Yesterday (Friday 18th) was Jessica’s first time on a train. Nothing too far afield: only a 7-minute journey over to Horley. At Redhill station I had to walk all the way around the back to get to the platform with the pram, but at least there IS a way to get to the platforms avoiding stairs and a ramp to get into the main station and ticket office – the situation wasn’t as great at Horley station. I didn’t have to stare despondently at the staircase there for too long though (literally a matter of seconds), before a fellow passenger asked me if I needed a hand and helped me carry the pram. The same happened on the way back, and people gave me a hand getting off and on the trains too without me having to ask. (In general I’ve been quite impressed by how helpful people are when you come along with a pram: I keep getting doors opened for me whenever I’m down the shops.)
We were going to Horley to visit one of our friends, Cara, and her 13-day-old (!) baby girl Daisy. Jessica didn’t seem to mind the journey much – she wasn’t laughing or giggling but wasn’t cying at any point either, just looking around herself with a puzzled expression on her face, frowning a bit. Must have been so many new sounds, smells and impressions to take in. I stayed standing by the pram in her field of vision, just in case, but there was no need to comfort her. When we arrived at our destination, Jessica was asleep so I left her in her pram in our friends’ garden, where she carried on sleeping for over an hour. The day was a bit blustery but nice and sunny, and it was great to be able to leave her out in the fresh air. (As we only have a balcony, we unfortunately can’t do that at home.)
Little Daisy was so tiny compared to Jessica…! Three months almost feel like a life time and I guess I’ve forgotten how small Jessica was when born. But Daisy’s birth weight was also less than Jessica’s, so Daisy would have a bit of ‘catching up’ to do anyway. Cara and I talked about taking a picture of the two of them next to each other, but we didn’t get around to it yesterday – next time, though! Obviously, we’re hoping that the two of them will grow up to be friends. We’ve been pretty lucky, actually, with a fair few babies being born to friends and family within less than a year of Jessica. When she’s old enough to start interacting with other children, there’s every potential for her to have a rich social life…!
Jessica and I spent the whole of the afternoon with Cara and Daisy. When Jessica woke up, before 3pm some time, she was hungry, wanted to feed for ages and was a bit grizzly with it, plus threw up a fair bit (which can feel a bit awkward when it’s not your furniture…). Cara did get a smile or two though, I’m happy to say, plus a bit of a chat. In the early evening, when we were back home again, Jessica was a bit extra grizzly too. Maybe the train journey together with the complete change of scenery for the afternoon threw her a bit – the only one who could say would be Jessica… Babies thrive on routine but you also need to introduce different things and other people. Hopefully she’ll grow into a sociable little girl.
Gabriella