Monthly Archives: March 2014

One pair of boots – three ways

31 Monday Mar 2014

Posted by in Kids' fashion

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Boots

We love shoes in this house. Despite having bendy feet and needing special hospital-issue insoles because of her hypermobility, my three and three quarter year old is obsessed with shoes. She takes after her mum like that. So when the lovely people at Bobux got in touch to see if we’d be interested in reviewing a pair from their range it was an immediate “yes”.

I did have reservations though – would they fit properly? How would I know if they were suitable for my tot’s bendy ankles without trying them on first? Would they be sturdy enough to withstand all the dancing / jumping / running that my energetic child would be bound to do in them?  Continue reading »

Will I ever not need my mum?

28 Friday Mar 2014

Posted by in Motherhood

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Grandma and granddaughter

“Hi Mum”. The conversation always starts the same. She can immediately tell if I’m ringing just for a chat or if there’s a specific purpose to the call. She has me sussed from those two words alone.

There was a period a few months back when I was ringing once, sometimes even twice a day. I’d always be apologetic, but life was so stressful with work and the house that I needed to either vent or ask for advice. She was always there to listen and offer whatever it was I needed. One time I just broke down sobbing, when I thought we’d lost the house we now live in, and she cried too. I feel guilty for that.

I remember ringing her in the midst of some crisis or other when I was at university. She dropped everything and drove to Cardiff, bringing a picnic full of my favourite treats. We chatted as we ate sandwiches in a sunny park. I felt better afterwards and the supposed crisis didn’t seem like so much of a crisis any more.  Continue reading »

Sorry for the bump pic

27 Thursday Mar 2014

Posted by in Pregnancy

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13 weeks pregnancy bump

I first encountered the “bump pic” when I was pregnant with my now three and three quarter year old daughter, Frog. I was browsing something online (probably, “Can I STILL not eat blue cheese when pregnant?”) when I came across a gallery of bumps. Not celebrity bumps either, just normal people bumps. It was a revelation. I laughed. “Why are people taking pictures of their preggo bumps?!” I wondered aloud to my colleagues in the newsroom.

Of course I’d seen the Demi Moore bump pics. Those tastefully shot naked pregnancy photographs displaying her huge belly in all its glory. I found that kind of funny too, although I can’t put my finger on why. Maybe it’s because, in my non-parent, non-pregnant state I didn’t really see what the big deal was. Are we supposed to bow down in amazement at this beautiful bump? Should this woman be placed on a special pedestal of awe just because she’s got a baby inside her tummy? I didn’t get it.  Continue reading »

Going out is better than staying at home

25 Tuesday Mar 2014

Posted by in Motherhood, Play, Travel

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Pennywell Farm

Up until last week, the sofa has held us captive. There’ve been so many afternoons when it’s all I could do to drag myself to the kitchen and the thought of actually leaving the house seemed impossible. Morning (or “all day”) sickness does that to you.

Last Friday was the first one in ages that has been both free of commitments and morning sickness. So I decided to celebrate by taking Frog on a mum / daughter day trip to a local farm that’s been recommended by countless people.  Continue reading »

Netflix and the first trimester endurance test

24 Monday Mar 2014

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Netflix and the first trimester

So far this pregnancy has seen me give up wine (sob), bread (double sob) and milk. But that’s not all. I’ve also given up late nights and adjusted the hours I spend sitting in front of my computer working. Gone are the 11pm marathon I’ve-Got-To-Meet-This-Deadline evenings and in are early nights and evenings wallowing in the bath.

The first trimester hasn’t been a particularly easy one. I’ve had horrible sickness, extreme exhaustion and felt generally crap. I wrote in my last post about some of the things that have helped, but I want to dedicate a special place in my heart and on my blog to one particular first trimester saviour: Netflix.  Continue reading »

My first trimester saviours

21 Friday Mar 2014

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first trimester saviours

They say no two pregnancies are the same and, so far, this is proving very true in my case.

With Frog, I spent the first trimester utterly exhausted. That kind of tiredness that just seeps right into your bones and leaves you able to do nothing but sleep. Although I spent many evenings feeling nauseous, there wasn’t actually too much sickness. I just felt bloated, tired and generally crap.

With this pregnancy I’ve felt all that and more. The biggest difference is the sickness. I’ve never experienced anything like it. From the moment I opened my eyes in the morning until the moment I closed them at night I battled against extreme waves of nausea. It meant there’ve been many afternoons when I’ve had to cancel plans to take Frog out because I physically can’t be more than two metres from the toilet.  Continue reading »

Three years blogging

20 Thursday Mar 2014

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Last month marked three years since I started this blog. Three whole years. It doesn’t seem like very long really, but when I sit and think about it I realise how much has happened in those three years.

What has happened in your life since you started blogging?

Here’s what has happened in mine:  Continue reading »

Her finest glad rags – introducing Their Nibs London

19 Wednesday Mar 2014

Posted by in Baby and toddler products, Fashion, Style

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Their Nibs London

A couple of weeks ago a beautiful parcel arrived through our door. It’s the kind of PR sample I love, all wrapped up in soft tissue paper and presented in a swish fabric tote. This was my first experience of Their Nibs, a brand specialising in vintage style children’s clothing.

To be honest, it’s the kind of brand that I regularly drool over on other blogs and in swanky magazines, but only actually buy from for special events. Having had no special events to prepare for until recently, Their Nibs had completely passed me by.  Continue reading »

“Is it a pet Mummy?”

18 Tuesday Mar 2014

Posted by in Family, Pregnancy

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So it looks like Frog has fully embraced the notion that, around the end of September, she is going to be a big sister.

She has the “big sister” part nailed. She also seems to understand the fact the baby is in my tummy, although her constant, “Your tummy is a bit fat now Mummy” this morning hasn’t done anything to assuage my insecurities over the alarming rate my waist is expanding.

Judging by a couple of her questions before heading off to pre-school though, there are still a few issues we need to iron out.  Continue reading »