Holiday Day 1 - journey from hell

The day didn't start off well. I got Henry dressed in his comfy outfit to travel in and I put on clean jeans and a vest top. I hate clean jeans so planned to wear them in during the week away. I then ran around packing last minute bits and finally sat down to feed Henry...he then sat up from his feed and proceeded to bring the WHOLE of his feed up all over himself and my jeans. Ahhhh. Changing our outfits for a second time and a load of washing were not on my 'to do' list this morning. Nevermind.

We eventually got on the road about 3:30. Henry slept for 40 mins of the 4 and a half hour journey. The rest of the time he was crying or at least whinging. I fed him, sang to him, checked his nappy, played with him...nothing worked. There's nothing worse than being stuck in a car with a crying baby and not being able to do anything. He was fine when we stopped at the services so all I can think was he just wanted to be out of his car seat. Hopefully he'll be better when we drive home next week...dreading it already.

Anyway we've arrived safe and sound, car is unpacked. The neighbours probably think we are moving in permanently judging by the amount of stuff we brought with us. The house is gorgeous. George is in his element and can smell the sea, Henry has had a bath and is happily snuggling his Daddy, Mr B has a cold beer and I have a glass of rosé. All is good.

Very big sofa, very little human

Why I love breastfeeding #1

Now, I have spent my entire adolescent and adult life trying to lose weight. I only have to look at a doughnut and the pounds pile on. I lost around a stone and a half before getting married but my god, it was a struggle. I didn't eat cake or crisps for months, only used skimmed milk, never ordered dessert and pretty much lived on salad and veg. I ran the Great North Run, clocked up miles of training runs beforehand and still had to watch what I was eating so that I didn't put on weight. It's always been the same story.

Until I got pregnant.

I ate a lot when I was pregnant, admittedly I craved berries which was a pretty good craving to have, calorie wise. But I also ate a lot of cake. Crisps and crackers stopped me from feeling sick for the first 15 weeks so I ate them...in massive quantities...all of the time. I always ordered dessert, never refused a biscuit at work and didn't once think about my weight. Somehow I put on just less than 2 stone. Now, baring in mind that Henry weighed nearly 9 pounds and taking into account the placenta, increased blood volume, MASSIVE boobs and water retention, I hardly put on any extra fat. I was back in my normal jeans within 10 days.

I've now been breastfeeding Henry for almost 5 months and I'm a stone lighter than the day I got pregnant. I have also never eaten as much as I have in the past 5 months. I always thought it was a myth that it used up 500 cals a day, but I'm starting to believe that that's true.

I don't know if it's a total fluke and I've just got lucky, maybe I'll get a massive shock for baby #2 when I put on 5 stone and find it hard to lose, I really don't know. I also don't know what will happen after I stop feeding. Will my body go back to its old ways and I'll have to battle to maintain my weight? Will it continue to lose weight the way it is at the moment? I wish I could find out but at the moment I'm in no rush to do that, I'm going to enjoy the calories while I can. 

Now, where's that cake?

A few of my recent treats...

Miss this belly!

Henry's first trip...

So tomorrow afternoon we will be setting off on a mini-break to Norfolk for a week. We LOVE Norfolk, the north coast is beyond beautiful and we have so many happy memories from our time there. It'll be Henry's first little holiday and we can't wait!

What I've learnt this week though, is that travelling with a baby is very different to travelling as a couple.

On our previous trips to Norfolk we've stayed in a gorgeous boutique hotel that allows dogs to stay too. They provide treats and a comfy bed for the dogs and treats and a comfy bed for their owners too. It might be dog friendly, but it is definitely not baby friendly. I don't think Henry's new squawking noise would go down too well in the calm breakfast room while the other guests enjoy their smoked haddock and scrambled egg. I don't think our quiet afternoons sitting in the bar with a vodka and tonic would be such a treat with a 5 month old baby, desperate to explore his rather plush surroundings. The 5 course dinner that we previously enjoyed would now take far too long with a baby balanced on my knee. Who needs 5 courses spread over 3 hours when you can eat 1 really really quickly?! Anyway, I'm pretty sure that the mussels would be impossible to eat with one hand, which is a requirement these days. The price definitely isn't maternity pay friendly either and so we've settled on a cottage up the road instead. 7 whole nights for the price of 1 night in the hotel, no posh grannies to tut at us at breakfast time and way more space for all of our 'stuff'. How such a tiny person can need so much 'stuff' is totally beyond me! Where we used to pack a small pull-along suitcase between us, we now resemble a family emigrating to Australia with the amount of luggage. Where I used to think about how many different bracelets to pack, I now have to consider the same thing about muslin squares...not so glamorous. I used to consider my outfits carefully, this time I will throw a couple of jumpers and some jeans into a bag and hope for the best. Henry, however, will be immaculately dressed all week. I've planned his outfits with the same military precision that I used to afford to my own. The joys of being a mummy!

It's all very exciting though. We'll be able to go for walks along the beach, browse the stalls at the local farmers' markets, drink wine by the fire and have pub lunches. We have a jigsaw packed and I've even packed a book...I seriously doubt Henry will allow me time to read it, but ever the optimist and all that.

The very best news of all is, Marmar and Parpar are joining us for 4 of the days which means we might just get to escape back to the posh hotel for breakfast or dinner, just the 2 of us. We'll be able to eat with 2 hands, have adult conversation in adult voices and we won't have to sing Nellie the Elephant once! Now that's what I call a treat.

2009, our first trip to Titchwell with a tiny puppy George

Looking windswept on the beach

Enjoying a quiet drink

Love love this

Possibly my favourite photo of all time. George being chased by a seal!

Another trip, another beach selfie

2011 Barkers

Best friends in Norfolk

A lot of vodka and tonics later.

The best things in life are free??

Now don't get me wrong, expensive things also make me happy. I love shopping. Handbags and shoes make me happy. I love eating out in expensive restaurants and drinking ridiculously priced cocktails. I enjoy posh holidays, days out and trips to Rockliffe spa.

The point I'm trying to make though, is none of that really matters. 

I was lying in bed at 4am this morning feeding Henry. The rain was lashing down outside and I could hear the wind howling. I was safe and warm and I was cuddling my beautiful boy, and in that moment, I don't think I could have been happier. Not if I was lying on a Caribbean beach, not if I was wearing a new pair of Louboutins. Some of the very best things in life are, in fact, totally free.

There is nothing more soul cleaning than a baby's laugh, full of total joy. There is nothing more beautiful than when they look up at you and their little face lights up.

You know that feeling where you have laughed so much your tummy hurts, your jaw aches and you are still chuckling away? There is nothing better than having a good laugh, especially if it's shared with others. I particularly enjoy a good giggle at completely inappropriate times. I love when you can see someone else's shoulders shaking and face contorted as they do their best not to laugh too. I've done some serious damage to my thumb as I've bitten it so hard as I've tried not to laugh. Good times.

One of my favourite things in the world is a cold walk with the dog. Brancaster beach is my very favourite. There's nothing nicer than a slow walk in the fresh air, dog running beside us as we chat about nothing in particular. I love how our cheeks are rosy when we get home and our toes sting as they warm up by the fire. 

Another favourite of mine is getting into a bed made with fresh, crisp sheets. Snuggling down in the duvet on a morning and eating breakfast in bed, rather than at the kitchen table, is an absolute treat, the best way to start a weekend in fact.

Other things that are guaranteed to put a smile on my face are cuddles, "I love you"s and uninterrupted sleep. Memories of happy times past and excitement for the future.

My family make me happier than anything else in the world. The smell of my beautiful baby, my husband's ability to make me laugh at any little thing, having a Muma and Parp that are always there, no matter what. Long chats with my Sister Nod, cuddles with my beautiful nephews and hilarious conversations with my gorgeous niece. Debates/arguments with my brothers, family dinners, totally unfair quizzes, muddy walks, snowball fights. These things make me happy. If I didn't have my family, no amount of holidays, shoes or handbags would make me smile the way that they do.

So yes, I do think the best things in life are free. Having said that, the second best things in life are very expensive!

If you're reading this, Mr B, it is not an excuse for you to buy me nothing for my birthday this year. Expensive gifts will be welcome, as always. Oh, and while I remember, our 3rd wedding anniversary is coming up and traditionally leather presents are given....did someone say Mulberry?

Just for a laugh...

My Daddy says he'll give me a job and I can go and work for him now!

Thanks Uncle Simon for my vest x

Happy Sundays

I've always loved Sundays but they've always been slightly tainted by 'that Sunday feeling' which usually kicked in around 6pm...the thought of a whole week of work loomed ahead, which was a depressing thought after a lovely weekend. I've loved Sundays since being off work, every single minute of them. They're more laid back than other days and we usually spend them with family and friends.

Today I had a lovely lie in (thanks Mr B) after a decent night's sleep (thanks Henry) so awoke feeling refreshed. We then met Marmar and Parpar and Henry's Godmother for a walk with our pack of crazy dogs. Afterwards we had an amazing roast dinner at Knitsey Farm. Roast pork followed by pear and almond sponge. What a treat. Tonight we are relaxing in our PJs, eating treats and loving life as a little family.

I hope you had a lovely Sunday too wherever you are x

For all you new mummies...

Is this just me?