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?!