A day in the life and a kids mini shopping haul....
Enjoy
Sophia xxx
Sunday 30 September 2018
Friday 28 September 2018
14 Weeks Pregnancy Update
I love looking back at my pregnancy blogs from when I was expecting with Florence, so I decided to write some again this time around. Here is an update on my 14th week in (next week I'll try to take a picture too).
Symptoms: I have had that horrible metal taste that you tend to get in pregnancy, which makes me feel very nauseous but eating in general helps, especially apples. My tiredness seems to be getting better now though, so I am feeling more back to normal. I even went to Zumba this week, so you can tell that I'm getting back to being myself and feeling more active!
Food craving: Food in general, can't get enough of it and, like I said, apples are one of my go to snacks.
Movement: Nothing yet - I had felt Florence by this point so I am on the look out!
Sleep: I am still sleeping quite a bit but, more to the point, I am sleeping very well (when Florence allows me too that is)!
Things I am missing: I have joined the gym but have not been feeling like too much else apart from pilates. However, this week I definitely enjoyed doing Zumba. Next week I have booked into Spinning, so fingers crossed I feel up to it!
Best moment: I think that generally being able to tell people the news, so we are not keeping it a secret anymore.
Worst moment: Still feeling nauseous!
Love Sophia xxx
Wednesday 26 September 2018
A week in Florences wardrobe
Just like for Jackson, I have taken a picture of Florence's outfits each day for 5 days. Incase you missed his and want to check it out, click here.
I have to admit, it's so much easier to dress a girl. They tend to have less items for each outfit, so it's normally just what dress to wear each day. I also have reused some of Jackson's bits which she looks so cute in, not to mention the fact that it saves me some money too!! I have linked everything I can below.
Day One
I love these dungarees! They were Jackson's and he wore them all of the time, so I love seeing Florence wear them too.
Dungarees: Zara
Shirt: H&M
Shoes: Next
Day Two
How cute is this outfit! It was actually a 2-piece set but the leggings are way too big still. The top is a bit too big but I just tend to roll up the sleeves and get away with it.
Headband: Flynn and Tilda
Top: Asda
Leggings: Primark
Shoes: Next
Day Three
This is one of my favourite dresses that Florence has, she got it for her birthday.
Dress: John Lewis
Tights: Next
Day Four
Florence is wearing another hand me down from Jackson in this one! He used to wear it as a shirt but I think it looks cute as a jacket.
Headband: Claire's
Top: Gap (Similar)
Shirt: Zara (Similar)
Trousers: Gap
Shoes: Next
Day Five
Florence was not in the mood to sit nicely for a photo today but she does look cute!
Headband: Flynn and Tilda
Cardigan: Primark
Dress: John Lewis
Love Sophia xxx
Monday 24 September 2018
A Week in Jackson's Wardrobe
I know the title reads 'A Week' in Jackson's Wardrobe but I actually mean 5 days, as I work 2 days a week so by the time I get back, his outfit is far too grubby and, as I am sure we are all know, toddler's don't like to have their picture taken, haha!! I will tag anything I can but I have started sale shopping for the kids, so some bits that I got a while back won't be in stock anymore. FYI, Jackson was very particular on how he wanted these pictures taken, hence the usual silly faces in some of them.
Day One
This outfit makes him look so grown up!!!!
Top: Primark
Trousers: H&M
Shoes: Next (Similar)
Day Two
Jackson has never really worn jeans, as I always opted for leggings but he has now out grown his Zara leggings.
Top: Matalan
Trousers: Next
Shoes: Next (Similar)
Day Three
This is probably my favourite outfit.
Jumper: Next
Trousers: Zara
Shoes: Next (Similar)
Day Four
I think this outfit has probably been worn for the last time now, as it was a little on the small side!
Top: H&M
Trouser: Zara
Socks: Primark
Day Five
This was a preschool outfit, which was new but cheap, which is good as it's already come back stained - surely if their clothes aren't stained you have to ask, did they even have fun? Haha!
Jumper: Asda
Trousers: Asda
Socks: Primark
Love Sophia xxx
Friday 21 September 2018
Potty Training
Potty training - the very thought of it scared me and it was the next big learning curb that we had to go through as a mum and dad.
Firstly I'll explain our journey and then I'll share some of my tips.
Around Christmas time (Jackson was 1 year and 9 months), Chris and I had a few bits to get from Ikea, and whilst we were there, we bought a potty and a step for Jacks, although we weren't going to start straight away but wanted Jackson to get used to them being around. Of course my mum heard that we had bought one and went straight out and bought one for her house too. Every so often, when we were changing his nappy or going for a bath, I would ask him if he wanted to sit on it, which he mostly refused and I didn't want to push it. However, when he spent time at my mums, he wasn't so bothered by it and often actually used the potty.
After Jackson turned 2, he was using it more and more with us and, even though I didn't think that I was ready for it, he was showing signs. So off we went to buy him some pants, which I let him pick out, and they ended up being dinosaur ones of course! After a few days, I braved it and asked Jackson if he wanted to wear his new pants. He was so excited about them but when it came to actually wearing them, he was not game! If I'm honest, I was relieved. As the weeks went on we would occasionally ask if he wanted to wear them but it was getting closer to my sister's wedding so, to be frank, the thought of Jackson shitting in his hired suit was not something I was game for!
A bit later on, at nearly 2 years and 1/2, I felt I was ready to deal with it, so I made him wear his pants for the first time and it was very surprising how little pushing it took. Amazingly, he was brilliant! Of course we had accidents but it was also a learning curb for me. One mistake I made was when we met some of my family at a restaurant and let him have some juice with his meal, but unfortunately they brought him a whole pint of juice, just what you want for a toddler who is toilet training! He must have thought it was his birthday and Christmas all at once. I did the sensible thing and took him for a wee before we left but of course a pint in means a pint out, so after an accident in Clarks, and then again in Next, he finished off sat on a portable potty in the middle of the shop! We all found it hilarious!
Fast forwarding to Christmas, so almost 4/5 months potty trained and only a few accidents since, he went totally backwards. On Christmas Day we changed 5 pants and pairs of trousers and it took a few months to get back on track. Thankfully, we have finally got through all of that and we are also now on day 10 of no nappy at night, which he is doing brilliantly at, however, it is worth mentioning that, after a lot of googling, that is something that you can not train them for - it just comes in time and like everything else, everyone does it at different ages.
Top tips for Potty Training
Firstly I'll explain our journey and then I'll share some of my tips.
Around Christmas time (Jackson was 1 year and 9 months), Chris and I had a few bits to get from Ikea, and whilst we were there, we bought a potty and a step for Jacks, although we weren't going to start straight away but wanted Jackson to get used to them being around. Of course my mum heard that we had bought one and went straight out and bought one for her house too. Every so often, when we were changing his nappy or going for a bath, I would ask him if he wanted to sit on it, which he mostly refused and I didn't want to push it. However, when he spent time at my mums, he wasn't so bothered by it and often actually used the potty.
After Jackson turned 2, he was using it more and more with us and, even though I didn't think that I was ready for it, he was showing signs. So off we went to buy him some pants, which I let him pick out, and they ended up being dinosaur ones of course! After a few days, I braved it and asked Jackson if he wanted to wear his new pants. He was so excited about them but when it came to actually wearing them, he was not game! If I'm honest, I was relieved. As the weeks went on we would occasionally ask if he wanted to wear them but it was getting closer to my sister's wedding so, to be frank, the thought of Jackson shitting in his hired suit was not something I was game for!
A bit later on, at nearly 2 years and 1/2, I felt I was ready to deal with it, so I made him wear his pants for the first time and it was very surprising how little pushing it took. Amazingly, he was brilliant! Of course we had accidents but it was also a learning curb for me. One mistake I made was when we met some of my family at a restaurant and let him have some juice with his meal, but unfortunately they brought him a whole pint of juice, just what you want for a toddler who is toilet training! He must have thought it was his birthday and Christmas all at once. I did the sensible thing and took him for a wee before we left but of course a pint in means a pint out, so after an accident in Clarks, and then again in Next, he finished off sat on a portable potty in the middle of the shop! We all found it hilarious!
Fast forwarding to Christmas, so almost 4/5 months potty trained and only a few accidents since, he went totally backwards. On Christmas Day we changed 5 pants and pairs of trousers and it took a few months to get back on track. Thankfully, we have finally got through all of that and we are also now on day 10 of no nappy at night, which he is doing brilliantly at, however, it is worth mentioning that, after a lot of googling, that is something that you can not train them for - it just comes in time and like everything else, everyone does it at different ages.
Top tips for Potty Training
- Wait for them to be ready! There is no rush, and trust me, poo is so much easier to clean up in a nappy than in pants!!!! Plus asking them 300 times a day is just annoying for both parents and the toddler.
- Wait until you are ready too, not only do they have to be ready but you do too as it is a big commitment.
- Carry on as normal but take a potty with you! A few people/books talk about staying in for a week but to me that sounds like hell - cabin fever and potty training? No thanks! I'm not saying head out on a 3 hour car journey or a full day shopping (not that I would recommend that with a toddler anyway) but take a trip to the park or a friends house like you normally would.
- There will be accidents, just be prepared with some spare pants, clothes, and buy a lot of washing powder!
- We all probably know this one, but let them pick their own pants and use sticker charts etc. for rewards.
- If they do go through a regression, I found that firming up helped. I would sternly tell Jackson, whenever he had an accident, that I had to do more washing which was not fun.
Good luck to anyone starting or thinking about it.
Love Sophia xxx
Wednesday 19 September 2018
Sunday 16 September 2018
Florence's 18 month update
Dear Florence,
I haven't written an update since you turned one but so much has happened in the last 6 months. We have been on a few holidays, attended lots of weddings, celebrated your brother's birthday and your Dada's big 30. We have had an amazing summer together with so many lovely days out.
From now on, we will be having some real bonding time while Jackson is at preschool and, although we will miss him, it will be lovely to have some girly time together.
Milestones
You now have 16 teeth, which I thought was all of them until a friend reminded me you still have your 2 year molars to come! Last time I invite her over, haha!
You are starting to copy everything we say recently but the main words that you say regularly and in the right context are: hiya, bye, ta, thank you, shoes, yes, mama, dada and Yaya. There are a few others that only your Dada and I can understand too! You also say a few words to Yaya in Greek, which is so adorable.
Your most favourite thing to do is dance - all we have to do is put the Sonos on and you run into the kitchen and start busting some moves! I think that your favourite song is Monkey Wrench by Foo Fighters, but just anything with a beat will do.
In a world of 'boys toys', your favourite is the buggy and dolly's, which weren't actually bought for you but for Jackson before you were born. You love pushing them around and we even have to take it to the local park sometimes as you can't leave it behind.
You finally out grew the Besafe car seat and you are now in Jackson's old one as he out grew his at the same time!
Something I am not too pleased about is that you have gone a bit backwards with your sleeping. You sometimes wake LOADS in the night but the last month it has been getting better so fingers crossed we are on the right track now!!!!!!!
Routine
8:00/8:30am - Wake up
8:30am - Breakfast; cereal, toast and fruit with milk
9:00am - Get dressed and play or head out
12:00pm - Lunch; sandwich, crisps and fruit
12:30pm - Nap
3:00pm - Wake up and play
5:00pm - Dinner; general kiddie's dinners
6:00pm - Bathtime
6:30pm - Play and milk
7:00pm - Bed
Weight
I haven't got you weighed in ages, so I put you on the scales and you weighed 1 stone 7.5 pounds which I worked out in the red book that it makes you on the just over the 25 percentile, so she's gone up!
You still have a few 9-12 month bits but I think that it's time to bag them up and put them in the loft, as they are getting very snug. 12-18month sizes fits you well but I have brought a few new bits 18-24 months which I'm rolling up the sleeves to make fit you!
Love you so much.
Mama xxx
I haven't written an update since you turned one but so much has happened in the last 6 months. We have been on a few holidays, attended lots of weddings, celebrated your brother's birthday and your Dada's big 30. We have had an amazing summer together with so many lovely days out.
From now on, we will be having some real bonding time while Jackson is at preschool and, although we will miss him, it will be lovely to have some girly time together.
Milestones
You now have 16 teeth, which I thought was all of them until a friend reminded me you still have your 2 year molars to come! Last time I invite her over, haha!
You are starting to copy everything we say recently but the main words that you say regularly and in the right context are: hiya, bye, ta, thank you, shoes, yes, mama, dada and Yaya. There are a few others that only your Dada and I can understand too! You also say a few words to Yaya in Greek, which is so adorable.
Your most favourite thing to do is dance - all we have to do is put the Sonos on and you run into the kitchen and start busting some moves! I think that your favourite song is Monkey Wrench by Foo Fighters, but just anything with a beat will do.
In a world of 'boys toys', your favourite is the buggy and dolly's, which weren't actually bought for you but for Jackson before you were born. You love pushing them around and we even have to take it to the local park sometimes as you can't leave it behind.
You finally out grew the Besafe car seat and you are now in Jackson's old one as he out grew his at the same time!
Something I am not too pleased about is that you have gone a bit backwards with your sleeping. You sometimes wake LOADS in the night but the last month it has been getting better so fingers crossed we are on the right track now!!!!!!!
Routine
8:00/8:30am - Wake up
8:30am - Breakfast; cereal, toast and fruit with milk
9:00am - Get dressed and play or head out
12:00pm - Lunch; sandwich, crisps and fruit
12:30pm - Nap
3:00pm - Wake up and play
5:00pm - Dinner; general kiddie's dinners
6:00pm - Bathtime
6:30pm - Play and milk
7:00pm - Bed
Weight
I haven't got you weighed in ages, so I put you on the scales and you weighed 1 stone 7.5 pounds which I worked out in the red book that it makes you on the just over the 25 percentile, so she's gone up!
You still have a few 9-12 month bits but I think that it's time to bag them up and put them in the loft, as they are getting very snug. 12-18month sizes fits you well but I have brought a few new bits 18-24 months which I'm rolling up the sleeves to make fit you!
Love you so much.
Mama xxx
Friday 14 September 2018
Open letter to Jackson - July
Dear Jackson,
I am not sure that I have written you a letter since you first became a big brother, which is just madness! In that letter, I talk about the mum guilt and how I'm worried that you might feel pushed out being a big brother, which is something I did not need to worry one bit! You've been fantastic and recently you've become such a caring big brother, although it's a shame it's come at the same time as Florence being 'Miss Independent' and not wanting any help what so ever!
You have now started preschool and are doing sooooooooo well!!!! You absolutely love it and have a special soft spot for your key worker, however you do call her 'my lady' which I am not sure where you have got it from and it does sound a little degrading (but does make your Dada and I laugh in private). You also tell me you don't have friends in preschool, just 'my people', HAHA! Where do you get these sayings from!
Probably the best thing ever at the moment is that you randomly come up to me and give me a cuddle and say you love me or that I'm your best friend - you've become so caring! Don't worry, you do still shout at me and give me a slap from time to time but the affection side is breaking through more and more.
We finally managed to get your hair cut this week, something we have both been dreading!! It's still long but just a little tidier! It's been over a year since the last cut so it was well over due. I'm going to keep it long until you tell me otherwise but at the moment you are totally on board with it and tell me regularly that you love your hair. You also tell me your hair loves my hair and vice versa, haha!
We have such an exciting summer a head of us filled with weddings, holidays and a lot of fun days planned. Plus, so far, we are having the best weather ever!!!! It's high 20's most days for what seems like ages - fingers crossed it stays that way when we are back from our holiday.
Your Dada and I love you so much!
Lots of love
Mama xxx
I am not sure that I have written you a letter since you first became a big brother, which is just madness! In that letter, I talk about the mum guilt and how I'm worried that you might feel pushed out being a big brother, which is something I did not need to worry one bit! You've been fantastic and recently you've become such a caring big brother, although it's a shame it's come at the same time as Florence being 'Miss Independent' and not wanting any help what so ever!
You have now started preschool and are doing sooooooooo well!!!! You absolutely love it and have a special soft spot for your key worker, however you do call her 'my lady' which I am not sure where you have got it from and it does sound a little degrading (but does make your Dada and I laugh in private). You also tell me you don't have friends in preschool, just 'my people', HAHA! Where do you get these sayings from!
Probably the best thing ever at the moment is that you randomly come up to me and give me a cuddle and say you love me or that I'm your best friend - you've become so caring! Don't worry, you do still shout at me and give me a slap from time to time but the affection side is breaking through more and more.
We finally managed to get your hair cut this week, something we have both been dreading!! It's still long but just a little tidier! It's been over a year since the last cut so it was well over due. I'm going to keep it long until you tell me otherwise but at the moment you are totally on board with it and tell me regularly that you love your hair. You also tell me your hair loves my hair and vice versa, haha!
We have such an exciting summer a head of us filled with weddings, holidays and a lot of fun days planned. Plus, so far, we are having the best weather ever!!!! It's high 20's most days for what seems like ages - fingers crossed it stays that way when we are back from our holiday.
Your Dada and I love you so much!
Lots of love
Mama xxx
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