HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!


Now this may sound biased, being a woman and all, but women are pretty incredible creatures.

There capacity to give, to love, to feel, to nurture, to protect seems to have no end. I am so incredibly lucky to be surrounded by such amazing women in my life. From my own dear mum, to my mother-law, to the other women in my family, to my friends. Each one inspiring and supporting me to be the best mum and woman I can be.

Today was such a lovely day, compliments of my husband. Yep, turns out those men ain't so bad either ;)

He prepared a Mother's Day brunch for my mum, my mother-in law (or as I like to call her Mum 2) and myself, complete with Bucks Fizz and flowers for all. A perfect way to spend a Sunday morning.

I didn't take any pictures of today, I was too busy enjoying it, but I wanted to share these pictures of my mum and Caleb that I took earlier on in the week with you. They make me smile so much, because behind every budding superman is a women who's arms are strong enough to hold him ;)


This last picture isn't in focus but I love it so. These two have made each other laugh and smile this past week, and this is just a classic example of that. 

I hope you all had a lovely Mother's Day, celebrating the special women in your life.
Sunday, 30 March 2014 Comments: 0
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LEARNING TO RELAX


Nap when your baby is napping......Yep, all new mothers have certainly had that said to them, like a gazillion times.

Simple, sound advice but somehow the hardest to follow.

Fast forward to the toddler stage, and that advice becomes pretty much impossible to put into practise. Which I can't help but find ironic, seeing as the toddler stage is much more exhausting than the baby stage, in my opinion. Nap time becomes work time. The time I get the wash on, tidy our bomb site of a house, start dinner and so on and so on. You see if I don't get it done whilst Caleb is sleeping, it simply won't get done, and unfortunately word on the street is that everyone needs to eat dinner and have clean clothes on their back ;)

Approaching the 30 weeks pregnant mark this Sunday, has meant I've never wanted to take that nap more than I do now. People's advice would be, 'Hell, go for it, take the nap!', but if I do I know the rest of my day will be thrown into chaos. When I weigh that up against the nap, the nap no longer seems that appealing.

I do know however that rest is important, and although I may not be the type of person who can ignore a mountain of washing, or resist picking up all the toys whilst my little demolition man snoozes, I am learning to take the time to at least put my feet up. Even if it's just for five minutes. I don't find myself reaching for a magazine, or my computer to blog (yeah, sorry blog ;), or putting the TV on to catch up on our ever growing Sky+ menu. No, I sit in silence. Sweet silence. It's incredible what just five minutes of silence can do for an exhausted, frazzled brain....oh and a cup of earl grey tea ;)
Thursday, 20 March 2014 Comments: 4
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TIRED BUT HAPPY


Oh you guys, there is so much I want to blog about, but the tiredness. Oh, the tiredness.

A day spent running after a toddler all day long, is a day well spent, but leaves little room for anything else lately. I'm currently a good for nothing, exhausted heap typing these very words from my bed. My sweet, sweet bed ;)

Although I may be exhausted, can I just say, I am so very, very happy. This tiredness is a worth while tiredness. My body is growing another little person, and all the while taking care of another (not so little anymore) person too. I'm pretty proud of that fact.

For the days when tiredness turns to weariness (you know how those days can be with a toddler ;) and my patience is wearing thin, I remind myself of this quote...

The crazy ones, the misfits, the rebels, the troublemakers, the round pegs in the square holes...the ones who see things differently -- they're not fond of rules...You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them, but the only thing you can't do is ignore them because they change things...they push the human race forward, and while some may see them as crazy, we see genius, because the ones who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones that do - Steve Jobs

This quote makes me smile so much, as I have one very headstrong and fiercely independent boy on my hands. I need to remind myself that these qualities should be celebrated and not quashed. I have a natural big brother on my hands, that is for sure.

(The above picture is taken from #my_365 project that I'm doing over on Instagram. If you'd like to follow our 365 journey you can do by following @thislittlehouse_ )
Tuesday, 11 March 2014 Comments: 1
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SIMPLE PLEASURES


I have spoken about this many times before, how little ones really make you appreciate the simple things in life. Something that seems utterly trivial is a wonder, and you can't help share in that delight. It's intoxicating.

Toddlers however are such tricky creatures. Yes, they enjoy the simple things in life. But boy, can they make yours complicated.

A simple walk to the park, without the pram, a couple of months back was a total nightmare. I had a little boy who was completely confused with his new found freedom. Out of the pram usually only happened in safe zones, open spaces. Now I was extending that freedom outwith the safe zones but with conditions.

Those conditions being that he walked on the pavement and not the road.

That he not run up neighbours driveways (The idea of a car backing out scares the hell out of me)

If need be, that he holds mama's hand. (A must for me, when Caleb approaches dogs and their owners. You never know the temperament of a dog that you're unfamiliar with)

What became apparent quite quickly, is what the hell does a toddler know about conditions??!

This period was as much as a learning curve for me, as it was to him.

But with consistency, and A LOT of repetition, we have achieved what felt like the unachievable, a walk to the park, sans pram, tears, and tantrums!

Never mind Caleb enjoying the simple pleasures. This mama could have jumped for joy. I could have told every man and his dog in the park that day. Guess what?? My son and I just walked to the park!!!!!!!! (hmmmm, back away from the crazy lady ;)

You know what I love most about it? It's something we can do at the drop of a hat.

Need to kill 10 minutes or even more? Let's just walk to the park. No big epic leaving the house round up or organising. Just grab our coats, a ball, house keys (always remember the house keys!;) and we're off.

It's now something that we do daily, and we are both loving it. Caleb, my boy, this is certainly a proud mama moment.


Wednesday, 5 March 2014 Comments: 6
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MAMA, CALEB & BABY BUMP


MAMA.

Today marks the start of my third trimester. To say the second trimester zoomed by is an understatement. I'm now making a conscious effort to slow things down a little and enjoy this last stage. But lets be honest I don't have much choice but to slow down seeing as baby bump is starting to take over ;)

Oh yeah, I've totally started to get my waddle on, not to mention a bad back, and if I walk too quick I get a stitch, and running after Caleb? Well that just involves a trip to the toilet straight after. Nice huh!! No I'm not a 100 year old lady, just 27 weeks pregnant ;)

All joking (okay. moaning ;) aside, I am so unbelievably excited. I cannot wait to meet baby and see Caleb become a big brother.

CALEB.

Talking of Caleb, my little tearaway, does not stop.

He does not walk, he runs. Everywhere.

He says 'Hi' to everyone he meets. Be it man, dog, or car. To him, it's fair game. 

His favourite haunts just now are the zoo, the museum and the park. Pretty much anywhere outdoors and I've got a happy boy on my hands.

He's a little love bug just now, kisses galore. I'm lapping it up while I can 'cause you never know when those kisses will go back on lock down. 

He's a climber. Whether it's at the play park, soft play or scaling our furniture :/ The boy has no fear!

We're encouraging him more and more to use his words, to no avail just now. He certainly understands what we're saying but he has decided to give us a run for our money it would appear. It doesn't surprise me in the slightest, Caleb does what he wants, when he wants to do it ;)

Oh and his hat, it's still firmly attached to his head at ALL times.

BABY BUMP

Is one active baby! Most active of an evening and the early hours of the morning. Do we have a night owl on our hands do you think??! :/

Each midwife appointment has gone like clockwork, listening to that heartbeat gets me every time. According to my last appointment I was measuring a day big, but seeing as baby's big brother came in at a whopping 9lb 9, there's no surprises there!! Only time will tell. 

We're starting to plan baby bumps arrival, and what we need to buy, of course that means considering what double stroller to purchase. Also, I'm really keen to find a good sling, as I think that will be the best scenario with a toddler to run after as well. We'll also get a buggy board for when Caleb is less interested being in the pram. Lots of things to sort, but I have to say it's my favourite part ♥

Not long now, baby bump.

We're so excited to meet you!
Sunday, 2 March 2014 Comments: 6
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