I Have Some News.........

12 WEEKS

OMG......I am Pregnant with baby number 2 and already showing.

I have recorded my thoughts over the last few weeks on my phone but now the first scan has been done I can publish the start of my pregnancy diary no.2, (5 - 12 weeks).

07.05.2012: Had a positive pregnancy test. I just knew I was as over the last couple of weeks I felt funny, weak, shaky, funny taste in my mouth, weeing a lot and dark patches around my eyes appeared. Also had nausea on / off plus tired which I always am anyway but a different tired, I also hear a heart beat in my ear which I got with Ollie (very odd symptom) I would estimate that I am 5 weeks gone (same time when found out about Ollie).

I have mixed emotions felt pretty shaky when I saw 2nd line appear and then showed hubby omg what will we do as we've just made life even harder for ourselves.

I feel a little embarrassed as we aren't good financially so it's not a good time and I've only been back at work a month but I am kinda excited as we are extending our family, but boy will it be hard work. I actually did have tears as I'm not sure I feel ready for a 2nd and to go through that pain again scares me and pregnancy at work again.

No turning back now uh oh! Can't tell anyone yet, I'll do a 2nd test in the morning to make sure .

Weirdly mum last night looked at my belly and said you aren't pregnant are you as looks hard not blubbery as I was complaining about being fat, looking at pics when pregnant with Ollie I already look 16 weeks.

08.05.2012: 2nd test positive. Kept feeling rather excited today.

10.05.2012: Feeling very sick throughout the day, at one point I had to get up and go the bathroom at work cos I was worried. Very tired. Felt very sick again in evening oh it's happening already.

12.05.2012: Told my mum, I think she was a little shocked.

14.05.2012: Paul told his family so at least out now just got to wait another 6 weeks until scan to tell everyone.

Week 6 - horrible week very emotional feeling very sick. So tired, feel fatter and keep feeling hungry.

Week 9 - been feeling ill last few days not sure if it's related to pregnancy (jubilee weekend) taken day off work as really can't function it, just feel so weak. Past few weeks I've been feeling very sick, emotional and tired. My tummy goes hard sometimes which I'm sure is too early - I'm feeling like I did in late pregnancy last time. Think I've put on another 3lb as well so up to 12st 3lb. I feel like I need to hide the belly especially at work.

08.06.12: First midwife appointment checked weight-which was lower than I thought. I had a blood sample well kinda asked her to as I wonder if I'm lacking in iron as I've been so weak, dizzy and low this week - called work and said I'd be back Monday.

10.06.2012: so emotional today cried before work cos I couldn't face it and fought hard all morning to keep it in then broke at lunch plus feeling sicky and have a cold. Not enjoying it at all but can't wait to get scan date through the post to actually see bubba on the screen.

16.06.2012: Evening feeling so big and uncomfortable.

17.06.2012: OMG what is going on with me Ollie is being naughty and I really can't cope today burst into tears - just feel so low and emotional.

Belly feels so heavy especially when walking feels like im further along.

19.06.2012: Heart burn, keep waking up, out of breath when walking and sure I feel flutters already. Loving strawberries, crisps can't drink tea especially at work (same happened with ollie)

23.06.2012: Am I having twins? I feel bigger, nausea is worse I think and so very tired....I keep thinking it now....find out Tuesday.

24.06.2012: Woke up feeling rough today I'm not sure if it's hayfever or a cold but want to be lazy. I'm so hungry today just want to keep eating.

12 week scan

26.06.2012: SCAN DAY. Not a good start to the morning Ollie up at 6am then started to get very naughty, I'm just too tired to deal with it.
Scan at 10.20am an all is great with one not two strong heart beat and very active little thing, he/she was on it's belly then spun round. I didn't get any feeling of what the sex could be like I did Ollie. Felt much more positive after seeing the little person on the screen.

Freebies and Sales

This week I bought two copies of Glamour magazine as they are giving away free Benefit make up worth £10-15, so I picked up the Mascara and the Pore perfector...I love freebies.

Glamour has listed 100 dresses under £200

Some nice ones on there but £200 you must be joking I can find dresses that are just as nice for a lot less, but to be fair you will see the odd one under £25.



Dorothy Perkins have up to 40% off maxi dresses at the moment, here are my favourites and most are under £25:

• Animal twist knot maxi dress Was £35.00, Now £20.00
• Red poppy print maxi dress Was £32.00, Now £20.00
• Navy leaf print maxi dress Was £28.00, Now £22.40

Animal Twist

Red Poppy Print

Navy Leaf Print

Summer Sales are now on, check out:

• up to 50% off Store Twenty One 
• up to 70% off Select 
• up to 30% off Matalan

Picking the Right Footwear to Help Your Child’s Feet Grow

Babies feet are soft and supple and do not require baby shoes until they are around 11-13 months and are starting to walk. Prior to this it is best to put your baby in a cosy pair of socks and bootees which are less constricting than shoes and will not damage the foot development. Make sure never to use bootees or all-in-one suits and pyjamas with feet if they are too tight.




Image courtesy of Vertbaudet


 

 Once baby starts walking most new mums are out there buying the first pair of shoes; but before you do remember that baby’s feet grow quickly and you may need between two to three pairs of shoes or more in a year. New shoes should be wide enough for the foot to sit flat in the shoe as your baby's feet have not yet developed an instep, or more accurately, the instep of a baby is still covered by a layer of baby fat. Buy a shoe which has around 4cm of space above the big toe to allow room for growth. Your baby needs to be able to wiggle toes and use them in a gripping motion, essential for learning to walk, making it so important that baby shoes always fit properly.


The best type of shoes to buy has non-slip soles and an uncomplicated strapping system. For example, canvas shoes are ideal for summer months as are sandals. For the wintertime you can buy fleece lined lace-ups for little boys and for girls shoes, the traditionally adorable Mary Janes.



Your little one will be most comfortable in shoes made from a soft conditioned material which is well lined. Check frequently that your child is not outgrowing their shoes by monitoring that 4cm space above the big toe. Check that the foot is not being squashed in a shoe which has become too narrow. If your baby starts to grizzle when you put on his shoes or if she has red marks or the beginnings of a blister, these are surefire signs that your baby needs new shoes.

 Babies grow at a rate of knots as do their feet. It is so important in later life that a baby is brought up wearing correctly fitting shoes. The right size of shoes gives support to the foot and helps the baby to walk confidently. Baby shoes should always be correctly fitted. Remember when you are up sizing on shoes to do the same for socks.






Image courtesy of Vertbaudet

Shoes with a soft and supple sole are best to help your baby take those first new steps. Try to avoid using hand-me-down shoes as they will be moulded to the foot shape of the original wearer and will not give your baby the required support.

Looking after your baby’s feet now is a worthwhile investment to give baby the best possible start in life.
 Vertbaudet offers a range of baby clothes, children’s clothes and home collections for your little ones. Their Summer Sale is now on, with hundreds of items reduced by up to 60%, so hurry while stocks last. Shop now at http://www.vertbaudet.co.uk/shop/summer-sale.htm

Bye Bye

One of my mummy friends is off to Australia today to live, i'm feeling quite sad as over the past year especially while on maternity leave we used to meet up and go for a coffee and a chat, walk to the sure start groups and let our boys play. I guess all good things do come to an end but I'm hoping we will always stay in contact as we do have the Internet and skpe to catch up on and maybe one day we will be able to go out there and see them. Last night was our last catch up before they fly off to another world.

Oh the thought of a new life somewhere across the world seems rather appealing. You have bigger houses for less, a very laid back way of living, BBQs can be everyday and so many places to visit.

I guess once a chapter has ended a new one will always begin for us all. Wish my new one would start.

Good luck Alison, Marc and little Owen x

Me, Ollie, Owen & Alison

Summer Bucket List

Bucket List for the summer

Only 20 things to do this summer......

1. Go to the zoo
2. Make a sandcastle
3. Paddle in the sea
4. Spend more time with my hubby
5. Go swimming
6. Have a BBQ
7. Go to the park more
8. Make an effort to eat olives (hubby loves them)
9. Wash my car
10. See family more
11. See friends more
12. Eat something new
13. Try using skype
14. Make cupcakes
15. Get the recipe books out and cook
16. Get creative again
17. Do something for charity
18. Make my little man laugh
19. Learn something new
20. Clean the house

I'll add more when I think of them, what's on your list?

No reason

I've no topic to write about but I'm feeling very fed up with life at the moment so I need to get a few things off my chest.
With only one of us working (me) people kept saying go to citizens advice as you maybe able to do this, that etc so the hubby went yesterday and nothing they can recommend or advice they can give to help us out......really.
I'm shocked at all those people out there that don't even try to work get so much more it doesn't make sense and really not fair as they seem to have bigger houses to shelter their tens of kids and still get holidays, big tvs, cars and even pets (they aren't cheap).

Another thing getting me at the moment is being back at work after a year out - it does not work. It may for some if they have a good career but I guess they wouldn't take that long off if they did.
I've not felt welcome and more like why are you back. In a year a company can change quite dramatically so to be expected to just fit in isn't easy and people my god they can change if given a little more power.

What else can I moan about.......badly built houses, feeling fat and frumpy, mortgage companies that don't help when you ask for it uh I need some happy thoughts can anyone help me with that?

Outfit No.11 Under £20

A glimpse of sunshine yesterday, so out came the summer top but in case of rain I ditched the sandals and went back to my boots. I wore this at a Jubilee Gala.

The Outfit

• Strappy navy with blue dots top from Asda £5, great summer top.
• Navy jeggings Primark £8
• Tan boots from Tesco £5 (mentioned before were £18)

Total Outfit Cost £18

 What do you think?