Friends and Family

Things I’m Grateful For…(BEDIA)

Each Friday I join with Ashley from Hello Nature and Laura from Ginger + Co to share the things I’m grateful for this week. Time with Our Sidekick it’s the school holidays at the moment and Our Sidekick has been... Continue reading →

Chris turns 30 (BEDIA)

This isn’t quite the same picture that I posted on FB yesterday and also it’s quite Jaxon heavy (oops!). Yesterday was Chris’s 30th Birthday so he had the day off work and we spent the day as a family. Even... Continue reading →

Slimming World Sunday #1 (BEDIA)

Two years ago yesterday I started my Slimming World journey. I was fed up of looking like I was pregnant even though I wasn’t. I was fed up of not being able to climb the stairs at work without feeling... Continue reading →

My August Goals (BEDIA)

Today is the first day in BEDIA, that’s Blog Every Day in August and it does what it says on the tin so to speak. I figured I would start the month by sharing my August Goals. I used to... Continue reading →

Five Tips for Camping with a Baby

Before we went on holiday I looked around for tips about what to pack while camping with a baby/young toddler. What I did find didn’t always answer my questions so while I was away I started on a list of... Continue reading →

Yorkshire Dales: Day Five

Last week we were on holiday in the Yorkshire Dales. There was signal but it was minimal and patchy so when it come to blogging it was a bit impossible. I made notes so I could share of our adventures... Continue reading →

Yorkshire Dales: Day Four

Last week we were on holiday in the Yorkshire Dales. There was signal but it was minimal and patchy so when it come to blogging it was a bit impossible. I made notes so I could share of our adventures... Continue reading →

Yorkshire Dales: Day Three

Last week we were on holiday in the Yorkshire Dales. There was signal but it was minimal and patchy so when it come to blogging it was a bit impossible. I made notes so I could share of our adventures... Continue reading →

Yorkshire Dales: Day Two

Last week we were on holiday in the Yorkshire Dales. There was signal but it was minimal and patchy so when it come to blogging it was a bit impossible. I made notes so I could share of our adventures... Continue reading →

Jaxon’s First Birthday

I guess in a way Jaxon’s birthday celebrations started with our trip to Legoland at the beginning of July.  I had meant to write about it all sooner but in all the craziness following Jaxon’s party I didn’t make it to... Continue reading →

Jaxon’s Trip to Legoland

A couple of weeks ago we were offered tickets to Legoland by Chris’s Auntie and her housemate that appeared in the paper that they read. We figured that if we selected particular date ranges then Our Sidekick could come too... Continue reading →

Currently…13th July

Each Monday I start with a sum up of what’s currently happening around these parts – especially when some weeks seem to fly by quicker than others! Watching: I’ve been watching more Miss Fisher Murder Mysteries. It’s about 1929 now so... Continue reading →

Dear Jaxon…One Year Old

Dear Jaxon, Happy Birthday Special Precious One. Today you turn one and I’m questioning where the last year has gone to. You’re inquisitive and always on the go. We often mention how Uncle Richard would keep going until he crashed... Continue reading →

Huggies Little Swimmers

A few weeks ago I was approached by Huggies to review their swimming nappies. We’ve been taking Jaxon swimming on and off since he was about 8 weeks old. The first time we took him swimming he really wasn’t happy... Continue reading →

Things I’m Grateful For

Each Friday I join with Ashley from Hello Nature and Laura from Ginger + Co to share the things I’m grateful for this week. Parents They pretty much come up every week when I do this list. This week my Dad... Continue reading →

Let Your Blog Shine: Collection

Over on Facebook I’m part of a blogging group. On the Wednesdays of each month we have a group prompt that we’re all going to answer. This weeks’ prompt is… Collection I’m not sure when it started but I’ve been... Continue reading →

Dear Jaxon… 10 Months

Dear Jaxon… You’re actually nearly eleven months old. We’d had so much on and the issues with the internet that it all went out the window and we had to start with a new plan. At first you managed to... Continue reading →

BEDM2015: Us @ 8

Hi Chris, Eight years ago today we got married. I still tell the story of how I watched Flubber with my bridesmaids plus Hannah on the morning of the wedding. We don’t do stress as Mum said leading up to... Continue reading →

BEDM 2015: Currently…11th May

Each Monday I start with a sum up of what’s currently happening around these parts – especially when some weeks seem to fly by quicker than others! Watching: Election Results – we put the TV on dos the start of... Continue reading →

Two Hannahs and Lots of Blog Talk

Following dinner on Sunday I was allowed to open my birthday presents as Chris would be very busy in the morning trying to sort out various things before going to catch a train to an important appointment. Our Sidekick also... Continue reading →

Sherlocked (and London)

3.43am Yes, I was awake at that time on Sunday morning and it wasn’t because of Jaxon for once. Our smoke alarm decided that we needed a fire drill. I think Chris said something about the battery dying but I... Continue reading →

Currently…Birthday Edition

Each Monday I start with a sum up of what’s currently happening around these parts – especially when some weeks seem to fly by quicker than others! Watching: Bones – While we ate dinner at Mum’s on Saturday we caught... Continue reading →

What’s Next by Kayla…

We have our own “only God” kind of story when it comes to how Our Sidekick came to be living with us four years ago. I am blessed to be sharing the “why?” part of Kayla’s story today, she’ll also... Continue reading →

Adoption by Kayla…

We have our own “only God” kind of story when it comes to how Our Sidekick came to be living with us four years ago. I am blessed to be sharing the “why?” part of Kayla’s story today, she’ll also... Continue reading →

Books: Lost by Elle Field

“I’m starting to realise that age is just a number, but Tabitha pointed out I’m only saying that because I’m twenty-five, engaged, and have my life together. (Touch wood things stay that way.)” Arielle is back! OK, she’s not on... Continue reading →

Currently…13th April

Each Monday I start with a sum up of what’s currently happening around these parts – especially when some weeks seem to fly by quicker than others! Watching: Once Upon A Time – I caught up with the episodes that... Continue reading →

Dear Jaxon…9 Months

Dear Jaxon, You’re such a character now! You love blowing raspberries and now I’ve moved the car seat to the other side I think you like the fact that I turn round and pull faces at you when we’re at... Continue reading →

TGIF: Things I’m Grateful For

Each Friday I join with Ashley from Hello Nature and Laura from Ginger + Co to share the things I’m grateful for this week. Uncle S This was our last week on the Marriage Course. Uncle S and his sidekick... Continue reading →

Happy Mother’s Day

Twenty-nine years ago, my Mum would have been pregnant with me (about eight months ish). This time last year we were discussing whether I got an official or unofficial Mother’s Day as I was pregnant with Jaxon. In the end... Continue reading →

Dear Jaxon…8 Months

Dear Jaxon, You’re now 8 months old. And don’t I know it… You’ve turned into an extra wriggle bum, I put you on the floor on your blanket and then watch you go. Earlier you’d made your way across the... Continue reading →

TIGF: Things I’m Grateful For

Each Friday I join with Ashley from Hello Nature and Laura from Ginger + Co to share the things I’m grateful for this week. Chris Last Friday was horrible. I’d not felt right when I woke up to feed Jaxon... Continue reading →

Unexpected Trips (Part Deux)

It’s the small hours of Thursday morning this time and it’s time for Unexpected Trips: Part Deux. Jaxon had been throwing up since 7pm and although I felt like a paranoid first time mother I wanted him to get checked... Continue reading →

Unexpected Trips

It’s now Wednesday evening and I’ve started this post about three times. The first time was the very small hours of Tuesday morning. Yesterday [Monday] started as normal, well other than Our Sidekick being at home as it’s half term.... Continue reading →

Dear Jaxon…7 Months

Dear Jaxon, Last week you turned seven months old. I had got as far as writing this post but didn’t get as far as finishing it. There were too many exciting (and not so exciting adventures going on!) You’ve recently... Continue reading →

The Ordinary Moments #1

Sometimes it’s hard to know what to write about. What did I do this week that people out there in the world might find interesting. I guess that’s part of the challenge. So this is about focusing on those other... Continue reading →

Currently…9th February

Currently… image from rukristin Watching: Pretty Little Liars (Season 5 – caught up to the episodes that are currently being shown in the US) Death in Paradise (Series 2) Life Unexpected (Season 1 – What is it with me and... Continue reading →

Review: Freida’s Feeding Food

Since Jaxon arrived back in the summer I’ve looked at various recipes for Lactation Cookies and other homemade healthy snacks. Especially when I was first getting the hang of how much I needed to eat to make enough milk but... Continue reading →

Secret Santa

I’m a member of a blogging tribe and we held a secret santa swap before Christmas. I have been part of this group for a couple of months and love the random conversations that happen some days. Recently it’s all... Continue reading →

My First Car #myfirstwheelscomp

Sometime around February/March 2003, with some assistance from my Mum I applied for my first licence. I was determined that I would learn to drive. For my 17th birthday I was given a “batch” of lessons. Around this time I... Continue reading →

Dear Jaxon…6 Months

Dear Jaxon, On Friday you will have been in our lives for six months already. It’s slightly crazy and I don’t quite believe it. We celebrated your first Christmas back in December. I’m not entirely sure you understood what was... Continue reading →

2014: A Big Adventure

The whole of 2014 was a big adventure, we started the year by announcing that we were going to be parents. (53 comments and 81 likes later I think it’s the most popular Facebook status I’ve had ever!) As Jaxon... Continue reading →

Dear Jaxon…5 Months

Dear Jaxon, Hello little boy. How are you today? This morning you weren’t so great. I think you knew that you were spending part of the day with Grandma and Grandpa and decided to be grumpy. Each time I put... Continue reading →

Currently…1st December

Currently… image from rukristin Watching: Strictly Come Dancing (I guessed who was going this week and got it right). Grey’s Anatomy Home Alone The Newsroom Dancing Cheek to Cheek (BBC documentary – it’s fascinating – there are classes and people... Continue reading →

Our Christmas Traditions

Source Each family have their own traditions when it comes to Christmas and the “holiday season”. With Halloween, Bonfire Night, Thanksgiving (for you U.S./Canada Peeps and us this year as we celebrated with our friend from the U.S. who is... Continue reading →

TIGF: The Thanksgiving Edition

Joining up with: Ashley from Hello Nature, Laura from The Laura Way & Nay from Coffee-N-Ink. I’m actually going to keep up and post this on Friday – believe it or not! Friends this week started off with the mother... Continue reading →

Currently…17th November

Currently… image from rukristin Watching: Strictly Come Dancing (I expected Judy to go sooner but now she’s gone – I would like Anton to win someday – he’s been in every series so far and not got that far) Forever... Continue reading →

Currently…10th November

Currently… image from rukristin Watching: Strictly Come Dancing Forever Grey’s Anatomy Doctor Who Downton Abbey Million Dollar Listing NYC Reading: Eleven Doctors, Eleven Stories (I’m up to the Second Doctor) Listening: Not so much music, as I write this I’m... Continue reading →

TGIF: Things I’m Grateful For

Joining up with: Ashley from Hello Nature, Laura from The Laura Way & Nay from Coffee-N-Ink. It’s Friday so it’s time to share the things I am grateful for this week. This week started with Jaxon being poorly. He started... 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 →

#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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

Dear Jaxon… 7 Weeks Old

Dear Jaxon, Today you are 7 weeks old. You’re starting to hold your head up more and also you’ve discovered your hands so between meals you often wedge your hand in your mouth and have a nibble. We seem to... 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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →

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 →