but my god if you could bottle it you'd earn a fortune! This smell doesn't just effect women, seems men can't get enough either! 

Foetal position cuddles

Like a little koala bear snuggled up all cozily, it's a wonder how there are not cases of squeezed babies attending A&E.

The guinea pig noises

These are just super cute, little yawns and sighs that are simply gorgeous, I wasted hours just watching and listening.

The dinky outfits

When looking back I can't believe my baby was small enough to fit into the tiny baby-grows, they looked like dolls clothes on the washing line, how do they grow so fast. (If you're a good sewer or know someone who is make a teddy out of your favourite baby outfit to keep as a memory bear, my friend is doing one for me!).

Tiny hands and feet

I couldn't get enough of the sweet little paws, I turned into a crazy kissing machine, I still reckon people wolf pay to kiss babies feet as there's just something about them! 

I use the term lessons loosely, as really it was swishing and splashing the babies around as all the mums walked in a circle! Maybe I took her too early, 4 and a half months, who knows but I was pressured into taking Cami by all the other mums I kept meeting who said things like "you haven't been yet? oh you must" or "they really do love it".

So £65 lighter for 5 sessions of 30mins and what have I learnt:

That pools for children have locker rooms so hot you sweat about a litre before you've even seen the pool (which I guess aids my weight loss goals!). 

Dunking the baby under water was not the serene experience I imagined it to be.  Cami in fact came up spluttering and was then hysterical for the rest of the lesson (not at all like the baby from Tomorrow's World opening credits). 

You can't tell babies gender when they wear just the swim nappy. I did call quite a few girls boys as I’m terrible at remembering all the names.

Now luckily we had had a trial run with flying with a baby, as we went on a short flight to France in November-this was a fairly pleasant experience with Cami behaving and minimal hiccups but would long haul be the same...

I'm so pleased to say that yes it was and in fact exceeded all my expectations! Now let me be clear I do not know it all when it comes to parenting, far from it, and I think Mr Fish would agree that we tend to wing it most of the time, with varying results but here's my guide to first time flying with a baby (Cami was 5months)

1.Make alias with the flight attendants!

They were so helpful to us and I can't thank them enough. They offered to hold Cami, checked on us throughout the flight, and gave us extra wine with our meals (bonus!)

2.Pack light

We took just one small bag as hand luggage and my handbag. Unlike the American couple next to us who brought 5 large bags which took up two overhead lockers!!! They couldn't find anything they needed in a hurry and became quite flustered during the flight. (Our bag contained a mini change bag/toys/a banana &aplastic fork/blanket/calpol/milk/sippy cup/teething ring/change of clothes/iPad)

3.Entertain like a pro.

I took several toys with me, a favourite and some new. But Cami was mainly entertained with all the things around her that could be made into toys (the inflight magazine, the plastic cups, the mini tele screen etc)

4. Technology plan B

Have a back up favourite TV programme on your iPad or phone for when things get desperate. We opted for downloading Hey Duggee from bbc iplayer.

5.Check-in as soon as you can

This ensures you get family seats where possible, with extra leg room and baby cot. This was a dream as allowed us to put Cami to sleep properly in her own space.

6. Lounge it

And finally if you can afford to, I would highly recommend using the executive lounge at the airport-It was only £30 for the two of us at gatwick.  This was the first time I'd ever been in one and I was so happy we booked it, it just put us in a really relaxed holiday mood before the flight. They had all you can eat snacks, drinks including wine/beer/spirits, newspapers & magazines, private feeding areas for you and baby, areas to charge your phone and staff on hand to help you-what more could you want!