Well, it's official! I'm 38 weeks pregnant which means that any day now I could have a new baby! I'm extremely excited to meet my little one but at the same time I don't think that it feels real sometimes that I am going to have a baby. Just about everything is ready, baby clothes are washed, bags are packed and family and friends are on standby to look after Livylu... all I need now is for baby to be ready to make a move!
I'm only allowed to go 12 days over, which means that by the 17th of August I will absolutely have a baby. There are a few problems with this though. First being that I'm extremely impatient and will probably go nuts once my due date hits, second- my Birthday is on the 16th and I don't want to be in the hospital or preparing to go to the hospital on my birthday and third - my parents come on the 5th for 2 weeks, which means that they go home on the 18th... they could potentially miss meeting their grandchild!
I belong to an online birth board and a number of ladies on there have been talking about ways to induce labor naturally. I've done a little of my own research into this and am still both very skeptical and wary about some of these methods. They range from aromatherapy to eating certain foods. Some are simply Old Wives tales and some have medical backing. I must say that I am more inclined to try to Old Wives tales than some of the others because I don't see them as potentially harmful or even possible. For this reason I've had curry for dinner the past 2 nights! Delicious, but so far ineffective.
Some of the other methods I've read about include:
Aromatherapy
Certain essential oils are meant to help induce labor. These include Clary Sage, jasmine and lavender
Raspberry Leaf Tea
Is meant to help by softening the cervix and preparing the uterus, it is said to make labor quicker and less painful
Nipple stimulation
I believe is meant to release a chemical in the body called oxytocin which is said to encourage contractions
Sex
Yes, apparently the way the baby got there in the first place is also supposed to help and get it out! Not only can an orgasm help to start uterine contractions by causing the release of oxytocin but semen contains prostaglandins, which are said to help ripen the cervix.
Eating Spicy foods
The theory behind this one says that the spicy foods will irritate the intestines causing them to go into spasm, because of the proximity of the intestines to the uterus this could help to start contractions.
I am at the point now where I am quite happy to allow things to progress naturally without too much encouragement. Perhaps in another 2 weeks I'll start trying a few of them...
Saturday, 23 July 2011
Sunday, 26 June 2011
Am I in labor?
Ok, so yes this is my second baby but last time I was induced. I didn't have any of the worries about where my waters would break and how I would get to the hospital so this time it's freaking me out. I like to have a plan and know how things will pan out and while I know this is completely impossible with something like a natural birth I still want to know how it's going to happen.
The thing is, even when I was being induced I didn't realize that the period-like pains I was experiencing were contractions. I had read books and atteneded the antenatal classes but I still didn't think anything of it.
So now everytime I get a twinge I start wondering "Is this it?" The last thing I want to do is take numerous unnecessary trips to the hospital but at the same time I want to make sure that I get there in plenty of time.
Because I will be treated for Group B strep when I go into labor my midwife has advised me to call the hospital when I go into labor and to head to the hospital when my contractions are 15 minutes apart. Ok, so there's a plan but unfortunately I'm not very good about keeping track of things... like my period for example. Some people know when theirs will come down to the hour, I usually have about a 7 day window of when I expect it. This very problem led to my midwife and I having conflicting ideas of when baby would be due... I am happy to say that the dating scan backed up my guesstimate. I suppose that I'll have to organize myself and make sure that I am able to time my contractions when the time comes, I know it will give me peace of mind and probably help me get there in time and avoid giving birth to my baby in the hospital parking lot.
Thankfully I've found some great tools to help track contractions. For those of us who have iphones there is a fab app that only costs £0.59 which will time your contractions for you. Unfortunately my husband has decided that this ingenious piece of technology does not warrant buying me an iphone... I'm still trying though. So, after some research I have found this:
http://www.thebump.com/calculators/contraction.aspx
a contraction calculator available on the internet. Now all I have to do is make sure that I am near a computer when I go into labor!
The thing is, even when I was being induced I didn't realize that the period-like pains I was experiencing were contractions. I had read books and atteneded the antenatal classes but I still didn't think anything of it.
So now everytime I get a twinge I start wondering "Is this it?" The last thing I want to do is take numerous unnecessary trips to the hospital but at the same time I want to make sure that I get there in plenty of time.
Because I will be treated for Group B strep when I go into labor my midwife has advised me to call the hospital when I go into labor and to head to the hospital when my contractions are 15 minutes apart. Ok, so there's a plan but unfortunately I'm not very good about keeping track of things... like my period for example. Some people know when theirs will come down to the hour, I usually have about a 7 day window of when I expect it. This very problem led to my midwife and I having conflicting ideas of when baby would be due... I am happy to say that the dating scan backed up my guesstimate. I suppose that I'll have to organize myself and make sure that I am able to time my contractions when the time comes, I know it will give me peace of mind and probably help me get there in time and avoid giving birth to my baby in the hospital parking lot.
Thankfully I've found some great tools to help track contractions. For those of us who have iphones there is a fab app that only costs £0.59 which will time your contractions for you. Unfortunately my husband has decided that this ingenious piece of technology does not warrant buying me an iphone... I'm still trying though. So, after some research I have found this:
http://www.thebump.com/calculators/contraction.aspx
a contraction calculator available on the internet. Now all I have to do is make sure that I am near a computer when I go into labor!
Monday, 13 June 2011
My Relationship with Food
Food. Sometimes I love it, sometimes I hate it. Over the years I've had a crazy relationship with food. As a child I was insanely picky. I hated meat and would quite happily pick at the veggies and starchy foods on my plate while secretly hoping that my meat had enough life left in it to stand up and run off of my plate. I remember negotiating the number of bites I had to choke down to earn the right to dessert. That's right, I have a sweet tooth!
My mom has always been interested in nutrition and cooking. Dinners were always packed full of healthy foods and delicious, although I do remember turning my nose up at quite a few dinners as a young child. Thanks to my mom I too really enjoy cooking and serving my family healthy and delicious meals. I rarely use ready meals or prepared sauces or for that matter recipes... I try to make everything myself using fresh ingredients. To me it's a creative outlet!
I haven't always loved food though. There was a time when I was at college that I hated it. Or more so I hated what I thought it was doing to me. Like many college freshmen I started to pack on the pounds. What I found very frustrating was that I WAS exercising. I was on the field hockey team and worked out pretty intensely every day. I wouldn't say that I developed a full blown eating disorder but I certainly dabbled a bit and danced very close to the lines. A health scare in my senior year thankfully pulled me out of my bad habits and since then I've been very health conscience.
Do I limit what I eat? Yes and no. I pay close attention to portion size and try to plan balanced meals but I don't restrict myself from eating anything. If I feel like eating chocolate I might have a few peanut M&M's as a treat, but I won't snack on them all day.
Right now I'm eating for 2. I'm not eating double, if anything my portion sizes are even smaller now! I just eat more frequently. I do indulge my cravings at times but for the most part I feel that I am eating a very healthy diet and providing my little baby with the best food possible.
I think that over the years my relationship with food has grown and matured. I not only see it as a necessity for life but also something to be enjoyed.
My mom has always been interested in nutrition and cooking. Dinners were always packed full of healthy foods and delicious, although I do remember turning my nose up at quite a few dinners as a young child. Thanks to my mom I too really enjoy cooking and serving my family healthy and delicious meals. I rarely use ready meals or prepared sauces or for that matter recipes... I try to make everything myself using fresh ingredients. To me it's a creative outlet!
I haven't always loved food though. There was a time when I was at college that I hated it. Or more so I hated what I thought it was doing to me. Like many college freshmen I started to pack on the pounds. What I found very frustrating was that I WAS exercising. I was on the field hockey team and worked out pretty intensely every day. I wouldn't say that I developed a full blown eating disorder but I certainly dabbled a bit and danced very close to the lines. A health scare in my senior year thankfully pulled me out of my bad habits and since then I've been very health conscience.
Do I limit what I eat? Yes and no. I pay close attention to portion size and try to plan balanced meals but I don't restrict myself from eating anything. If I feel like eating chocolate I might have a few peanut M&M's as a treat, but I won't snack on them all day.
Right now I'm eating for 2. I'm not eating double, if anything my portion sizes are even smaller now! I just eat more frequently. I do indulge my cravings at times but for the most part I feel that I am eating a very healthy diet and providing my little baby with the best food possible.
I think that over the years my relationship with food has grown and matured. I not only see it as a necessity for life but also something to be enjoyed.
Monday, 6 June 2011
Let the countdown begin!
I am back from a fantastic week in Cornwall with my lovely little family, our first and last family vacation as a unit of 3. It was amazing and absolutely what I needed. I came home full of wonderful memories and love for my family, fully appreciating what a wonderful life I have. I am one lucky girl.
Today I am back at work and not feeling so fortunate! So, in an attempt to stay positive I am officially starting my countdown.
4 more weeks of work, which works out to 14 more days
9 more weeks of pregnancy, which is exactly 60 days until my baby is due!
I am trying hard not to think about all of the things that need to be done before I am ready for this baby to be born. Hopefully I'll get some time to relax!
Today I am back at work and not feeling so fortunate! So, in an attempt to stay positive I am officially starting my countdown.
4 more weeks of work, which works out to 14 more days
9 more weeks of pregnancy, which is exactly 60 days until my baby is due!
I am trying hard not to think about all of the things that need to be done before I am ready for this baby to be born. Hopefully I'll get some time to relax!
Tuesday, 10 May 2011
Time to Breathe
I am not the kind of person to give up easily. I like a challenge, I like to keep busy and I don't always like to ask for help. So it was hard for me to admit to myself that I had too much on my plate. All of the signs were there though. Falling onto the sofa at 6 and passing out for 2 hours, losing my temper with anyone and everyone, dizziness and a sinus cold. So yesterday I went to see my GP, explained my symptoms and was signed off of work for a week. *sigh* They are running tests to see if there are any other problems (anemia mostly I think) but not having to go to work is such a weight off my shoulders! I am finally able to concentrate on my family and most importantly, myself! Last night I was able to go to sleep without any of the terrible backache that I had grown so accustomed to, no terrible Braxton Hicks contractions... just nice peaceful sleep, albeit with pillows tucked around me to support my growing belly, but sleep!
I know that at the end of the week I'll have to start preparing myself for work again, but I'm really hoping that my week of self pampering will rejuvenate me enough so that I can manage the next few weeks before maternity leave without too much trouble or exhaustion.
Hey, we all need a little boost sometimes!
I know that at the end of the week I'll have to start preparing myself for work again, but I'm really hoping that my week of self pampering will rejuvenate me enough so that I can manage the next few weeks before maternity leave without too much trouble or exhaustion.
Hey, we all need a little boost sometimes!
Saturday, 30 April 2011
It takes a village
It's been over a month since my last post. I have a number of excuses, all of them reasonable but mostly I've just been outside enjoying the beautiful Spring weather with people I love!
After a 2 week vacation (1 week in NJ with my fabulous family and most of the following week in sunny Puerto Rico with 3 of my favorite people) I am back home and attempting to settle back into normality.
One thing that I've come to realize this past month is how important surrounding yourself with amazing people is. I am so lucky to have a wonderful network of friends and family on both sides of the Atlantic.
Something that I've really come to appreciate is the fantastic village where I've lived for the past (almost) 5 years. Although it's a rather sleepy village without a shop, there is always something going on; especially now that the weather is nice!
In traditional English style we celebrated the Royal Wedding with a street party. A huge stretch of the road was closed off in front of the village hall and church and everyone brought picnics and set up tables right in the middle of the street. The kids were able to run free and had an amazing time taking part in relay races, playing games, having their faces painted, and eating loads of food! Most Fridays the village pavilion opens and families all congregate on the cricket ground to enjoy a drink and watch the kids play on the playground or run across the open field. Because it's a small village everyone knows everyone else and the kids all play together, regardless of their age.
I grew up in a small suburban community with much the same feel. There was a strong sense of community, lots of kids and frequent parties and events planned. I'm so glad that I've found a similar place to raise my family! I love the idea that my children will grow up with friends they've known forever and a community of grownups that they know and trust.
After a 2 week vacation (1 week in NJ with my fabulous family and most of the following week in sunny Puerto Rico with 3 of my favorite people) I am back home and attempting to settle back into normality.
One thing that I've come to realize this past month is how important surrounding yourself with amazing people is. I am so lucky to have a wonderful network of friends and family on both sides of the Atlantic.
Something that I've really come to appreciate is the fantastic village where I've lived for the past (almost) 5 years. Although it's a rather sleepy village without a shop, there is always something going on; especially now that the weather is nice!
In traditional English style we celebrated the Royal Wedding with a street party. A huge stretch of the road was closed off in front of the village hall and church and everyone brought picnics and set up tables right in the middle of the street. The kids were able to run free and had an amazing time taking part in relay races, playing games, having their faces painted, and eating loads of food! Most Fridays the village pavilion opens and families all congregate on the cricket ground to enjoy a drink and watch the kids play on the playground or run across the open field. Because it's a small village everyone knows everyone else and the kids all play together, regardless of their age.
Friday, 1 April 2011
A Woman Obsessed!
Ok, so maybe I have a fairly addictive personality... or maybe it's just the pregnancy hormones coursing through my body but I have been insanely fixated on different things recently. Right now it's salads, the more creative the better, and mixed fruit, strawberries, blueberries and green grapes. I've also discovered chocolate covered raisins, which I'm trying to keep far away from!
Another recent obsession is Ebay. Since winning my fantastic new Bugaboo (I'm still in love!) I've been trolling the pages looking for other fantastic deals. I've since won/purchased a ton of fabric, a few pieces of maternity clothing and a dress for Miss Livylu. What is the fabric for you may ask? Well another obsession of course!
Which brings me to my new-found desire to make absolutely anything and everything. I'm not sure exactly what sparked this new creative outlet, maybe it was the bunting.. but since then I've come up with a few other projects that I'm desperate to try out. Using some great fabric that J sent me, I made a pillowcase for Livylu, picture to come! She was estatic to find it on her bed when she woke up the other morning. I'm also keen to make a blanket for Baby Marshmallow and have bought some cute fish fabric and super soft fleece for my first attempt! Other projects on the list is a maternity skirt for me and a summer dress for Livy.
One of my favorite new finds is this site. They have a huge selection of beautiful and unique fabrics... I managed to buy only 6 yards!
I'll be sure to post pictures of my finished projects, all that I need to do now is find some spare time!
I just found this link for making a toddler dress from a men's button down shirt... must give it a try!
girls dress
Another recent obsession is Ebay. Since winning my fantastic new Bugaboo (I'm still in love!) I've been trolling the pages looking for other fantastic deals. I've since won/purchased a ton of fabric, a few pieces of maternity clothing and a dress for Miss Livylu. What is the fabric for you may ask? Well another obsession of course!
Which brings me to my new-found desire to make absolutely anything and everything. I'm not sure exactly what sparked this new creative outlet, maybe it was the bunting.. but since then I've come up with a few other projects that I'm desperate to try out. Using some great fabric that J sent me, I made a pillowcase for Livylu, picture to come! She was estatic to find it on her bed when she woke up the other morning. I'm also keen to make a blanket for Baby Marshmallow and have bought some cute fish fabric and super soft fleece for my first attempt! Other projects on the list is a maternity skirt for me and a summer dress for Livy.
One of my favorite new finds is this site. They have a huge selection of beautiful and unique fabrics... I managed to buy only 6 yards!
I'll be sure to post pictures of my finished projects, all that I need to do now is find some spare time!
I just found this link for making a toddler dress from a men's button down shirt... must give it a try!
girls dress
Wednesday, 30 March 2011
Exhaustion
At nearly 22 weeks pregnant I am becoming extremely frustrated with the continuing exhaustion! I thought that the second trimester was supposed to be when energy returned and I felt at my best! Last night I fell onto the sofa at 5:30 and didn't move for an hour, I just couldn't! Thankfully my lovely husband managed to feed and bathe Livylu and I peeled myself off of the sofa to put her to bed.. only to fall back onto it immediately after. I don't remember making a baby being such hard work!
So from here on out it's early to bed for this mama! I'll continue with my pre-natal vitamins, healthy eats and try to incorporate more exercise into my daily routine. With the days becoming longer and the weather warmer it should be no problem at all!
Tuesday, 29 March 2011
Finding Time for me.....
As modern women it's easy to get caught up in the different rolls we play and often times the people who miss out most are us! I think it's so important for our health and well being to allow time for personal reflection, relaxation and fun! The two hats I tend to wear most are Working Jo hat and Mommy hat. One I don't mind at all, the other I am looking forward to casting off when baby Marshmallow arrives. Work has become increasingly stressful and at the end of the day I find that all I want to do is come home and sleep, playing Mommy and wife is something I find harder on those days. I've tried to make things easier for myself, I have instituted quiet time, 20-30 minutes right after we get in where we either close our eyes or do something in silence. I pack lunch while getting dinner ready, dinners are as easy and quick as possible, and weekends are for resting and catching up on sleep. Thankfully my 4 year old is still happy to climb into bed and nap with Mommy!
I also make time to go out for dinner or drinks with friends and have a girlie day out of shopping and lunch. My absolute favorite though is my Sunday night Pilates class. I look forward to it all week and feel amazingly relaxed after it. If only I had time to do Pilates every day! In two weeks I'm heading back to the States to visit family and friends. I'll have no end of babysitters and loads of time to catch up on me time. Best of all, I have a fabulous vacation to look forward to with 3 of my best ever friends. We're heading to Puerto Rico for 5 days of fun, sun and relaxation! Nothing like a girlie vacation to refresh and rejuvinate the soul.
All of this helps to keep me a happy and balanced person. Of course I wish that I had more time to do things and hopefully I'll be able to figure out how to work in gardening, sewing, meditation etc. into my life. But for now, I am one happy and content mama.
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| Here's a picture of the beautiful house I'll be staying at in Puerto Rico! http://villalomas.com/ |
Thursday, 24 March 2011
Spring is here!
Yesterday was an absolutely perfect English Spring day and thankfully, my day off! One of the best things about the job that I currently have is the fact that I only work 4 days a week. Although I would have loved to have spent the entire day in the sun, there was far too much to be done in casa mia. I don't know what it is about a beautiful day, but it automatically gives me more motivation and energy to get things done! I managed to cross everything off of my list and therefore was able to enjoy the afternoon at the playground with Livylu and 2 of her friends. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that Summer finds England this year, without my annual trip back to the States planned I'll have to rely on the weather to bring Summer to me!
Today James is picking up my newly purchased stroller, I'm extremely excited as I managed to get a brilliant deal on Ebay, therefore allowing me to splurge on the stroller of my dreams!
I'm planning on going for lots and lots of beautiful sunny country walks with Livylu and Baby Marshmallow with the help of my fantastic new toy! Gotta lose the pregnancy weight somehow, why not enjoy the scenery with 2 of my favorite people in the process!
Today James is picking up my newly purchased stroller, I'm extremely excited as I managed to get a brilliant deal on Ebay, therefore allowing me to splurge on the stroller of my dreams!
I'm planning on going for lots and lots of beautiful sunny country walks with Livylu and Baby Marshmallow with the help of my fantastic new toy! Gotta lose the pregnancy weight somehow, why not enjoy the scenery with 2 of my favorite people in the process! Fingers crossed for a beautiful Spring/Summer!
Tuesday, 22 March 2011
Head in the clouds, dreaming away!
This week so far has been fantastic! I was at work for 2 hours yeterday before leaving to go to my 20 week scan with James. We managed to sneak in a lunch date, which was an added bonus. I saw the consultant this morning and was given dates for 3 more scans, at 28, 32 and 36 weeks, just to make sure that Baby Marshmallow is growing!
All of this time off from work has me thinking about maternity leave and how I plan to spend my time off. Obviously Baby M is going to get loads of cuddles and attention but I'll need some project to keep my mind from turning to Jell-o. What better idea than making things for baby! Etsy is an amazing site with loads of great project ideas and fabulous handmade items for sale. I love the idea of making my own blankets, burp cloths, clothing and toys for my little one and just hope that I manage to find the time to get started before baby arrives!
After my last successful try with the sewing machine (my bunting!) I've been comissioned to make 10 meters of festive bunting for the village's street party to celebrate the Royal Wedding. I'm just waiting for my red, while and blue fabric to arrive and then I'll get started!
Also on the project list is a soft cuddly toy for Baby M. I stopped in a shop yesterday looking for a present for my baby bump and found an abundance of gorgeous cuddly toys, all at insane prices. When I looked at them my first thought was, I can do that! So that's just what I intend to do! This little guy was my favorite. With some fleece fabric and a ton of creativity I think I can come up with something cuddly for a fraction of the price!
Who knows, perhaps all of this creativity will pay off and I'll start a career of selling my creations. A girl can dream... can't she?
After my last successful try with the sewing machine (my bunting!) I've been comissioned to make 10 meters of festive bunting for the village's street party to celebrate the Royal Wedding. I'm just waiting for my red, while and blue fabric to arrive and then I'll get started!
Also on the project list is a soft cuddly toy for Baby M. I stopped in a shop yesterday looking for a present for my baby bump and found an abundance of gorgeous cuddly toys, all at insane prices. When I looked at them my first thought was, I can do that! So that's just what I intend to do! This little guy was my favorite. With some fleece fabric and a ton of creativity I think I can come up with something cuddly for a fraction of the price!
Who knows, perhaps all of this creativity will pay off and I'll start a career of selling my creations. A girl can dream... can't she?
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| Aren't these elephants just adorable? They make me smile! |
Monday, 21 March 2011
20 week scan... which team?
So, this afternoon is my 20 week anomaly scan. I'm so excited that James can come with me this time. Unfortunately last time I got a peek at Baby Marshmallow he was away for work so I went solo. Not something I would recommend. I spent the whole time in the waiting room worrying about what I would do if there was a problem with my baby. Thankfully Baby Marshmallow has 2 arms and legs and was busy kicking away!
The 20 week anomaly scan is used to check that the baby is growing and developing properly in the womb and to check the location of the placenta. Many people also like to find out the sex of their baby at this time..... which leads me to the big question... Do we find out?
Livylu is desperate to know if she's going to be a big sister to a little bro or sis (she's hoping for pink!) and the more I think about it the more I think that I want to know this time. I was so convinced with Livy that I was having a boy (the nursery is still painted blue and decorated with fish) and was pleasantly surprised when they announced that my 5lb 6 oz baby was a girl!
So... what will it be? TEAM PINK? OR TEAM BLUE?
Friday, 18 March 2011
My little secret!
To me it's become a game now. I like the idea that I have a secret that most others don't know. I like guessing how long it will take people to get suspicious and start asking questions. I'm 20 weeks today and so far I haven't noticed any whispering behind my back. I'm fairly certain that I can keep it up for another 3 weeks, with careful wardrobe selection. This would mean that I finished the term and would return after a 2 week vacation nearly 26 weeks pregnant and by then I should think that it will be fairly obvious.
I know that my little experiment is silly and serves absolutely no point other than self amusement, but to me it's fun. :)
Thursday, 17 March 2011
Decisions
Although it's not quite decision time (I still have 20 weeks after all!) I am starting to think about certain things with regards to Baby Marshmallow. With Livylu I was very much like a deer in headlights. I was grateful for any and all advice I was given and questioned very little. I had some opinions and preferences but with very little experience in the world of baby I didn't have nearly as much knowledge as I do now on the subject.
I really wanted to breastfeed with Livylu and did for the first month, but on advice from my GP and health visitor I switched her to formula after that, she just wasn't putting on weight and it was getting kinda scary and frustrating for all. Hungry babies aren't very much fun.
I also briefly considered reusable diapers but reconsidered when the ones I bought were too big for my teeny tiny baby.
I was given clothing, pram, car seat, cradle and many other items either as gifts or on loan and therefore had to buy very little. Lucky me!
This time I'd really like to persevere with breastfeeding. The only point that makes me nervous is that breastfeed babies aren't known to be as good sleepers as bottle fed ones. Livylu is a star sleeper and I don't know if I could cope with a sleep-depriving little monster. I'm still going to try and see how I get on.
I've just found out that my local council is starting a 'free real nappy lending scheme' this spring. It contains examples of the different types of real nappies so that parents can try before they buy. I think this is a brilliant idea and plan to give it a shot. I think there is also a small grant, about £40, available for parents who decide to invest in real nappies. The contact for this scheme in the Daventry District Council Area is Jo Beau-Mont 01327 871100.
Buggies, Prams, Strollers- whatever you want to call them! I went through a few with Livylu. I borrowed a Silver Cross pram from my sister in law. It was great in the sense that it had a detachable cot which was brilliant for daytime sleeping either at home or out and about. The bad part was that it had a 2 mile turning radius and was completely impractical if you had to go anywhere in the car. I then had a cheap Hauck 3 wheeler, which was fine but very annoying to push. In the end I bought a Mclaren Quest, which was great for Livylu when she was a toddler. It folded up small, was relatively easy to push on pavement and while shopping, besides, she seemed pretty comfy!
This time I'm looking at travel systems that include a carry cot, car seat attachment and the possibility for some off roading action! We live in the country and I love walking through the fields! My Mclaren just will not do for that! By far at the top of my list is the Bugaboo Cameleon. A friend has one and it's a dream to push! They are way out of my price range so I've been scouring the pages of Ebay and hoping to pick up a used one at a good price.
So many decisions for someone so small! Thank goodness I have a few more months to get my act together! Hopefully I'll get my act together before August. 20 week scan on Monday! Watch this space for more pictures of Baby M!
I really wanted to breastfeed with Livylu and did for the first month, but on advice from my GP and health visitor I switched her to formula after that, she just wasn't putting on weight and it was getting kinda scary and frustrating for all. Hungry babies aren't very much fun.
I also briefly considered reusable diapers but reconsidered when the ones I bought were too big for my teeny tiny baby.
I was given clothing, pram, car seat, cradle and many other items either as gifts or on loan and therefore had to buy very little. Lucky me!
This time I'd really like to persevere with breastfeeding. The only point that makes me nervous is that breastfeed babies aren't known to be as good sleepers as bottle fed ones. Livylu is a star sleeper and I don't know if I could cope with a sleep-depriving little monster. I'm still going to try and see how I get on.
I've just found out that my local council is starting a 'free real nappy lending scheme' this spring. It contains examples of the different types of real nappies so that parents can try before they buy. I think this is a brilliant idea and plan to give it a shot. I think there is also a small grant, about £40, available for parents who decide to invest in real nappies. The contact for this scheme in the Daventry District Council Area is Jo Beau-Mont 01327 871100.
Buggies, Prams, Strollers- whatever you want to call them! I went through a few with Livylu. I borrowed a Silver Cross pram from my sister in law. It was great in the sense that it had a detachable cot which was brilliant for daytime sleeping either at home or out and about. The bad part was that it had a 2 mile turning radius and was completely impractical if you had to go anywhere in the car. I then had a cheap Hauck 3 wheeler, which was fine but very annoying to push. In the end I bought a Mclaren Quest, which was great for Livylu when she was a toddler. It folded up small, was relatively easy to push on pavement and while shopping, besides, she seemed pretty comfy!
This time I'm looking at travel systems that include a carry cot, car seat attachment and the possibility for some off roading action! We live in the country and I love walking through the fields! My Mclaren just will not do for that! By far at the top of my list is the Bugaboo Cameleon. A friend has one and it's a dream to push! They are way out of my price range so I've been scouring the pages of Ebay and hoping to pick up a used one at a good price.
So many decisions for someone so small! Thank goodness I have a few more months to get my act together! Hopefully I'll get my act together before August. 20 week scan on Monday! Watch this space for more pictures of Baby M!
Friday, 11 March 2011
These are a few of my FAVORITE things!
I've been trying to think of ways to simplify my life and de-clutter my house for awhile now. Not that much has been done, but I've been thinking about it! Old clothes and books need to go to charity shops, special baby Lulu things need to get organized and stored carefully and once Baby Marshmallow has grown out of clothes, toys, books, equipment it's all getting given away or sold! All of this thinking about clear outs and de-cluttering has made me think about what things I can and can't do without and just what is important to me, material things that is. So here is a short list of a few things that I probably could live without but that sure make my life easier and happier when they are in it!
1. Redbush/Rooibos tea. I started drinking it over a year ago and haven't looked back! Just as good with or without milk, I would hate to start a day without a cup of redbush! The best part is that the tea is packed with antioxidants and is purported to assist with nervous tension, allergies and digestive problems.
2. Zap It! Facewash. Some people are lucky and are blessed with glowing skin during pregnancy. I on the other hand find myself with a complexion reminiscent of my teenage years. Zap it is gentle and works brilliantly! 3. Pizza. I am fairly sure that without pizza in my life I would be a very sad person indeed. I prefer to make my own. See my previous post which includes a recipe.
4. My Uggs. Last Christmas James gave me a pair of Whooga boots. I wear them as slippers in the house and they keep my feet cosy and warm!
5. Flights back to the US of A. I love living in England but I am an American Girl at heart. Life always looks a little brighter when I have tickets to go back home and see family and friends.
6. My Tempur-Pedic Bed. We've had it for 7 years now and it's by far the best purchase we've made. As much as I love going back to the States, when I do, I sure miss my bed.
7. My Engagement Ring. I don't consider myself a materialistic person but every time I look at my engagement ring it makes me smile. Some might suggest that it's because it reminds me of how much I love James... and I do..... but it sure is pretty and sparkly!
8. Scarves. I like wearing scarves. I have quite a few now. They are both pretty and functional. What's better than an accessory that instantly enhances your look and keeps you warm at the same time.
Yes, I could easily live without all of these things but they do make my life just that tiny bit happier.
Thursday, 10 March 2011
Good Food Part 2- Eating Healthy
Eating Healthy has been ingrained in me from an early age. My mom was the original health nut, something I am eternally grateful for. Healthy eating has always been a part of my life. I still remember going to a friend’s house for lunch when I was about 6 and having full sugar peanut butter for the first time, what a treat! Incidentally, I now prefer all-natural peanut butter. Mom recognized the health benefits of whole grains way before it was trendy. No white bread or rice in our house! She was also wary of chemical additives such as aspartame, MSG, artificial coloring and took all precautions to remove them from our diet. I remember being livid that I wasn't allowed coco pops as a kid for breakfast or potato chips in my lunchbox. Mom stood fast and as I got older I recognized the reasons behind her healthy madness and started making healthy choices for myself. I packed my own lunch all through high school. Yogurt, wholegrain crackers, fresh fruit and a carton of milk, nearly every day. I continued this through my college years and even after and am now sharing the same healthy eating habits with my daughter. It comes naturally now, and after a lifetime of healthy eating I find that fatty foods actually make me feel ill, nothing like that to make you think twice about ordering a BigMac and super size fries!
Another thing that mom taught me was how to cook. Not how to follow recipes, although she has a great stash all filed away, but how to mix ingredients intuitively. I know which flavors work together and can throw a great meal together at the drop of a hat. This skill has allowed me to keep clear of the prepared food section of the supermarket, why buy overpriced, unhealthy and tasteless food if you can make it yourself?
In my opinion healthy eating is one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves and our children. There are so many fantastic foods out there that are not only healthy for us but taste great too! From the time I started giving Livylu 'real' food she's been eating the same as my husband and me. I have no doubt that this is the reason she's such a good eater. Yes, we have the occasional fuss over an unusually large chunk of onion and she even went through a phase where she refused to eat veggies. This was never going to fly in my house so I persisted, for what seemed like ages, but it's paid off in the end. My child who 3 weeks ago would turn her nose up at a pepper actually requested that I buy red peppers at the store!
Friday, 4 March 2011
Living the Good Life with Good Food Part 1
I've recently had a conversation with a friend about 'buying local' and it got me thinking about lifestyles and life choices. There is so much that I want to write about so I think that my next few blog entries will be dedicated to this topic.
As a pregnant woman I am now starting to think about the financial impact having another child will have on my family. Thankfully I live in a country that recognizes how important it is to both mother and baby to spend that percious first year together. I will be paid, granted at a much lower rate, for the first 9 months of my maternity leave and will still be guaranteed job security up until a year after the birth of my child. Much better than the appalling 6 weeks I was offered at my job in the US during my first pregnancy! Even though I will be receiving Statutory Maternity Pay for 9 of the 12 months, I will still be earning significantly less than I currently am. This added to the cost of purchasing baby products, especially diapers and possibly formula is testing my mathmatically challenged brain to the max! It's made me take a very close look at our spending habits and family budget.
Food is an obvious place to cut back and I've found some fantastic sites, especially Sainsbury's Feed your Family for a Fiver page. Netmums Cooking on a Budget is also a fantatic source of inspiration. Some of their top tips that I have fully embraced include:
1. Make it yourself
prepared meals and processed foods are less nutritious and contain much higher levels of sodium, sugar and chemicals than fresh whole foods. Yes it takes more time and effort to prepare things yourself but in the end it costs less and is better for you. Make it fun and include your kids! One of my daughter's favorite meals is pizza. At least 3 times a month we make pizza together . Not only is it a cheap and healthy meal, it's also fun and easy to do. Here is the recipe I use for Whole Wheat Pizza Dough . I've also started making my own stirfry sauces. When you look at most ready made stirfry sauces they have a ridiculous amount of sugar. To make my favorite sauce I use
soy sauce- about 2-3 tablespoons
jarred giner- about 1 teaspoon
1 clove of minced garlic
1/2 finely chopped chili pepper
1 tablespoon ketchup or tomato puree (obviously the ketchup makes it sweeter. if you like the sweetness but don't want to use ketchup try adding a drizzle of honey)
sometimes I add lemongrass or sesame seeds, depends on what's available really!
2. Plan Ahead
Believe it or not I have turned into a meal planner! I still pride myself in my ability to come up with a fantastic meal based on the ingredients found in the fridge and cupboard but planning meals has been a lifesaver! Not only does it save me money at the grocery store but it's also really nice to come home after a tiring day at work and know that I have all of the ingredients for a quick and healthy meal. It also gives me a chance to plan more labor intensive meals for days when I have a bit more time and save the quick meals for busier days.
My 2 Top Tips on meal and shopping planning are:
1. Check the offers and sales and plan meals around that
2. Buy store brands- the price difference between canned tomatoes for example is astonishing. In my local grocery store name brand canned tomatoes cost 99p a can while the store brand basic ones cost 33p, a third of the price! No contest there really!
This month I am also going to keep track of every penny that I spend on food and at the end of the month I'll take a close look at my spending habits and see where cuts can be made.
As a pregnant woman I am now starting to think about the financial impact having another child will have on my family. Thankfully I live in a country that recognizes how important it is to both mother and baby to spend that percious first year together. I will be paid, granted at a much lower rate, for the first 9 months of my maternity leave and will still be guaranteed job security up until a year after the birth of my child. Much better than the appalling 6 weeks I was offered at my job in the US during my first pregnancy! Even though I will be receiving Statutory Maternity Pay for 9 of the 12 months, I will still be earning significantly less than I currently am. This added to the cost of purchasing baby products, especially diapers and possibly formula is testing my mathmatically challenged brain to the max! It's made me take a very close look at our spending habits and family budget.
Food is an obvious place to cut back and I've found some fantastic sites, especially Sainsbury's Feed your Family for a Fiver page. Netmums Cooking on a Budget is also a fantatic source of inspiration. Some of their top tips that I have fully embraced include:
1. Make it yourself
prepared meals and processed foods are less nutritious and contain much higher levels of sodium, sugar and chemicals than fresh whole foods. Yes it takes more time and effort to prepare things yourself but in the end it costs less and is better for you. Make it fun and include your kids! One of my daughter's favorite meals is pizza. At least 3 times a month we make pizza together . Not only is it a cheap and healthy meal, it's also fun and easy to do. Here is the recipe I use for Whole Wheat Pizza Dough . I've also started making my own stirfry sauces. When you look at most ready made stirfry sauces they have a ridiculous amount of sugar. To make my favorite sauce I use soy sauce- about 2-3 tablespoons
jarred giner- about 1 teaspoon
1 clove of minced garlic
1/2 finely chopped chili pepper
1 tablespoon ketchup or tomato puree (obviously the ketchup makes it sweeter. if you like the sweetness but don't want to use ketchup try adding a drizzle of honey)
sometimes I add lemongrass or sesame seeds, depends on what's available really!
2. Plan Ahead
Believe it or not I have turned into a meal planner! I still pride myself in my ability to come up with a fantastic meal based on the ingredients found in the fridge and cupboard but planning meals has been a lifesaver! Not only does it save me money at the grocery store but it's also really nice to come home after a tiring day at work and know that I have all of the ingredients for a quick and healthy meal. It also gives me a chance to plan more labor intensive meals for days when I have a bit more time and save the quick meals for busier days.
My 2 Top Tips on meal and shopping planning are:
1. Check the offers and sales and plan meals around that
2. Buy store brands- the price difference between canned tomatoes for example is astonishing. In my local grocery store name brand canned tomatoes cost 99p a can while the store brand basic ones cost 33p, a third of the price! No contest there really!
This month I am also going to keep track of every penny that I spend on food and at the end of the month I'll take a close look at my spending habits and see where cuts can be made.
Wednesday, 2 March 2011
Young Picasso
My daughter is a budding artist, much like her mommy at the same age- or so I'm told! She keeps herself entertained with paper, crayons, scissors and a glue stick for hours on end. It's her go-to activity and any free time is spent making cards for friends, tiaras and bracelets for herself or her dolls and any other creating that takes her fancy.
I've allocated an entire drawer in the kitchen to arts and craft supplies. Livylu is really good at helping herself to appropriate materials and with a bit of reminding, is quite good at cleaning up too. Unfortunately, all of her creations also get thrown into the drawer and after awhile we can't find crayons and glue through the paper. Here's where I struggle... what do you do with all of the precious drawings? Surely keeping them ALL becomes a fire hazard after awhile!
I've looked into a number of options, under bed boxes, wall hangers for displaying purposes, cork boards, plastic wallets, scrapbooks... all are good options and I think that a combo of all is my plan of action. I've found a great wall hanger that displays 9 A4 pictures
I like the idea of allowing my daughter to choose her favorite pictures to display.
I also like the idea of collecting special drawings and craft projects and sticking them in a scrapbook. I'm hoping to start one of those so that in years to come both Livylu and I can look back and see how her artistic skills have progressed.
I've toyed with the idea of installing a wall of cork board in Livylu's room, but the idea of having thumbtacks in a 4 year olds room scares me, so I think that if I do use cork board it will be in the kitchen.
By far one of my favorite ideas comes from my fabulous friend Foxy Milk. I wrote about it in a previous blog. Getting those Artistic juices flowing! What better celebration of a child's talented artwork than to frame it and display it with pride on the wall! For irregular shaped artwork check out Blissfully Domestic
For more ideas on what to do with an over abundance of precious artwork Small Notebook. is worth a visit.
Happy creating, and who knows.... maybe we're nurturing future artistic geniuses!
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
A week off
One of the benefits of working in a school is having school holidays off. While people who work outside of schools often scoff and pass comment on how easy teachers have it, I promise- the time off is well deserved. That being said, I was absolutely looking forward to my week off with my little girl.
Since she is still only 4 and in her first year of school I often feel as though I get the worst of her at the end of the day. She's grumpy and exhausted by the end of the day. All of her patience, concentration and obedience is spent at school. The prospect of a full week of just the two of us is so exciting to me! So we planned a day with Grandma, a train trip with friends, a trip to the farm, pony riding with her cousins and had a lovely week of it until we were both struck down with colds. Nothing too severe mind you, runny noses, coughs and mild fevers but enough to make even the most enjoyable task seem like too much effort. By Friday we were both exhausted and in desperate need of a duvet day.
I'm not sure when kids start to appreciate duvet days but the concept is pretty much lost on my child. Despite feeling lousy she still wanted to cut and stick and create. So we created! Painting, playdough, cupcakes, we did it all... mixed in with naps, short TV breaks and frequent nose blowing. It was brilliant and we have some fantastic creations to show for it.
Looking back, I'm not sure which half of the week I enjoyed more. Getting out and about and keeping busy or staying in our PJ's and taking it easy.
Since she is still only 4 and in her first year of school I often feel as though I get the worst of her at the end of the day. She's grumpy and exhausted by the end of the day. All of her patience, concentration and obedience is spent at school. The prospect of a full week of just the two of us is so exciting to me! So we planned a day with Grandma, a train trip with friends, a trip to the farm, pony riding with her cousins and had a lovely week of it until we were both struck down with colds. Nothing too severe mind you, runny noses, coughs and mild fevers but enough to make even the most enjoyable task seem like too much effort. By Friday we were both exhausted and in desperate need of a duvet day.
I'm not sure when kids start to appreciate duvet days but the concept is pretty much lost on my child. Despite feeling lousy she still wanted to cut and stick and create. So we created! Painting, playdough, cupcakes, we did it all... mixed in with naps, short TV breaks and frequent nose blowing. It was brilliant and we have some fantastic creations to show for it.
Looking back, I'm not sure which half of the week I enjoyed more. Getting out and about and keeping busy or staying in our PJ's and taking it easy.
Friday, 18 February 2011
Elasticated Trousers
I haven't bought one yet but it is my mission for the weekend. Must find a belly band! There are many different brands out there, I know because I've done some research. George of Asda do a 2 pack for £8. or you can buy a branded one for about £14. Basically it's a piece of stretchy material that you wear on your belly over your pre-pregnancy trousers to cover the zip area. Some offer added support and some come with fastener extensions for your trousers. You mean I can wear my pre-pregnancy trousers through my pregnancy? Amazing!
I have to say that I find maternity clothes somewhat frustrating. You spend money on a new wardrobe that you will only wear for about 6 months of your life. I was lucky with my first pregnancy in that I stopped working at 6 months. I could get away with wearing jogging bottoms and my husbands t-shirts every day. Sure, I had a few items for when I wanted to look presentable but mostly I wore what I already had. This time however I'm planning on working for as long as possible and will need a pregnancy work wardrobe. I've been given bags by friends but the 6 inch height difference means that none of the trousers fit me. I've scanned e-bay and am hoping to pick up some bargains there but mostly I'm hoping to find pieces in my exsisting wardrobe that will 'grow' with me. Tunics, longer tops, jersey knit dresses and elasticated skirts have all been earmarked for potential pregnancy clothing.
While it's tempting to treat myself to new clothes during my pregnancy I have to be reasonable. That money could go towards a new stroller or a family outing/vacation. Do I really need that beautiful maternity summer dress from Boden? No, not really.
Thursday, 10 February 2011
Pilates, I love you.
All of the research and reading I have done suggest that Pilates is the perfect exercise to do during pregnancy because it works the muscles and ligaments without putting stress on the joints and back. I'm hoping that my increased muscle strength and tone will help with a quick labor!
So far the muscle strength I've gained in my abs has helped to hide my baby bump, 15 weeks today and still very little sign of a belly!
Monday, 7 February 2011
Clean vs. Tidy: A job for Super Mom!
One of the unfortunate side effects of pregnancy is ridiculous tiredness, especially during the first trimester. While some days I feel that my energy is returning to its pre-pregnancy level, other days I feel as though I could sleep for days at a time. Thankfully this weekend I was full of energy because the housework has been seriously neglected over the last 14 weeks.
I know that I must make more of an effort to put things away in their proper place the first time but I can't help but wonder if dust bunnies can be trained to tidy up.
Sunday, 6 February 2011
Getting those artistic juices flowing!
In an attempt to indulge my artistic side I've been focusing on decorating Livylu's room. After Christmas we moved her into her 'big' girl room. I wanted to make sure that we did this well before the arrival of baby Marshmallow so that she didn't feel as though she was being pushed out and replaced. I've been doing a lot of reading on how the introduction of a new baby can affect an older sibling and want to do as much as possible to make this a positive experience for Livylu. But more on that later!
The boring part of wallpaper stripping, painting, furniture sanding and painting took ages to do, mostly because I kept putting it off. New carpet was added and a super duper new bed purchased.. and the entire time all I could think about was blinds and duvet covers and wall art! Finally I get to let myself loose.
Ikea is amazing. I found some fantastic lampshades there, a fun net canopy and useful baskets there. I'm a sucker for a bargain and HomeSense (an affiliate of TKMaxx or TJMaxx if you're Stateside) came up trumps in the bedlinen department! I found a beautiful Cath Kidston duvet cover for a fraction of the price. Somehow it still takes second place in my daughter's eyes to the heinously pink Hello Kitty duvet cover that my husband brought home as a surprise.
I'm still trying to get the accessories and wall decorations right. I find Pottery Barn Kids to be a fantastic source of inspiration, although I could never justify paying those prices! I especially like the Cherry Blossom ArtI'm hoping to have Livylu help me to paint a large canvas to hang on the wall over the fireplace using this as an inspirational starting point. I think that seeing her artwork on the wall will give her a great sense of accomplishment and pride in her work. My wonderful friend and writer of the FoxyMilk blog framed a picture Livylu drew during one of our visits. Nothing fancy, just a white frame with a white matt, but it looks amazing! I'm hoping to hang a collection of them together on the wall, Livylu's own little art gallery!
My newest contribution was hung last night, home made bunting. Considering that my sewing skills are rudimentary at the best, I'm very pleased with my accomplishment! I purchased some fantastic fabric offcuts on ebay(the patterns are gorgeous, this picture doesn't do them justice!) and followed some instructions found online and voila! Fun, festive bunting! Terribly easy and wonderfully effective!
One thing I'm still searching for is a large white wall mirror to hang over the dresser. I have an idea in my head of exactly what I'm looking for but thus far have yet to find something within my price range. I'll continue my quest for the illusive mirror and perhaps find something completely different and much better in the process, here's for Sunday optimism!
Another idea I'm considering is hanging cork board on the wall under the bunting. I like the idea of having a place to display Livylu's newest artwork but I'm not sure how I feel about thumbtacks in a 4 year old's bedroom. Perhaps I'll hold off for a few years!
The boring part of wallpaper stripping, painting, furniture sanding and painting took ages to do, mostly because I kept putting it off. New carpet was added and a super duper new bed purchased.. and the entire time all I could think about was blinds and duvet covers and wall art! Finally I get to let myself loose.Ikea is amazing. I found some fantastic lampshades there, a fun net canopy and useful baskets there. I'm a sucker for a bargain and HomeSense (an affiliate of TKMaxx or TJMaxx if you're Stateside) came up trumps in the bedlinen department! I found a beautiful Cath Kidston duvet cover for a fraction of the price. Somehow it still takes second place in my daughter's eyes to the heinously pink Hello Kitty duvet cover that my husband brought home as a surprise.
I'm still trying to get the accessories and wall decorations right. I find Pottery Barn Kids to be a fantastic source of inspiration, although I could never justify paying those prices! I especially like the Cherry Blossom ArtI'm hoping to have Livylu help me to paint a large canvas to hang on the wall over the fireplace using this as an inspirational starting point. I think that seeing her artwork on the wall will give her a great sense of accomplishment and pride in her work. My wonderful friend and writer of the FoxyMilk blog framed a picture Livylu drew during one of our visits. Nothing fancy, just a white frame with a white matt, but it looks amazing! I'm hoping to hang a collection of them together on the wall, Livylu's own little art gallery!
One thing I'm still searching for is a large white wall mirror to hang over the dresser. I have an idea in my head of exactly what I'm looking for but thus far have yet to find something within my price range. I'll continue my quest for the illusive mirror and perhaps find something completely different and much better in the process, here's for Sunday optimism!Another idea I'm considering is hanging cork board on the wall under the bunting. I like the idea of having a place to display Livylu's newest artwork but I'm not sure how I feel about thumbtacks in a 4 year old's bedroom. Perhaps I'll hold off for a few years!
Friday, 4 February 2011
An Update
Things have certainly changed since I first started writing this blog. My ultimate goals are still the same, I want to be a healthy and happy Jo, but the addition of a new little person does change things!
One of my goals was to find a job that I am happy to get up to every morning, something I love to do and something that I find personally rewarding. Obviously I would need to find something that offered me a good work life balance. My current job is good, school hours and term time only, part time, but it's not perfect. For starters, it doesn't allow me to drop off my daughter at school in the morning. Thankfully I've found a way around that and I share drop off responsibilities with a good friend, but I really do feel like I miss out. I know that I'm lucky, with the economy the way it is a lot of people don't have jobs. Mine is close by, reasonably flexibile, fits in fairly well with family life.... but it's not what I ultimately see myself doing, especially since I'm facing a salary cut from September.
The pay cut and the arrival of baby Marshmallow have started me thinking of other options. Thankfully the UK has very good maternity pay, especially compared to the US. I'm hoping to stay at work as long as possibly before I give birth. I'm sure I'll regret the decision in July but the longer I hang on, the longer I'll get paid. I've also started looking into the possibility of offering childcare from my home. Our village school doesn't offer before or after school care and amongst my friends in the village there is a definite need for childcare outside of school hours. I'm hoping to get myself set up for September so that I can earn a little extra money on top of my maternity pay and build up my reputation and experience for the following year, when I hope to be able to run a successful childminding business.
Is this what I saw myself doing 10 years ago? No. Absolutely not. But it's what works for my family and what works for me. It just goes to show how much one, or two little people can change your whole outlook on life.
One of my goals was to find a job that I am happy to get up to every morning, something I love to do and something that I find personally rewarding. Obviously I would need to find something that offered me a good work life balance. My current job is good, school hours and term time only, part time, but it's not perfect. For starters, it doesn't allow me to drop off my daughter at school in the morning. Thankfully I've found a way around that and I share drop off responsibilities with a good friend, but I really do feel like I miss out. I know that I'm lucky, with the economy the way it is a lot of people don't have jobs. Mine is close by, reasonably flexibile, fits in fairly well with family life.... but it's not what I ultimately see myself doing, especially since I'm facing a salary cut from September.
The pay cut and the arrival of baby Marshmallow have started me thinking of other options. Thankfully the UK has very good maternity pay, especially compared to the US. I'm hoping to stay at work as long as possibly before I give birth. I'm sure I'll regret the decision in July but the longer I hang on, the longer I'll get paid. I've also started looking into the possibility of offering childcare from my home. Our village school doesn't offer before or after school care and amongst my friends in the village there is a definite need for childcare outside of school hours. I'm hoping to get myself set up for September so that I can earn a little extra money on top of my maternity pay and build up my reputation and experience for the following year, when I hope to be able to run a successful childminding business.
Is this what I saw myself doing 10 years ago? No. Absolutely not. But it's what works for my family and what works for me. It just goes to show how much one, or two little people can change your whole outlook on life.
Monday, 31 January 2011
I recently had a rather heated debate with a friend over the widespread use of aspartame in low-calorie and sugar free foods and drink. I can see why people feel that they are making healthy choices when purchasing these products, but the simple fact is aspartame is much MUCH worse for us than sugar.
Aspartame is made up of 10% methanol, or wood alcohol, which is highly toxic. As little as 10ml of methanol can cause permanent blindness and if taken in slightly higher doses, can prove fatal. When consumed methanol is broken up into formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and can cause chronic health problems such as asthma and dermatological problems in both adults and children.
Why would we choose to put this stuff into our bodies? Well, most people think that sugar free means healthier, I can only assume that they are thinking of cavities and empty calories. While refined sugar is not necessarily the best substitute for artificial sweeteners, there are healthier alternatives. Natural fruit juices, honey, agave syrup and stevia are all healthier alternatives to sugar and artificial sweeteners.
What it all boils down to is that healthy eating makes for healthy people. Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meat and you can't go wrong. Steer clear of processed foods which often have loads of hidden sugars and chemicals. Read labels and check out any ingredients you're unsure of. I stopped using my favorite brand of flavored rice when I found out that it contained MSG and I always, ALWAYS give my daughter 100% not from concentrate fruit juice.
I by no means consider myself an expert, but I have done a bit of my own research on the subject. Aspartame is considered to be an unclassifiable carcinogen by the World Health Organization. There are over 92 health side effects associated with aspartame consumption, some of which can be deadly in people with certain underlying health problems. Adverse effects include headaches, tinnitus, insomnia, visual impairments and memory loss, while some studies suggest that aspartame can increase the symptoms in people who suffer from depression and other mood disorders. Research also links excessive aspartame consumption to the increase in some chronic diseases such as; multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, chronic fatigue syndrome, Parkinson’s, lupus, Alzheimer’s, mental disability and lymphoma. In children aspartame exposure can also cause hyperactivity and kidney damage and it has been linked to birth defects in babies of mothers who excessively use aspartame during pregnancy. Why would we choose to put this stuff into our bodies? Well, most people think that sugar free means healthier, I can only assume that they are thinking of cavities and empty calories. While refined sugar is not necessarily the best substitute for artificial sweeteners, there are healthier alternatives. Natural fruit juices, honey, agave syrup and stevia are all healthier alternatives to sugar and artificial sweeteners.
Sunday, 30 January 2011
Introducing Baby Marshmallow!
It's official, it's a baby! And just one, despite the scary first words out of the sonographer's mouth stating that I was carrying twins. With twins in the family the possibility was absolutely at the back of my mind with both pregnancies. I must say, I was much keener to have twins the first time around. Imagine, two children and only one pregnancy!
My beautiful 4 and a half year old is very excited about being a big sister. She's told everyone, very proudly, that Mommy has a baby in her tummy. Occasionally we'll ask her what names she likes. Her choice; Marshmallow. I suppose one argument for it is that it's a rather original name. Somehow it's not at the top of either of my lists.
Naming children is a huge responsibility. It's something that they're stuck with for life, something that helps define and identify them and something, that if not thought out properly, can lead to a lifetime of embarrassment and torment. With a surname like Askew I need to be careful. Imagine a little boy going through life with the name Jack Askew. How will he ever live down the constant taunting "Hey Jack-ass!" or Miles Askew? I could never name a little girl Ophelia or Ivonna. You then have to be careful and think what a name will inevitably get shortened to. I know of a couple who named their son William Barrow. A respectable name until it's shortened to Will Barrow. All in all I don't have it as bad as some. Take my friends Mr. and Mrs. Cox who recently had twins. Imagine the pitfalls in naming those children! I suppose you could recycle family names but is the world really ready for two Mike or Dick Coxes?
Thankfully my husband and I have similar tastes when it comes names. Already we've started small lists of potential names for Livy's new little brother or sister. Unfortunately, Marshmallow has not made the cut.
My beautiful 4 and a half year old is very excited about being a big sister. She's told everyone, very proudly, that Mommy has a baby in her tummy. Occasionally we'll ask her what names she likes. Her choice; Marshmallow. I suppose one argument for it is that it's a rather original name. Somehow it's not at the top of either of my lists.
Naming children is a huge responsibility. It's something that they're stuck with for life, something that helps define and identify them and something, that if not thought out properly, can lead to a lifetime of embarrassment and torment. With a surname like Askew I need to be careful. Imagine a little boy going through life with the name Jack Askew. How will he ever live down the constant taunting "Hey Jack-ass!" or Miles Askew? I could never name a little girl Ophelia or Ivonna. You then have to be careful and think what a name will inevitably get shortened to. I know of a couple who named their son William Barrow. A respectable name until it's shortened to Will Barrow. All in all I don't have it as bad as some. Take my friends Mr. and Mrs. Cox who recently had twins. Imagine the pitfalls in naming those children! I suppose you could recycle family names but is the world really ready for two Mike or Dick Coxes?
Thankfully my husband and I have similar tastes when it comes names. Already we've started small lists of potential names for Livy's new little brother or sister. Unfortunately, Marshmallow has not made the cut.
Baby Marshmallow at 12 weeks 6 days.
ETA
Wednesday, 26 January 2011
New Beginnings
I'm going to take this opportunity to re-start my blog. Since writing my last post over a month ago I've found out that I am pregnant. A very exciting time in my life and also a very exhausting one. Seems as though the fatigue I was feeling a month ago was justified after all!
The goal of writing this blog hasn't changed much, I still am on a quest to find a happier and healthier Jo, there's just one more person to consider now! If there was ever a time in a woman's life to be healthy, pregnancy is it!
Unfortunatley I haven't felt much like exercising. Between work, pregnancy and the demands of being a wife and mother I find that by 6 o'clock my energy stores are running on empty. I'm hoping that within the next few weeks, as I start to enter my second trimester, I'll once again be blessed with energy and can begin a healthy pregnancy exercise regime. I've continued with my pilates class on a Sunday evening. My instructor assures me that it is safe and that there are many benefits to practicing pilates during pregnancy. I must admit, I do feel more energetic at the end of the session! If only I could manage to get up early and fit in some pilates in the morning. Something to work on I suppose.
Thankfully my morning, or in my case evening, sickness has subsided. I am also fairly sure that I spent an entire week eating. My appetite went through the roof at about week 8 or 9 and I was requiring 5 meals a day, plus snacks. By the end of the week I was in tears to my husband saying " I just can't eat any more, I don't want food!" yet my stomach continued to growl. I found meal replacement shakes a real lifesaver. I continued eating healthy meals but used those inbetween to help manage my insatiable hunger. I used the natural Attain shakes and found the chocolate delicious when mixed with milk!
Tomorrow is my first ultrasound scan! I'm looking forward to seeing the first picture of my little blob!
Happy New Year, here's to an exciting 2011!
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