03 Tuesday Jul 2012
Posted in Motherhood, Play
It was Frog’s birthday party last weekend. Panicking about the weather and the fact I’d invited most of the village, I almost cancelled on more than one occasion.
But we held firm, managed to source a couple of gazebos and, miraculously, the party went ahead.
Because I’m truly an expert in party planning and parenting *ahem* I thought I’d share my top tips for a successful birthday bash. Continue reading »
30 Saturday Jun 2012
Posted in Motherhood
Advertorial
I have a confession to make. It’s not big and it’s not clever.
Neither myself, nor the (self-proclaimed) Northern Love Machine have drawn up a will yet. I say “yet” because it’s one of those things that we keep meaning to do, but never seem to get around to.
It’s stupid really, seeing as we both know exactly what we want to happen to Frog should anything terrible befall us. What’s more stupid is that we’ve both been meaning to sort out the issue of wills and life insurance ever since our wedding in August last year. Continue reading »
28 Thursday Jun 2012
Posted in Motherhood
Tags
.motherhood, baby, daughter, hands, Parenting, The Gallery, working mother
When I think about hands, my mind immediately turns to tiny fingers, minute finger nails and chubby wrists. The hands of my daughter.
But it’s these very hands, these tiny hands, which have made my own hands what they are now.
Because, without these mini fingers in my life, my own hands would not have found their current purpose. Continue reading »
27 Wednesday Jun 2012
Posted in Family, Motherhood
Tags
.motherhood, birthdays, cake, chocolate, hypermobility, love
Dear Frog,
My beautiful girl.
How on earth did you get so big? You’re all long and lanky now, just like your dad. Your gorgeous skinny legs – although far too flexible – remind me of a dangly scarecrow. Not much different to the day you were born, really.
This day two years ago, we looked at you as you slept in your clear plastic bed, discussing your frog-like feet and scarecrow limbs. Love hit us like a bullet. Continue reading »
26 Tuesday Jun 2012
Posted in Motherhood, Pregnancy
Tags
.motherhood, babies, birth, birthdays, labour pains, Pregnancy
It started with a hot, hot morning. The sun beat down on my swollen belly.
The tears flowed freely when I heard my mum’s voice on the end of the phone.
“Nothing’s happening,” I sniffed. “I thought it was all kicking off yesterday, but everything’s stopped. I don’t feel like it’s safe in there anymore!” Continue reading »
23 Saturday Jun 2012
Posted in Motherhood, Work
Photo Credit: Alan Light
My inner Oprah Winfrey needs to be channelled. She’s sitting on the sofa today, demanding I take notice of her life coaching advice.
I can’t ignore her any longer.
She tells me to stop for a minute. Just a minute. And take a moment to recall the events of the past year. She tells me that, rather than berating myself for not achieveing the mountain of tasks on my to-do list this week, I should take stock of what I have achieved.
She tells me to look at the bigger picture.
Apparently, I need to remember where I was this time last year. I need to remember that I was yet to get married. I was in a haze of last-minute planning for said wedding. I was attempting the beginnings of a blog, a freelance career. Continue reading »
18 Monday Jun 2012
Posted in Speech
There’s nothing like being brought back to earth by a brutally honest three year old. This particular three year old goes by the name of Arthur and lives next door.
A week has passed, but the harsh reality of his words still rings in my ears.
Arthur: “Um. Molly? Did you know something? Did you know that when I was a baby I drank milk from my Mummy’s boobies?” Continue reading »
11 Friday May 2012
Posted in Motherhood, Relationships
Tags
When I was pregnant, I was often told that on becoming a parent I would lose three things that I had formerly taken for granted: my waist, my sleep and my friends.
My waist has slowly made a post-baby return. Sleep is our friend once again. And my friends? Well, they’re still around too. More than ever in fact.
22 months after becoming a mother, friends still form an important part of my life. Whether it’s a chat on the phone, an afternoon cup of tea or a night out dancing and drinking wine, my relationships with friends are just as strong now as they ever were before I was a mother. In some cases, they’re stronger. Continue reading »
08 Tuesday May 2012
Posted in Walking
This is my daughter.
Lover of flapjack, creator of mischief, wearer of shoes.
She likes to crayon, play with mud and hide before bathtime.
And she can’t walk. Continue reading »
23 Monday Apr 2012
Posted in Motherhood, Walking
When I became pregnant with my daughter, two years ago this October, I wished so hard that she would be born healthy.
Being the suspicious type of woman that I am, I would catch those fluffy white floating seeds, close my eyes and wish for my baby’s health, then let the seeds float away on the breeze again. Every kick would bring a sense of comfort, even if it was poking right up into my ribs, as I felt safe in the knowledge my unborn child was very much alive inside me.
And then she was born.
And the wishes became about more than just her health. I now find myself wishing all sorts of things for my daughter, on a daily basis. Here are the top five: Continue reading »