Hippity Hop Hooray!

March 20, 2016March 20, 20162 Comments

Funny fact about 2015 – it was the year all my favourite women were preggo – Christina Aguilera, Leighton Meester, Blake Lively, Zooey Deschanel, Kate Middleton (yes, I’m a Royalist), Tamera Mowry-Housley, and my most favourite ladies, my two big sisters!

My cousin sister lives across the pond in Canada so she escaped (most of) my excited shrieking (I say most, because, well thank you FaceTime). My sister however did not escape that fate. She had to put up with the weekly photos, shopping lists, endless advice, nursery ideas and of course, the baby shower talk!

I just could not wait to get stuck in and for once picking a theme was the easiest part. Having grown up reading Peter Rabbit together and both of us being obsessed with the Beatrix Potter collection, it was an easy pick.

And where else to start, but the cake. Yup, it’s almost always because I just want to eat the cake mix by the way. Don’t judge me!

I’m pretty proud of this one – it was my first time using gum paste and thanks to the incredible step by step YouTube tutorial on how to make little Mr Peter Rabbit himself, it turned out pretty well. Here’s the link to the Modelling Paste Peter Rabbit tutorial. I loved making the fondant vegetables too – fiddly but fun. And hey, my mum gave me a thumbs up, so like highest praise ever, yes i’ll take it!

2016-03-19_0001

2016-03-19_0002

Peter Rabbit themed paper plates, napkins and cups and a bunch of themed stationery for the games added some fun to the day. And of course no party is complete without balloons. Jade of Jade’s balloons came through again and we had a beautiful set of yellow, mint green and sky blue balloons that filled the corridor ceiling. Needless to say, Sophia and Aishy were in love. 2016-03-20_0002

2016-03-20_0002 2016-03-20_0009

We had the mother of all dessert tables with homemade meringue kisses, sweets, cakes, sandwiches, tarts and the usual Costco to die for red velvet cake! I have always loved the Meringue Girls creations so just had to give their meringue kisses a go myself. Really easy and really pretty – where would I be without YouTube! Here’s the link if you want to give it a go yourself – The Meringue Girls Mixture

2016-03-20_0006 2016-03-20_0003 2016-03-20_0011

I also made a McGregor’s baby vegetable garden by gluing mini white picket fences around the edges of a crate and using chocolate sprinkles for the soil. I then used this to present the bubba’s spread with cherry tomatoes, veggie sticks and cheese.

2016-03-20_0004

There was of course a little teeny bit of DIY in the form of these floral wooden letters spelling BABY.

2016-03-20_0005

It was super simple to do and has become a pretty little addition to our Jacob’s nursery – why not give it a try yourself? All you’ll need to do is buy some wooden freestanding letters (I got mine off eBay), get a glue gun, some artificial flowers and glue glue glue! I’m working on another as we speak for a very special friend of mine – I hope she loves it!

Here are some more pictures of all the fun that was had – (thanks hub!)

2016-03-20_0012 2016-03-20_0001 2016-03-20_0008 2016-03-20_0007 2016-03-20_0018 2016-03-20_0017

2016-03-20_0014

What better way to end this post than with a picture of my crazy beautiful sissy, her neat little 35 week bump and the gorgeous and unique guestbook her best friend Jaymi put together.

This too is hanging proudly in the nursery and serves as a perfect reminder for my sissy of all her nearest and dearest who came and showered baby Jacob with best wishes, gifts and all the love in the world.

Hippity hop hooray, our little boy was indeed on his way!

Love you sis,

L x

Save. Our. NHS.

March 9, 2016March 9, 2016Leave a comment

image1-2

Yes, I’m one of those Junior Doctors. On strike today, fighting for a safe contract, safe working conditions, searching for some appreciation, some value and fighting for the future of the NHS.

It genuinely frightens me to think of the little ones in my immediate life, Sophia, Aishy, and Jacob potentially having to grow up in a society with no NHS. It is an incredible service built to serve, to help, to provide medical care and support in so many ways and this is the important part, without discrimination to EVERYONE.

Don’t worry, I’m not going to get all heavy and political on the blog. This particular issue ignites a fire in me that is not very well contained so I’ll keep it simple. As Aneurin Bevan put it,

‘The NHS will last as long as there are folk left with the faith to fight for it’

Well we’re here and we’re fighting. So please JOIN US and support your junior doctors.

It is everyone’s fight.

Let’s not let our little ones read about the NHS in a history book, let’s fight so that it is very much in their present.

Here is my latest (and very special) reason for being thankful and grateful for the NHS – my little nephew, Jacob Arjun. Thank you to the junior doctors and wonderful Broomfield midwives involved in the safe delivery of this little bundle especially Vicky and Lesley – you are kind of a big deal in our household x

Love to my husband for these treasured pictures x

2016-03-07_0001

2016-03-07_0002

2016-03-07_0005

2016-03-07_0011

My first Mother’s Day

March 5, 2016March 5, 2016Leave a comment

For this weeks flashback, I’m looking back on last years Mother’s Day.

It was a very special one and not just because it was my first one as a mum – we also had Sophia christened on this day.

2016-03-05_0011

It took place in the very same church that I was christened in 28 years before, our local Brentwood Cathedral and we chose my sister and brother in law as her godparents.

It was a short and sweet service and we had lunch and cake at my parents house with our family and friends. The weather didn’t play ball unfortunately but hey, this is England after all so no surprises there!

One big surprise that did throw me though was the arrival of my darling Canadian cousin, my little sister Maylani and my uncle Tim. It was so special to have them with us for this important moment, especially as my uncle is my godfather and Maylani, my god sister. Love you guys!

2016-03-05_0008

Here are a few pics of the lovely day we had courtesy of my mister.

2016-03-05_0021 2016-03-05_0027 2016-03-05_0026 2016-03-05_0025 2016-03-05_0022 2016-03-05_0024 2016-03-05_0018 2016-03-05_0005 2016-03-05_0030 2016-03-05_0007 2016-03-05_0010 2016-03-05_0013 2016-03-05_0012 2016-03-05_0031 2016-03-05_0014 2016-03-05_0017

My favourite feature of this day deserves its very own mention, and no it’s not the cake (a family combined effort – damask stencils are NOT the one people!)

It is Sophia’s christening dress.

2016-03-05_0018

I have always wanted to do something with my wedding dress and for a little while I was torn between keeping it as it is or turning it into something else. Being a sucker for tradition though the latter won out and I decided I wanted her christening dress to be made out of my wedding dress. My lovely friend Sindhu did the same for her daughter Avaana and I was sold when I saw the result – it was truly beautiful and a wonderful sentiment.

So who else would I turn to to take on this incredible task than my very own incredible Nora Walker, my mother. I don’t know how she is able to do absolutely everything I need/ask/want her to do, but she can and does, and always so well.

Here are a few pictures of her magic. I only hope I’m able to do the same for Sophia one day if and when the time comes

2016-03-05_0002 2016-03-05_0003 2016-03-05_0004

It meant the world to me that on this special day, she wore a dress made by her grandmother from her mothers wedding dress.

2016-03-05_0019 2016-03-05_0016

A tribute to heritage, one I will use for all my children and I hope it will be passed on for many generations to come. Special thanks to my mum for all that you have done and continue to do for us x 2016-03-05_0001

Wishing you all a beautiful Mothering Sunday this weekend x I’m sure every single one with this little peach will be as special as my first x

2016-03-05_0006

Carousel

February 26, 2016February 29, 20161 Comment

The title of this post sums up the last few months nicely and I’m feeling a little dizzy as I’ve only just stopped spinning (ok, who am I kidding? Sophia is now a toddler… I’m still spinning). It also perfectly describes the theme of Sophia’s first birthday party.

IMG_0406-0

The big ONE. I’m glad I can look back on it fondly even if the weeks leading up to it were a little stressful. Just a little. Her party was, as most events in our household have come to be, a labour of love but I’m so glad we went all in.

As you might know by now, I do love a good D.I.Y so most of my party planning starts with something I’d quite like to make and on it spurs from there. In this case, I decided I wanted to make Sophia a carousel cake!

I found a fantastic tutorial on Paul Bradford Sugarcraft online school which took me through it step by step (thankfully!) Probably one of the most challenging cakes I’ve made but also the most rewarding. I used sugar moulds for the horses and all the little details and gilded them all in edible gold paint and glitter – so chuffed with how it turned out!

2016-02-21_0007

Now cake aside, there were a fair few other DIY details too. It’s lucky I have my very own Handy Andy as it definitely saved us a penny! My mister is a dab hand at DIY and helped bring the theme to life. He made two wooden structures for our funfair themed games (Tin Can Alley and Hoopla) and a Photo Booth out of a palette which went down a treat!

2016-02-21_0013 2016-02-21_0012 2016-02-21_0011

He also made and wired the LED letters that spelt SOPHIA and it looked great as a centrepiece on the cake table. 2016-02-21_0026

The cake table was finished with a fabric banner that I made – (surprisingly easy to do and much cheaper than buying one!) and these super cute ferris wheel cupcake holders – thank you Wilko’s, you gem of bargains!

Hub also painted a scrap of MDF in chalkboard paint for me to draw a milestone chart on – just like my previous posts on this blog. It took me ALL night but it was worth it and has served as a nice keepsake since. We hung her monthly photos on 11 helium balloons and had them hanging from the ceiling above the chalkboard. It was especially nice to set this up as it was a rather sweet trip down memory lane.

2016-02-21_0018 2016-02-25_0004

As most of Sophia’s little buddies were babies and toddlers, we hired and set up a soft play area next to their little picnic tables. Each little person had a lunchbox, a milk bottle with chocolate milk, chips in newspaper cones, a mini pinwheel that we made and a pretty pastel balloon tied to their chair – not going to lie, I wanted to sit there!

2016-02-21_0028 2016-02-21_0016

Considering my very sweet tooth, it’s not surprising that I frequented my favourite spot – the dessert table! Lovely Jade, of Jade’s Balloons delivered a perfect array of helium filled balloons for the party and I especially loved the arch she made for this area. 2016-02-21_0020

A bit of home baking and a trip to Costco’s sorted this in no time. My mum made a whopping 80 cupcakes (they are better than Lolas) and I dipped some mini donuts in edible glitter for good measure. 2016-02-21_0030 2016-02-21_0029

For party favours, we homemade caramel toffee apples covered in nuts and sprinkles for the kids and put together some popcorn and candy floss. It was definitely a high sugar zone – oops!
2016-02-21_0014 2016-02-21_0009

Phew! All in all, it was a lot of fun and we enjoyed a lovely day with our closest friends and family. A big thank you to our parents and siblings for all their help and to my pretty talented husband for creating a lovely day for our dear little Sophia!

If anyone is looking for a party venue in the Essex area, I cannot recommend Little Channels enough – a great space for littles with an enclosed courtyard to use if weather permits and the loveliest staff who went over and above to help facilitate everything we wanted.

The super talented Slawa Walczak (http://www.slawawalczak.com) took these precious photos I’ve shared here and below and we are so grateful for these memories!
2016-02-21_0021 2016-02-21_0024 2016-02-21_0034 2016-02-21_0036 2016-02-21_0031 2016-02-21_0019 2016-02-21_0032 2016-02-21_0025 2016-02-21_0006

Some might say that the effort was wasted – I mean what’s a 12 month old going to remember? Yes, you’re right – she probably won’t remember all of the above but I will. We will.

You see, to me, Sophia’s first birthday was much bigger than just a party – it was a celebration of 365 days of change, of chaos, of perfection, of imperfection, of challenges, and of accomplishment, and I’m not just talking about Sophia. It was also a congratulation to each other on surviving our first year of parenthood and most of all, a thank you to our family and friends for supporting us for every one of those days.

The above applies however you choose to celebrate, big or small. It really doesn’t matter as long as you celebrate it the way you want. So when your tiny human reaches this milestone, go forth and plan, or don’t, and enjoy it – whatever it is that works for you!

2016-02-21_0035

ONE. 1. First.

February 24, 2016February 24, 2016Leave a comment

2016-02-19_0001

Well hello stranger, it’s been a while!

So much has happened since I last blogged- I went back to work, Sophia’s first birthday party, Christmas, New Years, my husbands 35th which somewhat got overshadowed by probably the most exciting news of all (sorry bubs) – the arrival of my brand new scrumptious nephew! As such, the blog took an inevitable backseat.

But hey ho, fast forward 4 months, and I’m baaaack and ready to get my blog on! I’m going to try and change things up a bit and get my structure game on. I’ll be posting twice a week (rather than sporadically which became my trend, oops!) Fridays for all the catch ups and Mondays for just about everything else. That’s the plan anyway.

And although it’s difficult to plan anything with a little one, I’m going to give it a damn good go. So for my very first ‘Flashback Friday’ as it were, I’ll be blogging about Sophia’s first birthday party! For now, I’ll share a few memories of her actual birthday which we spent at home with our parents and siblings – fitting as this is how we started.

2016-02-19_0002

It was low key and just lovely. A relaxing day with good food, good company, cake and cuddles. Just what we all needed before her party the following week. More on that in my next post!

For now, a few snippets of her birthday. She absolutely loved being with all her favourite people, jumping up and down in her cot full of balloons, and of course, tasting the icing on her cake – well, she’s definitely mama’s girl then!

2016-02-19_0003 2016-02-19_0007 2016-02-19_0004 2016-02-19_0010 2016-02-19_0005

2016-02-19_0009

Time flies, little one x

September 16, 2015September 17, 2015Leave a comment

To our dear little Sophia x

It feels like just yesterday we brought you home from the hospital and looked at each other completely bewildered and lost but so totally in love with you that it didn’t matter.

Ok so we still share those looks now (though, I promise we’re a little less lost).

We smile each time we hear the sweet melody of your conversation, when you learnt how to crawl, and when you stumbled as you took your first few steps. We giggle when you flash us a wide gummy smile while rubbing the sleep from your eyes, when you wave hi and bye and applaud yourself. We are so proud when you sing and dance to any melody, when you share your toys and food so naturally. You are joy personified – and you bring this to us in every little thing that you do.

Here’s to all these moments, the last 10 months and the many many more years of joy you’ll bring us x We love you dearly x

Mama and Dada x

Crafty mama.

June 17, 2015June 17, 20151 Comment

Although it seems a distant memory, there was a ‘me’ before Sophia and Oscar. And she loved to do anything that involved a trip to Hobbycraft. That hasn’t really changed to be honest, if anything, I love it more now. How could I not? More time to pursue crafts (sort of) and more reasons for creating (my little girl).

I had a longer than expected period of maternity leave twiddling my thumbs with bump rather than baby as she was late and I was super organised (for once). So there I was, lounging in blissful ignorance, filled with earnest questions and anticipation of the unknown and a tiny little bit of…dare I say it…boredom!

If only I knew I’d be begging for a day of the ‘boring’ now! I remember asking my best friend Mya (seasoned expert yummy mummy and my go-to for everything baby related) what I was supposed to do with all this time! ‘Lavinia,’ she said ‘you’ll never have this time again! Next time you’re pregnant, you’ll have a toddler to look after so three words. Netflix, Ice-cream, sofa.’

I did listen, sort of but I couldn’t deny that stupidly I was a little bored – there’s that word again! So I took full opportunity to craft away the ‘b’ word. Total bonus that it kept me from rearranging the nursery for the umpteenth time and risking my husbands sanity.

First up, knitting.

I’ve tried it so many times before and never stuck with it. This time I at least managed some booties…(an example of the motivation this baby gave and still gives me!) but I arrived at the same conclusion as always – too hard and too long. Of course thanks to the ironically reliable baby brain making me lose count and drop stitches far too often – nightmare!

So then I tried Crochet.

Ok ok, I had no clue what it was either. I kept seeing it crop up on my knitting pattern google search so a few quick Youtube sessions and I was sold. This, my friends, is pretty awesome. It’s quick and easy to pick up, weirdly therapeutic and you get impressive results. If like me, you like to create, you will love it. I haven’t put my hooks down since!

You don’t have to worry about two knitting needles as you work with one crochet hook, and you complete each stitch as you go unlike knitting where you keep rows of stitches ‘open’. What the hell does that mean? Well, a dropped stitch (which happens often with me and my knitting) can mean tears, heartbreak and anger as you watch your entire days work unravel before you because you were too busy laughing at Sheldon Coopers latest quirk. Knock knock knock…on my goddamn distractible head. That thankfully is unlikely to happen with crochet so breathe, relax, pick up a hook and enjoy your Big Bang Theory marathon!

I really wanted to make Sophia a baby blanket and that’s how I found ‘Bella Coco’ on youtube and Instagram. Her videos are so easy to follow and she is one of the few who takes you through the British terminology (the Americans have their own version with the same terms but different meanings)

So I ordered some hooks (from Amazon for just £5 – link below)

and some yarn (from LoveKnitting.com – I mostly use Stylecraft Special DK)

and pressed play on Bella Coco’s youtube channel (+ accompanying Netflix show) and the rest is history.

I’m pretty sure my husband started saying ‘yarn over, pull through 2 loops, yarn over’ in his sleep after the amount of times I pressed repeat but it was worth it. Once I got the hang of it, all five rounds, the last impatient week waiting for my girl to arrive whizzed by. And now she’ll have something her very excited mummy made her to keep (and hand down I hope).

A baby blanket for each of my kids if and when the time comes? Yes, I definitely think so. Try it yourself, you won’t regret it!

My dear Sophia, I loved you even before I knew you. This blanket is so special to me because I will always remember how very excited and nervous I was to meet you. How I wanted to keep you warm under something I had made and how I picked bright and beautiful colours as I knew you would colour my life that way. I love you, always x amma

My dear Sophia,
I loved you even before I knew you. This blanket is so very special to me because it reminds me of our last few days just you and me and how very excited and nervous I was to meet you. How I wanted to keep you warm under something I had made and how I picked bright and beautiful colours as I knew you would colour my life that way x May it comfort you the way you do me x I love you, always x amma

Introducing my other baby (with 4 little legs and white fur)…Oscar.

June 3, 2015June 3, 2015Leave a comment

Whoever said ‘Diamonds are a girls best friend’ never owned a dog.

Maybe I should start by saying, I have ALWAYS wanted a puppy. My childhood bestie, Asha (also now my sister in law) had a few growing up and with Rover, King and then Simba, there wasn’t a single sleepover at the Logan household that wasn’t fun!

I never expected I’d ever actually get one though as my heavily congested eye watering hayfever suffering you-can-hear-him-sneeze-from-China daddy point blank refused and dog-blocked my every request (from age 9 to 19).

I should have taken art lessons from my little cousin sissy Erica – yes this masterpiece in addition to THE worlds cutest smile worked for her. Lucky little brat!

Me on the other hand? I was told I’d have to wait till I was married. So that’s exactly what I did.

Fast forward to 2 months post wedding, a cheeky pub lunch inclusive of an Eton mess or two, an innocent flick through the Pets4Home app, and me, my husband, brother in law and sister in law were off to meet some newborn Westie pups.

This sort of thing wasn’t that unusual for us – we’d done it before. We often ended up on the Pets4Home app when we got together to ooh and ahh over the cute puppies and revisit the topic that my sister in law should have been a vet (she is actually the Dog Whisperer, an art taught and mastered by the one and only Logi Bear – her dad). So you’ll believe me when I say that none of us honestly expected that this time we would walk in as a 4 and leave as a 6!

Certainly not me accompanied by my responsible and logical husband, right? The McCallister to my Kitty Walker crazy, the grounded, annoyingly pragmatic and sensible one. No, apparently, he was MIA. Instead, I was with someone that resembled a kid in a sweet shop!

Caution was most definitely thrown to the wind. We picked our pups and excitedly took them home – Oscar and Dexter – our very own Andy boys. Not quite what my father in law had in mind after spending a portion of his wedding speech instructing the four of us to stop buying fur babies and produce a progeny of tiny humans instead! Oops, sorry maama.

Looking back, it was a little rash if I’m honest and sure presented us with a rather steep learning curve…. 10264963_10152041540722027_7746206472156260924_n

Yeah, we were on number 2 until my pregnancy hormones kicked in. We’re now on number 7. Ok, ok, number 10. Eek.

Oops, oh well, completely worth all the trouble – we’ve never looked back! One thing is for sure, life is definitely better with a dog to come home to.

Here’s a few of the reasons why I am crazy in love with Oscar.

1. Puppy cuddles are something else. They are healing, genuinely. And an absolute argument diffuser. It’s hard to stay mad at the hub or stop crying at the latest Shonda Rhimes induced death when Oscar is nuzzling at me out of concern.

2. According to Oscar, and only Oscar I am Jamie bloody Oliver. He loves all my cooking especially if it involves cheese. I mean he would probably eat anything but we’ll forget that for the moment!

3. It really is very simple with Oscar. Take him for a walk. Feed him. Rub his belly. He’s yours. Feed him chicken? You’ll reach best friend status – just ask my dad. (I can literally see you feeding him mum’s chicken curry on the sly while I write this, dad!)

4. He lets me keep my feet warm under him. Win.

5. I never miss a delivery with my personal doorbell. Especially those awesome 6am ones, yes he doubles as an alarm clock too.

6. He could put Dyson out of business – most efficent hoover of all crumbs!

7. He keeps us fit. In a world of technology with Netflix at your fingertips beckoning you to become that couch potato, its easy to forget the outdoors. But with Oscar barking at my feet, nudging his leash, wagging his tail, it’s a joy to get outside.

8. He will puff his chest out and bark like he means business if he sees another dog, the Amazon delivery guy, a Dementor during Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban, the Hoover, the broom, oh especially the broom….But he wouldn’t hurt a fly. Turn my Kenwood mixer on? He’ll be quivering at my feet – my silly little puppy dog.

9. The return home greeting. Every dog owner/lover will attest to this feeling being ‘the one’. We could be gone for 5 mins or 5 hours, it doesn’t matter. Oscar will be waiting by the door, tail wagging ready to leap up and embrace us. It is enough to make you feel like an A- lister.

10. He is my bestie. Yes, I am THAT dog lady. The one I swore I’d never become. Who was I kidding, lets face it, I’m not cool enough to be cool. So I put my hands up, I am guilty as charged for buying him a Fairisle Christmas jumper every year, dressing him up whenever the occasion calls and filling my insta feed with puppy pics, especially of said jumper, and for sharing every little probably unexciting thing he does which is actually super exciting to me. Like this post, sorry.

Oscar at Halloween – G’woof’indorable!

11. He puts up with me. See above Christmas jumper point. Also he dances with me to Taylor Swift (yes, ok I mean he doesn’t resist), he doesn’t only ever want to watch QI or Top Gear and he lets me hug him even when he’s not that into it because he knows I need it.

12. Cheapest psychiatrist and cure for a blue day. He listens, he snuggles, he shares the ice-cream without a raised eyebrow, he loves. Unless someone’s cooking chicken in the kitchen, then he’s outta there.

Don’t get me wrong, there are of course days when he drives me mad – accidentally waking Sophia up after I’ve taken forever to put her down, barking at literally nothing, being accident prone (damn you grass seeds to hell) or having an indoor wee wee accident (very rare, thankfully).

Despite all of this, what he brings to our lives is so much more than words can describe or quantify. I’ve learnt more about being human from him than actual humans. The compassion, kindness and understanding is unparalleled. And his thirst for life is contagious.

Simply put, he is all kinds of awesome. He has won over my mum for gods sake, has my dad wrapped around his finger and even managed a cheeky nap or two with my sister. Legend. So it’s safe to say he is a part of our family and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Looking forward especially to seeing Sophia grow up with him.

Love you Oscar even if you love the hubster more than me – you are currently staring at me like I’m an idiot. Oh, you know me so well. And you love me anyway.

Introducing Sophia Ishana!

May 23, 20151 Comment

So I have a confession to make. I have a teeny tiny case of OCD. You see, I like things in order, any sort of order at all, inextricably linked to my need to constantly pen lists of course.The problem arises however when I don’t manage to cross anything off said lists. This post? Case in point.

You see, I intended on digging through what has become a rather enormous digital photo pile (not unsurprising being the wife of a photographer) to find a picture or three to date stamp each of Sophia’s months. A little journal if you will, for us to look back on as a reminder of the little things she accomplishes that have me clapping like a seal right now. They may be easily forgotten when she’s older, even with my so called photographic memory. A sort of digital scrapbook.

The problem is, the skill of procrastination is one I have mastered. The result? A very very late blogpost and a couple of dozen half written posts awaiting the publication of this one. Oops.

So here is my promise to myself to try and let go a little on logic…after all there is very little that is logical and orderly about my days now! I’ll do my best to digitally embrace the organised chaos and blog as I feel so bear with me as I get up to date and post more regularly! Yes, you guessed it, in no sort of order at all (eek!)

And with that note of self-shaming behind us, back to this post! It was rather an emotional roller coaster to put together if I’m totally honest! I reminisced, shed a few tears, laughed and stood back in amazement at how much she’s grown and where on earth the time has flown!

So here she is, introducing my little or rather not so little poppet, Sophia and her first 6 months!

Motherhood – the good, the bad and the awesome!

March 6, 2015March 6, 20151 Comment

So now you’re on the other side. Your little cherub has arrived and it’s overwhelming to say the least. You’re back from the hospital, enjoying those cuddles and luscious newborn smell, when out of nowhere as you look down at those big eyes, it hits you. You are acutely aware that you know NOTHING and you, you alone are wholly responsible for this perfect eeny meeny tiny human. *sharp intake of breath*

And breathe. It’ll be ok.

You’ll get the hang of it. I promise. You’ll even get used to your little one spicing things up just as you get comfortable and in a routine. You know, just to keep you on your toes and make the sleep deprivation entertaining. So you won’t be surprised when I tell you I’m still learning, every day! And although I remember that moment of simultaneous joy and terror clear as day, I look back on it fondly. I did after all survive it. And so will you.

Here are a few things to look forward to that I’ve come across so far in motherhood.

The good

Baby giggles cure everything. Fact.
You’ll find yourself mimicking someone high on LSD come slapstick comedian to hear those giggles one more time.
There was a time I didn’t understand the need for Parent parking bays. But oh ,do I now? Godsend. They mean not having to resemble a contortionist while strapping your baby into the car seat!
Mummy muscles are real. After all, you’ve spent ages perfecting your title as Queen of multitasking and your right arm has had a workout continuously as a result. Carrying your growing baby in one arm while using the other to do EVERYTHING else – care to arm wrestle? I dare you.
People probably wouldn’t pay to see you perform at the Comedy Club, but to your baby, well you might as well be Michael McIntyre! Best. Audience. EVER.
They don’t know when you’re having a bad day, or doing it all wrong but they love you anyway.

The bad

Kiss goodbye to hot meals and long showers. Your baby will know instantly when you try to have one or both of these and cry before your fork hits the plate or you pick up your loofah! It’s a conspiracy, I swear.
Your super happy smiley baby will play up when your friends come over, the in laws are around or you’re watching Suits and someone’s about to get Litt up! Thank god for Sky Plus. Pause, rewind, play. Wait, rewind again.
Bath time for baby is a sting operation that involves a ridiculous amount of planning – (also one of the most fun). Bath time for you will be…I’m sorry bath? Don’t be ridiculous – see point one.
Getting out of the house can sometimes be a mission Ethan Hunt couldn’t complete. Especially as your baby will undoubtedly need a feed or change just as you turn the key to lock up and put the alarm on.
Shopping WAS my cardio! Remember those days when you could do a quick run around, take ages in a changing room, go up and down the escalators without a care in the world? No? Me either. Now, with a pram, changing bag, bundled up babe, the pace is slower! So it’s all about being efficient. Take the time to plan a route around the shopping centre including Parent Room feed/change breaks to avoid hours of going up and down lifts!
Your iPod playlist will be taken over by nursery rhymes – yes Wheels on a bus is my new jam!
Your living room will look like a bad Hamleys display no matter how many which ways you arrange it. Little people sure do come with a lot of stuff!

The Awesome

Snuggles. My favourite time. They morph into koalas and I mean who doesn’t love koalas!?
Get ready to be the most organised version of yourself. This starts even before the baby comes really thanks to nesting and good thing too. After they arrive, you can no longer wish time away. Productivity and efficiency is key – I haven’t mastered it yet and maybe I never will but Sophia has definitely kicked me into a better shape.
Look forward to being the most positive you’ve ever been. They pick up on everything! Before Sophia, if things didn’t necessarily go as planned, I would wallow in my own self-pity. Now however, I find myself picking up, dusting off, being more positive and finding the silver lining in most clouds. And it feels good.
Finally, despite being vomited on, pooed and weed on, woken up at some ungodly hour because its playtime according to Sophia, and not having had a break in 5 months, motherhood is still the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done.

For after all, your eeny meeny tiny human is rather perfect and utterly worth it.

So mums to be and new mums like me…Breathe. It’ll be ok.

We got this x (plus baby giggles cure everything!)

	Nancy on About Me
	annalavinia18 on About Me
	Nancy on About Me
	annalavinia18 on Hippity Hop Hooray!
	annalavinia18 on Wedding rewind!

Dream Big, Little Girl

Sophia – Oscar – Me

Tag: baby