Monthly Archives: April 2014

Naming the baby

29 Tuesday Apr 2014

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I don’t know whether it’s because I’m pregnant or if it’s because of her age, but Frog has recently found a new interest in playing with her dolls. Or, one doll in particular.

She puts it to bed and puts it on the potty and cuddles it. She tells it stories and feeds it milk from a bottle (“My boobies haven’t got milk in them Mummy” she rolls her eyes when I ask why the bottle). And she names it. Every. Single. Day.

This naming business has bypassed the doll and gone straight to the actual real life baby growing in my belly. Frog is OBSESSED with what we’re going to call her baby brother or sister. OBSESSED.  Continue reading »

The corners of my kitchen

24 Thursday Apr 2014

Posted by in Home, Style

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Kitchen corners

I’m going to admit something here: I love a good nosey around other people’s spaces.

It’s true. That picture you put on Instagram? Secretly I’m peaking past the foreground of your photo, trying to work out what design your wallpaper is and if that table is an Annie Sloan upcycle number. Sorry.

I put it largely down to my interiors obsession of late. I say “of late”, I mean “of the past two years”.

Ever since we decided to save up to buy our own place I’ve had big plans. They mainly involve pinning ideas on Pinterest, reading interiors magazines and blogs and deciding which trends I like (chevron – tick) and which will be a passing craze not worth bothering about (clashing florals – bleurgh). Continue reading »

Changing habits – the No Junk Challenge

22 Tuesday Apr 2014

Posted by in Family, Health, Recipes

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Healthy eating

We like food in our house. Food is right up there with sunshine and holidays, as far as we’re concerned. We also rather like cooking, and the odd bit of baking too.

When Frog was tiny we went down the Baby-led Weaning route. She’s always been fiercely independent and wouldn’t even let me put a spoonful of medicine in her mouth, so the thought of battling with purees terrified me.

This means that Frog has always eaten what we’ve eaten. The idea of cooking a separate tea for her and then cooking again later in the evening did not appeal to my lazy side.  Continue reading »

Quick Beauty Tips for Busy Mums

22 Tuesday Apr 2014

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Beauty products

Fancy face creams and a bit of pampering have taken on new importance now I’m pregnant. It might sound shallow, but taking care of my skin and painting my nails gives me a boost that I really need at the moment.

Thing is, when you have a demanding three (and three quarter) year old, work deadlines and a million and one other things to keep on top of, it’s not always easy to prioritise a beauty routine. So I’m pleased to share this guest post crammed full with handy beauty tips for the busy mum.  Continue reading »

On accepting (and trying to love) my changing body shape

16 Wednesday Apr 2014

Posted by in Health, Pregnancy

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I think it’s one of life’s great ironies that the two periods in my adulthood when I have treated my body as a temple have been when my stomach has absolutely no chance of getting any flatter.

With this pregnancy, just as when I was pregnant with Frog, I’ve found myself eating more healthily, getting more exercise and making sure I go to bed at a reasonable hour. It seems I need the excuse of growing another human to take proper care of myself.

I’ve never been a massive health freak. I find the gym boring and conversations about diets dull. At university I joined the Yoga club and did three sessions of Yoga a week (the relaxation bit at the end was my favourite), along with enduring a regular visit to the gym to try and balance out my excessive student alcohol consumption. But that’s as far as it went. Continue reading »

Lessons I learned while doing DIY with my husband

15 Tuesday Apr 2014

Posted by in Home, Relationships

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DIY

Last week proved to be the biggest test to my marriage yet. Forget childbirth, newborn babies and living without a dishwasher. This was far, far worse.

We battled through it and came out the other side, I’d like to say stronger than before, but that’s debatable. Here are the lessons I learned during the testing period that was our first ever major DIY project together. A period covering four days of blood, sweat and tears. Literally.

1) My husband thinks I am like my mother Continue reading »

Testing 2 year olds? Time to emigrate

03 Thursday Apr 2014

Posted by in Opinion

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Do you ever get the feeling you’re living in a parallel universe? Like you’re in a dream, suddenly finding yourself in a world that you don’t much recognise?

I get that feeling a lot at the moment. It comes on me in a rush, like an instant cold sweat, every time I read about proposed changes to the education system in this country.

This morning, I read the latest idea touted by Ofsted, to test two year olds in numeracy and literacy, to make them “better prepared for primary school” and I had to pinch myself. Continue reading »

More baby confusion

02 Wednesday Apr 2014

Posted by in Pregnancy, Seasonal

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“Mummy, is it Easter soon?” asked my three and three quarter year old at the breakfast table yesterday morning.

I saw this as a good opportunity to have a Meaningful Conversation and impart some of my extensive knowledge.

“Yes, and do you know what happens at Easter?” I replied.

The answer was a predictable one, mainly revolving around chocolate and holidays. Determined to press on, I mentioned Jesus and the idea of celebrating new life. We’re not a religious family, but I thought it important my almost four year old had some idea of the story behind Easter.  Continue reading »