Saltram walks

I have been so stuck in my head again lately that cleaning and sorting seem to be the only jobs I am capable of. We have been a poorly household and it has been interesting!
I am really looking forward to December to Christmas to decorating the house and just being together.
November. I will be glad to see the back of. It has been a strange month for me. I am ready to get all cosy and enjoy cheesy Christmas movies. I can't wait till belle understands Christmas and gets excited.
Today I am taking the morning to catch up with a very good friend.

My current reads

My readership of blogs varies week by week but I find myself stopping by to some of the same ones now and I thought I would share them with you...

Sunny With a Chance of Sprinkles I cannot remember how I found Chelsea but I love her honesty about juggling a child, school and a relationship. I love the crafts they do together and being reminded to take time out to just enjoy life.

A Sorta Fairytale Blog Mandy is a photographer with amazing skills for capturing her boys. I love them! I love how real life this mum seems too. Makes me feel a little more sane!

Bleubird Vintage I think everyone in blogger land has read James at some point, but I truly love the simplicity of their photos, plans for life. I love the Montessori inspiration for my children too.

Smile and Wave Rachel is a week ahead of me in her third pregnancy and although I have been following for a long time I cannot wait to see what she blogs about over the next 4 months!

C H and O Daddy Is the blog of one of my best friends husband. I love seeing blogging and parenting from a man's point of view. Their 2 boys are older than Belle but Olivia will be the same school year, I love that we have that from a friendship point of view.

Lastly, my sister Improvised Intentions although we see her fairly regularly she also blogs with a different style to me so it makes an interesting read!

Boy love

This week I have been thinking about the logistics of having another child mainly surrounding sleep. I found a good Make your own cot bed blog post that had me intrigued.  We didn't and don't Co sleep with belle and I wonder if that made a difference to our breastfeeding. However we have decided to see how it goes and just know that our little mister is bound to be completely different to our little miss.

But speaking of breastfeeding I have been thinking/worrying about it all again and so far I have only reassured myself to try again and go with the baby rather than my thoughts. Second time breastfeeding is also sometimes easier for some women so fingers crossed thats me!

We have also been thinking about names, it always feels like a huge decision naming a child! I think we will go a bit traditional though.

Back shift evening

I am terrible for routine/monotony and when Andy is on backs you can be sure Isabelle has dinner by 5, bathed by 630 and in bed by 7. I love my evenings to myself when they come round.

Usually we will have visitors/be out once or twice a week so those evenings we have a looser schedule. For the most part now I couldn't be prouder of my little girl's sleep during the night. She wakes up at 5:30 regardless of bedtime. It's a pain but you get used to it!

When I have time to myself I love pinterest! Craft planning/sometimes making. And watching a film - it is almost always from the Twilight saga or a romance. I am a sucker for people falling in love. Being in love. Love in general I guess really!

Sometimes I will have a hot chocolate or actual chocolate if I fancy the treat but I try really hard not to! I have been enjoying natural yoghurt, raisins and shredded coconut recently. Isabelle likes it too so we tend to share a bowl!

These evenings are usually my pamper evenings too, sometimes I will shower and do a hair mask, sometimes I will paint my nails and others I will do a face mask. It is nice not to be cleaning or thinking about anyone else for a change! Honestly though, the evenings when I am alone I still don't like to not be upstairs when Isabelle is. I am such a worrier about that girl.

Oh and now it is getting wintery I am enjoying my electric blanket!

Breathe

We had family stay over the weekend for a couple birthdays. It has been lovely and busy. Isabelle has been a star of course and pretty well behaved, she has her moments but at 14 months I was super proud of her throughout the changes.

She has now been to her first disco and met new friends. It was certainly a weekend of too much food and indulgence - no alcohol for me!

We had a lovely walk with my sister and her boyfriend Sunday morning,  it was good catching up with her. Feels like she has been away too much lately!

Today I have done the cleaning,  I think I am making the most of a clean house whilst I can. I doubt come March it will be a priority! I am still dabbling in selling my crafts and that is giving me something to focus on too

Boy Love

I think I am going to dedicate a Thursday's post to the things I have been collecting for the newest addition to our household - to be inspired, to discover and share!

How can you not love these?!

   

I love the idea of a nautical boys room, so cute with a sophisticated detail.

November

November has had a funny start for me, I have been struggling with lifting Isabelle and my expanding tummy. I have been struggling with my tiredness again. I have been struggling with Isabelle's tantrums - a whole new world of fun!!!

I kinda let it happen for the week. Let it take its course and have a little faith I would come out the other side. I took time to talk with Andy about how I was feeling rather than keep getting myself down about how I felt. It was the sort of week you emerge from feeling thankful, grateful and renewed.

So I have some new goals, new ideas for the current stage Isabelle is at and how I am going to survive this transition to 2 children! Luckily I have family around me so I know I truly know I am not alone.

Who can stay frustrated with cuddles in pyjamas and wellies?!

The time we found out our second child's gender

So March 2014 kinda brings a little fella into this household.

We are delighted and excited. 

Slight contrast from pink though ....

Rain rain

We have had a lot of rain recently,  its been fun trying to find things to do with belle that aren't too expensive or samey.
So we have seen a lot of friends and had a lot of play dates. Which is so good. I love catching up with my friends. I especially love that our children are all similar in age and can be friends too.
Isabelle has been really good with the weather and my tiredness. I honestly don't think she could be better at times :)

We are loving fruit bread

Kind of a random post title, but this seems to be the in thing for Isabelle at the moment. I mean she loves raisins like they are going out of fashion and the combination of the bread has meant she is eating more too. Which is a win for me!

October has been an interesting month for us, we have holidayed with friends, Andy has had to call the AA to our broken down car - all fixed now though! We know the gender of our second child, I have been seriously considering/exploring/planning/developing ideas for additions to my etsy shop and to try and step things up a little in that area, poor Andy has worked ridiculously hard as usual both at work and college. It has been good.

I have some tutorials and Christmas ideas coming soon because that's how I've been spending my evenings once Isabelle is asleep. It has been productive!

I am not a big fan of Halloween, Andy is. So we shall see what happens tomorrow night. I doubt it will be anything big .....

Grumpy baby

It's not often my baby is grumpy,  but when she is... boy is she.

Teeth and new experiences seem to be throwing my miss all out of sorts.  It's awful to watch.  But the rare moments of my isabelle being herself are all the more precious. 

I cannot believe I am 2 weeks off finding out the gender of our second child. This pregnancy seems to be flying.  It certainly makes me appreciate my time with just my daughter.  She is lovely :) for the most part.

Belle has molars now and I am amazed at how many teeth she has. I don't know another child that has so many.  I know it's them and coming back off of holiday into our normal routine that is throwing her, I just hope she calms down soon! She is much more fun then!

Carrot and coriander Sunday

Sorry for the crickets the passwd week, we took isabelle on her first caravan holiday! She loved swimming every day, the beach and good friends. 

So much so that the weekend has been a recovery of sleep and laundry! Andy still worked yesterday which meant I could catch up with my mum and grandma.  Kinda also needed, I am lucky and really love and appreciate my parents. Even more so with belle and a new baby. Talk about perspective!

Anyway I will share some holiday photos soon. I plan on making a little scrap bopk for belle this week. But today I made a nice carrot and coriander soup whilst andy started our Christmas cake! A new tradition hopefully!

Monday Monday!

I am never ready for Monday. Whilst days don't really mean too much to me particularly,  it means andy ia back at work or college and that makes me sad.

This week is another busy week. We get to meet our friends new arrival on Tuesday!  I am so excited,  I am really hopeful that she and belle will be good friends! 
Then it's our weekly sign class, belle has  been going since about 6 months old and really enjoys the group.  It's one of the best!!
We start a new balance class on Friday which I am looking forward to,  I think belle will get a lot from it as well as burning some energy! 

Should be a nice week.  I am also hoping to get some craft done in all that but we shall see.  Nothing like a toddler and a house to keep a girl busy!!

A little view

One day this week when belle had fallen asleep in the car I had a rare moment of time to be quite still.
I was at my mums house so I couldn't clean or sort.  No one would be in for 2 hours.  I only had my phone.

It was bliss, I sat in the door way because it was a bit chilly but I still needed to hear belle when she woke.  So I sat, I liked things on etsy to hopefully make my Christmas shopping easier this year.
I also took some time to just look at the garden and appreciate where my life is right now. I am so grateful and humbled by this stay at home mum thing, I forget to take stock of my moments with belle and Andy.  Change is coming in a good way but I can still feel the uneasy lump in my stomach that does not always appreciate the unknown.

The difference a day makes

Well as the title says, I got my act together and sorted the house - downstairs anyway!

I managed belle without resorting to cbeebies. Which I do sometimes.  She was a star to be fair, she has such a beautiful personality that provided she is fed and napped is very easy going. 

I even baked a banana loaf! It is yummy and almost all gone! 

Sometimes a little perspective and admitting you need a rest meana you come back far more positive than when you left.

It's Okay blog hop

This is my first week linking up with Nugget on a budget, Kera is a blogger that I found through a blog hop a while ago and when her title this week popped up in my news feed I stopped by.

It's Okay #7. figuring out this mummy of two deal.

Obviously, expecting our second child is on my mind at times and I love hearing how people cope/adapt especially when she has a 2 year old which is a similar age to Belle when this baby arrives. So here are my it's okays!

It's okay ... that I don't think about being pregnant as much the second time around than I did with Isabelle. 

It's okay ... that I spend extra moments appreciating the three of us and Mummy Belle time. Because I know it will be different soon!

It's okay ... that I have made a real effort the last two weeks to stay on top of the house and now it looks as though a bomb went off again. Seriously, how much untidyness can 3 people make!?

I don't have many 'it's okays' this week. Hopefully I will link up again next week and have some more!

Butterfly and Otter Sanctuary

Over the summer, we did a few day trips with Belle. Mainly to see her level of interest in things and whether we need to change up our activities to continually interest her.

It was a lovely sunny day and we had decided that we wouldn't waste it staying in, we looked at a few farm attractions but the cost of them! I was shocked to see how much those places want adults to pay! Our budget allows for some treats but it was silly prices for a spur of the moment thing. Enough of the rant!

So anyway, we decided on the Butterfly and Otter Sanctuary, it was about a half hour drive and I had been there quite often as a child. I remembered it well.

There isn't a great deal to see as it isn't a huge place. However, we got the timings right for feeding time and it was great. The keeper knew his stuff and was a confident speaker which made it entertaining as well as interesting.

This little guy lives in the butterfly part.

I think it is somewhere we will go again once Isabelle is even more interested in things, we were certainly lacking her questions to keep us in there for a longer period of time!

DIY Frame wall

I am sure everyone has seen these all over pinterest or other blogs. But I knew 2 years ago (when we moved into our house) that I wanted to recreate one. I just love them!

It was also a push to put some pictures up - literally there were 2 pictures up prior to this wall!

I started with deciding my pictures, deciding frames. I chose a range of miss matched frames but with a few of each for consistency.

Then I made sized, descriptive patterns so I could play around with them in the space.

 As you can see I went for smaller gaps and a more intentional cluster.
Please excuse the airer. I was that lazy taking the picture I would have had to stand up to get around it!!!!!

So there you have it, I am in love with it and I really enjoy looking at it. I plan on adding to it but for now I am happy!

Baby turns 1

I realise this space is probably gathering cobwebs at the moment, I am hoping to change that soon! However, so so much has been going on I feel like I am finally starting to catch my breath.

Isabelle turned one on Monday. Such a bitter sweet thing for me, I love seeing her grow and I couldn't be more grateful to witness everything. But a year. Seriously?! I mean, I remember my labour and these first few days like yesterday.... not a year ago! I am just crazy proud of who she is, her personality grows each day and she is lovely, she gives kisses and can be gentle. Walks like she owns the place. Chats constantly. Is shy and hesitant with new people until she becomes the centre of the room (I seriously don't know who this comes from, neither Andy or I are particularly central people!!) She likes her space.Incredibly strong minded and determined already - I think we might have some fun here. Isabelle is just incredible.

Belle is also going to make an amazing big sister, come March 2014 we will be welcoming another phase of life. We don't know what this baby is just yet but surprisingly it feels pretty perfect either way and for different reasons. A boy would bring balance, another girl would bring hopefully a deep lifelong friendship for Belle. Andy and I can't really decide whether this is our last baby or whether we would like a third. I don't think we would have any more than three simply for practicalities. Honestly, I like the decision not being made. We hoped for this age gap but were still pleasantly surprised for it to happen!

Andy went away for a week with work and it was tough. Isabelle was pretty good - teething she has a molar!!!?! and for the most part I tried to keep our week the same. Except I couldn't shake this loneliness, it was so different to anything I had felt before. The rational part of me kept telling myself a week seriously! But the part I hadn't realised that had become so dependent on Andy wanted to sit and cry until he came home. He has only just gone back to work now after taking a few days out - which were really needed. I still welled up, I could see he wasn't exactly impressed either. I know it's totally silly to miss him that much and maybe its my pregnant hormones, but everything is just better with him around.

I did get a few projects finished though! As a result of trying not to sit still for too long to think and miss Andy! I will be sharing them over the next few days :D
Thanks for sticking around, hopefully it wont be too long again ....

Currently

Life has been a bit hectic recently, my beautiful sister came back form uni and Isabelle and I hogged her for the first week. I think day to day I don't realise how much I missed having her live close just to do little things together. She is quite inspirational at trying new things - a lot braver than I am! I have really enjoyed trying Sushi so far.

Andy has been doing brilliantly in building his shed, finally seems to be getting somewhere! I am doing all I can to water our growing garden and paint our new to us garden set. We have been so fortunate to receive a swing set and a chicken coop this weekend. Both need a good paint but other than that I am so excited to get this garden into shape! You won't believe the before and after pictures!

We have also squeezed in visits with so many friends and family. Life seems to be very good at the moment :) hopefully I will have a bit more time and more to share over the next few days!

I love to eat!

*I have not been paid or sponsored by Nak'd bars, this is my honest opinion from a product I purchased.*

As the title suggests I have a very big love affair in my life, food. An affair that doesn't always benefit me. Therefore, Andy and I recently decided enough was enough, Isabelle is more and more interested in food - especially what we are eating. This made me stop and think about how I want to parent her through weaning to an eventual healthy relationship with food. So far so good, she is brilliant at trying new things and loves fruit and veg. I mostly couldn't be prouder!
Like us though she definitely has a sweet tooth, which has given me a mission, to find healthier sweeter treats for occasionally, not all the time.

I brought my first Nak'd bar in Tesco recently but I had seen them in Holland and Barrett too, having clean eating in mind I thought, lets give it a go! Boy am I glad I did. My traditionally palated husband also found them to be a good substitute for a sweet kick. I was even happier to discover that they are a small English firm trying to make their way in this processed world, so I knew you would like them too!!

I will be honest though, I was at home when I wanted something sweet. So I did attempt my own, they were delicious but not as perfect as the real Nak'd bar I had tried. I made a Pecan pie replica but used too many raisins....

I have also tried the Apple pie and Chocolate Orange ones, and I can only sing their praises!

Such a lovely weekend

We had a great weekend, Andy worked most of it but the bits we did do I actually started to take pictures of once again!

Andy loves home made hamburgers, so seen as I am trying to get more creative in the kitchen and use more whole some ingredients I said why not!!

I would like to play around with recipes/instructions once more before I bring them here as they were tasty but too huge for me!! 500g of mince in that picture, which makes 1/4lbers but that's just too big for me!

Andy and Isabelle were also playing peek-a-boo chase, an absolute favourite in our house at the moment. Although sometimes Isabelle just runs towards to you as opposed to away :)

 

Some fun things for those with children

I am always looking for new concepts, ideas and worldly wonders to show Isabelle (and challenge my inner creative). I thought I would share with you some of the things I have found although they aren't all age appropriate for a baby!!!

Firstly, I came across this lovely Play At Home Mum blog with educational games that seem quite exciting and use household items in new ways. Which is always handy!

I get so excited thinking about all the activities I just cannot wait to do with Isabelle, this blog even has some ideas I remember doing! I would love to be able to take a picture of Isabelle at a similar age to a photo of me doing something similar and giving her an album of crazy similar photos!!

With Andy being quite musical I think that these ideas will encourage Isabelle and Andy not only to play together but foster an interest in her to enjoy music.

I am all about Montessori Education at the moment so these activities are definitely in our future!

Just a few ideas, like I said it's kind of a mix of ages but with the summer holidays coming up I think anyone with children will be looking for inexpensive fun!

I blame Mum

Thanks to Isabelle sleeping a little better (please don't jinx it - yes I believe in jinx's!!) I have made the decision to stay up for a few hours before going to sleep myself, just to do things I want to do without worrying about anyone else.

My Mum went through a phase have you seen my pinterest? I was like pfft time for pinterest would be nice, but it has become my guilty pleasure, I mean, I lose my hours on there! But I have so much inspiration brewing from it that I am excited and I have adopted the ' have you seen so and so on my pinterest?' attitude too!!!!

Join in with me on pinterest @njk12!

Time for tea

I still cannot decide what to do with this space, I would love to be creating and lead an exciting life but at the moment all I can manage is Isabelle! And the house, that's doing pretty ok at the moment.

Interestingly so is sleep, I really felt that I wouldn't be able to do the cry it out thing and I don't think I have properly as Isabelle still has one feed in the night. But I can cope! I can feel normal and function very well with just that one feed. 

So that gives me hope that this little blog and etsy shop can still exist and even - dare I say it - grow.

I feel like I am getting a creative part of me back, which is very exciting. With Isabelle's first birthday only 3 months away that is in the back of my mind, the decorations and activities. Just the nice things I want to do for her.  

Who is still around? Anyone have any suggestions for a little girlies first birthday party? I love pinterest for this very reason!

Quotes

Quotes

Quotes

Day 23, Thursday: Things you've learned that school won't teach you

Forgive yourself
Trust yourself
Believe in yourself

Because you are your only guarantee.

I will always remember the day I stopped caring what people said about me. As far as I was concerned, what did their opinions matter?! Anyone who knew me or wanted to know me would listen to what I had to say as opposed to what they had heard. If they didn't then they weren't right for me.

If only I could get back to my eating habits of this age, I am sure I would be that much happier aga

Quotes

I have this in my downstairs loo!

Day 21, Tuesday: A list of links to your favorite posts in your archives

This was actually a really nice idea, I don't tend to look back through my own blog and it is amazing to see how writing styles change and how different life was before children!!!!

2nd Wedding Anniversary
Land of lonely
Life before children

Ooops... so here's the blog everyday catch up!!

I knew this was too much of a challenge for me given where I am in my life at the moment! Never mind.. I am just glad blogging police don't exist!

Day 15, Wednesday: A Day in the life (include photos from throughout your typical day - this could be "a photo an hour" if you'd like)

I will have to come back to this one! I will do it tomorrow now I have looked at it!!

Day 16, Thursday: Something difficult about your "lot in life" and how you're working to overcome it

Probably similarly to my sister PCOS is the only constant battle in my life. Although Isabelle's current sleep phase is just a ridiculous struggle. I am praying it is a phase/teeth/food soon to go away thing.

Luckily for me my lot is a lovely lot that I really appreciate and love. I think everyone's lot is difficult at times and being positive throughout is the trick to overcome any of it.


Day 17, Friday: A favorite photo of yourself and why

Because I won't share pictures of Isabelle and she didn't exist at the time! But I love pictures of Andy and I together, we don't take enough.

Day 18, Saturday: Tell a story from your childhood. Dig deep and try to be descriptive about what you remember and how you felt.

I remember every time (in mind) I ever hurt Stacey, for some of them I even remember why I hurt her and then how awful I felt after. 

The worst one was when I told her she could get down from her high bed without the ladder, convinced her she could do it. And that if she couldn't I would help her. Then as she climbed over she said she needed help and I said no, or was being too lazy. When I finally said I would help, she had let go and banged her leg. She has a scar from that day. I think this is one of the reasons why I can't not help now, why I would really rather not say anything than say something I don't mean and why I will always hate hating her.

Bit of a sinister memory really, I don't think about it often. Just when I do I know I feel bad!


Day 19, Sunday: Five of your favorite blogs and what you love about them

Obviously, I love my sisters blog. Improvised intentions keeps me up to date with her without her having to repeat it all to us. 
Bleubird Vintage probably features most frequently on this list for people. I find this family so inspiring.
WinterLove  has been a favourite blog of mine for as long as I can remember
Smile and Wave got me into blogging, I don't think I will ever loose respect for the things Rachel can create.
Finally, Sometimes Sweet has to be a popular choice, she is another blogger that lets so much of her family exist online.

I love to read blogs, especially new ones

Day 20, Monday: Get real. Share something you're struggling with right now.

Struggling with lack of sleep, how it makes me feel and act. But mostly I am struggling with being the best mother I can to Isabelle with such a lack of ability. 

I am so lucky to have my mum around, she has been brilliant again at talking things through with me and giving me practical advice. So lucky that I think I am making progress in getting Isabelle down to sleep. It's just the through the night to go!!!

Quotes

Day 14, Tuesday: Ten things that make you really happy

Andy

Isabelle

Family time

Walking

Creating

Clean house

Helping someone else

Blogging/Reading blogs

Believing in myself

Nature

Day 13, Monday: Issue a public apology. This can be as funny or as serious or as creative as you want it to be.

My public apology is for time.

I was inspired yesterday and through a couple of the questions, to realize that I feel I don't have enough time. I like to fill my time, I think I use it wisely. But I don't think I will ever feel as though I had enough.

Life to me is so very precious, love in that life is the best gift, experience, treasure that anyone can experience. Time may not be 'short' but it is uncertain and unfortunately the only certainty is death. So instead of worrying about not having enough time I want to start thinking about how I can best use my time.

I apologize for thinking I don't have enough when I have the time I need.

Superscrimper make

Yet another discovery I am afraid....

I find it really difficult to find reasonably priced, varied and quality fabric in Devon or Cornwall at the moment. Then, as luck would have it, that Mrs M came through again. Just look at this website! As long as you can get passed the naff website, I am sure it is a diamond in the rough kinda discovery.

Day 12, Sunday: What do you miss?

I miss summer holidays from school. 6 weeks felt like such a long time. Like you had so much time to do anything you wanted.
My mum always planned activities and we did great things, we visited family, made camps, painted Egyptian versions of ourselves at the museum. We just lived then.

As I got older, I used to go to the beach with friends. Eventually I started work and going out at the weekends. Summer time just makes everything feel better.

I am not entirely sure when time became relevant to me but I always feel like I need more. I guess I miss that feeling!

Day 11, Saturday: Sell yourself in 10 words or less

Loving
Caring
Accepting
Hopeful
Dreamer
Planner
Worrier

Day 10, Friday: Most embarrassing moment (s). Spill.

I think this memory has to be the most prolific in my mind. In my mind's eye I can see this in slow motion every time I tell the story.

When I was in year 7, I used to have to catch the bus home. I hated it. Absolutely hated it.

I used to try and leave class 5 minutes early by making up an excuse of leaving my pe kit somewhere or having to go to the front office for something.

Well, on this occasion I hadn't been allowed to leave early. I was so afraid of missing my bus that I ran (I am NOT a runner!) to catch it. I was doing well until I tripped over my own feet and super-manned across the floor. It was obviously hilarious to everyone but all I could think of was getting on the bus. So I got up and ran to it.

I made it. I sat on the bus willing myself not to cry. Covered in mud and dust. I texted my mum and asked her to meet me at the bus stop, which she did, as I got off the bus and saw her she just looked shocked. She thought I had been beaten up or attacked. I just cried!

Only now I am older is that story funny, I still have a scar on my knee from that fatal day.

Day 9, Thursday: A moment in your day

I have picked my favourite moment, it is around 10am each day, I watch Isabelle doze off and just see her for a little bit.

I see everything I love in one tiny person.
I thank my husband and God for her, for my life and where I am.
I also silently ask Isabelle to not grow up so fast, or be so concerned with growing up like I was.

I don't have many pictures of this moment, writing this has made me realise I need to take more of this moment.

Quotes

Blogging everyday in May .... Late to the party

Ok so I am a few days late to this, I have so many excuses but I won't share them! I will just get on with catching up ....

Day 1, Wednesday: The story of your life in 250 words or less

I was born in Plymouth and have never had any desire to leave. I grew up with my sister and lovely parents, did the usual school thing. I did university a bit differently - in that I completed my degree but I chose to do it part time through evening classes and work full time during the day. I met and married my husband within the space of a year when I was 19, he is so much more than I thought a husband would be. Then September 2012 we were blessed with our little girl. I am currently trying this Stay At Home Mum - perfect wife - home maker - bill contributor - crafter role, that is so far extremely fulfilling! 

Day 2, Thursday: Educate us on something you know alot about or are good at.

This is tricky, I feel like I am pretty average at a lot of things. Good at it is possibly communicating. I like to talk, especially with Andy my husband because we are the strangest compliment I have ever known. We can argue but both be talking about the same thing said in a different way. This sounds like poor communication you say, except now that we have done this for so long we know to act, draw, gesture our points across. It has made us stronger.

I talk a lot to Isabelle because I don't love silence often, because I believe it helps her learn. We have also started baby sign recently and I love that she laughs at me singing at her! But this is such an important age for her cognitive development that I think exposing her to so many positive experiences will help her curiosity and love for life.

Reading this paragraph I might change being good at loving my family?! Hmmm

Day 3, Friday: Things that make you uncomfortable

I am not sure whether this should be a list or just a few, so, just the really uncomfortables. 

I am really uncomfortable with waving thanks at a crossing. I make myself do it but I feel so stupid that I sweat. Weirdo. 

I don't like feet, I am really not a fan of people putting their feet near me or being bare. Yet I prefer being barefooted.

Day 4, Saturday: Favorite quote

Since having Isabelle my outlook on life has changed, I feel a lot more responsible and put probably more pressure on positive decision making. 

I have probably two : 

And that probably says more about me than any of these questions!

Day 5, Sunday: Publicly profess your love and devotion for one of your blogger friends.

I truly appreciate and am inspired by Natalie of Winter Love, my baby and her youngest are about 10 weeks apart so she had some brilliant advice for me when I was expecting. She also writes a lot about living in the moment, self love and accepting your own flaws. As a mother, I constantly struggle with not being enough for Isabelle. When I read the other people feel similar or worse, I take comfort in knowing tomorrow is another day and I am not alone in my feelings.

Even if you aren't a parent you will find something you love about Natalie!

Day 6, Monday: If you couldn't answer with your job, how would you answer the question, 'what do you do'?

What do I do?! Hmmmm, clean, cook, console, encourage, motivate, support. I do a lot of the emotional support for our family, but I think women tend to more than men. 

I make things, which I wish I had a little more time to do but thats not where my life is at the moment. 

I do a lot of accepting at the moment, accepting less sleep and someone else's routine/needs. I don't accept a lot of help.

Day 7, Tuesday: The thing(s) you're most afraid of

Easiest question so far for me, I am extremely afraid of loosing someone in my family. I am afraid of the dark, I am afraid of being alone, I am afraid of loosing my memory. 

I don't know where this one really originates from but sometimes I have these days where I just panic someone is going to die and the only way I have ever dealt with it is by saying to them 'please don't die'. Completely strange, I guess it links in with the being alone. I don't mind a few hours, I am talking in life. I hate the thought of someone being alone, dying alone. I feel so blessed to have so much love in my life that it doesn't make sense to me that others don't have it.

The dark is just stupid. 

I hate the thought of getting old and not remembering Andy, like in the Notebook. I am convinced that scrap booking/journalling/blogging etc keeps me remembering and will help me tell myself if my memory does go.

Day 8, Wednesday: A piece of advice you have for others. Anything at all.

My advice would be, appreciate your life, your family and friends. Tell them you love and appreciate them because it's over way too quickly. 

So that's it, up to date! Stop by each day to see how this turns out!!

Superscrimper make

This week is a bit of a cheat, not so much of a make as a bit of a discovery. The link will take you to the blog of one of the ladies on the show and although some things aren't relevant to me, her innovative cheap ideas more often appeal.

Nicolette's DIY page, has to be one of the most inspiring around. My inner crafty is just itching to get started!

Badger Balm - Sun cream

We have been so fortunate to have some good weather recently, it has been lovely taking Isabelle into the garden and getting some fresh air!

However, the sun has always been a love hate kinda thing for me. I like a little colour but I am extremely worried about the harmful rays that can cause problems for our skin, internally and our eyes. I was worried about me. Now I am worried about Isabelle. I know the best thing we can do is limit our time in the sun and when we are in the sun to stay as covered as possible with hats and sunglasses.

I know I sound like a worry wart, people that live outside of the UK get more sun most likely and cope with it a lot differently. When I decided it was time to purchase some organic, safe, baby friendly sun cream I hit a major task. There was so much to learn in finding the best and safest sun protection for our family.

As a general guide, from what I read you need broad spectrum coverage - meaning both UVA and UVB.
No SPF above 50 has supporting justifiable lab tests to suggests these are any safer. Oxybenzone is commonly used in sun screens and this can penetrate the skin which has been linked to skin cancer and hormone disruption. When I read this article I was truly shocked that so many of the well known companies are not making safe sun cream.

To summarise, for our trips in the sun we will be using Badger Balm. I read a good few reviews and these were always featured highly, I have read the information on the website. I feel that they are an honest company providing as much information about the safety of their products and that really reassures me. I will also be exploring their range of products for our other needs - soaps, lip balms and massage oils!

*I am not working in partnership with Badger Balm, this a completely unbiased review. It is my personal opinion.*

Quotes

Superscrimper make

Ok, so enough of the household focus for this little piece. This week it is a recipe we have tried!!

This is what ours looked like:



I have also done a cost analysis for this pasta recipe, I halved the quantities stated because there is only two of us for dinner. I sent Andy to work with the left overs for lunch. This meal cost us .....

Late nights and new things

Isabelle is teething up a storm at the moment, she just doesn't seem to stop! Her two front teeth look set to appear any time now, she has white blocks in her gums :) it does mean that her nights are quite fitful though.
She tried to crawl for the first time tonight, she is so clever its unreal, she is eating more food and is feeding herself with amazing coordination. I thank God everyday for her. I thank Andy most days for her.

I made the most amazing Mango Chicken yesterday, I honestly could eat it everyday - it has become a favourite after one make! But I have been looking for a favourite food again so maybe this is just coincidence.

Andy and I also made some Oreo cookies and some Brownies in a clean eating style that turned out really well. So far, going paleo/clean has been costly but exciting. We aren't completely there but making progress, which I am so, so grateful for because it is a long time coming.

Today  I managed to finish the typography for a display I am working on for our bedroom, I will share it once it is completed. It has only taken .... 2 years.... to get around to doing!

I finally got around to adding another item to my shop, keep checking in as I am continually developing ideas - I am really into notebooks at the moment.

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Superscrimper make

Next of course on the list had to be fabric conditioner!

How did your washing powder go? I haven't done it yet.... I really will though! I need to!

I think for this fabric conditioner I will want to compliment the lemon I chose for the powder so I will be picking a conditioner that isn't too strong.

Paleo, work and the thought inbetween

The good news to report is that this recipe was a great success! Both Andy and I enjoyed it immensely. I made some squash fries to go with it and it was the perfect compliment. Andy enjoyed the flavours and the experiment certainly pleased him! (I am quite shy with herbs!)

On the work front, I have some decisions to make soon and thinking about even making them brings me to tears. I don't really leave Belle at the moment - or enjoy the thought of leaving her. I just love having her around and she isn't any trouble. I know I would enjoy time with Andy but her little routine at the moment allows us time/me time to recharge that I don't find myself 'needing' a break.

Doing something creative from home whilst looking after Belle has always been my dream. Now it just comes down to finances. Which is awful.

Diet wise, this transition is going well. Who knows how I would manage it with work too - then it was all about convenience for me. I guess it would just mean being super organised all the time. I feel like with Andy on shift we would see each other less, which I hate the idea of.

I think most women end up in this debate when they have children, before this job offer I felt like I had made my decision. We both know our budget is tight but it could work. I spoke with my Mum and a dear friend about this little blip and I just don't think I can give up seeing Isabelle's firsts, or even give up being the one to teach her. To top it off I have been looking at learning at home and I believe Montessori is more akin to our family beliefs than the way a Nursery would go about things. Gah...... decisions............

HOME BIRD ECONOMICS - The Shop

Huuuraahhhhhhh! I am sure that is what Isabelle would say if she was speaking, alas we are not there just yet!!

However, I have (finally) launched my shop! There isn't much in it and I am beavering away every nap time, developing ideas, costings and creating to get this space where I want it to be.

I have had my first order, a sweet lady who wanted to use the hearts at her Vintage inspired wedding. Such a lovely idea! She has agreed to send me pictures too so that I may show off the little creations!

Here is what her packaging looked like .....

I included some extra bits that from our conversation I think she will like. 

So if you are interested, take a look at The Shop, if you use code 'launch10' you will also receive 10% off of your first purchase with me! Happy buying

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The aftermath

Following Isabelle's christening - last month! I have been making my thank you cards during Isabelle's naps to send out and I am finally done!!

Just got to post them off now.

Superscrimper make

Yes, I am obsessed with making my own washing powder. I have seen so many recipes out there and never given it a go. So, I will be attempting this recipe soon! I promise, I will also take photos so that I can come back and review it!

Such a simple recipe for washing powder I am sure it will be beneficial to our family to not only pay less, but know the ingredients on our skin. I will need to keep a container ready for this too....

Working out

Since this little lady of mine appeared I have been achieving all kinds of goals for myself, around the home, budgeting and getting myself back into shape. Shape I didn't even get married in!

So far, Jillian has been kicking my butt. I am aiming to do the 30 Day shred 3 times a week. So far so good I am up to 2 times, which is progress!

My mum found these problem area mini workout that I have been attempting! Again, I aim for each night before bed. Yet to get there, but I know I will once I have printed the sheet I made myself. Except the printer is right next to nap time in mummy's bed!

Other than that I try to walk as much as possible - cutting our petrol costs and my waist.

Food wise I have been trying Clean eating and Paleo recipes. These help my imagination and have enabled me to 'diet' on budget, my meats aren't grain fed organic but they are what they are. One day I won't worry about money as much.... maybe... but that's not for right now.

I am not really up for sharing before and after photos just because that feels a little too personal for me. However, I have gone from a horrible size to a not so bad size to working on a I am ok here size.

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Superscrimper make

I was going to write my own tutorial for these paper hearts I saw on the show but instead, this link will take you straight to it!

I found them really straight forward and I don't measure mine, I can get 2 hearts from 3 pieces of paper. They are a seriously inexpensive way of decorating any cabinet, wall, nursery, kitchen well, in my opinion they look cute anywhere.

Once I have decided with Andy what the theme to Isabelle's birthday will be I am sure I will make some up as a decoration for some part of the house. My baby is 1 in September? :(

Finding my way back to you

Every now and again I think I am getting the hang of things, then something changes and goes out of the window. Life I guess.

Anyways, Andy and I took a walk through Mutley Plain charity shops today - one of my favourite places for bargains. Andy managed to find a baby sign book I have been toying with buying for us for about 6 months now, and it was £1.50! Originally on amazon this costs almost £4. So not a huge saving but I was certainly pleased not to pay post and packaging too!

I am coming to the end of my maternity pay now and this is when the real budget has to kick in, to see if we can make it on one wage. I think this budgeting will get me back into blogging a little more simply because I need to be even thriftier than ever, with food, presents, clothes. Everything. Life in general has to become less about things and more about making the most of what we have. I know we can do it, it is daunting though.

I don't know if anyone else watches Superscrimpers on UK channel 4? If not use the link! You will be amazed and inspired. It is one of those programs I feel like I need a notepad next to me to keep the ideas ready for research later. Andy and I never fail to find something new to have a go at - even if it is just the beauty tips!!

I make no promises for this space, but I think I will be keeping my ideas here and I will try to keep this space up to date with as many tips as possible - provided I am saving enough money!

quick make #6

I am definitely planning on decorating the hall we have hired for the christening with http://www.themotherhuddle.com/how-to-make-paper-pom-poms/ these cutesy pom poms, i am planning different shades of pink and different sizes in little groups to  the room up a bit. 

Lurker

So once again I have fallen behind in the blogging stakes, my life at the moment doesn't contain  lot of time that I feel I want to share here or even have the time to write down!

I haven't figured out how much of Isabelle I want to share with the internet yet and until I do it's nothing I am afraid, or at least very little. This doesn't mean I am not extremely proud of my little girl, but I want to keep her mine. I hate seeing fellow bloggers pictures and tutorials stolen so much so I just couldn't bare finding my little girls face somewhere or associated with anything else. Kinda silly maybe but I am ok with it.

I cannot believe I haven't been to work in 6 months! 6 months have flown by with this little miss - who has 2 teeth! Life at home is everything I wanted it to be and more now. I love being at home with her and I never miss my husband because of working opposite shifts. I am a lot more contented at the moment than I have felt in a long long time. This is exactly where I want to be. I feel so very blessed to say that considering I am 23 and so much more ahead of me, but I love where my life is right now.

Plus my gallbladder has been removed through key hole surgery so I am feeling healthier than I have done in a long time!

As for the title of this post, I am around..... just reading instead of writing.

Quick Make #5

A little gag gift for the men in our lives! I have an obsession with tins so this is brilliant!

Quick Make #4

We have a couple friends expecting this year, a thoughtful mum focused basket is a definite gift in plan for us!

Quick Make #3

Perhaps this home made lip balm would make a cutesy party favour for the guests at our christening.....

Quick Make #2

Christening is the buzz word in our house at the moment, seen as I am planning our little missy's. So I am using this time to find some good present ideas for the God Parents.

A Pouf accessory for the ladies?

Catch up

So my absence for January has been down to a few things.... a pesky gallbladder full of gallstones which meant a hospital stay, an almost 5 month old cheeky girly and a tidy house!!

I have been suffering with the pain of gallstones since the final few weeks of my pregnancy and in January things really took a turn for the worst. I was taking strong painkillers that helped for the first day but then I found I was being very sick which meant the medicine wasn't staying down long enough to take effect. We had my mum watch Belle whilst Andy and I went to A and E for some advice, I ended up being admitted and staying 4 days. I am awaiting an operation date now which was supposed to be within 2 weeks of me leaving..... good ol' NHS

My beautiful baby girl is almost 5 months old and I cannot believe it! She cut her first tooth yesterday. My baby just doesn't seem to want to stay a baby anymore, Belle is constantly trying to be on her feet or wiggling somewhere. She can roll to her side but isn't keen on being on her tummy.

This crazy house has been tidier than ever before recently, I am not sure if I have turned into something more efficient or if I have become superwoman (!!!!) Just yesterday evening I finished the dishes before making and writing all of our delayed christmas thank you notes, filed Isabelle's photo's and tried to finish her baby/pregnancy books.

Oh and recently I have also become the Saltash Town Band's secretary, which means I will now be spending some of my free time organising events/concerts for the band. A new challenge I am really looking forward to undertaking.

My first ever Blog Hop Co-Host!

 

 It's Saturday again and that means take-away day !

Just like our favorite take-away meals I hope you can find some great blogs to take-away today.

So lets get the bloggy takeaway underway. I'm in no way making this a strict blog hop but some basic etiquette should be followed to make the hop sucessful for all participants.

Etiquette

1. Follow your two hosts. (1 and 2 in the list's)

2. Follow all six co-hosts (2 - 8 in the list's)

3. Add your main blog URL to link up not a specific post.

4. Visit some of the blog's you like the look of and follow, if you want leave a comment 

this is a great way to make bloggy friends.

5. Grab the button and display on your blog.

 

  <a border="0" href="http://chandodaddy.blogspot.co.uk" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1323.photobucket.com/albums/u599/adaddyblogger/Button_zpsded48cdd.jpg" /></a> 

This is our first week so we are keen to tempt you back. I will be selecting everybody who links up for the next four weeks in a row and selecting at random a winner. The prize I hear you shout, A $15 Starbucks gift-card Open to UK and US only

If you want to Co-Host email me - gibbo252@gmail.com

Ok, now get linking up from the comfort of your sofa just like a real take-away!