Day 3. A photo that makes you happy

I know I only took (and posted) this a couple of weeks ago but it makes me so happy it's one of my favourite photos. His little chubby legs and the glint in his eye make me smile every time!



Day 1. I have a three month old and already I'm thinking, I'm going to miss him at this age. Have you felt that way, and what age do you miss the most?
Day 2. What makes you uniquely you?
Day 3. A photo that makes you happyDay 4. Style 31. Post a pic of you in your favorite outfit.
Day 5. Write a blog thanking someone who has made your heart come alive.
Day 6. Your most embarrassing moment
Day 7. Do you believe in the "cry until he sleeps" method?
Day 8. Have a beauty secret (e.g. hair tip, make up tip)? Share, please!
Day 9. What virtues do you value in yourself?
Day 10. What are some of your favorite MAC products, and what foundation/powder do you wear?
Day 11. Post a recipe. Or if you don't cook, try a new recipe and write about how it turned out (pictures please!).
Day 12. Write about what wears you out as a woman.
Day 13. A YouTube video
Day 14. Style 31. Post an outfit pic!
Day 15. What do you wish for?
Day 16. How old was Carter when he started sleeping through the night and how did you do this?
Day 17. Write about 3 things that make you happy.
Day 18. If you could, what would you tell yourself before you had your baby?
Day 19. Write about your significant other
Day 20. Write about your job and why you love it or hate it.
Day 21. Write about your most vivid childhood memory. Post a picture of you taken over ten years ago.
Day 22. What did you do today?
Day 23. Who's your celebrity look alike?
Day 24. What is God teaching you presently?
Day 25. Style 31. Post a pic of your favorite comfy clothes.
Day 26. What do you hope your grandchildren will say about you someday when you are gone?
Day 27. Who are your favorite bloggers?
Day 28. Write about your insecurities as a woman.
Day 29. Your day, in great detail
Day 30. What do you think is going to happen to you after you die?
Day 31. Your favorite quote

Day 2. What makes you uniquely you?

There's so many little things that make people unique and it's always hard to name them yourself, but here's a few quirky things about me...
- I hate getting up early on a bus or a train, I won't ring the bell until we're close to the stop and I'll stay sitting for as long as possible
- I love to read and can't get to sleep without having read a chapter or two
- I'm not a fussy eater but I don't like lamb, processed peas and bacon grills
- I'll wear something until it falls apart, if I have a favourite pair of jeans or trainers I'll wear them constantly and can't bear to throw them out when they're past repair
- Eating a creme egg? I have to nibble off the top and suck out the centre
- I love marmite and have passed my love onto Charlie, when we get home from nursery, we'll share a plate of toast and marmite
- My favourite flavours are lemon and cherry - I always buy the lemon washing up liquid and love cherry ice cream
- I'm really (really really) competitive, I love playing games but no one will play Risk with me any more :(




Day 1. I have a three month old and already I'm thinking, I'm going to miss him at this age. Have you felt that way, and what age do you miss the most?
Day 2. What makes you uniquely you?Day 3. A photo that makes you happy
Day 4. Style 31. Post a pic of you in your favorite outfit.
Day 5. Write a blog thanking someone who has made your heart come alive.
Day 6. Your most embarrassing moment
Day 7. Do you believe in the "cry until he sleeps" method?
Day 8. Have a beauty secret (e.g. hair tip, make up tip)? Share, please!
Day 9. What virtues do you value in yourself?
Day 10. What are some of your favorite MAC products, and what foundation/powder do you wear?
Day 11. Post a recipe. Or if you don't cook, try a new recipe and write about how it turned out (pictures please!).
Day 12. Write about what wears you out as a woman.
Day 13. A YouTube video
Day 14. Style 31. Post an outfit pic!
Day 15. What do you wish for?
Day 16. How old was Carter when he started sleeping through the night and how did you do this?
Day 17. Write about 3 things that make you happy.
Day 18. If you could, what would you tell yourself before you had your baby?
Day 19. Write about your significant other
Day 20. Write about your job and why you love it or hate it.
Day 21. Write about your most vivid childhood memory. Post a picture of you taken over ten years ago.
Day 22. What did you do today?
Day 23. Who's your celebrity look alike?
Day 24. What is God teaching you presently?
Day 25. Style 31. Post a pic of your favorite comfy clothes.
Day 26. What do you hope your grandchildren will say about you someday when you are gone?
Day 27. Who are your favorite bloggers?
Day 28. Write about your insecurities as a woman.
Day 29. Your day, in great detail
Day 30. What do you think is going to happen to you after you die?
Day 31. Your favorite quote

More park fun

We spent Easter at T's parents, it didn't all go to plan. We didn't get to see our new 2 week old nephew, his Mama has a fever and the poor loves spent 9 hours in A&E, only to be sent home and told to take paracetamol. And the cat had to stay the night at the vets to have fluid removed from his lungs. We were expecting the worst but he is now back with Nana and Grandad and seems to be doing well.

However we did have a good time. We had lovely roast beef, we swapped eggs and Charlie got to play in a new play park. We tried out some new rides which he had mixed opinions on!

We came home this morning and spent an hour in the park. The weather is glorious and Charlie loved crawling around with Mama and Daddy. He also said a new word - dog - though as he said it - gog. But he's stopped calling dogs cats so that's a good thing!

Day 1 of 31!!

Day 1. I have a three month old and already I'm thinking, I'm going to miss him at this age. Have you felt that way, and what age do you miss the most?

This is so hard, I've loved every stage Charlie has had but I think now (eleven and a half months) is one of my favourites, he's smiley and loves being able to crawl, cruise and babble all day. There's two ages I would love to revisit just for an hour or two though.

First when he was my lovely little newborn. At two weeks old Tom's paternity leave ended and it was just me and baby, I was learning about being a Mum and Charlie was all snuggly and so completely dependent on me.

My second favourite stage was at three and four months. We had a holiday in Devon with Tom's parents and it was lovely and then spent a week with my parents. Charlie seemed to be doing new things all the time, he was giggling and smiling, beginning to role and at five months he started lifting his head up.

Day 1. I have a three month old and already I'm thinking, I'm going to miss him at this age. Have you felt that way, and what age do you miss the most?
Day 2. What makes you uniquely you?
Day 3. A photo that makes you happy
Day 4. Style 31. Post a pic of you in your favorite outfit.
Day 5. Write a blog thanking someone who has made your heart come alive.
Day 6. Your most embarrassing moment
Day 7. Do you believe in the "cry until he sleeps" method?
Day 8. Have a beauty secret (e.g. hair tip, make up tip)? Share, please!
Day 9. What virtues do you value in yourself?
Day 10. What are some of your favorite MAC products, and what foundation/powder do you wear?
Day 11. Post a recipe. Or if you don't cook, try a new recipe and write about how it turned out (pictures please!).
Day 12. Write about what wears you out as a woman.
Day 13. A YouTube video
Day 14. Style 31. Post an outfit pic!
Day 15. What do you wish for?
Day 16. How old was Carter when he started sleeping through the night and how did you do this?
Day 17. Write about 3 things that make you happy.
Day 18. If you could, what would you tell yourself before you had your baby?
Day 19. Write about your significant other
Day 20. Write about your job and why you love it or hate it.
Day 21. Write about your most vivid childhood memory. Post a picture of you taken over ten years ago.
Day 22. What did you do today?
Day 23. Who's your celebrity look alike?
Day 24. What is God teaching you presently?
Day 25. Style 31. Post a pic of your favorite comfy clothes.
Day 26. What do you hope your grandchildren will say about you someday when you are gone?
Day 27. Who are your favorite bloggers?
Day 28. Write about your insecurities as a woman.
Day 29. Your day, in great detail
Day 30. What do you think is going to happen to you after you die?
Day 31. Your favorite quote

Project 31

Hello, I stumbled across this fun blog project on The Boy Named After a Car but it was originally created back in Feb on Bringing Up Bumble. Because I'm coming to it late I can't linky up, but it looks so fun, that I'm going to start it today.

If you like it, join in too and leave your blog on a comment below so I can see your answers too!

PS - What with work and baby and visiting relatives over the Royal Wedding/May Day bank holiday I don't think I'll be able to do all 31 in 31 days, but will update as often as I can!

Day 1. I have a three month old and already I'm thinking, I'm going to miss him at this age. Have you felt that way, and what age do you miss the most?
Day 2. What makes you uniquely you?
Day 3. A photo that makes you happy
Day 4. Style 31. Post a pic of you in your favorite outfit.
Day 5. Write a blog thanking someone who has made your heart come alive.
Day 6. Your most embarrassing moment
Day 7. Do you believe in the "cry until he sleeps" method?
Day 8. Have a beauty secret (e.g. hair tip, make up tip)? Share, please!
Day 9. What virtues do you value in yourself?
Day 10. What are some of your favorite MAC products, and what foundation/powder do you wear?
Day 11. Post a recipe. Or if you don't cook, try a new recipe and write about how it turned out (pictures please!).
Day 12. Write about what wears you out as a woman.
Day 13. A YouTube video
Day 14. Style 31. Post an outfit pic!
Day 15. What do you wish for?
Day 16. How old was Carter when he started sleeping through the night and how did you do this?
Day 17. Write about 3 things that make you happy.
Day 18. If you could, what would you tell yourself before you had your baby?
Day 19. Write about your significant other
Day 20. Write about your job and why you love it or hate it.
Day 21. Write about your most vivid childhood memory. Post a picture of you taken over ten years ago.
Day 22. What did you do today?
Day 23. Who's your celebrity look alike?
Day 24. What is God teaching you presently?
Day 25. Style 31. Post a pic of your favorite comfy clothes.
Day 26. What do you hope your grandchildren will say about you someday when you are gone?
Day 27. Who are your favorite bloggers?
Day 28. Write about your insecurities as a woman.
Day 29. Your day, in great detail
Day 30. What do you think is going to happen to you after you die?
Day 31. Your favorite quote

ooh, I know I stole this post from two other blogs, but if you like please give us a vote :)

Springtime Baby

The nursery was closed for a half day's staff training on Thursday, so Charlie and I spent the day together in the park. The weather was gorgeous, we played in the sandpit and practised sitting on the grass. He loved chewing on my sunglasses, so baby sunglasses are on the birthday present list!

Got half a minute to spare? Give us a click!

Paper Mama's Photo Challenge - Multicoloured

It's Spring and everything is bright and beautiful including my boy's red cheeks, his stripy romper and favourite pink bucket!

This is for the Paper Mama's Photo Challenge - Multicoloured

And if you like the pic, please give us a vote!

Daddy and Baby's year

Following on from last week's Mama montage here's a Daddy and Baby one.

loooong weekend

It's Easter this weekend and I've got holiday tomorrow which means 5 days off in a row - yay! Plus with the royal wedding on the 29th and May day on May 1st, I'm only in the office 2 days next week :)

We're going to spend this weekend with Charlie's Nana and Grandad and fingers crossed for good weather so we can spend some lovely time outside with our little son.

I wanted to post a video today but for some reason it's not uploading so I'll try again tomorrow. It's such a cute video of my two boys enjoying an ice lolly in the park. I can't wait to share. For now you'll have to make do with a photo or two.

Almost a year with my baby!

One year ago today

To think that this time last year I didn't know what it was like to be a Mum, I had yet to hold my precious boy and was full of questions and uncertanties about the events to come. Here I am, 38 weeks and ready to pop.

I'm new to the TBB so please do take a few seconds and give me a vote!

Top Baby Blogs

So I've finally signed up to add my blog to the Top Baby Blog site. Please click on the link and give me a vote!

I love this site, it was a new Mama's best friend when I was suddenly home alone and wanted to find some Mummy blogs to give me real life tips and advice. Nearly all the blogs I follow I found from this site, so I know I'm in good company. I don't always agree that some of the top blogs deserve to be top, but it's all a matter of personal taste and that's what's great about Top Baby Blogs, you can scroll through the list, dip in and out of people's lives (surreal huh) and those you like you can stay around, follow and vote for, and those you don't, well hey, you don't need to click on them again.

So if you've not visited Top Baby Blogs yet, give me a vote and enjoy dipping in and out of all those other great blogging mamas out there.

New trick

We've just learnt how to look through our legs. Peepo baby!

BFF

"Hello, my name is blue cow!

I live here.

I'm an ordinary small blue plastic circle from a shape sorter. My eyes are scratched and I'm well worn but that's because Charlie loves me. We go everywhere together, I fit perfectly into his hand and you can always hear us coming because of the tap tap tap I make as we crawl along together."

At 11 months it's common for babies to get attached to a comforter. Out of all the blankies and cuddly toys he could have chosen, my small son has gone for a little circular cow. And I love that he has made that choice all by himself.

First Birthday Invites

I'm starting to get ready for Charlie's First Birthday (yay). Although I've already emailed everyone, I've now bought some super cute invitations to send through the post. I know they're not necessary but I love knowing that they will bring a smile to the invitees. Also it's nice to think that some of them (sent to Grandparents at least) will be kept and looked at in years to come.

        

The jungle animals are the invites I bought from a kids boutique opposite my work. The 1st birthday ones are leftovers from a friend. I can't decide which I like more.

We're having two parties for Charlie. I've read a lot about how parties for a one year old are really only for the parents as the baby won't remember. But I think memories are so important, we'll take loads of photos and keep a copy of the invites so in a few years time Charlie can look back and see what we did for him.

Why two parties? Because I agree with the advice about over-stimulating a baby on their birthday. The first party will be on Friday, it will just be for me, Charlie and all our baby friends and their Mummys. We've invited 10 babies in all and should be really fun if not a little manic! Fingers crossed the weather holds, we're going to have a picnic in the park. The second party will be for family and close friends, a barbecue at T's parents house. Again fingers crossed for the weather!

I'm so excited, my mind is constantly whirring away, thinking up little things we can do to add to the fun. Have you got any 1st birthday tips? Let me know!!

A Spearmint Baby flavoured Blog Hop

I love blog hopping, it's such a fun way to find new sites. Hello if you've found me through the Spearmint Baby Blog Hop. I hope you like my little blog. You can find out more about me here and about my birth story here. This blog is mostly about the things I do with Charlie, my 11 month old son, but there's also a few book reviews and other bits thrown in. So welcome, have a look around and do leave a comment, I love hearing from you!

B&W challenge

Paper Mama's Photo Challenge - black and white

Here's my little Charlie in black and white - I love the way his eyelashes and smooth baby skin stand out so much better in b&w! I've not made any of my SOOC shots B&W before but will definitely be doing more in the future.

Play park fun

For the past two Sunday's I've taken C-bear for a mama and baby walk whilst Daddy stays at home and irons. We've gone down to the Crystal Palace Park playpark and tried out the swings - he loves them.

 

Sunday Bliss

Hot Sunday. Afternoon in the park. Sleeping baby. New book. Cool drink.

8th April 2011

It's only 6.45am but already two momentous things have happened.

- We have a nephew, born by C-section at 12.41am last night. Poor Mama had a 40 hour labour but now has a beautiful 9lb 8oz (oh my!) baby boy.

- Charlie slept through the night. Let me just repeat it because it sounds so good. Charlie. Slept. Through. The. Night. Yay!

Charlie is also 11 months old today and my back is hurting a lot less at night because of the pilates. So good things are happening, what else will today bring?

One Born Every Minute

Every minute of every day a baby is born in Britain...

I'm addicted to this TV show. It's on Channel 4 here in the UK and follows real-life birth stories in Southampton Hospital. The first series started last year when I was pregnant, at the time I didn't want to watch, I was terrified that it would be too graphic and put me off the inevitable pain I knew I would have to face! (Read my birth story here). However once Charlie was born and I had sooo much TV time whilst breastfeeding, I watched the whole of the first series on 4OD and was hooked from the first episode. Now we're nearing the end of the second series and if we're at home I watch them on my Friday's off whilst Charlie takes his morning nap.

If you're a Mum you'll know that once you've given birth all your emotions are heightened and suddenly you become emotional about anything to do with babies and birth (well it did for me anyway). Stories that stick in my memory are the triplets in series one, two were healthy but one was really ill, the poor Mama couldn't buy a pram until she knew if her littlest one would make it as it would break her heart to buy a 3 seater pram and then not use it for all 3 babies. It was a happy ending in the end but the poor little guy had to spend months in hospital. Another story followed a 17 year old who asked whether babies came out smelling of baby powder (!) and my favourite was a water birth with the mother's squeamish older sister in the room, she pulled the best 'shocked' faces ever.

Here's me and my baba, I can't quite believe that in a month and 2 days time it will have been taken a year ago!

Read this book!

The Distant Hours by Kate Morton. I've just finished it and loved every minute. It's a big read, but that's perfect as you don't want the story to end. It's about a crumbling Dorset castle, 3 elderly sisters who live in it, their famous author Father who wrote a popular children's book called The Mud Man set at the castle. The heroine is Edie, a London publisher who's interest is piqued when her Mum receives a long lost letter from one of the sisters and discloses that in WWII she was evacuated to the castle but something mysterious happened and she has never been back. There's secrets, murder and romance and you never expect the final twist at the end.

I'm a fan of Kate Morton, she wrote The House at Riverton and The Forgotten Garden both of which are fantastic. If you've not read her before I recommend you read House at Riverton and once you've read that you'll be wanting to read the other two ASAP!

D'uh

OMG, have you ever felt a little bit silly? I've been using Blogger since 2009 and only just realised today that clicking the orange B in the top left corner takes you to your dashboard...

Oh dear, for the past 3 years when I've wanted to go to my dashboard I've been clicking on 'next blog' and then using the dashboard link from there. Oops...

Walking Baby

Charlie is getting really speedy with the baby walker. Here's a mini film I took this morning!

A Walk in the Park - Literally

C-bear and I spend a lot of time in Crystal Palace Park.

At the moment I only breastfeed him at night, but on my Friday's off it's just me and him and suddenly he won't nap without breastfeeding (everyone else can rock him to sleep but if I'm around he turns into a milk monster even though he has formula and full meals). It's an issue we're trying to work through at the moment. Sooo the only way to get him to nap without breastfeeding is to go for a nice long walk in the park. And I love walking in the park so it's win win.

CPP is very special, it was built as a pleasure garden for the Crystal Palace, a Victorian exhibition centre that tragically burnt down. It has lakes and trees and flowers, squirrels, ducks, geese, swans, tons of dogs being walked and dinosaurs. Yes, really. The biggest surprise in the park are the model dinosaurs. They live on their own lake, were built by the Victorians and I LOVE them. I can't wait for Charlito to be big enough to get excited about them too.

Here's a quick look at some of the photos I've snapped there in the past few months.