Parents assume that bonding happens immediately at birth, and whilst it can, for many, birth, particularly the first time round is a rollercoaster of emotion oscillating between shock, elation, worry and love.
Over the last few weeks, several women have asked me what it's like to have kids- and I feel I have a duty to them- and to you guys- to be honest that while raising kids can be blooming life-affirming and wondrous, it can also be incredibly tough: mentally and physically.
Aw I've not shared this little guy and all his gorgeous chubbiness on the blog for a while now so I'm delighted to get my nephew back on here and in such a stylish highchair too.
When luxurious baby clothing label Pumpkin Baby offered to send my (still, only just) 18 month old son Alexander a cute babygrow/onesie, I simply couldn't refuse. Taken just before the house move (ignore the door above which needed a repaint)...Alexander was the perfect model for us!
I love interior design and as a creative, feel it's important I put my own stamp on our house, so it truly reflects our family, style and eccentricities too!
Wow, are the Christmas holidays over already?!
What a break!
Where to begin with what we got up to?!
Firstly, RELAXATION was the name of the day, every single day, amigos.
In the latest instalment of my monthly feature 'Who's The Daddy', I'm pleased to introduce Neil Ransome, Daddy blogger of PLUMSNET and Senior Talent Manager at Insanity Group.
I'm going to start this post with a warning as there are some SERIOUSLY cute baby pictures coming up and if you're feeling broody, your clock is gonna go into overdrive! Ouch, there goes my ovaries!
Wednesday saw Mum and I head to Leeds to surprise my gorgeous cousin Georgia for her 21st Birthday. Georgia had no idea that we, or her folks and brother, would be turning up to the Alchemist in Trinity, Leeds, to celebrate her special day with her.
Oh the wonderful weekend, where did it go? It feels so long ago now and it's only Tuesday, and I'm missing running through russet fields at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park and breathing in that crisp autumnal air, squinting at sunlight filtering through the trees.
I literally can't believe my baby boy, Xander turned 3 on Sunday, my charming, loveable, second born son is simply growing up too quickly and I'd like it to stop, STOP I tell you- I want him to remain my baby always, and I suppose he always will be just that, my littlest, youngest love.
On Saturday, my eldest son, my floppy haired, bright eyed Oliver turned 5. I actually can't believe I'm typing this out-5, it sounds so, well grown up.
So those reading my blog last week will know, it was a pretty rubbish time for myself and Alexander. A lot of tears were shed (by us both).
The nursery induction was hard going, which is inevitable but it was worse than expected, Alexander was beside himself and despite another session with me, he just wasn't settling, my toddler wasn't ready.
It's funny how things can work out just when you need them to...I was feeling a bit down in the dumps that I'd not seen some of my closest London buddies for what feels like forever when I received a text from my male best friend Will that he'd be in town for an anesthetist conference pretty much round the corner from where I live in Yorkshire-yay!
It's what we'd been gearing up for all summer...trial days at the end of last term were enjoyed (mostly making play dough cookies and playing in the sand pit), teachers had visited us at home (manic hoovering followed by a friendly chat with us both) and then finally, FINALLY Oliver was embarking on the biggest milestone of his little life yesterday-starting school!
I cannot believe Alexander is 16 months already, time sure is flying! I feel like I'm enjoying every second with this little one too. I found first time-motherhood tougher, a foreign world in many ways, a shock to the system (amazing too of course) but I'm a seasoned pro with my second son now!
