#gastrobaby

[babyginsideout]

Happy girl! She's up to 6lbs 5oz at her surgeon's appointment today at 9 weeks old. Overall they are happy though she is still in just the 3rd percentile for weight. Matilda has started to smile at us which just brings such joy! In this, her 2nd month, she likes: funny faces from her family, kisses, her swing, being wrapped in the baby carrier, tummy time with her siblings, the Wheels on the Bus, and especially eating! She dislikes: poopy diapers, being alone for too long, and being hungry. Who doesn't?! #gastroschisis #gastrobaby #hibaby https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ9-uEDrhDY/?igshid=10z9wjus8wn4y

[babyginsideout]

Our ultrasound this week was quick with a simple, "everything looks good! See you in 2 weeks!"

The ultrasound tech was sweet and spent some time trying to get us a good 3D shot. A little difficult as baby had knees in their face as well as some umbilical cord and, I assume, intestines. But, it almost looks like a smile!

Last week we saw one of our midwives who clarified that we officially have a "growth restriction" diagnosis and, while it's a typical result of #Gastroschisis, it stills makes it a third #highriskpregnancy diagnosis (the original being "advanced maternal age" .... I'm old!😝). So.... We should expect more appointments than originally told. Fun, fun.

Juggling appointments in times of COVID (aka no childcare options) is one of the most stressful parts of all this. So grateful my husband's job is being flexible in letting him work off-hours if possible, but it's not always possible for me to get the first or last appointment of the day and I assume as appointments increase, that will continue to be difficult.

He's trying to save as much time as possible for #NICUlife so it's a huge blessing that at least he's able to work from home which gives him more time with us. While the average #gastrobaby spends 6-8 weeks in NICU, it can be anywhere from 4 weeks to a year and 40% of cases return within the first year with complications. So very difficult for us to plan for everything, and right now we feel it most in using his PTO!

Meanwhile the kids are #fallinginlove with baby. They both are sure to give my #bump #goodnightkisses at bedtime. The 4 year old made baby a card this week, writing "Baby" ("Ha," he laughed, "it's upside down!") and drawing a ❤️ on the envope. #bestillmyheart #siblinglove #bestbigbrother #homeschoolpreschool #25weekstoday https://www.instagram.com/p/CENmJftjYlB/?igshid=lnkmcs1yyvfl

[joholdsworth]

The Treby Arms 7/10

For Daddy’s birthday we took him to the Treby arms in sparkwell. 7/10 feels a bit harsh especially when for many reasons it was 10/10 best I explain the score.

The staff and the ginger chef himself were amazing especially with me and I even got a signed menu. The atmosphere was also brilliant, very relaxed for a Michelin restaurant while still feeling special. The high chair and table we were given were perfect for two adults and a baby, they are very baby and child friendly. The Merlot (Leyda) that mummy and daddy had was apparently exceptionally good and although not cheap a decent price.

So why 7/10 you ask? Well the food was a bit hit and miss. The black pudding scotch egg on the bar snacks was delightful, however the pork puff seemed like it did not really add anything to the dish. The starters were very good - I especially liked trying mummy’s chili, soya and mirin gurnard and daddy’s pork croquette came with a surprisingly refreshing gin and tonic turnip that complemented the pork perfectly. The main meats were very good. Both the venison and the duck were perfectly cooked, however again they came with some elements that seemed to be unnecessary additions. For example the venison came with a portobello mushroom with fois gras. The mushroom seemed to overpower the fois which mummy in the end removed and ate with the meat separately. Daddy’s duck came with a crusted duck heart which again did not really add to the dish and was quite tasteless.

For pudding we had the Treby gone carrots as seen on master chef, this was a bit like a deconstructed carrot cake in a pot. The presentation was phenomenal, we won’t spoil the drama by explaining. If you like a traditional carrot cake but also enjoy chocolate then this is for you. It was quite rich so one between two or even three if you don’t have a very sweet tooth is all you need. At 6 months I got to watch but not touch this time, I did however love seeing it arrive.

Daddy as you know does love bread and was a little disappointed not to get bread or petit fours, he did however say he was nicely full and enjoyed the decent portion sizes.

All in all 10/10 for experience 7/10 for the food.

Accommodation: we feel compelled to mention the bed and breakfast we stayed in called Cadleigh Manor. We stayed in the dart suite (more than big enough for mummy, daddy and my travel cot). The whole experience was a definite 10/10. Sharon (she was very good at baby cuddles) and Steve (the small holding king) are outstanding hosts and the breakfast was the best I have ever had since starting my weaning. We cannot recommend their Dartmouth ale sausages enough, we even bought some to take home. We also got to visit their 3 little pigs getting ready for the next batch. They also gave us a lift to the Treby so my parents could enjoy their wine that little bit more : )

[joholdsworth]

The Pig On The Beach 9/10

Today I took my cousin Georgia to ‘the Pig’, it’s my Mummy and Daddy’s favourite group of hotels (and Georgia loves pigs!). The hotels are all very relaxed in amazing locations with beautiful interiors. The restaurants have locally sourced food or even food sourced from their very own kitchen-garden. The 'bath chap’ is a firm family favourite (be warned may cause pork sweats) but this being the pig on the beach I had cod in tarragon sauce, it was superb and very fresh.

The restaurant is very family friendly with high chairs and baby changing. Be warned (as you see in the pic) the mirror is a bit close to the change mat so well within my reach - look out even if it is very glamorous.

Reasonable prices, brilliant staff and delicious food. My mummy’s verdict “I’d even consider a just veg meal here it’s so delicious”.

[joholdsworth]

Woodspeen 9/10

If you like the ‘Great British Menu’ you will love ‘Woodspeen’ from their chef John Campbell. Mummy and Daddy had the reasonable lunch menu 3 courses for £25. They said the pork chop, leek and mustard champ with braised beer onions was particularly good (nice crispy crackling which I wanted but apparently too salty for babies…). I am now 19 weeks and starting solids, I managed to get my hands on some bread with their homemade garlic Hummus, as you can see im guarding it whilst sat in a very nice highchair they gave me (mmmm I love strong flavours). The house Merlot was apparently very nice, served by the glass for £5.

The baby changing was excellent very clean and the staff were extremely friendly with me, all making for a lovely atmosphere.

If you are out near Newbury I would recommend it. We gave it a 9 because Mummy thinks the duck starter could have had slightly crispier skin.

[joholdsworth]

Yauatcha City 10/10

After a few months (I’m now 4 months old) mummy has taken me to another restaurant on her top London restaurant list this time a Michelin starred Chinese.

Mummy and Daddy went for the super Saturday menu because not only did they get amazing food but also 2 cocktails and a bottle of wine for £50 per person.

The ones that smelt best to me and apparently tasted amazing (yes I’m still on breast milk for now) were the venison puff from the dim sum, the beef with truffle main and the belly of pork. The puddings seemed to go down well, mummy polished off her milk chocolate pudding and then finished off Daddy’s chocolate pebble.

For those of you with your own gastro babies this is the restaurant for you. There is baby changing and very child friendly staff, you can see me entertaining one of them in my pictures. I was not the only baby and there was still plenty of room for prams mummy was very impressed.

Yauatcha is a 10/10, great food and brilliant for a gastro baby!

[joholdsworth]

Stovells Chobham 7/10

Today Daddy took us to Stovells in Chobham. The food is really European fine dining with a Mexican twist. They also have a home made gin great if unlike Mummy you like juniper.

Make sure you don’t eat before as the bread alone is like a course of its own. The smoked butter is delicious.

The foie gras is amazing with a delicious sauce. The 'stems' my Daddy says was a little disappointing with not much flavour. The beef and pork were both melt in your mouth. The pork had a surprising touch of wasabi. The coconut dessert was very small but looked amazing and made up for size with bursting flavours.

PS - No changing room for babies so mummy had to change me in the private dining room which was nice, might be a struggle at night.

[joholdsworth]

The Coach Marlow 8/10

Today I am 19 days old and on my first visit to the coach in Marlow. I must say Tom kerridge has done a great job, the venue is small but it looks like he had a great architect fit it out, thy have made the most of the room with enough space to even park my pram. The staff are polite and down to earth, they explain the menu as “starter size portions that can be shared”, I would describe it as gastro pub food in tapas portions. Of all the dishes the liver parfait and burger are a must, both are cooked to perfection and always on the menu. Many other dishes change regularly, today the lasagne with veg layers instead of pasta was sublime, the meat and veg cooked to perfection and both so fresh. The dessert was a little on the sweet side for my mummy and daddy, remember to only leave room if you have a very sweet tooth.

I don’t drink but my mummy said the Italian red was delicious and only £4:50 a glass.