Here We Go… (inc. #BetterYou) #NaBloPoMo

It’s that time of year again. If I was insane I’d try and do #NaNoWriMo too but with a small child that’s got even less chance of happening than when I had a full time job! So what is NaBloPoMo... Continue reading →

Why I Don’t Celebrate Halloween

Source Earlier this week there was a discussion on one of the local parenting groups on Facebook regarding when children are going out to Trick or Treat. I commented that if the children knocked on my door there would either... Continue reading →

10 Top Tips for an Organised Christmas

Chris often takes the mickey out of me for having lists coming out my ears – especially around Christmas but it means I can be organised and arrange the presents and make sure they get to the correct recipients –... Continue reading →

Currently…27th October

Currently… image from rukristin Watching: Strictly Come Dancing Forever NCIS: Los Angeles NCIS Grey’s Anatomy Reading: Currently I’m not really reading anything. I finished reading Walking Home on Saturday. It’s an autobiography by Clare Balding and it’s really interesting. I’ve... Continue reading →

{Gratitude}

Joining up with: Ashley from Hello Nature, Laura from The Laura Way & Nay from Coffee-N-Ink. Today I am writing about the gratitude I have… My friend Loz arriving safely from Australia – last time I saw her was when... Continue reading →

Dear Jaxon… – 15 Weeks

Dear Jaxon, Hello there. Last week you surprised us. Chris was sat with you in the back of the car on Friday and somehow ended up with his finger in your mouth. He commented how he could feel a little... Continue reading →

Dear Jaxon…- 14 Weeks

Dear Jaxon, Today you are 14 weeks old. I still can’t believe will I look at you that 14 weeks ago we were in hospital meeting you. You’ve well and truly got the hang of smiling. You smile to nearly... Continue reading →

Currently…13th October

Currently… image from rukristin Watching: Who Do You Think You Are? The Great British Bake Off Strictly Come Dancing Doctor Who Remember Sunday Le Weekend Reading: Lovely blog posts from our Let Your Blog Shine group and another little bloggers... Continue reading →

{Gratitude}

Joining up with: Ashley from Hello Nature, Laura from The Laura Way & Nay from Coffee-N-Ink. So, Chris has just taken Jaxon up to bed and I’m pretty sure he might have woken Jaxon up in the process – it... Continue reading →

Dear Jaxon… 13 Weeks/3 Months

Dear Jaxon, As I type this from my phone you’re snoring in your Moses basket (a little quieter now than you were about thirty minutes ago). Normally I write what we got up to this last week but I keep... Continue reading →

#BetterYou (And October Goals)

Often people write Bucket Lists with the goal of achieving the things on the list by the time they die, others like me write a Bucket List to complete before their next birthday or next major birthday like 30th or... Continue reading →

Dear Jaxon… – 12 Weeks Old

Dear Jaxon, This week you turned 12 weeks old. In all the craziness that came with our trip to the seaside and Daddy’s Challenge I didn’t manage to write to you. You turned 12 weeks on Wednesday. On Tuesday while... Continue reading →

Sisterhood of the World Blogger’s Award

Various people were tagged for this award but I figured I’d join in anyway. The questions were posted by Judit of Monster Yarns. You can also see different versions on Redhead Babyled, It’s A Rowberry Life and Mrs Bishop’s Bakes... Continue reading →

Our Blackpool Adventure 2014: Day 2

Jaxon was a superstar and minus a quick feed around 3am-ish he slept all the way through until about 6:30am. I got up and fed Jaxon, then expressed enough milk that Chris could feed Jaxon again if needed. I got... Continue reading →

Currently…29th September

Currently… image from rukristin Watching: Who Do You Think You Are? The Great British Bake Off Perception Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit Strictly Come Dancing Doctor Who Reading: The “She Reads Truth” bible study. (Epic catch up session!) Listening: Radio mainly.... Continue reading →

Our Blackpool Adventure 2014: Day 1

Each year on (or around) Chris’s birthday he does a mad challenge. We’ve done Land’s End to John O’Groats, the Tube Challenge and “Visit as many family members as possible in one day” Challenge. This year Chris’s goal is to... Continue reading →

Dear Jaxon… – 11 Weeks Old

Dear Jaxon, Thursday This actually snuck into last week…..we spent most of the day at home and then in the afternoon we went for a walk around the country park in the sunshine. It was lovely and much better than... Continue reading →

Coffee and Cake – Macmillan Coffee Morning

I seem to have dropped off the planet when it comes to blogging about anything but Jaxon or my currently weekly posts. Tomorrow is the Big Macmillan Coffee Morning and I will be visiting my second and third coffee “mornings”.... Continue reading →

Currently…22nd September

Currently… image from rukristin Watching: Who Do You Think You Are? The Great British Bake Off Suits The Little Mermaid Curious George Wall-E Reading: Not a lot…..blog posts mainly but that’s about it. I guess my Slimming World book gets... Continue reading →

Dear Jaxon… – 10 Weeks Old

Dear Jaxon, This week you hit double figures and what a week it was. On Sunday it was your dedication which was a lot of fun although a little overwhelming all round. I think now that you’re a bit more... Continue reading →

Currently…15th September

Currently… image from rukristin Watching: Who Do You Think You Are? The Great British Bake Off The Ghost Whisperer Reading: Blogs Simply Crochet and another knitting magazine my Mum gave me. Listening: Top 40 chart although most of the songs... Continue reading →

Dear Jaxon… – 9 weeks Old

Dear Jaxon, Yesterday you turned two months old, we moved you up to Size three nappies and well and truly in 3-6 months clothes. Your 3-6 month trousers are still a little baggy but while you’re still sitting still and... Continue reading →

Currently…8th September

Currently… image from rukristin Watching: The West Wing (all finished now!) Who Do You Think You Are? The Great British Bake Off Strictly Come Dancing (UK equivalent of Dancing With a The Stars) Scandal Suits Baggage Claim (Random film found on... Continue reading →

Dear Jaxon… – 8 Weeks Old

Dear Jaxon, Today you are 8 weeks old and today we’re going to get your vaccinations done. That’s as far as I got. When we got home from the doctors you weren’t happy and by the evening you were super... Continue reading →

The Wedding of The Year

Just over a week ago, my little brother (who could sort of be my big brother given how much taller than me he is!) got married to his lovely girlfriend Heather. It’s taken me over a week to sit down... Continue reading →

30 Days of Lists….Day 1

Today’s Prompt: Today is brought to you by… new car raindrops food shopping clean washing first bath in ages (Don’t worry I’ve showered!) messages from friends who are abroad clean and dirty nappies the west wing Continue reading →

Currently…1st September

Currently… image from rukristin Watching: The West Wing (Season 6 and just started Season 7 this weekend – Have found other things to watch and have been out more this last week so haven’t got through quite as many episodes) Who... Continue reading →

30 Days of Lists – Blog Hop

With the arrival of Jaxon and various bits that are going on around here I keep debating whether to join in with 30 Days of Lists this time. Because of work and things like that, the last few times I’ve... Continue reading →

Currently…25th August

Currently… image from rukristin Watching: The West Wing (Season 6 – I finished Season 3 as I wrote the post and somehow have made it through the rest in a week. It means I’ve got just over a season to go.... Continue reading →

Dear Jaxon… – 6 Weeks Old

Dear Jaxon, Today you are six weeks old, as I write this you’re wrapped up in the Hug-A-Bub, you were getting yourself worked up and I think it was because you were tired and couldn’t get yourself to sleep. Some... Continue reading →

{Gratitude}

Joining up with: Ashley from Hello Nature, Laura from The Laura Way & Nay from Coffee-N-Ink. I had meant to post this on Friday (As the button says!) but by Friday, I was shattered – we had Holiday Club over... Continue reading →

Mustela Product Review

Although I’ve been a foster Mum for almost three years, the products we need in the house for Our Sidekick are obviously very different to those that we need for Jaxon. We’ve found that for Our Sidekick we have to... Continue reading →

Currently…18th August

Currently… image from rukristin Watching: The West Wing (Season 3 – clearly I don’t have enough to be doing then again it can play in the background while I do other bits) Thor: The Dark World Dead Poet’s Society Aladdin James... Continue reading →

Dear Jaxon… – 5 Weeks Old

Dear Jaxon, Today you’re five weeks old. You turned one month on Saturday. I had this idea we were going to have blueberry muffins at Grandma’s birthday BBQ but I ran out of time and forgot to ask Daddy, Our... Continue reading →

August Goals

On the 1st ish of each month I blog my goals for the month and how the last month went. Some months are a little easier than others. So the last goals list I wrote was back in April and... Continue reading →

Currently…11th August

Currently… image from rukristin Watching: The West Wing (from the beginning again! Started Season 2 while Jaxon napped on Friday) Saving Mr Banks Perception Tumble (anyone else thinking it’s Strictly Come Dancing for Gymnastics?) Reading: Providence by Jamie McGuire (The... Continue reading →

{Gratitude}

Joining up with: Ashley from Hello Nature, Laura from The Laura Way & Nay from Coffee-N-Ink. On Facebook there has been this post being passed around where you’re challenged to write three positives each day for a week or something... Continue reading →

Getting Healthy – Part Four

Here’s the next part of me getting healthy. It’s now been just over four weeks since I had my C-Section and we welcomed Jaxon into the world. I went to Slimming World last week and I had maintained, it was... Continue reading →

Dear Jaxon… – 4 Weeks Old

Dear Jaxon, Today you are four weeks old. You continue to be alert and looking around at your surroundings. You lie in your Moses Basket and fidget your arms and legs. I imagine if you were in water you’d be... Continue reading →

Currently…4th August

Currently… image from rukristin Watching: Commonwealth Games My Best Friend’s Wedding Austenland Where Eagles Dare Every Which Way but Loose Premiership Rugby 7s Reading: A Seaside Affair by Fern Britton Providence by Jamie McGuire (The Kindle version is free on Amazon... Continue reading →

{Gratitude} and Let Your Blog Shine

Things I’m Grateful for…. Sleep I always knew my sleep would be disturbed with a newborn but I don’t think I realised quite how much! So I’m grateful for the sleep I do get. Especially unexpected naps! Chris and Our... Continue reading →

Dear Jaxon… – 3 Weeks Old

Dear Jaxon, Today you are three weeks old. You’re often quite alert and you react to somethings. For example when you sneeze you still look a bit stunned that the sneeze came from you but I think you’re getting a... Continue reading →

Currently…28th July

Currently… image from rukristin Watching: R.I.P.D. Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony (haven’t seen any actual events but England won their first Gold and Silver medals on Thursday) Reading: Right To The Edge: Sydney to Japan BY ANY MEANS by Charley Boorman... Continue reading →

Dear Jaxon… – Two Weeks Old

Dear Jaxon, You’re now two weeks old – how did that happen? We spent a chunk of last week hanging out with Grandma S, as she was on “Hannah Duty”, she helped me round the house and looked after you... Continue reading →

TIGF: Thing’s I’m Grateful For…

After writing my post in Saturday, I decided to add it as a regular. So here I am with a nursing baby attempting to blog one handed. See Mamas multitask. To My Mum you get a mention again. You came... Continue reading →

Small Achievements That Seem Like Mountains

In case this is the first post you’ve read of mine, I had a C-Section just over a week ago. Part of the recovery is to get up and get moving but not to over do it. You’re only allowed... Continue reading →

Getting Healthy – Part 3 (and a half)

Back last summer I decided it was finally about time that I did something about my weight. I was overweight, “comfortably” in a UK Size 16 heading for an 18. Deciding that if I was going to be a Mum... Continue reading →

{Jaxon’s Birth Story} – Dear Blueberry – Week 1

Dear Blueberry, But hang on, you’re not Blueberry now, you have a proper name. So…. hello Jaxon. Today, you’re 1 Week Old. Already??? Haha. You arrived into the world last Wednesday at short notice – I guess technically I got... Continue reading →

Currently…14th July

Currently… image from rukristin Watching: Baby!! He does funny things like twitching in his sleep and clapping his hands together. Watching his little face as he dreams. Reading: Notes and notes and notes from the midwifes and other professionals. Also... Continue reading →

Welcome to the World Little One!

I have a whole heap to write about what happened and how it happened and when it happened but for now. Welcome to the world Blueberry!! Haha no not going to be actually called Blueberry, this little one is called... Continue reading →

Dear Blueberry – 41 Weeks

Dear Blueberry, So I’m starting this post after getting in from my Midwife’s appointment. Your heart was pumping away and you were still 2/5 engaged. It was a different midwife again as my “normal” one was in meetings or had... Continue reading →

Currently…7th July

Currently… image from rukristin Watching: Notting Hill – needed something I had seen hundred times before lol. Austin Powers – Our Sidekick wasn’t 100% so spent most of Sunday curled up on the sofa watching TV. Monty Python and The... Continue reading →

40+3

(This was technically taken last night before bed) Come on Blueberry!!! Today is Blueberry’s original delivery date but following the first scan back in December, their due date was moved to the 1st. It’s now 5:40pm and currently there is... Continue reading →

In Progress… (Take 2)

Other than pottering round the house and visiting the Midwife I’ve taken up residence at the end of the sofa either blogging, commenting elsewhere, knitting, crocheting on generally trying make progress on any projects I have going. I had to... Continue reading →

Dear Blueberry – 40 Weeks

Dear Blueberry So since we found out that you were on your way everything has sort of counted down to this day, I guess for a little while it counted down to the 4th as that was your original due... Continue reading →

An (Imaginary) Road Trip

With Blueberry’s arrival imminent, field trips too far from home aren’t really an option. I guess we could go to the seaside with Chris’s Aunt and Housemate (the housemate used to be a midwife and train new midwives) and be... Continue reading →

Currently…

Currently… image from rukristin Watching: Doctor Who (started the Matt smith episodes on Tuesday) House of Cards (after Becca posted about it – gave up part way through Episode 1 – think I prefer Aaron Sorkin’s take on “fictional” politics).... Continue reading →

My Mothercare Event – Bedford, 27th June

From my work colleagues (as a birthday present/maternity leaving present) and from a friend of mine I was given some gift vouchers for Mothercare – I figured they’d be handy whether it was to get baby stuff before baby arrives... Continue reading →

Dear Blueberry – 39 Weeks

Dear Blueberry, Today is 39 weeks. That means next week you’re “due”. Uncle Richard and I were both born early whereas Daddy was born late so I figure you might be on time but I guess we will see. You’ll... Continue reading →

Granny Squares

When I was younger my Mum tried to teach me to crochet and to knit. Neither really stuck to start with then all of a sudden knitting stuck and I could do it. Crochet took a little longer but then... Continue reading →

Currently…

Currently… image from rukristin Watching: Criminal Minds (Season 9 finale) Doctor Who (onto the David Tennant episodes.) Grey’s Anatomy (Season Finale) Reading: Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis (finished on Friday) Let’s All Be Brave by Annie F. Downs Listening:... Continue reading →

In Progress…

While on maternity leave I’ve been working on various projects. This is the currently in progress project, the “theme” for your Seventh Wedding Anniversary is wool or copper depending on your list version. I didn’t plan far enough ahead and... Continue reading →

1,000 Things: Another Part…..

Following Friday’s mad tidy of the summerhouse a few weeks back, Saturday was the turn of the bedroom and the nursery. Mum and I had already organised that she’d come and help get the bits finished that still needed work.... Continue reading →

Dear Blueberry – 38 Weeks

Dear Blueberry, It’s getting a bit cramped round these parts now. I’ve worked out that it I sit a certain way then I’m fine but if I sit another way then I end up all achy as there’s not enough... Continue reading →

Currently…

Currently… image from rukristin Watching: Criminal Minds (Season 7 and 8) Doctor Who (Starting with the Christopher Eccleston episodes) How I Met Your Mother (Final season) Grey’s Anatomy Could Garcia get any cooler?!?!? Reading: Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis... Continue reading →

Dear Blueberry – 37 Weeks

Dear Blueberry, So somewhere between you and the rest of my body something happened and on Friday you and me spent the afternoon hooked up to various monitors at the hospital. In the end everything was okay and we were... Continue reading →

Friday… (And a trip to hospital)

Hello there. How’s your day going? Mine started fairly lazy. Chris and I went for lunch instead of our normal day off breakfast date. We ended up at one the local restaurants that we usually frequent. I had my salad... Continue reading →

TAG, you’re it. Get to know me.

I was tagged by Elle in the “Get to know me” meme, so here it goes! Tell us 5 random facts about you: 1. I can play descant, treble, tenor, bass and sopranino recorder. I own one of each apart from... Continue reading →

Dear Blueberry – 36 Weeks

Dear Blueberry, I’m not doing so good at this – you’d think I would be doing better now that I’m on maternity leave. You’re now 36 weeks – which means that you’re due in four weeks. Grandma and Grandpa came... Continue reading →

Currently…

Currently… image from rukristin Watching: Criminal Minds (Season 4 – except Episode 24) Criminal Minds: Suspect Behaviour (Season 1) Reading: Mainly blogs including HomeMadeFairy, The House of Jones and Mashaboom Listening: Still listening to McFly Making: Working on a stripe... Continue reading →

1,000 Things: The Next Installment

I am a book worm. According to my Goodreads account I have 22 books in progress – yes how I ended up with that many started but not finished I have no idea! We’re heading into the home straight as... Continue reading →

Dear Blueberry – 35 Weeks

Dear Blueberry, At the weekend, there was all sorts going on. Auntie Rae had her birthday and Daddy and I went to antenatal classes also it was the baby shower. It’s kind of mine but also without you there would... Continue reading →

Currently…

Currently… image from rukristin Watching: Pacific Rim (So not my cup of tea but Our Sidekick wanted to watch it so we did) Criminal Minds (Season 1 and 2) Reading: Knitting Yarns – edited by Ann Hood My friend Hannah’s... Continue reading →

Wreck This Journal – Part One

At the end of April, my friend/Lil Sister posted a picture of her Wreck This Journal on Facebook. I mentioned how I had a copy but wasn’t sure where it was – maybe I needed to dig it out and... Continue reading →

Currently…

Currently… image from rukristin Watching: GCB The Good Wife (Season 5) Warehouse 13 Castle (Season 6 – OH MY WORD what was with that season finale!!!!!! Oh and Pete from Warehouse 13 makes an appearance too) Reading: Knitting Yarns –... Continue reading →

Crochet Hexagons

Granny squares I can knock up within a few minutes but hexagons seem to take a little bit more tweaking. Having had a bit of a play I decided to share my version that seems to work for me. UK... Continue reading →

1000 Things…

Since finding out that we would be welcoming a new member of the family, I’ve kept meaning to have a sort out and deal with some of the clutter that has gravitated it’s way to our bedroom like a black... Continue reading →

Dear Blueberry – 33 Weeks

Dear Blueberry, I’ve fallen behind and haven’t written in a while. Last week I had my 32 week check up with the midwife. My bump measured 32cm from the top to the bottom which is just right for the number... Continue reading →

Us at 7

On the 13th September 2005, Chris proposed to me, he’d written a treasure hunt and involved a whole heap of our friends including our friend Sheens who lives in Australia!! The last clue was in my Parent’s caravan which when... Continue reading →

Here We Go On A New Adventure

I started this post the other day. I keep starting it and then going away and then coming back to it and changing it all. Yesterday I went to my 32 week appointment and all was good. I was chatting to... Continue reading →

Currently…

Currently… image from rukristin Watching: Fringe (Season 3) Reading: (Not a lot but when I have picked up a book) The Christian Mama’s Guide to Having a Baby by Erin MacPherson. (Very American but still good) Listening: Queen – not... Continue reading →

April 29: My Birthday Weekend

As I wrote on Thursday, my birthday weekend kicked off with going to the theatre to see The Pantaloon’s touring production of Sherlock Holmes. FridayOn Friday Chris surprised me by collecting me from work. I left via the pedestrian gate... Continue reading →

April 28: Currently..,

Currently… image from rukristin Watching: Fringe (Season 2) Reading: Tune in Tokyo by Tim Anderson Knitting Yarns by Ann Hood Listening: We Will Rock You and Frozen. Was all excited about this weekend. Making: Working on my experiment based on... Continue reading →

April 24: Pantaloons and Sherlock Holmes!

In Bedford there is a small theatre called The Place. I’ve been there for a number of performances in the past as well as auditions and a rehearsal to take photographs for the programme and foyer of a performance. Back... Continue reading →

April 23: To Park or Not to Park….?

Yesterday I posted on FB about my lunchtime adventure to the supermarket, sometimes I try and walk given how close the supermarket is to my office – however with my walk turning into a waddle and even my fast walk... Continue reading →

April 22: Chocolate Tea Party

My lovely friend Lucy hosted a chocolate tea party to raise money for The Sick Children’s Trust. Having spent a chunk of the day working on the nursery I was ready for a chill out with friends. At one point... Continue reading →

April 21: Currently…

Currently… image from rukristin Watching: Fringe (Season 1) Rizzoli and Isles (Season 4) Reading: Rizzoli and Isles: The Apprentice by Tess Gerritsen (all finished) Coming Clean: A Memoir by Kimberley Rae Miller (author of thekimchallenge.com and read in less than... Continue reading →

#Ironbridge2014: Day 6 (April 18th)

Original image found here.By this morning I was seriously tired. My body was pretending to cooperate but my mood was short and I wasn’t happy. The boys were getting on my nerves and I just wanted to go home. Chris... Continue reading →

#Ironbridge2014: Day 5 (April 17th)

Original image found here.Today wasn’t around Ironbridge or the local area. We went on a trip to Birmingham. Our Sidekick has an interest in fashion and shopping so we had a day trip to The Bullring at Birmingham. I’ve been... Continue reading →

#Ironbridge2014: Day 4 (April 16th)

Original image found here.Today started with a whole debate over whether or not it was time to get up. I could have probably slept for longer but the elephants wearing boots were awake and stampeding along the corridor so getting... Continue reading →

#Ironbridge2014: Day 3 (April 15th)

Original image found here.Today’s main visit was to Blists Hill. It is walking distance from the YHA we’re staying in but it is a steep uphill climb so I ended up driving and the boys walked to meet me there.... Continue reading →

April 16: Dear Blueberry – 29 Weeks

Dear Blueberry, This week you’re on sort of our first holiday. With you arriving between half term and the Summer holiday we decided that we’d take our family holiday now at Easter instead and then Daddy and Our Sidekick would... Continue reading →

#Ironbridge2014: Day 2 (April 14th)

Original image found here.First thing this morning we headed to Telford town centre to find the local supermarket – it was a little challenging as Google Maps directed us to the old store and we needed the relocated one. It... Continue reading →

#Ironbridge2014: Day 1 (April 13th)

Original image found here.As normal we started Sunday with church. It was a special day as there was a guest speaker called Chris and a lunch for the associate pastor and his wife as he’s retiring. We left part way... Continue reading →

April 13: Never Apologise…

Found on Pinterest – Source Unknown Continue reading →

AtoZ Challenge: I is for…Interests

I is for….Interests Originally I had planned a different post but between life generally taking over my week seemed to run away so technically I’m writing this on Sunday and then back dating it. So I decided to change it... Continue reading →