Re-instated

I've been hiding something from you all.

Because I've been ashamed. Because I've been embarrassed. 

It is something that I have felt needlessly bad about, worrying about, thinking about. 

But no more...

My follower count.  It isn't very high. In fact it currently only stands at 12. It's strange how some things can revert you to feeling like you're a child again, needlessly measuring yourself against others. Worrying about how 'popular' you are.  

What a fool I've been.

I'm not embarrassed any more, I'm proud. There may not be many of you, but by gosh what you lack in size you make up for in sheer loveliness. And really, what does it matter? It's not a popularity contest. It's a platform, for sharing, for teaching, for learning, for building relationships. I realised that as long as I was looking at it in any other way I was missing out on all the great things it could be doing for me. 

So it's back. In all it's glory for the world to see. 

So a thank you for all of the love, advice, compliments left on here. Not one goes unnoticed and not one is read without a bucket load of gratitude. 

But, if there are any lurkers out there watching from the shadows with an urge to google connect with me, please do. 

There is a button just down there... 

x

Image via here.

In theory...

I'm back! We are mid unpack and reattach. I promise I will update soon with lots of lovely pictures and tales of moving.

Thank you for my wonderful comments whilst I've been away! What lovely people you are :)

x

Dining Room Desires

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Some more interior pleasure for your eyes. Things are still moving along at what feels like a snails pace, but we are well on our way. Hopefully we will be in by the end of the week. Poor hubby has been working so hard, I'm worried I might have broken him for good, but I finally have white painted floor boards! Hurrah! What a spoiled young lady I am.

These two room below are my dreams rooms. I want my dining room to look like these...

Source: designismine.blogspot.com via With Bells On on Pinterest

Source: designsponge.com via With Bells On on Pinterest

Ah, heaven.

I have a question for you... I have managed to get my hands on a Kartell Fly emerald lamp shade (amazing cheap ebay find, such a result!!) . I am considering both the living room and the dining room as contenders to be graced with it's beauty. I know the traditional place seems to be above the dining room table but I think it would look amazing in the living room too... Help, I'm torn!

x

Elimination Communication

Oh how we try.

We are not fans of disposable nappies. Pretty much since Bean was born we have been trying to EC part time. We giver her 'pottytunities' when we change her nappies, when she wakes up and after she is taken out of the carrier. We catch a few wees. We catch most poos (the grunting noises and little red face make doing this much easier!). We're doing ok.

The book says you should be able to read the signs before they need to wee. I've been doing it on and off for almost 9 months! Yet I still struggle to tell.

Yesterday I let her wander round in her oversized jumper and nothing else. I thought I she wanted to wee. I sat her on and made the noise to encourage her. Left her to sit for a while. Nothing. I stood her up and took the potty away. She proceeded to look me straight in the eye with a half smile on her face and wee. Everywhere. Seriously it was like a horse, I've never seen a child so small wee so much.

Lets just say it's a good job we're getting new rugs when we move.

x

One bite at a time...

My life has gone awry. 

I have endless to do lists. The flat is a mess. I need to de-junk, um, well, everything (me and hubble are both hoarders- not good). My days are without rhythm or rhyme, full to burst without getting anything done. Spending money without buying anything. 

Aaargh! Help!

I need to make my life simpler...

Hooray for Simple Mom. I am a massive fan of this site but I never find the time to go back over the reams of incredibly good advice let alone put it into practice. But clever Tsh has made a book for all you people just like me. One bite at a time puts together all the best advice to make your life simpler, greener, cheaper, even happier in one place broken into easy to digest bite size chunks. 

There are 52 project in all, all of which I will be trying to complete. 

Starting with No.1 eat your frog!

Wish me luck

Images courtesy of Simple Mom

x

Lounge Lover

Source: designismine.blogspot.com via With Bells On on Pinterest

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So, the house is taking a wee bit longer to get sorted than anticipated and my thoughts are turning to decorating. I am really struggling with which direction to go in. I had been thinking bright and bold but everything that I find and love seems to be a lot more subdued which small splashes of colour. I have a general idea, but I am just itching to get in there and start fiddling with furniture and seeing what to add and where. I am so impatient. I hate having to walk out of there and trudge back to our little flat. I can't wait for the day it is really ours.

Soon, soon, soon.

x

I don't know how they do it

I am exhausted. Worn out. Monologued out. Played out.

Hubble is over at the new house. He's been there pretty much since dawn and will be there until long after dusk. He is working so hard. But the stress is getting to me.

I love being a Mummy. I really do. Bean is the most amazing child and is, pretty much, always a delight to be  around, but I'm baby'ed out. I am just longing for a snippet of baby free time. To go to the toilet without her gorgeous little face appearing from around the corner to check that I'm still there. Not to be on alert for the first cries from the bedroom. Not to be clearing up her food or making more of it. Even, just to get some of the housework done!

Just. To. Stop.

For a moment.

I have a new found respect for single parents. In my moments, when full of anger, in an argument, I've thought I'd be happier going it alone. I now know how wrong I was. Without the tiny little things, helps and breaks that seem so insignificant, it is like scaling an endless mountain. It makes me love and respect my own mummy all the more for the never ending time, effort and love she gave us. Also, I thank the stars for finding my sweet, kind (forgiving of my mad ravings) man.

So, to all the mummies and daddies climbing a mountain alone, my heart goes out to you. You are so strong and so brave. I hope one day your babies will look at you, see that too and be thankful for all that you have done.

x

Image by Honeycomb