Jacob - Update

Jacob is going to be 6 in June, something which scares me as honestly I feel like the time has gone so fast. Just want to update you all on how and what he is doing.

Jacob is in year 1 at school and to be honest this year has blown my mind so far. He started off in nursery with a very limited vocabulary as he had a rough start to life. No amount of talking, flash cards or exercises I had tried were working for me at home, but when Jacob went to nursery and met Mrs Ward, I have to say something just clicked. When he started he could say a few of things but by the Christmas he had a speaking part in the nativity. I cried many tears over this. Nursery was a blast for him, reception not so much. He never really gelled with his teacher and she only ever seemed to point out negatives about him. This lead to low confidence. But when Jacob started year 1 the case was completely different. 

Bit of a funny start with teacher changes but he has come on leaps and bounds and found a real passion in reading. Something I adore. He can read at way above the national average for his age and I have to be so careful about what I leave around as we've had a few instances with a take a break that I'm not too happy about! The fact that he could read such fine print well yes I was happy about that part!

He has to work hard at maths but is completely competent, he loves learning and CONSTANTLY asks questions! Haha! Very curious little boy, asking some of the big questions already, where do babies come from? Mom what are those big plasters for? Yep you get where I'm going. 

I love his thirst for knowledge. He loves super heroes him and his bro are constantly acting out scenes. I think his favorite thing at the mo is his DS. He loves animals, and he loves to sing and dance. He also attends multi sports after school one day a week at school.

Jacob has never been the best of eaters. He had a severe gag reflex as a baby, weaning was a nightmare, but he also had a strong mind. He's never liked vegetables and what he would eat was so limited for such a long time. This has recently changed, still not a lover of veg he will try new things lately. He does love a while range of foods, especially spicy things. His favourite dinner is chicken enchiladas. Which to be honest is a crowd pleaser in my house. He loves a stew and will eat everything in it, but if I separately put them out he won't touch it! Kids ay! 

Jacob is an emotional and very affectionate boy. He is so loving its amazing. He always wants kisses and cuddles I never have to force it, which I love. We have a thing that we do where he will come up to me and say " mom do you wanna get involved with me?" Which I just cry laughing at. He is one of the funniest people I have ever met and some of the stuff he comes out with just makes me swell with pride. He is an absolute gem. I am very lucky to have him and he is a credit to me. 

He and Eli have the sweetest relationship, they fight like cat and dog like real brothers, but the love they have is ridiculous. Jacob just loves teaching him things and encouraging him, like constantly and recently whilst Eli has been potty training he has helped so much! He adores Hope and just wants to do everything for her. He is very affectionate towards them both. Always polite and just wants to talk to everyone (just like me) he constantly wants to help me. He is a strong willed little boy and has the odd tantrum or twelve. 

Jacob is a dot compared to his friends at school. Jacob has never left the 25th centile since a baby, but as his weight and height tally they've never seen it as a cause for concern. It's quite common for children with Jacobs condition to be a bit dinky. Combine that with him being on of the youngest in his year he looks quite comical next to his best friend Taylor. Saying this he is heavier that he looks. Jacobs weighs 3 stone 5 lbs which looking at him you'd never believe it. 

He's a handsome little devil and he knows it. Already taking a keen interest in the ladies haha. He is quite keen on Nicole Sherzinger and was quite keen on Hazel from last year's big brother.

All in all my big boy is amazing, obviously I am biased but he really is. Just love him to the point of no return. No matter how old he gets he's my baby. Always will be. 

H xxx

Silent Sunday 29.12.13

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Sainsbury's TU Clothing!

Every few weeks or so Sainsbury's does their usual 25% off event and I always have a mooch for the kiddies. I usually come away with a top here or there but with Hope rapidly growing out of her clothes we decided we'd concentrate on this for Christmas for her!

I have been getting bits and pieces from other places but I thought I'd take advantage of the money off and I love Sainsbury's clothes for the kids, great value and wash amazing! My local Sainsbury's hasn't got the biggest clothes range so I took a trip up to the new one at longbridge.

I was really pleased with the range and if they would have had more of the things I liked in her size I'd have cleared the place! Anyway this is what I got!

I loved these long sleeved vests! I love the funky patterns and they are perfect for putting under short sleeved dresses or tops to keep warm! 

These sleepsuits were an absolute bargain perfect for my little pink princess!

I have these in a smaller size for Hope, and I loved them so much that when I saw them in this size, at half price, they just had to be got!

This is one of my fave things, I love clashing patterns and this has made me very happy. So versatile and can be mixed and matched with so many different things!

I just love this! It's like business at the top and party at the bottom! Just so cute!

I saw this cardy before I even got to the. Clothes section, and I knew I had to have it. I love cardigans and this one is so cute!

So that's what I got and I think it's an amazing start! Can't wait to see her in it all!

Merry Christmas!

H xxx

Don't Compare!

I've took inspiration from a fellow blogger about getting things off my chest that annoy me. Perfect catharsis.

Recently I've had to have a word with myself. I have struggled for years with my appearance, no matter how much praise I have been given I cannot take a compliment and to be honest it's shocking. I have had to get some things into perspective.

I am a mother of THREE children. To which I have given birth to in the short space of 5 years (all totally planned and my choice), I should not compare myself or let myself be compared to girls who are quite frankly not in my position. I had to remind myself that pre kids, I was a good healthy size, and that I will get there again and I have already done so well.

I had a wake up call after Hope, my weight was at a high, not an all time high, I've been heavier, but it was bad. I made a decision to lose weight. Not a bit of weight. A lot of weight.

It was MY decision. I am doing This for me. My husband has never cared what I weighed. He loves me regardless and makes it perfectly clear to me that he finds me attractive no matter what. But I wanted to feel worthy of being on his arm. This upsets him greatly because he is so proud to be with me. But I can't help how I feel.

I think as women we could do with not putting ourselves and each other down so much. Were all different for many different reasons.

I say embrace it, love yourself and all your imperfections. Own them. But also own the things you love about yourself, if you think you have a great rack. Own it. You love your hair? Own it. You think your eyes were a gift from God himself. OWN IT.

It's yours, Own it.

H xxx

Ps I like big butts, and I cannot lie.

Kiddies Wishlist!

We've got a few things coming up and this is what I want/need for my kiddies!

Clothes.

1. Gingham shirt - Next - Eli

2. Multi coloured plum/navy shirt - Next - Jacob

3. Tartan dress & top set - Matalan - Hope

4. Waxed navy duffle coat - Zara - Jacob

5. Navy duffle coat - Junior J at Debenhams - Eli

6. Red Scotty dog dress - Asda - Hope

7. Navy polka dot party dress - Junior J at Debenhams - Hope

8. Powder blue denim look shirt - Next - Jacob

9. Burgundy smart shirt - Next - Eli

These are all things that the kids need really, we have a few parties and formal occasions coming up, and obviously the boys need new winter coats, I haven't seen anything I like for Hope's winter coat yet. As I recently bought a tartan dress for myself (thank you ASOS) I thought it only right that Hope has one too, I must say that's the lovely thing about having a girl! Because I constantly dress the lads like eachother and like their dad! 

 

We should be getting this stuff over the next couple of weeks, I love buying for my kiddies!

H xxx

Christmas: The Big Spend Part 1

I LOVE Christmas, you don't have to twist my arm to get me excited about it. I also love Christmas shopping it's one of my favorite things about this time of year. But lets be honest Christmas is expensive, we all want to get those perfect gifts for our loved ones and if like me you've got kids the bill goes through the roof!

So how do we cope? How do we make sure that were not living it up in December but groaning in January about credit cards, Catalogues and HP!?

Parks. That's how I do it. Every year I pay into a voucher scheme called Parks Love2Shop vouchers. This means that in October/November time I am given a big chunk of vouchers to spend in all the top highstreet stores, Including Debenhams, BHS, Argos to name a few. I find this better than saving the money into an account or anything because I know I'd spend it! This way it's locked in and there's know debts after Christmas to upset me!

It can be done through an agent ( mine is my mother in law) or all done online. Couldn't be simpler to get set up! So if you don't want a money headache in the new year, look at this scheme it's a no brainer!

How do you prepare for this expensive season?

H xxx

Why The Rush!?

People often ask me how I look so young and honestly I think it's mostly good genetics. Both of my paremts have aged very well. But I must say I think it's got something to do with the fact that I haven't been trowelling a ton of make up on to my face since I was 12.

Girls are in such a rush to be "grown up" that they don't realise that they are wishing their lives away. I often get shocked when I see young girls now, this may be my age playing a factor but, they never look their age. They often wear a lot (too much) make up, and clothes that are for want of a better word, provocative to say the least. What kind of message is this sending? I do completely understand there are girls that are very advanced in their physical development, but even in these cases it's shocking to see such young girls embracing it.

A very recent example of not looking your age, is Tamera Foster, one of the contestants of this year's X Factor. When I first saw her I thought "wow, she is beautiful" not once did I think about her age, I just presumed, she was in her mid 20s, because quite frankly I wouldnt put her a day under 25. She not only looks this age, but the way she carries herself and her general demeanor is one of a much older young lady. I was gobsmacked to hear that she is indeed just 16 years old. 

So on Sunday night whilst watching The Xtra Factor Matt Johnson (This Morning), whilst being asked his feelings on the show, his favourites etc, he made a comment regarding Tamera, he flippantly mentioned that she had a nice bum. To which one of the crew shouted "she's 16 mate" he was shocked, embarrassed and responded by dropping the F Bomb. Of course social media went crazy, and were criticising him for his comments about her. To this I say, she does NOT look her age. She's an incredibly attractive young woman and had she been older this comment wouldn't have been frowned upon. I think Matt's reaction, albeit inappropriate, was one of absolute shock. To which we can only say, hey he is human.

I do actually really feel for men, I'm sure it's very hard to distinguish between these young girls and actual potential partners on a night out.

I just think these girls should enjoy being young, while they are. Before they know it they will be in need of cover up for the total opposite reason.

H xxx