Do's and Dont's of bedtime for toddlers

Toddlers are the most strange funny creatures of this world. There ability to go from happy to psycho is somewhat impressive. I don't know how hilarious.... Borderline crazy other toddlers may be but this is based on my children (some may be exaggerated to some degree).

Do make sure you read a nice selection of stories, they say reading at bedtime is good for them. 

Don't forget to set a limit other wise you will be reading aaaallllll night. 

Do make sure there is some choice in bedtime stories

Don't forget to hide the books that are irritating or that you may have read for the last year EVERYNIGHT. Not Pip and posy again!

Do make sure they go to toilet before bed.

Don't think that they won't be at your bedside at 4am regardless needing a wee.

Do pander to the requests sometimes just to get them to go to bed, so you can look at photos of them and miss them whilet they are asleep.

Don't for the sake of all humanity turn out the hallway light. You will never hear the end of it.

Do make sure you place them back into there bed calmly if they continue to keep on getting out of bed.

Don't stand outside the bedroom playing sirens saying naughty policeman will come if you don't go to sleep, trust me it doesn't work. 

Do make sure that a you give a nice cuddle before bed. 

Do not under any circumstances forget otherwise it will be tears until dawn. "You didn't give me a big cuddle at bed time I can't sleep now ever".

Do purchase a gro clock for helping them know when to get up. 

Don't expect it to work or in my toddlers case learn how to change it themselves. She gets up when she wants to regardless of the clock. 

Do grab all special teddies way before bedtime. 

Don't forget that sodding unicorn who five minutes to bedtime I swear leaves the house because he can never be found. Leaving you with a distraught toddler. Blooming selfish unicorn.

Do check on them in the night to make sure they are warm enough.

Don't forget to use the skills you learnt with a newborn for ninja stealth mode, you will have endless questions if you wake them.

Do encourage a settling down period before bedtime to ensure a swift bedtime. 

Don't expect your husband to abide as he hypes the children with dance music and biscuits. 

Do celebrate if your child goes to bed without fuss.
Don't do what I did and watch a comedy resulting in me laughing, resulting in what I call the toddler peep. the toddler peep is where you see something out of the corner of your eyes and too your surprise its a quite toddler wide eyed just staring at you, often found at 4am.

Do praise the nights when they go to bed well.
Don't forget  lollypop in the morning is not ever a good idea, believe me sugar high at 7am is NEVER fun. 




Do remember how ever hard bedtime is you may get a little free time and spend it looking at photos/ videos of your child remembering theres at least another 24 hours till you have to do  it again....

The Girl and Her Mumma

I always wanted a girl, I am not sure why. Maybe seeing all the beautiful dresses and tights and pretty frills I knew I could not wait to have a girl one day. I remember before she was born I had all her little clothes waiting ready and, lots of floral and cute bits and it finally hit me, the reality of it all. How different will a girl be, will it mess our dynamic up. I wondered how her older brother would cope and and interested in the differences in the two.  

When she was born I was filled with joy, I looked at the little body that came so quickly and easily into the world and I was filled with love. Her dark hair and perfect little body I felt so blessed. Me and my husband shared a look and we knew our little princess was born. My husband always wanted a girl something about spoiling a girl who loves her dad lots. She was the happiest baby and so chilled was so glad she was here. The worries I had about her fitting in were nothing she just slotted in. Being that extra puzzle piece we did not know was missing. 

So I look at her now, so full of confidence and boldness I wonder what she will be like when she is older. She loves to have a laugh and loves the outdoors. We know she is going to be good at sports ever since she was a baby she has had the most perfect aim nothing like getting a toy at your head repeatedly. Now the pressure is on to raise her well, not crush her, try to encourage her the best we can. Bring out the stuff that makes her shine and protect her from bad.  I hope we do a good job as she will be awesome, she is awesome. 

I am glad I have my girl, my girl to take me away from the football mad boys. The girl who we can shop together and spend hours in coffee houses. The girl who loves craft and creating things. The girl who is not afraid to get what she wants. The girl who brings joy to those around her.

The girl and her mumma.

Holding on to the baby

I hear the sound of crying I look round and see where its coming from, the sound so familiar my heart starts to race. Not my little baby crying he wants his mum. I grab him and cling to him a baby so dependent on me. The whimpers start to stop his body starts to relax and I hold him close. I kiss that head and wonder how long I have left. How long will my baby want to be held? How long till suddenly the world seems more attractive than mum. For somedays it may suffercate me but most I love cuddling my little baby. 

I am already aware that he no longer falls asleep on me unless in a sling but when he does I make it last. I hold that little body legs filling out and hands starting to look so grown up and cherish it. I would stay like it all afternoon if wasnt sorting Ami out, if I didnt have a million and one things to sort. 

You try so desperately to be on the move wanting to explore and eat what ever you can find. I am pleased that you are so strong and so wanting to do more than you should but apart of me still would like more time with you so small. More time where all you want is mummy and daddy. It seems so long ago you were a newborn who could barely lift his head so tiny, so fragile. Six months has flown by it makes me sad to think the next 6 will go by even quicker. I dont want to miss anything I want to take it all in, I want to hit pause and make the most of the time as you as a baby. 

As I cant do that I will hold you and sway. Come to you when you wake in the night your little cries as you wait for mummy to hold you. Your tears as you just want to be nursed to sleep. I will try my best for you, stroke your little head totally in love with you. 

Difference between a 1st time mum and a 3rd time mum

I have now had three children and kind of have a idea about children (somedays none at all), I have noticed the difference in my parenting skills now and when my first son was born. I am no longer fascinated by black and white for my baby (actually never with my first) or what they are doing when and where. So here is some things Ive noticed in my parenting that has relaxed maybe a little too much. Some are examples and may or not be how I have done things but most are me.

Germs

First baby: With your first baby protecting the babies dummy is important, carrying round a travel milton dummy sterile dummy thing is a must have.

Third baby: As a third time mum after searching every toybox, sock drawer or anywhere else another child may hide a dummy, you find one give it a suck then give it to the baby.

Age

First baby: The first baby you know how old they are in weeks, you attend the baby clinic to get them weighed. You know when they should achieve milestones and when they should go through a growth spurt.

Third baby: When it comes to the third baby you know when they were born and roughly how many months they are. They get weighed when a HV turns up unannounced as you've missed all the calls. You know when they should do important things but that baby book has been left un touched.

Toys

First baby: The first baby has a selection of baby toys, different ones to educate your little baby, different colours for learning and development.

Third baby: By the time the third baby comes the baby has a handful of baby toys that have survived the cull of charity shop donations and boot fairs. You find out the babies favorite toys are the older children favorite toys and of course the dont play with them when elder child is in school.

Nappies

First baby: Nappy is changed every few hours, baby is given a baby massage every evening and has a good selection of creams.

Third baby: Nappy gets changed when you can smell, they have had a poo or it has leaked through

knowledge

First baby:When you have had your first baby suddenly you are the wealth of baby knowledge your life has been turned around and you know have learnt everything there is to know about babies. You love to give advice to anyone even if they already know it or asked for it.

Third baby: By the time the third baby comes you are just glad to talk to someone other than a toddler all day you will talk about anything, you have learnt all children are different and to trust your instincts.

Illness 

First baby: Is poorly and you have taken there temp alot has a cough and given medication every 4 hours, means a trip to the doctors or a trip to A&E. 

Third baby: Give regular medicine and only go to the doctors if someone suggests that your child is ill enough, you still don't go unless child is really unwell. Baby is also always ill due to older siblings always passing nasty germs to the baby

Development:

First baby: You know every milestone, praise all development and love it when they start crawling

Third baby: You try not to encourage movement and wonder if it is suitable to tape child to a floor so they don't move and cause more havoc. When 3rd baby starts moving it will be hard to know which child to follow when you are out.

Clothes 

First Baby: all clothes are washed and all new, you have been inundated with lots of new gifts for the baby and the baby is always wearing matching clothes

Third baby; you take delight when given clothes from friends as otherwise pink will be fine for a boy. People don't give much gifts assuming you dont need it as you already have it.  You put your child in anything even if it doesn't go.

So here we are some differences between the first and third baby, I have actually always been laid back with my parenting. What differences have you found when you have had another baby? 

Such a Blessing my children

When i hear stories of people that try desperately to have a child but cant it breaks my heart because i know what a blessing they are, I do not know what its like to be in that situation but i reakon its very difficult. So when i see there sleeping faces i know they are a gift! A extremely special gift im blessed to even have two let alone another one on the way. Some days i think why do i have kids or ive had enough not because its tough, although sometimes it is but i think its the days where everything is the same!  I write this post as i look at photos of my children and was made happy! Just think what god thinks of us that just blows my mind. So funny they both are in there different ways.

Pants makes me laugh daily with his Random Stories, I love to turn the Tv of and hear him play and forget there is video games and just get lost in a world of make believe! Hes a strong character and often wonder what he will grow up to be like. I know he is going to be a revivalist, missionary and adventurer! He already at his age loves missions being on his first at 10months old he was with me during a scripture union beach mission! Very computer savvy too how can a six year old help me out on the computer!!! thats just embarrassing!!

Ami also makes us laugh alot weather its a cheeky dance or funny face expression she is everyday learning. I feel like she knows too much for such a small baby (shes not small though very chubby she is!!). She is nearly one i cant believe how quick it is going! She is very chilled out very much like her dad which is most prob why she can be such a daddys girl!! Im sure she is going to love everything be so happy and chilled just like her daddy! I cant wait to see what she grows up to be! i dont want to wish the years away but there is that little inkling in me that want to know the same with  Pants! Exciting times

Another on the way that brings a mix of emotions often forget then someone reminds me that were having another one! Im excited and scared but im sure it will be good! God makes all things work for good!

I do love being a mummy! although i wouldn't pass up a night away somewhere on my own... ok my husband at a push lol!!


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Sunday Snapshot my kids (Again!)

Still trying the new lens for the Camera 35mm mean anything to you (it didnt me all i heard was shallow depth) but with that Im one of those mums that takes 100s of photos, its even got to the stage that Pants hates his photo taken! so to get him to smile for a photo i always great! Ami has been teething all week but can see four teeth ready to pop through the gums so shes been a bit of a grump all week! So here some of the weeks photos ranging from red nose day and chill out after school!

Pants love his sis!

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just another Wednesday!

Ami at the park!

weve had a nice relaxing dayish ive walked for about 3 hours so the nandos for lunch must have been burnt of! way hey! today have trying to sort stuff out for my mother and my mother in law for mothers day this coming sunday! i thought it would be a good idea to take some photos of the kids to send them or put in a frame! i for one love photos! thats always my favourite gifys hint hint kids!

photo fail!

so i decided to get the DSLR out and its so complicated i cant use it ha! my husnad pursuaded me we should get it so he could use it for filming! which he has made some lovely videos of Ami when she was newborn! although he always puts the camerea in your face no fun when your breast feeding! Anyway lovely sunny day so i grab the camera before the school run! then it got all cloudy and hazy but that doesnt matter i took some photos indoors! Trying to get a hyperactive 6 year old and a 7 month old to smile at the camera at the same Time is hardwork I take my hat of to fellow photographers! Loving the weather its lush to be able to walk around with out a coat!

one of the better photos!

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We finally got a Stroller

So I went ahead and brought a stroller I have been looking for ages but was not sure what I wanted. One thing I did know I didn't want to spend alot of money! Mama and papas had a huge range of strollers and looking at the reviews of them they weren't what i expected for the price! so i looked on kiddicare.com where I brought Amis Pram, shes currently in the Obaby ZeZu in purple. we love this pram but it can be bulky and not everyone has an estate to cart it round! Im extremly accident prone as it is so have crashed into plenty door frames etc.

kiddicare had a few but nothing I really fancied! So i looked on mothercare where they had a stroller with £10 off the Mothercare Nanu Stroller - Lollipop Blush. I looked on Voucher code to see if i could get a further discount, and to my surprise there was a another £10 of if you spend £50 if you download the iphone app, so all in all got £20 of the original price! i do love a bargain me! with the £20 i brought a pink cosytoes! 

It came this morning easy to put together! don't usually go for pink but the husband loves pink! or anything girly for Ami he loves! We have used it a few times and have found that Ami has not liked it, maybe she enjoys parent facing Im not sure, we also found that she ends up slouched down in the pushchair. Also the cosytoes is more hastle than its worth so we havent used it! We carry on to use the pushchair as its alot lighter and handy to use when out and about. Pants enjoyed playing with the box he got in it and i stood him up he was stuck in there was very funny my husband then picked the box up and attempted to put it outside! 

I love to save money where possible these children come with a huge price tag! 

Welcome to the mad life of me!

Welcome to my blog!! i am  busy mum of two adorable (sometimes) children! Aston who is six and Amelie who is six months. life is very busy and is flying by way too fast so i decided to start a blog in order to record moments in our life and make new friends!

Enjoy being crafty (not in the cheeky sense but sometimesmaybe) and baking! Both of these I am not very good at but hey there’s no harmin trying!  I also have a passion to savemoney on everything I buy and have had some amazing savings! I'm married to aamazing man who makes me laugh very much his name is Matt and hes a freelancevideo producer so life is always fun!

Also a big thing about me i'm a Christian and live a life forthe King Jesus!

 So Enjoy and welcome to the mad house!!!

im new to this blogging so any help advice etc will be well appreciated! 

Much Love