I am now 16 weeks pregnant with our third little baby, and getting more excited as each day passes, to find out who this little one is! We already have a little girl and a little boy, so this time there's not a gender we're secretly hoping for. But in a weeks time we will finally know. Eek!

There are soo many old wives tales, and gender prediction tests you can do at home to try and guess your baby's gender. So of course we thought we'd give them a go!

Nub Theory - GIRL

On your nuchal scan (12 week scan), you may be able to see a little 'nub'. This is said to determine whether baby is a boy or girl, depending on the rise. I will admit I have no idea what I'm looking for. But after popping our scan in a couple of Nub Theory groups, the majority of the 'experts' guessed early girl. Apparently there's still time for the nub to rise, but I'm going to go with girl for this test.

Chinese Gender Chart - GIRL

The theory behind this test is that your age at conception, and the month of conception, can determine whether you'll have a girl or a boy. Different charts work it out differently (apparently it's your lunar age, not your actual age?). But for this we also got a girl result!

Baby's Heart Rate - GIRL

If you're lucky enough to hear baby's heartbeat at scans or your midwife appointments, you can try this one out. A heart rate below 140 BPM indicates boy, and above 150 BMP indicates girl - between 140 and 150 is a bit of a grey area, but hints more towards girl apparently. We found baby's heart rate which was in the 150s, so another girl result!

Wedding Ring Test - GIRL

I don't think you necessarily need to use your wedding ring, but as we're now married we thought we'd give this one a go. You pop your ring on some string and hold above your bump / belly. If the ring goes in circles you're having a girl, and if it goes side-to-side you're having a boy. We tried this one about four times, and each time it went in huge circles. Big girl result!

Red Cabbage Test - GIRL

This one is a bit yucky as it involves your wee, but we still wanted to give it a go. You have to chop up a red cabbage (we did half) and then boil it for around 10 minutes. You then use the water from this, and mix it with your wee. If the colour stays purple or blueish baby is a girl, and if it turns pink or red you're having a boy. The cabbage water didn't change for me, so another girl result for this test.

Baking Soda Test - GIRL

Again, another yucky one with your wee.. but the final test we tried. You pop a tablespoon or two of baking soda (or bicarbonate of soda if you're in the UK) in a glass, then add some of your wee. If it fizzes / bubbles then you're having a boy. If nothing happens at all, then you're having a girl. I'm not sure if this one ended up going right, as I don't think I used enough wee. But there was absolutely no reaction, which points towards girl again!

I know these tests are just a bit of fun, but our results were pretty unanimous! I still have a really strong gut feeling, that this little baby is a boy though. I'm craving salty foods, and this pregnancy feels so similar to Parker's. I guess we'll find out next weekend!

You can see Jack and I trying out the tests in the video below.

5 First Trimester Essentials!

At over 15 weeks pregnant I am well out of the first trimester now. And thank goodness! The first trimester is an exciting time of course - the first (of very many) positive tests, imaging life with your new baby and the exciting journey ahead. But if you've been pregnant before, or are expecting now, you will know just how bloody awful the first trimester can be!

Nausea. Sickness. Bloating. Worry. All while trying to keep it a secret to the outside world. There were a selection of products and items I used though, that managed to keep me a little bit happier during those first looooong weeks. So I thought I'd share them with you, in the hope they can help others in the first trimester!

Comfy Clothing

I'm pretty sure I had a bump, from the second I wee'd on that little stick this third time around. Leggings were tight, and my jeans were definitely out of action. Comfy, stretchy clothing will definitely be your best friend. Invest in a couple of decent maternity / sleep bras as your breasts grow. Floaty tops and bump bands will help to hide the bump / feel more comfortable too. Oh and it's definitely okay to live in your pjs all day!

Pregnancy Apps // BabyCentre, Ovia, etc

I've sworn by Pregnancy apps with all three of my pregnancies now. They give you daily information, as well as a weekly update on how you and baby are doing. Baby Centre is probably my favourite as it has built in features to take weekly bump pictures, and a 'community' page where you can chat to other mums who are due in the same month as you. The community pages are especially helpful when you just want to talk about all things baby / pregnancy, before you announce to the world.

4Head Stick

You cannot take medication stronger than Paracetamol when you're pregnant, and even that I don't like to take too often. If you suffer with pregnancy headaches like I and a lot of pregnant mums do though, a 4Head stick will be a lifesaver. Perfectly safe to use in pregnancy, it's so cooling and soothing when one of those headaches kick in.

Peppermint Oil / Gum

If you suffer with sickness or nausea, peppermint is meant to be great for helping - better than ginger according to my midwife! I found chewing some peppermint gum when I felt really sick, or needed to get that awful taste out of my mouth (another glamorous pregnancy symptom), worked really well.

Pregnancy Vitamins

I'm absolutely awful at remembering to take them, but vitamins are really important during the first trimester. Folic acid is especially important in those first few weeks, as it can help to prevent birth defects known as neural tube defects. I found the Boot's own tablets to work just as well, but much cheaper - just remember to take with your main meal and not on an empty stomach, as they are known to make you feel a bit sicky.

What would your first trimester essentials be?

14 Weeks Pregnant {Baby Number Three}

As slowly as those first weeks went, I actually cannot believe I'm 14 weeks pregnant and into the second trimester. I fear this pregnancy is going to over before I know it! Although it's exciting as it means we get to meet our beautiful baby. It's sad, as I know this is going to be my last pregnancy (I really mean it this time!), so I want to savour every last second.

I wasn't sure how I was going to do these updates, as I know I'm quite prone to waffling on. But after reading Life With Mrs Lee's pregnancy updates, I've decided to steal her little questionnaire - hope that's okay Harriet?

So here goes...

HOW FAR ALONG?
14 weeks & 2 days

DUE DATE?
14th January 2018

GENDER?
This has been a question we've been asked a lot since we announced! I honestly think I'm growing another bouncing baby boy, but I guess time will tell. We have an early gender scan booked for a few weeks time which we cannot wait for!

HOW’S BABY DOING?
I use the Baby Centre App to check on baby's progress - he or she is now the size of a lemon at around 8.7cm (from crown to rump) and weighs around 1.5oz. Baby's body and limbs are now growing faster than the head - so by the end of the week they'll be all in proportion!

WEIGHT CHANGE?
I started this pregnancy at the most I've ever weighed, so honestly I don't really feel like tracking my weight. After having such a large bump from early on, it does finally seem to have gone down. I'm excited to watch it grow though!

SYMPTOMS?
I feel so thankful that my symptoms seem to be going away *touches wood* so I'm feeling pretty good. The headaches have eased and I'm no longer constipated, yay! I am completely exhausted though and feel as if I could eat a horse.. but I'll take that over nausea and headaches any day.

SLEEP?
I'm sleeping generally well now the nights aren't so warm, but it's becoming more uncomfortable as each day passes. I'm a stomach sleeper and I'm pretty sure those days are numbered... ah! I'm also waking most nights for a wee, which is rather frustrating.

CRAVINGS?
Nothing specific, I'm just preferring carbs and salty food lately. Still not feeling chicken either... eurgh!

HOW I’M FEELING?
Overall I feel pretty good. Buying the first few bits for baby has made it all sink in a bit more, and I'm so excited!

MISS ANYTHING?
My clothes. Nothing fits already!

FAVOURITE RECENT OUTFIT?
I am loving my new maternity jeans from New Look. They were a little pricey, but my goodness are they comfy. Over the bump is the thing of dreaams.

BEST MOMENT THIS FORTNIGHT?
Announcing our news! I'm still on an absolute baby high.

LOOKING FORWARD TO?

My 16 week appointment and early gender scan. Any pink or blue guesses?

Here's my 14 week update with Parker. I love having these to compare!

An Afternoon of Pampering at The Dorchester, with Asda Little Angels #AD

A few days ago I made the short trip up to London, to spend the afternoon with the lovely ladies from Myriad PR and Asda Little Angels. With a pregnancy massage and afternoon tea planned at The Dorchester, I understandably couldn't wait!

I'm almost 14 weeks with our third little baby now (if you missed our announcement, you can catch up here), so an afternoon of pampering and relaxing was definitely what I needed after a tough first trimester. Asda Little Angels is also a brand we love and use daily with the littles, so I was excited to learn more about them.

After navigating my way around the tube and the roads of London, I arrived at the beautiful Dorchester. I definitely felt out of place! I had no reason to worry though, as I was greeted by the lovely Lauren from Myriad PR, and taken down to the spatisserie, I instantly felt at ease.

The moment I sat down I was presented with a lovely fruit mocktail, and the presentation began. As I mentioned above, we have loved Asda Little Angels nappies since our eldest was little - and she's now 3.5! But there were still things I learnt about their newborn nappies.

Available in sizes 0 (premature) to 3, Little Angels Newborn nappies are just as good (or better in my opinion!) than the big named brands. They feature:

- A wonderfully soft lining to protect baby's delicate skin

- Wetness indicator to help with nappy changes

- An elasticated back to prevent poop explosions

- Sizing indicators (once the tabs reach the white area, it's time to move up a size)

- Umbilical cord cut out to avoid irritation

And if you've stocked up in sizes (like I know most parents do) any of those unopened packets of Newborn nappies, can be returned to store and exchanged for a different size.. even without a receipt. How fab is that!

Once the presentation was over, we were given our treatment times and the afternoon tea began (and honestly never stopped until it was time to leave a few hours later). Robes and slipper on I was greeted by my lovely masseuse and we headed to the treatment room. A blissful hour later I was shown to the relaxation room, where I honestly could have stayed all day... if it hadn't been for the afternoon tea awaiting us!

The tea was Wimbledon themed and featured teeny sandwiches, homemade fruit scones, strawberries and cream, all finished off with themed chocolates. I am a little picky and don't actually drink tea, but the staff were so accommodating, providing juices and water instead.

I have only ever been to one other spa before, so I kind of knew the process of how everything works. But my goodness, I was not prepared for how wonderful everything would be! The staff, the food, the massage itself.. everything was of the highest quality, and absolutely perfect. I would highly recommend a visit to The Dorchester Spa.

A huge thank you to the wonderful ladies at Myriad PR and Asda Little Angels for having me, and for the lovely goodies too. It was so lovely to meet all of my fellow pregnant mamas too.

You can see more about my day in the vlog below!

I was invited along to this event by Myriad PR, however I received no payment. All opinions are honest and my own.

The Siblings Project | July 2017

 
If I had to pick one word to sum up Indie and Parker's relationship this month, it would probably be troublesome. And for a few reasons too!

There's no denying that they have an oh so special bond, something that only comes from being so close together in age. But my goodness do they wind each other up. Indie will ask Parker is he wants something (which of course he does!), and then snatch it away and tell him no. Parker is equally as bad, snatching Indie's toys just to get a reaction. That reaction always being tears.

It's actually getting to the point where it's becoming exhausting. Being the middle man really isn't that fun.. especially when neither owns up to being in the wrong! And being so exhausted from this pregnancy, I've definitely struggled to keep the peace this month.

On the flip side though, they've also been troublesome in a completely different way. They are thick as thieves and true partners in crime! Egging each other on. Using each other to get what they want. I honestly think they spend their evenings before falling asleep plotting what they can get up to next. Monkeys.

It's making me both worried and excited to bring a third into the mix. Will they welcome them into the fold and become the Three Musketeers? Or will their close bond leave baby on the outside? Any mamas of three, I'd LOVE to know your experiences. I feel I need all the help I can get before these two become a three in January!

The First Trimester {Baby Number Three}

You'd think by now, seeing that this is my third pregnancy, I'd remember what the first trimester is like. But my goodness, did it really hit me again!

I am so thankful to be pregnant, but the first trimester really isn't all that exciting, and it's definitely not all sunshine and rainbows. It's tough. It's exhausting. And it's a pretty worrying time too.

I made notes for each week, so I'll just share a little roundup in the post. However I have filmed weekly updates, from finding out we were expecting, up to our 12 week scan. So If you want to get a proper in-depth look into how I've felt each week, make sure you pop over to our channel to catch up with these.

Finding Out / 4 Weeks Pregnant

* Aching breasts
* Achey stomach / period pains / cramps
* Really thirsty
* Peeing more
* Kind of feeling pregnant?
* Watery CM

* Moody / Irritable
* Tired

POSITIVE TEST

You can read about my initial 'finding out' reaction here.

5 Weeks Pregnant

* Excess saliva?
* Really hungry
* Strong sense of smell - Jack's protein shake makes me gag!
* Very tired 

* Gassy and bloated

Positive Clearable Digital (1-2 weeks pregnant)!

6 Weeks Pregnant
* Headaches
* Very achey breasts (bigger and darker nipples)
* Very bloated already
* Burnt easily
* Cramping
* Up and down emotions, either moody or really happy

Pregnant 2-3 on Clearable Digital!

7 Weeks Pregnant

* Craving savoury foods
* Strong sense of smell

Pregnant 3+ on Clearable Digital!

8 Weeks Pregnant

* Started feeling nauseous and had a churn stomach

* Feel sick in the evenings
* Exhausted!!
* Not interested in food (but still get hungry and have to eat as soon as I'm hungry!)
* Hair getting greasy quicker  

Early Scan at Babybond - dated back to 7+3 but saw heartbeat and all looked well!

9 Weeks Pregnant

* Horrible taste in mouth - doesn't go away when I eat or have a drink
* Generally feeling yucky!
* Constipation :(
* Very hormonal and moody!

10 Weeks Pregnant

* Trapped wind and still constipated!
* Had my booking appointment

* Heatwave - really hard, sleeping with fan, just too hot!

11 Weeks Pregnant

* Still constipated!!
* Food aversion - meat (particularly chicken)
* Sleeping better now it's cooler although waking to wee / drink in the night
* Headaches!!

12 Weeks Pregnant

* Headaches
* We had our scan! Baby was all well and we heard the heartbeat.

* Bump is very difficult to hide now!

This pregnancy has definitely been my toughest so far. Although I haven't been physically sick, the nausea, extreme exhaustion and headaches have been awful. I've also been the most anxious I've ever been, and despite having two scans I'm still worrying now. I think that's probably more so because it still doesn't seem real!

My next update will be at 14 weeks, which is already not too far away. 

Finding out we're Expecting Again... {Baby Number Three}

Writing this post back in May, I had no idea whether it was ever going to be published or not. It was VERY early days. I'm so glad I managed to type down my initial thoughts and feelings though, and I can still feel that adrenaline I felt just reading it back.

I also just want to say I hope this post doesn't come across as me sounding smug, or 'in your face'. I feel extremely blessed that we are expecting again, and this was just my initial thoughts.

............

Typing this it is the 9th of May. Parker is sleeping upstairs, and I'm trying my best to stay awake; absolutely exhausted. You see, I'm currently estimated to be 4 weeks and 5 days pregnant. But no one knows about our little baby secret just yet. I don't even think I believe it.

But I just knew.

We decided we wanted a third little bundle a few months ago. Picking April / May to start trying - not properly, but to 'see how it goes'. I've been off of any contraception since Parker was born, so I know my body well, and we didn't want to put too much pressure on ourselves.

A few weeks after my last period I started feeling strange. I rarely get ovulation / period symptoms, so I just knew this meant something. Aching boobs, stomach cramps, drinking more and then subsequently needing the loo a lot more... and my goodness the exhaustion! Having two little ones feeling tired is kind of standard, but this was on another level.

I just knew.

May 7th (just as Jack left the house) I took a First Response test. I couldn't even wait the 3 minutes, and I watched it as the line developed from an "is that something?" to an "oh my goodness, I'm pregnant!" kind of line.

I knew it!

May 8th I had the confirmation I needed. Pregnant 1-2 weeks on a Clearblue Digital. Anyone else feel it sinks in more seeing the words instead of a line?

I know it's still early day. And I know that anything can happen. But we are just so excited.

Please stay sticky little baby bean.

We are so excited to meet you already!

Parker's 23 Month Update

I'm in complete denial that our beautiful baby boy is turning two in just a few weeks time. Just where has this year gone? On the other hand though, I do often forget that Parker isn't a lot older. That he's really still very young, especially compared to his big sister who he completely idolises.

Parker now speaks in sentences a lot of the time, and has amazing knowledge and understanding. He can ask (it's more demand.. but the manners are getting there) when he wants food or a drink for example. And if his drink is empty, he'll tell us and ask for more.

I love that we can communicate with him so well, however it's not always such a good thing. Because he knows what words mean, he'll happily use them. If we pick him up for a cuddle and he isn't feeling it he'll shout "stop it daddy/mummy, put me down!" - which is both hilarious and bloody cheeky!

Parker is so different when it comes to development in comparison to Indiana. He's always been more active and prefers being outside doing things (climbing, jumping.. being adventurous), whereas Indie was always more into learning.

He does sit and play a lot more than he used to, but toys and books don't keep him amused for very long before he's off to the next activity. He is slowly becoming interested in colours and numbers though, so I'm not at all worried. And honestly it's just as lovely to watch him explore and grow! He's happiest when running free so I have to make sure I get him out and about at least once a day, to burn off some of his energy.

Speaking of energy, he's getting plenty of that! Parker has been absolutely loving food this month, and eats basically everything we give him. He's still an absolute pasta monster, which is fine by me as I sneak in so many veggies this way.

This month Parker is loving playing in the garden, buses / lorries / diggers, ice lollies, Ben & Holly, cuddles in mummy and daddy's bed and all the food!

This month Parker is hating spiders (if he sees one he squishes it!), nappy changes, not going in the bus - he gets seriously jealous if you go on one without him!, and lay ins!

I cannot believe the next update I'll be writing on him will be his TWO YEAR update. The end of the monthly updates, and the progression into full-on toddlerhood... I'm not ready!