Jake...aged almost 3 weeks!

I thought I'd share with you some up to date photos of little Jake. The last few weeks have been somewhat of a haze involving sleeping where we can, feeding, changing, feeding and changing again and again (!) washing, tidying...endless tidying and cuddling...lots of cuddling. He has already gained 1lb 1oz and now weighs a bouncing 8lb 7oz's!

Christmas has been wonderful this year and we celebrated it at home with Mum and Dad as has been our annual tradition since Joshua was born. Jake slept through a good deal of Christmas Day and Joshua and Grace got more presents than we know what to do with, such has been the generosity of our family and friends.

Jake has had a number of outings so far including a trip to the pantomine with his brother and sister to see Rapunzel which had us laughing our socks off while Jake slept through most of the performance in his sling, we've been to Joshua's nativity play, to town a number of times, to two restaurants where all the children behaved delightfully (wonders will never cease!) to several play centres and a friend's house for a quick introduction...thanks Claudia by the way for his fab red hat (as shown)...he wears it everywhere!

2012 has been a great 12 months not just for us but for the country as a whole with the Diamond Jubilee and huge success at the Olympics making it feel particularly special. I am so happy Jake got to be born in a year of such historical celebration...Hope you all have a brilliant New Year's Eve and see you in 2013!!

I thought I'd share with you some up to date photos of little Jake. The last few weeks have been somewhat of a haze involving sleeping where we can, feeding, changing, feeding and changing again and again (!) washing, tidying...endless tidying and cuddling...lots of cuddling. He has already gained 1lb 1oz and now weighs a bouncing 8lb 7oz's!

Christmas has been wonderful this year and we celebrated it at home with Mum and Dad as has been our annual tradition since Joshua was born. Jake slept through a good deal of Christmas Day and Joshua and Grace got more presents than we know what to do with, such has been the generosity of our family and friends.

Jake has had a number of outings so far including a trip to the pantomine with his brother and sister to see Rapunzel which had us laughing our socks off while Jake slept through most of the performance in his sling, we've been to Joshua's nativity play, to town a number of times, to two restaurants where all the children behaved delightfully (wonders will never cease!) to several play centres and a friend's house for a quick introduction...thanks Claudia by the way for his fab red hat (as shown)...he wears it everywhere!

2012 has been a great 12 months not just for us but for the country as a whole with the Diamond Jubilee and huge success at the Olympics making it feel particularly special. I am so happy Jake got to be born in a year of such historical celebration...Hope you all have a brilliant New Year's Eve and see you in 2013!!

Tozies fabulous baby slippers and pop on blanket

I was recently sent some fabulous 'Tozies' baby slippers and a pop on blanket for review by Cozie Warmers.

As I mentioned in my microwaveable slipper boots post, Cozie Warmers are a small family run business who specialise in making products to keep you and your little ones warm.

The first thing I noticed about both the fleece slippers and blanket was how incredibly soft they
felt - important when considering how sensitive a baby's skin can be.

Tozie slippers

What Cozie Warmers say:

"Baby Tozie slippers / soft shoes are unique and have been designed by ourselves to stay on babies feet and are probably the most comfortable baby slippers or shoes for toddlers you can buy. They are perfect for babies and toddlers as the soft breathable fleece fabric stretches gently to allow toes to spread and offers maximum flexibility when kicking and crawling.

Unique Tozie grips on the fleece soles combine to make a perfect non-slip sole which is ideal for toe-gripping babies. A gently elasticated ankle with front velcro fastening ensures a snug and perfect fit.   Easy to put on - fold down the back, slide foot in, snap the back up and fasten. Easy care Machine washable."

I opted to try out the 9-18 month size for the slippers as thought these would be a good age to test on for robustness! I tried them out on a couple of my friends older crawling/cruising babies and both parents agreed that they were a fab product, flexible, stayed on really well with a good grippy sole.    They come in a variety of colours too to suit your taste and baby. I am sure little Jake will get plenty of use out of his when the time is right - a definite thumbs up!

Pop on blanket

This blanket is gorgeous. It is so snuggly and warm, comes in a variety of fabric choices and looks great on too. There is a velcro fastening at the neck (far enough across that it would not rub baby's skin) and has little arm holes to keep arms warm. I can see this working well if you want to ensure some extra warmth to a sleeping baby without disturbing them too much whilst out and about. It's quick and easy to put on and the arms allow babies the freedom to stretch their arms and play whilst in their pushchair or car seat.

Features:

(1)  Sleeve ends which turn over to enclose the hands and keep them warm.

(2)  Large fold over top edge to keep baby's neck warm and snug.

(3)  Front pocket with loops for dummies or toys.

(4)  Inside foot pocket to keep baby's feet cosy.

(5)  Can also be used as a cushion by folding the Pop-on into its foot pocket.

Sizes range from newborn to 1 year or 1-3 years. 

For more information on these great products click here: Cozie Warmers

I was recently sent some fabulous 'Tozies' baby slippers and a pop on blanket for review by Cozie Warmers.

As I mentioned in my microwaveable slipper boots post, Cozie Warmers are a small family run business who specialise in making products to keep you and your little ones warm.

The first thing I noticed about both the fleece slippers and blanket was how incredibly soft they
felt - important when considering how sensitive a baby's skin can be.

Tozie slippers

What Cozie Warmers say:

"Baby Tozie slippers / soft shoes are unique and have been designed by ourselves to stay on babies feet and are probably the most comfortable baby slippers or shoes for toddlers you can buy. They are perfect for babies and toddlers as the soft breathable fleece fabric stretches gently to allow toes to spread and offers maximum flexibility when kicking and crawling.

Unique Tozie grips on the fleece soles combine to make a perfect non-slip sole which is ideal for toe-gripping babies. A gently elasticated ankle with front velcro fastening ensures a snug and perfect fit.   Easy to put on - fold down the back, slide foot in, snap the back up and fasten. Easy care Machine washable."

I opted to try out the 9-18 month size for the slippers as thought these would be a good age to test on for robustness! I tried them out on a couple of my friends older crawling/cruising babies and both parents agreed that they were a fab product, flexible, stayed on really well with a good grippy sole.    They come in a variety of colours too to suit your taste and baby. I am sure little Jake will get plenty of use out of his when the time is right - a definite thumbs up!

Pop on blanket

This blanket is gorgeous. It is so snuggly and warm, comes in a variety of fabric choices and looks great on too. There is a velcro fastening at the neck (far enough across that it would not rub baby's skin) and has little arm holes to keep arms warm. I can see this working well if you want to ensure some extra warmth to a sleeping baby without disturbing them too much whilst out and about. It's quick and easy to put on and the arms allow babies the freedom to stretch their arms and play whilst in their pushchair or car seat.

Features:

(1)  Sleeve ends which turn over to enclose the hands and keep them warm.

(2)  Large fold over top edge to keep baby's neck warm and snug.

(3)  Front pocket with loops for dummies or toys.

(4)  Inside foot pocket to keep baby's feet cosy.

(5)  Can also be used as a cushion by folding the Pop-on into its foot pocket.

Sizes range from newborn to 1 year or 1-3 years. 

For more information on these great products click here: Cozie Warmers

Hello baby...! Introducing Jake Alexander

So here we are on day 7 of Jake's little life in the world and what a whirlwind week it has been...

The night before his birth I did not sleep well. A mixture of excitement and nervousness caused me to wake regularly in anticipatation of what was to come. When it was eventually time to get up we awoke to a beautiful crisp frosty winter morning. Mum and Dad had stayed the night so they could help out as we hurriedly gathered our things and kissed our sleepy children goodbye knowing that today two would finally become three.

We had to be at the hospital early at 7.30 a.m. and on a slightly late arrival were shown straight to our lovely spacious room with 'ensuite' shower room, flat screen TV and gorgeous views. This was a world away from the old Pembury where you were given a bed on a ward. Your only privacy was a curtain to draw round you but all 'personal' conversations about your postnatal condition were there for all around to hear. Cringe..

I felt fairly relaxed as we watched breakfast television in between blood pressure checks and a visit from the anaesthetist whilst waiting for the midwife's big entrance to tell us it was 'time'. At around 10.40 a.m. she popped her head around the door and smiled that they were ready for me. We followed her down the corridor and into the lift, me in my gown and Brett in his scrubs. I was starting to feel nervous but tried to put any thoughts to one side and focussed on the excitement that the moment to meet our number 3 was finally upon us.

Once the anaesthetist had administered the spinal block I was laid down and taken through into theatre. It was a very strange feeling not being able to feel anything below my chest, reassuring on the one hand but unnerving on the other. For a few minutes at least I felt a wave of nerves and panic sweep over me and tears prickled in my eyes as I reached for Brett's hand for reassurance. He held it tightly and talked to me calmly about when our daughter Grace was born and how wonderful it had been and how we were about to experience the same moment. I took a deep breath and tried to relax.

People say that having a c-section is like having the washing up done in your stomach. I can honestly say I didn't actually feel a thing apart from perhaps some pressure and like someone was pushing a little on my chest. One thing I do remember clearly though is the moment I felt a weight lifted from my tummy which was the moment Jake was finally born at 11.38 a.m. weighing 7lb 6oz.

Brett did me proud by taking the first dramatic shot of him as he took his first breaths before he was weighed and swaddled for us to hold. These were very special moments and I am so glad we got to document them properly this time around.

The rest of our time in hospital was pretty relaxed. Brett came over early every morning and stayed all day and our parents brought the children late afternoon after school.  The first time Joshua and Grace met their little brother was so moving to me. They were so incredibly loving towards him and tender. They had been waiting so long for that first cuddle and Grace asked if we could keep him! They adore him so much.

We left the hospital on Friday afternoon. It was a very grey, wet and cold day as we arrived home at the same time as my parents arrived with Joshua and Grace. I waited till everyone was in the house before making my entrance with Jake.  It was lovely being home but as the children played boisterously around me I suddenly felt like the rooms had gotten smaller and I perched nervously on our ottoman clutching at Jake protectively, wishing I could put a glass box around us. Leaving hospital felt like leaving the calmness of the countryside and walking into the centre of New York!

On the weekend Brett's parents visited and my lovely friend Lynette dropped in for an hour on the Sunday. I was grateful when Brett took the children to a play centre late Sunday afternoon so I could enjoy a few much needed hours of calm and quiet while Jake slept.

So far Jake is proving to be a wonderful baby. It's early days and he sleeps ALOT. This works for me  (!) and I am loving bonding with him with lots of cuddles, kisses and feeding. It's safe to say I'm smitten and love how soft his hair and skin feels, how he smells and all the funny little noises he makes. We are muddling through. Brett has been amazing and pretty much does everything around the house for me and the children at the moment whilst I focus on the little man and making sure I still have time for lots of cuddles for Joshua and Grace.

I am really enjoying this time but am also wondering how on earth I will do it all once Brett gets back to work and I'm left to run the house, get the children to school and pre-school on time, feed them all, bath them, shower and dress myself, change all those nappies, wash all those clothes...oh and breathe.

I'm not going to worry about that right now though or I may well have a nervous breakdown thinking about it. So for now, I'll enjoy what each day has to bring and look forward to Christmas as a family of five. :)

For an intimate portrait of our first moments with Jake click here: First moments

So here we are on day 7 of Jake's little life in the world and what a whirlwind week it has been...

The night before his birth I did not sleep well. A mixture of excitement and nervousness caused me to wake regularly in anticipatation of what was to come. When it was eventually time to get up we awoke to a beautiful crisp frosty winter morning. Mum and Dad had stayed the night so they could help out as we hurriedly gathered our things and kissed our sleepy children goodbye knowing that today two would finally become three.

We had to be at the hospital early at 7.30 a.m. and on a slightly late arrival were shown straight to our lovely spacious room with 'ensuite' shower room, flat screen TV and gorgeous views. This was a world away from the old Pembury where you were given a bed on a ward. Your only privacy was a curtain to draw round you but all 'personal' conversations about your postnatal condition were there for all around to hear. Cringe..

I felt fairly relaxed as we watched breakfast television in between blood pressure checks and a visit from the anaesthetist whilst waiting for the midwife's big entrance to tell us it was 'time'. At around 10.40 a.m. she popped her head around the door and smiled that they were ready for me. We followed her down the corridor and into the lift, me in my gown and Brett in his scrubs. I was starting to feel nervous but tried to put any thoughts to one side and focussed on the excitement that the moment to meet our number 3 was finally upon us.

Once the anaesthetist had administered the spinal block I was laid down and taken through into theatre. It was a very strange feeling not being able to feel anything below my chest, reassuring on the one hand but unnerving on the other. For a few minutes at least I felt a wave of nerves and panic sweep over me and tears prickled in my eyes as I reached for Brett's hand for reassurance. He held it tightly and talked to me calmly about when our daughter Grace was born and how wonderful it had been and how we were about to experience the same moment. I took a deep breath and tried to relax.

People say that having a c-section is like having the washing up done in your stomach. I can honestly say I didn't actually feel a thing apart from perhaps some pressure and like someone was pushing a little on my chest. One thing I do remember clearly though is the moment I felt a weight lifted from my tummy which was the moment Jake was finally born at 11.38 a.m. weighing 7lb 6oz.

Brett did me proud by taking the first dramatic shot of him as he took his first breaths before he was weighed and swaddled for us to hold. These were very special moments and I am so glad we got to document them properly this time around.

The rest of our time in hospital was pretty relaxed. Brett came over early every morning and stayed all day and our parents brought the children late afternoon after school.  The first time Joshua and Grace met their little brother was so moving to me. They were so incredibly loving towards him and tender. They had been waiting so long for that first cuddle and Grace asked if we could keep him! They adore him so much.

We left the hospital on Friday afternoon. It was a very grey, wet and cold day as we arrived home at the same time as my parents arrived with Joshua and Grace. I waited till everyone was in the house before making my entrance with Jake.  It was lovely being home but as the children played boisterously around me I suddenly felt like the rooms had gotten smaller and I perched nervously on our ottoman clutching at Jake protectively, wishing I could put a glass box around us. Leaving hospital felt like leaving the calmness of the countryside and walking into the centre of New York!

On the weekend Brett's parents visited and my lovely friend Lynette dropped in for an hour on the Sunday. I was grateful when Brett took the children to a play centre late Sunday afternoon so I could enjoy a few much needed hours of calm and quiet while Jake slept.

So far Jake is proving to be a wonderful baby. It's early days and he sleeps ALOT. This works for me  (!) and I am loving bonding with him with lots of cuddles, kisses and feeding. It's safe to say I'm smitten and love how soft his hair and skin feels, how he smells and all the funny little noises he makes. We are muddling through. Brett has been amazing and pretty much does everything around the house for me and the children at the moment whilst I focus on the little man and making sure I still have time for lots of cuddles for Joshua and Grace.

I am really enjoying this time but am also wondering how on earth I will do it all once Brett gets back to work and I'm left to run the house, get the children to school and pre-school on time, feed them all, bath them, shower and dress myself, change all those nappies, wash all those clothes...oh and breathe.

I'm not going to worry about that right now though or I may well have a nervous breakdown thinking about it. So for now, I'll enjoy what each day has to bring and look forward to Christmas as a family of five. :)

For an intimate portrait of our first moments with Jake click here: First moments

Bye bye bump....!

Look how much we've grown!

So here we are, my last ever day as a pregnant woman...tomorrow will be the start of a whole new chapter in our lives as we finally get to meet baby.  This time tomorrow I'll be laying in my hospital bed staring at the face I've waited so long to meet. I am full of excitement at the prospect but have some understandable nerves too.  Once we've got the birth out the way and I know he is okay and that I'm okay, then I will relax.

My last day with bump has been a busy one.  I rushed to the supermarket to get a few last minute supplies, got the car cleaned and valeted, went to the studio for my final bump shoot, onto the hospital to get my bloods taken, drove to pick Joshua up from school, tidied the house while Brett took the kids swimming, ran to the post office to post a card for my cousin whose birthday is also tomorrow, drove twenty minutes back to the swimming pool because Brett left Joshua's coat in the changing room..grrrr...and then enjoyed a quick dinner with my parents and Brett here before settling down to write this post! Phew...

This pregnancy has overall been a wonderful one, one that I never thought I'd have and therefore have appreciated all the more. It has been made more special by watching my two children bond with bump and their growing excitement as the time for their little brother's arrival has grown ever closer. 

These are some of my most special memories from my pregnancy:

1. The moment I found out I was expecting...I never thought it would happen so very quickly and I remember the rush of excitement I felt as the digital display blinked a few times before 'pregnant' popped on the screen. I couldn't wait to tell Brett and rushed to the phone to tell him. He laughed in disbelief but was so happy.
   
   
2. Telling my parents. My Mum literally squealed with happiness and even jumped up and down on the spot! Another grandchild she had never expected.
   
   
3. Telling our children. We decided to wait until we'd had the 12 week scan and knew all was okay before telling them. We sat them on the sofa and broke the happy news. Joshua in particular being older beamed with excitement before throwing his arms around me and asking if he could 'cuddle the baby' in my tummy. 
   
   
4. Telling the world finally! It was such a relief to be able to tell people that I was having a baby so I didn't have to keep hiding under baggy clothes.  I was over the first trimester and could start to enjoy with freedom my changing shape and embrace it.
   
   
5. Feeling the baby start to move. This started to happen at around 15 weeks and was such a wonderful reassuring feeling.
   
   
6. The 20 week scan with the children. I knew Joshua wanted a brother so when I found out we were having another boy I was delighted for him. I was the only one who knew in the room as the sonographer whispered it to me. It was lovely seeing my husband's face too as I told first him and then the children over coffee and muffins.
   
   
7. The nightly kisses on my tummy and cuddles from the children as they said their goodnight to baby and their awe at feeling him move. They have already fallen in love with him and although they can't see him he is already part of their world and their family. Joshua looked up at me one day and said "I know I haven't met him yet Mummy, but I already love him".
   
   
8. My weekly trips to the studio to photograph bump. I am so happy I did this and it's been wonderful to document bump's journey.  The studio has felt like home throughout my pregnancy and have been a constant highlight in my week. Thank you Paul for all your hard work...it's been so much fun!
   
   
9. Sitting with Brett on the sofa with his hand on my tummy feeling the baby move. I remember this experience with him and all my babies vividly. Funny how you never stop feeling amazed.
   
   
10. Reigniting my passion for writing and starting this blog. I have loved every minute of it and the stories I have recorded will be nice to look back on in years to come for myself and my children...it's easy to forget. But this is not the end of the blog, just the end of a chapter in it!
    

What I won't miss...!

I won't miss the early stages of pregnancy! Or the tiredness, the ligament pains, the hormonal ups and downs, the inability to comfortably put my shoes on and the growing lack of outfit choices, the 'I've carried a watermelon' feeling, the heartburn, the braxton hicks, the pelvic gurdle pains I've suffered in the last trimester and particularly in the last two days.

But that said, I'd take them all on again for all the wonderful things this pregnancy has allowed me to experience too. What can I say...it's been emotional.

Thanks to all of you who have followed my blog so far and my pregnancy. I look forward to introducing baby to you very soon!  For now though...goodnight and wish me luck! x

Look how much we've grown!

So here we are, my last ever day as a pregnant woman...tomorrow will be the start of a whole new chapter in our lives as we finally get to meet baby.  This time tomorrow I'll be laying in my hospital bed staring at the face I've waited so long to meet. I am full of excitement at the prospect but have some understandable nerves too.  Once we've got the birth out the way and I know he is okay and that I'm okay, then I will relax.

My last day with bump has been a busy one.  I rushed to the supermarket to get a few last minute supplies, got the car cleaned and valeted, went to the studio for my final bump shoot, onto the hospital to get my bloods taken, drove to pick Joshua up from school, tidied the house while Brett took the kids swimming, ran to the post office to post a card for my cousin whose birthday is also tomorrow, drove twenty minutes back to the swimming pool because Brett left Joshua's coat in the changing room..grrrr...and then enjoyed a quick dinner with my parents and Brett here before settling down to write this post! Phew...

This pregnancy has overall been a wonderful one, one that I never thought I'd have and therefore have appreciated all the more. It has been made more special by watching my two children bond with bump and their growing excitement as the time for their little brother's arrival has grown ever closer. 

These are some of my most special memories from my pregnancy:

1. The moment I found out I was expecting...I never thought it would happen so very quickly and I remember the rush of excitement I felt as the digital display blinked a few times before 'pregnant' popped on the screen. I couldn't wait to tell Brett and rushed to the phone to tell him. He laughed in disbelief but was so happy.
   
   
2. Telling my parents. My Mum literally squealed with happiness and even jumped up and down on the spot! Another grandchild she had never expected.
   
   
3. Telling our children. We decided to wait until we'd had the 12 week scan and knew all was okay before telling them. We sat them on the sofa and broke the happy news. Joshua in particular being older beamed with excitement before throwing his arms around me and asking if he could 'cuddle the baby' in my tummy. 
   
   
4. Telling the world finally! It was such a relief to be able to tell people that I was having a baby so I didn't have to keep hiding under baggy clothes.  I was over the first trimester and could start to enjoy with freedom my changing shape and embrace it.
   
   
5. Feeling the baby start to move. This started to happen at around 15 weeks and was such a wonderful reassuring feeling.
   
   
6. The 20 week scan with the children. I knew Joshua wanted a brother so when I found out we were having another boy I was delighted for him. I was the only one who knew in the room as the sonographer whispered it to me. It was lovely seeing my husband's face too as I told first him and then the children over coffee and muffins.
   
   
7. The nightly kisses on my tummy and cuddles from the children as they said their goodnight to baby and their awe at feeling him move. They have already fallen in love with him and although they can't see him he is already part of their world and their family. Joshua looked up at me one day and said "I know I haven't met him yet Mummy, but I already love him".
   
   
8. My weekly trips to the studio to photograph bump. I am so happy I did this and it's been wonderful to document bump's journey.  The studio has felt like home throughout my pregnancy and have been a constant highlight in my week. Thank you Paul for all your hard work...it's been so much fun!
   
   
9. Sitting with Brett on the sofa with his hand on my tummy feeling the baby move. I remember this experience with him and all my babies vividly. Funny how you never stop feeling amazed.
   
   
10. Reigniting my passion for writing and starting this blog. I have loved every minute of it and the stories I have recorded will be nice to look back on in years to come for myself and my children...it's easy to forget. But this is not the end of the blog, just the end of a chapter in it!
    

What I won't miss...!

I won't miss the early stages of pregnancy! Or the tiredness, the ligament pains, the hormonal ups and downs, the inability to comfortably put my shoes on and the growing lack of outfit choices, the 'I've carried a watermelon' feeling, the heartburn, the braxton hicks, the pelvic gurdle pains I've suffered in the last trimester and particularly in the last two days.

But that said, I'd take them all on again for all the wonderful things this pregnancy has allowed me to experience too. What can I say...it's been emotional.

Thanks to all of you who have followed my blog so far and my pregnancy. I look forward to introducing baby to you very soon!  For now though...goodnight and wish me luck! x

Braised Red Cabbage with Apple - a perfect Winter dish!

A couple of weeks ago myself and another friend had dinner at my lovely friend Claudia's house.  I love a good girly night - a real luxury for any mother, where you can actually have a conversation and get to finish your sentences without the constant and predictable interruptions from your collective brood!

The perfect girls night for me includes good company, good food, good wine and of course chocolate - all of which were in plentiful supply! Claudia served up a simple but extremely yummy winter warmer of bangers and mash complete with some totally amazing braised red cabbage! Ok maybe I'm getting a little over excited about 'cabbage' here (I don't get out much these days!) but it really was some of the best I've ever tasted and so had to share the fabulous recipe with you...with no personal credit taken!

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 red cabbage, shredded
1 red onion, peeled and chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 cubes of chicken stock to make a pint
1 large cooking apple, peeled, cored and chopped
Generous sprinkle of ground 'allspice' (available at all good supermarkets)
2 tablespoons of brown sugar
Salt and pepper to season

Directions

1. In a large heavy saucepan or casserole dish heat the oil and add the chopped red onion and minced garlic. 
2. Cook for a couple of minutes over a medium heat until softened.
3. Add the shredded red cabbage (having removed the tougher outer leaves and core) and coat in the oil and onion mix, cooking for 5 minutes or until the red cabbage has softened.
4. Stir in the pint of chicken stock and brown sugar.
5. Add a generous sprinkle of allspice.
6. Cover and simmer on a medium heat for around 20 minutes stirring occasionally.
7. Add the chopped apple, stir and re-cover.
8. Reduce heat and cook for a further 10 minutes or until the liquid has evaporated.
9. Season with salt and pepper.
10. Serve and enjoy! 

This is a really great winter dish that smells as delicious as it tastes and one I am definitely putting on our Christmas dinner menu!

A couple of weeks ago myself and another friend had dinner at my lovely friend Claudia's house.  I love a good girly night - a real luxury for any mother, where you can actually have a conversation and get to finish your sentences without the constant and predictable interruptions from your collective brood!

The perfect girls night for me includes good company, good food, good wine and of course chocolate - all of which were in plentiful supply! Claudia served up a simple but extremely yummy winter warmer of bangers and mash complete with some totally amazing braised red cabbage! Ok maybe I'm getting a little over excited about 'cabbage' here (I don't get out much these days!) but it really was some of the best I've ever tasted and so had to share the fabulous recipe with you...with no personal credit taken!

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons of olive oil
1 red cabbage, shredded
1 red onion, peeled and chopped
2 cloves of garlic, minced
2 cubes of chicken stock to make a pint
1 large cooking apple, peeled, cored and chopped
Generous sprinkle of ground 'allspice' (available at all good supermarkets)
2 tablespoons of brown sugar
Salt and pepper to season

Directions

1. In a large heavy saucepan or casserole dish heat the oil and add the chopped red onion and minced garlic. 
2. Cook for a couple of minutes over a medium heat until softened.
3. Add the shredded red cabbage (having removed the tougher outer leaves and core) and coat in the oil and onion mix, cooking for 5 minutes or until the red cabbage has softened.
4. Stir in the pint of chicken stock and brown sugar.
5. Add a generous sprinkle of allspice.
6. Cover and simmer on a medium heat for around 20 minutes stirring occasionally.
7. Add the chopped apple, stir and re-cover.
8. Reduce heat and cook for a further 10 minutes or until the liquid has evaporated.
9. Season with salt and pepper.
10. Serve and enjoy! 

This is a really great winter dish that smells as delicious as it tastes and one I am definitely putting on our Christmas dinner menu!

Seraphine Maternity Wear

Clothes by Seraphine Maternity

I have recently been on the hunt for some stylish nursing tops that didn't scream frumpy mummy!  Easier said than done it seemed having trawled the internet tirelessly and coming across a fairly uniform range of long sleeved v-neck t-shirt tops. Yawn...

It was then that I discovered Seraphine. Seraphine is the leading European brand of chic maternity clothes and is loved by soon to be mummies and celebrities alike.  They have won numerous awards including 'Best Maternity Fashion Retailer', 'Best Maternity Evening Retailer' and 'Best Maternity Workwear' to name a few.

I loved their nursing tops as clearly some real thought had gone into the design of their range. I chose the lovely grey wrap front breastfeeding jumper (as worn above) as thought it would be perfect for discreet feeding when out in public with the help of the open drape front panel designed to keep your modesty in tact! It will also prove a more flattering look while getting back in shape. The panel cleverly conceals a breastfeeding friendly opening to allow for simple nursing and is opened easily via a three popper system.

The super soft bamboo knit can be worn during pregnancy as a maternity top as well as post baby. It will be perfect under a chunky knit cardigan in the Winter or on its own in the Spring.

I also couldn't resist their black knitted zip front cape which I have loved wrapping up in during the colder weather we've been having.  It's made in a luxe lambs wool blend and feels wonderfully soft and elegant to wear. It's also a great length for covering your hips and thighs. I can't wait to wear it with my skinny jeans after junior is born but you could also wear it over smart trousers if you fancied a more tailored look. The cape also features a leather and metal detailing at the neckline which makes it look and feel luxurious. It has a gorgeous grey trim to give it a fashionable edge and the cut is very flattering for bump.  Sienna Miller also apparently bought this very cape during her pregnancy so if it's good enough for Sienna....it's good enough for me!

Don't just take my word for it though, you can check out their beautiful range of maternity clothes by clicking here: Seraphine.com

Happy shopping!

Clothes by Seraphine Maternity

I have recently been on the hunt for some stylish nursing tops that didn't scream frumpy mummy!  Easier said than done it seemed having trawled the internet tirelessly and coming across a fairly uniform range of long sleeved v-neck t-shirt tops. Yawn...

It was then that I discovered Seraphine. Seraphine is the leading European brand of chic maternity clothes and is loved by soon to be mummies and celebrities alike.  They have won numerous awards including 'Best Maternity Fashion Retailer', 'Best Maternity Evening Retailer' and 'Best Maternity Workwear' to name a few.

I loved their nursing tops as clearly some real thought had gone into the design of their range. I chose the lovely grey wrap front breastfeeding jumper (as worn above) as thought it would be perfect for discreet feeding when out in public with the help of the open drape front panel designed to keep your modesty in tact! It will also prove a more flattering look while getting back in shape. The panel cleverly conceals a breastfeeding friendly opening to allow for simple nursing and is opened easily via a three popper system.

The super soft bamboo knit can be worn during pregnancy as a maternity top as well as post baby. It will be perfect under a chunky knit cardigan in the Winter or on its own in the Spring.

I also couldn't resist their black knitted zip front cape which I have loved wrapping up in during the colder weather we've been having.  It's made in a luxe lambs wool blend and feels wonderfully soft and elegant to wear. It's also a great length for covering your hips and thighs. I can't wait to wear it with my skinny jeans after junior is born but you could also wear it over smart trousers if you fancied a more tailored look. The cape also features a leather and metal detailing at the neckline which makes it look and feel luxurious. It has a gorgeous grey trim to give it a fashionable edge and the cut is very flattering for bump.  Sienna Miller also apparently bought this very cape during her pregnancy so if it's good enough for Sienna....it's good enough for me!

Don't just take my word for it though, you can check out their beautiful range of maternity clothes by clicking here: Seraphine.com

Happy shopping!

2 down...1 to go! Only 6 days left...

So it's less than a week to go until baby's arrival and we're now looking fairly ship shape.  All that's left to do is finish packing my bag, give the car a thorough clean and fit the car seat. Well I say that's all, there's also all the Christmas shopping to finish and wrap, the tree to get out and decorate and a trip to see Father Christmas to cross off!

I am actually quite looking forward to my two night stay in the new Tunbridge Wells Hospital Pembury (as it's now known) with its private rooms and flatscreen TV's. A world away from the old Pembury hospital where I was forced to spend a week in the communal ward after having Joshua with what felt like a hundred crying babies including my own, snoring new mothers (no doubt brought on by their own exhaustion), the early morning and unwelcome interruptions from the cleaners vacuuming around my bed and the constant flow of visitors onto the ward. These inevitably included an influx of over excited toddlers meeting their new siblings who also loved to make as much noise as possible in the 'play area' opposite my cubicle while I silently wept into my pillow with the curtains drawn unsociably around me! No wonder I ditched pain relief in favour of a natural birth at Crowborough Birthing Centre for my daughter's birth...even labour seemed less painful to me than being stuck on a ward again!

So three children in total and what will be three very different birth experiences. Joshua's was rather dramatic with an early emergency induction due to him being considered too small and having not grown or gained weight for a number of weeks in the last stages of my pregnancy unexplainably. He seemed tiny when he was born weighing 5lb 2oz. He had to be resuscitated at birth and we were placed in the transitional care unit for one miserable week before finally being discharged. Looking at him now you would never know of his fragile beginning...

My comparatively and delightfully chunky little daughter weighed a healthy 7lb 6oz when she arrived (looking a bit like a squashed tomato!). My labour with Grace was a relative joy compared to my first experience. I had a short labour at home with my parents on hand, while still managing to watch one of my favourite TV shows, eat my dinner and take a bath. Brett made it home from London just in time for us to make the dash to the birthing centre with my Mum in hot pursuit with towels in the car 'just in case'....Grace was born only twenty eight minutes after our arrival so we literally got there in the nick of time.

This time I am welcoming what I hope will be a much more controlled experience without too many surprises...I'm praying the sonographer was correct in her conclusion that we are having a boy otherwise we'll have a baby daughter without a chosen name sleeping in a blue nursery with a selection of cute boys clothes to choose from! 

Unless I hear otherwise from the hospital to say they've had to change the date, it's funny to think that in only 6 days I will finally get to see the face of this little wriggler in my tummy.  Can't wait!

So it's less than a week to go until baby's arrival and we're now looking fairly ship shape.  All that's left to do is finish packing my bag, give the car a thorough clean and fit the car seat. Well I say that's all, there's also all the Christmas shopping to finish and wrap, the tree to get out and decorate and a trip to see Father Christmas to cross off!

I am actually quite looking forward to my two night stay in the new Tunbridge Wells Hospital Pembury (as it's now known) with its private rooms and flatscreen TV's. A world away from the old Pembury hospital where I was forced to spend a week in the communal ward after having Joshua with what felt like a hundred crying babies including my own, snoring new mothers (no doubt brought on by their own exhaustion), the early morning and unwelcome interruptions from the cleaners vacuuming around my bed and the constant flow of visitors onto the ward. These inevitably included an influx of over excited toddlers meeting their new siblings who also loved to make as much noise as possible in the 'play area' opposite my cubicle while I silently wept into my pillow with the curtains drawn unsociably around me! No wonder I ditched pain relief in favour of a natural birth at Crowborough Birthing Centre for my daughter's birth...even labour seemed less painful to me than being stuck on a ward again!

So three children in total and what will be three very different birth experiences. Joshua's was rather dramatic with an early emergency induction due to him being considered too small and having not grown or gained weight for a number of weeks in the last stages of my pregnancy unexplainably. He seemed tiny when he was born weighing 5lb 2oz. He had to be resuscitated at birth and we were placed in the transitional care unit for one miserable week before finally being discharged. Looking at him now you would never know of his fragile beginning...

My comparatively and delightfully chunky little daughter weighed a healthy 7lb 6oz when she arrived (looking a bit like a squashed tomato!). My labour with Grace was a relative joy compared to my first experience. I had a short labour at home with my parents on hand, while still managing to watch one of my favourite TV shows, eat my dinner and take a bath. Brett made it home from London just in time for us to make the dash to the birthing centre with my Mum in hot pursuit with towels in the car 'just in case'....Grace was born only twenty eight minutes after our arrival so we literally got there in the nick of time.

This time I am welcoming what I hope will be a much more controlled experience without too many surprises...I'm praying the sonographer was correct in her conclusion that we are having a boy otherwise we'll have a baby daughter without a chosen name sleeping in a blue nursery with a selection of cute boys clothes to choose from! 

Unless I hear otherwise from the hospital to say they've had to change the date, it's funny to think that in only 6 days I will finally get to see the face of this little wriggler in my tummy.  Can't wait!

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Éclait Gift Set Review

I literally couldn't be without my Touche Éclait highlighter.  It is an amazing light reflecting under eye concealer which has helped me disguise many a broken nights sleep with the children!  It has a light but creamy texture and does not dry out the delicate area under your eyes.

YSL are currently running a promotion where you can get this beautiful gift set containing a Touche Éclait highlighter along with the amazing Luxurious Mascara for a False Lash Effect and a 15ml Forever Youth Liberator serum. The items come wrapped in this elegant black makeup bag embroidered with the YSL logo on the front and a rather alluring gold tassel zip chain. Great for keeping your makeup in!

I hadn't tried the mascara before but had heard good things about it and it certainly lives up to its reputation. The wand is fabulous and the mascara went on really well leaving me with lovely long lashes and no clumping.  Apparently it's also weather proof (as opposed to waterproof) so hopefully no panda eyes on a rainy day - although I'm yet to test this theory!

I have only had chance to try out the Forever serum once so far but it did make my skin feel soft and hydrated after use. I have since read some fantastic reviews though and this is what YSL themselves have to say:

FOREVER YOUTH LIBERATOR is the 1st anti-ageing skincare by Yves Saint Laurent containing the Glycanactif™ complex, a combination of 3 glycans, to help stimulate skin's youthful capacities at the 3 levels of the skin.

SERUM

This elixir has the highest concentration of Glycanactif™ in the range to stimulate¹ regeneration deep within the skin and boost youth- promoting functions.

Visible results²: From the 1st dose, the skin looks more uniform and luminous. In just 7 days, the skin feels transformed: smoother, firmer and more plump. After 1 month, the skin feels tighter as if lifted and wrinkles appear reduced. The skin looks visibly younger.

2 out 3 women chose to give up their usual serum³. 

The gift set would make a perfect and luxurious Christmas gift or as a treat for yourself and can be found in most major department stores. It is normally priced at £48.00 but Debenhams have just reduced it to £43.20.  For details: click here

Available while stocks last!

I literally couldn't be without my Touche Éclait highlighter.  It is an amazing light reflecting under eye concealer which has helped me disguise many a broken nights sleep with the children!  It has a light but creamy texture and does not dry out the delicate area under your eyes.

YSL are currently running a promotion where you can get this beautiful gift set containing a Touche Éclait highlighter along with the amazing Luxurious Mascara for a False Lash Effect and a 15ml Forever Youth Liberator serum. The items come wrapped in this elegant black makeup bag embroidered with the YSL logo on the front and a rather alluring gold tassel zip chain. Great for keeping your makeup in!

I hadn't tried the mascara before but had heard good things about it and it certainly lives up to its reputation. The wand is fabulous and the mascara went on really well leaving me with lovely long lashes and no clumping.  Apparently it's also weather proof (as opposed to waterproof) so hopefully no panda eyes on a rainy day - although I'm yet to test this theory!

I have only had chance to try out the Forever serum once so far but it did make my skin feel soft and hydrated after use. I have since read some fantastic reviews though and this is what YSL themselves have to say:

FOREVER YOUTH LIBERATOR is the 1st anti-ageing skincare by Yves Saint Laurent containing the Glycanactif™ complex, a combination of 3 glycans, to help stimulate skin's youthful capacities at the 3 levels of the skin.

SERUM

This elixir has the highest concentration of Glycanactif™ in the range to stimulate¹ regeneration deep within the skin and boost youth- promoting functions.

Visible results²: From the 1st dose, the skin looks more uniform and luminous. In just 7 days, the skin feels transformed: smoother, firmer and more plump. After 1 month, the skin feels tighter as if lifted and wrinkles appear reduced. The skin looks visibly younger.

2 out 3 women chose to give up their usual serum³. 

The gift set would make a perfect and luxurious Christmas gift or as a treat for yourself and can be found in most major department stores. It is normally priced at £48.00 but Debenhams have just reduced it to £43.20.  For details: click here

Available while stocks last!