24 Funny Things You Do (That I Love)

Dear Lucas

Today you turn two; I never want to forget you at this age so here are 24 Funny Things That You Do (That I Love):

• You dance (spin round) to any kind of music that you hear. It can be something on TV, music from the iPod, Daddy playing the guitar or just one of us singing.
• I love how you raise your eyebrows to try and keep your eyes open when you are trying to stay awake.
• That you love books and you will sit quietly with a book on your own or bring them to us to read. Reading books with you was something I dreamt of while I was pregnant and I love to cuddle up every night at bedtime and read a story you have chosen.
• The way you hold your cheek out when we say 'kisses.' At bedtime you have started to pat my back when I say 'I love you'. I am taking this as 'I love you too Mummy'.
• You talk to your toys when you play and make them talk to each other. 
• You love your family.
• Your chuckle when something makes you laugh is so carefree and infectious.
• Your love of hats, any hat will do but they are particularly special when they are either Mummy or Daddy's.
• The animal noises that you come out with when we read together; I particularly like your snapping crocodile.
• You love to play outside and get dirty; you have no hesitation in getting mud everywhere!
• I love your gorgeous hair, at the moment it is an amazing multi-coloured blonde but I suspect you will go darker as you get older.
• That you add several sets of eyes and mouths to your Mr Potato Head and get quite cross when we try to put it right.
• You ask to be lifted up when I say you can choose a film to put on and it is always either Toy Story or Puss in Boots. 
• That you will play with our hair when we give you your bottle. Whether it is me or Daddy you will grab a fistful of hair. If it's Daddy you will sometimes just got for his beard but if it is me you will tickle it across you face while you drink.
• You won't share cake
• You have started to make us cups of tea from your little kitchen and we have to sit and drink them; several cups that you re-fill. Sometimes we are given it from a spoon too.
• You always try to put on other people's shoes, sometimes over your own shoes if they are big enough!
• You are so stubborn and so independent and even when it drives me to despair I still love it. It is great that you will go and play happily without needing me with you, you don't even look back when we go to your playgroup but you always know you can find me if you want me.
• You call our cat Weegoo (her name is Rio).
• When you are enjoying your food you make yummy noises and rub your tummy.
• When we say babies you point to my belly and if we show you the scans photos you will say 'babeee' I don't think you understand what is coming but hopefully it will prepare you for meeting your two little baby brothers.
• You remember games that we have played and we have to recreate them. You will drag out your box of playmobil grab my hand and then point to the floor and say 'there' for me to sit down. Daddy gets the same treatment with the train set.
• You will eat any fruit under the sun, we have yet to find one that you don't enjoy. I love that I can fill your plate with fruit and you will gobble it all up
• I love that you are mine and you make me smile every single day. We are so proud to say that your are our little boy, undoubtedly cheeky but charming and loveable in every way.

Happy Birthday Lucas

All My Love

Mummy

x

Twin Pregnancy Diary - Week 19

Very nearly at the half way point and every week that passes is a week that the babies are getting stronger. We had our 18 week scan last Wednesday and everything was good; they checked as much as the anatomy as they could see and will try and check the rest at the 20 week scan. As I wasn't expecting them to check as much this time I wasn't expecting it to take so long so as the scan was going on and all was quiet I started to get myself worked up that something was wrong. So silly getting myself in a fluster as I know they have to be quiet to concentrate but still can't help but worry. The consultant had to sign off the scans this time as one of the twins is quite high and a little squashed but she was happy to wait until 20 weeks to see us so I am happy with that. 

The babies are both 14cm and all the measurements are fairly good considering they are twins. I can feel a lot of movement now from both babies; we were shown on the scan where they are lying and Twin A on my left side was particularly active. We could see his little legs kicking away furiously, thank goodness I can't quite feel those blows yet! Twin B is the one squashed higher up so he was more confined but we were still amazed to see the arms and legs so clearly. All the sensory development for them is happening this week and they should be the size of a small cantaloupe. 

Not much has changed for me this week but my husband has said he thinks I am showing more all of a sudden. I have felt so happy everytime I feel a little movement, it's nice to have the reassurance. My appetite is finally coming back and I'm starting to get very hungry at times, it comes on all of a sudden and I have to find something to snack on quickly. I have noticed my hair feeling thicker this time which I didn't last time but my nails aren't much different. I'm not sure I'll ever feel like that 'glowing' pregnant woman but I still feel pretty good so that will do for me.

A Day Beside The Sea

This day out is something we have been planning to do all summer but we've been busy with DIY and gardening and we haven't had as much chance to get out and about as I had hoped. Before we know it the summer will be over so we finally set a date to visit New Brighton beach on the Wirral with Lucas' cousins and Grandma and Grandad. 

I honestly think it has been at least 15 years since I last went to New Brighton, probably with my Grandparents, and needless to say it has changed dramatically  The beach is lovely with plenty of rock pools to go exploring in and we spotted several jelly fish on stroll down the sea. The sea wasn't too chilly for little feet to go paddling in and there were plenty of shells for us to collect and even a couple of crab claws. The boys had a little go on the rock pools but I was forbidden from climbing too high as my husband warned me they were very slippy. We took a picnic, camped out on the beach and ate whilst building and demolishing sandcastles. One of the best things about the day was that it didn't cost us a penny; parking is free and as we were there early we got a great spot by the beach. There is plenty more to explore there and we'd love to go back to walk along the prom and check out Fort Perch Rock, the RNLI shop and the crazy golf.

We had such a great day and Lucas and his cousin loved running around the beach. Lucas in particular liked the freedom a little too much and kept making run for it, back towards the sea. Luckily his cousin was very sensible and would grab his hand quick to bring him back. Despite the escape attempts it was so lovely to spend the day with the two of them, seeing them play together and giggling at each other is a joy. 

 

One Year On - Thank You

After being sure I wouldn't, I did in fact forget and I am a couple of days late with my one year anniversary post. I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who reads, comments, and shares my blog because it really does mean the world to me. I also have to thank Vicki over on Lets Talk Beauty for encouraging me to give blogging a go and opening me up to this whole new world. Just been back to read my first post, not as bad as I was expecting but I haven't read anything else from that first month!

I thought to celebrate my blog-iversary I will of course be having some cake but I'll also let you in on some secrets, here is 12 things you may not know about me.

1. My Nana was Italian but she never taught any of her children or grandchildren the language, much to my disappointment.
2. When I was younger I wanted to work for the RAF in Air Traffic Control until I realised it involved a lot of Maths.
3. I trained as a Primary Teacher but never became one. I would love to work in education someday but not as a teacher; that is one tough job!
4. I have been with my husband since I was 16; he was my first real boyfriend.
5. I have the most terrible fear of slugs.
6. When I was a teenager I never wanted to get married or have children.
7. I have one tattoo of a lotus flower and would one day like some more.
8. My eyesight is truly terrible; I can't see a thing without lenses or glasses.
9. I have one brother who is 5 years younger than me but we have always been very close..
10. My favourite film is True Romance.
11. I get terrible homesickness, especially if I'm on my own; I am such a homebird.
12. I sleep walk and sleep talk.

Thank you for reading!

What to Expect The Workout & Film - DVD Review

If I'm honest, with my first pregnancy I didn't give much thought to my fitness. I did a tiny bit of swimming but that was all; I worked full time and I drove everywhere so I did very little exercise. This time round I was determined to be fitter and healthier! I had such a long labour with Lucas and I'm sure had I been more active it would have made a difference. 

When What To Expect UK offered to send me their pregnancy fitness DVD. 'The Workout' I thought it might give me the push to do some more exercise during this pregnancy  Even having said all that when I first put the DVD on I just sat down on the sofa, brew in hand, to watch. However, having looked through a few of the workouts I felt like it was something I could do and even wanted to do so the next day I did just that and gave it a try. I tried out 'Barefoot & Pregnant' in the Cardio workouts which I liked but couldn't always keep up with the instructors! It's easy to take it slow when you want to though and it did boost my circulation. My favourite it definitely the Stretch and Relax workout and I want to try and keep this up. My aches and pains have been much worse this time round; I get awful sciatica at night but I find when I do some light exercise it is better. This 'Mind, Body and Baby' workout helps to relax and stretch out the muscles; I do it when Lucas has just gone to bed and I can find 10 minutes peace to wind down. It doesn't leave me with any extra aches and I have been able to get more comfortable at night since I've tried it. I found the DVD easy to follow and I like the bonus feature about safe exercise in pregnancy seen as I am most definitely a beginner. I think there is something for everyone in there, a bit of dance, some stamina based routines, workouts for staying toned and yoga and pilates based exercises to finish off. It is American but don't let that put you off; the pregnant Mamas really do look amazing and are much more inspiring than intimidating!

Obviously the lovely people at What To Expect thought I deserved a reward for my exercise attempts so they also sent a DVD of the film, What To Expect When You Are Expecting. l was excited to have a good reason to have a girly film on in the house! Still I decided to watch it with my friends rather than with my other half; we all had a good chuckle at it but being the only one with children I really found it funny! My friends were very amused when my pregnancy hormones got the better of me and I sobbed at the adoption story. I will watch it again; although it touches on some sad issues it is heart-warming and amusing and I love the 'Dudes Club,' I'm sure some Dads could relate to that fear of having your first child. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at pregnant with twins Sklyer (Brooklyn Decker) wearing a bikini at her baby shower but I love that it is shown in contrast to Wendy (Elizabeth Banks) having a complete meltdown about how awful pregnancy is. Even if it is Hollywood's version of pregnancy there is something in there that every parent-to-be could relate to and I even think I might be able to convince my husband to give it a watch.

You can buy both the DVDs through Amazon. If you have any questions about fitness during pregnancy (or anything else) the What To Expect UK team are very helpful so feel free to say hello to them on Twitter or Facebook. 

Disclaimer: I was sent What To Expect When You're Expecting and What To Expect The Workout DVDs. All opinions are honest and my own.

Twin Pregnancy Diary - 18 weeks

Another week, another scan! I'm looking forward to seeing our baby boys again and making sure things are ok in there. I love the scans as I can see the babies and confirm again that we are definitely having two! I also feel anxious until we go in and they assure me they are well; I get so nervous sitting in the waiting room and I'm glad that my husband is off work for the summer so he can come along with me.

Also counting down the weeks until our consultant appointment so I can pester them with questions. It's occurred to me this week that because twins have a higher chance of arriving early I'll have to be prepared earlier than I thought. Hopefully they'll stay in there for as long as possible but after 20 weeks I'm going to start to recall the baby bits we have got stored in various relatives lofts and garages to have a sort through. Makes it all seem so much more real!

Apparently the babies will be about the size of a large mango and their movements should be becoming more controlled. I have definitely been able to feel more movements, especially at night, but still waiting for a kick that my husband can feel.

I still feel well and the bump is definitely on show now; the giant pregnancy pillow has moved into the bed. I've started to get my appetite back but no cravings to speak of, unless sending people out for chocolate counts as a craving?! My baby brain seems to have really kicked in, I'm blaming double the hormones but it really is terribly noticeable this time round. I really struggle to remember what I'm doing one day to the next and I actually got into the shower last week with my glasses still on! At least it is giving everyone a good chuckle and I can't see it getting any better.

Ultimate Summer Driving List

I've been tagged by Momma of Mojo to share with you all my Ultimate Summer Driving List. I loved her choice of songs and I've been really looking forward to putting mine together. When I get chance to drive on my own I love to have my music blasting out so I can sing along without judgement! Here are my ten favourites, an eclectic mix:

State of Massachusetts - Dropkick Murphys

The '59 Sound - The Gaslight Anthem

If You Want Blood (You've Got It) - AC/DC

Dammit- Blink 182

Reasons Not To Be An Idiot - Frank Turner

Stacked Actors - Foo Fighters

Streams of Whiskey - The Pogues

Girl's Not Grey - AFI

Spiderwebs - No Doubt

Debaser - The Pixies

...and finally because it's great to sing along to I had to add one extra:

Proud Mary - Tina Turner

There you have it, maybe not everyone's cup of team but I love 'em! Check out Momma of Mojo's list because it's pretty cool! I don't think there are many bloggers left to tag but my good friend Let's Talk Beauty has great taste in music so I'll tag her if she would like to share.