24 Weeks Pregnant {Baby Number Three}

30.9.17

I've left this update until the veeery last minute, but I'm still technically 24 weeks pregnant, so it still counts! It feels so good to have hit the viability mark, a little milestone that I've celebrated with all three pregnancies now. I also feel as if SO much has changed over the last couple of weeks. And with the third trimester so close now, I feel as if January is going to be here before we know it...


HOW FAR ALONG?
24 weeks & 6 days

DUE DATE?
14th January 2018

GENDER?
Girl!

HOW’S BABY DOING?
I use the Baby Centre App to check on baby's progress - baby girl now weighs up to 600g and is about 30cm from head to toe (about as long as an ear of corn). She's starting to fill the space in my womb now, and her patterns of sleeping and awake time are becoming more defined - something I've definitely started to notice!

WEIGHT CHANGE?
I've still not hopped on the scales, but I'm feeling a lot heavier. That might just be my boobs though, as somehow I'm sure they're still growing!

SYMPTOMS?
I've been suffering with the worst cold these last couple of weeks, and being pregnant has meant I've had to power through on just paracetamol and lots of fluids. Thankfully it's finally starting to clear up, but the sneezing and coughing has not been so good for the old pelvic floor..

We've also had a wonderful week away in Wales! Although it was lovely and relaxing, it also involved a lot of walking. My hips and pelvis (and of course my back) have really suffered for it, and I spent my evenings in quite a lot of pain. I'm seeing my midwife next week, so fingers crossed she can suggest something that can help!

SLEEP?
Absolutely rubbish. Between the cold, getting up to wee and vivid dreams I've not been sleeping very well at all. Baby girl is also most active in the evenings, and seems to be having a party whenever I wake up in the night. Little monkey!

CRAVINGS?
Thankfully, nothing really.

HOW I’M FEELING?
Achey and tired. I feel as if my body is giving up on me already! I am loving the huge rolls and kicks I'm feeling daily though.. it really does make it all worth it.



MISS ANYTHING?
Walking without being in pain!

FAVOURITE RECENT OUTFIT?
Maternity jeans, simple tee, boots and my snuggly scarf - a perfect autumn outfit! Although I have a feeling I'll be needing a new coat very soon..

BEST MOMENT THIS FORTNIGHT?
Our holiday to Wales! It was so lovely to spend quality time as a family of four. I really enjoyed swimming too, as I loved floating about in the water. I wish I could go more at home.

LOOKING FORWARD TO?
My midwife appointment - there's nothing like hearing baby girl's heartbeat!

You can see how this pregnancy compares to Parker's (my second) here.

An Interview with my Three Year Old | Indiana at 3 and 3/4

23.9.17

I haven't written an update on Indiana since she turned 3 last November. Nearly a whole year has passed since then, and she's already changed so much. Three is such a fun and exciting age, although it hasn't come without it's tantrums too!

So when I was tagged by Kate, who blogs at Lesbemums, in the 'interview with my...' tag, I was excited to join in. I asked Indie the questions while we were colouring, and I think I got some lovely answers...



What’s the best thing about being 3?

I like being 3 because I like being the best.

What makes you laugh?

Me *laughs* because I'm silly!

Who do you love, and why?

You (points at me), and daddy and Parker. Everyone! 

What’s your favourite book?

The house one - she has a baby in her tummy! (There's a House in Mummy's Tummy)

What's your favourite food?

Broccoli - it's yummy!

What's your favourite song?

Old McDonald


What's your favourite outfit?

My dress. The strawberry one!

What's your favourite TV programme?

Mr Maker

What's your favourite toy?

My Peppa Toys. I like to make a birthday cake with them.

What's your favourite thing to do?

I like going to the park. Going on the tires and everything!


I think this is such a lovely idea, and I think I may try and do this every year to see how the answers change!

22 Weeks Pregnant {Baby Number Three}

15.9.17

I'm now over 22 weeks through this third and final pregnancy, and I think it might be time to slow down already. Running around after two little ones just isn't as possible anymore! Back ache is creeping in, I feel exhausted soo easily and quickly, and this bump of mine feels huge all of a sudden...


HOW FAR ALONG?
22 weeks & 4 days

DUE DATE?
14th January 2018

GENDER?
Girl!

HOW’S BABY DOING?
I use the Baby Centre App to check on baby's progress - She weighs almost 430g this week, and is around 27.8cm long - the size of a spaghetti squash. She's now fully proportioned like a newborn (just much thinner), and her fingernails and eyes are fully formed. Meconium (that sticky black first poo) has begun to accumulate in her bowel too.

WEIGHT CHANGE?
Not entirely weight related, but when my midwife measured my bump this week she did say my uterus felt as if it was in the right place! So I think so far, everything is growing as it should.

SYMPTOMS?
The worst symptom that has slowly creeped in is back ache. My goodness, OUCH. I've suffered with both previous pregnancies, so I was just waiting for it to arrive this time. My midwife has said I need to stop picking up Parker (my not so little 2 year old), but sometimes that's just not possible! Another not so glamorous symptoms that's crept back in is bleeding gums. I've suffered with this in both of my previous pregnancies too, and it's apparently really common.

SLEEP?
I'm now sleeping with a pregnancy pillow (I have the Theraline Maternity Pillow - review coming soon!), as it's becoming increasingly uncomfortable in bed. Tummy sleeping is a thing of the past too, much to my disappointment!

CRAVINGS?
Nothing really these last few weeks, I just want to eat all the food!

HOW I’M FEELING?
Seeing my midwife really picked up my mood this week. The back ache has made me feel soo rubbish, so listening to baby girl's heartbeat was a lovely pick-me-up. I'm also kind of wishing the next few weeks away so we can reach 24 weeks, and therefore viability. As it's such a big milestone in my eyes!

MISS ANYTHING?
Sleeping on my tummy :(

FAVOURITE RECENT OUTFIT?
I picked up this beauty of a dress at the weekend, and it's given me all the Autumnal feels! It's non-maternity from Primark - so not only will it fit once baby is born, it was a bargain too. I teamed it with my suuuuper comfortable maternity tights from Love Your Bump. I've never invested in maternity tights before, and I'm kicking myself. These are so comfortable, and they don't fall down at all!


BEST MOMENT THIS FORTNIGHT?
Getting lots and lots of baby deliveries! Our co-sleeper arrived, as well as the carrycot for the pushchair. I may have ordered a few more bows for baby girl too, which makes me far too happy. I can't wait to see her in everything!

LOOKING FORWARD TO?
Our holiday to Bluestone in just over a weeks time. It's going to be lovely to relax as a family, and have Jack there to help out with the littles. I was pregnant with Parker the last time we went, so it's mad that he'll be 2 this year!

You can see how this pregnancy compares to Parker's (my second) here.

The Siblings Project | September 2017

14.9.17

Has anyone else completely lost track of the dates recently, or is it just me? It wasn't until I saw someone else's Siblings post, that I realised I hadn't written mine. Let alone taken any pictures! Thankfully we had captured a few of our little duo this week anyway. So although they're not the perfect siblings photos I would have wanted, we're still here joining in!




This month has seen Indiana head back to preschool, and therefore Parker left without his sidekick for most of the week. Towards the end of summer they definitely got under each other's feet that little bit too much. The bickering and arguments were constant during that last week especially, and I think we were all grateful for the return of school.

But now we're a couple of weeks into the old routine, I think they've remembered how much they love playing together again. Parker is back to calling after Indie constantly, and running straight for cuddles when we pick her up. And she's willingly sharing and playing with him a lot more. I think this is the balance we definitely all need!

Both of them get the chance to play without the other getting involved - something that's so important as Indie wants to play things that are just too grown up for P. And they also both get the quality one-on-one time they need too. 



I'm so excited for the next few months, especially as Autumn is my favourite season. We have a little trip away in just a few weeks, and then of course there's the fun of Halloween, Indie's birthday and Christmas. I have a feeling these weeks are going to fly by!

The Siblings Project - Dear Beautiful

Where to Play Pooh Sticks just like Christopher Robin - Pooh Stick Bridge Ashdown Forest

9.9.17


Everyone's read Winnie the Pooh haven't they? Or if not, they've definitely seen the films! The stories of Christopher Robin and his cuddly friends, exploring in The 100 Acre Wood; searching for Heffalumps and playing Pooh Sticks.

The stories were originally written by A. A. Milne, who was inspired by his son, and the actual adventures they went on in the Ashdown Forest area. "Their old Farmhouse lay a short distance from a wooden bridge that they needed to cross to reach the Ashdown Forest. It was on one of these visits that he and his Nanny played the game of Poohsticks." 

We are lucky to not live far from the area, and have taken the littles to Pooh Corner (the sweetest little tea room in the town of Hartfield) earlier in the year. With the sun shining last week though, we finally made it to Pooh Bridge to play our very own game of Pooh Sticks, just like Christopher Robin.





Ashdown Forest is just west of Crowborough in East Sussex. The Pooh Bridge carpark isn't actually signposted until the last minute, so we did find it a little tricky to find at first. The car park is just west of B2026, down Chuck Hatch Lane. However if you do go into Pooh Corner, they are more than happy to provide directions, and even sell a map with all of the Enchanted Places on.

The walk from the car park is really family friendly. Wide enough for buggies and not too 'off road' either. It is mostly down-hill though, so that's something to keep in mind! It took us about 20/30 minutes to get down to the bridge, but we did have lots of stops on the way.

There's plenty for little ones to explore and see on the way down to Pooh Bridge. Woods to explore, logs to jump on, and of course plenty of pooh sticks to collect. I'd definitely suggest picking up a few as you go, as we couldn't find any once we got to the bridge itself!





If you're unfamiliar with the game of Pooh Sticks, the rules are really simple. On the count of 3, you each drop you collected stick into the stream. Then you run as fast as you can over to the other side, and watch to see who's stick appears first. Simple, but great fun for little ones (and adults too)!

Unfortunately due to popularity (and the amazing lack of rain!) quite a few of our sticks did actually get stuck under the bridge. We still had plenty of fun though, and our collection of sticks meant we had plenty of games.

We had such a lovely morning at Pooh Bridge; it really is a perfect place to explore with little ones - especially as it's completely free! I just wish we had time to visit Pooh Corner for a look around, and of course a little smackerel to eat.

20 Weeks Pregnant {Baby Number Three}

1.9.17

I'm now over 20 weeks pregnant, which means we're half way there!

Can you believe it?

I know I can't.

But with movements growing stronger by the minute, our 20 week ultrasound and more baby items bought, I do feel as if this pregnancy is really starting to sink in now. I'm absolutely loving my growing bump (it's the only time I really love my body if I'm honest), and I'm just so excited for the weeks to come.


HOW FAR ALONG?
20 weeks & 5 days

DUE DATE?
14th January 2018

GENDER?
We had our 20 week scan today, and we asked the sonographer to double check the gender. Baby is still looking girly, so we can relax a bit about all of the pink and florals we've already purchased!

HOW’S BABY DOING?
I use the Baby Centre App to check on baby's progress - From this week measurements are now taken from head to toe (instead of head to bum), so baby is the size of a banana at roughly 25.6cm. She weighs about 340g according the the estimate at the scan too. This week vernix starts to cover baby, which not only acts as a moisturiser but helps during birth too!


WEIGHT CHANGE?
Nothing of note this week, and if anything my bump has felt smaller quite a few days this week!

SYMPTOMS?
Braxton hicks have well and truly kicked in, and I now get them at least once a day - more if I'm particularly active or busy. They aren't painful but my goodness can they take my breath away sometimes! I'm getting up at least once a night for the loo which is a pain in the bum too.

SLEEP?
Thankfully still pretty good, although turning in bed is becoming trickier.

CRAVINGS?
Gregg's sausage rolls... mmmmmmm!

HOW I’M FEELING?
Apart from the usual tiredness, I'm still feeling really happy and well. I'm so glad that we're at the half way mark. But at the same time sad that this pregnancy is going by so fast!

MISS ANYTHING?
Being able to sleep at night without having to get up for a wee... it's so frustrating!

FAVOURITE RECENT OUTFIT?
I finally purchased some new maternity clothes, so I feel a lot happier with my current wardrobe. The sun decided to make an appearance this last week too, so I've loved dressing bump in tight dresses to embrace it. Because let's be honest, there's no waaay I would when I'm not pregnant.


BEST MOMENT THIS FORTNIGHT?
Ooh there's so many! Jack felt baby girl kick for the first time last week, and I can now see the movements from the outside too. It was also oh so lovely to see her again at our 20 week scan - it's crazy how much they grow isn't it? She was a little monkey though, so I have a feeling we'll have our hands full when she arrives.

LOOKING FORWARD TO?
Getting back into a bit of a routine now the summer is over. I've loved having both littles at home, but I'm craving some normality now - I'm hoping it will give me more time to sort baby bits out too!

You can see how this pregnancy compares to Parker's (my second) here.