A resolution to be proud of

I posted this exactly a year ago today, I can't believe how quickly time has flown by. I'm so proud of myself for sticking with blogging for a whole year and I'm so glad that I have recorded memories to look back on in years to come. I love looking back now, so can't imagine how wonderful it will be in 40 years time when I can look back on them with my grown up son and perhaps even grandchildren. The Internet is a wonderful thing sometimes. I'm glad that I was able to record the honest truth, day by day, of what our life was like in 2014. I haven't silver plated anything, I wrote about days where all I wanted to do was stay in bed and cry (usually due to sheer exhaustion) and I wrote about days where the fierce and intense love that I felt for my little boy just took my breath away. That's the joys of motherhood, especially that first year, it's a huge mix of emotions, a rollercoaster full of laughter, tears, tantrums, smiles and so much love. I'm so glad that I could capture that in a blog. I can't believe how much I've forgotten about having a newborn baby, how much I don't remember about my labour. I don't remember how we went about weaning Henry or how I really felt about going back to work; there is so much I'd have forgotten if it weren't for this blog.

 I thought that when it came to 2015 I'd probably stop blogging. I saw it as a year long project that I wanted to stick with until the end of the year, but I can't see that happening now. I love that our holidays are recorded and documented, birthdays and Christmases are photographed and written about, it's like I'm creating a huge journal for my family to look back on in the future. I have a couple of books upstairs that my mum made when I was younger after our two Disney holidays in Florida. I love looking at them, seeing the photos, reading about what we got up to. And ultimately that's all that this blog is, just in digital form. In 2015 we have more adventures planned, holidays, trips out. Henry will meet more milestones, I will experience new emotions as a mummy, I'm sure. I'm hoping that 2016 will involve a sibling for Henry, so it'll be nice to record how I'm preparing my body for that...and how I'm enjoying a few months of not being pregnant or breastfeeding (hopefully by the latter part of 2015). Thinking a couple of years ahead, I'd love to be able to record my next pregnancy for our next child. It's such a shame that Henry's part of the blog only starts from him being 3 months old; how lovely it would have been to have had weekly bump updates and the like. Hopefully next time. 

I also feel connected somehow to the followers of this blog. It's had almost 30,000 page views this year which is just incredible. I never ever expected that to happen and it's not something I try to dwell on when I write. Ultimately this is my diary and it's written for me and for Henry when he's older, but it's lovely to share our lives with so many people from around the world. I don't tend to look at the blog stats too much, but one thing that always catches my attention is the different countries where my blog is being read: from the Ukraine to Israel, Iraq to Australia, Canada to Poland. Thank you all so very much for reading this year, here's to the next lot of adventures in 2015. I wish you all a very happy and healthy year.

Bee x

(I've written this while Henry's been down for his morning nap...I should have been ironing....never mind!)

2014....an overview

This time last year I posted an overview of my year here and I thought it would be nice to do the same thing again. I can't believe I've been blogging for a whole year today; this has to be the only resolution I've ever kept for an entire year. Anyway, he's a summary of our year (I've stuck to just pictures of our little family, I know other people may not be keen on having their photos posted on the Internet. We do have friends and other family, honest!)

Tucked up warm on a winters walk

Norfolk, February 2014

First ever food - puréed carrot

Afternoon tea, just loving being his mummy.

A horrible reaction to milk, one of the battles we've had in 2014

Sitting up at 5 months

What a lovely place to sit

On holiday, Spain May 2014

Our faces say it all 

This year was full of napping and snuggles

Lots of paddling pool time 

Beautiful walks 

Fun with mummy 

A very special 1st birthday 

Kisses for Donald

Disneyland, October 2014

Magical Christmas memories 

A very happy Christmas 

What a year, I'm so excited to see what the next will bring us.

Lunch date

This morning my little one and I were up early so we went sale shopping bright and early. We got some really good bargains and took a few Christmas presents back to exchange for different sizes. I bought so much stuff in age 2-3 for next winter and I can't get over the fact that I'm buying for a little boy now, not a baby. How sad. I actually bought a couple of things that he already has in bigger sizes because I love them so much, and when they're less than half price it's hard not to! Monsoon and Mothercare both had fab sales, Marks and Spencer and Next were both looking pretty bare but I bought some lovely jumpers in Next on Boxing Day so I've done pretty well this year. It seems silly to pay over £15 for a Christmas jumper next year when I can pay £7 now and just store it away until the winter. I do love a bargain. I also got Henry some new shoes in Clarks, he's now a size 4 and a half....my big growing boy.

Anyway after our shopping we went to Nando's for lunch and it's the first time I've ever eaten out on my own with Henry. I loved it. Just me and my gorgeous little man. I have to say the conversation was a bit one sided but Henry was so well behaved and loved his chicken and corn as usual. I just can't believe how old he is and how I can just take him out for lunch. It seems no time at all since we had to juggle a crying baby between us as we ate one handed, or when I'd have to wear breastfeeding friendly clothes for lunches out, knowing that a boob would be required at some point during the meal. To be fair, I do miss the days where he'd fall asleep and we could eat our desserts in peace! Oh well, you can't have it all, can you?

A poorly Christmas

We had a really lovely Christmas, sorry I've been a bit absent on the blog, but I felt a bit uncomfortable writing about being away from home...you never really know who's reading. We're home now and had a really magical Christmas in sunny Essex. Spending Christmas with young children is just the best and we enjoyed Henry so much this year. As lovely as it was last year, our 3 month old baby wasn't as enthusiastic as we were. Unfortunately poor old Henry has been in the wars this past week; in the last 10 days he's had chicken pox, a chest infection, ear infection, diarrhoea, a cold and now conjunctivitis too! On top of that, I think he's teething too, poor lamb. We've spent the day in our PJs and he's had loads of milk and not a lot of food...a sure sign that he's not himself. The good thing about babies is they bounce back pretty quickly so I'm hoping with a good night's sleep (yeah right!), we'll have our happy little chap back in the morning.

Jumper boy

I love dressing Henry. I always thought boys' clothes were pretty boring (and let's be honest, they are compared to tutus and patterned tights) but I surprised myself at how much I enjoy shopping for Henry. This autumn and winter he's had so many gorgeous jumpers, I thought I'd share a few of my favourites. Most of them are gifts and he actually received some more gorgeous ones for Christmas which I'm going to exchange for a bigger size for next winter; he has so many it seems a shame for them not to be worn!! In fact, I've just looked at these photos and realised I only actually bought 1 of the 9 in the picture, what kind family and friends our little pigwidgeon must have.

From top left:

Teddy tank top- Next

Owl jumper - Monsoon 

Bear jumper - Next

Fair Isle cardigan - Tesco

Penguin jumper - White Company

Fox jumper - Primark

Pigeon jumper - Monsoon

Stag jumper - White Company

Snowman tank top - Next

We do lots of Henry's clothes shopping in Sainsburys and other cheaper places, but we do like to buy special pieces in places like Monsoon and The White Company too. My brother even bought Henry a Stella McCartney top for Christmas! He's definitely better dressed than his mummy and daddy!

Blogmas Fail - Day 24

Well Blogmas was a massive fail, apologies to anyone who was checking for updates. I've been enjoying lots of technology free time, enjoying precious moments with Henry and preparing for the big day tomorrow. Today was my mum's birthday so it's been a manic one and I've just climbed into bed after sorting stockings and presents. Santa's mince pie and brandy has been left out and there's a carrot ready for Rudolph too. I'm beyond excited for tomorrow; it'll be loud, busy, manic and I'll probably be ready for bed by 7pm, but that's what Christmases with children are all about and I can't wait. Until I do a proper Christmas update, here are a few photos of me and my little love over the last few days. 

...and chill! - Blogmas Day 21

It's been a long term at work but Christmas week is finally here. Baby is in bed and I'm eating Oreos, drinking wine and watching tv in peace. Absolute perfection.

(I'm afraid there's no advent calendar updates for a few days. I've left it at home so will have to get Mr B to bring it in a few days time.)