Pretty much from the minute your baby arrives into this world the tests and watching for development milestones start. I have been determined with my second and last child that I will not get caught up in the statements, thoughts and concerns over what milestones she is reaching. My son walked at around 18 months, I can remember being anxious about it, feeling almost pressure into getting him walking. Then came the Potty training, all conversation seemed to be about poo and nappies. ...
Ankylosing Spondylitis and Me
It started with back pain. The mornings were the worst, the stiffness and pain in my lower back when getting out of bed. I was only in my early twenties but back pain is so common you just get on with it and little sympathy is found. I went to the doctors several times and was told to try and rest, lose weight and it should be fine. It went on for months and months, then whilst in work I started to get terrible head aches and pain in the back of my eyes. Yet again I went to the doctors and was ...
A night out. Before and after children.
Last night I had a girls night out. A actual girls night out. My first one in over 12 months. Everyone loves a girls night out. Although my love of a night out with the girls has never changed the fact I now have two children has changed the preparation and planning for it, quite dramatically. Whilst getting ready last night these differences popped into my head, Before children 1. Get some music on 2. Pour myself a nice big glass of vodka and coke. 3. ...
A message for my son (on the eve of your 7th birthday)
14 months ago your sister arrived. You have always wanted to be a big brother and you have become the very best big brother anyone could ask for. Whilst my life has been taken over with nappies, feeding and all things baby related you have grown so much. My little boy has changed in the past year, I see the man you will become in the boy in front of me. I have had moments when I have felt so guilty that I have not been able to be there for you. I remember in those first few months of Matilda ...
Nearly Festival Season
I have turned the calendar over to May, this can which can only mean one thing in this household. Along with such important matters like a certain boys birthday it also means it is countdown to the start of festival season! This year we will be heading off to France for two weeks in the caravan so it is going to be a quite season, we may only fit two festivals in and to be honest although possible with a toddler, it is hard work. Last summer Matilda was the grand old age of 3 months when we ...
A different stroke.
Today we got the paint brushes out but not traditional style brushes. Little hands can struggle to hold traditional style brushes so we made something a little easier for a one year old to hold. We used cotton wool, pegs and paint (use edible paint if you prefer) and have a lot of baby wipes close by if your painting indoors. I started by showing Tilly how to hold and dab the paint on the paper. I was expecting her to put it straight in her mouth but she copied my actions and got stuck straight ...