Tag Archives: hippo

Dadblogging, Shopping

Brand shopping for Hippo

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I’m, for my faults, a brand shopper. I look for brands I’ve developed some affection, respect or trust in over the years and go to them as a repeat customer. All the clothes I’ve bought for the last 3 years have come from White Stuff – they make things that fit me and I think look pretty wonderful. Similarly, when we got the new car for me (less so for Mrs D), the reputation – in terms of safety, driving, reliability, resale value etc – meant a lot to me. And whilst I diverted from my family automotive history, there is a certain safety in the choice we made.

With Hippo, everything’s new. Silver Cross vs. Phil & Ted’s vs. Bugaboo? Baby Bjorn vs Tomy? Mothercare vs. Mamas and Papas vs. Cosatto vs John Lewis vs…? And so on. The few familiar brands bring some comfort – but they’re not specialist, so you wonder if they’re good at this. The prestige becomes generic.

And I remain clueless.

Anyone with any insight, or blogs I should read – please let me know… As well as all the baby stuff, with the house move we’re looking at Liebherr fridges and Bosch dryers – and need to take the great Flymo vs. Bosch Rotak lawnmower decision.

There’s entirely too much to think about!

Shopping

The generosity of friends

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There are quite a few of our friends who are similarly prepping for the arrival of little ones at the moment. Inevitably they’re more organised than us and people tell us of the money they’ve spent at John Lewis, Mothercare et al, and with the prospect of the move imminent the costs ahead frankly are terrifying.

That said, a few friends have already been incredibly generous. Gifts have arrived in the post, been hand-transported from Texas, and tonight one colleague invited us around to raid his baby supplies – and we came away with a carload of awesome kit perfectly suited for Hippo’s arrival.

Hippo’s the first grandchild on either side of the family (there are a few grand nieces and nephews about, but not that many), so we’re the first ones to have to get this stuff since we were kids. So we’re unbelievably grateful to you all. Please, take a bow. And our thanks.

Personal

What is it about dentists…

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…that seeing one always makes you feel about 10 years old. Being told your brushing technique needs work at 30 is somehow humiliating.

Being told that South Asians, in addition to having a higher propensity for diabetes, also have a greater propensity for gum diseases, makes me feel a bit like a genetic fluke, and worry a little about Hippo’s state of being.

Here’s yet another reason to hope s/he takes after his/her mother.

Running

Running and fatherhood

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Wait, wazzat? A post not about my injury? You better believe it.

In a little under 10 weeks, all things going well (fingers crossed, touching wood etc) I become a Dad. I’m vastly excited at the prospect of it and we’re busy preparing for the little one’s arrival. A lot of people, aware of my current obsession with running, have asked me two things:

1) Am I going to stop running and turn into a slow-moving, sleep-deprived vegetable when it happens
2) Am I going to go running with a buggy

The answer to both, I’m hoping at least, is no.

On point 1), It’ll definitely be harder to find time and motivation to go running when I’m busy figuring  out how a baby works; sleep deprivation and motivation have never been good bedfellows. However; one of the things I’ve realized about myself over the last couple of years is that if I really decide something’s important and build it into a small, obsessive routine – I make it happen. I’ve also come to realize that running is pretty much the ‘quickest’ aerobic exercise you can do – all you have to do it get out the front door and you’re away and back in the minimum time you could pretty much do anything. So I’m hoping, really hoping, that the running will continue.

On point 2), if you’ve met me you’ll know that even keeping a glass of water upright on my desk at work is something of a risky proposition. Running whilst pushing the most precious cargo I could ever carry — lunacy. I’m sure that the more coordinated amongst you could manage it, but it’s not for me!

If you’re interested in more specific Dad-blogging, I’ll be doing some over on Division6, and my friend Ricky Bobby (who becomes a Dad in the next three weeks or so!) has started writing on “how to hold a baby” – and his blog does have a section on running, so its not completely OT ;-).

Dadblogging, Personal

Planning for Hippo

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10 weeks till I become a Dad. I’d be anxious if I wasn’t so busy getting stuff sorted. It’s weird, only a few years ago and I’d have thought this wasn’t something I could do, and yet here I am, more excited than I have been about pretty much anything in my life (with the exception of my wedding). My brother and sister and brother-in-law are getting used to the idea of becoming uncles and aunt. Our parents are getting used to the idea of becoming grandparents.

I’ve made endless spreadsheets of things we need to do and buy before the little one, code-named ‘Hippo’ until s/he arrives, which Amanda is doing her best to ignore (the spreadsheets, not the nickname – Amanda came up with that).

And we’ve had dozens of lovely conversations with interested friends and family about the new arrival. I’ll answer some of them here for you, beloved readers.

1. Do we know if it’s a boy or a girl?
No. We’re excited about the surprise, and would decorate neutrally anyway!
2. Have we discussed names?
Yes, we’ve started to, anyway. No final decisions taken as yet, except definitely *not* Hippo.
3. Are you telling?
No.
4. Are you going for the classes?
Yes, we’re doing the NCT classes in Basingstoke in a few weeks time.
5. Basingstoke?
Yep, we’re moving. S/he will be a Hampshire Hippo. I’ll still be commuting into London as I love my job.
6. Are you going to get any sleep when s/he arrives?
Probably not.
7. Will you go running with the child?
No. See this post.
8. Are you anxious?
As above, kind of too busy to be anxious. Recent experience babysitting my cousin tells me that I will be anxious, but as the Hippo’s Mormor (Danish for ‘mother’s mother’) will be 5 minutes away, we’re reassured that experienced wisdom is nearby.
9. Have you bought/chosen…?
Virtually nothing yet, except for the car (my fault). Our friends Farrah & Vik sent some lovely gifts and we’re getting some lovely offers from some of my Brands2Life colleagues for the kit you only need for the first three months. I am seeing the pram as yet another car purchase, but this one Amanda is leading. Advice on everything appreciated.

More fatherhood posts will ensue in the fullness of time; in the meantime if you’re interested in parenting blogs, my friend Ricky Bobby has started one over here.