Month 9 as a mummy of 3

June 2015

June seems to have been just as manic and tiring as May, but it feels like there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel and as I write this as we're entering July life feels like it getting back on track.

E turned 2 at the start of June, and I really don't know where its gone, life's been so busy with buying the house, 2 job promotions and H coming along that since she was born it really has flown by. I often refer to E as my mini me not only because we have the same position in the family (we both have an older sister and a younger brother) but also her very determined personality and always wanting to know everything. 
We had a really laid back day, we were going to go swimming but she was so tired that she had a nap instead and we decided that we'd go in a week or two. My now big girl has also really surprised me and has given up her dummy. S was so easy when we got rid of hers, she cried at one nap time and never asked for it again. E has a completely different personality and I really didn't think that she would give them up, the 1st 4 days were really hard but after that and when she a got a present for being such a big girl it became a lot easier.

Mr had to do a week on nights which was tortuous for me. In theory it was going to work perfectly, he'd help put the littles to bed then have an hour to chill & get ready and go work at 9pm, finish at 7am and be home before 8, either spend an hour with us or help get us ready to leave if it was a nursery day, then sleep till 5/6pm eat dinner and repeat. In practice he didn't get home till late morning because of the amount of paperwork that he had to do, then was really grumpy when the noise of us running the bath woke him. Trying to keep us busy and out of the house was the hardest part. H had another abscess that week so he wasn't sleeping well, the girls seemed to have a bad week as well, I think they picked up on our stress. In a way I felt good that knowing that I could cope on my own and I've got a new respect for single mums, who have to do it on their own all the time.

Its been a bad month for my poor wee H, he has cut his first teeth, his top middle ones, and has had 2 more abscesses. the 1st abscess was when Mr was on nights, he went straight onto the strongest antibiotics which cleared it up nicely. It was helped along by the fact that he can now pull himself up to stand but cant get back down so he just plonks down on his bum which popped it, so with all the gunk out it cleared out quicker than normal. Having said that 4 days after stopping the antibiotics another one has appeared, in a different place this time. He was straight back on the antibiotics and have been told that if he has two more this year then we will be referred back to the surgeons at the children's hospital.

I finally have some news on S's school appeal. We received her appeal hearing date, which typically is while we are on holiday in July, but the letter stated that I don't need to attend if I don't want to as the school has indicated that they can accept all the children who have appealed as they have a enough spaces. I'm feeling so relieved about it all, i'm now hoping that when we get back of holiday there will be a nice official letter confirming it and that we can organise a visit to the school again and order her uniform. It's all becoming very real now that in just 2 months time my little baby will be starting big school.

Thanks for reading 

Elly x

Month 7 as a mummy of 3

April 2015

This is my last post where I'm a mum of 3 under 4. Which has surprisingly upset me, not that anything is magically going to change overnight, life's still going to be chaotic but it means that this magical time of having 3 really little children is coming to an end. It means that S will soon be starting school, E will soon be talking properly and be 2 in just a few weeks and H will be crawling and walking before I know it. I wish life had a pause button so that I could just sit back and really appreciate how special these ages are.
We didn't get off to a great start this month and spent most of the Easter weekend in and out of hospital with H, you can read about that here. Other than going to hospital we had a nice Easter the children got spoilt as usual with lots of lovely presents. Me and my mum both buy presents instead of chocolate because otherwise they end up with so much that I don't think they appreciate it.

S has had a couple of play dates over the half term and It's made me realise that she really is growing up. At both play dates the children wanted to play upstairs. But we've never put toys in S's room as she only goes in her room to sleep and get dressed. It seems that by the age of 4 it's the norm for children to have toys in their room and to spend time in it on their own. After S's birthday we decided that she could keep her Barbies and dolls in there and see how she gets on with them before putting anything else in.

More bedroom news that H has gone into his own room now, so far so good. The first night he slept through but unfortunately it was a fluke and he usually wakes at some point in the night. It's so strange having an empty room when I go up at night. But it's nice to not have to creep in anymore.

Primary school places were announced this month and like many other families we were disappointed and didn't get our first choice. I do feel very strongly about as it was the school that I went to, it's a Catholic school and although we're not Catholic me and the girls are practicing Christians and I want them to go to a school that has these Christian values, I know not everyone will agree with me on that, but I believe that we should all have the choice of where our children are educated for whatever reason that may be. So we are appealing which is really stressful and annoying because all of S's friends know where they're going and we are still in limbo. Hopefully by my next monthly blog post I'll know more.

Our major event this month was S's birthday and party! Peoples kindness never ceases to amaze me, she got so many lovely cards and presents and had such a lovely time at her party with her friends. Where the last 4 years have gone I really don't know. She's such a head strong and stubborn little girl and at times has me tearing my hair out, but she's also so kind and caring to E and H and will always come and apologise after she's been naughty, it makes my heart melt. Happy Birthday to the little girl who made me a Mummy and the person I always wanted to be! 

This month hasn't all been perfect and I've certainly had my bad days including the day after S's party, you can read about that here. It has had its good points especially the week after when we had some lovely weather and that instantly put me in a better mood. On the Wednesday, once we picked the girls up from nursery we went for a picnic in the park which certainly made me feel like a better mum seeing them all so happy and having fun.

I've also made myself start going to baby classes, I've never really gone to them before because I hate going to places where I don't know anyone. When S was first born I went to a baby massage massage class which I really enjoyed and I've been to the odd play group but usually end up sitting there holding back tears as I'm not very good at meeting new people as I'm really shy. I decided at the start of the month that I needed to overcome my fear as it's not fair that the children should suffer because of it. There was a new class starting locally which seemed like the perfect opportunity for me because with it being a new class there wouldn't already be 'cliques' so I wouldn't feel like an outsider and with it being a class as apposed to a play group I knew the parents wouldn't just be sitting around nattering drinking tea. We have been to 3 classes so far and absolutely love it. It's on a Thursday when S is having swimming lessons with nursery, it's nice to have a bit of time with the littlest two. It's been a long time since anxiety has severely affected me(nearly 3 years), recently I have felt it creeping back in but doing this has really made me feel like I've kicked its ass and told it to jog on.

H still can't quite sit by himself he just doesn't seem interested in it, he would much rather be on his tummy trying to crawl, I suspect that by next months post he will be off. he still loves cuddles which is so nice as by this age the girls weren't as bothered and would rather be off playing or exploring, I'm going to enjoy every moment  of my extended baby days. Has anyone else found that boys love cuddles more than girls?

Trying his hardest to crawl

Thanks for reading
Elly xx

When perfect isn't perfect

I always have these ideals of how we'll spend our family time together, we'll all be happy and laughing, non of the children will cry, we'll be dressed nicely and the children will look presentable. In reality it never happens like that, on Sunday after a busy few days for S's birthday we thought that going out for a little walk would be a lovely end to an exciting weekend. S wanted to go on her bike and with the weather been so bad the past few months we thought it would be a good chance for her to have a practice.

With S going on her bike we decided that we'd better only go to the playground around the corner. We put E on the smart trike and H in the pushchair. Sounds like my perfect Sunday afternoon. We'd got about 20 yards and I realised what a bad idea it was! S kept stopping and having tantrums because the footpath is so uneven and because she peddles a few feet then stops, she gets stuck on the uneven bits. E was getting fed up of being stopped every few yards and so was H who was tired and needed to keep moving to get him off to sleep. 

At the end of our road S some how managed to fall off her bike (despite it having stabilisers) and that was it then, she hadn't hurt herself other than her pride, but she screamed and screamed the whole road must of heard her. I was ready for home but we'd promised them that we would go out and we couldn't go back on it. We carried on and S continued to find things to cry about. Goodness only knows what we looked like, both S and E's noses were streaming their hair that was now luggy and messed up stuck to their faces. 

When we finally got to the playground they both insisted on taking their coats off even though it was freezing, although after 10 minutes they both asked for them back because they were cold. I really felt like an awful parent, luckily we hardly saw anyone else.

I sent Mr off to the shop to get us all a drink and after that we decided to head home. It took us ages to walk what normally take 5 minutes. Every few steps S would break down in a paddy about wanting to get on/off her bike, needing a wee, being hungry /thirsty, home being too far away, the list could go on. 

When we finally got home and Mr sneaked off for what ended up a 2 hour nap, I stuck 'The little mermaid' on for the girls which they must of sat nicely for all of 10 minutes. H had a nappy explosion, the house was an absolute mess, as I was tidying one room they were messing up another. It got to the point where I literally wanted to cry. So I did my usual trick when it starts getting a bit much for me and emptied the bin so I could have a breath of fresh air.

My very scruffy children having a drinks break on the roundabout!

Sometimes it feels like my life is literally crumbling around me. How do these people do it where all their children are always happy and well dressed with neat hair. They're so well behaved and polite. I want to be the sort of family who go out for woodland walks on a Sunday afternoon. It makes me feel like I'm failing miserably as a mum. All Mr wants to when he's at home is play on his Xbox and just doesn't want to have this 'family time' together, as soon as something like that happens he just gets stressed himself and seems to leave me to it. the fact that S hasn't got into her first choice of school isn't helping my mood and even though I've decided to appeal it now means a few more months of stress. I guess i'm just feeling really down at the minute and in need of a break. I love my life, I really do, but sometimes I just wish it was how I imagined it would be. Sorry for a depressing post, just wanted to get it all off my chest. 

Does anyone have any tips on how to stay calm in a chaotic household? 

Elly xx

Month 3 as a mummy of 3

December is always a special month for us, as it's our wedding anniversary on the 1st, which Is a lovely way to start the month or it would have been if I hadn't forgotten to buy a card, and had to go dashing down to the shops at 9 am! This year I also decided to start a new tradition, a 'December box.' I filled it with some new books; activity books; Snowdog pens; chocolates; a magic Santa key; jigsaw and most importantly our "Elf on the shelf" Eddie although I didn't buy an official 'elf on the the shelf' because to be honest they're faces freak me out a bit. The girls loved him and really enjoyed hunting for him every morning, this is definitely a tradition we will be doing every year.

This year December has also been a special month as we got H Baptised. I really enjoyed myself as I was so much more relaxed and laid back about  than at the girls Christenings. I think because I've done it twice before I knew exactly what to expect. Everything went to plan the only thing that didn't was that it started to snow about 40 minutes into the party, so a few people who lived out of town had to go in case got worse and the roads were closed (this happens quite regularly through winter here).

My nephew turned one in the middle of December, It really upset me, I really don't know where the last year has gone. I wasn't even pregnant with H when I met my nephew for the 1st time. I remember holding him and being really broody and really wishing I could have another baby, but thinking that I can't because it wouldn't be practical. Little did I know that less than a month later I'd be getting a positive pregnancy test!

S's nursery concert went really well, she did great and really enjoyed herself. I felt a bit of a loner as Mr had to work with it being so near Christmas and all the other children seemed to have both of their parents there, she didn't seem to bothered that daddy wasn't there and had such a big smile on her face when she saw me sat in the audience. 
Nursery has had her so hyped up for Christmas, I love it as much as the next person but its been getting a bit to much, she's constantly bad tempered because shes so tired. I know this is just what happens but its our first proper year of it and i'm really surprised just how much it does effect them. Its like nursery treat them like a wind up toy, they keep winding the children up then let them go as the holidays start, so you're let with one over excited child!

This month we had lots of fun doing Christmas crafts; we painted baubles; made reindeer footprint pictures; made magic reindeer food and lots and lots of Christmas biscuits. It was a great way to pass a few days when it was too cold to go out. And they made nice cheap presents for people.

Keeping up with the tradition that we started last year, we went to see Santa on the 23rd, with my mum and this year my sister and nephew came with us. We go to a lovely one in a cavern, we were really impressed as well as it was the same one from last year, he has a lovely welsh accent, which for some reason makes him feel more authentic. 

Christmas was a bit of a blur as usual- after months of build up, a late night building toys and then overly excited children waking you at some unearthly hour, it seems to pass in a sleepy haze especially after that glass of bubbly with lunch. We spent most of the day with my family which I love as its just like being a child again and love seeing my children having the same wonderful Christmas's that I had. Last year we had Lunch at home that Mr made, it was nice but it's not Christmas without my mums Chrismas Dinner. Like every year I can't believe how kind and thoughtful some people are and all 3 of them were spoiled rotten, as a parent its one of the best things seeing your child's face light up as they open their presents. The only problem this year was that E decided that she couldn't be bothered to unwrap them as it looked to much like hard work so insisted that I unwrap them and she'd play with the toy.

17 & 18 Weeks

17 weeks 

This week i've been feeling kicks most nights when i'm lay in bed, it really is one on the nicest feelings in the world. I saw someone complain about their baby kicking them at night on Facebook the other day, it made me so angry, your babies kicks are one of the best ways to check that your baby is okay. Whatever time of the day or night it is even at 30 weeks plus when they start getting behind your ribs, its letting you know that they're alright in there, every baby has their own routine and as long as you recognise it and report any changes to your midwife or health professional that really can save your babies life.
I'v been full of cold this week and have been feeling dreadful, its a week that I could of done with spending at home in front of Disney movies but with it been S's birthday next week, I seem to have spent all week cleaning and baking. I really over did this week and haven't helped myself all i'v managed to do is make myself feel even worse and get myself down, so now I think its going to take twice as long to get better. With me getting pregnant at the end of winter I'v not been offered a flu vaccine like I was with the girls, I think I still could of done with having it.

18 weeks

Well S's Birthday went great on Thursday, we had a lovely day and she got spoiled which is the best bit. Friday was Good Friday so had a lovely day planned with my Mum and Dad in the sunshine. Mr's parents haven't looked after the girls before and have been asking if they can for a few months, so when I needed to pop out for an hour on Friday morning it seemed like a great opportunity for a tester as Mr would still be there to keep an eye on things if needed. With it been a nice day they decided to go to our local playground but while there S tripped and fell funny, when I met up with them all I could tell straight away that something wasn't right she never crys that much over a fall. So off we went to A&E where she had a X-Ray on her collar bone as they thought she and either broken or dislocated it. Luckily the X-Ray came back clear and she just had severe soft tissue damage, which will heal its self. Its still been hard though as shes been in so much pain for the first few days and it's hurt when i'v picked her up. It's been horrible seeing her in pain, 3 years and 1 day I had managed to protect her. Its making it very hard for me to trust anyone but myself to look after her. The stress of this pushed me over the edge at weekend and I hit rock bottom, I could of easily stayed in bed all day on Easter Sunday I was so run down, I had an eye infection, got a coldsore and four ulcers appeared in my mouth, on top of that I still have this horrendous cold that I can't seem to get over, im just hoping that I can start to pull through next week. Next tuesday at 19+6 weeks I have my 20week scan. We have decided that if possible we are are going to find out the sex of Peanut. So whatch out for my next blog post where hopefully I will be revieling if we're having a boy or girl.