New at this

So I'm home now, armed with antibiotics (urgh) and a wish to feel much better for tomorrow's pending interviews!

I've been meaning to set up something like this for a good while now. I wanted somewhere to post random ramblings and something to act as a journal for my daughter's development (19 months and growing quicker every day).

I had started a diary for her - and one day when I have time and/or if this works out for me i shall transfer those ramblings to this space.

So what can I tell you about her? I shall call her Fini here. She's a monkey...adorable, frustrating, a joy, clever, daft, serious....and a load of other stuff that may or may not be classed as transference of her parents' wishes and desires, insecurities and pride.

To date my parenting has been loosely based on the Continuum Concept in that she is breast fed and co sleeps. We also have followed Baby led Weaning as a way of introducing her to solid foods. So far so good. My philosophy with food is:

• Don't make it an issue
• Good Food is it's own reward
• We wouldn't have survived as a species if we really needed our food pureed

So for the first 6 months she was exclusively breast fed; the next 6 months was introducing the feel, texture and taste of food; the last 6 months has been about food as sustenance and sociability and the next 6 months has been a little bit of proper weaning - we are currently attempting 'No boob when it's dark, let's wait until it's light' with some small successes. I'm working on the premise that if she cries and then forgets it's a habit, if she cries and persists it's a need. The World Health Organisation now suggest that breastfeeding should continue until at least 2 years old so she's got 5 more months before I have to rethink my strategies.

Don't get me wrong though, I sound all confident and certain I've made all the right choices but that's far from the case. I often have moments of doubt, insecurities, frustration, but I'll let you know when she's 25 if I feel I've done it right!!

Anyway that's enough for now - going to try and work out how i invite people to this thing.....xx