tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39794693474962241492024-03-05T21:38:15.645-08:00New blogAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06766291093066406662noreply@blogger.comBlogger70125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979469347496224149.post-8551522198252139112016-05-07T21:09:00.000-07:002016-05-07T21:09:38.098-07:00 Cleft Lip And Palate Awareness Week 2016<span style="color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.701961); font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; font-size: 17px;">It's been quite a while since I last blogged. A house move, birthday party planning and an obsession with vintage furniture had put my blogging plans on the back burner! However, this week is Cleft Lip and Palate Awareness Week. So in honour of our beautiful Isaac, I thought I'd pen a quick post!</span><br />
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<img alt="" id="id_3bd5_50ec_d8c9_7c23" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwaMs6Ye_T7VG_f1CPKfkLMz1EXA_-qVWLY0l_glcctMbvU9b-OGBDykQv7k92S5MlJxVR4SHRk8rxoPPe7s6v8y5xrzhwNtqYUyAdoD-dEBHGq6EifH5zWML7TS6VMbbVUjg1y6rLtTw/" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /> </div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Around 2 years ago, we discovered at our anomaly scan that Isaac would be born with a cleft lip.</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
http://notsoyummymummyblog.blogspot.com.es/2014/03/baby-number-2-is-boy.html?m=1</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
In July 2014, we welcomed Isaac into the world and the mayhem began as a family of 4. </div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<img alt="" id="id_9ed9_d809_a9a_9122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjmh85BUYO-iEUeetq8Vsye-E-srM8vAz8MGhqz_cGSi-t8_nImAM6w3LXCeJbOiq31WxW1Ff0tqOKXE6sK3A6q71VKgwDAvbh1ESpK4WQYzexhTAC8a9xd_CKHQCZW2eSM5F6OoaD0xM/" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /> </div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
In November 2014, at 4 months old, Isaac endured an operation to repair his lip. He's now left with a small scar on his lip, however we are so impressed with his repair!</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Isaac is now approaching 2 years old (yeah, he's a real life little person and no longer a baby!) He's happy, independent and always has a smile on his face. He's a very different temperament to his big brother; he's far more relaxed and resilient. Nothing is ever a challenge for him and he follows his big brother's example, usually into mischief! Isaac is a pleasure to be around and I'm so proud to call him my son!</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<img alt="" id="id_958d_ebca_a34d_eddb" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT9t9m0wxxlhD1kkWFhLX2BxZymKXQi-Qv7R_uhqbUBgxklFcwLx-_uhh-OhWULxeiFsm2ZXfE4_2a5IrZxfECJsXASdSSnR-r8j2C0zC2Dw0m-cm0DDVSIZrIE1OHoXAXlNV6bX2sgB4/" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /> </div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<img alt="" id="id_6293_739e_e8ed_f210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqaB26JAfGJf2P5c2EKH1zzXftoUay75_WirJMCqIrijOeQfZOv4OyPRr6Ispzvfd2Y77K-3sZ_w8L5YbsYSmCePJkxdqRhTJOzlXa_S9NdvC4pnzrdDv1HALxdGCuej1fQKQpvTsTTSA/" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /> </div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
I'm often asked if he's "sorted" now, however Isaac will have to undergo another operation when he's around 8-10 years to repair the gap in his gum. A bone graft will take place and I'm not looking forward to a hospital stay and witnessing him enduring pain. Isaac is a tough cookie and I'm sure he'll take it in his stride!</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
We've not recently participated in any fundraising, however I'm hoping to do a fundraiser later this year. Watch this space! :-)</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
<img alt="" id="id_f7fc_ca74_aa0b_c284" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZid9w2M1HEDwUU4gWTQUz6LwIh30afRfBLa4oJtF0SU5KXGmUKp5UMzECJAWKvuVFozM4vMG4-JExnV_jBeste4aZEzuJW2Q4t5I2HZSZdXpaJoxwc-1libLrLuVfStd3o7-4ryHYDU/" style="height: auto; width: 353px;" title="" tooltip="" /><br />
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06766291093066406662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979469347496224149.post-7238259034463238492016-02-18T00:29:00.001-08:002016-02-18T23:44:33.668-08:0010 funny things about my threenager!<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Being a mum to 2 toddlers is often a challenging, but humorous way of life! It's a battle of wills day after day and the older and more vocal your child gets, the level of embarrassment for parents increases. Here are some absolute gems from my lovely 3 year old over the last few months.</span><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">1. Noah's obsessed with dogs. He loves them, waves at them, bellows across the street to obtain their attention. However, he's also dismayed at the increasing levels of dog poo on the paths close to where we live. One morning, we had a huge stand off, because he's requested that I pick up the dog poo and put it in a bin. I politely refused, however when we arrived at the bus stop, he'd hatched a plan. "Mam if I poo, you've got to pick it up!" He then pulled down his trousers and began to poo in the bus stop declaring that I needed to pick it up. In a hurry, as the bus was due, I quickly bundled it into a nappy sack and got on the bus. All of our journey there, an elderly woman queried what the smell was. Noah proudly announced that it was his poo and it was "really stinky!" Cringe!</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">2. Noah's got a keen eye and is ever the social butterfly. Accompanied by a voice like a fog horn, it often gets him into bother. Announcing that the lady on the bus had "a big, hairy beard like my daddy!" Caught the attention on the busy bus. He then announced that he was going to "stroke it like a doggy!" Cue a huge tantrum when I told him that he couldn't. 10 minutes later and the sobs of "please let me touch the hairy lady..." Continued!</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">3. Noah is obsessed with diggers and can name several different types. Whilst walking by a new home development, we were discussing the diggers and an elderly gentleman commented that there were lots of tractors. Noah promptly responded, "no that's a dump truck and a backhoe! Stupid man!"</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfunNwDjU1UujSnYBDr6ku-g8QTDcFDxgn0uu_7UhSjmefV46P4lY-IPCVK-wuNU6ro25CsWWBiVS3cVBCtM8DFjHc4h_v-lFStmKMSr_YeW0X02QU5zghxUYMLBqvfEgO5ZgHW6BXYU/s640/blogger-image--1022556673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtfunNwDjU1UujSnYBDr6ku-g8QTDcFDxgn0uu_7UhSjmefV46P4lY-IPCVK-wuNU6ro25CsWWBiVS3cVBCtM8DFjHc4h_v-lFStmKMSr_YeW0X02QU5zghxUYMLBqvfEgO5ZgHW6BXYU/s640/blogger-image--1022556673.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">4. My boys love the bin man and he's treated like a local celebrity. Recently Noah was caught bellowing, "I love you bin man. You're so cool!" Apparently refuse collection is one of his life goals. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">5. When coming out of nursery, Noah was dismayed that some children wouldn't play the way he wanted to and began his conversation with, "well, those bloody kids..." </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilETBwxaM072jaPVuIqoluUpKfN6dCITDBQtdRkXNQv9tC4DzpIj1c6bVR6_pRSg5Y600Ei1Rn0Z7ZvzqGgKc2dOfOCMQIak7_bOR2Dyde6HwE2qwiq0FKi8NJ_w332OmyHnuz1227Tw8/s640/blogger-image--1827024161.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilETBwxaM072jaPVuIqoluUpKfN6dCITDBQtdRkXNQv9tC4DzpIj1c6bVR6_pRSg5Y600Ei1Rn0Z7ZvzqGgKc2dOfOCMQIak7_bOR2Dyde6HwE2qwiq0FKi8NJ_w332OmyHnuz1227Tw8/s640/blogger-image--1827024161.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">6. My kids are constantly eating or asking to eat. My sister was horrified the volume of food that the two of them ate at a recent visit to a restaurant. It's a regular occurrence though and it's costing me a fortune. Hearing Noah bellowing at 4 in the morning, "I need toast/brioche/biscuits" is normal in our house! You only know they're unwell when they're not eating! </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">7. After a recent visit to the doctor. I was debriefing Noah afterwards and discussing the medicine that he'd have to take and asked him, "can you remember what the doctor said?" "No more monkeys jumping on the bed!" I despair!</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">8. Noah's often engaging in role play in the house, his current favourites are the fish and chip shop, the cake shop and the pizza shop. He's often in the Chinese restaurant role play at nursery too. I think our diet needs an overhaul! </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kuhugyTFTpK2Fw5pwlepHvoeOAOYIfDzwWv79M5wMga0qpSfGzgHX_dekurWUVC4-ZEx-e-oY_PPq4FYtGvvzy9bQIVMnA8aLGHyqynrVDvGfpNJRhonOPLY5HaGCy-HZacLDzWuvIE/s640/blogger-image--1904023715.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kuhugyTFTpK2Fw5pwlepHvoeOAOYIfDzwWv79M5wMga0qpSfGzgHX_dekurWUVC4-ZEx-e-oY_PPq4FYtGvvzy9bQIVMnA8aLGHyqynrVDvGfpNJRhonOPLY5HaGCy-HZacLDzWuvIE/s640/blogger-image--1904023715.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">9. Noah's obsession with diggers means that we often drive around to nearby building sites. Nothing prepared me for finding a mini JCB tucked into his undies though!</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">10. The weather isn't always a factor in Noah deciding what he'd like to wear. Explaining to him that flip flops, shorts and a t shirt aren't suitable for a winter day is just asking for a meltdown. Instead, I merely encouraged him to layer up and put his trousers and sweatshirt on top of the summer clothes. However, the flip flops had to be replaced by wellies!</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScaoPIjK3hrO-nFHOaHWA2fzjn3WVDaPstiMN5E-3TzpgTH0sz6EBJ7kOvw7m_QX50vO4v13nWp7sp1kIGmkdz9YPJuAiIE2nHH5AdMcinQ22R8qdEhW5ukPn4DK_kV74-OQbAGZhf8Q/s640/blogger-image--2130017577.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgScaoPIjK3hrO-nFHOaHWA2fzjn3WVDaPstiMN5E-3TzpgTH0sz6EBJ7kOvw7m_QX50vO4v13nWp7sp1kIGmkdz9YPJuAiIE2nHH5AdMcinQ22R8qdEhW5ukPn4DK_kV74-OQbAGZhf8Q/s640/blogger-image--2130017577.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">With Noah, every day is different and he's always keeping us on our toes. You could say that he's spirited and full of personality. Who knows what today will bring! What funny moments have you had with your three-nagers? </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06766291093066406662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979469347496224149.post-74203013961271912062016-01-25T09:43:00.001-08:002016-01-25T09:43:54.478-08:00BBQ Pulled Pork Pasta<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">I often take inspiration for my home cooking from meals that I've eaten out. Recently, at a popular chain Italian restaurant, I enjoyed a pasta dish of pulled pork and venison and attempted to do a simplified version of it at home and it's been quite a hit! </span><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">I use Tesco BBQ pulled pork and make my own accompanying sauce to compliment it. Here's my version. This usually serves 2 hungry adults and 2 toddlers!</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFHaUAIn_0yKJGOSzdaFvnsnBC51TjkkvoimNLKnVaPM4K-TnZzJt5b5_XBeIfKv7CGvUeNsxU7gk8yS57jVrhapNA_FDu-ZRV7V88YlaJMaT9T2JyhxHm1o-UXWwJCzl6j_U94RU0_M/s640/blogger-image-560377005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmFHaUAIn_0yKJGOSzdaFvnsnBC51TjkkvoimNLKnVaPM4K-TnZzJt5b5_XBeIfKv7CGvUeNsxU7gk8yS57jVrhapNA_FDu-ZRV7V88YlaJMaT9T2JyhxHm1o-UXWwJCzl6j_U94RU0_M/s640/blogger-image-560377005.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Ingredients</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">A pack of BBQ pulled pork (or make your own!)</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">A few mushrooms, chopped finely</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Half a leek chopped finely</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">2 fresh beef tomatoes chopped</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">250ml of passata</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">A clove of minced garlic</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">A sprig of chopped Rosemary</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">A splash of red wine</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Ground black pepper</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Drizzle of olive oil</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Pasta, we prefer fusilli</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">What to do</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">1. Cook the pulled pork according to the pack instructions.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">2. Chop the mushrooms, leek and tomatoes and cook with a little olive oil on a high heat.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">3. Add the garlic, passata, red wine and Rosemary.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">4. Simmer the sauce for around 20 minutes until it reduces a little. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">5. Cook your pasta according to the instructions on the pack.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">6. Shred the pulled pork and add it to the sauce.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">7. Add the BBQ sauce to the tomato based sauce and stir.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">8. Add a little black pepper.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">9. Add the cooked pasta to the pulled pork and sauce and mix together. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">10. Serve and enjoy! </div><div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06766291093066406662noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979469347496224149.post-83610051679482938672016-01-24T03:24:00.001-08:002016-01-24T03:24:22.576-08:00Butternut squash, leek, carrot and red lentil spiced soup<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Butternut squash, leek, carrot and red lentil spiced soup</span><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">You will need;</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">A large butternut squash</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">2 large carrots</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Half a leek</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">A few tablespoons of Korma curry paste</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Tin of light coconut milk</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">200g red lentils</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Water as needed</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Knob of butter</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Drizzle of single cream</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Directions;</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">1. Chop and remove seeds from the butternut squash and drizzle with olive oil. Oven roast at 200 degrees for around half an hour until soft. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">2. Roughly chop carrots and leeks and add to the pan with a knob of butter.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">3. Add the lentils and cover with water. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">4. Bring to the boil and add the korma paste and coconut milk. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">5. Remove the squash from the oven and allow to cool. Scoop out, away from the skin and add to the pan. Discard the skin.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">6. Blend and serve with a drizzle of single cream.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcq1pgvBA0dZIA3zkuslgJIbRnXqlSPsymGbofcQC0h_scuFMokNg4Ln3WDIZAS-ZQ3993KY5fi_l-sDGokmK9axndlbw639L0zrvENeH0Oklj4o7b8uUQdfpXEhmCtsDomXHA9mStBA/s640/blogger-image--1089466599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwcq1pgvBA0dZIA3zkuslgJIbRnXqlSPsymGbofcQC0h_scuFMokNg4Ln3WDIZAS-ZQ3993KY5fi_l-sDGokmK9axndlbw639L0zrvENeH0Oklj4o7b8uUQdfpXEhmCtsDomXHA9mStBA/s640/blogger-image--1089466599.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">From this, you should get around 6-8 decent sized servings. Ideal for reheating for lunch the next day.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Serve as it is, or with a warmed pitta or naan bread. I've no idea of the calories, but it's warm, filling and full of favour! Give it a try and let me know what you think! </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06766291093066406662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979469347496224149.post-42754823067169146392016-01-05T10:03:00.001-08:002016-01-05T10:03:07.119-08:00The truth about child number 2...<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">The truth about child number 2....</span><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Transitioning to two (especially when there is a small age gap) is quite an eye opener!<div><br></div><div>1. Inevitably, your house will be filled with toys and various child and baby paraphernalia for them. It takes over everywhere and the concept of what you once considered as tidy has left the room quicker than your dignity left whilst giving birth, legs up in stirrups with an audience to rival the Great Albert Hall!</div><div><br></div><div>2. You'll have several unexplained stains on your carpet/floor/settee/clothes. You may even do the scratch/lick test and often smile to yourself that it was actually chocolate from sticky fingers and not smeared toddler turd!</div><div><br></div><div>3. Your Hoover will likely get more action than you do!</div><div><br></div><div>4. The washing and piles of singular socks will multiply. I've no idea where the 50 odd socks' partners have vanished to, probably with the Tupperware lids!</div><div><br></div><div>5. Being able to go to the toilet alone feels like a luxury reserved for royalty. Sitting smugly on the throne whilst two kids simultaneously nap is a rarity. Instead, I'm left to answer 101 questions from a toddler about my bodily functions and then politely have to refuse his request to look at the contents of said toilet and "no, you can't wipe my bum!"</div><div><br></div><div>6. Your youngest will learn a lot from their sibling. Like how to jump like a ninja from the sofa, where the sharp knives are kept and how to go down the stairs in the most dangerous way possible! </div><div><br></div><div>7. You'll find that through your exhaustion, you'll laugh, a lot. It's either that or wail uncontrollably. It may also make you look a little deranged. </div><div><br></div><div>8. You'll find that that you'll confide in mummy friends and realise that you're not alone in the insanity that is parenting little people. Other people's kids as just as crazy as yours. </div><div><br></div><div>9. You may be unlucky enough to have an argumentative munchkin; current arguments that I've had with my 3 year old include; you can't go out in just underpants and wellies, your dad can't fly and 'it's definitely a lady, not a man, even though she's got a beard!' </div><div><br></div><div>10. Your calm and composed 'mum' voice often mutters FFS under your breath, multiple times per day in utter disbelief of what your kids have done. </div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBAKnYDrtP3jDLcdSrhjeWWzi-Togy4ITMfQY5xTYFWLIddkXwE_JLYW9NxZeC1ShBomG8Edyv4br2gAbxsw8VgiJTKqOjE4yGUBIT4oPaW2yVK37CVn6gLVh478FSHOjYEMRShX0-B4A/s640/blogger-image-571181440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBAKnYDrtP3jDLcdSrhjeWWzi-Togy4ITMfQY5xTYFWLIddkXwE_JLYW9NxZeC1ShBomG8Edyv4br2gAbxsw8VgiJTKqOjE4yGUBIT4oPaW2yVK37CVn6gLVh478FSHOjYEMRShX0-B4A/s640/blogger-image-571181440.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">However, in amongst the mayhem of day to day life, you'll see the love and admiration that your children develop for each other, the way in which your partner steps up to the mark of his daddy role and the love as a family unit evolves and changes into something really special. Oh, and you often ponder if it's too early to drink wine, even some mornings! </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06766291093066406662noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979469347496224149.post-46028831156701161592015-11-27T13:51:00.001-08:002015-11-27T13:55:06.090-08:00I'm obsessed with baking cakes!<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">I'm often baking sweet treats and love experimenting with new recipes and ingredients. So I'm going to try to post a new recipe each week. At the moment, I'm obsessed with cakes, especially loaf cakes. They're usually fairly simple, easy to get the kids involved in and tasty! </span><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">I don't tend to stick to a recipe directly, I often tweak it to my own tastes or substitute some of the ingredients and on occasion, add something new. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">A particular hit has been my carrot and walnut cake. Originally based on a Mary Berry recipe, I altered it slightly to include half Demerara sugar and half caster sugar. I also add half a teaspoon of cinnamon and sometimes add a handful of sultanas in too!</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">So here's Mary's recipe;</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">http://goodfood.uktv.co.uk/recipe/mary-berrys-carrot-and-walnut-cake/</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">I tend to either halve it and make one loaf cake, or make 2 cakes and share it with some guinea pigs (usually my grandparents and Noah's nursery staff!) </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Here's our finished result! Delicious and doesn't last long!</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMEy7ut4iY0K8hPX2TwK0NwCVWXqL2FnM3InuzrcWJ3SzWgmXsrmzryAKCvTDrKNIxQHHhmm0XGBok8151IA88Df7uRuAYW5mnfFA-YanfhK8-HKn71y1sZuGrc6d4DiiNj_z1wY4kDs/s640/blogger-image-561918178.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHMEy7ut4iY0K8hPX2TwK0NwCVWXqL2FnM3InuzrcWJ3SzWgmXsrmzryAKCvTDrKNIxQHHhmm0XGBok8151IA88Df7uRuAYW5mnfFA-YanfhK8-HKn71y1sZuGrc6d4DiiNj_z1wY4kDs/s640/blogger-image-561918178.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06766291093066406662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979469347496224149.post-10114134706006402562015-11-27T06:41:00.001-08:002015-11-27T06:41:49.359-08:00How much is acceptable to spend on children at Christmas?<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">With Christmas looming, I've seen a lot of Facebook statuses and comments on 'mummy groups' regarding how much to spend on children at Christmas and what is acceptable. Amounts ranging from £30-£1000, there was a huge amount of variation! This got me thinking about my own budgets and spending.</span><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Personally, I always try to buy a larger gift, lots of clothes to wear in the next size up, some books, craft items and a range of toys with topics that will interest them. I've spent around £300-£400 on each of the boys. However, my budget was lower and I've overspent a little. Although, this year, I've become a little frustrated with the volume of plastic toys in my house and invested in lots of lovely wooden toys, some costing a little more, but lovely items that the boys will treasure. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">One thing I'm passionate about is not spending money that we don't have. So, getting into debt is a no no for me personally. How much do you spend and what do you think is excessive/the right amount?</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06766291093066406662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979469347496224149.post-63778515272276234742015-11-18T12:16:00.001-08:002015-11-18T12:16:09.394-08:00Support for breastfeeding mums is imperative; should Health Visitors
receive breastfeeding training from a formula company?<div>I'm always an advocate for mums to opt to breastfeed for the many benefits to both her and baby. I also believe that it is the role of the healthcare professional to empower and support women to do do. </div><div><br></div><div>Throughout my journey as a mother, I've received some magnificent support, from breastfeeding support workers, health visitors and La Leche League; but have also receive some somewhat lacking support too. Some health professionals have occasionally given ill advised advice and it always makes me question their experience, their knowledge of breastfeeding and their qualifications in order to give advice. </div><div><br></div><div>Some health care professionals appear to be keen to push the use of formula, rather than attempting to overcome the obstacles of the breastfeeding mother. Often simple recommendations in terms of latch and positioning can combat the issues that a breastfeeding mum may encounter. Women deserve respect and an understanding ear at these times of challenge in order to move forward after encountering issues. </div><div><br></div><div>I'm always intrigued to what HCPs receive in forms of additional training in order to up skill themselves in order to provide the best support for mums. Recently, I heard that there was to be a Health Visitors National Conference. With an intriguing list of topic areas to be covered, one of the topic areas was breastfeeding; an area of great importance in the role of health visitors, especially in those early days. A fantastic opportunity to arm our Health Visitors with a wealth of knowledge to support parents. However, I was dismayed to see that this seminar was sponsored by a formula company! Moreover one with a rather sketchy past in their promotion pf products and their ethics in the wider world. Wrong on so many levels! Looking through the agenda for the remainder of the training, it was also apparent that yet another formula company was supporting another seminar. </div><div><br></div><div>Is this the way forward? Should CPD and training be influenced by companies promoting themselves and their products? We live in a world surrounded by advertisements for formula, filling mums with doubt of their ability to feed their children and our society has become a one in which formula feeding is seen as the norm. The biological norm, breastfeeding, receives little promotion and as a front line of support, our Health Visitors need to receive the best training, by those 'in the know', not a formula company trying to promote a product! Shame on you! </div><div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06766291093066406662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979469347496224149.post-91843819448624170032015-11-06T00:06:00.001-08:002015-11-06T00:06:41.982-08:00Artis Zoo Amsterdam; the good, bad and the ugly<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We recently enjoyed a mini break in one of my favourite places, Amsterdam. In the past, we'd visited (pre children) and had visited many of the main attractions; Anne Frank Museum, Van Gough Museum, Rembrandt etc. However, this time we were seeking out some more family friendly activities. We'd looked online and the Artis Royal Zoo seemed to have quite positive reviews, so we planned our trip there.</span><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFbzDom5j2lf7yEb3kjP0DlWmezE8QoyVn7Jp3nit8UxcZ93lOa3nhZwNuZA86znwqmq-HBa4dpOw7fz3B2v22AJlTwsHpomLYqi4T_Hr_Fjhvak-tYrx6ojDkmINK_IHUS1dUvpoafI/s640/blogger-image-1588831965.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVFbzDom5j2lf7yEb3kjP0DlWmezE8QoyVn7Jp3nit8UxcZ93lOa3nhZwNuZA86znwqmq-HBa4dpOw7fz3B2v22AJlTwsHpomLYqi4T_Hr_Fjhvak-tYrx6ojDkmINK_IHUS1dUvpoafI/s640/blogger-image-1588831965.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Priced at €19.95 an adult, €16.50 for a child and free for under 3s, it was quite a reasonably priced day out. On the whole, we enjoyed our day. Noah loved the giraffes and their more modern enclosure was clean, secure and well planned. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjml_lqv7ajf4hbuU8VF2y1uqYgyPUJuUMbvf14G2Qy-A0T11Pvgb34wLHledVL9s3CibgIYKuqst1c55D6IazIuJc16kok9fd644mkBoLSU58nr-cbo6fVVYCGzNHDtKEcmBu6FYI0fqY/s640/blogger-image--506531242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjml_lqv7ajf4hbuU8VF2y1uqYgyPUJuUMbvf14G2Qy-A0T11Pvgb34wLHledVL9s3CibgIYKuqst1c55D6IazIuJc16kok9fd644mkBoLSU58nr-cbo6fVVYCGzNHDtKEcmBu6FYI0fqY/s640/blogger-image--506531242.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1h7eeptEB-mLz2Sc1t5lNcHCsVb4gw4AuuU7MRYtNYBGsC08ZUh77YhiHW66BJHcN_Dm2XP3_N6LwkkhqvHUv_zHl9GYU5DYV3DGNdd_q9eiejPGilETskrIcOfqL7wjdqWwT9CXGCGM/s640/blogger-image-2026313651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1h7eeptEB-mLz2Sc1t5lNcHCsVb4gw4AuuU7MRYtNYBGsC08ZUh77YhiHW66BJHcN_Dm2XP3_N6LwkkhqvHUv_zHl9GYU5DYV3DGNdd_q9eiejPGilETskrIcOfqL7wjdqWwT9CXGCGM/s640/blogger-image-2026313651.jpg"></a></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div>However, I was rather heavy hearted after viewing the lions. After seeing animals in the wild in Kenya and the wide expanse that they had, it upset me to think that these animals had such a limited space and witnessed such a lack of activity from them. I don't know the history of how they came to live at the zoo, but I believe firmly that their enclosure needs a complete redesign and thought for their long term wellbeing needs to be at the forefront of the zoo keepers minds. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">This was also very much the same for the elephants. Unhappy animals that were pacing around the enclosure with very little stimulation.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIawbUR6suEWZkdI93lgpvJJRwF586rl_tF0NfgpEvGaSuqHIEIpzqzINmt6SSdGAa1CT79O8Lzv2DeUxHctsw7SO6nYQJSMV4yML_y89lfch6bp-i8vleCZGVpfIskfAVMFDjT8qplM/s640/blogger-image-1851998984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIawbUR6suEWZkdI93lgpvJJRwF586rl_tF0NfgpEvGaSuqHIEIpzqzINmt6SSdGAa1CT79O8Lzv2DeUxHctsw7SO6nYQJSMV4yML_y89lfch6bp-i8vleCZGVpfIskfAVMFDjT8qplM/s640/blogger-image-1851998984.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdsyIbXKXZRvlRoQkZeoLedV5MSeUJ9Lb65gTQap8r0apMOSwsKKf8rRT9nX6gJIHWJMU21bUWy03CbVKbwPa-_uHbFq5dQC4jNVjoHVa2SxtAwH8O2UDEtKJv5vfOKR0vCH8MsQm6Quk/s640/blogger-image--385059882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdsyIbXKXZRvlRoQkZeoLedV5MSeUJ9Lb65gTQap8r0apMOSwsKKf8rRT9nX6gJIHWJMU21bUWy03CbVKbwPa-_uHbFq5dQC4jNVjoHVa2SxtAwH8O2UDEtKJv5vfOKR0vCH8MsQm6Quk/s640/blogger-image--385059882.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">The zoo is quite a traditional and old zoo, so I appreciate that guidelines and expectations would have been a little different years ago. However, Artis need to review this. As a result, I don't think I'd return to visit the zoo and seek out alternative places to visit on our next trip. </div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06766291093066406662noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979469347496224149.post-74444345923009196472015-11-02T06:58:00.001-08:002015-11-02T09:41:30.088-08:00A year on from Isaac's cleft lip repair<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0 , 0 , 0 , 0.701961); font-family: "uictfonttextstylebody"; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">What a difference a year makes...</span><br />
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
A year ago, we were preparing ourselves for Isaac's lip repair operation. To think that a whole year has passed and that we're blessed with a beautiful boy with such a love of life, with a smile that can light up any room; it's astounding that were so worried about him, his future and how he'd deal with the surgery.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm not going to lie, handing over my 4 month old little bundle to the anaesthetist was the hardest thing I've ever had to do (and I've climbed mountains, given the breath of life to revive Noah when he was weeks old, abseiled off buildings and tolerated my husband for 13 years etc) but this was handing over control to the unknown. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We fell in love with Isaac the moment we met him; his sparkling eyes, his soft skin, his fair hair, his relaxed temperament and his cleft lip. But post surgery, he was like a different baby; in pain, sobbing, inconsolable. I felt a sense of loss of his old smile and redundancy that initially, I wasn't able to nurture and feed him; which he was yearning to do. To see my baby in a different light was heartbreaking. However a couple of days later, he was flashing his new smile and showing us how resilient he is!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A year on, these are distant memories, but still prevalent to the person he is today. He's tough; he needs to be with a boisterous big brother! He's full of personality and has a happy temperament. Yes, he has a scar (strangely, sometimes I forget that!) a small, raised mark on his lip, but it doesn't define him at all. He's Isaac, our little superhero. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Isaac will still have to endure further surgery when he's around 8-10 years old. He still has a gap in his gum and will require a bone graft and advanced dental work in order to align his teeth. He has a flat nose profile, but it's entirely his choice if he'd like reconstructive surgery as an adult. Whatever he chooses, we'll be by his side to support him. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMkY2OVD08_wA-KZZZBnsa8gtIYcdIu9aI9LKacWr1JiXN4aVJQm1YDyI4FiaB09psfhayfjJyo4DmQmifmDayCclVfODdunymD0WPyQ9P7Ltdl-J6zGpSQBwYQyOf3XUgAF3T4q-vvU/s640/blogger-image-1460299504.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMkY2OVD08_wA-KZZZBnsa8gtIYcdIu9aI9LKacWr1JiXN4aVJQm1YDyI4FiaB09psfhayfjJyo4DmQmifmDayCclVfODdunymD0WPyQ9P7Ltdl-J6zGpSQBwYQyOf3XUgAF3T4q-vvU/s640/blogger-image-1460299504.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'd like to share some of our journey with you, so here are my columns that were published in Prima Baby magazine which detail his operation and post op.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0YJm6VOEcwha-bX9pLaqmfpGj1tU4r2gtaSg6cWMNq-ePYNYXfw7FXXDXmPjz1zv5nydJvg7fwUKNhbJF8j97SVhllIjLFTm07ZgJFSlJOeXGL9fZkumHpXSFu8SMM5qSbmQs5aTZfI/s640/blogger-image-2018478628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS0YJm6VOEcwha-bX9pLaqmfpGj1tU4r2gtaSg6cWMNq-ePYNYXfw7FXXDXmPjz1zv5nydJvg7fwUKNhbJF8j97SVhllIjLFTm07ZgJFSlJOeXGL9fZkumHpXSFu8SMM5qSbmQs5aTZfI/s640/blogger-image-2018478628.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBZbtuPG_WGuzTzPLZLHaK4Z6wYTl3fyCugr1_v9gCKVv2GKppMfjDBP28VS1slL87nkOfEMBC_-9Gk3coXQ5Wirbij1hU2J-bfIWyJswRfChpbohqQzPUAXzEOjKyQzMsqoPYmhXHB8/s640/blogger-image--913146432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBZbtuPG_WGuzTzPLZLHaK4Z6wYTl3fyCugr1_v9gCKVv2GKppMfjDBP28VS1slL87nkOfEMBC_-9Gk3coXQ5Wirbij1hU2J-bfIWyJswRfChpbohqQzPUAXzEOjKyQzMsqoPYmhXHB8/s640/blogger-image--913146432.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06766291093066406662noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979469347496224149.post-86592278148063868222015-09-26T12:59:00.001-07:002015-09-26T12:59:02.970-07:00My reason for writing; the amazingly talented, Roald Dahl<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">This week, many schools have been celebrating Roald Dahl dress up day. As someone who used to work in teaching, I'm a little jealous that I'm no longer in the classroom to witness the children (and staff!) in their finery and dressed as some amazing characters. If I were to get dressed up, I'd likely to get dressed as the Grand High Witch from The Witches or Mrs Twit from The Twits. </span><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">In my youth, Roald Dahl was my go to author. I owned a wide collection of his books and used to get lost in them; with some amazing language and use of description, I'd often feel like I was a part of the story. Be it as an onlooker, but they really captured me and my imagination. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDymbXJlNGmZJkD3TsgBAOyn0buoJ_o1ck4s_WRbX6onq4lLXmsVdBiNSEHV9rlnftoIMCtLUBJBtsTXscBe0hMFD5Jsp5uwHpBDca7GwXpK261qAEyW9Et24wjuLTy_3AoS-5dZmitEc/s640/blogger-image--1898488757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDymbXJlNGmZJkD3TsgBAOyn0buoJ_o1ck4s_WRbX6onq4lLXmsVdBiNSEHV9rlnftoIMCtLUBJBtsTXscBe0hMFD5Jsp5uwHpBDca7GwXpK261qAEyW9Et24wjuLTy_3AoS-5dZmitEc/s640/blogger-image--1898488757.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Roald Dahl is the key reason why I love to write. Why I aspire to write more and complete further writing projects on a range of subjects. So today, I thank him for inspiring me. RIP Roald Dahl, an inspirational man and a first class writer.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06766291093066406662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979469347496224149.post-39556200171674710642015-09-23T23:02:00.001-07:002015-09-23T23:02:26.990-07:00The Cakeaway South Shields<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Earlier this week, I entered a competition on Facebook and won a cake! I promptly received a full Cornflake Cake delivered directly to my door (within an hour of being notified!)</span><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Anyone who knows me will know of my love of cakes and puddings, so I was really looking forward to receiving it. A day without cake is a day wasted!<div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpH5mZzAr6T8-FSvV7ZM0la4hq_6bZoixEjUX4RufQ30qU3mDExl_0XDXlkd8mnlJ2vPgWuhWzg11nGmv8mpthH9P9BjlfLJyt3d7yMdPW0Ue_r0xFpkkYtaD1SN2y0S_ceKTn8kRHOXI/s640/blogger-image--1582076846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpH5mZzAr6T8-FSvV7ZM0la4hq_6bZoixEjUX4RufQ30qU3mDExl_0XDXlkd8mnlJ2vPgWuhWzg11nGmv8mpthH9P9BjlfLJyt3d7yMdPW0Ue_r0xFpkkYtaD1SN2y0S_ceKTn8kRHOXI/s640/blogger-image--1582076846.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div>This was a real retro sweet treat. With a fab sweet pastry base, lashings of jam and topped with cornflakes and gooey syrup, what's not to love? A real blast from the past, evoking great memories of childhood and school dinners. We'll definitely be ordering from The Cakeaway again. </div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">The Cakeaway South Shields are a company who deliver a wide variety of desserts including a range of cakes, ice cream sundaes, donuts and milkshakes. Deliveries take place from 5pm each evening to all areas of South Tyneside. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGf8cyImcB8PwUiSmEGVJvpjHCYQkkf5d3EHw5ee4T9Ib97iISGlT0e-N7p0Ue2X-AGVUJfsllbM6zChCQCpXlg6xV-4uN0opQvpEymVJ2-MLo6WEv50WCeTgy5-vc2VOOG9-yC_Y025U/s640/blogger-image-916107621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGf8cyImcB8PwUiSmEGVJvpjHCYQkkf5d3EHw5ee4T9Ib97iISGlT0e-N7p0Ue2X-AGVUJfsllbM6zChCQCpXlg6xV-4uN0opQvpEymVJ2-MLo6WEv50WCeTgy5-vc2VOOG9-yC_Y025U/s640/blogger-image-916107621.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">https://m.facebook.com/cakeawaysouthshields</div><div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06766291093066406662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979469347496224149.post-35711680058464583832015-09-15T03:21:00.001-07:002015-09-15T23:30:17.566-07:00Potty training; when is it the right time?<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Potty training your child can be quite a contentious parenting issue. Potty train too early and you run the risk of a child having multiple 'accidents', a child not understanding what's expected of them or from my own experience of working with children, negative connotations and issues such as withholding and refusing to go. Or leave it 'too late' and you're branded lazy and inadequate as a parent.</span><br />
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Potty training is one of many milestones that a child will be expected to achieve; however I don't believe that parents should come under criticism for the parenting choices that they make with regards to potty training. With our eldest, we simply waited until he was ready, could understand what was expected of him and didn't force the issue. </div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Some people may have said that I'd left it too late, however when we tried when he was around 2 1/2 and just before he was 3, he simply wasn't ready. A couple of months after he was 3, he showed a lot more signs of readiness, so we went for it. It was far simpler than I imagined; as it was the right time for him developmentally. He's now dry both day and night, with infrequent accidents.</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
So, some things that worked for us;</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
* Have a potty readily available in places that your child regularly plays, we kept ours in the living room.</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
* Choose a character potty or buy a plain one and add stickers. Noah decided that he wanted a blue Peppa Pig potty (that didn't exist in the shops!) so we bought stickers and a plain blue one.</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
* Take your child shopping to buy underwear. We opted for bright colours and character undies (he didn't want to get George Pig or Thomas The Tank wet!) </div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
* Gentle encouragement and reminders of when to go to 'try'. Don't make a huge deal out of it.</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
* Don't get stressed when accidents occur, it'll only be for a short time. </div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
* Encourage your child to vocalise or sign when they need to go.</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
* Your child should wear clothes that make going to the toilet easily accessible; elasticated waist trousers, jeans or jogging bottoms are ideal. </div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
* We bought pull ups for evenings, but found that these caused some confusion. So personally, we've avoided them and luckily he's been dry most nights after the first week of toilet training.</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
* A sticker chart is a great way to visually see their successes. A sticker for every successful toilet trip may work.</div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
Do it in good humour, as there will be accidents/exploration and your carpets may end up covered in your child's bodily fluids. It's easily cleaned up (bicarbonate of soda removes both smells and a Vax carpet cleaner has been invaluable!) Good luck! What's your best potty training tip?</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06766291093066406662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979469347496224149.post-27918206133707670032015-08-06T22:54:00.001-07:002015-08-06T22:54:43.324-07:00The Unsung Heroes Of My Breastfeeding Journeys<div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Today, to conclude World Breastfeeding Week, I'd like to celebrate some individuals and organisations who have supported me throughout my breastfeeding journeys.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Firstly, my own mam. As a mother who has breastfed her own offspring, she has firsthand knowledge and experience of feeding. Always there, giving support, advice and geeing me on when I've felt like giving up. Even though she thought I was insane being hooked up to a breast pump so much, she gave unrivalled support. She's relished seeing her grandsons growing up to be happy and healthy on mummy's milk.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Organisations such as La Leche League are amazing. There's always someone day and night to give assistance and advice. I've had a few times when I've attended meetings or contacted them via Facebook for advice and they've been amazing. When you're sitting at home with ridiculously engorged breasts and in pain, LLL are on hand to take you step by step through it. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Local Breastfeeding Peer support workers are a great help. Coming round to your home in the early days for a chat and talking through your journey and giving support where needed, passing on contact details on where to seek out support and giving ideas on positioning and discussing your concerns. Lovely ladies with hearts of gold!</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Finally, my husband. As an avid advocate of breastfeeding, he's been a constant support throughout. In the early days with my firstborn, he praised my efforts of feeding, shared my frustrations and stresses when baby couldn't latch. Moreover, he surrounded me with love and humour at a time when I was doubting my own body's ability to feed my child. As I ended up expressing long term, he was always keen to wash bottles, bag and freeze milk (he also bought me a gift of a chest freezer for milk and named it 'The Booby Freezer'), cleaned my breast pump and most importantly, provide me with snacks and drinks when I was glued to the sofa. This time round, he's had it easier; no bottles, just boob. (So he's been delegated our toddlers bedtime! Rather him than me, as he's a monkey!) </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Thank you all for your support!</div><div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06766291093066406662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979469347496224149.post-32604964575404722682015-08-06T00:12:00.001-07:002015-08-06T00:12:53.272-07:00Extended Breastfeeding<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">As World Breastfeeding Week comes to a close, I'd like to share with you my thoughts about extended breastfeeding. </span><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Extended Breastfeeding is simply feeding beyond 12 months. I'm still currently feeding my youngest at 13 months. I've heard a lot of comments from people recently regarding when we're going to stop feeding 'now that he's 1'. Well, in summary, we're going to continue feeding as long as we both feel comfortable and happy about the situation. Whether that be for another month or another year, that's fine by me. They're only small for a short while and he's still gaining a lot of nutrition and comfort from feeding.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">So, why feed beyond a year? They've got teeth, they're eating food and often can ask for milk and eek, walk! Yes, I'm feeding a little one who can walk and can sign for milk. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Here are some facts about feeding beyond infancy (taken from www.babycentre.co.uk;</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><h2 id="section3" class="" name="section3" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0px; margin: 24px 0px 8px; position: relative; z-index: 1;"><span style="font-size: 17px; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Why is breastfeeding my toddler a good thing?</span></h2><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Even though your child is now getting most of his nutrition from <a href="http://www.babycentre.co.uk/a9147/solids-by-age-12-to-18-months" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">solid food</a>, breastmilk still provides immunity from some illnesses, as well as nutrients and vitamins. Breastfed toddlers get ill less often than those who aren't.<br style="box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">If your child is ill, breastmilk may be the only thing he feels like having, or the only food that he can keep down. You'll feel better too, knowing that you're helping him to fight the illness. <br style="box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;"><br style="box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0px; margin: 0px;">As your child matures, breastfeeding lets you comfort and feel close to him. The strong attachment your child feels with you while feeding will actually help him to be <a href="http://www.babycentre.co.uk/a556439/helping-your-child-to-be-independent" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">independent</a>, rather than clingy. Forcing a child to stop breastfeeding before he's ready won't necessarily create a more <a href="http://www.babycentre.co.uk/a556441/helping-your-child-to-be-confident" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">confident child</a>.</span></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Toddlers are always on the go, so breastfeeding gives you both a chance to take time out. It's a good way for you to relax and give your child your undivided attention. The feel-good effects of the hormones prolactin and oxytocin may help you to feel calm and connected with your child.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; color: rgb(51, 51, 51); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 22px; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.235294); -webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">If you <a href="http://www.babycentre.co.uk/a6991/trouble-free-travel-with-a-small-child" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">travel</a> a lot, breastfeeding is much easier than carrying around milk, or worrying about having to buy supplies at your destination. And when you're staying away from home, the comfort of your breast may be the best way to soothe <a href="http://www.babycentre.co.uk/a553861/night-terrors" style="box-sizing: border-box; padding: 0px; margin: 0px; text-decoration: none;">any fears</a>. </span></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh734Qds9wR6m7kbHFfIV2lxbYhQVfaAxRi3jp-MVQtIZMOqBNvmeSCKQv_MZ3gWwQHLD8391A7G1eFvg-0wJzXLJGWYsAO4By_-UWq-Ja5tzNQPxWyDZYZfEhEdl7sw0Qu4r8VXkYhnJE/s640/blogger-image-1775715343.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh734Qds9wR6m7kbHFfIV2lxbYhQVfaAxRi3jp-MVQtIZMOqBNvmeSCKQv_MZ3gWwQHLD8391A7G1eFvg-0wJzXLJGWYsAO4By_-UWq-Ja5tzNQPxWyDZYZfEhEdl7sw0Qu4r8VXkYhnJE/s640/blogger-image-1775715343.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">So next time you see a mum feeding her little one (who looks a little older than infancy) don't react with a shocked face, an inappropriate remark or a head shake. She's merely mothering her child in the way that she believes is best for her child. </span></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">My youngest's feeding pattern varies, however he's gradually cutting back on feeds and tends to feed on a morning, nap time, before bed and a couple of times during the night. As a family, we're content with this situation and raising a happy, healthy toddler. </span></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWLZFhg8C1No7WiGZ46pi8iP4cuain5Lzkii6So28Dn9xbhS9jnhrbImYPPCqL4BDxzNMQlVkECbYyuPU4hNkKM5nhTOap1ko0yq0-XMcArQk8zZvzVY_oKGDAtolIC1H3DRKubOTQ5Y0/s640/blogger-image-2008653968.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWLZFhg8C1No7WiGZ46pi8iP4cuain5Lzkii6So28Dn9xbhS9jnhrbImYPPCqL4BDxzNMQlVkECbYyuPU4hNkKM5nhTOap1ko0yq0-XMcArQk8zZvzVY_oKGDAtolIC1H3DRKubOTQ5Y0/s640/blogger-image-2008653968.jpg"></a></div><br></span></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><br></span></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06766291093066406662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979469347496224149.post-62336776766807748322015-08-04T00:28:00.001-07:002015-08-04T00:28:26.509-07:00My take on World Breastfeeding Week!<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">In homage to World Breastfeeding Week, I thought I'd write a lighthearted piece about the realities of feeding. I'm currently feeding my 13 month old. </span><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">1. Forge a good relationship with your postman or delivery driver. It's likely in your sleep deprived status, you'll flash at him when receiving your parcels. Worse still, accidentally spray him. My postie has witnessed some sights when delivering my Amazon bargains. Poor bloke!</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">2. In the early days, you'll spend a lot of time looking like you're entering a wet t shirt competition. With engorgement and excess milk, you'll likely compete with Pamela Anderson. I had a paediatric nurse laugh at how huge my boobs were 4 days post partum, they were like from a Carry On sketch! </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">3. You'll find yourself shopping and trying on clothes and contorting yourself into strange positions to see if you can retrieve your boob. I bellowed to a friend, "well this dress is no good, I can't get my boobs out!" The elderly gentlemen waiting for his wife was a little taken aback by my outburst. I've recently discovered a Facebook group called Can I breastfeed in it? UK; where mums recommend clothes to each other that are perfect for feeding in and still remain stylish. It's costing me a fortune in pretty dresses, I just need an occasion to wear them to now! My 6 o clock, child induced curfew doesn't really permit a lot of it! </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">4. You'll spend a fortune in coffee shops and cafes whilst out and about with baby and seek out the best feeding spots. My personal favourites are Pret and Debenhams.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">5. In several places, you may get strange looks whilst feeding, abuse or sarcastic remarks. In some instances, use the opportunity to educate, otherwise ignore and just feed your little one. I've had a few instances of negativity. Even though the temptation is there, try to resist squirting these imbeciles with your milk; it's a waste of milk!</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">6. Feeding a toddler is a completely different ball game. The array of stretches your child can do whilst continuing to feed is incredible. I'm thinking of enrolling him in a gymnastics course, or sending him to the circus.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">7. If you have a frequent feeder, it's very normal to feel 'touched out' sometimes. Make sure to make time for yourself. I've been known to say, "I'm going to have half an hour where nobody is touching me!" in order to overcome this. Note: squirting baby doesn't keep him at bay, it just entices him.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">8. Oh, so your baby has teeth, you should stop feeding is a common remark I've heard. He's had teeth since 6 months, but it would be counterproductive if he bit me. His latch doesn't involve his teeth. In 13 months, he's bitten once and that was due to him sneezing. Yes, it hurt, but I'm alive to tell the tale!</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">9. Be prepared for bra shopping to be a nightmare, especially if you've got a larger bust. Nursing bras often resemble something your grandma would wear, so seek out pretty brands; Hotmilk and Cake Lingerie have lovely ranges!</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">10. Be prepared for a barrage of questions from friends and family; here are some of the most common;</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">* Are you still feeding?</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">* How long will you feed for?</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">* How often does he feed?</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">* Have you tasted your milk?</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">* Does he eat any food? (At 13 months I'm still asked this ridiculous question!)</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">* When are you going to go out drinking again? (Bottle refuser baby!)</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">* Are you allowed that glass of wine?</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">* Are you eating cake again?</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCxdkoqVUjwK0D4ZiRx0iVXiv83zZ2xNnhmk1GF20GqwAb46Qs9qOZbZHurNnP6ClqbK1VFKsG9no2PLBmOh_b8tAW3HltDgTs6D5ho7_ofbDiSqLDLJI0YKB5tH1838Cx9uf5SabSpaA/s640/blogger-image--1859856378.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCxdkoqVUjwK0D4ZiRx0iVXiv83zZ2xNnhmk1GF20GqwAb46Qs9qOZbZHurNnP6ClqbK1VFKsG9no2PLBmOh_b8tAW3HltDgTs6D5ho7_ofbDiSqLDLJI0YKB5tH1838Cx9uf5SabSpaA/s640/blogger-image--1859856378.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">In our home, it's natural and normal, it's not a taboo and it shouldn't ever be. It's simply feeding; I'm not a Superhero, I'm just a mum doing what I think is best for my baby. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Feel free to share this with your mummy friends!</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06766291093066406662noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979469347496224149.post-73884231947683910302015-08-03T00:24:00.001-07:002015-08-03T00:24:26.167-07:00Happy Anniversary to my wonderful husband!<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">8 years ago, I married my lovely husband. After 6 years together, we'd planned our big day and it was time for me to wear the oversized dress (the waist would probably fit my ankles now!) and him to wear the quirky top hat and tails (and the cheesy pocket watch he'd insisted on having... I drew a line at the monocle!) A day that will stay with me forever, the day the we said 'I do' at the altar and celebrated with friends and family.</span><div><font color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7019607843137254)" face="UICTFontTextStyleBody"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></span></font></div><div><font color="rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.7019607843137254)" face="UICTFontTextStyleBody"><span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaf4gtN8vsySZaGNuLICKqjYTMKeyvYuSNgVVBRaeNBhNIbG0K23bOVL2a0Ky4l_g2o1NCiD7yXgcZyFjS8lFk9J7Qi7PGBy30izN1AeuPLMb6xnA1cpNuVP5VJLznQa9QO3BRL7teYXo/s640/blogger-image--787377004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaf4gtN8vsySZaGNuLICKqjYTMKeyvYuSNgVVBRaeNBhNIbG0K23bOVL2a0Ky4l_g2o1NCiD7yXgcZyFjS8lFk9J7Qi7PGBy30izN1AeuPLMb6xnA1cpNuVP5VJLznQa9QO3BRL7teYXo/s640/blogger-image--787377004.jpg"></a></div><br></span></font><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Over the past 8 years, we've created lots of memories together, travelled and seen some wonderful sights and brought our beautiful boys into the world. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk25lL6j11_NQbsm1b98mh_ZtCnAXXPxOdT9AREgHpo4FCKaYF9_u__Ja9SyKgGQen7kiOc2zPFgHLHjxXFnE33-BQUkWlVh71ze7dKj4v4Jyjy4PD0lVTBKjMISw9ZhRGSHk4J99EVDk/s640/blogger-image-1213148381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk25lL6j11_NQbsm1b98mh_ZtCnAXXPxOdT9AREgHpo4FCKaYF9_u__Ja9SyKgGQen7kiOc2zPFgHLHjxXFnE33-BQUkWlVh71ze7dKj4v4Jyjy4PD0lVTBKjMISw9ZhRGSHk4J99EVDk/s640/blogger-image-1213148381.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">So today, I'd like to celebrate my husband, Alex; the funny, charming, sarcastic man, who always allows me to get my own way and shares my ridiculously childish sense of humour. Every day is approached with a smile and a laugh. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEw2dti9zUp3axbJ4DOKsxMZqpD3WTubh4TQwh4wwhmQtcAEInhTSN85aqH0dR5cYK2BHV2LzHHIShjdRUDUhIlVzER-V5J-VpC8B4LXZjQjTkbmXdOKHows8HJBzE5OuoP6qyiNRHHa8/s640/blogger-image--1235299244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEw2dti9zUp3axbJ4DOKsxMZqpD3WTubh4TQwh4wwhmQtcAEInhTSN85aqH0dR5cYK2BHV2LzHHIShjdRUDUhIlVzER-V5J-VpC8B4LXZjQjTkbmXdOKHows8HJBzE5OuoP6qyiNRHHa8/s640/blogger-image--1235299244.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=SZGcNx8nV8U</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"> </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3RfsurnWiGiWpiQPK2CnPB2EfMQc5y0GGImzY5WSXQwBEkpF71d47a7mBOu_dM7oRoubOHQqJ6z1YuMXgApgYjBCr38Yv_pzCk3oUM3AF4ffPzA12S0gAYIHOOxLM4CveABE5DiMzALU/s640/blogger-image-425176051.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3RfsurnWiGiWpiQPK2CnPB2EfMQc5y0GGImzY5WSXQwBEkpF71d47a7mBOu_dM7oRoubOHQqJ6z1YuMXgApgYjBCr38Yv_pzCk3oUM3AF4ffPzA12S0gAYIHOOxLM4CveABE5DiMzALU/s640/blogger-image-425176051.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">I love you today for who you are and who I am, all because of you. You deserve a medal as big as a bin lid for putting up with me! Happy anniversary, here's to many more years of comedy, eating copious amounts of chocolate and me being The Boss! </div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6a-bu5Fxr2Oc8Q2cdKIvzKw5XZwMHD0KxDZdeqIrKM6W7MfNjYAm8lDOhzwI0tU5CmPhfFnA5NxlkhdX4Z31f0rDWUPIeEGhVAYrVsJ9kH2NFthYSRgqs9zEsilU-ZmNry1xxrf89bk/s640/blogger-image--2087972308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip6a-bu5Fxr2Oc8Q2cdKIvzKw5XZwMHD0KxDZdeqIrKM6W7MfNjYAm8lDOhzwI0tU5CmPhfFnA5NxlkhdX4Z31f0rDWUPIeEGhVAYrVsJ9kH2NFthYSRgqs9zEsilU-ZmNry1xxrf89bk/s640/blogger-image--2087972308.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06766291093066406662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979469347496224149.post-72213440020547513272015-07-30T15:29:00.001-07:002015-07-30T15:29:57.428-07:00Surviving being a mum of 2; a guide for newly pregnant mums expecting
number 2<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">A year ago, I became a mum of 2 when my precious second born son was born and we've learned a lot during the last year. Here's a few pointers in summary.</span><br><div><div><br></div><div>1. You might currently think of yourself as a yummy mummy, occasionally get your hair and nails done. Scrap that, chop those nails, invest in an array of hair pins and bobbles and dry shampoo (yeah, 3 day old unwashed hair is acceptable now!)</div><div><br></div><div>2. You've recently gone back into trendy and 'unmumsy' clothes, now during your second pregnancy, wear your maternity clothes; but keep them-with the volume of cake and biscuits you'll eat (to save your sanity!) you'll not likely get back into your normal clothes for a long time.</div><div><br></div><div>3. Other people's bodily fluids on your clothes, don't worry, a quick once over with a baby wipe is sufficient. Anyway, nobody will know whether it's shit stains or chocolate and neither will you, until you lick it...</div><div><br></div><div>4. You think you're tired now, wait until you've got 2! A toddler running, jumping, thinking he can fly and a tiny baby who needs assistance with their every need. You'll find yourself using phrases that you never thought would escape your mouth, "don't hit your brother with broccoli and stop rubbing your bum on him..." </div><div><br></div><div>5. Tantrums from a toddler are inevitable and it's best to try to spot them and intervene before they become out of hand. A great tool for this is chocolate, or crisps or any other junk that'll stop them speaking for 5 minutes whilst you're feeding/burping/changing baby number 2.</div><div><br></div><div>6. You'll see your husband/partner in a completely different way. Delegate to them some of the jobs you'd like them to do, whether it be toddler's bedtime, getting up early and letting you have another hour in bed etc. however, remember to praise your husband/partner, he's just an overgrown boy who needs a pat on the back when he's been 'very helpful' too! Reward him with a beer or some chocolate every now and again to keep him sweet and sing his praises to your family. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1_qwzmBfwlha60iqAtvIdNyfPiJkFfVyW7UPjVT5ZOUKym07ZhLXDgB6gnrgazzQv1vs7Q_PPwF24oLIxdqqFx3_NBJW4Hz8OOTHlfTxRdtiXyHQxaizsC5-VGxZWCkdZLWc9Lc2-Wg/s640/blogger-image--2026988295.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1_qwzmBfwlha60iqAtvIdNyfPiJkFfVyW7UPjVT5ZOUKym07ZhLXDgB6gnrgazzQv1vs7Q_PPwF24oLIxdqqFx3_NBJW4Hz8OOTHlfTxRdtiXyHQxaizsC5-VGxZWCkdZLWc9Lc2-Wg/s640/blogger-image--2026988295.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div><br></div><div>And finally...</div><div>7. You'll never know love like this; when you see your two children interacting, showing joy and love for each other, your heart will melt every time and you'll forget that he's dug up your plant and told his sibling that it's salad/wiped his own faeces on your carpet/drawn on the door and blamed his baby brother or sister/wrecked your living room with a trail of toys... HAPPY PARENTING MUM OF 2! </div><div><br></div><div><br style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06766291093066406662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979469347496224149.post-54029354129780793222015-07-13T08:48:00.001-07:002015-07-13T08:48:50.030-07:00Forever Bright Toothgel Review<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">I've been using the Aloe Vera Toothgel for around 2 weeks now (morning and evening) and overall, I'm impressed with it. It's quite surprising at first glance; it has a fresh, green colour, as opposed to the White or striped toothpaste that I usually use. However, this just shows how natural the product is. </span><br><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">After every brush, my teeth are left feeling clean and have a lovely sheen to them. I often opt for a toothpaste with whitening properties and this makes no bold claims, although it's certainly made a difference.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSC6tJoz8OVSFvGLlD8Ye3rKDE_fbhXVjV4ZNtOMYiMyPv4Vc-OuCjm8s-Fyi-meDTyuL4kn6URSaEiFH2-8_JMjAqqVJK-NuX3n4yRR-Oy6KikAZILUcqgzyKaWP6qwYCqtfI2NPqsrk/s640/blogger-image-1634634817.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSC6tJoz8OVSFvGLlD8Ye3rKDE_fbhXVjV4ZNtOMYiMyPv4Vc-OuCjm8s-Fyi-meDTyuL4kn6URSaEiFH2-8_JMjAqqVJK-NuX3n4yRR-Oy6KikAZILUcqgzyKaWP6qwYCqtfI2NPqsrk/s640/blogger-image-1634634817.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">I suffer from sensitive gums, that are prone to bleeding, however when using the tooth gel, it feels gentler on my teeth. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">My only complaint is that it doesn't contain fluoride, therefore my youngest is unable to use it (he was born with a cleft lip and his teeth have limited enamel, so he must use a toothpaste with added fluoride). </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Priced at £5.98, some may argue that it's a little expensive for a toothpaste, but a little goes a long way and this will last for a long while. I'm keen to try out other products in the range. I love the fact that they're from nature, with no nasties in them. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCsPGU9rYdQ_AdulBXMfhPBQW-Iwz4K3eaSToP-_cR68IdqU5pJ29b64F32w-hr_z6Cvh8Fcd-wQreifYz1TMXkoAy4DH-nTC-4jfblljjvhs3y9ZySkakuAhK2F0csnGlhLik6pY0_Vc/s640/blogger-image--240887256.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCsPGU9rYdQ_AdulBXMfhPBQW-Iwz4K3eaSToP-_cR68IdqU5pJ29b64F32w-hr_z6Cvh8Fcd-wQreifYz1TMXkoAy4DH-nTC-4jfblljjvhs3y9ZySkakuAhK2F0csnGlhLik6pY0_Vc/s640/blogger-image--240887256.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">To purchase Forever Living products, contact Lianne; either on Facebook or via her website: </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/naturesbountybeeandaloe?ref=bookmarks" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="link" x-apple-data-detectors-result="1">https://www.facebook.com/naturesbountybeeandaloe?ref=bookmarks</a></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><a href="http://www.beesandaloeforever.co.uk" x-apple-data-detectors="true" x-apple-data-detectors-type="link" x-apple-data-detectors-result="2">www.beesandaloeforever.co.uk</a></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06766291093066406662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979469347496224149.post-55317984590335829792015-07-10T15:05:00.001-07:002015-07-10T15:05:35.663-07:00Cake Smash Photo Shoot<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">This week, we enjoyed one of Isaac's birthday gifts; a cake smash photo shoot.</span><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">After viewing some other cake smash shoots, I wasn't sure how Isaac would react. However, he happily put his feet into the cake and after I gave him a taster, he was keen to eat more. I cut him a slice and he went to town with it! He was filthy and had fun! The photographer got some amazing shots of the boys. Here's a sneaky preview:</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQFmgsbQpNr_4A1B7-KceybMcTInoa2xQmtJ3E-qOEbC5eMPDeUdv5i6sS1-lHtBTOpbScckMqqCX4W_y7EU3Zgs_cnSPmt2vVmeS9Ljw77npoj4lvIbgWz2AClK-oJ9iEC7xohw205JI/s640/blogger-image-200166169.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQFmgsbQpNr_4A1B7-KceybMcTInoa2xQmtJ3E-qOEbC5eMPDeUdv5i6sS1-lHtBTOpbScckMqqCX4W_y7EU3Zgs_cnSPmt2vVmeS9Ljw77npoj4lvIbgWz2AClK-oJ9iEC7xohw205JI/s640/blogger-image-200166169.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">We highly recommend Joe Connor at Foto Couture, based in South Shields.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06766291093066406662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979469347496224149.post-28764139138068877402015-07-01T23:59:00.001-07:002015-07-01T23:59:36.344-07:00I'm a party planning obsessive!I <span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">love planning a party; whether it be an afternoon tea, a kids birthday party, a milestone birthday surprise party or a wedding, I get a little obsessive and involved. </span><br><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXY2TQsIX2jUwNkizhFJfdLY8CCrS4i-1kWDTXiTqJxS_4V7_dBE7vcjV1td7P5AY45dv5oc-9S0wKp1cP_uaVei1iiA7wW0W-AR8DbFkYKcQbjruQ_7C85ngFCkU6CBU9GBJy3KhSrY/s640/blogger-image--764188037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVXY2TQsIX2jUwNkizhFJfdLY8CCrS4i-1kWDTXiTqJxS_4V7_dBE7vcjV1td7P5AY45dv5oc-9S0wKp1cP_uaVei1iiA7wW0W-AR8DbFkYKcQbjruQ_7C85ngFCkU6CBU9GBJy3KhSrY/s640/blogger-image--764188037.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgih3dp77jQHLi9rYDHybZJKQl4nUSPwYI6qQ41IkXn6u8TR4sTeQz6bOt41GO0pXqrdh-OYOsV5EPEldS5muRHrdz2nkN57l0zd3CGXGnvlTYZkUVxLtucF-WiF-NSxL4WPKXGUZTXBCI/s640/blogger-image-1338014724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgih3dp77jQHLi9rYDHybZJKQl4nUSPwYI6qQ41IkXn6u8TR4sTeQz6bOt41GO0pXqrdh-OYOsV5EPEldS5muRHrdz2nkN57l0zd3CGXGnvlTYZkUVxLtucF-WiF-NSxL4WPKXGUZTXBCI/s640/blogger-image-1338014724.jpg"></a></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div>I usually choose a theme and follow that for colour, favours, decorations for the room, food etc. For Noah's previous birthdays, we've had an animal themed party with Zoo Academy, a Disney themed party with a bouncy castle and character visit (thanks to my sister and sister in law!) and a soft play, digger themed party.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis7Nu9s45MPAhgI8Zz3gUbmAH4pVSfoekWycQ-HlyKy4bfcdIfmk5YkzzlPI5AcqGx0D8Jxjn1T8ZxJ6NKB4RHnMkqKFg2G3HlIPsnn6aXVA_K0dnr9JZ7di2Gx4dwIzaKqgpZgSS5QFQ/s640/blogger-image--608736229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis7Nu9s45MPAhgI8Zz3gUbmAH4pVSfoekWycQ-HlyKy4bfcdIfmk5YkzzlPI5AcqGx0D8Jxjn1T8ZxJ6NKB4RHnMkqKFg2G3HlIPsnn6aXVA_K0dnr9JZ7di2Gx4dwIzaKqgpZgSS5QFQ/s640/blogger-image--608736229.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VAJKTtKBp_cX1M2EQcehXI805kyOs__Dw0uVfKBpyVxT3oXcpeFbb3gW8DSUFW8PxQOh5ARb8iWwQ2EHKH7WLxMnr-0Iv1QOnzoglezIBFWGWzxI2DHy-Vt6k4EVmuicTArGlyMMptI/s640/blogger-image--35403326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6VAJKTtKBp_cX1M2EQcehXI805kyOs__Dw0uVfKBpyVxT3oXcpeFbb3gW8DSUFW8PxQOh5ARb8iWwQ2EHKH7WLxMnr-0Iv1QOnzoglezIBFWGWzxI2DHy-Vt6k4EVmuicTArGlyMMptI/s640/blogger-image--35403326.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbA_CzQ6eQCCGqghZJOCxeeXuSkmdzL8LezH7gZQZQmgkTaxR1oHr1fClZxKdI89tX41kP8OcXloPghI7zznmzPA8f5XnyXTMUHKpb4hvpqNUDrolrKoIvtsjnBkFkfPRYsZBZmh1LuPc/s640/blogger-image-337241010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbA_CzQ6eQCCGqghZJOCxeeXuSkmdzL8LezH7gZQZQmgkTaxR1oHr1fClZxKdI89tX41kP8OcXloPghI7zznmzPA8f5XnyXTMUHKpb4hvpqNUDrolrKoIvtsjnBkFkfPRYsZBZmh1LuPc/s640/blogger-image-337241010.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQ6m25IANZ9_MZndNJuo2Fz-c7hwOO5kJnzbMqD0pokOStnUVpSIfFT2wsW9lCq-pQzwb3zGQyJLKjUj97RU1tpMcLi2emksCF4i5a-cgCOclbfFrm7yg8SToid-zNNvvcidFIJ1UMkA/s640/blogger-image--1070031752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQQ6m25IANZ9_MZndNJuo2Fz-c7hwOO5kJnzbMqD0pokOStnUVpSIfFT2wsW9lCq-pQzwb3zGQyJLKjUj97RU1tpMcLi2emksCF4i5a-cgCOclbfFrm7yg8SToid-zNNvvcidFIJ1UMkA/s640/blogger-image--1070031752.jpg"></a></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div>As Isaac's 1st birthday approached, there was one theme that came to mind-The Very Hungry Caterpillar as our theme. Mainly because Isaac loves food! So our decorations and food were on this theme. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBimBvp8DCX243TeiW6H4gGvkmLgAtfvGL9LjoJxLTqCgPnFxN11BcHw56XPBKrFbEy_t5YuUo1A2EA6uSZxODiVe5V7hTrTOp7IQEplzYy-buTmx1kTLR_n6RS37fKrPNNTj3TtiKYM/s640/blogger-image-40299713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBimBvp8DCX243TeiW6H4gGvkmLgAtfvGL9LjoJxLTqCgPnFxN11BcHw56XPBKrFbEy_t5YuUo1A2EA6uSZxODiVe5V7hTrTOp7IQEplzYy-buTmx1kTLR_n6RS37fKrPNNTj3TtiKYM/s640/blogger-image-40299713.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK4fr9JXVlb8nPda5ny6LkoqvgLaAS-ko5gyNXjSAYcSHh9cwxHkYtdGmFthzzaku3ITg9kyF9kDELoaM_9swNU6rCt9YFZqblLOVx0d_tpswM9-xz7k93q3frdo4FqynXYh28XFDpaxE/s640/blogger-image-2083846762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK4fr9JXVlb8nPda5ny6LkoqvgLaAS-ko5gyNXjSAYcSHh9cwxHkYtdGmFthzzaku3ITg9kyF9kDELoaM_9swNU6rCt9YFZqblLOVx0d_tpswM9-xz7k93q3frdo4FqynXYh28XFDpaxE/s640/blogger-image-2083846762.jpg"></a></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQtjgSxE0FrBr6vrlJla61Djobl2X2suVfcInZKYnDrM1cKnFoL6941KMEz0j1YEEUW_p93jINiq957T7L0gIR8lmhm_pc-Ivb2F56kIp5um5mV5Y739WuMWbiz00hUQeqDR-iGAyaks/s640/blogger-image--1901800511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQtjgSxE0FrBr6vrlJla61Djobl2X2suVfcInZKYnDrM1cKnFoL6941KMEz0j1YEEUW_p93jINiq957T7L0gIR8lmhm_pc-Ivb2F56kIp5um5mV5Y739WuMWbiz00hUQeqDR-iGAyaks/s640/blogger-image--1901800511.jpg"></a></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div>I've recently discovered Pinterest too. Dangerous territory for a party obsessive! Next up, planning Isaac's baptism...</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">What's your favourite party theme?</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06766291093066406662noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979469347496224149.post-76046821163456667762015-06-23T00:02:00.001-07:002015-06-23T00:02:23.436-07:00Breastfeeding Awareness Week... Not in Babies R Us!<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">As you know from my earlier posting this week, it's Breastfeeding Awareness Week. Babies R Us on their UK Facebook page chose to make reference to it by advertising a machine that prepares formula (see below.)</span><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhYjkHnLbRCE65d7UFB7dokvs2NwnGlMeN_5CMzLh6kDxbaDBwYBBvae0CzSyrGP0dyVZxJXFpH6YMEeFqKs_CUO0cqVeuN1J80iwiwvii07HzTDwh-p65M05zlOukQdvbtLJBFEEydY/s640/blogger-image--482737383.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhYjkHnLbRCE65d7UFB7dokvs2NwnGlMeN_5CMzLh6kDxbaDBwYBBvae0CzSyrGP0dyVZxJXFpH6YMEeFqKs_CUO0cqVeuN1J80iwiwvii07HzTDwh-p65M05zlOukQdvbtLJBFEEydY/s640/blogger-image--482737383.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWf6naKA0l7U8ZBKnFsPK2i269GnmClUU3UlPDzzs4B72_RRHjpvV3USOIqgP_TDDGUgnxxwGGTMQJcIA_5K3MZnOOeY3Ub9ItfXU3Hvs0JpeypILw6APo3mExn1KYRhS8P8ibtai74mo/s640/blogger-image--2052449918.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWf6naKA0l7U8ZBKnFsPK2i269GnmClUU3UlPDzzs4B72_RRHjpvV3USOIqgP_TDDGUgnxxwGGTMQJcIA_5K3MZnOOeY3Ub9ItfXU3Hvs0JpeypILw6APo3mExn1KYRhS8P8ibtai74mo/s640/blogger-image--2052449918.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">I was flabbergasted at their ridiculousness. Perhaps they could've actually shown support for breastfeeding mothers by promoting products to support breastfeeding; a discount on a breast pump, nipple balm, nursing bras or breast pads perhaps? </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">In the early days of breastfeeding, many mums have doubts about their ability to feed, they may be suffering from mastitis, tender nipples or blocked ducts, their baby may be going through a growth spurt and frantically feeding around the clock. All normal, but when confronted with an advert such as yours, this may deplete their confidence and look at an alternative.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">What Babies R Us have done is the opposite of normalising breastfeeding. They have actively chosen to promote a product during this time, even making reference to breastfeeding week in the advertisement. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">I have 2 'perfect prep' God given machines, no need for electricity, cables or any additional purchases. They don't take up a ghastly amount of room on my kitchen bench, the milk is ready 24/7 and at the perfect temperature, with no need to wait. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDgAqD11SHYWb2SvVTNVSQvW4x9mSaTz6liwZLrksE9o_pwM_igmoOKapPzc_8AEWiQPL-y19Tk5ZNadBN96YXePxL9Uz2XXtNBJ9liumllJAPlHkzd9xA0zUk0pNJQO5fNGuLayczuk/s640/blogger-image-455786702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirDgAqD11SHYWb2SvVTNVSQvW4x9mSaTz6liwZLrksE9o_pwM_igmoOKapPzc_8AEWiQPL-y19Tk5ZNadBN96YXePxL9Uz2XXtNBJ9liumllJAPlHkzd9xA0zUk0pNJQO5fNGuLayczuk/s640/blogger-image-455786702.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Thanks to people who give support to breastfeeding, we're still feeding at almost a year. I just hope that your online marketing team think before advertising products that actively discourage breastfeeding, especially during Breastfeeding Awareness Week.</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06766291093066406662noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979469347496224149.post-36505882321082222802015-06-21T23:33:00.001-07:002015-06-21T23:33:17.057-07:00Happy Breastfeeding Awareness Week!<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">This week is Breastfeeding Awareness Week and in homage, I'd like to document my feeding journeys with the boys. </span><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">When Noah was born, he was a tiny 4lb 10.5oz bundle, who was very sleepy and struggled to latch. After a few days, his weight had plummeted and he had jaundice and was admitted to hospital. He continued to struggle to latch and I felt like a failure and in reflection, I just had a lack of support. I wasn't aware of support locally or of the work of La Leche League. I was in pain and encouraged to express by neonatal nurses and give him my milk via a bottle (so that they could monitor his intake and combat dehydration whilst he was beneath the bilirubin lamps.) </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekqFOi_lJvDnFZ2bVny1UgIfZsU0ccVAR-7tr0HWjpRVsQ4FuMfCC5hsFwzfq9rTiTlBoFt_oZ0HMU_JMNDU_f2UfxS-8OUQ_jMdJCHNTHRX91087RHdO-Eskqy160c5j34J-dhkpFx8/s640/blogger-image-691385234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekqFOi_lJvDnFZ2bVny1UgIfZsU0ccVAR-7tr0HWjpRVsQ4FuMfCC5hsFwzfq9rTiTlBoFt_oZ0HMU_JMNDU_f2UfxS-8OUQ_jMdJCHNTHRX91087RHdO-Eskqy160c5j34J-dhkpFx8/s640/blogger-image-691385234.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">When we came out of hospital a few days later, he refused to latch, so I continued to express and bottle feed. Those early days were a struggle and</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">I was expressing every 2 hours round the clock, feeding baby, washing and sterilising. It was a busy cycle of events; but I was determined that he'd have my milk. At 6 months post partum, I stopped expressing at night and did every 3/4 hours throughout the day. It was limiting, I had to take my pump with me everywhere and I felt quite a stigma in bottle feeding. Although, I knew that I was doing the best I could do. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">I managed to continue to express for 14 months. With support locally being fairly lacking at the time, I was able to get a lot of support online on Facebook groups of mums who'd chosen to express for a wide variety of reasons. I'm proud of what I achieved! He's now a happy and healthy 3 year old!</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSWdpYJrvFvGxD8Gr32uoatJWkwHaGeos5vBKiGN6Edb1LfSRIzBPoGBJlItCHR0nvOb1IclnobLS8OqqV-xcUghTwNWcBtC6-hbLkQ4DRnYew19So9VlAKELCAQjf-LjGkv_-m2-ncE/s640/blogger-image--1115085787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSWdpYJrvFvGxD8Gr32uoatJWkwHaGeos5vBKiGN6Edb1LfSRIzBPoGBJlItCHR0nvOb1IclnobLS8OqqV-xcUghTwNWcBtC6-hbLkQ4DRnYew19So9VlAKELCAQjf-LjGkv_-m2-ncE/s640/blogger-image--1115085787.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Second time round, I was told that it was highly unlikely that I'd be able to feed Isaac due to his cleft lip and possible palate. I mentally prepared myself for a journey of expressing again and the lovely people at Medela sent me a fabulous Freestyle pump. However, with the support of our cleft nurse and La Leche League, I was determined I give it a try if his palate wasn't involved. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">As soon as he was born and I'd checked his palate, I immediately tried to latch him. Magically, our little bundle was determined to feed. He latched perfectly and with careful positioning techniques, he was able to feed. I had a large store of colostrum and syringe fed him top ups after feeds. He lost very little of his birth weight and was a frequent feeder. We even got involved in The Big Latch On during the last Breastfeeding Awareness Week.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRA91fGDXp6ExjfdQ3abXyP-B0agtX1bat2RgIoTbXaeWCiw9oF4Fvb0e9z4mik5BWpXwzxEpZB0m_U-8n8lGSOME-GYCtSopXDSAzqV80YBLWdDWB-bYJkI1SS8hxMuKkil5ivPq8ulk/s640/blogger-image-2078843312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRA91fGDXp6ExjfdQ3abXyP-B0agtX1bat2RgIoTbXaeWCiw9oF4Fvb0e9z4mik5BWpXwzxEpZB0m_U-8n8lGSOME-GYCtSopXDSAzqV80YBLWdDWB-bYJkI1SS8hxMuKkil5ivPq8ulk/s640/blogger-image-2078843312.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">After his cleft lip operation, he was determined to get back to the breast, even though he was in pain, we reverted to syringe feeding for a few days. Together we worked hard to achieve and amend his latch and Isaac continued to thrive. He's now approaching his first birthday and I'm happy to say that we're still feeding. I'm not sure how long that we'll feed for, but I'm proud of how far that we've come, with a variety of hurdles along the way.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOAu8X0QpunqArdXKapvd89ULv372mbGT9y-8_v2zRLETuKTnwalJPF08ITyoXFumeLMZGnP9bNkVj0MfeuZwc5eLfIwsoz9X_6yR7auQ30kwmMjiVe4GZldeM5gH3IJOqxww_NomWsI/s640/blogger-image--1978138279.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPOAu8X0QpunqArdXKapvd89ULv372mbGT9y-8_v2zRLETuKTnwalJPF08ITyoXFumeLMZGnP9bNkVj0MfeuZwc5eLfIwsoz9X_6yR7auQ30kwmMjiVe4GZldeM5gH3IJOqxww_NomWsI/s640/blogger-image--1978138279.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Breastfeeding is a wonderful thing, with benefits for both mother and baby. It's something that I'm keen to promote and I'm hoping to get a qualification in supporting mums in their own feeding journeys. There needs to be more support out there. Happy Breastfeeding Awareness Week! </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06766291093066406662noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979469347496224149.post-15099846025196250002015-06-08T07:32:00.001-07:002015-06-08T07:32:32.066-07:00What a difference a year makes...Around a year ago, we were making our final preparations for the birth of our second son, Isaac. After receiving the diagnosis that he would be born with a unilateral cleft lip and possible cleft palate, we had 2 4d 'bonding' scans and were able see his face in order to prepare us for what to anticipate when he arrived.<div><div><br></div><div>So to reflect upon our first year with our beautiful Isaac, I thought I'd write a blog post for parents about what to anticipate and how to manage your first year with a baby born with a cleft.<div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">*Prior to giving birth, I pondered 'what I'd done wrong' for Isaac to have his cleft. I worried about silly things like what I'd eaten, the glass of wine I'd had prior to discovering I was pregnant and the medication I'd taken to relieve a migraine. After a full family history, we couldn't find any direct link either. So many thoughts were swimming around my head and I lost so much sleep over it and I blamed myself for a long time. Too much time was wasted; whilst I could've been enjoying the remainder of the pregnancy, I focused on the negative, the worries and stresses.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCeMt669x_sL4wSQW7pee2d-1-uqEYTzhvrW6Dp3EtGeX_OxalOPaMsxW4-fwccn_JALPQpmRt8NBvYOVz7I5Vm-QyBLftbOFQ_gUIGon6-O4oa5E2dv1m8-puUs8nw6nAIWUXjeoSnM/s640/blogger-image-733409790.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLCeMt669x_sL4wSQW7pee2d-1-uqEYTzhvrW6Dp3EtGeX_OxalOPaMsxW4-fwccn_JALPQpmRt8NBvYOVz7I5Vm-QyBLftbOFQ_gUIGon6-O4oa5E2dv1m8-puUs8nw6nAIWUXjeoSnM/s640/blogger-image-733409790.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">*During my pregnancy, I was incredibly worried about how I'd bond with my baby, how I'd learn to accept his face with a cleft and how I'd deal with other people's reactions. However, when he was born, I instantly fell in love with him, including his cleft. Any fears about my bond with him evaporated in the instant he was placed into my arms. I became a fierce and defensive mother, with my main aim to educate people's ignorance. I hope I've been able to educate and deepen people's understanding of cleft lip.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjdc2HTFbuPMW3S1buVJkFx-YiB6i_J1BAwOOiI_tvThsgimkvmeDz5CsG0l6sjuEIYHxKlf432w3rsDdj5eLzCwE6pmD_Mp7sKst8IQZsSMUmAjJ_WXkbALh1St91eSdTib4y7cEt5Y/s640/blogger-image--1512998123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjdc2HTFbuPMW3S1buVJkFx-YiB6i_J1BAwOOiI_tvThsgimkvmeDz5CsG0l6sjuEIYHxKlf432w3rsDdj5eLzCwE6pmD_Mp7sKst8IQZsSMUmAjJ_WXkbALh1St91eSdTib4y7cEt5Y/s640/blogger-image--1512998123.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">*I received multiple negative remarks regarding Isaac's appearance and on several occasions, was incredibly upset by the rude, obnoxious comments. However, remember that your baby is beautiful, their ignorance and stupidity often can't be altered. I have attempted to educate and inform many people in many forms; my column in Prima Baby magazine, a radio appearance and through discussions with individuals. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IHq3QHaFS2wcwBbkMXX7D8A0DzXFXEhtaOqaw2Q8RqKXB1gddJzLWxnT8jQRhSd9fUGJGxnh7hWtoq4rA29V92m8G6Az1pqcDySgZuLuqfoU6DNROjTN_LOB1Sy5VC5wU-AiDsdpW9k/s640/blogger-image--2064306515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6IHq3QHaFS2wcwBbkMXX7D8A0DzXFXEhtaOqaw2Q8RqKXB1gddJzLWxnT8jQRhSd9fUGJGxnh7hWtoq4rA29V92m8G6Az1pqcDySgZuLuqfoU6DNROjTN_LOB1Sy5VC5wU-AiDsdpW9k/s640/blogger-image--2064306515.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">*The uncertainly in not knowing the extent of his cleft was worrying. Finding out that his palate wasn't involved was a great relief (one less operation to worry about!)</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxbcSW3899lyFx6rACYFOoytl9auGe_TXT2HQBPxYEYje1sOKJRB_7kMTLThI1QFlgxPGFIjHx8-WyNkFSPtIXNpODQnJ0JzaM0M015-Ny5HpQWF_L9EsIsYt1VZ3YCqP-V0kSZeUdNok/s640/blogger-image--1301458083.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxbcSW3899lyFx6rACYFOoytl9auGe_TXT2HQBPxYEYje1sOKJRB_7kMTLThI1QFlgxPGFIjHx8-WyNkFSPtIXNpODQnJ0JzaM0M015-Ny5HpQWF_L9EsIsYt1VZ3YCqP-V0kSZeUdNok/s640/blogger-image--1301458083.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">*In the weeks leading up to Isaac's lip repair operation, I stressed so much. I worried that he'd be unable to breastfeed afterwards, I worried that he'd be in pain, I worried that I'd not recognise him and most of all, I was afraid that I'd find it difficult to accept his new, 'second smile'. Post operation was difficult; he was sore, swollen and upset, he couldn't feed straightaway and it took a few days for him to relearn how to feed. When the swelling had subsided, he looked so different and I mourned the loss of his cleft. I loved him regardless, but found it such a challenge to accept his new look. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkvMs9NS9UeQsvGRFVv_OnH8QIcKlAzF4OWMsWBZ47jaEVZhnKK8UaStCSZNM8u__q08zyznJ142Zxn-0DaTuKjY0bzHpNjS7Lr_Lq4TJBvtARWYIY9JqdoT4wUsxoEaHuMYsML51JO4/s640/blogger-image--372971283.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkvMs9NS9UeQsvGRFVv_OnH8QIcKlAzF4OWMsWBZ47jaEVZhnKK8UaStCSZNM8u__q08zyznJ142Zxn-0DaTuKjY0bzHpNjS7Lr_Lq4TJBvtARWYIY9JqdoT4wUsxoEaHuMYsML51JO4/s640/blogger-image--372971283.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">*The most challenging part was handing our baby over to the anaesthetist. Filled with emotion, you have to put your utmost trust in the surgeons to take care of your little bundle. It's an emotional time and those hours that they're in theatre feel like a lifetime. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">*It's imperative that you do regular scar massage. We use Kelocote regularly to lessen the appearance of Isaac's scar. It's still a little raised, but as time goes on, it's fading more. We're really happy with the outcome and appearance. We have a beautiful little boy, with an amazing megawatt smile!</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4f37lSC7jP0HT-wbP-E8IwJcjTPkfGY602Me-SEYepGLBYNEGKk1QPJ6xmzI5kdDVOXDQubLEU32rLljiwtt99W8yugX2X1jzL9E06vA9XY7lyLrPSDcEIIH5W9w5X4EgFRnBmgZ410/s640/blogger-image-1862565425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4f37lSC7jP0HT-wbP-E8IwJcjTPkfGY602Me-SEYepGLBYNEGKk1QPJ6xmzI5kdDVOXDQubLEU32rLljiwtt99W8yugX2X1jzL9E06vA9XY7lyLrPSDcEIIH5W9w5X4EgFRnBmgZ410/s640/blogger-image-1862565425.jpg"></a></div></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">*Please realise that your baby is like any other baby, they usually reach milestones like any other, so don't worry; don't sweat the small stuff! Smile and enjoy your family!</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_41bVyVqP4Id4C8spnpQ7YA33vRTNj4aam-LyjV4ASxnUOViQTr1ZtiBMghqUYVpoMaFqr7BUw9vdrXmUajn9Kuqp5X2PuJeLiGQn4lHXgm-r4I0PY9wfVYug31_vqaIs3UN6TeJ1pKM/s640/blogger-image-150336953.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_41bVyVqP4Id4C8spnpQ7YA33vRTNj4aam-LyjV4ASxnUOViQTr1ZtiBMghqUYVpoMaFqr7BUw9vdrXmUajn9Kuqp5X2PuJeLiGQn4lHXgm-r4I0PY9wfVYug31_vqaIs3UN6TeJ1pKM/s640/blogger-image-150336953.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">A letter to Isaac:</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">As it's almost your birthday, we'd just like to say, that by having you complete our family, we're truly blessed. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">In just one year, you've taught us so much; you've shown us how strong we can be as a family, how we can love and support each other through the challenging times and moreover, you've brought great happiness to our lives. </div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);">You bring us laughter every day and you're becoming so big and strong. You're beautiful, just like your big brother. We adore you, we loved your first smile and we love your second one too! Lots of love, Mammy, Daddy and your big brother, Noah xxx</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDr6wzgDWKmsDNHjCLzX3bgr_OaM2J9NtyuwnqahQLRX2KS-8uzJ9RjHDfT4DFKZfIsyH53emN6eog_glKVQkTtBmlRjrfnbv5On29Rhq7fTXoBbRJ5ttY3n0ZGzWryhDTVTfOF-o-yg/s640/blogger-image--363347123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeDr6wzgDWKmsDNHjCLzX3bgr_OaM2J9NtyuwnqahQLRX2KS-8uzJ9RjHDfT4DFKZfIsyH53emN6eog_glKVQkTtBmlRjrfnbv5On29Rhq7fTXoBbRJ5ttY3n0ZGzWryhDTVTfOF-o-yg/s640/blogger-image--363347123.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392);"><br></div></div></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06766291093066406662noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3979469347496224149.post-16624569638196122402015-06-04T23:19:00.001-07:002015-06-04T23:19:32.323-07:00Are you tired?<span style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">When I worked full time as a teacher and didn't have the boys, I'd often complain about feeling tired. Now teaching is a stressful, all consuming, tiring job, but I don't think anything ever prepares you for the tiredness of being a parent, especially one of babies and toddlers of the non sleeping variety.</span><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Last night was a tiring one. Toddler who decided that the early hours was a good time to demand hugs from daddy and 5.15am was an acceptable time to rise (a lie in is to get to 6am in our house!) However, thrown into the mix; an 11 month old boob monster who fussed, fed, tried to climb and seat drop on my head almost every hour throughout the night. Complete with a cheeky giggle, it's difficult to get cross with him. It's likely to be developmental, as he's showing lots of keenness to walk and climb. However, after the lack of sleep last night, I'll be less than impressed if he hasn't learned to fly, never mind walk!</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilO1-0at8MtWr3PvYDPDzDs5hzQ2h8UhsLYElJS2cqUNJwAmfWqlM20JkNGX3zBI9KfRD1dl8hl3BtEWFncCFVDeIf2UUJ1Vdcm4c3qrFMe8TS1UPaPOL68mTs_qk62f1LyXLiaIFD7E4/s640/blogger-image-426559795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilO1-0at8MtWr3PvYDPDzDs5hzQ2h8UhsLYElJS2cqUNJwAmfWqlM20JkNGX3zBI9KfRD1dl8hl3BtEWFncCFVDeIf2UUJ1Vdcm4c3qrFMe8TS1UPaPOL68mTs_qk62f1LyXLiaIFD7E4/s640/blogger-image-426559795.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">To say I was exhausted when at 5.30am, baby decided that he was getting up (...even though he remained exhausted too!) is an understatement!</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">Some days go by in a blur of tiredness and I'm not looking for sympathy here, I chose to have the boys and personally don't advocate some of the 'sleep training' methods I've read so much about. I'm looking for ways of 'coping' on such little sleep. I know it'll pass eventually and I'll have 2 lazy, grunting teenagers who I struggle to drag out of their pits.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBkfj4pQyBeqkAZtBquK6DoLVRU_1SiNHllnKwYauB_oXo6jQrSX_0tFEc_-zpMpiP4Q04W-DnuDUCWL7WjQgxE_pQtZdexMApIFRKYzmkljsr1BSeGBTFY-7knGC2sYlgUlKVx7h4iHo/s640/blogger-image-1873804119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBkfj4pQyBeqkAZtBquK6DoLVRU_1SiNHllnKwYauB_oXo6jQrSX_0tFEc_-zpMpiP4Q04W-DnuDUCWL7WjQgxE_pQtZdexMApIFRKYzmkljsr1BSeGBTFY-7knGC2sYlgUlKVx7h4iHo/s640/blogger-image-1873804119.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">I hear a lot about 'sleep when baby sleeps', but that's not possible in a playgroup, on public transport or when toddler wants me to pretend to be a horse and ride around with him on my back.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">My current coping strategies include;</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">* Gorging on cake,biscuits and Nutella by the spoonful (I'm hoping it's going on Isaac's thighs and tummy, not mine...)</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">* Numerous cups of coffee, which results in toilet trips with an audience.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">* Moaning to mummy friends.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">* The occasional glass of wine when all 3 boys (including husband!) are sleeping.</div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><br></div><div style="color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; -webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">What's your coping methods on minimal sleep? <br></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06766291093066406662noreply@blogger.com2