Would Like To Be A Yummy Mummy

67/366 - Cheeky Smile

2012-03-07T19:51:00.001Z

I took this picture of Poppy on my phone and think her smile is infectious:

Karen x

Celebrating Mum This Mothers Day

2012-03-07T13:17:00.001Z

Its coming up to Mothers Day and the time we are supposed to recognise and appreciate everything our Mums do for us.

I personally think we take them for granted and don't really appreciate them until we become Mums ourselves. Its not intentional but I don't think you can truly understand what Mums go through, or how much they love/care for you or worry about you until you feel all these emotions yourself. Being a Mum is the best feeling in the world and you would do anything for your child.

I am lucky to have a lovely Mum who is also the most wonderful Nanny. I love seeing her play with my girls and Nephews and know she must have been the same with my Sister and I when we were little.

Growing up, we had our ups and downs like most Mums and teenage girls but since having a family of my own we have an even better/ closer relationship. I know if I ever need her, she will drop everything and do everything she can to help. She is one in a million and I feel very lucky to have her.

So what gifts for Mum express what you want to say and how on earth do you thank her? Especially when over the years you have done all the chocolates, flowers, photos, handmade gifts etc. Well you could try www.findmeagift.com They have a range of fun and novel gifts to suit every budget.

For me, well I have my ideas but I am going to save it for a surprise.

Love you Mum and thanks for everything.

Karen x

Although this is a sponsored post all the words are my own and I mean everyone of them!

Pink or Blue?.....We Know The Baby's Gender!

2012-03-06T19:07:00.000Z

Today we had our 20 week scan and I was thrilled to see how much our baby had grown and developed since the last one. Everything appears to be in the right place and developing as it should, which was great to hear and very reassuring.

We were keen to discover our little ones gender but for much of the scan the little monkey had its legs closed. However, just when I was thinking we might not find out today, they gave a big wiggle and we managed to get a a quick glimpse.

So what will it be....pink or blue?

I am not one for keeping secrets so am happy to share the news and am thrilled to announce its another little girl. Poppy is so excited and shouted out loudly "See, I told you it didn't have a willy"! She has been convinced it was a girl all along ha ha.

We are all happy about it as we love girls and pink in this house. At least we know what we are doing with another girl. Husband thinks he's getting away with being able to recycle, clothes and toys so it will be cheaper but he hasn't thought as far ahead as three weddings!

I thought it might be nice for Husband and I to have a boy but I do think for the girls it would be nice to have another Sister. Three girls will be perfect and I hope they will be close.

It was lovely to see her sucking away on her fingers and moving around, she was a bit of a wriggler. It always amazes me how much detail you can see from the four chambers of the heart to her little fingers and toes. So cute. Its all very exciting and I cant wait to buy her a pretty little dress and meet her .

Only another 20 weeks to go!!

Karen x

66/366 - Rosie Sleeps

2012-03-06T12:56:00.000Z

Rosie looks so peaceful whilst sleeping. She has recently taken to filling her cot with all her favourite toys and dolls to play with when she wakes up.

When Poppy is at School and she is due for a nap, she will run to Poppy's room to grab a few of hers too. She is very cheeky.

Karen x

My Bump Diary - 20 Weeks Pregnant

2012-03-06T07:30:00.000Z

Yeeehhh I am 20 weeks pregnant and therefore halfway through this pregnancy.

Our baby is now the size of a cantaloupe melon so is growing daily. He or she now measures approx 26cm crown to heel and is steadily putting on weight as am I:

Now covered in that slick, white coat of fatty substance called vernix caseosa, he or she is swallowing more too.

and me....I have been feeling great. I have more energy then I have for a while, I am eating pretty healthily and am generally feeling good. That horrible metallic taste has not reappeared, neither has the heartburn. The itchiness has even stopped so I have no complaints.

The only thing I am struggling with is carrying Rosie around. She has become increasingly clingy and wants to be picked up/ held all the time and that has caused me some back trouble. A bit of pampering helped this weekend though. Husband treated me to a lovely back, neck & shoulder massage as well as a pedicure and it really did the trick. I might have to do it more often.

I have been sleeping well, taking my vitamins and trying to drink lots of water. I have had no cravings but have been fancying sweet things more often than usual. I am starting to show a little now and definitely feel more pregnant. I am also feeling lots of movement.

I am starting to worry about the whole giving birth thing again. Rosie's birth was pretty awful I really don't want to do it again but guess I have no choice. I think its scarier once you have done it once or twice because you know how awful and painful it is. For now I think I should just try not to think about it as I still have a while to go.

We have our 20 week scan later today so will hopefully get to announce if we need to buy pink or blue. Poppy is very excited about it all and is hoping for a girl. I don't mind either way but hope to find out. I just hope everything looks as though its growing as it should and looks healthy. I cant wait to get organised and start buying a few bits.

Karen x

65/366 - My 20 Week Bump

2012-03-05T19:18:00.000Z

Okay so now I am 20 weeks pregnant I appear to have suddenly grown a little bump. I must admit I dont' usually look very pregnant at the start of the day but by the end, it looks like this:

There is no getting away from it, there is a baby in there and tomorrow we might discover if its a boy or girl!

Karen x

Dear Girls....

2012-03-05T13:38:00.001Z

Its been a while since I wrote you both a letter and you are growing up so quickly, I thought I had better do it before I forget all the little things you are doing. I think it will be lovely for you to look back on these when you are older and see how much you are loved:

Poppy, you are turning into a gorgeous little girl who can be very kind natured. You sing, dance and talk non-stop which can be quite exhausting to watch but I love it. You are still really enjoying your ballet lessons and we read ballerina stories every night. You always tell me you need to practise really hard to be good but you want to be good.

Your imagination seems to be really going wild recently and you always want to play games with us where you can use it. This can be Doctors, Dentists, Hotels, Princesses, bus rides or almost anything. You remind me of me when I was little.

You love your Preschool and your Teachers and seem to be thriving. I have been told that you like to help the little ones a lot. You are also pretty good with Rosie, trying to teach her new things when you can be bothered!

You love being outside in the fresh air but have also recently started to like my laptop. It amazes me how well you can use the mouse and play different games already. I don't like you to be on there all the time so will distract you by letting you out on the tramperline or taking you out on your bike.

You have really got into baking and cooking recently and love making surprises for Daddy. You are getting quite independent and like me to let you get on with it.

Although you do have your moments (and your tantrums,) you are generally pretty good! You are also really looking forward to having a new Brother or Sister.

Rosie, You are changing so much and growing up so quickly, its unbelievable.

At just 20 months you are a gorgeous , cheeky little monkey. Your personality is starting to really shine through and your speech and language are amazing. You have a vocabulary of about 60 words+ and can link two or three words together to make short sentences. You also understand everything!

Some of the cheeky things you have come out with recently are "Rosie's ready" when I tell you your dinner is not yet ready, it needs to cool down a bit. and the other day you wanted to play with your little slide and I said in a minute. Instead of waiting you came right up to me, gave me the cutest smile ever and said "pretty please". You were so adorable I let you play with it straight away.

You are also now toilet trained and have even amazed me with how well you have done with it. I would say it took about 2 weeks and you have never had an accident since, even when out. You also take great delight in flushing the toilet and washing your hands. All the other Mums are amazed. You are a clever little girl.

I think you are starting to realise something is going on with me being pregnant. You have become much more clingy and when anyone mentions the word baby you look up your top which is quite cute. I am finding it quite difficult carrying you though, as you are getting to be a big girl now. You have just had a huge growth spurt and have shot up even taller. I am going to get some baby books to help explain what is happening.

Talking about books, you love them. At the moment your favourite ones are The Very Hungry Caterpillar and The Gruffalo. You make me read them again and again but you also enjoy pointing out all the things you recognise like the different types of food, the woods, woodpecker etc.. You are such a clever girl already!

I am so proud of you both and the little people you are turning into. I am having so much fun watching you grow up. I am also enjoying the bond that is developing between you both and love watching you play together. It is very special and I hope you will always continue to be close.

I love you both very much

Hugs and kisses

Mummy xx

My Week That Was...

2012-03-04T20:46:00.000Z

Another week has flown by and what a lovely week it has been.

Monday was another usual Monday. Poppy went to School and Rosie and I stayed home. The weather was good so we played outside for a while and then when she napped I went right through cleaning. When Poppy got back from School we played out a bit more and it was a pretty good but quiet day.

Tuesday was a bit mixed. I had a serious wobble in the morning where I was getting really fed up and sore of carrying an increasingly clingy Rosie to School and back. It improved when we went to our usual toddler group in the afternoon though. It was lovely to see the other Mums and have a chat and Rosie was more confident today, joining in with her Sisters activities.

Wednesday, nothing much happened. Poppy went to School, Rosie napped and I actually rested and blogged instead of running around tidying and cleaning. It was lovely.

Thursday - Poppy went to School this morning dressed as a ballerina for World Book Day and then we enjoyed a lovely afternoon at home. We took her balance bike out, then we painted a little clay pot she made with her Daddy at the weekend. We even did some baking.

Friday - Was a lovely day. First we headed off to do our usual music group. One of Poppy's friends from School came for the first time and really enjoyed it. Our really good friends who moved away in the Summer also came which was lovely. Afterwards we went to lunch where we caught up on all the gossip and let the kids run wild before heading off to the park. Great fun. We all really miss them so it was great to catch up.

Saturday - We started the day with a lovely leisurely breakfast in bed. Not quite the same as it would have been pre children but lovely nevertheless:

Then Poppy had her usual ballet lesson. I took both girls and Husband stayed home to tackle the huge ironing pile, he managed to get quite a bit done. This afternoon I had some serious pampering...a pedicure and a back, neck & shoulder massage. Bliss. I was exhausted after that though so had a long bath and early night.

Sunday - I woke up feeling dreadful. We were supposed to be taking the girls to a farm today but it was raining this morning so we decided to go next weekend. Instead we had a very lazy day at home instead with a roast dinner, DVDs and all the toys out.

My week in pictures:

Hope you've all had a good week.

Karen x

64/366 - Mummy & Rosie

2012-03-04T19:30:00.002Z

Rosie and I were messing around with my phone taking pictures today, Most of them didn't work out but I liked this one:

Karen x

Making Life Easier - The Sanamama Baby Carrier

2012-03-04T18:00:00.000Z

I have recently been sent a baby carrier to trial and review and couldn't wait to tell you all about it.

Some of you may have read my post from earlier in the week about how I was struggling being 19 weeks pregnant and carrying my increasingly clingy little girl, up and down the hill on the School run. Well, now at 20 weeks, we have a solution.

The Sanamama baby carrier draws on the wisdom of generations of African mothers. It distributes your babies weight evenly across your back, meaning your hands are free, allowing you get on and get things done whilst your baby feels close to you and secure.

You can use from about four months, or once your little one can fully support his or her own head. and then continue using up to around 3 years. This one is going to get lots of use as I can use it for Rosie for now and then put away for our new one.

It is so easy to put on I can do it by myself. You can either sit them on it or stand them up when they are this age,then you crouch down in front of them, slip your arms in and pull them up on your back. It really is simple:

Rosie actually helps me by wrapping her feet around my waist and then I can do the strap up under them. Luckily for me its not tight and very soft around my bump so I can use it quite comfortably for now.

One of the things I really like about it, is how lightweight it is. Unlike the other one we have (which is too heavy for me to use) there is no metal framework. It means this is very light and when not in use can be folded up small and even put in your handbag. Perfect for this age when they decide they want to walk for a bit.

Rosie is quite happy to use this and cant wait to get in it. However, on the one occasion when she wanted to walk and tried really hard to wiggle out, there was no way she could. It is very secure.

I think you can see that Rosie looks very comfortable and happy in it and I really like it too:

We would definitely recommend to others.

Thank you Sanamama you have made our life much easier and we cannot recommend this product enough!

Karen x

For the record, I was given this baby carrier for the purpose of review but all words and opinions are my own!

63/366 - Pretty Toes

2012-03-03T19:37:00.000Z

I am feeling very relaxed and revitalised today after a bit of pampering and me time. After suffering from back ache this week, Husband treated me to a pedicure and back, neck & shoulder massage which was wonderful.

The girls were very excited about my new pink toes and Poppy took this photo especially for my blog:

I think I might need to get my fingernails done next.

Karen x

62/366 - Good Friends and Lunch Out

2012-03-02T20:05:00.002Z

Today we enjoyed a really lovely day catching up with friends we have not seen in months.

They came to our music group like the old days before moving away, we enjoyed a lovely lunch out and then we went to the park. The girls all had great fun and so did we.

I didn't take many photos but I did get this one:

Its been a good day!

Karen x

Pretty Little Things - Denim

2012-03-02T08:00:00.000Z

Another week and another chance to showcase some of the pretty little things we have in this house.

So this weeks topic is denim! Anyone who knows me or this blog will know that my little girls never wear trousers so would never be seen in jeans - there is plenty of time for that. They do however, have several lovely denim dresses and skirts.

This is one of my favourite skirts.

Its was brought for Poppy a few years ago from Mamas and Papas. Despite being worn to death it has worn and washed really well and still looks like new. I love it

A very girly version of denim: comfortable, durable but ever so pretty too. It can be dressed up and dressed down and I think my girls look fab in it:

For more pretty little things head over to Dear Beautiful Boy and Mummy Daddy and Me Makes Three:

Karen x

A Lovely Afternoon - Bike Rides & Crafty Stuff

2012-03-01T20:42:00.001Z

As usual Thursday afternoons are special Mummy/Poppy time. Rosie sleeps for a good 3 hours which means Poppy and I get to play and spend some quality time together.

Today we have made the most of the good weather and took the bike out on the hill outside the back of the house. I had the baby monitor with me and could see the front door so knew Rosie was okay:

After that we came in and did some painting. Poppy and her Daddy made a little clay pot the other day and it needed painting so we did that and decorated it with little gems. Poppy had great fun and was thrilled with the result:

Finally we sat back and relaxed. me on my laptop and Poppy on Daddy's ipad ssshhh don't tell him:

Once Rosie got up she joined in and painted her little pot:

And then we all made some cakes:

What a lovely afternoon!

Karen x

61/366 - Feeling Better

2012-03-01T14:20:00.000Z

My little monkey is feeling more like herself and has been happily giggling and playing today:

Its nice to seeing her back to her normal cheeky self again.

Karen x

National Book Week

2012-03-01T10:04:00.000Z

So this week has been National Book Week and today is World Book Day. Many children have gone into School dressed as their favourite characters from their favourite stories today.

Story time in our house is a very special time. Although we read books at several times during the day, after bath time is our dedicated story time. Each night we have the same routine where we have a bath, get into pj's and then cuddle up on the sofa for about half an hour where we have story after story until bedtime:

Now I know there has been some controversy recently over some of the older stories going out of fashion but we have a real mixed taste of books in this house.

Some of our favourites include the Disney collection. We especially enjoy Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid and of course The Lion King:

We really enjoy the Peter Rabbit series too. These were a present a few years ago and are well read and loved:

Rosie's favourite at the moment is The Very Hungry Caterpillar:

and of course we all enjoy the Gruffalo:

But the girls favourite collections at the moment are these that they received for Christmas from their Auntie Sarah:

We read them every night and often have 3 ballerina stories and at least one Princess one. The girls both enjoy them and sit there quite happily listening.

Today Poppy has gone into School dressed as a Ballerina from her Ballerina Stories:

Not only is she is a ballerina...she is the best ballerina apparently.

It was lovely seeing all of the costumes this morning and recognising them all from all our favourite books.

Have your littles one dressed up today and if so as what?

Karen x

60/366 - Holding Hands

2012-02-29T14:00:00.000Z

Poppy managed to get Rosie to walk a little of the way today by offering her hand. I was pleased I had my phone on me and managed to capture it;

Sisters are special.

Karen x

Oh and for the record I realise that the weather is improving but poppy insisted on wearing her hat!

The Gallery - Friends

2012-02-29T12:08:00.001Z

I am a very girly girl and friends are very important to me. Due to the number of times we have moved I have friends spread all around the World that are important and special for various reasons.

However, the one friend who has been there through everything with me and knows all my secrets is Sarah. We have known each other since we were 17 and have never argued! She is more like another Sister than a friend and is like an Aunty to the girls. They love her too.

Despite not seeing each other for ages, we talk regularly on the phone and I know that next time we do see each other, it will be like we saw each other yesterday. I also know if I needed her she would be there in a flash just as I would be for her!

She is one in a million! A very special person.

Do you have someone like this?

For more friendship posts head over to Sticky Fingers.

Karen x

59/366 - Big Sister Does Story Time

2012-02-28T12:37:00.000Z

This photo made my heart melt:

Every evening we have the same routine: bath, story time on the sofa, wee, teeth, bed! The girls love it because they know what's coming next and we enjoy it too.

Tonight Poppy wanted to "read" to her Sister. I thought it was very cute but instead of picking an easy book she knows off by heart, she picked the Tailor of Gloucester from the Peter Rabbit series. She quickly realised that Mummy would have to read this one but it was very cute anyway.

Karen x

Having A Wobble!

2012-02-28T11:13:00.001Z

Okay so this morning was not a good morning and left me feeling quite tearful and emotional. The problem?..... the School run.

We live at the top of a very steep hill and Poppy's School is more than half way down it. Now when I say steep, I mean steep!! For me to get there by myself it takes five minutes. With the girls it can take up to half an hour.

Before Christmas Rosie was walking all the way up and all the way down by herself.

A tiny part of the hill

After the Holidays she became more reluctant and I had to carry her for part of it. I was okay with this and used my hip seat for such occasions, that way she could could hop on and off as required.

Since half term however, she has refused to walk any of it. She will ~~cry~~ scream if I try to make her and will sit or lie on the floor refusing to move. Leaving me looking like a wicked Mother who won't carry her little girl up the hill.

Now I know she is still only little (19 months) and it is a hard hill to climb but I also know she can do it. At 19 weeks pregnant, it is getting harder and harder for me to get myself up the hill without carrying Rosie too. Its killing me. On top of that, the hip seat wont fit me for ever as my bump is going to get much bigger.

I ache all over, particularly around my back, shoulders and neck.

Now I could take the pushchair but once I reach the School there are really steep steps we need to get down...not good for a pushchair!

I could miss the steps out by going the long way round but this would mean an even longer walk and I would have to push the pushchair up and down the whole of the hill plus more. I must point out how hard it is pushing the thing up this hill. It is a nightmare.

I could carry her in a baby carrier on my back and have actually been sent one to trial (more about that later in the week). But is this just giving in to her and will it make her lazier?

Maybe I could drive but when I live so close it seems such a waste. Plus there is no parking and it would be a whole other nightmare.

I don't know what the answer is but I do know it is only going to get harder if she continues to refuse to walk.

Today I have to go up and down the hill 6 times: we take Poppy to School, we come home, we pick her up, we bring her home, we go to a toddler group, we come home again!

Today is not a good day!

Karen x

My Bump Diary - 19 Weeks Pregnant

2012-02-28T08:00:00.000Z

I am now 19 weeks pregnant so almost halfway there. I am also starting to feel very pregnant.

This week my baby is apparently the size of a mango:

That's approximately 14.2cm and weighing 240g. Pretty impressive! My bump is bigger than a mango though! Honestly I don't know where its come from but I have definitely changed shape in the past few weeks. Maybe I will post a photo next week.

I have been feeling lots of movement and Husband can too. Its mostly in the evening but I guess I am too busy in the day with both girls to think about it.

I have finally given in and ditched my under wire bras and replaced them with some new maternity ones. I managed to get two pretty Hotmilk sets and love them!

It has been a pretty good week and overall I have been feeling pretty good...in fact I have had so much energy, I have not been able to stop cleaning and sorting. I think the nesting has started really early.

I did over do it one day last week though and it resulted in me aching head to toe and having a mini melt down. I guess my hormones are all over the place, I knew I was being silly but I got myself in a state over mess and no-one listening to me. I guess I need to take it easy sometimes.

I have had some difficulty sleeping. I can still sleep on my tummy for a while but get uncomfortable and end up swapping to side, then back, then tummy etc. Husband says I have been snoring too but ssshhh don't tell anyone. I guess I had better get used to it as it only gets worse as you get bigger.

I have also had pretty itchy skin all over. I had this with both girls and it got so bad I ended up with lots of tiny red, sore spots all over my tummy and was prescribed steroid cream. Its not that bad at the moment but hoping it doesn't get as bad as it did with them. I have been using oil and lotions to help with this.

Apart form that everything is great. We find out next week if its a boy or girl and are all very excited. Poppy has her heart set on a little girl and has her names all ready! I just cant wait to know so I can buy him or her a little something and start getting organised.

Karen x

58/366 - Experimenting With Close Ups

2012-02-27T15:30:00.000Z

Poppy and I were playing g today, taking lots of close up photos of us on my mobile phone. I really liked this one.

Karen x

Giant Strawberries Made Rosie Smile!

2012-02-27T14:00:00.000Z

Rosie has been teething recently and off her food again. Today however she could not get enough of these huge strawberries:

It was lovely to see her enjoying food again.

Karen x

My Week That Was...

2012-02-27T12:17:00.003Z

Wow another week has gone already. This one was a little boring really as Rosie hasn't been her usual self.

Monday - Rosie has been teething and has been very clingy and wingy. I found it hard carrying her up the hill today on the School run, as she refused to walk. She slept all afternoon though so I did get to have a little rest after a huge cleaning spurt! I think the nesting has kicked in.

Tuesday - This morning Poppy was at Preschool so Rosie and I played. Then this afternoon we all went to the toddler group at the School. it was really nice to catch up with the other mums and see the girls play.

Wednesday - Think I over did it today with the nesting! Did loads more cleaning whilst Poppy was at Preschool and Rosie was napping. Tonight I had a bit of a melt down when I ached from head to toe and no-one was listening to me! Was tearful and emotional too :-(. Being pregnant is tough sometimes.

Thursday - Poppy had Preschool in the morning then this afternoon we made her Gramps some chocolates as he is going into hospital next week.

The weathers starting to warm up a little and its lovely so we also spent some time outside too. When Daddy came home we taste tested some of the chocolates and they were pretty yummy!

Oh my new maternity underwear arrived too so feel much more comfortable already:

Friday - We had our usual music group this morning which went pretty well. The girls had fun singing and dancing. Then we had to pick up a bit of shopping in Sainsburys when I spotted all these cute things I just had to have for our kitchen:

I love them and husband didn't mind that they were pink. Might have to go back for more of the range! (cant stop shopping as well as cleaning.....girl?)

Saturday - I took Poppy to her usual ballet lesson and then we sneaked of for a quick coffee/ babyccino. We bumped into one of the other Mums and Daughters on the way to the cafe so all ended up having a drink and cake together which was really nice.

During the afternoon, I headed off to the Salon to have my hair cut, leaving Husband to play with the girls. It was lovely having a little bit of child free time.This evening Husband and I cuddled up and watched a movie with chocolate which was very nice!

Sunday - Husband had to go to work this afternoon so we all enjoyed a lazy morning together. Once he left, the girls and I had fun in the garden and generally carried on being a bit lazy. It was lovely!

Rosie seems to be getting better but is still sleeping a lot....maybe making up for being up in the night last week. Fingers crossed its a more exciting week next week and that the good weather stays with us.

Karen x

Silent Sunday and 57/366

2012-02-26T14:06:00.000Z

Karen x