tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44076040582899135792024-03-14T00:25:26.866+00:00Red Patent Mary Janes~I like my music loud, my films French, my coffee strong and my parenting attached~ amongst other things...redpatentmaryjaneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08660981828517863650noreply@blogger.comBlogger201125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407604058289913579.post-39890651234776820632013-04-23T15:06:00.004+01:002013-04-23T21:35:43.549+01:00Lucian's Birth Story<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">A letter to my boy...</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dear Lucian,<br /><br />Here I am on the eve of your 1<sup>st</sup> birthday writing your birth story. <br /><br />Firstly I must say the last 12 months have been the quickest moving of my life, as the cliché goes, I feel I have blinked and the most incredible time has passed.<br /><br />I managed to write your sister’s birth story only a matter of weeks after her birth but I guess 2 children can sideline such tasks, so here I am.<br /><br />I must start this story on your sister’s 2<sup>nd</sup> birthday. I knew that this was the day you reached ‘37 weeks.’ My estimated due date was still another 3 weeks away yet and it played heavily on my mind that you could come ‘early.’ I knew that from 37 weeks I could have a fully supported home birth with the team from Royal Surrey County Hospital.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d had several friends who had recently given birth at home, with labour being extremely quick, so I was nervous travelling too far from home. Despite that logic, we decided a day at Marwell Zoo for your sister’s birthday was a fabulous idea; a drive that took us an hour from home.<br /><br />We had literally just purchased our tickets at the zoo front gate when I started to feel achy and uncomfortable. I had a somewhat embarrassing moment when I thought my waters had broken (I never felt that with your sister so it was all new to me.) My mind was somewhat put to rest after a call to my doula, and your and my friend, Rhiannon, who assured me I was mistaken.<br /><br />Despite this, I was very apprehensive throughout the day at the zoo so I’ve promised your sister and you that we will return again. I intend to be ‘fully present’ and enjoy the day more than I did on that April 4<sup>th</sup>.<br /><br />The next couple of weeks past us with very little action to report, In 2010, your sister <a href="http://redpatentmaryjanes.blogspot.co.uk/2011/03/avalons-birth-day.html">arrived</a> at 41 weeks and being that I felt the dates the hospital had from my scans were all wrong, my mind made up that you would be coming ‘late.’ Possibly 42 weeks plus.<br /><br />On Thursday the 19<sup>th</sup> I was very achy and experiencing sharp, but inconsistent cramping. I can remember calling Rhiannon again for advice. I didn’t know if this was it, if I should call your dad at work to come home as he had a 2 hour commute from London. I clutched the phone in my hand in our basement, watching the car at our backdoor as Avalon napped inside. What should I do? What should I do? Thankfully the pain subsided after about an hour. Rhiannon had been in contact with our lovely and dedicated midwifery team. As I was driving with Avalon to buy lunch, Laura, one of the midwives called (the only midwife I hadn’t met) to check how I was feeling. I felt like the pains were a false alarm and I could relax again. In hindsight, I realize this was prodromal labour, somewhat annoying to experience, yet, when you were ready to arrive Earthside, I was happy for the days of discomfort.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Over the weekend, I had further twinges on and off. I had also started to lose my plug but I was still in a strange land of denial of what was happening. We stayed close to home, my comfort place, and ensured we had what we needed for your arrival.<br /><br />On Monday, I had light rushes/waves <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>throughout the day. I called your Dad home from work as I felt it was time. I didn’t know how long you would take to arrive (your sister was a 12 hour labour) but I knew I needed his support more than anything else. <br /><br />The waves were coming steadily. Sometimes 6 minutes apart, sometimes 10 minutes apart. Some lasted no more than 5 seconds. All were manageable. I breathed through them easily and your sister was with me. We let our midwife Jane know (she was on call that day) that we thought you might be arriving later that night. She said to rest up and she would talk to us later. I knew I needed my energy and rest, I hadn’t gotten as much exercise in this pregnancy as I had with your sister and knew how exhausting labour could be. That night I went to bed and awoke in the middle of the night. I had slept! A good 4 or 5 hours. The waves had ceased.<br /><br />In the morning I had a text from Jane. She asked why we hadn’t called overnight and joked as to why she managed a full night’s sleep. Labour had slowed right down. On Jane’s advice, we took a walk along the North Downs Way behind our house, I knew I had to exert myself to get things moving. It was somewhat drizzly weather, with rain the previous night. I will always remember that last day before you arrived, watching your sister excitedly jump through puddles in wellington boots and blue raincoat. <br /><br />Our last day as a family of three. <br /><br />Bittersweet and yet beautiful and exciting.<br /><br />By the afternoon, the waves started again slowly. They were steady and strong; roughly 6 minutes apart, sometimes less, sometimes more.<br /><br />I made sure I had all I needed. My iPod with the music I wanted (Nirvana Unplugged, REM, Mazzy Star, Portishead) I had my candles, my blessings, and my treasured blessingway beads from my friends that had kindly thrown a surprise <a href="http://redpatentmaryjanes.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/blessingway.html">blessingway</a> months earlier. I lined them up on the bookshelf, necklace ready to wear.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I pulled a dining room chair into the middle of the room to lean on, or sit on ‘cowboy style’ when the waves became more intense. Your Dad made sure the pool was ready, filling it ever so slowly with water. Your big sister donned her bathers and had a paddle in our living room! What a treat for her. I am so glad, as always, we have precious moments captured of these days. Photographs to look back upon and remember these moments.<br /><br />I am unsure when, but I let Rhiannon know that we would need her later than night. She was 6 months pregnant herself, so we wanted to give her time to prepare to be away from her family too. She was also going to photograph your birth.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I wanted Jane to be my midwife for your birth. I loved all in the team and had absolute faith and trust in their support and care, but Jane had seen me through all my appointments with this pregnancy, I had been cared for by her following your sister’s birth and felt very connected to her. I missed her being on-call by one day. Today was Laura’s shift and she would be joined by Deana, who I’d <a href="http://redpatentmaryjanes.blogspot.co.uk/2011/07/starry-starry-night-birth-of-roxanne.html">met</a> on more than one occasion.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Around 6pm we ate dinner, I of course, wasn’t very hungry at this point and we prepared Avalon for bed. I remember kissing her goodnight, knowing that when she woke, her world would be changed. I felt the tears well (hormones, eh?) and again felt a sense of melancholy. Things were changing.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It didn’t take long for your sister to fall asleep and then your Dad and I got down to business. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I changed into my ‘labour clothes’ (the same I wore two years previous.) I lit my candles, we dimmed the lights. We put a music channel on the TV and I strung my blessingway necklace around my neck. The pool was full, it was just a matter of maintaining its heat. Grant helped put the TENS machine on my back and I started swaying, eyes closed, through the rushes in our small living room. At some point I switched over to using my iPod, to focus and zone out. </span></span><br />
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<br />The waves were getting stronger, longer and more intense, but still very manageable. Around this time (7pm) I felt it was time for Rhiannon to join us. Your Dad called her and she arrived within 10 minutes. I love hearing her say to this day, she called her husband after greeting me, somewhat annoyed that she was going to ‘be here all night’ due to my calm demeanor. She didn’t think I was ‘ready’ in the nicest possible way.<br /><br />As the waves intensified, I swayed further and breathed deeper. Rhiannon reminded me to relax my shoulders and Daddy supported me with his arms around me. I was comforted by his bear hug. Just the knowledge that he was there also made the rushes more manageable. <br /><br />I kept moving; from the couch on my knees, to sitting astride the chair, to holding tightly to your Dad. I will always remember one strong rush where I had him hugging me from behind and Rhiannon hugging me from the front. I was ‘sandwiched’ with love. Ina May Gaskin would undoubtedly be proud.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">After much back and forth discussion between the three of us, I decided it wise to call Laura and let her know she could come. I knew she had to travel over the Hogs Back road and was concerned about traffic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though it was about 8.30pm at night, I suspected Murphy’s Law may come into play and she would not make it to me. I didn’t want to call too early<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>either as the unpredictability of these things meant they could all be sitting around our living room drinking tea all night.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I trusted my body, I knew that the pain was manageable and I could only experience what I could manage. Any pain was good pain. I was closer to meeting you. <br /><br />Laura arrived about 20 minutes later, quietly into the dark and calm space we had created. She said a quick hello and asked me how I was. I assume she checked how baby was doing (fetal monitor) and discussed with Rhiannon my birth plan. The fact Rhiannon and Laura knew of each other (I cannot remember if they had met?) put me at total ease. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was at this point I decided to get in the pool. I hadn’t had any sort of examinations for dilation this labour. I knew I was ok. I didn’t want to ‘clock watch.’ I didn’t want to become disheartened by numbers. Again, I love the respect and trust shown by this midwifery team.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Sinking into that warm pool was, no word of a lie, one of the best feelings in the world. The relief as that water enveloped me is almost indescribable. Leaving on my tank top and beads, I sunk to my knees and let the water therapy do its work. Your dad kneeling in front of me; I held firmly onto his arms, or leaned on the pool side for rest.</span></span><br />
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<br /><br />Now, it all gets very hazy in details. <br /><br />Your Dad supported me throughout the contractions; he briefly left my side as Avalon woke up and she needed him. When this happened, I had Rhiannon to help me, although my timeframe is sketchy, I estimate he was gone no more than 10 minutes.<br /><br />The waves became stronger and stronger. At their peak I could feel a sense of panic start to rise. Your poor dad must have had bruises on his arms as I squeezed his biceps and buried my head in his chest. I remember feeling claustrophobic, and like I could not breathe, yet I did not want to let go of him or lift my head. I know now, at that point, I was in transition. As I felt my breath quicken, Deana, who had arrived sometime in the last hour, reminded me to ‘be calm.’ I also remember feeling angry with her in that heightened moment, not that I could do anything about it.<br /><br />It was soon after, the feeling of pressure began and the urge to push. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">My body did all the work this time- totally out of my control. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It was a new sensation, so different from your sister’s birth, and completely eye opening. I trusted birth and I knew you would be in my arms soon.</span></span><br />
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<br />I changed positions in the pool. Onto my back, that wasn’t right, back around onto my knees.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rhiannon asked if I could feel your head, I couldn’t, but I knew you were close. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Suddenly I felt you crowning. I don’t remember pain at this stage at all. Intensity yes, but not pain. I kept my hips under the water as you made your way out. Your head appeared quickly, sweet relief until the next push, and then your body came, in a flash.!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">April 24<sup>th</sup>, 11.29pm, on your estimated due date!<br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Laura didn’t even get a chance to get her gloves on and you were here! I was on my knees facing your Dad and she guided you back through my legs into his hands. I remember crying, ‘where’s my baby?’ and your Dad saying, ‘I’ve got him, I’ve got him.’ Someone helped me sit back in the pool, Rhiannon took my tank top off for precious skin to skin ,and you were in my arms. </span></span><br />
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<br />My big boy. <br /><br />All 8lb 14oz of you. <br /><br />You had more hair than your sister had at birth and just by looking at you I could tell a decent weight. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I quickly dissolved into tears, the ‘ugly cry’ as I say. I felt an immense rush of emotions with your birth; relief and love. I was completely besotted with you and utterly overwhelmed. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">It had been a challenging time for me over the past 9 months; unexpected life changes, job changes, a sudden move, relationship breakdown, the rush of this ‘final piece of the puzzle ’ overwhelmed me at once. I don’t think much sense was got from me for quite some time. I think I said thank you to those around me. A lot. I apologized. A lot. <br /><br />The midwives asked your name. Lucian Grant Francis. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lucian with an ‘a’ not an ‘e.’ Like Lucian Freud. Grant after Daddy, Francis after your Great-Grandfather, Grandfather and Uncle.</span></span><br />
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Your Daddy held you, skin to skin, whilst Rhiannon and Laura helped me birth the placenta. It was important to me to have a natural 3<sup>rd</sup> stage. I was elated, I’d given birth to you with no more than water, visualization and a little help from the TENS for pain relief. I had a managed 3<sup>rd</sup> stage with your sister and I did not want that this time. </div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Soon, Rhiannon took the placenta away and helped me onto the couch, wrapped in towels, a quick check by the midwives and you back in my arms.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The moment you began to nurse is a memory that will stay my lifetime. I wish I knew what your Dad was doing at this point, but I have no idea of my surroundings, I was enthralled with the soft and pink baby in my arms.<br /><br />I am sure I was brought honey on toast at some point; my comfort food after having Avalon. There was so much I wanted to keep the same between your two births; both life-changing and equally beautiful experiences. Your birth also brought back memories of Avalon’s arrival.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rhiannon prepared me some ‘magic juice.’ – a mango, strawberry and banana smoothie, with a very special added ingredient. She also prepared more for me to freeze and drink over the coming week to help maintain energy levels and appease those post-partum blues.<br /><br />At that moment, I couldn’t believe how good I felt; I was on a complete high. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The midwives must have stayed no more than an hour later, as did Rhiannon. I am forever grateful for all three of them. I do feel that the support of all was invaluable. I was in the safest and gentlest of hands and it’s a testament to how wonderful these women are, that I was left to labour as I wanted; no one touched me unless I needed it. In fact, the first time I felt Laura’s hand was when she helped me out of the birthing pool.<br /><br />It wasn’t long after everyone left that your sister awoke. I remained on the couch with you as your dad went to see her upstairs in her bedroom. It must have been about 1am. He said she knew something was going on and she asked, very bright eyed and excitedly, to go down stairs.<br /><br />Her eyes lit up as she saw you. <br /><br />Baby brother. <br /><br />Her Lucian. Her Loosh. <br /><br />Or Loosh Magoosh as she has nicknamed you.<br /><br />You were already so loved.<br /><br />We took some photographs, a very proud Daddy with his two children. His daughter and his son, and we sent them to your Grandparents to let them know you were here.</span></span><br />
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I can tell you I did not sleep a peep that night. </div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I laid in bed with you swaddled in the crook of my arm, basking in the high of what we had been through together. By about 5am I couldn’t take the excitement anymore and had to call your Nannie in Australia and tell her all about your arrival. I wish she could have seen you be born. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We spent the next couple of weeks in babymoon. We didn’t have any visitors, it was just the four of us. Our little family complete. You spent your hours nursing or in the sling sleeping sweetly. I remember holding you so tightly in my arms and dancing to Bob Marley in our living room, in the very spot you were born only a few days before. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">You are our treasure.<br /><br />That is your story, my love.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A very Happy 1st Birthday my sweet boy. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We cannot imagine our family without you in it.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span>redpatentmaryjaneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08660981828517863650noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407604058289913579.post-38445322305651729482012-07-01T16:21:00.001+01:002012-07-01T16:21:57.976+01:00Weekends as we know it...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i>Apologies for the mish-mash of photo editing.... I am stealing 10 minutes to blog and have taken the pics straight from Facebook. </i></span></div>
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Avalon & Daddy chilling in the park on Father's Day // Lucian dressed for a day out // Avalon & I swingin' // vanilla cupcakes at <a href="http://www.maisonblanc.co.uk/">Maison Blanc</a> // Kid-free shopping for me // Grant & his girl swingin' // </div>
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Our family hamming it up (Lucian in the wrap)</div>
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I love the weekends.</div>
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With Grant at work 12 hours a day we relish the end of the week and Saturdays and Sundays mean family time and a re-charge of the proverbial batteries. </div>
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We usually do much the same every weekend since we moved here; park play or two, a coffee shop break (or two), maybe some shopping and as of late a trip to the library every 2 weeks to return and borrow books. Not very rock and roll I know, but it works for us. Dinner is usually take-out or something simple with a glass or two of wine.</div>
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This time with the kids being small is completely fleeting so we are making the most of it whilst we can.</div>
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<br /></div>redpatentmaryjaneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08660981828517863650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407604058289913579.post-35703993164884019702012-07-01T08:30:00.002+01:002012-07-01T08:30:53.183+01:00First haircut + Sausages in the park<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yesterday the girl had her first haircut at 27 months old.<br />
I won't lie, it was a little traumatic for both of us as 'the haircut' is a milestone we hadn't reached and not from a lack of need either. I just didn't want to cut her lovely locks, her wispy blondish curls, and as a bald baby myself I loved the fact she was born with a full head of hair.<br />Cut (no pun intended) to months of fussing over clips and hair-slides through out the day and de-tangling every morning, I decided that bangs were the way to go... and dare I say it, she looks scrumptiously cute (and tre chic!)<br />She seems happy with it too, but that could be because of the lollipop she got from the stylist.redpatentmaryjaneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08660981828517863650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407604058289913579.post-20867121559969972712012-06-21T20:57:00.001+01:002012-06-21T20:57:24.900+01:00Current LOVES<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I thought I would update with our current favourites; what is keeping us smiling, entertained & happy of late...<br />
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Daddy</div>
Gourmet Burgers from <a href="http://www.mulberryfarnham.co.uk/">here</a> // his new <a href="http://www.toms.co.uk/">TOMS</a> // Taking Avalon to the park // feeling healthy again // cuddling with his Little Man // Weekends // Reading everyday, currently <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/This-Is-Call-Times-Grohl/dp/0007391218/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1340307758&sr=8-1">this</a> // Nannie's Meals // Biltong // the start of summer<br />
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The Girl</div>
Going to the park // icecream // Mama & Baby Fox from Jasper //biltong // upsy daisy skirts // cuddles with Daddy during the night // boo boos // The Wiggles // Biltong // Baby Jake // playing in 'Nannie's Room' // Martha // Vanilla cupcakes from Maison Blanc // her new crocs // Ring-a-rosey // Being naked<br />
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The Boy</div>
Boobs // kisses and cuddles // clean nappies // bath-time // baby massage // being rocked // lying across Dad's forearm // green blanket // purple blanket // lying on lambie<br />
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Mama</div>
Pinterest // Kisses from Avalon and her saying, 'I love you Mama' // New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc // my new <a href="http://www.topshop.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?beginIndex=0&viewAllFlag=&catalogId=33057&storeId=12556&productId=5054139&langId=-1&sort_field=Relevance&categoryId=208556&parent_categoryId=204484&pageSize=200&refinements=category~[210010|208556]&noOfRefinements=1">ring</a> // Great coffee // babywearing with Lucian // My<span style="background-color: white;"> <a href="http://www.babymule.co.uk/index.php?page=gallery">Babymule</a> nappybag // fruit salad // reading a book in the bath // pounding the pavement of our neighbourhood with my iPod // Weekends // Girls Lunch with friends // Nursing the boy // Napping with the girl // Great friends // thrifting clothes // Avalon singing</span>redpatentmaryjaneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08660981828517863650noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407604058289913579.post-81593516203110975932012-06-21T15:48:00.000+01:002012-06-21T15:48:53.517+01:00Current Reading...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />redpatentmaryjaneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08660981828517863650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407604058289913579.post-3206025388101954092012-06-21T15:42:00.003+01:002012-06-21T15:44:15.402+01:00Thankful Thursday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white;">My monkeys.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Avalon is 27 months & Lucian is 8 weeks old.</span></div>redpatentmaryjaneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08660981828517863650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407604058289913579.post-10183218924935608372012-06-21T14:57:00.000+01:002012-07-18T14:20:00.514+01:00Gratitude<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: white;">Firstly I need to say I have found it increasingly difficult to find time to write since Lucian joined us. The most I can manage in a day are a few sentences here and there on Facebook (social networking can be done, one handed, whilst nursing a newborn!) Gone are the days I could nurse and READ A BOOK. There is a toddler too, so computer time falls under the category of 'me time' and number one in that category is showering. Then eating. Then I could only wish, sleep.</span></div>
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So much has happened in the last 3 months I could write 20 blog posts but will try to catch up a little here.<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;">There are a few events which are post worthy so I will save them for when I have the time to mull over my words. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Life has changed, and we are moving onwards and upwards in fantastic ways. I come out of what has been an 'intense' (for lack of a better word) period with nothing but gratitude for my life; and namely the people that make it what it is.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Avalon has taken to the change of having a baby brother so well. It has been a challenge, and for the huge adjustment it is, I am so proud of her and thankful it has gone relatively smoothly. Most of the challenges have fallen to Grant and I in delegating our time between the two of them adequately and learning to be a family of four (not to mention somewhere along the line continue to nurture that couple that we are.) </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;">Avalon</span><span style="background-color: white;"> is totally and utterly in love with Lucian, and he her. It amazes me the way they 'connect' without really knowing each other- it is there, from day one and I am so excited and </span><span style="background-color: white;">privileged</span><span style="background-color: white;"> to watch them grow together.</span></div>
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My little family is without a doubt my first priority. I feel so blessed to have health and happiness within our unit. We create these relationships somewhat but I can't help feeling a degree of luck must be involved as I still pinch myself that I am 'here'; A loving partner and 2 beautiful children. Blessed is all I can feel.</div>
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Just before Lucian's birth I had a lot of stress and upset due to the breakdown of a friendship- it was a truly terrible time as I prepared for Avalon's second birthday and reached full-term within my pregnancy. As always, Grant the voice of reason was and continues to be my rock. I am completely and utterly grateful to have such a kind, reasonable and intelligent partner for life. His integrity is admirable and as I was left to deal with mistrust and hurt, having deep regrets, feeling violated and what I viewed as an attempt to ostracise me from others; he was right beside me guiding with his words and love. That man always 'does the right thing.' Knowing he 'has my back' is all I will ever need, and when you know from those you truly respect that you have done what is right, what you can to make amends, it is all the validation I could ever need. With his help, and a small group of amazing friends, I can safely say my shoulder is well and truly brushed off and I have forgiven (even when the wrong cannot be acknowledged.) I have learnt many lessons; to trust a select few, to follow my gut instincts about others and sometimes the best course of action is not the easiest. I must learn to find my voice.<br />
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I feel really positive about those that choose to be in my life. I hold my head up high with integrity and know I can only do what I can do. Life is short and everyday I grow. I only hope that I can salvage something from this broken relationship. I am humbled.</div>
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<br />redpatentmaryjaneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08660981828517863650noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407604058289913579.post-18842148360794076672012-06-17T15:05:00.000+01:002012-06-17T15:05:00.113+01:00Daddy's Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We love you, Big Daddy... There are not enough words x</div>redpatentmaryjaneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08660981828517863650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407604058289913579.post-30982835751685436962012-05-23T15:16:00.004+01:002012-05-23T15:16:34.802+01:00Wordless(ish) Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Avalon at the park this morning...</div>redpatentmaryjaneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08660981828517863650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407604058289913579.post-74253221907778747822012-05-23T15:07:00.002+01:002012-05-23T15:07:49.077+01:00Currently Reading...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
This is great.<br />
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I have finished book one already and would recommend to anyone looking for strategies to become more patient and a calmer individual, using Buddhist teachings and principles.<br />
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I am working daily on putting this into practice.<br />
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Read it now.redpatentmaryjaneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08660981828517863650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407604058289913579.post-57011249468661544722012-05-23T14:54:00.001+01:002012-05-23T14:54:23.936+01:00A month in the blink of an eye...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Lucian was 4 weeks old yesterday.<br />
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I cannot believe how quickly the last month has passed me by; a whirlwind of gazing at our son in wonderment, bonding as a family of four and supporting Avalon in the adjustment to becoming big sister/sibling/one of two children.
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I am stealing a few minutes to blog and update on the past month as both children are napping and my Mother is here to help and cuddle her Grandbabies. No doubt I will write in bits and pieces as I have found having 2 children isn't double the work- more like quadruple! I am not sure how that happens and am still mystified how people manage but maybe that feeling is designated to the early days.<br /><br />
Lucian's birth went brilliantly and I will absolutely write more on that later.<br />
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We took a couple of weeks for a babymoon with minimal visitations from friends and family. It was really important to me to focus on the four of us. We have been spoiled by seemingly endless gifts of clothing for the boy, food for us, chocolate and cake. I have been humbled by the generosity of friends and family and feel so grateful to have such wonderful people in our lives.<br />
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Lucian is an absolute gem and as the cliche goes, I am finding it hard to remember life without him.<br />
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He has the same 'old soul' look that his sister had, although I am not quite sure they look very similar, you can tell they are related, but very different all the same.<br />
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Lucian has a lot of hair, with little golden streaks through the front, a small mouth and steely grey/blue eyes that focus on you and search your face as if he is still trying to figure you out. He smiles with a slight upturn of his top lip and his eyes glow warmly. He is cuddly, soft, a little hairy, yet sturdy too.<br />
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He is my 'Big Boy' and both Grant and I joke about our 'Little Rugby Player.' The boy is fairly chilled out, sleeps a lot in the day, but also has moments of fussing, particularly at night. He likes to lie over your shoulder and get a good pat on the back although I don't seem to have the same effect on him that his Nannie and his Daddy do when they employ this manoeuvre.<br />
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The past month has also brought its unexpected trials.<br />
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After 3 weeks of very painful feeding I sought the help of my friend Paula, a local La Leche League Leader as to whether Lucian had tongue-tie or a bad latch or thrush (or a combination of all three) as feeding him was more pain inducing than labour. After further consultation with a lactation consultant at the hospital, he was found to have posterior tongue-tie and an appointment was made to get it snipped. Unfortunately, that appointment was another 2 weeks wait.<br />
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I just could not wait that long as nursing him was toe-curling- I liken it to glass being dragged through my nipples, yep, not pleasant. I have not experienced anything like this whilst feeding Avalon so it came as a shock, and after such a positive and 'easy' labour it really took me by surprise.<br />
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I spent alot of time in tears in those 3 weeks and found myself avoiding feeds which is kind of hard when you are feeding a newborn on demand. I was so dispirited and hoped that tongue-tie would be the issue and would be 'fixed.' I was filled with worry that our breastfeeding journey would be over before it really began.<br />
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Knowing my desperation, my amazing doula, <a href="http://www.simplygorjus.com/">Rhiannon</a>, asked a friend of hers to do the procedure for us, on very short notice (asking her at 8pm to assist us, she was on my doorstep at 10pm.)<br />
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Kathryn is an independent midwife who is trained in separating tongue-tie. I am so grateful she came to us when she did as I could not continue to feed like this any longer little alone another two weeks before the scheduled appointment. The first feed after the procedure was a vast improvement from where we had been, the only other feed I had like that with Lucian was our very first nurse after his birth, skin to skin, laying on our couch in the lounge room. From then on, nursing has gotten increasingly better. We have good and bad feeds as we are both still learning. But we are getting to where we need to be.<br />
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Along with the constant support of Rhiannon prior to labour, during labour and during our babymoon and the fact she introduced us to Kathryn, she honestly is a lifesaver. If you know how important breastfeeding my children is to me, you would know what this means to me for this relationship continue. I am forever grateful for her support- she is a wonderful friend to boot.<br />
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Grant, as always, has been amazing. My rock. I don't know where I would be without him.<br />
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He was a brilliant labour support, as he was for Avalon's birth too. Throughout that 2 week period he was off work he took care of the 3 of us. I know he is anxious to get home to his family every day as he tells me so. We love him so much and as our family has grown, so has my love and appreciation for him.<br />
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As I mentioned, my Mum is here for 3 weeks. I can hardly explain what a blessing this is.<br />
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My Mum lives on the other side of the world so to have her in my home, sharing conversation over coffee, watching her with her grandchildren, bantering with my husband is a blessed feeling. I miss not seeing her more often than a weekly virtual SKYPE phone call. She has been here 6 days already and has been a domestic star; cooking, cleaning, grocery shopping and of course baby holding.<br />
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Mum being here has allowed me to get out for a little exercise each day. More than anything this time is needed to clear my head- to banish out the 'cobwebs' of darkness so to speak. As wonderful as this time is, my hormones have wreaked havoc on me and my feelings and emotions are up and down like a yoyo. Grant's patience with me is amazing. It feels great to stretch my legs as I wander the neighbourhood, listening to music on my iPod and feeling the breeze in my hair after weeks of home time and months of feeling so heavy and so tired. With Mum here, we have also been going to our local park daily, Avalon has really appreciated her Nannie (and sandpit) time.<br />
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I am so thankful for this time and will of course, feel terribly sad when Mum leaves in 2 weeks.<br /><br />
Over the past month, Grant's Dad came to visit from South Africa. Here for 2 weeks, he stayed with my brother in law about 10 minutes away. Because of the timing of his visit we didn't get to spend as much time with him as we would have liked but it was great to see home all the same as we hadn't seen him for almost 2 years.<br />
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We are all adjusting well to being a family of four.<br />
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I really hope to blog just as often (or little as it were) as before.<br />
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Signing off for now, the girl is chatting away beside me after her nap (I knew I would have to keep coming back to this post!) in just a nappy, eating gingerbread teddie biscuits- it is SO warm here today.<br />
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I hope this is the start of our 'Summer' albeit in a very mild Spring.<br />
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<br />redpatentmaryjaneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08660981828517863650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407604058289913579.post-52940892471844224452012-05-01T20:42:00.003+01:002012-05-15T19:19:46.503+01:00He is here!A very quick update...<br />
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Lucian Grant Francis was born on the 24th April at 11.26pm, weighing a very healthy 8lb 14oz (4.020kg)<br />
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He was born at home in the birthing pool after 'officially' 3 1/2 hours of labour without intervention. He was caught by his Dad and his big sister slept through all the excitement, meeting her brother about an hour later.<br />
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His birth was perfect.<br />
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I will write Lucian's birth story in the next few weeks and hope to find some time to blog...<br />
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<br />redpatentmaryjaneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08660981828517863650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407604058289913579.post-21593506875929940712012-04-21T13:37:00.000+01:002012-04-21T22:09:33.802+01:00Current musing...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I feel like I need to update. I haven't blogged in a couple of weeks and there has been so much going on that I can't put it all to the blogisphere right now. It has been such a transitional time as I entered the last few weeks of pregnancy but also a huge change in dynamics for some personal areas of my life. </div>
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More on that later. Maybe.</div>
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So here I am at (officially) 39 weeks and 4 days pregnant. I have had a few moments of thinking 'This is it'; once on Avalon's birthday and again last Thursday which led to some interesting moments and frantic phone calls. It probably sounds strange that I even mention a word like 'frantic' but I find myself much more anxious this time than I did leading up to Avalon's birth. I have no idea why? To me, it defies rational. I have worked through my feelings with my wonderful <a href="http://www.simplygorjus.com/simplygorjus/index.cfm/birth-doula/about-me/">doula</a>, Rhiannon and keep trying to remember to TRUST BIRTH. Avalon's birth was so straight forward I guess I worry about how this experience might be. I also had little 'sign' of labour with Avalon and have several friends whom have had very short labours the second time around so each twinge can take my breath away. Grant is also 2 hours away during the day so I am hoping that things get moving during the twilight hours.</div>
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'Spiritual Midwifery' has been read, as has 'Ina May's Guide to Childbirth.' I have re-watched 'The Business of Being Born' and reading beautiful, positive homebirth stories from friends. My emotional and mental preparation is so important to me.</div>
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In practicality I am ready for this baby; we have the pool, towels, sheets, TENS machine, music, clothes and the list goes on but I am still trying to get my head around labour and even more so, having a second child. Crazy isn't it? I have only had 9 months to get used to the idea. </div>
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The last few weeks I feel my husband and I have become even closer together. We have had some amazingly open moments of communication and his support during a tough emotional time has been a blessing, he truly is 'my rock.' I am so excited at the thought of having another child with him and Avalon becoming a big sister. I know our family will be 'complete' as we want it and we can embrace this new beginning for us all.</div>
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I am pretty sure the next time you will be hearing from me our baby will be here. It may not be for several weeks as we bask in the glow of babymoon but I will be back to share the story of our babies birth.</div>
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I hope this blog hasn't seemed too disjointed, I only have a few minutes to check in and just wanted to update. So apologies for spelling and grammatical errors. I might also blame baby brain!</div>
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I'll be back soon....</div>
<br />redpatentmaryjaneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08660981828517863650noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407604058289913579.post-32309938967120818602012-04-06T15:29:00.000+01:002012-04-06T15:29:53.066+01:00200 Blog Posts...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjliVQpmzD7wCUOLwIIHoivlHejnaDFsvss_mvZ6f-QRdlx40gajKv5wCzwqQ-bdu3WxSA72ovWDikzWRVgqDUV2fsoe5Z4FLFCAQjGldC0qSbtLv-CObzTLz20aJPg4YczD7zrTNLtjYbI/s1600/100_2704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjliVQpmzD7wCUOLwIIHoivlHejnaDFsvss_mvZ6f-QRdlx40gajKv5wCzwqQ-bdu3WxSA72ovWDikzWRVgqDUV2fsoe5Z4FLFCAQjGldC0qSbtLv-CObzTLz20aJPg4YczD7zrTNLtjYbI/s320/100_2704.jpg" width="180" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~ Joy ~ </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Last day of 1 year old</div>redpatentmaryjaneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08660981828517863650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407604058289913579.post-36414934027291713922012-04-06T15:21:00.000+01:002012-04-06T15:21:48.075+01:00Happy Birthday My Love...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhn0K50ewNVetceZBQahEZF0hPw8Y-Oh1RD31IhmOs06evd8A-LBmCuc7MBg5pDkzgmJvOYxAjOMALbDYoI7GkVkebCjAZ-HG-7PU6E4CRo1xucTaS2jUD_Qxy4P6gYKVhBYNpyjgBJsi/s1600/100_2643.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwhn0K50ewNVetceZBQahEZF0hPw8Y-Oh1RD31IhmOs06evd8A-LBmCuc7MBg5pDkzgmJvOYxAjOMALbDYoI7GkVkebCjAZ-HG-7PU6E4CRo1xucTaS2jUD_Qxy4P6gYKVhBYNpyjgBJsi/s320/100_2643.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Birthday party with Den Mamas @ lovely Rhiannon's // Opening presents // Marwell Zoo</div>redpatentmaryjaneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08660981828517863650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407604058289913579.post-24171095349965787032012-04-06T15:10:00.001+01:002012-04-06T20:29:58.648+01:00TWO.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQhDn0exi5_fXHj2JLjSF0-BRrZlw_L8CNXJsJ_gLxklJ1fPZN0A0ybqmff7UvHzcH9TWOtw_j5D__mEYxz4kCgFBFUM2y8pIe7xpqefOWY9VG8Kv_PSwf744lkoUdw8djYHP6Ydgr8Nk/s1600/tn+(3).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQhDn0exi5_fXHj2JLjSF0-BRrZlw_L8CNXJsJ_gLxklJ1fPZN0A0ybqmff7UvHzcH9TWOtw_j5D__mEYxz4kCgFBFUM2y8pIe7xpqefOWY9VG8Kv_PSwf744lkoUdw8djYHP6Ydgr8Nk/s320/tn+(3).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
WARNING: *This is going to be one of those blogs that is really of no interested to anyone but family*<br />
<br />
My baby is now two years old. As the cliche goes, 'where has the time gone?'<br />
<br />
I want to capture some of what she is doing and who she is. I love her more and more each day and think that 2 years old is my favourite age~ Terrible Twos? Shmerrible Twos!<br />
<br />
~ She loves her Dr. Seuss, Peppa Pig, Spongebob Square Pants & Charlie & Lola. Ok. The girls loves TV. But there is nothing sweeter than hearing her sing the theme tune to Spongebob and play her nose like it's a flute!<br />
<br />
~She is an avid reader. She now wants to read to herself when she goes to bed as opposed to having the story read to her. At this moment she is still all about Dr. Seuss' 'Time To Read' and also 'Hello Baby' which we gave to her in preparation of her sibling's homebirth.<br />
<br />
~ She counts to 14 with ease! She says, 'Oh my Goodness Me!'<br />
She knows her own mind and is very confident. Strangely she has only just started saying 'Yeah' as she had always only nodded her head in agreement. Her latest word? 'Congratulations'... She let's you know what she wants, when she wants it.<br />
<br />
~ She sings along to Nirvana in the car and announces 'We are home!' whenever we pull down our driveway.<br />
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~ She is obsessed with brushing her teeth, wiping her hands and face, cuddling the cat, seeing her friends and going to the PAAAAARRK! If there is a slide, she is ON IT! She loves animals. Especially ducks.<br />
<br />
~ She is very excited for the arrival of baby. I love the way she kisses and hugs my growing belly, pressing her cheek against it and saying 'awwww I love you.' These are the sweetest moments.<br />
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~ She loves to eat bananas, yoghurt, cake, satsumas, 'dip dips', Monkey Juice, 'mato Sauce, cake, cake AND cake. Oh, and ice-cream.<br />
<br />
~ Her favourite toys are Soft Teddy, Winston, Gary, Tinga Tinga and Baby. She lives for colouring and painting and wants us to draw with her too.<br />
<br />
~ She is yet to learn that the laptop is not a toy and will type away as long as you will let her.<br />
<br />
~ She excitedly runs to the door as soon as she hears the key in the lock at 7.30pm announcing 'DADDDDY!'<br />
<br />
~ I love the mornings with her, hearing her say my name as she wakes or smiles as she opens her eyes.<br />
<br />
~ She loves wearing hats. Any hat... And painting smocks.<br />
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~ She is very soft in nature. I love that she is so gentle with her peers. She is caring and thoughtful to others feelings.<br />
<br />
~ She (sadly) has an obsession with her Dad's android phone. Hmmm.<br />
<br />
~ Bath-time is always a hit- playing 'mermaids'; lying on her stomach and swinging her legs back and forth. She loves her frog bath towel and calls herself 'The Green Queen' when she wears it after her bath.<br />
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She is a joy every day. Welcome to your 3rd year, baby!redpatentmaryjaneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08660981828517863650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407604058289913579.post-44125994026697670892012-03-28T18:07:00.000+01:002012-03-28T18:07:26.482+01:00Spring is here...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFaY3QFTqhTxd70sRbUPUkxkTwIDu0QkVuAG6CyguN-Rtql81jokeZXVZbonhpWEfQpZH40fQMnodXNLNcbfxY2EhDWLfi-JPUfAZl9EzdAjRF8rtUUhRr9Ba11L_jiRG9a2t6QAEEDfG/s1600/305969_10150768192994880_596864879_11578785_740526019_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilFaY3QFTqhTxd70sRbUPUkxkTwIDu0QkVuAG6CyguN-Rtql81jokeZXVZbonhpWEfQpZH40fQMnodXNLNcbfxY2EhDWLfi-JPUfAZl9EzdAjRF8rtUUhRr9Ba11L_jiRG9a2t6QAEEDfG/s320/305969_10150768192994880_596864879_11578785_740526019_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~Gostrey Meadows // SLIDE // Waverley Abbey~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">~35 + 5 weeks // LOVE // Climbing Trees // Spring lambing at Newlyns Farm~</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div>redpatentmaryjaneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08660981828517863650noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407604058289913579.post-1802636181216673642012-03-28T13:58:00.000+01:002012-03-28T13:58:45.385+01:00If you go down to the woods today...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">This morning the girl and I headed out into the Spring sunshine to Forest School, an outdoor session run through a local pre-school in Frogmore.<br />
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The Forest School is on a Wednesday morning as a drop in two hour session for toddlers, babies and of course their parents/carers. The kiddies are given all weather gear (we rock up in our own Wellington boots) and then are free to set off and have some muddy, forest-y fun! Today we certainly had the weather on our side.<br />
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I took along hubby's camera (mine has sadly gone to camera heaven) and took a few snaps of the girl and her bestie having a blast in the great outdoors.<br />
</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">The kids dug in the dirt, climbed over logs, rambled through the trees, roasted marshmallows, went on the hunt for Easter eggs and chicks, as well as sang songs around the camp fire. <br />
</div><div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">We will be going back for sure!</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-sY8h1Ke_nEzR5pbI4tknKp7zSXZYIrSOHj6NLW6EAZwZxFuR7yBYDASf5DX1f-ki7W0VV8lsPH7dpHPHAhSsctZ0QiYI7sptQUn9KXPT6sbVeRsu80QvQ1GXbYIiPe1OvlBakztqvdpu/s1600/100_2607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-sY8h1Ke_nEzR5pbI4tknKp7zSXZYIrSOHj6NLW6EAZwZxFuR7yBYDASf5DX1f-ki7W0VV8lsPH7dpHPHAhSsctZ0QiYI7sptQUn9KXPT6sbVeRsu80QvQ1GXbYIiPe1OvlBakztqvdpu/s320/100_2607.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>redpatentmaryjaneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08660981828517863650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407604058289913579.post-90317957491586257742012-03-21T18:44:00.000+00:002012-03-21T18:44:02.242+00:00Wordless-ish Wednesday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpnuWuvbOlxHVzy1eSI-_heujQxjemATvk8yF6ArKDSuHQSp3YryvH68YzAqC3hGWqV8P8e7yQ0HbBJho7CCoZBUeIeHhB2nH-qbSUFLM3s9yDXpQXiRVzujAHLsCOtPdBBMe2tW33VXdV/s1600/34+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpnuWuvbOlxHVzy1eSI-_heujQxjemATvk8yF6ArKDSuHQSp3YryvH68YzAqC3hGWqV8P8e7yQ0HbBJho7CCoZBUeIeHhB2nH-qbSUFLM3s9yDXpQXiRVzujAHLsCOtPdBBMe2tW33VXdV/s320/34+5.jpg" width="108" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">34 weeks and 5 days</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">...Sporting a make-up free face, jogging bottoms and my <a href="http://redpatentmaryjanes.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/tie-dye-flowers-haggis-lot-of-love.html">Mother's Day T-shirt</a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Not long now...</div>redpatentmaryjaneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08660981828517863650noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407604058289913579.post-78806780356578986402012-03-20T09:33:00.000+00:002012-03-20T09:33:43.002+00:00Current Reading # 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDUryVzTClyq6TNXlYmR24k_pRr23grDx4O2Q-IEehDeMWxYa7fg2Tw51IQ2MjG2rvLKd72Otg9gpGp_axNuKg3d2Xi2PuRhGMqj_X26ADl7aQQM9ezF-T06SilV9lkYF2vnkLm4OrK9_/s1600/hunger_games_trilogy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfDUryVzTClyq6TNXlYmR24k_pRr23grDx4O2Q-IEehDeMWxYa7fg2Tw51IQ2MjG2rvLKd72Otg9gpGp_axNuKg3d2Xi2PuRhGMqj_X26ADl7aQQM9ezF-T06SilV9lkYF2vnkLm4OrK9_/s320/hunger_games_trilogy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>redpatentmaryjaneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08660981828517863650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407604058289913579.post-61282503461483615442012-03-20T09:25:00.000+00:002012-03-20T09:25:01.255+00:00You've Got Mail.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDEfe_bOCnCq-Q0giVmGWmgyJE8tAz_tSJ_6h4-RL-X5xl6spCgrBJo_O5In0q22lcTbUFxLs3tcJXnZ6n1TgScoTfQue35eDXeuag2q4AdLeQGzub4KmJodjlrbtkaFzXmfysMAxIjQfA/s1600/IMG03985-20120207-1426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDEfe_bOCnCq-Q0giVmGWmgyJE8tAz_tSJ_6h4-RL-X5xl6spCgrBJo_O5In0q22lcTbUFxLs3tcJXnZ6n1TgScoTfQue35eDXeuag2q4AdLeQGzub4KmJodjlrbtkaFzXmfysMAxIjQfA/s320/IMG03985-20120207-1426.jpg" width="232" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br />
</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>**Why did I not publish this? This post is from early February**</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Nothing beats getting a parcel from 'home.' Every couple of months my Mum will send us a box of goodies with gifts and bits and pieces for the three of us from Australia. Sometimes she has bought us something new, sometimes it is foods that I miss, trinkets from my childhood bedroom and like today, lovelies I have purchased in Australia and got delivered to my parents house to forward on.</div><br />
I finally got my <a href="http://mummarocks.com/category_66/Fused-Glass-Pendants.htm">Precious Moments Pendant</a> that have had my eye on for so long. The above photo does not do it justice, it is absolutely beautiful. I<span style="text-align: left;">ncluded in the package were belated Christmas gifts from my brother and his partner, as well as a 'mix' CD they made for Grant and I.</span><br />
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My parents bought the sweetest swimming costume for Avalon with matching sun hat and flip flops, a floral 1950's inspired 2 piece. Grant is going to start taking her swimming on the weekends which will be great when Baby arrives (so very soon!)redpatentmaryjaneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08660981828517863650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407604058289913579.post-59613218051455745002012-03-20T09:13:00.000+00:002012-03-20T09:13:24.841+00:00Girlie Giggles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3fw4OCxv66ZNyJmkYS1xpsZ82EG8-Rlub__8qPmlqRiE_mPMiiDtjOHBigCs3s4OicEUWv0hCigqtH5pVnJ9p5evPK7WAKJBwWYewcZgHWlYIrpjsdrM1oOz3CvSwzEHcHe-vRrOuIXi/s1600/420515_10150557309746642_558911641_8986245_2029585735_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3fw4OCxv66ZNyJmkYS1xpsZ82EG8-Rlub__8qPmlqRiE_mPMiiDtjOHBigCs3s4OicEUWv0hCigqtH5pVnJ9p5evPK7WAKJBwWYewcZgHWlYIrpjsdrM1oOz3CvSwzEHcHe-vRrOuIXi/s320/420515_10150557309746642_558911641_8986245_2029585735_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCNsm-Mq5RKS8ALDREAnukavMo6LKR-g8TVzMJILqJB4lWKkbF-MwFWx379UB96SvhiFCXjc6xlFxZTEgvHHl6Nvm-ZMOSOOakeu0x4WclOUnXt2LwLjQCYAQkVVIL8Z0_QZtls-idTgh/s1600/64041_10150557308571642_558911641_8986241_52551881_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwCNsm-Mq5RKS8ALDREAnukavMo6LKR-g8TVzMJILqJB4lWKkbF-MwFWx379UB96SvhiFCXjc6xlFxZTEgvHHl6Nvm-ZMOSOOakeu0x4WclOUnXt2LwLjQCYAQkVVIL8Z0_QZtls-idTgh/s320/64041_10150557308571642_558911641_8986241_52551881_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjol_SHWuqGq3SW6pt1SGZXvjNsO2BIPID9ygu_4nQwrTaKNWeypn1oloOt_h1wBaVVH4fBzr2b4zR-8pF7H91ERRiAZsHu-kHu1DaPCY_wrSdzNLyKWsoGYGPp8rh7TTUDgDWBtf6HHXTX/s1600/64379_10150557309066642_558911641_8986242_1827748298_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjol_SHWuqGq3SW6pt1SGZXvjNsO2BIPID9ygu_4nQwrTaKNWeypn1oloOt_h1wBaVVH4fBzr2b4zR-8pF7H91ERRiAZsHu-kHu1DaPCY_wrSdzNLyKWsoGYGPp8rh7TTUDgDWBtf6HHXTX/s320/64379_10150557309066642_558911641_8986242_1827748298_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Avalon & Izellah</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Photography by <a href="http://hermama.blogspot.co.uk/">Nina</a></div>redpatentmaryjaneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08660981828517863650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407604058289913579.post-1464842266687030362012-03-18T13:40:00.000+00:002012-03-18T13:40:33.227+00:00Yo' Shorty(s) It's Your Birthday(s)Well January through to April seems to be the time for having babies. Within our circle of friends everyone's little ones have been born over these last 4 months and we have had a busy social calendar of st & 2nd Birthdays and it has been a blast! Kids Birthday Parties are so much fun! We have been Pirates (twice!), Monsters, Jungle Animals & Scavengers...<br />
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Here are some photos from our party season- Happy Birthday Joab, Jasper, Izzy, Jack & Noah- as well as Tomos and Abbie, both of whom we either missed their parties or are without any photos.<br />
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</div>redpatentmaryjaneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08660981828517863650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407604058289913579.post-88585204618315315582012-03-18T13:13:00.000+00:002012-03-18T13:13:38.242+00:0023 months<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-JDnIWL__yCYJiI9BpwlxWBTSx3Fi8iQuq1zTn5WVbOkbYmgevMjjdHuDN8LlOa2ky7l6oSsEZ_N3h4trYiZOkle4JDpRAZtlwS0UdLZvYc7_BFjK3UU7_VbT46pjpf6d5oZM7dR_OBXF/s1600/101.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-JDnIWL__yCYJiI9BpwlxWBTSx3Fi8iQuq1zTn5WVbOkbYmgevMjjdHuDN8LlOa2ky7l6oSsEZ_N3h4trYiZOkle4JDpRAZtlwS0UdLZvYc7_BFjK3UU7_VbT46pjpf6d5oZM7dR_OBXF/s320/101.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7pqWGKmG52RNlpfIeswTyAyILd9Yv7NTA2nHWQj3fC9LicONkaJLytEs7xy7LDnhvnxSu9gtUl5SDiDu_RenneZMy94b4mzKfXJhrehgND_gYRo5S_pIXTto-cLF0a4nFwik9kX9wbbr/s1600/131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu7pqWGKmG52RNlpfIeswTyAyILd9Yv7NTA2nHWQj3fC9LicONkaJLytEs7xy7LDnhvnxSu9gtUl5SDiDu_RenneZMy94b4mzKfXJhrehgND_gYRo5S_pIXTto-cLF0a4nFwik9kX9wbbr/s320/131.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYB5X-dMp0GyDWMISCnJljaOBQKRqxKFQGlo6Mts_atsev6b5XswQI-8p4nB71cyioNGubbpUrFC00w6SfnsE3vGe6yQMzLrSxGMeo44A8trsKbwVK3IdcLLCYYy6QWv31IYJS4I4SSgrh/s1600/157+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYB5X-dMp0GyDWMISCnJljaOBQKRqxKFQGlo6Mts_atsev6b5XswQI-8p4nB71cyioNGubbpUrFC00w6SfnsE3vGe6yQMzLrSxGMeo44A8trsKbwVK3IdcLLCYYy6QWv31IYJS4I4SSgrh/s320/157+(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Photography by <a href="http://hermama.blogspot.co.uk/">Nina</a></div>redpatentmaryjaneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08660981828517863650noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4407604058289913579.post-78471493504085386812012-03-18T12:38:00.000+00:002012-03-18T12:38:38.137+00:00Tie-Dye, Flowers, Haggis & a lot of Love...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7IxFqIt9YK2nj5HOnjaviNWVIE4dZXr2MneyRzpfJ5mHO_aK0ib8IVEcdHcmPqKrMgVTqdn29ISriW5a_8ai8FqEdd7IwmrwFY3FPlvZQBux0Rcf9aqk6ZvAiOTsNwgF_Jdz7ofbkHPU/s1600/100_2513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV7IxFqIt9YK2nj5HOnjaviNWVIE4dZXr2MneyRzpfJ5mHO_aK0ib8IVEcdHcmPqKrMgVTqdn29ISriW5a_8ai8FqEdd7IwmrwFY3FPlvZQBux0Rcf9aqk6ZvAiOTsNwgF_Jdz7ofbkHPU/s320/100_2513.jpg" width="244" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Today is Mothering Sunday in the United Kingdom and as an antipodean I am lucky enough to celebrate it twice a year. I have been looking forward to a sleep in all week and really, that is all I could ask for on Mother's Day. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our weekends are so precious here with Grant at work 12 hours a day. I relish the Saturday and Sunday mornings that hold such promise of a family day and the chance to get a little 'me' time as Daughter and Daddy time takes place as well. I know how much he misses his girl during the week and I can sense the contentment he feels on the weekends when he is home with us.<br />
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I woke at about 7.30am after quite a rough nights sleep- Although sleep has been a luxury over the past 2+ years anyway, these last few weeks of pregnancy have brought on the insomnia I dealt with in the early weeks of pregnancy- All part of preparing the body for restless nights I guess? Either way, a 7.30 wake up was good enough for me.<br />
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You really can't beat waking up to the smell of bacon wafting up the stairs but even better the sounds and giggles from Grant and Avalon working magic in the kitchen. I lay back in bed listening to talk of pirates, chatter about 'Mummy' and harmonica playing- a long forgotton instrument that had been retrieved from the bottom of the toy box.<br />
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I was under strict instruction from Grant to stay upstairs in bed until I was summoned by the girl, only 10 minutes later, in pirate hat and Raggedy-Ann apron. She burst through the bedroom door explaining 'I can cook!' and a huge smile- Why, yes you can my precious!<br />
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We made our way downstairs and were greeted with a breakfast spread of French toast, sausages, bacon, tomatoes, and haggis (my ever adventurous husband!) accompanies by juice and fresh coffee... perfection.<br />
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At my table setting there were 2 hand-dyed T-shirts (one in pregnancy size, one in regular Mummy size) neatly folded, some hand-picked flowers foraged from our garden earlier that morning and a card, signed by Avalon. I knew these two had been up to something downstairs in the basement and found out later the T-shirts had spent the week drying in the cluttered garage but what more could you want on Mother's Day than time with your family, handmade gifts and a home cooked meal!?<br />
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I feel so blessed with my family; a healthy girl, a supportive and loving partner and another baby on the way who is co-operating in every way by keeping head firmly day ;) It amazes me that the dynamics of our family are going to change again in just a few short weeks. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The last 2 years have been an incredibly whirlwind of soaring highs and yet also crashing lows (those which I didn't expect)... and would I change a thing? Nope-- not one! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Our experience has got us 'here' and we are grow each day in love for each other... we learn and we work together along the way.<br />
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It is an overused cliché but I cannot think of any other word but 'blessed' to describe my lot in life- and I have these 2 people to thank for it.<br />
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</div>redpatentmaryjaneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08660981828517863650noreply@blogger.com0