Hope - Update

The baby girl is now almost 10 months. She is an absolute little princess and i am definitely blessed to have her.

Right where do I start! Hope eats really well, and will just try anything. She only has formula of a bed time as she's not keen but will now have pass milk in the day. I think we'll be removing formula completely soon. She has a porridge based breakfast with a yoghurt, she'll have a sarnie and some type of crisp for lunch, she loves skips or goodies carrot stix. She loves a fruit pot or 2 haha. Tea time she has some kind of meal she loves sweet potato and anything with peas or broccoli. She likes to feed herself but sometimes I just want to do it!She has snacks throughout the day, she loves yoghurt raisins! 

She doesn't crawl, hates being on her front but

She gets around, she's a bum shuffler! Just like Jacob. She reaches up and tries to pull herself up, but has in no way mastered this yet. I'm in No rush for her to grow up, she's my last baby! She is getting very fast with the shuffling! I have to have eyes up my back side. She is mesmerized by the stairs. Gate needs to go back up!

She is big! She was born 2 weeks early at allt 8lb, plotting on the 75th centile, but has since shot up to the 91st then to the 98th. She is heavy for her age but her length is what is shocking. Me and Antony are small, you would in no way describe us as tall, like at all. Yet we have had 2 long children. Eli was born at 58cms and Hope at 56cms. Apparently on 6 percent of the population are born above 56 and this can usually guarantee your child will be tall in adulthood. One way to check is at your child's 2 yr check. They do a test by where they take your child's height at age 2, yours and your partners adult height and predict the child's adult height. It's apparently accurate within 2 inches. I can say my mom d it on m'y sister and it was bang on. Apparently Jacob who was 43cms born will be 5 ft 5 but Eli will be 6 ft 4. Scary. Can't wait to hear what they say about Hope would be nice if she weren't "vertically challenged" like her mom! 

She says quite a few things now, like the mama, Dada, nana, baba, she likes the oooohs and aahhs, but she makes me giggles with the ditditdits. Lots of sounds coming out of her! She claps like it's going out of fashion. This includes middle of the night! And she has a seriously dirty laugh. She's always smiling! Especially at her big brothers. 

Being the baby and a girl she is protected by her big brothers. They're amazing with her and both call her princess. It's very sweet and heartwarming to watch.

She points and is very good at communicatingwhat she wants . She's a stickler for her routine. Try giving her a meal late and you'll see. Also when it's bed time, just take her or there will be consequences.

Sleep.... Erm well. She has to have 2 short naps in the day. And even though I have tried to keep her up later, if I keep her up any later then 7.30 she's evil. She will slap, shout and cry. So off to bed she goes. This sounds great huh? Erm no. She wakes up about 11.30 so I do the change and dream feed thing and off she goes, till between 2 and 3 and then its a toss up as to whether we'll be awake for 10 mins or 2 hours. But she doesn't worry herself as she'll have a nice nap on the school run! Got to say I'm tired all the time but having had 2 before I know it gets better and she is such a lovely little girl I couldn't care less about the sleep. I've tried all the tricks and nothing works she's teething to add to all that.

After 8 months of teething, 2 teeth made an appearance this week, and a third is just cutting today! They're like blooming buses. 

Again I know I'm biased but she is beautiful, people stop me to tell me. She has a smile that would melt and iceberg and I just adore her. She makes everyone broody and I am so proud to say, yeah! she's mine!

Feel so lucky to have had her. She perfectly completes my family. I adore this little beauty. My baby girl x

H xxx

Eli - Update

Eli, the middle one, is going to be 3 at the end of April! He is an absolute character and is definitely a handful, but in a good way. He has a strong will and knows his own mind!

He begins nursery in September and it's gone too fast for me! Eli was by far my easiest pregnancy, and he just kind of came along and was like " yeah I'm here, I'll give you no trouble" and to be honest this was very true. He was quick at doing things, he cut his teeth early, weaned early, crawled quite early, but walked at 12 months so just about average. He has always been an amazing eater anything and everything.

Things change. Lately his eating has dropped off he was poorly in the summer and since then he's not been eating as well. Saying this he still eats more than most. He is in the 98 centile for his height and weight. Always has been. At almost 3 stone he is very big. He wears age 3-4 and 4-5 clothes, clothes come straight off Jacobs back and straight onto his! He is strong. So strong. He is like a little grown up sometimes! He constantly surprises me and is so smart. 

We are in the process of potty training him. I say we are he is pretty much done. He is dry every night but we still just put a pull up on him as more of a security thing for us. It's taken about 2 weeks. He's just taken to it.

His understanding is amazing, he can talk really well but because he is big and can talk so well people think he is a lot older and than he is. Which often leads to funny looks when the terrible twos kicks in! I.e tantrums in Sainsburys haha. 

He is also a very affectionate little boy. He often asks for a "yove" and "kissen" he is such a sweetheart. He loves his brother and sister and just wants to love everyone! On the flipside his voice is so deep! That when he does throw a wobbler the world and it's wife knows about it! Haha

He loves all things superhero ESPECIALLY Spiderman. Oh my goodness. All the avengers. I should have called him Marvel....

All in all he's a spectacular little boy. I am an incredibly lucky woman. He has made my life better and I swear he just saved me. I love him so much. My baby boy x

H xxx

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