Quick make #1

I would really like to try this make your own fabric softener, it's a basic recipe and I wonder if it's safe for baby skin - obviously at the moment we use sensitive and nonbiological powder. Any thoughts!?

Merry Christmas!!

So we have had a great first Christmas with Belle, she has been spoiled by everyone! I have taken so many pictures of her just trying to remember everything for her, we have even had to start a toy box for missy.

I don't think it could have gone better except for Belle being excited too maybe! But that's for next year!!

Improvisedintentions still has her give away running so check it out before the new year's activities!!

happenings

I am still trying to find my feet with how much of my New mummy life I want to share on here, I am still very protective of Belle - maybe too much. but this has also mmeant I am a little lost for things to blog about.

I have some craft projects I would like to do  and document them here, it is just other than that I don't really know.

http://improvisedintentions.blogspot.co.uk     is my sister's blog, she is hosting her first give away and I would love if you guys could enter and show her some love back!!

If anyone has any constructive thoughts on my blogging issues please leave a comment, otherwise merry Christmas!!!

23

Yesterday the 12th I turned 23. Birthdays and age hasn't ever meant a lot to me, I think growing old is inevitable and therefore why worry. This birthday however, has  come at a time when I am amazed by the feeling of running out of time. Belle has grown so much I find it so hard to both believe and accept.  Many things I remember my mum saying about growing fast have a new meaning, I think that's a part of appreciating the life you create. 

My birthday doesn't seem a big deal with how my life is at the moment, but as I have yet to experience a child's birthday I imagine it to be very bitter sweet for my parents. Loving being a part of their very grown up daughter's life (!!) but also wondering how 23 years has passed. 

I have had a lovely day and seen a lot of the people I love. Which in my mind is what keeps me in the here and now, making time for and appreciating the family I have. 

I have had such a blessed year and truly love where I am in my life right now. Even with less sleep :)

So when I have a free moment

I am enjoying reading a series of blogs at the moment, in between baby raising, keeping the house clean and my mister fed. This is what I find myself drawn to once I am free

Bright wishes
Eight days a week - which made me a little broody .... err hello 10 week old missus (?!?!)
As always, Smile and Wave
Sunny with a chance of sprinkles

And my friend's blogs
Katy - who just had a baby with her husband James. Aside from my baby girl of course, she is my favourite new friend for Belle. Our household has a cough cold at the moment so I haven't met Olivia yet but I know that when I do I am going to be amazed at the size difference.

Plus of course, my little sister. She is back at uni for her Master's degree but she came down last weekend to meet Belle and it was so beautiful. There is something so heart warming seeing the people you love together. I am positive Belle loved having someone else around to look at - plus Stacey takes so many pictures I get to remember bits I might have missed.

Some more thoughts on babies

I didn't think I was the sort of person to go back to work after having a baby, but I am beginning to understand more why people decide to.
At the moment, my life is completely Belle and I am ok with that for now. As she grows I am getting more and more time to do things - that's just cleaning for now.
In her morning nap the other day I ordered all the grandparents presents, which was good timing otherwise they might not have made it!!!
I am not sure what made me talk about my thoughts, possibly this is for future me thinking things are tough and remembering the nice developments I see everyday. To remind myself it's never as bad as you think and tomorrow really is another day.

My baby is 2 months old

How did that happen?!

I have read a lot of mummy blogs that discuss the passing of time with their children as being so quick and almost unreal. I mean I remember so vividly being overdue with Isabelle and thinking I would be the world's first 10 month pregnancy! Yet here we are, starting to sleep well at night and developing so much everyday.

At the moment Belle is asleep, she is fighting day time sleeps and getting more of her personality each day. We now have a stroppy cry and an angry suck on the dummy. She pretty much has control of her head now until she gets tired and then its just laziness!

My latest interests #12

I am finding my feet a little more now and think that the blog is going to be a hobby but not something I put lots of pressure on myself to organise. I love having an interest that is for me that I can do from my sofa/bed depending on Belle. I also appreciate having something else to talk to Andy about, whilst I might not find time for craft or baking as much any more I think that finding the ideas and keeping them ready to go when I am able is very practical for me!

Belle is a lovely soul but she isn't into a routine just yet, breastfeeding takes up most of our time and I am getting better at doing things one handed! Belle is someone who likes to be held and in the middle of the action, she is holding her head up more and more (4 weeks baby girl - slow down!) she is also having more and more awake time where she is alert and interested in our faces and the world around her. It has been a pleasure helping her grow this far and I am overwhelmed by how quickly she changes and time passes.

• I am very interested in creating something from these for christmas. Seems that christmas is creeping up on me quicker than I would like!! 
• This forms another part of my christmas gift idea, anyone sensing a slight theme?!?!
• Now that Isabelle is almost 5 weeks old I am keen to step up my exercise plans, I have this 30 day shred dvd that I keep meaning to do, I read some great reviews and I just need to get my butt moving. I am hoping by being publicly honest about not doing this yet I can motivate myself. I have done well so far just by watching what I am eating and trying to get in at least 1 walk a day - big or small. 
• I started a patch work quilt for Andy back in 2010 (??!?!) I got it out when I was about 38 weeks pregnant and couldn't get around on the floor comfortably enough to finish it, so with his birthday/christmas coming up I am hoping I can get to it soon. I really like the colours of this one, but I did choose a similar block pattern to this one, the one I am working on is also bigger than a double I would guess its more King/Queen size. Andy wanted it big! Maybe one day I will be able to make each family member a quilt too. I love quilts. 

Currently ... adjusting

So whilst I get used to this new little lady and the way our little life is turning out I figured I would take stock of how I am coping and opening up the discussion for ideas....

As I am breastfeeding for as long as possible I am sat in the house quite a lot, at first it drove me insane not doing anything. So I got into Vampire Diaries a little later than everyone else I admit but it was in my on demand as the full 3 series so I knew if I liked it I would be able to spend a few days obsessing over it!! Now that series 4 has started here real time, I have to wait a week to get my next fix. Which is kind of nice, my weeks aren't really broken up other than Andy being around at the the weekend.

I have completely lost my appetite since giving birth, I don't know why or whether it's normal but eating is something I actually have to fore myself to do. Having quick food around - soups and pre chopped veg has been a necessity. Most days I don't get to breakfast until 11am because she is on off feeding and dozing. So I am all skewed with timings of eating. I have definitely found that I can cope more now that I am making eating a priority, feeding Isabelle has also become a little easier since my body is getting the energy it needs.

My wardrobe has also become quite limited to stretchy tops, button down tops and vest tops to make feeding easier. All of these just get paired with jeans so I don't feel very inspiring at the moment! I would like to get into more dresses but one job I really need to tackle is my wardrobe, I have so many clothes again at the moment it is ridiculous. As I am trying to loose weight I am not keen on doing much just yet but like I said I don't wear a lot of what I have because of feeding. Hopefully around christmas time I will have more of an idea!

I am mostly adjusting to my new lack of independence, it has been very strange accepting that Isabelle is mine and relies heavily on me. Everything I do is in Isabelle's best interests and will effect how and who she develops into. Such a crazy massive responsibility!! I love it. I love her.

Continuing MIA

I am still enjoying every new second with this little miss.
She makes the funniest noises and we can already see her personality coming through.

Isabelle is even trying to hold her head up - she is 3 weeks old!! It's not fair, my little baby doesn't seem to stay a baby baby for so long.....

We are still finding our feet with breastfeeding. We have made it this far so I am very pleased with myself but for us it's something we review all of the time! It is hard going!

I am still learning to juggle everything at the moment so this space will continue to be maintained in small doses for now. Just until I know what I would like and how much of me I can get back!!

Definitely worth it though, she is a love.

The responsibility of choosing a name for our baby

Choosing a name for our child has been the most difficult task for so many reasons. I am trying to take  the task seriously because we have to be happy with the name for the rest of the child's life, but also our child needs to like their name really too.

Reading this article got me thinking about the names we were considering and it made me look into it a little more.

The summary of this article is that names are not a guarantee to any sort of life, but there is research that would suggest a name can make things easier for them.

So what does that mean for us, choosing a name?!

Most successful boys names
Most successful girls names

Obviously the lists above are only from one source. Fortunately we have names on birth of these lists, but will I let this influence our decision?

How do you choose a baby's name?!

Pre-Baby Bucket List round up

You might remember my original Pre-Baby bucket list from back in July when baby's arrival seemed like a long way off.

Now that baby is here I wanted to revisit my intentions and see what we got up to over the last few months!

Eat out
We didn't do as much of this as I would have liked but we did enough! I think my next challenge will be getting out with the baby in tow.

Visit the cinema
We went once to see Brave and it was quite funny, unfortunately there wasn't a lot in the cinema we even fancied seeing and with the cost of it these days I wasn't happy doing it for the sake of it. We did watch quite a few DVD's and films at home though - no pausing, so I feel this was achieved!

Sort the Garden
We made progress but truthfully it's not completely sorted. We will keep plowing on but its going to take time!

Decorate/Personalise the baby room
Obviously we still didn't know come the end what gender our baby was, through the nursery series I feel like I added a few personal touches that I would still like to add to now that we know the name. 

Build the blog plans
Interestingly I have used my maternity leave so far to make a lot of progress with the blog and building its readership, however I am reconsidering what I actually want this space to be about and I think this is something I will continue to debate for a while because I can and dont need to make a decision yet!

Hold a baby shower
I didn't even manage to have the mixed barbecue I was considering because I didn't get myself organised and I just felt like it wasn't something I would actually like to do. 

Wedding cards
Anyone following me on instagram knows I have been successful in finding time to do this and I am so relieved it is done! 

Overall, I think we did pretty well to achieve the things we wanted to. I think I might like to make another little bucket list type of thing for my intentions with the baby - trying baby sign and massage for example, but I think for now getting to know each other is the best priority.

My latest interests #11

I am writing this weeks interests with my sweet baby nuzzled into my chest, unfortunately she doesn't know that night times are for sleeping yet and so I too should be napping.

Instead, my body says its daytime oh no you dont!!

I am surprised by how quickly I can relate to this post, after a week with baby girl I know this space is less of a priority but I still feel like I am adjusting and need to give things more time. I mean Natalie has 2 children to look after and I am still getting used to one!!

On a more positive note one of my friends has taken to blogging, she also manages to juggle a lot with two children already and another due in November. I guess these are both proof I need to give myself a break really.

This website has been really useful for information - as with anything its worth judging to see whether it suits your family, but for the most part it is just reassuring to me. Establishing good sleep habits is something I have been reading about for a while and now its actually prudent I hope I am making good decisions!

From the same website these ideas for toys and play have given me some ideas for things to try out once she is a bit more awake.

I love Smile and Wave, I have been a reader for probably about 2 years now and was certainly a part of motivating me to keep my own blog. Recently the DIY's have been super cute and always get me thinking about the space in my home.

Simple Mummy style

This is another post written whilst I was pregnant, I read that it wasn't great to be using nail varnish when pregnant and because I wasn't that bothered I just stopped doing it on the odd occasion I fancied it.
However I did find that my nails grew lovely whilst I was pregnant. So I kept on top of maintaining them. I used to do this once a week before bed and it never took more than 10 minutes, IMO it made me look as though I did care and keep my nails just like painting them shows effort.

I started by filing and shaping them

Then I used the scratchiest board on this nifty nail file to sand off the ridges on my nails to make them smooth and healthy looking.

Turning over the file I used a finer board to really buff the nail nicely

Turning the file for the last time  (So back to the original position) I used the polishing board to bring through a healthy shine. 

 I picked up this buffer board from Pound Land whether you can find one or something similar I would totally recommend them. I love mine, I genuinely like that my nails look cared for but not to over done.

It also means I can keep my nails short so that I don't hurt my little baby!

Mummy Motivation

So I am still pregnant writing this but I have spent a lot of pregnancy promising myself that I cannot let myself become a mum that doesn't take care of herself and let things become too much for me.

I know that I need to find a way of incorporating the baby into any routine or exercise plans I have, but I am sure I can do it. Maybe not right away and quite probably it will be baby steps to start with. I just know that I need to keep my relationship with Andy just as much as I need to keep my happiness with me. Which means I have a lot on my plate!

Yet when there are dresses like these out there, a girl gets excited and motivation kicks in again!! All dresses are from ModCloth

     

I can definitely see a pattern forming!! 

I think this one <<< might be my favourite!

So who knows, I might treat myself to one of these as I start achieving my weight loss goals. You are more likely to see me thrifting and sharing the awesome scoops I find once I am happier. I definitely want to wear more dresses and I think I will need to invest in some good tights and flats after winter is done - I have enough boots to be happy for now!

What is your motivation? Do you have any tips for me?!

My latest interests #10

I am writing this before the baby arrives - a little cheat I know, but I enjoy browsing the internet so it just makes sense! Also from a comment by my sister a few weeks ago I have included pictures where possible!!!

• Sugar scrub cubes, I have wanted to make sugar scrubs for ages and still haven't gotten myself around to it, I don't know if its difficult or if I think I wont like it after all the effort I would have to go to. Therefore, I haven't tried it yet! This recipe doesn't look too difficult though! 

• My lovely mister loves cinnamon whirls so I have been keeping an eye out for a simple recipe, so far this American version requires quite a lot of prep and 2 different cake mixtures. So not that simple but we shall see what I can do. Where as this recipe seems simpler but I think it makes a biscuit effect as opposed to a dough. This recipe makes more sense to me and is more like what I am after.

• This DIY hair refresher is something I think I would like to try and make but it does make me nervous how much mess might come from it! I currently switch between talc and Batiste (effective, but it is just too expensive) So I am not sure if this is something I will try or not .....

• I do look forward to being able to wear cutesy dresses again Mod Cloth has so many lovely ones, this has to be my current favourite. I will be browsing more clothes sites as motivation to loose my baby weight!!

New Arrival

Just a quick update, our beautiful baby made a smooth entrance to our family on Sunday 16th September at 5:31am.

We are both doing brilliantly and finding our feet with each other.

So for those who guessed boy............... you were mistaken! Isabelle Jane weighed a healthy 8lb 6oz and is a delight.

I will be taking a break for as long as it takes until I feel I can add the blog to our new life. With regards to my previous post about how much I share of her with the internet the jury is still out! At the moment I want to keep her very much to myself :D

How to set up a Button Swap with Passionfruit Ads

This is an account of the steps I have taken to set up my button swap, I am sure there are other ways and I am sure you should do what suits you!

Firstly I had to set up an account with Passionfruit. This is simple go here and follow the instructions.

Follow the passionfruit instructions on how to embed the 2 different codes and where to place them in your layout. (I obviously use blogger for hosting so can answer simple questions on this bit if necessary)

Then -  still on passionfruit you need to decide on what you are offering and how much you are charging. The best bit about using passionfruit to manage your swap is that it is free and takes all admin hassle out of sponsorship/advertising because people can purchase the space at any time of the month, knowing when their turn will actually start.You still get to decide who you want to advertise on your blog and can view their information before approving the ad.

Once the codes in behind are set up it is really just about publicising your swap and getting others to come on board. Using things like the weekly link ups - there is literally something everyday if you are that inclined!

Baby Privacy

Taking pictures of my new born has always been a priority of mine and probably any parent that realises how quickly they grow; I have so many crafts planned for the pictures and I want to treasure the memories for years to come.

But....

I am trying to decide how much to share here. I mean, I have learnt over the last few weeks this blog needs to be about documenting my growing family life as opposed to catering to what people want to read because I just don't have that focus at the moment. 

So, is water marking enough? 

I found this article recently on a blog I keep up with and to be honest it scared me, anything I write, create and post here creates some kind of mark forever. That is forever available for anyone to do anything with. Do I want that for my child?

At least with instagram there seems to be little way of changing the image - but it can still be lied about. 

I have also read about tutorials being stolen and passed off as someone else's work. For me, this is annoying but not the end of the world, except this lady used her children as the models. That's where I struggle, because it becomes personal. 

I am still deciding what I will share and whether I will do something similar to other Mum bloggers whereby they use pictures of the back of the children instead of sharing their faces. I may decide to watermark every photo across the most inconvenient part of the picture. Or I might just decide that my baby is just too private to share in this space. 

Does anyone have any thoughts on this?

Weeks 39 - 40

Here is to hoping I don't get to week 41 or a dreaded week 42!

My 5th week at home was week 40, I was hopeful that baby would arrive sooner rather than later and that by now we would be adapting to a new life!

That said I guess my baby needs some extra cooking time and I am certainly not going to do anything to upset this babe.

39 weeks - having to wear my maternity clothes pretty much exclusively now

40 weeks - and fed up!

I was hoping not to even quite reach 40 weeks - more have a surprise instead of a waiting game.

My latest interests #9

This week has been a strange week for me, going overdue and the stresses that comes with has not been fun! I am just hoping this baby makes an appearance soon! You can be sure I wont be updating this space as frequently but follow me on instagram (@njk12) for undoubted baby world updates!

• I am swapping buttons with Oh So Amelia for September, she recently wrote a post showing all of us off! Pop over and say hi!
• This is the next recipe I want to try, I am relatively ok at making shortbread so I think rolling it out might make it better!! 
• Reading Danielle's post about staying home really makes me think about what I will choose once my maternity ends and a decision actually needs to be made.
• Through Amazon, I have discovered this great bead and button shop I am keeping an eye out for Christmas presents and to keep some gifts ready in case in my baby brain I forget birthdays/need a quick gift!!!!

2 days overdue

Title says it all really!

I was really hoping that I wouldn't have time to post any extras this week because I was too busy cooing over our new arrival.

Alas, it was not to be! I am sat here 2 days overdue, carrot cake in the oven. Majority of my cleaning done - I am just finding extra bits to do so that I am busy rather than sat around thinking about how uncomfortable and ready to meet this baby I am!!

I have had a very productive morning, which is good and hopefully if the bay could arrive soon would mean that visitors might be pleasantly surprised at how together my house is and be greeted by home made treats! Pahh, I have probably jinxed myself now!!

My friend has been brilliant at supporting me through my entire pregnancy but especially these last few days, she is pregnant with her third baby and has just been a fountain of knowledge! I am working on a thank you present for her and a cute little gift for her new arrival. They already have most things but I am hoping to give her an extra special present.

I have been thinking about christmas (again, feel like I am kinda obsessed already this year) and I think I know what I am doing for most people, which is a relief because one day when baby does arrive I might not have a whole lot of time!!

I am off to bake some Cinnamon Rolls because Andy just cannot get enough of these for the moment?!

Blessed

*Another one of those personal posts that I share because I feel like its my therapy. I was reading this blog when I realised how much progress I have made in myself and I feel like when I get my blog made into keepsake books I want to remember patience and perseverance paid off!*

I have written here before about PCOS and how I felt about that - being a 20 year old relatively newly wed discovering having children might require medical assistance, dealing with my own personal feelings about all of that side of things. But really just how I felt complete and incomplete at exactly the same time.

Andy and I are made for us, by whatever force that is - God, Spiritual or fate. Whatever, Andy and I are just custom made for each other.

So when I fell pregnant in January and we started this whole new journey together I wasn't sure how to feel. Sounds crazy because having children was always on the cards for us, having children young was also very likely to be on the cards for us seen as we were married at 19. But this bit was supposed to be difficult, I varied between feeling scared and completely in awe of being pregnant.

Throughout my pregnancy I have talked about feeling ungrateful for this blessing I am carrying because its hard work. It is still hard work and I don't believe I will look back on my pregnancy with completely rose tinted glasses and say I loved it, but I love our child and that's what has made me realise as hard as it has been at times, I would do it all over again. I would change things, I would change my attitude towards certain aspects (!!) but when we finally meet our baby I know I would do it all over again and more if that was necessary.

How do I not feel completely overwhelmed by that?! I don't know, this acceptance just sits better than the guilt I have felt. Past tense now thank fully. It was a part of the process for me. Now I am ready to share so much more with Andy and experience a whole new aspect of our relationship and personalities. I am excited for christmas as a family of three, I am excited just to be a family of three! I know that whatever is coming its how it should be and I am so, so happy to be at this stage in my life.

FREE button swap

Since last month this little space has come on leaps and bounds! I have gone from 3 GFC followers to currently 78!! Which is amazing! I have had over a 1000 views this passed month alone so this is definitely a growing space to be a part of!

I have made a separate page that contains all of the information for you to browse :)

Basically the reason for me wanting to hold a button swap is that I get to find more bloggers out there with similar interests.

By using passionfruit ads I am taking the management out of it - best of all it is free to host an ad swap through them! How does it get any better?! By using code HBE at the checkout its all free!! I also have a post coming up about how to set a swap up - it is so simple, but if you do have any questions feel free to leave me a comment below!

So if you think it is something you might be interested in take a look at this page and we can go from there. If you would prefer to discuss things just leave me a message with your email address and I will get back to you. I am due the 11th of September so if things take a couple days to sort out my end please forgive me!!

Not a craving as such

I am kinda in love with cookies at the moment....

Not great considering baby doesn't need the gunk and I certainly don't after not being that active for 9 months.

Still, I thought I would share why I seem to be so obsessed at the moment.....

Potato chip cookies - I am such a savory girl at heart that the thought of these just makes me so excited!
Same for Emma's Chocolate chip and sea salt cookies. They just look so delish I want to eat them all!!

Trouble is I know if I make one batch not only will I eat them all, I know I wont be able to stop myself from making them.

I did give in and make a more traditional batch which turned into a tray bake!! Oooops.

Tasted good though!!

Impromptu date night

Last night, Andy and I put our laptops to one side and left our phones in the kitchen to have some us time. 

 

We ordered in pizza!!!!

(How naughty is that?!!?)

We ate too much, we then ate sweets and chocolate....

We watched We bought a Zoo and really enjoyed it! Luckily we don't live too far so we are hoping to go there once the baby is a bit bigger. I think we even have pictures of me as a toddler by the tigers of this zoo so it would be lovely to have something similar for our children. :D

My latest interests #8

I haven't been out as much this week because I am in a bit of pain with the weight of the baby in my pelvis now. So I have spent quite a lot of time finishing little bits and searching the internet! Yay for latest interests!

I have also been blessed with visits from friends and made my due date date so that I am not completely depressed should this baby not appear!! But I am making myself walk, hoover and bounce on the birthing ball as much as possible to get things going.

• Amazon Prime's free trial has been a great experience so far, I signed up to get hubbys books delivered before he starts back at College.. These college days (9am-7pm) will be the first time I am left alone with the baby!!!! As long as you remember to cancel it within the 30 day period you are not charged which means a month of free next day delivery!
• We have been invited to a Boden Party week after next week, it's poor timing for me because I am not where I want to be with my body so I don't want to be buying new clothes!! But their baby selection is so adorable its unreal. The first time we went to a Boden Party we brought these dungarees in grey so that they could be used for a boy with greens and a girl with purples. 
• Since being home I have been cooking a lot more and trying to keep us on track with our new budget. So I have been saving up glass jars. I am not entirely sure what to do with them. I know that I would like to give one to every family member decorated in some way at christmas just because I like them! I looked to pinterest for some inspiration and came up with a good set of ideas, Idea 1, Idea 2, Idea 3, I can imagine my sister having this in her house!
• I really love this idea for a print. I am sure I will be something with this for my home - our downstairs toilet wall is ready for these meaningful prints. Just got to get my butt in gear! 

Weeks 35 - 38

I have been enjoying the last 3 weeks of maternity leave, I can feel my belly changing shape and moving down lower. At my last midwife appointment I was told that baby was 2/5 engaged - I was really excited because first time babies don't usually come out from being engaged! I have been getting dinners frozen, house tidied and just the crafty bits I wanted to make time for done.

Luckily enough for me, I even got to have another scan to check the position of the baby for the home birth. The heart and spine were so clear it was unreal! There is such a massive difference between each scan that having one this late in my pregnancy showed an actual baby.... not like the little bean of 12 weeks. Chubbier than the little human at 20 weeks.

This week is my 38 week appointment so I am excited to know what is happening.It could be anytime now!! I am hoping its any time from September (to do with schooling in the UK)

But you will probably see things slow down a little around this space whilst I take some guilt free time away from everything and meet this mister or miss! I have things planned and obviously you can follow my instagram @njk12.

35 weeks - resting my swollen feet

36 weeks - daddy having some tummy time

37 weeks - full term! And feeling it

38 weeks - just looking forward to being able to bend again

So what do you think girl or boy?!

New cards

Over the weekend I managed to finally find time to make 2 thank you cards and a get well soon card for some sweet family that have sent gifts for the baby. So I wanted to make sure they felt appreciated!

This is the get well soon card, its for a man so I never know how much to decorate it!

We had a relaxed weekend, I had some back pain but it turned out to be nothing. Kinda disappointing!! Baby can turn up any time now so hopefully its soon!!

My latest interests #7

You may have noticed a few changes going on around here recently, as part of my initial time out from work before baby I wanted to get this space a bit more established and interesting to read really :)

Anyway in all my exploring these last few weeks these are some things I am liking:

• These mugs might be being made into a gift for someone as a christmas present this year. Just got to start collecting the bits and pieces :)
• Some poignant information to bare in mind for my labour - which could be any day now that I am considered full term!
• I always seem to be thinking about food.... not sure what that says about me!!! I think I would adapt this recipe a little so that it didn't contain as much sugar because I am a picker I just like to have little bits of things. 
• I really love this belt idea, with an expanding waist line sometimes I want the definition but not the tightness of an elasticated waist - at least with this if I was having a particularly big day I could accommodate it!!
• My  FREE button swap is also doing well which makes me super happy! I still have places though if anyone is thinking about taking part in a swap :)

Home made goodness

In my humble opinion, there is nothing like my mister coming home to an almost cooked dinner ready for him to enjoy after a hard day at work.

I love having things ready for him, I love taking care of him and really I just love being able to do these things. We are so fortunate that I can take a decent break from working whilst this baby is a baby and I get to spend my time making sure both their needs are met.

Today I used this lovely recipe to whip up a quick batch of flap jacks just because I had the ingredients in and it meant not only did my lovely have a home cooked meal - only sweat and sour chicken with noodles - he also got a home made afters.

I love that flapjack can be cling filmed and taken to be enjoyed anywhere! Plus the smell when its cooking .... might just be my favourite.

Maternity Pictures

Be aware this is a photo heavy post!! I have put them all in black and white because I like the effect but really I know I should spend longer tweaking them.

Andy thinks we are having a girl .....

 I think we are having a boy ....

3 Year Wedding Anniversary

So this year of traditionally leather, crystal or glass gifted items is replaced in our household with a baby! Happy Anniversary Mr Lovely Pants. I cannot believe what we have achieved in 3 years or how much more in love with you I grow as time passes.

We decided quite early in my pregnancy that we wouldn't do a whole lot this year simply because I probably wouldn't be up to much - how right we were!!

Earlier in the year we took a lovely little trip away to a spa hotel and had a little pamper with some rest much needed time away.

It was a place just outside of Exeter, Woodbury Park.

We went over the June bank holidays so it was pretty full - which meant single beds!

Andy got himself settled in straight away, little love!

We awkwardly tried to take photos but I was still getting used to my phone and had 27 week odd belly to confuse the situation!

We were happy enough with our little weekend away though, although I definitely wouldn't mind another weekend away when I am less uncomfortable with this massive belly!! 

From honey mooning Newly weds

To expectant parents 

It has been a good 3 years. 

My latest interests #6

I have been having just the best fun with my extra time - I know that I am counting down the days until we meet this baby but just having some time for me between work and becoming a mummy has been the best! My mum has been really supportive this week too, we have been up to all sorts of adventures!

This coming week I would like to:

• Get a home made present ready for our friends who get married at the end of September.
• Take photos of the things I am hoping to sell in my upcoming etsy shop

These are the things I have found interesting this week:

• I made some brilliant Honey and Date loaf earlier in the week and it just makes my afternoon extra lovely!
• I love this etsy shop and I really think that I could do something similar to this with the fimo that Stacey and I have been playing around with lately. 
• Guessing that nesting has kicked in with a baking tinge at the moment, I also made some Cheese and Chive scones. I am considering keeping this recipe and making them each week til the baby arrives because I can take small bites when I am in labour for slow release energy. 
• All my creative  juices seem to be flowing too and I really would like to get a variety of cookie cutters in order to use them with the fimo but also to create our sunday cookies for our family traditions - as mentioned in this post. 
• I am also hoping that my FREE button swap gains momentum and I manage to make new friends!

Button Swap Round up

So in August, once I was finally on maternity leave and uhmm, starting to relax and rest before baby arrives. I decided to push my interests in my little blog harder and start a sponsor swap. Passionfruit ads has made this incredibly easy as there is little management on my part.

This post is to introduce you to the swappers and hopefully encourage you to stop by and say hello to them!

 Jessica from Sewing Our Life Together was my first swap and she was so patient with me whilst I figured the whole Passionfruit ads thing out. What initially drew me to Jessica's blog was her lace dress tutorial, I would love to give more dress making a go I just never seem to find the time. Anyway Jessica blogs about sewing, cooking and her growing family.

 Kelli from Tales of the Younger Twin blogs about life in American college and the sorts of things she gets up. Kelli takes some great pictures and gets up to all sorts of interesting adventures with her sister.

 Charlotte from Berice Baby jumped on board next and I have to say her little boy Hayden has to be one of the cutest little things ever! Charlotte blogs about Hayden, current events in her life, product reviews and doing things her own way. 

 Tiffanie from Life with the Little Man made me laugh the first post I read, the stories that this lady tells about life with a son made me even more excited to experience this life as a Mum. 

Carlia from Nest Building 101 joined up last week and has some beautiful DIY home decor ideas, Carlia has a lot of free printables and tips on her blog that I certainly need for decorating on a budget. 

I haven't been following any of these blogs for very long but I really appreciate the diversity and mix of reading. I am really glad I have started the swap because I am much more aware of how many other bloggers there are out there - I think I was stuck in a rut before, reading the same, writing the same and this has shaken me up to see whats around.