waiting...

Is this baby ever going to arrive.
What with Tom's new job, the move and everything else I haven't done much internetting. It doesn't help that our computer still isn't set up (that's what happens when you live with a computer geek who is both a perfectionist and a procrastinator)
I spent a good few weeks wishing 'please don't come early' now - a week after her due date - I am hot, snappy, slow and tired, I just want this baby to arrive.

Baby blanket

I have long been obsessed with finding beautiful baby blankets, not only because I make them, but also because I love a good blanket. There is nothing better than snuggling up on the sofa tucked under a blanket (although not in this weather!).

When LT was born he had several, a lovely lacy knit cream one (which I managed to shrink in the wash), a soft jersey printed one, a large muslin swaddle and two handmade quilts.

I know I will make this new baby a quilt and I bought her this beautiful blanket from Timrava .



I found the jersey blanket the most useful, it goes most places with us, either as a play mat or tucking into the pushchair when it gets a bit chilly.

I have been looking around and have found several that I like but they just haven't been right.

Love The Bright Company and their geometric print but the colours just weren't what I wanted.



This lovely one from etsy store Salt City Emporium - check out their fab leggings!



I finally settled on this one from Old Rectory - I love everything about it; the slightly sludgy colours (hello, yellow trim!); the chickens, well the print in general and when it arrived there was a surprise hood in one of the corners, bonus!
I bought it from the fab Burp Boutique making the most of the 50% off they have at the moment.



Now she just needs to arrive so we can get snuggling!

goodbyes and hellos

Phew, what a busy week. Where to start?

Firstly we are packing up and leaving our beautiful South London flat for greener pastures. Tom has got a job in Hampshire, just outside Southampton, starting next week. We have spent, pretty much, all of the nice sunny days looking around houses that have been snapped up by the end of the day. It has been really disheartening, weighing up pros and cons, making decisions and then having to start the search all over again. We have finally got a place with a garden and a play park at the end of the road- just in time for our great British summer!

I am quite excited to be starting a new chapter in the countryside but also a little scared. I am 8 months pregnant so what I really want to be doing right now is relaxing but what I am actually doing is packing and organising, entertaining a 2 year old and trying not to think about giving birth in a different place with different midwives.

Since having LT I have made so many nice friends who I will be sad not to see every week or so. I have been very lucky and I am worried that I will be isolated and alone all day with a toddler and newborn. There is so much to do here with babies and so many new mums in the same position it is relatively easy to meet likeminded people. I just hope it is the same where we are going.

I know everything will be fine but it feels like so much needs to happen in a very short space of time.

One thing is for sure, I am really going to miss this view...

Boden, the yellow and blue post!

Boden have not really been on my radar. I always thought they were a bit too, well, boat shoes and polo shirts and Pippa Middleton for me, if you know what I mean. But, oh, the girls (not quite sold on the boys though) clothes are fab, they seem to do a cute dress really well. Just the right mix of bright colours and cute detailing I like.

Look at this...

 

and this...

 

 

 

and what about this...

 

 

 

 

 And for older girls this

 

 

and this...

 

 

I have just noticed how drawn I am to yellow and blue at the moment (other colours are available!)

 

Welcoming Baby No. 2

I had been thinking of how to deal with a toddler (terrible twos no less) and a newborn and, quite frankly, was a little scared. So when local mum and founder of The Neo Practice, Suze Cook told me about their Welcoming Baby No. 2 course I thought it would be the perfect way to sooth my fears.

And I wasn't wrong, it was a small group of five lead by an experienced midwife over three sessions. We were asked to fill in a short questionnaire before the course so that it could be tailored to our needs. Turns out we all had very similar worries, fears and questions.

Although I was mainly worried about dealing with the practicalities of two small children, focussing on 'the birth' in the first session was the perfect way to start. Even though it was only two years ago I had forgotten quite a lot from my antenatal classes so it was great to refresh. Also we had all been through the birthing experience before, good or bad, so talking about our fears and expectations was an interesting and helpful icebreaker.

One of the main things I remember from this session is to have a back up plan- my parents are coming down to look after LT whilst I am in the hospital but what if the don't get here in time or baby comes early?

Session two was all about dealing with a newborn and a toddler. Just what I needed to reassure me that not only I, but LT were going to be fine. Each session has quotes and advice from mums who have been through it all already and one of my favourites was something like 'if you get through the day and both kids are still alive you are doing well' I suppose I took from that, it isn't going to be plain sailing and perfect happy families but do your best and everything will be ok.

The final session dealt with milestones and crunch times. Like when to potty train and move to a big boy bed and how to prioritise you attentions at bath time and out and about.

It was a great course that was well thought out and very helpful, I would highly recommend it.
It also gave me an opportunity to meet other local mums in the same boat. At the end of the last session we all had a drink, chat and exchanged email addresses and are definitely going to meet up when the little ones arrive.

For more info have a look at their facebook page.

Incy Cot

I saw these colourful cots on Pinterest recently and have totally fallen in love. Why are they only available in Australia? Why have I only just discovered them? And how cute is their styling?



When I was looking for cots for LT I was very disappointed at the lack of colour so much so I ended up painting (or our fab friend Luke Black did) a second hand one (one day I will post pictures of LT's room, promise).

Incy Interiors also do a bed version which is also beautiful- if only it was available in the UK. Any ideas on where to get something equally as wonderful? LT is getting to the big boy bed stage and I just can't find anything this inspiring or, come to think of it, anything over the level of just plain boring!

...

So, I have been notably absent for the past few weeks and to be honest I have not really felt like sharing.

A few things have happened that have made me reevaluate. The main one being a beautiful, funny, loving friend died and it has really shaken me, she was 36 with two young children, a loving family and everything to live for. She was a ray of sunshine to everyone she met which was reflected in the hundreds and hundreds of people at her funeral.

I have lots of happy memories but one of the big things she has given me is the realisation that life is for enjoying and making the most of (cliché, I know!)...
...and a smile can get you a lot further than a frown.