With a little help from my mammy.... x

Today was another new experience for my little lady. I braved a new toddler group, it's getting to the stage I know we'd benefit from going to a toddler group but after the comfort of a small baby group going into the unknown is a scary prospect for me.

With the rain hammering down outside and another day in on the cards, I got us ready, took a deep breath and drove us there. We've been to one recently and it turned out to be my worst nightmare, hundreds (slight exageration) of kids running around, screaming, jumping and generally doing what kids should do. It was all a little too much for me and i'm ashamed to say it really put me off.

Well, I am very pleased to say today's trip to the unknown was an absolute success and we loved it !! It's run by Surestart Childrens Centre and i'm hoping and praying that the cuts don't affect them !
We started off playing with toys and running around getting to know the room and staff, me following behind and making appropriate noises reading books etc,there was a table set up to make pictures with glue, sequins and feathers. I was so impressed they had different styles of chairs so that I could strap the little lady in to save her running off and here is her first attempt


Only a few handfuls were pulled away from her mouth, the little tinker !!

Next there was a table set up outside, little gardening spades, a bowl of soil, plant pots and several seeds were set out and the kids were shown how to grow their own plants. The little lady enjoyed hitting the soil with the spade. We managed to get a full plantpot full of soil and she shook the cress seeds into the pot and covered again with soil. Hey presto, her first cress plant was made and is now sitting proudly on the kitchen windowsill... fingers crossed I remember to water it !



We will definately be going again, it's on twice weekly and it's only a 5 minute car ride away. All in all, a great start to the day

reminiscing about the bump...

Today, I had a random "I miss my bump" moment. It's amazing how empowered you feel as a "mother-to-be". The feeling of the baby inside, wriggling and kicking, the cute yet very painful feet in ribs moments and the bond you get knowing you're the only one to feel each and every movement, literally giving them life.

So, I looked back through my bump pics and came across this one..


I remember this night, I was going to the annual Hexham Leazes Cricket Club dinner at Langley Castle (far too many stairs for a heavily pregnant lady) . I must say, I felt amazing that night. I was having the usual dilemma of what to wear to cover yet hug my bump and remembered this floaty little number and it was perfect !!

Although I loved being pregnant, I can't say I want to do it again in a hurry, my girl is growing and fast and I'm enjoying every moment.... x

The "old" me -vs- the "new" me

So,  i've been thinking... Back in the days of young *sigh* independant me, what was my life like compared to the 2011 version of myself? The one word that springs to mind is misguided.

I was in a full time 9-5.15 job that wasn't satisfying me mentally, renting mainly and floating about with a handful of good friends and unhappy relationships under my belt. Unhappy with my looks, nothing to show for my monthly salary and nights out drinking for the sake of it. Fast forward to the present and it still amazes me that I have a 14 month old daughter who has her own personality that we (have to involve Dan in this one I guess) created and moulded into the precious human being she is now. Yes, I'm still renting but now I don't feel the need to go out and get drunk, I am content in staying indoors knowing my little sidekick is tucked up safely in her cot. There are still issues I need to sort for myself but that's another story.

Admittedly, the whole independance thing was an issue at first. I was and am to some extent, the kind of girl who is happy in the knowledge I have my car to jump into an drive to where ever I deem necessary, driving around used to soothe my soul. Just me, my music and the open road. Nowadays, I can't just jump in the car and go, it's about checking I have nappies, wipes, drink, snacks, stroller, warm enough clothing etc etc with me, but and there is a but.... I wouldn't change it for the world.

This new me, is the one I like.

My first item of clothing for my girl

The result ? It doesn't fit... but it does look pretty on the hanger :o) Question is now, shall I put my bhuddha bellied daughter on a diet or attempt another ?

A girl can never have too many dresses so I think the latter is, of course, the only option. Once I get established there will be no stopping me.. I am already thinking ahead to the beautiful and pretty fabrics and maybe, once Iam very brave, I may make myself a little something.  Let's see what the future holds

Learning to walk and the trouble that follows...

My little sidekick learnt to walk a week before her 1st birthday, a few days after getting her new cruising shoes coincidentally. Since then there has been many a stumble, definately takes after her clumsy mammy.

Trouble with walking is definately the falling and due to the cold and awful Northern winter she hasn't (thankfully) done much walking outside.

We have had an extremely scary moment and hopefully the last. A fall and bang to the head, nothing new there I thought... but breath holding and passing out certainly was, cue limp, lifeless, eyes rolling into head little one and a very scared mother alone in the house !!

So that was the first trip to A&E, lets hope it wasnt the first of many.... my how she likes to scare me !

Getting my craft on

Since my birthday in November I have been trying out new bits and pieces. When I initally contemplated asking my other half for a sewing machine, I braced myself for his reaction, I am, afterall only 26. I was pleasantly surprised to discover he wasnt opposed to the idea.

I have since found out that my crafty time is usually accompanied by the sounds of guns firing and men shouting, also known as Call of  Duty time, but hey if we're both happy where's the issue?

My first few makes were little padded hearts hanging on ribbon, I then moved onto making taggie blankets and soft toy bunnies. I had a very proud mmmy moment when my daughter took this from me and played nonstop for a while. Taggies, cushions and sock monkeys were next on the agenda.  My most proud make is a patchwork duvet, it's by no means perfect but it's a good starting point. Here's to many more makes !!

This crafting malarki is addictive !

A question I have always pondered..

Until my daughter was born and I started walking around town with a buggy, I had not realised the incovenience of shops with stairs and no lift.

I have found that most shops in the little town we lived in chose to display childrens items upstairs, yet had no facility to accomodate pushchairs to view the items. I have always wondered what the best way to deal with this is,the only solution I have found is to go in my lunchbreak from work. In a way its a lot more peaceful but in honesty, it bugs me !!

Why not use some common sense and put the unobtainable items for pram laden parents downstairs? You may even make some extra sales !