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15 May 2025
This is a guest blog by Gemma Lomas of Cheeky Little Smiles
Let’s face it. Women are already superhuman. We go through 9 months growing a tiny human and then go through the joys of childbirth. Add on a global pandemic, being locked down in our own homes with no support, wondering how to entertain our little ones in the same 4 walls every day.
Writing a journal is a brilliant tip for new mums – it can give you a lovely memento to look back on in years to come.
Our baby’s journeys are going to be some of the most unique stories to look back on. It’s all those small details that are going to make it so interesting to read back, and make our children realise how strong we were as parents to go through this and what a bizarre time it was to be born.
Here are the 9 special moments you can write about:
Lockdown births have restricted us from so much, such as not having visitors or even having your partner unable to attend the birth or important dates such as scans. However, no one can take away the moment that you first met your newborn. The moment you took in their beautiful baby features, touched their soft skin and heard their first sounds. This moment will be even more unique to write about considering the unusual circumstances; from everyone wearing face masks, being told not to let anyone hold your baby to having to spend those first few hours/days alone with your newborn.
These have to be standout special moments for every parent. When you know it’s no longer wind and they are actually smiling back at you. Treasuring the image of their faces lighting up when they are so tiny is so precious. Then hearing their first chuckle at you doing the smallest or silliest of things, then repeating it over and over just to capture that beautiful sound. Even more so in lockdown as the joy in these tiny little people is infectious.
We spend so long holding our babies, rocking them to sleep, cuddling them, longing for the moment when they will cuddle us back. Then they get a bit bigger and stronger and finally put their little arms around your neck and hold on tightly. Such a tender moment between baby and parent making our bonds even stronger.
Did your baby lull you into a false sense of security by sleeping well as a newborn only to hit the 4-month regression and wake you almost every hour? Have you been lucky and blessed with a really good sleeper or a cheeky little one who likes to keep seeing you all night long? Sleep is such a big factor when becoming a parent and I am sure we all know what it’s like trying to get through the day on very little sleep; even harder when you’ve not been able to go anywhere or have anyone to help you. But that day when they finally sleep all night, or even just a long chunk of sleep for the first time is the most amazing feeling. In these strange times it’s great to celebrate these moments.
This is always a fun time. Experimenting with food, figuring out if they prefer purees, finger foods or just like playing with it. Watching their little faces and sounds when they enjoy something for the first time or equally funny, witnessing their disgust when they don’t like it at all. Did you feed your baby yourself or allow them to try it themselves? Even though weaning can be a messy journey, it’s great to capture their grubby faces or the mess they make all over the floor to show them when they are older.
Hearing your baby coo for the first time or babbling with different sounds is such a great moment. Then watching them as they start to recognise your voice and the words you say. Seeing them wave when you say bye bye or looking towards you when you say their name. All these milestones are very precious but when the babbles mean something for the first time and they say their first word, it’s very exciting. Did your baby say mum or dad first or something completely different?
There are so many exciting milestones in their first year like when they get their first tooth or move for the first time; from rolling over to crawling to walking. The first time they recognise your voice and face. When they start copying your actions like waving bye bye, giving cuddles and kisses. Remembering the stories behind each milestone is so special, like crawling for the first time to reach something they love to play with.
Being stuck inside for so long has probably made you even more aware of things that bring your baby joy. A favourite song they move their body to, a book they love to read and a game they love to play. Is there something they take comfort from like a soft toy, dummy or a cuddle with you?
You’ve made it. They’ve turned one. You have watched your beautiful baby grow and develop over the past 12 months and have done this pretty much all by yourself with little support. This feels like such an achievement. I hope the restrictions have eased enough for you to be able to celebrate their special day. It’s a lovely time to reflect on the past year and look back on all the precious photos and memories when they were so small.
As much as it’s been a very crazy and unsettling time having a baby during a pandemic, it’s important to remember, it’s the small moments that matter most. The love you have for each other and the strong bond as a result of being together all the time is what they will take from this year. I’m sure they would love to know all about their first year.
Who am I?
I’m Gemma and I had my second daughter Ava when the pandemic began. It was a scary time, when pregnant women were told they were high risk and had to isolate for 12 weeks and then when I finally did give birth, I was left in the hospital all alone with her for a few days. Not the journey or maternity leave I was hoping for.
Then I realised in the loneliest and strangest of times, my children were bringing me so much joy and I wanted to write all about it.
I looked for a baby journal, but so many had prompts and I felt we were missing out on some of these typical experiences, like first holiday or visitors at the hospital. I wanted to create something beautiful that I could use for my daughter to record her unique first year. I then thought other parents may like this too.
And so Cheeky Little Smiles was born.
If you would like to capture your baby’s most precious memories, you can visit my website: www.cheekylittlesmiles.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cheeky-little-smiles-106105915001111
Instagram: www.instagram.com/cheekylittlesmiles
